The Petite Rebel 6/12

[Little Green Miko]

CHAPTER SIX: BATTLE WITH CHANG WUFEI AND THE NEW WHITE FANG?S COMMANDER

The next morning Hilde awoke in the infirmary with a start. She shot up and held her head-still throbbing lightly with pain from yesterday?s occurrences. She slowly lifted her now pale, dull green eyes to pass a look at her surroundings. It was a beautiful little hospital room, with a few other occupied beds. Those beds held wounded soldiers from the battles with White Fang.

Smirking at the apparent loosing situation of the Sanq she swung her legs off the side of the bed. ?How thoughtful,? she thought as she peered about. ?They left me clothes.? Grabbing the clothes they had left her she looked at them and cringed a bit. She held up a purple cashmere sweater that would obviously slip off her shoulders, a pair of black slacks, and a pair of white-heeled boots decorated with an ankle high cuff at the top and a raspberry beret. ?Talk about taste!? She thought with a grimace. ?These are so eighties!?

Another glance around she spotted her duffel bag and grinned. ?Well might as well keep them. Might come in handy later.? She took the clothes and stuffed them in her bag then dug around in it and pulled out her blue halter top with a triangle like end in front, her leather jacket, black jeans and gray knee high, heeled boots. Taking off her white hospital tunic, she placed the halter top over her chest and deftly tied it in the back. Then slid the jeans on and the leather jacket over her top. Sitting on the side of the bed she pulled on the boots and stood up wandering to a mirror to fix her hair. ?Not that there?s much to fix...? she muttered to her reflection.

Walking swiftly to the door she grabbed her bag and silently opened it, sticking her head carefully out to make sure no one was around to see her leave. She had to, White Fang was on to her and if she stayed in any one spot to long they?d get her. Seeing no one she silently slipped out into the massive marble hall. Looking about to determine her way she was absolutely stunned by the size and beauty of the place.

?Damn...whoever owns this joint sure has a lot of cash...? She commented to herself as she groped her way through the hall. It was early yet, so no one was up-or so she figured. She had to leave soon, she?d been here much to long already. Question was, how did she find her way out? This place was immense.

She wandered the halls, in and out of rooms and closets and such till she heard a noise behind a door that sounding of grunting and thumps of a body hitting a wood floor. She cocked her brow and maneuvered closer to the source.

The sound was locked behind an immense double wooden door that was beautifully crafted. She came up close to it and pushed it in slightly peering into the room beyond. What met her eyes was a gorgeous gym, with everything anyone could possibly want for a workout, and glass doors beyond leading out to an indoor swimming pool and glass French doors beyond that which led out to tennis courts.

However the thing that actually caught her attention more then the decor of the gym was the boy inside it. A fair good looking Asian boy with taut, slightly shimmering muscles-due to sweat-that were perfectly outlined on his chest, he looked no older than she. He had an ebony black katanna in his hand and he was practicing with it, gracefully and sleek like a cat, he moved and spun and twisted making the movements of the ancient oriental art of the sword. She wanted to observe more, so silently she slipped into the gym and leaned against a wall, leather covered arms crossed over her blue halter topped chest, eyes seemingly cast down and shadowed by her white bangs, but in truth watching the Chinese boy expertly-carefully, with admiration.

When he was finished he stopped and bowed, his hands clasped at his heart. That?s when she smiled and clapped. Hearing the applause he whirled around to face her his katanna drawn yet again. ?Wha-?? He muttered surprised. When he saw who it was he dropped his sword by his side and glared. ?Oh, it?s you, is it?? He asked planting his left hand on his waist.

Hilde smirked and stood to bow. ?Were you expecting the braided fool, maybe?? She asked as she stood again.

At this Wufei let a smirk escape his lips. ?Maybe,? he answered. ?But why are you up and about onna? You should be still resting. You have not had the appropriate amount of time to heal your wounds.? He began again to practice with the katanna.

Hilde watched him carefully, taking note of his flaws and answered quietly with a small grin lining her mouth. ?Yes, I have. I should not have been in there the amount of time I was. I should have left as soon as I came to, if I don?t leave soon, the New White Fang will be upon you like a magnet.?

Wufei eyed her carefully and continued his practice. ?I don?t know whether to call you brave, or a coward.? He responded.

?How about neither.? She retorted as she walked over and picked up another katanna off the wall rack that was in the gym and came to face him face to face hers held out in ready stance. ?How about we see if I can beat or match you and then you do not call me by my gender.? She grinned at him as Wufei stared at the katanna in her hands. He stood up straight.

?I do not wish to fight a woman, they are weak in battle and make foolish choices. They have no sense of veracity on the battlefield, they would sooner let a man go then kill him even if he were to try to kill her.? He stated and withdrew his katanna.

?Oh? Is that a fact?? Hilde asked feeling a bit irritated at his lack of vision. Wufei nodded his head once and Hilde?s brow creased. As he turned to leave Hilde calmly walked in front of him and held out her katanna again, placing the point right at his chest her left arm hung by her side. ?One swift move Mr. Chang and I could have you gutted and on this pretty floor in not very pretty pieces.? She hissed a grin on her lips again. ?Now, if you truly believe what you just told me, you will prove it-by fighting with me. If you win I will believe what you said and leave without shame. If I win, you will take a more in depth look into the woman before you judge her, and not call me by my gender.?

Wufei cracked a smirk. ?You are digging yourself a grave onna.? He said and whipped his katanna back out. ?Fine, very well, I accept your challenge-but prepare to loose. The only person I have ever lost to was Treize Khushrananda. And he is dead...?

?Hunh...? Hilde grunted and they went to it.

Wufei made the first attack, jumping up and coming down on her with lightning speed. She anticipated this and swept away easily, and as he came down spinning a cut to his upper arm.

He dodged this maneuver by changing the direction of his landing just a little and landing beside her. He swung up making for a side slice to the head but she ducked, and tripped him.

He stumbled and she cursed because it wasn?t successful. Then retaliated with a running slice, katanna at his side as he ran up to her his face contorted in a battle cry. She saw him coming and front flipped over his charging frame, landing behind him as he quickly spun to face her again. She came at him with an undercut, attempting to slash through and get his stomach. Again it failed as he spun out of her way and used the hilt to smash her back down. She fell flat, but did not loose possession of her katanna, and quickly turning face up stopped his katanna before it came down on her with a quick block.

She grinned at him and he just glared at her. She used her leg and flipped him over her head so he landed on his back behind her. She quickly picked herself up, as did he and they charged again.

Their swords clashed and, clashed again. She took his force and using it to her own advantage on the third clash, shoved him off sending him reeling to gain his balance once again. She made an upward cut and missed, because he spun around her and made a downward cast, drawing first blood.

She spun on him and slapped him away with her katanna. ?Ah, you are good...You drew first blood Wufei. I commend you.? She said. He said nothing and charged her again. This time she used the tactic he?d just used on her back and drew blood from him, and slipping back extending her katanna toward the ceiling, placing her left hand along the blade she grinned from behind it. ?But sadly, not good enough...?

Wufei just grinned at her as she made a flip and landing in front of him made a sideswipe at him. He dodged and made a sideswipe at her. She dodged as well and spun around him taking her tripping up again and flipped him over this time. He rolled back to a sitting position and made a swipe at her legs. She back flipped away and stood there. He picked himself up and front flipping landed in front of her and gashing her face. She staggered backward a bit and fell.

He came up to her and put his katanna to her throat. She just grinned at him and holding her marred cheek again made to trip him. Then her leg shot up and kicked his chin and she sat on her haunches making another under swipe kick, killing his balance entirely. She grabbed her fallen katanna and expertly recovered herself. She stood quickly and as he recovered and made a very fast grab for the blade, she pushed his katanna away with her foot.

She held her blade to his throat and placed her heeled boot on his chest. ?Well, well, well. Look at who won!? She smirked. ?I suppose this means men are inferior to women now huh??

Wufei growled at first. ?All right...Hilde...It seems you have beaten me...? He acknowledged. ?You are very different from any woman I?ve ever met. I?ll admit that much.?

Right then there was a gasp and clapping from the side of the room. Both kids turned to see they had some how accumulated an audience and in the heat of their battle had not noticed. ?Well, that?s a new one! Wufei is complimenting a woman!? Sally?s voice said as she clapped.

?Yeah, and beaten by one too! And Hilde none the less!? Duo responded enthusiastically.

Hilde did not blush; she did not bow or even thank the two for their appreciative bawling. She just let the blade and her arm fall to her side and her foot came off of Wufei?s chest. Wufei sat up with a snarl evident on his face, but said nothing.

?What do you want, woman...and you braided fool?? He asked brushing off his white pants and wiping the blood Hilde had drawn.

?We wanted to know where the patient was.? Sally stated becoming serious. ?She is not to be up and about yet; she is not in the right condition.? Sally looked meaningfully at Wufei, who glared straight back.

?Onna, do not look at me. She is the one who came in here and challenged me. I told her she should not have been up.? He responded.

?But you didn?t enforce that she go back did you?? Sally said becoming irate. ?No, you took her offer, even though you knew her condition and fought. Where did your honor go Wufei??

Wufei?s brow twitched. ?My honor is perfectly intact woman!? He blared. ?She challenged me! My honor would have been broken if I had not accepted! You know nothing!?

While this occurred, Hilde shrugged and nursing the wounds Wufei?s blade had caused had grabbed her bag and begun to walk out the French glass doors on the other side of the gym. Duo spotted her leaving. ?Hey! Yo! Hilde wait!? He ran after her and grabbed her arm when she didn?t turn to acknowledge him. ?Where do you think your going in this condition Hilde?? He asked her seriously.

She looked up at him with a pure look of indifference plastered on her face that mirrored Heero?s famous look. ?Leaving.? She said flatly. ?If I stay here the New White Fang will crush you all. I?ve been here to long as it is. I thank you all for the help you?ve given me, but I still do not know any of you, and I can?t trust anyone, so I am leaving.?

Duo?s face contorted at her words. ?Oi, Hilde! How can you not remember...?? He asked himself more then her. His face was half shadowed out by his long spiky bangs as he asked.

?Remember-Duo? Remember what? If I even try to, it hurts like blazing hell!? She growled and wrenched her arm from his hand. ?And maybe I just don?t want to remember.? He grabbed her again.

?Hilde-you don?t mean that, that?s only what White Fang has told you! Don?t listen to them-they are trying to destroy Relena?s hard earned peace again. Hilde, we were your friends before White Fang got a hold of you. We are still your friends now! You don?t have to remember; you should know in your heart the truth.? He said.

Hilde smirked. ?Such a beautiful speech, Duo. But sadly it?s false. I know now that White Fang is the evil in light of the good of Ms. Peacecraft, but even so. I decided that I did not wish to remember my original past, if even I had one. Now let me free.? And again she ripped from Duo?s grasp and began for the French doors again.

?You?re just like Heero.? Duo muttered as she passed.

She spun on him. ?I?m what?? She hissed.

?Just like Heero.? He reiterated turning on her. ?You?re a soulless, mindless, emotionless fool. You are only a machine now. No longer human-no longer capable of feeling...Hilde you are dead, just like Heero.?

The name ?Heero? struck a chord in Hilde somewhere in her brain, and something snapped. ?Heero...Heero Yuy...? She mumbled.

?What?? Duo asked, becoming irate himself.

It started again. Pain from her head engulfed her senses, her mind trying to force images upon her. This time she could make out a pale angular face, with deep, dark, secretive, Prussian blue eyes and a mop of messy, chocolate, brown hair atop his head. But that?s all she could get from the images. She screamed as the pain became more intense, and barely noticed that she?d dropped to her knees and there were three different people holding her-trying to get her to stop. The pain became too much and once again blackness overtook her and she fell into a fitful unconsciousness.

~*~

Rodney stormed about. ?Where on Earth could that woman have gone?? He scowled. ?How did she get out?! What were you freaks doing to let her escape? She was the main key to all of this you know!?

?We are sorry Mr. Lewis...But she took us by surprise. Your serum worked all to well I think.? Said one of the guards.

?She has been training here for two years; maybe she figured that she would escape after her training, because we do train the best of the best here. You know you took in part to the training of that boy, Heero Yuy, when Dr. J brought him in.? A feminine voice said from the shadows.

?Commander!? Lewis said spinning to face the shadowed figure. ?You?re not angry with me then?? He said bowing slightly even though the lady did not come into view.

?No, Lewis. This just proves how perfect your serum actually is, if she can get by our security. Miss Schibecker always was a hacker and stealth personal. That boy, the pilot of the Gundam DeathScythe, he was a good teacher to enhance her stealth capabilities.? She said placing one white-gloved hand on her hip.

?All we have to do now is continue the search for her, find her and bring her back. I?m sure that she will be quicker witted and much smarter now that the child has been exposed to the wild, and it proves true as she?s evaded us for so long. But it?s all for the better in the long run, it means she will have all these self-learned abilities to add to and help her in the final battle.? The woman smirked.

?But we?ve searched nearly everywhere Miss, we can?t find her! I believe we trained her a little to well.? Lewis replied.

The woman now grimaced at Rodney?s apparent idiocy. ?You fool! Don?t forget where the girl came from. Somewhere deep in the recesses of her mind it will most likely tell her to go to some place where she subconsciously knows friends will be there to help. She may not remember them, but she instinctively knows they are there! The serum just erased her memories not her instincts!?

?Ah...yes I see. That means since she is obviously still on Earth she must have gone to the Sanq Kingdom.? Lewis arrived at the commander?s point.

?Yes, exactly. Miss Relena will be very grateful to have Hilde back in safe pretenses. And Heero, who still knows of you and your work because you failed to catch him and the pilot of the 03 unit, Trowa Barton, will try to use her for their side.? The commander said.

?That would be a smart idea, they would have the best of the Ultimate soldiers working on their side.? Lewis responded.

?Yes, so the only thing we have to do is kidnap her bring her back here and erase her memories of them again.?

?No, it will be even simpler, Miss. It shall be simpler than that even.? Lewis told her confidently.

?Oh? How so?? She asked, still she had not moved into the light of the conference room.

?In anticipation for an event such as that Hilde switched sides some how, I had a device implanted in her head. One push of a button and she will listen to anything you say, and believe it.? Lewis answered, indicating a little recorder shaped thing in the palm of his hand. ?The problem being is it only works at certain distances and any microwave signal or such cannot interfere with it but it will work, and she will be part of our faction forever.

?It?s other problem is it has a permanent mind damaging effect if you use it for a extended period of the given safety time.? He grinned at the shadowed woman who had taken a seat in the head chair of the table. The light only reflecting off her small, delicate pink lips as they curled into a malicious grin as she listened to the scientist tell her about the device he had implanted in Hilde?s head.

?That has no consequence. For after this battle is won, there will be no more need for drones. She can be cast out.?

?But-commander! She was my first creation! -You can?t just-?

?Third, Mr. Lewis.?

?What??

?She was your third creation that made any sort of impact on this world. The first two being those of the pilot of the unit Zero One and the pilot of the unit HeavyArms, and you know it as well as I.?

?Yes ma?am...But she was the first creation I made that has actually become of any use to this faction or me. She is kind of like a daughter to me.?

?Sacrifices must be made, Mr. Lewis, to instill the success of the colony?s victory over Miss Peacecraft and the Earth Sphere.?

?Your heartless...? He hissed.

?Yes, I am. I have to be to command the New White Fang. I helped to design her, so she is kind of my daughter too. It does hurt to have to let one of your own go, but if that?s what it takes we must. This Ultimate soldier plan if this first one does not fall through correctly-it?s on to the next plan. And I need you for it, and you know it. Now, give me the device and send people to the Sanq to recover our precious prodigy ?daughter? from Heero and Queen Relena?s hands.?

?Yes?um...? he said and bowed out of the room.

The woman then rose from her chair and walked to a surveillance screen in the room and watched silently as Hilde stealthily made her way through the base, letting only little things like her foot, or the occasional finger show through out the tapes. She curled her slender fingers around the device she had gotten from Rodney and smirked as she changed the screen to flash a bright picture of Relena Peacecraft across it, with a slight hint of Heero-her ever-vigilant protector in the background.

?Soon Miss Relena. Soon you will see the errors of your ways in uniting the colonies and Earth. We were meant to be independent. Hilde-for the colony?s sake, one of your very own, will help us win our victory.? She clutched the little device to her breast and let out a high pitched laugh and turned away heading out of the conference room.

~*~Chap. 6 fin.~*~