And back from the cave she's been hiding in for the last few weeks is...
drum roll please... Violet Angel!!
*Crickets chirp*
have I been gone that long??? Yeah, I guess I have. Well it's not my fault, I swear!! This damn chapter didn't want to be written! Honest! But now it's finally here and it comes with a treat... Yaten and Taiki!!!
By the way, my brother has informed me that my grammar is terrible. I believe his exact words were, 'comma splice this, spelling error that, hello! New paragraph!' *shudders* well, I haven't gotten any complaints from you guys yet, but if it really bothers you, and you feel that you have to make a comment, then you just hired yourself as my personal editor! Lucky you!
All you seiya/usagi fans out there, you guys are the best! I love you all! Thanks so much for sticking by this story, now go get reading!
Sasurai No Nagareboshi - part 4
Usagi woke with a start and wiped the tears from her eyes. The dream she'd been having had been so intense, so familiar. She'd seen things that had terrified her to the core.
Seiya, chained to a grimy, stone wall; Seiya looking up sadly into her eyes after being slammed to the floor, right before he was run through with a sword.
Usagi shivered and settled into the warm arms around her. She felt so right, waking up in his arms, as if it had always been like that.
And that's when it hit her, the reason the dream was so familiar. Usagi blinked back more tears and trembled even harder than before.
It had always been like that...
Usagi sat up straight as she was bombarded with countless memories returning to her. She grasped her head in pain, and tears leaked out of her eyes.
Seiya sat up next to her and pulled her into his arms. She shook with sheer rage, and cried tears of grief into his chest.
'Hey,' he whispered. 'What's wrong? Do you want to tell me?'
'Damn him!' She wiped the tears from her eyes once more. 'It was all his fault! He ruined our lives!'
'Odango... I don't understand. Who ruined our lives? What are you talking about?' Seiya looked at her, confused.
'It was Mamoru,' she said bitterly. 'Mamoru killed you.' And with that Usagi started crying even harder than before.
Seiya just gaped at her. 'Were you dreaming, Odango?' he asked her.
Usagi shook her head. 'No,' she insisted. 'It was real! Please, Seiya, I have something to show you, but you have to trust me, and believe that what you see is the truth.'
'Okay...,' Seiya was more confused than ever by this point.
Usagi gripped her hands tightly in her own and closed her eyes. 'You have to close your eyes too, and concentrate on me. It'll come.'
Seiya did as told, as he waited for Usagi's mystery to be solved.
*****
Silver Millennium...
Seiya Kou, Yaten Kou, and Taiki Kou had become fast friends at the age of 7 when they discovered they all had the same first name. (hate to disappoint, but Naoko specifically said in several interviews that Kou was the personal name of all three, and Seiya, Taiki, and Yaten were the family names. You wouldn't be Mrs. Kou in your fantasies, you'd be Mrs. Seiya. ^_^ how fun is that?) As they grew to the age of 15, they had taken to traveling the galaxies, and it was at the age of 16 that they decided to visit the Silver Millennium, Moon Kingdom in particular.
Seiya had been the one to suggest the trip. He couldn't explain it, but something there seemed to call out to him, and he was very anxious to see what it was. He looked over at his friends and smiled. They were talking quietly among themselves, and they looked very happy. He knew they had been trying to keep their relationship a secret from him, so he didn't let the girls know that he knew.
Taiki Kou was the tallest of the three, and she had a kind of striking beauty, with her deep cobalt eyes, and small serious smile. It was a sight to behold when she laughed, and Seiya wished she would do it more often. Her long brown hair was pulled into a ponytail, just like the hair of the other two.
Taiki was currently in the middle of what looked to be an important conversation with the other member of the trio, Yaten Kou.
Whereas Taiki was the tallest, Yaten was the shrimp of the group, measuring five feet, a full seven inches shorter than Taiki. She had sparkling green eyes, and a very short fuse. She had more of a girlish beauty, with her silver hair, and she loved to primp as often as possible. The most likely place you would find Yaten would be in the bathroom, in front of the mirror.
Seiya shook his raven head at the oblivious pair. Seiya was different from his best friends in a very big way. Seiya was not female. And he was drop dead sexy. There was no other way to describe him. He had long, flowing black hair was pulled into a ponytail at the nape of his neck, and the front of it was layered in a disheveled way that made him look totally dangerous. His deep indigo eyes shone with laughter at some times, and at others were so sensual and captivating that you couldn't help but stare into them for as long as you wished. They just pulled you in, and didn't let go.
They had been wandering around the moon for awhile now, and Seiya, lost in his thoughts, didn't notice the beautiful lady in front of him until after he had effectively knocked the both of them to the floor.
'Eh! Watch where you're going!!'
'Excuse me?' the young girl replied. She couldn't have been more than Seiya's age. 'Shouldn't you be apologizing to me? Or do you have no manners?!?'
She was very flustered and Seiya was amused at how feisty she appeared to be. 'You're right, gomen! I should have watched where I was going, but I thought you'd be glad to bump into me!'
The girl stared up incredulously at him. 'Why would I of all people be happy to bump into a little boy like yourself?'
'Because I'm so damn cool,' Seiya replied calmly, acting just slightly cocky. (just slightly ^_^)
'Well, I've never heard anyone speak to me in such a manner before!!! You're lucky if I don't pull the Queen into this one!' The girl still sat on the floor, in a heap of wispy thin layers of fabric wrapped around her in some sort of gown.
By now Yaten and Taiki had snapped out of their own world and had noticed what had happened.
'Oh, no,' Yaten jumped in. 'please don't call the Queen! Seiya doesn't mean to be a cocky bastard! It was a birth defect, honest!' She whacked Seiya on the arm. 'You don't have to be an asshole everywhere we go! You could at least help the poor girl up.' She scolded.
'Yes Seiya, please do,' Taiki jumped in.
'Okay, okay, fine!!! I'll help you up, if you promise not to sick the Queen on me. Deal?' He smiled down at the very pissed off girl. To his surprise, she appeared to be thinking about his proposal, and then she smiled sweetly at him.
'Okay!' She held up her arm, her disposition totally different then what it had been only a moment ago.
Seiya pulled her to her feet and she smiled warmly at him and the girls. She wiped off her dress, and turned to Yaten. I like you, you're very outspoken for a lady, and I've been trying to tell mother for ages that women don't have to be all soft and wimpy all the time! We should meet up some time and hang out.'
'O-okay, sure!' Yaten looked very pleased that she had managed to make a friend so quickly. 'We just got here, to the Moon I mean, so if we do, it'll have to be at your place.'
'That's no problem for me,' the young lady said. 'See that there?' She pointed in the direction of a huge, shining white palace. 'That's where I live. Drop by whenever you have the time.'
'Serenity! Serenity-hime!' The group turned to look at a blonde in orange running up to them. 'Serenity,' she gasped for breath, having finally reached them. 'The Queen is looking for you. Everyone's ready for the etiquette lessons except for you, and you know what Rei's going to say. Oh, hello.' She said turning to acknowledge the trio of strangers.
'Oh, pooh!' Serenity sighed. 'Mother's always so picky!! How can she expect me to agree to the etiquette lessons and be on time for them too? Besides, Minako, I don't think I need to improve myself, princesses are fine the way they are.'
She turned to walk up to the palace and looked behind her at the group she had left behind. 'Bye! I'll see you three later in the palace I suppose!'
'Ja ne, Odango!' Seiya shouted back at her, referring to the unique way she had styled her hair.
'Seiya!!!! Oooh, you'll pay for that the next time I see you!' And with that her and the girl she had called Minako ran the rest of the way to the palace.
Seiya didn't even realize he was staring at Serenity as she ran away until Yaten decided to bring him back to Earth, er, the MOON, by smacking him upside the head.
'Hello, Seiya! What the hell were you so happy about?'
'Yeah,' Taiki agreed. 'You were standing there with the silliest little grin on your face. What for?'
Seiya smirked. 'Did it look any thing at all like the little grins you and Yaten keep getting around each other, hmm?'
Taiki flushed. 'I don't know what you're talking about!' she protested.
Seiya just kept on smirking, and decided to let them keep their secret for now. 'So, our new friend lives in the palace.' He mused out loud, hoping no one heard the little twist he had put on 'friend'.
'Don't be thick, Seiya.' Taiki shook her head at him. 'The Queen is her mother. She's the princess for Kami-sama's sake! That's why she lives in the palace. You know, you're very lucky she decided not to tell her mother about your behaviour, otherwise me might have found ourselves being kicked off the Moon after just arriving.'
Seiya tried to ignore the sadness that accompanied the thought of leaving the moon, or rather, leaving certain inhabitants of the moon. Though he had just met her, he felt a strange liking to the Tsuki no Princess, and he wanted to get to know her better. He wandered around with his companions, lost in his thoughts, as he waited until they could meet the princess again later that day.
*****
'Come on!!' Seiya pulled Yaten and Taiki forward impatiently. They were almost at the palace and he didn't want to wait any longer than he had to.
They made their way up to the grounds and stood at the gates. They were unsure of how to make themselves known, so they just stood there for a few minutes.
Seiya scanned the grounds and noticed Serenity sitting by herself in the middle of a garden. It was somewhat secluded, and he knew that unless he pointed it out Yaten and Taiki wouldn't be able to tell she was there. He decided to use this to his advantage.
'Hey, why don't you two look for her around the palace's right side? She might be outside and if she is, then we avoid having to introduce ourselves to whoever opens the door.'
Taiki and Yaten exchanged confused glances, but did as he suggested anyways, most likely so they could be alone for awhile.
Seiya waited until he couldn't see them anymore, and then made his way over to the princess.
Serenity was absolutely bored with everything and everyone around her. They were all so polite and proper. It just bored her to death.
Her mother had this idea that women should be faithful little lap-dogs to the men around them, and be lady-like, and all the other crap that Serenity didn't want to be. She thought that if she was going to be with a man, she wasn't going to serve him! And she would not be sold off like some pretty little plaything.
Not only that, but everyone she met was to busy trying to be nice, and treat her like... a princess to even notice that she was a person, with feelings, and brains, and hey! She didn't have to be right all the time!!! Just because she was royalty, she didn't want to be treated any different.
She tried to convince herself that that was the reason her mind was so preoccupied with thoughts of that Seiya man she had met that day.
Yeah right, she thought to herself, for as hard as she tried, his image was not removing itself from her brain. She'd never met someone who had stood up to her before. He frustrated her, the way he teased her, and poked fun at her hair, but he also seemed completely sincere when he apologized. He was a walking contradiction.
When Serenity thought of him, she felt warm inside, like she would never ever be cold again. She smiled to herself as the image of face presented itself again. She had never felt this way before, and it was a little frightening, but she thought that it didn't matter how scared she was, as long as she got more of that first feeling.
Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice that she was being watched until the figure behind her spoke.
'Utsukushi, ne?'
Serenity looked up. 'Hai,' she said softly. 'This is the only place that people seem to leave me alone.'
'Oh. Should I leave?' Seiya asked, with an uncertainness that wasn't often seen in him.
She smiled brightly up at him. 'No, please don't! I only meant that mother is too stuffy and work involved to get her shoes dirty by sitting in the dirt like I am. I don't even think she knows this place exists, even though we've lived here our entire lives.' She sighed. 'Oh, I'm sorry to go off on a rant like that. You must think I'm terribly self-involved. Please, sit down.'
Seiya complied and made himself comfortable next to her. If he was sitting a little close, Serenity didn't bring it up.
'Oh, it didn't bother me at all. I could listen to you speak about whatever you want, for as long as you want.'
Serenity blushed. Even though the comment sounded like something someone would say to suck up to her, she could hear the sincerity behind the words. Seiya seemed to wear his heart on his sleeve. It made her somewhat anxious, although for what, she didn't know.
'So where are you're friends? I assume they came with you.' Serenity opted for changing the mood for something lighter.
Seiya laughed. 'See those two over there? The ones that are trying really hard not to be noticed?'
She looked where he was pointing and saw a couple wrapped up in each other's arms, looking very... cozy. 'Oh.'
'They try to hide it from me, but with displays like that, it's hard not to notice.' Seiya smirked. 'Oh well, they want their secret, I figure I can at least let them be happy for awhile.'
'Aren't you three happy?' Serenity questioned curiously.
Seiya's eyes seemed to darken when he turned to look at her. 'Oh we're pretty much always happy, but... I'm happier here than before.'
Serenity started to get lost in his endless eyes. 'On the Moon?' She said innocently.
Seiya laughed under his breath. 'I meant with you.'
She was drowning in them now, she couldn't pull herself out. 'Oh,' was all she said again.
She leaned in closer to him, as if his eyes were calling her forward, and he didn't pull back. Before she could even register what she was doing, her lips brushed softly against his, and she felt as if this was all she needed to survive.
'Seiya!!! We wanted you to tell us when you had found her, not keep her all to yourself!'
Seiya looked up into the faces of Yaten and Taiki, the moment effectively lost.
'Well, he would have called you, but you looked so comfortable in each other's arms that we decided to leave you alone.' Serenity stated calmly.
Seiya laughed as he noticed the deep red blush that was creeping up on Yaten's face. 'Don't worry, we can pretend that we didn't see!'
'You speak for yourself,' Serenity said. 'I plan on bringing this up as many times as possible.' She laughed, noticing how uncomfortable the two women appeared. 'Don't worry, I won't bug you, I promise! Now, I want you three to tell me all about yourselves. And what your life was like before you came to the Moon.'
***
The days were passing quickly, and Serenity and Seiya had grown closer, getting to know each other slowly, and their kisses evolving to a new state of passion.
Serenity thought she had everything going perfect, until Seiya walked into her room looking extremely depressed.
She stood to greet him, and pulled him into a hug. 'Hey, what is wrong?' she asked him, worry clouding her features.
Seiya just looked up at her and shook his head sadly. 'We're leaving,' he said, getting straight to the point. 'In a few weeks.'
Serenity was shocked, no, she was beyond shocked. She let herself sink slowly to her bed, and felt Seiya sit down beside her.
'Why didn't you tell me before?' she asked numbly.
'I just found out myself,' he explained. 'Yaten and Taiki are eager to see more of the universe, and we promised each other that we would always stay together.'
'So that's it?' Serenity asked miserably. 'You're just going to leave me?'
She looked sorrowfully into Seiya's eyes, and saw him furiously wiping tears out of his eyes.
'You're really tempting me, you know that?' He pulled her into his arms, and she broke down crying into his shoulder.
'I don't want you to go!' She wailed.
Seiya tried to comfort her, but it wasn't working because he couldn't focus on being strong and he just cried with her. 'I know, I don't want to leave you either. But you know? All three of us have really connected with this little Moon, and I have a feeling we'll be back.'
'Really?' Serenity sniffled, pressing herself against Seiya's body.
'Hai,' he reassured her. 'I'll convince them one way or another, but I don't think it'll take much; this is the first place we had friends, people we cared about, and I know it hurts them to leave too.'
'Then why leave at all?' Serenity whispered against his throat, kissing it softly while pressing herself into him even more.
Seiya responded to her insistence and kissed her with more passion than either of them had ever felt before. 'You really are trying to tempt me into staying, aren't you?'
Serenity just smiled slyly at him. 'When did you say you're leaving?' she asked, guiding his hands to move around her waist.
'Two weeks.'
'Well, we'll have to make the most of the time we have left, won't we?' Serenity smiled again before kissing him again.
It had started out soft and sweet, but the kiss grew to be hot and urgent, and Seiya's smoothed their way all over Serenity's body before resting on her back, right below the fastenings to her gown. He hesitated a bit, but Serenity kissed him even harder, and he started to undo the fastenings, pushing her down onto her bed.
'Do you want me to stop?' Seiya asked, looking down at the princess beneath him.
'Kami-sama, no!'
He smiled. 'Good, because I'm not letting you go now.'
***
As it turned out, Seiya, Yaten, and Taiki did return to the Moon. They still traveled the Universe, but they would occasionally make a stop a stop at the Moon that lasted for a few months, go somewhere new, and return to the Moon a few months later. Serenity and Seiya were quite happy with how that arrangement was working out.
Seiya had promised Serenity he would return two months after leaving the last time, and as he made his way toward her he smiled at what her reaction would be to see him so soon.
As if sensing his presence, she turned around and a bright smile lit up her face.
'Seiya!' She ran into his arms. 'I missed you so much! You're a month early!' She covered his face in kisses, and he returned the welcome just as enthusiastically.
'Oi! Will you two please break it up? It's really very sickening!'
'Yaten, that's not what you were saying last night, and I'm sure we were just as happy as they are now,' Taiki smirked, and Yaten quickly shut up.
Serenity and Seiya reluctantly broke off their kiss, but remained in each other's arms.
'Thanks you guys, that was really too much information.' Seiya tried to act annoyed, but he was sure it would have worked better if he hadn't had that goofy little grin on his face.
He turned to Serenity. 'We have a surprise for you. We've decided to make ourselves permanent residents of this shining little Moon. If the Queen will have us of course.'
Serenity's eyes widened, and she smiled harder than she ever had. 'Oh, don't worry about that! She'll be happy to have you, after all, you practically live here anyways! I'm going to rush home and tell her right now!' Serenity ran back to the palace.
As it turned out, the Queen really was happy to have them, and she even offered to let them stay in the palace until they could get themselves settled in properly. Which is how they found themselves being given an unnecessary tour of the palace by Serenity.
'It's so great to be back,' Taiki smiled, and Yaten nodded her agreement.
'I've missed you girls so much!' Serenity said, pulling the women into a hug.
Seiya looked over in annoyance. 'I'm feeling a little outnumbered here!'
Serenity hugged him tightly. 'I missed you too, even if you're not a girl.'
'Serenity, must we continue with this tour? We've been in this place more than enough times to know our way around,' Yaten pointed out.
'True,' Serenity agreed. 'But, technically, if people were to find that out, we could all be killed. I'm not supposed to let anyone from outside our Kingdom into the palace without my mother's permission, and neither of you had that. Security is tighter these days, and if people saw that you knew where everything was, suspicions would be raise, questions would be asked, and it would cause some unnecessary problems. Actually, if my mother hadn't offered to let you stay here, I probably wouldn't risk bringing you three here anymore; I could be tried for treason. Well, here's my room, I don't think you've ever been there.'
They walked down an enormous hallway and opened one of the intricately carved mahogany doors.
Taiki looked around the room in wonder. 'I can't believe we've never been in her before.'
'Hey, speak for yourself.' Seiya placed his hand possessively on Serenity's waist, and she blushed.
'Don't lie Seiya!' Yaten snapped. 'Why would Serenity bring you to her roo-- , oh. Never mind.' Yaten blushed bright red with the realization of what she had been implying.
'I know the inside of this room as well as I know the back of my hand.' Seiya persisted. 'And about as well as I know my way around you,' he whispered into Serenity's ear.
She felt her face grow hot, and found herself wishing to be closer to Seiya right at that moment. She quickly composed herself. 'I think it's time I showed you three to your rooms, I'm sure you're very tired.' Serenity brought Taiki, Yaten and finally Seiya to their rooms.
She stepped into his room and closed the door behind them. Before she could say a single word, she felt Seiya's lips pressing on the sensitive skin of her neck. He turned her around and kissed her softly on the lips. Serenity kissed him back passionately, pouring all the pent up emotions she had had while he was gone into that one kiss.
Seiya pulled away. 'Mm, sorry, security, I forgot.'
Serenity smiled softly. 'It's alright. I thought you weren't going to be back for another month.'
Seiya shrugged. 'Yeah, well, I couldn't wait to break the news to you. You know, I'll be able to see you everyday from now on, Sere.'
'Yeah I know.' Serenity trailed her fingers lightly down Seiya's chest. 'I'll leave you to get settled. Come see me tonight, okay?' She kissed him gently and slipped out of the room before he had a chance to answer.
***
Several days later found Serenity and Seiya standing in a shadowy hallway, kissing passionately.
Serenity pulled away from Seiya and linked her arm through his. 'Wanna go for a walk?' she asked.
'Won't you get into serious trouble if your mother finds out you're in love with someone from outside the galaxy?' Seiya asked, worried.
Serenity pouted. 'I'll deal with my mother when we get to that point. I love you, and I couldn't care who knows. The entire Universe could know, and I want them too!'
'That wouldn't be very wise.' A voice came from even deeper in the shadows, and Serenity felt something hard strike her on the back of the head. The last thing she saw was someone tall looming over Seiya as she struggled to break free. She tried to call out, but the darkness consumed her...
***
Serenity woke in her bed and rubbed her eyes groggily. Her head was pounding and the last thing she remembered was telling Seiya she loved him.
What happened? she wondered, but she didn't have too long to dwell on the thought because Yaten burst into her room, out of breath.
'Have you seen Seiya? Taiki and I looked everywhere!'
'Huh?' Serenity looked up blankly. She shook her head to clear the fog that was clouding her senses.
'No, uh, I haven't seen him. I'm sure he's okay,' she said, trying to remember why she felt as though that were a lie.
Yaten looked at her suspiciously. 'Alright, I'm gonna go look some more. Maybe you should take another nap.'
Yaten quickly left the room, and Serenity let out a breath she wasn't aware she was holding.
Think Sere! What the hell happened? Why do you feel like you just told the biggest lie in the world?
'I thought she'd never leave.'
Serenity felt a hand on her shoulder and almost screamed. She jumped out of bed and turned to face her intruder. She tried not to laugh at herself, for her intruder turned out to be none other than the terribly annoying, not to mention boring, man who kept trying to force his way down Serenity's lifestyle. Or rather, her pants. (you know, if she wore pants.)
'Endymion. What are you doing in my room? Have you no respect?'
Endymion chuckled. 'Ah, but it's you who should have respect for me.' He grabbed her roughly around the waist, and she struggled, pushing against him.
Serenity slapped him across the face. 'Endymion, stop it! I shall call the guards!'
Endymion's eyes narrowed and he hit her roughly across the head, sending fresh waves of pain washing over her. 'Stop moving if you don't want me to knock you out again.'
Serenity suddenly remembered what had happened out in the hallways, how Seiya had been struggling with someone about the same height as Endymion.
'Seiya! What did you do with Seiya? I need to see him now!' Serenity was frantic and she couldn't contain her tears.
Endymion smiled cruelly. 'Your former lover? Oh don't worry, I'll take you to him. I want you to suffer as well. In fact, let's go to him right now.' He clamped his hand over her mouth and proceeded to drag her down to the dungeons, fighting all the way.
Endymion forced her into the dank room and shoved her face down onto the floor. She cried out as she hit the ground, and then she lay there shivering.
'Odango,' a voice rasped from above her.
Serenity looked up and had to stop herself from crying out again. Each of Seiya's arms was chained to the wall on either side of him, and he was suspended 3 feet off the ground. His body was bruised and ragged, and his hair was coated in filth.
'Oh Seiya.' Serenity stood up and stood in front of Seiya. She mouthed the word 'Aishiteru', and then turned to Endymion. 'Please,' she pleaded. 'Unchain him.'
Endymion walked slowly to the dirty wall where Seiya hung. 'If you insist.' He took his time in unlocking the manacles around Seiya's wrists, a bored expression on his face. He didn't bother catching Seiya.
Serenity winced as Seiya's battered body hit the ground. She knelt beside him and kissed him soft as a feather, as if afraid that she would further damage his already broken body. 'Oh Seiya, what did he do to you?' She murmured softly.
Endymion laughed at her. 'I' could demonstrate if you like.' He raised his arms and pointed them at the couple on the floor.
Seiya's body began writhing wildly and he screamed in agony.
'Stop it!' Serenity screamed. 'What are you doing to him?!?'
'I've been doing a number of things just like this to him all afternoon.' Endymion answered. 'Right now, however, he feels as if his entire body is an open wound, throbbing, warm flesh. He feels the pain of millions of tiny red ants, crawling all over him, each tiny leg creating sweet waves of pain washing through him.' He shot a disturbing smile in Serenity's direction. 'Can you imagine the pain of a speck of dust in an open wound? This must be thousands of times worse. Not only that, some of the ants bite right into his soft flesh. Delicious!' His cruel laughter filled the dungeon.
Serenity glared at him. 'You monster!' She pushed Seiya's bangs off his forehead gently. 'Seiya, look at me.'
And he did. The minute Seiya looked up into Serenity's eyes and saw the sweet adoration, all the love and determination there, he was okay. He steeled himself against the pain and willed himself not to scream again. He didn't want to give the prissy bastard the satisfaction.
Endymion stopped inflicting the sheer torture on Seiya and continued to laugh loudly. He looked at Serenity, Seiya in her arms, her face buried in his chest. 'You two better make the most of this while you still can. Serenity, seeing as how your mother saw nothing standing in her way, no proof of another lover, you have been promised to me. You are no longer his, but mine!'
Serenity looked coldly at him. 'I will never be yours. Not willingly.'
Endymion stood next to Serenity and pulled her off of the ground. He pulled her roughly against him. 'You must have misunderstood. You are mine, whether you want to be or not. I will take you forcefully if need be, but I will have you.' He backhanded her solidly across the face and sent her falling to the ground once more.
Seiya dragged himself to his feet and stood in front of Serenity, as if he was shielding her. 'Don't touch her!' he screamed.
'How touching. Now step aside!' Endymion drew his word from its sheath and pointed it dangerously at Seiya.
Seiya stood defiantly with his head raised high.
'Seiya, do as he says!' Serenity pleaded. She got up and stood at his side.
Endymion shook his head in wonder. 'Do you honestly think that the two of you will be able to stop me from what I'm about to do?' He knocked Serenity aside.
Seiya turned his back to Endymion for just one second, to make sure that Serenity was okay. She didn't even have a chance to warn him, she could only scream.
Everything seemed to happen in slow motion; the point of the sword sliding into Seiya as if he was as soft as butter, blood pooling from the wound; Seiya opened his mouth to speak and more blood flowed freely out of from his lips. He fell to his knees, and Serenity positioned herself behind him, resting his body on her lap.
'Oh, Kami-sama... Seiya, hold on! If I can get you to my mother you'll be okay, just hold on a little longer!' Serenity tried to stop the tears, but they came anyway.
Seiya smiled weakly up at her. 'I love you,' he whispered.
'I don't want to lose you now!' Serenity cried in anguish.
'Mou, you'll see me again. I'm not done with you yet! Be strong okay? Make sure you're there for Yaten and Taiki. Tell them, tell them I love them...' Seiya closed his eyes and Serenity felt his life slip away, as if a part of her had died as well.
She sobbed brokenly, creating the most heart-wrenching sounds to anyone who heard her. She grasped Seiya's body tightly, but found herself being pulled from him and being dragged to her room. She shrieked and kicked, but to no avail.
Endymion dumped her unceremoniously on her bed and barred the door shut from the outside.
Serenity heard the voice of her mother, the Queen, and the Endymion answering back.
'She's quite delirious,' he said. 'She thinks that Seiya's her lover, and that I've murdered him. She has an extremely high fever, and I think the safest place for her to be right now is in her room.'
'He's lying! Mother, he's killed him! My love, my Seiya!' Serenity pounded against her door, screaming to be let out, but no one answered her calls.
It was hours later when she finally gave up and crawled into her bed, pulled her covers up over her head, and fell into a fitful sleep.
***
'Serenity, you bitch! Wake up!' Serenity opened her eyes to find Yaten leaning over her, mad as hell.
'Yaten, stop. We do not know the true story yet.' Taiki stood in the doorway to Serenity's room, wiping tears from her eyes periodically.
Yaten scowled but stepped away, and Taiki knelt by Serenity's bed.
'You see, a very strange man approached us today as we were looking for Seiya. He told us that if we wanted to see him we should follow him.
'As we were walking he informed us that Seiya was to be put to death for plotting against the Queen, and that the only person who could drop the charges was you.
'He said that you were properly informed of what was going on, but that you had opted to stay in your room and sleep, instead of going to save Seiya.'
'Serenity, how would you feel; seeing your best friend, dead and lying in pools of his own blood?' Yaten burst in, glaring. 'I thought you loved him, how could you do this?'
Serenity stood up and let the tears fall freely from her eyes. 'Yaten let me explain! You don't even know the truth!' Serenity moved closer to Yaten but Yaten just glared even harder.
'Tell me this is not your fault. Tell me that Seiya would still be dead right now, even if we hadn't met you.'
Serenity shook her head. 'I-I can't,' she whispered, for she truly believed that she was responsible for Seiya's death. Endymion would never have killed Seiya if Seiya hadn't been in love with Serenity.
Yaten burst into fresh sobs and threw herself into Taiki's arms, and Taiki cradled her head against her shoulder.
She looked disgustingly at Serenity. 'I didn't want to believe it. I trusted you know, but now I know that the only person I can trust is Yaten.
'Please inform your mother that while this is a beautiful kingdom on the outside, the people are too rotten and violent for our tastes, and we will not be returning.' With her arms protectively around Yaten, Taiki swept out of the room and out of Serenity's life.
Serenity never saw either of them again.
***
Serenity was miserable. Actually she was too the point where suicide didn't seem like such a bad idea.
Endymion had raped and she was pregnant.
She knew that if she just turned herself in, and admitted that she had been involved with someone not of her kingdom she would be put to death. The only problem with that was that it would not honour Seiya's death at all.
Besides, she wanted to give Endymion the revenge that came straight from her heart. Maybe that was why she was happy that the Earth was being invaded by Metallia. If Endymion's people suffered, surely he would too.
No, those were horrible thoughts. Serenity pushed them out of her mind. She didn't want innocent people to suffer, no matter how much their prince deserved to die a slow and painful death.
She looked up and saw Endymion walking down the hall towards her.
'Metallia has plans to invade the Moon Kingdom,' he told her.
Serenity blanched. 'No...' she whispered.
'I'm afraid so. She has discovered my presence here, so it would probably be best if I left. Went back to Earth for awhile.'
Serenity was about to tell him that that would be best, but a horrible screeching noise, like a hundred dying demon birds filled the palace. The sound was enough to drive you to your knees and wish you were dead.
'Shimatta!' Endymion cursed. 'I think it's too late for that! Stay here!'
Endymion ran outside into the chaos. People were running wildly, but Metallia stood proud and tall in a clearing right at the center of the chaos, waiting, seemingly, for Endymion.
Serenity defied him and ran out to the clearing Justin time to hear him say, 'You're a dirty whore, and you're pushy. The little rabbit I'm with now is certainly useless, but she's a good fuck, and she holds a lot of money. No, I think I'll stay right here; I'd rather have someone with a pretty face, than someone with power. Besides, your power's not so great. Why don't you train a little harder?'
Endymion's words cut straight into Serenity. She knew that Endymion only wanted her for her body, but it hurt to hear herself spoken of in such a manner.
Metallia seethed with rage. 'How dare you insult me so blatantly? You do not know who you are dealing with!' And before them Metallia transformed into the most hideous creature anyone had ever seen. (you mean she gets worse? Is that even possible?)
Before Endymion could even blink, his entire body was pulsing with a dark, electric energy, and his body fell to the floor, putrid smoke rising off of him.
'No!' Serenity ran to his side. 'Damn it, you're not supposed to die yet!' She pulled Endymion's sword out of its sheath, and rested its hilt on the ground, so that it pointed straight up into the sky.
'My love,' she said softly. 'I'm coming to be with you now. I'm sorry I didn't get to avenge your death. Aishite...' She threw herself down onto the sword and didn't even scream when the sharp point ripped into her flesh and forced itself out through her back. She welcomed the pain, knowing that when it was over she would be with Seiya again.
***
Usagi opened her eyes, still clasping Seiya's hands tightly. Seiya kept his eyes closed, however, receiving even more memories from the past. Usagi had opened the floodgates, starting with her own memories, but know he was remembering everything as it had happened through his own eyes. Another life he didn't know he had lived was playing itself out in his head.
He pulled Usagi close and held her tight. 'I remember everything. I remember meeting Yaten and Taiki. I remember how mad my parents were when I told them I was leaving Kinmoku-sei. Thank you Odango, for showing me. What made you remember?'
Usagi blushed, looking embarrassed. 'I have a feeling that Mamoru's been repressing my memories of you, and changing them to look like I loved him all along. But I found you; we beat him and he can't separate us anymore.'
'I wish he was evil. Then I could just blast his ugly head off with my beautiful laser,' Seiya groused.
Usagi laughed and lay her head down on Seiya's chest. 'You know, Setsuna- san always said that it was written in the stars that Mamoru and I should be together, but now I kinda think that it's one giant typo up there. You're a nagareboshi, what do you say?'
'I'm positive it's a typo,' Seiya answered.
'Hey,' Usagi lifted her head off of his chest. 'What day is it?'
Seiya thought for a second before answering. 'July 30, why?'
Usagi shook her head. 'Just curious. I'll go make breakfast. You can stay and sleep if you want; I know it's been tough.' Usagi walked out of the room, and Seiya fell back on the pillows, deciding to take Usagi's advice and sleep a bit more.
Thirty minutes and a shower later found Seiya sitting at the table in his kitchen, being served by Usagi. 'You didn't have to cook or serve me, Odango,' he said, feeling guilty.
She shrugged and smiled. 'I know,' she said, setting down two full plates on the table. 'Look, I didn't burn the pancakes! I thought for sure I would, you know, being back to normal and all.'
Seiya laughed. 'I don't care if all you ever cook is pancakes, I like you better this way because you're the real you. Besides, now I can call you Odango and mean it.'
'Mou,' Usagi pouted.
They ate in a comfortable silence for awhile before Seiya stood and began to clear the table.
Usagi jumped out of her seat. 'Sit down!' She grabbed the plates out of his hands and walked them over to the sink. 'I think I'll clear up today.'
'And should I just sit and watch you?' Seiya asked sarcastically.
'Yes.' Usagi proceeded to wash the dishes. She scrunched her face up as she concentrated on scrubbing the frying pan clean, and Seiya laughed right in her ear.
Usagi jumped a little and smacked Seiya lightly on the arm. 'Don't startle me!'
'Gomen, gomen! You just looked too cute. I'll just move over here, to the sofa, and wait for you to finish washing all those dishes so that I don't have to be sitting here, all by myself...' Seiya smirked. (author melts ^_^)
Usagi looked at Seiya, then at the almost empty sink, then back at Seiya again before throwing her hands in the air and sitting down close to Seiya. Practically on his lap, to be exact. (lucky little...)
'Dishes can wait,' she whispered against his lips before kissing him passionately. Seiya moved his hands behind her head and slipped his tongue into her mouth.
'Mmm... happy birthday Seiya,' Usagi murmured.
'Hm, is that why I'm getting all this special treatment?'
Usagi trailed her hand down his chest. 'Well, I just wanted to make sure that you were enjoying your first day as a seventeen year old.' She moved her hand even lower.
Seiya smiled lazily. 'Well, it's getting off to a good start.' He pulled her in for another kiss. HE slipped his hands under her shirt and traced his fingers over her satiny skin, eliciting little shivers up and down her spine. He was pulling her even closer when he felt someone grab his shoulder roughly and pull him away from Usagi.
He looked up into a pair of light green eyes.
'Seiya Kou! What the hell do you think you're doing??'
and that's the end of that little chapter. actually, not so little; it took me a hell of a long time to write. this has got to be the most tedious chapter ever. I hope this little trend of taking ten years to type a chapter doesn't continue, or I will be so ready to take a vacation at the end of this story. ya know, this is barely even into the story yet. we have a looong way to go. until next time, Seiya lover's! ^_^
~*VioletAngel*~
*Crickets chirp*
have I been gone that long??? Yeah, I guess I have. Well it's not my fault, I swear!! This damn chapter didn't want to be written! Honest! But now it's finally here and it comes with a treat... Yaten and Taiki!!!
By the way, my brother has informed me that my grammar is terrible. I believe his exact words were, 'comma splice this, spelling error that, hello! New paragraph!' *shudders* well, I haven't gotten any complaints from you guys yet, but if it really bothers you, and you feel that you have to make a comment, then you just hired yourself as my personal editor! Lucky you!
All you seiya/usagi fans out there, you guys are the best! I love you all! Thanks so much for sticking by this story, now go get reading!
Sasurai No Nagareboshi - part 4
Usagi woke with a start and wiped the tears from her eyes. The dream she'd been having had been so intense, so familiar. She'd seen things that had terrified her to the core.
Seiya, chained to a grimy, stone wall; Seiya looking up sadly into her eyes after being slammed to the floor, right before he was run through with a sword.
Usagi shivered and settled into the warm arms around her. She felt so right, waking up in his arms, as if it had always been like that.
And that's when it hit her, the reason the dream was so familiar. Usagi blinked back more tears and trembled even harder than before.
It had always been like that...
Usagi sat up straight as she was bombarded with countless memories returning to her. She grasped her head in pain, and tears leaked out of her eyes.
Seiya sat up next to her and pulled her into his arms. She shook with sheer rage, and cried tears of grief into his chest.
'Hey,' he whispered. 'What's wrong? Do you want to tell me?'
'Damn him!' She wiped the tears from her eyes once more. 'It was all his fault! He ruined our lives!'
'Odango... I don't understand. Who ruined our lives? What are you talking about?' Seiya looked at her, confused.
'It was Mamoru,' she said bitterly. 'Mamoru killed you.' And with that Usagi started crying even harder than before.
Seiya just gaped at her. 'Were you dreaming, Odango?' he asked her.
Usagi shook her head. 'No,' she insisted. 'It was real! Please, Seiya, I have something to show you, but you have to trust me, and believe that what you see is the truth.'
'Okay...,' Seiya was more confused than ever by this point.
Usagi gripped her hands tightly in her own and closed her eyes. 'You have to close your eyes too, and concentrate on me. It'll come.'
Seiya did as told, as he waited for Usagi's mystery to be solved.
*****
Silver Millennium...
Seiya Kou, Yaten Kou, and Taiki Kou had become fast friends at the age of 7 when they discovered they all had the same first name. (hate to disappoint, but Naoko specifically said in several interviews that Kou was the personal name of all three, and Seiya, Taiki, and Yaten were the family names. You wouldn't be Mrs. Kou in your fantasies, you'd be Mrs. Seiya. ^_^ how fun is that?) As they grew to the age of 15, they had taken to traveling the galaxies, and it was at the age of 16 that they decided to visit the Silver Millennium, Moon Kingdom in particular.
Seiya had been the one to suggest the trip. He couldn't explain it, but something there seemed to call out to him, and he was very anxious to see what it was. He looked over at his friends and smiled. They were talking quietly among themselves, and they looked very happy. He knew they had been trying to keep their relationship a secret from him, so he didn't let the girls know that he knew.
Taiki Kou was the tallest of the three, and she had a kind of striking beauty, with her deep cobalt eyes, and small serious smile. It was a sight to behold when she laughed, and Seiya wished she would do it more often. Her long brown hair was pulled into a ponytail, just like the hair of the other two.
Taiki was currently in the middle of what looked to be an important conversation with the other member of the trio, Yaten Kou.
Whereas Taiki was the tallest, Yaten was the shrimp of the group, measuring five feet, a full seven inches shorter than Taiki. She had sparkling green eyes, and a very short fuse. She had more of a girlish beauty, with her silver hair, and she loved to primp as often as possible. The most likely place you would find Yaten would be in the bathroom, in front of the mirror.
Seiya shook his raven head at the oblivious pair. Seiya was different from his best friends in a very big way. Seiya was not female. And he was drop dead sexy. There was no other way to describe him. He had long, flowing black hair was pulled into a ponytail at the nape of his neck, and the front of it was layered in a disheveled way that made him look totally dangerous. His deep indigo eyes shone with laughter at some times, and at others were so sensual and captivating that you couldn't help but stare into them for as long as you wished. They just pulled you in, and didn't let go.
They had been wandering around the moon for awhile now, and Seiya, lost in his thoughts, didn't notice the beautiful lady in front of him until after he had effectively knocked the both of them to the floor.
'Eh! Watch where you're going!!'
'Excuse me?' the young girl replied. She couldn't have been more than Seiya's age. 'Shouldn't you be apologizing to me? Or do you have no manners?!?'
She was very flustered and Seiya was amused at how feisty she appeared to be. 'You're right, gomen! I should have watched where I was going, but I thought you'd be glad to bump into me!'
The girl stared up incredulously at him. 'Why would I of all people be happy to bump into a little boy like yourself?'
'Because I'm so damn cool,' Seiya replied calmly, acting just slightly cocky. (just slightly ^_^)
'Well, I've never heard anyone speak to me in such a manner before!!! You're lucky if I don't pull the Queen into this one!' The girl still sat on the floor, in a heap of wispy thin layers of fabric wrapped around her in some sort of gown.
By now Yaten and Taiki had snapped out of their own world and had noticed what had happened.
'Oh, no,' Yaten jumped in. 'please don't call the Queen! Seiya doesn't mean to be a cocky bastard! It was a birth defect, honest!' She whacked Seiya on the arm. 'You don't have to be an asshole everywhere we go! You could at least help the poor girl up.' She scolded.
'Yes Seiya, please do,' Taiki jumped in.
'Okay, okay, fine!!! I'll help you up, if you promise not to sick the Queen on me. Deal?' He smiled down at the very pissed off girl. To his surprise, she appeared to be thinking about his proposal, and then she smiled sweetly at him.
'Okay!' She held up her arm, her disposition totally different then what it had been only a moment ago.
Seiya pulled her to her feet and she smiled warmly at him and the girls. She wiped off her dress, and turned to Yaten. I like you, you're very outspoken for a lady, and I've been trying to tell mother for ages that women don't have to be all soft and wimpy all the time! We should meet up some time and hang out.'
'O-okay, sure!' Yaten looked very pleased that she had managed to make a friend so quickly. 'We just got here, to the Moon I mean, so if we do, it'll have to be at your place.'
'That's no problem for me,' the young lady said. 'See that there?' She pointed in the direction of a huge, shining white palace. 'That's where I live. Drop by whenever you have the time.'
'Serenity! Serenity-hime!' The group turned to look at a blonde in orange running up to them. 'Serenity,' she gasped for breath, having finally reached them. 'The Queen is looking for you. Everyone's ready for the etiquette lessons except for you, and you know what Rei's going to say. Oh, hello.' She said turning to acknowledge the trio of strangers.
'Oh, pooh!' Serenity sighed. 'Mother's always so picky!! How can she expect me to agree to the etiquette lessons and be on time for them too? Besides, Minako, I don't think I need to improve myself, princesses are fine the way they are.'
She turned to walk up to the palace and looked behind her at the group she had left behind. 'Bye! I'll see you three later in the palace I suppose!'
'Ja ne, Odango!' Seiya shouted back at her, referring to the unique way she had styled her hair.
'Seiya!!!! Oooh, you'll pay for that the next time I see you!' And with that her and the girl she had called Minako ran the rest of the way to the palace.
Seiya didn't even realize he was staring at Serenity as she ran away until Yaten decided to bring him back to Earth, er, the MOON, by smacking him upside the head.
'Hello, Seiya! What the hell were you so happy about?'
'Yeah,' Taiki agreed. 'You were standing there with the silliest little grin on your face. What for?'
Seiya smirked. 'Did it look any thing at all like the little grins you and Yaten keep getting around each other, hmm?'
Taiki flushed. 'I don't know what you're talking about!' she protested.
Seiya just kept on smirking, and decided to let them keep their secret for now. 'So, our new friend lives in the palace.' He mused out loud, hoping no one heard the little twist he had put on 'friend'.
'Don't be thick, Seiya.' Taiki shook her head at him. 'The Queen is her mother. She's the princess for Kami-sama's sake! That's why she lives in the palace. You know, you're very lucky she decided not to tell her mother about your behaviour, otherwise me might have found ourselves being kicked off the Moon after just arriving.'
Seiya tried to ignore the sadness that accompanied the thought of leaving the moon, or rather, leaving certain inhabitants of the moon. Though he had just met her, he felt a strange liking to the Tsuki no Princess, and he wanted to get to know her better. He wandered around with his companions, lost in his thoughts, as he waited until they could meet the princess again later that day.
*****
'Come on!!' Seiya pulled Yaten and Taiki forward impatiently. They were almost at the palace and he didn't want to wait any longer than he had to.
They made their way up to the grounds and stood at the gates. They were unsure of how to make themselves known, so they just stood there for a few minutes.
Seiya scanned the grounds and noticed Serenity sitting by herself in the middle of a garden. It was somewhat secluded, and he knew that unless he pointed it out Yaten and Taiki wouldn't be able to tell she was there. He decided to use this to his advantage.
'Hey, why don't you two look for her around the palace's right side? She might be outside and if she is, then we avoid having to introduce ourselves to whoever opens the door.'
Taiki and Yaten exchanged confused glances, but did as he suggested anyways, most likely so they could be alone for awhile.
Seiya waited until he couldn't see them anymore, and then made his way over to the princess.
Serenity was absolutely bored with everything and everyone around her. They were all so polite and proper. It just bored her to death.
Her mother had this idea that women should be faithful little lap-dogs to the men around them, and be lady-like, and all the other crap that Serenity didn't want to be. She thought that if she was going to be with a man, she wasn't going to serve him! And she would not be sold off like some pretty little plaything.
Not only that, but everyone she met was to busy trying to be nice, and treat her like... a princess to even notice that she was a person, with feelings, and brains, and hey! She didn't have to be right all the time!!! Just because she was royalty, she didn't want to be treated any different.
She tried to convince herself that that was the reason her mind was so preoccupied with thoughts of that Seiya man she had met that day.
Yeah right, she thought to herself, for as hard as she tried, his image was not removing itself from her brain. She'd never met someone who had stood up to her before. He frustrated her, the way he teased her, and poked fun at her hair, but he also seemed completely sincere when he apologized. He was a walking contradiction.
When Serenity thought of him, she felt warm inside, like she would never ever be cold again. She smiled to herself as the image of face presented itself again. She had never felt this way before, and it was a little frightening, but she thought that it didn't matter how scared she was, as long as she got more of that first feeling.
Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice that she was being watched until the figure behind her spoke.
'Utsukushi, ne?'
Serenity looked up. 'Hai,' she said softly. 'This is the only place that people seem to leave me alone.'
'Oh. Should I leave?' Seiya asked, with an uncertainness that wasn't often seen in him.
She smiled brightly up at him. 'No, please don't! I only meant that mother is too stuffy and work involved to get her shoes dirty by sitting in the dirt like I am. I don't even think she knows this place exists, even though we've lived here our entire lives.' She sighed. 'Oh, I'm sorry to go off on a rant like that. You must think I'm terribly self-involved. Please, sit down.'
Seiya complied and made himself comfortable next to her. If he was sitting a little close, Serenity didn't bring it up.
'Oh, it didn't bother me at all. I could listen to you speak about whatever you want, for as long as you want.'
Serenity blushed. Even though the comment sounded like something someone would say to suck up to her, she could hear the sincerity behind the words. Seiya seemed to wear his heart on his sleeve. It made her somewhat anxious, although for what, she didn't know.
'So where are you're friends? I assume they came with you.' Serenity opted for changing the mood for something lighter.
Seiya laughed. 'See those two over there? The ones that are trying really hard not to be noticed?'
She looked where he was pointing and saw a couple wrapped up in each other's arms, looking very... cozy. 'Oh.'
'They try to hide it from me, but with displays like that, it's hard not to notice.' Seiya smirked. 'Oh well, they want their secret, I figure I can at least let them be happy for awhile.'
'Aren't you three happy?' Serenity questioned curiously.
Seiya's eyes seemed to darken when he turned to look at her. 'Oh we're pretty much always happy, but... I'm happier here than before.'
Serenity started to get lost in his endless eyes. 'On the Moon?' She said innocently.
Seiya laughed under his breath. 'I meant with you.'
She was drowning in them now, she couldn't pull herself out. 'Oh,' was all she said again.
She leaned in closer to him, as if his eyes were calling her forward, and he didn't pull back. Before she could even register what she was doing, her lips brushed softly against his, and she felt as if this was all she needed to survive.
'Seiya!!! We wanted you to tell us when you had found her, not keep her all to yourself!'
Seiya looked up into the faces of Yaten and Taiki, the moment effectively lost.
'Well, he would have called you, but you looked so comfortable in each other's arms that we decided to leave you alone.' Serenity stated calmly.
Seiya laughed as he noticed the deep red blush that was creeping up on Yaten's face. 'Don't worry, we can pretend that we didn't see!'
'You speak for yourself,' Serenity said. 'I plan on bringing this up as many times as possible.' She laughed, noticing how uncomfortable the two women appeared. 'Don't worry, I won't bug you, I promise! Now, I want you three to tell me all about yourselves. And what your life was like before you came to the Moon.'
***
The days were passing quickly, and Serenity and Seiya had grown closer, getting to know each other slowly, and their kisses evolving to a new state of passion.
Serenity thought she had everything going perfect, until Seiya walked into her room looking extremely depressed.
She stood to greet him, and pulled him into a hug. 'Hey, what is wrong?' she asked him, worry clouding her features.
Seiya just looked up at her and shook his head sadly. 'We're leaving,' he said, getting straight to the point. 'In a few weeks.'
Serenity was shocked, no, she was beyond shocked. She let herself sink slowly to her bed, and felt Seiya sit down beside her.
'Why didn't you tell me before?' she asked numbly.
'I just found out myself,' he explained. 'Yaten and Taiki are eager to see more of the universe, and we promised each other that we would always stay together.'
'So that's it?' Serenity asked miserably. 'You're just going to leave me?'
She looked sorrowfully into Seiya's eyes, and saw him furiously wiping tears out of his eyes.
'You're really tempting me, you know that?' He pulled her into his arms, and she broke down crying into his shoulder.
'I don't want you to go!' She wailed.
Seiya tried to comfort her, but it wasn't working because he couldn't focus on being strong and he just cried with her. 'I know, I don't want to leave you either. But you know? All three of us have really connected with this little Moon, and I have a feeling we'll be back.'
'Really?' Serenity sniffled, pressing herself against Seiya's body.
'Hai,' he reassured her. 'I'll convince them one way or another, but I don't think it'll take much; this is the first place we had friends, people we cared about, and I know it hurts them to leave too.'
'Then why leave at all?' Serenity whispered against his throat, kissing it softly while pressing herself into him even more.
Seiya responded to her insistence and kissed her with more passion than either of them had ever felt before. 'You really are trying to tempt me into staying, aren't you?'
Serenity just smiled slyly at him. 'When did you say you're leaving?' she asked, guiding his hands to move around her waist.
'Two weeks.'
'Well, we'll have to make the most of the time we have left, won't we?' Serenity smiled again before kissing him again.
It had started out soft and sweet, but the kiss grew to be hot and urgent, and Seiya's smoothed their way all over Serenity's body before resting on her back, right below the fastenings to her gown. He hesitated a bit, but Serenity kissed him even harder, and he started to undo the fastenings, pushing her down onto her bed.
'Do you want me to stop?' Seiya asked, looking down at the princess beneath him.
'Kami-sama, no!'
He smiled. 'Good, because I'm not letting you go now.'
***
As it turned out, Seiya, Yaten, and Taiki did return to the Moon. They still traveled the Universe, but they would occasionally make a stop a stop at the Moon that lasted for a few months, go somewhere new, and return to the Moon a few months later. Serenity and Seiya were quite happy with how that arrangement was working out.
Seiya had promised Serenity he would return two months after leaving the last time, and as he made his way toward her he smiled at what her reaction would be to see him so soon.
As if sensing his presence, she turned around and a bright smile lit up her face.
'Seiya!' She ran into his arms. 'I missed you so much! You're a month early!' She covered his face in kisses, and he returned the welcome just as enthusiastically.
'Oi! Will you two please break it up? It's really very sickening!'
'Yaten, that's not what you were saying last night, and I'm sure we were just as happy as they are now,' Taiki smirked, and Yaten quickly shut up.
Serenity and Seiya reluctantly broke off their kiss, but remained in each other's arms.
'Thanks you guys, that was really too much information.' Seiya tried to act annoyed, but he was sure it would have worked better if he hadn't had that goofy little grin on his face.
He turned to Serenity. 'We have a surprise for you. We've decided to make ourselves permanent residents of this shining little Moon. If the Queen will have us of course.'
Serenity's eyes widened, and she smiled harder than she ever had. 'Oh, don't worry about that! She'll be happy to have you, after all, you practically live here anyways! I'm going to rush home and tell her right now!' Serenity ran back to the palace.
As it turned out, the Queen really was happy to have them, and she even offered to let them stay in the palace until they could get themselves settled in properly. Which is how they found themselves being given an unnecessary tour of the palace by Serenity.
'It's so great to be back,' Taiki smiled, and Yaten nodded her agreement.
'I've missed you girls so much!' Serenity said, pulling the women into a hug.
Seiya looked over in annoyance. 'I'm feeling a little outnumbered here!'
Serenity hugged him tightly. 'I missed you too, even if you're not a girl.'
'Serenity, must we continue with this tour? We've been in this place more than enough times to know our way around,' Yaten pointed out.
'True,' Serenity agreed. 'But, technically, if people were to find that out, we could all be killed. I'm not supposed to let anyone from outside our Kingdom into the palace without my mother's permission, and neither of you had that. Security is tighter these days, and if people saw that you knew where everything was, suspicions would be raise, questions would be asked, and it would cause some unnecessary problems. Actually, if my mother hadn't offered to let you stay here, I probably wouldn't risk bringing you three here anymore; I could be tried for treason. Well, here's my room, I don't think you've ever been there.'
They walked down an enormous hallway and opened one of the intricately carved mahogany doors.
Taiki looked around the room in wonder. 'I can't believe we've never been in her before.'
'Hey, speak for yourself.' Seiya placed his hand possessively on Serenity's waist, and she blushed.
'Don't lie Seiya!' Yaten snapped. 'Why would Serenity bring you to her roo-- , oh. Never mind.' Yaten blushed bright red with the realization of what she had been implying.
'I know the inside of this room as well as I know the back of my hand.' Seiya persisted. 'And about as well as I know my way around you,' he whispered into Serenity's ear.
She felt her face grow hot, and found herself wishing to be closer to Seiya right at that moment. She quickly composed herself. 'I think it's time I showed you three to your rooms, I'm sure you're very tired.' Serenity brought Taiki, Yaten and finally Seiya to their rooms.
She stepped into his room and closed the door behind them. Before she could say a single word, she felt Seiya's lips pressing on the sensitive skin of her neck. He turned her around and kissed her softly on the lips. Serenity kissed him back passionately, pouring all the pent up emotions she had had while he was gone into that one kiss.
Seiya pulled away. 'Mm, sorry, security, I forgot.'
Serenity smiled softly. 'It's alright. I thought you weren't going to be back for another month.'
Seiya shrugged. 'Yeah, well, I couldn't wait to break the news to you. You know, I'll be able to see you everyday from now on, Sere.'
'Yeah I know.' Serenity trailed her fingers lightly down Seiya's chest. 'I'll leave you to get settled. Come see me tonight, okay?' She kissed him gently and slipped out of the room before he had a chance to answer.
***
Several days later found Serenity and Seiya standing in a shadowy hallway, kissing passionately.
Serenity pulled away from Seiya and linked her arm through his. 'Wanna go for a walk?' she asked.
'Won't you get into serious trouble if your mother finds out you're in love with someone from outside the galaxy?' Seiya asked, worried.
Serenity pouted. 'I'll deal with my mother when we get to that point. I love you, and I couldn't care who knows. The entire Universe could know, and I want them too!'
'That wouldn't be very wise.' A voice came from even deeper in the shadows, and Serenity felt something hard strike her on the back of the head. The last thing she saw was someone tall looming over Seiya as she struggled to break free. She tried to call out, but the darkness consumed her...
***
Serenity woke in her bed and rubbed her eyes groggily. Her head was pounding and the last thing she remembered was telling Seiya she loved him.
What happened? she wondered, but she didn't have too long to dwell on the thought because Yaten burst into her room, out of breath.
'Have you seen Seiya? Taiki and I looked everywhere!'
'Huh?' Serenity looked up blankly. She shook her head to clear the fog that was clouding her senses.
'No, uh, I haven't seen him. I'm sure he's okay,' she said, trying to remember why she felt as though that were a lie.
Yaten looked at her suspiciously. 'Alright, I'm gonna go look some more. Maybe you should take another nap.'
Yaten quickly left the room, and Serenity let out a breath she wasn't aware she was holding.
Think Sere! What the hell happened? Why do you feel like you just told the biggest lie in the world?
'I thought she'd never leave.'
Serenity felt a hand on her shoulder and almost screamed. She jumped out of bed and turned to face her intruder. She tried not to laugh at herself, for her intruder turned out to be none other than the terribly annoying, not to mention boring, man who kept trying to force his way down Serenity's lifestyle. Or rather, her pants. (you know, if she wore pants.)
'Endymion. What are you doing in my room? Have you no respect?'
Endymion chuckled. 'Ah, but it's you who should have respect for me.' He grabbed her roughly around the waist, and she struggled, pushing against him.
Serenity slapped him across the face. 'Endymion, stop it! I shall call the guards!'
Endymion's eyes narrowed and he hit her roughly across the head, sending fresh waves of pain washing over her. 'Stop moving if you don't want me to knock you out again.'
Serenity suddenly remembered what had happened out in the hallways, how Seiya had been struggling with someone about the same height as Endymion.
'Seiya! What did you do with Seiya? I need to see him now!' Serenity was frantic and she couldn't contain her tears.
Endymion smiled cruelly. 'Your former lover? Oh don't worry, I'll take you to him. I want you to suffer as well. In fact, let's go to him right now.' He clamped his hand over her mouth and proceeded to drag her down to the dungeons, fighting all the way.
Endymion forced her into the dank room and shoved her face down onto the floor. She cried out as she hit the ground, and then she lay there shivering.
'Odango,' a voice rasped from above her.
Serenity looked up and had to stop herself from crying out again. Each of Seiya's arms was chained to the wall on either side of him, and he was suspended 3 feet off the ground. His body was bruised and ragged, and his hair was coated in filth.
'Oh Seiya.' Serenity stood up and stood in front of Seiya. She mouthed the word 'Aishiteru', and then turned to Endymion. 'Please,' she pleaded. 'Unchain him.'
Endymion walked slowly to the dirty wall where Seiya hung. 'If you insist.' He took his time in unlocking the manacles around Seiya's wrists, a bored expression on his face. He didn't bother catching Seiya.
Serenity winced as Seiya's battered body hit the ground. She knelt beside him and kissed him soft as a feather, as if afraid that she would further damage his already broken body. 'Oh Seiya, what did he do to you?' She murmured softly.
Endymion laughed at her. 'I' could demonstrate if you like.' He raised his arms and pointed them at the couple on the floor.
Seiya's body began writhing wildly and he screamed in agony.
'Stop it!' Serenity screamed. 'What are you doing to him?!?'
'I've been doing a number of things just like this to him all afternoon.' Endymion answered. 'Right now, however, he feels as if his entire body is an open wound, throbbing, warm flesh. He feels the pain of millions of tiny red ants, crawling all over him, each tiny leg creating sweet waves of pain washing through him.' He shot a disturbing smile in Serenity's direction. 'Can you imagine the pain of a speck of dust in an open wound? This must be thousands of times worse. Not only that, some of the ants bite right into his soft flesh. Delicious!' His cruel laughter filled the dungeon.
Serenity glared at him. 'You monster!' She pushed Seiya's bangs off his forehead gently. 'Seiya, look at me.'
And he did. The minute Seiya looked up into Serenity's eyes and saw the sweet adoration, all the love and determination there, he was okay. He steeled himself against the pain and willed himself not to scream again. He didn't want to give the prissy bastard the satisfaction.
Endymion stopped inflicting the sheer torture on Seiya and continued to laugh loudly. He looked at Serenity, Seiya in her arms, her face buried in his chest. 'You two better make the most of this while you still can. Serenity, seeing as how your mother saw nothing standing in her way, no proof of another lover, you have been promised to me. You are no longer his, but mine!'
Serenity looked coldly at him. 'I will never be yours. Not willingly.'
Endymion stood next to Serenity and pulled her off of the ground. He pulled her roughly against him. 'You must have misunderstood. You are mine, whether you want to be or not. I will take you forcefully if need be, but I will have you.' He backhanded her solidly across the face and sent her falling to the ground once more.
Seiya dragged himself to his feet and stood in front of Serenity, as if he was shielding her. 'Don't touch her!' he screamed.
'How touching. Now step aside!' Endymion drew his word from its sheath and pointed it dangerously at Seiya.
Seiya stood defiantly with his head raised high.
'Seiya, do as he says!' Serenity pleaded. She got up and stood at his side.
Endymion shook his head in wonder. 'Do you honestly think that the two of you will be able to stop me from what I'm about to do?' He knocked Serenity aside.
Seiya turned his back to Endymion for just one second, to make sure that Serenity was okay. She didn't even have a chance to warn him, she could only scream.
Everything seemed to happen in slow motion; the point of the sword sliding into Seiya as if he was as soft as butter, blood pooling from the wound; Seiya opened his mouth to speak and more blood flowed freely out of from his lips. He fell to his knees, and Serenity positioned herself behind him, resting his body on her lap.
'Oh, Kami-sama... Seiya, hold on! If I can get you to my mother you'll be okay, just hold on a little longer!' Serenity tried to stop the tears, but they came anyway.
Seiya smiled weakly up at her. 'I love you,' he whispered.
'I don't want to lose you now!' Serenity cried in anguish.
'Mou, you'll see me again. I'm not done with you yet! Be strong okay? Make sure you're there for Yaten and Taiki. Tell them, tell them I love them...' Seiya closed his eyes and Serenity felt his life slip away, as if a part of her had died as well.
She sobbed brokenly, creating the most heart-wrenching sounds to anyone who heard her. She grasped Seiya's body tightly, but found herself being pulled from him and being dragged to her room. She shrieked and kicked, but to no avail.
Endymion dumped her unceremoniously on her bed and barred the door shut from the outside.
Serenity heard the voice of her mother, the Queen, and the Endymion answering back.
'She's quite delirious,' he said. 'She thinks that Seiya's her lover, and that I've murdered him. She has an extremely high fever, and I think the safest place for her to be right now is in her room.'
'He's lying! Mother, he's killed him! My love, my Seiya!' Serenity pounded against her door, screaming to be let out, but no one answered her calls.
It was hours later when she finally gave up and crawled into her bed, pulled her covers up over her head, and fell into a fitful sleep.
***
'Serenity, you bitch! Wake up!' Serenity opened her eyes to find Yaten leaning over her, mad as hell.
'Yaten, stop. We do not know the true story yet.' Taiki stood in the doorway to Serenity's room, wiping tears from her eyes periodically.
Yaten scowled but stepped away, and Taiki knelt by Serenity's bed.
'You see, a very strange man approached us today as we were looking for Seiya. He told us that if we wanted to see him we should follow him.
'As we were walking he informed us that Seiya was to be put to death for plotting against the Queen, and that the only person who could drop the charges was you.
'He said that you were properly informed of what was going on, but that you had opted to stay in your room and sleep, instead of going to save Seiya.'
'Serenity, how would you feel; seeing your best friend, dead and lying in pools of his own blood?' Yaten burst in, glaring. 'I thought you loved him, how could you do this?'
Serenity stood up and let the tears fall freely from her eyes. 'Yaten let me explain! You don't even know the truth!' Serenity moved closer to Yaten but Yaten just glared even harder.
'Tell me this is not your fault. Tell me that Seiya would still be dead right now, even if we hadn't met you.'
Serenity shook her head. 'I-I can't,' she whispered, for she truly believed that she was responsible for Seiya's death. Endymion would never have killed Seiya if Seiya hadn't been in love with Serenity.
Yaten burst into fresh sobs and threw herself into Taiki's arms, and Taiki cradled her head against her shoulder.
She looked disgustingly at Serenity. 'I didn't want to believe it. I trusted you know, but now I know that the only person I can trust is Yaten.
'Please inform your mother that while this is a beautiful kingdom on the outside, the people are too rotten and violent for our tastes, and we will not be returning.' With her arms protectively around Yaten, Taiki swept out of the room and out of Serenity's life.
Serenity never saw either of them again.
***
Serenity was miserable. Actually she was too the point where suicide didn't seem like such a bad idea.
Endymion had raped and she was pregnant.
She knew that if she just turned herself in, and admitted that she had been involved with someone not of her kingdom she would be put to death. The only problem with that was that it would not honour Seiya's death at all.
Besides, she wanted to give Endymion the revenge that came straight from her heart. Maybe that was why she was happy that the Earth was being invaded by Metallia. If Endymion's people suffered, surely he would too.
No, those were horrible thoughts. Serenity pushed them out of her mind. She didn't want innocent people to suffer, no matter how much their prince deserved to die a slow and painful death.
She looked up and saw Endymion walking down the hall towards her.
'Metallia has plans to invade the Moon Kingdom,' he told her.
Serenity blanched. 'No...' she whispered.
'I'm afraid so. She has discovered my presence here, so it would probably be best if I left. Went back to Earth for awhile.'
Serenity was about to tell him that that would be best, but a horrible screeching noise, like a hundred dying demon birds filled the palace. The sound was enough to drive you to your knees and wish you were dead.
'Shimatta!' Endymion cursed. 'I think it's too late for that! Stay here!'
Endymion ran outside into the chaos. People were running wildly, but Metallia stood proud and tall in a clearing right at the center of the chaos, waiting, seemingly, for Endymion.
Serenity defied him and ran out to the clearing Justin time to hear him say, 'You're a dirty whore, and you're pushy. The little rabbit I'm with now is certainly useless, but she's a good fuck, and she holds a lot of money. No, I think I'll stay right here; I'd rather have someone with a pretty face, than someone with power. Besides, your power's not so great. Why don't you train a little harder?'
Endymion's words cut straight into Serenity. She knew that Endymion only wanted her for her body, but it hurt to hear herself spoken of in such a manner.
Metallia seethed with rage. 'How dare you insult me so blatantly? You do not know who you are dealing with!' And before them Metallia transformed into the most hideous creature anyone had ever seen. (you mean she gets worse? Is that even possible?)
Before Endymion could even blink, his entire body was pulsing with a dark, electric energy, and his body fell to the floor, putrid smoke rising off of him.
'No!' Serenity ran to his side. 'Damn it, you're not supposed to die yet!' She pulled Endymion's sword out of its sheath, and rested its hilt on the ground, so that it pointed straight up into the sky.
'My love,' she said softly. 'I'm coming to be with you now. I'm sorry I didn't get to avenge your death. Aishite...' She threw herself down onto the sword and didn't even scream when the sharp point ripped into her flesh and forced itself out through her back. She welcomed the pain, knowing that when it was over she would be with Seiya again.
***
Usagi opened her eyes, still clasping Seiya's hands tightly. Seiya kept his eyes closed, however, receiving even more memories from the past. Usagi had opened the floodgates, starting with her own memories, but know he was remembering everything as it had happened through his own eyes. Another life he didn't know he had lived was playing itself out in his head.
He pulled Usagi close and held her tight. 'I remember everything. I remember meeting Yaten and Taiki. I remember how mad my parents were when I told them I was leaving Kinmoku-sei. Thank you Odango, for showing me. What made you remember?'
Usagi blushed, looking embarrassed. 'I have a feeling that Mamoru's been repressing my memories of you, and changing them to look like I loved him all along. But I found you; we beat him and he can't separate us anymore.'
'I wish he was evil. Then I could just blast his ugly head off with my beautiful laser,' Seiya groused.
Usagi laughed and lay her head down on Seiya's chest. 'You know, Setsuna- san always said that it was written in the stars that Mamoru and I should be together, but now I kinda think that it's one giant typo up there. You're a nagareboshi, what do you say?'
'I'm positive it's a typo,' Seiya answered.
'Hey,' Usagi lifted her head off of his chest. 'What day is it?'
Seiya thought for a second before answering. 'July 30, why?'
Usagi shook her head. 'Just curious. I'll go make breakfast. You can stay and sleep if you want; I know it's been tough.' Usagi walked out of the room, and Seiya fell back on the pillows, deciding to take Usagi's advice and sleep a bit more.
Thirty minutes and a shower later found Seiya sitting at the table in his kitchen, being served by Usagi. 'You didn't have to cook or serve me, Odango,' he said, feeling guilty.
She shrugged and smiled. 'I know,' she said, setting down two full plates on the table. 'Look, I didn't burn the pancakes! I thought for sure I would, you know, being back to normal and all.'
Seiya laughed. 'I don't care if all you ever cook is pancakes, I like you better this way because you're the real you. Besides, now I can call you Odango and mean it.'
'Mou,' Usagi pouted.
They ate in a comfortable silence for awhile before Seiya stood and began to clear the table.
Usagi jumped out of her seat. 'Sit down!' She grabbed the plates out of his hands and walked them over to the sink. 'I think I'll clear up today.'
'And should I just sit and watch you?' Seiya asked sarcastically.
'Yes.' Usagi proceeded to wash the dishes. She scrunched her face up as she concentrated on scrubbing the frying pan clean, and Seiya laughed right in her ear.
Usagi jumped a little and smacked Seiya lightly on the arm. 'Don't startle me!'
'Gomen, gomen! You just looked too cute. I'll just move over here, to the sofa, and wait for you to finish washing all those dishes so that I don't have to be sitting here, all by myself...' Seiya smirked. (author melts ^_^)
Usagi looked at Seiya, then at the almost empty sink, then back at Seiya again before throwing her hands in the air and sitting down close to Seiya. Practically on his lap, to be exact. (lucky little...)
'Dishes can wait,' she whispered against his lips before kissing him passionately. Seiya moved his hands behind her head and slipped his tongue into her mouth.
'Mmm... happy birthday Seiya,' Usagi murmured.
'Hm, is that why I'm getting all this special treatment?'
Usagi trailed her hand down his chest. 'Well, I just wanted to make sure that you were enjoying your first day as a seventeen year old.' She moved her hand even lower.
Seiya smiled lazily. 'Well, it's getting off to a good start.' He pulled her in for another kiss. HE slipped his hands under her shirt and traced his fingers over her satiny skin, eliciting little shivers up and down her spine. He was pulling her even closer when he felt someone grab his shoulder roughly and pull him away from Usagi.
He looked up into a pair of light green eyes.
'Seiya Kou! What the hell do you think you're doing??'
and that's the end of that little chapter. actually, not so little; it took me a hell of a long time to write. this has got to be the most tedious chapter ever. I hope this little trend of taking ten years to type a chapter doesn't continue, or I will be so ready to take a vacation at the end of this story. ya know, this is barely even into the story yet. we have a looong way to go. until next time, Seiya lover's! ^_^
~*VioletAngel*~