I deleted this whole chapter on accident. But not this time! Feel my wrath!
Melody's Song: Actually, yes in fact it IS the Hikawa Jinja. I checked the Manga of Naoko Takeuchi website (my personal bible) and in fact it is Hikawa Jinja. But, at the same time, SO many people say Hiwaka Jinja. That's kind of funny. Now that I've already made this mistake though, I'm just going to stick with it for this story and The Evening of the Moon. I can't believe I've been wrong this whole time. o.O It's probably my stupid American ways. (Why wasn't I born British?)
Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon despite repeated attempts.
Warnings: Yaten! (Yes!) Some mild cussing, some mentions of violence, Hotaru in a bathing suit! o.O!
Is the party doomed to reign doom upon the doomed heads of our doomed characters? Will the author see how many times she can fit the word 'doom' in a sentence? Will Rei do something cool? Will Seiya get a piece? Will Seiya get sand stuck in an awkward spot? (Chibi J ~_^) Will Mamoru undo some damage or will he just be shot on sight? Will Yaten and Taiki get to be in the story a little more? Will everyone get sick of Usagi's woes and just ignore her? Will Rei ignore her and run off on a European honeymoon with a certain sexy sexy blonde member of the Shittenou? Will the story fall apart without Rei? Will Setsuna take out a lawsuit on Rei for doing HER job? Will Setsuna actually do something or just send Hotaru to do it so she can just sit back and enjoy the show? Well, if we're going to do this, you have to...
Close Your Eyes
Chapter Nine
"A cloud appears above
your head.
A beam of light comes shining down on you.
Shining down on you.
The cloud is moving nearer still.
Aurora borealis comes in view.
Aurora comes in
view.
And I ran.
I ran so far away.
I just ran.
I ran all night and day.
I couldn't get away."
-I Ran (So Far Away), Flock of Seagulls
"So I'm sorry." He told her. The raven-haired girl took a deep breath.
"Okay, I think I can get you one more chance." She told him. "Just do me one favor?"
"What?" He asked.
"Don't screw up."
* * *
Hotaru was really looking forward to the party. She had never been invited to a party before but it sounded fun. That was until Setsuna tried to spring something on her at the last moment.
"Setsuna, I'm not wearing it!" Hotaru huffed as she stood in the bathroom examining the black one piece swimsuit.
"Hotaru, it's just a swimsuit." Setsuna spoke calmly though the door. "The other girls will be wearing them too."
"But...but..." Hotaru trailed off, searching blindly for a good excuse. "I'll burn!"
"Since the party starts late you'll probably be in little danger of that." Setsuna replied. "Hurry or we'll be late."
Typical Setsuna, change the subject to get your way.
"Here, you can wear this over it." Setsuna opened the door and handed her an oversized black button up shirt. Hotaru smiled gratefully.
But then, Setsuna is always nice about it.
Hotaru changed, putting a pair of shorts on and putting on the overshirt, rolling up the sleeves and bravely walked out of the room.
"You look good." Setsuna smiled. "We'll drive there.
"Trying to look normal?" Hotaru raised her eyebrows. "I didn't know you could drive." Setsuna coughed.
"Well, not strictly legally in this lifetime." Setsuna picked up a set of car keys. "Now," Setsuna cleared her throat. "Let's get going."
* * *
This is going to be sooo much fun!" Minako squealed. Usagi was grinning at the set up of the party.
"You're right." Usagi agreed trying to push her thoughts away of Mamoru.
"Um..." Makoto looked nervous. "I thougth maybe...well, I know she didn't tell you guys..."
"What?" Usagi asked.
"Rei's...Rei's bringing someone." Makoto stated and was obviously trying to get around saying it outloud.
"Oh! Rei-chan has a boyfriend, doesn't she?" Minako picked up a soda.
"No, they're just friends..." Makoto was becoming more uncomfortable by the second.
"Let me clear up the confusion." Ami sat up in the chair that she had been curled up in it. "Now, if Rei was bringing a new love interest, Makoto would be very excited." Ami began.
"Okay." Minako and Usagi nodded together.
"So, by the fact that Makoto is nervous, it implies that she is nervous about your reaction. Therefore, Rei must be bringing a controversial guest. Since there's only one person who could create such an upset in Makoto, I deduct that Rei is bringing-" Ami was cut off.
"Mamoru." Usagi felt her eyes water. "Baka." She wasn't sure if she meant him or herself. Probably both.
"You don't have to be so unfeeling about it Ami-chan." Minako frowned, the mood slowly going down hill.
"It's logic Minako-chan." Ami told the blonde. "Emotion isn't supposed to be involved." Ami's face and tone became more sympathetic. "Usagi-chan, it's okay because Seiya's coming."
"Yeah Chiba-san will see him and well..." Minako chewed on her lip. So any signs of guests?" Minako brightened.
"Nope." Makoto shielded her eyes from the sun to look. "Oh wait...I see Seiya-kun."
"Really? Did he bring his friends?" Minako jumped on Makoto's back and peered out into the distance. "He did! Yaten-san is so cool!"
"I'm glad. I enjoyed talking with Taiki-san last time." Ami's face went red as everyone turned and looked at her.
"Ami-chan's in love." Usagi joked. Ami's face brightened a few more shades.
"Usagi-chan!" Seiya waved as the trio approached.
"Seiya-kun!" Usagi felt her sadness get pushed down a little.
Stop thinking about Mamoru! Even if Seiya looked like him...
Baka, baka, baka!
A cute boy is here for you and you don't even care?
"Hi Yaten-san." Minako greeted the silver-haired boy whose face twitched in irritation. "Is that a sketchpad?"
"Um, am I on time? Setsuna drives slow." Hotaru's small voice came from behind the three boys.
"It's a party; you can't be late unless it's over." Makoto assured her.
"Oh." Hotaru nodded. "Um..." There was an awkward silence as her face went red from the attention and she stared at her feet.
"Hotaru-chan, come sit with me." Ami had an endearing look for the lavender-eyed girl who greatly reminded her of herself. "This book is really good." Hotaru sat down looking grateful to the blue-haired senshi.
"We have hot dogs and burgers and stuff on the grill." Usagi pointed to Motoki who was grilling and having a small friendly argument with Reika.
"Cool." Seiya grinned at her again. Usually she was happy but he didn't like that small frown that she was wearing. Something was worrying her.
"I brought stuff for the grill." Yaten walked off towards the grill, Minako right behind him.
"Oh vegetable-kabobs! Are you a vegetarian?" Minako's blue eyes were bright with eagerness.
"I think Minako-chan has a thing for Yaten." Seiya said out loud what the others were thinking.
"I don't know..." Ami frowned as she tried to think. "That card..." Several people were giving her strange looks as they had no idea what she was talking about.
"Don't ask her about it, she'll tell us on her own time." Rei's voice made Usagi turn slowly. There standing next to Rei was Mamoru. He looked straight at her but dropped his eyes a few moments later.
"Rei-chan! Your swimsuit is so cute!" Makoto exclaimed.
"Oh thanks." Rei let herself be pulled aside by the brunette.
"Why did you bring him?" Makoto asked fervently.
"They're not going to make up if they avoid each other." Rei hissed back.
"But Seiya's here!" Makoto looked like she was going to rip out her hair.
"I know that! Just be nice okay?" Rei pleaded with the brunette.
"Fine." Makoto nodded her head.
"I could never be a vegetarian; I just like meat so much!" Minako clearly had eyes for only one person at the party. He was grumbling as he sat down next to Hotaru, who went pink.
"Er, um, hello Kou-san." Hotaru bowed her head a little.
"Hello." Yaten opened his sketchpad and began sketching the beach.
"Do you two know each other?" Taiki raised his eyebrows at them.
"K-kinda." Hotaru stammered.
"I'm Kou Taiki." Taiki shook her hand. "Ami-chan! I didn't see you hiding under that hat."
"It's not that big." Ami took off her large straw hat sheepishly.
"You're so good!" Minako commented as she watched Yaten draw. He made an irritated noise.
"Don't talk to him when he's doing that." Taiki warned. "He hates it." Minako backed away and decided to find a chair. Unfortunately, the only chair was between Seiya and Mamoru, a place not many people would want to seat. Resignedly she took it.
Rei attempted conversation among the four people. "So, good thing it didn't rain, huh?" Usagi was focusing way too much on her soda, Seiya and Mamoru were shooting each other evil looks and Minako was giving Mamoru wary glances when not looking over at Yaten.
"Yeah." Minako looked peeved that Yaten was sitting between Taiki and Hotaru. He didn't purposefully sit there. He just wanted to sit next to Taiki.
"I hope Motoki gets some burgers done soon, I'm hungry." Usagi was still staring at her soda but seemed to be trying to make a conversation work.
"You'll need more then some." Mamoru winced as soon as he said it. Usagi's eyes shut and suddenly she was on her feet.
"You have no right!" Usagi yelled at him, attracting everyone's attention. "Mamoru no baka!" And then she ran away from everyone. Seiya and Mamoru both got up.
"Sit down!" Rei ordered. "She needs some time by herself. Give her a chance to think. And would you stop looking at each other like you're just waiting for the other to turn around so you can stick a knife in them? 'Cause it's not helping anything right now."
"She's right." Minako agreed.
They waited for Usagi to return but she didn't. Half an hour later, Minako was starting to get worried about the whereabouts of their friend.
"It's been awhile..." Minako checked her watch. "What if she's hurt or lost?"
"We should split into search groups." Rei suggested. "Reika and Motoki can stay here in case she comes back."
"I don't think him and Reika know what's going on." Makoto commented as the couple by the grill was paying less and less attention to the food.
"I'll go with-" Minako was cut off.
"I'll go with..." Yaten looked at the others and tried to decide who would be the least annoying to be paired up with.
"I want to help find Usagi too." Hotaru volunteered.
"Okay you two." Rei paired them off and Minako looked cheated. "Minako and Ami. Makoto and I-"
"Mamoru left." Seiya stated in something that sounded like a complaint. "I don't need a partner." And then he went off.
"I'll go with Minako and Ami now that Seiya has run off." Taiki shook his head a little.
"Let's spread out then." Rei gave the order.
* * *
Mamoru had found her. She was sitting on a rock, not facing him. He wasn't sure what to do.
"Usagi-san."
She turned around, her eyes rimmed with red from crying and her skin looking puffy and red.
"Why are you here? Did Rei send you?" Usagi asked him.
"No." Mamoru shook his head. "I came here because I wanted to talk to you."
"About what?" Usagi turned back around so she wouldn't have to look at him.
"A lot of things." Mamoru took a deep breath. "Because I hurt you and that's all I can think of."
"You're the one who hurt me." Usagi reminded him.
"I know, I think Rei's reminded me enough times." Mamoru closed his eyes. "She told me to stop being so stupid and just go after you because I'm in love with you. But how could I? One day the princess would come."
"I already know this, why are you telling me again?" Usagi was so tired from crying.
"Because she's not you." Mamoru explained. "Because I love you and I would never be able to be with her without thinking of you. Does that mean I love you more? I don't know. I just know that I love you now and not everything lasts forever. I want to be with you now."
"What happens when the princess comes?" Usagi stood up and turned around. "What happens when she comes?"
"I don't know." Mamoru admitted. "I don't know what's going to happen. But while she's always been there, you're the one who brightened my day. You're the one who made me see that there was still good things about the world."
"Why do you have to say things like this?" Usagi asked him. "It makes me feel like we can be together and be happy..."
"We can be, if you'll let me make you happy." Mamoru told her.
"Even if it is only for a short time, I still love you." Usagi took a step towards him.
"Let's be together now." Mamoru offered a hand towards her. "Okay, Usako?"
"Okay." Usagi smiled warmly at the nickname. Where was all the pain she had felt only moments before? And was it right to forgive him like this? She didn't know but it felt right.
* * *
"Usagi-chan!" Hotaru yelled. "Usagi!
"You're so quiet, even your yelling voice doesn't go very far." Yaten looked around. Stupid blonde running off and making him have to get up and climb rocks.
"I-I..." Hotaru looked down at her feet.
"I was just teasing you. Don't take everything so personally." Yaten looked out towards the nearly set sun. "Why are you so scared of the world?"
"I'm not, I just..." Hotaru trailed off. "I don't go out a lot." She looked towards the sunset as well, wondering what it would have been like to grow up in the world. A timid sailor senshi. Now there was an oxymoron.
Yaten's eyes widened as he turned towards her, the wind blowing her hair out, her eyes focused on the distance, her bare legs perfectly contrasting with the black she was wearing. Before he even realized it, his sketchbook was open and the overwhelming sense to draw took over.
"Huh? What are you doing?" Hotaru's eyes bulged in fear.
"Stand still!" Yaten ordered. "Look back at what you were looking at."
"No-no!" Hotaru waved her arms. "Please don't!"
"An artist needs models." Yaten insisted, he needed to capture what he had seen. "Go back to how you were."
"No, please." Hotaru insisted. Yaten frowned and put his sketchbook down.
"Calm down, okay? Just pretend you don't know what I'm doing." Yaten waited till she gulped and looked out towards the horizon before he got up and went to move her face into the position he wanted. Hotaru blinked and took a quick step back.
"What are you doing?" Hotaru got out.
"I'm just going to touch your face." Yaten carefully moved her head the way he wanted. "There, don't move." Finally she was back in her original stance and obviously trying not to look embarrassed.
Yaten sat down with his sketchpad and began drawing the first lines when Hotaru began waving her arms.
"Usagi-chan!" Hotaru called. Yaten stifled an annoyed grunt but it was still heard. "Er, sorry, I just saw her but Chiba-san is talking to her." Hotaru saw another figure approaching them. Seiya. Setsuna would want her to do something. "I have to go!"
"Wait." Yaten grabbed her wrist. "I haven't finished."
"I'll pose for you later." Hotaru was in a rather frantic mode if she was going to intercept Seiya. Yaten's grip tightened.
"Promise?" Yaten asked.
"Yes, yes." Hotaru broke free and went running. Yaten watched her leave for a few moments before looking at the few lines and sighing. Now what was he supposed to do? He got off the ground and started down the rocks.
* * *
"Oh no!" Hotaru almost reached Seiya when her foot caught on a rock and her ankle twisted.
"Itai." Tears welled up. It felt like it was a sprain.
"Huh?" Seiya turned towards the noise. Hotaru was clutching her ankle. "Are you hurt Hotaru?"
"M-my ankle." Hotaru told him weakly. "I think it's sprained."
"Here..." Seiya shot a hesitant look towards Mamoru and Usagi. "I'll...I'll help you back to the party."
"Arigotou." Hotaru murmured as he put an arm around her waist, lifting the other arm around his shoulders. He supported her weight, all the time glancing back at Usagi as they made their way back.
"Have you found her yet?" Minako could be heard asking Rei.
"No, Yaten said that Hotaru went running after her." Makoto sighed.
"Hotaru?" Ami saw the girl being brought in by Seiya. "Are you hurt?"
"I think I hurt my ankle." Hotaru smiled at the blue-haired senshi. "Clumsy me, huh?" They helped her into a chair, right next to Yaten.
"Let's get some ice on that." Ami immediately took charge of the situation.
"You twisted your ankle?" Yaten raised his eyebrows at her. "What a klutz."
"That's really nice." Seiya rolled his eyes.
"So, did you see Usagi?" Minako asked Hotaru.
"She was with Mamoru." Seiya answered and silence reigned over the other party-goers. He couldn't see Rei with a victorious grin. This was probably a good thing. Seiya seemed to be off in his own world and Minako was trying to liven things up by suggesting a volleyball game.
This would have gone over better if Mamoru and Usagi hadn't decided to come back right then. Seiya said his head hurt and walked away from the noise. Usagi tried to go after him but Rei immediately claimed her for her team. Minako was pouting because Yaten didn't want to play. The others all did and the game went on while Hotaru and Yaten watched.
"You promised." Yaten said in an almost absent voice.
"You don't really want me to pose, do you?" Hotaru asked him in a hopeful voice. Setsuna always taught her to keep her promises. But he couldn't actually expect her to do this.
"Yes I do." Yaten spoke sharply. "I want you to come to my house on Wednesday. After you get out of school."
"Okay." Hotaru resigned. Why did she have to promise? He gave her a few more instructions and Hotaru took them before sighing.
Things are sure going to get weird.
* * *
Okay, yeah, that's it for now. More next time. It was an important chapter! And don't think the story is even CLOSE to being over. It can't be the first season without someone getting brainwashed. ~_^