Author¡¯s Notes: Erm, yes, well, I had actually planned this story ages ago but I decided I want to write this story very slowly and take my time with it. I have absolutely no clue where I want to take this story, whoever I do know the ending for it. I just gotta somehow think of what¡¯s going to go in between. Lol, anywho, here¡¯s the beginning. I apologize if anything is wrong, I¡¯ve only watched a few episodes of Gundam Wing.

Whispers of a Distant Star

Prologue: Empty Vows

~ The cruelest lie is often told in silence-Robert Louis Stevenson

She stepped lightly onto the carpeted floor, heeled shoes moving forth in a motion of dread. The cathedral was one of the most beautiful places in the city, perfect for an event that could save the world from chaos. Scented orchids and lilies bedecked the benches while the stained glass windows shone in playful colors of light. The serenity of the room felt like a piece of heaven and she leisurely lifted her head to feel the warmth of the sun. Yet, it couldn¡¯t penetrate the deeper recesses within and she dropped her head low in disappointment and surrender.

It was so quiet inside her mind, quiet enough that she could hear the swish of her satin skirt and the frantic pounding of her erratic heart. It wasn¡¯t supposed to be like this. Of all the paths she had thought she would take in life, she had never considered the one she was taking right now. And now here she was, slowly walking down the aisle to hold back time if just for a few more seconds. But a few seconds to do what? Run away? She couldn¡¯t run away even if she tried. Guards were posted at every entrance to not only protect her but to keep her from fleeing what was already legalized on paper.

One step after another, she was reaching closer to her destiny and as she neared the priest, she felt a teardrop cascade from her carefully made up eyes and catch on to her fragile veil. In the midst of her lingering walk she felt her hand being squeezed. She raised her eyes enough to see her brother looking apologetically down at her. His eyes spoke a million words but regret was etched in every one and she could feel the threat of another tear pushing close. She squeezed his hand back and they once again slowly proceeded up the aisle.

The dread grew heavier as she finally reached the destination she had been trying to slow down. The warmth of her brother¡¯s hand disappeared as he gave her up to another. An ice cold hand took hers and a quiet voice began to drone on about love, devotion, and happiness. She couldn¡¯t concentrate on anything but the icy hand that held hers like it was an inanimate object. The droning voice changed but her mind still couldn¡¯t quite comprehend the words that were being said. Then all knowledge came back as she caught on to the last remnants.

¡°For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do we part. This is my solemn vow.¡±

Until death do we part. She couldn¡¯t wait that long for the promise to break. Her breath hitched as she realized that they were all waiting for her to say her part. She took a deep breath and readied herself for her fate.

¡°I, Relena Peacecraft, take you, Heero Yuy, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do we part,¡± she paused, her chest slightly trembling from her anguish. Could she finish? Her will took over and thrust all emotion and thoughts down. ¡°This is my solemn vow.¡±

Two hands came into vision as they held the ends of her veil and lifted it over her head in a robotic motion. Her eyes locked on to the ground, refusing to look at her newly made husband. The icy hand caught her chin and jerked it up. She didn¡¯t have time to resist as his warm lips descended onto hers and stole her first kiss.

This wasn¡¯t supposed to be her fate, her future. It wasn¡¯t supposed to be like this. She wanted to scream it out to the world. She was never meant to do this.

He grabbed her hand again and nearly pulled her down the aisle while the cathedral stayed silent, deprived of any sounds of joy or contentment. When they reached the room outside he released her hand and walked away, leaving her where she stood. She let the sadness flow over her and felt her soul rising to eternity, knowing that the endless sorrow would always embrace her heart.

*So? What did you think? It¡¯s a super short prologue but I just wanted to put a sort of beginning to this story. Please review and tell me what you think, and if you can, be gentle, this is my first Gundam Wing story. (I love long reviews, hint hint ^____^) oh, and I¡¯m pretty sure this chapter looks sort of weird, I really don¡¯t know whats going on with it. I save it as a webpage so that all the formatting stays the same but when I upload through fanfiction.net, it comes out different. Does anybody knows a better way to preserve all the formatting done to a chapter???