[A.N.] Hello everyone! I apologize in advance for this being a short chapter. i have not had as much time to write lately as i have wanted and on top of two jobs draining my energy i have a sinus infection :(. The goos news is i will not stop writing. i promise i will finish this story in due time. in the mean time, i hope this little tidbit can tide you over until i have more time! i promise the next chapter will be out soon!

~Serene

Heero glanced around at their so called escorts as he and his friends were led deeper into the woods. If they truly meant no harm then why had these make-shift soldiers surrounded them like common criminals? Heero felt himself reach for his sword instinctively. Duo, who walked next to him, grabbed his arm and shook his head. Now wasn't the time. They were outnumbered and out-armed. Any hostility would undoubtedly end poorly for his band of traveling minstrels. Besides, if there was any chance that this improvised army might help him free Relena from the witch's clutches, then he was willing to bide his time and hear them out.

The smell of charred wood and smoked meats wafted through the forest as the sounds of clanging metal assaulted his ears. They were led to a large clearing filled with tents that all served individual purposes. Men and women alike bore weapons of freshly crafted metal, most likely melted down from whatever they could find. Some of the weapons and the few pieces of armor they wore were obviously commandeered from small raids and other sneak attacks against the self-proclaimed queen's forces. Heero couldn't help but notice the obvious flaws in their training. Giving a farmer a sword instead of a pitch fork hardly made him a warrior. Heero thought of his own crew. He had been able to teach them enough that they could survive small skirmishes but even they would still be no match for professional soldiers.

They were brought to a halt in front of the largest tent which Heero assumed had to be for the leader of this rag-tag army.

"Wait right here." The captain said and left their side to enter the tent. Heero glanced around again, his eyes meeting each of his friends'. Duo leaned over close enough to be heard.

"So what's the plan, H-man?" Heero only grunted in reply. "You're kidding? You don't have a plan? Some leader." Duo muttered, crossing his arms over his chest in a fake pout.

Heero knew Duo was trying to lighten the mood, still even Duo's light-hearted humor couldn't make Heero feel any less helpless at the moment. It was then that the tent flap opened and a woman walked out, dark hair shorn to a bob with a few bangs hanging to one side. She was hardly an intimidating sight and yet it didn't take long for Heero to realize that she was their leader, or the closest thing to it.

"What are you doing in the forest?" She asked. Heero squared his stance and studied her. Her weaknesses were easy enough to spot. If needed, he could take her down and use her as leverage for an escape.

"Our business does not concern you." Heero stated plainly.

"I'm afraid it does." She answered. "You see, this is our forest, the forest of the people, and the queen has posted spies and sentries all over the place in disguise to find this place and stop our resistance. So, I'll ask you again, who are you?"

Heero studied her again. This woman's eyes held a determination and fire he'd seen before; a fire that had burned in his eyes once and in the eyes of the one he searched to save. He had always followed his heart and lived by his instincts. His father had told him once, another lifetime ago, that that was the only way to live. This woman, however strange, was firm in her cause and spoke the truth. Heero removed his hand from the ready and decided to humor the woman.

"My name is Heero Yuy of the Yuy clan from the far mountain. These are my traveling companions. We are minstrels, but now our journey serves a greater purpose. We were on our way to the castle to rescue Princess Relena when your men forced us to stop."

"Relena? You know of her?"

"She's our friend." Hilde chirped up. Heero noticed the woman's eyes widen in surprise.

"She's one of our crew and we're going to get her back." Heero stated.

"Back from where? The palace? You mean the witch queen has her?" The fear in the woman's eyes spoke volumes to Heero. "Is she alright?"

"We don't know, but every moment spent here places her in greater danger."

"I agree, but what did you think your small band would be able to do against her army?"

"Hey, don't count us out so quickly!" Duo quipped. "We may be small but we're mighty!"

"I will rescue Relena." Heero stated. The woman's eyes suddenly landed back on him.

"If you go in alone, you will die."

"Life is cheap, especially mine." Heero said. "If I die saving her, it's one less life she has to worry about once she's free."

"I'm not sure Relena would see it that way." The woman said. "My name is Lucrezia Noin. I used to work in the palace and I was one of the princess's hand-maidens. I want her free of Une as badly as you and your friends, but there is strength in numbers. Join us and together we stand a better chance." Heero stared at the woman for a moment, and then turned to his friends; each of whom seemed to agree with Noin's proposition. He nodded. "Great. Let me tell our commander and we'll see what he wants to do."

Zechs poured over a map of the local terrain that had been scouted out by his forces. His head ached and his muscles screamed from his recent training but he had to get his edge back. Apparently Une had wasted no time in tearing down the traditional outposts and creating her own in their place. The rag-tag army he now commanded had taken time to trust him and he doubted he even had achieved that much. Apparently he had been masquerading under Une's spell as her personal assassin since his disappearance. He still fought against the dark images his mind kept shoving back to his attention. He had much to atone for; he only hoped the people would give him the chance.

He felt Noin enter before she even said a word. He turned around to face her. He still couldn't get over her new look. He missed her long dark hair but he understood her need to cut it.

"What is it, Noin?"

"The group we caught in the woods has news of your sister."

"Relena?" Before she could get another word out, he walked to the tent's exit and out into the evening air. He paused as he saw the small group, one person in particular catching his eye. He knew this man, but how and from where he couldn't say. The man's dark blue eyes all but shone from under his chocolate locks, now blazing with what could be akin to hate.

"You!" The man growled, and before Zechs knew what was going on, the man had a hold of him by the collar of his tunic. Despite the obvious height difference, the young man was strong enough to lift him so that only his toes touched the ground. "Where is Relena? What has she done with her?!"

Zechs studied the furry in this man's eyes. A brief glimpse of his own hands around Relena's neck flashed before his eyes along with an image of this man standing protectively in front of her. Guilt punched him in the gut and sat in the pit of his stomach like a toxic lump of iron. He closed his eyes as if to banish the image. This man did have reason to mistrust him.

"I don't fully know why you show this aggression towards me, but I promise, I mean neither you nor your friends and harm." Zechs stated. "However, I am as determined to find my sister as you."

"Please, Heero, whatever he may have done in the past was not his fault. This is King Milliardo. The spell over him has broken. He only wishes to help." The woman called Noin interceded. Zechs watched as the man's eyes flashed as he considered Noin's words. He all but threw him as he released his hold. Zechs stared at this man, Heero: ice blue meeting midnight in a silent challenge. He couldn't tell yet what to make of him. Friend or foe, however mattered little so long as their goal remained the same.

"Heero," Zechs began, "I cannot remember very well the events of the past year, however, I promise you this: for whatever wrongs I committed under her control I will spend the rest of my life trying to make amends." Heero only grunted in reply which was all Zechs felt he was going to get for a response. "Now, please, come inside. Your friends must be hungry and tired. While they eat, however, I want you to tell me everything you know."

Zechs listened as Heero relayed what he guessed was a rather condensed version of the events of the past year. Apparently his sister had made quite the impression on traveling entertainers. It didn't really surprise him. His sister had a kind heart and an inner light that seemed to brighten the lives of even the most depressed individuals. He remembered her smile and her whimsical laugh that had charmed the court since the day she first entered the world. He would do anything to protect that light and the longer they waited, the less likely a rescue would become.

As Heero finished his tale, Zechs stood up and walked to the map, surveying the various spots marked from the intel. If they played their cards right they might stand a chance. Heero walked up next to him and studied the map in detail. After a moment or two of focusing, The younger man made his way over to the other side of the table.

"We have gone over the forest time and time again. We sent two scouts to the castle to try and determine their fortifications but only one returned. It seems Une's confidence in her magic has left the castle with a few weaknesses in its defenses, however, I have yet to determine the safest course of action in infiltrating the stronghold." He watched the younger man study the maps again; first of the castle and then of the forest.

"How much armor and weapons have you stolen from the fallen outposts?" Heero asked. Zechs stared at him. It didn't take a genius to know where Heero's train of thought was heading. Zechs smiled. Perhaps teaming up with the boy and his friends wouldn't be so bad after all.

Nothingness surrounded her, encompassed her. She could hear everything but see nothing. The haunting echo of Une's voice mocked her as she fought her hardest to breathe and willed her heart to beat. She was so cold; so tired. Yet the desire to fight was still there, flickering like the dying embers of a distant flame. Her mind was so foggy. There was a reason she had to wake up, a reason she had to fight but try as she might, that reason just wouldn't form.

"Princess…"

A voice broke softly through the haze, distant as a whisper.

"Princess… can you hear me?" The voice came again, louder this time. A small light began to form in her subconscious.

"Who's there?" she felt her mind answer back, or at least, she thought she did.

"Who I am does not matter as of yet," he began, cryptically.

Relena felt her subconscious prickle slightly with what seemed like curiosity. As if in answer to her inquiry, he continued:

"For the sake of reason, you may know me for now as Mirror."