Usagi promptly sent Duo a careless, lop-sided grin, drawing Heero even closer to her. She nuzzled his neck with her cheek, purring softly. "Your just jealous… Because I'm hugging him and not you."

Duo blinked, eyes narrowing slightly. "I'm not jealous of being squeezed to death by some little girl. I'm not the type. Maybe Heero, but not me."

Usagi's humor only increased. "Is that so? Am I some little girl to you? Unfortunately, Duo-san, you lack what women most desire in a man."

"And what's that? Ten billion dollars?" he muttered, kicking a stone out of his path. "I apologize, missy, but I'm not some millionaire."

"No," Usagi smiled coyly, slipping off one of her geta sandals. "No, you lack something more."

Duo's eyes widened as she leaned over to the side, most of her chest in full view. Her eyes were reflecting dominant female satisfaction. "Erk…" He was practically looking down her shirt!

"You, Duo-san," she began, her tongue curling over his name. "Are lacking…"

There was a loud smack followed.

Duo felt his head spinning, literally. He had just been hit by Usagi's wrathful shoe across the back of his head. Rubbing it in anger, he glared up at her. "What the hell was that for?!"

She was smug as she placed her foot back into the sandal. "You, Duo-san, are lacking a brain. The knowledge you have of women is equivalent to a rock."

"Oh shut up," Duo muttered, walking on ahead. "I'm not that stupid."

"But she's right," Trowa murmured suddenly. "Whenever you deal with women, you end up either being beaten half to death or slapped half to death…"

Usagi's eyes fluttered open; all at once she recognized her surroundings… Darkened; candlelit. She found herself positioned on her knees with refinement… Her feet tucked in behind her and hands rested calmly in lap. Wondering just how and why she was in the small room, she meant to stand.

A noise startled her from any further movements. She felt her breath catch sharply as her eyes scanned the room once again. All she could see was shadows; nothing more, nothing less. "Duo? Trowa? Heero?" was what she could manage to stutter. "Quatre-san?"

"No."

She blinked, twice, and finally her eyes fell upon a figure seated before her. With a small gasp of surprise, she gathered herself together in a polite bow. Her forehead rested gently against the cool tatami mat floorboards as she murmured a tranquil greeting.

"I am Chang Wufei, leader of the clan you have seemingly stumbled across. You are?"

She was forced to meet the oh-so-powerful master, and he didn't even know her name! Uneasily, she replied, "I go by Tsukino Usagi… Usagi." A smile was forced to her lips as she sat upright once again. "I have heard much about you, Wufei-sama."

There was a long period of silence. She could catch his form shifting in the darkness once every few seconds. Finally, he spoke to her. "Aa, so you are part of the Tsukino clan. I see. You may come in use to me, onna."

Her nose wrinkled as she cocked her head to the side. "What do you mean by that? And I'd appreciate if you wouldn't give me the title 'onna.'"

There was no response for what seemed an eternity. Usagi was positive the man was in the middle of meditation, and so she was prepared to leave. Gathering up the folds of her layered kimono, she began to rise.

"Stop, onna," came the hushed voice. Usagi became motionless once again. "I know now what you may be able to do… Tomorrow night, your orders will come. Until then, you must be patient."

'I'm always patient,' she wanted to scoff. But she knew better, and bit down on her wrathful tongue. 'I wish he'd stop calling me that. It sounds like he's speaking to some bloody scum on his foot or something.'

Suddenly, his tone altered into seriousness. "We may meet again, we may not. I am a busy man, onna, and I cannot be bothered with the likes of you. There is other business to attend to."

Without any goodbyes whatsoever, without the slightest hint of a gestured leave, Usagi watched as the lights were blown, and her arm was pulled forcefully behind her back by a hand, dragging her backwards. She decided not to resist on her own account, and so, instead of thrashing, she closed her eyes tightly.

There was a sound of a door being kicked open, and in a split second, she found herself sprawled on her elbows and knees. The same door heavily slammed shut behind her, and the confused blond recognized the surroundings as a simple alleyway.

She shuddered. It was extremely late at that point, and she could feel the crisp nighttime air nipping at her flushed cheeks.

"Where am I?" she wondered aloud, struggling to her feet. Unused to the feeling of standing without any means of support, she felt her ankles falter beneath her weight. She clumsily wobbled towards the alley's end as if she were just an average drunk, fingers pushing back bangs from her forehead. She was sweating with anxiety.

"Hello?" she cried, instantly regretting it. To direct attention towards herself at this time of night would be like throwing fresh meat at a pack of hungry wolves! 'Perverted wolves,' she added, flustered.

All at once, she hated Wufei. In fact, she hated all of the men! Leaving a girl out in the middle of night without even a weapon! She was practically seething with rage! Oh, how she wanted to punch that Duo! Slap the man who had seen her for some dirty woman! Bite the bastard who had calmly placed his foot on her kimono! Perhaps even just lightly kick the one who had read her mind; her life!

Usagi's fists were clenched by now, as were her teeth, and her refined footfalls had become angry stomps. Why, where did that Wufei think she could go?! Did he simply think he could just toss her out into some dirty alleyway?!

And then, through all her wrathful thoughts, she felt it. Glancing down, she caught sight of a small, folded piece of paper, tucked into the fold of her neckline. Inhaling, she drew the note before her, and mutely unfolded the edges…

Oi, Usagi! Sorry you had to go through all that… Wufei insisted we should leave you there. I suppose you were quite startled to wake up in some freakish room with a scrap of paper shoved down your chest (By the way… Quatre's having a nosebleed even thinking about where this note is going…) Usagi smirked at the very thought, and continued, Anyways, Heero's getting pissed off, because I'm making this too long. In fact- I'm running out of room! Well, you know the way back. Come home soon, girlie! We'll all miss you!                From Duo! (PS- Trowa and Heero won't miss you…)

Usagi smiled faintly and slipped the message into her sleeve. Well, for now, she only wanted to murder Trowa and Heero. At least the others missed her.

"Tadaima!" Usagi pushed past the small back curtain to the tea house, smiling brightly. She kicked off her sandals, and then cocked an eyebrow. "Hello?" She fell silent as she peered through the familiar room. "Heh? Anyone here?"

Her ears caught the sounds of snoring; Duo's. Grinning to herself, she re-lit a nearby candle. Everyone was before her, sleeping peacefully in either a chair, or like Duo, sprawled across the ground. Her eyes then widened. The futon had been left completely empty; the blankets pulled back as if to welcome her with open arms.

She felt tears rush to her eyes, and her heart nearly melt with content. And then she remembered Quatre's words… 'you aren't stained, as we are. To us, you are untouchable…' Usagi pressed a hand to her chest as she crawled into the comfortable bedding, nuzzling the pillow softly. "Arigatou, minna…"

Yes, she would remember this night.

"You've got to be kidding me… I wouldn't wear that if my life depended on it… Just look at it! It's much too revealing… Never. You cannot make me."

Duo let out an exasperated sigh and tossed the small blue kimono across the futon. Running fingers through his matted brown hair, he sent the other boys a pleading look. "She's never going to give in. We should just lock her in the bathroom and call it a night!"

"No. Wufei has ordered this." Heero fingered the outfit with slight disgust and tossed it at Usagi's feet. "If she refuses, there isn't any chance he will deal with her any longer."

"In other words, he'll have her put to death," Trowa said quietly, his eyes studying her. "He's not going to put up with her stubborn nonsense."

Usagi lifted her head with indifference, sniffing in the process. She gave Trowa a curt glare before stomping a foot to the ground. "Stop talking as if I'm not even here! I am aware of these consequences, and I should rather die then dress up as some pampered, pathetic doll!"

Duo cocked an eyebrow. "Your priorities are disturbing, did you know that?" Opening his mouth widely, a long yawn proceeded. "And tiring… And damn well persistent…"

She rolled her large blue eyes in return and scoffed. "It's not half as bad as your stupidity, foolishness and arrogant personality! I'd rather be stubborn than some ill-mannered asshole!"

"Hush," Quatre whispered. "We must find a way to set things straight… If she's not going to wear it, then so be… Perhaps we could find something else?"

Usagi blinked and then folded her arms over her chest. "Try as you may, I'm not going to wear anything higher than my kneecaps; I refuse to look like some whore."

"But that's the point, girlie," Duo snorted, caressing his temples. "You're supposed to be doing an undercover task as a concubine… What you're requesting is impossible. You'll stand out."

"I never asked for this bullshit, now, did I?" she snapped, scrambling promptly to her feet. Her glare was intensifying by the second. "This all started as a misunderstanding; a coincidence!"

"Usagi-chan, onegai…" Quatre's expression was saddened. "We don't want to force this on you, but it's for your own good. You'll stay safe."

'To us, you are untouchable…' Usagi stared back at him, her gaze softening instantly. 'And then… They disregarded their own comfort… For me…' Gradually, with reluctance, she nodded her head. "I'll do it."

His eyes expanded, and before any other could reply, she had already confidently headed for the bathroom. The silken blue kimono was fisted in her hand. 'I owe them this.'

            Duo rapped on the hikado separating himself from Usagi. "Oi, you've been in there for at least fifteen minutes… Aren't you ready? We only have ten more minutes!"

Her voice was tired and soft as she spoke. "I feel like I'm wearing revealing pajamas… It's too tight, I can scarcely breath… and my chest is aching… Why do women wear this?"

He smiled faintly, leaning his back against the door. "It's a mystery to me, girlie. I never understood women to begin with… So, are you ready? We haven't got all night."

There was a rustling sound produced from behind the door as Usagi made her way across the small bathroom. Taking one final, disgusted glance at herself in the broken mirror, her hand slid open the hikado. "Ready."

Duo's eyes widened as she brushed past him, a slight hint of blush tainting her cheeks. Scrambling for the futon, she draped a blanket around her body and sighed. "I-it's so c-cold in just this d-dress…"

Heero glanced at her with uncertainty and then grabbed a corner of the blanket. He thrust it off her, revealing most of her shivering body, and Quatre let out the smallest of squeaks.

Usagi cried softly, wrapping her arms protectively around her chest. Her teeth were chatters as she brought her legs close together, helplessly trying to pull down the already short skirt. "I-I cannot do this… I made a-a mistake. I'll c-catch a cold for s-s-…" A small sneeze erupted from her lips as she rubbed her nose. "For sure."

Quatre, hesitantly, laid a hand against her bare shoulder, giving it a light shake of reassurance. "You don't have to. We have no right in forcing you… I just hope you make the right decision."

She sniffed slightly, scanning the room with clouded vision. She tugged at the side of here skirt in vain as she faced Heero. "I'm prepared. I can complete this mission, and I will show that Wufei the true meaning of onna… That goes for the likes of you as well, Heero-san, Trowa-san."

Heero stood in silence, and then tossed the blanket aside. "You will not be taking a blanket. The Yamazuki's women do not wear any protection against the cold. Learn to toughen up."

She looked up at him with no regret; simply compassion. "I told you I was ready, and I am. The blanket shall stay, and instead I shall take my honor." With a final nod, she swept past the back curtain.

"How odd," Duo murmured, watching the fluttering curtain with a cocked eyebrow. He broke out in a wide smile as he noticed the rigidly stiff Quatre. "Oh my," he crooned, chuckling. "I don't think Q-man was prepared for that little costume, now, was he?"

            "Well Usagi, this is where we leave you. You're officially on your own now… And you know exactly what you have to do… Don't mess it up!"

Usagi sent Duo a brief glance of uneasiness, and then abruptly faced the doorway. 'I can do this… Think happy thoughts… Happy thoughts...' Nodding, she outstretched a hand and drew back the curtain. 'Happy…?'

At first, she had dreaded the thought of merely opening her eyes, but when she was greeted by a long period of silence, Usagi cracked open a single eye. She blinked then, surprised by the sight before her.

No, Usagi hadn't ended up in some drunk-fest bar… It was a murky room, but it was empty and small… 'A storage room?!' Frustrated with herself, she kicked a nearby box out of the way. She heard it hit something solid.

"Goddamnit… Watch where you move things!" There were a few rustling noises. "That box just hit my foot. Kami, you broke my toe… Kuso…"

"Oh! Ano… Gomen," Usagi replied, taking a step forwards. She felt another box hit her ankle with its corner, completely tripping her. Before she could fall, however, two hands dug painfully into her shoulders. There were a series of harsh curses followed, and at that point Usagi found herself up once again, staring back at a pair of glittering cat-like eyes.

"Gomen," she mumbled, hypnotized by the gaze she was receiving. "I was being clumsy. I apologize for my actions… Demo… Who are…"

"Haruka. It's Haruka," came the gruff retort. "And just why are you here? Are you one of Yamazuki's whores, perhaps? I don't have the time nor patience to deal with your kind."

"I wish people would stop mistaking me for one of those," Usagi whispered wearily, shaking her head. "Because I'm certainly not. Never have, never will."

The woman, at least a head taller than Usagi herself, snorted. "Well, you're going to give the wrong impression with a dress like that… No matter. I need to know what you're doing here."

Usagi blushed furiously, chewing her lip in nervous thought. "Ano… Can you keep a secret?"

"No," Haruka admitted, shrugging her shoulders calmly. "But I might, just this once, if I think it's a secret worth keeping quiet. I'm not the type for nonsense gossip."

"I'm undercover," Usagi found herself blurting out. "And I was supposed to seduce the Yamazuki-sama, distracting him from the raid…"

"Raid?" Haruka inquired, quirking a lone eyebrow. "What raid?"

'Should I even tell her?' Usagi wondered, shifting awkwardly on the spot. 'For one, I don't even know her… But then, she might be on Wufei-sama's side anyhow…'

"Well?"

Should Usagi:

Trust Haruka and tell her everything,

Or,

Make up an excuse and escape!

Authors Notes: I've decided to make a three new sections at the end of each chapter. For one, authors notes, where I will give you information and/or details of events & changes. The second is 'Feedback corner,' where I will reply to any questions and comments from the previous chapter's reviews. Lastly, there is 'ChibiBear Check!' where my story will be thoroughly reviewed by ChibiBear-san…

Well, this chapter was sort of short, and I apologize. Next chapter will be longer… Um, I hope you enjoyed it to say the least, and please take the time from now on to maybe see if your question was answered below…

Feedback Corner (chapter 5):

From the author, Aleric: I am curious about something. For awhile her eyes turned violet, and she seemed to be teetering on a homicidal rage. Then later she becomes almost affectionate. Is Usagi suffering from some personality disorder? Is that the dangerous thing about her that has the other girls worried?    Well, Aleric-san, Usagi, as you can see, has been suffering from her past and father's death… Remember, Quatre told her to control her emotions. Her violent manners will be explained later on. And yes, her dangerous actions are worrying the girls, for when Usagi becomes like that, she has no control over herself. She could harm someone! Oh… No, Usagi isn't a homicidal… But she does have a lot of rage inside her!

From anonymous reviewer, Fia: What exactly does Wufei want with Usagi? Thanks for the question! Wufei simply needed to know what Usagi was capable of, and who she was. If Usagi was a weak girl, he would most likely have her thrown out…

ChibiBear Check!: Wow! I wasn't expecting Usagi to do that to Duo-kun in the beginning! He had to look down her shirt! *Laughs insanely* I can just imagine the look on his face! Oh, and I see Wufei finds her suitable for a undercover whore… I'd hate that job, personally. Poor Usa-chan! I'm so happy you brought Haruka into the story! She's the best character! I have to go for now… Can't wait until next chappie!