~Wavering Destiny~
by Strawberry Moon Rose
It's so interesting to hear your guys' thoughts! Of course I have my own opinions on this whole situation too. But if I revealed how I felt about everyone, that would give it away :P
Note: To dream of blowing dandelions means you are trying to bring back a certain time in your life. You long to have something/someone back.
Enjoy! :D
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or any of the characters. They belong to Naoko Takeuchi.
Chapter 25: Deer in the Headlights
Usagi wandered the halls of the palace in search of some way to pass time. The anticipated party was tomorrow, and the entire mood of the palace had shifted. What was once casual had become a stressful, rushed time for everyone. Everything underway was right on schedule, but last minute preparations caused workers to be scurrying down the halls with stuff in hand or jabbering orders into devices pressed to their ears. She barely even recognized the place. To her, it was always a breath-taking mansion, but with the lights strung down the halls, it looked more like an exquisite castle.
Everyone seemed to have found something to do. Everyone except Usagi.
The Starlights were still as busy as ever, she barely got to see Seiya. When she woke up in their bed that morning, Fighter was already off to perform duties outside the palace. Usagi spent most of the day meandering around, trying to stay out of everybody's way.
Her friends had no problem passing time. Ami was to be found in the library, devouring as many Kinmokian books as she could. Nobody could get Makoto away from the kitchen to save their life. The chefs seemed more than overjoyed at her offer to help prepare the dishes. Minako felt like she was having Yaten-withdrawls. She and Usagi usually hung out in their guest rooms. Having so much in common (including relationships) gave them something to talk about. Usagi hoped she didn't look as desperate as Minako, drowning on and on about her girlfriend, but she was starting to feel like it.
Usagi somehow wandered down to the ocean that afternoon. The sky was a pretty baby blue. The salty humidity stuck to her hair and clothes. She sat by the rocks, breathing in the sweet scent of the rozamokus. Watching the waves roll in and out was soothing. It was a special place for her and Seiya. She could still remember how she looked when she waded in and teased about taking her clothes off. She couldn't forget how bright the moons had been shining and how the salty water tasted.
She thought being away from the person she was crazy for would take her mind off her, but it was having the opposite effect. She couldn't get Seiya Kou out of her head. Every word, every smile, every touch replayed through her mind like a broken record. Usagi was head over heels, and she knew it too. It was embarrassing to admit, but she wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around her the next time she saw her. She never thought the attraction was so strong, but with each day it was getting all the more clear who she wanted to spend all her time with.
Brushing the sand off her ruffly skirt, she climbed her way back up the slope to the palace. She was hoping to catch her lover in the music room for practice. Though she wasn't sure what time the three of them would finish duties, she planned on waiting for Seiya there.
Swerving in and out of maids and workers, she finally reached the music room doors. The palace may have been a labyrinth of confusing halls that all looked similar, but she was starting to find her way around like it was her home.
Usagi knocked, hoping the three of them were in there. Pressing her ear against the cool surface, she didn't hear music or voices. Dejected, she sighed and entered the empty room. The soft overhead lights were on, the ceiling fan swirled in boring circles. Usagi hadn't actually been in the music room before. She'd only caught glimpses of it through the tiny window at the top of the door while sitting on Minako's shoulders.
A low navy-colored couch against the wall caught her attention. Usagi had seen the Three Lights sitting there when she and Minako were spying on them. They'd been singing an unfamiliar song they were going to preform at the party tomorrow night. Usagi smiled and walked over to the couch. She sat on the soft cushions, stretching out into a comfortable position. Might as well wait here for the three of them to come. Who knows how much longer it'll be... Usagi yawned and closed her eyes. She snuggled up, tucking her arm to her head, using it as a pillow.
She must have dozed off while she waited, because the next thing she knew, she was out like a light. In her dream, she was walking through a vast field of dandelions. She giggled and spun around in a circle, collapsing onto her back in the meadow. The flower-like weeds tickled her face. They were the white and puffy kind, like cotton balls. Make a wish, she told herself. Usagi rolled onto her stomach and plucked one by the leafy stem, bringing it to her lips. She closed her eyes and blew, sending tiny seeds drifting away. The wind changed direction, sending the pieces back into her face. Usagi giggled and brushed them away. They were soft and sweet, feeling pleasant in a strange, warm way.
Usagi brushed the seeds away, but the tickling sensation didn't disappear. She squirmed at the soft tingle on her cheek. Her eyes slowly opened as the world came back into view. She wasn't laying in a patch of dandelions, but laying on the couch in the music room.
Usagi blinked a few times as something came into focus. Someone was standing over her, trailing kisses down the side of her cheek and to her neck. Their lips were warm and soft. The nice sensation definitely wasn't dandelion seeds. Usagi panicked, rolling to the side, she fell off the couch and hit the carpet with a soft thud. It occurred to her on the way down just who it was that had woken her from her sleep.
"Well, that wasn't exactly the reaction I was hoping for," Seiya said with a laugh. She bent and offered a hand. "Are you okay, Bun Head? I didn't mean to startle you."
Usagi rubbed her side with a moan. She pulled herself into a sitting position and gratefully accepted Seiya's hand. When she was on her feet again, she fixed her ruffled blouse and smoothed out her skirt. She caught Seiya smirking out of the corner of her eye. "Just what were you doing?!" Usagi accused, folding her arms in front of her chest.
"Waking you up. I'll try a different method next time. Would you rather I dump a glass of cold water on your head? Taiki and I used to do that to Yaten in the mornings to get her outta bed."
A small smile played on her lips. Usagi shook her head. "Thanks, but no thanks. I guess I'd take your kisses over that."
Seiya took a step towards her. "Speaking of kisses..." Her hands found Usagi's, wrapping her fingers around hers.
Usagi nervously blinked up at her. "What...what do you mean?" she asked. Peering over the Starlight's shoulder, she was glad to see the music room door was shut, just in case anything were to happen. She wasn't sure if they were going to have practice anytime soon or if Seiya had just wandered in. She didn't even know what time it was or how long she'd been out for. But from not having seen much of her in the past few days, she was seriously deprived of her affection.
The familiar twisting sensation knotted up in her stomach again. The blood pumped faster through her veins as she contemplated how she was going to go about this. She recalled how desperately she'd been waiting for her all day. How she longed to finally see her after a day of guardian duties. She'd sat by the ocean, replaying every moment in slow motion. From the garden, to the boutique, to taking care of her when she was sick. Who was she kidding? She waited so long, and now she was standing right there.
Without a moment's hesitation, Usagi stepped forward and cupped both of her hands at Seiya's face. She stood on her tip toes, and pressed her lips against hers.
The desire pumping through her was stronger than she was prepared for. Once she started, she couldn't stop. It was a treacherous slope, but she liked it.
As fiery as it felt on the outside, the overpowering connection that pulled her to the Starlight went soul deep. She wanted to talk with her, hang out with her, just be with her. In the end, she was the reason Usagi had come to Kinmoku. She wanted to protect her too, with all of her life, and never ever let her go.
Usagi took a step forward, pushing the Starlight's back against the wall behind them. She kissed her passionately, wrapping one hand around the nape of her neck and lingering the other at her jawbone. For once, she was in control; she could show Seiya how she really felt.
Seiya's hands found their place on Usagi's body, running up and down her sides, to her hips and back up to her shoulders.
Because the blonde was shorter than her, she had to lean down to meet her lips. It was especially difficult when Usagi had her pressed against the wall. Seiya spun them around, reversing the position. Usagi opened her blue eyes in surprise. Seiya glided her hands to Usagi's thighs and lifted her body up so their faces were at the same level, pressing her back to the wall so she was supported against it. Usagi immediately wrapped her legs around the Starlight's hips.
Thump. Thump. Usagi's heartbeat went wild. The Starlight's breath, hot and dangerous, whispering down her lungs was an intimate sensation that linked the two of them. Usagi inhaled her spicy rosy scent. The sweet fragrance of shampoo in her hair wafted to her face; delicious and aromatic like cherry-flavored candy.
Seiya grazed her teeth on Usagi's bottom lip. Usagi giggled softly at the response; a flustered, sharply increased breath of air.
Seiya's deep blue eyes, half-lidded with desire, gazed under her thick, black lashes. As she moved closer, a soft moan escaped her lips. Blood rose in her cheeks, causing a blush to radiate off her light skin. She deviated from Usagi's sweet, pink lips and trailed light kisses up the side of her cheek; a warm brush of skin. She stopped at her ear, biting down playfully, her tongue warm and moist.
Usagi turned her head away shyly.
A sly smile played on Seiya's lips as she traveled lower, trailing her lips to her neck. Usagi lolled her head back, afraid she was going to collapse right there.
Seiya worked her way down, leaving tender kisses along her collarbone. She moved her hands to Usagi's hips, toying with the edge of her shirt, tauntingly sliding her fingers up under the material to see if she would protest.
The blonde tangled her fingers in Seiya's bangs, giving them a squeeze.
Seiya moved the kisses back up her neck, finding their place once again on her moist lips. As she came up, she smoothly glided her hands up her shirt, feeling along the bare skin of her back.
Her hot touch sent shivers down her spine. Usagi squeezed her eyes shut harder, responding to Seiya's moving lips. She clenched her fingers tighter in her hair as her mind started to whirl like a tornado. She didn't think it was possible for the two of their bodies and souls to get any closer before they became one.
"Mina, you in here?" A muffled voice called. Suddenly, the doorknob jangled and the music room door opened. "What the hell!" Yaten gasped, standing in the doorway.
Usagi's eyes sprung open. She looked over Seiya's shoulder to see the Yaten standing in the doorway with her jaw to the floor.
Usagi pushed her away in a movement so hasty it was nothing but a blur. Unwrapping her legs from Seiya's hips, she managed to meet the floor with her feet without falling over. She yanked her shirt back down that Seiya had ridden up, and stepped away from her.
"Y-Yaten!" Usagi sputtered stupidly. She could feel her cheeks burning an unnatural shade of red. If it was possible to die from mortification, she would have.
Seiya quickly fixed her hair. "Oh, hey there," she said, trying to sound casual. She leaned against the wall behind her. The same wall she'd just had Usagi pressed up against, with her hand up her shirt.
"Minako isn't in here," Usagi said quickly, as if that wasn't obvious.
Yaten just continued to stare at the two of them with bugging green eyes. She took a step back, her own cheeks the color of strawberry ice cream.
Seiya scratched the back of her head awkwardly. "So, if you excuse us, we were sort of in the middle of something..."
Usagi looked up at her in horror. "Um, no we were not up to anything!"
"Um... Whatever." Yaten quickly spun and yanked the door shut.
They stared for a minute. Finally, Seiya turned back to her and filled the uncomfortable silence with something she should have seen coming. "So...um, shall we continue?"
Usagi's smacked the taller girl's shoulder. "You're joking, right?!"
"Half serious."
Usagi sighed and sat on the couch. "What are we gonna do?" she whined, covering her face with her hands. "Now Yaten knows about us!"
Seiya lowered herself next to her, retying her ponytail that Usagi had successfully loosened. "We were gonna tell the rest of them about us at some point, weren't we? Think of it this way, now we don't have to worry about it."
Usagi's slender shoulders rose and fell in a half-hearted shrug. "I don't know...I guess, but I didn't want them to find out that way! I'm so embarrassed!" She buried her face in her hands again.
"Yeah, leave it to Yaten..."
"I can't face her after this. God, Seiya, why didn't you lock the door or something, you idiot."
Seiya sweat dropped. "I'll keep that in mind next time."
"What next time?" Usagi muttered with affection under her breath. She stole a peek at Seiya out of the corner of her eye and smiled a little.
"That's a little cold, don't you think, Bun Head?"
Usagi played with her fingers in her lap. She definitely wanted there to be a next time. And if there was, she needed to control herself. She thought back, wondering what would have happened if Yaten hadn't burst in. What base would they have gotten to? Seiya must have been thinking something along those lines too, because an awkward silence settled over the room like perfume.
"So um...I think I'm gonna be going now," Usagi said, standing. She wouldn't be able to take it if Taiki and Yaten returned to have rehearsal. She started inching her way towards the door.
Seiya nodded and rose after her, hands in her pockets. "Okay. Well...I guess I'll be seeing you later then," she said.
"Yeah. So um, later!" Usagi turned and quickly crossed the room before Seiya had the chance to do or say anything else. Stepping out into the hallway, she hurriedly shut the door, falling back against the wood. Phew.
The air was a lot cooler outside and there weren't as many people strolling through the hallway, much to her relief. Usagi would hate to run into any of her friends right now. She knew her hair was messed up and cheeks were still flushed. She figured Ami or Makoto may not notice, but she was sure Rei would know something was up. And Minako would know for sure...that is of course, if a certain silver-haired beauty didn't mention it first.