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BACK TO SCHOOL !

Author's Notes

Note that I don't own ANY of the characters throughout the fanfic. * sob *

Don't flame me for any pairings and there's no yaoi for you people out there ! 0_0'

***

Relena managed a weak smile as she took in the surprised expressions from the guys, especially the one stationed at the fridge. He had a piece of bread tightly gripped at his mouth as he turned around at the sound of everyone's exclamation.

" I suppose I shocked all of you around here … "

" Relena ! What are you doing here ? This … this is the guys' dormitory and no girls are allowed in AT ALL TIMES. "

" I know Quatre, but I was … I was just bored. "

" Ah Relena, only you understand my exact thoughts. I was just commenting that we should do something fun … like smuggling you in here for instance. "

" Duo … "

" Serious Relena ! Quatre was about to say something about it when you appeared instead. "

Quatre nodded and rolled his eyes in exasperation. Relena giggled to herself again and proceeded to sit down on the couch. Trowa had hopped off the windowsill and walked over to the commotion.

" Relena ? "

" Hi Trowa. "

" Won't you be penalised for sneaking ? "

" Unless I'm caught. "

" Ah. "

Trowa smiled lightly as he brought up his hand to his chin to ponder quietly. Wufei graciously offered her a cup of coffee as he walked over to sit down on the couch as well. All of them sat down around the table and started chatting about their latest developments and life events for the past few years in that short time … except Heero. He had rather reluctantly sat down as well but kept his mouth shut. Duo gave up trying to coax or threaten him into spilling the beans.

" Ah well, it's great talking to you guys ! I really have to get going … otherwise my friends will know I'm gone. "

All of them rose from their chairs and walked her out to the staircase. Trowa was in front with Quatre, Heero was with Relena while Wufei and Duo stood at the back. As they were passing Heero's door, there was a loud noise coming upwards. It seemed that a group of guys had just returned and were climbing up the stairs.

" Heero, onegai ! "

Quatre shouted as Trowa, Duo, Wufei and himself bolted into their respective doors. Heero, on a reflex action, grabbed Relena by her arm and swiftly pulled her into his room and flung the door closed silently.

" Hey Yamamoto, did you hear something ? "

" No, why ? "

" Really ? Sheesh, it must be the drinks we had. "

Heero pressed his body against the door, hearing the conversation by two of the group trudging up the stairs. Satisfied that no one knew about this golden rule being broken, he let out a silent sigh of relief. Relena was still in a daze, standing right at the spot where Heero had left her in his room.

" Is … is everything all right ? "

Heero nodded and Relena gave a loud sigh of relief.

" I'm so sorry I caused you guys so much inconvenience. I guess I really should leave now. "

Relena quickly walked towards the door where Heero was still leaning against. He pushed himself away from it while Relena twisted the doorknob open.

" Yamamoto ! You idiot ! Don't sprawl all over the floor like that ! "

Heero pushed against the door with his might and Relena let go of it as though she was electrocuted by its touch.

" Shit, they hadn't left. "

Relena looked at Heero again and realised that he didn't looked angry nor frustrated while he said that.

* He merely looked … neutral … *

Relena's eyes wandered around his room, knowing that the layout of it was quite the same as hers. However, his room was quite spacious, since he had not decorated it much. A lone laptop, a kettle, a cup and some documents were on his study table, his bed was a nice colour of blue and white, his walls were clean and empty and his wardobe … well … it was closed.

* Clean and tidy … that's him … *

Her blue eyes landed on the figure just standing a few inches from her and he was busy concentrating on whether the noisy group had dispersed or left.

* Heero … I can't believe that you're here with me … *

Her hand subconsciously reached out slowly, to try to touch him, to feel whether he was in flesh and blood .. or just a mere apparition. He had now turned his attention back to her, his expression not betraying his thoughts as he allowed the gentle carassing of his cheek by her uncertain fingers.

" Relena .. "

He had uttered her name in response, his voice steady and calm like an evening breeze. In the still of the night, the silence was welcoming for them. Relena's fingers slowly trailed to his lips, following the outline as she brushed lightly against it, as though she was wondering what his lips could do.

" Heero … iro iro arigato … " [ Heero, thank you for everything ]

Relena smiled and all of a sudden, Heero was left with only her scent lingering in his room and an opened door. It occurred to him that she had realised that the group at the staircase had gone.

" Relena Peacecraft … omae … "

He carefully felt his lips with his fingers, wondering why he wanted to do so.

* Why do you leave me so confused each time I see you ? *

" Heero !! What did the two of you do after we left huh ? Wow, both in a room together … the inevitable happens … "

Duo left his sentence open as the rest of the guys peered over to see Heero's reaction. He was lucky that he had an apple with him so he carefully avoided the issue by busily occupying his mouth with it.

" Ah well … I can always bug Relena about it … "

" Don't do that Duo, it's embarrassing to ask a lady about such a matter. "

" Ah Quatre, do you think that something had happened too ? "

" NOOO ! I don't mean that ! Geesh … "

Quatre turned several shades of red, much to everyone's amusement. Heero continued minding his own business until he caught sight of her again at the school gates, talking to a fellow student. She seemed very happy to be conversing with someone other than them.

" And it's a guy Heero ! "

Duo cheekily pointed out the fact to him as they inched nearer to the gates.

" It's none of my business. "

" Ah ! We finally hear him talk ! "

Trowa couldn't help but laugh under his breath at Duo's consistent teasing. Wufei merely looked amused as he walked alongside with Quatre.

" Ah .. hi everyone ! "

Relena had waved to them as they walked up to them. The male student smiled in response while most of them smiled back, with the exception of Wufei and Heero.

" Everyone, this is Michael Schzaumer. "

" Hi, pleased to meet you. "

" Michael, this is Quatre Raberba Winner, Duo Maxwell, Chang Wufei, Heero Yuy and Trowa Barton. "

" You're Michael right ? Hmmm … so you're already starting to hit on our Lady Relena-sama on the 2nd day of school ? "

Everyone laughed at this harmless joke, but Duo had something else in mind besides trying to start a conversation.

" Of course not ! Our families know each other since many generations back and I was just surprised to see her here in this College. We probably missed each other yesterday since there were hundreds of students. You're Maxwell ? "

" Duo would do. "

" What nationality are you ? "

" I'm American, from the L2 Colony. "

" I see ! So which school did you come from before College ? "

Everyone stiffened up a bit at this seemingly casual question, but it held a totally different meaning to the 5 of them. Relena tried to say something but Duo was faster.

" Nah .. that doesn't matter now. Come on, we're going to be late if we chat mindlessly on ! "

" Yeah. "

With that, everyone trooped into the majestic main building and Relena gave a conspiratory wink to Duo who returned one back just as quickly. Heero caught sight of it and twitched a little involuntarily.

* What IS wrong with me ? *

The 5 of them were in the same class while Relena was in a different one. Incidentally, she was in the same class as Michael. As they parted ways, Duo slid up to Heero's side and sniggered wickedly.

" Hey, they're both in the same class. If this goes on, she's gonna be taken. "

" It's none of my business. "

" Oh .. it has everything to do with you. "

As they walked into class, they were again astounded by the enormous size of everything in the College. The class was very spacious and there was enough leg room for each and every student. The whiteboard was spanking new and radiators were aplenty in every corner. The tables and chairs looked frightfully cosy and comfortable. 5 of them bagged seats next to each other in a single row. The first class was Pure Science and they were all soon engrossed in their work.

" Aahhhhh ! I didn't know school could be soooo tiring ! "

Duo stretched his legs and shoulders as the last class ended for the day. They had started at 7 am and Duo had become fidgety somewhere after lunchbreak. Trowa and Quatre seemed to cope very well while Wufei had fallen asleep somewhere during World Literature class. Heero was still pretty much the same, doing what the teacher asked and writing what the teacher wrote. Duo suspected that Professor J must have told him that school was like a mission or something similar to that.

" Shall we get something to eat ? "

" Yeah ! Good idea Quatre. "

As they busily packed their bags, a girl shyly approached one of them.

" Erm .. ano .. a .. ano .. Barton-kun ? "

Trowa raised an eyebrow as he turned to face the stammering student.

" This … this is for you … "

Trowa took the pastel-green envelope and once he did so, the girl quickly spurned around and dashed out of the class at a great speed. There were more gigglings in the background and it seemed that her other friends were waiting for her nearby.

" Isn't that a love confession ? "

Everyone turned to look at Wufei in surprise, who in turn stared back at them.

" Sheesh dragon boy, I didn't know you knew of the facts of life besides your sense of justice. "

" Your idea of me seems pretty back-dated then, braidy. "

Trowa ignored the ongoing argument and tore open the envelope with ease. As he flipped open the letter, he could smell the light scent of something like lavendar.

" Trowa, it IS a love letter ! "

" Yes Quatre, it is. I'm .. I'm very surprised .. "

Trowa carefully stuffed the letter back to the envelope and then tucked it into his school suit's pocket. Heaving up his backpack, he turned thoughtful and wondered whether he should reveal it to Catherine in his email today.

* Maybe not .. it might complicate matters *

" You don't even have a love life to brag about, braidy !! "

" Oh yeah ? I LIVE WITH A LADY TOGETHER IN A HOUSE ! I thought it was obvious enough ! "

" Ha ! That's cohabiting ! Maybe you guys have nothing going on anyway. I WAS MARRIED BEFORE OK !? "

" Married ? It was arranged ! You didn't meet her and then propose to her a few weeks later ! You ONLY fell in love after you guys went through the procedures. "

" Does that even matter !? "

" Oh yes it matters, dragon nut ! "

" Ok ok … cool it both of you … everyone's looking our way … "

Quatre sheepishly reminded the two hotheads as other students were passing surprised and even awed looks at them. Trowa was still lost in his thoughts while Heero had already left the scene quietly and unseen.

* Being with them is embarrassing. Whoever announces his private life in public ? *

Heero thought to himself as he walked through the streets back to his dormitory. He had unbuttoned his collar and suit since it was a considerably hot day. Wearing an all-black uniform didn't help very much either. As he passed a small café, he thought he saw Relena and Michael sitting at a table, chatting and laughing. Relena at this time, turned to order something and happened to meet Heero's eyes. Her eyes were crystal clear as she held her gaze with him, both reluctant to let go.

" Relena ? Is something wrong ? "

" Ah ? Erm … no … nothing's wrong. Oh yes, I was about to order a chicken pie right ? "

As Relena lifted up her gaze again, she knew that Heero would not be standing there anymore.

" Hey Yuy ! Wanna go grab some girls tonight ? We're going down to the ClubHouse to disco. "

" No, I'm tired. "

" Are you sure ? "

" Yeah. "

" All right then, seeya around. "

" Seeya. "

Heero watched his dorm mate leave for his room upstairs while he whipped out his key to open his door. He didn't like such events and he was sure he wouldn't enjoy it even if he tried to. Flinging his schoolcase over to the table legs, he peeled off his suit jacket and threw it onto the bed. Left with his unbuttoned white long-sleeved shirt, he walked out again towards the kitchen to get his lunch. As he started to spread mayonnaise onto his bread, he heard some noises from the level.

* Are they back ? *

Trowa walked in and nodded at Heero. He switched on the TV while opening his cabinet to take out a can of sardines. As he was opening it, the pastel-green envelope fell to the floor. Trowa looked at it for a while, not knowing what to do with it. Ignoring it for a while, he continued to open the can.

" Have you told Catherine ? "

Trowa stopped abruptly as he took in Heero's quiet question. Not looking at him, he shook his head. There was silence as both guys continued making their lunch. The envelope was left lying on the floor as Trowa walked in and out of the kitchen, putting in bowls and cloths. Heero peered at it for sometime, then decided to pick it up and leave it on the kitchen table.

" That was a satisfying meal. The waitresses were cute too ! "

Duo and Quatre were walking back after a meal at one of the local restaurants. Quatre had treated Duo to a meal and now they were returning home. As they walked past a particular street, they saw Michael and Relena stepping out of a café together. Quatre wanted to call out to them but Duo stopped him and shook his head. They remained silent and hid behind a corner and Quatre wondered why he was in this situation AGAIN.

" Thanks for the meal Michael. You shouldn't have paid for it. "

" Take it as a welcoming gift. I am very pleased to see you again, and even more pleased that we're in the same class ! "

Relena laughed and Duo gave a small huff.

" That Michael whatever must have arranged for it to be so. "

" Really Duo ? "

" Ah .. I can bet you on this one Quatre. "

" Well then Michael, I really must get going. "

" Then please be on your way. I have other things to do now so I cannot send you home. "

" Don't be sorry ! It's really all right, I'll see you around. "

Relena waved goodbye and then walked towards the direction of the dormitories. They waited until Michael disappeared before reappearing again from their hiding place.

" Well well … Heero had better work harder if he wants to keep the girl. "

" But does Heero even like Relena ? He's so unpredictable ! "

" Yes he does ! Quatre, don't you ever notice him whenever he's around Relena ? "

" Sometimes it's obvious I must admit .. well .. "