A.N. Hey all. Sorry this chapter took so long. My computer has been messing up and I couldn't get online. Anyway. Thank you to all who reviewed. But I have one favor to ask you all. Could you please help me figure out a title to this story? I have the worst time trying to figure titles out. Anyway, here's chapter 3!

Chapter Three

Relena sat in the living area of her father's house. At the table were three strange gentlemen, a woman and her father. At the moment they were silent, apparently waiting for someone else to arrive.

It had happened so fast...

*Flashback Relena's POV*

We were running. That is what strikes me first because I seemed to always be out of breath.

As we got to the base of the hill beside the party hill something didn't seem right. It was too quiet. The music had stopped and when Hilde and I crested the hill a strange site was before us. Everyone was being slowly led away in groups. From what she could tell it was by families. They were being led away by men dressed in the Sank Kingdom uniform.

"Oh no Relena. They beat us here!"

Before I could even breath I felt something press against my neck. A voice icy enough to match the cold steel spoke harshly.

"Well, well, what have I found. Get up, now!"

As I rose and turned I came face to face with a woman. I had to admit she was quite stunning. her face was oval and her eyebrows seemed off from the rest of her features. But her personality was all in her hair. It fell to her knees and she swung it whenever she moved. The setting sun glinted off the pale cream color as she called for a few men. Three came and took us while the blonde woman followed behind.

"Take them to Lt. Yuy." She stared right into my eyes before she turned away. Shivers ran down my spine from her chilling eyes. All I could do was drop my head as they took us away.

I was somewhat surprised to see them leading us to my house. When we entered the first thing my eye's settled on was my father, crumpled on the floor in the hall. Letting out a cry I broke away from my captures and knelt at his side.

"Father! Father what is going on?!"

"He can't respond. Governor Darlin is temporarily unconscious."

"I can see that!" I spat. The man was very tall and thin. His brown hair hung over his face, hiding one eye. He motioned and the three solders hauled Hilde and myself into the living area.

"Who are you? State your names."

Hilde looked nervously at me. She was scared, of that there was no doubt. I had to be strong for her though.

"This is Hilde Schbeiker and I am Relena Darlin."

The tall man narrowed his green eye at me. The look made me feel as if he were picking apart the inside of my head, looking for something.

"Do not look so frightened child. Lt. Barton will not harm you."

A pale haired man stepped through the door followed by a cruel looking man with unruly chocolate hair, and deep but cold persian the woman from earlier. They crossed and the fair haired man bent to check on my father.

"Really Trowa, did you have to knock him out?"

"He tried to fight us. There wasn't anything else to do at the moment."

The man with cruel eyes spoke, "So he has refused?"

The man called Lt. Barton nodded. 'Cruel Eyes' signaled a soldier and spoke softly with him. He nodded and left.

"Get the governor up and send the other girl home. But you..." he pointed at me, "You stay in here."

I watched as they dragged my father off the floor and sat him at one of the chairs in our kitchen. The soldier smacked him into consciousness and even I could see the blood trickle from his nose. The three gentlemen and woman sat around the table silently staring at my father.

*Back to Third Person*

Zechs rode up outside of the Darlin residence. A soldier took his horse Eypion's bridal and let his general dismount. But he didn't move into the house, he just stood there.

"Um, sir? I believe they are waiting for you inside the house."

"Just a second solider. I'm waiting for someone myself."

Before the young man could comprehend what the general was saying a shadow came over him. He looked up and perched like a cat on the top of the horse was a woman. The soldier was so shocked he stepped back and tripped over his own two feet.

Zechs chortled and watched as Noin descended from the horse. Her eyes glowed from her run and the freedom of it renewed her spirit.

"Come my Amazon, let us see what the trouble is."

"Certainly my lord."

They entered the house, Zechs first with Noin following behind him. She did not walk as the typical slave would, with head down and hands folded. No, she strode in head held high and arms swinging easily at her side. They stood in the hall. To the right was the kitchen and Zechs left Noin in the hall and addressed his Lt's.

"Well, what is the problem? What have you dragged me from my bed for?"

Oddly Governor Darlin spoke first, "I refuse to give over this village willingly! The people I represent agree to fight you to the end!" At his declaration he stood but before he could launch himself at Zechs a sword shot out and stabbed him in his thigh.

Lt. Heero Yuy took the edge of the table cloth and wiped his sword clean. A small rift of laughter escaped Captain Dorothy Catalonia's lips.

"Governor Darlin!" Quatre Winner leapt from his seat and ripped some of the clean table cloth. He wrapped the stab wound and helped Darlin to his feet. "Lt. Yuy, please try to refrain from these acts in the future. This is no way to act in front of a lady." He motioned to the doorway behind Zechs. The general turned and cam face to face with Relena.

His eyes grew wide and a quick glance at Noin proved she saw it too. Zechs' eyes softened and he approached her. "Same hair, same eyes, almost a perfect match." he whispered. He turned, "Governor Darlin, who is this child's mother? For she looks nothing like you, her mother must have been beautiful. Dear child, what is your name?"

She wanted to cower, she was so afraid, but the words she spoke came out even and calm. "My name is Relena. May I ask yours?" She looked into his eyes for they and his mouth were the only visible features of his face. He wore a fitted helmet and his long hair flowed out the back. Oddly his eyes looked kind and he answered her in an equally kind voice.

"I am General Zechs Merquise. The woman behind you is Lucrezia Noin. I am sorry to tell you Relena that I will take over this village under orders from my superior. You and whatever others I deem worthy, will come with us."

Relena's eyes widened. She had heard rumors that the Sank Army took slaves. But she thought they were only that, rumors. Now to find herself becoming a slave, being pulled out of her home and life she's known turned out to be too much for her. And she saw blackness.

Everyone watched as Noin caught Relena.

"Poor girl. She's fainted. I say she won't last one month as a slave."

"Be quiet Captain Catalonia. Your mockery is not required." Lt. Trowa Barton silenced her.

Dorothy turned up her nose and stood beside Lt. Yuy. He spared a glance at her but turned to glare at the wall after she smiled slightly at him.

Zechs watched Quatre hold back a smile and motioned for Noin to leave with Relena. She carried the girl to a small cot\bed on one side of the living area. She brushed some hair off her hair. "You are going to be the cause of many problems little one. I can see it now."

A.N. Well? I think I'll end it there for the moment. Sorry I never mentioned Zechs' helmet. It looks like the one he wore in the series and I thought it was a good way of showing his distinction between his two personas. Anyway, please review, and if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Don't forget! I would love to hear your ideas for a title! Next part will be out soon!