Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ The Third Kind ❯ Chapter One ( Chapter 1 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Chapter one: From clouds

Just as the sun rose over its land a young girl shifted in her sleep and awakened to it's calling. Raja smiled. Leave it to Palla to awaken her. She slept nearest to the opening of the hut where the soft breeze blew in soothing her skin and then in the morning the rays of light would nudge her with its heat- beckoning her to come and give proper ceremony. She stifled a yawn and arose from the small bedding of hay. The bright dessert plains greeted her as did the bright sun and she nodded, adjusting her eyes and stretching the stiffness out of her limbs. Fierce and tiresome days of running, labor and exploring had rewarded her body with lean curves and muscles suiting that of a small warrior. That was what she was after all. A small warrior. But a strong one. She stood proudly, feet apart skin already glistening in the blistering heat of the morning sun as it roused the others at will. She closed her eyes feeling a faint breeze cross her face and imagining it to be the suns hands greeting her and blessing her for the day. She lifted her hands to the sky capturing the blowing air through her fingers and stretching out in appreciation. A strong hand met her shoulder and from its smaller size she knew it to be her brother. Mikals voice was groggy as he stood next to her, also stretching his hard coiled limbs.

“Today is a good day.” He said. Raja gazed about at the many huts laying across the cracked brown earth and wondered where her feet would guide her today.

“How about a run down the passage?” she asked in offering. Mikal stubbed his toes into the ground.

“You never get enough of being on your feet do you?” Raja tilted her bronze head back towards the sky dissolving in light laughter.

“No. I guess I don't. I wake every morning with a stiff feeling and it only makes me want such a reward more and more…to know I have made use of my yesterday.” Her eyes twinkled against the light as Mikal stared at her.

“Besides, I wouldn't want to become ugly and fat like you.” Mikal pounded his chest though mirth appeared in his black eyes.

“Now you are asking for trouble little sister!” He cried and Raja howled into the morning air like a wolf, rising to the challenge. She sprinted off and he let her have a head start. It would take time anyway for his muscles to become loose again...

He followed her high-pitched laughter all the way into the forest.

____________________________________________________________

Akil greeted his wife lovingly by licking her cheek. She responded happily and they both slowly awakened their bodies and went to greet the sun. Yatima glanced back at the beds of her young and smiled knowingly at their absence.

“It seems Raja could not wait another moment to greet the day. As usual. And she has broken Mikal into her habits as well.” Akil laughed in amusement as he imagined his son. Mikal was usually very slow during the early hours. He would be huffing and puffing racing after the little one who ran light as a feather and fast as a doe. Akil smiled once again. He had taught her well.

“Where will you be today,” Yatima asked offering a wooden basin of water to her naked husband as he washed briefly in the sun. Others were awake too. Many of the men slept in the Missu during the longer days of the summer, though Akil and Mikal had come for supper yester night and the two females were happy to greet them. The other men walked their own separate ways to their huts greeting their wives and standing preparing to be bathed.

Mansa wants us to patrol near the roots of the forest for the day. He says he has been having strange dreams lately and feels wary of them..“ Akil answered his wife. Yatima immediately began to wonder.

“Strange…could he be seeing things to come?”

“I do not know..the Mansa has been acting…not himself lately. He may be very tired is all. I would not worry Yatima.” Akil chided comforting his wife. Yatimas eyes squinted against the sun and she glared her facial expression suddenly appearing stern.

“Those young ones better not have wondered off into that forest again.” She warned. Akil sighed.

“Mikal would know better.” He replied. And with that they turned and went back into the hut.

_____________________________________________________________

Khama grunted and crawled closer to his King who sat on a carpeted throne from a distance. He was growing weaker. The air in the room smell thickly of an old mans sickness. The king continued to clutch his head, his face red with perspiration and an odd smell of sap coming emitting from his hot breath. Khama did not understand it. He had led his people so well. So strongly devoted. Why now had Gizaam decided to ask him to join him in the Heavens? Khama did not know how to comfort the King as he sat and thought in sadness.

“I am weak Khama. Do not come too close…or I fear whatever disease has rotted itself inside me will come to you next.” Khama stopped from coming any closer and remained at a safe distance from the old man. His brows furrow with worry. He was dying. Slowly. Maybe it would not be today. Maybe it would not be tomorrow. But some time soon…this he knew. Khama cleared his throat in means of talking.

“What is it that troubles your head Mansa?” He asked. The small tired old man before him seemed to wither with every slow breath. His answer seemed withered and old as well..

“I am old Khama.” He said. “I have lived a fairly long life. I have protected my people. Kept us safe and sheltered. But I fear I have chosen the wrong time to die.” Khama's dark warrior eyes rose in surprise at this.

“What do you mean Mansa?” He asked slowly..growing more suspicious. Something was not right. His master was trying to hold in a deep secret. Something was going unsaid and he had yet to find out.

“We have lived in peace for many years. The last time of trouble I can remember is when young Raja arrived to us. When she was still fair with the skin of her kin.” The Mansa's wise black eyes glazed over in rememberence, a faded smile crept upon his face. “Now the sun has darkened her body but…I fear destiny has other means for her.”

“Destiny..” Khama repeated. He never really believed in that odd choice of word. He believed that life could be any way you made it…just depending on the amount of effort put into choice. And of what was the Mansa meaning by this word…destiny? Rajas strange bright eyed face came to mind and he awaited the kings answer obediently but impatient.

“Her people, Khama. That is her destiny. If one of our daughters was lost to us what would we do?” Khama answered that without a second thought.

“Send our finest warriors out to find her,” he said simply. “And if she was captured or killed by another brotherhood we would cause as much pain and suffering as you would permit for their punishment.”

“Exactly,” The king murmured. It took a moment for the warrior to understand. Slowly it dawned on him.

“You think they will come after her? After al these years?..” He asked although knowing somewhat what the kings answer would be.

“Yes and no,” Mansa responded quietly, “ I am almost certain it was her own family who lost her. If it were the Noise they would have come long ago for her…because that would have made her their captive. They would not have let her go so easily.”

Khama nudged his feet against the floor perplexed.

“I don't know what to think about this Mansa.”

“Think of it this way Khama,” he went on, “ We have kept her here. Accepted her. Cared for her. For eight summers now. And you are the only one I have told about those loud noises from the sky, besides Akil himself. I hear them sometimes at night.” For a moment Khama forgot the position of power in which the king stood and for once saw him for what he really was. A tired old man troubled with dark dreams and thoughts..

“ When everyone is asleep,” the king said, “ I stay awake at night listening for those sounds in the clouds. They are out there. They want her back. “ His wrinkled little eyes stared at the ceiling and suddenly the room appeared darker to the strong warrior.

“ They float..they stay up in the sky. Sometimes they fight too. I hear them.. and.. it is a horrible sound.” He cringed. “Like the sound of two rocks being bashed together again and again. Can you not hear it?”

Khama thought for a while but shook his head sad to admit his carelessness.

“No Mansa. I have not.” He murmured ashamed.

“Do not punish yourself Khama. I wonder if I am the only one who has heard these strange sounds. Perhaps it is nothing to worry about. Perhaps it is just foolish thoughts.. of a foolish.. old man..” Khama bowed respectfully.

“You will always have the respect of this warrior, foolish old man or not..” The Mansa laughed at the warriors unusual humor.

“I am pleased to hear it. Go now. Be at peace. I have no more troubles for now.”

Though unbeknown to the younger warrior, there was something still troubling his mind…something running and laughing without a care in the world that very moment through the deep canopy of wild trees…

_____________________________________________________________

Raja collapsed at the edge of the forest where they had started, the sun blaring now at its full height in the sky.

“You tricked me,” She mumbled between gasps for air, her brother laying in the dirt next to her. He too was recovering for breath, his bare chest heaving. Raja wore little clothing. Most of the women in the village walked naked, many had large sagging chests that they hauled over their backs to relieve themselves of the extra weight. Raja had always been disgusted by this, and was often horrified at Mikals perpetual teasing that someday when she found a husband her chest would sag to the floor from bearing so many children as all the others had. She stubbornly refused that custom though and walked proudly amongst the people wearing a clothe on top with two small slightly rounded wooden plates that gently cupped her small breasts and covered her for decency. For her other private parts she made a small garment that resembled the underpants she used to wear.. long long ago…they were tied together with leather thongs on each side of her hips and to finish it off she had stitched two shredded flaps of clothe onto it, one in the front across her hips and one in the back. She never bothered with sandals. Only the elderly and the Mansa and his wives kept clothe on their feet for protection. Mikal and the men wore simple loin clothes but nothing more.

As they made their way back to the village Mikal handed her a small pouch of water he had tied to his clothe. Raja drank from it greedily.

“You know.. too much water and that belly of yours is going to pop out like its carrying something..” he admonished wryly. Raja snorted.

“Everyone knows that to say I was someones woman would be a lie. ” She replied impishly.

“Good sister. You can not live your life alone forever.” Mikal admonished brightly. “It is the circle of life to become a woman and give children. No one will want you when you are old. So tell me this at least- when do you plan on finding a husband?”

“When I befriend a pack of lions.”

“Be honest! Stop playing tricks on my ears.” Raja eyed him in annoyance.

“ Has Father been talking to you about that again?” Mikal let his eyes wonder the opposite direction a little too quickly, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

“I knew it.” Raja growled stomping off towards the village. Her brother followed right behind her.

She was nearing her nineteenth summer. And Akil and Yatima were spending long amounts of time talking to the villagers trying to connect with family for her to marry one of their sons. Raja knew if she wasn't given to someone soon she would be even more frowned upon then she already was.

Why should I care though… it bothers me not, she thought.

“No one has ever liked me very much in the first place,” Raja said after thinking for a while as they walked. “Besides,” she turned to him, “ Who do you know that would want the mixed color of a white woman on in babies flesh?”

“Taliben.” The reply came very quickly. It was more then just a simple joke. Raja stopped and starred at her brother. Looking at him she knew he was serious.

“He has asked for you Raja.” Silence.

“What is wrong with him?” She stopped and turned to her brother in shock.

“What is wrong with him!?” She asked as if she couldn't believe her ears.

He would not look at her but the way he stood was as if he had been waiting for sometime or had been expected to tell her about it.

Taliben. Yes. She knew who he was. Rajas fiery eyes turned to stone.

“Will you accept?” Mikal asked in a low voice. They had reached the hut and Raja could hear Yatima humming as she mashed berries and prepared the morning meal. She sighed.

“I don't know.” She said back, honestly.

________________________________________________________________< /div>

Somewhere far far away….

Duo opened his eyes, yawning stiffly- the blurry view of his computer screen bright against the darkness. He jumped up from his seat after a moment of realization, cursed and then stalked off toward the far end of the hangar. The first person to come into his sight was unfortunate to say the least.

“Why didn't you wake me up dumbass!” He hissed grabbing his hat from a nearby table and pulling it angrily across his head. Bangs of chestnut brown fell low across his eyes, a long braid of the same color trailing back and forth down his back. His comrade, the irritable Chinese pilot Wufei merely grunted in response. The American was acting very strange. His mood was usually more up beat and light.. but after the recent havoc and tiresome battles that had kept him a long time from his bed a grouchy edge had taken over him and his eyes drooped- deprived of sleep.

“It's not my job to baby sit you Maxwell. Get an alarm clock.” Wufei snapped climbing back over the knee of his Gundam to repair the destroyed joints. Duos eyes narrowed into little slits.

If only he had his own Katana…

“It's OK Duo. You still have time to do some repairs on the extensive damage. Maybe not the minor ones…we have two hours before we report to our stations.” This came from Quatre, who rounded the corner holding a large wrench in his small hands.

Somehow his cheery way of trying to make peace was only making the braided pilot more pissed off. Duo turned away and went to his station before he said something he would regret later, stalking in a way that could've been done better only by Heero. Speaking of Heero, he who called himself the perfect soldier stalked by, glaring as usual, and as he passed his hand slipped into Duos tool box.

“Hey!” Duo called angrily, eyeing the rocket healix he had just stolen.

“I might need that!-Get your own!”

“Hn.”

Duo turned in his spinning chair and folded his arms.

Today had not been very pleasant. In the last 48 hours Duo had had no food..barely any sleep and bad company. Indeed there had also been those four battles with the new enemy, also known as the Invalids for their extensive knowledge in impersonation and search and destroy tactics. Shinigami actually had a little trouble keeping up with these guys.. sometimes..

Eight years ago he had been young. Very young..but he still remembered when most of the world had been at peace. Until one day these dark inhumanly fowl beasts came to their planet with only one true purpose; to annihilate all life in its path. Life after the war only seemed to get worse as the new enemy became more difficult to deal with. Duo knew retirement in his choice of `employment' would have to wait much longer then he expected. This enemy crept across the planet like a disease, offering no mercy and no compassion. Over time Heero came to think they were searching for something... But how important could that something be..? They had been causing problems for years. At first the Colony had taken this lightly thinking the problem was minute compared to the others at hand. But the Invalids had proved to be the worst out of all of them. And their progression only increased with time. Duo wiped at his eyes, utterly exhausted.

He decided getting Heero to give back the Healix without using physical force (of which he possessed very little of at the moment) was a lost cause. He set to work grumpily on the first problem he could find on his machine, the only person that day who seemed to be treating him with a little respect.

When he was finished and the others were starting up their engines he got into the cockpit, kissed his picture of Hilde and said his prayers.

Any day could be my last.

________________________________________________________________< /div>

Akil sat with the other older men of the village, relaxing, his feet lifted off of the hot dirt. They talked and watched the entertainment before them with amused expressions. The younger ones of the village were playing a game of Lugufu, a red lightweight ball passed back and forth between the two teams. Akil laughed as Raja kicked Mikal when he caught the ball and stole it passing it on to one of the other girls that called her name. Mikal limped towards his father and the other men with a sheepish smile on his face.

“Getting tired Mikal?” Akil asked with a hearty laugh. Mikal merely shrugged. He turned and watched his sister as well.

She spun around after the ball, the others crowding in against her laughing as she tried to break through. She was smiling, Mikal watched her happily, noticing the way the sun shone bright against her face and golden brown skin, a contrast to the coal black bodies around her. She was having fun. Laughing…as someone picked her up from behind and spun her around. Only then did his eyes look further and noticed who it was.

“Have you asked her son?”

“Asked her what,” Mikal said, his eyes content on only watching the game. Raja was surprised when she turned around to find the strong arms of Taliben spinning her round and round away from the ball. He put her down only when she shrugged her way out of his hold.

“About Taliben,” Akil said. His son looked him in the eye but he was displeased with the look of doubt on face.

“She has not told me anything about it yet.”

____________

Raja felt her blood rush through her veins in power and excitement. He had not had this much fun in a while. The sun was still bright for the afternoon, it was shining down directly on her, the others were laughing and playing. All was well. Taliben was there too. She had been surprised and slightly annoyed when he had pulled her away from the ball holding her so tightly..as a man does when he wants a woman. She was not used to it and didn't feel comfortable but he let it pass. Her brother and Father were watching. And she just noticed that the Mansa had come out of his place too. She would try not to displease them or cause any problems. A rumor had gone through the village that the Mansa had fallen very ill. Now as she looked at him from a far she could tell by the way he slumped delicately against a small tree nearby. His wives fanned him obediently. When Raja noticed she had caught his attention she smiled and lifted her arm. He did the same. She had always been one of the Mansa's favorites out of the young ones…much to Akils liking. She always tried to stay within his respect too. For the Kings respect on her name gave her protection from those who did not accept her. Like Kaliba and her cruel little clan of troublemakers…

Raja glanced in their direction with a snigger. They sat in the dirt watching the game. They were nothing but a bunch of fat hippos. They did not know the feeling of running fast through the trees…feeling the water dry on your skin from laying out in the sun for hours…dancing with the sun in the rain. They were bitter and out of their bitterness they hated her. Raja shrugged the feeling aside and concentrated on the game. She didn't see however that someone else was watching her..watching her very closely. Feasting his eyes on anything they possibly could.

“Himwinyama Raja.” The girl nodded neutrally. Taliben knew this strong will of coldness was only an act.

“How are you today?”

“Can you stop asking questions- I'm trying to play the game.” She hissed spinning around to glance at him and then turning back annoyed.

Taliben was amused by her anger.

Just like the Humunjas…in the south bend. Catch there attention and they'll come snapping at you with their tongues. But…they too can be tamed and broken. It will only take a matter of time.

He stared at her breasts and thighs suddenly feeling a quake of lust in his abdomen, though she noticed none of this.

Over the years as Taliben had grown into a man he found an odd feeling in his organ that made him want the adopted white woman more and more with each coming year. Coming form a well family in favor of the king he knew he would receive Akil approval. He knew if he should ask for approval to have her as his woman there would be strange feelings with his family but that would not stop him. Her body had grown quite unusually and it appealed to him as a man is aroused by one of the opposite sex. Her skin was not charcoal colored…or dry and wrinkled from too many long hours in the sun… an unfortunate look that appeared on most of the young village women. No..her skin was a light brown color. It had started when she was younger and then for some reason it never got darker no matter how many tireless days she went out into the light. Her skin glowed from perspiration that seemed to act as an oil softening and soothing her skin.

Mikals father had been known in the very highest degree as a warrior. As the years had gone by that position of respect and power had been passed down to his son and consequently to Taliben himself. Mikal was gentle and easy with his beautiful sister…often letting her think she could beat him in a chase or mud match.. He was kind at heart. Taliben persuaded himself to think he could provide her the ame kind of soft comfort- only in a mates way…but in truth he was a deadly wild savage. He could kill a beast with his bare hands and had done so many times to keep the respect of the other men..for he was still very young. Barely in the age of full manhood. The others..even the older braver warriors who had seen many moons were secretly very afraid of him. He was pleased and was determined to keep it that way. For fear was power. Respect was only what came after it.

The king was growing old now. Taliben knew this from the others. His death would come soon within the month..this he was sure of. And he also knew who his heir would be since he did not have any daughters.

“ The Mansa has named me his heir when he passes,” Taliben murmured as the ball wandered off with the crowd to the other end of the circle. She looked at him surprised and then at the ground deep in thought.

“He is ill I have heard.” She said. Taliben nodded.

“Yes. It is a sad thing.” He denied the fact that he lied.

It was not evil minded to be looking forward to it he had concluded. Death eventually came to all living things that roamed this earth. He too would some day die. But he would first be king and his village would prosper under his rule. He would take Raja as his first wife. Hopefully by the next summer she would have their first child growing in her womb. He satisfied his thoughts on that and it pleased him.

The ball was kicked into the open air and Raja flew for it trying to distract herself from further conversation but Taliben grabbed her body spinning her aside.

He wanted a son. Raja knew nothing of his intentions or feelings but she would come to accept them. He was a man. A Masaai. And the head warrior of the clan. Whatever woman he chose would bow down to him willingly and she would too. All in good time. He would make sure of that…

___________________

Raja was infuriated. She shoved Taliben in the shoulders roughly making him stumble backwards. He laughed and advanced on her againA gesture the men would often do to show dislike among others. The game of ball stopped slowly as people became distracted at what was about to happen.

“Why did you do that? Can't you see I'm trying to play a game here?” She seethed shoving him again. The man who stood across from her suddenly appeared angry the second time she pushed him and grabbed her by the wrists, his grip rock hard.

Mikal noticed the sudden quietness and the absence of the sounds from earlier and he slowly rose from the ground.

“Where are you off to Son?” Akil asked curiously. His Son looked alert and serious though. The Game had continued around the corner behind the large Missu to the right. Akils keen hearing picked up the ounds of shouting but he was not as quick as his son. Mikal stepped forward.

“Something is not right.”

Meanwhile Taliben held the slender girl in his tight grip and would not let her go.

“I am tired of your disrespect when I try to speak to you. You will not do it again Raja.” Raja's dark blue eyes lit like wildfire.

“I will do as I want Taliben I am not your woman. And I won't be your woman ever.” She spat back. A wave of pain crashed into her face before she knew what exactly he said in return. Landing hard against the floor he looked up to see Taliben glaring furiously down at her before her brother came out of no where and leapt on him, his fists raised.

Only then did she understand, and by the stinging pain on her jaw what had happened. Taliben had hit her.

They struggled, shoving and punching their fists and legs against each other, people surrounded them in an uproar and Raja looked up at them staring in absolute shock. Taliben threw Mikal towards the ground but Mikal shifted his weight and sprung on him again. He hit him twice in the face before the crowd started to separate when Akil along with some of the other men came and roughly pulled them apart.

Mikal was breathing hard, and he stood protectively in front of his sister who was still sitting in a heap against the dirt. Akil growled angrily.

“What is the meaning of this?”

There was silence.

“Answer you fools!” Raja lay a hand across her cheek and winced when it stung.

“ He hit her father. Taliben hit Raja.” Mikal said angrily. Taliben stood calmly with no look of guilt apparent in his posture.

“You're girl needs to learn how to keep that tongue of hers behind her teeth. She disrespected me. She deserved her punishment.” Akil merely stood there with blank eyes cast towards the ground. Mikal stepped towards his father expecting him to be furious.

“Raja did nothing Father, he is not allowed to touch her. Why will you not say something against him.” Akil glanced at his son solemnly and then down into the eyes of his daughter. Raja stared at him with tears in her eyes.

Suddenly she began to understand. The tears couldn't be held back any longer. She rose from the ground and in a flash she was gone.

The crowd thinned out and slowly everyone went back to their previous attentions…though whispering in hushed voices about what had just happened.

As Mikal and his Father walked back to the Hut Mikal stopped in front of the entrance and folded his arms.

“ Why did you not defend her Father? Why did you let him win!” He asked confused and slightly upset. Akil shook his head mumbling and tried to pass but Mikal persistently stood his ground and blocked his way through. Akil sighed warily.

“Son.. There are some things you must understand.”

“Tell me then. Let me understand why you did not help me to protect her.” Mikal replied sternly.

“Taliben is already one of our finest wariors…Son…he is going to be Mansa when the King passes.” Mikal took this in for a moment. His mind trying to register what had just been said from his fathers lips.

Taliben..? As the Mansa?

“Why not one of the Kings daughters though??” Mikal asked, puzzled. “Taliben is not of his bloodline.”

“Because Taliben is a leader. The Mansa's daughters are not fit with that task.” With that Akil moved past his son and went inside. Mikal stared at the ground watching as the wind blew up the dust from its surface.

He felt the breeze dance around him and then turn east to the trees. He followed it with his eyes.

I wonder where she ran off to.

But he had known Raja a long time and if he knew her well as a brother, then he knew that time alone was what she needed most right now.

She knows the way back..

_______________________________________________________________

Duo's body lay limp for hours in the hot desert sun. He awoke groggily and moaned as its bright beams hissed against his skin, stinging him in the eyes.

“Fuck.”

He rolled over onto his back, his eyes going in and out of focus.

The only thing he could remember before his Gundam was blown..was hitting the suicide switch. Duo tried to ignore the pain that now shot up through his right leg and into his hip as he searched the area. He didn't have to look long.

“Welcome back buddy.” Duo could've laughed if this were any other time..because standing in front of him against the bright sand was a person he couldn't believe he was happy to see.

“Hey Wufei.“ He mumbled. His throat was closed up almost entirely and he coughed to try and open it up. He obviously hadn't had water in hours. He looked around, Wufei standing off to the side staring out into the sandy planes behind him.

“ How long have I been out..?” Duo asked his voice cracking. Wufei shrugged.

“It took me an hour and a half or so to find your crash site.” Duo sighed and ran his hands through his bangs that had been matted across his forehead in dirt and sweat.

“I can't believe you pushed the button.” Wufei said slightly bemused. Duo could tell he was trying to hide the impressed tone in his voice. He smiled his eyes closed.

“Why did you do it?”

“I don't know,” Duo said sighing, “ If they followed us I didn't want to risk a crash landing and have them capturing me. I figured hey…if Heero did it once and lived then maybe there was some hope for me..”

“You're Gundams blown to shit.” Wufei pointed out. Duo opened one eyes and glared at him clearly saying `Yes. I know that.' and the Chinese folded his arms. But.. Begrudgingly he added, “So's mine.”

“So have you been here watching me the whole time?? That's kind of creepy Wu-man.” Duo said quirking his eye brow. But his friend wasn't being much fun at the moment.

“I was looking for the others for two hours before I found you.” Wufei answered gruffly. Duo clapped his hands over his eyes to shield himself from the sun and he couldn't help but chuckle. Leave it to Wufei to try and rescue any of the others before him- the last resort..

But speaking of the others Duo sat up, suddenly feeling more awake.

“Where are the others?” He demanded. He couldn't gauge the expression of his commrade..the sun was in his eyes making him squint and it was too difficult to tell if he was just disappointed or struggling to see.

Finally he said, “I don't know.” Duo gained some composure and decided not to worry about it. Something pinched the crook of his neck, crawling across his skin and he slapped it off in annoyance.

“Damn bugs.” Wufei sighed glaring at him. Duo blinked.

“What?”

“What am I going to do with you like that? How are we going to look for the others?” Wufei asked irritated. Duo looked down at what he was pointing at. Now he knew where the pain was coming from. He grinded his teeth in pain and he swept his fingers across his leg. A shard of metal had banged it up pretty badly..he couldn't tell how deeply the wound went but all he knew was that it hurt like hell. He peeled at the open rip in his jeans that had sealed against the coagulated blood. It was stuck hard to his skin.

`Damn it.' he thought.

“What- this? It's just a scratch man!- nothing to worry about…” He assured him. Wufei shifted his gaze angrily as to say he felt differently.

“Well I'm not carrying you.”

“Fine do you have a stroller nearby then? Cause uh- I don't see one.”

“Maxwell.”

“Argh..yeah yeah ok. But-… will ya help me walk at least?” Duo asked turning serious. Wufei sighed loudly. Duo pulled himself up into a full sitting position his leg numb with only slight pain now.

“Common please? I don't like this any more then you do. And you can't just leave me to lag on my own..” Wufei kicked the sand but he gave in.

“Fine… but not a WORD from you though.” Duo held his hands up innocently.

“Truce.”

________________________________________________________________< /div>

Angry tears full of pride threatened to spill from her eyes but she swiped at them with the back of her hands stubbornly.

I will not cry over this. Because it won't happen. It won't happen.

She repeated that thought over and over in her head glancing down at the forest floor far below. She knew he shouldn't have been there…Akil had probably sent the whole clan out by now looking for her. Yatima knew she was upset and was probably worried sick as it was.. She lifted the branches over head and rearranged them so that it shielded her from the light. For once…Raja did not long to feel the presence of the warm sunlight across her skin…she didn't long to feel drops from the clouds fall across her face. She only wished to cry. To cry and cry about the tomorrow she hoped would never come…

It pained her that Akil would agree to such a thing. Taliben was strong but he was fowl. Possesive..

Raja could take care of herself. She didn't need anyone's help or anyone's approval to do so! It made her furious..remembering the way she had felt so caged in his iron grip as he had pulled her away from the game…

Raja knew she couldn't stay alone and independent forever…It wasn't that she didn't want to grow old with a mate…it just felt like the wrong time.. The wrong person.

`I'm searching for something more.. But what?'

Who could it be..? That one person that would make her feel happy and content with sharing a life together. She also had to remind herself though- she was still young. She saw the way Yatima and Akil showed their affections and for some reason it scared her.

Another jolt of stubbornness coursed through her veins as she swatted at a fly that had perched itself on her shoulder thinking her to be part of the tree.

`I will not marry. As the Gods as my witnesses..I'll fight for as long as I can. And there is nothing Taliben can do!'

“Raja!” Raja jumped startled from her thoughts. She looked down and it was Mikal. He looked upset, so did the other dozen of warriors behind him.. She smiled however..for she noticed Taliben was not included in her `rescue party`.

“So I was right. I know Akil far too well…” she muttered under her breath smirking at the furious expression of her half-brother.

“You come down here right now! Yatima is worried sick about you!”

“Yes and she should be,” She shot back climbing down from her high perch in the tree. She turned her head and glared at his oil skinned face below.

“Worried about her daughter who ran away out of frustration for her father and brothers pestering.”

“It was not my idea about that and you know it Raja,” Mikal answered trying to sound persuasive. Raja merely sniggered turning her attention back on how to get down from the tree.

She stopped abruptly when her name was shouted.

“Raja! STAY where you are!”

Shouts erupted below, Raja whipped her head around as she saw the entire clan race out of sight - ahead to a place she could not see.

Suddenly a horrible crackling noise ripped through the air…louder then anything she had ever heard in her life. Raja stumbled against the branches, feeling a rush of fear and excitement as she raced to climb back up to her hiding place. The sound had been like thunder! It seemed to shake the earth and put a chill through her bones.

What on Earth was going on!!?

A slow silence followed…and the only thing Raja could hear now..was the quick pounding of her heart.

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It all seemed to happen in a blur. The yelling. The gunshot. The silence. Duo wasn't sure what he saw first. The fierce black eyes against onyx bodies of flesh..or the dirt when Wufei had shoved him back against the ground behind him.

They weren't from any nearby town…that was for damn sure. There were about twenty of them. All with wide broad shoulders..and almost completely nude. Their skin was dry from the head and heavy with muscle tone. Duo could only imagine where it had come from. He was stunned as he watched them, unmoving. Their eyes never blinked. They were cold and wild..he had no doubt they were completely able to kill them within seconds. They were savages.

No one dared moved…not the people that stood in front of them…and certainly not them. Duo gulped realizing his leg was shaking. It was bleeding again the numbness suddenly began to fade and pain took its place. He was useless to his partner. His gun was in his back pocket…he could go and reach for it..

Duo ruled that idea out though.

Before he would even have the chance to make a move for it he'd probably be shot dead from one of those viscous looking arrows, ten of which were pointed in his direction.

Great. My Gundam is screwed. The others are lost..Wufeis just gone and pissed off a group of native crazies!! AND…now I'm screwed too…Great..Just Great.

Duo looked down and carefully moved his hand over his crucifix. It startled movement with the others for a moment but their weapons remained still. Wufei held his gun aimed and firm his eyes never leaving their stone carved faces.

“Duo…,“ Wufei said slowly growling out in syllables through his teeth, “What…the hell do you think…you're doing..”

“Saying my prayers.”

Hilde I love you. If I don't come back I hope you'll remember me as I was. And-..

“Veleh KOOSH,” The man in the center ordered. He looked to be one of the younger ones..actually he was around their own age..but it was obvious to Duo that he was the leader. When they didn't reply or do what he had asked the man suddenly howled like a beast and pounded his chest. Wufeis gun wavered a bit in it aim- distracted.

“He wants you to put the cross down- Duo put the cross down!” He yelled. Duo obeyed silently. Something slimy began to tickle on his knee, Duo glanced down and yelped when he saw a large millipede crawling across his skin. He shoved it off and backed away startling the natives even more. This wasn't to their liking.

“Sinta cum daayo.” The young one ordered. Wufei squinted his eyes thinking hard. The atmosphere was starting to get more static by the minute and Duo had a bad premonition of things. He had a feeling they wouldn't be getting out of this one so easily. In the back of his mind he found himself wishing Heero was there with them. He would blow these weirdos asses to smithereens…

The man repeated it again louder. He was furious, snarling with his teeth bared. Duo couldn't believe that after all of his years as a pilot he was actually starting to feel a little bit afraid. He watched the man gesture as he repeated it again, and he began to sweat in concentration.

“He wants you to put down the gun Wufei.” Wufei glanced at him from the corner of his eyes frowning.

“I don't even have the safety off,” he admitted quietly. Duo nodded.

“They don't know that.” Slowly..Wufei lowered his gun. Their composure however never faltered. And then finally..they too lowered their weapons.

Duo sighed in relief, exchanging a glance with his friend and for a moment they smiled at each other- but that moment was short lived. One of them barked out something to the others and before Duo could even blink they were advancing on him…some type of rope in their hands. Duo backed away feeling like a coward but he knew he couldn't protect himself. He just hoped Wufei was in the mood to defend both of them. Wufei reached for his Katana- Duo closed his eyes knowing all hell was about to break loose. Shout arose Duos eyes opened in surprise to find Wufei nearly three inches away from him, his face forced into the dirt, his arms restrained behind his back. He couldn't believe it. The younger one squatted near the earth his eyes on Duo now as he picked up the sword which hadn't even been pulled out of it's sheath. Wufei growled furiously in Chinese but the large brute holding him only shoved him further into the hard dirt.

Duos head started feeling dizzy. He didn't know what was going to happen. He didn't know if he should just close his eyes now and wait until it was over.

They bound his hands. Wufei was pulled away and suddenly a pair of rock hard arms grabbed him roughly by the shoulders and hauled him to his feet. A searing pain shot up his leg as it was forced on his own weight. He cried out in surprise and stumbled into the warrior before him. A distinct smell of sweat and urine emitted of his body and Duo cringed in disgust. A bile formed in his mouth and Duo struggled to keep it down with all the control he could muter. The smell was awful. The man shoved him away and he lost his balance falling again. The leader came back yelling at them angrily. Duo saw Wufei being hauled off twenty feet ahead and for a fleeting moment fear struck through him like a knife. He couldn't be separated from him..not even if they both were destined to be killed now. Wufei was his only friend he had left.

“Wait!” Duo yelled, silencing the others. He breathed in deeply his heart pounding and the heat searing the back of his neck like an iron.

He thought it out quickly- he knew he didn't have much time to keep their attention. He held his hands up and then pointed downwards touching his leg. The expression on his face as he squeezed his leg must've been understandable enough because he couldn't think of any other way to make them ee why he couldn't walk. The younger one stared at him for a moment and then beckoned his friend over. Immediately after being given orders he walked towards Duo and hauled him up over his shoulders with ease. His hands were bound with a tight clothe at the wrist. Duo choked and held his breathe. He couldn't even name what exactly it was that his new friend smelled like.

Duo tried to adjust his legs but was only rewarded with a smack across his knees. He hissed out in anger but he knew better. Wufei would do the same. They would figure out a means for escape later..now was just a time to remain calm as they had so far.

Duo glanced up at the passing trees his vision starting to blur from the intensity of the midday heat. It was scorching through his skin..literally frying what will his brain had left to think with. Tree after tree passed by, the light scattering across the ground through their thick green canopies. He felt himself tiring, he knew he only had a few more moments before he rendered unconscious. A leaf fell in front of his nose and he glanced up.

There..high in the trees above staring back at him were a pair of the most beautiful wild blue eyes he had ever seen. That was the last thing he saw before he gave into the darkness.

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A.N. OK. That's what I got so far. Review and tell me what you think. So far I think my story is the only one of its kind. If you see other stories centered around Sailor Moon gone `Lion King' let me know lol. That's be a trip to see. Later people! Please REVIEW!!!!