Chapter 45

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The Duel

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:Tuesday:

All the occupants of the manor were gathered around the kitchen table eating breakfast. Serena kept shooting Heero looks after her plate of pancakes whenever no one was watching. She sighed softly and took a bite of sausage.

Quatre turned to her. "It will be ok Serena, we'll find Luna soon."

Serena turned to him and blinked in confusion. Her blue eyes widened as she realized he thought she was upset about not finding Luna yesterday, not about Heero. She blushed and nodded. "I know." She said before stuffing more food in her mouth.

"We'll do the same as yesterday." Said Amara, a scowl on her face as she watched Serena. "I'm sure we'll find her today." She banged her hand on the table making all the plates and glasses rattle. Michelle reached over and patted her hand. "Calm down."

"So it's agreed. We'll meet by the same café and split up to look for the cat." Said Trowa. Everyone nodded their agreement before leaving the table. The Outers to search for Luna and the others to go to school.

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In the class where Relena was teacher, Serena ignored her and went to pull out a book when she saw something she hadn't seen in a while. She smiled as she pulled out her sketchbook. Flipping through it Serena saw the many drawings of Sammy, Wing Gundam, and one of Heero on the first day of class. The blonde turned her head and watched as Heero stared forward with his arms crossed.

She chuckled which made the stoic boy look over at her, his eyebrow raised. Serena blushed before showing him her sketchbook. As Heero saw what she had drawn, his cheeks flushed as well before turning back to look at the front of class.

Serena laughed again before turning to her other side to see Quatre watching her with interest. She brought her finger to her lips and rolled her eyes pointing to Relena, who was going on and on about pacifism.

Making a face, Serena pulled out a pencil and started to draw Quatre, an intent look on her face.

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The Pilots were standing around the gym waiting for the teacher to announce what they would be doing that period. They all turned when they heard a loud clang coming from the storage room. Quatre quickly walked over to help their teacher with his load. They both came out with fencing equipment.

The teacher put down his load and then placed his hands on his hips. "Ok class today we will be having a fencing tournament. The person who wins will be exempt from the next test." He smirked as cheers rose from the students. I will pair you up randomly. This is first time elimination. You have to hit your partner in a fatal position in order to win. If you lose then you are out of the running and you can go back to normal gym activities. If you win your match then I will pair you up with another winner until there are only two of you left. Is that clear?" He looked around at all the heads nodding.

"Good now I want everyone to gear up and wait for me to appoint your opponent."

Serena turned to the Pilots. "This is going to be so much fun. I am going to beat your butts." She left to go get into the fencing gear.

The Pilots all looked after her before staring at each other. Their eyes narrowed. This was war.

The students put on the fencing mask and vest while the teacher went around and randomly pointed at two students. When that was done he told them to start and blew his whistle. Everyone started while he walked around the room to watch.

The Pilots were quickly working through their opponents. No one was quick enough or skilled enough to beat them. In no time the Pilots started to face each other. Quatre and Trowa bowed before starting. They parried and avoided the others rapier. Trowa was excelling because of his natural fluid movements. But he made a fatal error when he moved in for the kill, he didn't cover himself and had become a little overconfident.

Quatre smiled before he moved slightly back and sideways and stuck his rapier to Trowa's side.

A whistle blew and the teacher stepped up. "Good show boys. Quatre you may advance. Trowa you are free to do as you please." The two friends bowed to each other. "Quatre your opponents is…" the teacher looked around and blew his whistle again. "Heero you are against Quatre."

Quatre looked at his friend and gulped but steeled himself. They bowed to each other and commenced fencing. Trowa watched them with his arms folded and wondered if Heero would make the same mistake he had and underestimate Quatre and become overconfident.

Heero dueled with silent confidence. He knew he would win and it wasn't because he underestimated Quatre. He could see his friend breathe heavily and make minor mistakes that would be his downfall. Heero's Prussian blue eyes narrowed as he saw his chance. He shifted and turned before bringing his rapier to Quatre's neck.

"Good job Yuy." They bowed before Quatre wet to stand next to Trowa.

"Chang, Yuy" The teacher said.

Wufei smirked. "This will be interesting." He brought his rapier up before moving it out to his side and bowed. He promptly went on the attack.

Heero went on the defensive, blocking Wufei's advances. "You're out of your element Yuy, I've been handling swords wince I was three." Metal clanged as Wufei tried to catch Heero on the leg. Heero just grunted and shifted positions to get a better shot at his friend. They danced around each other as the class watched.

Heero thought he had his shot so he brought his rapier down to swipe across Wufei's chest but Wufei was too fast. He moved the tip across Heero's right shoulder.

The teacher stepped up, blowing his whistle. "Fatal blow."

Heero narrowed his eyes at the man. "How is that fatal?"

The teacher just smirked back at him. "If there weren't rubber tips on the end of the rapiers then I doubt you would be able to use your weapon."

"Then I would have just dropped it and haul off and slug him." Heero argued back.

"Listen Yuy, that's not how this works. You are out of the running. Chang you are up against Maxwell."

Duo waltzed up and smiled. "I see you beat Hee-man. Good luck beating me." He twirled his rapier before dropping into a fighting stance.

"Please. You can't beat me baka. I'd like to see you try."

Instead of answering Duo moved forward, going on the attack with his braid trailing behind him.

Wufei would give no quarter and they were both sweating early in the duel. "I'm going to win." Said Duo happily.

"Not on your life Maxwell." Wufei grunted back.

Duo happily danced around his opponent, making Wufei exert a lot of energy. The Chinese boy was getting fed up with the dancing around and rushed Duo.

Duo laughed and moved out of the way which made Wufei stumble before he turned back around to rush him again. "Baka!!"

"That's Mr. Baka to you." Was Duo's reply as he hit Wufei's right hand, making him let go of the rapier. Duo caught it and pointed both at his friend. One near his neck and the other at his stomach.

Wufei growled and made to advance on Duo.

"Uh uh my friend. You better not move any closer. My hand just… might… slip." Duo smirked as he demonstrated by moving his hand downward.

Wufei's ebony colored eyes widened before he held up his hands in defeat.

The teacher walked up and clapped. "That was very interesting Maxwell. Not exactly how its suppose to be done but I'll allow it."

Duo beamed. "Thank you Sir. I really need to get that exemption from the test."

"Don't I know it Maxwell. Otherwise you're going to need a miracle to pass. Now lets see who's left." He looked around at most of his class milling around the gym. "Ah… that's the last duel finishing other there."

They all looked over to Serena against some guy. She moved swiftly before getting the guy squarely in the back.

"That's good Tsukino. You are against Maxwell." Serena looked over and nodded before bowing to her opponent.

Serena walked confidently over to Duo. "You ready?" Her blue eyes sparkled as she regarded her friend.

"You better believe it toots." They bowed to each other before they started their duel.

The class watched the two of them thrust and parry, metal clanging as their feet lead them in a fast paced tango.

Neither could get an open shot on the other. "I'm going to win this. I need the grade." Said Duo.

Serena laughed. "You're just going to have to get help because you are not winning."

"Come one Sere. You don't need the grade like I do."

"True, but I also hate to lose."

"Just give up."

"Never!" Serena shot forward and Duo thought he had her but she shifted to the side, pulling at his braid as she did so and he missed. He growled in frustration and turned to attack her again. Serena danced away from him, laughing the whole way.

Duo made a swipe at her but didn't hit anything. Serena stopped laughed and stared intently at her friend. "Let's end this." She moved to hit Duo in his left side which made him move to the right. Serena then swiftly knocked his feet out from under him, making him fall flat on his back.

Duo grimaced and made a move to get up until he felt the end of Serena's rapier against his chest. "Better not move or you'll get this through your heart… at least that's what would happen if we were allowed to fight without the rubber tips."

Quatre started clapping which started the rest of the class to applaud their dueling skills.

"Well done, well done Tsukino. You are the winner and exempt from the next test. Good for you." The teacher said before walking away, dismissing the class.

Serena smiled prettily while Duo groaned. Serena looked down at him. "You better hit the books if you want to pass that exam."

Duo just collapsed back and closed his eyes. "I am so screwed." He muttered.

"No worries D-chan. I can help you since I don't have to worry about it." Serena leaned down offering her hand. Duo opened his eyes and took hold of his friend's hand but instead of letting her pull him up he took a firmer hold and pulled her down and she landed on top of him, her rapier landing beside them.

"Oof."

The Pilots laughed at their friends' antics.

"Not cool D-chan." Blue eyes glared into violet ones.

Duo just winked.

Serena moved to get up and shifted on top of Duo but stopped, inhaling deeply. She looked back into Duo's eyes, hers wide, noticing that their hands are still clasped together.

Duo breathed deeply, reaching up with his left hand to brush against Serena's soft cheek while moving his face closer to hers.

The other Pilots watched with growing horror, all a little jealous. Heero and Trowa stepped in and pulled Serena to her feet before anything more could happen.

Serena coughed and turned away as her cheeks became rosy.

"Uh well… class is over, better get going." With that Serena left quickly after gathering her things, the other Pilots following behind her, glaring at Duo who was still on the floor.

Left alone, Duo placed his head in his hands. "What am I doing?" He sighed before picking himself up and following behind his friends dejectedly.

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The Pilots met up with the Outers again to search for Luna but again came up empty. They were running out of places to look for the black cat.

Serena had fallen asleep in the limo on the way back to the manor so Amara carried her up to her room before coming back down to talk with the others.

"We need to find Luna soon, for no other reason then that Serena needs her." Michelle said from her position curled up on the couch.

Amara sat down on one side of her while Trista was on the other side. "Indeed, this is tearing the Princess apart not to have her advisor here to help and guide her." Said Trista.

"I think we should next look in animal shelters, maybe she is there." Said Quatre.

Michelle shot Amara a look, who just crossed her arms and humphed. "That's a very good idea Quatre. We'll get a list of all the local animal shelters and search their tomorrow and we might as well try pet stores as well." Michelle smiled sweetly at the blonde, who blushed.

They all nodded and disbanded to get some sleep.

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Upstairs Serena was tossing and turning, her crescent moon glowing on her forehead.

"Luna…"

She dreamed of red eyes and a forceful voice. A tear slipped down Serena's cheek.

"Please come home…" The Moon Princess shifted and curled into a fetal position.

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Garnet eyes flashed and looked out her bedroom window.

"There isn't much time."

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Done! Thanks for all that stick with me. This chapter is for all my die hard readers!.

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Sylver-Tyger