"A War Worth Fighting"
Written By: SkyLark
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Gundam Wing, or its characters.
I just love playing with them.
Pairings: Eventual 1x2
Warnings: Swearing, angst, violence, angst, torture,
did I mention angst?
Betaed by ShenLong Deb *hugs*
Archives: http://www.gundam-wing-diaries.150m.com/gw/SkyLark/gwSkyLark.htm
and
http://www.mizunoamy.bravepages.com/skylark/skylarkfics.html
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"
The weeks rolled on since Duo had returned home. Still, there was
no word from Heero. Still, Japan continued to fight without any sign
of slowing.
It was now the early days of July. Normally, this was his favorite
time of year. It was hot enough outside to go swimming in the lake,
horseback riding or any one of the many outdoor ventures that Montana
provided. But he was not interested in any of that.
Sitting on the back deck in one of the wooden rockers as he normally
would when he needed to clear his head, Duo sighed quietly and ran a
hand through his bangs. The not knowing what was going on with Heero
was killing him. As glad as he was to be home, he wanted to be with
him to know that he was all right.
While he knew that it was going to take some time to reach Hiroshima,
the veteran had hoped that his partner would have been back
by now. Every day that passed he was becoming more and more worried
over what was taking him so long.
Along with that, it was becoming increasingly difficult to not know
a way to be forthcoming with his mother over his feelings for the
sergeant. It was not exactly the norm for two young men to be involved
with each other. How it was going to affect his mother was yet another
worry.
For the most part, Duo's transition back to 'normalcy' was working
out. There were the nightmares that kept him up in cold sweats
and the nerves had not completely eased to where he no longer felt
threatened. But, he supposed that they were all normal things to deal
with after fighting in the war.
He had been extremely lucky to get out in the shape that he did. Countless
others were not near as fortunate.
Out a few yards, the horses in the corral lounged and munched on the
lush grass. Molly, the newest foal at only a week old, was running
around the fences with her mother of the same shade of brilliant white.
These were the moments that Duo had missed the most. The simple, quiet ones
when everything seemed right in the world regardless of what was happening
elsewhere.
Stepping out onto the porch with a glass of lemonade in each hand,
Lady Une smiled at her son when their gazes met. "Mind if I join
you?' she asked quietly.
"Of course," the veteran smiled. Pulling one of the other
rockers close to his own, he patted it in an invitation. As his mother
sat down and handed over one of the cool glasses, he gave a soft,
'Thank you.'
Lady Une sipped from her drink and sighed in content when her head
fell back. Slowly rocking back and forth, she commented, "I know
that I must drive you crazy by saying this so often, but it's so good
to have you home. I've missed these times with you."
Reaching over, Duo squeezed her free hand and replied, "Me too.
And you don't drive me crazy." The young woman snickered
in relief and squeezed his hand back before it slipped away.
A companionable silence fell between them while they just watched
the short stalks of grass create a wave across the fields on the breeze.
Here and there, multicolored butterflies skimmed along the flowers
in the flowerbeds.
"You're in love this Heero, aren't you?" Lady
Une asked suddenly.
Nearly choking on the mouthful of lemonade that he was drinking, Duo
spun his braided head to cast his wide eyes on her as he caught his
breath. "I... See... Well," he sputtered, silently cursing
himself for not coming up with something better that did not make
him look so guilty.
Smiling, his mother told him, "Duo, you are my son.
I would not be a good mother to you if I did not pick up on the signs.
You're constantly on edge and I know that it is not completely on
account of what you have been through. Every day, you keep up with
Zechs on what he finds out about Japan but not simply because you
are so interested in the details so much as what cities are under
siege."
Roughly swallowing past the lump forming in his throat, the braided
youth sat in a stunned silence. Leaning towards him, his mother reassured
quietly, "It's all right."
Finally finding his voice, Duo whispered brokenly, "You're not
repulsed by me? By us?"
Tears filling her eyes at the realization of his fears over her reaction,
Lady Une breathed, "No. I could never be repulsed by you. While
it may not be the most conventional relationship, we cannot help who
we fall in love with. I know that from experience when I swore that
I would never find love after your father died."
Moving in all the closer, she said quietly, "All that I
have ever wanted in this life is for you to be happy. If that
happiness means that you are to be with this boy, then I am in
complete acceptance of it."
Quickly lowering his glass onto the floor, Duo closed the distance
between them to embrace her tightly. "Thank you," was all
he could manage as large droplets rolled down his face.
The young mother smiled widely as she returned the embrace while rubbing
his back soothingly. When they pulled back after a time, she reached
up to cup his face in her hands. Her thumbs moving to dry her son's
face, she urged, "Now, I hope that you will tell me more
about this young man who saved your life."
Grinning from ear-to-ear, the veteran nodded his braided head. "Well,"
he began as he sat up. In a near rush, he stated, "Heero
is only an inch or two taller than I am. He has this head of hair
that just can't be controlled. Then he has these brilliant, blue eyes
that just stare right into you..."
Lady Une sat back in her chair with a radiant smile. Taking in every
detail, she simply allowed her child to go on with those thoughts
from the war that brought him happiness.
Considering the person that she was getting to know through her son,
she could not wait to meet the sergeant and his mother.
* * * *
July 14, 1945.
"Kuso," Heero snapped under his breath. Just when he thought
he was making headway, he was going to have to step on eggshells and
slow his progress once again.
Just on the outskirts of Hiroshima after weeks of walking, bus hopping,
train spotting and whatever else it took to make his way through the
country he was a mere five miles away from the city.
But from what the officer could see, the skyline of the
city was warped from what he remembered thanks to the air attacks
that had rained down. And for as far as he could see, there were soldiers
all around.
If any one of those men recognized Heero, everything would be lost.
Knowing how strong-willed the Sergeant Major was when he wanted
something, he was not about to risk the possibility that perhaps his
search had been called off.
No. He needed to find another way to reach his mother. There had to
be something.
Suddenly taken by a realization, the sergeant's cobalt eyes widened.
Pushing himself back behind the tree that shielded him, he let out
a small laugh of relief in coming up with the idea.
There was a way to get to his mother. It was going to take more time
to reach her, another couple of weeks at the earliest, but he would
be able to get into the city then.
With one last look at Hiroshima, Heero ran further back into the small
patch of forest surrounding him without leaving a trace behind.
It would work. His plan would take time. But it would work.
Then, he and his mother would finally be safe.
* * * *
In Bremerton, Washington, at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, the Enterprise
was still undergoing repairs to her deck and forward elevator after
the devastating blow it suffered at Okinawa. The fact that the "Big
E" had to come back stateside was a realization of just how badly
the craft had been damaged.
To say that the crew and airmen that sailed her were a bit frustrated
was a gross understatement. The army had yet to secure the island
that would play a critical role in the war against Japan and more
men were being killed by the dozens every day.
Lying on his bed with his arms folded behind his head, Wufei stared
up at the ceiling of his temporary living quarters. Sighing to himself,
he wondered once more when and if the carrier would be ready to return
to the war.
At the rate things were moving, there was a chance that he may
have seen his last round of action before Japan surrendered. The country's
leaders had to know that they would have no choice but to cut their
losses at some point.
While he was grateful for the reprieve from the battle, a part of
Wufei was also hoping that maybe he could be transferred to another
carrier and be of use again.
A knock on the door brought the pilot from his thoughts. Sitting on
the edge of his bed, he called, "Come in."
Seeing his Commanding officer enter, his dark eyes widened and he
quickly rose to his feet to salute him. The tall blonde that had managed
to talk him into staying in action closed the door behind himself
and greeted, "At ease, Chang."
Once his pilot was relaxed, the man smiled, "I am here to congratulate
you. Word just came in that you will be rewarded the Air Force Cross
for your valor in battle in the face of our enemies. The
medal will be presented to you and the other distinguished fly-boys
upon our return to home base." [1]
His eyes widening, Wufei felt the air rust from his lungs. Never before
did he ever think that his actions would be recognized in such a way.
He never served expecting to be rewarded for it.
"I personally cannot think of anyone better to receive this honor,
Chang," the Commander said sincerely. "You are one hell
of a pilot and a born leader in those skies. Congratulations on your
reward, son."
After a few attempts to speak with his mouth just opening and closing,
the Chinese soldier finally stammered, "T-thank you, sir."
From there, he really did not know what else to say.
Satisfied with that, the blonde man adjusted his uniform cap and smirked,
"I imagine you have more writing to do during your free time
now as I am sure you will want to tell your family the good news.
Have a good night."
That said, the Commander headed from the living quarters and closed
the door behind him.
Once he was able to feel his legs again, Wufei all but ran for his
desk to take up his pad of paper and pen. Feverishly writing, the
sides of his mouth curled up as far as they could in a brilliant grin.
He wrote until his hand hurt at the end of the evening.
* * * *
Zechs stepped out of the chauffeured car when it pulled
up to the Senate in Washington. Nodding his head to the driver holding
the door open for him, he climbed the stairs of the pristinely white
building. Reaching the top and walking between the pillars that supported
the tall ceiling, he smirked and nodded firmly to the Senators he
passed.
Adjusting his brown suit, the political sponsor ran
a hand over his hair in its long ponytail against his back to smooth
it down. “Ah, Mister Merquise. So you have made it back,”
a familiar voice called.
The Senator of Pennsylvania approached with his wide,
infectious smile as he stretched a hand out. Returning the grin, Zechs
shook the offered hand firmly. “Good to see you, Senator Guffey.
I thank you for your taking the time in being the one to fill me in
on what was happening here while I was in Montana.” [2]
Chuckling, the portly old man ran a hand over his receding,
slicked back white hair. “After all of your work in supporting
myself and my fellow Democrats, it was the very least I could do.”
He slapped his friend on the back and led the way into the facility.
“It has been such a relief to all of us knowing that Solo’s
boy made it back from the war safely.”
“Duo always was a strong one,” Zechs replied.
“So long as he has life in him, he’ll fight with everything
he has. Now that he is finally settled back home, I have a chance
to catch up on how things are going here.”
His smile fading, Guffey frowned, “Wish that there
was more to update you on. Unfortunately, Japan has yet to budge on
our demands of surrender. Our men are doing everything they can to
make headway, but it is not coming easily.”
Stopping when they reached the first row of seats as
the remainder of the Senate filtered past, Merquise leaned
close to Guffey and inquired, "And there is no word as to what
President Truman may be doing to force a surrender? He must know by
now that if they must, the Japanese will fight to the last soldier
before that ever happens."
The Senator looked a bit uncomfortable and looked around him for anyone
watching them. Grabbing his friend's arm, he gently ushered him back
to a secluded hallway.
After making certain that they were not followed, Joseph
rubbed his chin and shared in a low voice, "You and I are both
aware that the Senate is not always prelude to everything that the
President knows."
Zechs nodded, "Of course." A realization sinking in, his
eyes widened. Keeping his voice in little more than a whisper, he
asked, "You believe that there may be something that the President
is keeping from this office that may be an end to the war?"
Biting his lip, the politician replied quietly, "There have been
just little hints. Over the last few weeks, the President has been
more and more difficult to get a hold of as he is in meetings and
the like but no information is being given as to whom he is meeting
with. There are rumblings around here that he may very well be aware
of how to put an end to the fighting.
"He knows the great losses that would come when we are finally
able to reach Japan's mainland. Even before we reach that mark, the
casualties will reach incredible numbers. I believe that he will do
whatever it takes to keep that from happening." Guffey ran a
hand over his head, frowning, "If the rumors are true that the
President is keeping something from us, I fear whatever it is that
he is protecting."
On edge, himself, Zechs could not deny his own concern. The Senate
was rarely left in the dark over anything that the White House knew
about, but it did happen from time to time. However, those secrets
did not hold any influence over whether people lived or died such
as in a time like this.
During a war... if there truly was something that the President
was aware of but keeping under wraps... it was for a reason. If he
really was protecting something, it was something incredible. Something
that literally was a life and death matter.
Everyone in the Senate was well aware that when you were the President,
you were suddenly introduced to some of the most influential people
the country had to offer. That included some of the most incredible
minds in the world of medicine, science, military strategy, weapon
creation and everything in between.
Any one of those individuals could hold the key to ending the war.
A key that no one else had ever seen or imagined before.
It was all too scary to think about.
Smiling, Zechs patted his friend's shoulder. "Until we have every
reason to believe this, let us just take the rumors for what they
are- rumors and nothing more." Honestly, even he was unsure how
much weight he was putting behind the notion.
With a deep breath, Guffey sighed, "You're right. Were there
any truth behind all of this, there really is nothing that we can
do about it." And that was the very reality that put his own
fears to rest.
His smile growing, the sponsor stated, "I am certain that if
there is any way of ending this war with the fewest casualties, President
Truman will see that it is carried out. It would be in all of our
best interest to support him and be here if he needs us just as we
always have been."
"Yes, yes," Joseph nodded his infectious grin returned.
"Of course." From the corner of his eye, he spotted
the last of the Senators filtering into the main entrance down
the hallway. "Well, we best join the others before the session
begins."
Allowing his friend to lead the way, Zechs followed after. The smile
on his own face faded as thoughts of their discussion ran through
his mind against his will.
If there were even a shred of truth that the President was holding
something from the Senate... God help the people of Japan.
* * * *
July 16, 1945
In New Mexico, southeast of Socorro in an open and barren plane, the
top secret Manhattan project unleashed the first sample of the fruits
of its labor in the early hours.
Seconds were ticked back in a countdown. At ‘one,’
an incredible new weapon was unleashed.
And from that moment on... in the wake of a plume of flame and smoke... the
world was forever changed.
TBC
[1] A picture and explanation of the Air Force Cross, one of the highest
honors a pilot can receive, can be found here: http://www.gruntsmilitary.com/afc.shtml
[2] Just for kicks, I looked up who the Pennsylvanian
(my home state) Senator was at the time of the war and found the info
on him here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_F._Guffey
chapter 38
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