Hello Minna, Here is Chapter 3. Please R & R and let me know what you think.

Authors Notes : 'Denotes People's Thoughts' I'd like to Thank my latest reviewer PriestessTaisho - I am glad you are enjoying it.


Makenai

Chapter 3 InThe Heat Of The Night & Let's Do Lunch!

Usagi climbed through the layers of sleep. Realizing she had slept for several hours she glanced blearily at the clock. It was three in the morning and everything was quiet. Sitting up she glanced around her room.

Seeing the picture on her dresser brought a round of fresh tears. It was of Mamoru and her taken years before. She was holding his arm and they both looked happy.

A fresh wave of pain bit into her heart tearing at it with a vengeance. 'Nothing else matters.' With her mind numb she wandered to the bathroom, and opened the medicine cabinet. Glancing through the little bottles she found what she was looking for. Tucking it in her pocket she headed into her room and sat down on her bed. Pulling it out she looked closely at the instructions on the bottle.

The label read - Only one pill necessary for a full night's sleep. Usagi thought about how many it might take for a permanent sleep. Tears ran down her face as she contemplated her last minutes. Thinking of her friends' and family's reaction to her death made her cry harder as guilt consumed her.

"I am so sorry guys." She whispered the words out loud. "Please forgive me, but I cannot go on living." Standing slowly she walked over to her dresser and looked at the picture of her beloved.

"Mamo-chan." It was nothing more than a hoarse whisper torn from her soul. Glancing down a small white square caught her attention. Hesitantly she picked it up and turned it over in her hand. Seiya's name and number were scrawled on it.

Thinking back she remembered "It's my phone number and I want you to use it any time night or day if you need to talk!" She pondered the idea for a moment. 'I know he is going to try and talk me out of it. I don't know what to do, but living is too painful.' Her conscience chose that moment to revolt. 'You at least owe him a goodbye! He did come all the way just to see you. Yeah but...no buts about it. Call him.'

She slowly walked towards the phone unsure of what she was about to do. Picking up the receiver she listened to the dial tone. One by one she punched in the numbers...5...5...5...4...1...9...6 As she heard each beep fear thrummed through her, fear that he might answer and fear that he might not. When it rang the first time she almost hung up. Taking a deep breath and holding it, Usagi gathered her resolve and listened for the second ring. When it rang a third time she was about to give up. Reaching out to push the disconnect button she was stopped by a click and a sleepy voice.

"Moshi moshi?" She could hear his relaxed breathing through the phone.

"Seiya?" She spoke softly rushing her words just to get them out. "I called to say goodbye." A lone tear escaped and slipped rapidly down her cheek. 'This is harder than I thought it was going to be.' "I...I can't live like this so I have to go and be with Mamo-chan. I just wanted to say thank you for caring for me when I needed it.

Hearing her words Seiya sat straight up out of bed. "Odango...Wait...we need to talk...please listen." He listened for a second straining to hear her breathing before continuing. "Please whatever you do, don't hang up. Talk to me, please?"

"I...I...can't go on like this. I am not a very strong person." She swiped at tears as they ran down her face.

"Odango...Usagi...you beat Galaxia. Of course you are strong! What about your friends and family." He realized how desperate the situation had become. "Listen to me. Your friends and family need you. You are their hope and happiness. They love you very much." His next words slipped out before he could stop them. "I love you..." Usagi hung up the phone dazed and confused.

Seiya heard the click and spoke in a panicky voice. "Odango...Odango listen..." When the dial tone beeped his heart was filled with dread. Jumping out of bed he threw on clothes. Grabbing his keys he hurried out the door. Fearing what he might find when he arrived he ran the whole way. 'Hurry..hurry..hurry..hurry..hurry'. With his heart in his throat he scrambled up the tree that sat outside her window. Finally reaching the branch level with the window he was relieved to see Usagi sitting on the edge of the bed crying. She was holding something small in her hands just staring at it.

He reached out from his perch and knocked softly. Not wanting to wake up her family he was glad to see her glance up at his knock. She strolled across the room and slid the window open. Feeling shy and completely at a loss for words she just turned around and walked back to her bed.

Seiya slid across to the window and climbed in quietly. Taking time to catch his breath he turned and slid the window closed. Turning back around he wasn't surprised to see her sitting there crying. Walking over to her bed he dropped to his knees in front of her. Without asking for permission he reached out and slowly took the object from her hand.

Looking down at what he held, he sucked in a breath when he realized what it was for. Glancing up at her he could see the painful desperation etched in her features. Reaching out again he picked up her hand.

"Don't ever scare me like that again. I thought you were going to..." His words trailed off and he thought for a second before continuing. "I have never been so scared thinking I would find myself too late." His words were gruff even to his own ears but at the moment he didn't care. Once he had realized she was safe rather than being worried he was angry. "What were you thinking?" He rasped the words out quietly and in the silence they sounded fierce. He paused trying to bring his temper under control. "Do you realize how many people you would hurt?" Seiya pocketed the bottle and with a deep sigh dropped his head in her lap.

"I can't lose you." The words were spoken so quietly that Usagi first thought she had imagined them. Yet when he glanced up at her she could see the truth of his statement in his eyes. Naked vulnerability mixed with need burned brightly in his worried eyes. "It's too soon. I know that. Forget I said anything." He pulled himself back under control and stood up. Wandering over to the window he stared out into the night. He heard the bed squeak as she stood. A small hand on his arm let him know she had followed. He half turned glancing at her.

"I..I'm sorry." Taking a deep breath Usagi fought for control. "I...just don't know how to go on. It hurts so badly at times it feels like it is ripping my heart out." Tears ran down her face as her control slipped. "The rest of the time I just feel completely numb like nothing matters."

"It all matters." Seiya set his hands on her shoulders and shook her gently. "You can't be that selfish. I won't allow it." Before he realized what was happening her hand connected with his cheek. Reeling in shock he watched mutely as she dropped to her knees and let grief bow her. Bending down he scooped her up and carried her to her bed.

He sat holding her until she cried herself to sleep. Lost in thought, time had no meaning until the birds started alerting him to morning. He knew he had to leave before her family woke for the day. Readjusting her he slipped his arm out from under her and pulled the comforter up over her. Dropping a kiss on her forehead he whispered. "I'll see you later today." He walked to the window and slipped out and into the tree. With a last glance back he climbed to the ground and headed back. Seiya made it back to the apartment just before sunup. Crawling back into bed he slept for a couple of hours.

When Seiya came out of his room it was to find Taiki and Yaten already up. They were preparing to go and meet the girls. Grabbing a couple of pieces of left over pizza and throwing them on a plate Seiya sat in a bar stool and began to eat. Taiki threw him a glance filled with curiosity.

"So how come your up so late?" He looked eager to hear Seiya's excuse. Yaten glanced up at Seiya also in interest.

"Well it's like this...I got a late night phone call and had to go help a friend out. I didn't get in until dawn" The other two looked surprised.

"Is your friend all right then?" Yaten asked hesitantly. Both Yaten and Taiki looked at Seiya with serious expressions. At Seiya's nod they both seemed to relax a little.

"Are you coming with us to meet the girls?" Taiki asked grinning as he snagged a piece of pizza off of Seiya's plate. Turning around as he took a bite he looked expectantly at Seiya.

"I'm not sure. Are the girls bringing Usagi along?" He looked to the other two for confirmation. They both looked unsure.

"We didn't think to ask. How is Usagi by the way? You didn't say much last night." Yaten looked honestly concerned.

Seiya thought for a moment before replying. "It's worse than I expected. She is taking his death very badly." Taiki and Yaten could see his worry and decided to let the subject drop.

"Let me call Aino-chan and ask." Jumping up Yaten walked over and picked up the receiver and dialed. They heard a muted conversation and then he hung up.

"Well?" Seiya glanced at Yaten with an odd look. Yaten shook his head and then explained.

"They called Usagi but she wasn't up for it. By the way I am supposed to tell you to get your butt over there and keep an eye on her." Seiya hid his smile but he knew that Yaten must have been concerned if he went to the trouble to call Aino-chan. They sat for a few more minutes before Taiki and Yaten had to leave. As they went out the door Seiya called out.

"Now don't have too much fun with all of those cute girls." He laughed to see them both look back in shock. Heading for the bathroom he took a quick shower. Climbing out Seiya threw on a pair of jeans and a shirt before hurrying through the rest of his routine. Grabbing his coat and keys he locked up before heading out.

Taiki and Yaten found their way to the Crown Arcade. Taiki was excited to see the girls again where as Yaten was still unsure of this whole mess. He caught Taiki by the scruff of his shirt and stopped him from entering.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" He spun Taiki around easily and glared at him. "I have a bad feeling about this. Tell me one more time, why this is a good idea?" Taiki glanced at him in shock.

"Look I am only going to say this once. I think that what Seiya has is special and I'd like to see if there is something like that for me." He tried to make Yaten understand. "I want….oh never mind. Let's just do this." Taiki turned around and without looking back he entered the arcade. Yaten stood for a moment contemplating his words before following Taiki in.

Minako, Rei, Makoto and Ami were sitting in the corner round booth to leave room for Taiki and Yaten at each end. The girls spotted them almost the moment they walked in the door. Minako waved the moment she spotted Taiki coming through the door. She watched avidly for signs of Yaten. She was honestly excited that the Three Lights had decided to come back for a reunion tour.

"They're here." She glanced at her friends with excitement dancing in her eyes. "I'm glad Seiya is here. Maybe it will help cheer up Usagi."

"Yeah and Yaten being here will cheer you up right?" Rei winked at Minako teasing her friend. A light blush stained Minako's cheeks as the guys walked up. She glanced down trying to hide it. Glancing at Ami she noticed that as usual her friend was reading from a book in her lap.

Taiki glanced at the girls as he strolled up. 'They all look the same. What am I thinking? It has only been six months.' He smiled affably before slipping into the booth next to Ami. Yaten slid in the other side which put him right next to Minako.

Glancing at her surreptitiously he tried to ignore the slight stirring of his heartbeat. 'Stop right now. I cannot stand this blonde maniac even if my body does react to her.' She glanced shyly at him but chose not to speak.

The group sat in silence for a moment no one knowing how to break the ice. They all just glanced around looking for the differences and similarities to the people they had fought so closely with.

"So how is life on Kinmokusei? Minako looked expectantly at Taiki, ignoring Yaten for the moment. The girls all threw her surprised looks wondering at her odd behavior. Yaten sat watching the byplay of the girls. He knew Minako was up to something.

"It is all right. Princess Kakyuu has done amazing things and life has returned to a somewhat normal routine." Taiki chose that moment to reveal why they had returned. "Look we came back because Seiya felt something wrong here. Yes we have spoken with Neptune and Uranus but we want to ask you. How is your Princess holding up?"

The girls all glanced at Rei leaving her to be the unofficial spokesman. "She has taken his death very hard." She paused taking a moment to choose her words carefully. "We have not yet found a way to reach out to her. Her grief is weighing her down and we are seriously worried." Leaving off there she decided to wait to further explain.

"Have there been any new threats?" Yaten decided a change of topic was called for. He glanced at Minako even as he tried not to. She shook her head and he looked away. Staring at him, Minako tried to think of a way to catch his attention.

"So what is new with all of you guys?" Yaten tried to keep the conversation going.

"Well…" Rei began but was cut off by Makoto. "We all got into high school. Even Usagi passed all of her tests with fairly decent scores." As the girls took turns updating them on everything; Taiki sat watching the girls thinking of each one.

'Rei is very intelligent and good looking. That is something to keep in mind. Makoto is beautiful in an athletic way and her cooking is fabulous. Ami seems shy but she has a lot of inner strength and intelligence. She seems to be the quiet one of the group.' He never even considered Minako because he could see the look in her eyes as she glanced at Yaten. 'She's all yours my friend.' If only Yaten could hear his thoughts. He was snapped back into the moment by Ami lightly patting his arm.

"She is waiting for you." He glanced at Ami in confusion until he noticed the waitress standing there with her notepad in hand.

"Oh." He colored in embarrassment to be caught wool gathering. "I'd like a double cheeseburger, fries and a soda please." The waitress nodded as she scribbled on the notepad. Apparently everyone else had already ordered and the waitress left to fill their order.

Yaten could not relax each and every time Minako moved her perfume wafted his direction. Glancing upwards he noticed the ceiling fan. 'That would be why it is blowing my way.' He found the smell appealing but would not admit it even to himself. He caught himself glancing her way without realizing it. His eyes met with startled blue ones that quickly glanced away. 'I have to quit doing this.'

Taiki tried to decide which of the girls he wanted to get to know better. Being a thoughtful person he didn't want to lead anyone on or hurt someone by accident. He thought about the last time when they were here. 'I remember sitting next to Ami-chan when we played cards at Usagi's house. That sure proved to be an interesting night.'

"Earth to Taiki-san? Are you there?" Yaten threw Taiki an odd glance. This was the second time he had been caught spacing out. 'Thank Kami that was not me.' "Taiki the girls asked what we have planned later on." Taiki was saved from replying because at that moment the waitress chose to bring their food.


Here is an end to Chapter 3. Please R & R and let me know what you think?