Ryoko: The long awaited next chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own SM, nor the chars used.
Fate Isn't Written in Stone
Chapter 2: The Reunion
Usagi opened her eyes slowly. Her vision was blurred but in a moment it cleared. Sunlight streamed into an unfamiliar room that smelled of alcohol and latex. She began to remember what had happened the previous night. The ride with Haruka, the picture, the truck... and Seiya! Was he really there or did she imagine him?
She slowly sat up but immediately laid back down. Her head felt like it had split in two and was glued back together. She could feel a large lump throbbing on the back of her head about 2in. away from where her right odango would have been if her hair weren't down.
Usagi looked to her right in the bed next to hers. The sheets were wrinkled, evidence that someone had recently slept there. Two chairs were at the end. "I must be in a hospital." Usagi remarked.
She heard a door open and close and Haruka appeared at the end of her bed.
"Haruka-kun!"
Haruka smiled. "How are ya feelin' Kitten?"
"My head hurts," she whined.
Haruka chuckled. "It should. You took a big crack on the head after that truck almost killed you."
"Haruka...I thought I saw..."
Haruka rolled her eyes. "You did," she replied. "They're back. All of them."
"Really?!" she squealed sitting up.
Haruka jumped back ^_^;"Uhh...yeah."
"Where are they?!" Usagi gasped jumping out of bed. She blushed when she saw what she was wearing. One of those ugly hospital pants and shirts. "This is just wrong," she muttered.
"Eh-he. I know." Haruka returned ^_^;, "Anyways. Those three are down at the cafeteria. They'll be happy to know you're awake." She pointed to the other bed. "Seiya had to get stitches but since he was pretty banged up they decided to keep him for a night. I think he dislocated his wrist too."
"Poor Seiya-kun." Usagi sighed.
"'Kun'? Already?"
Usagi looked at Haruka. "Take me to him-I mean them."
Haruka held out her hand and Usagi took it. "They kept you overnight because you had a tiny concussion and was banged up too," Haruka explained as they slowly walked down the hall (Usagi was wearing slippers provided). "You got a nasty bruise right here." She added pulling down one of Usagi's sleeves to reveal the tennis ball sized thing beside her right collarbone. Usagi winced as Haruka's fingertips brushed against it.
"Uh...Haruka-san, don't you think Michiru-san will be worried about you?"
"No. I called her and she called Mamoru and everyone," Haruka replied.
"She-She didn't tell-" She gasped.
"No," Haruka answered. "I told her the true story but made her promise not to tell anyone else the truth. She'll keep it a secret."
Usagi nodded, then looked down at the ugly gown. "Say Haruka-san. Where are my normal clothes?"
"They're sitting on a chair back in your room."
"Thank goodness."
Haruka smiled and pulled open a door. "Here we are," she announced.
Usagi scanned the room and almost as if she had radar- managed to locate the Starlights sitting in a quiet corner. Actually, the cafeteria wasn't really crowded. Only about 20 other people were there.
"Yaten...Taiki..." she murmured watching them smile. She saw Seyia smile then grinned. "Seiya!" she cried. She noticed he was back in his regular clothes.
He heard someone call his name and turned expecting to see a 3Lights fan. His jaw dropped, but smiled soon afterward. "Usako!" he called back standing up and taking a step towards her.
Usagi let go of Haruka's hand-still smiling- and ran to Seiya.
He just held her for a moment. 'This isn't like before.' he thought. 'I've never seen her so happy to see me. Do you think...?'
She looked up at him and he was surprised to see she was crying.
"What's wrong Usako?" he asked, gently wiping away her tears with his index finger.
"I'm just so happy to see you again." she wept smiling. She buried her face in his chest (blush). "I missed you all a lot." she said. "But I missed you the most Seiya-kun."
Seiya's cheeks turned pink. "I missed you too Odango." he whispered.
Usagi clutched his shirt, her heart racing as she waited.
"....I missed you more than anything."
She smiled and drew back. "You could've DIED last night. You shouldn't have hurt yourself trying to save me," she scorned.
"But you've died," Seiya returned.
"I," Usagi boasted. "Have the power of the Imperuim Silver Crystal. You, oh dear alien friend, do not."
"I don't think the power of your crystal would have been able to defeat such a powerful enemy as a semi!" Seiya returned. They both laughed as they walked over to the table where Taiki and Yaten were waiting.
Haruka smiled from the doorway. 'She just may..." she thought. 'I know it's wrong for me to say so, but in a way, I think Seiya's a bit better for Usagi. Though she mustn't realize it. At least she's happy now...I haven't seen her so happy for a long time...Still....I don't think Seiya should flirt with her so...'
"Haruka-san!" Usagi's voice shattered her thoughts. "Come on over Haruka- san!"
Haruka smiled and walked towards the table.
"Anything yet Rei-chan?" Ami asked watching Rei stare into the fire.
"No," she answered.
"What exactly is she looking for?" Makoto asked. She had arrived a little late.
"Rei-chan's felt a strange energy around the city for the past month and is trying to find its source. It's been getting stronger she says." Minako replied.
"Ohhhh."
Rei stared into the fire. She could almost see someone. Right now it was just a blur. But their eyes, she could see them clearly. They looked like they had once been kind and loving but not they were evil. Pure blue evil.
The figure sharpened so Rei could easily see its outline. It was a man, slowly walking holding a jacket or something over his shoulder. His eyes were unblinking, murderous looking. Like he wanted to kill someone.
There was something in his other hand. Rei tried to see it. Slowly she was able to make it out, it was a thorny flower. She could tell it was thorny because she could see blood streaming out of his clenched fist, but he didn't seem to notice.
Rei could see herself standing in the fire the figure walking but not coming any closer. "Who are you?" she saw herself cry.
The figure just kept walking.
"I demand to know who you are!"
The figure stopped and dropped the blood-covered-flower. He smiled evilly and chuckled even more evilly then faded away. Rei looked down at the floor and gasped. It was a blood covered black rose.
Rei gasped, back in front of the fire, her hands trembling uncontrollably.
"Rei-chan?" Minako asked walking up to her friend. "Rei-chan are you alright?"
She spun Rei around and nearly gasped at her friends' eyes. She had never seen them more fearfilled. "Rei-chan?"
Rei was gasping for air. She swallowed and whispered hoarsely "I'm alright."
Minako sighed in relief.
"What did you see?" Mako asked.
"Not what, who." Rei returned.
"You saw someone?" Ami inquired.
Rei nodded. "Yes."
"Who?"
"I'm not sure.," she replied. It was a lie, she knew who it was. She just didn't want to them without reading the fire again. "All I know is that it was an evil man."
The others looked confused.
Rei wanted to tell, but she couldn't get it out. How could she tell them that the evil man she had seen in the fire was Mamoru?
Usagi, Seiya, Yaten, Haruka and Taiki walked out of the hospital doors.
"Taiki and I are going to find a furniture store and see about getting a few more things for the apartment," Yaten announced walking down the sidewalk, Taiki following.
"See ya!" Seiya and Usagi called.
Haruka turned to Usagi and Seiya. "I had better be getting home too," she walking up the sidewalk in another direction. "Hang on to that picture Kitten! So far it's caused only trouble," she called.
"Picture?" Seiya asked.
Usagi pulled the photo out of her pocket and let Seiya take it. "It flew out of the car last night," she explained. "That's why I was in the road. Though I think it's a good luck charm in a way. You appeared when I needed you most. You don't know how much I've missed you."
Seiya leaned down to kiss her.
"Usako!" a voice called.
Seiya jerked up and saw Mamoru running towards them. 'Damn.' he thought.
Usagi saw him and smiled. "Mamoru-san!"
He hugged her. "I'm so glad you're alright Odango."
Usagi drew back. "I wouldn't have been if Seiya-kun hadn't saved me."
Mamoru looked over Usagi's head and saw Seiya who has raised an eyebrow at the scene.
"Oh. Thank you Seiya," he said half-heartedly.
"I'm sure you would've done the same Mamoru-san." Seiya remarked.
Mamoru just looked down at Usagi. "I should take you home Usako-" he started.
Seiya's mouth opened as he was about to say some really nasty 4-letter words but luckily Usagi beat him to it. Only without the 4 letter words.
"That's alright Mamo-san," Usagi smiled. She looked behind her at Seiya. "Seiya and I were going to go to the park and tell each other what's been happening the last few months."
Seiya smiled at Usagi.
"I'd like to hear what's been happening with his planet too. I think I'll come along."
Seiya's jaw dropped. "Mamoru..." Usagi whined. "This is going to be Seiya- me time."
Mamoru blinked. "Are you saying you don't want me along?"
"If you're small brain can register it, yes." Seiya muttered to himself. Usagi nodded.
"Just this once-"
Mamoru let go of her and stamped off. "Be that way Usagi!" he yelled. "First you cancel our date now you go off with him!" He got into his car and sped off, tires squealing.
"Mamo-san." Seiya put an arm on her shoulder. "I-
"Owwwwwwwiieeeee!!" she shrieked pulling away from him.
"What's wrong?"
"My bruise...," she whined pulling down her sleeve to show him.
"Sorry Odango," he replied.
"It's okay Seiya." she sighed. "What were you saying?"
"I was saying that Mamoru's probably stressed out. From what Haruka told me last night, he seems to have a lot to do. Don't take it seriously..." he instructed.
"What did Haruka-san tell you?"
Seiya shrugged. "Can't remember much since I had just had someone sew me up with 32 stitches but she said he was going on a business trip in about a week and was working all the way up till then."
Usagi nodded. "Yeah." she sighed. "I'll miss him. Even though it's for only 2 weeks."
Seiya nodded too. 'I should have known...' he thought. 'She still loves him...'
They were quiet for a moment just looking at each other. Then Seiya started laughing.
"What?"
He shook his head but replied, "Just the way you looked when I touched your bruise."
"Well I would a loved to see your face when they were sewing you up. Haruka said it was priceless."
"You would have cried too if they stuck a needle in your arm before it was all the way numb." He pulled up his sleeve and showed her his stitches.
Usagi leaned over them and poked one hard.
Seiya's eyes watered up and he bit his bottom lip.
Usagi smiled then linked her arm through his. "Let's get going!" she cried as they slowly walked down the sidewalk.
"It's apparent," Haruka announced sitting down in a chair at their house. "She loves him and she doesn't even know it."
Hotaru glanced up at her. "Well at least she doesn't know."
"Yet." Haruka added. "The way they were when she saw him this morning, it won't be long." She looked at Setsuna. "Have we decided to go back to the past?"
Setsuna nodded. "We're going. Even the Starlights have to come. We'll go in a few days. It's just..."
"Just what?" Michiru asked.
Setsuna sighed. "There is a legend..." she began. "That says the passageway of time that leads to the Earth moon is protected by a fierce guardian born of the moon itself. That if trespassers do not permission from Queen Serenity herself they will meet a terrible fate by the guardian."
"What is the guardian?" Michiru asked.
Setsuna shrugged. "No one knows. A creature, a human with extraordinary powers-who knows. All I know is that he guards the doors to the different eras on the Moon Kingdom and that he, she, it, is powerful."
"This is a bit off subject," Hotaru spoke up. "But do the Inners know the Starlights are here?"
"A bit?" Haruka mumbled looking at Michiru, who shook her head.
"Nope," she answered. "Didn't tell em. They'll find out soon. I told Mamoru though."
Setsuna stood and went to the window. "Very soon."
"So what all's been happening on Kinmoku?" Usagi asked as they sat down on a bench in the park.
"Not much." he replied. "We enjoyed being home but we were actually homesick for Earth. Princess Kakyuu allowed us to stay here as long as we want. I wasn't sure if I would ever go back but I know I'm going to." He looked up into the evening sky.
Usagi looked sadly up at him. "Not for a few weeks more?"
He looked down at her. "Huh?" Then he smiled. "Not for a long time Odango. Not for 6 months in the least. We won't be leaving for a long time..."
Usagi smiled and looked down.
"So, what's happening here?" he asked. "Any other singers wash away our memories?"
"In less than 4 months? Never!" Usagi returned. "I still hear people humming "Nagaraboshi He" when I walk down the street. They made all sorts of merchandise of you guys. Notebooks, bed sheets, wallets, even dolls!"
"They made a doll of me?" he inquired.
"Yeah. They also had this huge search for you since you disappeared without a trace."
"So we're as popular as before?"
"Even more so. Your disappearing act gave you a perfect 10."
They sat in silence for a few seconds. Then... "Oh! Usagi, I have something for her..." he announced digging in his pocket. He pulled out a ring case and handed it to her.
Usagi looked at it then looked at Seiya. "But I-"
"It's not that kind of ring. It's a...friendship ring." he explained. "Go on, open it."
Slowly Usagi did so and gasped at it. It was a pure gold with the outline of a 5-pointed flower. The petals were filled with rubies, the center with a sparkling diamond, and the leave with emeralds. Two aquamarines were set in the band on the sides.
"Oh my god...How could you afford this?" she gasped. "I can tell all the gems are real."
Seiya smiled. "I didn't have to pay anything for it. I got it on Kinmoku and it had made for you by a friend of mine. He didn't make me pay a cent because the gems are more plentiful there and not quite so here." He slipped it onto one of her fingers. "The diamond is said to posses a special power."
"How come?"
"It's survived the last 1000 years on our planet. It once belonged to Princess Kakyuu's... 30 time great grandmother. Queen Kimokyusie."
Usagi grinned. "Thank you, Seiya." And with that she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
He blushed.
Disclaimer: I don't own SM, nor the chars used.
Fate Isn't Written in Stone
Chapter 2: The Reunion
Usagi opened her eyes slowly. Her vision was blurred but in a moment it cleared. Sunlight streamed into an unfamiliar room that smelled of alcohol and latex. She began to remember what had happened the previous night. The ride with Haruka, the picture, the truck... and Seiya! Was he really there or did she imagine him?
She slowly sat up but immediately laid back down. Her head felt like it had split in two and was glued back together. She could feel a large lump throbbing on the back of her head about 2in. away from where her right odango would have been if her hair weren't down.
Usagi looked to her right in the bed next to hers. The sheets were wrinkled, evidence that someone had recently slept there. Two chairs were at the end. "I must be in a hospital." Usagi remarked.
She heard a door open and close and Haruka appeared at the end of her bed.
"Haruka-kun!"
Haruka smiled. "How are ya feelin' Kitten?"
"My head hurts," she whined.
Haruka chuckled. "It should. You took a big crack on the head after that truck almost killed you."
"Haruka...I thought I saw..."
Haruka rolled her eyes. "You did," she replied. "They're back. All of them."
"Really?!" she squealed sitting up.
Haruka jumped back ^_^;"Uhh...yeah."
"Where are they?!" Usagi gasped jumping out of bed. She blushed when she saw what she was wearing. One of those ugly hospital pants and shirts. "This is just wrong," she muttered.
"Eh-he. I know." Haruka returned ^_^;, "Anyways. Those three are down at the cafeteria. They'll be happy to know you're awake." She pointed to the other bed. "Seiya had to get stitches but since he was pretty banged up they decided to keep him for a night. I think he dislocated his wrist too."
"Poor Seiya-kun." Usagi sighed.
"'Kun'? Already?"
Usagi looked at Haruka. "Take me to him-I mean them."
Haruka held out her hand and Usagi took it. "They kept you overnight because you had a tiny concussion and was banged up too," Haruka explained as they slowly walked down the hall (Usagi was wearing slippers provided). "You got a nasty bruise right here." She added pulling down one of Usagi's sleeves to reveal the tennis ball sized thing beside her right collarbone. Usagi winced as Haruka's fingertips brushed against it.
"Uh...Haruka-san, don't you think Michiru-san will be worried about you?"
"No. I called her and she called Mamoru and everyone," Haruka replied.
"She-She didn't tell-" She gasped.
"No," Haruka answered. "I told her the true story but made her promise not to tell anyone else the truth. She'll keep it a secret."
Usagi nodded, then looked down at the ugly gown. "Say Haruka-san. Where are my normal clothes?"
"They're sitting on a chair back in your room."
"Thank goodness."
Haruka smiled and pulled open a door. "Here we are," she announced.
Usagi scanned the room and almost as if she had radar- managed to locate the Starlights sitting in a quiet corner. Actually, the cafeteria wasn't really crowded. Only about 20 other people were there.
"Yaten...Taiki..." she murmured watching them smile. She saw Seyia smile then grinned. "Seiya!" she cried. She noticed he was back in his regular clothes.
He heard someone call his name and turned expecting to see a 3Lights fan. His jaw dropped, but smiled soon afterward. "Usako!" he called back standing up and taking a step towards her.
Usagi let go of Haruka's hand-still smiling- and ran to Seiya.
He just held her for a moment. 'This isn't like before.' he thought. 'I've never seen her so happy to see me. Do you think...?'
She looked up at him and he was surprised to see she was crying.
"What's wrong Usako?" he asked, gently wiping away her tears with his index finger.
"I'm just so happy to see you again." she wept smiling. She buried her face in his chest (blush). "I missed you all a lot." she said. "But I missed you the most Seiya-kun."
Seiya's cheeks turned pink. "I missed you too Odango." he whispered.
Usagi clutched his shirt, her heart racing as she waited.
"....I missed you more than anything."
She smiled and drew back. "You could've DIED last night. You shouldn't have hurt yourself trying to save me," she scorned.
"But you've died," Seiya returned.
"I," Usagi boasted. "Have the power of the Imperuim Silver Crystal. You, oh dear alien friend, do not."
"I don't think the power of your crystal would have been able to defeat such a powerful enemy as a semi!" Seiya returned. They both laughed as they walked over to the table where Taiki and Yaten were waiting.
Haruka smiled from the doorway. 'She just may..." she thought. 'I know it's wrong for me to say so, but in a way, I think Seiya's a bit better for Usagi. Though she mustn't realize it. At least she's happy now...I haven't seen her so happy for a long time...Still....I don't think Seiya should flirt with her so...'
"Haruka-san!" Usagi's voice shattered her thoughts. "Come on over Haruka- san!"
Haruka smiled and walked towards the table.
"Anything yet Rei-chan?" Ami asked watching Rei stare into the fire.
"No," she answered.
"What exactly is she looking for?" Makoto asked. She had arrived a little late.
"Rei-chan's felt a strange energy around the city for the past month and is trying to find its source. It's been getting stronger she says." Minako replied.
"Ohhhh."
Rei stared into the fire. She could almost see someone. Right now it was just a blur. But their eyes, she could see them clearly. They looked like they had once been kind and loving but not they were evil. Pure blue evil.
The figure sharpened so Rei could easily see its outline. It was a man, slowly walking holding a jacket or something over his shoulder. His eyes were unblinking, murderous looking. Like he wanted to kill someone.
There was something in his other hand. Rei tried to see it. Slowly she was able to make it out, it was a thorny flower. She could tell it was thorny because she could see blood streaming out of his clenched fist, but he didn't seem to notice.
Rei could see herself standing in the fire the figure walking but not coming any closer. "Who are you?" she saw herself cry.
The figure just kept walking.
"I demand to know who you are!"
The figure stopped and dropped the blood-covered-flower. He smiled evilly and chuckled even more evilly then faded away. Rei looked down at the floor and gasped. It was a blood covered black rose.
Rei gasped, back in front of the fire, her hands trembling uncontrollably.
"Rei-chan?" Minako asked walking up to her friend. "Rei-chan are you alright?"
She spun Rei around and nearly gasped at her friends' eyes. She had never seen them more fearfilled. "Rei-chan?"
Rei was gasping for air. She swallowed and whispered hoarsely "I'm alright."
Minako sighed in relief.
"What did you see?" Mako asked.
"Not what, who." Rei returned.
"You saw someone?" Ami inquired.
Rei nodded. "Yes."
"Who?"
"I'm not sure.," she replied. It was a lie, she knew who it was. She just didn't want to them without reading the fire again. "All I know is that it was an evil man."
The others looked confused.
Rei wanted to tell, but she couldn't get it out. How could she tell them that the evil man she had seen in the fire was Mamoru?
Usagi, Seiya, Yaten, Haruka and Taiki walked out of the hospital doors.
"Taiki and I are going to find a furniture store and see about getting a few more things for the apartment," Yaten announced walking down the sidewalk, Taiki following.
"See ya!" Seiya and Usagi called.
Haruka turned to Usagi and Seiya. "I had better be getting home too," she walking up the sidewalk in another direction. "Hang on to that picture Kitten! So far it's caused only trouble," she called.
"Picture?" Seiya asked.
Usagi pulled the photo out of her pocket and let Seiya take it. "It flew out of the car last night," she explained. "That's why I was in the road. Though I think it's a good luck charm in a way. You appeared when I needed you most. You don't know how much I've missed you."
Seiya leaned down to kiss her.
"Usako!" a voice called.
Seiya jerked up and saw Mamoru running towards them. 'Damn.' he thought.
Usagi saw him and smiled. "Mamoru-san!"
He hugged her. "I'm so glad you're alright Odango."
Usagi drew back. "I wouldn't have been if Seiya-kun hadn't saved me."
Mamoru looked over Usagi's head and saw Seiya who has raised an eyebrow at the scene.
"Oh. Thank you Seiya," he said half-heartedly.
"I'm sure you would've done the same Mamoru-san." Seiya remarked.
Mamoru just looked down at Usagi. "I should take you home Usako-" he started.
Seiya's mouth opened as he was about to say some really nasty 4-letter words but luckily Usagi beat him to it. Only without the 4 letter words.
"That's alright Mamo-san," Usagi smiled. She looked behind her at Seiya. "Seiya and I were going to go to the park and tell each other what's been happening the last few months."
Seiya smiled at Usagi.
"I'd like to hear what's been happening with his planet too. I think I'll come along."
Seiya's jaw dropped. "Mamoru..." Usagi whined. "This is going to be Seiya- me time."
Mamoru blinked. "Are you saying you don't want me along?"
"If you're small brain can register it, yes." Seiya muttered to himself. Usagi nodded.
"Just this once-"
Mamoru let go of her and stamped off. "Be that way Usagi!" he yelled. "First you cancel our date now you go off with him!" He got into his car and sped off, tires squealing.
"Mamo-san." Seiya put an arm on her shoulder. "I-
"Owwwwwwwiieeeee!!" she shrieked pulling away from him.
"What's wrong?"
"My bruise...," she whined pulling down her sleeve to show him.
"Sorry Odango," he replied.
"It's okay Seiya." she sighed. "What were you saying?"
"I was saying that Mamoru's probably stressed out. From what Haruka told me last night, he seems to have a lot to do. Don't take it seriously..." he instructed.
"What did Haruka-san tell you?"
Seiya shrugged. "Can't remember much since I had just had someone sew me up with 32 stitches but she said he was going on a business trip in about a week and was working all the way up till then."
Usagi nodded. "Yeah." she sighed. "I'll miss him. Even though it's for only 2 weeks."
Seiya nodded too. 'I should have known...' he thought. 'She still loves him...'
They were quiet for a moment just looking at each other. Then Seiya started laughing.
"What?"
He shook his head but replied, "Just the way you looked when I touched your bruise."
"Well I would a loved to see your face when they were sewing you up. Haruka said it was priceless."
"You would have cried too if they stuck a needle in your arm before it was all the way numb." He pulled up his sleeve and showed her his stitches.
Usagi leaned over them and poked one hard.
Seiya's eyes watered up and he bit his bottom lip.
Usagi smiled then linked her arm through his. "Let's get going!" she cried as they slowly walked down the sidewalk.
"It's apparent," Haruka announced sitting down in a chair at their house. "She loves him and she doesn't even know it."
Hotaru glanced up at her. "Well at least she doesn't know."
"Yet." Haruka added. "The way they were when she saw him this morning, it won't be long." She looked at Setsuna. "Have we decided to go back to the past?"
Setsuna nodded. "We're going. Even the Starlights have to come. We'll go in a few days. It's just..."
"Just what?" Michiru asked.
Setsuna sighed. "There is a legend..." she began. "That says the passageway of time that leads to the Earth moon is protected by a fierce guardian born of the moon itself. That if trespassers do not permission from Queen Serenity herself they will meet a terrible fate by the guardian."
"What is the guardian?" Michiru asked.
Setsuna shrugged. "No one knows. A creature, a human with extraordinary powers-who knows. All I know is that he guards the doors to the different eras on the Moon Kingdom and that he, she, it, is powerful."
"This is a bit off subject," Hotaru spoke up. "But do the Inners know the Starlights are here?"
"A bit?" Haruka mumbled looking at Michiru, who shook her head.
"Nope," she answered. "Didn't tell em. They'll find out soon. I told Mamoru though."
Setsuna stood and went to the window. "Very soon."
"So what all's been happening on Kinmoku?" Usagi asked as they sat down on a bench in the park.
"Not much." he replied. "We enjoyed being home but we were actually homesick for Earth. Princess Kakyuu allowed us to stay here as long as we want. I wasn't sure if I would ever go back but I know I'm going to." He looked up into the evening sky.
Usagi looked sadly up at him. "Not for a few weeks more?"
He looked down at her. "Huh?" Then he smiled. "Not for a long time Odango. Not for 6 months in the least. We won't be leaving for a long time..."
Usagi smiled and looked down.
"So, what's happening here?" he asked. "Any other singers wash away our memories?"
"In less than 4 months? Never!" Usagi returned. "I still hear people humming "Nagaraboshi He" when I walk down the street. They made all sorts of merchandise of you guys. Notebooks, bed sheets, wallets, even dolls!"
"They made a doll of me?" he inquired.
"Yeah. They also had this huge search for you since you disappeared without a trace."
"So we're as popular as before?"
"Even more so. Your disappearing act gave you a perfect 10."
They sat in silence for a few seconds. Then... "Oh! Usagi, I have something for her..." he announced digging in his pocket. He pulled out a ring case and handed it to her.
Usagi looked at it then looked at Seiya. "But I-"
"It's not that kind of ring. It's a...friendship ring." he explained. "Go on, open it."
Slowly Usagi did so and gasped at it. It was a pure gold with the outline of a 5-pointed flower. The petals were filled with rubies, the center with a sparkling diamond, and the leave with emeralds. Two aquamarines were set in the band on the sides.
"Oh my god...How could you afford this?" she gasped. "I can tell all the gems are real."
Seiya smiled. "I didn't have to pay anything for it. I got it on Kinmoku and it had made for you by a friend of mine. He didn't make me pay a cent because the gems are more plentiful there and not quite so here." He slipped it onto one of her fingers. "The diamond is said to posses a special power."
"How come?"
"It's survived the last 1000 years on our planet. It once belonged to Princess Kakyuu's... 30 time great grandmother. Queen Kimokyusie."
Usagi grinned. "Thank you, Seiya." And with that she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
He blushed.