"We're going gambling! I've decided!"
"It's suddenly up to you, is it?" Trowa raised an eyebrow. "I don't think that's a good idea. We had better start heading back while it's still light outside."
The girl stuck her tongue out at him. "I don't care about being on time, I just want to get some more money while I can! Besides, I'm sure you'll be a big help!"
"How so?"
"With you at my side, the other gambler's won't stand a chance. You're too scary." Her lips curved into a broad grin. "You're sinister appearance will frighten them out of cheating, so I won't have to worry about it."
"I want nothing to do with your scheme," he replied, frowning. "You shouldn't waste your money with those kinds of people."
"Not if you've got the eyes for it." She began to pull him along. "Besides, you don't have to do anything. Just keep looking scary and everything will be perfect."
"And if this plan fails?"
"Of course it won't," she scoffed, giving the corner of his sleeve a sharp tug. "You have to build up your confidence. Just think; your scariness can earn me lots of money!" Her head turned, and she flashed a smile. "You'll have fun, ne?"
"I see no amusement in wasting your money." Trowa looked away. "It's a waste of time."
"No matter!" Her grip on his sleeve loosened. She picked up the speed of her feet, and in a matter of seconds, she began to run. "I'm going to gamble! You'll have to catch me to stop me, Trowa-kun!"
Even as she taunted him, he walked, eyes watching the girl disappear into the bustling crowds in the distance. There was, after all, no point in arguing.
"You took so long," Usagi's whining voice greeted Trowa as he stopped in front of her. "Why didn't you run after me? I could have gotten away!"
"I doubt that."
She snorted. "I'll pretend I never heard that. I'm in a good mood; so don't try to break my spirits! I found us a decent spot, so let's start gambling!"
"Old man! I'm challenging you!" Usagi thrust her finger towards the seated merchant. Her eyes blazed. "I've got money!"
The man straightened, his eyes opening slightly. He dropped the bottle of sake held loosely in his hand. "Ah, child. How much will you be betting, then?"
"Oh, that's quite simple." She smiled, turning to Trowa. "Anything he's got will do just fine. He's quite wealthy."
There was silence between them. Trowa stared back at her blankly, while her lips remained pursed into a pleasant smile. She bobbed her head impatiently. "Isn't that right, Trowa-sama?"
He said nothing.
Usagi faced the merchant once again, letting out a nervous laugh. She waved her hand towards him. "You needn't worry about him, sir, he doesn't talk to lower classes very often. He was a former head general at the palace, and he enjoys slicing the heads off of peasants whenever he's angry. Isn't that admirable?"
"I-I suppose…" The older man swallowed, eyeing Trowa anxiously. "Will he slice my head off? Are you his wife, by any chance?"
"Oh… Yes, I am, as a matter of fact! Aren't I beautiful? Ah, well, you see… If you don't cheat or try anything suspicious, I'm sure my husband won't chop off your head! Hohoho! Isn't he marvelous?"
"I shall not trick you, fair Lady," he said, his voice quivering. "Please, take a seat."
She reclined back onto her knees. "Thank you, sir. Now, where will we begin? Don't go too easy on me! I'm sure my husband won't mind."
"Usagi-"
She tilted her head towards him, cutting him off. "Dear husband, please try to remain silent as I play this game. I promise you'll be able to slice off more heads later on! Now, let's begin, shall we?"
"It looks as though I have won again! I'm so happy!" Usagi clasped her hands together, her smile brighter then ever. "Are you happy for me, old man?"
"Ah… Yes, Lady, very happy indeed…" The merchant began to caress his temples. "Although, I don't think I have anything left to offer…" He glanced at Trowa. "I apologize, sir."
"Husband, this man is speaking with you." Usagi nudged Trowa sharply in the leg, and he grunted.
She bowed her head slightly as she stood. "Thank you for the wonderful games; I really did have a wonderful time."
"Thank you for your… kindness, Lady," he replied, dipping his head in return. "My best regards towards you and your husband…"
Usagi looped her arm around Trowa's, bringing him stridently to her side. She beamed. "We'll be heading back to our desolate palace now! Farewell!"
"Let's go… in there!" Usagi pushed him forwards with her hand, but Trowa did not move.
She poked her head over his shoulder, staring at him curiously. "Ne, what's wrong?"
"You're getting out of hand," he stated. "No further haggling your money until it is clarified with Chang. I will ask him later tonight. Now, come."
Usagi stood her ground, eyes blazing with determination. "Well then, make me."
"Stubborn girl," he hissed through his teeth. "You should come when you are told."
She folded her arms haughtily over her chest, still frowning. "Call me what you must. You'll have to make me move, because I'm not going anywhere until I gamble more."
"Don't be foolish." He grabbed for her forearm, holding it tightly between his fingers. "I won't hesitate to drag you back; if that is what you are suggesting."
"Fine, go right ahead." Her eyes narrowed. "Maybe the police will catch on to your little kidnapping scandal as you haul me through the dirt. I'm sure we'll make quite a scene, ne?"
"Silence," he snapped, bringing her forwards with one pull. He drew her into his arms as she stumbled forwards, and then lifted her abruptly from the ground.
She immediately began to squirm. "I never said you could carry me! Put me down at once!"
"If you continue to act like a child, I will treat you like one," he stated quietly. "Hold still or I might drop you in the mud." And, ignoring her kicking feet and flailing fists, he began to walk.
"That's the third time you've fallen in the mud." Trowa shook his head. "If you were to hold still, perhaps your kimono wouldn't be in rags."
"You don't have to be so smug about it," she spluttered, wiping the dirt from her arms. "Besides, now you'll have to buy me a new one. It's rather a good thing on my part."
He bent over to take the girl in his arms again, but paused before her face. "I don't have the money to purchase your clothing."
"Of course you do, you're an assassin. You should be filthy rich, by the looks of it."
"Looks can be deceiving. I'm not buying you a new kimono." His arms circled her, and she was once again hoisted from the ground.
"Predictable," she spat, sending him a look of annoyance. "Would you rather have me trudge mud all over? Or maybe I'll accidentally waltz into the bar and catch some attention. I hear men are-"
"Don't try to threaten me with your innocence," he cut in. "If you are dirtied by one of those scummy men, it will be your own burden."
"You wouldn't feel any sympathy towards me? Not even the slightest?" She tugged at his collar. "Well, well, I seriously doubt that. Allowing a poor little girl out into the crowd of drunken men without feeling anything? I could be overpowered, and with nobody to defend me…"
"Quiet. It is your own decision, and you are fully aware of the consequences. It would not be my concern."
She flexed each of her fingers. "Stingy, stingy… Fine, but since it's on the way, stop at a Merchant's. I'll buy myself new garments."
"No. I'll ask Heero to retrieve them."
"What? Heero?" She raised her eyebrows. "That's not fair! Men have no taste in clothing. I can't trust an assassin to pick out something nice…"
"It's not a life or death situation whether your clothes look nice or not. You should be grateful, considering we'd go to the trouble of getting you anything at all."
"Feh!" Usagi snorted. "That means nothing. I'm a woman; you can't expect me to prance around in the nude without pitying me. You'd have to be inhuman!"
He closed his eyes, irritated. "Do not argue with me any longer. You're not going to get your way all the time. So get used to it."
The moment she turned to counter, he released her from his grasp. She tumbled directly onto her face, the mud sticking to her skin as she pulled herself upwards.
As her head snapped back to bark angrily at him, she stopped. His lips formed the smallest of smiles; his eyes showed humor. He was amused.
"Trowa-kun?" Her voice came out softer than she had intended. "What are you doing?"
He blinked, the previous display of emotion completely leaving his features. The face that looked down upon her turned instantaneously back into stone. "What is it? You fell."
"Of course I fell! You're the one who let me fall in the first place!" She forced herself to her feet, her eyes narrowed at his level. "You thought that was funny, admit it."
"What was amusing?" His voice was cold, as was his expression. "You fell. Your clumsiness does not amuse me. Does it amuse you?"
"You're a horrible liar," she said. Resting her hand gently on his shoulder, she smiled. "Well then, shall we continue? I'm sure Heero and the others are beginning to worry."
"You aren't whining or complaining. It's suspicious." He began to move her hand from his shoulder.
Usagi's lips twisted into a wry smirk. Her wrist twisted rapidly, and before he could interpret what she was doing, he was sent staggering backwards. Tripping on her extended foot, he collapsed.
"Serves you right," she said, laughing. "Now you're the clumsy one!"
He had risen to his feet almost automatically, using his sleeve to rub off most of the dirt from his skin. He faced her at once, eyes stern. "That was childish."
"That's exactly what you did to me!" she cried, waving her arms in circles. "I wasn't going to simply let you get away with dropping me in the puddles!"
"I did nothing of the sort," came his curt response. He turned his back towards her. "No matter, you'll be buying me new robes."
Usagi growled. "I have the sudden urge to throw you in the nearest river…"
"Ne, Trowa … why the hell is she so dirty? You were supposed to look after the poor girl, not roll her in the dirt…" Duo observed Usagi, scratching the back of his head. "Unless there's something you're not telling me…"
She scowled at him. "I was not rolled around in dirt. Trowa just had the urge to drop me in puddles."
"Well, whatever you were doing… I wouldn't let Heero see you like this… He'd chop off Trowa's hair and make him eat it. He threatened to do that to me one time."
"Who says that'd be a bad punishment?" Usagi smiled. "I think I'd rather enjoy it… After being thrown into so many puddles, I'd actually pay to see that scenario."
"You're evil," Duo whispered, edging away. "I'm going to stand… over here…"
"Usa-chan, perhaps you should change after all." Quatre motioned to the bathroom. "You may borrow Yuy-san's robes for now. I will purchase new ones tomorrow."
Usagi blinked. "Are you positive? Is that even a good idea?"
"Aa." Quatre nodded, his expression warm with a smile. "Heero will not mind for the time being. I will explain your situation to him."
Usagi sauntered from the bathroom, her face flushed with frustration. The black robes trailed far behind as she walked, and the sleeves blanketed her hands. "It's way too big…"
Duo looked up, his lips already curved into a grin. "My, my, Heero, you're looking extremely feminine today…"
"Sh-shut up!" she shouted, covering her chest with both arms. Her cheeks were red as she looked up. "You… you shouldn't even be looking, pervert!"
He waved a hand towards her. "Don't freak out all the time! You're so uptight…"
"Well, anyways… Where did Trowa-san go?"
"I'm not sure." Duo shrugged. "I haven't seen him since you came back. I think he's hiding from the wrath of Heero. He is secretly obsessed with his hair."
Usagi rolled her eyes. "You idiot. He isn't hiding."
"Aren't you clever." Duo nodded towards the entrance to the bar. "He told me not to tell you he was in there, but I couldn't care less. It's his fault for trusting me."
"That's not a good thing to tell someone," she said, picking up the corners of the black robes. "My only problem is getting through those crowds without tripping…"
"What? You're going in there?" Duo's eyes widened. "Haven't you learned your lesson?"
"Like you said," she replied, crossing the room. "It'll be his fault for trusting you."
He shook his head. "That's not what I mean! You shouldn't go in there, especially when you're wearing something so loosely fitted…"
"You're just scared because of that one time you had me intoxicated." She stopped in front of him. "Am I right?"
"Listen, if you're going to go prancing around in a bar at this time of night, at least take me with you. I don't see the point of going in the first place…"
"The usual… To become a pain in the ass once again," she replied, smirking.
SHOULD USAGI:
Take the braided loudmouth with her as an escort,
OR
Bolt for it while she has the chance and raise some more hell?
Author's Notes: It's been a while, am I right? My deepest apologies to those I made wait so long… And for anyone who e-mailed… This chapter is a little short, but I'm hoping the next will be longer… Until then, please be patient and cast your vote!
ChibiBear Check!: Yo! That was one of the most amusing chapters! I'd love to see Trowa eat his hair... So funny… For the choice, I'd say... bolt, and raise some hell!! I wonder what Trowa is doing in the bar *nudge nudge I loved every part of this story!!!! Keep up the good work!!!
