Chapter 43

On Thin Ice

:Sunday:

Everybody in the Winner Mansion was up early the next day… and fighting over the limited bathrooms.

"You've been in there forever!"

"I'm washing my hair."

"I don't know why you keep it so long. You need to just cut it."

"Cut my beautiful auburn hair? Never!"

"Duo, you are such a girl! Get out!" yelled Trowa.

"Use the other bathrooms and leave me in peace."

"The other ones are full baka."

"All five of them?"

"And how many people are staying here?"

"Ummmm… well all of us that's five, Serena, those new girls, and Sammy. So that's five, six, seven eight nine ten, and eleven. Eleven? Woah. I'll be out in a minute."

Trowa turned from the door and rolled his eyes.

Sammy and Hotaru giggled and shrugged to each other. They though Duo was funny.

Hours later all eleven of them were dressed and sitting down to a delicious breakfast of pancakes, sausage, and eggs, courtesy of Serena and Michelle.

"I could of helped." Said Duo.

Everyone turned to him. "NO!"

The Pilots, Serena, and Sammy turned to the Outers.

"How do you know not to eat Duo's cooking?" asked Serena.

"We were watching when get gave you all food poisoning. I'm not about to spend my time here with my face in a toilet." Said Amara.

Duo humphed. "It was that one time. I bet I'm better at it now."

"NO that's ok. We're not going to chance it." Said Trista.

Duo just pouted.

Quatre cleared his throat and smiled. "Well I'm going to get those reward posters going so we can find Luna the Cat and get you your ……wand." Quatre blushed and walked off to get the ball rolling.

"Well I don't want to sit around all day. I say we do something." Said Duo.

"Like what?" Serena turned to the brunette and smiled.

Duo blushed and lost the ability to speak.

"The Park!" yelled Sammy.

"No!" Everyone but Hotaru yelled. She just smiled innocently.

Sammy pouted. "Why not?"

"One I'm tired of the park and two that guy may come back. I remember what a jerk he was." Said Serena.

Hotaru giggled. "You won't have to worry about him ever again. He's gone for good."

They all turned to the little girl. "What do you mean, little one?" asked Michelle.

"Oh well… can I see your mirror for a minute."

Michelle's aqua eyes got big. "You didn't." She pulled out her mirror and studied it.

"I did."

"How?" Michelle turned to Hotaru.

"I have my ways." Came the reply.

"Hold it, hold it. What is going on?" asked Serena.

"Yes, why don't you clue us in Miss Hotaru." Garnet eyes narrowed.

The girl in question blushed and twiddled her thumbs, wasting time.

"We're waiting." Said Trista.

Hotaru stuck her tongue out at the older scout and grabbed the mirror, which became cloudy. She turned it to let the others see the guy from the park banging against the glass. "Let me out. I'm sorry for what happened. I'll leave you alone. I swear." His voice was weak like he had been screaming the whole time he was in there and he had lost a lot of color.

Everyone gasped. "Hotaru!" The scouts yelled.

"He hurt our Princess." Was her only defense.

"Get him out of there right now young lady," yelled Trista.

"But…"

"Please let him out." The quiet plea came from Serena, who looked sad.

"Oh I'm so sorry Princess. I'll let him out." Suddenly Sailor Saturn was before them with her glaive in her hand. She touched it to the mirror and it glowed. When the glowing stopped the bully from the park was kneeling on the floor, groaning.

Amara frowned at him. "Maybe this will teach you to pick on girls."

The guy looked up at her. "What would you know of it man?" he said.

Amara growled. "Because I am a girl, man!"

The guy blinked. "No way."

Trista cleared her throat as she transformed into Sailor Pluto, her Garnet Rod clutched in her hand.

All the Pilots stared, Quatre having joined them again.

"I am Sailor Pluto, the Keeper of Time." She raised her Rod and pointed it at the bully. Before their eyes his color came back and he got this dazed look in his eyes before he disappeared. Pluto lowered her Rod and became Trista again.

"He won't remember what happened to him and his friends and family will think he was there all along." She turned to Hotaru, who changed back from Sailor Saturn. "And you, young lady, will never pull a stunt like that again. Do you understand?"

Hotaru sniffed and nodded. "Yes Ma'am."

Serena sat in her chair and sniffed. Everyone was so busy dealing with the bully they didn't notice Serena silently crying in a corner.

They all turned to her now.

"What's the matter Serena?" asked Trowa.

Serena sniffed again and tried to smile. "It's nothing."

"We know something's wrong." Quatre wrapped an arm around her and leaned close. The other Pilots glared at him. The Scouts shared a look.

"It's just well… seeing the others transform reminded me that I can't. I can't be Sailor Moon!" she wailed.

They all winced.

"That's the Serena we remember." Said Amara.

That statement snapped Serena right out of it. "You're right. That Serena was weak and I refuse to be weak." She hardened her face.

"Everything will turn out right. All we have to do is find Luna. She probably has your locket as well." Reasoned Michelle.

"I suppose you're right."

"Well let's not feel sorry for ourselves. Let's get out and do something."

Serena dried her eyes. "Where can we go?"

Quatre let a smile spread across his face. "I have an idea but it's a surprise. Let me get the limo and then we can go." He disappeared.

Serena smiled. "Quatre is so great."

He returned minutes later. "Everything is set up. Let's go." He led them all out the mansion and into the waiting limo.

"Man is this guy loaded." Said Amara.

Michelle just smiled. Amara saw and frowned. "I still think he's a pansy."

"Duo." Hotaru whispered to them and giggled. Michelle and Amara ignored her.

"I'm partial to Trowa myself." Put in Trista.

"Whatever." Amara got in the limo and everyone followed.

Serena lean against one of the windows and watched the scenery rushed past, her chin in her hand. She sighs.

Heero, who was seated next to her turns. He moves closer. "Everything ok Sere?"

Serena turns and leans on him. "I just hope this all turns out ok. Even with my memory gone finding the rainbow crystals were prominent. They're the key. I saw my crystal split right before I died. The Inners really hurt me Hee-chan."

"I'll make sure everything turns out right. I promise." He looks out the window. "I promise." He whispers to himself, caressing her hair, remembering a time when she was muttering about a crystal and seven gems. This was all too weird.

Quatre looks out the window. "We're here."

The others rouse from their perspective thoughts and look out the window as well.

Serena's eyes light up. "A skating rink!" she squeals. She jumps out the limo and stands before the business.

The Scouts, Pilots, and Sammy get out at a more sedate pace.

Quatre turns to everyone. "Everything is set up. There are costumes and gear for all of us."

Serena claps and hugs Quatre. "You are so great." Then bounds inside.

Amara walks by and pats him on the shoulder. "I admit. You did good." She laughs as she goes inside.

Quatre blushes and turns to go but Michelle grabs his arm. "I think you would be perfect for our Princess." And she drags him with her.

The last one outside, Heero sighs as he hears Michelle. He slowly makes his way inside.

The Scouts went to one side and the Pilots and Sammy to another so they all could change.

"I am not going out in this." Three voices rang out.

Serena poked her head out of the girl's dressing room just as Duo stuck his head out.

He rolls his eyes. "Heero and Wufei don't want to go out in their outfits." He explained.

"They can change with me." A voice calls from inside the dressing room.

Serena smiles. "Amara." Was her only explanation.

Suddenly said person was shoved out of the safe cover of the dressing room. Amara growls and ties to go back in but Michelle and Trista are in the way with Hotaru giggling behind them. The scouts were in their respective colors.

Serena was the only one who was wearing pure white.

Duo smiles. "Good idea" and his head disappears back inside. Second later Heero and Wufei emerge in their skating clothes.

"I'll kill you." They say together. Heero was in a Green and black set while Wufei's was red and black.

"Yeah whatever. That is so old." Said Duo, who was dressed all in black.

Quatre and Trowa come out as well. Quatre was in ice blue and black. Trowa was dressed in the same colors as Heero.

Duo looks over and his eyes widen. "Who knew Amara had such hot legs under her pants."

Amara walks over and bashes him in the head before getting on the ice to skate. Michelle and Trista following her.

"That's what you get, baka." Wufei says as he and Heero walk pass and onto the rink.

"You'll never learn Duo." Quatre and Trowa leave him as well.

Duo reaches up. "Please Sere, you'll help?"

Serena smiles as she takes Sammy and Hotaru's hands. "Never talk about Amara's legs." Was her answer before taking the kids on the rink.

Duo pulls himself up by himself and slowly steps onto the ice and promptly falls back down. Wufei skates by and laughs. The brunette grumbles as he pulls himself up and leans against the wall, trying to get his balance. He watches as everyone else skates like old pros. "What is up with that?" he mutters to himself.

Serena skates over and grabs his hand. "Its easy D-chan." She skates backwards as she holds him.

Duo laughs. "Yeah maybe I can do this. Let go."

Serena frowns. "Are you sure?" At his nod she lets go and he starts to slide by himself due to the momentum of Serena pulling him. "Hey were are the breaks?" Duo screams as he bangs into the wall. "Ughhh."

Serena comes over. "Umm maybe you should sit out for a while." Then skates off.

Duo pouts but goes to sit down and watch them skate.

Amara and Michelle were doing tricks together, Wufei was speed skating around the rink, Hotaru and Sammy were holding hands while trying not to fall with Quatre slightly behind them just in case they did fall, Trowa was spinning around, Serena was skating around at a leisurely pace, and Heero was off by himself.

Serena, seeing Heero off alone skated over. "Skate with me?" She held out her hand imploringly.

Without a second thought Heero took her small hand into his larger one. She smiles at him and pulls him along. They skated close together as the made their way around the rink. Serena was laughing and spinning around while Heero just watched.

"May I cut in?" They turned to see Amara with her hand out.

Serena smiled and skated over. She looked back. "I'll be back in a bit Heero." She skated off. "Just like on the moon, kitten." Said Amara. Serena blushed.

Heero sighed and went to stand by where Duo was sitting. "This sucks." Said Duo.

"Ditto."

Serena soon changed hands again, skating with Quatre then Wufei.

When she got around to Trowa, they were doing tricks when they heard slow clapping. They all turned and collectively groaned.

"That was simply beautiful." Said Milliardo.

"How do you always find us?" asked Serena.

"Heeerrroooo!"

Heero cringed and skated off.

Milliardo glared at his sister then turned to smile at Serena. "We have our way."

Serena frowned. "That's creepy."

"Look who we're talking about." Said Trowa.

"Good point."

They turned as Heero skated pass with Relena hot on his trail. "Help."

Serena made a face and rushed to help.

Milliardo deflated as his quarry left him.

Serena skated in front of Relena. "Stay away from Hee-chan."

Relena stared at her. "Who does this girl think she is? I'm a princess and what is she? Nobody."

Serena's eyes widened as she heard all of this but didn't see Relena's lips move. What! I'm a reading her thoughts? Wow. She just turned and left Relena to it and latched onto Heero, who had stopped skating for the moment.

Milliardo skated up to them. "Skate with me." He states, not even asking.

Serena's eyes narrow. "Now I remember what I didn't like about you Zechs. You are so pretentious."

"So you remember me now?" brows pull low over ice blue eyes.

"Yes I do and I remember how you never leave me alone and always think I'll fall at your feet. Not gonna happen." She and Heero skate off.

Milliardo stopped skating. "I'll get her to talk to me yet."

Serena growls as she and Heero skate away. "He is such a snob." Heero only smiles.

As they pass Duo, he's complaining because he's bored. Serena stops.

"You ready to go?" she asks.

"I'm bored." Duo says again.

Trista skates over. "I'm getting hungry. Why don't we eat here first then leave?" She points to the pizza place on the other side of the rink.

Dup perks up. "Pizza? I am so there." He gets up and runs over.

"I could go for some pizza." A smooth voice said.

"No one asked you Zechs." Heero said. He wrapped his arm around Serena and escorted her off the ice. The others all followed.

"Just give it up pretty boy." Said Amara.

Milliardo turned to her. "Never."

Trista passed by. "Your loss. She is destined for someone else." She said mysteriously.

The Prince just frowned and followed with Relena clumsily skating behind him.

"We'll see."

The cluster of eleven gathered together and ate their pizza. Well Duo was devouring. The five pizzas were soon gone.

"Well I'm stuffed." Said Michelle. The others nodded. Sammy patted his little stomach. Hotaru giggled and poked it.

"I could so eat more." They all turned to Duo. "You practically ate a whole pizza yourself. You are such a pig, baka." Said Wufei.

Sammy yawns. "I'm kinda tired."

"I guess we better go." Serena cleaned up the mess and picked up her brother, heading for the door.

A shadow moved into her field of vision. "Hope to see you soon."

"Goodbye Zechs." And Serena passed by Milliardo.

"Heero you don't have to go do you?" Relena pouted and batted her lashes.

Heero made a face. "I'm tired." Was all he said as he dashed off.

"Too bad." Amara said to Relena and laughed.

"That's not nice." Michelle reprimanded.

"She's mean to our Princess. I don't have to be nice."

Hotaru skipped beside Trista and stuck her tongue out at the royalty.

They all piled into the limo and set out for home.

I'm done! Yeah its like almost 4 in the morning but I'm done! I hope you like.

Thanks for all the reviews.. they kept me going to this early hour.

Please read and review… you know you want to.

Sylver-tyger