Thank you to all those who keep reading and reviewing. Sorry for the long delay. I've been busy with my summer English project. I'm really happy that you find my story interesting. Frankly, I thought it was boring when I started it, but not anymore. So please keep reading and reviewing. Oh, ideas and suggestions are greatly welcomed. To be truthful, I'm starting to run out of ideas.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing.
Chapter 7
On Monday morning Relena woke up at the sound of her alarm clock. She shut it off and stared at the ceiling for a few moments before getting out of bed. It was official the first day in which she would receive Heero's protection. The thought did not thrill her in any way. She hated it when Zechs took control which wasn't even often. Usually he would let her do whatever she wanted. Relena growled softly as she looked at herself in the mirror. She didn't even feel like putting her hair back. She ran a brush through her long hair, grabbed her bag, and went downstairs.
The drive to school was quiet as usual. As the car pulled up to the front doors, Relena could see Heero waiting patiently for her arrival. The car stopped, and he opened the door for her. She stepped out and almost seethed at that smirk of his.
"Good morning, Relena," he greeted as she brushed past him. Heero turned to Zechs and said, "I can take her home if that isn't a problem."
"I see no problem with that. Relena has lessons promptly after school. She can't be late. Is that clear?" Zechs declared, looking Heero right in the eye.
Heero nodded and closed the door before Relena could protest. The car rolled out of the driveway leaving behind an agitated Relena and a smirking Heero.
"You're just full of ideas, aren't you?" Relena said as she began to walk toward the building.
"Yeah." Heero kept pace with her determined strides. "Especially when it comes to you," he added softly, opening the door for her.
Relena heard his soft words, and his husky voice sent a chill down her spine. She maintained her cool demeanor and started toward her class. Heero stayed by her side. As they walked together, Relena noticed that students moved out of the way to let them pass. Was it because of her or him? She slid a glance at the handsome boy next to her. He carried himself as confidently as her brother with the same air of mystery around them. Relena stopped outside her class and looked at Heero.
"I think I can take of myself from here on," she said. "You can go to your class now."
"My class is here," Heero replied and waited for her reaction.
He wasn't disappointed. Relena stopped herself from looking surprise as her eyes narrowed at him. "You're not in my class if I remember correctly, and I do remember."
"I switched schedules with someone. Miss Une was kind enough to allow it," Heero explained with a look of innocence.
"So you're in my class now?" Relena said more as a statement than as a question. Heero nodded with a slight smile. "Terrific." She gripped her bag as she felt the aggravation starting to build up in her.
Suddenly a shrill voice came out of nowhere behind him. "Heero!"
Heero stiffened at the sound of that voice, and his smile faded. He didn't dare turn around to see who it was. He knew who it was. Relena noticed his discomfort and looked over his shoulder. She almost groaned at the sight behind him.
Sylvia Noventa and her followers came bounding up next to him with a brilliant smile on her face. She looped her arm through his and held on tightly so he couldn't pull away without hurting her. "I heard you changed schedules. I think that's great. Now we're in the same class for the rest of the semester." Then she noticed Relena standing in front of them. "Excuse me, could you leave please? Your presence is annoying."
"Perhaps it's not a total loss," Relena said to Heero in a soft voice. She went inside leaving Heero with a clinging Sylvia on his arm.
Heero glared at Sylvia and managed to dislodge his arm from her death grip. "Excuse me," he said in a icy tone. Now he went inside leaving an astonished Sylvia behind with her mouth wide open as well as her friends.
"Hey, Sylvia! What are you trying to do? Catch flies?" Hilde joked when she walked up behind the girls.
Dorothy laughed at Hilde's comment. "I think so, Hilde. It's certainly big enough." She laughed again when Sylvia's face turned a bright red. Sylvia glared at them and stormed into the classroom with her clones at her heel.
Hilde laughed, too. "Good one, Dorothy." Suddenly the bell rang, and the two girls rushed inside so they wouldn't be late.
Time flew by quickly, and soon it was almost time for lunch. Sister Teresa glanced at the clock and said, "Class, we have about fifteen minutes until lunch. Close your books, and we're going to have a discussion over who is the real tragic hero in Julius Caesar. Remember there will be a test on the play tomorrow, so pay attention. So, is it Brutus or Caesar?"
Groans erupted from many people as they put away their books. Relena didn't mind having a discussion. In fact, she found it invigorating over long, dull lectures. Perhaps if she got into it, she would forget about Heero and his intense gaze at her. He had his eyes on her ever since class started and he never got tired of watching her. Relena was determined not to unnerved by him. As the hours went by, she decided she had to get comfortable with him or else she wouldn't survive.
"All right, who should start us off? Sylvia, you've been awfully quiet. Who do you think the tragic hero is based on the readings?" Sister Teresa asked.
Sylvia didn't reply right away. Instead she glanced around the room with a look of panic on her face. "Uh..." she began.
"You have been paying attention, haven't you, Miss Noventa?" Sister Teresa questioned with a gleam of suspicion in her eyes.
"Of course, Sister. Um, the tragic hero is...uh...Caesar," stammered Sylvia.
"Why?"
"Because the play is named after him," she replied rather lamely.
Snickers filled the room at her answer. Sylvia glared at everyone, and immediately it quieted down.
"Who else thinks Caesar is the tragic hero?" Sister Teresa asked. A wave of hands shot up almost immediately. She noticed that Relena had not raised her hand as well as the new boy, Heero Yuy. "Who do you think it is, Relena?"
"Depends," Relena replied quietly.
Sister Teresa raised an eyebrow and eyed Relena carefully. "On what?"
"On your definition of a tragic hero," she responded. "Aristotle defined a tragic hero as having four characteristics: goodness so readers can pity him, superiority in which he feels he is above others, a tragic flaw that brings about his downfall, and a tragic realization in which he realizes his flaw and accepts it before he dies."
Silence surrounded the room as everyone gaped at Relena's answer except Heero. He had that irritating smirk on his face. Sister Teresa was obviously impressive with Relena's response. She smiled and nodded.
"There are many ways to define a tragic hero, and that's one way. So based on that definition, who do you think it is?" she asked.
"It could be Caesar or it could be Brutus," Relena replied. "It depends."
"I say it's Brutus," Heero said suddenly. Heads turned to look at the usually silent boy.
Relena glanced at him with a slight turn of her head. He was wearing that annoying smirk of his. She knew that he was trying to get on her nerves. Well, she wouldn't let him. "Well, then today I think it's Caesar. He has all four characteristics, and Brutus doesn't."
Heero leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "Brutus does have the four qualities. Readers can pity him because of his devotion to Rome yet in the end he loses. He is a well-loved general, so obviously he feels that he is above others. His flaw is his idealism for Rome, and he realizes it before he kills himself."
There was applause when Heero finished. They liked his answer.
Relena nearly bristled under his complacent tone. "Are you sure he realizes his flaw? I don't think so. As you said he is devoted to Rome, and in the end he dies for Rome. How can he realize right then and there that his life was a mistake? That all his idealism was wrong? It's highly unlikely that a person who change his beliefs so quickly."
This time there was also applause for Relena's answer. They liked her answer, too.
"And what of Caesar then? Can you convince me that it is him who is the tragic hero?" Heero questioned.
"Readers can pity him just Brutus. He dies under the hands of his well-trusted friends. He obviously believes that he was superior. There is no doubt in that. His tragic flaw can be many different things, but it is clearly seen before he dies. He put too much trust into his friends that he thought were loyal to him, and he realizes it when he utters that famous line 'Et tu, Brute?' When he realizes that even Brutus had stabbed him, he realizes his misplaced trust," Relena explained. She had an air of confidence about her and dared him to counter that.
"Very impressive, Relena and Heero. I can see you two really got into the play. So, Heero, has Relena convinced you with her argument?" Sister Teresa questioned with a big smile. "I must say it was very persuasive."
"I agree, Sister. I am convinced," Heero replied with a little smirk. Suddenly the bell rang, and students began to gather their things and leave.
Relena waited until most of the students were gone before she stood up with her books in her arms. Heero was waiting for her by the door with a bag slung over one shoulder. She nearly frowned at him as she walked down the stairs. He had that smug look on, and it was getting on her nerves. Was she doomed to feel this way all the time around him? The idea scared her a bit.
"Were you trying to tell me something, Princess?" Heero asked softly as she walked up to him.
Relena almost gasped at his words. "I asked you not to call me that."
"Well, were you?" he asked again. Heero took the books from her and offered his arm.
Relena glanced down at his arm before looking back up at him. He was being a perfect gentleman. Well, almost perfect if you add in the smirk of his. Out of nowhere Relena smiled, a small smile. She slipped her arm through his and said in response to his question, "Perhaps."
Heero gave her a small smile in return. He led her down to her locker where she exchanged her morning books for her afternoon ones. As they walked, they attracted stares from everyone. The others couldn't believe what they were seeing. Heero Yuy had a girl hanging on his arm. (And I mean that in a good way) Also, Relena actually let someone get close to her.
Once they were outside, Heero stopped and looked at Relena. "Want to meet my friends?"
Relena glanced over at the large group under the willow tree. She knew that they were nice people, but she was still uncomfortable. "I don't think so."
"Not backing down from a battle, are we?" Heero asked quietly.
Her head whipped back up at his chiding tone, and her eyes narrowed slightly. "Lead the way, Mr. Yuy."
Heero grinned to himself. The ice princess was back, and she wasn't about to let him get to her. He started to lead her to the group.
Meanwhile, the others were eating lunch until they were interrupted by a choking sound. Everyone glanced over at Duo who had one of his hands on his throat and the other pointing at something. Hilde looked over at where her boyfriend was pointing, and her mouth dropped open.
"Well, what do you know?" Midii said, watching Heero and Relena come toward them. "Miracles do happen."
"I say he would be better off without her," Wufei commented with a frown. WHACK! His head suddenly lashed forward. He turned his menacing brown eyes at his girlfriend. "Woman, what did you do that for?"
Sally frowned at him and crossed her arms. "You should be happy for him."
"They look right for each other in a strange but good way," Quatre remarked as he looked over them. Quatre had learned at a young age that he was an empathic like his mother. Many times he is able to see things that no one else can.
"I think Quatre is right. Those two do complement each other with their cold yet intriguing personalities," Dorothy declared with a wicked little smile.
True to his nature, Trowa didn't say anything, but he kept his eyes on the two coming toward them. He may be silence most of the time, but Trowa also had uncanny ability to sense things.
"Hi, guys," Heero greeted his friends.
"Hi," they echoed back.
He pulled Relena forward a little and felt her tightened her grip on him. Heero could feel her nails digging into his skin. She was making pay for this. "I believe you all know Relena."
"Hi, Relena," they all said.
"Hello," she replied quietly.
"You know Hilde and Dorothy. That's Duo Maxwell next to Hilde, and the blond is Quatre Raberba Winner," Heero said, gesturing at them. "The quiet pair is Trowa Barton and Midii Une. And last but not least, those two are Wufei Chang and Sally Po." He indicated the at the scowling boy and the grinning girl.
"It's nice to meet you, Relena," Quatre declared, giving her his trademark smile.
This time Relena really dug her nails into Heero's arm. If he wasn't so immune to pain, he would have winced under the pressure of them. He understood the signal. Relena wanted to leave now.
"Well, I won't be joining you guys for lunch today. I'll see you later," Heero said. Relena nodded at them and left with Heero.
"You enjoyed that very much, didn't you?" Relena accused when she saw the smug look on his face and they were out of earshot.
"Of course not," Heero said. He set her books down on the bench and sat down. "Princess."
It wasn't going to happen. Relena knew that she wouldn't be her usual self when she was around him now. How he could affect her this way? She let out an exasperated sigh and sat down. "You're not going to stop calling me that, are you?" she asked more as a statement than a question.
"You got it, Princess," Heero replied complacently. "But don't worry. I'll only call you that when it's just you and me."
"Remember, Mr. Yuy. You don't have my trust yet," Relena reminded him. She slid him a glance and narrowed her eyes. Then she pulled out her lunch and started to eat.
Heero didn't reply. 'You'll trust me soon enough, Relena. You'll see,' he thought, gazing at her from under his unruly bangs.
Thank you for reading. Please REVIEW!
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing.
Chapter 7
On Monday morning Relena woke up at the sound of her alarm clock. She shut it off and stared at the ceiling for a few moments before getting out of bed. It was official the first day in which she would receive Heero's protection. The thought did not thrill her in any way. She hated it when Zechs took control which wasn't even often. Usually he would let her do whatever she wanted. Relena growled softly as she looked at herself in the mirror. She didn't even feel like putting her hair back. She ran a brush through her long hair, grabbed her bag, and went downstairs.
The drive to school was quiet as usual. As the car pulled up to the front doors, Relena could see Heero waiting patiently for her arrival. The car stopped, and he opened the door for her. She stepped out and almost seethed at that smirk of his.
"Good morning, Relena," he greeted as she brushed past him. Heero turned to Zechs and said, "I can take her home if that isn't a problem."
"I see no problem with that. Relena has lessons promptly after school. She can't be late. Is that clear?" Zechs declared, looking Heero right in the eye.
Heero nodded and closed the door before Relena could protest. The car rolled out of the driveway leaving behind an agitated Relena and a smirking Heero.
"You're just full of ideas, aren't you?" Relena said as she began to walk toward the building.
"Yeah." Heero kept pace with her determined strides. "Especially when it comes to you," he added softly, opening the door for her.
Relena heard his soft words, and his husky voice sent a chill down her spine. She maintained her cool demeanor and started toward her class. Heero stayed by her side. As they walked together, Relena noticed that students moved out of the way to let them pass. Was it because of her or him? She slid a glance at the handsome boy next to her. He carried himself as confidently as her brother with the same air of mystery around them. Relena stopped outside her class and looked at Heero.
"I think I can take of myself from here on," she said. "You can go to your class now."
"My class is here," Heero replied and waited for her reaction.
He wasn't disappointed. Relena stopped herself from looking surprise as her eyes narrowed at him. "You're not in my class if I remember correctly, and I do remember."
"I switched schedules with someone. Miss Une was kind enough to allow it," Heero explained with a look of innocence.
"So you're in my class now?" Relena said more as a statement than as a question. Heero nodded with a slight smile. "Terrific." She gripped her bag as she felt the aggravation starting to build up in her.
Suddenly a shrill voice came out of nowhere behind him. "Heero!"
Heero stiffened at the sound of that voice, and his smile faded. He didn't dare turn around to see who it was. He knew who it was. Relena noticed his discomfort and looked over his shoulder. She almost groaned at the sight behind him.
Sylvia Noventa and her followers came bounding up next to him with a brilliant smile on her face. She looped her arm through his and held on tightly so he couldn't pull away without hurting her. "I heard you changed schedules. I think that's great. Now we're in the same class for the rest of the semester." Then she noticed Relena standing in front of them. "Excuse me, could you leave please? Your presence is annoying."
"Perhaps it's not a total loss," Relena said to Heero in a soft voice. She went inside leaving Heero with a clinging Sylvia on his arm.
Heero glared at Sylvia and managed to dislodge his arm from her death grip. "Excuse me," he said in a icy tone. Now he went inside leaving an astonished Sylvia behind with her mouth wide open as well as her friends.
"Hey, Sylvia! What are you trying to do? Catch flies?" Hilde joked when she walked up behind the girls.
Dorothy laughed at Hilde's comment. "I think so, Hilde. It's certainly big enough." She laughed again when Sylvia's face turned a bright red. Sylvia glared at them and stormed into the classroom with her clones at her heel.
Hilde laughed, too. "Good one, Dorothy." Suddenly the bell rang, and the two girls rushed inside so they wouldn't be late.
Time flew by quickly, and soon it was almost time for lunch. Sister Teresa glanced at the clock and said, "Class, we have about fifteen minutes until lunch. Close your books, and we're going to have a discussion over who is the real tragic hero in Julius Caesar. Remember there will be a test on the play tomorrow, so pay attention. So, is it Brutus or Caesar?"
Groans erupted from many people as they put away their books. Relena didn't mind having a discussion. In fact, she found it invigorating over long, dull lectures. Perhaps if she got into it, she would forget about Heero and his intense gaze at her. He had his eyes on her ever since class started and he never got tired of watching her. Relena was determined not to unnerved by him. As the hours went by, she decided she had to get comfortable with him or else she wouldn't survive.
"All right, who should start us off? Sylvia, you've been awfully quiet. Who do you think the tragic hero is based on the readings?" Sister Teresa asked.
Sylvia didn't reply right away. Instead she glanced around the room with a look of panic on her face. "Uh..." she began.
"You have been paying attention, haven't you, Miss Noventa?" Sister Teresa questioned with a gleam of suspicion in her eyes.
"Of course, Sister. Um, the tragic hero is...uh...Caesar," stammered Sylvia.
"Why?"
"Because the play is named after him," she replied rather lamely.
Snickers filled the room at her answer. Sylvia glared at everyone, and immediately it quieted down.
"Who else thinks Caesar is the tragic hero?" Sister Teresa asked. A wave of hands shot up almost immediately. She noticed that Relena had not raised her hand as well as the new boy, Heero Yuy. "Who do you think it is, Relena?"
"Depends," Relena replied quietly.
Sister Teresa raised an eyebrow and eyed Relena carefully. "On what?"
"On your definition of a tragic hero," she responded. "Aristotle defined a tragic hero as having four characteristics: goodness so readers can pity him, superiority in which he feels he is above others, a tragic flaw that brings about his downfall, and a tragic realization in which he realizes his flaw and accepts it before he dies."
Silence surrounded the room as everyone gaped at Relena's answer except Heero. He had that irritating smirk on his face. Sister Teresa was obviously impressive with Relena's response. She smiled and nodded.
"There are many ways to define a tragic hero, and that's one way. So based on that definition, who do you think it is?" she asked.
"It could be Caesar or it could be Brutus," Relena replied. "It depends."
"I say it's Brutus," Heero said suddenly. Heads turned to look at the usually silent boy.
Relena glanced at him with a slight turn of her head. He was wearing that annoying smirk of his. She knew that he was trying to get on her nerves. Well, she wouldn't let him. "Well, then today I think it's Caesar. He has all four characteristics, and Brutus doesn't."
Heero leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "Brutus does have the four qualities. Readers can pity him because of his devotion to Rome yet in the end he loses. He is a well-loved general, so obviously he feels that he is above others. His flaw is his idealism for Rome, and he realizes it before he kills himself."
There was applause when Heero finished. They liked his answer.
Relena nearly bristled under his complacent tone. "Are you sure he realizes his flaw? I don't think so. As you said he is devoted to Rome, and in the end he dies for Rome. How can he realize right then and there that his life was a mistake? That all his idealism was wrong? It's highly unlikely that a person who change his beliefs so quickly."
This time there was also applause for Relena's answer. They liked her answer, too.
"And what of Caesar then? Can you convince me that it is him who is the tragic hero?" Heero questioned.
"Readers can pity him just Brutus. He dies under the hands of his well-trusted friends. He obviously believes that he was superior. There is no doubt in that. His tragic flaw can be many different things, but it is clearly seen before he dies. He put too much trust into his friends that he thought were loyal to him, and he realizes it when he utters that famous line 'Et tu, Brute?' When he realizes that even Brutus had stabbed him, he realizes his misplaced trust," Relena explained. She had an air of confidence about her and dared him to counter that.
"Very impressive, Relena and Heero. I can see you two really got into the play. So, Heero, has Relena convinced you with her argument?" Sister Teresa questioned with a big smile. "I must say it was very persuasive."
"I agree, Sister. I am convinced," Heero replied with a little smirk. Suddenly the bell rang, and students began to gather their things and leave.
Relena waited until most of the students were gone before she stood up with her books in her arms. Heero was waiting for her by the door with a bag slung over one shoulder. She nearly frowned at him as she walked down the stairs. He had that smug look on, and it was getting on her nerves. Was she doomed to feel this way all the time around him? The idea scared her a bit.
"Were you trying to tell me something, Princess?" Heero asked softly as she walked up to him.
Relena almost gasped at his words. "I asked you not to call me that."
"Well, were you?" he asked again. Heero took the books from her and offered his arm.
Relena glanced down at his arm before looking back up at him. He was being a perfect gentleman. Well, almost perfect if you add in the smirk of his. Out of nowhere Relena smiled, a small smile. She slipped her arm through his and said in response to his question, "Perhaps."
Heero gave her a small smile in return. He led her down to her locker where she exchanged her morning books for her afternoon ones. As they walked, they attracted stares from everyone. The others couldn't believe what they were seeing. Heero Yuy had a girl hanging on his arm. (And I mean that in a good way) Also, Relena actually let someone get close to her.
Once they were outside, Heero stopped and looked at Relena. "Want to meet my friends?"
Relena glanced over at the large group under the willow tree. She knew that they were nice people, but she was still uncomfortable. "I don't think so."
"Not backing down from a battle, are we?" Heero asked quietly.
Her head whipped back up at his chiding tone, and her eyes narrowed slightly. "Lead the way, Mr. Yuy."
Heero grinned to himself. The ice princess was back, and she wasn't about to let him get to her. He started to lead her to the group.
Meanwhile, the others were eating lunch until they were interrupted by a choking sound. Everyone glanced over at Duo who had one of his hands on his throat and the other pointing at something. Hilde looked over at where her boyfriend was pointing, and her mouth dropped open.
"Well, what do you know?" Midii said, watching Heero and Relena come toward them. "Miracles do happen."
"I say he would be better off without her," Wufei commented with a frown. WHACK! His head suddenly lashed forward. He turned his menacing brown eyes at his girlfriend. "Woman, what did you do that for?"
Sally frowned at him and crossed her arms. "You should be happy for him."
"They look right for each other in a strange but good way," Quatre remarked as he looked over them. Quatre had learned at a young age that he was an empathic like his mother. Many times he is able to see things that no one else can.
"I think Quatre is right. Those two do complement each other with their cold yet intriguing personalities," Dorothy declared with a wicked little smile.
True to his nature, Trowa didn't say anything, but he kept his eyes on the two coming toward them. He may be silence most of the time, but Trowa also had uncanny ability to sense things.
"Hi, guys," Heero greeted his friends.
"Hi," they echoed back.
He pulled Relena forward a little and felt her tightened her grip on him. Heero could feel her nails digging into his skin. She was making pay for this. "I believe you all know Relena."
"Hi, Relena," they all said.
"Hello," she replied quietly.
"You know Hilde and Dorothy. That's Duo Maxwell next to Hilde, and the blond is Quatre Raberba Winner," Heero said, gesturing at them. "The quiet pair is Trowa Barton and Midii Une. And last but not least, those two are Wufei Chang and Sally Po." He indicated the at the scowling boy and the grinning girl.
"It's nice to meet you, Relena," Quatre declared, giving her his trademark smile.
This time Relena really dug her nails into Heero's arm. If he wasn't so immune to pain, he would have winced under the pressure of them. He understood the signal. Relena wanted to leave now.
"Well, I won't be joining you guys for lunch today. I'll see you later," Heero said. Relena nodded at them and left with Heero.
"You enjoyed that very much, didn't you?" Relena accused when she saw the smug look on his face and they were out of earshot.
"Of course not," Heero said. He set her books down on the bench and sat down. "Princess."
It wasn't going to happen. Relena knew that she wouldn't be her usual self when she was around him now. How he could affect her this way? She let out an exasperated sigh and sat down. "You're not going to stop calling me that, are you?" she asked more as a statement than a question.
"You got it, Princess," Heero replied complacently. "But don't worry. I'll only call you that when it's just you and me."
"Remember, Mr. Yuy. You don't have my trust yet," Relena reminded him. She slid him a glance and narrowed her eyes. Then she pulled out her lunch and started to eat.
Heero didn't reply. 'You'll trust me soon enough, Relena. You'll see,' he thought, gazing at her from under his unruly bangs.
Thank you for reading. Please REVIEW!