konban wa, minna-san!

or at least it's evening while I'm typing this.

i am so frustrated right now. i have been typing for two and a half hours because i have no brain!!! see, I always type my stories in hotmail and save them as drafts so that I can continue at school, or someone else's house, just in case. then i copy and paste onto Word. so I finish the entire damn thing and save the draft (my computer teacher has me paranoid). when I go to open it again, *poof* all gone!! the damn thing says 68k's but there's not a single thing there. so I had to go to history and find the most recent copy and continue from there. good thing Calligaro is so persistent in saving work every five seconds....

will Mamoru come after Usagi and Seiya? and (most importantly) will there be more Seiya/Usagi action this chapter????? all these questions and more will be answered, all you have to do is read ._.

Sasurai no Nagareboshi - Chapter 3

'I don't want to go.' Usagi curled up into a ball on the sofa she was sitting on.

'No, you haven't left this apartment for an entire week because you're too afraid of who you might meet. Today me and you are going to go... somewhere, anywhere! Now come on, get ready.' Seiya pushed the hair out of his eyes, thoroughly frustrated. 'You are not going to be afraid of life anymore, that's not you, and you know it.'

'You're going to force me to leave this room?' Usagi looked challengingly at Seiya, who just stared right back.

'Odango, if there's one thing I'll do today, it will be getting you out of this apartment. If I have to, yes, I will force you. Don't underestimate my persuasive powers.' Seiya leaned in close to Usagi and gave her side a little poke.

She let out a high pitched giggle (haha, quinners ^_^), and Seiya smirked, raising one eyebrow.

'Fine, fine,' Usagi grumbled. 'If I have to. But you're right, I don't want to be afraid anymore.'

***

That day, Seiya took her everywhere he could think of. He took her to the fish market, the mall, the fruit parlour, he even took her to the school even thought it had already been let out for the summer.

The last place Seiya took her was Ichi-no-Hashi park.

'Ah, memories,' Usagi breathed out softly, sitting down at the first bench she saw. Seiya sat down beside her.

'I'd have to say this is my favorite place on this entire planet.'

'I'm sure there must be somewhere you like more than this,' Usagi prodded.

'Nothing beats the first place I spoke to my Odango, and realized how feisty she is.' Seiya laughed softly. 'I wonder if she carries that feistiness with her to bed at night,' he teased.

Usagi blushed furiously, and Seiya laughed out loud. 'Relax, I was joking! Look, there's Rei, why don't you go say hello?'

whatever protests Usagi had died weakly on her lips as she got up to follow Seiya across the park.

Damn, she thought. She didn't want Seiya to see how little her friends cared for her because of her stupid wish. She was really starting to understand the saying 'be careful what you wish for'.

She trudged along, getting closer and closer to where Rei and Seiya stood.

'Hi Rei,' she said unenthusiastically, knowing what Rei's reaction would be.

Rei turned and looked blankly at her. 'Have you come up with a solution to ojii- san's problem yet?'

'no, but--'

'Oh,' Rei cut in. 'well, call me when you do.' Rei started to walk away, but then she stopped dead in her tracks and blinked comically.

'Seiya? Is that you?'

Seiya looked at her warily, unsure as to why Rei's behavior was so strange. 'Hai, it's me. We've actually got to go. Please excuse us.'

Rei latched onto his arm. 'But we have so much catching up to do!'

Seiya looked down his nose at her, as if she were an annoying little bug he could do without. 'Actually, I've no time for rude little girls like yourself,' he said coldly. 'So if you'll excuse us, my girlfriend and I will be leaving now.' He pried Rei off his arm and pulled Usagi to him protectively, (picture that scene at the dance club, when the power went out and Usagi wonders about Seiya's warmth.) and got the hell out of the park, leaving a shocked Rei behind.

'Kuso! What was up with her?' Seiya asked.

'that would be a side affect of my wish,' Usagi whispered, so low Seiya could barely hear her.

'Are all your friends acting like that?' Seiya asked, afraid he already knew the answer to that question.

Usagi lowered her head and studied the pavement. 'Yes.'

Seiya kicked a rock out of his way as they continued to walk. 'damn, that sucks. But you've got me, so it can't be all bad!' he joked.

Usagi gave him a tiny smile. 'thank you,' she said. 'for forcing me out today. I really needed it. Now come on let's go home.'

Usagi skipped ahead of Seiya. She spread her arms wide, and stared at the sky, laughing. 'I'm free!' she gave a little giggle. 'finally free... '

So the two of them walked home, just happy to be with each other.

***

'Moshi moshi?'

'Ami-chan, is that you?' Usagi said into the phone. ' You won't believe who's back! I have so much to tell you.'

'That's great,' Ami said impatiently. 'but I called here for a reason. Do you think you could help me out? Recently at work--'

'Seiya and I are in love,' Usagi cut in sharply.

Silence followed her outburst.

'Ami-chan...?'

'I-I'm still here,' she said, sounding like her old self again. 'And it's wonderful, but I really need your advice!'

As quickly as the real Ami had returned she was gone again, and Usagi just didn't feel like dealing.

'Ami, I know you won't be mad tomorrow, but... gomen nasai!!!!!' Usagi slammed down the phone and stared at it in shock. She had never hung up on someone before.

She wandered over to the living room where she knew Seiya was reading some book that Taiki had given him a long time ago.

Seiya didn't like reading.

She came up behind him and poked him on the back of the head. 'Hey, let's talk.'

Seiya looked up and made room for her on the sofa beside him.

'sure,' he blinked as she sat down. 'what about?'

'You miss them, don't you?'

Seiya looked surprised. 'Of course I miss them, but I'm happy here.'

'Seiya, why are you here? Why are you back?'

Seiya sighed. here goes... 'well, as much as I love Kakyuu and Kinmoku-sei, I just don't belong there. I always thought about how everyone says they feel at home, and I wondered what home felt like. I tried to picture the place I felt most comfortable, and all i could come up with was you.

'That's why I know that no matter where I am, it won't be complete without you.'

Usagi hugged him. 'Oh. Well I can imagine how Yaten must have reacted when you told them why you were leaving.'

'I didn't tell them,' Seiya said quietly. 'And I'm not going to.

'Why not?'

'They've worked so hard to get where they are, and they deserve it! I don't want to bother them with little goodbyes and other distractions; I don't want to be a nuisance. They need their peace.'

This time Usagi kissed him full on the lips. 'You're sweet to care so much, but they're probably worrying like crazy right now.' Usagi looked at the clock. 'Damn! It's already 7:30. I've got something to do, but I'll be back soon, okay?'

Usagi grabbed her purse and headed to the door. 'By the way, there's a chance that Mamoru will return to the way he was before--'

Seiya tried not to look hurt. 'I understand Odango,' he cut in. 'I can see why you'd want to get back together with him, even if he is an ass, and so I'll save you the awkwardness and just say congratulations on your new boyfriend now.'

'See, Seiya? There you go again, interrupting me!' Usagi wiped tears from her eyes. 'I was going to say that he might return to normal, but even if he was better than he was before you're the one I love, and you're the one I want to be with.'

Seiya pulled her to him, and kissed her softly. 'I'm sorry, I don't mean to be so insecure, but I can't help but think that you're going to leave me the second someone better walks by.' He wiped the tears off her cheeks.

'There is no chance of me leaving you. Ever.'

'Do you want me to come with you?' Seiya asked. He knew what Usagi would be doing tonight and he didn't want her to be alone.

Usagi shook her head. 'This is something I have to do on my own. Um, I might not be able to cook anymore when I get back either.'

Seiya laughed out loud. 'Yeah, I know, the only thing you can do with food is eat it!'

'Hey!' Usagi seethed.

Seiya stopped laughing. 'Gomen, gomen, but do you really think I'm so shallow that it's important to me whether you can cook or not? I'm 16, I'm not old-fashioned!'

'Okay, now I've really got to go! Bye!'

Seiya watched Usagi close the door behind her. He had a really bad feeling about her going out alone. He didn't know why, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something awful was going to happen tonight.

He waited before he thought Usagi was out of earshot before pulling out his henshin brooch. 'FAITAA SUTAA PAWAA, MEIKU APPU!!! There were flashing light, some pretty techno music, little stars and other sparkly things, and then Sailor Star Fighter stood in her kick ass enamel fuku. (A.N. i know everyone thinks that the fuku is leather, but there's a page from some artbook that has all Naoko's notes and it detailed the starlight's fuku as enamel.)

She took off down the hallway and out the apartment building onto the street looking for any sign of Usagi.

Kuso! she thought. I waited to long! Fighter took off down the street again, in search of her Odango.

***

Usagi stood in what she hoped was a deserted alley, holding her ginzuishou tight in her hands. 'By the powers of Selene, the Moon Goddess, grant me this wish. Please, return my friends and I to what we once were.'

Usagi was encompassed in the purest of lights, and she felt her body changing, growing shorter; she felt her hair return to its odangos.

Drained of her energy, she fell back against the brick wall, and slid to the floor. After a few minutes she felt something hard connect with her side and. She shrieked in pain, and then she was being forced to her feet.

'I can't believe you actually thought you could escape me.' Mamoru loomed over her, laughing in her face. 'You're not getting away from me as easily as you thought!' He grabbed one of her arms and pulled her closer to him.

'Mamoru, stop it! leave me alone!' Usagi tried to get away, but Mamoru gripped her arm tighter.

'Stop?' Mamoru laughed lowly. 'I won't be stopping anytime soon. Not until I'm fully satisfied.' Mamoru pushed her against the wall. With one hand he pinned her arm to the wall above her head, and with the other he hiked her skirt up to her thighs.

Tears were running down her face and Mamoru just laughed at her. 'Seiya's not here to protect you this time. so you can cry and wail all you want. Maybe he finally realized what a useless waste of life you are.'

'Don't touch her!' Sailor Star Fighter ran into the alley and knocked Mamoru aside. 'Yami wo kirisaki sasurai no nagareboshi. SEERA SUTAA FAITAA, SUTEEJI ON!'

Mamoru laughed at her. 'Well, at least you two have something in common, you both have to stick your two cents in before you can start the fight. You know, I could have escaped by now.

'I know, but you haven't, so obviously you're not that bright.' Fighter quipped. 'Now I suggest you leave right now, and stop harassing Odango.'

'Or what?' Mamoru challenged. 'You'll use the powers of sarcasm against me?'

'Some people never learn,' Fighter muttered before delivering a solid round- house kick straight into Mamoru's side, which knocked him to the floor. She stood over him. 'I told you to protect her, and instead you try and rape her? these aren't just some words from some guy anymore; they're from Seiya Kou, Sailor Star Fighter, her real lover, not just some cheap imitation like you. Don't touch her anymore, don't even look at her! She's too good for you.

She aimed another kick at Mamoru's ribs, but he grabbed onto her leg and flipped Fighter to the ground.

'Don't touch me, you trans-sexual little freak!' (Ack! it hurts, it hurts! Forgive me Seiya... ~_~) Mamoru stood up and loomed over Star Fighter.

Sailor Star Fighter placed both hands flat on the ground for support and managed to kick Mamoru solidly in the chest with both feet. She used the momentum to push herself up, and as Mamoru still stumbled from her latest attack she swept his feet out from under him, sending him crashing to the ground.

'Had enough yet?'

Mamoru just groaned.

'Heh, looks like you were beaten by a girl weren't you? You're not fit to be Earth's protector. You better stay the hell away from her, you pathetic piece of shit.' Fighter walked over to where Usagi still stood and pulled her into her arms.

She kissed the blonde girl softly, a little hesitant because she was unsure of how Usagi felt about being kissed by a girl. Fighter moved away slowly, but Usagi pulled her head back down for another kiss, and Fighter's heart leapt with joy.

'Why didn't you defend yourself?' Fighter held onto Usagi for dear life, as if she would shatter into a million little pieces if she were to let go of her. 'Ah, but that's what I love best about you; how you love to argue, but hate to fight.' She kissed Usagi once more, one that left them struggling to calm their souls, as they felt the fire spreading through their bodies.

Usagi looked up at Fighter. 'Come on,' she whispered. 'Let's go home.'

***

'Um... Seiya?'

Seiya looked up at Usagi who was blushing furiously. She was wearing a robe and she looked extremely embarrassed.

'Do you think you could check my back for bruises? I can't reach

'Oh, uh, okay,' Seiya responded, moving to stand behind her as he pressed his fingers softly into her back.

'Damn!' she said. 'I can't feel anything through this damn robe.' She untied the robe and slid it off her arms, letting the satiny material slip silently to the floor.

Seiya wasn't quite sure whether Usagi wanted him to go insane, and he thanked (or was that cursed?) Kami-sama that she was wearing a bra and panties. He examined her back, but didn't see any bruises marring her perfect skin. But still... he had to be sure, right?

He gently moved his hands over her back, caressing her softly. His hands found their way to the front of her waist, and he pulled her close against him.

'You know what?' he whispered into her ear, his breath, warm on her neck, sent shivers down Usagi's spine. 'You're fine.'

'Are you sure?'

'Uh-huh.' Seiya kissed the tender skin of her neck.

'Mmm... Seiya?'

'Yeah?' he murmured against her skin

'Is that a henshin brooch in your pocket, or are you really happy to see me?'



hee hee hee!!! aren't i so cruel? leaving you hanging like that!! to tell you the truth, i won't be writing any hentai, but a friend of mine has offered to do it for me. i'll let you know the details when it's all done, for those of you who like hentai.

well, next chapter comes the new memories. it'll be very long, and it was really tedious for me to write, but i think you'll enjoy it. it's chock full of sorrow, and tragedy and... i'm not going to spoil it for you, but trust me, you'll like it ^_^

the line at the end is credited to the artist Koneko. it was inspired by this picture: http://www.kinmoku.net/pops/harmony/fanart/koneko_pocket.jpg

okay, i must add this note, cuz i just know that there are going to be people going 'eww, ick' and other things like that. *takes deep breath*

I don't think there's a gay issue in my story at all. Usagi's not gay/bi (not that that would be a problem), she just really loves Seiya, no matter what. Seiya could be a slimy little bull-frog and Usagi would love her because Seiya is Seiya, no matter what she looks like. i think the theme of my story is a love knows no gender type thing. remember when Minako said that her love for Yaten had disappeared when she found out that Yaten was a girl? and then someone said that they shouldn't treat them any differently because the starlights were still the starlights no matter what they looked like? it's just like that. the Usagi in my story won't stop loving Seiya just cuz she lacks certain... accessories O_o



Okay, i'm done.

until next chapter, and remember, if you see a shooting star, most likely it's not Seiya, so don't jump out your window, okay? ^_^

Ja ne, minna!!

~*VioletAngel*~ blue_angel_flame@hotmail.com