Akina's notes: I am not going to answer any questions right now because I don't want to give away where this story is heading! I know the ending already and stuff; I just have to get there now. So sorry I can't tell you anything Sailor Grape and Jessica… Poor MooCow, sitting at her computer all this time waiting until this chapter. Lol ^_~ Please r/r!



Chapter 12:



It was the day before the start of the semester and the normally peaceful campus of the Peacecraft Academy was in turmoil. Students were all rushing about trying to find people with the same classes. Others were trying to find out where to go. Most of all though, everyone was getting ready for the dance. There had never been an event like this before at the Academy and everyone was looking foreword to it, even the professors.

Usagi had been thrilled to find that she knew at least one person in every class. Wufei and Duo were in her first hour, Rei and Trowa were in her second, Haruka was in her third, Quatre her fourth, Heero her fifth and then she had Haruka, Rei, and Duo in her sixth hour.

Looking over her actual classes made Usagi groan. Her first hour was physical education. Not only did she have to she have to get dirty and sweaty first thing in the morning, she had to do it in front of Duo. Usagi shook the thought out of her head. She shouldn't feel this way about Duo, she loved Mamoru! Realization hit like a wrecking ball hit a building. She had a crush on Duo! Thinking hard about the matter, she realized that she couldn't decide whom she liked more out of the two guys. Mamoru was so handsome, polite, and loving to her. Duo on the other hand was cute, hilarious and just downright lovable.

Duo watched as the object of his affection walked down the path. He admired the way she gracefully wove in and out of the crowd, and then he took back that thought when she tripped over her own two feet, landing on her back end. Laughing, he made his way over to her. "Need some help up there babe?"

The small blonde girl scowled at him. Immediately causing him to cease laughing. After he stopped, she took his outstretched hand gratefully. Once she was up, he continued to hold on to her hand, walking with her and hoping she didn't mind. She began to pull her hand away and his heart sank. She stopped in mid motion though and let her arm swing gently at her side. He smiled 'she must not have known what I was doing.' His thought was confirmed by a glance to her blushing face. "You want some company?" he asked hopefully.

For a moment he thought she was going to reject his offer. After considering the idea for a few seconds, much to Duo's delight, she nodded her head. He wondered what it was about this small, blonde, silly girl that shook its confidence. Duo had known a lot of girls, but none of them ever made him so desperate for them to like him back. With Usagi, he wanted, needed her to accept him and his small offers. The two walked in silence for a few minutes, but after awhile, it was to quiet for Duo so he decided to start a conversation. "So, you ready for the dance tomorrow?"

"Hai, I think I'm going to wear one of the dresses that I got when we all went shopping."

"Well, that's cool. You looked hot in every one of those. Then again, I think you'd look hot if you wore a burlap sack," he complimented honestly.

Usagi flushed a deep shade of pink. "Thank you, I wish I could say the same about you, but I think that you would look pretty ridiculous in a sack shaped like a dress," she teased.

"You shouldn't have said that," said Duo playfully, letting go of her hand.

"Well, you would," Usagi emphasized her statement.

"No, I mean you shouldn't have said that."

"Why?"

"Because, now you are going to have to pay," Duo faked a growl and leapt at her, intending to tackle her on the grass next to the path that they were walking on. To his surprise, instead of landing on a girl he landed on the grass. Dirt in his gaping mouth. Looking up he saw Usagi taking off down the path

"Betcha can't catch me!" she called turning around in time to see him get up off the ground and begin to chase her, eyes glittering with mirth. Laughing, she began to run again.

She wasn't running her full speed, Duo knew. He had seen her run from the yoma, 'being a senshi must keep her in really good shape.' It surprised him that her being a senshi didn't matter to him. It actually made her seem even more appealing in a sense. 'Magical butt-kicking chicks. Now that's something I could enjoy. Heck, even Wufei might enjoy himself watching a bunch of onnas kick ass,' he thought as he pursued his prey.

Running a bit slower, Usagi pretended to tire. She was having fun, but she was curious as to what Duo had in store for her once he caught her. She could hear his feet hitting the pavement behind her a bit louder now. They kept getting closer she smiled; knowing her 'capture' was going to follow soon. She felt Duo's arms circle about her waist and then her feet were no longer touching the ground. She pretended to struggle.

Both of them laughing, he sort of gently flung her down on the grass. For a few moments they wrestled playfully on the grass, then after a few moments, she pinned him. After the match, they laid side by side in the fragrant grass, enjoying each other's company. Rolling on his side, Duo gazed at Usagi's face. In his eyes, she was what perfection should look like. She was an awesome girl! She knew how to have fun, and laughed at his jokes. Which in Duo's mind was a giant plus. He then realized how close they were. His breath caught in his throat as he inched slowly towards her face. Locking eyes with her for a second, then closing them as he brushed his lips against hers.

When he started to kiss her, Usagi was first shocked. Then, she noticed how natural it felt and just enjoyed the kiss, which seemed to end too soon. Looking into his eyes, she wondered, 'when was the last time she had this much fun with Mamoru?' Usagi couldn't remember a time when they had done anything like this.

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Rei sighed as she looked at the decorations that were up in the large open courtyard. There was so mush to do still, and she only had one day to accomplish them. Relena had helped a little, but it was obvious to the violet eyed girl the Relena was not meant to plan these sort of things. That and with the poor girls busy schedule, Rei had no idea how she kept her head on straight. As little help as she had been though, she had made life a little easier by supplying funds and crew members to help with everything.

"Iie, that banner is not straight. Raise the right side up a bit and lower the left. There yes that's it," after taking care of that problem Rei turned to the next.

"Ms. Hino, where do you want these lanterns?" asked a boy that looked to be about seventeen.

"String them up around the tents and around the perimeter of the court yard," she ordered.

"What about these flowers?" questioned another boy that looked a bit younger then the last.

"Put them in the vases in the boxes over there, three per vase, one of each color. Make sure there is a little water in them to keep them alive and then begin to place them on the tables, one per table in the center. Come to me to see what to do with the leftovers or if you run out of a color," she hoped that the boy would be able to catch all of what see said since she hardly understood herself. He seemed to since he nodded then headed off in the direction that she had indicated. Since no other pressing matters were presenting themselves at the moment, she closed her eyes and took deep calming breath.

"You are doing such a good job Rei-san!" Rei turned to see Relena entering the courtyard with Heero in tow. Rei smiled, the seemingly emotionless boy followed Relena like puppy dog sometimes. It was obvious they both cared for each other even though they never showed much affection to each other.

"Thank you Relena-san, does everything look O.K.?"

"O.K. isn't how I would describe it. What you have done here is incredible! I'm truly grateful for all the work you've put into this. It means a lot to me," Rei was glad that Relena liked what she had done. If the young owner hadn't liked it, she might have killed her.

Instead of voicing he thoughts, Rei simply smiled and waved off the flattery, "It's no problem really." The clock that was in the center of the Academy struck noon, making Rei notice that she hadn't eaten anything yet today. Her stomach must have remembered too since it let out a loud growl. Rei felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment.

"Don't you know that it's not exactly healthy for you to not eat?" questioned Trowa, entering Rei's line of vision from off to the side.

"I just haven't had time. I'll eat when I finish."

Trowa raised an eyebrow, "well, from the looks of it that might not be until tomorrow. Why don't you let me buy you lunch. I have a few questions I have to ask you anyway, might as well be over something to eat."

Rei laughed, "for some reason you just sounded a lot like Usagi or Duo." A small smile appeared on the tall boy's lips. 'He's really cute,' thought Rei making her cheeks flush once again.

"You go on ahead Rei-san, I'll watch over the preparations," offered Relena. She was worried about the girl that had become her friend, and her not eating.

"Well, all right then, but no longer then an hour. I don't want too much to happen while I'm gone." Rei followed Trowa out of the courtyard. "So, what is it that you wanted to ask me about?" prompted Rei.

"I was wondering about the yoma and if you have found anything else about them or it or whatever it is," said Trowa. His voce was naturally quiet, but upon mentioning the new enemy, his voice dropped to almost a whisper. He seemed that he was afraid that just speaking about it would cause a dead woman to fly out of thin air and attack him. Rei chuckled inwardly at the thought.

"Iie, I haven't found anything out. My meditations aren't as effective as they are when I'm near the great fire," she explained one of her hunches that she hadn't sensed anything lately. Even though she felt that it was one of the weaker ones it was the one she offered to Trowa. The tall boy must have not thought it felt right either since he shook his head.

"For some reason, I don't think that's it. I don't think you think so either." Rei had to agree with him. She just wondered how he read her so well. She had thought that she w made her true feelings on the subject unknown. "What is the main reason why you can't sense the enemy?" he questioned.

Thinking hard, Rei gave him an answer, choosing her words carefully. "Well, I think it's because they aren't really in this time. That would make my perception of the future all weird. Especially if the yoma are living either in the realm that holds the Time Gate or if they are living in the past." She looked in his eyes to gauge his reaction. There was none but thoughtfulness.

"There's a lot more to this then your letting on too," he paused and gestured towards a door into a clean looking restaurant, "We're going I here. I'm wondering why you aren't telling us. I know that it's not just because we aren't senshi, you haven't told everything to your friends either. Though I think that they know more then me," Rei stared at Trowa the whole time he was talking in utter shock. Had she really been that easy to read? How much did he really know?

"You're right. I haven't told anyone everything. I have a good reason though," she said in answer to his unasked question. When she was greeted with silence she continued. "I don't really know exactly what is going on. I don't want to give out false information and have everyone going ballistic on me. We have to be as calm as possible so we can handle what comes our way."

Trowa didn't press the matter any further. He wondered what she was hiding from him, but how many times had he hidden something from people? He had no right to know whatever it was that she was keeping locked up in her soul. "Well, what do you wan to eat?" he asked changing the subject slightly.

Staring at the menu, Rei couldn't decide what she wanted. She was so hungry that she could have eaten anything on the menu. It all sounded so good. Her stomach growled at her, agreeing. 'Man, I'm getting to be too much like Usagi-chan these days.'

Noticing Rei's undecided look Trowa suggested something, "How about we both get a burger and fries, and then if you're still hungry we can order dessert." Nodding, Rei agreed. After ordering their food, the two sat in silence. Despite their lack of words, it wasn't awkward between them. Instead it was more like a companionship type silence that told the other if they wanted to talk the other would listen.

"So, what are your order of your classes?" asked Rei. She wondered if she would know anyone but Haruka, Usagi, and Duo. She knew she had second hour with him thanks to Usagi, but she was curious if anymore would be the same.

"History, chemistry, physical education, literature, geometry, and a drama class," Trowa replied.

"Well, looks like I'll have the first three classes with you," said Rei with a smile. She was happy someone she knew was going to be in the first three classes. Maybe he could even show her around a bit. The idea made her stomach flutter. He was so incredibly hot. She wondered why she hadn't noticed before. She looked into his eyes, well eye at least. It was such a beautiful shade of green. She could get lost in that eye. Realizing that she was staring at him made her flush a bit. She quickly looked away, but she couldn't keep him out of her line of vision. His presence was there, surrounding her.

Trowa felt his heart skip a beat when Rei stared into his eye. The girl was beautiful and the aspect of her being interested in someone like him gave him goosebumps. It had taken a lot of encouraging from Quatre to ask her to lunch. Even then he made it seem as if he just wanted to know about more about the yoma. At that moment he wished that he could have Duo's confidence. If he had that kind of confidence then he would have asked this girl the one question that he couldn't figure out how to say. Taking a deep breath, he decided to follow his best friend's advice and just ask. The worst she could do was say no. Which would cut deeper than any type of weapon. Still, he needed to know, and the easiest way to do it was this way.

"Rei-chan, I was wondering something," he started. Catching her attention. "Would you like to go with me to the dance?" He tried to keep his voice level, but it rose a bit at the end of the sentence in his hopefulness.

Rei's eyes widened in shock. This had been the last thing she expected would come from his mouth. Girls would be lining up to go to the dance with him and he picked her? She was extremely happy, and that was the understatement of the century. "Hai Trowa-kun, I would love to go with you."

A smile spread across Trowa's lips. Not his usual small smile, but a large goofy grin. He wouldn't have noticed if one of restaurants' plants turned into a dog and started doing the limbo with a cactus. Their food came and both of them ate the food as if they were in a dream, a very happy dream with lots of sunshine and rainbows.

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A.N.: Well, hope you all enjoyed that. It was one of those romancey type chapters. It was lots of fun to write though, well, please review! Come back soon for the next chapter, yes MooCow, I changed that just for you! You know, your reviews always make me laugh in some way… Thank you! Sailor Grape and Jessica, you two are still giving awesome reviews! So Thanks! Thanks be to anyone who has reviewed!