Chapter Thirteen
Dinner Party: Part One
Note: Here is the next chapter. I thought that I would dedicate it to you Purr-chan, I hope that your broken finger heals soon.
That night Usagi was sitting in front of her vanity mirror. She had just finished doing her hair up in a bun with a ponytail that she braided. She stood up and looked over at Luna who was sitting on the bed.
"Well Luna, how do I look?" She asked the feline advisor.
Luna gazed at Usagi with tears in her eyes. "Oh Usagi-chan, you look just like the Hime that you are. So beautiful and regal."
Artemis's voice came out of the closet that Luna had bullied him into when Usagi had started getting undressed for the Party. "Hey! Can't I see how she looks?"
Usagi giggled and went over to the closet and opened the door. When Artemis walked out and saw her; his eyes bugged right out of their sockets.
"Wow Usagi Chan, you're gorgeous. Luna wasn't kidding when she said that you looked like the Hime that you are." He told her.
Usagi blushed: "Arigato Luna and Artemis. I just hope that I don't have a klutz attack on the stairway."
Luna and Artemis smiled and nodded their heads understandingly. They knew that Usagi wanted to make a good impression for her Oji.
Usagi was about to make another comment but then she sensed that her Oji- Shuuchi was approaching her bedroom door. She motioned the two cats to be quiet. Shuuchi knocked on the door and Usagi walked over and opened it.
When he saw her Shuuchi's breath got caught in his throat. "You look just like a Tenshi, or even a Hime." He remarked as he took in the pure white dress. Which made him think that she was a bride ready for her big day; instead of a Dinner Party. "We had best head downstairs all of the guests have arrived."
Usagi nodded her head and took his proffered arm, and together they headed down toward the stairway. While they were coming down the stairs there were several loud gasps; as well as the sound of breaking glasses. Usagi turned her head and noticed that Ken was staring at her with wide eyes and a dropped jaw. As were half of the male population in the Great Hall. Shuuchi made a mental note to himself about putting Ken on something else other than serving drinks. So he could save the rest of glassware. Which caused Usagi to giggle when she heard his thoughts.
At the bottom of the stairway stood Reiji; who was also staring openmouthed at Usagi. Along with Nagi who was working his mouth as if to say something but no words were coming out. Crawford who had wisely decided to wait and see how Usagi looked before accepting a drink, gave her a genuine smile and bowed. And finally Schuldich who was openly gawking at her and looking for all the world like the proverbial village idiot.
Brad Crawford took Usagi's hand and kissed it. (A/N I know that doesn't sound like him, but heck everybody else haven't snapped out of their stupor yet.)
"Usagi-san, you have made quite an impression on everyone present." He told her with a small smile on his lips.
She gave him a small smile in thanks and turned head when she heard yet another yet another loud crash of breaking glasses. Shuuchi grumbled and strode off to speak with Ken; who was presently responsible for the destruction by losing his grip on the tray holding the glasses.
Usagi shook her head and sighed: "Well that guy sure won't be getting a very big paycheck after the party."
Reiji shook his head to clear it and smiled at Usagi in agreement. "I do believe that your right Usagi-chan." He said while watching Shuuchi glare at the young man with brown hair and eyes.
Crawford who noticed that both of his team mates were still gawking at Usagi and looking pretty stupid in the process. Whacked both of them on the side of their heads in order to bring them back down to Earth.
Nagi shook his head and smiled at Usagi while he was gazing at her in awe. "Usagi-san you look beautiful in that dress." He told her while thinking: ~"Beautiful, trying breath -takingly gorgeous."~
Usagi blushed at his thoughts and gave Nagi a warm smile in thanks. Causing Nagi to blush when he realized that he had forgotten that she was a Telepath.
"Arigato Nagi-kun." She answered with a nod, the warm smile still on her face. (A/N She has warmed up a little towards him.)
Schuldich just kept gawking at her; not having snapped out of it yet. He just stood there taking in the white dress and the new hairstyle. He noticed that she had put her hair up in to a bun with a ponytail that was done up in a braid, and tendrils of sun-gold hair were framing her heart shaped face.
"I am for once struck speechless," he thought. "Don't just stand there gawking at her liked an idiot. Say something you Dumbkoff!!!"
Schuldich snapped out of it and gave Usagi a genuine smile. "You look like a Hime of Tenshis." He told her honestly and without his usual smirk.
Crawford who had been timing how long Schuldich would make a comment said aloud: "Ten minutes, and Thirty seconds. Schuldich you are losing your touch; Usually you say a pick up line right away." He said with a smirk.
Schuldich glared at both Crawford and Nagi who was barely restraining his laughter. "Oh Danke Brad, I feel so much better now." He said darkly; still glaring at his two teammates.
Usagi shook her head and sighed in exasperation: "Oh brother, and the party hasn't even started yet. I just hope that Omi-kun and the others behave themselves when they see Schwarz. Because I don't think that Shuuchi-Oji chan had warned them about not causing a scene."
As the evening progressed Usagi was introduced to several Business Entrepreneurs, Diplomats and Governors, and several other business associates of Shuuchi's and Reiji's.
When it was time for dinner everyone made their way to the Dining Room that had been prepared for the guests. Usagi had found herself sitting between Shuuchi and Reiji. The three members of Schwarz were sitting side by side next to Reiji. Shuuchi stood up and gently clanged his glass with a spoon.
"Ladies and Gentleman, Arigato for attending this Dinner Party. For those of you who do not know who this young lady sitting between me and Reiji- Niisan; this is our Mei Usagi-chan."
Usagi blushed slightly and wished that her Oji-chan hadn't brought attention to her.
"I hope that you all will welcome her warmly, because if not Reiji-Niisan and I will take it very personally."
Reiji nodded his head in agreement with Shuuchi's words and gave the audience a cold stare. Which caused several people to gulp; mostly the young male population who had been thinking rather unpleasant things toward Usagi. While the older set clapped their hands together and smiled warmly at the petite girl sitting between the two Takatori's.
During dinner Usagi was finishing up her second helping when Manx walked in with a frown on her a beautiful face. She made her way over to where Shuuchi was sitting and whispered something in his ear. Shuuchi grimaced and excused himself from the table.
Usagi watched her favorite Oji leave with a concerned expression on her face.
"I wonder what's going on?" she wondered. (A/N She respects her Oji's privacy and therefore didn't pry in to his thoughts.)
~" One of the Security guards was found dead near your bedroom. "~ Schuldich told her telepathically; he also had a frown on his face.
Usagi sighed: ~" It must have been Akiko. "~
~" Who? "~
~" An assassin that Chiba-baka, and Minna-san had hired to kill me. "~ She informed him
Schuldich's face looked startled for a moment, and then angry the next.
~" Oh they did, did they. "~ He thought coldly.
Crawford and Nagi were wondering what Schuldich was so angry about asked him what was wrong; and Schuldich informed them and Reiji what Usagi had just told him.
~" Her Ex-boyfriend and friends hired an assassin to kill Usagi-san. "~ He told them telepathically.
Reiji turned pale true he had been planning on using them so Usagi would get angry with them and turn to him for help, but he didn't expect that they would go this far. "They're dead." He swore silently to himself.
Nagi looked shocked; he knew that Usagi's Ex-boyfriend and so called best friends betrayed her from overhearing Hotaru and Omi discussions. Now they were going to have her killed too! "Well, we'll just see about that!" he whispered darkly.
Crawford heard Nagi's whisper and nodded his head in agreement with his Ward's statement. "I meant what I said about my never letting anyone hurt Usagi-san ever again; and I always keep my promises." He thought to himself.
Crawford told Schuldich to use his abilities to probe the area for anyone planning to hurt Usagi. Schuldich did as Crawford ordered and sent a powerful probe throughout the mansion.
"I can't detect any trace of Akiko's thoughts, although I have found several young boys planning to jump Usagi-chan and assault her when she goes off by herself." He murmured to Crawford and Nagi; causing the two to scowl even more.
"Keep your senses peeled for both Akiko and the young boys who want to hurt Usagi-san. The moment either of them make a move we will be there to either to kill them or prevent them from doing any harm.
Schuldich and Nagi nodded their heads and continued to survey the crowd in the Dining Room. Keeping a close eye on likely hiding spots and also on the young group of men sitting at a nearby table looking speculatively at Usagi and leering at her when they felt that no one was looking.
"The moment they make a move I'll make them wish that they had never been born." They all thought in unison.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Later after dinner Usagi was leaning against her chair while listening to Haruka and Michiru playing their instruments. When she felt a hand on her shoulder she looked up and smiled at Shuuchi who smiled back at her. Although there was a trace of worry in his eyes.
"Your friends are very talented Usagi-chan." He told her with an affectionate smile.
Usagi smiled back at him and nodded her head in agreement. "Hai, Haruka- chan and Michiru-chan have given a lot of concerts before settling down here." She answered back.
Shuuchi smiled back at Usagi and looked over towards Manx who was talking to the head of security. He had recently told the Head of Security to bring in more men, and to search for anyone suspicious. He had also given a photograph of Akiko to Reiji and his bodyguards so that they would know what Akiko would look like. (A/N: He figured that Schuldich had overheard what was going on when Manx came in the Dining Hall earlier.)
"Saved me the trouble of pulling Reiji aside to tell him what was going on." He thought to himself with a tight smile.
"I have Security guards posted everywhere, Manx has placed Weiss inside the mansion as servers, except for Siberian. I don't need anymore broken glasses." He thought dryly. "And Reiji has his bodyguards using their abilities to locate Akiko's whereabouts, and Reiji has informed me that he and Schwarz will not allow any harm to come to Usagi-chan." He thought with relief, and he allowed a smile to emerge when he saw Manx speaking to Aya who was now carrying a tray of shot glasses filled with Scotch. His smile quickly faded when he realized when big flaw in this equation. "Kami- sama! Weiss and Schwarz do not know that they are currently working together in protecting Usagi-chan. It's going to be an all out war in here if they run in to each other. I've got to reach Manx and tell her to tell Weiss not to attack Schwarz while they are here. Before it's Too La….." Shuuchi's train of thought was broken when her heard an extremely loud "YOU!!!"
Shuuchi slowly turned his head around in the direction of the yell and paled. There standing in the Hallway were all four team members of Weiss Kruez and three members of Schwarz. Both teams were glaring at each other. Shuuchi's heart sank at the sight.
"Kami-Sama, have mercy on everyone present in this mansion." He muttered to himself and Usagi nodded her head in full agreement of her Oji's assessment.
Dinner Party: Part One
Note: Here is the next chapter. I thought that I would dedicate it to you Purr-chan, I hope that your broken finger heals soon.
That night Usagi was sitting in front of her vanity mirror. She had just finished doing her hair up in a bun with a ponytail that she braided. She stood up and looked over at Luna who was sitting on the bed.
"Well Luna, how do I look?" She asked the feline advisor.
Luna gazed at Usagi with tears in her eyes. "Oh Usagi-chan, you look just like the Hime that you are. So beautiful and regal."
Artemis's voice came out of the closet that Luna had bullied him into when Usagi had started getting undressed for the Party. "Hey! Can't I see how she looks?"
Usagi giggled and went over to the closet and opened the door. When Artemis walked out and saw her; his eyes bugged right out of their sockets.
"Wow Usagi Chan, you're gorgeous. Luna wasn't kidding when she said that you looked like the Hime that you are." He told her.
Usagi blushed: "Arigato Luna and Artemis. I just hope that I don't have a klutz attack on the stairway."
Luna and Artemis smiled and nodded their heads understandingly. They knew that Usagi wanted to make a good impression for her Oji.
Usagi was about to make another comment but then she sensed that her Oji- Shuuchi was approaching her bedroom door. She motioned the two cats to be quiet. Shuuchi knocked on the door and Usagi walked over and opened it.
When he saw her Shuuchi's breath got caught in his throat. "You look just like a Tenshi, or even a Hime." He remarked as he took in the pure white dress. Which made him think that she was a bride ready for her big day; instead of a Dinner Party. "We had best head downstairs all of the guests have arrived."
Usagi nodded her head and took his proffered arm, and together they headed down toward the stairway. While they were coming down the stairs there were several loud gasps; as well as the sound of breaking glasses. Usagi turned her head and noticed that Ken was staring at her with wide eyes and a dropped jaw. As were half of the male population in the Great Hall. Shuuchi made a mental note to himself about putting Ken on something else other than serving drinks. So he could save the rest of glassware. Which caused Usagi to giggle when she heard his thoughts.
At the bottom of the stairway stood Reiji; who was also staring openmouthed at Usagi. Along with Nagi who was working his mouth as if to say something but no words were coming out. Crawford who had wisely decided to wait and see how Usagi looked before accepting a drink, gave her a genuine smile and bowed. And finally Schuldich who was openly gawking at her and looking for all the world like the proverbial village idiot.
Brad Crawford took Usagi's hand and kissed it. (A/N I know that doesn't sound like him, but heck everybody else haven't snapped out of their stupor yet.)
"Usagi-san, you have made quite an impression on everyone present." He told her with a small smile on his lips.
She gave him a small smile in thanks and turned head when she heard yet another yet another loud crash of breaking glasses. Shuuchi grumbled and strode off to speak with Ken; who was presently responsible for the destruction by losing his grip on the tray holding the glasses.
Usagi shook her head and sighed: "Well that guy sure won't be getting a very big paycheck after the party."
Reiji shook his head to clear it and smiled at Usagi in agreement. "I do believe that your right Usagi-chan." He said while watching Shuuchi glare at the young man with brown hair and eyes.
Crawford who noticed that both of his team mates were still gawking at Usagi and looking pretty stupid in the process. Whacked both of them on the side of their heads in order to bring them back down to Earth.
Nagi shook his head and smiled at Usagi while he was gazing at her in awe. "Usagi-san you look beautiful in that dress." He told her while thinking: ~"Beautiful, trying breath -takingly gorgeous."~
Usagi blushed at his thoughts and gave Nagi a warm smile in thanks. Causing Nagi to blush when he realized that he had forgotten that she was a Telepath.
"Arigato Nagi-kun." She answered with a nod, the warm smile still on her face. (A/N She has warmed up a little towards him.)
Schuldich just kept gawking at her; not having snapped out of it yet. He just stood there taking in the white dress and the new hairstyle. He noticed that she had put her hair up in to a bun with a ponytail that was done up in a braid, and tendrils of sun-gold hair were framing her heart shaped face.
"I am for once struck speechless," he thought. "Don't just stand there gawking at her liked an idiot. Say something you Dumbkoff!!!"
Schuldich snapped out of it and gave Usagi a genuine smile. "You look like a Hime of Tenshis." He told her honestly and without his usual smirk.
Crawford who had been timing how long Schuldich would make a comment said aloud: "Ten minutes, and Thirty seconds. Schuldich you are losing your touch; Usually you say a pick up line right away." He said with a smirk.
Schuldich glared at both Crawford and Nagi who was barely restraining his laughter. "Oh Danke Brad, I feel so much better now." He said darkly; still glaring at his two teammates.
Usagi shook her head and sighed in exasperation: "Oh brother, and the party hasn't even started yet. I just hope that Omi-kun and the others behave themselves when they see Schwarz. Because I don't think that Shuuchi-Oji chan had warned them about not causing a scene."
As the evening progressed Usagi was introduced to several Business Entrepreneurs, Diplomats and Governors, and several other business associates of Shuuchi's and Reiji's.
When it was time for dinner everyone made their way to the Dining Room that had been prepared for the guests. Usagi had found herself sitting between Shuuchi and Reiji. The three members of Schwarz were sitting side by side next to Reiji. Shuuchi stood up and gently clanged his glass with a spoon.
"Ladies and Gentleman, Arigato for attending this Dinner Party. For those of you who do not know who this young lady sitting between me and Reiji- Niisan; this is our Mei Usagi-chan."
Usagi blushed slightly and wished that her Oji-chan hadn't brought attention to her.
"I hope that you all will welcome her warmly, because if not Reiji-Niisan and I will take it very personally."
Reiji nodded his head in agreement with Shuuchi's words and gave the audience a cold stare. Which caused several people to gulp; mostly the young male population who had been thinking rather unpleasant things toward Usagi. While the older set clapped their hands together and smiled warmly at the petite girl sitting between the two Takatori's.
During dinner Usagi was finishing up her second helping when Manx walked in with a frown on her a beautiful face. She made her way over to where Shuuchi was sitting and whispered something in his ear. Shuuchi grimaced and excused himself from the table.
Usagi watched her favorite Oji leave with a concerned expression on her face.
"I wonder what's going on?" she wondered. (A/N She respects her Oji's privacy and therefore didn't pry in to his thoughts.)
~" One of the Security guards was found dead near your bedroom. "~ Schuldich told her telepathically; he also had a frown on his face.
Usagi sighed: ~" It must have been Akiko. "~
~" Who? "~
~" An assassin that Chiba-baka, and Minna-san had hired to kill me. "~ She informed him
Schuldich's face looked startled for a moment, and then angry the next.
~" Oh they did, did they. "~ He thought coldly.
Crawford and Nagi were wondering what Schuldich was so angry about asked him what was wrong; and Schuldich informed them and Reiji what Usagi had just told him.
~" Her Ex-boyfriend and friends hired an assassin to kill Usagi-san. "~ He told them telepathically.
Reiji turned pale true he had been planning on using them so Usagi would get angry with them and turn to him for help, but he didn't expect that they would go this far. "They're dead." He swore silently to himself.
Nagi looked shocked; he knew that Usagi's Ex-boyfriend and so called best friends betrayed her from overhearing Hotaru and Omi discussions. Now they were going to have her killed too! "Well, we'll just see about that!" he whispered darkly.
Crawford heard Nagi's whisper and nodded his head in agreement with his Ward's statement. "I meant what I said about my never letting anyone hurt Usagi-san ever again; and I always keep my promises." He thought to himself.
Crawford told Schuldich to use his abilities to probe the area for anyone planning to hurt Usagi. Schuldich did as Crawford ordered and sent a powerful probe throughout the mansion.
"I can't detect any trace of Akiko's thoughts, although I have found several young boys planning to jump Usagi-chan and assault her when she goes off by herself." He murmured to Crawford and Nagi; causing the two to scowl even more.
"Keep your senses peeled for both Akiko and the young boys who want to hurt Usagi-san. The moment either of them make a move we will be there to either to kill them or prevent them from doing any harm.
Schuldich and Nagi nodded their heads and continued to survey the crowd in the Dining Room. Keeping a close eye on likely hiding spots and also on the young group of men sitting at a nearby table looking speculatively at Usagi and leering at her when they felt that no one was looking.
"The moment they make a move I'll make them wish that they had never been born." They all thought in unison.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Later after dinner Usagi was leaning against her chair while listening to Haruka and Michiru playing their instruments. When she felt a hand on her shoulder she looked up and smiled at Shuuchi who smiled back at her. Although there was a trace of worry in his eyes.
"Your friends are very talented Usagi-chan." He told her with an affectionate smile.
Usagi smiled back at him and nodded her head in agreement. "Hai, Haruka- chan and Michiru-chan have given a lot of concerts before settling down here." She answered back.
Shuuchi smiled back at Usagi and looked over towards Manx who was talking to the head of security. He had recently told the Head of Security to bring in more men, and to search for anyone suspicious. He had also given a photograph of Akiko to Reiji and his bodyguards so that they would know what Akiko would look like. (A/N: He figured that Schuldich had overheard what was going on when Manx came in the Dining Hall earlier.)
"Saved me the trouble of pulling Reiji aside to tell him what was going on." He thought to himself with a tight smile.
"I have Security guards posted everywhere, Manx has placed Weiss inside the mansion as servers, except for Siberian. I don't need anymore broken glasses." He thought dryly. "And Reiji has his bodyguards using their abilities to locate Akiko's whereabouts, and Reiji has informed me that he and Schwarz will not allow any harm to come to Usagi-chan." He thought with relief, and he allowed a smile to emerge when he saw Manx speaking to Aya who was now carrying a tray of shot glasses filled with Scotch. His smile quickly faded when he realized when big flaw in this equation. "Kami- sama! Weiss and Schwarz do not know that they are currently working together in protecting Usagi-chan. It's going to be an all out war in here if they run in to each other. I've got to reach Manx and tell her to tell Weiss not to attack Schwarz while they are here. Before it's Too La….." Shuuchi's train of thought was broken when her heard an extremely loud "YOU!!!"
Shuuchi slowly turned his head around in the direction of the yell and paled. There standing in the Hallway were all four team members of Weiss Kruez and three members of Schwarz. Both teams were glaring at each other. Shuuchi's heart sank at the sight.
"Kami-Sama, have mercy on everyone present in this mansion." He muttered to himself and Usagi nodded her head in full agreement of her Oji's assessment.