Story Title: The Scent of Lilacs
Disclaimer: NOTHING is mine. Except the story! Even the concept isn't original!
Censor: I guess R. Some bad words and implications, kiddies. Oh, and some sappy crap.
Notes: This takes place during Stars. It's more based on the anime. By the way, Seiya, Taiki, and Yaten are aliens. So they have the power to impregnate others or be impregnated. Or something like that. Because they're aliens. Wait, didn't I just say that?
Chapter One
The night wind whistled through the open windows, the translucent curtains billowing to the sides. It was a pleasant night, the kind of night they makes you forget about what you have to do the next morning. The couple were feeling capricious and blissful, not stopping to think about the consequences of their actions. They didn't care. The digital clock on the table near the couch rang with a *beep beep beep*, telling the couple sitting on the couch that it was eight o' clock.
"Aishiteru," she whispered.
"Aishiteru," he murmured in her ear.
The open window aloud the night breeze to come in. She shuddered; the cool wind made her legs cold. She moved closer to him for warmth. She pressed her face against his chest. "You smell good," she mumbled, feeling groggy. Her hand clung to his black shirt, feeling his muscled chest.
"What do I smell like? Doughnuts? You like the smell of doughnuts." He held her by the shoulder and pulled her close. He rested his head on hers, breathing in her sweet flowery scent.
"Stop teasing me. Ano…You smell…like lilacs."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"You can tell? I'm impressed." He stroked her long, flaxen strands of hair. Her hair was fun to play with and touch; it felt like silk. She smiled as he started to comb her hair with his fingers. He smiled too. He knew she liked having fingers run through her hair.
He took a good look at her. She was slender and quite fragile looking, with long blonde hair that spilled over shoulders like a river of gold. Her large blue eyes always blinked and looked up so innocently, on that small and delicate face. Her lips were so kissable and gentle, so pink like rose petals. That's what she smelled like tonight. The scent of roses and peaches danced under his nose. He had never met anyone so free, so amiable, so sensitive.
"That feels good," she laughed again. She kissed him on the neck and brought her lips to his. He slid his hand from her shoulder to her waist, fingering the end of her skimpy pink dress. "You know way too much about me."
"You're so cute, Little Bunny…"
She looked a little flustered, but she smiled. "I didn't think I could ever tell you my true feelings." She sighed. "I mean, I know I have a boyfriend. I feel so guilty, but I don't want to tell him. He really does love me."
"You should tell him."
"I know, but I'm scared…"
"He wouldn't hurt you."
The girl did not reply to that. Oh, he did not know that. Her boyfriend could be quite jealous. She was scared of him sometimes. Even when she was just talking to another guy, she noticed that he would stiffen and his eyes would glaze over like bitterly cold cobalt ice. His lips would twitch up in an unpleasant smile.
Sure, he was handsome and seemingly caring. Sometimes, though, his fingers twitched as if he wanted to wrap his hands around her neck. What's wrong with casual interaction with guys? He's always making other girls drool, but it's not like I try to commit murder. She remembered a time when another person almost kissed her. Her boyfriend looked like her could commit genocide.
I shouldn't think about these things… She leaned closer to her lover. I should enjoy myself. That bastard isn't here. I shouldn't think about him. Forget about him…
She tried to concentrate on his face. His handsome, gentle face. His eyes were mild and compassionate.
She realized some of her thoughts had shown on her face, because he frowned. "What's wrong, Bunny? You look troubled…do you want to tell me?" he asked, a look of concern crossing his attractive face. "Is it…him? Your boyfriend?"
She shook her head. I'm being stupid… "Nothing, it's nothing. Really," she added, before grabbing his face and kissing his hard, dry lips. When she let go of him, breaking off the kiss, he bent down to kiss her small lips again, hard and demanding. Her lips were easily the softest thing he'd ever touched; she was so gentle and yielding. He flicked his tongue across her soft lips.
As they were not balanced, they fell off the couch and landed on the dark red carpet with a *thud*. He ran his fingers over her lips and looked into her blue eyes. She blinked. "Ow…"
"Do you want to…?" He asked, not finishing his question.
The next thing they realized, they were lying in bed, wrapped in white sheets. They were in a tight embrace, her hair tangled in his fingers and only a nightshift separating their bodies.
When did this happen? She wondered, in a daze. Do I even care? she asked herself.
He sighed and kissed her forehead. Her skin felt so soft, like peach fuzz. "Little Bunny, you should go to sleep. Tomorrow you have school."
"So do you," she giggled. "We go to the same school."
"I know that."
"Well, if you're not sleeping, then I'm not." She pouted, her bottom lip sticking out. He blinked. He hated when she gave him those eyes. They were so adorable and pleading. "I don't want you to wait 'till I'm asleep. You should rest, too."
"I'm not tired. Really, Little Bunny, go to bed."
"We are in bed."
"Well, go to sleep." He gently poked her cheek with his finger. "You're a little girl. You need your rest."
"You're no fun. You look tired."
"Ano…I'm not…"
"Neither am I. So, why don't you do me?" He blinked in surprise as there was a whisper of cotton and her nightshift fell on his shoulder.
* * *
The bell rang shrilly to indicate the end of third period. The teacher snapped, "I want the report done by next Tuesday, no excuses! Also, answer questions one to eleven in your textbook on page two hundred and thirty." All the students in the classroom let out a collective groan.
Usagi stuffed her papers in her bag and stumbled out to the hallway. What's wrong with me? I feel so depressed.
Another nasty voice echoed in her head. Ah, you know why, Usagi, you little devil. What would your friends say? What would your beloved Mamo-chan say?
"Shut up!" Usagi shrieked aloud, ignoring the stares from other students in the hallways. She walked rapidly along, trying to make the voices in her head shut up. The voices continued to taunt her, to bore into her head like a drill. "Shut up, shut up, shut up, I don't hear anything. I don't hear voices. I'm not going to lose it."
Usagi was so distracted in trying to disillusion herself she didn't hear her friends calling her. The people in the hallways were a blur of flesh color and rainbows as she started to lose herself in her own thoughts. The sounds surrounding her became a dull and unending chant of rumors, tittering, and gossip. She was barely aware of where she was wandering off to.
A group of rabid fan girls shoved her aside, screaming "Seiya! Taiki! Yaten!" They made several bruises appear on her legs, but she paid no attention. Usagi looked down at the gray floor. Or was it gray…? She couldn't tell anymore…not concentrating enough…
"Usagi! Usagi-chan!" Makoto bellowed. Makoto, Minako, and Ami ran towards Usagi, who was hovering near the stairs. "Usagi-chan!"
Usagi wasn't paying attention. She was so lost in thought (a rarity) that she didn't notice other students bumping and bruising her. So she didn't hear Makoto's loud shouting through the hallways of the high school. Mamo-chan…what would he do? She put her hand on the wall to steady herself.
"USAGI!"
Usagi bumped back to reality as Makoto's loud voice boomed in her ear. "Yeek! Mako-chan?"
"Usagi, we're worried about you. Over the past week, you've been…well, not yourself! Doush'tano?" Minako exclaimed.
"Wha-what makes you say that?" Usagi asked nervously. Oh no…don't tell, they know.
"Well, Usagi, you have been staring into space quite often, and you look quite distressed over something. You can tell us what's troubling you," Ami said, sincerely. "Really. We won't laugh."
Usagi muttered, "It's not funny…"
"Well, then tell us! We don't want you to be sad."
"Mina-chan, Ami-chan, Mako-chan, I'm fine. Really," Usagi added, since disbelieving looks were painted on her friends' faces.
"Hontou ni?" Ami questioned.
"Hontou," Usagi replied. She smiled cheerfully. "I'm going to be late for gym, so we should go now. I guess I'll see you guys at lunch!" Usagi ran off before she could burst into tears and tell them what was bothering her. She ran as fast as she could, which was not that fast, but her friends didn't attempt to run after her.
"Matte yo, Usagi!" she heard Makoto yell, but she ignored it as her troubled thoughts swirled in her mind.
What's wrong with me…?
You know what's wrong, Usagi.
Shut up!
Ah, you can't make me, Usagi. I am you!
Shut up, you're just a voice in my head! Shut up!
You can't get rid of me! I am you! We are the same!
SHUT UP! Don't talk to me! Stay on your side of the room!
You're going crazy, Usagi dear…
SHUT UP! Usagi ran down the hall to the girls' locker room. She barely heard the gym teacher's harsh "You're late!" or any of the tittering and gossip echoing in the locker room.
"Usagi, where were you?" One of Usagi's friends looked up at her. "You're late."
"Oh, hey, Konami," Usagi said softly. "Hey, Aina, I was lost in thought…" Usagi threw on her gym clothes as Konami and Aina looked at each other with a confused expression hanging on their faces, saying since when does Usagi think?
Usagi, Konami, and Aina walked together out to the gym. Konami and Aina were talking about which of the Three Lights was the hottest or something, at least that what Usagi heard. Her mind was clouded by voices and other stupid things.
I'm not a good actor…
Usagi…all your friends notice something's wrong with you. It's too obvious.
Shut up!
Ah, didn't I tell you, I am –
Shut up! If you don't shut up, I'll – I'll – do something!
Like what? Kill me? That would kill you…then the voices will stop, Usagi dear.
Shut up!
"Shut up!" Everyone was surprised at Usagi's harsh outburst.
Their physical education teacher, Nagisawa-sensei, glared at Usagi. "Tsukino! Do you want me to shut up just because you demand it!?"
Usagi didn't reply to her teacher; she did not hear her. Instead she shrieked, "You're just a stupid voice in my head! I'm not insane! I'm not! I swear to any god out there, oh gods, leave me alone!"
Now Nagisawa-sensei did not yell at Usagi. She thought that the young lady was disturbed, perhaps it was medication. "Um, Tsukino, do you want to go to the nurse's office or something?"
"No…I'm fine…" Usagi gazed down at her pink sneakers. One of the magenta shoelaces was untied.
"Are – are you sure?"
"Yes, Nagisawa-sensei. I'm sorry for bursting out like that," Usagi slapped on an ubergenki smile to convince her skeptical teacher.
Usagi ignored the giggles and whispers about her as their volleyball game started. She sighed heavily.
* * *
Ami, Minako, and Makoto watched as Usagi practically flew down the stairs and ran out the doors of the school. They caught her expression, however. It was flushed, like she had been crying an awful lot. The three girls looked at each other. "What's wrong with Usagi? Do you think Mamoru is being mean to her again?" Minako wondered aloud.
"She keeps staring off into space and sighing…something must be wrong!" Ami cried. "I feel badly for Usagi. She's quite a sensitive person."
"Well, she doesn't want to tell us, so it must be something embarrassing…" Minako trailed off.
"Or maybe she found out something about someone and they're trying to keep it secret," Makoto added. "She always looks so miserable."
Ami spoke. "I think that Usagi is having a problem with one of her other friends and she doesn't know what to do about it." This comment left Minako and Makoto looking thoughtful. Ami continued, "She probably doesn't want to share it with use because for one thing, it's a personal matter, and for another, we probably don't know the person she's worried about."
Minako tapped her chin. "Perhaps Mamoru is being a jerk again." Makoto's auburn head bobbed enthusiastically in agreement. Minako continued, "I mean Usagi sometimes flirts with other guys, even though she's already got one. Come on, Mamoru can be…jealous sometimes."
"Mina, that's rude to say things about your elders like that..." Ami trailed off.
"Ami, it's true. Besides, he's not here! Who cares? I don't care if he heard me."
Makoto interrupted Minako and Ami by saying, "Well, let's call Mamoru, and see if he knows anything. Or we can go over to his house or something."
"Good idea," Minako chirped. "We should do it right now."
Ami shook her head. "I can't, I've got somewhere to go." She ran off before Minako or Makoto could say anything.
Minako shrugged. "Shall we go Mamoru's house?"
"Good idea."
"Ikisho!" Makoto exclaimed as she broke out into a run. Minako followed.
* * *
Mamoru was surprised when Minako and Makoto showed up at his apartment door. "Minako…Makoto…what are you doing here?" Then he looked over them. "Doko ni…"
"Ami? Rei? They had to do stuff," Minako informed him. "We wanted you to help us, Mamoru-san."
"With what? Are you still having problems with the law of cosines?"
"The law of what?" Minako and Makoto yelled.
"Oh, yeah, you guys are only freshmen."
Makoto groaned. "Mamoru! We don't care about cosines or algebra! We want you to answer some questions! You probably have some answers!"
"Like what? Hey, why don't you come in? I'll fix you some hot chocolate." Mamoru opened his door more to let Makoto and Minako in. They sat down on the couch. Mamoru strode over to the kitchen and started to make hot chocolate.
"So, what's up, girls? What did you want to ask me?"
"Ano…" Makoto said, but then she stopped and looked at Minako. "Mamoru might kill me if I tell him. He might get the wrong idea and think Usagi is cheating on him," Makoto muttered. "You know how jealous he can get." She called to Mamoru, "Nani mo, Mamoru."
"What is it? Tell me!" There was a touch of irritation in Mamoru's voice.
"We need to know, Mako," Minako whispered, and then she raised her voice. "Mamoru-san! Did you notice that…that Usagi is acting really funny these days?" Minako waited for a response, but she didn't get one, so she pressed on. "I mean, she's been acting really spaced-out and depressed, and she's always sighing. Do you know what's wrong with her?"
The smell of chocolate wafted from the kitchen as Mamoru called, "I don't know. She's acting weird, but she won't tell me, and she keeps saying everything's alright."
Mamoru brought out three dark blue and gray mugs and set them on the coffee table in front of the couch the two girls were sitting on.
"What do you think?" Mamoru asked. "Tell me." There was a psychotic gleam in his blue eyes.
Minako and Makoto swapped exasperated looks, but they didn't voice their thought: didn't we come here for Mamoru's opinion?
"Tell me," Mamoru repeated, in a low, deadly voice. "Has she…been with another man?"
"Mamoru!" Makoto burst out angrily. "Usagi would never fucking do that! How dare you spout shit like that!?"
In a cool and dangerous tone, Mamoru said serenely, "Usually girls act that way when they feel guilty about something…that's wrong."
Makoto shot back in a sardonic voice, "How do you know that, Mamoru? Is it because you're a sleazy playboy!? How do you know what all girls are like?"
He replied, "Shut the hell up, Makoto. I know it now. Usagi is cheating on me." Mamoru now seems beyond reason, and Makoto was sure he was going to hurt Usagi. It was in her knowledge that Usagi casually flirted with other guys behind his back, even in front of him sometimes. Sure, Makoto could understand how Mamoru felt. But Makoto also knew that Usagi never really meant any of her advances.
"Nanda!?" Makoto slammed her fist so hard on the coffee table that the mugs fell off the table, staining the light carpet brown and cracking the table's glass surface. "Mamoru, you're such a cold hearted jerk!"
Mamoru simply sat there, seemingly deaf to Makoto's angry yells.
"You don't deserve her!" That particular remark the Makoto barked out made Mamoru fume. How dare she say such a thing…?
Mamoru stood up, in a towering rage. "Usagi doesn't deserve me," he hissed maliciously, clenching his fists so hard that they turned white. "That little bitch doesn't know what she's got, she's so damn lucky…" As he advanced towards Makoto, he kicked the coffee table over, making pieces of glass and wood splinters rain over the carpet. Some pieces of glass showered the three people in the apartment. Mamoru stepped through what had been a useful coffee table thirty seconds before.
"What, Makoto, am I supposed to tolerate her flirting!? Sometimes she does it IN MY FACE!" With a roar, Mamoru knocked a lamp off a nearby stand and the light bulb cracked open, joining the rubble of the coffee table on the floor.
Mamoru continued his insane rant, pacing around the apartment. "Gomen, Makoto, I forgot, it's OKAY for Usagi to cheat on me! After all, I don't mean anything to her!" His voice was saturated with rapidly increasing sarcasm. "Gomen nasai!" he yelled furiously. Mamoru applied his excellent soccer skills by kicking a large tropical plant near the balcony window. It shot throw the window like a bullet, causing the glass to shatter and settle over the apartment like a fine mist.
He kept on and on, shouting insanely. He strode over to kitchen, opening the cabinets and throwing plates to the tiled floor in frustration. He didn't even make any sense anymore; he was starting to babble incoherently in a rage. Plates were thrown like Frisbees and cups rained down like hail on the kitchen floor.
White dust rose up to their knees as more and more things were destroyed. "Mamoru, stop it! Stop it right now!" Minako cried.
"SHUT UP!" Mamoru roared. He let out a low, feral growl. "Why don't you try making me," he whispered.
Makoto clenched her fists. She felt a white hot anger burn through her veins. "Kisama! I'm out of here! I'm going to protect Usagi!" Makoto grabbed Mamoru's shoulder. "If you do anything to her…" With that threat hanging in his face, Makoto left Mamoru's apartment, slamming the door shut. The whole apartment rattled from the impact.
Minako quietly left, easing the door open and leaving Mamoru to meditate, alone, among the glass and other ruined furniture.
* * *
*riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing*
"Mph?" Haruka's face had been buried in a dark blue pillow on her couch. She thought she might have been imagining the ringing, but then the phone screamed shrilly again. She sat up with a start, rubbing her eyes. I'll ignore it…the caller will probably give up after a few rings… Haruka scratched the dry saliva at the corner of her mouth and flopped back on the couch.
*riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing*
*riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing*
However, the caller did not quit; the phone kept on ringing…and ringing…and ringing…
*riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing*
She groaned. "All right, damn it," she growled, to no one in particular. Haruka picked up the phone. "Moshi moshi…" she muttered. "Who is this?" She scratched her head; it felt like fists were pounding her skull. Haruka's brain screamed, you idiot, you're tired! Go back to sleep! Haruka ignored it.
"Haruka-san, it's me. Makoto." Makoto was nervous; she realized that she had just woken Haruka up. Haruka could be quite cranky when awakened by someone. Haruka was also a person you do not piss off.
"This better be damn important if I have to be deprived of my sleep…" Haruka rubbed her eyes furiously, trying to rub the sleep out of her eyes. She couldn't possibly think of anything important that could happen, unless Usagi…maybe something bad happened to her…Haruka strained to pay attention to Makoto, but it was hard with her brain trying to force her back to dream land.
"It is! Mamoru…he's crazy, because he's convinced that Usagi is cheating on him or something crazy like that just because she's acting a little quieter than usual! And I was just at his house! He's being a total idiot, and he – he thinks crazy things…" Makoto paused to take a breath from her wild ranting.
"Oh!" Haruka snapped to attention. She felt awake now. It was like someone had electrocuted her. She growled, "I always knew that bastard was never any good…Did he do anything to Usagi?" There was a note of alarm ringing in her voice that she did not mean to let in.
"Not yet…Haruka, calm down…" Makoto chewed her lip. "I'm worried, too."
"That's good! We'll get him before he gets Usagi! No one touches our hime, not even the prince!" Haruka felt a little crazy now; she had always thought Mamoru was a jerk.
"We'll give him a beating he'll never forget!"
"That is, if he's still alive!"
"YES!" Haruka and Makoto yelled at the same time, punching their fists up in the air. "Kick some ass!" Haruka yelled. "Let's trash his house tonight."
"Yeah, I was thinking that too, but not quite yet. I was thinking we should at least ask what Usagi thinks, like you know, if he's been abusing her or something."
"Okay, but if he hurts her…"
"I know," Makoto snapped, "Kisama. He needs to be slapped."
Makoto was not aware of the person listening in to her conversation through the open window of her little house. Makoto was so caught up in her own feverish and zealous insanity, anticipating the fact they might get to beat up Mamoru. She didn't hear the rustle of leaves, or the soft cursing made by the spying person.
Haruka grinned and moved the phone to her other ear. "So let's kick his ass…"
"…"
There was no response.
"Makoto?" Haruka didn't mean to sound so worried and high-pitched, but she gasped when she heard a muffled yell. "Makoto!?"
*clunk* There was the sound of a phone hitting a wooden floor. Haruka listened for Makoto's voice. "Makoto!" Haruka yelled urgently. She received the sound of terra cotta pots crashing to the floor and the whistling of a knife as an answer.
Notes
Gomen means sorry.
Gomen nasai means I'm sorry.
Moshi moshi is hello on the phone.
Doko ni means where is…?
Nani mo means never mind.
Matte yo means wait.
Hontou ni means are you sure?
Hontou means it's the truth, honest.
Aishiteru means I love you.
Ikisho means let's go.
The "-san" attached to the end of someone's name is a sign of respect.
The "-chan attached to the end of someone's name is a sign of affection.
Did I forget anything?
Oh, and Umi-chan – I DID it! HA HA HA!!!
