Chapter 5
Pop star Challenge, Hikari can Sing?!

The following Monday, Hikari strolled into the classroom last as usual. Usagi watched her walk in, but Seiya, Taiki, and Yaten watched her even closer. They looked at her belongings, which only consisted of a yellow bag. Seiya then had an idea pop in his head. What if Hikari held a henshin rod?

Seiya looked around, then whispered over to Yaten and Taiki, "Hey, I'm going to look in her bag when she leaves to go to the bathroom." You'd better not," Taiki said nervously. He looked around to make sure no one heard Seiya. "We HAVE to make sure she's a sailor senshi. If I don't find a henshin rod, then we'll leave her alone," Seiya replied. Yaten and Taiki didn't say anything, and continue to watch Hikari. After a few minutes, Hikari raised her hand to ask permission to use the restroom. After she was permitted, she left the room, leaving her bag on the floor. Taiki and Yaten moved back to their old desks just as Seiya grabbed her bag from under her desk and slid it by his. He nervously reached his hand down and started rummaging through it. While feeling around through pockets he looked down at it. It was bright yellow with a Velcro top. A single sunshine keychain dangled off of one of the straps. As Seiya continued to rummage around and search, he couldn't find any trace of a henshin rod. Suddenly he heard a lot of snickering from around the room, and he looked up to see what it was about. He gulped, and stared right into the face of Hikari. She was giving him a sick look. Seiya went silent, and with a shaky hand he reached to give her the bag back. Hikari snatched it away from him and then reached her hand back slapping him hard across the face.

"BAKA!" she said very cold and harshly. A red mark was left on Seiya's face, and Hikari moved to a seat far away from him. Everyone in the room was shocked at his behavior. Usagi turned to stare at Seiya who just looked back at her with a hard, but ashamed look. Embarrassment was hovering over Seiya, but he tried his best not to show it.

The bell finally rang a few hours later, and instead of Hikari taking her time, she bolted out of the room, clutching her bag. Usagi approached Seiya as soon as the room cleared out. "What were you thinking? Why did you go through her things? She was totally humiliated by you," she asked him frantically. Taiki and Yaten stared at him sternly from across the room, just daring him to tell them their secret. "Nothing, I was looking for my pen that fell into her bag." He replied in a hard tone. "That a lie Seiya, you've been acting strange since you got here," Usagi said back. "Just drop it!" He said, almost yelling at her. Usagi went silent as he forced his way past her.

"Hold it!" Makoto yelled suddenly. The three boys who were walking towards the door stopped. "We have given you plenty of space, but now we need to know the truth. What the hell is going on here?!" she demanded. The room went silent for a few moments, until Usagi spoke from the back, "After what we all went through, I thought we could trust each other, to listen, and not to hide anything. We ALL are here for a reason, just please tell us what's wrong." Taiki gave a serious look around the room, and stared at Usagi hard. He then replied, "There's nothing to tell." Silence once again deafened the room, and then the three boys turned and walked out of the room.

The following day at Juuban High School was very busy indeed. Everyone was running around the classroom trying to think of acts for the Strength of Heart competition. The only thing different, was that Hikari showed up early at school. Her bag however, sat in her lap instead of on the floor. Seiya looked at Hikari, and then to his friends.

Usagi gave Seiya a look but he just looked down. Kai-Sensei walked into the room and everyone went silent, but it was still filled with excitement. He went to his podium and shuffled through some papers before speaking. "Now you all know what's coming up, and we need to decide who will represent out class." As soon as he finished, almost every hand in the room shot up. Hikari watched and her head suddenly went lower. Seiya noticed, and then suddenly, an idea popped into his head. "I wonder who should represent our class, maybe you should Mina since you got so far in that idol contest that one time," Ami said cheerfully. Mina blushed then put her hand behind her head. "No, no, I've been out of practice, you wouldn't even know that I tried." She said with a laugh. The other girls smiled and laughed as well. Usagi then noticed Seiya's hand rise. "Hey look, Seiya has his hand raised, maybe he's gonna volunteer," she wondered aloud, but also quietly.

"I don't care what they do as long as we're not involved," Makoto said back. The girls nodded in agreement. Many hands were raised with ideas for skits, dancing, and even sign language to songs. Kai-sensei finally got to Seiya's hand, and when he did, Seiya gave Hikari a quick smirk. "Kai-sensei, I believe that the best way to approach this is with singing," he said with a smile. Hikari's head shot up suddenly, and she looked distressed. "Now, there's someone else in this room that has a singing voice, other than me and my fellow former idols." Seiya finished. The class looked around and wondered who could possibly have a better voice than the Three Lights. Seiya turned and eyed Hikari. Yaten and Taiki watched him and hoped he wouldn't do anything stupid like before. Usagi looked at Seiya in wonder as well, but then she noticed Hikari who was looking quite nervous and upset. Hikari's body trembled, and she watched Seiya. "He wouldn't..." Usagi said to herself. Her friends looked at her in confusion just as Seiya said, "I nominate Hikari to sing and represent our class."

Everyone in the room was shocked, especially Kai-sensei. No one ever hears Hikari speak, and no one ever expected her to be able to sing. All kinds of chatter went around, about Hikari herself, or how if she represented them the class would lose.

"How could he be so cruel? He's never acted like this before," Usagi stated. Ami nodded in agreement. "It almost seems like he's bullying Hikari around, and she's so quiet she wont say anything in her defense." Hikari slowly raised her hand, "Kai-sensei," she began softly, "I had no intention of participating in this event, and I still don't." Seiya spoke up right after, "But if she has the skill, I say she should. It's not like her voice is dangerous, it's actually quite lovely," he responded with a grin. Hikari didn't know what to say, she simply felt shut down. Kai-san sighed and looked down, rubbing his temples. "Well, we have two opinions on the matter. I personally think this would be a good experience for anyone, but it's really up to the class. Once the name is decided, there's no changing it. So, everyone in favor of Yamino Hikari please raise their hands." He said softly. Soon after he finished, every single hand in the room rose except for Usagi and her friends. Hikari looked around the room in embarrassment. She lowered her head and shut her eyes. Seiya then looked over and smiled at her. "If this doesn't prove that she's a sailor senshi, nothing will."

"I can't believe Seiya did that!" Usagi exclaimed walking next to Mamoru and Chibi-Usa. "Something must be up, you never told me that he acted like this in the past when you were with him," Mamoru responded softly. Chibi-Usa licked an ice cream cone, "Maybe he just likes her or something. He probably just wants to get her attention," she said with sticky on her mouth. Usagi just sighed. She looked up at the sky and wondered, would their lives ever be normal again? And also, would the need for a sailor senshi ever come up again?

The following day was as busy as ever. There were no classes, and the whole day was going to be devoted to practice. Teachers left the rooms to leave the students to practice the skits or singing performances. The rooms had the doors shut as well, so as no one could hear what was going on. The students were waiting for Hikari to show up; and it was already ten minutes past the bell.

"I don't blame her for not showing up," Makoto whispered. "All the class is going to do is laugh at her. The other girls nodded in response. "I think we should talk to everyone before the performance tonight, and I also think we should give Hikari a pep talk, it might make her less nervous," Ami said. "I agree. Seiya should apologize too. He acted very immature and cruel towards her," Makoto said while turning to look at him. He was sitting in the front with Yaten and Taiki in deep conversation.

"We can't exactly prove that she is a senshi. We saw her change, but there's no real evidence, per say a henshin rod," Taiki said, giving Seiya a hard stare. "Seiya, you CAN'T just act on your instincts, or else we may never prove her as a senshi," Yaten replied harshly. "I know, I made a mistake, I'm sorry. We at least know she doesn't have a henshin rod. It might have just been a..." Seiya was suddenly cut off by Mina leaning into them.

"What are you talking about? You three are always so secretive," she said semi-cheerfully.

"I thought Mina didn't want anything to do with them, or at least that's what she said the other day," Makoto said in confusion.

"It's none of your business, and it's rude to ask such questions about other peoples conversations," Taiki retorted. Mina looked at him quizzically. "Well, I might have an idea of what it might be about...Seiya has been giving Yamino quite a bit of attention," she said grinning. Seiya's eyes popped open.

"You...it's not what you think!" He said quickly with a slight redness in his face. "Oh, so quick to judge are we? You don't even know what I'm going to say, or do you?" She said in a mocking tone while nudging Seiya's shoulder. Usagi and the others couldn't help but laugh to themselves. Mina always had a way to make a situation seem better. "Go and...gossip or something!" Seiya said even more embarrassed. "I think I already am," Mina said with a giggle. Yaten sighed and Taiki just crossed his arms.

"Excuse me..." a soft voice said from behind Mina. The boys turned around, as did Minako to see Hikari standing behind them. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but... I just wanted to say that I will perform for the class. It may not be to the satisfaction of the Three Lights, but I will do my best." Her voice was soft, her body trembled and she looked sad. "Yamino," Seiya said quickly. Hikari jumped at the loudness of his voice. "I, um... I apologize for looking into your things, and I did not mean to offend you..." he said with a bow. Hikari's expression did not change, but she nodded. "I accept your apology..." she said softly. She then proceeded to return to her seat by herself.

"Wait, Yamino. Why don't you come and sit with us. We can talk about the contest or just about the school, or anything." Mina said sweetly. Hikari stopped, and then looked from Mina, to Usagi and the others. "I guess I will, but only to discuss the performance tonight." Mina beamed and dragged a desk for Hikari to sit in. Hikari walked over slowly and sat. "Hikari, how are you?" Ami asked surprised. Hikari didn't say anything at first, and just looked at the floor. "I'm scared..." she said quietly. Seiya looked over at them and watched intently, wondering if she would say anything key to them proving her to be a sailor senshi. Usagi smiled at Hikari and simply replied, "That's why were here."

Well guys, that's chapter 5!!! What did ya think? Please Read and Review if possible. Chapter 6 will not be up for a week or so, because my brain needs a break.^^ I appreciate all who have read, your support will help keep Sailor Sun alive! I have a website coming soon dedicated to the Sailor Sun Arc; please check it out when I announce it's up. Please I/M me at Pchan08 if you have any questions either. Thanks again! Chapter 6 will be up soon! ^^