VOL-chan- thanks for the review! I just knew Wufei would mess up things like that! Thanks for the review! Ceso- hehehe…I'm not that fond of cats but I guess them being able to open doors would be a great thing, huh? ^_^ you should update your fanfics, too! Thanks for the review! Aino-Yuy- well, we'll just see who wins Mina at the next chapter…the one after this, of course! ^_^ thanks for the review!
Author's Note: to those who gave their reviews for the last chapter, I promise I'll get back at you in the next one, ok? Something's wrong with my internet explorer working offline and all. Also, Yaten's a full-time man in this fic, ok?
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CHAPTER 10 Start Choosing
~~//~~ 7 MONTHS LATER ~//~
"Don't tell me you're going out with her again," groaned Seiya when Yaten got out of his bedroom dressed in a formal suit with a bouquet of yellow roses in one hand. "For the past six months, you've been dating her nonstop. From a simple walk in the park to a luxurious one week of skiing. You've got it bad."
"Well, tonight's different," responded the other guy. "We'll be going to a fancy restaurant for dinner. So fancy that I had an elegant dress made just for her." Yaten gave a sort of dreamy expression as he stared past his brother. "I can't wait to see her in that green dress."
Taiki put down the book he was reading and gave an approving nod to the shorter boy. "You've got to admit, Seiya," he said as he eyed their exquisitely clad brother in front of them. "Minako has done him a lot of good. He rarely gets moody nowadays, he stops fussing with your things lying around the house and if I should say so myself, I could swear I've seen him smile every so often the last few months."
The silver haired boy just shrugged and walked away but just when he was about to leave the room. Seiya called out to him. "Hey, Yaten!" his voice questioning. "You said tonight is different. So you're taking her out to a restaurant where normal people like Minako have to call months before to make a reservation. Big deal! Even I can place a reservation this very moment."
Yaten looked at his brother over his shoulder and threw him a secretive smile. "Let's just say a certain diamond ring and the right choice of words will make this night special…for me and Minako." Then the door closed.
Seiya slowly turned to Taiki and saw that he, too, was surprised. "You don't think…"he started and the other boy nodded.
"Yaten's just crazy enough to do it," the other replied.
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"Believe me, man," the braided pilot urged his comrade. "Black is the in thing right now. I guarantee when she sees you, she'll blush her head off."
Heero looked at him and gave him another one of his signature scowls. "And I guarantee you that if you don't shut your trap; I'll shoot YOUR head off." Yuy challenged.
Wufei crossed his arm to his chest and looked at Heero from head to toe. "This is ridiculous, Yuy," he reasoned out. "You're just wasting your time! That girl has been nothing but trouble."
"You're just jealous because hero knows exactly what to do while you still mope around wondering how to get Ami back," jeered Duo and he ducked just in time to avoid a pillow thrown his way. Meanwhile, Quatre handed Heero the bouquet of yellow roses, beaming at him.
"I think you're doing the right thing," the Arabian boy said. Trowa got off the phone and gave the Wing Zero pilot a piece of paper.
"I already had the reservation placed under your name and everything's set from the candlelight to the wine bucket," Barton instructed. "That's the restaurant's number in case something comes up and Heero…please try not to damage my car."
Heero looked at himself on the mirror one last time and let out a deep sigh. "Don't even think of calling me on my cell phone," he said as he walked out of the room and closed the door none too gently.
Duo wiped an imaginary tear from the corner of his eye and stared at the closed door. "The little boy's all grown up," he joked.
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She ran the hairbrush through her hair one more time then stood up and surveyed herself on the tall mirror. The green dress Yaten had sent her the day before was a perfect fit and the note that accompanied it made her tingle with excitement.
Stop hiding the Venus within you, the note said. This dress will be enough, if not perfect, for the goddess of love and beauty.
Minako gave a quick turn, the skirt following suit, and then stopped with a feminine smile on her face. She opened the jewelry box on her table and took out an emerald necklace with one zircon at the very center. She held up the necklace and looked fondly at it, remembering how she got it.
FLASHBACK
"Heero, look!" squealed Minako as she pointed to the glass display of the jewelry store. "It's beautiful."
Heero only grunted and started to go on but her snake-like grip on his arm restrained any plans of going away. "Mina, no matter how long you stare at it, you still won't have it," he told her sternly.
"I just want to look at it," she reasoned out then continued to gape at the display. He looked at the necklace himself and imagined how it would look on her. Sure it would look good…no, fabulous on her but where and why on earth would she wear something like that.
After a few minutes, they walked away from the display and met their friends at a nearby café. Heero excused himself, grabbed Duo by the collar and strode out of the café leaving the rest dumbfounded. Moments later, the two came back and sat to their tables, Heero sitting beside Mina.
He snatched her hand from her hip and placed a box on it. Minako looked at him, puzzled, but he just gave a gruff, "Just open it later."
She placed the box on the table and slowly lifted the lid. "I did say later, didn't I?" Heero grumbled. When the lid was off, she shrieked like never before. She held the necklace she so dearly admired and quickly and tightly hugged her boyfriend.
"Thank you so very much, Heero," and she gave him a loud kiss on his cheek. He didn't say a word but his deep blush was answer enough.
END OF FLASHBACK
Minako smiled at the memory and clasped the necklace at the back of her neck. It has been quite a while since his last phone call, not that he called her often. All of their conversations never had the absence of his words, 'I hope you understand.' She did understand but she can't help missing him every time she puts the phone down after his call.
She looked at the wall clock and expected Yaten Kou to knock on her door any minute now. She checked everything in her purse and was about to spray another dose of her perfume when someone knocked. Minako excitedly went to it and turned the knob. The moment she opened the door, her face became pale.
"Heero," she gasped.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps from the far end of the street coming closer and turned to look at the incoming visitor. The tip-tapping stopped and she gave another gasp.
"Yaten."
The two boys stared at each other for a moment, then the bouquet each was carrying then back at each other before pointing an accusing finger to one another and shouting the very same word at the exact moment.
"YOU!"
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So, what do you say? The next two chapters will be the last ones, so please please make a review! ^_^ ---jd_anney
PS.
If you have any requests on fanfics, feel free to e-mail me at jd_anney@yahoo.com
whether the lead character is Minako or not. ^_^