Chapter eight- 'A Stranger in my Mirror
The crashing of the sea, blocked out the sounds of the world around her. High above her was the glorious Earth shining brightly as a star in its peak of light.
Towering over her, was the beautiful castle made of silver, shining like crystal. Large but graceful, it put the Earth's beauty to shame. All light colors, seemed to meld together as one splendid delicacy.
She knew what was to come next, and felt the sudden hit of the jumbling emotions; fear, terror, hope, pain, passion, grief, and finally anxiety, the strongest emotion of them all. She felt eyes upon her, watching her, and she knew she had to leave. Something was pulling her, telling her to hurry. Whispers flittered through the air about her, and she was aware of them being about her.
She started to run, following the path laid out before her. The wind pushed against her, trying to slow her down. Tears stung her eyes, and she forged through the gusts forcing her back.
A red rose passed by her, and a petal slowly fell to the floor. As it fell, it turned into a tear. The tear splashed onto the ground, and she could hear painful sobs. Another petal fell, and turned into another tear. A voice whimpered, as if still asleep, 'I don't want to...no more please...no more fi...'
She passed the rose, and voice died, and disappeared in the breeze. She looked ahead, not wanting to see what might be following her. The castle flashed with a bright light. On the highest tower, a bright light flashed, and flashed again. A figure seemed to step out in front of it, and cast a shadow across the path. The person seemed to beckon her forward, calling out to her. 'Hurry, before it's too late. Hurry, he's coming!!!!'
The urgency in the light, was so strong, it edged her closer, and closer. She felt a chill rise up her spine, and she nearly stopped running. But something in the voice from the light, made her keep going.
Suddenly she felt the heat of anger rise up from behind her. Terror lodged itself in her throat, and she couldn't help but look behind her. A black cloud lifted from the ground, and was coming after her. She gasped, and tried to pull away.
She felt the icy hands of death reach for her from behind. 'You're mine...mine...'
'Run, hurry, you're almost here, run get away quickly! He'll destroy you!'
She pulled away from the out stretched arms, and rushed into the trees blocking her from the castle. She heard the roar of rage crackle in her ears, ordering her to stop, to not go any further than she had already gotten. He grew closer, as if he was on top of her. She whimpered it fear, and tried to pull away again.
She could see the light in front of her, and she realized she would be safe in the lights glow. But then something grabbed her from behind, and darkness covered her within itself. Her eyes widened in horror, and she fought to get free.
'You're mine! Mine!!!!'
She struggled, and wrestled around with an imaginary enemy, who grabbed at her from all sides.
The hands ripped at her clothes, tore at her skin, and she cried in fear and pain. Then suddenly a light burst through the cloud of darkness, lighting up her attackers. Her eyes widen in shock, as she stared into the eyes of...
'Wake up! Hurry, wake up, he's going to get you, wake up NOW!'
?????
Her eyes snapped open, and she shot up in bed. She drew in a shaky breath, and tears fell from her eyes. She covered her mouth, and scrambled out of the bed. Quickly, she raced to the bathroom.
She threw open the door, and fell to her knees at the toilet. Her body heaved, and her back arched. Her hands turned white, as she gripped the seat of the toilet, and heaved again.
Her body trembled, and she moaned. Resting her head on her arm, she breathed deeply. She waited there for a few minutes, and then barely managed to stand. She dropped the lid of the toilet, and fell onto it. She rested her head against the wall behind her, and just breathed.
The nightmare was still fresh in her mind, but the images she saw were gone. Only the fear, desolation and pain were still there.
She opened her eyes again, and glanced down at her arms. She covered her mouth again, when a small gasp escaped her lips. She looked at the rest of her body, and a small sound bubbled from her throat. Her whole body was covered in red marks, as if something, or someone had cut her with their nails. The dullness left red flesh behind.
She climbed to her feet, and her knees buckled underneath her weight. She grabbed the edge of the counter, and held herself up. She looked at her reflection in the dark, and saw the bandage wrap around her forehead. She touched it, and winced. She barely recalled the afternoon. She remembered the fountain, and suddenly unable to control herself. And she remembered the storm. She shuddered at the thought.
She dropped her head, her chin resting against her chest.
'He's coming!!! Run! Hurry, run get away quickly!'
She frowned slightly, and pinched her nose to stop the forming headache. She heard a faint sound in the other room, but paid it no attention. Her mind was distracted.
'He'll destroy you!!!!'
She suddenly didn't feel alone in the bathroom anymore. Slowly she raised her head, and looked at the reflection in the mirror. Her heart seized its rhythm, and froze in her chest.
A man was staring at her through the bathroom mirror. Even though it was dark in the room, her eyes could very well make out his appearance near the bed. His back was pressed flatly against the bedroom wall on the other side of the large room. He had a black ski mask pulled over his face, so all that she could see nothing but the dark glint of his eyes through the well made round holes. A man, who was watching her watch him.
She suddenly felt the ice crawl sluggishly up her spine, and she felt like she was hyperventilating. Her nightmare was coming true.
'RUN!!! He'll destroy you!'
She shook her head, because, the man slowly pushed himself from the wall, and stalked across the room. She inhaled deeply, and she could feel the intense heat of hate radiating from him. He was angry, and it showed in his poster as he stealthily moved across the room.
He stepped into the doorway, and blocked her only exit. She cursed herself, but was stuck frozen in her spot, staring at him through the mirror.
He leaned against the doorframe, and she knew he was smirking at her. "Hello Relena." She opened her mouth in shock, and wanted to shake her head no, but couldn't move. She looked at her face in the mirror, and realized that in the darkness she had the eerie appearance of her itoko.
Slowly he stopped leaning against the frame, and she knew he was about to step into the bathroom. She didn't have time to think, but her mind seemed to take control of her frozen form of a body. She did a half turn, and threw herself at him. He shoulder rammed against his ribs, and she heard him grunt. She knocked him back, and out of the bathroom. He stumbled over his feet, and disappeared from her view. She tripped over her feet, and her hands grabbed onto the doorframe. She straightened herself up, and took a step back.
She couldn't see him anymore, but she could see the bedroom door. It looked so far away, but very inviting. Staying where she was, wasn't good. The bathroom resembled a small cage.
'He'll destroy you!!!'
She frowned slightly, and wondered if she should run. But going out there was like running out into the lion's den. Might as well stamp food on her forehead. She inhaled deeply, and cleared her mind. She had to take the chance. She ran out, and passed the man, who was leaning against the wall, trying to regain his breath, that she had knocked out of him.
As she passed him, she saw the gun held tightly in his hands. Her mind set off alarms in her head, but she didn't stop. She hurdled over her suitcase, and raced towards the single door. Just as she reached it, she heard a strange sound. The man had tripped over her suitcase in the darkness, and fell over, as he fell, he had pulled the trigger. She wouldn't even have known, if it wasn't for the bullet that had whizzed passed her ear, and hit the wall next to her.
She looked over her shoulder, and saw him trying to get to his feet fast enough. She opened her mouth, and screamed as loud as she could. She grasped the knob, and turned. But it didn't move, and tried again, and again. she looked down. She then realized what the sound had been when she was in the bathroom. He had broken the lock, and not just breaking it, it was jammed. She was locked in!
She turned around, her back pressed against the door, and a hand reached out, and grabbed her by the hair. She screamed, and she felt him pull her against him. A hand clamped over her face, and her scream was muffled. She struggled against him, but he then picked her up, and tossed her onto the bed. She bounced once on her stomach, and she tried to roll over.
Before she could move, he landed on her, and she cried out in fear. His hands pulled her wrists over her head, and tied them with something. Then he covered her mouth as she tried to scream, and stuffed it, with something dry, and she gagged in disgust.
She tried to wriggle beneath him, and in return, she felt the stunning blow of his fist to the side of her head. She moaned.
She barely registered the fact that he rolled her over onto her back. She stared up at him, through tied eyes. She could barely keep them opened. She tried to move her hands, but found them sticky, and stuck in place above her head.
The man pulled off the mask, and she felt tears spring from her eyes. She tried, and failed to wriggle free from his heavy body.
She felt the gun press to her temple, and felt the icy touch of death caress her skin, and sink deep into her bones. 'I don't want to die.'
'You're mine, mine!'
Her eyes slowly opened, and instead of the frightened look her attacker intended, he stared into dead black orbs. 'She's mine!' Then suddenly, she smashed her head against his, and he yelled in pain. He pulled back, and covered his head with his hands. Then suddenly, she rammed her knee into his groin. He cursed loudly, as he rolled off of her, "Fakku!!!"
She sat up, and threw out her leg. Her foot connected with his chin, with a snap. He was thrown back, and he fell off the bed. She bounced backwards onto her back, and thrusted her upper body forward. What held her wrists snapped, and she landed easily on her feet.
She peered over the bed, and watched as the man began to sit up. Suddenly there was pounding on the door. "Usagi!!!"
Her cold heartless eyes stared down into his soul. Standing on his feet, he had to look up at her. He studied her from where he stood, and as if he finally saw her, he whispered, "You're not Relena."
She scowled at him, and did a mid height kick, her foot slamming into his jaw in a roundhouse kick. His neck snapped, and he crumpled to the floor.
'You're mine!'
She blinked several times, and tears fell from her eyes. She gagged on the cloth that filled her mouth. She pulled it out, and raced to the bathroom. She lifted the lid, and heaved into the toilet. She gagged, and heaved her body trembling.
"Oh kami..." Tears fell freely down her face, and fell with a splash in the toilet. She could barely hear the shouts outside her door, and someone trying to break down her door.
She flushed the toilet, and moved away to lean against the wall. She pulled her knees to her chest, and sobbed into her hands. Her body shook with fear, and anxiety. The door to the bathroom creaked open, and her head shot up in alarm. A man stood in the doorway, and it took all her strength to not faint from fright.
He was tall, lean, and muscular. His skin was dark, even in the light of the moon, that had came out from behind the clouds. Her dressed differently than the man, whole laid dead at the end of her bed. His face, uncovered, stared darkly at her. His face deprived of emotion, and feelings. His eyes looked her over briefly; the depths of them entranced her. Their color dark, darker than hers with a tint of violet, Prussian blue orbs staring coldly at her.
His hair, dark and unruly brown locks, cut short in the back, and his bangs falling into his dark eyes.
He was dressed in black jeans that hugged his lean toned thighs, and a green turtle neck, that hugged his well-defined abs, and chest.
He crouched down, to be eye level with her. She knew she looked beyond like a mess, but she wondered if he even cared. He sensed her fear, much like an animal would. His eyes scanned her over slowly, then they checked out the bathroom. He calmly nodded, and the bedroom door splinted.
She jumped in alarm, but the man stayed calm. In his presence, she didn't feel threatened or fearful of him. He touched his lips with his finger telling her to stay quiet.
Suddenly the doorknob was hit with something metal, and fell to the floor. The door swung open, and a man she didn't recognize entered first. Then Trowa and Quatre came in.
The man next to her stood, and turned around. He leaned against the doorframe, and crossed his arms over his chest. Quatre saw her, and rushed towards her. Lights in the room came on.
"Usagi are you okay?"
Tears sprang from her eyes, as Quatre pulled her into his arms. "I killed him Quatre...He attacked me, and I couldn't stop myself. I tried, I really did..." She broke into uncontrollable sobs.
Quatre held her tightly to him, his arms wrapped around her waist. He glanced up at the man from the floor. Just then Trowa came in, with another man. "He's...dead."
Usagi clutched Quatre shirt in a cluster in her fists. "Oh kami..." She shook her head, and her hands shook.
Trowa frowned at Quatre, who whispered lightly into her ear, trying to sooth her, and stop her tears. His lips formed a straight line, and he crossed his arms over his chest. He cleared his throat, causing Quatre to look up slightly startled. "We need to clean this up, before word gets out.
"Usagi!!! Oh my kami! What happened, where's Usagi."
Quatre frowned, and whispered something to Usagi; she seemed to hold onto him tighter, before she reluctantly let go. He ran a hand through his hair, and stated, "I'll get Relena sama out of here. Duo, help Trowa get rid of the body."
Duo saluted to him, "Yes captain. Lets go Trowa!" Usagi looked up through blurry eyes, to the one named Duo. He was dressed darkly, and she suddenly recognized him. He had been on the steps, when Quatre and she had arrived barely three day ago.
He looked Quattre's age, with long hair. Chestnut strands, fell to his waist, in a thick dark braid. He was boyish looking, even with long hair, his eyes held a mischievous gleam in their cobalt blue depths. He was tall, but not as tall as the stranger, or Trowa.
Duo slapped on a grin, and followed Trowa out. He was the only one underdressed than the others. He was dressed only in a pair of black boxers that had twisted around his legs and she knew he must be uncomfortable.
Trowa wore the same as the night before, loose fitting black pants. His hair was disheveled, but it didn't damage his looks one bit.
Quatre was dressed in a white tank, and off white loose fitting pants. His hair was also messed up, and she realized that they all had been sleeping. She must have woken them up, when she screamed at the door.
She watched as the three left the bathroom, leaving her alone with the stranger. Duo poked his head in, and he looked at the man, "Now behave Heero. And make sure the babes okay, we can't have her getting sick ya know."
Usagi's eyes widen, and she flushed brightly. The man didn't look fazed, but he grunted, and glared at the shorter boy. Duo grinned, and left once more to help Trowa.
Usagi looked at the man, and thought, 'Heero?' She gasped slightly, when his gaze fell back onto her. He raised an eyebrow, and glanced over his shoulder.
Usagi forced herself to look away, and shifted around, till she sat criss crossed on the bathroom floor. She let her head rest against the wall behind her, and she whispered, "I didn't mean too, gomen nasasi, I didn't want to hurt..." Tears started to fall, and she whipped her eyes, to stop them before they would take over her emotions. She had to keep them in check.
She heard a soft grunt, and looked over at him. He was staring at him, his eyes placid as a lake with no wind.
In the light, she could see him fully, and his beauty took her breath away. Rugged but clean, strong but gentle, and very sexy.
There was a long pause, before he replied to her earlier muttering, "You did what you had to do to survive."
Usagi blinked, and wondered if he had spoken, or if it was her imagination. She recognized his voice, like she had heard it before, but with less feeling no emotion. Wanting to hear him again, she asked attentively, "What do you mean?"
Her voice cracked, and broke under the pressure of her emotions that had been pulled together and into a mess. He looked at her, and replied calmly, his voice warm but distant, "Life is about surviving, your mind acted on impulse, and that was to survive."
Usagi shook her head slightly, trying to process his words in her mind. They made no sense. She wanted to talk more, but he had turned his back to her.
Usagi bit her bottom lip, and watched as Trowa, Duo, and a few other men, carry out the body of her attacker.
As she watched, she saw something under his sleeve. It was red, and she shook her head in denial. "Wait!!!"
She scrambled to her feet, and ignored the stiffness. She pushed passed the one call Heero, and moved Duo out of her way so she could reach the dead man's body.
Quatre blinked in surprise, "Usagi, what are you doing?" Usagi ignored him, and tried to pull up the sleeve of the man's shirt. Heero came up behind her, and tried to pull her away. His arms encircled her waist, and he yanked her back. She bucked against him, and threw off his balance. He fell to the ground, and Usagi rushed to her feet. She came back to the body, and Trowa dropped it. It fell to the floor with a thud. Usagi fell to her knees, and ripped the sleeve from his to his shoulder. She peeled it apart, just as Heero grabbed her again, and pulled her to her feet.
Everyone stared down to the man's arm. He was dead; the way he laid made it obvious. His head was resting on its cheek, his eyes staring towards the bathroom door. His mouth slightly open, and his body was stiff.
His arm, laid at his side, the palm facing up. Usagi shook her head, slowly, and she whispered, "Iie."
She blinked back the tears, just as Relena forced her way back into the room. "What the hell is going on...?" Relena's eyes fell onto the prone body on the floor. She stared at the arm, and her gave flew to Usagi's trembling body.
She felt a small pang of jealousy, to see Usagi, held so close to Heero, but ignored it. "Usa..."
Usagi looked at her itoko, and tears fell from her eyes again. She shook her head, wanting to ignore the truth in front of her. Usagi pulled away from Heero, and fell into Relena's arms. Relena held her close, and ignored the blank stares she was receiving from the young men in the room.
Quatre stood next to Trowa, and looked down at the body. 'Am I not seeing something?'
Trowa shoulders fell, and frowned in confusion. 'What would bother Usagi so much?' He studied the body closely; trying to see something that might bother her more than the fact that assassin was dead.
"Gomen nasasi Usagi." Usagi held Relena closer, and she thought sadly, 'How could you...oh otosan...'
Heero looked down at the body, in disinterest. He could see Relena staring at the unique tattoo on the man's arm. He studied it, and wondered why it had scared the young woman so much. He could also see, that it bothered Relena just as much.
He crossed his arms over his chest, and walked around the body, so that he stood across from Quatre and Trowa. He now stood next to Duo, who was staring blankly at the tattoo.
As he looked at the red tattoo again, he realized it was in Japanese. He read the characters, and realized he had seen it before, but where?
He looked at the blonde haired girl, she was crying again, and whispering she was sorry over and over again to Relena. He studied the situation, and suddenly the pieces came together. They were in Relena's room; the man had come for her, but found the blond. The blonde must know him, or the tattoo.
His eyes narrowed on the blond, and he thought silently, 'I'll figure you out, and expose you of your lies.'
He nodded, turned, and left the room. He walked slowly, stealthily, so that none heard him leave. Usagi looked up from Relena's shoulder, to see Heero disappear from the room. 'Oh kami, he knows...oh otosan what have you done now? Gomen, gomen nasasi to all of you.'
The crashing of the sea, blocked out the sounds of the world around her. High above her was the glorious Earth shining brightly as a star in its peak of light.
Towering over her, was the beautiful castle made of silver, shining like crystal. Large but graceful, it put the Earth's beauty to shame. All light colors, seemed to meld together as one splendid delicacy.
She knew what was to come next, and felt the sudden hit of the jumbling emotions; fear, terror, hope, pain, passion, grief, and finally anxiety, the strongest emotion of them all. She felt eyes upon her, watching her, and she knew she had to leave. Something was pulling her, telling her to hurry. Whispers flittered through the air about her, and she was aware of them being about her.
She started to run, following the path laid out before her. The wind pushed against her, trying to slow her down. Tears stung her eyes, and she forged through the gusts forcing her back.
A red rose passed by her, and a petal slowly fell to the floor. As it fell, it turned into a tear. The tear splashed onto the ground, and she could hear painful sobs. Another petal fell, and turned into another tear. A voice whimpered, as if still asleep, 'I don't want to...no more please...no more fi...'
She passed the rose, and voice died, and disappeared in the breeze. She looked ahead, not wanting to see what might be following her. The castle flashed with a bright light. On the highest tower, a bright light flashed, and flashed again. A figure seemed to step out in front of it, and cast a shadow across the path. The person seemed to beckon her forward, calling out to her. 'Hurry, before it's too late. Hurry, he's coming!!!!'
The urgency in the light, was so strong, it edged her closer, and closer. She felt a chill rise up her spine, and she nearly stopped running. But something in the voice from the light, made her keep going.
Suddenly she felt the heat of anger rise up from behind her. Terror lodged itself in her throat, and she couldn't help but look behind her. A black cloud lifted from the ground, and was coming after her. She gasped, and tried to pull away.
She felt the icy hands of death reach for her from behind. 'You're mine...mine...'
'Run, hurry, you're almost here, run get away quickly! He'll destroy you!'
She pulled away from the out stretched arms, and rushed into the trees blocking her from the castle. She heard the roar of rage crackle in her ears, ordering her to stop, to not go any further than she had already gotten. He grew closer, as if he was on top of her. She whimpered it fear, and tried to pull away again.
She could see the light in front of her, and she realized she would be safe in the lights glow. But then something grabbed her from behind, and darkness covered her within itself. Her eyes widened in horror, and she fought to get free.
'You're mine! Mine!!!!'
She struggled, and wrestled around with an imaginary enemy, who grabbed at her from all sides.
The hands ripped at her clothes, tore at her skin, and she cried in fear and pain. Then suddenly a light burst through the cloud of darkness, lighting up her attackers. Her eyes widen in shock, as she stared into the eyes of...
'Wake up! Hurry, wake up, he's going to get you, wake up NOW!'
?????
Her eyes snapped open, and she shot up in bed. She drew in a shaky breath, and tears fell from her eyes. She covered her mouth, and scrambled out of the bed. Quickly, she raced to the bathroom.
She threw open the door, and fell to her knees at the toilet. Her body heaved, and her back arched. Her hands turned white, as she gripped the seat of the toilet, and heaved again.
Her body trembled, and she moaned. Resting her head on her arm, she breathed deeply. She waited there for a few minutes, and then barely managed to stand. She dropped the lid of the toilet, and fell onto it. She rested her head against the wall behind her, and just breathed.
The nightmare was still fresh in her mind, but the images she saw were gone. Only the fear, desolation and pain were still there.
She opened her eyes again, and glanced down at her arms. She covered her mouth again, when a small gasp escaped her lips. She looked at the rest of her body, and a small sound bubbled from her throat. Her whole body was covered in red marks, as if something, or someone had cut her with their nails. The dullness left red flesh behind.
She climbed to her feet, and her knees buckled underneath her weight. She grabbed the edge of the counter, and held herself up. She looked at her reflection in the dark, and saw the bandage wrap around her forehead. She touched it, and winced. She barely recalled the afternoon. She remembered the fountain, and suddenly unable to control herself. And she remembered the storm. She shuddered at the thought.
She dropped her head, her chin resting against her chest.
'He's coming!!! Run! Hurry, run get away quickly!'
She frowned slightly, and pinched her nose to stop the forming headache. She heard a faint sound in the other room, but paid it no attention. Her mind was distracted.
'He'll destroy you!!!!'
She suddenly didn't feel alone in the bathroom anymore. Slowly she raised her head, and looked at the reflection in the mirror. Her heart seized its rhythm, and froze in her chest.
A man was staring at her through the bathroom mirror. Even though it was dark in the room, her eyes could very well make out his appearance near the bed. His back was pressed flatly against the bedroom wall on the other side of the large room. He had a black ski mask pulled over his face, so all that she could see nothing but the dark glint of his eyes through the well made round holes. A man, who was watching her watch him.
She suddenly felt the ice crawl sluggishly up her spine, and she felt like she was hyperventilating. Her nightmare was coming true.
'RUN!!! He'll destroy you!'
She shook her head, because, the man slowly pushed himself from the wall, and stalked across the room. She inhaled deeply, and she could feel the intense heat of hate radiating from him. He was angry, and it showed in his poster as he stealthily moved across the room.
He stepped into the doorway, and blocked her only exit. She cursed herself, but was stuck frozen in her spot, staring at him through the mirror.
He leaned against the doorframe, and she knew he was smirking at her. "Hello Relena." She opened her mouth in shock, and wanted to shake her head no, but couldn't move. She looked at her face in the mirror, and realized that in the darkness she had the eerie appearance of her itoko.
Slowly he stopped leaning against the frame, and she knew he was about to step into the bathroom. She didn't have time to think, but her mind seemed to take control of her frozen form of a body. She did a half turn, and threw herself at him. He shoulder rammed against his ribs, and she heard him grunt. She knocked him back, and out of the bathroom. He stumbled over his feet, and disappeared from her view. She tripped over her feet, and her hands grabbed onto the doorframe. She straightened herself up, and took a step back.
She couldn't see him anymore, but she could see the bedroom door. It looked so far away, but very inviting. Staying where she was, wasn't good. The bathroom resembled a small cage.
'He'll destroy you!!!'
She frowned slightly, and wondered if she should run. But going out there was like running out into the lion's den. Might as well stamp food on her forehead. She inhaled deeply, and cleared her mind. She had to take the chance. She ran out, and passed the man, who was leaning against the wall, trying to regain his breath, that she had knocked out of him.
As she passed him, she saw the gun held tightly in his hands. Her mind set off alarms in her head, but she didn't stop. She hurdled over her suitcase, and raced towards the single door. Just as she reached it, she heard a strange sound. The man had tripped over her suitcase in the darkness, and fell over, as he fell, he had pulled the trigger. She wouldn't even have known, if it wasn't for the bullet that had whizzed passed her ear, and hit the wall next to her.
She looked over her shoulder, and saw him trying to get to his feet fast enough. She opened her mouth, and screamed as loud as she could. She grasped the knob, and turned. But it didn't move, and tried again, and again. she looked down. She then realized what the sound had been when she was in the bathroom. He had broken the lock, and not just breaking it, it was jammed. She was locked in!
She turned around, her back pressed against the door, and a hand reached out, and grabbed her by the hair. She screamed, and she felt him pull her against him. A hand clamped over her face, and her scream was muffled. She struggled against him, but he then picked her up, and tossed her onto the bed. She bounced once on her stomach, and she tried to roll over.
Before she could move, he landed on her, and she cried out in fear. His hands pulled her wrists over her head, and tied them with something. Then he covered her mouth as she tried to scream, and stuffed it, with something dry, and she gagged in disgust.
She tried to wriggle beneath him, and in return, she felt the stunning blow of his fist to the side of her head. She moaned.
She barely registered the fact that he rolled her over onto her back. She stared up at him, through tied eyes. She could barely keep them opened. She tried to move her hands, but found them sticky, and stuck in place above her head.
The man pulled off the mask, and she felt tears spring from her eyes. She tried, and failed to wriggle free from his heavy body.
She felt the gun press to her temple, and felt the icy touch of death caress her skin, and sink deep into her bones. 'I don't want to die.'
'You're mine, mine!'
Her eyes slowly opened, and instead of the frightened look her attacker intended, he stared into dead black orbs. 'She's mine!' Then suddenly, she smashed her head against his, and he yelled in pain. He pulled back, and covered his head with his hands. Then suddenly, she rammed her knee into his groin. He cursed loudly, as he rolled off of her, "Fakku!!!"
She sat up, and threw out her leg. Her foot connected with his chin, with a snap. He was thrown back, and he fell off the bed. She bounced backwards onto her back, and thrusted her upper body forward. What held her wrists snapped, and she landed easily on her feet.
She peered over the bed, and watched as the man began to sit up. Suddenly there was pounding on the door. "Usagi!!!"
Her cold heartless eyes stared down into his soul. Standing on his feet, he had to look up at her. He studied her from where he stood, and as if he finally saw her, he whispered, "You're not Relena."
She scowled at him, and did a mid height kick, her foot slamming into his jaw in a roundhouse kick. His neck snapped, and he crumpled to the floor.
'You're mine!'
She blinked several times, and tears fell from her eyes. She gagged on the cloth that filled her mouth. She pulled it out, and raced to the bathroom. She lifted the lid, and heaved into the toilet. She gagged, and heaved her body trembling.
"Oh kami..." Tears fell freely down her face, and fell with a splash in the toilet. She could barely hear the shouts outside her door, and someone trying to break down her door.
She flushed the toilet, and moved away to lean against the wall. She pulled her knees to her chest, and sobbed into her hands. Her body shook with fear, and anxiety. The door to the bathroom creaked open, and her head shot up in alarm. A man stood in the doorway, and it took all her strength to not faint from fright.
He was tall, lean, and muscular. His skin was dark, even in the light of the moon, that had came out from behind the clouds. Her dressed differently than the man, whole laid dead at the end of her bed. His face, uncovered, stared darkly at her. His face deprived of emotion, and feelings. His eyes looked her over briefly; the depths of them entranced her. Their color dark, darker than hers with a tint of violet, Prussian blue orbs staring coldly at her.
His hair, dark and unruly brown locks, cut short in the back, and his bangs falling into his dark eyes.
He was dressed in black jeans that hugged his lean toned thighs, and a green turtle neck, that hugged his well-defined abs, and chest.
He crouched down, to be eye level with her. She knew she looked beyond like a mess, but she wondered if he even cared. He sensed her fear, much like an animal would. His eyes scanned her over slowly, then they checked out the bathroom. He calmly nodded, and the bedroom door splinted.
She jumped in alarm, but the man stayed calm. In his presence, she didn't feel threatened or fearful of him. He touched his lips with his finger telling her to stay quiet.
Suddenly the doorknob was hit with something metal, and fell to the floor. The door swung open, and a man she didn't recognize entered first. Then Trowa and Quatre came in.
The man next to her stood, and turned around. He leaned against the doorframe, and crossed his arms over his chest. Quatre saw her, and rushed towards her. Lights in the room came on.
"Usagi are you okay?"
Tears sprang from her eyes, as Quatre pulled her into his arms. "I killed him Quatre...He attacked me, and I couldn't stop myself. I tried, I really did..." She broke into uncontrollable sobs.
Quatre held her tightly to him, his arms wrapped around her waist. He glanced up at the man from the floor. Just then Trowa came in, with another man. "He's...dead."
Usagi clutched Quatre shirt in a cluster in her fists. "Oh kami..." She shook her head, and her hands shook.
Trowa frowned at Quatre, who whispered lightly into her ear, trying to sooth her, and stop her tears. His lips formed a straight line, and he crossed his arms over his chest. He cleared his throat, causing Quatre to look up slightly startled. "We need to clean this up, before word gets out.
"Usagi!!! Oh my kami! What happened, where's Usagi."
Quatre frowned, and whispered something to Usagi; she seemed to hold onto him tighter, before she reluctantly let go. He ran a hand through his hair, and stated, "I'll get Relena sama out of here. Duo, help Trowa get rid of the body."
Duo saluted to him, "Yes captain. Lets go Trowa!" Usagi looked up through blurry eyes, to the one named Duo. He was dressed darkly, and she suddenly recognized him. He had been on the steps, when Quatre and she had arrived barely three day ago.
He looked Quattre's age, with long hair. Chestnut strands, fell to his waist, in a thick dark braid. He was boyish looking, even with long hair, his eyes held a mischievous gleam in their cobalt blue depths. He was tall, but not as tall as the stranger, or Trowa.
Duo slapped on a grin, and followed Trowa out. He was the only one underdressed than the others. He was dressed only in a pair of black boxers that had twisted around his legs and she knew he must be uncomfortable.
Trowa wore the same as the night before, loose fitting black pants. His hair was disheveled, but it didn't damage his looks one bit.
Quatre was dressed in a white tank, and off white loose fitting pants. His hair was also messed up, and she realized that they all had been sleeping. She must have woken them up, when she screamed at the door.
She watched as the three left the bathroom, leaving her alone with the stranger. Duo poked his head in, and he looked at the man, "Now behave Heero. And make sure the babes okay, we can't have her getting sick ya know."
Usagi's eyes widen, and she flushed brightly. The man didn't look fazed, but he grunted, and glared at the shorter boy. Duo grinned, and left once more to help Trowa.
Usagi looked at the man, and thought, 'Heero?' She gasped slightly, when his gaze fell back onto her. He raised an eyebrow, and glanced over his shoulder.
Usagi forced herself to look away, and shifted around, till she sat criss crossed on the bathroom floor. She let her head rest against the wall behind her, and she whispered, "I didn't mean too, gomen nasasi, I didn't want to hurt..." Tears started to fall, and she whipped her eyes, to stop them before they would take over her emotions. She had to keep them in check.
She heard a soft grunt, and looked over at him. He was staring at him, his eyes placid as a lake with no wind.
In the light, she could see him fully, and his beauty took her breath away. Rugged but clean, strong but gentle, and very sexy.
There was a long pause, before he replied to her earlier muttering, "You did what you had to do to survive."
Usagi blinked, and wondered if he had spoken, or if it was her imagination. She recognized his voice, like she had heard it before, but with less feeling no emotion. Wanting to hear him again, she asked attentively, "What do you mean?"
Her voice cracked, and broke under the pressure of her emotions that had been pulled together and into a mess. He looked at her, and replied calmly, his voice warm but distant, "Life is about surviving, your mind acted on impulse, and that was to survive."
Usagi shook her head slightly, trying to process his words in her mind. They made no sense. She wanted to talk more, but he had turned his back to her.
Usagi bit her bottom lip, and watched as Trowa, Duo, and a few other men, carry out the body of her attacker.
As she watched, she saw something under his sleeve. It was red, and she shook her head in denial. "Wait!!!"
She scrambled to her feet, and ignored the stiffness. She pushed passed the one call Heero, and moved Duo out of her way so she could reach the dead man's body.
Quatre blinked in surprise, "Usagi, what are you doing?" Usagi ignored him, and tried to pull up the sleeve of the man's shirt. Heero came up behind her, and tried to pull her away. His arms encircled her waist, and he yanked her back. She bucked against him, and threw off his balance. He fell to the ground, and Usagi rushed to her feet. She came back to the body, and Trowa dropped it. It fell to the floor with a thud. Usagi fell to her knees, and ripped the sleeve from his to his shoulder. She peeled it apart, just as Heero grabbed her again, and pulled her to her feet.
Everyone stared down to the man's arm. He was dead; the way he laid made it obvious. His head was resting on its cheek, his eyes staring towards the bathroom door. His mouth slightly open, and his body was stiff.
His arm, laid at his side, the palm facing up. Usagi shook her head, slowly, and she whispered, "Iie."
She blinked back the tears, just as Relena forced her way back into the room. "What the hell is going on...?" Relena's eyes fell onto the prone body on the floor. She stared at the arm, and her gave flew to Usagi's trembling body.
She felt a small pang of jealousy, to see Usagi, held so close to Heero, but ignored it. "Usa..."
Usagi looked at her itoko, and tears fell from her eyes again. She shook her head, wanting to ignore the truth in front of her. Usagi pulled away from Heero, and fell into Relena's arms. Relena held her close, and ignored the blank stares she was receiving from the young men in the room.
Quatre stood next to Trowa, and looked down at the body. 'Am I not seeing something?'
Trowa shoulders fell, and frowned in confusion. 'What would bother Usagi so much?' He studied the body closely; trying to see something that might bother her more than the fact that assassin was dead.
"Gomen nasasi Usagi." Usagi held Relena closer, and she thought sadly, 'How could you...oh otosan...'
Heero looked down at the body, in disinterest. He could see Relena staring at the unique tattoo on the man's arm. He studied it, and wondered why it had scared the young woman so much. He could also see, that it bothered Relena just as much.
He crossed his arms over his chest, and walked around the body, so that he stood across from Quatre and Trowa. He now stood next to Duo, who was staring blankly at the tattoo.
As he looked at the red tattoo again, he realized it was in Japanese. He read the characters, and realized he had seen it before, but where?
He looked at the blonde haired girl, she was crying again, and whispering she was sorry over and over again to Relena. He studied the situation, and suddenly the pieces came together. They were in Relena's room; the man had come for her, but found the blond. The blonde must know him, or the tattoo.
His eyes narrowed on the blond, and he thought silently, 'I'll figure you out, and expose you of your lies.'
He nodded, turned, and left the room. He walked slowly, stealthily, so that none heard him leave. Usagi looked up from Relena's shoulder, to see Heero disappear from the room. 'Oh kami, he knows...oh otosan what have you done now? Gomen, gomen nasasi to all of you.'