Chapter 6

"The fighting spirit of humanity is truly something wondrous." Treize Khushrenada looked out the window at the land before him. The news of the recent insurrection at the village in Candy Land reached him within hours. In spite of being out-numbered, the people rose up and took back their town with the aid of inspiration. He swirled the brandy in his glass before putting it to his lips.

He much preferred wine, but found that brandy set better when he was preparing a strategy. His accommodations were, perhaps, a little more lavish than that of the rest of the men, but they all knew of his penchant for the finer things in life. Currently, he found himself waiting for the return of his second in command. She was due back to report in any minute with an update on the recent status of one of his regiments.

When he had heard of the young princess being located, he had known it would be only a matter of time before the world as they knew it would change. The Romefeller Foundation would fight to search for and stop her if at all possible and he knew that his own personal situation would change as well.

"Mr. Treize." His lips curled in a smile as the no-nonsense voice of his second came from behind him.

"You are late, Lady. I was beginning to grow concerned." He turned to face her and it never ceased to amaze him how perfect she appeared. Her face was soft and beautiful but the eyes encased within were cold and calculating. Anyone who didn't know her would easily underestimate her. It was hard to tell that under the double-braided bun and feminine physique was the heart and soul of his perfect soldier.

"Forgive me, Lord Treize." Lady Un bowed her head and crossed her arms over her chest.

"There were several developments that happened in fast succession that I knew you would want to be appraised of." Treize nodded and made his way over to his chair, sat down and crossed his legs before he motioned to her.

"Continue."

"The princess was located in the Earth Dimension, but escaped the attempted assassination. Apparently, the Nutcracker foiled their attempts and now the two are on their way through the land to meet up with his cohorts. Apparently, the girl was also able to return a petrified woman and her child to their human forms." Treize nodded, intrigued. So the girl had power after all? That would make things even more interesting. In addition, the fact that the assassination failed would have Romefeller up in arms and the added problem of her traveling freely through her ancestral lands would have his higher-ups in an absolute tizzy. He smirked in spite of it all.

"There's more." His Lady added and Treize motioned with his glass for her to continue. "Colonel Zechs has heard of her return and has already started his troupe out to find them." Treize looked down at his glass. "Apparently, the rebels were last seen heading toward Toy Land, although rumor has it they will not stay long enough to be found there."

Treize considered her words. Zechs was a dear friend; the closest to a brother he had ever had. He had known from the beginning who Zechs was and that his search for his younger sister was never far from his mind. Given the chance, he had no doubt that Zechs would forsake the military to join her.

"I see." He stood and placed his glass on the table. "So, the little prince is off to find the little princess." Treize stood facing a map on the wall. "This will be the both beginning of the end and the start of something new. I wonder, however, which side will experience which." He turned to her and picked his glass back up, taking a long sip as he mulled over his next words.

"I want you to follow Zechs, Lady. Stay close, but do not let them see you. I wish to be appraised of his every move."

"What of the princess?" Treize smiled. His lady was always ready to do whatever he needed.

"She is of little concern. We know what she has returned to do and, therefore, I have a very good idea where she is bound. Only Zechs remains as the unknown factor." She nodded to him.

"Sir, shall I prepare your bath with your rose-scented oils before I depart?"

"That sounds nice." Treize finished his drink and set the empty glass on the table, musing about the events to come.

Relena clutched her cloak closer to her as they continued down the road. Quatre's sisters had seen fit to send them a few horses to expedite their trip and, thankfully, some warmer travel clothes had been provided by the maganacs. She felt guilty borrowing from them when so many resources were already needed elsewhere but Heero insisted that her catching her death of chill would only make matters worse. She found herself wearing a pair of warm, wool men's trousers and a cotton blouse with a heavy knitted sweater. The size had been the smallest they could find but still seemed to be too baggy.

"This way anyone looking for the princess will see a man instead." Rashid had suggested dressing her as a man to help keep on-lookers from assuming her identity.

"More like a little boy from the size of her." Hilde added. Relena had to agree.

"Now, for the hair." Catherine, who was apparently Trowa's sister and Midie, Trowa's girlfriend, aided in assuring her honey tresses could be easily concealed under a cap.

"Not our best work, but it will have to do."

"You could have just cut it, you know." Hilde stated. "It would have saved you a lot of hassle."

"Babe!" Duo called to her in shock. "You know how sacred someone's hair can be."

"But Duo-"

"Besides, not everyone can look as adorable with short hair as you." He gave her a grin that might have melted any woman's knees had he been human. Relena smiled and shook her head. She did look like a boy, but that was the point. Heero hadn't given much of a reaction. She wasn't sure why that bothered her...

She had never been very vain and if looking like a young male vagabond helped keep her new companions safer, then she saw no problem. That, and her new attire was far warmer than her night-dress had been.

She and Quatre had been exchanging polite conversations with Duo while Trowa and Heero-silent-as-ever followed behind their small troupe to keep watch. She found herself glancing back at them-or rather-him from time to time as if to make sure he was still there. It was foolish, she knew. He wouldn't leave them, but she couldn't help but feel that something troubled him. She pulled the reins on her horse and allowed herself to fall back while Duo and Quatre animatedly engaged in conversation about the Maganac Corps and Quatre's numerous sisters. As if trying to give them privacy, Trowa spurred his horse forward to join the cookie and the bear.

Once her horse was beside him, she saw Heero glance at her out of the corner of his eye. She couldn't figure him out. At times, he seemed personally concerned about her well-being; kind and compassionate. Other times, he seemed so cold and aloof that she dared not speak for fear of agitating him. Still, for some reason, she felt the most comfortable with her silent protector. Even when they had nothing to say, she found his presence relaxing and reassuring. She wondered, briefly, if he felt that same sense of peace around her, but did not dwell on it.

"May I ride beside you?" Heero eyed her without breaking his concentration on their surroundings.

"It's your kingdom. You can do as you wish." His statement seemed neither terse nor tender; just factual. She nodded and made her horse fall in stride with his. They rode in silence for a while before he spoke again; this time there was a hint of genuine curiosity.

"Duo and Quatre would be better company." His comment surprised her and she had no real response at first, so she shrugged her shoulders.

"I can ride ahead with them, if you wish." Heero made a non-committal grunting sound in response.

"It's fine." He grew silent again, but seemed more relaxed for some reason. She smiled in spite of it.

"Heero, these doctors you mentioned, are they the ones who trained you?" Heero nodded.

"And you're certain they can help us?

"The doctors made the initial plan. If anyone can aid us in helping you gain your powers, it'll be them." She glanced down, but she could feel his eyes on her.

"What if they can't? What if I never figure out how to use the powers? What if I fail everyone? The fighting will continue. More people will suffer..."

"Relena," The way he said her name made her look at him, eyes wide at the tenderness in his tone. "The RATs will not be able to hold power forever. Now that you're here, the people will join you. You will give them hope to fight for a better future." Relena shook her head. The whole thing still sounded so strange. She never wanted to hurt anyone and certainly never wanted anyone to be hurt for her!

"But still," Relena strengthened her resolve. "I'm going to do everything I can to prevent this war."

"War is inevitable, Relena. We fight because we must. However, no matter what, you will be a catalyst, not the cause. Remember that." There was something in his eyes; something he was trying to tell her but she couldn't understand.

"But how can I—" Heero held up his hand to stop her and motioned for her not to move. After a moment, he moved his horse in front of hers. "Heero?"

"There's a rider coming; heading this way fast." Duo and Quatre must have noticed it too because they had turned in the same direction as Heero, taking form in front of her. The horse that approached was gorgeous: golden fur shone in the afternoon sunlight. The rider atop wore a riding outfit of black with long flowing platinum hair flailing out behind them. Relena had only met this person once, but she knew who it was and found herself less than pleased and more than a little surprised.

"Hello, there!" Dorothy Catalonia called as her horse came to a stop in front of them, panting from the previous exertion. So, the girl from the party had somehow made it into this world? Relena wondered of the connection between their meeting and the attempt on her life.

Heero kept his position between her and the older blonde. He wasn't the only one who seemed on edge. Even the usually jovial Duo seemed displeased by the newcomer. Trowa had taken up a protective position as well, seeming poised for action should it be needed.

"Oh, my, do forgive me! I had heard a rumor that the Princess was traveling this way, and thought you might perchance be her party. It seems I was mistaken."

"You were." Heero's voice was cold and gave no indication of welcome.

"What a shame!" She pouted. "I had hoped to join her in her crusade to free the people." Duo scoffed.

"Your grandfather is one of the men that called for the death of the late king."

"Am I to be held accountable for the actions of my family?" Relena could hear something akin to offense in the older girl's voice. "I have traveled around and seen the suffering of the people. I may have been born to privilege, but I do still have a heart." So, Dorothy's family was partly responsible for the fall of her family? It made sense now why her companions seemed so leery of the new arrival.

"Yeah, right!" Duo piped in.

"If you truly wish to help the people, there are other ways than searching out the Princess." Trowa added.

"Perhaps, but I believe the intelligence information I have and the training I have undergone could prove a valuable asset to her highness's return." She did have a point. There could be an advantage to having someone from within their ranks on the side of the rebellion. Still, on first meeting at the Christmas party, Relena had received the implicit impression that this woman was one to be held with limited trust and great scrutiny.

"Heero…" Relena spoke up, earning her a glare from her stalwart protector.

"Why! Miss Relena! Is that you? Whatever are you doing dressed as a boy! I never would have recognized you!"

"That was the point." Duo's sarcasm was half for Dorothy and half directed at her.

"I'm sorry to have blown my cover, but I think I should have at least some of the say in who joins our group and who doesn't."

"Well said, Miss Relena!" Dorothy smiled. "Or, shall I say, Princess Relena?"

"Just Relena will be fine."

"Oh, no! I simply couldn't call you that! I am much too big a fan of yours already!" Relena felt a sick wariness begin to well inside her, but pushed it down. Dorothy wanted to be trusted and, if she was to be properly tried, she had to believe Relena to be susceptible to manipulation.

"You can't be serious? She is a Catalonia. She can't be trusted!" Duo stated.

"I do believe in giving people the benefit of the doubt, Relena, but still—" Quatre began.

"I won't allow it." Heero's cold answer came swift and precise, but it made her bristle. She trusted his judgment, but that did not give him the right to speak for her.

"Your offer of assistance is indeed a valuable one." Relena spoke quickly. "I would be glad to have you join us, Miss Catalonia."

"Wonderful! But you must call me Dorothy, Miss Relena! I have a feeling we are going to be excellent friends!" Somehow, Relena wholly doubted that. Still, if any advantage could be gained from having the older girl on their team, she would see to it that such an advantage would be used. She glanced over at Heero, but he had turned his attention ahead; tight-lipped and clearly displeased. She felt a pang of guilt for a moment and made a mental note to make it up to him if she could.

"Let's get moving. We don't want to be out in the open when the sun sets." Heero prodded his horse forward and took the lead as Quatre and Dorothy filled in behind him. Duo pulled up beside her.

"I've upset him." Relena looked down, her heart suddenly aching. Duo shook his head.

"Not really. He'll get over it, Princess. He likes you." Duo gave a sympathetic grin and winked. "If he didn't, he wouldn't care so much about her joining us." Duo's words brought her some comfort as they started forward to follow Heero to the castle of the Sugarplum Fairy.