Author's notes:

I'm back again! I have to say a huge sorry to everyone who's been waiting on an update—unfortunately I've had some major health issues arise this past couple of months, and alongside uni, I haven't had the time to get back to writing Cosmic Affinity…but I can assure you, I thought about it every day! I have a much lighter load now, so it's looking like I'll be able to update every week or two once again, and I'm so excited! Thanks for your ongoing support.

Like always, make sure to check out the important notes from the Prologue if you haven't already. Enjoy!

Music rec – To Be Human by Sia

Chapter Eleven

She couldn't breathe.

Time seemed to slow as waves of flickering energy throbbed like a heartbeat in a cobalt supernova around them, each silent pulse more powerful than the last. The dome reached far and wide, and she shielded her eyes from the brilliant light, watching in awe as the very ground beneath them vibrated, shaking the earth and tearing up the terrain until gravel and grass floated inches above its rightful place in the ground. She begged her body to move—to do something—but nothing came.

"Seiya…" She gasped, as his body drew taut, arms spread wide and a growl rasping from him with every thump of power. From his fingertips something wisped out to protect her; a spider web of energy latticing in the thick air of the storm. She pressed her hand against the barrier, and the spark of energy scorched the crescent moon on her forehead, alighting the centre of her chest in a hot, sapphire hue. What is this feeling?

The entity before them screeched as its blackened edges began to decimate into flecks of nothingness. "Destroy…heir…" It hissed, before the blue flames engulfed it completely.

Seiya let out a broken breath as the power froze, slow and still. Usagi reached out her fingers to brush the shaking hand that was protecting her so fiercely. "It's gone," she whispered as their skin connected, and the wisping power rescinded up his arm through glowing veins. "Seiya, it's gone—please, stop."

And just like that, it was over.

The sphere rushed back to her body as the guardian, now Sailor Star Fighter in all of her glory, crashed to her knees. Usagi dropped to the senshi's side, holding her as she gasped for breath and glared out at the field before them. "Fighter, Fighter—it's alright, it's over…"

She slumped into Usagi's embrace like a dead weight as the rain pelted down on them. "What an asshole," she managed finally, her voice ragged, "ruining a perfect afternoon…"

Usagi stabilised her as best she could, feeling the chill of her wet skin against her own. She shook her head, the shock of what she had witnessed setting in. "What was that? How did you…?"

The guardian grunted as though she were in pain, but attempted to mask it with a smirk. "I learned some new tricks while I was away," she said breathlessly. She gave her a weak smile. "Anything to protect you, Odango…"

"Usagi!"

Through the haze of the rain, Usagi spotted her fellow senshi charging toward her. Jupiter, Venus and Mars flanked them protectively, at the ready for another attack, while Mercury scanned the field. "The conditions seem to be a result of the aftermath of the attack—I can't detect any further entities or threat," she said hastily. "I think we're clear!"

Suddenly a pair of teal eyes were directly in line with her own. "Are you alright, kitten?"

Usagi nodded at Uranus, water dripping from her hair. She shivered. "I am—but Fighter, she's weak—"

"I'm fine," Fighter argued, trying to sit upright and failing miserably. "I will be, in a minute…"

Uranus stared at her, her expression unreadable. "Are you injured?"

"As happy as I know that would make you, no, I'm not," Fighter replied icily. "Using that power just weakens me, temporarily."

"She did it without transforming," Usagi spluttered, jittering in the cold. She pulled the senshi in her arms closer. "Her power just appeared, right there in the palm of her hand…"

Uranus eyed Fighter's weary form, her jaw clenching as she reached out an arm to loop under the Starlight's shoulders. She dragged her to her feet and barked: "Neptune, come look after Usagi—I'll make a head start toward the Three Lights' apartment."

"Wait, I'm coming—I'll help you!" Usagi said, pulling herself up and swaying on the spot. "Whoa…"

Neptune caught her by the shoulders and looked at her warily. "I think it's best that you just—"

"I'm fine—I just need to know Seiya's okay," she said, her voice cracking. She felt weak, like every ounce of her energy had been sucked dry, and suddenly she understood why. "I can feel it, Michiru—she's not well, I have to help—"

"Usagi, Haruka's got her, she'll be fine," Neptune said firmly, tightening her grip on her shoulders. "It's you I'm worried about."

She craned her neck past the aqua-haired soldier, watching as Uranus and Fighter retreated into the fog. "I have to go, please—"

"Look," Neptune insisted, placing her palm against Usagi's sternum. Usagi gazed down at the blue glow that was radiating through her fair skin, casting a sparkle across her breastbone. Neptune met her eye, looking at her incredulously. "You can feel her, can't you?"

"Here, put this around you," Makoto said, as she draped her jacket around Usagi's shoulders, having detransformed to help her trembling friend. "You're freezing, Usa…"

The other scouts surrounded her, eyes wide as they stared at the fading light that shone through her chest. Ami pressed at the stud on her earlobe and her visor appeared across her eyes. "It's as though your crystal has…absorbed some of Fighter's power…"

Usagi ignored her and the stares of her friends, pushing past them to follow after Uranus and Fighter. Rei's voice echoed after her. "Usagi, wait—we need to get you home, you have to rest—"

"I'm not going home," she threw back over her shoulder as she broke into a sprint, "I'm going with Seiya."

"Hey, Chibi, would you stop yanking on my arm—I told you, that hurts…"

Rini huffed as the toddler ignored her, tugging on her arm as she skipped down the footpath, a giggle laced in the song she was humming away to herself. She heaved Rini forward as she leapt between the cracks in the concrete, and Rini rubbed her shoulder with a pout. "You're pretty strong for a little kid, you know that?"

Chibi grinned at her and pulled harder, all about with movement as she bounced comfortably in the tiny pair of purple overalls she had chosen for herself when Rini had told her they were going out for the afternoon to meet Helios and Hotaru. "Strong, strong!"

"Yeah, exactly," Rini laughed. She sighed and let the child lead her forward in the brisk afternoon air, apologising with a smile as she was careened into people on the street. "Sorry—excuse us…"

They reached the steps of the shrine just as a few cool raindrops began to fall, staining the pavement and soaking into their clothes. "Damn—I didn't bring an umbrella," she swore. She hauled the excited girl to a stop and bundled her into her arms. "Come here, Chibi…"

Rini shielded her head as she jogged up the shallow stairs, puffing as she made it to the top. Under the cover of the shrine, Hotaru and Helios were sitting waiting for them, and she waved in the rain. "Hey, you guys—"

Suddenly a clap of thunder boomed in the darkened sky above, but it wasn't the rumble that stopped Rini in her tracks. In an instant, she was white hot in the pouring rain, her breath stolen and her ribcage aching like something wanted to claw out from within her. She met Chibi's big cerulean eyes, wide with fear, and knew she was feeling the very same thing.

"Rini, what is it?"

Hotaru raced toward her, the touches of her fuku wrapping around her petite form as she ran. She held out her long scythe protectively before them, eyes darting between the duo and their surroundings. "Our enemy—is it here, can you feel it?"

Rini felt something spark between herself and Chibi Chibi, a charge that buzzed in the space fiercely. She couldn't tear her gaze away from the vibrating light. "Something's wrong…" She managed shakily.

"Rini," Helios' voice spoke softly, his gentle touch cupping her wet cheeks. His amber eyes bore into her own, almost red with intensity. "You have to tell us what it is, so we can help you."

The tug of trouble felt like a tight lasso around her chest, and her legs were like lead beneath her. Chibi's soft curls nestled into the crook of her neck and she drew the little one closer, shaking as the breath was crushed from her lungs. The sound of the heavy rain deafened her like white noise, bleary and unclear.

In the blur of the rain, Helios' soft features curved into a frown as he drew his thumb across her forehead. "Please, my maiden."

"Usagi," she managed to breathe, as tears nearly choked her. "I think something's wrong with Usagi."

Saturn moved to grasp her wrist, to pull her in to the shrine, but Helios stopped her. "No," he said, swiping a finger over a droplet of water on her nose. His jaw tightened and he untangled the shaking child from her arms. He looked at her. "Go to her. We will follow you."

She ran.

Even when her friends tried to drag her away, Usagi would not budge from her spot outside Seiya's closed bedroom door.

"I'm fine," she insisted, as Haruka glared fiercely at her. "I just want to see that Seiya's okay, and then I'll do whatever you want—"

"I put her there, and I can tell you now that she was perfectly fine—bitching like there was no tomorrow, but perfectly fine nonetheless—"

"Haruka," Michiru warned. She turned to give Usagi a gentle smile. "Taiki and Yaten are in there looking after her—just give it some time."

She ground her teeth and looked between the door and Michiru's outstretched arm. The nervous energy within her prickled and buzzed, and she felt like she was going to crawl out of her own skin—how could she simply walk away, when she had no idea what toll the attack had taken on Seiya?

"Fast asleep," Yaten's voice came, and Usagi whirled to peek through the ajar doorway. She spied the curvature of a bare back and the mess of a jet-black ponytail wound up amongst tangled sheets, and watched as the defined muscles beneath the senshi's skin shifted with every rise and fall of her own shallow breath. Thank god…

Michiru guided her away as Yaten shut the bedroom door. "Come on, Usagi, you should sit down."

The quietness of the living room was instantly broken as they re-entered, Minako leaping up from her spot. "How is she?"

Yaten brushed her off in an oddly casual manner, as though the act of quelling the blonde's fears was simply routine. "She'll be fine—sit," she replied, pushing her back onto the couch and taking a seat alongside her. "Drama queen, if anything."

Usagi slumped heavily into the adjacent armchair and allowed the multitude of questions to whirl through her tired mind. She looked around at her the guardians, shaking her head. "This doesn't make any sense—we were supposed to have more time before the next attack—"

Suddenly there was a thump and Rini burst through the apartment door, frantic and soaked to the bone. "Usagi? Usagi?"

She was on her feet in a heartbeat. "Rini? How did you-?"

"You're okay," she uttered, a frown crossing her features. She shook her head. "I don't understand..."

Usagi led the shivering girl across to the couch and sat her down. "I'm fine," she said. Yaten passed her a towel and she wrapped it around Rini's shoulders. "There was an attack at school—Seiya and I were leaving detention when it happened—"

"Seiya," Rini repeated, the confused look on her face only deepening. "Is he okay?"

Usagi nodded lightly, the tightness coiling in her chest as she knelt before the saturated girl. She opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by a knock at the door, mere moments behind Rini's arrival. Hotaru, Helios and Chibi Chibi appeared, looking equally as sodden. "It's lucky we were able to keep up with you, Rini," Hotaru remarked as she moved inside. "You sure are quick."

Chibi Chibi wriggled free from Helios' grasp and raced over to Usagi, oddly quiet as she dove into her. Usagi raked her fingers through her wet ringlets. "Chibi Chibi..." More towels were passed around and Usagi bundled the child up as best she could. "It's okay..." She soothed, confused as she stared down at the subdued girl.

"It's good to see you're alright, Usagi," Helios said to her as he took a seat. "Rini was concerned about your wellbeing."

"How did you know where to find us, Rini?" Ami asked curiously.

"I..." Rini shook her head slowly, wrapping the towel tighter around her narrow shoulders. "I just...knew."

"Rini sensed something was amiss," Hotaru spoke quietly. She looked over at Michiru and Haruka, purple eyes cryptic as always. "This attack wasn't expected."

"Seiya and Usagi were alone," Michiru told her. "It seems to know that Usagi is defenceless."

Usagi frowned. "I'm not defenceless—"

"And if Fighter hadn't been there," Haruka cut in tersely, speaking for the first time since their arrival, "what then?"

Usagi bit her tongue. She's right, she couldn't help but think, what then?

"I did feel an intense power," Hotaru said. "That was Fighter?"

Makoto nodded. "We got there right as she collapsed."

"Is she alright?"

"She's fine," Taiki replied as he reappeared from the hallway. "Just resting."

Usagi released the breath she didn't realise she had been holding and sank back into the cushioning of the couch. "Really?"

"Really," he smiled. "A little weak, but no worse for wear."

Haruka sat forward and trained her stare on the two Starlights. "Since when has she been able to use her powers without transforming?"

Yaten eyed her coolly. "What's it to you?"

"Yaten," Taiki warned. He looked at Haruka. "It's a fairly recent...development."

Hotaru tilted her head, her dark eyes unreadable. "That is quite a unique gift," she said. "A rare gift."

"We could see the blue light from miles away," Rei said. "Her new power is strong."

The remnants of Seiya's attack still vibrated in Usagi's chest like a hum. She drew her fist to her sternum and unfurled her fingers across it, following the flow of the energy.

"Indeed," Michiru agreed, and Usagi realised she was watching her closely. "But it couldn't have come at a better time."

"You still should have told us," Haruka said. "She might be dangerous—"

"Dangerous?" Yaten spat. "The only thing that's dangerous is your fucking attitude—"

"Stop, please," Usagi cut in wearily. "This time, we work together." She looked between Yaten and Haruka. "I know you can—I've seen it before."

Yaten ignored her. "And I've seen the way you fight," she said, eyes narrowed on Haruka and Michiru. "Betraying your fellow senshi—slaying them." She glanced at Hotaru. "I don't know how you can trust them."

Usagi tensed, prepared for Haruka to retaliate, but she simply looked away.

"Yaten, we all fight differently," Minako said, placing a hand on the Starlight's shoulder tentatively. "When we first met you, we thought the way you fought was ruthless, but turns out that we all had the same aim: to save not only people's lives, but their dreams, too."

Yaten stared at her for a moment, surprising Usagi as she quietly replied: "That's true, Minako."

Haruka stood abruptly. "We're leaving," she said, and Michiru reluctantly followed her. "If we're going to work together, we need a plan." She looked at Usagi, and then to the remainder of the group. "Senshi meeting, tomorrow evening at the shrine."

The couple left, taking a heavy tension with them. Hotaru shook her head. "Helios and I will go with them," she said, looking apologetic. "Try to settle Haruka down..."

Helios followed after her, brushing his fingers over Rini's shoulder as he passed. "If you need me..." He said simply.

"We should all go," Rei said, beginning to clear away the dishes from the coffee table. "We all have school tomorrow, and it's late."

Usagi's eye lingered on the still hallway. "I was hoping..."

"That she'd wake before you left?" Yaten grinned. "When Seiya's out, she's out."

She chewed her lip and nodded. After everything Seiya had done to protect her, all it had taken out of her, she just wanted to make sure she was okay. And to thank her—properly.

A hand squeezed her shoulder lightly. "Come on, Usagi, let's go home," Rini said. She gave her a smile. "She'll be just fine, don't worry."

"Ugh, my head…"

Seiya cracked open one eye, scrunching her nose as the morning light poured in through her bedroom window and across her weary body. She groaned as she stretched her achy limbs, scooting up to the headboard and letting the sheet drop from her naked chest to pool in her lap.

"Feels like I've been hit by a bus," she grumbled, raking her fingers through her dishevelled hair. She detangled the white ribbon from her long ponytail, letting it fall loose, and looped the tie around her wrist absently, staring into the palm of her hand. Her blue flame had ignited right there, searing her veins in perfect pain and detonating from within her. She remembered Usagi's round eyes, gazing on in shock. Odango…

"Odango," she repeated, panic gripping her as reality set in and she made to scramble from the bed. Where was she? Had she been hurt?

"She's fine—don't worry," Taiki's voice came as he entered the room. He gave her a reassuring smile as he approached. "Thanks to you, she walked away unharmed."

Seiya let out a sigh of relief and sat back against the cool headboard. "How long have I been out?"

"Since yesterday afternoon," Taiki replied, eying her warily. "Your recovery was slower than usual—it seems this new power you possess is developing at a fast rate."

She remembered how every tip of her body had burned; the way it felt as though something was trying to burst free from her ribcage; the magnetic energy that had torn up the terrain and the sapphire web that had protected the one thing that mattered more than anything. "I know what it wants," she said urgently, ignoring Taiki's concerns. "Taiki, it knows Odango is unable to transform—it's after her shine, her crystal—"

"Calm down, Seiya," Taiki said gently. "I think we all agree that it's after Usagi's starseed—it is, as we well know, like no other." He met her eye. "But for now, she's safe. We'll meet with the Sol senshi later today and come up with a plan—before then, you must rest."

She waved him off, unravelling the ribbon from her wrist and tying her long hair at the nape of her neck. "No need—I'm good," she said, throwing back the sheet and tossing her legs over the edge. "We need to get to school—you know, the importance of education and all that…"

Taiki cocked a brow at her. "I'm sure Usagi will understand that you required a day off," he said. "We have a busy few days approaching—rehearsing for the opening night of the reform tour, planning the new album, organising appearances, and helping the Sol senshi." He gave her a stern look. "It's important you take the time to recover."

"Fine," she growled, letting her shoulders hang heavily. "But if you think I'll just laze around in bed all day, you've got another thing coming…"

"I don't," Taiki said, moving across the room to grasp the neck of her acoustic guitar. He held it out to her. "Play. You know it will help."

Taiki left, leaving Seiya cradling the beautifully sculpted guitar in the quiet of her room. She stared down at it and let out a ragged breath. For the first time in a long time, the instrument felt like her companion, her outlet, rather than the saviour it had become in her yearning for what she had left behind on Earth.

She couldn't stop the smile that tugged at her lips.

Sitting back, she leant the cool wood against her belly and pressed her calloused fingertips to the strings, strumming a favourite chord, and then a favourite progression. The sound shuddered through her and she closed her eyes, losing herself in the vibration of her own hum. It was like nothing else—each pluck of the strings was differentthan it had been before; loaded with pent-up emotion and the clear image of a set of cerulean eyes and long golden hair. A melody flowed from her as though it was an age-old hymn, lyrics tumbling from her with ease and edge. It wasn't a message or a mission or a hidden meaning; it was Seiya, carried on the notes of a brand new song.

There was a soft chuckle in the doorway, and she opened her eyes to see Yaten's green eyes watching her closely, a smirk on her lips. "You could at least put a top on, you know," she said lightly.

Seiya scrunched her nose and shrugged, continuing to pluck at the strings lazily. "You love it," she said lightly.

Yaten snorted and shook her head with a snicker. She continued to watch Seiya's hands move across the woodgrain and metal strings, strangely quiet. "What I do love, Seiya," she said, "is that little song you're playing."

"Usagi, come on—we're going to be late!"

Usagi huffed at the pink-haired girl's back and jogged along behind her, hiking Chibi Chibi higher onto her lip as the little girl yawned. "Excuse me—you're the one who got out of class late, and I only came to pick you up because you asked me to—"

"You did not!" Rini scoffed, glaring at her. "You said Ikuko-mama askedyou to come after you'd picked up Chibi—you're such a liar…"

Usagi caught up to her and rolled her eyes. "Whatever," she said immaturely. "You could at least be a little grateful…"

Rini ignored her as they continued to navigate the streets toward Hikawa Shrine. "You know, even though I was worried about you yesterday, it doesn't mean I've forgiven you for not telling me about being unable to transform," she said suddenly.

"Rini," Usagi started, her tone laced with frustration. She took a deep breath, calming herself—she had thought about it, long and hard, and she knew what she wanted to say. "I'm sorry—I really am. I should have told you, straight away."

Rini slowed to study Usagi's face closely. After a moment, she shrugged. "It's okay, I guess," she said. "I was just so worried about you yesterday—once I knew you were in trouble, and that you couldn't transform, I was scared that you wouldn't be able to…" She trailed off, chewing her lip. "It's a good thing Seiya was there to protect you."

"Right," Usagi replied, her voice tight. Seiya hadn't been at school that day—none of the Starlights had been—and she had felt on edge all day worrying about her welfare. She shook off the thought. "Speaking of protection—Mama didn't really ask me to come by and get you."

"She didn't?"

Usagi shook her head, putting Chibi down as they reached the top of the stairs at the shrine. The little girl raced ahead, leaving Usagi alone with Rini. "You haven't transformed since you came from Crystal Tokyo, have you?"

"No, I told you yesterday—I have no idea whether I can—" Rini stopped, realisation crossing her features. "Usagi, you don't have to protect me, I'll be fine—"

"We don't know that," Usagi interrupted. "If I can't transform, then chances are you can't either."

"Then I'll test it out," Rini said, grasping the brooch from her sternum. "Now's the time to find out—"

"No!" Usagi said quickly, covering the sparkling object with her own hand. "Please, let's just assume you can't, for now."

Rini looked at her strangely. "Why?"

Usagi cast her eye up to the shrine, where Chibi Chibi was chasing around Luna and Artemis and her friends were waiting for them. "If I'm right, then trying to transform will just weaken you," she said. She looked at Rini. "I don't want you to go through that."

"Usa, Rini, let's go—we've been waiting for you!"

Usagi squeezed her hand, the brooch warm between their grip, and dashed ahead to the shrine. "We're coming, we're coming, jeez…"

"How on earth are you late, Usagi?" Rei admonished as she met her in the doorway. "You had a free period and finished two hours ago…"

Rini appeared at her side, red-cheeked. She gave Usagi a smile and snuck past. "She picked Chibi and I up on the way."

Usagi poked her tongue out at Rei's retreating figure. "That's right!"

There was a chuckle from nearby. "Afternoon, Odango."

"Seiya!" She gasped, as she took in his perfectly healthy form, leaning up against the balustrade with his arms folded across his chest and a smirk playing on his lips. She felt her shoulders sag with relief as she approached. "You weren't at school today, I was worried…"

"Taiki tells me saving a pretty girl entitles you to a sick day," he said casually. "I wasn't going to argue."

She felt her cheeks redden and narrowed her eyes at him. "Well, I suppose he's right," she said. She looked him over for battle scars. "But you're okay?"

He stood straight, closing some of the distance between them, and gave her a smile. "I'm just fine," he said. He tilted his head and locked eyes with her. "More importantly, are you?"

She laughed lightly, amazed that he was worried about her, after everything that had happened. "Of course," she said. She shook her head in disbelief as she thought back to the power he had wielded against the dark entity. "Seiya, that power—how…?"

"Later," he said, inclining his head toward the doorway, where Haruka was casting them a stormy look. "Here to sing me a lullaby, Tenou?"

"We have work to do," she said icily, turning her back and lurking back inside.

Usagi exchanged a grin with Seiya as they followed her in to where the remaining senshi were gathered, buzzing with chatter. Michiru's eyes lit up mischievously as she spotted Seiya a step behind Usagi and she gave him a smile. "Seiya—Taiki was just telling me about your athletic talents," she said. "It sounds as though you are quite gifted." Her eye wandered to her girlfriend, who was hovering nearby. "Like someone else I know."

"Don't go there, Michiru," Haruka groused.

Michiru ignored her. "Haruka involves herself in many sports outside racing—track and field, basketball, tennis," she said, listing them off on her slender fingers. "Most recently she has joined a soccer team, though they're lacking in players."

Seiya's interest piqued. "Oh?"

"Michiru," Haruka warned.

Michiru flicked her hair innocently as she took a seat alongside Hotaru. "It seems logical to let Seiya know about the opening, Haruka," she pressed, winking at Usagi as she muffled a giggle. "If he can spare the time, I'm sure he'd be interested in attending try-outs—you have been struggling to find someone."

Haruka folded her arms over her chest. "It's an all-female team."

A devilish smirk spread across Seiya's face. "No problem there."

"I disagree—"

"Haruka," Michiru said sternly, "after what he has done for Usagi, I'm sure you can find it in your heart to accommodate him."

Haruka looked unimpressed, deliberately avoiding Seiya's amused expression. "I suppose," she said coolly, "considering that there's now mounting evidence that you're actually a decent person…"

Seiya grinned. "Oh, was that a compliment I just heard?"

"Screw you, Kou."

"Not likely."

Usagi bit back a laugh as she watched the interaction, which was spiked with a strange combination of genuine respect and superficial loathing. From across the room, where she was speaking quietly with Helios, Rini cocked a brow at her and Usagi shrugged in response.

"Right, let's get on with it," Haruka barked. "After what happened yesterday, there isn't a moment to waste."

Setsuna nodded, her expression dark. "Haruka is right," she said. She looked over to Usagi. "Usagi, I know you may have asked us to trust you and your power—we do—but you have to understand that we can't have your life at risk." She paused. "There's too much at stake."

Usagi could feel Seiya's eyes on her, heavy with unspoken words. "Seiya was there," she said. "I didn't have the opportunity to protect myself, but I was fine, wasn't I?"

"That's not the point," Rei said.

Minako nodded in agreement. "We believein your power, Usa, but this enemy is strong—it's our job to protect you."

Usagi opened her mouth to argue—to say that it wasn't just her that needed protecting, but Rini, too—and thought better of it. The heat of Seiya's sapphire gaze was burning into her—there was so much she hadn't told him; so much still unsaid…

"Which is why we need to contact Mamoru," Haruka said. "He needs to be here—"

"No," Usagi said quickly. "He's…not been well. It's best that he focuses on what he needs to do."

"Where is he, anyway?" Seiya said suddenly. "Shouldn't he be here?"

Haruka ignored him, honing in on Usagi suspiciously. "Not been well how, exactly?"

"He's been having…headaches, dreams, that sort of thing," Usagi told her. "We don't need to worry him."

"Dreams—like visions?" Helios asked.

"Even if what he's experiencing goes beyond his physical health, we can't be absolutely certain," Ami said. "Perhaps he should see a doctor…"

Setsuna shifted awkwardly. "I don't think that's necessary."

"Did you know this, Setsuna?" Haruka asked quickly, and when the time-guardian didn't reply, her teal eyes narrowed. "Does he even know about what's been going on?"

From across the room, Seiya bristled. "What is going on?"

"It was Usagi's wish not to inform him of the recent attacks," Setsuna replied quietly. "I respected that wish."

I should have told you, Seiya, Usagi thought, and she knew she had to explain—fast. "I—"

"For god's sake," Haruka muttered tersely. "Usagi, you need to tell your prince to get his sorry ass on a plane and get back to Tokyo, now—"

"What?" Seiya's voice cut in, and Usagi couldn't bring herself to look at him. "He's not in Tokyo?"

"No—he's studying abroad, in America," Makoto said, her voice full of genuine surprise. "Didn't Usa tell you?"

When Usagi finally looked over at him, his jaw was tight. He shook his head and stood abruptly, storming from the room. Usagi rose to follow him. "Seiya, wait—"

Next to her, Yaten grabbed her wrist. "Let him go," she said. "He needs to cool down."

Usagi let out a taut breath as she watched him go. I'm sorry.

Seiya tore from the shrine out into the afternoon sun, thundering across the grounds. He seethed as he muttered to himself under his breath. "What part of 'protect her' didn't he understand?"

At the best of times, his temper was somewhat volatile, but the thought of endangering Usagi's life wound a coil of anger so tight he could barely breathe. He couldn't let that get the better of him. He wouldn't.

But damn he wanted to punch Mamoru Chiba in the face.

He slowed his pace, unclenching his fists as he breathed the scent of cherry blossoms and the crisp evening air, taking it in and letting it out with a growl.

He sensed Odango before he saw her. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I'm sorry," she said softly as she came nearer. "But Seiya, I knew you'd react like this—I knew you wouldn't be happy about our decision—"

"Our decision?" He repeated, whirling on her. "Was it really a decision you made together, or did he just decide he was going, whether you liked it or not?"

Usagi looked hurt. "We decided together," she said, inclining her neck. "I understand you asked him to look after me, but you said it yourself—I don't need protecting."

"No, you don't," he said, and then shook his head. "But how could he just leave—if it were me, I never would have—"

But you did, a voice niggled at the back of his mind, and now look what's happened.

"Mamo's not a bad guy, Seiya," Usagi said after a moment. "I encouraged him to go—if you want to be angry at anyone, be angry at me."

He stepped toward her, taking in the way she stood strong, unapologetic in her choices and backing herself with confidence. "I could never be angry at you," he said softly. He was close enough that he could seem a rosy hue tinging her cheeks. "But you shouldn't have kept it from me."

Let's not have any secrets between us, shall we?

The words washed over him but he swallowed them down—once again, he was reminded that it would be unfair, hypocritical, to expect the whole truth, when he wasn't being entirely honest with her, either.

"I am sorry," Usagi said. Her gaze tracked away as she grew lost in thought. "I seem to be doing that a lot lately."

He eyed her closely. "You worry too much about everyone else."

"I just don't want to hurt anyone," she said quietly, locking eyes with him. "Not ever."

"I know," Seiya replied. "But sometimes you have to."

She said nothing, and as the warm glow of sunset kissed her fair skin and lit her golden hair, Seiya knew he couldn't stand to see her so sad. Not ever. "Look," he said, giving her an arrogant smile, "don't get me wrong—not having Mamoru around does make it much easier for me to win you over." He winked at her, relaxing as her cheeks flushed to the red of her lips. "Not that it will be hard…"

She smiled as she scolded him lightly. "Seiya…"

"I'm just kidding," he said. He sighed, looking back to the shrine. "We'd better get back—I'm not pissing off Tenou any more than necessary." He thought about it momentarily. "On second thought—maybe we should never go back."

Usagi laughed. "That would definitely piss her off," she said, and turned to head back. "Come on…"

"Hold on," he said, grasping her wrist and tugging her to a stop. The connection felt searing hot under his touch, and he noticed her look down in surprise. "You know this Saturday is our first concert since we reformed—you'll be there, right?"

She looked at him, wide-eyed. "I didn't get any tickets—"

"That's okay," he chuckled, "I've got it sorted—front row seats, remember?"

"And a private room, just for the two of us, right?" Usagi said jokingly.

Seiya looked at her in mock surprise. "Oh, well, if that's what you want, I will absolutely make the arrangements—"

"Seiya!"

He laughed and dropped her dainty wrist, breezing past her and back toward the shrine. "Come," he said alongside her ear. "I want you to be there."

The night of the opening concert, Usagi was nervous.

She fidgeted in their front-row seats—just as Seiya had promised—and stayed quiet while her friends buzzed about with excitement.

"I can't wait for the show to start!" Minako gushed. "I hear they're releasing a new single—a preview for their new work! Isn't that awesome, Usa?"

Usagi watched the stage distractedly as the venue darkened. "Yeah…"

"What is up with you, Usagi?" Rei asked, elbowing her in the ribs. "You've never been nervous for them before…"

She glared at the girl and rubbed her ribs. "Well, you know, it's been a while…"

Rini squirmed next to her, ruby eyes wide as she gazed in awe at the stage and the crowd. "This is amazing!"

"They're pretty popular idols," Makoto said with a grin. "They're the best of the best!"

Minako cast Ami a cheeky look. "Even Ami thought so!" She said, and then squealed loudly as music began to play. "It's starting!"

A sudden rainbow of colours flooded the darkened stage, and the roar of the crowd amplified as the opening notes of the Three Lights' hit song began to fade in. Three figures appeared silhouetted on stage, a spotlight illuminating them one by one—first Yaten, then Taiki, and finally Seiya, in their signature suits, each holding a rose. It was a perfect replication of the concerts of old, and as they began to sing, Usagi felt her heart's crystal soar.

"Wow," she heard Rini murmur beside her.

Their biggest hit came to a close, and the crowd applauded wildly. There was a rapid change in tone as the band members collected their instruments from the back of the stage, and Usagi watched with intrigue as Seiya stripped off his red blazer jacket. There was a round of wolf-whistles and he shot the crowd a grin. "It's a bit hot up here," he said, his husky voice clear through the microphone. He winked as he looped an electric guitar across his body. "Hope nobody minds."

The audience rumbled with appreciation, and Usagi laughed. He's such a show off…

"Welcome, and thank you for coming to welcome us back!" Taiki spoke. "We are grateful that you've all come out tonight to celebrate with us!"

"Next we'll be playing you a brand new song from album we're currently working on," Yaten told the crowd. He looked over at Seiya. "This one was written by Seiya."

The image of the three musicians, calm and casual on stage, was somewhat foreign, but their fans seemed to adore it. The Three Lights had always held a charming, innocent image that was full of composure and sophistication, but as Seiya's fingers began to dance over the strings of his guitar, Usagi knew that something had changed.

As he let out that edgy, beautiful voice, the venue went quiet. The upbeat tempo was cleverly laced with raw emotion that stole Usagi's breath away, lyrics about a girl who'd taken his heart, and as the song crescendoed, she was clearer than she'd ever been in her life.

Oh, Seiya…