Jade: Hey every body! Um, This isn’t my best chapter; I’m having writer’s block and am actually growing a little tired with this story. But I am going to finish it; I just hope it doesn’t take 25 chapters ^__^

Jad & Naga: CRÈME SAVERS!!!!!

Jaid: HEY! You were supposed to save some for me!!!

Jad: Oops.

Jaid: >_<

Mintika: Thanx! And to answer your question, I didn’t hate Moulin Rouge, but some parts were just a little too weird for me. It was okay; I wouldn’t mind seeing it again.

Purple Ghost: Thanx for putting up my pics!! I did some pictures for the fic and she posted them. Go look at them and tell me what you think! It’s my first time drawing anime, so I’m not so sure about them. And check out Purple Ghost’s pic of Relena.

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Chapter Ten

            “Perfect, just perfect.” Duo muttered. The sky thundered in response. Duo turned to Quatre and Dorco.

            “What is it about you two and bad weather? I swear, every time we start out for somewhere it rains!”

            “Why don’t you try taking it like a man, Elf?” Wufei snapped. “I grow sick of your whining.”

            “Yeah, well you’re no treat either.” Duo retorted.

            “But he has a point.” Dorco commented. “We are sick of your whining.”

            “I didn’t ask you.”

            “Hey, cut it out you three.” Hilde admonished. “Arguing is not going to make the rain go away.”

            There was silence for a short time. Finally Duo couldn’t take it.

            “Hey, where are we going again?” he asked.

            “Cainterah. It’s the closest. When we get there, we ask for any messages from Treize, then continue on to Levenah.” Quatre answered from the front of the group.

            “Oh.” Duo said. Then after a few moments. “How long will it take to get there?”

            “Too long.” Dorco muttered.

            “Hear, hear.” Wufei agreed.

            Duo blinked, then looked at Hilde. “I think I’ve just been insulted.”

            Hilde giggled.

*  *  *

            “How are they doing?”

            Meiran turned to see Trowa. She sighed.

            “Some do very well. Most…” she allowed her voice to trail off and beckoned to the line of “troops” who were attempting to learn how to throw spears.

            “Point taken.” Trowa said. “Ever thought of just teaching them archery?”

            “They’ve got that down for the mot part.” Meiran told him. “But other skills will be badly needed.” She turned to him. “You’re a warrior, you can help!”

            “What?” Trowa looked surprised.

            “You can help me teach them!” Meiran exclaimed.

            “Uh, I’m not very good at that.” Trowa said, backing away slightly.

            “What is there to it?” Meiran countered. “You just need to show them what you know; guide them. It’s not that hard. If I can do it, you can.”

            “Well,” Trowa half turned to make sure he wasn’t backing into something or some one, when there was a muffled squeak and two people fell in a heap. Mieran stood there amused, while Catherine (who was trying not to laugh) was trying to help both Midii and Trowa up. They finally were righted. Midii dusted off her pink dress, her face flushed. Trowa had an un-characteristic expression on his face. He looked at Midii, who was looking at anywhere but him.

She looks very pretty with her face flushed. he thought absently, then with a shock realized what had passed through his mind.

            “Trowa, are you listening?” Catherine’s voice shook him.

            “What?” he said looking at her.

            “Mieran was telling me that you volunteered to help her out.” Catherine stated.

            Trowa glared at the small warrior girl. She smirked. Almost as if she planned that. he thought, suspiciously.

*  *  *

            Darkness. Darkness everywhere. Mysterious, sinister voices whispered and he found himself turning, expecting an attack from any direction. He tried to force the darkness back, but it would not budge. Stopping, he heard laughter.

            “Who is there?” he demanded. “Show yourself.”

            “You don’t remember me?” the voice asked. “Such a shame. But we will renew our acquaintances soon.”

            “What do you mean?” his face darkened.

            “Alisqua.” The voice whispered. “Remember Alisqua…”

            His eyes snapped open and he sat up.

*  *  *

            “Did they listen?”

            “Hn?” Heero turned.

            “I asked if the Dark Elves had listened, Heero.” Relena said. “You’ve been quiet all day; not that you usually aren’t but you seem troubled.”

            Heero opened his mouth to speak.

            “And don’t,” Relena stated. “Tell me I’m in over my head or that I will not understand. I’m much older than you are and I’m a wizard. I might not have seen much of this world, but I am by no means stupid or incapable of understanding.”

            There was a short pause.

            “Nothing’s wrong.” Heero said. “I just want to get you back to where you belong.”

            Relena sighed. “Why don’t you ever let someone be nice to you?” She asked. “You’re always so defensive. You never let any of the other wizards get close to you, you don’t even have any friends. Are all mortals like you? If they are, I pity such a cold race.”

            Heero just stared at her, then turned away and nudged Wing forward.

            “So much for that.” Relena murmured, following.

*  *  *

            Trieze rubbed his face as he stared over the desert; trying to make sense of the dream he had had. “Alisqua” the voice had said. Trieze closed his eyes, tried to concentrate. Something hung on the edge of his mind, but he couldn’t place it at all. He sighed in frustration. He had to figure it out, somehow.

*  *  *

            Mariemeia looked slightly strained, Une thought. She and Sercan were leaving, heading for the Skye-borne capital, among the mountains. Une could hardly blame Mariemeia for looking strained and nervous. The girl was going to be a Queen, leading people in to battle, not to mention that she was engaged. Une glanced at Sercan. He seemed as calm as ever and she saw him place a hand on Mariemeia’s shoulder as he gave her a slight smile.

            “They’re off then?” Dorothy said, coming up behind Une. Une nodded.

            “I hope she’ll be all right.” The woman whispered.

            “I’m sure she’ll be fine.” Dorothy said, then sighed. Une looked at her.

            “What’s wrong?”

            “I’m feeling useless.” Dorothy admitted. “Relena’s off somewhere with that wizard, Hilde’s with Quatre and I’m here. Doing nothing.”

            Une smiled slightly, and put an arm around the princess’ shoulders. “I’m sure something for you to do will come up.”

*  *  *

            There was a cry from somewhere outside the camp. Treize and Rashid wheeled their mounts around, only to see a dark shape coming closer. The two men drew their swords, while Rashid began to shout orders to his men. As the creature grew closer, a sense of foreboding drew itself tighter and tighter around Trieze’s heart.

            “What is that thing?” Abdul, one of the younger men of the tribe, shouted.

            “Alisqua.” Treize whispered.

*  *  *

            “Welcome!” King Servian greeted Heero and Relena. They answered in kind and were soon seated.

            “I have a message from a Lord Chang Wufei. He says that He is going to Cainterah and from there, Levanah. He says that Heero Yuy must meet him there. The message sounded urgent.”

            Heero frowned. What could have gotten Wufei so worked up? he wondered. He glanced at Relena and she looked back, then at the king.

            “I suppose that he will have to leave as soon as possible.” She said.

            “M’Lord sounded very urgent.” Servian agreed, looking solemn.

            Heero stood. “I’ll leave tomorrow then.” Relena stood as well. The two bowed, thanked Servian for his hospitality, then left.

*  *  * 

            Several weeks later, Quatre and his group arrived at Cainterah. Heero was fast following them. Relena, feeling a little miffed for being left behind, headed for home.

*  *  *

            “This is the capital, Hisdepah.” Wufei told them. They had entered the borders of Cainterah a little over a week ago and had been riding hard since then.

            “Do you think Trieze sent any messages?” Quatre asked. Wufei sighed and shrugged.

            Approaching the Palace guard, Wufei dismounted and walked forward. He talked with the guard quietly, then turned and remounted Nataku. The gates were opened and they rode into the courtyard.

            A line of men stood along one wall, practicing archery. A small, slender woman with long dark hair and eyes stood directing them. She was wearing a pale blue shirt with a high colloar and men’s brown breeches. Although she carried a bow and had a quiver of arrows strapped to her back, she did not shoot. As they rode in, she looked up and smiled.

“Ai, Ai! Xienen, Wufei!” she called. A hint of a smile appeared on Wufei’s face as they stopped and dismounted. She ran over and hugged him enthusiastically.

            “Meiran, I need to see the Queen.” he said, deciding to skip introductions this time.

            “She was expecting you. The eagles delivered a parchment from Treize yesterday morning and we’ve waiting ever since.” Mieran said, looking at them all and smiling. “Come.”

*  *  *

            Robert hummed to himself as he happily munched on a seed cake the cook had given him. Midii walked beside him, just to make sure he didn’t get into trouble.

            “Mi?” Robert said.

            “Yes?”

            “Can we go see Trowa?”

            “Not right now, Rob.” Midii said. “He’s busy.”

            Robert sighed and was quiet for a few moments.

            “Do you like him?” he finally asked.

            “What?” Midii looked at him, slightly startled.

            “Do you like him? Trowa?” Robert looked at her. “I like him.”

            “I like him too.” Midii said. “He’s been a good friend.”

            Robert nodded.

            Voices ahead caused Midii to look up. “Come one, get out of the way Robert.” she said, backing them against the wall. Meiran was guiding a group of people to the throne room it looked like.

            “Hi, Midii!” Meiran cheerfully called as they passed. She paused.

            “Would you mind telling Trowa that he and his group can take a break?” she asked. Midii shook her head. Meiran smiled again.

            “Thank you.” She turned to the others and motioned for them to follow her. Midii had a slight feeling of déjà vu as she saw two elves, one blonde, the other darker and the dwarf walking together. Shaking it off, she took Robert’s hand and led him away.

*  *  *

            Wufei opened the scroll and quickly read Treize’s letter. He sighed and closed his eyes.

            “Just as I thought.” he whispered. He looked up, staring at his companions. Heero and myself are guardians, but who else? he thought.

            “Quatre.” he suddenly said. The blonde elf looked up.

            “Yes?”

            “Do any of you or anybody you know, do you have something like this?” Wufei undid the top button of his collar and pulled off a leather thong that had a green jewel dangling from it.

            “I do.” Duo said. “Never wear it though. He pulled out a leather strip as well, but the jewel was dark purple, almost black.

            “So do I.” Quatre answered. His jewel was white. Hilde shook her head and so did Dorco.

            Wufei blew out a breath and leaned back in his chair. “So we’re missing one.”

            “One what?” Hilde asked.

            “One guardian.” Wufei straightened. “I am a scholar of ancient prophecies. When this jewel was given to me by my father I naturally looked to see if there was any information on it.

            “The guardians hold the elemental powers which ultimately drive the Rinekin na Kamen’s powers. There are five guardians; each with a jewel. When together, the powers combine and the Rinekin na Kamen becomes stronger and more powerful than it is now.”

            “Kinda complicated.” Duo commented. Wufei smiled tightly.

            “It was supposed to be.” he said. “Each of the jewels have different powers. Mine is Lifthen Life. Heero Yuy, another wizard holds Xenair, Strength. The three we did not have were Silvan, Death;  Narina, Courage and Vidanah, purity.”

            “So how do we find the last guardian?” Duo asked. Wufei shrugged.

            “Keep our eyes open.” he guessed. “It might be under our noses as far as we know.”

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Jaid: Okay, voting time! Please tell me who you would like to be holding the Courage stone. I was going to make it Trowa, but now I’m not so sure.