CHAPTER 7
Everybody was rushing around, getting things organized to be put aboard. People were loading their bags into cargo once again, but not for the last time. It would be a routine that they would follow every once in a while when they left. She walked around idly, her possessions already packed, the animals situated and quieted. Now she was just killing time, a lonely prospect. Trowa and Catherine were getting their things on board and also helping with what they could to make everything go quicker. There was still a lot to go. She almost felt like grabbing her sketchbook and working on the pattern she was half done with. Her lips pursed. 'Why not?' She looked around the hustle and bustle. 'Like I have anything ELSE to do before takeoff?' Turning an abrupt 180, she strolled to her duffle and retrieved the book with the pencil. Going back out of the shuttle again, she found a nearby tree to sit in. Well...tree being the operative word. All the limbs at the top of the trunk spread out like widespread fingers from a palm. There was plenty of room to sit on and still be in sight.

She stopped before it and looked up. The tree had PLENTY of places to sit, not just on the bottom. She looked at the near flat opening. 'But I wouldn't want to be left behind.' the possibility was a niggling thought in her mind. She looked at the ground. 'I don't want to leave.' She thought, almost sadly. The past two weeks had been a dramatic change for her. Emotions HAD set ground in L-4 and she didn't want to part with them. She looked around the docking bay area. 'Such an unexpected turn my life has taken.' She marveled. She never expected to find a friend in the man that sent them here. He seemed like an intruder to her privacy at first, but when he let go of a little piece of himself, she followed suit. It was easier to do than she thought. He was the prime reason she didn't want to leave. If she stayed, she knew she would be back to her old self, the burden lifted from her. They had talked a few times about her past, though she still left out that she murdered her father. It was too horrible a burden to place on anybody; the knowledge might change a person's viewpoint. Though with all she'd said, he never looked down on her, never provided a cross word about her situation. It made her think that maybe men weren't ALL bad.

She lightly jumped off the ground and landed on the flat stretch. Her job was done and now she could relax. Leaning against one of the reclining limbs, she flipped to the rose pattern and continued to write out possible colors for each one and continue the vines she started.

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Once everything was able to progress smoother without their help, Trowa and Catherine stepped from the shuttle. Once off the steps leading to the cockpit, Catherine stretched her back. "Oh, that was more lifting than I'd done in WEEKS." She moaned through taunt muscles. Trowa threw an amused expression her way. She itched part of her head and looked at him. "So what do you wanna do now?" He stared at her, not really caring.

"Whatever you want to do Cathy. We have a little while till the ship departs."

'Though I DO hope Quatre can get out of his meeting before we leave.' He prayed silently. He wanted to say goodbye to his friend, for now. He didn't like saying those words, and they weren't really true. He knew that they would meet up again; it would just be a matter of time before fate crossed their paths.

Linking an arm with his, she tugged him away from the ship. "Then let's go for a walk before we go. You know, just to look at the colony one last time before we leave." He followed slowly and they fell in step.

"You say that like we're never coming back here." He commented monotone. She shrugged.

"Well you never KNOW when colonies will move around. It's a strange world. Take a look at US." She smiled slightly.

Trowa absently looked around and found Washu reclining not too far from them. Her hair was down again. He inwardly smiled. 'I guess Quatre hit a spot with her. That's the third time this week I've seen it loose.' He knew about their little talk. He questioned her hair the first time he'd seen her and Quatre shared his little secret.

"You just have to be overly friendly and empathetic." He explained with a smile. Trowa raised an eyebrow.

"I don't know if I can do that my friend." He denied slightly.

"Oh it's not hard. Just act normal around her. I know you're more emotional than you let on Trowa. Just be there when she needs it, but don't push her." His head tilted. "Why don't you share some of your life history with her? Give her something she can relate to."

He shook his head minutely. 'That would be easy if I remembered anything from my life.' He thought. It was one thing he couldn't share in common with the girl. He didn't remember his past. All he knew was the war and training for it. The rest was a mystery to him.

"Hey, it's Washu." Cathy piped up. He shook himself from his thoughts and eyed his companion. She smiled. "Hey Washu!" She called out. The girl looked up and his sister waved to get her attention. Washu gave a lopsided smile and watched them walk a few steps before looking back down again. "Let's go see what she's doing." She urged. He couldn't argue and let himself be drug over.

Washu looked up again and saw the two in front of her. She set the pencil through the spiral binding and leaned back. "We going?" She asked. Cathy shook her head and clambered onto a low riding limb.

"Nope. We have a little while. Just wondering what you were up to was all." Both arms draped over the bark, allowing her to rest her chin comfortably. Washu held up her sketchbook.

"Just working on my pattern."

"Still?" Trowa asked. She looked at him. He crossed his arms and looked out at the mess they were once in. She nodded and looked at the rough draft.

"It has to fit a large portion of my dress. I won't be able to make it fit the entire thing, but I'll be able to use this more than once."

"I can't wait to see this thing finished." Catherine commented. She looked at the top of the notebook since she faced Washu. The two locked eyes. "May I?" She leaned back a little and extended a hand. Washu stared at it and figured there was no harm in looking. She knew Catherine wouldn't berate her for an idea. She nodded and passed it over. Catherine leaned back on her backside and stared. Both eyebrows rose. "Wow, HOW long have you been working on this?" She asked in awe. The roses were shadowed beautifully, as were the vines. Everything looked extremely realistic.

"Do you know when you gave me the sketchbook?" She asked. Catherine's eyes shot to hers.

"THAT long?! Wow. Well, it's GOOD." Trowa found his eyes slowly roaming over to Cathy. His head slowly turned so he could get a better look, but she held it completely sideways. A hand uncrossed itself from the hold.

May I?" He asked suddenly. Both women looked at him slightly surprised. Cathy didn't think he'd be interested in Washu's work and Washu couldn't believe he WANTED to see her work. She felt a little blush start and looked up into the tree, avoiding him. She didn't want to see any facial expressions if he didn't like it. Why his opinion mattered to her was a small mystery, but he was quickly worming his silent way into her graces. She now considered Cathy a good friend and ally, Trowa was getting to the friend stage. She honestly didn't know what she considered Quatre. He very well could've been a friend as well as ally. He was certainly a good associate of hers that was certain.

Trowa held the book up, studying it. It was well detailed, his curiosity was peaked to see it in thread. He handed it back to Washu. "You're very talented." He softly commented. She looked back to him, startled. "It's a very detailed design. Even if it doesn't go on fabric." She slowly took the notebook with slightly wide eyes. He stared at her with his face a mask before looking back at the shuttle. She stared at the back of his head befuddled. Cathy mentally smirked. Trowa just complimented her, twice. She eyed Washu and looked away when the girl turned her eyes to hers. Together, the three hung around or on the tree just watching the workers load up a few bags they had left over. Many had gone inside to get situated, some staggered around outside to enjoy a last look.

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"Please hurry, I don't want to miss the launch." He slightly begged.

"I'm going as fast as I can Master Quatre." The chauffer replied. Leaning back in the seat, he felt dejection settle in. His lips pursed in a small pout as he stared at the carpet in the car.

"We'll get there in plenty of time Master Quatre." Rashid assured. He looked out the window. "See? Just two more blocks to go." Quatre looked out the window, antsy to see his friends before they left. He didn't want to miss saying farewell. He looked at their third passenger with a smile.

"Sorry I had to cut out so early." He apologized. His friend smiled.

"That's no problem Quatre." She assured. "I'll get to meet these friends of yours finally." She smiled. "I highly doubt they'll leave without you being able to say goodbye to them. You DO own this colony." He grinned and looked out the window.

It finally pulled into the port and he nearly jumped from the car before it stopped. "Quatre!" Rashid bellowed. It was dangerous to take such risks; he didn't want his master getting hurt.

He skidded to a stop, nearly a dozen paces ahead. "Hurry UP you guys!" He yelled back. Turning again, he took off in a quick jog around the small number of circus workers that were still around. His blue eyes scanned the area for Trowa and Washu, but he didn't find them around the shuttle. His hand shot out and cupped the forearm of one passerby. "Excuse me, do you know where Trowa and Washu are?" He asked.

"They haven't been seen for a while sir. Sorry." He gave a sympathetic smile and Quatre let the man continue his way. He felt a pang of regret that the group would already be inside. He MISSED them?

'Damn that meeting.' He mentally cursed. He looked around, but was in vain. 'I KNEW I should've rescheduled it till AFTER the launch but NNNOOOOO.' He sighed.

The two finally caught up with him. Rashid shook his head. "Master Quatre, you shouldn't run off like that." He lightly scolded.

"Sorry Rashid." He muttered. Both hands rested in his pockets. "I just wanted to say goodbye before they left, but no one has seen them and I think they're already inside by now." He looked at the windows of the shuttle, feeling sadness prick through his veins.

"Um, Quatre?" He blinked sadly, still looking at the shuttle.

"Yes Diva?" He asked monotone. She smiled slightly, at the use of her nickname.

"There's some people nearby that're waving and pointing over here." She touched his arm, catching his attention. Quatre's eyes spun over to the tree the trio was lounging around and they lit up. Cathy was waving an arm to get his attention, the other two placidly looking at him. Washu was smiling slightly from the elder woman's antics. He grinned widely and took off in their direction. Rashid sighed.

"That boy is going to be the death of me yet." He muttered. Still standing by him faithfully, she snickered.

"No Rashid, I think your own tenseness will be the death of you." She grabbed his arm and dragged him after her friend.

Quatre skidded to a stop near the three. "I thought I missed you guys." He commented lightly, happy he didn't. Cathy smiled.

"Aw, we wouldn't leave without saying goodbye Quatre." She joked. Washu nodded with a small smile. Quatre beamed.

"I take it the meeting ran late?" Trowa lightly joked. Quatre shook his head with a smile, the troubles of the chairmen now behind him.

"I'm going to forget that ever happened." He recanted. Trowa's eyes shone his light mood, the rest of his face placid. "But at least the chairmen agreed to sign the contract." Catherine beamed, Trowa nodded his congratulations to his friend, and Washu smiled at him. During their talks, she'd come to learn of his business at managing his father's affairs. She held him in new respect ever since.

"Well done Quatre." She softly stated. He smiled her way.

"Can I speak with you Washu?" He asked. She blinked baffled and nodded after a second. Standing, she hopped from her spot, leaving her notebook.

"Will you watch over that Catherine?" She asked. The woman nodded and picked it up as the two walked away. The woman looked at Rashid and the short girl standing next to him. "Hi, I'm Cathy." She stuck out her hand with a smile.

"Divinity, but friends call me Diva." Divinity said smiling.

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The two walked a ways away from the shuttle and the tree, now alone. Washu knew Quatre wanted to say goodbye, but she didn't want to hear those words. She didn't want to say goodbye to the one person that successfully opened her up. She didn't think it was possible that one person could touch her soul so thoroughly, but he walked right through any barriers she'd set up.

Quatre stopped their walk and turned to the silent girl. She met his eyes sadly. He could see the longing to stay written in her eyes and he felt the longing to keep her here. He knew the two of them could become good friends, but there was no time. There were other shows on other colonies that they were going to. He wouldn't be able to get to any more of them, now he was glad he could see what he could. He was happy to be able to have such in-depth conversations with such an interesting person. She had changed and opened up to him in ways she admitted that she hadn't in a long time. He smiled slightly to her.

"I don't want to say goodbye, goodbyes are forever. So let's just call this a farewell for now." He lamely joked. She managed a small smile for a second, but it dropped.

She looked at the ground. She was floored with the emotions she felt. She hadn't been like this since she felt her father go off to war so long ago. It was like opening old wounds again, ones that recalled more pain than she cared to remember. She couldn't help it, she felt a kinship with this kind person and now she would not know such compassion for some time. She felt the need to do something to pay him back for all he'd done for her, but she didn't know how. She didn't know how to put it in words or gain the courage to do what her heart was trying to tell her.

A hand rested on her shoulder lightly. She looked up into those Earth sky eyes, sad with a little forced carefree in them. "Hey, am I going to get a silent goodbye to match the silent hello I first got?" He smiled slightly, the corners of his eyes crinkling. Her jaw clenched. She just couldn't talk. His head tilted. "It's okay. I know you'll miss me, I can see it in your eyes." He managed a smile. "I'll miss you too. You make sure to keep Trowa in line for me okay?" His eyes shone slightly. She knew it was hard for him to let his new and old friends go. Who knew when he would be able to see the circus again?

Their eyes locked and she felt herself blank. Her heart took the reigns and controlled every movement. Slowly, but surely, she stepped forward and lightly hugged him. Quatre was overly stunned, but recovered with a tight hug of his own. His heart rejoiced that she took such a large step on her own to show outward emotions. "I'll do just that for you Quatre." She softly answered. His chin rested on her shoulder as he looked at the shuttle. Everything was gone from it and only a handful of people milled around. He nodded minutely against her. "We'll see each other again my friend." He pulled away enough to look at her with wide eyes. "I'll make sure of that." She smiled tenderly at him.

"I'll hold you to that my friend." He whispered. She nodded gently and broke their hold. "I'll walk back with you, I'd like to say goodbye to Trowa." She nodded and the two walked instep in silence back to the shuttle. She stopped in front and put a hand on his arm.

"I'll board now. This's confusing me, but I can't stand to drag it out." She excused. He nodded.

"I know what you mean Washu. It's okay." He quickly hugged her again and watched as she jogged up the stairs, out of sight. Sighing, he looked at his remaining friends who faithfully stayed outside to talk with him. He slowly walked over to the two. Cathy stepped forward as they met and hugged him tightly.

"I'm making this quick. I don't want to see you cry and I don't want to get blubbery about this." She badly joked. The two pulled back and she gave him a watery smile. "Which's too late to say I'm afraid." She looked at the ground and wiped a tear the gathered at the front of her eye. "We'll see each other again. Just talk to the Ringmaster. I'm sure he'd love to come out again and put on a show." She winked and took off for the stairs.

Trowa looked at the ground as he searched for the words to say. This was all too familiar to him. He was also confused at what he was feeling when Washu hugged his friend. It was a longing or jealousy, but there was no point in being jealous of his friend. He had Divinity to tend to. The girl was nice but a little on the talkative side. The two were really good for each other. He could sense she was a good person.

"This seems familiar." Quatre softly commented. He smiled slightly. Trowa looked at the ship and nodded minutely. "I'm going to miss having you around again Trowa." He said. Trowa looked at him.

"Times have changed my friend. We all have our things to look after." His eye twinkled. "You have a developing friendship to work on with Divinity." Quatre ducked his head with a sheepish smile. Trowa smiled slightly, having struck a good-natured nerve with his friend. "I imagine you'll be too busy with that to think much of me." Quatre smirked and met his gaze.

"And I think you'll be too busy with your developing relationship with WASHU to heed ME much mind." He threw back. Trowa blinked. "Don't look at me like that. You remember what we talked about; I know you do. Just keep it all in mind and be yourself. Don't be afraid to feel Trowa. You'll be surprised how things will change if you just let go and act on your feelings." What Heero said during the war struck a chord in his mind. He nodded slightly.

"I shall miss your friendship Quatre." Trowa softly said. Quatre nodded and lightly hugged his friend. Again, it took Trowa a second to respond before he hugged back.

"And I will miss you Trowa." He whispered. Trowa looked at the top of his blond hair. The two pulled away when first call to board sounded. "You have to go now." He muttered, looking away. Trowa stared at his friend and knew this was hard for him. He was finding it a little frustrating himself to have to leave again. He felt more at ease when he was near Quatre. The Arab knew his real self and it was nice to know that. He didn't have to say a word to his friend, Quatre knew him by just looking at him. He nodded.

"We'll meet again my friend. Just let fate cross our paths down the road." Taking a few steps back, he waved before turning to the stairs. Quatre waved until Trowa was out of sight and then dropped his hand sadly. Both slowly moved to rest in his pockets, no energy left to put them to use. He left the area and walked back to the car where the others were waiting for him.

The chauffer opened the car and he slowly got in, sitting down heavily on the interior. Rashid looked at Divinity, then at his master. "Will you be okay Master Quatre?" He softly asked.

Nibbling on his fingers, his ears listened as the throttles took the ship into the air and out of the colony. Glassy eyes stared transfixed at the carpet in the back. He felt loneliness eat at his soul. His best friend had left; he could feel it. He was probably past the gravitational field reserved to guide ships safely into port and on his way to the next colony. His eyes moved to the window and he blankly stared out. He missed Trowa and Washu already. Using the arm of the door, his elbow propped against it, allowing his chin elevation as he stared out.

The silence in the car was getting to Divinity. She stared at her friend and knew it must be torment to let someone so apparently cherished leave his side. She knew that she and Quatre were good friends, but it was nothing compared to what those two must've done to him. They had to've made a large impact on his life. "Quatre?" She softly asked. Reaching over, she gently laid a hand over his knee, catching his attention and numb blue eyes. Concern washed over her. "Will you be alright?" She softly asked. He managed a small smile before looking out the window again. His heart was searching for the strength he felt whenever Trowa and he were together. Staring at the colony sky, resolve pricked his mind.

'He's left before and he's always come back, hasn't he?' He thought to himself. 'You have a job to do. Don't waste time in mourning his depart when he would demand you stop.' Blinking away the clouds, he looked at Divinity and smiled at her slightly.

"I will be." He softly answered.

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Once the ship set a steady course for the next colony, the passengers were allowed to roam free. Washu immediately headed back for cargo, floating gracefully this time. Her voyage was a silent one, heeding no one any mind. She was saddened and felt isolation at their departure. She couldn't understand it. It was as if she left something important on L-4. In truth, she did.

She headed for the lion cages, seeking their comfort and companionship that they excluded happily. She sensed it as soon as they set eyes on her, but it did little to help her. Two tails swayed slowly as she floated closer. Both hands gripped the bars as she stopped in front, looking down on them. "Hi guys." She softly greeted. Tireen moved to the bars and she extended a hand. "I'm glad to see you too Tireen." She said. Though inside, she longed for Quatre's presence again. It was as if leaving him had put a gap in her heart, one that only he could refill. It left her worse than isolated, she felt utterly alone.

'He's so far away. He'll be even MORE far away once we head back to Earth.' She KNEW they would, the money from shows would only last them so long. They couldn't keep affording shuttle transport. It was costly to rent such a large spacecraft to haul everything in one trip.

Moving to the door, she unlocked the padlock and swung herself inside. She left the cage door open and arranged herself against the ground, one hand on a bar to keep her from moving upward. The lions looked to the open door and then turned their attention to their friend. They didn't have to see her eyes to know she was hurting. The youngest lion stuck his head in her face and licked her. She gave him a small smile and ran a hand through his mane.

"Thanks guys." She whispered. She almost felt like crying over the loss, why she didn't know. This was all new to her, having friends. She couldn't handle such a barrage of feelings; she didn't know what to do with them all. This was the only place she could think of to go, with her original friends. They always managed to cheer her up.

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The ringmaster floated past everybody in the passenger area to make sure everyone was strapped down. There were some problems with the speaker volume that the engineers were going to see to as soon as they landed. He wondered when that happened; it was fine when they left for L-4. Halfway through, he noticed an empty seat. He mentally ran through everyone he passed and looked down the rest of the area quickly. It was a short cabin and didn't take long to figure out who was gone. He sighed and stopped near Catherine and Trowa.

"Cathy, do you know where Washu is?" He asked. The two looked up at him. Her brow furrowed sadly.

"Is the poor thing still in back?" She asked, as if he knew. She looked at Trowa and then the ringmaster again. "She headed for the back as soon as everything was stable. She seemed to take the leave pretty hard." The ringmaster blinked. He hadn't noticed and it surprised him. But then, he hardly paid the girl any mind at all.

"Well we're approaching the next destination and everyone needs to be buckled in." She gave him a puzzled look. "The intercom seems to be having volume problems." She nodded and moved to strap in.

He floated to the back and peeked through the window of the shut door. What he saw inflamed his anger and made any patience non-existent. The cage was open, the girl inside with the lions, PETTING them. His hand tightened painfully over the doorknob. He felt the urge to go and yell at her for putting all the animals and herself in danger, but he couldn't. Both lions weren't even focused on the open door, just on Washu. She seemed forlorn, but a small smile on her face as she thoroughly petted the animals. His anger dimmed lightly, knowing she was somehow controlling them.

'But HOW?' He thought perplexed. He'd never seen such a thing except for Trowa. The boy was a mystery to him and during the war he disappeared often too. It was a weird connection; the two were a lot alike.

He carefully opened the door to keep from off-balancing himself. Washu's head swung up, moving her widespread hair. It was an amusing sight, if you looked past the 'man-eating lions'. He considered all wild animals exactly that, wild. They were all to be treated very carefully to keep from harming anyone in the circus. This girl was acting like they were normal housecats and throwing his command in his face.

"Washu, you need to get back in your seat. We're approaching the next colony." He swallowed harshly. "And DON'T leave the lion's cage open!" Turning abruptly, he pushed hard off the door and back up front.

She blinked and then shrugged when she looked back at the lions. "I've gotta go guys." She said. The two moved away from her, allowing her to move upright. She maneuvered her way outside the cage and shut the door. After locking it, she grabbed onto both bars. "I'll be back to get you guys transported off the ship okay?" Tireen's tail swished before the two clumsily swum around their confines. She smiled in parting and pushed off for the exit door.

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The ringmaster was becoming increasingly frustrated with the carefree girl. She often sat inside the lion's cage and would walk beside Zimba. He had to admit she was gutsy, but also stupid. She apparently didn't care for her life as she threatened possible trampling and mauling. Nearly three more days had passed since they arrived at the second colony and he was nearly fed up. Every time he'd told her to keep the cage closed or to not pamper the animals so much, she'd always stepped up and challenged his authority. He was close to dropping her off in the colony, but a small part of him knew she wouldn't have anywhere else to go. The circus was her home.

Today was the second time this morning he'd warned her to stay out of the cage. She asked him what he planned on doing if she continued to walk inside and do her duties since she was one of the main people responsible for the animals' care. He was caught and he knew it. There was NO WAY he'd be able to post some sort of ad in the newspaper or ask around to hire someone else. Not on such short notice. The only possible place to do that would be Earth and he didn't know when they'd be back again. So he stalked off mad and told her to try and keep her distance with the animals, for her OWN safety.

She just smirked and petted the youngest. He apparently hadn't seen her 'hands on' care with them the entire time she was around. Either that or he hadn't cared until now, for SOME reason. It was a mystery to her, but she wasn't going to listen to some old man that didn't know how to PROPERLY take care of animals. Even 'wild' animals needed to be shown affection from time to time. They would whither away otherwise. It was the same with people. She mentally paused.

'Not with me.' She thought, recovering. She was fine with the more open talk she was establishing with Cathy and Trowa. Trowa especially had become a little more vocal around her, which she was fine with. She didn't know what feelings she had whenever he was around, but there were times when she thought of topics to converse with him. But being foreign to the entire opposite-sex-friendship idea, she put those ideas away for later.

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It happened again. Two shows later had tried his patience to the limit. He was to the point of snapping at her if he talked to her and he often bit out words to anyone else that talked to him. Since he didn't talk to anyone else about it, everyone was in the dark at his behavior. Everyone but who he was mad at. She would only patronize his intentions if he were around. Whenever he was out of sight, she went about her normal ways.

It made her mad because he couldn't see past the exterior of the animals. They were only harsh with him because he couldn't lighten up around them, always treating them as if they were going to bite him any second. One reason why she openly argued about their care. They deserved to be treated as everyone else in the circus, whether he believed it or not.

Leading the four back to their cages, she kept the leashes and whip in hand, like normal. The four freely walked by her sides. "You know, you guys put on a good show, considering the audience tonight." She admitted. "They were pretty rowdy, huh?" The elder male softly roared his agreement. She smiled and ruffled his mane.

The five rounded the corner, the cage in sight. She kept her eyes on it, almost hopeful to get them back inside before anyone saw. She didn't need THIS getting to the ringmaster. He would have a heyday and yell at her again. She bristled slightly. 'I should toss HIS butt in a cage and see how HE likes being treated. He wouldn't last the NIGHT if HE were treated as a wild animal.' An evil smile tilted the corners of her mouth.

"WHAT IN GOD'S NAME ARE YOU DOING?!" Her head whipped around at the anger that radiated from his body. She felt the unconscious shiver rise heavily. Mentally picking herself back up, she steeled herself for another argument.

"Putting the animals in their cages." She said evenly. He seethed. A hand savagely swept over what he saw before him.

"I mean THIS! The lions without their leashes on! You're BARELY holding the whip! What if one of them gets loose?! It could mean disaster!"

She felt like cringing away as he stalked over. The youngest and eldest males were in front of her after sensing the intense anger that was directed at their friend. Both pairs of ears flew back and the skin on their nose curled back protectively.

The ringmaster paused at the lions' angered stances. He stepped back in slight fear. "You SEE what I mean? They're DANGEROUS." She shook her head slightly.

"They're only dangerous because they're reacting to the anger they feel from you." She looked to the others around her. "See? Tireen and her baby are calm. They feel what I'M projecting. If you keep your head, you won't have to worry about upsetting them."

"They're ANIMALS!" He defended hotly. "Dumb, UN-safe animals." A decision came up in a split second. "Go put them back and then meet me back in the main tent." Turning abruptly, he stalked off through the back entrance.

She stood dumbly at his exit. "Talk about UPTIGHT." She muttered. The two males calmed once he left and looked at her. She thumbed the cage behind her. "Come on, I'd better get you four 'put away' before he throws another hissy fit." Smiling at them, the four turned to their respective cages.

After locking the second cage, she rested both hands on the bars and looked in. "I'll come back once we leave again okay? Make sure you get transported alright." The elder lion shook his mane and rested his head lazily on his paws. She smiled tenderly and turned to the back entrance. Her hand stopped midway to the flap when she heard the volume of his tone.

"She has been ASKING for it since I first TOLD her to be careful! But does she listen?? NNNNOOOOO!!" His voice could bring the whole tent come crashing down. It seemed to shake the poles that held everything up. She bit her lip, slightly dreading her entrance. He would turn those angry eyes on her and the yelling would begin again...

'No STOP it. He's not your father.' She told herself. 'This is different, you aren't asking for it, but a discussion SHOULD be in order.' The small pep talk steeled her shaky nerves, allowing her hand to grasp the canvas and pull it back enough to walk through. Now inside, she hesitated. The shadows of the night hid her still, allowing her to see whom the ringmaster was babbling to. Half a dozen workers were gathering from places in the tent, their faces curious. She silently gulped. 'No time like the present. Come on girl, where was that wall that got you through the first few months?' She looked at the floor. 'Gone, that's where. Quatre, Trowa, and Cathy knocked it down.' She almost wished that none of them had ever talked to her. She didn't know how she was going to stay strong without a way to pass aside all the anger. Indifference was not coming to her very well.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped through the narrow opening and into the arenas. She stopped by the steps, seeing more people that were hidden by the corners. Her jaw clenched lightly. This was going to be a show of humiliation for one of them, but she didn't know by whom. "YOU!" He pointed angrily. He had been going over a way to have it out with her and say what he wanted to while he waited. The lax time wasn't helping to cool him down any, the longer he had to wait the angrier he got. She felt the impending doom settle in from somewhere. "GET over here, NOW!" Forcing a casual walk, she slowly went to him. Stopping ten foot from him, she kept her face even and any expressions from her eyes. Part of her insides were shaking, small bits of adrenaline coursed through her system.

The ringmaster took a deep breath to calm down, but it didn't help at all. He took a step forward. "I have TOLD you and ARGUED with you MANY times to keep your distance with the animals! You have left the cages open with yourself IN them, putting you and others in danger! Tonight is the LAST TIME you'll be so careless." He eyed the others around them, seeing a few grins on their faces. Some were ones that had come to him in the past with complaints about her rudeness. Both arms tightly crossed over his chest.

"I have NOT been careless with them!" She denied. "YOU-"

"I DON'T want to HEAR it! As of tomorrow, you are NO LONGER assigned to my staff." His chin rose as he stared at Washu. The shocked look on her face took a second as the news took time to sink in.

She could hardly find her voice. "How do you plan on me getting HOME?" She asked alarmed. The small adrenaline now coursed full blast. HOW would she get back to Earth? How would she LIVE? She had NO money, NO living relatives to ask for help. She would be stranded and homeless. At least on EARTH, she would be able to find SOME way to live. She wouldn't even be able to afford to go back to L-3 to Quatre. Panic started sinking in. "Why do you condemn my actions when you don't even know how the animals work? I've been AROUND them! I KNOW they're not dangerous! If they WERE, do you THINK I would go NEAR them? I'm not STUPID!" He turned his back to her.

"My decision is FINAL. Had you listened to me DAYS ago, maybe you would not be paying for your actions NOW. If you'll remember, it was YOU who stowed onto my train, FORCING me to deal with you. I have been MORE than gracious in not turning you over to the police while on Earth." He swung around to her, eyes blazing. "But WHILE under the circus's care, you have insulted a number of my staff and impulsively disappeared COUNTLESS times! You put everyone in jeopardy and gone against my orders. I KNOW how to run a circus because I've done it long before you were BORN! I don't care HOW much you think you know the animals, they've been with my crew for far longer than you've been with US." He felt a little bad watching the look emerge on her face, but he silently told herself she asked for it. His eyes swung around to the workers. "You've treated everyone here as if they were beneath you when we are a TEAM. I can no longer watch my staff be berated when they've tried numerous times to befriend you. I can no longer patiently listen to their complaints because YOU don't feel like being sociable."

She swallowed harshly. The trembling in her limbs started up harder than it had before he began lecturing. He was right about it all, but he didn't know the reasons BEHIND her behavior. That still didn't make it right though. He WAS right, she had no way to act like she did, even IF she couldn't help it all the time. She was prejudice about her past and it effected how she lived in the present. She was damning HERSELF to a life of isolation because she couldn't forgive.

"Why don't you let it go and live where you are now?"

"If you carry this burden around with you forever, how do you expect to live a normal life again?"

"You're so cold to anyone that tries to befriend you. THEY shouldn't be your enemy."

"Why do you let the past rule your present?"

"Child you're missing out on getting to know some really great people. The one in charge has been lenient enough to tolerate you, though he should not NEED to be."

"I also want you to stop acting like you do around everybody. You sully the family name by projecting your anger at others."

The words of her deceased parents and grandparents ran through her head like a kaleidoscope. Each phrase echoed on the last word while more started up. Everything started speeding up; soon it was all a jumbled mass of voices in her head, trying to give her advice.

'STOP!' She mentally screamed. The voices immediately quieted. 'Please stop.' She weakly pleaded. She felt utterly drained. There was no way she could fight back; there was nothing she could defend herself against. Unless she told him WHY she ran away. But she couldn't do that; pride was keeping her from everyone's looks of pity. Her defenses crumpled, leaving her hollow. Dead eyes looked on at his anger and she cringed mentally. It slightly showed on the outside.

"Is there ANYTHING you plan on saying?" He asked, unable to take her silence. It cut through the air, making it uncomfortable. He felt he got his point across, but he wanted to hear what she would say. Instead she was silent, but looking dejected. He was slightly confused that his small speech could've done so much to her confidence. She seemed stronger than that whenever he'd seen her, he wondered at the drastic change. She didn't answer, but seemed ready to run and hide at a moment's notice. She was scared. "Well then, tomorrow I expect your things to be packed up and out of my sight." She still didn't respond, but looked to the ground. His arm swung out to the crowd after a second. "That is, unless, someone here will speak for you, tell me differently. That is, unless, someone WANTS you to stay here." He turned a circle slowly. The crew was silent, some looking at the floor, the rest raising an eyebrow when he met their eyes. They didn't WANT to speak for her. Nobody WANTED her there. His gaze landed on the one that he entrusted with her care. She looked at him with wide eyes and gaping jaw.

Catherine couldn't BELIEVE her ears! He was going to abandon Washu here without any help whatsoever?! She felt protective instincts rise up. She ALSO looked around with the ringmaster to see if anyone would stand up for her, but half of them seemed glad this was happening. She closed her mouth and took a breath, ready to defend the helpless girl.

"I will speak for her sir."

The ringmaster swung around to the one person he didn't expect to speak. Catherine looked on in apparent shock. Trowa took a few steps into the crowd, looking at them all in shame. Some withered under his glare. One of the ringmaster's eyebrows rose. "Out of all the people I expected, it sure wasn't YOU son." He said. "Why do YOU want her to stick around? She hasn't been the most gracious to you since you two met."

Trowa's head shook slightly. "You have to WANT to get to know her." His eyes landed on Washu's vulnerable form and he felt protective urges surface. His face softened as she looked at him with beseeching eyes. "No one here has bothered to look past her exterior. She has a REASON for acting like she has around the others. That does not excuse her rash behavior with the animals, but that can be changed. She has not had the easiest life and hasn't had the proper time to deal. She hasn't had a suitable roll model to help her deal with life. She has a kinship with the animals because they allowed her inside THEIR defenses without judging her. 'Animals can sense who will hurt them'. They've known from day one that she can be trusted." He looked around him. "Everyone here could learn from this example." Slowly, he walked till he was an arm's length from the girl. "She deserves another chance."

Looking into his strong eyes, the ringmaster blanked. He couldn't think of another argument to kick her out. He caved. "ONE more chance. But since Catherine has come to me saying she can't keep a good eye on the girl, I am entrusting YOU with that job. You two are a lot alike and you've been here as long as Catherine. Together the two of you will help Washu relearn the rules to keep this circus moving smoothly."

Trowa was felt a tinge of happiness course through him, but kept it from his face. He would be able to be around Washu more than normal. He would be able to get the whole story now. He nodded.

The ringmaster wagged a finger at him. "But if I hear of anymore complaints about her job OR personality, I'll punish you BOTH." Turning to the crowd, he waved both arms around. "Okay, back to work, we STILL have to get out of here!" Slowly, everyone dispersed. Some were shocked at Trowa's behavior. Some were angry she WASN'T kicked out. Only two were glad she was still around. Without another word, the ringmaster left the tent.

Catherine nearly ran up to the two and hugged Trowa tightly. The air left his lungs in a rush from the unexpected action. He looked down at his surrogate sister. "Cathy?" He asked confused.

"Oh Trowa, I'm SO GLAD you stood up for her." She looked into his eyes, her own happy. "I was afraid she was going to be forced to leave." She smiled slightly. "I was going to say something, but you beat me to it." Stepping back, she turned to Washu and laid a hand on her shoulder. "Are you okay?" She softly asked. She knew the girl had taken everything hard.

Washu raised numb eyes to Catherine and then immediately turned them to Trowa. She couldn't UNDERSTAND it. Of all people, HE stood up for her? She would've expected Cathy to say something with him at least. A blush rose on her cheeks and spread to her entire face. She was glad for the bad lighting, but knew they could still see at such a close range. She knew she was in his debt for helping her, but words of gratitude wouldn't surface. She didn't know what to say. So many things were left unanswered; she didn't know where to start.

"Why?" She whispered. He looked at her solemnly. Midnight eyes welled up slightly. "Why did you help me? I don't understand."

"I did so because I wanted to." He felt now was no better time to say what was on his mind. "I don't want you to leave. I meant everything I said. You deserve a second chance at life." Her jaw clenched. He stepped forward and put a hand on her shoulder. "You can't keep living like you have, ignoring everyone and being so cold. I know that's not you because I've seen a change in you. The past two months, you've been different. You've let us both in." Her eyes locked with his hand over her shoulder. New feelings surfaced, something she had never experienced before. It was foreign and she didn't know what to say or how to deal with it. Her body tingled where his hand rested, sending a shiver through her brain. What was happening to her? She never felt like this BEFORE whenever she was around him. "Will you strive to change your ways?" He asked softly.

Catherine felt so out of the 'loop' just watching them. She knew she was forgotten by the way they attended to each other and felt it was no better time to back out now. 'Let them be alone.' She figured. She knew that whatever was going on between the two would only HAPPEN when they were alone. Slowly, she started inching away, eyes trained to see if she would be spotted. Her vision swung behind her enough to see that she'd made it far back enough to the seats. Looking at the two under the lights again, she mentally nodded and turned to walk out the back.

Trowa sensed Catherine's presence leaving, but kept his sight trained on the girl in front of him. He wanted her to promise him that she would change. He would also promise to help her, but she had to make the first step. His hand moved to under her chin, bringing her gaze to his. Midnight eyes shone with tears under the lights. His gaze softened even more. "I will help you to change, but you have to LET me help you. I need you to promise me that you won't blow this one chance you have to make a new life for yourself. I promise YOU that I will help you whenever you need it without backing down. I won't turn you away, don't turn ME away." He softly spoke. A tear fell from her eye and landed on his hand. She blinked and another fell, this more quicker than the last.

'What is this feeling?' She silently wondered. Adrenaline coursed like no other, causing her whole body yearning for something. 'But what?' She wondered. 'What are you doing to me?' She asked tenderly. His soft eyes, gentle tone, close proximity, and delicate touch were turning her thoughts and body to mush. Her knees felt weak, she felt like she would fall over. 'What is it about you that draws me so?' The way his hair fell over one eye gracefully and the want to brush it aside to see his entire face? Those beautiful deep green eyes that enticed her to stare into them all day? The strong, graceful way he carried himself? His silent, but wise, ways?

Her mouth parted slowly and his eyes gravitated to it. A quick thought of the texture of her lips raced through his mind, surprising him. It was a new thought, but something he didn't turn away from. It spread root through his mind until he openly embraced it. But she would never allow it. Part of his mind sank with the realization. "Promise me." He softly repeated. "Please. Let me help you."

"I promise." She whispered slowly.