Frailty

Chapter 3: preparing for advances

(Part B)

Author: Tenshi no Nozomi

Contact: tenshi(underscore)no(underscore)nozomi(at)hotmail(dot)com

OR

lasohaney(at)tamu(dot)edu

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters themselves. I obviously have no claim to them or the series that they come from. I'm a poor college student... I don't have money, suing me wouldn't be profitable. Also. I would rather not have trouble from anyone. If anyone feels the need to copy or plagiarize this fic, please reevaluate your decision–I write for personal enjoyment, as well as (in some respects) to please others. If you enjoy my fic, then please respect the fact that I work very hard to make it so and don't copy. I've seen several fics that have mentioned my fics as inspiration in their author's notes–it's very flattering to see this. I love Schu x Usa fics–if you write one, let me know, I'd love to read and review it. Just please know the difference between being inspired and stealing.

Pairing: Usa x Schu (but you knew that by now, right?)

Warnings: the usual (see last chapter). Bold text is emphasized, italics for thoughts/mental speech.

Author's Notes:

Haha. So... five months later. XD But it is sooner than normal, right? Right? C'mon... forgive me... please... I do try to update more often. In theory, it should work. I mean... oh, well. Anyhow. Welcome to the second part of chapter 3.

For those of you who are wondering where this story is heading... I realize that it's rife with sexuality. As fun as that is, it will probably tone down in the future, at least some. Relationships aren't always smooth sailing, after all... that's one of the big themes behind this fic, as you'll see later on.

Thanks to my Reviewers (from the last chapter AND the teaser):

Saris Yui, koldy, angel313, Usagi 1313, OtAkU, lennie, themoonmaiden, Flame Ivy Moon, Heero's Bunny-Scribble, Eternalmoonprincess, ShadowGoddessInc, snog, samisweet, TsukinoGoddess, renangel, SailorFantasy, serenity77, Patricia16, and Sunshine Fia. (To those of you who reviewed for both chapters–and you know who you are–extra love and cookies for all). Replies to reviews can be found at the bottom.

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"I don't think that's really necessary," Uasgi squeaked. "It already has been," she said, rising to her feet and backing away from the bed. As much as she liked all of the attention, Usagi wasn't ready to get in that deep.

Just as quickly as he'd begun his advance, he quit. "Alright, then. What do you want to do instead?"

Usagi blinked. That was it? He wasn't going to pursue it? His moods were so mercurial, she could hardly keep up. What did it mean? Was he not interested? Was he just respecting her? Was he just playing with her head?

"I don't know," she responded weakly. What did she want to do?

It came to her in a flash. Answers–that was what she wanted. That was what she wanted to hear; she'd as much as told him before, hadn't she? She wanted to know him. "I want answers," she told him solidly, meeting his gaze, trying to make herself taller. She raised her chin stubbornly. "I'm not going to do anything else with you until then."

Schuldich raised an eyebrow. What an interesting thing to say–and yet, it was so like the girl he'd known. Curious and stubborn. Schuldich couldn't help but grin. "Alright. We'll talk. But only if you'll let me take you out to lunch."

Usagi's stomach responded as though on cue. She had to admit, despite her traitorous organ, it did sound like a good idea. "Deal," she decided. Schuldich just laughed; as though it had been up for debate.

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Usagi finished her ice cream cone, digesting with her lunch all of the information that Schuldich had given to her. It was a lot to think about–17 years of his past. She suspected that there were things that he wasn't telling her. He refused, for instance, to say exactly what job he had taken for so long. She suspected that it wasn't going to be pretty, but she would respect his desire for privacy. When the time was right, she was sure he'd tell her.

"Was it good?" Schuldich inquired flippantly, smirking. That ought to have been obvious from the way she ate–she inhaled her food, almost like she was starving. That thought produced a strange pinprick of pain. In her previous life, she had practically starved to death–perhaps that was why she ate so ravenously in this one.

He was amazed, of course. Yes, he'd seen many incredible things in his life, things that other people only dreamed–or rather, had nightmares–of. He had never heard of anyone being reborn, at least not in the way Usagi had been. It only went to further prove just how special she really was.

Usagi smiled quite sweetly back at him. "Excellent," she chirped. She wriggled a little, a bit uncomfortable with the way he was staring at her, but pleased nonetheless–there was definitely something to be said about having a handsome man stare at you like you were the most fascinating thing he'd ever seen.

"Uhm. So... you can still read minds, then?" she asked stupidly, trying to break the silence. He smirked against his coffee cup.

You already knew that, Geliebte. Why do you ask the answer to a question when you already know it? Do I fluster you that much? Usagi just blushed and fiddled with the napkin in her lap. I can read thoughts, yes–I can do more than that now. A lot more.

"So then they were able to teach you more?" she asked silently. Usagi wasn't surprised by the story he'd told her; no, not a story, it had been her own life, as hard as it was to believe. She wasn't surprised because she already knew bits and pieces of it, here and there. She could remember playing games with Schu when they were children. She could remember the hunger, vaguely, as they wandered the streets, houseless but not necessarily homeless.

And she could remember the agony of dying alone. Yes, that was probably her worst memory she was bound to have, but she remembered that one best. She clenched her fists around the napkin until her knuckles went white. She was glad to have sacrificed what little future there might have been for if it had made his better, but still she couldn't forget the despair and loneliness, the complete and bitter heartache that had swept over her in her last days. The feelings threatened to rise up and swallow her even now.

"You don't have to remember that," he offered, catching her eye and breaking her thought process. "It's not right. I can lock it away for you."

Usagi hesitated–if only it were that easy to be rid of her problems. She slowly shook her head no. "Thank you, but... I can't. I have so little left from that life as it is. I want to keep it. It's sad, but..." Again Usagi shook her head, smiling sheepishly. "It's sad, but it's a part of me. And it's a part of me that was still a part of your life."

Schuldich held his tongue–he wanted to tell her that he intended for her to always be a part of his life. This was not the time or place, however. He needed more time to seduce, cajole, persuade. "If it's what you want," he replied, shrugging like it didn't mean much. But they both knew it meant a lot.

"So... was it for the better? Your life, I mean? Did leaving help you?"

Schuldich smiled. "I should say so. I was able to hone my abilities–I have a much better control over them now," he stated, rather proud. He didn't tell her that sometimes he still had problems differentiating his thoughts from other peoples'. But at least he no longer depended on drugs to afford him quiet.

Usagi nodded, considering what he'd said. She was glad that her sacrifice–and his leaving–had given him the opportunity for freedom. "I'm happy, then."

Schuldich watched her carefully. He could read her every thought as it ran through her head, sweet little soundless phantoms slipping and dripping into his mind. He still wanted her, even now–more than a friend. He wanted her. He wanted to keep her, to take her away with him, to keep him all to himself, and the idea, the image in his mind was so satisfying it was hard to fight.

He was well aware, though, that she wouldn't want that. She was still so young–too young for him to legally have sex with her, to his chagrin. But not for much longer–her birthday would be coming up shortly. There was also the matter of her feeling unprepared... but he was certain he could change her mind given time and opportunity. And he wanted the sweet, innocent, charming girl before him unlike he'd ever wanted anything else before in his entire life, and he really couldn't explain why.

Yes, she was pretty–beautiful, even. But she wasn't a turn-your-head-around knockout. And she wasn't experienced with sex. Schuldich had never considered himself a sap for personality, either–he couldn't have cared less whether his partners were kind or cruel. It didn't really matter since they were one-night stands. And yet he found even her naive personality to be attractive. He could have sworn he would have found it annoying previously.

Perhaps, then, what it came down to was her ability to understand him. She was an empath in her previous life, or at least that was what he suspected. Her ability to help control his temperament back then was testimony enough of her raw talent. It was as though she had been born for the soul purpose of keeping him from imploding, to guard him until such a time as someone could come to teach him. And yet it had cost her life to do so, if that was the way he looked at it.

There was also the fact that no other woman had ever loved him. None of them had known him for who or what he was–Usagi had been right there with him, stealing from people and escaping the police and taking care of him when he was so sick he'd thought he'd be dead by morning after he'd drunk too much bad beer. She hadn't exactly excused any of the things he did, but she understood him and why he behaved the way he did, and she'd cared despite it all. When other children had been deathly afraid of him and wouldn't go near him, she'd been willing to suffer the same treatment with him.

Schuldich hadn't realized his mind had drifted so far off. Usagi had to call him back. "Is there something on my face?" she blurted out, patting her face with the napkin, blushing furiously. Schuldich simply stared at her blankly. "You've been staring at me for nearly five minutes," she pointed out, using her napkin to partially hide herself from his gaze.

Schuldich's lips curved into a spectacularly lazy grin. I was just thinking about what a miracle you are, Geliebte, he admitted, winking at her. If she saw his sentence for what it was, then that was fine; if she felt he was doing no more than teasing her he still won. The confused fragments that flooded her mind was a pleasing medley of sweet flavors–Schuldich had to admit, he was enjoying these games far too much.

I could just eat you up, Geliebte, he admitted. She emitted a tiny squeak, and excused herself from the table, murmuring something nearly unintelligible about the restroom. Schuldich's mental laughter followed her, but Usagi suspected that it wasn't meant in an unkind way. She suspected, indeed that he was telling her the truth–if she wasn't careful, he probably would devour her.

And the part that left her the most jittery, that made her nervous and excited was that she wasn't doing a very good job at resisting his charm.

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Setsuna could see that something was happening. It was a small change at first–almost indiscernible. She probably wouldn't have noticed it, if it weren't for her vast years of experience. She had, after all, been the sole senshi to survive the Silver Millenium–being the guardian of time had allowed her to stay out of the fray.

At first, the difference in the lines was minute. Setsuna was beginning to see a growing rift, however, in the possibilities of what could and likely would turn to be. She kept her maroon eyes focused on the shifting, changing threads–normally they didn't change so rapidly. Normally, in order for the future order to shift so far, there had to be monumental events–calamities, most of the time.

Setsuna could not see anything terrible happening on the current Earth, however. In the scheme of things, everything was running accordingly. There were no unplanned environmental disasters, political upheavals, or assassinations. Nothing to indicate the enormous change occurring. And yet Setsuna could see as clearly as the nose on her own face that the two most likely possibilities of Earth's future were changing.

One of them was the same that it had always been–Crystal Tokyo's beauty looked no different than it had when she had viewed it before. It was quite obvious, however, that the other scene was becoming quite strange. It was no longer the blackened plateau of defeat at the hands of youma or creatures of the Dark Kingdoms. Those enemies had all but passed, leaving a fairly bright future in their wake.

This kingdom looked so strange, though. The palace itself looked something off of the pages of an architecture book–a gothic cathedral, almost, in its sheer splendor. Rather than the crystalline materials Setsuna was used to seeing, it was metal and stone... but it crackled with a strange power.

Setsuna tried to focus closer–she wanted to know what was happening, what might have caused this. But try as she might, that future was still far too vague to be stepped into. She shook her head slightly, frowning just a little. This was an ill omen for the future that the senshi so desired to protect.

Setsuna had an idea, of course as to what might be causing the change in future. All of the senshi had an important role in the formation of Crystal Tokyo. More important still, though, were its queen and king. Those two played the most important role in the creation of the world she knew. Setsuna knew of Mamoru's whereabouts–he was still in college, studying diligently. As for Usagi, Setsuna had been informed that she was away on vacation. She had not been keeping an eye on her, since Small Lady was there, and Setsuna had considered that enough reason for the leader to keep in line. Perhaps, though, it was time for a visit. At the very least, she ought to see what their leader was up to.

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Usagi bid Schuldich goodbye shortly after lunch. She had to get home before she was missed–she didn't want to have to explain to her mom and dad exactly what she had been doing out in town. They wouldn't necessarily be mad, although her being alone in the city would worry her mother, and she could hardly tell her that she had not been alone at all.

As much as she hated to go, she got the feeling that she'd be seeing plenty of him over the next several days. It sent a thrill through her veins and tremor through her body; she couldn't ever remember feeling so... alive with anyone. Not even Mamoru could make her feel that way.

Heading down the beach, Usagi kicked at the tiny pebbles and sea shells that the ocean waves had brought to the shore. She'd thought that she'd be depressed throughout this trip, and lonely without her friends or Luna around to keep her company, or irritated with Shingo and ChibiUsa pestering her. Right now, though, Usagi felt like she was on cloud nine.

Usagi got back to the cabin and went inside to change into her bathing suit. She'd managed to convince her dad to let her buy a very cute bikini since they would be pretty much alone. She'd also had to promise to wear a granny-ish one-piece if any boys came around, but it was definitely worth it. Usagi weighed the idea of getting Schuldich to go swimming with her in order to show it off, but thought better of that idea. Schuldich did not need any help coming up with creatively perverted thoughts, she was sure.

Usagi had just finished changing and was headed on her way back outside when her family finally showed up. From her mother's tired look, she could tell that she wanted some time to nap–or else to just be alone–and the tic at the corner of her father's eye was a clue that the kids were just too much for them to handle alone. They were already clamoring to go swimming before they saw her in her swimsuit and only became more frenzied after.

Usagi was still feeling the rush of the endorphins zooming around in her brain. Or perhaps what made her do it was a momentary lapse of sanity. It could even have been Schuldich, playing a prank on her for leaving so early. Most likely it was simply pity for her parents, who looked close to murder. At any rate, the outcome was the same no matter the factors–she volunteered to take them to swim.

This resulted in squeals and whoops of happiness, followed shortly by the two hooligans racing up the stairs, each trying to beat the other to the bathroom in order to change first. The grateful looks on her parents' faces, though, made up for what looked like might be the beginning of a headache.

Usagi waited at the front door, and watched both Shingo and ChibiUsa rush out, pails and towels and float toys assembled underneath their arms. She already had her towel in hand, ready to do some sunbathing. Following them out to the beach, Usagi couldn't help but grin as the two younger children squabbled over who would play with what first. Letting them fight it out would help to get it out of their systems, she figured–just as long as they didn't actually come to physical blows.

Laying back on her towel, Usagi released a long sigh of bliss–this was what vacation was about. Getting to relax underneath the warm summer sun, with the breeze from the ocean blowing just right, listening to the distant sound of children playing and the waves crashing on the beach. If only life could always be so peaceful.

At length, Usagi drifted off to that stage between sleep and wakefulness. In fact, she was preparing to take a nap–probably not a good idea beneath the sun with no sun screen on–when an icy cold wave of wetness hit her. Usagi gasped and let out a shriek of surprise and terror, sitting up as fast as she could.

Looking at herself, she saw that it was only sea water–but she hadn't been prepared for that! Usagi glared at the culprit, one ChibiUsa, who was practically beside herself and breathless with laughter. "You little spore," she accused, which only sent ChibiUsa into another fit of giggles. Even Shingo was laughing from in the water.

Usagi rose to her feet. "So you think it's funny to splash people, huh? I think maybe you deserve a taste of your own medicine!" Usagi's declaration finally made ChibiUsa stop laughing, but it was far too late for her–Usagi picked her up by her waist and carried her to the water.

Usagi winced as the younger girl squirmed and shrieked and struggled within her hold. She just about fell when ChibiUsa managed to land a well aimed kick into the middle of her stomach. "Good God you're heavy," she hissed, splashing through the water.

Finally, when the water was well past Usagi's waist, she released ChibiUsa. The pink haired demon tried to make her escape, but Usagi grabbed her right wrist and then gripped her shoulders. "You'd better take a deep breath," she warned her future daughter. "1... 2... 3!" she proclaimed, before forcefully dunking the little girl underneath the water.

ChibiUsa came up sputtering. "That's so mean," she complained, whining. "I'm going to tell."

Usagi just laughed. "You got what you deserved," she proclaimed. "And it's not like I tried to drown you," she pointed out, dismissing ChibiUsa's threat. She began to head back to the beach and her towel, with every intention of drying off and taking a nap in the hammock on the deck.

ChibiUsa stared at the older girl, bewildered. Normally, Usagi would have gotten mad at ChibiUsa for threatening to tell on her. Instead, she was going to let her go? Maybe Usagi thought ChibiUsa would let it go at that. She grinned mischievously, and then began to splash her retreating future-mother with wave after wave of briny sea water.

Usagi shook her head, but otherwise ignored ChibiUsa. Yeah, she was doing her best to be a pain in the butt, but there wasn't any real point in fighting.

Is there some reason your family felt it necessary to name your cousin so similarly to you?

Usagi jumped. She had not being expecting that. Her heart beat rather wildly. I wouldn't know, Usagi responded. Where are you? she asked, scanning the shoreline. She couldn't see him anywhere, which was probably for the best... if her father saw another guy around, he wouldn't let Usagi wear her bikini anymore; if he saw her talking to another guy while wearing her bikini, Usagi doubted she's see much more than their cabin for the rest of their trip.

No worries–I'm nowhere near you, Geliebte. And I do like that swimsuit, he added, his voice a suggestive purr. Usagi blushed; how could he know what it looked like if he hadn't seen her in it? Your memories, Usagi–your mind, your thoughts. Although I do want to see it in person. Soon.

Usagi giggled a little, embarrassed but pleased. Mamoru wouldn't have given a damn about the way she looked in a swimsuit. Or maybe he would have, but he'd never admit it.

"What's the matter with you?" ChibiUsa demanded, following Usagi out of the water. "You losing it, or something?" Usagi was giggling for no apparent reason. And she had this stupid, sappy grin plastered all over her face, like she'd just seen Mamoru. Yes, that's exactly the kind of look she had in her eyes–a dreamy, far-off look of admiration and love.

Warning bells rang in ChibiUsa's head. She looked around, suspiciously, remembering Usagi's behavior the other day. There was no one there, though–at least no one ChibiUsa could see. She could feel the dread in her heart amassing though, and she knew that somehow or another Usagi had seen her mystery lover. Or else she was thinking back on him.

Usagi laid down in the hammock, letting the wind rock her gently. Tentatively, Usagi thought out to her, Do you want to meet tonight, then? She instantly felt the paralyzing fear that maybe he would say no, or laugh at her. Her question was met by chuckles, but she was relieved that they were gentle.

A midnight swim, then? Wonderful. Perhaps I could convince you to skinny dip, too?

Usagi covered her face with both her hands to hide the heat of her blush. She was aware that ChibiUsa was still staring at her. Usagi recovered her composure and told the younger girl, "Why don't you go back and play? You don't have a long time left before mom and dad will wake up and want to take you somewhere or want you to get cleaned up," she warned the girl. ChibiUsa continued to give her a suspicious look, but turned around and went back to the water.

ChibiUsa realized something then. Usagi had been alone for hours that morning, left entirely to her own devices. Yes, she'd been there when they'd gotten back, but that didn't mean anything. She could have been out anywhere, doing anything... including meeting with a boy. ChibiUsa felt sick to her stomach, she wanted to scream and shout and accuse Usagi of all sorts of ugly things. And more than that, she wanted to tell on her, to her father and to Mamoru–she wanted to see her punished for being so unfaithful, for her mother to regret it wholeheartedly.

It scared her. Her mother was still young. What would happen to her if she fell in love with another man and didn't marry Mamoru? Her mind reeled with the possibility of non-existence. It wasn't just scary–it was terrifying. Like being aborted before she was actually even conceived. (1)

She couldn't let her mother make that mistake. ChibiUsa wouldn't allow this to happen–she wouldn't go down without a fight. Staring at Usagi's relaxed body lying in the hammock, she vowed not to let that man steal her mother. She would watch Usagi like a hawk from here on out, she vowed.

Insightful little girl, that one. I do believe she's on to us, Schuldich practically purred. Maybe we should give her something to see when she goes looking for us? He laughed at that, like it was truly funny.

Usagi frowned. Looking for her? ChibiUsa knew something was up? That would be bad–really bad. Usagi couldn't help but think of the scene ChibiUsa would cause if she caught Usagi sneaking out at night–much less to meet with a boy. The second scenario would probably result in her death or else imprisonment for life and his castration. Maybe we shouldn't meet.

And why is that? I don't understand why it would be her business anyhow. And I can keep one little girl from waking up, I assure you.

Usagi shook her head just slightly, even though she knew he couldn't see the gesture. You don't understand.

I would if you'd tell me, he told her. You're definitely hiding something from me. He sounded equally intrigued and amused by this notion; she could practically feel him rummaging around in her brain, looking for her secrets.

I am? Usagi asked, rather surprised. She knew that her magic was supposed to help protect her identity, and while it had worked in the past, she hadn't known that her mind was defended too. It was reassuring, but on the other hand, she felt guilty. Stop that, she ordered, not liking the way his poking and prodding in her brain felt. That tickles.

Alright. But I will get your secrets from you, Geliebte, one way or another, he promised. Usagi wasn't sure whether or not she should be excited or worried about this threat. Something told her he really wasn't going to give up on the issue–and he would always know if she was hiding something from. But how on earth could she explain to him...? Usagi sighed and rubbed her eyelids and temples with her fingertips. For a vacation, this was pretty stressful...

lloll

Crawford parked the car in the hotel parking lot. He felt and looked like crap, he was sure, but he couldn't have cared less. He was running out of time, and the car's refusal to start hadn't helped. He ought to have just made Nagi push it with his powers. Instead it had cost them over eight hours. Eight precious hours to prevent Schuldich from screwing up so royally that it destroyed the world.

Frankly, Crawford wasn't into the "save-the-world" thing. He thought Weiss was stupid to try to resist the inevitable end. He would never donate to the Save the Trees foundation or whatever the hell it was, because human nature was to take and take and not to give back–that, and it would have required him to part with his precious money. But as much as he didn't give a damn about doing the right thing or trying to preserve the world, Schuldich's actions would have terrible consequences for all of them.

He'd known back when he'd found Schuldich that he'd had an empath near him. While the empath's presence had kept Schuldich's mind from warping entirely and slipping into insanity, such a combination was dangerous. Empaths had the ability to control, project, and influence emotions and thoughts. Telepaths read minds, influenced minds, and had the ability to destroy minds as well.

Together, though, telepaths had been known to become too attached to their empath counterparts. They were polar opposites but equals, with the possibility of dire consequences when they mixed their powers. A good empath could sooth and diminish a telepath's weaknesses, prevent the descent into madness, and manage to heighten their powers to extraordinary lengths. On the other hand, an untrained or out-of-control empath could successfully manipulate a telepath to their desires, or lead them further into madness, or hamper said telepath's ability to grow.

Neither he nor his overseers had ever had any plans of taking in empaths. Aside from being able to manipulate their counterparts they could easily influence other psychics or even normal. And more often than not while trying to influence their targets, they too were influenced by their targets during the process. They prized emotions above all else, and were therefor delicate when it came to issues like morality and right or wrong. And while their talents were powerful, it was very easy for a telepath to access their minds–easier, even, than non-psychics–and therefor needed a great deal of mental training or a telepath to protect them.

So while their abilties might be useful, it took years and years of training–two or three times the amount it took for other psychics–in order for them to use their powers in such a way that it would be solely advantageous to the user only. Not only that, but because empaths were emotionally delicate, it was much easier to break them, and in the process break their telepath partners, too. Training for psychics was mentally, emotionally, physically, and psychologically grueling–the cost of failing with an empath was twice as costly as failing with any other psychic because their telepathic partners crumbled with them.

Rosencruz was not up for that sacrifice. Crawford had known that Schuldich was one of the key components to their team–no other telepath would do. This had meant that he had to separate the two, no matter the cost. In the end, Crawford had not been forced to make an ultimatum for Schuldich–he had left alone voluntarily. And Crawford had not needed to ask why–he had seen in his visions the girl's last death throes. In fact, he wasn't even sure that Schuldich was even aware that Crawford knew of his only friend.

So imagine Crawford's disbelief when a vision showed the girl alive and well. And imagine his disgust to see them copulating in that vision. While he'd always known full well just what Schuldich liked to do in his spare time, there was a difference between knowing and witnessing. He'd considered for a while blinding himself with the aid of a spoon, and his vision had only been saved by the fact that he had his mind to blame, not his eyes.

"Get up," Crawford ordered Nagi, who had been sleeping in the car. Teenagers. He swore he was never lazy enough to need a nap after a full night's rest when he was that age! "We have to go see Schuldich," he reminded the boy while he unbuckled his seatbelt and turned off the engine.

Nagi responded lazily and followed Crawford into the resplendent building. Nagi didn't think he'd ever been to a hotel this fancy. It was simply incredible, with pillars and a giant fountain with water spouting in elegant arches.

Crawford pushed the "7" button. He knew exactly where Schuldich was, at least knowing the other man's habits. He wouldn't want to be out of bed till three. When he was out of bed, he would lounge around for several hours until he finally made his way to the shower. Around seven he would finally feed himself and then get ready for a night of what Schuldich considered to fun and what Crawford preferred not to even think about.

"Why are we here, Crawford?" Nagi asked again. Crawford cared about few things–himself, and his money. Maybe his teammates, but only during missions and their success depended on everyone's well being. But they had disbanded, and this behavior was nothing like the Bradley Crawford that Nagi was used to. "What's so special about this?"

The elevator continued to shoot up to the seventh floor, and Crawford watched the first floor shrink away from them. They began to pass the subsequent floors. 2... 3... 4...

Crawford looked at Nagi, trying to consider what he could reveal to his charge. There were some things that Nagi simply couldn't understand, having not had the visions Crawford had received. And there were some things that Crawford did not want to reveal to anyone. Crawford wanted all the aces to be up his sleeve.

Finally, Crawford settled on a response just as the glass doors opened to the seventh floor. "Because Schuldich is messing with someone important. Schuldich is messing with forces that he can't comprehend. If he continues down this path, terrible things will come to pass."

"But aren't terrible things already happening," Nagi wondered. "Even without his help? And haven't we helped a lot of terrible things to occur, too?"

Crawford leveled a stern gaze on the young man. "This is not up for debate, Nagi." They stopped in front of a room. Nagi assumed this was bound to be Schuldich's room. Crawford rapped on the door, three precise times with his knuckle–it was always three, no more, no less.

Nagi just sighed. Crawford might say there were "dire consequences," but he would never explain. Crawford never told him anything.

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(1) – While I realize that a child of... let's see... ChibiUsa's what, eight? Nine? A little older, a little younger? Did they ever say how old she was in the series? Hm. At any rate, while I don't think she'd know what abortion is/means, I wrote that sentence so that people could understand her feelings better.

Okay. So this chapter while less sexually tense by far has upped the anti quite a bit. Now onto replies for the reviewers. X3

OtAkU: Schuldich knows about the reincarnation issue... in a way. He knows that the Usagi he grew up with died. He knows that this is the same girl, but not. He does not know that Usagi was a princess, is supposed to become a queen, or that ChibiUsa is her future daughter. The mistake is... well, I'm sure by now you can guess, right? Could end in death. Could end in madness. Could end in the destruction of the world as we know it.

themoonmaiden: lol Again... nothing that wild yet. And I'm sorry there were no tasty bits this time. I promise next time it'll be much more... tense. ;p And no one's perfect... this fic's all about seeing past the illusion of perfection and into the truth of the matter. It's also about realizing that a relationship needs more than love. Saying anymore than that, though, might ruin the fic–I may have already spoiled it. As for length... push and push and push! XD Leave no stone unturned. That, and have your friends/fellow shippers look it over for you after you think you're through. Sometimes they'll have very helpful insights. If it helps you, try to think of writing as taking a series of photographs and trying to put them into words... yes, there's the characters, but remembering the background's key, too. (Although I didn't do much describing in this chapter.) Just try to imagine the scenery in your mind and relay it.

samisweet: lol, yeah, I'll be the first to admit that Frailty's a little on the side of raunchy. XD But it's not quite lime material, and certainly not a lemon. And it's always good to give advice to people; don't be afraid to correct a mistake that you see me–or anyone else–make, no matter your opinion of them. We're all only human. :)

SailorFantasy: lol no need to kick yourself. X3 It'll still be here whether you read it in the first hour, first week, first month, or first year. And I'm glad you like him so much, I do work hard to do him justice. X3

Serenity77: Hope it was a good first then. There's a bunch of em out there, if you liked this one.

ShadowGoddessInc: Really? That bad? My brother tells me all the time I'm quite mean. XD Sorry that this one wasn't as tense. But it wasn't a cliffie, right? Well, at least not a UsaxSchu cliffie.

Saris Yui: X3 Ah, but that's part of the advantage of being psychic, ne? And I will say that some of your predictions are right on the money. And I understand what you mean about changing because of the people you know... you don't change completely, but some things do. As for changing... perhaps. Only time will tell. ;p And no, I don't think you're crazy, you're just curious. Curiosity's a wonderful thing.

Sunshine Fia: Well, I'm glad you chose to review this one. I hope you decide to review again in the future... I wish everyone would review. It makes a big difference to authors. And you're hardly what I'd call horrible... I'd be concerned if a fic I liked hadn't updated in six or so months. I'm sorry this took so long, but I hope it's okay.