* sigh * I STILL don't own any of the characters in the following, and I
don't think I ever will either.
Have you all been sufficiently scared now? Not to worry, Duo will NOT be paired with Michiru.just part of the plot of revenge. However, I am giving serious consideration to pairing up the rest of the inner sailors with the other pilots a little later on in the story. I'm open to pairing suggestions for the rest of the couples, so let me know if you have any ideas. (If you like, you may vote to have Serena stay with Darien also.)
I apologize for the way chapter 6 uploaded. My file doesn't look like that, I swear. I tried re-uploading it and it did the same thing.so I guess it's FFNet's "fault". I also apologize for getting this update out a little late. I just upgraded my computer to XP and well.wouldn't you know it, my computer isn't compatible with XP so I had to wait for a patch to fix it. Like you all really care.but it was driving me bonkers. O_O ( This is chibi Nixie waving her arms in frustration to illustrate.
Thank you all for your continued support! I was really flattered to find out when I checked my stats page the other day that I had been added to somebody's favorite's list. Whoever you are, I just want you to know that you and everybody else that has reviewed has made me feel that my work is appreciated (even though I don't write for myself). Thanks again, and enjoy!
"My.my what!?!?!"
"Your mail order bride," she repeated. "Did you forget I was to arrive this afternoon?"
"FORGET?? I never knew you were coming at all!!" Duo shouted.
"You didn't?" Michiru asked, frowning slightly. "But I received a letter from you with your signature on it. This is your signature isn't it?" She held out some papers she had retrieved from her purse.
Duo inspected the papers, scratching his head. "Well, yeah.that is my signature but I never saw this.wait a minute!" He whirled around to confront his fellow pilot when all of a sudden a loud voice interrupted.
"HEY YOU! WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH MY GIRLFRIEND??"
Duo turned around to see a tall blonde glaring at him. "Um..would you believe I have no idea?"
"No I wouldn't!" The blonde brought a fist up to his face. "Now you have some explaining to do mister."
Duo's face went a little pale. "Explaining? Here, he'll explain everything to you!" So saying, he dashed behind Heero and shoved him in front of the blonde.
"Come back here and answer like a man!"
"ACK!" Duo took off running down the platform, the blonde chasing along behind.
As he ran by, Lita doubled over laughing. Michiru hid a smile behind her hand, silently laughing at the sight of the blonde running around in circles with one Mr. Maxwell, hanging on to his braid. Even the corners of Heero's mouth were twitching slightly as he watched the spectacle.
Duo managed to turn and yank his braid free, only to find himself backed up against a wall. Cringing, he prepared to duck the fist he was expecting to come toward him at any moment. Imagine his surprise when all of a sudden the blonde started laughing.
"Boy, you were right Lita.this guy is great to mess with."
"Wait a minute.you know Lita?" Duo asked.
The blonde nodded and stuck out a hand. "Name's Haruka Tenoh. Lita's a friend of mine from Juuban. You've already met my girlfriend Michiru," Haruka said grinning.
Duo shook Haruka's hand, glaring at Heero. "You set me up you.you.."
"It wasn't my idea. It was all hers," Heero answered, pointing to a still giggling Lita.
"LITA??"
"Sorry Duo.but you have to admit it was rather funny. I mean, you should have seen your face.."
Duo scratched his head. "Well, I guess I kinda did have it coming didn't I.." Then he laughed. "I have to admit, you two did a pretty good job."
"I thought so," Lita said proudly. "Say you guys.would you like to come over and stay for a while? Quatre has plenty of room and I'm sure he wouldn't mind if I brought a couple friends over."
Haruka smiled. "Thanks for the invite, but we really can't stay. We promised Hotaru we'd back to see her in her school play and tomorrow is the last performance."
Duo stared. "You mean you two came over her all the way from Japan just for this??"
Michiru smiled. "Not exactly. I just finished a term at a music conservatory here and we're on our way home now."
"I'm sorry you have to leave so soon, but it was great to see you again," Lita said, hugging both of her friends. "Tell Hotaru good luck for me and say hi to the other's when you get back ok?"
"Will do," Haruka said, glancing at her watch. "Damn it.we gotta go now Michi or we're gonna miss the train out to the airport."
"Good-bye. It was nice to meet all of you," Michiru said.
Haruka waved good-bye and the two turned, disappearing into the crowd on the platform.
Lita sighed as she lost sight of them in the mass of people.
"Homesick?" Duo asked.
"A little maybe. It's just that I don't get to see Haruka and Michiru that often. Michiru is a really talented violinist, so she gives lots of concerts. And when they aren't going to a concert, they're at one of Haruka's races.she's a race car driver."
"Oh, well I can understand that. I mean, if I didn't get to see some friends for a while I'd probably feel the same way." He stopped. "Wait a minute.did you say she?"
"Yeah.why?"
"You mean Haruka's a girl?"
"Yeah."
Duo promptly collapsed.
"Maybe I shouldn't have told him?" Lita asked.
Heero shrugged. "He'll be alright. Just being over dramatic as usual."
"I heard that," answered the "stricken" young man.
"See? I told you so."
"You are just plain mean Heero."
Lita laughed. "Ok you two.I think we've had enough excitement for one day."
"Yeah," Duo answered. "Any more excitement and Heero might actually smile," he said, rolling his eyes.
Heero looked at him, one eyebrow raised.
"Hey, don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about buddy.don't think I didn't see you trying not to laugh."
"Hn."
Duo looked back at Lita. "Oh yeah.so much excitement that he's reverted to monosyllabic words."
"I'm impressed you can even say monosyllabic.much less understand it."
Duo stuck his tongue out at Heero.
"Ok, ok.enough already!" Lita exclaimed. "It's been a long week.let's not drag it out.?"
"Alright," Duo answered. "But he started it," he mumbled.
Lita looked at him, giving him one of those don't-press-your-luck type of looks. It didn't take but a few seconds for Duo to realize he might be in trouble, and he took off running for the car.
If Lita thought the last week had been long, the next would prove to be just as long.if not longer. The start of school on Monday meant the continuation of the war between her and Relena.
Catching sight of Relena on the way into the building, she became so absorbed in keeping an eye on Relena to make sure that she didn't pull anything that Lita didn't notice the strategically placed banana peels on a newly waxed floor. Of course, she went sliding head long into a wall.
Tuesday Lita brought in water balloons full of paint and dropped them on Relena's head from a second story window as she entered the building. So Relena decided to retaliate by getting rid of the chair Lita had been sitting in. The idea was she'd have to stand for the rest day. So when lunch came and everyone had left, Relena had one of the janitors come and remove the chair. Smiling evilly to herself, Relena waited for everyone to file in.
"Please take your seats," Relena said, raping on her desk.
Everyone sat down.well, everyone who could. "Excuse me Miss Kino.but I thought I asked everyone to sit down?"
"I would if I had a chair," Lita responded.
"Oh well.I guess you'll just have to stand," Relena said smugly as she turned to the board to start the lesson.
Just then, somebody slipped a piece of paper into Lita's hand. She quickly scanned it, and looked at the person who's handwriting was on it. The expression on her face seemed to say are you sure about this? She received a slight nod, and shrugging her shoulders she complied with the invitation.
The next time Relena turned around, her jaw was hanging open so far you could probably have stuffed 5 Scooby sized sandwiches in it.with room left over. "What.what is this??" she yelled, pointing toward Lita with the piece of chalk in her hands.
"What do you mean 'what is this'? I'm sitting.just like you asked."
"But sitting on what? That's not a chair!"
"Oh, you're observant. No, it isn't a chair.but I believe the word you used was seat and this is my seat."
"Since when did Heero Yuy's knees become your seat??"
"Since he said so." Lita held up the tiny piece of paper between her first two fingers. "Want to read it?"
"No.no I do not want to read it!"
"Suit yourself," Lita said, smiling quite innocently, crossing her left leg over her right and setting her notebook down on her left knee. By this time, Relena's face was bright red.and if you looked hard enough you could see the steam come out of her ears.
Later that night, when it was just the 5 pilots, Duo asked the question that was on everybody's mind. "Heero.WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?"
"Or was he even thinking?" Wufei retorted.
Heero glared. "I did it because I could. Do I always need to justify what I do with you? Last time I checked, you weren't my legal guardian." After another round of glares warning everyone to keep their questions to themselves, he went to his own room.
Quatre frowned. "I wonder why Heero's been acting so strangely lately."
"That's easy," Wufei said. "Having that onna in the house has made him lose his ability to be rational and sane."
Trowa considered that for a moment. "If you believe what Wufei says, then the only conclusion one can draw from the evidence is that Heero has feelings for 'that onna'."
"NO WAY!" Duo exclaimed.
Trowa shrugged. "Stranger things have happened."
And they did.the very next day. As Lita walked into the building, Relena looked down from her second story window and poured out the sticky contents of a huge plastic bucket. The shower of honey was followed by a blizzard of prepackaged salad.lettuce, carrot shavings, the works.
Seething, Lita promptly turned and headed back toward the Winner mansion. "I'll be in later," she said, waiving as she left. A couple hours and several washings later, she returned. She stopped at Relena's desk, holding a ribbon wrapped canister in her hands.a small something she had found lying around in a cabinet. "I'm sorry I'm late Miss Relena," Lita said in a very sugary voice. "But I had an accident on the way here and felt it would be better if I came after I got things straightened out. Really though.I think our little war has gotten out of hand and so I'd like to end it now with this." She held out the canister, labeled Gourmet Almonds. "I heard these were your favorites."
"Why yes. How nice of you," Relena said, taking the canister. I won she smirked to herself. I won, I won.laughing inside she untied the ribbon. "I do hate to leave packages unopened you know." Laying the ribbon down, she opened the lid only to have those beautiful trick snakes come springing out. "ARGH!" she screeched, stumbling backwards into her chair.which promptly fell onto it's back causing Relena to tumbled over backwards onto the floor in a most undignified manner. She righted herself and dusted off her skirt amidst the gales of laughter, seemingly unaffected. Just you wait Lita.she said to herself.just you wait.
Thursday wasn't quite as bad. The only attack was made from Lita. She went around posting flyers that had Relena's head grafted onto a giant gorilla. The caption underneath read 'The Origin of Dumb Blondes'.
It was Friday that became the day of infamy.pardon the expression. Relena bided her time until lunch. This particular day they were having lunch served at the school for a change (in celebration of something stupid like Pacifist Founder's Day). It was buffet style, so everyone went through a line to get their food. Relena made sure to wedge herself behind Lita.and in front of Heero.
Miss Peacecraft pulled out her fork and was all but prepared for a rear attack when Lita suddenly looked down and said in a loud whisper, "I think a cockroach just crossed over your foot."
Squealing in disgust, Relena flung her hands up in the air, forgetting she had a tray in her hand. It wasn't until she heard the clatter the she realized what she'd done. She turned around to face one Heero Yuy with a glob of mashed potatoes on his head.plus gravy.
"OH MY GOD! Heero I'm so sorry!" She grabbed some napkins from a nearby table and attempted to make things right.
"I don't want your help," he growled, pushing her away...right into a conveniently placed trash can. She tripped over it, knocking it over and causing the contents to spill out around her.
That's it...no more Miss Niceguy, Relena though bitterly. I'll make her pay for causing me this kind of humiliation.dumping food on my beloved Heero.. She began plotting her revenge.
A little later that afternoon, as everyone was heading down the main hall toward the front entrance, Lita suddenly realized that one of her rose earrings had fallen out. "You guys go on ahead; I'll be back in a minute. I need to get something." Lita headed back down the hall the way she had come, looking around for it.
"What're you looking for Miss Kino?" Relena asked.
"One of my earrings came out," she answered.
"Oh.you mean this one?" Relena said, pointing with her toe to a tiny pink rose lying on the floor in front of her.
"Yeah, that's it. Thanks.." Her voice trailed off as she watched Relena step on it and grind it into the floor with the heel of her shoe.
"My pleasure," Relena replied, removing her foot and walking away.
"You.you.how could you?" Lita yelled after her. "My mother gave me those!"
"Then ask her to buy you some new ones," Relena called over her shoulder.
"My mother is dead.." She sank down to the floor, sifting through the remains with tear dampened eyes.
Have you all been sufficiently scared now? Not to worry, Duo will NOT be paired with Michiru.just part of the plot of revenge. However, I am giving serious consideration to pairing up the rest of the inner sailors with the other pilots a little later on in the story. I'm open to pairing suggestions for the rest of the couples, so let me know if you have any ideas. (If you like, you may vote to have Serena stay with Darien also.)
I apologize for the way chapter 6 uploaded. My file doesn't look like that, I swear. I tried re-uploading it and it did the same thing.so I guess it's FFNet's "fault". I also apologize for getting this update out a little late. I just upgraded my computer to XP and well.wouldn't you know it, my computer isn't compatible with XP so I had to wait for a patch to fix it. Like you all really care.but it was driving me bonkers. O_O ( This is chibi Nixie waving her arms in frustration to illustrate.
Thank you all for your continued support! I was really flattered to find out when I checked my stats page the other day that I had been added to somebody's favorite's list. Whoever you are, I just want you to know that you and everybody else that has reviewed has made me feel that my work is appreciated (even though I don't write for myself). Thanks again, and enjoy!
"My.my what!?!?!"
"Your mail order bride," she repeated. "Did you forget I was to arrive this afternoon?"
"FORGET?? I never knew you were coming at all!!" Duo shouted.
"You didn't?" Michiru asked, frowning slightly. "But I received a letter from you with your signature on it. This is your signature isn't it?" She held out some papers she had retrieved from her purse.
Duo inspected the papers, scratching his head. "Well, yeah.that is my signature but I never saw this.wait a minute!" He whirled around to confront his fellow pilot when all of a sudden a loud voice interrupted.
"HEY YOU! WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH MY GIRLFRIEND??"
Duo turned around to see a tall blonde glaring at him. "Um..would you believe I have no idea?"
"No I wouldn't!" The blonde brought a fist up to his face. "Now you have some explaining to do mister."
Duo's face went a little pale. "Explaining? Here, he'll explain everything to you!" So saying, he dashed behind Heero and shoved him in front of the blonde.
"Come back here and answer like a man!"
"ACK!" Duo took off running down the platform, the blonde chasing along behind.
As he ran by, Lita doubled over laughing. Michiru hid a smile behind her hand, silently laughing at the sight of the blonde running around in circles with one Mr. Maxwell, hanging on to his braid. Even the corners of Heero's mouth were twitching slightly as he watched the spectacle.
Duo managed to turn and yank his braid free, only to find himself backed up against a wall. Cringing, he prepared to duck the fist he was expecting to come toward him at any moment. Imagine his surprise when all of a sudden the blonde started laughing.
"Boy, you were right Lita.this guy is great to mess with."
"Wait a minute.you know Lita?" Duo asked.
The blonde nodded and stuck out a hand. "Name's Haruka Tenoh. Lita's a friend of mine from Juuban. You've already met my girlfriend Michiru," Haruka said grinning.
Duo shook Haruka's hand, glaring at Heero. "You set me up you.you.."
"It wasn't my idea. It was all hers," Heero answered, pointing to a still giggling Lita.
"LITA??"
"Sorry Duo.but you have to admit it was rather funny. I mean, you should have seen your face.."
Duo scratched his head. "Well, I guess I kinda did have it coming didn't I.." Then he laughed. "I have to admit, you two did a pretty good job."
"I thought so," Lita said proudly. "Say you guys.would you like to come over and stay for a while? Quatre has plenty of room and I'm sure he wouldn't mind if I brought a couple friends over."
Haruka smiled. "Thanks for the invite, but we really can't stay. We promised Hotaru we'd back to see her in her school play and tomorrow is the last performance."
Duo stared. "You mean you two came over her all the way from Japan just for this??"
Michiru smiled. "Not exactly. I just finished a term at a music conservatory here and we're on our way home now."
"I'm sorry you have to leave so soon, but it was great to see you again," Lita said, hugging both of her friends. "Tell Hotaru good luck for me and say hi to the other's when you get back ok?"
"Will do," Haruka said, glancing at her watch. "Damn it.we gotta go now Michi or we're gonna miss the train out to the airport."
"Good-bye. It was nice to meet all of you," Michiru said.
Haruka waved good-bye and the two turned, disappearing into the crowd on the platform.
Lita sighed as she lost sight of them in the mass of people.
"Homesick?" Duo asked.
"A little maybe. It's just that I don't get to see Haruka and Michiru that often. Michiru is a really talented violinist, so she gives lots of concerts. And when they aren't going to a concert, they're at one of Haruka's races.she's a race car driver."
"Oh, well I can understand that. I mean, if I didn't get to see some friends for a while I'd probably feel the same way." He stopped. "Wait a minute.did you say she?"
"Yeah.why?"
"You mean Haruka's a girl?"
"Yeah."
Duo promptly collapsed.
"Maybe I shouldn't have told him?" Lita asked.
Heero shrugged. "He'll be alright. Just being over dramatic as usual."
"I heard that," answered the "stricken" young man.
"See? I told you so."
"You are just plain mean Heero."
Lita laughed. "Ok you two.I think we've had enough excitement for one day."
"Yeah," Duo answered. "Any more excitement and Heero might actually smile," he said, rolling his eyes.
Heero looked at him, one eyebrow raised.
"Hey, don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about buddy.don't think I didn't see you trying not to laugh."
"Hn."
Duo looked back at Lita. "Oh yeah.so much excitement that he's reverted to monosyllabic words."
"I'm impressed you can even say monosyllabic.much less understand it."
Duo stuck his tongue out at Heero.
"Ok, ok.enough already!" Lita exclaimed. "It's been a long week.let's not drag it out.?"
"Alright," Duo answered. "But he started it," he mumbled.
Lita looked at him, giving him one of those don't-press-your-luck type of looks. It didn't take but a few seconds for Duo to realize he might be in trouble, and he took off running for the car.
If Lita thought the last week had been long, the next would prove to be just as long.if not longer. The start of school on Monday meant the continuation of the war between her and Relena.
Catching sight of Relena on the way into the building, she became so absorbed in keeping an eye on Relena to make sure that she didn't pull anything that Lita didn't notice the strategically placed banana peels on a newly waxed floor. Of course, she went sliding head long into a wall.
Tuesday Lita brought in water balloons full of paint and dropped them on Relena's head from a second story window as she entered the building. So Relena decided to retaliate by getting rid of the chair Lita had been sitting in. The idea was she'd have to stand for the rest day. So when lunch came and everyone had left, Relena had one of the janitors come and remove the chair. Smiling evilly to herself, Relena waited for everyone to file in.
"Please take your seats," Relena said, raping on her desk.
Everyone sat down.well, everyone who could. "Excuse me Miss Kino.but I thought I asked everyone to sit down?"
"I would if I had a chair," Lita responded.
"Oh well.I guess you'll just have to stand," Relena said smugly as she turned to the board to start the lesson.
Just then, somebody slipped a piece of paper into Lita's hand. She quickly scanned it, and looked at the person who's handwriting was on it. The expression on her face seemed to say are you sure about this? She received a slight nod, and shrugging her shoulders she complied with the invitation.
The next time Relena turned around, her jaw was hanging open so far you could probably have stuffed 5 Scooby sized sandwiches in it.with room left over. "What.what is this??" she yelled, pointing toward Lita with the piece of chalk in her hands.
"What do you mean 'what is this'? I'm sitting.just like you asked."
"But sitting on what? That's not a chair!"
"Oh, you're observant. No, it isn't a chair.but I believe the word you used was seat and this is my seat."
"Since when did Heero Yuy's knees become your seat??"
"Since he said so." Lita held up the tiny piece of paper between her first two fingers. "Want to read it?"
"No.no I do not want to read it!"
"Suit yourself," Lita said, smiling quite innocently, crossing her left leg over her right and setting her notebook down on her left knee. By this time, Relena's face was bright red.and if you looked hard enough you could see the steam come out of her ears.
Later that night, when it was just the 5 pilots, Duo asked the question that was on everybody's mind. "Heero.WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?"
"Or was he even thinking?" Wufei retorted.
Heero glared. "I did it because I could. Do I always need to justify what I do with you? Last time I checked, you weren't my legal guardian." After another round of glares warning everyone to keep their questions to themselves, he went to his own room.
Quatre frowned. "I wonder why Heero's been acting so strangely lately."
"That's easy," Wufei said. "Having that onna in the house has made him lose his ability to be rational and sane."
Trowa considered that for a moment. "If you believe what Wufei says, then the only conclusion one can draw from the evidence is that Heero has feelings for 'that onna'."
"NO WAY!" Duo exclaimed.
Trowa shrugged. "Stranger things have happened."
And they did.the very next day. As Lita walked into the building, Relena looked down from her second story window and poured out the sticky contents of a huge plastic bucket. The shower of honey was followed by a blizzard of prepackaged salad.lettuce, carrot shavings, the works.
Seething, Lita promptly turned and headed back toward the Winner mansion. "I'll be in later," she said, waiving as she left. A couple hours and several washings later, she returned. She stopped at Relena's desk, holding a ribbon wrapped canister in her hands.a small something she had found lying around in a cabinet. "I'm sorry I'm late Miss Relena," Lita said in a very sugary voice. "But I had an accident on the way here and felt it would be better if I came after I got things straightened out. Really though.I think our little war has gotten out of hand and so I'd like to end it now with this." She held out the canister, labeled Gourmet Almonds. "I heard these were your favorites."
"Why yes. How nice of you," Relena said, taking the canister. I won she smirked to herself. I won, I won.laughing inside she untied the ribbon. "I do hate to leave packages unopened you know." Laying the ribbon down, she opened the lid only to have those beautiful trick snakes come springing out. "ARGH!" she screeched, stumbling backwards into her chair.which promptly fell onto it's back causing Relena to tumbled over backwards onto the floor in a most undignified manner. She righted herself and dusted off her skirt amidst the gales of laughter, seemingly unaffected. Just you wait Lita.she said to herself.just you wait.
Thursday wasn't quite as bad. The only attack was made from Lita. She went around posting flyers that had Relena's head grafted onto a giant gorilla. The caption underneath read 'The Origin of Dumb Blondes'.
It was Friday that became the day of infamy.pardon the expression. Relena bided her time until lunch. This particular day they were having lunch served at the school for a change (in celebration of something stupid like Pacifist Founder's Day). It was buffet style, so everyone went through a line to get their food. Relena made sure to wedge herself behind Lita.and in front of Heero.
Miss Peacecraft pulled out her fork and was all but prepared for a rear attack when Lita suddenly looked down and said in a loud whisper, "I think a cockroach just crossed over your foot."
Squealing in disgust, Relena flung her hands up in the air, forgetting she had a tray in her hand. It wasn't until she heard the clatter the she realized what she'd done. She turned around to face one Heero Yuy with a glob of mashed potatoes on his head.plus gravy.
"OH MY GOD! Heero I'm so sorry!" She grabbed some napkins from a nearby table and attempted to make things right.
"I don't want your help," he growled, pushing her away...right into a conveniently placed trash can. She tripped over it, knocking it over and causing the contents to spill out around her.
That's it...no more Miss Niceguy, Relena though bitterly. I'll make her pay for causing me this kind of humiliation.dumping food on my beloved Heero.. She began plotting her revenge.
A little later that afternoon, as everyone was heading down the main hall toward the front entrance, Lita suddenly realized that one of her rose earrings had fallen out. "You guys go on ahead; I'll be back in a minute. I need to get something." Lita headed back down the hall the way she had come, looking around for it.
"What're you looking for Miss Kino?" Relena asked.
"One of my earrings came out," she answered.
"Oh.you mean this one?" Relena said, pointing with her toe to a tiny pink rose lying on the floor in front of her.
"Yeah, that's it. Thanks.." Her voice trailed off as she watched Relena step on it and grind it into the floor with the heel of her shoe.
"My pleasure," Relena replied, removing her foot and walking away.
"You.you.how could you?" Lita yelled after her. "My mother gave me those!"
"Then ask her to buy you some new ones," Relena called over her shoulder.
"My mother is dead.." She sank down to the floor, sifting through the remains with tear dampened eyes.