Chapter Twelve: Showdown Commitment

*Their ride to the town was uneventful and rather quick compared to their journey home after the snakebite. People in the streets wondered when the both Hiiro and Serena ride in. It was unusual to see Serena, especially in a dress, but Serena with Hiiro? The gossip had already begun.

Their first stop was the horseshoe smith Wufei Chang. He was a short oriental man who had come out west looking for more business than his pervious horseshoe business had given him, and he had settled in quite nicely. Hiiro and Wufei had an understanding that one of them wanted to work, and the other wanted work done, so they should skip the formalities and get down to business.

"Hiiro. Which horse needs the shoes?" Wufei asked as they rode in.

"The red mare." Hiiro and Serena dismounted and Serena handed her horse's reins over to Wufei.

"Two hours." Wufei said after looking at the shoes. "Only two need to be replaced."

"I'll be back for her then." Hiiro nodded in a goodbye, and he and Serena led their other horse over to the hitching post outside of the store. After tying him up they entered the general store.

"Mr. Yui and… Miss Kemmer!" The shop keep greeted them from behind the counter.

"Hello Jared." Serena gave him a small smile. She didn't like the way her looked at her, but felt she had to be polite. Hiiro nodded his hello.

"My Miss Kemmer, you done get prettier each time I see you." The man smiled hungrily at her.

"Hnn." Hiiro stepped up beside Serena. "We need sugar."

"Five pounds white, two pounds brown please." Serena requested from behind Hiiro. She could have stood up to the man for herself, but if Hiiro was willing to do it for her, she supposed she would let him be slightly possessive.

"Uh, right." The man stuttered. He handed over the sugar soon afterwards. "Anything else?"

"No thank you." Serena waved him off.

"Together that comes to five dollars." Serena grimaced, but brought out her purse. Hiiro took the sugar and left to put it with the horse as Serena counted out the money.

"Gets more expensive each time." She sighed as she handed the money over.

"Well you know, if you're ever pressed for cash, Serena," She looked up when he used her first name- it was rude. "If you ever need to make a quick fifteen dollars, I'd be willing to pay for a few… favors." Serena gasped and quickly slapped the man.

"How dare you?"

"Just suggesting…" The shop keep muttered,

"There a problem here?" Hiiro stepped back in, wondering what was taking Serena so long.

"No, no problem Mr. Yui."

"No, we're fine Hiiro." Serena said with a white face. He knew something had happened. Turning his focus to the man behind the counter, Hiiro glared.

"Suggest it again, and you'll be seeing Trowa." He curtly stated. Serena couldn't help but feel vindicated by Hiiro's threat and she walked over to him.

"Thank you." He nodded and they stepped out.

"No wonder you don't like coming into town." Hiiro frowned.

"But now I have you with me. Let those idiot cowboys try it now." She smiled at him. He smirked. "Can we visit Quatre now?" She asked suddenly.

"Why?" His eyes narrowed again.

"Jealousy is a sin you know." She laughed.

"Do you think I care?" He smiled.

"Yes, I do. Come on then, let's go." And they walked off to Quatre's.

)(

The tight knit pack of six men rode jauntily along the beaten path. They had been on the trail for a long time; it was easy for anyone to spot that. Their clothes were worn, torn, and dirty. Their faces had shaggy, scraggly beards, and their greasy hair hung in their eyes under their sweat stained hats.

"How much longer to this town of yours Shields?" One of the men with shaggy blonde hair called out. A few light chuckles came from the other men. "I'm beginning to think it don't exist."

"It's there Jed." Darien smiled good-naturedly. He was on top. There wasn't a town he hadn't put on his payroll, and now he was home to his fiancé, the hot-tempered but sinfully gorgeous woman Serena Kemmer. "But we ain't going through the town. It'd be a shameful waste of time, that's what."

"So we're going directly to your home then? Darien, you love this woman more than you love us." Another of his comrades sneered with laughter.

"Andrew, she's not an ordinary woman. Once you meet her, you'd do best to keep your mouth shut, else wise I might end up killing you."

"She can cook you said?" A large man shot a dark glance at Darien.

"Best cooking in the whole damned western frontier. Can't imagine last time I had anything so good as her food."

"That good?" The man skeptically questioned again.

"That good and more."

"And she's a looker? Haven't seen anything pretty for a while Darien."

"Look but don't touch. Or you won't live to see the next morning." Darien warned.

"So how much longer till this damned house of yours?"

"We should be coming up on the land shortly. And after that, it's smooth riding till we get there." Darien smirked. 'I'm coming Kitten. Better hope you're ready for me.'

)(

"Serena! What a surprise!" Were the first words out of Quatre's mouth. Then he paused. "Nothing wrong I trust?"

"We were in town, and I thought I would visit."

"We?" Quatre's face fell slightly. He opened the door wider and found Hiiro's form stood behind Serena.

"Me and Hiiro of course." She smiled at him and laughed slightly.

"Won't you come in then? Have coffee?" Quatre offered her a strained smile and held his door open for them.

"We would like that very much." Serena told him as she stepped in. Hiiro grunted, but followed her in.

"So what were the both of you doing in town on such a nice day?" Quatre made small talk as he poured the coffee. Serena accepted her cup gratefully and inhaled the strong aroma. Quatre watched her content face and the serene smile that crossed it. She looked happier than he had seen her in years.

"We were running errands." Hiiro supplied the answer. Quatre sharply shifted his gaze to look at the man whom had spoken. Even he seemed more relaxed than before- slightly more guarded, but relaxed as well. Quatre had to smile. How could someone achieve such an ironic air about themselves as Hiiro did? To his knowledge no one else had the talent.

"That may be, but why then are the both of you here? Serena, you hate coming into town."

"Hiiro wouldn't leave without me. He's as over protective as you are Quatre." Serena smiled gently as she jabbed both men's egos at once.

"Oh?" Quatre asked. He could already assume what had happened between the two.

"Of course. But he did have a better reason than that Quatre." Quatre's eyes widened in surprise at the news. "Quatre, when the stage came in the other day, I received a letter." Quatre gulped, and he saw Hiiro's eyes darken at the mention of the letter. So he knew about him did he?

"And Darien's news was?" Quatre prompted her.

"He's coming home." She whispered. She felt Hiiro shift beside her, and she leaned in closer to him to gather strength. She felt his arm gently and discreetly sneak around her waist to hold her.

"He's on his way?" Quatre pressed.

"He claims he's going to be home before it's time to harvest the crops. And that he wants to complete our 'contract' before fall sets in." Quatre dropped his cup shakily.

"Quatre? Are you alright?" Serena asked worriedly. Even Hiiro had to admit he had never seen the boy so pale.

"Yes. Just don't much like the bad news." He replied softly. Then he hardened his eyes. "Hiiro, he'll kill you if he finds out you're even living within a five mile radius of Serena."

"He wants to kill me anyway. I'm a bounty hunter who's killed more of his men than he can count. And I want to kill him."

"Hiiro!" Serena gasped. She had never heard him be so blatant about his line of work.

"Serena, you've said it yourself, I'm a sinful man." He stated quietly.

"I know, but this is very much different from that Hiiro. Isn't there another reason he'll kill you?" She asked quietly.

"My hunting him, and my kissing you." Hiiro snorted unceremoniously, looking at her darkly with his deep, piercing blue eyes. Though she tried to fight it, Serena was held captive by his eyes, and felt his arm tighten around her waist.

Quatre, long since forgotten by the pair, looked on in slight shock. So Hiiro had done what he himself had been too much of a coward to do. Hiiro had acted upon his emotions, Hiiro had ignored Darien's threats, and Hiiro had won Serena's heart. But the pain in his heart was mild, Quatre supposed. Knowing Serena was happy with Hiiro rather than trapped with Darien was a load off his mind.

"Hiiro Yui! You're positively sinful!" She smacked him lightly across his chest. But Hiiro grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it.

"That would be the point." He smirked. She gasped and flushed, but said nothing in response. Then she regained her composure, and, remembering where they were, she turned back to Quatre.

"Quatre, Hiiro wants to fight Darien! Please, talk some sense into gun boy over here! Tell him about Darien, his power…" Serena pleaded.

"Serena, what can I tell him? Hiiro, don't you go fighting Darien. He's a bad man." Quatre joked.

"Quatre, I was quite serious! Please warn him what he wants to go up against" Quatre became serious.

"She's right in a sense. Darien's got and quick hand with god accuracy. He don't panic when cornered, and he's got a group of five others just as capable riding with him."

"Hnn."

"Hiiro, listen to Quatre!" Serena prodded.

"Serena, I'm not letting you go back to him. I swore to protect you, let me."

"But who will protect you?" She whispered. "Six against one is hardly a fair fight Hiiro."

"I'll manage."

"You know…" Quatre interjected. It was now or never. Hiiro had the right idea; he wasn't about to let Darien push them around any longer. "Hiiro, if you need back up, you have my gun."

"Quatre, no!" Serena gasped and paled.

"Hnn." Hiiro grunted. Then he rethought briefly. "How good a shot are you Winner?"

"Pretty fair."

"Hnn."

"No, you can't do this! The both of you are mad!"

"Really? I might be getting new business soon then." Another, familiar voice rang through the room. "I hope you don't mind Quatre, but I let myself in."

"Trowa."

"Barton." Quatre, then Hiiro acknowledged him.

"Hello Trowa." Serena gave him a sad smile. "I hear you were inquiring about my… health." She teased gently. While Quatre and Hiiro had not been pleased to have Trowa buzzing around her, she didn't mind. She, Trowa, and Quatre had grown up together, and whatever Trowa had said he wanted to do, he had only been making sure Quatre would have another motive to keep her alive.

"Serena, it's been a long time." Trowa smiled at the pretty girl before him. His heart gave a slight jump every time he saw her, a painful reminder of the ancient feelings he still harbored for her. He knew that he could never confess them to her, that though she would not laugh, she would turn him away.

Trowa had been a back player in the games of the hearts that were being played between the youth in the town. Serena had once been sweet over their old friend Duo, who had gladly returned the feelings. All three of the boys, Quatre, Trowa, and Duo, had been good friends during their days in the school. Serena had been the love interest of all three boys, until she began to express her feelings for Duo. After that he and Quatre had tried to forget her, to ease the pain and be happy for their friend.

Unfortunately not a few weeks later Darien Shields had ridden into town and made an example of Duo that was still burned into Trowa's memory. After that, both he and Quatre had wanted to move in again, to be friend her once more and comfort her, but Darien's threat had kept them away.

To this day Trowa knew Quatre still harbored deep feelings for Serena, and that he had even told her of his love for her. But from the way they acted, it was apparent she had refused him, and that Quatre, even if she hadn't refused him, would not have acted upon his feelings because of Darien.

Trowa himself had tried to forget his feelings all together, but even still, when he saw Serena's sweet smile and angelic face, he still felt the same jolt of energy run through his body.

"Trowa, why don't you join us, please?" Serena offered her seat to him.

"Serena, a man is supposed to offer his seat to a lady, not the other way around." Trowa told her bemused. But he caught Hiiro's glare and knew that he found nothing funny in his flirtatious comment.

"Still, sit Trowa." Quatre told him, trying to break the ice. Trowa nodded and pulled up a chair.

"Now explain to me what has you thinking Quatre and Hiiro are crazy Serena?" Trowa smiled good-naturedly.

"Darien is coming home Trowa, and they want to fight him when he does." Needless to say that was not what Trowa had been expecting.

"He's coming back?"

"Looks like you'll be getting some business Trowa." Quatre snorted angrily.

"This is no laughing matter Quatre." Trowa told him smirking. But his eyes told a different story. "Which of you wants to be measured first?"

"Trowa!" Serena scolded. "This is important! How dare all three of you make such a mockery of Darien Shields! You take him too lightly, and now my one of my closets friends and Hiiro are going to pay for it!" She stood roughly and began to pace. She stopped when she passed the window and looked outside. "I can't watch you die." She whispered. *