' Just one more lap. Just one more and you're done, you'll quit after that. You can't let him beat you. You must be the best.' These thoughts ran through Relena's head as she completed her 19th lap around the large training field. She kept her eyes focused only on what was ahead of her and tried to ignore the angry pain in her calves. She was running alone now. It had taken weeks but finally she had gotten strong enough to leave the group behind in their daily runs. After regaining some weight, strength and sleep Zechs had started training as well and watching him run made Relena tired. She would always want to quit right when he finished lapping her for the second or third time but then she would always remember that Heero was considered his equal and Heero could do it Relena knew she must too. Her weakness always frustrated her but none the less she was getting better. Only a few more feet and she would be done. Relena gathered all the energy left in her legs and burst out one last spurt of speed. Just then a silvery blur sped past her over the marker and then came to an almost complete stop.
Zechs took out the hair tie binding his waist length hair and shook it out letting the sun catch it's shininess. Yes, Zechs was most certainly a show off. Whether or not he was a prisoner he couldn't help trying to look superior and making girls swoon was a favorite pass time for him now. Relena wondered what Noin would say if she could see Zechs waving at a group of girls shouting at him.
" He lapped you again." came the cool familiar voice of Danielle. Relena turned to see Danielle sauntering up to her. The girl had long aubern hair which she left down most of the time. Her eyes were the color of emeralds much like Trowa's eyes. She was around Relena's height if not a little taller and made a tough opponant in almost all the training courses. She had been training for a long time now and had acquired a body almost as ripped as Zechs. She was a known trouble maker and had quickly made herself the tough girl so that no one even tried picking fights with her. Her specialty was working with the cannons and larger weapons because of this she was part of the artilary and soon would complete her training in the field. Right now she came looking as if they had merely taken a brisk walk and behind her came Chris.
Chris was smaller than both of them which was mainly do to the fact that she was still 15. Her hair was the color of honey and layered so that it fell to just below her shoulders. Her eyes were a deep blue that you could almost get lost in. Despite her size, Chris was one of the stronger soldiers in training and was doing extra hours as a sniper in training. Relena had watched her once in the shooting field and saw the small girl pick up a rifle and leave every target with at least one hole gaping out of a vital spot. Relena suddenly felt just a little happy about Chris's personality whenever she thought of that session. Unlike Danielle Chris was kind and quiet. She didn't have too many friends not because she was unpopular but mainly because the girl was shy and liked to be alone a lot. Relena wondered if when the war started Chris would really have the heart to do the killing.
Relena had made other friends as well though they hadn't been as close. Close? What was she thinking? These people were out for blood...her family's blood originally. Now here she was training to kill her love Heero. Was she really so fickle as to change like that? Her thoughts were broken by Danielle's voice.
" You never will beat him you might as well face it, he's to fast for anyone."
" That would explain why you like him so much huh?" asked Relena with a sly smile. Danielle turned red and made to punch her but Relena dodged quickly and stood out of harms reach.
" I suppose he is attractive." said Chris in her light and quiet voice.
" What? Thinking of cheating on your wolf pup?" mocked Danielle. Chris was the one who turned red now.
" I don't think that's fair of you to say Danielle." she said as she began staring at her shoes. It was common knowledge that Chris liked Wolf though she hadn't told anybody. Still it was pretty common to find her gazing at Wolf while he walked down in between buildings or was inspecting new troops. This made life slightly hard for her considering they lived in a co-ed barracks and boys are usually more insulting than girls.
" Peacecraft I want you and Mr. Self sufficent USA in my office now. The rest of you need to get to your training areas now!" yelled Wolfe as he came out from behind a building. Chris immediately started jogging toward the gun range while Danielle shrugged and decided to go the extra long way around the entire base that happened to pass right by Zechs. As she passed him Zechs offered a curt nod and his eyes seemed to linger as she caught up to Chris and started talking. Maybe Noin would have a tiny bit of competition after all.
" Why do you always try to sprint the whole thing? It's called long distance for a reason." asked Zechs as Chris and Danielle disappeared from view.
" Because I'm not lazy like you."
" Or as smart."
" You trying to start something?" asked Relena, her temper starting to flare. Zechs merely started laughing.
" What, may I ask is so funny?"
" Only that half a year ago you were Miss. Pacifist and now here you are trying to start fights with your own dear brother."
" Half a year..."
" Yes, half a year you stupid turn cloaks. Now if you don't mind I'd like silence while we're walking thank you." At this point Zechs and Relena had come to like and even trust their new leader despite the fact that they were hostages. As Wolf turned around again Zechs made an obscene gesture and Relena had bite her lip to keep from laughing.
It really had been six months since her capture hadn't it? Sometimes it seemed like yesterday and at other times it felt like years. After making the agreement with Wolf, Relena and Zechs were kept underguard at the wearhouse until finally they and two hundred new recruits from that part of the world were flown to an uninhabited colony far from everything Relena had ever known. Wolf had already informed them both that they were to be treated as soldiers in training only. That meant that the next day Relena was out there doing a six mile jog with all the other new recruits. Having never really done such hard exercise it was amazing that she even got through the first mile. More experienced students such as Danielle watched and jeered on the sidelines as she struggled to keep up. This only made Relena more determined to prove herself and now after all that time she could finally keep up with and once in a while even outrun Danielle and the others.
At first she had been miserable and cried herself to sleep every night, unable to get over that feeling that she was trapped. This had earned even more rebukes from the people in her barracks and made her more depressed. She had hoped that Heero would come and each day she would wake up and look out the window hoping to see some sign of Wing Zero, he never came. Relena began to appreciate her brother even more as time went by, it seemed that now that he had no choice but to be near her he was willing to open up once in a while. In a way this whole situation had turned him into the brother she had always hoped for and she felt glad that she had saved him after all. The first thing he had done once his strength returned was kick the asses of every guy who gave her trouble. He then taught her how to fight so that she could kick the asses of any girls that might try bothering her. Soon enough people didn't bother her and life was a little more bearable. Chris had been her friend almost from the start. They were both pretty new and knew nobody so soon they were friends and always together. After Relena had gained Danielle's respect she joined the group and now the three were pretty good friends.
As for Zechs it seemed the only people he could make friends with were girls. He was always getting into fights with some new recruit or even a commanding officer. The sad part was he hadn't lost a fight yet and had enemies on all sides. Maybe this was why he hung out with her so much (much to Danielle's pleasure) whatever the reason he was pretty cool to have around and Relena enjoyed his company.
They were finally at the door of Wolf's office and walked into a room much like the one back on Earth aside from the fact that he also had some knives and a computer in this one.
" I have called you here for a reason." said Wolf.
" Um...are you sure?" asked Zechs sarcastically. For the most part he and Wolf were okay with each other but there was still some resentment deep down. Relena elbowed Zechs in the ribs to say shut up and then looked expectantly at Wolf.
" As you know after completing a certain amount of training each soldier is tested in certain areas to see which group they fit best. Milliardo....how many times have i told you not to glare that way?"
" I lost count" Wolf kept looking expectantly at him"...commander." Wolf gave a satisfied grin and continued.
" Milliardo you will be put in the mobile suit unit do to your experience. Relena we have yet to decide with you. Is there anything that you would prefer?"
" I suppose I'd like to go with my brother." said Relena.
" A female pilot?"
" Lucrezia Noin could do it and so can I." said Relena.
" Lucrezia Noin was in the military almost all her life."
" You asked for my preference." Relena made her voice indifferent so he wouldn't see how pissed he had just made her.
" I suppose I did. Fine you'll both begin training tomorrow but if you aren't making the cut I will move you Relena."
" Yes sir." said Relena.
That night at dinner Relena sat around talking with some girls from her barracks.
" So you and your brother are gonna be in the mobile suit unit?" asked Chris
" Yup, or at least Zechs will. I still have to prove myself. said Relena before taking a bite out of her sloppy-joe.
" Wow, that's pretty neat considering none of the other girls have really gone for it." stated Lilly.
" Really? Zechs used to work with my friend Lucrezia Noin. They were two of the best pilots out there and Zechs has always admired her because he says she was always better than him."
" Were they together?"
" Still are I think. It's taken him forever to admit he loves her but he finally did. Once this war's over we'll all go to their huge wedding and see her become Mrs. Lucrezia Merquise or Peacecraft if he ever decides to quit feeling ashamed."
" No thanks." came a quiet, angry voice and Relena regretted what she had said when she saw Danielle storm out of the room.
" Hey what's the matter with her?" asked a voice.
" hehe She's mad that Zechs is playing out her kinky fantasies with that Noin girl." giggled an Asian girl named Amy.
A hand suddenly clamped on Relena's shoulder. " We need to talk." said the voice and Relena looked up into her brothers piercing blue eyes. Without a word she got up and followed him outside trying to ignore the fit of giggles that she heard coming from the table.
" Why are you telling them about me?"
" Because half of them are madly in love with you." came the flat response.
" You mean Chris and Amy?"
" More like Danielle and Amy. Chris has sworn her heart to Wolf." said Relena striking a theatrical pose in the hope of making him laugh. Instead he seemed less happy. " What? Don't you like being the center of every girl's attention?"
" Why do they have to be like that?" asked Zechs tiredly.
" Cuz ur hot."
" Ok...I did not need to hear that from my own sister al right?" Zechs said disgustedly.
" Yah, but you know it's true." Relena grinned broadly as she saw his cheeks start to color in the light of the lamp post.
" Whatever."
" You're blushing you know it's true. You think you are big sexy man!" Relena teased.
" No! And I'm not blushing it's a sunburn."
" Yah you keep thinking that gorgeous."
" This has gotten way too morbid for me."
" Yah but you know you like it."
" No."
"Yes."
"No."
"No." said Relena simply.
" Yes! I mean...dammit Relena!
All Relena could do was sit there laughing.
"Relena?"
" Yah?" Relena had finally stopped laughing and was wincing at the dull pain in her ribs.
" Why'd you choose the mobile suit unit?"
" Cuz your in it."
" My butt! Why?"
" I didn't feel like being a sniper I guess."
" They have girl snipers?"
" Only one and that's Chris."
" Is she any good?"
" Like hell yah. You might be the best in a mecha but on the ground with only a rifle your chances are far from high."
" That little girl can lift a rifle?!!"
" Um...yah...I think that might be why she's a frickin sniper.
"But it's Chris."
" Yah but Noin wasn't a cow either and she does just fine."
" Hell Relena! Why the fuck did you bring up Noin?!!"
" Wha?"
" I know why you're doing that and it's not fair!"
" But-"
" No I don't want to hear it just stay away from me." and with that he stalked off into the night.
Relena stood there stunned for a moment. What was wrong? Had she done something wrong? Had she just screwed up with her brother the same way as she screwed up with her people? Relena couldn't take it she just needed to be alone for a while. Soundlessly she rushed off into the woods near the perimeter of the base. She ran for a long time until reaching the fence that encircled the base and then began walking back. As she did this something caught her eye and she saw what looked like a person rush off. Who was watching her? She needed to know in case it was an intruder. Should she go tell Wolf? No, she was a trained soldier this was something she should do on her own. With that she rushed after the shadow. She now heard the snap of a twig as a foot cracked it and the rustle of leaves. Judging from the sound she was gaining on him. Suddenly the noise was gone and she was standing at the mouth of a cave.
Cautiously she stepped forward into the cave wishing she had a flashlight. Inside it was pitch black and hard to see anything. Her better judgement told her she should get out of there but unfortunately Relena rarely uses her better judgement and instead she walked forward into the cave. Suddenly there was a sound from in front of her and Relena was stepping forward to investigate when a hand clapped over her mouth. Then there was another pressing against her stomach and pressing her to the attackers body. Whoever he was he had hard muscles and for a moment Relena wondered if Zechs was playing a prank until the hand on her face turned her head toward him and started a passionate kiss.
At first Relena wanted to fight but as his tongue entered her mouth her attempts became even more feeble. He turned her around slowly and pressed her against him more and more tightly. What was she doing letting him kiss her? Who was he anyway? Obviously not Zechs whoever he was.
" Have you any idea how much i want you?" came a light whisper. Relena merely wrapped her arms around his neck and let him lower her to the floor.
The next morning Relena felt herself awaken but didn't open her eyes. She felt so warm and wonderful that it seemed opening her eyes would shatter this wonderful feeling. Her arm moved and suddenly she recognized the feel of an arm wrapped around her. What had happened? She was in her bedroom in the Cinq kingdom...wait that was wrong she was really on some abandoned colony in some uncharted corner of space. Relena remembered the dream she had been having. In it Heero had come to her and everything had been wonderful. Quickly she opened her eyes and was shocked to find herself in Wolf's arms...naked. 'Oh my God what just happened here? Ok stupid question but why did it happen?!!!'