Seiya knocked softly on the door a few hours later. There was a rustling from inside, then the handle turned and two beautiful, shining eyes appeared. He forced a smile, in spite of the melancholy feeling that eroded him when he was around her fading light.
"Konnichiwa. Did you sleep well?" He questioned.
She nodded and opened the door even wider to let him enter. She was wearing one of the gowns Kakyuu had made for her, it was a pink taffeta dress that rustled like the wind in the trees. He saw how solemn her face looked, and quickly became concerned.
"Are you all right, Usagi?" he asked, as he sat down on a couch near her fireplace.
Usagi sat down next to him, her eyes falling to the ground. "I don't know… I'm not so sure I should have accepted this proposal from my friends… I don't know if I should be here right now…"
Seiya thought deeply for a moment before speaking. "I can understand why you wouldn't want to be here. I know you feel obligated to be back on earth… but…" he paused for a moment. "I know why you need to be here."
He reached out and gently touched her collarbone. "Your shine."
Usagi blushed deeply. Her body was suddenly going insane from his touch. She stood up, walked to the French doors, and looked out at the courtyard below them. There was a pretty blue-haired girl pruning a bush of flowers that resembled roses.
Usagi turned to look over her shoulder back at Seiya, who stood in his place by the sofa, eyes transfixed on herself. She sighed deeply before turning completely to face him.
"I don't know what's been wrong with me lately… some how… some how I know it isn't just the crystal… it's more then that… but…" she turned her tear-filled eyes away from him. "I don't know… Seiya. I feel so lonely sometimes…"
Seiya took a step forward and started to reach out for her, but he hesitated and pulled back his arm. "I don't want you to feel lonely…" He whispered softly.
The blonde turned and smiled at him sweetly. "Thank you, Seiya… I'm never lonely when you're near."
She turned back to the courtyard below her, and in the far east she could see the crimson sun beginning to set, staining the sky a deep orange. "Your sun sets in the east…" She said out of nowhere, a small smile passing over her lips.
Seiya nodded. "Hai… It was odd," He said as he joined her by the window. "When I saw my first sunset on earth, I thought that the end of the world was coming…" He laughed a little sheepishly and Usagi smiled brightly up at him.
"Well… I suppose there are worse things to think."
Seiya looked at the golden sky and sighed deeply. "It's going to be cold tonight… I'd better remind the servants to keep the fires hot."
Usagi looked up at her companion with eyes that suddenly shone like glowing jewels. "Seiya?"
He was a bit taken aback by the sudden emotions within her eyes and voice, but found it very soothing. "Hai?"
"Do you get snow here?"
"Snow?"
Her face fell in enlightenment. "Oh… well… I guess not…"
"Wait… do you mean ikuy? Frozen rain?" He pushed a black curl out of his face, and Usagi noticed suddenly that his eyes had a brand-new sparkle to them.
"Ikuy? Is that was you call snow?" She asked innocently.
"Mm… yeah. We don't get snow here in the valley, but up in the mountains-" He pointed to a forest a shady peaks in the far background of the horizon "-there's always ikuy." He smiled and elbowed her playfully. "Or 'snow'."
"Really?" Usagi's eyes narrowed on the peaks that were beginning to blend in with the purple sky in the west.
"Why do you ask?"
"Well…" Usagi smiled up at him. "I've always wanted snow on Christmas… it hasn't happened since I was a little girl, and it's been my wish every year to have a White Christmas, just like the song."
Seiya gave a start. "What? Chriss-mass?"
Usagi gasped, her cheeks turning red in embarrassment. "Gomen-nasai! I forgot that you didn't know about Christmas. It's an earth holiday were everyone gets together to play games, sing songs, and exchange gifts… that's when the girls are coming back."
She looked out at the mountains again and sighed deeply, sorrow evident in the undertone of her voice. "But I suppose I won't have a white Christmas this year either…"
Seiya watched her face fall and suddenly felt so helpless towards Usagi. This 'snow' seemed to be the only thing she wanted, and it had never really been granted. Kakyuu-hime had a small cottage in the mountains, perhaps Seiya could borrow it for this 'Christmas'… making Usagi happy, for once. Which was far less than what she truly deserved.
"Cheer-up, Usagi. You never know what could happen." He gave her a nudge and Usagi giggled helplessly, her eyes twinkled up at him as he smiled down on her, and for the first time in years… Usagi felt elated. Her soul felt so light in Seiya's presence, that she nearly forgot all the burdens she carried. Seiya and her seemed to be the only two people in the universe at that very moment, and she seemed to be perfectly content with that.
Their smiles grew into laughter, and they laughed as they would have back when they had been in high school; back when there were no problems – physiological or otherwise – or burdens for them to carry. It felt wonderful just to be around each other again, bring back nearly forgotten memories and happy emotions. They smiled brightly at each other, it was one of the few times Usagi had actually smiled a true smile since she had been here. Slowly, the laughter faded and a pleasant silence enveloped them before Usagi carefully chose her next words.
"I think maybe I do need a holiday… and I really am glad that I came here."
Seiya smiled lightly at her. "I'm glad too."
Her shine was already beginning to grow. It made Seiya feel warm inside, as if he had stepped into a hot bath after coming in from the cold. He surrounded her with a big hug, taking her deep into his embrace, and making sure that every once of her soul was covered with his. He loved her, and he wanted her to know that.
"I missed you so much…" She whispered, wrapping her arms around his back, and burying her face into his neck.
"I missed you too…" Seiya responded, as a sparkling smile appeared on his lips.
Usagi pulled away and look up at him, blushing profusely. She felt wonderful when she was around him. There was so much that she missed about him, more then she had ever realized. Now, she was here and with him, it was as if a thousand different emotions and memories came careening back toward her, like the snowball effect. She couldn't help but feel, confused, and upset, and lost, and worried, but most of all those things, she was happy, and (for once in a great while) she wasn't lonely.
Seiya stroked her hair for a long while, just gazing into her eyes and noticing all the changes in them. He missed those eyes, changed or not, and forgot how much they soothed him, comforted him, spoke to him, and amazed him all at the same time.
A low growl broke-up both Seiya and Usagi's thoughts. Seiya raised and eyebrow and looked down at the tiny blonde who was giggling sheepishly.
"Hungry?" He asked, a sly smile spreading across his lips.
"Just a little…" Usagi giggled again.
Seiya offered his arm, showing her a bright smile. "Dinner will be served soon, do you care to join me in the dining hall?"
Usagi blushed, then smiled back up at him and took his offered arm. "Of course."
With that said, the two started off toward the dinning area, arm in arm and engaged in light conversation.
Diner was delightful. All five of them sat around a round, mahogany table eating and engaged in conversation that amused everyone.
Yaten and Taiki constantly asked questions about Minako and Ami, worried that a beau had claimed them (although they wouldn't admit to it). Seiya asked questions about earth in general, and typical things that he would. But, Kakyuu was just interested in earth, no matter what the subject was. She seemed completely fascinated whenever Usagi explained a custom or phrase, or anything of the like. It was kind of amusing to watch her.
With a full meal, and much pleasant conversation having been said. Everyone decided it was time to retire to their rooms. Usagi supported this idea, she was, after all, still sick and needed her rest.
Seiya walked her back to her room, holding her hand. Usagi didn't mind at all, it was wonderful to have him touching, and paying attention to her… however, she knew that she should feel guilty. She still had Mamoru (Mamo-baka)… but the problem was, that she didn't feel guilty. In fact, she was glad that Seiya was with her and it was wonderful to be with him, holding hands and whispering sweetly to each other in the romantic, candlelit hallways of the palace.
Seiya's feelings ebbed the same way. He knew that she had Mamo-baka, and he knew it was wrong to be attracted to Usagi… but he couldn't help it. Being in her presence again was intoxicating beyond what he had ever imagined possible. He wanted to take her into his arms and kiss her as if there was no tomorrow… but that was completely out of the question. He knew that she would never let him do so, after all, she was deeply in love with Mamoru. Wasn't she? Current findings pointed to gray areas in their relationship.
Through the whole dinner she hadn't mentioned the ebony-haired man. She had avoided the subject when Yaten or Taiki brought it up, and Kakyuu seemed unconcerned when she didn't respond. In fact, she actually changed the subject on a number of occasions; it was as if Kakyuu-hime knew something that Seiya and the other Starlights didn't know. Perhaps the earth senshi had informed her of some secret information that ought to be revealed to him as well. He made a mental note to question Kakyuu-hime later.
"Seiya?" Usagi asked softly.
Seiya started from his thoughts and looked down upon her. "Hai?"
"I just…" she paused as if she were trying to think proper words up, then she smiled up at him. "Thank you… for everything. For sticking by me, and for making me feel at home." She hugged him, smiling even brighter. "Thank you."
Seiya wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, smiling as he felt her shine grow again. He should be the one thanking her, she made him feel so warm inside, it was as if he wasn't worthy. And her shine… her glorious shine was returning to what it had once been…
"Usagi, don't thank me for anything, after all I am still your friend, what else are friends for?" He hugged her again, feeling her body grow light in happiness, weights were now being lifted from her shoulders; burdens she never should have carried in the first place, but burdens she accepted all the same.
"Seiya, you really are wonderful…" She said, then they continued back to her room, hand in hand and not thinking a thing about it.
Seiya wished her a goodnight, as she did his own self, and then they separated. Seiya retiring to his room and Usagi to her own.
She felt a deep warmth grow in the middle of her chest and spread throughout her entirety. Seiya made her feel amazing inside, young and beautiful. It had been a long time since she had felt young and beautiful, free to be herself without the question of destiny or the crystal. Usagi wondered how she lived for so long without Seiya, before and after she met him. He was so much to her when she first met him, and three whole years had passed since then. She had struggled for life without his presence, and in those three years it was almost as if her adoration for him had increased a hundred-fold.
'Seiya…' she thought, looking out at the darkened sky, riddled with stars. 'You really are wonderful.'
Chiba Mamoru shifted his weight uncomfortably outside the white door. 305. He checked his agenda for the fifth time, then his watch. He'd been standing in the hallway outside Usagi's apartment for a half-hour! Where in the world was she anyway! Thwy made plans for today a few weeks ago!
Sighing deeply, Mamoru pulled out his cell phone and ran down his contacts list until he saw 'Hino, Rei' on the display screen. He pressed the 'send' button and waited for the other line to connect.
The raven-haired priestess picked up on the second ring. "Moshi moshi?"
"Rei!" Mamoru said with relief, as he heard the musical tone of her voice. "Thank goodness I got a hold of you."
"Ah… Ko-konnichiwa, Mamoru-san." She said, nervousness lining her voice. Why was he so happy to talk to her, and to top it all off what if he asked about Usagi? What would she tell him then?
"Usagi and I were supposed to meet today to discuss our plans for Christmas, but she's not home. I know I was supposed to be with her today and at this time, I wrote it in my agenda. Do you know where I can find her? Is she having amnesia again?" Mamoru asked with concern, shifting he weight for another time.
"Anou…" Think Rei think! Something… anything to get him off the line! "…can you hold on for a moment, I have another call…" Rei quickly hit the 'hold' button on the shrine phone and began to dial a new number. In a mater of seconds she called Makoto, lucky for Rei, Minako was there was well.
"Konnichiwa, Rei-chan." Makoto said brightly, "Funny to see you using the shrine phone, what's going on, Rei-chan?"
"PROBLEM!" Rei shrieked suddenly. "Mamoru is on the other line and he's asking for Usagi! He was supposed to meet with her today and he knows we keep diligent tabs on her! What am I supposed to tell him!? That she's off making eyes with an alien!?"
"Whoa… calm down, Rei-chan," Minako said, grabbing the phone from Makoto. "Just tell Mamo-baka that she's shopping with me. I don't turn my cell on unless I need it so he can't contact me anyway."
"Arigato! I've gotta get back to him-"
"We'll be over there in half an hour, so we have emergency plans for situations like this!" Makoto said quickly, before the priestess freaked out again.
Rei nodded in agreement. "Right. Ja!"
"Ja!"
She quickly ended the call then, clearing her throat and calming herself down, she pressed the hold button again. "Gomen-nasai, Mamoru-san, someone was calling to have a reading done. What were you saying again?"
Rei heard a very deep sigh from the other line. "Usagi isn't home, and we were supposed to make plans for Christmas. Do you know where she is?"
"Usagi-chan is shopping with Minako, Mamoru-san. She must have forgotten to write her date with you in her planner, I apologize."
Another sigh.
"Oh? Oh well… I suppose it doesn't matter now… you'll call me when I can get a hold of her, won't you?" He asked, almost indifferently.
Rei smiled pleasantly, forcing her words through tightly clenched teeth. "Of course, Mamoru-san. As soon as you can get a hold of her."
"Arigato. Sayonara."
"Sayonara." Rei hung up the phone and sneered angrily at it. Mamo-baka! He runs away from Usagi when she needs him the most, and then he gets upset when she misses a date. What an idiotic hypocrite!
Rei threw her hair over her shoulder and when into the Great Room. Oji-chan was sweeping the mats, he paused and looked up when he heard the sound of the door, and the nearly silent footsteps on the mats. The face on his granddaughter's face alerted him to a change in her disposition.
"Ahh, Rei-chan, you look frustrated. Is something the matter?"
Rei smiled slightly, her grandfather could be very troublesome sometimes, but he was still very perceptive toward her and her feelings. She shook her head softly.
"Iie, Oji-chan. I'm going to retire for the evening, if the girls come by will you tell them that I'm in my room?" she asked softly and hopefully, this was after all, kind of an emergency.
The small, bald man nodded and smiled brightly. "I'll tell the pretty girls that you'll be in your room. They're so nice…"
Rei face faulted, a sweatdrop appearing on her forehead. "Ah… right… arigato, Oji-chan." She turned and walked out of the Great Room, down the hall, and into her own. It had barely been 24 hours since Usagi has left the earth, and already the senshi were encountering some major problems.