A War Worth Fighting Part 22
It took a moment for Heero's words to sink in as Duo sat on the floor, shirtless and wide-eyed. Clearly he must have misunderstood what his friend had said... until his said friend's voice called from the bedroom, "Are you going to help me?"
Scrambling to his feet, the braided private ran into the room to find the sergeant packing a large pack bag with warm clothes. Three packs of the like were sitting on the other side of the mattress. Looking over his shoulder, Heero nodded firmly, "Get as many of the non-perishables together as you can." Quickly taking up one of the empty pack, he tossed it to the doorway.
Nearly missing the throw, Duo finally came to life just in time to catch the item. Staring at the bag in disbelief, he looked back up at the officer and stammered, "Y-you're serious? We're getting out of here?"
"Well, you have said that you would not leave unless I went with you," Heero shrugged as he continued to grab another load of socks, boxers and warm articles from the dresser. "And I am not about to have the guilt over what would happen to you if we stay hanging over my head."
After stuffing the arm-load of clothes into one of the empty bags, he turned so his cobalt eyes locked onto the shocked violet pair watching him.
His shoulder slumping a bit when his friend still did not move, Yuy sighed, "The more time we stand here talking, the more time we lose to get ahead of the Sergeant Major and Khushrenada. There will be time to talk later, but for now let's just focus on getting away with as much as we can carry."
Finally breaking from his stupor, Duo blinked at his return to the living and nodded firmly, "Right." Spinning on his heel, he ran back down the hallway.
Left to his own devices once more, Heero dove right back into his work without allowing himself a moment to think or question what he was doing. This was what his gut was telling him to do. There was no need to get his rational brain involved just yet.
In doing that, his actions felt right. He was saving a life instead of taking it for a change... even if that life belonged to a once sworn enemy.
There would be time for logic and to think later. Much later.
* * * * * *
February 18, 1945.
Wufei sat on the deck of the Enterprise just past the landing and takeoff strips of the massive carrier. Gazing out to the sea as the wind blew wisps of his long hair from its trademark ponytail, he sighed deeply.
It had been a couple of days since his last excursion in the air. A few skirmishes here and there with the kamikaze only whet his appetite further for a real fight on some sort of land.
After several days of being docked in Kyushu, the great carrier was finally on the move again. Where to, no one on the ship knew yet. But it was enough to know that they were at least moving somewhere.
The loud cry of a blow horn filled the air, one of the few signals offered to any and all crew that there was to be a meeting. Looking over his shoulder, Wufei watched as hundreds of the ship and air crewmen charged up and onto the middle of the deck.
Quietly hurrying to join some of the familiar faces that he had come to know, the Chinese pilot nodded in acknowledgment to all of them. Muttering began all around as to what this suddenly announced meeting was all about. Nearly the entire length of the deck was covered by white and dark-uniformed soldiers by the time the head officer took to the raised platform at the center of it all.
Gazing out at all of the eyes watching him, the middle-aged man had but to raise his hand to bring an instant hush over the crowd.
With only the sea breeze to yell over, the commander's booming voice echoed and reached everyone around as he announced, "Men, our prayers have been answered! Tomorrow morning, we will be embarking a refueling point just south of Iwo Jima! From there, we will strike alongside our Marine brothers that will be landing there!"
To all of the wide, disbelieving eyes and slack jaws, he smiled, "That's right! Tomorrow, the battle to take Iwo Jima begins!"
A deafening roar rose from the audience of men young and old as fists were thrusts into the air. Amongst those celebrating was Wufei. Finally, after months of the air force pleading and arguing their case that the island was needed, they were heard. More than any other battle, this was one that had been craved by all Allied soldiers in the Pacific.
He and his friends were in the midst of slapping each other on the backs when the commander raised his hand for a silence that fell quickly once more. "You are to report to your direct captains immediately to be given your responsibilities! Good day and God bless the United States of America and her Allies!"
Over the sound of another thunderous eruption from the crowd, the tall man adjusted his brown uniform coat and stepped down from the platform.
"It's about damn time," Johnny sighed beside Wufei. The two had become close friends during their days on the Essex and were pleased when they were both transferred together for their efforts on that fateful December day when the ship was attacked.
The red-headed nineteen-year old smirked as he and his Chinese comrade began to shuffle towards the stairways leading below the deck along with the other soldiers. "So," he smirked, "we're finally going to have our hey day after all."
Still mentally reeling over finally getting their shot at the island, the raven-haired pilot could only grin in a response. Johnny shook his head, "I just wonder what the hell took so long for the officials to realize we needed to strike. Talks about the island started way back in November over how that little island is a pretty strategic point for us."
With a snort, Wufei answered, "Yea well, you know the military, pal. Nothing is decided very quickly. Every little detail has to be worked out before any order goes through. And for such a tiny piece of land, we're going to have a pretty hard fight on our hands. If we consider the place so important, so do the Japanese. And they'll use every man and resource they have to keep us out of there."
Unable to argue with that logic, the redhead winced, "True." With a mischievous smile as he and his friend descended beneath the deck, he nudged a shoulder and laughed, "The other fly-boys on the Essex are going to shit when they find out we were some of the few that got to be a part of this."
"That they will," the Chinese pilot chuckled. "That they will." Reaching their team's destination down the long hall they were walking, they stepped into the conference room where their direct captain was waiting to lay out the plan of attack.
* * * * * *
"Water?"
"Enough to last us a week. Check."
"Food rations?"
"Good for over a week. Check."
"Compass?"
"Check."
Sighing, Heero folded the list that he had read off and announced, "That's all of it, then." Easily taking up two of the four bags, he slung one over each shoulder as Duo did the same.
Outside, the sky was overcast, something to further aid them in their early morning departure. With any luck, there would even be a bit of fresh snow to fall and fill their tracks.
Both dressed warmly and their stomachs full, the pair covered their heads with woolen snow caps and did one last spot check to see that nothing of need was left behind. Satisfied that they had everything, they headed for the door.
Just before taking hold of the doorknob, the sergeant turned to his friend and advised, "The guards watching the perimeter are a mile out. We are going to have to come pretty close to one of the lookout towers. Their own barriers have the only break in the alarmed gate that lines from post-to-post. Until we know for certain that we've covered enough ground to be out of their earshot, we better not speak to one another for the first couple of hours of the trip."
"Got it," the braided private nodded. Smiling sheepishly, he asked, "Um... where exactly are we and where are we heading?"
Heero answered, "Hokkaido- the northern most island of Japan. We're heading to the mountain ranges between here and Hakodate, which is south of us now and near the bottom tip of the island.
"We'll use the terrain to hide us until we reach the city and figure out a way to reach the main land. But we have quite a bit of traveling to do before we need to worry about that. We'll grab brushes along the way to cover whatever tracks we make in the snow to slow down the search when it comes."
It all sounded like a good enough plan to Duo, so he nodded firmly back and secured the straps on his shoulders. Violet eyes sparkling with determination, he took a deep breath and watched as his friend took hold of the doorknob.
Without another word, the sergeant opened the door and together, they stepped out into the world. Closing the door behind them, neither one looked back at the flat they were leaving behind.
Soon spotting a few large brushes along their path that they used to drag behind them and bury their tracks in the shallow snow, they took their leave.
* * * * * *
At the pace that they kept, Heero spotted the lookout tower within an hour since departing from the flat. Pausing in his footsteps, he tapped on his halted friend's shoulder and pointed up ahead. Nodding in acknowledgment, Duo turned away from the tower and cautiously proceeded on beside the other soldier.
Never halting in their steps, the pair moved slowly as to not allow a single crunch in the snow beneath them. The fresh pair of brushes dragging behind them did an effective job of concealing their footprints. Keeping their eyes ahead and on the tower that was soon looming right over them past the trees, they keep a cautious watch on the three armed soldiers stationed there.
Breaths held, they rounded the trees in their paths in a near crawl while allowing their drab-colored packs and coats to blend into their surroundings. If one movement was made too quickly, they would be caught and fired upon without a moment to realize what had happened.
Duo bit his lip when they finally reached the gate. Just as Heero had told him, there was a small opening in the barrier that allowed the guards in and out of the area without tripping the alarm of loud bells that hung from every half of a foot along the gate.
Simple in its design, it was a brilliant one. Should anyone attempt to climb, they would have a half-dozen chimes going off until the closest guards could reach them.
The gap in that wall was a small one for two young men carrying heavy bags as they were, but it was enough for them if they just took their time.
Cautiously, the sergeant went first. Pushing his bags through the gap first, he straightened himself and stepped through the hole sideways, making perfectly certain that he cleared the narrow opening.
Following in suit, the private did the same. Only when they were cleared did he finally allow himself a deep breath of relief, though he dared not sigh it out. From where they stood just beneath the lookout tower, they could hear the laughter and conversations taking place between the men above the tree tops.
Quickly gathering up their bags, the two soldiers were on the move again. Every step became easier and lighter as they moved further and further away from the guards.
Glancing over his shoulder to see just how far away they were from the tower, Duo's foot came down on a long twig that snapped loudly in half under his weight. The sound echoed in the silence.
Heero froze stiff and turned his head over his shoulder with wide eyes. Unable to move, himself, Duo met his gaze with his own wide eyes. 'I'm sorry,' he mouthed.
"Did you either of you hear something?" one of the guards asked his chattering comrades in their tongue. Going by how loud the voice was, it became clear that the tower was only a couple of yards away. More than close enough for them to rain down a hail of bullets upon them.
Pale-faced, the sergeant and private peered up through the trees. They could see several figures moving along the balcony of the lookout tower. Not breathing and not shifting so much as an inch, they waited and silently prayed.
"There are no footprints from what I can see," a second guard stated after what felt like a brief eternity. "I looked all around the gate. It must have been a squirrel or something."
A third voice chimed in, "He's right. I looked all around and could not find anything out of the ordinary. Being stuck up here, I think we are all becoming a bit paranoid."
Finally, the first soldier who was unknowingly looking right at his potential targets sighed, "Yea. It's nothing. Let's get back to our card game, shall we?" That said, he stepped away from the balcony along with his team to disappear behind the ledge.
Both sweating and releasing the breaths that they had been holding, Heero and Duo shared a relieved glance. Gingerly raising the foot that broke the twig, the braided soldier made sure to keep his violet eyes ahead for any other obstacles.
Once again, they continue on. Slow but sure.
* * * * * *
It was nearly nightfall when the pair finally reached a place suitable for stopping for the evening. Nestled tightly in the nook of a pile of large rocks surrounding the base of a rugged and steep line of hills, their bags were lowered and a small fire was started.
Gazing out of the natural 'cave,' Duo watched as a light drifting of snow began to fall. Silently recalling the day's harrowing journey past the perimeter of guards surrounding the flat and the close call they'd had, he sighed quietly to himself.
The next few weeks were going to be just as challenging, if not more. While he was certainly up to the task, he wondered about his fellow runaway. Physically, Heero could withstand anything thrown at him. But it was his emotional state that the private was concerned about.
Unzipping his coat as the hollow shell of rock warmed in the wake of the small camp fire, Duo watched the sergeant as he stared at the flames while cooking a hare they had captured during their travel. Lost to the whole world, his cobalt eyes glowed in the glow from the small pit he had made.
"Hey," the braided soldier called quietly as he shifted to sit beside his friend. Gently nudging their shoulders together, he asked, "Daijobu desu ka?" [1]
Without looking over to his concerned companion, Heero shrugged, "Hai."
To truly express his gratitude and know that he meant every word, the American continued to speak in Japanese, "You saved my life, 'Ro. I... I don't know how I can ever thank you for this."
Snorting, the officer's eyes finally locked onto the violet watching him. "We're not completely out of harm's way yet," he reminded, grateful to be able to use his native tongue. "There is still a long way to go and we do not even know how we are going to get out of this mess yet."
Duo nodded, "I know that. But... whatever happens you helped give me a chance. And I know that this is costing you a lot, even if you're not willing to admit it."
Heero frowned and swallowed deeply at that, turning his head so he could stare at the fire again. Reaching forward, he turned the spit he had made to cook the other half of the rabbit.
Knowing that he would not get anything further from his friend, the private bit his bottom lip. After a moment of consideration, he just threw his arms tightly around his partner. "Arigato, Heero," he whispered brokenly with his lids squeezed tightly closed to fend off the sting in his eyes.
Taken aback, the sergeant's eyes widened as he sat stiffly. Blinking away his initial surprise, he looked to his partner beside him and wove his arms around those wrapped around his torso. "Do itashi mashite, Duo," he replied the same and swallowed past another rough patch in his throat. [2]
In little more than a whisper, he repeated, "Do itashi mashite."
TBC...
[1] Are you all right?
[2] You're welcome.
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