"Haruka-san? Michiru-san?" Usagi's face fell. She reached a hand out to them. "But… Why are you doing this? I thought… I thought I would be able to trust you… You told me you were on neither side!"
Haruka remained impassive, her small dagger aimed directly towards Usagi's heaving chest. "I wasn't lying, foolish girl. We are part of the police… undercover agents. And you just led us to a major breakthrough… Congratulations."
"No… You can't be serious! Michiru-san, why where you so nice to me at the beginning?! And Haruka-san—You helped me get here! Both of you… were so kind…"
Michiru's grip tightened on the hilt of her knife. She narrowed her eyes. "You seem to be mistaken… That is our job; to lie in order to collect information. We serve only for justice."
"I see no justice," Usagi spat. "You're just assuming things. Do you have any idea who I am? Where I am from? Did you think a wanted to get caught up in this to begin with?! You don't know!"
"I know you were here to promote a large massacre," Haruka replied softly, shifting from one foot to the other. "And I know what the whole 'raid' is about. I know all of it, Girl."
Wrinkling her nose, she stuck out her arms, hands revealed. "Fine, arrest me then. Go right ahead and throw me in jail. I don't give a damn anymore."
Michiru's lips tightened into the smallest of smiles. "Oh, no, Usa-chan. We're not just after you. Chang Wufei and his associates are also to be put on probation. The Chief will see to your punishments, personally… Any resist will only exceed your penalty."
Glancing behind her, she caught Quatre's agonized eyes. He sent a look of fear in Duo's direction, who was too much in shock to even respond. Heero and Trowa were sending looks at her; angry looks.
"Now, if you'll kindly surrender yourselves…"
"Wait a second! Wait…"
Usagi extended an arm to her side, shielding Wufei from Haruka and Michiru. "This may be hard to believe, but you're being irrational. The real culprit here is not Chang; but that man." She directed a finger towards the drunken heap of Yamazuki sprawled across the floor. "I'd like to point out this whole mess started out with a stupid misunderstanding. Yamazuki has sworn revenge, while Chang is simply defending himself. Yamazuki wanted to destroy Chang in the first place. I mean, just look at the idiot! He's an alcoholic bastard!"
Haruka cocked a single eyebrow, lowering her dagger slightly. "Why are you protecting Chang? This doesn't concern you… But if you get involved, then you may be affected as well."
"Because it's the truth!" she cried. "This was never planned to be a massacre in the first place… No women were hurt… Me throwing Yamazuki was not the plan, but I kind of blew up… So Chang never intended to bring harm to anyone in the first place. Can you see the difference?!"
Michiru, to everyone's surprise, lowered her knife. Pocketing it once again, she turned to Haruka. "I think I've made up my mind. Let's leave them now. Pretend this never happened."
Haruka's eyes expanded. "But… Why?! We were assigned to find out the truth, make arrests, and now we are so close to finishing it! The Chief will be happy if we do this! Why bother quitting now when we're—"
"I know that," Michiru whispered, cutting her partner off. "But it doesn't matter to me. Take a look at the determination in that girl's eyes, and you'll understand my feelings. She has compassion for what she believes in. And so I have faith in her."
Haruka searched Michiru's unwavering eyes with a frown. Slowly, almost with hesitance, she nodded her head. "All right. We'd better come up with a good explanation for the Chief." She turned to Wufei. "You got lucky."
Haruka began to walk away. Michiru, before turning to join her, bowed her head to Usagi. "I hope your wounds heal. I hope you will gradually find happiness." With that, she skipped away to join Haruka, sending a final smile her way.
"I want to get away from this horrid place before I lose my mind…" Usagi muttered, running a hand through her bangs. She was sweating heavily. "I'm so tired of this…"
She felt Duo's hand grip her shoulder. He shook her lightly. "Nee, Usa-chan… Are you going to be all right? Do you want to be carried back? Usa-chan?"
Usagi lolled her head to the side and greeted his concerned face with a goofy grin. "Yes. And leave the women to Yamazuki. I'm sure he'll be thrilled when he awakens."
A grin flew across his lips. "You sure know how to piss people off, girlie. Any last requests before we drag you along? Unfinished business, perhaps?"
"Actually, yes…" Eyes glinting with mischievousness, she turned to face a familiar face. A female face. "Well, Akiko-san, how are you feeling, ne?"
"Get me out of these damned ropes before I wring that little neck of yours," she growled, fidgeting hysterically. He nails clawed the floor as Usagi pulled down her eyelid at her. "Stupid girl! I'll kill you!"
Usagi, amused of course, threw back her head and cackled; a sharp, piercing cackle which echoed throughout the room and out into the corridors. Once she had stopped, Akiko was fuming. Her face had turned completely red from a combination of embarrassment and hatred.
"Kill me, will you? I'd like to see that." Obviously unaffected by the remark, she waved her off. "Now, you enjoy those ropes while they last. You'll have to rely on your precious Yama-sama to untie you."
"Are you done harassing that woman yet?" Trowa inquired. He stared down at her. "She doesn't seem too pleased with your presence."
Usagi smiled brightly and bobbed her head. "Hai! I'm all finished now," she confirmed. Her hands absently rubbed at her eyes. "Take me home, please. I'm about to… fall asleep…"
Wavering, Usagi collapsed in his arms. Trowa held the limp girl, not really knowing how to handle her, and lifted her off the ground. Sighing contently, she relaxed in his grasp.
Duo nudged his side. "Lucky bastard."
"Shut up."
Usagi flopped over in her sleep with a mumble, a knit appearing in her brow at the same time. She slapped a hand to her head and blinked opened her eyes. "Where…"
"Finally! I thought you'd never wake up… Not to mention it's the afternoon, of course. You've been sleeping practically all day… Quatre fed you a bunch of medicine stuff before he left. Does it feel better?"
"Duo-san?" she muttered, tilting her head to meet his eyes. Weakly, she smirked. "If I had the strength, I'd sit up and punch you right across the face. Damn drugs are holding me back."
"Remind me to thank Quatre on that matter," he snickered. "But for now, you're as helpless as a kitten. Why don't you just go to sleep again? I'll be here."
"Oh, I'm so reassured," Usagi drawled, tossing onto her side. "I suppose it's all right as long as I don't wake up with a sword waved in my face. Keep Heero away from me."
"Oi, Usa-chan… Before you go to sleep… Would you mind telling me why you did that for us? Why you stood up for Wufei instead of Yamazuki? We… betrayed you in a way."
"I realize that," Usagi muffled between the sheets. "It was a fluke. Don't think I meant it as a favor or anything… Yamazuki was getting much more on my nerves anyways."
"Whatever you say Usa. Whatever you say…"
"We failed. You failed. She failed." It was a statement, not a question. Quatre knew his master was telling what was on his mind, and that he wasn't happy about it. Not at all.
Mutely, Quatre poured him a cup of tea. Talking with the Dragon when in a foul mood was not a good idea. Instead, he listened.
Wufei brought the cup to his lips almost with violence. "She's been nothing but trouble. Our cover was nearly blown. We've never had that kind of problem!"
Quatre nodded absently. He didn't necessarily agree, but his master was not the type to argue against. It was out of the question.
"Tell Yuy to bring the girl to me tonight. I want to deal with her, personally." He ended the statement by slamming his cup back down onto the table. Quatre winced. "She needs to learn a lesson."
'She already has, Master. I don't think you realize that.'
"Heero-san?" Usagi squinted her eyes and tried to wriggle out of his arms. She looked up at him curiously. "Where are you taking me? Heero!" He caught her hand before she could hit him.
"You're going to see Wufei. It was an order," he said gruffly, placing her hand back onto her lap. "Be patient. And stop moving."
She shook her head. "Wh- why are you doing this to me? Where is everyone? Duo-san? Duo! I thought… But… Heero… Why does Wufei need to see me?"
"Why do you think," Heero replied. He didn't bother to meet her eyes. Her confusion was already clear. "He's not too happy with your performance. You need to be taught how to do it correctly."
"No! Put me down!" she cried. "Are you listening? Put me down this instant!"
"No."
"Yes!"
"No."
"Yes, right now!"
"No," Heero countered, his voice kept firm. "You do not have the option. I will not allow your escape. Stay put or I'll have to tie your ankles and wrists."
"You wouldn't," she spat. "I'm not some animal to be toyed with. Don't you ever threaten a Tsukino. Ever. Or you shall pay for it dearly, mark my words."
Heero noticed a familiar glint in the depths of her eyes. He stopped. "Walk."
Usagi blinked. The violet shade disappeared and she gazed up at him. "Wh-What did you just say? Did I hear you correctly?"
"Walk," he repeated in a low hiss. "Are you deaf, girl? I said get down."
"No, not deaf," she muttered, sliding out of his grasp. "Just surprised. I suppose you have more empathy than I expected… I didn't think you'd give in so easily."
"I didn't give in."
"You did."
"No."
"Yes!"
"No, I just didn't want to deal with your whining the entire way. Be thankful you're childlike and immature, otherwise I would have already tied you up."
"Oh. Well, then you be thankful you're such a heartless jerk; because you are. And I hate dealing with your stupidity. You don't know a thing about women! Do you?"
Heero said nothing. His gaze was focused in the other direction. Without a word, he stuffed his hands into his pockets.
She nudged his side gently. "Is that really your weakness? In that case, I apologize. I didn't think—"
"It isn't my weakness," he cut in softly. His eyes still didn't meet hers. "I don't have any weaknesses. Sorry to disappoint you."
"The more you deny it, the more obvious it is," she shot back. "I know it. You know it… So just confess already. It matters to me."
"Stop assuming things."
"Stop ignoring things!" Usagi cried angrily. "Don't push me away. Let me help you for once. Besides, I'm not here to piss you off."
"Oh, really."
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that remark," she mumbled. "Now, give me your hand."
Heero moved his arm away defensively. "What are you doing?"
"Oh, quit being so stubborn," she laughed. Her fingers reached up towards his face, enclosing themselves around his lower jaw. She forced him to look at her directly in the eyes. They showed determination. "Trust me. I want to help."
Releasing Heero's chin, she grabbed his hand. Her lips curved into a smile. "See? Was that so hard? Now, women love it when men hold their hands. It represents a sense of protection and complete towards each other."
He stared down at her smaller, smoother hand clasped in his. Protection. Devotion.
"Hey, hey! Pay attention!" Usagi motioned towards her shoulders. "Put your arm around my shoulders, please. Pretend I'm someone you care for deeply."
"Why?" Heero inquired, edging away from her.
"Because I told you to, that's why," Usagi sighed, rolling her eyes. "If you don't, you'll never overcome this fear of women, such as myself. I don't want anyone to fear me."
"I do not fear you."
Her expression softened. She traced her fingers against their already joined hands, smiling reflectively. "I'm happy to hear this. I suppose holding hands is a big enough step for now…" She squeezed his palm tighter. "I like this. It makes me feel all warm inside. Does it affect you at all?"
He shook his head. "No. I feel nothing."
"O… Oh." Her cheeks reddened prettily. She nearly bowed her head. "I didn't mean it like that… I mean… It's just that, when I was younger, my father used to hold my hand. I haven't done this since I was little."
"I see."
The grin on her face broadened. She began to drag him along behind her. "Well, Hee-chan! Take me straight to Wufei-sama and we'll get things over and done with! How does that sound? Fun, ne?"
'Hee-chan?'
"You requested my presence, Chang-sama?"
"Hai, I did."
Usagi remained in a bowing position. She did not want to meet his eyes at all. "I have come, as you asked. Is there something you should like to discuss?"
"Sit up first. I want to see you whilst I speak."
Hesitantly she moved her body into a stiffened kneeling position. But she lowered her eyes. No, she did not want to see him. The disappointment revealed in his voice was enough to withstand alone.
"And your eyes as well. I want to see them too." His voice grew more demanding.
She did as she was told, reluctantly.
His eyes were dark, misty even. Circles underneath them told of his restlessness. He looked almost like a zombie, with his arms folded over his chest.
She almost flinched under his stare. Almost.
"What do you have to say for yourself? You nearly got us thrown into jail. Your carelessness caused our cover to be close to blown and a mission failure."
A lump in her throat began to form. She chose to ignore it for the time being. "Hai, Chang-sama. I did prevent a successful mission, and I am sorry for it."
"That isn't good enough," he opposed in a near snarl. "I don't give a damn about your apologetic attitude. I don't think you realize how bad that situation was."
Her hands clenched into fists. So tight that, her knuckles turned white. She hissed in and out through her teeth. "Hai, I do realize it."
Quatre stirred behind her, poking over her shoulder now and then to retrieve cutlery. Heero was at the very back of the room, not able to hear the conversation.
Wufei moved closer to her ridged form. She could almost feel his breath closing in on her. "Then why the hell did you mess it up? Are you quite selfish? Stupid, maybe? I could kill you for it."
"Then be my guest," she whispered, her eyes glistening. "But I would haunt you with my soul for an eternity. I would pledge eternal darkness upon your luck."
"Your eyes. They are changing in color."
Usagi shook herself. A chill ran up her spine. "Excuse me? What was that about my eyes?"
His lip curled. "Nothing. Just relax."
She blinked, twice. "Why? Are you not going to punish me for my failure? Just because I am female does not mean I can't take the pain. I hope you know that."
Wufei shifted in his seat. "I don't care about whether or not you can take it or not. I do not intend to harm you in any way. It isn't what I do."
"Oh… Oh, I see…" Usagi moved her hands around in her lap nervously. "Well, if it means anything to you, I'm sorry. I was wrong about you."
He raised an eyebrow.
She glanced to the side as Quatre shuffled pass. "Well, I wasn't too sure about your past when I first met you. I thought you were stained with the blood of war or something… And that killing innocent people was your style… But now I know the truth."
"What truth?"
"Your past truth, I mean," she said, biting the corner of her lip. "I didn't think the conflict between you and Yamazuki was so- childish, if you please."
His eyes widened slightly.
She continued. "I hope that doesn't offend you in any way. I have no intentions of questioning your authority in any way. It's just… Well, your rivalry started because of a misunderstanding."
"I suppose. In a way."
"You're a terrible cook, aren't you?" she whispered, smirking. "I bet you didn't really mean to poison poor Yamazuki in the first place."
A knot appeared in Wufei's eyebrow. "That's not the truth. I fully intended on-"
She shook her head. "Don't worry, Chang-sama. You're secret is safe with me. I'm a pretty bad cook as well, if I do say so myself. Horrible, really."
"Don't assume such things."
"Don't deny such things!"
"Hee-chan! Q-chan!" Usagi sang loudly, linking arms with both Heero and Quatre. "The night is very cold, but I feel warm with Hee-chan and Q-chan!"
"Usagi, you must be happy," Quatre commented, sweatdropping slightly at her actions. Her grip on his arm tightened as she hugged him closer to her.
"Q-chan! Q-chan! I love Q-chan!"
Heero watched blankly as the singing girl began to swing the flushed psychic around. "I think she's gone crazy," he commented under his breath.
She stopped dancing for a moment and turned to face Heero. He stared back at her. "What is it now? I'm not going to dance with you."
A ridiculous grin instantly spread across her lips. She latched herself onto his left arm and rubbed her cheek against it like a cat. "Hee-chan no kawaii!"
Amongst her squeals of delight, he managed to face Quatre. "What have you done to her? I saw you slip something into her drink while she was talking with Chang…"
"Drugs," he admitted sheepishly. "I think I overdid it, although. I put them in to calm her nerves so as she would not overdo it in any way."
"I see. You really overdid it."
Usagi said nothing. She was too busy trying to get a hold of Heero's sword. "I wanna see it badly!" she slurred, swiping at his arm. "Let me see it!"
Quatre nodded. "Yes, I believe I did."
SPECIAL VOTE!!! PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT!!!
It's Christmas time! It's Christmas time! And as a present I am going to give you an alternate voting power—Heero's! Sounds like fun? Well, here are the choices!
SHOULD HEERO:
Leave Quatre to deal with her; it's his fault (poor psychic),
OR
Try to get her under control (Heero will have to be gentle for once…?!?!)
Author's Notes: Merry Christmas! I hope you like my gift to you! I thought it we kind of exciting to turn Heero in another direction for once… And for the next few chapters, you'll gain more power over the other character's actions… My present to my wonderful viewers! I appreciate all of you!
ChibiBear Check!: Yoooooooo! How is everyone? Wow! I'm surprised Deedlit-chan allowed you all to vote for Heero! And personally… I want Quatre to deal with it. I think it would be funny. But, hey, it's all up to us as a team! Choose, choose, choose! Ja ne!
