~Wavering Destiny~
by Strawberry Moon Rose
Wow, eight chapters already! I'm actually pretty proud of my motivation. Actually I haven't had a lot of free time. I've just been working on this every chance I get (I've been writing some of it at school...lol). I had the most fun writing this chapter ;D
Everyone, thank you for writing reviews, every single one makes me so happy =D
Enjoy! :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or any of the characters. They belong to Naoko Takeuchi.
Chapter 8: The Boutique
Pitter patter. Rain fell in sprinkles from the foggy morning sky. Yaten watched the droplets run down the outside of the hallway window in silence. She turned away from the dreary sight and continued to the front of the palace where she met up with the others. The Princess had asked the Starlights to accompany the girls into town.
"It's not going to storm is it?" Yaten heard Usagi saying.
"No, it's only a light sleet. It's supposed to let up soon," Taiki informed her. Everyone was gathered at the main door, ready to leave.
"Good! Oh, I hate storms!" Usagi shuddered. She was wearing her clothes from yesterday and a rozamoku tied in her hair.
"Don't worry, Bun Head, I'll protect you." Seiya put her hand on Usagi's shoulder.
Makoto chuckled. "Good luck with that, Seiya. She's terrified of thunder."
"Well, we won't have anything to worry about, it'll be clear soon," Ami assured them, repeating Taiki's words.
Yaten silently joined the group. If the Princess hadn't asked her to do this, she would have objected. It meant she would have to awkwardly avoid her all day.
Rei was standing next to Minako and sensed her grow tense. She crinkled her forehead in confusion. Minako had been quiet all morning. I wonder what happened between them yesterday in the music room.
"Okay everybody, let's go!" Seiya said, taking charge. She opened the big umbrella she had under her arm. Everyone stepped outside into the chilly mist. Seiya grabbed Usagi's hand and pulled her under the umbrella.
"Hey!" Usagi opposed.
"What? You'd rather walk in the rain than share an umbrella with me?" Seiya pretended to be offended.
"No, but... Never mind," Usagi grumbled.
Behind them, Taiki and Ami walked together, followed by Minako and Rei together. Yaten shared one with Makoto. Their feet sloshed over the damp cobblestone path as they approached the front gate. The morning air was crisp and smelt sweetly of fresh rain. The tinkling sound of the falling drops against the roof of the umbrellas was refreshing. Seiya nodded to one of the guards and they stepped outside of the palace's grounds.
"Where will we be going first?" Ami asked Taiki. She tucked a blue strand of hair behind her ear.
"There is this nice boutique not too far from here," the tall Starlight answered. "I figured you girls may like some clothes for your stay."
Yaten walked silently beside the curly brunette. Makoto tried to be polite and made small talk, but she picked up on Yaten's mood and kept to herself. Yaten sighed and watched Minako walking in front of her. What do I do? She's waiting for a response. I don't want to hurt her, but what can I say? Than even if I do have feelings for you, which I don't, it would never work, because we live on different planets? I don't do long distance? Ugh, this is why I don't get involved with people.
The walk into the town was a short one. Olivian was a small town by Earth's standards, a stark contrast to Tokyo. Most of the businesses were family owned, passed down from generation to generation. Everyone had a community attitude, and it was all-in-all a peaceful place to live, tucked up on the coast.
Taiki and Ami led everyone down the sidewalk and past various stores and shops. There weren't many people outside because of the weather.
"I don't know if I'm okay with you guys paying for everything," Usagi told Seiya when they approached the boutique.
"Don't worry about it."
Usagi shrugged. Even if she had money with her, she was positive they wouldn't take yen on Kinmoku.
"Okay everyone," Taiki announced. They stood outside a designer boutique with tall glass windows. It was well lit on the inside. Mannequins dressed in chic fashions were visible behind the glass.
Seiya shut their umbrella and pulled the door open, causing the bell to ring. She held it open for Usagi and the others.
Usagi stepped inside of the store and was immediately in awe. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, making everything glow and sparkle. The hardwood floor shone. Rows of racks held expensive-looking garments.
"Whoa...!" Minako's blue eyes lit up. Now this is what I'm talking about!
"Well, what are you guys waiting for?" Seiya asked when everyone filed in. She ran her fingers through her short bangs, shaking off the raindrops.
The girls split up and headed towards different sections of the store. There were some other people quietly shopping among themselves. They eyed the girls curiously, but politely. It was obvious they weren't from around here. One woman bowed when she saw the Starlights.
Seiya stayed close to Usagi as she rummaged through a circular rack.
"Seiya, why did you pick such an expensive place? We're just hanging out at the palace. This is going to cost a fortune!" She snagged the price tag of the pink shirt she was looking at, she realized it was in a language she couldn't read.
Seiya leaned against the rack. "Don't sweat it. It's on us."
Usagi sighed. She realized there was no point in trying to argue with her.
"Hey Bun Head, you'd look nice in this." Seiya pulled a ruffly purple dress from the rack behind her. She held it up in front of her. It was a halter-top and fell just above her knees.
Usagi gave her a doubtful look. "I was thinking something more casual..."
Seiya shook her head. "No, I meant to wear to the party."
"Is that what people wear to it?" she asked.
Seiya nodded and handed her the dress. "Here, go try it on."
Usagi clasped the hanger. "What about you? Do you have something for the party?"
Seiya shook her head sheepishly. "No, not yet. I should really get on that, shouldn't I?"
Usagi grinned excitedly. She walked over to a mannequin wearing a long blue dress. "You should wear this," she said, motioning to it.
Seiya gave her a skeptical look. "I don't know, it's not really my style..."
Usagi rubbed the material between her fingers. Tiny blue sparkles glistened when they hit the light. "Really? I think it'd look good on you." It reminded her of her Sailor Starlight uniform for some reason.
"Okay, then I'll try it on." Seiya pulled one off of the rack in her size.
"But I thought you just said it wasn't your style?" Usagi asked, confused.
Seiya grinned. "That was before you said I'd look good in it." She flirted with her eyes.
Usagi turned away. "You're weird, you know that?"
"I'll take that as a compliment. C'mon. Let's try these on!" Seiya grabbed Usagi by the hand and led her to the dressing rooms in the back of the boutique.
"Finding anything, Minako?" Rei asked. She stood searching through a stack of trousers.
"Ugh, I guess you could say that..." The blonde had her hands full of clothes stacked so high she could barely see over them.
"Wow, that was quick!" Rei looked over her shoulder and laughed.
Minako grinned. "I can't help it, everything in here is just so cool! I'm going to try these on before I drop them all." She turned and walked towards the dressing rooms. She was humming the song "Route Venus" cheerfully to herself. Shopping took her mind off of things and before she knew it, she was genuinely having a good time. She took a step around the corner and bumped into someone.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Minako apologized.
"Watch where you're-" The girl that she'd run into stopped in mid-sentence.
Minako peered around the stack of clothes in her arms. Eek! You've got to be kidding me!
Yaten looked at her and opened her mouth, but no words came out. She then skirted past her without acknowledgement.
Minako sighed and stepped inside one of the stalls. She slid the velvet curtain shut behind her and dropped the pile of trendy clothes onto the cushioned bench. The dressing room was small, but decorative. She gazed at her reflection in the full-length mirror. Her hair was curly at the ends because of the rain's humidity. The light-blue eyes staring back at her were large and held a faint glimpse of sorrow in them.
She shook her head quickly. No, I'm shopping and I'm supposed to be having fun. I won't let anything bring me down from now on.
"Bun Head, what's it look like?" Seiya called. She leaned against the outside of one of the dressing rooms, waiting patiently for Usagi to emerge. She was currently changing into the purple dress Seiya had picked out for her.
The curtain slid to the side and Usagi stepped out. "Well? How do I look?" She walked in front of Seiya and did a little twirl. The violet dress ruffled out at the edges when she spun. Usagi examined herself in the three mirrors facing her. "Hmm, are you sure about this? I don't know..."
"You look beautiful, Bun Head," she said honestly.
Usagi laughed. "Ahaha! Thank you. So I should get it?"
"Definitely."
"Alrighty then. Now it's your turn, Seiya." Usagi grinned and placed her hands on her hips.
Seiya cringed. "Bun Head, really? Do I have to?"
"Yep!"
"Fine." Seiya stood up and took the silky blue dress with her into one of the small rooms.
Usagi turned back to the mirror while she waited for her. I do look pretty cute in this! I can't wait to wear it to the party. It's gonna be so much fun!
"Okay, you ready for this?" Seiya called from behind the curtain. There was a faint zipping sound.
"Yes." She waited for the taller girl to emerge.
"Just don't laugh," Seiya warned her. The velvet curtain slid to the side and she stepped out.
The long dress looked gorgeous on the mannequin, but did no justice for how breathtakingly stunning it looked on Seiya. The glittery mermaid dress matched the color of her eyes. It was tight and figure-forming. Seiya's large chest held up the tube front of it up effortlessly.
"Wow..." she breathed. Usagi always had thought of Seiya as being handsome. But right now, she looked downright beautiful. There was no use in trying to deny it.
"Have I left you speechless?" Seiya joked.
Usagi's face flushed light pink. "Shut up," she mumbled and crossed her arms. "You look really...good."
"You think so?" Seiya eyed her reflection. She flipped her ebony ponytail over her shoulder and tilted her head to the side. "I suppose this could work."
Seiya sauntered over to her. "I can see it now - us dressed like this at the party, dancing the night away." She took Usagi's hands and placed them on her own shoulders. She slid hers to Usagi's waist. The Starlight pulled the girl close to her and gently swayed back and forth as if they were dancing.
"S-Seiya! What are you doing?!" Usagi whispered. She nervously looked around.
Seiya laughed into her ear. "What does it look like I'm doing, Bun Head? We're dancing."
"There isn't even any music!"
"We don't need music, just follow me..."
Usagi's heart began to thump louder. Seiya was so close to her, it made her feel dizzy. She's always so cool and collected, it makes me mad that I'm the only one who gets flustered when she acts like this. Usagi looked up into Seiya's eyes. She never noticed how thick her eyelashes were until now.
Seiya smiled at her shyly.
Usagi glanced away. She rested her head on Seiya's shoulder as they danced so she didn't have to look at her. She could feel her face growing hotter with each passing second. She was sure her heart was trying to take off and fly. She remembered Seiya holding her like this when the power went out at the dance club on their date.
What's going on? Why...why am I letting this go on? I have someone special to me, don't I? A normal person would push her away. Why do I like this too much to pull away? What's wrong with me?
Seiya brought her face closer to Usagi's. This is bad! Do something, Usagi told herself. But she couldn't move. She was a deer in the headlights. With each second, the distance between their lips grew smaller and smaller. Usagi felt her eyelids slowly begin to close...
"Usagi! Seiya!" Minako stepped out of a stall to see the two of them standing very close. They were staring into each others eyes like they were holding some sort of secret conversation.
"Ah! Minako!" Usagi pushed Seiya away. She crossed her arms in front of her chest. "What brings you here?" she laughed uneasily.
"Oh you know, just trying on these clothes!" Minako motioned to the skirts and tops in her arms. She flitted her gaze back and forth between the two of them. "What about you two? What...were you guys doing just now?"
Usagi's face was bright red. "Well, I was trying on a dress to wear to the party and Seiya..." She shot the Starlight a look. "She was..."
Seiya took a step forward. "I was showing her the dance we're gonna do at the party."
Usagi sighed in relief. "Yeah, that."
Minako smirked. "I see. That makes sense, I guess..." She looked at both of their dresses. "By the way, you both look fantastic! Love them both."
Usagi did a small curtsy. "You really think so? You need to go find one too, Minako!"
"Fabulous idea. See you two around then!"
Usagi watched her go. She couldn't believe the bad timing. She knew Minako well and could see her imagining something crazy.
Behind her, Seiya just lauged.