Disclaimer: 1. Don't own 'em 2. Don't ask 3. Don't sue
Author's Notes: Hiya peeps! ^_^ I'm writing right now under a threat from M-chan! ^^() "If you don't start writing soon I'm getting you a new muse!" ;_; Personally I think Hayama is a great muse! ::points to Hayama, who is sitting in a corner reading manga and listening to music:: See! Oh well... I've been meaning to write this for sometime now, but I've been lazy! }: ) So I'm here and I want to clarify the main aspect of this fic... I am determined to keep every character in character. I repeat: I am determined to keep every character in character. I know you're probably saying I failed at that already though. Well, from my point of view I only failed once. ^^() And that was when Serena (now Usagi) asked to die. However, Heero being kind to Luna and stuff isn't OOC I don't think because I find it much easier to bond and talk to animals than humans. (Animals don't decide to make fun of you or hate you one day then like you the next.) And Trowa showing emotion and annoyance wasn't too OOC cuz in the manga I've read he's done that. (Plus in the anime he cried and laughed.) Soooooooo.... On with the story! ^_~ Hotaru's 13 by the way! ^^()
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Chapter Seven: A Visit from Royalty
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Usagi sprinted down the halls in search of the source
of the music. She tripped once, but caught herself before she hit the ground.
Tears stung her eyes as 'For the Princess' continued to play. Usagi made
no attempt to pause, so Hotaru could catch up. She felt guilty, but if
this was a dream she wanted to see her friends before it ended. 'Haruka...
Michiru...' Usagi thought sprinting even faster. She didn't stop until
she crashed into someone. She was dazed for a minute before she took Duo's
hand to help her off the ground. She stood up and peered into the sun filled
room.
Quatre and Trowa were playing 'For the Princess'
on a violin and flute. Usagi noticed Duo turned around. She spun around
to see Hotaru on the verge of having an attack. Usagi knelt down and wished
the Silver Crystal to her hand. She held it out so only she and Hotaru
could see it. Hotaru smiled weakly and let her finger tips graze the top
the Crystal. Instantly Hotaru felt better and stood up. The two girls turned
to see a very confused Duo. Usagi smiled, "This is my friend Hotaru. Her
parents died a while ago..." Hotaru bowed her head in respect. Duo was
confused by her actions, but didn't comment. (A.N. Duo's American remember!
^_~) Usagi took Hotaru's hand and led her to the piano in the corner. Just
as Quatre and Trowa ended in the middle of the song Hotaru closed her eyes
and started the missing second half. All eyes were on Hotaru as she played
the rest of the song. Hotaru let tears slowly slide down her face as she
finished the song. She flung herself on to Usagi crying. Usagi smiled down
at Hotaru, while tears welled up in her eyes. Usagi looked up to see a
very puzzled Quatre. She smiled at him, "Her parents composed that song.
They were very good friends of mine. They died not all to long ago." Quatre
nodded in sympathy as Trowa just took in everything that was happening.
Hotaru continued crying as Usagi hugged her, and whispered in her ear.
"You know your parents are still here. You heard what the Starlights said
about star seeds!" Hotaru looked up and smiled Usagi. She slowly dried
her tears and turned to the small group.
"I'm Hotaru Tomoe. I'm very pleased to meet you."
"Come on Hotaru, let's go play cards!" Usagi said
smiling at the shorter girl.
"Okay!" was Hotaru's immediate response before the
two girls walked back to Usagi's room.
"Duo... Where did you meet Usagi?" Trowa asked staring
at the written music.
"I met her on the street a while back. She was orphaned
so I took care of her," Duo replied eyeing Trowa suspiciously. "Why?"
"The composers of this song are Kaioh Michiru and
Tenoh Haruka, they--"
"Their names were Kaioh and Tenoh?" Duo asked puzzled.
"No, their names were Michiru and Haruka. Trowa
addressed them how they would address themselves. They were of Japanese
ethnic origins," Quatre explained patiently holding up the written music
which had a picture of Haruka holding Michiru in her arms. Duo blinked
once before his jaw hit the ground.
"Wha? Those are Hotaru's parents?" he grinned. "Funky!"
"Duo, you're not getting the point," Trowa said
icily. "The composers disappeared over a thousand years ago." Duo stopped.
"Disappeared? She probably knew their ancestors.
Let's go ask her!" he said grinning again. Duo dashed out the door while
Quatre and Trowa waited for him to return. Duo popped his head in the doorway
nervously.
"Uh... OW! Hey! Quit that!" he said turning to yell
at someone next to him. "Usagi said that Hotaru's parents were Kaioh Michiru
and Tenoh Haruka. She also said that Hotaru was adopted because Haruka
and Michiru were two girls." Duo raised an eyebrow and turned to the person
that Quatre and Trowa couldn't see. "If they were two girls than how would
they--"
"DUO!!! YOU PERVERT!!!!!" came a high shrilled voice.
Duo laughed nervously and scratched the back of his neck.
"I was just curious!" he replied innocently.
"Yes, well, curiosity killed the cat, Duo. Excuse
me I have to talk to Quatre," a voice said sternly from behind the hidden
Usagi.
"Hello Miss Relena," Quatre said nodding politely.
"Who's that Usagi-san?" Hotaru asked quietly. Usagi
shrugged and watched Relena with curiosity. Relena walked over and dropped
a rather large stack of papers on the table. Quatre's bangs flew back slightly
from the sudden gust.
"Quatre, there have been attacks all over the Earth.
Every nation is blaming it on someone else, but no one knows who the real
attacker is," Relena said flipping through the stack of papers. Hotaru
and Usagi glanced at each other before listening for more information.
"The attacks are started by mobile suits without
pilots. It was almost like the mobile suits were upgraded to dolls--" Relena
paused as she heard a giggle behind her. Hotaru was trying to stifle her
giggles but was failing miserably. Relena frowned at the giggling girl.
"It is not proper to laugh at such situations!" she snapped.
"Why would you call a killing machine a doll? A
doll is a child's toy. It's rather ironic don't you agree?" Hotaru asked
quietly with a smile on her face.
"That's not the problem here, child. I shouldn't
expect you to understand though. You are just a child," Relena said,
annoyance lacing her voice. "As I was saying, Quatre, the suits are almost
like dolls, but there was no doll system in any of the suits." Quatre's
eyes widened.
"If you lose your temper and calmness in such a
situation, how do you expect the people to believe you when you say everything
is going to be ok? Why would they stay calm when their leader panics? Not
only have you failed to prove yourself as a good leader and peace administrator
but you have also failed to present a good first impression," Hotaru said
quietly, while an icy tone crept into her voice. Usagi's soft smile grew
larger, while Duo's jaw hit the floor.
"That's a lot coming from the fragile mouth of a
child. You are a lot wiser than I took you for, but you still have much
to learn," Relena said plastering a fake smile on her face. "Quatre, I
don't think pure ears should here the rest of this," Relena said staring
directly at Usagi and Hotaru. Duo came behind Usagi and draped his arm
over her shoulders.
"You want to talk to us pilots, right?" Duo asked
grinning.
"Yes."
"Then Little Bunny stays. I wouldn't abandon my
lil' sis'!" Duo said, while his grin grew.
"If I stay then Hotaru does too," Usagi said quietly
never taking her eyes off of Hotaru. Relena frowned slightly before letting
a smile cross her face.
"Well then, I have to talk to Trowa and Quatre privately.
I speak to you later Duo," Relena said gently pushing Usagi, Hotaru, and
Duo towards the door. Once they were outside the doorway, the door was
shut. Duo went to try the door knob only to find it was locked.
"That bitch! Like you guys would actually go and
tell someone any of that information! Grrrr... I can't believe that girl!"
Duo growled.
"Hotaru's here Duo! Be careful she's still young,"
Usagi giggled. Duo looked up from the ground and stared at Hotaru.
"Ah, no better time to learn than when you're young!"
he winking at her. Hotaru blushed and smiled. "Good little speech you made
in there! She was really upset by it! She deserved it though. She was pretty
rude to you." Hotaru's cheeks darkened, while Duo grinned. "You need a
nick name..."
"A nick name?" Hotaru echoed confused.
"Don't get him started!" Usagi whispered urgently.
"You gotta have a nick name! You mean no one's given
you a nick name?" Duo asked while his jaw hit the floor. Hotaru shook her
head. "Oh boy! Let's see... What name fits you?" he murmured looking her
over. "Nope. No physical flaws..."
"Hmmm?" Hotaru asked watching him.
"Well see Usagi was named Little Bunny because of
her hair. See?" he asked while poking a bun on the top of her head. Usagi
sighed.
"You mean she's not named that because of her name?"
Hotaru asked surprised.
"No... Why what's with her name?" Duo asked now
confused.
"Her name means rabbit," Heero murmured quietly,
while walking past them.
"Wha? Oh! What's Hotaru's name mean?" Duo asked
stepping in his path.
"Get out of my way."
"Aw, come on Heero! Don't be a pain in the ass!
I just saw Relena," Duo said annoyed.
"It means firefly. Now get out of my way," Heero
growled.
"Thanks buddy!" Duo said grinning. "Guess what Hotaru...
Your nick name is Firefly!" he said winking. Just then the door to the
music room opened. Relena slowly backed out of while she continued to talk
to Quatre.
"I'll try and contact you later Quatre. I have a
meeting right now to attend to and the other united powers are going to
be there." Relena turned around and ran right into Usagi. Usagi tried to
keep her balance, but her ankle twisted and she landed on it with a sickening
crunch. She grit her teeth and clenched her eyes shut as a tear of pain
streamed down her face. Relena glanced down and offered her hand to help
her up. Usagi, not realizing what Relena was offering, ignored Relena and
wiped another tear from her face. Relena straightened her self and said,
"Please watch where you're going." before walking down the hall and out
the door. Quatre and Trowa walked out of the door to see Usagi on the floor
sobbing. Duo was kneeling next to her, while Hotaru was repositioning her
leg.
"It's broken. Usagi," Hotaru said quietly in an
emotionless tone. Duo looked like he would've said things that would've
made Heero pale if it wasn't for Hotaru who pressed her finger to his lips.
Their eyes made contact and Hotaru shook her head. Duo frowned and scooped
Usagi into his arms. She continued to sob into his shirt. Hotaru stayed
behind and watched Quatre and Trowa.
"What happened?" Quatre asked shocked.
"Relena ran into her and she fell on her leg wrong.
Her ankle's broken by the growth plait."
"Where's Relena?" Quatre asked now even more shocked.
"She left," Hotaru said walking to Usagi's room.
She walked straight in.
* * * * *
"You know I don't know how Hotaru reset your ankle
without making any noise," Duo said while shuddering. "Heero broke his
leg once and he went and reset it. It made this loud crunching noise. I
swear I thought I was going to be sick." Usagi giggled through her now
drying tears.
"Hotaru wants to become a nurse. She's very good
at healing people. I suppose it's a natural talent for her..." Usagi said
as she watched Duo's nimble hands wrap her ankle.
"Healing? You mean taking care of people?" Duo asked
while he continued to wrap her foot.
"Hmmm? Oh! Hehe, yeah, that's what I meant!" Usagi
said nervously covering her mistake up. Duo looked for a moment before
finishing up the wrapping. He started towards the door, but paused to talk
to her.
"I'm not going to take you to the hospital because
some people still don't like the gundam pilots. It's not the best place
to go. I'll try and find a doctor for ya!" he said winking.
"Ask Quatre. Maybe his sister could come," she suggested
smiling.
"Quatre has a sister?" Usagi nearly fell off the
bed. 'Does Quatre have a sister?! QUATRE HAS TWENTY-NINE SISTERS!!!' her
mind screamed.
"Yup." was the simple answer given.
"I'll go talk to him!" Duo said turning around.
Hotaru was standing right in front of Duo, but was barely visible because
of her dark clothing and hair. Duo side stepped her. "You blend into darkness
really well, Firefly. You should be louder so people know you're here,"
Duo said grinning as he walked past her. Hotaru smiled slightly as she
walked towards the broken princess.
"Daijobu ka Usagi-sama?"
"Daijobu Hotaru-chan!" Usagi said smiling. Hotaru
watched the door carefully.
"I'm going to heal you," Hotaru whispered in English.
Usagi's eyes widened in fright.
"IIE! I mean NO!" Usagi practically shouted.
"Shhh! If you're injured when Chaos attacks what
will become of this world? It's better for me to be weakened and you to
be healed than you be injured and me to be fine," Hotaru whispered cautiously
watching the door. Usagi frowned.
"But Hotaru..." Usagi trailed off.
"Be quiet so I can concentrate." Hotaru's fingertips
began to glow a faint purple.
"NO! HOTARU! YOU'RE GOING TO HURT YOURSELF!" Usagi
shrieked trying to make her stop. 'If Hotaru heals too often or tries to
heal injuries larger than she can, she can kill herself from lack of energy,'
Usagi thought frantically. Hotaru's eyes became glassy and distant as she
touched Usagi's ankle. Usagi immediately ceased all complaints and watched
Hotaru. Hotaru frowned as she put more energy into healing Usagi. Both
were so occupied that they didn't see the figure in the doorway. Hotaru
gasped for more air as she pulled back from Usagi's now healed ankle. She
stood up shakily, and tried maintain her balance.
"Daijobu ka, Hotaru-chan?" Usagi asked frantically
as she flung the blankets and sheets out of her way.
"H-hai." As Hotaru said this she started to sway.
Her eyelids closed as she started to fall backwards.
"Hotaru!" Usagi shouted trying to jump out off the
bed. She watched Hotaru brace herself, expecting the fall. Hotaru was conscious,
but too weak to catch herself.
"Shouldn't drain yourself like that, Firefly!" a
voice said catching then embracing Hotaru. "Into bed ya go!" they said
picking the frail girl up and gently setting her on the bed.
"Arigatou Duo-chan..." Hotaru whispered before falling
asleep.
"What'd she say?" Duo asked Usagi in a confused
manner.
"She said many thanks Duo-chan," Usagi said grinning.
'She's going to be ok... I know it.'
"Hey... What does 'chan' exactly mean? You've never
told me..." Duo asked suspicious.
"Well... It's a suffix put on the end of a girl's
name if she's younger than you..." Duo looked offended. Usagi finished
before he could start though.
"It's also a term of endearment usually only used
for family members... or someone you really like..." Usagi said letting
Duo think about it.
"Huh? Why'd you trail off like that?" Duo asked
confused. Usagi managed to maintain her balance, but ended up on the floor.
"Never mind..."
* * * * *
"You sure you don't mind me sitting here?" Usagi
asked unsure of her position on the counter top.
"I don't mind. As long as you try not to hurt yourself,"
Quatre said making dinner. "I still don't see how you ankle healed so fast!"
"It turns out it was only bruised. My butt hurt
more than my ankle. That's why I was crying," Usagi said while a faint
blush crept across her cheeks.
"Where's Hotaru?" Quatre asked not looking up from
the stove.
"Uh... she..." Usagi said fumbling for an answer.
"Just fell asleep. She shouldn't try so hard playing
tag!" Duo said walking in the room. Usagi's eyes widened. Duo winked while
Quatre's back to him.
"What the hell are you winking at Maxwell?" Wufei
barked, walking into the kitchen. Usagi blinked taken aback. "What are
you staring at woman?"
"Usagi," Usagi said firmly.
"Make sense woman!" Wufei barked at her.
"My name is Usagi," she said slowly. "Did you get
that or was I speaking to fast for you?" Wufei growled.
"Shut up, rabbit!" Wufei said annoyed.
"HEY!" Usagi shouted blowing razzberries at him.
"Stupid woman. When's the food going to be ready?"
Wufei asked ignoring the razzberries being blown at him. An evil grin crept
across Duo's face as he sauntered over to Usagi and whispered something
into her ear. Usagi giggled so hard she nearly fell off the counter top.
Duo whispered something else in her ear.
"Nah, I dun like that one as much. Any others?"
Duo nodded in response and whispered something else. Usagi squealed in
delight. "Yeah Quatre! Wuffers wants to know when dinner will be ready!"
Usagi said falling off the counter and into Duo's arms because she was
giggling so hard. The giggling pair glanced up to see an angry Wufei pulling
his katana out of it's sheath. Both stopped laughing and glanced at each
other before taking off out the door. Wufei, with his katana upraised,
followed.
* * * * *
Hotaru awoke to shouting and screaming. She carefully
tried her balance. She managed to stand after a few seconds of concentrating.
She walked to the door and opened it. Two blurs flew past her. One flew
into the bathroom and the other dove into the closet. The next blur ran
in and paused looking frantically for the first two.
"Someone got up on the wrong side of the bed..."
'Blur 2' whispered from inside the closet.
"Tell me about it! Wuffers isn't that bad of a nickname!
Try being called 'odango' all your life!" 'Blur 1 giggled from the bathroom.
"Where are they?! I'll kill them both if I find
them!" Wufei shouted while waving his katana.
"Um... excuse me, but who exactly are you looking
for?" Hotaru asked politely.
"That rabbit and Maxwell!" Wufei barked to know
one particular.
"Usagi-sama and Duo-chan? Why?"
"Where are they?" Wufei growled pointing his katana
at Hotaru.
"Don't hurt her! She didn't do anything!" Duo shouted
immediately jumping out of the closet. Wufei glanced over at Duo before
letting a malicious grin cross his face. Hotaru seized the moment of distraction
and let Saturn's glaive materialize in her hands. Hotaru pressed the icy
blade against Wufei's slender neck.
"Leave. Now," were her only commands. Wufei snorted.
"I refuse to obey the orders of a woman!" Hotaru
put more pressure on the glaive. A small trickle of blood ran down Wufei's
neck. Duo saw Wufei wince and saw the blood.
"Damn," was all Duo could murmur while his jaw scraped
the floor.
"Hotaru!" Usagi shouted, while snatching the glaive
from her. As soon as the glaive was out of Hotaru's reach, it faded into
nothing.
"Demo, Usagi-sama!" Hotaru cried out worry lacing
her voice.
"Iie," Usagi said smiling. Both girls walked out
the door as though none of this had happened.
"Aw, damn! I need to learn Japanese!" Duo whined
as he rushed after them. Wufei frowned and walked to the nearest com link.
He dialed and a face popped up on the screen.
"Her name is Usagi. Her partner is Hotaru Tomoe.
They both had a run in with Relena. Usagi broke her ankle and with in an
hour it was healed, but Hotaru was too exhausted so Duo put her to bed.
Hotaru can summon a glaive at will."
"Are you sure it's not an illusion?" the person
on the other line asked. Wufei lifted his neck to let the light shine on
it. "Okay, forget the last question. Hmmm... Hotaru Tomoe, eh?" Typing
was heard. "Wufei... Hotaru was admitted into a hospital. She died two
hours later. That was over a thousand years ago. The cause of death was
said to be an explosion in her father's laboratory. Are you sure her name
was Hotaru Tomoe?"
"That's what she said. She was orphaned at an early
age so Haruka Tenoh and Michiru Kaioh adopted her. Does that help any?"
"That limits it down to the same girl. The dead
girl that is."
"Why are you so interested in those two?" Wufei
asked glancing around.
"Lutienut is suspicious. You know better than to
question her orders!" the person laughed.
"Hmph. Wufei over and out," Wufei said while closing
the call.
* * * * *
"Care to tell what the hell is going on?" Duo asked
grinning.
"Mind not swearing?" Usagi asked while grinning
back at him.
"I mind..." Duo started. Usagi sighed. "But I'll
stop."
"Well... Where do you want us to start?" Hotaru
asked timidly.
"How 'bout how you fixed Usagi's ankle," Duo said
watching Hotaru.
"Well, it was hurt very badly at first so I--"
"It was broken at the growth plait, and the bone
was moved completely out of place. Not only can she walk on it perfectly
now, but she doesn't even have a bruise. What did you do?" Duo interrupted.
Hotaru shifted uncomfortably. She glanced at Usagi for help.
"Hotaru has healing powers. They're very simple,
but can kill her if she uses them too frequently," Usagi shrugged. Both
girls stood up and headed towards the door.
"Sit. Both of you." Hotaru and Usagi winced and
returned to their seats.
"What about that glaive you had?" Duo asked a little
bit more interested.
"You knew that was a glaive?!" Hotaru asked wide
eyed. Duo nodded.
"Shinigami knows everything!" he told her winking.
Usagi broke out into a fit of giggles. "You don't believe me?" Usagi shook
her head while she continued laughing. Duo's eyes narrowed.
"Haruka and Michiru disappeared over a thousand
years ago," Duo stated seriously.
"Mama... Papa..." Hotaru murmured quietly. Hotaru's
glassy eyes release a single tear. She wiped it away quickly and smiled.
"Yes. They did. For a very good cause in fact."
"Oh? And what was that?" Duo asked raising an eyebrow.
Hotaru didn't say anything. Instead she shifted her gaze on to Usagi.
"D-Duo... Can we not talk about this now...?" Usagi
asked as her eyes became watery.
"U-Usagi! Heero just found out--" Luna stopped in
mid sentence as she saw Duo. Her eyes widened to become almost as large
as Duo's. Duo turned to Usagi.
"Hell no! You have waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy too much
explainin' to stop now!"
___________________________________________________________________
*waves* Why do I have to feeling I'm gonna get killed? *shrugs* Oh
well. Um, I've been
sick so that's the only reason this got out at this time... Man, I'm
really slacking here! ^^()
*gets on knees* DON'T KILL ME OR BURN MY MANGA
PLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh,
by the way... I was thinking of doing a Sailor Moon/Ronin Warriors
crossover... Tell me
if I should or not! ^_^ Once again all death threats, chocolate, candy,
comments, flames,
and money can be sent to: chibichan101@home.com
Peace, Love, and Candy ~~ chibi-chan
