~Wavering Destiny~
by Strawberry Moon Rose
Thank you for reading this story. I love reading your comments :D
Enjoy :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or any of the characters. They belong to Naoko Takeuchi.
Chapter 12: Starless Night
Everybody dispersed to their own activities after lunch. Yaten headed off to nap. Makoto told Usagi to come to her room and hang out, and Seiya needed to work on party preparations. Minako and Rei returned to their room. That left Taiki and Ami standing alone in the center of the dining hall as workers scurried around them, retrieving the plates and bowls from lunch.
"I finished that book you suggested." Ami pushed her bangs out of her eyes coyly.
"Is that so? I'm glad that you found it to your interest. I have other recommendations to show you if you'd like," she offered. Her purple eyes sparkled.
"That would be great!"
"Shall we return to the library?"
"How about we have another game of chess while we're down there?"
"Oh? Is that a challenge?"
"I suppose you could put it like that." Ami chuckled.
"I won't hold back this time."
"What do you mean by that?" Ami playfully narrowed her eyes.
"I will give it everything I have got," Taiki replied in a low voice. Ami looked at the swirls in the marble floor shyly as they walked. When they reached the palace's library, Taiki held open the door for her.
"After you."
"Thank you." Ami stepped into the quiet oasis. She inhaled the sweet, musty scent of books. It was like home to her. She felt even more at peace when she was with a certain Starlight.
"So Mako, what do you wanna do?" Usagi plopped down on the edge of Ami's bed that afternoon.
"Whatever is fine. I just didn't want to be alone since Ami went with Taiki again. I always feel like a third wheel."
"I know, we could go look at the garden again! But it's still raining isn't it? Shoot. How about we just walk around the palace and try not to get lost?" She laughed.
Makoto played with the ends of her cinnamon curls. "Actually Usagi, I wanted to ask you about something first..."
"Okay." Usagi pulled her feet up and sat cross-legged on the bedspread.
"How long are we going to stay on Kinmoku?"
Usagi blinked and scratched her head. "Oh...well, I'm not exactly sure."
"I was just wondering," Makoto replied. "Of course we'll be here for the party, but I meant after that... The others will start to worry if we don't return soon."
"That's true. I wouldn't want to worry anyone." Usagi knew they would have to leave eventually, but hated thinking about returning so soon. Life back home was an uneventful routine. She had never noticed how much excitement being a Sailor Guardian provided until their lives returned to normal after the final battle.
Plus leaving would mean it would be a long time before they would see the Starlights again. She couldn't bear the thought of missing Seiya.
"Usagi...I don't know how to put this, but is there something you want to talk about?" Makoto asked. She could sense Usagi's uneasiness.
"N-no, not really."
"Okay. Well, I'm always here to listen. I just want you to know that."
"Thanks, Mako." Usagi stared at her hands in her lap. "I'm...I'm just a little confused right now, that's all," she admitted.
"About...?"
Usagi sighed. "A lot of things."
"I can tell something's been eating at you lately. Don't worry though, everything will turn out okay. It always does."
They sat quietly for a comfortable moment. Usagi was grateful to have friend like Makoto. She was remembered when they first met, how the tall brunette chased off the guys who were picking on her. How Makoto shared her lunch with her at school, and how she introduced her to Ami and Rei at the arcade. The journey between Usagi and all her friends was unique one, and their bonds unbreakable. But with Makoto, it was particularly true. Her protective nature made her like the older sister Usagi never had.
"Hey, Mako..." she started hesitantly.
"Mmm hmm?"
Usagi twirled a strand of hair around her finger before continuing. "What's it mean...when you can't stand seeing someone...flirt with someone else?"
Makoto tapped her index finger to her chin. "I believe we call that 'jealousy'."
"Oh. I see..." Jealousy? No way! That can't be it...
"I think I know where this is going."
"You do?"
She nodded. "You saw Mamoru hanging out with one of his college girl friends again, didn't you?"
Usagi blinked. "Um..."
"Now it makes sense. Why you were so closed off back home. That's why you wanted to come here, right? To get your mind off of him?"
"Um...I was actually talking about S-"
Makoto crossed the room and lowered herself onto the bed next to her. She placed her hand on Usagi's shoulder. "Don't worry about a thing. You two were meant to be. Nothing can destroy your love. Besides, to even think that one of you has feelings for someone else after all you two have been through is crazy, am I right?"
Usagi stomach churned.
"I just hate seeing you down, Usagi. It doesn't suit you. So cheer up! Mamoru only has eyes for you, and I bet he can't wait for you to come home."
She felt awful. Not only did Makoto completely misunderstand her, but she had to bring Mamoru into the conversation too. As if her feelings towards Seiya weren't confusing enough!
"Thanks," she managed.
Makoto hugged her friend. "No problem. And hey, if you're jealous of someone flirting, that's all the more proof your feelings of love are strong."
"W-What!?"
Makoto just laughed. "Don't act so surprised! What else would it mean?"
No...no way!
"Hey, how about we go see what Rei and Minako are up to?" Makoto suggested, standing up to stretch.
Usagi stood up shakily and swallowed her feelings. Her knees felt weak. 'That's all the more proof your feelings of love are strong.' The words echoed like they were bouncing off cave walls. She recalled the way Seiya brushed Minako's hair back and gazed into her eyes. It'd felt like she swallowed five pieces of bubblegum at once.
The realization finally sank in. Does that mean...that I am in love with Seiya?
As the afternoon went on, the storm subsided. But by nightfall, the clouds were shouting at each other again. The wind whipped the trees violently.
"It sure is storming out there," Kakyuu said, peering through the thick curtains of one of the ballroom windows. The sun had set, and the sky had melted into a stormy, starless night.
"Yes it is," Seiya noticed. She wondered if Usagi would take her up on her offer to sleep in her bedroom. As much as she hoped so, she doubted it.
"Fighter, why don't you head back now? You have been a great help today. It's almost dinnertime."
"Are you sure, Princess?" Seiya asked. The enormous ballroom was littered with decorations. Workers hustled by with boxes and trays. Seiya was in charge of directing everyone and keeping them on schedule. She had worked all evening catching up on her duties since the Starlights had yesterday off.
"Yes, we have everything under control," Kakyuu answered with a kind smile.
"Thank you, Princess." Seiya bowed. It was starting to look great. She couldn't wait until the night of the party. But until then, she had other things to look forward to...
The night sky lit up like the Fourth of July.
Usagi winced. She didn't have to look out the window to know the storm hadn't let up.
She changed into her pajamas, hardly registering her motions as she fumbled with the buttons. She was still rattled by the fact that she may possibly be in love with Seiya. What other explanation could there be? It made her stomach feel so queasy, she just picked at her dinner earlier, not eating much.
Boom!
She shuddered. The storm was getting closer and louder. She had procrastinated going to bed as long as she could, in hopes that it would stop. Everyone else was asleep. The mini clock on the nightstand read 10:28 PM. Usagi turned the light off and nervously approached her bed. So far the only thing she heard was the pitter-pattering of the heavy rain outside. She slowly pulled back the covers and slid in under the fluffy comforter. Bringing the blankets to her chin, she gave a sigh of relief. See? This isn't so bad. What was I afraid of anyways? It's kinda silly, it's only thunder-
KABOOM! The windows rattled.
"Ah!" Usagi squealed and cringed into the fetal position. I hate this!
A fork of lightening lit up the sky like the sun. It was so bright it left ragged marks of light in her eyes. A few seconds later the thunder clap shook the world. Usagi couldn't even hear her own scream over the deafening roar. That's it! I can't take this any longer! There's no way I can sleep in here all alone! She sat up and threw the covers off of her shaking body and froze. But...I can't. I promised myself that I'd stay here, no matter what the weather did. I have to!
Usagi reluctantly lowered herself back into bed. Her heart was beating as loud as the thunder outside. Oh, what should I do?
The next boom made up her mind. She yelped and hit the floor. I don't care how wrong it is, I'm sleeping with her! She tore across the room and threw the door open. Usagi peeked into the dark, empty hallway. Not a soul around.
Usagi quietly shut the door behind her and crept down the corridor. The palace looked like something out of a horror film at night. As if the storm wasn't frightening enough to make her blood run cold, walking down the hall of a haunted looking mansion topped it off. Usagi gulped and ran her hand along the wall. It was cool and bumpy under her fingers. She took few steps and realized she was standing in front of Rei and Minako's room.
That's it! I'm brilliant! I can sleep with one of them! That way I won't have to be alone with Seiya... Usagi gently pushed the door open and stuck her head into the darkness.
"Psst! Rei! Minako! Are you guys still awake?" she whispered. There was no reply.
"Rei?" She tried again. Usagi didn't want to wake her, but she was desperate.
The figure in the bed mumbled something incoherent and rolled over. "Ugh, what do you want?" the voice croaked, full of sleep.
"Sorry to wake you up, but I was wondering if I could sleep with you tonight. You know, 'cause of the storm..." Usagi whispered into the darkness.
The figure sat up. "What?"
Usagi froze. That wasn't Rei's voice. Or Minako's voice for that matter.
"Who's there?" Yaten grumbled. "Go away!"
"I-I-I'm sorry! Wrong room!" Usagi quickly pulled the bedroom door shut. She hurried away just in case she would come out bite her head off. She felt like she had just awakened a hibernating bear.
Usagi stumbled through the darkness. That was a bad idea! Of course everyone's going to be sleeping! And Rei would be just as cranky as Yaten if I woke her up at this time of night. Maybe I could just creep into her bed and she wouldn't notice... No, she'd wake up for sure and yell at me. And Minako would hog all of the blankets. I don't really have a choice do I? I can't go back to my room, it's too scary! Stupid storm!
Usagi wandered through the shadowy, twisting hall until she found herself in front of Seiya's door. She stared at it a long time, debating whether to knock or not. The window in the hallway shone dim moonlight through, casting shadows of tree branches onto Usagi. A streak of lightening flashed, temporarily blinding her. Usagi cringed, knowing what was coming next.
Kaboom! She clenched her teeth and took a deep breath. Usagi raised her fist and softly knocked three times. She held her breath and strained her ears, listening for footsteps.
A few seconds later, the doorknob twisted and the door crept open. Seiya wearing a tight cami and boy-shirt pajama bottoms. The moonlight illuminated her alluring face. Long black hair, untied from its usual low ponytail, tumbled down her shoulders. Seiya folded her arms across her chest and said in an inviting whisper,
"Come on in, Bun Head."