Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing. It belongs to Sunrise and the person who made it. I don't own the songs (True Reflection and Please Don't Surrender) either.
Caught In An Endless Waltz
Measure 2 - Please Don't Surrender
"Where am I?"
Relena lay on a soft, silky bed made of thick brocade that was the color of fresh, pure cream. Large downy pillows were arranged cozily along the bed, along with smaller, more delicate ones. Created with silk, these small, pale blue pillows were carefully embroidered with tiny doves. Crowned with garlands of olive leaves, the doves were so detailed that it seemed that they could take off into the azure sky at any moment. The green olive leaves were so precisely stitched that they seemed freshly picked; right off the olive trees in Italy. Rose-colored silk served as cascading curtains, shielding her features from prying eyes. Large square sheets of ivory satin covered the exquisite bed in an glistening embrace.
"You have woken up! Would you like something to eat?" A short, obese blond stepped in to her room, in her line of view. He was disfigured, in a wheelchair, and unimaginably hideous. His face was distorted with wrinkles, a childish pudginess, scratches, lopsided eyes, a crooked nose, and a twisted mouth. His voice was high and screechy it seemed as if someone was running their long nails across a old, dusty blackboard. Reeking of newly deposited animal manure, he gestured for a servant to bring breakfast. The girl quickly ran off to fetch Relena's breakfast, leaving her alone with the repulsive man. Relena couldn't stand looking at this man; he was too revolting. She turned away, and began to stare at the window to her right. As Relena reached to cover her ears and shut her eyes, thus closing off her senses to this repulsive creature, she saw him flinch slightly at the sight and sigh.
Shivering at his seemingly normal action, she suddenly regretted what she had done just moments before. Her hands fell from the air, disturbing the silence that had claimed this room as its own. Remembering that this creature was still human, and that she had hurt his feelings, she buried her head in her hands shamefully. Although he was remarkably ugly, he was her host, and he had provided for her properly. It was her duty to act politely and return the favor. But how could she? How could anyone not cringe at the sight of this gruesome creature? Conflicting thoughts of how physically ugly he was and how strong and beautiful he was inwardly to withstand such disrespect from his fellow human beings arose in her already torn soul and mind. In his heart there was no room for any sort of conflicts because it was filled to the very brim with pity. Pity that such an inwardly beautiful being was placed in such a disgusting body where he would surely be shunned. All the while, her hands were fidgeting nervously, unaware which command they should follow. They shook uncertainly, deciding whether to turn immediately and cover her head a soft, lilac scented pillow, or to look straight at his gruesome face. Her whole body felt like a blood-spattered battlefield, the product of manslaughter.
Then it dawned upon Relena. He was like her. Always prejudged because of his physical appearance. Her soul won, while her heart pounded furiously; fueled with more and more pity every passing second. She turned to look straight at him, although his hideous face was turned to the creamy walls. When he finally turned around, she found herself soaring in the clear, crisp sky that was his eyes. A small, graceful dove, she had risen above all people, even as a peace-loving bird. When he blinked, the trance that held Relena so firm in its grasp broke. As if suddenly jolted with a bolt of lightning, her body jerked forward quickly, unexpectedly. Concern shone through his eyes; he didn't have to say it, she saw it. In his beautiful orbs he saw that pure, indescribable pain she felt when people looked at her like a prize. Hot tears forced their way out of her eyes, spilling onto her fair skin. As they tumbled down her rosy cheek, she swiftly raised her hand to wipe them away, so she could see his eyes again. They had an incredible depth to them, like Heero's. They were full of secrets, mysteries, and invisible struggles that no one cared to see.
Shocked, his eyes began to fill with amazement. As each moment passed, the wonder he felt never ceased. His eyes locked with her eyes, exchanging thoughts and feelings without words. Time passed them, in seconds, minutes, maybe even hours. But it didn't matter. Whole conversations were being held without words. Servants occasionally entered in and out of the room, checking to see if their master was all right, only to find him and the woman staring at each other, gazes locked, it seemed that they would be for the rest of eternity.
Relena was astonished. He was like her. She could talk to him and be understood, not brushed off, not be deemed insane. She envisioned what they would say if she even bothered to share her thoughts with them. 'You're the Queen of the World! What more could you ask for?' 'Relena, you seriously need some sleep. Staying up late has got to your common sense.' 'Quit!? Are you serious!? You can't do that! The peace - it could be easily destroyed! You have to look after it! You can't!'
Then she imagined the headlines that would show up on the front page of newspapers around the world and all over the colonies. 'Vice Foreign Minister Darlian considering retirement!' 'News Flash! Minister Darlian to quit! How will the world handle it?' She could dream on and on about what might happen; and none of her ideas would ever be good for the world or for her reputation as a member of society; as a person. That's why she never even talked to anyone about it. She never would follow through with her plan. Her emotions always stopped her. Doubting thoughts always surfaced, and she could do nothing but watch her plan fail, and listen to those thoughts..
She wished that she could be like Heero. Just turn off her emotions. As simple as that. But she couldn't, she hadn't been trained as the perfect soldier, she had never been meant for war. She was a tool of peace. But still, the doubts always came. 'What if the peace I worked so hard for is destroyed?' 'What if the world is plunged into chaos?' 'It would be all my fault!' 'What if I didn't lead a normal life as I would've imagined?' 'What if the paparazzi still tracked me down and reported on me?' 'What if they spread hideous, untrue rumors about me?' 'What if I regret doing this?' 'How do I know this is right?' He knew what it felt like to have that kind of pain. But he would never know what it felt like to be admired, idolized by hundreds of people. He would never know how careful and cautious you had to be, with the media watching your every move. No one would ever experience what she had. Because Relena was Relena and there was no other Relena in the world, nor would there ever be. She was the one and only Relena Darlian Peacecraft
His amazement at her courage to face him was reflected in his sky blue eyes. No had dared look at him, face to face, for so long. And she - she was so beautiful! Such a beautiful had looked at him with understanding, not contempt, but with pity, and an emotion he couldn't describe. It felt distantly familiar, like a childhood memory long forgotten. Whatever it was it was breathtaking. So wonderful, no, it was indescribable. Her eyes saw his curiosity and she mouthed a word for the feeling he saw in her cerulean eyes. A word! This emotion was so great, so high above the others and yet it had a word for it? Such an exquisite display of feeling and it was a word. Something so lovely like that shouldn't be described by a mere word. H-O-P-E, she mouthed. Hope. That was what he had forgotten. He had missed so much, he had forgotten so much.
As he said the word hope in his mind endlessly, never tiring of it, Relena saw yet another emotion form in his eyes. Joy. Sheer joy at being treated as a human, sheer joy at discovering this human emotion shone brightly in his sky blue orbs. It was a rare emotion for her now days. Lack of sleep, depression, and too much work had taken its toll. The only time she ever thought she would actually feel joy was when Heero was with her. And he insisted on staying away from her. Insisted on making her feel so sad, so utterly depressed. Relena knew it was his nature; it was how he had been raised to do, taught to do. Destroy. Kill. Hate. To accomplish their mission; or to die trying. Never anything else. Unknowingly, she whispered, "A soldier's life is a bleak one." She thought over that phrase in her head that she thought was kept there. Then she added, "Except for red. Red is a soldier's favorite color. Red is the only color the soldier knows. Red stands out in the dull gray of a soldier's vision. It is the only color the soldier sees. Red for blood. The blood of those he spills on to the brutal battlefields he has fought on. The blood he spills elsewhere. The blood he regards as nothing but a liquid. The life-giving fluid. Lives litter the battlefields, and the soldier does not care. He has accomplished his mission. That is all that matters to the soldier. The soldier - the agent of death." The words escaped her lips secretly, as if they had a mind of their own.
He focused on her eyes again. This time he saw what hope she had. Hope for the future, hope for a better life, hope for understanding, and hope for love. Then there was this hope that he just couldn't distinguish. It was slowly fading away, but still it remained, stubbornly living. He smiled awkwardly. Though hope is frail it is hard to kill.
He was grateful. Grateful that she had reintroduced hope into his life. He remembered the sun-basked fields that were his childhood home. The sweet smell of strawberries. The smell of fresh grass. The aroma of life; old and new. Although that was gone, he still had those wonderful memories. And he had hope.
______________________________________________________________________
Heero Yuy slammed his fist into the wall; blood spurting from his fresh wound. Again and again he smashed his fist into the now red wall, covered with blood. His apartment now reeked with the scent of blood. DAMN! He had thought that leaving her for such a short amount of time was acceptable; since he would be nearby. But then it had happened. It had happened and he, the perfect solider, had done absolutely nothing to stop it. Blood trickled steadily down his fist, streaking his muscular arm.
"Once again, we are greatly displeased in having to declare that Vice Foreign Minister Darlian has not been found. Her brother, Milliardo Peacecraft, and his fiancée were found, however unfortunately, severely injured. Both have been pronounced dead. Search parties have flocked out to the scene of the disaster..." The news anchor blabbed on about how and when Relena's limousine had fallen over a bridge, into the frigid river water.
"DAMN!" Heero couldn't keep his emotions under control at this point. He couldn't. Not when the only one he had ever and would love was lost and could be dead. Not when he couldn't do anything about it. For once he had failed his mission. His most important mission.
His suspicions were right. Everything he had ever touched; ever cared about had been cruelly wrestled away from him. The father he had never known, the mother that had died at childbirth; and now his beloved Relena.
How would he ever live without knowing that she was safe; out there somewhere, even if he wasn't with her. She was his sole reason for living each day. When dawn fell upon the world, all he could think about was Relena. When the sun set in the sky, when the stars shone brightly, all he thought about was her. The only reason he ever woke up in the morning, greeted by the singing birds outside of his window, was to make sure she was safe. He would gladly lay down his god forsaken life for her precious one. He would travel to the depths of hell and back; he would do anything to know that she would always be safe and happy. Even if she wasn't happy with him.
He picked up his alarm clock; caressed it as he had always wanted to touch Relena. To tell her that he loved her with all his heart; to have her whisper that she loved him back. But that was always a dream. An always seemingly unreachable dream that he dreamed, night and day, unceasingly. Throwing it into the television, it produced a horrible fizzing sound.
She could be gone from his life forever. She could be somewhere; kidnapped. And he couldn't do anything but hope. Hope. It was a human emotion. A weakness. Relena had taught him to live again.
He suddenly decided that he was going to look for her. Even if he was to look for her in death. If he had to cross the border from hell to heaven, he would do it; just to see her lovely face again.
"I'm coming Relena, I'm coming..."
________________________________________________________________________
Her stomach groaned; breakfast had come but it had left quickly when the odd man had brushed it away; immobilized.
He smiled. They had been talking about this girl's life, Relena, for the last few hours. It felt so comforting to talk to her. But she was still a human, and she needed food. Gesturing for food to be brought, he continued listening to her talk about this Heero Yuy of hers and her miserable life. Although it didn't bring joy for him to listen, it brought her comfort and him a sense of belonging.
Almost immediately, a servant brought a delicious platter of appetizing food for them to eat. Hungrily, she stuffed food into her waiting mouth. One would think she hadn't eaten for days; not hours.
"Oh! I forgot!" He scurried to the back of the room, hurriedly. Coming back, he had a antique scroll in his hand. Gently unrolling the scroll, he pointed to the fancy lettering on the old worn paper.
The strongest hope eternally binds
The truest love that it finds
"Why are you showing me this?" She said, looking at him questionably.
"Tis' the ancient riddle of the lovers. However, it is only part of the confusing riddle. There is more; but I do not have the rest."
"The riddle of the lovers....what do you mean?"
"I take it that you have not heard the legend of the inseparable two?"
"Inseparable two?"
"Listen carefully, my dear.
There once was a peasant who had foolishly fallen in love with the princess of a great land beyond the horizon. The peasant had only an acre of land and a ugly thatched hut. But his generosity, good looks, and caring personality were known throughout the world. Fair maidens fell madly in love with him on first sight, and all admired his courage, strength, and beauty. He was rumored to have hair the color of the rich, brown earth that he worked so well, and deep azure eyes. However, his heart belonged to this fair princess. However, she was her father's only child, thus he was very protective of her. Suitors came from near and far; however her heart was only for the peasant. It was said that her hair glistened like gold in the sunlight, and that it fell in a glistening cascade. Her eyes were said to be living jewels, glistening with the strong, exquisite inner fire of a sapphire. All men were captivated by her lithe good looks and beautiful personality. Day and night, they hoped and hoped for a chance to be together. Through all these trials and tribulations, their love grew stronger and stronger. No one had ever experienced this kind of love, and up until the day when the chosen ones appear, no one ever will. Her father did not understand this love, for she had seen him twice and talked to him once; yet her heart belonged solely to the peasant. Soon the princess abandoned all of her duties, and the peasant all of his. The princess's day was spent looking out a window and onto the great, vast plain where he lived. He no longer tended his crops and spent day and night looking past the horizon to her splendid castle. The king grew angered because the princess was growing thinner and thinner each day, infatuated with a mere peasant. Thus he sent soldiers out to kill the peasant. It is said that at the moment of the peasant's death, the princess herself cried out into frigid sky, and a cold hard rain began to fall. Soon thereafter, the princess died screaming his name, and at the moment of her death, the sky lit up brilliantly. A bright white flash seared the cloudless sky, and the maid that was bringing a blanket for the princess said that she saw her mistress's spirit and that of her lover's hand in hand, walking into heaven on a beautiful rainbow. The last words of the princess were, "Dear God, let me have a chance with my love. A chance." They were inscribed upon a sapphire the color of her sky blue eyes and buried deep in the earth. And up to this day, it is rumored that when you see a rainbow over the horizon, it is upon that heavenly arch that the princess and her true love, the peasant walk in unity. And not one couple has ever experienced the true, pure love that they had, nor will any pair in the future. However, if by some miracle, the true chosen ones will once again unite..."
"Is there any more?"
"I believe so. However, I do not remember the rest. Forgive me, but I must retire to by bed now."
"Yes..." Relena whispered, dumbfounded. She was so caught up in her own thoughts of the legend that she didn't hear the old man talking to her.
"Miss. Miss!"
"Oh! Forgive me. I was just wondering about the princess and the peasant..."
"You may wonder later, after you get your sleep."
He ushered her to her bed, and she laid down, thinking of her beloved - Heero. His unruly, yet handsome hair. His beautiful, deep Prussian blue eyes. In her mind she heard his deep, rich monotone voice. So cold, yet beautiful. She wanted him to just appear by her side and cradle her in his warm, welcoming arms. Relena wanted him kiss her, and to hold her, protect her always. True, he had always protected her from physical threats, but never from the personal demons that she encountered daily. She wanted to share her life with him, for eternity and beyond.
"Heero..."
Then she had a revelation. He would be looking for her! Yet, how could her find her if she was here? Why would he even bother to check this old mansion, where an old, distorted hermit lived? She had leave immediately. She rose up, the silk and satin sheets shifting under her graceful body. Flattening out the wrinkles in the silky fabric of her dress, she sighed, looking at her beautiful surroundings. Just as she was about to leave room, she heard a voice. It was the old man's scratchy voice.
"Please don't surrender."
Authors Note: There was some angst, and there'll probably be more. It you don't like angst, tell me. Please Review!!! I'm a bad reader too - sometimes I don't review (k, more like a lot) but please, just take the small amount of time to review!!! I'm just going to put in the names of songs that sorta go with the content of the story. If you have any good song titles, please tell me. I know there isn't a lot of romance in this chapter, but this is just building up, letting you to get to know the new characters that I have created. Again, please review!!!
Caught In An Endless Waltz
Measure 2 - Please Don't Surrender
"Where am I?"
Relena lay on a soft, silky bed made of thick brocade that was the color of fresh, pure cream. Large downy pillows were arranged cozily along the bed, along with smaller, more delicate ones. Created with silk, these small, pale blue pillows were carefully embroidered with tiny doves. Crowned with garlands of olive leaves, the doves were so detailed that it seemed that they could take off into the azure sky at any moment. The green olive leaves were so precisely stitched that they seemed freshly picked; right off the olive trees in Italy. Rose-colored silk served as cascading curtains, shielding her features from prying eyes. Large square sheets of ivory satin covered the exquisite bed in an glistening embrace.
"You have woken up! Would you like something to eat?" A short, obese blond stepped in to her room, in her line of view. He was disfigured, in a wheelchair, and unimaginably hideous. His face was distorted with wrinkles, a childish pudginess, scratches, lopsided eyes, a crooked nose, and a twisted mouth. His voice was high and screechy it seemed as if someone was running their long nails across a old, dusty blackboard. Reeking of newly deposited animal manure, he gestured for a servant to bring breakfast. The girl quickly ran off to fetch Relena's breakfast, leaving her alone with the repulsive man. Relena couldn't stand looking at this man; he was too revolting. She turned away, and began to stare at the window to her right. As Relena reached to cover her ears and shut her eyes, thus closing off her senses to this repulsive creature, she saw him flinch slightly at the sight and sigh.
Shivering at his seemingly normal action, she suddenly regretted what she had done just moments before. Her hands fell from the air, disturbing the silence that had claimed this room as its own. Remembering that this creature was still human, and that she had hurt his feelings, she buried her head in her hands shamefully. Although he was remarkably ugly, he was her host, and he had provided for her properly. It was her duty to act politely and return the favor. But how could she? How could anyone not cringe at the sight of this gruesome creature? Conflicting thoughts of how physically ugly he was and how strong and beautiful he was inwardly to withstand such disrespect from his fellow human beings arose in her already torn soul and mind. In his heart there was no room for any sort of conflicts because it was filled to the very brim with pity. Pity that such an inwardly beautiful being was placed in such a disgusting body where he would surely be shunned. All the while, her hands were fidgeting nervously, unaware which command they should follow. They shook uncertainly, deciding whether to turn immediately and cover her head a soft, lilac scented pillow, or to look straight at his gruesome face. Her whole body felt like a blood-spattered battlefield, the product of manslaughter.
Then it dawned upon Relena. He was like her. Always prejudged because of his physical appearance. Her soul won, while her heart pounded furiously; fueled with more and more pity every passing second. She turned to look straight at him, although his hideous face was turned to the creamy walls. When he finally turned around, she found herself soaring in the clear, crisp sky that was his eyes. A small, graceful dove, she had risen above all people, even as a peace-loving bird. When he blinked, the trance that held Relena so firm in its grasp broke. As if suddenly jolted with a bolt of lightning, her body jerked forward quickly, unexpectedly. Concern shone through his eyes; he didn't have to say it, she saw it. In his beautiful orbs he saw that pure, indescribable pain she felt when people looked at her like a prize. Hot tears forced their way out of her eyes, spilling onto her fair skin. As they tumbled down her rosy cheek, she swiftly raised her hand to wipe them away, so she could see his eyes again. They had an incredible depth to them, like Heero's. They were full of secrets, mysteries, and invisible struggles that no one cared to see.
Shocked, his eyes began to fill with amazement. As each moment passed, the wonder he felt never ceased. His eyes locked with her eyes, exchanging thoughts and feelings without words. Time passed them, in seconds, minutes, maybe even hours. But it didn't matter. Whole conversations were being held without words. Servants occasionally entered in and out of the room, checking to see if their master was all right, only to find him and the woman staring at each other, gazes locked, it seemed that they would be for the rest of eternity.
Relena was astonished. He was like her. She could talk to him and be understood, not brushed off, not be deemed insane. She envisioned what they would say if she even bothered to share her thoughts with them. 'You're the Queen of the World! What more could you ask for?' 'Relena, you seriously need some sleep. Staying up late has got to your common sense.' 'Quit!? Are you serious!? You can't do that! The peace - it could be easily destroyed! You have to look after it! You can't!'
Then she imagined the headlines that would show up on the front page of newspapers around the world and all over the colonies. 'Vice Foreign Minister Darlian considering retirement!' 'News Flash! Minister Darlian to quit! How will the world handle it?' She could dream on and on about what might happen; and none of her ideas would ever be good for the world or for her reputation as a member of society; as a person. That's why she never even talked to anyone about it. She never would follow through with her plan. Her emotions always stopped her. Doubting thoughts always surfaced, and she could do nothing but watch her plan fail, and listen to those thoughts..
She wished that she could be like Heero. Just turn off her emotions. As simple as that. But she couldn't, she hadn't been trained as the perfect soldier, she had never been meant for war. She was a tool of peace. But still, the doubts always came. 'What if the peace I worked so hard for is destroyed?' 'What if the world is plunged into chaos?' 'It would be all my fault!' 'What if I didn't lead a normal life as I would've imagined?' 'What if the paparazzi still tracked me down and reported on me?' 'What if they spread hideous, untrue rumors about me?' 'What if I regret doing this?' 'How do I know this is right?' He knew what it felt like to have that kind of pain. But he would never know what it felt like to be admired, idolized by hundreds of people. He would never know how careful and cautious you had to be, with the media watching your every move. No one would ever experience what she had. Because Relena was Relena and there was no other Relena in the world, nor would there ever be. She was the one and only Relena Darlian Peacecraft
His amazement at her courage to face him was reflected in his sky blue eyes. No had dared look at him, face to face, for so long. And she - she was so beautiful! Such a beautiful had looked at him with understanding, not contempt, but with pity, and an emotion he couldn't describe. It felt distantly familiar, like a childhood memory long forgotten. Whatever it was it was breathtaking. So wonderful, no, it was indescribable. Her eyes saw his curiosity and she mouthed a word for the feeling he saw in her cerulean eyes. A word! This emotion was so great, so high above the others and yet it had a word for it? Such an exquisite display of feeling and it was a word. Something so lovely like that shouldn't be described by a mere word. H-O-P-E, she mouthed. Hope. That was what he had forgotten. He had missed so much, he had forgotten so much.
As he said the word hope in his mind endlessly, never tiring of it, Relena saw yet another emotion form in his eyes. Joy. Sheer joy at being treated as a human, sheer joy at discovering this human emotion shone brightly in his sky blue orbs. It was a rare emotion for her now days. Lack of sleep, depression, and too much work had taken its toll. The only time she ever thought she would actually feel joy was when Heero was with her. And he insisted on staying away from her. Insisted on making her feel so sad, so utterly depressed. Relena knew it was his nature; it was how he had been raised to do, taught to do. Destroy. Kill. Hate. To accomplish their mission; or to die trying. Never anything else. Unknowingly, she whispered, "A soldier's life is a bleak one." She thought over that phrase in her head that she thought was kept there. Then she added, "Except for red. Red is a soldier's favorite color. Red is the only color the soldier knows. Red stands out in the dull gray of a soldier's vision. It is the only color the soldier sees. Red for blood. The blood of those he spills on to the brutal battlefields he has fought on. The blood he spills elsewhere. The blood he regards as nothing but a liquid. The life-giving fluid. Lives litter the battlefields, and the soldier does not care. He has accomplished his mission. That is all that matters to the soldier. The soldier - the agent of death." The words escaped her lips secretly, as if they had a mind of their own.
He focused on her eyes again. This time he saw what hope she had. Hope for the future, hope for a better life, hope for understanding, and hope for love. Then there was this hope that he just couldn't distinguish. It was slowly fading away, but still it remained, stubbornly living. He smiled awkwardly. Though hope is frail it is hard to kill.
He was grateful. Grateful that she had reintroduced hope into his life. He remembered the sun-basked fields that were his childhood home. The sweet smell of strawberries. The smell of fresh grass. The aroma of life; old and new. Although that was gone, he still had those wonderful memories. And he had hope.
______________________________________________________________________
Heero Yuy slammed his fist into the wall; blood spurting from his fresh wound. Again and again he smashed his fist into the now red wall, covered with blood. His apartment now reeked with the scent of blood. DAMN! He had thought that leaving her for such a short amount of time was acceptable; since he would be nearby. But then it had happened. It had happened and he, the perfect solider, had done absolutely nothing to stop it. Blood trickled steadily down his fist, streaking his muscular arm.
"Once again, we are greatly displeased in having to declare that Vice Foreign Minister Darlian has not been found. Her brother, Milliardo Peacecraft, and his fiancée were found, however unfortunately, severely injured. Both have been pronounced dead. Search parties have flocked out to the scene of the disaster..." The news anchor blabbed on about how and when Relena's limousine had fallen over a bridge, into the frigid river water.
"DAMN!" Heero couldn't keep his emotions under control at this point. He couldn't. Not when the only one he had ever and would love was lost and could be dead. Not when he couldn't do anything about it. For once he had failed his mission. His most important mission.
His suspicions were right. Everything he had ever touched; ever cared about had been cruelly wrestled away from him. The father he had never known, the mother that had died at childbirth; and now his beloved Relena.
How would he ever live without knowing that she was safe; out there somewhere, even if he wasn't with her. She was his sole reason for living each day. When dawn fell upon the world, all he could think about was Relena. When the sun set in the sky, when the stars shone brightly, all he thought about was her. The only reason he ever woke up in the morning, greeted by the singing birds outside of his window, was to make sure she was safe. He would gladly lay down his god forsaken life for her precious one. He would travel to the depths of hell and back; he would do anything to know that she would always be safe and happy. Even if she wasn't happy with him.
He picked up his alarm clock; caressed it as he had always wanted to touch Relena. To tell her that he loved her with all his heart; to have her whisper that she loved him back. But that was always a dream. An always seemingly unreachable dream that he dreamed, night and day, unceasingly. Throwing it into the television, it produced a horrible fizzing sound.
She could be gone from his life forever. She could be somewhere; kidnapped. And he couldn't do anything but hope. Hope. It was a human emotion. A weakness. Relena had taught him to live again.
He suddenly decided that he was going to look for her. Even if he was to look for her in death. If he had to cross the border from hell to heaven, he would do it; just to see her lovely face again.
"I'm coming Relena, I'm coming..."
________________________________________________________________________
Her stomach groaned; breakfast had come but it had left quickly when the odd man had brushed it away; immobilized.
He smiled. They had been talking about this girl's life, Relena, for the last few hours. It felt so comforting to talk to her. But she was still a human, and she needed food. Gesturing for food to be brought, he continued listening to her talk about this Heero Yuy of hers and her miserable life. Although it didn't bring joy for him to listen, it brought her comfort and him a sense of belonging.
Almost immediately, a servant brought a delicious platter of appetizing food for them to eat. Hungrily, she stuffed food into her waiting mouth. One would think she hadn't eaten for days; not hours.
"Oh! I forgot!" He scurried to the back of the room, hurriedly. Coming back, he had a antique scroll in his hand. Gently unrolling the scroll, he pointed to the fancy lettering on the old worn paper.
The strongest hope eternally binds
The truest love that it finds
"Why are you showing me this?" She said, looking at him questionably.
"Tis' the ancient riddle of the lovers. However, it is only part of the confusing riddle. There is more; but I do not have the rest."
"The riddle of the lovers....what do you mean?"
"I take it that you have not heard the legend of the inseparable two?"
"Inseparable two?"
"Listen carefully, my dear.
There once was a peasant who had foolishly fallen in love with the princess of a great land beyond the horizon. The peasant had only an acre of land and a ugly thatched hut. But his generosity, good looks, and caring personality were known throughout the world. Fair maidens fell madly in love with him on first sight, and all admired his courage, strength, and beauty. He was rumored to have hair the color of the rich, brown earth that he worked so well, and deep azure eyes. However, his heart belonged to this fair princess. However, she was her father's only child, thus he was very protective of her. Suitors came from near and far; however her heart was only for the peasant. It was said that her hair glistened like gold in the sunlight, and that it fell in a glistening cascade. Her eyes were said to be living jewels, glistening with the strong, exquisite inner fire of a sapphire. All men were captivated by her lithe good looks and beautiful personality. Day and night, they hoped and hoped for a chance to be together. Through all these trials and tribulations, their love grew stronger and stronger. No one had ever experienced this kind of love, and up until the day when the chosen ones appear, no one ever will. Her father did not understand this love, for she had seen him twice and talked to him once; yet her heart belonged solely to the peasant. Soon the princess abandoned all of her duties, and the peasant all of his. The princess's day was spent looking out a window and onto the great, vast plain where he lived. He no longer tended his crops and spent day and night looking past the horizon to her splendid castle. The king grew angered because the princess was growing thinner and thinner each day, infatuated with a mere peasant. Thus he sent soldiers out to kill the peasant. It is said that at the moment of the peasant's death, the princess herself cried out into frigid sky, and a cold hard rain began to fall. Soon thereafter, the princess died screaming his name, and at the moment of her death, the sky lit up brilliantly. A bright white flash seared the cloudless sky, and the maid that was bringing a blanket for the princess said that she saw her mistress's spirit and that of her lover's hand in hand, walking into heaven on a beautiful rainbow. The last words of the princess were, "Dear God, let me have a chance with my love. A chance." They were inscribed upon a sapphire the color of her sky blue eyes and buried deep in the earth. And up to this day, it is rumored that when you see a rainbow over the horizon, it is upon that heavenly arch that the princess and her true love, the peasant walk in unity. And not one couple has ever experienced the true, pure love that they had, nor will any pair in the future. However, if by some miracle, the true chosen ones will once again unite..."
"Is there any more?"
"I believe so. However, I do not remember the rest. Forgive me, but I must retire to by bed now."
"Yes..." Relena whispered, dumbfounded. She was so caught up in her own thoughts of the legend that she didn't hear the old man talking to her.
"Miss. Miss!"
"Oh! Forgive me. I was just wondering about the princess and the peasant..."
"You may wonder later, after you get your sleep."
He ushered her to her bed, and she laid down, thinking of her beloved - Heero. His unruly, yet handsome hair. His beautiful, deep Prussian blue eyes. In her mind she heard his deep, rich monotone voice. So cold, yet beautiful. She wanted him to just appear by her side and cradle her in his warm, welcoming arms. Relena wanted him kiss her, and to hold her, protect her always. True, he had always protected her from physical threats, but never from the personal demons that she encountered daily. She wanted to share her life with him, for eternity and beyond.
"Heero..."
Then she had a revelation. He would be looking for her! Yet, how could her find her if she was here? Why would he even bother to check this old mansion, where an old, distorted hermit lived? She had leave immediately. She rose up, the silk and satin sheets shifting under her graceful body. Flattening out the wrinkles in the silky fabric of her dress, she sighed, looking at her beautiful surroundings. Just as she was about to leave room, she heard a voice. It was the old man's scratchy voice.
"Please don't surrender."
Authors Note: There was some angst, and there'll probably be more. It you don't like angst, tell me. Please Review!!! I'm a bad reader too - sometimes I don't review (k, more like a lot) but please, just take the small amount of time to review!!! I'm just going to put in the names of songs that sorta go with the content of the story. If you have any good song titles, please tell me. I know there isn't a lot of romance in this chapter, but this is just building up, letting you to get to know the new characters that I have created. Again, please review!!!
