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'

***

" Miss Peacecraft ? "

Relena's eyes snapped back to attention as she faced the open wrath of her Physics form teacher.

" I would appreciate if you pay MORE attention in my class as the upcoming semester tests are approaching. "

" Y … yes Sir … "

" What happened to you Relena ? You'll never be caught in such a situation like that before ! "

" I'm … I'm just distracted … "

" Distracted ? What's wrong Relena ? You've been looking out-of-sorts for the past few days. "

" Jeannie, I'm REALLY fine. I just need some time to think out a couple of matters. "

" I thought you told me that your official stuffs were settled ? You know, all those politics and messy areas … "

" They are .. I just need to sort out some … loose strings … "

Heero picked up his bag soundlessly as he was about to leave for home. Wufei peered at him cautiously, still debating whether he should warn Heero about this " revenge " threat from Michael.

[ But Heero is capable of protecting himself ]

Wufei sighed to himself as Heero had already stepped out of the classroom in a flash.

[ Another time perhaps ]

" Quatre, do you realise that Heero seemed to be acting a little more strangely these days ? "

" Now that you mentioned .. he's been much more quieter .. he hardly comes out of his room .. do you know why Duo ? "

" Nope .. it's weird isn't it ? He's crawling back into his shell again. "

" Something MUST have happened when we left Heero and Relena-san alone that night. "

" It's obvious huh .. and it's definitely not a good thing I suppose. Only someone would be happy with this outcome of course. "

" Michael ? "

" Yeah ! He's so happy that the rumours are dying down and that Heero and Relena are not even talking to each other. "

Heero walked swiftly and quietly through the deserted streets, clutching his schoolcase tightly. The faraway sounds of seagulls came floating to his ears and he stopped abruptly, contemplating something deeply.

Relena finished dusting the classroom before she locked the doors and handed the keys over to the Teachers' Room. She was the student on duty for the week so she was the last one to leave her class. As she picked up her bag, she caught a poster on the classroom's pinboard and stared at it unblinkingly.

The sea's breeze blew gently across the sandy beach as Heero sat down purposefully and flung his schoolcase behind his head. Lying down slowly, he let his gaze fall upon the reddening sky. Breathing in the salty air, a few hours passed and he was about to fall into blissful oblivion when his sharp senses caught the sight of a very familiar figure strolling slowly and aimlessly along the shore.

[ Relena ?! ]

He half rose from his position, silently taking in the graceful posture of the lady still kept in the dark of his presence. She was busily laughing as she ran away from the creeping sea's hands, trailing up the sands. Her hair flowed along with the wind and she finally sat down onto the sand, exhausted but happy.

[ We first met each other at the sea ]

Heero remembered the first time he had met Relena. She had so daringly taken off his gear and his face was shown to her.

[ All those empty threats of killing her ]

Heero had never felt so helpless before. He was almost able to do what he claimed, carry out what he preached .. but to her ? He lacked the courage to express his true emotions to her.

That night.

Words failed him as he tried to convey his feelings to her at that crucial moment. He merely continued staring at her and after a while, she had somehow understood his quietness. A void smile came out from her as she whispered goodnight and hastily hailed a cab to bring her home. Heero did not feel compelled to follow, sensing his duty had stopped then. They did not greet each other anymore after that night and it was up to the other 4 to protect her. No one dared to question Heero nor Relena what had actually happened, not even the hyper Duo Maxwell. They were unwilling to thread onto this unknown grey area which both of them had weaved.

[ So I do love her ? Then why did I not tell her ? ]

Heero continued looking at Relena as she carelessly laid onto the sands, staring into nothing. Sitting at a rather safe distance from her, he continued battling out his emotions. Just then, Michael arrived from Relena's side and Heero could see a rather astonished Relena jumping up. He decided against running up there and then. Relena might be too embarrassed to see him.

" Michael ?! What are you doing here ? "

" Are you alone Relena ? "

" It doesn't concern you. "

" Well, looks like your underling has taken a vacation. "

" Underling ?! He has a name for Pete's sake. "

Relena angrily snatched her bag and tried to walk away when Michael grabbed her by her right forearm.

" Ouch ! Let go .. what is it you want ? "

" I just want you to go out with me .. be my girlfriend .. "

" I'm sorry but I'm incapable of loving anyone. "

" No one is incapable of that ! "

" I AM !! "

" Look Relena, if you're still holding the hots for Yuy .. "

" I'm not holding the HOTS for Heero and he's just .. just .. "

Relena looked pensive as she tried to think of a word to describe Heero.

[ What is he to me ? We're already not talking to each other anymore ]

Heero inched a little nearer from the hiding place he had expertly chosen to witness the conversation between Michael and Relena. He was curious as to how Relena regarded him now.

" Relena, stop wasting your time on unknown criminals ! "

" He's NOT a criminal ! … wait a minute … you've been checking on them ?! "

" That's not the point .. "

" He saved our lives ! You wouldn't be here if not for him and those 4 other guys ! "

" You're so misled .. you really need brainwashing. "

" YOU need brainwashing .. "

" Come on Relena, it's late. I'm bringing you home and … "

" No one's bringing me home when I don't want to. "

" Admit it, if I were Yuy, you'll go back with me right ? "

" That's not true .. "

" If I were Yuy and I asked you to kiss me, you would right ? "

" MICHAEL ?! That was utterly rude !! "

" But you would ! Wouldn't you ?? "

" I won't ! I don't even know whether I like him .. let alone kiss him ! Are you satisfied ? "

Michael released his grasp on Relena as she glared at him one last time before running off. Heero looked at Michael coldly, wondering why he had come up with such an example. As he watched Michael drop his head sadly, he decided to leave steathily.

" That foul-mouthed Michael … how dare he even suggest such a thing … "

Relena angrily muttered as she fumbled with her keys to her room. Just as she slammed the door behind her, she gasped in pure surprise as a lone figure stood there in the corner.

" H … Heero ? "

Relena placed her hand over her heart as she sighed with relief and sat down on her chair for support. It wasn't obvious, but the look on Heero looked sorry enough for Relena to understand how he felt.

" Wh .. what are you doing here in my room ? You know they will seriously prosecute you for a male student to be a Girls' Dormitory. "

" I witnessed you and Michael at the beach earlier on. "

Relena stared in horror as she couldn't bear the thought of Heero listening to that sentence which had sprouted from Michael.

" Y … you did ? "

" Ah. "

" I … I … "

" I'm just here to tell you that I will protect you from anyone you wished to be protected from. I am still under orders. Relena … I … I wanted to tell you that … "

Relena looked up warily as Heero was starting to fumble again. It was obvious that this was hard for Heero. She swiftly stood up and held his hands in hers, causing Heero to stop at once.

" Heero, thank you for volunteering to protect me. I know you're using that order from Professor J as an excuse. You really have to be more open with your true feelings. As for that night … "

Relena took in a deep breath before continuing.

" We'll forget what happened that night. I have too much burden on my shoulders to analyse this one. I accept that I am still of some importance to the Sanc Kingdom and I am fully expected to fulfil my political status as soon as I graduate from University next time. I'll be so busy I probably wouldn't even remember my own name. Heero … just promise me that you'll be there. "

[ The truth is, I'm afraid of loving you Heero. I don't want to love you and then allow my heart to be shattered ]

" I promise. "

[ I want to open my heart to you Relena, teach me what this new emotion brimming in me means … I'm so unsure ]

" Then leave this place as soon as possible before you get caught. "

Heero nodded and was about to sneak off when Relena started to rub her arm. The grasp that Michael caused was too strong for her and it was starting to bruise. On an impulse, Heero turned around again and gently lifted her hand up. Whipping out a small transparent bottle from his trousers, he quickly smeared some of its substance onto her swollen arm and smoothly applied it onto her skin. The contact of bare skin was almost electrifying … Relena and Heero somehow enjoying each other's warmth. After a few moments of silence, Relena decided to break the ice.

" What's that you're applying ? "

" It's a lotion for such injuries. Works fast. "

" Thank you Heero. "

Heero merely nodded as he stuffed the bottle back and prepared to leave. Just then, a knock was heard.

" Relena ? May I come in ? "

" OH NO ! Hide Heero ! "

Heero had somehow disappeared in the mist and Relena raised an eyebrow in amazement. Recovering from it soon enough, she quickly opened her door and her bubbly flatmate bounced in.

" Hey Relena ! I thought someone was in here just now … "

" Eh ? "

" I heard voices .. "

" Oh … OH ! It was the radio .. I just switched it off .. "

" Really ? Wasn't it … a guy … ? "

Relena felt angry as she started to flush involuntarily.

" No it wasn't ! Anyway, what can I do for you Jeannie ? "

" I wanted some nail trimmers … I lost mine … "

" Oh, here you go. "

Relena retrieved it from her bedroom drawer and handed it over to Jeannie. She happily thanked Relena and was about to leave when she cheekily addressed the room.

" Well, whatever it is lucky boy .. don't try anything funny when I'm off ! "

" Jea … "

Relena smiled as the girl had already disappeared into her own room. As she closed her door, Heero reappeared again with a very unexplainable look on his face.

" What did she mean by that ? "

" It was a joke. "

" Does everyone presume I'd do something to you if we're alone ? Michael and Jeannie … is … is that a way of life ? "

" NO NO Heero ! Don't get it all wrong ! It's nothing really … you'd better forget it. "

" Really ? "

" Yes Heero. "

[ Didn't Professor J teach him anything ?! ]

Heero nodded and then leapt from her window, disappearing immediately. Relena felt her face blush again, knowing how poorly she had handled the situation. Michael seemed to think that she was hopelessly in love with Heero, Jeannie thinks she's hiding a man in her room and she has no idea how she feels towards that person.

Quatre smiled warmly as he handled the parcel marked to him, sent by Dorothy. As he carefully unwrapped the parcel, he heard some students walking by him, gossiping rather loudly. A look of worry replaced his happiness as he took in what the students were saying.

" … Michael claimed that he will own Relena Peacecraft, by hook or by crook … do you think it's true ? "

Author's Notes :

Sorry if this chapter sucks .. I was trying to tie up the loose strings from Chapter 6.

Chapter 8 will be on Trowa and Quatre.

Chapter 9 will be on Wufei and Duo.

There is no yaoi .. ^__^ v