The Unseen Pathway- Ch.3 (TB x HS)

[Silent Moon Sphinx]

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or any of its characters.

First Semester

Chapter Three
Let me tell you a story?


~*~*~*~

Classes had been going well. It was just the long hours of studying and lack of sleep that were proving themselves the hardest adjustments to college life. But Hilde knew she was just asking for piles of work when she entered the engineering school.

Hilde couldn?t decide whether to laugh or cry when she had a chemistry lab, engineering workshop, and calculus test all on the same day her major technical report on genetic engineering was due. She had stayed up the whole night before to complete her paper, alternating between coffee and those sugar-infused energy drinks with labels like ?Power? and ?Focus? to ward off weariness in the wee hours of the morning.

It was times like those Hilde swore her professors were more demanding than OZ.

With all of the work, Hilde barely had any time to look for candidates to replace Duo. But of the guys she did meet, none of them ever came close to sharing the connection that she and the God of Death once had. It was a relationship beyond anything she had ever known?maybe that?s why it hurt so much he wasn?t with her now.

She had caught glimpses of Duo on the TV when an event Relena was attending was being broadcasted. But these rare visions only made the emptiness greater.

Sariah tried to cheer Hilde up as best she could, but the quiet roommate operated very much in the dark as to why Hilde seemed so down all of the time. Hilde had only informed Sariah that she knew the bodyguard of the current Vice Foreign Minister Darlian. She never mentioned anything about the Gundams or that she had met Relena once before.

Knowing that Hilde would tell her the details of her distress in her own time, Sariah tried to lend a comforting shoulder.

Hilde was glad to have that shoulder one seemingly peaceful fall afternoon?

It was a perfect day. Big, beautiful clouds rolled slowly over the landscape of mountains in the quaint European countryside. Leaves rustled gently and, every so often, were plucked off their branches by the balmy wind. The maples had the most delicate crimson blush color, which contrasted the deep blue of the sky. Yes?it was a little too perfect, Hilde thought as she made her way back to her dorm after classes.

She happily collapsed on her bed, mumbling a hello to Sariah before snuggling her pillow in preparation for a good, long nap.

Sariah sat in contemplation in front of the window, sadly watching the last of the lacrosse players head off the practice field.

?You missed a great practice,? Sariah sighed dreamily.

Hilde cracked a sleepy eye open to see Sariah smiling that little elfin smile of hers.

?I told you to take earlier classes,? Sariah continued to gently tease her tired friend.

?Ugh?? was Hilde?s only response.

Sariah sighed sadly, knowing Hilde was on the verge of a complete burn out. She moved to turn off the murmuring broadcast on their vidscreen so Hilde could get some sleep, but stopped short at the scene displayed on the afternoon news program.

?Hilde. Hilde?? Sariah called softly.

?Hmmm?.? Hilde purred, already half-asleep.

?Sorry to bother you again, but I think you might want to see this,? Sariah informed her.

Conscious of Sariah?s somewhat serious tone, Hilde forced her eyes open and propped herself up on the bed.

?What is it?? she asked after a long yawn.

?Isn?t this that guy you know?? Sariah pointed to the screen. ?You know, the bodyguard??

Hilde jumped from her bed and huddled next to Sariah, who was now listening to the broadcast.

?So, it does seem to be official,? the announcer blared. ?Gentlemen, I have some sad news. Rumors of Vice Foreign Minister Relena Darlian?s growing attachment to her new bodyguard have been proven accurate. The relationship between the Vice Foreign Minister and her bodyguard, Duo Maxwell, as our sources tell us, began in secret about a month ago, but now the two have decided to make their dating status public. Stay tuned for more details on this interesting development--? CLICK!

Sariah turned the broadcast off as Hilde still stared at the blank screen with her mouth open.

?The media will overplay any piece of gossip they can get their hands on. It?s a disgrace?? Sariah spoke in her gentle caress of a voice, eyeing Hilde worriedly.

It was apparent her roommate was in a mild state of shock, so Sariah decided to keep talking softly and wait for Hilde to speak when she was ready.

?But thanks to the Gundams and all of the soldiers who gave up their lives during the wars, the earth and the colonies finally have peace. The media doesn?t have any wars to talk about any more, so they?ve got to jump on any news they?ve got,? Sariah observed.

?Yes, the Gundams,? Hilde repeated. Then, after a moment, ?The bastard finally did it,? she said under her breath.

Looking up at Sariah, Hilde?s eyes were wide and tearful, yet the girl did not cry. ?He finally did it,? she spoke again in disbelief.

Sariah just looked at Hilde with understanding eyes of pure serenity. Hilde knew she could trust her roommate right then and there. She needed a crying shoulder?she needed someone to talk to?but above all, she needed someone to listen.

Her cerulean eyes filled with emotion, Hilde spoke in a quiet, controlled manner. ?I am more than I appear to be. I know more than I appear to know,? she started.

?Aren?t we all? And doesn?t everyone?? Sariah commiserated with a gentle smile.

Hilde let a little, sad laugh escape. And then she spoke, ?Let me tell you a story.?

?There once was a little girl. She lived in a war torn world. Her family was killed by the Alliance when she was barely a teenager. She was an orphan, she was angry and she wanted revenge. So she joined the military organization known as OZ, determined to honor her family?s death and crush the Alliance. But as she matured, she accepted her lonely fate and dreamed of fighting for truth, justice, and peace, so no one should have to suffer as she had.

But then one day, the God of Death crossed her path. Death was a beautiful and deadly boy who made her realize she had forgotten the true meaning of battle; she had forgotten her purpose of protecting peace. Death freed her from the binding chains of OZ and their false dreams, and she was indebted to him. This girl, completely entranced by the Great Destroyer, vowed to serve him. She gave her heart and soul to this wondrous being and fought for his side?the right side. She risked her life for five fallen angels, the saviors of the world, and she never regretted it.

She never regretted staying with her God of Death after the war. He was her hero, her friend?but he was never hers to have.?

There was silence for what seemed like forever. Tears were now flowing freely down Hilde?s face. Her past always seemed to bring her pain.

Sariah finally spoke, upon absorbing her roommate? s amazing life story.

?Your angels--they?re the Gundams. And this Duo Maxwell, he?s the God of Death,? Sariah confirmed in disbelief, her voice barely above a whisper. Hilde nodded.

Sariah wanted to ask her friend a million questions. She wanted to know about the adventure and the excitement during the war. She wanted to hear everything that a sheltered businessman?s daughter could only dream of. Yet she knew this story had cost Hilde. It had hurt her roommate to talk of such difficult times. Questions would only be selfish, Sariah decided. What Hilde really needed was some advice.

?Well, I see the problem,? Sariah told her. ?You said the God of Death had your heart and soul. You need to get them back.?

?Somehow, I don?t think it?s that simple,? Hilde said, wiping away her tears.

?Let Death chase after his Dove, you need to find yourself again.? And with that, Sariah gave her an understanding hug.

~*~*~

An unexpected cold front moved in quickly that afternoon and those earlier marshmallow clouds became harsh and threatening.

The sky grew dark and the wind turned chilled and it rained?it rained.

~~~



AN: I do not know the truth of Hilde?s past, even after research. The most accepted belief is that she is an orphan. I played upon that fact and added to it. If anyone does have info on her true origins, would you please let me know? Thank you!

[Beck]

AN: I do not know the truth of Hilde?s past, even after research. The most accepted belief is that she is an orphan. I played upon that fact and added to it. If anyone does have info on her true origins, would you please let me know? Thank you!

Awww... I wanted to cry with Hilde too just cause it feels appropriate

As for her past, I think alot of ppl consider her an orphan too so since we don't know of certain characters past, we can make up whatever we like and still make it sound good (at least those who CAN make it believeable)

I felt as if I missed out on alot of fics as of late just cause I haven't been in the mood to read but I've been catching up by printing them out and reading them when I get free time at work or at home so you'll be seeing more comments from me.

Be afraid.... be very afraid

[Kanya Barton]

I am awed by this story...I have to keep reading! See ya! Peace out!

[Cinthya_Dee]

WOW!!!!! I love the way she told the story....really nice. I'm off to the next chapter though.

Cinthya_Dee