Falling For the Angel

By Chibi Tsuki

I apologise for my very, very, very, very late update. To be truthful, I attempted to type this chapter up several times, but it never seemed right. So when I had written half of it, I scrapped it and so it hasn't came out until now. There isn't really all that much that's sophisticated about this story, and I'm not sure how much more of this there is to go until I end. But thank you to those who have been waiting ever so patiently!

Chapter 5

The day had finally arrived and everyone was excited, waiting anxiously for the ceremony to begin. Every single corner had been scrubbed until it sparkled brilliantly so that it was perfect. Everything had to be perfect for the announcement of the only princess of the Peacecraft family. The gardens in which the citizens of the Sank Kingdom could join in the celebration were lush green while the trees and plants produced assorted colours with their blooming flowers. Although there was another hour until the actual announcement, many people had already gathered in the gardens, listening to the provided music while they waited. King Stefan glanced outside the balcony on which he would later address the event. Blue was visible high in the sky and the wind was unusually calm even though they were so close to the ocean. Perhaps the Mother Nature knew how important this day was to everyone, not just the royal family, but to all that felt connected to the Sank Kingdom. Special guests assembled in a separate area as many people from different lands still considered themselves to be of a different class to the villagers. This prejudice would be hard to dissolve so King Stefan simply had to let that stay that way. As long as his people knew that they held importance in his eyes that was enough. "Millardo," King Stefan addressed his son, telling him to approach with a simple hand gesture. "I would like you to stand visible on the balcony in the duration of the speeches. The people need to recognise you, for you will be the one leading them."

"Yes Father," Zechs said dutifully with a slight incline of his body.

"Also, I would like you to accompany Prince Heero for a while." The dignified man indicated to the dark brown-haired man standing at the window, staring out below. Zechs noticed that Heero's attire was much more traditional and elegant than usual. The cape that wrapped around his body was lined with gold embroidery, overlapping the beige, amber and brown patterns underneath. His forearms were covered by large golden-brown cuffs that must have been styled with high inspiration and ability. Connecting to his cuffs was a thin, dark black-blue coat that was made from fine materials. Small crystals were delicately threaded onto the coat so that they sparkled when the light reflected off their surfaces. His trousers were like the usual, although his boots were somewhat different… something that he had never seen in the Sank Kingdom.

"Heero," Zechs greeted as he approached the younger nobility, "I must compliment your outfit. It is certainly very different to what we have here in Sank Kingdom."

Sincerely thanking him Heero began to explain that it was a traditional outfit in Arne used for formal occasions, but modified specifically so that it wouldn't seem too odd in a foreign country. Usually the coat-like garment was longer and less stiff, hanging about the knees. The topic changed from the customs of the Arnians to the ideals and politics of the kingdom. Although he didn't show it, Zechs was amazed at how in-depth Heero's understanding was in concern to that area. Soon their conversation was flowing as smooth as jelly, both finding the other's opinion contrasting or similar to his own. Long before the discussion could end, both were called to take their positions so that the ceremony could start. Realising that there were so many things that he didn't know, Zechs pondered over the difference of the ideals in the Sank and Arnian Kingdom. Women were considered equal. It seemed rather unusual albeit it didn't appear to be too difficult to accept considering that there were women active in politics like his mother once was which seemed to have some influence over his sister. The Arnians simply took it to a higher step. But there still were disadvantages in gender equality and the whole idea of women being able to go to war and battle. Once-in-a-while tuning in to his father's speech, he realised that it was finally approaching the announcement of Relena's fiancée. That immediately reminded him that Noin hadn't been seen the entire morning. Where was he when he was supposed to be presented before everyone? He allowed a frown to appear and glanced subtly sideways down at the crowd below. There seemed to be no sign of the Arnian Prince anywhere. Pondering once again at idea of Relena living in Arne, he began to wonder how Relena would adapt, considering that the culture was in many ways contrasting to theirs. Heero had also mentioned at the prospect of her being able to wear normally what Zechs believed as manly attire, without being thought of as different. The further he delved into the thought, the faster unasked questions surfaced.

Suddenly his father's strong voice broke his train of thoughts, "-Relena is engaged to Prince Heero Yuy of the Arne Kingdom!" The sound of thundering applause made mute Zechs' gasp. Whether he had heard the unexpected, or whether he had discovered something wasn't easily distinguished, but there was no one there to take notice anyway.

Once the speeches had finished, and the party only just begun, the blond-haired prince slipped away from his family in desperate search of a particular someone. It was only then that realised he knew not where to begin for more than thousands of people had attended this spectacular event. His eyes scanned around constantly for a relatively tall, dark headed figure who was possibly surrounded by dozens of young ladies, and most likely not enjoying the company as much as one would expect. A young page stood by the table of delectable goods, making sure that the people did not make a mess out of things. He made a curt bow towards his future king when he noticed that he was being noticed. "Your Highness," he voice was still that of a young boy, unbroken by the effects of hormones.

"Page, I want you to search of someone for me," Zechs said, not quite in the tones of a plea, nor a demand.

Sitting on a bench under the shade of a tree, Wufei relaxed his stiffened muscles. King Stefan's speech had been long and almost… unending, although he would never repeat it out loud. What bothered him was not the prattling, but having to stand with his head tilted high up which almost bore him to death. That too was something he wouldn't reveal to anyway, he had to mind his reputation as one of the greatest warriors and commanders of China. Observing from his seat he watched, amused, a group of ladies as they swayed around dramatically. Two ladies, one strawberry-blonde and the other a red-brunette, were bawling their eyes out while the other four around them comforted them, somewhat too happily. One of the weeping girls cried out, "Never did I expect that Princess Relena would take him away from me! I was certain I had him drooling over my charm and beauty!" The other clung onto her, tears messing up her makeup.

"Tis alright Catherine, I am sure you will find another as wonderful as Prince Heero. If not, better," another girl stated, her red frills spilling down to the ground. Her overly excited voice and smiling features did little to suggest that she was actually comforting her friends. It was rather off putting seeing how one seemed to be delighted at the time of the other's melancholy. Those self-absorbed women sure didn't seem to think about the big picture.

"Of course you would be happy, and everyone knows that." The darker-haired girl shrieked between sobs. "It turned out that your precious Prince Noin was not the one who everyone believed to be the future bridegroom." Shaking his head, the Chinese sighed inwardly. Ah, women… They simply could not think out of the tiny square that restricted their thoughts, could they?

"Ladies may I ask if something is wrong?" a familiar voice asked. The speaker lowered a gloved hand towards the sobbing pair. Reaching out simultaneously at the hand, their eyes sparkled almost instantly. An almost frightening energy passed through their glares at one another, as if to say, 'he is mine, he reached out to me first!'

As he left his seat, Wufei chuckled and approached his friend. "Prince Milliardo," he began, saying his friend's title as it was appropriate when with outsiders, "it is unusual for you to be about. Do you not have matters to attend to?"

Zechs smiled at him before glancing at the women who were held preoccupied in a glaring contest, "Excuse me dear ladies." The pair was shocked as they were left, unimportant in the eyes of His Highness. "Warrior Cheng, I was searching for you, as nothing can be more important than what I have to ask you." Just as he was about to ask, he paused and realised that perhaps a secluded area would be more suitable. With Zechs in the lead and Wufei following behind, they found themselves in a section of the garden that had been restricted from the guests. "Wufei, confirm this for me," Zechs muttered hastily. "Is Noin a woman? Please say it is so."

So his friend had finally figured it out, although it sure took a while. "Why do you come in search of the answer from me? Should you not ask the one you want the answer from?" Wufei asked, knowing that it was not his affair, nor something he should stick his nose into. He turned away and took a few steps forwarding before facing his friend once again. "Must I accompany you like a maid and a child? Surely there is no need for that." Slightly embarrassed, Zechs shook his head and excused himself. Whether he was going to search for Noin or not, Wufei did not know.

Relena had been shocked when she had heard that she was to be wedded to Heero. It was a dream that unexpectedly came true. The night before she had been tossing and turning in bed, her heart unsettled and her mind frantic. She had wondered why her father had been so secretive, unwilling to reveal to her something that concerned the rest of her life. Now standing beside her was the gorgeous young man she had admired since the first moment they really talked to each other. No longer worrying, Relena could only beam as she dared to gently slip her hand inside into his manly one.

Looking on, the raven-haired royalty smiled ever so slightly. Now that this matter could be set aside, there were others to tend to. Just as she was about to leave, Noin noticed an exquisite creature, perching on the rail of the balcony. It tossed its splendid head, his large beady eyes shining as he turned to stare at her. He stood close to one metre. Instantly Noin approached the balcony and swiftly pushed open the door. Her eyes latched onto the note held in a small carrier picket around its leg, like a carrier pigeon. It reached forward, attempting to hop onto her arm, except she seemed to be refusing the creature its intentions. Lucky for Noin, as she had been with messenger birds that morning, she had a leather glove, although not very suitable for an eagle, with her that would she would have to be content with. Obviously the message the bird carried was important, or else they would've sent it through methods other than an eagle. Almost as soon as Noin held her arm out, the creature allowed all of its weight onto her arm. Trying not to wince at the sharp talons wrapped tightly around her arm, Noin carefully managed to obtain the note and unfolded it.

"Good Talon," she muttered softly to the creature before urging it into flight again. Albeit hesitant, the raptor soared in the sky for a while before perching on the railing once again. Meanwhile Noin was hastily reading the note, her eyes darting from left to right.

"Noin," Heero asked softly, "What does the message say?" Upon noticing Noin rush to the balcony, he had followed her with a sense of anticipation. Although he was not familiar with the system used by the Lairans, he understood that the eagle was only used in dire situations. She turned around to look at him and smiled gently. Her brother had just become engaged and she seriously felt that such happiness should not be interrupted. But it was because of their closeness that made her feel the need to tell him.

Placing a hand on his shoulder, she briefly explained the situation to him. "There seems to be trouble at home and I must return quickly. Our enemy is intending to attack by land and it seems that there is less than two months before they will get there. We need to hurry back, regroup and quickly prepare strategies to prevent them. Heero I shall leave you here, as this tie with the Peacecraft family has only just been established."

"Would it not be better if I also returned with you?"

"No, that I cannot do. Besides you being here is just as important as the battle itself. You need to prove to Sank Kingdom that you are worthy of being Relena's husband." Before Heero could produce a sound out of his mouth, Noin held up a hand to pause him. "I only have need of seven men, the rest I leave in your charge." With that she strode pass him, her shoulders softly brushing against his.

The words of retort and disagreement simply would not come out his mouth. No matter how much Heero tried to oppose the idea of letting her return with only one fifth of the people they brought along with them, his body felt as if it was disobeying him. He went inside and glanced around for Noin; she was talking with King Stefan, ending the conversation with a firm handshake. Her footsteps then faded into the hallway. "Heero is something the matter?" Relena asked timidly, uncertain of the situation.

Zechs had been wandering around the palace and garden, once again in search of somebody. Desperation had brought him to go find Noin at his room and the kitchens. Many times he had being flocked by women and many times he wasn't able to escape as quickly as he would've liked. Slightly disheartened and exhausted, he poured himself a cup of water, refilling it several times to quench his unavoidable thirst. As he looked about his pale, icy blue eyes spotted Noin, wearing clothes that seemed to suit travelling more than partying. His violet-blue eyes were focussed on something, eyebrows knotted and jaw tight. Discarding the cup, the platinum blond prince followed him, calling his friend's name a few times but Noin, assisted by a tough-looking woman he had remembered seeing at the inn a few nights ago, seemed to be in a totally different world. "Taylor, are the others ready?" Noin demanded in an authoritive tone.

"They are ready to leave on your command," the woman replied, her voice too, serious and slightly grim. The Arnian royalty nodded and muttered a command, something that Zechs wasn't able to hear. Except their actions already told him that Noin was going to leave and on an extremely short notice too. Hurrying up to him, Zechs called his name once again. This time is seemed that his call was heard as Noin swung around, calling a greeting.

"Are you leaving already?" he asked.

Noin nodded hesitantly and responded, "There is trouble at home and the war is brewing. I am sorry I could not personally seek you and bid you farewell."

The thoughts of his unasked question were already pushed to the very back of his head, as he said that it was not all that important. "I hope to see you again Noin. As I have no parting gift," he said as he fumbled to lift a gold chain over his neck with a small ring engraved with his name on it, "take this as a memory of me." He took his hand and gently placed the necklace into the palm of his hands.

Slightly surprised, Noin was at a loss of words but once his mind cleared up he smiled cheerfully at him, "Thank you Zechs." A blush crept across the face of the taller of the two. "Well I need to be heading off now. I guess I shall see you later."

"Wait. When will I see you again?"

Noin pondered for a while, his hand clutching onto the necklace firmly. "I have no idea, but hopefully the situation at home will be solved within six months."

"Well if it does happen, where do you think you will be?" Zechs subconsciously brushed his hair back behind his broad shoulders.

"Only time will tell," with that he brought his hand out, really for a handshake. Zechs took it and on impulse used his left hand to bring Noin in for a hug. Noin let out a small inaudible gasp.

"Until then take care," he whispered into his ear and then released him gently. With a curt nod Prince Noin headed for the stables where his mount stood waiting. Once Zechs was out of sight he properly scrutinised the necklace. The ring barely fit into his pinkie. It seemed a priceless item, something that must have been from Zechs' past. Gingerly he secured the chain around his neck and looked up to see a recently fed eagle perched happily, high in the tree.

Disclaimer: Gundam Wing does not belong to Chibi Tsuki in any shape, size or form… or whatever packages it likes to come in. This is solely for entertainment purposes and as it is free distribution I guess there's no way you can really sue me…