Akbar

Chapter 4 Trowa's jade eyes were torpid from infinite hours of traveling across the changeless desert. He was awakened from his stupor only when the whisper of a far-away sound caught his ears. Trowa's lantern-like eyes swept over the wind-rippled dunes, not able to find the source of the echo. The whispering noise in his ear rose to a screech before falling sharply away. Trowa's head lifted instantly and he came fully awake. The murmuring noise in his ears turned into the rumbling of mixed voices. The onyx pillars that he had spelled at OZ were tuning his ears to the sounds that were disrupting its hushed hall. Calling up a little of his magic, Trowa strengthened his distant spell. The buzz in his ears smoothed into the honeyed voice of his brother, Adaron, ' "Trowa chose the perfect moment to leave. My brother seems to always know when it is best to abandon the OZ family." ' Trowa's eyes hardened at the comment, but in truth, he cared little; why should he care about his tyrant family?

' "This spell is powerful Adaron, are you sure you want to do this?" ' The cautioning voice was deep and alien to Trowa. He, who knew every sound that played off of the OZ walls, was temporarily stumped by the commanding voice.

' "Of course I am." ' Adaron retorted, ' "This brat's caused more trouble then any of the rebel's I've ever met. She deserves this if anything, and I'm not about to waste the opportunity either Orich." '

There was a long pause of breath between the two before Trowa heard Orich speak again. ' "Someone has been listening to us..." ' Trowa winced as the voices began to run together into a squealing pitch before it was silenced. His patronizing green eyes were amazingly void of emotion as he came to the realization that Wufei's family had arrived at OZ already. There was no one else but the Chang family that had a skilled magus in their company.

Trowa's fists clenched, "The Chang family is already at OZ."

Quatre started in sleepy surprise, "What? ...Oh..." Quatre yawned and stretched his sore muscles as best as he could while riding his galloping Dewolf. "How'd you find that out?" He asked curiously, as he turned his eyes towards Trowa.

"Do you remember the pillars in the grand hall?"

"How could I forget them." Quatre answered, "They were literally the size of my house."

Trowa nodded his head in acknowledgement, "I spelled them so that I could watch over my family while I was away."

Quatre laughed, "You're always ready for anything, aren't you?" Quatre glanced at his friend and saw his grimace, "You're families disturbed Trowa, it's not wrong to watch over them or anything..." Quatre smiled unsurely at Trowa before turning back around.

"We need to get to the castle by morning." Trowa answered.

Quatre snorted, "I'm sure you're brother can't be doing something so bad that we'd have to rush that much. The trip usually takes me three days to get from Hatsu to OZ."

Trowa shook his head, "We need to get there by morning. Something is happening, another magus is in my house and I don't trust magus's, especially foreign ones."

"So? Wufei will keep things in check, won't he? I mean I've never met him but I'm sure he's competent enough to be able to do that much." Quatre answered with another yawn.

Trowa sighed, Quatre was so far behind him and the other Hurda's. "We found a girl who can tell OZ where the crystal is. My brother has been planning things for her that will promise himself the crystal in a matter of hours."

Quatre gaped, "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"You were busy."

Quatre rolled his eyes before digging his heels into his Dewolf. The wolf seemed to surge upwards, tearing the dune in half as it hurtled forwards. "This better be worth it Trowa, my Dewolf friend will be near dead from exhaustion because of this." Quatre said in complaint.

Trowa didn't hear what he said though, he was thinking of someone else.

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Usagi lay sprawled on the floor, panting from her struggles to escape the spell that had her pressed to the ground. She lifted her drained eyes when the heavy oak door groaned open to her room. Before she could gather herself together she was hauled upright and gagged. Looking bewilderedly around her she tried to wriggle away from the iron-fisted soldiers. A glow of orange light turned her attention to the two men that had entered. Her eyes were instantly glued to the magus that stood regally next to Adaron. It was the magus from the Dragon clan. There was no mistaking it; his tattoo made it all too obvious.

His silver streaked hair gleamed in the light of his weapon. Usagi's eyes widened and her skin began to crawl when she saw the glowing poker in Orich's hand. The magus looked to Adaron for confirmation to continue his work. Adaron glanced at Usagi, his gaze moved over her sublime body like viscous honey. "Do it." He said with a smile. The poker that had been shaped into a curling vine neared Usagi. Giving a strangled cry she kicked out and tried to suffocate the magus with her magic.

Orich shook his head in shame, "Such a waste...Adaron, when the act is complete you have sworn to give us two of your crystals, does your promise still stand?" Orich stood just slightly behind Usagi, waiting for Adaron's answer.

Adaron's eyes were filled with the sight of Usagi's straining body, "I do...now hurry up and get it over with." Adaron's eyebrows flicked upwards in temporary surprise when he saw his father enter the room. "I came to watch." Was all that Treize offered to Adaron's questioning gaze. Orich glanced at Treize respectively before he moved forwards. Orich pulled the shoulder of Usagi's shirt down until the first edge of Ashati's scar was revealed. With a final glance at Adaron, Orich plunged the glowing poker onto Usagi. Her soft pupils widened in a split second and her scream came tearing out from behind the gag. Her entire body jerked forwards with surprising strength as it tried to escape its fiery tormentor. Usagi's eyes were teary from pain and her ears were ringing with her own shrieks so that she couldn't hear Orich's words. 'Good God,' she thought, 'I can't survive something like this!' Her entire shoulder was exploding with unimaginable pain and her insides felt like they were about to spill onto the floor. Orich nodded to the soldiers that held Usagi in place and they instantly released her. Usagi's freed hands flew forwards in a weak attempt to save herself. Her arms locked up in pain once they struck the floor and she wobbled on her stiff arms, sweating and swearing from the throbbing burn.

Orich's eyes were glowing red as he abruptly lifted the poker from Usagi's back; it was icy cold. Adaron's eyes were eagerly set upon Usagi. Her body's shuddering began to slow and her breathes lost their ragged edge. Usagi's soaring blue eyes ebbed away into empty pits and she began to feel a breath of artic cold run over her body. Her cold shoulder flared up in pain for only a minute or so before it was again soothed by the chill breath. Orich licked his lips in nervousness when he saw Usagi's body relax, it was time to finish the spell. Taking a breath he reluctantly spoke the last word to the spell. The air, which had seemed to be in- between breaths, hurtled away from Orich's standing figure and smashed against the surrounding walls with terrific force. There was a single gasp from Usagi's lips as her very soul was snatched from her. Orich's tanned hand lunged out and grabbed at the silvery substance that had materialized before him. The mist shriveled and sank into his hand upon contact. The red fire in Orich's eyes faded as he opened his fist to Adaron. "It's done." Orich said thickly. The prince ignored Orich's stiff expression and eagerly peered into the magus's hand, "What is that?"

"Her tanaka...some would say her soul, either way, you would do best Adaron, to keep it safe. Once the tanaka's broken she will have her soul back, and she won't be too happy." Orich handed the crystalline rose bud to Adaron. The prince stared at the rose in his hand before breaking into hysterics, "Well done Magus. You've just earned the Dragon clan two crystals." Orich bowed his head, his eyes flitting to Treize.

"Adaron, have her cleaned up." Treize said, nonplussed by the spell, "The Dragon clan will be here in a matter of hours. They've brought half the country with them, they thought you were a bachelor." Treize said blandly. He turned to Orich, brushing aside his bang as he did so, "I will finish the deal. Master Orich, come with me to receive the crystals." Orich bowed low to the King of OZ before sweeping away with him.

Adaron watched his father go with the magus, smiling all the while. Once they had left the room he kneeled down next to Usagi, flinging back her hair. He couldn't resist planting a kiss on her warm forehead. Grinning in triumph he caressed her cheek, "Where's the crystal my love? Where did you hide it?" He asked soothingly. Usagi looked up and met Adaron's gaze. The prince held her face in his hands for a moment before he thrust himself upon her. Adaron reveled in the feel of Usagi's soft lips and silken hair. But she remained still and didn't react to Adaron in the slightest.

With a look of disgust on his face Adaron pulled away from Usagi. Pulling the shoulder of her shirt back up he crossed his arms over his chest. It hadn't been the romantic encounter he had been hoping for with the beauty. Usagi's clouded blue eyes met Adaron's, "The crystal is inside of me."

Adaron's disappointed eyes lit up at the information, "Inside of you?" he snorted, "And all of this time we were searching for it." Staring at Usagi's porcelain face, Adaron took her hand in his, "Come love, get up off the floor. I'll have the maids clean you up."

************************************

Duo tapped Wufei's shoulder, "What am I supposed to do again?"

"Pretend you're my slave for all I care." Wufei shrugged Duo away.

"Um...okay. That'll be pretty hard considering what an asshole you are Wufei." Duo said in irritation.

Wufei didn't even so much as bat an eye at the comment. Duo's shoulders sagged, "God forbid I call the heir of the dragon clan an ASSHOLE!" He said loudly. Duo threw himself onto one of the many cushions that were strewn across the room. Crossing his arms he looked disgustedly at the far wall.

"Oh hello wall. It's nice to talk to you again. I've been talking to walls ever since Trowa left. Wall number one, Wufei, wall number two is, well actually wall number two, my dear buddy Heero, hasn't been around that much. I wonder," Duo was cut off in mid-sentence when Wufei gave him a spiteful glare.

"The reason why, you imbecile, is because he's been captured by OZ. Don't you keep track of anything." Wufei practically spat out.

Duo stuck his tongue out, "I'm a shifter, why should I live up to anything but my reputation."

"Being a lying, thieving, raping, murdering shifter is such a wonderful thing to be. I can't believe I'm even wasting my breath on you." Wufei said thickly back.

Duo sprang up and grabbed his scythe, "I may be a lying, thieving, murdering, shifter but I'm definitely not a rapist! And I'm definitely glad I'm a shifter so I don't have some stuck-up 'I'm better than everyone' attitude!"

Wufei made a noise of contempt, "Shifters are on the lowest rung of society for a reason, freak. You follow Heero around because he's a step up from the filth you usually hang around."

Duo's eyes grew savage, "A step up huh? I could deal with you insulting me, but insulting Heero is a step too far. Prince or not, I'm gonna kick your half-human ass back into the fucking jungle!" Melting into the form of a wolf Duo leapt at Wufei. His bared fangs were just seconds away from closing on Wufei's neck when he was jerked backwards.

Pouncing back up from the ground Duo turned his snarling features to the man that had just stopped him. The wolf's purple eyes grew momentarily wide before wolf melted back into human. "Holy camoly...And I thought Wufei was the only one." He muttered sourly. In the doorway stood the grave and unmistakable figure of Orich. The magus turned his eyes downwards and met Duo's eye with disgust, "I was hoping that your species was extinct."

Wufei rose up from his window seat, a slight smile on his face. "Orich, what word do you have from my father?"

"I was able to finally receive the crystals from Treize." Orich answered, gladly taking his eyes from Duo's.

"Both?" Wufei's smile had left and he stonily met Orich's pleased gaze.

"Yes. I can't believe the power in these crystals. With these, your father will surely be pleased." Orich's hand tentatively reached up to his dragon tattoo, "No doubt he will be happier just to not be in the desert heat at all, but this was the best I could do."

Wufei's slack muscles belied the fact that his mind was spinning. What had his magus done to receive such a high gift as two of the four crystals that the OZ family owned? His coal black eyes searched Orich's body for any signs of a struggle and dismissed the question of whether or not Orich had stolen the magic gems.

Orich fingered the two crystals which lay in his pocket. He was nearly ashamed at what he had done to receive the crystals but the power that lay locked in them had been too enticing. He bowed to Wufei and spoke again, "Are you not pleased, Master Chang?"

The Asiatic Hurda massaged the back of his branded shoulder, sometimes he wish he didn't have the Hurda mark there. "How did you obtain the crystals Orich?" Wufei asked slowly. Orich grew grave again as he filtered through all that had happened. "I did what had to be done." He said, shying away from telling the young prince what had occurred. His heavy gaze instead turned to settle on Duo's rapidly stiffening form, "So you have the company of a shifter, and no one else?" He asked curiously as he scanned the small room.

Wufei shrugged, "A few of my friends came here, but no others." Wufei silently wished that he had talked to Duo during the long days. Since then Duo wouldn't have been practicing his penmanship of the Hurda mark on the walls.

Orich's gaze traveled over the markings on the wall, each mark became better and better as he went. His mind sorted through the vast information it kept, trying to find the definition or meaning of the symbols. When the meaning did finally strike him he felt his blood turn to ice. Pulling his eyes away from the wall Orich did his best to keep his voice smooth, "Master Chang, I don't know what you're getting into but it'd be best if you kept closer track of your actions." He pinned Wufei with his gaze.

"Thank you, Orich." Wufei said haughtily, "Now if you'd please leave me and my slave to ourselves, I believe I'll see you tonight at the entrance ceremony." He said as he gave a dismissive bow.

Orich stared at Wufei, "Yes...it was pleasure to see you in safety milord."

Wufei gave a poisonous smile, "And you also, Orich." The magus's brows furrowed together at the smile but he did as custom. Bowing respectfully to his prince he turned on his heel to leave. The luminous cloaks of the magus flooded out behind him as he retreated through the door. Wufei's acidic smile disappeared as soon as the roughly hewed door creaked shut. He shot another accusing glare at Duo.

"If I hadn't know that my magus was walking up the steps as you shifted I would have run you through with my sword." He said in frustration of having Orich discover what he had been up to the past year.

"Your magus!! That was your magus!" Duo said in contemptuous disbelief, "He looked like another enemy to me. 'Keep closer track of your activities Wufei.'" Duo imitated nasally, "What was all that about?"

"Orich likes to think that he knows everything that's going on around him." Wufei said shortly.

"And does he usually?" Duo asked in feigned curiosity.

Wufei shrugged his shoulders, "How am I supposed to know what's going on in that magus's brain?" Wufei glanced at Duo and saw that the shifter was sprawled out on yet another pillow. His scythe lay carelessly on the floor next to him.

Duo opened an eye and let it bore into Wufei, "What're you staring at?"

"I don't know." Wufei replied coldly. Duo grinned, "I love it when I piss you off." He sat straight up in alarm when he heard a sky-shattering rumble reach his ears.

"What was that?" He gasped as he groped for his weapon. Wufei shook his head, "If you knew anything, you'd know that that was my family coming."

"They send out a roar when they travel?" Duo said sarcastically.

"That was our dragons you idiot, why do you think that we all bear that tattoo?"

Duo's mouth dropped open in amazement, "You guys actually have real live dragons?"

*************************************************

The touch of the paintbrush on her lips was pleasantly cool compared to the heated air that piled around her. Her navy eyes opened just slightly so that she could drink in the ruby red color that now stained her lips. She was immediately reprimanded for doing so, but she didn't mind in the least. The tickle of another brush moved across her eyelids and then left them for her cheeks. She felt the slight tug on each ear as the heavy weight of her bejeweled earrings was placed on them.

"Alright milady...you can open your eyes now."

And she did so, she smiled without feeling, "I never thought I would look good in red." Usagi said, her voice was oddly dull.

The slave nearest her smiled, "Of course you look good in red, it was meant to be your color." The slave's smile broadened at the remark and she hid her hands in her wide sleeves. "Someone will call you when you should come to the hall milady, but otherwise do try to remain still so that you don't smear your makeup." She said with a bow.

"Thank you Asha." Usagi called out as Asha and her accompanying slaves left. Asha let the door click shut behind her. The three or so slaves meandered down the hall a ways before turning towards the magus's room. Asha turned the wooden hand on the great magus's doors and led the way inside. The interior of the room was just as dank and stuffy as before but now Orin sat inside it, blind and bitter. With a twist of her wrist Asha and the slaves surrounding her began to melt out of their human skins. Back in her wraith form, Ashati hissed with laughter, "Orin told me that that girl has the crystal inside her." She said with another giggle. She swung her wide hips as she walked to Orin. One of the wraiths shrugged his shoulders, hanging back. "Either way, it's not going to make me get up to the rest of my soul any faster." He grumbled.

Ashati hissed in Orin's ear and laid a hand on his shoulder. She shrugged at the wraith's comment, "I gave up long ago. It's useless to try and rejoin your other self, I was one of the first magus's and now look at me; hundreds of millenia's later and I'm still stuck down her, I'm not just about to kill myself to rejoin. I'm just going to enjoy being alive before someone like that girl kills me and I turn into a puff of dust."

"Ashati, I thought you told us she was going to free us, now look at her. She's being used by Adaron." Another wraith said in anger.

Ashati looked menacingly at the wraith that had just spoken, "Don't blame me, do I look happy about still serving our dear, dear, dear master Orin." Ashati glanced at Orin and smiled venomously.

"Well Master Orin, blind Master Orin, what would you have us do now?"

Orin grimaced, "You disgust me Ashati, even without my sight I can still control you though. Isn't it sad that a blind-man can still control the demon population with a single word?"

Ashati's clawed hand left Orin's shoulder, "Yes. But one of these days I'm going to kill you Orin and it'll be because you couldn't see me."

"I can see even better now." Orin snapped.

Ashati turned a sly eye to the other wraiths that were muffling their guffaws of laughter. "If it weren't for those two remaining crystals you have, you wouldn't be able to see at all, no energy outlines or anything." Ashati said.

"Maybe Ashati, but I'd still have an idea to kill you, of all the wraiths, first." Orin lifted the two small crystals from his pocket in example. Ashati cringed and stepped away from the light-radiating gems. "You see Ashati, I knew that someday I'd find a way to use these. But I never imagined it'd be through some poor common girl." Orin said, pride seeping back into his voice.

Ashati rolled her eyes, "Good lord Orin, you can hardly even use up a half of its power."

"I know. I was never able to do the things that the girl is able to do with the crystal, but that's because it's inside her."

"And how are you going to get it inside you? Eat it? Hopefully you'll choke on it." The wraith said innocently.

Orin grinned and stood up, "I'll find a way. Now leave me Ashati, all of you."

Ashati bowed depreciatively, not that Orin could see, and disappeared with a resounding pop.

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Usagi stared at herself in the mirror. She pushed back the locks of curling hair that surrounded her face. Strips of light burgundy velvet color ran throughout her hair and were held in place by diamond hair pins. She let her fingers just barely touch her cheeks, which were blushed in color. Her eyelids were dusted with gold and her ears were heavy from the ruby tear- drop earrings. 'I'm just covered in diamonds and gold,' she thought to herself in a bored sort of manner.

Rising to a stand she slipped the high-arching shoes onto her feet. Her velvet dress swirled around her as she moved. Thanking everything good for the air that moved through her gauzy sleeves, Usagi reached for the damask wrap. Her dress was scarlet and was revealingly low on its wearer. The open expanse of Usagi's neck was covered only by the gauzy red neck of the dress. The sleeves and collar of Usagi's dress ended in black strips of cloth that were studded with glittering diamonds. Waving her hand loftily Usagi laughed hollowly when the glint of her ring struck her eye. 'I'm getting married.' The thought had no feeling to attached to it as it crossed her mind.

Her heels clicked against the floor as she made her way to the door. Standing in front of the door she wished she could open it but she had been told to stay inside. So she waited just inside the door until she heard a soft knock. The servant who was calling on her was surprised by the hasty response that he received.

"I'm ready." She said with a meaningless smile. The servant's eyes were wide, "Milady," he said in admiration, "Right this way." He offered her his arm. Her muddy blue eyes didn't leave the floor as she was led to the noise and heat of the ball.

***********************************

Ami giggled, "What a fortunate thing that Adaron's already engaged. My father was about to kill me for sending the last suitor away." The princess giggled some more, flinging back her vibrant blue hair as she did so.

"That's nothing to my father. Since he's the king of 'everything' he can't have his daughter cooking for him...he said he'd throw up any food that I made him because it wasn't proper that I should be working." Makoto said in aggravation. Ami sighed, "Ah well, being a princess isn't all that everyone thinks it is." The two fell silent at the remark and sipped at their glasses of water. Makoto's flashy green eyes focused on the slim princess that was making her way over to them.

"Are you two resting again?" Minako asked as she smoothed her pale yellow dress.

"There's no one to dance with." Makoto said defensively. Minako shook her head, "Like you're actually trying. I want you to dance with Eshra."

"He's your suitor, you dance with him." Makoto said with a toss of her hair.

Minako narrowed her eyes at Makoto before sticking her tongue out. Ami glanced around to see if anyone had seen the princess of Venusha stick her tongue out.

"Fine. I'm going then." Minako bustled away to Rei who stood in a throng of four girls. On her ring finger a red diamond sparkled in the light. Her hand was currently splayed out in front of the four, now five with Minako. "God, Wufei didn't even give me the ring. His father did. I'm practically marrying his father at the rate this is going." Rei said.

"I'm sure the Dragon clan didn't mean to offend you." Michiru said lightly. Her sea-green hair, which was rolled down her back, was still wet from her last swim.

"I know," Rei said, her red eyes were hard, "It's just I haven't even seen the man I'm going to marry since I gave my engagement vow a year ago!"

"That is a long time." Hotaru said softly, she was the youngest of all the princesses but no less eligible than any of the one's surrounding her. Rei ran a hand through her hair, the wine in her glass swirled dangerously close to the edge. "I'm just so frustrated, and now we're here and he's not!"

Haruka snorted in laughter, her short blonde hair and her skinny figure seemed strange in comparison to the long haired, full bodied girls that surrounded her. She could care less though, she was ruling queen in her kingdom and there was nothing anybody else could do about it. "Don't worry. At the very best you'll be ruling like me. The little bastard probably is scared of you. Maybe you're taller than him or something." Haruka offered.

Rei downed her glass of wine, "I doubt that. All the dragon clan members are all haughty and superior because they have dragons on their side. I don't doubt that Wufei is some prideful prince off having an affair with someone as we speak."

"Oh enough already Rei." Minako said in weariness, "We had to hear all about it on our trip up here, as if that wasn't long enough. I don't know why we have to all come all the way up here just for Adaron's stupid meeting."

"Don't be silly Minako, you know what this is about don't you?" Setsuna asked, she was oldest of them all.

Minako thought for a moment and then shook her head. Setsuna sighed, "It's to discuss the fate of the crystals. Two of them have already gone to the dragon clan for doing a much needed task for Adaron and now we are seeing what he is going to do with the rest of the three."

"Three? I thought he only had two others." Michiru said in alarm.

"He recently gained one, I think from his marriage with this princess that we haven't heard of." Hotaru said, her eyes were very grave as she spoke.

"Well what's so special about some crystals? Is he selling them? I've never heard of such a thing." Minako confessed.

"They're crystals with a ton of magic power sealed in them. The first magus's took the magic that they could and put it all in the crystals. That's why there are so few magic bearing people nowadays, it's all locked away in the crystals."

"How come I never heard this story?" Minako asked in surprise. Her hand, in her nervous discomfort, went up and fussed with the red bow holding her hair up.

"Probably because your country has next to no magic." Haruka said with a shrug, "You got unlucky, if Adaron or the Dragon clan, or any of us for that matter, were to attack you, you wouldn't do that good against magic wielders."

"Well I can use magic so that should be enough shouldn't it?" Minako asked, relaxing slightly.

Haruka made a sound of exasperation, "Never mind that. Let's talk about something else, like who that girl is." The six beauties turned their heads and found their eyes immediately attached to the exotic princess that had just entered. She looked lost in the crowd of dancing, twirling people. Walking around the room she looked from face to face, seemingly absorbing what she saw.

Haruka stood straighter, "Excuse me for a moment girls." She said quickly before she soared away towards Usagi. Minako watched Haruka go, her brain was still whirling with the sight of the newly arrived princess. "Wow...Adaron really knows how to pick and choose his girls."

Rei's eyes were narrowed, "And little else. What a stupid looking girl, she may have the hair and the face but a girls got to have a brain to be able to survive out here. Let's see if she's got any Minako."

"Rei! I'm going to get in trouble with my father. He's right over there." Minako said, nodding her head to a table off to the left of the group. Rei grabbed Minako's arm and dragged her away with a shrug, "Who cares." Rei answered. Minako weakly tried to escape Rei's clutches but of course, failed.

"Well it's your fault when Eshra decides not to wed me." Minako said huffily.

Then, rather suddenly they came upon Usagi. She gave them a startled look before offering her hand. "My name's Usagi. How do you do?"

Rei was just as startled as Usagi, "Fine milady. I'm Rei." Usagi was beautiful from far off but was exquisite close up. "This is my friend Minako. She's princess of the Venusian region." Rei finally stuttered, she hadn't done that in a long time.

"Oh, I heard that was a lovely place." Usagi said, her blue eyes went from one girl to another and then flew up to Haruka who barged into the crowd.

"Milady." Haruka said, curtsying beautifully, "I've been meaning to speak with you."

Usagi returned the curtsy and turned her blank face to Minako and Rei and then to Haruka again. "On what?" She asked slowly.

"Just on," Haruka was interrupted as Adaron's heavy hand fell on Usagi's shoulder. Adaron bowed respectfully to Haruka and nodded to the two blushing princesses. "Usagi, you should come with me to the table now. Treize is about to make our announcement."

Usagi nodded her head and offered an empty smile to him as he led her away. Haruka snapped her fingers in annoyance, "I just missed her."

Minako frowned, "What were you going to ask her anyway?"

"Nothing..." Haruka watched Usagi go with a tinge of regret, "I wanted to know if she knew a friend of mine. He had told me once about a girl that looked like her."

"What friend is this?" Rei asked in renewed vigor. Haruka waved a hand, "Oh nobody." She smiled at their looks of passionate curiosity and leaned down. "He was a Hurda." She whispered into their ears.

Minako nearly screamed at the information and Rei's eyes just widened to an impossibly large size, "A Hurda!" Rei mumbled back, "I can't believe it! When were you friends with a Hurda?"

Haruka gave a warning look to Rei and Minako, "Ever since I was about to be killed and he saved me. It was out in the middle of nowhere." She said vaguely. Minako had stars in her eyes, "Wow...I would love to meet some handsome Hurda warrior and be saved by him!"

Haruka would have laughed had her eyes not been locked on the angry face of Adaron's brother marching across the room.

Trowa was filled with some angry sting. Even as Quatre pulled discreetly at his elbow and gave him warning after quiet warning he couldn't slow his pace or mask his fury. His eyes were locked on Adaron who sat next Usagi. Their lips were pressed together in a kiss and he wanted to slap them both. What were they doing? Hadn't they been mortal enemies when he had left?

Treize spoke his son's name softly, "Adaron, your brother has come back." Adaron immediately released Usagi's lips and looked up in time to rise up and politely greet his brother. "Trowa, I'm so glad you could make it. Did you get my messenger?"

At the greeting, everything Quatre had said to him on the trip from the door to Adaron's table, came rushing back to him. The muscles in his shoulders slacked and he flicked his eyes over Usagi. "No, I didn't, but I'm glad to see that I came just in time." He said quietly. Adaron's eyes flashed at the comment but he civilly gestured to the chair next to him. Trowa took the chair and motioned for Quatre to sit next to him.

Quatre had been rushing alongside Trowa trying to calm him and hadn't seen the woman sitting next to Adaron. Now that he was at the table he could stare at nothing else but her. His heart was pounding so loudly and so fiercely in his chest that he was afraid it would explode. His eyes traveled over her, memorizing her face.

"Quatre."

Quatre started in surprise and quickly came to himself. Seating himself hastily he dragged his gaze away from Usagi.

"This is Quatre Raberba Winner." Trowa's voice seemed to attempt at swatting Quatre's distracting thoughts away. It only worked for a few moments.

Adaron smiled, "Ah, a Winner. So that's why you had to go to Hatsu." Adaron said to Trowa before turning his attention back over to Quatre. "I heard of your family's great achievements on magic." Adaron's gaze was piercing to the Winner member that sat near him.

Quatre felt his toes curl as he concentrated on just looking at Adaron instead of Usagi. "Yes, we are well known for that, though our family has declined since the last decade." Quatre said as humbly as he could.

Adaron shrugged, "Great magic always lives on in a family." He turned to Usagi and placed a crowd-pleasing kiss on her cheek. "And this is my soon- to-be wife Usagi. When we first saw each other," he spoke to Quatre, "we were immediately in love." He was allowing no mistake to be brought between him and this Winner boy. Adoran wanted to make sure everyone, especially Quatre, knew that he owned Usagi and that she adored him.

Trowa watched in surprise as a look of terror flitted through Quatre's eyes. The look was only recognized by Trowa who leaned forward just an inch to jab his friend under the table with his foot. Quatre immediately put on a smile and rose up to bow to Usagi. "Milady, it is a pleasure to see you." He had almost added an 'again' to the statement but had luckily refrained. Sitting down he noticed that she hadn't responded in the least to him except to nod politely to his introduction. He wanted desperately to touch Usagi and scream that he was back. But he sat reservedly in his chair joining into the conversation that had developed every now and then.

Usagi stared at a spot in the wall stiff and uncomfortable in the high- backed chairs. Adaron's hand would habitually return to her leg under the table. She didn't mind it much though because she knew that she was getting married to him. And, she thought, married men must do the sort of thing Adaron was doing to her all the time. Her gaze lazily went to the young rajah that sat in front of her. He noticed instantly and smiled hesitantly at her, Usagi's smile came automatically. His face dimmed slightly at her blank smile but he rose up and offered his hand. "May I have a dance with you?"

Usagi looked to Adaron for confirmation and he carelessly nodded his head, "Do as you wish my love." She rose up and rounded the table. Once his hand had closed on hers they were on the ballroom floor twirling in time with the other lavish couples.

Haruka swore, "It is him." The girls at her table turned their eyes away from the ballroom floor to Haruka's.

"Who?" Michiru asked.

"The Hurda that saved me a year or so ago." Haruka took the napkin in her lap and left it crumpled on the table. Michiru's eyes were quick to find the couple that Haruka was speaking of. Haruka was ready to rise when Michiru gave a sudden gasp and yanked Haruka back into her seat and shook her head. "I thought you said he was a Hurda! That's the Winner family's son! He wouldn't be running around dressed as a Hurda. I assure you Haruka that that is most definitely not him." Ami glanced around the ballroom until she saw who the two were talking about.

"Haruka, she's right. There's no way that's a Hurda warrior. He came to our palace just two years ago to fix up our wards." Ami said quietly as a servant passed by them with a dish of food.

"It is him." Haruka said determinedly, "That's him."

"That can't be him Haruka." Michiru shook her head in disbelief, "I used to play with the Winner's only son when I was little. He wasn't the kind that would just take off and become a Hurda."

Haruka turned to face Michiru, "You can think what you want to think but I know my own two eyes can't be fooled."

"Well what are you going to do since you think you know it's him?" Michiru asked, trying to stop her friend from making a fool of herself.

"I don't know. I want to know what he's doing pretending he's a Hurda warrior I guess." She said thoughtfully. Rei, who was on the other side of the table, laughed in an envious sort of manner, "Haruka, you can't possibly tear him away from Adaron's future wife. Look at them dancing." Makoto gave Rei's hand a comforting squeeze, "You'll dance with your husband tonight. Wufei's father promised you that much."

"I wish Wufei would come." Rei said longingly as she watched Usagi and Quatre float across the room.

Makoto and Haruka's eyes met in temporary jealousy before they both, in unison, looked up to drink in the sight of Usagi and Quatre. Their eyes were immediately struck by how adoring Quatre seemed to be of the dazzling girl. He held her like she was delicate china and moved with her perfectly. He didn't ever take his eyes off of hers. "Oh well Haruka, next guy." Makoto said, trying not to be saddened by the fact that she had no man that would hold her like that. Haruka's face reddened and she immediately turned on Makoto, "I don't like him!"

Rei broke into the conversation before Makoto could say anything. "Sure. But I don't think it matters that much, he's enamored to that girl." Rei pulled herself up from her reclining position to reach for the loaf of bread that sat on the table. She ignored Haruka's infuriated glare. "I'm tired of this party. Why don't they just make their stupid announcement and leave? I'm tired from that stupid journey across the desert and now we have to sit through this boring stuff." She complained.

Makoto waved her butter covered knife at Rei, "Shut up, I like watching those two dance." Minako giggled as she nodded her head in agreement, "They seem like they're...in a dream."

Quatre couldn't believe he was dancing with Usagi. The girl that had filled his head for five years was finally in his arms. But every time he looked into her eyes he couldn't see the sun-kissed girl of his dreams. Instead he saw cloudy blue eyes staring back at him, cold and aloof. It was almost too much for Quatre. He had imagined his reuniting with Usagi to be filled with happiness, joy, maybe even anger. But the zombie in front of him had none of this inside her. The most torturous thing to Quatre was that Usagi was there in front of him in body but not in spirit. Quatre was brought awake by the sudden twitch of his fingers as they refused to let go of Usagi who was trying to pull away.

"Another dance?" He asked timidly, he couldn't break away from her just yet. Usagi's eyebrows rose up in what must have been zombie surprise. Nodding her head stiffly Usagi raised her hand up again for Quatre to take. When he took her hand he chanced a look back at Adaron's table. He wished that he hadn't, Adaron was clearly irritated at Quatre's second invitation to dance with Usagi. "Do you like to dance?"

Quatre was startled out of his thoughts when he heard Usagi speak. "What? I'm sorry I didn't hear what you said." Even Usagi's voice was the same as the one he remembered, he agonized over the knowledge.

"I asked you if you liked to dance." She said softly, she was growing slightly pink in the cheeks from the endless dancing.

"Oh, yes. I do, I never get to dance back at home." Quatre said, stumbling over his faltering tongue. Usagi nodded her head and said nothing else to him the rest of the time. Quatre sighed when they returned to silence; he missed Usagi more than ever now. When the song finally drew to a close he let her go and she turned away from him and went back to Adaron. Quatre felt his fists tighten, dancing with her had been the wrong thing to do. Now not only were his fingers tingling from the feel of her skin, but Adaron was staring at him in obvious distaste. His feet practically dragged on the floor as he moved out of the way of the next batch of dancers. He, luckily, was saved from returning to the table just then by the sound of brazen trumpets barreling through the room.

Swerving around, Quatre watched the large crowd that encompassed the Dragon clan, pour into the room. He immediately spied the distant figure of Duo beside some boy that he didn't know. The playful shifter was dressed in the humble clothes of a slave and was currently shooting daring looks over to Quatre. The Hurda smothered a laugh as he made his way towards Duo.

Duo shot another inviting look to Quatre before he attended to Wufei.

"What were you doing?" Wufei asked quietly as he sought a way out of the crowd.

"I got the guy who started us up, to come over and meet you." Duo said cheerily, keeping his eyes to the ground as he spoke. When Duo's head darted up the next time he had no time to lower his eyes before Wufei's father came upon them.

"What have you been up to?" He asked gratingly, he was angry.

"What do you mean by that?" Wufei asked brashly.

"What do I mean by that?!!" Wufei's father was twice as forbidding as Wufei and it could be clearly seen. His nose was far sharper than Wufei's and his skinny lips never seemed to pull out of the thin line they naturally made. "Orich told me." Wufei's father said bluntly. Duo wasn't shocked to find that Wufei's fathers' eyes were identical to Wufei's. The pair of sober eyes raised themselves and gave a quick scan of the surrounding crowd. When he was sure that no one was listening to him he leaned forwards and whispered a few brutal words into Wufei's ear. Giving a last contemptuous look to Duo, Wufei's father slipped away into the masses. Duo's cheeks were pink from the reprimand that he had just heard given to Wufei. "Are you alright?" He asked very quietly, his eyes now glued to the floor.

Wufei sighed, "I expected no less from him."

"Jeez...And I thought dads were supposed to be nice." Duo said, resuming his easy attitude. "I guess you better find your wife then. What should I do?"

"Talk to Quatre I suppose." Wufei was about to leave when Quatre burst in upon the two.

"Duo!" Quatre exclaimed in delight.

Duo gave a thankful sigh, "Thank the gods you made it. It's been so boring talking to walls for a year."

Quatre laughed, "At least you survived."

Duo winced, "Just barely." Winking his violet eye at Quatre, he shoved Wufei forwards just slightly, "This is Wufei. Trowa was able to uh, befriend him." Duo said, trying his best to mask the true meaning; Trowa had recruited Wufei to the Hurda's. Wufei gave a small bow, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Quatre let Wufei examine him, knowing that the dragon prince was passing judgment as he did so. When the prince did bow to Quatre for a second time it was more relaxed. "I hope to see you again." Wufei said with a smile, "But I have a personal matter that I must tend to."

Quatre grinned cheerily, "Sounds savvy. When we next meet Wufei, I hope it'll be on different circumstances." Quatre said. Wufei's eyebrow raised but he nodded his head in agreement and departed.

"So how'd your search for the girl go?" Duo regretted asking the question when he saw Quatre's face pinch.

"Well, I guess you could say I found her. She's right there." The blond Hurda nodded in the direction of Adaron's table. Duo swung his head around, expecting to see some ugly girl; Quatre seemed the type to fall in love with an ugly girl but be able to ignore the ugliness. Duo flung back his pestering braid and searched the crowd. When he couldn't locate the monster that must have been Quatre's all consuming lover Duo scratched his head and asked, "Which one again?" Duo rescanned the crowd as he spoke. Quatre sighed, "The one sitting at the Royals only table."

'She can't be too ugly then.' Duo thought as he lifted his eyes.

"The blonde one sitting next to Adaron." Quatre said sadly. Duo's eyes widened to the size of saucers when he laid eyes on Quatre's real love. "Holy, oh my gosh! You've got to be kidding me! You had dibs on that girl too?" He exclaimed loudly.

Quatre coughed politely to bring Duo back to himself. Duo's violet eyes practically absorbed Quatre as they turned their beams onto him. "So, are you two in love or anything?" He asked as he lifted one of his eyebrows in daring wonderment.

Quatre sighed and pulled Duo confidingly aside as the music was struck up again. "I am, but I don't know about her. Trowa told me Adaron had been up to something so that might be why she's acting so different." Duo gave a fleeting glance to the table where all the royals were sitting and laughed.

"That ugly brute," Duo began, "definitely didn't bespell that girl." Realizing what he just had said, Duo gave an apologetic smile, "I meant that Wufei's magus, Orich, cast the spell, not that she didn't like you anymore Quatre. Only a magus could cast a spell as powerful as the one that's on that girl." As soon as Duo set his eyes on Usagi he again became entranced, "She's pretty isn't she?"

Quatre grimaced, "I know." It had been a shock to find Usagi bewitched under a spell so that she couldn't even remember Quatre but it was just plain disturbing for him to find Duo already attracted to her.

"How did you meet her again?" Quatre asked, uncomfortably pulling on his collar.

"What?" Duo mumbled before he turned his face to Quatre again, "Oh. In the market place. She bought some stuff, some, oh yeah, some apples from me."

"Is that Wufei?" Quatre asked abruptly, switching subjects to distract Duo. Duo looked upwards and smiled in recognition, "Yep, that's the ol' bastard right there. He's dancing with his future wife at the moment." He proclaimed admiringly.

Quatre skimmed over the dancing couple, "He seems to be almost laughing."

Duo sighed, puckered his lips, and fluttered his eyebrows , "If only I was so beautiful that I could make Wufei do that, then we could have had a lot more fun." Quatre jestingly pushed Duo away, "You don't have to worry about that Duo. You're as beautiful as a guy can get." The two broke into laughter at the remark.

Rei picked her feet up in time without a puff or pant for breath. She waltzed along with Wufei in perfect time. Plucking up her courage she lifted her head to meet her future-husband's forbidding eyes. "I'm sorry that you couldn't come to the engagement ceremony." She said, trying to put a barb in her words. Wufei nodded his head, "I was too, but I had more important things to do."

Rei's rose eyes thinned at the comment, "Oh, doing what?" She asked stiffly. Wufei felt his lips lift upwards in a smile, "I might as well tell you before someone else lies to you, but I was conniving with a Hurda." He said without any sort of affliction. Rei nearly stumbled in midstep from the news. "Good god, are you serious? Does your father know?" She asked, losing her detached air. Wufei nodded his head, "He knows, my magus Orich had the courtesy to tell him."

"But it's illegal to consort with a Hurda at all, they always give the royals a hard time." Rei kept sputtering on in shock, "Why would you want to, to, connive with one at all?"

Wufei leaned forwards and pretended he was about to kiss her on the cheek but instead whispered into her ear, "Because I want to kill Treize and all the OZ family with him."

Rei gasped and tried to rip her arms away from Wufei, "Murderer!" She managed to say, "Murderer!" Her eyes were rolling around in their sockets, trying to find some set of eyes that would understand that she was dancing with a murderer. No one noticed her unfortunate plight though and the two kept whirling around, dancing.

"Oh do shut up." Wufei said in disdain, "You woman are all alike. Have you ignored the sights of the impoverished people of this country? Have you seen how harshly they have been treated? And it is only a matter of time before Treize uses Adaron's wife to take over my kingdom." Wufei added in a sibilant hiss.

"How, how can he possibly use a single girl to do it?" Rei's eyes had time enough to tear across Adaron's table and spot Usagi, before she was swirled back around. "Are you mad?" She asked, still trying to tear her hands away from Wufei's unbreakable grip.

"Of course I'm not mad." Wufei answered calmly. Rei squeaked in pain when Wufei's grip became crushing to her delicate hands.

"Let me go or I'll scream! I'll tell everyone what you're planning to do! And then," She added as she grew in confidence, "I'll enjoy watching Treize's sons kill you!"

Wufei dipped Rei backwards in time to the music, wondering, in the back of his mind, when the song would end. "Treize has only one son, and that is Adaron."

"You forget Trowa," Rei spat back, "He is the one that will be putting your head on a pike." Rei menaced back.

"But he was the Hurda that caused me to miss my engagement." Wufei whispered, his eyes smiled back at Rei. Her struggles weakened at the words and she became limp in his arms. The violinists ended their duet and bowed to the applauding crowd. Wufei and Rei stood clasped hand in hand still. Rei let her tired head fall onto Wufei's shoulder, "I don't understand." She mumbled. Wufei shook her head off and let her hands go, "I thought you would be smarter then that. Go giggle about it with your friends and maybe you will understand." Kissing her on the forehead he bowed, "Until my father forces me to dance with you again, I pray that you have safety in your life." Rei watched as Wufei turned his back on her. Shaking her head rash decision she bustled forwards and grabbed Wufei's shoulder, turning him around.

"I want to help!" She said desperately. Wufei hid whatever surprise he had and stared at Rei. "Woman are weak, how could you possibly help me?" Rei lifted her head proudly and glared back into Wufei's eyes, "I can fight."

"An argument I've heard many times, but never had proven true." Wufei answered back before he broke away from her again. The sound of violins and trumpets struck up again as the two drew away from each other. Rei crossed her arms over her chest and watched Wufei go, she wasn't defeated in any way. "You'll see just what I can do, husband." She said threateningly.

*****************************************

Trowa's gaze wandered around the room and he spotted Duo and Quatre sitting at a reclusive table in the far corner. Keeping himself from smiling Trowa admitted that he was partially glad that Quatre had escaped Adaron's anger at Quatre's obvious passion for Usagi. The other part of him longed to have company that he could talk with. Wufei sat right next to him but that did nothing for him, both knew that they had to pretend that they didn't know each other. Trowa grudgingly turned his eyes back to his table. His eyes immediately turned up to Usagi and just as quickly did he tear them away. The ball was becoming torturously long to him.

Sitting at the reclusive table, Duo marveled at the rosette marble columns that encircled the humongous dance floor. Each of the four columns was so wide at the bottom that it would have taken twenty or so men just to circle around them. The roof of the room arched up into a crystal dome that was laden with large opal leaves. Duo silently wondered if he could fly up there as a bird and steal some of the precious gems that were imbedded in the crystal. Saving the thought for later, Duo turned his gaze back to the enchanting room. The circular room had beautifully cut portico's that led out into the cool night. Duo glanced out one of the portico's doors and frowned at the darkening night sky. Inhaling a deep breath he tugged at Quatre's sleeve as the music started up again. "Listen Quatre, I gotta go and save Heero so could you uh, cover for me?"

Quatre came out of his thoughts and nodded his head, "Wouldn't dream of doing anything else." He said with good cheer. Flashing another brilliant smile to his friend, Duo discreetly began to edge his way out of the ballroom. Duo passed the soldiers that stood guarding the exit with the excuse of his master needing something. Whistling while he went, Duo made his way down to the main hall. Whistling in awe at the onyx pillars Duo shook his head, "Jeesh, how many marble pillars can there be in one palace?" Stopping as if to admire the pillar Duo checked to see that no one was in the hall.

When he found it to be all clear Duo at once shifted into a mouse and scurried along the hallways until he came to a drafty stair that plunged downwards. At the bottom of the stairs Duo spotted his single target. Growing into a wolf Duo pressed himself to the stairs and crept through the shadows to his prey. Once Duo was close enough to his dozing prey he flattened himself completely against the floor and readied himself. A minute ticked by before he surged into motion. He burst upwards into the air like a cannon ball and leapt at his target. The jailer didn't even have time to turn around to face the attack. Duo was already on his back and sinking his teeth into the man's fleshy throat. The jailer landed with a soft whump.

Duo was quick to transform back into his human form as soon as he was sure that the man was dead. Crouched over the dead body, Duo listened intently for any sound of alarm. When there was none, he took the keys from the cooling corpse and silently made his way down the dripping hall. He spotted Heero almost immediately in a far cell.

"Heero!" He whispered gleefully. The wraith's head snapped up at the sound of his name. His eyes lightened when he saw Duo, "What took you so long?"

"I had to get in the castle first, stupid." Duo wagged his finger back and forth at Heero, "Promise me you'll be more careful when you're saving a beautiful girl's life."

"If you mean Usagi, it was my only choice. Adaron was about to get the crystal from her."

"Well Adaron practically has the crystal now, he put the girl under a spell of some sort. She's supposedly marrying him soon." Duo glanced up from his work of shoving the key into the lock to see Heero looking off into space. Duo's brows furrowed, 'What're you thinking about Heero?' When Duo finally wigged the right key into the lock he pushed the complaining door open. Heero leisurely stretched his muscles before raising himself up and stepping through the cell door.

"A spell?" Heero questioned.

"Yes a spell you idiot." The voice snapped in the dark.

The two Hurda warriors spun around in surprise. Heero snorted, "It's only Ashati."

Duo blinked owlishly, "Only...so we're only going against a wraith, alright, I can deal with that." He said with a shrug as he loosened his shoulders.

"Not just any wraith you idiot. I bear the mark of Auri-un too." She said slyly. Heero bore a look of deep loathing, "Of course you do, I had almost forgotten that you once bore the title of third magus."

"And you were the first, of course Heero. But that's not really important right now. What's important is that you escape from this poor pathetic jail cell alive so that you can come and save the poor little girl Usagi from Adaron's evil clutches." She laughed manically, "I do hope you survive this ordeal Heero, wouldn't want you or your friend dying, now would we?" Her mouth opened in a grin, "Good thing I have foresight Heero." Her smile fell and the world shrunk until it only existed of Heero and Ashati.

"If anyone's going to die, you would be the first Ashati. Can't your powers of foresight tell you that?" Heero said flatly.

Ashati shrugged, "Either way I could raise the alarm to warn everyone in the castle that you're up and about. But since I'm a good wraith I'll do no such thing, besides I want to see the look on blind Orin's face when he sees that you've escaped." Ashati's hands kept massaging her mark, she was uneasy for some reason.

Heero's eyes narrowed, "Ashati, what's going on? What did Orin do?"

"It was Orich from the dragon clan that bespelled Usagi, your little lover girl. But Orin is reaping the real prize as we speak, he will be undefeatable."

Duo's mouth fell open, "Whoa, no way! Heero! You didn't tell me you liked her too! That's like, four people! She has a fan club!" He exclaimed, easily breaking the tenseness of the matter.

Heero rolled his eyes at Duo, "I don't like Usagi." Turning back to Ashati Heero bared his fangs, "What is your foresight telling you Ashati?"

Ashati hissed, "Don't bare your fangs at me wraith!" She gasped in surprise when she instantly found herself on the edge of Duo's blade. "Tell us now." Duo growled, "If it's my babe on the line you're going to give me all the information I want." Duo said darkly.

Ashati snorted, "Oh please little shifter, you could hardly do anything to me." Her smirking features turned to Heero, "Heero, what're you going to do when you find her body all torn up and used," her eyes became shaded, "Oh how she'll fall."

"Enough! Tell us what's going on!" Duo barked as he pressed his scythe against Ashati's neck with more force. Heero pulled Duo away, "Go." He said firmly.

"What?" Duo asked in obvious befuddlement. Heero pointed to the doorway, "Go, tell Trowa that Usagi's in trouble. I'll deal with Ashati."

"But Heero, you just got out of jail, you're not supposed to want to stay in!" Duo said, protesting profusely. Heero shoved Duo away, "Go or I'll slit your throat."

Duo pursed his lips at the threat before he halfheartedly sheathed his weapons and turned to pelt down the hallway. Heero's eyes again met with Ashati's. "Whatever twisted you to turn into this creature Ashati? Tell me."

"Foresight." Ashati said, her voice was almost proud as she spoke the words. "The curse of foresight is seeing everything going on in my brain before it could happen! MY GOD, it drives you crazy sometimes." She said with a laugh, "Oh Heero...you two are so cute together."

Heero shaped a sword with his dark magic, "Ashati."

Ashati looked up to meet Heero's equally dark eyes, "What?"

"Shut up." He leapt into the air and swung his sword up. Ashati laughed as she shielded herself with magic. The dark sword came crashing down against the shield causing sparks to fly. Ashati hissed as she dodged the dark sword again and again.

"Tell me, Heero," Ashati said between blows, "What's so special about that girl?" She used her shielded arm to knock Heero away from her. Laughing in glee at what she had done she lifted her hand and rapped out a quick spell. Beams of blue shot out from her hand and cratered the dungeon floor in its ferocious attempt to slay Heero. The wraith dodged each beam with a fantastic speed. He was glowing red all over from the alarming reaction of his fiery magic, but he paid no heed to it. Ashati lowered her hand and the beams of magic stopped. Tightening her fist she felt the burst of her magic as it enveloped her. Heero kept a tight clamp on his magic and didn't allow it to burst out of him in its struggle to match the opposing magic.

Ashati cracked her knuckles, "Come on Heero, let's see how much longer I can distract you." Ashati was caught by surprise when Heero dropped his sword and darted forwards. She had time to hold her shield up in defense but was surprised when Heero's hand reached through her shield of magic and grabbed her arm. Gasping she saw the ceiling for a moment as Heero flipped her on her back. His two first fingers jabbed forwards and he sent a quick bout of scorching magic into Ashati's forehead. Her black blood spewed upwards and splattered against his face but he did nothing to remove it. Standing up, Heero shook his head at the sight of Ashati's slain body. "What a waste you were Ashati. Now I am the only wraith with the mark of Auri-un left to walk this earth...All you had to do was unlock the crystals." Heero said wearily.

************************************

"Wu, Master Chang," Duo blurted out as he bent into a swift kneeling position, "May I have a word with you."

Wufei didn't even glance at Trowa but got up and left the table with Duo. With frenzied motions Duo was able to speed Wufei out of the ballroom and into the hallway. "How long has Usagi been gone?" Duo asked as soon as the two were out of sight.

Wufei grimaced, "She left with Orin, I hadn't thought the blind magus would do anything to her. Who told you what was happening?"

"Ashati." Duo said as he pushed Wufei along, "C'mon Wufei, we gotta go rescue the girl."

"What happened?" Trowa's voice temporarily stopped Duo and Wufei.

"Duo tells me that your magus, Orin, is doing something to Usagi."

Trowa grit his teeth, "Adaron left the table around the same time as Orin. You don't think the two already have the crystal, do you?" He asked as he proceeded forwards with the two. Duo shrugged his shoulders, "All I know is that Heero's fighting that wraith Ashati right now and she's the one that warned us that Usagi might be in trouble."

"A wraith told you that?" Piped up a familiar voice.

Trowa glanced over his shoulder and gave a small smile to Quatre, "I was wondering where you were."

"Oh, just exploring the castle, that's all." Quatre answered in a huff as he caught up with the rest of the Hurda's. "You know it's dangerous if we're all seen together like this." He said hesitantly. Duo winked at Quatre, "Already on that. Besides, I gotta go see if Heero's alright or not. See you guys later." Duo took to the air as a hawk and wheeled back down the hallway. Wufei shook his head, "I don't know if we should trust Duo's information or not."

Quatre laughed, "Doesn't matter if we can or can't, we just have to act when we think its right, and I think that we think that this is the time to act. Right?"

Wufei rubbed his face, "I suppose."

Trowa's hand clenched the hilt of his sword in his eagerness; he would be able to reverse whatever spell had been laid on Usagi. Trowa unclasped his cloak and threw off his suit at the door of the magus's room. Meeting eyes with Quatre and Wufei for the last time he cooled his tingling nerves, "Whatever we do, we must first secure the safety of the crystal." He said. Quatre nodded his head in agreement though in truth he knew he wouldn't at all do what Trowa had told him. He would never let anything happen to Usagi again.

Trowa reached for the door and felt his mind hesitate for just one split second. He flashed back to the memory of Usagi's body spiraling to the ground in a cloud of light; her hair had been all around her in an aurous mass and her pearl tipped feathers kept wilting to the floor. Silvery ribbons and pearls that had been wrapped around her had sprinkled to the hard floor as she neared the ground. In the next instant Trowa had turned the handle to the Magus's chamber. The three burst into the room all at once. Trowa's pine eyes were electric in their astonishment.

Adaron stood clutching Usagi's failing body close to him, his blood tipped sword pointed at Orin. Adaron's eyes filled with something that Trowa had never seen when they fell on him. The emotion in Adaron's eyes filled Trowa with a strange sensation. "Trowa, help me, please!" Adaron cried out as Orin turned to see who had entered.

"Ah, the little bastard son of Treize. Have you come to finally slaughter your brother?" Orin asked in anticipation.

Trowa's throat constricted when he saw Adaron's eyes widen at the comment.

"Well?" Orin asked, his blind eyes stared straight at Trowa, "Isn't that why you've brought your Hurda friends with you?"

Adaron's hold on Usagi tightened, "Then I am truly alone." He said angrily, "I really am the only son of Treize Kushrenada, I should never have relied on a bastard son to save me!" Adaron spat harshly at Trowa.

"What you did was wrong Adaron." Wufei spoke, "Taking a person's soul is a very high crime in my land."

"I did what I had to for the OZ family." Adaron said accusingly as he stared straight at Trowa. Trowa slowly unsheathed his sword and stepped forwards, "As must I."

Adaron's nostrils flared at the challenge but he made no move forwards. Orin grinned, "I won't stand in your way of justice Hurda's." He said as he gave the three a clear path to Adaron. Quatre abruptly lunged for Orin, lifting his saber in preparation to strike. Orin stumbled backwards in surprise at the move but was able to block the attack with his magic. At the summoning of his magic Orin began to smile, he had almost forgotten.

"Wouldn't you just like to know what Usagi told me?" Orin's hand splayed outwards and slowly pressed down on the building pressure of air beneath his hands.

Quatre was instantly pressed to the floor as the gravity in the room became a hundred times stronger to him. Struggling to lift himself under the spell Quatre clutched his saber with determination. "Whatever you did to her Orin, you will pay for two fold." He shouted back. Orin lifted his outstretched hand and Quatre flew into the air. "I learned how to absorb the crystals into me. Now I have twice the power of Usagi! You can't possibly teach me a lesson that I don't already know." Orin said with a chuckle. Quatre was spun around in the air as Orin played with him.

Trowa drew his sword and threw it like a dagger at his magus. Orin turned his head and stopped the sword with a single glance. His mouth twitched into a humorless smile when he saw the frustration reflected in Trowa's emerald eyes. With a wave of his hand Orin sent the sword shooting back at its master to bury itself into the wall with a loud twang. Trowa had dodged his attacking sword and reached for Quatre's which lay on the ground. Orin said a word to the sword which lay imbedded in the wall and it immediately drew free. Slicing through the air the glittering weapon was propelled at Trowa. Trowa lifted Quatre's saber and parried his master-less sword without a second to spare. Orin's eyes flew to Quatre who was still hanging in the air. "Amur Zaphir." He said. Quatre had no time to prepare himself for the sudden impact of smacking against the hard floor. His legs and arms were stretched outwards and iron cuffs locked them to the ground.

Snapping his fingers, the magus watched in satisfaction when the gleaming cuffs shortened and cut into Quatre's skin. Quatre's body arched against the pain as the cuffs sunk deeper and deeper into his skin. Hot blood leaked from Quatre's wrists and ankles to pool around him. Gasping, Quatre couldn't stop himself from crying out in his torment. Orin lifted his hand and the cuffs lifted just slightly before they sank back down in coordination with Orin's hand, slicing back into Quatre's ruptured flesh.

Wufei felt his upper lip curl in anger when he heard Quatre's cry. He couldn't do anything at the moment though because he was having the fight of his life against Adaron. Calling up his magic Wufei tripped Adaron and kept him pressed to the ground. Usagi was knocked from the prince's grip when he fell to the ground and lay unconscious next to him. Wufei's eyes narrowed as he glared at Adaron's struggling body, "You deserve this you filth." He snarled before he dove forwards and stabbed Adaron through the chest. The prince of OZ let a single, foul exhalation escape his lips before he fell into the eternal sleep.

Without any respect for the dead body Wufei searched each of the man's pockets. When his hand closed on a rose shaped gem he pulled it out with frantic energy. The gem glowed with the familiar red of Wufei's magus's light. Narrowing his eyes Wufei cursed Orich in his mind. Wufei lay the crystal on the ground and said a few words of magic before crushing the crystal under his heel. A silver mist curled up from the gem before hurtling into Usagi's body. Her chest rose sharply and she lurched upright. Gasping for breath she shivered uncontrollably. Her eyes swung around and were caught by Quatre's heaving body. "Cat!" She said in foggy disbelief. Wufei hauled Usagi upright and pointed at Orin, "Hurry up girl, destroy that man!"

Orin laughed uproariously when he saw Quatre's wild eyes resting on him in their last attempt to show how much he hated the magus. Orin lifted his hand for the final strike but was swallowed by a ball of fire before he could do so. The cuffs on Quatre turned to water and he let his head roll back in relief.

Wufei's obsidian eyes watched as Usagi, even in her weakened state, threw the largest amount of energy he had ever seen amassed in a single spell, at Orin. The spell wasn't enough though. As the dragon prince watched he saw that Orin was standing inside of the raging inferno without so much as a grimace of pain. Instead the magus winked at him and lifted his hands upwards. The fire ball that Usagi had created stretched upwards with Orin until it touched the ceiling. Orin's body appeared to dissolve in the fire as it lifted itself through the tunnel of fire to the ceiling.

Wufei's hand tightened its hold on his sword, he was ready for anything. But the magus and the flame disappeared in a thunderclap and swirl of mist. "Please," Wufei turned to the blue-lipped girl in his arms, "I'm so cold." She said as she burrowed against his body. "I'm so cold." She repeated. Wufei swiftly unlatched his cloak and threw it around her shoulders. He swung her up into his arms and hurried over to Trowa who was bent over Quatre's body.

Wufei practically threw Usagi into Trowa's arms as he placed his glowing hands over Quatre's bloody wrists. The gentle Hurda felt his eyebrows flutter in relief as the waves of healing magic spread through him. He fell asleep to the comforting thought that Usagi would be next to him.

Trowa's heavy gaze lifted from his friend's sleeping body and came to rest on Adaron's prone form. He averted his gaze from the still-bleeding cadaver.

"Arree, areen't yoouu suppo-sed to be a pri-nce?" Usagi asked as her teeth chattered uncontrollably. Trowa's somber, forest-green eyes set on Usagi's face; he nodded his head. "I am." Usagi nodded her head in understanding, as if that fact explained everything.

"Keep her warm, she's cold from so many hours of being without her soul." Wufei said firmly. Tucking her freezing forehead into the crook of Trowa's neck she continued to shudder from the cold. "Is Cat going to be okay?" She chattered out to the green-eyed stranger. Wufei set his hands onto Quatre's ankles and glanced at the boy's relaxed face, "I think so." He said, answering for Trowa.

"Oh good." She said faintly. Trowa held her closer to him, hoping he could give her some of his warmth. She sighed in thankfulness, "I must be in a dream." She mumbled as the warmth of the strangers body seeped into her.

****************Alright people, I didn't upload for so long because of my finals, don't kill me! Hope you liked the chapter and um...keep checking the chapters I guess because I keep re-uploading them to fix them up here and there. Toodles- Qt~chan P.S. PLEASE REVIEW, it's the only thing that keeps my morale up when I'm in- between chapters.********************