Chapter Six
When the door opened, his head jerked up, expecting a certain blonde haired girl. But he only found himself looking at Setsuna, as she stalked to where he sat at a booth in the dark corner. She fell into the seat across from him, her eyes narrowed on him. "Didn't I tell you iie, already?"
He smirked, shrugging, as he brought the coffee to his lips, and took a long swallow.
She reached over, and helped him set it down. "Don't play dumb with me Mr. Leonhart. Usagi is my friend, and she is in a great amount of pain, not just physically, but emotionally too. If you go other there, you'll only create a mess."
He pushed the cup away, and leaned forward. "I'm not going to attack her, with punches, or with words. I'm going over there to say I'm sorry. I don't usually hold sympathy for someone. I was quite rude to her, when all she wanted to do was talk."
He sideways glanced, to see if anyone was trying to over hear them talking. He looked back at her, "I'm here to help, correct?" He continued, when she reluctantly nodded, "so I might as well try and be nice while I'm here. So it wont matter, once this war, or whatever you want to call it is over, I'm leaving."
"Back to Rinoa?"
"Back to Rin...don't put words in my mouth."
Setsuna smiled, and drummed her fingers on the table. "I know your relationship with Rinoa, Squall." He sat back, "Not Mr. Leonhart anymore?"
Her eyes flashed, "I think we're passed that, don't you agree?" He nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. She sighed, containing her anger. "As I was saying. I know you're relationship with Rinoa. It reminds me of Usagi's and Mamoru's."
"The man that hasn't called or written her in over a month?" He pursed his lips together, his mind working overtime.
Setsuna slammed her hands on the tabletop, causing customers and worker to turn and look. She glanced at them, then back at Squall, before she leaned forward. She hissed, "Bachiatara let me talk."
He waved his hand, for her to continue. She leaned back, her shoulders squared back, her eye holding his gaze in a cold manner. "How would you feel, if a man, came up to your Rinoa. What would you think? That's what Mamoru is thinking, got it?"
Squall stared back at her, not even threatened by her gaze, "I trust Rinoa, got it. If she cares for me, then she does. I don't own her. And while I'm here, cut off from contact with her, I wouldn't believe, that she didn't..." he paused, finding strength, "if she never found someone else."
He couldn't believe it was so hard, and that it hurt so much. He took hold of his emotions with an iron fist, and shoved them back to deal with later. "While I'm away, which already feels like it will be a while, she has every right to find someone else. She isn't something I own."
Setsuna's lips twitched, wanting to form a smile. "But you own her heart. You might not know it, but she owns yours. That's how it is with soul mates. And that's how it is with Mamoru and Usagi. They belong together. And Mamoru feels that their bond is threatened, if you suddenly show up in Usagi's life."
Squall sighed, "then he doesn't trust their 'bond', as you call it." With that, he pulled out a couple of yen, and set them on the table. He pushed himself out of his seat, and left the arcade in a huff.
"You have no idea, how right you are Squall."
Setsuna sighed, rubbing her forehead. Motoki stood at her side, "Can I help you Setsuna?"
She looked up, "Coffee please, and make it strong." He nodded, and left her alone, after collecting the money.
Setsuna watched through the window, as Squall crossed the street, and she leaned back in her seat. Motoki set down her cup of coffee, and left to serve another customer. With a sigh, she lifted the cup to her lips, and took a sip, before setting it down.
"Everything is working out, just as planned."
?????
"Artigato for saving me last night."
"What are you talking about, Usag...Usako?"
Usagi looked up at him, drawing her eyebrows together, "Last night, when that youma attacked me. You saved my life, and killed the youma."
Mamoru frowned, "Oh yea, iie problem Usako." Usagi frowned, "It was you, right?" Mamoru looked down at her, before looking up; eyeing the pay phone they passed. "Sure, don't I always come in the nick of time to save your cute tush?"
Usagi looked down, thinking, 'But he doesn't use attacks. He only has a cane, and a rose, not a sword.'
"Where did you go after you left the shrine?" Mamoru frowned, "do I have to tell you everything I do?" She shook her head, "iie, I was just curious. Gomen Mamo chan. How much longer will you be staying here?"
"Only a few more days. Now lets stop talking about us, and get you home. I have a few phone calls I need to make."
Usagi held back the hurt in her voice, as she replied, "oh, all right."
?????
Squall knocked on the wooden white door, and waited patiently. A few minutes passed, before the door opened. "Hai?" Squall eyed the young woman in the doorway. She had long blue hair, and dark brown eyes. She wore a yellow dress, and a white apron.
"Is Usagi home?"
The young woman smiled, "iie, but she should be home real soon. Her fiancée took her out for a walk. Would you like to wait for her in the living room?"
He nodded, and walked in, following the lady to the living room. "Are you one of Usagi's friends from school?"
"I'm on her track team, and I'm in her PE class."
"Oh. Well just make yourself comfortable. Would you like anything to drink?"
He shook his head, "No I'm fine." She smiled, "Well I'm Usagi's okaasan, but you can call me Ikuko. My husband is still at work, and Shingo, our little boy, is up stairs with his friend Mika."
Squall smiled, and held out his hand, "Squall. I'm the exchange student, from America." The woman smiled, taking his hand, and shook it, "Oh I thought I recognized an accent in your voice. Oh wait did you say Squall? You wouldn't be the young man, my musume hit with a door, now would you?"
He slowly nodded, "yea that's me." She giggled, and took a seat across from him, "Oh how delightful. She never stops talking about you. Iie. Everyday she comes home, talks about what a smart young man you are, or how difficult you are to talk to. Usagi told me, she's been trying to get you together with her friend Minako. I guess the young girl has a crush."
He nodded, trying to hold down his smile. 'Usagi never stops talking, huh? Well I see where she gets it from.'
Ikuko leaned back in her seat, "so why is it that you want to see my musume? From what I hear, she thinks, that she annoys you."
Squall sighed, "That's why I'm here, to apologies to her. I've been nothing but rude to her." Ikuko nodded, "well I'll leave you to your thoughts. I must make dinner. Nice meeting you Squall." He watched her stand, and duck inside the kitchen.
Only a few minutes passed, before the front door opened. "Okaasan I'm home."
He looked up, and watched as Usagi slipped off her shoes. She looked upset. He stood, and Ikuko called from the kitchen, "Usagi chan, you have a visitor in the living room."
Usagi looked up, "Oh." He wiped his hands down his pants, and stepped around the couch, and made his way in front of her. "I came by, to say I was sorry." She blinked, "for...for what?"
Squall eyed the bruise on her jaw. She noticed him looking at it, and she turned her head away. "What happened?" Things started connecting together in his mind.
"I...I fell. You know how I am. But don't change the subject, why are you apologizing to me. You've done nothing..." "But being rude to you, since we met. That's why I'm saying sorry." He nodded, and started for the door, "so now I'll leave you alone."
Ikuko walked into the hallway, "Matte, why don't you join us for dinner?" Usagi opened her mouth to object, but Squall beat her to it, "I don't think that's a good idea. I just better be on my way, and out of yours."
Ikuko shook her head, "nonsense. Dinner is almost done. Come, sit at the table, Usagi, get changed; your otosan should be home soon. Squall if you will."
His grip tightened on the doorknob, but suddenly, it turned, and was jerked opened. Squall took a step back, as a tall man walked into the house. He was dressed in a brown suit, and tie. His brown hair cut short on his head, and his blue eyes stared at Squall in question.
"Ikuko honey, who is he?"
Ikuko smiled, "he's from Usagi's track team. He came over to say he was sorry for being rude to her when they met. And he's staying for dinner. Come dear, help me set the table, and we can get to know, another one of Usagi's friends.
Usagi watched, her mouth still open to object, as her parents dragged Squall into the kitchen. With a sigh, she headed for her room; it was going to be a long night.
?????
Squall glanced at Ikuko, who was passing Shingo, the thirteen-year-old boy, a bowl of egg rolls. He then glanced at Kenji, Usagi's father, who was assessing him.
Usagi was seated next to him, playing with her rice. "Usagi, what's wrong?" The blonde looked up at her otosan, "Gomen otosan. I'm just a little tired." Ikuko frowned at Usagi, but then looked at Squall. "Squall dear, tell us a little bit about yourself."
Squall looked up startled, to hear his name mentioned. "I..." Usagi sighed, "Okaasan, don't hound him. He doesn't have to say anything." She looked at him, "you don't have to tell us if you don't want to." Ikuko put her chopsticks down, "Usagi please. Squall, you don't mind, do you?" He looked at Usagi, then at Ikuko, and then at Kenji. "No, I don't mind." He set down his own fork, "As I said before, I'm from America."
Ikuko's eyes filled with stars, "Oh, I bet it's wonderful there." Squall nodded, "It is. Not as beautiful as it is here though, and less crowded. I stayed at Balamb Garden, where I met all my friends." He paused, chewing a fork full of rice, and swallowed.
Usagi took a mouth full, off of her plate, now interested in knowing a little more about him.
Squall continued, "There was Zell, hooked on hot dogs, and always took action without thinking. Quistis, my instructor. She's like the PE teacher here in Juuban, but she has some of a sense of humor." Ikuko giggled, while Kenji chuckled, "Hai, I remember that lady. She once was a drill sergeant."
Usagi smiled, while Shingo put his chopsticks down, and propped his chin up with his hands. "Go on." Squall leaned back in his chair thinking. "Then there was Selphie. She was energetic, naïve, but when it came down to business, she was all gung ho to fighting. Irvine, told me once, that she went crazy. He said she must have lost a screw, when her Garden had been destroyed. She wanted to blow up a base, that was ready to obliterate the Balamb Garden, her new home."
Ikuko gasped, "oh the poor girl. Is she alright now?" Squall nodded, "Yea. Irvine and her are together now. Irvine, is a ladies man, or he tries to tell himself that."
He sighed now, the hardest part coming up. "Then there was Rinoa." Ikuko crooned, "oh young love." He didn't smile. He looked at Usagi, watching her as he spoke. "She saved me from myself."
Usagi flushed, and she forced herself to look away. She started eating again, and made sure, she didn't look at him again.
Kenji pushed back his chair. "Well I'm full dear." Squall nodded, "Me too. I should be going now, unless, you want help with the dishes."
Ikuko shook her head, "Iie, I have these two to help me. Usagi, would you..." Usagi jumped up, pushing back her chair, "hai okaasan. I'll take you to the door Squall."
He followed her to the door, where he stepped out into the cold air. Kenji came up behind his musume, and smiled, holding the door. "Nice meeting you Squall. You should come by again, and try not to be a stranger."
Squall nodded, stuffing his hands in his pockets, "yea. Well night." With that, he turned, and jogged down the steps, following the walkway, then entered the street.
Usagi watched him go, and bit her bottom lip. "Usagi chan, help your okaasan with the dishes."
"Hai otosan."
She slowly shut the door, disappearing inside her house.
When the door opened, his head jerked up, expecting a certain blonde haired girl. But he only found himself looking at Setsuna, as she stalked to where he sat at a booth in the dark corner. She fell into the seat across from him, her eyes narrowed on him. "Didn't I tell you iie, already?"
He smirked, shrugging, as he brought the coffee to his lips, and took a long swallow.
She reached over, and helped him set it down. "Don't play dumb with me Mr. Leonhart. Usagi is my friend, and she is in a great amount of pain, not just physically, but emotionally too. If you go other there, you'll only create a mess."
He pushed the cup away, and leaned forward. "I'm not going to attack her, with punches, or with words. I'm going over there to say I'm sorry. I don't usually hold sympathy for someone. I was quite rude to her, when all she wanted to do was talk."
He sideways glanced, to see if anyone was trying to over hear them talking. He looked back at her, "I'm here to help, correct?" He continued, when she reluctantly nodded, "so I might as well try and be nice while I'm here. So it wont matter, once this war, or whatever you want to call it is over, I'm leaving."
"Back to Rinoa?"
"Back to Rin...don't put words in my mouth."
Setsuna smiled, and drummed her fingers on the table. "I know your relationship with Rinoa, Squall." He sat back, "Not Mr. Leonhart anymore?"
Her eyes flashed, "I think we're passed that, don't you agree?" He nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. She sighed, containing her anger. "As I was saying. I know you're relationship with Rinoa. It reminds me of Usagi's and Mamoru's."
"The man that hasn't called or written her in over a month?" He pursed his lips together, his mind working overtime.
Setsuna slammed her hands on the tabletop, causing customers and worker to turn and look. She glanced at them, then back at Squall, before she leaned forward. She hissed, "Bachiatara let me talk."
He waved his hand, for her to continue. She leaned back, her shoulders squared back, her eye holding his gaze in a cold manner. "How would you feel, if a man, came up to your Rinoa. What would you think? That's what Mamoru is thinking, got it?"
Squall stared back at her, not even threatened by her gaze, "I trust Rinoa, got it. If she cares for me, then she does. I don't own her. And while I'm here, cut off from contact with her, I wouldn't believe, that she didn't..." he paused, finding strength, "if she never found someone else."
He couldn't believe it was so hard, and that it hurt so much. He took hold of his emotions with an iron fist, and shoved them back to deal with later. "While I'm away, which already feels like it will be a while, she has every right to find someone else. She isn't something I own."
Setsuna's lips twitched, wanting to form a smile. "But you own her heart. You might not know it, but she owns yours. That's how it is with soul mates. And that's how it is with Mamoru and Usagi. They belong together. And Mamoru feels that their bond is threatened, if you suddenly show up in Usagi's life."
Squall sighed, "then he doesn't trust their 'bond', as you call it." With that, he pulled out a couple of yen, and set them on the table. He pushed himself out of his seat, and left the arcade in a huff.
"You have no idea, how right you are Squall."
Setsuna sighed, rubbing her forehead. Motoki stood at her side, "Can I help you Setsuna?"
She looked up, "Coffee please, and make it strong." He nodded, and left her alone, after collecting the money.
Setsuna watched through the window, as Squall crossed the street, and she leaned back in her seat. Motoki set down her cup of coffee, and left to serve another customer. With a sigh, she lifted the cup to her lips, and took a sip, before setting it down.
"Everything is working out, just as planned."
?????
"Artigato for saving me last night."
"What are you talking about, Usag...Usako?"
Usagi looked up at him, drawing her eyebrows together, "Last night, when that youma attacked me. You saved my life, and killed the youma."
Mamoru frowned, "Oh yea, iie problem Usako." Usagi frowned, "It was you, right?" Mamoru looked down at her, before looking up; eyeing the pay phone they passed. "Sure, don't I always come in the nick of time to save your cute tush?"
Usagi looked down, thinking, 'But he doesn't use attacks. He only has a cane, and a rose, not a sword.'
"Where did you go after you left the shrine?" Mamoru frowned, "do I have to tell you everything I do?" She shook her head, "iie, I was just curious. Gomen Mamo chan. How much longer will you be staying here?"
"Only a few more days. Now lets stop talking about us, and get you home. I have a few phone calls I need to make."
Usagi held back the hurt in her voice, as she replied, "oh, all right."
?????
Squall knocked on the wooden white door, and waited patiently. A few minutes passed, before the door opened. "Hai?" Squall eyed the young woman in the doorway. She had long blue hair, and dark brown eyes. She wore a yellow dress, and a white apron.
"Is Usagi home?"
The young woman smiled, "iie, but she should be home real soon. Her fiancée took her out for a walk. Would you like to wait for her in the living room?"
He nodded, and walked in, following the lady to the living room. "Are you one of Usagi's friends from school?"
"I'm on her track team, and I'm in her PE class."
"Oh. Well just make yourself comfortable. Would you like anything to drink?"
He shook his head, "No I'm fine." She smiled, "Well I'm Usagi's okaasan, but you can call me Ikuko. My husband is still at work, and Shingo, our little boy, is up stairs with his friend Mika."
Squall smiled, and held out his hand, "Squall. I'm the exchange student, from America." The woman smiled, taking his hand, and shook it, "Oh I thought I recognized an accent in your voice. Oh wait did you say Squall? You wouldn't be the young man, my musume hit with a door, now would you?"
He slowly nodded, "yea that's me." She giggled, and took a seat across from him, "Oh how delightful. She never stops talking about you. Iie. Everyday she comes home, talks about what a smart young man you are, or how difficult you are to talk to. Usagi told me, she's been trying to get you together with her friend Minako. I guess the young girl has a crush."
He nodded, trying to hold down his smile. 'Usagi never stops talking, huh? Well I see where she gets it from.'
Ikuko leaned back in her seat, "so why is it that you want to see my musume? From what I hear, she thinks, that she annoys you."
Squall sighed, "That's why I'm here, to apologies to her. I've been nothing but rude to her." Ikuko nodded, "well I'll leave you to your thoughts. I must make dinner. Nice meeting you Squall." He watched her stand, and duck inside the kitchen.
Only a few minutes passed, before the front door opened. "Okaasan I'm home."
He looked up, and watched as Usagi slipped off her shoes. She looked upset. He stood, and Ikuko called from the kitchen, "Usagi chan, you have a visitor in the living room."
Usagi looked up, "Oh." He wiped his hands down his pants, and stepped around the couch, and made his way in front of her. "I came by, to say I was sorry." She blinked, "for...for what?"
Squall eyed the bruise on her jaw. She noticed him looking at it, and she turned her head away. "What happened?" Things started connecting together in his mind.
"I...I fell. You know how I am. But don't change the subject, why are you apologizing to me. You've done nothing..." "But being rude to you, since we met. That's why I'm saying sorry." He nodded, and started for the door, "so now I'll leave you alone."
Ikuko walked into the hallway, "Matte, why don't you join us for dinner?" Usagi opened her mouth to object, but Squall beat her to it, "I don't think that's a good idea. I just better be on my way, and out of yours."
Ikuko shook her head, "nonsense. Dinner is almost done. Come, sit at the table, Usagi, get changed; your otosan should be home soon. Squall if you will."
His grip tightened on the doorknob, but suddenly, it turned, and was jerked opened. Squall took a step back, as a tall man walked into the house. He was dressed in a brown suit, and tie. His brown hair cut short on his head, and his blue eyes stared at Squall in question.
"Ikuko honey, who is he?"
Ikuko smiled, "he's from Usagi's track team. He came over to say he was sorry for being rude to her when they met. And he's staying for dinner. Come dear, help me set the table, and we can get to know, another one of Usagi's friends.
Usagi watched, her mouth still open to object, as her parents dragged Squall into the kitchen. With a sigh, she headed for her room; it was going to be a long night.
?????
Squall glanced at Ikuko, who was passing Shingo, the thirteen-year-old boy, a bowl of egg rolls. He then glanced at Kenji, Usagi's father, who was assessing him.
Usagi was seated next to him, playing with her rice. "Usagi, what's wrong?" The blonde looked up at her otosan, "Gomen otosan. I'm just a little tired." Ikuko frowned at Usagi, but then looked at Squall. "Squall dear, tell us a little bit about yourself."
Squall looked up startled, to hear his name mentioned. "I..." Usagi sighed, "Okaasan, don't hound him. He doesn't have to say anything." She looked at him, "you don't have to tell us if you don't want to." Ikuko put her chopsticks down, "Usagi please. Squall, you don't mind, do you?" He looked at Usagi, then at Ikuko, and then at Kenji. "No, I don't mind." He set down his own fork, "As I said before, I'm from America."
Ikuko's eyes filled with stars, "Oh, I bet it's wonderful there." Squall nodded, "It is. Not as beautiful as it is here though, and less crowded. I stayed at Balamb Garden, where I met all my friends." He paused, chewing a fork full of rice, and swallowed.
Usagi took a mouth full, off of her plate, now interested in knowing a little more about him.
Squall continued, "There was Zell, hooked on hot dogs, and always took action without thinking. Quistis, my instructor. She's like the PE teacher here in Juuban, but she has some of a sense of humor." Ikuko giggled, while Kenji chuckled, "Hai, I remember that lady. She once was a drill sergeant."
Usagi smiled, while Shingo put his chopsticks down, and propped his chin up with his hands. "Go on." Squall leaned back in his chair thinking. "Then there was Selphie. She was energetic, naïve, but when it came down to business, she was all gung ho to fighting. Irvine, told me once, that she went crazy. He said she must have lost a screw, when her Garden had been destroyed. She wanted to blow up a base, that was ready to obliterate the Balamb Garden, her new home."
Ikuko gasped, "oh the poor girl. Is she alright now?" Squall nodded, "Yea. Irvine and her are together now. Irvine, is a ladies man, or he tries to tell himself that."
He sighed now, the hardest part coming up. "Then there was Rinoa." Ikuko crooned, "oh young love." He didn't smile. He looked at Usagi, watching her as he spoke. "She saved me from myself."
Usagi flushed, and she forced herself to look away. She started eating again, and made sure, she didn't look at him again.
Kenji pushed back his chair. "Well I'm full dear." Squall nodded, "Me too. I should be going now, unless, you want help with the dishes."
Ikuko shook her head, "Iie, I have these two to help me. Usagi, would you..." Usagi jumped up, pushing back her chair, "hai okaasan. I'll take you to the door Squall."
He followed her to the door, where he stepped out into the cold air. Kenji came up behind his musume, and smiled, holding the door. "Nice meeting you Squall. You should come by again, and try not to be a stranger."
Squall nodded, stuffing his hands in his pockets, "yea. Well night." With that, he turned, and jogged down the steps, following the walkway, then entered the street.
Usagi watched him go, and bit her bottom lip. "Usagi chan, help your okaasan with the dishes."
"Hai otosan."
She slowly shut the door, disappearing inside her house.