Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wind, nor the song "The Best Thing" by Savage Garden.
Author's Note: Well, here's the last chapter! Enjoy! Don't want to keep you in suspense! *wink*
In the Moon's Shadow
Chapter Eight: Crossed Swords
On the day that Relena's ultimate fate would be decided, the sun rose a bright orange hue, its rays bathing the tournament ground in a warm, golden glow. It was an ironic twist of fate that such a horrible day turned out so beautiful, but then, she had suffered through worse.
Never want to fly
Never want to leave
Relena walked demurely behind her 'escort', her wrists tied together and dressed in a plain, white dress. She was also barefoot and she felt every stone as they paraded her down to the wooden stand where she was suppose to await divine judgment. Crowds of people had gathered and they lined both sides of the tourney field. When they caught sight of her, some 'booed' and hissed her way, spiteful though she hadn't actually been convicted of anything yet. The angry noises from the onlookers only served to strengthen her resolve, and she lifted her head proudly, gold hair framing sky blue eyes full of determination. She had shed tears the day before, but now was the time to gather her dignity and face her destiny head on. No matter what happened in the next hour, she would not give in. She had to be strong. For Heero.
Never want to say what you mean to me
As she reached the stand, her gaze was caught by a dazzlingly array of armor worn by a knight that was disgustingly familiar. John was already astride his giant white horse, his squire standing ready with the first lance. He presented a grand picture of a knight in shining armor that every teenage girl dreamed about, and yet, he had none of the qualities that went with the image. It gave credence to the saying 'Never judge a book by its cover'. Still, John knew what he was doing. She had heard of his exploits from listening to her various guards and no one seemed to deem it possible that he might be beaten. The two contenders were to joust with two lances each, and then resort to swords until one yielded. Or died, Relena privately amended. She wasn't worried so much about the swordplay as she was about the jousting. Though the mysterious, briefly-appearing Ann had told her that Heero was learning, she wondered just how good he had become in only a days time. Not that she doubted him, she knew it only took seconds for him to catch on, but it still took practice to make anyone good. She hoped a day had been enough.
Never want to run
Frightened to believe
In front of her, a guard open the small latched gate to the stand and ushered her inside, securing it behind her. A sudden wave of anxiety rushed over her as she found herself exposed to the eyes of everyone, a small figure elevated above the heads of the people below her. The crowd booed and called, their cries rolling into one huge roar that overwhelmed her senses. Closing her eyes, she tried to regain her composure, though her hands were trembling so much she knew someone would have to be blind to not know she was frightened. Opening her eyes again, she searched for a pair of dark Prussian blue eyes that never failed to calm her soul. Unfortunately, all the people made it very difficult for her to see clearly and it was almost a shock when her gaze latched onto a wonderfully familiar face. Caleb was at the edge of the crowd and when he realized she had seen him, he gave her a bright grin and a wink. She smiled back, faintly, wondering what was going on. Where was Heero?
You could be the best thing about me...
"Who will champion this woman?"
Relena jumped involuntarily as John's voice instantly quieted the restless crowds. The knight's horse pranced sideways a moment and he reined it in, even as his brown eyes searched the sidelines. A smug little smile spread across his face as no one stepped up.
"If she has no champion, her fate is decided." He added, lowly. Another painful moment passed as no one came forward and Relena had a sudden horrified thought that perhaps something had happened to Heero, maybe he was hurt or--
"I will be her champion."
Relief welled in her as she saw Heero emerged from the trees nearby astride a black war horse, her avenging dark angel.(That's for you, Jason! *wink* It was as close as I could get!) Bright silver tears gathered at the corner of her eyes as she saw that he came to her without armor, without anything except his sword and a strong will. Where were his lances and his shield? What was he thinking?
And yet, in a strange way, it all felt right.
Heero's intense gaze caught hers and she mouthed his name, trembling. He favored her with one of those half-smiles he gave only to her and brought his sword up in a sort of salute, sunlight flashing off the blade.
Her heart lurched in her chest as she gazed at him, an overwhelming need to run to him making her knees tremble. He looked so solitary out there on the field, alone. He should never have to be alone. Not when she was so near.
"I'm afraid your would-be knight doesn't know the rules of combat." John sneered, bowing mockingly to her. He turned his sneer to Heero. "My first lance will tear out your heart, boy."
Heero's reply was a knowing smirk. John smoldered.
"Let it begin!" The knight snarled, slamming his visor down and galloping towards his end of the field. Heero didn't bother to watch him go, instead urging his mount up to the stand until Relena could have reached out to touch him. It was the first time she had been near him since the night of the kiss...
"A favor, my lady?" He asked, his deep voice low for her ears alone. Blinking back her tears, she bent down and ripped off the hem of her dress in one swift motion, the fabric coming away easily in her hands. Heero offered up his arm and she leaned over the railing to tie the fluttering white strip just above his elbow.
"Be safe, sir knight." She whispered near his ear, before straightening and giving him one of those glorious smiles that lit him up from the inside out. He nodded once before wheeling his dark charger and heading for his end of the jousting rail.
Walk on broken glass, make my way through fire
These are the things I would do for love
Heero was completely focused, the die-hard habits of a soldier surfacing as he gauged the opponent opposite him. He knew what he was doing looked like suicide, but then, since when did he do something that didn't? He and Caleb had spent the last twenty-four hours trying to come up with a plan to beat a knight who had been practicing for years, and the answer had been simple: they couldn't. So, it was time to change their objective completely around and use another method. Heero would never commit to a fight that didn't challenge him, it was just his way, and he wanted to be able to meet John in close combat, to show him what it truly meant to fight for something, someone...
Farewell peace of mind, kiss goodbye to reason
At the far end of the field, John took up his lance and charged. Heero's horse took off without any instruction, great hooves sending clods of dirt flying. Heero's analytical gaze sped to the spot where the two horses would meet, where John's lance would shift over his horse's ear to target his heart. Heero gave a mental smile.
It was all too simple.
White and black passed each other and the lance aimed for his chest. In a movement too fast for the crowd to catch, Heero jumped from his horse, across the railing, to tackle a steel clad knight to the ground. Gasps of shock raced through the throng of onlookers as rider-less horses stopped at the edge of the field, blowing and snorting. The minute John's heavy body impacted the ground, Heero rolled away, his lack of armor giving him freedom of movement.
"Come and face me now, knight." Heero growled, drawing his sword with a ring that hung in the air. "If you still have the courage."
The barbed words had their intended bite, and John struggled to rise under the weight of his armor. "I should have known you would not be honorable, churl." He spit, drawing his own sword, "But then, what honor hath a peasant? It is better to slay you now, I think."
"I never said I was honorable." Heero replied, as their blades met for the first time. And yet, who was the honorable one here? A knight that would shed innocent blood, or a man that would do anything to save someone he loved, no matter what the means? Like a thief who steals food to feed his family. You decide.
Up is down, the impossible occurs each day
The two warriors moved across the field in a dance older than time, the sharp sound of steel on steel ringing through the air. With each strike, Heero learned something new about his opponent and compensated to meet him equally. John's strength was used to try and inflict the most damage since Heero wore no armor, but Heero had no intention of letting John's blade anywhere near him. So they fought with equal intensity, each looking for the first mistake that would surely also be the last.
This intoxication thrills me
I only pray it doesn't kill me
Unfortunately, the first mistake was Heero's, though it wasn't really any fault of his. A small pit in the ground caught him off guard, and as he was in the middle of a lunge, it threw him off balance. He went down hard, his shoulder taking the brunt of the fall. He could only watch with emotionless eyes as John's sword completed its arc and came down on his right arm.
"Heero!"
Blood. There was so much of it. It turned his sleeve a bright hue in a seconds and pooled on the ground by his wrist. The deep gash on his shoulder throbbed with each heartbeat and he found that his sword arm was no longer usable. Gritting his teeth, he struggled into a half upright position, a pain-induced haze drifting over his mind. Above him, John gave a feral grin.
"Not so unstoppable without your witch woman, are you?"
You're the center of adrenaline
And I'm beginning to understand
Instinctively, Heero sought Relena, his eyes locking on hers. She stood frozen against the railing of the stand, her sky blue eyes at their widest, tears dripping down her cheeks. Even terrified, she was beautiful. Delicately, she lifted a hand and reached out over her prison towards him, almost as if she could touch him so far away. And though he could not hear her voice, he could read the words her lips shaped.
"Heero." Her outstretched hand seemed to will strength into him. Her eyes filled with emotion. "I love you..."
You could be the best thing about me
Flashes of the last week seeped into his mind. The still mornings he had awakened to find her sleeping in his arms and the cool nights they had spent out under the clear stars, just talking. The way her eyes sparkled when she looked at him and they way she held Sara in her arms, a gentle smile on her face. All that time spent and he had only just now realized what she meant to him.
He loved her, and she loved him, believed in him, was counting on him...
John's sword began the final downward stroke.
She loved him...
Steel flashed in the air.
He would never be alone again...
Sparks flew as Heero brought his sword up left-handed and met John's blade an inch from his face.
Never want to fly
Never want to leave
The crossed swords shuddered as their owners pitted their will against each other. Heero bottled up all his pain and unleashed it at his enemy in the form of an ungodly strength that began to push John's sword back slowly, inch by inch.
Never want to say what you mean to me
In a sudden move that made fresh blood well in his wound, Heero twisted his arm and brought it up hard at the hilt of the knight's sword. There was a clang and a brief flash as John's sword whirled away and Heero's sword went to John's now exposed neck.
Never want to run
Heero met John's surprised look with one of deadly calm. "It's over."
The knight swallowed. "I yield." He answered, in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "By God, I yield."
With pain-filled movements, Heero dropped his sword and fell to his knees, a light dizziness overcoming him from blood loss. It was over...
Frightened to believe
"Heero!"
He looked up slowly to find Relena running to him, golden hair streaming behind her. She collapsed to the ground in front of him and threw her arms around him, trembling all over. Tiredly, he rested his forehead against her collarbone, his sword lying forgotten a few feet away.
"It's over." He told her, closing his eyes wearily, his good arm wrapped around her waist.
"I know," she whispered into his neck. "I love you, Heero..."
Time slowed and stretched around them. The voices of the crowd became unbearably loud in their ears.
"I love you, too, Relena."
Time stopped, and then burst like a pricked bubble. Icy shadows crept over them but this time, Heero kept a tight hold on Relena as they fell through hundreds of years. It was over...
You're the best thing about me
* * * *
A.C. 199
New Port City, Neo-Sanc Kingdom
Peacecraft Mansion
Relena's breath came shakily as she felt the cool tile floor beneath her and took in the sudden quiet around them. Opening one eye warily she was greeted by the familiar trappings of the kitchen in her family's mansion. Not willing to relinquish her hold on Heero, she opened her other eye and peered around the room, noting the unfilled glasses of ice on the table top.
"Heero," she said, quietly. He raised his head from where it had been resting against her neck, his quick eyes scanning everything.
"We're back." He said, flatly. She nodded, and then blinked as she noticed their appearance.
"And we're wearing the same clothes as when we left." She gasped suddenly, and reached for his right arm. Her fingers touched unbroken skin through his shirt. "Was it all just a dream?"
"Relena," Heero's voice held a hint of wonder as he showed her his left arm. There, tied just above the elbow, was a thin strip of white cloth. Relena's eyes brimmed with tears as she untied it and brought it before her eyes. Heero's hand clasped gently over hers.
"It wasn't a dream."
She nodded in agreement. "No, it wasn't."
Heero suddenly stood and reached down a hand to pull her up with him. "I think it's the same day we left. No time seems to have passed."
Relena's brow crinkled. "How can you be sure?"
"The glasses. You were getting drinks when--" He cut off as she looked away. "What?"
"It's just...I didn't get to say goodbye."
Heero's hand brushed her cheek. "Let's go find the others."
She nodded in agreement, suddenly overwhelmed with the need to see familiar faces again. The two of them walked back out into the sunshine, overwhelmed with the comforting sight and smells they hadn't even known they'd missed. Relena reached for Heero's hand and smiled at him when he squeezed it.
"Hey, ojousan, I thought you were getting drinks?" Duo asked, being the first to notice them as they appeared on the hilltop. His violet eyes went straight to their clasped hands and laughed heartily. "Well, what do ya know? Looks like Heero's got guts after all." And then he grinned. Caleb's grin. She was so shocked she missed his next words.
"That's enough, Duo." Heero retorted, but his words lacked the usual 'danger' note. He had noticed it, too.
Relena's eyes sought out Hilde who waved at her. Rebekah. "Relena, you missed the eclipse! It was beautiful!"
Heero's hand squeezed hers again and she looked up at him, love blindingly bright in her eyes. "Yes, it was." She whispered to him. He gave her a half-smile.
"Well, come on, you guys, let's enjoy the party!" Catherine called to them. Relena smiled at her and went to join her friends, Heero at her side.
That night they held each other and danced under a full moon, already started down a road it had taken them more than a thousand years to find.
THE END
Author's Note: Well, here's the last chapter! Enjoy! Don't want to keep you in suspense! *wink*
In the Moon's Shadow
Chapter Eight: Crossed Swords
On the day that Relena's ultimate fate would be decided, the sun rose a bright orange hue, its rays bathing the tournament ground in a warm, golden glow. It was an ironic twist of fate that such a horrible day turned out so beautiful, but then, she had suffered through worse.
Never want to fly
Never want to leave
Relena walked demurely behind her 'escort', her wrists tied together and dressed in a plain, white dress. She was also barefoot and she felt every stone as they paraded her down to the wooden stand where she was suppose to await divine judgment. Crowds of people had gathered and they lined both sides of the tourney field. When they caught sight of her, some 'booed' and hissed her way, spiteful though she hadn't actually been convicted of anything yet. The angry noises from the onlookers only served to strengthen her resolve, and she lifted her head proudly, gold hair framing sky blue eyes full of determination. She had shed tears the day before, but now was the time to gather her dignity and face her destiny head on. No matter what happened in the next hour, she would not give in. She had to be strong. For Heero.
Never want to say what you mean to me
As she reached the stand, her gaze was caught by a dazzlingly array of armor worn by a knight that was disgustingly familiar. John was already astride his giant white horse, his squire standing ready with the first lance. He presented a grand picture of a knight in shining armor that every teenage girl dreamed about, and yet, he had none of the qualities that went with the image. It gave credence to the saying 'Never judge a book by its cover'. Still, John knew what he was doing. She had heard of his exploits from listening to her various guards and no one seemed to deem it possible that he might be beaten. The two contenders were to joust with two lances each, and then resort to swords until one yielded. Or died, Relena privately amended. She wasn't worried so much about the swordplay as she was about the jousting. Though the mysterious, briefly-appearing Ann had told her that Heero was learning, she wondered just how good he had become in only a days time. Not that she doubted him, she knew it only took seconds for him to catch on, but it still took practice to make anyone good. She hoped a day had been enough.
Never want to run
Frightened to believe
In front of her, a guard open the small latched gate to the stand and ushered her inside, securing it behind her. A sudden wave of anxiety rushed over her as she found herself exposed to the eyes of everyone, a small figure elevated above the heads of the people below her. The crowd booed and called, their cries rolling into one huge roar that overwhelmed her senses. Closing her eyes, she tried to regain her composure, though her hands were trembling so much she knew someone would have to be blind to not know she was frightened. Opening her eyes again, she searched for a pair of dark Prussian blue eyes that never failed to calm her soul. Unfortunately, all the people made it very difficult for her to see clearly and it was almost a shock when her gaze latched onto a wonderfully familiar face. Caleb was at the edge of the crowd and when he realized she had seen him, he gave her a bright grin and a wink. She smiled back, faintly, wondering what was going on. Where was Heero?
You could be the best thing about me...
"Who will champion this woman?"
Relena jumped involuntarily as John's voice instantly quieted the restless crowds. The knight's horse pranced sideways a moment and he reined it in, even as his brown eyes searched the sidelines. A smug little smile spread across his face as no one stepped up.
"If she has no champion, her fate is decided." He added, lowly. Another painful moment passed as no one came forward and Relena had a sudden horrified thought that perhaps something had happened to Heero, maybe he was hurt or--
"I will be her champion."
Relief welled in her as she saw Heero emerged from the trees nearby astride a black war horse, her avenging dark angel.(That's for you, Jason! *wink* It was as close as I could get!) Bright silver tears gathered at the corner of her eyes as she saw that he came to her without armor, without anything except his sword and a strong will. Where were his lances and his shield? What was he thinking?
And yet, in a strange way, it all felt right.
Heero's intense gaze caught hers and she mouthed his name, trembling. He favored her with one of those half-smiles he gave only to her and brought his sword up in a sort of salute, sunlight flashing off the blade.
Her heart lurched in her chest as she gazed at him, an overwhelming need to run to him making her knees tremble. He looked so solitary out there on the field, alone. He should never have to be alone. Not when she was so near.
"I'm afraid your would-be knight doesn't know the rules of combat." John sneered, bowing mockingly to her. He turned his sneer to Heero. "My first lance will tear out your heart, boy."
Heero's reply was a knowing smirk. John smoldered.
"Let it begin!" The knight snarled, slamming his visor down and galloping towards his end of the field. Heero didn't bother to watch him go, instead urging his mount up to the stand until Relena could have reached out to touch him. It was the first time she had been near him since the night of the kiss...
"A favor, my lady?" He asked, his deep voice low for her ears alone. Blinking back her tears, she bent down and ripped off the hem of her dress in one swift motion, the fabric coming away easily in her hands. Heero offered up his arm and she leaned over the railing to tie the fluttering white strip just above his elbow.
"Be safe, sir knight." She whispered near his ear, before straightening and giving him one of those glorious smiles that lit him up from the inside out. He nodded once before wheeling his dark charger and heading for his end of the jousting rail.
Walk on broken glass, make my way through fire
These are the things I would do for love
Heero was completely focused, the die-hard habits of a soldier surfacing as he gauged the opponent opposite him. He knew what he was doing looked like suicide, but then, since when did he do something that didn't? He and Caleb had spent the last twenty-four hours trying to come up with a plan to beat a knight who had been practicing for years, and the answer had been simple: they couldn't. So, it was time to change their objective completely around and use another method. Heero would never commit to a fight that didn't challenge him, it was just his way, and he wanted to be able to meet John in close combat, to show him what it truly meant to fight for something, someone...
Farewell peace of mind, kiss goodbye to reason
At the far end of the field, John took up his lance and charged. Heero's horse took off without any instruction, great hooves sending clods of dirt flying. Heero's analytical gaze sped to the spot where the two horses would meet, where John's lance would shift over his horse's ear to target his heart. Heero gave a mental smile.
It was all too simple.
White and black passed each other and the lance aimed for his chest. In a movement too fast for the crowd to catch, Heero jumped from his horse, across the railing, to tackle a steel clad knight to the ground. Gasps of shock raced through the throng of onlookers as rider-less horses stopped at the edge of the field, blowing and snorting. The minute John's heavy body impacted the ground, Heero rolled away, his lack of armor giving him freedom of movement.
"Come and face me now, knight." Heero growled, drawing his sword with a ring that hung in the air. "If you still have the courage."
The barbed words had their intended bite, and John struggled to rise under the weight of his armor. "I should have known you would not be honorable, churl." He spit, drawing his own sword, "But then, what honor hath a peasant? It is better to slay you now, I think."
"I never said I was honorable." Heero replied, as their blades met for the first time. And yet, who was the honorable one here? A knight that would shed innocent blood, or a man that would do anything to save someone he loved, no matter what the means? Like a thief who steals food to feed his family. You decide.
Up is down, the impossible occurs each day
The two warriors moved across the field in a dance older than time, the sharp sound of steel on steel ringing through the air. With each strike, Heero learned something new about his opponent and compensated to meet him equally. John's strength was used to try and inflict the most damage since Heero wore no armor, but Heero had no intention of letting John's blade anywhere near him. So they fought with equal intensity, each looking for the first mistake that would surely also be the last.
This intoxication thrills me
I only pray it doesn't kill me
Unfortunately, the first mistake was Heero's, though it wasn't really any fault of his. A small pit in the ground caught him off guard, and as he was in the middle of a lunge, it threw him off balance. He went down hard, his shoulder taking the brunt of the fall. He could only watch with emotionless eyes as John's sword completed its arc and came down on his right arm.
"Heero!"
Blood. There was so much of it. It turned his sleeve a bright hue in a seconds and pooled on the ground by his wrist. The deep gash on his shoulder throbbed with each heartbeat and he found that his sword arm was no longer usable. Gritting his teeth, he struggled into a half upright position, a pain-induced haze drifting over his mind. Above him, John gave a feral grin.
"Not so unstoppable without your witch woman, are you?"
You're the center of adrenaline
And I'm beginning to understand
Instinctively, Heero sought Relena, his eyes locking on hers. She stood frozen against the railing of the stand, her sky blue eyes at their widest, tears dripping down her cheeks. Even terrified, she was beautiful. Delicately, she lifted a hand and reached out over her prison towards him, almost as if she could touch him so far away. And though he could not hear her voice, he could read the words her lips shaped.
"Heero." Her outstretched hand seemed to will strength into him. Her eyes filled with emotion. "I love you..."
You could be the best thing about me
Flashes of the last week seeped into his mind. The still mornings he had awakened to find her sleeping in his arms and the cool nights they had spent out under the clear stars, just talking. The way her eyes sparkled when she looked at him and they way she held Sara in her arms, a gentle smile on her face. All that time spent and he had only just now realized what she meant to him.
He loved her, and she loved him, believed in him, was counting on him...
John's sword began the final downward stroke.
She loved him...
Steel flashed in the air.
He would never be alone again...
Sparks flew as Heero brought his sword up left-handed and met John's blade an inch from his face.
Never want to fly
Never want to leave
The crossed swords shuddered as their owners pitted their will against each other. Heero bottled up all his pain and unleashed it at his enemy in the form of an ungodly strength that began to push John's sword back slowly, inch by inch.
Never want to say what you mean to me
In a sudden move that made fresh blood well in his wound, Heero twisted his arm and brought it up hard at the hilt of the knight's sword. There was a clang and a brief flash as John's sword whirled away and Heero's sword went to John's now exposed neck.
Never want to run
Heero met John's surprised look with one of deadly calm. "It's over."
The knight swallowed. "I yield." He answered, in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "By God, I yield."
With pain-filled movements, Heero dropped his sword and fell to his knees, a light dizziness overcoming him from blood loss. It was over...
Frightened to believe
"Heero!"
He looked up slowly to find Relena running to him, golden hair streaming behind her. She collapsed to the ground in front of him and threw her arms around him, trembling all over. Tiredly, he rested his forehead against her collarbone, his sword lying forgotten a few feet away.
"It's over." He told her, closing his eyes wearily, his good arm wrapped around her waist.
"I know," she whispered into his neck. "I love you, Heero..."
Time slowed and stretched around them. The voices of the crowd became unbearably loud in their ears.
"I love you, too, Relena."
Time stopped, and then burst like a pricked bubble. Icy shadows crept over them but this time, Heero kept a tight hold on Relena as they fell through hundreds of years. It was over...
You're the best thing about me
* * * *
A.C. 199
New Port City, Neo-Sanc Kingdom
Peacecraft Mansion
Relena's breath came shakily as she felt the cool tile floor beneath her and took in the sudden quiet around them. Opening one eye warily she was greeted by the familiar trappings of the kitchen in her family's mansion. Not willing to relinquish her hold on Heero, she opened her other eye and peered around the room, noting the unfilled glasses of ice on the table top.
"Heero," she said, quietly. He raised his head from where it had been resting against her neck, his quick eyes scanning everything.
"We're back." He said, flatly. She nodded, and then blinked as she noticed their appearance.
"And we're wearing the same clothes as when we left." She gasped suddenly, and reached for his right arm. Her fingers touched unbroken skin through his shirt. "Was it all just a dream?"
"Relena," Heero's voice held a hint of wonder as he showed her his left arm. There, tied just above the elbow, was a thin strip of white cloth. Relena's eyes brimmed with tears as she untied it and brought it before her eyes. Heero's hand clasped gently over hers.
"It wasn't a dream."
She nodded in agreement. "No, it wasn't."
Heero suddenly stood and reached down a hand to pull her up with him. "I think it's the same day we left. No time seems to have passed."
Relena's brow crinkled. "How can you be sure?"
"The glasses. You were getting drinks when--" He cut off as she looked away. "What?"
"It's just...I didn't get to say goodbye."
Heero's hand brushed her cheek. "Let's go find the others."
She nodded in agreement, suddenly overwhelmed with the need to see familiar faces again. The two of them walked back out into the sunshine, overwhelmed with the comforting sight and smells they hadn't even known they'd missed. Relena reached for Heero's hand and smiled at him when he squeezed it.
"Hey, ojousan, I thought you were getting drinks?" Duo asked, being the first to notice them as they appeared on the hilltop. His violet eyes went straight to their clasped hands and laughed heartily. "Well, what do ya know? Looks like Heero's got guts after all." And then he grinned. Caleb's grin. She was so shocked she missed his next words.
"That's enough, Duo." Heero retorted, but his words lacked the usual 'danger' note. He had noticed it, too.
Relena's eyes sought out Hilde who waved at her. Rebekah. "Relena, you missed the eclipse! It was beautiful!"
Heero's hand squeezed hers again and she looked up at him, love blindingly bright in her eyes. "Yes, it was." She whispered to him. He gave her a half-smile.
"Well, come on, you guys, let's enjoy the party!" Catherine called to them. Relena smiled at her and went to join her friends, Heero at her side.
That night they held each other and danced under a full moon, already started down a road it had taken them more than a thousand years to find.
THE END