Gomen, Gomen, Gomen, please forgive me. My computer has decided to crash, I
have a new one but it will be long time till it is hooked to the internet
so till then I sm having to type on the new on and then save it to a disk
and upload it to the internet. Only this story has a beta reader. Hopefully
I can get it send to her some how.
That is another reason for its late arrival. My beta lives in another country so our school schedules are not the same. So she had finals to attend to while this was waiting. I don't blame her and say go ahead and put the school first. If I had I would be in university and not a community college but lets not go there.
Terrible sorry again and hope that I have not lost readers or discouraged you.
Another note: this little miss hap has not only affected me but LostTenshi as well. On a sad note over the last few weeks the gas prices in the USA has deeply decreased her money pocket so she lives now in Orlando. Most of the time I will be taking over her stories, giving it to her to read over and yeah or nea it. We have outlines made up of our stories and go by that. So it will be awhile for stories as well as mine since there are so many.
Thank you for your support and constant reviews and email
B-chan
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Halfway to the park the little girl had trouble keeping up their long strides. Tenshi picked the girl up in one arm and grabbed Hiiro's hand with the other. Tenshi was surprised at the weight of the child. She was lighter than a child her age should be. As they passed, people would stop and comment on how cute the family looked. Hiiro paid no attention while Tenshi blushed lightly. She remembered a time when she once did this very same thing. That was what seemed to her as a long time ago, when it was a different child and a different guy. A tear escaped her eyes. She never noticed, still lost in her sea of memories, until a soft touch whipped it away. She started from her memories to see the worried green eyes of Matilda. Tenshi gave the child one of her bright smiles and a tight one-armed squeeze. Matilda returned the smile and hugged Tenshi around her neck. Hiiro watched from the corner of his eye and let a small smile form on his face. Hiiro had heard the whispers and awe of passerby. He silently enjoyed the thought of having a family. It was a small dream of his. He always thought it to only be dream... Once inside the park entrance Hiiro immediately began to scan the area for any hint of an oddly dressed group of women. He was unaware of the conversation being held next to him. Tenshi had set Matilda down and squatted next to her. Both girls had spotted an ice cream vender not too far away and Tenshi told Matilda the story of the Portrait of a Morning Glory. {If you have read the first volume of Saint Tail manga translated to English you will know what I am talking about. If not e-mail me and I will tell you.} Once the story was finished, Matilda said she wanted to be the Morning Glory and get a winner too. Looking over to the Ice Cream Vender Tenshi had to agree. Even if she didn't get a winner an ice cream sounded good. Looking back at Hiiro she decided he was busy enough not to notice her gone. Quickly she grabbed the girl's hand and was off to the vendor. So many choices what was a girl to do? Matilda had gotten her cone and was happily slurping it down. The vender wasn't helping as he kept flirting with Tenshi. The vendor leaned over so his elbows were resting on the side of the stand while he watched the girl choose a flavor. He had been having bad luck with the girls lately but it looked like he was about to score today. So what if she couldn't talk? It meant she couldn't scream. "I know I would have a hard time choosing a flavor if you were the one selling it." He gave her a grin when she looked up surprised. "Your beauty would melt them away. I wouldn't be surprised if you tasted better than them too." (Don't laugh. My best buddy gave that same line and you know what they are going out. Though it was because she already liked him. ^-^o) Tenshi blushed. It was kind, but was this guy for real? Duo had better pick up lines. She had better pick something quick before Hiiro came over. She smiled at the vender and pointed out two different flavors then held up two fingers. One thought registered in his mind 'She's mine.' He smiled sweetly and looked at what the girl had picked. Mint Chocolate Chip and Cookie Dough. (Yummy!!) "One Mint Chip and one Cookie Dough. Coming right up." Once he handed over the Cookie Dough she began to lick it while waiting for the other, and a "brilliant" plan formed in his head. He handed over the last cone and picked up the money she had given him to pay for it. "Tell you what. I will let you have those free if you will come with me to the Academy's Winter Ball. It is in two weeks and in between then we can maybe go out on a few dates to get to know one another." If she could have Tenshi would have laughed at him. She just gave him a small smile and shook her head no. As she walked away he grabbed her arm. "Come on, you may find you might like it." He gave her arm a tight squeeze. She glared and yanked her arm away before storming away from him. "Tenshi!" she looked up to see Hiiro heading her way. He had seen the little play. Matilda hadn't liked the way the vender was looking at Tenshi so she ran and got Hiiro. Once he was at her side she gave him a bright smile. "He didn't hurt you?" Hiiro asked, sending a glare to the seething vender. Tenshi shook her head and showed him the treat she had gotten. Hiiro stared down at the thing. He had seen Duo and Quatre eat something similar to it. He took the cone from her, still looking at it funny. What was he supposed to do with it? He looked to Tenshi for answers. She rolled her eyes and showed him how to eat an ice cream cone. Hiiro gave her a dirty look back. As he raised it to his mouth he had a little help. Tenshi bumped his hand causing the ice cream to land on the tip of his nose. Matilda and Tenshi giggled at him. Hiiro just glared at the two before searching his pockets for something to wipe it off. Tenshi beat him to it. She rose up of her tiptoes and kissed the end of his nose taking the ice cream with her. Hiiro stood frozen with surprise. He hadn't expected her to do that. She giggled at him again before grabbing his free hand and pulling him behind her. Hiiro was a little frustrated. They had reached the park near mid-morning and now it was close to dusk and they still hadn't found Matilda's mother. He was following the lead of the two girls. Their "looking" had taken them to the swings, merry-go-round, a number of venders, the jungle gym, the fountain, the roller rink (which in a few days would the ice skating rink), and the maze. Finally they had made their way to the center of the park where a stage was set next to the lake. Hiiro handed Matilda the last of the breadcrumbs they had bought. He sat on a bench and watched the girls, lost in his own little fantasy. He imagined Tenshi was the mother and Matilda was really his. He could picture the little girl running up to him, calling him daddy. He sure felt like one today. When they had reached the swings, Hiiro had to push Matilda. Her little legs were not giving her much momentum. Tenshi then turned the tables on him and forced him to learn to swing properly. He and Matilda got into a swinging match. They were going pretty high when Matilda lost her grip and landed a few feet away after sliding to a stop. She had scratched up her knees and palms. Hiiro got to her first and helped clean her up. Then, at the jungle gym, some boys tried to get rough with her and push her off. They didn't expect a fully grown boy like Hiiro to get up there in the way and speed he did. He reached there just in time to steady the girl before she fell. He then marched the lovely little hoodlums to their mothers and ratted them out. Each time, Matilda would hug Hiiro and thank him before running to Tenshi to get motherly comfort. Voices reached Hiiro's ears. They were the sounds of women's gossip. Looking around he spotted the source and his heart fell. He knew Matilda would have to go back to her mother but for some reason he didn't want her too. Then it hit him. Tenshi had succeeded. By letting him take care of Matilda she had shown him what it was to feel. Sure, she had helped care for the girl but for the most part she sat back and let him do most of the work. He had felt happiness when they were on the Merry-Go-Round. He was upset and scared when she had fallen from the swing. He was proud of her when she was able to do a handstand, even if it was for only a few seconds. By taking care of a little girl he felt more alive, more human than had ever. Now he had to do the hardest part and give the girl back. He slowly rose and made his way down to the girls, each step dragging. Matilda threw the last of the breadcrumbs among a flock of baby ducks. She spotted Hiiro heading for them and ran to drag him down to the lake. Once there she pointed to the ducks, with her hands flying, telling him about all the things they had done to get to the bread. Hiiro knelt at eye-level with her and gave her a big grin before she hugging him. He could here the women's chatter and looked towards it. The other two followed his gaze and Tenshi's heart stopped then fell. At the benches next to the stage was a group of women wearing red hats and purple dresses. It was time to give chibi Matilda-chan up. Matilda's face lit up then fell when she realized she had to leave Hiiro and Tenshi. A thought hit her. She turned around to face the two teens and gave them a smile. "You have to come and meet Momma!" the girl signed. She grabbed their hands and dragged them to the flock of cackles. When they were almost on the females, Matilda let go of their hands and jumped into the middle of the pack, emerging a few seconds later dragging a rather tall woman. The woman struggled to keep her hat in place as Matilda was almost running back to Hiiro and Tenshi. Matilda stopped in front of the two teens and waited patiently for the woman to adjust her hat. "My gracious, child. What has gotten into you?" she asked. As she looked up, Hiiro and Tenshi were met with jade eyes. The woman was startled at their appearance before her. She hadn't seen them. Looking down she saw Matilda's smiling face. A look of wonder spread on her face before she knelt down. "You are smiling. My baby is smiling." She crushed her in a hug while tears rushed from her eyes. She pulled Matilda back. "What brought this on, little one? You haven't smiled in almost two years." Hiiro and Tenshi looked at each other in surprise. They couldn't believe that the little girl they had helped today had not smiled in two years. She had smiling been all day. Matilda pointed gestured at Tenshi and Hiiro before running up and giving them a hug. The woman stood up and walked closer to them. "Whoever you are, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have not seen my little Matilda smile in so long. How did you do it?" Tenshi looked to Hiiro and motioned for him to tell the woman. "We don't know. She has been smiling the whole day. We found her a few blocks from the entrance to the park. She told us what you look like and we went on a search. Along the way we explored the park and played with her." Shock and horror swept the woman's face. She looked down at the little girl. "Outside of the park? Oh my dear child, I am so sorry. I thought you were by my side the whole time and were playing with the other children." She then looked to the teens. "I am so forgetful. Just the other day I left her in the shopping center and was all the way home before I realized what had happened. How can I repay you?" She reached for the purse and her side and Hiiro stopped her. He was surprised she didn't even flinch at his usual monotone voice. "That won't be necessary. We were already paid when we were allowed to spend the day with Matilda." The woman was about the protest when Matilda tugged on her skirt. The woman looked down and Matilda turned her back so Hiiro and Tenshi couldn't see what she signed. When she was finished, her mother had a thoughtful look on her face. "We can ask." She looked to the two. "Matilda has asked if from time to time you could watch her. I am the only one at home she can play with. She doesn't have many friends because of her handicap. Most of the children that belong to these other women hurt her. It would be a great help to me." Tenshi looked at Hiiro and nodded. Hiiro was about to say yes when he realized he was still in the middle of a mission and was trying to stop the new faction from rising. There was no room for a little girl. She would only get in the way and be a liability. Tenshi noticed the look in his eye and excused them for a moment and pulled him off to the side. 'I don't care if you have a mission. I want to help this little girl. If you and the boys get called away the girls and I are there. Not to mention Quatre's little bodyguards will most likely fall in love with her and adopt her as well. Please Hiiro. She is all alone. ' Hiiro frowned, not liking being cornered like this. "You know as well as I do she could be a liability. We have quite a number of assassins not only after Ririna but us as well." Tenshi pouted. 'I know that. Please. Look, tomorrow Ru and I begin the rest of our punishment at the circus. She can come with us. She won't be in any trouble and I am sure the others will like her as well. Let us try just this once. Please Hiiro." Hiiro sighed and nodded. He knew she wouldn't give up and would give every excuse in the book she could. They returned to the woman. "We agree. Tomorrow Tenshi and a friend are attending the circus. She is welcomed to join them." The woman clapped her hands together. "That would be perfect. I have to get ready for a large dinner party tomorrow and can't do a thing with her. Since her father died I have to run his business and it takes all my time. Do you think you can pick her up after school?" Hiiro gave a curt nod. The woman put a hand to her face. "Oh how rude of me. I haven't introduced myself nor do I know your names. I am Patricia Haruna." "Hiiro Yui and this is Tenshi Winner. She is mute as well." The woman beamed. "Wonderful. My daughter will have someone to look up to." Matilda had followed their mouths and was grinning. A few women called out to Mrs. Haruna and she waved at them. "Well, I must be off. It is getting late and this little one needs to get to bed. You can pick her up at the St. Michael institute for the handicapped. They let out at two o'clock." Hiiro gave a curt nod and they wished each other fair well. Once they were out of sight Hiiro turned to Tenshi. "You can wipe that smug look off. I agree you won. But NO ONE is to know what took place." Tenshi rolled her eyes. 'Of course, don't want to ruin your reputation for being a hard ass.' Hiiro scowled at her before grabbing her hand and walking off towards the entrance that would lead them home. He would have to admit all in all it was a good day and nothing really bad happened. Then the gods decided to prove him wrong. Clouds that had been threatening to rain finally opened up and let out a heavy down-pour. They were able to find shelter under a small gazebo. It was raining too hard to try and risk getting back to the School. It was a half-hour to an hours walk from the park. Hiiro sat down and pulled Tenshi onto his lap. She was content with curling against his chest and listening to his heartbeat and the rain around them. The rain showed no signs of letting up. It was already past seven heading for eight. Hiiro was seriously debating whether or not to venture out into the rain and try and make it to the school or to at least a phone. They could call some one to pick them up. He stopped his thoughts when the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Listening carefully he could hear a group of males approaching their way. Finally he caught what they looked like when they reached the light of a lamppost. He tensed. They were wearing something close to OZ's uniforms, signaling them to be soldiers. Each but a small one in the middle carried a riffle on their shoulder. What on earth would they be doing in the Sanq Kingdom? Unless there was some dignitary here he didn't know of. He nudged Tenshi awake; she had dozed off soon after sitting on the benches to rest. Tenshi felt how tense he was and was about to sit-up straight. Hiiro prevented her and held her close. He leaned down so his breath tickled her ear. "When I tell you to run, run as fast as you can towards the school. Do not wait for me or think you can help. I will be right behind you." Something flashing in the light caught Tenshi's eye. She turned and saw the soldiers. Her eyes went wide when she noticed the patchwork on their breast and shoulders. Even from that distance she could never forget that crest. It belonged to Endymion's family. She looked up at Hiiro and strained for her voice to work. "Demo.I.fight." Hiiro shook his head no. "You may be trained but so are they. This rain will help prevent them from shooting at you as well as following." He frowned a little when he realized the bright color of her hair. He shrugged off his jacket and handed it to her. "Take this and cover your hair as much as possible." The soldier's laughter and talk died down. Hiiro didn't have to look to know they had spotted them. He moved Tenshi beside him and stood placing himself between her and the soldiers. The small one in the group looked them over and smirked. He reminded Hiiro of an untrustworthy squirrel, buckteeth and all. The small one glanced to his companions. "What do you think of this boys? It is a bit late to be out, not to mention the weather." A few chuckled. "What do you think we do with them? Escort them home?" More laughter. One of the big ones behind him spoke up. "Looks more like fun for awhile. Till at least she is still worth something." Hiiro glared and got into a fighting stance. The soldiers had stop walking once they reached the entrance of the gazebo. Tenshi stood up and grabbed Hiiro's upper arm, trembling. A few more laughed. "Look, he wants to fight." "Well he can fight while we take his girl." "Maybe you should take him on Harry. You're so big you'll ruin her for the rest of us." The soldier slapped the back of the biggest one. Hiiro growled. He could feel Tenshi begin to tremble. The squirrel one, obviously the leader, shushed them with a move of his hand. "Make you a deal boy. Leave the girl and we can let you go unharmed and alive. Put up a fight, then you will be beaten and forced to watch as we have her and then kill her. Your last sight will be of her broken body and her screams will follow you to your grave." Hiiro turned his death glare on full force and motioned for them to come at him. Squirrel man frowned. "Take him down and get the girl." The soldiers rushed. Hiiro had enough time to grab Tenshi and point her to the opposite direction. "Run! Don't look back just run." Tenshi numbly nodded. She launched herself over the railing and ran as fast as she could. The thuds of flesh connecting with flesh followed after her. The farther she got away a new sound took its place. Footsteps behind her. She ran harder. She would have to get back to the school and get the others. She herself could probably take a few of the small ones down but not that many and that big. She twisted and turned in the park hoping to lose her followers. No matter what she did she couldn't shake them. Wind blew her hair into her eyes and she realized why they were still following. She had forgotten about her hair. Lighting flashed and she saw a clump of trees ahead. With a burst of speed she darted around them and leaned up against a tree. Quickly she gathered her hair up and twisted it around. She threw the jacket over her head and used the sleeves to tie it tight, making it look like a large bandana. Lightning flashed again and she could see the entrance not that far away. She still heard the footsteps; they were almost on her. With a quick decision she darted for the entrance. Thunder rolled and she started, causing her to lose her balance and skid across the wet cement. She struggled to get up but wasn't quick enough. Once she finally got her feet under her one of the soldiers grabbed her around the waist and neck and pulled her off her feet. He chuckled in her ear. "You are all mine, Chucky." Anger flashed in her eyes. Unfortunately for the soldier he didn't restrain her arms. She fisted her hands and shoved her elbow into his gut. The soldier loosed his grip enough for her to give him a sharp head-butt. The man dropped her. She quickly rolled away and kicked him sharply in a rather sensitive spot. She was then on her feet quick and out of the gate. She hadn't noticed she had lost Hiiro's jacket. Once out of the gate she saw a street with no lights. Though it was a stupid idea it was the only one she could think of. There she maybe able to hide and hope the ones still following her would pass her by. She made for it. A shot rang out and the bullet grazed her thigh. The pain caused her to stumble and fall. Tenshi skidded and hit her head on a power pole. Once the ringing in her ears stopped, her vision cleared. She could see three of them advancing on her. She struggled to get up only to be helped by the man she had kicked. He grabbed her hair pulled her up, and punched her in the stomach. Air left her lungs with a whoosh. The man dropped her as she struggled to gain air again. "That'll teach you to kick me again, bitch." He spat at her before grabbing her hair again and slamming her against the wall. She hit hard enough to send stars in her vision. The man smacked hard enough to nearly give her whiplash. "I hope its rough because that is the only way I play." She glared up at him and spat in his face. The man stumbled away a step or two. He wiped at the spit before glaring at her. "You little whore. Jerry, Akhim hold her. I am going to teach her a lesson." Before the others could move a fist connected with the big one's face. "Don't touch her." Hiiro stood over him glaring with murder in his eyes. The other two changed their minds and charged him. The one he knocked down was about to join till he noticed Tenshi was still there. A sick smile came to his face. Tenshi was too involved watching Hiiro's fight she didn't notice the guy she had kicked make his way to her. He grabbed her wrist, moving her in front of him, this time making sure to restrain her arms again. She began to struggle until a knife flashed in front of her. Her eyes went wide with fear. Give her a Youma any day and she could handle it. A mugging/rape and she went to pieces. "I suggest you surrender or a whole lot of blood is going to flow." Hiiro KO-ed one of the two he was fighting. He turned and stopped at the of sight the knife. The man grinned back at him. "That's a good boy. Hold him." The other soldier he had been fighting came up behind him and held his arms behind his back. The soldier's smile widened. He lowered the blade to rest in between her breasts. He twirled it till a small pop was heard. Slicing it downwards he cut her shirt open revealing her bra and skin. Tenshi was shaking from fright and the cold rain and wind. She stiffened when she felt the knife cut open her shirt. She started to squirm causing him to knick her. She hissed at the burning it caused. The man chuckled. "The more you squirm, the better for me." A memory surfaced of a man dressed in white, white hair and a black moon insignia floated across her mind. She was not going to let that happen again. She eyes sharpened, no longer seeing anything but red. She stomped down on the man's foot and head butting him again. Though her vision swam a little she didn't stop. Once he loosed his grip she broke free. She spun around and kneed him in the same spot as she had kicked him. She stumbled back a bit, forgetting the pain in her calf. The man went down in pain. He looked up at her with rage. He started for her only to have Hiiro plow into him. Shouts came from the park. His comrades had gotten back up and were coming close. Without waiting for Hiiro to tell her to she took off down an alleyway. After running for what seemed like forever Tenshi noticed her vision was getting blurry and the throbbing in her leg began to get worse as her body seemed to get cold and numb. At first she thought it was just the wind and rain, but the pain in her leg reminded her she was losing blood. She twisted up and down as many alleys and back streets she could find till she could no longer heard any pursuers. She slid down the side of a wall near the entrance. Crates and boxes hid her from all eyes. Tears began to pour from her eyes as she cried uncontrollably. Flashes of the night the Inners had attacked her flooded back. She thought she had pushed it to the back of her mind, never to think of it again. But after the last few minuets it unlocked the door to them. She pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. She stayed like that for a while. Tenshi woke with a start. She found herself with her head resting on her knees. A quick look at her watch told her it was nearly midnight. She groaned as every part of her body was sore. She moved her legs only to hiss in pain. She looked over her wounds as best she could. It looked like it had stopped bleeding but it still was sore. So were her head and her cheek. The wind had died down but it still was drizzling. She shivered, wishing she still had Hiiro's jacket. HIIRO! She struggled to stand. Once her feet were under her she used the crates to support her. She made her way to the entrance making sure to stay in the shadows as much as possible. She peered around the corner in time to see soldiers heading for her ally. She plastered herself against the wall and closed her eyes, praying. She opened her eyes to see the last soldier pass by. She peeked out far enough to see them head for the park. She sighed. Looking around she noticed she wasn't that far from the school. If she stayed in the shadows she should be able to make it. With one last look around she made sure it was clear. She began out of the ally only to have a hand reach out from behind and grab her shoulder. If she could, she would have screamed. Turning around she found it only to be Hiiro. She glared at him and smacked him before throwing herself at him and breaking down again. He held her tight as shock finally took over. With a swift movement he picked her up and made his way to the school.
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There is a slight poll, not for this story but two others.
GW/Sm crossover MOTHERS AND DBZ/SM crossover HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN.
The poll is:
MOTHERS should Serenity(Usagi) be pared will Seiya???
HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN should Usagi be pared with Sapphire (Diamonds brother) or Seiya. Sapphire will be brought back to life and will be good, way later though.
This poll will help us (me mainly) to figure out witch way to take the story.
Thanks.
That is another reason for its late arrival. My beta lives in another country so our school schedules are not the same. So she had finals to attend to while this was waiting. I don't blame her and say go ahead and put the school first. If I had I would be in university and not a community college but lets not go there.
Terrible sorry again and hope that I have not lost readers or discouraged you.
Another note: this little miss hap has not only affected me but LostTenshi as well. On a sad note over the last few weeks the gas prices in the USA has deeply decreased her money pocket so she lives now in Orlando. Most of the time I will be taking over her stories, giving it to her to read over and yeah or nea it. We have outlines made up of our stories and go by that. So it will be awhile for stories as well as mine since there are so many.
Thank you for your support and constant reviews and email
B-chan
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Halfway to the park the little girl had trouble keeping up their long strides. Tenshi picked the girl up in one arm and grabbed Hiiro's hand with the other. Tenshi was surprised at the weight of the child. She was lighter than a child her age should be. As they passed, people would stop and comment on how cute the family looked. Hiiro paid no attention while Tenshi blushed lightly. She remembered a time when she once did this very same thing. That was what seemed to her as a long time ago, when it was a different child and a different guy. A tear escaped her eyes. She never noticed, still lost in her sea of memories, until a soft touch whipped it away. She started from her memories to see the worried green eyes of Matilda. Tenshi gave the child one of her bright smiles and a tight one-armed squeeze. Matilda returned the smile and hugged Tenshi around her neck. Hiiro watched from the corner of his eye and let a small smile form on his face. Hiiro had heard the whispers and awe of passerby. He silently enjoyed the thought of having a family. It was a small dream of his. He always thought it to only be dream... Once inside the park entrance Hiiro immediately began to scan the area for any hint of an oddly dressed group of women. He was unaware of the conversation being held next to him. Tenshi had set Matilda down and squatted next to her. Both girls had spotted an ice cream vender not too far away and Tenshi told Matilda the story of the Portrait of a Morning Glory. {If you have read the first volume of Saint Tail manga translated to English you will know what I am talking about. If not e-mail me and I will tell you.} Once the story was finished, Matilda said she wanted to be the Morning Glory and get a winner too. Looking over to the Ice Cream Vender Tenshi had to agree. Even if she didn't get a winner an ice cream sounded good. Looking back at Hiiro she decided he was busy enough not to notice her gone. Quickly she grabbed the girl's hand and was off to the vendor. So many choices what was a girl to do? Matilda had gotten her cone and was happily slurping it down. The vender wasn't helping as he kept flirting with Tenshi. The vendor leaned over so his elbows were resting on the side of the stand while he watched the girl choose a flavor. He had been having bad luck with the girls lately but it looked like he was about to score today. So what if she couldn't talk? It meant she couldn't scream. "I know I would have a hard time choosing a flavor if you were the one selling it." He gave her a grin when she looked up surprised. "Your beauty would melt them away. I wouldn't be surprised if you tasted better than them too." (Don't laugh. My best buddy gave that same line and you know what they are going out. Though it was because she already liked him. ^-^o) Tenshi blushed. It was kind, but was this guy for real? Duo had better pick up lines. She had better pick something quick before Hiiro came over. She smiled at the vender and pointed out two different flavors then held up two fingers. One thought registered in his mind 'She's mine.' He smiled sweetly and looked at what the girl had picked. Mint Chocolate Chip and Cookie Dough. (Yummy!!) "One Mint Chip and one Cookie Dough. Coming right up." Once he handed over the Cookie Dough she began to lick it while waiting for the other, and a "brilliant" plan formed in his head. He handed over the last cone and picked up the money she had given him to pay for it. "Tell you what. I will let you have those free if you will come with me to the Academy's Winter Ball. It is in two weeks and in between then we can maybe go out on a few dates to get to know one another." If she could have Tenshi would have laughed at him. She just gave him a small smile and shook her head no. As she walked away he grabbed her arm. "Come on, you may find you might like it." He gave her arm a tight squeeze. She glared and yanked her arm away before storming away from him. "Tenshi!" she looked up to see Hiiro heading her way. He had seen the little play. Matilda hadn't liked the way the vender was looking at Tenshi so she ran and got Hiiro. Once he was at her side she gave him a bright smile. "He didn't hurt you?" Hiiro asked, sending a glare to the seething vender. Tenshi shook her head and showed him the treat she had gotten. Hiiro stared down at the thing. He had seen Duo and Quatre eat something similar to it. He took the cone from her, still looking at it funny. What was he supposed to do with it? He looked to Tenshi for answers. She rolled her eyes and showed him how to eat an ice cream cone. Hiiro gave her a dirty look back. As he raised it to his mouth he had a little help. Tenshi bumped his hand causing the ice cream to land on the tip of his nose. Matilda and Tenshi giggled at him. Hiiro just glared at the two before searching his pockets for something to wipe it off. Tenshi beat him to it. She rose up of her tiptoes and kissed the end of his nose taking the ice cream with her. Hiiro stood frozen with surprise. He hadn't expected her to do that. She giggled at him again before grabbing his free hand and pulling him behind her. Hiiro was a little frustrated. They had reached the park near mid-morning and now it was close to dusk and they still hadn't found Matilda's mother. He was following the lead of the two girls. Their "looking" had taken them to the swings, merry-go-round, a number of venders, the jungle gym, the fountain, the roller rink (which in a few days would the ice skating rink), and the maze. Finally they had made their way to the center of the park where a stage was set next to the lake. Hiiro handed Matilda the last of the breadcrumbs they had bought. He sat on a bench and watched the girls, lost in his own little fantasy. He imagined Tenshi was the mother and Matilda was really his. He could picture the little girl running up to him, calling him daddy. He sure felt like one today. When they had reached the swings, Hiiro had to push Matilda. Her little legs were not giving her much momentum. Tenshi then turned the tables on him and forced him to learn to swing properly. He and Matilda got into a swinging match. They were going pretty high when Matilda lost her grip and landed a few feet away after sliding to a stop. She had scratched up her knees and palms. Hiiro got to her first and helped clean her up. Then, at the jungle gym, some boys tried to get rough with her and push her off. They didn't expect a fully grown boy like Hiiro to get up there in the way and speed he did. He reached there just in time to steady the girl before she fell. He then marched the lovely little hoodlums to their mothers and ratted them out. Each time, Matilda would hug Hiiro and thank him before running to Tenshi to get motherly comfort. Voices reached Hiiro's ears. They were the sounds of women's gossip. Looking around he spotted the source and his heart fell. He knew Matilda would have to go back to her mother but for some reason he didn't want her too. Then it hit him. Tenshi had succeeded. By letting him take care of Matilda she had shown him what it was to feel. Sure, she had helped care for the girl but for the most part she sat back and let him do most of the work. He had felt happiness when they were on the Merry-Go-Round. He was upset and scared when she had fallen from the swing. He was proud of her when she was able to do a handstand, even if it was for only a few seconds. By taking care of a little girl he felt more alive, more human than had ever. Now he had to do the hardest part and give the girl back. He slowly rose and made his way down to the girls, each step dragging. Matilda threw the last of the breadcrumbs among a flock of baby ducks. She spotted Hiiro heading for them and ran to drag him down to the lake. Once there she pointed to the ducks, with her hands flying, telling him about all the things they had done to get to the bread. Hiiro knelt at eye-level with her and gave her a big grin before she hugging him. He could here the women's chatter and looked towards it. The other two followed his gaze and Tenshi's heart stopped then fell. At the benches next to the stage was a group of women wearing red hats and purple dresses. It was time to give chibi Matilda-chan up. Matilda's face lit up then fell when she realized she had to leave Hiiro and Tenshi. A thought hit her. She turned around to face the two teens and gave them a smile. "You have to come and meet Momma!" the girl signed. She grabbed their hands and dragged them to the flock of cackles. When they were almost on the females, Matilda let go of their hands and jumped into the middle of the pack, emerging a few seconds later dragging a rather tall woman. The woman struggled to keep her hat in place as Matilda was almost running back to Hiiro and Tenshi. Matilda stopped in front of the two teens and waited patiently for the woman to adjust her hat. "My gracious, child. What has gotten into you?" she asked. As she looked up, Hiiro and Tenshi were met with jade eyes. The woman was startled at their appearance before her. She hadn't seen them. Looking down she saw Matilda's smiling face. A look of wonder spread on her face before she knelt down. "You are smiling. My baby is smiling." She crushed her in a hug while tears rushed from her eyes. She pulled Matilda back. "What brought this on, little one? You haven't smiled in almost two years." Hiiro and Tenshi looked at each other in surprise. They couldn't believe that the little girl they had helped today had not smiled in two years. She had smiling been all day. Matilda pointed gestured at Tenshi and Hiiro before running up and giving them a hug. The woman stood up and walked closer to them. "Whoever you are, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have not seen my little Matilda smile in so long. How did you do it?" Tenshi looked to Hiiro and motioned for him to tell the woman. "We don't know. She has been smiling the whole day. We found her a few blocks from the entrance to the park. She told us what you look like and we went on a search. Along the way we explored the park and played with her." Shock and horror swept the woman's face. She looked down at the little girl. "Outside of the park? Oh my dear child, I am so sorry. I thought you were by my side the whole time and were playing with the other children." She then looked to the teens. "I am so forgetful. Just the other day I left her in the shopping center and was all the way home before I realized what had happened. How can I repay you?" She reached for the purse and her side and Hiiro stopped her. He was surprised she didn't even flinch at his usual monotone voice. "That won't be necessary. We were already paid when we were allowed to spend the day with Matilda." The woman was about the protest when Matilda tugged on her skirt. The woman looked down and Matilda turned her back so Hiiro and Tenshi couldn't see what she signed. When she was finished, her mother had a thoughtful look on her face. "We can ask." She looked to the two. "Matilda has asked if from time to time you could watch her. I am the only one at home she can play with. She doesn't have many friends because of her handicap. Most of the children that belong to these other women hurt her. It would be a great help to me." Tenshi looked at Hiiro and nodded. Hiiro was about to say yes when he realized he was still in the middle of a mission and was trying to stop the new faction from rising. There was no room for a little girl. She would only get in the way and be a liability. Tenshi noticed the look in his eye and excused them for a moment and pulled him off to the side. 'I don't care if you have a mission. I want to help this little girl. If you and the boys get called away the girls and I are there. Not to mention Quatre's little bodyguards will most likely fall in love with her and adopt her as well. Please Hiiro. She is all alone. ' Hiiro frowned, not liking being cornered like this. "You know as well as I do she could be a liability. We have quite a number of assassins not only after Ririna but us as well." Tenshi pouted. 'I know that. Please. Look, tomorrow Ru and I begin the rest of our punishment at the circus. She can come with us. She won't be in any trouble and I am sure the others will like her as well. Let us try just this once. Please Hiiro." Hiiro sighed and nodded. He knew she wouldn't give up and would give every excuse in the book she could. They returned to the woman. "We agree. Tomorrow Tenshi and a friend are attending the circus. She is welcomed to join them." The woman clapped her hands together. "That would be perfect. I have to get ready for a large dinner party tomorrow and can't do a thing with her. Since her father died I have to run his business and it takes all my time. Do you think you can pick her up after school?" Hiiro gave a curt nod. The woman put a hand to her face. "Oh how rude of me. I haven't introduced myself nor do I know your names. I am Patricia Haruna." "Hiiro Yui and this is Tenshi Winner. She is mute as well." The woman beamed. "Wonderful. My daughter will have someone to look up to." Matilda had followed their mouths and was grinning. A few women called out to Mrs. Haruna and she waved at them. "Well, I must be off. It is getting late and this little one needs to get to bed. You can pick her up at the St. Michael institute for the handicapped. They let out at two o'clock." Hiiro gave a curt nod and they wished each other fair well. Once they were out of sight Hiiro turned to Tenshi. "You can wipe that smug look off. I agree you won. But NO ONE is to know what took place." Tenshi rolled her eyes. 'Of course, don't want to ruin your reputation for being a hard ass.' Hiiro scowled at her before grabbing her hand and walking off towards the entrance that would lead them home. He would have to admit all in all it was a good day and nothing really bad happened. Then the gods decided to prove him wrong. Clouds that had been threatening to rain finally opened up and let out a heavy down-pour. They were able to find shelter under a small gazebo. It was raining too hard to try and risk getting back to the School. It was a half-hour to an hours walk from the park. Hiiro sat down and pulled Tenshi onto his lap. She was content with curling against his chest and listening to his heartbeat and the rain around them. The rain showed no signs of letting up. It was already past seven heading for eight. Hiiro was seriously debating whether or not to venture out into the rain and try and make it to the school or to at least a phone. They could call some one to pick them up. He stopped his thoughts when the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Listening carefully he could hear a group of males approaching their way. Finally he caught what they looked like when they reached the light of a lamppost. He tensed. They were wearing something close to OZ's uniforms, signaling them to be soldiers. Each but a small one in the middle carried a riffle on their shoulder. What on earth would they be doing in the Sanq Kingdom? Unless there was some dignitary here he didn't know of. He nudged Tenshi awake; she had dozed off soon after sitting on the benches to rest. Tenshi felt how tense he was and was about to sit-up straight. Hiiro prevented her and held her close. He leaned down so his breath tickled her ear. "When I tell you to run, run as fast as you can towards the school. Do not wait for me or think you can help. I will be right behind you." Something flashing in the light caught Tenshi's eye. She turned and saw the soldiers. Her eyes went wide when she noticed the patchwork on their breast and shoulders. Even from that distance she could never forget that crest. It belonged to Endymion's family. She looked up at Hiiro and strained for her voice to work. "Demo.I.fight." Hiiro shook his head no. "You may be trained but so are they. This rain will help prevent them from shooting at you as well as following." He frowned a little when he realized the bright color of her hair. He shrugged off his jacket and handed it to her. "Take this and cover your hair as much as possible." The soldier's laughter and talk died down. Hiiro didn't have to look to know they had spotted them. He moved Tenshi beside him and stood placing himself between her and the soldiers. The small one in the group looked them over and smirked. He reminded Hiiro of an untrustworthy squirrel, buckteeth and all. The small one glanced to his companions. "What do you think of this boys? It is a bit late to be out, not to mention the weather." A few chuckled. "What do you think we do with them? Escort them home?" More laughter. One of the big ones behind him spoke up. "Looks more like fun for awhile. Till at least she is still worth something." Hiiro glared and got into a fighting stance. The soldiers had stop walking once they reached the entrance of the gazebo. Tenshi stood up and grabbed Hiiro's upper arm, trembling. A few more laughed. "Look, he wants to fight." "Well he can fight while we take his girl." "Maybe you should take him on Harry. You're so big you'll ruin her for the rest of us." The soldier slapped the back of the biggest one. Hiiro growled. He could feel Tenshi begin to tremble. The squirrel one, obviously the leader, shushed them with a move of his hand. "Make you a deal boy. Leave the girl and we can let you go unharmed and alive. Put up a fight, then you will be beaten and forced to watch as we have her and then kill her. Your last sight will be of her broken body and her screams will follow you to your grave." Hiiro turned his death glare on full force and motioned for them to come at him. Squirrel man frowned. "Take him down and get the girl." The soldiers rushed. Hiiro had enough time to grab Tenshi and point her to the opposite direction. "Run! Don't look back just run." Tenshi numbly nodded. She launched herself over the railing and ran as fast as she could. The thuds of flesh connecting with flesh followed after her. The farther she got away a new sound took its place. Footsteps behind her. She ran harder. She would have to get back to the school and get the others. She herself could probably take a few of the small ones down but not that many and that big. She twisted and turned in the park hoping to lose her followers. No matter what she did she couldn't shake them. Wind blew her hair into her eyes and she realized why they were still following. She had forgotten about her hair. Lighting flashed and she saw a clump of trees ahead. With a burst of speed she darted around them and leaned up against a tree. Quickly she gathered her hair up and twisted it around. She threw the jacket over her head and used the sleeves to tie it tight, making it look like a large bandana. Lightning flashed again and she could see the entrance not that far away. She still heard the footsteps; they were almost on her. With a quick decision she darted for the entrance. Thunder rolled and she started, causing her to lose her balance and skid across the wet cement. She struggled to get up but wasn't quick enough. Once she finally got her feet under her one of the soldiers grabbed her around the waist and neck and pulled her off her feet. He chuckled in her ear. "You are all mine, Chucky." Anger flashed in her eyes. Unfortunately for the soldier he didn't restrain her arms. She fisted her hands and shoved her elbow into his gut. The soldier loosed his grip enough for her to give him a sharp head-butt. The man dropped her. She quickly rolled away and kicked him sharply in a rather sensitive spot. She was then on her feet quick and out of the gate. She hadn't noticed she had lost Hiiro's jacket. Once out of the gate she saw a street with no lights. Though it was a stupid idea it was the only one she could think of. There she maybe able to hide and hope the ones still following her would pass her by. She made for it. A shot rang out and the bullet grazed her thigh. The pain caused her to stumble and fall. Tenshi skidded and hit her head on a power pole. Once the ringing in her ears stopped, her vision cleared. She could see three of them advancing on her. She struggled to get up only to be helped by the man she had kicked. He grabbed her hair pulled her up, and punched her in the stomach. Air left her lungs with a whoosh. The man dropped her as she struggled to gain air again. "That'll teach you to kick me again, bitch." He spat at her before grabbing her hair again and slamming her against the wall. She hit hard enough to send stars in her vision. The man smacked hard enough to nearly give her whiplash. "I hope its rough because that is the only way I play." She glared up at him and spat in his face. The man stumbled away a step or two. He wiped at the spit before glaring at her. "You little whore. Jerry, Akhim hold her. I am going to teach her a lesson." Before the others could move a fist connected with the big one's face. "Don't touch her." Hiiro stood over him glaring with murder in his eyes. The other two changed their minds and charged him. The one he knocked down was about to join till he noticed Tenshi was still there. A sick smile came to his face. Tenshi was too involved watching Hiiro's fight she didn't notice the guy she had kicked make his way to her. He grabbed her wrist, moving her in front of him, this time making sure to restrain her arms again. She began to struggle until a knife flashed in front of her. Her eyes went wide with fear. Give her a Youma any day and she could handle it. A mugging/rape and she went to pieces. "I suggest you surrender or a whole lot of blood is going to flow." Hiiro KO-ed one of the two he was fighting. He turned and stopped at the of sight the knife. The man grinned back at him. "That's a good boy. Hold him." The other soldier he had been fighting came up behind him and held his arms behind his back. The soldier's smile widened. He lowered the blade to rest in between her breasts. He twirled it till a small pop was heard. Slicing it downwards he cut her shirt open revealing her bra and skin. Tenshi was shaking from fright and the cold rain and wind. She stiffened when she felt the knife cut open her shirt. She started to squirm causing him to knick her. She hissed at the burning it caused. The man chuckled. "The more you squirm, the better for me." A memory surfaced of a man dressed in white, white hair and a black moon insignia floated across her mind. She was not going to let that happen again. She eyes sharpened, no longer seeing anything but red. She stomped down on the man's foot and head butting him again. Though her vision swam a little she didn't stop. Once he loosed his grip she broke free. She spun around and kneed him in the same spot as she had kicked him. She stumbled back a bit, forgetting the pain in her calf. The man went down in pain. He looked up at her with rage. He started for her only to have Hiiro plow into him. Shouts came from the park. His comrades had gotten back up and were coming close. Without waiting for Hiiro to tell her to she took off down an alleyway. After running for what seemed like forever Tenshi noticed her vision was getting blurry and the throbbing in her leg began to get worse as her body seemed to get cold and numb. At first she thought it was just the wind and rain, but the pain in her leg reminded her she was losing blood. She twisted up and down as many alleys and back streets she could find till she could no longer heard any pursuers. She slid down the side of a wall near the entrance. Crates and boxes hid her from all eyes. Tears began to pour from her eyes as she cried uncontrollably. Flashes of the night the Inners had attacked her flooded back. She thought she had pushed it to the back of her mind, never to think of it again. But after the last few minuets it unlocked the door to them. She pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. She stayed like that for a while. Tenshi woke with a start. She found herself with her head resting on her knees. A quick look at her watch told her it was nearly midnight. She groaned as every part of her body was sore. She moved her legs only to hiss in pain. She looked over her wounds as best she could. It looked like it had stopped bleeding but it still was sore. So were her head and her cheek. The wind had died down but it still was drizzling. She shivered, wishing she still had Hiiro's jacket. HIIRO! She struggled to stand. Once her feet were under her she used the crates to support her. She made her way to the entrance making sure to stay in the shadows as much as possible. She peered around the corner in time to see soldiers heading for her ally. She plastered herself against the wall and closed her eyes, praying. She opened her eyes to see the last soldier pass by. She peeked out far enough to see them head for the park. She sighed. Looking around she noticed she wasn't that far from the school. If she stayed in the shadows she should be able to make it. With one last look around she made sure it was clear. She began out of the ally only to have a hand reach out from behind and grab her shoulder. If she could, she would have screamed. Turning around she found it only to be Hiiro. She glared at him and smacked him before throwing herself at him and breaking down again. He held her tight as shock finally took over. With a swift movement he picked her up and made his way to the school.
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There is a slight poll, not for this story but two others.
GW/Sm crossover MOTHERS AND DBZ/SM crossover HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN.
The poll is:
MOTHERS should Serenity(Usagi) be pared will Seiya???
HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN should Usagi be pared with Sapphire (Diamonds brother) or Seiya. Sapphire will be brought back to life and will be good, way later though.
This poll will help us (me mainly) to figure out witch way to take the story.
Thanks.