~*Give Me Tonight*~
A Seiya-Usagi fanfiction
by Abigail
[abbeyl@hotmail.com]
[http://starsmakenai.cjb.net]
--Sailormoon & all related characters are copyright of Naoko Takeuchi, Toei, Kodansha, and all those other people--
--Part 2--
Seiya was startled when she hugged him. He hesitated at first, then held her tightly close to him, breathing in
the sweet smell of her hair. After a second or two, Usagi squirmed out of his arms, embarrassed and blushing a
bit. "It's just been such a long time."
Seiya brightened. "Shall we do something together, Odango? I could take you to the Megalopolis again,
like old times."
"Okay!" she smiled, and they walked together.
"How have you been?" Seiya asked her. "Have you broken up with your boyfriend yet?"
Usagi stopped. "N-no... Mamo-chan and I..."
Seiya gave a small laugh. "I was only joking, Odango."
Both were silent for a while, but soon they were talking again about memories and old friends, and
catching up on recent events in Usagi's life.
"So Mako-chan was going on and on about this handsome guy," Usagi was saying, "and Minako-chan told
her 'Beauty only gets under the skin.' And his looks really did fool her, 'cause it turns out he was thirty-three
with two kids!" she giggled. "Oh," she said, disappointed. They had reached the entrance to the amusement park.
"I guess it's closed. They're doing new construction."
"That's okay," Seiya said, "We'll go someplace else. C'mon!" He hooked her shirtsleeve and led her away.
"Hey... Seiya...slow down! Where are we going?"
He released her sleeve and slowed his pace. "Where do you want to go, Odango?" He looked around. Not far
away was a small park opposite the big amusement park. Seiya pointed. "There."
They paused on a stone arch bridge spanning the river. Usagi looked down into the swirling, gurgling
water. "It's so peaceful here, isn't it."
Seiya was beside her. "It is," he agreed. "Yours is such a beautiful planet. Almost... as beautiful as
you, you know."
Usagi didn't answer. She didn't look up at him, but she knew he had that look in his eyes. She was watching
the water swirl below her. She was thinking... here they were in the park together, surrounded by other couples.
Anyone who saw them would assume they were a couple as well. It should be Mamo-chan by her side. As beautiful as
you... hadn't Mamo-chan told her that once? But Seiya was a friend, a close and precious friend, and she wouldn't
let anything spoil that friendship. Let people assume what they wanted, she knew her heart. It was Seiya's heart
she was worried about...
All of a sudden Seiya jumped onto the railing. Startled, Usagi stepped back. "Don't Seiya, you'll fall
into the river!" She watched as he walked the length of the railing, then came back.
"I won't fall, Odango, it's easy. See, try it."
Usagi shook her head. "I'd fall for sure. No thanks."
"No you won't," he pressed. "Look, it's wider than a gymnast's balance beam. Give me your hand."
She shook her head again.
"Don't you trust me? Or are you too chicken?"
How was it that this guy knew exactly where to press her nerves? She glared at him. "I'm not a chicken.
Fine. Let me walk the plank with you." She took his hand and climbed onto the railing.
"See, not so bad." he said. "Just don't look down at the water." Usagi swallowed hard. Too late, she'd
already made that mistake. But she surprised herself and stayed steady on the railing. She followed Seiya carefully
as he walked to one end of the bridge. Seiya was less cautious. He walked lightly on his toes, reaching the end
long before she did. He waited for her there.
"Odango..." he began as she made her way shakily toward him. "If I ever asked you something, you would do
it, wouldn't you? A favor, I mean."
"Of course I would, Seiya! What is it that you want?"
"There's nothing. That's all I wanted to ask you."
She reached the end of the bridge where he was and they stood face to face on the narrow railing. "Is it
a promise?" he asked.
She searched his face. "A promise."
Carefully she turned around to walk the length of the railing again, and Seiya followed her. "Do you
remember," he said, "a year and a half ago...? We promised each other we wouldn't keep any secrets from each other."
"Yes. But we kept our secrets anyway."
"Let's not do that again."
"What's wrong, Seiya? What other secret can you have? You can tell me. We're close friends, aren't we?"
Friends. Seiya winced. "You know... that I love you, Odango. That's no secret." His words started to fall
apart as he struggled to say what he meant. "But, Odango... what about you? I know... I know you have your
boyfriend... I know I'll never be the one you love... Odango... but tell me..."
She heard what he was saying, but she had lost her balance, and was losing her battle to regain it.
"Odango, tell me..." He broke off the sentence and reached out to catch her as she began flailing her arms...
Too late. Seiya managed to keep his balance as she toppled into the river with a huge splash. Seconds later
her head reappeared above the water, coughing and sputtering. "Odango! Are you okay!?" He was prepared to jump in
after her.
She looked up, treading water. "I'm fine. I told you I would fall in if I got up on that railing!"
They were both laughing by the time Usagi dragged herself out of the river, sopping wet. Her wet clothes
clung to her body, and her pigtails hung in two heavy, drooping tails.
"You should try the wet rat look more often," Seiya told her. "It suits you."
"Watch it," Usagi warned. She gave him a glare that, with her disheveled appearance, would scare even the
bravest watchdog. "Oooh..." she looked down at her soggy clothes. "What do I do now?"
"I'll take you back to your house so you can change into something dry," Seiya said.
"Right." Usagi followed him. "But wait, Mamo-chan's apartment is closer. It's only a few blocks away. We
can go there."
"Mamoru-san's... apartment? Alright."