All right, here's chapter 4, up for the weekend because I'm bored right now, my homework's done, and if I put this up, no one will be able to see the stupidity of my thrice-posted chapter 2. Hey, just because I can write doesn't mean that I can work a computer.
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In Times of Peace
Part 4
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Driana was pulling her long, white silk nightgown on over her head when there was a knock at her door. "Come in." she called out as she picked up her brush and began to run it through her thick, red mane. At the same time, Isanu entered in her little black slip of a nightgown, smiling mischievously as she flopped down on Driana's bed.
"Spill." Isanu demanded simply.
"What are you talking about, Isanu?" Driana's brow furrowed slightly as she set down her brush and began plaiting her hair for the night.
"You know what I mean. Don't play with me, Driana." Isanu shook her head slightly. "I'll tell you all about Duo and I if you tell me what you and Quatre did once we left you two to your own devices."
"I really don't understand what you mean." Driana tossed her arms up as she sat down next to Isanu, curling her legs beneath her.
"I'm not stupid, Driana. Don't patronize me. I know you have some sort of crush on my baby brother." Isanu explained.
"Why do you think that?" Driana asked, trying to widen her eyes innocently, but her sudden blush belied the expression.
"It's so obvious, Driana." Isanu clasped her hands together and affected a starry-eyed expression, "Oh, Quatre, you're so sweet and so wonderful and so pretty!" Both girls collapsed in giggles at the obvious imitation of Driana's behavior.
"I'm not that bad, am I?" Driana wanted to know.
"Okay, maybe not, but you're really close." Isanu admitted before leaning forward excitedly. "So, tell me what you guys did!"
"Nothing, actually. We talked." Driana shrugged.
"You just talked? I don't believe you!" Isanu laughed, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. "What did you guys talk about, then?"
"Lots of things, to tell you the truth." Driana told her. "We talked a little about Duo and you, his chances and all that."
"And what do you think?" Isanu asked.
"The poor boy puts out an admirable effort, but I think he's doomed. Especially if you give him that idiotic test you give to every man who you get semi-serious about." Driana opined. "Though I doubt he'll make it that far. I don't think he's got the instincts." Both girls giggled again, this time at Duo's expense.
"I kissed him, you know." Isanu offered. Driana's jaw dropped.
"You didn't!" She squealed in excitement. "Was it any good?"
"Well, if you promise not to tell him, it was one of the sweetest things I've ever had." Isanu blushed, a rare enough sight. "But don't tell him, please. It'll get to his head, and that's the last thing he needs."
"He's probably had a lot of experience, Isanu. He's very good looking, don't you think?" Driana blushed slightly at her own words. Isanu giggled and tossed Driana's own pillow at her.
"Why are you looking? I thought you were more interested in Quatre." Isanu asked in mock indignance.
"There's no law saying I can't look. Plus, I didn't ask to see him in his underwear, it just happened." Driana explained, giggling herself.
"What are you doing thinking of Duo in his underwear? I thought you meant that his face was good looking. You better leave him alone, I've got first claim." Isanu and Driana both collapsed in girlish laughter.
"Shut up, you hypocrite. I saw you flirting with Wufei at the dinner table." Driana shot back. "And with Duo right there. He looked like he was going to explode with jealousy."
"That was the idea." Isanu arched her eyebrow knowingly. "I can't have him getting the wrong idea just because of one little kiss."
"Then maybe you shouldn't have been so impulsive." Driana laughed. "I left you two alone for no time, and you jumped all over the boy."
"All we did was kiss!" Isanu defended herself. "And only once!"
"Once, huh?" Driana asked incredulously.
"Okay, maybe it was twice, now that I think of it." Isanu admitted, a wicked smile creeping over her lips. "Besides, it isn't my problem if you're mad that you're to prude to make a move on my brother."
"I'm not prude!" Driana tossed the pillow back. "I just don't climb all over guys right after we've first met. There's a big difference. Besides, we had a lovely conversation."
"About Duo and I?" Isanu scoffed.
"That's not all we talked about." Driana informed her friend defensively. "We talked about…my past, you know. And I told him about Sukon. And he told me that I'm beautiful." Driana's face became a bright shade of red.
"Oh, that's so cute!" Isanu smiled brightly. "Why can't I ever find an innocent sweet boy like that?"
"Because, you'd rip his heart out and destroy it." Driana giggled. "You really should be nicer to Duo, or you'll drive the poor boy insane."
"I'll think about it." Isanu sighed. "But this way is so much more fun." Both girls collapsed in a loud fit of giggles, disturbing the poor men trying to sleep just down the hall, and making them all wonder just what those two could be up to.
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The next morning, Isanu and Driana woke up at about the same time, and they were walking down the stairs together when they were stopped by Duo. He was standing on the bottom step, leaning against the wall casually with one foot on the banister. He smiled smoothly at the two young women, greeting them both in turn.
"Good morning, Driana. You're looking good, Isanu." Duo winked at the dark-haired girl who rolled her eyes in irritation.
"Yes, good morning." Isanu answered dryly. "Now would you move your leg? We'd like to get through." Duo suddenly smiled mischievously and Driana cringed, hoping he didn't have any bright ideas.
"All right, honey. But you've got to pay the toll." He smirked, causing Driana to groan as Isanu slunk up to him seductively. She placed one soft hand on the side of his face as she looked up at him through full, black lashes.
"And what would that be?" she asked, her voice silky smooth as she brushed a stray lock of chocolate hair back from Duo's face. He looked extremely pleased with himself at this point, but Driana could smell the danger in the air.
"You just gotta give me a little kiss, sweetcheeks." Duo breathed softly.
"Really?" Isanu rose an ebony eyebrow as Duo nodded, leaning toward her in anticipation. "I'm all out of kisses, sadly. How's this?" Isanu balled up her free hand in a fist and buried it in Duo's stomach before he knew what was happening. He keeled over, falling off the stairs and groaning.
"I…Isanu." He croaked. The green-eyed girl stepped around his curled up body, giggling lightly at her own handiwork.
"I told you, Duo." She smiled sweetly at him. "Don't ever call me sweetcheeks. Next time, I may aim lower." Isanu paused. "Am I clear?" Duo nodded vigorously, still clutching his stomach in pain. Isanu smiled fondly at Duo and lowered herself beside him, reaching for his face. Duo shied away, not trusting her intentions any longer, but she caught his trailing braid and pulled him to her so that his face was only inches from her own. "Good." She whispered, planting a small kiss on his forehead. She dropped Duo's head then, rising quickly and making her way toward the kitchen. Driana stepped down next to the still-shocked Duo and shook her head sadly.
"Duo," Driana brushed her freshly washed hair behind her shoulder, "I said for you to use charm, not to forget what charm is." She smiled, letting out a laugh as Duo rose to his feet slowly. "That was very clever, Duo. Pay the toll? Very impressive." Driana laughed as she left Duo, following Isanu to the kitchen for some breakfast.
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The End (Of Part 4, That Is)