A/N: Howdy there! I hope this fic touches your heart. I really consider this to be one of my masterpieces, and I sincerely hope it turns out the way I wish it to.
Stolen phrase from FFIX. See if you can find it.
Pre-Stars.
Chapter One: Bliss
Healer watched Fighter carefully as she demonstrated the fighting technique that she just couldn't seem to get.
Healer sighed. "I still don't get it, Fighter." Fighter hung her head slightly.
"It's okay. I'll show you again.."
"What good is it? I'm just not good at this!" Healer protested. She was tired. She wanted to rest..but Fighter kept pushing her harder. Why?
"That's why you gotta try harder!" Fighter said cheerfully. "A back handspring is really easy, it'll help you dodge attacks too."
"I'm going to fall on my face..." Healer whimpered.
Suddenly, Fighter had an idea.
"What if I helped you?"
"Isn't that what you're doing now?" Healer snipped, but Fighter ignored the sharp comment.
"What if I held my hands under you, so if you fall, I'll catch you?"
Healer sighed. "I guess it'd be better than nothing."
Fighter stood a bit behind Healer, who attempted to do the maneuver. Unfortunately, her upper body strength wasn't enough to get her through it, and she started to fall. Two strong arms lifted up under her, saving her from hitting her head..again.
"See? Told you I'd save you." Fighter said with a wink.
"I guess. But it's no use. I'm getting no where!"
"I..I don't think so. I think, if you try it a few more times, you'll get it."
"Forget it." Healer snapped, turning sharply around, walking towards the castle.
"Healer! Chotto matte!" Fighter called, chasing after her.
"I need a break. Leave me alone." Healer stated bluntly.
"Demo..you're so close! I know you can do it."
Healer stopped in her tracks. Fighter was infuriating her now.
"Why the hell do you care so much! Why do you have to push me so hard for? I don't see you out here with Maker, training her day in and day out!"
Fighter shrank back a bit from Healer's harsh words.
"Gomenasai..I guess I am being unfair. Go and rest, you need it..I just...I really wanted you to be able to do this, because I know you can." Fighter whispered, turning to leave. As soon as her back was to Yaten she felt the tears fall. She walked steadily to her room, never looking back.
Healer gasped quietly as she felt the intense wave of sadness and dejection coming off of Fighter. She immediately felt guilty about what she said to her. It was her job to push her, wasn't it? Then why did she snap? Ah yes, because she didn't push Maker like this!
Then again, Maker was smart.. she caught onto everything. Healer was a bit slow at this kind of thing.
In the days that passed, it truly baffled Healer that no matter how poorly she treated Fighter, no matter how many harsh words..her leader still treated her the same. Taking time out of her day to make sure she understood the lesson, going on late night walks with her, even though Fighter loved to go to bed early...
Why was Fighter such a good friend to her, anyways? Hell, she even punched a guard for teasing her about her silver hair!
"Seiya." Healer said determinedly, though it just sounded harsh.
"Hm?" Fighter asked, turning to face her comrade. They hardly ever used their real names anymore.
"Why...are you so nice to me?"
Fighter's usually neutral, but strong expression faltered slightly, and in that brief second Healer saw gentleness and compassion.
"Why shouldn't I be?"
"You're..you always help me, even if I snap at you, you don't give up on me. Why?"
Fighter shrugged. "You don't need a reason to help people, you know."
Healer blinked. She never really thought of it that way before. Before Healer could interrogate her further, her leader winked and dashed off to do god knows what.
Months went by, but Healer never forgot their conversation, Fighter's soft, gentle look..or her odd answer. Especially not when the three of them got into a particularly nasty fight.
"Fighter! Where were you? You were supposed to be on guard duty with me this morning!" Maker demanded, her hands on her hips firmly.
"G-gomen. I guess I forgot." was her meek reply.
Maker growled. "Whatever. You're doing the next shift solo, then. Come on Healer, we're supposed to meet with Kakyuu-hime."
"Hai, be there in a sec." She said quietly. Maker nodded and walked towards the main chambers.
"Why did you lie?" Healer asked once she was gone. Fighter shrugged.
"I was already going down, no sense in bringing you down with me."
"But you missed duty because I asked you for help on that assignment! I shouldn't have asked that of you..."
Fighter smiled warmly at her. "Don't worry about it. Now run along before Maker decides to skin you alive, as well."
Healer found her self giggling slightly at Fighter's little joke. She did this often as of late. For some reason Fighter always made her giggly and happy.
"You know, you never really answered my question."
"What question?" Fighter asked, surprised. Healer hadn't asked her anything..
"I asked you why you're always helping me. I want to know the real reason."
"When you're able to figure it out on your own, then I'll tell you." Fighter said, walking off to her post.
"Matte! That's not fairrr!" Healer shouted after her. Fighter just laughed and kept walking.
Healer growled quietly. "Damn that girl."
Two more weeks passed since that confrontation. The starlights were currently battling an enemy of theirs, although it was not a world crisis or anything. Just a casual nuisance.
"STAR SERIOUS LASER!"
"STAR SENSITIVE INFERNO!"
"STAR GENTLE UTERUS!"
They called out their attacks, blasting their nemesis hard. He quickly got to his feet, readying his own attack.
"Get back!" Fighter yelled, pushing her comrades behind her, bracing for impact. The attack came...but Fighter still stood strong. No one on the planet could take as much damage as Fighter and still stand strong.
Healer glanced up to her leader, who's strong arm was pressed against her chest, holding her back. Fighter's hair was in disarray, small wisps of blue-black poking out of the sloppy ponytail. Her indigo eyes gave nothing, they were harsh, but within their depths Healer saw determination; hope. Lowering her gaze, Healer examined the slender neck, the strong shoulders that often carried the weight of the three of them without ever sagging, and below that, her chest, within which a heart beat with nothing but pure loyalty.
Healer wondered why she was realizing these things at just this moment. It was as if something clicked. And when Fighter's strong voice called out to move, Healer hardly heard her. She was too busy trying to figure out what it was that had just fallen into place.
A great force knocked into Healer, taking her breath away. Instinctively she closed her eyes. She felt her back hit the ground hard, something heavy was on top of her. She blinked her eyes open, and saw Fighter's worried face looking at her.
"What were you doing? You could've been killed!" Fighter lashed out at Healer, who blinked stupidly. Maker cried out in pain near them, and Fighter was up in a flash, running to her injured comrade. It was then Healer noticed the streak of red going down Fighter's back. She hauled her self to her feet, following her leader to where Maker lay.
Fighter knelt next to her, checking her pulse.
"Unconscious." she said monotonously, standing and turning their enemy once more.
"Why...?" Healer asked.
Fighter growled in annoyance. "I can't believe you haven't figured it out! How thick are you?"
Healer felt hurt by her words. "No reason to call me stupid."
"But you are. Do I have to spell it out for you? Why do you ask these things in a battle, anyways?" Fighter retorted hotly. Healer had never seen her leader this worked up before. What was bothering her so?
Healer reached out her hand as a light green glow emanated from it. She held it to Fighter's injury and watched with pride as the bleeding slowed considerably. Fighter's hard expression softened slightly, and she turned her attention back to the enemy. With renewed focus, they defeated the enemy, and helped Maker to the infirmary.
Exhausted, Fighter began walking back to her room. What a long day..
"Fighter!" Healer's voice called to her from behind. She turned on her heel, one hand on her hip, an eyebrow cocked.
"What do you need?"
"I want to know. Why." Healer asserted firmly. Fighter laughed bitterly.
"Either you're clueless, or you're hoping it's not what you think it is. But fine, I shall spell it out."
Fighter took a deep breath, staring intently into Healer's green eyes for a long while.
"Well? Tell me! Why did you take that hit for me! Why do you always help me, even though I treat you poorly. I'm a master in psychology, but I just don't get you."
"I'm in love with you, Healer. Now that you know my little secret, will you leave me be? I'm exhausted." Fighter turned back around, but not before Healer caught that sad, vulnerable look. She had seen it, a few times before, but hadn't noticed it. Had not cared to. Had not remembered it. Except for now..
It dawned on Healer then. That click. She realized something very important.
"I love you, too."
Fighter's steps stopped.
"That's not funny." she said harshly. Healer was known for pranks. Not that she minded, but it was just too cruel to trick her heart like this.
"No..I really mean it." Healer said, running to Fighter. Fighter, having heard the quick footsteps, turned to face Healer.
Healer wrapped her arms around Fighter's neck firmly, kissing her with every bit of feeling she had within her. Fighter gasped slightly in shock, though was eager to return the kiss. They finally pulled back slightly, and Fighter stroked Healer's cheek affectionately with her thumb.
"Took you long enough." Fighter teased.
"Shut up, baka."
"Only if you say so, pipsqueak."
The newfound couple giggled quietly to themselves, enjoying their playful banter as they always had.
The next day they found it difficult to contain their glee at the breakfast table. Every time Fighter looked up she found herself looking at Healer intently, who always caught her gaze, causing the both of them to blush.
Finally, Maker had had enough.
"Alright, what's going on you two?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Either you're about to play a mean prank on me, or something really hilarious happened this morning. I want to know."
Fighter practically choked on her food. She continued sputtering rudely while Healer thumped her on the back hard. When Fighter was finally ready to answer, the princess had entered the room. They all stood up, taking a knee before her.
"Princess, is something the matter?" Fighter asked.
Kakyuu had a worried look on her face.
"The seers said something was amiss, but they couldn't see into it very well. Healer, please, would you look into the matter?"
"Of course Princess." Healer said, saluting their ruler before dashing down the hall to the holy chambers.
Maker noticed Fighter looking for a much longer than necessary time in the direction Healer had just left.
Did she know something?
"Fighter, please organize the castle guards. I want to be on full alert until we understand what's going on. Maker, please stay by my side, should I need you.
"At once, your highness." Fighter said, rising. She too, saluted the princess before dashing down the hallways, although much faster than their lighter haired comrade had. Maker rose slowly, nodding to her princess.
"You are tense. Daijobu?"
Kakyuu swallowed hard. "The truth is...whatever it is..it is seeking out empaths."
Maker gasped. "Why didn't you tell Healer? She's the most powerful empath in the city! If they get her-
"Maker!" Kakyuu interrupted. "I did not tell her because I did not wish to scare her."
"Then we should look after her!" Maker protested. Kakyuu's decisions went against her logic.
Kakyuu shook her head slightly. "Which is why the castle is on high alert. Healer will be safe in the holy chambers. It's in the middle of the castle, and is tricky to find unless you know how to."
"Why don't you have Fighter guard her?" Maker asked.
Kakyuu looked troubled. "I..I wanted to..but .. I think Fighter would become too worried about her. That's why neither of them knows.."
"Of course she'll worry! We all worry."
Kakyuu shook her head sagely.
"They are in love."
Maker gasped, staring open mouthed at her princess' retreating figure. Was that even...acceptable?