~*~ November 22, AC 199 ~*~

~*~ Limousine Driving Through the Cinq Kingdom ~*~

~*~ 8:20 AM ~*~

"Wow, Relena was right," Hilde chirped as she clung to Duo's arm, "Zechs did wonders with this place!"

"He sure did," Duo said sadly, running a hand thought his, now short, slick backed hair.

The limousine continued to drive through the Cinq Kingdom's vast country side. They had marveled at the beautifully rebuilt towns, with their buildings and fountains. Now they were in the open fields and farming area. It was autumn in Northern England, and all the leaves were changing colors.

Zechs had changed the layout of the Kingdom, turning the former castle, which Relena made her institution for teaching pacifism, into a memorial for his family and all those who died during the first fall of the Cinq Kingdom in AC 182. Now his castle, Peacecraft Manor, was hidden away from the cities, and surrounded by the serenity of nature.

"It looks much better from the last time I was here," Quatre said, adoring the pretty leaves as they blew by the car.

"When were you here, Little One?" Trowa asked, putting his arm around Quatre.

"I was here with Heero, I went to Relena's Institution. That's where I met 'it'," Quatre said smiling at Trowa.

"What do you think of this country so far, Wufei," Sally asked. She was answered by soft snoring, "Oh... You sleep tight then, Wufei."

"Look guys," Noin said nervously, "Why don't I just wait in the limo?"

"C'mon Lu!" Sally pleaded, "Don't abandon us!"

"But I don't feel right being there," Noin sighed, "Maybe they hold my actions against me."

All six conscious minds jumped back to Zechs' last month as a Preventer. Noin had argued with Zechs about Trey doing nothing but delivering his documents from room to room. This was partially true. Lady Une had never found a partner for Trey, and Miss McDaley offered to act as Zechs' secretary. Une agreed, considering two main points: Trey was on the petite side, making her useless on missions that involved physical ability. The other was that Trey was rather shy and quiet, and she wasn't going very helpful during a peace talk or political conference. Zechs had defended Trey relentlessly, showing no signs of letting his guard down. Sally and Wufei were drawn into the argument, both taking Noin's side. Relena also had sided against family. Trey only sat back, giving her best defenseless kitten look, letting her fiance fight her battle.

Noin blushed as she recalled the outcome of the event. Even though the debate was four versus one, (Quatre, Trowa, Hilde, Duo, and Heero not taking sides) Zechs was declared the winner. Wufei had felt he had shamed himself, Sally brushing off the whole event as nothing, Relena forgot the whole thing by dinner that night, and Noin... Noin was embarrassed beyond belief.

She blushed more when she remembered Zechs' actions afterward. She wanted to curse him off for his manners alone. He had merely nodded his head and took Trey to get lunch. Zechs didn't gloat, didn't rub it in, just left.

"Lu, Zechs has always been the type to forgive and forget," Sally said putting a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder, "At least with things that you do."

"Onna?" Wufei murmured, "Are we there yet?"

"Oh, you're up, Dragonman," Sally cooed, hugging Wufei's half-asleep body to hers.

The limo stopped. They had arrived at their destination. A large white castle stood before them, surrounded by leaves shedding their multi-colored leaves. Bells could be heard ringing in the distance as the group stepped out of their car.

"It's so beautiful!" Quatre cried almost jumping up and down.

"I wish I had brought my paint. This would make a lovely landscape," Trowa said gazing at the sights of the Peacecraft Manor. Wufei remained silent, but still took in the beauty of the rebuilt Cinq Kingdom.

Although not fully rebuilt, it was almost complete. Zechs ordered the houses rebuilt first, then businesses and industries, and one of the most recent additions to the kingdom was the castle. The people of the Cinq Kingdom saw that, by this action, their new king wanted his people's happiness to come before his.

The group had finally walked up to the door after getting over the sights of their surroundings. Just as Sally was about to knock on the front door, it flew open. Behind it stood Relena, wearing a rust colored dress. Her hair was pulled into braids with brown, red, and gold leaves arranged in her hair.

"Playing outside, Relena?" Duo joked, "You got some leaves in your hair."

"What? Oh, these!" Relena giggled, "It's how Trey wants my hair. And you know, whatever she wants, Zechs gets her!"

"I think it looks nice," Hilde said. She tried to straighten a wrinkle in her midnight-blue velvet gown, then fussing over Duo's black suit.

"If you ask me, it looks more like Cinq Kingdom camouflage," Heero said from down the hallway, "Now Relena, let your brother's victims inside."

"Well, I wouldn't let her put leaves in my hair," Sally said, walking inside. Sally was wearing a light green satin dress that didn't quite match with Wufei's black silk pants and coat.

"Of course not, woman, you could do it yourself," Wufei remarked while making his way inside.

Another not-matching pair walked in as Quatre entered in his light blue suit, followed by Trowa in dark green. Finally Noin quietly walked in wearing a white blouse and a pair of black slacks. Everyone was quickly ushered out of the door way as three butlers retrieved their bags.

Heero had been in the Cinq Kingdom for two weeks now, arranging things with the Peacecrafts, and had been on a leave from work. Completely unaware of Wufei's actions, Heero approached Duo.

"Maxwell, what happened to your hair?" Heero asked.

"Wufei happened. He gave me a free hair cut! Hey, what's with the suit? No spandex?" Duo teased Heero. Heero looked down at his whit suit and shrugged.

"I'm the best man. Zechs is wearing this, so I have got wear this," Heero justified his outfit. Duo walked away. A glass figurine had caught his eye and Duo approached it's display.

"Duo Maxwell," a calm voice said, "Do not touch that! It is very expensive. I do not want it broken."

Zechs walked into the room. He was wearing a white suit similar to Heero's. Quatre and Hilde congratulated Zechs, while Trowa remained silent. Sally was already in tears, Wufei already scolding her for being so weak. Duo continued to attempt to touch the priceless items on display, while Heero and Relena continued to try and stop him. Noin just stood back. She wasn't here for Zechs or Trey, and she did not intend on having a good time.

"I'm glad you all made it. However, it's nine forty-five, and we must all get to the dining hall," Zechs said looking at his watch, "Before I get too nervous to go through with this."