"What happened to the assistant that was hired as your aid?"
Usagi shrugged her shoulders. "He wasn't much help, so I got rid of him. He's probably off crying somewhere. Horrible whiner, he is."
The man seated opposite of her heaved a sigh. Her casualness both stunned and exhausted him. "Sometimes I don't get you. Women have always perplexed me, but you're a lot worse."
"Glad to hear I'm such a pain," she replied, grinning. "It's been a pleasure."
"Getting off the subject… How did the mission go? Did everything fall through as planned? I wasn't expecting your return until at least five weeks."
She leaned back in her chair, popping the bubble of gum she had blown with her index finger. "You know me, Kaoru; I always like having a head start. Speaking of which, have you received my next assignment?"
"Well, to start off, I'd like you to spit that gum out. It's disgusting and quite distracting." Kaoru adjusted his glasses. "And please use the trash can this time. I'd rather not have it wedged between my paperwork this time."
Usagi rolled her eyes, spitting the gum into the basket he held out. "It's not like I meant to do that… I thought it was being recycled."
Kaoru thumbed through one of his folders, brows furrowed. "I know it was in here somewhere… Haru-san handed to me this afternoon- Ah! Here it is!"
She took the stack of papers from him. Curious, she flipped through the pile. "But… What have I got to do with the Gundams? This doesn't make sense…"
"Plenty," the youthful scientist replied, linking his fingers. He smiled slightly. "Think of it more as a stealth mission… You need to make sure they don't get out of your sight at any time…"
"That's far too amateur! Why not send one of the lower-class soldiers in to be their little guide? I don't have the time or the patience to be their babysitter."
Kaoru drummed his fingers across the desk. His smile broadened. "Ah, yes, but you have underestimated the situation… You are to stay completely from their sight, and they must remain unaware of our organization. We try to keep everything secret from the public… Now, you must not tell them anything about yourself. Your first name is the only information you are to give out, nothing more… It's not a difficult task. Just watch their moves."
"Stealthy," she repeated, folding her arms over her chest. "I hate not being noticed. Besides, it's boring watching a bunch of men… How revolting…"
"I'll pretend I didn't take offense in that... Now, go pack any necessaries. You'll be attending a boarding school of Pacifism with them… But remember to watch carefully. Contact me whenever needed."
"Kaoru! You expect me to be stealthy in a skirt?! Consider the fact that it only covers half my thigh! I'm here to keep out of sight, not to make them have nosebleeds!" Usagi stamped a foot against the ground. She moved her mouth closer to the small microphone. "Do you even hear me?! Kaoru-idiot!"
"Crystal, dear, crystal…" His voice buzzed snugly in her ear through a small headpiece. "Perhaps I should clarify that you are now in a Pacifist boarding school… You are indeed expected to show proper etiquette. Get used to acting like a real woman."
She narrowed her eyes, perfectly aware that he could not see her face. "And what is that supposed to mean? I am a real woman! More woman than you could ever be!"
"That's not a very good argument, you know…" He paused. "But you'll have to cool down that temper of yours. Those boys will surely be on to you soon enough… Prying you with questions and what not. But you must never answer. Is that clear?"
"Sure, sure… I suppose it's just one of the drawbacks I'll have to endure…" She tugged at one of the corners of her skirt, scowling bitterly.
"Good luck on your first day. Make sure you play innocent… You're just a cute, bubbly girl working for an education. And you will be kind."
"In other words, I'll have to act like an oblivious air-head." Usagi let out a sigh, collapsing back onto her cot. "I don't know, Kaoru… This is all awkward. I've never been around… normal people."
"I suggesting feminist lessons to the commander, but he turned the idea down. Just do your best… Keep your temper down… No gum."
"There's a new student, did you hear? I saw her… The rest of the girls aren't any contest compared to her… Not even Relena!"
"Well, that's a given," Duo replied, reclining casually back into his chair. He began to twirl a pencil around his fingers. "Speak of the devil… Here she comes."
The door began to open, and Relena sauntered into the classroom. She stopped in the middle, brushed her hair to the side, and finally looked up. "Thank you for attending. Many of you already know, but there has been a new student attending our classes… I'd like you to welcome her kindly." Her eyes settled on the open door. "You may present yourself, miss."
A girl emerged, her footfalls stern yet refined. She moved in almost a marching fashion. Her head remained bent until she was standing at Relena's side. Slowly, flawlessly, she lifted her head.
Duo dropped his pencil. Her blue eyes scanned her surroundings curiously. She met the eyes of her classmates briefly, their sudden outburst of whispers not bothering her in the slightest. When the room was silent once again, she brought her hand up in a salute. "Greetings. I am grateful to be attending these classes." And as if absently remembering, she smiled. "Oh, and… my name is Usagi."
Even as alien as she seemed, she had a sort of gracefulness to the way she presented herself. She stood perfectly still, even as Relena began to find her a seat.
"Ah… You may sit in front of Wufei and Quatre, over there." She directed her finger to the empty seat, nodding with encouragement. "It's nice to have you with us, Usagi."
Blond hair swept to the side as the girl turned on her heel to face her. She bowed slightly at the waist. "Understood, Miss. Thank you."
Every eye followed her as Usagi retreated to the mid-section of the classroom. She bobbed her head in greeting towards Quatre, and then Wufei.
The moment she had settled into her seat, Relena began the lesson.
"So, how was your first day? Enlighten me."
"Well. I'm officially going to kill you when this is over. Do you realize the danger you're in with me at this point, Kaoru?" Usagi tapped the microphone with her finger. She narrowed her eyes. "Picture this; I spent most of the day picturing the Peacecraft-girl being hit with random objects. How does that sound?"
"Sounds fun to me," he replied. "I just hope you're giving off the right impression. Wouldn't want suspicion from the Gundam Pilots…"
"This has got to be a massive joke… You'd think that one pilot was gay with the way he goes on about how awful it is to have a female seated in front of him… The other one simply turns red at a simple glance… Gods, it's a nightmare! I hate you, Kaoru! I hate you! I hate you!"
"Just doing my job." He chuckled. "Speaking of jobs, have you found any useful information? Anything I should know?"
She lowered her voice. "Yuy-san has a laptop. I'm sure you already know about his expertise in hacking files. What should I do?"
"A laptop?! Damned enchased technology…" He paused. "Try to get it away from him. It won't be easy, but you must try your hardest. If you can't, just stick a tracking device on it. I can take it from there."
"Anything else?"
"No. Find that laptop as soon as possible. Report back to me as soon as this is accomplished… And I forbid throwing any 'random objects' at the teacher."
'Lunchtime. Perfect.' Usagi slid against the wall, her movements performed carefully and silently. She paused at the doorway to where Heero dwelled. Smiling in satisfaction, she walked straight into the room.
"This is not your room. Get out." He didn't even look up from his typing.
"Oh, hello. You must be Heero Yuy. I'm sorry, is this your room? I didn't mean to invade… What are you doing? What's that thing?" She made sure her questions were asked at an irritatingly fast pace.
"A laptop." His answer was a grunt. "Now get out."
"It looks too interesting; I can't leave just yet," she whined. Her nails tapped impatiently against the top of the screen. "Can I see it? Please?"
"No."
'Stubborn jerk.' She bit her cheek. "Can't I just hold it for a few seconds? I promise I won't drop it… I just want to see it! Let me see!"
"No."
Her intolerance was getting the best of her; she knew it. "Well, how about I challenge you to something, and if I win, I can have it for a while? Or is that too hard?"
"No."
"Stop saying that! Why won't you look at me when I speak to you? Why won't you communicate like a regular human being?" She was mad. And she accepted it.
"Get out. This isn't your area."
Usagi kicked herself inwardly. It was time to take the innocent approach once again. "Why are you being mean to me? Do you… Do you hate me?" Her voice was a whimper.
Finally, his eyes met hers. Sharply, almost in anger, he looked at her. "Get out of this room. You will regret it if you are uncooperative."
"Ha!" She dove, and the laptop was taken promptly from his lap. He, however, was just as fast, and a gun was to her temple before she could run.
"Give it to me. Or you will die."
Usagi smiled a mysterious smile, regardless of her disadvantage. "It seems you are more then just a boy with a portable computer. You are also carrying a weapon in this school of Pacifism, are you not? Why ever would you need one?"
"My own reasons."
Usagi opened her mouth to reply, but turned her head as a figure strolled casually into the room. Usagi immediately recognized the boy as Duo Maxwell, pilot of one of the Gundams. His mouth dropped at the display. "What the hell is going on here? Heero?"
"Take the laptop from her. Now."
Duo approached hesitantly, his eyes fixed on her slightly amused ones. "I wouldn't advise messing with his precious computer… You're lucky he didn't throw you out the window for putting fingerprints all over it."
"Oh, is that so?" She stared inquisitively at Heero; innocent. "You could have told me that, you know. I didn't know it bothered you in such a manner!" With a small giggle, she handed the small laptop to him. "I'll be going now! I'm sorry!"
"Odd girl," Duo muttered. And before he could breathe another word, she had disappeared.
"Well? Were you successful or not?"
"It looks like it's up to your skills to track his computer and cleanse the system from there… That damned American pilot got in the way… I never stood a chance."
"Well… what did you expect? He's not going to simply present it to you as if you were a Goddess! When I say retrieve it from him, I mean take it from him."
"I know that, you pompous jerk!" Usagi studied her reflection in the window. As she put her hand to the glass, it felt warm. "But… I suppose I'll just have to try harder…"
Bells sounded from all around. She cursed. "That was the shortest lunchtime ever! What kind of sad lives do these Pacifist-lovers live?! I'll have to leave you at that, Kaoru-san."
"Never mind, Usagi, just get to classes. I'll see what I can do about that computer of his… Enjoy yourself, alright? And that's an order."
"Enjoy myself? Here?" She wrinkled her nose. "You've got to be kidding me… But I think I'll have a little fun in Basketball... At least these people know how to play sports."
"See? It's not so bad after all! Go out there and sweat! Break a leg!"
"That's not funny."
"I challenge you to a one-on-one, Miss Peacecraft. Do you accept?"
Relena studied the new girl's cheerful expression with a slight frown. "Usagi-san, this is your first time in Physical Education. Perhaps you should watch?"
"No, no, please!" Usagi tugged at Relena's sleeve, her voice whining. "If I may have the honor, I would like to play a little game against the Princess of Pacifism. I think it would be fun! Please?"
"Oh… If it is your wish, I suppose that would be acceptable."
"That's great!" She tossed her ball into the air, smiling. "Begin!"
"Right!" Relena brought her hand up quickly, the ball inches from her fingers. She strained slightly, and at the precise moment her fingertips came in contact with the rubbery material, Usagi brought her hand up and was quick to put the ball into the net.
"You-you're quite fast," Relena said, her eyes wide.
"Thank you for the compliment, Miss Peacecraft. Shall we try once more?"
"Ne… When is the class going to start?" Duo ran his fingers through his bangs. "I can't believe it takes this long for a little one-on-one to end…"
"They've been replaying over and over," Quatre agreed. His eyes were on Usagi. "But I can't figure out how she can score on Relena with such ease… She doesn't even look tired."
"She's too fast for her," Trowa replied, his voice low. "She cannot predict such rapid movements."
"Oi! Why don't you try playing against me, eh?" Duo stood up, his lips twisted into a broad grin. "I'm not as slow as the Princess!"
Usagi turned abruptly on her heel, facing him. "You? Maxwell-san?" She looked from him to Relena, and then nodded. "Miss Peacecraft can take over the class for now. Let's play."
"The score is fifteen to zero. Would you like to play once more?" Usagi beamed. "I'd say you're slower then the Princess, actually."
"Shut up," Duo said, panting. He rested his hands against his knees. "I don't want to play again. You make basketball seem like Military Camp…"
"Do I?" She blinked. "I didn't think I was that good!"
He stood upright once again. "Yes, well… You don't have to act all cocky. You just got lucky. Next time I'll beat you to a pulp."
"Is that so? Think what you will…" Usagi shrugged her shoulders. "Until then, I'm looking forward to our next match…"
Authors Comments: There's one chapter done… I kind of rushed through this one. I think I'll take it a little slower with the next chapter… Please review and send any questions or comments and I will answer! Thank you!
ChibiBear Check!: It's almost like Usagi has a split personality… Her true self is wrathful and obnoxious, but she's expected to act ladylike! I love the way this is going. A lot. I like seeing her trying to keep her temper low. And I must say, I love Kaoru. Heehee.
