KONNICHIWA MINNA! It's me! Xaph-chan! So how've all of you been this lovely day? (Note: It's raining AND snowing here! -_-;;) Any way… here you go, the next chapter of 'Voice' for ya'll. I'm a little worried cause I really don't like the next part to the story so if it takes a little longer then usual, IT"S NOT MY FAULT! ^^;; ANYwho… I just wanted to say a big HI! And that I love you and I LOVE SAILOR MOON, but I don't own it! Ja ne!
He reached out and cupped her cheeks, then kissed her again. Usagi didn't want him to stop, but he did anyway. "Do you want to go for a walk?"
Usagi nodded, then told her parents she was going out and they left. She turned to him as they strolled through the park, "So explain all of this to me."
"All of what?" Seiya questioned, taking her hand.
"Everything… why the little masquerade before?"
"The look on your face was… priceless. Besides, I wanted you to be surprised," Seiya leaned over and kissed her cheek. Usagi blushed.
"Did you tell mum and papa?" She questioned.
"Yes… well, I told them I wanted you as my girlfriend, but that I wasn't sure if you'd take me…"
Usagi looked up at him and smiled softly, "And why wouldn't I take you?"
Seiya chuckled, then kissed her delicately. Usagi loved it… she was finally his. And he was finally hers! Life was near being perfect.
"I'm going to miss lessons…" Usagi blurted out. Seiya chuckled.
"I can still teach you… or try to anyway," he laughed.
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" she said defensively.
"Mmm, you're a distraction," Seiya said, then kissed her cheek. Usagi blushed and looked up at him. She smiled.
"So, was I distraction before… or is this just a new thing?"
"You were a distraction before," Seiya smiled, then wrapped an arm around her waist. Usagi giggled.
"Seiya! Seiya! I've been looking for you all over!" A deep voice suddenly said from behind the two. Seiya stopped and turned around to face a tall man with cobalt eyes and long brown hair, pulled into a ponytail at the nape of his neck.
Seiya let go of Usagi's waist to look calmly, and a little irritably, at the strange, new man. "Hai, Taiki? What is it?" Seiya asked. Usagi looked questioningly from Seiya to the new man.
"We've got to talk about something fairly important… uh… Hi," Taiki looked oddly at Usagi, suddenly realizing that Seiya had once been holding her waist. "Do I know you?"
"No," Seiya said calmly, "Taiki, this is my girlfriend, Tsukino Usagi."
"Girlfriend?" Taiki gave a start, "Since when do you have a girlfriend."
"Since now," Seiya shrugged as Usagi blushed and averted her eyes from Taiki's.
"Usagi, this is my friend, Kou Taiki…" Seiya introduced. Usagi looked up and smiled softly and politely.
"Hello," She said.
Taiki smiled politely back, "Hello," Then quickly turned to Seiya, "Seiya, we've got some major things going on… this is going to be really big…"
Usagi looked questioningly at the two of them as Seiya spoke. "This can't wait? I'm a little busy right now…"
"Speaking of which… Luna isn't going to be so happy about this…"
"Luna's never happy with anything I do. Shoo! I'll get to you guys later, this is a little more important to me right now," Seiya took Usagi's hand again and they walked away. Usagi looked apologetically over her shoulder at a confused and steaming Taiki.
"Who's Luna?" Usagi questioned.
"A friend of ours… she can be a real pain sometimes…" Seiya sighed and shook his head.
"You seem frustrated… is there anything I can do?"
Seiya smiled at her innocence, then bent down and kissed her softly, "You just did." He kissed her again.
Usagi smiled, "Glad I could make you feel better."
Seiya hugged her and played with her golden locks of hair. His fingers drifted down and one hand brushed against the red scar. "By the way… your mother is making you an appointment."
"Nani!" Usagi said. Seiya laughed.
"I told you I would take matters into my own hands if you didn't," Seiya kissed her cheek.
"But I'm fine!" Usagi whined.
"Hardly… I can feel you cringe every time I touch that scar… I'm not stupid…" Seiya kissed her forehead and looked into her eyes, being completely serious. "It's not healthy. I don't trust it, Usagi…"
Usagi made a face. "Hmph!"
Seiya kissed her softly and smiled, "Just like you don't trust me, ne?"
Usagi pouted for a second, "I trust you!"
"Then why won't you go to the doctors for me?" He questioned, smiling.
Usagi made a face and crossed her arms over her chest. Seiya chuckled and took her hand. "I'll be taking you on Wednesday, that way I know what the doctor says."
Usagi smiled and shook her head, "You're more protective then my family…"
"And I have the perfect reason to be," he smiled.
"And what reason would that be?"
"You."
"Charmer," Usagi said, laughing. He stopped walking to wrap his arms around her waist, then picked her up and twirled her around. Usagi laughed as he put her down.
"You say charmer like it's a bad thing, Usa-chan," Seiya teased, using a playful name for her. Usagi blushed a light pink, then hugged him tightly.
Seiya and her walked for a while before they stopped under a tree to and sat down to watch the setting sun set. Usagi had snuggled deep into Seiya's arms, much to his delight.
"Usagi?" Seiya questioned after a while of silence.
"Hm?" Usagi looked up at him.
"Usagi… are you… happy being my girlfriend?"
Usagi looked stunned at the question. "Seiya… I couldn't be any happier then what I am now." She leaned upward and captured his lips with her own, then blushed as she felt Seiya smiled under her lips.
"Come on, Usagi… It's late," Seiya offered his hand to her and they stood up, then walked out of the park.
"Seiya… Thank you," Usagi said, just before they reached her walkway. Seiya looked at her confusedly.
"What for?" he questioned, taking her both her hands into his.
Usagi smiled up at him gently, "For everything… for making me happy."
Seiya kissed her gently, "Usagi, we're both happy."
Usagi smiled and bid him farewell as she walked up the walk way to her house. Seiya watched her go, smiling happily as he watched her every move. Everything was perfect now…
Usagi's parents did know about Seiya's intentions, and after some important conversation and setting some boundaries down, they had accepted the relationship between the two.
Usagi was now immensely happy and couldn't stop smiling as she prepared for sleep. Everything was perfect now; She had Seiya… and her grades were improving. What more could she want?
Something did bother Usagi as she fell asleep. It was almost as if a sixth sense had taken over her body and she could feel the eyes of some one or something… watching her every move…
"So?" a deep voice asked.
Usagi was shocked not to find herself in the same room as before. Not even in the large marble room before. In fact… it was cold. Cold and damp… the air had a musty metallic scent and funny stench she couldn't place…
"We cannot trace her, your majest-" the squirrelly voice was cut off as a loud crack burst through the air, soon followed by a strange burning scent.
"FIND HER! FIND MOON! She must be found before those sorry excuses for senshi find her…" The voice was deep and cracked, as though it had been weathered and tormented by years of endless tears, or having been trapped in this strange place.
The dream faded off as Usagi bolted up in bed. It was strange… not right… The dream was dwindling fast from her memory like an ember, and Usagi couldn't place a single thing that had happened within the fire of her subconciousness.
Her head was pounding from all the strange sensations she had just felt. Felt, but didn't remember… Usagi felt sick to her stomach. Her head was spinning from strange emotions and she felt dizzy. Heaving herself out of her bed she went to the bathroom and proceeded to get sick.
She fell to the floor and started to sob… something wasn't right. She had never felt so strange in her life. Her body ached in so many places it was hard to count. And her scar throbbed incessantly.
"What is this I'm feeling…?" She asked, holding a hand to her head. It couldn't be the flu… she didn't feel sick, just strange.
Pushing herself into a standing position, she walked to the stairs, and then down them, nearly toppling over her legs as she went. She felt like a new-born lamb, afraid, uncoordinated, and confused all at the same time.
Usagi went to her front door and opened it to feel the cool night air on her skin. She sat down and stared up at the stars and she tried to calm herself. It wasn't long before something warm and soft brushed against her exposed leg.
Usagi's eyes shot down to find a cat rubbing against her leg. She smiled, noting it was the cat she had seen before.
"Koban wa, Neko-chan," She said, scratching it behind it's ears. It purred, then jumped onto her lap and stared at Usagi with big, cinnamon eyes.
It was strange how Usagi instantly felt better, when this cat was around her. Usagi picked up the black furred animal and went inside the house. The cat jumped down from her arms and glided gracefully around her Usagi's legs as she walked to the kitchen. Usagi smiled as shi poured some milk into a saucer and placed it on the ground.
"So, Neko-chan… do you have a name?" Usagi asked, sliding to the floor, next to the tiny creature. The cat looked up at her and the moonlight caught a small mark on her forehead. Usagi reached out and touched it gingerly. A strange, tingling sensation pranced through her fingertips, and Usagi looked curiously at the small animal.
"I wonder…" She scratched the cat behind the ear, "Luna?"
The cat meowed in response and jumped onto Usagi's lap. She smiled happily and sighed as the cat curled up in her arms. Usagi rose, and took the car upstairs to her room.
She liked Luna… she seemed to comfort her strained mind. Usagi crawled into her bed and Luna curled up next to her. Usagi soon fell asleep, her mind once again becoming the empty canvas for strange musings within her head.
"Where has she gone?"
Usagi was in the same apartment she was usually in, only this time there were only four blurs, compared to the five.
"I don't know! She fled after I yelled at her about controlling my life…" It was the nagging voice…
"Well, what do you expect!?" Said an airy and feminine, yet still masculine voice. "You're destined for one and you suddenly fall in love with another!"
"I can't help it! I love her! I really do! I'm sorry that she isn't the princess… but I love her more then anything now…"
"You can't mean that!"
"I can and I DO! I LOVE her!"
"YOU CAN'T!!"
"She's everything to me…."
"You bastard!" There was the loud crack of skin against skin.
"FINE! Tell me not to love the one I do! I'm leaving and I'm not coming back!" There were angry foot steps, then the slamming of a door and all was silent.
"Do you think he's serious?"
"I don't know…"
"We can only pray…"
Usagi awoke with a confused stature in her head. Nothing from the dream could be recalled… all she remembered was someone's profession of love for another.
"Usagi! Time to get up!" Her mother called through the door. Usagi felt something licking her cheek, then a 'meow'.
"Luna!" Usagi exclaimed, smiling at the cat that lay on her bed. She stood up and proceeded to get ready for school…
Usagi rushed over to the hospital with her friends to visit Mako-chan. As expected, she was more then willing to get out of the hospital.
"I don't care where I go! I just want to get out of the way of all these bumbling doctors!" She heaved a sigh of distress.
Ami made a face, "They only care about your safety, Mako."
Makoto shot Ami a look that could almost kill, "Ami-chan, I'm fine."
"True… Mako-chan's the strongest woman in the world," Minako giggled. Usagi grinned.
"Every one I have NEWS!" Usagi suddenly spoke out. Three pairs of eyes turned to stare at her. "Seiya and I are officially dating!" She grinned happily as everyone cheered. Everyone, except Ami.
"Usagi-chan… you're dating your instructor?" She asked with a mild degree of disappointment.
Usagi sighed, "No, Ami-chan, We decided to stop the lessons… although he said he'd give me a few lessons if I asked him too… He really is a good teacher…"
"And a good kisser," Minako shot a wink at Usagi.
"Yeah, Usagi-chan, You've got it made!" Makoto laughed. Everyone joined in on Makoto's laughing as Usagi's cheeks began to glow red.
"So, what else is going on?" Makoto asked.
"Usagi almost blew up the science lab!" Minako shouted out as Usagi turned several shades darker.
"I did NOT! It was my lab partner! He mixed the wrong chemicals together!" Usagi protested, "I told him not to, but dorkus wouldn't listen to me…"
"There's talent show tryouts coming up!" Minako giggled, "I'm going to do a dance number, and Ami and I think Usagi should sing!"
Usagi shook her head furiously, "No! No way! I am NOT going to tryout!"
"But with an instructor like me, you should be perfect," Said a voice behind Usagi. Her friends in front of her were laughing and giggling as Usagi's cheeks burned a magnificent fuchsia color. She whipped around to find a pair of stunning indigo eyes and a sparkling smile.
"Konnichiwa, Usa-chan," He bent down and gave her a quick peck on the lips.
"Konnichiwa, Seiya," Usagi said in response, her cheeks still burning.
"Konnichiwa, Minna!" He smiled at Usagi's friends, "How are you?"
"I WANNA GET OUT!" Makoto said loudly before anyone could answer Seiya's question. He laughed as Makoto pouted.
"Konnichiwa, Seiya-san," Ami replied politely. Seiya smiled at the blue-haired maiden.
"How did you know where to find me?" Usagi questioned. Seiya took her hand and smiled down at her.
"Your mother," His smile turned to a grin as Usagi made a face.
"So what do you two plan on doing today?" Minako questioned.
Seiya smiled down at Usagi, "I have some things to talk to her about, why?"
"Just asking." Minako shrugged.
"Excuse me?" Asked a nurse from the door way. Everyone turned to look at the petite woman. "The doctor has a few more tests to run on Kino-san. We must ask they you not be present for these."
Makoto moaned audibly, "Alright, you guys better get going. I'll see you tomorrow! Ja ne!"
"Ja ne!" Everyone said as the four of them walked out. Usagi and Seiya said goodbye to Usagi's friends as they split up.
"What is so important?" Usagi questioned. Seiya sighed deeply as they walked out into the late sunlight. He leaned over and kissed her cheek.
Usagi made a face, then she looked upset, "Please don't tell me you have to move out of the country!"
Seiya laughed and, "No. It's just…" They sat under a tree in a nearby park. "I had the worst day yesterday."
There was an empty pause.
"Besides you."
"What's wrong?" Usagi questioned.
Seiya pulled her close, "I fought with Mamoru, Yaten, and Taiki… last night, I left."
Usagi gave a start, "Oh my gosh! Do you have a place to stay?"
Seiya looked down, "That's kinda what I wanted to talk to you about…"
"Nani?" Usagi questioned.
"I wanted to make sure it's okay with you that I'm staying with one of my older students," Seiya said tentatively.
Usagi made a face, "Why would I have a problem?"
"It's a woman…"
"NANI!?" Usagi yelled, jumping up from her seat next to him. Seiya cringed. "I can't believe YOU! You just wanna stay with her and not even think about me!? You're a perverted little-"
"Usagi," Seiya butted in, trying to calm her down ,"we'd never do anything like that. We're only really good friends, and besides, she lives with another woman."
"And that's supposed to make me feel BETTER!? Now you can have TWO women!?" Usagi yelled again. She gave her heart to this man and he was going to treat her like this?
"Usagi," Seiya said calmly, "You're missing something here…"
"NO I SEE IT ALL SEIYA!" She was about to walk away, when Seiya grabbed her hand.
"No, you don't. Haruka lives with another woman because she isn't attracted to men." He sighed and looked up at her.
Usagi stood there for a moment, then dropped to the ground next to Seiya. "Oh…" A sheepish look crossed over her face. Seiya raised an eyebrow at her then smiled comfortingly as he spoke.
"Usagi, you should know I'm not like that. Besides, this is only for a week or two before I can get all the forms and papers filled out for my new apartment."
She looked down at the ground as though she had done something wrong. "Gomen-nasi, Seiya…"
"Usa-chan," He put his fingertips under her chin and gently forced her to look at him, "You should know that you're the only one for me."
Usagi's cheeks flared red. Seiya bent forward and kissed her softly on the lips. She wrapped her harms tightly around his neck and snuggled deep into his comforting embrace. Seiya smiled and kissed her forehead gently.
"You're wonderful, Usagi…"
Usagi kissed him softly, "So where's you're new apartment?" She questioned.
"It's several blocks north of here," Seiya stated, sighing.
"What is it, Seiya?" Usagi questioned.
"It's not really anything… I guess I'm just worried about this whole deal… I've never really lived alone for any part of my life…"
Usagi leaned up and kissed him, "Seiya, if you ever need anyone, You know I'm right here for you."
Seiya smiled at her sweetness. "So, how's school coming along?"
"Well!" Usagi's eyes lit up, "All my grades are coming up!"
"I'm glad. Do you have any idea what you want to do after school?" Seiya questioned. He'd never really asked Usagi these questions before, and now was really curious. It was good to be able just to sit and talk with her.
"A little, I know I wanna go to college but I don't know what I want to do…" She thought for a moment.
"Well," Seiya offered as they looked out at the sunset, "What are you good at?"
Usagi let a blush spread across her cheeks, "Not much…"
Seiya laughed, "Usagi, you're good at a lot of things!"
"Like what?"
"You sing well, first off."
"But that's only because I had a teacher like you," She teased giving him a playful push. Seiya loved the way she played with him, it felt so close and intimate. Her smile warmed him from the inside and he couldn't hold back any more.
"Usagi… I… I love you." He said. Usagi sat there in shock as he said those three simple words. He'd told her that he loved her… what was she going to say back? Did she love him? What was his love for her like? Was love the emotion she felt every time he kissed her?
Usagi looked deeply into his eyes… and started to cry. She was full of strange emotions she didn't understand. She didn't mean to what she did, but it had happened anyway.
She backed away from him and ran. Seiya watched her go with tears in his eyes. So, she didn't love him back…. But he still loved her. He would always love her… was their relationship over now? Would he ever get to feel her lips against his again?
Seiya rose from the ground to walk back to his temporary shelter. Michiru greeted him at the door as always. Michiru was a beautiful woman with sea-green hair that fell slightly past her shoulders, comforting aquamarine eyes, and a light creamy complexion.
"Seiya! What's wrong?" She questioned. Haruka looked over the paper at him.
"Buddy?" She questioned. Haruka was as far from Michiru as you could get. She was about as tall as Seiya, with short sandy blonde hair, navy blue eyes, and she always dressed in men's clothing.
Seiya sighed, and looked at his two friends, "Nothing really… a little girlfriend trouble," he lied. She didn't want Michiru all over him because of this thing with Usagi.
"Oh, Dear? What happened?" Michiru asked. There she starts…
"Just a little miscommunication… um, I've got some stuff to do, so call me if you need any help with anything okay?" He smiled at his friends before he retired to his room.
Usagi sobbed into her pillow… why had she run? She screwed up the relationship before it even really started, how had this happened? Now all she wanted to feel was his sweet kiss.
Luna padded up on her bed and looked at her questioningly. Usagi started to cry some more and took Luna into her arms.
"Oh Luna… I feel so stupid…" she started to cry some more. Luna looked a little confused, but curled up on her lap.
"I wonder what's going to happen now…"
Days passed slowly. Usagi's dreams had eluded her for several nights as her mind was tormented by those three words. She acted like everything was fine when she was with her friends, no one seemed to notice how upset she really was inside.
Seiya hadn't called at all, and Usagi didn't know where to find him… She was becoming extremely lonely and depression was sweeping over her head like a foreshadow of doom. Tears soaked her face when she was alone.
Her family had permanently adopted Luna and she seemed quite happy with the choice. Usagi was just as happy, Luna made her feel good inside when she was feeling lonely or upset.
It was now Saturday and Usagi just sat under the tree where Seiya had told her he loved her. She had pushed him away… and she was lonely now.
"Hey there, Pretty Lady," Said a soft and sweet voice. Usagi turned and looked up into a smiling face. She blushed and stood up.
"Konnichiwa," She said softly.
"Konnichiwa," He said back. "Usagi? Can I talk to you?"
"Hai…"
"I'm sorry for what I did… I didn't mean to treat you the way I did. I feel terrible about it … Sometimes I forget that you're younger then what you seem… I feel horrible… and I wish that we could be friends again," He got down on one knee and offered a single white rose to her. Usagi smiled for the first time in a few days. She accepted the rose.
"As long as you promise to not do it again…" She said. He nodded and smiled, then held both hands over his heart.
"I promise," He stood up, "If I do something you don't like, I give you full permission to compensate."
Usagi smiled again, "I trust you… Don't abuse my trust, alright?"
"Alright," He offered his hand to her, "Wanna go for a shake?"
Usagi smiled, and took the offered hand, "I'd love to, Mamoru."
Seiya had eluded Usagi for several days, he'd almost run into her a couple times, but stayed out of sight. He wished he hadn't told her he loved her. It was too soon for her to know… and now he was suffering the consequences of his stupidity.
He walked past the Crowne Parlor barely glancing in the window. Suddenly, he stopped dead in his tracks, noticing a familiar pair of odangos.
Seiya just stood there and stared at her. She was smiling and laughing… and talking with Mamoru!? True it was the first time he'd seen her smile since he'd told her he loved her. But… why with Mamoru?
Seiya's heart was twisted within his chest as he watched Mamoru cover her hand with his. Usagi's cheeks turned a light pink and Seiya felt the pang of his broken heart.
' "Did anyone ever tell you how adorable you are when you blush?"
' "Iie…" She hid her face behind her hands.'
'She only used to blush like that for me…' Seiya looked away, 'I'm being childish.' He started walking once again, only looking back once over his shoulder. 'Usagi… I love you… no matter what.'
Usagi was so glad that Mamoru had apologized. She felt a little better, even though she still missed Seiya.
"Thanks, Mamoru, for everything," Usagi smiled up at him.
"Thank you, Usagi…" He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "Maybe I'll be able to see you again, Alright?"
"Sure," Usagi waved goodbye and they went their separate ways. The sun was setting in the west and she wanted to watch it. So she sat down on a bench and watch the colors spread across the sky.
Her and Seiya used to do this… they used to watch the sun fall behind the horizon. Tears fell down her cheeks as she wished she could feel Seiya kiss her again. Like he used to…
'But he's gone,' She thought sadly, 'I ran away from him… he's not going to call after what I did… he'd never want me back anyway.'
Slowly her mind drifted to Mamoru… He'd apologized to her… and he made her smile. Usagi liked the way she felt around Mamoru… maybe…
Rising up slowly from the bench she saw a black cat approach her. Usagi leaned down and picked up the little cat. She snuggled into Usagi's arms.
Usagi traced the little mark on Luna's forehead, "Hey, Luna… let's go home…" She smiled and walked home with her cat in her arms.