Title: Because of You
Author: Cheska
E-mail Address: Minnashime@aol.com
Rating: PG or PG-13
Chapter: 3
Disclaimer: *wailing noise overhead*
VOICE: Come out with your hands up! You can't hide in there throughout
the rest of your life. So you might as well give yourself up now!
Cheska: NEVER! Never! I own them, do you hear me? Own them!! *maniacal laugh*
Voice: *Sweatdrops* Err...yeah...come out of there and we'll talk about this.
Cheska: Yeah right, you can't get me out of here. Bwhahaha!!
Voice: We're warning you for the last time, Cheska.
Cheska: I'd like to see you try.
Voice: That's it. Bring out the secret weapon.
Cheska: Secret weapon? *peeks from behind the corner* *gasps*
Voice: *whispers something to the weapon*
Relena: HIIIIIIRRRRRROOOOOO!!
Cheska: Ahh the banshee!!! Ahh!! *closes ears*
Relena: Come and kill me, Hiiro! I know you're in there! *starts running forward*
Voice: Do you give up now?
Cheska: Never! Never! *clutches ears still, but not working*
Relena: HIIIIIIRRRRROOOOO!!
Voice: Send in the next one.
Cheska: There's more?
*whole groups of Relena copies*: HIIRRRROOOOO!!!
*building begins to shake*
Cheska: Okay, okay! Enough! I don't own SM&GW. Just don't send anymore!
Voice: Good.
Author's Notes: Chapter 1 & 2 are done, now here comes
chapter 3 of Because of You. Hope you'll like it. Ja!
************
I will meet you again.
**************
*Present Time:
Colony L4*
**************
The year is A.C. 198. An eighteen year old teenager with Prussian
blue eyes and messy brown hair stood in the shadows of a large
mansion, watching his comrades. From the shadows he could make out
his friend, Trowa Barton, leaning alongside the wall his head downcast
and arms folded. In front of him were his other companions. Wufei
and Quatre playing chess; from his point of view Quatre had
the upper hand in the game. And his last friend, the ever friendly Duo,
was on the couch apparently watching television. However, the weird
part was that the braided boy wasn't at all loud or annoying as he ususally
is. This interested the brown haired boy, as he came out of the shadows
to stealthily inspect the boy.
A teenage boy of eighteen with long brown, braided hair and cobalt blue
eyes gazed at the t.v. set with indifference. Even though his figure
and eyes faced forward to stare at the television, his heart and mind
weren't in it. He was in another world, another time where he wasn't
eighteen and not with his present friends. He was back there, back in
the orphanage. Back with the golden haired child named Usagi.
The one he once called, bunny.
As he reflected upon Usagi, he slightly grinned at the memory. Being around
Hiiro, he managed to learn that Usagi means bunny which was quite ironic
since he called her that a long time ago on her birthday. He could recall
when Duo just happened to ask Hiiro what Usagi meant in japanese. Of course,
the 'Perfect Soldier' didn't respond until he annoyed him enough times
to be told. And because of his own question, the soldier-boy interrogated
him as to why he asked it but he only replied that it was just out of curiousity.
Ever since he left Usagi back in Colony L2, he hasn't made any attempt of
contact with her. It's only because of the war, but now the war was over.
At least he hope it is. All he has left now is to wait for the next one
to start or move on. From time to time he'd stay with Hilde over at the
junk yard in the Sweepers Colony in L2; his hometown. But right now,
the braided boy was with his friends at L4.
As Duo thought about all of this, his hand unconsciously reached out to his
cross. His mind beginning to drift off to the time he first met the small
girl to the the time he first met up with the guys. It was such a long time
ago and so much has happened.
(Where are you now, Usa? Still in Tokyo? Are you happy, sad, hurt?
No matter, we'll find each other once more. I'm sure of it...)Duo
vowed.
"We promised,"muttered Duo under his breath.
(Promised?)Hiiro heard his murmer, and questioned it inside his mind.
**********
"Checkmate."
The White Queen moved off cornering the lone Black King with a white pawn and
bishop. Therefore, once the king tries to even eat one or the other, it'd
be killed off instantly.
The black haired chinese boy seethed in silence at being beaten in the stragetic game
and went out of the room to meditate. Quatre merely shook his blond head and the
young Arabian picked up the pieces to put them away.
At the sound of the pieces being picked up and put into the mahogany box,
Duo rose from his posture and stared over to the side. He made
no move to comment or rise up, instead he just returned to his original
state and began to drift off into his world. However, Hiiro was there staring
at him indifferently.
"Oh hey, Hii-man!"Duo grinned in his usual way, but it didn't reach to his eyes.
"Hn."
"What?"Duo frowned as Hiiro still stood hovering over him.
Hiiro refused to say what he was thinking about, so the soldier just
turned around and strolled off leaving Duo to ponder over what just happened.
Trowa saw what passed between the two, but refused to acknowledge it. But he
didn't wave it off, he knew that someday it'll come up again and when it does
the Latin teen would figure it out.
*************
*Earth:
Tokyo, Japan*
*************
Usagi Tsukino finished her last comment of her thoughts and placed
her baby blue diary inside her drawer and locked it up with a golden key.
It's only been three years since she received the diary and every month
since then, she wrote down what has happened to her. Just now, her
thoughts began to drift back to the event more than a decade ago.
As she reflected off the event, she smiled lightly and reached over
into her tattered old bag to retrieve a picture of her and Duo.
Usagi was about to say something, but before she could voice it out
she heard movement from the treetops in front of her open window and
hastily packed the picture up and hide the old bag. Just then,
a black cat hopped inside with a golden crescent insignia blazing on its
forhead.
"Luna, you're home early,"Usagi commented.
The black cat perched herself onto Usagi's bed, just observing her
mistress.
"Artemis cut off the meeting in central control early. Said he had to
meet Minako over at the temple. You know, Usagi. The girls have
been talking about their careers already. You should start
thinking about that too,"Luna nagged and explained.
"Luna,"Usagi whirled around, not trying to stare at the cat right in
the eye. Her voice was filled with exhaustion at the mere thought.
"Well, it's true. You five are graduating soon, you're sixteen
and in your junior year. You seriously need to think about this already.
You can't be a teen all your life. We're not sure when you will take
up the throne and have the new kingdom restored for Crystal Tokyo,"Luna lectured.
"I know,"Usagi sighed and sat down on her chair, her elbows on top
of the wooden study and her head being supported by her palms.
Her eyes dully stared at the back of her study.
"So have you even thought about it?"
Usagi chuckled wryly as she thought back of her career options
before as a fourteen-year old. It seemed silly to even think of it
right now but at the same time quite intriguing and inviting.
"Before I wanted to be a housewife. I wanted to be a bride,
just that. Nothing more..."Usagi began dreamily.
"And now?"
"Now, now I'm not too sure. I may want to be a bride still and possibly
a housewife. But I can't just be that, can I? I want...need something
more in my life. A career, I suppose. However, I'm not quite sure
as to what it could be,"Usagi confessed.
"You still have time, Usagi. I shouldn't have been too jumpy on you,
this is your life. It'll come around, I'm sure."Luna apologized
and hopped off to the edge of the window, gazing at her mistress
before jumping off to a nearby tree branch.
"Sure it will, Luna. Sure it will..."Usagi eyes her old bag from the
corner of her eye. A small beige strand peeking out from the side
of her closet.
Sighing, the blond pushed herself upright and moved over to
her bed to pick up her beloved stuffed animal. A pink and white
bunny from long before, slightly aged but decent to have around.
It was the first present that Duo gave her since they became friends and
she could still remember each detail in the recesses of her mind.
"I wonder how you are, Duo. I hope you're alright now. And someday,
I'll meet you once more. From there, I'm sure everything will be okay.
Because of you, I am who I am."
With that, Usagi leaned against the wall drifting off into her own little
world. Filled with memories of long ago.
***********
"Minako, what did you call me here for?"Artemis steadily climbed up the
long set of stairs.
"Nothing much, heard you and Luna were going to consult with Central
Control. What's the news? Any trouble?"Minako inquired.
"Nope, everything is actually peaceful. Ever since the war
ended a year ago, everything has been going smoothly. Why do you
ask?"Artemis asked, a hint of cautiousness etching his voice.
"Well, to tell you the truth..."Rei started as the fiery priestess
stopped sweeping.
"We've been worried,"Minako revealed.
"Worried? Come on, girls..."Artemis snorted in disbelief.
"I've had a premonition of the outcome of the future,"Rei said.
"What is it?"
"Every night since two years past, I've had reoccurences of dreams
every five months. Same one and it would linger in my mind until
one week passes,"Rei began, placing her broom against a beam while
Artemis sat down on the floor in front of her with Minako beside the
two of them.
"Go on."
"It's always hazy but I'm sure it's a premonition. I would stand
aside, concealed in shadows as if I play no part in this or have no
say in. However, I'm quite certain that one of us five will play
a role. What it is, I have no idea."
"Then how do you know that one of us will be in it?"Minako interrupted.
"I have a feeling, a strong aura radiating from this dream. The aura I
feel when one of us are around,"Rei explained.
"Keep going, Rei,"Artemis urged.
"Well in the dream, great machines are in there. Raging war against
other machines. A war like in Operation Meteor, a great war. Except this time,
the Vice Foreign Minister isn't included in it. At least, I don't believe
so. But they fight for another reason, they fight for revenge."
"And who's the good side?"Minako questioned.
"I don't know. Either one could be it. I do know this though, we'll
need to stop it or else our future will be in great peril. We must remember
that Crystal Tokyo still needs to be created." Rei reminded.
"Right!"Minako and Artemis sounded out in unison.
"We should tell the others about this, they need to keep a look-out for
great machines."Minako voiced out.
"Ami and Makoto aren't around, Minako. Remember?"Rei said.
"Oh yeah, Ami is with her mother in London. And Makoto is at France, training
at the cooking school they have there. Won't be back until Winter Vacation.
Lucky lot. Here we are spending out first day out of school for summer
with nothing more to do than to look out for evil,"giggled Minako.
"Rei! What are you doing? You have chores to do!"Grandpa Hino hopped
out from behind the screen door in back of them and waved his fist at her.
Rei sweatdropped and picked up her broom and began her duties.
"See ya, Rei!"Minako waved as she started down the stairs with Artemis
by her side.
Rei merely waved at her as she began dusting off the ground at the temple
with Grandpa in back of her, inspecting as well as critizing her work.
*********
"July 1, great weather. Beautiful blue sky and the scent of fresh air
with the slight hint of breeze.."Usagi lazily commented as she took a stroll
down the street.
Long golden blond hair done up in odangoes trailed behind the sixteen year
old teenager. Her crystalline blue eyes shining with content and her lips
curved upwards slightly as she let her face glow with a hint of happiness.
People who passed her by took a glance at the beautiful teen, some wishing
they could be like her or hoping that they'd be noticed by the angel. Others
merely smiled back or greeting her out of respect and kindess, such as
little kids or elderly couples.
"Hey Odango Atama!"a familiar call cried out in front of her.
Stopping, Usagi looked ahead and noticed her dear friend Rei coming her
way. Wearing blue denim shorts and a red top, her usual raven black hair
loose and swirling in back of her.
"Kon'wa Rei-chan,"Usagi beamed.
"Ohayo. Where's Luna?"Rei questioned as she fell in step with the blond.
"Don't know. She just left after a little pit stop at home. So how come
you're not at the temple?"Usagi conversed.
"Grandpa decided to let me have a break, so Chad is filling in for
me." (((AN: Sorry, can't remember the japanese name for Chad. .)))
As they rounded a corner, they instantly saw the familiar Arcade
in their wake and decided to head inside. The two girls chose their
usual spot by the window and waited for the waiter/waitress to serve them.
"Unazaki-chan, hi. Where's your brother?"Usagi wondered, noticing the
red-headed sister of Motoki.
"Motoki? Oh, he's helping some other customers. So what can I get
you two?"Unazaki took out the pencil behind her ear and prepared to
jot down their orders.
"I'll have the usual,"Usagi grinned while Rei nodded her head saying
the same.
"Alright, three strawberry milkshakes and one rootbeer float, coming
right up!"Unazaki announced and walked off with the menus under her arms.
"Any news?"Usagi casually brought out her interest to the fiery maiden.
"None, everything is quiet. But that doesn't mean we can.."started Rei.
"I know, it doesn't mean we can let our guards down. But for now, we
can just be glad that it's nothing too serious..."Usagi mused.
"Hai."
Once their orders were brought to them, a certain midnight black haired
man strode inside the Arcade and instantly spotted them. He beamed over
a smile at the sight of the two girls and immediately but casually strolled
over to their booth.
"Usako.."his deep, soothing voice whispered over to her ear as he drew nearer
after sitting himself down.
"Mamo-chan,"Usagi smiled pleasantly and pecked his cheek.
Rei saw their displayment of emotion and let out a smile of joy for her
bestfriend and ex. Despite the small pain in her heart at seeing the scene
unfold, she was pleased to know that her friend was happy. That's what
mattered to her. And anyways, she still has Chad waiting for her. In her heart,
she came to care for the guy.
"I was looking for you,"Mamoru Chiba voiced out his concern.
"Well, I was home earlier this morning but left to head for the Arcade. How
about you?"Usagi asked, taking a sip out of her shake.
"Jogging and then home. After that, I went out to town and spotted
this. Immediately, I thought about you,"Mamoru revealed a carefully craftedmoonstone dangling
from a pale silver bracelet.
"For me?"
"Hai, for you."
"What's the occassion?"
"None, my little odango atama. None."
Taking the bracelet, Usagi placed it around her wrist while Mamoru closed
it for her.
"Arigatou."
"Anything for you."
************
Duo rose up from his relaxed position on the couch and studied his environment.
A homely atmosphere, showing not the slightest hint that this could very well be
a hideout for people like him and his friends. Ruthless soldiers fighting for
peace and justice. Doing anything, killing anyone to achieve peace for their
people and for themselves.
He breathed out a shaky breath of relief at seeing that his friends weren't around
and rose up, taking quick steps over to the stairs and ascended upwards to the confines
of his habitation; his room.
The braided boy shut the door with a click and locked it. Afterwards, he strolled
over to close the wide open curtains and then proceeded to his closet. Digging
around past accessories and jokebooks to come up with the one he sought after the
most. His laptop. Taking it out, he placed it in front of him, sitting down in the
process on the carpeted ground. He flipped his braid over his shoulder and started
it up, hearing the whirring and buzz. The warmth as it blazed to life.
"Now's a good time to search, don't you think so, Shinigami?"Duo lowly stated
under his breath as his cobalt blue eyes glinted in determination and mirth.
As the computer screen popped up, he clicked open Start and began his search.
He knew inside himself that in mere moments he'll find her. He just had to.
*********
"Well I better get going, I can't leave Chad at the temple by himself with
Grandpa. Who knows what will happen?!"Rei jokingly said as she slipped away from
the two and headed north towards her home.
"See you later, Rei!"Usagi called out, waving when her friend turned her head
her way.
Mamoru by her side waved as well in friendliness and then the two continued
onward, merely enjoying each others company. As the two journeyed onward, they
stopped at their spot at the park. Both silent for the moment, content with the
quiet atmopshere looming before them. Sitting under the shade of the branches
and leaves of a nearby tree. Sitting down on the bench, vacant and inviting.
Usagi leaned to the shoulder of the one she believes to love and smelled
the sweet scent of roses. She let her eyes close and drifted away.
(I can recall those days in the orphanage. There would be time of mere
tranquility. Duo and I would tire out from our day of play and just
lean against each other against the tree trunk. He'd have that mythology
book of his pocketed somewhere and bring it out. Reading outloud to me.
How I miss those days...)Usagi thought back.
"Penny for your thoughts?"Mamoru's low voice questioned as his face loomed
over hers.
"Just looking back after everything we've been through..."Usagi murmered and
straightened herself out.
"Usako..."
(Bunny....oh Duo...)Usagi drifted off and was startled out of her reverie
when Mamoru cupped her cheek and brought it to face him.
(His eyes, like the ocean. Duo's eyes...blue, cobalt blue. Almost purple.
Almost...their eyes are so different. Their personalities as well.)Usagi
reflected.
"Something troubling you?"Mamoru's lips were achingly close as he said those
words. His eyes focused upon her face, noticing her spacing off from time to
time.
"Hmn?"Usagi lazily lifted her eyes upward to gaze into his, noticing his
faint trace of concern.
To relieve him of it, Usagi tiptoed upwards and captured his lips with her own,
lightly brushing against his in the effort to make him relax.
"Answer your question?"Usagi seductively murmered.
"Mmm.."Mamoru slyly smiled and brought her closer to him.
(Duo. I still remember our promise.)Usagi noted as she leaned closer and kissed
once more.
To be continued...
******************
I'm not particularly fond with that last part, myself. #_# But I put it
up anyway. And sorta sucky how she was made out to be kissing Mamoru when she's
been thinking about Duo, ne? Oi... O.o
Hopefully, the next chapter will be better. Sorta, probably. Oh welps,
I'll think about that. ~.~
Well that's about it, R&R, folks. Ja ne!
Author: Cheska
E-mail Address: Minnashime@aol.com
Rating: PG or PG-13
Chapter: 3
Disclaimer: *wailing noise overhead*
VOICE: Come out with your hands up! You can't hide in there throughout
the rest of your life. So you might as well give yourself up now!
Cheska: NEVER! Never! I own them, do you hear me? Own them!! *maniacal laugh*
Voice: *Sweatdrops* Err...yeah...come out of there and we'll talk about this.
Cheska: Yeah right, you can't get me out of here. Bwhahaha!!
Voice: We're warning you for the last time, Cheska.
Cheska: I'd like to see you try.
Voice: That's it. Bring out the secret weapon.
Cheska: Secret weapon? *peeks from behind the corner* *gasps*
Voice: *whispers something to the weapon*
Relena: HIIIIIIRRRRRROOOOOO!!
Cheska: Ahh the banshee!!! Ahh!! *closes ears*
Relena: Come and kill me, Hiiro! I know you're in there! *starts running forward*
Voice: Do you give up now?
Cheska: Never! Never! *clutches ears still, but not working*
Relena: HIIIIIIRRRRROOOOO!!
Voice: Send in the next one.
Cheska: There's more?
*whole groups of Relena copies*: HIIRRRROOOOO!!!
*building begins to shake*
Cheska: Okay, okay! Enough! I don't own SM&GW. Just don't send anymore!
Voice: Good.
Author's Notes: Chapter 1 & 2 are done, now here comes
chapter 3 of Because of You. Hope you'll like it. Ja!
************
I will meet you again.
**************
*Present Time:
Colony L4*
**************
The year is A.C. 198. An eighteen year old teenager with Prussian
blue eyes and messy brown hair stood in the shadows of a large
mansion, watching his comrades. From the shadows he could make out
his friend, Trowa Barton, leaning alongside the wall his head downcast
and arms folded. In front of him were his other companions. Wufei
and Quatre playing chess; from his point of view Quatre had
the upper hand in the game. And his last friend, the ever friendly Duo,
was on the couch apparently watching television. However, the weird
part was that the braided boy wasn't at all loud or annoying as he ususally
is. This interested the brown haired boy, as he came out of the shadows
to stealthily inspect the boy.
A teenage boy of eighteen with long brown, braided hair and cobalt blue
eyes gazed at the t.v. set with indifference. Even though his figure
and eyes faced forward to stare at the television, his heart and mind
weren't in it. He was in another world, another time where he wasn't
eighteen and not with his present friends. He was back there, back in
the orphanage. Back with the golden haired child named Usagi.
The one he once called, bunny.
As he reflected upon Usagi, he slightly grinned at the memory. Being around
Hiiro, he managed to learn that Usagi means bunny which was quite ironic
since he called her that a long time ago on her birthday. He could recall
when Duo just happened to ask Hiiro what Usagi meant in japanese. Of course,
the 'Perfect Soldier' didn't respond until he annoyed him enough times
to be told. And because of his own question, the soldier-boy interrogated
him as to why he asked it but he only replied that it was just out of curiousity.
Ever since he left Usagi back in Colony L2, he hasn't made any attempt of
contact with her. It's only because of the war, but now the war was over.
At least he hope it is. All he has left now is to wait for the next one
to start or move on. From time to time he'd stay with Hilde over at the
junk yard in the Sweepers Colony in L2; his hometown. But right now,
the braided boy was with his friends at L4.
As Duo thought about all of this, his hand unconsciously reached out to his
cross. His mind beginning to drift off to the time he first met the small
girl to the the time he first met up with the guys. It was such a long time
ago and so much has happened.
(Where are you now, Usa? Still in Tokyo? Are you happy, sad, hurt?
No matter, we'll find each other once more. I'm sure of it...)Duo
vowed.
"We promised,"muttered Duo under his breath.
(Promised?)Hiiro heard his murmer, and questioned it inside his mind.
**********
"Checkmate."
The White Queen moved off cornering the lone Black King with a white pawn and
bishop. Therefore, once the king tries to even eat one or the other, it'd
be killed off instantly.
The black haired chinese boy seethed in silence at being beaten in the stragetic game
and went out of the room to meditate. Quatre merely shook his blond head and the
young Arabian picked up the pieces to put them away.
At the sound of the pieces being picked up and put into the mahogany box,
Duo rose from his posture and stared over to the side. He made
no move to comment or rise up, instead he just returned to his original
state and began to drift off into his world. However, Hiiro was there staring
at him indifferently.
"Oh hey, Hii-man!"Duo grinned in his usual way, but it didn't reach to his eyes.
"Hn."
"What?"Duo frowned as Hiiro still stood hovering over him.
Hiiro refused to say what he was thinking about, so the soldier just
turned around and strolled off leaving Duo to ponder over what just happened.
Trowa saw what passed between the two, but refused to acknowledge it. But he
didn't wave it off, he knew that someday it'll come up again and when it does
the Latin teen would figure it out.
*************
*Earth:
Tokyo, Japan*
*************
Usagi Tsukino finished her last comment of her thoughts and placed
her baby blue diary inside her drawer and locked it up with a golden key.
It's only been three years since she received the diary and every month
since then, she wrote down what has happened to her. Just now, her
thoughts began to drift back to the event more than a decade ago.
As she reflected off the event, she smiled lightly and reached over
into her tattered old bag to retrieve a picture of her and Duo.
Usagi was about to say something, but before she could voice it out
she heard movement from the treetops in front of her open window and
hastily packed the picture up and hide the old bag. Just then,
a black cat hopped inside with a golden crescent insignia blazing on its
forhead.
"Luna, you're home early,"Usagi commented.
The black cat perched herself onto Usagi's bed, just observing her
mistress.
"Artemis cut off the meeting in central control early. Said he had to
meet Minako over at the temple. You know, Usagi. The girls have
been talking about their careers already. You should start
thinking about that too,"Luna nagged and explained.
"Luna,"Usagi whirled around, not trying to stare at the cat right in
the eye. Her voice was filled with exhaustion at the mere thought.
"Well, it's true. You five are graduating soon, you're sixteen
and in your junior year. You seriously need to think about this already.
You can't be a teen all your life. We're not sure when you will take
up the throne and have the new kingdom restored for Crystal Tokyo,"Luna lectured.
"I know,"Usagi sighed and sat down on her chair, her elbows on top
of the wooden study and her head being supported by her palms.
Her eyes dully stared at the back of her study.
"So have you even thought about it?"
Usagi chuckled wryly as she thought back of her career options
before as a fourteen-year old. It seemed silly to even think of it
right now but at the same time quite intriguing and inviting.
"Before I wanted to be a housewife. I wanted to be a bride,
just that. Nothing more..."Usagi began dreamily.
"And now?"
"Now, now I'm not too sure. I may want to be a bride still and possibly
a housewife. But I can't just be that, can I? I want...need something
more in my life. A career, I suppose. However, I'm not quite sure
as to what it could be,"Usagi confessed.
"You still have time, Usagi. I shouldn't have been too jumpy on you,
this is your life. It'll come around, I'm sure."Luna apologized
and hopped off to the edge of the window, gazing at her mistress
before jumping off to a nearby tree branch.
"Sure it will, Luna. Sure it will..."Usagi eyes her old bag from the
corner of her eye. A small beige strand peeking out from the side
of her closet.
Sighing, the blond pushed herself upright and moved over to
her bed to pick up her beloved stuffed animal. A pink and white
bunny from long before, slightly aged but decent to have around.
It was the first present that Duo gave her since they became friends and
she could still remember each detail in the recesses of her mind.
"I wonder how you are, Duo. I hope you're alright now. And someday,
I'll meet you once more. From there, I'm sure everything will be okay.
Because of you, I am who I am."
With that, Usagi leaned against the wall drifting off into her own little
world. Filled with memories of long ago.
***********
"Minako, what did you call me here for?"Artemis steadily climbed up the
long set of stairs.
"Nothing much, heard you and Luna were going to consult with Central
Control. What's the news? Any trouble?"Minako inquired.
"Nope, everything is actually peaceful. Ever since the war
ended a year ago, everything has been going smoothly. Why do you
ask?"Artemis asked, a hint of cautiousness etching his voice.
"Well, to tell you the truth..."Rei started as the fiery priestess
stopped sweeping.
"We've been worried,"Minako revealed.
"Worried? Come on, girls..."Artemis snorted in disbelief.
"I've had a premonition of the outcome of the future,"Rei said.
"What is it?"
"Every night since two years past, I've had reoccurences of dreams
every five months. Same one and it would linger in my mind until
one week passes,"Rei began, placing her broom against a beam while
Artemis sat down on the floor in front of her with Minako beside the
two of them.
"Go on."
"It's always hazy but I'm sure it's a premonition. I would stand
aside, concealed in shadows as if I play no part in this or have no
say in. However, I'm quite certain that one of us five will play
a role. What it is, I have no idea."
"Then how do you know that one of us will be in it?"Minako interrupted.
"I have a feeling, a strong aura radiating from this dream. The aura I
feel when one of us are around,"Rei explained.
"Keep going, Rei,"Artemis urged.
"Well in the dream, great machines are in there. Raging war against
other machines. A war like in Operation Meteor, a great war. Except this time,
the Vice Foreign Minister isn't included in it. At least, I don't believe
so. But they fight for another reason, they fight for revenge."
"And who's the good side?"Minako questioned.
"I don't know. Either one could be it. I do know this though, we'll
need to stop it or else our future will be in great peril. We must remember
that Crystal Tokyo still needs to be created." Rei reminded.
"Right!"Minako and Artemis sounded out in unison.
"We should tell the others about this, they need to keep a look-out for
great machines."Minako voiced out.
"Ami and Makoto aren't around, Minako. Remember?"Rei said.
"Oh yeah, Ami is with her mother in London. And Makoto is at France, training
at the cooking school they have there. Won't be back until Winter Vacation.
Lucky lot. Here we are spending out first day out of school for summer
with nothing more to do than to look out for evil,"giggled Minako.
"Rei! What are you doing? You have chores to do!"Grandpa Hino hopped
out from behind the screen door in back of them and waved his fist at her.
Rei sweatdropped and picked up her broom and began her duties.
"See ya, Rei!"Minako waved as she started down the stairs with Artemis
by her side.
Rei merely waved at her as she began dusting off the ground at the temple
with Grandpa in back of her, inspecting as well as critizing her work.
*********
"July 1, great weather. Beautiful blue sky and the scent of fresh air
with the slight hint of breeze.."Usagi lazily commented as she took a stroll
down the street.
Long golden blond hair done up in odangoes trailed behind the sixteen year
old teenager. Her crystalline blue eyes shining with content and her lips
curved upwards slightly as she let her face glow with a hint of happiness.
People who passed her by took a glance at the beautiful teen, some wishing
they could be like her or hoping that they'd be noticed by the angel. Others
merely smiled back or greeting her out of respect and kindess, such as
little kids or elderly couples.
"Hey Odango Atama!"a familiar call cried out in front of her.
Stopping, Usagi looked ahead and noticed her dear friend Rei coming her
way. Wearing blue denim shorts and a red top, her usual raven black hair
loose and swirling in back of her.
"Kon'wa Rei-chan,"Usagi beamed.
"Ohayo. Where's Luna?"Rei questioned as she fell in step with the blond.
"Don't know. She just left after a little pit stop at home. So how come
you're not at the temple?"Usagi conversed.
"Grandpa decided to let me have a break, so Chad is filling in for
me." (((AN: Sorry, can't remember the japanese name for Chad. .)))
As they rounded a corner, they instantly saw the familiar Arcade
in their wake and decided to head inside. The two girls chose their
usual spot by the window and waited for the waiter/waitress to serve them.
"Unazaki-chan, hi. Where's your brother?"Usagi wondered, noticing the
red-headed sister of Motoki.
"Motoki? Oh, he's helping some other customers. So what can I get
you two?"Unazaki took out the pencil behind her ear and prepared to
jot down their orders.
"I'll have the usual,"Usagi grinned while Rei nodded her head saying
the same.
"Alright, three strawberry milkshakes and one rootbeer float, coming
right up!"Unazaki announced and walked off with the menus under her arms.
"Any news?"Usagi casually brought out her interest to the fiery maiden.
"None, everything is quiet. But that doesn't mean we can.."started Rei.
"I know, it doesn't mean we can let our guards down. But for now, we
can just be glad that it's nothing too serious..."Usagi mused.
"Hai."
Once their orders were brought to them, a certain midnight black haired
man strode inside the Arcade and instantly spotted them. He beamed over
a smile at the sight of the two girls and immediately but casually strolled
over to their booth.
"Usako.."his deep, soothing voice whispered over to her ear as he drew nearer
after sitting himself down.
"Mamo-chan,"Usagi smiled pleasantly and pecked his cheek.
Rei saw their displayment of emotion and let out a smile of joy for her
bestfriend and ex. Despite the small pain in her heart at seeing the scene
unfold, she was pleased to know that her friend was happy. That's what
mattered to her. And anyways, she still has Chad waiting for her. In her heart,
she came to care for the guy.
"I was looking for you,"Mamoru Chiba voiced out his concern.
"Well, I was home earlier this morning but left to head for the Arcade. How
about you?"Usagi asked, taking a sip out of her shake.
"Jogging and then home. After that, I went out to town and spotted
this. Immediately, I thought about you,"Mamoru revealed a carefully craftedmoonstone dangling
from a pale silver bracelet.
"For me?"
"Hai, for you."
"What's the occassion?"
"None, my little odango atama. None."
Taking the bracelet, Usagi placed it around her wrist while Mamoru closed
it for her.
"Arigatou."
"Anything for you."
************
Duo rose up from his relaxed position on the couch and studied his environment.
A homely atmosphere, showing not the slightest hint that this could very well be
a hideout for people like him and his friends. Ruthless soldiers fighting for
peace and justice. Doing anything, killing anyone to achieve peace for their
people and for themselves.
He breathed out a shaky breath of relief at seeing that his friends weren't around
and rose up, taking quick steps over to the stairs and ascended upwards to the confines
of his habitation; his room.
The braided boy shut the door with a click and locked it. Afterwards, he strolled
over to close the wide open curtains and then proceeded to his closet. Digging
around past accessories and jokebooks to come up with the one he sought after the
most. His laptop. Taking it out, he placed it in front of him, sitting down in the
process on the carpeted ground. He flipped his braid over his shoulder and started
it up, hearing the whirring and buzz. The warmth as it blazed to life.
"Now's a good time to search, don't you think so, Shinigami?"Duo lowly stated
under his breath as his cobalt blue eyes glinted in determination and mirth.
As the computer screen popped up, he clicked open Start and began his search.
He knew inside himself that in mere moments he'll find her. He just had to.
*********
"Well I better get going, I can't leave Chad at the temple by himself with
Grandpa. Who knows what will happen?!"Rei jokingly said as she slipped away from
the two and headed north towards her home.
"See you later, Rei!"Usagi called out, waving when her friend turned her head
her way.
Mamoru by her side waved as well in friendliness and then the two continued
onward, merely enjoying each others company. As the two journeyed onward, they
stopped at their spot at the park. Both silent for the moment, content with the
quiet atmopshere looming before them. Sitting under the shade of the branches
and leaves of a nearby tree. Sitting down on the bench, vacant and inviting.
Usagi leaned to the shoulder of the one she believes to love and smelled
the sweet scent of roses. She let her eyes close and drifted away.
(I can recall those days in the orphanage. There would be time of mere
tranquility. Duo and I would tire out from our day of play and just
lean against each other against the tree trunk. He'd have that mythology
book of his pocketed somewhere and bring it out. Reading outloud to me.
How I miss those days...)Usagi thought back.
"Penny for your thoughts?"Mamoru's low voice questioned as his face loomed
over hers.
"Just looking back after everything we've been through..."Usagi murmered and
straightened herself out.
"Usako..."
(Bunny....oh Duo...)Usagi drifted off and was startled out of her reverie
when Mamoru cupped her cheek and brought it to face him.
(His eyes, like the ocean. Duo's eyes...blue, cobalt blue. Almost purple.
Almost...their eyes are so different. Their personalities as well.)Usagi
reflected.
"Something troubling you?"Mamoru's lips were achingly close as he said those
words. His eyes focused upon her face, noticing her spacing off from time to
time.
"Hmn?"Usagi lazily lifted her eyes upward to gaze into his, noticing his
faint trace of concern.
To relieve him of it, Usagi tiptoed upwards and captured his lips with her own,
lightly brushing against his in the effort to make him relax.
"Answer your question?"Usagi seductively murmered.
"Mmm.."Mamoru slyly smiled and brought her closer to him.
(Duo. I still remember our promise.)Usagi noted as she leaned closer and kissed
once more.
To be continued...
******************
I'm not particularly fond with that last part, myself. #_# But I put it
up anyway. And sorta sucky how she was made out to be kissing Mamoru when she's
been thinking about Duo, ne? Oi... O.o
Hopefully, the next chapter will be better. Sorta, probably. Oh welps,
I'll think about that. ~.~
Well that's about it, R&R, folks. Ja ne!
