"Tales of the Stars"

Book 1: Homecoming

Chapter 25

As Staria summoned her new powers she was engulfed in a bright flash of violet light. When it faded she was dry and dressed like a sailor senshi. She couldn't help but look herself over. The crisp white body suite was trimmed with a rich purple sailor collar and matching mini skirt. Matching white gloves with purple trim covered her forearms, while tall purple boots reached up to her knees before ending in a thin white trim.

An icy blue bow was placed on her chest, with a purple circular broach at it's center. A plain matching bow sat on her lower back, resting on the skirt. A simple purple choker adorn her neck and gold star ear rings dangled in her hair as the sea breeze played with them. Finally a gold tiara with a deep purple amethyst stone set into it rested on her forehead.

"Ok, this is kinda cool…" Staria admitted ignoring the cold draft she was feeling. "I could seriously fit in with Sailor Moon and the other senshi."

"True, though that's not what we're doing right now. You need to learn control before you go and fight anything." Lusion reminded her.

"Did they do this too?"

"I doubt it. The White Moon Kingdom had a way of just throwing their warriors in and let them learn that way. They would have some guidance but no true training."

"So like throwing a kid into a lake and telling them to swim even though they never have."

"Nice imagery." Seiki laughed. "That's exactly how it worked before."

"So why do I get the fluff treatment?" She stood with her hands on her hips.

"Because this guy wants to keep you alive this time. Need we remind you of your past life? It didn't end pretty, Princess." Seiki answered for his cousin. "Do you want the gory details? Have you had dreams up that far yet?"

Staria frowned, a bit confused by the sudden mood swing of the tall man. "No I haven't got that far…..I'm not sure I want to."

Seiki felt like taking out a little frustration on the girl. She had been the reason for their world's current hang ups after all. "Really? You don't want to know how you ran off to the White Moon Kingdom, barely a month after marrying this guy."

He point to Lusion but never broke eye contact as he stalked closer to the inexperienced senshi. "How you ran from your new duties to try and save a home that was already long lost? How you betrayed your husband and our world by joining a pointless fight only to be killed by your lover's own brother?"

"That's enough Seiki." Lusion warned him.

"No it's about time she pay a little for what's been done."

"I am not Tranquility, damn it!" Staria yelled at the two men. "Whatever she did, I didn't! I'm not her any more, how many times do I have to say it?"

"The same soul reborn is still the same person at their roots." Seiki stated and turned to Lusion. "I'll go cool my head, have fun training the stubborn princess."

"Keep it up and I'll volunteer you for target practice." Lusion half joked and watched his cousin walk away.

He turned back to Staria before continuing. "In our defense you are the splitting image of the woman we knew. I am trying to keep in mind your differences but they have been few and far between. Shall we continue?"

Staria slumped against her bed room door. She was exhausted. She did however learn her first attack. Frost Nova, was a small cluster of razor sharp ice shards that would shoot forward in whatever direction she aimed. It only took a few tries though for her to be completely worn out. Lusion said she need to work on building up her stamina and some basic combat skills would help her as well. They would work on those more the next time. All and all the day had gone pretty well and to her surprise the purple haired king didn't try anything funny. Maybe he would keep his word.

She was brought out of her thoughts by a knock at the door.

"Star, can I come in?" Tamaki asked. She sighed and dragged herself away from the door to open it. Tamaki grinned at her, but frowned quickly after looking her over.

"Why do you look like you've been dragging an elephant all over the city?" He asked.

"If that's your way of saying I look tired, I am. I got worked a little hard today." She moved to perch on the edge of her bed. "What's up?"

"Just coming to check on you, I didn't think your tutoring session would last all day."

"I didn't either, but it ended up being a field trip of sorts." She paused long enough to yawn, "I got dragged to the ocean, which would have been cool if it wasn't so cold out."

"Weird place for lessons….. What exactly were they teaching you?" Tamaki was skeptical.

"How to predict weather patterns. They're trying to expand my interest in science." Staria hated the lie, but it's what they agreed on at the start of the day. They'd all have the same story should anyone question them. "But I'm sick of my day. Did I miss anything fun?"

"Not really, I spent the day studying too. We do have tests coming up soon."

"Yeah yeah, don't remind me…."

"Why don't you relax a bit, Shima said dinner will be ready in about a half hour." Tamaki gave her a smile. "Don't forget you can talk to me about anything, Star."

She returned the favor and smiled back, "I know, but I'm fine really. You all worry too much."

"Some times it's good to have people worry about you." Tamaki left the room on that note and headed back down stairs. He couldn't help but feel that the girl was closing herself back up.

The next couple of weeks went by in a rather routine fashion. Staria would go to school and try to behave a as normal as possible, then spend the early evening training. On days that Lusion let her rest from it she'd go to the Host Club with the boys but she was feeling very awkward about lying to them so much. She just couldn't let them find out about her abilities though. It would just be bad.

"Are you still going to avoid us today?" Kyoya had managed to sneak up on her as she was lost in thought. "I don't like it."

"Kyoya." she had to regain her composure from jumping. "Don't scare me like that. I told you I'm not avoiding anyone I just have obligations after school now."

Kyoya frowned. He'd hardly gotten any time with her outside of school and it was starting to bug him. That, added to the fact that she always seemed tired, was making him irritated and fairly sure that she was hiding something from them. As they turned the corner of the hall, that lead to the music room, he pulled her back against his chest and leaned down to whisper in her ear.

"I know you're hiding something from us. If you don't want to tell me that's fine, but I will find out what it is. I'm not the fool that our Tamaki is, Staria. You know that."

Staria blushed from his closeness and the fact that he'd seen through her. All she could do was lie more. "I think you're reading too much into things since that guy's involved. I promise you nothing has happened. He's surprisingly been professional about teaching me."

Kyoya held her close to him. "I still think you're not telling me the whole story. I suppose I'll forgive you for now though." he planted a light kiss on her temple. "I do need you to clear your plans for this weekend though."

"Oh? Why's that?" Staria smiled a bit and finally relaxed in his hold.

"You've been following all of this Sailor V and Sailor Moon news a lot lately, so I thought you might want to see the new Sailor V movie that's coming out. I got us tickets for opening night, you wouldn't want them to go to waste would you?"

"Now why would I waste anything you put effort into?" she tilted her head back to look at her boyfriend. "I'd love to go on a date with you. Though this kind of thing doesn't really seem up your alley."

"That's alright it's really just an excuse to have you to myself for a while."

As if on cue the twins appeared in the hall way.

"Well if it isn't the ever illusive Staria." they chimed as one. "Finally got her to stay put for a while?"

"Go change into your costumes. We'll have guests in before long." Kyoya ignored them and got down to business. He held onto Straia for a moment longer though.

"Shouldn't you be getting changed too then?" She asked. "I'm actually meeting with Mamoru today any ways."

"Yes, Tamaki's picked some annoyingly complicated pieces this time." Kyoya sighed. "I hope these little sessions of yours end soon. I'm starting to miss you."

Staria turned around and gave him a smile. "I think we need some us time too." she leaned up and gave him a quick kiss, blushing a bit the whole time. "But I've gotta go, my brother's probably out front waiting already."

"Alright Princess, but you owe me a real kiss first." before she could argue he leaned down, cupping her cheek is his hand, and kissed her.

Mamoru watched his sister over his cup of coffee. He could tell she was exhausted but fighting it.

"It's been going alright I'm just still not use to the strain yet." Staria went on about the past weeks work.

"You need a break." he stated, setting his cup down. "You don't need to be pulled into all of this any ways."

Staria gave him a dirty look. "Like hell I'm gonna let you do this on your own when I have the abilities to help. Have you had any luck finding any of the crystals?"

"Yes and no. The first one appeared the other day. It seems that they are carried by various people, but I have no way of knowing who. I'll just have to wait until the Dark Kingdom makes their next move. They got the first one, but there's still six more to find. Plus a new senshi appeared that night too. Sailor Jupiter has joined the other girls."

"Really? I wonder how many there really are…." Staria mused.

"If what Lusion said is right then there should be one for each planet in the universe." Mamoru rationalized. "They're probably just in a dormant state until they're needed. Or something jolts their powers awake like with you."

"Or mine came to light cause I'm needed in this fight too." she argued.

"No. This is one point I agree with Lusion on. You do not need to be fighting. It's good that you know how to handle yourself, but you don't need to actively hunt for trouble." Staria glared at him, but he let it go. There really wasn't a point to putting her in danger as well and as long as he could he'd keep her out if it.

Straia slammed her bedroom door and tossed her bags aside. Mamoru had really pissed her off. She thought she was making progress in getting to help with the whole crystal and princess thing. No it was all just in her head. Why was she running herself ragged when she wouldn't even be allowed to help. There was no point to any of it. She just wanted to scream. A light knock at her door brought her out of her rage a bit.

"Star you ok?" Tamaki asked from behind the door.

"Go away Tamaki, I'm not in a good mood right now and I don't want to take it out on you." she warned.

"Alright, I guess I'll just have to go eat all that ice cream I brought home by myself."

Staria opened the door and peeked out. "That's playing dirty." Tamaki just grinned.

"Come on you can vent to me while we snack."

"How about we just watch a movie and I forget about it?" Staria tried to compromise.

"Alright. You pick the movie and get it ready. I'll get the ice cream and be right back. We'll watch in here if that's alright with you."

"Deal."

A short while later they were settled in amongst pillows and plush animals, ice cream bowls in hand, and a movie starting.

"It still boggles my mind how many pop classic films you have not seen. I need to educate you more." Staria shook her head.

"So is Ghostbusters a scary movie?" Tamaki asked innocently.

Staria laughed, "No not at all. It's a comedy. You'll love it trust me. Just watch." She smiled already feeling a bit better and did her best to let her issues go for the day.

"Absolutely not. You are in the middle of training and the weekends are the only full days we can focus on it." Lusion sternly put his foot down. There was no way in hell he was giving up his time with his princess so she could go on a date with that little would be demon she called a boyfriend.

Their current session had yet to begin and they were waiting in a small warehouse, that he had rented for practice purposes, for Seiki to finish checking the perimeter. She had brought up the topic as small talk but it hadn't gone over well.

"It's one day. Are you really going to be this petty about it?" Staria tried to not whine as she fought back. "If you haven't noticed I've been exhausted from all of this to the point that my friends are starting to ask questions. I'm having to lie to protect them. Let me have a day off." She was too tired then to even really plead with the older man.

Lusion stepped closer to her and gave her a good look over. There were hints of dark circles forming under her eyes from a lack of sleep. Over all she just seemed to lack that shine of life that she usually held. He cupped her face in his hand and ran his thumb lightly over the ridge of her cheek bone.

"Perhaps I have been over working you a bit, but a break still won't stop their questions. We need to build up your stamina more. That fact that you're this worn out already from basic magic and defense training shows that you're not ready start the harder stuff yet." Staria started to pull away from him, but was stopped.

Lusion wrapped his other arm tightly around her waist and pulled her against him. "Now I never said you couldn't take a rest." he continued speaking in a low tone since she was so close to him. "I'll make a deal with you."

"Why do I get the feeling that I'm still not going to like my options?" She was still feeling too weak to really fight him, but she gave him a defiant look none the less.

"Because you are a stubborn girl, but that's part of your charm." He smiled, some what amused. "If I let you go on your little date what will you be giving to me in return?"

"Nothing, you don't own me. We're not married in this life. I thought you understood that. Have you really just been holding yourself back?"

"What do you think? How many different ways do I have to say it? Past. Present. Or future, you are my world. It hasn't changed. It won't change, but you can not seem to open your eyes and see that. You are mine." He stressed his point by kissing her, keeping her held tight as he tried to get his feelings across to her.

"It looks like everything's clear for now. So we're good if you….." Seiki walked in as Staria was struggling to break the unwanted kiss. "You about done my Lord or should I come back later?"

Staria gasped for air as Lusion freed her lips from his. The look Seiki received from his king was enough of an answer for him.

"Alright, I'll be out side whenever you two are done….working things out." Seiki was a smart ass, but he knew when not to poke. Lusion had been pretty pent up for the past couple of weeks and a little venting would do him well. If it came at the cost of that girl's virtue so be it. She still pissed him off any way.

Staria's head was still spinning a bit as the door slammed shut behind the platinum haired man. She did manage to get her hand up in time to block Lusion as he leaned in again to continue from where he was interrupted.

"Please…" she started, trying to gather herself. "Stop. Lusion I'll listen." She hoped saying his name would win her brownie points. He did growl a bit in disappointment but he granted her wish.

"You are so infuriating…." he let her go and headed to the door to get Seiki. "Transform you're fighting Seiki today, and I can promise you he won't hold back on you."

Staria had a bad habit of learning things the hard way. She found herself staring down the wrong end of a sword with her back side on the cold concrete floor.

"That's three times now love." Seiki grinned at his latest easy win against the rookie senshi.

"Well you have to lose to learn right?" She tried to joke it off, but he wasn't moving his blade so she could get up. She'd pissed Lusion off good, and Seiki was enjoying getting to be the one to dish out punishment.

The funny thing though was that she wasn't all that phased by the weapon at her throat. No what truly seemed to have her distracted were her own reactions. It had already been an hour, but she was still shaken by Lusions actions. Or rather she couldn't wrap her mind around the fact that she didn't like the man, and yet her body was acting as if it missed his touch. It scared her. What kind of trick was he pulling on her? Did he put some kind of spell on her or was she actually starting to become physically attracted to him? It was too much to deal with and fight at the same time.

"Again." Lusion stated simply and Seiki finally backed off and returned to a starting stance. Staria got back onto her feet and took her stance as well. She needed to clear her head before Seiki took things too seriously and actually hurt her.

"You're turn to start, princess. Try and stay focused this time, I'd like to have an opponent that can at least try and win."

"Sorry I'm such a poor study, but I kinda like the idea of ranged attacks better than up close and personal." She made her charge and was actually ready for the impact her of sword hitting his. She was getting use to the motions and could keep a good pace, if she could stay focused. She could tell Seiki was letting her back him up a bit though. He was toying with her. So she tried to put a little more force behind her attack.

"Finally going to take this seriously?" He laughed.

"I have been taking it seriously." She slashed at him, but Seiki easily side stepped the attack. The dodge threw Staria off balance and she almost took a face plant, but got her footing at the last second, using the force to pivot herself into a guarding stance.

She really wasn't meant for hand to hand combat. Then it came to her. She was so stupid, they said that they would be working with swords but they never said she couldn't use her magic as well. If it wasn't stated it wasn't cheating right? The real question would be could she muster up the attack before Seiki decided to stop toying with her?
She only needed one hand to launch the attack, but she didn't want the build up to be obvious. The two started circling one another in a stand off, waiting for the other to make a move. Staria kept her eyes on the older man, but was working to focus her energy in her non dominate hand. Seiki shifted slightly noticing a change in her stance and it was the second she needed to try her move.

She thrust her left hand towards him and shouted "Frost Nova!" The shards of ice gleamed in a pale blue light as they shot out at their target. Staria charged Seiki from behind the attack, using the distraction to her advantage. Seiki was off balance but he blocked her sword all the same. Though he smiled this time.

"I was wondering when you'd pull that move. Took you long enough, Princess." He withdrew his sword and bowed out ending the fight. "You're a magic user. It's good to know how to use a weapon, but that's not where your strengths are. Have you figured that out from all of this?"

"Didn't I say I like range better? I think that kinda goes hand in hand don't you?"

"True. That's enough for today." Lusion answered "I meant what I said about your stamina though. We'll let our sessions slide a bit for now, but you need to start either running or swimming laps every day. Magic will take a toll on your body, so make sure you're taking care of it."

"I'm not really a fan of exercise you know…" Staria trailed off thinking better of her statement a little late.

"I'd start to like it quickly unless you're ready to submit to the idea of being my wife and just being protected for the rest of your being. As a senshi you're level of fitness can be the difference between life and death in the wrong situation. I merely suggested the two options because they will build your stamina and speed.

Do what you wish, though I doubt you'd be pleased with any other option I give you." he had moved closer to her as he spoke and leaned down to whisper the last bit to her. "With that in mind I will warn you not to do anything that might anger me on your little 'date' this weekend. We wouldn't want to involve your little would be demon in this mess now would we."

"You're an ass hole you know that." Staria stated flatly to him.

"If black mails is the only option you leave me I'm going to use it my dear. Until you can admit to him what you are, your little relationship is doomed any way. I'm not above being jealous at this point. Don't push me to do worse." He turned his back to her and started to walk away. "Seiki take her home. I want some time alone to think."

"As you wish my lord…." Seiki rolled his eyes. "Come on Princess Pain-in-the-Ass let's go before he changes his mind."

"For once I agree with you." She followed Seiki out to the car.

Her heart was racing from Lusion's closeness moments ago. She needed away from him for a while to figure out what was going on. The truth in his words also bothered her. She knew she couldn't keep lying to everyone, but at the same time she couldn't put them in danger just for associating with her.

She climbed into the back seat of the nondescript black car and let her senshi transformation fade away, leaving her everyday self to slump into the plush seats. She was going to have to fight to stay awake on the drive.

Tamaki was playing the piano for his own amusement when Staria walked into the room. He gave her a smile and kept playing. Staria wondered over and scooted next to him on the small bench. She'd always like the piano but never taken any lessons. The most she'd ever had was a little kid's electronic keyboard with Kermit the Frog on it. She could only play a coupled of basic songs from the little color coded book that had come with it, and even then it wasn't correct form at all. When the blond boy finished his song Staria leaned her head on his shoulder. She was very tired from her lesson.

"You're so cool. I wish I could play." she mused and plunked at a couple of keys with her index finger.

"It really only takes practice you know."

"Eh… not a fan. I played the flute for a year in grade school then wanted nothing to do with it once I started middle school."

"So you can read music at least, that's a start."

"Barely. I know the letters for the notes but I'm terrible at counts." she plunked out the basic notes of 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" with her index finger again. "Plus I never learned form. I can only play like this."

"What's really bugging you?" Tamaki ventured. He could tell she was down but he didn't think it was over a lack of musical ability.

Staria laughed a bit, but it wasn't a warm sound. It was a tired almost bitter sound.

"Seriously, Star what's wrong? I've told you before you can tell me anything."

"Can I just get a hug? I don't wanna talk about it right now." She just couldn't bring herself to tell him the truth of her stress and she didn't want to lie any more.

Tamaki pulled her into his arms and hugged her, "Alright, but you'd better come to me when you're ready to vent. Don't like seeing my little sister upset like this."

"I just don't know how much more I can take Tamaki…" Staria admitted quietly. She could at least vent about school. "Our classmates are stuck up jerks. I know not many people talked to me before, but it's gotten worse since I've started dating Kyoya. All I get all day are dirty looks and hear gossip behind my back.

I really do care about Kyoya, and you and the other guys are amazing, but I don't want to spend the rest of high school isolated." she paused for a moment. "I'm really thinking about transferring out at the end of third term…"

"Star, why didn't you say something sooner. We can do something about that."

"No Tamaki, I don't want to have you guys protecting me all the time. Mamoru's been looking at other schools for me. One with a better blend of social classes where the students are concerned." She sighed and pulled away from him. "Besides just cause I switch things up doesn't mean we still can't be friends. I just won't be at school with you all day." She left out the fact that she'd plan on moving out on her own when it all happened as well.

Tamaki frowned, "I guess that's true…. But I like going to school with you and everyone."

That got a smile out of her. "I know you do. That's why I didn't want to say anything. Tamaki I need you to keep this a secret between the two of us. Until I choose for sure I don't want anyone knowing about it. Please."

"Alright…. But I think you should tell Kyoya at least."

"No. Not yet. I don't want to cross that bridge yet."

She didn't want to end the relationship that had finally started, but she knew as long as the Dark Kingdom was around there was a threat to everyone she cared about. Separation and isolation wasn't ideal but it might be the only thing to keep her friends safe from harm. No as much as she wanted friends it wasn't a good idea. Not until she knew she could protect them too.