Disclaimer: I happily announce that I don't own Sailor Moon! (Even though I'm not happy about THAT part....LOL, and arigato gozaimasu Takeuchi-sama, for creating Sailor Moon for us!)
I also don't own Kira (aka Star Striker) and Aoi (aka Star Keeper). They belong to Cassandra Sisenta. She let me borrow them, though. Isn't that nice? ^_^ I do own Hikaru (ala Star Hunter), Josei (aka Star Dancer) and Amai (aka Star Dreamer)- I invented them for this story (and ended up using them in at least one other....) Anyway, the point to this is 'please don't borrow any original characters without permission.' There.
Ne, gomen ne minna. It's been a while since the last chapter n'all....thing is, my family's
having a crisis right now and I'm in the middle of an almost-nervous-breakdown so I haven't
been writing as much. (I'm afraid my current state will affect my writing and it won't be as
good, or won't follow the storyline.) Anyway, I've managed to get into the right mood to write
some more of Walk A Mile, so....
"You've got to be kidding me! You had a FOOD FIGHT?!" Hikaru narrowed annoyed aqua eyes and attempted to cross her arms, which didn't work out so well due to the sling/cast that was still encasing the injured one. "We wander around the palace doing nothing all the time! We wake up, eat, train, go to bed and do it all again the next day! There's almost NEVER anything fun- I mean, not like THAT!" Her mouth fell into a pout. "So then I get hurt and the first thing you do once I'm bed-ridden is have a food fight?"
"Hey," Josei waved a hand to catch the sulking nagareboshi's attention, and then pointing meaningfully toward Seiya, Yaten, Usagi and Minako, who were standing near the doorway. "It wasn't US, Hikaru! Amai-chan and I had nothing to do with it. Talk to THEM!"
Hikaru glared at them. "You guys suck."
A snort from Yaten, and the other three all grinned nervously.
"You know, Hikaru, really it was all Seiya's-"
"Ack!" Seiya's head snapped around and she glared in Minako's direction. "What?! Don't you DARE try to blame me for-"
"You're the one who threw the flour at Kira!"
"Well she-"
"Seiya?" Yaten asked, suspiciously sweetly, "you have some cake in your hair."
Seiya glowered and shut her mouth. Josei rolled her eyes and Hikaru couldn't help but snicker; the aqua-haired girl had been surprised to say the least when the five senshi who were currently standing in front of her had come to deliver her lunch. The last thing she had expected as the tale they'd told her about- of all things- their food fight....
"Ne, Usagi?" Josei asked suddenly, "where's everyone else, anyway?"
The blond frowned, "Mako-chan stayed to help finish cleaning up with Amai, right? Well, then Ami-chan and Taiki-san made an escape to the library as soon as they could, Rei ran off to his room to change, and I think Aoi-san had to escort Kira-san to her room to wash the flour from her hair so she wouldn't take a detour and do....something....to Seiya...."
"You know, Kira just-"
"Seiya! Shut up already!"
"....fine."
With the leader of the Starlights sulking, arms crossed and leaning against the wall, Josei shook her head and began setting out the dishes they had brought for Hikaru. "Anyway, Amai and I showed up just in time to see Usagi dump a bowl of cake batter over Seiya-san." She grinned, "it was kind of funny, actually."
"Well," Hikaru continued to pout. "I wouldn't know, would I?"
"Hikaru, come on."
"Yeah!" Minako wandered over and patted the girl's head as if she were a small child. "I'm sure there'll be other food fights, right?"
"Not if Kira has her way."
"Seiya-baka! Stop it!"
"Well, I'm just saying-"
"Oi." Usagi dropped into a chair in the corner and rested his head against the back, closing his eyes. This is tiring. Fun, but tiring.
"Usagi-san?" Josei asked, "are you alright?"
"I'm fine, arigato."
"He's fine...." Hikaru stated, "but I'm ticked off!"
"Kami-sama!" Yaten snapped, eyes flashing, "fine! You wish you were there? You want to know what it was like when a CERTAIN blond senshi mashed EGGS into MY HAIR?!" Glaring at Minako, who cringed, she added; "those took FOREVER to get out, by the way!" Then, stalking to the side of Hikaru's bed, she snatched a bowl of cereal from a shocked Josei and dumped it over the aqua-haired girl's head. "There. Now you're in the same boat we were. Happy?"
"Y-Yaten...." Seiya was gaping.
"Hn." The silver-haired senshi flicked her eyes toward Seiya and then looked back at Hikaru, who was sitting perfectly still, cereal coating her head and shoulders and dropping down onto the sheets around her, milk soaking her pyjamas and running from her hair, and with a blank, almost shellshocked look on her face, saying nothing. The look on her face WAS funny....Yaten snickered, the scowl she had been wearing for most of the afternoon finally dissolving. "Oi, Hikaru-"
Not bothering to remove the bowl from her head, Hikaru gave Yaten a flat look. "I hate you." And after a moment, her brows knit and she stuck her tongue out, reaching up to wipe the soggy cereal and milk from her face (it didn't help much, as more just ran from her hair anyway). "Seriously, minna, YUCK!"
Josei and Usagi, both of whom had been unconsciously holding their breaths from the moment Yaten began to move, let them out with a whoosh and smiled tentatively. Both had been worried about the scene she may have caused....Minako, however, along with Seiya, had no such reservations and burst into peals of laughter.
Yaten continued to snicker, but managed; "ne, Hikaru-" and then she did something none of them could have ever anticipated. She apologized. "Gomen ne. I was just a little pissed, still. You'd be surprised how therapeutic that was."
Dryly. "I can imagine."
In the moments that followed, while Minako continued to have hysterics (Seiya had managed to calm herself down a bit, though), Hikaru sighed and removed the bowl from her head, dropping it on the sheets beside her (who cared? The bed was a mess, anyway) and climbed to her feet.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"To have a shower?"
Josei raised an eyebrow; "you're supposed to stay in bed."
"Josei-chan, YOU stay in that bed if you want to." Hikaru headed for the door, "I'M having a shower and finding somewhere CLEAN to have a sit down. Probably the library so I can read or whatever." She grimaced, "you guys are WAY to worried about me."
"But, your arm-"
"It's alright!" Waving off their concern with her good hand, Hikaru swung the door open-
-and almost ran into a very surprised Taiki on the other side. Luckily, they both stopped before they could slam into one another, and Hikaru was spared the pain of jarring her bad arm. Pausing, both of them stared for a moment. Then Ami's head appeared from around Taiki, and he blinked at the mess that had once been Hikaru.
"Do...." Ami began, "....I even want to know?"
"No." Hikaru stated, "excuse me, please?"
"Shouldn't you be in bed?"
The aqua-haired girl growled under her breath but held her tongue. "I'm okay."
Taiki's lips compressed, "if you're sure...."
"HAI!"
"Alright." Stepping to the side, Taiki and Ami both cleared out of the way. "But Ami and I were supposed to tell you something if you could wait a moment-" when Hikaru stopped, she continued; "Kakyuu-hime has decided to hold a Ball tonight in honor of the Earth Senshi....I thought you'd like to know so that you'll all have enough time to get ready for it, ne?"
"A Ball?" Josei said, glancing at Hikaru, "but Hikaru's-"
Hikaru rolled her eyes, "I'm FINE! Seriously, I can handle one Ball."
"Why would it matter?" Usagi wondered.
"You didn't know?" Josei asked, then shook her head. "No, of course you wouldn't. Usagi-san, Hikaru, Amai and I play the music at most of Kakyuu-hime's formal functions. Mostly classical stuff, you know, but we play some Earth music as well." She smiled, "it started to get popular after Seiya-tachi came back from your world."
"Oh."
"Anyway," the violet-haired girl glanced at Hikaru; "Hikaru usually plays the flute, but she certainly can't do it with her arm like that."
"So I'll sing, ne?" A shrug, "we'll do mostly the Earthian music for this Ball." Turning again, she have a short wave as she vanished down the hall; "tell Amai that I'll meet you guys in the Ball Room to warm up as soon as I'm done with that shower...."
They all watched her leave; the Earth Senshi all wondering if musical talent was normal for the senshi of Kinmoku (certainly they knew that Seiya, Taiki and Yaten had it, and now had learned that so did Hikaru, Josei and Amai. The only ones they didn't know about yet were Kira and Aoi), and the Starlights wondering if they should tie Hikaru to her bed so she wouldn't work too hard. She needed to rest, the doctor had said, and she obviously wasn't going to if they let her have her way...
"Okay! Let's get ready!"
The sound of hands clapping together determinedly made them all look back at Seiya, who grinned and headed for the door, grabbing hold of Usagi on the way and dragging him with her. Together (with Usagi trying to get his arm back the whole time) they wandered down the hall and around the corner.
"Oi, oi! Seiya! Let go!" Snatching his arm back, the blond glared at his friend, "you're as bad as Yaten sometimes, you know. Ow." Rubbing his skin through the jacket he was wearing, he sighed, "anyway, if you would be so kind as to help me find my room....again....I can get changed and whatever."
"Sure. Why'd you think I grabbed you on the way past?"
"'Cause you're a weirdo?"
"Thanks for that."
"Welcome." Usagi glanced at the girl from the corner of his eye; she was walking in the same tall and proud way she always did, a half-smirk on her face, as usual. Acting like nothing was wrong, like nothing had happened. It made him nervous, he decided, and he HAD been wanting to talk to her about it. What better time than now? No time like the present, I guess.
"Hey, Odango?"
"What're wrong?"
"What makes you think something's wrong?"
"You're thinking."
A blink. "I can't think anymore?"
"Well...." Seiya tilted her head to the side and grinned, "I'm just not used to a thoughtful Odango. Hell, you're VERY not yourself right now....it's almost scary. Nope, scratch that. It IS scary. Yup. I'm scared" At the look he gave her, she laughed. "Really. You don't believe me? Look," she forced a shiver, "I've got goose bumps."
Usagi rolled his eyes. "Jerk."
"Seriously, what were you thinking about?"
Considering, he frowned. "Look, Seiya, can I ask you....it's about earlier, you know-"
"You're forgiven."
"N-nani? For WHAT?"
"For dumping that cake on my head."
"Baka!" Usagi reached out and gave her a smack. "I wasn't talking about that!"
Seiya sighed, "I know." She stopped walking. "You're talking about that kiss, right? I wanted to apologize for that, anyway; I shouldn't have done it. So....there. Gomen nasai. I don't know what I was thinking."
Feeling oddly hurt by her words, Usagi shook her head. "But I want to know WHY-"
Seiya hesitated, then; "you know I've always liked you, right?" Somehow, she just couldn't bring herself to say 'love', even though it was true, and it frustrated her to no end as she continued; "but you've got Mamoru-san and that little pink-haired Chibi-Odango, to look forward to, so I know there's no way-" breaking off, she shrugged, trying to make the gesture look nonchalant and not-quite managing it. "That kiss....it was....let's call it a last-ditch effort."
Usagi watched her for a moment. "Seiya...."
Another shrug and she kept walking. "You can't blame a girl for trying, ne?" He followed just behind her, silent until they reached the hallway that his room was in. Seiya paused at the end of the corridor, "so here we are, sir, enjoy your stay!" Giving a mock half-bow, she winked; "gomen again, Odango....but I still get to dance with you tonight, right?"
"Hai," he smiled, "sure. Ja."
Once Seiya was gone, Usagi stepped into his (pink!) room with a tired sigh, and was prepared to flop on the bed with he noticed the suit that had been laid across the foot. Or, not a suit but a tuxedo, he supposed as he picked it up. White with silver trim. He was surprised by how nice it looked, even just lying where it had been.
Kakyuu must have ordered it. I wonder if the others got them, too?
Deciding it didn't matter so long as HE was dressed well, he set about getting changed and ready for the function that he realized, as he was brushing his hair out (a task that was no easier or less time consuming as when he had been a girl) he didn't know when it began. Groaning inwardly, he either needed to find someone, or wait until someone came to find him. And he couldn't decide which to do; he was afraid that if he went out to find someone else, he would get hopelessly lost and miss the Ball, or that if he waited for someone to find him, he'd fall asleep and miss the Ball anyway....
Luckily, his problem was solved about an hour later (after he had finished bathing, getting changed and fixing his hair into the ponytail he had ALMOST gotten used to, now....) when a knock sounded at his door and Minako burst in without waiting for an answer.
"Usagi!" The blond gasped, "I need your help!"
Suddenly nervous, Usagi was on his feet and tense instantly. "What is it?"
Minako gave her a severe look and then gestured to the beige-ish-orange (really, WHERE was Kakyuu getting the ideas for the tuxes? Not that they were bad or anything. On the contrary, the one Minako was wearing went well with his hair and matched his eyes nicely) tuxedo he was wearing. "Does this make me look fat?"
"....." Usagi stared, then; "Minako!"
"Nani?"
"You nearly gave me a heart attack!"
Pausing, Minako frowned, then gave him a sheepish look; "ah....gomen."
Usagi groaned. "Let's go....say, where's Yaten?"
Cringing slightly and casting a wary glance over his shoulder, Minako whispered, "she ambushed me just outside of my room, but I convinced her to wait in the hall while I talked to you."
"You sound like you don't want to see her."
"I don't!" His voice raised slightly, and he winced before lowering it again. "I mean, I DO, it's just that I like having use of both my arms for a while, and as soon as I head back out there she's going to hook onto me again...."
Usagi laughed, shoving his friend toward the door. "Let's go," he repeated, "we've got a Ball to attend."
"....hai...."
A few minutes later, when the three- Usagi, Minako and Yaten- entered the ballroom, the two Earth Senshi were surprised by the grandeur of the event. They shouldn't have been, really, but there seemed to be a big difference between HEARING about the Royal Balls and actually ATTENDING one.
Usagi looked around with wide eyes for a long moment before his eyes landed on Seiya and he started toward her; Minako's attention, on the other hand, was torn between the wonders of the Ball and Yaten, who was latched onto his arm yet again, and dressed in a stunning silver gown to match her hair. To onlookers, Minako looked torn between being pleased with himself and clobbering Yaten....
"You look terribly dashing." Seiya announced, grinning, when Usagi appeared beside her.
"Dashing? WHERE did you get that from?"
A frown; "TV, probably....you know how it is on Earth...."
"Hai. You look nice, too."
Nice was an understatement. Seiya looked absolutely amazing in the red dress she had chosen to wear; it flowed out and around her feet and swayed lightly when she moved, and the straps that held it up were almost paper-thin.
"Odango, you're drooling."
"Shut up."
Seiya smiled brightly and held out her hand, "shall w-" suddenly her eyes caught on something over Usagi's shoulder and she stopped. "Oh no...." her eyes widened and she took on a look of fear, making the blond senshi in front of her suspect something terrible for the second time that day.
"Seiya, nani-?"
"Well," Aoi's voice interrupted, "you two are looking wonderful tonight!"
"Huh?" Spinning, Usagi looked at the two Outer Starlights. NANI?
His jaw fell open.
Aoi, who was wearing an ivory colored gown for the occasion, smiled-
-and next to her, Kira- a very MALE Kira- winked, before turning an almost-smirk on Seiya.
Kira's a guy....Kira's a GUY? What the hell! Turning toward Seiya, Usagi narrowed his eyes. They can change....which means WE can change....I. Am. Going. To. Kill. Them! Pursing his lips and giving Seiya a flat look, he opened his mouth to say something....
....but before he could, Seiya's eyes met with Yaten's across the dance floor- Yaten was looking pretty nervous from the ticked-off eyeing she was getting from Minako, and Rei who was nearby- and they both broke into a desperate sprint, dashing for the exit.
The first thing Princess Kakyuu saw upon entering the Ballroom was two of her Starlights race out, followed by three very irate Earth Senshi. She spotted Kira and sighed as she sat down, realizing what had happened.
"Are you alright, Princess?" Artemis asked from beside her.
"Hai...." Kakyuu nodded, "this sort of thing happens all the time...."
Luna sweatdropped. "Oi...."
______
Me: K, BenRG suggested having Mamoru show up on Kinmoku (with a twist, of course!), which is a wonderful idea (I TRIED to fit it in, really I did) but I've got the story pretty much figured out and I can't find a way to add that. Thanks for the suggestion, though! Until next time! Ja.