Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing, some lucky Japanese people do.
Author: the great and amazing Shadowcat
Litia: great and amazing my ass
Shadow: * stares *
Warnings: none for the readers…a big one for Litia though
Thank You so much Kanya for betaing!!!*hugs*Thank you!!!!!!
Hilde sat in the middle of the room, drenched in sweat and tears. The smoke was clouding Duo's vision and he could only make out Heero's dim outline.
"Duo, Trowa and I will break open the door, you grab Hilde and run." Heero's shouted over the blazing flame.
Duo turned and faced Hilde. The smoke was burning his throat and making his eyes water. He ran towards the frightened girl and swung her into his arms. Then he carried her and stumbled towards the opening. His lungs pleaded for fresh air. Duo inhaled big gulps and turned to comfort the frightened girl.
The girl however stood and clapped. "Very courageous brave warriors. You have passed the test and earned my respect."
Heero held out his sword.
"Who are you?" he said coldly.
Hilde dipped her head and spoke.
"My name is Hilde and I am Princess Relena's maid and close friend. That was a test to see if your intentions were clear. I thought the reason you came to the Sanq Kingdom was kill our beloved Princess. I apologize for doubting you."
"Why would we be here to harm the princess; we would never do such thing!" Duo yelled.
"The Black Lady has many powers; we could not let our guard down," Trowa explained. "So you planned the whole thing, didn't you Hilde?" Trowa asked.
"Once again Trowa you were right."
"You were willing to risk your life?" Duo asked.
"For the princess, I would do anything." Trowa and Hilde replied in unison.
Heero looked at the two; they were risking there live for this one princess. She must be really powerful to influence them like that.
"Come this way, I shall inform the princess of your arrival, and that you are back Trowa." Hilde said.
They found themselves in a much welcoming room. Flowers decorated the window and the fire was lit. Moonlight shone through the window. It was dark and the busy village was asleep; the streets were empty. The stars twinkled sleepily as the clouds drifted lazily by.
Heero looked around the room. It walls were creamy white with vases of flowers crowding in every corner. A movement caught his eye. A dove was moving along the walls…like a shadow.
"What is that? Duo gasped.
Trowa replied causally. "It's a dream."
"A dream?"
"Yes, another reason why Sanq Kingdom is magical is that even at dark, the dreams come out." Heero's eyes followed the dove. It twirled about the room and Heero seemed to not get his eyes off it. It flew out the door and soon Heero was on his feet, following it. The dove drifted up the wall and Heero found him self running to catch up. Down countless corridors, Heero panted as the dove finally slowed down. Remembering at what he was just doing, Heero frowned and looked back at the dove.
What had made him do that?
"Heero…what did you think you were doing?" Duo gasped as he tried to catch his breath.
The dove drifted towards a room down the end of the corridor and Heero took a deep breath and followed it. The room was brightly lit by candles and flowers and cushions decorated every surface. In the centre of the room was a giant bed, silk hung down to the ground like water running down a waterfall. The most beautiful sight Heero had ever seen spread across the bed. Honey blonde locks draped down and rested beside her perfect curves. Her neat brow highlighted her delicate features. An image appeared on the wall above the sleeping girl.
Heero gasped at the dream. It was him!
He heard Duo and Trowa gasp. He was not hallucinating.
In the dream, Heero could see himself, walking through the ruins and suddenly the ground began to rumble and the darkness swallowed him up.
The young girl sat up and rubbed her eyes. Her heart still pounded like mad, she ran her fingers through her sweaty hair and tears fell out of her clear, blue eyes. Heero stood, speechless at this beauty. Her lashes framed her sky blue eyes and the tears made them shone even more. The girl suddenly aware that she had company looked up nervously.
"AHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!"
***
After Trowa explained to Hilde, who came running into the room, sword ready, that this was a false alarm, she finally agreed to put her sword down and dismiss the guards who came running in. The young girl on the bed finally recovered from shock jumped off the bed and gave Trowa a big hug.
" Trowa you're back, we've missed you so much." The girl gave Trowa a quick kiss on the cheek then smiled and looked at Heero and Duo.
Her eyes widened with surprise.
"You," she gasped, pointing at Heero, "you seem very familiar…Have we met? Gosh, you're the boy from my dream."
The young girl danced around.
"For the past years I have had re-occurring dreams, nightmares about the Black Lady. But the boy in my dreams always appears and my fears disappear. I believe that the boy will bring peace and harmony back to the Earth again."
"You've got the wrong guy." Heero said coldly. "I am a soldier, I don't bring peace to anybody. The Black Lady can crush me anytime she wants to."
"I understand that, truly I do," she said quickly. "The Black Lady could destroy everyone in this world. Her powers are just unbelievable, but I know if we work together, we can help bring back the Dorothy we used to know."
The young girl stared eagerly at the boy and gasped.
"Oh my, look at me, I got carried away by my story I didn't even introduce myself. My name is Relena Peacecraft, the princess of this kingdom."
Heero's eyes widened immediately and he stared at the young girl.
She was Relena Peacecraft? She is the one Dr. J sent him to see? This is the Princess that would help them defeat Black Lady? But, she is only his age. He was expecting some old, experienced princess with dark, magic powers.
"And what is your name?" asked the princess sweetly.
"Heero Yuy."
"You will be our hero."
The princess looked at the soldier. Something in her eyes made Heero stand there and keep looking. Her sky blue orbs were strangely attractive, like the clear blue ocean.
Relena looked into his eyes. The dark blue orbs looked like wave clashing against the emptiness in his eyes.
A sudden noise snapped Relena back into reality.
The door slammed open and a woman who looked a bit older than Heero ran in.
"Trowa!!! Your back!!!"
"Catherine! It's so good to see you again." Trowa said as Catherine jumped on top of him.
"Trowa, I've missed you so much, you had me very worried."
Trowa looked at Duo's grinning face and sighed.
"Stop grinning Duo; Catherine is not my girlfriend, she is my sister."
Catherine smiled and looked at Heero and Duo, "Nice to meet you, I'm sure Trowa will tell me great things about you."
***
After a good night's sleep, Relena led Heero and Duo into a large guestroom.
"Heero, Duo, I'd like you to meet my old friend Quatre Raberba Winner."
The blond boy stood up and shook their hand politely. "Nice to meet you." he smiled as he gestured empty seats beside him.
Relena smiled and sat down. Quatre, Duo and Relena were engaged in deep conversation about the Black Lady. Quatre smiled sadly.
"She was my old friend; I couldn't believe it when I heard that the Evil Lord had claimed her body."
"Dorothy was always such a nice friend." Relena sighed, a slight frown creeping up, "but now she is the Black Lady, the one we are fighting against. I just don't feel right fighting against her." Tears fluttered out of Relena's eyes as Quatre tucked her head under his chin. His hands gently ran down her back as he whispered soothing words of comfort.
Heero felt a sharp pain in his heart. He looked at Relena again, in Quatre's arms. His heart gave another stabbing pain. What is this new feeling in his heart when he looks at her? Why is rage building up deep within him when he sees her in the arms of another? He shook his head. He had to get her out of his head.
***
The next couple of days went by quickly enough; Heero managed to avoid the princess. Duo seemed to pop out of nowhere saying, "Relena is that way, Heero." One day that braided baka is going to get it.
Relena was having the same difficulties as Heero. Their little encounter in her room had come to her as a bit of a shock. The Black Lady had kept her alert for days, wondering what town is next attacked, how many innocent civilians are going to suffer and whether her dear brother, who was travelling to find the Black Lady, is alright. The soldier had a strange force in her that she couldn't explain. Somehow he had crept into her mind and she found her self wanting to see him everyday. He doesn't talk much; in fact, she hasn't heard him talk since they first met. He always stands off to a side when the group is out training. Sometimes she feels that he doesn't realize she is around.
Relena gently stirred her tea. The swirling pattern seemed to form into an image of him again.
She quietly took a sip and only half listened to Quatre's conversation with Trowa.
"We have to stop the Black Lady quickly," Quatre said thoughtfully, "by the rate that things are forming, she could eliminate the Earth easily."
"Yes, but who are we battling, Dorothy or the Black Lady?" interrupted Catherine. "We must know who our allies are and what our enemy is before we can do anything."
"Catherine is right Quatre, we don't know anything about the Evil Lord or Black Lady, and most important of all, who are our allies. The Black Lady has many faces, can we trust anybody?" Trowa said calmly.
"I know but how can we tell? The most important thing now is to build up our force; right now we are nothing compared to her." Quatre pointed out.
"We need to extend our power around the world, that way we have more military force. Right now several nations are depending on us to resist against Black Lady. They would be more than happy to side with us." Catherine suggested.
"Catherine, even if we had all the military we need; are we strong enough? The soldiers have superb skills but Black Lady could destroy them with a wave of her hand, I don't want more casualties."
"That is a sacrifice I'm sure they are willing to make. Soldiers come and go Quatre; they must have the courage," Catherine said coldly.
Trowa and Quatre shot Catherine a puzzled look.
Relena's teacup slid out of her hand and rolled along the carpet. She shot Catherine a cold look.
"Catherine, soldiers have lives like you and me. They are too precious to be fought in a battle that we know we are going to lose. I am not about to sacrifice them. When the time comes, I will deal with the Black Lady alone; there will be no other casualties but me. "
"I must admire your courage Your Majesty, but would you really say that when the time comes? I await that moment." Catherine gently dipped her head and smiled.
"I can assure you that my answer would still be the same, Catherine." Relena bowed and walked out, almost walking into Heero. She sighed and kept walking.
"I heard what you said," she heard him say coldly.
TBC
AN: this one took awhile to write, i still can't decide on how this heero and Relena relationship will develop.hmmmm....