Disclaimer: I don't own any characters used. :P
Dedications: To any Usagi fan who likes to see her with multiple bishounen. Also to all my oneechans, PrincessLesse, and all my other online friends! GOMEN NASAI for not contacting you guys sooner! (Especially you, Usa-oneechan! >_<) *feels bad*
Warning: Alternate Universe. Multi-crossover. And I mean, multi-crossover. Future strange pairings. Swearing. *smirks*
Author's Notes: Gomen for the wait. Being a high school freshman takes some time getting used to... for me, anyways. Can't speak for others. *clears throat* In this chapter, we find out more about our beloved main character's past (her past in this fic at least)...
Oh and Chapter 2 is in progress! I swear! ^^ Next time we get our first taste of Bachelor #1!!
Want to see where all the characters come from? Click here to see the list!
Major Tip: Don't let last names fool you.
"Love is like everything else in this world, you have to fight for it."
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The Wedding Bouquet
Chapter 1 - Hidden in the Background! An Insecure Past
Author: Krys Yuy
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Usagi rubbed her temples wearily as she leaned back in her black leather office chair. The wedding she attended yesterday had been beautiful, but the reception was a living hell. She had to just sit there the entire time, which contented her somewhat, until the wedding bouquet had fallen onto her lap. That was when everything had gone wrong. She was dragged to the center by the energetic host and had to stand in front of all the guests. She had watched as all the men ignored her and the women stared enviously just because she was the one with the bouquet. She didn't even want it! It was just a bunch of flowers.
There was a knock on her door and a man stepped in. He had short light brown hair with unruly bangs. He had been at the wedding yesterday and they talked for awhile before he was whisked away by his lovely wife. "Good morning, Ms. Hikarino," he greeted, bowing slightly.
Usagi sighed but gave the man a small smile. "Toji, how many times do I have to tell you to just call me by my first name? Either one, you choose," she said, leaning forward in her seat. She shuffled some papers, while picking up a pen.
Toji grinned at her, placing yet some more papers on her desk. "Which do you prefer? Usagi or Kaze?" he asked before he shook his head. "I still can't believe you gave Duo your real name yesterday! You haven't done that in ages."
She tapped the pen on the hard surface in sync with some tune in her mind. She paused as she considered his words. "I don't know. It just slipped out, I guess." She shrugged and adjusted her wire-rimmed glasses.
"You should think about getting contacts, Usagi," Toji advised as he looked out the twenty-story window.
Usagi glanced at him from the corner of her eye. "I don't need contacts. I don't even need these glasses. They're not even prescription. They're fake," she stated bluntly.
Toji had a stunned expression before he whistled. "Why do you wear them then?" he inquired curiously.
"I just do," she replied plainly. She began signing the papers on her desk.
"Whatever you say, Ms. Hikarino," he joked. He put his hands up in surrender at her glare. "Just kidding! Besides, why don't you go by Mizuno, your real last name?"
"I'd bring too much attention to myself," Usagi answered nonchalantly. "I don't really like that kind of thing. Besides, my family and anyone else who knows me thinks I just work for this company." She smiled bitterly as she traced the logo on one of the papers. "They'd never think that I, little Usagi Mizuno, could actually be Kaze Hikarino, president and owner of Moonlight Corporations."
Toji tapped his foot on the floor as his face turned thoughtful. "You have some really twisted life, Usagi," he commented in a teasing manner.
"And you're one of the few people who know, besides my older sister, Ami, and Heero, my best friend." She met his eyes and arched her eyebrows. "I'd like to keep it that way," she added seriously.
"Whatever you say, Usagi," Toji replied with a smile. "You're the one paying me, not all the gossipers of the world."
Usagi couldn't help but smile back at him. "That's why I like having you as my assistant, Toji. You're so trustworthy." She then gave one look at the stack of papers on desk before rolling her eyes. "I'll be needing a little time. Could you order some pizza?"
"Sure thing, boss." Toji chuckled, exiting the spacious office and sat in the desk just outside the doors. He picked up the telephone and dialed a number.
Usagi watched as he left and the door closed. She swiveled around in her chair to see the city below and the sky above. Her eyes began to trail along the white clouds, leaning back once again. She became lost in her memories of the past.
* * * * *
A baby girl with curly blond hair gurgled as a woman opened the door to her home. She watched as the woman stared down at her in surprise and awe. "What is a baby doing out here?" The woman asked as she carried the basket into the house. She found a note tucked into the folds of the blanket.
It read, 'Dear Miss, For reasons I am not able to confide, I leave my one-year old daughter in your care. Her name is Usagi. Please treat her as one of your own. If you don't at first, I know you will later because she can charm her way into anyone's heart. When she's older, tell her that I love her. Tell her I'm sorry I had to leave her but it is the way it must be. I am not truly abandoning her. I love her. Thank you for doing this. With gratitude, Selenity Tsuki.'
The woman noticed tear stains on the note. She tried to fight the ones coming to her eyes. She glanced down at the baby and immediately noticed her brilliant blue eyes. The baby smiled up at her and giggled, unaware of her situation. The woman's heart melted and she gave the baby a loving look. She picked the small girl up and cradled her.
"Don't worry, little one," she cooed. "I'll take good care of you... I'll do as your mother wishes. She must have a good reason for doing this to you. I sense she has only your own well-being in mind." She carried the baby into another room, which was decorated in pastel blue and pink. "From now on, you'll be known as Usagi Mizuno."
The woman ran a hand through her short blue hair. She looked into the crib of the room, and smiled down at yet another baby inside. "Say hello to your sister, Ami."
* * * * *
A five-year old Usagi fought the tears coming to her eyes. "That's not true!" she exclaimed. "You're a liar!"
Another five-year old smirked at her. She had fiery red hair and dark eyes. "It is so!" she retorted. "My mommy told me that your mommy found you on her doorstep! She had to take care of you or otherwise, she'd feel guilty!"
"Stop lying, Beryl!" Usagi backed away slowly from the other girl. "My mommy loves me!" A few tears trailed down her face as she tried to ignore what Beryl was saying.
"That's cause she has to!"
"Stop it, Beryl!" Another five-year old girl snapped as she found her sister in tears. "Just go away!"
The redhead sneered at the blue haired girl before tossing an annoyed look at the crying blond. "What a crybaby," she snorted. Then she skipped to the other side of the playground.
"Daijoubu ka, Usa-chan?" The girl asked worriedly, giving her sister a hug.
"Is it true?" Usagi whispered, totally ignoring her sister's question. She stared into her face. "Am I adopted?"
Ami looked away for a moment before meeting the blonde's eyes. "Yes, you're adopted, Usagi-chan." She paused as the blond gasped in shock. But before more tears could escape, she continued to talk. "That means nothing though, Usagi. You're still family. Family does not have to mean by blood. You may not be my biological sister, but you're still my sister."
Usagi's tears had dried up and she now looked at her sister in suspicion. "Have you been reading my books?"
Ami nearly face-faulted. "Hai, hai," she replied, laughing.
* * * * *
Nine-year old Usagi stared at herself in the mirror, tracing her reflection. She circled around the large blue eyes. "Are my eyes... really ugly like those girls said?" She saw the sadness lurking in her face.
Usagi began to think about all the beautiful kinds of eyes she had seen on television. She remembered that one of her favorite actresses had green-blue eyes and they were so pretty. "I wish I had green-blue eyes..."
She crept into the covers of her bed. "Nobody even remembered my birthday," she whispered brokenly. She stared at the full moon through her window. "I guess they had better things to do..." She closed her eyes as sleep came to claim her.
It was because of this that Usagi never noticed one of the moonbeams in her room shift into that of a person. She had silver eyes and long silver hair that reached mid-back. She wore clothes that looked to be made of moonlight itself. She was one of the rare sprites left in the world. She walked to the side of Usagi's bed and gently traced the girl's features.
"I can see your kind soul," the sprite whispered. "But also your insecurity about yourself..." The mystical sprite thought back to the blonde's previous words. "You wish to have eyes made of green-blue, instead of the ones you have now? The ones that sparkle like stars in the night sky and that look to be made of the jewel sapphire?" She knew she would have no response, but continued to speak softly. "I will grant your wish this very day, for it is your day of birth, young moon maiden... When it is the time for your dreams to live..."
The sprite murmured a few words under its breath before sparkles escaped her fingertips. It entered the blonde's eyes, but did not disturb her. The young girl continued to sleep peacefully as she turned. The sprite smiled but before she left, she whispered a few more words.
"Young child of light, this spell I cast is only but a temporary solution. It is not permanent, for I fear I cannot banish the true color of your eyes, which should hold nothing but happiness. There will always be something false about the green-blue you want, for fate does not wish it to remain that way. Upon true love's kiss shall your sapphire eyes return, and then you will see where the flame of your heart burns..."
The sprite smiled before stepping into the light of the moon, quickly dissolving into nothing more than sparkles.
* * * * *
"Okaasan, o-negai..." A twelve-year old Usagi pleaded with wide green-blue eyes. She tugged on her mother's business suit. "I need to go to that private school in America... o-negai, kaasan?"
Mrs. Mizuno sighed as she rubbed her eyes, drinking her coffee. "Why do you want to go to this boarding school so much? What's so special about it?"
'Oh, just so I can escape this life and all the people in it,' Usagi thought bitterly before she smiled. "It has a great program! Art and music! But especially, business! It's amazing, kaasan! You have to let me go!" She paused and looked her mother in the eye. "Besides, I already passed the entrance exam..."
Her mother sighed again before nodding her consent. "All right, you can go to that school..."
"Yatta!" Usagi exclaimed, laughing. She kissed her mother on the cheek. "Doomo arigato!" She bounced off to her room.
Mrs. Mizuno smiled after her adopted daughter, but then frowned suddenly. "I just hope that private school isn't too expensive."
* * * * *
A seventeen-year old Usagi smiled as she crept through her house. She was home for summer vacation from her school. She had already dropped her things off in her room, and was about to surprise her sister. She put her hand over the door knob and was about to turn it when she heard several other voices in the room.
"Your little sister must be such a geek, Ami-chan!" commented a feminine voice.
"She's only a few months younger than me, Minako-chan," Usagi's sister's voice replied sternly. "And she's not a geek!"
'You tell them, Ami-chan!' Usagi screamed in her mind, shaking with fury about how that girl judged her.
"But she goes to private school!" exclaimed another voice.
"And a boarding school no less!" added a third voice.
"In America!" chimed in a fourth voice.
"Rei-chan, Pan-chan, Mako-chan..." Ami sighed. Usagi could picture her sister shaking her head. "The school she's going to is truly amazing, only for the best of the best. You shouldn't judge so quickly. You haven't even met her!"
"Yeah well, you'll always be number one to us, Ami-chan," commented yet another voice.
"Bura-chan's right," agreed the first voice known as Minako. "And how do you know your sister hasn't turned into a complete snob? Preppy schools can do that, you know."
(AN: By the way, I don't agree with that. Please don't be offended. It's just part of the fic.)
"Yeah, I read that in an article," said the voice of Pan. "Who knows? Your sister could be a complete brain head or just really arrogant."
"Yeah, a total dweeb," giggled Rei's voice.
Usagi's eyes filled with tears of hurt and pain. These girls... her sister's friends... They had judged her so fast without a doubt. Maybe they were just being silly or being a joker, not really meaning any of it... That still didn't change the fact that it stung... It hurt her... badly.
Usagi turned and locked herself in her room. She threw herself onto the bed and tried to think of anything but the outside world. Anything that would help her forget her pain...
"You guys do know you're crazy, don't you?" Ami sighed from inside her bedroom.
Minako stuck out her tongue and crossed her eyes. "Duh!"
* * * * *
"In business, you should always know who you're dealing with and never let yourself be caught off guard..." A twenty-year old Usagi murmured to herself as she thumbed through a furniture magazine. She needed to buy new furniture for her office. After a few more moments, she tossed the magazine to the side and smiled despite herself. "Moonlight Corporations..."
Moonlight Corporations was a new business founded by Kaze Hikarino. It was 'going on up,' as an old saying would go. It specialized in fashion designing and computer tech programs. (*sweatdrops*) It was a strange combination, yet the business was organized and split well between the two separate areas. People often asked about it but never got an answer. The fact that the nobody had ever seen the owner's face baffled the people. Kaze Hikarino never had any public appearances. If Moonlight Corporations needed Hikarino to attend an event, a representative would be sent with apologies from the founder. All anyone knew was that Hikarino was a female and she was beginning to rule the business world with an iron fist.
Rumors spread that Hikarino was an old aged businesswoman, and she wouldn't be living for much longer. It was said before she died she would let the public actually see her face. People seemed to accept the idea, thinking she was probably too ill or sick at times. That would explain why she never was able to attend any events.
Usagi giggled to herself, shaking her head. "Funny, really... I have no fashion sense, yet I own a fashion business..." She tapped her chin thoughtfully, turning over to stare at her bedroom ceiling. "I should really get the head of the department to stop thinking pink and red too much... Ms. Takenouchi and Ms. Tachikawa were smart choices though..."
She blinked her green-blue eyes as she had a certain revelation. "I should get Izumi to hire Ms. Inoue when I get to work tomorrow. I remember hearing she was a whiz in the computer department. Koushiro could use someone like her... He'd have a heart attack if I myself told him though!" She frowned almost automatically. "Of course, he's never seen me or my face before... None of my employees have seen my face before... I wonder what they'd think of me..."
Usagi sighed and almost jumped when a dark purple feline pounced on her bed. She relaxed after seeing what it was. "Geez, Luna... you're going to give me a heart attack if you keep doing that!" She turned back over on her stomach, and stroked the cat's fur. "Do you like the new apartment? Or should I say flat? Flat sounds good, but at the same time, really weird for anybody who doesn't know what it is..."
"Meow..." was all Luna said. The purple cat rubbed her head against Usagi's hand.
"Luna, you're so kawaii..." The blond commented absently, tracing the crescent moon on the cat's forehead.
Luna meowed again, a cat-smile appearing on her mouth.
Usagi smiled and stroked the cat behind her ears. Luna purred appreciatively. "You know Luna," the blond started with a sad smile, "... you're one of my only real friends..." She stopped petting the cat and rested her head on her arms.
Luna stared sadly at her mistress as Usagi's body trembled slightly. She watched as muffled noises came from the blond. Obviously, she was crying but trying to stop. Luna stepped towards her, and licked her face. It was her version of cheering a person up.
Usagi looked at her cat, tear-streaks and all. She laughed softly. "Thank you, Luna..."
* * * * *
A twenty-one year old Usagi rolled her eyes at her sister and best friend. "N. O. No." She crossed her arms stubbornly.
Ami sighed and brushed a hand through her blue hair. "Usa-chan, don't act like such a child," she commented, smiling slightly.
Heero placed a hand on Ami's shoulder, while staring his best friend in the eye. "Please. Do this for us."
Usagi looked away from the couple. "I can't. Both of you know how uncomfortable I am in front of people. I'll be there for you, but I just can't do it. Thank you for thinking of me, sister. But I can't accept." She said it as softly as possible, a wistful note in her voice as if she really wanted to do it but couldn't.
"Who will be my maid of honor then?" Ami asked quietly, leaning against Heero.
"Maybe you could get one of those girls from your high school," Usagi muttered, a frown covering her face.
A puzzled look passed through Ami's eyes. "Which girls?"
"No one. No one," Usagi replied, sighing to herself. She got up and hugged the couple. "I hope you two are very happy with each other. I love the both of you very much." She started to walk out the door. "Remember, I'll be there for the both of you... in the shadows." She walked outside, burying her hands in her pockets.
Ami looked at Heero as the door closed. "Someone needs to help her, Heero-kun," she whispered, concern for her sister filling her voice. "She needs love..."
Heero hugged his fiancee and kissed the top of her forehead. "I know, itooshi. Both of us will try to help in any way. Any way..."
* * * * *
The present Usagi blinked her eyes as the memories ended. But there was one still lingering in the back of her mind. One she was trying desperately to forget. One that was mainly responsible for her wanting to isolate herself.
The blond closed her eyes, letting a single tear trail down her cheek as she let herself slip into one last memory... or memories.
* * * * *
"Will you go out with me?" A deep elegant voice whispered in her ear, a bit seductively, effectively making her shiver.
A fifteen-year old Usagi glanced up from her textbook, only to meet gorgeous violet eyes. Inwardly, she gulped. 'Did he just say what I think he said?'
"Hello?" The voice spoke again, his tone unfaltering.
"Wh-what?" she finally stuttered.
A firm hand grabbed her slimmer one gently. "Will you go out with me?" he repeated, smiling at her.
Usagi's fear of loneliness began to drain away as she glanced into his warm-filled eyes, never taking notice of the malice that hid just behind it all. She wanted to squeal out, "Really?!" But luckily, she kept it in check. Instead, she continued to study him.
"Well?" he asked, his voice still calm and husky-like.
Depression and fear of rejection shrank quickly, only to be replaced with joy. "I'd like that very much," she whispered.
His hand tilted her chin up, so she could look into his piercing violet eyes once more. "Thank you... for granting me this..." He brought her hand up and kissed the inside of her palm. Strands of ice blue hair fell across his face, making him look irresistible. He then smiled at her again, a charming smile.
Usagi's heart melted right then and there. "You're welcome," she murmured as her own eyes glazed over. She then noted something immediately. "What's your name?"
The young man tilted his head. "My name's David, Usagi," he answered.
"How do you know my name?" Usagi questioned, fear beginning to take form in her mind.
"As the president of the Jewel club, I make it my business to know everyone in my class. I'm also known as Diamond when club meetings are in session," he replied, reassuring her.
Usagi calmed down a bit, though alarms were ringing off in the back of her head. "Diamond..."
David took Usagi out on several more dates, roaming across the campus of their boarding school or just out into nearby towns. The shy blond suddenly found herself falling head over heels for him. He was the first to ever really talk and be romantically involved with her. They were near the time of being labeled as 'boyfriend/girlfriend.' They still hadn't kissed yet, though.
"Soon..." Usagi whispered dreamily, adjusting her glasses. She was walking towards the end of a hallway and ready to turn around the corner, when she heard familiar voices. A gut instinct told her to stop and she did so, hiding in a nearby classroom as two people paused just outside.
"David, my darling Diamond, how much longer are you going to keep that baka around you?" Purred a soft voice.
"Now Emily, or should I say Emerald," started the familiar husky voice. "Not until the task is done. Besides, I think the little girl has started to grow on me..."
There was a distinct snort of disgust from the hallway. "Please tell me you're joking," Emily's voice sighed with distaste. "She's just a nerd and look at her! Not even one great curve on her entire body!"
Usagi's eyes hardened as she winced internally. 'Kami-sama, tell me this isn't happening...'
"This dare has gone a bit too far, don't you think?" asked a new voice.
"Dear brother, Samuel, or Sapphire... It's only a mere game," Diamond's voice chuckled.
"Do you plan on breaking her heart?" asked Samuel, a hard edge in his own voice.
Before David could answer, Emily interrupted immediately. "Who cares about the pitiful little fool?!" she demanded.
"It's all fun and games," David added coolly.
"I can't believe you," Samuel said, anger in his voice.
"I'm going to call it quits soon enough, Sammy," David taunted as he began to walk away. "She's too in love with me to ever see it coming."
Emily laughed and everyone who was listening flinched at the sound. "That little brat should wish to be anyone else besides herself!" Emily giggled, following David down the hall.
"Jerks," Samuel muttered as he walked the opposite way, feeling sorry for Usagi.
Usagi felt her heart shatter into several pieces. It was fragile and soft, yet someone dared to come along and stomp on it. "Nobody will ever love me..."
"That can't be true," said a voice behind her.
The blond whirled around to face a boy around her age. He was looking at her intently and it was obvious he had stayed hidden among the shadows. 'There's something so familiar about him...' she thought.
"Someone will always be there for you," he added hastily.
"Thank you for succeeding in cheering me up kind of," Usagi said as she smiled. She met his blue eyes intensely. "What's your name?"
"Yagami. Heero Yagami."
* * * * *
Though it had been the worst day of her life, it had also been her greatest. That was when she first met her future best friend, Heero Yagami. He was always there for her, and she was always there for him. She had finally found someone who cared for her. She probably would have fallen for him too, but she promised herself she wouldn't let herself ever do that again.
In the present, Usagi shook her head and turned her chair around again. She placed her arms on her desk. 'Okay, so maybe a little part of me fell in love with Heero Yagami,' she confessed in her mind. 'I mean, who wouldn't? Good thing I introduced Heero and Ami. Neither of them stood a chance against each other.' She smiled, but then frowned. 'Baka David... thank God he called it off sooner than I thought. He probably thought I was going to cry... Too bad I wasted all my tears earlier.'
Toji entered the office again, carrying with him a pizza. "So how's my little twenty-one year old?" He said in a voice used towards babies.
Usagi shot him a glare, but her smile took away the sting. "Why, just dandy," she lied, grinning at him.
"Anyways, here's the pizza," Toji said, placing the food on her desk.
"Thanks," she replied, leaning back in her chair. "After lunch, I'm going to go back home and sulk."
"Don't you have anything better to do?" Toji sighed as he rolled his eyes.
"It's not like anything ever happens to me," Usagi replied as she took a piece of pizza from the box.
How wrong she was.
