Untitled Document

Authors Notes: FINALLY finished! Hope you enjoy Minna-chan. BIG thaks to all my imoutos and Oneesan's (too many to list and if I forgot one I'd feel awful. They know who they are) without them this could have taken MONTHS to get out. SERIOUS Mamoru and Ririna bashing so if you're a fan of them I don't suggest you read.

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Chapter Twenty: The Perfect Soldier


Ail's hair seemed to fly around him as he let his fury consume him. He pointed his hand at Ririna and she screamed as she felt herself be slammed hard into the wall. "DIE!"

Hiiro pulled out his gun and turned to the screaming Ririna, "I warned you," He whispered before pulling the trigger. Around the room four other gunshots rang out at the exact same moment.

"World Shaking!"

"Star Sensitive Inferno!"

The two power based attacks hit the shocked former Queen before the bullets did and she screamed Hiiro's name one last time before five bullets slammed into her instantly killing her.

"Serenity-hime," whispered a soft ancient voice.

Quatre turned slightly and his eyes narrowed in pure hatred, "You could have stopped all of this. She didn't have to die! Save her!"

Setsuna turned her head to the side not looking at the furious boy. "Iie, she made her decision."

Haruka looked up tears trailing from her eyes. "What was the point of bringing Seiya and I here if you were only going to let her die?"

The guardian of time let her eyes fall on the still form of Usagi. "I had no choice."

Seiya felt rage course over him and clenched his fists. "Save her."

Quatre turned his head back to the still form, "O-negai, Pluto-san we'll do anything just save her."

Setsuna shook her head, "Iie, it's not foretold in any future that she lives. She'll be reborn with the senshi and Mamoru and she'll relive her life over and over again..."

Trowa frowned, "Isn't there a way you can stop the cycle?"

Ail turned on the woman his blue eyes filled with promises of a slow painful death. "Bring her back or I'll destroy this entire world."

Setsuna ignored him her eyes remaining on Usagi's still form. "Would you truly do anything?"

Quatre nodded,"Hai, anything at all."

"All of you?"

Trowa nodded, "Hai, I would."

Hiiro didn't answer his eyes having an almost far away look. 'Gomen, Usa-chan I wasn't there for you. I failed in my mission of protecting you...' He pulled out his gun and turned it upon himself.

"Hiiro!" Quatre called concerned.

Trowa wrenched the object away from the silent soldier. "Iie, Hiiro."

Hiiro nodded, "Hai, we'd do anything."

Wufei snorted, "Of course, that baka onna was too strong to die with such a dishonorable death."

Setsuna smiled slightly, "I see..."

"See what?" Hiiro demanded.

Setsuna shook her head and concentrated as she transformed into Sailor Pluto. "I can grant your wish for a price."

"Price?" Hiiro demanded.

Pluto nodded, "Hai, decide amongst yourselves who truly belongs with her. If you correctly choose the one that she loves back, she'll come back with full memories."

"And if we fail?" Wufei asked with a frown.

Pluto shook her head slightly, "She'll still come back to life, demo she'll remember only the one you decide. The rest of you will be mere strangers to her."

Duo frowned, "We can't do that to Bunny..."

Quatre frowned slightly, "We can't do that to her or we can't do that to us, Duo?"

Wufei scowled, "The Usagi I know wouldn't want to lose her memories of the rest of us."

"So we better choose correctly," Hiiro announced.

Seiya frowned, "Hang on a second. Do you honestly think I'm going to just allow you five to decide something like that?"

Haruka glared at him, "The only thing I care about is that Koneko comes back. If she doesn't have any memories of anyone but one of you I don't care. The important thing is she comes back."

Hiiro nodded in agreement, "Hai, she's right."

Quatre smiled softly, "Then who should we pick?"

"Me!" Duo announced. "I killed the demon child."

Hiiro frowned, "Iie, you shouldn't feel you should get her just because you killed one of her killers. She's not a prize, Duo."

Duo bowed his head ashamed, "Demo... who is really worthy of her? I mean she's just amazing and to be honest we all fall short."

Quatre shook his head sadly, "I know I don't deserve her. I've killed an entire colony of innocent people before..."

Hiiro glanced at the golden-haired boy, "That wouldn't matter to her."

Wufei leaned against the wall with a frown. "I vote for Yui."

Duo frowned, "Thanks a lot, Wu-man."

Wufei glanced over at the furious braided boy, "You couldn't offer her stability."

"And the perfect soldier over there COULD?"

"Hai."

"Why are you not worthy of her, Wufei?" Trowa asked.

Wufei snorted, "That should be known already. Yui is the best choice."

Duo shook his head, "No way! Hiiro would leave her as soon as a mission came up. You don't EXPECT him to be able to actually love someone like her do you?"

Wufei nodded, "Hai."

Quatre frowned faintly, "Demo..." He turned to Pluto. "Is she pregnant? If so will the life of the child be snuffed out?"

"Iie, she's not pregnant."

Duo grinned, "Good, she's too kawaii to be."

"What does that have to do with it, baka?" Wufei demanded in annoyance.

Duo grinned, "If I didn't know better, Wu-man I'd say you were disappointed!"

Wufei grunted, "Baka, Maxwell..."

"I choose Hiiro as well," Trowa's calm voice added.

Quatre frowned. "... if Trowa chooses him I guess I shouldn't go against that...."

Duo sighed, "You CAN'T be serious!"

"We are," Wufei responded.

Hiiro who had all but ignored them sat down beside Usagi and gently took her hand into his. "I failed in my mission. I don't deserve her." Inwardly he cringed. She was the only bright spot in his life. At first she merely reminded him of that girl with the dog that he had killed so long ago but as he got to know her he saw various sides of her. The one that had scared him actually scared him the most was the side that resembled himself;cold, hard, and soul-less. He closed his eyes for a moment remembering the first time he met her. This proved a mistake as he started to lightly blush.

Duo blinked, "...uuh guys?"

"What?" Wufei snapped.

"Is it me or is Hiiro actually... blushing?"

Quatre turned to Pluto, "We choose Hiiro...."

Hiiro looked up all red leaving his face, "Iie, Duo's better suited."

Duo got teary eyes, "ARIGATO, Hiiro!" His face fell and became serious, "Demo... you probably COULD take care of Bunny better then I could..."

Seiya sighed, "I don't care who it is as long as it isn't Duo." Haruka nodded silently in agreement.

"HEY!" Duo objected annoyed.

Hiiro deciding there was no way he could get out of what his fellow pilots had swore glanced at Usagi's face one last time. 'Do I really want to get out of this situation though? I do love her....' He let his gaze climb to Pluto. "What do I have to do?"

Pluto closed her eyes lifting the timekey into the ear as she whispered in an ancient and long dead language. "Give me your hand," she asked glancing at him.

Hiiro didn't hesitate and lifted his arm. He didn't even flinch as she pulled a knife out of seemingly nowhere and cut him vertically from his elbow to his wrist. "Hmmph..." He watched as his blood flowed down his arm and dripped onto Usagi's still form.

"Your blood must mingle with hers. In effect you're sharing your life with her. She'll know everything you do. Everything you've seen. Everything you've done. Everyone you've killed."

Hiiro winced. "...."

"You can still back out of this."

Hiiro shook his head, "Iie..."

Pluto nodded and taking Usagi's arm slit it in a similar manner. "Take her hand and allow your blood to mingle."

Hiiro did as told and ignored the other pilots who were watching in almost a state of shock. "This is too gorey for me to watch," Duo muttered before turning around.

Wufei rolled his eyes, "Bakas..."

Trowa watched silently hope shining hidden in his emerald eyes. 'O-negai let this work... O-negai, bring back Usagi-hime....'

Quatre watched and bit his lip in worry. One of two things could happen. One she'd wake up and remember Hiiro and only Hiiro. The second option is what he was hoping for. It didn't bother him that she would be with Hiiro no matter what. He only cared about her happiness. The only thing that mattered was that she come back. 'Goddess... you can't die.'

Wufei leaned against the wall. 'So she's not... Why do I feel so disappointed? She's only an onna and I've had a wife before... demo. Usagi-chan just wake up again. I don't care if you only remember Yui. Open your eyes and breathe... we Iie, I need you.'

Seiya closed his eyes not wanting to see the confusion on Usagi's face when she awoke only remembering Hiiro. 'Odango...'

Haruka clenched her fists. 'Koneko-chan... I knew it could never happen ... demo you have to wake up for me...'

Ail turned completely away. 'Is this my fault that the one I love is dead?'

Hiiro tightened his hold on Usagi's hand letting his blood mingle with hers. 'Usa...'

Pluto smiled as Usagi's blood on her clothes slowly started to vanish and her skin changed from a pale bluish grey to a healthy rosey pink. "Don't let go until I say so, Hiiro."

Usagi's eyes slowly opened and she stared at everyone around her confused. Her eyes slowly traveled to the one that was holding her arm so tightly and she grimly smiled, "Hii-chan..."

Duo turned startled, "BUNNY!"

Usagi stared at him puzzled for a long moment, "Who...."

Duo's face fell. "Iie...."

Hiiro stared at her for a long moment. 'So it wasn't me...' He tightened his hold. "Daijobu ka, Usa?"

She nodded and closed her eyes for a moment. "Hai, demo my head still hurts."

Hiiro started to reach out to touch her head when he remembered Pluto's words. He let his fingers get a firmer grip on her hand. "It's going to be alright, Usa..."

Quatre turned away in tears followed by Trowa. "She doesn't remember us... Hiiro was the wrong choice..."

Usagi leaned against Hiiro and attempted to get in a position to relieve the throbbing in her head. She saw a body on the ground and her nose wrinkled, "Isn't that....."

Wufei scowled at her, "Isn't that what, Onna?"

She glared at him sticking out her tongue, "Mean, Fei-chan!"

Hiiro froze. 'Fei-chan... demo....'

Duo broke into violent sobs. "Bunny remembers him but NOT me?!?!!?"

Pluto smiled, "You can let go now, Hiiro."

Hiiro obeyed and Usagi got to her feet. "Braided baka, how could I forget you?"

Seiya smiled, "I see... so her memories weren't fully returned that's why you had Hiiro keep his hold on her ne, Pluto?"

Pluto nodded, "Hai, and now it's time for you to return to your time."

Haruka scowled, "So soon?"

"Hai."

Haruka sighed and glanced over at Usagi who was re-assuring a wailing Duo that she remembered him. "Koneko?"

Usagi hugged Duo one last time and walked over. "You have to go... don't you?"

Haruka nodded and hugged Usagi. "Ja, Koneko-chan. Be happy."

Usagi fought tears. The last connections to her past and to who she was were leaving her forever. "I'll miss you all... I ... I can't stand to know I'll never see you again."

Ail leaned over and kissed her cheek, "Daijobu, Usagi-chan."

Usagi stared at him puzzled, "Ail?"

"We may not see each other again demo... I want you to know you'll always be in my heart and mind." He walked by her and stood beside Pluto. He understood this wasn't his time and that it was impossible for him to be with her.

Seiya grumbled, "Gomen, Odango-chan..."

"For what, Seiya-kun?"

"I hate leaving you in tears."

Usagi smiled through her teary eyes, "Daijobu... I'll miss you."

"I'll write a song about you."

Usagi flushed, "Arigato, Seiya..."

He leaned over and gently kissed her. "We'll meet again someday, I'm sure of it."

Usagi watched as Pluto vanished with the three and she sighed. "Minna-chan..."

"Daijobu ka, Usa?"

Usagi turned her eyes sparkling, "Hai, Hii-chan!" Her face fell, "Demo... I need to tell you all something..."

Quatre shook his head, "Iie, we know..."

Usagi looked at him in confusion, "Nani? how?"

Trowa smiled almost sadly at her, "You need time alone with Hiiro. If you want to talk to us later you know where to find us."

Usagi blinked as everyone left, "You too, Fei-chan?"

Wufei smirked, "I'll be in the gym, Usagi."

Usagi shook her head in shock, "How did they know that I love you, Hii-chan?" Hiiro didn't answer as he studied her. She noticed his stare and turned and blushed. "Didn't mean to say that outloud..."

"Daijobu."

"Is it really? I do love you, Hiiro demo I feel like I'm stabbing the others in their backs. I care for all of you a great deal demo ..."

"Usa?"

"Hmm?"

"Aishiteru."

Usagi smiled weakly, "Hiiro..."

He went to her and put his arms around her dimly noticing the faint scar on his arm and he knew Usagi carried one like it. "Usa..."

Usagi leaned against him, "Hii-chan promise me you'll never let me go."

He bowed his head leaning it against her shoulder, "Hai, I'll never let you go. Demo, if something happens to me I want you to be with one of the others..."

Usagi shook her head, "Iie, I won't let you think like that. We're going to grow old together, my Ecchi."

Hiiro scowled faintly, "Will you ever quit calling me that?"

"Iie... not for a while anyways." She smiled at him, "Hii-chan?"

"...."

"Will... will you marry me?"

Hiiro's entire body froze a she held her. "...hai."

Usagi smiled, "It's going to be something having four best men. Do you think Duo would do me a BIG favor?"

"...."

"I want to have a bridesmaid and since I don't know any other girls think he'd do it?" She heard an odd sound and she turned her head to see Hiiro actually snickering. She giggled and kissed him softly. "Aishiteru, Hii-chan."

"Aishiteru, Usa-chan," he responded a smile on his lips as he thought of a mental image of Duo in a bridesmaid outfit.

"Will you two lovebirds cut it out?" Demanded an irritated voice.

Usagi looked up startled to see a scowling pink-haired woman. "... Chibiusa!"

The woman smiled, "Okaasan..."

Hiiro tensed and resisted the urge to shove Usagi behind him. "Why are you here?"

"Just wanted to visit Kaasan. Anno..."

A tiny girl poked her head out from behind the taller woman. Silver hair was cut to her shoulders and prussian blue eyes looked at the couple in amusement. "where's Duo-chan?" She asked.

"Duo-chan?" Usagi parroted as she fought the shock. There was no mistaking it. The girl looked a lot like Hiiro.

"Hai!" The toddler ran off. "DUO-CHAN!!!"

Duo looked up from eating chocolate ice cream with lemons and wincing every other bite. "Do I HAVE to eat all of this, Q-man?"

"Hai," Quatre answered. "If you didn't want it you shouldn't have ordered my servants to get it."

"DUO-CHAN!" Cried a silver blur as it latched onto Shinigami's leg. "You miss me?"

Duo stared at the girl. ".... who are you?"

She giggled and bowed slightly, "Ririna Yui."

Duo stared at her for a long moment before his body slumped in a faint. "Ririna?" Quatre asked.

The girl giggled, "Kaasan said she named me after someone that was related to her. Tousan was furious when he found out demo Kaasan mentioned something to him about making it up when she got better."

Trowa watched as the tot climbed onto Duo's lap. "What are you doing?"

"Eating my favorite treat! Tousan said Kaasan ate this A LOT before she came and got me at the hospital."

Quatre couldn't stop the small smile on his lips at how the girl's parents had explained her being. "Would you like to have some icecream?"

The girl nodded and watched as he got it for her, "Arigato, Quatre-Tousan!"

Quatre froze. "Nani?"

Ririna giggled, "I call all of you Tousan cept Duo-chan! I'm gonna marry him when I grow up."

Usagi who had followed giggled at the scene. "Marry Duo?"

"HAI!" Ririna announced. "Fei-Tousan says that the braided baka needs a strong onna like me!"

Usagi laughed, "Does he now? Fei-chan!" She called in a teasing voice.

"What do you want O-.... who's the kid?"

"My name's Ririna, Fei-Tousan!"

Wufei glared at her, "...."

Ririna giggled, "Fei-Tousan you promised you'd help me tie up and gag Duo-chan!"

Duo who had just awoken edged away. "See what you get when you name children after Ririna?" He demanded scowling at Usagi who was laughing so much she was in tears.

Hiiro who followed the commotion watched the girl for a long moment. 'She's my daughter?' He let his eyes slide to Usagi who was still laughing. 'With Usa?' He felt the corners of his lip start to twitch and with great effort he managed to not smile. "Ririna."

The girl looked up from hugging Duo, "Hai, Tousan?"

"You have to leave now."

The girl pouted, "Iie! Wanna stay with Duo!"

Duo pried the clinging arms from around him, "You should listen to your Tousan."

Hiiro glared at him, "Shut up, Duo."

Duo grinned, "Ne, Bunny she's kawaii for being Hiiro's kid."

Ririna climbed up Duo's leg and messily kissed his cheek, "Ja, Duo-chan!"

Usagi finally stopped laughed as Ririna hugged a farewell and left. "She was so kawaii! Hii-chan!!!"

"Hnnn."

Usagi pouted, "Why not?"

"Hnnn."

"You're soooooooo mean!"

"..."

She sighed, "Alright I'll wait... demo.... "

"Hnnn."

She stomped her foot. "Okay already I get the picture!" She noticed the ice cream and grinned, "SUGOI! Did you save me some, Duo-chan?"

Duo grinned at her, "Of course, Bunny. Demo you only get some if I get a kiss."

"Omae o Korosu."

Duo chuckled, "Only on the cheek buddy!"

"Omae o Korosu."

Duo weighed his options for a split moment before leaning over and kissing Usagi's cheek before racing off with Hiiro following gun in hand. "Enjoy the icecream, Bunny!"

"Duo, get back here! You have to eat the rest of that!" Quatre objected as he raced after them.

Usagi giggled then realized Wufei was watching her as Trowa went to stop Hiiro and Quatre from hurting Duo too badly. "Hai, Fei-chan?"

Wufei shook his head, "Usagi..."

She swallowed, "Hai?"

"Be happy with Hiiro that's all any of us want."

Usagi bowed her head, "Fei-chan..."

"One more thing."

"Hai?"

"You're not... not... pregnant."

Usagi blinked, "Honto? Demo how do you know?"

"Pluto told us."

"Nani? Pluto?" She blinked, "Hai, I remember her coming for Seiya, Haruka, and Ail demo why would she tell you that?"

"... you died, Usagi."

Usagi stared at him for a long moment. "I did?"

"What do you last remember?"

Usagi closed her eyes for a moment, "I remember.... I remember... I remember Milardo shooting at me demo nothing after that except seeing Hiiro."

"Ririna killed you."

Usagi shook her head, "I ... I was dead?"

"Hai."

"Demo, how did I come back? I thought I wasn't immortal anymore. Fei-chan! I can't be! O-negai!"

Wufei shook his head, "You aren't."

Usagi calmed down slightly, "Are you sure?"

"Hai. You were completely dead.."

"Demo, how did I come back?"

"Pluto made a deal with us. One you shouldn't know about. All that matters is you're alive again."

Usagi smiled and was about to speak when Hiiro and Quatre reappeared a bound and gagged Duo between them. Hiiro dropped Duo into a chair as far away from Usagi as possible and tied him securely. At a nod from Quatre he released the gag and shoved a spoonful of the chocolate lemon icecream down his throat.

Duo quickly swallowed the harsh stuff and attempted to speak when Hiiro shoved another spoonful into his mouth. "Hii-chan, what are you DOING?" Usagi demanded as she saw Duo's face turn an odd orangish color.

"He ordered the ice cream Usagi-san and if I had given it to the poor of this colony they'd have been furious with me or gotten sick. He has to eat it all," Quatre answered with a gentle smile.

Duo attempted to spit out the next mouthful but Wufei grabbed his braid and a knife. "Eat it or I slice it off."

Duo whimpered but obediently swallowed. "Poor Duo-chan..." Usagi said with a faint smile. She took a bite and stuck out her tongue, "EWWWWWW!!!!"

Duo winced. He knew what that reaction meant. He had thought he'd have SOME help eating all of the ice cream but with his Bunny making that face he knew he was doomed. He gazed sadly at the bowl Hiiro had fixed for him that looked like it had been barely touched and let his mind wander to the gallons upon gallons of the stuff in the fride. "Help me, Bunny," he gasped before Hiiro force fed him another bite.

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Authors Notes: Anti-climatic ending I know. Gomen to those who expected something different.