The Cupid 500
Chapter Eight
LAST TIME: Usagi expressed her hatred for airplanes, met her cousin (HARRY POTTER), and wound up face to face with a miniature monster. Duo gets a clue and figures out that our dear hero is, in fact, a hero and speeds over to her house, which is being watched by Yohji, Minako, and Mamoru. Bad move, Usagi. But let's begin in England.
Usagi took a step forward, and then a step backwards, her face carefully blank. The instant she had made eye contact with the child, her vision was suddenly eclipsed by a different image.
Instead of the huge, sprawling estate there was a tall, skinny, fairy-tale type house with an overgrown lawn and a severely mistreated tree stretching its limbs to the top balcony. Everything was colored in mellow shades of gold and brown. The door opened in front of her, and Duo sauntered out of the house, grinning. His hands were in his pockets, and his head was cocked, as if he was waiting for her response to something. His mouth moved, and then his smile widened, and he held out his arms. Usagi began running towards him, and he caught her up in a hug and spun her around.
The image suddenly shifted, and she saw herself sitting outside behind the house in the dark, an empty bottle of sake beside her. Her knees were hugged to her chest, and her chin was resting on her arms. Her eyes were glazed over and watery, and her face was lit by the soft glow of a dying fire. The blush of alcohol stained her face, and a tear dropped down her cheek like liquid lava, burning her flesh in its path. A bright shaft of sunlight cut through the vision, and then she was seeing the English mansion, Harry's concerned face, and the top of the boy's head. Harry was saying something to her, but Usagi tuned everything out except the boy. He lifted his head, but kept his eyes carefully to the right.
"Usagi-chan. Wonderful to meet you again. The English air can do wonders for the soul. But only for so long," he murmured, his voice turning ominous at the end.
She stiffened, her mind racing through all possible interpretations. What was this kid trying to say to her? That being here would be good for her, but only for so long, she supposed. Stupid kid! Trying to order her around like that- didn't anyone ever teach him to respect his elders? Intent on teaching him this golden rule, she raised her fist and took a step forward-
-- and met his gaze again
The brown and gold world folded in around her. She was suddenly in her bed, next to Duo. He was laying on his side, propped upright on his arm. He was gazing down at her with his warm cobalt eyes. She smiled up at him and kissed him lightly on the nose. Usagi suddenly remembered that morning with frightening clarity, and color began to seep into the browns and gold. It was the first time they had discussed their pasts- and their future together. Neither of them had said the actual word out loud, because that would be like committing it to reality. They had been so in love-
"Stop," she croaked, digging her nails into her palms.
"I suggest you make no other violent attempts, Usagi-chan. They will only end in memory, and I know you don't want that," he said calmly. Then he bowed to Harry, leaving Usagi to stand still and try to regain control of her emotions. "It was wonderful meeting you, Harry Potter. I've heard a great deal about you and your friends Ron and Hermione. I've also heard quite a bit about your escapades. You will have to trade adventures and sob stories with Usagi-chan and see who wins. It might be healthy for you both to know that you're not the only ones carrying the world."
The small boy, who still looked to be only five or so, bowed politely and retreated inside the mansion. Now that she had gotten over the shock and the warmth of the memories, she was shaking with anger. What right did that kid have to just barge into her love life like that and drag everything up? Especially when she was trying to forget it all!
"What was that all about?" Harry questioned, concerned. Usagi and the boy had been holding a staring contest. Usagi's face had gone white, and then had flushed red with rage.
Usagi flinched, remembering Harry was there and had watched the whole thing. She tried to shrug it off. "It was nothing," she lied unsuccessfully.
Harry was quiet for a moment, and then spoke. "When I was a baby Voldemort killed my mum and dad. He tried to kill me too, but I survived because of my mum's sacrifice. Ever since then people see me as "The Boy Who Lived", and are always bringing up my dead parents. I once found this mirror and it almost drained my soul away because I stood there in front of it wishing for my parents to come to me. I was saved by the headmaster. The point of this whole story is that I learned to live for the things that are in my life, and not the things that I can't touch or claim. I can see it in your face, you know. It's pride. Pride, and a lot of regrets," he said softly, in a rare moment of sudden insight into the peculiar look that haunted Usagi's face.
Usagi's lofty look vanished, and Harry suddenly had a frightening view of the face of someone who had done many things that she shouldn't have, who had stayed silent when she should not have, who spoke when she should have remained silent, and who had held pride before them as a shield when they should have let all walls down.
"I'll tell you tonight, okay kiddo?" she said quietly.
He nodded reluctantly. It was the best he was going to get from her for now. Then something happened. Usagi instantly classified this something as "Not Her Problem but Would Probably Become Her Problem Very Soon" folder. To Harry it was like the world froze and then started up, but spinning in an entirely different direction.
Somethings have a very peculiar way of happening to Usagi and (to some extent) Harry. The something that was happening at that very moment calmly stepped out of the car with his father and mother, and looked over at Harry, who was staring in slack jawed amazement. Usagi continued to look appreciatively at the something and then reminded herself that he was probably sixteen and therefore much to young for her. But it couldn't hurt to look, her mind whispered evilly.
Of course, what used to be her conscience murmured graciously.
Her personal devil cackled evilly.
"What are you doing here?" the something asked Harry with a scowl. "I thought this gathering was only for the higher ranking families-not mudbloods such as yourself," the boy said with a sneer.
Usagi felt very much put off. Of course the boy would have to go and ruin his good looks with a terrible attitude. But what was a mudblood? She scanned her conversations with Harry on the plane and suddenly had it. It was a term used for someone who came from... er. Well, it was an insult relating to his parents, which was really callous of the stupid kid.
A small smile graced her lips. She hadn't gotten to verbally abuse someone in too long. Drawing a perfectly angelic glow to her face, she slipped her arm around Harry's waist.
"Come on, Harry! Weren't you going to show me to my room?" she whined artfully.
Harry choked and tried desperately not to turn bright red. "Uh-- er-- of course! Right! Erm, this way," he muttered, stumbling gracefully over his words.
The fair skinned and haired brat scowled darkly at Harry and Usagi. Usagi made fleeting eye contact with the other teen and smirked at him, letting him know that she knew exactly what was going on. She felt the teen take a step forward, and then heard murmured words from his parents. A malevolent feeling grew behind her, and she almost laughed out loud. Then she thought about it, and then did laugh out loud. The anger behind her multiplied.
"Well Harry, we've got him royally pissed. What do we do now?"
"You follow me before you make any more trouble," a man said from behind her.
Usagi shrieked in surprise, and spun around. Then she gasped, turned back around, saw who was there, and gasped again. By this time she was thoroughly confused and had no idea what the hell was going on anymore.
"What are you two doing here?" she asked with great difficulty.
Jadeite grinned charmingly at her. "Kunzite and I were commissioned by your formidable aunt Elizabeth. Have no fears, we are no longer interesting in avenging Zoicite and Nephrite. Beryl either, for that matter. We're not stalking you either. Let's just say that you being here is a perk," he said whispering the last bit in her ear.
She went bright red. "Exactly what do you mean by that?" she demanded, really not wanting to know the answer. THINGS ALWAYS GOT SO COMPLICATED WHEN SHE DID THINGS! She really ought to learn not to move. Nothing ever happened if there was no movement involved. Following this theory, she had moved quite a bit and so there was a lot in store for her. Great.
An arm went around her shoulder, carefully separating Harry and Usagi. "What we mean is that-"
"They talk to much, and you're here to make sure that their mouths are full all the time," a new voice interrupted.
Usagi nearly had a heart attack, and Harry was now experiencing a traditional Japanese nosebleed as a consequence of hearing the conversation. An old woman rose from a hole in the floor, laughing at the four expressions. The woman hobbled over to Jadeite and rapped him harshly on the knee.
"Young man! Quit hitting on my niece! You too, Kunzite! I made a deal expressly to free you two from Mr. Luc, and if you two should care to return, I'm allowed my sacrifices back-"
"No need, no need," Kunzite said hurriedly. "Jadeite and I will behave, to some extent. Is there anything we can do for you?"
"Suck up," Jadeite muttered.
He was dealt another whack from the woman's cane, this time on the shoulder. "He's smart! You two can go out and show everyone to their rooms. NOT Serenity!" she snapped, seeing them both turn towards Usagi, who was looking rather strange.
"Yes ma'am," Jadeite muttered sullenly, before vanishing with Kunzite.
Harry gaped. "Did they just disappear?"
The woman shot him a look. "Get used to it, young man. Everyone in this family deals with God and/or Lucifer, is a witch or wizard, or is some kind of supernatural creature. You're going to be seeing a lot of strange things at this family reunion. Serenity, your parents are coming for the party, correct?"
Usagi nodded, still with the strange look on her face. The woman looked at her sharply, and then snorted. "Young people," she said affectionately before disappearing.
Harry turned toward Usagi, who he considered to be his first priority. "Are you okay? You look like you're in pain," he explained, fearing that she looked that way normally.
With this, the tiny blonde burst out in a hysterical fit of laughter.
Usagi and Harry were shown to their rooms separately, although Usagi was aware of two people skulking along behind her and the servant. The servant, whose name turned out to be Laura, whispered the password to get into her room into her ear and left her there alone. Usagi grinned widely and entered the room, making sure to slam the door in Jadeite's face. There was a yelp of pain from the other side of the door, and she smiled in satisfaction.
She turned around to face her room and felt her stomach drop. It was gorgeous. She had a king sized bed with a white down comforter. There was little furniture in the room, but she liked it, oddly enough. The floor was polished hardwood, except for a light gray throw rug that was under and around her bed for about a foot. There were light white curtains, which were drawn shut. She set her suitcases down and crossed over to them.
With a wide grin and a laugh, she threw them wide open, letting the sunlight spill into her building like a wave rushing into an empty ocean. Before her were two white French doors, which led to a circular balcony, on which was a small iron table and a beautifully crafted iron chair. She smiled. Yep, she could really get to like this place.
There was a knock on her door. Usagi sighed at the interruption. Of course someone would interrupt her in her moment of peace and tranquility! She stomped over to the door and flung it open, making sure that her rage showed fully on her face. It melted away as soon as she saw who was there.
"Chibi Chibi!" she cried, dropping down to hug the girl tightly. "Galaxia- chan is going to be very angry with you," she warned.
Chibi Chibi smiled innocently, and then tugged Usagi out into the hall. A bright gold light filled the hall, and then died down. Usagi raised an eyebrow and laughed.
"Your entrances are getting better, Galaxia-chan. What are you doing here?"
Galaxia smiled warmly at Usagi. "I was invited by your aunt. She's a very influential woman, you know. She's provided her family to the Supernatural Dep. Of Justice several times, and even has some of her relatives working rather high up in the system. This is considered a very classy party, you know. "Lady Elizabeth is having a party," she said laughingly, mimicking someone she had talked to. "I asked who was going to be there, of course, and he went off about wizards, witches, Princess Serenity, some of Beryl's generals, Prince Diamond, Son Goku-"
"I get the picture," Usagi said with a grin, dropping down again to play with Chibi Chibi. "So you decided to crash this party to, eh? Well, you need to meet my little cousin Harry. He's sixteen and a total bishie, which is really too bad."
"How's Duo doing?" Galaxia asked absently, jangling the rings on her staff in front of Chibi Chibi.
Usagi stiffened, and then tried to make her body relax. "He's fine," she said with a forced calm.
Her friend wasn't fooled. "You broke up, ne?"
Why was she so damn readable? Was there some kind of curse on her that let people know exactly what she was thinking? Were her acting skills getting so terrible? Impossible! Maybe people were getting to know her too well. None of this, however, changed the truth. And what was the truth? That she and Duo were no longer together. It was the truth, dammit! Why couldn't she just face it, like she had faced everything else in her life?
"It's true," she said quietly.
Galaxia put a hand on Usagi's shoulder. "You must be grieving," she said softly.
Usagi's hands clenched. Chibi Chibi walked over to her and put her cool hands on Usagi's face and raised Usagi's head to look her square in the eyes. Then the little girl pried Usagi's fingers out of the fist and held both of her hands firmly.
"No," she commanded.
Usagi smiled, struggling to keep her eyes from growing watery. Why did everyone have to be so damn nice? It made her really uncomfortable. But at least someone cared. Usagi looked back up at Galaxia.
"Yeah, I guess I am. I can't admit it to anyone at home, because they'd all to the "I told you so" dance. I had a ritual burning, but that didn't accomplish anything besides destroying several articles of Duo's clothing."
Galaxia was silent for a while, and then nodded. "I suggest that you refrain from wearing your princess dress tonight. That might have unwanted consequences."
Usagi face-faulted. "Jezz, thanks for worrying! I'll just go crawl under a rock," she grumbled, stomping off. "If I can find one," she added when she was further down the hall. Galaxia watched her wander aimlessly further down the hall, greatly resembling a drunken princess. "Maybe I'll just go take a shower," Usagi finally muttered.
The blonde turned the corner and vanished from Galaxia's sight. The woman laughed softly and shook her head. "Baka chibi-hime," she said with a rueful chuckle. "Chibi Chibi, stay here with her. Things are going to get ugly," she said softly. "Chibi Chibi?" she asked again, turned to where the child was-
--or was supposed to be.
"Why am I cursed with insane superheroes that like to wander off?" she asked no one in particular, before vanishing in the overly popular manner of the Amano household.
Somewhere in the depths of the house, Usagi was on a quest. A quest that would surpass all quests. Why? Mostly because it would quickly be the only one she ever failed. Why it was so hard to find a stupid shower, she didn't know. But it was hard. Unusually hard. Creepily hard. Magically hard. Terrifyingly hard. All the adjectives lead up to one thing, she decided. There was quite obviously a demon hiding the shower from her.
"Well that's rude," she muttered.
The door to her right suddenly flew open, and a grotesquely fat man walked out of the room, wearing only a towel. Usagi clapped a hand over her eyes. Apparently she had found the shower. GROSS.
Finally deeming it safe to open her eyes, she pushed the door open and peeked cautiously inside. The word "MEN" was printed very loudly and clearly on the door in front of her. Hmph. As if they could keep her from doing anything she wanted. Snickering quietly to herself, she slipped inside.
Inside the bathroom it was very foggy, and very, very wet. There was a large bin full of crumpled up towels. She hopped over to them and took a careful sniff. They were clean. Smiling evilly to herself, she dug herself into the pile and positioned her handy-dandy camera towards the door.
The mildly perverted bunny cackled diabolically to herself when the door swung open. She angled her camera upwards and took a snapshot of that bishie's head. Oi! It was that kawaii jerk from before! The one that insulted Harry! Her thoughts were momentarily sidetracked as his shirt came off, and then his pants and boxers.
She was disappointed, really. There was something in the way of a clear view! The horror! Grumbling silently to herself, she wriggled around until she was comfortable, and then took another picture. He was picturesque! AND HE WAS TALKING!
"Why did you stop me?" the teen asked angrily.
The man she presumed to be his father snorted. "There are a few reasons, actually. Reason number one is that she is far above our playing field. Serenity Usagi Ai Tsukino is the daughter of the goddess of this family and the little sister of the world's prince charming. She'd never be yours Draco. Besides, she's cursed. And she's much too old for you."
"But Harry--!"
The father snorted in contempt. "You were really done in by that little act? Serenity was just doing it simply to get you angry. I'm frankly surprised that you missed the look she sent you. It was baldly obvious to someone who was paying attention!"
"But-"
"Enough! Now take your shower and get out so that we can get down to the dinner party. Some of the most powerful people in existence are going to be here, dolt."
Usagi listened to them walk away before she felt safe enough to actually think about the exchange that had just occurred. So little Draco wanted her! How cute! And she was high ranking! Score! But they must have wrong information. She had never had an older brother. Usagi heard a loud gasp, and then a cruel laugh.
"You're still a baby, Potter!" Draco laughed.
This declaration elicited a very peculiar reaction in Usagi. Her face flushed a bright red, and her breath exploded from her in an odd barking laugh. Not only was it a barking laugh, it was a loud barking laugh. Oh great, she thought sarcastically. She prepared her camera.
Showers turned off, and she observed as Harry and Draco's feet came closer. There were also several other pairs of young feet. Two pairs she identified as Jadeite and Kunzite. If she wasn't mistaken, Prince Diamond's feet were in the mix too, but that had to be some kind of mistake.
"I swear I heard something," someone muttered, beginning to twitch the towels above Usagi's head aside.
"Wait! If it's a demon, it can just jump right out at us. Let me do it," Jadeite commanded imperiously.
He threw the towels aside and was promptly blinded by Usagi's camera. Jadeite howled with a mixture of pain and laughter as he fell back, clutching his eyes. Kunzite kicked the basket over, sending Usagi sprawling out over the floor, camera light flashing. There was a moment of stunned silence in which she captured Harry and Draco's identically shocked faces, Kunzite's amused one, Jadeite's lecherous one (as he began a headlong run at her), and several other disbelieving ones. Usagi whooped and scrambled to her feet.
There was a collective roar of rage behind her as the tide of handsome young men wrapped towels around their waists and surged out the door after Usagi, who was suddenly fearing for herself. And she was only wearing flimsy blue sport shorts and a short white tank top! She was barefoot to boot!
Elizabeth and Galaxia looked up in astonishment as the men's shower door exploded open and Usagi burst out of it, laughing like a maniac. She hopped around on her feet, undecided, and then took off down the hall to the right, directly towards Elizabeth and Galaxia. She gave them a cheery smile and a salute as she passed them. Then she backtracked and tossed the camera to the stupefied Galaxia.
"Put this is subspace for me!" she hissed, before shooting off down the hall, just a bit ahead of the wave of men rushing after her. Elizabeth and Galaxia stood there for a while, simply listening to the sounds of Usagi laughing and whooping and the men calling out things like "get her from the right! No, no, no, the left! JUST GET HER!"
The two women decided that it was none of their concern and continued on down the hall, discussing arranged marriages.
Harry scowled darkly. They had been searching for Usagi for at least an hour to get that camera from her! Where the hell could she be hiding? And why was Jadeite looking so amused?
"I thought she was a good person," Harry mourned out loud.
Kunzite flicked a towel at him. "Oh, she's a good enough girl, if you don't mind insane, hyperactive, prideful, perverted, foul-mouthed, beautiful women," he said with a grin.
Usagi tried desperately not to laugh as she heard Kunzite's assessment of her. It was too funny! And poor Harry. He was going to be mortified when she got those pictures developed. And she was pretty sure that she had some good ones, too! They would never, of course, quite add up to D- she gave herself a hearty mental slap and went back to reviewing her pictures that she had retrieved from subspace (where Galaxia had placed them earlier).
Suddenly the doorknob turned, the closet door was yanked up, and Usagi was sent tumbling into the hall on her back. There was a huge gasp, and everyone backed a bit away. Usagi lay perfectly still.
"Hello there," she said smiling up at Jadeite from below him.
"You little pervert," he said affectionately, stepping out of her line of sight.
"GET HER!" someone suddenly roared, grabbing her up by her shirt.
She yelped and turned her head away from the attack that was sure to come. Luckily for her, it never did. A servant happened upon the chaos in the hall, and then howled a protest.
"No! You mustn't hurt Princess Serenity! She has to make an appearance at the ball tonight!"
Everyone turned to Usagi, who was trying to crawl to the servant in order to strangle him to death. NO ONE NEEDED TO KNOW THAT SHE WAS A PRINCESS! "You're Princess Serenity?" they all asked in unison.
Usagi laughed feebly and scratched the back of her head. "Ahhhh, no, I think it was some kind of mistake. What do you think you're doing?" she shrieked at the servant, who was poking curiously at her hip.
The servant suddenly scowled deeply and withdrew the packet of cigarettes from Usagi's pocket. "What are these young lady?"
"My cigarettes. Got a problem with that?"
"Princesses don't smoke!"
"This one does!"
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah!"
"How much?"
"Regularly!"
"I forbid you!"
"I veto that! I'm a princess!"
The servant - Laura, she suddenly remembered - threw the box to the ground. "You may not smoke! You'll die! It's so unhealthy, and the stench is unbelievable!"
Usagi raised her fist and growled. "I'm not going to die! The stupid crystal will bring me back to life whether I want it to or not! And I can erase the smell with the crystal too! Watch!"
The furious blonde, intent on proving that smoking was perfectly healthy for her, withdrew her new, special, blackened crystal. Jadeite, Kunzite, and the strangely present Diamond groaned. Usagi ignored them and focused on the crystal. It began to glow with a haunting red light, and then the crazy energy-ball pet rose out if it and circled around Usagi's head. The black magic made a strange shlooping sound, and then suddenly the entire hall smelled a lot better. Like fresh flowers or something. Or maybe mint. Or something.
"See?" she demanded. "There's no problem at all!"
The servant began to say something, and then froze. A look of total fear dawned upon her face, and she began to back up. Usagi was confused. Had she really won that easily? Impossible! Laura seemed like she wouldn't ever back down! Not even if-
"Serenity Usagi Ai Tsukino, I am disappointed in you! Not only is your soul in serious moral decay, you smoke and you've broken and mutated the silver crystal! How could you? I'm going to punish you, young lady!"
There was a huge flash of pink light, and Usagi cringed and turned around. Then her jaw dropped. She stared. "Muh - muh-"
The woman before her smirked. "Cat got your tongue?"
"Mother?" Usagi gasped.
"This is getting weirder and weirder," Harry muttered to no one in particular.
"She must have moved a lot," Kunzite murmured back.
"What?"
"It's just a theory."
"We lovingly call it the Pandemonium Theory," Jadeite whispered. "It means that the more you move, the more happens to you."
"Well it generally seems to apply," Harry muttered darkly.
Chapter Eight
LAST TIME: Usagi expressed her hatred for airplanes, met her cousin (HARRY POTTER), and wound up face to face with a miniature monster. Duo gets a clue and figures out that our dear hero is, in fact, a hero and speeds over to her house, which is being watched by Yohji, Minako, and Mamoru. Bad move, Usagi. But let's begin in England.
Usagi took a step forward, and then a step backwards, her face carefully blank. The instant she had made eye contact with the child, her vision was suddenly eclipsed by a different image.
Instead of the huge, sprawling estate there was a tall, skinny, fairy-tale type house with an overgrown lawn and a severely mistreated tree stretching its limbs to the top balcony. Everything was colored in mellow shades of gold and brown. The door opened in front of her, and Duo sauntered out of the house, grinning. His hands were in his pockets, and his head was cocked, as if he was waiting for her response to something. His mouth moved, and then his smile widened, and he held out his arms. Usagi began running towards him, and he caught her up in a hug and spun her around.
The image suddenly shifted, and she saw herself sitting outside behind the house in the dark, an empty bottle of sake beside her. Her knees were hugged to her chest, and her chin was resting on her arms. Her eyes were glazed over and watery, and her face was lit by the soft glow of a dying fire. The blush of alcohol stained her face, and a tear dropped down her cheek like liquid lava, burning her flesh in its path. A bright shaft of sunlight cut through the vision, and then she was seeing the English mansion, Harry's concerned face, and the top of the boy's head. Harry was saying something to her, but Usagi tuned everything out except the boy. He lifted his head, but kept his eyes carefully to the right.
"Usagi-chan. Wonderful to meet you again. The English air can do wonders for the soul. But only for so long," he murmured, his voice turning ominous at the end.
She stiffened, her mind racing through all possible interpretations. What was this kid trying to say to her? That being here would be good for her, but only for so long, she supposed. Stupid kid! Trying to order her around like that- didn't anyone ever teach him to respect his elders? Intent on teaching him this golden rule, she raised her fist and took a step forward-
-- and met his gaze again
The brown and gold world folded in around her. She was suddenly in her bed, next to Duo. He was laying on his side, propped upright on his arm. He was gazing down at her with his warm cobalt eyes. She smiled up at him and kissed him lightly on the nose. Usagi suddenly remembered that morning with frightening clarity, and color began to seep into the browns and gold. It was the first time they had discussed their pasts- and their future together. Neither of them had said the actual word out loud, because that would be like committing it to reality. They had been so in love-
"Stop," she croaked, digging her nails into her palms.
"I suggest you make no other violent attempts, Usagi-chan. They will only end in memory, and I know you don't want that," he said calmly. Then he bowed to Harry, leaving Usagi to stand still and try to regain control of her emotions. "It was wonderful meeting you, Harry Potter. I've heard a great deal about you and your friends Ron and Hermione. I've also heard quite a bit about your escapades. You will have to trade adventures and sob stories with Usagi-chan and see who wins. It might be healthy for you both to know that you're not the only ones carrying the world."
The small boy, who still looked to be only five or so, bowed politely and retreated inside the mansion. Now that she had gotten over the shock and the warmth of the memories, she was shaking with anger. What right did that kid have to just barge into her love life like that and drag everything up? Especially when she was trying to forget it all!
"What was that all about?" Harry questioned, concerned. Usagi and the boy had been holding a staring contest. Usagi's face had gone white, and then had flushed red with rage.
Usagi flinched, remembering Harry was there and had watched the whole thing. She tried to shrug it off. "It was nothing," she lied unsuccessfully.
Harry was quiet for a moment, and then spoke. "When I was a baby Voldemort killed my mum and dad. He tried to kill me too, but I survived because of my mum's sacrifice. Ever since then people see me as "The Boy Who Lived", and are always bringing up my dead parents. I once found this mirror and it almost drained my soul away because I stood there in front of it wishing for my parents to come to me. I was saved by the headmaster. The point of this whole story is that I learned to live for the things that are in my life, and not the things that I can't touch or claim. I can see it in your face, you know. It's pride. Pride, and a lot of regrets," he said softly, in a rare moment of sudden insight into the peculiar look that haunted Usagi's face.
Usagi's lofty look vanished, and Harry suddenly had a frightening view of the face of someone who had done many things that she shouldn't have, who had stayed silent when she should not have, who spoke when she should have remained silent, and who had held pride before them as a shield when they should have let all walls down.
"I'll tell you tonight, okay kiddo?" she said quietly.
He nodded reluctantly. It was the best he was going to get from her for now. Then something happened. Usagi instantly classified this something as "Not Her Problem but Would Probably Become Her Problem Very Soon" folder. To Harry it was like the world froze and then started up, but spinning in an entirely different direction.
Somethings have a very peculiar way of happening to Usagi and (to some extent) Harry. The something that was happening at that very moment calmly stepped out of the car with his father and mother, and looked over at Harry, who was staring in slack jawed amazement. Usagi continued to look appreciatively at the something and then reminded herself that he was probably sixteen and therefore much to young for her. But it couldn't hurt to look, her mind whispered evilly.
Of course, what used to be her conscience murmured graciously.
Her personal devil cackled evilly.
"What are you doing here?" the something asked Harry with a scowl. "I thought this gathering was only for the higher ranking families-not mudbloods such as yourself," the boy said with a sneer.
Usagi felt very much put off. Of course the boy would have to go and ruin his good looks with a terrible attitude. But what was a mudblood? She scanned her conversations with Harry on the plane and suddenly had it. It was a term used for someone who came from... er. Well, it was an insult relating to his parents, which was really callous of the stupid kid.
A small smile graced her lips. She hadn't gotten to verbally abuse someone in too long. Drawing a perfectly angelic glow to her face, she slipped her arm around Harry's waist.
"Come on, Harry! Weren't you going to show me to my room?" she whined artfully.
Harry choked and tried desperately not to turn bright red. "Uh-- er-- of course! Right! Erm, this way," he muttered, stumbling gracefully over his words.
The fair skinned and haired brat scowled darkly at Harry and Usagi. Usagi made fleeting eye contact with the other teen and smirked at him, letting him know that she knew exactly what was going on. She felt the teen take a step forward, and then heard murmured words from his parents. A malevolent feeling grew behind her, and she almost laughed out loud. Then she thought about it, and then did laugh out loud. The anger behind her multiplied.
"Well Harry, we've got him royally pissed. What do we do now?"
"You follow me before you make any more trouble," a man said from behind her.
Usagi shrieked in surprise, and spun around. Then she gasped, turned back around, saw who was there, and gasped again. By this time she was thoroughly confused and had no idea what the hell was going on anymore.
"What are you two doing here?" she asked with great difficulty.
Jadeite grinned charmingly at her. "Kunzite and I were commissioned by your formidable aunt Elizabeth. Have no fears, we are no longer interesting in avenging Zoicite and Nephrite. Beryl either, for that matter. We're not stalking you either. Let's just say that you being here is a perk," he said whispering the last bit in her ear.
She went bright red. "Exactly what do you mean by that?" she demanded, really not wanting to know the answer. THINGS ALWAYS GOT SO COMPLICATED WHEN SHE DID THINGS! She really ought to learn not to move. Nothing ever happened if there was no movement involved. Following this theory, she had moved quite a bit and so there was a lot in store for her. Great.
An arm went around her shoulder, carefully separating Harry and Usagi. "What we mean is that-"
"They talk to much, and you're here to make sure that their mouths are full all the time," a new voice interrupted.
Usagi nearly had a heart attack, and Harry was now experiencing a traditional Japanese nosebleed as a consequence of hearing the conversation. An old woman rose from a hole in the floor, laughing at the four expressions. The woman hobbled over to Jadeite and rapped him harshly on the knee.
"Young man! Quit hitting on my niece! You too, Kunzite! I made a deal expressly to free you two from Mr. Luc, and if you two should care to return, I'm allowed my sacrifices back-"
"No need, no need," Kunzite said hurriedly. "Jadeite and I will behave, to some extent. Is there anything we can do for you?"
"Suck up," Jadeite muttered.
He was dealt another whack from the woman's cane, this time on the shoulder. "He's smart! You two can go out and show everyone to their rooms. NOT Serenity!" she snapped, seeing them both turn towards Usagi, who was looking rather strange.
"Yes ma'am," Jadeite muttered sullenly, before vanishing with Kunzite.
Harry gaped. "Did they just disappear?"
The woman shot him a look. "Get used to it, young man. Everyone in this family deals with God and/or Lucifer, is a witch or wizard, or is some kind of supernatural creature. You're going to be seeing a lot of strange things at this family reunion. Serenity, your parents are coming for the party, correct?"
Usagi nodded, still with the strange look on her face. The woman looked at her sharply, and then snorted. "Young people," she said affectionately before disappearing.
Harry turned toward Usagi, who he considered to be his first priority. "Are you okay? You look like you're in pain," he explained, fearing that she looked that way normally.
With this, the tiny blonde burst out in a hysterical fit of laughter.
Usagi and Harry were shown to their rooms separately, although Usagi was aware of two people skulking along behind her and the servant. The servant, whose name turned out to be Laura, whispered the password to get into her room into her ear and left her there alone. Usagi grinned widely and entered the room, making sure to slam the door in Jadeite's face. There was a yelp of pain from the other side of the door, and she smiled in satisfaction.
She turned around to face her room and felt her stomach drop. It was gorgeous. She had a king sized bed with a white down comforter. There was little furniture in the room, but she liked it, oddly enough. The floor was polished hardwood, except for a light gray throw rug that was under and around her bed for about a foot. There were light white curtains, which were drawn shut. She set her suitcases down and crossed over to them.
With a wide grin and a laugh, she threw them wide open, letting the sunlight spill into her building like a wave rushing into an empty ocean. Before her were two white French doors, which led to a circular balcony, on which was a small iron table and a beautifully crafted iron chair. She smiled. Yep, she could really get to like this place.
There was a knock on her door. Usagi sighed at the interruption. Of course someone would interrupt her in her moment of peace and tranquility! She stomped over to the door and flung it open, making sure that her rage showed fully on her face. It melted away as soon as she saw who was there.
"Chibi Chibi!" she cried, dropping down to hug the girl tightly. "Galaxia- chan is going to be very angry with you," she warned.
Chibi Chibi smiled innocently, and then tugged Usagi out into the hall. A bright gold light filled the hall, and then died down. Usagi raised an eyebrow and laughed.
"Your entrances are getting better, Galaxia-chan. What are you doing here?"
Galaxia smiled warmly at Usagi. "I was invited by your aunt. She's a very influential woman, you know. She's provided her family to the Supernatural Dep. Of Justice several times, and even has some of her relatives working rather high up in the system. This is considered a very classy party, you know. "Lady Elizabeth is having a party," she said laughingly, mimicking someone she had talked to. "I asked who was going to be there, of course, and he went off about wizards, witches, Princess Serenity, some of Beryl's generals, Prince Diamond, Son Goku-"
"I get the picture," Usagi said with a grin, dropping down again to play with Chibi Chibi. "So you decided to crash this party to, eh? Well, you need to meet my little cousin Harry. He's sixteen and a total bishie, which is really too bad."
"How's Duo doing?" Galaxia asked absently, jangling the rings on her staff in front of Chibi Chibi.
Usagi stiffened, and then tried to make her body relax. "He's fine," she said with a forced calm.
Her friend wasn't fooled. "You broke up, ne?"
Why was she so damn readable? Was there some kind of curse on her that let people know exactly what she was thinking? Were her acting skills getting so terrible? Impossible! Maybe people were getting to know her too well. None of this, however, changed the truth. And what was the truth? That she and Duo were no longer together. It was the truth, dammit! Why couldn't she just face it, like she had faced everything else in her life?
"It's true," she said quietly.
Galaxia put a hand on Usagi's shoulder. "You must be grieving," she said softly.
Usagi's hands clenched. Chibi Chibi walked over to her and put her cool hands on Usagi's face and raised Usagi's head to look her square in the eyes. Then the little girl pried Usagi's fingers out of the fist and held both of her hands firmly.
"No," she commanded.
Usagi smiled, struggling to keep her eyes from growing watery. Why did everyone have to be so damn nice? It made her really uncomfortable. But at least someone cared. Usagi looked back up at Galaxia.
"Yeah, I guess I am. I can't admit it to anyone at home, because they'd all to the "I told you so" dance. I had a ritual burning, but that didn't accomplish anything besides destroying several articles of Duo's clothing."
Galaxia was silent for a while, and then nodded. "I suggest that you refrain from wearing your princess dress tonight. That might have unwanted consequences."
Usagi face-faulted. "Jezz, thanks for worrying! I'll just go crawl under a rock," she grumbled, stomping off. "If I can find one," she added when she was further down the hall. Galaxia watched her wander aimlessly further down the hall, greatly resembling a drunken princess. "Maybe I'll just go take a shower," Usagi finally muttered.
The blonde turned the corner and vanished from Galaxia's sight. The woman laughed softly and shook her head. "Baka chibi-hime," she said with a rueful chuckle. "Chibi Chibi, stay here with her. Things are going to get ugly," she said softly. "Chibi Chibi?" she asked again, turned to where the child was-
--or was supposed to be.
"Why am I cursed with insane superheroes that like to wander off?" she asked no one in particular, before vanishing in the overly popular manner of the Amano household.
Somewhere in the depths of the house, Usagi was on a quest. A quest that would surpass all quests. Why? Mostly because it would quickly be the only one she ever failed. Why it was so hard to find a stupid shower, she didn't know. But it was hard. Unusually hard. Creepily hard. Magically hard. Terrifyingly hard. All the adjectives lead up to one thing, she decided. There was quite obviously a demon hiding the shower from her.
"Well that's rude," she muttered.
The door to her right suddenly flew open, and a grotesquely fat man walked out of the room, wearing only a towel. Usagi clapped a hand over her eyes. Apparently she had found the shower. GROSS.
Finally deeming it safe to open her eyes, she pushed the door open and peeked cautiously inside. The word "MEN" was printed very loudly and clearly on the door in front of her. Hmph. As if they could keep her from doing anything she wanted. Snickering quietly to herself, she slipped inside.
Inside the bathroom it was very foggy, and very, very wet. There was a large bin full of crumpled up towels. She hopped over to them and took a careful sniff. They were clean. Smiling evilly to herself, she dug herself into the pile and positioned her handy-dandy camera towards the door.
The mildly perverted bunny cackled diabolically to herself when the door swung open. She angled her camera upwards and took a snapshot of that bishie's head. Oi! It was that kawaii jerk from before! The one that insulted Harry! Her thoughts were momentarily sidetracked as his shirt came off, and then his pants and boxers.
She was disappointed, really. There was something in the way of a clear view! The horror! Grumbling silently to herself, she wriggled around until she was comfortable, and then took another picture. He was picturesque! AND HE WAS TALKING!
"Why did you stop me?" the teen asked angrily.
The man she presumed to be his father snorted. "There are a few reasons, actually. Reason number one is that she is far above our playing field. Serenity Usagi Ai Tsukino is the daughter of the goddess of this family and the little sister of the world's prince charming. She'd never be yours Draco. Besides, she's cursed. And she's much too old for you."
"But Harry--!"
The father snorted in contempt. "You were really done in by that little act? Serenity was just doing it simply to get you angry. I'm frankly surprised that you missed the look she sent you. It was baldly obvious to someone who was paying attention!"
"But-"
"Enough! Now take your shower and get out so that we can get down to the dinner party. Some of the most powerful people in existence are going to be here, dolt."
Usagi listened to them walk away before she felt safe enough to actually think about the exchange that had just occurred. So little Draco wanted her! How cute! And she was high ranking! Score! But they must have wrong information. She had never had an older brother. Usagi heard a loud gasp, and then a cruel laugh.
"You're still a baby, Potter!" Draco laughed.
This declaration elicited a very peculiar reaction in Usagi. Her face flushed a bright red, and her breath exploded from her in an odd barking laugh. Not only was it a barking laugh, it was a loud barking laugh. Oh great, she thought sarcastically. She prepared her camera.
Showers turned off, and she observed as Harry and Draco's feet came closer. There were also several other pairs of young feet. Two pairs she identified as Jadeite and Kunzite. If she wasn't mistaken, Prince Diamond's feet were in the mix too, but that had to be some kind of mistake.
"I swear I heard something," someone muttered, beginning to twitch the towels above Usagi's head aside.
"Wait! If it's a demon, it can just jump right out at us. Let me do it," Jadeite commanded imperiously.
He threw the towels aside and was promptly blinded by Usagi's camera. Jadeite howled with a mixture of pain and laughter as he fell back, clutching his eyes. Kunzite kicked the basket over, sending Usagi sprawling out over the floor, camera light flashing. There was a moment of stunned silence in which she captured Harry and Draco's identically shocked faces, Kunzite's amused one, Jadeite's lecherous one (as he began a headlong run at her), and several other disbelieving ones. Usagi whooped and scrambled to her feet.
There was a collective roar of rage behind her as the tide of handsome young men wrapped towels around their waists and surged out the door after Usagi, who was suddenly fearing for herself. And she was only wearing flimsy blue sport shorts and a short white tank top! She was barefoot to boot!
Elizabeth and Galaxia looked up in astonishment as the men's shower door exploded open and Usagi burst out of it, laughing like a maniac. She hopped around on her feet, undecided, and then took off down the hall to the right, directly towards Elizabeth and Galaxia. She gave them a cheery smile and a salute as she passed them. Then she backtracked and tossed the camera to the stupefied Galaxia.
"Put this is subspace for me!" she hissed, before shooting off down the hall, just a bit ahead of the wave of men rushing after her. Elizabeth and Galaxia stood there for a while, simply listening to the sounds of Usagi laughing and whooping and the men calling out things like "get her from the right! No, no, no, the left! JUST GET HER!"
The two women decided that it was none of their concern and continued on down the hall, discussing arranged marriages.
Harry scowled darkly. They had been searching for Usagi for at least an hour to get that camera from her! Where the hell could she be hiding? And why was Jadeite looking so amused?
"I thought she was a good person," Harry mourned out loud.
Kunzite flicked a towel at him. "Oh, she's a good enough girl, if you don't mind insane, hyperactive, prideful, perverted, foul-mouthed, beautiful women," he said with a grin.
Usagi tried desperately not to laugh as she heard Kunzite's assessment of her. It was too funny! And poor Harry. He was going to be mortified when she got those pictures developed. And she was pretty sure that she had some good ones, too! They would never, of course, quite add up to D- she gave herself a hearty mental slap and went back to reviewing her pictures that she had retrieved from subspace (where Galaxia had placed them earlier).
Suddenly the doorknob turned, the closet door was yanked up, and Usagi was sent tumbling into the hall on her back. There was a huge gasp, and everyone backed a bit away. Usagi lay perfectly still.
"Hello there," she said smiling up at Jadeite from below him.
"You little pervert," he said affectionately, stepping out of her line of sight.
"GET HER!" someone suddenly roared, grabbing her up by her shirt.
She yelped and turned her head away from the attack that was sure to come. Luckily for her, it never did. A servant happened upon the chaos in the hall, and then howled a protest.
"No! You mustn't hurt Princess Serenity! She has to make an appearance at the ball tonight!"
Everyone turned to Usagi, who was trying to crawl to the servant in order to strangle him to death. NO ONE NEEDED TO KNOW THAT SHE WAS A PRINCESS! "You're Princess Serenity?" they all asked in unison.
Usagi laughed feebly and scratched the back of her head. "Ahhhh, no, I think it was some kind of mistake. What do you think you're doing?" she shrieked at the servant, who was poking curiously at her hip.
The servant suddenly scowled deeply and withdrew the packet of cigarettes from Usagi's pocket. "What are these young lady?"
"My cigarettes. Got a problem with that?"
"Princesses don't smoke!"
"This one does!"
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah!"
"How much?"
"Regularly!"
"I forbid you!"
"I veto that! I'm a princess!"
The servant - Laura, she suddenly remembered - threw the box to the ground. "You may not smoke! You'll die! It's so unhealthy, and the stench is unbelievable!"
Usagi raised her fist and growled. "I'm not going to die! The stupid crystal will bring me back to life whether I want it to or not! And I can erase the smell with the crystal too! Watch!"
The furious blonde, intent on proving that smoking was perfectly healthy for her, withdrew her new, special, blackened crystal. Jadeite, Kunzite, and the strangely present Diamond groaned. Usagi ignored them and focused on the crystal. It began to glow with a haunting red light, and then the crazy energy-ball pet rose out if it and circled around Usagi's head. The black magic made a strange shlooping sound, and then suddenly the entire hall smelled a lot better. Like fresh flowers or something. Or maybe mint. Or something.
"See?" she demanded. "There's no problem at all!"
The servant began to say something, and then froze. A look of total fear dawned upon her face, and she began to back up. Usagi was confused. Had she really won that easily? Impossible! Laura seemed like she wouldn't ever back down! Not even if-
"Serenity Usagi Ai Tsukino, I am disappointed in you! Not only is your soul in serious moral decay, you smoke and you've broken and mutated the silver crystal! How could you? I'm going to punish you, young lady!"
There was a huge flash of pink light, and Usagi cringed and turned around. Then her jaw dropped. She stared. "Muh - muh-"
The woman before her smirked. "Cat got your tongue?"
"Mother?" Usagi gasped.
"This is getting weirder and weirder," Harry muttered to no one in particular.
"She must have moved a lot," Kunzite murmured back.
"What?"
"It's just a theory."
"We lovingly call it the Pandemonium Theory," Jadeite whispered. "It means that the more you move, the more happens to you."
"Well it generally seems to apply," Harry muttered darkly.