The Depth of Obliviscence
Chibi Tsuki
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing...
Chapter 4
The Prince of the Forgotten
Two years have past, it was already AC191. Another pathetic winter... But once
they graduate, this winter would be worth it. It was their graduation year.
Noin was one of the brightest students in fact she could be competition to
Zechs if she'd only stop herself letting Zechs become first and herself second.
Lately, Noin had been going to the Gravity room, coming back earlier than the
other cadets.
As she walked down the dimly lit corridor with her hand lightly touching the
wall, she passed Zech's dormitory. Staring at the door she looked at it before
looking downward to find a note tucked under the door. It was persuading, just
a little peek won't do much harm. The little peek might even change the future,
you never know.
Slowly, she leaned down and picked up the piece of paper and read it quietly to
herself.
Hmm… What does Trieze
Kushrenada have anything to do with Zechs? And meet him so late at night at S32
quarters? The old abandoned quarters in ten minutes. I
might make it in time if I run.
Darting out of the dormitories, Noin flung open the door and out into the
night. Several lights around her shone meekly but other than that, there was
only darkness.
I'll go through the shortcut.
Trampling through the bushes, the sky preparing its torture awaited for her. "Blast,"
she swore under her breath. Tears from the clouds flooded onto her clothes, saturating
them until the water reached her skin. Once white, now brown her sneakers had an
instant colour change.
With the rain pouring, the shortcut will
no longer be an option.
She panted a little as she jumped out of the bushes and onto the side track, splashing
through the enormous mud puddles that had been quickly formed.
Shut tightly, the old wooden door wouldn't budge or even move an inch. If Zechs
had received the note before her, he would have thrown the note away which
meant that he was still coming. She took cognisance of the open window, about
two metres higher than herself. Scanning around, she spotted a barrel, just
sturdy enough to put her weight on. Although the window was half open, it
wouldn't allow itself to be forced into a fully open position. Eventually it
gave up and was pushed open. Noin stepped up and swung her leg onto the ledge,
her other leg hanging slightly. Cautiously she pulled it over and climbed inside
to realise that she was in the main corridor. Lights toward the end of the hall
were on.
Light? Well they must be meeting in there.
Stealthily, Noin made the slightest noise possible as she entered the dim lit
area. There were a few old bookshelves to the far right of the door, a few
tables and lecture
chairs. She could peek through the discarded wood pieces, piled onto the
cupboards. Creeping behind the cupboards, she walked up the wooden floorboards,
into the darker area of the room where she couldn't be as easily noticed. Only
three metres away from the front of the room was Treize Kushrenada, duke of OZ.
Holding a red rose in his right hand and a glass of red wine in the other,
Treize sat in an old leathery chair. A few minutes later, a young teenager
walked into the room, in his black cadet uniform.
Must be Zechs.
"Good evening, it's great to finally see you here," Treize grinned, a
friendly grin, "Milliardo Peacecraft." The OZ leader had short brown
hair and two eyebrows that slightly
spilt into two. He wore a military uniform, with a golden rim around the
collar.
Peacecraft? The family that once
ruled the Sanc Kingdom? But the disaster several years ago had wiped
them out. That means he's the survivor.
"Your Excellency, how are you?" Zechs uttered.
So it is Treize Kushrenada.
"Perfectly fine. There are two more months until
you graduate, then you'll be helping me."
"Yes sir," Zechs stared at him, his emotions weren't visible from
under his mask but his voice was serious and monotone.
"Not many cadets in your year worthy of taking notice except you and
another young teen, Lucretzia Noin."
Noin sneezed slightly but managed to muffle it.
"Noin?"
"Don't you know her?"
"I know her, we're friends."
"Ah… I remember very well when she assisted me in battle as a child of
twelve. Rather experienced in mobile suits, a worthy companion." He paused
for a little while,
sipping his wine before carrying on. "Well I reason I called you here was
to tell you of your sister's progress."
"How is Relena?"
"Very well. You care a lot for her don't you? Even though she doesn't know
you're her brother nor her true rank as a princess."
Zechs' sister? Another Peacecraft?
Treize sighed and put the wineglass down onto the table. He patted the boy on
the shoulder. "Two more months Milliardo." He
smirked and left the room, leaving Zechs in the room, Noin's presence unknown
to him. Slowly wandering to the door, Zechs heard light footsteps approaching
him. "Who's there?" he snapped, looking towards the sound.
"You never told me…" a voice responded, "Milliardo
Peacecraft." The figure made a respectful bow and continued walking
closer.
"Is it Noin?" he looked cautiously at her, his body standing as still
as a statue. It wasn't because he was afraid, he was tough, he would never run
from battle. But his instincts told him to stay put.
"Yes," the girl walked into the light, shivering slightly from the
bitter coldness.
"Why are you here?" He was a bit stunned and calm at the same time.
"I read the note. Tell me why'd you join the OZ organisation if you were
the heir to the throne of the Sanc Kingdom?"
"There is no need to tell you."
"I understand you will someday. I won't rush you. Let me see who this
Milliardo really is."
"..."
"I ask as a request not as a threat." She was half standing, her face
growing paler by the second and a puddle of water had formed around her.
Panting, Noin kept half closing her eyes, her breathing was slow and her legs
were blatantly weak, barely able to support her collapsing body.
She won't survive like this.
"Let me take you back, Noin," he walked towards her, his hand
reaching out for her.
"I'm fine, perfectly fine," the stubborn girl asserted, using her
energy to bat the Prince's hand out of the way but the attack was feeble and
ineffective. She tried her best to hold her exultant smile but failed
miserably. Standing there for a minute, deep in thought.
Slowly, he lifted his mask off his head, showing his ice blue eyes and handsome
face. Noin smirked, cherishing this moment.
Just like I suspected…
With a gentle smile plastered on her face, she collapsed onto the ground, unconscious.
"Noin!" Zechs yelled, rushing to her side.
Making sure she was alive, Zechs put his finger under her nose, there was air.
Gently, he slipped his mask back on and scooped up the girl. His
left hand supporting her back and his right arm holding her legs.
Walking smoothly, he was careful not to trip as he walked back to the
dormitories, as the rain died down.
