Sensou Tenshi Usagi (War Angel Usagi) ~ V


Midnight of Shadows

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Minna forgive me for taking so long to get this chapter out. I had to deal with things in my life that seemed couldn't be delayed. I'm up to my ears in schoolwork, I have to baby-sit a little girl whose mama is handling court matters and I just don't have time to write anymore. Anytime I get on the net it's to do research. Not to mention I've kind of lost a taste for writing this fic. Probably due to certain characters I'll refrain from naming.

WARNING:
In the story ahead, I changed a lot of things in the SM universe, bear with me people. Also this chapter ends kind of weird, I'll try to make the next one better.

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Disclaimer: Three figures stand outside a huge jail building. One is tall with short blond hair, wearing a sailor outfit of blue and gold. Another girl is dressed from head to toe in black like a ninja, only her eyes peeking through slits in the mask. The last is a boy, decked as the girl is only without a mask. His black hair is pulled back into a tight ponytail.

Traci: Here's the plan. Haruka...you blow up the wall...the attack should take out the dubbers and Chiba and Relena, if Shorty hasn't already. Wufei, you and I will get her and get out of there. Haruka will hold off the guards. We make this break fast and simple...Got it? Any Questions?
Wufei: Why do I have to do this again?
Traci growling: Cuz if you don't I'll let Shorty call you Wu-chan for the rest of the series!!
Wufei shuddering: Let's get this over with.
Haruka: WORLD SHAKING!!

The wall explodes and leaves a huge pile of rubble. Among the rubble are dead dubbers and a mauled Chiba and Relena. Wufei frowns as they pick their way to the back.

Wufei: Why'd they put her in here anyways?
Traci: She forgot to add disclaimers to the first three chapters.
Wufei: Disclaimers for what?
Traci: Disclaimers saying she doesn't own Sailor Moon or Gundam Wing. Miru! There she is....I think.

Shorty is huddled in a corner, a black cape wrapped around her as she chants...

Shorty: Peace, Peace, Peace, Peace.....Let's stop the fighting and have Peace!
Traci: Shorty? Daijobu ka?

Shorty jumps to her feet, the cape billowing behind her.

Shorty: IT is I...Tuxedah SHORTY!! Believe in yourselves and the battle will be won!!
All: O_O; -_-; O_o;
Wufei: She's cracked.

Haruka steps forward.

Haruka: Come on...we got to get you outta here!
Shorty: Amara?
Haruka: Haruka
Shorty: Amara?
Haruka: Haruka
Shorty: Amara?
Haruka: HARUKA!!
Shorty: Amara?
Haruka: FOR THE LAST TIME DAMNIT...IT'S HARUKA!!
Shorty: 0_0*blink* Where's your cousin Michelle?
Haruka: GRRRRRR!!!
Traci: *sweatdrops* Let's just get her out of here. C'mon China doll...we got an author to recuperate! grabs Shorty and runs from the building
Wufei mumbling: Why me?.......AND MY NAME IS WUFEI!!!
Traci: Whatever Wu-babe! *giggle*

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To those of you who've only seen the SMS series on Cartoon Network, you might not get the *cousin* joke about Michelle.

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Sensou Tenshi Usagi (War Angel Usagi) ~ V


Midnight of Shadows







            "Pr....Princess?" she stuttered, suddenly paling, "Wh....why did you call me princess?" Galaxia's eyes suddenly shined with something akin to hope. Maybe...maybe she did remember.

            "Usagi, you are the princess. Serenity-hime of the Moon Kingdom, thousands of years ago. You remember now?" Usagi shook her head in denial.

            "Masaka! It doesn't exist! It's not REAL!" Usagi was screaming now, tears beginning to glisten in her azure eyes. Galaxia pressed on, oblivious to the girl's discomfort.

            "Quite the contrary Serenity....it's real. It's as real as the room your in now. From the look in your eyes, you know I speak the truth," the silence that followed was deafening. Galaxia stared at Usagi intently, her ruby eyes searching for some form of recognition in the girl's blue. Usagi was at a loss for words.

            "This means then, your memories. Are they returning? Are your visions becoming more powerful during the day and rendering you helpless, or nightmares leaving you terrified? Tell me Usagi, do I speak the truth, or do I lie?" Usagi gazed at Galaxia, a tear running down her cheek as emotion shined brightly in her eyes.

            "H...Ho..How? How do you know all this? I never told you what my visions were or my nightmares? How?" Galaxia sighed finally and only then did she sink back into her chair.

            "Let me start at the beginning, when it all began, for only then will you have any hope of understanding," she took a deep breath and her gaze flickered over the assembled pilots, Heero in particular. So involved in her discussion with Usagi, she'd forgotten they were in the room. Now it seemed it was time to make a choice. They had no idea what they'd gotten themselves into by taking charge of the young woman. Pity arose in Galaxia. She wouldn't let them be dragged into this war unwillingly, not like she'd been. She would give them a chance to decide their own path.

            "One piece of advice to you pilots. Unless you want to get involved I suggest you leave now. The information I'm about to reveal is top secret. You'll be put into great danger just by having knowledge of the situation. This business mainly concerns Usagi and I. It's really none of yours. I don't wish to put innocent lives in the path of disaster for the war that will ensue soon will surely injure you, if not cost you your lives." She looked each boy in the eye, watching as indecision danced there. Her gaze finally came to Heero and his prussian blue held anything but doubt. They revealed determination and acceptance. His jaw clenched as his hand tightened on the gun.

            "This is our business. Usagi is now our business. We became a part of this the moment you stepped in the door and we're not going to back out now."

            The statement held all the truth she needed. She looked at each pilot hopefully.

            "Does he speak for you all?"

            "Hai, I agree," it was Trowa, his visible jade eye showing no emotion. It seemed his acceptance prompted Quatre to join.

            "Hai, we are apart of this too," Galaxia nodded and then turned to Wufei and Duo, both silent until now. Duo glanced between Usagi and Galaxia uncertainly, the notion weighing heavy in his mind. Finally his cobalt blue stared into Galaxia's ruby.

            "I don't know what's going on here, and I don't particularly fancy dying after all this time I've been alive, but to back out now would be timorous, and Shinigami is no coward. I agree." All heads turned to Wufei. He frowned in disgust.

            "I don't believe this weak onna, but what other choice do I have? Stay behind and hide? There's no honor or justice in that. I fight, till I die. Hai onna, I agree." Usagi could only gape at them with shock. They would stay with her? Elation ran through her being, the promise in their words not missing her.

            To say Galaxia was moved would be an understatement....she was beyond grateful...she was overjoyed. She didn't let the grin tickling at her insides show on her lips. She had made the right choice. They wouldn't abandon the princess, not now. A breath of relief did mange to escape her and her shoulders relaxed.

            "Well then, as I said before, I'll start from the beginning. Bear with me, it's a long recount of history," She'd purposely said history and not story to inform them that all of it was true. Finally with a deep breath she launched into the long tale of the Silver Millennium, the downfall of the Moon Kingdom, the rebirth of the Princess and her fellow senshi, and the moment leading up to the final days of the last battle. (AN: I don't think I have to go into detail there! :)

            Several times she had stopped to sip at her cooled tea and catch her breath. Other times she'd paused to dab at tears in her eyes or wait for a reaction from Usagi who took it all in with a straight face. There was none.

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            "Now I come to the final battle, where everything went wrong. First off, you, Usagi, Eternal Sailor Moon, destroyed all the animamates. I became seriously angered by this and retaliated by killing princess Kakyuu. The starlights were overwhelmed with grief and tried to fight me alone. The end results were their deaths and the taking of their star seeds. The senshi planned an attack on their own, leaving you out of it in hopes of keeping you safe. Sailor Saturn took your broach and hid it in a safe spot to keep you from transforming, then they all, Pluto, Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and Jupiter teleported to space to fight me. Without the help of their leader, they barely had enough power to face me and consequently fell to my power and their star seeds became mine.

            The little child Chibi Chibi came to you then, she had your broach, and prompted you to transform. Afterwards you both transported to space to face Chaos and I. Chibi Chibi became the sword of light and we battled. It was during the fight that Chaos took control of my body and directed all my actions. You refused to fight me, defensive instead of offensive. It was because of your pure heart that your transformation failed and you were left to fight in your most innocent form. Angel wings and sword were your only possessions and still you didn't fight back, begging me to take control and rid Chaos of my body. Your refusal to give up this world angered Chaos, but it touched me deeply. I fought the darkness and expelled Chaos from my body. In the white light of healing, you showed me what love was, devotion and strength.

            For the saving of my soul I thank you Usagi! You gave me life, a reason to keep on living. My own star seed, Chibi Chibi, returned to me, and my soul was pure again. The white light of healing encompassed you and I, and there we remained for a while.

            As a result of the healing white light, many star seeds returned to their original owners. Princess Kakyuu and the three starlights were resurrected and departed to their own planet to rebuild it. The other star seeds were ones that belonged to persons that I'd killed on other planets. I set out on a voyage then, determined to right my wrongs and that's when I left you floating in space, the white light of healing sending me on my way. Little did I know that something had gone wrong.

            I never discovered this until 6 years later, when I returned to Earth in hopes of meeting you once again and informing you of the progress of the rebuilding planets. When I arrived at Earth, I discovered a terrible thing. The senshi and Sailor Moon were no longer there! I searched the planet but found no trace of you.

            Finally I went to the long dead moon and searched the ruins. There I came across a sight to behold. Queen Serenity of the Silver Millennium was there, and she was waiting for me. I didn't know what to say to her. She told me not to be afraid, to not fear her and I didn't, for she was no more than a ghost. She told me what happened to the senshi after I left.

            When I left, Sailor Moon remained in space, grieving over her slain soldiers and lost love. Endymion had not died at my hands, no, he'd been killed in a plane crash, and his star seed lost forever. Sailor Moon did not know this; she believed he'd perished like her fellow senshi had. The star seeds of the senshi came to Sailor Moon, but the senshi did not reappear, instead the star seeds winked out of existence. Sailor Moon was left alone. The battle with Chaos had weakened her greatly and without the support of her friends, she had no strength left. She died, and therefore altered the future. There would be no Crystal Tokyo, and no Chibi-Usa, not in this timeline. Without Princess Serenity there to perform the cleansing, the Earth would turn into turmoil, it became what we see today.

            Queen Serenity told me the heavens placed the blame on my shoulders. I knew when I absorbed Chaos into my body to keep him from harming others that it would control me, and yet I still went through with it. I was to be punished, she said, a fate no one would ever desire. Since this was my fault, I was to see to the care of the universe for infinity until the eternal soldier was reborn, then I was to train her. Only then would I be allowed to die, my soul to rest.

            You see Usagi, your mother made a mistake a long time ago when she wished you into the future during the downfall of the Silver Millennium. She altered destiny, and she was punished through her child. The ginzouishu takes a toll, not just your life, but another even worse. When you make a wish such as rebirth upon it, the ginzouishu binds itself to you. Your mother wished for your rebirth into the future and the ginzouishu bound itself to YOU. For all eternity you will command it's power, for the ginzouishu was created in the heavens to protect the universe from evil. Therefore whenever evil arose, the ginzouishu battled.

            To put it bluntly Usagi, you will never rest. You may die, but you will always be reborn. Whenever Sailor Moon is needed, you will be resurrected. You are the eternal soldier, Eternal Sailor Moon, and later, Sailor Cosmos. You command the power Usagi, whether you want it or not."

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            The silence following Galaxia's last statement was stifling. They were speechless, Usagi most of all. Her eyes were dazed, staring off into space as a pained expression crossed her face. Galaxia drank the last of her tea and waited for the others to respond. Duo was the first.

            "You telling me that Usabi or whatever her name is, comes from the past?" His chestnut brows were raised skeptically. Galaxia nodded.

            "And you're also telling me that she has superhuman powers that are our only hope to save the universe?" Galaxia nodded again. Under normal circumstances, Duo would have laughed at the absurdity of the notion, but the omniscient presence of the woman before him did not permit so. He only shook his head in disbelief and sank in his chair.

            "If I wanted to hear a fairy tale, I would've asked my mother," growled Wufei, a scowl gracing his features. Galaxia was a little taken aback, but hid it well. Of course they wouldn't believe her, she hardly believed herself sometimes. But no....it was the truth.

            "Whether you accept it or not, I speak the truth. You can take this information and forget about it for all I care, but to do so would be ignorance. I'm here only for the Princess's sake," So saying she stared down at the table as tears began to well up in her ruby eyes.

            "Usagi I....Usagi?" Galaxia's call fell on deaf ears, for the blonde's mind was elsewhere.

            "Usagi?" all the pilots looked to her then, wondering why Usagi ignored the older woman. Heero grabbed her elbow and shook her gently; still there was no response. Usagi sat stiff and straight, her vibrant blue eyes glazed over and bewildered. Her mouth began to work, but no sounds issued forth.

            "Kuso," cursed Galaxia, "She's gone into another vision," This earned her puzzled stares from the boys, but her attention was on the girl. Usagi began to tremble slightly; her eyes watering with unshed tears.

            "Minna?" she whispered. The pilots looked at her but she didn't respond to them. Her expression turned into one of panic.

            "Minna? Where are you? Onegai.....onegai minna. Don't leave me alone, I can't do this by myself!" tears streamed down her fair cheeks freely, her never moving to dab at them. Heero shook her more fiercely, hoping to bring her out of it. What was wrong with the girl? Usagi snarled suddenly and slapped his hand away.

            "BAKAYARO!" she snapped, springing from her chair, "I'LL DESTROY YOU!" Heero sprang back as she kicked at his face. She dove for him and they fell back on the ground. Heero flipped her away and jumped up from the ground. Usagi landed against a wall and sat up, shaking her head. She glared at him again, her crescent moon lighting up on her forehead.

            "What the-!!" exclaimed Duo. Trowa, Quatre, Wufei and Galaxia rose from their chairs.

            "YOU'LL PAY!!" screamed Usagi.

            "DUCK!" shouted Duo as a blast narrowly missed him. They all dived under the long table as blasts from Usagi's moonbeam sailed past them. Usagi was oblivious as she hopped on the table and began ransacking the place, kicking over chairs and blasting walls as she fought imaginary demons.

            "AHHH SHINE!! YURUSUNAI!!"

            *CRASH* Usagi's fist punched through the table and narrowly missed Galaxia's head. Galaxia reeled away in surprise and bumped into Heero. Her eyes were wild with fear.

            "Get her out of here NOW!" she ordered. None of the pilots dared to move, all, even Trowa, actually stunned into immobility from the girl's strange actions. Heero was the first to recover and frowned at the others. After all, he'd seen enough horrors in his life and one more wouldn't shock him. He moved from beneath the table and peeked over the top edge.

            *CHING* A teacup flew past his head, breaking up on the floor. He heard Quatre groan and smirked. That was one of the Winner heirlooms. Priceless and one of a kind.

            Heero eyed the rampaging girl carefully, her wild curses and flaying limbs dangerous. He hopped onto the table while her back was turned and approached her cautiously. He studied her movements, ready to pounce.

            "YOUMA!"

            There! She was open! Quickly he snatched her back, arms pinned to her sides as he wrapped his arms around her and jumped from the table. Usagi's legs flailed crazily as she fought against his iron grip. Her moonbeam fired random shots around the room as her head tossed. Heero was careful to dodge all.

            "LET ME GO!! I'LL KILL YOU!" He ignored her loud threats and carried her from the room.

            "EEEEEEIIIEIEEEIIIIIEEEE!" the bloodcurdling scream almost made him drop her. Suddenly she went lax, all traces of her previous struggle gone. Heero paused in surprise. What just happened?

            Not taking any chances he scooped up her now calm legs and carried her back to his bedroom, laying her on the bed as she rested. He sat on the edge and checked her pulse. It was there, faint but going still. He watched her then, her crescent moon gone, and face relaxed. She slept peacefully, seemingly unaware of her earlier actions. Heero sighed. What now?

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            Was this what Galaxia meant? Was this the power that would save the universe? As much as he hated to admit, he was starting to believe the older woman. Usagi's display only prompted his opinion. He'd seen a lot of strange things in his day, but none such as that. Is this what they had to look forward to in the future? Heero shook his head to clear it. He wasn't ready for this. He wasn't ready to take on a mission of this sort.

            He was brought out of his thoughts as Usagi stirred. She rolled over to face him and slowly her eyes fluttered open. They were still glazed. Heero thought nothing of it; after all, she appeared to be normal now. As if to confirm his reasoning, she stretched like a cat and offered him a small smile of appreciation.

            Slowly she reached up her hand and traced it over his jaw, the touch gentle and compassionate, a lover's caress. Heero froze. What was she doing? Usagi ignored his questioning eyes and sat up on the bed, moving closer to sit next to him, they're hips touching. Heero was frozen to the spot as her arms snaked around his neck and drew him closer to her.

            "You're still here....itoshii," she whispered and kissed him. 'What the-?!' Heero's eyes widened in shock, his mind reeling. Regardless Usagi didn't stop, her fingers running through his unruly hair and eyes closed. Her kiss was soft and gentle, coaxing him to join as her tongue ran along his closed lips.

            Heero's mind screamed for him to stop this, to push her away and yell at her, but he didn't. He gave in to her, opening his mouth to her delight and returning the kiss passionately. All his emotion poured into it, his loneliness, despair and anguish.

            Their tongues danced, the fires of passion burning fierce. He deepened the kiss and wrapped his arms around her, drawing her closer to him. She moaned against his mouth and his grip tightened. Sometime ago their positions had changed, Usagi now straddling his lap.

            They parted then, breathing heavily as they stared at one another. Usagi's eyes were shining brightly, still glazed. Heero's prussian blue reflected the emotion in her sapphire; hunger, need. He kissed her again, his hands traveling the length of her curves. Usagi gasped in surprise as they stopped on her bare thighs, and kneaded them gently. She pulled away then, smiling in mischief and before he knew it, she pulled her armored vest over her head and threw it onto the floor. She then returned to his embrace and claimed his lips once more. Heero was lost to the wealth of new sensations, his mind a haze of thought. His common sense had left him a while ago.

            Their lips parted, and he trailed kisses along her neck instead. Usagi's hands roamed over his back, defining his muscles. They reached the hem of his tucked in green tank and began to tug. Heero nipped her neck and was rewarded with another gasp. Her mouth nibbled on his ear and he closed his eyes in rapture as she whispered in it, her breath sending shivers down his spine.

            "Mamo-chan,"

            Reality came crashing back down and Heero jerked away. He stared at her face in shock, his actions finally dawning on him. Usagi's glazed eyes cared not and she reached forward to kiss him again. Heero stopped her.

            "Tenshi," he said, his voice wavering slightly with hurt. He wanted to slap himself, berate his mind for loosing control. They'd almost...

            "Tenshi," he said more forcefully. Usagi blinked a few times and frowned. She shook her head to clear the fuzziness from it and when she looked at him again, her eyes were normal. She opened her mouth to say something, but her eyes rolled back in her head and she went lax once more. Slowly Heero laid her back down, this time moving away from the bed to wait out her recovery. He stared down at her, his hand dazedly feeling his lips where hers had been only moments before.

            How would he face her now?

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            "You know...she won't remember when she wakes up," Heero whipped around at the sound of the feminine voice. Galaxia stood in the doorway; arms crossed and amused expression on her face. Heero glared at her, not liking to be snuck up on.

            "Remember what?" he asked coldly, reverting to soldier mode once again. Galaxia stalked into the room and halted next to the bed, ruby eyes gazing tenderly at the dozing Usagi. Her green shoe bumped against the hastily discarded armor.

            "What just happened," she whispered, "I've been there countless times when she's had the visions. She'll remember nothing." A flash of pain crossed Heero's features but soon melted into indifference. A moment of silence passed by as they stared at the sleeping girl, one concerned for her health, and the other wondering if indeed she would forget.

            "Why are you here," he asked finally, his voice cold. Galaxia finally turned her head to look at him.

            "The others are downstairs cleaning up the mess she made in her rampage. I came to see how Usagi was doing, but from what I saw moments ago.... she's fine," Heero felt his cheeks burn in sudden embarrassment. She'd been watching?! Galaxia ignored the pilot's reaction and turned on her heel to leave, pausing in the doorway to say something over her shoulder.

            "When she awakens, come back to join the others. We shall discuss your next move," and she was gone, leaving Heero to await the princess's arousal.

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            Ten minutes later Heero and the slightly disoriented Usagi emerged into the dining room, taking up seats at the long table. Their clothes were disarrayed, Usagi's armored vest missing. Wufei cocked an eyebrow in suspicion but said nothing. Usagi surveyed the damaged room, and hole in the table, in puzzlement.

            "What happened in here?" she asked innocently. Duo gaped.

            "You mean you don't remember?!" he exclaimed, incredulous. The girl had practically destroyed Quatre's dining room and she didn't remember?!

            Usagi frowned, "Remember what?"

            Wufei opened his mouth to tell her but stopped at a look from Galaxia. She shook her head, signaling him to leave it for later; they had more important matters to discuss. "Weak psychotic onna," he mumbled.

            After everyone had settled down again, she spoke.

            "I suggest you all depart this mansion for at least a week's time," Quatre frowned in confusion.

            "Why? I see no reason to leave my home, unless you've betrayed us in some way," his statement caused Duo to grab his gun and aim it at Galaxia, his glare holding the promise of death. Galaxia never flinched and instead stood up slowly, putting her cloak back around her shoulders and fastening the clasp beneath her neck. That done she pulled a pair of gloves from a pocket in the cloak and pulled them on.

            "No Mr. Winner, I have not betrayed your location," Quatre still didn't believe her, "When Usagi here ran away from Treize's base, alarms were thrown up and a search party arranged. Then with the KALONG disk missing and top-secret files stolen, suspicions were only raised further. Treize Kushranada issued a warrant for the arrest of one girl and five boys. The camera never captured a clear picture of you Mr. Yuy, but it did capture your profile. Anyways, Treize is having every major household on Earth searched thoroughly. I'd leave for a week if I were you; the desert is the first place Oz is likely to check seeing the expansiveness of it. Knowing the soldiers of Oz a week's search will suffice for here, after that you may return."

            "As for that disk Heero, I suggest you take a look at it to better comprehend the situation. Whatever you decide to do with it, don't show the contents to anyone else, not even the man who issued the mission. It will explain a lot, certainly as to why Usagi felt the need to steal it, even under penalty of death," Galaxia stared purposefully at the girl but Usagi avoided her gaze, too caught up in her own thoughts.

            "I'm sure you all believe the desperation of the ordeal, with what happened earlier a prime example. There's more to come. As for me, I will be returning to Treize, just to keep his suspicions from rising and deflecting Oz from your trail. I will meet you back here in a week's time, just stay alive till then," with that she turned to leave.

            "Hold it," she froze at the sound of Trowa's voice and turned back around, "You must think us fools if we just let you waltz out of here. Your usefulness has expired," to their utter surprise she laughed.

            "Hahaha! Oh Mr. Barton, do you not think I was expecting that? Come now, weren't you listening to the tale? I'm immortal until my duties are fulfilled. You. Can't. Kill. Me." Trowa pulled his gun out and cocked the lever.

            "We'll see," he said and fired. Time seemed to slow as the bullet raced towards her. Galaxia eyed it disdainfully, not even flinching when it hit her chest. They waited for blood to appear and the woman to fall down lifeless.

            Nothing happened.

            Galaxia sighed and placed her hand over the bullet wound. It glowed with a golden light, and when the glow ceased, there was the bullet in her palm. She tossed it back to Trowa.

            "See. Now I have to leave the hard way. Sayonara minna!" and with a flash of blinding white light she was gone. The pilots could only blink at the spot she'd been at.

            "Well I guess we better believe her now," said Duo, awe written in his features. Heero stared at the vacant spot a moment longer before taking charge. His monotone voice left no room for argument.

            "Go pack, we're leaving."

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            Heero walked into the small hotel room, Usagi right behind him and eyed it critically. They had to sleep in this dump? A small bed was in the center of the room, a brown blanket and white pillow the only decor. In the far right corner was a small yellow couch, the appearance alone speaking for its softness. You could actually see the lumps in the cushions. Across from the couch was the door to the bathroom, closed for now. The threadbare curtains covering the window over the couch would hardly ward off the cold night air. The window itself was rickety, one pane missing and boards taking it's place. They rode a jet for six hours, not to mention a bus another two hours...for this?

            'Oh well,' he mused to himself, 'I've slept in worse.' Usagi shoved past him and went into the bathroom, never saying a word as she slammed the door behind her. Heero silently dragged the luggage into the room and set it in the corner; then he took a seat on the bed. Two minutes later Usagi emerged from the restroom, cheeks red and skin shining with dampness. Evidently she'd been scrubbing the last trace of tears from her face. She'd had another vision on the way to the hotel and Heero had to carry her the rest of the way from the bus depot. None of the others offered to do it (not even fearless ol' Trowa), too frightened she'd go into another vision and end up blasting them with her moonbeam. She frowned at Heero as she looked between the couch and the bed.

            "I am not sleeping in the same bed as you! Take the couch." Heero looked at her incredulously. Was she giving him orders? Wasn't she the one at his mercy? Hadn't he been kind enough to carry her here...and this was all the gratitude he got?! Angrily he reached down to take off his shoes, ignoring her for the moment. That done he lay down on the bed and pulled the blanket over himself.

            "I have no intention of sharing the same bed as you," he answered after a while, "Either you sleep on the couch or take the floor...either one is fine with me." Usagi glared daggers at him, but he paid her no attention and closed his eyes in mock sleep. Usagi huffed over to the couch and flopped on it, face pink from anger. The nerve! Was he no gentleman?! She grumbled to herself about rude boys and jerks while trying to remove her boots.

            "Usagi."

            She looked up expecting an apology, but only got hit in the face with a blanket. She threw it off her and glared at Heero, but he ignored her and settled on the bed once again, pulling the thin sheet over himself to ward off the slight chill in the room. Usagi finished removing her boots, armor, and leg cuffs, the gun, she noted earlier, missing from the holster, and lay on the couch, the lumpy thing already a pain to sleep on. Clad only in the white leather bodysuit, wrist guards and choker, she soon drifted into unpleasant slumber.

            Heero glanced back to ask her a question, but stopped as he noticed she was already asleep. Grudgingly he shuffled into a comfortable position and tried to sleep. His mind swam with thoughts from events during the day. He wanted to ask her if she remembered. He wanted to know if she recalled any of that one moment in time where they'd shared something sacred. He chided himself with these silly thoughts. He was a soldier; and soldier's didn't dwell on frilly romance. His thoughts jumbled and confused, Heero drifted into a deep sleep.

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            Usagi awoke slowly, her shivering body disturbing her sleep. Her teeth chattered as her toes curled, her bare feet rubbing together for warmth. The blanket was clutched tightly beneath her chin, but it wasn't enough. She blew her breath into the air and was greeted with a slight mist. Her eyesight was blurry, her head disoriented from lack of sleep. Slowly she crawled from the couch, dragging the blanket with her. Her back was sore from having slept on the lumpy thing, the springs disorderly. She stumbled around the dark room, heading towards a source of heat. She didn't know what it was, but she could feel it.

            A while later her groping hands found a cushy bed, the small mattress barely large enough for two people, let alone the person on it. She crawled into it and instinctively moved closer to the other occupant. The other person was shivering themselves, deep in sleep, the thin sheet even worse than her own blanket.

            Gently she wrapped her arms around the other person's waist, her head resting against their back, and pulled the blanket over both of them. Her shivering ceased almost immediately, the body heat having the desired effect. The other person's chilled form slowly grew warmer; their shivering body relaxed once more. Her head still fuzzy and thoughts a blur, Usagi once again fell asleep. Not caring where she was or whom she was with, as long as she was warm.

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            "Pssst. Heero wake up," Heero groggily opened his eyes to be greeted with Duo's beaming face. Why was the braided baka pestering him? He tried to look as menacing as possible but his brain was still foggy. Duo's grin only broadened, his eyes shining with mischief.

            "Have fun last night?" Heero frowned as his eyes focused on the pest.

            "What are you talking about?" he croaked. If it were possible for Duo's grin to get any bigger, it did.

            "Must've had a lot of fun...you can't even remember!" he giggled a little as Heero grew even more confused.

            "What do you mean?" he was fast losing his patience. Why didn't Duo just blurt it out like he usually did?

            "Look behind you, I'm surprised you don't feel it," Heero craned his head around and saw nothing. It was then that he noticed the blanket and sudden warmth. When had he gotten an extra blanket? Didn't he give it to Usagi? He glanced to the couch, but it was empty.

            Heero looked down over his shoulder and saw a glimpse of gold peeking from beneath the blanket. He reached up and slowly pulled the blanket down, only to stiffen in shock. Usagi?!! Sure enough there was the blond bombshell, arms around his waist and head against his back, her body curled up in warmth.

            "What th-?!" Heero tried to spring from the bed but found he couldn't. Usagi's brows drew down in frustration and she whimpered as her grip tightened on him. He was trapped!! He turned his head back around to pout in anger. That was too much for Duo.

            "Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha *deep breath* Ahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!" Tears streamed down his face as he rolled on the ground, "That's.....heeheheehee....too..hoohohohoo...fu..funny! HAhahahahahahaha!" Heero glared hard enough to burn holes through the laughing pilot.

            "Shut up!" he hissed. Duo sat up on the ground, wiping his cheeks with a huge smile on his face.

            "You tell ANYONE Duo and I swear I'll make you pay!" Duo cheesed.

            "Oh puh-lease Heero! This is too priceless.... I have to tell EVERYONE!" Heero's jaw clenched as he tried to think of a good threat, his mind distracted by the girl clinging to his waist. She sure did have soft legs....

            "If you tell anyone...I'll blow up your Gundam." Duo's eyes widened in shock as he gaped in horror.

            "You wouldn't! That's cruel...th...that's heartless! You can't do that!!" Heero glared.

            "Tell anyone about this and I will do it!" he threatened. Duo swallowed nervously and nodded.

            "Tell anyone what?" Heero suddenly grabbed the blanket and pulled it over Usagi's head as Wufei entered the room. The Chinese pilot stood in the open doorway, arms crossed over his chest and brow cocked in curiosity. Heero looked at him through narrowed eyes.

            "Nothing...go away," he growled. Wufei looked between Heero on the bed and Duo lying on the floor. Heero was staring at Duo intently, daring him to say something. Duo chewed his lip in indecision. In his mind he weighed his gundam to the joy he would get from telling. Another glance at Heero and his mind was made up. He couldn't do that Deathscythe HELL.

            "Nothing Wu-man." he quipped finally. Wufei forgot his earlier question as he heard the dreaded nickname.

            "MAXWELL!! How many times do I have to tell you NOT to call me that!!" Duo beamed at Wufei.

            "Too many to count...but you know what....I don't care WU-MAN!!" and he took off, diving between Wufei's legs and sprinting down the hall. Wufei stood there, blinking in surprise for a moment before tearing down the hall, slamming the door behind him while yelling death threats.

            A sigh of relief escaped Heero and he flopped his head on the pillow. Those guys were more trouble than they were worth. For a minute he lay there, enjoying the warmth compared to the cold morning air and almost fell asleep again. Then with a jolt he remembered whom he was with.

            Heero reached down to Usagi's joined hands around his waist and gently pried them apart, careful not to wake her. The situation was bad enough; he didn't need her waking up and freaking out. He eased out the bed and placed the blanket back over her. She curled into a ball, her face frowning from the sudden loss of warmth.

            Heero's teeth chattered involuntarily as the cold air hit him. Of all the places to hide out, they had to pick Russia! He wrapped his arms around himself as he stared at her, briefly considering crawling back into the warm bed. Maybe for a little while...

            'What the hell is wrong with me!' he mentally slapped himself and turned on his heel. Without glancing back he went into the bathroom and slammed the door.

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            Heero emerged from the bathroom twenty minutes later; towel wrapped around his waist while droplets of water clung to his bare chest. He'd been so quick to hop in the shower and purge himself of the embarrassing encounter that he'd forgotten to take clothes with him into the bathroom. Now he regretted it as he walked out and saw Usagi...awake and going through his bags. Clothes littered the floor everywhere as she riffled through countless outfits. He frowned in annoyance.

            "What do you think you're doing?" She started at his voice but only turned her head to glance at him.

            "If you haven't noticed HEERO...I didn't exactly pack an overnight bag when you abducted me," she paused in her search, "Don't you have anything besides black and green clothes? No orange? No white? No pink?" Heero cocked an eyebrow,

            "Pink," he stated, "You really think I'd wear pink? I'm not Quatre," Usagi ignored him and dug deeper in the bag.

            "A HA!" she cried in triumph, pulling out a long sleeved white dress shirt and pair of boxers. A giggle escaped her lips as she looked at the boxers, and Heero wished he'd burnt them long time ago. They were dark blue....with the white playboy bunny logo all over them. Around the white waistband the words TOO SEXY stood out in black letters. Duo had given them to him last year for his birthday as a practical joke. He wondered how they ended up in his bag.

            Usagi looked from Heero to the boxers and back again. o_O

            "Hahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahaha!*gasp* too....se...sexy?! Hahahahahahahahahaha!" She ran into the bathroom still laughing and slammed the door.

            Heero flopped on the bed with a sigh of defeat. He waited until he heard the water running and the shower door being closed.

            "IIIYAA!!! THAT'S COLD!!"

            Smirking in satisfaction, he moved to get dressed.

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            "So what's our next move?" asked Duo, stuffing a bagel into his mouth. It was his tenth. Next to him, Wufei grimaced in disgust as he watched Duo inhale the breakfast. Crumbs from the demolished bagel fell on Duo's black sweater and some made their way down to his gray jeans. A crumb landed on Wufei's red sweater vest with black dress shirt underneath and he brushed it away while glaring at Duo. Duo cheesed and dusted his hands off over Wufei's black slacks. He was rewarded with another glare.

            "We move out and continue on to our next destination. We can't do anything until the dust settles and Treize gives up the search," spoke up Trowa. He sat back in his chair, arms crossed as he addressed the other pilots. His hunter green sweater and black jeans contrasted greatly with the aqua blue sweater vest, white turtleneck and blue jeaned boy beside him.

            "Ya, but that could take months, that woman could be lying when she said it'd only last a week," stated Quatre, his tone worried. He didn't like being away from the Magnaucs for so long, not to mention leaving his mansion and gundam unattended for the amount of time he envisioned the search would cover, "We can't just keep hopping from hotel to hotel." Wufei sat forward in his chair, his black eyes intense.

            "If we sit in one spot Winner, we'll get caught for sure. Somebody's bound to notice that five boys and a girl traveling together is out of the ordinary. Once they catch on, we're doomed." Silence hung around the table as they contemplated their situation. It was just the four of them in the hotel dining room, taking advantage of the complimentary breakfast, Duo mostly, while they waited for Heero and Usagi.

            The dark haired pilot appeared moments later, dressed in a black sweater and pants with a scantily clad Usagi behind him. She stood out in her halfway-buttoned dress shirt, blue boxers, and boots from her original ensemble.

            Duo grinned as he recognized the boxers. He opened his mouth to say something but choked as Heero stuffed a bagel in his mouth. He yanked the bagel from his teeth and threw it at Heero's head, only succeeding in hitting the old woman at the next table. She turned around to glare at him, but Duo looked the other way.

            "Konnichiwa minna," greeted Usagi as she took a seat next to Quatre at the long table. Quatre blushed as he took in her outfit.

            "Usagi, you shouldn't wear that! It's 12 degrees below zero outside! You'll freeze!" Usagi stared purposely at Heero, who sat across from Duo and next to Trowa, as she answered Quatre.

            "Well SOMEBODY didn't pack the right kind of clothes and I sure as hell wasn't going to wear black and green." Quatre frowned and stood up, bringing her with him and leading her from the dining hall.

            "Well I don't think you should have to freeze. Come on I'll find you some decent clothes," Duo leered suggestively at her.

            "I think what she has on is fine!" Heero threw a knife at him. Duo ducked and the blade embedded itself in the wall behind him.

            "I've had it with your dirty remarks Duo!" growled Heero. Duo pouted and sank in his chair.

            "Can't help it, I was born that way!" he said in defense. By now Quatre and Usagi had left. Duo rubbed the top of his head, his eyes widening in fear as he pulled two strands away. He glared at Heero, daggers in his eyes.

            "Why you evil son of a-"

            "Enough," ordered Trowa. Duo pouted again and sank lower in his chair.

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            After finding a white sweater and dark blue jeans for Usagi to wear, the six teens left the hotel. She still wore the boxers, finding them rather interesting. The pilots all split into two groups, Heero, Wufei and Duo, and Quatre, Usagi, and Trowa. They agreed to find out useful information while they were in Russia and Quatre took Usagi shopping for some much-needed items.

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Sorry, not much of a cliffhanger this time, but I thought it was time to post again. Well stay tuned for chapter 6!

*sigh* only a lot more chapters to go till the finale.  Hopefully you'll stick around till then.

Till next time! *^_~*


Review PLEASE!!