Once Upon The Night Of Death
By: Moonlit Love

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing but I own (most) of this story line.

Chapter One: Acquaintances
Trowa finally arrived at the meeting place. He saw Heero asleep with a sleeping
Relena resting her head on his shoulder. They were sleeping on the love seat. Duo and
Hilde lay covered with a thing blanket, Hilde gently lying on his chest. They both slept
soundly. He laid Catherine on the sofa.

He then kicked off his shoes and went to the sleeping bag, crawled in and was
soon asleep, midnight having passed but a few moments ago. He would always have
horrid dreams of death coming for him and his charges, but tonight he slept soundly,
having only peaceful dreams.

~~

Relena slowly fluttered her eyelids open. She sat up quickly, not realizing where
she was. Then the memories of the night came back to her, and she knew she was safe.
She decided to explore her surroundings a little better, and curiously began to look
around. She saw Hilde and Catherine both sleeping soundly and two other men she did
not know.

She smelt the soft scent of eggs, toast, and pancakes coming from another room.
She followed her stomach into the kitchen to see her rescuer, Heero Yuy, working to
make breakfast. "Thank you," Relena spoke.

Heero turned around to look at her, surprised to see another person up. "Thank
you for what?" Heero returned.

"For saving me."

"It's my job," Heero replied.

Relena was intrigued by his laid back yet aloof personality. She wanted to keep
asking questions, but didn't know how. "What time is it?" Relena asked, hoping to start
a conversation.

"About ten o'clock in the morning," Heero told her.

'Wow, so much for sleep. At least I don't have any meetings for today,' Relena
thought to herself.

They heard a yawn from behind and turned to see the rest of the people come in.
"How much longer until breakfast? I'm starved," a young man with a long, brown braid
announced.

"Almost finished, Duo. Just a few more eggs to fix, and then breakfast is served,"
Heero told him, "But when we sit down let me make a brief comment about last night."

The guy with the brown braid, Duo, scratched his stomach and took a seat. A tall,
lean, guy with light brown hair gelled to the front, slowly unfolded himself from his
position, walked away from the doorway and sat down next to Duo. Relena moved back
to stand next to Catherine and Hilde. "Who is the guy sitting next to Duo, the guy with
the braid?" Relena asked.

"Oh, that's Trowa. He saved me from Death last night," Catherine whispered.

The three girls just stood there, watching as the others sat down to dine on the
breakfast Heero had made. Heero made a gesture for them to join him at the table, but
they stayed by the doorway, arms crossed. They silently contemplated who these people
really were and why they were there. They couldn't decide on a conclusion.

"Do we sit or not?" Hilde whispered.

"I say we sit. The worst that can happen is the food tastes awful," Relena
reasoned.

"Heero actually is the best cook of us all. Trust me, eat his meal," Duo spoke as
he licked his lips and held his fork and knife high above his plate.

Heero filled Duo's plate to overflowing with food, while he set a normal amount
on Trowa and his own plates. There were two other places, but both were bare from
silverware and plates. "The news I have to tell *all* of you is somewhat startling," Heero
began, "The others did not make it."

"The others?" Relena asked, raising one eyebrow.

"Quatre and Wufei for us, and Dorothy and Sally for you," Heero replied.

Duo and Trowa looked down at their untouched food, deeply touched by the news
Heero had given them. Relena and Hilde looked uncomfortable, while Catherine didn't
seem to know who they were talking about. "Sally was one of my defense coordinators, a
close friend, and Dorothy was a common friend between Hilde and I. She was always up
for a party, she was the wild one," Relena explained.

Catherine bowed her head, paying respect to those who had passed away. Relena
gently motioned they should go and sit down. They slowly walked to the table and sat at
the opposite side of the guys. Heero served them breakfast.

None of them really ate heartily after that, they mostly just played with their food.
They all finally decided to be done with their meals. "I have something to say, and then
you guys can do whatever you would like," Heero announced as he put his dishes away
and motioned for the others to do the same.

Relena cleared her dishes. Hilde and Catherine did the same. They walked out
into the living room, where Heero had gone. They sat on a couch and waited for Duo and
Trowa. "Do you think Heero is the head honcho or something?" Hilde whispered.

"He certainly seems like he is the top gun around here," Catherine replied.

Relena carefully studied Heero under her lashes. He was slightly pacing and
looked uncomfortable, but Relena was almost sure the others didn't notice this as he hid
his emotions rather well. She had learned to read any sign of emotion when she took the
job of traveling with some of the enemies of Earth and herself.

His emotions were once again hidden as the others came in and joined them in the
room. Trowa and Duo sat in two armchairs. Heero cleared his throat and all eyes were
on him. Relena cocked an eyebrow, interested in what he had to say.

"First, I think we should introduce ourselves to you," Heero started, gesturing
towards Relena, Catherine, and Hilde, "I am Heero Yuy, he is Duo Maxwell (the one with
the long, brown braid and curious, violet eyes, Relena noted), and he is Trowa Barton,
(the tall, lean guy with his hair gelled forward and warm blue eyes, Relena observed).
And Duo, Trowa, those are Hilde, Relena, and Catherine."

Relena stood and went to shake Duo and Trowa's hands. They seemed surprised,
but rose from their chairs and cordially shook her hand. Relena nodded and once again
sat down on the sofa. Heero made a soft smile, one he thought no one else would see.
Too bad Relena had also learned to watch for such small details from reading her peace
treaties and agreements.

Heero cleared his throat as if to speak again. "I have something to say. All of
you, (indicating the girls), must stay here until the next new moon. Death can last
between each moon, and then is gone until next year. You won't be safe at night, but you
can go out during the day. Just make sure you are back here before six each night and
you will be safe," Heero began, "Leave a light on when you sleep or if you are up.

"Any time when you are in complete darkness Death can come find you. You are
all free to leave once the next moon comes. If you have any questions, just ask and I am
sure we can answer them."

Catherine slowly rose her hand. "Do you have any training rooms or something?
I don't want to get rusty in my act. The boss will be mad enough I will miss our nightly
shows, much less losing my ability to throw," Catherine inquired.

"What do you throw?" Heero asked.

"I throw daggers," Catherine informed.

"Trowa can help you out. he knows a few tricks to the game," Heero told her.

Catherine nodded. "May I go practice now? I practice once a day for about an
hour or two," Catherine asked.

Trowa got up and nodded. He made a sign for her to follow him. Catherine
followed him, eager to see what he could do with knives. Hilde was next to ask a
question.

"Do you have a dance room or something? Duo seems to have interrupted last
nights dance party," Hilde glared at Duo.

Duo made a face back at her. "We have a club type setting out back near Duo's
room. Ask him and I'm sure he will let you use it," Heero spoke.

Duo looked as if he was going to protest, but he took one look at Hilde's puppy
dog face and immediately caved. He got up. "Follow me," he told her.

Hilde was more than happy to oblige. She loved to dance and to have fun, and
now she could make up for last night along with going every night. She was happy.
Relena and Heero were now the only ones in the room. Heero looked at Relena, as if
waiting for her to request something.

"What?" Relena asked diplomatically.

"Aren't you going to request anything?" Heero inquired.

"Well, maybe the use of a computer with Internet and a news channel," Relena
replied slyly.

Heero rolled his eyes, but led her to a room. The room was filled with hi-tech
gadgets. The TV and computer were the only things that didn't look so high tech. Relena
went to the computer and turned it on, as it was the same model she used at work.

Heero flipped on the TV for her to tune into. Relena smiled gratefully. Heero left
the room, leaving Relena all by herself. She turned back to the computer screen, glad to
see the same Internet provider she used was the same one they had.

She logged on under her name and immediately searched for Heero, Duo, and
Trowa in the database. Their names showed up with limited information. Relena
frowned at the little information on them. The news announcer suddenly caught her
attention.

"...And in further news, Foreign Minister Relena Darilyn has been reported as
missing. She went to go home late last night after work, and didn't show up for work this
morning. No one was at her home and no one has seen her since last night. We fear we
have a kidnapping on our hands. Anyone who has any information on her is asked to call
this number," the news anchor stated.

A number flashed onto the bottom of the screen. Relena shook her head in horror.
'I really can't go out now! Most likely they would take me somewhere for my own safety
and take me from these men who are protecting us!' Relena thought.

Relena quickly logged off the computer and went in search of anyone. The house
was like a maze and she had a hard time finding where she was going. No one seemed to
be where she was. The walls seemed to turn to a shiny, gray metal the further back into
the hallway she went.

A metal door with security access was suddenly in front of her. Relena reached
for the handle to see if it was open. She suddenly felt a presence behind her. "Where do
you think you were going?" Heero's cold, monotone voice asked her.

"I was looking for you," Relena curtly replied.

"Oh, really. What for?" he asked, amused.

"The news and a ton of other people think I have been kidnapped," Relena
informed him.

His expressionless eyes suddenly flashed with anger and confusion. "Why do
they think you have been kidnapped?" Heero inquired.

"Because I wasn't at work this morning and no one has seen me," Relena replied.

"Damn! Foreign Minister will get us in trouble," Heero commented.

"Well, do you think if I came out and told them I was just visiting some friends
and forgot to call in, they would stop this search?" Relena suggested.

"I don't think so. They will most likely take you somewhere for a while and you
won't be able to be protected," Heero stated with a shake of his head.

"I thought so, too. What do we do now?" Relena asked.

"We just keep you here so no one thinks anything about. Just disappear for a few
months, and then we will get you back out there and come up with a cover story," Heero
replied.

Relena nodded. Heero began to leave the hallway and looked back to Relena, his
eyes telling her to come with him and exit the hall. Relena let him lead her out. No one
else was out in the living room. Relena felt, rather than heard, the bass from the music
Hilde was listening to.

She guessed Catherine and Trowa were still practicing dagger throwing. Heero
looked questioningly at her, seeming to will her to find something to do so he could go
back to doing whatever he had been doing before. Relena evenly stared at him, not
wanting to seem weak.

~~Duo's Club~~

Hilde laughed as another song came on. She took hold of Duo's hands and spun
him around in circles. Duo looked as if he wanted to escape. "You aren't going
anywhere!" Hilde giggled above the music.

Duo just gave in. He let Hilde lead him in all types of dances. Multitudes of
colored light danced around the otherwise black room. Loud music boomed from the
surround sound speakers. "Got any cool club effects?" Hilde asked.

"Not really," Duo lied, hoping to get out of there sooner.

A slow song suddenly washed over the speakers. Hilde pulled Duo closer to her.
"This will be the last dance, I promise," Hilde whispered into his ear.

With those words having been said, Duo put two hands around her waist and
Hilde wrapped her arms around his neck. She gently rested her cheek against his
shoulder and they swayed to the music. Duo's stomach suddenly rumbled, interrupting
the serenity of the song.

Hilde pulled away and looked up at him. Duo just gave an embarrassed smiled.
Hilde laughed. "Come on, let's go find you something to eat!" she announced.

They exited the room and Duo switched off the power to the room. He was glad
to be free of the dancing. Hilde pulled him to the kitchen, hoping to resume dancing
soon.

~~The tent~~

Catherine threw another sharp dagger at the white and red target in front of her.
She easily threw another bullseye. Trowa just looked on in amusement. "Where did you
learn such a dead-on throw?" he asked.

"My dad was a hunter, he taught me. Didn't think killing with a gun was right, so
he had me learn to throw daggers. I became totally interested in the art when we went to
a circus. There was a lady who threw daggers at her partner. I was hooked," she told
him.

He just nodded and let her practice some more. "I usually have a partner when I
throw," Catherine hinted, "They let me pop the ballons or what-not around them. What
do you say?"

"I say no," he replied.

"Oh, come on. Usually my partner is spinning on a board and I do it fine. Never
hurt a single person," Catherine begged.

Trowa looked at her for a moment and finally gave in. He went over to the dart
board. Catherine walked up to him and placed a half eaten apple atop his head. She
walked back to her spot. Closing one eye to aim better, Catherine, grabbed the tip of a
dagger and flicked her wrist a few times. Then, she threw the dagger.

In seconds the apple was securely fastened to the dart board. Trowa stepped back
and cocked an eyebrow at her work. "Very good. Didn't know they were such good
dagger throwers. The master offers you his congrats," Trowa smiled as he did a circus
bow to her.

Catherine giggled. "How about we go see how the others are doing? I'm also
kind of thirsty," Catherine suggested.

Trowa nodded and they went to go to the kitchen, going through the maze of halls.
They soon were in the living room and saw the others sitting there as well. Then
Catherine saw the look on Heero and Relena's faces. "What's up?" Catherine asked.

To Be Continued...

How did you like the story? I know it is different from I Loved You Too Late, but
I hope you liked it. I will finish this before I put out My Heero and My Enemy. I hope
you enjoyed.
~~*Moonlit*~~