Title: Because of You
Author: Cheska
E-mail Address: Minnashime@aol.com
Rating: PG or PG-13
Chapter: 9
Disclaimer: Don't own SM and/or GW. But I do own this story, right? ^^
Author's Notes: Well here's the next chapter of Because of You. I'm getting kinda mixed up
about the following chapters to lead to my idea of an ending...wait hold up, just changed my
mind over there. But I have a slight clue on a good chapter but I'm still working on bringing
it up to that level. *sigh*
Well here's the next chapter.
**********
Last Time:
**********
All thoughts of what the future had for them disappeared as this moment began to occur. No
sense of duty, missions, or what their moment of present would change the means of the future
passed their minds. Only now, right here...was all that mattered.
"Duo..."Usagi echoed out her thought as their lips were mere centimeters apart.
************
Earth: Tokyo
************
"We must do something to help with the war!"proclaimed Makoto as she slammed her fist onto the
table.
As her fist made contact with the wood, the glasses and plates tinkled and wavered, some even
falling onto the wooden floor of where they sat. Tea spilled down and the cookies that were
being served spilled out onto the table. The shattering of glasses were heard.
"We understand, Makoto. Demo, we must bide our time till it's safe enough..."Ami started
as Rei and Minako began to help clean up the shattered remains while Makoto bent down to retrieve
the glases as well and put it to the side.
"Safe enough? Nothing's really safe, Ami-chan. Don't you see? Our hime is out there, our
friend! You would wait your time while she's there! Out there with those maniacs of mechas
used for violence and blood?! Iie! We must help her...we must!"Makoto straightened up and argued.
"As much as I want to, Mako-chan..."Minako began.
"You too, Minako? I thought you were Usa's friend,"Makoto gazed hurtfully at the blond.
"I do! There's no denying that. I care about Usagi-chan, demo this is war with people
involved. And you know what Setsuna-san told us, either one can win and peace will eventually
be established. Usa-chan has to be involved in this war. It has nothing to say about us,"
Minako lectured.
"What do you say, Rei?"Makoto turned to the last one who was unbelievably silent throughout
the whole discussion of whether or not they should join the cause.
"You can do whatever you want to, Makoto-chan. Demo, I am a priestess and I have my duties
as a protector of Earth and a server for my divine being. I can't drop my duties here where
I am currently needed,"Rei shook her head, her raven hair spilling out from the bun she wore.
"I understand, Rei...but the others here have no real excuse for their actions of waiting
around while Usagi is out there! We returned here on Usagi's behalf and now that we're here
and you hear the declaration of war, you do nothing about it?!"Makoto exclaimed.
"Makoto, you don't understand...."Ami's blue eyes glinted and begged to be heard.
"You told me that we must bide our time, Ami-chan. Why? What possible reason could there
be to wait this out till it's 'safe'?"
"Everything in the preparation for war is in shambles, Makoto. We must stand aside till there
is order in the soldiers as well as the negotiations among Earth and the colonies. From there
we may take action, seeing that we know who we can trust and who not to trust. That is simply
what I am implying,"Ami reasoned.
"Is this also what you are thinking of, Minako?"the brown haired, green-eyed senshi turned
to Minako, the current leader till Usagi's return.
"Along those lines, yes. Also because of what Setsuna has informed upon us. I wouldn't
know for sure if our side is the correct one or the wrong, her story of it settling down
after a few problems...I don't know, I'm a bit confused on what to choose. This is war, Makoto
and I have not killed a human being who is simply misguided by the actions of a leader who
appears to be saying the right words. These days, you guys...we aren't fighting monsters or
demons. We're fighting monsters and demons with the souls, the appearance, the very essence
of human beings. And that is something that I hesistate upon,"Minako confessed.
"Everyone must make a tough desicion in their lives sooner or later,"Makoto murmered.
"In this case, I will choose later...."Minako uttered softly.
**************
Mamoru gazed up at the blue sky, blue within blue....like the eyes of an angel staring down
at him. In the very recesses of his mind, he couldn't help but picture his angel up there
among the patches of clouds and birds. Usagi. His Usako, the one he fell in love with
merely two-three years ago. As he passed through the throng of citizens, his mind was in a
jumble over the course of events. Just recently, he tried to contact her over at, what her
mother has told him, Colony L2. From there, Mamoru discovered where she stayed at and called
the motel. However, she wasn't in her room at the time.
(Probably sight seeing...)Mamoru guessed.
"I hope she's doing well,"Mamoru muttered under his breath as he entered a building.
A woman dressed in a uniform greeted him with a small smile and he nodded his head in return
so as not to be rude.
"Welcome,"she greeted.
Mamoru nodded his head once again and strode forward where a man sat down in another uniform
with a pile of papers in front of him.
"I'd like to join your army. To fight for Earth,"Mamoru stated.
"Just sign here,"pointed the soldier to the paper where the enlistment was at.
"Welcome aboard,"the woman welcomed and glanced down at the paper where he signed his
information at,"Chiba Mamoru."
The soldier saluted and Mamoru followed suit.
(I'll fight for Earth. And I shall fight for you, Usako.)
"Your shuttle for destination Colony L5.2 will be leaving tonight. Be ready by then,
soldier,"the woman informed him.
"Hai,"Mamoru nodded and strode out of the building.
********************
In the Sanq Kingdom: ((AN: From what I've read, there's so many way to say that pacifist
******************** kingdom. Sanq, Sanch, Sank, etc. @_@))
"Must this be the only way?"a diplomat from one of the neighboring countries of the Sanq
Kingdom inquired.
"There's no other choice. It's either to fight against them for our well-being or to let
them take over. And the citizens of Earth would not be happy with the latter. They'd surely
fight for their beliefs than to let an invader rule over them. To achieve peace we must
fight so as not to take it for granted later on in our time of healing,"Ririna preached.
"Will you cooperate with me?"Ririna added after a moment of silence.
The leaders of Earth exchanged quiet conversation with their assitants and after awhile
nodded to one another or traded silent looks.
"The people of..."began one country to another country until the last 1/4 of the countries
reached them.
"We have thought this through and I'm afraid we can not join your cause."they declined the
offer of alliance for the war.
"In the previous war you've supported us, why the sudden change? Why break off the alliance
now after all these years?"Ririna called out to the backs of the leaders of those countries.
"The Tetra force was in part, our fault...that is why,"one of them uttered before exiting
the meeting room.
At the sound of being joined with the Tetra organization, the soldiers guarding them headed
toward the way but already the plane took off into the sky before full procedures were
ready.
"It seems we'll be fighting neighboring countries as well as the Tetra organization from
outerspace,"sighed Ririna.
"What do you think of this now?"the diplomat from earlier on brought up.
"I still stand before my beliefs, if this must be so. Then we can't do anything about it
until the end and this is just the beginning,"Ririna softened her gaze towards her newly
strengthened allies.
"We will stand before your kingdom, Vice Foreign Minister Darlian,"murmered the rest of the
leaders.
"I appreciate it,"Ririna muttered her thanks and soon they were gone.
"Miss Ririna, what shall happen now?"Dorothy wondered, speaking at the back of the
Vice Foreign Minister.
"All we can do now is wait, Dorothy. Wait and hope that all will be over soon,"Ririna
sighed as her figure turned toward the window to watch all the natural scenery occurring.
"Maybe the pilots can help?"suggested Dorothy.
"I've been informed by Lieutenant Noin that they're already doing missions. From the last
one, it turned out the leader didn't....die from the explosion of the base. Instead the Tetra
leader escaped on a shuttle and moved into a new one. Now we're practically in the middle of
this disaster..."
"Just like old times, right?"Dorothy's eyes twinkled in mild amusement at the prospect of
war.
"Like old times, except it's worse. Not everyone of Earth is on our side, instead we're
seperated."
"Yes, that is true."
"It makes me uncertain that I'm handling this without my usual preaches of peace without any
handling of violence."
"Everyone has to try something new sooner or later,"Dorothy assured her.
*********
Colony L2
*********
The mere closeness of his body made her heart jump, the feel of his hand as it carressed her
cheek, his warm breath...his lips. Those lips so close yet so far, just a few centimeters
closer than the last milisecond. As her hands made its way around his neck, her fingers began
playing with his braid and the nape of his neck.
"Duo..."Usagi murmered his name once again before his lips lightly brushed along hers.
But just as it touched hers, it left again and he backed away. However, from that mere moment
they touched, a light tingle was felt on her lips and Usagi touched her lips, shocked from
that feeling. Staring straight ahead, she noticed Duo's backside towards her. His face, his
emotions hidden from her view except the sudden stiffness entering his body from recent events.
(He kissed me...wait did I make him....or did we do that together? What's going on? I'm all
confused, would I have responded? I care for him a lot, what does this mean? I'm suppose to
be with Mamo-chan, right? He's my one and only love, but Duo....I care for Duo and I think
about him so much. Demo, I think about Mamo-chan too. Except lately....)Usagi felt a deep
pang of guilt yet not deep enough to experience absolute depression over her actions.
(What does Duo think about this? We're suppose to be best friends....)Usagi wondered as she
made a motion to step toward him but stopped herself before doing anything drastic.
(That merest second, that mere moment we touched. I felt something deep, a deep emotion
in my heart and my soul. What is it? Could I actually be falling for her? No, that can't
be it! It just can't because we're friends and only friends. We grew up together, we
practically know each other inside and out, right? It's just some deep connection between
friends. Right Duo. Just friends...)Duo tried to convince himself as the weight that
previously weighed itself on him lightened its burdens.
"Duo...."Usagi uttered softly and hesitantly.
(Her voice. Filled with love and care, so innocent. I fight for the innocent so they can
enjoy their lives. Which is why I became a Gundam Pilot. I fight for people like you, Usa.)
Duo closed his cobalt blue eyes momentarily, recalling the day he left her in Colony L2 when
she just came back to visit him and the priest and nun and other kids. If that event didn't
happen, it would've been a great reunion.
"Are you alright?"Usagi continued after a few seconds.
(She cares so much about me, I can hear the emotion in her voice. I care about her too.)
"Yeah, I'm alright. You, Usa? Are you okay?"Duo asked his voice strong and filled with the
same light talk from years before, as if nothing about the previous moment happened.
"I'm okay, Duo..."Usagi picked up the hint about forgetting about the little kiss.
(Thank you, Duo about letting that go. I don't know what I would've told you if something
more happened between us. I still have Mamo-chan to think about and my duties to my senshi
and the future of Earth as well as the Cosmos...)Usagi noted.
Turning around, Duo faced her with a forced smile upon his lips. His eyes glowing with
happiness at their reunion but with a hint of sadness and regret. Maybe from the past or
maybe from what happened between them, whatever it was he wouldn't say and maybe would never
talk about again. At his greeting, Usagi warmly smiled up at him and stepped forward. Caution
entered the pilot's system of what her next move would be and she frowned a bit as tension
rose up.
(She thinks I don't trust her. I do, but after what happened I don't know how to act around
you anymore...would you still accept me all the same? Or treat me differently from now on?
I wouldn't mind, a lot of things happened...)Duo groaned at his horrible mistake of letting
his emotions sway him.
"It's okay, Duo. Everything is fine,"Usagi whispered before hugging him.
Warmth flooded both their system and soon enough they relaxed against one another as all
past tensions erased itself from their minds. When they seperated, smiles graced both lips
and sincerity showed itself before them.
"I've missed you so much, Usa...."Duo confessed and he was met with a slight tug at his braid.
"Me too, Duo. Me too,"Usagi nodded.
(The kiss never happened. It never happened...)both chanted inside their mind as they tried
to forget about it for the sake of their friendship.
***********
The streetlights began to flicker out as dawn came around in the colony. The distant noises
of cars became apparent as life rose out once again to begin a new day for everyone.
"I have to get going, Usa..."Duo sadly stated.
At the tone of voice he used, Usagi knew at once something was bothering him and after the
last time he spoke to her like this and the way his eyes flickered to a far off place, she knew
what it was. Immediately, Usagi stepped forward and hugged him tightly to her and then stepped
away after tugging lightly at his hair that helped make her smile.
"You're going away again, aren't you?"
"Yeah, the war..."
"You know I don't want you to go and you know that you have to. Just like the last time, but
it is different Duo. You've avenged the Maxwell Church! Oz is defeated now, what's the point
of fighting? You've had your revenge...."Usagi tried to persuade him to not go but he only
shook loose from her grasp when she began to hold onto his arm.
"It's not about revenge anymore. It's about patriotism and about peace. I fight to protect
the innocent. I fight for you, for me...for us...and for the others. That's why I'm still
doing this,"Duo entrusted to her as he placed his palm against her cheek.
As Duo let his hand slide away from her face, he turned to go but was stopped by Usagi as
she sprinted off to the front of him. Her eyes shining with determination and compassion.
"Let me come with you this time, Duo. I won't let you leave me again, we've been friends
when we were kids. And we're still friends, right?"
"Usa, it's dangerous. I couldn't let you risk your life. And what about your family
and friends back at home?"
"Dangerous? I'm not as naive as I appear to be, I can take care of myself. I've faced tons
of things when I moved to Earth, I've risked my life for my friends and my family more times
than I could count...."Usagi tried to convince him.
"You're not naive Usa, just...I don't want to see you getting hurt. And I don't doubt one
bit that you can take care of yourself. But still, Usa. This is war. That group that held
you and Selene captive, they are a new organization called Tetra. If they ever get you
captured....not even that, if my other friends see you..."Duo trailed off, confused on what
to say to her.
"Duo, please let me come with you. I don't hold you responsible for my well-being. I just
want to be there to support you, to aide you in whatever way I can. That's what friends are
for. To be there for them in times when they most need it,"Usagi uttered.
Looking in her eyes, Duo finally complied with a nod of his head. At that nod, a smile graced
over Usagi's face that made his heart melt and grin.
"Arigatou Duo!"Usagi cheered and hugged his arm as the two made their way down the hill.
To be continued..
*****************
O.o .
Author: Cheska
E-mail Address: Minnashime@aol.com
Rating: PG or PG-13
Chapter: 9
Disclaimer: Don't own SM and/or GW. But I do own this story, right? ^^
Author's Notes: Well here's the next chapter of Because of You. I'm getting kinda mixed up
about the following chapters to lead to my idea of an ending...wait hold up, just changed my
mind over there. But I have a slight clue on a good chapter but I'm still working on bringing
it up to that level. *sigh*
Well here's the next chapter.
**********
Last Time:
**********
All thoughts of what the future had for them disappeared as this moment began to occur. No
sense of duty, missions, or what their moment of present would change the means of the future
passed their minds. Only now, right here...was all that mattered.
"Duo..."Usagi echoed out her thought as their lips were mere centimeters apart.
************
Earth: Tokyo
************
"We must do something to help with the war!"proclaimed Makoto as she slammed her fist onto the
table.
As her fist made contact with the wood, the glasses and plates tinkled and wavered, some even
falling onto the wooden floor of where they sat. Tea spilled down and the cookies that were
being served spilled out onto the table. The shattering of glasses were heard.
"We understand, Makoto. Demo, we must bide our time till it's safe enough..."Ami started
as Rei and Minako began to help clean up the shattered remains while Makoto bent down to retrieve
the glases as well and put it to the side.
"Safe enough? Nothing's really safe, Ami-chan. Don't you see? Our hime is out there, our
friend! You would wait your time while she's there! Out there with those maniacs of mechas
used for violence and blood?! Iie! We must help her...we must!"Makoto straightened up and argued.
"As much as I want to, Mako-chan..."Minako began.
"You too, Minako? I thought you were Usa's friend,"Makoto gazed hurtfully at the blond.
"I do! There's no denying that. I care about Usagi-chan, demo this is war with people
involved. And you know what Setsuna-san told us, either one can win and peace will eventually
be established. Usa-chan has to be involved in this war. It has nothing to say about us,"
Minako lectured.
"What do you say, Rei?"Makoto turned to the last one who was unbelievably silent throughout
the whole discussion of whether or not they should join the cause.
"You can do whatever you want to, Makoto-chan. Demo, I am a priestess and I have my duties
as a protector of Earth and a server for my divine being. I can't drop my duties here where
I am currently needed,"Rei shook her head, her raven hair spilling out from the bun she wore.
"I understand, Rei...but the others here have no real excuse for their actions of waiting
around while Usagi is out there! We returned here on Usagi's behalf and now that we're here
and you hear the declaration of war, you do nothing about it?!"Makoto exclaimed.
"Makoto, you don't understand...."Ami's blue eyes glinted and begged to be heard.
"You told me that we must bide our time, Ami-chan. Why? What possible reason could there
be to wait this out till it's 'safe'?"
"Everything in the preparation for war is in shambles, Makoto. We must stand aside till there
is order in the soldiers as well as the negotiations among Earth and the colonies. From there
we may take action, seeing that we know who we can trust and who not to trust. That is simply
what I am implying,"Ami reasoned.
"Is this also what you are thinking of, Minako?"the brown haired, green-eyed senshi turned
to Minako, the current leader till Usagi's return.
"Along those lines, yes. Also because of what Setsuna has informed upon us. I wouldn't
know for sure if our side is the correct one or the wrong, her story of it settling down
after a few problems...I don't know, I'm a bit confused on what to choose. This is war, Makoto
and I have not killed a human being who is simply misguided by the actions of a leader who
appears to be saying the right words. These days, you guys...we aren't fighting monsters or
demons. We're fighting monsters and demons with the souls, the appearance, the very essence
of human beings. And that is something that I hesistate upon,"Minako confessed.
"Everyone must make a tough desicion in their lives sooner or later,"Makoto murmered.
"In this case, I will choose later...."Minako uttered softly.
**************
Mamoru gazed up at the blue sky, blue within blue....like the eyes of an angel staring down
at him. In the very recesses of his mind, he couldn't help but picture his angel up there
among the patches of clouds and birds. Usagi. His Usako, the one he fell in love with
merely two-three years ago. As he passed through the throng of citizens, his mind was in a
jumble over the course of events. Just recently, he tried to contact her over at, what her
mother has told him, Colony L2. From there, Mamoru discovered where she stayed at and called
the motel. However, she wasn't in her room at the time.
(Probably sight seeing...)Mamoru guessed.
"I hope she's doing well,"Mamoru muttered under his breath as he entered a building.
A woman dressed in a uniform greeted him with a small smile and he nodded his head in return
so as not to be rude.
"Welcome,"she greeted.
Mamoru nodded his head once again and strode forward where a man sat down in another uniform
with a pile of papers in front of him.
"I'd like to join your army. To fight for Earth,"Mamoru stated.
"Just sign here,"pointed the soldier to the paper where the enlistment was at.
"Welcome aboard,"the woman welcomed and glanced down at the paper where he signed his
information at,"Chiba Mamoru."
The soldier saluted and Mamoru followed suit.
(I'll fight for Earth. And I shall fight for you, Usako.)
"Your shuttle for destination Colony L5.2 will be leaving tonight. Be ready by then,
soldier,"the woman informed him.
"Hai,"Mamoru nodded and strode out of the building.
********************
In the Sanq Kingdom: ((AN: From what I've read, there's so many way to say that pacifist
******************** kingdom. Sanq, Sanch, Sank, etc. @_@))
"Must this be the only way?"a diplomat from one of the neighboring countries of the Sanq
Kingdom inquired.
"There's no other choice. It's either to fight against them for our well-being or to let
them take over. And the citizens of Earth would not be happy with the latter. They'd surely
fight for their beliefs than to let an invader rule over them. To achieve peace we must
fight so as not to take it for granted later on in our time of healing,"Ririna preached.
"Will you cooperate with me?"Ririna added after a moment of silence.
The leaders of Earth exchanged quiet conversation with their assitants and after awhile
nodded to one another or traded silent looks.
"The people of..."began one country to another country until the last 1/4 of the countries
reached them.
"We have thought this through and I'm afraid we can not join your cause."they declined the
offer of alliance for the war.
"In the previous war you've supported us, why the sudden change? Why break off the alliance
now after all these years?"Ririna called out to the backs of the leaders of those countries.
"The Tetra force was in part, our fault...that is why,"one of them uttered before exiting
the meeting room.
At the sound of being joined with the Tetra organization, the soldiers guarding them headed
toward the way but already the plane took off into the sky before full procedures were
ready.
"It seems we'll be fighting neighboring countries as well as the Tetra organization from
outerspace,"sighed Ririna.
"What do you think of this now?"the diplomat from earlier on brought up.
"I still stand before my beliefs, if this must be so. Then we can't do anything about it
until the end and this is just the beginning,"Ririna softened her gaze towards her newly
strengthened allies.
"We will stand before your kingdom, Vice Foreign Minister Darlian,"murmered the rest of the
leaders.
"I appreciate it,"Ririna muttered her thanks and soon they were gone.
"Miss Ririna, what shall happen now?"Dorothy wondered, speaking at the back of the
Vice Foreign Minister.
"All we can do now is wait, Dorothy. Wait and hope that all will be over soon,"Ririna
sighed as her figure turned toward the window to watch all the natural scenery occurring.
"Maybe the pilots can help?"suggested Dorothy.
"I've been informed by Lieutenant Noin that they're already doing missions. From the last
one, it turned out the leader didn't....die from the explosion of the base. Instead the Tetra
leader escaped on a shuttle and moved into a new one. Now we're practically in the middle of
this disaster..."
"Just like old times, right?"Dorothy's eyes twinkled in mild amusement at the prospect of
war.
"Like old times, except it's worse. Not everyone of Earth is on our side, instead we're
seperated."
"Yes, that is true."
"It makes me uncertain that I'm handling this without my usual preaches of peace without any
handling of violence."
"Everyone has to try something new sooner or later,"Dorothy assured her.
*********
Colony L2
*********
The mere closeness of his body made her heart jump, the feel of his hand as it carressed her
cheek, his warm breath...his lips. Those lips so close yet so far, just a few centimeters
closer than the last milisecond. As her hands made its way around his neck, her fingers began
playing with his braid and the nape of his neck.
"Duo..."Usagi murmered his name once again before his lips lightly brushed along hers.
But just as it touched hers, it left again and he backed away. However, from that mere moment
they touched, a light tingle was felt on her lips and Usagi touched her lips, shocked from
that feeling. Staring straight ahead, she noticed Duo's backside towards her. His face, his
emotions hidden from her view except the sudden stiffness entering his body from recent events.
(He kissed me...wait did I make him....or did we do that together? What's going on? I'm all
confused, would I have responded? I care for him a lot, what does this mean? I'm suppose to
be with Mamo-chan, right? He's my one and only love, but Duo....I care for Duo and I think
about him so much. Demo, I think about Mamo-chan too. Except lately....)Usagi felt a deep
pang of guilt yet not deep enough to experience absolute depression over her actions.
(What does Duo think about this? We're suppose to be best friends....)Usagi wondered as she
made a motion to step toward him but stopped herself before doing anything drastic.
(That merest second, that mere moment we touched. I felt something deep, a deep emotion
in my heart and my soul. What is it? Could I actually be falling for her? No, that can't
be it! It just can't because we're friends and only friends. We grew up together, we
practically know each other inside and out, right? It's just some deep connection between
friends. Right Duo. Just friends...)Duo tried to convince himself as the weight that
previously weighed itself on him lightened its burdens.
"Duo...."Usagi uttered softly and hesitantly.
(Her voice. Filled with love and care, so innocent. I fight for the innocent so they can
enjoy their lives. Which is why I became a Gundam Pilot. I fight for people like you, Usa.)
Duo closed his cobalt blue eyes momentarily, recalling the day he left her in Colony L2 when
she just came back to visit him and the priest and nun and other kids. If that event didn't
happen, it would've been a great reunion.
"Are you alright?"Usagi continued after a few seconds.
(She cares so much about me, I can hear the emotion in her voice. I care about her too.)
"Yeah, I'm alright. You, Usa? Are you okay?"Duo asked his voice strong and filled with the
same light talk from years before, as if nothing about the previous moment happened.
"I'm okay, Duo..."Usagi picked up the hint about forgetting about the little kiss.
(Thank you, Duo about letting that go. I don't know what I would've told you if something
more happened between us. I still have Mamo-chan to think about and my duties to my senshi
and the future of Earth as well as the Cosmos...)Usagi noted.
Turning around, Duo faced her with a forced smile upon his lips. His eyes glowing with
happiness at their reunion but with a hint of sadness and regret. Maybe from the past or
maybe from what happened between them, whatever it was he wouldn't say and maybe would never
talk about again. At his greeting, Usagi warmly smiled up at him and stepped forward. Caution
entered the pilot's system of what her next move would be and she frowned a bit as tension
rose up.
(She thinks I don't trust her. I do, but after what happened I don't know how to act around
you anymore...would you still accept me all the same? Or treat me differently from now on?
I wouldn't mind, a lot of things happened...)Duo groaned at his horrible mistake of letting
his emotions sway him.
"It's okay, Duo. Everything is fine,"Usagi whispered before hugging him.
Warmth flooded both their system and soon enough they relaxed against one another as all
past tensions erased itself from their minds. When they seperated, smiles graced both lips
and sincerity showed itself before them.
"I've missed you so much, Usa...."Duo confessed and he was met with a slight tug at his braid.
"Me too, Duo. Me too,"Usagi nodded.
(The kiss never happened. It never happened...)both chanted inside their mind as they tried
to forget about it for the sake of their friendship.
***********
The streetlights began to flicker out as dawn came around in the colony. The distant noises
of cars became apparent as life rose out once again to begin a new day for everyone.
"I have to get going, Usa..."Duo sadly stated.
At the tone of voice he used, Usagi knew at once something was bothering him and after the
last time he spoke to her like this and the way his eyes flickered to a far off place, she knew
what it was. Immediately, Usagi stepped forward and hugged him tightly to her and then stepped
away after tugging lightly at his hair that helped make her smile.
"You're going away again, aren't you?"
"Yeah, the war..."
"You know I don't want you to go and you know that you have to. Just like the last time, but
it is different Duo. You've avenged the Maxwell Church! Oz is defeated now, what's the point
of fighting? You've had your revenge...."Usagi tried to persuade him to not go but he only
shook loose from her grasp when she began to hold onto his arm.
"It's not about revenge anymore. It's about patriotism and about peace. I fight to protect
the innocent. I fight for you, for me...for us...and for the others. That's why I'm still
doing this,"Duo entrusted to her as he placed his palm against her cheek.
As Duo let his hand slide away from her face, he turned to go but was stopped by Usagi as
she sprinted off to the front of him. Her eyes shining with determination and compassion.
"Let me come with you this time, Duo. I won't let you leave me again, we've been friends
when we were kids. And we're still friends, right?"
"Usa, it's dangerous. I couldn't let you risk your life. And what about your family
and friends back at home?"
"Dangerous? I'm not as naive as I appear to be, I can take care of myself. I've faced tons
of things when I moved to Earth, I've risked my life for my friends and my family more times
than I could count...."Usagi tried to convince him.
"You're not naive Usa, just...I don't want to see you getting hurt. And I don't doubt one
bit that you can take care of yourself. But still, Usa. This is war. That group that held
you and Selene captive, they are a new organization called Tetra. If they ever get you
captured....not even that, if my other friends see you..."Duo trailed off, confused on what
to say to her.
"Duo, please let me come with you. I don't hold you responsible for my well-being. I just
want to be there to support you, to aide you in whatever way I can. That's what friends are
for. To be there for them in times when they most need it,"Usagi uttered.
Looking in her eyes, Duo finally complied with a nod of his head. At that nod, a smile graced
over Usagi's face that made his heart melt and grin.
"Arigatou Duo!"Usagi cheered and hugged his arm as the two made their way down the hill.
To be continued..
*****************
O.o .
