Earth Bound

Cleaning Part Two

Chapter five

          Serena walked into the familiar room.  But this time, she found it empty, but the pile of clothes on the floor.  She assumed the soldier wanted her to take the clothes to the river, like before.  But he didn't want her to do the work for him.  Why, she didn't understand.

Walking around the room, she collected the garments.  He was a cold man.  He hadn't cared, that he had walked in on her.  Didn't he know the law?  Unless you plan to marry, men are not aloud to see a lady undressed.

She was so deep in her thoughts; she barely heard the clunking sound in the other room.  It wasn't until she heard the slurring sound of draining water, did she look up from where she had been folding a pair of pants.

The door to the adjoining bathing room, opened.  Sopping wet, and only dressed in a towel, out stepped the soldier, who had threatened her earlier.

Serena's eyes widen in shock, and her mouth dropped open in awe.  She had never seen a man so naked in her life.  Molly had told her once, that men had sexy bodies, while women held beauty.  She had no idea what sexy was, but his was beautiful.

Dark skin stretched over broad shoulders, and well defined chest.  His hips narrow, with a well round butt, whom she couldn't see well under the towel, but she knew it was there.  His arms were muscular, most likely from using a heavy sword each day.  One large hand, held the knot of the towel, in front, while the other ran restlessly through his hair.  His usual unkempt brown hair was wet, and it clung to his handsome face.  The unruly locks, looked darker, and fell into his dark blue eyes.  She had never noticed how vivid the colors of his eyes were, until now.

His gaze fell on her, the instant he entered the room.  It was like he had sensed her.  Slowly, one dark eyebrow rose in questioning, and he dropped his hand at his side.

Serena's face flushed, and she spun around immediately.  She stammered out, "I'm- I'm s-sorry sire."

Her head dropped, and her teeth caught her lip to fight back the curses that attacked her brain.   She squeezed her eyes shut, and mentally hit herself.  Stupid, stupid.  You can't just stare at a man, especially a naked one.

The said man grunted, and moved passed her to his wardrobe.  Serena opened one eye, and watched him, as he searched for something to wear.

She sighed, and turned around once more.  "I'll be going sire.  Is there anything else I can do for you?"  She swallowed the lump in her throat, and realized that her voice had shook when she spoke.  How pathetic can I get?

He glanced over his shoulder his eyes burning a hole through her spine.  She had dressed earlier, in light blue garbs, with a white apron in the front.  The sleeves, covered to her wrists, and hid the pearly white skin, he had seen in the bath earlier that day.

Her hair was pulled up into a messy bun unlike the other maids, who dressed nice and neat.  But it was kept off her neck, which was good, since the weather was going to be in the high nineties.

His reply was clipped and to the point, "No."  Serena nodded, and started towards the door.  "Wait."

She stopped, her hand resting on the doorknob.  "Princess Relena wants to speak with you, when you find time."  Exhaling, she let out the air she had been holding.  "Thank you sire."  She turned, her cheeks still flushed, and her head still bowed.  Then she turned, and left the room.

~~~~

Serena walked down the path, leading to the stables.  She tied the bag, hanging from her hip tighter, so it wouldn't come loose.

Hurrying to the double doors, she pushed them open.  She peeked inside, and found the stable boy nowhere in sight, much to her relief.  He would surely not let her leave with the horse.  No matter what lie she came up with.

She moved to one of the stalls, and opened the gate.  As she shut it, she whispered to reassure the stallion inside, "Hey Soldier."  She reached out, and touched the horse's snout.  The horse neighed, and snorted loudly.  Serena giggled, and reached for the reins.

She yanked them off the nails, and slipped them on the horse's nose, then fastened them tight around the ears.

Once that was done, she pushed open the door, and guided the horse out.  Walking down the rows of stalls, she stopped in front of the backdoors.  Sliding them open, she pulled the horse outside with her, and then shut the door again.

Serena padded the horse's side, and whispered, "Good boy."  She then heaved herself up onto the horses back, and slung over her left leg.  Sitting up, she shifted until she was comfortable on the bare back of the horse.  Taking the reins, in her hands, she clucked her tongue, with a little command, "Heya!"  The horse neighed, and galloped towards the village.

It was good three or four miles to the village, and when she reached the limits, she slowed the horse down to a walk.  She glanced around, and climbed off the horse's back.  Sliding to the ground, she decided to walk the rest of the way through the village.  She barely found the time to enjoy what was around her.  Unlike how she had back home.  She always found time, too much even.

On her way back from the river, after she had dropped off the bag of clothes.  Well she didn't just drop them off, but that didn't matter anymore.  Now she had errands to run.  It was late, and sun was already setting in the west.

She passed antique shops, busy with other servants, and even royalty.  Serena only assumed, there was a royal banquet in Princess Relena honor.

For what, Usagi didn't understand, but was thrilled by the idea.  She had never been to an Earth ball before, and couldn't wait to see one.

Stopping in front of one of the stores, she pulled out a list from her pocket.  She looked it over, and caught the seller's attention.  "Ah missy, what can I getch ya?"

She grinned, pleased to find a friendly fellow amongst the many frowning individuals. "I need a quarter pound of hog, and a three pounds of beef.  Two bags of red and green apples each.  Also three blocks of cheese, and four barrels of milk and wine."

Serena glanced at the list, and marked off what she ordered.

The short old man grinned, 'Well that is a lot of grub missy.  What are you feeding, an army?"

Shaking her head, she replied with an easy smile, "No.  Can you have it delivered to the castle, I still have a lot of shopping to do today."  The older man grinned, "Not a problem missy, I'll have it there within the hour."  Serena bowed, "Thank you sire. How much do I owe you?"

"Thirty gold pieces."

Nodding, she pulled out some of the coins the head maid had lent her for the shopping.  "Here you go sire."

The old man shook his head, "Hold on missy, you gave me fifty pieces.  Here's twenty back.  Be careful, some aren't as nice as I."

She flushed, and took back the change, "Thank you sire, and I promise not to make the same mistake twice.  Good day to you!"  The older man saluted her a goodbye, and she waved back.  Turning around, she tugged her horse along, and clucked her tongue off the roof of her mouth. 

She stepped right out in front of a carriage. 

The two leading horses neighed, and snorted in protest.  They went up on their hind legs, and Serena gasped.  She fell back against Soldier, and he reared up to defend himself.  He kicked up onto his hind legs, to keep back the other horses.  Screams filled the air, and Serena was yanked back with her grip on the reins.

Shouts echoed around her, and curses filled the air.  The horse's shrills, and deafened her from the warnings to move.

She turned around, and tried to calm Soldier down.  He jerked his head, but she yanked back on the reins.  "Whoa Soldier, Whoa."  She held the reins tight, and steadied the horse down on all four of his legs.

Whispering, she eased the horse, "Good boy."

Someone shouted, "Miss look out!"

"Oh my god!"

There was a scream from behind her, but she didn't turn at the warning, to distracted by her own horse, to see the other wild ones behind her.  An arm wrapped around the small of her waist, and jerked her back from Soldier.  Her fingers lost hold of the reins, and she was thrown to the ground.  With a startled cry, she fell face fist into the dirt.  She heard something crunch beneath her, and the pain shot from her chest.

The last thing she saw, before she closed her eyes, were a pair of worried green eyes looking down at her.

~~~~

It was still early in the morning, and the sun had yet to rise in the east.  The halls were barren, all except for the heated clunks on the floor of a lone pair of boot heels.

Heero stalked down the hall, his arms swinging calmly at his side.  His long black cape clipped to his broad shoulders, flapped behind him.  His dark eyes were set into a dark glare, when he focused on a single door.  His sword clanked against his side but the sound didn't distract him from his anger.  His lips thinned into a straight line.  Maybe it was wrong for him to be armed, when his mood was boiling over the edge?

The only thing that stood in his way was one man.  Who happened to be older than he was, but not as high ranked.  He was standing in front of the very door his eyes had singled out from all the others.

The man, who was a good two inches taller than he was, frowned.  His green eyes fell on Heero, and he didn't move an inch out of the way, "You can't go in."

"Hn."  His grunt was dark, and portrayed his anger.  He pushed the taller man out of his way, and went for the door.  The taller man stumbled on his lengthy legs.  The saying was true, the bigger they are the harder they fall.  But even as he struggled to catch his balance, he shot out, "She's not fit for-"

He didn't listen, but instead threw open the door, with such a force, it hit the wall and shut behind him.  His eyes scanned the room, and at first found it empty.  But there were discarded clothes on the floor; the dress she had worn the day before was draped over a chair.

Her shoes were stuffed under the dresser, and out of the way.  He was surprised at how luxuriously she slept, but then he looked closer.

The room was damp and the wood was old and stained from previous owners.  The furniture was chipped away, and scarred with burns.  The rugs stained, and full of holes.

The bed, he noticed was a full size, and held a lump.  She was still asleep?  But then again, she should have been, since it was, before dawn.  The only pillow he noticed, had been tossed to the floor carelessly, and the only blankets she had, were wrapped tightly around her body.

He stalked towards the bed, and heard the faint grumbled of the soldier outside the door, trying to open the door.  He figured the lopsided door must be jammed shut, after he had slammed it.  He neared the bed, and looked down.  How she could have slept through his ruckus, was unbelievable. 

She lay on her back, her head rolled to the side.  Her skin was pale, and her hair was loose, cascading over the natty looking mattress.  At first, he didn't want to disturb her, since she looked completely relaxed.  He knew, that he wouldn't want anyone bother him at such an hour.  But then his mind brought up the reason why he had came here in the first place.   His anger returned with a force. 

He reached out, and took her by the shoulders, and shook her fiercely.    He barked angrily, "Wake up!"

Her arms lashed out, and her mouth opened in a silent cry of pain.  Tears sprang from her eyes, and he then noticed the bandages wrapped tightly to her chest.

She was only dressed in her underwear, and the wraps that covered her chest and torso.  A frown formed on his face, as he pulled back.

Her eyes shot open, and she looked at him as if he were a monster.  She inhaled deeply, before rolling over onto her side.  She curled up into a ball, and moaned in pain.

He stared at her back, his frown deepening.

To him, she might as well have been naked.  Dressed only in the poorly done wraps that still showed off her fair skin in bare spots, and light pink panties with frilly laces.  When did maids start wearing such nice undergarment?  Her creamy legs were tucked close to her chest, and her long slender arms holding them in place.

"You are not my maid, and I wont have you doing anything for me!  Pamper Relena, not me."  He paused to let that sink in, before he continued, "I'm not royalty I don't depend on others."

She choked on a sob, "I'm sorry, I wont do it again."  She moaned the words making her chest hurt even more than before.  She watched through blurry eyes, as light slowly flowed into the room.  Dawn had finally arrived.

Groaning, she struggled to sit up.  Pain shot through her ribs, and she doubled over, her hand covering the spot that hurt the most.

He watched her move, and he felt concern seep into his heart.  Sighing, he reached over and grabbed her by the shoulders, to set her on her feet.  Tears were clinging to her thick lashes, as she looked up at him curiously.  He crossed his arms over his chest, not liking the fact that he was feeling sorry for her.

She wiped her forehead, and muttered softly under her breath, "Thank you sire.  I need to get to work-" she moved passed him, and glanced around her room.

His eyes followed her, when she found her dress, and walked slowly towards it.  Was that a limp?  He tried not to notice, but he found that difficult, with his eyes focused solely on her.  She pulled her dress from the chair, and fiddled with it.

He watched with amusement, as she tried to step inside it, but lifting her legs seemed too difficult.  The dress pooled around her at her feet.  She stared down at it helplessly for a second, and then struggled to bend down to her knees.  Her hand searched blindly for it, but her fingers couldn't reach the fabric.

With a brief shake of his head, he walked towards her, and crouched down.  She looked at him, as he grabbed the dress, and helped her back up.  His grunt cut off her questions, before she could ask them.  He bunched up the skirt of her dress, and held it up over her head.  Hesitantly, she raised her hands in obedience.

He pulled the dress down over her head, and tugged it on gently.  Her arms slipped into the sleeves, and her head fit through the caller.  The bodice was snug around her chest, and the skirt was loose at her hips.

He walked around her, and took the ties, and tied them loosely in the back.  When done, he moved away from her, so she could turn around to face him on her own.

Her eyes caught his, the second she turned.  She studied him for a second, questions wanting to spill.  A minute barely passed, before she ducked her head in a mock bow, and whispered, "Thank you."  She winced in slight pain.  He touched her chin, and lifted her gaze to meet his.

He glanced down at her chest, and Serena knew what he was wondering.  "I was in the market yesterday, and I stepped out in front of a carriage.  I startled the horses, and the one I was with.  I was able to calm mine down, but the carriage's horses-" she paused, to catch her breath.  "The Doctor thinks I might had bruised three of my ribs."

He nodded, and crossed his arms over his chest.  He turned from her, but stated over her shoulder, "Princess Relena, and Prince Miliardo, wishes to see you."

She nodded, and watched him leave the room.  Sighing, she hurried after him.  She had a lot to do today.  Just as she stepped out the door, the head maid, and not the nice one from yesterday bombarded her.  "Young lady.  You have been late two days in a row.  You're lucky, I wont fire you, but I'll teach you a lesson, to not be on time.  Princess Relena doesn't like to wait!"

The head maid, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her down the hall.  Serena tried to loosen the grip, but it only tightened.  Other maids watched her, as she was pulled through the hall, and to whatever punishment, that awaited her.

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Okay, here's the next chapter.  Not long, but at least its not real short.  It appears Serena can't learn from her mistakes.  Wither that, or she's overly nice…  well looks not all good things come to those who are kind.

Reply to my faithful reviewers, I love you guys sooooooo much!!!

Damia- Queen of the Gypsi's:  Thanks for another review.  As for my name, it's quite funny.  I know a lot of Haleys, but I'm the only one who has it spelled like that.  And no one can ever spell it right.  Hayley, Hailey, Haliey, you'd think they would try Haley first…it sounds like its spelt.  My last name is worst…  I always get are you related to…  I usually go no!  even before they say anything…

Elemental Angel Number 4: I'm glad you like this story.  And I know how you feel, sort of… I hate starting new stories, and yet I'm doing it all the time.  Because each time I start a new story, I have to really start over.  Introductions, forming plots, creating characters.  It's a horror in its self.  But I constantly get writers block, and that when I start new stories.  Good luck on your fic though, and happy typing.

Hikari: Heero/ Usagi naturally, wouldn't have it any other way.  I could never have Heero with anyone else… that is unless I was in the story. Hehe…  thanks for the review you're the best pre-reader…  what would I do without you???  *thinks to self* probably shrivel up and die in a room with padded walls.  Hehe…

Dc190: I'm so happy your reading it again, because I have changed a bit, and tweaked my grammar to some extent.  Thank you so much for reviewing.  Skookum?  *Left eye begins to twitch* um…

Moongirl: gah I hate exams, I think my head is going to fall off, and roll away with any brains I might have left…  either that or I'm going to rip it off, and throw my own head out the window… which ever comes first…  it shall be fun to wait and see.  Because I have exams this week.  All gosh darn six of them…  in the 8th amendment; they say no cruel and unusual punishment.  Well dammit; this is cruel, and very unusual…

girldancer001:  thanks for the review.  I hope you liked this chapter as well.

Kylarchan:  err this chapter is like longer by only a few pages.  And the next one I realized is only one pager longer than this one. Hehe but hey from there they get real long. Hehehe

Twiggirl06: yes you're going to keep reviewing. You're going to keep reviewing woot!  I will try to have a nice day… but unfortunately my teachers have plans for me…  ooo I think I can relate to Usagi now…  I'm the innocent girl who just wants to get through school like every other normal kid, while my teachers are the evil fates that are trying to kill me with these huge ugly tests. Hehe

Dark Universe: thanks for the review, and commenting on my summery.  I hope I can just write it now… hehehehe

Well that's all for now.  I hope you guys enjoyed my company so far.  Now I'm off to bed so that I can get up early study real hard again….  Tty all in the next chapter.  Till then….

This is LP signing out…