A/N: READ FIRST BEFORE CH. 12! THIS WAS PREVIOUSLY A AUTHOR'S NOTE AND NOW HAS BEEN UPDATED APPROPIATELY!

I Don't Own Gundam Wing.


Ch. 11 Mystified Combatants

R-

"Are you displeased with me Relena?" her brother asked.

"To be honest I'm not completely sure." Relena folded her hands on her lap.

Silence started to seep into the room as the two other spectators overheard their conversation. Relena could only guess about how they must have felt, a bit awkward as witnesses to bickering sibling always felt probably. Nonetheless they did need this talk.

"Are you still planning to support OZ brother?" she continued.

"I'll follow any cause that will ultimately bring peace in both Earth and Space."

She sat up straighter, her back aching a bit from the action, "I highly doubt that is OZ's objective. Even if the Sanc kingdom is now free that doesn't mean that your goals—"

"I'm well aware that there is more to be done sister." He interrupted. "But arguing ideologies is not why I tracked you down."

Relena sighed, he would undoubtedly begin lecturing her for not telling him about becoming a Gundam pilot and participating in Operation Meteor. She was already beginning to defend her actions when she noticed he hadn't uttered a word yet. She stared at her masked brother, the Lightening Count of OZ.

"I wanted to make sure you were alive," he said earnestly.

She blinked and then closed her eyes, 'Brother…'

"—and I also wanted to finish what we started in Siberia."

And then she remembered how frustrating he could be. "Zechs I'm not one of your opponents. There is no score to settle between us."

"Be that as it may you know I don't like things unfinished."

"I'm pretty sure I ended that fight Zechs." She resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

It was then that her brother frowned, "I never imagined you would pull a stunt like that. Throwing your life away as if it was worth nothing." Milliardo's controlled anger twisted with his words when mentioning her self-detonation.

"I was ready to pay the price of a soldier Zechs. Just as you do every day you fight," she told him.

"No you are not a soldier! You are not meant to play that part Relena."

"I am not destined to become Queen of the Sanc Kingdom either," she bit back.

Zechs visibly held back his remark, probably choosing his next words carefully.

"We discussed this," he said.

"No you assumed I agreed. I kept quiet because I know this meant so much to you but now there is more at stake than just rebuilding one kingdom. Become king if you want, run the country with our father's ideals, but I have to keep my promises as a Gundam pilot."

"You know why I can't," his lips grimaced.

"Cause your hands are stained with blood? Big brother I know I look weak right now but I have taken lives as well," he looked away from the screen. "So don't use that as an excuse."

"Sister you are more worthy of the throne than I am. Please understand this," he grabbed his mask and took it off. Finally allowing her to see his face.

Z-

His sister had changed so much since he had last seen her, but her eyes maintained their sharpness. Her weak form reminded him that she was still recovering from her wounds, and a rush of guilt swam over him. He never would have imagined that his little sister would join the Colonies rebellion. And the feeling that he caused this due to his lack of being involved in her life would not shake free from his consciousness.

"You were a toddler when our home was taken from us and were raised by good people that served our family well. You didn't get the chance to learn and see the ways of the Peacecrafts. So even if you have taken actions that would contradict pacifist beliefs you were not raised to believe in them wholeheartedly like I was," he watched his sister take in his words.

"Milliardo, I truly wish I had the same empathy you have for the Sanc Kingdom. But at the moment I can't narrow my priorities to just that nation," she cast her eyes down.

'You never did like displeasing anybody,' he smirked. Zechs knew he had only one option then.

"Relena I will make a deal with you," he offered.

"What kind of deal?" her brows furrowed.

"You meet me in Antarctica were we will continue our dual. If you win I will not interfere with your role as a Gundam pilot," he waited until he saw her nod in agreement.

"And if you win?" she prodded.

"You become the Queen of the Sanc Kindgom."

S-

Breathing the clear air lifted Sally's mood a little bit. It was Wufei turn to drive them to the nearest town to get supplies, but he was being unbearably quiet again. She glanced at him through her peripheral vision. With his tang suit he fitted in, carrying himself with strict discipline as always. However she knew underneath that strong façade he was still hurting. Sally knew by now that the mere bruising of his pride by Treize wouldn't put him into his vow of silence for two months.

She speculated that Wufei's disheartened attitude could be something to do with his past, but unless he talked to her, she wouldn't be much help.

'Some things just have to be handled by yourself,' she puffed, 'stubborn mule.'

"What is it?" he asked, agitation lacing his voice.

'Did I say that out loud? ' she balked.

"It's not hard to guess what you're thinking about Sally," he told her.

"Oh really," she raised a skeptical brow, "then what was I thinking about?"

Wufei snorted, "Just mind your business. You don't need any distractions." He pulled up to the town, closing in on the market.

"You not talking is distracting, you not being yourself is distracting," she stared at him seriously, "I don't know if you would call our relationship a friendship or a partnership but in either case you don't have to pretend to be fine when you're not."

He made a sharp turn and stopped the truck, she was about to ask him what the heck he was thinking but he beat her to it. "We're here," he said opening his door.

Sally looked around and discovered he was right, she now heard the vendors yelling out prices for their produce and the clucking of chickens nearby. Her door creaked as she opened it and Wufei handed her a few bags as he passed her.

"We're not done talking you know," she told his retreating back. Sally let out a long breath, 'Or maybe we are with your attitude.'

Instead of following him Sally gave him his space, Wufei wasn't someone who spent his money callously, and frankly she didn't want to pressure him any further than she had just did in the truck. Some of the vendors already knew Sally and a few of the men that were sweet on her at times were happily talking to her since her shadow, Wufei, wasn't hovering around.

Even though it was clear they were not related, her European descent showing more with her blond hair, or seemingly in a relationship, the men were sometimes cautious when it came to Wufei. And he was just a teenager! As she strolled back to the truck, her four bags overflowing with vegetables and fruits, she couldn't help but wonder what their reactions would be if he was a grown man.

"If we make it that far," she said to herself.

And speaking of that headstrong boy, his outline grew more visible as she walked towards the old blue truck, already loading some boxes into the back. She decided to put her bags upfront first before helping Wufei load the last boxes, not risking the chance that they will be crushed in the back.

"Find everything?" she asked.

"Yeah."

After loading the last box he stepped down from the back of the truck and closed the latch with a loud clunk. They're drive back to their hideout would take at least thirty minutes and Sally was already thinking of ways to bring up their last conversation when she abruptly heard the sound of a chair smashing threw a window.

She looked ahead, seeing a wooden chair lying amongst a pile of shattered glass, the now useless window allowing the harsh voices inside the restaurant to be heard by everyone. Sally didn't bother to tell Wufei to wait for her, she just started moving hastily towards the small restaurant.

"I just asked you to pay for the food you ate," she heard someone say and when she finally saw through the broken window and into the room Sally spotted a man in a defenseless stance as three OZ soldiers loomed over him.

"We liberated this country and this is your gratitude?" the blonde OZ soldier flipped the table, the plates and cups smashing on impact with the floor.

"Your foods not even worth paying for! For all we know you were trying to poison us!"

"No, no!" the shopkeeper shook his head feverishly.

"Pathetic. And you dare call yourself soldiers." Sally said loud enough to garner their attention. The three OZ soldiers immediately scrutinized her, their faces full of contempt as soon as they dismissed her as an ordinary woman.

"Mind your own business girl. As if you would know what it means to be a soldier," one of them mocked.

"Then a weak man such as yourself would know less," she retorted. That definitely got their attention.

The blonde one tried to make a grab for her but she simply caught his hand and twisted him around until he was kneeling bellow her grunting in pain. Her actions provoked the other two to attack, instinct kicking in she tossed the man she was holding aside.

Sally was disappointed to find that they were more easily dispensable than she had originally thought. One of her opponents literally just charged at her so she just sideswiped him and kicked him to throw him off balance. Her last attacker was less fortunate since he will more than likely be displaying a nice shiner by tonight. What she didn't count for was the first man she had initially subdued.

He had snuck up behind her and smashed a chair over her back knocking her to the ground. She heard the cock of a gun and that should have caused her to freeze, but Sally's mind was racing planning her next move when she suddenly heard a yelp from the blonde man standing over her.

Wufei took his place as he landed in front of her, the remaining two soldiers having recovered from their initial shock were starting to draw their own weapons.

"Stop!" Wufei barked. And the two men froze for a second at his command.

Wufei stood from his crouched position next to her, where she could finally see the gun he was wielding against them, "You've been defeated. I suggest you take him," he gestured to the unconscious soldier on the ground, "And leave before things get any worse for you."

The soldiers snarled at him, possibly ready to have a shootout, but then Sally heard a rumbling noise and it wasn't until she stood that she finally noticed the group of people that had gathered behind the OZ soldiers. It was the townspeople, wielding their makeshift weapons of rakes, shovels, and more, it could have been her imagination but Sally swore they were growling at the instigating soldiers.

"What's going on with all of you!?" one of the soldiers yelled, not so much in anger but in fear. Nonetheless the glowering looks from the townspeople overpowered the soldiers' bravado attempt of being in command, they started to retreat.

Once they were gone and the townspeople began to disperse, albeit still keeping a close watch to see if any more trouble came their way, Sally and Wufei started their drive back to their hideout. The drive back was quiet just as like the first time, but this go around it wasn't so uncomfortable. Midway to their destination, Sally glanced at Wufei again.

"Thank you Wufei," she said as they drove through a rural rice field. "For saving me."

"If you weren't so weak you wouldn't need saving," he replied.

Sally's irritation rose quickly but she beat it down, "How was I being weak?"

"You jumped into that fray without even knowing what you were facing, or that you were outnumbered. Mistakes like that are made by amateurs, I expected a little bit more from you since you're supposedly well trained Gundam pilot."

"So you were worried about me?" she smirked.

He scowled in response, which made her laugh. "I know it was a bit rash but I couldn't help it."

Wufei arched a brow in response.

"We all have our own sense of justice, it's made out to be a cheap word these days but nonetheless we still have a moral code that guides us to do what we feel is right." She looked sternly at him this time, "I can't stand by and allow people to abuse the natural rights of others, even if I am weak."

"You need strength and power if you want to do that, and you just admitted your own weakness," he countered. "Why fight when you are so weak?" he glanced at her long enough for Sally to detect he was asking more than just about weakness.

"Because it's the only option we have if we want to really live, to really find ourselves," she smiled.

He took in her words and didn't comment any further, and she didn't press her case, allowing the tires humming to fill the quiet.

H-

Plates clattered as their last meal was taken away, although few people had still ordered deserts, the majority were already moving to the ballroom.

"Well time to wrap up this party," Duo yawned.

"Hn." Heero pushed himself away from his table and stood.

The murmuring voices of the guests only increased the closer he got to the ballroom. Everyone was anticipating the closing announcement by one of the head dignitaries of the Romefeller foundation.

"Man I can't believe this is actually still a thing," Duo said as they found a secluded wall to stand against. "All these people come from fancy families and everything huh?"

"Not all of them," Heero interjected. "Some of them got wealthy enough to buy themselves in, along with a few politicians that have business dealings with Romefeller."

Duo scoffed, "Just another way of saying they're prostituting themselves."

It was then that Duke Dermail, the man he heard so much about, take the stage. Polite applause greeted him as he began, speaking of Romefeller's former patients with the Alliance and then leading to their current accomplishments of eliminating the Alliance after their approach to peace failed to prosper. Soon enough Duo began commenting on every remark Dermail made.

"Who do they think they are the Chosen People?" His usual cheerful face twisted in disgust.

Heero agreed, however, "Be quiet." He kept his sight on Dermail as he halfheartedly scolded his comrade. "We need to learn everything we can about the Romefeller foundation, especially the head officials. Save your opinions for later."

"Fine," Duo crossed his arms. The two returned their attention to the makeshift stage to find Dermail gesturing to the person coming up the stairs to join him. Remarkably Heero was able to smother the urge to show his resentment, for the thousandth time that night. Treize Khushrenada was greeted with a louder applause than Dermail, and his smooth voice resonated around the room as he spoke into the microphone.

"Through the many efforts of the men and women serving in OZ we were able to achieve this victory over the Alliance, and finally take action on our efforts towards peace. However if we are to truly reach peace in the Earth, we must do what Duke Dermail has said. We must illicit total control over the Earth and Colonies so that the outrageous ambitious of a few don't become carnage tragedies in the future."

"No wonder he's so popular," Duo whispered this time, but Heero ignored him concentrating solely on Treize.

"Although God has given humanity free will, it is free will itself that has cost us dearly these past decades. It comes closer to destroying us now as it has done in the past. So I'm sure God will understand the steps we are taking to achieve true peace." Treize finished, and the aristocratic audience eagerly applauded.

"Wonder what he'll tell God when he's dead," Duo sighed. "Let's get out of here Heero- Uh Heero?"

Heero didn't stop, he side swept all the people in the crowded dance floor until he reached the stage. He rarely, if ever, showed his emotions to others. However at that moment, whether he liked it or not, Heero was going to act on his emotions.

He grabbed the mike, "You're all wrong," the people below him sharply returned their gazes to the stage, at him. "Total control is just the same as total pacifism, it has too many flaws. And this ideal of yours will fail, because the Gundams will rectify the havoc you have caused."

Shocked gasps and the mixed reactions of the crowd thrummed across the ballroom. Yet before he could continue with his retaliation Duo had jumped up the stage.

"Alright Heero, I think they've got the message pretty clear now," he walked up to him.

Heero glared at him, "I'm not done."

"Yeah but it's better to quit while you're ahead. Trust me," Duo inclined his head to the audience.

He briefly looked over the aristocrats below him and then understood. He had made a loud enough impression as it was. Heero placed the microphone back on its stand and walked back to the stairs with Duo. In spite of his declaration against Romefeller's methods the people were looking towards him with curious eyes instead of the contempt he had expected. However it was Treize that approached him along with Duke Dermail as he was trying to make his way to the exit.

"You certainly are your father's son," Treize raised his glass to Heero. "My condolences on his passing. He was a good man."

"Thank you," Heero nodded. "I intend to make sure his efforts towards peace do not go to waste."

"Hmm, a fine way to honor someone dear to you. I hope to see your work come to fruitation like your father's," Treize smiled.

"Time will tell," he said and walked away.

T-

"So that's the son of Odin is it?" Dermail looked towards the young man nearing the exit doors.

"Yes, his father passed away recently but it's said that he is coping well enough," another man filled in.

"Excuse me gentlemen," Treize inclined his head to his at them and traveled the short way to the stairs that would lead to the empty balcony above them all. From there, he had a perfect view of everyone. Their casual and relaxed attitudes filled the atmosphere of the ballroom, almost making him believe that there was no war to be won or fought. It was an illusion that many willingly submitted themselves to, but he could not.

"I have blasphemed the name of the Lord," he slowly twirled his drink around. His usual charming character slid away from him being replaced by a solemn look.

"Now what will my punishment be?"


A/N: Finally back!