Well finished the course, have a job, the warning of lateness was in bio. How have you been?

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or Sailor Moon. I haven't even visited the country that they originate from. Current rumours claim they are owned by a certain Yoshiyuki Tomino and Naoko Takeuchi. I'm not one to gossip -

Part 10: Quest

"So let me see if I haven't misunderstood…" Relena glances at her beloved's friends, "You want me to find Heero this time?" Gestures towards herself.

"Yes," Quatre nods enthusiastically.

"Because if I don't…" Relena continues.

"Then Hee-chan will do a dumbass thing," Duo impatiently interrupts the former queen, "Look goldilocks, we've been over this hundreds of times. It ain't that hard!"

"Yes, but…" murmurs the Foreign Minister rather dazedly, "but… you WANT me… ME… to find HIM!" The girl makes exaggerated gestures towards herself.

"It's just that you have so much better connections here on Earth than us, Miss Relena," Quatre explains gently, "And it's imperative that we find Heero as quickly as possible, before he completes his mission."

Relena nods reasonably, "Yes, because he is a butterfly."

"No," Trowa states curtly.

Relief is visible in the poor girls eyes, as she breathes out, "Oh good."

"He's an ­anti-Butterfly," corrects Quatre amenably, oblivious to the girl nervously edging away from them, eyeing them like they're mad.

"Onna!" rages Wufei as she bumps into him, "It's just Yuy being his usual impossible self and finding new ways to blow himself up! The four of us have to leave for the colonies to search for him, and we need you to be on the lookout for him down here, should he not be in space!" The Chinese teen steps closer as she continues to edge away, pushing her back towards her desk as he continues his triad. "I refuse to baby-sit another loony weakling and it's about time that you were of some use to us after all he's done for you!" Shoving her into her seat, he points his finger in her face and barks, "Now sit down and work that infernal harpy magic of yours! Find Yuy!" before storming out of Relena's office.

In the background you can hear someone saying faintly, "Go, Wufei…!"


"You think she'll do it?"

"By Nataku, if she doesn't than she shall feel more than the wrath of my katana!" Wufei storms as they walk down the corridor.

"She'll do it," states Trowa calmly.

"Yeah, yeah," grumbles Duo, fidgeting in his uniform, "Are you sure, Q-ball, that this'll work?"

The blonde smiles warmly at the worried teen, "It stands to reason that it should work. Chang Beilong may have theorized that two Children of Fate are never born at the same time, but however the circumstances came to be, it seems that there are now two of them; Heero, allegedly, and this Butterfly-person."

"And Yuy seems to have miraculously recovered from his decease at the same time this other 'Child' appeared," continues Wufei, glancing reassuringly over at Duo, "Remember it was in April that he returned after running out on us."

"You think he knows her?" muses the teen dreamily, ignoring the conversation.

"It doesn't matter," states Trowa, "Knowing Heero, he's most likely going to kill her."

The American sets his jaw, "Then we better make sure we find her first."


It was really a coincidence that made her find me. I'd somehow wound up on this strange metallic asteroid city, and all these people were here, and yet, I felt so alone. I couldn't understand a word they were saying; just enough to realise that they must have been speaking English, the language that I've failed so terribly at. And here I was, trapped on this weird contraption that I later learned was a city of L2, lost and alone. I suppose it doesn't take much imagination to figure out what I did… I sat down and cried, like any decent person would. And that's how she found me, weeping miserably by a dumpster.

Flashback

A smiling face. "Hi. My name's Hilde…"

She took me home, gave me something to eat and proper clothes. She consoled me, and though I understood not a word she said, I knew that she meant well. That at least is a gift I have not lost; knowing people. Later I asked what made her take a chance on me… She said:

"You remind me of a friend that had to go away. He saved me; I couldn't let his look-alike succumb to a fate he so narrowly missed."

I think… she must have been lonely when this friend went away. I've seen his picture, and if there is a resemblance, it is vague… He must have been a very special person.

L2 is a poor place, and if it is run by anything then it must be either the gangsters or the mafia. L2 does not have an underworld, it IS the underworld. Living here is like being constantly surrounded by the threat of the Yakuza; monitored from the shadows. And still, there are so many decent people living here and I've been lucky to meet one of them.

If you look behind its ruff façade, L2 will grow endeared to you. Here is a place that nobody cares about, that the rest of the world would prefer to sweep under the carpet; thieving, whoring, murder and disease, corruption on every corner that you turn, it is a constant reminder in their lives, and yet life prospers here. They continue to live and fight for the right to exists, and though some don't make it and the weak perish, the rest of them don't. They preserve. They smile and they laugh. And… I admire them for that. This you would never see if we built Crystal Tokyo. And I've come to believe it would be a sorry loss indeed.

I feel guilty about things I'd planned to do had I not been a Butterfly. Had this been my Earth, I would have never known such people existed, and all these people would be gone without a thought, lost in the making of what I once thought was Paradise. Are they not worthy of life? Would I exile them, to an hollow existence on the dark planet Nemesis, due to my ignorance? Did I destroy them? Could I really be that cruel?


It's the ruins of Duo's home that I first go to. There's not much left, only a blackened burnt edge or two, but once many people lived here. They were happy. It is only right that I pay my respects to the place that helped create such an efficient soldier; regardless of what he says, it was their sacrifice that made him. The Maxwell Demon would never have come had they not perished. He is loyal.

L2 will be the most difficult to search. Nobody will talk, and here there are many places to hide. Undercover is not my speciality, but I know I will find her here. This is the only place that will provide her with ID unquestioned.

I can feel her drawing closer.


It's a dark dank place that I find myself.

"So you're Usagi."

"Yes." I hate being nervous, my voice turns all mousy. But this office is creepy. Pipes sticking out everywhere, crisscrossing over our heads. The gloomy atmosphere of a horror film; you can hear the creaky rattle of a broken door and imagine monsters lurking in the shadows. A candlelight is all the illumination we can hope for, this place is too poor for electricity. This is nearly as bad as when Haruna-sensei handed out tests; and this gajin looks remarkably like her. If Haruna ever decided to cut her hair short and wear an eye patch that is. It's really only the strict expression and reddish brown hair that make them similar, but with Haruna I always knew how to act.

An elbow in my side hints that I'm expected to say more.

"My ID get lost in war. Family all gone now. You make me new one for right price, hai?" I think I must look rather deranged with the size of my 'genki' grin I'm flashing rather desperately at this woman; my English is atrocious, I know, and I'm sure that if this was Haruna, she'd be screaming at me now. To them I must sound like some foreign bimbo or dunce, but Hilde has been patient and a good teacher; I have come a long way. And she says it makes me appear more innocent when I butcher the language as I do. I must appear naïve.

"It will cost you…" the forger lazily muses, relaxing, but Hilde has already warned me that we'll have to bargain. This is after all L2; money is scarce.

"I can pay!" It's only after I blurt this out that my brain catches up with my mouth and I winch. Oh how Minako would disapprove. That… was NOT the way to begin a bargaining. It's not as if I haven't had some practice with the previous two crooks, though the lessons from Minako's days as otaku are probably more helpful. I should know better than to give them the upper hand the first round. But then, I am playing the fool.

Hilde is the bestest friend I could have, so I feel guilty for deceiving her like this. But Butterflies must flee, and I will need more IDs than she can know of. It isn't safe for her to be this close; paying what Elda demands is a sacrifice I must make. Next time I'll know where to go. There will be no fool to greet Miss Elda, and Hilde will never be the wiser.

Today I become Usagi Chochono, victim of war.


"Duo, you know best the places of L2, so I think you better cover those grounds."

" 'Kay Q!"


"Uuuuusagiiiiiiii! Can you go shopping!"

Hmm? Blink, blink.

"Suuuure, Hilde!"

Shit! Of all the times to ask. But it's not like I can tell her that I can't, because I've spent all the money I've earned so far. What would I say? 'Sorry Hilde, but I snuck out at night and blew it all away on passports I wasn't going to tell you about. What's that you say? Uh huh, yes, that's right, I AM planning to skip town. And change identity. And never speak to you again. Without you knowing why. Why? Oh, I'm this magical fucked up warrior that is destined to succumb to my own chaotic energy. It's going to hurt like a bitch, and create quite a backlash. So I thought I'd do the noble thing and leave you in the dark, before I destroy your life. No, I am NOT a psycho; this is the God's Honest Truth. Neat, huh?'

Snort. Yeah, right.

This world isn't even aware of the possibility of magic! And my being here is already warping the world as they know it. I'm amazed that Hilde hasn't noticed yet the amount of ghosts that seem to be suddenly cropping up. But then, it starts small. After the war of god knows what, a lot of angry dead soldiers seem to be rebelling against fate. I've become quite an efficient exorcist.

Sigh, it looks like I might have to shoplift. The things you learn on L2…

Carrots, lettuce, paprika, sidle out the door quietly. Go to next shop. Pasta, tomatoes, sneak a glance, meat. Go to hiding place, add new loot.

Third time's the charm. Just as I'm about to leave the store, clutching my carton of milk, that balloons come soaring down.

"CONGRATULATIONS! YOU ARE OUR 1,000,000 CUSTOMER!"

I suppose I was pushing my luck.

Oh, but come on! This is L2 we're speaking about. They can't afford giving prizes away to millionth customers! What am I supposed to say as they get closer? Grin a cheesy smile and say 'Actually I'm not a customer, I'm a cute little thief helping myself to your wares'?

As I said earlier, the chaos is mild kids stuff so far, but oh, can it get you into trouble if it aims just right.

I bet they've never had someone running away from a monetary prize before. And of course, the buggers would follow me. Who wouldn't run, trying to give away money? This most be an awfully nice shop, in which case, I feel guilty for stealing from them; or, and it would be just typical if it was, something strange and underhanded is going on. What is it this time? Slave market? Picky cannibals? People that want to buy my hair?

Magic might not be known to this world, but it sure comes in handy in a pinch!


Wings burst from the girls back. Jumping up, she flaps hard, giving her a boost. She disappears over the roof.

The boy's eyes follows the figure as long as she is visible. When she's gone, he stands thoughtfully, gazing at the brick wall.

She didn't see him.

But he saw her.


This spaghetti better be worth it. Stupid gajins and the foods they make. I've had enough of loonies for today! If I missed some things on the shopping list, she can go and buy it herself!

Looking like a thundercloud does seem to have an effect as I go stomping through the streets. I am left alone. And it's not as if I have a right to complain. So far, everything weird that's been happening has been natural. Well, besides the ghosts, that is. I'll worry more when this universe becomes accustomed enough to start spewing demons and warlocks and aliens, oh my. I wonder if I would be classified as any of those to the rest of the population? Alien, yes; I'm from an alternate reality. Warlock, I suppose so; I'm magical after all. Demon…to some, maybe?

I can hear voices as I come up to the door. Hilde's shack isn't exactly soundproof. That isn't the TV.

I… should I stay? Or should I take this as a sign to leave? I've been postponing it so far because I really like Hilde. I don't want to leave her alone. She's like a mix between Makoto and Minako, and I think she would be devastated if I left without saying goodbye. I don't know if I have it in me to do that.

But that laugh that I can hear through the door, I've never heard her laugh like that before. And that other voice… That is definitely not a girl!

The choice is taken from me when the door opens on its own.

"USAGI!"

What it's supposed to mean:

sensei – teacher, etc
gajin – foreigner
hai – yes
genki – energetic (cheerful)
otaku – (obsessed) fan of something

Praeceps:

Well, maybe not blow her mind, but confuse her? Sheepish grin I liked Wufei's explosion, though it might not have come across very well. Not trying to downplay Relena, but anyone would have trouble believing this dribble. She shows up again in a couple of chapters! Hopefully more dignified

I am sorry, the beginning of this fic probably IS more exciting than the rest, but the hunt has started now. We'll see what happens. It should peak again, but I can't say honestly when it will begin. Some action should arise next chapter, if not, then the next. Today, it seems, was a day for Usagi-sarcasm instead, not fighting.

Angelight: Laughs, does it comfort you if I said I was born a hundred, and am slowly regressing? I do give off the aura of being hopelessly childish. But then, if not, hereditary legacies would force me to suffer from high blood pressure and stress. grin It's my charm for life.
Part 5, yes I can see why that might be your favourite part. I rewrote that part a dozen or so times on paper, by hand, while I was on holiday in America. So it had plenty of time to be edited. And Hee-chan acted out of character, in a fun kind of way that was designed to go over the top of Duo's definition of 'loose'. It might or might not happen again in this story, I know what's going to happen but muses and reaction and stuff… yeah. It WILL happen in the sequel. Not identically, but definitively OOC. But MOST OOC in the conclusion of this trilogy. After all, they are here to learn. For now, we'll have to settle for his one-mindedness. (it's my favourite part, too)

Oh! And any spelling mistakes can be blamed on incompetent English teachers, and/or my spell-check program, because I, myself, am PERFECT! (or to amend that statement: I am MORE perfect than my father, who claims to be the paragon of perfection. I refuse to be outdone! I may have lost the battle of height, but THIS I refuse to give ground on!) (This seems sad, coming from a twenty year old.)

Well that was all, for today at least, toodles! ;-D