~ New Things ~
Chapter 13
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~ * ~ Two Days Later, Upstairs ~ * ~
It was once again Heero's watch, Quatre's had just ended after four hours... of nothing happening... Heero took over, it was six pm, he had eaten before coming up, and brought a thing of ice tea up with him, for he had the all night watch.
Quatre had been getting more worried by the day, she had been out for almost four days now, tomorrow making the fourth day she would be out. He wanted to get the doctors to look at her again, but knew there was no use. Yes her wounds were healing, you could barely make out where the cuts and scratches had been and her ribs... well they were three broken... so one could only hope with this 'down time' as Makoto had put it, she would heal fine. No movement helped in healing.
Ten pm rolled around with nothing happening; every now and then she'd roll over or toss and turn in her sleep, but that was it. Heero's head was starting to dip and sway every now and then as he nodded off into sleep, then snapping back awake, checking the Tenshi, then a few minutes, sometimes half an hour later, he'd nod off again. He had been up the whole night before and all day, being stubborn and not listening to anyone about getting some sleep. For some reason he couldn't place why he hadn't slept well, knowing that she wasn't waking up already, and not knowing why was bugging him more then he'd admit or ever let show. It seemed that Wufei was the same way, though he always went around commenting on the 'weak onna' and her needing to wake up so they could get some answers.
In that Heero and everyone else agreed with him on, for Makoto wouldn't tell them anything about her or where they came from 'til she awoken for a reason she wouldn't say. And Reicheru, well she talked to them and everything, but hell, she was totally confused as to how they got there and what happened and who Makoto was, she had one clue, one name and that was 'Super Sailor Jupiter', as the others had yelled to her before the bright flash of light and falling... *hard* to the ground somewhere else. So all eyes were on the Tenshi... waiting for when she'd awaken, and with any luck it would be soon.
"Uugghhhhh...... that... hurts..." came a faint almost whisper of a voice from the bed, which had effectively enough, jolted Heero awake again. He silently cursed himself for going to sleep like that, he was the Perfect Soldier after all, he shouldn't be falling asleep like that! He mentally slapped himself, and then turned to watch the Tenshi toss and turn, groaning in pain. 'It'll hurt a lot more when you're awake Tenshi.' He thought again mentally hitting himself.
'Hey you can hit yourself all you like but I agree with you there.' The voice shot back, which he ignored.
Usagi turned over on her back, sometimes moaning from the pain in her ribs and head. Two main points that hurt like hell in her option. She brought her hand up to her head and held it there, her head was throbbing like someone was taking a hammer to it or punching it or holding a metal bucket over it and hitting the bucket with a bat. 'How long have I been out?' she wondered slowly opening her eyes and stared at the ceiling, her vision blurry from sleep and more then likely the pounding in her head.
Slowly she turned her head to the left, looking around she could tell there were windows on that side, turning to her right, her breath caught in her throat at the sight that beheld her. She stared into the deepest blue she'd ever seen, though a cold Prussian blue that stared at her unemotionally, with a face just as uncaring. She tried to get her voice to work but her mouth felt as dry as cotton on a hot day in July and just as itchy.
Heero watched as her eyes fluttered open staring at the ceiling while her right hand held her head, looking around the room then to him. He watched as she took a sharp intake of breath, and his logical side was thinking it as from pain, nothing more. But she had the brightest shade of blue eyes that were a shade or two lighter then Duo's Indigo ones.
Shaking his head from the stupid thoughts that had no right to be in his mind in the first place. "Daijabou ka?" he asked watching as she blinked. There was a silence between them that was starting to get on his nerves, he was never one to talk, but when he did and asked a question it was going to get answered, he didn't like waiting for answers. He was starting to think maybe she didn't understand Japanese, like that braided baka Duo.
Usagi tried to talk to him, to answer but only succeeded in coughing. Licking her lips she tried again. "H-hai..." she croaked out.
Heero watched and knew her mouth must have been exceptionally dry, so he poured her some of the tea he had brought in and handed it to her. "Here. Drink some of this" he said in his cold voice.
She gladly took the glass and gulped down a few swallows letting it soak her throat, the cottony feeling being washed away with the cool liquid making her feel almost normal again. Throat eased she was able to talk, she looked up to the unruly dark brown haired young man sitting before her, wearing a green tank top, black spandex shorts and she was sure sneakers. How she knew? She didn't know, just felt it.
"A-arigatou gozaimasu." She handed him back the glass about to ask a question when he beat her to it.
"Who are you Tenshi?"
Her checks turned a light shade of pink at being called Tenshi. "Tsukino Usagi." She watched him, wondering what he was thinking since she couldn't see straight, the sleepiness was slow to leave her, and his eyes... his eyes gave nothing away... just coldness... "W-who are you?"
He debated on telling her but seeing as how the others knew and he... he didn't know... with a mental sigh, he told her. "Yuy Heero."
"It's a pleasure to meetcha Heero-san, though would have been better under different circumstances." She gave a weak chuckle. "If... you don't mind me asking, Heero-san... Where am I?"
Heero looked at her, silently wondering what her reaction would be, if it would be anything like that Makoto girl's was. Looking into her eyes he saw nothing but wonder, tiredness and... thanks? He thought that's that he saw. Mentally smacking himself he cleared the thoughts away.
"Colony L3." Now he saw confusion.
"C-colony L3?" she tilted her head to the side peering at him. "Where's that?"
He almost... almost sighed. It was the same. "In space."
She looked at him her eyes about the size of saucers as she started breathing more and started coughing. "I-in... s-space? How is that? I-iie one lives in space..." she hung her head thinking. Looking back up she thought she saw concern flash through his eyes, she blinked and looked again... nothing. Shrugging it off, her face regaining some composure.
"Heero-san... what year is this? I-I know it's a weird question, but please, just humor me." She said seriously.
'Humor her?' he thought, arching an eyebrow before he caught himself and slipped his mask back on. He'd never humored anyone in his life, and didn't plan on starting now. But a question she asked, and a answer she'd get. "AC 195."
"AC195? What's AC stand for?"
"After Colony."
"Oh." She was totally lost... She lay on her back a few more minutes before trying to sit up, only to find she couldn't. Letting out a small yelp looking back she noticed her wings. "Wha...?" murmured staring, at the wings that shouldn't have been there after de-transforming. She shook her head trying to sit up once again, spreading her wings as not to sit on them, only to yelp out again and start to fall back to the bed when strong hands caught her, sitting her upright.
"Daijoubo desu ka?" Heero asked as he steadied her, helping her to sit up after her failed second attempt.
She nodded, "Hai, daijobu, arigatou gozaimasu." She looked at her wing and winced. 'Kami-sama that hurts...' she looked to the ground lost in thought. 'Well AC195... never heard about it in history class... not that I really paid attention then anyways... But I know we're not in Kansas anymore Luna...' she chuckled lightly looking back up. "Ummm... another strange question if you don't mind Heero-san." She asked meekly.
'She's full of strange questions... but kawaii...' he thought then caught himself. 'UGH! I don't need to be thinking this! Grrrr.... What's wrong with me, I don't care... I don't care about this girl!' he fumed.
'Hai you do.' The voice answered back. 'Go away.' Feeling of ones head shaking 'No way, I'm missing out on this, please do, answer her...' replied the voice, Heero mentally growled. "What's your question Usagi-san?"
Usagi blinked. "Please just Usagi, or Usagi-chan." She thought a moment looking into his eyes, 'Eyes I could drown in.' she shook her head still looking at him. "Umm... you by chance... know of a year called 2003AD?"
He looked at her weirdly before leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest and gave a slight nod. "Hn."
"Okay... and umm... how long ago was that?"
'She sure is the talkative one isn't she?' the little voice asked. Heero ignored it. "2000 years ago."
Eyes bugging out, she leaned over towards him a little more "T-two-thousand... y-years? WOOO!" she asked still leaning over and damn near fell out of the bed when Heero, once again, caught her.
"Chui-bukai (1) Tenshi. You should lie back down, it's late" he glanced at the clock, "Two in the morning, no one else is up. Tomorrow we'll get some questions answered." He said, his monotone brokering no arguing.
Nodding leaning back on her pillows sensing she wouldn't get a word in edge wise now. He pulled the covers up over her once again. She started to sit up and he gently pushed her back down, "Iie, stay."
She almost grinned, this much talking didn't seem to fit him, it was almost funny... but she had other things on her mind right now. "Iie, Heero... What about my friends? Reicheru-chan and Mako-chan? Are they alright? Dozo (2) tell me their fine!" her eyes pleaded with him.
He nodded, "Hn." With that he turned out the lights, the only one lighting the room was from the crack in the bathroom, it flooded the bedroom with enough light to see where things were. He settled back in his chair leaning his head against the back of it.
'He's staying with me, even though I'm up and okay?' she moved her wing a little and lightly poked her ribs, 'Well, mainly okay anyways... but that chair looks so uncomfy... and it's kinda cool in here...' she thought tugging at something under the sheets, you could see something moving at the foot of the bed, then up it.
Heero saw this and raised an eyebrow. 'What is she doing now?'
Catching his watchful eye, from the corner of her eye she winked at him. "One sec." She kept tugging. 'Shimatta this is a big one.' Finally it gave way and she gave a quiet. "Yatta!" pulling her arms from under the comforter showing she had untucked the thin sheet, grabbing a pillow from her left she chunked the pillow at him, which he caught with no problem, barely moving. Then came the flying sheet, which spread out while in flight and wound up covering his face and most of his body.
He let out a low growl from deep in his throat that could almost not be heard.
Usagi chuckled lightly her face becoming a light shade of pink once again and gave him a meek "Gomen nasai Heero."
"Hn." Which was his 'it's okay' and his 'thanks for the sheet and pillow' even though he didn't really need them, he was used to sleeping without such things when on missions. He put the pillow behind his head and covered up with the blanket.
She yawned, "Oyasumi nasai Heero-kun..." before slipping off into sleeps waiting embrace.
Heero looked at her a moment more before closing his own eyes. "Oyasumi nasai Tenshi..." he whispered, before also succumbing to sleeps embrace.
* ~ * ~ Morning Next Day ~ * ~ *
The soft filtering rays of the sun awaked Reicheru from her slumber. Looking down she noticed that she was covered by the heavy comforter. Blinking those hazel eyes a bit, they seemed out of focus from sleep. Slowly sitting up in her bed with a yawn on her lips, but once she noticed the desk in the corner the yawn stopped. Her eyes nearly bugged out at the sight. "What in the world." Slowly slipping her bare feet to the plush carpet below. It felt incredibly soft but she wasn't paying attention. Inch by inch she crept closer. There was a major supply of art equipment here. Most that she normally couldn't afford at home. "Wow... I know I asked him for pads and pencils... but not this..." truly she was amazed at his thoughtfulness...
Slipping easily into the swiveled chair in front of the desk, slowly taking out one piece of paper. Her fingers pick up one of the pencils as she placed in to the paper. Soon forms and shapes began to appear on her paper. She was working so deftly and hard on it she didn't notice the time lapses or if someone was present.
Humming a song that he heard previous of napping, Duo began to walk towards Reicheru's room. He wanted to check up on her before breakfast. Quietly he turned the knob, so he wouldn't awake her if she was asleep, but he found her sitting at the desk he purchased for her. She had five or six papers at her side that must of slipped off the desk. She seemed intent to what she was doing so Duo tip toed over, snatching up one of the drawings... what he seen made him gulp. Cobalt eyes stared up at him... IT'S ME AND Scythe he thought... she drew it perfectly... he picked up another this was a fighting scene... with the Tenshi and some other girls... one looked like that brown headed one up stairs...
"Wow babe, YOU DID THESE??" Duo asked in disbelief.
The sound of his voice broke her concentration as she jumped throwing the pencil high. Luckily she was finished adding the last touches on this drawing of her pushing a Tenshi out of a harms way. Blinking her eyes at Duo... she was not focused right now... so entranced by these drawings. "Yeah... I did them." He kept looking down at the papers he had... moving to pick up the others... so richly detailed it was amazing.
"Um let's grab some grub Reicheru."
Reicheru nodded, suddenly feeling the affects of her hunger deep in her belly. "Aye, I'm starved" She slowly gets up to her feet moving towards the door.
Without thinking Duo shoved the forgotten works of the woman into his shirt. He needed to show the guys these pictures. "Are you coming Duo?"
"Yes... I'm coming" He ran towards her to help her down to the kitchen she was still new to the place after all.
It was now around 7:30am, everyone was waking up, Duo was already in Reicheru's room talking to her. Wufei was in the practice room meditating on the black and gold Dragon design rug that was set off in the side room. Trowa was checking on Makoto, and they headed downstairs to get the coffee going early. Quatre was in his room dressing, after which he headed down to see what he could cook for brake fest.
Quatre reached the kitchen taking the offered cup of tea from Makoto, thanking her. She had taken a liking to the one called Trowa almost right away and had gotten to a little about what he and the others liked. Trowa liked coffee in the morning as she and Heero did, Quatre and Wufei liked a cup of hot green tea and Duo... well Duo would take anything in the morning... and Reicheru-chan or Rei-chan as some had come to call her drank pop in the morning.
Quatre set the tea down after a few sips and started to rummage around in the fridge for something to cook. He came out with eggs, bacon, grits, rolls and sausage, silently hoping he had enough to hold everyone over, mostly the black abyss known as Duo's stomach. He opened three cans of rolls and stuck them into the oven, they took the longest so they were the first to get cooked. Next he started on the bacon and sausage, putting each in their own pan. He got them done and set to the side. He turned and looked at the others. "Well, just have to wait on the rolls to get done then I'll do the eggs for y'all."
The others nodded and voiced their thanks. As soon as Duo and Reicheru entered the room, Reicheru took a seat as Duo went to the fridge and grabbed a Dr. Pepper for Reicheru and poured himself a glass of orange juice... a large glass. Wufei came in next and was bombarded with "Ohyao!" and "Mornin' Wu-man!" he greeted the others the same way and Duo's greeting was a threat with his Katana and a certain braid.
Quatre sighed. 'They'll never change.' He thought looking at them all. Duo was sitting next to Reicheru, on her right, across the table and a chair down was Wufei then Makoto and Trowa who was standing behind and on her right leaning against the wall sipping her tea. Most were making small talk 'til the food was ready.
He took this time to make his leave. After all the rolls had about ten minutes to them and he wanted to see how Heero and the Tenshi were doing. "Be right back guys. I'm gonna go check on Heero and Tenshi. Trowa, onegai keep an eye on the rolls?"
Trowa nodded. "Sure Quatre." Quatre gave a quick nod before leaving the room hearing calls behind him.
"Have fun bud!"
"See you in a bit then."
"Ja ne!"
"........" Wufei didn't care.
~ * ~ Up Stairs ~ * ~
He got upstairs and softly knocked on the door, knowing if Heero was awake then he'd hear him. But no answer came. He knocked again and waited. Still no answer, so he went in and stopped in the doorway.
Heero was slightly slouched in his chair, arms folded over his chest a bed sheet covering him with a pillow resting behind his head. He immediately knew that the Tenshi must have woken up sometime during the night and they talked, because Heero wouldn't take a sheet and pillow for himself. Quatre chuckled softly, especially when that was a sheet from under the comforter.
Walking across the room gently laying a hand on Heero's shoulder shaking him slightly. "Heero... Heero... wake up Heero..." he spoke softly, not wanting to wake up Tenshi. He shook again for a minute before Heero slowly started to open his eyes and first thing he did was look over and check Tenshi, make sure she was still sleeping before turning his awake eye's on Quatre.
"Hn." He nodded to him, taking the pillow from behind his head and moving his head from side to side, hearing it make a cracking noise twice.
"Morning Heero, sleep well?"
"Hn."
"Did Tenshi awaken? And give you those?" his voice held curiosity.
Heero nodded again. "Hai, around 12am or so, went back to bed at 2am."
Quatre nodded in thought, wondering what they talked so long for. "You talked then? Is she alright and everything?"
"Hn." He thought a minute letting the rest of sleep leave him, he wasn't a morning person... At all. "She asked the same questions as her friend, Makoto, and one other, 'How long ago was 2003AD?'"
"And you told her?"
Heero glared slightly at Quatre, "I told her the truth, 2000 years ago, she made a gagging sound, her eyes got big and she shimatta near fell off the bed before I... caught her."
"Ohhh..." Quatre looked at Tenshi for a minute before back to Heero. "I'm making brake fest now, so I have to head back down. Will you wake her and see if she'd like anything? I could bring it up if so."
"Hn." At that answer Quatre nodded turned and softly closing the door behind him left for the kitchen.
Heero looked at the Tenshi for a minute before quickly walking to his room, shower and changed before going back to her room and trying to wake her.
"Usagi... Usagi..." he shook her shoulders a little, "Usagi..." 'Time for a different tactic. "Tenshi... Tenshi..." that didn't work... 'She's as hard to wake as Duo is!' then a thought hit him... making him smirk slightly. "Tenshi... brake fest's ready."
That got her. Eyes slowly opened, cloudy blue with sleep looked around then at him, some of the sleep wearing off. "Where? Where's... the food? I'm starving!" she finally woke up enough that her voice held some pep to it.
The corner of his mouth started to pull upward into a grin, but he stomped it before it could. "Down stairs. Do you want to go? Or eat up here?" he asked in his usual monotone.
"Ummm... Mako-chan... Reicheru-chan... are downstairs?" she questioned sitting up with his help, looking at him.
"Hn."
She cheered right up at that. "Okay then! Downstairs we go!" she looked down at her torn and tattered cloths. "Umm, Heero... can you help me to the rest room and give me about five minutes please? I... wanna wash up some first... I'm a wreck!"
He nodded and gently, but firmly held her around the waist with his right arm, her left arm going around his broad shoulder for more support. He led her to the rest room, and left her, closing the door going back to sit on the chair again.
Five minutes later she came out totally cleaned and changed. Leaving him to wonder where she'd gotten the change of cloths from considering she hadn't taken any in there with her. Both freshly showered, changed and having damp hair, left for the kitchen.
~ * ~ Down Stairs ~ * ~
Quatre got back down and was bombarded with questions from Makoto and Reicheru. Mainly wanting to know how she was. He answered them, telling she was fine and they'll be down in a little bit, and got back to cooking the eggs as the rolls had finished five minutes ago, taken out by Trowa who Quatre thanked again.
True to his word, ten minutes later a wide awake and slightly wet haired Heero supporting the Tenshi came into the kitchen, Tenshi had changed into wearing a red and white checkered off the shoulder short sleeve shirt that showed a bit of her tummy and reddish-orange knee length shorts with a yellow belt and white buckle, sneakers and white socks on.
Makoto nearly flew outta her chair yelling, "USAGI-HIME!! YOU'RE OKAY!!!!" She ran over to her first friend and Princess, hugged her lightly before stepping back beaming at her and then to Heero. "Arigatou gozaimasu, for looking after her Heero." She bowed, he just nodded back to her.
Usagi smiled brightly back at her. "Mako-chan! You're okay too! And Reicheru-chan! You're both all right! Arigatou Serenity you're both all right. I was so worried, remembering how beaten and torn up you both looked!" she looked from one to the other then to everyone else.
She looked at them all-smiling, turning her head to look at Heero expectantly she whispered. "Heero-kun... who are they?"
He lifted a eyebrow then pointed to each. "Quatre Rabarba Winner, *AKA* the Innocence." Quatre nodded, "Good morning Miss. Tens- er Usagi."
He pointed to the sitting brown haired boy next to Reicheru, "Duo Maxwell, *AKA* Braided Baka." That earned a soft laughter and raised eyebrow from Usagi. "HHEEEEEEYYYYY! Heero my bud! I'm not a baka! I'm SHINIGAMI!! Hello darlin'! Nice to meetcha!" Usagi nodded back.
Next was the black haired boy. "Chang Wufei, *AKA* The Dragon." Usagi nodded to him, but he only mumbled out a "Weak Onna." Staring at her. "Oh I'll show you weak you numnutted gumai baka!" she gave him a death glare that could *almost* ...with help from Heero, match his own.
There was a "Oohhhhhhhh, you go girl!" from Makoto who threw her fist in the air laughing. Duo laughed, Reicheru snickered, Trowa raised an eyebrow and Quatre smiled thinking, 'More fun! I'm getting too old for this 'Keeping the Peace' between us.' Heero also raised an eyebrow at her but continued with the last introduction.
Next was the young man leaning against the wall with the extra long bangs. "Trowa Barton, *AKA* The Silence." Trowa nodded towards her. "Hello Tenshi."
"And you already know mister smarty pants over there! That's Heero Yuy, *AKA* The Perfect Soldier." Duo piped up smirking at the glare he received from Heero.
Heero helped her to a seat at the head of the table by Reicheru, he took the seat to her left, as Trowa took the seat next to Makoto, while Quatre kept cooking the eggs.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. Reicheru-chan, Mako-chan, it's great to see you both up and doing well. I see you've made friends with everyone." They nodded back and one glare from Reicheru towards a still fuming Wufei. Usagi chuckled. 'Defiantly gonna have fun with that one.' Her mischievous mind already at work.
Reicheru looked at Usagi catching that mischievous glint to her friend's eyes as they fastened on the grumbling Wufei. She knew what was working in the girl's mind and agreed. Actually that caught Duo's attention as well. It looked like he had two accomplices to help him further torment the Dragon. Oh yes he was going to like this alright.
Reicheru turned her gaze from her friend to catch Duo staring at the two of them. Giving him an innocent grin but he took hold of her hand to give it a squeeze saying "I saw it... but don't worry". Reicheru smiled up at Duo... already horrid things that they'd do to that rude boy playing in their devious little minds.
Break fest went as usual without all the chattering, they talked but it was a little les then usual with all three girls up and around. The guys were wondering 'What now?' and 'Time for answers'.
After they were all done eating Duo pulled Quatre, Trowa, Heero and a grumbling Wufei into the living room to talk to them. Once all were in there, leaving the other three to clean the kitchen, well, Makoto and Reicheru anyways, Usagi was still a little too weak to stand on her own, but she did offer to clean what she could reach off the table with a sheepish smile on her face.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
1. Chui-bukai = Careful (watchful)
2. Dozo = Please
~ * ~
Chapter 13
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ * ~ Two Days Later, Upstairs ~ * ~
It was once again Heero's watch, Quatre's had just ended after four hours... of nothing happening... Heero took over, it was six pm, he had eaten before coming up, and brought a thing of ice tea up with him, for he had the all night watch.
Quatre had been getting more worried by the day, she had been out for almost four days now, tomorrow making the fourth day she would be out. He wanted to get the doctors to look at her again, but knew there was no use. Yes her wounds were healing, you could barely make out where the cuts and scratches had been and her ribs... well they were three broken... so one could only hope with this 'down time' as Makoto had put it, she would heal fine. No movement helped in healing.
Ten pm rolled around with nothing happening; every now and then she'd roll over or toss and turn in her sleep, but that was it. Heero's head was starting to dip and sway every now and then as he nodded off into sleep, then snapping back awake, checking the Tenshi, then a few minutes, sometimes half an hour later, he'd nod off again. He had been up the whole night before and all day, being stubborn and not listening to anyone about getting some sleep. For some reason he couldn't place why he hadn't slept well, knowing that she wasn't waking up already, and not knowing why was bugging him more then he'd admit or ever let show. It seemed that Wufei was the same way, though he always went around commenting on the 'weak onna' and her needing to wake up so they could get some answers.
In that Heero and everyone else agreed with him on, for Makoto wouldn't tell them anything about her or where they came from 'til she awoken for a reason she wouldn't say. And Reicheru, well she talked to them and everything, but hell, she was totally confused as to how they got there and what happened and who Makoto was, she had one clue, one name and that was 'Super Sailor Jupiter', as the others had yelled to her before the bright flash of light and falling... *hard* to the ground somewhere else. So all eyes were on the Tenshi... waiting for when she'd awaken, and with any luck it would be soon.
"Uugghhhhh...... that... hurts..." came a faint almost whisper of a voice from the bed, which had effectively enough, jolted Heero awake again. He silently cursed himself for going to sleep like that, he was the Perfect Soldier after all, he shouldn't be falling asleep like that! He mentally slapped himself, and then turned to watch the Tenshi toss and turn, groaning in pain. 'It'll hurt a lot more when you're awake Tenshi.' He thought again mentally hitting himself.
'Hey you can hit yourself all you like but I agree with you there.' The voice shot back, which he ignored.
Usagi turned over on her back, sometimes moaning from the pain in her ribs and head. Two main points that hurt like hell in her option. She brought her hand up to her head and held it there, her head was throbbing like someone was taking a hammer to it or punching it or holding a metal bucket over it and hitting the bucket with a bat. 'How long have I been out?' she wondered slowly opening her eyes and stared at the ceiling, her vision blurry from sleep and more then likely the pounding in her head.
Slowly she turned her head to the left, looking around she could tell there were windows on that side, turning to her right, her breath caught in her throat at the sight that beheld her. She stared into the deepest blue she'd ever seen, though a cold Prussian blue that stared at her unemotionally, with a face just as uncaring. She tried to get her voice to work but her mouth felt as dry as cotton on a hot day in July and just as itchy.
Heero watched as her eyes fluttered open staring at the ceiling while her right hand held her head, looking around the room then to him. He watched as she took a sharp intake of breath, and his logical side was thinking it as from pain, nothing more. But she had the brightest shade of blue eyes that were a shade or two lighter then Duo's Indigo ones.
Shaking his head from the stupid thoughts that had no right to be in his mind in the first place. "Daijabou ka?" he asked watching as she blinked. There was a silence between them that was starting to get on his nerves, he was never one to talk, but when he did and asked a question it was going to get answered, he didn't like waiting for answers. He was starting to think maybe she didn't understand Japanese, like that braided baka Duo.
Usagi tried to talk to him, to answer but only succeeded in coughing. Licking her lips she tried again. "H-hai..." she croaked out.
Heero watched and knew her mouth must have been exceptionally dry, so he poured her some of the tea he had brought in and handed it to her. "Here. Drink some of this" he said in his cold voice.
She gladly took the glass and gulped down a few swallows letting it soak her throat, the cottony feeling being washed away with the cool liquid making her feel almost normal again. Throat eased she was able to talk, she looked up to the unruly dark brown haired young man sitting before her, wearing a green tank top, black spandex shorts and she was sure sneakers. How she knew? She didn't know, just felt it.
"A-arigatou gozaimasu." She handed him back the glass about to ask a question when he beat her to it.
"Who are you Tenshi?"
Her checks turned a light shade of pink at being called Tenshi. "Tsukino Usagi." She watched him, wondering what he was thinking since she couldn't see straight, the sleepiness was slow to leave her, and his eyes... his eyes gave nothing away... just coldness... "W-who are you?"
He debated on telling her but seeing as how the others knew and he... he didn't know... with a mental sigh, he told her. "Yuy Heero."
"It's a pleasure to meetcha Heero-san, though would have been better under different circumstances." She gave a weak chuckle. "If... you don't mind me asking, Heero-san... Where am I?"
Heero looked at her, silently wondering what her reaction would be, if it would be anything like that Makoto girl's was. Looking into her eyes he saw nothing but wonder, tiredness and... thanks? He thought that's that he saw. Mentally smacking himself he cleared the thoughts away.
"Colony L3." Now he saw confusion.
"C-colony L3?" she tilted her head to the side peering at him. "Where's that?"
He almost... almost sighed. It was the same. "In space."
She looked at him her eyes about the size of saucers as she started breathing more and started coughing. "I-in... s-space? How is that? I-iie one lives in space..." she hung her head thinking. Looking back up she thought she saw concern flash through his eyes, she blinked and looked again... nothing. Shrugging it off, her face regaining some composure.
"Heero-san... what year is this? I-I know it's a weird question, but please, just humor me." She said seriously.
'Humor her?' he thought, arching an eyebrow before he caught himself and slipped his mask back on. He'd never humored anyone in his life, and didn't plan on starting now. But a question she asked, and a answer she'd get. "AC 195."
"AC195? What's AC stand for?"
"After Colony."
"Oh." She was totally lost... She lay on her back a few more minutes before trying to sit up, only to find she couldn't. Letting out a small yelp looking back she noticed her wings. "Wha...?" murmured staring, at the wings that shouldn't have been there after de-transforming. She shook her head trying to sit up once again, spreading her wings as not to sit on them, only to yelp out again and start to fall back to the bed when strong hands caught her, sitting her upright.
"Daijoubo desu ka?" Heero asked as he steadied her, helping her to sit up after her failed second attempt.
She nodded, "Hai, daijobu, arigatou gozaimasu." She looked at her wing and winced. 'Kami-sama that hurts...' she looked to the ground lost in thought. 'Well AC195... never heard about it in history class... not that I really paid attention then anyways... But I know we're not in Kansas anymore Luna...' she chuckled lightly looking back up. "Ummm... another strange question if you don't mind Heero-san." She asked meekly.
'She's full of strange questions... but kawaii...' he thought then caught himself. 'UGH! I don't need to be thinking this! Grrrr.... What's wrong with me, I don't care... I don't care about this girl!' he fumed.
'Hai you do.' The voice answered back. 'Go away.' Feeling of ones head shaking 'No way, I'm missing out on this, please do, answer her...' replied the voice, Heero mentally growled. "What's your question Usagi-san?"
Usagi blinked. "Please just Usagi, or Usagi-chan." She thought a moment looking into his eyes, 'Eyes I could drown in.' she shook her head still looking at him. "Umm... you by chance... know of a year called 2003AD?"
He looked at her weirdly before leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest and gave a slight nod. "Hn."
"Okay... and umm... how long ago was that?"
'She sure is the talkative one isn't she?' the little voice asked. Heero ignored it. "2000 years ago."
Eyes bugging out, she leaned over towards him a little more "T-two-thousand... y-years? WOOO!" she asked still leaning over and damn near fell out of the bed when Heero, once again, caught her.
"Chui-bukai (1) Tenshi. You should lie back down, it's late" he glanced at the clock, "Two in the morning, no one else is up. Tomorrow we'll get some questions answered." He said, his monotone brokering no arguing.
Nodding leaning back on her pillows sensing she wouldn't get a word in edge wise now. He pulled the covers up over her once again. She started to sit up and he gently pushed her back down, "Iie, stay."
She almost grinned, this much talking didn't seem to fit him, it was almost funny... but she had other things on her mind right now. "Iie, Heero... What about my friends? Reicheru-chan and Mako-chan? Are they alright? Dozo (2) tell me their fine!" her eyes pleaded with him.
He nodded, "Hn." With that he turned out the lights, the only one lighting the room was from the crack in the bathroom, it flooded the bedroom with enough light to see where things were. He settled back in his chair leaning his head against the back of it.
'He's staying with me, even though I'm up and okay?' she moved her wing a little and lightly poked her ribs, 'Well, mainly okay anyways... but that chair looks so uncomfy... and it's kinda cool in here...' she thought tugging at something under the sheets, you could see something moving at the foot of the bed, then up it.
Heero saw this and raised an eyebrow. 'What is she doing now?'
Catching his watchful eye, from the corner of her eye she winked at him. "One sec." She kept tugging. 'Shimatta this is a big one.' Finally it gave way and she gave a quiet. "Yatta!" pulling her arms from under the comforter showing she had untucked the thin sheet, grabbing a pillow from her left she chunked the pillow at him, which he caught with no problem, barely moving. Then came the flying sheet, which spread out while in flight and wound up covering his face and most of his body.
He let out a low growl from deep in his throat that could almost not be heard.
Usagi chuckled lightly her face becoming a light shade of pink once again and gave him a meek "Gomen nasai Heero."
"Hn." Which was his 'it's okay' and his 'thanks for the sheet and pillow' even though he didn't really need them, he was used to sleeping without such things when on missions. He put the pillow behind his head and covered up with the blanket.
She yawned, "Oyasumi nasai Heero-kun..." before slipping off into sleeps waiting embrace.
Heero looked at her a moment more before closing his own eyes. "Oyasumi nasai Tenshi..." he whispered, before also succumbing to sleeps embrace.
* ~ * ~ Morning Next Day ~ * ~ *
The soft filtering rays of the sun awaked Reicheru from her slumber. Looking down she noticed that she was covered by the heavy comforter. Blinking those hazel eyes a bit, they seemed out of focus from sleep. Slowly sitting up in her bed with a yawn on her lips, but once she noticed the desk in the corner the yawn stopped. Her eyes nearly bugged out at the sight. "What in the world." Slowly slipping her bare feet to the plush carpet below. It felt incredibly soft but she wasn't paying attention. Inch by inch she crept closer. There was a major supply of art equipment here. Most that she normally couldn't afford at home. "Wow... I know I asked him for pads and pencils... but not this..." truly she was amazed at his thoughtfulness...
Slipping easily into the swiveled chair in front of the desk, slowly taking out one piece of paper. Her fingers pick up one of the pencils as she placed in to the paper. Soon forms and shapes began to appear on her paper. She was working so deftly and hard on it she didn't notice the time lapses or if someone was present.
Humming a song that he heard previous of napping, Duo began to walk towards Reicheru's room. He wanted to check up on her before breakfast. Quietly he turned the knob, so he wouldn't awake her if she was asleep, but he found her sitting at the desk he purchased for her. She had five or six papers at her side that must of slipped off the desk. She seemed intent to what she was doing so Duo tip toed over, snatching up one of the drawings... what he seen made him gulp. Cobalt eyes stared up at him... IT'S ME AND Scythe he thought... she drew it perfectly... he picked up another this was a fighting scene... with the Tenshi and some other girls... one looked like that brown headed one up stairs...
"Wow babe, YOU DID THESE??" Duo asked in disbelief.
The sound of his voice broke her concentration as she jumped throwing the pencil high. Luckily she was finished adding the last touches on this drawing of her pushing a Tenshi out of a harms way. Blinking her eyes at Duo... she was not focused right now... so entranced by these drawings. "Yeah... I did them." He kept looking down at the papers he had... moving to pick up the others... so richly detailed it was amazing.
"Um let's grab some grub Reicheru."
Reicheru nodded, suddenly feeling the affects of her hunger deep in her belly. "Aye, I'm starved" She slowly gets up to her feet moving towards the door.
Without thinking Duo shoved the forgotten works of the woman into his shirt. He needed to show the guys these pictures. "Are you coming Duo?"
"Yes... I'm coming" He ran towards her to help her down to the kitchen she was still new to the place after all.
It was now around 7:30am, everyone was waking up, Duo was already in Reicheru's room talking to her. Wufei was in the practice room meditating on the black and gold Dragon design rug that was set off in the side room. Trowa was checking on Makoto, and they headed downstairs to get the coffee going early. Quatre was in his room dressing, after which he headed down to see what he could cook for brake fest.
Quatre reached the kitchen taking the offered cup of tea from Makoto, thanking her. She had taken a liking to the one called Trowa almost right away and had gotten to a little about what he and the others liked. Trowa liked coffee in the morning as she and Heero did, Quatre and Wufei liked a cup of hot green tea and Duo... well Duo would take anything in the morning... and Reicheru-chan or Rei-chan as some had come to call her drank pop in the morning.
Quatre set the tea down after a few sips and started to rummage around in the fridge for something to cook. He came out with eggs, bacon, grits, rolls and sausage, silently hoping he had enough to hold everyone over, mostly the black abyss known as Duo's stomach. He opened three cans of rolls and stuck them into the oven, they took the longest so they were the first to get cooked. Next he started on the bacon and sausage, putting each in their own pan. He got them done and set to the side. He turned and looked at the others. "Well, just have to wait on the rolls to get done then I'll do the eggs for y'all."
The others nodded and voiced their thanks. As soon as Duo and Reicheru entered the room, Reicheru took a seat as Duo went to the fridge and grabbed a Dr. Pepper for Reicheru and poured himself a glass of orange juice... a large glass. Wufei came in next and was bombarded with "Ohyao!" and "Mornin' Wu-man!" he greeted the others the same way and Duo's greeting was a threat with his Katana and a certain braid.
Quatre sighed. 'They'll never change.' He thought looking at them all. Duo was sitting next to Reicheru, on her right, across the table and a chair down was Wufei then Makoto and Trowa who was standing behind and on her right leaning against the wall sipping her tea. Most were making small talk 'til the food was ready.
He took this time to make his leave. After all the rolls had about ten minutes to them and he wanted to see how Heero and the Tenshi were doing. "Be right back guys. I'm gonna go check on Heero and Tenshi. Trowa, onegai keep an eye on the rolls?"
Trowa nodded. "Sure Quatre." Quatre gave a quick nod before leaving the room hearing calls behind him.
"Have fun bud!"
"See you in a bit then."
"Ja ne!"
"........" Wufei didn't care.
~ * ~ Up Stairs ~ * ~
He got upstairs and softly knocked on the door, knowing if Heero was awake then he'd hear him. But no answer came. He knocked again and waited. Still no answer, so he went in and stopped in the doorway.
Heero was slightly slouched in his chair, arms folded over his chest a bed sheet covering him with a pillow resting behind his head. He immediately knew that the Tenshi must have woken up sometime during the night and they talked, because Heero wouldn't take a sheet and pillow for himself. Quatre chuckled softly, especially when that was a sheet from under the comforter.
Walking across the room gently laying a hand on Heero's shoulder shaking him slightly. "Heero... Heero... wake up Heero..." he spoke softly, not wanting to wake up Tenshi. He shook again for a minute before Heero slowly started to open his eyes and first thing he did was look over and check Tenshi, make sure she was still sleeping before turning his awake eye's on Quatre.
"Hn." He nodded to him, taking the pillow from behind his head and moving his head from side to side, hearing it make a cracking noise twice.
"Morning Heero, sleep well?"
"Hn."
"Did Tenshi awaken? And give you those?" his voice held curiosity.
Heero nodded again. "Hai, around 12am or so, went back to bed at 2am."
Quatre nodded in thought, wondering what they talked so long for. "You talked then? Is she alright and everything?"
"Hn." He thought a minute letting the rest of sleep leave him, he wasn't a morning person... At all. "She asked the same questions as her friend, Makoto, and one other, 'How long ago was 2003AD?'"
"And you told her?"
Heero glared slightly at Quatre, "I told her the truth, 2000 years ago, she made a gagging sound, her eyes got big and she shimatta near fell off the bed before I... caught her."
"Ohhh..." Quatre looked at Tenshi for a minute before back to Heero. "I'm making brake fest now, so I have to head back down. Will you wake her and see if she'd like anything? I could bring it up if so."
"Hn." At that answer Quatre nodded turned and softly closing the door behind him left for the kitchen.
Heero looked at the Tenshi for a minute before quickly walking to his room, shower and changed before going back to her room and trying to wake her.
"Usagi... Usagi..." he shook her shoulders a little, "Usagi..." 'Time for a different tactic. "Tenshi... Tenshi..." that didn't work... 'She's as hard to wake as Duo is!' then a thought hit him... making him smirk slightly. "Tenshi... brake fest's ready."
That got her. Eyes slowly opened, cloudy blue with sleep looked around then at him, some of the sleep wearing off. "Where? Where's... the food? I'm starving!" she finally woke up enough that her voice held some pep to it.
The corner of his mouth started to pull upward into a grin, but he stomped it before it could. "Down stairs. Do you want to go? Or eat up here?" he asked in his usual monotone.
"Ummm... Mako-chan... Reicheru-chan... are downstairs?" she questioned sitting up with his help, looking at him.
"Hn."
She cheered right up at that. "Okay then! Downstairs we go!" she looked down at her torn and tattered cloths. "Umm, Heero... can you help me to the rest room and give me about five minutes please? I... wanna wash up some first... I'm a wreck!"
He nodded and gently, but firmly held her around the waist with his right arm, her left arm going around his broad shoulder for more support. He led her to the rest room, and left her, closing the door going back to sit on the chair again.
Five minutes later she came out totally cleaned and changed. Leaving him to wonder where she'd gotten the change of cloths from considering she hadn't taken any in there with her. Both freshly showered, changed and having damp hair, left for the kitchen.
~ * ~ Down Stairs ~ * ~
Quatre got back down and was bombarded with questions from Makoto and Reicheru. Mainly wanting to know how she was. He answered them, telling she was fine and they'll be down in a little bit, and got back to cooking the eggs as the rolls had finished five minutes ago, taken out by Trowa who Quatre thanked again.
True to his word, ten minutes later a wide awake and slightly wet haired Heero supporting the Tenshi came into the kitchen, Tenshi had changed into wearing a red and white checkered off the shoulder short sleeve shirt that showed a bit of her tummy and reddish-orange knee length shorts with a yellow belt and white buckle, sneakers and white socks on.
Makoto nearly flew outta her chair yelling, "USAGI-HIME!! YOU'RE OKAY!!!!" She ran over to her first friend and Princess, hugged her lightly before stepping back beaming at her and then to Heero. "Arigatou gozaimasu, for looking after her Heero." She bowed, he just nodded back to her.
Usagi smiled brightly back at her. "Mako-chan! You're okay too! And Reicheru-chan! You're both all right! Arigatou Serenity you're both all right. I was so worried, remembering how beaten and torn up you both looked!" she looked from one to the other then to everyone else.
She looked at them all-smiling, turning her head to look at Heero expectantly she whispered. "Heero-kun... who are they?"
He lifted a eyebrow then pointed to each. "Quatre Rabarba Winner, *AKA* the Innocence." Quatre nodded, "Good morning Miss. Tens- er Usagi."
He pointed to the sitting brown haired boy next to Reicheru, "Duo Maxwell, *AKA* Braided Baka." That earned a soft laughter and raised eyebrow from Usagi. "HHEEEEEEYYYYY! Heero my bud! I'm not a baka! I'm SHINIGAMI!! Hello darlin'! Nice to meetcha!" Usagi nodded back.
Next was the black haired boy. "Chang Wufei, *AKA* The Dragon." Usagi nodded to him, but he only mumbled out a "Weak Onna." Staring at her. "Oh I'll show you weak you numnutted gumai baka!" she gave him a death glare that could *almost* ...with help from Heero, match his own.
There was a "Oohhhhhhhh, you go girl!" from Makoto who threw her fist in the air laughing. Duo laughed, Reicheru snickered, Trowa raised an eyebrow and Quatre smiled thinking, 'More fun! I'm getting too old for this 'Keeping the Peace' between us.' Heero also raised an eyebrow at her but continued with the last introduction.
Next was the young man leaning against the wall with the extra long bangs. "Trowa Barton, *AKA* The Silence." Trowa nodded towards her. "Hello Tenshi."
"And you already know mister smarty pants over there! That's Heero Yuy, *AKA* The Perfect Soldier." Duo piped up smirking at the glare he received from Heero.
Heero helped her to a seat at the head of the table by Reicheru, he took the seat to her left, as Trowa took the seat next to Makoto, while Quatre kept cooking the eggs.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. Reicheru-chan, Mako-chan, it's great to see you both up and doing well. I see you've made friends with everyone." They nodded back and one glare from Reicheru towards a still fuming Wufei. Usagi chuckled. 'Defiantly gonna have fun with that one.' Her mischievous mind already at work.
Reicheru looked at Usagi catching that mischievous glint to her friend's eyes as they fastened on the grumbling Wufei. She knew what was working in the girl's mind and agreed. Actually that caught Duo's attention as well. It looked like he had two accomplices to help him further torment the Dragon. Oh yes he was going to like this alright.
Reicheru turned her gaze from her friend to catch Duo staring at the two of them. Giving him an innocent grin but he took hold of her hand to give it a squeeze saying "I saw it... but don't worry". Reicheru smiled up at Duo... already horrid things that they'd do to that rude boy playing in their devious little minds.
Break fest went as usual without all the chattering, they talked but it was a little les then usual with all three girls up and around. The guys were wondering 'What now?' and 'Time for answers'.
After they were all done eating Duo pulled Quatre, Trowa, Heero and a grumbling Wufei into the living room to talk to them. Once all were in there, leaving the other three to clean the kitchen, well, Makoto and Reicheru anyways, Usagi was still a little too weak to stand on her own, but she did offer to clean what she could reach off the table with a sheepish smile on her face.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
1. Chui-bukai = Careful (watchful)
2. Dozo = Please
~ * ~