Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing. It belongs to Sunrise and the person who made it. I don't own the songs (True Reflection) either.
Caught In An Endless Waltz
Measure 1 - True Reflection
Relena Darlian Peacecraft sat at rosewood desk, intricately carved with roses, doves, angels, and young budding plants, green with new life. Signs of peace, life and beauty. Her office was beautifully furnished with rare and exotic woods and fabrics. The set of couches, recliners, and loveseats were a deep, rich red velvet. Famous paintings adorned the office walls, many worth a fortune. But to her, it was a prison. On her untidy desk stood a towering pile of papers, covering the beautiful wood. She was to look over and sign them. All of those papers affected the lives of people around the world and in the colonies. But did they care about her? The person inside the Vice Foreign Minister Darlian they saw on TV? But it was her job. And it would be her death.
She just couldn't stand it anymore. Emotions played with her mind and heart. Sighing, looked outside through one of the large windows framing her office. Brussels was beautiful, with its soaring skyscrapers and old, historic buildings. A blanket of stars and night swept over the sky, covering the light blue sheet, embroidered with clouds, that was the day. The sun set, melting into the horizon, was a brilliant celestial ball. Swirls of pigment covered the retreating blue sky, like an artist's canvas. A bit of lavender there, a dab of pale pink here, some citrus colored orange there, and so on.
Then her thoughts turned to him, as always. The perfect soldier, the only man she had ever loved, and ever will. A stoic, trained assassin. The unrelenting pilot of a deadly machine, gundam Wing Zero. Heero Yuy. She remembered his unruly chocolate brown hair. His cold, unfeeling prussian blue eyes. They were the barrier he had set up to block out all emotions. But deep inside, she knew that there was still humanity left in him, if not enough to make him change. He had feelings. He wasn't the perfect soldier, nor would anyone ever be. Every time Relena saw him, it gave her a sliver of hope. Hope that he would change and become the person that he could have been. Her body sighed with disappointment. Relena wanted to give up, and void all thoughts of him from her mind. But it was no use. She had been trying to do that for the last four years with no success. Her heart would never give up on Heero, nor would her soul.
"Heero..." Relena whispered his name longingly, with a sigh. The last time she had seen him was four years ago, when she was making her speech, shortly after the Mariemaia incident.
Flashback
"The Mars' terraformation project will benefit all the colonies, as well as the Earth. I hope you will consider this project carefully and allow it to proceed..." I went on with my speech, but I couldn't help but notice that there was a slight disturbance in the curtains above me, to my left. Where Heero had been. He had just come back into my life, and now, he's left again.
'Goodbye Heero...'
End of Flashback
Ever since that day, she had never seen him again. Every once in a while, she would hear a little on where he was last seen, but no more.
"Your highness?" She turned around, surprised, and looked for who had interrupted her thoughts. Mary, her secretary, walked in. She wore a somber face, which went perfectly well with her gloomy attire.
"Please don't call me that."
"Miss. Darlian, someone's here to see you."
"Let them in, please."
The door clicked as Mary welcomed the visitor, ushering them in. She had just finished her conference with the L3 colony governors. It was probably another governor of one of the colonies on L2. Most of the recent visits had been from L2. They all wanted her to become the real Queen of the World, and not the symbol she was now. To take control. To maintain the peace. Vice Foreign Minister was all she could handle. Nothing more. These days, she just wished that she could just quit her life, as easily as you would a game. Quit her love for Heero. Quit her job. Start over. But she couldn't; she wouldn't ever be able to let go of Heero, even though he had never had any feelings toward her. But he was just too much to her. Then there was the threat of war and complete chaos if she left. And what if the next Vice Foreign Minister was a blood thirsty war leader? They could undo all the peace she had worked so hard for. She couldn't let go, not now. Maybe never.
"Miss. Relena?" A girl's voice cut through her thoughts.
"Mariemaia?" Relena geustered for Treize Khushrenada's daughter to sit down in one of the many chairs in her office. "Welcome. Please sit down."
"Miss. Relena," Mariemaia stated firmly, but sweetly, "I came here to ask you something." Then she gracefully lowered herself down onto a sleek rosewood chair.
She definitely is Treize's daughter. The way she holds her chin high, full of pride. And her grace. No doubt there.
"Yes, Mariemaia?"
"Could I," She asked in a persuasive tone, "become a Preventer?"
"Mariemaia," Relena walked over to where Mariemaia was sitting, and crouched down to her eye level, "You can be anybody you want to be. A Preventer. A respected diplomat. A world leader. You have all the potential in you. But, I'm only the Vice Foreign Minister. You'll have to ask Lady Une or Noin. They're Preventers. I'm not."
"Miss. Relena. I'm sure that your say would be valuable to me. After all, you are the Queen of the World."
"Vice Foreign Minister," Relena corrected, "I don't interfere with others' business. I could, however, arrange a meeting between you and Noin. She's is quite busy these days."
Mariemaia's eyes lit up. Soon, they were filled with gratitude.
She's changed so much for the better.
"You can?"
"Yes. In fact, I'll take you to her office now."
As they left the room, Mariemaia turned around.
"Thank you, Miss. Relena."
"Anytime, Mariemaia."
Relena led Mariemaia through a maze of a government building. There were countless offices and waiting areas. As they passed a secretary desk, a voice stopped them.
"I'm sorry. Lady Noin will not be able to see you at this time."
"I feel this is quite urgent. It would be greatly appreciated if -"
"I'm sorry," the secretary cut her off, "Lady Noin is unable to see you at this moment."
Relena continued, "If I could see my sister-in-law right now."
"Queen Relena! I'm sorry!"
Relena just smiled and walked off with Mariemaia following closely behind her. Finally, they approached a dark brown, sturdy oak door. It was simple, yet beautiful. Intricate designs were carved into the thick wood. Noin Peacecraft. Relena knocked on the door.
"I'm sorry, Wufei. Please be patient while I get the door."
The door opened with a click. A suprised dark haired woman welcomed them in.
"Noin."
"Relena. Mariemaia. Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Actually, its Mariemaia that has something to ask you."
"Mariemaia?"
"Lady Noin..." Mariemaia continued her proposal while Relena seated herself on the couch, across from Wufei. A familiar friend came up and greeted them. Silence.
"So," Relena started, breaking the fragile silence, " Wufei. I haven't seen you in a long time. How's it going with the Preventers?"
"Fine, onna."
He hasn't changed one bit. Smiling, I continued my efforts to start a conversation.
"How's Sally?"
"Fine." Dead, complete silence followed like a shadow. For ten minutes we faced each other in the silence, each examining the other.
He wore his normal customary outfit, white Chinese slacks and a black shirt with a dragon embroidered on. His Preventers jacket was slung over the edge of the sofa. Suddenly a hopeful thought popped into my mind.
"Have you heard anything from Heero?" I had tried to disguise all my hope, and yearning to hear that he had come back.
Shit. I was hoping she wouldn't ask. Stupid onna. Always asks that. Never loses hope. I always have to disappoint her. But he disappoints all of us. Damn you Heero Yuy!
"No."
Wufei saw her smile slowly fade away, even though she had tried to hide it. Tears formed in her eyes.
"Well I have to go." Gracefully she stood up to left; but he could tell that she wanted to cry. Just run somewhere and cry. Weak woman.
"Bye."
"Bye."
As Relena left, she waved goodbye to Noin.
Mariemaia would make a wonderful Preventer.
Then she saw a single tear cascade down her delicate cheek. She looked at Wufei for conformation, hoping that it was something else that had made her cry. Wufei looked up to meet Noin's gaze, his eyes full of regret and compassion.
"Sorry you had to break it to her. Again."
"Nah. I could do a better job than any woman."
Poor Wufei. That's what he hides behind: insults. If Zechs where here, he would be screaming that Yuy wasn't good enough to cry over, and that if he ever came back, Zechs would send him running.
Noin smiled at the thought of her husband chasing the perfect soldier out of the house she shared with him and Relena.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Slowly, Relena walked back to her office, bursting with sadness. As she passed, people looked at her and whispered to each other. They nudged each other, pointing at her, acknowledging her powerful presence, every one of them with a inhibited respectfulness. Each pitiful moment held more and more sorrow for her. Finally, after what seemed like ages, she arrived back at her office. The very wood that made up her door seemed to shrink at the sight of her and shyly creak in her presence. The door opened timidly; as if it held forbidden secrets, age old sorrow, and horrifying tales that it had never revealed to anyone.
Respect. How she hated that word. How she hated it. She got that from everyone; when she never wanted it consistently. Throng after throng of people all treated her with a profound respect; not one person treated her as a human being. Was she really only a symbol? Was she really only the Earth and colonies' "Dove of Peace"? They were tearing her apart. Not one of these people had ever experienced the deep, throbbing pain that she felt and tore apart her very soul. Never experienced how it felt to be treated like a statue, like a valuable object to admire and desire. She had flesh. She had blood. She had feelings! Did the people even possibly think of her as a teenage girl? Or just a pacifist that maintained the fragile peace in their world? Or an ideal person, a role model, a perfect human. She wasn't perfect. She didn't want to be perfect. She wanted to feel human!
That indescribably agonizing pain only existed in her soul. It never drifted past the mask of a perfectly content figure she wore. She couldn't. Then they would hate her. Then there would be war. Either that or they would try to fix her up like a plaything; a dress up doll.
A person rushing past bumped into her figure standing in front of her open door. Without apologizing, they sped off, leaving her face down on the ground, thoughts interrupted. At least that person had treated her like a human. With rudeness, but without the usual key ingredient that she hated - respect.
Realizing she had been standing there for a few minutes, Relena sat down behind the fine rosewood desk. Immediately, in habit, she began to look over some papers; but her mind always went back to think of Heero. She just couldn't forget him. Where was Heero? Was he ever going to come back to her? Did he already forget her? Sighing, Relena resumed her task, but soon after, her thoughts turned back to Heero. Giving up, she walked over to the sofa and laid down. Those cold prussian blue eyes. That distinct, unruly hair.
"Heero..."
Tears spilled down her cheeks. She wanted to scream, but instead she tried to focus her thoughts on Mariemaia. She was young, but had lost all of her innocence to Dekim Barton. But she had a choice, she could become a Preventer, or be anything she wanted to be. Relena never had had that choice And she never would. She was born with a birthright to the Sank Kingdom. She had been the heir, before it as destroyed. She was the Queen of the Sank Kingdom, but it no longer existed. And now she was the so-called Queen of the World. When would this nightmare end?
Relena wanted to be an a regular teenage girl with friends to hang out with and talk to, to go to high school, to have boyfriend troubles...but she didn't have a boyfriend. She certainly didn't have Heero. Sometimes, she felt so alone; isolated from the rest of society.
She walked over to a window and stared outside. The sky was dark, but the soft glow of the stars illuminated the heavens. The street lights and signs lit up the Earth. It was so beautiful, but she wished she had Heero to share this sight with.
"Miss. Darlian, your brother has come to take you and Lady Noin back to your palace." Mary's voice cut through her thoughts.
"Very well."
Relena bundled up her papers and shoved them into her suitcase. Taking one last peek at the beautiful night sky, she walked out of her office. Making twists and turns, she finally arrived at the front of the building. Noin and a tall blonde man was at her side, holding her hand in his, and smiling. His platinum blonde hair fell below his shoulders, he had a regal, but loving, look on his face.
"Relena," Zechs asked, while opening the door, " did you have a good conference?"
"Not necessarily. They are quite stubborn, the governors of L3."
"Too stubborn, I think."
Relena smiled at Noin's comment. The sleek silver limousine headed in the direction of the airport, where they would head for the Peacecraft residential palace in Seattle, Washington.
When they arrived at the airport, they were surrounded by a horde of reporters who were taking pictures, asking questions, and jotting down notes.
"Vice Foreign Minister Darlian," asked a reporter, "what is your view on building new colonies?"
"I will address that issue later at the ESUN conference on Friday."
Zechs, Noin, and Relena continued to walk through the airport until we arrived at the gate from which our private jet was waiting. They quickly boarded the plane, and sat themselves down in the comfortable chairs.
"Relena, thanks a lot for bringing Mariemaia to me today. She'll be a great Preventer."
"Sure. After all she wanted to become one. I couldn't deny her that."
"Treize would be very pleased."
"I'm sure he would."
The flight was quite long, but Relena was used to it. As they hovered over the moonstruck clouds, stars glittered in the dark sky. She just stared out of the window all the way Seattle. As they passed over southern Washington, trees blanketed the hills and mountains. The green trees were a similar shade to that of Heero's tank top, the one he always wore. The dark blue sky was as cold and as infinite as Heero's intense, emotionless eyes.
"We're here, Relena." Noin's voice seemed so distant in this endless night. So near, yet so far. A chill ran down her back. Relena sat up and wordlessly sauntered out of the jet after her sister-in-law.
The moonlight reflected off the pearly white limousine waiting for them in the front of the crowded airport. Flashes of light appeared constantly, making it hard for Relena to see. Then she was attacked by a mob of reporters, yelling questions that were jumbled up in the chaotic atmosphere of the busy airport. Milliardo grabbed my arm, and we virtually ran to the limo.
"Damned reporters. Damned paparazzi!"
"Milliardo, honey, its fine now, no need to worry." Noin rested her dark head in the crook of his neck. Closing her eyes paecefully, Noin was soon galling into a deep slumber, with Milliardo following close behind.
Silence followed. All Relena could hear was the steady thump of Noin and Milliardo's hearts, pumping life-giving blood, and the unwavering sound of everyone's lungs filling with air, then pushing the unwanted gases out. Stillness ordained; enveloping them in its frigid embrace.
Little droplets of water sprinkled the glass with transparent little dots slowly making their way down the window. Soon the rain began to pound furiously at the glass, demanding entrance. The thunder crackled menacingly outside, while the lightning threw itself at the ground, sending shrill screams into the crisp night air. Relena shivered.
She desperately wanted Heero to be with her. To tell her everything was all right, that he was here. To hold her close to him, to be in his warm, comforting embrace. To hear his heart pounding up against her body. Her mind crying out to him, tears fell out of her eyes. The little drops of salty water reflected the brilliant, forever traveling light of the ageless stars. Crumbling with defeat, exhaustion, and grief, her tears cascaded down her cheeks in a sparkling waterfall. Playing, the light created a blanket of starlight, concealing her body behind an illusion of exhilaration and beauty. Tearing the delicate blanket apart, she buried her head in her hands. Her mind wanting to spill out a cry of distress into the lonesome night, she opened her mouth, only to discover that it refused to budge.
A gust of air suddenly struck her, chilling her to her bare bones. It crept up her back, slowly and stealthily like a spider. Or a lifeless hand progressing up her back, with every intention harmful. Danger, the wind whispered to her, hauntingly. Danger.
The limousine swerved to one side, and then to another. Making a zigzag path on the empty bridge, the limo tripped over invisible obstacles on the slick road. Losing control, the limousine was sent crashing into the cold, metal rails bordering the shivering road.
Down, we went. Never stopping, just falling. It was amazing to Relena how a mere three seconds could seem as long as eternity. She didn't even scream. It seemed as if the pressure of wind and water pushing against her had knocked all the air out of her lungs. Wordlessly, she dropped into the water, filling up her lungs with polluted lake water. Trying to breathe, she only got more water in her lungs. She couldn't breathe anymore. Relena wanted to wake up, and just regard this as a unreal, insignificant dream. But it was all too real. A figure appeared above the rippled surface of the lake. She began to reach for it but then she stopped. Wasn't this what she had wanted? Wasn't this what she had yearned for earlier in the day? Had the Fates truly fulfilled her request? Her body suddenly went limp; her arm trailed gracefully behind the rest of her. Floating down like a ribbon falling through air, Relena lost consciousness.
Authors Note: There was some angst, and there'll probably be more. It you don't like angst, tell me. Please Review!!! I'm a bad reader too - sometimes I don't review (k, more like a lot) but please, just take the small amount of time to review!!! I'm just going to put in the names of songs that sorta go with the content of the story. If you have any good song titles, please tell me. I know there isn't a lot of romance in this chapter, but this could be like a prequel. Again, please review!!!
Caught In An Endless Waltz
Measure 1 - True Reflection
Relena Darlian Peacecraft sat at rosewood desk, intricately carved with roses, doves, angels, and young budding plants, green with new life. Signs of peace, life and beauty. Her office was beautifully furnished with rare and exotic woods and fabrics. The set of couches, recliners, and loveseats were a deep, rich red velvet. Famous paintings adorned the office walls, many worth a fortune. But to her, it was a prison. On her untidy desk stood a towering pile of papers, covering the beautiful wood. She was to look over and sign them. All of those papers affected the lives of people around the world and in the colonies. But did they care about her? The person inside the Vice Foreign Minister Darlian they saw on TV? But it was her job. And it would be her death.
She just couldn't stand it anymore. Emotions played with her mind and heart. Sighing, looked outside through one of the large windows framing her office. Brussels was beautiful, with its soaring skyscrapers and old, historic buildings. A blanket of stars and night swept over the sky, covering the light blue sheet, embroidered with clouds, that was the day. The sun set, melting into the horizon, was a brilliant celestial ball. Swirls of pigment covered the retreating blue sky, like an artist's canvas. A bit of lavender there, a dab of pale pink here, some citrus colored orange there, and so on.
Then her thoughts turned to him, as always. The perfect soldier, the only man she had ever loved, and ever will. A stoic, trained assassin. The unrelenting pilot of a deadly machine, gundam Wing Zero. Heero Yuy. She remembered his unruly chocolate brown hair. His cold, unfeeling prussian blue eyes. They were the barrier he had set up to block out all emotions. But deep inside, she knew that there was still humanity left in him, if not enough to make him change. He had feelings. He wasn't the perfect soldier, nor would anyone ever be. Every time Relena saw him, it gave her a sliver of hope. Hope that he would change and become the person that he could have been. Her body sighed with disappointment. Relena wanted to give up, and void all thoughts of him from her mind. But it was no use. She had been trying to do that for the last four years with no success. Her heart would never give up on Heero, nor would her soul.
"Heero..." Relena whispered his name longingly, with a sigh. The last time she had seen him was four years ago, when she was making her speech, shortly after the Mariemaia incident.
Flashback
"The Mars' terraformation project will benefit all the colonies, as well as the Earth. I hope you will consider this project carefully and allow it to proceed..." I went on with my speech, but I couldn't help but notice that there was a slight disturbance in the curtains above me, to my left. Where Heero had been. He had just come back into my life, and now, he's left again.
'Goodbye Heero...'
End of Flashback
Ever since that day, she had never seen him again. Every once in a while, she would hear a little on where he was last seen, but no more.
"Your highness?" She turned around, surprised, and looked for who had interrupted her thoughts. Mary, her secretary, walked in. She wore a somber face, which went perfectly well with her gloomy attire.
"Please don't call me that."
"Miss. Darlian, someone's here to see you."
"Let them in, please."
The door clicked as Mary welcomed the visitor, ushering them in. She had just finished her conference with the L3 colony governors. It was probably another governor of one of the colonies on L2. Most of the recent visits had been from L2. They all wanted her to become the real Queen of the World, and not the symbol she was now. To take control. To maintain the peace. Vice Foreign Minister was all she could handle. Nothing more. These days, she just wished that she could just quit her life, as easily as you would a game. Quit her love for Heero. Quit her job. Start over. But she couldn't; she wouldn't ever be able to let go of Heero, even though he had never had any feelings toward her. But he was just too much to her. Then there was the threat of war and complete chaos if she left. And what if the next Vice Foreign Minister was a blood thirsty war leader? They could undo all the peace she had worked so hard for. She couldn't let go, not now. Maybe never.
"Miss. Relena?" A girl's voice cut through her thoughts.
"Mariemaia?" Relena geustered for Treize Khushrenada's daughter to sit down in one of the many chairs in her office. "Welcome. Please sit down."
"Miss. Relena," Mariemaia stated firmly, but sweetly, "I came here to ask you something." Then she gracefully lowered herself down onto a sleek rosewood chair.
She definitely is Treize's daughter. The way she holds her chin high, full of pride. And her grace. No doubt there.
"Yes, Mariemaia?"
"Could I," She asked in a persuasive tone, "become a Preventer?"
"Mariemaia," Relena walked over to where Mariemaia was sitting, and crouched down to her eye level, "You can be anybody you want to be. A Preventer. A respected diplomat. A world leader. You have all the potential in you. But, I'm only the Vice Foreign Minister. You'll have to ask Lady Une or Noin. They're Preventers. I'm not."
"Miss. Relena. I'm sure that your say would be valuable to me. After all, you are the Queen of the World."
"Vice Foreign Minister," Relena corrected, "I don't interfere with others' business. I could, however, arrange a meeting between you and Noin. She's is quite busy these days."
Mariemaia's eyes lit up. Soon, they were filled with gratitude.
She's changed so much for the better.
"You can?"
"Yes. In fact, I'll take you to her office now."
As they left the room, Mariemaia turned around.
"Thank you, Miss. Relena."
"Anytime, Mariemaia."
Relena led Mariemaia through a maze of a government building. There were countless offices and waiting areas. As they passed a secretary desk, a voice stopped them.
"I'm sorry. Lady Noin will not be able to see you at this time."
"I feel this is quite urgent. It would be greatly appreciated if -"
"I'm sorry," the secretary cut her off, "Lady Noin is unable to see you at this moment."
Relena continued, "If I could see my sister-in-law right now."
"Queen Relena! I'm sorry!"
Relena just smiled and walked off with Mariemaia following closely behind her. Finally, they approached a dark brown, sturdy oak door. It was simple, yet beautiful. Intricate designs were carved into the thick wood. Noin Peacecraft. Relena knocked on the door.
"I'm sorry, Wufei. Please be patient while I get the door."
The door opened with a click. A suprised dark haired woman welcomed them in.
"Noin."
"Relena. Mariemaia. Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Actually, its Mariemaia that has something to ask you."
"Mariemaia?"
"Lady Noin..." Mariemaia continued her proposal while Relena seated herself on the couch, across from Wufei. A familiar friend came up and greeted them. Silence.
"So," Relena started, breaking the fragile silence, " Wufei. I haven't seen you in a long time. How's it going with the Preventers?"
"Fine, onna."
He hasn't changed one bit. Smiling, I continued my efforts to start a conversation.
"How's Sally?"
"Fine." Dead, complete silence followed like a shadow. For ten minutes we faced each other in the silence, each examining the other.
He wore his normal customary outfit, white Chinese slacks and a black shirt with a dragon embroidered on. His Preventers jacket was slung over the edge of the sofa. Suddenly a hopeful thought popped into my mind.
"Have you heard anything from Heero?" I had tried to disguise all my hope, and yearning to hear that he had come back.
Shit. I was hoping she wouldn't ask. Stupid onna. Always asks that. Never loses hope. I always have to disappoint her. But he disappoints all of us. Damn you Heero Yuy!
"No."
Wufei saw her smile slowly fade away, even though she had tried to hide it. Tears formed in her eyes.
"Well I have to go." Gracefully she stood up to left; but he could tell that she wanted to cry. Just run somewhere and cry. Weak woman.
"Bye."
"Bye."
As Relena left, she waved goodbye to Noin.
Mariemaia would make a wonderful Preventer.
Then she saw a single tear cascade down her delicate cheek. She looked at Wufei for conformation, hoping that it was something else that had made her cry. Wufei looked up to meet Noin's gaze, his eyes full of regret and compassion.
"Sorry you had to break it to her. Again."
"Nah. I could do a better job than any woman."
Poor Wufei. That's what he hides behind: insults. If Zechs where here, he would be screaming that Yuy wasn't good enough to cry over, and that if he ever came back, Zechs would send him running.
Noin smiled at the thought of her husband chasing the perfect soldier out of the house she shared with him and Relena.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Slowly, Relena walked back to her office, bursting with sadness. As she passed, people looked at her and whispered to each other. They nudged each other, pointing at her, acknowledging her powerful presence, every one of them with a inhibited respectfulness. Each pitiful moment held more and more sorrow for her. Finally, after what seemed like ages, she arrived back at her office. The very wood that made up her door seemed to shrink at the sight of her and shyly creak in her presence. The door opened timidly; as if it held forbidden secrets, age old sorrow, and horrifying tales that it had never revealed to anyone.
Respect. How she hated that word. How she hated it. She got that from everyone; when she never wanted it consistently. Throng after throng of people all treated her with a profound respect; not one person treated her as a human being. Was she really only a symbol? Was she really only the Earth and colonies' "Dove of Peace"? They were tearing her apart. Not one of these people had ever experienced the deep, throbbing pain that she felt and tore apart her very soul. Never experienced how it felt to be treated like a statue, like a valuable object to admire and desire. She had flesh. She had blood. She had feelings! Did the people even possibly think of her as a teenage girl? Or just a pacifist that maintained the fragile peace in their world? Or an ideal person, a role model, a perfect human. She wasn't perfect. She didn't want to be perfect. She wanted to feel human!
That indescribably agonizing pain only existed in her soul. It never drifted past the mask of a perfectly content figure she wore. She couldn't. Then they would hate her. Then there would be war. Either that or they would try to fix her up like a plaything; a dress up doll.
A person rushing past bumped into her figure standing in front of her open door. Without apologizing, they sped off, leaving her face down on the ground, thoughts interrupted. At least that person had treated her like a human. With rudeness, but without the usual key ingredient that she hated - respect.
Realizing she had been standing there for a few minutes, Relena sat down behind the fine rosewood desk. Immediately, in habit, she began to look over some papers; but her mind always went back to think of Heero. She just couldn't forget him. Where was Heero? Was he ever going to come back to her? Did he already forget her? Sighing, Relena resumed her task, but soon after, her thoughts turned back to Heero. Giving up, she walked over to the sofa and laid down. Those cold prussian blue eyes. That distinct, unruly hair.
"Heero..."
Tears spilled down her cheeks. She wanted to scream, but instead she tried to focus her thoughts on Mariemaia. She was young, but had lost all of her innocence to Dekim Barton. But she had a choice, she could become a Preventer, or be anything she wanted to be. Relena never had had that choice And she never would. She was born with a birthright to the Sank Kingdom. She had been the heir, before it as destroyed. She was the Queen of the Sank Kingdom, but it no longer existed. And now she was the so-called Queen of the World. When would this nightmare end?
Relena wanted to be an a regular teenage girl with friends to hang out with and talk to, to go to high school, to have boyfriend troubles...but she didn't have a boyfriend. She certainly didn't have Heero. Sometimes, she felt so alone; isolated from the rest of society.
She walked over to a window and stared outside. The sky was dark, but the soft glow of the stars illuminated the heavens. The street lights and signs lit up the Earth. It was so beautiful, but she wished she had Heero to share this sight with.
"Miss. Darlian, your brother has come to take you and Lady Noin back to your palace." Mary's voice cut through her thoughts.
"Very well."
Relena bundled up her papers and shoved them into her suitcase. Taking one last peek at the beautiful night sky, she walked out of her office. Making twists and turns, she finally arrived at the front of the building. Noin and a tall blonde man was at her side, holding her hand in his, and smiling. His platinum blonde hair fell below his shoulders, he had a regal, but loving, look on his face.
"Relena," Zechs asked, while opening the door, " did you have a good conference?"
"Not necessarily. They are quite stubborn, the governors of L3."
"Too stubborn, I think."
Relena smiled at Noin's comment. The sleek silver limousine headed in the direction of the airport, where they would head for the Peacecraft residential palace in Seattle, Washington.
When they arrived at the airport, they were surrounded by a horde of reporters who were taking pictures, asking questions, and jotting down notes.
"Vice Foreign Minister Darlian," asked a reporter, "what is your view on building new colonies?"
"I will address that issue later at the ESUN conference on Friday."
Zechs, Noin, and Relena continued to walk through the airport until we arrived at the gate from which our private jet was waiting. They quickly boarded the plane, and sat themselves down in the comfortable chairs.
"Relena, thanks a lot for bringing Mariemaia to me today. She'll be a great Preventer."
"Sure. After all she wanted to become one. I couldn't deny her that."
"Treize would be very pleased."
"I'm sure he would."
The flight was quite long, but Relena was used to it. As they hovered over the moonstruck clouds, stars glittered in the dark sky. She just stared out of the window all the way Seattle. As they passed over southern Washington, trees blanketed the hills and mountains. The green trees were a similar shade to that of Heero's tank top, the one he always wore. The dark blue sky was as cold and as infinite as Heero's intense, emotionless eyes.
"We're here, Relena." Noin's voice seemed so distant in this endless night. So near, yet so far. A chill ran down her back. Relena sat up and wordlessly sauntered out of the jet after her sister-in-law.
The moonlight reflected off the pearly white limousine waiting for them in the front of the crowded airport. Flashes of light appeared constantly, making it hard for Relena to see. Then she was attacked by a mob of reporters, yelling questions that were jumbled up in the chaotic atmosphere of the busy airport. Milliardo grabbed my arm, and we virtually ran to the limo.
"Damned reporters. Damned paparazzi!"
"Milliardo, honey, its fine now, no need to worry." Noin rested her dark head in the crook of his neck. Closing her eyes paecefully, Noin was soon galling into a deep slumber, with Milliardo following close behind.
Silence followed. All Relena could hear was the steady thump of Noin and Milliardo's hearts, pumping life-giving blood, and the unwavering sound of everyone's lungs filling with air, then pushing the unwanted gases out. Stillness ordained; enveloping them in its frigid embrace.
Little droplets of water sprinkled the glass with transparent little dots slowly making their way down the window. Soon the rain began to pound furiously at the glass, demanding entrance. The thunder crackled menacingly outside, while the lightning threw itself at the ground, sending shrill screams into the crisp night air. Relena shivered.
She desperately wanted Heero to be with her. To tell her everything was all right, that he was here. To hold her close to him, to be in his warm, comforting embrace. To hear his heart pounding up against her body. Her mind crying out to him, tears fell out of her eyes. The little drops of salty water reflected the brilliant, forever traveling light of the ageless stars. Crumbling with defeat, exhaustion, and grief, her tears cascaded down her cheeks in a sparkling waterfall. Playing, the light created a blanket of starlight, concealing her body behind an illusion of exhilaration and beauty. Tearing the delicate blanket apart, she buried her head in her hands. Her mind wanting to spill out a cry of distress into the lonesome night, she opened her mouth, only to discover that it refused to budge.
A gust of air suddenly struck her, chilling her to her bare bones. It crept up her back, slowly and stealthily like a spider. Or a lifeless hand progressing up her back, with every intention harmful. Danger, the wind whispered to her, hauntingly. Danger.
The limousine swerved to one side, and then to another. Making a zigzag path on the empty bridge, the limo tripped over invisible obstacles on the slick road. Losing control, the limousine was sent crashing into the cold, metal rails bordering the shivering road.
Down, we went. Never stopping, just falling. It was amazing to Relena how a mere three seconds could seem as long as eternity. She didn't even scream. It seemed as if the pressure of wind and water pushing against her had knocked all the air out of her lungs. Wordlessly, she dropped into the water, filling up her lungs with polluted lake water. Trying to breathe, she only got more water in her lungs. She couldn't breathe anymore. Relena wanted to wake up, and just regard this as a unreal, insignificant dream. But it was all too real. A figure appeared above the rippled surface of the lake. She began to reach for it but then she stopped. Wasn't this what she had wanted? Wasn't this what she had yearned for earlier in the day? Had the Fates truly fulfilled her request? Her body suddenly went limp; her arm trailed gracefully behind the rest of her. Floating down like a ribbon falling through air, Relena lost consciousness.
Authors Note: There was some angst, and there'll probably be more. It you don't like angst, tell me. Please Review!!! I'm a bad reader too - sometimes I don't review (k, more like a lot) but please, just take the small amount of time to review!!! I'm just going to put in the names of songs that sorta go with the content of the story. If you have any good song titles, please tell me. I know there isn't a lot of romance in this chapter, but this could be like a prequel. Again, please review!!!