FACING FATE By: Alithiel

Disclaimer: Hey! Here it is, Chapter Five! I have no idea how long this story is going to take.but I do know that I'm gonna poke charas from other anime, books, or TV shows in here. Collect them all! I don't own them or Gundam Wing, so all you tax collectors can BUGGER OFF!!! HA!!!

Chapter Five: Beyond the Mist

Dorothy sat in her thronelike chair, surveying the other members seated around the council table. She couldn't stand these meetings; they always went on much too long for her liking. She disconsolately rested her elbow on the polished wood, chin in her hand as Trieze stood and called the meeting to order. "Gentlemen.and ladies," He nodded differently to Dorothy, Une and Noin, the only women in the room. "We are here to discuss the progression of the war against the Cinq Kingdom. As you know, our Lady Dorothy desires the Kingdom as part of her grand empire, and although full battle has not been met yet, we are whittling away her border troops. As of this moment, all is going as planned." "What of the rumor that Relena Peacecraft is bringing in outside assistance?" An old, wrinkled man said weakly from the far end of the table. "Councilman Garvas, that is not proven.my spy within the astle has not reported back to me yet, but I am expecting a missive any day now." The Foundation members began murmuring among themselves. The words incompitence and foolishness were heard. Treize's face began to turn red as he listened. "Gentlemen, please.We know that the situation is dire right now. However, the armies that are at your disposal will greatly increase the nombers of our army, creating a formidable invasion force. That group of soldiers, along with my Order of the Zodiac army, would be able to take the whole of Cinq in a few weeks time." One of the younger barons stood angrily, glaring daggers toward Trieze. "You mean to deprive us of our only means of protection??!" "I would not be depriving you of anything, Lord Canrif. You and the other nobility of Catalonia would be housed within the capital city. For your own protection, of course." The murmurs and arguments grew to fever pitch, punctuated by the thud of hands hitting the table and the scrape of chairs as the council fidgeted uncomfortably. Dorothy stood suddenly, slamming her gloved fist against the solid wood table. "BE SILENT!" She roared, eyes flashing angry blue from beneath her forked brows. "We have no time to be wasted on your petty bickering! I desire the Cinq kingdom! I want it to be flooded with the blood of its people!" She snapped her fingers, and an assistant came forward with a black velvet pouch, which he deposited in her hand. "Now, if you would kindly remove your thumbs from up your asses," She said in a deadly quiet voice, 'I have something to show you." From the bag, she shook out a small sliver of venomous green stone onto the table. She passed it to Duke Sabler, the eldest member of Romefeller. "My Lord Duke, hold that stone in your hand for a moment." The ancient Duke held the sliver with had shaking with old age. After a moment, his weathered jaw clenched and his face took on a look if unimaginable cruelty, the whites of his eyes turning the same sickly green color as the stone. The old man leapt out of his chair, balled up his fist, and slammed it clean through one of the many marble pillars supporting the ceiling. Some of the other members ducked under the table as razor-sharp shards of stone flew through the air. The Duke, blinking as if just waking up, pulled his hand from the hole he had created and dropped the shard, staring dazedly at his bloodied knuckles. The members re- appeared, looking fearfully at Dorothy, who smiled cruelly, sweeping across the floor to retrieve the piece. The duke sat in his hair, his hands shaking even harder than before with the realization of what he had just done. "Rage," She said sweetly, "Increased power and speed, resistance to pain. These are the properties of the Libra stone. My coal miners found it not to far from here. Do you not all see?" She held the shard up for all to see. "An army of soldiers, thousands strong, all equipped with pieces of this stone! Their strength will be unmatched, their speed unstoppable, their blood thirst insatiable. You have seen what it did for a weak old man, imagine what it can do for strong young soldiers! Not even the mighty Cinq Kingdom or her puppet ruler will be able to stand against us! With the Libra in our hands, we also hold victory!" The Foundation members began to cheer, their arguments forgotten for a moment. "Their blood thirst makes me ill, Zechs. Let's get out of here." Noin murmured to Zechs. They had been sitting in the back of the room with Lady Une, watching the proceedings. Une turned to Noin. "You realize that Mr. Trieze will not allow you to leave him yet, don't you?" Zechs looked at the brown-eyed woman. "I did not agree to become his indentured servant, Lady. However." He turned back to the meeting. "You pledged to his service. That may as well be servitude." Une stood and moved to her lover's side. Zechs shook his head, blue eyes glittering from beneath the steel mask necessary to hide himself from the world. "I must stay, Noin. I must see this played out." He took her hand in his and returned his attention to the much calmer proceedings. I must keep my promise.

* * * * *

The pale winter sun filtered in through the gauzy curtains on the library windows. Relena sighed deeply, turning her back from the bare winter vista below. There is no way I can win this war, she thought, staring at the hearth and watching the flames dance. I'll just get everyone killed. Her thoughts turned to the cold young man she had met earlier in the week. He was from the Meteor group, a guild of assassins that would work for the highest bidder. She shuddered to think of what would have happened if the new arrival had been on the opposing side. "There's a spy in your council." Relena whirled around, facing the young assassin who had just occupied her thoughts. Heero leaned against the doorway with his arms crossed in front of his chest, gazing at her with those glacial eyes of his. Relena cleared the blockage in her throat. "Excuse me?" "There's a spy in your council." He repeated. Relena sighed again. "I heard that. Who is it?" "Septem." She shook her head, blond locks glimmering gold in the pale sun filtering through the window. Her emerald green wool gown made her look like some sort of wood fairy. Heero felt a strange tightening in the vicinity of his throat, but tamped down the emotion. He had been keeping a very close eye on her the past week, though she did not know. Over that time, he had begun to admire her steely strength and her conviction in what she believed. "Impossible." She stated in a matter-of-fact voice. "Septem has been on the council for as long as I can remember. You must be mistaken." Heero leveled his cold gaze at her. Relena threw her hands up in defeat, sitting down in one of the heavy mahogany chairs. "All right, I won't discount the possibility.what proof do you have, Mr. Yuy?" "I overheard him speaking to one of his footmen, instructing him to dispatch a message to Catalonia as soon as possible." The princess smiled grimly. "Is it one of your habits to eavesdrop?" "When it involves an investment." Relena stood, walking till she was right in front of him. Hands on her hips, she stared the strange young man down. "Why are you doing this for me? What reasons do you have?" "My reasons are my own." Heero ground out from between clenched teeth. "I will know them." Relena raised her chin proudly. "You will tell me your reasons, whatever they may be." Heero was silent for a moment. "Why should I?" Her pale face turned livid. "I gave you a royal command!" Heero sighed. Defeated by a snippet of a girl.how embarrassing. "Do you remember the name of the man who assassinated your father?" He asked bluntly, drawing even nearer. He could see the blood rise in her cheeks, almost feel her heartbeat quicken. "Y.yes." She stammered. "He was named Jastatharius." Heero placed his hands on either side of her face. Relena could feel his calloused palms against her flushed cheeks. He bent his head, placing his lips close to her ear. "Heero." Relena whispered. "Shhh." Heero murmured. "There's something you must know. My father instructed me to protect you. My father.was Jastatharius." Relena gasped. He let her go, looking into her wide, shocked blue eyes as she backed away from him. "No." "My father killed yours." Relena's hand fluttered to her mouth in shock. "Why?" "He was paid to." "By who?" Relena begged, tears appearing in her eyes and running in shining streams down her cheeks. Once again Heero felt that queer tug in the vicinity of his chest, and once again he tamped it down. "Duke Dermail. Dorothy Catalonia's grandfather." "DERMAIL!!" She began to pace, long skirts swishing over the floor. "Dermail.I will have his heart on a spit for this." "That sounds rather bloodthirsty for a pacifist, Your Highness." Relena paused, and looked at Heero with a pointed expression that quickly turned to curiosity. "But I do not understand why your father, who killed mine, would want you to protect me?" For the first time, Heero smiled at her as he moved toward the door. "Because he saw the future in your eyes, Relena." And with that, he was gone. Relena smiled a little to herself as she returned to the window. "He called me by my name." The whole world seemed a little brighter.

* * * * *

"What do you mean, the border's closed?" Catherine demanded, her normally fair face livid. 'I'm very sorry, miss.I can't let anyone pass because of the war." The young guard said kindly. Catherine uttered a foul curse that made the guard look at her in surprise. "That's absurd! We need to get through!" "I'm sorry." He stammered, looking as if he were about to run fro his life. The caravan had finally made it to the border of the Cinq Kngdom, only to discover that the border had been closed due to impending war. Now the gypsies were milling around in front, perfectly willing to set camp and sit this one out. Trowa looked at the armored guard in irritation. His arm was finally getting better, thanks to Catherine's herbs, though he would never tell her that. He couldn't help but smile a little. She had an innate knowledge of what plant helped what that was actually very interesting. The cloud of irritation fell on him again, and he shouldered his way through the other gypsies to stand before the guard. "Pardon me." He asked in his quiet voice. "Is it still the normal practice to allow members of the army through the border, even when closed?" "Er, yes." The soldier replied, looking neviously at the tall man from beneath the visor of his helmet. Trowa executed a crisp military salute. "Captain Trowa Barton of the Spanish Army. These travelers are under my protection." The guard was obviously taken aback ay his attitude. "Erm.I'm going to have to see your papers, sir. Procedure, you understand." The man was visibly sweating now and there was a frightened expression in his blue eyes. "Of course, soldier. I wouldn't expect less." Trowa pulled a small bundle of rolled parchment from the pocket of his leather trousers, sealed with green wax. The young soldier removed his helmet to read the paper. When he was done he handed them back, running a hand through his blond hair, getting his fingers caught on his red headband. "Erm.these seem to be in order, sir.uh.you and your party can pass." He gave a shaky smile, yanking the headband out of his hair, struggling to get it untangled from around his fingers. Trowa rolled the parchment again, returning it to his pocket. "Thank you, neighbor." He paused. "What is your name, soldier?" The blond man was taken aback. "Claude. Claude Kenni, sir." He tried to salute, but the cloth was still tangled around his hand. He hid his hand behind his back and looked down at his feet. "Well, Mr. Kenni, you are doing a fine job. I'll commend your name to Princess Relena when I speak with her." The guard paled visibly. "Uh.thank you, sir." He dashed into the guard post, emerging a moment later with two men. They set to work moving the barrier of cut logs aside to let the group pass. Catherine smiled at Trowa as they climbed back in the wagon. "Very slick. Thanks." "You owe me." He said as they passed the barrier with the rest of the gypsies. He watched her out of the corner of his eye, grinning when she flushed. She pulled her cloak tighter around herself. "It's so damn cold here." Trowa looked at the horizon, morose again. "It's bound to get colder before this war is over."

* * * * *

The snowstorm roared around Sally as she struggled down the steep, rocky slope. The rocks were covered in a blanket of icy moisture, making her footing difficult. They had been traveling in the mountains for two weeks, climbing steadily upward, and had only began their decent three days past. It was as dark as pitch, although it was only mid-day. Sally cried out as she lost her footing again, sliding and rolling down the frozen slope and landing in a snowdrift. Sally opened her eyes to see she was staring over a steep cliff, a sheer precipice that terminated a hundred feet below. Breathing shallowly, Sally began to crawl backwards. She backed herself up against the cliff, her fear of heights burning in the back of her throat. A golden light appeared around the edge of the cliff. Wufei came around carrying a guttering torch. He stopped short as he looked at her. Sally was so blue she looked like some sort of ice creature from a myth. "Sally! I found a cave!" He yelled over the screaming wind. She simply nodded, too tired and frozen to speak. Wufei helped her up, slinging her arm across his shoulders and all but dragging her down the slope. He guided her into the small cave, away from the wind, where he already had a fire going. The curve of the ceiling created a natural flue, forcing the smoke outside. Sally collapsed beside her pack, shivering. Wufei handed her a warmed blanket, then just watched her as the color returned to her cheeks. The ice began to melt from her lashes, running down her cheeks like tears. The wild wind had ripped her hair from its normal twin tails, causing it to flow around her shoulders in waves that were dripping. He handed her a clay mug of hot tea. "Hell of a storm out there." "Sss.sorry I.g.g.got behind." Sally chattered, sipping her tea. They sat in silence for a little while, listening to the crackle of flames. "I was lucky to find this place. It even had dry wood and supplies in the back. This place must be used often." He said, looking around the small, sand floored cave. "I'm amazed how quickly you got a fire going. I don't think you were out of my sight for more than five minutes." Sally put down the empty mug, warm for the first time in days, but soaked through. Wufei smiled slightly, staring into the crackling flames. "I've always had a touch with fire. This is the firs warm place we've been able to find." Sally looked at the young Chinese man across from her. He looked almost as of he was part of the fire himself. "How long before we're out of the mountains?" "Less than another day." "In that case, is there any place to change, and maybe wash? I'm soaked, and our clothes need to be dried." Wufei directed the back of the cave. "There's a small path that goes further back. I thought you'd want to wash." He indicated the battered metal bucket that was steaming by the fire. "Why, how nice of you!" She said, taking her pack and the crude bucket. "I wasn't trying to be nice, onna. Just practical." He called to her retreating back. She went down the short path into a tiny alcove, hidden from view. She removed her clammy clothes and quickly washed. She dressed the lighter garments she had brought and returned to the main room. Wufei was still staring at the fire. "The water's still pretty warm if you want to wash." Sally offered, spreading wet clothing beside the fire. He didn't say a word; he simply retrieved his pack and walked to the alcove himself. Sally rummaged in her pack, bringing up a chunk of bread. She curled up in her blankets, nibbling the loaf, wondering about the haunted look in Wufei's eyes as he stared at the fire. As she thought, drowsiness stole over her. When Wufei returned from his wash, Sally was fast asleep, wrapped up in her blankets, breathing slow and even. He sighed as he spread his soaked clothes beside the fire. Sometimes she was insufferable, but she was also one of the strongest people he knew. She shouldn't be forced into a war, he thought. But, it was good to travel with someone. He was sick of being alone. As he lie on his blankets, he thought of how different the only two females in his life were. Stupid onnas. Both looking to get themselves killed...and one already did. Wufei swiftly fell asleep.

* * * * *

Alithiel~ * Walks around with hearts for eyes*

Duo~ What's up with her?

Hilde~ Dunno.

Alithiel~ Kawaii.

Heero~ ?

Catherine~ Do you think she'll snap out of it?

Brynn~ Dunno.She's been like that for a while.

Quatre~ Maybe she's sick.I'll get her some tea.

Duo~ Q-man, is tea your cure-all?

Quatre~ Yep! ^.~

Alithiel~ Bishounen.

Wufei~ What is the silly woman going on about?

Sally~ To quote, 'I haven't the foggiest'.

Alithiel~ Anakin.

Relena~ Oh! I get it!

All~ Get what!?

Relena~ She saw Star Wars Episode 2 today!

Alithiel~ Hayden Christansen has to be one of the cutest guys I've ever seen! *Sparkle *

Brynn~ Woohoo! She's back!

Alithiel~ Ha...ha.ha. I was never gone.

Duo~ Did you like the movie?

Alithiel~ I was happier than when I got a 24 on my ACT. Spiderman was good too.I've seen it three times. Tobey Maguire was HOT!

All Girls~ *nod nod nod *

All Boys~ -.-;

Author's note: Claude Kenni is from the Playstation game Star Ocean 2. He's owned by them. *Sigh * I wish I owned him.

EXTRA! Alithiel's Top Twelve Famous Cute Guys! (In no particular order) 1~ Hayden Christansen (Anakin on Star Wars Episode 2) 2~ Tobey Maguire (Peter Parker on Spiderman) ^ OOOooohhhh.I HATE Kirsten Dunst! *Grumble * 3~ Michael Weatherly (Logan on Dark Angel) 4~ Sean Biggerstaff (Oliver Wood on Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone) ^ I absolutely ADORE his accent. 5~ Ewan MacGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi on Star Wars Episode 1 & 2) 6~ Chris O'Donnell (Dick Grayson/ Robin on Batman and Robin) ^ Ah, nothing like an anatomically correct rubber suit. 7~ Enrique Iglesias *Drool * 8~ David Duchovny (Mulder on The X Files) ^ He shoulda ended up with Scully. 9~ Orlando Bloom (Legolas on The Lord of the Rings) 10~ Heath Ledger (Will on A Knight's Tale) 11~ The daytime host guy on theWeakest Link.can't remember his name! 12~ Jerry O'Connell (Quinn Mallory on Sliders)

There you have it! Wow.I sure am all over the place.^.^;