[A.N.] Thank you all for following along with me! Here is the next chapter. i apologize for it being so short in advance. i had surgery this week and i've been a bit out of it but i feel like adding more to it would do this chapter a serious injustice. ;b Anyway! I hope you enjoy this chapter and i promise the next one will be out soon! Enjoy!

~Serene

He stumbled through the woods. He had no idea how long he'd been wandering or even when he'd last eaten. Nothing made sense anymore. His mind was clouded with a thousand thoughts as bits and pieces of images ran through his mind's eye. He had to serve his queen. He had to kill the girl but every time he thought of his mission he saw her aqua eyes pleading with him. He could hear her voice calling to him through the fog but he couldn't remember what she had said. He knew there was somewhere he needed to be. Something he needed to do but he didn't even know who he was anymore. His body ached from the constant travel. Pain seared through his skull as if a million tiny mallets constantly assaulted his brain. He had to stop; had to rest but he couldn't. He didn't know where he was or where he was going to. He didn't even know who he was anymore. Out of pure desperation to try and help his sigh he tore off his mask and continued to run.

Through the thick of the forest he could vaguely see smoke; perhaps from a nearby campfire. He ran a little faster, using all the strength he had left. If he could find the camp, if he could figure out where he was perhaps all would become clear. As he burst through the clearing, he was able to make out a crowd of people, now armed and poised to attack. He stopped and opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. He took one more step forward, reaching out for help before he collapsed.

"Zechs?" He vaguely heard the voice, so familiar and yet so strange. He felt a pair of arms pull him close before his world went dark.

Noin stirred the pot of stew over the fire. The resistance had been able to hide fairly well from the queen but their numbers still weren't quite strong enough to make any sort of stance against her. Every day that went by Une became more and more influential, her soldiers more brutal and the people more disheartened than before. She had become their make-shift commander trading in her dresses and jewels for trousers and swords. So many years at the castle were spent training with Milliardo and Relena for the sheer fun of it. They had many different games, one of which included code names should they ever need immediate aid. Hers had simply been her last name whereas Milliardo chose his father's middle name 'Zechs.' It had seemed fine at the time.

Many had hoped that she and the young king would one day wed. It seemed as though they would too until that woman came to town. She only wished she had been able to save him, to see through the witch's plan and stop it. Now, Zechs was lost, possibly dead, and Relena was as well, hopefully still alive but given Une's range of influence, the possibility of that was becoming increasingly smaller. She knew, however, that they were somehow still out there and she was determined to find them.

"Commander! Commander! An intruder approaches from the East."

"Everyone to your stations. If it's the Queen's men, we must be on high alert!" she called back. Those that could fight grabbed their weapons and took their various places around the camp. "Steady, men." She said. She felt her body tense and relax all in one swift move. She couldn't protect Relena and she couldn't save Zechs, but she could protect her soldiers here and now. As the intruder crashed through the brush, however, she called them to stop. There before her, disheveled and confused, was none other than the man she had sworn to avenge.

"Zechs?" He didn't seem to acknowledge her but she could tell her at least heard her voice before he collapsed. She found herself by his side and holding him to her chest. "Oh, Zechs." She sighed as she held him close. He was alive. He was safe and with her now. She smiled in spite of it all. "Help me get him to the medical tent." A few strong men walked forward and lifted the unconscious king, carrying him with care.

"Are you sure we can trust him?"

"There's no one I trust more."

"Good enough for me, ma'am." Noin followed them to the tent and made sure Zechs was settled and then busied herself with preparations to help him recover.

He failed her. He broke his promise. Now she was gone and in grave danger and Heero rummaged through the room grabbing anything of use. He was going to get Relena back no matter what the cost. He had to. As he made his way around the room he saw her eyes, heard her laugh, remembered the softness of her hair as he brushed it out of her face. She had changed him, somehow. Everything changed after she came into their lives. The songs were happier and the group was closer than ever. She brought them together and made them more than just a traveling troupe: she made them a family. More than that, she made him feel something he had never felt before: complete. Now that she was gone, he felt empty again. He reached down and buckled his bag, silently swearing to get her back.

"Heero, this is crazy! You can't run off after her alone!" Duo stepped in front of him.

"Move." Heero growled.

"You can't possibly take on her army alone."

"I won't tell you again. Get out of my way."

"You're not thinking rationally." Heero pushed pashed him, grabbing his bag, sword, and headed for the door. This time, Trowa stopped him.

"Heero, he's right."

"Out of my way, Trowa."

"Heero," Duo said, "We're worried too, but getting yourself killed isn't going to help save her."

"Duo…" Heero growled. The door opened and Sally and the other women walked in.

"Heero, the boys are right. You can't face the queen alone."

"You can't stop me." Heero responded. Duo sighed.

"Anything at all for the one you love." Duo mumbled. Love? Heero thought about that for a moment. Did he love her? He thought again about how he felt when he was near her and how he feels with her gone. He wasn't sure what love was, but if the emptiness in his chest was any indication, then it was a good as any.

"I said get out of my way."

"Heero, If you'd stop being so stubborn and listen to what we're trying to tell you." Sally said. Heero started for the door again. Dorothy stood in his way this time.

"You! This is your fault!" Heero pinned her against the door.

"You're right."

"What?" Heero growled again.

"I betrayed Relena, betrayed all of you. I thought I was doing the right thing. I was just trying to protect you. I was wrong. Relena doesn't deserve whatever the queen has planned for her."

"You should have thought about that before you handed her over." Heero pressed her against the door harder causing her to wince.

"Heero, let her go." Quatre said, placing a hand on his shoulder. Heero's deep blue eyes met Quatre's soft sky blue. With another growl he released Dorothy.

"Heero," Duo said, "We can't let you go by yourself."

"You can't stop me."

"You idiot." Hilde quipped. "We're not going to stop you, we're coming with you."

"But—"

"She's our friend too, you know." Heero glanced around the room at his traveling companions. Each of them was dressed for a rough journey, bags packs and make-shift weapons ready. Heero couldn't help the smirk that formed. He knew it wasn't going to be easy, but with the help of his family, he would definitely get his Relena back.

Une smiled triumphantly as they laid Relena's motionless body on the alter. She had won. Zechs was lost in the woods, most likely dead and now Relena was out of the way. She had finally achieved complete control over the kingdom: riches, power, and so much more was hers for the taking. There was only one problem: She was running out of power. With that retched boy's attempted interference she had had to use more of her magic than she'd planned. It had been hundreds of years since she'd last renewed her power. There was only one real way to do that and it would be easy. She already had the main requirement: a pure young maiden. Walking to the alter, she reached out and caressed Relena's pale cheek.

"Comfy, my dear?" She crooned evilly. "You will do nicely. I want to thank you a head of time for giving me your youth and beauty; not that you really have a choice." She walked over to the mirror and smirked victoriously. "Mirror, my mirror, speak to me, observe me in my victory." The face in the mirror appeared, his eyes filled with despair. "I have the princess, mirror. Now I will regain my power."

"Oh, my dear Une, if only you would realize what you have become."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Lady, you know that I always speak true. This cruelty you have shown is not really you."

"Silence, mirror! I summoned you to watch my victory."

"Victory is not the word I would use when it is her life this maiden must lose."

"Oh, would you stop being such a bleeding heart?"

"Lady, please—"

"Save me your annoying rhymes. I'm going through with this."

"Forgive my queen, if I do not believe you. Your heart, I still know, is good and your mind true."

"Enough!" She slammed the doors over the mirror. "I could start preparing now, but what's the rush?" She made her way back to the alter. "It's not like you're going anywhere any time soon." She smirked, tapping the amulet around her neck. She laughed. "I will return at sundown. Enjoy your last moments on this Earth, princess." She leaned down and whispered in her ear. "I know I will." With that, she left the room, never seeing the small tear slide down her captive's face.