Chapter ten
Usagi walked into PE, nearly dragging her feet, as she moved across the gym. She sat down on the hard floor, with a groan. Slipping off her shoes, she rubbed them, trying to ease the pain.
"Something wrong Usagi?"
Usagi looked up to see her PE sensei. She sighed, and nodded. "Hai, Minako chan took me shopping yesterday after track and work at the arcade. We spent three hours at the mall, shopping for the dance, and my feet really hurt."
The sensei nodded, and looked up, as Minako bounced into the gym room, a grin on the blonde's face. "Alright Usagi, you can skip track, since you did win that competition, and the dance is tomorrow, but after the dance, I want double effort from you."
Usagi looked up at her sensei, "honto?" The sensei nodded, and clapped her hands together, "Class, sit around in front of me. I have a few things to tell you."
Usagi sighed, slipping her shoes back on, as the class collected around her, and sat down. She looked up, and watched as Squall walked into the gym room. Minako nudged her in the stomach, and sighed dreamily. Usagi flushed, when he caught her eye, and she looked away. He was going to laugh at her, at the dance.
She tried to focus on what the sensei was telling the class, but it didn't help with Minako tugging on her hair, and pointing in Squall's direction.
"Alright class, lets get to it."
The class jumped to their feet, and left Usagi sitting on the floor alone. She had no idea what the class was supposed to do. She flushed, when a pair of legs appeared in front of her. In fact, they were a pair of long well toned runner legs. Slowly, her eyes crawled up, and she found herself staring up as Squall.
He looked down at her, his blue eyes intense, his wild hair falling over his forehead, and into his lovely eyes. She flushed, when he held out a hand, "need help?" She didn't move, her body felt weak, and she feared if she tried to stand, she would only fall over.
Without hesitating, he bent down, grabbing her by the hand, and tugged her up onto her feet. "I don't know about you, but I don't want to fail this class." He gave her a sharp look, which soon softened, when they reached her eyes. "So you better just do as I tell you."
Usagi frowned, "Nani? What are you talking about? I don't have to do what you tell me."
Squall raised an eyebrow, and pointed to the bad mitten game, "you're my partner. And you will do as I say." Usagi flushed, and took the racket shoved at her. "Gomen nasasi, for being slow alright, you don't have to be so rude."
Squall shot her a look, "I wasn't being rude." Usagi went red in the face, "hai you were you baka! I know rude when I hear it. In fact, this is all your fault!"
Usagi ignored the fact, that she felt all the eyes of the class on her, but instead, she turned her embarrassment into anger, whish she directed at her new 'partner.'
Squall scowled, dropping the birdie, and pointed at himself, "My fault, what did I do?" Usagi gritted her teeth, and snapped out, "you gave me a choice you...you... usabaka!" Squall shook his head, confusion covering his face like a mask, "what are you talking about? And what the hell is a usa...what'd you call me?"
She narrowed her eyes, and jabbed him with her finger. She shouted accusingly, "I called you a dimwit, because you are one you baka! You could have said iie, but no... you had to give me a choice, which in fact isn't one at all. Since now I have to go to the dance. I had to spend three hours at the mall, looking for a dress, with Minako. And that was after track, and a good two hours on my feet at work, not to mention nine hours at school!"
Squall narrowed his eyes, "you could have said no!" Usagi shot back, "iie, I couldn't because she wont let me!" Usagi pointed at Minako, who only nodded. She let out an aggravated sigh, and shouted, "I need to walk!" With that, Usagi whipped around, and headed for the doors.
The sensei watched slightly amused. Squall frowned, and muttered under his breath, "dammit." He jogged after her, and out of the gym. The sensei sighed, and called out, "alright shows over, back to bad mitten!"
Usagi threw up her arms, and started to walk the track. She could hear someone behind her, and she looked over her shoulder. "Iie I'm done talking to you!"
Squall grabbed her by the shoulder, whipping her around to face him. He was flushed with anger. "None of this is my fault. If you just had a backbone, you would tell your friend in there, no."
She glared at him, and threw out a hand to punch him, which he caught with ease. She screamed angrily, before shouting, "You can't tell me what to do! Minako is my friend, and I owe her everything, and more! The least I can do is try and make her happy! She does everything for me; she sacrifices the most important thing, just for me!"
Squall grabbed the other fist she threw at him, "and what's that?" She replied hotly, "her life. She throws away her life, her freedom, and her dreams, to be there for me! I never wanted them to, but they do, and the least I can do, is try and help them out, even if I'd rather die, and try and hook her up with such a..."
He clamped a hand over her mouth, before she could curse him. "You have one insulting mouth you know that?" Her eyes flamed, and he couldn't help but smirk. He wiped away a piece of hair that fell into her smoldering eyes.
He felt her freeze, even though he wasn't that close to her, he could still feel her tense up, under his touch. She looked up at him, with startled eyes, and he could almost see Rinoa in her. They were so much alike inside, so helpful, willing to make everyone else happy, if it meant, giving up everything for them.
"You remind me so much of her." He frowned, when confusion appeared in her eyes, and he pulled away from her. "Her? Who are you talking about Squall?"
He looked down at his hand, where he had once worn a ring, the same ring he had given her so long ago. He clenched his fist, as emotions knotted themselves up inside.
"Do you mean that Rinoa girl?"
He blinked, bringing himself back into the present, and he turned, looking at her. She stood there, not even a few feet away. Her hair was pulled into the usual style, a pair of bun on her head, the pigtail shortened to work for PE. She was dressed in the uniform, a tank top, and a pair of shorts. Her blue eyes studied him. He barely remembered telling her and her family about his friends.
He slowly nodded, "yea, I met her a long time ago."
She nodded, "I see, and you care for her a lot."
'A lot more than I had hoped.'
She shook her head, and slowly, she sat down on the track, crossing her legs in front of her. Sighing, he took a seat next to her, and nodded. "Yea, she sort of grew on me."
Usagi smiled softly, but a tug at her heart, caused her to ach inside. "I bet you miss her a lot." She frowned at the fact, that she was upset, and that this Rinoa girl, made her jealous inside.
Squall sighed, fingering the necklace he wore. "Sort of. But being around you, it's like I'm with her again." Usagi winced at the idea of being used as a replacement. He suddenly chuckled, and Usagi snapped out of her thoughts. "Nani?"
He looked at her, and shook his head, "She never got mad like you did. When she was mad, she would pout, sure you do that, but you also get angry."
She shot him a hard look, and he just nodded since she proved his point. She frowned slightly, "I bet she's a great person."
Squall nodded, running a hand through his hair. "She's a princess." Usagi's eyes snapped up, "Nani?"
He looked at her, to see her eyes wide, with unreadable emotions. "A princess. Her father owns a city, and he's a prince I guess." Slowly she relaxed, "oh."
"What do you know about the Sailor Senshi?"
Usagi looked up at him suspiciously, "why do you want to know?" He shrugged, "curious I guess. I mean they have been protecting this city for some time, right? You would think that the people here would know a lot about them by now."
Usagi nodded, and climbed to her feet, "I don't know anything, so lets get to class." Squall looked at her, with a frown, 'Why is she so jumpy?'
Carefully, he climbed to his feet, and followed her back to the gym. "How many are there?"
"Nani?"
He frowned, "how many sailors?" She replied in a rush, "Ten..." she paused for a brief second, before she added, "I think." She started to pick up her pace to the gym. Squall stopped her, by grabbing her by the arm. "What's wrong Usagi?" Nervous, she tried to pry herself away from him, "nothing Squall...I'm just cold, can we go inside now?"
"Are you hiding something?"
Usagi shook her head, urgent to get away, "of course not!" He eyed her suspiciously. "The Sailor Senshi, are all young girls right?" He watched her pale. "Then they must go to this school, right?"
She tugged her arm free of his grip, and practically, threw herself back into the gym. Squall stared at the swinging doors in front of him. "Why can't I picture Sailor Moon in my mind?" He frowned, as he tried to remember what she looked like, but it was all a haze. Something was blocking him from remembering.
With a scowl, he slipped back inside the gym; he needed to find out, before it drove him mad.
?????
Usagi walked into the arcade, throwing her purse to the counter, and rushed to the other side. She grabbed the apron, and slipped it on, just as the doors jingled. She looked up, and stated automatically, "I'm working, can't chat with customers."
Squall smirked, when Motoki walk in from the kitchen, "and when did that ever stop you?" Usagi flushed, "well I'm turning over a new leaf!"
Squall took a seat in front of the counter, and turned to face Motoki. He held out his hand, "Squall Leonhart." Motoki grinned, and took the offered hand, "Furuhata Motoki."
Usagi shook her head, and muttered something under her breath, before disappearing into the kitchen.
Squall pulled out the newspaper, and slid it across the counter. "Do you know anything about the Sailor Senshi?" Motoki looked at the paper, and studied it closely. Squall continued, "I figured, since you owned the arcade, you might hear something. The Sailor Senshi look like they're kids."
Motoki frowned, "Wow, you're actually right. Look at Sailor Mars, she sort of looks familiar." He tapped the image of the dark haired senshi with his finger. Squall leaned over, and nodded. "Do you know if there are any pictures of Sailor Moon?"
Motoki shook his head, "Gomen buddy, but that is one Senshi, the press cant get. They try, but for some reason, they can never get a picture of her."
Squall looked over to the kitchen door, to see Usagi looking at Motoki with wide frightful eyes, and her jaw slack. He looked back at Motoki. Curious, he asked, "How long have you known Usagi?"
Startled, the blond haired man looked at him. He scratched the back of his head in thought, "Well since she was just a toddler. My otosan owned the arcade then, and she would come in, and play the games."
Squall nodded, and leaned onto the counter, "what about her friends? How long have you known them?"
Motoki frowned, thinking. He dropped the towel onto the counter, and leaned against it. "She met them two years ago I think, when she was fourteen. First there was Ami. Usagi chan brought her in here, to show her the games, since the poor girl always studied. Then there was Rei. I didn't see her much, till Usagi met Makoto." Squall glanced at Usagi, who looked like she was going to faint from hyperventilation.
"This might be a strange question, but did Usagi meet these girls, her friends, around the time the Sailor Senshi came out?"
Motoki tapped his chin, "hai, wow, I never thought of that. Why do you ask?" Squall stood, looked at Usagi as he spoke, "No reason really. But I'm curious about the Sailor Senshi. We know nothing about them, but they must live here, must go to school here, since they look like teenagers. One of them could slip up sooner or later."
Motoki nodded, "hai, I should pay more attention what the girls here say." Squall nodded, and started for the door, "now, we have to think, the Sailor Senshi, all know each other. They should stick out like a green leaf in fall, a group of teenage woman, a group of ten or so. Then you have to wonder where would the Sailor Senshi go to have meetings, or talk. It would have to be a secluded area, where they are sure no one would hear or see them."
He pointed at the newspaper, before waving to Motoki. "There are a lot of things we have yet to know out about them." Squall left through the sliding door, with those parting words.
Usagi stumbled out of the kitchen, and she stared at the door in horror. 'Oh kami he knows.'
?????
Usagi shifted from where she sat, and shook her communicator. "Setsuna! Come in Setsuna! Do you read?"
"Hai hime, is something wrong."
Usagi looked out, as someone banged on the door. She turned around, and walked into the stall, shutting the door. She looked down at the imaged of Setsuna on her communicator. "Setsuna we have a problem."
"What is it hime?"
Usagi glanced around, before answering, "Squall knows...I mean he's about to find out who I am!"
"Usagi..."
She shook her head, "Iie, Setsuna. I heard him. He's linking me to the Sailor Senshi. Its only time, before he knows! What do I do!?!"
"There is nothing you can do. Don't tell the others, they will only fuel him to work harder on finding out. Just try and make yourself less of a suspect."
Usagi nodded, "alright...I can do that."
"Good, now I have to go. I'll talk with you at the dance."
She nodded again, and watched the screen go blank. Usagi slumped against the toilet set. She stared at the door in front of her, exasperation on her face.
"I'm so screwed."
"Usagi open the door! I have customers that want to use the restroom!"
Reddened, she flew out of the stall, "hai Motoki san, gomen nasasi!"
Usagi walked into PE, nearly dragging her feet, as she moved across the gym. She sat down on the hard floor, with a groan. Slipping off her shoes, she rubbed them, trying to ease the pain.
"Something wrong Usagi?"
Usagi looked up to see her PE sensei. She sighed, and nodded. "Hai, Minako chan took me shopping yesterday after track and work at the arcade. We spent three hours at the mall, shopping for the dance, and my feet really hurt."
The sensei nodded, and looked up, as Minako bounced into the gym room, a grin on the blonde's face. "Alright Usagi, you can skip track, since you did win that competition, and the dance is tomorrow, but after the dance, I want double effort from you."
Usagi looked up at her sensei, "honto?" The sensei nodded, and clapped her hands together, "Class, sit around in front of me. I have a few things to tell you."
Usagi sighed, slipping her shoes back on, as the class collected around her, and sat down. She looked up, and watched as Squall walked into the gym room. Minako nudged her in the stomach, and sighed dreamily. Usagi flushed, when he caught her eye, and she looked away. He was going to laugh at her, at the dance.
She tried to focus on what the sensei was telling the class, but it didn't help with Minako tugging on her hair, and pointing in Squall's direction.
"Alright class, lets get to it."
The class jumped to their feet, and left Usagi sitting on the floor alone. She had no idea what the class was supposed to do. She flushed, when a pair of legs appeared in front of her. In fact, they were a pair of long well toned runner legs. Slowly, her eyes crawled up, and she found herself staring up as Squall.
He looked down at her, his blue eyes intense, his wild hair falling over his forehead, and into his lovely eyes. She flushed, when he held out a hand, "need help?" She didn't move, her body felt weak, and she feared if she tried to stand, she would only fall over.
Without hesitating, he bent down, grabbing her by the hand, and tugged her up onto her feet. "I don't know about you, but I don't want to fail this class." He gave her a sharp look, which soon softened, when they reached her eyes. "So you better just do as I tell you."
Usagi frowned, "Nani? What are you talking about? I don't have to do what you tell me."
Squall raised an eyebrow, and pointed to the bad mitten game, "you're my partner. And you will do as I say." Usagi flushed, and took the racket shoved at her. "Gomen nasasi, for being slow alright, you don't have to be so rude."
Squall shot her a look, "I wasn't being rude." Usagi went red in the face, "hai you were you baka! I know rude when I hear it. In fact, this is all your fault!"
Usagi ignored the fact, that she felt all the eyes of the class on her, but instead, she turned her embarrassment into anger, whish she directed at her new 'partner.'
Squall scowled, dropping the birdie, and pointed at himself, "My fault, what did I do?" Usagi gritted her teeth, and snapped out, "you gave me a choice you...you... usabaka!" Squall shook his head, confusion covering his face like a mask, "what are you talking about? And what the hell is a usa...what'd you call me?"
She narrowed her eyes, and jabbed him with her finger. She shouted accusingly, "I called you a dimwit, because you are one you baka! You could have said iie, but no... you had to give me a choice, which in fact isn't one at all. Since now I have to go to the dance. I had to spend three hours at the mall, looking for a dress, with Minako. And that was after track, and a good two hours on my feet at work, not to mention nine hours at school!"
Squall narrowed his eyes, "you could have said no!" Usagi shot back, "iie, I couldn't because she wont let me!" Usagi pointed at Minako, who only nodded. She let out an aggravated sigh, and shouted, "I need to walk!" With that, Usagi whipped around, and headed for the doors.
The sensei watched slightly amused. Squall frowned, and muttered under his breath, "dammit." He jogged after her, and out of the gym. The sensei sighed, and called out, "alright shows over, back to bad mitten!"
Usagi threw up her arms, and started to walk the track. She could hear someone behind her, and she looked over her shoulder. "Iie I'm done talking to you!"
Squall grabbed her by the shoulder, whipping her around to face him. He was flushed with anger. "None of this is my fault. If you just had a backbone, you would tell your friend in there, no."
She glared at him, and threw out a hand to punch him, which he caught with ease. She screamed angrily, before shouting, "You can't tell me what to do! Minako is my friend, and I owe her everything, and more! The least I can do is try and make her happy! She does everything for me; she sacrifices the most important thing, just for me!"
Squall grabbed the other fist she threw at him, "and what's that?" She replied hotly, "her life. She throws away her life, her freedom, and her dreams, to be there for me! I never wanted them to, but they do, and the least I can do, is try and help them out, even if I'd rather die, and try and hook her up with such a..."
He clamped a hand over her mouth, before she could curse him. "You have one insulting mouth you know that?" Her eyes flamed, and he couldn't help but smirk. He wiped away a piece of hair that fell into her smoldering eyes.
He felt her freeze, even though he wasn't that close to her, he could still feel her tense up, under his touch. She looked up at him, with startled eyes, and he could almost see Rinoa in her. They were so much alike inside, so helpful, willing to make everyone else happy, if it meant, giving up everything for them.
"You remind me so much of her." He frowned, when confusion appeared in her eyes, and he pulled away from her. "Her? Who are you talking about Squall?"
He looked down at his hand, where he had once worn a ring, the same ring he had given her so long ago. He clenched his fist, as emotions knotted themselves up inside.
"Do you mean that Rinoa girl?"
He blinked, bringing himself back into the present, and he turned, looking at her. She stood there, not even a few feet away. Her hair was pulled into the usual style, a pair of bun on her head, the pigtail shortened to work for PE. She was dressed in the uniform, a tank top, and a pair of shorts. Her blue eyes studied him. He barely remembered telling her and her family about his friends.
He slowly nodded, "yea, I met her a long time ago."
She nodded, "I see, and you care for her a lot."
'A lot more than I had hoped.'
She shook her head, and slowly, she sat down on the track, crossing her legs in front of her. Sighing, he took a seat next to her, and nodded. "Yea, she sort of grew on me."
Usagi smiled softly, but a tug at her heart, caused her to ach inside. "I bet you miss her a lot." She frowned at the fact, that she was upset, and that this Rinoa girl, made her jealous inside.
Squall sighed, fingering the necklace he wore. "Sort of. But being around you, it's like I'm with her again." Usagi winced at the idea of being used as a replacement. He suddenly chuckled, and Usagi snapped out of her thoughts. "Nani?"
He looked at her, and shook his head, "She never got mad like you did. When she was mad, she would pout, sure you do that, but you also get angry."
She shot him a hard look, and he just nodded since she proved his point. She frowned slightly, "I bet she's a great person."
Squall nodded, running a hand through his hair. "She's a princess." Usagi's eyes snapped up, "Nani?"
He looked at her, to see her eyes wide, with unreadable emotions. "A princess. Her father owns a city, and he's a prince I guess." Slowly she relaxed, "oh."
"What do you know about the Sailor Senshi?"
Usagi looked up at him suspiciously, "why do you want to know?" He shrugged, "curious I guess. I mean they have been protecting this city for some time, right? You would think that the people here would know a lot about them by now."
Usagi nodded, and climbed to her feet, "I don't know anything, so lets get to class." Squall looked at her, with a frown, 'Why is she so jumpy?'
Carefully, he climbed to his feet, and followed her back to the gym. "How many are there?"
"Nani?"
He frowned, "how many sailors?" She replied in a rush, "Ten..." she paused for a brief second, before she added, "I think." She started to pick up her pace to the gym. Squall stopped her, by grabbing her by the arm. "What's wrong Usagi?" Nervous, she tried to pry herself away from him, "nothing Squall...I'm just cold, can we go inside now?"
"Are you hiding something?"
Usagi shook her head, urgent to get away, "of course not!" He eyed her suspiciously. "The Sailor Senshi, are all young girls right?" He watched her pale. "Then they must go to this school, right?"
She tugged her arm free of his grip, and practically, threw herself back into the gym. Squall stared at the swinging doors in front of him. "Why can't I picture Sailor Moon in my mind?" He frowned, as he tried to remember what she looked like, but it was all a haze. Something was blocking him from remembering.
With a scowl, he slipped back inside the gym; he needed to find out, before it drove him mad.
?????
Usagi walked into the arcade, throwing her purse to the counter, and rushed to the other side. She grabbed the apron, and slipped it on, just as the doors jingled. She looked up, and stated automatically, "I'm working, can't chat with customers."
Squall smirked, when Motoki walk in from the kitchen, "and when did that ever stop you?" Usagi flushed, "well I'm turning over a new leaf!"
Squall took a seat in front of the counter, and turned to face Motoki. He held out his hand, "Squall Leonhart." Motoki grinned, and took the offered hand, "Furuhata Motoki."
Usagi shook her head, and muttered something under her breath, before disappearing into the kitchen.
Squall pulled out the newspaper, and slid it across the counter. "Do you know anything about the Sailor Senshi?" Motoki looked at the paper, and studied it closely. Squall continued, "I figured, since you owned the arcade, you might hear something. The Sailor Senshi look like they're kids."
Motoki frowned, "Wow, you're actually right. Look at Sailor Mars, she sort of looks familiar." He tapped the image of the dark haired senshi with his finger. Squall leaned over, and nodded. "Do you know if there are any pictures of Sailor Moon?"
Motoki shook his head, "Gomen buddy, but that is one Senshi, the press cant get. They try, but for some reason, they can never get a picture of her."
Squall looked over to the kitchen door, to see Usagi looking at Motoki with wide frightful eyes, and her jaw slack. He looked back at Motoki. Curious, he asked, "How long have you known Usagi?"
Startled, the blond haired man looked at him. He scratched the back of his head in thought, "Well since she was just a toddler. My otosan owned the arcade then, and she would come in, and play the games."
Squall nodded, and leaned onto the counter, "what about her friends? How long have you known them?"
Motoki frowned, thinking. He dropped the towel onto the counter, and leaned against it. "She met them two years ago I think, when she was fourteen. First there was Ami. Usagi chan brought her in here, to show her the games, since the poor girl always studied. Then there was Rei. I didn't see her much, till Usagi met Makoto." Squall glanced at Usagi, who looked like she was going to faint from hyperventilation.
"This might be a strange question, but did Usagi meet these girls, her friends, around the time the Sailor Senshi came out?"
Motoki tapped his chin, "hai, wow, I never thought of that. Why do you ask?" Squall stood, looked at Usagi as he spoke, "No reason really. But I'm curious about the Sailor Senshi. We know nothing about them, but they must live here, must go to school here, since they look like teenagers. One of them could slip up sooner or later."
Motoki nodded, "hai, I should pay more attention what the girls here say." Squall nodded, and started for the door, "now, we have to think, the Sailor Senshi, all know each other. They should stick out like a green leaf in fall, a group of teenage woman, a group of ten or so. Then you have to wonder where would the Sailor Senshi go to have meetings, or talk. It would have to be a secluded area, where they are sure no one would hear or see them."
He pointed at the newspaper, before waving to Motoki. "There are a lot of things we have yet to know out about them." Squall left through the sliding door, with those parting words.
Usagi stumbled out of the kitchen, and she stared at the door in horror. 'Oh kami he knows.'
?????
Usagi shifted from where she sat, and shook her communicator. "Setsuna! Come in Setsuna! Do you read?"
"Hai hime, is something wrong."
Usagi looked out, as someone banged on the door. She turned around, and walked into the stall, shutting the door. She looked down at the imaged of Setsuna on her communicator. "Setsuna we have a problem."
"What is it hime?"
Usagi glanced around, before answering, "Squall knows...I mean he's about to find out who I am!"
"Usagi..."
She shook her head, "Iie, Setsuna. I heard him. He's linking me to the Sailor Senshi. Its only time, before he knows! What do I do!?!"
"There is nothing you can do. Don't tell the others, they will only fuel him to work harder on finding out. Just try and make yourself less of a suspect."
Usagi nodded, "alright...I can do that."
"Good, now I have to go. I'll talk with you at the dance."
She nodded again, and watched the screen go blank. Usagi slumped against the toilet set. She stared at the door in front of her, exasperation on her face.
"I'm so screwed."
"Usagi open the door! I have customers that want to use the restroom!"
Reddened, she flew out of the stall, "hai Motoki san, gomen nasasi!"