~Flames to Embers~
by Strawberry Moon Rose
Enjoy :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or any of the characters. They belong to Naoko Takeuchi.
"Tell me something, Yaten. Do you honestly believe this plan of yours is going to work?"
Yaten pursed her mouth, as if she was sucking on something sour. "I don't know," she muttered under her breath.
Taiki sighed and pressed her wire rimmed glasses up her nose. "You have no right meddling in their personal lives, you know. Seiya will move on over that girl when she is ready."
Yaten gave her an exasperated look that said, give me a break. "Taiki, she used to bring home girls left and right before. Since we got back from Earth last year, I haven't seen her hit on a single person. Have you?"
"As I stated before, it is really none of my business..."
"No," Yaten answered for her impatiently. "You haven't."
"So what is the problem? Seiya has simply grown up. Maybe you should too."
Yaten ignored the jab. She wouldn't admit it, but she did feel fairly juvenile hiding behind a corner in the Kinmokian palace's halls, spying on the lead Starlight as she headed for the bathing room.
"Tell me again how setting her up with the Princess is going to fix anything?" Taiki asked.
"Simple. They're both lonely and seeking companionship. The Princess needs a partner to help run the kingdom and Seiya needs someone to mend her broken heart. They both will be happy again. Duh."
"Wow," Taiki said, sounding impressed. "And there's nothing in it for you? I'm shocked that you would go to such lengths for someone other than yourself," she teased.
The corners of Yaten's mouth crumpled into a scowl. "Ha ha," she said sarcastically.
A movement caught her lime eyes and the two Starlights fell silent. Seiya was opening the glass door and entering the bathing room. Yaten watched her every move intently, stealing a quick glance at her watch.
8:15 P.M., on the dot. Perfect, she thought. Seiya always took her baths at the same time on Saturdays. Kakyuu typically bathed around 7:30, but Yaten had stalled the Princess in her room as long as she could earlier, bombarding her with questions regarding their daily duties. Now the two would be alone together, just as planned...
Seiya wasn't wearing anything but the towel she clutched around her body as she slipped inside.
Swsssh. She was hit by a wall of thick white steam and the scent of fruity shampoo. A watery sound, echoing like a wave, whispered into her ears. The palace's large common bath was designed in the Roman style, with bright terracotta tiles and a high ceiling. Large statues, each holding a vase, stood around the bathtub, which was big enough for thirty people. Streams of water flowed from the vases. Water that spilled out of the tub calmly flowed over the floor.
Humming to herself, Seiya strode to the edge of the bath. It resembled the hot springs she'd seen back on Earth. The water was warm and nipped at her toes. She couldn't wait to get in and let all of the day's stress drain away. She started to unwrap her towel.
"Why hello there, Fighter. I didn't hear you come in."
Startled, Seiya snapped her gaze up to see Kakyuu relaxing in the water before her. She yanked the towel tight against her in surprise. "P-Princess!"
Kakyuu smiled warmly. Her fiery hair was tied in its usual style; two droopy ponytails hanging in a circular fashion at her shoulders, spilling down until they darkened to crimson under the water. Her creamy white skin looked flushed from the heat.
Seiya's shoulders shook as she laughed. "You scared me. I usually have this place all to myself."
"Oh, don't mind me," Kakyuu said, trailing her fingers through the silky water around her. "There's plenty of room for the both of us," she added lightheartedly.
"That's true..." What's this? The Princess never bathes this late. What do I do? I feel kinda awkward barging in here like this. Maybe I'll just come back later...
"Something wrong, Fighter? You look distraught."
"Oh, no," Seiya said quickly. "I was just... Well, I didn't mean to interrupt you, Princess. If you'd rather be alone, I'll most certainly leave."
"Please don't go," Kakyuu told her softly. "I don't mind at all. Really."
"You sure I'm not bothering you?"
"Of course not, Fighter. In fact, I'd love the company."
"As you wish..." Seiya stepped up to the water and hesitated for a moment. She waited, expecting Kakyuu to look away and give her some sort of privacy so she could undress, but the Princess did nothing of the sorts. Kakyuu's tangerine eyes remained fixed on the Starlight. Was Seiya imagining it or did she look amused?
Seiya could feel the color creeping into her cheeks. She slowly and reluctantly began to unwrap her towel, very aware of Kakyuu observing her every move. Watching. Judging.
Swish. The towel crumpled in a pile at her ankles. Those five seconds seemed more like minutes.
Seiya hurriedly stepped in and sank below the water. It felt scalding against her naked body, but she didn't complain. Geez, what was that about? It's not like I haven't stripped for other girls before. But... Never in front of the Princess... Maybe it was from the heat of the tub, and maybe for other reasons, but it felt like her face was going to melt, it was so hot.
Kakyuu smiled inwardly. A mere glimpse of Seiya's shapely legs and rosy nipples sent a warm shiver through her system. She bit her lip and looked away, feeling embarrassed for having such thoughts about her closest guardian.
Seiya let out a breath of air. She tilted her head back and tried to relax. Her whole body was sore from vigorous training and duties early that morning. She was relieved to detransform from Sailor Star Fighter at the end of the day and be simply Seiya.
But the thing was, lately she didn't really know who Seiya was anymore. When they left Earth eight months ago, she'd left a part of herself on the blue and green planet. Though she didn't care for school or dealing with crazy fans, she wouldn't mind doing it all over again just to see Tsukino Usagi one more time.
Seiya's stomach soured. There I go again. She smiled sadly. Odango, you're unfair. Crossing my mind so many times without permission...
She sank lower and lower into the water, enchanted by the peachy bubble bath fragrance. It didn't help that everything she did reminded her of Usagi. Every time she picked up her guitar to write a song, the blonde's smiling face was all she saw. She could be playing football with her friends in town when she'd recall the time Usagi had shown her around the school clubs. When the quarterback had taken her down, Usagi had rushed to her side. She'd always been there.
But not anymore.
Kakyuu noticed Seiya's silence and let her be for a while. She could read her senshi like a book, and at that moment, she knew exactly where Seiya's thoughts were. Her heart twinged.
"Fighter..."
"Mmm?" Seiya shook her head, snapping back to reality.
The red-haired princess drew close and caressed Seiya's cheek softly. "You look exhausted..." she murmured.
Seiya was surprised how close Kakyuu was, it almost made her uncomfortable. Her sweet osmanthus blossom scent tickled Seiya's nose.
Her princess was nineteen, even though at times she seemed like she was in her twenties. But out of her formal dress and hat, with bubbles stuck in her hair, Kakyuu look young and innocent. Almost like Usagi.
"A little," Seiya admitted, looking away quickly. Her chest squeezed.
"Let me know if I'm pushing you too hard in your duties. I don't want to overwork you."
"Thank you, Princess, but I'll be fine. I can handle it." Seiya grinned and stretched her sore biceps.
Kakyuu smiled. Beneath the water, her leg brushed against Seiya's. The Starlight's skin felt as smooth as a baby's. If Seiya noticed, she didn't say anything, nor did she move away from the touch.
Kakyuu studied her silently. With messy dark hair, piercing blue eyes, and a sultry voice like velvet, it was no wonder her guardian had been able to pass off as a male idol on Earth. Kakyuu noticed the water droplets clinging to Seiya's broad, bare shoulders. One slid down her collarbone and disappeared between her breasts. Her cheeks were tinted a flattering pink from the bath's steam. Even tired out after a long hard day, she looked bewitching.
"Fighter..." Kakyuu said.
"Yes, Princess?"
"May I hear your song?"
Seiya paused, suddenly lost in the orangeness of Kakyuu's eyes. If she was standing up, she would have bowed. "Of course," she answered, and began to sing.
"I've always been searching for your sweet fragrance, to convey my voice. Where are you now? Our Princess..."
The mellifluous words were like a lullaby, drifting Kakyuu's eyes shut. A faint smile graced her tiny ruby lips as a pleasant feeling washed through her entire body. There was nothing quite like hearing Seiya sing. It was the perfect remedy for just about anything.
Deeper and deeper, she fell into relaxation. She reminisced the time when Seiya had sung for her on Earth and how she'd fallen asleep on Seiya's shoulder. Kakyuu could still smell the woodsy cologne the Starlight had worn that day. If only Seiya would let her that close one more time, she would be truly happy.
"Passing through the remote night sky, I'm making a wish in front of a shooting star. I'm mumbling to myself to see you. Time flies by quickly, I've grown up. Finally I feel; the pieces of memory are not enough..."
Seiya's heart swelled with a hot sensation. Singing for Kakyuu was something she did on a regular basis, but she never grew tired of it. Sometimes late at night Kakyuu would call for her, to just sit on the edge of her bed and sing her to sleep...
It was almost like they were family; she, Kakyuu, Taiki, and Yaten, living in the palace together, even though they weren't related. Maybe that was why she'd never looked at Kakyuu romantically before - the way she had Usagi. Because it would be like a servant falling in love with a queen, a guardian falling in love with a Princess; foolish and hopelessly unrequited. And Seiya was tired of being second place. Now she did everything in her power not to become infatuated with girls the way she used to so carelessly before.
But as Kakyuu's eyes closed, Seiya couldn't help but notice how long her eyelashes were, fanned down and spread like butterfly wings against her cheeks. Or how pouty her lips looked, or how beautiful her neck was. She tried not to, but her blue eyes lowered and she admired Kakyuu through the rippling, wavering water. Everything about her looked soft and touchable. Without permission, a yearning feeling tugged in her groin.
Seiya continued to sing, her eyes gliding over her Princess's body in fascination until a shiver slipped up her spine, and like a sixth sense, she felt she was being watched. Sure enough, when she glanced up, Kakyuu was studying her with a weird smile on her lips.
A noticeable blush spread across Seiya's face. She looked away quickly, embarrassed that Kakyuu had caught her checking her out. She bit her tongue, mentally slapping herself.
But Kakyuu didn't seem to mind. She just chuckled softly and made her way past Seiya. Walking to the edge of the tub, she stood with a loud rush of water.
The steam lifted and Seiya unconsciously averted her eyes. The sight of Kakyuu standing there openly, stark naked, was too...sublime.
She tried to play it cool. "If you'd like, Princess, shall I rinse you off?"
Kakyuu turned only her head to look back. "No, I couldn't ask you to do that, Fighter. But thank you."
Seiya blushed, even though her eyes were focused elsewhere. "Of course," she murmured.
As if sensing the disappointment in Seiya's voice, Kakyuu wrapped a fluffy towel around her body and said, "Maybe next time."
Seiya looked up, sure she'd heard wrong. Kakyuu's eyes glittered in her direction and she knew she hadn't. The Princess smiled shyly and padded away, leaving Seiya alone in the steaming bath, feeling more confused than she had when she'd come in.