| Noin stopped at the gate leading onto the Victoria academy and gave the guard their clearance. After assuring him that the boy was merely an aid, she drove on to her quarters. �Good thing they let his hair grow or he�d be recognizable in an instant. His face was flashed all over the world and space when he self-destructed. I�m sure someone would have seen him by now.� Stopping the car, Noin gently shook the sleeping boy trying not to startle him. �Yes, mistress?!� Heero replied, nearly yelping. �We�re here. Don�t be afraid, I�m not going to hurt you,� she said, trying to get him to calm down but the fifteen year old gave her a wary look and mumbled his submissive response as he exited the car after her. Noin sighed and lead the way to her own room, which was sparsely furnished. �It�s not like I�m ever home. I�m always out on the frontier, chasing Gundam pilots and fighting by Zechs� side�Oh, Zechs, what should I do about this boy? You would know...� but she immediately dismissed the thought. �I have to handle this myself. I can�t keep running to him.� Sliding the key card through the door, Noin allowed the boy in who only glanced up at his surroundings from his bowed head. �Now what am I going to do with you?� she muttered out loud. �I can give you anything you want; I am well trained, mistress,� Heero replied, still using the same tone. �That won�t be necessary,� Noin replied firmly and she saw the boy shrink at her tone. �No, no kid, I wasn�t mad at you, just the people who did this too you,� she said, soothing her words and felt Heero relax a little but not a lot. �Who ever did this needs to rot in hell. And who knows, with all the things I�ve done, I�ll probably be there with them.� �I want you to go in there and take a shower to get all the body paint off. There are towels, soap, and shampoo in the cabinet so use them. I�ll leave out a pair of clothes for you on my bed, ok? If you get too tired, just go to sleep in my room, on the bed. I have to go pick up some things,� Noin explained. �It�s like I�m giving orders to a five year old but he won�t do anything unless I tell him, even sleep.� �There�s also food in the refrigerator if you want some, eat what you want, understand?� �Yes, mistress,� Heero said, still keeping his head bowed. �And just call me Noin.� �Yes, mistress Noin.� Sighing silently, the lieutenant led Heero to the showers. �Well, at least, he�s calling you by name and not just �mistress�.� �Do you know how to work the showers?� �Yes, mistress Noin.� �Good. Now I�ll be back soon,� Noin said quietly before walking out of the bathroom. �Come on now. You can�t let the kid down�� *** Heero peeled out of the clothes that his new mistress had given him and took a glance at the mirror. His face was layered in women�s makeup, accenting his features and giving him a more feminine look. �Some how, I remember me, but I don�t.� Heero thought but shook his head. �It�s too confusing to think about and it only confuses me more.� Grabbing a washcloth, some soap, and shampoo, Heero turned on the water and slid in, watching the body paint make patterns in the water as it came off. �What does my new mistress want from me?� he considered, rubbing his body to get the more stubborn pigment off. �She seems to value me although not in the same way as those people back there.� Leaning against the wall, Heero let the warm water beat on him as he nearly drifted off to sleep, not hearing the door open and close� Next |