Stars in the Sky
Chapter Four: Romance Doesn't Wither on the Vine
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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Haruka walked inside of Crown Fruit Parlor and saw Ami and Makoto waiting for her at a small booth. They waved her over and she smiled warmly at seeing her friends again and sat down.
"Yo you two, what's up?"
"Well, we just wanted to see how you're faring with Seiya," Makoto said and smiled. "How are you two getting along? You haven't killed each other yet have you? He is still alive?"
"Why is it that everyone thinks that the minute we're alone in a room together we're going to murder each other?" she demanded, her temper rising. "We can be civil and even nice to each other!"
"Gomen nesai Haruka-san, she didn't mean anything by it. Demo, considering your history with Seiya, we're just worried that you may do something you end up regretting, you know?"
"I am perfectly able to take care of myself!" she snapped and rose. "Just because I didn't like Seiya before doesn't mean that I don't know what a good person he can be now. He's been really generous to me and I appreciate that. He's done as much for me as Michiru did…except I know that he won't abandon me on a whim. Now just stop interrogating me and leave me alone!"
She rose from her seat, slammed the chair down as she pushed it in, and stormed out of the parlor. Makoto and Ami were gaping after her, both of them trying to process what she had just said. Did Haruka-san just say that Seiya was a good person? Makoto wondered about what Haruka had said, turning it over in her head and smiled when she came to an answer.
"Ami-chan, I think that Haruka-san likes Seiya. I mean, she really likes him. She's just having trouble admitting it to anyone."
"Mako-chan, are you sure? I mean, this is Haruka-san we're talking about and I thought that she and Michiru-san were-"
"That's over, Ami-chan, you know that. If Haruka-san's going to move on with her life, then he's going to have to start soon."
Ami looked uncertain and Haruka was driving around, trying to rid herself of the feeling that had welled up inside her when someone had insulted Seiya. Why did I come to his defense? Is it because I care about him as more than a friend? Or is it something more……should I just kiss him and find out? Now that would be awkward I bet. She laughed at the thought of kissing Seiya. But in the back of her mind, she wondered what it would be like to kiss the tempting lips that had said kind words and insults alike to her. Squirming slightly, the blonde racer realized that she was feeling uncomfortable for some reason.
"This is ridiculous, I know that I like Seiya, but do I really want to….kiss him? And even if I did want to kiss him, would I enjoy it? Would he enjoy it? Or would he just push me away, repulsed at the idea that I like him? For the first time in my life, I don't have an answer."
She continued to drive around, debating about whether or not to go back to the mansion. As she was lost in her thoughts, Taiki pushed open the door, motioning for Yaten to stay in the kitchen. The brunette walked over to his best friend, one would call him his brother, and sat down across from him. Seiya sat up; tilting his head to gaze back at Taiki, wondering what was up.
"I'm going to ask you point-blank, Seiya. Do you like Haruka?"
Seiya sputtered a bit, caught off-guard by the question and immediately began to vehemently deny it. But the look that Taiki was giving him made him sigh and massage his temples. He had been found out…one of his worst fears recently. Navy eyes met purple in deep seriousness.
"Yes, I like her. I like her so much that over the past few days that she's been here…I've wanted to kiss her, hold her, protect her from the hurt that she's been feeling about Michiru, and just basically keep her for myself. But, she can't accept me."
"How can you be so sure she won't accept you?"
"She just won't. Haruka is proud, honorable, independent…original, innovative, and kind. She's just wonderful and I can't have her."
"Seiya, you won't know until you try."
"I can't humiliate myself in front of her again! I've done enough of that already. She needs someone that she can be an equal to, and I'm not that."
"How do you know what she needs?"
"Because I-oh why do you have to be so right about things? Damnit, I want her, I want to love her, be friends with her, and kill Michiru for leaving her and taking away whatever family she's had. But Haruka isn't one to return my feelings, you know that."
Taiki smiled and looked at his fellow singer. Reaching out and placing his hand on Seiya's shoulder, Taiki gave him a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry, believe in her Seiya. And trust her to care for you as you really are."
"Taiki, you're a hopeless romantic, but you're right."
"Of course I'm right. Now, just wait for her, she'll come back and then you can let her know."
"You make it sound so simple."
Laughing, Taiki patted Seiya's shoulder before walking out of the room and closing the door before grinning at Yaten, who was waiting with an impatient look on his face. Pulling the white-haired man along with him, Taiki led them to the den and shut the door.
"Well, we've got them right where we want them. Seiya just admitted that he wants Haruka in every possible aspect and I have a feeling that Haruka hasn't come back yet because she's trying to sort out her thoughts as well. When she gets back, we lock them in here until they either kiss or something else. And after that, we can let them out once they get worked up."
Yaten grinned maliciously and the two of them began to discuss what exactly they were going to do when Haruka decided to come back. It wasn't until about eleven o'clock at night when Haruka finally pulled up into the driveway, tired, and still confused as ever. I've got to tell him…that's just the bottom line. Climbing out of the car, Haruka walked into the house and saw Seiya pacing back and forth. She smiled, closed the door behind her, and made a motion to the den. Seiya gulped and followed her. Closing the door behind them, Taiki and Yaten crept stealthily out of their hiding place and locked the door.
"This had better work Yaten; otherwise we're going to be very dead men walking," Taiki hissed as they walked back upstairs.
"Don't worry, this'll work. Trust me, if my instincts are right, we're going to see Seiya happier than ever before and we'll probably make a better person out of Haruka. Should we turn on the intercom and listen in on their conversation in the den?"
"All right, but when it gets to the…more intimate parts, we leave them alone."
"Fine, fine, don't worry about it."
They slid upstairs and turned on the intercom that allowed them to listen in on Haruka and Seiya's conversation downstairs.
"What is it you wanted to talk with me about, Haruka?" Seiya asked, looking nervous but confident. "Is it something important?"
"Why were you waiting up for me?"
Seiya looked down, a light blush painting his cheeks as he tried to come up with an answer. "Because I wanted to…to make sure that you got back safely, that's all."
"Are you sure that's all?"
"Hai, why wouldn't it be?"
Haruka looked down and Seiya studied her carefully. She almost seems……disappointed? But why would she be disappointed? Feeling bold and just a bit more than curious, Seiya moved forward until he was on the edge of his seat and reached out to touch Haruka's cheek. She bolted at the touch, jerking back and looking surprised. Immediately, Seiya lowered his hand and placed it back in his lap.
"Gomen ne…" he whispered.
"Iie…I want you to touch me again…"
Looking up into her teal eyes, Seiya gulped slightly and reached out tentatively, his fingers moving slowly, timidly, until they came to rest on her cheek. Nothing happened for a few moments as he rested his palm on her cheek and stroked it with the pad of his thumb. Then, something amazing happened…at least that's how it felt to Seiya. Haruka reached up and placed her right hand over the wrist of his left, which was touching her face, and reached up with her other hand to take the palm off of her face, and, almost as if she was afraid or uncertain, kissed the palm. Navy eyes almost bugged out of their sockets at Haruka's display.
"Haruka…I thought…"
"I like you Seiya. As much as it hurts to say, considering Michiru, all we've been through, the things we said to each other…but there's something I want you to know," her eyes became serious. "I'm not one that likes to have her feelings tampered with."
"I would never tamper with your feelings. Ever since I found out that Michiru…I wanted to go and strangle her for hurting you. At the time I thought I was going insane…but then I realized that you were someone I could relate to. We've both been hurt in the past, we both have loves that we lost, but there's also something more to you. It's your spirit that I admire the most…your shine."
Haruka looked suspicious for a moment but the sincere look in Seiya's eyes made her soften a bit more and actually made her want to try and trust him. Seiya leaned back and motioned for her to join him on the loveseat where he had been sitting. Raising her eyebrow, she rose and sat down next to him, not knowing where this was going. I don't want to rush into anything……but he's always been considerate of my feelings ever since I came here. Her musings were interrupted when a pair of arms wrapped around her waist and moved to pull her into his lap. Letting out a surprised noise of protest, she found herself sitting sideways on his lap.
"What's this?"
"I thought you'd be more comfortable," he said simply, looking innocent and smiling at her. "What's the matter, aren't you?"
"I'm just not used to this…but I could get used to it."
"Glad to hear it."
He looked at her as if asking for permission and she smiled and wrapped her arms around his shoulders and nodded. A bright smile illuminated his features and his lips ghosted over her cheek, just enough for her to notice that they were there and the blonde shuddered, not used to the feeling of being kissed. She was used to being the one doing the kissing, but it was nice to let someone else do it for once. His lips moved to her neck and he kissed it gently, as if savoring the taste of her skin before moving to kiss her lips.
Taiki's arm shot out as he batted Yaten away and turned off the intercom, glaring at the shorter of the two. Yaten looked at him innocently.
"Iie, Yaten, we're not going to eavesdrop on them."
"But it's just getting good!"
"IIE, Yaten, we're not!"
"Fine…"
He pouted a bit and wondered what was going on as Taiki went downstairs to unlock the door, smiling secretively as he dashed up the stairs to make sure that Yaten wasn't going to eavesdrop on them. Seiya released Haruka from the kiss and both were breathing heavily, needing air from the oxygen-stealing kiss. The raven-haired man looked like he had never been kissed before, and he didn't know if he could contain himself from kissing the pink and bruised lips once more. He leaned over and whispered,
"Anata ga hitsuyou de aru, Haruka."
She looked surprised at what he had said and looked down. Seiya's eyes softened and he gently took her chin in his hand and turned her to look at him. Looking deep into her eyes, he leaned over and sealed their lips in another heat-rising kiss, hoping that it would calm her. Haruka had never been kissed so passionately before. Even she and Michiru rarely kissed, and when they did…it was like kissing water. All cool and slippery, as if she would be gone at any time. But with Seiya……it's like I'm kissing him and being engulfed by fire. He's so warm and gentle. He must have been thinking about this a lot lately.
Seiya was in heaven. He finally was able to taste the lips that he had desired for days. When he finally came to grips that he care about Haruka as more than just an adversary, it was like he was being swept away in her very being. Her lips were soft, but they had Chap Stick on them because they were windblown, her skin was also soft, but he had the feeling that she used lotion to keep it from cracking. But the most delectable part of her was her eyes. They reflect her soul; they shine with light that I only saw in Odango. But now I see it in her too……and it's never felt so right. Seiya pulled her closer and felt Haruka start in his arms and he paused for a moment to let her relax. When he was confident that Haruka had relaxed, he stood up and lifted her in his arms.
"Seiya, nani?"
"I'm going to take you upstairs…I want this night to be special. But don't worry," he smiled as she was about to speak. "We can take it easy and slow. It's only natural that you're not used to this…to me, but I can wait. After all, I waited this long."
Chuckling, Haruka leaned over and kissed him. "Shut up."
"If you do that again, I will."
Laughing, she kissed him again, taking charge in the kiss and letting her tongue battle with his while Seiya struggled to stay involved in the kiss and try and reclaim it while at the same time struggle up the stairs and into his room. When he finally arrived, it took all of his will to let her down so he could open the door and pull her inside. Haruka pulled him over to the bed, her lips still locked with his and he laid her down, making sure to stay off of her and thanking his deities on Kinmoku that he was receiving such a gift.
Haruka made sure that she kept in control, but still allowed Seiya to take some once in a while too; after all, he was a guy. And guys need that kind of…ego-booster. Chuckling under her breath, she pulled Seiya in for another bruising kiss and running her hands along his chest, the blonde made short work of Seiya's shirt, pulling it over his head and tossing it onto the floor, giving her a clear view of his chiseled muscles. They were well-defined but not overly bulky, giving him a toned and somewhat sleek look.
"Impressive," she whispered.
"Thanks, there's a lot more where that came from."
"Your ego really needs to be deflated."
He laughed and stroked her sides before moving his hands to her chest and unbuttoning the buttons that were all the way down her shirt. Damn, does she have to wear so many buttons? Laughing at the look on his face, Haruka merely sat back and waited as he fumbled. Finally, he pushed the offending garment off her shoulders and cast it over her shoulder and let out a breathy gasp at what he saw. Haruka, half-naked, in a black lace bra and believe it or not, those men's clothes hid a lot from the naked eye. Speaking of naked, if she's not there in a few minutes, I'm going to go insane. He leaned down and planted light butterfly kisses over her skin, feeling her chest rise and fall with her heavy breathing and her fingers making their way to his ponytail and removing it from its restraint. The long black locks fell around her and Seiya and she ran her fingers through the satiny strands.
Taiki listened as Seiya brought Haruka upstairs and smiled when he heard the door close behind them. It looks like I was right. And with the comforting thought that Seiya was going to be happy, he rolled over in his bed and fell asleep. Yaten meanwhile was planning on torturing them at every moment possible and fell asleep with a wicked grin on his face. Neither of them even noticed the noise that was coming from Seiya's room. Haruka and Seiya lay together that night in only their underclothes, since Haruka hadn't been ready yet for making love with a man. The night was peaceful, and she knew that someday, someday soon, she'd be ready.
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Anata ga hitsuyou de aru, Haruka. – "I need you, Haruka."
Woo-hoo, there's chapter four! Wow, it's about time those two hooked up wasn't it? I must say, this was all Yaten and Taiki's idea from the start! I still don't own anything and now that it's summer vacation, expect some more writing and I hope you like it! R/R onegai!
~Ree