This is an AU fic, but it is also a fusion of sorts. What I have done is taken the general story line from Sailor Moon and replaced the characters with those from Gundam Wing. There will be large differences from Sailor Moon, two of which I don't mind sharing. First, there is no Sailor Moon, no Queen Serenity, no predetermined future with a kingdom on the moon. For this fic, there may as well be no moon. Secondly, I've changed the scouts and their powers as I've seen fit. Be warned that their powers may have vague allusions to those of Dragon Ball Z or the Tenchi sagas.

Warnings: possible violence/angst.
Pairings: will be 1x2, 3x4
Category: AU, action/adventure, fantasy, romance
Author: Arigatomina

Without the Moon

Part 1

"Heero!" A short blonde boy ran for a moment to catch up with the brown-haired boy. Once he had, however, he seemed to hesitate before finally taking a breath, "Have you seen the new boy?"

Heero raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Well, I like him. He's got a great personality and I was wondering if I could invite him to sit with us at lunch."

"Quatre," cobalt blue eyes narrowed. "You know how people will treat him if he sat with us. How do you know he won't end up resenting us for it?"

"No," Quatre said in an ironic little voice. "I don't think we'll have to worry about *that*. When you see him, you'll understand. " With a small smile, Quatre turned and moved quickly down the hall toward his class. Heero couldn't help smirking at the way people subtly stepped out of the smaller boy's way.

//Yes. We have quite a reputation at this school. We can't let just anybody join us.//

When Heero entered his physics class, he walked straight to his seat, unmindful of the few students standing in the isle he was walking down. They moved quickly out of his way and he sat at his desk, empty chairs surrounding him on all sides. Since none of the others were in the class, there was no one he wanted near him. The teacher and the rest of the class understood and made no comment. It was a small school and almost the entire class body had been going to school together since first grade. All new, it hadn't taken Heero and his friends long to form a bond that excluded the rest of the student body.

//And now Quatre wants to invite a person he just met to *our* table? This must be quite the individual.// Just as he finished his thought, he looked up to see someone walking towards the seat in front of him to his right.

The boy was dressed in black jeans, a black teeshirt, and a black jacket. His head was bowed, chestnut bangs falling into his face obscuring it from view. Not paying Heero the least bit of attention, he slid gracefully into the seat, setting his books under his desk. Propping his elbows on the desk, he folded his hands and rested his chin on them.

Still unable to see the boy's face, Heero let his eyes move over the long braid that hung down the boy's back, curling on the seat of the chair. //He certainly is a strange one.// Opening his notebook, Heero began to work the problems for the next chapter. The class was mandatory, but Heero could have done without it. He already knew this stuff. His attention wandered back to the boy and he frowned. //Does Quatre really think he's one of us? There are already four, how many can there be? And how could he tell so quickly? It took us months to realize we were the same. And if he is one of us, does he know what separates us from the others, what makes us different? Did he find out on his own?//

Staring at the back of the boy's head, Heero raised an eyebrow when he suddenly shook his head and curled an arm on the table before burying his face in its crook. Blinking in surprise, Heero wondered if he was actually planning to sleep. He didn't have to glance at the clock to know there were only three minutes left before the teacher would come in, and Miss Po wouldn't take kindly to a student sleeping. Especially a new one who should have been on his best behavior. Watching the door, he glanced at the boy when the teacher entered, blinking when that head came up quickly and he leaned down, grabbing his books out from under his desk and opening them.

All business, Sally Po walked to her desk, setting her case on it and getting her lessons before setting it to the side. Glancing down at a sheet of paper, her eyes went to the long-haired boy and she raised her head. "Duo Maxwell?"

Tilting his head out of respect, Duo nodded. "That would be me," he said softly.

"Welcome to this school, my name is Miss Po."

"I'm sure I'll enjoy your class, Miss Po," the boy said in a smooth voice without the least bit of sarcasm before glancing down at his desk.

"Well then."

* * *

Sitting at the table that had been left open for their group, Heero watched as Wufei crossed the room to join him, a large bowl of salad on his tray. Nodding, they greeted each other, then Heero turned to continue his watch. Seeing the girls, his eye twitched and he dropped his gaze quickly, scowling when they giggled as they passed him to sit at the next table. Like them, the girls were always together, and since there were four of them they had gotten it in their heads to go after the four boys. For some reason Heero didn't understand, they weren't frightened of them at all. Gritting his teeth for a minute, he looked up again, eyes moving over the large cafeteria. He was looking for Quatre, and he wasn't disappointed.

The blonde boy was smiling at the new boy, Trowa walking beside him as they entered the cafeteria. Duo had his head turned as he listened to him, so Heero still couldn't see his face, but judging by the way Trowa was looking over at him, he wanted to. Moving through the lunch line, they got their food then headed for the table. Biting his lip, Quatre looked to Heero as they got closer, but he let out a sigh of relief when he saw the cobalt-eyed boy was watching Duo.

Heero met Trowa's eyes for a second before looking to the new boy again. Nodding slightly, Trowa's green eyes moved to Quatre, the silent conversation over. Not worried about being rude, Heero stared at the long-haired boy, taking in the wide violet eyes and the lovely heart-shaped face.

"Are you going to introduce me to your friends, Quatre?" Duo asked, not breaking the staring contest the dark-haired boy had started. "Or should I go?"

"No, it's alright," Quatre said quickly, not glancing at Heero. Pointing to the tall boy seated beside him, he smiled slightly, "This is Trowa, Wufei, and Heero. Guys, I'd like you to meet Duo."

Breaking away from intense eyes Duo glanced at the other two before smirking. "Duo Maxwell." Sniffing at the food on his tray, he smirked again as he saw they were still staring. "So, how long have you guys been together?"

Frowning, Wufei's black eyes narrowed and he sat forward. "What do you mean?"

"How long have you known what you were?"

Turning to Quatre in shock, Wufei saw the blonde smile, nodding. "I think the five of us need to talk after school," Quatre said. "Can you, Duo?"

Enjoying the startled expressions, Duo nodded. "Unless something comes up. Where should I meet you?"

"Well, I think you have the same last period class as Trowa, so if you follow him, we usually get together at Wufei's temple."

"You have a temple?"

Frowning at the humor in the question, Wufei nodded sharply.

"Cool."

* * *

"You don't say much, do you?" Smiling when the tall boy didn't answer, Duo shook his head. "That's okay though. You're probably the strong silent type, right? Yeah, I know how that goes. I used to know a guy like that and he never talked unless he had to. I mean, you practically had to pry his mouth open with a crowbar to get more than two words out of him."

Glancing at the boy out of the corner of his eye, Trowa raised an eyebrow. //Does he ever stop talking? But Quatre's right, he has a nice attitude. He'll drive Heero up the wall though. Wufei'll get a kick out of that.//

Noticing that he had the boy's attention, Duo grinned. "So, Trowa, what's the deal with the shadow?"

Not bothering to look behind him, Trowa's eyes narrowed. "They're persistant, those girls. Just ignore them. They never follow us into the temple."

Glancing over his shoulder at the four girls following not ten feet behind them, Duo winked at the black-haired girl, laughing when she giggled. "They're cute. They got a crush on you?"

"On all of us," Trowa said, monatone voice telling Duo how much he enjoyed that fact.

"I get it. Stalkers." Laughing again, Duo shook his head. "Why don't you just tell 'em you're not interested? I mean, no point letting them think they have a chance."

"We have. It hasn't worked."

"Four of them, four of you. Damn, looks like I'm the odd man out."

Turning his head to look at the boy, Trowa made a slight expression of distaste. "You can have your pick. We don't want them."

"Naw, I don't have time for a giggling girl. Besides, they're like us."

"What?!"

Smiling proudly at having gotten a reaction, Duo shook his head, managing to look mysterious as he evaded Trowa's green-eyed gaze. "I'll explain later."

* * *

"Alright, talk." Eyes narrowed, Heero looked at Trowa who'd coughed slightly before turning back to Duo.

"Heh, no problem. It's obvious we're all pals here, so what do you want to know?" Duo responded quickly.

"How did you know what we were so quickly?" Heero asked, suspicious to the end.

"We went to the same school for weeks before we noticed our bond," Quatre said, wanting to placate Heero but not knowing how.

"Well, as soon as I came to this area I knew there was a reason for me to go to your school. And then, when I saw you, it clicked. I mean, scouts aren't like other people."

"And how do we know you're actually a scout?" Wufei asked, joining Heero in his suspicion. Ignoring Quatre's reproachful glare, he continued. "It's easy to say you are, but what proof do we have?"

"You guys aren't very trusitng. Well, if I wasn't, how would I know *you* were?"

"Don't argue guys, we shouldn't be fighting. There's an easy enough way to make sure he's one of us." Flinching when two angry glares were directed at him, Quatre leaned closer to Trowa who sat beside him. "Well, if he's a scout, all he's got to do to prove it would be transform, right?"

"Um, I'd rather not."

Suspicions confirmed, Heero and Wufei locked gazes before pinning the violet eyed boy. "Why?"

"Look, I just don't want to. Trust me a little, huh? Just listen for a while. I tell you what, if you still want me to prove it when I'm done, I will but on *my* conditions." Not explaining, the hard look in Duo's eyes gave way to a softer expression. "Trowa says you guys have been having trouble with some girls. Have you wondered why they weren't afraid of you?"

"What do you know?" Heero asked, folding his arms over his chest, one eyebrow raised in scepticism.

"I know...that they are also scouts." Raising his hands to stem the cries of disbelief, Duo went on. "It's true. I don't know their names, but they're the scouts of Mars, Venus, Mercury and Jupiter, the inner scouts. Now, I don't know for sure, but I guess that would make you guys the outer scouts."

"How do you know so much?" Quatre asked, eyes wide. He'd sensed the boy was different the first time they'd met, but this was more information than he'd expected.

"Well, I can't take the credit. Most of what I know I learned from a friend of mine, but you guys can meet him later. Right now, I'd be interested in finding out which of you are which scouts. I mean, I know you guys are outer scouts, but which ones?"

"I still don't trust you."

Giving Wufei a disgruntled look, Duo glared. "Come on, you'll see me the next time you fight, just wait."

"Who said we'd let you join us?" Heero asked, cobalt eyes shooting sparks. "We can fight our own battles, we don't need your help."

"That doesn't matter," Duo said, shaking his head as he let out a soft laugh. "I came to this city because my enemies moved here. It took me too long to get here for me to just walk away." Leaning forward, he gave Heero a challenging look. "I'm going to be there whether you like it or not. Besides, why are you so sure you won't need my help? How long have you guys been fighting? It's been a long time for me and I've learned that there are some enemies too hard to defeat alone."

"Actually, we've done fine." Hating to disagree with him, especially since he *wanted* the boy to fight with them, Quatre shook his head. "Our battles have been easy. Maybe yours were more difficult because you were alone." Groaning, he knew he'd made things worse when those violet eyes narrowed.

"I know how to fight alone," Duo said roughly, "and I don't buy your reasoning a bit. Are you saying you've fought the ones responsible, or just their flunkies?"

"The ones responsible?"

Meeting Trowa's questioning gaze, Duo smirked. "That's what I thought. I may only be one, but I didn't stand a chance against them and there is no way they'd be easy for *you* to defeat, even if there are four of you. Hell, even if the inner scouts helped, you'd never call them easy."

"You know who's behind the monsters we've fought? Tell me who." Gritting his teeth when the boy pretended not to hear him, Heero's hands clenched into fists. "Now."

"Don't go ordering me around," Duo said, eyes narrowed.

"Damnit, you're the one who wanted to join *us*. So just answer the question," Wufei said, done with waiting.

"If' I'd known you guys were going to be so difficult, I wouldn't have wasted my time. Sorry Quatre," Duo said, standing quickly. He could feel the hairs on the back of his neck rising. "I've got places to be. Don't worry," he smiled at the blonde as those pale blue-green eyes widened. "I'll be there whether those two like it or not. And remember what I said about those girls. If they haven't fought yet, it's just a matter of time before they do."

"Where do you think you're going?"

Pausing, Duo grinned for a second before clearing his face as he turned to meet Heero's angry glare. "Your school's food sucks. I'm going to get some real food before I collapse."

* * *

"Why did you *do* that?!" Ignoring Trowa's hand on his shoulder, Quatre glared daggers at the two dark-haired boys. "If what he says is true, we *do* need him. Why did you run him off?"

"Quatre, you're too trusting," Heero said evenly, not bothered by the pale boy's anger. "We don't know if anything he said was true. Besides, he left. We didn't make him."

"You know you did! You two drive me crazy." Seeing the way Wufei winced at his hurt expression, Quatre calmed the dramatics. "It wasn't easy to get him to agree to join us. I know you thought it was his idea, but it wasn't. I *know*...without a doubt that we have to be united if we're going to win this. Yes, our battles have been easy, but that won't last, it never does. Thanks to you we may have lost our last chance at being united. Think about it, if the girls..." he winced before continuing, "if they are Jupiter, Mars, Mercury and Venus then that means there's only one more planet. Don't you get it, one more. And that *has* to be Duo."

"We don't know that, Quatre." Shaking his head when the boy beside him turned on him, Trowa's eyes widened slightly. "I believe your certainty, but there is no reason to believe we are the only representatives of planet power. Besides, there are more planets than we have in our solar system. How can we know that there are only nine? Don't you see...we don't know at all."

"Heero, has Wing said anything about the inner scouts? I know you haven't meantioned them, but did he say anything?"

"Quatre, I wouldn't keep anything from the team. This is the first I've heard of them." Growling in frustration, Heero shook his head furiously.

"I refuse to believe those *girls* are scouts. Except for Dorothy, they're all simpering females incapable of fighting." Still glaring, Wufei was caught off guard when Trowa pinned him with an icy glare. "Okay, Catherine isn't simpering, but she's still a girl."

"Enough. There's no point arguing amongst ourselves. We need to look into part of what he said. If the enemies we've fought were only subordinates, then we need to find the one sending them."

"Heero, that's my point," Quatre put in. "If you hadn't treated him with such distrust, I'm sure Duo would have been able to help us with that."

"We don't need him."

"No," Wufei agreed, ignoring Trowa's warning gaze as Quatre's face fell, "We don't."

* * *

"What the hell's their problem?" Arms folded over his chest, Duo sat on the edge of his bed, glaring at the floor. Feeling the light touch of claws on his shoulder, Duo looked down into a black-furred face. "What?"

"Why are you pouting? They didn't *make* you leave. You did that on your own."

"Shi-chan, if you're trying to make me mad at you too, it's working."

"Must you call me that?"

Grinning, Duo turned to lift the sleek cat into the air, laughing when it's green eyes narrowed and it tensed in his hands. "But you're so *cute* when you act all serious on me." Ignoring the legs that twitched against him, Duo lowered his head to nuzzle the cat's neck, blowing warm air on the silky fur and laughing louder when a low purring started up. Holding the cat against him, he stroked his hand down over it's back, fingers scratching the hair on it's cheek. "Shi-chan, you know you're crazy about me."

"Mmmm....I admit you know how to pet, but that doesn't mean you aren't a baka," came the low response as the cat rubbed it's head against Duo's neck. "You shouldn't have run off. You're lonely."

"Don't be silly," Duo said lightly, wrapping his arms around the sleek cat and glancing away from the face looking up at him. "I've got you, don't I?"

"Duo..."

"Ah, don't worry, Little Kitty. I'll be fine."

"I think I prefer Shi-chan..."

* * *

"Did you see that guy? Oh...I think I'm in love..."

Groaning, Dorothy glared at Hilde before shoving a text book under the black-haired girl's nose. "I thought books and school were the only things you 'loved', Hilde. Since when do you drool over some guy you don't even know?"

"I'll bet Relena rubbed off on her," Catherine put in, brushing her nearly shoulder-length red hair away from her face as she eyed the blonde girl in question. "After all, *she* is always going on about Heero and you know Hilde isn't the best at being rude. It was only a matter of time before she was corrupted."

"Excuse me, Cathy darling, but you really shouldn't talk. I've seen the way you look at Trowa. There's no use pretending."

Glaring at Relena, Cathy turned her head away. "I feel sorry for him, that's all. With those stand-offish friends of his I just think he needs someone to be nice to him."

"What about Quatre?" Smirking when the red-head glared at her, Dorothy folded her hands on the table and tilted her head. "Well, you have to admit, he's very nice and he and Trowa seem to be close."

"Trowa isn't gay," Cathy said, frowning at the table. "If he was then I'd be all for the two of them. No, they're just friends and Trowa's so sensitive...he needs someone to care about him."

"So you admit it," Relena said, smiling proudly. "You're gagga for him."

Rolling her eyes, Catherine looked to Hilde. "There's no use talking sense to her," she nodded at Relena before meeting the girl's gaze. "But Hilde, you're usually so sensible. This isn't like you."

"I know. And I really don't know what's come over me...I guess it's because of the way he looked at me earlier." Sighing, she smiled and blushed lightly. "He's so cute."

"You're pathetic," Dorothy said with a tolerant smirk. "Anyway, we really need to get down to business."

"Oh, not that fighting stuff again," Relena muttered, groaning as she gripped the picture in front of her tighter. "It's rediculous. Even if there is a war coming, we couldn't fight. We should be more concerned with finding the opposition and talking them into living with us in peace. Not that I believe you, though. I think the two of you have been without a date for too long, your brains have rotted."

Sneering at the girl's peace-talk, Catherine leaned forward, eyes shooting sparks. "I'm telling you there are bad people coming and whether you like it or not, we're going to end up fighting."

"But what could we do?" Hilde asked frowning as she slowly shook her head. "I hate to say it, but we're just girls."

"What the *hell* does that mean?" Dorothy demanded, glaring at the stricken girl. "Just because we're girls doesn't mean we're weak. Besides, if you'd listen to Cathy, she's sure we have powers of our own."

"Super powers," Relena said, laughing at the rediculousness. "We're super-heros."

"Well, maybe you're not, but I'm sure the rest of us have a bond beyond our friendship. I've been having these...visions. I'm sure I'm right. We just have to find out how to use this...power."

"Why don't you and Dorothy go talk about it," Relena said, dismissing them as she looked at the picture in her hands, a faint smile curving her lips. "I have plans to make."

Gritting her teeth, Dorothy practically leapt over the table, snatching the picture away and looking at it for a moment before making a sound of disgust and throwing it down. "When did you take that? God, you are so pathetic, Relena. When are you going to get it into your head that Heero Yuy isn't interested? Why do you waste so much time mooning after him when you could be finding someone who returns your feelings?"

"Or listening to what I've been saying," Catherine put in, now that they had Relena's undivided attention. "Look at it this way, Relena, if there is an enemy out there and we don't do anything about it, Heero and everyone else is going to be in danger."

"Heero..."

"That's better. Now then, my idea is..."

"What's that?" Hilde said suddenly, getting out of her chair and rushing to the window as an explosion sounded nearby followed by screams. "Oh my God! Look!"

* * *

"Stop fighting, boy, you don't stand a chance against me."

Violet eyes narrowing into slits, Duo raised his tall staff, the gleaming curved scythe glowing with violet light. Holding it with both hands, he lowered his head slightly so he had to look through his bangs to see the man floating in the air not ten feet from him. Taking a deep breath, his fists clenched and a bright arc of light shot from the edge of blade, flowing through the air.

"You'll have to do better, Saturn. Just give up, you're not going to hit me." Disappearing as the glowing light reached him, the pale man reappeared behind the boy, long white hair streaming in the wind as he tried to grab him.

Letting out a furious cry, Duo dove for the ground, rolling away and getting to his feet so he was facing the man again. "I'm going to enjoy tearing you apart," he growled, trying to hide how heavily he was breathing.

"I'm sure you would," the man said softly, pale blue eyes shining as he smiled, "if you could. Don't fight, Saturn. I really don't want to hurt you."

"You're the one who's going to get hurt." Letting out a harsh breath, Duo swiped the blade he still held diagonally through the air, eyes narrowing as the man leapt out of the way, violet light tearing through the cement where he'd stood. "Damn you." Crouching, Duo's eyes flew through the dark sky, scanning the trees in front of the apartment complex nearby. "If you fought me in a less populated area I'd show you my true power," he growled, letting out a furious cry as arms caught him from behind.

"That would be interesting," came the low, almost whispery reponse from behind him. "But there's no reason to wear yourself out. Surrender. You really have no choice, you've lost."

Closing his eyes, Duo gripped his staff tightly for a moment before his eyes snapped open, violet light shining from them as his power surrounded him, shoving the man away. Whirling, he stumbled before gaining his feet again. "I'll never surrender. You should know that by now." Gasping as he tried to catch his breath, his eyes narrowed as the power dimmed as suddenly as it had come. "You'll have to kill me."

"No, I just have to wait until you wear yourself out." Shaking his thin white bangs away from his eyes, the man smiled. "I'd say that won't take long."

//If I run, he'll hurt the people here. I can't let that happen.// Not giving any hint of his intention, Duo ran forward suddenly, moving fast. The man's eyes widened abruptly, and he gave a sharp cry as the blade caught him on the arm before he could get away.

Staring down at the blood, the man glared. "Fine then, if you want to play rough, I won't go easy on you." Letting out a hoarse cry, his hands moved together, palms flat as they pointed down at the boy.

Jumping back, Duo fell to the ground as the blaze of light hit where he'd stood, his palms scraping on the cement before he could get to his feet again. Choking on a breath drawn too deep, Duo sent another bolt of power from the end of his scythe, wincing as the man moved again and the returned shot caught him in the chest, sending him to the ground. //I'm losing...//

* * *

"We...have to do something..." Wide, terrified eyes moved to Dorothy as Hilde watched the battle taking place not far from the house.

"We don't know how!" Dorothy returned, fingernails digging into her skin as she cursed her uselessness. "If we tried now we'd just get in the way. Damnit! This is why we should have been trying to use our power! Now we're too late."

"What's going to happen?" Relena asked softly, eyes wide as the glass shook from an explosion as the two men continued fighting.

"We learn from this," Catherine said, wide eyes burning as the boy was hit and thrown back. "If we survive, we make sure this doesn't happen again."

* * *

"What the hell..." Skidding to a halt, Wufei's eyes widened at the scene before them.

"Quatre. Is that...?" Turning, Trowa watched as the blonde boy's eyes widened.

"Duo."

The boy in question lay on his back, a long scythe a foot away. Standing over him was a tall man, long white hair reaching to his waist. Intending to catch him off guard, the four were silent in their approach.

* * *

"It's over Saturn...Duo. Just let it go." Kneeling beside the boy, the man brushed thick, damp bangs away from Duo's sweaty forhead, frowning when violet eyes snapped open to glare at him.

Clenching his muscles, Duo rolled away quickly, grabbing his staff and forcing himself to his knees. "I'll...never give up."

Growling in frustration, the man shook his head as he stood, looking down at the stubborn boy. "I guess I knew that. But that's fine. I like your spirit."

Taking a deep breath, Duo lowered his staff with lightning speed, catching the man completely unaware. No energy left, he had the pleasure of seeing the blonde man thrown onto his back before his grip on his staff was lost and he pitched forward, palms keeping him up as his arms shook from the effort. Forcing his head up, Duo waited for the retaliation. Then he gasped as what looked like a tan fireball rolled into the downed man, making him scream and throwing him back farther.

Shaking off the pain, Zechs disappeared, blinking into existance in the air where he could see his attackers. Nothing could have prepaired him for the sight as four boys moved onto the scene and two attacks flew his way. Dodging quickly, he debated the merits of staying, but shook his head as he threw himself to the side from a particularly powerful attack. //They're fresh, and I've been wounded.// Glaring at the boys' defiant expressions, he clenched his fists. "I'll see you soon, Saturn. Bet your life on that."

Looking up, Duo heaved a sigh of relief as the man disappeared, then he pushed himself back as the four boys turned to him. Giving them a weak smile, he forced himself to his feet. "Can't say I'm not glad to see you. Thanks." Knowing people could see them, he didn't dare change back, so he stood, leaning heavily on his staff.

"Who was that?" Trowa asked, eyes taking in the boy's battered state.

"Not here," Duo said, forcing himself to walk toward the park where they wouldn't be seen. "Come on."

* * *

Arms folded over his chest, Heero watched the boy. The four of them had changed back, their clothing the only thing that changed with transformation, but Duo hadn't. Leaning against a thick tree trunk, he watched them, black cloak grey with dirt, long headpiece covering his hair as he held his scythe so tightly his knuckles had turned white.

Knowing he'd never make it home if he transformed back, Duo hadn't bothered, hoping the others wouldn't ask. Trying to look stronger than he was, he gave them a grin. "That was...well, I don't know his name, but I'm pretty sure he's the leader. Either that or he's one of the top class."

"He certainly had you beaten," Wufei said caustically, not realizing how insulting the comment was until the boy flinched.

"Yes he did," Duo nodded, not arguing. "I'm just not strong enough to defeat him and he knows that." Glancing at Heero's shuttered eyes, he frowned. "Don't get me wrong, if he had challenged me in an area where I wouldn't have to worry about civilians I'd have had a fair chance. But he knows that."

"You've fought him before?" Quatre asked, Trowa's grip on his shoulder the only thing that kept him from moving to help the boy. He knew pride was an issue, but anyone could see he was about to collapse. He didn't seem to be recovering his strength at all, in fact, he seemed to be getting weaker with every minute that passed.

"Yeah, I almost got him the first time, but he disappeared before I had a chance. After that he moved the fights into populated areas," Lowering his head, Duo snorted in disgust. "He was playing with me. Guess his patience ran out."

"How strong can he be?" Heero asked. "He ran when we arrived."

"I got him pretty good," Duo muttered. "I don't think he'd have had a chance against the four of you."

"How injured are you?"

Blinking at the blunt question, Duo looked at him, not liking the intense look in those cobalt eyes. "I'll be fine."

Eyeing the boy, Heero's eyes suddenly glinted and he stepped forward to stand in front of him, ignoring Quatre who reached out a hand to stop him. Not giving any indication of what he was about to do, he suddenly grabbed the staff, pulling it out of Duo's hands. As he'd expected, it disappeared abruptly. What he hadn't expected was for the boy to pitch forward as the clothing he'd worn to school reappeared. Catching him, Heero flinched at Quatre's reprimand as the small boy shoved him hard.

"Why did you do that?" he demanded, glaring at Heero in fury. "What did you do?"

Staring down at the unconscious boy, Heero shook his head as he took in the shallow breathing. "I didn't cause this."

* * *
TBC

--notes--
Well, I've been tossing this idea around for over a year and finally decided to just go ahead and write it. Also, Sailor Saturn was always my favorite but the only series I've seen with her was the Heart Snatchers one and she had such a small role as a scout. Obviously, Saturn has a much larger role in my fic, along with significant changes in powers, etc. My question is this; is anyone reading or did they stop, not liking the mix of GW and SM? Feedback onegai?