light of the stars
by: naokofan
Intro: Oh boy! Will the Star Lights come back to earth? What will be in store for them? By the way, the lyrics they heard are from The Light Trinity's first single: 'Back in the Atmosphere'. CD songs of theirs are written up. I just am holding onto them for farther chapters in the fic. Also we won't get into depth about the Trinity until the next chapter or so. Being this is a past fic; it'll have lots of Seiya & Usagi fluff! If you're a hardcore Mamoru and Usagi fan... well please don't read any farther. Long chapter. Oy! Blah blah just a reminder that I do not own Sailormoon, Naoko does and I'm just a fan okay I'm done now I love you bye bye.
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chapter three
making a comeback
The eager star light was sure to keep her promise the next morning. Up and out of bed as soon as crimson light flooded the landscape, and had touched the olive gardens of the palace. She wouldn't even stop to go wake Healer and Maker up. It was drawing near breakfast time, so the Queen would be making her way towards the dining area. Fighter knew Healer and Maker would be along quite early for breakfast, as they usually were. Padding quickly down the hallway corridor, and down the staircases, Fighter continued to race the shimmering bands of light beginning to peek through large arched windows.
Jumping the last few marble steps and onto the carpet of the second floor, Fighter balanced herself against her bent knees, and cocked her head in smug approval. "Smooth." She muttered a loud to herself, and quickly continued her race towards the glassy doors off to the side of the second floor. The lush scent of raspberries and exotic fruits melted Fighter's senses at once as she pushed her way through the heavy double doors, and peered over towards the large dining table. It was a small crowd today. Seated were only the Queen and the three soldiers that were freshly released from the planet's army.
"Excuse me, Kakyuu-sama." Fighter rushed up the left side of the dining hall, towards the head of the table and casually bent down on one knee in respect to her queen. Kakyuu's eyes widened, and a playful smile danced upon lips at seeing her star. "Fighter, up so early?" She carefully placed the napkin she was beginning to pick up back on the table, forgetting about it for now. Fork in mouth, the eldest new soldier turned to look at Fighter with an awkward, groggy gaze. Her golden-eyed gaze bright regardless of grogginess.
Fighter calmly stood up, and returned the smile. Inside, her heart was beating heavily against her chest and throbbing in her temples. She had prayed and prayed last night, when Healer and Maker were convinced she wouldn't race off to bother the queen in the middle of the night. "Kakyuu-sama.." She repeated, swallowing thickly and shifting in her place. Keiyo, finally loosing interest in watching Fighter, pulled the fork out of her mouth, and continued to eat. "I come to---"
"FIGHTER! WAIT NOT WITHOUT US!" Heaved the shrill screech of the silver-haired starlight. Green eyes bright, and eyebrows arched. The dark-haired star light merely cringed at hearing Healer screech like that so early in the morning. Following behind her came Maker, not running but just casually strolling. Healer, on the other hand was racing up to Fighter's side instantly. Panting, and bowing to her queen as well. I hate running. I HATE running. Healer thought bitterly, and placed a hand to her forehead, rather melodramatically. Maker came up against the other side of Fighter, and bowed elegantly.
Swallowing again, Fighter just looked at Healer, thinking she had finally cracked from pressure. Kakyuu also vaguely looked surprised, it blended neatly into her usual expression of humble-mindedness. "As I was saying, Kakyuu-sama. I wish to request a favor.." She begun to nervously entwine her fingers together. The queen quietly rose, and turned to face the three, a smile still on her face. "My dear, what is it? You've been so miserable for days now." Fighter looked up, and blue eyes met crimson, shining with devotion and understanding.
"I--we want to go back to earth." There was a short pause. "I... I just want to visit. Stay for a little while. Not forever, just for a while. I just... miss it." There was another pause, and Fighter's eyes were borderline pleading and hope. Healer bit her lip, and passed gazes back and forth between Maker and the Queen. Then suddenly, Kakyuu reached out to calmly place a hand against the side of Fighter's upper arm. "You miss her, don't you?" No worry in her voice, it just sounded like a pleasant question.
Healer sniggered behind her hand, and begun to nudge Fighter awkwardly in the ribs. She fought off the urge to throw her out a window, yet begun to flush much to her discontent. "Yes, I do Kakyuu-sama. I miss earth for everything, not just her." She looked up and smiled at the ceiling. Healer looked over at Maker, wearing an amused grin. A sharp look from Kakyuu wiped the amusement from their faces, and they looked straight-faced again. The queen giggled lightly. "Then go." She stated simply.
"What?" Fighter and Healer said in union.
"Then go." Kakyuu repeated, looking fondly upon all three of them. "You are not cursed her, I shall be fine under these three they had blessed me with. I want my star lights to be happy at all causes. If this is your wish to be happy, then go. Stay as long as you'd like." Poor Fighter was looking like this was all a pleasant dream, and she'd wake up anytime. "I hated to see you three upset." Kakyuu pointed towards the window. "It's not forever, after all."
"Kakyuu-sama, are you sure?" Maker asked skeptically.
"Yes, Maker. Be happy. You may leave as soon as you wish."
"Thank you!" Fighter's pride vanished for a few seconds, as she drew his queen into a gentle embrace, before drawing back, muttering a few quick insane-like 'thank-you's' again. She turned swiftly on heel, and waved a victorious arm in the air. Healer and Maker both nodded, taking turns in embracing the queen, before beginning to chase after Fighter, who was already heading up to the next floor.
Odango.. I'm coming back.
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The tugging of a young woman's sleeve followed a child's nearby squeal as the child pointed eagerly up in the sky. The mother of the child quickly looked up, and the sight that greeted her eyes, dazzled her. Three shooting stars streaking across the skyline in broad daylight.
"See, see, mama-san?" The child piped in amazement.
"Hai, Sestuio. Did you make a wish?"
"Hai. I'm glad the clouds cleared so I could see them. I hope it comes true now, there were three of them!"
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Humming, the girl scrambled with the doorknob. Her hands laded with her briefcase, an umbrella, and a donut bag. Sugar left a trail across her lips as she finally worked the door open, tossing her briefcase a side and the umbrella back into its proper place with the others near the door. Holding the donut bag, she kicked the door shut with a light nudge of the back of her heel. Thinking it would be a good time for a nap to forget how chaotic her day had been, she begun for the stairs, just as the phone in the hallway rung.
"Oh.. hai!" She called out, signaling that she would take care of it. She rushed over, and picked up the phone with a small sigh. "Moshi-moshi?"
"Usako."
Usagi's eyes lit up. "Mamo-chan! Why haven't you called me, daijoubu?"
"Hai, it's nice to hear your voice. Listen to me, Usako.."
"Anything, Mamo-chan." Usagi twirled the phone cord around her finger, suddenly feeling giggly as she leaned against the side of the small table, leaning back against her heels.
"This is very differcult for me to say. I don't know what possessed me to, but I believe this is for the best." There was a pause, and Usagi's giggly emotion begun to fade. Her fingers untangled themselves from the phone chord, as she pressed the phone farther against her ear. Was she really hearing correctly? "Mamo-chan, what're you talking about?"
"I think we need some time apart."
"We're already apart!"
"No, I mean.. I think we should go our separate ways."
Usagi's heart plummeted to the bottom of her stomach. She swallowed a large lump in her throat, and slowly tilted her head, feeling like she was trapped in some horrible dream. "Mamo-chan... you can't be serious. You wouldn't do this to me." There was a long pause from the other end, and Usagi could hear a few other male voices in the background mumble in English tongue. Usagi could understand words like 'hey!' 'Hello!' but that was it. "Mamo-chan?" She repeated into the phone.
"I'm sorry Usako. Please understand."
"Mamo-chan!" Usagi screeched into the phone, before she was greeted by the unfriendly dial tone. She pulled it away from her ear, and stared at it. Fingers convulsed lightly as she slammed the phone down. So he'd choose his studies over me? Is that what he ways? Was this all just a lie? Usagi cowered against the table, knocking a letter near the phone over. Clouded over with new tears, blue eyes found the carpeted floor, and noticed the letter, surprisingly finding it addressed to her.
"Mamo-chan... Why?" She fell to her knees, and allowed the tears to spill down her cheeks, feeling emotionally drained. She snatched up the letter, and dampened its edges with salty liquid. Wiping her eyes, she ripped open the letter, and unfolded the small piece of paper. On it was a simple and blunt message for her.
Tsukino Usagi,
Please meet me at the airport at 4:30.
Don't be late.
There was no name attached to it. Just those simple words. Usagi stood up, wiping her eyes again on her sleeve. She couldn't allow her friends to see her like this. It had to be a note from one of them. Oh but she was aching to tell Ami. She was the one that offered her the most advice. Or Rei. Usagi pushed the thought out of her head, for it would just make her burst into sobs. She folded up the note, and stuck it into her pocket, then proceeded to head out the door.
* * *
By the time Usagi had made it to the airport, it was already five after 4:30. Yet that was a big difference for her. At least she hadn't been an hour late. Her heart gave a painful ache, finding the airport at the present moment very unsettling. She expected something silly, like Mamoru approaching her, surprising her. Yet seas of people hardly gave her a passing glance, as the girl made her way out to the entrance gates, pausing for a few seconds to observe a flower that had been dropped by somebody in all the hustle and bustle of the busy airport.
Why am I here? Is this some kind of joke? She thought eagerly, looking around for a familiar face. Unusually paranoid, she moved away from a disgruntled old man pushing his way through the gateway doors. A brief announcement of a flight from Japan to Mexico City, and then more silence. Thinking she had made a mistake, she begun to turn around to head back out of the place.
"Odango!" Amid all the heads, Usagi could still make out the shout of the nickname. Her eyes widened in surprise. No... It can't be. It has to be Hoshi. But what would a teenage new idol be doing at an airport? ... Usagi's thoughts took a crash and burn. "Odango!" The voice was louder, and sounded maturer than Hoshi's had. Usagi calmly turned around, and raised herself up on her tiptoes to make out the figure. Sure enough, when the crowd had parted, the girl's jaw dropped.
Standing solemnly with a smirk across his lips, was the boy who had given her no end of irritation, excitement, and fun. The boy would was a sailor soldier, a protector. Seeing him made Usagi's cheeks go warm, and her mouth seemed frozen in shock. The boy's eyebrow quirked and he extended his arms out to her. Tucked in one hand was a single red rose.
"SEIYA!" She screeched, rushing forward to throw arms around his neck, causing the teenager to stumble a bit, but catch himself before he was knocked over. Seiya was expecting a brief hug, but when the girl latched onto him, as if breathing in new life, he offered her the rose. Her eyes brightened, and she accepted it with a saddened smile. "Seiya... how... what?" Seiya gently placed a pointer finger to her lips.
"I'll explain everything." He muttered lightly, observing the state of the girl's face.
"MOVE! Yes, we're back! We need to breathe you know!" The shrill voice carried itself over the screaming of disbelief from the young girls that had gathered along the gate's entrance. Pushing their way through the crowd, and stumbling on either side of Seiya, were Yaten and Taiki. Yaten just looking heavily annoyed with everything and everyone. Taiki's expression softened at the sight of Usagi standing in front of Seiya, holding the rose in her hands.
He took special care in finding a rose like that. Taiki nodded to her. "Tsukino-san, such a pleasure it is seeing you again." Usagi nodded, and looked from him to Yaten, offering him a sympathy smile.
"Come on." Seiya nudged the blonde girl fondly.
"Yes, let's get out of here before the fan girls get rabid." Yaten snorted, pulling his shades out of his suit's pocket, and slipping them up the bridge of his nose. Taiki gently whacked him upside the head.
"Behave now." Taiki cooed, Yaten only sent him a warning growl.