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).





Chapter Four: Walking Home





"Is anything wrong? You look like something's troubling you." Helios' concerned voice interrupted her thoughts.

Small Lady sighed and looked back at her betrothed. "I've been worried about Diana. She seems a bit distant lately."

Helios looked to where Diana was seated with Peruru some distance away from Small Lady and himself. He noticed Peruru looking up at them and nodded in his direction. Helios turned his attention back to Small Lady, giving her a slight push that sent the swing flying forward gently. "I think that young man is in love with you," he said softly.

Small Lady laughed. "Don't be silly, Helios. Peruru is just friendly, that's all. Why, are you jealous?"

Helios smiled gently. "Of course not. I was just making an observation." He glanced back at the two, noticed Diana smiling at Peruru, and thought that maybe Small Lady had reason to worry about Diana after all.



***



Diana walked slowly, a little ways behind Small Lady and Helios, on the way back to the palace. They had been out for hours, eating and talking, sometimes just sitting together enjoying the day in companionable silence. But, despite the beautiful day, Diana was glad to be headed back home. In her hands she held a picnic basket. She carried it with both hands in front of her swinging it a bit absentmindedly as she thought about the day. Peruru walked to her side. She was feeling awkward after what had occurred earlier. The silence stretched between them.

Peruru's gaze wandered over to the girl walking beside him. Wispy strands of pale silvery hair blew idly about her face in a haphazard way. He had noticed the wistfulness in her eyes earlier when he had asked her if Small Lady was happy. Now she was worrying her bottom lip with her teeth, her brows drawn together in contemplation. She sneaked a glance at him out of the corner of her eye, and seemed surprised to find him watching at her.

"I'm sorry," Peruru said, looking away from her. "It was rude of me to stare."

"It's all right," she said in an offhand manner, her mind still focused on what was bothering her. Diana looked up ahead to see Small Lady laughing, her arm linked with that of Helios'. She sighed softly.

"Peruru, I don't mean to intrude, but, I've been wondering . . . what made you come back here?"

Peruru was a bit surprised at her question, but he recovered quickly and answered, "I suppose it was because . . . I was lonely. And I remembered the friends I had found here, on this planet, and I decided that this was where I wanted to be. And . . . I guess, I mean I thought that maybe . . . " His gaze drifted toward Small Lady, walking along the path a head of them.

"You love her, don't you?"

He nodded slowly.

"At least . . . at least you know what it's like," she stated wistfully, her voice barely a whisper.

He looked at her carefully. "You don't have anyone special?"

"Me? Goodness, no," she replied with a little laugh. But Peruru had noticed the momentary flash of sadness in her eyes.

"Somehow I find that hard to believe," he said.

"Why?"

"You are smart, and pretty, and a great person--"

She interrupted him, protesting, "But I'm not a person . . . not really."

And again, he noticed the hurt in her eyes. Ahh, so that's it, he thought, suddenly understanding. That's why she was so mad before, at Small Lady's party . . .

"You are where it counts," he said, placing his palm over his heart for emphasis.

Diana contemplated this for a moment, surprised at the affect his words had on her. His statement had caused a pleasant feeling to envelop her, yet at the same time, she wasn't sure she liked how Peruru had figured her out so quickly. Confused, she didn't know if she wanted to hug him or run away from his all too accurate observations. "Are you terribly upset about Small Lady?" she asked finally, trying to divert his attention away from herself.

Peruru thought about that for a minute before he answered carefully, saying, "No. She's happy. I wouldn't want it any other way." He eyed Diana speculatively. "Besides, how could I regret coming here when I've found such a wonderful friend?"

Diana smiled, blushing faintly in response. "I'm glad you came here, too, Peruru."



AN: Sorry this took a little while....my muse has been preoccupied. Please, R&R! I appreciate feedback.