Mina-sama! *dances around happily* Arigatou for the reviews! I didn't expect that much response to my story! ^___^V
Fetish- ^^V I'm glad you like the fic ^^V Heheh, a little angst never hurt a soul…that I've known of..o.O
Celestial DreamBlaze- ^^V I don't think anyone has ever told me I made a scene in a story come alive *beaming* Arigatou!! As for your questions..heheh..^^;; you'll just have to wait and see…
Tschubi-chan- *beams* I'm glad you like the chapter ^^V
Bunny-Butler- Heheh..hopefully, as the story goes on, it'll all come into place, ne?^^;;
Kaoru- ^^;; hmm…I never meant for Youji bashing..^^;; whoops? Lol, arigatou, I'm glad you think I write well.
Black Aura-Sama- *gulps* ..*backs away slowly*
Sammie- ^___^ I'm glad you like!^^V lol..hmm…that's not a bad idea at all…*goes off to think*
BayDen- AWW!! *blushing and feeling honored* I think you just made my day with the favorite remark. ^^V *glomps* Hehe, I hope this chapter meets your expectations ^^V
Amy@ngel- *flattered* aww! You just helped BayDen make my day ^^V *glomps*
Kimeno-pebols- ^^V heheh…all your questions will be answered…just not right now ^~V
Riye- Eh…I can't promise you this will be a Nagi/Usa fic simply because I haven't decided on the pairings yet…but I'll think about it…
Kaze- How Usa got sick will be answered, though I'm not sure if it will be in this chapter or a later one..my stories have a habit of writing themselves out differently than I usually intend to…^^;;
Moonangl- *snifs* you're going to fry me? *snif* But how am I suppose to update if I'm fried?! ..o.O…eh..*scratches head, confused on how to react* ^^;;
Kage-Shadow-of-Darkness, *****, *jeriden*, alexz, EternalStar1004, Tschubi-chan, Lady Light -I'm glad you like^^V *hands Lady Light tissue*
Disclaimer- Don't own either shows
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Chapter Two
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"And there he goes again to who knows where." Youji drawled, leaning against the counter and peering over his sunglasses as Aya left the shop.
"It's none of our business where Aya goes to in his spare time," Ken replied, taking off his apron.
"Maybe he's going off to see a girl…" Youji mused, before laughing quietly. "As if, can you just imagine it now…Aya…and a girl?" He chuckled, shaking his head. Ken rolled his eyes, turning to face the departing Omi.
"Where you going?"
"Huh?" Omi turned to look at Ken. "Oh, I have one last delivery to make." Omi fully turned around, showing Ken the vase of fifty daffodils, azaleas, magnolias, lilies of the valley, jasmines, and one day lily, each ranging from a creamy white to a soft gold, though the only day lily held a lavender sheen to it. Pale greens peeked out from between the petals.
Youji glanced up and whistled. "I didn't know we had that vase."
The flowers had been arranged in a warm lavender vase of marble that seemed to glow soft silver. Tiny diamonds and gems of all sorts, rare and common, formed intricate pale designs around the vase. Strung around the neck was a simple chain of glowing cream pearls.
"We didn't. The buyer sent it over with her card. She said she wanted the arrangement in it." Omi explained. Ken looked at the vase.
"She must be loaded…where does she live?"
"I don't know," Omi admitted, slightly fumbling the vase, "She's having these sent to the Magic Bus Hospital."
"I'll go with you," Ken volunteered. "You look like you'll need help bringing the flowers there alright. Youji can close the shop."
"What?" Youji stood straight, fixing his sunglasses. "And miss seeing young nurses in their cute uniform? No, I better go and make sure you two get there safely…and if I happen to receive a few numbers, I'll just take that punishment like a man—happily."
"Ano…if we're going to go, shouldn't we leave now—before the hospital closes?" Omi peered through the forest of daffodils.
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"You shouldn't be up, Koneko." Haruka hovered above Usagi, concerned.
"But Ruka-chan, I'm only sitting!" Usagi whined, pouting.
"But what if you fall?" Haruka argued back.
"Ruka-koi, I'm the mother hen here. I doubt very much that she will fall off the bed merely by sitting up." Michiru stated from behind Haruka.
"You can never be too safe. Lie back down, Koneko."
"But Ruka-chan, I want to sit. I'll be fine." Usagi argued.
"Let her sit, Haruka." Setsuna smiled gently towards Usagi. "You're doing better."
"Hai!" Usagi nodded her head, smiling. "It's because of the flowers," and she gestured towards ten bouquets of flowers.
Setsuna and the others exchanged glances, their eyes cold in thinking of the flowers.
"The flowers, Usagi-chan?" Michiru questioned.
"Hai," Usagi nodded enthusiastically, before stopping and grasping her head as a wave of dizziness hit her. "They're helping me. Ano…Setsu-chan, when will the others come visit me?" She stopped to catch her breath, "I haven't seen them in so long."
The others faltered, staring at their princess with compassionate, if not sorrowful eyes, before turning to see what Setsuna would do.
"They…" Setsuna faltered. How could she lie to her princess, and continue to do so? It was wrong, it was almost traitorous! It was…she looked into the tired, yet innocently bright eyes of her princess, shining with love and so much hope…love and hope towards them, the traitorous weak bastards, and once again, she knew how. How she was able to lie to her princess, to betray her princess's trust. It was the only way…the only thing keeping her princess's spirit shining, hoping…fighting. Fighting for her life.
"They will come later, Hime-sama." Setsuna sighed, and mentally slapped herself. But if she had a choice, she would not have taken back her words, her decision to lie to her princess so, because the smile that lit up her princess's face, if only for a second, and the hope that grew in her princess's eyes, was well worth the sin she had committed.
"Soon, Setsu-chan?" Usagi's eyes shown with childish innocence.
"Of course, Usagi-hime." And Setsuna turned away, unable to watch her princess find hope in such deceit.
"Usagi-chan, we brought you flowers!" Hotaru broke the thick silence, handing Usagi the bouquet of roses.
"Arigatou, mina-chan! They're gorgeous!" Usagi breathed, gazing at the bouquet. "Is it from the shop?"
"Hai, we named it for you, Koneko." Haruka laughed at Usagi's quizzical look.
"You named it Usagi?" She asked, and her visitors laughed softly.
"Iie," Setsuna smiled gently, "we named it For Her."
"Only because the bakas across the street stole Koneko's." Haruka crossed her arms, harumphing. Usagi giggled, and took a deep breath before she spoke.
"I love it…For Her…ahh…soooo romantic!" She swooned, and the others exchanged laughing glances.
"Ano…how's business?" Usagi asked, head cocked.
"Great," Haruka smiled, "though we'd have so much more if the mob would each buy even one flower!" She shook her head in aggravation.
Usagi and Hotaru giggled.
"Why are they there?" Usagi inquired.
And Hotaru launched into a long explanation, her face glowing.
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"Excuse me, miss," Omi stopped at the front desk. "Could you tell us what room Tsukino Usagi is in?"
The young nurse, previously doodling on a scrap piece of paper looked up at the voice and gasped.
"Bishonens…" She breathed, hearts in her eyes. Ken and Omi blanched, as Youji grinned and stepped forward.
"Hey darling, what's a beautiful girl like you doing stuck in a boring place over here…how bout I take you out for some fun?"
The nurse giggled, brushing back blond bangs, blushing. Omi cleared his throat.
"Onegai, miss, we have a delivery for a Tsukino Usagi." He pleaded, and she melted under his pleading eyes, before the name he had mentioned hit her.
"Tsukino Usagi? Did you say Tsukino Usagi?" She asked, her eyes large.
"Hai, what room is she in?"
"Third floor, C corrider, room 0731." Her eyes were somber. "Such a nice girl too…so pretty..such a shame…" she muttered, her blue eyes downcast. "What do you have for her?"
"Flowers," Ken answered, showing her the flowers. Her eyes grew large.
"Flowers? And not from her normal visitors? Whose it from?" She asked, curious.
The men shrugged.
"Someone named—" Omi stopped as the nurse daydreamed.
"…And then the prince came and saved his beautiful princess and they lived happily ever after…and then he sent her flowers…" the nurse had her hands clasped as she recited her little dream.
"Ano…arigatou miss!" And the boys fled from the beautiful, if strange, nurse.
"Iie, arigatou to you three...for bringing Usagi some more flowers…" The nurse replied softly, eyes serious as she patted the tight bun her hair was pulled into.
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"Aww…but then how would they gawk at the beautiful and famous owners of the shop?" Usagi teased a miffed Haruka as Hotaru finished her explanation, and then paled, gasping.
"Nani?! Daijoubu, Koneko?" Haruka was instantly at her side.
"Daijoubu, Ruka-chan," Usagi breathed, her complexion returning slightly. "It was a little one." She yawned, lying down on her back.
"Setsu-chan?"
"Hai, Hime-sama?"
"When will I," a yawn, "Be able to go home?"
The four outers sent a knowing glance around the room.
"You'll be staying with us when you come home, Usagi-chan!" Hotaru's voice was filled with happiness, both true and false.
"Why," A deep breath, "mina-chan?"
"Gomen ne, Hime-sama, but your family wishes for it." Setsuna paused, fists clenched as she took a deep breath to calm herself. "They believe it would be best if you stayed with us…for healing purposes," her nails drew blood against her palm as she was forced to once again lie to her princess.
"For healing purposes," Usagi echoed back, voice drowsy. "Well, if they think it's," she yawned, getting comfortable in bed, "for the best…"
And she was asleep.
"Setsuna?" Michiru hesitantly stepped towards Setsuna.
"I did the right thing," Setsuna stated quietly, trying to reassure herself, "I did the right thing…"
"Yes, it would kill her to know that…that they," Hotaru paused as the door opened.
"Tsukino Usagi?" A head popped into the room. Omi's eyes grew wide as he saw the girls. He stepped into the room, the door fully opening, revealing also Ken and Youji.
"Mina-san?" Ken's tone was surprise.
"Tsukiyono-san, Kudou-san, Hidaka-san," The girls nodded their head in greeting.
"Be quiet, she's trying to sleep!" Haruka hissed, and it was then that they noticed the girl on the bed that was surrounded by the visitors.
Her complexion was pale, her hair a pale blond that should have shown with the light of the sun. Her eyes were a deep sapphire flame, though doused with drowsiness.
"I'm awake, mina-chan," the girl, struggling to reach a sitting position, turned her attention to the three men. "Watashi wa Tsukino Usagi." She smiled at the three men, her eyes a tired greeting.
"Tsukiyono Omi," Omi smiled his greeting.
"Hidaka Ken," Ken smiled slightly, while looking for an area to place the flowers.
"Kudou Youji at your service, Tenshi," Youji winked, but stopped as Setsuna and Haruka stepped forward.
"Kudou-san, I've been meaning to ask you…who does your clothes shopping…it just…seems to spell out your name right on hit…" Haruka growled, voice laced with a hidden warning.
Youji paused as Omi and Ken stifled their laughter and Usagi stared, confused.
"Ano, what are you doing here?" Michiru asked.
"Oh, gomen! I almost forgot!" Omi apologized, "We have a delivery for Tsukino-san." Ken stepped forward, bringing attention to the flowers.
"Oh mina-chan! You didn't have to!" Usagi exclaimed delightfully, enchanted by the vase.
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Aya stared at his sister's face blankly, silently.
"Fujimiya-san?" A nurse's head peaked out from behind the door. Turning just slightly, Aya saw it was the same nurse that would greet him at the front desk in the lobby.
"Visiting hours is almost over." She sweetly reminded him, before closing the door silently.
Aya resumed watching his sister, hawk eyes not missing any movements, though there was no movement to miss.
"Takatori will pay."
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"Eh…gomen nasai, Usagi-sama," Setsuna began, surprised by the flowers. She had expected to meet the three men in the hospital, but she had no idea about the flowers.
'Such a pretty arrangement…and the vase…' She thought, before Michiru interrupted her thoughts.
"We did not send you those flowers, Usagi-chan." Michiru gently confessed, and Usagi's eyes grew confused, before suddenly lighting up.
"It must be from the others!" She instantly cheered, eyes bright, smile large, and one could not help but wonder the importance the others must have played in this girl's life to be able to bring forth such purity, such happiness.
The outers exchanged weary glances.
"Onegai," Usagi paused, inhaling, "May I see?" Usagi pleaded and Ken blushed.
"Hai, hai! It's for you, after all." With some difficulty, he was able to hand her the vase, surprised to find that the vase, which he found to be quite heavy, seemed weightless in her arms.
"Mina-chan, it's beautiful!" She breathed deeply, taking in the scents of the flowers. Her eyes fluttered close as the array of fragrances danced around her, cleansing her, healing her.
"Tsukino-san?" Usagi opened her eyes, a serene smile on her face as she faced Omi.
"Just Usagi or Usa-chan, Tsukiyono-san." He blushed under her smile.
"Ano…here is the card that goes with the flowers." He handed her a simple, yet elegant card.
Opening the white folded card, with a gold and silver embroidered border, Usagi's eyes took in the delicate curves and loops of the cursive writings.
"What does it say, Usagi-chan?" Hotaru asked, curious.
"Who's it from, Koneko?" Haruka asked.
"Minna, I believe we should introduce ourselves, first," Michiru sent a glance around the room.
"You already know who we are," Youji held up his hands in front of him defensively.
"Meioh Setsuna," Setsuna's maroon eyes flickered with worry as she watched her princess.
"Kai'ou Michiru," Michiru nodded slightly towards the males.
"Ten'oh Haruka," Haruka stated simply.
"Tomoe Hotaru," Hotaru smiled at the men, her eyes seeming to suddenly stare straight into their souls.
"Can I read now," Usagi whined, and the four other girls (though Haruka was still thought to be male) smiled, laughing slightly.
"Hai, Usagi-sama."
"My dear mesume," Usagi began and the outers caught their breath. Did Ikuko have a change of heart, had she grown stronger?
"It has been far too long since I have last seen you, my lovely mesume. I've missed your smiling face, your joyful voice. I've missed you, my darling mesume. I cannot express in words my pride in you, nor can I express the ache in my heart as I see your ailing health, as I see you, my mesume who is laughter, who is sunshine, who is freedom, confined to bed. I pray to Selene for you, my dearest, and I watch over you, every day and night, I watch over you, my dearest. Remember what the flowers mean, my dearest. I miss you, mesume, but I shall continue to watch over you," Usagi stopped gasping for breath. Haruka held her as she continued to gasp for breath, as Michiru soothingly rubbed her back.
"Usagi-chan?" Hotaru held onto one of Usagi's hand.
"I'm fine, Hota-chan." Usagi smiled, her breathing still slightly labored. Handing the flowers and card to Haruka, who handled it as if it were weightless, Usagi lied down. Slowly, but surely, her breathing slowed until it was the gentle breath of sleep.
Setsuna walked to Haruka, picking up the card from between the flowers, where Haruka had placed it, she read what Usagi had not finished.
"My Love and Selene's Blessings, Your Okaa-san, Serenity."
The three males could not understand the stunned silence that followed.
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Aya closed the door behind him, and once again, he stared at the door, impassively.
"Nani?! Why must we leave?!" He spun around as he heard Ken's voice from behind him.
"Demo…I didn't even get any numbers!" Youji's whine followed Ken's voice.
"Aya?" Omi's boyish voice drifted into his ears, breaking him out of his surprise.
"Aya? You dog! Coming here to get the nurses for yourselves!" Youji teased, smiling.
"What are you doing here, Aya?" Ken asked.
Aya remained silent.
"Aya?" Omi hesitantly called him.
"What are you doing here?" His question held a dark tone, a silent accusation.
"Delivery," Ken answered. "To room 0731."
Aya looked at the door he came out of, room 0730, then to the room across it. Room 0731.
"Minna," The door to room 0731 opened as Michiru stepped out. "You're still here," she gave a small forced smile. "I, we, would like to thank you. For bringing Usa-chan some more flowers." Her eyes were sad though her smile was calm.
"It was our pleasure, Kai'ou-san." Omi smiled pleasantly. "I hope Tsukino-san likes the flowers."
"Of course she does. Usagi-chan loves all flowers." This time, Michiru's smile was true.
"Why didn't her mother send her flowers from your store, gorgeous?" Youji smiled charmingly. Michiru's smile was tight-lipped as she turned to him.
"For what must be," was her cryptic reply. "Again, arigatou." And she was gone, the door silently closing behind her.
"It takes talent to be so rude and polite at the same time…" Youji muttered to himself, somewhat put off.
"So, Aya, what were you doing here?" Youji turned to face Aya. "Aya?"
The red head was nowhere to be seen.
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"I don't understand…why now?" Hotaru asked, looking at the card quizzically.
"I do not know, little one." Setsuna replied, also staring at the card.
"You know…only Koneko could have a dead queen sending her flowers," Haruka joked, trying to lighten the mood. It did not work.
"Ruka-koi," Michiru chided, "That wasn't very nice."
"Michi, I was trying to light—"
"There's something else." Setsuna stated. All eyes flew to her.
Slowly, at the bottom of the card, words were appearing, in the same scripty style.
"What does it say, Setsuna?" Michiru asked.
Setsuna read the silver words as they appeared.
"Arigatou, Outer senshi, and have no troubles. Selene watches over us all. I shall arrive soon."
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End of Second Chapter. Hehe, gomen if it doesn't meet your expectation. Like I mentioned previously, the chapters have a way of writing themselves out. Now, *yawns* I'm tired. Hehe, arigatou to all those that reviewed the previous chapter! It made my day(s)! Heheh, onegai, mina-sama, review this chapter too! ^^;; Feedback is always appreciated! ^~;;
