KOBAN WA MINNA! Guess who this is!? It's me XAPH! Well lucky for you I have a little under ten pages left to write and that's REALLY good cause after Saturday I won't be here anymore! So I'll try my darndest to get it up before Christmas! Ja ne! Love you! PS If owned Sailor Moon I would have more money and nor be about two hundred in the hole, ne?

"And where have you been all night?" Yaten asked as Seiya hung his coat up. It was a little warm in the apartment and Seiya could only figure that it was Yaten's doing. He smiled at him.

"At Usagi's, why?" Seiya went to the kitchen for a glass of water. Taiki was at the table watching them and the possible quarrel.

"Usagi's? And exactly what were you doing there?" Yaten asked. Seiya sipped his water, watching him with bored eyes over the rim of his glass. He took the glass away from his lips to speak.

"Making hot, passionate love to her," Seiya said nonchalantly, shrugging his shoulders. Yaten and Taiki's face went a little pink. Seiya grinned at them. "All night," He added, then finished his water and went to take a shower.

He stripped his clothes off and stepped into the hot stream of water, his thoughts drifting away immediately. They went on and on forever until the stopped abruptly on a scene the night before. More precisely: to the gifts that were exchanged.

Usagi! He wanted a gift for Usagi… he wanted to give her something in return for all the joy she brought him.

He stepped out of the shower and quickly decided that that was going to be his next task. He just hoped he could find the perfect gift…

Seiya went out later that day, wandering through the busy streets. He stopped occasionally to look at something that caught his eye, but nothing yet. He'd almost given up hope when he saw it. It was perfect…

It was a pretty necklace with a little golden heart and a silver star in it's center, and a diamond in the center on the star. It was screaming Usagi. He walked into the store, it was one of the smaller shops on the street.

"Um, excuse me? I'd like to buy that necklace in the window, the one with the heart and the star?" he asked the clerk. She looked up from her window cleaning to stare smack into the face of a 'long-lost rock star'.

"You're Kou Seiya! Of the Three Lights!" She looked as thought might explode with excitement, "You were ALWAYS my favorite! You're just so cute… and you're single too!"

"Er… was. I have a girlfriend now," He lied. She really wasn't his… not yet anyway. He smiled, then quickly hid it at the girl's downcast look. "That necklace… I'd like to buy it." He repeated.

"Oh, fine all right," She stormed over to the display and brought it to Seiya. He looked at the price and smiled. Money was no object to him. When the three of them left earth all their assets had apparently grown… and about quadrupled, so Seiya was nearing billionaire-ism, as were the other two. Not that money would have ever been a problem before… but it was less of a problem now.

"You can have it engraved you know," Said a voice from the back. Seiya looked over to see an old man coming out to him. He was a short man, bald with tuffs of white hair on the side, he used a cane to walk and his voice held a little bit of a quiver. "That is the only necklace like that I made, I wanted someone very special to receive it."

Seiya looked at the necklace, then at its creator, "She's special to me. A lot more then I sometimes realize…"

The man smiled, "Ah, love… it's a thing that no man can live without. Would you like me to engrave it for her?"

Seiya thought for a quick moment before he spoke, "Hai. Can you have it say: To My little star, Odango. Love: Seiya?"

The man smiled, "I think I can do that. I'll have it ready by four o'clock tomorrow."

"Domo-arigato!" Seiya said happily. He paid for the necklace and left the shop in excitement and happiness, and in return he knocked down some girl. He gasped and looked down at the young woman sprawled on the pavement.

"Well, fancy meeting you here," a sweet voice drawled at him.

Seiya laughed and helped Usagi to her feet. She dusted herself off and smiled up at him, "What are you doing out?" He asked. He watched as Usagi picked up a few bags and looked up to him.

"Shopping, what does it look like?" She chuckled, holding up her bags.

"Couldn't guess," Seiya laughed.

"So what are you doing out here?"

"Taking a walk." He shrugged.

"Oh… can I join you?" Usagi asked shyly.

"I would like that," He laughed. And so the two walked through the city, wrapped in each other's presence. They stopped in the park.

"I wish there was snow," Usagi said bluntly.

"What is snow like, Usagi?" Seiya asked.

"Beautiful. Cold, but beautiful."

"Will it snow?"

"I'm hoping it will. The first thing I want to do is smack you in the head with a snow ball!" Usagi giggled.

"What?" Seiya looked appalled.

"A snow ball! It's a ball of snow you can throw at people! The girls and I have some major snow ball fights," She laughed some more.

Seiya shook his head and Usagi carried on about other holiday traditions and things. Seiya listened intently and wished he could be part of some of them.

"Well, I guess…" She sounded as if she were ready to go.

"Oh, don't leave me," Seiya pleaded. Usagi laughed and shook her head.

"Alright. I won't," She said getting up from the bench, she looked around, then sat quickly back down.

"What is it?" Seiya asked. Her eyes were wide and her face had gone stark white.

"There…" Usagi pointed at a tall, dark haired man with his muscular arms wrapped around the waist of some woman, kissing her neck. Seiya had seen this man only once before but he knew him.

"Oh, Usagi… Usagi I'm so sorry… don't… don't cry…" Seiya said, looking at the tears in her eyes. Seiya took her into his arms and rocked her gently. "Shhhh…" He kissed the corners of her eyes.

"What did I do…? I guess that explains why he's been so distant lately…" Usagi sobbed into Seiya's chest, clenching fistfuls of his shirt in her hands.

Seiya kept her tightly into his arms as he sent a cold look in Mamoru's direction. Usagi pulled away from Seiya suddenly and grabbed her bags then ran off.

"Usagi, Wait!" he called, running after her. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Mamoru's gaze following Usagi's retreating figure.

"Usagi!" he finally caught up with her and grabbed her arm. "Shhhh, Usagi, it's just me. It's okay, calm down…" he took her into his arms again and tried his best to calm her down.

She stood there in pure, upset shock. Seiya led her home, kissing her head and holding her tight. Finally they reached her house and she said good bye to him through her tears.

"Usagi," Seiya took her chin in his hands and brought her face to meet his. "He's not worth these tears," he brushed them off with his thumb, "I love you… and I know that you aren't ready to say that you love me back, and you don't even really know how you feel about me."

"Seiya, I-" Usagi began to speak, but Seiya placed his fingertips on her lips.

"Shhhh, Usagi, it's okay. You don't have to say anything yet," he kissed her soggy cheek and smiled at her.

"You know I'll be back tomorrow. Good-bye, Usagi." He walked off, smiling over his shoulder.

Usagi stood there dumbfounded at his words and actions. She blushed and went into the house. Shingo was sitting down, watching TV. He looked up at her as she walked in.

"Usagi? What's up?"

She smiled suddenly, "Nothing. And I think I like it that way." She took off her coat and sat next to him, saying nothing more.

"Some one was here to see you," Yaten said as Seiya walked in. Seiya looked confused for a moment.

"Who?"

"It was that Tuxedo Kamen guy…Seiya, I don't like him. He didn't exactly seemed pleased to be here, or that he was looking for you for that matter," Taiki said.

"Mamoru was here?"

"That's his name?" Yaten said, then he shrugged, "Yeah, he said to tell you he'd been here."

"Well, that's good for him," Seiya said crossly, walking into the kitchen. Taiki followed him.

"It's something about him and Usagi isn't it?" he asked.

"Unfortunately…"

"So what is it…? Or am I not allowed to ask?"

"He's cheating on her… and I guess she didn't know before… so it was a bit of a shock…"

"Poor Usagi," Taiki said.

"Yeah… well, tomorrow and the day after I'll be with her… so maybe…"

"Why?" Yaten asked, joining them.

"It's Christmas… a holiday of earth… and she wants me to celebrate with her…" Seiya blushed at their faces.

"You haven't been this happy in ages, Seiya," Taiki said suddenly. Yaten nodded.

"Looks like you've found where you want to be for the rest of your life."

Seiya blushed, but nodded a little, "Hai… what about you two…?"

"Wouldn't be the same with out you, Seiya. So if you stay, we stay too… besides… there are… people we might be attached to…" Yaten blushed quickly and looked away. Taiki blushed right along with Yaten.

"Ah," Seiya said, smiling. Minako would like this. Ami would like it too.

Usagi was up bright and early the next morning. It was Christmas Eve, she couldn't believe it. She took her shower and finished wrapping a few gifts. She was so excited, her gift for Seiya couldn't be topped!

It was about ten when Shingo groggily walked into the living room, where Usagi was happily placing the freshly wrapped gifts under the tree.

"Morning, sleepy-head!" she said laughing, she crawled out from under the tree and Shingo raised an eyebrow.

"Don't tell me… there's a gift for Seiya under there?" he asked, suddenly angry.

"Hai, and what is the problem with that?" Usagi asked in 'that tone'.

"You know what I find wrong with it, Usagi," Shingo snapped back.

"He makes me happy, Shingo. For once I'm actually happy…"

"Like you were when you were with Mamoru?" Shingo retorted.

"Shingo… sometimes I don't even know why I bother with you," Usagi turned away from him, "And he's coming for diner tonight, so keep your thoughts to yourself," She called out over her shoulder, then turned and left him alone and angry.

Seiya woke up, chilled air sweeping across his bare chest. His eyes drifted open, a smile splitting across his face. He'd had wonderful dreams about him and Usagi. Christmas was something he was certain he'd hold dear.

He rolled over and buried his face into his down pillow, trying to bring back the images. Usagi and him kissing under mistletoe; Usagi unwrapping his gift, and her eyes lighting up; Him and Usagi falling asleep together, in front of a roaring fire.

"Seiya! Baka, wake up! It's twelve o'clock!" Yaten pounded on his door.

"Shut up," Seiya mumbled into his pillow, drawing the covers over his head. Yaten pounded on the door again.

"LAZY ASS, get out here!" Yaten yelled again, "You've got company."

"Screw you…" Seiya mumbled, grabbing his ponytail holder.

"Yeah, screw you too," Yaten rolled his eyes and walked away from the door.

It took Seiya another five minutes before he walked out into the living room. A pair of azure eyes stared back at him.

"What do you want?" Seiya hissed, suddenly awake again.

"I don't know… what do you want? Hmm… could it be my girlfriend?"

"Your girlfriend! Ha! If you even loved her a quarter of what I do, you'd treat her better," Seiya snipped.

"Don't you even fucking tell me what to do! She's not yours, bastard," His voice was colder then ever, and possessive in the scariest way.

"Oh… do you wanna bet? She'll be mine before the night is over…" Seiya smiled smugly at Mamoru.

"She's still my queen… Crystal Tokyo will start with us," Mamoru's eyes glinted evilly as Seiya was slowly losing his temper. So that's what he was after, power. Usagi deserved a hundred times more then what Mamoru was worth.

"Or with me," Seiya said. "I love her. Know the meaning of that word, Mamoru?"

The phone rang and no one moved to get it. Taiki looked out at the scene and quickly picked it up, "Moshi-Moshi?… Oh… This really isn't a good time… all right… I'll tell him…. Uh… Merry Christmas to you too." Taiki hung up the phone.

"Who was that?" Seiya asked.

"Usagi, she wants you to come over tonight. At six, um… for diner. Hey! I'm just the messenger, Mamoru-san. I have nothing to do with this."

"Cursed be every one of you. The freaks." Mamoru was cold.

"Cursed be your empty black heart, Mamoru," Seiya retorted, "Now get out of my house."

"I'm not done with you yet, Kou," he hissed back.

"Like hell you are," Seiya pulled back and socked him one good in his face, "Now get the hell out of my house."

Mamoru glared at him, before leaving the apartment with as much dignity as he could muster (which wasn't a lot).

"Fuck him," Seiya hissed again before he went to the bathroom to shower. He had better things to do then fight with a lost cause.

The day went by and Seiya left the apartment, and little after four thirty to head to the jewelry store to get Usagi's Christmas gift.

"Well, you're back," The old man was out at the register, "And you don't look very excited."

"I had a bad encounter with a plague on my life," Seiya sighed.

"Known as?"

"My girlfriend's ex-boyfriend," Seiya sighed again.

"ah… competition?"

"Hardly… nothing worth even looking at," Seiya said, he shook off his feelings, "Is her gift ready?"

"Hai," He pulled out a small back velvet box and opened it to show Seiya the beautiful little necklace, and Seiya smiled happily.

"It's beautiful… thank you so much for everything…"

"It was my pleasure, Mr. Kou," The man gave him the box and Seiya placed it in his breast pocket, then paid the rest of the bill.

"Domo-arigato," Seiya said as he walked out of the store.

"You're welcome!" The man said as Seiya walked away. He smiled to himself, he remembered when he was in love too.

Seiya pushed into the crowd again and decided to show up at Usagi's a little early. He hoped she wouldn't mind. It was such a beautiful day… cold… and a little cloudy… okay, very cloudy, but nothing could bring his spirits down right now. He was going to see Usagi!

The little two-story house seemed like heaven to him. Silently he opened the door and walked in, he wanted to surprise her… He heard her in the kitchen, or the sound of banging cookware and a few angry swear words. Seiya tip-toed to the room and walked it, she stood at the sink, cleaning some dishes. He smiled happily to himself as he walked up behind her and put his arms around her.

"Don't touch me! Haven't you done enough damage!" She yelled, then turned around and dropped the pan she was going to strike him with. "Seiya! Oh my god, I'm so sorry… I didn't know it was you!"

Seiya's eyes narrowed, "What happened?" his voice was gruff as he spoke to her.

"I don't know what you're talking about," She turned around to the sink again. Seiya took her hands and pulled her into his arms. He looked into her eyes.

"What happened…" he asked again.

Usagi took one look into his eyes and burst into tears. "Mamoru came, Seiya… he told me I was his and yelled and hit me and… then… then he touched me…"

She looked down in shame as Seiya's rage grew inside him. He touched her… he hit her! This wasn't right! Usagi was beautiful and wonderful, and everything Seiya could ever dream of and Mamoru had killed her spirit. Seiya wrapped his arms around her tighter. He kissed her head and rocked back and forth as she sobbed into his chest.

"It's my fault…" Seiya said, looking down.

"Wha…?" Usagi looked up, astonished.

"If I hadn't gotten him so worked up this morning this never would have happened… if I hadn't come to the blasted planet then this wouldn't have happened!" He was yelling and so angry with himself…

"And I wouldn't be as happy as I've been these past few days…" Usagi interjected suddenly. Seiya looked at her and she felt more teas run down her face. Usagi rubbed her face into Seiya's shirt, "Just hold me, Seiya. Hold me and be with me…"

Seiya kept her tightly in his arms as she tried her best to calm down. He kissed her head again and tried as best as he could to calm her down. He had to find out exactly what happened… and someday he was going to make Mamoru pay… and pay dearly he would.

"Where was Shingo?" Seiya asked.

"Out… he still is…" Usagi gasped through her tears.

"Where did he touch you, Usagi?"

"My chest and… between my legs…" She cried again. Seiya's rage was boiling within him now. Mamoru was certainly going to pay dearly… oh yes…

Seiya led her to the couch where Usagi tried to disappear in his arms. Seiya kissed her gently. "Everything will be fine, Usagi. I promise."

She looked up at him, her eyes soaked with tears. She wanted everything in the world to believe him… and maybe… maybe he was right. Maybe everything would be fine for once… "Really?" She asked, almost begged.

"I promise…" Seiya held her tightly as she began to cry again. Everything was screwed up now… Christmas was supposed to be special… this holiday was supposed to give him Usagi… and it did in some ways. But, here she was crying her eyes out… and all because Seiya had come back…

"Seiya… what am I going to do? I can't ever face him again," She cried heartily.

"You don't have too, Usagi…"

Usagi looked at the ring on her finger. The ring Mamoru had given her nearly two years ago. Now it meant nothing to her… the shine it had once held in her eyes had long since faded. She slipped it off and stared at it for a long time, not saying a word.

Seiya looked at her, then at the ring. He knew what it meant… and now… now she had to decide. Usagi got up from her place in Seiya's arms and went to a small safe in a desk across the room. She turned the dial a few times and it opened. Usagi cast the thing inside without even thinking twice. Then she slammed the door shut and walked back to Seiya.

"Hold me…" her voice was barely over a whisper, but the need in her voice was the strongest Seiya had ever heard it. He pulled her into his arms again and very softly kissed all over her face. She was so close to being his… so close that Seiya didn't know if he could bear the wait any longer.

Usagi had seemed to calm down and she had stopped crying. Now she just seemed to want the silence. The silence… and Seiya's presence.

"Usagi! Usagi, I'm back!" Shingo had entered the house and Seiya was bound to be in trouble. But Usagi didn't seem to care… she was enjoying his arms too much

"Usa- what do you think you're doing?" Shingo's rage seemed to grow inside him as he watched the two of them, curled up together on the couch.

Seiya lifted his eyes and looked right at Shingo. He was content to have her in his arms, and damned be anyone who tried to take her away. Seiya smiled very gently at Shingo, "I'm trying to fix something."

"Like hell you are! Usa-" Shingo stopped. Usagi looked right at him, and Shingo looked into her eyes. There was something within them that Shingo couldn't quite place… was it… love? Was she in love and happy with this man who's arms she was wrapped in? Possibly…

Shingo looked up at Seiya. His own eyes were different also… something he had never seen in Mamoru's… it was almost like the look Usagi held in her eyes… only … stronger. Shingo was shocked. Dead shocked.

'So… he really does love her… he'd better not break her heart…' Shingo drew himself up and looked Seiya right in the eye, "Take good care of her…" he said firmly, then turned and walked up the stairs.

Seiya watched him, confused. But something soon brought his attention away from Shingo's worse. The feel of soft lips on his throat. He looked down at Usagi, who'd kissed his throat to get his attention. He smirked down upon her.

"Yes, Usagi?" He asked.

She snuggled up with him, deciding she liked the silence better right now. Seiya's lips brushed against her cheek and he wrapped his arms softly, but firmly around her. Usagi smiled. She wanted to be his… she always wanted to be his… ever since she met him…

She looked up at him, his eyes locked with hers and there was a sudden deep understanding between the two. He smiled and nuzzled his face into her hair.

"So…" He whispered into her ear after a while, "Does that mean I can call you my girlfriend now?"

Usagi smiled up at him, "Does it mean I can call you my boyfriend now?" She asked. Seiya pulled her close and held her tightly. Nothing in the world could have had him happier at that moment. Everything felt so right when she was near him, as if they were meant to be together for forever. Seiya didn't want anything to tear them apart… everything was wonderful now…

Shingo walked down the stairs and stared right at them, "Usagi! Puh-leese! It's Christmas Eve! Isn't diner, ready?"

"Oh no!" Usagi jumped up and ran to the kitchen. Seiya looked up at Shingo.

"Well?" Seiya asked, "Are you going to accept me, or do you still loathe me?"

Shingo thought for a moment, "I think I can accept you. But if you step one inch out of line with my sister… then I'll remember to take you up on that offer to compensate…" Shingo grinned.

Seiya held out his hand, "Deal."

Shingo gave a small start then took his hand, "At least you're better then Mamoru."

Seiya grunted in response. "Mamoru… what I would give to smack him one hard in the face right now."

"Why's that?" Shingo asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Let's call it a very special holiday gift for me…" Seiya sighed.

"Seiya! Will you help me with this?" Usagi called from the kitchen. Seiya smiled.

"Coming!" Seiya turned to Shingo and smiled, "Thank you for your permission, Shingo. I really do love your sister."

Shingo was about to speak but Usagi's voice came through, "Seiya!" She sounded a little irritated now.

"I'm coming, Usa-chan!" he walked into the kitchen where Usagi was in need of his help.

Shingo chuckled… maybe Seiya wasn't as bad as he thought. He sat down on the couch and listen as Usagi was directing him about the kitchen. He laughed a little, then gave a start as the doorbell rang.

"Shingo? Could you get that please?" Usagi's voice wafted through the living room.

"Oh you say please to him and not to me?" Seiya butted in, chuckling.

"Do you want to find this drumstick down your windpipe?" Usagi retorted, laughing.

Shingo shook his head then answered the door. He opened the door and his body automatically went into fighting stance. Standing there was a particular raven-haired menace that he wanted to wipe from his memory.