Disclaimer: Now if I owned these guys, why would I be writing the stories when I could just make them into episodes and make money off them.
Summary: After Relena's 18th birthday, she goes through her childhood memories that Zechs recovered. What happens when she finds a locket that has a picture of herself and Heero? What had happened so long ago?
Once So Long Ago ~ Chapter 4: Odin, Part 1- By ~Crystal Delphina~
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The sun streamed in through the windows of the rather large house, slowly but surely causing the occupants to awaken. Everyone awoke to find a small note slipped under each of their doors. Quatre went to go inspect the note under his door and found Dr. J's hurried scribbled writing.
---- Quatre and Miss Dorothy,
Good morning. You are welcome to sleep in at your leisure. Breakfast will not be until 10:30. You are also welcome to go enjoy the colony if you wish until that time. I suggest you be back for breakfast. I will not be explaining anything until that time, so don't try to find me.
-Dr. J ----
Everyone more or less received the same note and just did their own thing.
"Damn you..." Heero muttered as he crumbled the note in his hand. "He's procrastinating. He'd make us wait to the end of eternity to find out if I wouldn't threaten to kill him before then," Heero growled.
"Oh well, what are you going to do?" Relena said with a shrug of her shoulders.
"Wufei, are you going to sit there for the next two hours?" Sally asked as soon as she had finished reading the note. He had positioned himself in a cross-legged position on the floor while she had been reading.
"No, I'm going to meditate and then I'm going train like a I do every day," Wufei replied calmly with his eyes closed.
Sally just sighed and walked over to the bed she shared with her Preventer partner. She threw herself onto it, propped her head up with pillows, and grabbed her book to start reading and just patiently wait.
Sleeping in seemed like the best option for many of the couple's, or just talking as they waited out the two hours until breakfast.
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Everyone was promptly on time making sure that they wouldn't miss anything. A large group arrived into the kitchen as they saw Dr. J cooking massive amounts of scrambled eggs, bacon, and pancakes. You could smell the food when you were upstairs, and the coffee that was ready.
"All of you sit down and start eating. I don't know about you, but I'm hungry, and I can't do anything until I eat a good meal," Dr. J said while his back was turned to them. He was smiling as he could hear Heero grumbling and was having fun making the young man frustrated. He'd draw out this little game as long as he could.
The meal was more or less silent as everyone ate the hearty portions that were provided of the simple meal. Heero every now and then would look up and glare at Dr. J that was sitting further down the table. Whenever Relena noticed, she would stifle the small giggle that would try to surface.
Trowa was the first to finish the meal. He rose from his seat and deposited his dishes in the dishwasher, then began to clean up the mess of cooking. Noin finished next and rose to help him. It wasn't long until everyone was done and the kitchen was soon cleaned. At Dr. J's bidding, they all filed into the living room and took seats.
"Okay, now Dr. J, we're all just a bit confused about the situation around the locket, and it you can help, that would be appreciated. Will you please explain to us now?" Zechs asked as Dr. J seated himself and gave a small smile.
"Why of course I can. It will take a while though, because it's a quite an explanation, so let me start at the beginning.
"First of all, Mr. and Mrs. Dorlain were supposed to help me explain when Relena reached a certain age, which was to happen upon your 18th birthday. Well because both of them have passed on, I will explain to you what the story behind the locket is.
"The reason why Heero and Relena's pictures are in that locket is because you both once knew each other, but long before you met when you were 15. No, you both met when you were mere children thanks to Odin Lowe. You remember him, don't you Heero?"
"Uh... yeah." Heero looked somewhat bewildered at the mention of the man that he had few but distinct memories about. He had raised Heero since he could remember.
"Well the story is quite simple, but let me start at the beginning, and don't interrupt me."
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The fire that remained among the rubble of a desecrated kingdom gave the site a red deathly glow that helped light the gloomy area during the night. Numerous lifeless bodies littered the area. The only noise in the whole expanse was that of the fire eating whatever fuel that was left. Death and destruction always seemed to go hand in hand, at least were one person was concerned. He looked upon the wreckage with disgust.
He seemed to be the only human in this bleak area, and noted how easily a whole empire could be destroyed. Oz destroyed the peaceful Sanc Kingdom in one foul swoop without much resistance. Now what remained? He kept walking down the long hallways and looked into the rooms to see if there were any survivors, while having to step over slabs of rock and fallen beams. He already knew the king and queen were dead, the soldiers wouldn't have left until they were sure that that had been accomplished, but he was more concerned about the young prince, and the even younger princess. He had already been assured by a dying man's breath that the prince had escaped, and knew he would survive. Now all that was left was to seek out the princess.
However, as he kept walking, he soon began doubting that the small two year-old could have survived through the attack, and then for another two days. It had been two days since the fatal collapse of all hopes for peace, and no one dared come back to the battle sight quite yet.
He continued to walk, and like music to his ears, he began hearing shuffling. He ran as best he could into the room nearest him, and realized it was meant to be concealed, but seemed that one of the outer walls had fallen, which was his entrance. He entered to see three women strewn across the room, looking as if they had been easily thrown like old rag dolls. There was one woman though that was huddled over, barely breathing or moving, but she did slightly shift her position, which meant she was still alive.
He hurried over and soon began taking her pulse. He turned her over, only to reveal why she had been huddling. Underneath her, was the small princess, also not moving. The woman in his arms was drawing her last few breaths, and there was no doubt about it.
"Please...you must... save the.... Princess..." were the words the woman was able to draw out between painful gasps. "Please...she is our.... future..."and with that, her eyes fluttered close, dying in his arms.
He let her drop slowly, and looked down at the child that was curled up silent and still. She had shoulder length hair that was a golden blonde, but was so dirtied with dust and blood, it was hard to tell. He picked her up carefully and held her in his arms, only to have her move slightly and lean into his chest.
He looked down only once, before quickly making his way back the way he had came. He had to get out of here. There was no telling if the palace would collapse further, or if the soldiers would come back to cause more havoc.
After 20 minutes, he finally reached his jeep, which was parked about a mile from the palace, and got in, putting the child in the car seat that was in the front seat.
"I promise you little one... someday you will return," he said softly before roaring away from the site.
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"Thanks Rose for watching after him. I know it must have been difficult, but I had to go on a trip." Odin Lowe said as he walked into his apartment to see a young woman in her 20's playing with a small boy on the floor.
"Welcome, but now you came back with another one. What is it with you and kids?" she said noticing the young girl in his arms.
"I can't help it. No child should have to grow up alone, trust me I know. Anyway, this is the last one. How was he?" he said as he motioned to the boy.
"He was fine, but quiet. You said you found him in a building that had been attacked by the Alliance right?"
"Yeah. His mom, or at least who I assumed was his mother was clutching him to her and asking me to take him. Pretty much the same with her too. Thanks again. I better clean them up and make them dinner. I'll see you later, okay?"
"Sure, whatever. I'll watch these cuties whenever you need me to. They're really easy. You're such a good boy," Rose said as she ruffled the boy's hair before rising and walking towards the open door. "I'll see you later. Bye Odin," and with that, Rose walked out leaving the man and two kids behind.
He sat down in the spot that was vacated by Rose on the floor next to the small boy. He placed the little girl next to him, and just observed as they stared at each other.
"Well it's all well and good that your mother had me take you, but she could at least given me your name before we left. At least I know hers. Well, how about for the current time, we can use Odin Lowe Jr. But that's going to be hard to tell the difference between us. In private, your name will be...Heero...would you like Heero? I could at least give the dead a type of gift. Heero, I would like to introduce you to Miss Relena Peac...Lowe. Relena, Heero."
The two kids just stared at him until Relena shifted her position and stood up and walked over to Odin.
"I want milk please." the little two-year-old said with a little bit of trouble. Odin just grunted, went, and got two bottles for the toddlers.
"Well this is going to be fun," he sighed as he walked to feed them. "At least she's polite."
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"What are you implying?? That Odin saved Relena? Sure, it's probably true about Heero being rescued. However, I remember giving Relena over to a guard. How could she have possibly still been in the wreckage? I made sure she would be safe..." Zechs accused with confusion on how anything like that could have happened.
"All I'm saying, is that when Odin came to me telling me about the two children, he said he found Miss Relena with the servant. How can you be for sure that the guard didn't turn back, or that he got injured and passed her on?"
"Hn." Zechs grunted. It was a possibility.
"Uh, who exactly is Odin Lowe?" Catherine asked.
"He took care of me before I could remember but then when I turned eight, he died in a failed mission. He was an assassin and he was training me to become one to someday. He.... he was the man that killed the original Heero Yuy." Heero slowly stated as he thought over what J had said so far.
As little information that this was, there was still more to come.
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"Heero, I want you to be here and make sure that both of you are safe while I'm gone. Rose may come over, but I'm not sure. You can call her if you need anything. I'll be gone for two days at the most. You two will be fine. Won't you?"
The three of them were sitting around a table with a map and base layout spread before them. Relena looked at the base map and the red markings that Odin was planning to take that he had quizzed Heero on.
"Odin.... wouldn't it be wiser to take this route? By entering the east gate, then taking the ventilation system to the south, you will drop right into the observation area. You wouldn't have to worry about camera's or men," Relena mused while drawing her finger across the path she was recommending.
Odin and Heero both listened attentively, and Odin was not at all surprised at the five-year-old that would soon be turning six. It was unbelievable that she actually understood what was going to happen, much less, what would be the better route. Moreover, he had been waiting to see if she would figure out the better route.
"You're perfectly right. That is correct. However, Heero's route would also be quicker. I'll decide between the two when I get there though. Be good and don't get rowdy, understand?" Odin said as he stood up and took the maps and swung an already prepared backpack over his shoulder.
"Yes sir," they both responded respectively as they sat on the floor patiently waiting.
"Good bye then." He smirked as he walked out the apartment door. Not many people would be willing to leave two five year olds by themselves for two days, but he had trained them and knew that they could easily take care of themselves. Cooking wasn't a problem either because both Heero and Relena liked to cook and knew how to do it safely. They were efficient in almost every way shape and form. The only problem was that they would often compete.
It seemed to be friendly enough. In addition, he knew that they watched out for each other and would protect the other. He knew that at night, they would talk about their lost families that they had no idea about. They knew that Odin wasn't their real father, just a guide for right now, one that was going to train them to be stronger. He had listened last night outside of their door as Relena told Heero a story about an old fairy tale about a character named Cinderella. He hoped she wasn't mirroring her current situation. He treated both of them with sensitivity but also strictness he made them learn.
"I'm bored Heero...." Relena sighed as soon as Odin had left.
"What do you want to do?" He was also bored and was currently lounging on the couch.
"Want to practice the fighting stances Odin taught us last week?"
"Sure, why not..." Heero said as he jumped off the couch and automatically stood with his left foot ahead and his hands brought up in a defensive position. Relena reacted by also going into the same position.
"Fine then, start," she said as she quickly advanced on her opponent, bringing her fist up to connect with his shoulder without much intention of actually hitting his body. At least that's what Heero thought. He automatically blocked with his left hand while his right came forward to connect with the side of her rib.
Relena suddenly crouched down while her right leg kicked out in a swiping arc and knocked Heero's legs out from under him. As soon as he started to fall backwards, she pounced on him and brought him down on his stomach instead with her hands holding his arms behind him so he was in an awkward position to retaliate.
He just waited patiently and didn't resist.
"You under estimated me again Heero. Don't do that anymore, otherwise I'm going to keep beating you at these matches we keep having. Besides, you know Odin always says not to give your opponent any mercy." She smirked as she let him go and jumped up onto the couch.
He just sneered and sat on the opposite end of the couch away from her.
"Oh don't be mad now. You're no fun when you're like that. Just admit it... I'm a stronger opponent then you make me out to be," she said laughing.
He gave a smirk. "Sure Relena, whatever you say. You know that Odin would get mad at me though if I actually hurt you though."
"Are you saying that you have trouble practicing restrain? Did I hurt you just now? I mean it doesn't take a lot to make sure you effectively make sure they're down without a lot of pain." She loved it when she could actually teach him something and not it be the other way around. Heero was the one that trained and helped her practice the few techniques Odin would show her. She always resented it that Heero got more advanced training then her, but she wasn't to distressed over it. She would just perfect what she knew.
"Oh shut up Relena." Heero said frustrated and threw a pillow over in her general direction. She smiled and threw it back, which ended up with each of them on the standing with pillow as their weapons. Determination was set in both of their eyes. Heero was resolute to win this fight.
Relena was finding it hard to breathe while she was laughing so hard. Somehow, Heero had managed to pin her and was continuously hitting her with the pillow, but it didn't actually hurt, more like tickle.
"Heero.... stop..... please...." she managed to gasp out between fits of laughter.
He finally got up and smirked at her. "What were you saying earlier about being merciless against your opponent. Should I really be letting you go so easily?"
The two continued to play around for a while then ate dinner. They spent the next day the same way, until Odin returned later that night, after completing the mission easily and stopping to drop off a report of the two children and how they were progressing. He would have to be leaving them soon, his luck couldn't help him forever, besides, they needed to move on into their proper roles in the near future. Luckily, he had someone prepared to take care of them.
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Well that's it for now. Review please. ~Crystal Delphina
