What 5
First and Foremost THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH Luna Tiarra for being nice enough to revise and help me on this chapter. Hope you enjoy! Remember the sign ^^^^^^^ means memory reading.
Chapter 5
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Startled out of her sleep by a muffled scream Serena stared around her, her hands had been fixed tightly to a bedpost. She was sitting awkwardly on the floor, the scream came again, the teen's body stiffened, whoever was screaming was on the bed. Sucking in a deep breath she could hear someone moving downstairs, hear him washing the dishes and now he was.he was opening the refrigerator. Her attention swerved back to the occupants on the bed. A female body fell to the floor next to her, shuddering she pulled herself away.
"Well, well, well.look who's awake."
Serena stared at the attractive vampire as he slipped from the bed to kneel next to her. His gaze turned to the slumbering girl, "Don't worry about her. She's not dead.just sleeping. When she wakes up everything'll be better for her.but not for you lovely."
"Wufei get off her." Came a sharp voice.
She glanced upwards to see Duo's familiar figure looming in the doorway, coming into the room he closed the door and stared at Serena with renewed interest, "So.hunting partner there's a full moon."
Fear seized Serena, "What are you talking about?" She murmured.
"I bit you. And whenever a werewolf manages to spill blood that person turns into a werewolf too. Crazy isn't it?" His eyes reflected fanatical interest in his new hunting mate.
"That's not funny." Serena's pupils were small orbs of sapphire, "Change me back!" She shrieked struggling against her bonds. They snapped and broke almost immediately, Wufei had her pressed to the floor before she could even think of freedom.
"There's proof, no human could break those ropes of their own strength. You're one hundred percent demon. Welcome to the club." Wufei grunted before lifting himself off of Serena. She massaged her wrists and huddled against the bedside drawer, Duo watched her for a few moments before crouching down so that he was eye level with her, "It's not that bad.being a werewolf."
"I'm not going to be your 'hunting partner' you disgusting bastard." She spat venomously, Duo shrugged his shoulders, "I told you, you don't remember much when you turn into a werewolf. All that'll be present when you turn into a werewolf is instinct and the need to hunt.but all that's stopping next full moon." His grin was barbaric, "Next full moon." He repeated to himself, glancing at Serena he pinned her with his violet eyes, "Well love, better get downstairs before breakfast's gone."
Both boys left, Serena hugged her knees to her chest her chest jerked with heart rending hurt. If only Gene was there. She didn't want the other two to hear her crying so she kept her hiccupping cries to herself. It most not have worked though, because only a few seconds later Duo came back, his gleaming chestnut hair was secured in a tight braid which constantly flipped back and forth as if in agitation. "Listen, I don't want you to cry, because I need you," He was cut off as Serena stifled a piteous sob.
"Hey," He reached out to caress her cheek she moved away from him, "I hate you." She murmured. Duo looked intently at Serena for the longest moment, "Please understand.I won't hurt you."
"YOU ALREADY HAVE!" Serena yelled in exasperation, Duo clenched his teeth, "It's for the better.maybe for both of us."
"Sick bastard." She whispered, Duo sighed, his patience was being tried, "Well I can only hope you understand some day."
Wufei looked up from his vigil on the outside world, "Daylights almost done with. I'll take my last meal and put her somewhere.time for me to hunt again."
"You already fed." Duo replied.
"That doesn't mean I can't feed again.You don't think I could feed on Serena again?"
"No! I told you I claimed her first."
Wufei hissed in animal annoyance, baring his fangs at Duo he headed upstairs to retrieve his earlier victim. Duo folded his hands in his lap again and again before finally deciding, "Tonight."
"Tonight what Maxwell?"
Duo's eyes met with Wufei, "No hunting tonight. We're going to go and get the formula tonight."
Wufei stared at Duo, bemusement shone, "I hope you die.going straight into the hunters den.idiot." Duo grinned, "I can get what you want too.if you come with me."
The onyx black eyes blazed, "Maybe.maybe not. Depends if your little girlfriend's ready. The first hunt took a lot out of her.she knew she had killed someone and hated it, do you really think she's going to be able to go through with this?"
"Don't know. The only problem is we have to watch out for the hunter I turned demon. He might still be part of the little pack of hunters and know where my thoughts were heading."
Wufei shrugged his shoulders, "He's werewolf, he won't,"
"They'll have given him the potion." Wufei blew air through his teeth, "That's your problem wolf boy. Not mine."
The werewolf dragged Serena out of the building; she resisted little, because she too could hear the call of the moon. Like golden bells chiming in her ears, the minute they were outside they changed from their human forms into beings that could rip humans in two .Duo had gained some control over the powerful form since he had been in it for a year at least. Most didn't make it even that far, hunters were popping up like daisies, ready to destroy his kind. Every time he took a step in the direction he wanted to go he could feel the werewolf inside him tearing him apart, wanting to hunt and feast on its prey. Even his new hunt partner was having trouble understanding why he wasn't heading towards the seemingly nearby human prey.
She nudged Duo's shoulder, Duo turned, his receptive muzzle could already pick up the scent of his hunters, and he would soon become the hunted. He could feel Serena's anguish, but in this form, she was bonded to him, in the end she would always end up following him. Standing on the border between safety and danger he turned to her, his violet eyes were starting to get tinted a yellow color, Serena's remained the same clear blue for an instant before turning a hazy yellow. Easing into a loping trot they ate away at the distance between them and the hunters den. He stopped for a split second, his nose flaring yet again, sifting through the air for anything dangerous. Pressing themselves against the wall he made his way to the door, he stared at the metal-made entranceway, lifting a paw he delicately pressed down on the door handle, 'It's amazing' he thought as he entered the building, 'Nobodies sensed us yet.something must be distracting them' the door clicked shut behind him. Even this tiny noise was enough to send jitters through his hunting partner, she pressed close to Duo, her black hide matching his.
Twining in and out of the shadows in the corridor they avoided all light, soon Serena took over their search for the concoction that would help Duo control his werewolf form. She had been here once before she thought, but the connection had been severed, only to be recalled to help her mate, she was a werewolf now, not human, not human at all, not at all.
They stopped in front of a door, it was made out of pure silver, it glittered and mocked the werewolves, they shared a look. They would have to wait until daylight, getting close to silver, only in their werewolf form, hurt when touched. Serena licked her paws before circling three times and lying down. Duo however was not so easy, he stared at Serena, how could she be so easily soothed, they were in the hunters den! Hours passed, it suddenly occurred to Duo as he began to change back into his human form that Serena would no longer help him find the right concoction now that she was human.
Standing before the door in his human form he did a backward glance at the slumbering Serena, she still hadn't gotten used to the energy drain from the transformation. Opening the door he stepped inside, quietly he meticulously began to search shelf after shelf. Finding the brew that he needed in the very corner of the tiny medicinal storage room, it glowed an eerie yellow color and the liquid kept moving even though there wasn't a breath of air to move it around. Duo grabbed the pocket-sized bottle, just as he was unscrewing the top he heard Serena moving outside, she was awake. Quickly gulping down the bottles contents he put the bottle back onto the shelf and searched for a bottle he had seen earlier marked, 'Heavy Sedatives' gripping the cork between his teeth when he finally did find the bottle his arms gave a sudden jerk. His eyes kept seeing doubles of everything, cautiously he held his hands out, catching sight of the two Serena's he narrowed his eyes, the two figures overlapping slightly, moving swiftly he pushed Serena against the wall. Opening her mouth he forced the red liquid down her throat. Pocketing the concoction he watched as she slid down to the floor, her bones felt like a mass of Jell-O, "What." she murmured, her head felt too heavy. Duo sighed, "Sorry love, survival of the fittest. And in this case, it's Me." he said slowly. He was beginning to feel woozy himself.
Heero would be the one to spot Duo running down the corridors; he had shifted to his werewolf form before he could even question how Duo had gotten in. Sprinting towards Duo he knocked the boy aside, "You're the bastard that got me into this" He said, his voice both a growl and a scream of anger. Duo grinned, fangs beginning to become visible as he changed, "Got that right." The hunter was temporarily surprised at the change before he lunged for the throat of his offender, Duo hissed, the gold eyes glinting evilly back at him, "You just stepped into my arena buddy." Lunging at Heero he thrust his retractable claws out, they sliced through the very air, going deep into Heero's shoulder blade. Even though Duo was most surely the better in this particular fight Heero still had his cunning and wits about him, he was managing to head Duo towards the containment section. Heero spotted Serena first, and Duo remembered that Serena was there second. Heero remembered her immediately from that one night that he had been hunting Duo. He galloped towards Serena, stopping when he was leaning over her neck, "I'll tear her apart if you don't move away." He threatened. Duo cocked his head, "Tear her up huh.go ahead. She's not needed by me anymore." Heero felt a pang of anger, "You lousy son of a bitch!" He hissed, he lunged towards Serena's neck.
Only millimeters away from tearing the innocent girl into pieces there was a brilliant flash before Heero and Duo were thrown against the wall. Blinking against the light they could make out the seemingly tiny crystal hovering over Serena's body, protecting her from the two werewolves. The ground began to shake, the two could actually feel the ground beneath them convulsing and sending ripples through the floor. They both dug their claws into the floor as the roof began to shower dust down on them, the light that enveloped Serena remained strong though. The floor was still in that small spot, both creatures of the night fled from the scene together. It was a mad dash for safety, hunters passed them taking no notice of the two werewolves. As soon as their feet touched the clean grass they turned as the building collapsed in on itself. A ray of sunlight broke through the clouds and beamed down on the figure of Serena, she had awakened, amazingly. Plumes of light began to grow from her back before the light flaked away from her like snow and showed the marvelous white wings. Heero's eyes caught on Duo's form, he stared, the black color was being drained from his coat to leave a clean white.
Duo looked like he was about to puke, he had fallen to the ground and was panting for air. Out of him a black mist began to take the rough form of a human pulling itself out of Duo's laboring werewolf body. His size began to shrink until Duo was once again human; Heero watched the mist become defined and three-dimensional. The other hunters in the clearing were clutching their ears and had fallen to the ground. Heero was immune to it, as he looked up he met eyes with the strange being. It reminded him of an angel really, but the wings were night black and had fewer feathers on its skinny frame. It was still just a black shadow but with shape, and eyes which glowed red.
Meeting eyes with Heero it pointed to Serena, "Attack her, she is the enemy you seek." There was no question in Heero's mind that this was the enemy. She Serena, was the enemy, she had to be destroyed. Leaping into the air his jaws opened in preparation for the death lock. Serena cried out in fear, she didn't know what she was doing standing in the middle of a wreckage with wings planted on her back. Holding up her arms to block her face a near invisible wall of energy surrounded her. Heero slammed against the invisible wall, he could feel it ripple and fall from the force of the blow. Howling and frenzied because of the growing blood lust he lunged again and this time brought Serena to the ground. "Stop!" The voice was crackling with energy, Heero was prey to its voice, whimpering like a beaten dog he tucked his tail and backed away, low to the ground in submission. Standing over Serena it breathed in deeply the shadow of the form expanded before abruptly falling into Serena's prone body like a waterfall. That was the only way Heero could describe it, it was like something being sucked down, down into Serena's soul. Her eyes opened instantly, knowing of what was happening to her, "STOP!" She screamed, her wings had begun to shed their feathers. Heero backed even further away cowering; she tore at her skin until it was a stricken red color. Her eyes widened as she gripped her forehead, "GET OUT OF ME!" Her body was trembling and shivering in terrible fear of what was to come before falling to the ground.
Instantaneously the light that had just been beaming down on her stopped and the ground quit its movement. The Hunter had changed to his human form from his lack of strength, slowly rising up from the ground he reached for a dagger that he carried on a pouch by his side. Kneeling next to Usagi he tried to think through the haze, a single thought played through his head, 'I have to destroy her before it's too late.' His heart skipped a beat when he saw that her eyes had opened. Positioning the dagger over her he closed his eyes.
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Quatre pulled away suddenly, Wufei's closed eyes flicked open at the sudden movement. The psychic glanced at Wufei in pained curiosity, "How'd you see all of this, your memories make it look like you were there, right next to Usagi."
"I was watching.I followed Duo. I wanted a serum similar to his.Is she the one?" He asked finally, slowly moving to a standing position. Quatre nodded his head, "She's the one." Taking in deep breaths his eyes turned to Duo who was staring at Usagi, "Do you remember what happened Duo, to Usa, I mean Serena?" His voice was strangely lacking any tone.
Duo looked away and nodded his head, "Some parts I don't remember but the most important parts I do.I was harboring a demon inside me because I.I still don't know.but when the Imperium silver crystal reacted to the danger that Serena was in that one night it awoke the demon, the thing that was tainting me black."
"An unnatural color, even for a werewolf." Wufei murmured, "So," Duo continued, "I guess when it felt that power it moved from my body to Serena's, who's now Usagi. That might be what's inside Usagi, that's probably why we started hunting her in the first place." Duo shifted uncomfortably. Their leader who had remained silent during the entire affair now spoke, "Do you need to read me?"
"No. Wufei was enough." Running a hand through his hair Quatre closed cloudy-marine eyes, "My brain feels like it's going to explode from all the information we've just received." Slumping into the nearby chair the Arabian groaned, "What're we going to do now?" Just then the door opened. "There's a ship two hours from here. It's the Outlaw Star from what the ship's computer told me." Trowa reported, scanning each of his partner's faces.
Heero nodded his head, "When she wakes up why don't you help her about Quatre.she doesn't know you from her past life.which is a good thing.Will she remember when she wakes up?"
"Yes.since I unlocked those memories for her." Quatre blanched at the things that Usagi might feel towards Heero, Heero nodded his head and sighed, "Very well.I'm going to go."
Duo waited until everyone but Quatre and him were left in the room, "Quatre, listen you know that I,"
"Yea.I know Duo. You've changed a lot, everyone's changed a lot from Usagi's past lifetime with you guys.I just hope.I hope she realizes that too."
Duo frowned, "I doubt it. She went through some stuff.Heero killing her didn't help."
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"Gene. Gene. GENE!" Gilliam's voice could be heard screaming, Gene opened a single eye and glared at the mobile suit, "What the hell do you want!? I'm trying to sleep here."
"The ship was spotted four hours ago by Melfina when she was running a system's check."
"Why didn't you wake me four hours ago then." Gene grumbled as he stumbled out of his bed.
"Because Gene my computer advised at least ten hours of required sleep for you. You've been running around since last night." Gilliam stated matter-of- factly.
Gene snorted, "I had reason to didn't I?" He pulled on his pants and shirt.
"Gene, this is no time for joking."
"That'd be true if I weren't commanding this ship at the moment. What weapons can we use from this distance Giliam?" He left his room and headed towards the control room.
"Gene, all the weapons we have at the moment would destroy their ship completely." His arms waved up and down fanatically as he spoke the words.
"Arm those weapons." The door opened for him and he entered hastily.
"But what about Usagi?" Gilliam's voice could be heard from the speakers, Gene grit his teeth from the question.
"I was going to hail them first Gilliam." Gene snapped, he turned to meet eyes with Melfina who was in the control module at the moment.
"Gene, all systems green. Ether drive engine standing by, missiles standing by, grappler arms standing by."
Gene moved into the pilots seat, "Gilliam, hail them now."
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"Heero, this button's just started blinking." Duo said, pointing to the button he stared out onto the screen, which showed an endless view of stars and space debris.
"Their ship must have picked us up by now...Press it."
Duo pressed the button and contained his surprise when the outlaw star's pilot came onscreen. "What've you done with Usagi?" He whipped out quickly.
"Nothing. She hasn't been injured or harmed." Quatre said, entering the room with Usagi by his side. A light entered her eyes when she saw the image of Gene, 'he came back for me.'
"We had just turned around to meet up with you." Quatre said as cheerfully as possible.
"We want Usagi back!" Jim yelled suddenly appearing onscreen, "Jim, everything's under control." Pushing Jim's face out of the way Gene glared at Heero before nodding his head, "I'll see you in about an hour then." The picture of Gene disappeared. She was relieved when Quatre led her out of the room, for some reason she couldn't suppress the fear inside her of that one boy.
"Usagi you can't hate Heero because of what he did in your past life." Quatre started a few minutes later.
"Why not?" She asked, her voice quiet.
"Can, can I finish the story?" Her eyes lifted from the floor and met with his, "What do you mean, finish the story?"
"Maybe, maybe you don't remember the entire story. Maybe you have it wrong. I just, want to see what happened in the end."
"I died." Usagi said suddenly, frowning, "There's nothing more to remember."
"Then why can't I?"
Usagi bit her tongue, she had to have opened her mouth, "I don't want to. What if you look into other memories that I want to keep private."
"I won't. You can have my word on it. I never lie." A door opened to his right, checking to see if anyone was there he walked inside and waited for her to join him. He didn't have to wait long, staring at Quatre unsurely she remained near the door. "This won't hurt will it?"
"No. It'll be quick and since you're conscious you'll know when I'm reading your thoughts, alright?"
"Yea, okay.Why do you want to do this again?" She said moving to sit down.
"I want, well, I want to make sure that Heero killed you." Quatre murmured as he moved to stand next to her.
"I was dead, I don't remember anything after that."
"You didn't remember this incident with Heero in the first place." Quatre positioned his hand over Usagi's forehead.
Sighing she nodded her head, "I guess I can trust you. You haven't done anything to me yet." Grinning Quatre touched her forehead and entered her mind.
'Usagi, since you voluntarily let me search your mind this'll be a lot easier, can you try and remember just at the exact moment Heero stabbed you?' Quatre looked around him again to find that things had changed, her mind was.he didn't know how to describe it, more lively would be an understatement but it was all in calm precision with what her body needed. The constant beating of her heart, her own thoughts, memories and ideas were all around him.
'Okay.Wow this is weird.I can hear you inside my head, is this how crazy people feel?'
'You need to concentrate Usagi. Thoughts of yours are still everywhere, I thought you said that you were trying to focus on remembering.' Quatre grimaced, this was going to be harder then he thought.
'I am.' She said plainly, 'I just think that it's stupid.'
'It doesn't matter if it's stupid or not, now concentrate.'
It was strange how quickly Usagi brought back the memory in question, everything had simply disappeared and Quatre was in the middle of her memory in a matter of seconds. He stared at Heero's poised figure as he prepared to kill Serena, the vision passed and went, he waited though, for the memory to end, for things to go on for Usagi to speak and say I told you so. But there was nothing, just silence and the dark, Quatre frowned, it wasn't very usual to remember darkness. 'Usagi?'
'Where am I?' Quatre frowned, 'Usa,' he paused, I'm still in her memory he thought slowly. He heard her voice again, 'I thought I was dead.' Light flooded into the scene.
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' "Get up. We don't have time to waste."
"Where am I?"
"In the old apartment. I found your body."
"What do you mean found my body? Aren't I dead?"
"That's what I thought when I saw the blood stains on your chest but you're fine. You were mumbling something under your breath when I came up, proof that you're alive."
"Who are you?" Serena mumbled, trying to rise to her feet. He helped her up, he was dirty and stunk of decay. Serena coughed, "Wha, what's going on?"
"Honey, your in the middle of Shitsville, we need to get out of here before we're knocked too."
"What? Knocked, who the hell are you?" She snapped suddenly, she couldn't see enough of his features to satisfy her and the smell was nauseating.
"Listen, I'm willing to just leave you here to the demons if you want."
"No, I'll follow you."
He nodded his head, "Follow me and be quiet." Turning his back on her he lifted the blinds, checking the outside area. "Lets go." Serena stumbled to her feet and didn't have a second to think of her actions as she swiftly followed the boy or man, she wasn't sure, down the stairs.
Stepping out into the street she couldn't help but stop and stare around her, everything was dead and decaying. Some buildings had been completely blown in half and others were empty derelicts. "What happened here?"
"All I know is that it's got something to do with this society called the Hunters."
She shivered, "What did they do to the city?"
The man turned, "Lady, are you okay? They've been fighting this monster since who the hell knows. This used to be a safe haven until yesterday. The monster got in here and destroyed everything.if you can't tell."
"What is this monster?" Her heart began to beat faster, "We don't know. It's in the form of a girl though." The man stared at her oddly for a moment before shaking his head, "Come on we better get outta here before the other things get here."
"Okay."
Following the man she looked around her as she ran, a cold shiver rushed through her. Hugging herself she shivered again, she came to a stop in front of what was once a florist shop. Shivering she felt her heart beating wildly in her chest, "What's going on with me?" She thought, the man she had been following turned in time to see a shadow rise up from behind her and take form. Pointing his eyes widened, "Watch out the monsters are here!" He cried, before fleeing down the road. Serena turned and gaped, the creature behind her loomed several feet above her and on its forehead rested her crystal. Hissing and screaming it grew in size, "I finally find you in this dead city." Two arms separated themselves from its body and reached forwards grabbing her waist it lifted her up. Screaming and yelling she struggled against the hold, the sound of gunfire rang in her ears. It was only a momentary distraction before the monster again started to squeeze the life out of her. "Let me go!" She screamed.
"You stupid piece of shit let her go!" She looked down this time and stared at the man down below, it was Duo the same one who had bit her, he stood down on the ground what seemed like miles away with a tiny gun pointed at her harasser. 'A gun! Is that the best he can do!' For a moment her mind wandered in the idiocy of using a gun against some creature that was made of shadows.
A bullet nicked the crystal on its forehead, it blazed into light, Serena was dropped to the ground instantly. She struggled to her feet, which were shaking from the landing. Duo's violet eyes turned to her, "Are you alright?"
"I'm okay." She replied quietly, she turned as an arrow shot up into the sky from behind her. It clanked off of the crystal's surface, backing away against the wall Serena watched the creature tumble to the ground. With an unconceivable speed it was upright and charging straight towards her. The force of his attack made the wall give out and crumble as he shoved her onto the floor. Gripping her neck with his bare hands he drew in enough energy to take the shape of a man. Night black hair cascaded down over his back and shoulders, eyes full of a passionate hate pierced Serena's.
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"Quatre!?" Duo called pulling his hand away from Usagi, Quatre gazed at Duo for a moment in confusion. "What's wrong?" He finally said, Usagi had risen to her feet.
"We're about to board that guys ship."
"Oh." Nodding his head he rubbed the sides of his forehead, "Tell Heero that we'll be there in a moment, "I need to speak with Usagi."
Duo nodded his head, his gaze running over Usagi before he left, Quatre looked as if he was going to leave but stopped at the doorway, "Usagi, do, do you remember anything from what we just did?"
"What're you talking about? You didn't do anything. I don't remember anything new.I still died Quatre." Her eyes held worry and sorrow, "He still killed me. You can't change that."
"I wasn't trying to." He frowned, "You shouldn't think of that every time you see him, he thought it was for the better."
"He's just so, different from people. I don't know what to think whenever I see him, he's silent and cold." Cracking his fingers he rolled back his tense shoulders and shook his head, "You need to get to know him better then."
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Melfina glanced at the Ctarl Ctarl, her ears were pricked forwards in agitation, Suzuka however was calm and her bokken remained in her sash. She searched the faces of her friends wondering if they had taken up on the same feeling of fear that Usagi was dead, the door sent air steaming from its sides before swinging open. Gene's Caster was at the ready, Heero appeared first followed by Usagi. Her face lit up when she saw him, running forwards she grabbed Gene in a hug, "Gene!" She said, her voice smothered because she had buried her head into his chest. His body prickled from the contact, holding her close with one arm he held his Caster steady, "You can get off my ship now." Her crystal eyes turned to meet with Quatre's, he stared back at Usagi in desperation.
"Gene, let them g," Gene's concentration broke as he stared down at Usagi in amazement, "What? You want to let them stay on the ship so they can sabotage it?"
"No, they can stay on their own ship, it's just. I talked with Quatre before and he said that there were a few things that, that weren't explained." She said finally, chancing a glance at Gene she saw his livid expression, "You've got to be kidding me!" He said suddenly, his voice was like venom, "I won't let them near you after what happened, what happened to them wanting to kill you Usagi! It doesn't just go away like that,"
Shaking his head he lifted his Caster once again, "No. They go."
"Gene, please. I know you can handle it if they do try to attack us from the outside. They don't have to stay on the ship, it's just for a short while."
Gene bit his lip, sighing in exasperation he lowered his weapon, "They better get off." "Gene!" Usagi cried, her voice indignant.
"I'll let them come onboard when they need to otherwise they can get the hell off my ship." He said, voice rising. Duo withheld the growl and turned with the others to leave. "We'll see you in a few." He called out to further irritate Gene.
Aisha slammed the door closed and dusted her hands, "Ha, that's the way to deal with them." Gene glared at Aisha for a moment before heading back down the hallway, Usagi sighed, "Sorry I got him such a bad mood."
Suzuka smiled lightly, "We've been through worse. Maybe you should speak with him and explain things to him."
"I just did though.I didn't know he'd get so mad."
"Gene's.complicated." Jim said, a frown on his face.
"I don't get it though, we got Usagi back safe and the ships fine and everybody's fine so why is Gene mad?" Aisha said, Usagi grinned, "I don't know why. I guess Gene just has a problem. I'll go and speak to him.he won't blow up on me will he Suzuka?"
"I wouldn't know, I've never stayed around Gene when he was in that mood for long."
"He won't. He's Gene. He hasn't changed from the last time you saw him Usagi."
Melfina smiled warmly, "Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes so hurry okay?" "Okay." Stopping at the fork in the hallway she glanced up and down each one, 'Which one?'
"Usagi do you need me to help you find your way?"
Usagi tensed, looking behind her she found the hall just as empty as before, "Who said that?"
"Why, I did. I'm up here." Lifting her gaze upwards she squeaked in surprise, the small mobile suit waved its miniscule arm, "Would you like me to help you find your way?"
"Uh, yeah. I kinda got lost."
"Yes, the Outlaw Star can seem very large at times."
Usagi stared at the mobile suit, "Why are you pink?" Usagi felt something similar to shock enter her system when she saw Gilliam blush.
"Jim painted me pink. He had hoped to,"
"Gilliam," She said interrupting, "How is it possible that you have emotions? You just blushed a second ago."
"Why, it was a part of my programming. Would you like me to relate to you the history of robotics since you seem so interested?"
"No, that's alright." Smiling crookedly she began to relax, "Gilliam can you lead me to the room that Gene's in right now?"
"He asked not to be disturbed."
"I won't be disturbing him. Please Gilliam." Gilliam eyed Usagi, "I suppose it won't harm anything. Follow me." Usagi's eyes remained momentarily on the pink mechanism as it made its way down the hall before her mind began to think of apologies that she could give Gene. Halting just before the door she took a deep breath before entering the room. Her eyes swept the entire room and came to rest on the Pilot's seat. Moving so that she stood next to Gene her eyes finally dared to give him a worried glance only to find that his eyes were closed. Directing her attention to the screen in front of her she stared at the empty scene. 'So this is what space looks like.'
"Empty isn't it?"
The bounty hunter's eyes were trained on Usagi's face when she turned, her azure eyes looked as if they could see straight into his soul. His gaze, nonetheless, never wavered, "How come the guys didn't try to rape you or anything?" Gasping in surprise she knew she was blushing for no rational reason at the question, "I.no they wouldn't. They were just going after me because they thought that I was a demon...and then it turned out that I wasn't."
"How could someone like you be a demon? How could you want to see their faces again after what they've done to you Usagi? This is just too.easy." He finished slowly.
"They aren't as bad as they seem Gene." She frowned, this wasn't going the way she had thought it would.
"I don't get it." His eyes moved from her face to the console in front of him.
"Well," Usagi said thoughtfully, "You haven't heard the whole story, that's why you're confused.I guess." She smiled slightly, ".Quatre, the blond one, he has this ability to read memories, so," she took a breath, "They wanted to make sure they weren't killing the wrong person and so he searched my memories, seeing if I was the demon that they were searching for."
"And," Gene interrupted, "They found out that you were just Usagi." Usagi nodded her head, "They thought that I was a demon that had killed a girl named Serena." she winced, "it turns out that I was Serena and the demon that had murdered me last lifetime, they still haven't found."
Gene's eyebrow rose, "Okay." the name was familiar to him, shaking the feeling away he turned to Usagi, "So, in a past lifetime you were Serena, friends with them, and you got killed by a demon. So a billion years later they're still searching for the demon, they find you, they try and kill you and find out that your innocent and that your Serena.this is so damn confusing. I still don't understand half of it. Or why your suddenly friends with them." Holding the groan inside her she continued, "I'm friends with them because.they didn't mean to make the mistake of going after me."
"That's a bunch shit. I bet they're lying to you Usagi."
"Gene, I, after Quatre read those memories inside me, I remembered them. So, I know that they aren't lying to me."
"He could have planted them there with magic." Usagi bit her lip, "Gene, you haven't been listening to me! I, I just explained everything to you and it's true!" Glaring at the floor she stared back out the screen with vehement attention, "Dinner's going to be ready soon so we should start going." Turning immediately she left. A few minutes passed before Gilliam chose to speak, "Gene, I couldn't help but have heard what you were discussing with Usagi,"
"Do you think that I shouldn't have gotten angry?"
"I, I wouldn't know. Your opinions and feelings with Usagi are different then mine. But I do think she has a point, Gene, what could you possibly do if Usagi has a problem that we can't fix?" Gene covered his face and drew in a long breath, "Have they started eating already?"
"Yes."
".I'll talk to Usagi later then."
"Gene what would you like me to do if one of the Hunters would like to come onboard?"
"Don't let them onboard." Gene said simply as he clambered out of the seat, "Thanks Gilliam."
"Of course Gene. It's my job." Gene rolled his eyes as he left the room.
************************** Pulling on the doorknob again the bounty hunter groaned, "Usagi, can I come in now?"
"I'm changing Gene! It takes more then a few seconds!"
"Oh piece of fuck." He said under his breath, taking a key from his pocket he threw the door open, Usagi peeked at him from behind the sheets she had pulled up around her, Gene swallowed, "I." Shaking his head he rubbed the back of his neck, "It'd been a few minutes and I thought that you were done.uh, sorry."
Usagi only stared at him, "I have more chance of getting raped by you then those Hunters." She said suddenly, Gene closed the door and turned his back, "I didn't do anything but open a door did I?"
"No, but you sure have different intentions in mind when you see me. Don't you dare peek."
The pilot couldn't help but wonder what was going on just behind his shoulder, his breathing grew heavy, finally he chanced a glance. Usagi stood staring at him with a triumphant look on her face, "I knew it!"
"Why didn't you tell me you were done dressing!" He snapped, trying to draw her away from what he had just done.
"I knew you were going to peek and I knew you were going to slam through this door. I only made it seem like I was dressing to test how perverted you are. And Gene, you're the most perverted person I know!"
"Aw come on! Who could help it?"
"Those boys could and Darien could."
"Well, I'm not them am I?"
"Obviously not." She said, her eyes narrowed, crossing her arms over her chest she sniffed, "I'm going to go and sleep in Melfina's room."
She found that, once again, Gene's arm was barricading her path, "Not if I can help it."
"What're you going to do? Jail me in here? This is ridiculous, let me out."
"No, you're staying here."
"Don't tell me you're going to keep me against my will!" She said, her eyes sparked with indignation.
"Of course not," sighing his shoulders slumped, "C'mon Usagi, gimme a break here. I'm only a guy."
"I don't care, that doesn't mean that you can't keep your perverted thoughts out of your mind."
"Yes it is. It's impossible."
As serious as the comment was supposed to be Usagi couldn't help but grin at the remark, "Jeez Gene, your such a kid." Reaching forwards she lowered his arm, "I'm going to go and sleep in Melfina's room, that's that."
"No. I swear I won't try anything Usagi, I'll do anything, as long as you stay."
".You promise you won't try anything?"
"Yes."
"You'll do anything?"
".Uh, within reason."
"Okay, agreed, I'll stay here then." Falling a step back she chanced a glance into Gene's eyes and found nothing but a hungry flame. Her gaze fell to the floor before she turned and hid under her covers. Gene stared at Usagi's form under the covers, flicking the lights off he slowly headed up to his own bunk. Putting his hands behind his head he stared at the ceiling for what must have been at least an hour. Thoughts raced through his head and a troubling feeling of loneliness kept him from sleep. Usagi's eyes stared at the bottom of Gene's bunk and finally decided to do something. Climbing out of the bed she turned the light back on, Gene had risen up and was blinking his eyes repeatedly from the sudden light.
"Gene, what's wrong? I can tell that something's wrong without even having to see your face."
"Nothing's wrong." His voice was quiet.
"Something is wrong, don't lie to me Gene." Her voice rose dramatically.
"I wanted to be with you tonight, that's all. But you obviously don't want the same thing that I want." His gaze was piercing and it made the girl timid, "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings." It came out almost as a whisper. She gave a small laugh, "I was trying to protect myself."
"From what?" He said, watching her movements closely, it gave him a sort of.satisfaction, to see that naïve mind standing front of him and her body, all just smooth lines and perfection to him.
"I'm not the kinda girl you'd look for when you want a one night stand Gene."
"Who ever said I wanted you just for sex?" His smile faded, "Hey, come up here." The blonde bit her tongue and did so, "Well? I'm up here." Rolling his eyes he pulled her the rest of the way up, "I wouldn't do anything that you really didn't want me to do.your.unique."
"Is that a good thing?"
"Of course it's a good thing. Stay with me tonight?" Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, "I guess.it won't hurt anything." 'At least I hope it doesn't' Usagi thought.
That night, lying in Gene's arms, Usagi began to wonder if things could really go on with Gene. 'I don't even belong in this world.I'll have to go back home soon.' She wanted to say what's the point but there was a point to it. Usagi thought, there is a point to this, meeting Gene again in this lifetime. Turning over she moved herself closer to his body, "Still awake." He mumbled, his chin bumped the top of her head, stretching his legs he sat up. "I can't sleep either." Swinging his feet out over the edge of the bed he leaned against the wall, "God I hate staying here overnights. I guess we don't have a choice though." His body tingled with surprise, Usagi had moved herself next to him and rested her head partly on his shoulder, "Gene.I want to go home."
His smile faded and the fire in his eyes dimmed, "Go home.You mean back to your world."
She nodded her head and pressed herself against Gene, "I don't know what to do."
"Why can't you stay here with me?" Holding her against him he closed his eyes, "I can't believe your just going to leave."
"Everything but a few pieces of the puzzle are missing.and I'm safe now, from them." Her sight became blurred, "I'll miss you." Gene remained silent, moving so that he could lay back down again he sighed, "Usagi are you sure you have to leave so soon?" His fingers ran up and down her spine, she bit her lip, "I'm going to miss you Gene."
***************
"Why did Usagi survive?" The tallest of the Hunters met eyes with Heero, "Quatre explained to me what he had seen today in Usagi's mind. Unless she lived two lifetimes with us in it."
"No, the demon must have sheltered her against the wound I had inflicted, a few years later I saw her again.just before the creature unleashed its attack on the city. We've only had one lifetime with her."
"Who could think that Usagi's past self, Serena could meet us just once and cause all this confusion and trouble?" Quatre mumbled, his head falling back in exhaustion, "A single lifetime." Duo laughed, "Yea.And now with all this new information we're working with her like she's our best friend.I still don't understand why you made the mistake of targeting her Heero." His violet eyes remained fixedly on the table. Heero didn't even turn his head at the question, "There is something inside her. She isn't fully human.The demon we've been searching for has been inside her this entire time, I'm sure that's what our equipment picked up on Usagi.ironic isn't it, that the creature that killed her is now living inside her."
"So you're saying that Usagi's harboring the demon?" Duo said finally, he didn't wait for a response sighing he went on with the obvious, "So, we have to kill her then."
"No," four heads turned in his direction, Heero crossed his arms over his chest, "There's a way to draw the demon out, we draw it out and Usagi's clean. We destroy it, and everything's fine."
"Yes, but.Heero, we're talking about a demon that killed millions of people just a few hundred years ago. A demon that was able to destroy towns and cities with a single breath." Quatre folded his hands behind his back, the braided hunter groaned, "Do you REALLY need to state the painful facts like that? We do have a chance. It doesn't have the crystal anymore." Wufei dug into his pocket and lifted it out into the light, "Maxwell's right. We can draw it out with this crystal." Trowa shook his head, "It still doesn't work, we don't know how to activate it."
Duo and Heero both simultaneously tensed in realization, "I know how. We can put Usagi in danger. The crystal reacts to Usagi when she's in danger." He finished cheerily, swinging his braid behind his back he grinned, "This gets easier and easier."
"Duo.you told me that she had unusual powers the first time you met her." Heero checked his watch as he spoke. "Yea.hey, yeah your right she can just summon up some of her energy and wake up the crystal and bada bing the demon's out."
"Well.we now ONLY have to find a way to destroy it Duo." Wufei sneered, his fangs becoming visible. Duo growled in response, "Excuse me Dracula. We've gotten this far just by thinking, the council's got to have some information on a demon like that."
"And if they don't?"
"Would you shut up!" Duo barked suddenly, glaring at Wufei, "What the hell is your problem? Are you too afraid to go after this thing Wufei!?!" He yelled across the room. "I'm just using my brain Duo, something you obviously lack." Wufei's eyes narrowed in annoyance. Duo snarled, his eyes losing their violet hue.
"Both of you! Shut the fuck up." Heero's voice rose above theirs, "We will find a way to destroy it. Meanwhile Trowa will prepare the spell for all of us to return back home. Now both of you shut up and listen, everything's still a question and we need to know for sure if we can defeat the demon before we draw it out. When we get back home I'll give you your orders and until then we wait until we meet with her again."
Glaring at Duo and then shooting a warning look at Wufei he left the room, Duo clenched his teeth in agitation before stomping out of the room after Heero. Quatre yawned, "Do you really think we have a chance?"
"No." Wufei said dryly before leaving also.
***********************
An immediate realization struck Usagi, before she had even opened her eyes. 'Where did Gene go?' Shivering under the covers she wondered why it had gotten so cold. Climbing down to the floor she changed quickly and headed out the door. Everything had grown silent and the lights were still off in the hallways. "Gilliam?" She called, the lights in her part of the hallway snapped on, "Yes Usagi?" She turned, looking up and around herself to see which railing the little mobile suit would arrive on. Waving at it when it appeared she walked up to it, "Where is everyone?"
"They would now be in the dining room. Do you need me to show you the way?"
"No, I'm fine. Thank you."
Gilliam watched her go before turning to attend to other business, he was going to miss her.
Entering in through the kitchen she came up on the entire group sitting there sipping coffee, Aisha winked at Usagi before turning to talk to Jim. "Hey guys." Gene was quick to pull her into his lap, tensing she glanced at Jim who grinned, "He's like that all the time." "What's that supposed to mean?" Gene said grimacing at Jim's expression, Usagi sighed, leaning back against Gene she relaxed. "Gene told us about you leaving Usagi." Melfina edged in finally. Usagi nodded her head slowly, "I was hoping, to leave soon.and, I wanted to thank you guys for everything that you've done for me."
"You're welcome Usagi." Aisha purred, Jim rolled his eyes, "That's not why we brought the subject up though. Gene talked to us about it, and the way I see it, we can just go with you."
Her eyes nearly popped out of her head, "WHAT? Go with me? I don't know if it's even possible!"
"It has to be, you got here in the first place and brought that one guy along with you. So why not?"
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, I know, I should make this stupid chapter longer but frankly, I think it's long enough. The next chapter will hopefully be out soon, but with High School starting this coming Monday be prepared for it to come out a little late. Toodles- Qt~chan
First and Foremost THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH Luna Tiarra for being nice enough to revise and help me on this chapter. Hope you enjoy! Remember the sign ^^^^^^^ means memory reading.
Chapter 5
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Startled out of her sleep by a muffled scream Serena stared around her, her hands had been fixed tightly to a bedpost. She was sitting awkwardly on the floor, the scream came again, the teen's body stiffened, whoever was screaming was on the bed. Sucking in a deep breath she could hear someone moving downstairs, hear him washing the dishes and now he was.he was opening the refrigerator. Her attention swerved back to the occupants on the bed. A female body fell to the floor next to her, shuddering she pulled herself away.
"Well, well, well.look who's awake."
Serena stared at the attractive vampire as he slipped from the bed to kneel next to her. His gaze turned to the slumbering girl, "Don't worry about her. She's not dead.just sleeping. When she wakes up everything'll be better for her.but not for you lovely."
"Wufei get off her." Came a sharp voice.
She glanced upwards to see Duo's familiar figure looming in the doorway, coming into the room he closed the door and stared at Serena with renewed interest, "So.hunting partner there's a full moon."
Fear seized Serena, "What are you talking about?" She murmured.
"I bit you. And whenever a werewolf manages to spill blood that person turns into a werewolf too. Crazy isn't it?" His eyes reflected fanatical interest in his new hunting mate.
"That's not funny." Serena's pupils were small orbs of sapphire, "Change me back!" She shrieked struggling against her bonds. They snapped and broke almost immediately, Wufei had her pressed to the floor before she could even think of freedom.
"There's proof, no human could break those ropes of their own strength. You're one hundred percent demon. Welcome to the club." Wufei grunted before lifting himself off of Serena. She massaged her wrists and huddled against the bedside drawer, Duo watched her for a few moments before crouching down so that he was eye level with her, "It's not that bad.being a werewolf."
"I'm not going to be your 'hunting partner' you disgusting bastard." She spat venomously, Duo shrugged his shoulders, "I told you, you don't remember much when you turn into a werewolf. All that'll be present when you turn into a werewolf is instinct and the need to hunt.but all that's stopping next full moon." His grin was barbaric, "Next full moon." He repeated to himself, glancing at Serena he pinned her with his violet eyes, "Well love, better get downstairs before breakfast's gone."
Both boys left, Serena hugged her knees to her chest her chest jerked with heart rending hurt. If only Gene was there. She didn't want the other two to hear her crying so she kept her hiccupping cries to herself. It most not have worked though, because only a few seconds later Duo came back, his gleaming chestnut hair was secured in a tight braid which constantly flipped back and forth as if in agitation. "Listen, I don't want you to cry, because I need you," He was cut off as Serena stifled a piteous sob.
"Hey," He reached out to caress her cheek she moved away from him, "I hate you." She murmured. Duo looked intently at Serena for the longest moment, "Please understand.I won't hurt you."
"YOU ALREADY HAVE!" Serena yelled in exasperation, Duo clenched his teeth, "It's for the better.maybe for both of us."
"Sick bastard." She whispered, Duo sighed, his patience was being tried, "Well I can only hope you understand some day."
Wufei looked up from his vigil on the outside world, "Daylights almost done with. I'll take my last meal and put her somewhere.time for me to hunt again."
"You already fed." Duo replied.
"That doesn't mean I can't feed again.You don't think I could feed on Serena again?"
"No! I told you I claimed her first."
Wufei hissed in animal annoyance, baring his fangs at Duo he headed upstairs to retrieve his earlier victim. Duo folded his hands in his lap again and again before finally deciding, "Tonight."
"Tonight what Maxwell?"
Duo's eyes met with Wufei, "No hunting tonight. We're going to go and get the formula tonight."
Wufei stared at Duo, bemusement shone, "I hope you die.going straight into the hunters den.idiot." Duo grinned, "I can get what you want too.if you come with me."
The onyx black eyes blazed, "Maybe.maybe not. Depends if your little girlfriend's ready. The first hunt took a lot out of her.she knew she had killed someone and hated it, do you really think she's going to be able to go through with this?"
"Don't know. The only problem is we have to watch out for the hunter I turned demon. He might still be part of the little pack of hunters and know where my thoughts were heading."
Wufei shrugged his shoulders, "He's werewolf, he won't,"
"They'll have given him the potion." Wufei blew air through his teeth, "That's your problem wolf boy. Not mine."
The werewolf dragged Serena out of the building; she resisted little, because she too could hear the call of the moon. Like golden bells chiming in her ears, the minute they were outside they changed from their human forms into beings that could rip humans in two .Duo had gained some control over the powerful form since he had been in it for a year at least. Most didn't make it even that far, hunters were popping up like daisies, ready to destroy his kind. Every time he took a step in the direction he wanted to go he could feel the werewolf inside him tearing him apart, wanting to hunt and feast on its prey. Even his new hunt partner was having trouble understanding why he wasn't heading towards the seemingly nearby human prey.
She nudged Duo's shoulder, Duo turned, his receptive muzzle could already pick up the scent of his hunters, and he would soon become the hunted. He could feel Serena's anguish, but in this form, she was bonded to him, in the end she would always end up following him. Standing on the border between safety and danger he turned to her, his violet eyes were starting to get tinted a yellow color, Serena's remained the same clear blue for an instant before turning a hazy yellow. Easing into a loping trot they ate away at the distance between them and the hunters den. He stopped for a split second, his nose flaring yet again, sifting through the air for anything dangerous. Pressing themselves against the wall he made his way to the door, he stared at the metal-made entranceway, lifting a paw he delicately pressed down on the door handle, 'It's amazing' he thought as he entered the building, 'Nobodies sensed us yet.something must be distracting them' the door clicked shut behind him. Even this tiny noise was enough to send jitters through his hunting partner, she pressed close to Duo, her black hide matching his.
Twining in and out of the shadows in the corridor they avoided all light, soon Serena took over their search for the concoction that would help Duo control his werewolf form. She had been here once before she thought, but the connection had been severed, only to be recalled to help her mate, she was a werewolf now, not human, not human at all, not at all.
They stopped in front of a door, it was made out of pure silver, it glittered and mocked the werewolves, they shared a look. They would have to wait until daylight, getting close to silver, only in their werewolf form, hurt when touched. Serena licked her paws before circling three times and lying down. Duo however was not so easy, he stared at Serena, how could she be so easily soothed, they were in the hunters den! Hours passed, it suddenly occurred to Duo as he began to change back into his human form that Serena would no longer help him find the right concoction now that she was human.
Standing before the door in his human form he did a backward glance at the slumbering Serena, she still hadn't gotten used to the energy drain from the transformation. Opening the door he stepped inside, quietly he meticulously began to search shelf after shelf. Finding the brew that he needed in the very corner of the tiny medicinal storage room, it glowed an eerie yellow color and the liquid kept moving even though there wasn't a breath of air to move it around. Duo grabbed the pocket-sized bottle, just as he was unscrewing the top he heard Serena moving outside, she was awake. Quickly gulping down the bottles contents he put the bottle back onto the shelf and searched for a bottle he had seen earlier marked, 'Heavy Sedatives' gripping the cork between his teeth when he finally did find the bottle his arms gave a sudden jerk. His eyes kept seeing doubles of everything, cautiously he held his hands out, catching sight of the two Serena's he narrowed his eyes, the two figures overlapping slightly, moving swiftly he pushed Serena against the wall. Opening her mouth he forced the red liquid down her throat. Pocketing the concoction he watched as she slid down to the floor, her bones felt like a mass of Jell-O, "What." she murmured, her head felt too heavy. Duo sighed, "Sorry love, survival of the fittest. And in this case, it's Me." he said slowly. He was beginning to feel woozy himself.
Heero would be the one to spot Duo running down the corridors; he had shifted to his werewolf form before he could even question how Duo had gotten in. Sprinting towards Duo he knocked the boy aside, "You're the bastard that got me into this" He said, his voice both a growl and a scream of anger. Duo grinned, fangs beginning to become visible as he changed, "Got that right." The hunter was temporarily surprised at the change before he lunged for the throat of his offender, Duo hissed, the gold eyes glinting evilly back at him, "You just stepped into my arena buddy." Lunging at Heero he thrust his retractable claws out, they sliced through the very air, going deep into Heero's shoulder blade. Even though Duo was most surely the better in this particular fight Heero still had his cunning and wits about him, he was managing to head Duo towards the containment section. Heero spotted Serena first, and Duo remembered that Serena was there second. Heero remembered her immediately from that one night that he had been hunting Duo. He galloped towards Serena, stopping when he was leaning over her neck, "I'll tear her apart if you don't move away." He threatened. Duo cocked his head, "Tear her up huh.go ahead. She's not needed by me anymore." Heero felt a pang of anger, "You lousy son of a bitch!" He hissed, he lunged towards Serena's neck.
Only millimeters away from tearing the innocent girl into pieces there was a brilliant flash before Heero and Duo were thrown against the wall. Blinking against the light they could make out the seemingly tiny crystal hovering over Serena's body, protecting her from the two werewolves. The ground began to shake, the two could actually feel the ground beneath them convulsing and sending ripples through the floor. They both dug their claws into the floor as the roof began to shower dust down on them, the light that enveloped Serena remained strong though. The floor was still in that small spot, both creatures of the night fled from the scene together. It was a mad dash for safety, hunters passed them taking no notice of the two werewolves. As soon as their feet touched the clean grass they turned as the building collapsed in on itself. A ray of sunlight broke through the clouds and beamed down on the figure of Serena, she had awakened, amazingly. Plumes of light began to grow from her back before the light flaked away from her like snow and showed the marvelous white wings. Heero's eyes caught on Duo's form, he stared, the black color was being drained from his coat to leave a clean white.
Duo looked like he was about to puke, he had fallen to the ground and was panting for air. Out of him a black mist began to take the rough form of a human pulling itself out of Duo's laboring werewolf body. His size began to shrink until Duo was once again human; Heero watched the mist become defined and three-dimensional. The other hunters in the clearing were clutching their ears and had fallen to the ground. Heero was immune to it, as he looked up he met eyes with the strange being. It reminded him of an angel really, but the wings were night black and had fewer feathers on its skinny frame. It was still just a black shadow but with shape, and eyes which glowed red.
Meeting eyes with Heero it pointed to Serena, "Attack her, she is the enemy you seek." There was no question in Heero's mind that this was the enemy. She Serena, was the enemy, she had to be destroyed. Leaping into the air his jaws opened in preparation for the death lock. Serena cried out in fear, she didn't know what she was doing standing in the middle of a wreckage with wings planted on her back. Holding up her arms to block her face a near invisible wall of energy surrounded her. Heero slammed against the invisible wall, he could feel it ripple and fall from the force of the blow. Howling and frenzied because of the growing blood lust he lunged again and this time brought Serena to the ground. "Stop!" The voice was crackling with energy, Heero was prey to its voice, whimpering like a beaten dog he tucked his tail and backed away, low to the ground in submission. Standing over Serena it breathed in deeply the shadow of the form expanded before abruptly falling into Serena's prone body like a waterfall. That was the only way Heero could describe it, it was like something being sucked down, down into Serena's soul. Her eyes opened instantly, knowing of what was happening to her, "STOP!" She screamed, her wings had begun to shed their feathers. Heero backed even further away cowering; she tore at her skin until it was a stricken red color. Her eyes widened as she gripped her forehead, "GET OUT OF ME!" Her body was trembling and shivering in terrible fear of what was to come before falling to the ground.
Instantaneously the light that had just been beaming down on her stopped and the ground quit its movement. The Hunter had changed to his human form from his lack of strength, slowly rising up from the ground he reached for a dagger that he carried on a pouch by his side. Kneeling next to Usagi he tried to think through the haze, a single thought played through his head, 'I have to destroy her before it's too late.' His heart skipped a beat when he saw that her eyes had opened. Positioning the dagger over her he closed his eyes.
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Quatre pulled away suddenly, Wufei's closed eyes flicked open at the sudden movement. The psychic glanced at Wufei in pained curiosity, "How'd you see all of this, your memories make it look like you were there, right next to Usagi."
"I was watching.I followed Duo. I wanted a serum similar to his.Is she the one?" He asked finally, slowly moving to a standing position. Quatre nodded his head, "She's the one." Taking in deep breaths his eyes turned to Duo who was staring at Usagi, "Do you remember what happened Duo, to Usa, I mean Serena?" His voice was strangely lacking any tone.
Duo looked away and nodded his head, "Some parts I don't remember but the most important parts I do.I was harboring a demon inside me because I.I still don't know.but when the Imperium silver crystal reacted to the danger that Serena was in that one night it awoke the demon, the thing that was tainting me black."
"An unnatural color, even for a werewolf." Wufei murmured, "So," Duo continued, "I guess when it felt that power it moved from my body to Serena's, who's now Usagi. That might be what's inside Usagi, that's probably why we started hunting her in the first place." Duo shifted uncomfortably. Their leader who had remained silent during the entire affair now spoke, "Do you need to read me?"
"No. Wufei was enough." Running a hand through his hair Quatre closed cloudy-marine eyes, "My brain feels like it's going to explode from all the information we've just received." Slumping into the nearby chair the Arabian groaned, "What're we going to do now?" Just then the door opened. "There's a ship two hours from here. It's the Outlaw Star from what the ship's computer told me." Trowa reported, scanning each of his partner's faces.
Heero nodded his head, "When she wakes up why don't you help her about Quatre.she doesn't know you from her past life.which is a good thing.Will she remember when she wakes up?"
"Yes.since I unlocked those memories for her." Quatre blanched at the things that Usagi might feel towards Heero, Heero nodded his head and sighed, "Very well.I'm going to go."
Duo waited until everyone but Quatre and him were left in the room, "Quatre, listen you know that I,"
"Yea.I know Duo. You've changed a lot, everyone's changed a lot from Usagi's past lifetime with you guys.I just hope.I hope she realizes that too."
Duo frowned, "I doubt it. She went through some stuff.Heero killing her didn't help."
******************
"Gene. Gene. GENE!" Gilliam's voice could be heard screaming, Gene opened a single eye and glared at the mobile suit, "What the hell do you want!? I'm trying to sleep here."
"The ship was spotted four hours ago by Melfina when she was running a system's check."
"Why didn't you wake me four hours ago then." Gene grumbled as he stumbled out of his bed.
"Because Gene my computer advised at least ten hours of required sleep for you. You've been running around since last night." Gilliam stated matter-of- factly.
Gene snorted, "I had reason to didn't I?" He pulled on his pants and shirt.
"Gene, this is no time for joking."
"That'd be true if I weren't commanding this ship at the moment. What weapons can we use from this distance Giliam?" He left his room and headed towards the control room.
"Gene, all the weapons we have at the moment would destroy their ship completely." His arms waved up and down fanatically as he spoke the words.
"Arm those weapons." The door opened for him and he entered hastily.
"But what about Usagi?" Gilliam's voice could be heard from the speakers, Gene grit his teeth from the question.
"I was going to hail them first Gilliam." Gene snapped, he turned to meet eyes with Melfina who was in the control module at the moment.
"Gene, all systems green. Ether drive engine standing by, missiles standing by, grappler arms standing by."
Gene moved into the pilots seat, "Gilliam, hail them now."
*************************
"Heero, this button's just started blinking." Duo said, pointing to the button he stared out onto the screen, which showed an endless view of stars and space debris.
"Their ship must have picked us up by now...Press it."
Duo pressed the button and contained his surprise when the outlaw star's pilot came onscreen. "What've you done with Usagi?" He whipped out quickly.
"Nothing. She hasn't been injured or harmed." Quatre said, entering the room with Usagi by his side. A light entered her eyes when she saw the image of Gene, 'he came back for me.'
"We had just turned around to meet up with you." Quatre said as cheerfully as possible.
"We want Usagi back!" Jim yelled suddenly appearing onscreen, "Jim, everything's under control." Pushing Jim's face out of the way Gene glared at Heero before nodding his head, "I'll see you in about an hour then." The picture of Gene disappeared. She was relieved when Quatre led her out of the room, for some reason she couldn't suppress the fear inside her of that one boy.
"Usagi you can't hate Heero because of what he did in your past life." Quatre started a few minutes later.
"Why not?" She asked, her voice quiet.
"Can, can I finish the story?" Her eyes lifted from the floor and met with his, "What do you mean, finish the story?"
"Maybe, maybe you don't remember the entire story. Maybe you have it wrong. I just, want to see what happened in the end."
"I died." Usagi said suddenly, frowning, "There's nothing more to remember."
"Then why can't I?"
Usagi bit her tongue, she had to have opened her mouth, "I don't want to. What if you look into other memories that I want to keep private."
"I won't. You can have my word on it. I never lie." A door opened to his right, checking to see if anyone was there he walked inside and waited for her to join him. He didn't have to wait long, staring at Quatre unsurely she remained near the door. "This won't hurt will it?"
"No. It'll be quick and since you're conscious you'll know when I'm reading your thoughts, alright?"
"Yea, okay.Why do you want to do this again?" She said moving to sit down.
"I want, well, I want to make sure that Heero killed you." Quatre murmured as he moved to stand next to her.
"I was dead, I don't remember anything after that."
"You didn't remember this incident with Heero in the first place." Quatre positioned his hand over Usagi's forehead.
Sighing she nodded her head, "I guess I can trust you. You haven't done anything to me yet." Grinning Quatre touched her forehead and entered her mind.
'Usagi, since you voluntarily let me search your mind this'll be a lot easier, can you try and remember just at the exact moment Heero stabbed you?' Quatre looked around him again to find that things had changed, her mind was.he didn't know how to describe it, more lively would be an understatement but it was all in calm precision with what her body needed. The constant beating of her heart, her own thoughts, memories and ideas were all around him.
'Okay.Wow this is weird.I can hear you inside my head, is this how crazy people feel?'
'You need to concentrate Usagi. Thoughts of yours are still everywhere, I thought you said that you were trying to focus on remembering.' Quatre grimaced, this was going to be harder then he thought.
'I am.' She said plainly, 'I just think that it's stupid.'
'It doesn't matter if it's stupid or not, now concentrate.'
It was strange how quickly Usagi brought back the memory in question, everything had simply disappeared and Quatre was in the middle of her memory in a matter of seconds. He stared at Heero's poised figure as he prepared to kill Serena, the vision passed and went, he waited though, for the memory to end, for things to go on for Usagi to speak and say I told you so. But there was nothing, just silence and the dark, Quatre frowned, it wasn't very usual to remember darkness. 'Usagi?'
'Where am I?' Quatre frowned, 'Usa,' he paused, I'm still in her memory he thought slowly. He heard her voice again, 'I thought I was dead.' Light flooded into the scene.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
' "Get up. We don't have time to waste."
"Where am I?"
"In the old apartment. I found your body."
"What do you mean found my body? Aren't I dead?"
"That's what I thought when I saw the blood stains on your chest but you're fine. You were mumbling something under your breath when I came up, proof that you're alive."
"Who are you?" Serena mumbled, trying to rise to her feet. He helped her up, he was dirty and stunk of decay. Serena coughed, "Wha, what's going on?"
"Honey, your in the middle of Shitsville, we need to get out of here before we're knocked too."
"What? Knocked, who the hell are you?" She snapped suddenly, she couldn't see enough of his features to satisfy her and the smell was nauseating.
"Listen, I'm willing to just leave you here to the demons if you want."
"No, I'll follow you."
He nodded his head, "Follow me and be quiet." Turning his back on her he lifted the blinds, checking the outside area. "Lets go." Serena stumbled to her feet and didn't have a second to think of her actions as she swiftly followed the boy or man, she wasn't sure, down the stairs.
Stepping out into the street she couldn't help but stop and stare around her, everything was dead and decaying. Some buildings had been completely blown in half and others were empty derelicts. "What happened here?"
"All I know is that it's got something to do with this society called the Hunters."
She shivered, "What did they do to the city?"
The man turned, "Lady, are you okay? They've been fighting this monster since who the hell knows. This used to be a safe haven until yesterday. The monster got in here and destroyed everything.if you can't tell."
"What is this monster?" Her heart began to beat faster, "We don't know. It's in the form of a girl though." The man stared at her oddly for a moment before shaking his head, "Come on we better get outta here before the other things get here."
"Okay."
Following the man she looked around her as she ran, a cold shiver rushed through her. Hugging herself she shivered again, she came to a stop in front of what was once a florist shop. Shivering she felt her heart beating wildly in her chest, "What's going on with me?" She thought, the man she had been following turned in time to see a shadow rise up from behind her and take form. Pointing his eyes widened, "Watch out the monsters are here!" He cried, before fleeing down the road. Serena turned and gaped, the creature behind her loomed several feet above her and on its forehead rested her crystal. Hissing and screaming it grew in size, "I finally find you in this dead city." Two arms separated themselves from its body and reached forwards grabbing her waist it lifted her up. Screaming and yelling she struggled against the hold, the sound of gunfire rang in her ears. It was only a momentary distraction before the monster again started to squeeze the life out of her. "Let me go!" She screamed.
"You stupid piece of shit let her go!" She looked down this time and stared at the man down below, it was Duo the same one who had bit her, he stood down on the ground what seemed like miles away with a tiny gun pointed at her harasser. 'A gun! Is that the best he can do!' For a moment her mind wandered in the idiocy of using a gun against some creature that was made of shadows.
A bullet nicked the crystal on its forehead, it blazed into light, Serena was dropped to the ground instantly. She struggled to her feet, which were shaking from the landing. Duo's violet eyes turned to her, "Are you alright?"
"I'm okay." She replied quietly, she turned as an arrow shot up into the sky from behind her. It clanked off of the crystal's surface, backing away against the wall Serena watched the creature tumble to the ground. With an unconceivable speed it was upright and charging straight towards her. The force of his attack made the wall give out and crumble as he shoved her onto the floor. Gripping her neck with his bare hands he drew in enough energy to take the shape of a man. Night black hair cascaded down over his back and shoulders, eyes full of a passionate hate pierced Serena's.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
"Quatre!?" Duo called pulling his hand away from Usagi, Quatre gazed at Duo for a moment in confusion. "What's wrong?" He finally said, Usagi had risen to her feet.
"We're about to board that guys ship."
"Oh." Nodding his head he rubbed the sides of his forehead, "Tell Heero that we'll be there in a moment, "I need to speak with Usagi."
Duo nodded his head, his gaze running over Usagi before he left, Quatre looked as if he was going to leave but stopped at the doorway, "Usagi, do, do you remember anything from what we just did?"
"What're you talking about? You didn't do anything. I don't remember anything new.I still died Quatre." Her eyes held worry and sorrow, "He still killed me. You can't change that."
"I wasn't trying to." He frowned, "You shouldn't think of that every time you see him, he thought it was for the better."
"He's just so, different from people. I don't know what to think whenever I see him, he's silent and cold." Cracking his fingers he rolled back his tense shoulders and shook his head, "You need to get to know him better then."
*****************
Melfina glanced at the Ctarl Ctarl, her ears were pricked forwards in agitation, Suzuka however was calm and her bokken remained in her sash. She searched the faces of her friends wondering if they had taken up on the same feeling of fear that Usagi was dead, the door sent air steaming from its sides before swinging open. Gene's Caster was at the ready, Heero appeared first followed by Usagi. Her face lit up when she saw him, running forwards she grabbed Gene in a hug, "Gene!" She said, her voice smothered because she had buried her head into his chest. His body prickled from the contact, holding her close with one arm he held his Caster steady, "You can get off my ship now." Her crystal eyes turned to meet with Quatre's, he stared back at Usagi in desperation.
"Gene, let them g," Gene's concentration broke as he stared down at Usagi in amazement, "What? You want to let them stay on the ship so they can sabotage it?"
"No, they can stay on their own ship, it's just. I talked with Quatre before and he said that there were a few things that, that weren't explained." She said finally, chancing a glance at Gene she saw his livid expression, "You've got to be kidding me!" He said suddenly, his voice was like venom, "I won't let them near you after what happened, what happened to them wanting to kill you Usagi! It doesn't just go away like that,"
Shaking his head he lifted his Caster once again, "No. They go."
"Gene, please. I know you can handle it if they do try to attack us from the outside. They don't have to stay on the ship, it's just for a short while."
Gene bit his lip, sighing in exasperation he lowered his weapon, "They better get off." "Gene!" Usagi cried, her voice indignant.
"I'll let them come onboard when they need to otherwise they can get the hell off my ship." He said, voice rising. Duo withheld the growl and turned with the others to leave. "We'll see you in a few." He called out to further irritate Gene.
Aisha slammed the door closed and dusted her hands, "Ha, that's the way to deal with them." Gene glared at Aisha for a moment before heading back down the hallway, Usagi sighed, "Sorry I got him such a bad mood."
Suzuka smiled lightly, "We've been through worse. Maybe you should speak with him and explain things to him."
"I just did though.I didn't know he'd get so mad."
"Gene's.complicated." Jim said, a frown on his face.
"I don't get it though, we got Usagi back safe and the ships fine and everybody's fine so why is Gene mad?" Aisha said, Usagi grinned, "I don't know why. I guess Gene just has a problem. I'll go and speak to him.he won't blow up on me will he Suzuka?"
"I wouldn't know, I've never stayed around Gene when he was in that mood for long."
"He won't. He's Gene. He hasn't changed from the last time you saw him Usagi."
Melfina smiled warmly, "Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes so hurry okay?" "Okay." Stopping at the fork in the hallway she glanced up and down each one, 'Which one?'
"Usagi do you need me to help you find your way?"
Usagi tensed, looking behind her she found the hall just as empty as before, "Who said that?"
"Why, I did. I'm up here." Lifting her gaze upwards she squeaked in surprise, the small mobile suit waved its miniscule arm, "Would you like me to help you find your way?"
"Uh, yeah. I kinda got lost."
"Yes, the Outlaw Star can seem very large at times."
Usagi stared at the mobile suit, "Why are you pink?" Usagi felt something similar to shock enter her system when she saw Gilliam blush.
"Jim painted me pink. He had hoped to,"
"Gilliam," She said interrupting, "How is it possible that you have emotions? You just blushed a second ago."
"Why, it was a part of my programming. Would you like me to relate to you the history of robotics since you seem so interested?"
"No, that's alright." Smiling crookedly she began to relax, "Gilliam can you lead me to the room that Gene's in right now?"
"He asked not to be disturbed."
"I won't be disturbing him. Please Gilliam." Gilliam eyed Usagi, "I suppose it won't harm anything. Follow me." Usagi's eyes remained momentarily on the pink mechanism as it made its way down the hall before her mind began to think of apologies that she could give Gene. Halting just before the door she took a deep breath before entering the room. Her eyes swept the entire room and came to rest on the Pilot's seat. Moving so that she stood next to Gene her eyes finally dared to give him a worried glance only to find that his eyes were closed. Directing her attention to the screen in front of her she stared at the empty scene. 'So this is what space looks like.'
"Empty isn't it?"
The bounty hunter's eyes were trained on Usagi's face when she turned, her azure eyes looked as if they could see straight into his soul. His gaze, nonetheless, never wavered, "How come the guys didn't try to rape you or anything?" Gasping in surprise she knew she was blushing for no rational reason at the question, "I.no they wouldn't. They were just going after me because they thought that I was a demon...and then it turned out that I wasn't."
"How could someone like you be a demon? How could you want to see their faces again after what they've done to you Usagi? This is just too.easy." He finished slowly.
"They aren't as bad as they seem Gene." She frowned, this wasn't going the way she had thought it would.
"I don't get it." His eyes moved from her face to the console in front of him.
"Well," Usagi said thoughtfully, "You haven't heard the whole story, that's why you're confused.I guess." She smiled slightly, ".Quatre, the blond one, he has this ability to read memories, so," she took a breath, "They wanted to make sure they weren't killing the wrong person and so he searched my memories, seeing if I was the demon that they were searching for."
"And," Gene interrupted, "They found out that you were just Usagi." Usagi nodded her head, "They thought that I was a demon that had killed a girl named Serena." she winced, "it turns out that I was Serena and the demon that had murdered me last lifetime, they still haven't found."
Gene's eyebrow rose, "Okay." the name was familiar to him, shaking the feeling away he turned to Usagi, "So, in a past lifetime you were Serena, friends with them, and you got killed by a demon. So a billion years later they're still searching for the demon, they find you, they try and kill you and find out that your innocent and that your Serena.this is so damn confusing. I still don't understand half of it. Or why your suddenly friends with them." Holding the groan inside her she continued, "I'm friends with them because.they didn't mean to make the mistake of going after me."
"That's a bunch shit. I bet they're lying to you Usagi."
"Gene, I, after Quatre read those memories inside me, I remembered them. So, I know that they aren't lying to me."
"He could have planted them there with magic." Usagi bit her lip, "Gene, you haven't been listening to me! I, I just explained everything to you and it's true!" Glaring at the floor she stared back out the screen with vehement attention, "Dinner's going to be ready soon so we should start going." Turning immediately she left. A few minutes passed before Gilliam chose to speak, "Gene, I couldn't help but have heard what you were discussing with Usagi,"
"Do you think that I shouldn't have gotten angry?"
"I, I wouldn't know. Your opinions and feelings with Usagi are different then mine. But I do think she has a point, Gene, what could you possibly do if Usagi has a problem that we can't fix?" Gene covered his face and drew in a long breath, "Have they started eating already?"
"Yes."
".I'll talk to Usagi later then."
"Gene what would you like me to do if one of the Hunters would like to come onboard?"
"Don't let them onboard." Gene said simply as he clambered out of the seat, "Thanks Gilliam."
"Of course Gene. It's my job." Gene rolled his eyes as he left the room.
************************** Pulling on the doorknob again the bounty hunter groaned, "Usagi, can I come in now?"
"I'm changing Gene! It takes more then a few seconds!"
"Oh piece of fuck." He said under his breath, taking a key from his pocket he threw the door open, Usagi peeked at him from behind the sheets she had pulled up around her, Gene swallowed, "I." Shaking his head he rubbed the back of his neck, "It'd been a few minutes and I thought that you were done.uh, sorry."
Usagi only stared at him, "I have more chance of getting raped by you then those Hunters." She said suddenly, Gene closed the door and turned his back, "I didn't do anything but open a door did I?"
"No, but you sure have different intentions in mind when you see me. Don't you dare peek."
The pilot couldn't help but wonder what was going on just behind his shoulder, his breathing grew heavy, finally he chanced a glance. Usagi stood staring at him with a triumphant look on her face, "I knew it!"
"Why didn't you tell me you were done dressing!" He snapped, trying to draw her away from what he had just done.
"I knew you were going to peek and I knew you were going to slam through this door. I only made it seem like I was dressing to test how perverted you are. And Gene, you're the most perverted person I know!"
"Aw come on! Who could help it?"
"Those boys could and Darien could."
"Well, I'm not them am I?"
"Obviously not." She said, her eyes narrowed, crossing her arms over her chest she sniffed, "I'm going to go and sleep in Melfina's room."
She found that, once again, Gene's arm was barricading her path, "Not if I can help it."
"What're you going to do? Jail me in here? This is ridiculous, let me out."
"No, you're staying here."
"Don't tell me you're going to keep me against my will!" She said, her eyes sparked with indignation.
"Of course not," sighing his shoulders slumped, "C'mon Usagi, gimme a break here. I'm only a guy."
"I don't care, that doesn't mean that you can't keep your perverted thoughts out of your mind."
"Yes it is. It's impossible."
As serious as the comment was supposed to be Usagi couldn't help but grin at the remark, "Jeez Gene, your such a kid." Reaching forwards she lowered his arm, "I'm going to go and sleep in Melfina's room, that's that."
"No. I swear I won't try anything Usagi, I'll do anything, as long as you stay."
".You promise you won't try anything?"
"Yes."
"You'll do anything?"
".Uh, within reason."
"Okay, agreed, I'll stay here then." Falling a step back she chanced a glance into Gene's eyes and found nothing but a hungry flame. Her gaze fell to the floor before she turned and hid under her covers. Gene stared at Usagi's form under the covers, flicking the lights off he slowly headed up to his own bunk. Putting his hands behind his head he stared at the ceiling for what must have been at least an hour. Thoughts raced through his head and a troubling feeling of loneliness kept him from sleep. Usagi's eyes stared at the bottom of Gene's bunk and finally decided to do something. Climbing out of the bed she turned the light back on, Gene had risen up and was blinking his eyes repeatedly from the sudden light.
"Gene, what's wrong? I can tell that something's wrong without even having to see your face."
"Nothing's wrong." His voice was quiet.
"Something is wrong, don't lie to me Gene." Her voice rose dramatically.
"I wanted to be with you tonight, that's all. But you obviously don't want the same thing that I want." His gaze was piercing and it made the girl timid, "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings." It came out almost as a whisper. She gave a small laugh, "I was trying to protect myself."
"From what?" He said, watching her movements closely, it gave him a sort of.satisfaction, to see that naïve mind standing front of him and her body, all just smooth lines and perfection to him.
"I'm not the kinda girl you'd look for when you want a one night stand Gene."
"Who ever said I wanted you just for sex?" His smile faded, "Hey, come up here." The blonde bit her tongue and did so, "Well? I'm up here." Rolling his eyes he pulled her the rest of the way up, "I wouldn't do anything that you really didn't want me to do.your.unique."
"Is that a good thing?"
"Of course it's a good thing. Stay with me tonight?" Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, "I guess.it won't hurt anything." 'At least I hope it doesn't' Usagi thought.
That night, lying in Gene's arms, Usagi began to wonder if things could really go on with Gene. 'I don't even belong in this world.I'll have to go back home soon.' She wanted to say what's the point but there was a point to it. Usagi thought, there is a point to this, meeting Gene again in this lifetime. Turning over she moved herself closer to his body, "Still awake." He mumbled, his chin bumped the top of her head, stretching his legs he sat up. "I can't sleep either." Swinging his feet out over the edge of the bed he leaned against the wall, "God I hate staying here overnights. I guess we don't have a choice though." His body tingled with surprise, Usagi had moved herself next to him and rested her head partly on his shoulder, "Gene.I want to go home."
His smile faded and the fire in his eyes dimmed, "Go home.You mean back to your world."
She nodded her head and pressed herself against Gene, "I don't know what to do."
"Why can't you stay here with me?" Holding her against him he closed his eyes, "I can't believe your just going to leave."
"Everything but a few pieces of the puzzle are missing.and I'm safe now, from them." Her sight became blurred, "I'll miss you." Gene remained silent, moving so that he could lay back down again he sighed, "Usagi are you sure you have to leave so soon?" His fingers ran up and down her spine, she bit her lip, "I'm going to miss you Gene."
***************
"Why did Usagi survive?" The tallest of the Hunters met eyes with Heero, "Quatre explained to me what he had seen today in Usagi's mind. Unless she lived two lifetimes with us in it."
"No, the demon must have sheltered her against the wound I had inflicted, a few years later I saw her again.just before the creature unleashed its attack on the city. We've only had one lifetime with her."
"Who could think that Usagi's past self, Serena could meet us just once and cause all this confusion and trouble?" Quatre mumbled, his head falling back in exhaustion, "A single lifetime." Duo laughed, "Yea.And now with all this new information we're working with her like she's our best friend.I still don't understand why you made the mistake of targeting her Heero." His violet eyes remained fixedly on the table. Heero didn't even turn his head at the question, "There is something inside her. She isn't fully human.The demon we've been searching for has been inside her this entire time, I'm sure that's what our equipment picked up on Usagi.ironic isn't it, that the creature that killed her is now living inside her."
"So you're saying that Usagi's harboring the demon?" Duo said finally, he didn't wait for a response sighing he went on with the obvious, "So, we have to kill her then."
"No," four heads turned in his direction, Heero crossed his arms over his chest, "There's a way to draw the demon out, we draw it out and Usagi's clean. We destroy it, and everything's fine."
"Yes, but.Heero, we're talking about a demon that killed millions of people just a few hundred years ago. A demon that was able to destroy towns and cities with a single breath." Quatre folded his hands behind his back, the braided hunter groaned, "Do you REALLY need to state the painful facts like that? We do have a chance. It doesn't have the crystal anymore." Wufei dug into his pocket and lifted it out into the light, "Maxwell's right. We can draw it out with this crystal." Trowa shook his head, "It still doesn't work, we don't know how to activate it."
Duo and Heero both simultaneously tensed in realization, "I know how. We can put Usagi in danger. The crystal reacts to Usagi when she's in danger." He finished cheerily, swinging his braid behind his back he grinned, "This gets easier and easier."
"Duo.you told me that she had unusual powers the first time you met her." Heero checked his watch as he spoke. "Yea.hey, yeah your right she can just summon up some of her energy and wake up the crystal and bada bing the demon's out."
"Well.we now ONLY have to find a way to destroy it Duo." Wufei sneered, his fangs becoming visible. Duo growled in response, "Excuse me Dracula. We've gotten this far just by thinking, the council's got to have some information on a demon like that."
"And if they don't?"
"Would you shut up!" Duo barked suddenly, glaring at Wufei, "What the hell is your problem? Are you too afraid to go after this thing Wufei!?!" He yelled across the room. "I'm just using my brain Duo, something you obviously lack." Wufei's eyes narrowed in annoyance. Duo snarled, his eyes losing their violet hue.
"Both of you! Shut the fuck up." Heero's voice rose above theirs, "We will find a way to destroy it. Meanwhile Trowa will prepare the spell for all of us to return back home. Now both of you shut up and listen, everything's still a question and we need to know for sure if we can defeat the demon before we draw it out. When we get back home I'll give you your orders and until then we wait until we meet with her again."
Glaring at Duo and then shooting a warning look at Wufei he left the room, Duo clenched his teeth in agitation before stomping out of the room after Heero. Quatre yawned, "Do you really think we have a chance?"
"No." Wufei said dryly before leaving also.
***********************
An immediate realization struck Usagi, before she had even opened her eyes. 'Where did Gene go?' Shivering under the covers she wondered why it had gotten so cold. Climbing down to the floor she changed quickly and headed out the door. Everything had grown silent and the lights were still off in the hallways. "Gilliam?" She called, the lights in her part of the hallway snapped on, "Yes Usagi?" She turned, looking up and around herself to see which railing the little mobile suit would arrive on. Waving at it when it appeared she walked up to it, "Where is everyone?"
"They would now be in the dining room. Do you need me to show you the way?"
"No, I'm fine. Thank you."
Gilliam watched her go before turning to attend to other business, he was going to miss her.
Entering in through the kitchen she came up on the entire group sitting there sipping coffee, Aisha winked at Usagi before turning to talk to Jim. "Hey guys." Gene was quick to pull her into his lap, tensing she glanced at Jim who grinned, "He's like that all the time." "What's that supposed to mean?" Gene said grimacing at Jim's expression, Usagi sighed, leaning back against Gene she relaxed. "Gene told us about you leaving Usagi." Melfina edged in finally. Usagi nodded her head slowly, "I was hoping, to leave soon.and, I wanted to thank you guys for everything that you've done for me."
"You're welcome Usagi." Aisha purred, Jim rolled his eyes, "That's not why we brought the subject up though. Gene talked to us about it, and the way I see it, we can just go with you."
Her eyes nearly popped out of her head, "WHAT? Go with me? I don't know if it's even possible!"
"It has to be, you got here in the first place and brought that one guy along with you. So why not?"
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, I know, I should make this stupid chapter longer but frankly, I think it's long enough. The next chapter will hopefully be out soon, but with High School starting this coming Monday be prepared for it to come out a little late. Toodles- Qt~chan