~Wavering Destiny~
by Strawberry Moon Rose

I was soooo pumped to write this part! I had the idea for it jumping excitedly in the back of my head since chapter three. Hope you like it! :)

A/N - 11/27/20 - Peach Girl vibes and I'm here for it. My favorite chapter to write, this one and the next, hands down.

Enjoy =D

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

Chapter 29: Video Girls

Minako was in heaven. Or as close to heaven as she could get.

She and Yaten were dancing, and dancing the night away. Time seemed to fly by in the Starlight's arms. Minako had to admit she was surprised how great of a dancer Yaten was. She moved with grace and beauty, never missing a beat. Her feet stepped skillfully to the music, her eyes closed as she let the tunes carry her body away.

One of her delicate hands was rested at Minako's lower back, pulling their bodies together; so close they could hold a magazine up between their chests. The other was entwined with the blonde's hand. Yaten had her eyes closed most of the time as if she were so concentrated on the beat, she couldn't think of anything else. But when she did open them, her striking green eyes made Minako's heart flutter like a butterfly.

"I love this song," Yaten murmured, looking faraway over Minako's shoulder.

"You do? I think it's pretty too." Minako was a decent dancer herself, but being so close to her crush made her uneasy and she'd fall out of sync every so often. It didn't help that she wasn't familiar with any of the Kinmokian music.

Minako bit her lip, tasting vanilla gloss on herself. It was hard to look right at Yaten. They were so close she couldn't focus without going cross eyed. As a result, both of them ended up avoiding each others eyes. Conversation was hard to strike up, but the silence was comfortable. Every once in a while, she could hear Yaten humming along to the music. When she did speak, her whispery voice breathed warm and tingly on her cheek. Minako wanted to turn and give her a quick kiss. But she couldn't work up the nerve. She had a strong feeling Yaten wasn't into public display of affection.

The song ended. The bodies surrounding them started to drift apart, moving around to get something to eat or mingle. Minako hated awkward moments like this. Would there be another slow song? Should they take a break? She didn't want to pull away from Yaten quite yet, but it'd be weird to just stand there.

The decision was made when an upbeat pop song started to blare. Yaten had claimed only to slow dance. The Starlight took a step back, letting their hands go. Minako felt her fingers unwillingly brush out of hers.

Yaten stretched her arms behind her head. Minako sneaked a peak at her out of the corner of her eye.

Yaten wore a tight, light-green dress made out of a silk material. Thin straps criss-crossed in the front and all the way down her bare back to the dimples at the end of her spine. When they were dancing, she could feel her soft skin under her hand in an exciting way. The dress clung to her bust and stomach. It slitted up to her hip, and ruffled out in curtainy waves to her ankles.

She had her silvery hair tied back into a high ponytail at the top of her head. She debuted flawless makeup only a professional could have produced onto her already pretty features.

A group of girls suddenly approached the couple. They walked with their noses pointed high in the air, wearing short dresses cut in daring places.

"Yaten! It's so nice to see you again!"

"You're looking as beautiful as ever, doll face!"

"I love your dress, where on Kinmoku did you get it?"

The girls surrounded the Starlight, hanging all over her like stink on poo. Somehow in the shuffle, Minako was pushed back out of the circle of fans. She frowned and crossed her arms in front of her strapless orange dress. They sure weren't kidding when they said Yaten had admirers. Sheesh.

Yaten forced a polite smile, meanwhile trying to get back to Minako.

Minako glared. This is just ridiculous! You girls obviously don't know her that well. Hello? She's taken! Get your mitts off.

"Um, excuse me..." Minako tried to squeeze through them, only to be shot dirty looks and shoved back.

"You remember me, don't you, Yaten?" A blonde bombshell asked, batting her lash extensions.

"No," Yaten replied bluntly.

The blonde laughed, touching Yaten's bare shoulder. "Oh you're so funny, of course you do. The name's Ai. It means 'love'."

"I know what it means," Yaten said, sounding bored. She met Minako's desperate gaze and gave her an apologetic look. If the party wasn't so elegant, she would have barked at them to leave her alone. For the sake of keeping things nice, she plastered on what could pass as a smile, while trying to slip out of their circle. Another slow song was playing.

"Sorry, but could you step back? I want to have this dance with someone," Yaten said, fighting past them.

Ai followed. "Don't you wanna dance with me? I'm an amazing dancer, ask anyone! Right, Yaya?" She shot a menacing look to a tan girl with brown curls.

"Oh yes, she's great," the girl said quickly.

"I'm not interested," Yaten replied, not even bothering to look back.

Minako grinned when she saw her girlfriend break out of the group and walk towards her. Finally.

"But wait! Everyone loves dancing with me," Ai insisted, following her like a lost puppy. She threw herself at the Starlight, draping her arms around her shoulders.

Yaten shrugged her off, annoyed.

"Well if it isn't Princess Kakyuu's gorgeous guardian," a deep voice bellowed.

Yaten snapped her head in the other direction. Two older men approached her. They could be described as handsome with rippling muscles visible even through their tuxes.

"You looking for someone to dance with?" One of the guys asked, cocking his head to the side.

"No," Yaten said coldly, turning away from them.

The group of girls backed off, even the determined blonde, Ai. A look of annoyance flashed in her eyes before she turned away.

The other guy stepped up beside the her. "Aw come on, honey! You're too beautiful to be dancing alone," he insisted.

The first guy put his hand on Yaten's shoulder. He lowered his voice. "Forget dancing babe, how's about you and me go find a room in this big palace? I've got plenty of moves, if you know what I mean..." His eyes visually undressed her.

Yaten slapped his hand off her shoulder. Silver eyebrows pulled down over green eyes. If looks could kill...

"Whoa! Feisty aren't we?" The first guy said.

"Keep dreaming," Yaten seethed through clenched teeth.

"Oh I will..." the first guy replied. His eyes didn't leave her cleavage.

"Do you honestly think a pretty girl like me would sleep with a horny pig like you? Get over yourself. Let's go," Yaten said, grabbing Minako's hand. She dragged her stunned girlfriend away.

"Oh I see how it is," the second man said, watching the two girls disappear. "I guess the rumors are true about her."

"Dyke," the other guy growled.

Minako glanced over her shoulder, watching the two men stalk off. She looked forward, walking briskly to keep up with Yaten's pace. The Starlight's grip on her wrist was tight. For as small as she was, she had the strength of Makoto. Maybe more.

"Um...Yaten?" Minako asked with caution.

"What?" Yaten snapped without looking back.

"My wrist. It hurts."

"Huh?" Yaten stopped and turned around. She immediately let go. "Oh, sorry." Her expression softened when she looked into Minako's innocent and frightened eyes.

"Are you okay? Those guys back there..." Minako shuddered.

"Perks of being well known around here."

"Does that happen often?"

Yaten nodded. "Unfortunately. I hate men like them. They give all guys a bad name. I'll make sure they're never allowed in the palace again, I swear. They underestimate my position here."

"I'm sorry."

"Why? It's not your fault," Yaten said. "I'm used to it by now. Just forget it happened. Come on, we can still catch the last half of this song. I won't let you go this time." She reached out and took the guardian of Venus's hand. Sparks flew at the simplest touch.

Minako nodded. "Alright."

"Look! It's that same girl again."

"You're right! Do you think that she's...?"

"No way! Yaten has never been with anyone before, it can't be true."

"At least that means she really is into girls. Ai should still have a chance!"

"I don't know about that...look how close they're dancing. She hasn't left her side the whole night! I say they're an item. I've never seen her before. I don't get it, she's not even that pretty."

"Yeah, what's with that fugly red bow anyway?"

Ai turned around. "Would you two shut up?!" she hissed. The bleached blonde put her hands on her hips and glared at her two friends. They immediately silenced.

"There's no way in hell Yaten is dating anyone unless it's moi. I'll make sure of it," she spat.

"What are you gonna do?" Yaya asked. She hiked her low cut dress up, to keep from spilling out of it.

"You know, I heard that's the girl who's gonna sing the opening song," the girl name Tae gossiped. She twirled an orange curl around her finger and chomped noisily on a wad of bubblegum.

"Oh really?" Ai's brown eyes lit up. "Well, we'll see about that," she muttered under her breath.

"This is really nice," Minako whispered. She'd lost track of how many songs they'd danced to. Five? Ten? She had no clue what time it was.

Yaten looked into those big, baby-blue eyes. Every time she did, a warm wave washed through her. It was like nothing she'd ever felt before.

Yaten was always on the edge, just waiting to lash out. But being around the shining star of Venus, she felt at peace. Minako was like the sun; bright, cheery, and beautiful. And little by little, she could feel her iceberg of a heart starting to melt.

Yaten hugged Minako a little closer. Her rhythm faltered, but she didn't care. Minako was warm and smelled like sugar cookies fresh out of the oven. Removing one hand from her waist, she reached up and caressed the side of her face.

Minako smiled and brought her own hand on top of Yaten's. They gazed into each others eyes. At that moment, the large ballroom seemed to be filled with just the two of them.

"YA-TE-N!"

Both of them flinched. Yaten winced at the high-pitched voice.

Minako turned to the person who'd interrupted their precious moment. Standing beside them was a child with her hands on her hips. She wore a comfortable white dress. She had silver hair tied back in two thick pigtails that fell to her knees, curling at the ends.

The girl's hazel eyes swept over the two of them. A devious smug played on her lips.

"Hi there," Minako said, pulling away from Yaten. She bent to the girl's level and smiled. "Is there something we can do for you?"

"What's your name?" the girl demanded. Her high voice was airy like wind.

Minako was taken aback by her sharp tone. "Um, it's Minako," she replied.

"Minako? I've never heard that before. What a weird name. It fits you."

Minako's eye twitched. What was with this little brat?

"Saeko!" Yaten snapped. "Leave her alone! What do you want?"

Saeko folded her arms and looked up at the Starlight. "Who is she, Yaten?" the girl asked.

"My friend. Now scram."

The girl giggled. "Your girl-friend?"

Yaten glared at her. She was not in the mood for this.

Saeko grinned. "Yaten and Minako sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" she said in a sing-song voice.

People around them started to stare. Yaten's creamy complexion turned a shade of pink.

"Actually, Saeko," Minako said, trying to drown out her singing voice. "We are together-"

"She's not my girlfriend," Yaten said, sharply cutting her off.

Minako's mouth popped open.

"Oh really? I saw the way you were looking at her! I'm gonna go tell mom you've got a girlfriend," Saeko giggled. She took a step away, but Yaten grabbed her wrist.

"She's just a friend," Yaten said in a stern tone. "You'd be wasting your breath, you brat."

Saeko crossed her arms. "Call me a brat, but you're gay! We all know it. And I still don't believe you, so there!" She marched away, towards the table of sweets on the other side of the ballroom.

Yaten stood back up, straightening out her lime-green dress. "What a pain in the ass," she muttered.

Minako stared at her...girlfriend? Friend? She bit down hard on her lip. "Why did you tell her we aren't a couple?" she asked in a small voice. She tried not to sound as hurt as she felt, but failed.

Yaten sighed and ran her fingers through her bangs. "We already went over this, Mina. Our relationship is a secret."

"But...I thought that was just from Seiya and Taiki and my friends. She was just a kid, what's the big deal?" There was a tight knot in her stomach that didn't feel good.

"She's my sister."

Minako's head snapped up. Yaten...has a little sister? How come she never told me that?

"She's annoying, I know. Sorry she was rude to you. I guess I should have warned you about her."

Minako shook her head. "It's fine. Though she sure has an attitude. How old is she anyways? Seven?"

"Nine. She's short for her age."

Minako smiled and gave her Starlight a playful shove on the shoulder, an attempt to lighten the mood. "I guess it runs in the family," she joked.

Yaten frowned and looked away.

Minako tensed. Crap! I think I just hit a nerve. God, why do I open my big mouth?

"People can't know. As far as everyone's concerned, we're not a couple," Yaten repeated.

"But why? Are you sure that's not an excuse because you're embarrassed to be seen with me or something? Am I not good enough to show off?"

"That's definitely not it."

"Then what is?" Her fists balled at her sides.

Yaten turned her gaze back to the blonde. "Opening up like that makes you look weak and soft," she said flatly.

"What's wrong with that?" Minako asked. "You don't always have to be on guard. It's okay to show your feelings, you know."

Green eyes narrowed. "Maybe for you, but not for me. That kind of stuff is way too embarrassing to freely display."

"You sound like Ami," Minako grumbled. She tucked a stand of hair behind her ear. Minako could sort of understand where she was coming from. She knew Yaten had trouble opening up to people and sharing her feelings. As apathetic as she always was towards everything, why couldn't she be indifferent about this too?

"I like you, Yaten. And I want people to know that. Don't you...feel the same way?" Her voice was thick with desperation, but she didn't care.

"Mina, please drop it. You saw how my sister reacted, everyone will be like that. Especially Seiya, since I nagged on her about getting over Usagi. It's hypocritical to be in the same situation. People just won't understand."

"I don't understand," Minako muttered. She was certain Seiya wouldn't be too hard on her, not now that she and Usagi were together too. She picked at her french-tip manicure. She was grateful that an upbeat song was playing. She didn't think either one of them were in the mood to slow dance right then. How did it turn out like this? It was going so great before too...

"Hey, what's up guys? Havin' fun?" Seiya asked. She and Usagi appeared, hand-in-hand.

"Wow Seiya, you look pretty," Minako said. The glittering mermaid dress looked like something a movie star would wear.

"Thank you."

When Yaten's gaze met Usagi's, the moon princess quickly looked away.

"Hey, sorry about walking in on you two like that. I promise to knock next time," Yaten said with a smug grin. "I would have hated to walk in a few minutes later. Who knows what would have happened?"

Seiya shot her a look.

Usagi turned red, nodding to the floor. "It's...okay."

Minako tilted her head to the side, confused. "What are you guys talking about?" she asked.

Seiya said quickly, "Nothing. Anyway, it's 6:30. In fifteen we should start getting ready for the performance. I'm gonna go find Taiki."

Yaten nodded. "You catch that?" she asked Minako. Something was off in her voice. Her eyes didn't look at her with the same intensity they did before.

"Yeah..."

"'Kay. I'll come too," Yaten said and trailed after Seiya.

The two girls stood alone, surrounded by dancing bodies.

"Hey Minako, did you try Mako's triple chocolate fudge cupcakes yet? You know, the ones with little marshmallows in the middle?" Usagi asked. There was drool practically dribbling off her chin as she fantasized.

"No, I haven't yet. Maybe later though, I'm not very hungry right now." Her hand fell to her stomach. It was knotted up for all the wrong reasons.

"Okay. Well I'm gonna go have some more. Later!" Usagi waved and meandered back to the food tables.

Minako watched her go. She let out a sigh. I had better get something to drink. I perform soon, and I have to sound my best! She walked after her friend, but Usagi had already bee-lined down to the cake section at the other end. Minako chuckled to herself. Some things never changed.

There was an elegant, mini ice sculpture in the shape of a swan on one of the rectangular tables. Crisp water trickled down it like a fountain. Minako placed a glass under the stream, waiting patiently for it to fill.

To her right, a trio of girls came up, spooning punch from the glass bowl next to her. One of them turned to Minako, as if she were waiting in line.

"Oh, sorry," Minako apologized, stepping back with her cup in hand. She raised it to her lips and took a long, refreshing sip of the cold water.

"No problem, babe," the red-head replied. She blew a large pink bubble from the gum in her mouth. Pop. She sucked it back in and continued chomping. Her orange hair was short and curly. She reminded her of Mimet, one of the Death Buster's Witches 5.

"Hey, aren't you the girl who's going to open for the Three Lights?" the girl asked. "You know, the band Yaten, Seiya, and Taiki are supposedly in?"

Minako beamed. "Yep that's me," she replied.

"You're lucky. I'm a singer too. I didn't know they were looking for someone or I would have auditioned or whatever," she said. "My name's Tae by the way."

"I'm Minako."

Tae's orange brows pulled together. "Minako? What an unusual name. I can't say I've ever heard of it before." Chomp, went her gum.

"I'm not from around here."

"Obviously..." Chomp. Chomp. Pop.

One of the other girls behind her stepped up. She had brown eyes and matching brunette curls. Her skin was as tan as Setsuna's. Minako couldn't understand how everything stayed in place in a dress like that. Her DDD-cups were practically bursting out at the seams.

"So are like, you and Yaten, together?" the tan girl, Yaya, asked, narrowing her eyes.

Minako was taken aback by her brashness. "Um..."

"How long have you known her?" Yaya crossed her arms in front of her bulging chest.

"Two years," Minako answered honestly. She took a step back. There was something about these girls she didn't like. They were the same ones hanging all over Yaten earlier.

"Two years!? We've known her our whole lives," Yaya went on, "and we're not gonna let her date a nobody like you. You don't even know her like we do! You can't just waltz in and take her from us!"

Tae put her arms on her hips, but didn't say anything. She just continued to tumble the gum in her mouth like a washing machine on turbo.

Minako raised her hands innocently as if she were being arrested by the cops. "Listen, Yaten and I are friends..." Even though she was lying, the words seemed to roll off her tongue too easily. 'As far as everyone's concerned we're not a couple', recalling Yaten's words, the knot in her stomach tightened.

"Yaten doesn't belong with a tramp like you," Yaya went on, "She's out of your league. It's obvious Yaten isn't serious about you. She's just having her fun like she always does, and she'll dump you like day old pudding when she's finished."

Minako's grip around her cup tightened. Yaten isn't a player...is she? They have to be lying. But...when it comes down to it, do I even know Yaten at all? I didn't even know she had a sister until just recently... What if they're telling the truth? Does she not take me seriously?

"Girls, girls, be nice..." The blonde leader turned around with a cup of punch wrapped in her long, manicured fingers. "This is a party, isn't it? We should be having fun."

"Ai!" the two girls said in unison. The immediately stepped back.

"Tae, Yaya, please, let me handle this," Ai said.

Minako frowned. Ai wore a brilliant red dress that showed more skin that the Sailor Starlight's guardian's uniform. How did they even get into the party dressed like that? Even more, why were they invited in the first place?

"Listen honey," Ai said, taking a step towards Minako. She was a good three inches taller than her. She wiped a strand of hair out of her face that had been sticking to her glossy lips. "Just answer the question, love: are you and Yaten serious about each other?"

Minako swallowed. Were they serious? She always thought by the tender kisses they exchanged that it was true love. But what did Yaten see it as? Just lust? A little infatuation? Experimentation?

Lately it was getting frustrating with all the secrets and lies and sneaking around. As vicious as these mean girls seemed, they had a point - they probably knew more about Yaten that she did, right down to her favorite color, food, and shoe size. To them, she was an outsider who didn't deserve the famous Yaten Kou. And now, she was starting to believe it.

"There's...nothing going on between us," Minako said dully.

Ai smiled. "I'm glad. And if that's really the case, could you do us one teeny weeny little favor then, darling?"

"What?"

Splash!

Minako blinked, stupidly. Dripping down the front of her dress, red punch seeped into the orange fabric.

Yaya and Tae cracked up. Ai set her empty glass on the table. "Oh I'm so sorry! My hand must have slipped. You poor thing."

Yaya snorted. "Don't be, anything makes that dress look better!"

Even Tae, the redhead whom she thought was nice at first, just smirked, amused.

Ai took a step towards Minako. "Stay away from our Yaten. Got it?" she hissed under her breath.

Minako clenched her teeth. A familiar stinging sensation burned her eyes, but she held back. No way she was going to cry. Not here. Not now. She looked down at her dress. It was completely ruined. It was the dress Yaten had picked out for her in the dressing room. She chose it especially for her, saying how great she would look in it. And now it was trashed in a matter of seconds. She had to perform soon. She couldn't go on in this state, mentally or physically. It was over.

A surge of anger pumped through her veins. It was the same kind of infuriation she felt watching the sleazy men hit on Yaten. I will not be pushed around like this, no matter where Yaten and I stand.

"Is that clear?" Ai repeated. Her chocolate eyes were laughing, her glossy lips curled up in a devious way.

Minako clenched the glass of water in her hands. In one swift movement, she flung it up at Ai, splashing her right in the face.

The blonde gasped. She hadn't expected Minako to have the nerve. She opened her eyes, mascara streaming down her cheeks. Water droplets dripped off her chin. Tae and Yaya gawked.

"Clear as crystal," Minako muttered before storming away, leaving the three of them speechless.