"I'm going for a walk," Heero said, heading for the back door. "I will return around midnight, and I expect to see each of you back."

"Quit acting like my mother," Duo muttered. "I know when I'll get back, just you wait and see! I have just as much responsibility as you do! Oh, and Trowa will make sure I do get back…"

Usagi ran a hand through her bangs, sighing aloud. "Well, I think I'll just get to sleep. I've been feeling pretty tired since I first woke up…"

"I agree. The best thing for you to do is rest." Quatre smiled warmly, tucking the blankets back up under her chin. "You'll feel best in the morning."

"I hope so." She smiled in return. "And thank you for the sincerity… The look in your eyes, before, frightened me. I thought I had done something to cause pain."

He nodded. "Please be careful tonight."

A sudden change of subject startled her. "N-nani?"

The expression he wore was mysterious. "I know what your plans are; I have seen them. Although I will not try to stop you, I wish for your full safety… Promise me you will return unharmed."

He knew? Usagi frowned at the ceiling. "Quatre-san… What are you talking about? How could it be hazardous whilst I sleep? Of course I'll be fine!"

She felt his hand against her forehead and instantly fell silent.

"I know, Usagi, so you don't have to feel the need to hide it. I understand your reasons, and though I strongly wish you would stay, I can see there is no stopping you."

"Quatre-san…" Usagi felt a tinge of regret pierce her heart. "I'm not looking for trouble… honestly… But I feel destiny leading me out there. I have felt the urge ever since I woke up this morning."

"Yes. I feel it too. Otherwise I would have done anything in my power to stop you." A soft grin tugged at his lips. "You're stubborn, Usagi-chan. And determined. I see it every time; especially in your eyes. I doubt I would be able to prevent your goal either way."

It was silent for a second. "I'll make it easier for you," she said. "I'll just act like I'm asleep, and… you pretend I really am asleep… Then you won't have to watch me go. How about that?"

The psychic laughed lightly, fingers ruffling her bangs. He stood up. "I suppose I'd feel a little better then actually letting you out… I'll be outside for a minute. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

          "Oi, Trowa-san! I just realized how long those bangs are!" Duo smirked. "I mean, they could be used as a lethal weapon or something! How do you even get it to do that?"

"You're drunk," Trowa said, twisting his head to the side. "I'm not going to bother speaking with you. Heero isn't going to be pleased with your state."

Duo set his eyes on the door to their room, a knit in his brow. "Oi, isn't that the Girlie over there? I thought we told her not to come out here…"

Trowa turned around. "Duo," he muttered, facing him once again. "That is a man."

"Well… She was there for a second." He shrugged. "Maybe she's just a faster runner then I expected. But I did see someone emerge from that door."

"Perhaps you caught a glimpse of Quatre. He often comes out to retrieve water from the bar owner."

"Unless Quatre has decided to wear feminine clothing, I can't say it was him." Duo shook his head. "It was her, for sure. She's escaping."

Trowa only ignored him.

          "A glass of milk, please." Usagi raised one finger towards the bartender. "And make as quick as possible. I'm kind of in a hurry."

"No need for the rush, Miss," he said, placing the tall glass in front of her. He winked. "There are plenty of men here. Most of them are free, anyways, so you won't have to worry."

"Right," she growled, swishing the milk around with her pinky. "That takes a whole load off my shoulders. Thank you for the advice."

"No need to turn nasty on me!" He shrugged. "I meant no harm. Please enjoy your drink and accept my apology… Don't bother yourself with paying; it's on me."

Usagi rolled her eyes, snatching the glass from the countertop. "Right, right… Enjoy my drink… I'm getting it for free, after all…"

"Unhappy over something, my little blossom?"

Her shoulder tensed under the sudden grasp. With one swift move, she was facing the man, flashing eyes narrowed, watching him with slight amusement as he spluttered through the milk she had sent in his direction. He let out a howl.

The room was eerily silent as Usagi looked around. The attention was, without a doubt, on her. Frankly, she didn't care. Being called someone's 'little blossom' was not acceptable in her point of view. She wasn't about to let it pass.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" the man said, voice raised dramatically. He thrust a pudgy finger into her face. "Stupid woman! Who are you to disrespect someone higher than yourself?!"

"Stupid, am I?" She rose fluently. "And what makes you so much better then me? Why must I treat you like royalty? I see nothing but a needy pig of a man!"

"You arrogant bitch," he spat, chest puffing out. "Your manners are nothing short of appalling. I should teach you a lesson… Should I teach you a lesson?"

Usagi's eye caught Trowa and Duo's table, at the very back of the bar. They didn't seem to care about what all the commotion was about. It was her chance to refresh herself, without interruptions.

"Well?"

Her bokken was out in an instant. "Yes, impatient one, you may indeed teach me." She knocked him on the head lightly, a smirk playing her lips. "But the question is… who will be teaching who?"

"You can't use a wooden sword against steel!" He chuckled, patting his scabbard. "Unless, of course, you would like to take the easy road to defeat."

"Um… No, I wield a blade as well." She shook her head reluctantly, edging the bokken from his head. "Meet me outside in five minutes. I need time to polish it."

"Fine. I'll be waiting. And if you don't show up, I'll come looking."

          Usagi tossed a pillow in another direction, eyes wide. She had exactly two minutes to find a weapon that resembled a sword. And it had to look somewhat polished.

Luckily Quatre was missing. Fate or not, the psychic was not the type to simply let her take off into the back alleyway without a good explanation.

Her eyes settled on the futon. Duo. Daggers. It was her only chance of not making a complete fool of herself. Frantically, she lifted the mattress, hand feeling around. "Come on… Please be here… Ha!" She pulled at whatever what had come in contact with her fingers, smiling to herself.

A case came into view; a sword case. Her eyes widened as she ran fingers across the cool material. The pattern seemed so familiar…

She drew it out slowly by its handle, and gasped. The blade gleamed as she turned it over and over, eyes wandering over each carved pattern. "It's… the sword…"

Usagi hugged it against her chest. "If this is the only time I'll be able to use it, I won't mess up."

          "I'm surprised you have come to willingly face humiliation. Are you ready to dual, feisty miss?"

"Don't talk to me like that," Usagi said, taking a stance. She pointed the tip of her sword towards him. "This is a battle of honor, and I shall not be referred to as 'miss.'"

"That's a nice weapon you've got there." He licked his lips. "Forget about honor, alright? If I win, you'll hand over that pretty thing. If I lose—"

"I need nothing in return. Only proper treatment."

The man's laugh echoed throughout the alleyway. "That's a lot to ask for. Pleasing a bitch-girl such as yourself is close to impossible!"

"Don't refer to me with such vulgar usage of language!" Usagi cried out angrily, lunging for him. He parried, rapier drawn, and spun around to block another blow. She growled.

"You're better then I first predicted," he murmured. Beads of sweat trickled down his cheek. "Much better. Perhaps you'll prove to be an actual challenge for me."

She wrinkled her nose. "Well, I certainly don't reek of sweat, as you do. Not only do you act piggish, you smell it as well!"

"Women are meant to be seen, not heard!"

Usagi jumped back as the man swung his weapon around, bringing up the dragon sword in a vertical position. He faltered as their blades clashed.

"Are you prepared to give up, child?" he asked, voice wavering. "Or shall I unleash my true power upon you? It seems you have been underestimated."

"Stop stalling. I've had about enough of your conceited attitude." She pushed forwards. Again, the man staggered under the added weight.

He managed to narrowly dodge another charge from her. Yelling out of rage, he began lashing his sword outwards. Each thrust was aimless, and she had no problem evading.

"Curse you!" Another swipe. Another miss. "If only I had dealt with you and that wooden sword! You would have… been in pieces by now! Damn!"

Usagi punched him with her free hand, hitting him cleanly in the stomach. He fell onto his rear, gasping for air, and raised a shaky hand.

She placed the flat of her sword atop his head. "Now that I have defeated you, I ask you leave this place at once. I do not want to see you back. Understood?"

He nodded, his head bent shamefully. "Yes, Lady, I shall not disturb your peace again… But I will do this!" He brought his foot around.

Usagi was on her back at once, looking up at the nighttime sky. The man laughed huskily from above. "It was fun. Perhaps we'll dual again." He nudged her side gently with his foot, grinning, and was immediately gone.

She blinked. "Bastard…"

          Usagi pushed the scabbard back underneath the futon, smiling to herself. "Thank you for your help. I hope we'll be able to fight together another time. Just don't tell Duo!"

The sound of glass shattering caught her attention. She spun around. "Who's here? Show yourself at once!"

"It's only me, Usagi." Quatre shuffled across the room, hands raised. He smiled. "Your presence startled me. I'm sorry if I frightened you."

"Ah! Not at all!"

He nodded. "Heero-san will be returning quite shortly. Perhaps you should sleep… or at least pretend. I'm sure he'll be pleased to see you accounted for."

Usagi cocked her head to the side. "Are the others back? I'm thankful neither of them noticed while I was there… At least, I think they didn't…"

"Duo and Trowa? No, you're lucky you got away disregarded. Trowa wouldn't have been too pleased… And if Heero found out…"

Usagi pulled the covers up to her chin. "Quatre-san… Thank you for being on my side. It means very much to me… Goodnight."

There was silence for a few moments. "Usagi… Why did you have Duo's sword with you?"

"I'm fine." She rested her head on her hands. "There's no need to worry… I just had a little brawl with one of the drunks. Neither of us was harmed."

The psychic began picking up the remnants of his broken glass. "I suppose I shouldn't doubt what you say… But I should examine you tomorrow, just in case."

"Don't you ever get tired of being the responsible one? You are always taking care of the others, and you basically have the best opinions…"

"No, I like what I do. It's my job as a part of the group."

The back door swung open. Usagi lolled her head to the side, meeting the cold eyes of Heero. She raised an eyebrow. "Back so soon?"

"Why are you still awake?" He shut the door behind him, and then looked towards Quatre. "Where are the others? They should have been back by now."

"Well, thanks for the greeting," she snorted, flipping back onto her side. "I had a nightmare, that's all… And no, the others aren't here."

Heero crossed the room with a brisk pace, his vision set on the opposite door. "Duo had better not be drunk." He disappeared into the bar.

"I don't want to be awake for this… Goodnight, Quatre."

          Usagi sat up, shivering uncontrollably. She looked around the room. No doors were open, no windows… She looked down. Where had her blankets gone?

A loud, somewhat muffled yawn cut her out of thought. She snapped her head to the side. There Duo was, sprawled across the entire futon, the blankets tangled around him. He was snoring.

She realized she was on the ground at that point. Anger surged through her as she stood, wrapping her arms around herself.

The cold was unbearable, and Duo was the cause… What could she do? On the other hand, there might be a reasonable explanation.

SHOULD USAGI:

Wake him up,

OR

Kick him out, no questions asked?

Author's Notes: I love making Duo drunk… It's just so like him to be like that! Maybe I should get one of the others intoxicated, ne? It would be interesting to see their actions… Oh well, please vote and be patient until the next chapter!

IMPORTANT: Anime Dreams Realm is finally up and running! If you ever get the chance, here is the URL! I love visitors!

Feedback Corner: From reviewer, Furie, will Usa ever get to kick some ass? Of course! Usagi will be able to do just that as the story progresses- I promise! And believe me, you don't want to fight her when she's got a different look in her eyes!