Chapter eleven
Usagi sighed tiredly. She was sitting on the floor of her room, not able to sleep with, Wufei in the room next to hers and she could hear his shouts of the pain, Iria inflicted on each cut.

She wanted to laugh but her thoughts were mostly figured on Haruka. So far he was the only one to know.

Usagi hugged herself as the pain from Haruka's action came back.

She had felt Haruka's horror, and denial so easily. She could feel all the emotions.

Usagi shook her head and climbed to her feet with the help from the wall. She had to get her mind off things or she would go crazy.

Everyone would go to sleep soon.


Usagi gently shut the door and it barely made a soft click when it latched.

Usagi held onto the wall, her hands were planted firm against it as she slowly took step after step.

She crept down the hall trying to be as quiet as she could. Usagi made it to the stairs and she grabbed the railings. She carefully took a step with one foot, planting both feet on it before she took the next step.

After having so many practices with going down and up these steps that it didn't take her as nearly as long as it did that one night.

Usagi placed her hands on the rough surface of the wall and lead herself back to the training room.

It was cold; the lights had been left on. Usagi sighed as she felt around the walls. She just wanted to walk around and direct her mind off other things.

"Why are you here?"

Usagi wasn't startled, her head turned slightly to the cold monotone voice that was at the door she had left behind. "I was going for a walk."

"Hn."

Usagi sighed and turned fully towards him, "I couldn't sleep so I came down here."


Heero walked towards her with great stealth. "While you're here, lets make it useful."

Usagi slightly frowned, and she didn't realize he had gotten close to her.

He slipped around behind her and one arm came around her waist and held her tight.

"Get in position."

Usagi inhaled sharply, he was so close, she could feel his heat radiating to her body.

Usagi slid her feet into place and she felt Heero nod. Then Usagi moved her hands into place. "Good."

He moved away and Usagi nearly fell over. He came around her, and was soon right in front of her.

Usagi kept her gaze level so she would have been staring at his chest. And just thinking about that made her flush with embarrassment.

"Wufei taught you well. Now as he said, use the scale in your mind to find me. Direct yourself and get close, so you can hit me."

Usagi replied quickly, "but I don't know hand to hand..."

"You don't need to yet. You first have to find me before you could ever learn to fight. You can't fight unless you have an opponent. I'll be waiting."

Usagi sighed; this wasn't going to be easy. She had, had hard times trying to find him, even when he was next to her.

"Heero."

No answer.

"Heero?"

Usagi sighed no answer again; it was like he wasn't there. Gently Usagi closed her eyelids. She took in deep breaths and relaxed herself. She focused her energy on Heero. She could feel him, and through her lids she could see him.

She took a step forward and she felt him move.

Usagi then leaned back only to bolt forward. It must have taken him by surprise. He didn't jump out of the way until she had nearly reached him.

Usagi spun around knowing he was there. Her fist flew in the air but it hit nothing.

She pouted slightly, disappointment showing on her face. But then two arms circled her waist and she was pulled against a chest. "I caught you."

Usagi inhaled sharply, "I didn't know..."

"Cause I never told you."

Usagi told herself to breath but she found it harder than it should be. Heero set her down but his arms still held her. He carefully moved her feet in place and held her wrists. He forced her fingers to clench into fists and raised them up to the right position.

"Defense was simple, but attacking is harder. You have to feel where you're opponent will be next, where they will move to go to get away."

Usagi slowly nodded. Heero's grip tightened and he pulled her arm straight out. "Here you would hit them in the chest. If you missed you must find them quick. You can't stop to see if you can sense them. In a battle there is not stopping."

Usagi stated, "I know that."

Heero nodded. His hand slid down her side to her thigh and he lifted it up, till her knee came to her chest.

"Your knees can be very effective."

Usagi nodded, "Yea Wu chan told me."

Heero nodded and let go of her thigh. When her foot hit the floor he let her go and came in front of her. "Show me what you got."

Usagi nodded but then stated, "Won't I hurt you."

Heero grunted, and took a stance. Usagi sighed. She threw her hand out, and her fist hit his palm. "Not fast enough. You need to be quick."

Usagi readied herself, her eyes stayed locked on Heero even thought they didn't see him.

Her leg came up and Heero easily caught her ankle with one hand.

Usagi smirked inwardly, as her right hand flew out at his center. Her wrist was grasped tightly, but before he could react her left hand came out and connected with his lean stomach.

Heero barely grunted and tugged on her leg. Usagi yelped just before her foot slipped and she hit the floor.

She let out a low moan of pain.

Heero stated calmly, "You should always be on alert."
Usagi glowered up at him, "easy for you to say, you can see what you're doing."

Heero scowled, "You have a weakness, now you must over come it Usagi. Your blindness fights you, now you fight back. You don't need it. You have all your other senses to help you."

Usagi nodded and Heero helped her to her feet. "Try it again."


It wasn't till midnight when Usagi realized it was late, and that she was tiring out. She had been at this for so long she wanted to fall over and die.

She could hear Heero gasping for air as she did. Sweat had long ago covered her body. Heero had tied her blue tennis shoes at least five times each hour.

She had to have bruises everywhere. She had fallen many times and now she could barely move let alone try to get up.

She chose to lay on the floor while Heero loomed over her his tall framed shadow covered her body from the bright light up above.

"Heero...I'm...Too...Tired...to move..."

Heero shook his head and straightened. He bent over and grasped her arms and pulled her up. She staggered against him, "can I go to bed now?"

Heero replied, "Hai. You did good." Usagi softly smiled as Heero lifted her up into her arms, "go to sleep Usagi, you had a long day."

Usagi's eyes shut quickly and sleep consumed her.




"Hime."

Usagi swatted at the air to rid the heavy air hitting her in the face. She tried to move but found most of her body pinned beneath something heavy.

"Hime."

Usagi shook her head, "five more minutes okaasan."

"Hime."

Usagi rubbed her forehead, her eyelids lifted and blank eyes stared straight at the person who pined her down.
The person giggled, but her hand covered her mouth muffling it.

"Hotoru?"

A small gasp, "how did you know?"

A small smile spread out on Usagi's face, "only you giggle like that around here."

Hotoru giggled again, "I missed you hime no Tsuki."

Usagi's smile faded, "I don't remember much of you Hotoru, but I'll be your friend."

Hotoru's face spread out in a grin.



Hotoru stood up and was careful not to be on Usagi's legs. "Will you take me for a walk hime? I can protect you best. Haruka papa and Michiru mama are in bed. They say they're sleeping but they couldn't sleep with all that racket going on."

Usagi's face flushed slightly at the thought of what the two lovers would be doing.

She shook her head, and Hotoru giggled again.

Hotoru tilted her head to the side, a grin spread out on her pale face. Her hair was short, chopped just before her shoulder. The black strands were thick, and blue highlights made it look even darker than it was. Her eyes were two pair of dark blue stones, with violet speck.

She wore a simple light colored outfit, light pink, cotton, and long sleeve shirt. A darker pink mini shirt held a light pink star in the front. Shiny light pink dress shoes were on her feet, her white socks stopped short of her ankles.

Usagi sat up, as Hotoru jumped to the floor. She landed in a crouched position.

Usagi stood and carefully moved to the dresser where Iria had put some clothes.

Usagi looked at Hotoru, "Hotoru could you help me?"

Hotoru replied, eagerly, "Hai hime, of course." The small girl skipped to the dresser and searched through it.

After five minutes, Hotoru handed Usagi an outfit. Usagi moved to the bed and laid down the clothes.

She carefully tugged off her nightshirt, leaving her in her bra and panties. Usagi slipped her underwear off and searched the bed. Her hands came across a pair and held them up, "Is it the right way?"

Hotoru replied, "Iie backwards."

Usagi nodded and turned them around she then slipped them on.
Usagi searched the bed again and grabbed a black mini skirt. She felt for the tag before pulling them on. She turned them till they were fitting right.

Usagi then grabbed the bulky off black sweater and felt for the tag, when she found it she slipped her arms into the sleeve, and then tugged it over her head and to her wait line.

Usagi grabbed her shoes, "well, Iria wont let me leave the house unless I have an escort. So let go find one of the guys." Hotoru replied, "Alright."



Usagi walked into the training room with Hotoru behind her. She could hear Wufei training in the middle of the room. She could feel the intense scene that played out before her.

She could see him move on the floor in her mind. He was swift, and precise. Nothing was wrong.

As if sensing her there everything in the room, went dead still. And something flickered, and she barely saw it before it was gone.

She cleared her throat and he turned towards her. "Usagi?"
"Hi, Wufei. Um I was wondering."

Usagi rubbed the back of her head. She stood in the doorway still holding her black ankle boots, and a pair of socks.

"Could you come with Hotoru and me for a walk...Please, I know your busy but so is everyone else and they don't want to take me. I promise Hotoru I would take her outside."

Wufei put away his kantana and walked towards her, "What makes you think I want to take you?"

Usagi's eyes glazed over but then the look of hurt was replaced by the half dead look.

"Nothing. Nothing at all, I just need someone to come with me, I guess I'll have to sneak us outside."

Usagi turned. Hotoru stared at Wufei, her large dark eyes staring at him, "That was mean. Haruka papa would call you an ass." Wufei raised an eyebrow in amusement.

He stared at Usagi and noticed she was just standing there.



Usagi sighed inwardly, 'see Usagi, you let yourself fall for these people. Now look, your feelings are burned again. How could you be so dumb?'

Usagi rubbed her nose and sniffled. 'You're so stupid as always, you'll never grow up. These people don't want you around anymore; they're just letting you down softly. Just leave now, and do us all a favor and disappear.'

Usagi blank eyes, a navy color now, a storm of emotions crashing together.

But before she could do anything a hand gripped her shoulder tightly, a thumb caressed her shoulder blade.

Usagi turned; she didn't have to turn to know it was Wufei. "Usagi, lets get your shoes on, don't need to hurt your feet before we can really start your lesson."

Usagi's eyes cleared, "you mean it?"

Wufei smirked and led her to the living room. "Yea, I can't have a kid calling me an ass."

Usagi snickered slightly as Wufei helped her sit.

Wufei knelt down in front of her and took the socks. One by one he put the socks on her small feet. Then he took her boot and slipped it on. He tied the laces.

"Artigato Wufei."

He grunted in return as he tied the other shoes laces after slipping it on.



Hotoru ran ahead of the couple, "Usagi, it's so beautiful. These lilies are so pretty, just like you."

Usagi softly smiled.

Hotoru plucked three lilies and one white rose. She then raced back to the two who took their time down the narrow walkway.

Hotoru stopped them with her giggle. Usagi knelt down, she caressed Hotoru's cheek, "you're so beautiful Hotoru, you'll have a lot of boys when you get older."

Hotoru's face scrunched up, "Nah, they're all mean, like Wu kun."

Usagi shook her head, "you just have to get to know him that's all."

Hotoru replied, "I'll try, but still I think he's an ass."

Usagi burst into laughter, and shook her head in amusement. Hotoru then said, "These are for you Usagi. Three lilies and one white rose. The white rose is you Usagi. And the lilies are the people in the house."

Hotoru took the rose away and held the lilies in one hand the rose in the other.

"The lilies are plain and dual and don't look good just together. Alone they look better so they stay to themselves. And a white rose blooms alone but alone it is lonely. But then it attracts the lilies. One by one they surround you even though you stand-alone. A rose should never be alone. And soon you have brought all the lilies together giving them a reason to be together. To be you they have to be together."

Usagi shook her head, "How are you so smart?"

Hotoru shrugged her shoulders, "it's apart of who I am. I have to grow up in order for me to be strong."

Usagi stood, "lets go pick some flowers for the others."

Hotoru nodded and grasped Usagi's hand. The two raced off to the garden.

Wufei watched them. He thought to himself, 'she's right. With Usagi here we all came together and get alone. Duo and I never fight, Heero comes around more often...we can't loose her.'

Wufei smirked and started after the two children.

By the time he reached them the two had already picked a dozen flowers.

Usagi climbed to her feet at where she had knelt.

Wufei walked up to her, and she held out a perfect black rose, and the thrones had been striped off.

Usagi took his hand and placed the rose in his palm. "For you Wufei."

She then leaped into his arms and hugged him close. Wufei stood rigid in her hold, he didn't know what to do, and he was still in shock. But slowly his arms wrapped around her tiny waist. He held her close to him, because he didn't want to loose her like everyone else in his life.

Hotoru looked at the two and a soft smile played on her lips. She held a white, a yellow, a teal blue, a dark maroon, and a black rose in her hands, one for each person that meant so much to her.

Unknown to the three a red rose laid on the grass, and each petal was striped off by the wind and was carried away.