Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or Gundam Wing. If I did, there would be sex, crazy maniacal monkey sex all day long, because come on, who wouldn't want to see those boys and girls naked?
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Fuseseki : Failure
Chapter Ten : Justify The Means
...
"We can explain more once we arrive." Quatre said with an air that was prince-like. His formal speaking was pristine.
"Your disappearance was worrisome." Noin's voice was formal, with a lilt that meant to tease. Quatre smiled.
"I assure you it was necessary."
"And Wing Zero?" Milliardo spoke this time.
"Hiiro is on his way with Miss Usagi to retrieve it as we speak." Quatre had seen Hiiro lead her to the car from the window of the communications room.
"I am eager to speak with her." Milliardo said. Quatre laughed warmly. Milliardo raised an eyebrow, and Quatre raised his hand in apology.
"She is eager to speak with you. Can you get us a shuttle into Sanq? And a tanker for Hilde from L2?" He had spoken to Duo on the way up the stairs. He was currently behind them talking to Hilde on another vid-phone. Apologizing profusely. She didn't seem pleased that he had left her to care for the scrapyard alone for so long.
"It is as good as done." Milliardo said.
"See you in a day Quatre." Said Noin with a smile. And the transmission ended.
Duo was still arguing with Hilde when Quatre turned.
"Babe have you seen the news?" Hilde's face was indignant, she flipped her dark hair angrily.
"Of course I have Duo no baka!" She huffed. "It's no reason for you not to call! I was worried something happened to you!"
"Babe...I'm the great Shinigami! Don't worry so much!"
"Duo!" He smiled easily at her.
"Hilde, just fill the tanker and meet us at Sanq ok? If I heard correctly over your yelling, it should be there soon."
She sighed, pushing her bangs out of her face. Quatre wondered if she had picked that up from Duo. He did it often. "Hai. I'll see you there baka."
Duo turned to Quatre as the screen went blank. "What did you tell them?"
"No more than they needed to know at the moment. We will arrive before Hiiro and Usagi. They've got quite a drive before they reach the holding site for Zero. We will fill them in on what we can securely before Usagi has to deal with them."
The phone in Duo's pocket rang, and he pulled it out, peering at the screen for a moment before opening it.
"Usa?" He asked, after hearing her voice on the other end. She was calling from Hiiro's secure line. A line that was only transmitted through the pilots and Preventer's headquarters.
"We will be." He smiled. "Yes, I will tell them. We'll see you soon babe."
He hung up the phone and looked at the pilots in the room. Trowa and Wufei were sitting at the table in the com room, cleaning random weapons. Quatre still sat at the second vid-phone seat. "Usa says be careful. And that she will see you soon."
"Sure she's okay with Mr. Mono-tone?" Wufei asked. Quatre was mildly surprised he had asked, but smiled and answered.
"I'm sure she'll be fine."
Duo laughed. "Yeah Wu-man. She's in great hands." Wufei twitched, and muttered.
"Duo no baka."
"Have you all picked that up from Hiiro?" Duo asked, genuinely miffed. "No baka, is not my last name."
"Just get ready to go." Trowa said. "The transport will be here soon."
Quatre nodded. "I will gather Usagi's clothes. Pack up what you can. I will send some maguanacs to retrieve the rest later on."
The group nodded, and were all off to their separate tasks.
...
"Where are we going Hiiro?" She asked quietly. They had been on the road for hours. The scenery had changed from sun and palm trees to cliffs along the ocean, and still they drove.
"To get Zero."
She was tired. She hadn't let them know, but she'd been holding up a thin screen around herself and the pilots since the day before, and it was taxing to do so from a distance.
"You should sleep." He was gazing at her sidelong as he drove down the deserted road. She smiled at him and reached out to put a hand on his thigh. His eyes did not change. She lived for the moments when she saw that light. It wasn't always there.
"You should smile." She said casually, and giggled at the glare he sent her way.
"Usagi." He sounded serious.
"I do love it when you say my name." She said, then stuck her tongue out. "I'm alright Hiiro. Nervous. Angry. And anxious. But alright. I couldn't sleep if I tried right now. Besides. I'm enjoying the view."
He looked slightly put off, but didn't say anything. She watched out the window, bathed in companionable silence. Her hand still lay on his thigh, and she tapped the beat of a song she had stuck in her head with her fingers.
She looked at him when he stopped the car, on the side of the road in a small alcove. He got out of the car without a word, and popped open the back of the black SUV, pulling out a bag. "Hiiro?" She questioned.
He came to the passenger side of the car, and opened the door, dropping the bag on her lap with a glint in his eyes she didn't recognize. "Change." He said.
"But I..." She sighed and opened the bag. Inside was a few changes of clothes, her bathing suit, sunglasses, and a pair of sneakers. She smiled. So that was what he had gone back inside for. He had left her in the car for a moment before they had gone on their way. She turned to question him again, but he was gone.
"Change into what?" She said aloud, frustrated at his short command. It was warm outside. They had pulled off the road at the edge of a sandy beach that broke through the cliff side. She could smell the ocean. With a peek to make sure he wasn't looking, she removed her sundress, bra and panties, and put on the suit. When she was tying the gauzy wrap around her waist, and fitting the sunglasses in her hair, he came back around the corner.
For a moment she didn't notice him, he was so quiet. He stood by a large rock, leaning against it, and watching her with that same unrecognizable look. He wore no shirt. She took a moment to appreciate the smooth lines of his chest. All he wore were the swim trunks she had insisted he buy, and a pair of navy blue sandals. He beckoned to her, and with her heart beating too fast, as it always did when she was around him, she followed.
She gasped when she saw what the small alcove opened up to. It was a small beach, lined with colorful flowers and dark green vegetation. The soft swoosh of the waves was in her ears, and a fresh ocean breeze blew her hair. "It's beautiful Hiiro."
...
She was beautiful. His pride wouldn't let him say it. But he hoped she knew. This was all so new to him. All these feelings she gave him. He wasn't sure how to handle any of them. But she seemed to understand that. She didn't push him. Didn't ask hard questions. Just allowed him to bathe in her light.
It was remarkable. He had laid two towels near the waves. She followed him to them and he reveled in her smile as she set herself on one. "Why did we stop here Hiiro?"
He looked at her, and then looked out at the ocean, where it met the blue sky. "You said it yourself." He said quietly.
"Oh did I?" She sounded thoughtful. He looked back at her and saw her brow furrowed with question. She looked gorgeous, sitting there, staring at the ocean. Did he really deserve this?
"I don't want to die without trying." Her eyes snapped to his, and he grunted as she threw herself into his arms. He wrapped them around her instinctively, enjoying the smell of her. Cherry Blossoms and Vanilla.
"Hiiro." She said softly into his chest, and his skin tingled where her breath met it. "I would never ask something of you that you could not do. But I hope one day, you tell me what scarred you so. What made you stop smiling." She looked up at him, her eyes glittering, more silver than grey. " Because I bet your smile is to die for."
"Are you scared?" He asked. And he didn't know where it came from. It was a feeling he knew little about. But when he thought of the upcoming battle... Thought of her having to fight... Maybe that feeling was what fear was.
"I'm always scared." She said simply. "Everytime. Aren't you?"
"I was trained to have no fear." She looked sad. For him?
"I wish I could take away your pain." She said. He raised a hand to her cheek, brushing his fingers over it softly, watching with calm eyes as she leaned into the touch.
"Why me Usagi?" He said huskily. Because he had to know.
She smiled. "Because you need me. Because I need you. Because I don't know what it is... but something tells me to be close to you."
He leaned in slowly, and pressed his lips to hers carefully. He didn't say anything back. Didn't know how to. But he hoped she felt the emotion in his kiss. When he pulled back she whimpered. He smirked unconsciously. He was pretty sure she felt it.
They both stopped when a soft melody came from his pocket. Her eyes lit up in a way he had never seen, and she followed his hand as it reached in, and pulled out the star locket.
"It's playing." She whispered. "Hiiro...where did you get that?"
"In a dream." He said. "I dreamt of Mamoru, and your daughter. She said to protect you. That she loved you. And gave me this."
She grasped in while it was still in his hand, tears filling her eyes. "Daijobu?" He said quietly.
"Hai. Daijobu Ka. Hiiro." She watched the mechanism inside spin and play the lovely tune. "I'm not scared anymore."
...
"This is boring." Kione was tossing a rock back and forth between his two hands, sitting atop a 10 foot concrete barrier in a parking deck.
Vega's eye's scolded him. "Master sent us here. We must carry out the mission."
"Doesn't mean it's not boring." He huffed. He liked excitement. This mission was all cloaks and daggers. "And I hate the clothing." He tugged at the shirt he was wearing, a navy blue tee, and looked forlornly at the worn jeans and sneakers. He missed his combat boots.
Vega was wearing a thin cotton dress in yellow. It was dirty in spots. It made her look less pale than she normally was. It was paired with yellow sandals. He frowned in distaste. "We both look stupid."
"Master says it will be easier this way. Serenity-sama will follow where Master leads. This girl is important." Vega's voice never raised below a whisper it seemed. Kione huffed.
"I know. I know." He jumped off of his perch and landed next to her in a crouch. "Shall we get on with it?"
He took her hand, and they walked towards the mountains of old scrap that was just beyond the parking deck. In front, was a garage. There was the noise of scraping metal from inside. When they turned the corner, they saw a petite girl hunched over the remains of a car. When they entered, she lifted the protective mask she was wearing, and greeted them with a smile. Her hair was so black it was blue, cut short in the back with long spiky bangs in the front. Her eyes were the blue of the sky.
"Can I help you two?" She asked.
Kione smiled. "We're a little lost actually." He said in his best little boy voice. "My sister was chasing a butterfly in the market and we lost our parents when I followed her."
Vega looked just moody enough to pull off being upset. Kione would have complained if not for the moment. He did ALL the work.
The girl smiled again. "Give me just one moment little one, and I'll help you out." Turning away was her mistake. When she did so to set her mask down, Vega raised a hand, blasting her in the back with energy that was black as night. The girl went down easily, with a short cry.
"Too easy." Kione said with a pout, as he stood over her prone form. "Come on let's bring her to the Master."
Vega helped him lift her. "You're sure this is the right one?" She asked.
"Yeah yeah I'm sure." He answered. "Master said she would look just like this, and be right here. This is the one he wants."
"Do you think he will be pleased?" Kione rolled his eyes and bit the comment that threatened to spill from his mouth. His sister's loyalty issues were grinding on his nerves. They were Master's most precious creations. Need they be more?
"Just shut up and teleport us Vega. She's heavy for being so small."
...
Zero was huge. She'd seen glimpses of Sandrock in Quatre's memories, even researched a bit when they had been at the base, eager to learn more of the huge machines, but it had not prepared her for this. The star locket was around her neck. Each time she looked at it love welled up inside her. She could not reach them, but they were still watching her. It gave her a renewed strength.
"We're going to fly in that?"
He nodded, looking up at it with a proud gleam in his eye. "Nervous?"
She smiled. "Hiiro I've flown through the emptiness of space with nothing but angel wings." He smirked at her. Progress. It was a silent win.
He climbed up the Gundam with ease, and threw the two small bags he had packed into a compartment inside the cockpit, and she watched him climb expertly down with interest. He knew this machine like the back of his hand. "Are you ready?"
She tackled the chore of climbing up with more ease than she thought she would. The cockpit was small, but she settled herself behind the seat, as he climbed in and started Zero up. She watched the screens with rapt interest, soaking it in. It was loud when they lifted off the ground, and traveled up through the opening of the surrounding cliffs. That's all this hideout was, high cliffs with metal lining the walls. As they traveled up, she saw the opening was invisible from the air unless you were really looking for it.
She laid her hands on his shoulders as they flew over the clouds, and she had to admit she was exhilarated. She gripped his shoulders without meaning to when a strange feeling came to her. Or rather, a feeling left her. Chaos had stopped searching. Stopped pushing at the walls she had built. Instead of relief though, it was replaced with an unexplainable fear.
"Usagi?" Hiiro questioned.
"Hurry Hiiro." She said over the whine of Zero's controls. "Something is wrong."
...
"What do you mean you can't find her?" Duo screamed. The panic was rising in him. Hilde should have been there to meet with the tanker. Hours ago. The transport for her had been delayed, but he had spoken to her over the vid-phone just yesterday. There was no sign of her. They were standing in the gardens of the Sanq kingdom, a usually quiet and peaceful place. All were present. The pilots, Milliardo, Noin, and Relena. All except Hilde. Hiiro and Usagi were not expected for another hour or so.
They had been there for a day. Quatre had filled a disbelieving Noin and Milliardo in on Usagi's story, and had promised they would be satisfied when she arrived. Relena too, had heard the story, and seemed more apt to accepting it, as fanciful as it was. Duo was not focused on any of this. Didn't care. Just wanted to know where Hilde was.
The man who had given him the information looked scared.
"Duo." Relena sounded apologetic.
"Don't." He spit. "Don't."
Barely knowing what he was doing, he reached into his pocket, dialing her number with the phone that was only supposed to be used for secure lines. It rang. And rang again. Then her voice mail picked up. He pressed end with frustration and immediately dialed another number, this one secure.
"Duo." It was Usagi's voice. As if she had known he needed to hear it.
"Usa. They can't find Hilde."
...
"Usa. They can't find Hilde." His voice was like nothing she'd heard before. It was not the sure tone he used, but panicked.
"Duo-chan, calm yourself." She said as soothingly as possible. It scared her to hear his voice like this. "Are you sure?"
"Usa..." His voice was breaking.
She leaned down to speak to Hiiro. "Can this thing go any faster?"
He grunted. "Hold on."
"We'll be there soon Duo. Please. Don't do anything until we get there."
"I'll try Usa." The phone went dead. She grasped Hiiro's shoulders as tightly as she could, as the speed of Zero grew. They needed to hurry. This bad feeling was growing.
There was a pang in her chest, a tug on her soul. He was searching again. But this time it was different. Leaning on intuition, she opened a channel to the dark, probing energy, closing her eyes. For a moment, everything disappeared. There was no Hiiro, no Zero. Just a plain of pitch black and a charming looking Chaos.
*Delighted to see you Serenity.* He said with a smile that made her shiver in disgust. He was so gorgeous it hurt.
"Wish I could say the same."
*Oh, don't be like that, sweet Princess. I would dare say I'll be seeing much more of you soon.* He laughed. *I've had a hard time tracking you, I must admit. But I've found a way to bring you, to me.*
An image appeared next to him, of a prone brunette. She looked hard at her face, short dark hair, tanned skin, and then turned her eyes back to him, hate filled. He laughed again.
*It seems she's rather important to the group you have assimilated yourself with. I only see a human. They bend...break.* She ground her teeth.
"If you hurt her...you fucking bastard..."
*Such language for a Princess.* He chided. *She will remain alive. For now. Though I cannot promise she will be treated well...unless...*
"What do you want Chaos?" She demanded.
*I do so enjoy our games Serenity.* She felt her fingers digging into her palms. She was glad Hiiro could not turn to see her. *I will bring her to Sanq Kingdom tomorrow at dusk. You will fight one of my... toys. For her life.*
"Why should I trust you?"
*Oh Dear Sweet Serenity.* He smiled wide. "You shouldn't. But if you want her to live. You must try. I tire of our conversation. I will see you tomorrow.*
And the link was split. She opened her eyes to Zero slowing, the bump of it's feet hitting the ground. When Hiiro turned to look at her, she was seething, and she saw her reflection in his eyes. She looked wild.
"Usagi." She tried to focus on his voice. Tried to calm herself, but to no avail.
"He has her Hiiro." She said strongly. She was still grinding her teeth. "Chaos had Hilde." Hiiro looked some semblance of shocked. "Let me out now."
He touched her arm, and nodded, opening the cockpit. He jumped out first, climbing down Zero with ease, and she realized they had landed right in the gardens. 10 feet in front of them was a veranda, where the pilots, and three others sat. She saw Duo's limp form sitting on the steps and instantly the rage flared in her again.
She felt the changes before she could stop them. Her hair lengthened, and turned pure silver. Without looking she could feel the burn of the eight point star on her forehead, knew that her eyes had gone as silver as her hair. For a moment, she stood there, watching Hiiro and the others look up at her. Some in wonder, some in disbelief. Duo had not looked up at all.
Clenching her fists, she jumped.
...
She landed in a crouched position, next to Hiiro. He looked at her with hard eyes, understanding and not, and she managed a small smile for him, brushing his hand as she passed. She only had eyes for Duo right now. She hoped he understood. She ignored the shocked looks of the other occupants on the veranda, of the petite blonde she assumed was Relena, and strode towards the braided pilot, kneeling before him when she reached him.
"Duo-chan." He looked up and stormy violet met the silver of stars, and crashed.
"Usa." He reached for her forehead, but she shooed him away by grabbing his hand in mid-air, clasping it tightly with his own.
"Forgive me Duo." She said evenly, though she didn't feel calm. She raged inside.
"Usa what happened?" He didn't want to ask. She could tell. He just had to.
"Nothing I can't fix." She was confident of that. Chaos had said he was sending a toy. Not himself. Which told her he was still wary of her power. He was testing her. "He's testing the waters. Hilde got in the middle. But I'm going to pull her out."
"If you tell us what's going on, perhaps we might be of some assistance." Her eyes snapped to... Milliardo. His name rang out in her head.
"Milliardo Peacecraft." Had she been focused on more than Duo, she might have given in to the answers this form was providing. Milliardo was Relena's older brother. And Lucretzia Noin, she was his lover. Oh T.M.I. The extent of information that flowed to her was obviously not objective. "You cannot be of assistance in this matter. But know that he will be sending trouble here soon, at dusk tomorrow." Her eyes turned to Quatre and Trowa, standing off to the left, then Wufei. "Gather all you hold dear. It must be obvious that he is not above using them against us." Quatre nodded, and turned immediately with Trowa to do just that.
She turned back to Duo, who was staring at her with large eyes. "Usa, you can't just..."
"Duo trust me." She said softly. "Only I can do this. Everything will be alright."
"Usa." He whispered, and pulled her into a hug. She was still seething on the inside. The power that was rising in her could not be pushed down. She could feel herself shaking. When he let her go, she was at a loss with what to do with herself. She stood, and he stood with her, and she walked with what grace she could manage to where Milliardo, Noin, and Relena stood.
"I apologize for the snapping." She said slowly. Her teeth were grinding. Her shoulder blades ached. She was on the verge of a full transformation. "I am Usagi. Or in this form, I am called Cosmos. I trust Quatre has filled you in."
"As far as he was able." Milliardo said. "I dare say your presence solidifies his story. I was hoping our meeting would be much less stressful. I detest rushing things."
She wanted to smile, but she was too busy trying to push down the spike of power that had built inside her. "Usa." Duo warned. She could feel the cool drip of blood wet her shirt as her wings threatened to unfurl. Chaos wasn't sure of thier location. He had just set a meeting place. She was sure of that. But if she transformed here, with so little control, it would broadcast all of them. Her walls were thin.
"Duo I can't..." She whispered. Relena looked awed. Milliardo and Noin waited with rapt interest. And then Hiiro stepped forward. She watched as he laid his hand on her arm, a tight grip, and then gently touched the star locket that hung around her neck.
It popped open with a click, and began to play, casting out a soft light. It was all she needed. She sighed, and with a smile that was for him and him only, wrapped her arms around his neck. He embraced her back, looking down at her with cold Prussian eyes.
"Daijoubu?" What he didn't say with his eyes he conveyed with the rare tone in his voice. Goddess she needed him.
"Daijoubu Ka." She breathed out, closing her eyes, and felt her hair shorten, felt the change come to her eyes, and the symbol on her brow fade. When she opened them again, she saw the soft waves of black against his green shirt, and sighed. "Arigato."
He nodded, and she pulled from his grasp slowly, reluctantly, trying not to laugh at the glare that was in his eyes. It threatened anyone to say a word about their exchange, promising immediate death.
She turned back to Relena, Milliardo, and Noin, ignoring Wufei's short grunt. "Forgive me." She said with a short curtsy. "My emotions got the better of me. I am very pleased to meet all of you. I also detest rushing things, but I would ask that we go inside. For we have matters to discuss."
They moved all together. Duo on one side of her, Hiiro on the other. She could feel the questions in the air. Of her and Hiiro, of Hilde. Relena looked as if she had been punched in the gut. She had a sinking feeling the girl still harbored feelings for the stoic soldier. She had gathered from Duo and Quatre that at one time, Hiiro and Relena might have been an item. Oh why was she so bad at introductions? She could smack herself.
They followed Relena off the Veranda and into a study with large couches and chairs set close to one another, and rows and rows of books. Relena took a plush beige chair, and Usagi sat on a couch, Hiiro and Duo sitting with her, and Wufei leaning on the arm of a chair next to them.
"Do you ever sit Wufei?" Usagi asked playfully.
"Don't play with me Usagi."
A blonde with her hair in two braids, wearing a tight green beret and a matching uniform chose that moment to stride in. "He called you by name." She smirked. "You must be special."
"Just stubborn." Wufei said haughtily. Usagi laughed.
"You must be Sally." She said with a smile. "I've heard a little about you." Sally nodded warmly.
"All good things I hope. I have also heard a little about you." She sat in the chair Wufei leaned against, and he glared at her. She ignored him. "I saw your display from the Veranda windows. Seems what Winner had to say was true."
"Baka Onna. When has Winner ever lied?" Wufei spit indignantly. Usagi help back the giggle with her hand when Sally gave him a swift kick to his shin and then acted as if she'd done nothing at all.
"Miss Usagi." Relena said. Usagi decided she liked her voice. She spoke with confidence, and an air that belied her age. "Quatre explained our position, and expressed the need to mobilize against Kuro Taiyou. Do you agree?"
Her eyes kept flitting to Hiiro. "I do." Usagi said, deciding silently that she needed to speak with Relena in private later. She hated to have this tension in the air. She'd also have to whittle the details from Hiiro. A grueling task. "But I don't suggest moving forward until much more research has been done. He is formidable. But also patient. He will not mobilize until he is sure he can win. He is in no position to do so at this point."
"He has Hilde Schubecker." Milliardo stated.
"No more than a show." Usagi said. "Chaos, or Kuro, as he now calls himself, is in no position to battle your numbers. He is merely proving that he can still play the game." She tugged gently on Duo's braid, and was relieved to see him smile at her. It did not reach his eyes, but it was a start. "I have dealt with him before. Capturing Hilde was a sneaky trick to get me out in the open. I have no doubt she will be returned tomorrow. "
"Alive?" Noin said it. Though she looked instantly remorseful when she looked at Duo's face. Chaos had promised the return of Hilde. He had not said alive. But she'd be damned to Hell if she was going to let that happen. She let the thought slide. It wuld not happen.
"Alive." Usagi said strongly. " I know you must all be skeptical of me. Surprised even. Or scared. But I can assure you I am here to help, and I have dealt with Chaos before. He enjoys toying with me I think, more than he enjoys winning."
"How did he know you were here?" Usagi looked at Relena.
"Your house and home are safe, Miss Relena." She aid softly. "He merely sought to worry all of you by bringing the fight here. He could not guess at my location right now if he tried. He knew he had the upper-hand, so he called out the meeting place. He will not be here. I know him well enough to know that. He will watch this fight from the sidelines. Testing me is his only goal. I do however suggest that security be doubled."
At that moment, Trowa and Quatre walked in. "Catherine and Rashid are on thier way here." Quatre said firmly. "Are you alright Usagi?"
"I am well Quatre." She said with a smile.
Duo frowned. "Your stained shirt says otherwise."
"Duo." She smiled up at him, patting his leg. "It is naught but a flesh wound. It will heal."
"Do you need to be treated Miss Usagi?" Relena asked. Usagi was touched by the gesture. The girl was kind-hearted and strong-willed, she could see it in her eyes.
"I feel that this matter is of more importance right now." Usagi said. She was surprised at her own voice. It was formal and strong. "I would ask what you, Mr. Peacecraft, and Miss Noin, as well as you Miss Sally, think on this?"
"Sally, please." The blonde said with a smirk. "Anyone that can get Wufei to call her by her real name earns my immediate respect." Wufei glared, but didn't say a word.
Usagi smiled and nodded. " Thank you." She turned her eyes to Relena, who spoke.
"I am prepared to make a speech tonight that calls our soldiers to arms."
"And I am behind whatever it is that my sister chooses." Milliardo said. Noin nodded after him.
"I Thank you all." She said. "I will give you time to mull over things. If it is not too much trouble, I would ask for a shower. I am feeling quite drained."
"As is to be expected." Relena said. "Allow me to escort you to a room we have prepared. Pagan will bring up your things momentarily."
Usagi stood with Relena, first giving Duo a small tug on his braid, and then brushing her hand against Hiiro's before turning to follow her. She had hoped for time alone with the Queen of Sanq. Now was as good as ever.
...
Quatre sat down. "So that, is Usagi." He said with a smile.
"A remarkable young woman." Noin said. "I must say my head hurts from all the information collected in the past day or so. We thought her nothing more than a simple prisoner when we ordered you to rescue her."
"For all intentions she was." Trowa said. "It seems a twist of fate."
"That she was led to us?" Quatre said. "Yes, it does seem that way."
"If that is so, I wish they would stop pulling on our strings." Wufei said. Sally patted his leg. He glared at her half heartedly.
"But hasn't it always been this way?" She said. "Pulled by fates strings. Sort of romantic, don't you think?"
"Onna, only you would think getting fucked with is romantic." He glared whole heartedly when she reach up and slapped him hard on the stomach.
"Enough." Milliardo said, though he looked slightly amused. "Relena will make the announcement to mobilize against Tenshu and Kuro Taiyou tonight. We shall reinstate the production of mobile dolls, and prepare for war. I would ask that you pilots organize some heavier security around Sanq in the meantime. You may disagree, but I am eager to see Usagi fight. The fire in her is admirable."
"She wouldn't stop if we begged her to." Duo said quietly. "By the way Hiiro, where did that locket come from?"
All he received was a sharp glare and a "Hn." He raised his arms in his defense.
"Just don't remember seeing it before..." He looked thoughtful for a moment, but then ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "If you don't mind, I'm going to grab something to eat."
Noin smiled. "By all means, please make yourselves at home. Your rooms are in the same place they've always been. I dare say Miss Relena has been waiting for you to fill them once again. She was very excited to hear you were on your way, though the circumstances are less than perfect."
"And we are happy to see her." Quatre said warmly. "It's been quite a while." His eyes followed Duo as he walked away, somber. He felt for him. He had become so close to Usagi in the past month, and Hilde was so important to him. They were being pitted against each other in a way. He had to let Usagi fight to get her back. He would talk to him later, he decided. Perhaps when they discussed security.
He turned his focus back to the conversation in the room, trying to block the worry from his mind. The light was fading outside. For the first time in a long time, he feared the next day.
...
Usagi stood in the room Relena had brought her to, marveling at the decoration. It was gorgeous, fall colors. Bronzes and Reds and Golds. "Arigatou Miss Relena." She said with a smile. "The room is lovely."
Relena smiled back, but Usagi could see the questions in her eyes. There was a small loveseat and a plush chair at the front of the room, and Usagi gestured to the chair, taking a seat herself. "You have questions." She said. "I have answers."
Relena looked slightly apprehensive, but maintained an air of confidence, and took a seat. "Quatre told me where you came from. What you were." She started. "I think we were all skeptical before you arrived."
"Most people are." Usagi said seriously. "I can't remember so many people ever knowing my story. Ami usually just used her mind-wipe. Or Puu. It was usually too hard to handle. I am impressed by you and your friend's level of understanding."
"I am impressed by your strength." Relena said. "I do not know if I could go through so much and still be standing."
"I think you underestimate yourself." Usagi said with a smirk. "Relena Darlain Peacecraft. Queen of the Earth Sphere at 15. Quite a feat."
Relena blushed mildly. "Are you scared?"
Usagi smiled. "Yes, and No." She brought her hands together over her lap, and leaned towards the Queen casually. "Chaos is nothing I haven't seen before. My worries come with the people he will recruit. Never have so many lives been directly involved. My heart weeps already for the casualties." She sighed. "I will do my best to protect this world. I've fallen in love with it in such a short time. And it's inhabitants."
She heard Relena breathe in sharply, and turned her gaze to her. "You, and Hiiro..."
"I cannot pretend to know what went on with him in the past." Usagi said softly.
"I loved him once." Relena said boldly. "And maybe I still do. But I cannot pretend, no matter how much I'd like to, that I was what he needed. I sincerely hope you are."
"Wise and full of unending truths. I was right when I told Duo this world usually finds a way to defend itself. I hope I can add to that strength."
There was a moment of silence, and Relena whispered to break it, as if afraid. "When I asked if you were scared... Do you think, you can save Hilde?"
Usagi looked every bit the part of a warrior at that moment. The set in her shoulders was straighter, the look in her eye hard. It came natural now. More natural than it had before Chaos. She wondered vaguely what her senshi would think of her now. "I don't make promises often." She said slowly, carefully, with force so Relena would understand. "Because fate so little lets me keep them. But I will save Hilde. Because I can't stand Duo with a smile that does not reach his eyes."
Relena smiled warmly, as a knock came to the door. She rose and opened it to a portly older gentleman, who bowed and offered her Usagi's small bag. "There is more to be transferred to this room." He said formally. "Master Quatre requests that when you are finished you meet them for dinner."
He left, and when the door clicked behind him Usagi spoke. "My, Quatre makes himself at home doesn't he?"
Relena laughed a bit. "He has been here many times. I don't mind when he takes a little initiative. I tire of the formality."
"I think I know the feeling." Usagi said. She stood to take the bag from Relena's arms and smiled openly. "Relena. I very much enjoyed our conversation. I do hope that we can be friends."
"I would very much like that." Relena said softly. "The pilots have all taken quite a liking to you. Not an easy task."
Usagi laughed. "As Wufei said, I am quite stubborn when need be." She turned then to set her bag where she had been sitting, and Jumped at Relena's gasp.
"Miss Usagi...your back!" She had nearly forgotten about it.
"Just Usagi, if you please." She said. "You should not worry so. May I show you something?" Relena nodded.
Usagi removed the shirt she was wearing with her back turned to Relena. Beneath the crusted blood, were healed scars, and nothing more. She had felt it. Her healing was accelerating. When she turned back, Relena looked awed.
"But.."
"My healing time is faster than those of normal humans." Usagi explained. "Flesh wounds take minutes. They must be very deep to give me trouble. So as I said, do not worry too much Miss Relena."
"Just Relena, if you please." The dusky blonde said with a smile. "I shall leave you to shower Usagi. See you at dinner?"
"For sure." Usagi said, and watched with soft eyes as Relena let herself out. That had gone better than she hoped. She couldn't get this nagging feeling out of her mind however, that she knew Relena from somewhere. She shook it off.
Shedding the rest of her clothes, she carried herself to the beautiful bathroom that was attached to her room. "A girl could get used to this." She joked aloud as she turned on the water. She tried to ignore the pit in her stomach at the coming threat. It would do no good to dwell on the end, only the means.
...
And another chapter bites the dust. Hope you enjoyed the tenth installment of Fuseiseki, Failure. The chapters just keep getting longer. I have a hard time cutting them off. Usagi has finally met Relena, Noin, Sally, and Milliardo. Will she save Hilde? Or will Duo's love be the first casualty of Chaos' war on Serenity? Find out next time.