Gundam Wing: The First Chapter Part 2

Beneath all life on the Colony of L2, Odin walked through the buried tunnels along with the first person he could ever call a friend. Duo's loose braid swung back and forth along his shoulder blades as he smiled warmly to himself. It came as a surprise to Odin that the sewers on the Colonies were not dirty or filled with water as he imagined them to be. He figured that one of the countless steel tubes in the walls around them carried the waste and disposal elsewhere. The huge underground passages that they rounded and walked through would have made it easy for anyone to be lost down there for weeks on end if they didn't know where they were doing. Duo, however, steered them through every tunnel and every fork in their path with skilled navigation.

Finally, they entered the large opening of the steel tube that they were in as Duo turned to Odin and smiled brightly, "Welcome to our humble home." At this, he hopped down the small step to give his friend room to examine. Walking to the edge of the tunnel, Odin's wide cobalt eyes scanned the room, his lips parted slightly. Inside, there was a large room; the only entrance/exit was where Odin stood. Gray brick to match the stone ceiling high above with a large, round light in the center lined the walls. The bright glow was enough to fill the large space all around. Two small blankets, a large paper bag filled halfway and a few books in one corner were the only things on the stone floor. Duo smirked lopsidedly, embarrassment on his face as he turned back to Odin, one hand behind his head as he nervously played with his braid. He shrugged and said quietly, "I know it's not a lot."

Holding his friend's gaze with his own eyes, Odin gave a small smile and jumped to the ground. Duo's smile grew as Odin walked towards the books. "You like reading?" the braided boy asked. Without turning back, Odin simply nodded and looked at the small collection. The five books were more advanced than the ones that he was offered back at the base. Still, he could read them. Picking up the first hardback book on the pile, the Japanese youth opened the first page.

From where he watched, Duo's smile faded as he rolled his eyes and smacked his head as he exclaimed to himself, "I'm an idiot! You must be starving!" At the mention of food, Odin's stomach grumbled to prove the fact. Frowning deeply, the small ten-year-old rubbed his belly and turned when he heard paper rustling. Duo had his back to the Japanese boy as he peered into the paper bag, reaching inside for something. When he pulled back, there were two large, bright red apples in his possession as he smiled brightly, "Here you go." At this, he tossed one of the apples to Odin, who caught it easily with both hands.

"Arig-... Thank you," the dark-haired child said quietly and sincerely, remembering that perhaps his first real friend did not know Japanese.

"Douitashimashite," Duo replied kindly. Odin turned to him quickly, cobalt eyes filed with shock. The violet-eyed boy chuckled deeply and winked, "I don't know much Japanese but I knew some kids our age who spoke it. L2 is filled with all kinds of nationalities." With a small smirk, he said, "Maybe you could help teach me?" Odin couldn't help but give a small, sweet smile to his companion at this as he nodded in response. Sitting beside his new friend, the braided boy took a large bite from the shining fruit, still smiling that heartwarming smile.

There was silence between the two boys as they continued eating their apples. In the end, it was Odin who spoke first, softly and timidly. "You don't have parents, Duo?"

For the first time since he knew him, Odin saw sadness fill the violet pools of his friend as a deep frown fell on his face at the question. Taking a deep breath, Duo met his gaze as he forced a small smile and answered, voice filled with pain, "I've been alone for almost four years now... I've lost a lot of people, including my only guardians."

Odin's eyes filled with sorrow for the braided boy, knowing that he was holding back a great deal of loss and sadness. Duo quickly returned to finishing off his apple, looking away from the smaller boy, trying to avoid the subject. Sighing softly, Odin lowered the core that was all that remained of his apple and crawled closer to the braided child. Sitting so that they faced each other, he met Duo's distant eyes as he said quietly, "I'm here..." Duo's eyes focused on his new friend as they widened and blinked once. Biting his lip, the American fought the tears threatening to build as he reached his right hand forward to fall on Odin's head. Gently stroking his fingers through the unruly hair, their sad eyes remained locked in a moment of reverent silence. Stifling a sharp sob, Duo lunged forward to hug his companion tightly around his waist. Odin's wide eyes blinked in surprise before they closed and he returned the embrace, wrapping his small arms supportively around Duo's shoulders.

After a long pause, Duo sniffed and pulled back, having dried the tear that slipped down his smudged right cheek. Meeting Odin's eyes again, he smiled sincerely and whispered, "Thank you, Odin." The Japanese boy gave a small, sad smile as he nodded back. A wide yawn escaped the braided boy as he stretched after a brief pause. Following the yawn, he smiled, "I don't know about you, man, but I'm exhausted." Having said this, Duo lowered himself onto his right side, curling up slightly with his arms crossed to pillow his head. Odin smirked slightly and lowered himself to lie facing Duo on his left side, supporting his own head in the same fashion. Their tired eyed watched each other for a moment before Duo smirked and whispered, "Sleep well, Odin."

Just a faintly, Odin whispered back, "Shunmin, Duo." [1] At this, Duo's eyes closed as he yawned softly, settling comfortable as sleep claimed him. As his body shifted into an easy slumber, a large, gold cross slipped out from under his "Banned American" T-shirt. Odin's cobalt spheres widened at the sight of the shimmering pendant. Reaching forward, he tentatively touched the cool metal as it fell over the braided boy's chest. Duo remained still as his breathing came in relaxed, quiet breaths. Odin's gaze watched his friend as he continued to sleep soundly. Before long, his own eyes became heavy and they blinked shallowly before closing at sleep's call.

*   *   *   *   *   *

Inside an observation room much like their own on L1, Stephen was sitting with his arms crossed, eyes closed, and head lowered as his partner paced nervously on the metal floor ahead of him. Jenna had one arm wrapped around her waist with the other propped on it with her clenched fist over her lips. Stephen's brown eyes opened as he watched her and stated, "You know you're going to wear a hole in the floor if you keep that up much longer."

Jenna snapped her entire body in his direction with her green eyes narrowed at she hissed, "God damn it, Stephen! It's been almost a week since Odin's disappearance and we still have no leads whatsoever as to where he is on this rundown heap of a Colony!" Turning her head away, she growled, "For all we know, he might not even be here any longer if he was taken!"

Stephen's own eyes narrowed as he replied in a less than satisfied tone, "Well, pacing around and yelling isn't getting us any closer to finding Odin, either, my dear."

A man with short, oddly cropped hair entered the room from the darkness behind Jenna, wearing a long, white coat. Both scientists turned to gaze at him with silent respect. His long lose pointed to the young woman as he addressed her, "Your friend is right. Worrying will not get us anywhere in this case. I doubt that anyone took Odin off of this Colony."

Her eyes filling with hope, Jenna asked softly, "How are you so sure, Professor G?"

The old man's eyes closed as he answered with a shrug, "Whoever set that explosion was intending to kill him, nothing more. I'm certain that they did not expect the boy's training to have taken any effect on him at such an early age." Meeting her gaze again, he assured her, "He's here somewhere, and we will find him." His lips curled in a wicked smirk as he added, "There are not too many places to hide on a rundown heap of a Colony." Jenna gave a sharp gasp as she covered her mouth with wide eyes, blushing while Stephen's head fell back in a round of sharp laughter.

G chuckled deeply at the young woman's embarrassment as she hung her head with a deep sigh and closed her eyes. The professor went to sit beside Stephen as the young man asked, "Is there anything that we have left out where we might be able to get a lead on Odin's whereabouts?"

Shaking his head, the old man answered, "I have a feeling that someone is helping the boy." At this, Stephen and Jenna tensed as they looked at the doctor with wide and frightened eyes. Professor G shrugged, "He has been gone far too long for there not to be any trace. He would have needed help from someone to cover his tracks."

Gripping his seat's armrests in tight fists, Stephen all but shouted, "You just said that you didn't think Odin was taken!"

Raising his left index finger at the young man, G shook his head and answered calmly, "I said that I didn't think Odin was taken from the colony. And I mentioned that whoever caused the explosion would not have found him, either. I never mentioned that I didn't think he was alone." That did nothing to ease the concern and fear from either of the young doctors.

Jenna swallowed the lump in her throat as she asked softly, "Who do you think is with him that would know how to cover their tracks so well, then?"

Folding his arms and propping his elbows on the armrests of his chair, the professor replied, "Street rats, as they are often referred to." Sitting back, he continued, "This Colony is filled with orphans, many of who never seek help from anyone as they run free to do as they please."

Cocking an eyebrow, Stephen's voice was filled with skepticism as he said, "You really think that a kid is capable of hiding themselves from a large search party for this long without any trace?"

With a smirk in his direction, G asked, "You really think that a kid is capable of surviving an explosion that could level an entire block?" Both Stephen and Jenna recoiled at this physically, unable to think of any way to respond. They looked at each other with questioning eyes before looking back at the old man as he explained, "These children, the street rats, they find food for themselves and they live off of anything that they can scavenge. Life has hardened them in a way that no adult could ever fathom." Jenna took a seat at the other side of the old doctor as the pair watched him and listened closely to his words.

Looking up at the ceiling, G went on, "They are afraid of very little. And they can easily slip through a large crowd of people without every being seen. Their only wish is for companionship with others like themselves. And when they find that, they do all they can to defend it... even with their very lives."

Chuckling at this, Jenna smirked, "One would make quite the candidate to pilot a Gundam suit, wouldn't you think?"

The professor chuckled himself as he lowered his head and nodded, "Yes, they would. It would just be a matter of convincing them. It is one challenge that I hope to experience." Sitting back in his chair again, G stated, "My search team has turned their attention to finding any haven that hides these children. It will only be a matter of time until we find the one protecting Odin."

*   *   *   *   *   *

That same afternoon, just an hour later, Duo walked down the streets of the rundown neighborhood he had called his home for most of his young life. His black jacket was closed with one hand in its pocket and his other hand holding onto a large bag. "Hey, Duo," came a young voice that was all too familiar to the American as he froze in his steps.

Growling deeply without turning back, Duo asked, "What do you want, Kirk?" Behind him stood a group of three boys, all around ten and eleven years of age like Duo. They eyed the braided boy with nasty sneers, arms crossed or at their sides in fists as they chuckled deeply to themselves. Duo turned around to meet their amused eyes. Gazing at the boy in the front with his short, red hair and smudged face dressed in tattered jeans and green T-shirt matching the backwards cap on his head. When his violet eyed met with expectant green, Duo snorted, "You couldn't pick a fight with me without bringing your goons with you, I see."

Kirk's eyes narrowed at this as he uncrossed his arms and snapped, "Don't worry, Maxwell. I wouldn't dream of fighting you until we were one-on-one." Duo snorted again as he crossed his own arms and raised an eyebrow. Kirk growled viscously before calming his anger enough to smirk. His green eyes remained narrowed as he mused, "I hear that you're hanging out with a new kid you found on the streets. I thought after what happened to Solo, you would have been more careful in making friends." Duo's violet pools widened for an instant before they snapped into thin slits of rage. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists as he lowered them to his sides.

The blonde kid wearing glasses nudged his brunette friend behind Kirk as they snickered to themselves at the braided boy's state. "Have you told him that he's friends with a curse?" Kirk asked, venom in his tone. The other boys behind him smiled cruelly as they watched Duo's fists tremble in rage as he growled threateningly, his face straining to unleash his anger.

Taking a deep breath, Duo managed to calm himself, letting his fists loosen. His shaking stopped and his face relaxed as he took one more deep breath and smirked, "You really should get that chip off your shoulder, man, before someone comes to remove it for you." At this, he turned and began to walk off.

The small gang instantly went up in arms as their eyes narrowed and fists clenched tight. The blonde kid shouted instantly, "Running off like the coward you are, Duo?!"

"If you had any guts, you'd show us how tough you are with your fists!" the brunette yelled after the American.

Duo paused in his steps and turned his head to the side to catch their heated gazes with his calm violet orbs. With a slight frown, he said, "I made a promise to the only lady I knew as a mom that I would never use my anger unless I needed to." The boys watched him in confusion mixed with their hatred. At this, Duo smirked, "And none of you are worth it." Shock was written over all three faces in an immediate reaction as the braided youth turned and walked off. Too taken back by their statement, all the gang could do was growl deeply with threatening glares at Duo's back, unable to think of a way to get him. Finally, they walked off in the other direction.

As he continued to walk with his hands in his jacket pockets, Duo's saddened eyes and face watched the ground as he made his way home. Sighing deeply, he looked up to the heavens above as he said softly, "I hope I made you proud, Sister Helen."

Nearing the city, Duo made his way through the crowd of people making their way home after their days at work. Entering a deserted alley between two stone enterprises, the young American made sure to gaze about to see that he wasn't being watched or followed. Satisfied that he went unseen, the braided boy quickly went to the metal sewer cover. Bending at the knees, he gripped two of the steep bars and lifted the grid. Lowering the bag into the opening, he sat at the edge of the square hole and slipped inside. Balancing himself on the steel pipe beneath him, he stood out of the entrance from his chest up as he took one more glance ahead at the men and women walking about the streets. Noting that none saw him, Duo took the metal grid and lowered himself into the sewer, covering the hold securely.

Odin was reading 'Wizard's First Rule' [2] from the collection of books available when he heard footsteps echoing from the tunnel. Looking up, he watched as Duo came into sight at the large, round entrance. Closing the book, he smiled warmly at his friend. Hopping to the ground, the braided child walked over to Odin and lifted the bag with one hand as he smiled brightly and winked, "Hope you're hungry." Odin's sweet smile remained as he nodded.

Sitting with his legs crossed before his companion, Duo opened the large bag and removed to large rolls of bread and two bottles of water along with one foil-wrapped stack of sliced cheese and one stack of sliced ham. Handing Odin one of the fresh rolls, Duo said sincerely, "Sorry I took so long getting all of this. I had to take care of something." Odin nodded his understanding as he tore his roll open, making a sandwich with the ingredients his friend brought. Duo did the same as they began eating in silence. Taking a large bite from his own sandwich, Duo sighed deeply in content. Odin swallowed the mouthful of food in his mouth and opened his water bottle.

Over the course of the last few days, Odin and Duo had talked about a lot of different things, Duo the source of most of the talking while Odin was content to listen. They never spoke much about how they grew up. All that the Japanese youth would mention was that he had lived on L1 before he was brought to L2 for a trip. It was all the information that Odin was comfortable with giving. Somehow, Odin doubted that his friend would be as supportive of protecting him if he realized how he was being manufactured into a weapon of war. Any fear that his avoidance of the subject would make Duo suspicious or angry did not last very long. The violet-eyed boy accepted him unconditionally, making him as comfortable as possible. Whenever Odin would have a difficult time talking about something, Duo would give him that warming smile and a squeeze around his shoulders, telling the dark-haired boy he didn't have to tell him something that was hard to discuss. It was strange to Odin how quickly he came to respect and appreciate his new friend. Silently, he hoped that he could stay here with Duo, where he felt safe and wanted without any ties attached. It was almost like... home.

"Hey. You alright, Odin?" Duo's soft, concerned voice broke though his thoughts.

Meeting his violet gaze, the Japanese boy smiled sincerely and nodded, "I'm fine. Just thinking." Duo smiled in relief and nodded before taking the last bite of his sandwich. Odin watched him, smiling to himself as he sighed softly in content. 'Yes," he thought to himself, '...I guess this is what they call home." Still smiling, Odin took another bite of his dinner as they sat in silence... just enjoying each other's company.

*   *   *   *   *   *

A whole week later, Odin was finishing the first book of the series collected in the large space that he and Duo shared. His friend had been gone for longer than he said he would be. After dinner, Duo told him that he had something that he wanted to get. Lowering the book, his cobalt eyes gazed around a bit. He was getting worried. Just then, he heard familiar footsteps echoing through the metal entrance. Rising to his feet, Odin made his way towards the large opening.

Duo appeared before he could get too close, leaning his right side against the steel edge, beaten and panting softly with his eyes half-lidded. Gasping sharply at the sight of his friend, Odin's eyes widened and his lips parted, as he stood paralyzed at the sight of his friend. There was a dark mark below Duo's right eye as he met his friend's gaze and offered him a weak smile. "You should see the guys that jumped me," he chuckled softly, voice strained in effort. The smaller boy ran over, concern written all over him. With a groan of pain, Duo carefully lowered himself to the floor just as Odin reached him.

Softly, voice filled with worry, Odin asked softly, "Duo... Are you alright?" Carefully, he lifted Duo's right arm to fall over his own smaller shoulders as he walked him over to the center of the room. Slowly, he sat him down and got one of their bottles of water.

Accepting the offered bottle with a grateful smile, Duo nodded and said gently, "Hai. I'm all right, Odin. Arigato." It wasn't until then that Odin noticed that the braided boy's right hand was holding onto a bag tightly. Whatever was inside was pretty large and his cobalt eyes blinked in confusion as they looked back up at his friend as he finished gulping the water readily. Gasping softly when he finished, Duo panted softly and wiped his mouth with the back of his free hand as he smiled, "It was some trouble getting, but it was worth it."

Odin watched with curious eyes as Duo reached in the bag with his free hand. His hand pulled out again, bearing a large, round crystal. The Japanese youth's eyes widened as they gazed in wonder at the beautiful sight. The globe glistened under the bright light overhead. Smiling from ear-to-ear, Duo said, "I thought of you as soon as I saw it." While the large ball was mostly a deep blue shade, there were large patched of greens mixed with browns and some swirls whites. Odin had never seen anything like it, his wide eyes unable to tear away from the sight. Duo smiled warmly and took Odin's right hand gently with his own free hand as he brought it to touch the sphere. Placing his own hand over Odin's on the globe, Duo whispered, "It the closest I'll get to giving you the world."

Unable to breathe, Odin was moved beyond words as Duo's voice echoed in his mind. Finally tearing his cobalt eyes from the crystal, he looked up to meet Duo's friendly, violet gaze. His mouth moved to say something, but every time he tried, he was unable to find his voice as his lips frowned deeply. Blinking once, Duo's smile faded as he frowned sadly as he took this as an attempt to decline the gift. Lowering his head, his eyes closed as he assured his friend softly, "It's alright, Odin. I can take it back." At this, he turned and moved to get to his feet, holding the globe to his chest as he moved.

"DUO!" Odin shouted, his blue eyes and voice filled with desperation. The braided child froze with his own eyes widened at the pure emotion in his friend's voice. Odin gently placed his hands on Duo's arms when he turned back to face him. Blushing slightly, the smaller boy smiled sincerely, "Gomen ne, Duo. I was never given a gift before... Especially nothing like this." Taking a deep breath, he whispered faintly, "Arigato, my dear friend."

Blinking back a few tears that threatened to appear in his eyes, Duo smiled warmly back at his friend, carefully lowering the crystal beside them as he wrapped Odin into a tight embrace. Odin wrapped his own arms just as tightly around his companion, his one true friend that he could trust anything with. He buried his face in Duo's chest as he heard him whisper, "You never have to thank me, Odin. I just wanted to give to you what you've given me." Something softer than silk touched the top of his head, staying there for a moment before it left again.

When they pulled back, Odin smiled brighter than he ever had up to his friend. The gesture was returned wholeheartedly as the braided boy rubbed Odin's unruly hair. Turning back to the globe, he gingerly held the crystal again and held it between them. Carefully, Odin reached forward with both hands. When they were on either side of the globe, Duo's own hands wrapped over his. In silent wonder, they both smiled as they gazed at the crystal globe.

After what seemed like ages later, Odin looked up at Duo and said quietly, "I've never seen the Earth before. If it's anything like this, it must be beautiful."

Eyes wide in shock, Duo had to blink away his surprise at this news. He smirked, "Come on." At this, he slowly lowered the sphere onto the floor and clasped his hand around Odin's as he rose to his own feet. Looking at his friend with curious eyes, Odin rose to his feet and watched as the braided American led him to the opening of their home.

They had been walking through the maze of tunnels and pipes for almost fifteen minutes. Walking side-by-side and hand-in-hand, Odin trusted his friend's guidance as he steered them through the sewers. Finally, they reached what looked like a long hallway of steel columns on either side, no longer surrounded by any tubes or pipes of any kind. Each column of steel was tightly locked and sealed... all but one. It looked as though whoever constructed this hallway was one steel pillar short, as there was a gap as wide as the other columns on the right side of the wall. Pillars at either side closed off the gap as the wall continued to its right and left, but it stood out like a sore thumb. Gently, Duo led Odin by the hand towards the gap.

Standing before the opening, Duo motioned with his head in its direction when Odin looked up at him in confusion and smiled, "Go on." Odin turned back to the void and walked forward. He could see the shimmer of the thick, plastic glass over the gap as he gazed out into the blackness space. Stepping closed and peering out, his cobalt eyes shot wide open as he gasped softly.

Through the countless stars and in the middle of the dark void, the Earth could be seen in all its wonder. Like the globe that Duo had given him, the world was made of blues, greens, browns and swirls of whites as the large sphere rotated slowly before his very eyes. He had been told of the Earth many times... How large it was, and how breathtaking it could be. It wasn't until now that Odin Lowe Junior had actually looked upon it. Everything that he had heard was only a small measure of what he now gazed upon. Forgetting how to breathe, Odin's lips remained parted and his eyes wide as he stood there, lost in awe as time stood still.

Duo walked to Odin's side after allowing his friend a long time to gaze out on his own. His violet eyes fell on the world hundreds of miles away as they stood there in silence, taking in the breathtaking sight. After what seemed like a glorious eternity later, Odin whispered faintly, "It's amazing." The braided boy next to him smiled and nodded without taking his own gaze from the Earth. Odin's hand reached out and took hold of Duo's as he squeezed it in silent thanks. Duo squeezed back, silently understanding. They just stood there like that, gazing out on the world, hand-in-hand.

Over an hour later, the two boys returned to their home, having made the journey back without any words between either of them. There was no need. Kneeling before the crystal globe, Odin smiled softly and took it into his hands again, mesmerized by it as it sparkled even under the dim light over them. Duo watched him, smiling warmly as he pulled one of the blankets over him, lying onto his back. Lowering the crystal ball, Odin turned to him and crawled over. Slipping beneath the blanket, Odin laid on his side facing his wide-eyed and nervous friend as he continued to smile up at him. Wrapping an arm around his friend's waist, Odin snuggled close and closed his eyes, pillowing his head on Duo's chest. Smiling softly, the braided youth wrapped his own arm around Odin as he closed his own eyes.

After a long silence, Odin pleaded in a small whisper, "Don't let anything take me away from here, Duo... I like it here with you." Duo almost missed the faint request, his violet eyes opening with concern in them. That concern became determination as he squeezed his friend to him.

"I won't let anything keep us apart, Odin," he vowed firmly in a hushed tone. "We'll always be together." A small, satisfied sigh left Odin, as that was all he needed to hear before allowing sleep to take him.

Bending his head, Duo kissed the top of his friend's head before settling to join him in sleep. His last thought was the promise that he had made to Odin. After all of the loss that he had come to know, all of the people that he had loved that had died, Duo was going to make sure that nothing took this one from him. Somehow, he would be sure to keep the promise that he made.

TBC...

[1] Sleep soundly, Duo. GOD, I LOVE HAVING AN ENGLISH TO JAPANESE DICTIONARY BUILT IN TO THIS COMPUTER!!!
[2] A *MUST* read! I'm hooked already! Just be prepared to be taken back when you get to a scene involving a garden!

 

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