Beauty's Beast

Chapter 11

Authors notes: Its a little short, don't whine about the length please, I know. hahaha. Im studying for finals. Damn College to hell.

They say the first ten seconds of meeting someone determines a long term impression. Minako Aino had the impression that Duo Maxwell was her mission.

He'd walked her home several hours ago, leaving her with a peck on the cheek in the dimly lit hallway of her apartment.

He left her wanting more. She sighed, letting her body slowly breathe itself into slumber. Her heart skipped a beat though, at the small noise outside her window.

Wrapping her arms around herself, she walked hesitantly to her window, staying in the shadows. The small noise at the window came again. A tuft of blonde hair fell into her face across her eyes, she puffed quietly, blowing it out of focus.

She reached the window, her hands atop the small ledge, as she peered over, into the city street. Her inhale was sharp, as the noise came again. It sounded like fire crackers, the echo somewhere down the street.

Cocking her head, she nearly missed it. She had already begun to turn around, when the swift movement had caught her eye. Whirling around, she caught a glimpse of Hotaru, darting across the street.

She squinted a moment, guessing her mind was playing tricks on her. All the same though, she wandered into Hotaru's bedroom. The door was cracked, and Minako pushed it open quietly.

Hotaru's bed lay empty.

She frowned, checking the bathroom and kitchen before noticing that the front door was cracked, In the same way Hotaru's bedroom door was. Probably as to save the noise made from shutting the door from waking Rei and herself.

She glanced at Rei, debating with herself a moment. Deciding against waking her, she crept into the hallway.

She was out the door in a matter of seconds, not wanting to lose Hotaru. Minako took off through the alley ways, searching the dark for Hotaru.

The crisp night air felt bitter to her. The weather had been restless lately, the warm air of summer hadn't even lingered this year. Fall had moved in quickly, come to think of it.

The stale smell of the wet streets churned her stomach as she ran. The hairs on her arms stood up along the tiny goosebumps, prickly to the touch as she shuddered.

She'd gone down the alley Hotaru had been down, but wasn't able to find her. She glanced about confused. She came out of the alley onto a main street. It was probably for the better.

The alleys in this city were like intricate channels, difficult to navigate. Every small shop looked abandoned, their chairs turned up, and their lights off. The entire street seemed to be at rest.

Glancing up, she checked street signs. She was only a few blocks from the apartment. A dull shape hovered lazily in the distance, and Minako paused a moment, cautious to move.

Straining her eyes to focus, she noticed his distinct posture, and appearance. Heero? She pursed her lips, watching. She moved carefully, peeking out from around the corner.

Heero seemed lost, as he too checked street signs from his side of the street. He shook his head, seemingly frustrated. She watched as he crept by a few stores, pausing at one. He was steadily coming closer to her with every step.

Minakos adrenaline surged.

He produced a set of keys from his jacket pocket, letting himself into the store after several seconds. The door swung shut behind him.

Minako frowned. Government business maybe? After all, she had no idea why these boys were stationed in this city, of all places.

Taking her chance, she moved carefully, examing the shop windows as she grew closer. It was a small bicycle shop, and Heero hadn't even bothered to turn a single light on.

She couldn't even see him in the shop as a matter of fact. It was as if he'd never gone inside. Confused, she glanced to the other stores.

She was sure. It had to have been the bicycle shop. She grasped the cool metal handle, pulling it open slowly. Her thoughts rushed. Why was she even doing this?

Her heart raced, as a state of panic flooded her. The overhead bell on the shop door rang. Cautiousley, she moved behind the counter, under the cash register.

She folded her body, sitting on the floor, holding her breath. Hearing footsteps somewhere behind her, her eyes nearly flooded.

Why had she even thought this was slightly a good day? Damn. Curiosity kills the cat, and Rei told her this on a daily basis. Damn.

Still holding her breath, her ears picked up small sounds in their heightened sensitivity. She heard Heero move slowly to the door. Probably checking it. He hadn't even bothered to lock it though.

The footsteps grew softer, and she guessed he was at the door now. She heard the lock click, the bolt sliding into place.

Her body was pulled backwards though into a head lock, as she felt the smooth, cool metal barrel against her temple.

"Omae O Korosu," the gruff voice growled. Panicking, Minako pressed her eyes shut, letting a small cry escape her throught.

Whoever had secured the door, was definetly not Heero Yuy. Someone else must be in the shop with them.

--

"Your risking it," the blonde growled. Hotaru shook her head, rolling her eyes.

The elder of the pair, the blonde, shook her head. She wasn't older by much, but still, leave it to the young.

"We need to find Ami and Michiru, before Heero does," she urged.

Hotaru sighed, frustrated, "I don't even know where to look."

"We've gone too far to lose it all now," the blonde said. Her blue eyes pleaded with Hotaru. It was true. They had.

"I don't understand why we have to be reborn. Everything's fine the way it is," Hotaru argued.

"You tell that to your sister. When Jadiete," the blonde paused, "Jed," she continued, using his shortened nickname, "disapeared, he was reborn. Are you saying you'd rather they never see each other again. He was the love of her life Hota."

Hotaru rolled her eyes, "She seems to be just fine without him."

"Just like Michiru's fine. Without Haruka?" The blonde asked. Her voice had a mocking tone to it.

Hotaru sighed.

"What do you get out of this?" Hotaru asked finally.

Usagi frowned. "Well, we all return to Crystal Tokyo," she said quietly.

"If that was what was supposed to happen, why are we here?" Hotaru argued.

Usagi dropped her eye contact. She didn't have the heart to tell the girl. She herself had wondered the same thing.

She'd asked Setsuna to send her back in time, thinking she would be able to save Mamoru from his death. She hadn't though, and it appeared now they were stuck in this time until they were reborn.

It was all Usagi's mistake. She'd battled with herself, feeling selfish at times for requesting to be reborn. She knew that the connections between the senshi were all very intricately webbed. The power of Life, Rebirth, and Destruction could easily fall into the wrong hands, givin the large gap in time they were traveling.

She'd never meant to hurt Rei, Hotaru, Minako, Michiru, or Ami. She had only been thinking of herself when she had gone to Setsuna. Now, over the past six months, she was coping with the death of her soul mate, and righting her wrongs.

She realized after what seemed forever, she'd never answered Hotaru. Glancing up, she watched the younger girl shut the door behind her. Her eyes lingered on Usagi, as she turned her back on her, heading back down the steps.

Downstairs, Usagi heard a small commotion.