Eternity In His Hand 3/?

[Goldberry]

Eternity In His Hand
Chapter Three



Heero looked out at the sunset, his dark eyes reflecting the vision of deep reds, golds, and purples that streamed from the horizon like a melting work of art. Twilight was settling over the Academy and only a few students walked its twisting pathways, hurrying to their dorm rooms for a few hours of study before bed. As he watched, the campus street lamps blinked on one by one, creating little pools of light in the encroaching darkness. The Academy grounds were beautiful in the night but he barely saw it, his mind turned inward examining his own thoughts.

?Explain it to me again,? he said, still gazing out the window. Behind him he heard Relena shift on the floor by the tea table. If he had looked, he knew there would be no irritation on her face by being made to repeat herself, she rarely showed any emotion besides a gentle serenity and kindness. Her voice drifted around him like a trickle of warm sunlight and he shrugged uncomfortably. It was odd the way she affected him.

?I am the Rose Bride, Master Yuy, and by winning the duel you also won me. You are my Champion and as long as we are Engaged I am bound to do as you wish. As the current winner of the duels, the others bearing the Rose Seal will come to challenge you.?

He glanced over his shoulder at her, meeting her soft gaze. ?I didn?t fight Wufei to win you. I fought for the honor of my friend, Hilde. I have no intention of fighting any more duels.?

Relena lowered her eyes to the table top, a sheet of silky gold hair flowing over her shoulder at her movement. He frowned slightly but turned back to the window, seeing his own reflection in the glass. On his middle finger, his mother?s ring glittered at him in the fading light.


?The Rose Seal,? he said suddenly, ?what is it??

?The key to the Dueling Platform and the mark of a duelist. Here, anyone who wears one is a member of the Student Council.? Heero nodded at her words, remembering what Duo had said to him by the pool.

?And the sword?? He still wasn?t sure he could believe that sword lay within Relena herself. The whole duel seemed ludicrous.

?A mystery.?

He swung around, one eyebrow arched in question. ?Even you don?t know it?s purpose??

?It?s?? A look of confusion crossed her face as she faltered. ?It?s a connection to?something.? She touched her temples with both hands and shuddered with sudden pain. ?I don?t??

He went to her side and hesitantly laid a hand on her shoulder. ?It?s alright, Relena. It doesn?t matter anyway. I am not going to duel again.? He moved away from her, his eyes falling on the suitcase by the door. It had been a surprise to learn that Relena had been assigned to the same room as him, more so because a co-ed room was unheard of. He had a vague idea that it had something to do with his winning the duel, as almost everything did, since he had spent his first two nights at the Academy alone. Whatever the reason, he was responsible for her. Relena seemed to think they were Engaged but he had learned that it didn?t quite mean what he had thought it meant. Apparently, becoming Relena?s Champion made her practically his slave which explained her lack of resistance to Wufei?s cruel treatment. The why of it, though, still remained unclear.

?Relena, why do those with a Rose Seal duel to win you??

The Rose Bride laced her fingers together. ?Because only by being Engaged to me will they gain the power of Peacecraft and a chance at Eternity.?

Heero felt the breath catch in his throat. Find something eternal, Heero. ?Eternity??

?A place where Revolution can occur.?

Heero refrained from rubbing his own temples. Every answer he got only led him to more questions and it didn?t help that even Relena seemed ignorant of some of the things he had seen on the Dueling Platform. What bound her to be the Rose Bride? Was it some sort of spell that clouded her mind and smothered any fire that would have made her her own person? Was that the reason she was so docile? Well, it didn?t matter. He wanted nothing to do with the duels or the other duelists. All he wanted was a normal life.

Making a quick decision he lifted Relena?s suitcase and laid it on the bottom bunk, feeling Relena?s eyes follow him. ?You can sleep here. The showers are down the hall and the dining room is downstairs. There?s no one to cook since this dorm doesn?t house many students but there?s plenty of supplies in the kitchen if you?re hungry.?

He straightened from the bed and glanced at her, seated so quietly at the low table, a vision in her uniform but a goddess in the dress he had seen her in before. Realizing where his thoughts were turning, he headed towards the door. ?I?ll give you a moment to get settled.? And give myself a moment to think. ?I?ll be right outside if you need me.? He stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind him before leaning back against it, his head bowed. Everything was so strange. Would he ever figure out the game the Student Council played?

Lifting his right hand he stared at the Rose Seal, a deep sadness welling in his chest that went unvoiced.

Eternity.

* * * *

After a walk around the mostly deserted building, Heero went back to his room feeling completely drained. He opened the door slowly and was surprised to find the lights out. His gaze went to Relena?s bed only to find it empty and for a split second he felt a tiny moment of panic. If he lost her?

But she was sitting by the window, legs curled up under her as she watched the stars. The moonlight through the glass turned her hair to silver and when she turned to look at him, a dusting of starlight made her eyes shine in the dark. He closed the door with a click.

?You?re not sleeping,? he said, taking off the coat of his uniform and draping it over the back of his desk chair. Relena stood gracefully and approached him without answering, almost gliding across the floor until she stood only inches away, too close for him to breath properly. Dark turquoise eyes looked up at him silently as if waiting for him to do something. When he didn?t, she took one of his hands in both of hers, her small fingers cool and light against his skin, and placed his palm against the exposed skin of her collarbone. He looked down at his fingers and abruptly saw that she wore nothing more than a slim fitting nightgown, the satin fabric ending well above her knees. Under his hand he could feel her heartbeat, slow and steady as if standing alone almost naked with another man was nothing new to her. His own seemed to want to beat right out of his chest though nothing of it showed on his face.

And suddenly he knew what she had been asking him with her eyes, knew why she was not afraid, and cursed himself for being a fool.

?You?ve had to do this before, haven?t you.? It wasn?t a question. ?They made you.? An image of her standing this way with Wufei flashed through his head and his stomach turned. To the other man she would have been nothing more than a conquest.

?If it?s the will of my Champion, I must obey,? she answered softly and Heero thought he detected a note of hopelessness in her tone, but it wasn?t enough to calm him. He took a deliberate step back, dropping his hand from her, his cobalt eyes flashing.

?I?m not like them,? he said coldly, ?and I won?t play their game. You can stay here but that doesn?t mean I?m your Champion.? He turned away. ?Good night, Relena.?

Climbing the ladder up to his bed, he threw himself down onto the mattress still in his clothes, angry with himself and angry with her for making him believe, if only for an instant, that she could want just him.

* * * *

Someone was shaking him.

?Heero! Wake up, sleepyhead! You?ve already missed your eight o?clock class! Come on, WAKE UP!?

He jerked upright in bed, suddenly wide awake with ears ringing from the shout that still echoed in the room. Hilde was balanced on the bed ladder, hands on her waist, her mouth open as if she was about to shout again. When she saw he was up she managed to rein herself in and settle for a look that was half worry and half annoyance.

?Heero, what?s going on? A girl from your Biology class said that you hadn?t made it in this morning and then Relena said that you had had a long night and had probably slept in.? She frowned. ?How did she know that, Heero??

Looking over the side of the bed, his eyes met Relena?s neatly folded coverlet. ?Relena. Where is she??

Hilde was watching him carefully but he ignored her as he jumped down from the side of the bed. ?She?s in the kitchen making us something to eat. Heero, what?s going on between you two??

He glanced at her briefly before picking up his uniform jacket and slipping it over his rumpled white shirt. The books for his next class were on his desk and he dropped them into his satchel before clicking the leather flap shut. ?Nothing?s going on, Hilde. She?s just a friend.?

Hilde crossed her arms over her chest and tapped a foot. ?Heero, come on. Just a friend?? She motioned to the room and for the first time Heero saw that the entire room was straightened and spotless, the low table gleaming and adorned with a crystal vase supporting a single white rose. He stilled upon noticing the flower before dropping tiredly into his desk chair, running both of his hands through his unruly dark hair.

?Heero,? Hilde said worriedly, ?what is it? What?s going on? Did you and Relena have a fight? Is that why you aren?t yourself today??

?What do you mean?? he asked, looking up at her.

?Well, I think it?s obvious that you two are a couple.? She pointed an accusing finger at him suddenly, ?And don?t think I?ll forgive you for not telling me, but if you had a fight you should tell her your sorry. I didn?t think so at first but she seems really nice, if a bit quiet. Plus, she?s making breakfast for you! That must mean she likes you.?

Heero shook his head. ?It?s not what you think, Hilde.?

?Then what is it??

?I?We didn?t have a fight. I said something that I think might have hurt her.?

?She didn?t seem upset this morning,? Hilde answered thoughtfully. Heero snorted.

?No, she wouldn?t, would she? After all, I didn?t tell her to be upset.?

?Now you see here, Heero Yuy,? Hilde said firmly, navy eyes flashing. ?From what I can tell, Relena has been nothing but nice to you.? Her glance at Relena?s bed made it clear what she thought had happened. ?And if you?re being a jerk you should apologize.?

?Hilde? ?

?Good morning, Master Heero, Hilde. I hope you?re hungry,? Relena said as she stepped inside the room bearing a tin tray piled with fluffy biscuits still steaming from the oven, two oranges, and a teapot with two matching china cups. She set the tray on the low table and smiled at him as if last night had never happened and he could almost believe it in the light of her smile.

Hilde clapped her hands together, seeming not to hear Relena?s way of addressing him. ?Wow, this looks great, Relena! I didn?t know you could cook!? She grabbed one of the biscuits and took a bite, grinning widely.

?Yes, I had to learn a few years ago.?

Heero closed his eyes. She had been forced to learn, then.

?Well, these are delicious! Heero, you should try some.?

Instead of obeying, he stood suddenly, grabbing the handle of his satchel. ?I need to get to class. You eat, Hilde, and I?ll see you later this afternoon.? Needing to get away, he hurried out the door, letting it slam shut behind him.

Relena looked down at her feet after he had gone but Hilde growled and shook her fist at the door. ?Ugh, he can be such a?? She didn?t finish her sentence and instead gave an apologetic look to Relena. ?I?m sorry, Relena. He?s usually not so rude. I don?t know what?s gotten into him.?

Relena just smiled comfortingly. ?It?s alright, Hilde. You don?t have to explain. Heero can do whatever he wishes. I would not want him to stay if it made him unhappy.?

?Yes, but??

?Please feel free to stay and eat. I must get to my next class.? She picked up her books, bowed to Hilde and left, closing the door softly behind her. Hilde stood blinking.

?What just happened??

* * * *

?If it cannot break through its shell, the chick will die without truly being born. We are the chick, the world is our egg. If we don?t break the world?s shell, we will die without truly being born. Smash the world?s shell for the Revolution of the world.?

?Nice poetry, Dorothy. I never knew you were artistic.?

Dorothy Catalonia, often called ?The Cat?, turned from her view of the Arena Forest to smile seductively at a man she truly despised. What gave him the right to waltz around as if nothing at all had happened? Didn?t he know the Bride was Engaged to a man not on the Student Council?

?There are many mysteries to me, Duo Maxwell, and I thank the stars every night that you will never know any of them.?

The long-haired duelist put a hand over his heart as if mortally wounded. ?Your words stab me, Dorothy.?

The Cat smiled lazily. ?If only that were true, then I would have one less duelist to defeat.?

Duo nodded as if figuring something out. ?So, that?s why you?re up here.? The braided idiot flung himself down into a chair by the white table. ?Thinking about challenging the new Champion??

Dorothy laughed softly and leaned back against the balcony railing. ?Ah, and deny Wufei a chance at revenge??

Duo frowned, tipping back his chair. ?You mean he?s going to duel for the Bride again??

?Whose to say? I only know what I would do in his situation.?

?And what would that be??

Dorothy looked back at the Forest, the wind tangling in her sunflower hair. ?Why, I take back what was mine, of course.?

* * * *

The dorm was silent when Heero returned later that evening and he headed straight to the dining room to get something to eat. He wasn?t quite ready to go up to his room and see Relena again even though he had spent most of the day thinking about her. No one from the Student Council had approached him between classes even though he had seen Duo far off in the hallway. Perhaps Relena had been mistaken about the others coming to win her.

Shoving open the kitchen door, his stomach growled as he caught a whiff of baking bread in one of the ovens. On the table, three places were set surrounded by heaping plates of food that must have taken hours to prepare. Had Relena done it? Hilde had mentioned that she didn?t take many classes, perhaps she had had time.

?Heero!? The door to the hallway slammed open and Hilde came tripping in, navy blue eyes wide and frantic as she looked around for him. His brows drew together as she ran to his side, pulling on his arm urgently. ?Heero, you have to come! Quickly!?

He dropped his satchel on the floor as Hilde began pulling him out of the room, her face pinched and tense. ?What?s going on? What is it, Hilde??

She pulled at his sleeve harder. ?We were just coming in from picking flowers for the table and he was suddenly blocking our path. He was angry, Heero, and he grabbed her. I tried to stop him but??

Heero felt the blood drain from his face and he quickened his step. ?Who??

Hilde glanced at him. ?Wufei, he grabbed Relena and pushed me away. I think he might hurt her again. Heero, hurry!?

He didn?t have to be told twice. Loping out into the hallway, he slammed his shoulder against the door leading to the rose garden. It flew open, rebounding as it hit the wall, but he was already through, his sight set on two figures standing among the flowers.

?Why won?t you do as I say, Relena?? Wufei?s voice rose angrily as he grabbed her shoulders tightly. Relena watched him warily.

?I?m Engaged to Master Heero now. It?s best if you just forget about me.? She looked away and Wufei flared hotly, a hand reaching out to slap her.

?You little? ?

The Student Council member?s hand slammed against Heero?s upraised forearm and he stopped, stunned. Black eyes met blue and sparks fizzed in the very air. Taking the moment provided, Hilde ran to Relena?s side, slapping away Wufei?s hold on the girl?s shoulder to pull the Rose Bride out of harm?s way.

?Hilde,? Heero said through clenched teeth, ?go inside and call the President of the Student Council. I?m sure he?ll be interested to know that one of his members has been abusing Relena Darlian.?

Hilde looked at him with confusion, not wanting to leave Relena. ?But, Heero??

?It?s alright, Hilde. Just go.?

She nodded after a moment, squeezed Relena?s hand, and hurried back inside, her footsteps fading as the door closed behind her. When he was sure she was out of earshot, Heero dropped his hand and took a step back, letting Wufei catch his balance on his own.

?Even I know your behavior is against the rules, Chang. What do you want?? Heero asked sharply, feeling more than seeing Relena step up to stand beside him.

Wufei put a hand on his waist and Heero?s eyes narrowed at the sword hanging there. ?I?ve come to challenge the Champion,? Chang snapped, ?I?ve come to win what is rightfully mine.?

Heero snorted. ?Challenge all you like, I?m not fighting any more duels. I don?t care about the Rose Bride or your Revolution.?

Relena looked down at the ground and Wufei laughed harshly. ?Oh, really? I should tell you that breaking dueling rules is grounds for dismissal from the Academy.? He smiled slyly. ?I always knew you weren?t a true duelist.?

Heero?s hands fisted at his side. ?At the arena, in an hour, Chang.? He turned on his heel and stalked away, Relena following close behind. Once they were safely inside, he turned to her, meeting her eyes in the deserted corridor.

?I thought?I thought you weren?t going to fight any more duels,? she said, one hand raised against her heart as if she were making a silent wish.

?I don?t have much of a choice. I?ll be kicked out if I don?t.? He shook his head. ?But there?s not a problem. If I lose on purpose I won?t be mired in these stupid duels.?

Relena bowed her head, eyes closed. ?Of course, Master Heero, do as you wish.?

* * * *

The Rose Seal felt cold against his skin as he climbed the spiraling stairs, the wind gusting through his hair as he reached the summit of the Dueling Platform. As he had known she would, Relena awaited him, standing peacefully in her lavender dress that made her big aqua eyes swirl with hidden violet tones. Her long hair tickled his arm as she crossed the Platform to stand in front of him, turning to face Wufei who stood opposite of them, a red rose adorning his coat pocket, completely opposite of the white one in his Heero?s pocket. Heero?s mind cleared of all emotions as it always did before a fight and Relena spread her palms, her voice chiming around them.

?Rose of the noble castle. Power of Peace that sleeps within me. Heed your master and come forth!? A sphere of pure light coalesced under her ribs and the Rose Bride arced backwards, her eyes closing as Heero?s arm cushioned her, a fey wind rising about the two as a sword hilt materialized from the light. A sense of awe rising in him, he lifted his free hand and gripped the hilt tightly, pulling it free of the Bride?s soul, the edge gleaming as he raised it over his head, still supporting Relena with one arm.

?Give me the power to bring the world Revolution.?

Wufei sneered. ?The words mean nothing if the Champion himself doesn?t believe. To play the Prince half-heartedly may cost you your life.? He lunged suddenly, using the movement of drawing his sword to slice at Heero. The Sword of Peacecraft met the blow solidly and blue sparks flew from the impact, both men straining to gain the upper hand. Wufei snarled above the crossed blades. ?You don?t even know what your fighting for and because of that the Rose Bride will be mine.?

The two broke away violently and Heero lifted the Sword. ?I know that all of you are using Relena as some sort of prize in these endless matches. Tell me, Wufei, do you actually believe any girl could be happy about being won in a duel??

The Student Council member growled as they rushed forward again. ?You don?t understand anything, do you? She?s not any girl, she?s the Rose Bride! It?s her fate to bear the Sword of Peacecraft and it?s her fate to be Engaged to whomever wins the duels. Don?t you see? That?s what she is!?

Heero?s Sword vibrated with a blow and with Wufei?s next lunge he saw his chance. In the next few seconds he could lose and be done with the duels forever. He would never again have to be involved with the Council?s games and Relena? Relena would go back to being passed around like a pretty trinket, forced to do the will of her Champion and for a reason even she didn?t know. Just a piece of property as far as Wufei was concerned, a?.plaything to do with as he wished, whenever he wished.

In the next few seconds he could lose?

?Relena.?

Wufei faltered at the name, surprised at the determination that suddenly flashed across his opponent?s face, giving Heero the opportunity to rush forward, blade extended.

Red rose petals exploded into the air and the bells in the bell tower began to ring.

Heero straightened from his lunge, gripping the Sword of Peacecraft in his hand as his gaze met Relena?s, his look softening slightly at the tears welling in her eyes. For a moment, ignoring the defeated Wufei, they were the only two on the Platform, Eternity stretching between them. They stared at each other as if seeing the other for the first time and then the Champion offered his hand to his Bride, the wind tousling his dark hair.

?Let?s go home, Relena.?

Small fingers slid into Heero?s larger ones, his hand closing over them carefully. The Rose Bride smiled.

?As you wish, Heero.?





TBC

[blackrose]

Oh hell, Yuy. You ruined a perfect opportunity for a lemon scene. *sigh*

Heero: WHAT'S WRONG WITH HIM? *points to fanfiction self* You! Hello? How many times do you think I get the chance to sleep with her?

FFHeero: *crosses arms* I won't treat her the same as the others. I won't play their game.

Heero: So treat her better, but still sleep with her. What are you, retarded? Did Duo talk you into doing this to spite me?

FFHeero: *glares*

Heero: Don't give me that look. I *invented* that look. No one does it better than me. *glares*

FFHeero: *glares*

Oh boy.

Hentainess and joking aside. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Yay! I'm really enjoying this Berry-chan!!!

I'm as confuzzled as Heero, but still having a great time. Is there any way for Relena to break out of this 'confinement'? It's interesting that she experiences pain when trying to remember certain details. Someone must have repressed the information? Perhaps?

Methinks they're going to have to go far beyond the school in order to solve some of these mysteries. And when did it all start? Was there a Rose Bride before Relena? Hmmmmmmmm....

And WAAAAAIIII!!! She slept with someone BEFORE Heero! BLASPHEMY! *shudders with Heero at the thought of her and Wufei*

MORE MORE!!!

Love,
Rose

[aku_ryo]

gold chan i dont erally understand entirely whats going on, i havent seenutena although i have heard many good things about it. When will we learn more about what relena actually is, is she like a spirit or soemthign?

I really like your detailed descriptions of the arena, the school and heeros home, they add much more flavour to the story

loving it as always
:razz:
aku aku

[Sissi]

Wow, wonderful chapter, more action and.. Heero and Relena!! Yay! Yup, I have to agree with Rose, the idea of Relena with someone else is...shocking. Hmm, but I am curious to know who would this person be. Will this little question be revealed in the future?

Hmm, Relena knows how to cook? Yummie, yummmie, can't wait to eat some of her biscuits, probably much better than mine. ^^

I can't wait for the enxt chapter.

Sissi

[Sissi]

Wow, wonderful chapter, more action and.. Heero and Relena!! Yay! Yup, I have to agree with Rose, the idea of Relena with someone else is...shocking. Hmm, but I am curious to know who would this person be. Will this little question be revealed in the future?

Hmm, Relena knows how to cook? Yummie, yummmie, can't wait to eat some of her biscuits, probably much better than mine. ^^

I can't wait for the enxt chapter.

Sissi

[wicked]

WOOT! Another chapter and an excellent one too! Although Trowa wasn't in it, I'll live. I think...yep heart's still beating so I must be alive.

While I'm not opposed to Relena sleeping with anyone else beside Heero (you can't banish me from Alternative again Rose!), I am saddened that the poor girl has been forced to do such things. All champions prior to Yuy are despicable, disgusting pieces of trash that must be taken out! Even if it does include Trowa. Baaaaaaaaad champions!!!

Most curious to find out more about this Revolution and all of Rose's questions too.

~Wicked the Henatai Heretic

[Goldberry]

Everyone! *glomp* Thanks so much for your reviews! LOL! You know, I'm beginning to wonder why Heero didn't sleep with Relena too! I mean, COME ON! Who cares about morals! Just do it! ^_^ Anyway, I thought I would give you some answers to your questions! Here we go!

Is there any way for Relena to break out of this 'confinement'? It's interesting that she experiences pain when trying to remember certain details. Someone must have repressed the information? Perhaps?

You are absolutely right! Bingo! Someone did repress the information because, as you might have guessed, Relena is a slave to a system she doesn't really understand. To answer your other question, Relena is the one and only Rose Bride. She doesn't remember a time when she wasn't the Rose Bride, but that's also due to her repressed memories. And there IS a way for her to be free but it involves her staying the Rose Bride. Tee hee. Think about that one, Rose! ^_~

And WAAAAAIIII!!! She slept with someone BEFORE Heero! BLASPHEMY! *shudders with Heero at the thought of her and Wufei*

I know! Dang those Champions! Wufei is a jerk that needs to die! *pounces on Wufei* But just remember that Relena is caught in a position where she MUST do whatever the Champion wants, the reason for which will be revealed later on. So, really, it wasn't Relena that slept with Wufei, but the Rose Bride. And, of course, that very fact is what finally made Heero accept his position as her Champion, to protect her from being used. Soooooo...GO HEERO! *waves Heero flag*

Thanks for the review, Rose! You know I love to hear what you think!

Love ya bunches!
Berry

PS. Don't worry, Wicked! Trowa is going to show up soon!

[blackrose]

LOL! You know, I'm beginning to wonder why Heero didn't sleep with Relena too! I mean, COME ON!

EXACTLY!

You are absolutely right! Bingo! Someone did repress the information because, as you might have guessed, Relena is a slave to a system she doesn't really understand.

*nods nods* Okay, makes sense.

To answer your other question, Relena is the one and only Rose Bride. She doesn't remember a time when she wasn't the Rose Bride, but that's also due to her repressed memories.

I meant before her lifetime. She seems timeless... It makes me wonder how old she really is.

And there IS a way for her to be free but it involves her staying the Rose Bride. Tee hee. Think about that one, Rose! ^_~

Okay. You mean for her to stay the Rose Bride for NOW, or forEVER. Because for NOW makes sense. She stays Heero's bride, he fights to free her. Which, I could go into all the heavy stuff that encompasses, but I'm trying to decide whether to spare everyone my useless contemplative drivel.

Nah, you shall all suffer with me.

So, he doesn't KNOW Relena. Who she is apart from the Rose Bride. AS the Rose Bride, she's a complacent shell, or little more than one. To wish to FREE her, he's taking an awful risk. Because she may not love him when she's free, and he may not love her true personality. Yet he will do so anyway. Why?

Sense of honor. Sense of duty. Sense of morality. Maybe he's just a noble kinda guy. I'm not suggesting he's not. But to fight to the end of the universe (cuz I'm sure this goes further than their school) for sense of duty.... When you get tired of fighting, duty doesn't push you all the way through. It will propel you forward to the edge of your limits. But what will push you beyond your limits is only love. And can he love the Rose Bride? TRULY love her, the real her? Enough to free her, take a chance, and possibly have to let her go?

//end contemplative drivel//

I know! Dang those Champions! Wufei is a jerk that needs to die!

*sighs and tries not to think about that*

I had figured out some way to keep the champions from doing such a thing too easily. Darn you for not reading my mind. *sulks* So, she was forced to sleep with them. ICK! Guess she's not able to have children?

And who gets to marry the Rose Bride? Or is she forever engaged?

And, of course, that very fact is what finally made Heero accept his position as her Champion, to protect her from being used. Soooooo...GO HEERO! *waves Heero flag*

HUZZAH!

Thanks for the review, Rose! You know I love to hear what you think!

Ha! Say that now - after having to read my contemplative drivel. Nyah!

PS. Don't worry, Wicked! Trowa is going to show up soon!

Hey Wicked! You left Trowa out of your Hellsing fics. When is he going to show up in those?

*snickers and runs away from a mad Wicked*

Love,
Rose

[Goldberry]

LOL! *wipes tears from her eyes* Rose, I just read your contemplative drivel and I STILL love to hear what you think! So what do you say to that?

Rose: Uhm....
Berry: Exactly.

Tee hee. And you want to know what my answer is to all your questions?

Rose: *eyes Berry warily* What?
Berry: *grins* You'll just have to wait and see!
Rose: ARGH! Don't make me get the noodle of death!
Berry: *blinks*

Awww, don't worry, Rose! It will all work out, I promise! *pats Rose* Relena has to stay the Rose Bride FOR NOW and Heero has to realize for himself just what he's fighting for, whether its for his ideals, for the Rose Bride, for his mother, or for the real Relena's freedom. After all, he has seen some flashes of her true personality (ie. the crying after the second duel with Wufei) but the choice is still before him. In fact, even he won't really know what he truly wants until the very last chapter. Right now he's simply fighting in order to stay in school, to protect the Rose Bride and find out more about her, and because his mother gave him the Rose Seal. But eventually, he WILL learn everything and it is then that he will make his decision. But you know how I am, Rose, 1xR all the way so I'm sure you can guess what kind of ending there will be. How we get there, however, is going to be the fun of it!

So relax and enjoy, Rose! You know I take good care of Heero and Relena. *huggles chibi-heero* Awww, isn't he just sooo cute?

Thanks for all your thought into the story, Rose! Actually, working things out with you helps ME to understand everything. ^_^

*glomps Rose*
Berry


PS. Oops, forgot to answer one question. Relena can't have children, not while she's the Rose Bride. She's still just a regular girl underneath everthing, but while she's the Rose Bride she's been given certain powers, which is why she appears to be so mysterious and magical. In the end, though, she's just Relena Darlian.

*waves Heero flag*

[wicked]

PS. Don't worry, Wicked! Trowa is going to show up soon!

*sighs happily* Okay!!! So, uh, where is he? Oh and is he good? If so, did he ever sleep with the Rose Bride or was it all Wufei? Or hey! You could just let the Rose Bride sleep with Quatre too!!!!!

*cackles at the thought of torturing Rose with a 4xR moment*

Hey Wicked! You left Trowa out of your Hellsing fics. When is he going to show up in those?

*snickers and runs away from a mad Wicked*

*head snaps up as she hears her name* Oh hello Rose. I didn't see you there. Heh-heh. Don't mind my ramblings to Berry. Heh-heh.

As for my Hellsing fics *must drool for Alucard's sake*, Trowa's presence is not *gasp* warranted or *double gasp* needed. It's currently all about the vamp and the master. But if you'd like, he can make an appearance. *snickers right back at Rose* I mean, Alucard does have competition after all in Pride. Oh the possibilities!!!!

~Wicked