Seiya walked back into his apartment with a grin on his face. He walked into the living room and saw Yaten and Taiki sitting on the couch, both blushing.
"Oi, what have you guys been up to?"
"Nothing!" Yaten blushed.
"Oh . . . kay." Seiya shrugged. "Do you guys have anything to do today?"
"No, we have a day off, as well as tomorrow." Taiki explained.
"Have you found a date to the ball yet?" Seiya asked.
"Oh yeah, I better go and call Minako." Yaten got up and went into the kitchen.
"I guess Takeshi can set me with someone." Taiki sighed.
"Oh boy," Seiya sat down. "That sound be fun."
"Oi!" Yaten called out from the kitchen. "Minako said she can get you a date, Taiki. With one of her friends."
"Whatever," Taiki blushed.
"Okay then!" Yaten called back.
"Well, stud, are you ready for tomorrow?" Seiya nudged him.
"Not entirely." Taiki sighed. He turned and looked at Seiya, studying him a moment.
"Do I have something on my face?" Seiya asked, aware that Taiki was staring at him. Seiya tried to look at his nose by crossing his eyes.
"Iie, you have nothing on your face," Taiki looked away. "I was just thinking."
"Oh," Seiya looked at Taiki, "What about, may I ask?"
"About Kinmoku and the Princess and such."
"Really?" Seiya sat down next to him. "Do you think that once Usagi breaks the spell we'll be able to go home?"
"I don't know about that . . ." Taiki trailed off. Taiki turned and looked at Seiya. "Do you necessarily WANT to go home?"
"What do you mean?" Seiya asked. "Why wouldn't I want to go home?"
Taiki shrugged. "I don't know, maybe you wanted to keep singing or something, and keep your ties to Earth." Taiki sighed. "I'm just talking hypothetical here."
"Oh, hypothetical." Seiya nodded. "Then, I guess, I wouldn't necessarily want to go back."
"I don't know if I want to go back, and that isn't hypothetical." Taiki said quietly.
"Why not?" Seiya asked, surprised. "You of all people should be dedicated enough to Princess to want to go back!" Seiya was so surprised he was almost outraged.
"Keep it down, will you?" Taiki asked, a stern look covering his face. "I haven't talked this over with Yaten yet, exactly, but I think I'm planning on staying here."
Seiya shook his head in disbelief. "I think I'll just let you think this over, I'm sure you'll change your mind when Princess comes back."
Taiki shrugged. "Just remember, whatever happens, happens." Taiki said quietly.
Seiya nodded as Yaten walked into the room.
"Well, we have dates, Minako is positive she can get her friend Ami to go. They will be picked up by a limousine and then we'll meet them here."
"I don't think I'll wait with you guys, I'll head on over to the ball in my own limousine, okay?" Seiya asked.
"Whatever you want." Taiki nodded.
"Good then." Seiya grinned. "I wouldn't want to see Yaten get all kissy faced with Minako on the way over!" He laughed.
"Oi, you big baka!" Yaten yelled.
Seiya laughed harder and Taiki sighed and held his head as Seiya and Yaten fought.
***
Usagi excitedly attend school the next day, and right after she got out, she ran out of the school. Minako and Ami followed her.
"You're going to the ball, too?" Minako laughed. "I guess I'm glad that you have ties with Yaten, otherwise I wouldn't be able to go." She giggled.
"I'm really nervous though," Usagi lowered her voice. "I mean, Seiya must have spent all that money on me to buy the dress, and I'm afraid that I'll ruin it or something."
Minako laughed. "Oh Usagi-chan, I wouldn't worry about that, okay? I'm sure you'll look like a Queen in it."
"Arigato for the reassurance." Usagi nodded. "I need to get home and get ready, the limousine will be picking me up at six."
"Okay, bye!" Minako waved to Usagi as Usagi started to sprint home.
As Usagi burst in through the door, her mother was waiting.
"Usagi, I'm glad you're home, now I want you to get right in the shower, and then we can do your hair and make-up and then get your clothes together." Ikuko took Usagi's briefcase and shooed her to the bathroom.
Usagi laughed. "Hai, Oka-san."
Usagi quickly showered and then her mother helped her put on make-up, and she picked out two earrings that were made of gold. They had a moon, and under the moon a star was hanging on it. Ikuko then put Usagi's hair in her traditional odangoes, but took the excess hair that hung down and curled it and pinned it to the nape of her neck so it spilled over her head. Usagi wore black sandal like high heels that matched her dress and perfectly accented her ensemble.
Then Usagi put on her black dress and her necklace with the red ring on it.
"Usagi," Ikuko sighed. "I really don't think that you should wear that ring like that, why don't you put it on?"
"Iie," Usagi grasped it. "It's too big for me, and it might fall off. And plus, it was a gift, and I want to wear it to this." Usagi explained.
"Okay, well, I guess you are already." Ikuko smiled. "You look beautiful."
Usagi blushed. "Arigato," She smiled. "And I'm so happy you let me go."
"Anything for my daughter, you mean so much to me," Ikuko smiled as tears came to her eyes.
A honk from a horn came from outside the house.
"You had better go before I get all weepy." Ikuko laughed. "Now be safe!"
"I promise I will!" Usagi went outside to the limousine and the chauffeur opened the door and she climbed inside.
"Oi," A masculine voice came from the other side of the limousine.
"Seiya!" Usagi quickly went over and sat next to him.
"You look marvelous, Odango." He smiled and grabbed her hand as she sat next to him.
"The present," She blushed. "Was a bit much."
"Nothing is too good for you, you deserve to be showering with beautiful things." Seiya grew quiet. "Although your beauty would outshine the most expensive treasure I could give you."
Usagi blushed. "That is so sweet." She smiled.
"See, just your smile lights up the entire car with your shine."
Usagi couldn't help but smile even more.
"Better watch out, you might blind the driver." Seiya smiled.
"You are too sweet to me, Seiya." Usagi looked away a moment.
Seiya brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it gently. Usagi looked over at him and blushed.
"Usagi, I may have said this before, but I love you. I love you so very deeply and tenderly that if I had to die for you, I would."
"Oh Seiya," Tears came to Usagi's eyes.
"I'm not done." Seiya smiled and gently placed his fingers on Usagi's lips. "And if I had to give up being an idol, and a singer for you, I would. I would do anything I ever could to protect you and love you. I would never hurt you." He smiled and reached into his pocket and retrieved a small box. "And I want you to have this." He opened up the box and a small ring that was a heart shaped ruby surrounded with diamonds.
"Seiya!" Usagi felt the tears almost start to fall, when Seiya reached up and wiped them away, and then took Usagi's hand and gently slid the ring onto her left ring finger.
"It's a promise ring," He stated. "I promise to love and protect you forever, Usagi, through thick and thin, I'll love you."
Usagi let out a small sob, and then leaned over and kissed Seiya passionately. The two kissed for a moment, their hands found each others and their finger intertwined as the kiss was deepened. Usagi pulled back, panting from the power the kiss had held.
"Aishiteru, Odango-Atama."
"I . . .I . . ." Usagi started.
"We're here!" The driver announced, and Usagi's attention was diverted.
The limousine slowed down and the door was opened and Seiya got out, and was greeted with the flash of cameras as the press had lined the entrance to the Embassy, trying to spot out hot couples. Seiya reached into the car and helped Usagi out, and the two smiled as they linked arms and walked down the red carpet.
"Who's the girl?" One of the reporters stopped Seiya.
Seiya smiled and looked at Usagi lovingly. "This is my very god friend, Usagi."
"Are you guys an item?" The reporter asked.
Usagi and Seiya both laughed. "Our friendship is very strong, let me leave it at that."
Seiya squeezed Usagi's arm gently and they continued down the red carpet.
"You don't think my Mom will find out do you?" Usagi whispered.
"Iie, they'll probably put it in an Idol magazine, she doesn't read those does she?"
"Iie," Usagi nodded happily.
As the two neared the door, they handed their invitations to the man at the door, and they were admitted. The Embassy was dressed lavishly as the trappings of the rich and powerful could be seen everywhere. Seiya brought Usagi up the huge flight of stairs at the main entrance and brought her into the ballroom, and they danced for a while to the orchestra playing. After they had danced a while, they went over to get a drink, and they met up with Taiki and Yaten.
"Oi, Taiki." Seiya spotted Taiki and pulled Usagi over.
"I thought you were taking a model, Seiya." Taiki lowered his gaze. "It isn't very safe,"
"Oh enough already." Seiya rolled his eyes.
"Usagi-chan!" Minako smiled. "You look so lovely."
"You too." Usagi looked up as Ami walked over next to her. "You look nice, too."
"Arigato," Ami was dressed in a modest blue dress that accentuated her blue eyes.
Minako was dressed in an orange dress, and her signature hair was pulled up into a hairdo that held her hair in curls all around her head.
Minako suddenly spotted Usagi's ring and covered her mouth with surprise for a moment, and then grabbed Usagi's hand. "What is THIS?" She asked in an intense whisper.
Usagi blushed heavily. "Just a promise ring."
"It looks like an engagement ring." Ami noted.
"Ami-chan!" Usagi felt her blush deepen.
"Are you having any fun?" Seiya asked Yaten.
Yaten rolled his eyes, "Minako's nice enough, but she isn't all that smart, must be her blonde hair,"
"Yaten!" Taiki elbowed him.
"Nani?" Yaten scowled.
"It isn't nice to judge someone and stereotype them about an attribute they can't control."
"You're just lucky you got the smart one." Yaten looked away.
"At least you got one." Taiki sighed.
"I would have rather gone alone." Yaten sighed and then whispered, "Or just with you."
"What?" Seiya couldn't hear Yaten's last remark.
"Nothing." Yaten sighed. "Why don't you keep the girls company for a moment, I need to use the restroom."
"As do I." Taiki and Yaten left Seiya and he walked over to the girls.
"Demo it is customary to SAY that it is an engagement ring first," Ami added.
Usagi felt herself turn ever redder, when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around and smiled. "Seiya," She said quietly.
Seiya smiled and then looked at the girls. "You need to excuse your dates, they have gone to use the washroom a moment."
"That's okay." Minako smiled. "Usagi showed us the ring."
Seiya grinned.
"I did NOT, show it to you, you weaseled it out of me!" Usagi scowled.
Seiya laughed. "It's okay, Odango, they would have seen it sooner or later, ne?"
Usagi nodded as Seiya leaned down and kissed her quickly, then he looked back up at Minako. "You explained everything to Ami-san, right?"
Minako nodded. "Everything has been cleared up and is a-ok." She winked and did a victory sign.
"Good then," Seiya wrapped his arm around Usagi's waist.
"Might I inquire something, Seiya-san?" Ami asked.
"Sure," Seiya nodded.
"What are you going to do if you have to go home?" Ami looked at the floor.
Seiya's smile turned dark. "I guess, I'll have to choose between my home and Usagi." Seiya sighed and a frown overshadowed his face. "Let's not talk about sad things, ne? Let's have a good night."
Ami nodded.
"Come on, Odango, I feel like dancing." Seiya pulled Usagi onto the dance floor for a slow waltz.
~~~~~~~~~~
Yaten and Taiki had both slid into a bathroom unnoticed, and Taiki quickly shut the door behind him.
"What are we going to tell Seiya?" Taiki asked.
"Do we have to think about that now?" Yaten grabbed his hands and held them tightly.
"I guess not right now, but we need to." Taiki leaned down and kissed Yaten fiercely. He leaned back up and pulled Yaten into a hug. "I don't want to be with anyone else besides you." Taiki whispered.
"I know, nor do I." Yaten leaned his head against Taiki's chest. "I want to be with you forever."
"Yaten, I love you." Taiki looked down at Yaten.
"You do?" Yaten looked up into Taiki's violet eyes. His emerald eyes filled with tears. "I love you too." He kissed him passionately and the two kissed for a few more moments and then ducked back into he party.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Seiya dipped Usagi as the two danced across the dance floor.
"I never knew I could dance." Usagi confessed to Seiya, her feet seemed to match Seiya's perfectly as the it seemed a fire burned them across the floor as the fast dance made many breathless.
"You dance like an angel." Seiya grinned.
"Oh no, you found out my secret!" Usagi laughed as Seiya twirled her.
The two laughed a moment. And suddenly, Usagi stopped dancing.
"What's wrong?" Seiya asked.
"I don't know." Usagi looked dazed a moment as she looked down and saw the ring was glowing. The glow suddenly went away as fast as it had come.
"Maybe we should stop dancing." Seiya brought Usagi out onto the balcony. "Are you feeling okay?" Seiya had Usagi hang onto the railing.
"I feel fine, just a little bit weird." She smiled and took Seiya's hand. "Look at the pretty stars!" She pointed up and Seiya got behind her and wrapped her in a hug. He looked up at the stars too.
"Look, there's a crescent of the moon out." Seiya said.
"Isn't it pretty?" Usagi asked. "You can almost see the rabbit. See? Right there are his ears."
"Oh yeah," Seiya was quiet a moment. "I can see it now," He turned his head to the side and then laughed. "I love being around you, Odango."
"Seiya," Usagi turned around and faced Seiya. "I need to tell you something."
"Anything, Odango." Seiya smiled and he kissed her gently.
Usagi opened her eyes from the kiss, a little dazed. "You aren't making this any easier when you keep distracting me!" Usagi scolded.
Seiya laughed. "Gomen." His blue eyes sparkled with laughter.
"Now, what I want to tell you is very important." Usagi smiled and Seiya leaned down right near her, so his lips were right near hers.
"Seiya . . ."Usagi took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "I love you."
Seiya immediately kissed her, deeply, passionately, he had just heard the words from his love that he had wanted to hear for so long. He didn't notice the change that had been taking placed in front of his closed eyes.
Seiya let go of the kiss, and said, "I love you too," And then he opened his eyes as he was shocked to see not the blue eyes of Usagi, but dark red ruby eyes. Seiya involuntarily jumped back in surprise.
"Wait!" Seiya could feel his heart pounding as he was looking at not his Usagi, but his Princess before him.
"Seiya! Usagi broke the spell!" She ran into his arms and hugged him. "I'm free!"
Seiya stiffened as his Princess hugged him.
His eyes darted around wildly. "Where's Usagi?"
Kakyuu looked up into his surprised cobalt eyes.
"You haven't figured it out yet?" She asked him.
"Figured WHAT out?" Seiya started to grow uneasy.
Kakyuu looked at the ground a moment. "I thought you knew . . ." She trailed off.
Seiya grabbed Kakyuu by the shoulders and shook her roughly. "Knew WHAT? TELL ME!"
Kakyuu looked frightened a moment and then she shook her head. "To break the spell, all of Kinmoku must be happy, since it was destroyed, only you three count. Yaten finally found out that the love of his life returned his love, Taiki found that he didn't need to be longing anymore for love, because his love was hidden all along, and you, Seiya, finally found the acceptance of unconditional love."
"Where is USAGI?" Seiya started to get frantic.
Kakyuu sighed. "I needed Usagi's powers, she was the only one to break the spell. I'm afraid we have switched places."
"WHAT?" Seiya grabbed Kakyuu's hand and looked for the ring on her hand.
"The ring was destroyed." Kakyuu looked at Seiya. "That was part of the spell. The vessel had to fall in love, and the power of her love would trigger my freedom."
"Destroyed?" Seiya felt his heart drop. He fell to his knees as tears came to his eyes. "I knew it was too good to be true . . .nothing can ever happen to Seiya that is good. First I'm orphaned, then I become a knight, then my planet gets destroyed . . .and now the love of my life is . . .gone."
"Seiya," Kakyuu dropped to her knees next to him. "You don't need her, I've always loved you." She smiled and brought his face up to hers and kissed him. Seiya pushed her away and she landed on the cement of the ground. She sat up. "Seiya?" She asked worriedly.
Seiya stood up. "I don't want you . . .if I had known that was the way to free you, I would have left you in that damn ring! I hate this, I hate Kinmoku and most of all, I HATE YOU!" Seiya pointed at Kakyuu. "Don't let your accursed hands ever touch me again!" Seiya felt tears start to fall down his face. "Usagi . . .Usagi . . .Usagi," He fell to the ground, sobbing.
Kakyuu quickly stood up and ran into the ballroom and found Taiki and Yaten, they quickly followed her out, with Minako and Ami in tow.
When they got to the balcony, Taiki asked, "Princess, how did you get out?"
"Usagi broke the spell," Kakyuu looked at Seiya. "But breaking the spell causes the vessel to take my place, and then the ring was destroyed."
"How did she break the spell?" Ami asked.
"The power of declaring her love for Seiya." Kakyuu said quietly.
"Usagi is . . .gone?" Minako asked as she felt her stomach drop.
"Why didn't you TELL us?" Taiki turned to Kakyuu.
Kakyuu shrugged and put her hands into the air. "If I told you, she wouldn't have done it, and then WHAT sort of boat would THAT put us in?"
"You LIED TO HER?" Minako rushed Kakyuu and grabbed her collar roughly.
"If I were you, I would lay your hands off of royalty." Kakyuu scowled at Minako.
"You lying bitch!" Seiya yelled as he stood up shakily. "If Usagi is gone, then I have no reason to live anymore, let Taiki or Yaten kill me, but I'll be damned if I go to the grave without killing YOU!" Seiya lunged at Kakyuu but Taiki held him back.
"Don't do this, there must be SOME way to bring her back." Taiki said decidedly.
Seiya struggled against Taiki a moment, and then gave up, falling against him, sobbing.
Minako dropped Kakyuu's collar and stepped away, wiping tears that had come to her own eyes.
"I don't know why you all are taking this so hard! It was a sacrifice she was willing to make! I'm sure she didn't mind!"
Taiki looked away, for once in his live, he couldn't stand to look at his Princess.
"You disgust me!" Minako said quietly. "Why did you have to do it to Usagi? All she ever wanted to do was help people."
"Well, she helped me, didn't she?" Kakyuu sighed. "Don't worry, there won't be any trouble, we'll all go back to Kinmoku and rebuild like we are supposed to do."
"I don't want to go back," Seiya said quietly. "Let me die here in peace."
"Seiya, no one has ever died of a broken heart, you'll get over it." Kakyuu sighed.
Seiya wiped away his tears and glared at Kakyuu. "You don't know anything about love, since no one could ever love you!"
"That isn't true!" Kakyuu felt her own eyes sting with pain.
"Seiya, stop it," Taiki gently touched his shoulder. "We need to go home and gather our thoughts."
Everyone nodded as the group quickly left the ball.
~~~~~~~~~~
[Author's Note: I GOT 400 REVIEWS!!!!!!! *does a happy dance* I never thought it would be possible, but it happened! I'm so proud of all my fans, and it makes me feel great! I hope you all keep reviewing and telling me if you like my story, I love writing it!
(Hey, did anyone else notice that my two latest stories both had balls in them? *lol* I guess I'm Cinderella at heart!)
I'm sorry about leaving you with a cliff hanger, but I have to go to camp and I promised that I'd update once more! I was a little worried before when someone predicted what was going to happen . . .are my stories THAT predictable? I hope not! I wanted to through in the little twist there. Well, if you liked it, review. Onegai, minna, don't cry! Things will look up! (I think!) Arigato once again for reading and reviewing, I love YOU ALL!]
