**Saturday**

***Yuri***

Work was pretty fun now, with Duo there and all. It also meant that the older guys stopped flirting with me, thanks to Duo. We had this facade of me being his girlfriend, so all the guys were afraid to approach me. Though if I think about it, I feel...it would be nice if that was true. What am I saying?!

Relena san’s party would start in two hours, and I was having trouble deciding what to wear. Duo? He was just lounging on the couch, watching Hana Yori Dango. Being a guy, he does not feel the need to worry about what he’s going to wear. Hn. Boys.

“Duo kun, are we supposed to dress formal or not?! Stop watching anime! Duo! Are you listening to me?”

“Huh? What? Oh yea, yea. You’re supposed to dress formally. Shhhh lemme watch this, it’s funny.”

I rolled my eyes and gave an exasperated sigh. Then I went to browse through my closet for, I think, the tenth time. Was I having trouble deciding what to wear? Oh no, not at all. Right. Finally, though, I chose a sapphire-blue, silk, Chinese-style dress with emerald-green floral designs and slits on both sides. Content with the choice, I went to shower.

**Forty minutes later (15 to shower, 25 to dry off)**

Praying the dress would still fit, I pulled it over my head. Luckily for me, it did. Now, what to do with my hair? And should I add any jewelry?

“Duuuuo, how should I do my hair?”

He looked up from the television screen, and stared. “Yuri?!” came the barely audible whisper. “God you look great! Leave your hair down. Oh and I know what would go with that dress. I was going to give this to you on Christmas, but I’ll just give it to you early.” He went to the guestroom, and emerged later with a tiny, red pouch. “Here, open it.”

“What is it?” I looked at him quizzically and opened the pouch.

Inside was a gold bracelet with jade beads spaced evenly throughout. I gasped.

“Duo! Ohmigosh, it’s beautiful! Where’d you get it? It must’ve cost a fortune! There’s no way I can keep this.”

He grinned cutely. “Yea, well. You’re my best friend, and you’ve always been there for me. Never mind how I paid for it. It’s yours, keep and like it.” Duo unclasped the bracelet and put it around my wrist.

“Domo arigato Duo kun!!” I smiled and threw my arms around his neck. Then I went to brush my hair and pin a silver and royal-blue butterfly clip on each side of my head, right above my ears.

***Duo***

I went into shock when I saw Yuri come out in that outfit. The site was simply breathtaking. (AN: that last sentence is purely fictional) I had found the bracelet while shopping for a birthday present for Hilde, and decided to buy it for Yuri. Of course I got Hilde’s present too; it was a silver necklace with ten white pearls stringed on. Simple, but elegant nonetheless. It’s scary how much one can earn at a salvage company.

After Yuri came out with her hair all done, I went to get changed. I took out my black suit, white dress-shirt, and Prussian-blue tie. I also rummaged through my suitcase for my dress shoes, which were lying on the bottom.

I finished dressing and re-did my braid.

**Relena’s mansion, Cinq Kingdom**

***Yuri***

Laughter and talking filled the place, and could be heard even outside. The gates opened automatically, and I drove my car through and parked in the semi-circle driveway. Duo got out and opened my door, surprising me.

We went inside, where a servant directed us to the ballroom. Lots of people were already there, conversing in little groups. Duo grabbed my hand and led me to one particular huddle, one where the people looked much younger.

“Hey guys! This is my very cool friend Yuri. I met her two years back at Professor J’s lab. Yuri, that’s Wufei thejusticefreak in the black tuxedo, Sally in the red dress, Noin in the black sleeveless and green skirt, Zechs or Milliardo in the uniform, Trowa in the red tuxedo, Catherine in the purple gown, Quatre in the gray tuxedo, Lady Une in the yellow dress, Mariemaia in the white sundress, Hilde in the green ball gown, her fiancé Alex in the blue tuxedo, Heero in the white tuxedo, and Relena in the light-blue gown.” He pointed each one out to me.

I smiled and said my greeting, “Hi, nice to meet everyone.”

They all replied back, except for Wufei. He was glaring at Duo until Sally poked him.

“What, onna?!”

“Wufei, be nice.”

“Hn.”

“Wufei. Weak people are rude (AN: not nec. true). If you don’t reply, you’ll be WEAK.”

“....Hello, onna.”

I watched in amusement as Sally hit him on the head with a rolled-up piece of paper.

An even bigger scowl appeared on the Chinese man’s face. “What the hell was that for?!”

“Just ignore them. So, you’re Duo’s friend? He’s told us some things about you.”

I turned around to find Relena at my side with Heero.

“Relena san! Weren’t you Queen Relena? It’s such an honor to meet you.”

She smiled pleasantly. “Please, just call me Relena. There’s not need to be formal around here. And yes, I was once known as Queen Relena. But now my title is simply Vice Foreign Minister. Oh and Heero here is my personal bodyguard.”

“Fiancé.” the silent boy corrected, in a monotone voice and a stony face

I grinned. “You pilot Wing, right? That’s cool.”

He seemed to loosen up after that comment. “Thanks. So how long have you known braid boy here?”

“About two years. Half of the first being annoying. But, everything’s great now. He’s my best friend, and I can trust him with anything. At the same time I also feel a need to worry about his safety and well-being. And he has such pretty cobalt-blue eyes!” I stopped, wondering why I had said that. “Ummm forget the last sentence.”

The couple on my left side shared a knowing look. Then Relena spoke up.

“You love him, don’t you? We think you two are perfect for each other. Duo needs someone to take care of him, and someone for him to care about.”

I blushed. “Who said anything about love?”

Quatre walked over at that moment. “Hello, Miss Yuri. I am Quatre Raberba Winner.”

“Hi, Quatre san. You can just call me Yuri. And, if I’m not mistaken, you pilot Sandrock?”

“Correct. I’m sure Duo told you. He does like to talk a lot, doesn’t he?” The blond hair, Arabian prince smiled in amusement.

“Sometimes, a little too much. But that’s what makes him Duo. Or, rather, Shinigami, as he likes to call himself.” Everyone sweatdropped at that.

I got a chance to talk to everyone, including Wufei. But he was..excruciating to talk to. I had to use all my energy to keep from hitting him. Also, quite a few guys asked me to dance, which surprised me.

What surprised me even more was when Duo cut in on a particularly boring dance partner. “ Sir Duo!” I reprimanded in a mock tone. “That was downright rude of you! Do you not know that it is not polite to cut in when one is trying pay attention to a gentleman’s one-sided, dull, political conversation?”

He laughed and played along. “Milady, I felt that you were a damsel-in-distress and needed to save you from that horrible dragon. Now, may I have the honor of this dance my fair maiden? Or shall I go off and search for some other unlucky princess to help?”

*giggle* “Oh, Duo. You just have to do the whole nine yards, don’t you? And a dragon? If anything but! He is a very polite young man, just awfully boring...What am I saying?! Help me get out of this way of talking! But anyway, thanks for saving me from him my prince.”

“It was my pleasure...AH! Yuri chan, now you’ve got me hooked on talking this way too!”

We laughed and had to go sit down before we made anyone trip. I refused any more offers, as did Duo. Close to nine, another guest arrived. This one caught my attention; she looked so familiar. A girl about our age in a dark red dress, long dark brown hair, and brown eyes. She scanned the room, her eyes rested on us, and she quickly walked over.

“Yuri chan?? Duo kun??” she cried.

“..Kenmei? Is that you? Ohmigosh!” I recognized my best friend from a long time ago. “But..I thought you died on that ‘mission’ Professor J sent you to!”

“Oi, Kenmei! It’s been a long time hasn’t it? How’ve you been?”

*laugh* “I’m great, Duo. And really, Yuri. Me, die? You’ve got to be kidding! That’s just a cover-up Professor J made up so I could take a break from everything. You know how annoying it is, breaking into different bases, gathering info for the old dude? Sheesh. Well anyway, Professor J told me Duo was here at your place, and said that you two would be at Relena san’s party. Where is she? I really want to meet her.”

Relena was sitting at the next table with Heero and Quatre, so Duo called them over.

“Hey Relena, Heero, Quatre, this is my and Yuri’s friend Kenmei. She also worked for Professor J as a spy/hacker.”

“Hello, Kenmei. Welcome to the Cinq Kingdom.” The ex-queen smiled warmly.

Heero acknowledged her with a nod.

Quatre, however, looked smitten with Kenmei. He bowed, took her gloved hand, and kissed it. “Good evening, Miss Kenmei. It is a pleasure meeting you. My name is Quatre Raberba Winner.”

“Hello everyone. Most of the elder guests look like the snobbish kind, so it’s really nice that you’re not.” She looked at Quatre, and he happily asked her to dance.

After that, Duo and I just conversed and watched Heero dance with Relena. They looked so content being with each other; why can’t I be as lucky? As for Duo..well, he’s my best friend. If he doesn’t feel the same way, that would be the end to our wonderful friendship.

Then, Duo surprised me for a third time that evening. He stood up and held out his hand before me. “My princess, would you care to dance?” he asked in a serious tone.

My gaze traveled upward and met his now deep-violet eyes, filled with sincerity and passion.

“I—I’d love to, Duo.” came my astonished reply.

He whisked me away to the dance floor, where they were playing a slow and sad melody. Within minutes, I fell into the trance of the haunting music. My eyes closed and my head leaned against Duo’s broad shoulder. I felt his strong arms grasp my waist lightly, and felt truly content for the first time ever since he left to battle.

***Kenmei***

I slowly made my way across the room, carefully observing everything around me. I noticed far away that a braided boy around my age talking with a beautiful girl in a dark blue dress. Figures, I thought. He’s probably trying to hit on her. I am also beginning to notice that I was being watched by several young men. Hmph, these idiots probably know nothing other than politics. Quatre kun should be here somewhere, I thought to myself, he told me to meet him here at eight-thirty. Just then, I noticed my blond friend sitting with a rather mad-looking young man with messy brown hair. Must be that suicidal pilot of Professor J’s, Heero.

When I reached their table, Quatre’s clear blue eyes shone with surprise.

"Kenmei! I am so happy you could come. I didn’t recognize you with your hair down."

That’s what everyone says, I thought to myself. Do I look that different with my hair down? Quatre’s voice brought me back to reality,

"Meet Heero, the pilot of Wing Zero and Ms. Relena’s fiancé."

"Pleased to meet you, Heero. My name is Kenmei."

Heero looked at me and nodded. I took that as a show of good will.

Quatre offered to get me a drink, so I walked with him to the buffet table.

The braided boy is now laughing with the girl in the dark blue dress, they were sitting at a table near the buffet. I recognized both of them instantly. The braided boy was Duo, pilot of Deathscythe Hell, and the girl was Yuri, my best friend before I began working with Doctor H.

I walked toward their direction while Quatre got my drink.

"Yuri chan?? Duo kun??"

The result I got was more than enthusiastic.

"Kenmei! I haven’t seen you for so long! I thought you died on a mission for Professor J."

"Oi, Kenmei! It's been a long time hasn't it? How've you been?" That was from the ever hyper Duo.

*laugh* "I'm great, Duo. And really, Yuri. Me, die? You've got to be kidding! That's just a cover-up Professor J made up so I could take a break from everything. You know how annoying it is, breaking into different bases, gathering info for the old dude? Sheesh. Well anyway, Professor J told me Duo was here at your place, and said that you two would be at Relena san's party. Where is she? I really want to meet her."

Relena was sitting at the next table with Heero and to my surprise, Quatre. Since we had been working together on a secret battle strategy program for the doctors during the past three years, no one except the other pilots were supposed to know that we knew each other, including Yuri. Well, without the permission from any of the scientists, we were not allowed to inform Yuri, a future pilot. Quatre must have seen me talking with Yuri and Duo and decided to take cover with Heero and Relena. Duo called them over.

"Hey Relena, Heero, Quatre, this is my and Yuri's friend Kenmei. She also worked for Professor J as a spy/hacker."

"Hello, Kenmei. Welcome to the Cinq Kingdom." the ex-queen smiled warmly.

Heero looked at me knowingly and gave me a nod, again.

Quatre, however, acted like perfectly. Like a love sick puppy, he kissed my gloved hand and replied, slowly and clearly, "Good evening, Miss Kenmei. It is a pleasure meeting you. My name is Quatre Raberba Winner."

Trying my hardest not to burst out laughing, I said, ""Hello everyone. Most of the elder guests look like the snobbish kind, so it's really nice that you're not."

I could tell from Quatre’s eyes that he was also straining not to burst out laughing, so I quickly winked at him and looked at the dance floor where an orchestra just started playing a new song. Quatre, getting my signal, quickly asked me to dance with him.

We danced for awhile, and then a really sad song came on. My feet were tired, and I bet Quatre’s were too, so I suggested getting a glass of punch. That probably wasn’t a very good idea, considering since Duo was there the punch was probably spiked, but oh well. We walked over to the table, and I happened to see Duo stand up. He held out his hand to Yuri and said something. Then they started dancing, very closely together.

I poked Quatre in the side. “Hey..those two look really into each other. Any idea what’s going on?”

My peace-loving friend shook his head. “I don’t know for sure, but Duo might be in love with Yuri, and vice versa. Well I at least know he doesn’t love Hilde, since she just got engaged to that young man over there. His name’s Alex.”

“Ahh...I see. Would you be willing to consider you and I play matchmaker? *giggle* It should prove to be very interesting indeed.”

He gasped, but gave a tiny smile. “Kenmei! We shouldn’t be doing things like that! You can’t force love.”

“I’m just kidding, my dear friend. Well, those two look like they’re pretty close to figuring out each other’s feelings. I wish them the best of luck; they both deserve it.”

***Duo***

By the time we got home, it was already eleven-thirty. Yuri had looked really tired so I offered to drive. I started to wake her up when we arrived at her place, but she looked so peaceful that I didn’t want to. So I carried her up the stairs into the apartment, noticing all the while how her head lay lightly against my chest. I was afraid she’d feel my racing heartbeat and wake up.

Gently, I placed Yuri on her twin-sized bed. I must’ve stood there for at least five minutes, just watching her sleep. Her angelic features looked so calm in slumber. Unconsciously, I leaned down until I was just an inch from her face. Suddenly, though, her eyelids fluttered and I stepped back quickly, stumbling on her light-blue slippers. She settled and turned to her side. I sighed and turned to go out the door, granting myself one last look before whispering what I’ve wanted to say ever since I got here, “Aishiteru, Yuri. Good night my angel.” Then I left to go take my shower.

***Yuri***

I slowly woke up to the running sound of water. Confused, I looked at my surroundings to figure out where I was. My eyesight sharpened as I gradually became used to the dim light coming from Duo’s room through the crack in my doorway. I yawned and tried to find my clock. Midnight. How did I get up here? Did Duo actually carry me all the way? Well...this is a side I’ve never seen before. The shower had been turned off, and a few seconds later I heard a dull *thud*, and a semi-loud “Kisama!!” I giggled softly, hoping he was alright. Then I waited a for him to dress while I changed into my pajamas, a tank top and a pair of sweat pants. I grabbed my quilt, put on my slippers, and walked into his room where I found him with his wet hair down. He seemed to having a bit of trouble brushing them.

I caught his eyes in the mirror subtly so as to not startle him. “Arigato, Duo..”

“For what?” he asked, quite preoccupied for the moment.

“For bringing me up the stairs. Here, let me brush your hair.”

I pulled up a chair to sit behind him, and he handed me the comb. Taking care not to pull too hard, I finally worked out the knots in the beautiful chestnut-brown locks which I became mesmerized with. I was done but didn’t want to leave. His shiny hair was baby fine, and I just had to run my hands through it. Duo eyes were closed in comfort so I decided to braid his hair too. Then that was done and there was nothing left to do. I got up to go back to bed, but I felt a grab on my wrist. And stopped in my tracks. Before I knew what was happening, another pair of lips were on my own. His arms wrapped around my waist and I melted against his touch.

Abruptly, I broke away. “Duo, I...you..” my voice faltered and I ran back to my own room, slamming the door behind me. I slid against the door and onto the floor, feeling something wet against my cheek. “Tears..? Doshite? Why him? Why did it have to be my best friend? Why is it that that’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted?”

***Duo***

I can’t believe I did that. I should have known better than to act impulsively. You’d think two years of war would teach me something, but it didn’t. And now Yuri is in her room crying tears I provoked. I felt so guilty, and my heart wrenched in pain.

The quiet sobbing stopped and was replaced with the sound of hands punching a pillow. The punches grew weaker, and they, too, stopped. A faucet was turned on and off. Soon after the light under the door was also switched off.

I felt that I should leave after what I did to her, so I changed into a pair of jeans and a black shirt. Then packed my bags, wrote a note apologizing, and went to slip it under her door. I was half-way out the apartment when I heard a lock click and a door swinging open.

Yuri stood there with eyes red and wet from crying. “...You’re welcome to stay...”

“Aishiteru Yuri. I—”

“I understand. I’m not making you leave, and it’s not that I don’t love you. I just don’t know what to do with my feelings right now. Everything is just so confusing. Do you understand? I’ve never felt anything like this before. Would you be willing to give me a few weeks?”

“Anything, anything you want. Your wish is my command.”

I received a dismal stare in return. “Why do you have to be so nice?” And then she turned before I could think of a reply. I gave a deep sigh, closed the door, and went to unpack my bags. Though somewhat bewildered, I was happy that Yuri wasn’t mad at me.