[:::Chapter VI:::]

Minako and Ami had left Usagi and went to the Three Lights' apartment. When they rang the doorbell Seiya answered and much to his disappointment he noticed Usagi wasn't with them, and therefore had no interest in sticking around, he left for a walk.

Minako, Ami, Yaten and Taiki were all sitting around the living room talking when Minako asked why Seiya had such a sudden mood shift and left. Taiki explained that he was upset that they hadn't brought Usagi with them. "How long are you guys planning on staying?" Ami asked innocently.

"We could to stay forever."Yaten answered.

"FOREVER!" Minako's face lit up "That's great!"

"Why? Why wouldn't you every want to go back?" Ami asked.

"The reason we left. was because of Seiya. we are here to support him. You all know how he feels towards Usagi, but I don't think you realize how deeply his love for her runs. Our princess told him to come here, she couldn't bear to look at him anymore, she couldn't watch his heart breaking by just being away from her. We both knew that Usagi already had someone, Seiya was also aware of this, but he didn't care he had to be near her anyway, even if it would kill him more." Taiki explained while looking off in the direction of the door. "Please don't tell Usagi this, or even Seiya that we told you."

The girls nodded in agreement. They couldn't believe what they had just heard and then thought back to how Usagi had asked Mamoru if he still loved her. (She had told Minako what happened, purely for advice purposes). Even though she said she didn't know why she said this it still made them wonder. They wondered if maybe she was in love with Seiya too and asked Mamoru that just to reassure her that she made the right decision.

"What are you thinking about?" Yaten questioned Minako.

"Oh, nothing." she snapped out of her daze. -Or was it something? -

Meanwhile.

"Hello this is Mamoru Chiba." The voice on the other end of the phone said in a dry tone.

"Mamo-chan. "

"Yes, what do you want?" he stated rather coldly.

"It's me Usako! How are you?"

"I'm coming home tomorrow. I'll speak with you then." He hung up the phone with out saying good-bye.

-What was that all about, he's only beenn gone for four days, why would he need to come home all of the sudden? - The doorbell broke her train of thought and she scampered down the stairs to answer it. It was Seiya.

"Hello Odango!" he said with a smile as she opened the door. "Would you like to come for a walk with me in the park?"

"Sure" she said -it might take my mind off of things-.

They walked through the park, Seiya noticed that something wasn't quite right with Usagi, and wondered if it had anything to do with him. -I wish I knew what she was thinking about-.

"Is they're something bothering you Odango?" he questioned lightly.

"I know I can't keep secrets from you,. you know we never really got to know much about each other the last time you were here." She said changing the subject.

-I know enough to know that I'm hopelesssly in love with you- he thought to himself with a grin on his face.

"What's the grin for?"

"Nothing, so tell me who you were and who you want to be Odango."

-Who I want to be, I never thought of itt that way, it was always who I'm going to be. I never had a choice.-

They sat by the lakeside and Usagi explained about everything that had happened to her up until then as Seiya sat quietly. He was taken back by her drama, her endless saga, all of her hardship and pain. How strong she was just made him admire her more. They talked until the sun set. "It's truly beautiful isn't it!" he commented. "Thank you for listening to me today Seiya."

"We should start walking back, it'll be dark soon." They got up and headed home. "Well, now that you're in a better mood do you mind telling me what was troubling you earlier?. Was it the same thing that was bothering you in school?"

He had hit the nail on the head, and Usagi spilled her guts, telling him her concerns. She told him about the trouble she had had with Mamoru the night before he left, the color of Chibi-Usa's eyes, who he now knew was her daughter in the future. (Which stuck a knife in his heart picturing her with another man's child.) and how Mamoru was coming home suddenly tomorrow. She told him that she felt something terrible was going to happen. "I won't let anything happen to you, I'll protect you what ever happens."

"Thank you Seiya, you truly are my best friend, I'm so happy you guys came back. how long are you here for?"

FRIEND. the words pierced his heart and made him lose his breath. That hurt he wanted to be more than her friend, but knew that he would rather be her friend than nothing to her at all. "I'm here as long as you need me, Odango" he mouthed.

Usagi began to blush deeply and with that she stopped in front of her house and said good night.