Standard disclaimers: Sailor Moon doesn't belong to me. Sailor Moon belongs to Naoko Takeuchi, Kodansha Comics, Mixx Comics, Toei animation, Pioneer and a bunch of other companies I'm probably forgetting (sorry).
Small Lady's birthday party seems to be going well, Diana thought as she watched the festivities from a back corner of the ballroom. Helios and Small Lady made a striking couple as they danced happily around the room. Helios had asked Diana for a dance earlier, but she had declined saying that she was tired from all of the excitement. She didn't like making the excuse, but her heart just wasn't in it enough to dance.
All the senshi were in attendance. No one wanted to miss this special day. Everyone wore their finest for the party. They gathered at the main entrance of the ballroom to make an announcement.
"Small Lady, we have found a special gift for your birthday," Hotaru told her friend. "You can come out now," she called.
Into the room walked a young man. His short hair was snow-white with the exception of a few purple locks parted above his left eye. The tops of his ears folded down making them pointed. As he saw Small Lady, his face lit up with a smile.
Something about him seems really familiar, Diana observed as she craned her neck above the crowd to see what was going on. For a split second, Diana thought she saw transparent wings, glimmering with all the colors of the rainbow, sprouting from his back. But, when she looked again, they were gone. He's really quite handsome, even if he is a bit odd-looking. Although, I really shouldn't be one to talk, she thought wryly.
"Peruru?" Small Lady whispered.
He nodded.
She looked dazed for a few seconds before running into his arms rather forcefully, almost knocking him over in her enthusiasm. "I can't believe it's really you! Look at how tall you've gotten! H-how did you get here!?" she said in a rush as she stepped back from him.
"Setsuna found me," he said indicating the senshi.
Setsuna bowed slightly to Small Lady in acknowledgment.
"How?"
Setsuna raised an eyebrow. "I have my ways," she said vaguely.
"Well," Small Lady said turning back to Peruru, "I hope you'll being staying for a while, Peruru. We have so much to catch up on."
At that moment Helios came to stand beside his fiancé. "Oh, Peruru, I want to introduce you to Helios. Helios, this is Peruru, a childhood friend of mine."
Helios shook hands with the young man. "It's nice to meet you, Peruru. Anyone who can bring such joy to Small Lady is certainly a friend to me." Peruru smiled back at the other young man.
"Helios and I are getting married soon, Peruru," Small lady said, blushing. "You'll stay for the wedding, won't you?"
If Peruru's smiled faltered for an instant at that statement, no one seemed to take notice of it. That is, no one except Diana, who carefully observed all from across the room. Once Small Lady had uttered his name, her memories of meeting Peruru had swiftly resurfaced. Diana remembered liking Peruru; remembered that he had been a brave and kind soul. She continued to watch the party's newest arrival with interest.
"Of course I'll stay. I'm your friend, aren't I? Besides, I came all this way."
"Great! I'm so glad! Now all my friends are here together!" Small Lady cried excitedly.
Something about him is seems so sad, Diana thought as she watched the scene closely. I see. He must love Small Lady very much. Oh, Small Lady, she thought with a sigh, you can be so dense sometimes.
Small Lady was taking Peruru around the room and introducing him to everyone. They eventually made their way over to where Diana stood. Peruru looked at the pretty girl with the dark gray hair. She had it in four buns, two on either side of her head. There were a few long, curly strands escaping each bun. On her forehead was a crescent moon. She looked to be about Small Lady's age.
"Peruru, this is Diana."
"Diana? Wasn't that the name of your little cat?"
Small Lady giggled as Diana shot her a glare. Peruru continued to look confused.
"Yes, Diana is the cat's name," Diana said tightly, "And, I am Diana."
Peruru looked at the crescent moon on her forehead again. Then it hit him. She is the cat! But, how...?
Diana watched as understanding dawned upon Peruru. "Excuse me, Small Lady, but I have something I must do before I forget," she said brushing past them both. She held her long dress up with one dainty hand and swiftly made for the nearest exit.
"It's not like Diana to be rude. I wonder what made her so upset?" Small Lady pondered aloud. She had never seen her friend act that way.
Peruru had a vague idea as to what had upset the girl. He had noticed the small flash of anger in her eyes when he had referred to her as Small Lady's 'little cat'. I must have offended her in some way, he thought as he watched her go. I should apologize.
The sounds of tiny bells, attached to ribbons on Diana's dress, followed her as she fled the room.
AN: Yeah, this fic is pretty predictable. Oh well. I hope anyone wasn't too OOC. Also, I wasn't sure on the spelling of Helios. I've seen it some places as Elios, and some as Helios so... Oh, and I got Peruru from the subbed SuperS movie, of course. I don't know if I'm entirely happy with this chapter. Please let me know what you think of it so far.
serena b