"A War Worth Fighting"

Written By: SkyLark

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Gundman 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"

France liberated. Troops pulling back.
 
Growling deeply, Treize crumpled the simple scripted message that finally reached him.
 
It had been two months since the early rumblings that the United States' men had successfully gained France its freedom from the Germans. Communication lines had been down and it took weeks to have verification from the forces that once occupied the country.
 
So France was lost to the Axis powers once again.
 
With the grounds for warfare dwindling, it would not be long before the Allies focused the greater of their efforts on Germany.
 
They had to hold their ground. Defeat in Germany would mean a complete European victory to their enemies.
 
And if Germany thought that they had it bad after the first World War... they would be devastated by what was sure to befall on them should they lose this one.
 
Being as involved as he had been with the Axis powers, Treize would be seized and imprisoned for life under the crime of treason against his own country. Or worse.
 
Looking down to the crushed paper in his tight fist, the tall man knew that he needed to stay in Germany longer. He needed to be sure that the defenses were at their best to hold their ground and push back their opposition.
 
"Damn it," Treize hissed through his teeth as he ran his free hand through his hair. "Why did those idiots have to wake the sleeping bear when they attacked Pearl Harbor?"
 
The strike was something that he'd highly urged against when Japanese confidants informed him of the plan. As the only real power country left that was not involved up until then, the United States were just waiting for a reason to pull into the war that had gripped the rest of the world.
 
On December 7, 1941-nearly two years prior- they'd gotten their reason.

Idiots.
 
Now, there was no turning back. The United States were involved and would remain so until the Axis powers were handled.
 
Turning towards his door at the sound of footsteps approaching, Treize watched as an envelope addressed to him came sliding through the crack. Such was the way Hitler's contacts sent their messages on his behalf.
 
Quickly gathering up the envelope and opening it, he read the simple letter etched in bold German script:
 
My men will hold their ground. We will not be beaten by our oppressors.
 
There was no signature at the end to reveal who the words came from. There was no need for that. Such bold words could only have come from the dictator, himself.
 
Just as Treize imagined, the man was going to stick to his guns no matter what. Surrendering was not an option. Failure was not an option.
 
Sighing, the tall man lowered himself into his desk chair and gazed out the windows overlooking Berlin.
 
Hitler's men would hold. They had to hold.
 
* * * *

Heero eyed his men as they came out of the large meeting room. Beside him stood the Sergeant Major that had promoted him to his new role. The guards continued to file out with their heads lowered and looking very much like animals with their tails between their legs following their verbal scorning.
 
It just so happened that the Sergeant Major was making an unannounced appearance at Muroran that morning to oversee things. When Heero took him aside to tell him of Akio's attack on his most important charge just the night before, the old man was seething.
 
A meeting of all soldiers of every shift stationed at the prison was called for immediately. The Sergeant-very loudly- made it clear that under no uncertain terms was Heero to be questioned or challenged in his decisions when dealing with the prisoner. Further more, the reasons behind his decisions was none of their concern. They simply had to accept and trust their superior.
 
Most of the guards shifted uncomfortably in their seats and cast their gazes to the floor in shame for their behavior. Even more shuddered in learning that before Akio would be removed from the Army, he would first be tried and sentenced to years in prison for his actions.
 
Now that there was no question of the fate that would come down on anyone that got out of line, Heero was quite certain that things would go much smoother for him. Akio was used as an example of how seriously any insubordination would be handled.
 
Once the last soldier exited the room and headed to his post, the Sergeant Major sighed deeply. Shaking his head, he growled deeply in Japanese, "That should take care of them. I just wish that they would have had the sense to not question anything prior to this."
 
"Well, I thank you for taking the time to speak to them," Heero replied in their native language. "I doubt that my own words would have been enough to get through to them even with Akio's punishment."
 
Staring off, the Fisrt Sergeant's hands clenched into fists at his sides at hearing that bastard's voice calling him a half-breed. While he knew that was how all of his men looked at him, it was still frustrating that something he could not help kept him from being respected.

The Sergeant Major rested a hand on his next in command and said quietly, "Let's go to your office and talk. The walls have ears around this place."
 
'So does my guest,' Heero thought to himself. Whatever his superior wished to discuss, there was little that Duo would be able to accomplish with his knowledge. But he knew that Duo would continue his act of not knowing what was being said around him.
 
When they reached the First Sergeant's office, Duo sat up in attention with wide violet eyes as the door opened. A dark bruise just under his eye and a thin red line where a knife had pressed against his throat remained as proof of his struggle with Akio.
 
About an hour prior, the American had woken to an empty room. The cot that Heero had slept on and the knife that his attacker had dropped were gone and for a moment he actually questioned whether he had dreamt the prior night's events.
 
That was until his face and body stung whenever he moved.
 
Inwardly sighing in relief at seeing Heero, Duo relaxed and paid no mind to the officer that entered with him. Leaning his braided head back against the created metal wall behind him, he watched the dark clouds moving through the sky.
 
Folding his arms, the Sergeant Major waited until the closed door was behind himself to turn to his subordinate. After a deep breath, he stated, "You and I both know the reason you are having a time in earning the respect of your men. I wish that things were different, but I know that you can handle this. I never would have promoted you if I did not think you could."
 
With that little bit, Duo knew what the old man was referring to. Akio had made perfectly clear the problem that the other soldiers had with Heero being their superior. Still hearing that hissed phrase from his attacker in his mind, he could not help but feel guilty for calling his rescuer 'Blue Eyes' up until then.
 
Still, he kept his gaze on his view through the windows without giving off any sign of awareness to what was being discussed.
 
"I am sure now that Akio has been used as an example, I will not have nearly as much trouble from now," Heero nodded firmly. "Like me or not, they will simply have to get used to the changes around here."
 
His superior smirked, "That's the spirit, boy. You have more heart and dedication to this army than any other soldier I have come across." Placing a hand on the youth's shoulder, he squeezed it and said, "I could not be more proud of you if you were my own. And I am certain that your father is smiling from the beyond."
 
Duo blinked in surprise and quickly masked his reaction to that last sentiment.
 
Clearing his throat from the sudden lump that formed there, Heero nodded and responded quietly, "Thank you, sir. I certainly hope that he is."
 
Gently slapping him on the back, the Sergeant Major announced, "Well, I best be off. I am still awaiting word on how the war fares in the heart of Europe. Damned communications are so slow right now that it takes weeks before we learn of anything. No doubt our alliance is holding strong."
 
"Surely they are, sir," the First Sergeant declared with a small smile. "Thank you again for taking the time to address my men and for taking Akio off my hands."
 
A dark chuckle bubbled from the old man. "Oh, both are my pleasure. It will be a long time before anyone but his guards see Akio for some time again."
 
Together, the officers bowed at the waist and offered their last well wishes before the Sergeant Major stepped from the office.
 
It was made perfectly clear that while the braided American was being treated better than any other prisoner to arrive in Muroran, it was going to be the norm. Whatever he needed - from food for nourishment to clothing for good maintenance, to a mattress for a good night's rest to fend off illness - would be seen to.

Like so many other days, there was nothing but silence in the office for the remainder of that morning. Unlike the other silence, this was a comfortable one.
 
Heero had delivered another plateful of actual food that would last Duo all day as he still needed to take his consumption slowly. When he had all that he could keep down, the braided soldier covered the plate back up and resumed his gazing at the passing showers.

His violet eyes turning to the sink in his small bathroom, Duo looked over to where his rescuer was sorting through more paperwork at his desk. "Why didn't you do anything to stop me from making a weapon for myself with that pipe?"
 
Without lifting his head, Heero smirked. No doubt the inquiry had been bothering his captive. Instead of answering with words, he rose from his chair and walked to the wall behind his desk. Pressing a hand to the latch unseen to anyone else who did not know it existed, he opened the door leading to the hidden room attached to his office.
 
Stunned, Duo's jaw fell as he crawled to his feet for a good look at the entrance. "The insulation around this room is not compact," Heero explained. "I can hear everything that goes on in this office, so I knew that the sounds of a struggle would have alerted me."
 
Holding his arm out to the distance from his side of the room to the cage, he continued, "It may not be the longest distance from here to there, but I did not know how badly Akio wanted to hurt you. If he wanted to kill you, it would have taken only seconds."
 
As he closed the hidden room's door, Heero shrugged, "If you had a weapon to prevent that, all the better to give me time to move in."
 
There was an odd warmth that flooded Duo in learning all of this. Blinking in surprise, his hands wrapped around the barred metal wall before him. "So... you've been sleeping in that room every night since I first told you about Akio's visit here?"
 
Nodding, Heero replied, "It is not uncommon for me to be busy enough to stay here overnight. I gave the impression that I was leaving, but no one actually saw me step away from the prison. Therefore, I simply explained that Akio picked the wrong night to assume I was away to pull something."
 
Simplistic and yet effective. And no one would be any the wiser that the sergeant and prisoner were or had been communicating.
 
To now know that it was not a fluke that his captor just happened to be around that night had taken Duo aback.
 
Had Akio pulled off what he intended, it could easily be passed off as never happening when Treize came to collect his prize. He did not need to know, or be concerned with someone else getting to his toy first. It was easy to deny.
 
But Heero still went out of his way to prevent it. He stood against one of his own because he knew that it was the right thing to do.
 
Maybe... maybe there was a chance that he was not acting only because he was under orders.
 
Swallowing roughly, Duo all but whispered, "Thank you... 'Ro."
 
It was the sergeant's turn to blink in surprise. That new nickname had come up the night prior, just before the two had fallen asleep, but he had passed it off at the time. "'Ro? Not 'Blue Eyes?'" he questioned.
 
"Nah," the braided soldier grinned. "I think I like 'Ro better."

Unable to help the look of surprise on his face, Heero allowed it all to sink in. While it was just a change in reference, it went much deeper than that. It was crystal clear that Duo had picked up on Akio's vicious sting before he was leveled to the floor.
 
Now, here was this 'sworn enemy' of his showing more respect for him than any of his own men. More than anyone that he had fought beside and risked his life for.
 
Granted, Heero had saved the other soldier. But they were still foes. And the sergeant was the captive's keeper- sealing him away for a grim fate that was nearing every day.
 
There was no need for Duo to show such a clear sign of deference. And yet he did.

A knock on at the door broke the silence that had fallen upon the room once more. Just in time to keep Heero from having to respond anyway. "That must be them," he thought aloud as he moved to answer the door.
 
Duo tilted his braided head as he strained to hear the quick and quite conversation when the door was opened. But with Heero's back facing him at the entrance, he couldn't make anything out nor see who was on the other side.
 
Finally, his captor turned to close the door once more. In his occupied arm there was a pile of folded clothing. Even more intrigued, the braided soldier moved as close to his cage wall as he could for a better look.
 
When Heero moved to the cell door and unlocked it, Duo gaped in realization, "T-those are for me?"
 
"Yes," the First Sergeant answered. "Under the Sergeant Major's orders, you are to be given anything and everything that you need short of being released from here without supervision. That includes clean clothes and a normal shower for hygiene."
 
Nearly falling over, the American had to reach out to grip the wall when his knees buckled. "A... a normal shower?' he breathed. To imagine such a thing after weeks of being sprayed with a forceful hose that nearly took off his skin was a wonder to him.
 
Stepping into the cell, Heero handed over the articles of clothing. Everything from simple shirts and slacks to everything underneath and socks were there. "The showers will have to wait until the public stalls are empty and when I am available to stand guard," the Japanese youth explained.
 
"While I do believe that the Sergeant Major put enough of a fear in my men should they think to try anything, I do not trust them enough to foolishly leave a window of opportunity for them."
 
It made sense, Duo agreed. Honestly, he didn't care if he needed a 'bodyguard' to be there when he showered. Simply being clean and being in clean clothes was just another step to feeling normal again.
 
As normal as he could feel in his situation.

Glancing at his watch, Heero stated, "The shower will have to wait until tomorrow. I am due to be at several meetings and then I need to make my rounds so it will be late by the time I return."
 
It did not need to be asked whether the rations provided earlier would last. He had seen that the plate was more than half-filled when his captive had to stop. On his careful intake, what remained would have been more than enough. It had been the reason he filled the plate as much as he had that late morning.
 
Not that he had much choice with that, Duo still nodded, "All right." He watched silently as Heero made his way back out of the cell to secure the chain and lock once again.
 
Once his briefcase and uniform cap were gathered up, the officer made his way from the office and locked the door behind him.
 
His stomach nearly doing back flips at his anticipation, Duo all but ripped the shoes and uniform off of himself. With trembling hands, he slipped on the soft, red long-sleeved shirt at the top of the pile. Next a new set of briefs and plain black pants went on. Finishing the outfit with a fresh pair of socks, he was grinning from ear-to-ear.

Lightly running his hands over the smooth cotton sleeves covering his arms, he sat on the floor and carefully moved the rest of the pile beside his helmet to add to his most valuable items.
 
Turning on his blanket, he crossed his legs and watched a new shower pass through.
 
* * * *
 
It was dark outside and the clouds were finally breaking to reveal the stars behind them when the office door opened again.
 
Looking back over his shoulder, Duo watched as Heero headed to his desk silently to lower his case and cap. Without a word, the sergeant went into his hidden room and disappeared for several minutes.
 
When he returned, the Japanese youth was in a simple sleep shirt and shorts with his own cot and blanket in hand. Lowering his bed onto the floor just beside the cell, he sighed quietly and lay atop the mattress.
 
It had been a long and grueling day for Heero. Physically and mentally drained, he nearly went right out when his head sank into his pillow.
 
Just beyond the barred wall, Duo frowned, "How long do you plan on sleeping here and not at your quarters?"
 
Keeping his eyes cracked open, the sergeant replied tiredly, "As long as you're here. Just to be safe." Try as he might to keep them open, his blues closed on him to block out the world. "Get some sleep," he yawned. "It's late."
 
A relieved smile lighting his face, Duo lowered himself to the floor and curled up under the blanket. "Good night, 'Ro."
 
Nearly lost to the living, Heero sighed, "Good night, baka."
 
He was lulled to sleep by a deep, amused chuckle.
 
 

TBC

chapter 7

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