Gundam Wing Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ If Love was Real ❯ A Time of Peace ( Chapter 6 )

"Thank you. Please come again." Hotaru said as the customer left.

"Wow Hotaru. We haven't had this much customers since…forever!" Duo said as he carried in a box full of computer chips. "I still need to show you how to work that one system that Heero put in…and I have to test you on that one quizy thing."

"Quiz?" Hotaru asked with a disbelieving look upon her face.

"Believe it or not you have to take that quiz. Everyone has."

"What for? You know I'm qualified." Hotaru said as she walked behind the counter and help carrying in the other computer parts while Duo went back for car parts.

"Because we just need to know where you stand." Duo grunted as He pushed the box full of motors inside the storage place.

"Right…" Hotaru she fought to roll her eyes. "It's because of Wufie isn't it? He has been trying a find a flaw since I got here."

"Well Wufie was the one that made the quiz since the beginning when we first started our store." Duo answered from the back.

"…"

"Yep. Ok we're finally finish carrying those stupid boxes in let's began your testing!"

"Now?" Hotaru's amethyst eyes questioned.

"Yep now." Duo said and took out a laptop. "Ok there is a laptop- Hey no rolling your eyes!"

Hotaru rolled her eyes.

"You have to finish this and tell me why it isn't working in about two hours." Duo said and pushed the laptop towards her.

As Duo left the store Hotaru sat down. She lifted the black screen up right and turned it on. "The on and off buttons are ok…But…something seems to be wrong with the color and…let's see…" This was the beginning of a very long day.

^^^

Duo came into the store. "Hey Hotaru I-" Something was off…the store was too quite. Piles of computer parts lie scattered on the ground. Not to mention the glass door was broken. How could he miss that? "God no…" Could Hotaru be hurt just like the rest of the employees? The last bloody image of the former employee ran through his mind. The scene with Hotaru's battered body on the floor was not what he wanted to see, right then. "Hotaru?"

No answer. Where is she? Duo raced through one aisle to the next. "Hotaru!" He looked behind the counter to see Hotaru's coffee cup lying on the ground with it contents splattered about. No…this is NOT happening. Hotaru can't get hurt yet! "HOTARU!"

BAM!

Before Duo was able to turn around something solid was flung at him and caused him to fall to the floor headfirst. "That'll teach you not to steal from this store again. Men. Just because I'm a girl doesn't make me weak." Hotaru's voice was heard from above Duo.

"Uh…Hotaru?"

"Duo? Where are you?" She looked around to find where Duo's voice was coming from.

"Could…could you get this thing off me?"

"What thing?" Looking around again, then finally noticing the extra pair off feet under the young man she had threw to the floor. "Oh…sorry." She said sheepishly.

"It's ok…" Duo said as he dust himself off. "But what's with the kid?"

"Oh…" Hotaru looked down at the young men sternly like a parent to a child. "He tried to steal some parts…then he tried to threaten me into giving him all the money."

"And you apparently was too much for him to handle." Duo finished and scratched him head. "You're a very versatile girl, Hotaru."

"Hm…I guess you could say that." She shrugged.

"Now what do we do with him?" Duo asked as he bend down to examined the poor young man who crossed Hotaru. "Damn you really…How did you do all that damage?"

"Instinct I guess. Life wasn't easy after the war…" She trailed off.

Duo nodded, the war tore families apart. Many children had to grow up when they were too young and learned of the harsh world before they were ready for it. A young girl out there alone was an easy target. "I understand. Just next time…could you just be a little bit more gentle?"

"I don't think there will be a next time." Hotaru smiled.

"Oy! Your shift is up. You better be getting home now." Duo said as he looked at the clock. "Are you done with the-"

"Long done. Night Duo see you tomorrow." Hotaru waved and left.

Duo looked at the figure and then looked at the unconscious young man. If he didn't see it himself, he wouldn't have believed that Hotaru beat up the poor guy and threw him. Walking towards the desk where the laptop lie, Duo picked it up and check to see the score. His eyes widen as he looked at the answer. She had passed the exam and did way more, enough to score higher then average score. Jesus, there might be something more to Hotaru then meets the eye.

`Maybe I was a little to hard on the poor guy.' Hotaru thought as she walked home. The adrenaline was still coursing through her; just the thought of it makes her sick. `I like fighting that much?' It was as though she couldn't control herself and the urge to fight was too strong to hold back. `What are you going to do Tomoe? What have you gotten yourself into? Let's just hope that no one else gets hurt.'

The dark moonlight peaked over the tall buildings, just as the city lights came into view. The noise of the traffic increased as cars on freeways zoomed by. Sighing she walked towards the mansion.

Laughter was heard on the other side of the oak door, she paused to open it. Instead she leaned her forehead on it and sighed. It had amazed her how fast the girls had open up their arms and willingly invited her in…from there they had proved her with a loving friendship. A friendship she that she truly cherished with all her heart. They gave her something that no one had given her before, and she had vowed to protect them with her life. A small smile appeared on her delicate face as she heard Raye yelling at Serena again. A family she never had…shaking her head and letting out, yet, another sigh she decided that it was time she should go in. As the dinner light shined on her face when the old oak door creaked open, she couldn't help but smile at the site.

A cheerful room full of people sat at the round table or `knights of the largely oaken table' as Mina had put it the first night she was there. All of them either laughing or smiling, a whiff of spicy Asian cooked food tickled her nose. The sweet smell of honey chicken and fried rice made her stomach remind her how hungry she was. "Hey Hotaru!" Mina said and held a bowl full of the fried rice towards her. "You're lucky you came just in time. Serena was about to eat your share of the food."

"No I wasn't!" Serena shouted and that started another round of arguing.

Hotaru hid her smile. She wouldn't give this up for the world. But as she sat down she could help feeling that this phase of happiness will soon be taken away.

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A/N : I'm sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. But I hope you still like it! ^-^ And please remember to review!