Guys... please read some of my other fics! I'm getting a lot of reviews for
this one (for which I am infinitely grateful) but all of my other fics
really don't seem to be getting much (or for some, any) attention.
And here's your update! I hope you like it. I'll post review replies at the end.
I don't own GW or SM.
**
Ami stepped off the bus feeling a lot better than when she had gotten on. Smiling as she remembered Duo's vivid descriptions of his friends, she couldn't help but feel better. All three of them seemed nice (even if Wufei was a little... arrogant) but she felt drawn to the talkative Duo. He seemed so full of life... and his cheer was infectious. Who though a friendship could be started by getting hit on the head by a high heel?
Climbing the steps to the shrine, she couldn't help smiling at both Duo and the thought of Minako 'nursing' Makoto for a whole day. Hopefully Makoto would be better for the attention and not worse. Sliding open the door, the sight of the Minako, Makoto, and Rei chatting happily greeted her. Seeing her smile, Rei returned it and Ami slipped into her place besides the fire goddess.
"So, Ami. Did you find anything?" Makoto asked, arm still wrapped in a white bandage. Ami grimly reflected that the thunder goddess was very lucky to be alive after a day of nursing by Minako.
"No... all I could do was upgrade security and upload an anti-hacking virus around our files, but it's not impossible to override. The only good news is that the system also has a tracing device, so if someone tries to hack into the files more than once, we'll know who it is."
All of them nodded grimly, the previous good cheer vanishing like a bunny in a magician's hat. Rei pulled out a stack of bills and tied to make some quick calculations.
"We have $900 from Mamoru and the $600 from the bank. We could make a loan of around $300, but that means we still need $700." The raven-haired girl said, as if reciting a poem.
Ami felt that she might as well speak up. "I wrote my mom and asked her for $500."
Silence followed this statement, and the other three girls looked at her in shock and then pity. They all knew and understood why she hadn't asked for money before, and they respected her decision. Sadness sprung from their eyes, but they managed smiles.
"Ami," Minako put in gently, "You didn't have to do that."
"It's not for me. It's for Usagi, and then it's okay."
Not pressing the matter, the rest of them made a silent agreement not to bring it up until the Mercurian was ready.
Running the numbers in her head again, Rei said, "But we're still behind by $200."
Musing for a moment, the girls tried to devise ways to raise money fast. Then...
"Guys," Makoto said thoughtfully, "I think it's time for the first Juuban High bake sale."
**
A high-pitched beep snapped Heero out of his stupor, and he glared at his laptop. The downloading of files had come to an abrupt stop, and frozen on 'Aino, Minako." Not only was it frozen... all the previously downloaded data had been erased. Glaring, Heero exited the program.
His own files had only received minimal damage, and there had been a few things deleted. Muttering a curse under his breath, he clicked on the program again, this time clicking directly on 'Aino, Minako'. He sat back as his hacking/downloading device began to take effect. Behind him, he heard the key turning in the lock and Duo and Wufei arguing.
"I can't believe you threw a shoe at her!"
"I threw it at you! You're the one who ducked!"
"Given my position, you would do the same!"
"Why are you defending that stupid onna anyways?"
"Because you threw a shoe at her!"
Growling, Heero got up and cast one last glance at the laptop. Everything was fine so far, so he guessed it was due to a processing error the first time. Stepping through the door, he glared at the trio. Duo and Wufei were glowering at each other, and Quatre had somehow ended up with all of the bags.
"And you made me forget all about the groceries!" The American shouted, "What are we supposed to eat? I can't just starve!"
"Well it's your fault for getting so caught up with dressing me like a girl! Maybe if you had stopped teasing me you wouldn't have forgotten!"
"Both of you shut up," Heero just couldn't take it anymore, "Trowa went to get groceries. He took the car."
Duo suddenly took on the kicked puppy look. "You let Trowa take the car and not us?"
"Trowa is a responsible driver. You, Maxwell, are not," was his usual short reply.
The turned as Trowa came in, arms full of bags, somehow miraculously balanced. But they were quickly distracted as a high-pitched beep came from Heero's room. It caused the perfect soldier to spin around and the others to stare at his doorway. Eyes widening in shock, Heero rapidly crossed the room to his laptop. The others followed, curiosity getting the better of them.
It was frozen again on 'Aino, Minako.' And not only that... but files seemed to be rapidly disappearing on a flickering screen. Trying to exit the program, Heero found his mouse also impaired and the system not responding to a manual shutdown. Cursing, he then tried to cut off the power source, and succeeded. Then cautiously, he restarted his computer.
The image reappeared, still blinking innocently on 'Aino, Minako.' Cautiously, Heero exited the program, and this time it worked. A completely empty screen faced him.
His hard drive had been wiped out.
He looked on shocked as he found that not a single file had been spared. It seemed like whatever virus had attacked his computer had done a very thorough job. Everything was gone.
And then the screen popped up, still innocently focused on the name 'Aino, Minako'.
Staring at it for another second, he slowly closed the laptop. Then he calmly pulled out his gun and began polishing it. Then, making sure it was in well working order, and that there wasn't a thing amiss, he loaded four bullets.
Four. There were four of them. And they had killed his laptop.
They would pay.
**
The four pilots in the door looked at each other nervously as the perfect soldier checked and re-checked his gun. Trowa was worried... Heero had told him about Une's orders to keep the girls alive, and he doubted that Heero would be very... willing to carry out his orders, perfect soldier or not. The Heavyarms pilot motioned for the other three to come with him, and he silently shut the door on Heero; the last thing any of them saw was Heero pulling out his laptop again.
"I think you should know that Une wants the girls alive." Trowa said, voice monotone.
"I don't think Heero's in the right state of mind right now to remember those orders." Quatre said, also calm. The Arabian looked pale but composed, and Trowa was glad to see him calm. More insanity was the last thing they needed.
"Man, I can't believe they killed his laptop." Duo said, shocked, "Not even I'd go that far. I think Heero's about to blow up."
"He'll come around eventually. After all, he is the perfect soldier, and he will follow Une's directions in the end." Wufei said, looking nervously at the door. There was the faint sound of clicking coming from the door, and they all knew that Heero had gone back to work on his computer. The clicking was maniacally fast... almost like the work of a madman.
"Uh... Wufei? Can I sleep on the couch instead?" Duo asked, voice watery.
"Huh? Why, Maxwell?"
"I really don't want to be in the same room as Heero when he goes crazy."
"So you would rather have me in the same room as a psychopath?"
"Look at it this way. At least when... uh, I mean if you die, you won't have to dress up as a girl anymore."
**
Makoto was happily giving orders to the three other scouts as they scrambled around in the kitchen, telling them how to cook the food. This time it was going much better than the first, and only one batch of cookies (Minako's doing) had been burnt.
The thunder goddess wished that she was up and working as well, but she knew better than to hope for it. Her arm was still aching, and she really didn't think she should be moving it around. But the others really were doing pretty well, so she didn't have any complaints. If they were raising money, then at least they could have fun while doing it!
"No, Minako! Don't take them out yet; the book says you need to wait for another 5 minutes!" Makoto put in hurriedly as she saw the goddess of love look anxiously at the oven, hovering over her second batch of cookies.
"But I don't want them to be burnt like last time!" She complained, giving Makoto a piteous look.
"Well they won't be good raw either. Just sit patiently and wait."
Rei was furiously mixing a chocolate cake batter, and Ami was trying her best to bake a loaf of sourdough bread. Rei had accidentally gotten a little bit of chocolate on her cheek, and Ami's dress was dusted with flour. At least Minako was clean, even if her cooking wasn't the best.
They had already made a couple dozen cookies, in different varieties. There were also a few strawberry shortcakes and a batch of brownies. The girls had been busy for the last two hours trying to do as much work as the could. Suddenly, Ami's Mercury computer began flashing.
All of them immediately dropped what they were doing and went to it, looking at the update. It seemed like someone had in fact tried to hack into the system, and had been deferred at Minako's name. The report was still tracing the source computer... Ami thought it was most likely a laptop because a central computer wouldn't take as long as this to trace. If it were indeed a laptop, then it would take up to five hours to process.
Ami worked strenuously at the computer, hoping for something more than it was giving her. The other scouts hovered over her like worried mothers, looking at the screen. Nothing registered, and in the end there was nothing to do but wait.
Sighing, the blue-haired girl shook her head sadly and everyone immediately relaxed their stressed posture. They understood without words: they had become almost telepathic after all their time together.
A burning aroma slowly pervaded the room. For a second, everyone tried to locate it, spinning their heads around, eyes searching. Then Minako focused on the kitchen and looked horrified at the oven.
"Oh no! My cookies!"
**
Another chapter. And I've finished writing it not a day after my last update, but I don't think I'll post it soon. I have to wait for the reviews, so I can answer them like I promised. And like I said before... please read my other fics! Their lack of attention is depressing, and I can't just focus on this one fic or the writing will come off crappy.
Here are my answers to the reviews. Thanks so much for taking the time! (I'm not worth it, I'm really not, but I appreciate it anyways).
Cosmos Senshi: Thanks, and keep on reading! Here's the update.
Silent Comet: Uh... I don't think Heero's very happy about Minako's file right now. I think you'll like the next chapter more...
Jewels14: Thanks for the review.
Venus of Love: Yes... Heero *is* going to find Mina. Eventually that is. And yeah... I'm considering Ami/Duo.
GracedAngel1854: Yes, the crystal has a crack. And you'll find out about it later... I think. And the rest of the pilots will be meeting the scouts soon.
Bloody Love: Glad to see that you're still reading! Here's the next chapter.
Datajana: I hadn't planned on the shoe... I really hadn't. It just... sort of came out. Anyways, I'm glad you liked it.
AnimeGirl: I'm glad you liked it. Here's your update.
Black Aura-Sama: Well, maybe Usagi dies. Not telling yet. And Wufei finally starts cross-dressing in the next chapter!
Aino Yuy aka Usagi-Hater: Well... I don't know if I should let him see Minako's file just yet. Yeah... poor Ami.
Princess Ren: Thanks, and keep reading!
Sailor-Tsunami1: Here's your update!
Airlady: Thanks!
Keep the reviews coming! The first school day should start in the next chapter, and I'm looking forward to planning it out.
Love,
Inverse-chan
And here's your update! I hope you like it. I'll post review replies at the end.
I don't own GW or SM.
**
Ami stepped off the bus feeling a lot better than when she had gotten on. Smiling as she remembered Duo's vivid descriptions of his friends, she couldn't help but feel better. All three of them seemed nice (even if Wufei was a little... arrogant) but she felt drawn to the talkative Duo. He seemed so full of life... and his cheer was infectious. Who though a friendship could be started by getting hit on the head by a high heel?
Climbing the steps to the shrine, she couldn't help smiling at both Duo and the thought of Minako 'nursing' Makoto for a whole day. Hopefully Makoto would be better for the attention and not worse. Sliding open the door, the sight of the Minako, Makoto, and Rei chatting happily greeted her. Seeing her smile, Rei returned it and Ami slipped into her place besides the fire goddess.
"So, Ami. Did you find anything?" Makoto asked, arm still wrapped in a white bandage. Ami grimly reflected that the thunder goddess was very lucky to be alive after a day of nursing by Minako.
"No... all I could do was upgrade security and upload an anti-hacking virus around our files, but it's not impossible to override. The only good news is that the system also has a tracing device, so if someone tries to hack into the files more than once, we'll know who it is."
All of them nodded grimly, the previous good cheer vanishing like a bunny in a magician's hat. Rei pulled out a stack of bills and tied to make some quick calculations.
"We have $900 from Mamoru and the $600 from the bank. We could make a loan of around $300, but that means we still need $700." The raven-haired girl said, as if reciting a poem.
Ami felt that she might as well speak up. "I wrote my mom and asked her for $500."
Silence followed this statement, and the other three girls looked at her in shock and then pity. They all knew and understood why she hadn't asked for money before, and they respected her decision. Sadness sprung from their eyes, but they managed smiles.
"Ami," Minako put in gently, "You didn't have to do that."
"It's not for me. It's for Usagi, and then it's okay."
Not pressing the matter, the rest of them made a silent agreement not to bring it up until the Mercurian was ready.
Running the numbers in her head again, Rei said, "But we're still behind by $200."
Musing for a moment, the girls tried to devise ways to raise money fast. Then...
"Guys," Makoto said thoughtfully, "I think it's time for the first Juuban High bake sale."
**
A high-pitched beep snapped Heero out of his stupor, and he glared at his laptop. The downloading of files had come to an abrupt stop, and frozen on 'Aino, Minako." Not only was it frozen... all the previously downloaded data had been erased. Glaring, Heero exited the program.
His own files had only received minimal damage, and there had been a few things deleted. Muttering a curse under his breath, he clicked on the program again, this time clicking directly on 'Aino, Minako'. He sat back as his hacking/downloading device began to take effect. Behind him, he heard the key turning in the lock and Duo and Wufei arguing.
"I can't believe you threw a shoe at her!"
"I threw it at you! You're the one who ducked!"
"Given my position, you would do the same!"
"Why are you defending that stupid onna anyways?"
"Because you threw a shoe at her!"
Growling, Heero got up and cast one last glance at the laptop. Everything was fine so far, so he guessed it was due to a processing error the first time. Stepping through the door, he glared at the trio. Duo and Wufei were glowering at each other, and Quatre had somehow ended up with all of the bags.
"And you made me forget all about the groceries!" The American shouted, "What are we supposed to eat? I can't just starve!"
"Well it's your fault for getting so caught up with dressing me like a girl! Maybe if you had stopped teasing me you wouldn't have forgotten!"
"Both of you shut up," Heero just couldn't take it anymore, "Trowa went to get groceries. He took the car."
Duo suddenly took on the kicked puppy look. "You let Trowa take the car and not us?"
"Trowa is a responsible driver. You, Maxwell, are not," was his usual short reply.
The turned as Trowa came in, arms full of bags, somehow miraculously balanced. But they were quickly distracted as a high-pitched beep came from Heero's room. It caused the perfect soldier to spin around and the others to stare at his doorway. Eyes widening in shock, Heero rapidly crossed the room to his laptop. The others followed, curiosity getting the better of them.
It was frozen again on 'Aino, Minako.' And not only that... but files seemed to be rapidly disappearing on a flickering screen. Trying to exit the program, Heero found his mouse also impaired and the system not responding to a manual shutdown. Cursing, he then tried to cut off the power source, and succeeded. Then cautiously, he restarted his computer.
The image reappeared, still blinking innocently on 'Aino, Minako.' Cautiously, Heero exited the program, and this time it worked. A completely empty screen faced him.
His hard drive had been wiped out.
He looked on shocked as he found that not a single file had been spared. It seemed like whatever virus had attacked his computer had done a very thorough job. Everything was gone.
And then the screen popped up, still innocently focused on the name 'Aino, Minako'.
Staring at it for another second, he slowly closed the laptop. Then he calmly pulled out his gun and began polishing it. Then, making sure it was in well working order, and that there wasn't a thing amiss, he loaded four bullets.
Four. There were four of them. And they had killed his laptop.
They would pay.
**
The four pilots in the door looked at each other nervously as the perfect soldier checked and re-checked his gun. Trowa was worried... Heero had told him about Une's orders to keep the girls alive, and he doubted that Heero would be very... willing to carry out his orders, perfect soldier or not. The Heavyarms pilot motioned for the other three to come with him, and he silently shut the door on Heero; the last thing any of them saw was Heero pulling out his laptop again.
"I think you should know that Une wants the girls alive." Trowa said, voice monotone.
"I don't think Heero's in the right state of mind right now to remember those orders." Quatre said, also calm. The Arabian looked pale but composed, and Trowa was glad to see him calm. More insanity was the last thing they needed.
"Man, I can't believe they killed his laptop." Duo said, shocked, "Not even I'd go that far. I think Heero's about to blow up."
"He'll come around eventually. After all, he is the perfect soldier, and he will follow Une's directions in the end." Wufei said, looking nervously at the door. There was the faint sound of clicking coming from the door, and they all knew that Heero had gone back to work on his computer. The clicking was maniacally fast... almost like the work of a madman.
"Uh... Wufei? Can I sleep on the couch instead?" Duo asked, voice watery.
"Huh? Why, Maxwell?"
"I really don't want to be in the same room as Heero when he goes crazy."
"So you would rather have me in the same room as a psychopath?"
"Look at it this way. At least when... uh, I mean if you die, you won't have to dress up as a girl anymore."
**
Makoto was happily giving orders to the three other scouts as they scrambled around in the kitchen, telling them how to cook the food. This time it was going much better than the first, and only one batch of cookies (Minako's doing) had been burnt.
The thunder goddess wished that she was up and working as well, but she knew better than to hope for it. Her arm was still aching, and she really didn't think she should be moving it around. But the others really were doing pretty well, so she didn't have any complaints. If they were raising money, then at least they could have fun while doing it!
"No, Minako! Don't take them out yet; the book says you need to wait for another 5 minutes!" Makoto put in hurriedly as she saw the goddess of love look anxiously at the oven, hovering over her second batch of cookies.
"But I don't want them to be burnt like last time!" She complained, giving Makoto a piteous look.
"Well they won't be good raw either. Just sit patiently and wait."
Rei was furiously mixing a chocolate cake batter, and Ami was trying her best to bake a loaf of sourdough bread. Rei had accidentally gotten a little bit of chocolate on her cheek, and Ami's dress was dusted with flour. At least Minako was clean, even if her cooking wasn't the best.
They had already made a couple dozen cookies, in different varieties. There were also a few strawberry shortcakes and a batch of brownies. The girls had been busy for the last two hours trying to do as much work as the could. Suddenly, Ami's Mercury computer began flashing.
All of them immediately dropped what they were doing and went to it, looking at the update. It seemed like someone had in fact tried to hack into the system, and had been deferred at Minako's name. The report was still tracing the source computer... Ami thought it was most likely a laptop because a central computer wouldn't take as long as this to trace. If it were indeed a laptop, then it would take up to five hours to process.
Ami worked strenuously at the computer, hoping for something more than it was giving her. The other scouts hovered over her like worried mothers, looking at the screen. Nothing registered, and in the end there was nothing to do but wait.
Sighing, the blue-haired girl shook her head sadly and everyone immediately relaxed their stressed posture. They understood without words: they had become almost telepathic after all their time together.
A burning aroma slowly pervaded the room. For a second, everyone tried to locate it, spinning their heads around, eyes searching. Then Minako focused on the kitchen and looked horrified at the oven.
"Oh no! My cookies!"
**
Another chapter. And I've finished writing it not a day after my last update, but I don't think I'll post it soon. I have to wait for the reviews, so I can answer them like I promised. And like I said before... please read my other fics! Their lack of attention is depressing, and I can't just focus on this one fic or the writing will come off crappy.
Here are my answers to the reviews. Thanks so much for taking the time! (I'm not worth it, I'm really not, but I appreciate it anyways).
Cosmos Senshi: Thanks, and keep on reading! Here's the update.
Silent Comet: Uh... I don't think Heero's very happy about Minako's file right now. I think you'll like the next chapter more...
Jewels14: Thanks for the review.
Venus of Love: Yes... Heero *is* going to find Mina. Eventually that is. And yeah... I'm considering Ami/Duo.
GracedAngel1854: Yes, the crystal has a crack. And you'll find out about it later... I think. And the rest of the pilots will be meeting the scouts soon.
Bloody Love: Glad to see that you're still reading! Here's the next chapter.
Datajana: I hadn't planned on the shoe... I really hadn't. It just... sort of came out. Anyways, I'm glad you liked it.
AnimeGirl: I'm glad you liked it. Here's your update.
Black Aura-Sama: Well, maybe Usagi dies. Not telling yet. And Wufei finally starts cross-dressing in the next chapter!
Aino Yuy aka Usagi-Hater: Well... I don't know if I should let him see Minako's file just yet. Yeah... poor Ami.
Princess Ren: Thanks, and keep reading!
Sailor-Tsunami1: Here's your update!
Airlady: Thanks!
Keep the reviews coming! The first school day should start in the next chapter, and I'm looking forward to planning it out.
Love,
Inverse-chan