Stars in the Sky

Chapter Two: A Tentative Truce

By: Ree

Pairing: Kou Seiya/Ten'oh Haruka

Ages: Seiya: 20

            Haruka: 19

Setting: Jyuban District, Tokyo, Japan

Rating: R (for future chapters and swearing)

Summary: Seiya is back on Earth, Usagi is married to Mamoru, and what's a love-stricken boy to do?  Well, a few run-ins and mishaps with a certain blonde change his entire perspective.

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon; I don't want to claim ownership to Takeuchi-sama's noble work.  So don't sue me!  I don't own anything, I am just a poor student, and you won't get anything!

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            Taiki was still bright red as he bustled around the kitchen, finding something to eat, and trying to block that image out of his head.  Yaten was still chuckling under his breath, his flush having disappeared, and he just continued to laugh at what they had seen.  Sitting at the kitchen counter, a glass of wine in his hand, Seiya had his fingers in his hair, while trying to come to grips with what he had seen.  Oh gods, I saw Haruka in her underwear!  Why can't I get that image out of my head?  Taking another sip of wine, he sighed and Yaten plucked the glass out of his hand with a smirk.

            "All right, Seiya, that's enough for you for one night.  Now you have to tell us WHY Ten'oh Haruka is here."

            "Well, *hic* I ran into Mizuno-san and *hic* she told me that Haruka *hic* had a falling out *hic* with Michiru.  She didn't have a place *hic* to go.  So, I offered her a *hic* place here."

            "Seiya, you're drunk, crazy, and lost your mind.  Yaten, go run him some bath water," Taiki said and whispered to the white-haired male.  "Make sure it's ice cold too."

            Yaten grinned evilly and hurried up the stairs.  Taiki turned and handed Seiya an icepack and he pressed it against the other singer's temple.  The black-haired guy promptly gave a sharp yelp and jumped back.  His brunette companion laughed and shook his head.

            "You're going to have a raging headache, among other things.  Now get upstairs, Yaten's already got a bath ready for you.  And try not to strangle him later on."

            Seiya looked confused as he pressed the pack of ice against his temple and walked upstairs to his bathroom.  Yaten smiled and helped him inside before closing the door and sniggering under his breath.  The sniggers turned to all out laughs when Seiya shrieked in protest at the cold water and he heard the leader of their group fall on his ass.

            "YATEN, I'm going to kick your ass!!"

            He promptly made a mad dash for the kitchen, laughing loudly, and at that moment Haruka walked out of Seiya's room, fully clothed, and Seiya stormed out with only a towel around his waist.  Shouting at Yaten to grow up and get a life, he didn't notice that Haruka was openly gaping at his backside.  Oh Kami……he's got one hell of a body.  That musical and whatever else he does must have gotten him into shape.  A little on the thin side, but-what the hell was that?  Where are these thoughts coming from?  I love Michiru, or at least……I thought I did until she kicked me out.  I don't know what to think anymore.  She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't know Seiya had turned around and was openly gazing at her while she was staring at him.

            Taking a good look at the woman in front of him, Seiya's eyes widened as he noticed that her eyes were softer and still had the fading light of laughter in them, not like her usual impassiveness that she was known for.  Her blue eyes……why didn't I notice them before?  Just as he was about to imprint her soft eyes in his mind, they hardened again and he mentally slapped himself and turned on his own scowl.

            "What are you staring at, Haruka?"

            "I don't know what were you staring at when your friends decided to show up?"

            Seiya's jaw dropped and he immediately flushed.  "I wasn't staring at anything!  If you remember, you made it quite clear that you didn't want us in there while you were…like that…"

            While the two of them were trading insults, Taiki and Yaten were listening from just down the hall.  Exchanging secretive grins, the two of them made their way downstairs and into the den.

            "Oi Yaten…I've been thinking."

            "Dangerous actions with you Taiki."

            "Very funny, smart-ass, and I was thinking that there's a thin line between love and hate."

            "You're not suggesting-!"

            "Possibly.  I think that we should play matchmaker.  Michiru never said that Haruka didn't like men, just popular men.  And besides, Seiya's not popular in her opinion."

            "Come on, Taiki, look at them!  We're gonna have to lock them in a room just to get them to talk!"

            "Hai, I know, but there are some things giving them away.  Look, Haruka was openly gawking at Seiya and you know he was looking at Haruka when that little….incident happened.  Come on, let's lock them in a room and see what happens to them."

            "Taiki, they'll kill each other!  They hate each other's guts!"

            "Yeah, but only when they think someone will catch them.  Besides, I think that Seiya likes Haruka.  He definitely respects her, I can tell that much, but as far as Haruka goes….we might have to talk to Tsukino-san in order to find out what she thinks of him."

            "Are you crazy?  Tsukino-san can't keep a secret to save her life.  Why not talk to Mizuno-san, she can keep a secret.  If I were to talk with any of them, I'd pick Mizuno or Kino-san."

            "Good point.  Shall we go see them tomorrow?"

            "Hai, it'll be good to see them again.  Now, about locking those two in a room until they either kiss or kill each other…"

            Taiki laughed and the two of them began making plans about whether or not they should lock them into a closet.  But first, they made plans to speak to Ami and Makoto the next day.  Meanwhile, Seiya and Haruka exchanged one final glare, Haruka not punching him because she still felt bad about the cheap shot she had taken earlier.

            "Like I said before," she snarled.  "You're not worth my time."

            And with that, she went into a guest room and slammed the door.  Seiya winced and mumbled under his breath, stormed into his room, slammed the door, and tore through his closet.

            "Bakame!  What was I thinking?  She'll never get past the fact that I'm…well me!  I can't believe that I was so stupid!" he slammed his fist down on the table and didn't even feel the pain.

            He slumped down against the wall and cursed himself for wanting to accept the fact that he had been rejected once more.  Not only did Odango reject me, but now Haruka.  Why am I thinking about this?  It's not like I like her or anything.  Tolerate her, yes, maybe can be friends, but I do not have a thing for her.  As much as he tried to deny it, the more he thought about it.  That was the last thing he wanted to do, to let his feelings stew for a while before they just blew up in his face and he ended up making an idiot of himself.

            "I've already made an idiot of myself, it can't get much worse than this," he muttered.

            He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he didn't hear arguing downstairs or the sudden silence.  All he noticed was the silent opening and closing of the door and the scent of spice and musk of men's cologne wafted into the room, but deep were small hints of sweetness and he knew immediately that it was Haruka and he stood up.

            "Nande?"

            "I wanted to come here to…….ask you something."

            "Yeah, what?  If you can pound the shit out of me again, no thanks.  I've had enough."

            "No, I wanted to ask you…..kuso, why did I agree to this?" she mumbled and inhaled, pushing aside her pride for once in her life and biting the bullet.  "I was going to ask if we could call a truce for now.  Since I'm going to be staying here, I thought it'd be wise."

            "I'll believe that when all seven hells freeze over.  Taiki and Yaten forced you, didn't they?"

            "So what if they did?  The point is I'm making the gesture.  I'm setting aside the fact that I hate your guts long enough to try and make a temporary peace contract until I'm out of here."

            Inside, her tone and words stung a bit, and he didn't know why.  Glaring up at her, he read her eyes carefully and went over her words.  There had been a slight crack in her voice when she had mentioned leaving and her eyes revealed little, but from what he could see, they were sad and hurt.  Smirking, he got an idea and rose to his feet.  Walking over to her, Haruka gave him a suspicious glare as he leaned over and whispered in her ear,

            "You're not leaving this room even if I have to tie you to the bed."

            Haruka started, her eyes widening and she seemed shocked.  Backing up a bit, she glowered at Seiya, who merely smiled at her.  Grabbing his collar, she pulled him to point-blank range.

            "Listen to me you arrogant-"

            "It's kind of hard to intimidate me when I've seen you in your underwear, Haruka."

            At an utter loss for words, Haruka merely threw the chortling guy on his ass and turned to leave.

            "Matte," he said.

            "Nani?"

            "I accept your offer of a truce.  But only because I want you to know that I think you and I should start over again since we didn't exactly get off on the right foot."

            "No, we got off on the left one," she replied and smirked, but it was more like a smile somewhat.

            "I guess you're right about that.  Wanna get something to eat from the kitchen?  I'm hungry."

            "Me too."

            He smiled and rose, the two of them making their way down to the kitchen to share in some late-night snacks, some talking, and fixing their already strained relationship.  Once they were finished, Seiya started cleaning things up as Haruka headed upstairs.

            "Oyasuminasai, Seiya," Haruka whispered as she walked up the stairs.

            "Oyasuminasai, Haruka," he added, smiling as he watched her walk away and sighed.

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Oyasuminasai: Good night

Nande: What?

Matte: Wait

I also want to thank all that reviewed my story!  Your reviews are much appreciated!  Domo arigato gozaimasu!

Well, there's chapter two.  Remember, I don't own anything and I really love reviews!  There's a truce, but how long will it last?  The talk with Ami and Makoto next chappie.  Ja ne!

~Ree