A/N: I'm back again, min'na! As usual, special thanks again to the following:
Smoonfan: *bows very very low* Domo arigatou gozaimashita! Thank you for saying that my writing style is good, I take that as a very high compliment for I'm trying to improve. Here's your next chapter. Enjoy!
Kat: Thanks a lot for the review. I hope you won't change your mind. I hope you'll continue reading, loving and reviewing my fic.
Schooltil2005: hey thanks again 4 the review. hope you won't change your mind about my fic and like this one then review after, k?
Karla: hey, long time no hear! Anyways, thanks 4 the review. Well, you have to wait a bit more. ^_^ I love writing and I love getting reviews and I'd like to keep it that way for a while. ^_*
Lady Imp: oh u reviewed again! Arigatou! Yes, I don't want to rush things for I want to show the development of the relationship. Hope you wont change your mind and continue liking my story.
joyce: well what can I say? Thank you again!
just a teen: thank you soooo much 4 reviewing. Yes, it's true, I don't think one can love two people at the same time, so I'll give you a hint that at the end of the story a shocking secret will be revealed that would change everything. I just pray that you still like this fic after I said that. Oh and I'm afraid, you've misunderstood me, I wasn't talking about Usagi, it was Minako. I said, "the senshis are appearing one by one. The next senshi will be appear in the next chap." I noticed that in some fics, others like the Minako/Motoki pairing so here it might be Minako/Minoru. Anyway, I know it's my fault, I have a strange ability to mislead people. Gomen nasai! Oh I hope you wont change your mind about my fic! *praying on my knees*
Xylus Star: hi there! arigatou 4 reviewing. I read your profile and found out we had sooo much in common! I like Charmed, Seventh Heaven and Will and Grace too. And I absolutely ADORE Tom Welling, err, I mean Smallville. ^_^ I love SlamDunk(especially the bishounens!), DBZ(I think Bulma/Vegeta relationship is soo cute!) and CCS too. Anyway, enjoy this next chapter and pls review after.
Disclaimer: All hail Takeuchi-sama! I love her for giving me something to obsess about.
"Sometimes, the one you love will be the one who hurts you the most, finding out that you'll be better off as friends, and sometimes, the friend whose shoulder you cry on will turn out to be the love you never knew you wanted."
Chapter Nine: A Lovely Friendship
Aino Minako.
Tsukino Usagi was staring fascinated at the picture of girl in the magazine called Teens. It says that this Aino Minako was a model in London, who just recently came back to Japan.
Aino Minako was very pretty with big expressive blue eyes and blond hair that was a lighter shade than Usagi's. And the red ribbon in her hair gives her an almost childlike sweetness.
Usagi was thinking that Aino looks familiar. She reminds Usagi of the blond girl who kept calling her princess in her dreams.
Then Usagi was reading a short interview with Minako. She was asked why she suddenly decided to leave London when she was still working her way up to the top.
My mission is here in Japan, Minako answered simply.
When she was asked what she meant, Minako just laughed then walked away, leaving confused reporters behind her. Usagi smiled. For some reason, she could just imagine that.
Suddenly, Usagi was surprised when the door opened and her three favorite idols entered.
"Tadaima," the three said simultaneously.
Usagi quickly jumped to her feet. "You're early! What happened?" Usagi watched Seiya proceed towards the hallway, without even looking at her!
"Seiya, matte yo!"
Seiya turned to her and gave her a tired smile. "I'm exhausted, Odango. I hope you don't mind but I want to rest now."
Before, Usagi could say anything more. Seiya disappeared out of sight.
"Seiya!" Usagi called again.
Someone grabed her hand. Usagi looked over. Yaten.
"Let him rest, Usagi. I think he's really tired."
Usagi bit her lip then looked longingly towards the stairs.
"Don't, Usagi."
Usagi looked back at Taiki. "Huh?"
"We know that look, Usagi. You're thinking if you've done something. You didn't. Seiya really is stressed out."
"Yeah. He looked so absentminded since we entered the studio, I doubt that he was even listening to the details of our new project," Yaten added. "He snapped out of his trance only when our manager said we'll be working with a London model next."
"Aino Minako?" Usagi asked in awe.
"Yeah. She entered our room, introduced herself and smiled politely at Seiya. Then that was when Seiya stood up and announced that he isn't feeling well. He asked that we continue the discussion for another day."
Usagi was suddenly confused. Was Yaten inferring that Seiya didn't like Minako?
Yaten shrugged, seeing Usagi's questioning eyes. "Well you know Seiya. He's always reluctant to work with other people."
Usagi nodded.
Maybe Seiya's always reluctant to work with others but he was never impolite either. That was more like Yaten's way. She glanced at Yaten's way.
He was laughing at something Taiki said. Yaten was supposed to be the snob of the three; Taiki, the gentleman; and Seiya, the cool guy. So why was her boyfriend acting more like Yaten?
She glanced up at the stairs. There's something more to this. I have to know what. I just have too. . .
"Do you want anything else, miss?"
Azure blue eyes looked up and meet jade green ones. The pretty blond girl was visibly surprised.
She went here today at the Crown to wait for four girls she knew that would be there soon. She expected them to be just like before, she expected everything would all be like before. So now, why was she so surprise to see this blond waiter?
A look of recognition came over the guy's features.
Just then, the front door of the arcade opened and four young girls entered.
Just like before, Rei was in front, complaining about this and that. Makoto came next looking neither left nor right. Ami came in last, absorbed with a big book.
The three of them sat at their usual booth.
Three? Where was Usa-
"I wonder where Usagi-chan is?"
Aino Minako looked back at the waiter. Obviously. Motoki still cared about Usagi a great deal.
No, not Motoki, Minako. He looks like him but he isn't the same person.
She took a deep breath. Don't get distracted, she reminded herself.
She took another deep breath before she phrasing her next words carefully. "Do you know those girls?"
The green-eyed blond looked back at her and nodded.
"Are they models too?"
Surprise was all over the blond's face. "You mean you're a. . .? You're Aino Minako!"
Minako nodded, smiling a little at his reaction.
"So that's why you look familiar. . . " he murmured absently.
Minako smiled bigger this time. "So now you know my name, can I know yours?"
He flashed a lopsided grin. "Furuhata. Furuhata Minoru." He blushed slightly. "It's nice to meet you, Aino-san" he said in perfect English.
"It's nice to meet you too," Minako replied.
They stayed like that, staring and smiling at each other for a while before Minako spoke up. "Furuhata-san, can you introduce me to them?"
Minoru nodded. "Sure. They're not models but they could pass up for it, ne?"
Minako nodded. "Hai."
Slowly, the two walked towards the trio who were too busy talking that they didn't even notice them approaching.
"Where is that Odango? She's late!" Rei whined just as Minako and Minoru stopped before their booth.
Instinctively, three pair of eyes looked up to the smiling face of Aino Minako.
All wore the same expression in their eyes.
Surprise. Joy. Surprise. Excitement. Surprise.
"I see you three are surprised," Minoru chuckled. "I was too." He pointed towards Rei, "Aino-san, this raven-haired beauty is the Hikawa Shrine no miko, Hino Rei." He pointed towards Makoto, "This pretty brunette is the figure-skating expert, Kino Makoto while this lovely girl here," he said motioning towards Ami, "is the genius, Mizuno Ami." He smiled at the girls' still-shocked expressions. "Girls, let me introduce you to Ms. Aino Minako, London model extraordinaire."
Minako suppressed a giggle, and instead she just smiled. "Hajimemashite."
The girls jumped to their feet and bowed back. "Hajimemashite," they greeted simultaneously.
They seemed to have gathered back their wits but of course, they didn't say anything as to Minoru was still there.
And as if on cue, Minoru excused himself saying he had customers to attend. "Just holler if you need anything," he told them before dashing back to mop at one side of the arcade.
Minako stood there for a while, unsure of what to do.
But of course, Ami always knew what to do in any circumstances. She made space in the booth, "Sit down, onegai?"
Minako nodded and sat down. "Arigatou, Ami-chan." She turned towards the other two.
They were looking incredulously at her.
"Minako-chan, are you here because. . .?" this is from Makoto.
"How long have you known, Minako-chan?" It was Rei this time.
Minako smiled first. "It's great to see you guys again too. Why do you all look so surprised? You know I'll be here. Wherever hime-sama is, her guardians are too. I'm one of her guardians just like all of you, that's why I'm here."
They smiled and nodded. Of course. Of course.
"Have you met her already, Minako-chan?" Ami asked.
"Iie. I went here because I know all of you will be but I've heard enough from Rei-chan that she hasn't change at all? She's still always late?"
"Iie, Minako-chan," Makoto answered. "Actually it's like the first time that she's late. . . at least on this life time."
Everyone agreed.
Minako smiled cheerfully. "Well that's okay for we could talk about pressing matters at hand."
"What do you know about Seiya?" Always Rei was direct to the point.
"Well, I've met him already, as well as the other two Lights. He completely ignored me."
Rei smirked. "We would. You see, Minako-chan, I think he's starting to recognize us and the past."
"What past?"
All four heads turned to see Tsukino Usagi standing before their booth, looking tired and absentminded.
Usagi flopped down the seat next to Rei. "So what was it about the past that you were talking about, Rei-chan?"
"Nothing," Rei answered quickly.
"Demo-"
"Usagi-chan," Makoto interjected. "We'd like you to meet someone," she pointed towards Minako. "This is the famous model from London, Aino Minako."
Funny that Usagi didn't look so surprise to see her.
"Hi," she said, cheerlessly. "Watashi wa Tsukino Usagi desu. Hajimemashite."
Minako smiled. "Hajimemashite."
A long silence followed. Ami was pretending to read while Rei and Makoto exchanged panic glances. Minako sat still, watching Usagi who was staring blankly at the table.
"So I've heard you've met Seiya?"
Minako looked back at Usagi, as well as the three others. Quickly hiding her surprise Minako nodded. "Hai. Yesterday, at the studio, the Three Lights and I were introduced with each other."
Usagi smiled a little. "Um, forgive him if he was a bit um, impolite. He isn't like that, really. He just hasn't been feeling well for the past few days." She bowed her head, hiding her sad eyes.
"Usagi-chan, daijobou?" Rei asked her.
Usagi smiled. "I'm okay, Rei-chan. I'm probably just tired too." She sighed heavily. "Actually, I don't really feel well." She glanced at Minako, "Minako-chan, I hope you don't mind but I think I should go back home to rest."
"Of course," Minako agreed.
Usagi smiled gratefully.
"Now, you girls could go back and talk about the past." Usagi almost sounded accusing.
Everyone gasped. Rei started worrying about her hair while Makoto scanned the menu. Ami was once again reading her book. Minako found herself looking around the arcade.
She saw a flash of blond head.
Usagi laughed. "Talk to him, Minako-chan," she said, smiling genuinely for the first time. "You can talk to Motoki, I mean, Minoru-oniisan about anything. Tell him about Artemis eating caramel." She frowned at that. "What I meant was. . . " she said trailing off, her hand on her temple.
"Gomen ne, min'na-chan," Usagi said finally. "It's just that I'm really not feeling well." She smiled uncertainly, "Well, I'll be going now. Ja ne!" And with that she rushed out of the arcade.
"She's so confused," Minako said as Usagi exited the front door.
The three other senshis nodded in agreement.
The next day, the four girls were once again gathered, this time at the Hikawa Shrine. And this time, another person was there.
Mamoru. Minako had been watching him from the moment she entered the room. He, with his sad blue eyes, looked so different from how she remembered him.
"So you like to begin, Minako-chan?" Rei prompted.
Minako was jolted out of her musings. "Huh? Oh of course." She looked at each one in the room, first at Rei then Ami, then Makoto. Mamoru wasn't looking up, Minako sighed. The prince is so sad, I can feel his heart breaking.
She breathed deeply before beginning her talk. "Okay, this is what I know. One afternoon, a few months ago in London, I met an older guy and we started going out. Two weeks after, he introduced me to his parents, and the moment his mother and father saw me, they called me Sailor V. They apologize after saying it was nothing." Minako smiled. "That was when I started to remember that indeed I was Sailor V, but somehow only Allan and Katarina remembered about her at all. Day by day, I remembered more and more. And then two weeks ago, I saw an article about the Three Lights and found out about Usagi-chan and Seiya. . . that's when I decided to return."
"What is it exactly that you do remember?" Makoto pressed.
"Well, I remembered about us fighting battles until the last one."
"What about our last battle?" Rei asked.
"Well, after all of us died in Galaxia's hand, I remember feeling nothing. Emptiness, that's what Sailor Moon felt. I felt her pain, maybe because my power is that of one's feelings. She almost gave up on hope, but she didn't. She defeated Galaxia but she was so lonely alone and the pain overwhelmed her. That's why she did what she did."
"Did what?" Ami asked.
"Killed herself."
Everone turned to Mamoru.
"Yes, Mamoru-san," Minako said. "She took her own life. You had been gone for months, she just couldn't take any more."
Mamoru didn't say a thing; he hung his head once more.
Makoto shook her head. "How did she do that?"
"She used all of her remaining strength in using the crystal," Ami said. "Yes. It makes perfect sense. She used the crystal's power to reincarnate all of us."
Minako thought it over and nodded her agreement as did Rei and Makoto. But Mamoru shook his head.
"No, she won't need it to reincarnate us," he began. "We're soul mates. . . we're two parts of a whole. . . it's our destiny to always find each other again. . . no matter what life time . . . no matter how long it takes. . . "
Minako had to smile to herself. She felt that strong love that binds Mamoru so faithfully Usagi.
Rei was smiling too. "Yes. You're right, Mamoru-san." Rei turned to Minako, "Do you remember feeling anything else? Anything to figure out what Usagi-chan wished that could have affected the present?"
"Gomen, demo I don't remember anything more after that."
The room fell into silence. Minako checked her watch. She had to leave soon; she will be meeting the Three Lights again in another hour. But before that, she needed to say something.
"Don't worry so much, min'na, I'm sure we'll solve this mystery soon," Minako said. "But first, we need to do something about Usagi."
"What do you mean?" Makoto inquired.
"You see, I think she and Seiya are having some problems." Minako saw a muscle in Mamoru's mouth twitched. "We need to help her."
"Naze?" Ami, Rei and Makoto asked at the same time. "That's his problem."
Minako shook her head. "Don't get me wrong, min'na demo I just don't want to see her hurting."
"So she is hurting? Because of that guy?" Mamoru asked in the strangest voice.
"Yes. Yes, she is." Minako looked at him, sympathetically, "Gomen na sai, Mamoru-san."
"Minako-chan?" Ami turned, a questioning look in her eyes.
"All I'm saying is that her happiness comes first. Minako bit her lip, "I know that look in your eyes. You're thinking of telling her everything but you must understand that she's confused right now. Believe in your destiny, Mamoru-san. Believe in it that one day, it will happen, maybe not now, but it will."
Mamoru smiled, a smile that never reached his eyes.
Usagi could feel her legs getting numb. She'd been walking around the area for hours, walking without any thought of where she was going.
Finally, she stopped. Usagi stared at the tall gray building looming over her. She found herself gazing at a balcony on the tenth floor.
It looks so familiar.
Usagi shook her head. Did everything and everyone have to look so familiar to her?
You're confused, Usagi, she told herself.
Yes, she was definitely confused. Maybe she was coming down with the flu and that was why she was hallucinating, thinking she knew Aino Minako even before. She was probably hallucinating about Seiya's behavior too.
Yes, that's it. I have the flu and because of it I'm having these weird thoughts.
She was about to walk away when a voice called out to her.
"Usagi?"
Slowly, she turned around and looked up to meet midnight blue eyes.
Here was another man who was doing his best to confuse her even more.
Why? Why did those blue blue eyes of his had to send shock waves through her body?
"Kon'nichi wa, Mamoru-san."
Mamoru smiled. "I haven't seen you in a while. How have you been?"
"Fine," Usagi lied.
Mamoru frowned. "You look a bit pale, are you feeling well?"
Before, Usagi could respond, Mamoru's hand was on her forehead, checking for temperature. "You don't have a fever," he said.
Usagi frowned slightly. She don't have a fever? But she was sure she had one! How else could she have imagined such things. . .
". . . I could make you some tea," Mamoru said.
"Huh?"
Mamoru smiled. "I said, would you like to go up and have a drink for a while. It'll make you feel better."
"You live here?"
"Hai. That's my balcony over there," he said, pointing towards the tenth floor.
It was the balcony she'd been studying a few minutes ago!
"So what do you say, Usagi?"
Usagi didn't say a thing. She stared blankly at the expectant Mamoru.
"Come on," he cajoled. "Please?"
That did it. She couldn't resist those eyes. Those blue eyes begging were too much for her.
So she followed Mamoru into the building. They passed over the lobby, and went straight for the elevators. They didn't speak the whole ride up.
Finally, Mamoru opened his door and ushered Usagi in.
It was all the same. The living room was spotless with all furniture in order. Everything was like how she remembered them to be.
What are you thinking? This is your first time here, remember? a part of her brain screamed.
Usagi buried her head in her hands.
"Usagi, daijobou?"
Usagi nodded. Mamoru motioned for her to sit down on his black leather couch.
He smiled first at Usagi before disappearing, saying he'll just get some tea.
Usagi's dark mood was slowly returning. Being here, in Mamoru's apartment, causes the internal battle within her to begin once more.
Mamoru came back with two steaming cups of tea. He sat down beside her.
"Thank you for this tea," Usagi said, before sipping.
They were silent a long time. Usagi felt Mamoru watching her as she drank the rest of her tea. After finishing it, she wiped her lips with a tissue. And still, Mamoru was watching her. She suddenly felt very self-conscious.
"Mamoru-san," she began.
Mamoru smiled and held out his hand.
And just like before during Valentines at the park, just like magic, a rose appeared in his opened hand!
"For a smile, milady?" he said teasingly.
She took it gingerly. "Arigatou."
Slowly, she inhaled its rich scent and finally, she smiled.
Suddenly, she wasn't so confuse anymore.
"I'm beginning to think you don't like me."
The young man turned around slowly. Sky blue eyes clashed with azure blue eyes.
"Aino-san," Seiya greeted.
"Seiya-kun," Minako began. A flicker of emotion passed in the idol's eyes. "Oh. Do you mind if I call you that? I know this is only our second meeting," Minako said, stressing the word second, "but I'd like to be friends with you."
Seiya was eyeing Minako carefully.
"You want to be friends with me? Why?"
"Do I need to have a reason why?" Seiya didn't answer. "Okay. Let's just say, you're my friend's friend. Usagi-chan."
"You've already met her?"
"Yes. And the others too."
Seiya looked away, finding something fascinating about the wall probably, Minako thought.
Silence.
"Just tell her."
Seiya's head swiveled so fast, it was a wonder he didn't break it. "Nani?"
"Seiya-kun, I hope you don't mind me saying so, but I think you and Usagi-chan's having some problems. Well, maybe not problems, let's say misunderstanding? She's been a bit depressed. I've only met her, but she's already very very dear to me. Whatever it is that's bothering you, just tell her. She'll understand."
"Naze?"
"Excuse me?"
"Why are you helping me?"
Minako smiled. "I'm not helping you. Don't get me wrong, I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing this for Usagi-chan. I've told you already as I've told all the others, I just don't want to see her sad." She looked directly at Seiya's eyes. "Her happiness comes first. Tell her the truth."
Seiya was still eyeing her suspiciously. Minako laughed. "Let's just say I'm the goddess of love. I'm an authority on the subject, Seiya-kun. Believe me, follow my advice."
Seiya nodded then he smiled a little. "I do believe you. I'll do as you say. I'll tell Odango what's bothering me."
Minako smiled back.
"I'll call her right now," he added. "Thanks." He turned and walked away.
"Matte!"
Seiya turned back to Minako. "Yes?"
"You haven't answered my question, Seiya-kun." Minako pouted, "Don't you like me?"
Seiya smirked. "As you've said, we've only met twice."
The only light on the room was from a small lamp. Mamoru sat still, not looking at Usagi, who sat silently, staring blankly at the rose in her hand.
The rose Mamoru gave her brightened her mood for a few minutes, before she was again gloomily quiet.
Mamoru doesn't like seeing her like this. She was as bright as sunshine. What could have possibly robbed off her cheerful attitude?
Maybe Minako was right, Mamoru thought. She was upset with her boy friend. She was upset because of Seiya.
It breaks Mamoru's heart to see her sad because of some other guy. He knew this was his chance, he was seriously considering confessing right now.
But looking at Usagi's way, he knew he couldn't take advantage of her confusion right now. He'll confess when the time is right. And the right time is when she can hear the truth without bias emotions.
Minako was right, her happiness comes first. Right now, his love needs comfort. She needed to be cheered up and Mamoru knew just how.
The rose wasn't enough. She needed someone to save her from her gloomy thoughts.
"Usagi."
No answer, no reaction at all.
He touched her arm. "Usagi?"
She turned to him, her eyes dazed.
Suddenly her eyes turned into focus.
Mamoru was staring at her behind the white mask.
She gingerly touched his face. "It's you. . . it really is you. . . oh it's been so long. . . too long. . . my savior. . . Tuxedo Mask," she whispered.
Suddenly she was crying, her body shook with emotion.
With incredible gentleness, Mamoru put his arms around her then pulled her against him.
This isn't what he wanted. He wanted to cheer her up! Not make her cry.
"Usagi, please don't cry." I can't stand it if you cry.
She continued to sob. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I've tried to be strong, but now. . . I just feel like crying. . . "
"Ssh. You don't have to explain. . ." Mamoru murmured in her hair.
Usagi nodded then pulled away. She stared at him then peeled his mask off. "Mamoru. . . Mamo. . ."
They were looking into each other's eyes deeply as Mamoru brushed away her tears. She didn't pull away. Not even when his fingers passed over her lips.
Mamoru tried to remind himself that it wasn't the right time. Don't do it! he told himself.
But another part of his mind, shouted for him to continue. How would you know if it isn't the right time if you don't give it a chance and risk it? it says.
So before Mamoru knew what he was doing, he was leaning down, his eyes never leaving hers.
He saw her close her eyes just before their lips finally touch.
Suddenly, a loud ringing cut through the stillness of the room.
Mamoru and Usagi pulled apart so quickly, he wasn't so sure if they had really kissed.
Usagi quickly pulled her phone from her skirt pocket.
"Seiya," she answered.
Mamoru's heart sank. He quickly looked away.
Great timing. You almost confessed, Mamoru, his mind taunted.
This was too much. He almost confessed and if Usagi had rejected him, he'd die of heartbreak.
"Hai," Mamoru heard Usagi say. "Bye."
There was a minute of silence. Mamoru could feel Usagi's eyes on him. He didn't look back. Couldn't look back. He was too embarrassed.
"Mamoru-san. . . I. . . I have to go. . . thank you. . . thank you for the tea. . . thank you for this rose. . . thank you. . . for everything. . ."
Mamoru nodded, still not looking at her.
Usagi didn't get up at once. Of course, it was the polite way that he see her to the door, at the least.
But he couldn't. He was suffering inside.
Finally, Usagi stood up. "Sayonnara."
She had walked about three steps when Mamoru jumped up. "Matte yo. I. . . I'll see you to the door."
Usagi didn't say anything. He walked ahead of her and opened his door. Usagi quickly passed through.
She turned back to him, who was still looking down on the floor.
"Mamoru-san, I. . . about. . . about what happened. . .?"
Mamoru exhaled deeply before finally looking up. All he wanted was for her to be happy instead Usagi's eyes were filled with confusion. The same confusion that was probably reflected in his eyes too.
I want you to be happy, Usako even if it means for me pain.
He touched her cheek, caressing it softly. He replaced his hand with his lips. "Just be happy," he whispered.
The two stared at each other for a long long time.
"I know I should explain, but Odango you must understand this is hard, so hard for me," Seiya began.
Usagi didn't say anything.
"I know I've been acting strange," he continued. "And I'm sorry."
Usagi still didn't say anything.
"The other day, I saw a girl." Usagi stiffened. "She was about ten feet away and the setting sun was behind her creating a golden halo around her fiery red hair."
Seiya sighed. "At first, I thought she was just an apparition. I wanted her to an apparition and at the same time, I wanted her to be real. Because I stood there, rooted, she came towards me, pausing a few steps away. I was able to get a closer look of her beautiful red eyes."
Seiya was watching Usagi's reaction very carefully. "She called me Fighter."
Usagi hugged her pillow tighter.
"Odango."
She was suddenly crying. "The past. . . it's catching up with us. . . catching up. . ."
Seiya stared at her, confused. When he arrived at the Tsukino's home, he found Usagi sleeping soundly at the couch. He had asked her to wait for him, but he didn't want to waken her. It wasn't easy what he was to confess so he let her continue on sleeping.
It was idiotic but he tried talking to her while she slept. Somehow, he thought she might hear. If she does hear him in her dream-like state, she might understand him better.
And strange as it was, she really did seemed to hear him talked about what happen that cause his uncharacteristic mood these past few days.
He sat down beside her and shook her awake.
"Odango, Odango, wake up!"
Disoriented blue eyes slowly turned into focus. "Seiya?" She threw her arms around him.
He held her closer, warming her.
"Why were you crying in your sleep?"
Usagi shook her head. "I don't remember, I don't want to remember!"
"It's okay," Seiya soothed. "I'm sorry, I've been neglecting you," he murmured in her ear.
"Iie, daijobou."
He waited for her to ask him what had gone wrong. What had happen that cause his bad mood?
But Usagi remained silent.
"I know I should explain, but Odango you must understand this is hard, so hard for me," Seiya began his practiced speech. "I know I've been acting strange," he continued. "And I'm sorry."
Seiya took a deep breath, remembering Usagi's reaction with his story.
The past. . . it's catching up with us. . . catching up. . .
Usagi was right. No matter how hard he try to suppress these unwanted memories, they are all coming back. Catching up with them. . . catching up with him. . .
But he wasn't ready. Wasn't ready to lose. And he won't lose if he just kept the past stay as the past.
Her happiness comes first. Tell her the truth.
Seiya opened his mouth and told her the first excuse he could think of.
Usagi nodded in understanding then buried her head in his chest.
For the first in their relationship, Seiya had lied to Usagi.
But he had to. He did.
Even the goddess of love can make mistakes, Minako. I can't tell her the truth. . . For us to stay together. . . for us to be happy, I had to do this. . . for her. . . for me. . .
A/N: okay, that's it folks. Time for review.
Um sorry if Minako's ooc. I love mina, I really do but I could have love her much much more if she had remained as the mature girl she was back when she first appeared. The last 4 seasons made her boy-crazy, which though made her character sooo cute, I personally would rather like it if there wasn't a change at all. I change her here for this fic is somehow about the senshi growing back to their princess-form.
Jap translations:
Nani? - What?
Naze? - Why?
Sayonnara - Goodbye (polite/formal/poetic form)
Matte yo - Wait!
Please review min'na. The more reviews, the more inspired I'll get, and the more inspired I get, the faster I'll try to write so I can update sooner. And I know that you'll want to read the next chapter even more when I tell you that Seiya and Mamoru will finally meet. Got you interested? Well then review. ^_* watch out for chapter 10, As the Past Catches Up with The Present. Love you all! Ja!