Disclaimer: Don't own. Don'towndon'towndon'town. Let's leave it at that. :DDD

Oh goodness! After a few long, loooooooooong months, Ashika nee-chan and I are finally online at the same time. Lol … so … that means this chapter has been edited and now, obviously, it has been posted. Ah! All thanks to Ash. :D

Chapter 18: The Future Lies Ahead

Hiiro woke to the insistent beeping of his cell on the night table and awkwardly reached for it, careful not to jostle the arm that Usagi was hugging to her chest.

Fumbling it open with on hand, he said, voice still gravelly with sleep, "Yui here."

"Yui, this is Treize. I just sent two airplane tickets to Calais to the hotel office downstairs. You and Tsukino will be flying back to New York this evening at 6:40 and will take a taxi to the FBI branch there. I'll be waiting for your arrival."

"What?"

"Be there, Yui. And have Tsukino with you." The line went dead and Hiiro slowly closed his cell phone, gently tugging his arm out of Usagi's grip before getting out of bed. The clock blinked 5:30 a.m.

Before he could sneak off to the bathroom, a sleepy voice interrupted him. "Hiiro … what was that?" Usagi sat up and blinked at him blearily, looking adorable in pink bunny pajamas. At his silence, the shadow of sleep left her, and she pursed her lips. "Was it Treize?"

"Yes."

"He's sending the airplane tickets over?"

"Yes."

"Well … I'll go order breakfast while you shower, okay?" She slid off of the bed and walked out of the room. Hiiro stared after her.

…………………

Treize had long since told his secretary to say "no comment" every time the press phoned his office. Duo Maxwell had showed up yesterday evening to report in for duty, cheerfully unaware of the large amount of dirt he could throw onto Treize's reputation. Treize had to admit he had gone easily on the guy; he was still a bit testy and jumpy after the interview with the New York Times. Actually, to be brutally honest, he was a nervous wreck over the possibility of Maxwell revealing everything.

His suspicions that whatever occurred would leak out to the press were confirmed when, not twenty minutes later, he received his first phone call of the day from the Chicago Tribune.

…………………

Hiiro stared blankly at the kitchen table, dappled with the lemony, early-morning sunlight, feeling uncomfortable and annoyed but not betraying it on his face. Usagi sat opposite of him, calmly eating the room service special of breakfast burritos, gingerly slicing bite-sized pieces off and spearing them with the plastic fork. He glanced up and studied her, sipping his orange juice slowly.

"What's wrong with you?" The question sounded nonchalant and dispassionate as if he were merely commenting on the time of day.

She looked up abruptly, sunlight and shadow playing in her golden hair and on her face, and tilted her head slightly. "What do you mean?"

He let go of the glass of juice, wondering whether or not he should just drop the subject. "I tell you we're heading back to NYC and you tell me you're going to go get breakfast?" There was a dangerous and threatening edge to his voice.

Usagi finally set her knife and fork down, almost reluctantly. "My mom had always told me that I shouldn't worry about things I have no control over."

"So you're giving up."

"Not … per se," she shrugged.

"What if I told you I was going to ignore Treize's orders and come with you to Innocence?"

"I'd say you're crazy."

"Usagi-" he stopped, frustrated and searching for the right words. "I don't care about Treize or anybody. I don't care about being on the wrong side of the law. I'm willing to give everything up."

She shook her head fiercely and stood up. "You might be willing to give everything up, Hiiro, but I'm not willing to let you."

"I don't understand."

Usagi shrugged. "I don't expect you to." She dropped her dishes off in the sink. When she turned back to him, he was glaring at her.

"Don't you understand what I'm saying to you? I'm willing to give up my future in order to … to … be with you." Hiiro blinked at himself. He had never said those words in that order.

"Hiiro, you're the one who doesn't understand. I understand that you are willing to give up everything and I understand what it means but I'm simply not willing to let you do that. Your future lies ahead of you and mine ahead of me. Unfortunately, they don't run together."

Silence permeated the sunny kitchen as both stared at each other.

"Promise me one thing then," he started slowly.

"Let's hear it."

"Promise me you will escape from here and head back to Innocence HQ. Promise me you won't be caught again."

Usagi looked away, troubled, but looked up, startled, as Hiiro pushed his chair back and strode over to her.

"Promise me." His hands gripped her shoulders.

…………………

"How long will it take me to teach you to be more careful?" Ami sighed as she undid the bandages around Artemis's healing hand and rolled her eyes.

Artemis didn't seem to hear her words as he stared out the window at the NYC skyline. "What do you think Usagi truly feels for Hiiro Yui?"

Ami tucked the end in and shook her head. "Don't let it bother you, Art. You can't change their feelings for each other."

Cat-like emerald eyes narrowed as he turned to her. "So you are saying that they do have feelings towards each other?"

"Don't be stupid, Art. You're smart enough to see what's in plain sight. Hiiro Yui and Usagi Tsukino are head over heels, cannot-be-five-seconds-apart in love with each other."

Silence passed as Artemis returned to broodingly staring out the window and Ami checked her planner.

"In love … What do you think they'll do?" A note of fear had crept into Artemis's voice as Ami looked up and gazed at him thoughtfully.

"I'm not sure," she started slowly. "He might come to us. She might go to him. Or they might just be forever separated…"

"I'd prefer the last scenario."

"Are you sure, Art?" Ami's voice was soft and questioning, more saddened than he had expected. "Usagi's love for you will never change even with Hiiro. Love has no bounds, Art, and even though Usagi is in love with Hiiro, she won't love you any less. For you're the elder brother that saved her and protected her. You're the one she loves best."

He started and turned again to Ami. "You think so?"

She smiled. "I know so."

…………………

I promise. I promise that I'll escape.

Usagi shook her head to dispel the thought as she hurriedly stuffed more clothes into the carry-on suitcase, not caring whether or not they were folded properly or not. The light was off in her room and the bare carpet and alabaster walls were illuminated only by silver moonlight.

Hauling the now full bag off of the bed, she closed her eyes for a brief moment to collect herself before righting the suitcase and heading towards the door.

"I guess this is goodbye, Hiiro," she stated softly, not bothering to glance at the doorway.

"How'd you know I was here?" He stepped into the room and stared at her, arms neatly crossed over his chest.

She shrugged and grinned at him, gently leaning onto the propped up suitcase. "I didn't spend over seven years at Innocence for nothing."

His eyebrows shot up. "Since…fourteen?"

She looked away. "I forgot. I never did tell you my past."

"You did when I was unconscious."

Usagi smiled to herself. "So careless of me to believe the great Hiiro Yui could actually be sleeping at night, right?" [1] The words were mocking but the tone was teasing as she strode towards him, suitcase standing alone in the center of the room. "I'll be sure to mail it to you sometime."

"You're postponing it more?" His tone was mildly incredulous as she smiled and his arms loosely came around her waist. He leaned down until his forehead touched hers in a gentle gesture and stared at her as her eyelids fluttered shut.

"I'll be leaving soon. Art sent a private plane over to the downtown area and the pilot is driving a rented car over to here," Usagi whispered, eyes still closed as Hiiro stared at the minute movement of her lips, slight in the darkness. "Hiiro … will I ever see you again?"

He didn't answer. And when those crystalline eyes reopened, questioning, he leant in even further and kissed a path from her forehead to her lips.

And then there was sweet serenity and quiet, and in the darkness, it felt almost as if they were the only two people alive.

…………………

Oh … my … I didn't realize how many insinuations this chapter seemed to have until Callie nee-chan read it over for me. :x They weren't meant to be there! Like the first scene … and the last sentence. No meanings whatsoever. Hahaha. But anyhow … this was actually … something like one of my favorite chapters. It isn't particularly the writing … just what happened while I was writing. [was in a barber shop to get hair cut when part of this was written] Yes. Just had to let you guys know. Okay. You can leave now. :D

Lesson: Reading makes one depressed because one realizes how untalented and ignorant one is. XD But if reading makes one depressed, it means that one is getting complacent. Getting complacent is not good. It slows down or stops progress. [translation: somebody insult me, please. :D no. seriously.]

Notes:

1. If you'll remember, Usagi told Hiiro that she told him her past while he was unconscious that one night during which Duo had appeared, unseen. So, they are referring to that, not to Hiiro faking unconsciousness. ^^;;;

Serena Yuy: You're back! o_o!!! Welcome, welcome! Brother, ne? Say no more. :DDD

Firefly Princess: Aiya … you're definitely one of the reasons for my complacency. With your absolutely beyond flattering words that make me all bubbly and happy and and and … stop! Lolol. ::forces self to stop bouncing over review:: Your perception of Duo's situation is exactly what I wanted it to be! Though … to be brutally honest, I'm not sure whether that perception is a result of my writing or your imagination. XD

Ashika: I'm so sorry!!! Forgive me!!! …please? :D

Obsessed: I know … --; Duo's chance was squashed so quickly … :x

Tenshi no Hi: Swooning? Lol! …I have the ability to make girls swoon. o_o!!! ::flaunts::

The Desert Fox: Lol … sorry about the not responding deal. :x I think … the only site that I actively submitted to [for which the web mistress is personally updating my stories for me … ::embarrassed::] was one ran by Lady Cosmos. But … I'm pretty sure it still works…is the site: . Oh! Maybe you visited the crosswinds site? Hmm … I think I remember this being previously hosted at crosswinds…?

Princess2000204: H-haaaaa…:D I updated! Quickly! [sort of]

Gackt Camui: o_o!!! You're too nice!!! Be at your most brutal! Lol … must … stop … rereading review! ::dies::

Sunshine Fia: Lol … yay! So everything is cleared up, ne? …No more confusing stuff? ::please say yes:: Artemis and Ami-chan … hmm … I'm not sure we're going to see Ami-chan again. In fact, I'm almost positive we won't. But we will see Artemis again. For sure. :DDD Very vital. Luna wasn't in the fic [surprisingly!] Lol … it gets confusing after awhile, huh? I have trouble remember who's how old in which fic and stuff … :x Ah yes. Not getting paid for six months definitely sucks … but it beats going to jail for a few years. :DDD [I might have been a bit lenient on them actually … lol] And after your celebration over Hiiro and Usagi being a couple … I wonder how much you're going to hate me after this chapter. Rofl. --;

Thank yous go out to everybody who bothered to review and, of course, even to those who didn't [reading = flattering. :DDD] Oh goodness … you guys are all so awesome. ::retreats to corner to gush:: Yours, Angel. :D