Sensou Tenshi Usagi (War Angel Usagi) ~ VIII
Midnight of Shadows
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Hi all! I've actually been sitting on this chapter for quite a while. I didn't realize it was 12 pages long! I hope you enjoy, the story is finally moving along.
Minna! Heero says his first grunt in this chapter! I never thought I'd write it but it fit so well for that scene! ^_^ Well I see I'm boring you so on with the fic. I hope you like it. I stayed up till 3 am after work to finish it. Enjoy! Don't forget to review!
Translations:
Kicho na musume – precious daughter
Kanojo muzai no – she's innocent
Gambate – hang in there! don't give up!
Oujo – princess
Hajimemashite – pleased to meet you
Tasukete – help me
Wakatta – do you understand?
Wakatta yo – I understand
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Disclaimer: A pink rabbit in an orange striped business suit sits behind a desk stacked with papers. His attention is riveted to a folder labeled "Shorty"
Rabbit: Hmm..... so this person claims not to own GW or SM or DBZ/GT for that matter. Sentenced to a prison cell and finally taken here to the Anime Nut House after apparently being diagnosed as "insane". *sigh* Why me?
pushes buzzer
Rabbit: Chichi, send in Shorty.
Chichi: Yes sir.
Shorty enters. Her eyes go back and forth before she nervously sits in a chair. Her head wanders all over the room as she checks the place out
Rabbit: *clears throat* ahem...miss Shorty I presume? *pushes glasses up on his nose* Now dear, do you feel you're cured?
Shorty stares at the Rabbit a while before a huge grin appears on her face.
Shorty: Say it
Rabbit: *frowns* say what?
Shorty: *grinz* I'm Late I'm Late! For a very important date!
Rabbit: *horrified* OoO I'm not that stupid rabbit!
Shorty: Yes you are! I know that stupid rabbit anywhere! Now SAY IT! SAY IT! SAY IT! SAY IT! SAY IT!
Rabbit: GUARDS!
Yamcha and Michiru burst into the room and drag Shorty away. Door closes
Rabbit: *-_-;* Guess that's a no.
::stamps big red UNCURED on Shorty's papers::
Rabbit: Now to go out for tea.
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Sensou Tenshi Usagi (War Angel Usagi) ~ VIII
Midnight of Shadows
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"Push! Come one just one more! I can see the head!" the doctor shouted.
"GYAHH!" The mother cried out as one more contraction hit her hard.
*Slap*
"WaaaaAAHHHH!"
"Congratulations Hatsumomo-san. You are the proud new mother of a baby girl!" The doctor bundled the baby up and handed her to her mother.
Wide sapphire blue eyes greeted the world. Little pink hands reached for a face that remained blurry, but whose voice was melodic and low as it cooed to her. The baby girl sneezed then and felt her body shake as her mother laughed. The face moved then, a little closer, and the baby was able to grasp a lock of blond hair that landed near her.
"Konnichiwa kicho na musume," the mother whispered, her hands smoothing the little blond curls on the baby's head. Her hand brushed the baby's forehead and that's when she noticed it, the little crescent moon....glowing.
The doctor cleared his throat, interrupting the tender scene. "Excuse me miss, if you'd like, we can have the birthmark remo-"
"NO!" the mother exclaimed.
The doctor nodded, "Very well then, would you care to tell me the name for the birth certificate?"
The mother gazed into the fresh face of her daughter. So young, so pure, so innocent. The baby giggled and reached her arms out for her mother. Her nose wrinkled then as she sneezed again, scrunching her face up like a little bunny.
"Hai, her name is Usagi," she answered. The doctor scribbled it onto a notepad.
"Last name?" The mother opened her mouth to answer when the door burst open. Fifteen soldiers entered followed by a figure wearing a dark cloak.
"What the hel-"
*Bang*
A bullet was through the doctor's head before he could finish.
"Hatsumomo Jiyana," called the figure in the cloak, "You have been charged with crimes against the colonies and Earth. As a War Angel, you have no rights and therefore, are not entitled to a fair trial. You have been sentenced to execution on sight."
"IIE!" screamed Jiyana, "I am not what my mother was! What do you want from me?!" The figure signaled with his/her hand and before she knew it, two soldiers grabbed the young child from Jiyana's grasp. The baby suddenly wailed, the crescent moon lighting up on her forehead. The frightened soldiers handed the baby to the figure who held her protectively against his/her chest.
"Iie!" cried Jiyana, "onegai....iie! Kanojo muzai no!" Silence ensued, the room echoing with the baby's cries. The figure nodded. A hand reached inside the cloak and pulled a gun out. Jiyana eyed the weapon, realization dawning upon her.
"Onegai," she pleaded one last time, "I don't care what you do to me, just please, spare my daughter." Tears were trickling down her face then as the figure approached, placing the gun between her eyes and cocking it. Jiyana glanced up to the face hidden in the depths of the cloak, fearless in the face of death.
"Forgive me Usagi," she whispered, "I could not protect you." Her eyes closed slowly, two last crystal tears spilling forth. She sighed sorrowfully as the figure pulled the trigger.
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Usagi awoke with a start, her heart racing as her labored breathing tried to even out. Her sapphire eyes stared at the oak door of Heero's bedroom before she forcefully snapped them shut, her brows drawing down in disgust as she suppressed a sob. Kami how she hated that dream! What sick deity thought it fit to make her relive the death of her mother over and over again? Did the gods not think they tortured her enough with visions during the day? She couldn't stop the tears that escaped her closed lids. They made their path down her cheeks as she swallowed dryly. Why did it hurt so much? Why couldn't she get over the death of a woman she didn't even know? What was it about Hatsumomo Jiyana that troubled her so? So many questions about a past long taken from her. In the midst of all these jumbled thoughts, she remembered a saying once told to her by Juniper.
'The past is not important. To dwell on it is to forget your future. While the past has come and gone and can never be changed, the future has yet to arrive and can only become as you make it.'
Of all the things ever taught to her throughout her fifteen years, she remembered those words the best. Juniper had been her hero once, her idol. Usagi couldn't recall why or how she started to hate the woman, it was just something that happened gradually over time. She sighed. Tears were useless now. There was no sense in grieving over fortunes long gone. Her hands moved up to wipe the last of the water from her cheeks. That done, she moved to stretch out her back and found herself braced against a hard chest. Usagi halted mid-stretch and glanced down to her waist, just then noticing the pair of arms wrapped around her. When had that happened? She didn't remember Heero moving during the night. And hadn't he told her to stay on this side of the bed?
Usagi silently smirked as she rolled to face him, no small task as his tight grip never lessened. Finally she managed to fully flip over and face his bare chest. Her gaze traveled up the smooth frame to the chiseled face, settled in slumber. He looked so peaceful when he slept, the troubles of the world forgotten. She gently reached her hand up and traced the line of his jaw, the curve flawless. Her eyes took in the way his hair swayed gently as his shallow breathing caused his chest to rise ever so slightly. He shifted then and Usagi felt cold, hard, metal pressing against her back. A knowing smile graced her lips.
"Never sleep without your gun huh?" she whispered. His brow twitched as his lips descended into a frown, almost as if he'd heard her. Usagi giggled. She smoothed her hand against his cheek, his frown disappearing moments later.
"Arigatou Heero, for protecting me," Usagi closed her eyes and placed a chaste kiss on his chest, right over his heart. She snuggled closer to him, her head finding a cozy spot, nestled on his shoulder. Soon the rhythmic beating of his heart lured her to sleep, this time, a rest with no dreams.
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Galaxia gazed up at the grand opera house in awe. So this is where they stopped for one night, she mused to herself. The opera house was impressive indeed. A wonderful dome shaped structure that held swatches of art and decor inside. She had little time to ponder however on the magnificent structure as a corporal approached her, his face grim and determined. The young soldier paused in front of her and saluted. Galaxia nodded towards the young man.
"At ease corporal. What have you got to report," The soldier's reply was instant, not one bit of hesitation evident in his tone.
"Ma'am, two of the serving men here report seeing a strange occurrence just the other day. Apparently a young man and a young woman caused somewhat of a minimal disturbance by running through the halls of the opera house and exiting through the back door of the bar. One serving boy reports that they never came back."
Galaxia sighed. Great, just what she needed. Her ruby eyes swirled as she surmised the situation. If Usagi and whoever the young man was that was chasing her never came back, there had to be a plausible reason. What would make Usagi run out in the middle of a performance?
The corporal fidgeted as Galaxia became lost in thought.
"Ma'am," he said at last, cringing as Galaxia scowled down at him. Noticing she was making the young man uncomfortable, Galaxia dropped her scowl. It was the least he deserved for breaking her concentration. Still, she didn't blame him for being uncomfortable. At six foot two, she was an impressive woman.
"Hai corporal," she answered at last, "What else have you got?"
The corporal dug around in his pocket until his hand closed on an object. Then he pulled it out slowly, opening his hand to display the object in his palm. It was a pearl bracelet.
Galaxia glanced from to bracelet to the soldier, a look of 'And this is?' plainly written on her face. The soldier coughed as his face reddened in sudden embarrassment.
"Ma'am, this was discovered outside the door where the two young people disappeared."
Galaxia stared into the soldiers face to ascertain the certainty of his words before she nodded and deftly plucked the bracelet from his palm. The corporal hastily placed his now empty hand by his side and saluted with the other.
"You are excused corporal," she began, the soldier turning to leave upon her word, "But before you leave,"
He paused.
"Show me where you found this bracelet," she didn't miss the way his body trembled from released tension or the slightly relieved look upon his face. It seemed as if he suspected her of knowing some great secret of his, something he desperately wished her not to know. Galaxia made a mental note to investigate the situation later as the corporal led her towards the door, the path already cleared of employees and customers alike. They arrived moments later, the door in question cracked and allowing a cool breeze to drift throughout the room.
"Dismissed," Galaxia said absently, her attention already focused on the outside. She stepped through the door and quietly closed it behind her. She needed privacy for this. Galaxia closed her eyes and concentrated on the bracelet in her hand, reading the information as the bracelet glowed a dull white. Her surroundings became lost as she focused on the object.
::Snow swirled around her in white brilliance, covering the ground in a thick blanket. Usagi trudged through it regardless, the biting wind sending chills down her spine. She'd forgotten her coat in her haste to catch Mercury, so now she traveled only in her dress and heels. Her stockings became soaked, the feeling in her toes long gone, but she didn't stop or go back.::
Galaxia's brows furrowed, digging for more information. There had to be more, there just had to be. The bracelet pulsed in sync with her heartbeat, the magical info it contained being withdrawn against its will. It pulsed extra brightly as Galaxia's probing finally found the info she was looking for.
:: Heero bent down and examined a glistening object in the snow, recognizing it instantly. It was Usagi's pearl bracelet. Then he saw it, the footprints leading north. Already they were filling up with snow, but he could still make them out, headed straight for the lake.::
Galaxia's eyes snapped open. The lake! She needed to get there. She looked up and in the distance, the waving of orange flags caught her eye. Quickly she gathered her bearings and headed for the lake, a full fifty feet ahead of her. She was out of breath when she finally got there, taking a moment to catch her lost oxygen supply. How had Usagi managed to run the whole way? She nodded her head and focused on the more immediate matter.
Galaxia's eyes assessed the perimeter of the lake, her sharp senses not missing the jagged pieces of ice frozen back together. Warning signs had been posted along the shore, warning visitors of the accident that had occurred there. Galaxia placed her palm onto the lakes surface and tested it for firmness. The ice held. She pressed harder and had the satisfaction of seeing it crack. She was definitely not going out there.
Galaxia stared at the ice a moment longer before she made her decision. She didn't need to be out there to find out what happened; she could read the ice from right there. Positioning her open palm onto the ice surface, she closed her eyes once more and concentrated, a golden glow spreading from her hand onto the frozen water. Galaxia exerted a bit more energy and soon the entire surface of the lake radiated a golden glow. It wasn't long before the information came to her.
::Usagi came closer, never noticing the change in the stabilization of the ground. She paused once as she heard it creak, her heel stepping in a hole. Usagi yanked it out and continued walking, never noticing the water welling up from the hole where her heel had been. Mercury was a little ways away now, no more than five feet. Mercury's eyes shone with light as Usagi stretched her arm out and reached for her.
"Serenity," she whispered and vanished. Usagi stopped and stared in shock. Where did she go?
"Mercury," she whispered, tears springing to her eyes, "Mercury! Iie!! Come back to me!" With a wail of despair Usagi collapsed onto the ground. She never felt the shifting of the ground as she sobbed. Ice began to crack beneath her weight, but she didn't notice. Her surroundings were lost to her, her grief overwhelming above all. Why did Mercury leave her?
"Why? WHY!" with an anguished sob she pounded her fists on the ground in frustration. Big mistake.
*CRASH*
"EIIIIEEI-" Usagi's scream was cut off as the icy, black water surged into her mouth.::
Galaxia's eyes snapped open as she cried out. Usagi! Oh god she hoped the girl hadn't drowned. How could she be so stupid! Why did she follow her vision like that?
Her breathing equaled out as she regained her calm. 'Ok Galaxia, lets continue with this, maybe there's more to this lakes story.' Having given herself a pep talk, Galaxia placed her hand on the ice once again and almost jumped back as the next images assaulted her.
::"Usagi!" Heero sprinted across the distance and ran full speed. She was drowning! Her arms flailed about wildly trying to get a grip. Quickly he dived across the ice and grabbed her arm as she began to sink. Gritting his teeth, he sprang up and yanked her out the water. Heero pulled her close and stepped back from the edge. Once he was sure the ice was stable he held her out at arms length and checked over her. Usagi panted heavily, coughing up lungfuls of water as she breathed. Heero let her cough up all the water, arms holding her steady; she was too weak to stand on her own.
Suddenly the ice began to creak under his feet and Heero jumped back as it broke. The lake, it was breaking up! Heero pulled Usagi close again and began to run, narrowly missing the open water. Several times he slipped and almost fell in the water, but desperation fueled him and he got up, running again.
Usagi tried hard to keep up as she was pulled along by Heero, held close to his side. Her feet barely touched the ground as he sprinted. When he fell his grip loosened a little and Usagi was forced to run on her own. Her legs were so sore, she was so tired, so cold. Usagi's eyes closed once in tiredness and she tripped. Heero cursed as he was dragged down with her. Usagi cried in pain as roughly he got up and jerked her to her feet. The bank was a mere feet away. Heero panicked as he noticed the ice by the bank beginning to break up. They were trapped! He looked behind him. The water was catching up fast, ice breaking and falling into the black water. He finally made up his mind and picked Usagi up, arms under her legs and back. With a crouch, Heero jumped with all his might just as the ice gave beneath them. They landed on the bank with a thud and rolled a few feet. ::
Galaxia breathed a sigh of relief, the glow diminishing as she came back to reality. They had made it. Her eyes watered in sudden elation as she smiled. She was alive! Usagi was alive! A sob escaped Galaxia's throat as she hugged her knees. The crazy girl almost got herself killed chasing visions, but she was alive! The power of love had saved her. Galaxia wiped her eyes and sniffled as she checked her emotions. Everything was going to be all right, the princess was still alive!
"You'll never win Chaos!" she shouted, her ruby gaze raised to the sky, "She grows stronger everyday, and one day, she will be strong enough to defeat you and release us all from this hell we call life! Gambate Oujo-sama!" She threw back her head then in a mad cackle, laughter filled with the promise of hope.
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"Hmph...I send you on a mission to retrieve a disk, and a week later you end up with no disk, a severely damaged gundam, and, not to mention, a girl in bed! And not just any girl, but the one who is the center of this whole fiasco at that!"
Heero snapped awake instantly. Who the hell?! His eyes narrowed at the man in the doorway, his glare turned on full force. Under the screen of the covers, his hand gripped the gun tightly.
"Hn," he grunted, acknowledging the man's presence.
Dr. J's hands shot in the air in mock surrender as he sauntered a few feet into the room and stopped. He dropped his hands as he noticed Heero's glare and crossed his arms over his chest instead. What right had his pupil to glare at him like that? A frown creased his features as he gazed at the girl that had her arms wrapped around Heero's waist. Her head rested partially on the boy's chest, golden hair spreading over the bed in a heavenly sheet, a few strands falling in her face. The white sheet pulled over the two stopped just below her shoulders, hiding Heero's arms which were wrapped around her. Dr. J's frown deepened at that.
Heero raised his upper body up on one elbow; his other arm, the one that held the gun, was draped casually over Usagi's waist. His gun hand tensed, ready to fire lest the Dr try anything. At the moment, the gun rested lightly on the bed, hidden beneath the sheet.
"Tell me Heero, is this really Tenshi? The one who shot you? How in the world did she end up in your bed?" Dr. J's tone was dark, almost malicious as he chastised his pupil. He wasn't that angry about Tenshi being in Heero's room. No, he was pissed because Heero had failed to contact him after his last mission. He had no idea what had become of the perfect soldier after the base exploded, hell, he thought all the boys were dead! He didn't even know if the boy retrieved the disk.
"Well is it?" he pressed, tired of Heero's silent war game.
Heero ignored the Dr and instead glanced down to Usagi as he felt her stir. Her sparkling sapphire eyes were wide open and blinking. She wrinkled her brow as her lips formed the silent question 'who?' Heero's gun arm tightened on her waist, a silent command to stay put. Her nod was barely perceptible as she snuggled closer to him, eliciting a grimace from him in response. She didn't have to go that far to prove she was asleep.
Usagi smiled against his chest, suppressing the urge to giggle as she pictured his reaction. Boy was she going to get it later.
Heero finally looked back up to the neglected doctor and nodded. Dr. J sighed.
"I thought so. This only complicates matters even more. It's 0800 now. Be downstairs in the Gundam hanger at 1000 hours. I expect a full report of the weeks happenings and an update on what occurred on the base."
"Hn," Heero more or less replied. The doctor shook his head as he left the room, leaving the door wide open for all to see what was in the perfect soldiers room. Once he was sure DR. J was gone, Heero turned his glare on the bunny beneath him.
"It's 8 o'clock already!" she suddenly exclaimed, jumping up and landing on her feet on the bed, "Well look at that. Gotta go Heero! Going to be a busy day down at the mansion or so I hear. JA ne!" Usagi was halfway across the bed when Heero lunged and grabbed her ankle. She fell face first into the soft mattress, her cry of surprise muffled.
"Usa-"he began but never finished as she issued a war cry and launched herself at him. Heero was caught off guard as she tackled him and they rolled off the bed in a tangle of limbs. They finally bumped into a dresser and Usagi rolled away. Heero scrambled to get up, but Usagi was already up and out the door. An echoing giggle was all that was heard as she raced down the hall.
Heero leaned up against the dresser and ran a hand through his hair. 'It's only 8 o'clock and the day's already terrible,' he thought, his head lowering. Today would be one of those days. Heero shook his head and finally got up. No sense in wasting the day away, he'd get the little bunny back later.
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Moments later, Heero emerged into the dining room, refreshed and ready to greet the world. Seeing as how it would be nothing more than a day of repairs, he'd only thrown on a black sleeveless tank and loose gray sweats with his trademark sneakers. He glanced around the table to see all the boys seated at the table enjoying breakfast, and a very enthusiastic Usagi devouring her meal. A few sweat drops appeared on Quatre's head as he watched her.
"Usagi-chan, maybe you should slow down ne?"
"I mmenph I neemh aph mph mpherme I mmen mmmenph," she replied before stuffing another pancake into her mouth. Quatre sighed.
"Did any one catch what she just said?"
"She said, and I quote 'I can't, I need all the energy I can get,'" everyone sweat dropped as they stared at Trowa. O_O;
"And I thought I was weird," mumbled Duo. Quatre glanced up as he noticed Heero.
"Good morning Heero, sleep well?" Heero gave him a glare before reaching for a plate and filling it with pancakes and scrambled eggs. Quatre just shrugged and returned to his meal. Wufei gave Usagi and Dou a look of disgust as they reached for their third helping. He finally picked up the napkin from his lap and set it on his plate, signaling the end of his meal. Trowa soon followed suit, Quatre and Heero not far behind. Moments later, Usagi and Duo finally finished.
*Burp*
"Ahh!" exclaimed Duo rubbing his belly, "Breakfast at Quatre's is always good!" Usagi giggled and slapped him a high five. Wufei scowled at the two.
"You're excused baka," he said while glowering at the braided pilot. Duo cheesed and flashed him a peace sign.
"Thanks Wu-man, I appreciate your concern," he quipped, his grin widening as Wufei's face turned red. The pilots braced themselves for the ensuing argument but were surprised when Wufei took two deep breaths and calmed down.
"Now that breakfast is taken care of," began Wufei with a furtive glance at Duo, "A few matters need to be settled. I don't know if any of you noticed, but Doctor J and Master O are here."
"Yah," spoke Quatre, "I was awakened this morning by Instructor H. He had Doctor S with him. They told me to meet them in the Gundam Hanger along with Trowa and the rest of the pilots at ten. "
"You know," added Duo, "This all sounds a bit conspiratory if you ask me. Professor G and my man Howard are here too. Why would all the builders meet here?"
The boys stared at one another in thought, Usagi's confused expression ignored at the moment.
"Doctors? Why are Doctors here?" she voiced at last, her curiosity getting the best of her.
Trowa fixed her with his solid stare, the others either glancing from each other to her worriedly, or glaring at her for even asking such a thing. Usagi gulped.
"Usagi," Trowa said at last, "These Doctors are our trainers, much like Galaxia is to you." Usagi grinned in appreciation as the looks were cast his way.
"Arigatou," she said, "That's all I really needed to know. Um, since you guys have so much to discuss I'm just going to go upstairs and get dressed. Ja," She quickly blew a kiss at all them and dashed away.
The boys exchanged glances as they watched her go. Then, as one, they left the table and headed towards the Gundam Hangar. After passing through a series of hallways and going down two flights of stairs, they arrived at the door to the hangar and went inside. Five old men and a slightly younger man turned from a table where they had been huddled together as they heard the young men approach. Doctor J was the first to speak.
"Ahh, right on time," he said with a perfunctory glimpse at his watch, "Come in, we have much to discuss,"
"What is your purpose for being here?" Wufei asked, his onyx eyes narrowing as they focused on the doctors.
"We sent you children on a mission, you sustained serious damage to the gundams and we are merely here to repair them," Professor G answered, his eyes shifting form one pilot to the next.
"You've never come before," Trowa observed, his single eye fixing them with a solid stare. Two of the builders shuffled nervously as another clasped his hands in front of him.
"Come now, what matters is that we are here," Doctor J said, his unctuous manner unsettling, "As I said before, we have much to discuss. Now, enough with the questioning, we have some questions of our own. First and foremost, Heero, where is Tenshi?"
Heero glared fiercely at his trainer, the man who had raised him to be the perfect soldier and a killer. He knew when the man was up to something and now was one of those times. The man's goggles practically glowed with evil intentions. His clawed hand was place seruptously behind his back, his stance one of casual attendance.
"Upstairs," he answered the man at last. Dr. J nodded and rubbed his long white mustache with his one hand.
"Hmm, good enough for now I guess. On to business then, How was your mission Heero? Did you boys retrieve the disk?"
"Hai," the boy answered smoothly.
"Where is it?" J pressed.
"Destroyed," Heero stated, his monotone voice steady and firm.
Dr. J frowned, " Were you able to find out any information on it? Was there any valuable information on it?"
"Iie." Silence reigned in the room as mentor and student assessed one another. Dr. J could feel the change in Heero. Never before had his pupil been so detached and withdrawn. Sure Heero was an antisocial boy, but ever since the boy had acquired Tenshi, his manner had changed somewhat. He was almost, rebellious. Dr J frowned involuntarily. This was not good. If Heero were planning on rebelling against his authority, his plans would be complicated. He shook his head.
"Oh well, too bad you couldn't obtain information. I can see there is no use in wondering about the matter further so let us move on." He stepped aside then and motioned with his hands for the other men to do the same. Once the way was clear, the table was revealed to show blueprints rolled across the table. He nodded to the boys and they proceeded to approach the table, Duo and Quatre's eyes widening as they saw the blueprints.
"Oh cool!" exclaimed Duo as he snatched up one of the prints, "New plans for the gundams! Does this mean I can add that CD player to Deathscythe?"
Howard sweat dropped and placed a hand behind his head as the others stared blankly. Duo blinked, "Nani? I like to listen to music as I mutilate things," He grinned cheekily and winked at them.
"Uh, actually, these plans are improvements to your gundams. Along with repairs we are going to install new shields in all of your Gundams," Instructor H answered.
"Why do we need new shields?" Quatre asked, "I thought the Gundanium could withstand intense attacks."
"Tis true," Master O offered, "But with the new Capricornious dolls, we have discovered that the weapons of the dolls have been severely altered. The weapons have been reinforced with some sort of new energy we have yet to identify. To protect the gundams, the shields must be improved by 50% or your next battle may fare worst than your last."
"These are some serious improvements sir," Quatre remarked, "It looks as if you've been planning the reinforcement plans for months. And these schematics! How on Earth are we supposed to operate the equipment with the limited supplies we have? I mean, the new weaponry calls for wires and metals I don't even have stored in my hanger!"
"Don't worry so much my boy," Instructor H said as he led Quatre towards Sandrock, "We've come prepared with all the supplies you boys should need. Now, how about we start on these new improvements on Sandrock? The sooner we accomplish this feat, the sooner the Gundams will be operational again."
The boys cast one last glance to one another before parting their separate ways. Master O and Wufei immediately set to work on Shenlong, while Doctor S and Trowa studied the plans to Heavyarms. Quatre and Instructor H were deep into discussion on the alterations while Duo, Howard, and Professor G pointed out items of interest on the blueprints and set out to work on them. Heero started to walk towards his Gundam, but when he noticed Doctor J not following, he paused and looked back, his face an expressionless mask. Dr. J was standing at the table the blueprints had previously occupied, his gaze focused on a sole set of prints that belonged to none of the gundams. Heero hesitated a moment before he slowly began to approach the old man. He was only a few feet away when Dr, J said, "Go on without me. I trust your training was extensive enough to cover remodeling your Gundam." Heero studied the man a second longer before turning to work on Wing.
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It took Usagi longer than intended to shower and dress. The only dilemma had been her hair. She had started to braid it into her customary braid, but had stopped when she noticed her reflection in the mirror. For some reason, the hairstyle just didn't seem appropriate on such a day. Instead she had stressed her mind until a mental image came to her of a girl dressed in a sailor outfit with odango shaped buns atop her head. Then, it had only taken her five minutes to pin her hair up and curl the streamers of golden hair left out. It was amazing how natural the style felt and how much ease it allowed her to move with.
With her hair out of the way, Usagi quickly shrugged into a white tank top and red sweat pants with gray thread running down the sides to her white sneakers. Having accomplished her mission, Usagi dashed out the door to catch up to the others. It took her awhile to locate a maid and ask for directions to the hanger, but none of the maids knew what she was talking about. Usagi almost gave up until she ran into a tall brawny man.
"Gomen sir," she said politely while bowing, "I didn't see you."
The man squinted down at her, his dark gaze making her blush, "And you are miss? Where is a young lady like you off to in such a rush?"
Usagi blinked and sweat dropped. With a nervous giggle she held out her hand in greeting. "Atashi wa, Usagi desu. Hajimemashite. I didn't mean to run into you, really I didn't. I was just looking for Quatre and Heero. I think I'm lost-" The man smiled suddenly and chuckled.
"You must be the young lady Master Quatre was talking about. I'm Rashid. The boys are in the hanger. Just go down the next two hallways and turn left at the end of the last one. There should be a door there, the only door there."
"Arigatou!" Usagi exclaimed and hugged the man. Without even looking up to see his surprised face, she dashed away in the right direction.
Rashid stared after the girl in a daze. "Way too much sugar," he mumbled before walking on.
After five more minutes of walking and endless hallways, she finally reached her destination.
Usagi approached the door cautiously and listened outside. The sounds of whirring drills and pounding hammers resonated from the doorway and proceeded into the hall. She could smell the faint scent of oil and sweat. This was definitely the right room. Without knowing why, she took a deep breath and went in.
Usagi blinked a few times as the bright overhead lights assaulted her eyes, but they soon grew accustomed to it. All noise ceased as everyone's attention was riveted to the intruder. Usagi blushed and sweat dropped. She grinned brightly suddenly and rubbed the back of her head as she cheerily shouted, "OHAYO MINNA!"
"OHAYO USAGI-CHAN!" Duo shouted back from the top of his gundam. As if his greeting were a signal, the others in the room immediately resumed their work and the sounds of drills and hammers could once again be heard. Usagi breathed a sigh of relief and walked further into the room, the door slamming behind her. She had only gone a few feet when a large object obstructed her path. Usagi stopped and looked up, way up. A man with long white hair and goggles stared down at the small teen, his arms crossed menacingly in front of him. Her eyes bugged when they fell on the clawed hand.
Swallowing nervously, Usagi held out her hand, "Konnichiwa, Atashi wa Usagi desu. Hajimemashite."
Without warning the clawed hand flew out and grabbed her around the neck. Usagi cried out in pain as the man slammed her against the wall. His lips drew down in a grimace as his face zoomed in to observe her better.
"Are you Tenshi?" He asked angrily, the claws tightening slightly. Usagi paled.
"Answer me!" he yelled, shaking her to influence an answer. Usagi struggled against him, her hands coming up to her neck as she tried to pry the claws from around her neck.
"Let me go!" she cried.
"Answer me girl!" The man persisted; he shook her again and elicited another cry of pain.
"Itai! HEERO TASUKETE!" Usagi wailed. Tears came to her eyes as she kicked out in futile. The man grew even angrier, his other hand rising up.
"Listen girl, you better answer me or-"
*click*
"Put her down."
The man stopped. His lips formed a small "o" of surprise as his clawed hand opened and dropped her. Usagi landed with a thud on her butt on the floor. She quickly scrambled away and hid behind Heero. The boy held the gun against the man's back, his finger only a hair's breath away from pulling the trigger. Usagi rubbed her throat with one, the other clutching the back of Heero's shirt in a death grip as she quivered against him. Heero turned on his death glare as the man turned to face them fully, his eyes noting the gun, and took two steps back
Heero glared at Doctor J with as much anger and contempt as he could gather. When the man visibly paled, Heero diverted his attention to the girl behind him.
"Usagi," he said softly, "Go to Duo,"
Usagi began to shake her head no but stopped when she noticed Heero's look. She backed away regretfully, her gaze drifting between the two males before she took off for Duo's gundam. Heero made sure she was a relatively safe distance away before he finally dropped his gun and fully faced his instructor.
Doctor J was furious. Without saying a word, he drew his arm back and brought it forward with as much force as he could muster.
*SLAP*
Heero fell to the ground from the force of the blow. He stayed there, his breathing uneven as he stared at the floor. A trickle of blood rolled across his lip and he licked it away. Doctor J reached down and grabbed the boy by his neck, hefting him into the air so that they were eye to eye. With incredible strength, he brought Heero close enough to be nose to nose.
"Don't presume to give me orders Yui," he whispered, his voice laced with venom and spite, "I am the instructor and YOU are the pupil. I will do as I please. And if you ever think to hold me at gunpoint again, I will personally make you regret it. Wakatta?"
Heero's eyes betrayed nothing of what he felt, none of the hatred and anger he'd displayed earlier. It was as if the blow had knocked every emotion he'd gathered in the last two weeks away in a single instant. This was the perfect soldier J had raised. This was the Heero Yui who obeyed without question, without hesitation.
"Wakkata yo," he replied, his voice barely audible.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Whoa! What a chapter huh? I don't know why I never published this sooner. I guess I let the real world get to me. But I'm back now and feeling better than ever. Maybe I'll finish this story this time around ne? Sorry to all my fans out there. I truly regret leaving you hanging after the last chapter. Hopefully I can regain interest and you all can forgive me. I guess I just needed a little inspiration to keep on writing. Well I'm rambling so I'll stop now. Till next chapter…
