All disclaimers apply. Some characters may appear a bit out of character but for good reason. You'll see later on! Please review! I really like this fic and I want to know what you think!!! Thanks so much!
Meeting His Destiny
Chapter 5
The party was almost about to begin as guests poured through the front door of the palace. The boys stood in their line of five and greeted all as they came through the enormous polished mahogany doors that led into the ballroom. Relena was sure to be close by and this Heero knew. The man could almost feel her eyes boring holes in him.
The others enjoyed the scene. It truly was a fantastic setting, great music, piles of delicious food literally casing over the intricately carved buffet tables. And even to the boys' luck, a few beautiful single women to see. It was a gorgeous sight, and everyone was having a good time. Just as the party began, and as all the guests were counted in attendance, Relena stepped up to a podium in the center of a small stage to the side of the ballroom. "Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for coming this evening. And you all know the reason why we're here. For tonight, we stand in the midst of five great men, men who have given up everything they knew and risked their lives to bring peace to our world. And finally with their combined efforts: Trowa Barton, Quatre Winner, Duo Maxwell, Wufei Chang," she said with a great smile. And as she continued to go on, she said the last name with great enthusiasm and looked directly at the man. "And finally Heero Yuy." At the hearing the names, a huge explosion of applause and whistling flew into the air as all the guests and the boys sat at their assigned dinner tables. The boys by this time had each been called up to the stage to receive an award.
"Thank you, Relena! You know we love the attention!" Duo called and the audience responded with more applause and a brief laugh.
"So here we are tonight, to honor these men. And in order to do this, the Preventers, and all staff working hard to preserve peace, present to you five what you have long deserved. Tonight we unveil to you, a few secrets. You have lived in a garage for years now, no real comfort or stability. Now, we present you with a mansion, an enormous home provided for you by all the people. Secondly, all the necessities you need will be there waiting for you in your new home. And when you do go home tonight, in which you will be taken by limousine, you will enter this new home, and finally feel the comfort, the stability, and the generosity you have long deserved. This is for you my dear Gundam Pilots. Thank you boys, not only have you saved our world, but in the process you've renewed my faith in hope." After each man received an award of golden pilots' wings with a large diamond mounted in the center, the guests burst into a huge applause that lasted for several minutes as guests shook hands with each man, thanking and congratulating.
*~*~*
The party was in full swing by now, which was only about an hour in. The boys were having the time of their lives. Not only did they own a huge house, but cars, clothes, awards, and anything they'd ever need would also be there waiting for them. "Dude! This is so cool!" Duo repeated every couple of minutes. Heero was about to smack him, but because there were so many people, he refrained from doing so And other than this, all was right and perfect. All except the single pair of eyes that followed Heero's every move from various locations.
"She's doing it again you guys, I think I'm gonna get some air," Heero said after a bit and headed out towards the beautiful courtyard terrace.
Meanwhile, as he left, Duo noticed a few lone women, sitting and talking a few tables away. "Hey Quatre, Trowa…you see what I see?"
"Let's go!" the two replied in unison. It was quite obvious who they were, special friends of Relena's. One girl, seated closest to the boys was approaching them, and smiled as she flipped her short dark red, almost burgundy hair out of her incredibly gleaming green eyes…like those of a cat even. Duo, of course, took this opportunity.
"Good evening ladies," he said a smooth voice.
"Hello, Mr. Maxwell, Mr. Winner, and Mr. Barton. Congratulations on your achievements," she replied standing up. They smiled their gratitude.
"May I ask your name?" Duo continued.
"Mr. Maxwell, I am Corrine Richard's. You might have heard of me, I am Relena's cousin."
"Hello my beautiful cat-eyed Princess," Duo responded smiling cutely.
"Hmph…she was right when she said you were quite charming," Corinne replied. Duo couldn't have smiled more than he did then.
"Corinne," one of the girls behind her still seated laughed, "just keep in mind what Relena told us about him."
"Don'tworry, Aya," the red head giggled back.
"What do you mean 'what Relena told you'?" Duo replied a bit confused. The two men behind him tried to control their laughter at the American. These girls were smart; Quatre and Trowa both knew it. Wufei on the other hand was discussing a few matters with the council with Sally over yonder. And since he was busy, why not have some fun.
"Gentlemen, this is my sister Aya Richards," she said introducing the second girl after the laughter thinned out. Quatre took notice of her right away…and she was gorgeous. Medium length auburn hair spilled out over her slender shoulders, drawing his gaze up to her hauntingly clear blue eyes. "And this is our cousin, Sapphera Riley," she continued motioning to the third beauty standing beside them.
(Authors Note: her name is pronounced: sa-FEAR-a.)
Trowa almost died looking at the third woman. Hair, so dark it was like the navy midnight sky, draped down her back and was pulled back at the top in a delicately woven braid. Her eyes almost matched her hair in depth of color…one thing in particular caused them to jump right out. Right around the pupil of the eye, a star -like ring of silver surrounded it, drawing you into her dreams. And with skin so delicate and perfect, all three were absolute angels.
"Miss Aya," Quatre said coming forward after a moment with almost distant look as he gazed at her, "would you care to take a walk with me?"
"Indeed I would, Mr. Winner," she answered with a sweet smile. As the two departed, but not before politely excusing themselves, Trowa worked up the nerve to talk to this nightshade beauty.
"Sapphera," Trowa said coming closer to her.
"Yes, Mr. Barton?"
"Enough with the Mr. Barton, would you like to get a drink with me?" Trowa said with a laugh. Sapphera nodded and looped her arm for the crook in his he held out for her. The two walked off with a wave. Duo and Corinne meanwhile went to a nearby table and ordered cocktails.
"I think they will all like each other very much, I know my sister and cousin," Corinne said poking at her salad a bit. In between bites, Duo would steal a well-worth glance at the woman across from him. "What is it? Is there something on my face?"
Duo burst out laughing and smiled incredibly, "No! You are just absolutely radiant."
"Relena was right," Corinne giggled back.
"What did she say anyway?" Duo inquired with a coy smile.
"That you were perfect for me."
*~*~*
Relena had meanwhile made her way outside to the courtyard where she'd watched Heero retreat to. And stepping out into the cool night air, she saw his form bent over the terrace edge at the north end, admiring the crescent moon glowing high above them. Quietly she watched him stand there, his back was to her and silently she approached. His sudden statement startled her, as she was merely ten or a few more feet behind him. "Can I help you with something?" he said turning his head slightly enough to see the side of his face, but his back remained to her. Relena was utterly shocked and didn't know what to say.
//Of course you could help me with something…fall in love with me and then we'll chat,// Relena thought remorsefully. "I came out for some air…" she answered after a moment. "Are you enjoying the party, Heero?"
Heero finally turned and faced her, and nodded his head. "Yes, thank you. I am, and I can't thank you enough for doing all that you've done…the house and all I mean," he replied simply.
"Of course, you of all people deserve it, you know. I don't know how the colonies…how I could ever repay you," Relena answered and walked several feet closer to him. They were a mere four feet away and the woman longed with all her heart to fall into his arms and feel his heart beating soothingly in his chest But alas, she knew it may never happen, but had to try to change that.
Heero nodded once more, and suddenly something far back behind Relena in the courtyard, zipping through the shadows caught his attention. Relena stepped a bit closer, the man did not notice The lithe form in the darkness crossed carefully between the boundaries of light and shadows, which immediately turned his mind to eager suspicion. The figure suddenly stopped, few features highlighted by the moonlight And that's when he saw them. A soft gasp escaped his lips as he observed a single pair of deep Prussian eyes sparkling mystically in the night. Gazing at him, drawing him in. That's when the rest of the face came into view…but merely for a second long glimpse. The same long honey hair, legs a mile long, the bright smile, the face…it was her!
"It's her!" Heero exclaimed in utter shock. Seconds later, as soon as she had appeared, she melted back into the shadows, leaving Heero Yuy in complete and utter astonishment.
Relena looked up at in disappointment as she realized her presence was less than occupying his thoughts. Looking down at the ground, she stepped back some and searched his eyes for some sort of sign. And without a moment's notice, the man before her took off into the night…chasing after his dreams.