A Childhood Promise
Chapter 7

 Through time, you will be taught many rules, and many ways to live life. But, they are only there for you to reshape, bit by bit.

 It was what had to be done; he would kill her, then the position would be left open and he would step up, and pass the tests with flying colors. Finally, he would work his way until the world beyond those doors were open enough to penetrate. Then, he would strike, and no one would be the wiser until it was too late. But, as she stood there, in front of him for the second time, Heero found he could not remove the gun from his holster. Instead, he stood there dumbly, listening as she spoke.

 Her voice was strong, yet soft. It was the kind of voice that demanded respect, yet could seduce anybody into falling helplessly into their arms. His was gruff, and cold, so much so that he never wanted to hear it, and kept quiet, mostly.

 She sat on a chunk of metal from the head of a mobile suit. Her eyes matched the ocean as she watched it, the time now being early and the day bright. She talked about a friend that she had not seen in such a long time, and wanted to see again. Her words held a deep sense of longing, and Heero could not help to try and understand the girl.

 "What about you? Did you lose anybody in the war?" The girl turned to him suddenly, strands of wild, blonde hair flying in the wind. "Like a friend? Not that it's my business…"

 If now was the time for him to suddenly open up then she would be sorely disappointed. But instead of sighing, she chuckled, and quietly looked off into the sea once again. The silence was welcome, and they both stood there, staring silently into the sea.

 Relena watched him from the corner of her eye. She and he hadn't traded names yet, but she already felt like she could talk to him, how odd. Finally, Relena knew her presence would be needed at the mansion and she slipped off the large chunk of metal, and turned towards the gate. The young man caught her eye and they nodded goodbye.

 Something in her knew that she would be coming back tomorrow, if only to see if he was there.

*~*~*~*~*

 Hilde held firm to the punching bag as Duo kicked at it. He obviously had something on his mind, though sharing seemed out of the question at that particular moment. He stroke again, and had she been holding the thing up to her, Hilde would've felt the wind knocked out of her lungs.

 "Wow, lot's of energy?" Duo smirked and kept going, but his shots were getting weaker by the minute. About time too; they'd been at it for about an hour now. She still wanted her turn!

 "Heh…" Duo took a large swig of his water bottle and fell against the wall. "You hear about Heero leaving?" Hilde scoffed as she fingered some weights by her. She gave Duo a look that clearly said: are you stupid?

 "Of course, I'm usually his partner in the hacking business, you know." They chuckled, "so, what were you going to say?" Duo, with the water bottle still in his mouth, looked at her again, as if she'd caught him off guard. Moron, truly.

 "Oh… oh yeah! Well, he left me with a bill for a loan he took out! What the hell!? I mean, really, a man could at least do something good for his roommates…" Hilde laughed again and hit her friend on the back, then letting him lean into her to rest.

 "But seriously, that kid doesn't feel… I wonder how he's going to make do…" Hilde looked down at him, confused.

 "What do you mean?"

 "I mean that Heero's been trained to follow orders, not go improvising. I just think… that the uncertainties of earth are going to be a little much on him, and the mission's just too big."

 "So, you're worried?" Hilde turned her head, rubbing it into Duo's as she did so. They were both leaning on each other, supported by their backs and shoulders. The gym was practically deserted, which wasn't surprising; it was at least two in the morning.

 "I wonder…" Duo began, as if he had completely ignored her, "why we all fight for this war… and why things haven't been settled, after so long? It's been at least five years, right?"

 "Duo, wars may last for much longer than that. It's normal." He tensed behind her, making Hilde turn her head even more. "What's wrong? Something I said?" Maybe…

 "Is that it, Hilde? Normal… can a war be normal? Or is anything normal?"

 "Duo, you're babbling."

 "No, Hilde, I'm not. I've thought this through. Maybe, the only reason the war hasn't ended is because we've been taking the obvious ways to victory, when we should be looking for new ways? Perhaps we aren't on the right side?"

 "Are you saying that Earth is right?" her voice unexpectedly grew loud at this. Why was it that so many people seemed to be taking Relena's side, and not hers? First Zechs, her commander, and Duo, one of her closest friends.

 "Jumping to conclusions, Hilde." He said in the same tone she had used before when she had told him he was babbling. "I'm not sure if either side is right. Or, maybe both are right, but for different systems?"

 "A draw, maybe, then?" Duo leaned back farther, making Hilde bend forward.

 "I don't know anymore… maybe we should sleep…?" Hilde sighed, nodded, knowing Duo would feel it if not see.

 "Yes, Duo, you're words are making no sense to me… maybe you should become a philosopher?"

 "Whatever."

*~*~*~*~*

 Lady Une watched the suns set over the horizon with tired eyes. Relena had gone missing for a fair portion of the day, and the work to catch up on afterwards was exhausting. Not to mention Zechs', visit.

 "My Lord, are you alright?" She asked politely as Trieze sat on their bed, tired as she was. He still managed a smile, though.

 "Yes, of course. But please, call me Trieze, Une." She smiled and walked over, letting him pull her into his arms. She sighed, falling back into him. She'd never forget the moments like this, when their guard was let down, and they could just enjoy the little things everyone else took for granted. It was the moments like this, she just wished that all the rules would go away, so that she could be normal, and live by her own rules, in a happy life, with Trieze.

 But her destiny called, and she couldn't deny it. The fate of millions would depend on her very actions. For now, Une relished the fact that she was able to lay with her husband in peace.

 Still, how she wished it could stay this way.

*~*~*~*~*

 Noin and Zechs watched each other tensely. There was something happening… an ominous chill fell. It was small, but this war was going to become much more complicated. They could both feel it.

 "What do you think it could be?" Zechs asked the woman in front of him.

 "People are beginning to realize that maybe; this was not how things were meant to be. They're doubting the cause of this war, Zechs, and I have a feeling that this will settle everything."

 "You always had impeccable skills with others. Is this something that should be tampered with, my little psychic?" Noin smirked and played with the idea of simply ignoring him for that, but she could never be cruel.

 "It depends. I don't know which side will appeal more to the soldiers at this point. It's too early." She blinked, the ominous feeling growing deeper. For the first time in her life that she could remember, Noin felt, almost… scared.

 "Whatever happens, we'll accept it, I suppose. We did ask for this war, and for the consequences." Noin nodded. Sometimes, Zechs was wise, and sometimes, he was more naïve than those soldiers.

 "I suppose."

 Their home on mars was silent, and Noin bowed to her commander, and left his room to enter her own, attached to the first. It was odd, everything seemed to be growing complicated, yet things were making some more sense. Could that happen?

 Noin looked out her window into the reddish black sky. Through that glass was space.

 "Maybe you have all the answers? I guess I'll never know." Noin washed up and prepared for bed, falling into the mattress with a sigh. Maybe for a bit, she could pretend she was in a blissful ignorance and forget about all that was going on. Lord knows she needed it. What with all the complications arising. Relationships were forming between Earth and Mars illegally, and people began to doubt their own sides.

 Some, were so close to finding the truth, but blamed it on tiredness. She, too, was growing tired, and all these thoughts were making her head hurt. Noin turned to her side and fell into a dreamless sleep.

*~*~*~*~*

 I'm sorry! It's a filler! I really had nothing planned for this! Gah, so tired. Maybe I can get up and at it next update. Hope I can make it… Oh, and I lied at the beginning, I can't help but add a couple of couples in here! Mainly the first two (even though I'm a lot better at HY x RP) and maybe a bit of the last two. Well, see you next time!