AN: Wow! I haven't done this in quite awhile, ne? I have missed you guys!! *Hikari-chan ducks as flying objects graze her head*: ~_~;; It hasn't been that long since I've updated has it?

Duo O_O: Actually it's been about 9 months since this fic and about 3 for the dbz one

Hikari-chan: Nani?! That's impossible! *Hikari-chan goes back and checks her calendar and her eyes goes wide as she realize it has been that long.

I'm soooo sorry minna! Demo I'm back now, and the summer is coming up and I'm graduating at the end of the month!! ^_^

Diclaimer: Wow, haven't done this in awhile also! Anyway, don't own either show or characters, they don't belong to me! I'm just using them for awhile!

Read on!

CHAPTER 10

She adjusted the jet-black wig that was on her head before glancing in the mirror again. The style was cut short and it stopped just under her slim jaw, framing her face like an ebony curtain. Her red lips smiled in satisfaction.

Sapphire eyes stared at the vanity-glass, scanning over her newly acquired evening gown that she received not even two hours ago. The gown was ankle length, though splits on both sides reached her upper thigh. The dress glimmered slightly when she moved a certain way, showing off soft curves and round hips on her young figure. The neckline was a little low for her taste, but it complimented her slim throat, which donned a small tear-shaped locket in marble-black. The straps of her dress went behind her neck, showing of the flawless pale surface of her back. The ensemble was completed with black strap-heals that adorned her feet.

"Let's get this show on the road," With that, she stepped outside the powder room and back into a long hallway.

"Hn."

Usagi turned her head towards Heero, whom was leaning against the wall next to the door with his arms crossed. She eyed the customary black tux that he wore and nodded in approval.

"You clean up nice, Heero," Usagi stated, a small smile hanging on her red lips.

Instead of responding, Heero raised an eyebrow as his eyes went over her slim figure. Usagi blushed brightly, before glaring at the older boy.

"Shut up," she murmured, unconsciously tugging at her low neckline. "Besides, Duo-kun picked it out. Last time I count on him to pick me out a dress.

Where is that baka anyway?" she asked, not spotting the braided-haired pilot in the hall.

Duo and Quatre had decided to come along at the last minute. Duo claimed he didn't want to miss out on any fun, and Quatre still feeling responsible for Usagi's near death, wanted to keep an eye on the odango-haired girl as much as possible.

"He's in the ballroom already, and Quatre is already in position, so let's go," Not waiting for her to reply, Heero walked down the hallway leading to the ballroom.

"Matte!" Usagi whispered abruptly, trying to adjust the straps of her dress. When the pilot ignored her, she cursed under breath before stumbling after him.

"Matte ne, baka!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Duo munched on the finger food, as he quietly observed the scenery around him. Or in other words, eyeing young women who caught his attention. He threw another cracker into his mouth – which was coated it seemed, with crud – and grinned.

"I wonder how Heero would react if I told him Miss Peacecraft herself was here."

As he spoke, he glanced at the previous Sanq princess who was talking lightly to a group of elderly men. A younger gentlemen was standing beside her, though he wasn't much involved with the conversation as he was with scanning the ballroom.

Pretty boy must be the new bodyguard from Preventers, he thought silently as he watched the dark haired man respond to something Relena said to him.

"Oi, you know you just put fish eggs in your mouth, right?"

Duo coughed harshly as his chewed food almost went down the wrong pipe, before glaring at the girl that wasn't at his side a second ago.

Before any words could leave his mouth, his jaw went slack as he gazed over the dress, okay, the body in the dress.

"Usagi?" he gasped, or tried to as food sputtered out of his mouth. Usagi rolled her eyes, a small smile gracing her face as she dodged the flying cracker crumbs. "Nani? Why look so surprise when you picked out the dress yourself?" she asked playfully, her anger diminished once she saw his reaction.

That, and he looks soo kawaii in that tux, she thought as the smile grew on her face. The only thing that stood out was the crooked tie that was now slanted. She shook her head and found herself uniting it completely before sliding it from his collar.

"What are you doing?" he asked with more amusement in his voice than anything else.

"It was crooked, besides ties don't really fit you," Usagi replied before stuffing the tie into his right pocket.

Duo only smiled and scanned the room for Heero. "So, where's your date? Wasn't able to keep up with him, huh?" he finished, as he saw the embarrassed Usagi lift her chin haughtily with red staining her cheeks.

"How should I know? If he's not hanging off some wall, that baka's stalking down halls," she replied angrily, still upset that he left her in the hallway.

Duo chuckled and nodded his head. "That sounds like our Heero."

Heero took in everything around him, even the chatting Duo and Usagi, or rather Aoi. Heero grunted mentally before continuing to scan the room. And yes, he did notice that Relena was there. In fact, she wasn't even ten feet behind him, and he was absorbing every piece of important information that was passing through the small group. Though it wasn't much, since he knew about 90% of it all ready. He also noticed the bodyguard, and wondered how long would it be before he was killed trying to protect the pacifist. After another minute he walked away from the group and headed towards his two companions.

Duo was talking to some redhead, and Usagi was now mingling with the crowd. Though her facial expression was light and pleasant, Heero knew she was absorbing any info that dealt with the Genesis organization.

"Hey, buddy, there you are! Nauru, this is Fuyunagi Hiroshi. Hiroshi, this is Nauru. She's Relena's – oh excuse me – the Vice Foreign Minister's secretary." Duo gestured towards Nauru, who was blushing brightly at being in close range with two bishonen.

She smiled shyly at Heero. "James was just telling me about you and your wife Aoi. I must say, you both must really love each other to be married so young," she added, glancing at Heero's 'wife' who at the moment was conversing with one of the violinist.

Heero turned his attention back to Duo, his deadpan expression boring into the braided pilot intensely.

"Actually, it was a prearranged marriage," Heero told her, without taking his eyes from Duo.

Duo sweat-dropped before lightly taking Nauru's elbow. "How about you introduce me to that lucky guy of your now, Nauru. I can't wait to meet him; his name is Umino, ne? Ja, Hiroshi!" With that, Duo dragged the confused girl as far away from the nonchalant Heero as he could.

Usagi pressed her hand lightly on the arm of one of the violinist as they paused for a break. His chocolate brown eyes looked at her briefly before smiling.

"Ano, guys, I'll be back in five," he stated walking from the men in the orchestra, whom were looking at him in surprise as the beautiful raven hung on to his arm.

They manage to nod before the couple stepped out of sight and into the crowd.

"So, how does it feel to play in a real orchestra and not having to worry about people recognizing you, Quatre-kun?" Usagi asked lightly, as Quatre ran a hand through his short mahogany hair.

"Well, it's a first, I can assure you. Demo I feel kind of strange with my hair and eyes being this color, though I do like being able to play like this."

Usagi herself liked the look, he reminded her of one of the many characters in her magna collection.

Ikari Shinji, she thought suddenly and wondered what Heero would look like in red contacts and a short blue wig. When a mental picture of Wufei standing beside him in a red wig wearing blue contacts, a snort burst from Usagi's lips as she tried to contain her laughter.

Quatre looked down at the girl beside him and wondered what was on her mind. But knowing Usagi, he knew that it was close to impossible to guess.

Usagi caught Quatre's look and waved it off, "Don't mind me Quatre, I think I had too much 'punch' or something."

Quatre was about to question the emphasis on punch when a waiter walked by and Usagi swiped a wineglass off the moving tray. His eyes widened in realization and he looked at Usagi as if she were insane.

"You've been drinking? Are you sure that's wise? I mean we're on a mission, and you're still underage," he slightly reprimanded, as he took the glass away from the pouting girl.

Usagi looked up at the young man and pouted, "I was just joking Quatre. That was going to be my first, really," she added when he gave her a questioning look.

Usagi smiled as Quatre placed the untouched wineglass onto a tray as another waiter passed by.

He was just so predictable sometimes.

"Anyway, I came to tell you that we probably won't be here too much longer. There's not much information going on around here that we don't already know. And you know how Heero doesn't like wasting his time, so don't get too comfortable up there," she added with a wink.

Quatre smiled in return and made his way back to the other musicians.

Usagi was making her way back to where she had left Duo when someone suddenly bumped into her. She looked up at her assailant, and her breath caught as she looked into an unfamiliar, yet familiar face.

Dark blue eyes stared down at her apologetically, "Gomen nasai, miss. I didn't see you there. Daijoubu ka?" he asked, holding two wineglasses as he smiled at her

Usagi nodded absently, trying to place where she saw him before. Before either of them could respond, a voice broke their momentary silence.

"Mamoru? There you are; I was afraid you had gotten lost. Sorry for sending you away, but I could tell you were getting bored."

Mamoru turned to the young woman with honey-blond hair and smiled teasingly before passing her one of the glasses, "Really? I wasn't that bad, was I? Ano, I don't know many people with your kind of patience, Relena-san. You'll have to give me some pointers some day."

*&*&*&&*&*&*&*&&*&*&**&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&**&&**&*&*&*&*&*&

FINALLY Chapter 10 is out of the way! Demo, I left it at a cliffhanger MHAHAHAHAHA! If I get 20 reviews by his weekend, I'll post the next chapter early. It ALL depends on you readers this time!

Now it's time to thank the people who reviewed last chapter!!!

Midnight Lady: Gomen! This is even shorter but it's just something to let everyone know that I'm back. I'll start writing for the next chapter right now!! ~_^

Usagi Asia maxwell: *LOL* I didn't know you liked it so much! Well, here it is! I know, it's been awhile but it's finally here ~_~''

Selena: THANKS! I'm really really that you like it so far. Things are definitely are starting to heat up!

Akiko Joy: Sorry you had to wait so long, Akiko! I don't know if you would consider this chapter romantic, but it did have some sparks of attraction to it! ~_^

Naru*Mei-chan: Sooo, you caught on to that, ne? You're actually the first to do so. But yeah, it kinda does… SSSSHHHH Don't tell anyboby!!

Hikari-chan (Comet-Princess : I'm glad you're liking it so far. I thought adding Chibi-Usa would bring in a nice touch!

Galexz : THANKS!! ^_^

Samantha: Thanks Samatha! You know I can't take Usagi out of the picture …. yet… MHAHAHAA ^_^ just kiddin!

Tenshi-chan: Thanks! I'm trying to bring most of the everyday people from the SM universe, but trying to fit them in is the tricky part -_-

Prophetess of Hearts: You're not a fan of Chibi-Usa? Well to be honest she's not my favorite character, but she has her moments. Thanks for reviewing!

Koneko-chan: Thank you! That really means a lot to me and it's one of the reasons that I haven't dropped my fics. Tank you for all of your reviews! ~_^

Mystical Jade: *LOL* that's one of my favorite parts of that chapter, I love writing about Minako in this fic! And Usagi is afraid of Artimis because he reminds her of Luna from her dreams, and that adding to the fact that she just met the four girls whom she thought she only dreamed up, that kind of pushed her over the scale.

Sakura-li : Awww, here's that next button! But now, there isn't one at the end of this chapter ~_~;; If I get enough reviews, I can change that though!

Hell's Dark Tenshi: Thanks! I hope you didn't loose interest in my long absence! Or if you did, maybe this chapter brought it back!

StaRsHiNe: Look! I'm working on it! ^_^

Well, that's all for this chapter, until next time:

Ja!