Chapter nine:

Twenty-four Hour Dilemma

Haruka nodded her head in approval, as she studied the empty hallway. There wasn't a single person within earshot to hear the cries and banging from the closed door. Albus was true to his word. No one would be coming this way.

"Are you sure we're doing the right thing Haruka-papa?" The smaller girl was clutching her glaive with both hands. Reaching down the taller woman touched the girl's hair affectionately, "Hai, it's foolproof. Don't you worry."

The smaller girl sighed, her eyes straying to the closed door. The banging had finally stopped. Either Usagi had realized that no one was out here, willing to let her out that is, or she had found her closet companion.

Suddenly realization dawned on her, and slowly she lifted her head to look up at the taller woman. "Um…Haruka papa?"

Just slightly distracted, the blonde haired woman replied, "Hmm?"

A frown creased Hotaru's brow. Her violet eyes studied the woman standing next to her. "Where's Usagi-mama's brooch?"

Haruka frowned suddenly, her brow drawing together in slight confusion. Turning to her companion, she asked, "Brooch?" Hotaru felt her jaw drop open in shock, as the wind senshi gazed down at her. "You didn't take Usagi's brooch?" She was afraid of the answer that she knew was coming.

"Why on Earth would I want koneko's brooch? It doesn't look good on me anyway…" the older woman's cheeks turned bright red, as she struggled to hide her embarrassment. "not that I've tried it on…"

Horrified, the short girl dropped her glaive, and grabbed the older woman by the front of her uniform. "You didn't grab her BROOCH!!!" Alarmed, the blonde woman shook her head, "Iie, I didn't know I was supposed to-"

"Are you crazy!!" Hotaru shook the woman, as if she could knock some sense into her surrogate father. "Are you insane?!?! They'll murder each other!!" She shook her harder, "What would Michiru-mama say?" Haruka paled slightly, her eyes wide with terror at the girl's sudden burst of anger. It was like seeing Michiru, flames and all. Kami-sama have mercy on my soul…

The dark haired girl shoved her back, and hurried to the door. Grabbing the doorknob, she tried to pry it open. "We have to get the brooch before they get hurt!"

Haruka took a timid step backwards, the quickest way of getting away from the venting child. Her hand reached up to rub the back of her neck nervously. "Promise you won't get mad?"

Hotaru yanked hard on the door, "Why won't this blasted thing open?"

Suddenly her small back stiffened, and she slowly turned her head, her mind just now processing what the blonde woman had said. "Why?" The older woman swallowed hard, "Promise you won't get mad."

Hotaru felt her left eye twitch in irritation. "I will not." The blonde shook her head; "I won't say anything until you promise not to hurt me." The smaller girl shot her a murderous look. Haruka took another step back, and she bumped into the wall. At this distance she could make a run for it. But who knew where the girl would pop up from, and strike a blow with her glaive.

With the look the child was giving her, Haruka believed the girl wouldn't hesitate to smite her. "The door's locked." Hotaru nodded, before she bit out, "I noticed, so unlock it."

Scooting a few inches to the right, Haruka added, "We can't." Violet eyes narrowed dangerously, "Why?" Haruka was really starting to fear for her life. I knew I shouldn't have agreed to this. Damn you Albus!

I'm too young to die!

Swallowing the forming lump in her throat, she chose her words carefully, "Th-they can't get out, and w-we can't get in…" taking another step to the right, she inched her way along the wall. The whole time deadly violet eyes followed her. "Haruka-papa, what did you do?"

The blonde's bottom lip trembled. She was the senshi of Uranus, the fearless wielder of the wind saber. She could take on youmas, droids, evil queens, and deadly possessed senshi. But right now, her knees shook, her heart hammered hard in her chest, all because her adopted daughter looked ready to strangle her with her bare hands. Right now, Sailor Uranus looked ready to scream, and run for her life.

Having her car would have been nice right about now, but it was thousands of miles away. And all she had was an endless hall that was hexed. She would never find her way out, not after what Albus had done to keep the students away.

Inhaling deeply, she realized there was no way out. Exhaling heavily, she replied, "Technically, I didn't do anything. But-" she shot the hallway a quick glance. She wasn't trapped, but then, she was. In one breathless statement she blurted out, "Albus-casted-a-twenty-four-hour-spell-so-that-none-of-us-can-get-in-and-they-can't-get-out." With that said, she turned and ran as fast as the wind could carry her.

As she reached the corner, she smacked into a barrier, and fell back hard on her rear. Damn it all to hell! Why did he have to be true to his word?

I'm so dead…

When she didn't hear anything from behind her, the older woman looked down the hall where Hotaru still stood. The smaller girl was shaking. Was she crying, or laughing?

She was afraid of both.

Then suddenly the air was shattered by a string of curses that made the older senshi blush, and left her ears ringing.

I wish Michi-chan were here.

~~~~

Usagi caught her breath, her heart lurching in her chest. She wasn't alone in this dark room. There was someone, something, standing behind her. Fear swelled within her heart, and instinctively, she reached for her brooch.

"Hello Usagi."

Her knees nearly gave out, and her heart slammed hard against her rib cage. She knew that drawl. She knew that voice. It haunted her dreams, filled her with strange visions. Or were they memories?

Tentatively, she turned, her body slowly moving as she sucked in all the air her lungs could hold. The room wasn't really a room. With the soft glow of the boy's wand, she could see four walls, the only door laid behind her. The boy stood at the other end, not all that far from her really. The room was the size of a walk in closet. Just enough room for the both of them and a bit of legroom.

The air she held, came out in a whoosh, tumbling passed her lips. She was sure this wasn't good. She was alone in a closet with Draco Malfoy. Alarm was sharp and noticeable in her voice as she asked, "Wh-what are you doing here?" Why did it have to be him? Why couldn't it have been someone else? She would have asked for anyone else. But it wasn't anyone else. She could make him out clearly, even in the dim lighting.

He was leaning against the wall lazily, his white hair almost seemed golden in the glow of his wand, was slicked back. His sharp eyes, blue in color were glowing as they gazed at her. Their intense stare was unnerving, and it sent shivers racing along her skin.

The anger she had felt before was long gone, now. She felt more afraid of him, than angry. More vulnerable than strong. How could he do this to her? And with just a simple stare, just a quirk of his lips.

This was not a good thing.

She visibly shuddered, and pressed her back firmly against the door. The more distance the better, but the slight step back didn't make any difference.

"The same as you, being locked up in a closet." He rolled his eyes, turning his head slightly away. The simple jester hurt her more than she would have like to admit. Taking in what little air her lung would allow, she turned and grasped the knob. Jerking hard, she tried to wrench the door open. "Oh come on. LET ME OUT!"

"You're wasting your time, and my air. The door is locked. And there is no way out. They have some kind of spell on it." He sounded annoyed, his voice slightly clipped. She looked at him from over her shoulder. Shooting him a look, she tried jerking on the door some more. "Haruka let me out! I order you! Hotaru!!!!" She yanked, pulled, twisted, and turned. But nothing came of it.

And no one came to her rescue. Her bottom lip trembled, and she could feel her knees shaking. Her hope and strength was draining from her. "I only wanted to go home." The tears were burning her eyes, and a sob wanted to tear her throat in half.

"Stop whining. They'll have to let us out some time." His voice was harsh, backhanding her across the face.

Anger dried her tears, and roped back the sob that she desperately wanted to let out. Whirling around on her feet, she glared at the boy, who continued to stare at the wall. His arms were crossed over his chest, the only light barely poking out from under his arm. "Why did I have to get locked in a closet, with a snot nosed brat, who takes out all his frustrations on anyone he doesn't like? You're a spoiled, pig headed…" she raised her hands, holding them out like she wanted to wrap her fingers around his neck, and choke the life out of him.

His blue eyes slid towards her, in a flash of a blazing inferno. The heat within them startled her. Alarmed, she straightened her back, and pushed herself against the door. She did not like the look in his eyes.

It was worst than the look Rei always gave her, and that was not good a thing.

~~~~

Minako tapped one manicured finger against the hard planes of the wood floor. Her head was slightly tilted in thought.

Rei had called another meeting, and once again, their topic of conversation had jumped from one source to another. Starting off with business, a discussion on anything suspicious, which was absolutely nothing. And then Ami would bring up studying, their preparations of exams to get into colleges, where they planned to go once spring came.

Like she thought that far ahead…

Makoto was the one who had brought up the new boy at the arcade. Motoki's cousin had come up from America and was staying with him. Kevin was the latest chase in Tokyo. Just thinking about his dark looks, and lean body made her drool.

With a soft sigh she turned her blue eyes away from the small group. It was too small, just the four of them. Strange, how they never brought up their leader during the meetings. "Do you think she okay?"

The constant chatter stopped, and she turned to find everyone looking at her. They were staring at her in slight confusion, as if they weren't sure who she was talking about. "Usagi, I mean. Her okaasan was really worried…"

Ami's brow knitted together in confusion. "Minako are you feeling well?"

The light haired girl, frowned, "Hai, I feel fine. What are you guys staring at?" Makoto shook her head, her green eyes still holding concern, even though she was smiling. "Girl, you need to elaborate more…"

A frown appeared on her face. Shifting she struggled to sit up from where she had been lying on her stomach. "What is with you guys! Have you completely forgotten who our leader is? And that she's missing. Mrs. Tsukino is worried sick, and all we're doing is talking about guys!" She was outraged. Who were these people she called her friends? How could they just forget about Usagi, their princess like that?

The dark haired priestess scowled, "Minako, will you stop rubbing your title in our faces. Of course we haven't forgotten that you're our leader. Now sit down so we can get back to business."

She stared down at the young woman dressed in a red and white kimono. What the hell was going on?

"Minako, are you sure you're feeling all right?" She nodded, her anger rising. Couldn't they see she was fine? Her blue eyes flashed at the blue haired girl who was talking to her. "Why do you bring up the Tsukinos at a time like this Minako-chan?"

The blonde frowned, "What do you mean?" The smaller girl gave her a worried stare, her blue eyes slightly sympathetic. "I don't know what would make you think about that family now. Since they died nearly a year before you even came here to Tokyo."

Shock ripped through her senses. Dead? But how? She had just spoken with Ikuko last week. She shook her head, "Ami, stop joking. We need to find Usagi, and bring her back. We need our leader. We need Sailor Moon, or we're going to fall apart, if an enemy does show up."

Rei jumped to her feet, before Ami could reply. "Minako, you need to sit down, and breathe! The Tsukino died three years ago in a boating accident. Usagi, their musume, died two years ago." Her violet eyes flashed with an inner fire. "So stop spouting nonsense about a Sailor Moon. We are the Sailor Senshi, so stop making people up!"

Makoto nodded from where she sat near the table. "Hai, we still need to find our hime." The blue haired girl next to the tall brunette nodded solemnly. "Everything will be fine when we find her."

Minako took a tentative step back from the people she thought were her friends. Usagi, dead? How could they say that?

No Sailor Moon, a nonexistent figure? Absurd.

Sailor Moon was the girl she called her best friend, who helped her in the worst of times. The girl who saved them, when they believed they were going to lose. She had been their hope, their light. How could they forget?

"Minako sit down, I have got to tell you about that boy I saw at the mall. He makes Kevin look pathetic." Makoto sighed heavenly as an image of an older boy formed in her mind. Rei chuckled as she sat down.

Ami was flushing, trying to hide her face behind her book.

At first she was reluctant to sit. But then she couldn't quite remember why she hadn't wanted to join in the conversation in the first place. Taking her spot next to Rei, she shot the brunette a sly look. "So does that mean I can have Kevin?"

There was a slight pause in the silent room, before, "IIE!!!! He's mine!"

Minako grinned, and she waved her hand airily at her friend. " All right, all right." She rolled her eyes, at her friend's antics. Slowly she looked at each of them, and a smile graced her lips.

What had she been thinking? Sailor Moon? She must have had one crazy dream last night…

~~~~

"Are you done?"

His voice was dangerously low. His eyes narrowed into slits, as he looked at her in pure disgust. "Filthy mudblood…"

He was pissed; she knew that from the waves of violence that washed over her. His tense body was quivering with barely contained rage. What would he do if she pushed him a little bit further? If she sent him over the edge?

"Because if you're not, I will find a way of shutting you up. I've had enough of hearing you insult me." He sneered at her, his lips curling cruelly, "I'm a Malfoy, a pure blooded Wizard." Ah, the arrogant approach, not gonna work.

She glared back at him, even though her confidence wasn't nearly as strong as it had been before. Her hand reached into her pocket, her fingers curling around her brooch. "Stop calling me a mudblood."

He snorted, his thoughts about her order, present. "Why should I quit? You seem to be enjoying insulting me."

Usagi rolled her eyes, "Stop being such a baka. You're acting like a five year old." She crossed her arms over her chest, forgetting about grabbing her brooch. Before she could relax even the slightest against the door, two hands grabbed her roughly by the shoulders, and slammed her against the door. She let out a startled yell, as fingers dug into her tender flesh.

The wand clattered to the floor, the only light snuffing out, and left the two of them in the dark. Alarmed, she shouted, "Let me go!" Fear slammed in her heart, taking over her senses. She was absolutely petrified of being in the dark, being in the dark and vulnerable.

She struggled, trying to fight him off. But he managed to push her harder into the door, pinning her there with ease. "Let me go!!!"

"No because you're being unfair!"

Usagi froze for a second, not sure if she had heard him correctly. "Unfair? I'm being unfair!" With new vigor, she thrashed against him, her nails trying to claw into his skin.

With a low growl, he pulled her forward, and threw her against the door again, startling her. Using her shock to his advantaged, he pinned her to the door, with his body. His hands were like cuffs around her wrists, his shoulder digging into her chest, keeping her back flat against the door. His legs locked around hers, keeping them in place.

Angered by this new predicament, she yelled, "I'm not the one who tried to kill Harry. So you can't say that I'm being unfair! You're the one-" He said something, that she didn't catch, because she had been to busy screaming at him. Turning her face towards him, she flushed. His head rested next to hers, his forehead leaning against the door just above her shoulder. "Wh-what did you say?"

He sighed, his face slightly torn for a brief second, before he pulled his head back to look at her. "Stop calling him that. Stop calling him Harry."

She stared in confusion, not sure why he looked so sad. "He's my friend Malfoy. I can call him whatever I want." His eyes narrowed slightly, the muscles in his face tightening. She watched as his lips formed a stern looking frown. "He's you're friend, and I'm not?"

Why did he look so hurt?

"Well, you were, until you pulled that nasty foul out at the game." She dropped her gaze, not wanting to see that look any longer. "Only as a friend?" What? Didn't he just say he wanted to be her friend?

"Will you let me go please?" She couldn't handle being this close to him. She was getting too comfortable in his embrace. Unconsciously, she leaned against him, feeling his warmth through her robes.

~~~~

Following the hallway, Harry frowned. He had heard Dumbledore say that her room was near his. But where near his? Pausing he glanced around, trying to spot something familiar. He hardly came this way, so it was hard to remember where the Griffin statue might be.

"Harry where are you off to?" Hermione was coming out of the girl's bathroom, when he passed.

"I- uh." He frowned slightly, trying to keep himself focused on the task at hand. "I'm trying to find the Professor." He sighed; he couldn't help but admit to himself that he was lost.

Had he managed to get turned around?

"I just need to tell her something. Do you know where her room is?" He looked to his friend, who was staring at him closely. "What do you need to tell her?" He flushed slightly, feeling his cheeks warm.

"Well it's what happened during the Quidditch game… well I mean, it was just a game-" he laughed nervously. "And as much as I'm pleased to see those two at each other's throats, well I just can't help-" he sighed, it wasn't coming out right. "Do you know where her room is?"

Hermione nodded, and pointed in the direction he had been going. "Around the corner, and straight down the hall, turn right at the fork. You'll pass Dumbledore's office. Her room is the window at the end of the hall." He nodded, not even registering all that she had just told him.

He started walking, making his way to the corner, when he suddenly ran into something. With a yelp, he fell back, landing hard on his rear. "Harry, are you all right?" His friend dropped to his side.

Absent mindedly, he nodded, his eyes staring at the air in front of him. Curious, he reached out, and touched a cool surface. Some kind of barrier? But why?

Why would they want to keep people away from this section of the school?

"What did you run into?" She was looking down the hall with a frown. To the eye, there was nothing there, but to the touch, it was like a glass wall. Maybe a mirror?

Harry shook his head, as he replied, "I'm not sure."

~~~~

"D-Draco?" She shivered at the intensity of his look. He was so close to her, his face just mere inches from hers. She remembered how he kissed, and the way he made her feel by just being close to her.

They must have stood there like that for some time. Her legs were starting to ache, but she hardly noticed. She was too preoccupied by just staring at him. His eyes betrayed a lot, and she was sure she was seeing more then he wanted to give away.

"I wouldn't have let him fall." His voice was soft, not the same harsh voice he had used before. She blinked, her mind being pulled from her thoughts. "What did you say?"

He sighed, and once again rested his forehead against the cool surface of the door. "Potter wouldn't have fallen. I wouldn't have let him fall." She shivered, her body trembling. His breath was warm, lightly caressing her bare neck. What was he trying to tell her? She could barely concentrate.

"I'm not that shallow. I would rather kill Potter in a duel. It wouldn't be any fun letting him just fall." Draco's hands tightened, his finger wrapping around her wrists. He hit his head against the wood, the noise startling her. Usagi looked at him in concern.

"It was just a game, Usagi. I would have caught him." He looked at her then.

Usagi felt tears rush to her eyes. How unfair she had been! She had jumped to conclusions, yelling at him, before he could get a chance to tell her what happened, before he could explain.

Unable to look at him now, she turned away, ashamed with herself. He wasn't lying to her. It was more likely that Draco would want to fight Harry in a duel and defeat him that way.

"Gomen."

She tried to break free from his hold, but he held her in place. "Usagi?" Her body shivered, as he let her wrists go, and they trailed up her arms.

Hesitantly, she lifted her head to look at him. His face was close, barely hovering above hers. Draco leaned in, his head tilting just enough. Her hands moved, her arms wrapping around his neck, as he brought his lips down on hers.

~~~~

Studying her handful of cards, fanned out for her eyes to inspect, she frowned. She couldn't believe she was losing at this game.

"Haruka-papa do you have any kings?" The girl sitting across from her was staring at her own card, giggling uncontrollably. It might have to do with the fact that so far she had won six games, while Haruka hadn't even won once. Sighing, Haruka pulled out the three kings she had been holding, and handed them over to the smaller girl.

After the first hour of not speaking, Hotaru had slowly regained control of her bubbling anger to talk civilly, much to Haruka's relief. The second hour that had gone by, they had finally apologized and were actually starting to get some kind of a conversation going. Which was important, since they wouldn't be able to leave this hallway until the spell broke off.

The third hour, Hotaru had pulled out a deck of card. "'Taru chan, do you have any twos?" The dark haired child looked at her through the thick bangs of her dark locks. "Nope, go fish."

"Damn it all to hell!" Throwing her cards down, she jumped to her feet slightly agitated. So, she was a sore loser in the game of Go Fish…

Hotaru grinned, as she cleaned up the cards, and put them away in her sub space pocket. Haruka had never really been good at the game, which had Hotaru always bringing out her special cards to play a few games.

The young girl moved to the door, and pressed her ear to it. There weren't any sounds coming from within. About an hour ago, they had heard something slam against the door. But now there was nothing. Too bad they couldn't eavesdrop on them as well. "Do you think they're okay? What if they've hurt each other, and need our help?" Suddenly fear consumed her, and she moved to grasp the doorknob.

"Hotaru, we can't get in. And I'm sure they're fine." Haruka stopped pacing to look at her adopted daughter. "Our hime knows how to take care of herself."

"I know. I'm just worried. We haven't heard anything for a long time." She hugged her arms across her chest, as she looked at the closed door. They had only been out here for three hours. It felt like an eternity had passed, and they still had a long way to go to reach their destination.

"She'll be fine." The taller woman hugged her from behind. "You just have to trust our hime."

"Okay."

~~~~

Her body was tingling. Never had all of her nerves ignited like they did now. She was leaning against him, her legs too weak to hold herself up. "Draco?" He slightly shifted, and her fingers clutched the robes that hung from his shoulders. They were all that kept her from falling to the floor.

"Do we, did we know each other… before…" she tightened her hold on him, not letting him get the idea that he could pull away. Or avoid her question, this time.

He was looking at her, his face slightly flushed. "I- I think so." He reached up, his hands covering hers. Reluctantly, she let him go, and he steadied her on her own two feet. Once free, he retreated to the other end of the closet, as if trying to put distance between them.

"I've been having these dreams." He knelt down, and picked up his wand. Still crouched, his back towards her, he studied the long stick, with fake interest. "I've never had dreams like the ones I've been having this year."

Usagi frowned, her golden brows drawing together. "What kind of dreams?" She leaned back against the door, and slid to the floor. She was tired. It had been one exhausting day, and it was starting to take its toll on her.

Draco glanced at her from over his shoulder. "They're about you- well, I think they are." He moved around so that he could sit. He leaned back against the other wall, and now, he was staring at her.

"I don't remember a lot that happened two years ago. A lot of it is still just one big blank. But I do remember-" he titled his head, looking at her curiously.

"Remember what?"

He shook his head, "Nothing, nothing important."

The young blonde sighed, as she leaned heavily against the door. Finally she gave in, and voiced her thoughts, "I wonder how long we're going to be kept in here?" Draco lifted his head, to study the door thoughtfully. "We've only been in here for a few hours. Sooner or later someone will come looking for us."

Usagi snorted, "Yea right, not if this was planned."

"What do you mean?"

She shrugged, "Just what I said. I was pushed in here, and I'm sure you didn't walk willingly into an old empty closet." She shot a look at the door, as if it was its fault that she was still in here. "Since Haruka hasn't come to my rescue I would say she's in on this."

"In on what?" He was confused. She was acting as if the whole school was conspiring against them. And that was highly unlikely.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Albus was in on this too. He's been having a lot of fun using me as a puppet, since I got here. But who else? It wasn't Haruka who shoved us in here. I'm sure Albus doesn't have that kind of mentality. I just can't see him actually pushing us in here, maybe lock the door, but push…" Usagi frowned in thought, taking all of this into consideration.

"What are you talking about?"

She blinked, and looked at the boy who was seated across from her. "Why would your friends shove us into a closet? What would Dumbledore gain by locking a student and one of his staff members in a room together?"

Usagi took in his words, putting them into the odd equation forming in front of her. Now if only she knew how to work it.

"I don't know."

~~~~

"I am so bored!"

Hotaru sighed, as she looked at the older woman. Shaking her head, she replied, "Haruka-papa we've only been here for six hours."

"I know!" The blonde let out an exasperated sigh, as she fell back landing in a heap on the marble floor. "I want to go home. I miss Michi-chan." The smaller girl chuckled, "Well our time is almost up. Setsuna mama only said a month. Which I believe ends tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?!?!" Haruka sat up abruptly. "We can't leave yet! What if they're still fighting?" Hotaru shook her head, but before she could say anything, someone else replied, "Then, I'll take care of it."

Both senshis looked down the hall, where the barrier was still placed, locking them inside. But right before their eyes, a figure emerged through the invisible wall.

A girl, no older than thirteen materialized before them, limb-by-limb. She was voluptuous, even at such an age of one so young. Her hair was a natural green, something very uncommon at this school. She was dressed in the school uniform, with an outer robe over that.

Haruka climbed to her feet, her lips forming into a frown. "How'd you get in here?"

The small girl's lips quirked, "Ah, Uranus, I don't believe we have met. Well at least not formally." Her arms crossed over her chest. The sleeves of her robes drew back, revealing nearly shoulder length white gloves.

Hotaru relaxed, recognition dawning on her. "Juno, you startled us. Haruka-papa, she's okay, this is Jun Vesus."

The blonde refused to relax; the name meant nothing to her. "It's all right Haruka-" the stranger started, "Hai, I'm Jun Vesus, but also known as Sailor Juno." With that said, the robes she wore melted off, revealing her Sailor uniform. "One of the Sailor Quartet, that is."

~~~~

She was seated at an odd angle, he noted. He had finally glanced her way, when a sudden noise had jolted him from his dozing state. A smile tugged at his lips, as he studied the girl before him. She wasn't a very patient person, he noticed. A lot of time had slipped by, and from the look on the blonde's face he could tell the door was still locked.

Draco shifted from where he sat on the cold hard floor. What he would give for a blanket and a pillow. The room was cold, which meant it was getting late.

Needing to take his focus off his lack of warmth, he studied the blonde. She was sitting, but not on the floor, like she had been when he had nodded off. Instead, her back was flat against the floor, and it looked- Draco tilted his head to the side, so that to his eyes it appeared she was sitting, even though her rear end and legs were up in the air, up against the door.

"Comfortable?"

She wasn't startled, in fact she heaved a great sigh, and craned her head around so that she could see him. It was then he realized she wasn't wearing her robes anymore. "Well, sleeping beauty has finally woken up. Gomen, but the door is still locked." She looked down at her watch, and read off the time, "and it's about ten o'clock."

He was surprised to find that she wasn't upset. In fact she was relatively calm about the whole situation, unlike before. "Gomen, I got bored, so I transformed when I realized I was talking to sleeping beauty." She shot him a look, before turning her eyes up to the ceiling again.

He smirked, as his eyes studied her. She sighed again, and tapped the locket on her chest. He watched with fascination, for the second time, as her strange clothes melted away. In a brief flash, her naked form was covered in her robes.

Draco shook his head, his eyes glancing at the brooch, before they fell back on her face. She was completely oblivious to his gaze. He felt a pain come from within his chest, almost like a knife trying to slice him in half. Working up the courage he needed, but didn't feel, he stood.

Silently, he stood there for a second, just watching her. Their argument from earlier came back, fresh as if it had just happened. An old wound was torn open, when he thought back on her words. They had made him feel something he had never experienced before, at least not from what he remembered.

"Draco-kun?"

She was looking at him, from where she was, not moving. "What's wrong?" If he could, he would have gone back in time and not have done what he had at the game. If it would have stopped the horrible emotions he had felt, when she looked at him, he would gladly have let Potter win the game. And then during their argument, the emotion had been a wild beast, lashing out. He had opened his mouth, and said the only thing he could manage under the barrage of turmoil.

Then go.

Quietly, he moved towards her, stopping at her side. He crouched down, and he stared down at her face. He hadn't meant it. Hopefully, she would know that. Hopefully, she wouldn't take his word on what he had said in anger.

"Draco?" She was trying to push herself up, but the action was proving to be difficult from her position. He inhaled sharply, the pain fresh, and aching. "Usagi." She froze. Her eyes looked at him in concern, worry etched in their blue pools. She was propped up on her elbows, not daring to move.

Hesitantly, he reached out, his hand cupping her cheek. He felt her lean into the touch, and a soft caring smile appeared. Just for him. He hoped beyond hope, that she would forget the angry things he had said earlier. That she could forgive him.

Draco gathered his wits, what little that was left, and struggled to find his voice. The lump in his throat made it hard for him to speak, but he finally managed to whisper brokenly.

"Please don't leave…"

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Well you guys here's another chapter written. I little bit of romance, but nothing overly strong. I already have the next chapter planned, and started, so hopefully it will come out sooner than even this one did.

I had one problem with this chapter. I had started it, and then lost everything I had written on a disc, so I had to rewrite it. I was devastated. But I dragged myself out of mourning, and placed my dead weight before my comp, and wrote. And between you and me, I think it came out better than the original… so I guess some good things come from horrible things…

I hope you liked this chapter, I know you will love the next. Haruka, Hotaru, and Juno, are in for a HUGE surprise!!!!!!!

My thanks goes to my wonderful reviewers, who with their wonderful reviews keep me going, and the flowing thoughts to flood, my mind with ideas… but most of all, thanks to my pre-reader, who reads over my work quickly, and even adds her own thoughts into the chapters… thank you Hikari!!!!!

LP signing out!!!