Welcome back my friends. Why is this story always the last one to get updated? You know, I have no idea, but that's life. I have Inuyasha to watch after this so let's make it quick shall we? (Which means like three or four hours as opposed to long ass time on The Evening of the Moon update that I finally freaking finished.)

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon.

Warnings: Maybe some cussing, angst. There's always angst.

Close Your Eyes

Chapter Twelve

Taiki rounded the corner on his way home from the grocery store. It had been a short trip and he wanted to go home and make dinner. Today he could have sworn he saw Yaten walking with someone but he decided he had just imagined it.

Maybe he's found a muse…

His friend's new found inspiration kept him up very late at night. Taiki kept coming in to see that Yaten was painting. Yaten wouldn't let him see any of his creations so Taiki didn't know what it was that had inspired him.

As he was walking, a delicious scent that at first he didn't recognize drifted through the air. Then he recognized it.

Olive blossoms!

He turned around, his heart pounding in his chest. But he saw no one. Was it even possible?

Don't day dream, Kakyuu is on Kinmokusei, it was probably someone who bought some olive blossoms. It might not have even been olive blossoms, just something that smelled like them.

Even though he rationally told himself these things, he wasn't so sure. He didn't think he could mistake that scent.

I wonder if maybe I'm homesick…

Taiki did miss Kinmokusei a great deal. Earth was nice but there was too much gray cement everywhere. Not the nice cobblestone streets that they had on Kinmokusei. Not the thousands of olive trees everywhere. Even though there were many buildings, they were always crowded around by the trees.

He remembered the royal palace and Kakyuu staring out into the forest of olive trees with a dreamy look on her face.

"You could get lost in those trees…and no one would ever find you…"

Taiki tried to think of other things. But he knew that it would still be awhile before they returned to Kinmokusei, things were said that shouldn't have been said and Seiya and Yaten were the only ones who spoke out. He had learned to accept whatever came in life.

"She's unhappy because she can't stand up for herself. It's her own fault."

Yaten always blamed people for bad things happening. And even though Yaten pretended not to like Seiya, Taiki knew that Yaten had blamed her because blaming Seiya was a bit too painful.

"It doesn't matter…she'll have her prince…they'll be married. And live happily ever after."

And Seiya with that heartbroken look on his face. Finally he had to just leave. He had to get away from the hurt.

"Taiki…take care of him."

That's just what he had been trying to do. Trying to take care of Seiya because she couldn't. He kept walking towards home. It wasn't his real home but his real home was far away. He would have to live with the fact that this was his new home.

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"Here." Yaten handed Hotaru. It was another Wednesday; they had been going by so fast. Of course it had gotten to be that Yaten saw Hotaru every day. He always seemed to want to know if she could help him do something or if she wanted to go for a walk or just about anything he could come up with.

Hotaru took the picture and saw that it was her, shadowed in the shadows wearing a large black hood and in her hand, a ghostly silver scythe. She stared at the picture sadly. A tear fell. Then another.

"Is it really that bad?" Yaten asked.

"No…it's pretty but…" Hotaru looked at him. "Never mind."

"It's yours. You can keep that one." Yaten told her. "The exhibition, it's Saturday. You can come if you want. I'll give you a ride."

"Okay." Hotaru agreed slowly. "Yaten?"

"Yeah?" Yaten raised his silver eyebrows.

"Is this what you see when you look at me?" Hotaru questioned him.

"No." Yaten replied. "At the exhibition, I'll show you what I see."

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Hotaru smoothed her dress, the only dress she owned, a black one that Setsuna had bought her on a whim a week ago. She wore her glasses because she couldn't imagine going without them.

I'm so nervous…why am I so nervous?

Setsuna was not at the apartment; Hotaru had no idea where she was. She was glad though. She didn't to answer any of Setsuna's questions.

Yaten came in a limo which shocked Hotaru. She had never been in one in her life. Apparently it had been sent special to him from his art dealer who was so excited about the new exhibit that he had to treat Yaten.

Hotaru stared at the large car and felt even more nervous. She thought she might throw up, which would not be a good thing. They arrived at the museum and Hotaru was again amazed by how fancy everything looked.

Here we go…

They went inside and Yaten immediately got swooped up by his art dealer. Hotaru was left standing by herself. Yaten sort of waved at her as he left. She decided to go look at the paintings. The centerpiece of the exhibit was a large painting that everyone was gathered around.

The painting had a beautiful woman with purple eyes and dark hair in it. A pair of delicate wings behind her, spread out impressively. Her hands were clasped together but she had determination and strength to her. All around her were fireflies.

The title of the painting on the plaque was 'Vision of Fireflies'.

"This is the one." Yaten gestured towards the painting that Hotaru was staring at.

"The one?" Hotaru turned towards him in confusion.

"This is how I see you." Yaten told her. Hotaru felt her heart begin to pound.

He doesn't mean that…

Come on Hotaru.

"You don't have to tease me. Where's the real one of how you see me?" Hotaru pushed up her glasses. "She's so beautiful though."

"I'm not teasing you." Yaten looked uncomfortable. "I'm—"

"Who's your friend Yaten?" A brown-haired young man with a long ponytail and purple eyes asked. He focused on her then moved his eyes to the painting. "You must be the model!"

"This is Tomoe Hotaru." Yaten introduced her, knowing that otherwise Taiki would be forced to hear a stuttered response.

"We met on the beach didn't we?" Taiki shook her hand.

"Yes." Hotaru nodded.

"You must have made quite the impression on Yaten, he doesn't ever use models." Taiki sounded impressed.

What? Of course he uses other models! He said so himself.

"Don't fidget, the other models are like that and I can't work."

"At least you're not air-headed like the other models."

"Of course he does Kou-san." Hotaru smiled. "He always complains about them."

"Does he?" Taiki raised an eyebrow at Yaten. The two shared a look that Hotaru didn't understand. "Well then…you've done some excellent work Yaten."

"Don't tell me Seiya's here too." Yaten's voice hinted at a whine.

"No, actually…" Taiki trailed off. "He's been in somewhat of a mood since…"

"Since that twit decided she didn't like him." Yaten finished for him. Hotaru blinked. Was he talking about Usagi? Usagi may not be as intelligent as some people but she wasn't a twit. Of course technically she didn't know Usagi that well.

In this lifetime.

But she was a good princess.

"The other day, something odd happened to me." Taiki leaned in. "I thought I smelled olive blossoms."

"Olive blossoms?" Hotaru was confused.

"That happened to me too." Yaten nodded his head. "But maybe we should talk about this later." He glanced over at Hotaru who had no idea what was going on.

"Of course, must have lost my head there for a moment. Well it was very nice meeting you Tomoe-san." Taiki bowed towards her. "I'll see you around."

"Yes, it was nice meeting you too." Hotaru bowed towards him.

Olive blossoms?

What in the world…?

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She concentrated on the leaping flames in front of her. She saw many things. Minako holding an Ace of Hearts and the flash of a blonde haired young man saying his dying words.

"Your love will be hopeless for all eternity."

She saw Usagi and knew she was a little unhappy but trying not to think about it. Ami was reading a book and kept glancing out the window. Makoto was baking.

Then why do I have this feeling?

This ominous feeling…

Rei took a deep breath as she opened her eyes. The flames were still dancing before her. But she saw nothing.

She had woken up a feeling in her stomach. Something was going to happen. She didn't know if it was good or bad. But something was just around the corner. Something that would change everything.

Will the princess finally reveal herself?

And what will follow when she does?

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Okay, I swear next chapter some stuff will happen, so don't hate me. I know the chapter was a little short. But thanks for the reviews!