AN: Hehe, sorry it took so long ^_^. I kind of promised that I would finish Promises first. And I sort of had to review all of my GW tapes all over again, since I couldn't remember what happened ^.^;; School is going to start next week, and my parents are banning me from the internet, so I won't be able to update that much, until March break. There will only be one more chapter update after this I think, either one my FY/SM stories, or my AnC/SM story ^_^. Oh, almost forgot, thanks to my husband *blows a raspberry* for pointing out rather rudely that I've been spelling 'choke' wrong for all of my fan fiction career. I love you too darling, but I still want a divorce! And another thing, there will be an omake included in every chapter of this story from now on ^_^, so enjoy!
Thanks to: Sailor Cardcaptor Ryoko (Thanks ^_^, Toronto was pretty good, except for the part where I was dragged around by my great aunt like a two years old), Galexz ( Hehe, I see that you like the last part. Funny, everyone like the last part ^_^), Selene (I finally have a chapter out! Aren't you proud of me?), Sairys Skyewind (Thank you, *bows* I pride myself on my evilness), Comet~Princess (sorry I never wrote back after I came back to Montreal, but thanks for meeting me at TO ^_^), a Person ( I think that those lines was everyone's favourite in the last chapter…), Usa-chan (long time to see again ^_^, I'll be waiting for the Perfect World update ^_^), Jumping Jellybeans (you know, you have a very cute pen name, and did I mention that jellybeans are one of my favourite candies?), Blue Angel (Thanks ^_^, I've always loved fishing ^_~), Tenshi Cat, Tenshi-chan, Mei-chan (*nods* yep flashback, wait a minute, what do you mean you don't know what happened?), Tenshi-chan (wow, there are two of yous out there), Tschubi-chan (I was hoping that I could convert you into a Duo/Usagi fan…^_^), Aidenn Legacy (you might see the nakie bishies here! But not in this chapter though ^_^), SailorNorthStar, themoonmaiden (yep, just love my Duo/Usagi ^_~).
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Chapter 1
It was dark already. Even in a pacifist country such as Sanq, people raced to get home before dark. With the war raging on between the Earth and the colonies, the crime rates had gone up, just another negative consequences of the senseless fighting. No one wanted to be caught in the dangerous night, no one except for the dark shadow walking away from the dock, a lonely figure in the last dying rays of the bloody sun.
The figure slowly made his way across the deserted lane, cursing as the cold wind bite into his flesh. Being soaking wet didn't help his conditions either. And the soiled braid swing by his side was dragging at his scalp, weighing a ton. Today was definitely not his lucky day, the figure revealed to be a young man under the dim streetlight thought as he wringed out the sea water from his ruined chestnut braid. It started out pretty well. Hell, he was having a blast, finding a new mobile suit, and getting to kick some Ozzie ass on the way too.
But then when he got to the dock, some freak girl had to put herself in front of gun point. And being the gentleman that he was, he shot the spandex boy who was threatening the girl. But who would've known that she would accuse him as being the bad guy? Damn! He was the one who saved her ass from being shot by the spandex boy, and did he get a thank you? No!
Things went from bad to worse when Deathscythe and the other blue and red suit decided to resurface right then. He didn't notice until too late the torpedoes that spandex boy had aimed straight at the suits. It left no doubt in his mind that spandex boy was the other gundam's pilot, after all, who else would know gundanium alloy's tolerance level? He had to stand there and watch helplessly as the torpedoes sent Deathscythe back into the bottom of the ocean…all of his work wasted.
After his mission was completed, spandex boy was just floating in the water face down, no doubt unconscious from the impact. If it weren't for the girl's screams, he would've left the other pilot to drown to death, after all, no one deserved to be helped after blasting Deathscythe like that. But the annoying little girl was yapping about police and ambulance. God knows that the last thing he wanted was to be arrested by the idiots in uniform. So that only left him with the choice of saving spandex boy himself by jumping into the freezing seawater, and haul out the unconscious boy. After that, it wasn't his problem anymore, the girl could take care of the other pilot, while he had to go and find another way to save Deathscythe. Now, where was Howard when you needed him?
The sound of ambulance and police sirens in the dark, made the braided boy swear quietly to himself and pick up his pace. Not that he was scared of being caught, even if his gun could only shoot water now, the God of Death always have a few cards up his sleeve. But if he was discovered, it would waste some of his time, and he hated when that happened.
In his haste to get away from the crime scene, the violet eyed youth never saw the person in front of him, until it was too late.
A squeak was heard from the other person before the braided youth was knocked to the ground, his head meeting the cement with a loud crack. The young man opened his mouth to yell at whoever it was lying on top of him, before a pair of the most mesmerizing sapphire eyes stared into his eyes in apology. The wide eyes shinned with innocence, contrasting with the shadows hiding the rest of her elfin like beauty.
"I am so sorry mister!" the girl cried out, bowing in apology as she got up quickly, accidentally pulling on his braid.
The youth winced, but didn't say anything as he also got up and continued to stare at the stunning beauty in front of him.
He frowned as he took in the rest of her appearance. She was around his age, maybe a year younger. Her fragile figure was hidden away in baggy clothes that were no more than rags sewn together. Dirt covered her shinny hair, glowing silver under the moon beams. The long hair was worn in the most interesting style he has ever seen, like two odangos at the side of her head. The hallows in her cheeks only made her look even more paler and her eyes ruinously childlike. A streak of pain passed through the braided boy's heart, as he was reminded of his own childhood, living on the streets.
"Are you hurt miss?" the boy managed to ask, blushing as he finally noticed that he was staring.
The girl giggled in response, the sound was like the tinkling of bells. A black cat with a crescent moon mark on its forehead jumped onto the girl's shoulder, watching the young man with human like red eyes. "Please call me Usagi. And don't worry about it, I'm not hurt. I was my fault anyways."
"The braided on e couldn't help but smile in return as he extended his hand. "I'm Duo Maxwell. I may run and hide, but I never tell a lie."
Usagi smiled and shook is his hand firmly. "Nice to meet you Duo-kun. And this is my kitty Luna." the black feline meowed in response.
"Sorry about running into you. Are you sure that you are not hurt?" Duo asked again worriedly.
"I should be the one who is sorry. I'm always so clumsy. And I'm sure, I feel fine."
An awkward silence followed, when both teens didn't know what else to say. The approaching police sirens finally snapped through Duo's embarrassment and reminded him of his situation.
"Well, I'll be see you around Usagi," with his trademark smile, that was sure to melt any girl's heart, the pilot of Deathscythe quickly made his escape.
~*~*~*~
His thoughts drifted back to Usagi as he made his way through the shadows with ease. He had thought that being the pacifist country, Sanq wouldn't have any war orphans, since the country was not involved in the war. He didn't want any innocent children to have to go through all the pains he had to go through when he was young. So many children had to suffer for the sins of the others, it just wasn't fair!
A small sound, like the sound of paws on the cement made Duo stop his mental discussion and pull out his gun. Even if the attacker didn't sound like a human, he wasn't about to take chances. It was better to be safe than sorry.
"Meow!"
The small sound almost made the braided pilot shoot his own foot, at the closeness. Without warning, a black ball of fur jumped onto his shoulders and started to meow.
"Luna?" Duo asked in surprise as he recognized Usagi's cat. "What are you doing here?"
The cat didn't answer, and jumped down and started to tug at his pants, towards the direction where he bumped into the blonde girl.
"You want me to go back here Luna? But I have some very urgent business to take care of," the young man said, wanting to laugh, as he thought of explaining his situation to a cat.
Luna only meowed louder, giving him a pleading look, that somehow made her look so humanlike. Duo sighed in defeat, as the cat refused to let him go, and continued to rub and pull his pants. "Fine, fine, I'll go with you."
The black feline purred in response, before running back to where Usagi was, leaving a confused Duo to follow her. The braided boy didn't know whether to laugh or cry, as he was so easily ordered around by a mere cat. The God of Death was going to be the laughing stock of everyone, if the story ever got out.
As the boy and the cat neared the place of the faithful meeting, muffled screams and the ripping of clothes cut through the night air like a knife. A stab of fear entered the pilot's system as the shadowed forms of two men and the blonde girl came into his view. Usagi was struggling for all she was worth, but in her present state, she was no match for the two men, as one pinned her down, and the other tore at her clothes.
"Hehe, I didn't think that we could find such a pretty face on the streets," one of the men leered down at the bunny.
"Didn't your mommy ever tell you that you shouldn't walk alone in allies at night?" the other man chuckled out.
"She's not alone."
Both men froze as a cold vice said above them. "She's with Shinigami."
"Who's there? Come out you coward!" the two men quickly got up from the ground, leaving Usagi crying and shivering. Reaching into their pockets, two knives were revealed, the blade gleaming in the cold moonlight.
"Those weapons are useless against Shinigami," the same voice whispered.
The two men whirled around, the voice sounded so close, but everywhere they turned, it was just eh dark shadows. "Come out and fight like a man!" now their voice shook, as their confidence slowly slipped away against their invisible enemy.
"I'm right here."
It was too late. The two men could see the glowing hyacinth eyes above them, before everything went blank, and they collapsed soundlessly to the ground.
Luna hissed at the men, as she walked out of the shadows. The cat quickly ran to her crying mistress, licking away the tears.
"Usagi?" Duo stood there not knowing what to do. He couldn't leave the girl lying on the ground, after she was almost raped. But he couldn't take her back to his place, he was on a mission! But…large bruises were already forming on her too pale skin. The rags that she was wearing were not enough to keep out the cold. And who knows what other danger there would be if she stayed on the streets? He remembered his own fight for survival, but she shouldn't have to go through all the shit that he went through, no one should.
Guess that doesn't leave much choice, Duo thought as he picked up Usagi in his arms. Luna meowed in approval and jumped onto his shoulder.
~*~*~*~
The braided boy kicked the door close before turning the lights on in his small temporal apartment. Putting his sleeping burden onto the single bed in the bare white room, he stood to stretch his tired muscles. The blonde girl frowned and opened her eyes as the source of her warmth disappeared.
"Where am I?" Usagi asked in alarm, pulling up the covers on the bed.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you," duo assured her quickly, putting up his hands. "It was too dangerous to leave you on the street, so I brought you to my apartment. If you want, you can take a shower and stay here tonight." the gundam pilot held out a set of his clean clothes as a peace offering, and pointed to the bathroom.
The bunny looked at the clothes warily, before snatching them and made a dash to the bathroom. A few minutes later, a sigh of happiness was heard through the muffled pounding of the water. Duo smiled to himself, knowing from experience the luxury of a shower after living on the streets for so long. From her post at the bathroom door, Luna gave a little warning growl.
"Don't worry Luna. Shinigami is a gentleman, he won't take advantage of girls," the braided boy chuckled, before his stomach gave a growl too. He hadn't had anything to eat ever since he left that morning, and the dunk in the sea didn't help either. Quickly changing into new clothes, Duo made his way to the kitchen.
Hum…opening up the cupboard, there was not much of a choice. It was either instant soup, or instant soup. Sure there was plenty of vegetables and other food in refrigerator, but cooking wasn't part of his pilot training.
"What are we having for dinner?"
The voice made the braided one hit his head on the refrigerator rack. He was os used to living alone that the sound of another voice almost made him pull out his gun. "Instant soup, unless you now how to…" his cheerful voice died off as Duo turned to face Usagi.
She was dressed in his white shirt and black pants. The pants were a little big, and hung loosely at her hips, showing her bellybutton, and the white shirt was a little tight around her chest. She had lost the shock of waking up to a new place, and the shower washed away the dirt that covered her cheeks. The droplets in her hair twinkled under the wan light, and her eyes were sparkling with laughter as his mouth opened and closed like a fish, but no words came out.
"Unless I know…?"
"Unless you know how to cook," Duo quickly replied and turned away before he could stare and embarrass himself more. Man, when was the last time he blushed? But then again, when was the last time he met a gorgeous babe like Usagi? A greedy and wicked look shinned in his hyacinth eyes as the thought of spending the whole night with the blonde girl.
"Duo?" the question stopped his drooling. Why don't you site and rest while I fix something to eat?"
Without waiting for his response, the bunny pushed the braided boy out of the kitchen and set out to cook.
Twenty minutes later, Luna was happily lapping at her milk, while a nice (eatable) meal sat on the table.
"So Usagi, do you have a place to go to?" Duo asked s he tried the soup.
"No."
"Then do you have any relatives whom you can stay with?"
"I had a brother, but…but…" Usagi choked off, tears forming in her clear blue eyes. "He was killed recently. Now, I have no one, except for Luna."
"I'm sorry," Duo whispered quietly, not knowing what else to say.
"Don't be. When I find the person that killed my onii-chan, I'm going to make him pay!"
The gundam pilot stared at the blonde girl. She was clutching the spoon so tight that her knuckles were white. Her eyes had a determined light, and Duo didn't doubt that the person who killed her brother would suffer. The poor fool would wish that he was never born. And the killer doesn't deserve any sympathy either, for taking the young life of an innocent boy, and for making Usagi alone in this world.
"If there is anything that I can help you with, in tracking down your brother's killer, I'll be more than happy to do."
The blonde girl smirked secretively. "Thank you Duo. But you have done enough by just saving me. I don't want to cause you more trouble."
The rest of the dinner passed in pleasant conversations, they talked about things that teenagers their age talked about, completely forgetting about the war.
"You can sleep on the bed, and I'll take the couch." the braided pilot offered, and held up a hand to stop the bunny from refusing. "It's okay, you're the guest." The two cleared the table and was preparing for the night.
Usagi smiled, and gave Duo a quick peck on the cheek, before she blushed at her own boldness.
"Goodnight Usagi-chan," the braided boy chuckled and turned off the lights.
He collapsed into the couch in the darkness. Funny how he was feeling so drowsy and tired. Normally he would be up half the night before he felt sleepy. Oh well, it must be all the energy he used in saving spandex boy from a watery grave. Duo's last thoughts were with the angel sleeping in his bed, before sleep claimed the shinigami.
~*~*~*~
The weight of someone straddling his stomach slowly woke up the sleeping pilot.
"What?" Duo asked huskily. A pair of sapphire eyes looked down at him from the dark. "Usagi? What are you doing?"
The God of Death stretched, and thinking that it was a fantasy came true, he moved his arms to encircle the blonde girl, but…
His hands were cuffed together by handcuffs, and were chained to the coffee table. His feet were also bounded together with rope. "Oh I see. So this is what you are into." the braided boy said with a wide grin. "But sweetheart, how are you going to take off my clothes if I'm bounded like this?"
Usagi smirked, and took out a pocket knife, and ran the flat side of the blade across Duo's covered chest.
"Ohhh, and do you have a whip too?"
"Duo Maxwell, pilot 02 of the gundam Deathscythe." A new voice said.
The violet eyed boy tensed under Usagi. "Who's there?" the bounded boy cried out, straining his neck to see the person, but the dark hid the speaker.
"What are you going to do with him?" the speaker asked the blonde girl, as Luna jumped onto Usagi's shoulder.
"Luna?!?! But…but you're a cat! Cats can't talk!" Duo blurted out in shock.
"I'm the exception to the rule Duo," the black feline winked at the pilot.
"Usagi?" the braided boy asked the quiet girl sitting on him.
Running the smooth blade until the razor sharp edge rest against Duo's throat, the bunny replied. "I'm going to avenge your death no, nii-chan."
**************************************************************************************
Omake: The Wild Wild West
"So what happened next?" An impatient Minako asked as the boys stopped their tale.
"Did Duo really think that Usagi bounded him up because of…?" Makoto asked wide eyed, before giggles erupted, at the mental picture the boys' story made.
"And I have another question. How do you guys know so much details?" Michiru asked, while struggling to hold down Haruka from jumping out the pound their Princess's braided fiancé to death.
"My imouto always tell me everything."
To everyone's surprise, it was Hiiro who spoke up. Usagi?!?!?! The question rang in everyone's heads. Duo seemed more like the kind of person to kiss and tell, but Usagi??? Quatre cleared his throat and when he got all the senshi's attentions, he held up a notebook blushing.
Clearing written across the cover, were the words: Duo's Journal.
"You stole his journal?!" Eight female voices cried out together.
"It wasn't me! Wufei was the one who took it!" the seemingly innocent Arabian dumped all the blame on the Chinese warrior.
"It wasn't my fault! The baka left his journal at the last safe house we stayed at. So I was just keeping it for him until I can return the weak thing back!" The red faced warrior defended himself.
"So how did it get passed around to the other pilots?" Rei asked, eyes flashing.
"Forget about that! I just want to know what happened next!" AN excited Minako jumped in and saved the Chinese pilot. "What else does the journal say? Did Usagi-chan really hurt Duo? Did Duo kiss and make Usagi-chan forget about revenge? Did they go further than kissing? Hum?"
"Minako!" Everyone cried in horror and shoved a napkin into the blonde's mouth. Too late, Hiiro already had his gun out, loaded, safety off, and read to shoot.
"Hiiro! NO!!" Quatre cried and pulled at the Perfect Soldier's arm just as the gun fired.
~*~*~*~
"It's all your fault you know," Minako said angrily at Hiiro.
Quatre had pulled the gun away just in time. No one was hurt, but unfortunately, the bullet shot through the front into the engine of the limo.
The limo immediately stopped, and since no one knew where the bullet was lodged, they couldn't fix the limo, and had to abandon the luxurious car, and keep going, walking on foot through the hot Nevada desert.
"Hn!!!" If Trowa hadn't confiscated his gun, he would put another bullet into the blonde, and this time he would not miss.
"Nii-chan!" Usagi called out. The braided boy and bunny were riding on Duo's bike slowly ahead of the group. "There's a barn and a house ahead!"
"Thank the Lord!" Rei cried out. "I don't think that I can walk another mile with these heels."
"Maybe we can find help there too," Ami suggested.
"So what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Minako yelled, and dragged the groaning group towards the rundown barn.
~*~*~*~
"Reparation shop hun? We ain't got thos 'round here no more," the dirty old man said in a thick western accent.
"Do you know where we can buy or rent any cars?" Quatre asked, having difficulties understanding the old man.
"There ain't no one here 'except for we two in fifty miles," the woman, assumed to be the old man's wife replied.
"how are we going to get back then?" Hotaru sighed in helplessness.
"Well, if ya wan' something' to rid on. We've just the thin'!"
"Do you have a car that we could borrow?" Haruka asked.
"Not really, but…" the old man said and opened the doors to his barn. "I've got some mighty stron' horses!"
All the senshi and pilots stared at the six bags of bones munching lazily at the hay. "Do we have to take them?" Michiru asked no one in particular, winkling her nose at the smell of the dung.
"We have to, at least until we get to somewhere where we can get other kinds of transportation," Trowa answered, expressionless.
"How much do we owe you for these horses?" Quatre sighed, pulling out his check book.
"We don't want no money," the old woman replied.
"But we can't just take your horses for free!"
"I ain't givin' them to ya for free. Those clothes of yas look mighty pretty." the old woman cooed, reaching out to touch Usagi's wedding gown. "I always wanna pretty dress like this."
"'n that slick suit will look good on me too," the old man said eying Duo's black tux.
"This better be worth it."
~*~*~*~
"Why do I have to ride the donkey?" Wufei screamed out, tied down to the animal. "This is injustice I tell you!"
"Because Wufei, it takes an ass to ride an ass!" Duo yelled out from the front. (AN: I apologize to all the Wufei lovers out there). Both him and Usagi had to give their wedding clothes in exchange for the six walking carcasses. Now both were forced to wear old jeans and shirts, with cowboy boots and hats, provided by the old couple. After all, no one would appreciate seeing Duo and Usagi riding down the highway in boxers and a slip, would they?
"Just a quick question Quatre. Where is your mansion?" Usagi asked.
The blond boy chuckled nervously as everyone turned to stare at him. "Hehe…at New York City?"
"New York City?!?! That's at the other freaking end of the country!" everyone screamed out.
"Well, at least we'll have plenty of time to finish the story right?"
"So what happened?" Minako asked grumpily.
"Well, girl was mad." Quatre began.
"Girl was about to kill boy." Wufei yelled out form his position at the back of the little troop.
"Boy didn't want to die." Trowa added.
"Boy helped girl find brother." Hiiro finished.
AN: Collapse onto the keyboard. Finally finished, that took me five hours to do!