"...I want to see her"
"She could be the queen now"
"...I want to see her"
"She's not for you"
"...I really want to see her"
"You can't change providence"
"Damn it! I want to see her!"
Fighter clenches her fist and tapped hard on the Royal table. Healer, Maker and Princess Kakyuu were astonished with her actions. It's been many years since they returned to their world (Kinmoku) and Fighter never returned to her normal self. As days passed by, she wanted to be human... she wanted to be Seiya... She wanted to be with her... Now, she had enough. She wants to be back on earth, be Seiya and be with her.
"Fighter..."
"I am dying inside princess... she's my life..." she said, looking down. "Before I had no chance to fight for her and for my feelings... but now I am ready to face Mamoru-san and her"
"You'll get hurt" Healer said, frowning.
"A-At least I could see her, even if I'm not with her... I can still see her. Not like this, It's a torture" she said, slowly looking up to them. Her eyes begging, her tears starting to fall. "Please Princess.. Take me back to her... I want to become human... I want to live beside her," she said,
-
LOVE AT THE SECOND TIME AROUND
A Sailormoon SailorStars fanfic
written by: Chette-chan
Pre-reader: Julie
"What do you say, should I give him a bright red nose?" Usagi Tsukino, Age 20, asked with a mischievous smile as she snorted through the contents of Minako Aino's Make-up kit. "A clown should have a red nose, don't you think?" she asked,
Director Akane Gushiken's dark eyes twinkled as she laughed and looked at her. Obviously, Usagi Tsukino had grown physically but not mentally. She would still talk with irrelevance in her words. "Come on, Usagi-chan. I know you have been pushed to do this but we have no choice. Minako-chan is busy at Studio Four; Rei-san with her temple, Makoto-chan with her cooking assignment and Ami-chan with her studies. You're the only one who is available to become an assistant make-up artist."
Usagi frowned, "You know what, I wish Minako-chan hadn't taught me how to apply make-up". She sighed, but she was forced though, because Minako became an Idol two years ago, and Usagi had been her make-up artist ever since. "I feel as if I were a robot," she said, frowning. At the age of 20, all of them are living their own lives, except her. Up until now she's been waiting for Mamoru to come back, she was forced to take courses involving politics because she was destined to be a princess and rule the world in the future. "Sometimes I wish... I could live my own life you know?" she said, but she didn't realize she said it out loud.
Akane drank her coffee and looked at her, "Why do you let others manipulate you? Why not take the course you like? Or do some of the things you want?" she asked.
"It's a long story" Usagi said, heaving a theatrical sigh, "Besides, my life is planned. Whether you believe it or not" she said. Then she shifted to her normal teasing mode. "How about just a little eyebrow work then? I'll do some nice pointy ones. Make him look like a devil and-"
"Oh there you are!" Akane interrupted sharply, putting down her coffee to stride towards the doorway with her hand extended. "You're early!"
"Very funny Akane-san" Usagi said with a laugh, certain Akane was kidding her. The Singer wasn't due for another ten or fifteen minutes, even if he arrived ahead of schedule. He'd never have found his own way to the room. She looked up, still chuckling. But her laughter died in her throat. Her so-called clown was staring straight at her, the familiar expression in his blue eyes questioning, a mystified smile curving his lips. Usagi groaned; she would like to run away. She didn't mean what she said.
Though He managed an absent greeting and a firm handshake for Akane, he couldn't take his eyes off her, the woman who just pegged him as a clown. Finally. After a few days of controlling himself to run towards her house, Finally. He's back, and she's here too. He controlled himself not to chuckle as he remembered that she had been just as mean, when they first met and he couldn't believe that after all these years, her rich high-pitched voice was still like music to his ears, a sweet melody that added an erratic beat to his pulse.
After all these years...
He cleared his throat and let go of Akane's hand. "I didn't mean to barge in on you," he said at last. "There didn't seem to be any receptionist on duty and somebody just pointed me this way, when I mentioned Director Akane." he said, "or.. should I wait somewhere else?" he asked, while still looking at the mean makeup artist.
Despite her prejudice against him, she couldn't help feeling of de ja vu. The feeling of familiarity, that she already met this person standing in front of her. Aside from that, she also couldn't help thinking how quiet and pleasant his voice either, how unassuming his manner. Argh, Damn it. She thought, why did I say such mean things to him? Wondering just how early he'd been and how he'd overheard of her rude conversation, she swore under her breath.
"Welcome back to the World of Entertainment... Seiya Kou" Akane said, smiling.
Usagi blinked softy then blinked more. "S-Seiya?"
After an awkward silence, Akane cleared her throat. Reminding them that she was still in that room. "Sorry, the receptionist wasn't at her desk, Seiya." she said. "And the real make-up artist is absent so I asked Usagi-chan to help us. She's a big help. Right, Usagi-chan?" she asked,
Usagi bit her lower lip, and looked down. Why didn't she recognize him before? Were there any changes on his face? But she did not even try to find one, if there were any. She kept her eyes on the ground.
"Right Usagi-chan?"
"R-Right. Y-Yes of course, A-At least now I can do a make up with someone that I know.. I thought he was a stranger" she said, avoiding Seiya's eyes. She could feel Seiya's eyes not leaving her, and if she was an Ice Cream she already melted with his gaze.
"Well you better hurry now, Seiya is due in the next hour for his comeback interview" she said, leaving the two of them.
Usagi just stood there, she didn't move. She couldn't move. She wished heaven that he would stop starting at her. She forced herself to look unto him, She could almost see little lightning bolts that were coming out of his eyes and charging her body with a barrage of high-voltage shocks. What she needed was a set of Sailor Jupiter's powers to deflect the electricity.
"...Odango?"
Dang it. She heard him say that name again. Why does it sound like a sweet music to her ears? Mamoru called her that, too, right? But why was her heart beating really fast every time Seiya called her that? After five years of Seiya's absence in her life... she thought her life would be back to normal. But she was wrong; her life had never been the same. She started missing them, the three Lights, especially Seiya. The way he walked towards her, teased her, confessed his feelings for her...everything about him.
The second time Mamoru went to America it didn't hurt her that much, and for the past years she hadn't longed for Mamoru... she longed for him.
"...Odango?"
Is this Love? No, maybe it's only a friend's longing for a friend. But what if it's Love? What about Mamoru? Why did her heart feel alive when she saw him? What happened to him, though? Was there something wrong again? Do they have to fight another enemy? Why is he here again? And why did he come back being a singer?
"...Odango?"
Usagi blinked and blushed. "H-Hai?"
"Make-up. Interview. After an hour?" he asked, giving her his familiar smile. The smile that always makes Usagi smile, too.
"H-Hai!" Usagi said, "Would you care to take a seat then ?" she asked with a quiet dignity. Perfect tone. Cool. Calm. In control.
Seiya smirked, "It's about time Odango" he said, after that he eased himself onto the high, barber-style perch beside the table where Usagi was working.
As she returned to the task of setting out all the things she needed, she continued to ponder many thoughts about him. Seiya's eyes did not leave her face. Usagi sighed and yanked several tissues out of the pop-up box and gave him a tight smile and then she murmured, "May I?" she asked, Seiya winked and nodded. She blushed feverishly and began unraveling his yellow tie, then she unbuttoned one button and cautiously tucked the tissues inside the circumference of his green shirt collar, trying to manage the job without touching his neck. She shook her head, trying to erase the hotness she could feel in her face. She was furiously blushing and Seiya could see that.
"You haven't changed"
Usagi frowned, "None of your business." She said, as she opened the cream and started to apply some of it on his neck, her hand shaking from contact with his warm skin. Searching her mind for a rational explanation for why she was getting silly over him... and why was she feeling this way?
"You're still beautiful as ever"
She tipped some foundation onto a sponge and applied it. She couldn't breathe, she struggled against breathing too deeply; especially when she heard him. "I.. I am always beautiful... always" she said, she began spreading the foundation on his forehead with the sponge, using odd little pecking motions, as if he were too hot to touch. "Y-You haven't..." she gulped, "haven't changed a bit" she murmured, unable to bear the silence. "And please stop looking at me like that" she said, finally saying the words.
Seiya smiled up at her. He couldn't help being pleased that Usagi was as shaken as he was. His skin still burned where her fingers had brushed his neck, "I couldn't stop looking at you... I missed you so much" he said, truthfully.
She cocked her head to one side and smiled blankly. He missed me?
"So is this your job?... is this your training to become the Neo-queen Serenity of the 3rd Millennium?" he asked,
"I.. just helped Akane" she said, "I didn't know it was you-" she sighed and looked at him, stopping her work "Is something wrong Seiya?" she asked, Seiya blinked. "Were you here because of a mission? Do we have to fight an enemy once again?" she asked, in a serious tone.
"Don't be alarmed. I came here for a reason. And if I have to fight, I would do it alone" he said, gazing in her beautiful eyes. "It's my fight, personal fight."
"Can I help?" she asked,
Seiya smiled, "Would you want to help me?" he asked,
"If I can help sure!" she said, resuming her work now. "I know we can work everything out just fine," she said,
Seiya grinned, "Yeah. Everything" he said, and relaxed a little. "How's life? Where are the others?" he asked,
"We are all in College. Ami-chan is taking a course in Medicine, she wants to be a doctor someday just like her mother. Minako-chan is already a famous singer-" she said, as Seiya nodded. "I know you know that already, but she is studying fine arts as well. Mako-chan is studying to be a chef and Rei-chan did not go to college, but instead she started training to be a priestess in their temple" she finished. She was relieved that Seiya was trying to chat with her like this; normal conversation. Now if she could just get him to aim his twin eyes in a different position. "Michiru-san is already an artist and owns a gallery, Haruka-kun is a famous racer, and Hotaru-chan is going to Juuban High" she added.
"What about... Mamoru-san?" he asked, though in a low voice, but he knew that Usagi heard him. Because Usagi stopped working on his face and there was a change of reaction.
"Mamo-chan is still in America" she said, "The last time I heard from him was last month... He's a professor in Harvard, now, a PhD or whatever that is" she said, sighing.
"He left you again?" he asked, frowning.
Usagi laughed, but there was sadness in her face. "I'm used to that. Guys leaving me."
Seiya frowned, "Well I did-" he stopped, "At least I am back" he said, smiling.
"Uh yeah..."
"But why did he study that course? Isn't he supposed to study politics because he will rule one day and-"
"Shut your eyes please," she interrupted. The last thing she needed to hear about was a long sermon about Mamoru and her life. She had also wondered about that. How come Mamoru could do whatever he wanted but she couldn't.
Seiya remained quiet as Usagi applied a light film of makeup to the area under his brows, He knew that there was something strange yet wonderfully strange about Usagi's Reaction today, compared to five years ago. When she began blending the foundation along the sides of his nose, Seiya opened his eyes and watched her again. Could it be? "Did you miss me too, Odango?" he asked, softly. Usagi blushed furiously, Seiya's heartbeat increased. "Y-You did!"
"When people apply make-up on you, you should stop talking" she said, it was time to be blunt.
He favored her with a look of puzzled innocence. "Really? Nobody ever told me that"
"You're ruining my work"
"What do you mean? I am just sitting here obeying your every command." he protested with a barely suppressed smile. For him, it was so impossible not to enjoy the little rushes of excitement she kept arousing in him.
"You know what Exactly I mean" she said, glaring at him. "The normal thing you should do is stop talking"
"Am I making you uncomfortable?" Seiya asked; typical Seiya. Can say the things he really wants to say and unfortunately, directly.
"A little" Usagi admitted, only partly honest. She was really uncomfortable right now. "Stop flirting with me" she added,
Seiya gasped, "Oh! Odango is no longer clueless-"
"SEIYA KOU!"
Seiya chuckled, Usagi growled. "Actually Odango... I couldn't stop flirting with you. But I am trying. Really." Seiya said, Usagi shakes her head and continued applying makeup on him. "Hey are you free after my interview? We can have some Ice-"
"Close your mouth, please" Usagi said, deciding it was time to work on the area around his disturbingly well-sculpted lips. The lips that were once on her face. She could still remember that. Stop thinking about that! She screamed in her mind, "I do not like food that much anymore" she added with a feeble effort to scowl; Lies… She still loves food and she still was 'Usagi the food monster', but she couldn't go out with Seiya. Not anymore. "Can you not smile? I am trying not to miss the serrations here or else you'll have a funny white marks when you're not smiling"
"As long as you're around, Odango.. I'll probably keep on smiling" Seiya replied.
Usagi couldn't stop blushing, but glared one more time at Seiya, then rolled her eyes as she placed her thumb on the end of his nose, her index finger under his chin and gently shut his mouth, "Now look up at the ceiling" she commanded. "And close your mouth" she added,
"Why do I have to keep my mouth closed?" he asked, "You're not applying anything to my lips-"
"I will if you don't do as I say, and you know perfectly well why I want you to-"
"...to kiss me?"
Usagi eyes widened, Her heartbeat increased. "...to look up into the Ceiling and stop talking!" she yelled, as she smoothed the foundation over his chiseled jaw line, reluctantly noting that he had wonderful bones, Why didn't I see this before? His face way perfect - Maybe because I was too stunned and too young before. She peeked to see if he was doing as she'd asked, keeping his eyes focused upward. He wasn't. His gaze locked up hers and his lips curved in a lopsided, knowing smile. All at once she froze, unable to look away or finish what she was supposed to be doing.
"You're still shining as always Odango.." he said, his voice soft and husky.
She swallowed hard, "And it's almost done. Thank God" she whispered. Her eagerness to finish her job was her downfall. The sponge flipped out of her fingers and headed straightly to Seiya's red coat. "Oh my!"
But before it landed on the red suit, Seiya caught it. "Still the same, beautiful and clumsy." he said, smiling. "The Odango I missed..." he gave the sponge to Usagi. "Here" he said,
"T-Thank you"
Seiya looked at his fingers and showed them to Usagi, "I seem to have smeared this stuff all over my hand. Do you have something that could erase-"
"Y-Yes of course" Usagi said, as she reached for her bag. She picked a towelette packet, opened it with her mouth and held Seiya's hand. She began wiping the foundation off his upturned palm, then from between her fingers. Big mistake, she thought after a few seconds. She already knew about finger talk. She gave the towellette pack to him, instead. "Y-You can wipe it on your own" she said,
"Why won't you?"
"Because.." Usagi turned her back on him. "I have to.. to.. clean all of this..." she said,
"Am I done?" Seiya asked, still cleaning his fingers with the towellete.
"Hai.. you don't need a lot of make-up really" she said, putting all the make-up back into the kit.
He stood up, and smiled at her. "I'm grateful, not to have a clown nose. But I have to admit I'm disappointed you didn't give me devilish eyebrows. They go well with the horns some people seem to think I wear, and with this red suit" he said, showing his suit.
Usagi sighed, remembering what happened. "I am so sorry, I didn't mean it-"
"I know you did not. But this reminds me of some things. Before we met, you were really mean to me as well" he said, standing behind her now. "…Like I said, Odango,.. I missed you"
Usagi sighed and turned around, causing her bag to fall. "Oh my!" she started to pick up some of the things; while Seiya helped her to pick up some of her things.
Seiya saw all kinds of new stuff, "You have a lot of girly stuff right now" he said, picking up her cell phone, lipstick, and some make-up. "Let me guess...Minako Aino's influence?" he asked, Usagi smiled meekly. Seiya's eyes caught one shiny tiny object. It was her ring...
Usagi stood up, as Seiya did. Usagi put her bag on the table and started to look at the things inside her bag, "Did I put everything in here already?" she asked, Seiya showed her the ring. "Oh..."
"Isn't this thing supposed to be on your finger?" he asked, Usagi grabbed the ring and put it in her bag. "Why aren't you wearing it?" he asked,
"I..."
Seiya took a closer step at her, "You...?"
"I got..." she said, licking her lips, as her gaze landed on his lips. It was like the last time when they went to a private room in a disco, five years ago.
"You got...?"
"I got..." she shook her head and almost jumped when she saw Seiya standing really close to her. His lips were so close, so tantalizing, so firm and warm...
Meanwhile Seiya couldn't stop himself from coming closer, this was his chance. He should not ruin it. God it's been so long... He should take this chance... this chance. He leaned closer towards her.
So delicious, that word entered Usagi's mind when she felt Seiya's pressured lips on hers. So hot and minty... the words added. She was stunned by what she was doing. This is wrong! Definitely wrong! Appalled completely and utterly horrified.
Especially when it just feels so right...