Chapter 20

The Ball

The days quickly passed and it was now Saturday, the day of the ball. It wasn't time to get ready yet so they were all just lounging around, eating.

Serena popped a pretzel in her mouth and ate it. She looked around at the other guys sitting around the room.

Sammy was coloring on the floor by Serena, to engrossed in his artwork to notice anyone else.

Wufei was sitting back in the couch with his arms crossed and his eyes closed.

Duo was sitting in a chair in the corner playing with his hair.

Quatre was sitting quietly with his hands in his lap.

Trowa was staring at nothing, quiet as always.

And Heero was glaring at nothing, quiet as always.

Serena blinked and narrowed her eyes; suddenly getting a flash of a dark haired guy that was just watching the TV without paying her any attention, even though she was doing her best. She suddenly became very angry. "That is enough! It's too quiet in here!" she jumped up and went out into the gardens. "I think the flowers would be better company then you guys. Boys!" and the door slammed behind her.

The boys were all startled out of their silence.

Sammy dropped his crayon and looked up at the door.

Wufei opened his eyes and sat up straight, his arms at his side.

Duo stopped playing with his braid and looked at the door.

Quatre shifted and looked at the door, his arms at his side as well.

Trowa turned and stared at the door.

And Heero turned and glared at the door.

"Girls." They all muttered.

Sammy sat up. "What is with her?" Duo shook his head. "Is it her time of the month?" The guys all turned to him, their eyes wide. Quatre was blushing a bright red.

Sammy looked at them all. "What does Duo mean? What time of the month?" Heero, Wufei, and Trowa turned to him, speechless.

"Well.Ummm. Just wait until you are older boy." Said Wufei. Sammy pouted and went back to coloring.

Heero sighed and got up. He made his way over to the door and went through it. Following Serena. Wufei's eyes widened and he walked after Heero. Trowa soon got up and trailed behind them. Quatre got up as well.

Duo looked around and realized they had left him. "Hey! Wait for me."

Sammy looked after them and shook his head. "Humph. They got it bad." And he went back to coloring.

Serena was sitting by a fountain, staring up at the sun. She heard a rustling and turned her head, alert.

They G-boys stepped out into the clearing and stood before her. Quatre stepped forward. "We are very sorry if we upset you Serena." She turned to look at the other guys and they nodded their agreement.

Serena sniffed. "No, its ok you guys. I don't know what came over me." She whispered.

Duo was about to open his mouth when Trowa reached up and clamped his hand over his mouth. "Its ok Serena." Said Trowa.

Serena smiled and stood up. "You guys are the best." And she walked to them and gave them all a hug.

Duo smiled stupidly until Wufei nudged him slightly. He straightened up and they all went back into the house.

Sammy looked up from the couch. He was done coloring. Serena sat beside him and put him in her lap. Sammy smiled up at her and held up his picture. Serena took it gently from his small hands and gazed at it in wonder. It was a pretty good drawing for a seven year old. Tears came to Serena's eyes and she looked down at her brother.

"Do you like it?" he asked hesitantly. Serena hugged him tightly. "Of course I do. It's wonderful." She sniffed and placed Sammy next to her. She stared at the picture again. Serena blinked as another vision consumed her.

...Vision ...

Serena looked around as saw that she was on a street corner in a place she didn't recognize. She lifted her hand and saw several pieces of papers and shifted through them.

They were drawings of a guy and a girl, and the girl looked just like her. Some of the pictures the two people were in dressy clothing. Some are when they were in strange outfits.

Serena blinked and looked up just in time to see a guy walking towards her. He looked just like the guy in the drawings. She felt herself walking towards him and talking about the past and destiny.

What is the matter with me? Who is this guy? I keep seeing him in my dreams or visions or whatever you want to call them.

The guy just stared at her. "Sure whatever Serena. I think you need a shrink because you have a serious problem. I would never end up with you, who cares what destiny says." He took the drawing and tore them up and threw them into the wind.

Serena gasped and tears started rolling down her cheeks. Why do I feel so cheated and so alone? She collapsed on the ground and blacked out.

...End Vision ...

Serena jerked slightly and lifted her head up and looked around the room. "Excuse me." She muttered and fled the room and went to her own.

The papers she was holding floated to the ground and Heero picked them up. It was a picture of Serena and Sammy in dressy clothes with the pilots surrounding them in dressy clothes as well. They all looked happy and content.

Heero blinked and sat back down on the couch next to Wufei and Quatre. They both gazed at the picture. "Wow." Said Quatre. Wufei nodded.

"Let me see!" yelled Duo and he bounded over and snatched the picture away from Heero. "Woah." Trowa sauntered over and gazed at it as well. "Nice."

They all turned to Sammy, who was looking after his sister tears in his eyes. "Did she hate it?" he whimpered.

Duo walked over and hugged Sammy. "She loved it kiddo. Don't worry." Sammy nodded.

Minutes later they all dispersed to their rooms to get ready. Sammy went off with Rashid to play.

The others met at the front door. The guys all stared at Serena, speechless. "You look wonderful Serena." Said Quatre. Serena blushed. "Thank you Q-chan"

He opened the door and let Serena out first and she gasped. There, waiting for them, was a black stretch limo. Serena squealed. "Wow! A limo. I never rode in one before."

"Is that right? Well this should be a treat." Said Quatre. Serena nodded and they all made their way to the limo. Trowa slid in first then Serena, Quatre and Wufei slid in behind him. Heero and Duo sat opposite them.

The limo started off down the driveway and made it's way to the Peacecraft mansion. Serena squealed. "I'm so excited. This is my first ball as well."

The pilots all looked at her. "Really? Well you didn't miss much. It can be so boring." Said Duo. Quatre glared at Duo then turned back to Serena. "Balls can be very lovely and entertaining."

Serena nodded and sat back, closing her eyes. While she was resting the guys were all admiring her.

Trowa. Such beauty.

Duo. What light.

Wufei. She has much strength.

Quatre. She contains such an amount of loveliness.

Heero. ... He shakes his head, just thoughtless. I cannot utter a word, nor thought that could speak of all that she is and contains. It is impossible.

The limo finally pulled up to the Peacecraft mansion. They all got out and Serena stared at it. "Wow Quatre. It is even bigger than yours." She said

"Yeah, but they only have one mansion. Quatre has mansions scattered all over the world and space." Commented Duo.

Serena turned to Quatre in surprise. "You do?" she asked. Quatre nodded. "Indeed." Serena squealed. "I want to see them all some day." "It would be my pleasure to escort you to my mansions Serena."

Serena grabbed Duo's hand and grabbed the skirt of her dress with her other hand. They all made their way up the long marble steps.

Serena looked around in wonder. "It's so nice."

Duo made a sound beside her. "The house may be nice but not the people who live inside it." She turned to him. "What do you mean D-chan? I know Relena is a bitch but who else?"

They arrived at the door, which was wide open in welcome of the guests. There was a butler to one side taking coats. On the other side there was Relena, looking quite stunning in a reddish black shimmering gown with pearls decorating it and pearl earrings and necklace. Beside her was a tall man with waist length white hair, wearing an old fashioned black formal wear.

Duo tipped his head towards the man. "That's Zechs, Relena's older brother. He's trouble so stay away from him." He whispered. Serena nodded, eyes wide.

The passed through the door and the butler took their coats to hang up.

Relena stepped forward. "Hey Heero!" Heero winced, as did the rest of them, even Zechs and the butler. She latched herself onto Heero's arm and squeezed it tightly and smiled up at him.

Serena stood to the side, glaring at her. Zechs stood off to the side, inspecting the new arrivals. He briefly nodded to Heero and the pilots but his gaze stopped when it landed on Serena. He raised an eyebrow. Who might this young woman be? He walked over to her and bowed before her.

Serena pulled her eyes away from Heero and Relena to see that guy that Duo warned her about. She narrowed her eyes. "Yes?" she asked.

Zechs remained calm as he righted himself and looks down at her upturned face. He was slightly taken aback. No one ever talked to him like that. Well, except for the Gundam Pilots, but they were the exception.

He raised his eyebrow again. " I was just wondering who this lovely young lady was." As he said that he gently took her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it.

Serena's eyes narrowed more. Who was this guy? She jerked her hand away. "What business is it of yours?"

Wow this girl was feisty, thought Zechs. "All I want miss is a name."

Just then Duo and Quatre walked up to them. They both glared at Zechs. "Come along Serena. They are about to announce our arrival in the main ballroom. Just like in the old time." Said Duo and they pulled her off quickly.

Zechs smirked as they walked off. So her name is Serena. He then walked in a different direction to go to the balcony above the ballroom floor.

"Now entering The Lady Serena! She is being escorted by Sirs Heero, Duo, Quatre, Trowa, and Wufei!" yelled the announcer as the crowd turned towards them.

Serena glided down the stairs, wearing a silver colored gown with rose- colored gems criss crossing over her dress. The dress is low cut and high waisted, sleeveless and the back is criss-crossed as well. Her hair is a mass of curls and braids piled onto her head and trailing down her back in a cascade of molten gold. She has a silver adornment that wraps around her forehead and a ruby falling from it to rest just above and in between her eyes. Her hand, encased in white gloves holds onto the banister as she descends. Her feet are also encased in white dancing slippers. Her cheeks are speckled with silver and rose- colored sparkles.

She stopped suddenly and looked up, not really seeing the ballroom before her, but one from the past. She saw herself walking down this silver marble staircase, wearing this funny looking white gown and her hair up in her old hairstyle. The one with the meatballs. "Now presenting Sereni.."

Serena jerked and her eyes widened. That couldn't have been her. They were saying something longer than her name. But it sure did look like her, even the hairstyle. She started walking down the stairs again and onto the ballroom floor.

The whole room went silent.

From above Zechs was watching, intrigued. He smiled. I must learn more about her, he thought.

The pilots all came down wearing the same type of clothes but in different colors and a different symbol on their breast pocket and all are wearing black shoes.

Wufei walked down his suit was colored gold with a red griffin on the breast pocket.

Trowa's was green and white, with a silver snake on it.

Quatre's was silver and blue with a white tiger, tinged blue on the pocket.

Duo is wearing black and white with a black panther on the pocket.

And lastly, Heero is wearing green and black with a dragon on the breast pocket.

They all stepped down onto the ballroom floor and surround Serena in a picture perfect pose. Serena smiles up at them as some reporters take pictures.

They all headed over to their reserved table and sit down. They start talking until the food was placed before them.

Duo dug into his food, but surprisingly Serena restrained herself and at her food at a normal rate with the rest of them.

"This place is amazing. Do you think after we are done we could check out the garden?" Serena asked. Quatre smiled. " I do not see why not." She smiled back. "Great!"

She finished her food as fast as possible while still being lady like. She stood up and made her way to the back of the mansion to the french doors and walked through them.

From up on the balcony Zechs watched as Serena slipped through the french doors and out into the night. He smirked. I have you now. He made his way down the stairs and out a different set of doors. He didn't want to alert the Gundam Pilots.

The G-boys looked at each other, finished their foods and went after her.

Serena was deep in the gardens in a hedge maze, wandering around. She fingered the flowers as she tried to find a way out.

Zechs knew the maze by heart. Now if he only knew exactly where she was in the maze. He walked around some more.

The pilots split up in different directions to find her faster. "I thought I saw Zechs out here. I do not want her alone with him." Said Wufei. The others agreed and they went off looking for Serena.

Duo walked around and passed by a bush, he came up short and backtracked. He smiled. "Perfect."

Heero looked all around. Where was that girl?

Serena was still trying to get out of the maze. "I think I'm lost." She glided forward and came to a fountain in the middle of this mosaic-tiled design on the ground with a bench cattycornered in all four corners. "Wow. It's beautiful."

"Thank you."

Serena jerked and turned slightly to see Zechs standing off to the side of her. She stepped back. "What are you doing here?" she asked accusingly.

Zechs laughed. "I live here. And I thank you for the compliment. I designed this garden myself." He commented.

Serena's crystal blue eyes widened. "You did? Well, its very nice." He nodded. "Thank you."

Serena looked around. "Now, how do I get out of here?" Zechs swept his hand in the direction of the exit.

Serena lifted her skirts and walked down the pathway with Zechs following behind her.

Trowa was still searching. He turned his head when he though he heard Serena's voice and he walked in that direction. He stopped momentarily when something caught his eye. He smiled. "Lovely." And he went on his way, something in his hand.

Serena walked out of the maze and was in the regular garden now. "Thank you." She mumbled to Zechs. He just smiled. "You are welcome. Now come. It is getting cold and you will catch a chill."

Serena just shrugged and walked into the mansion and back to her table. She glanced around. Where were the guys?

Zechs passed by her and gently flicked at her hair. "I shall keep an eye on you. You could be dangerous." And he started to walk away.

She glared at him, her blue eyes blazing. "You have no idea." Then she turned her back on him.

He just laughed. I'm sure, he thought to himself and disappeared back to the balcony.

Just then the guys breezed through the door. Serena looked up at them. "Hey guys. Where have you been?" Quatre blushed. "Just admiring the flowers." Serena raised an eyebrow as she looked at Heero, Wufei, and Trowa. She didn't think they would admire the flowers as she and Quatre and even Duo would.

They just nodded in agreement so Serena just shrugged and turned to look at the couples dancing and sighed.

Quatre looked between Serena and the dancers and smiles. He offers her his hand, which had a flower, love-in-a-mist. A blue flower the color of his eyes. "A dance?" he asks her. Serena looked up to him, her eyes wide. "Thank you and I would honored." She placed the flower on the table and took Quatre's hand and walked with him to the dance floor.

The pilots looked at them, frowning. They all fingered something in their hand under the table.

Serena placed her arms around Quatre's neck and danced with him. She smiles up at him and he grins back. They danced for two songs before they walked back to the table. Quatre sat down and relaxed. Serena was about to sit down as well but Duo grabbed her hand and presented her with a flower as well. It was a violet color and named browallia, or amethyst flower. The color of his eyes.

He smiled at you and she smiled back. She gently took the flower and placed it with the other one. Duo led her to the floor and they danced happily. They twirled around the room, dancing freely.

After a while they stopped and returned to the table where Trowa promptly gave her a flower. A marigold.

Serena smiled, as she smelled the flower. She gently set it aside with the other and took Trowa's hand and led him onto the dance floor where the danced rather well together.

Wufei narrowed his eyes as he stood up and walked to them dancing. The other pilots watched as Wufei asked to cut in and Trowa bowed and returned to the table to watch on as well.

Wufei presented Serena with a flower called the Musk Mallow, a red flower native to Asia, where he is from. He was shocked to see it in the gardens and he had to pick it.

He told this to Serena and she squealed in utter delight. "I shall cherish it always Fei-chan." She whispered. She didn't know what to do with the flower so Wufei gently stuck it in her hair as it went with her gown. Serena nodded her approval as they danced around the room.

Heero watched with unknown feelings swirling around inside him. He stood up and was about to interrupt their dance when suddenly out of nowhere Zechs appears and cuts in on Wufei.

All the pilots glared at him. What right did he have to dance with Serena?

Suddenly Relena appears before Heero and grabs his hand. "Come and dance with me." and she drags him onto the dance floor. She tightly wraps her arms around his waist and dances, with no help from Heero.

Serena gasped as Zechs took her hands and danced her around. She glared up at him. "What do you think you are doing?" She looked around and saw Relena dancing with Heero and she glared at her. The bitch. She turned back to Zechs when he started to talk again. Both brother and sister were annoying.

Zechs smirked. "I am dancing Milady." "Well unhand me this instant!" she tried to jerk her hands away but to no avail.

"I think not. I find you very interesting and I want to learn all about you. Besides with the people you hang out with you could be a danger to the community." He whispered.

Her eyes widened. "What are you talking about? Unhand me now!" with a burst of strength she pulled away from Zechs and fled the room and disappeared around a corner.

Zechs was utterly speechless. Who in the world was this girl?

Heero turned to see Serena storm away and when he did so Relena caught sight of a flower in Heero's hand. She squealed. "Oh for me?" and she snatched it out of his hand. Heero's gaze flew back to Relena and he gave her one of his death glares. He snatched the flower back from her. "No! It is not for you." He then left her standing in the middle of the dance floor while he went after Serena.

The G-boys all looked at each other. Now what had happened? The others were about to follow but thought better of it. They remained silent and worried about Serena.

Relena watched him chase after Serena and she frowned. Who did that girl think she is? Stealing her precious Heero from her. She stormed off and disappeared.

Serena finally stopped on a balcony on the other side of the mansion. She looked up at the sky and admired the moon. She inhaled deeply and suddenly felt mush calmer and at peace.

Heero watched her quietly. He stepped up behind her, reached around and held up a perfect red rose in front of her face. She whirled on him and wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her head in his chest.

"Oh Heero."

Heero wrapped his own arms around her waist and started to dance with her.

"What is up with Zechs? He said that with the people I hang out with I could be a danger to the community. What did he mean by that?" she looked up at him.

Heero jerked to a stop and looked back down at her. What did Zechs think he was doing? He had to know Serena knew nothing about them being pilots. Now he remembered why he didn't like him in the first place.

His attention went back to Serena who was still staring up at him. "I don't know." And he started to dance with her again.

Serena just sighed and placed her head on Heero's chest and danced with him. She then inhaled sharply and looked up at him, her eyes wide. Heero frowned at her look. "Serena? What's wrong?" but she didn't answer.

Vision

Serena found herself dancing, but not with Heero. She looked up and it was that guy again. The one with the black hair and blue eyes. But he was different. He wore black armor and his arms were around her possessively and she didn't seem to mind all the much. But there was something at the back of her mind telling her to be weary of him. He then looked down at her with a glint in his eye. "Serenity, you will be mine! Along with the whole universe." He whispered menacingly. The last thing she saw before she was ripped from her dream was the sight of the earth hanging in the sky.

End Vision

Heero shook her again and Serena moaned. He let out a sigh of relief. Serena blinked at tried to get her bearings. She clutched him tightly. "What happened?"

"You blanked out there for a minute. Are you ok?" She nodded. "I'm fine. Just confused. Let's get back to the others."

Heero agreed and they walked slowly back to the ballroom and sat down at their table. Serena relaxed in her seat while Heero told the others what had happened.

They all turned to her. "You sure you're ok?" asked Quatre. Serena smiled. "Yes, just a little tired."

"Maybe we should go then." Said Trowa. "Yeah, maybe we should." Replied Serena.

They all stood to go. Quatre grabbed Serena's flowers and they made their way to the door. Before they could leave Zechs and Relena were standing before them.

"Leaving so soon?" asked Zechs. Heero glared at him, as did the other pilots. "Step aside Zechs." Said Wufei.

Serena was breathing heavily as she remained silent. She clutched the rose Heero gave her tightly in her hand. She could barely stand up on her own. Heero tightened his arm around her. "Serena is tired so we are going home." He said. Relena saw his arm around Serena and her teeth clenched. She glanced down and saw that Serena was holding the rose that was supposed to be hers. She forced a smile. "Well you don't have to leave Heero. I'm sure one of our drivers wouldn't mind driving her home." She said sweetly.

Heero glared at her. "No we are going to take Serena home ourselves so move aside." "What if I don't want her to leave?" stated Zechs.

Serena had had enough. She stood up straight without the help of Heero and glared at brother and sister. "I do not want to stay here any longer. I wish to rest. So move out of our way before I have to act violently." She said in a regal voice. Her eyes steely.

Zechs eyed her shrewdly. This girl was a mystery.

Relena just humphed. There was nothing this girl could do to her. She was Relena Peacecraft.

Zechs conceded. He stepped aside to allow them to leave. Relena stared up at her brother in shock. "But brother." She whined. "Shush Relena. Let them leave." And he walked away.

Relena stomped her foot and pouted before she too, disappeared.

Serena sighed and again, leaned on Heero as he led her out of the mansion and into the limo to take them home.

Both Zechs and Relena watched the limo disappear from different locations in their mansion.

The arrived back at Quatre's and quickly went inside.

The pilots all looked at Serena. "So what was it about this time?" asked Duo. Serena collapsed into a chair. "I was at a ball and dancing with that guy again. The one where his name starts with a D. But he was different somehow. He wore this black armor and he just felt different. Anyway we were dancing and he said that he would have me and the entire universe and he called me a name that sounded like Serena but different. And before I left the vision I could see the earth in the sky, not the moon. It really freaked me out."

Their eyes widened. "The earth?" they said. She just nodded. She then got up and went upstairs. "I want to check up on Sammy then go to bed."

"Goodnight Serena." They all said at once. She disappeared down the hall and into Sammy's room. She smiled down on him and kissed his cheek.

She quietly left his room and went to her own and closed the door.

The pilots all sat around the living room. "These visions seem to come to her closer and closer together. What does this mean?" asked Duo.

"I don't know." Replied Quatre.

"Why don't we sleep on it?" commented Trowa.

"I am tired." Stated Wufei and he got up and made his way to his room. Quatre, Trowa, and Duo followed suit and went upstairs.

Heero just sat there. What was wrong with Serena? He sighed as he too, went to his room and shut the door. He would work this all out in the morning.

Ok people that's it. I finally got done! Woohoooo.. I hope you guys like it. Please review. bye