Chapter Two: Trowa
"Serenity?"
Usagi slowly turned. "Iie, it can't be..."
A ghostly figure stood red eyes accusing. "It IS you, Serenity. Why are you here?"
Usagi took a step backwards bumping into Quatre. She felt him put an arm around her to steady herself. "Who is she Usagi-san?"
Usagi kept her eyes on the scowling woman. "Chibiusa-chan?"
The woman's eyes narrowed. "IIE! My name is Usagi! You don't deserve to be called that anymore. It's all your fault about what happened to Crystal Tokyo. As soon as you ran off with the Ginzuishou we were attacked regluarly by many many jealous kings and queens from the rest of the world and they KNEW you and the Ginzuishou were gone. Crystal Tokyo was picked apart and divided, and divided again, over and over until you see what it is now!"
"Nani? Crystal Tokyo doesn't exist at all anymore, Ch... Usagi."
The pink-haired woman shook her head, "You're wrong. It does exist it just has a different name. The Cinq Kingdom is all that remains of Crystal Tokyo thanks to you and your selfishness. You could have saved Father and you could have saved me."
Usagi shook her head, "IIE! Do you think I WANT this?"
"HAI! You've always been greedy and selfish, Serenity. You could have given us it. I hate you!"
Quatre stepped forward his eyes narrowed. This woman had made his Goddess cry and anger shone in his usually placid blue eyes. "You leave Usagi alone, she's the kindest most sweet person I've ever met and I know she wouldn't abandon anyone; ever."
Usagi glanced over at him startled, "Quatre-san, you don't understand..."
Chibiusa scowled, "I see... So you ran off with this BOY after Father died, ne?"
Usagi stepped backwards as if she had been struck, "Iie, the Ginzuishou held me prisoner."
"A likely story. I really don't care. Get off the Moon, Serenity and DON'T come back. We don't need someone like you here ruining what sanctuary we DO have left."
Usagi nodded and leaning heavily against Quatre made her way back into the shuttle. Her tears fell freely and she sobbed against him. "Quatre-san, she hates me!"
Quatre held her against him as she cried. "Shh, it's alright Usagi-san. I'm sure she doesn't really hate you. She just seemed upset."
Usagi pulled away from him her blue eyes haunted, "Quatre-san, can you take me out of here?"
"Where to?"
"Where do you live?"
"Colony L4"
"Take me there then."
Quatre glanced at her and nodded. Who was that woman and why did she look a lot like Usagi? Was she a ghost?' He shook his head a slight blush on his cheeks. I shouldn't think about such foolish things.'
He keyed in their destination and walked back to Usagi. He smiled as he saw her curled up and sprawled out on the seat fast asleep. He gently brushed all evidence of her tears away with his fingertips before he sat beside her. He let his thoughts once again wonder and he pondered how anyone could be so cruel to his Goddess.
Usagi slowly opened her eyes and was slightly startled to see that she had her head in Quatre's lap. She glanced up at his face and realized he was asleep. She smiled softly before what had happened came back to mind. My own daughter hates me... why couldn't the Ginzuishou have just done its job and killed me? Why is it forcing me to live on?'
Quatre twitched in his sleep and his eyes opened. He noticed Usagi was awake and he smiled reassuringly at her. "We're almost there." A beeping coming from one of the monitors had him frowning slightly and he got up and went to answer it with an apologetic smile to Usagi. "Quatre here."
"Quatre?"
"Trowa! What are you doing calling here? I thought you went back to the circus."
"I did. Ririna called me wanting to find out what happened to you."
Quatre blushed. I forgot to tell her where I was going.'
"Gomen," Usagi told the brown haired boy as she walked towards Quatre. "It's my fault. I asked Quatre to take me somewhere. Please tell Ririna-san that we're on our way to Colony L4."
Trowa studied the white-haired girl. "... alright but you should know Milardo was looking for you too."
Usagi nodded, "Hai."
Quatre glanced at his friend, "Trowa, where are you? According to these readings your-"
Trowa nodded and the monitor blinked before shutting down. Quatre turned to see Usagi looking out the window with a far-away look in her eyes. "Usagi-san?"
"Hai?"
"Daijobu ka?"
She nodded, "Daijobu, demo I can't tell you who that was on the moon. Not yet anyways."
Quatre smiled at her, "It's alright. I don't mind not knowing."
Usagi smiled softly her blue eyes shimmering. "You're too sweet, Quatre-san. I don't deserve to be around anyone like you."
Quatre shook his head, "You have it backwards, Usagi-san. I don't deserve to around you."
Usagi giggled faintly. "Arigato."
"For what?"
"Making me feel better. Now tell me who was that person you talked to?"
"Trowa?"
"Hai, Trowa."
"He's my friend. I've known him it for so long it seems like forever. Usagi-san, may I ask you a question?"
Usagi nodded slightly, "Hai."
"What is the Ginzuishou?"
Usagi glanced over at him for a long moment. He's too innocent and pure to find out what kind of gem the Ginzuishou is.' She offered a weak smile, "Gomen, but I can't tell you. Forgive me, Quatre-san."
Quatre smiled at her. "It's alright, Usagi-san. I understand. We all have a part of ourselves we don't want to share with anyone, our dark sides."
"Arigato for understanding Quatre. I may tell you one day but right now..." She glanced away her eyes falling on a giant structure. She felt her breath leave her and her eyes widened. "Quatre-san, is that colony L4?"
Quatre nodded, "Hai, that's it. I'll show you around if you like or we can go straight to my mansion and you can rest in the guest room."
Usagi nodded slightly, "I really should rest before I look around." Her eyes remained frozen to the colony until Quatre expertly brought them to the shuttle bay. He smiled slightly as he helped Usagi off the shuttle and into the actual colony itself.
He watched a slight smile of amusement hovering on his lips as she looked around with wide eyes. "It's just like Earth but smaller and contained," she mused. Her eyes settled on someone that was around Quatre's age with brown bangs falling over one eye and the other emerald green eye watched everything she did with suspicion.
Quatre stared at Trowa startled. "Trowa, what are you doing here?"
Trowa took his eyes off the girl and back to Quatre. "Are you alright?"
Quatre nodded a confused expression lurking in his eyes. He didn't quite like the way Trowa was looking at his Goddess. "Of course. Is something wrong? Is that why you're here?"
Trowa shook his head, She's pretty. I thought as much when I saw her on the monitor but I didn't expect her to look this beautiful. That confirms my first suspicions. She must be an assasin after Quatre.'
Usagi slightly bowed to Trowa and inwardly smiled at the suspicioun she saw well veiled in his eyes. He was worried she'd hurt Quatre and that instantly made him her friend. For anyone that cared about Quatre's welfare was instantly in the friends category to her. "My name is Usagi Tsukino. It's nice to meet you, Quatre-san hasn't told me much besides that you've both been friends for a while."
Trowa nodded slightly, "My name is Trowa Barton. How do you know Quatre?"
Usagi smiled sadly, "I met him in the Cinq Kingdom while he was visiting Ririna-san."
Trowa's emerald eyes flickered over the girl. He didn't think he had ever seen anyone with a hairstyle like hers nor the exact same eyes. They were a mixture of light and dark blue but the sadness and wisdom in them were unlike any he'd ever seen. He looked away breaking the spell. "The circus is going to be in this colony for awhile Quatre so I decided to visit you."
Quatre smlied, "That's great Trowa. Usagi-san is staying with me at the mansion for a while. You're welcome to come visit us anytime."
Trowa turned to Usagi and handed her two circus tickets. "Be sure to see the show."
Quatre watched as Trowa walked away leaving him once more alone with Usagi. "Usagi-san, are you hungry?"
"Iie, just tired at the moment, Quatre-san."
"The Mauguanacs will probably be there to greet us."
Usagi turned a slight spark of interest in her eyes. "Who are they?"
"Some very dear friends of mine."
"You have a lot of friends I'm sure, Quatre. You're a very sweet person and how could anyone not want to be a friend of yours?"
Quatre quickly turned his head so Usagi couldn't see his blush. "I'm nothing compared to you Usagi-san."
Usagi shook her head, "How I wish that was true, Quatre. My only friend is you."
Quatre smiled warmly at her, "Don't worry, Usagi-san. Everyone here will love you." He inwardly winced at his choice of words. He had almost finished the sentence with 'as much as I do.' and he knew everything would be ruilned if he said it so he held his tongue.
"Quatre-san?"
"Hmm?"
"Why do you want me as a friend? I'm horrible at it. I've let all of my other friends down I don't deserve your friendship."
Quatre took her hand and shook his head, "That simply isn't true, Usagi-san. I don't consider myself worthy to be your friend. I"ve killed people before..."
"So have I."
"You have?"
"Long long ago. It doesn't matter now... Quatre, can I have some time alone?"
Quatre nodded and watched as instead of going into her room she walked outside. "Usagi-chan," he whispered in worry.
Usagi walked down a well-worn path her eyes half-closed. 'Chibiusa is right I deserve to die...' She carefully pulled a long thin blade out of her dimensional pocket and let her eyes focus on her wrist. "I know this won't really kill me but it will knock me out..." She held her wrist steady and prepared to slice.
"What are you doing?"
Usagi jumped the blade clattering to the ground. She bent to pick it up when another hand reacted faster then hers. She looked up and saw Trowa's disapproving eyes. "I was-"
He shook his head, "How could you do that to Quatre?"
"Do what?"
"If you killed yourself you'd make him sad. He's had enough sadness in his life."
Usagi looked away tears shining in her eyes, "I deserve to die."
"Quatre is worried about you and he's acting depressed. What did you do to him?"
"Nothing... I just couldn't tell him something about myself. He's too sweet and pure."
"Tell me then."
"You?"
"..."
"Alright... where should I begin?"
Trowa glanced sideways at the girl. He hardly knew her and she was about to tell him something she wouldn't even mention to Quatre? It didn't make sense to him. It was strange but the girl reminded him of Quatre and because of that he wanted to befriend her. That was mainly the reason he had followed her. He hadn't expected her to be suicidal. "Start with what you're comfortable with."
"When... when I'm finished will you tell Quatre?"
"Do you want me to?"
"Iie... not yet anyways."
"Then I won't."
Usagi smiled softly. "Alright... My real name is Usagi Chiba and I'm thousands of years old." Her eyes flickered to his but he was watching her making no attempt to interrupt her. "I was married to Mamoru Chiba my husband and we were Queen and King of Crystal Tokyo. We had a daughter named Usagi but we called her Chibiusa. When my friends started to die around me I became unstable and suicidal. I cut myself and should have died countless times. I can't die though. I'm immortal. Out of all of my friends, my husband, and my daughter, only I had this curse. When my husband died of old-age I made a wish on the Ginzuishou an item powerful enough to do just about anything and instead of killing me it imprisoned me." She took a deep breath and continued, "When Ririna touched the Ginzuishou I was freed but changed into Sailor Cosmos and now I'm in this world."
Trowa nodded as he mentally processed all the information. "So you're a Queen?"
Usagi shook her head eyes solmen, "Was a Queen."
"Do you have this Ginzuishou on you?"
"You believe me?" He merely nodded his head and she smiled shakily before summoning the mighty gem. "Here it is. The Ginzuishou..."
Trowa calmly stared at the revolving gem ignoring the fact it was hovering in mid air. "Why didn't you want to tell Quatre, Usagi-hime?"
Usagi looked up startled. "Usagi-hime? But I'm a queen not a princess."
"You look like a Princess to me."
Usagi flushed and lowered her eyes as she concentrated on his earlier question. "Because there's a lot more to my story then I've told you. That was simply the end."
"Then tell me it all."
Usagi sat down on the grass and motioned for him to sit beside her. "Alright but it's a very long story."
"..."
"Trowa-san, arigato for listening," she whispered faintly before she began to speak. "Thousands and thousands of years ago..."
Quatre glanced at the door anxiously. It had been over three hours and Usagi still hadn't returned. He was worried she might try something foolish and the thought made his heart ache. 'Goddess, why won't you tell me what's wrong? I don't care about your past I only want to protect you-'
"Quatre-sama?"
Quatre sighed and turned, "Hai?"
"There's a Duo Maxwell wanting to talk to you." Quatre nodded and walked into the communicatons room only turning on the sound not the monitor.
"Quatre?"
"Hai, Duo?"
"Is your monitor broken?"
"Iie."
"Maybe it's mine then because I can't see you. Anyways I'm going to be passing by your colony soon. Mind if I stay over for a while?"
"Of course not, Duo. When should we expect you?"
"Well actually later tonight. See you then and thanks, Quatre."
Quatre heard the connection cut off and sighed. He got up and once again walked to the door where Usagi had left by. 'I have to go find her. She could be hurt or lost or...' his thoughts tumbled one after the other and he hurried out of the door. He was nearly jogging down the path when he spotted Usagi. She seemed to be fast asleep in Trowa's lap and the other boy was looking down at her a tender expression hinting in his eyes. Quatre felt the first twinges of jealousy.
Trowa looked up as he could feel someone watching him but whoever it was had left. He returned his attention to the sleeping girl. Her life's story had been impressive and the only reason he believed her was the way she spoke and looked as she talked to him. He now knew why Quatre was so protective of her and why the blonde boy had fallen in love. Though Trowa knew there was another problem now too. In the short time he had spent with the girl he had developed feelings for her as well.
Usagi slept on oblivious to everything as she had a peaceful dream. She smiled faintly and wasn't aware Trowa was watching her. "Usagi-hime," he whispered brushing a stray strand of white hair off her nose.
Usagi's eyes slowly flickered open and she yawned. "Hai?"
"You should get inside now. It's too cold out here for you."
Usagi smiled faintly but didn't move. "I'm fine, Trowa-san. Gomen, for falling asleep on your lap though."
Trowa merely shook his head a hint of a smile in his eyes. "It's alright, Usagi-hime. I have to go back to the circus now. I have a show tonight."
Usagi stretched her arms and slowly picked herself up. "I understand. Arigato for listening to me. I'm sorry if I bored you..."
Trowa slowly turned to meet her eyes. "Usagi, you didn't bore me. I don't care about what happened in your past life and you should learn to let it go. That part of you is gone you have to learn to start living again."
"What do you mean?"
Trowa leaned forward and gently brushed his lips against hers in a feather-soft kiss. "You should move on, Usagi-hime. As cruel as it sounds your husband is dead and nothing you can do can bring him back. You need to move on and let go."
Usagi stared up at him silently. She knew what he was saying was true but she couldn't get herself to respond. "Trowa?"
"Hai?"
"Why did you listen to and believe me? I thought you didn't like me."
Trowa turned his head and started to walk away. "I have no reason to not believe you, Usagi. I listened because that's what you needed. Please don't try hurting yourself again."
Usagi nodded her eyes distracted, "I can't promise to but I will try. I'll see you tonight then, ne?"
Trowa nodded and walked out of sight Usagi's eyes pinned on his back. She tenderly touched her lips and sighed. 'I should get over Mamo-chan but how can I even begin? Should I go out with Trowa or Quatre? No... I can't do that it would be like leading them on. Even if I did fall in love with one of them it wouldn't matter because the same thing would happen. They'd die from old age and I'd still look like this... I'm destined to be alone.'
Quatre felt the tears in his eyes and struggled to mask them. He had seen Trowa kiss Usagi and he was now fighting the hurt. 'How could Trowa do that to me? I thought he knew I loved Usagi.' He dabbed at his eyes once more and walked towards the deep in thought Usagi. "Usagi-san?"
Usagi looked up her eyes hooded. "Quatre-san, I shouldn't be here. I should leave."
Quatre shook his head, "You can't leave yet, Usagi-san. You haven't seen the circus or went shopping or have even ate anything. Please stay for a little longer."
Usagi sighed, "You don't understand, Quatre. I shouldn't be alive. I don't deserve to be and-"
She was silenced as his lips covered hers. She didn't respond and she stared startled into his eyes. He pulled away a pleading look in his eyes, "Don't leave, Usagi. Please don't leave me."
Usagi lowered her head but nodded. "Alright. I won't leave yet, Quatre, but that doesn't mean I won't at a later time."
Quatre nodded and smiled at her, "Agreed. Supper is ready by the way. I wasn't sure what you liked so I had the servants fix a little of everything."
Usagi smiled, "Arigato for everything, Quatre." She gently kissed his cheek and walked back to the house. As soon as Quatre couldn't see her face her smile dropped. 'How can he feel that way about me? I'm a horrible person that's not even human. I don't deserve to be loved by anyone ever again. How can you and Trowa like me like that, Quatre?'
Quatre quietly followed Usagi. 'Goddess, I promise to take care of you. Please don't run away from me. I just want to hold you and protect you from everything else... I love you.'
Usagi upon seeing the vast amount of food was shocked. "All of this for me?" She asked Quatre confused.
Quatre smiled at her, "It was a long journey so eat whatever you like. You don't have to eat it all."
Usagi grinned and ordered the servant to load her plate up. She ignored Quatre's wide saucer plate like eyes full of shock at how much she was planning to devour. Once the food was set before her she inhaled the scent for a few seconds before attacking.
Quatre stared at the girl. Gone was the refined and saddened girl he had met and replaced by her was a messy but happy teenager. Her blue eyes sparkled as she ate and she seemed unaware of her earlier troubles and only concious of the food. "This is really good," she complimented between plate refills. When she was completely finished she grinned at Quatre all traces of sadness and depression vanished. "Quatre-san, Trowa-san gave me these tickets to the circus. Will you come too?"
Quatre nodded a smile blossoming on his lips. "Of course, Usagi-san." He turned to one of the servants and requested that two more guest bedrooms be arranged. At Usagi's questioning look he merely smiled at her. When the servants scurried off Quatre took Usagi's arm and led her out of the house.
"Who are the two bedrooms for, Quatre?"
"Friends."
"Is Trowa one of them?"
"Hai..."
"So Trowa works in the circus but what does he do? Is he a lion-tamer?"
Quatre smiled, "You'll find out soon, Usagi-san."
Usagi giggled as her imagination ran wild. "He looks like he could be a tight rope walker..."
Quatre nodded slightly and led the pondering Usagi into the car. "He could be but he isn't currently."
"Is he one of the horse riders?"
"No."
"A vendor?"
Quatre shook his head and chuckled. "Nope."
"Ummm... the ring master?" Again Quatre shook his head.
Usagi pouted faintly at him and then realized they had already arrived. She didn't wait for Quatre to let her out but dashed out of the car door her eyes shining with as much excitement as a child's. She dragged Quatre into the tent and to their seats. She grinned at him as he bought her popcorn, peanuts, cotton candy, and soda as the show progressed and she had still gotten no sight of Trowa.
"Look, Usagi-san there he is."
Usagi looked to where he was pointing and her eyes widened. "He's a clown?"
"Not just any clown... watch."
Usagi watched first in silence and then in horror as a woman came out and instructed Trowa to stand in front of a target. She winced as knife after knife was thrown at him but he didn't even flinch. "How can he stand that?" She asked her companion.
Quatre didn't answer and merely watched. Catherine was on her final throw and smiled at the audience as she showed she would throw four blades at once. She turned to Trowa and threw.
Usagi's breath caught in her throat as she watched the graceful arc of the
knives. She counted and watched as they hit. The first two were on either side
of Trowa's head. The third had landed scant centimeters from his arm and the
fourth... Usagi gasped, "Trowa!" the fourth blade had hit him in the
stomach and it was clear to everyone that the trick had gone horribly wrong.
~~
Authors Notes: Please review and I'll try to get the next chapter out sooner
than this one. I'd like to thank my Oneesan Eternal SailorM, Krys Yuy, Krissi-chan,
and Mary Kate for all their help in this chapter. Arigato Minna-chan! The next
chapter will be out soon...
Chapter Three: Duo
