Disclaimer: Gundam wing is a property of sunrise...


Relena...

Someone was watching her. She could feel the weight of a pair of eyes on her. It was hardly surprising in a room full of people--- yet she had the strongest sensation…

A few minutes earlier, Relena Peacecraft had arrived at the castle of the dignitary from Syria, where a party was being held in honor of the United Earth Sphere Alliance anniversary. It was one of those events where almost all of the notable figures on the face of the Earth were invited. And one of those events she wished she could forego.

Relena, together with Dorothy Catalonia, stood near one of the marble columns of the ballroom, observing their surroundings and taking time off from chatting regarding the same topic over and over again.

"My feet are tired and I need a break," Dorothy complained as she sipped her champagne.

"My sentiments exactly," Relena said. "I have a lot of things waiting on my desk and here I am partying the night away."

Dorothy gave a throaty laugh and leaned back on the marble column. "There goes the workaholic, instead of thinking of rest, she'd rather go to the office and work."

Relena smiled, taking no offense. By now she was used to that kind of remarks. It was true that she would rather work. It was the only way she knew that could make her forget…

"So, what have you been doing lately," Relena asked, changing the course of her thoughts.

"The Federation sent me to investigate on a certain colony next week," Dorothy said.

"Regarding?"

Dorothy gave a guilty smile. "I haven't looked at the reports yet. I'll do that on my way."

Relena laughed at that.

"You seem contented with what you are doing," Relena commented.

"I am. I know my father wouldn't want me to get involved with the Federation but I like challenges. There are.."

Relena suddenly felt the hair on her nape standing up as she felt a pair of eyes glued on her again. As Dorothy continued to speak, Relena roamed her eyes through the crowd, looking for something unusual.

"…the next peace conference?"

"I'm sorry?" Relena asked.

"I said, do you know that you will be sent for the next peace conference?"

"Really? I haven't received any words yet," Relena said still looking at the crowd.

I must be getting paranoid. How could somebody from this crowd be…?

"Well, you are." Dorothy gave her a wide smile. "And it shall be on the new L1 Colony."

Relena suddenly faced Dorothy, surprised. Heero, she thought.

"You looked surprised, I wonder," Dorothy said meaningfully.

"It's just that… my brother hasn't told me anything yet and that it will be on the colony."

"I am sorry I have to be the one to break the news. Anyway, now you know so it wouldn't be a surprise anymore when your brother tells you all about it," Dorothy looked at the farther side of the room to where Mirialdo Peacecraft of the Sanq Kingdom was speaking with the Commander General of the Federation.

Relena looked also to where her brother was.

"I wonder why after all of these years, the colonies decided to participate in the peace conference. Is it because of the rumored uprisings going on?"

"Possible," Dorothy said then faced Relena, with a questioning gaze. "You do know who the leader of the new L1 Colony, don't you?" she asked changing the topic.

Relena lowered her gaze.

"The former gundam pilot, Heero Yuy. Quite a long time, don't you think?"

Relena raised her head suddenly. Her gaze was suddenly locked by someone in the crowd. As quickly as she could blink, the old man suddenly disappeared into the crowd. Her whole body suddenly felt like being thrown into a pool of ice-cold water.

The man she saw was extremely familiar. She could not exactly remember who he was but she knew she met him some place.

"Relena," Dorothy asked, concerned. "All of a sudden, the color drained from your face. Are you all right?"

Relena jerked her head suddenly towards Dorothy. "Yes… yes, I'm fine."

"You looked like you've seen a ghost."

Relena tried smiling. "Frankly speaking, I thought I did. I must be mistaken."

Dorothy shook her head and scanned the crowd. "For a moment there, I thought Heero Yuy suddenly appeared when I mentioned his name."

"I don't think I would classify him as the ghost of Christmas past."

Dorothy chuckled. "Plus, I don't think he would grace this kind of occasion. Not after seven years."

Then, something dawned on Relena all of a sudden which made her eyes widened as she looked into nothingness.

That face really rang a bell.

A ghost...

The man... That old man... He looks like....

Heero Yuy...

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