Stars in the Sky
Chapter Nine: An Unusual Turn
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!
* * * * * *
"Is there something you wanted to tell us?" Haruka asked, a smirk on her features at the development.
"Well...the truth of the matter is...Yaten and I...well..." Taiki stammered, not sure how to put it.
"Just say it Taiki," Yaten scoffed.
"Just say what, Taiki? That you and Yaten are a couple?" Seiya asked, looking a bit edgy.
Well, I guess we're going to have to have everything about us being related cleared up. If we don't, there's "scandal" written all over this, Seiya thought as he looked at the hugging couple. Haruka looked really amused and slightly inquisitive as she folded her arms over her chest while looking back and forth between the two singers. Finally, Yaten heaved an exasperated sigh and stepped forward, out of Taiki's warm embrace.
"Look, Taiki and I have secretly been together for a few months now. You two are the only ones that know about it and that's how it's going to stay, do you understand me?" Yaten demanded.
"Hai, Yaten, daijoubu, we understand," Seiya replied with a smile on his face. "So does this mean that we can double date? Sometimes it gets so boring with just Ruka for company."
And with that, the blonde backhanded him over the head. Seiya winced and laughed at the murderous look in Haruka's eyes. I knew that would get a reaction out of her, he thought smugly. Taiki and Yaten looked at each other and back at the dysfunctional couple, who were now sharing a glaring war. Unable to take it anymore, both of them began to burst into chuckles, which turned into hearty laughs when Seiya and Haruka looked at them as if they were nuts. And when they realized what they were doing, all four of them burst into laughter. Meanwhile, Chiba Usagi was walking down the street with Mamoru on her arm.
"Mamo-chanhow do you think Haruka-san is doing?" she asked, looking up at him.
"I think she's doing just fine. Seiya and the others will take good care of her," he assured her.
Although, on the inside, the blue-eyed future king was doubtful, it could be that both of them had ended up killing each otherbut he couldn't tell that to his beloved. So, he smiled as reassuringly as he could and wrapped his arm around her, the other arm busy carrying a bag of groceries. During the years they had been married, Usagi had managed to learn how to cook without burning anything or making Mamoru sick, something he was grateful for. While they were walking, Usagi spotted a familiar figure on the streets.
"Konnichiwa Michiru-san!" she called and went to the older girl, but stopped when she saw Michiru had been crying. "Daijoubu Michiru-san? Did you see Haruka-san today?"
"HaiI saw her. Wrapped in the arms of a man" she whispered bitterly.
"A man? But I thought you said Haruka-san doesn't like men."
"She didn't like popular menat least that's how I remember her. It's like Haruka's completely changed. She didn't even say hello to meit was like I was invisible."
Usagi looked worried for the aqua-haired musician. Michiru knew that she could get sympathy from Usagi and when she told the blonde who Haruka had been with, then Usagi would be able to guilt her former lover into leaving Seiya and coming back to her arms. No one would say that Kaioh Michiru was ever rejected. Comfortingly, Usagi placed her hand on Michiru's shoulder a smile on her face to try and reassure her friend things would be fine.
"Don't worry Michiru-san, I'm sure Haruka-san still cares about you as a friend. Who was the guy she was with, anyway? I mean, he couldn't be that bad, ne? Do we know him?"
"You know him all righthe's Seiya."
"I thought that Seiya and Haruka-san hated each other!"
"So did I, Usagi, but apparently they don't anymore because when I saw them, they looked awfully close. I can't believe I was so stupid as to think that she was loyal to me."
Her eyes began to fill up with tears; at least that's how it looked to Usagi. The petite blonde did her best to comfort Michiru as she vowed to give Seiya and Haruka a piece of her mind.
"Michiru-san, we'll go and talk to Haruka-san and Seiya the next time we see them, I promise."
"Arigato Usagi."
Michiru smiled as Usagi and Mamoru walked away. I'll get you back Harukaand you won't leave me again. I'll make sure of that, she thought as she began to walk away. As Usagi walked down the street with Mamoru, a rider on a familiar motorcycle raced past them. Once the blonde recognized the rider, she shouted at the top of her lungs.
"Oi! Haruka-san!"
The rider slowed their motorcycle to a halt and waited as Usagi raced up next to her.
"Yo, koneko-chan, how are you?" Haruka asked as she pushed her visor up so she could see Usagi.
"I'll tell you how I am, Haruka-san! I just ran into Michiru-san and she said that you were dating Seiya!"
"Hai, I am."
There was a hint of pride in Haruka's tone that she was with the singer. Usagi's eyes widened as she tried to take in the fact that the man who declared he was in love with her was dating someone he hated. I just don't get itshe thought confusedly. It only took her a moment to recover from that shock before Usagi glowered at Haruka once more.
"How could you do that to Michiru-san? I thought that the two of you would never part!"
"That changed koneko-chanit changed the instant she kissed another man. And it wasn't any man it was her ex-boyfriend. Do you know how much that hurt, koneko-chan?"
"Haruka-sanI didn't know"
"Iieyou didn't."
And with that, she flipped her visor down, gunned her engine, and sped off in the other direction. Usagi watched with a sad look on her features and sighed. Why didn't Michiru-san tell me that's why she and Haruka-san parted ways? If it had been Mamo-chan kissing another woman willingly I don't know what I would have done. With a sigh and a depressed expression as she wiped at her eyes. Mamoru looked over at his wife before holding her close, trying to comfort her. The two of them didn't know what to make of this new development and it seemed that the only thing to do was inform the other Senshi about it.
"Nani? Are you sure?" Rei demanded a half-hour later.
"Hai, I'm sure. Haruka-san told me herself that Michiru-san kissed her ex-boyfriend in front of her and she was with Seiya. I'm worried, neither of them are speaking to each other," Usagi replied.
"Well, I don't see why she gets Seiya," Minako muttered, looking resentfully at the floor.
"Minako-chan!" Ami cried in shock.
"Well it's not fair, I don't see why she gets to date someone she doesn't even like while we get nothing!"
"It's not fair to be jealous of something we can't change," Makoto put in sternly. "So stop pouting."
Minako muttered resentfully, her bright blue eyes bitter at the thought of not being able to date one of the Three Lights. The Senshi had been in shock when they discovered the new relationship between the two least likely to ever get together and the most likely to kill each other. Usagi had described everything she knew about the break-up and everyone was coming up with blanks as to why the two Senshi had gotten together.
Back at the mansion of Three Lights, Haruka and Seiya had found out that ever since they had gotten to Kinmoku, Yaten and Taiki had been harboring feelings for each other. It had started out from friendship and respect to deep affection and caring neither of them knew how to explain. Before they knew it, they had fallen head over heels for each other, but were wondering when would be the best time to come out and tell Seiya about it.
"Well, at least we found out now rather than later," Seiya admitted and gave them an uneasy smile. "Well, as long as you two are happy with each other, then I'm fine with this."
"Arigato Seiya, your opinion means a lot to us," Taiki smiled.
"It's not a problem Taiki," Seiya replied.
"Maybe now Yaten will become more bearable when he's had a good lay," Haruka teased.
Everyone except Yaten began to laugh. Haruka chuckled until tears of mirth began to form at the corners of her eyes. Finally, they were quiet, unsure as to how to proceed. It was a telephone call that broke the silence, and Seiya went to answer it. It turned out to be the agent of Three Lights and saying that he had booked a recording session for tomorrow.
"Arigato," he said and hung up before turning to the others. "We've got a recording of our new songs tomorrowwe've got to come up with some! How could we have missed this?"
"Calm down Seiya, if we work all night I'm sure we can get some new songs written," Taiki said calmly and turned around to head for the recording room. "Let's get going."
Yaten followed and Seiya looked apologetically to Haruka. She didn't look happy and he sighed.
"Gomen nesai Rukayou know that if I had any other choicecan you forgive me?"
With a sigh, she nodded. "All right, but don't forget to eat something. You can't get sick on your first day on the job from not eating. And if I have to, I'm going to force you to sleep."
"Not that I mind that," Seiya grinned, kissed her briefly and headed off with Taiki and Yaten.
Haruka looked at them with a look she didn't even know how to describe. Inside, her heart ached, but there was something pleasing about seeing the three of them together and working to create their music. She sat down in an armchair and began to think. Even though her thoughts would probably turn to Michiru, she didn't care. All Haruka wanted now was one moment's peace where her mind would be free from Michiru and the past that she had left behind. For the first moment in her life, she wanted to escape everything from her past.
"Naniwhy am I thinking like this? I shouldn't be thinking this way! Ten'oh Haruka never thinks this way! I never ran away from my past before and I'm sure as hell not going to start now."
Looking as though she wanted to burn off some steam, she went and got back onto her motorcycle. At least riding will always help me think. She fired up her engine and took off. Riding down the street, Haruka's thoughts were everywhere except on the road in front of her. Which explained why Haruka didn't see the semi truck coming and as her teal eyes took in the site of the truck getting closer and closer, it took all of her reflexes to get her to lean the bike onto its side and slide under the trailer part. Even though she had avoided a head-on collision, Haruka skidded a few more feet and crashed into a building nearby.
Pain was the first coherent thought in Haruka's mind. It burned through her body and tore at her muscles and bones, making her try and cry out to relieve some of the agony. Drifting in and out of consciousness, Haruka's eyes opened and closed as she heard loud sirens and voices. Flashing red lights assaulted her vision and Haruka tried to move, but a foam neck brace was wrapped around her neck and she felt herself being lifted up into the ambulance.
"All right, let's try Nagareboshi ni," Taiki suggested and the music began to start up.
Seiya had a bad feeling that something was going on with Haruka, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Trying to put his mind off of Haruka for the moment, Seiya began to concentrate on the music.
Kimi wa itsumo kagayaiteta
Egao hitotsu chiisa na hoshi
Taisetsu ni shiteta yo (eien no Starlight)
Ano hi boku wa mamorenakute
Kuyashi namida koraeta dake
Itami ga mokoru yo (wasurenai Sweet heart)
Search for your love, sora no suishou
Search for your love, nakanaide kure
Search for your love, hontou wa
Dakishimetai no sa
Kimi no kaori zutto (sagashiteru)
Boku no koe yo todoke (aishiteru)
Ima doko ni iru no (Moonlight Princess)
Boku no princess
Kotaete, answer for me
Ima sugu, answer for me
Kotatete, answer for me
Yasashiku, answer for me
Seiya looked at the counter where the phone was ringing and stopped the music for a moment so he could go answer it. Taiki and Yaten looked at each other and smiled slightly.
"Are you sure? Oh Kami-sama please let her be all right. Arigato, I'll be right over," Seiya said and hung up. "Haruka was in an accident. She's at Tokyo General Hospital."
"Haruka was in an accident?" Taiki gasped.
"Is she all right?" Yaten demanded.
"They're not sureit wasn't a head-on collision, but it was nearly as bad because she hit a building after avoiding the truck. I'm going to go see her, are you coming with me?"
"Of course Seiya," Taiki replied and the three of them put on their coats before heading to the car.
Taiki slid into the driver's seat and Yaten and Seiya were in the back as the brunette gunned the engine and sped off down the road. When they reached the hospital, Seiya nearly tore down the door to get inside and dashed to the nurse's station, startling the workers.
"Ten'oh Haruka, onegai," he gasped.
"Ten'ohah, she's still in surgery so you're going to have to wait," the head nurse replied.
Seiya looked like he was about to faint, he paled so quickly and so much that Taiki and Yaten had to help him over to the waiting area. As the three of them waited, the navy-eyed singer began to contemplate why he had been so scared when he heard about Haruka's accident. What's happening to mewhy did I care so much? It's like I'm not myself anymoreever since I got together with Haruka; it's been one surprise after another. With a smile on his face, he continued to think about what had happened to him over the past few days. It's been one wild ride after anotherhe thought affectionately as he recalled the night they spent together. Bringing back the memories made his heart flutter.
"What's happening to me?" he whispered.
"It's simple Seiya," Taiki offered, overhearing his friend's question. "You're falling in love."
"Falling in love? I can't fall in love with Haruka. She's nothing like me. Sure I like her and all, but I can't imagine falling in love with her so fast. Why are you saying that Taiki?"
"It's obvious Seiyayou're falling hard and fast for Haruka. I'll tell you now that it's obvious you're in love. At first it's confusion, then denial, then disbelief, and finally acceptance. It's a very natural cycle, not necessarily in that order. It's the same as when I realized I was in love with Yaten. I was confused at first, then I denied my feelings, thinking it was just a phase, and then I couldn't believe I was falling in love, and then I finally accepted it."
Seiya looked puzzled by Taiki's explanation until he began to go over the past few days in his head. Yeah, he'd been confused about his relationship with Haruka, and then he'd tried to deny that it would last, and now he couldn't believe how much he'd changed in just a little over a week's time. It all seems too good to be truehe thought as he turned over this contemplation in his mind. Taiki waited patiently as Seiya tried to figure out his feelings and Yaten came over, sitting down beside him. Looking worried, Taiki laced his fingers through Yaten's.
"Nani?" he asked.
"I just went to tell the girls that Haruka's in the hospital. They seemed really shocked."
"Yaten, I don't know if that's such a good idea. You know Tsukino-san and how loud she can be. Right now, Haruka needs rest and Seiya needs to sort out his thoughts about her."
"Are you Seiya Kou-san?" a nurse asked, coming over with a clipboard and a doctor behind her.
"Hai, I am," he replied and rose. "How is Haruka?"
"Well, her shoulders were both mangled so badly we had to take some extra skin in places to repair them. She has numerous scratches and bruises, a broken leg, and a sprained wrist. Howevereven though she was wearing her helmet, there was some damage to her head. She's still asleep right now, you may go and see her," the nurse explained.
"Arigato," Seiya said, getting to his feet.
Taiki and Yaten followed Seiya as he was led to Haruka's room. The blonde lay amidst five different machines, her face withdrawn and covered with powder-blue bruises on her arms and face. Seiya sat next to her bed and took Haruka's hand that wasn't covered in IV needles into his.
"HarukaI thought I'd almost lost you. Don't you dare scare me like that again," he whispered.
"Hai Ten'oh, you really know how to give a guy a heart-attack. You really are impossible," Yaten laughed.
"Don't pay any attention to Yaten, Haruka, he was worried about you too," Taiki smiled.
The blonde didn't respond, but the trio stayed by her side for as long as they were allowed. Weary, frustrated, and morose, Taiki, and Yaten left her hospital room to go home and sleep for the night. Seiya however, refused to leave her side. His navy eyes kept watch over hers, waiting for the moment she would awaken and he could see her teal eyes once more. Rukawake uphe thought dispiritedly as his thoughts tumbled into dreams and Seiya fell asleep at Haruka's bedside, their fingers still laced together.
For weeks Seiya and the others waited for Haruka to wake up. It seemed as though it would take an eternity before the trio could bring her back home. Her not waking up impacted Seiya most of all, for he was distance and forlorn during practice and listless at home. For hours he sat by her bed in the hospital, waiting for her to wake up. After two months of waiting, Seiya couldn't help but think that she would never awaken, but refused to believe it. Ruka is strong, she'll pull through this. I know she will, he thought fiercely. And as he was lost in his thoughts, the slightest bit of pressure was on his hand.
"Ruka?" he asked hopefully, placing the hand that wasn't holding hers on her forehead.
Fine black lashes fluttered and finally after months of waiting, a pair of teal eyes opened and a slight moan came from her chest. Seiya felt as though his heart was about to burst as Haruka's eyes looked up at his. As the singer looked into Haruka's eyes, a tear formed in his eye.
"I thought I'd lost you for a minute," he whispered hoarsely.
She laughed a little bit. "You should know it'd take more than that to bring me down."
"Hai, hai, I knowbut don't you dare do something like that again. You scared me to death."
"Gomen."
"Gomen? That's all you can say?" he exclaimed with a bit of laughter. "Then I think that's just what the doctor ordered. And you'd never believe this, but Taiki and Yaten missed you."
"Will wonders never cease?"
The two of them chuckled quietly as Seiya traced his fingers softly over Haruka's face as if memorizing her. Haruka looked at him as though he was crazy, but he didn't say anything as he leaned over and kissed her. I'm never going to let her go againnot ever, Seiya thought as he held her close. Taiki and Yaten watched from the door, smiles on their faces and their hands laced together. It just felt right, the scene before them, as though Seiya and Haruka had always been together. The skies and the starsa good match, Taiki thought.
"Am I going to go home soon?" Haruka asked.
"Hai, don't worry about that. Just rest now and everything will be all right," Seiya replied and kissed her.
"Iie, not in front of us!" Yaten cried, covering his eyes.
"Come on Yaten, you know that you enjoy watching us together," Haruka teased. "I can't believe I missed your sense of humor."
"Well, Seiya was miserable without you" he trailed off, looking as though he could care less.
"We're glad you're backHaruka," Taiki added.
"Kami-sama, wonders will never cease. That's the first time I've heard you call me by my name, Taiki," Haruka laughed.
"Well, I'd better get used to it, ne?" he asked.
"Hai."
The four of them stayed in the hospital until the doctors announced Haruka could go home the next day. Feeling better than she had in weeks, Haruka let the doctors do their poking and prodding as she groaned about her leg.
"This is going to stop me from riding for another two months!" she groaned.
"It's your own fault," Taiki laughed.
He had stayed behind so Yaten and Seiya could get some practice in and do some things around the house.
"No it's not, that truck was the one that crashed into me. Besides, if I can't do anything, I'm going to go insane!"
"And take us with you."
She glowered at him as the two continued to banter back and forth. Finally, night fell and Haruka spent her last night in the hospital. And according to the nurses, that was a good thing because she had yelled at all of them whenever they tried to help her get to the bathroom. Haruka hated the indignity of it and refused to let anyone but Seiya, Taiki, or Yaten to help her. Usagi and the others had come to visit as often as they could, but there was always a tense silence whenever they did because they thought Haruka had betrayed Michiru and not the other way around. It hurt that they did, but Haruka wasn't up to explaining it to them.
Finally, Seiya and Taiki arrived the next morning and helped her into the car. Yaten had refused to come, saying that he'd seen enough of her to last a lifetime, or so he claimed. The drive home was uneventful, as Haruka was still exhausted from the pain killers she had been given, but when she got back, it felt like she was truly coming home.
"Kami-sama I missed this," she said as Seiya laid her down in their bed.
"And I missed you too. Now get some sleep and let those pain killers wear off. We'll be here if you need us."
And with a kiss to her forehead, Seiya walked out, thinking about what tomorrow would bring and how he would broach the subject he wanted.
* * * * * *
Well, there's another chapter down! Thank you for all your reviews, they're much appreciated! Look for the next chappie in a few days, but I make no promises. Anyone surprised at the Taiki/Yaten relationship? *Laughs* you should see the doujinshi about those two! It's so cute! Until next time, ja ne!
~Ree