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"A War Worth Fighting"Written By: SkyLark DISCLAIMER: I do not own Gundam Wing, or its characters.
I just love playing with them. Warnings: Swearing, angst, violence, angst, torture,
did I mention angst? Archives: http://www.gundam-wing-diaries.150m.com/gw/SkyLark/gwSkyLark.htm
and Rating: R Summary: Duo is fighting in the second World War when he's captured by the enemy. To view the pic by shiyasim that inspired this fic; click HERE "A War Worth Fighting" April 5, 1945 "Japan's doorway," Wufei said quietly as he stared out to the shores of Okinawa. Fully staffed and ready to take full siege on the island, the Enterprise stared directly at the belly of the beast. A win over this landmark and the Americans would be able to launch right into the mainland. What a victory here would mean for the Allies was far greater than their capture of Iwo Jima. This would mark a clear beginning of the end for Japan. Since the first of the month, there had been attack after attack on the stretch of land. Now only just back after its repairs and ready for action, the Enterprise was poised to join in on the battle as it slowly rolled in behind those crafts bearing the ones that would face the onslaught head on. The first Higging Boats, each carrying up to thirty-six soldiers laying low in preparation for the storm, floated closely to the bank. In defiance of the machine guns, hills and other hurdles set in their path, the helmeted warriors stared upon their target without a hint of fear. [1] Over the sound of gunfire, the planks opened and waves of troops charged for the beach, screaming and wading through the knee-deep water. Biting his lip as he watched from a safe distance, Wufei lowered his head at the sight of dozens of men being cut down before they even reached the sands. Pale-faced, Johnny and the remainder of his team also turned their heads away from the gruesome sight. No matter how many times they had witnessed attacks like this, it never became any easier. Every man shot down was someone to somebody back in the States. And they were brutally taken away from them forever. Wiping a coat of sweat from his brow, the commander of the air unit adjusted his uniform cap and turned to face his men. "All right!" he shouted over the deafening sounds in the background, "First team, in the air now! I want those goddamned guns taken out! "And be on the lookout for any of those bastard kamikazes! You know if they can get planes in the air, they will be coming for our ships! We already have confirmed several hits from such attacks, so they're desperate! Move!" Without even a salute, Wufei and his comrades zippered their flight jackets up and ran for their planes. "See you all after our watch!" Johnny laughed in the middle of the pack. Similar sentiments were shouted over the screams and firing from the island. The first to reach his own craft, the Chinese pilot strapped himself in and closed the cockpit hatch. Lightly patting his control panel, he smirked, "Let's go, Nakaku." Clipping his mask and helmet into place, he took hold of his controls and turned his plane onto the middle of the ship's runway. Given clearance by the crewmen waving them on, Chang pushed forward hard and sent himself soaring over the ledge of the carrier. Gaining altitude quickly, he spun himself into the air right for the shores. Between dodging the fire befalling him and keeping an eye on the enemy planes that were taking to the air, taking out the machine guns on the ground was more than a difficult task. Still, he managed to get some of his own fire to fall just behind the line of Japanese ground troops. Not enough to damage them, but it certainly shook them up. And every second that they spent taking cover was a second that they were not shooting at the ground troops that were climbing over the bodies of their own. It was another second that the Americans were able to progress. Just behind Wufei, the rest of his team took his lead and acted in kind. One lucky strike from Johnny's plane took out one of the guns in a grand explosion. From there, the focus fell on the fighters heading right for them. "All right boys," Wufei smirked behind his mask. Gripping his control sticks, he sneered, "Let's dance." * * * * Howard turned off the ragged looking radio that had gone to static. Sighing, he rose to his feet to seal away his gadgets in his basement. Had the Japanese known what he, the senile old American that they paid mind to had access to, they would no doubt reconsider their opinion of him. Much like himself, every one of his `toys' was something much more than it appeared. When he stepped into the living room, he found Heero and Duo seated on one of the living room couches together. Their heads turned to gaze out the large window behind them, they were appraising the last bits of snow melting from the earth to give way to budding plant life. Here and there, the non-evergreens were beginning to show signs of early budding. If only the rest of the world were as serene. After some time to heal, the braided private's face was clear of any blemish and his homemade splint was no longer strapped to his left leg. Looking to their host with those wide violet eyes, he asked in a rush, "Anything new to report?" "No," the old man shook his head. "The signal went out before I could pick up on more recent reports. There has been little more to say regarding Tokyo and the other cities that were hit. Nothing close to here has been made a target yet." To the anxious cobalt eyes watching him, Howard frowned deeply in regret, "I couldn't get any further word on how Hiroshima is fairing after the first air strikes that hit there. At least that is a good thing, considering the fact that if there was anything big enough to report, we would have heard about it by now. What happened there is nothing like what happened to some of the larger cities." Heero swallowed roughly and lowered his head. Biting his lip, Duo reached over and squeezed his arm with a reassuring, "I'm sure that your mother is fine, `Ro. If she's any bit as resourceful as you are, she probably got the hell out of that city before the strikes came." Unable to hide his concern, the sergeant turned to his lover. "I just wish that I had a way of knowing for sure," he shrugged sadly. "And I can't stand just sitting around and not being able to do anything about any of this." Chewing on the inside of his cheek, Howard offered quietly, "Well, with any luck, maybe there will be a surrender soon-" Instantly cutting him off by quickly rising to his feet, Heero glared heatedly at him with his fists clenched at his side as he shouted, "There is not going to be a surrender! If there has not been one now, what makes you think that will change!?" The old man never so much as flinched, the understanding radiating from his calm eyes, Duo was standing and wrapping his arms tightly around his red-faced lover. Gently, he urged, "I know this is frustrating. I do. And you know that if there was anything that we could do to get you to your mother now we would. But we have to wait until we can get to the main island when we won't be noticed or there really won't be any way of helping her." His shoulders sagging with a sigh, Heero ran a rand through his hair and calmed himself. "You're right," he agreed in little more than a whisper. Clearing his throat, he faced their old friend and said sincerely, "I'm sorry that I snapped at you like that, Howard." With a small grin, the retired soldier replied, "No apologies needed, kid. we're all a bit on edge what with everything that's going on. But it's not going to be much longer before we'll be heading out for the plane." Through the foliage outside, something glimmered a few yards out. The white hairs on his neck standing, Howard sat upright in his seat, eyes wide and back stiff. Blinking in confusion and building panic, the pair went just as rigid. Before either of them could ask what was wrong, the old man spotted clear movement through the brushes and trees. "You boys had best get to hiding," he suggested in a breath. "We have company." Unable to breath at that, Heero and Duo froze further. "Don't bother looking out the window," Howard continued in his quiet but stern voice. "They're getting close enough to look inside, so get down low. I'll stall them as long as I can." Not needing another word, the young soldiers crouched low and headed out of the room and headed for the basement. Meanwhile, Howard stood and went before the large window beside his door. Squinting his eyes, he could make out four uniformed soldiers making their way through the forest towards the house with their weapons drawn and gleaming in the sunlight. A small smile played on his lips as he took a deep breath to keep himself from showing any hint of worry. As the men neared the clearing, the old man went to the door and opened it to step out on his simple porch. Raising a hand, he waved and fell easily into the Japanese language to greet, "Hello, there! Not too often I get visitors around here!" There was a pause from the advancing soldiers. Confusion on their faces, they looked to one another before putting their pistols away. Just as Howard had hoped, an old man that knew their language was far from a threat. Even if he was an American. Heading the team, one of the soldiers responded, "Sir, we are in search of two men who escaped our captivity. We believe that they may have come in this direction." Realization dawning on his face, Howard nodded, "Aahh. So you would like to search the house." Stepping aside from the door, he grinned widely, "Take your time. I was just about to make some tea if any of you would like some." Already heading up the steps, the soldier shook his head, "No, thank you. We need to be on the move again soon. This won't take long." Following him was one of his men while the remaining two rounded the house. First thing to catch the eyes of the pair entering was the shotgun leaning against the grandfather clock in the living room. Receiving odd looks from the soldiers, the old man shrugged, "Simply for hunting, boys. I have nothing to hide." An inspection of the weapon to see that it was unloaded was enough for his `guests' before they split off to search through the rooms. Sitting on his soft recliner, Howard folded his arms behind his head and hummed to himself. In the back of his mind, he was thankful that his guests had the mind to destroy their packs and any other hint that they were staying there long before this surprise visit. In each of the guest rooms, he had made a point to have pictures of his grown kids set around to explain away the extra clothing in the dressers as belonging to them whenever they would come around. Every one of those things worked as the Japanese soldiers stepped out into the hallway after their inspection shaking their heads to one another in defeat. It took a lot to keep the old man from smirking when they returned. "I have a basement, too," he offered. Pointing towards the kitchen, he directed, "You'll find the door in there." While the determination was still in his `guests'' eyes when they headed for the room, there was a noticeable lack of haste in their steps now that they were certain there was nothing to be found in the residence. Still, they had to check everywhere just to be sure. Downstairs, Heero and Duo lay parallel to the rafters that held the ceiling up on their sides a few feet across from each other. Keeping their breathing to little more than slow pulls, their arms wrapped tightly around their torsos, they heard the door open and watched as the lights just below them turned on. Duo gripped his braid tightly in his hand as footsteps
clomped down the stairs. Across from him, Heero was holding his breath
and forced himself still. The slightest creak from the old rafters
holding them or even an inch over too far on the beams just wide enough
to conceal them would give them away.
[1] An extra special thanks to ShenLong Deb for finding
this link On a personal note, my grandfather served in WWII sailing
those
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