Heiress to the Stars

Episode Three: Battle's End and Party Night

'...' gundam speech.

"..." normal speech

Thunder crashed in the distance giving the battle field and eerie glow. Day Star looked extremely menacing. The black metallic feathers spread out making the gundam look like a dark avenging angel. They red eyes and core shown brightly in the flashes of lighting.

"This should be interesting," Mr. Yuy muttered to himself.

"You said it," Mr. Peacecraft said.

"Okay this is the final show down between Day Star..."

Mr. Chang slammed Mr. Maxwell down to shut him up.

"We get the point Maxwell."

(We can see where Wufei get's his gruff exterior.)

Heero eyed his opponent. This was going to be a tough one but one he would over come this none the less. Drawing his beam saber he prepared for a leap. Suddenly the dark gundam disappeared before he even had a chance to move.

"What the..."

The black gundam hit him in the back.

"Pay attention Heero!" Mr. Yuy yelled.

"I'm trying dad," he snarled darkly.

Within Day Star

"Star keep up with the pace."

'This is the cheaters way...'

"No it isn't. Surprise is the best tactic."

'That is true but to prove yourself, the key is head on combat.'

"Of course. Let's try that."

Outside

Heero shook his head and focused on locating the enemy. A dark silhouette appeared on the cliff face in front of him. The gundam stood there waiting. The gundam had its arms crossed. The stance was unnerving in some way it seemed to human. (If you can't picture it then think of the way Piccolo stands when he's on a cliff face.) The storm began to intensify as they stood there having their stare down contest. Without warning both leapt forward. Day Star drew the heat blade. The heat blades went red making the broad sword look like a blade forged in the depths of hell. The beam saber paled in comparison to the heat sword.

"HEERO WATCH OUT FOR CHISHIO KARI!" Mr. Yuy yelled hoping it wasn't too late.

The dark gundam leapt forward knocking Wing to the ground. Day Star raised the sword to deliver the final blow.

"It's finished," Relena whispered as if only to herself.

The blade came crashing down.

"THAT IS ENOUGH! The storm is getting to bad the battle is finished for the

day."

The blade missed the head of the gundam by mere inches.

"Another day Heero," Relena said to Day Star who sent it to Heero in code.

Day Star turned and flew off into the curtain of rain.

"That was really good," Mr. Maxwell said.

"So, it's a draw Mr. Chang. What do you think of her now?" Mr. Peacecraft asked.

"She's still a weak woman."

The gundams returned to the hanger where Day Star was being whipped down by someone they've never seen before. Her ebony tresses were draped over her shoulder as she dried the gundam.

"Can we help you?" Quatre asked her.

"No, I'm doing my job Mr. Winner. I was instructed by Mr. Peacecraft to keep Day Star in top condition."

The five looked at each other and back again. The girl stood up and jumped to stand in front of the group on the cat walk. They eyed her up and down. Her black jean pants were tight against her skin and her black shirt was baggy. On the back of the shirt it said, 'Bad ass boys, drive bad ass toys' in blood red.

She had on black boots.

"Hi, I'm Melanie Silver."

They introduced themselves and went to work to clean the gundams before they had to get ready for the ball that night.

party night

Relena calmly dressed for the party tonight. Her irritation level was about to go up and she knew it. The vultures that always watched for her at these things would always be there. She was grateful for once that the boys were assigned to protect her. (ironic isn't it?) Being in a dress made it really hard to fight back. Tonight her dress was mostly black velvet. The sleeves extended to the wrist and flared out about mid elbow. The front was a low v cut. The dress trailed to the floor with a train. A white sash was tied around the middle the ribbon ends met at the back and trailed down to the floor. At the end of the two ribbons were silver phoenix with silk threads. On the train was a silver flame pattern in rhinestone that trailed from her calves and spread out when it reached the end of the train. Her hair was done up in a half twist that allowed her hair to tumble down from the clip in curls. A plain silver tiara graced her honeyed gold locks. Tonight they wouldn't see her as they use to a little girl, now this night they would see her as a woman. A slow smirk graced her features. She was hoping to catch the eye of a certain pilot. The night had begun.

Down in the ballroom.

The pilots talked among themselves not even bothering to try and talk with the others. They kind of protected each other from the ambitious women that wanted fame and glory. That irritated some of the members to no end. (Can you guess who?) Quatre wondered when Relena would show up. He knew about the feelings Relena had for Heero and vise versa. It was fairly obvious to him due to his empathic abilities. They hid it from everyone even themselves. Of course Relena has admitted to me she loves him. Quatre remembers that night very well.

Flashback

The storm raged on outside. Quatre was staying over at Relena's mansion. His father said it would improve the relationship with the families if the children were friends. Relena sat in a chair watching the storm. He watched her silently.

"Relena, is there something wrong?"

"Quatre you know Heero fairly well don't you?"

"As well as anyone I guess. Why do you ask?"

"I..."

"What is it?"

"Does he care in the least for me?"

"I don't know Relena. Why do you ask?"

"I've spent so much time in his company lately I think I've fallen for him

Quatre."

"That's wonderful..."

The look on her face told him otherwise. "Isn't it?"

"Quatre I love him but does he love me? It hurts to love someone that doesn't love you back."

He gathered the sad girl into his arms and whispered soft words of encouragement into her. A presence was felt near the door and Quatre knew who it was. He had been standing there for at least the declaration. He hoped that Heero would see the light one day before it was too late to even try.

End flashback

Quatre shook that off that memory. To this day Heero is stand offish towards the princess. A low chuckle escaped him. She hated that title most of all. Of course she didn't act like one either.

"Is something wrong Quatre?" Trowa asked emotionlessly.

"No, Trowa just thinking."

The Heavyarms pilot just looked at his friend in silence. People began to murmur as they announced the arrival of Princess Relena. Some of the murmurs turned into gasps and gawking. What has she done now? Looking over at her he couldn't help but stare at the pretty picture she made in that dress on the white marble staircase. Quatre looked over to where Heero stood and watched a small bit of emotion flicker in his eyes before going void of such things. Relena advanced down the stair and she squirmed under the heated stares of the vultures of high society. Heero didn't even make a move to help her to get away from the greedy men of the world and that hurt. Walking slowly as grace demanded it she walked towards where her father was. So much for wishful thinking... she thought darkly. She noticed that Duo had claimed Melanie as a dance partner. A wistful sigh escapes her as she watches them. The girl had been taken with the pilot of Deathscythe ever since she laid eyes on him that first night she was here. A voice startled her out of her thoughts.

"May I have this dance Princess?" a young man with spiky blonde hair, and blue eyes asked.

"The lady promised me the first dance," a familiar male voice said.

Turning she smiled at the person who said that. The boy withdrew.

"Why of course sir," she said quietly as she curtsied.

The familiar face was that of Heero's dad. Relena smiled at the man. She could almost close her eyes and imagine it was Heero that she was dancing with instead of his father. Once the dance ended she turned away only to be bombarded by others wanting to dance with her. A familiar pair of calm greenish blue eyes stared back at her.

"May I have this dance My Lady?" Quatre said as he bowed before her.

"Of course my Arabian Prince."

That was always the joke between them he was her Arabian Prince and she his lady. She knew that this irritated the other people when Quatre claimed her for a dance. He was her shield and the Arabian didn't mind in the least. Relena laid her head on his shoulder. Quatre was a bit taller than herself but not by much.

"Thanks Quatre," she whispered into his shoulder.

(okay I know this sounds like Quatre and Relena fic coming on with the way they act towards each other but it's not. It is 01xR I promise you. Relena and Quatre are like brother and sister. More than Millardo was ever her brother. Yes Millardo is in this fic but much later.)

"Sure thing Relena. I noticed that you've changed your style."

"I'm tired of them seeing a little girl Quatre, not a woman."

"I understand Relena."

"Will he ever see me?" she asked quietly into his shoulder.

"Relena..." Quatre began.

"Can I cut in?" a familiar voice that sent shivers down her back said. "Sure Heero."

The Arabian pilot handed over his charge to his comrade.

"Take care of her Heero," Quatre whispered into his ear.

Relena was to busy listening to her loud thoughts to hear what Quatre had said. He walked away. Another waltz began to play. (This is like an endless waltz, the three beats of war, peace and revolution. Love that quote.) Heero danced as if he had done this all his life which he probably had since he was part of a semi-rich family. They danced long into the night. Relena turned down other offers of dance partners as they came up at the end of each song. If they protested Heero gave them his infamous glare. Relena was content to be in his arms listening to the steady beat of his heart. No words were needed when they danced all that mattered was that they were there, together. The parents watched with fondness as they watched their children dance.

From a dark corner in the room a pair of bluish gray eyes watched in distain as the pair danced together.