"Man, I've never taken such a harsh beating in all my life… Now, who blurted out the toothbrush accident? I told you never to mention that crime… Heero has no mercy when it comes to hygiene…"
Usagi glanced sidelong at Duo's limp form, collapsed across his bed. She yawned jadedly and flipped the page of her open manga. "I never said anything. Besides, what good is hygiene when you wear the exact same clothes every single day? If you ask me, he needs a few fashion tips."
He scowled up at the ceiling. "You know, I never thought about it that way… Being a gundam pilot, I know it's hard to change your clothing… In fact, I've been wearing the same shirt over a month! I think I stuck it in that dresser of yours... It was getting all icky."
Usagi blinked in alarm. She looked to Duo, who seemed oblivious, and then to her wooden dresser. "You can't be… Serious…"
"Oh, but I am," he replied, his solemn features never leaving his expression. "It was the top one, as I recall… Your undergarments, perhaps?"
"Baka hentai!" she cried, throwing her book in his direction. Ignoring his yelp of pain, she scrambled over to her wooden dresser, flung open the top drawer, and began rummaging. "Where is it? Where?"
"I was kidding," Duo replied bluntly, rubbing at his head. "Shouldn't you have realized how sneaky I can be by no-" He was cut off sharply as a pair of pink rabbit panties landed in a small heap atop his head.
"Oh, thank Kami," she sighed, leaning herself against the wall. She took a few deep breaths before facing him again. "Where did my book-"
He only grinned sheepishly as she stared back at him, shocked. Dangling from his forefinger was one of her undergarments. Pink, bunny-rabbit undergarment!
"What are you…"
"I guess it slipped from your grasp, eh?" He chuckled uneasily. "Well, it managed to land over here… Maa, heaven forbid you'll hit me…?"
Never had sector C-3 heard such a long, loud war cry erupt from the dorm of their commander.
"Commander?"
Usagi's lip curled in annoyance. "Miss Relena, it would be better if you were to call me by first name, not Commander. I'm not your commander in the first place."
"All right, I understand, and you may call me Relena."
"Touché, Relena" Usagi muttered, slumping lower into the shuttle's seat. "Anyways, what were you about to ask me, Relena?"
"Ano…" The young Peacecraft tapped her lip thoughtfully. "I just wanted to know the plans for Zech's meeting. Am I supposed to recite a speech of some sort?"
Usagi bit back a meaningful grin before replying. Stupid woman! "Zechs is a very patient man, you see. He isn't exactly the type who would look forward to hearing you go on and on and on about peace… So, no, you won't be doing anything."
Relena frowned. "What is that supposed to mean? Are my speeches very dull? I suppose I could perhaps come up with something else?"
"Damn, you're annoying," Usagi retorted drowsily, squirming uncomfortably. "Ne, just shut up until we get there… Onegai."
Relena's eyes widened as she watched the blond drift into slumber alongside her. 'I cannot believe I'm hearing this! I am supposed to be respected… But… But this woman! Does Heero think I'm a distraction? Heero…' Mutely, she tilted her head to the side, her forehead resting lightly against the glass window.
Usagi's eyes snapped open, accustoming to the dimness of the shuttle's cockpit. Wearily, she regarded her surroundings, rubbing away sleepiness from her eyes. Her vision settled on Relena. "Ah!"
The girl seated next to her remained quite soundless. Her head was lolled to one side, long wisps of brown hair blanketing her face. A small, yet noticeable strand of drool hung from the corner of her agape lips. She was snoring slightly. "Heero…"
Usagi wrinkled her nose with silent disgust. No wonder the poor boy had social problems! Deciding upon it, she lashed out at her with a powerful nudge.
Relena woke up with a fit of chokes and coughs, wheezing as she rubbed her ribs. She sent a questionable look at Usagi in the process.
She shrugged. "My arm slipped. Clumsy me… Hitting a poor Pacifist!" As Relena continued patting at her sore side, Usagi cocked an eyebrow. "Talk to me! What, are you sick or something? Don't throw up on me! This is a brand new uniform… Zechs wouldn't enjoy a smelly woman to debate with, ne?"
Relena sighed inwardly and ceased her raspy breathing. Where she had hit was, without a doubt, going to leave a mark. 'Such a demanding woman…'
Usagi turned up her nose in an act of arrogance. "Fine then, you can simply ignore me, Highness. A few escorts will accompany you towards your headquarters… Deal with them instead."
'But… She told me not to talk with her directly, on account of my annoyance…' she thought. 'She really must be a good leader… Pushy!'
As if realizing it, Usagi's lips curved into a lop-sided smile. "Nee, I give you permission to speak. You don't have to be rude about it."
"Where are my headquarters located?" Relena inquired hopefully. "I hope I get some flowers with it, too, because I love the smell of them… When will I be beckoned upon for the meeting? Should I fix my hair? My nails? My nails and my hair? Or perhaps I should just wear something appropriate."
"I take that back. Shut up."
Usagi peered out into the sunset as she exited the shuttle with a smile. The sun was soothingly warm, its rays soaking up any regret she was feeling. "Kajitsu!"
"You seem content." Duo's usually smug features were now altered into a frown as he stood before her. "You're being unreasonable, Usa. Don't throw your life away. Why are you doing this!? It's foolish of you!"
"You know, you're not the god of death, you're just the god of bullshit!" She shoved him aside. "Do your mission, I'll do mine."
Usagi looked up from her seat. A guard stood, saluting, in her room's doorway. She sent him a quizzical look with her eyes. "Hai?"
"Zechs wishes to see you now," came the curt reply. "He has requested your presence immediately… Ah… You are coming, no?"
She waved him off. "Of course, I'll be there shortly. Give me some time to prepare myself… Tell him to wait for me."
The guard bowed his head respectfully before marching out of sight. Usagi held her mug with shaky fingers as she brought it to her mouth.. 'Am I really throwing my life away?' She blinked bluntly. 'Baka. He hasn't experienced the same things as I…'
She slammed the cup back down against the small table, instantly shattering it. She ignored the broken pieces stubbornly and forced herself upwards. "Baka Maxwell! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!"
"I didn't say anything."
Surprised, Usagi pivoted on her toe, only to result in knocking over the table. None other than Duo leaned against the doorframe, a small grin spread across his mouth. "Oh my, a bit clumsy today, are we?"
Usagi clenched her teeth together, kicking herself mentally for acting with such awkwardness. "I thought I told you to guard Relena," she hissed. "I need to go now. Get out of my way."
Duo ignored her, blocking her only way out with his arms. "I won't."
Usagi's wrath blazed. "Then you are deceiving your duty… I will… Have to remove you from my forces immediately… Understood?"
"Fine," Duo said simply, smirking ironically. "But I'm not moving."
"Usagi?"
"Eh?" Usagi peeked over her shoulder. The entrance was now occupied by Relena, Wufei, Quatre, Trowa, Heero and a very satisfied looking Duo.
Usagi sweatdropped. "Why, what a pleasant surprise… What are you doing here, Relena? Near the meeting room?" She shot glares at all five of the boys.
"I was… Just a little worried about you, seeing I was not called upon… Are you ready to go yet?" Relena smiled timidly. "I'll go with you."
Usagi refrained from giving herself a punch to the face. Of course, once again, Duo had proven his sneakiness behind her back. "Iie, matte."
"Why wait?" Relena questioned, a little confused.
Usagi promptly ignored her, sniffing. "Well, as I expected it should be happening just about… Now." As if on cue, a large explosion erupted through the hallways.
"Did you set that off, onna?!" Wufei yelled, glancing down the corridor. "That was coming from the meeting room!"
Usagi laughed and shook her head. "Indeed, that was where I was to congregate with OZ. When I was to step into that room, an explosive would have been triggered…" she slumped her shoulders. "It seems as though Zechs isn't too innocent… Our only choice now is to head back to the colony… Eh! I hope I don't get fired!"
"You knew about all this?" Quatre inquired softly, hiding his shock.
"You are not naïve, that's for sure," Duo murmured. "But, you would have be killed, and you already knew this? Didn't you feel…"
Usagi cut him off short. "Anxious? I don't feel that emotion anymore. It brushed off quite a while ago… Death isn't something new to me."
"You were ordered to sacrifice yourself!" Relena shouted suddenly, her face flushed. "It all makes sense now! I was just here as a distraction! Nothing more!"
Usagi flipped her hair to the side. "Took you long enough. You are slow in figuring things out. Pick up the pace and I may respect you one day…"
Relena clenched her fist into a tight ball, staring at Usagi. "I was worried. About you, Commander… And this is how you repay me!?"
Usagi clasped her hands together. "That's the spirit, Relena! When you're pissed, off, show it! You're coming along quite nicely!"
Relena seemed blank. "But… I… I really was angry with you! Utterly angry!"
Usagi snickered beneath her hand. "Busu, I wouldn't advise you to develop into my enemy," she said, eyeing her. "I'd destroy you."
"Busu?!" Relena's shoulders hunched as she turned to face the other direction. "I am returning. I've had enough of this… this foolishness!"
"Well, then, busu, shut up and lead the way!" Usagi pulled down an eyelid as she stormed away. "Nya, nya, weak little Peacecraft needing protection again... I'm not her babysitter! She needs to toughen up and defend for herself once and awhile. She won't even go near artillery, let alone a water gun, and has no physical defense techniques…"
"It's your turn to shut up," Wufei scoffed.
Notes: Well, that's chapter three all finished! I hope this fanfiction isn't to boring… Action scenes will be coming up shortly… Sorry for being so mean to Relena, too!
-Ronin Cha Cha
