Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Moments ❯ Chapter 1

DISCLAIMER: I Don't own GW!!!!!!!!!!!! But, and that's a BIG but, I do feel like I have the right to make Kid's and Odin's personality mine. Though technically it's Bandai and Sunrise that made them up (Heero Yuy and Odin Lowe), I think I gave them something they didn't and so this thing belongs to me. If you disagree, then sue me! I don't care; I don't have any money anyway... BWAHHAHAHA!!!

WARNING: It's got everything, besides sex! And it's a really REALLY long story. If you have patience, read it.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story is a part one of a saga that explores Heero Yuy's childhood, from nearly the very beginning. It turned out to be really long, even more than I thought it will be, but I hope it's bearable.

This is the first chapter that deals with Heero's life with Odin Lowe. Of course, this is only what I make of it. I read the Episode Zero manga and I worked my way from there. I took the liberty in changing Heero a bit; make him more child like and naïve. I don't think that by the age of eight he'll act like the Heero Yuy we know from the show (or like they show him in the manga).

I do believe that children are too innocent and naïve to become soldiers at such a young age. No matter what they go through, no matter what horrors they see, they remain children. I once heard a testimony of a holocaust survivor who was in a concentration camp with his mother and four-year-old sister. The little girl once saw a few men hanging down by their necks from a hanging device and thought that they were playing on a swing set. She begged her mother to go and play in the swings and got really mad when her mother wouldn't let her join the people who were having 'fun' on the swings. That my friends, is a childish innocence that no matter what, stays pure and intact. Even in a war like WWII (or like in GW...).

On a different note: There are parts in the story that are supposed to be said in Japanese. I did what I could with the dictionary, but since I don't speak more than five words in Japanese, I'm not sure it came out right. Anyway, please forgive all of my mistakes, English or Japanese.

Arigatou,

Naomi

SHATTERED MOMENTS

PART ONE

* * *

AC 183.

BOOM!!!

The large explosion echoed throughout the L1 colony, sending tremors up every building.

Smoke rose from the collapsed building and silence fell.

A man was standing on a small artificial hill, not far from the building. He was tall, and quite handsome. He had short blond hair, short bangs falling over his brow. He had a certain air of strength, determination but yet easiness about him.

The man surveyed his work, smiling. "Mission well done." He smirked and then proceeded to take a closer look at his work, making sure the people who needed to be eliminated were indeed dead.

Walking around the smokey ruins, the man smiled at his excellent work. He stopped and took one last look at the used-to-be embassy. He shrugged. "Nothing left to do here. Better get going before the damn feds and their specials arrive."

As he turned to leave, a sharp cry echoed throughout the wrecked building.

The man froze in his spot as it realized the voice did not belong to an injured soldier\ambassador. The voice belonged to a child.

He whirled around, searching for the source of the sound when he could hear it again:

"Mama! Mama!"

The man's eyes widened as he heard the child cry again. He ran at the direction of the voice and then froze again, rooted to his spot.

Covered by a large pile of fallen debris was a body of a woman. She was lying under the pile of rock and cement, face down, arms spread in front of her. Her long black hair was covering her face, as it fell at both sides of her head. Blood was running down her temples and exposed limbs.

But it wasn't the horrifying sight of the dead and crushed woman that made the man gasp in horror. It was the other small figure that lay beside her.

It was a small boy, no more than three years of age. His dark brown hair was covered with dust, as were all of his cloths. He too was caught under the rubble, his left leg trapped. Although he was trapped, the boy was sitting up, facing his dead mother, crying and calling her. He was trying to reach her with his small hand, but was separated from her comforting touch by only two inches. In his other hand, the boy was holding a small teddy bear.

The blond man regained his composure and advanced towards the crying boy. He bent down and knelt by him, him callous hand reaching to grab the little palm that was trying so desperately to reach his mother.

The boy gasped and his head jerked up at the stranger.

The man held his breath as his eyes met those of the boy's for the first time. Large, tearful, cobalt eyes stared at him in complete terror.

"Reidou..." The boy whispered, glancing sadly at his mother.

The blond man did not understand what the little child had just said, but assumed that the boy was in pain. He immediately reached to clear the rubble and free the little leg. The ankle was swollen and the man assumed that the leg was broken. He turned back to the boy, who had apparently forgot about his mother's condition and was studying him with great interest.

The man smiled. "Hey there little boy. Is this better now?"

The boy kept looking at him with his intense big eyes.

The man frowned. "I'm Odin. What's your name?"

The boy tilted his head slightly, obviously amused by the 'funny' words the man was saying.

"O.D.I.N." The man repeated slowly, gesturing at himself as he emphasized every letter.

The boy chuckled, holding his teddy bear tighter.

Odin frowned again. "E.n.g.l.i.s.h. Do. You. Speak. English?"

The infant just kept staring at him with non-comprehension, hugging tightly onto his teddy bear.

Odin sighed. "Great. You don't understand a word I'm saying, do ya, boy?"

The blue eyes just kept bearing holes into him.

He sighed again, getting up. He looked thoughtfully down at the young boy, who didn't bother to return his gaze. The boy's eyes were fixed on the floor. "Well, I'm sorry 'bout this kid. You weren't even supposed to be in the building." He turned to walk away, taking one last glance at the boy. "Someone will find you soon enough." He promised, beginning to back away from that awful scene.

He could hear small pieces of debris falling as the infant tried to get up.

"Mama..."

As he heard the small voice, Odin came to a halt and slowly turned around. His heart sank as he saw the boy crawl towards his dead mother, shaking her, as if believing she will wake up soon. Tears came down his little dirty cheeks and he called her again and again.

Suddenly, he stopped. As if knowing that his efforts were in vain.

Odin watched as the boy knelt by his mother, his small hand stroking her hair gently, pushing it aside to see her face. His little fingers touched her face, studying her features, feeling her one last time. And then, with one hand still resting on the prone figure, the boy took his little teddy bear and put it in her hands, pulling her limp arms closer to hold the small stuffed animal.

After doing so, the boy took one long, sad, look at the tall blond man, and then returned to stare at his mother.

"Oh... gee..." Odin moaned, tears striking his eyes. "What kind of a cold bastard am I anyway? I may be a killer, but I am still a human being." He marched towards the grieving boy, kneeling by his side. "Hey, kid." He smiled bitterly. "I just killed your mother."

The boy turned to look at him, face blank.

Odin reached a hand to stroke the messy brown hair. "C'mon. There's nothing left for you here." He got up and was surprised to see the boy get up as well, as if he understood his words. Remembering the injured leg, Odin reached down and picked up the boy. He carried the little human bundle away from that place, feeling as the boy's arms tightened their grip around his neck when he could no longer see the dead body of his mother.

* * *

Odin opened the door to his small one-room apartment, the little child still in his arms, sleeping. He pushed the door shut with one foot and turned on the light.

"It's a bit messy..." He mumbled, addressing the sleeping boy. "But don't get used to it, cause you'll be out of here soon." He made his way through the messy living room, clearing all the cloths and papers off the couch. He placed the small boy carefully on the sofa.

The boy stirred and opened his eyes. The two deep oceans stared up at the blond assassin, studying him.

Odin smiled kindly at the boy, trying to give him a sense of security. "What am I gonna do with you, huh? I can't raise a child!"

He turned to sit on the floor, his back leaning on the sofa. He could still feel the boy's gaze on him. He sighed.

"Maybe I'll hand you over to the orphanage in the next colony." He turned back to look at the boy. He was so cute with his messy hair falling over his face, his big blue eyes and that adorable pointed little nose. "It might give you half a chance for a normal life."

The boy looked at him sadly, folding his small legs closer to his chest, hugging them.

Odin sighed again. "Who am I kidding? Those kids get nothing but a major trauma from these places. They're so full with war children that they have no money or heart to raise them properly." He reached a hand and ran it through the soft hair. "But what am I gonna do with ya?"

The boy only yawned in response, making Odin laugh. "Good answer."

He got up and rushed to get a blanket. He covered the boy tightly, reaching to pick up a pillow from the floor and slide it under the boy's head.

The boy lay still, his whole body tense. But he didn't fall asleep. He kept staring at the stranger in front of him.

The look the boy sent him was unnerving. Those eyes seemed to see right through him. Odin shivered, getting up to his feet. He walked over to a small desk that stood near by. The desk was as messy as the other parts of the room, so Odin threw papers and other documents aside, searching. He finally discovered a pile of books and picked up and old and ragged little pocket book. "See, I knew I had it somewhere." He said, turning back towards the boy.

He walked over to the couch, sitting on the floor in front of the boy. He began to leaf through the pages. After a while, he found what he sought. He looked up at the boy, smiling. "I hope I'm right 'bout this." He mumbled, glancing at the page again. "Oyasuminasi."(=Goodnight).

The boy smiled.

Odin sighed in relief. "So you do speak Japanese, huh? Funny, you don't really seem like it." He examined the boy. "Well, maybe a little."

The boy smiled again and then muffled out a few words. It sounded like a question.

"Wow! Take it easy, I'm new at this thing!" The assassin laughed, leafing quickly through the pages. After a while he gave up, looking up at the kid. "Don't suppose you can repeat that?"

The boy frowned, clutching harder to the pillow.

Odin laughed again, thinking the sight was cute. "Aren't you a bit too young to frown at me like that?"

The boy frowned again and spoke a second question. It sounded a lot like the first one.

Odin scratched his head, lost. He returned his gaze at the dictionary and found an answer he thought suitable for anything. "Hai."

The boy smiled happily then hugged the pillow tightly, closing his eyes. He fell asleep smiling.

Odin sighed again. "I hope I didn't lie to you kid, whatever you asked."

* * *

The next morning the little boy was up extra early. He found himself in an unfamiliar surrounding and it frightened him. He was lying on a sofa in some dark and scary room. An unfamiliar room that was crowded, stinky and dirty. He was not used to waking up in any other place but his own bed, with anyone but his mama waking him up.

The boy sat up, legs dangling down the couch. He hugged his pillow tightly. He thought about crying out, but it will do him no good. And besides, he never cried just like that.

His big eyes examined their surroundings one more time. They spotted a man sitting slumped in an armchair not so far away. He was sleeping.

The boy remembered the stranger. It was this stranger who made a promise to him last night. He promised mama would be back soon.

The boy jumped off the couch and ran towards the door. His leg really hurt. He wanted to tell mama so she'll fix it. He will wait for mama here. She'll come soon. The stranger promised.

* * *

A few hours later, Odin woke up. He stretched and yawned and then suddenly stopped, freezing in mid motion. There was someone here. Someone was in his apartment.

By instincts, Odin got up to take his gun from the desk. Halfway there, he stopped, eyes wide. There was a little boy standing in his apartment, facing the door, hugging on to his pillow.

Odin sighed in relief. "Oh, it's you!" He called, getting the boy's attention. The blue eyes were studying him again, making him feel uncomfortable. "Umm... uh... ohaio gozaimasu?" He stammered uncertainly, remembering the few words he managed to learn from the dirty old dictionary.

The boy tilted his head a bit in amusement. "Ohayou." He returned in a little childish voice.

Odin smiled back and walked to the small kitchen. "Who are you waiting for there?" He asked as he noticed the boy returned his attention to the door.

The boy sent him a questioning look.

Odin reached for a coffee mug. "Never mind. Forget it. Would you like to drink something?"

"Wakaranai..." (=Don't understand) The boy murmured quietly, shaking his head. He returned to looking anxiously at the door.

"How about some coco?" The blond asked, his head deep within the fridge.

This time the boy just ignored him, his gaze fixed on the door.

Odin frowned, closing the fridge.

"Hey! Kid!" He called, walking over to the door, kneeling by the small child. He looked at the boy, then at the door, then at the boy again. "What are you looking at?"

The boy pointed at the door and said a few words.

Odin frowned, again not understanding a word he said.

The boy turned to him, seemingly angry. He repeated the words again, this time in a more angered and demanding tone. He stomped his right foot on the ground as he finished the sentence.

Odin gasped, recognizing two words: 'mother' and 'you'. The boy thought his mother was coming! That's what he asked last night! And he answered 'yes'. What an ass Odin! He berated himself. You just promised a three-year-old that his dead mother was coming to take him home! Fucking shit! What am I going to do now?

He put his arm around the boy's small shoulders, bowing his head in a sorrowful look. "I'm sorry kid, but your mama isn't coming over."

The boy looked up at him blankly.

Odin sighed, looking up to meet the boy's eyes. "Iiya... um, mama." He said, shaking his head.

"Iiya?" The boy asked, voice fearful.

Odin shook his head again. "Hai. Iiya mama."

The boy looked at him, eyes wide, shimmering with tears. He shook his head violently, shutting his eyes tight. "Masaka! Masaka!!" (=No! It can't be!) He looked up accusingly at the stranger. "Usotsuki!!" (=Liar) He shouted, tears running down his little face. "Usotsuki!!!!"

Odin sighed, brining the boy closer to him.

The boy began to cry, as the stranger didn't change his statement. He didn't take back those two words that told him mama wouldn't be coming back.

He wrapped his small arms around the bigger man and buried his head in his chest. Why won't mama come back? Didn't she want him? Was it because he left her alone when she slept? Because he walked away? Why was mama gone?

Odin picked up the boy, brining him to the couch. He sat beside him, the boy clinging on to him as if for dear life. Odin reached one hand to grab the dictionary.

"Kowaii..." The boy mumbled into the body that held him.

Odin leafed through the pages, finding the word the infant had just mumbled: He was scared.

He reached his hand to caress the soft messy hair. "Don't worry kid." He said soothingly, leafing through the pages again. "Mamotte ageru. I'll protect you. I promise."

The boy held tighter onto the warm body, his crying never ceasing. Mama was supposed to protect him! Where was mama?

* * *

Two months have past since Odin had found the little boy, and he hasn't decided on what to do with him yet. He certainly didn't want to throw him to the streets. No one this young should be thorwen to the streets.

He always told himself that the child would be better off in an orphanage. And each time he decided that it was for the best, he promised himself that he would do it after the next mission. At the next colony. Next month. Later. Not today. Not ever...

To his different employers he told that traveling with the boy would erase all suspicion from him, making his job much easier. They bought it, not even considering that a heart colded assassin could even consider keeping the boy for another reason. He would never admit to it, not to them and not to anybody, but he like the boy's company. It was a comfort when he came home from one of his 'jobs'.

More than that actually. He liked the boy. He was not like other children he had seen. He wasn't a loud little rascal that ran around the house, breaking, colliding and wrecking everything he saw. Other kids had no respect for authority and thought that because they were so little and cute, they deserve everything. But not this boy. This boy was quiet, shy and incredibly cute. He would just stand by the window all day, hugging his pillow, looking with his intense blue eyes at anything of interest. Sometimes Odin thought that he was waiting for someone. Maybe his mother.

Even as the days rolled by and no one came, the boy kept sitting or standing there with his pillow, gazing at everything and everyone. Studying. Looking. Watching and learning.

Then one day, he stopped staring out the window, his eyes leaving the sparkling lights of the colony. He turned to Odin, who was slouching in front of the television, opened his mouth and said: "Mama isn't coming back."

Odin flinched, startled. The kid just spoke to him for the first time! And in English nonetheless!!

He got up quickly, looking at the small child standing in front of him, hugging his ragged pillow. He looked so sad, but yet so wise for his young age. Those eyes showed understanding. They showed acceptance.

Odin placed his hand on the small shoulder. "No. She won't be coming back." He said softly.

The boy lowered his head, brought the pillow closer to his chest, and sighed sadly.

* * *

As the weeks went by, the boy had picked up on a little more English. He was a really fast learner, quicker than any other boys his age. He even adopted himself Odin's American accent, but he still had a light Japanese accent. It was cute at times, but it needed work. Odin was now able to pick up a basic conversation with the boy, although he had a lot of work to do in regarding of teaching the boy English. Odin just hoped that the boy's babysitter, AKA the television, could do most of the job for him.

One day Odin returned home after 'work' only to find the place a mess. The three-rooms apartment he had rented was in a state of total chaos. Odin dropped his bag to the floor, looking around in shock.

"Kid! Hey, Kid! Where are you?"

"Odin!" The boy's small voice was heard through the apartment as the Kid ran towards him, hands spread apart as he jumped up at him, hugging him tightly. "He was here! He was here again!!"

Odin sighed, irritated. "Oh! Not him again, Kid!"

The boy turned to look at him carefully. His eyes filled with tears. "Shikashi-- but-- but he was! It was the Bad Man again!"

Odin sighed a second time, advancing towards the kitchen, still holding the boy up with one hand supporting the small body.

"How many times do I have to tell you, there is NO Bad Man." He placed the boy on the kitchen counter (something he always did), the boy's small feet dangling down. Odin leaned in front of him, hands at each side of the boy's small body. He looked him straight in the eye. "If you made a mess, say you did. I won't get mad. Just don't make up stories."

The boy pouted. "It wasn't me!" He insisted, his little face angered. "It was that bakemono!"

Odin blinked. The boy still used a lot of Japanese words when he spoke. Most of the times Odin didn't understand them at all. He sighed, turning away to open the fridge. "Fine. It was the Bad Man. But you have to clean it up. I have a friend that's coming over soon."

The boy frowned. Odin always brought his friends home. He didn't like Odin's lady friends. They dressed funny and painted their faces with a lot of colors. And their breath was always smelly and they would make a lot of strange noises when Odin brought them to his room. He didn't like them at all.

"Is it a new lady friend?" He asked, already knowing the answer. It was always a new lady friend.

"Nope." Odin answered from within the fridge. "It's Carla again." The boy could tell form his voice that he was smiling. "Do you remember her?"

The boy thought for a moment. Remember was to know, right? Or was it to like? It was to know. "Pink hair lady." He finally said.

Odin laughed. "Yeah, Pink hair lady." He closed the fridge, holding an old slice of pizza in his hand. "Do you like her?"

The boy shrugged, and then looked up at the pizza.

"You hungry?" Odin suddenly realized that he hasn't seen the boy eat for two days. Ever since he left on that mission he had. The boy did take the food he left for him in the fridge, right?

"Hey, Kid, did you eat anything lately?"

The boy looked up at him. "Lately?" He echoed.

"Yeah, lately- not so long ago. Did you?"

The boy seemed to be thinking about it, then shook his head.

Odin sighed, walking over to the fridge. "Didn't you eat the stuff I left for you?"

"The Bad Man took it."

Odin slammed the fridge shut. "The Bad Man took it. Of course. So, did the Bad Man eat it too?"

The boy nodded, not picking up on the sarcastic tone of voice.

"Good then. Maybe next time you should ask him to leave you some, then clean up his mess, huh?"

"Okay!" The boy chipped and jumped off the table.

Odin shook his head as he watched the little brat run to the living room. "And pick up the mess you made!" He called after him, unable to hold down a smile.

* * *

The boy lay down in his bed, hugging his precious pillow tightly. He could hear Odin and his lady friend in the living room. She was laughing all the time. Odin was laughing too. But they should be careful. If the Bad Man found them, he will kill them. It was the Bad Man who killed his mama. He took Yoshi from him too. He missed his Yoshi. The pillow wasn't as fun as he was. Sometimes he would pretend the pillow was Yoshi, but it wasn't the same.

It was all the Bad Man's fault. He took away everything. He bet Odin will be real sad when he'll find out that the Bad Man took his disks too. And his papers. He told him not to take the papers, because Odin always said not to touch them. The Bad Man just laughed. He said he'll take everything he wanted.

Now he was scared. What if the Bad Man wanted to take him away? He did! He did want to take him away! He didn't want to go away with the Bad Man! Mama went with him and she didn't come back.

"Odin!!!" He cried and ran out of the room. "Odin!! Odin!! He's coming!! He's going to take me away!!!" He froze as he saw Odin and Pink Hair Lady on the couch. They were sitting really close to each other and Odin was trying to eat her. He must have been really hungry, because he was biting her mouth real hard. Maybe the Bad Man didn't leave enough food for him and he was VERY hungry.

"Odin!! Odin!!" He called and the two stopped, panting.

"Kid! What are you still doing up?" Odin called angrily as the Pink Lady wiped her mouth and smiled down at the little boy. "Go back to sleep." Odin commanded angrily, then turned back to Pink.

"But he'll come!!" The child insisted, stomping his feet. "The Bad Man will come for me!! Kowaii!!"

"He's cute." Pink said, still smiling. "Where'd you find him?"

The boy gasped, gaping at the lady. Bad Man asked him almost the same question.

Odin just snorted. "Humph! Cute!" He muttered, getting up. He picked up the child in his arms and carried him over to the bedroom. The boy put his arms around Odin's neck, as he usually did, his gaze still on the Pink Lady. He tore his gaze from her and turned to look Odin in the eyes as they entered his small bedroom.

"Odin, don't go..." He begged as the man put him in his bed, covering him.

"It's late, Kid. You should sleep now."

"But what if the Bad Man will come for me? Kowaii!"

Odin sighed, settling by the boy. "There's nothing to be scared of. I'm right here. Nothing will happen to you." He patted the boy softly. "Okay?"

"But he took everything!!" The boy now cried, turning to hug his pillow.

Odin sighed in annoyance. "There is no Bad Man, Kid. Goodnight." And he walked out of the room, closing the door.

"Kowaii..." The boy mumbled, hugging his pillow, wishing it was Yoshi.

* * *

He was sitting in his room, hugging the pillow. Odin left in the morning and he knew the Bad Man would come soon. He always waited until Odin was gone. Maybe today he will come to take him. What will Odin do then? Will he be sad that he was gone? Will he come and save him? No one saved mama and Yoshi. Will someone save him? He hugged the pillow tighter, closing his eyes tight. He didn't want the Bad Man to come!

Time passed by and the boy was getting more and more anxious. He left his bed, his pillow close to him as always, and he grabbed the blanket too.

With the blanket trailing behind him, Kid made his way to Odin's room. He pushed the door open, flinching at the loud sound it made. His little feet carried him deeper into the room, his eyes looking up at the towering closet. The room smelled like Odin. And even though Odin wasn't home right now, the air in the room held his presence. It made Kid feel safe.

He stopped by the closet, looking up and up and up at the tall wooden furniture. He dropped the blanket to the floor and opened the double doors. They creaked, the loud noise echoing throughout the apartment. It was scary because it was too quiet. He could never hear if the Bad Man came because he was quiet too.

Kid bent to pick up the blanket from the floor and arranged it inside the closet. He then got in, the pillow with him, and closed the doors behind him.

Sitting inside the dark closet made him feel safer. It smelled even more like Odin in here. It was warm and it was safe.

Kid hugged the pillow tightly, brining his knees to his chest. He will stay here until Odin comes. The Bad Man will not find him.

And hours passed by.

Kid's eyes snapped open at the sound of the door opening. Odin was back!! He hurried to get up but then thought better of it. What if it was the Bad Man? He slumped back to his seat, hugging the pillow. In the dark he could really pretend it was Yoshi. He wanted it to be his Yoshi more than anything in the world. He was never scared when Yoshi was around.

Sound of footsteps made the small boy jerk out of his musings. He looked up blindly in the darkness of the closet, his body trembling. He fought to keep himself from crying out, or the man will find him.

He could hear the man open drawers and move Odin's gigantic bed. He shouted out some words the boy did not know, but they sounded nasty. Then he walked towards the closet. The boy held his breath, clutching onto Yoshi tightly.

The man began to open the closet's drawers one by one. Kid could hear him leaf through their contents and throw everything aside, again shouting out bad angry words. He folded himself into a little tight ball, wishing to disappear right now as the man took a stand in front of the doors, his shadow visible from behind the cracks of the doors.

The boy folded deeper within himself, closing his eyes tightly.

The doors began to open.

The boy bit his lips; tears running freely down his shut tight eyes. Maybe if he'll curl up real tight and won't move, the Bad Man won't see him.

"Itai!!" He called as the man grabbed him by the back collar of his shirt, yanking him out of the closet. "Lemme go!!!" He screamed, kicking and squirming in the man's hands.

"Be quiet and don't move!" The man commanded. "Be a good boy and I won't hurt you." He threw the small boy aside as if he was nothing but a worn out old glove.

The small child landed on the bed, crying.

The man began to search the closet, and after a while pulled out a little black box, in the size of a regular shoebox. "Finally!"

Kid hugged his pillow tightly, lying curled up on the bed, his sobbing subsiding. Maybe now the Bad Man will go away.

"Hey Kid, I'm home!!" Odin's voice came in from the living room.

"Odin!!" The boy called, jumping out of the bed. He began to run towards the door when suddenly he was flung up in the air, held by the back collar of his shirt. "Odin!!! Odin!!!" He cried as the man lifted him up. He felt something cold and metallic touch his right temple.

All of this happened in less than three seconds, then Odin showed up at the door, stopping cold as he saw what was going on.

"Tasukete kure!!!!!" (=Help me!) The boy screamed in terror. "ODIN!!!"

"Shut up brat!!"

"Let him go!" Odin commanded, drawing out his gun, aiming it at the man.

"Interesting company you have, Lowe. I thought you prefer hookers better."

"Let. The. boy. Go." Odin repeated dangerously, taking a step forward.

Kid looked up at the Odin through a blurry screen of tears, his small hands wrapped around the arm that was now around his neck, holding him up in the air. His chin really hurt. He wanted to get down. He looked up pleadingly at the Bad Man.

The man ignored him. "This is the scenario, Lowe. I take the box, the kid and walk away. If all goes well and you don't follow, I'll dump the kid and you can pick him up if you want. Otherwise, say goodbye to your brat."

Odin bit his lower lip, and then shook his head, his aim never leaving the man. "I'm afraid I can't let you do that. The box stays."

"Then the kid goes." The man said calmly, shoving the barrel of his gun deeper against the boy's head.

"Itai..." The boy muffled, new tears running down his already wet cheeks. He looked up at Odin again. Why won't he help him? His head hurts... Does Odin want the Bad Man to take him away?

Odin didn't move, hesitating, but not showing it. He couldn't let the boy get hurt. He couldn't let the man get the box. But a child is more important than a stupid box!

Curse him for doing this! He should have left the boy at that building that day! But it didn't feel like the right thing to abandon him then, and it doesn't feel right to do it now. And if what he was about to do feels like the right thing, then he'll do it. No regrets.

He let his arm go limp, dropping the gun. Lowering his head, Odin lifted both arms up in a sign of surrender.

The man snorted, loading the little rascal over his shoulder, his gun still in his other hand. "The kid only made you soft, Lowe. Bad choice." He teased, then bent down next to the box. "Pick it up, boy!"

Kid looked up at the man in shock.

"Do what he says, Kid." Odin called.

"Okay..." He mumbled, reaching two small hands to grab the box. The minute it was in his hands, the Bad Man stood up and rushed out of the room. Odin just stayed behind. He was letting the Bad Man take him away!

"Odin!! ODIEEEEEN!!!" The boy screamed in complete panic as the man ran out of the apartment. "Tasukete kure! Tasukete kure!!! ODIIIIN!!!"

* * *

Odin soaked a cloth in warm water, and turned to the little boy that sat in front of him. Kid was sitting on the couch, wrapped in a warm blanket as Odin carefully cleaned the blood off an ugly cut at his left temple. He ran the warm and soft cloth over the wound, his movements gentle and caring.

Kid was quiet, not looking at him. His feet dangled lifelessly down the sofa, his arms wrapped around his small trembling body. His messy hair was all wet, his eyes red and swollen from crying. His lips were a bit bluish.

Odin found the child lying in a near by alley, inside a big puddle of mud, water and dirt. He was apparently thrown there, landing his head hard on the ground. Odin was afraid he suffered from a concussion, but was relieved to find out otherwise. The boy was strong.

"I'm sorry Kid." He said quietly, looking up at the small boy. "I'm sorry I didn't believe you about the Bad Man."

The boy's eyes turned to look at him, but he remained silent.

Odin sighed, taking the small cold hand in his. "I'm sorry I let him take you. There was no other way, you understand?"

"...Wakatta." The boy let out, turning away from him.

Odin sighed again. How can he regain the boy's trust? Better yet, how can he prevent such a thing from happening in the future?

He got up, picking up the boy in his arms. The boy looked down at him questionably.

"You need a nice long shower to warm you up, then straight to bed. You should get some good shuteye, cuz we're leaving tomorrow. Early morning." He entered the bathroom and placed the boy gently on the floor. Slowly and carefully he took of his cloths and put him in the bathtub, washing him as he always did.

"Where are we going? Another mission?" The boy suddenly asked as Odin rubbed shampoo into his dirty hair.

Odin smiled. "Yes. Another mission. We gotta get my box back."

"What was in the box?"

Odin kept silent, then sighed heavily. "Something very important." He finally answered as he started the water again, his fingers massaging the boy's scalp. "Important information."

"About you?"

Odin nodded, not that the boy could see it, for his brown wet hair fell over his face, covering his eyes.

Kid reached up two hands to push it away, curtains opening on two shining cobalt eyes. Odin smiled at him. The boy was too cute for his own good.

"Can I take my pillow with me?"

Odin smiled, ruffling the boy's wet hair in affection.

* * *

AC 184.

Kid walked down the streets of the L6 colony, carrying two paper bags full of groceries. It was snowing, a regular sight in the colony around Christmas.

People stopped to stare at the four-year-old child that skidded down the streets, his small hands holding the heavy bags that went so high they covered his eyes.

Kid ignored them. People always stared at him when he was alone outside. Even the salesperson in the store thought it odd when he bent over the counter and saw little Kid looking up at him, handing him the money.

What was so unusual about that? Didn't other kids do what he did?

He reached the small apartment building and climbed up to the third floor. Dropping the bags to his feet, the boy pulled out a key, and while standing on his tip toes, reached up to unlock the door.

Entering the small apartment, his seventh home in the last year, Kid turned to close the door. He walked blindly to the kitchen, his eyes hidden behind the tall brown paper bags.

He could barely reach the upper shelf of the refrigerator as he unpacked all of the Health Food Odin told him to buy. His guardian was on this 'health frenzy' now, buying only good and notorious food.

Notorious! Kid could barely pronounce the word, not to mention eat all of the weird foods he bought.

He pouted as he put a protein drink in the fridge. No sweets, no coco, no nothing. Only fruits and veggies. He missed the old food Odin used to buy. He preferred his Captain Crunch cereals much better than oatmeal. He hated oatmeal. Kid sighed. He missed chocolate too.

He froze as he heard something. There was a noise coming from the corridor. His eyes grew wide. Someone was in the apartment!

Very slowly, he closed the fridge, his hand going into the inner pocket of his jacket. His small fingers closed around something metallic, and then Kid drew out a small gun.

After the 'Bad Man incident', Odin taught Kid how to use a weapon. He gave him a small pistol to protect himself while he was out on missions.

Kid thought it was neat; he was a real grown-up now. He was a soldier just like Odin. And no more bad people will come and take him away.

Kid walked slowly and silently towards the hall's entrance. The sound came from the far end of the corridor. Peeking carefully into the hall, Kid saw someone open the window from the outside. Someone was coming through the fire escape!

Kid positioned himself at the middle of the corridor, hands stretched forward, holding the gun, his finger on the trigger.

He held his breath, forcing his arms not to shake, trying to calm his racing heart. The silhouette at the window seemed to be pulling something up. It was hard to tell cause the bright light of the outside was blinding him.

As the silhouette of the stranger prepared to enter, Kid fixed his aim at the unsuspecting man.

The man brought one foot in.

Kid turned his head aside, looking away, his eyes shut tight, and he fired.

Nothing happened.

Kid opened his eyes, gaping at his pistol. What was wrong?

The man entered.

"Don't move!" Kid's little voice commanded sharply, aiming his gun again. Maybe the gun didn't work, but it was worth trying.

The man only laughed, raising his hands up in the air in mock-surrender. He began to approach the little boy.

Kid's body tensed, his arms beginning to shake again. "I-I said d-don't move!"

The man continued to advance towards him, chuckling deeply.

The kid pulled the trigger again and again, but nothing happened. Then the gun was flung out of his grip.

Kid gasped, looking up at the tall man in fright.

"If you're gonna shoot Kid, try taking the safety off first."

Kid swallowed, blinking. "O-Odin?!"

Odin laughed, patting the boy's head lovingly. "Nice try though, Kid."

The child kept staring at him, clearly shocked. "Was--was that a test?"

"Nope. Not a test. Just luck." Odin made his way back to the window. "Help me out here, will ya?"

Kid ran towards him, looking up at the window. "What is it?" He asked as he saw Odin climbing back out.

Odin began to pull something. Something heavy. "It was supposed to be a surprise," He groaned at the effort, pulling harder. "But since you're here, make yourself useful."

Kid put two hands on the windowsill, standing on his tiptoes, looking out at what Odin was doing. His eyes widened when he saw what he was pulling up. It was a tree. A Christmas tree!

Odin began to push the tree through the window.

Kid smiled broadly. "You brought a tree!?" He asked, excitement in his voice.

"Yup!" Odin called from the outside as he forced the tree through the window.

"We're going to have Christmas? Like on TV?" The boy was practically jumping in excitement.

Odin finally managed to get the tree in and was now dusting off his cloths. "Thanks for the help, Kid." He muttered.

Kid smiled sheepishly, bowing his head. "Sumumasen..." (=Sorry) He murmured, then suddenly jerked his head up and began to run towards the living room. "Lets put it here!"

Odin smiled, shaking his head. The boy was just too much.

* * *

Kid felt a bit robbed when he found out that Odin had invited one of his lady friends over for Christmas. It was his first Christmas and he didn't want any weird haired lady to be taking Odin from him. But the lady friend turned up to be nice after all. Her name was Linda and she didn't have funny hair at all. She had long blond hair that seemed to shine in the lights of the apartment. She wore her hair in a long beautiful braid with a red bow and it made her look real pretty. And she didn't have a lot of colors on her face either. Kid liked her face because she smiled a lot. And she talked to him too, not like the other ladies who always ignored him or forced him to stay in his room.

And what he liked best about Linda was that she could cook! Really cook! She even brought a big turkey with her. Kid was happy when he saw the turkey. Now Odin had enough to eat so he wouldn't have to eat Linda. She was too nice to eat. It will be sad if he'll eat her.

"Now put the butter in." Linda said with her bell-like voice, placing her hand on the boy's shoulder as Kid put in a piece of butter in a pot. He was standing on a chair by the kitchen counter, helping Linda making dinner.

"Now add the milk."

Kid reached his hand to the milk carton and poured the white liquid into a pot full of potatoes. He put the carton down, turning to Linda. "What now?"

Linda smiled, holding up a weird kitchen tool. "The fun part." She handed Kid the masher and laughed lightly as he looked at it, confused. "Like this." She said, taking the boy's hand in hers, guiding him as they mashed the potatoes together.

Kid began to chuckle as the potatoes made funny noises as a vacuum was created with the butter and milk. "This is fun!" He called, squashing the potatoes in rapid movements, giggling. Linda let go of his hand and he continued to work, enjoying every moment of it.

"You'll turn my Kid into a housewife in the end."

Kid turned and saw Odin leaning casually on the wall by the kitchen's door, arms folded across his chest. He smiled. Odin called him 'my Kid'. He never did that before. He turned back to his work, still smiling.

Linda, who was checking on the turkey in the oven, walked over to Odin, smiling wickedly. "Well, at least one of you guys will know how to cook. Put some weight on, you skinny fool!" And she tapped on Odin stomach.

"Ha! And that's from the one who lectured me about a healthy diet! If I'm too skinny, it's all because of your veggies!"

Kid laughed. Linda was really nice. He liked her.

* * *

After dinner the three went to sit in the living room. Odin and Linda were sitting close to each other on the sofa, Odin's arm around Linda's shoulders. Kid was sitting across of them, on a soft armchair. He was staring at the sparkling tree.

"Well," Linda called, getting up. "Time for the presents."

"Oh no!" Odin exclaimed. "Lid, I told you not to-"

"Now I know what you said," Linda cut him off, looking down lovingly at the small boy. "But Christmas doesn't leave anyone out."

Kid's eyes followed Linda as she walked over to the bag she brought with her and pulled out a box. Was it for him? A present!? He never got a present before.

Odin shook his head in disapproval as Linda handed the boy a colorful box.

"Here you go, Kid. Merry Christmas."

Kid looked up at her with shimmering eyes. "This is-- this is for me?" He asked, voice shaking with emotions.

Linda nodded, smiling kindly. She knelt by him, running her hand though his soft brown hair. "Yes, this is for you."

Odin got up from his seat, kneeling down by Linda. "C'mon, open it, Kid."

Kid looked at the box hesitantly, then nodded. He grabbed one edge of the colorful wrap and began to rip it open. It made a loud ripping sound that made the boy giggle. He tore another piece, making even more noise, and giggled again.

Odin put his arm around Linda's waist, bringing her closer to him. He indulged himself in seeing the boy carefully open his first Christmas present, ripping the paper and giggling. He leaned closer to Linda, bringing his mouth to her ear. "Thank you." He whispered.

Linda smiled, tearing her eyes off the boy, turning to him. "And you complained that you'll now have to buy him something every year. Just look at that face!"

They both turned to watch the little child as he finally unwrapped his present, biting his lower lip in anticipation. He pulled out the gift, raising it up in the air. "YOSHI!" He called out in surprise, looking up at the little brown teddy bear. "Ureshii!" He called happily, brining the bear close to him, hugging it tightly. "Yoshi..."

Linda turned to look questionably at her boyfriend.

Odin shrugged, shaking his head.

Kid jumped up and hugged Linda tightly. "Arigatou Linda-sama!" He kissed her cheek and hugged her again, Yoshi still in his hands. "Arigatou..."

* * *

AC 185.

"O-out came mi-mitser-"

"Mister."

"Oh, right, mister. Out came mister Jones and climmm... uh... What is this word?"

"Climbed." Linda answered, caressing the boy's hair.

Kid smiled sheepishly, then turned back to his book. "And clim-b-ed up the stayres."

"Stairs." Linda smiled again, looking down at the boy that sat next to her.

Kid sighed, irritated. He threw the book aside and it landed at the sofa's feet. "This is too hard! I can't read it!" He whined.

Linda picked up the book, her long braid dangling down as she did. She placed it back on the boy's lap. She turned back to him, reaching a hand to push a string of hairs that fell over his face. "Sure you can! You did great so far."

Kid blew the annoying string of hairs out of his eye, irritated. He sighed, then looked up at Linda. "Really?"

"Really." She answered with a kind smile. Though the child was only five, Linda and Odin decided it would be good to teach him how to read and write. He was a very bright and perceptive boy that had a very good and clever way to understand things. He would pick up on things very quickly and was always eager to learn more.

Linda put her arm around him, brining him closer. "Don't give up so easily, Kid." She whispered gently. "You have got to keep trying until you succeed."

Kid didn't look up at her, his hands fidgeting. "But what if it's hard, what if I can't do it?"

Linda reached her hand to brush through his unruly hair. "Everything can be achieved if you just put your mind into it. If you keep pushing, you'll never fail."

Kid looked up at her. "Keep pushing?"

Linda nodded. "Yes. Whatever you start, you have to finish. It's important to always follow through."

"Why?"

Linda shrugged. "Otherwise, what kind of person are you? A quitter? A weak person? Not always do we get to do what we want. There are some things that simply must be done, and if we won't do them, who will? That's why it is important to always follow through, Kid. No matter what."

Kid sighed, thinking it over. He turned back to his book. "Okay..." He mumbled, then sighed again, looking up at Linda. "But this book is boooring! Lets read something else!"

Linda chuckled. "Like what?"

"The story with the bears!"

"Again?!" Linda couldn't help but laughing.

Kid nodded quickly, grinning at her. "I like that one!"

Linda sighed, but an amused sigh. She got up and went to her bag to pull out the boy's favorite book.

Kid watched her, smiling to himself. He liked watching Linda. Especially when she smiled or when her long golden braid would swing from side to side. He watched her as she came back to sit by him, his smile spreading as she put her arm around him, opening the book.

"Should I start, or should you?" She asked kindly.

Kid looked up at her, his eyes refusing to leave her pleasant face. "You start." He liked her voice too. It was like bells. Especially when she laughed.

"Alright then." She turned to the first page. "Once upon a time, there was a little bear..."

* * *

Months went by and Linda still didn't leave the two. Kid found it odd, for he'd never seen one of Odin's lady friends for more than one, maybe two, nights. But he didn't mind. He liked Linda, and Odin liked her too. He had never seen his caretaker so happy. Linda spent a lot of time with them, coming over almost every day. When Odin had to go on missions, though he now called it 'business trips', Linda still came over to take care of Kid. Now Kid was never alone, he had Linda and Yoshi. He didn't even need his gun anymore. He was safe now. He had Odin, he had Linda and he had Yoshi. Kid couldn't be happier.

Then one day, the perfect picture shattered.

Kid was sitting by the kitchen table, eating the lunch Linda made for him. He reached for his cup of orange juice, and then froze. He looked at the glass carefully. It was shaking, sliding down the table. His little hands grabbed hard to the edge of the table as the whole house began to shake.

The glass fell, shattering.

He screamed as a loud BOOM! echoed through the streets and the windows shattered.

"LINDA!"

"Kid!" Linda's voice was heard and she ran into the kitchen. "KID!"

She found the boy hiding under the table, holding tightly to his teddy bear.

"Linda!" Kid called out, frightened. He reached his hands to her.

Linda quickly picked him up and he wrapped his arms around her neck. She began to run out the door.

"We need to get to the shelters!" She called towards a few panicked people who came running out of their apartments.

"There are no shelters here!" An old woman called.

Linda froze. "What do you mean 'no shelters'?!!"

The woman frowned. "This is not you deluxe apartment complex, lady." She spat. "We need to get to the central shelters at the end of the block."

Kid looked in awe as people all around began to run out of their houses, carrying bags with them.

"End of the block!?" Linda exclaimed. "With Federation troops all around?!"

Kid gasped, holding tighter onto Linda's neck. Federation troops? In their colony? But, but why?

"Do what you want, lady!" The old woman shouted. "I'm outta here." And she grabbed her bag and ran off.

Linda held the boy tighter, feeling him shake. "C'mon, Kid. Lets get out of here, fast."

Kid nodded, preparing to be lowered down and run. But Linda didn't let go of him. She began to run with him in her arms, one hand holding the back of his head to protect him from the falling debris.

The whole colony shook.

Sounds of battle came from the streets.

"Kowaii!" Kid cried, burying his face in the crook of Linda's neck and shoulder. The building shook and sounds of thunder rolled all around. He brought Yoshi closer to him, protecting his dearest friend.

Linda held him tightly, still running.

They ran out to the street, where a large crowd of people was running towards the shelters. In the distance, Kid could see giant Leos walking around, shooting out of their canons. He had only seen Mobile Suits in the papers and on TV. Never did it occur to him that the things he saw on the news could be real, up close and personal.

He gasped and held tightly to his teddy as one Leo turned to his direction and he could swear that it was looking straight at him. Kid swallowed, looking away.

The heavy steps of the Leos echoed throughout the colony as they walked towards the running crowd.

People screamed.

Children cried.

The buildings shuddered.

And then came the first shot, blasting clear through a near by building.

Shouts and panicked screams were all around. People dropped to the ground, covering their heads. Protecting their children.

Linda kept running, faster.

"AHHHHH!!!"

Another blast.

BOOM!!!

And another.

Kid began to cry, smoke filling his already tearful eyes.

But Linda kept running.

"we're all gonna die!!!" A woman screamed, holding her head, looking up at the approaching mech.

Another blast.

The woman's crying stopped.

Kid stared in shock at the scourged body. He wanted to cry, to scream, but no voice came to him. He was too stunned, to scared to even think straight.

"Somebody- HELP!!!" Another screeching voice was heard.

Linda whirled around, making Kid dizzy. She saw a young teenage girl lying trapped under a pile of debris. She looked over her shoulder, seeing she had arrived to the shelter. She handed the five-year-old child to a near by woman. "Please, take him inside, make sure he's safe."

The woman nodded, taking the traumatized child into her hands.

"Linda!!" Kid called as he suddenly realized he was not in her hands. He saw her run towards a pile of debris. "Linda!!! Koi Linda-sama!! (=Come back) Koi!!!"

He was taken into the shelter, kicking and screaming. "Linda-sama!! Linda-sama!!!"

The heavy doors closed.

Another blast.

"LINDA-SAMAAAAAAA!!!"

* * *

After the attack on colony L6 SR2187X, things were never the same. Linda died that day, so did the young girl she tried to save. The entire colony was ruined due to the takeover. People lost their homes, their families, everything.

When Odin returned to the colony, after hearing about the Federation takeover, he began to search the lists of survivors, looking for Linda and Kid. Although Kid was not listed formally in any place, Odin found a boy that matched his description. After five days of searching, he found Kid in one of the Red Cross help centers in the colony. He did not find Linda.

The loss of Linda changed Odin. He became bitter and depressed. He didn't speak, only when necessary, and even then it wasn't more than a word or two. He took Kid, moving on to a different colony, but he ignored the boy. Most of the time he would just slouch on the couch, drunk out of his mind and after a loud shouting fit, and stare into thin air, brooding.

Kid would usually excuse himself and run out of the house when Odin got like that. He didn't like it when Odin shouted, he wasn't used to it at all. So he would take Yoshi, the only reminder he had from Linda and mama, and would walk away.

He understood how sad Odin was. He was sad too. He missed Linda. He missed the good times they had together. He missed the way Odin used to laugh a lot. No shouting. No hitting. Just playing.

Kid sighed, walking up to the apartment door. He looked at the doorknob, took a deep breath and entered. He didn't want to come back yet, but it was dark and scary outside. He walked into the dark living room and saw Odin lying on the couch.

"Odin?" His little voice barely carried over the room.

Odin didn't move.

Kid walked and stood in front of him, holding Yoshi tightly in case he will scream again. "Odin?"

The blond assassin opened one lazy eye, looking at the little five-year-old that stood in front of him, his little face worried. He closed his eyes again. "Go away Kid."

Kid scowled at Odin's bad breath. He was looking like a mess. His hair messy, his cloths ragged, face unshaved. He had black pockets under his eyes from lack of sleep. He looked awful.

Kid opened his mouth, then closed it. He had no idea what to say. He sighed, turned on his heels and walked down to his room.

He just hoped he won't have nightmares again. Then Odin will yell at him for crying. Before Odin got like this Kid always went to his bed at night when he had nightmares, and Odin would comfort him and sometimes let him sleep with him. But Kid knew better than to try it now. Last time he had a nightmare about Linda he went to Odin's room and Odin got really REALLY mad at him. He had yelled at him and he had hit him. The slap didn't hurt that much, but it was the idea of Odin hitting him that made the boy cry.

Kid held Yoshi tightly, climbing up to his bed. He curled deep into the covers and closed his eyes tight, wishing the nightmares away.

* * *

"Odin?" Kid looked up at the blond man that sat by the small kitchen table, a bottle of liquor in his hands.

"Hn?"

Kid sighed. "Nothing." He let out sadly, walking into the kitchen. Yoshi was in his hands and he was still in his jammies as it was early morning. He opened the fridge, pouting as he found it empty. He sighed again, turning to Odin. "Odin, can I have some money?"

"What the hell for?" He asked dryly, taking a long sip from his drink.

"There's no food, I'm hungry."

"It's Sunday. Everything is closed."

Kid approached him, his big eyes looking up at him. He shook his head, messy hair swinging from side to side. "No it's not. Today's Monday."

Odin turned to look at him, seeming shocked for a minute. Then his face fell into a grim expression again. "Hn." He let out, taking another sip.

"Can I have money then?" The boy insisted.

"What the hell do you want from me?!!" Odin burst, getting up, pushing the chair back forcedly.

Kid took a few steps back, flinching and holding Yoshi tightly. He looked up at Odin in shock.

"Do you have to keep bugging me like this?! Here! Take the fucking money!" He grabbed the child's hand, shoving a twenty to his small palm. "Leave me alone! Odin this and Odin that! Shut the fuck up already! I'm not your daddy! I don't have to put up with this shit!"

By now Kid was looking up at him with big tearful eyes, his lips trembling. "I-I just wanted to eat..." He mumbled, voice shaking.

"Why the hell should I care?!!!" Odin shouted, looking down at him angrily. "Tell that to your mama, you spoiled brat! Get out of here! GO!"

Kid held Yoshi tightly, trying to hold back the sobs.

"And what's with the freaking bear?! Can't you go anywhere without it?!" He launched forward, ripping the teddy out of the boy's grip. "This bear ain't gonna help ya kid!" And he ripped Yoshi's hands apart.

"YOSHI!!" The boy cried hysterically as Odin proceeded in tearing his only friend.

"End of the fantasy boy! Welcome to REAL LIFE!! How can you bounce around this joint, so happy, after all that happened?!!!"

The child looked up at him with tearful eyes, his whole body shaking.

Odin threw the bear to the floor, stomping his foot on it. "You are alone in this world! You hear me? Alone! No more Yoshi, no more mama, no Linda- no nothing!! Alone!"

"Iiya... no... Odin... why..?" The boy cried, shaking his bowed head from side to side. Odin had never managed to hurt him like this. Why was he saying such cruel things? It wasn't his fault Linda was gone. Wasn't it? Was it his fault? Because he let her go? Just like with mama...

Odin was right. He had no right being here. Odin was nice enough to take care of him for a while, but now it's over. He doesn't deserve to have people take care of him, because he lets them go and never come back.

"Stop crying like a baby you fuck! Get outta here! GO! I can't stand cry-babies!!"

So Kid ran. Far far away.

* * *

Evening fell.

Odin opened one eye, finding himself lying on the kitchen floor. He reached up a hand to grab his aching head, moaning. He pushed himself up, sitting on the floor, looking around. When did he pass out? He could barely remember anything. Man, how much did he drink anyway?

He looked up at the kitchen table, seeing a few empty bottles. His breakfast, lunch and probably dinner.

He looked back down, blinking and rubbing the back of his head. "Must have been quite a fall..." He muttered to himself.

He froze, his eyes finding the torn remains of a little brown teddy bear. "Yoshi?!" He asked himself in wonder, reaching forward to take the tattered, shredded bear. He looked at it in puzzlement, frowning. Kid never let go of his Yoshi. Not to mention tear it apart...

Odin gasped, putting his hand over his mouth. Oh no!

"Kid?!" He called, getting up. "Kid!"

No answer. The place was completely silent.

"Kid! You here?" He looked around, panicked. "Oh man! KID!"

Odin didn't waste a second more and rushed out the door, not even bothering to lock it.

* * *

He searched the streets for hours, but found no sign of Kid. He checked the bus station, the mall, even the spaceport, but no luck. Kid was nowhere to be found.

Stumbling back to the small apartment at near 'dawn', Odin was now worried sick. He closed the door behind him, leaned on it and looked around at the apartment. It was so quiet. No little rascal running to greet him. No little figure lying on the couch, the TV on and he is sleeping peacefully.

No Kid.

Odin sighed, walking heavily into the kitchen. And it was his fault. It was all his fault! He let his grief and sadness take over him. Not only he couldn't perform his duty and was running short on cash, he couldn't see beyond his own pain and understand what he was doing to Kid.

Son of a bitch! He actually ripped his precious teddy apart! The one Linda gave him. Oh Linda, he sighed again. "You'll be so disappointed of me right now..."

He spend the rest of the day sinking in his self pity, his only company was a half empty bottle of tequila.

By nightfall, Odin was sitting by the kitchen table, head resting on it, the bottle lying empty on the floor. Yoshi was lying in pieces in front of him, its big brown eyes shining pleadingly at him.

The whole apartment was now dark. Only the soft, artificial light of the colony was pouring through the window, illuminating the place a bit.

Suddenly, the door creaked open.

Odin opened his eyes, listening. His hand reached for his gun.

Little footsteps approached the kitchen.

Then silence.

Odin straightened up, looking at the kitchen door. Kid was standing there, looking at him with his big blue eyes. His features held no emotion in them, but he could see traces of dried tears on those soft cheeks. The boy was wearing his now damp pajamas, his hair dripping water, his whole body covered in mud.

"Kid!" He called, getting up quickly, almost stumbling down from his own two feet. He ran towards the boy. "Where the hell have you been?!" He yelled, his emotions running free, worry translated into anger. "I've been looking all over for you! Why the hell did you run away?!" As he spoke the harsh words, Odin picked up the child and placed him on the kitchen counter.

Kid just stared at him coldly, not even flinching at the sound of his shouting.

"You had me worried sick! What the hell were you thinking- running on me like that?!! Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?! What the fuck were you thinking?!!"

Kid kept glaring at him, anger boiling inside of him. How dare Odin yell at him! After all he did, how dare he ask him why he ran away!

Odin ceased his animated shouting, now standing still, looking down at the quiet boy. "What are you glaring at?" He spat, immediately regretting it.

"You!" The boy called back, his voice laced with anger. "You baka! All you do is drink and yell at me!" He jumped off the counter, taking a threatening stance in front of the bigger man, his eyes shooting daggers up at him. "Mamotte ageru- you promised! But all you do is shout and shout and shout! You killed Yoshi and you said you don't want me anymore so I ran!" The boy was now panting, tears in his eyes.

Odin was taken aback by the accusing shouts. Mamotte ageru... I'll protect you... He did promise.

"Kid, I-"

"Kamawanai!!" (=I don't care!) Kid yelled, looking up at him with wild eyes. "I miss Linda too! She used to take care of me! She made us happy. But you're wrong, it's not my fault! I didn't kill her! It was YOU who didn't come to help us!"

Odin gasped, taking a few steps back. The kid sounded just like his accusing conscience.

"There wa-- there was nothing I could do..." Odin murmured, tears in his eyes.

"So why do you think that I could?!" Kid demanded. He was about to shout out all that lay within his aching heart, when suddenly Odin dropped to his knees, right in front of him. The little boy was lost for words as he saw the man shake his head, crying.

"I'm sorry..." Odin mumbled, covering his face with two hands. "God, I'm so sorry..."

Kid was too shocked to move. He'd never seen a grown-up cry. And the thought of Odin being able to cry had never occurred to him. Seeing his guardian like this made Kid feel very unsure of himself. Very scared too. If Odin was crying, things were really bad.

He knelt down by the man, putting his small arms around him, resting his head on the man's chest. Odin let out a choked laugh, bringing his hand up to hug the boy, pulling him closer to him. He leaned his chin on the small head of the child, trying to calm himself down.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you Odin." The boy's small voice spoke up with sorrow. "I didn't mean to make you cry..." He whispered, earning another choked laugh from the blond man.

"It's not your fault." Odin assured him, raising a second hand and running it through the boy's hair. "Not your fault..."

Kid pushed away, turning his head up to face Odin. "I miss her." He said sadly.

Odin smiled down at him, eyes shining with tears. "Me too." He said, caressing the small face. "And I'm sorry about Yoshi. I'll try my best to fix him, okay?"

The boy smiled slightly, nodding. He returned to hug the man tightly, burying his face in his chest.

Odin kept running his hand through the soft messy hair, looking down thankfully at the boy.

They stayed like that for a while, finding the comfort they so desperately needed.

"Why'd you come back?" Odin asked quietly after a while.

Kid took a deep breath, sighing. He turned to look back at Odin. "I had no place to go..."

Odin smiled weakly, brushing a string of hairs from the boy's eye. He then planted a kiss on his forehead.

Kid smiled.

Odin got up, picking up the small boy with him. As he walked out of the kitchen, he sent down a glare at all the empty bottles. He decided to leave them behind as he packed all of his and Kid's things.

And the two moved on.

* * *

AC 186.

Kid could always tell when it was late at night. Midnight had a certain feeling to it. It was always quiet and the air was still. It was always dark and generally spooky. No wonder they called it the Witching Hour. It was scary.

Kid rolled over in his bed, now facing the door. He could see light coming in from underneath the closed door. He could also hear voices coming from the living room. Odin was talking to a few people. Kid didn't know they were supposed to be having visitors. Usually Odin told him.

He sighed. Odin was really different now. Ever since Linda died he became different. Sad, lonely. Kid could feel it and would try to make him feel better, but even if he succeeded, it didn't last long. Odin was always sad and bitter. He didn't make jokes anymore.

Kid threw the blanket aside and got up. He sent a look at Yoshi who sat on his nightstand. Kid didn't sleep with Yoshi anymore. He wasn't sure if it because of what Odin said back then, or because he was a big boy now. Whatever the reason, Kid felt it suitable to leave Yoshi close, but not too close. People who get too close get hurt. He didn't want Yoshi to get hurt again, so he left him where it's safe.

He walked slowly to the door, opening it quietly. He stepped into the hall, approaching the living room cautiously. He stopped at the edge of the hall, peeking into the living room.

It was empty, but there was a light coming from the kitchen.

From this distance, looking through the kitchen door, Kid could see Odin sitting on a chair in front of the small table, a coffee mug in one hand, a pen in the other. He was signing a few papers, talking to the man that sat at the head of the table.

Kid turned to look at the man. He seemed to be older than Odin, much older. He had white, shoulder-length hair. He had big glasses that rested on a long nose. And he had this constant frown on his face. Kid didn't like him.

Odin finished to sign the papers and handed them to the white haired man. "I want half of the payment in advance." He said sharply.

The man nodded. "Of course."

"But Quinze!" Another voice protested. A female voice.

Quinze turned to look at the woman, who was beyond Kid's range of sight. "That will be enough, Carla." He turned back to face Odin. "We can trust him."

Odin grunted, getting up. "Good. Then let me see the doe."

Quinze got up as well. "Not just yet. I realize you are anxious to get the money. I know you have um... a lot to take care of."

Odin glared at the older man. "Have the money by tomorrow, or the deal is off."

"Of course." Quinze nodded, signaling someone to come. "I will see you tomorrow then."

Kid took a few steps back into the shadows as the man and his aids departed from the kitchen, Odin in tow. He gasped, eyes wide. The two that were accompanying Quinze were no other than Pink Hair Lady and... and-- and- THE BAD MAN!

Odin opened the door for them, glaring at Pink.

Quinze left without another word, and so did the Bad Man. Only Pink winked teasingly at Odin, then left.

Odin slammed the door shut.

Kid ran back to his room, opening the drawer to his nightstand. He leafed through it's small content, glancing up at Yoshi as he continued his frantic search.

* * *

The next evening Kid sat on the couch, next to Odin, eating his TV dinner. When a knock was heard from the door, Odin got up, closing the television. "Kid, go to your room, please." He said coldly, walking to the door.

Kid nodded and ran out of the living room, without looking back. He rushed to his room, picking up the item he was looking for last night.

When the brat disappeared into his room, Odin turned to open the door.

"Hey there, handsome." Carla teased, running her fingers down his jaw line as she walked in, brushing against him.

Odin held himself from growling at her.

Bad Man chuckled, walking in as well.

Quinze ignored it all and went straight to business; opening the briefcase he was holding. He presented it to the assassin. "Ten thousand dollars in advance, as agreed."

Odin slammed the door shut and went over to take the briefcase. Once he did, he threw himself on the couch, examining the money.

"It's all there." Quinze assured him, settling on an armchair across the room.

"Hn. No telling with you rebels..." Odin muttered.

"I don't think he's ready to switch sides yet, boss." Bad Man grunted from his position behind Quinze.

Odin glared at him, closing the briefcase.

"I'm sure he does," Carla said. "'Specially after L6 SR2187X." She smiled wickedly, chewing her gum.

"So you've been following me, have you?" Odin spat, disgusted.

Quinze send a reprimanding look at 'Pink'. He turned back to Odin. "What she is trying to say is that we're--"

KAK CHANN!

SPONK!!!

The man was cut off by a gunshot fired, the bullet missing him by mere inches.

"What the hell is going on?!" Bad Man demanded, drawing out his gun.

"Don't move!" A little voice shouted.

"Huh?" Pink looked around, confused. She searched the place, gun ready in her hand. Her eyes came down on a little six-year-old child, pointing a small gun at her partner. She snorted. "Hm. Cute." She smiled mockingly at the kid. "Hey Kid, long time, no see."

The sarcastic look on Pink's face made Kid even angrier. He fixed his aim at her, his whole body tense. "Damare!" He commanded.

Bad Man laughed.

"DAMARE!!" Kid shouted, aiming at the bully, his face going red.

"Let go of the gun, Kid." Odin ordered, approaching the boy carefully.

Kid whirled around, aiming his gun at Odin. "You let them in, you hiretsukau!" (=Mean bastard!) He shouted accusingly. "You let the Bad Man in!!"

The two bodyguards burst out laughing.

"Just wait 'till he gets to his teens," The man laughed. "Then they're REAL tough ones..."

Another shot fired, hitting the man straight in the shoulder.

"Why you little-" The man launched at the boy, his gun drawn.

"That's enough!" Quinze ordered, raising his hand up to stop the man from grabbing the boy.

The two enemies glared at each other, the man holding his bleeding shoulder.

Quinze turned to Odin. "Interesting little brat you got here, Lowe."

Odin took a protecting stance in front of the boy. Kid kept glaring at the Bad Man from behind Odin, his little fist clenched around his gun.

"Might come in useful in the future." Quinze continued. "How much did you train him to do?" He got up, walking to stand in front of Odin. He looked down at the boy.

Kid glared up at him, finger ready around the trigger.

"That's none of your business, Quinze." Odin threatened. "Keep your mind on the current deal."

Quinze snorted, looking away. "Your boy shot my man, that is my business." He turned back to the assassin. "But I forgive you. The deal is still on." He signaled his guards to leave, heading for the door himself.

Odin turned to look at him, never turning his back to him. With one hand, he forced Kid to stay behind him as he turned.

Carla and her associate left first. Before Quinze was about to leave, he turned to look at the boy one last time, then up at the blond man. "Think about what I said, Lowe. The Kid's useful." And he left.

"Kisama..." The boy hissed, stomping back to his room.

* * *

A small fist cut through the air, colliding with a plane of muscles.

"Very good. Again."

Another punch hit, and one small leg went flying up to kick high. The leg was caught in mid-motion, before colliding with the opponent's body.

"Ah uh. Punching first, kicking later. Take it one step at a time. No need to rush to advance course." Odin reproached, his hand around the boy's ankle. He lowered the leg down.

Kid snorted. "Hn! Advanced course! Kicking is not advanced, it's indispensable!" And he flung his foot up again, kicking Odin straight in the stomach.

Odin was flung backwards a bit. "Smart brat..." He muttered, dusting off his shirt as if the little kick had only caressed his body and nothing more. "A bit arrogant for a six-year-old, though." He smirked.

"Damare!" Kid commanded, lifting his little fists up, ready for another match.

Odin smiled, amused by the boy's enthusiasm for learning martial arts. He prepared himself for another match. "Okay, but remember, no kicking." And he launched at him, attacking.

Kid avoided the attack, blocked a few more and then returned one of his own.

Odin smiled, blocking the attack. They were both at a small park, having one of their 'training sessions', as 'sun' set above the colony. For the last month, he had been training Kid at various forms of fighting. Just the basic things of course, nothing too dangerous or complicated. It was more like something to pass the time, though Kid took it way too seriously. Odin was surprised at his enthusiasm for fighting, his need to let all of his aggressions out. It was nothing like the sweet little boy he knew.

Ever since he began to work for the rebels in the colony, ever since Kid saw the Bad Man and Odin together, the boy became angry. He would snap at Odin all the time, get violent fits and was generally moody and aggressive.

Odin could tell that the trust between them was shaken, prehaps even broken. Kid now acted differently around him, sometimes mad or even indifferent. The only way out of this that Odin saw, was to let all this violent energy out. And so, following Quinze advice, he began to train the boy. They spend a lot of time together like this, and Odin hoped that it well help build back the trust between them.

"Okay! Okay! That's enough for one day!" Odin called, evading another quick attack from the boy.

The boy did not cease his attack and ran forward, shouting out his little battle cry. He tackled Odin down to the ground.

"I WIN!" He called happily, pinning Odin to the ground.

Odin coughed, after getting the wind knocked out of him. "Yeah Kid! Sure! You win." He called, looking up at the child, trying hard not to smile as he looked up into those lively laughing eyes. "Now get off!"

Kid shook his head sharply, his messy hair swinging from side to side. "What's the magic word?" He asked playfully.

Odin groaned, but then decided to play along. If the little boy wanted to finally play, who was he to stop him? He cleared his throat. "Umm... please?"

The boy shook his head again.

Odin frowned. "Uh... onegai shimasu?"

The boy giggled, shaking his head again.

"Oh man! I give up! What's the magic word?"

The boy grinned. "Hocus Pocus!"

Odin burst out laughing. "Hocus Pocus! Of course... I knew that. I just, um, temporarily forgot."

"Then you're getting old!" The boy concluded, jumping off the man's chest.

Odin shook his head in amusement, getting up to his feet. He held his back, bent forward and made as if he was holding a cane in his other hand. He began to walk like an old man. "Ohh... did anyone see my teeth..?" He called out like an old man. "Oi! I tell ya! Oi! My aching back... Oi..."

Kid was now practically rolling on the ground in a fit of laughter.

Odin grinned at the sound of his rich childish laughter. It was music to his ears. He grabbed the boy's hand, scooping him up from the ground. "C'mon Kid, time to go home."

The boy stabled himself on his feet, trying to hold back his laughter. "You sure you can make it, gramps?" He teased, smiling broadly.

Odin sent him a mock-scowl. "Gramps! Just what I needed to hear from you, brat!"

"Then race ya!" And the boy began to run down the park, towards their building.

"Hey- no fair! You have a head start!!!" Odin called, running to catch up with the youngster. "WaIIIit up!!!" Odin whined, waving his hands up in the air.

The boy laughed again, his rich laughter echoing through the small park.

* * *

AC 187.

"One. Two. Three... GO!"

Kid's little hands began to work quickly, picking up the metal pieces, putting them together, fastening the clip into place, cocking the gun and- "READY!" He called, looking up in pride.

"Twenty nine point seven seconds! Great Lord! You almost broke my record!"

"Then you must be getting old." The boy grinned.

Odin scowled, looking down at the brat. "I thought we discussed the 'getting old' thing already."

Kid ignored him. "Again!" He called, preparing to disassemble his shotgun.

"Oh no! Enough with firearms for one day. You're beginning to like it too much. This is not a toy. It can kill people!" Odin bent down to take the shotgun away from the seven-year-old child.

Kid pouted. He didn't understand what was the big deal. He's been 'playing' with guns ever since he could remember himself. There was always some sort of weapon lying around their house. He used to watch Odin clean them and ready them for his missions. And now he thought that it was WAY too cool that Odin taught him how to do it himself.

"Can we go hunting tomorrow then?" He asked hopefully as he watched Odin settle down in front of the bonfire, tending the fire.

"There's a limit of hunting in this park. It is a colony after all, not Earth." Odin answered softly, adding wood to the fire.

"I wish we could go camping on Earth." The boy muttered.

"You'll get there one day." Odin promised, sitting down by the boy.

Kid looked up at him, eyes shining. "Is it real different from the colonies?"

Odin sighed, gazing up the flames. "It's... beautiful."

"I bet all the people there are really nice."

Odin sent him a questioning look.

Kid returned his gaze, eyes sad. "Linda was from Earth."

The assassin kept looking down at the small boy, watching as the shadows danced across his small face. He remained silent.

Kid turned back to watch the fire, sighing. He brought his legs closer to him, hugging his knees. The flames danced gracefully, reminding the boy of his beloved Linda. How her hair used to dance like that when she moved. How warm she made him feel inside.

"Why did she go after that girl?" He asked sadly. "Why did she have to die?"

Odin sighed again, putting his arms around himself as if suddenly cold. "She did it to save the girl."

The boy turned to look up at his caretaker. "But she knew the Leo was close. Didn't she know she could die?"

Odin kept watching the fire. He was silent for a long while.

"She did what she felt was the right thing to do."

Kid blinked, confused. He returned to studying the flames. "Wakaranai..." He mumbled, shaking his head.

Odin sighed again, putting his arm around the boy's shoulder, brining him closer to him. Their eyes locked. "Sometimes you do things regardless of your own life. If you believe in something, if you care for something, then you'll do whatever is necessary to achieve it. In times like these, logic and thinking do not count. It's what you feel that guides you."

"What if my feelings are not right?"

Odin chuckled lightly, taking Kid's hand in his. "Your feelings are never wrong. They can be different from others feelings, but they are not wrong. If you feel something is right for you, then it is. If you act by what you feel, you will do what is right for you to do."

"And if I was wrong? If I did what I felt and it was a mistake?"

Odin shrugged. "Then you were wrong, you made a mistake, everybody does. But since you did what you felt is right, then you have no reason to regret it. You can't control what you feel."

Kid sighed, shaking his head. "This is complicated."

Odin chuckled, loudly this time, and ruffled the boy's hair. "Don't dwell on it too much. It will come to you in time."

They returned to watching the fire, sitting silently for the rest of the night.

* * *

Sitting in his room, Odin rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed. He's been looking at the damn computer screen all day and he was getting a headache. He sent a glance at the window, frowning as he saw it was getting dark. He turned back to the monitor, determined to finish this report tonight.

"Peek-a-boo!"

Odin looked up from his work, trying hard not to smile. He looked back to the screen, trying to ignore.

"Peek-a-boo!"

Odin shook his head in amusement, trying to keep his mind on the job. He could hear the boy giggle from behind the door.

One. Two. Three-

"Peek-a-boo!"

Odin chuckled and turned his chair to face the door. There was no one there, of course. "What is it, Kid?" He tried to sound stern, but it faltered. He felt like playing too.

Silence, but he could tell the boy was still standing by the doorway, probably giggling his little childish giggles. Odin smiled and turned back to his work. Half way there and-

"Peek-a-boo!"

The assassin laughed, every tiny bit of concentration he did have, flying out the window. He got up, shaking his head, and headed to the doorway. He pressed his body against the wall and waited.

One. Two. Three-

"Peek-a- Oi!" The child gasped as Odin grabbed him by surprise, raising him up in the air. "No fair!" The seven-year-old protested.

Odin kept laughing, turning the child to face him, holding him with both hands.

Kid pouted and folded his arms across his chest. "No fair old-man! How'd you do it?"

Odin laughed again. "Try to be more stealthy next time."

Kid frowned, little wrinkles forming on his little forehead. It was adorable, the assassin mused.

"Stealthy..?" The boy mumbled uncertainly. He frowned again. "What is 'stealth'?"

Odin put the boy down, straightening his cloths. "It's what you need to work on. You can't sneak in on someone if you keep giggling like that."

Now Kid got it. More training! He didn't feel like it right now. He planted two hands on his hips and looked up at Odin, scowling. "You old fool!" He called, voice laced with amusement. "It was a game, not a stupid mission!"

The blond laughed, tapping lovingly on the boy's head. "All fair in love and war." He ruffled the boy's hair. "You bored, huh?"

Kid sent him a wide grin. "You too, gramps! Lets play!"

"Sorry, boy, I'm busy." He sent a glance to his desk. "Work, ya know."

The boy shook his head, still grinning, as he took Odin's hand in his, pulling him out of the room.

"Where are we going, Kid?" Odin asked as he let himself get carried out of the room.

"You need a break." The boy stated, pulling his caretaker out of the door.

"So what'd ya have in mind?"

"Hide-n-seek!"

"Search and destroy, you mean."

The boy scowled at him again. "Hide and go seek!" He repeated harshly.

"With or without the 'go seek' part?"

"Odin..."

The assassin laughed again, raising both hands in a sign of surrender as the boy sent him one of his famous glares. He wondered wherever have the boy came up with that glare o' doom. He frowned at himself. Probably from the looks Linda used to send at him whenever he said something a bit too silly.

"Alright! Alright!!" He called. "I surrender. Go hide, I seek."

"Iiya! You hide, I stealth."

The blond laughed again. "While you work on your stealthing skills, work on your English too, will ya?"

"Baka." The boy stated dryly, as he was used to being teased about his English and his light accent. "Now you go hide and pray that I won't find you!" He said sharply, pushing the man forward.

Odin just laughed. "Okay then, but remember, if you fail, you have to do my work."

"I ain't killing nobody for you, gramps! Now go!"

"Hey! All fair in love and games!"

"I thought it was 'love and war'."

Odin shrugged. "War, games... big difference."

Kid frowned again, then shrugged it off. He turned to the wall and began to count. "Itch, nee, san, chi..."

The two played for a few good hours, Odin taking the opportunity to teach the boy a thing or two (well, actually much more than a thing or two) about sneaking up on people and such things. Who ever said you can't mix business with pleasure?

Eventually, the kid won.

* * *

AC 188.

"This is a big job for you, Lowe. A lot depends on it." Quinze concluded, looking down irritably at the small boy that stood by the assassin, his expressive blue eyes bearing holes into his very soul. He held himself from shuddering, looking back at the assassin.

Odin examined the papers that lay on the table in front of him, his face revealing nothing. He looked back up at Quinze. "This is crazy, but I should have expected it from you rebels."

Quinze grunted. "Isn't it time you should start seeing yourself as one of us?!" He demanded, planting his fist on the table.

Odin didn't even blink, but felt Kid tense, stepping a bit close to him. "Hn. I'm not one of you, I'm just here to do the dirty work." He glanced back at the sheets of paper, then back at the white haired man. "Five hundred, thousand."

"Five hundred thousand!?!" Quinze burst. "It's an easy job! The target will be delivered straight to you! You just have to shoot the man!"

The blond man only smirked. "Not just any man. You're talking about General Septem." He leaned closer to the man, looking him straight in the eye. "Five hundred thousand, or find yourself some other idiot to do it."

A tense silence fell over the small room as Quinze and Lowe began a staring contest. Kid looked up from his position by his guardian, examining his face and then his opponent. He was surprised Odin took him to this secretive meeting. He was NEVER around when Odin closed his 'deals' with his employers. He wondered what was going on, why his guardian was acting so strange.

Quinze finally snorted, pushing himself back. "Fine!" He called. "It's settled. But you better be worth the money, Lowe!"

Odin smirked victoriously, getting up. "When am I not? Didn't blow it once since AC 175!"

Qunize glared at him, then rose up to his feet. "You'll receive the payment shortly." He prepared to leave, then stopped. Without turning back he asked: "You won't be taking the brat now will you? I heard he's been through extensive training by you."

Kid gasped. Were they being followed again?

Odin glared back, putting his arm around Kid. "Like I said before, Quinze, none of your fucking business. The job will be done. Goodbye."

Qunize grunted again, and then left.

Odin kept staring suspiciously at his direction even after he left. Something didn't feel right to him. There was something wrong about this mission. He didn't like it at all.

* * *

"Something is wrong." Kid stated as he watched Odin pack.

"Why do you say that, boy?" Odin asked casually, shoving a bunch of cloths into his suitcase.

"You're troubled."

Odin chuckled, amused by the boy's insight. He sighed; Kid was a smart boy. He'll do fine.

He closed the suitcase, picking it off the bed. "Just nervous, that's all. It's a big job."

Kid shook his head, trailing after Odin as he walked out of the bedroom. "You're never nervous before a mission."

"How do you know?" Odin demanded as if offended. He turned back to face the boy.

Kid planted two hands on his hips. "Odin..."

Odin couldn't help but smile as the boy sent him one of his I-know-what's-your-ulterior-motive-you-over-grown-baka glares. He sighed, looking away. He sure will miss the boy. "It's nothing, Kid. Really."

They walked into Kid's room. Odin opened the closet and began to pack Kid's stuff.

Kid looked at him, angry. "Don't lie! Something's not right here!"

Odin stopped as he picked up Yoshi. He looked down at the ragged old bear, and sighed. Good thing his back was turned to Kid, cause he really didn't need the boy to see the tears that were in his eyes.

"Have you ever wanted to be like other kids?" He asked, hoping his voice was not too shaky.

Kid blinked, startled by the question. "Nani?!" He thought the question over. "Why do you ask that?" Something was very wrong. Odin wasn't even turning to face him. Was he crying?

Odin inhaled deeply, trying to calm himself. His hand clenched around the small bear. "Have you ever wanted to live like children are supposed to live: without guns, without moving to a different colony every few months, without any Bad Men..."

Kid flinched as he heard the last part. He shook his head from side to side, walking closer to Odin. The man still wouldn't face him. "I don't understand." He whispered. "What's wrong?"

Odin shook his head, tears creeping back to his eyes, but he didn't let them pour out. "Do you regret living with me?"

Kid just gaped at him for a moment, not sure what to think. "Do-- do you regret having me?" He could hear the man let out a choked laugh. He was crying, wasn't he?!

He took another step closer, taking Odin's callous hand in his small hands. He looked up at him. "Do you?"

Odin turned around and looked down at the boy. Those big blue eyes looked up at him with such maturity, it was hard to believe that he was looking upon a eight-year-old child. Kinda think of it, it was always hard for him to think of Kid as just a child. He was more like a little grown-up. A person who was trying to figure out this big messed up world just like any other person he knew. Thinking back, Odin found that he rarely treated Kid like a little child.

He didn't really know what Kid meant to him, an assistant, a friend, a son... All these years together and not even once did he tell him he loved him. Sure, he was always very affectionate to the boy, but never did he let himself say those three little words. And now it was time to say goodbye. He couldn't do it. He didn't really want to leave the boy.

"Odin?"

The small worried voice pulled him out of his musings. He realized that tears were now running freely down his cheeks. Kid was crying too, looking up at him with big tearful eyes.

"What's wrong, Odin? Don't cry..."

He laughed again, reaching a hand to wipe the boy's tears. His lips trembled as he tried to let out those three small words, but no voice came to him.

The two looked at each other for a long while, until Odin broke eye contact and pulled away. He took a deep breath, and turned back to the suitcase. "We have to leave soon." He said, shoving the cloths into the suitcase.

Kid glared at Odin angrily. Here he was about to say something, something Kid REALLY wanted, no- needed, to hear, but Odin pulled away. Kid hurried to wipe the tears from his eyes and stormed out of the room.

Odin stopped his packing, sighing deeply. He looked sadly down at Yoshi, who looked back at him with big shining glass eyes. Odin never realized how sad Yoshi always looked. His brown eyes seemed to be always tearful. He sighed again. "I'm sorry Kid... I sure am gonna miss ya."

Yoshi looked up pleadingly at him, crying.

* * *

Kid gazed out of the shuttle's window, scowling at the stars. He folded his arms across his chest, looking up angrily at the man that sat beside him. Odin was reading a paper handed to him by a man that hurried to leave the shuttle. He didn't touch the food served to him, nor did he speak to him. Kid assumed Odin knew he was mad at him. VERY mad. Extremely mad. He was furious.

Kid wasn't angry about Odin not telling him what was wrong with this mission, he was angry about Odin not saying what he wanted him to say. No. What he NEEDED him to say. He knew something was not right. He knew that there was another reason for them going to colony X18999. Something more than just a stupid mission!

Kid frowned, looking away at the stars. He gazed at his reflection, frowning again. He blew that annoying string of hairs out of his eyes. The child that reflected in the window was not him. That child looked young, innocent, he looked... cute! He was NOT cute! He was a soldier! But even soldiers needed to hear that someone loved them. Can anyone really love a soldier?

He turned back to look at Odin. He loved a soldier. He loved Odin. Kid sighed sadly and turned back to the window. He leaned his head on it, hie forehead touching the other boy's head. He looked deep into those big sad eyes and sighed. He just hoped this mission will go well and he'll be able to say this to Odin.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is where 'Episode Zero' (chapter one) takes over. If you haven't read it yet, you can get the scans here . The next part of the story is set AT THE END of the 'Ep. Zero' mana. That's all I had to say about that. Carry on.

Kid stumbled into the cramp hotel room, his cloths damp and soaked with water. He was trembling from the cold, but he ignored it. Walking heavily to the sofa, which also served as his bed for the few days he and Odin were at X18999, he lay down and curled into a little human ball.

He couldn't bring himself to cry. He promised himself that he will be strong. He had cried enough already. Odin wouldn't want him to cry. He needed to be strong. Soldiers are strong.

But he was all alone now. All alone. Odin was dead. He saw him die... He saw him... covered in blood... on the floor... and he died! Odin died!!!

It wasn't fair! He said that this is his last job! Kid thought it would be all over and they will live in one place and will be just like other people. He didn't mind the way they lived up until then, but it will be nice to have what Odin called a 'normal life'.

Kid hugged his knees tightly, looking up at Yoshi that lay slumped beside him. He reached a shaking hand and hugged his Yoshi. "It's just you and me now..." He muffled into the soft fur. Tears began to run down his cold cheeks.

He took a deep breath, trying to stop his up coming sobs. "Yoshi, dou shiyou?" (=What shall I do?) He cried, hugging the bear closely. "Who will take care of us now?" He kept on crying.

As no answers came to calm the small child, the crying grew stronger. The boy kept crying into the night, until sleep engulfed him.

* * *

The next day, Kid woke up at noon. He blinked, trying to remember if Odin left for a mission and if he said when he will be coming back. Kid sighed, closing his eyes sadly. He almost forgot, Odin won't be coming back. Like Linda. Like mama.

He was alone. Truly alone.

Kid pushed himself up and looked around the messy room. All of Odin's stuff were lying around, scattered. The room smelled like him. It felt like him. Kid swallowed down a sob. The room felt as if Odin will be running out the bathroom's door any minute now, complaining about "the stinky shampoo they have in these lousy hotels!".

But there will be no more of that. No more arguments about what to have for breakfast. No more arguing who will do the dishes. No more shouting and making up.

"CHIKUSHOUME!!!" (=Son-of-a-bitch!) Kid shouted, jumping up to his feet. "WHY DID YOU HAVE TO GO?!! YOU DIDN'T EVEN TELL ME! YOU DIDN'T SAY IT!!! Why..?" He dropped to his knees, hugging himself tightly. "I didn't mean to be angry at you! I was bad... I'm sorry... I'm sorry... Suki da... iiya... Ai shiteru Odin. AI SHITERU!!!" He closed his eyes, tears dropping down to the carpeted floor. "Gomen ne, Odin... I didn't mean to be bad... Sumumasen... I didn't mean it..." He lay down on the floor, folding himself into a tight ball of misery.

He lay there for hours, crying hysterically. He waited for Odin to come in and comfort him like he always did, but then he would remember that his caretaker was dead and his crying intensified.

"Mamotte ageru..." He mumbled into the floor. "Mamotte ageru... you promised... you promised..." His head jerked up, anger in his eyes, fists clenched. "YOU PROMISED!!!"

He looked around, seeing the apartment was now dark. And quiet. Lonely. "Kowaii..." He mumbled, closing his eyes tightly, returning to lie down on the floor. "Iiya!" He snapped his eyes open, face stern. He should stop it! He shouldn't be afraid! Soldiers are not afraid!

He pushed himself up from the floor and stood up in the middle of the room.

He walked over to the couch, reaching his small hand to caress Yoshi. He smiled slightly at the comforting touch. At least Yoshi was still here.

He sighed sadly, taking one more look at the dark room. He looked back at Yoshi. "Shikata ga nai..." (=Nothing left but to deal with it) He whispered to his only friend, brushing his fingers against the soft fur. He looked up determinedly, taking Yoshi in his hands. "Yo-oshi! (=Alright then!) I'll go."

* * *

The next day Kid left the hotel room, carrying nothing with him but a small bag filled with the necessary clothing, food and such. He had also taken some of Odin's stuff, just to remember him by. He even wore one of Odin's shirts right now, a tank top Odin told him he had ever since he was in the army. It was also the same one Odin always put on when he came back for his missions and would rest, talk or play with him.

Kid took his small pistol too and his only friend in this world- little Yoshi.

For weeks he just walked around the streets of the not yet finished colony, thinking about what he should do next. Where should he go? He had more than enough money; he helped himself for a load of cash from Odin's briefcase. He had no problem guessing the code: Yoshi.

Should he buy a ticket and fly out of there? Where will he go? Earth? He always wanted to see Earth. But what will he do there? He didn't know anybody; he didn't know any places to go to... He didn't know anything. Odin taught him how to survive, and he was pretty sure that he could handle all on his own, but... what was he to do?

"Hey..."

A rough voice made Kid pull out of his musings. He stopped in his tracks, looking down at the direction of the voice. A man was sitting in an alley, concealed by the shadows. He seemed pretty old and well... odd. He looked like the freaky scientists Kid used to see on TV, in these weird black & white horror movies Odin liked. His face turned sad the minute he thought of Odin. He then realized he was staring at the bizarre stranger.

"I like the look in your eyes." The stranger said, not even looking up at him.

Kid frowned to himself. The man was weird. He gasped as the man turned to him, freaky glasses looking up at him. The man was like a freaky cyborg or something!

The man smiled deviously. "You wanna pilot a Gundam?"

A what?! Is that a plane? A Mobile Suit? Was he asking him if he wanted to be a soldier? He was already a soldier. Odin taught him.

Live according to your emotions... That's the proper way for a person to live... Kid almost flinched as Odin's voice played in his head. Odin would want him to do what he felt was right. And being a soldier felt right. He'll show all the Bad Men out there what happens to people who take everything away. He'll teach them a lesson. He'll stop them.

"Sure." He let out, then took a step back as the cyborg-man began to chuckle darkly.

"Smart brat..." The man said, pushing himself off the floor with great effort.

Kid gasped as the man towered above him, one metal clawed hand reaching to him. He immediately regained a calm composure, not showing his fear to the man.

The man smiled at him, as if pleased or something. "I'm Doctor J, and you are?"

Kid swallowed, but then he looked up with confidence at the man. "Kid."

"Kid?!" He snorted, amused. "And what a kid you are, Kid..."

Kid frowned suspiciously. What did this man want with him anyway? "Stop fooling around, baka! I have no time for your games."

The man laughed even louder. "Oh I like you, Kid!"

"Fuzakeru..." (=Bullshit) Kid was fed up with the man. He was just some loony. He turned to leave. He barely managed to take one step when he felt cold metal fingers grasping his arm. He turned to glare at the stranger.

"Wait a minute boy!" He called amusingly. "I apologize. I should have realized a man of the likes of you has a lot to deal with. Tell me, boy, where are you off to in such a hurry?"

Kid was lost for words. He had nowhere to go. No one to go to. He slumped his shoulders, bowing his head. "Nowhere." He answered sadly.

"Nowhere? Don't you have a home, Kid?"

The boy shook his head, still not looking up.

"I see..." The Doctor replied, rubbing his chin. Then he suddenly smiled darkly. "Would you like to come with me then? I assure you that you won't regret it."

Kid's head jerked up to look at him. "Will I be a soldier?"

J laughed at the little question. He turned to look down at the boy. "What do you say, will you come with me?"

Kid frowned; the man was far too secretive and was avoiding answering his questions. Just like the people around Odin. He shrugged. "Okay, but I have to get my stuff first."

J nodded, still smirking. "Alright then, we'll take your stuff," he smiled wickedly. "Kid..."

* * *

Kid felt a bit uncomfortable as the man who called himself Doctor J followed him to where he hid his bag. It was a small construction site he made his home for the last few weeks. As they were about to enter, Kid turned to the strange man. "Wait here." He commanded, bending down under some beams. He ran towards his hiding spot.

Kid stopped in a dark corner, where a mattress, traces of a small bonfire and a bag were lying. He kneeled down in front of the mattress, reaching for the bag in order to put Yoshi in.

"Nice place you got here, Kid."

Kid flinched, startled, as he heard the man's voice. He turned around, angry with the man. He didn't like the idea of someone violating his personal space like that. "I told you to stay back." He growled.

J just laughed, ignoring the little boy. His threat sounded more like cute than intimidating. He sat on the mattress, ignoring the boy who was glaring at him. He reached a hand to the bag, pulling a few things out.

"Mou!" (=Enough!) Kid called angrily, pulling the bag away from the man's reach.

J snorted. "So you speak Japanese, now do you?" He asked, not even looking at the boy. He turned to look at what he was holding. "And I suppose every Japanese mother entrusts her son with this?" He handed the boy back his gun.

Kid grabbed the gun, snatching it from the man's grip. "Don't touch my stuff!" He threatened.

Again the man ignored him. He looked aside, and then picked up Yoshi from the mattress.

Kid tensed, wanting to kill the man right now. "Yamero! (=Stop it!) Leave him alone!"

J turned to look at him, apparently startled. "Yours? I'm surprised. Little soldiers don't need toys." He examined the ragged bear closer. "What's his name?"

"Huh?" Why was the man suddenly interested in Yoshi's name? Kid pulled back, relaxing just a slight bit. "Yoshi."

J smiled, looking at the bear. "Yoshi... such a practical boy you are, Kid. Ready on taking important actions, now are you?" He turned to look down at the boy. "That is what 'yoshi' means, am I correct?"

Kid nodded slightly, still shocked. He reached up for his bear. "Give him back..." He whispered, finding that he suddenly lost his voice.

J held the bear up high, out of the boy's reach. "Soldiers don't need bears."

Kid jumped up to his feet, trying to reach his Yoshi, but the man got up as well, his arm still holding Yoshi high. Kid jumped higher, trying to grab his friend. "Give him back, kisama! GIVE HIM BACK!!"

The man seemed unmoved by the boy's shouts.

Kid drew out his gun, aiming it at the man. "YOU GIVE YOSHI BACK- NOW!!!" He commanded sharply, aiming for the man's hand.

J still looked down at the boy, smirking. His metal claws began to squeeze Yoshi tightly.

Kid's eyes widened. No one will kill Yoshi! "I'm warning you!" He called, but saw the man was not ceasing torturing his friend. "KISAMAAAAA!!!" He shouted, and pulled the trigger.

PING!

The bullet ricocheted off the man's metal hand.

J laughed, pleased that the boy actually pulled the trigger. "What a Kid..." He said, handing the bear back to the boy.

Kid dropped his gun, panting. He looked up at the man in confusion. The bullet didn't even dent the metal arm. What kind of metal was it?

The doctor bent down to pick up the gun, handing it to the boy as well. "Soldiers don't need bears." He repeated.

Kid looked at the two items offered to him: a gun and a bear. He studied them both for a long while, feeling the man's gaze at him, pressing hard on him, pushing him down to the ground.

He shivered and reached out a hand. He grabbed the gun, folding his little fingers around it. He looked sadly down at Yoshi. It was time to say goodbye. Soldiers don't need bears.

Sayonara, Yoshi.

Part 2.

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