====
"AHHHHHH!!!!!! NOOOO!!!!!!!"
Releena's eyes snapped opened after the terrorizing images in her head had become too much for her.
She gasped trying to get the air to work its way into her lungs as she took in her surroundings.
She noted she was still lying in a bed, but a different bed. More comfortable. She wiped at the sweat on her brow and when she looked down at herself she was shocked to noticed she was wearing a robe, the sash tied several times around her waste.
"Where am I?" Had Heero really come for me? Or was that my imagination. How did I get here?
"I see you're finally awake. I'm glad."
Releena darted her eyes at the familiar voice. "Heero!" He really did come for me…
"Just so you know, Mrs. Noin should be on her way here."
"Where are we?"
"A place I like to call home." He stated casually.
Releena looked around her and saw they must have been in a small apartment of some sort. Heero sat several feet away from the bed, at a small dining table where at the same place was the kitchen and then a couple of more feet away was the door.
"It is rather small don't you think…" Releena said lifting her feet over the side of the bed. Suddenly she felt pain rack her body and she gasped aloud, wincing.
Heero watched her for a moment. "I think it would be best if you remained laying down."
"I don't want to lay down!" Releena suddenly shouted.
Heero frowned a bit and it irked him to see the terrorized look in Releena's eyes.
"Fine." Was all he could say.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door and Releena looked away from Heero and to the door as she watched the doorknob turn.
"Who's that?" she asked suddenly.
"Duo."
Duo popped his head in the apartment greeting Heero momentarily, a tired look on his face.
He plopped himself on the other chair at the table Heero was sitting at, and placed the huge bag he carried on the table.
"Oh man Heero… next time you go shopping for women's clothing. I don't know about you, but I don't appreciate being called a pervert and being given dirty looks, just because I bought some…"
Heero coughed aloud clearing his throat-signaling Duo to shutup. He then gestured with his eyes inside the other room where Releena was.
Duo gave him a blank look and poked his head into the other room, surprised to see Releena sitting up in the bed.
"Releena!" he said a bit embarrassed.
Releena flinched a bit feeling claustrophobic all of a sudden. She simply nodded at Duo.
He grabbed the bag from the table and hurriedly walked into the room, handing the bag to Releena.
"Uh, here…" he said backing up away from her. "Where are the others Heero?"
"I sent them over to the Sanc kingdom to retrieve Noin and Quatre."
Duo nodded.
"Releena, there are some clothes in the bag. Go into the bathroom to change." Heero stated pointing ahead to another door several feet away from them.
Releena nodded and got up slowly walking into the bathroom.
Duo quickly turned to Heero as soon as the bathroom door locked behind Releena.
"How long has she been awake?"
"A minute before you walked through the door." Heero stated.
"Is she alright?"
"I don't know… but I doubt it."
Duo frowned at Heero and grabbed his cap, putting his jacket on. "I'm gonna go for a walk and scan the area, making sure no one followed me or is spying around." Duo stated heading back for the door.
Heero only nodded and stared intently at the bathroom door.
Duo frowned and opened the door closing it behind him. He yawned a bit, getting sleepy. It was about 3:00 in the morning. He looked at his watch and told himself he'd be back in an hour. He looked back at the door and then walked off. Poor Heero… Poor Releena.
====
Releena stiffened a bit and looked around the bathroom. She whiffed the air as she picked up a foul smell. She gasped when she noticed it was her. She smelled so, dirty and musty. She began to feel nauseated as she recognized the musty, manly smell. She fell onto the floor and crawled over to the toilet, vomiting till her stomach ached.
She stopped and decided to turn the shower on in the bathroom. She all of a sudden wanted to desperately feel clean.
She fumbled with the sash of the robe tied around her waist. It had been double knotted and Releena grew frantic as she tried to untie it. When she did she quickly ripped it off and quickly stepped into the shower. She grabbed a bar of soap and began to frantically scrub all over, tears streaming down her face which she did not notice…
She stepped out of the shower and reached for a towel wrapping it around her.
She bent down and opened the bag Duo had given her. She reached in and took out several clothing items. She smiled a bit when she pulled out a pair of women's underwear and laughed a little when she remembered Duo's tone of voice and conversation he was going into as soon as he walked in.
She picked a sensible outfit and hurriedly got dressed.
====
Heero blinked as the bathroom door finally opened.
He sighed and stood up.
"Are you hungry?" he asked.
Releena nodded. "Thank you."
Heero turned around and rummaged through the fridge. He was shocked to see that it was empty except for a bowl of soggy cereal. He growled when he realized whom was to blame for this. Duo…!
"…He eats everything…!"
"Excuse me." Releena said, looking at Heero oddly.
Heero looked up at Releena frowning, slamming the fridge shut.
"Sorry, but there's nothing there to eat. When the others get back, then maybe you can eat." Heero stated.
Releena looked away from Heero and walked over to the small window in the room. "It’s ok. I don't feel like eating anyway."
Heero couldn't help but noticed the way Releena looked. He heard her take a shower and heard her throw up. She looked rugged and was still wet. She had on a pair of beige shorts with a simple Tang top. Duo could not pick out the proper clothes for a princess… Her face was lifeless. Poor girl.
"Maybe you should rest a bit Releena. It will be awhile until Noin comes here and you cannot leave this place, so it would be best to sleep for now…" Heero stated in his same usual cold, monotone voice.
"Why'd you do it Heero? I trusted you… why aren't you dead?" Releena asked suddenly.
Heero's eyes widened and then formed into their usual scowl. "I got there as fast as I could. I didn't have to save you!" Heero shouted just as suddenly, even surprising himself.
Releena looked at him quizzically. "What are you talking about?!?!" she demanded.
Heero looked at her just as quizzically. "What are you talking about?"
To Be Continued…