~Wavering Destiny~
by Strawberry Moon Rose

Enjoy :D

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or any of the characters. They belong to Naoko Takeuchi.

Chapter 17: Moonlight Shadow

"So...what did you want to ask me?" Minako lowered herself onto the sofa.

Yaten plopped down next to her. The duo was hanging out in the music room while the others decorated. The hum of the ceiling fan was the only sound.

"I already talked it over with Seiya and Taiki and they said it was okay. But I figured I should ask you if you'd even be interested..."

"Yeah?"

"Do you wanna sing at the party?"

Minako's eyes lit up. Had she heard her right? "Really?" She examined Yaten's face for any sign that she was joking, but found none.

Smiling, Yaten nodded. "We need somebody to open for us. I thought you might wanna do it."

"Yes! Of course! Oh my gosh, this is going to be great!"

"I thought you'd want to. I think everybody should hear your voice. You're amazing. I don't know any other girl that shines like you do."

Minako felt heat rise to her cheeks. "Thanks, Yaten..." She twirled a strand of hair around her index finger. Her heart pounded as she imagined performing at the party. The flash of lights, the sea of people, the roaring of applause...

She snapped her head up. "But...what am I going to sing?"

"Whatever you want, it doesn't matter."

Minako nodded, already brainstorming.

Yaten shrugged nonchalantly. "Or we could write something together if you wanted to. I know it's really short notice, but I'm sure we could pull it off in time if we worked together on it."

"Yes!" Minako scooted closer to her on the sofa. "We could totally do it!"

Minako couldn't think of anything better to do than spend the next few days writing a song with her. And to open for the Three Lights - talk about a dream come true!

"Here, c'mon." Yaten led her across the room to the instruments. She motioned to the row of sleek guitars. "Do you play?" she asked.

"Not really, I'm mostly vocals."

"Alright then..." Yaten guided her to the majestic grand piano in the corner of the music room. She pulled out bench for her.

"I've been working on this piece for a while," Yaten said, opening the cover of the piano, "but there's something missing from it. If we can fix it up and add lyrics, you can sing it for the opening song."

"Okay, let's hear it!"

Yaten turned to the piano before her. She stretched out her delicate hands and hovered them over the black and white keys. She took a deep breath and leaned in. What happened next was absolutely magical.

Minako was sure she was listening to a movie soundtrack. The notes surrounded her, pulling her into a world of harmony. The way Yaten's fingers danced back and forth flaunted her inner musician. It was a mystical, almost bittersweet tune, despite no lyrics.

Minako peered over and watched Yaten consumed in the moment. Eyes closed, silver bangs in her face, slender shoulders moving, pouring her soul and body into the piece.

Minako sat back and closed her eyes as well. She could rest beside this girl and listen to her music forever. She couldn't decide which song was better, the one she sang to her on the guitar a few days ago, or the wordless piano piece she was playing now.

The ballad faded out.

"So...what do you think?" Yaten drummed her fingers.

Minako opened her eyes and put her hand over her heart. "Wow...that was beautiful, Yaten. I don't know if I deserve to sing to something that stunning. It was perfect."

Yaten frowned. "Are you kidding me? I wouldn't have asked you to do this if I didn't believe in you, you know."

"Really?" She...believes in me?

"Yeah. Your voice is amazing, and I want you to write the lyrics to this piece. After all, it'll be your song to sing."

Minako bit her lip. She didn't want to ruin the masterpiece with mediocre words and make a fool of herself. How could she measure up?

"Okay..."

"Say it like you mean it," Yaten said flatly.

"Okay!"

Yaten could see right through her like glass. "You have the talent to do this. What're you so nervous about?"

Minako shrugged. Are you really asking me that? "I just don't want to ruin it, that's all..." She tucked her hair behind her ear.

Yaten let out a heavy sigh. She leaned over and brought her hand to Minako's cheek, ignoring her shift in expression. She gently tilted her chin, looking into her baby-blue eyes. "I wrote that song with you in mind," she whispered. "You can't possibly mess it up."

"O...kay..." Minako managed. She wrote that song for me? Oh my gosh, how romantic! She tried to look at Yaten directly, but the gleam in her emerald eyes was intimidating.

"I'll do my best. I'm sure it won't be as good as you, but-"

"You really don't get it do you?" Yaten covered her mouth over hers in swift movement, cutting off Minako's protest.

The shock on Minako's face was impossible to hide. She was caught so off guard, she forgot to close her eyes! She realized what was happening and quickly squeezed them shut. She wanted to tangle her hands in silky ponytail, but couldn't find the courage. Yaten's lips were warm and moist, she tasted divine. Her caress was softer than Minako could have imagined. It was nothing like their brief brush of lips back in the dressing room. They were actually kissing this time.

Yaten cupped one hand at Minako's cheek, running the other down her shoulder, lingering at her collarbone. The urge for Yaten to touch her all over burned at her core.

After a long moment, Yaten retreated, somewhat embarrassed by her impulse. Thump. Thump. The blood was pumping in her ears. "Sorry..." she mumbled incoherently.

Minako noticed a faint pink glow radiating from Yaten's face. "It-it's...s'okay." Her head felt heavy and her mouth still tingled.

Yaten turned back to the piano, focusing anywhere but on the girl besided her. "So...now do you believe me? I wrote that song about you. Just sing to it, 'kay? We'll come up with the lyrics together."

Minako nodded. It was clear that Yaten cared for her, she was just reminded of it. Just then Minako decided she would give it her all, that she would make it work.

"Um...so yeah, from the top," Yaten told her, just like that. As much as she wanted to pretend nothing phased her, she was just as rattled as Minako was.Heck, what is wrong with me? I can't come undone like this.

"Al-alright," Minako said. As if she could really focus on anything right now...

"One...two... three!" When the first verse came around, she hit the wrong note and clenched her jaw, managing to cover it up. She was sure Minako hadn't noticed, but she was mad for making such a stupid mistake. She couldn't decide what shook her concentration, the spontaneous kiss or Minako's beautiful voice when she poured out seemingly perfect lyrics, just like an angel.

Yaten figured it was a mixture of both.

Usagi brushed her teeth. Twice. She stood before the bathroom mirror, waiting. She stepped back into her room and peered at the clock on her nightstand. 10:04 P.M. She's late. Why does that not surprise me?

Seiya hadn't mentioned another word about where she was going to take her. They had finished decorating the halls in the late afternoon, and dinner was nothing out of the ordinary. But all the while, curiosity was building inside her. Why wouldn't she tell me where we're going? What am I supposed to wear if I don't know, anyways?

Usagi debated between changing into her pajamas or staying in her dress. She considered putting on something dressier in case Seiya was taking her out to a restaurant or party, but she was unsure. She figured that they were going into town, but she really didn't know much about Kinmoku. The possibilities were endless, so she decided to stay in her clothes from earlier. If Seiya shows up in something ridiculous, I'll let her have it.

10:07 P.M. Fashionably late, my butt! She said she'd come by my room at ten sharp. She's the one who invited me! Geez.

Usagi sighed and walked back into the bathroom. She eyed her reflection. She found some peach lip gloss in one of the bathroom drawers and was in the middle of smearing the sticky goo across her lips when she heard a soft knock. It was so light, she wasn't sure if she had imagined it or not.

Usagi hurried out of the bathroom and across her room. She stopped before answering it to smooth her dress and fluff her hair. She took a deep breath before pulling it open.

"Hey there, Bun Head," Seiya greeted, leaning coolly against the doorway.

Usagi was relieved to see that she was wearing the same outfit had been wearing earlier; tight, designer jeans that hugged her hips and a red, V-neck tee. Distractingly low cut, cleavage on display.

"You're late," Usagi said, and crossed her arms over her chest, which felt inadequate all of a sudden.

"Not by much."

"It's rude to leave pretty girl waiting so long, you know. Where are we going anyway? Do I need to bring anything?"

"Nope. Everything you need is right here." Seiya offered her hand, which reminded her of a prince. Usagi accepted the gesture, to which Seiya gave her hand a squeeze and said, "Let's go."

They shut the lights off behind them and quietly closed the door. The hallway looked like a haunted mansion. Usagi had already discovered that the previous night when she sneaked out into Seiya's room. But this time she wasn't alone and the shadows didn't look as menacing. She still hung close to the Starlight.

Seiya raised a finger to her lips. She pointed down the hallway at the other girls' rooms.

"Shh!" Seiya shushed her. She poked her head around the corner and looked both directions, swishing her raven-colored ponytail. "The coast is clear," she whispered.

Usagi followed her down the twisting hallways. In the blackness, she was completely lost. Seiya's could have been leading her to the dungeon for all she knew. She was impressed. Seiya knew the place like the back of her hand. Yet again, this was her home.

Finally, they reached a door and the two girls stepped into the outside.

The night was alive. Cricke's were chirping and the air was thick with humidity, sticking to their clothes and hair. It was pitch black, but the moon illuminated the sky above them like a single light blub. The trees were still, for there was almost no wind.

Usagi craned her head back and gazed up at the twinkling heavens. Some looked close enough to reach out and touch, while others shone so dim, so distant.

"They're pretty aren't they? The stars..." Seiya followed her gaze.

"They are." They stood for a few minutes outside, hand-in-hand, watching the glistening night sky.

"Hey, look!" Seiya pointed. "It's a shooting star!"

"Where?" Usagi's eyes flitted. She followed Seiya's finger.

"Right there!" Seiya lowered her face next to Usagi's height, and gently tilted her chin.

"Oh wow! Look how bright it is! Beautiful..."

The tail was long and white. It sparkled in its fiery voyage.

"Quick! Make a wish!" Seiya whispered.

Usagi squeezed her eyes shut.

Seiya admired the star's brilliant light. She felt a deep, celestial connection with it, for she too was a sacred, wandering, shooting star. She closed her eyes and she made a wish upon it before it faded.

"That was spectacular! So pretty!" Usagi gaped in awe, even after it was long gone. She turned her head and looked at Seiya, whose face was right next to hers. "Did you make a wish too?" she asked.

"Of course."

"What did you wish for?"

Seiya's cheeks grew hot at the thought of telling her. "It's a secret," she said slyly, turning back to the sky.

"Aww..."

"Come on, let's go," she whispered, and led the moon princess through the night. Everything around them was cast in a moonlight shadow.

"Where are we headed, Seiya?" They walked right through the grass. Usagi couldn't tell which side of the palace the door had deposited them out to, but her surroundings looked unfamiliar. Judging from the thick, whispering trees and way the grassy dirt sloped beneath their shoes, it didn't appear they were heading towards town.

Seiya glanced over her shoulder, her ebony ponytail swinging with each step she took. "How about I show you instead?"