GUNDAM WING: New Beginnings
~CHAPTER THREE~
In a dim hospital room, a man struggled against nightmares from the haunting past. Twisting and turning in his sheets, he tried to fight for consciousness – but to no avail. The nightmare overcame him and he was hurled into a dark world he longed to forget…
**Dream Sequence**
Relena's voice So how is Troth doing?… Troth doing… Troth doing… Troth…
Scorching heat engulfed a small city as people blindly ran through the chaos. In a grand mansion at the skirts of the city stood a young boy, no older than fourteen. He stood in a stance as he watched the horrors around him spread threateningly close to their home.
"Troth! Oh, my poor baby! What happened?!"
Hearing his mother cry out in distress, the boy quickly ran to his mother's side – only to find his little sister carried limply into the room by their father…
"Troth…" the boy whispered in dread.
He made a move towards his sister but was stopped by his father who shook his head.
"Not now Shang, she'll be okay… Troth will be all right. Go comfort your mother while I look for some help…" his father reassured him. His father's eyes however, told another story as they were filled with worry and fear and his face was worn and tired. Shang had never seen his father so broken and defeated before.
"Yes, father… and be careful," Shang replied shakily.
A faint reassuring smile crossed his father's lips before he left them.
Shang returned to his mother's side, who sat crying near Troth's bedside. Gently, he placed a hand on her trembling shoulder. Looking up and seeing it to be her son she flung herself at Shang and hugged him dearly, in fear of losing him too…
After awhile, his mother soon fell into an exhausted sleep. Shang remained attentive as he watched his mother and sister both in deep sleep.
A few moments later, his mother suddenly awakened— fear and anxiety displayed all over her face.
"Troth?! How is Troth doing?!" she questioned in distress.
Shang never had a chance to respond as a huge explosion went off and the entire house came crumbling down on them… the last thing he remembered before falling unconscious were his mother's last words… How is Troth doing?…
**End of Dream**
Shang bolted upright, gasping and covered in a sheen of sweat. Images of the past still flitted through his mind.
~o~o~o~o~
"Sir, operations are going according to schedule."
"Hmm, very well. You are dismissed."
"Yes, Sir." The officer saluted and left the room.
Alone in the spacious room, a large man in his middle age sat behind a great oak desk. White streaked hair framed his grave face while piercing gray eyes revealed the knowledge and experience he had obtained over the years. The strains and stress of the past wars had made him appear much older than what he really was. He sat silently in a moment of reflection before rising to stand near his window. Looking out at the scene below him, he observed a number of troops in training. Many of the soldiers were either ex-soldiers from the previous wars, who were unable to adjust to the new era of peace, while others were new recruits that had an unwavering faith for the cause. These soldiers had accumulated over the past years and had grown to become a great army. Careful and vigilant planning had gone into the creating of such a strong and powerful military force. From the very start, their organization had kept to the shadows and remained quiet as they watched other powers attempt to gain absolute dominance over Earth and space. And they continued to watch as many fell to their demise under the seemingly invincible Gundams. They carefully watched and waited, all the while learning from the mistakes of those who had failed and gradually building up their armaments. By now, they had assembled an impressive army of well-trained men and women, with more still being recruited and trained. As well, the discreet production of mobile suits for the last few years presently placed their organization with an armed force that rivaled those of the past Oz. All that was left was for them to show the world their strength and bring about a new age… their long wait was coming to a close end and not even the Gundams would be able to stop them. A fierce look crossed the man's face as he anticipated the day.
***
Looming in the shadows, a dark figure stood observing the man that stood by the window. Unaware of being watched, the man muttered out loud something.
"Soon, it will be very soon…"
The hidden individual's eyes narrowed for a moment before deciding to make known its presence.
"Commander Toiki," a clear voice stated.
Toiki tensed as he realized he was not alone, but he made no move against the intruder. He had long come to recognize the one person that would appear and disappear as silently as a phantom whenever it pleased.
"Kitsune*," he acknowledged, never moving his gaze away from the window.
A moment of silence fell over the room. Finally, Kitsune spoke, her voice soft and dangerous.
"My assignment, Sir."
Sighing, Toiki brought himself to turn and face his unexpected visitor. The sight that met him was a beautiful slender woman covered in black from head to toe. Only piercing dark eyes were left visible. Her eyes glimmered dangerously and held a hooded look filled with dark and hidden secrets. Her presence was foreboding and menacing, and although he knew she followed his orders, he couldn't help but feel fear when he was around her. Kitsune was the best agent they had… she was cunning and sly, which had earned her the code name "fox", and she was skillful in always completing her missions. Yet, even with her talents and proven loyalty, Toiki couldn't help but sense that there was something more to Kitsune -- something he couldn't trust. The older man shivered as he felt the woman's emotionless eyes seemingly penetrate into his soul.
Unnerved by Kitsune's stare, Toiki scowled at his own weakness.
Kitsune just stood silently, waiting for Toiki to give his instructions.
"Operations are going as planned … see that it stays that way," Toiki began. Kitsune's dark eyes remained intensely focused on him. Toiki shivered under her cold, empty stare and decided to turn back to looking outside his window instead.
"You are to head the operation -- have it completed in 72 hours." He paused to wait for Kitsune to affirm his orders.
"Understood," she replied.
Toiki closed his eyes as he contemplated on his next decision. He knew it had to be done… but still, he couldn't help the feeling of regret he had… Memories of loved ones that had died in the past wars entered his mind and he hardened his resolve.
"And eliminate all obstacles," he concluded. He was going to make sure that real peace would be established -- even if it meant the destruction of innocent lives. Sacrifices were needed.
Toiki turned back to face Kitsune. Instead, he was met with an empty room. Kitsune was no where in sight.
Toiki sighed, and slumped into his chair. He was feeling old… much too old for another war… yet…
"True peace will come, no matter what the cost."
[*Kitsune means 'fox' in Japanese.]
~o~o~o~o~
Heero found himself once more under the covers of shadows in the hospital room -- Relena's hospital room. And once again, he found himself keeping watch over the young Foreign Minister. This of course wasn't unusual… he often made secretive stops to check on Relena -- he had after all promised to protect her -- but this time it was different. This time, as Heero watched the young woman, he also felt a strong yearning for something…. Yearning for what? his logic asked in bafflement. His eyes instinctively rested on Relena's form…. For her… his heart softly answered.
Not realizing the full revelation of his feelings nor understanding his reaction towards her, Heero silently stepped out of hiding … and closer to Relena. As he gazed at the sleeping form, he reflected at how such a strong and courageous woman could look so fragile and delicate. With a bit of amusement, Heero recalled how even with all her firm objections, she still ended up resting and sleeping. She had finally given in to her brother's persistence after Milliardo had threatened to give her sedatives if she didn't rest…. Protesting and grumbling all the while, when she finally reached her bed she had dozed off immediately… And now, laying just a few feet away from him was Relena in peaceful slumber, looking serene and lovely as ever.
She was well, safe and sound from any danger.
For the time being that is… he thought darkly as he remembered the new threat that plagued peace.
After the close call with Relena's life and the additional information he had learned of the new enemy, he had begun making plans for his next mission. He had been ready to leave, but instead he had found himself here… with her.
He was puzzled by his actions.
What is it about her that draws me to her? And even as he thought this, he found himself moving even closer to Relena.
Heero stood directly beside Relena's bedside… and as he wondered absently as to what he was doing, his hand deftly brushed over her forehead to move aside some loose strands of hair. His fingers lingering in the soft golden tresses a bit longer than necessary…
Relena stirred and Heero froze.
"Heero…" Relena murmured.
Alarmed that she had woken, Heero quickly looked over her to search for signs of wakefulness.
Relena's eyes were closed shut and her breath was steady and deep, indicating that she was still fast asleep.
The idea of her waking to find him with her didn't settle well with Heero, in fact it … frightened him. He was startled at such a realization… Frightened? Frightened of what… the truth? Heero decided it was time to leave… before any more unexpected emotions surfaced.
As Heero turned to leave, Relena's soft voice reached him.
"Heero… promise me… promise to come back to me…" Relena whispered in her sleep.
Heero remained still for a moment, then he quietly responded, "I promise."
When Heero had left, silent tears fell down Relena's cheeks… and her eyes fluttered open as she stared into the dark space where Heero had stood just moments before.
"Be careful, Heero."
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KEY:
~o~o~o~o~ [this means a different setting]
*** [this means a slight change in the perspective or viewpoint of the story]
* [this means to refer to the note in brackets at the bottom of the section]
Author: ChibiLing
Disclaimer: sigh… No, GW still isn't mine. =b
Note: Ah, well, that concludes the third chapter… hope you liked it! And by the way, I always welcome and very much appreciate reviews (hint, hint; elbow, elbow; nudge, nudge, … you get the point =] ) … you know, just to let me know what you think… 'Kay, till next time! =)
