Disclaimer:
( i )mouto – younger sister
(o)nii-san – older brother
kuso, che – swear words
ano – 'well', or 'um' used in context
neko – cat
gomen - sorry
hontoo – really
AN: How ya been, minna?! Sorry about the huge delay, but my internet account is acting all screwy, so the only access I have to the net is at the public library! (Hikari sweat-drops as the librarian glares at her for the hundredth time)
Anyway, Tenshi-nee and Usa-chan! I miss you guys! I can't even get on ICQ without hassle!
Minna! Meet my new muse, Tasuki-kun!
Tasuki: Ignore her folks and go read the damn fic already! Or she'll keep blabbin' for no f*#@in' reason at all!
Hikari !_!: Tasuki-kun! You're suppose to motivate me, not put me down!
Chapter 9
Five people sat at a rectangle-shaped table. Setsuna sat at one end, and Usagi sat at the other.
Usagi threw a quick disbelieving glance at the girl sitting to her left. 'Minako.' She looked at the green-eyed girl who was sitting next to Minako. 'Makoto.' Her gaze went over to the remaining two girls who were sitting at the right side of the table.
'Rei. Ami.'
For a moment, Usagi wondered if she was still unconscious or even dreaming.
'I can't believe this! It's the girls from my dream, there's no doubt about it!'
She looked at Setsuna who was sitting opposite from her.
Makoto shook her head, "This doesn't make any since. Why would Genesis be after us?"
Rei gave Minako a questioning look. "Well, Minako-chan has been pick-pocketing a few of their male soldiers…"
Minako blushed before giving Rei a betrayed look. "Rei-chan! Besides, it was only three times, and I've never been caught for my rewards,"
As she spoke the second sentence, pride laced her voice.
Usagi gave the blond a curious look. "Why only male soldiers?"
Minako winked at Usagi. "Ano, guys are so much easier to fool! And they look and sound so funny when they realize they've been swindled."
Usagi lifted an eyebrow, "You mean 'robbed'?"
Minako pouted slightly, "I like 'swindled' better."
Rei turned her attention back to Setsuna. Every time she looked at Usagi, she compared her to the bubbly girl from her visions.
"So, you had those guys kidnap us before Genesis got there first. Why?" Her tone held disbelief and suspicion.
Usagi narrowed her eyes at the raven-haired girl. "Those guys are my friends. And if it weren't for them, you four would probably be in one of Genesis's cells by now, or even worse, dead."
Rei's eyes widened briefly at the girl's outburst. Somehow it seemed unnatural coming from her.
Setsuna allowed a small smile to appear on her lips before clearing her throat. "I think this will also answer Makoto-san's question. I have reason to believe that Genesis knows about each of you. That includes your 'gifts'. Like Minako-san's pick-pocketing expertise. Ami-san's computer smarts and her aptness in hacking,"
Ami flushed in embarrassment as Setsuna continued on.
"Makoto-san's undefeatable fighting reputation, and your slight physic abilities, Rei-san. This could be put to important use for them"
The four girls gaped at Setsuna in astonishment. Usagi meanwhile had an amused smile on her face. She had learned many years ago that it was almost impossible to hide anything from the woman. Almost...
Ami shook her head. "How did… how could you…"
Usagi sighed, "Trust me. Don't ask."
Makoto closed her eyes briefly as she tried to compose herself, the action reminding Usagi of Trowa. After a minute, she opened her eyes.
"So, what do you want us to do?"
Minako, Ami, and Rei looked at Makoto, consternation covering their faces.
"What are you saying, Makoto-chan?!" asked Minako in surprise.
Makoto looked across the table at Rei. "You don't feel anything bad from them, ne Rei-chan?" she asked quietly.
Rei hesitated before shaking her head, "Iie, I don't."
Minako sighed loudly. "Ano, I guess it cant be too bad. Ne, minna? Besides, it wasn't like we were living in paradise at our old apartment. And I get to keep Artimis, right?"
The neko in question ran into the open room door, shortly followed by an enraged Wufei and his katana.
Wufei pointed the gleaming sword towards Artimis who was now being shielded by Minako. "Keep that damned neko away from me and my room! Or next time I'll skin him alive!"
With that he stormed back out of the small office and slammed the door shut.
Minako giggled, "Oi, Artimis. I think it'll be safe if you leave that guy alone for awhile." The cat only purred before jumping back to the floor to sit at her feet.
Usagi blinked at the cat for three seconds before jumping to her feet. She sweat-dropped when she noticed everyone was starting at her.
"Umm, if I'm finished here, Setsuna-san..."
Setsuna nodded briefly before turning her attention back to the four girls. Usagi walked briskly to the door, opened it, and shut it closed without giving them a backwards glance.
Makoto looked at the closed door. "What's with her?"
Minako shrugged, "Maybe she doesn't like cats either?"
Usagi closed her eyes as she leaned against the closed door. "This is beginning to be too much," she mumbled quietly. She sighed before opening her eyes...
only to see Heero leaning against the wall in front of her 'Vegita style'. (That means arms crossed, with a disinterested appearance -_-;;)
Usagi jumped slightly before flushing in embarrassment. If there was one thing she hated, it was being caught off guard. She glared at the 01 pilot before pushing herself from the wall.
"I thought I told you not to do that, Heero!
Well, what do ya want?"
He didn't respond and for a moment, she wondered if he'd fallen asleep with his eyes open.
When he blinked, she nearly jumped again before sighing impatiently.
Heero, "I just got a message from Dr. J, we have a mission. I'm leaving in 10 minutes. Are you up for it?" he asked, glancing briefly at her side.
'Wow. I guess he _is_ able to speak more than one sentence at a time. Wait till I tell Duo!'
Usagi nodded after she patted her side for self-reassurance. It had been a week since the incident, and 3 days since she was able to leave Duo's room for 'freedom'. She felt as good as new, well, that's what she told everyone.
"Hai. So, it's just you and me, ne?"
Heero nodded briefly before they started down the hall together.
Usagi smiled suddenly and looked up at her silent house-mate.
"Oi, Heero. Just remember not to slow me down, alright?"
There was a ghost of a smile on his face as he peered down at Usagi.
"I was about to say the same to you."
***
Shingo grinned as he reached the next level of the game, he was second to the highest score and still going. He'd been at the arcade for about two hours now and still had money left. "This must be my lucky day," he murmured to himself.
This must have set off some sort of jinx, because before he could even finish the thought, the pager hanging on his pocket went off. Shingo glanced down at it only for a moment, but it was enough to break his concentration and soon the words:
GA
were flashing across the screen.
"Che!"
Shingo sweat-dropped as he received several glances from the people around him. He muttered before yanking the pager off his pocket to see who would be killed for interrupting his winning streak.
He read the message briefly before going into a slight panic.
"Kuso! I forgot again!"
With that, he raced out of the arcade and down the street. He barely caught up with the city bus before hoping on.
***
She sighed angrily as she replaced the receiver back on the phone. Her small hands subconsciously brushed her heart-shaped bangs out of her eyes as she looked up at the clock.
"He's late, again," she muttered before heading back outside the school building.
As she made her way down the steps, she smiled when she realized one of her friends were still there.
They haven't been friends for long, but that changed over a birthday party two weeks ago, and they've been really good friends since then.
"Hi, Hotaru-chan! I'm glad you're still here. I thought for sure I would have to wait with sensei again until my baka onii-san gets here. Unfortunately, Toki-niisan couldn't pick me up this week cause of his job interviews, so I'm stuck with Shingo-nii until then."
Hotaru giggled before shaking her head. "Gomen. It's just Shingo-san is so silly. Isn't this like, the third time this week?"
She nodded before crossing her arms, "Hai! You would think after the second time, he would remember. That's how it is when you get old, I guess." She giggled suddenly.
"Oi, how does it feel to be eight now, Hotaru-chan."
Hotaru shrugged before brushing her dark hair away from her face. "I dunno. Actually I still feel seven. I'm not even taller than I was two weeks ago! Ano, if this keeps up, at least I wont have to worry about getting old."
The two girls were still laughing when a car parked not too far away from them. Hotaru noticed and jumped up from the steps. "It looks like Haruka-papa is picking me up today."
She looked down at her friend before smiling hopefully, "You can catch a ride with us if you like."
The girl shook her head lightly, making her twin pigtails sway back and forth, "Iie, that's okay. Besides," she said as she stood up. "I think I see Shingo-nii getting off the bus anyway."
Hotaru nodded before hopping off the steps, "Okay. I'll see you tomorrow, then. Ja, Usagi-chan!"
Her scarlet eyes danced happily at her friend, "Ja, Hotaru-chan."
Just as the car pulled off, a winded Shingo made his way through the school gate. He looked down apologetically at his little sister.
"Gomen about that, Usa."
She only pouted before looking the other way. Shingo smiled before yanking on one of her pink odangos.
"C'mon. Don't be that way 'mouto-chan! I'll make it up to ya."
Giving him a sideward glance, she stood up from the steps. "Hontoo ni? Like what?"
Shingo shrugged. "Ano, whadda want?" he asked as they made their way across the parking lot.
She considered for a moment before an idea came to her.
"A double fudge ice-cream cone?"
Shingo smiled before lifting the seven year-old and carrying her piggy-back style down the sidewalk. "You got a deal, Chibi-Usa."
She smiled happily at the family nick-name before glomping her older brother.
"Doomo, Shin-nii!"
That's it for now minna-chan! Till next time, ja!
Oh, and don't forget to review!
My email addie is hikairnotenshi@yahoo.com
Oh, and the whole Chibi-Usa thing will be explained later on... so don't ask! ^_^
Hikari no Tenshi