Back at the apartment, Yaten and Taiki simply sat on the couch in shock. Taiki's eyes stared off where Seiya had just been, his mouth slightly gaped open from Seiya's rude farewell. He loved Seiya as a brother, and only wanted the best for him. Sure, he may come off as over protective and very frank, but he only did it for the best of Seiya. He honestly didn't dislike Usagi. A weak smile blanketed his face, as he thought of this. Usagi was the one girl that once made him laugh. Though, if Seiya got involved with her, only the worst can happen. "My, what a troubled web we weave," he commented, as he turned to face Yaten.
Yaten's intense green eyes looked into Taiki's as he understood. He, too, loved Seiya, perhaps even more than himself. Usagi, he found, was a bother, but he can't deny not enjoying her company. She was light hearted, and although he put on the charade of being annoyed at her perkiness, it lightened his heart. Her friends were glorious as well. Ami, with her intelligence. He chuckled to himself, as he realized she would be a challenge for Taiki. Makoto with her firmness and strength. Minako with her love of life, wishing to live every moment to the fullest. And Rei. Beauty surrounded her as if it was her natural state. Her violet eyes were windows to her soul, and all he saw was mystery. She was the one senshi that he couldn't figure out. He blinked several times, as he looked at Taiki. "We should go."
Taiki cocked an eyebrow, as he slowly replied, "Where to?"
Yaten smirked and flicked his silver hair from his face, revealing his trouble making ways. "The temple. We have some party crashing to do." His eyes lit up, wondering who would be there. Perhaps.. Rei?
Taiki sighed and drooped his head, his grin hidden from Yaten's sight. Perhaps Ami would be there.. "Studying as always, I suppose", he thought to himself. "Hai, Yaten. Let's go."
- - - -As the girls sat in silence, none of them not quite sure what to say, Chibiusa turned her head to Rei. "Rei-san.. You haven't even said hello to me yet." Sorrow filled her eyes, as she bit her bottom lip in anxiety. "I hope she's happy to see me," she thought to herself. "Perhaps she wished I wasn't here to cause so much trouble.."
Rei forced an authentic smile on her face, and bent down to her knees. "Chibiusa-chan. I was just waiting for all the girls to stop smothering you, so I can have you all to myself." Her arms outstretched to embrace Chibiusa, who immediately ran to her. Rei picked her up in her arms. "This is right," she thought to herself. "Chibiusa is right. Mamoru is right. The path set before Usagi-chan is wonderous. How could she possibly think about leaving it behind?" She slowly put Chibiusa down, only seeing her eyes red, from trying to hold in her tears. Before Chibiusa released her grip, she whispered into Rei's ears, "I've missed you most of all, Mars."
Rei let her go, to skip off to the other girls, as she stood back up, looking through the window at the downcast evening. She bit her lip, containing her tears, promising herself she wouldn't cry. Rei genuinely loved Chibiusa. She would see to it that she wouldn't be a simple memory.
Minako grinned from the other end of the room, and sat up straight. "Hey you guys, let's lift some spirits, shall we? Let's play some games!" A devious look came upon her face. "Who's up for some truth or dare?" The girls looked around nervously, all of their worries automatically lifted from their shoulders.
All six girls nodded in unison, as evil glints flickered in their eyes. They squealed with delight, as they sat around in a circle, all of them willingly leaving their homework behind. Even Ami, who had all the studying done for the night, was up for some fun and games.
"So who wants to go first?" Minako asked, eyeing everyone suspiciously. "Ooo, this should be fun," she thought to herself. "When was the last time we all got together like this and had a good time?"
"I'll go!" Chibiusa declared, raising her hand, as if she was a student in a classroom. "Hmm.. Mako-san!"
Makoto raised her eyes at Chibiusa, and commented, "Dare me."
Chibiusa rubbed her hands together evilly, as lightning striked outside. "Very well. Mako-san.. I dare you to run around Rei-san's temple naked!" The girls burst out laughing, while Makoto turned a crimson red.
"But it's raining, and I'll get soaking wet!" Makoto protested, hiding her embarrassment from her friends.
Chibiusa shrugged. "You should be glad that it's raining and it's dark, so that no one will see you!"
The girls stared at Makoto, waiting to hear her response.
Makoto laughed and replied, "Well, if you put it that way!" She got up from the circle and retreated to the hallway quickly, eager to get this horrible dare over with. She stripped carefully, leaving her garments just outside the door. She was glad that it was spring, giving a warm sensation in the air. She had danced in the rain before, but never nude.
She opened the door, and closed it behind her quietly. She peeked from the corners of the temple, searching for any movement, or sign of life. None whatsoever. She grinned, and frolicked around the temple in a joyous mood, the girls staring out from the window, pointing and laughing at the natural Makoto. It almost seemed as if she was enjoying herself! She ran around the temple, feeling the rain drip from her curves naturally, and she felt that she was in touch with nature. The earth was a carpet for her feet, and the rain, her clothes. She did one last round, as she stopped dead in her tracks, just in front of the doorway. There stood Seiya, his jaw open, staring at Makoto with a taunting look in his eye.
"Why, Makoto-chan, I never knew you were so beautiful," he mumured, entranced by her natural state, approaching her slowly, as the rain dripped from his face.
Makoto blushed, and hid behind some bushes. "Stay away from me, or else I'll.. I'll.. I'll hit you with this stick!" And with that, she grabbed a stick laying on the ground, and threatened it with Seiya.
Seiya laughed and went to the front doorway. He picked up her clothes, and handed to her in a gentle fashion. "Here you go, spunk."
Makoto grabbed the clothes in relief, and thanked Seiya. As she dressed, Seiya turned around like a gentleman, not even stealing a glance at her body. Makoto noticed this, and smiled. "Arigatou, Seiya-san. I appreciate it. Please don't tell the girls about this, or I'll be humiliated forever!"
"We won't," two voices echoed from behind her. Makoto shrieked, as Seiya and the other two men laughed hysterically. It was Yaten and Taiki, who seemingly appeared out of nowhere. "How long have you been there?!" Makoto demanded.
"Long enough to have a nice show," Yaten replied, clutching his stomach from laughter.
Makoto stepped up to him, and slapped him across the face. "Hentai." Yaten continued to chuckle, as Taiki met up with Seiya.
"What are you doing here?" Seiya asked, relieved that Taiki wasn't there to lecture him.
"Just thought we'd have a little fun too," he replied, a slight grin drawn on his face.
Yaten just continued to snicker, as he caught up with Taiki and Seiya, and Makoto entered the temple.
"Where did you go these past few minutes? We were starting to get worried," Usagi's voice filled the hallway, as her footsteps neared the four figures, dripping with water. "Seiya?"
"Odango!" Seiya grinned. "We just thought we'd spend a little quality time with our favourite girls!"
Taiki and Yaten simply rolled their eyes, and squeezed their hair to dry it.
"Hey, that's my clean carpet that you're soaking up," Rei bitterly commented. She crossed her arms furiously, as she looked at the four of them crossly. "I have some extra clothes for all of you, so just sit tight." She walked off to another hallway, as Yaten's eyes followed her. Her body, her curves, her movement. All so gracious.
Seiya started to chuckle, as he waved his hand in front of Yaten's face. "Earth to Yaten, come in," he laughed.
Yaten shook his head, and realized that Seiya was looking at him with a smirk drawn on his face, and Taiki with just a raised eyebrow. "She has a nice house," he shrugged, hoping that it'll cover up what he just felt.
Rei returned, giving them each a towel and spare clothes. "Here you are all, I just sincerely hope that you won't get these all dirty like you did to my once spotless floor." She looked down at their feet in regret. Makoto's toes were full of mud, and the Lights' shoes created wet footprints. "Mako-chan, take the bathroom; Seiya-san, take the room to the right; Taik-san, take the room to the left; and Yaten-san, you'll have my bedroom." The bodies scrambled off to the rooms, as Yaten studied Rei's chamber. Her walls were painted a dark scarlet, and there were a few laterns hanging from the ceiling. Her bed was in the center of the room, which was a large double bed. Above the bed was a shelf, that had her many photos and pictures and memoribilia of her family and friends. To the right, was her large desk, and to the left, her closet. Yaten studied the picture on her desk, which was a picture of her and Usagi. "Kawaii," he murmured softly. He slowly undressed, and slipped into the new clothes that he was received. They were loose fitting and comfortable, and Yaten hadn't dressed so casually in his life. He stayed in her room a little longer, until Seiya knocked on the door, and opened it. He, too, was dressed in a sweatshirt and some baggy shorts. "Are you coming, Yaten?"
Yaten nodded, and left his clothes in her room purposely, having the intention of coming back later on in the evening.
When they all arrived, Usagi beamed at Seiya. "Seiya, I'd like you to meet Chibiusa. Chibiusa, this is Seiya. He's a close friend of mine, and I'm sure you two will get along just great. After all, you're both bitter and sarcastic, and enjoy making fun of me," and with that final note, she gave a sour look.
Seiya stared at Chibiusa for a bit, while Chibiusa just stared back. "So this is the girl that was in the picture.." Seiya bent down and smiled. "Pleased to meet you, Chibiusa." He rubbed his chin intently. "Chibiusa. What an interesting name. What does it mean?"
Chibiusa smiled, as she neared him with such innocence, that Seiya couldn't help but immediately like her. She had the same effect on him as did Usagi. "What does it mean? Oh, I understand what you're asking," she responded. She cleared her throat. Then she curtsied, and looked up at Seiya.
The Three Lights, looked at her in a bemused fashion, waiting to see this adorable little performance.
"My name is Chibiusa. Short for," she made distinct eye contact with Seiya, "Chibi Usagi."