A/N: Okay, This is a random idea I had and I don't know whether it's interesting so please tell me what you think. It's based around the 1939 film, 'The Wizard of OZ' but I've changed the story and it'll be different.

Let me introduce the roles in this chapter.

Relena: Dorothy (I realise Dorothy Catalonia should have this role but come on…Dorothy Catalonia singing 'somewhere over the rainbow' and skipping along a yellow brick road? shudders )
Zechs and Noin: Uncle Henry and Aunt Em
Heero, Duo and Wufei: the farmhands who live on the farm.
There's another character but you should be able to guess who it is…

Lastly, although the film has no romantic involvements, this is a 1xR story.

Please give this story a chance, it's the first time I'm doing an AU fic like this so be gentle with your reviews :P

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing and I don't own the 1939 film 'Wizard of OZ' either...

CHAPTER I – Moving to Kansas

Golden fields stretched to the horizon and glittered in the sun. It looked mesmerising to Relena as she stared silently from her seat on the rickety cart. It bumped and bounced along the uneven road and Relena's hands clutched tightly at whatever she could hold in fear that she might fall off. She felt unreal; there was so much space out here and no one could be seen for miles. It was so different to the city and yet so enchanting… Maybe I will like living here, she thought to herself

"It looks even more beautiful at sunset," The low tone of the driver made her turn her head towards him. He was concentrating on the road ahead and navigating the horse that pulled the cart to avoid the particularly bad dips. Relena looked over his casual trousers and shirt and once again felt out of place in her black town dress which covered all the way to her ankles and made her feel hot and bothered in the sun. She noted how his pale blond hair and blue eyes seemed to fit with the yellow tones and clear blue sky of the landscape and she could only wish that she would fit in quite as well.

Relena had lived in the city with her mother and father. Her father, Mr Darlian, was a respectable man who had loved and cherished her like any man would his only daughter. She had known she had a brother too, even though she couldn't remember him. When she had asked her parents, they simply said that he had left home when she was very little to make his own life in the big world. The last they heard of him, he had married and was moving to Kansas to start a farm with his wife.

Then her parents had died suddenly in an accident and she had been left all alone. To her surprise, her brother, whom she had never heard from before, sent her a letter telling her he would look after her. Being the only one she could turn to now, she left her beloved home with trepidation and boarded the train that would take her to Kansas. He had met her on the platform and had been kind, giving her a quick hug and delivering a comment about her having grown so much. Now she was sitting beside him on a cart heading to what, Relena hoped, would be her new home.

The ride had mostly been silent and Relena observed that her brother was a very quiet man. He had requested her to call him Zechs and not Milliardo as he had changed his name to leave behind the ties of his old life. When Relena had queried why he wanted to do that he quietly stated that the city life wasn't for him and he wanted to leave it behind. Relena had wondered whether she would like the countryside as much as he.

Shortly, the cart pulled down a dirt track, away from the road, towards an old farm. There was a sturdy wooden farmhouse with a large barn nearby and white fences dotted around that housed the animals. As the cart drew up, the door of the house opened and a woman with black short hair that spiked low over her eye came running out to greet them. She wore a long dark blue dress with a white apron that billowed around her ankles in the breeze and gave her a perfect 'homely' image.

Zechs brought the cart to a halt and got off, helping Relena clamber down after him. The woman threw herself into his arms and hugged him tightly, "Welcome home!" Zechs gave her an affectionate pat and smiled faintly. The woman then turned abruptly to Relena and surveyed her closely, making the young girl nervous, before breaking into a warm smile and hugging her tightly too.

"Aren't you a pretty thing," She said in a gentle voice. "My name is Noin and I'm glad to welcome you to our home. Now first things first," She fussed, "We must get you inside and cleaned up. You must be so hot in those clothes." She eyed Relena's dress with amusement.

Relena nodded, "Thank you," She said and followed Noin into the house tugging her small suitcase after her and refusing politely to let Noin carry it. Zechs stood with his hands in his pockets and gave Relena one last reassuring smile before she entered the house. It was brief, but it comforted Relena a whole lot.

Noin led her up to the loft and opened the door. The room was small but the perfect size for her. It had a bed, dresser and a wardrobe. There was a large window overlooking the farm and the fields beyond. Noin opened the wardrobe and gestured at the dresses inside. "I know you brought your own clothes Relena but I think they might not suit out here so I got you some dresses made." She brushed her fingers along them, "It's okay if you don't like them or don't want to wear them, I'll understand." Her violet eyes widened as Relena suddenly hugged her. "Thank you," the girl said breathlessly, "I was really scared but you're nice and are already doing so much for me."

Noin patted Relena on the back, "You'll settle in all right Relena. Now get yourself ready and come down to dinner. We've still got to introduce you to the boys."

The boys? Relena wondered as the door closed behind her. There were more people to meet? She cleaned up and dressed in a pretty light green dress with a matching ribbon for her honey coloured hair before venturing slowly downstairs. In the kitchen, Zechs was sitting at the table while Noin was still setting the plates down. Their faces lit up when they saw her in the doorway.

"Aren't you a pretty picture?" Noin exclaimed and fussed over her, primping her dress and straightening her hair. "Zechs go and call the boys in would you, dinner's ready." Zechs nodded, rose from the chair and opened the door.

"GET YOUR LAZY BEHINDS IN HERE, DINNER'S READY!" He yelled making Relena flinch. Noin laughed at her, "Zechs works his farmhands really hard and he doesn't let up on them one bit," She explained.

Three young men, dressed in a similar manner to Zechs, bustled into the kitchen nearly falling over each other. As soon as they saw their boss standing with his hands on his hips they stood to attention in a line with their hands by their sides. Zechs paced forwards and backwards, inspecting them.

"Zechs will you stop treating them like disobedient children and introduce them to Relena!" Noin called with a frown and the three men turned their attention to Relena, making her embarrassed. She unconsciously straightened her dress.

"Boys, this is my sister Relena. She's staying with us from now on so you'd better treat her right." His blue eyes roved over them in a threatening manner that said they'd really better treat her right. Relena walked forward and curtsied. Zechs harrumphed in a way that indicated the men weren't worthy of such a gesture.

"Relena, I'd like you to meet our farmhands, Wufei, Duo and Heero."

Wufei had black hair tied back and dark eyes that avoided looking at her. He seemed uneasy and didn't even respond when she smiled lightly and said hello. Duo was a different story; he was full of laughter and said he was pleased to meet her. Upon seeing her smile in response he exclaimed that she looked like a princess and asked if he could call her as much. Relena blushed and said it was okay before turning to the man next to him.

Heero was tall and lean with a finely sculpted and muscled body. Relena felt her heart fall into her stomach as he levelled his Prussian blue eyes into her own sky blue ones. He was blank and expressionless and she couldn't sense anything from him. He gave her a nod before brushing past her and sitting down at the table. The other two followed his example.

Relena stood there uncertainly, "Pleased to meet you all," She said quietly to herself though she couldn't help feeling a little let down and rejected. Noin's voice calling her to the table brought her out of her thoughts and she joined them for dinner.

That night, in her room, Relena stared out of the window and was lost in the calm and quiet. The sound of crickets chirping and the hum of the night was soothing compared to the buzz and bustle of crowds that she had become used to in the city. She felt a pang in her heart as she remembered staring out of the window in her bedroom back there and she bit back her tears. She missed her home even more now she was in a strange new place. But she would be strong and she would make this her new home by integrating herself with life here. She promised to make herself useful around the farm so she would feel like she belonged. With that thought, she curled up in bed and went to sleep.

The next morning, Noin was bustling around in the kitchen when Relena walked in looking fresh and excited. Noin raised her eyebrows with her hands and arms still buried in the sink. "Relena, what's wrong?"

"I woke up early so I could help out," Relena said enthusiastically and Noin's eyebrows rose even higher. Relena looked around, "Where's my brother?"

"Relena I don't…" Noin started but something in the girl's expression had her stopping. She shook her head and smiled, "He's out in the barn dear." Relena thanked her and went rushing out the door to find him. Noin shook her head and smiled, wondering whether Relena knew how much her brother loved her. Zechs had always told her stories about when they were children and how, when he made the decision to leave the city, Relena had been the only thing he missed. He considered her an angel and wanted to look after her like the fragile doll he almost believed she was. Now Noin could see that she was in fact a strong and determined girl, but would Zechs see it too?

Relena entered the barn and found Zechs preparing the food for the horse. He looked surprised to see her and immediately came over in concern. "Relena, what is it?"

She shook her head to indicate nothing was wrong, "Are there any chores for me to do brother?"

Zechs looked at her in shock. "Relena," He said gently, "You shouldn't be thinking about doing chores. Why don't you go for a walk among the fields or maybe Noin can take you into town."

Relena was disappointed; she didn't want to be treated like some sort of guest. "But I want to help," She said sadly, "I feel like helping." Zechs took hold of her shoulders and gently pushed her towards the door, "Don't be silly, you don't need to help out at all. Be a good girl and enjoy yourself." Relena found herself outside the barn and when she turned back, Zechs was back to tending the horse. She sighed and stalked off muttering, "I'm not a child."

With her brother being so adamant, Relena decided to find the farmhands and see whether they needed any help. After scouting around for a bit, she found Wufei feeding the pigs. She smiled at him but he didn't respond, concentrating on his task with more fervour. Maybe he's annoyed at having to do this, she thought and went over to help him. The buckets of food Wufei was pouring into the troughs were heavy but she managed to pick one up and made her way over to the trough when Wufei appeared beside her suddenly and grabbed it from her. Startled, she stared at him as he poured it in effortlessly and walked off. "Wait!" She called and raced after him. "Did I do something wrong? I only wanted to help? Maybe there's something I could do?"

Wufei turned and glared at her. "I don't need help from a woman," He said shortly and stalked off leaving her standing.

She stood there confused at his reaction when out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Duo come into view as he scattered seeds in the chicken pen. All thoughts of Wufei forgotten, she went over and said hello.

"Hiya princess! You're up bright and early this mornin'" Duo tipped his straw hat at her.

This time she asked politely if she could help. Duo looked completely lost at her request and stared at her like he didn't know what she was.

"You wanna help? That's a new one. If I were you I'd be running around and playing till sunset."

"I don't want to run around and play, I want to help," She said stubbornly. Duo chuckled.

"You're a strange one aren't you? Well…I don't really know…I shouldn't…"

"Please?"

Duo looked like he was about to give in when Zechs came stalking up to them. "Maxwell!" He roared and Duo jumped up and tried to hide behind Relena. Zechs pulled him out from behind her without hesitation and shook him. "How many times have I told you Maxwell to shut the gate!? The sheep are all running amok in the fields now!"

"Sorr..sorry!" Duo stammered but Zechs just slapped his head in frustration. "You are a complete dimwit! Kindly remove yourself and go gather them all. I'll finish here with the chickens." Duo was let down and he rushed off faster than Relena could blink. She turned to see Zechs staring at her as he picked up the bag of feed and began scattering the seeds. "What are you doing here Relena? I thought I told you to go with Noin or something."

Relena looked at him hurt and he regretted his words. Before he could apologise, her expression hardened and she turned away from him angrily and stalked out of sight. Zechs looked after her for a moment before shaking his head and turning his thoughts to the chickens.

Relena walked long and hard away from the farm and into the vast fields. She took shelter in the shade of a nearby tree. She leaned against the gnarled trunk and sighed. A short little bark alerted her and she stood and looked around her. There was nothing that she could see but another little bark brought her up short. On instinct, she looked up and sure enough, there was a little brown dog sitting high up on a branch looking at her.

"How did you get up there?" She wondered aloud and, as if answering her question, the dog gave a series of short sharp barks. Relena laughed, "How cute! Are you stuck? I'll get you down" She announced grandly and started to climb up. The boughs were sturdy but far apart and yet somehow Relena found herself pulling up to the branch where the little dog waited and took him into her arms. He barked and looked up at her with solemn eyes that almost seemed green in the sunlight. He was a Cairn terrier with straggly fur and a large brown tuft of it hung low over one of his eyes. He seemed to be analysing her as much as she was analysing him and after a short silence, he barked and licked her tenderly.

Relena giggled and her heart felt lighter and happier holding him in her arms. She stroked his fur and he gave a whine of contentment and settled down against her. "What shall we call you then?" She asked and the dog lifted his head and perked its ears up. It rubbed its paw against her and Relena had the weird feeling that he was trying to tell her something.

"Are you trying to tell me your name?" She guessed and the dog seemed excited by her reply so she took that to mean she was right. "All right, what is it?"

"Ruff ruff!" The dog barked

Relena frowned, "Nope you'll have to do better than that."

"Rawaruff" The dog tried again but Relena shook her head.

"Rowafff" The dog said desperately but Relena just laughed and tickled him behind the ear causing him to whine in pleasure. "You're such a cute little thing. I'm going to call you Toto. Do you think Mil…I mean Zechs will let me keep you?"

The dog just looked at her with its big eyes and said nothing. Relena sighed and hugged him close. He seemed to sense her sadness and licked her all over her face till she laughed again. She didn't realise that her laughter had carried and someone had paused what they were doing to come over and investigate. A figure stood at the base of the tree, staring up at her with a strange look in his eyes.

"What are you doing?" Said a voice gruffly and Relena was so startled that she lost her balance and tumbled. She clutched Toto to her protectively as the air rushed past her and the ground raced to meet her.

"Oof!" Came a deep sound as she landed against something firm and knocked it to the ground with her. Her breath flew out of her lungs and she hit her head hard in the fall. She felt out of sorts and disoriented but when Toto wriggled under her, she was worried that she had hurt him and sat up in concern. Thankfully, he seemed fine as he jumped out of her arms onto the grass but when Relena looked to see what had broken her fall, her cheeks flushed red.

She was sitting on top of Heero with her dress spread out around her, her legs on either side of his waist and her hands resting against his firm chest. He lifted himself up on his elbows, dishevelled, with his brown hair hanging low over his eyes looking more mussed than normal. His chest was firm and warm through his shirt. His eyes were staring at her deeply and she felt embarrassment rise up from her stomach.

"I'm sorry!" She finally managed, "I didn't mean to fall on you." She slid off him and missed the flicker of his eyes and his sudden intake of air. He sat up and just stared at her silently. Relena flushed again, "I hope you're not hurt?"

"No." He brushed a hand through his hair and stood up. He dusted his shirt and trousers and then to her surprise, offered her a hand. She took it gingerly and when he pulled her up, her head reeled a little and she fought to keep her focus. He still hadn't let go of her hand and was it her imagination or did his eyes seem more intense than normal? Her head suddenly felt lighter and she swayed causing him to pull her close and support her against his body.

"I'm feeling dizzy," She said apologetically and he wrapped his arm around her causing her to blush.

"You did just fall out of a tree." He said dryly and began to move back towards the house. Relena suddenly pushed against his chest, "Toto!" She called and brushed away his hands as they reached for her. Although her consciousness swam with haziness, she managed to pick up a silent bundle of brown fur before Heero's arms came back to steady her and she gave in and let him lead her back to the house.

He deposited her with a very worried Noin and left too quickly. Noin checked her over for injuries but Relena insisted she was fine. Toto wagged his little tail and silently stared up at them. Relena explained how she found him but then a sudden fear took hold of her and she begged Noin to let her keep him. Noin soothed her fears and promised that she would convince Zechs.

And Zechs had taken a lot of convincing. He eyed the dog with distrust but with two women on his case, one looking miserable and the other looking cross, he gave in reluctantly and Relena had thrown her arms around him in joy, which made him content that he had made her happy.

That night, she was sitting and staring at the stars by her window when she saw a dark figure walking out in the field. Curious, she pulled her long thin coat over her white nightgown and clambered out of the loft window; made her way across the sloped roof and slid down the pipe to land on the ground. Toto stared at her from the window before giving a soft bark and following. Relena caught him as he jumped off the roof and into her arms. She set out to investigate.

Out in the fields at night, she felt the cool breeze rustle her clothes and the grass caress her legs. It was a wonderful feeling and she almost forgot why she was out here until the very shadow she had been seeking approached her and the moonlight illuminated Heero's face.

"What are you doing out here?" He growled.

His tone caused anger to flare up inside her, "I could ask you the same question."

His eyes went intense and he crossed his arms before replying slowly, "I couldn't sleep."

Her anger melted away at this admission and her face broke out in a smile, "I couldn't sleep either," She said gently. Toto wriggled in her arms and leapt down to run free in the grass. Relena followed after him and a soft rustle behind her indicated that Heero was following. Relena brushed her hair back from her face and looked upwards as they walked.

"The stars are beautiful aren't they?"

"Hn," He was still staring at her.

"I never noticed how wonderful they are," She said sadly. "Out here, they shine so much but in the city, the street lights glow brighter." She closed her eyes and stopped. "Everything's so free out here, it's different, so lonely…"

She started when she felt something soft drift across her cheek. Heero quickly pulled his hand away, "You miss the city," He stated.

Relena tilted her head at him in puzzlement, "Yes I do. I also miss my parents and that's not going to bring them back. This is my home now and I just need to…" She faltered, "…I need to make my heart believe it."

"Your heart…" Heero echoed quietly.

Relena pulled her coat about her and shivered, "I don't really know what my heart wants. I want to be happy here but then I long for home too…I'm so lost."

She lowered her head desolately and did not notice him draw closer until the warmth of his proximity made her look up. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw how close he was and how dark his eyes had become.

"Relena…" He said softly and then gently tilted his face. She gasped as his lips brushed over hers. Before she realised what she was doing she leaned in and kissed him back. The sensation of it went down her body like her shudder. Heero suddenly stiffened and pulled away. She looked at him in a daze. He backed away and shook his head.

"I'm…I…"

He abruptly turned and walked off fast. She realised he was leaving and snapped out of her stupor and to call out, "Heero wait!" But he had long gone and there was no one but her and Toto who was watching her closely with his visible eye.

Over the next few days, Relena tried her best to make herself happy on the farm. Everyone, including Noin, was always busy with feeding and looking after the animals but her brother wouldn't let her help out no matter what she said. Noin explained to her that he knew she had never done hard work like this in the city and he didn't want to reduce her to it now. Relena tried to convince Zechs that she wanted to help so she could feel like she was a part of the farm but he had patted her head affectionately and sent her off to the fields to play. Relena was outraged, she was 16 years old and she didn't need to be treated like a child!

She had also tried to become friends with the farmhands. Noin, ever a source of information, had explained a little something about each of them. Wufei had lost a wife to sickness a year or so ago and it had broken him so that he became convinced women were nothing but trouble and he was strong without them. Duo was just a simple boy who wasn't very bright but was jolly and carefree. His only friends being silent and serious, he was sometimes unsure of himself and was prone to mistakes. As a result, he always got into trouble with Zechs Noin admitted ruefully. About Heero, to which Relena listened attentively, Noin knew little. He hardly talked or revealed anything so he was a mystery. All she knew was that he had no parents and had grown up alone finding work here and there. He worked hard and relentlessly and everyone, including Zechs though he would never admit it, admired him for his strength and focus.

Armed with this, Relena set out to befriend them all.

It had turned out to be a terrible disaster.

There had been that incident with Wufei…

Wufei was approaching the well with a pail and Relena was giving Toto a drink from the bucket. She turned to him gently, "Shall I draw some water up for you?" He grunted and swiped the bucket from her, proceeding to draw it himself. Relena sighed, "You could have said no thanks, I wouldn't have minded." No reply. "Look I know you've had a bad past but that doesn't mean you can push everyone away and not talk about it."

He stiffened, "Who told you about my past?"

"Noin told me when I asked her."

He turned on her sharply, "You have no right to pry into my past! That's all you women do, gossip and pry. I'm so much better off without any of you!"

Relena's eyes softened and she reached out, "Please Wufei, don't torture yourself. I know what it's like to lose someone. You can't let sad memories rule your life and happiness now."

Wufei went still and twitched, "Meiran…" Before Relena's hand came to rest on his shoulder he jerked away, his eyes flashing.

"I don't have to listen to you; you're weak! Leave me alone!" He shouted and stalked off.

And then things had been going good with Duo until…

Relena had ventured into the barn looking for Duo and had found a pile of papers by a haystack. It looked like some sort of plan for machinery and there were various annotations and notes all over the place. As she was studying it, she heard a noise and saw Duo approaching her with a wild frightened look in his eyes.

"Wow, what's this Duo?"

Duo scratched the back of his head and snatched the papers from her hand, "Errr nothing…it's nothing!"

Relena looked up at him with wide eyes, "But it looks like something you've been working hard on. Why don't you explain it to me? It sounds very clever…"

Duo gulped and shook his head, "its not clever…don't tell anyone please?"

Relena frowned, "But why not?"

Duo shuffled his feet, "It's just a stupid idea…everyone already thinks I'm an idiot."

Relena smiled and took his hands gently, "I don't think you're an idiot, you just let everyone walk all over you. You need to be more confident."

Duo pulled his hands out of her grasp, "No…no I can't."

"Duo…listen to me, you've got to…"

"I'm not listening! You'll get me in trouble again. Zechs tells me off for letting you help me."

"I never meant to get you in trouble Duo, I thought we were friends…" Relena looked at Duo full of hurt.

Duo didn't say anything and looked down at the floor, "Just promise you won't tell!" He pleaded and Relena held back her tears.

"I'm only trying to help. I won't say a word to anyone, promise."

Duo let out a shaky breath and then grabbed the rest of the papers and ran out.

And then there was Heero.

She could still remember the feel of his lips against hers. She never thought he would ever do something like that and the action confused her greatly. Her heart pounded whenever he was close and when she thought of him, she didn't feel so lonely anymore. The city and her old home were replaced with thoughts of him kissing her. She wanted to talk to him so she could understand what was going on in her heart and his. She didn't know what to make of it because he was blank and impossible to read. The only way was to ask him outright if he liked her. There was no doubt that she was in love with him already.

With her attempts at the farm such a failure, Relena spent her days with Toto. He became her closest friend and the brightest light in her life. He played with her; snuggled close to her when she was sad and always looked at her as if he understood what she was saying and feeling. With him, Relena fell in love with countryside around the farm. They ran in the grass, climbed up trees, explored the ponds and lay on the ground simply staring at the sky. Relena realised that without Toto, what happiness she had would be non-existent.

He meant the world to her.

She was at her window again that night thinking of Heero when she saw his figure slip out from the barn where he and the other farmhands slept. She wasted no time in slipping out the window and following him out onto the fields with Toto scurrying behind her silently. He immediately sensed her presence and turned round to meet her with an air of weariness about him.

"Couldn't sleep again?" She teased lightly.

"What do you want?" He answered roughly and she was taken aback. Concern mirrored her pale blue eyes.

"I wanted to talk to you," She replied and stepped closer. "Is something the matter?"

He narrowed his eyes, "There's nothing to talk about. Go back to your room."

She cocked her head to the side, puzzled, "Why are you being like this?

He was silent.

She shook her head and took hold of his arm, "I want to talk about why you kissed me…"

He stiffened and felt like a block of steel but she pushed on, "It's just that you haven't…well I hoped…" She blushed, "I like you and I want…"

"It was a mistake."

The words shocked her right to her core. She let go of his arm and stepped back uncertainly. He looked straight at her and all she could feel was cold.

"What…what are you saying?"

"I don't feel that way." He replied monotonously and her heart shattered. She paused but eventually pushed on, trying to understand him.

"What kind of way do you feel then?"

It was his turn to step back as she came closer and his eyes flashed with what seemed like confusion and…fear?

"I don't feel anything," He said

Relena frowned, "You must feel something." Okay, maybe he didn't like her but it wasn't the end of the world. She had to keep her control so she gathered the broken pieces of her heart and drew forth her strength. "Talk to me Heero."

"I don't know what I feel," He was clearly confused now and looking at her with a mixture of something that she couldn't make out clearly. He straightened and suddenly composed his face into an expressionless mask till even his eyes became clouded.

"I'm here to work so let me do my job and don't get in my way."

The level of control she had maintained fell apart, "I'm in your way?"

"You're a distraction," He refused to meet her eyes.

A distraction, hot tears ran over her cheeks, "Is that what everyone thinks? I just get in everyone's way? I'm trying so hard to fit in but I'm just a nuisance to you all?" She sobbed, unable to stop.

Heero brought his face up sharply and stepped towards her, reaching to brush her tears away. His eyes flickered as he seemed to struggle with some inner turmoil and he stepped back again. Relena saw none of this with her head lowered to the ground and even as she looked up at him finally, the filmy haze of her tears obscured him.

"Thank you Heero," She said sincerely, "I finally understand why I can't convince myself that this is my home now. That's because it isn't and it never will be if nobody really wants me here." She couldn't face him anymore so she turned and ran back to the house leaving him staring after her.

Toto looked at Heero as he stood there like a stone statue. The man eventually shook himself and turned to notice the little dog that tilted his head at him. Toto tottered up, whined and nudged Heero with his leg in the direction of the running girl. Heero looked after her and moved his foot forward making the little dog bark in approval. His eyes suddenly clouded again and he shook his head, "I…I can't." He turned and paced off in the opposite direction. Toto growled in annoyance and then scurried after her on his little legs. He caught up with her and she took him into her arms without a word and clambered back up into her room.

She stood there bathed in the light of the window like a lifeless spirit. Toto whined and nuzzled against her foot. She suddenly shuddered and fell to her bed sobbing. Toto leaped up beside her and pushed himself into the crook of her arms. She curled up and hugged him closer as he licked the salty tears off her face.

"You're my only friend," She whispered and buried her face in his soft fur. She muffled her cries while he lay there, bearing it quietly before she lifted her head in anguish.

"I miss you father," She cried. "Why did you and mother have to go away and leave me on my own? My home is with you. I want to go home, I want to go home," she repeated brokenly.

Eventually her tears slowed and exhaustion led her to fall into an uneasy sleep. Toto stayed in her arms throughout the night and he licked her comfortingly every time she murmured and the heartbroken words emerged from her lips.

"I want to go home…"

TBC

A/N: I hope this sets the scene…believe me it's all part of the story. Did you spot the unamed character? I think I made it obvious but only you can tell. There's a reason for that character too…odd though it may seem.

Please review!