Hello Here is Chapter 4 of Makenai. I hope you enjoy it. Please R & R and let me know what you think.
Author's Notes - 'Denotes People's Thoughts' Thanks to my ONLY reviewer PriestessTaisho I am glad that someone is actually enjoying this story.
Makenai
Chapter 4 – All Together Now & Kisses Handprints And Gravestones Oh My!
It was nearing eleven a.m. when Seiya strolled up to Usagi's front door and took a deep breath. Preparing to knock he was surprised to see the door open quickly and Usagi race out.
"I'll be back later. Love you guys." She grabbed Seiya by the wrist and pulled him up the block. Peeking back repeatedly she tugged sharing her urgency.
"Oi Odango. What was that for?" He glanced quizzically at her waiting for an answer. She took a moment to catch her breath before explaining.
"My parent's wouldn't understand." She left off there hoping he wouldn't question her any further. Changing the subject she tried distracting him by stopping directly in front of him and turning to face him. "I wanted to uh." She ducked her head in embarrassment before continuing. "Uh to say thank you." Mumbling and blushing faintly she kept her head down. "Thank you for being there last night."
"You're welcome." Seiya's eyes softened as he watched her scrape her toe across the pavement. The night before was etched into his memory. He reached forward tentatively and with a finger lifted her chin. "I am really glad you called me. Please remember you can call me anytime." He left off there hoping she understood his unspoken message.
She glanced up startled by the intense look in his eyes. She could not interpret the look, but it sent a frisson of electricity dancing up her spine. She stood completely still whether in fear or excitement or some other unknown emotion. The spell he wove around them stole her breath, and she could feel his finger still warm against her chin.
Watching her intently he was glad to see some emotion dancing around her features. She seemed a little more animated today. When he finally pulled his finger back and tapped her nose the spell was broken and everything suddenly seemed different.
Her breath whooshed out and it sounded to her own ears like a disappointed sigh. 'Why would I be disappointed? What do I want?'
With a tender smile he watched the confusion dance across her features. Reaching out he grabbed her hand and tugged lightly. "You want to go see everyone don't you? I think if you are up to it we could still catch them at the arcade." Slipping her fingers in between his, he used his thumb to gently stoke the back of her hand.
Usagi lost in thought, was trying to decide and after a moment nodded in agreement. They walked along in silence, Usagi contemplating her own reactions and Seiya thinking of how to keep her animated. Still holding her hand and stroking it, he pondered how best to keep her off balance.
Seiya and Usagi walked into the Arcade to find the waitress delivering food to all of their friends. They waited letting her do her job before joining the group.
When Minako looked up and saw Seiya and Usagi she smiled. Rei noticed her smile and followed her happy gaze to see the two standing off to the side. She immediately put a hand on Makoto's arm and caught her attention. Pointing at Seiya and Usagi Rei caught Ami's attention at the same time. Yaten was surprised to see Minako looking thrilled; following her gaze he saw Seiya with a haggard Usagi in tow. When Ami tapped Taiki's arm she glanced in their direction alerting Taiki to their presence. Everyone was now smiling; eagerly anticipating Usagi and Seiya joining them.
Seiya watched as their arrival caught everyone's attention. 'They don't seem angry that I am here. That is a good sign. Wait what is this? Smiles, they seem happy that we are here together.' His eyes widened in surprise as he caught all of the happy looks. It warmed his heart to see them all smiling and excited to see Usagi with him. There wasn't a hostile glance in the group and that bolstered his confidence. After meeting with Neptune and Uranus he wasn't sure how his arrival would be taken.
"Yaten move closer over here. Everyone shove over and make room." Minako patted the bench next to her as the waitress walked away.
Yaten threw her a frightened glance before hesitantly sliding closer. Come on….more…….You can come closer. I don't bite you know." She leaned in close and whispered for Yaten's ears only, "I do nibble though." His blush caught everyone off guard and they wondered what Minako had said.
Seiya let Usagi slide in next to Yaten before sitting next to her. The group was more crammed around the table, but it seemed to add an air of intimacy.
Taiki watched as Seiya and Usagi arrived and finally got to sit down. When Yaten moved closer to Minako he chuckled to see his friend blush. Wondering what outrageous thing Minako had whispered he glanced over at Ami. His eyes met with startled blue ones. Her mouth fell open and a slight blush stained her cheeks as she realized she had been caught staring.
"What do you think Minako said?" He acted as though nothing had happened trying to make sure she wasn't uncomfortable.
Ami not knowing what to think recovered enough to shake her head. She leaned close to Makoto whispering. "Do you know what Minako said to Yaten?" When Makoto shook her head Ami continued. "Ask Rei maybe she overheard."
Taiki watched in fascination as the process continued. Makoto leaned over and whispered to Rei. He watched Rei shrug her shoulders delicately. Then she smiled and leaned towards Minako and began whispering. When Rei giggled he knew he would have an answer.
Seiya watched as Taiki whispered with Ami and Minako studiously ignored Yaten for the moment. Leaning in towards Usagi he smiled.
"Hey does Minako like Yaten or does she just tease everyone that way?" Usagi looked surprised a moment to be asked such a question. Pondering her answer she took a moment to choose her words carefully.
"I think she does although she won't admit to it." She has been kind of mellow since you guys went home. I never really thought about it until now but I think she might have missed him." She glanced at Seiya to see him watching her again with an odd look.
"That is good then, Yaten needs to be shook up." Seiya continued studying Usagi as he thought about his friend. 'I know he is lonely. Someone like Minako-chan would be good for him.' When he realized someone was calling his name he snapped back to the moment.
"Seiya….Seiya? I asked you a question." Seiya threw Taiki a quizzical glance.
Taiki grinned before repeating his question.
"The girls would like to know what we are up to later this evening. If you can take your eyes off of Usagi for a moment I need your input." The group laughed as Usagi blushed in embarrassment until Seiya spoke.
"If you had someone as beautiful to look at I am sure your attention would be drawn away too." Seiya eyes widened as everyone started laughing and Taiki colored in embarrassment.
Seiya sat pondering what was funny until a weird vibe caught his attention.
Glancing surreptitiously at Usagi, Seiya immediately noticed the change in her attitude. He could see her getting seriously angry 'What caused her mood change?' Looking around at everyone he sighed in relief because no one else seemed to have noticed. He knew he had to do something quickly.
"Guys we have to go now. I...uh…promised Usagi I would show her something special." He slid out of the booth and stood up. She followed suit and he grabbed her hand when she stood up. "We'll see all of you again soon." Waving he hurried out of the arcade pulling her gently along.
When they reached the street he quickly found an alley to duck into where they might have a little privacy. He could see her seething with anger.
"How dare you?" She hissed not understanding herself why she was so angry. She watched as Seiya looked baffled.
"How dare I what? I am sorry but I don't understand why you're angry or what I have done to make you angry." He took a tiny step back watching as she took a step forward. His eyes widened when she came even closer.
"You made me the butt of their jokes." Her eyes flashed with anger as her hand came up.
"Oi Odango wait a minute. What are you talking about?" Seiya watched the emotions dance across her face.
"You made me the butt of their jokes….Don't play stupid with me. They were laughing at me because you said…..you said…….I was beautiful." Usagi jabbed him in the chest with her finger. He stepped back again and found a brick wall at his back. With no where to go he had to act quickly before this got out of hand. 'What should I do?'
Thinking quickly he grabbed her around the waist and turned sharply so that her back came up against the wall. He set each of his hands on her wrists and held them gently out to the side. 'If she's going to be mad might as well give her a reason.'
Without thinking about it too much; wanting to silence the barrage coming he leaned down and caught her lips in a cautious kiss. At first Usagi was shocked to her core and unable to think straight. His lips were gentle and warm; the taste of mint tickled her senses. When his tongue stroked over her bottom lip the feelings assailing her became her own undoing. She sighed softly and with that sound bells went off in her mind.
It took him a moment to realize she was struggling to break free. When he pulled back and let her wrists go he immediately regretted it.
His head snapped back and tears ran out of his eyes. He could feel the stinging of his cheek. 'Damn she's quick!' The same hand that slapped him now scrubbed over her lips trying to remove the imagined taint.
"Usagi enough we need to talk." Seiya threw her a wary glance as he readied himself. "Look I….uh…..I owe you an apology. I know you weren't ready for that." He looked really sincere and the red handprint on his cheek had to hurt.
"I'll think about forgiving you." She watched him hang his head dejectedly. "I am sorry for getting so angry but I just lost control thinking that they were all laughing at me."
His head came up slowly and he glanced at her with a sigh. "They weren't laughing at you. For your information they were laughing at Taiki because his attention was lost on Ami.
Usagi's head shot up at that piece of news. "Really, I had no clue." She thought about it for a moment.
"Yeah it must have happened before we arrived. You had no way of knowing." Seiya watched as she realized her mistake. He could see guilt creep into her eyes, and watched as she collapsed in on herself. When her eyes began tearing up it was already too late. Seiya had no warning as she turned and dashed away. With a blink of his eyes she was gone…………
Usagi darted out of the alley as the tears began falling. She ran blindly not paying attention to the direction; running until her muscles were screaming for a break. Usagi realized she had run to Rei's temple. Pushing herself she ran up the steps and around the temple. Taking the long route out and around everything she finally reached the back corner of the woods.
It was a beautiful peaceful spot where they decided he should remain for all eternity. It was just a small clearing with wildflowers but it seemed appropriate. She stumbled up to the headstone and collapsed. Usagi sat raggedly gasping for breath trying to slow her body down. Her heart was slamming in her chest and she almost wished it would explode ending all of her suffering.
'Mamo-chan..?' This was her first time of coming to visit his grave. She was still crying the guilt adding to her confusion. "I didn't enjoy it." 'But you did enjoy it and you know it.' Her conscience at least was able to be honest. 'You also like Seiya and the way he makes you feel.' Usagi leaned against the headstone crying even harder. "I...I'm sorry. Mamo-chan I won't forsake you…I won't…I won't…I promise." She found herself worn out and thought she would rest her eyes for a moment. "I promise Mamo-chan." The words drifted from her lips as she gave up and drifted off to sleep…………
When Rei returned to the temple she decided a visit to his grave was in order. She wandered out through the woods listening to the peaceful calming sounds.
When she finally reached the clearing her eyes widened in surprise to see Usagi-chan fast asleep leaning on Mamoru's headstone. The look of anguish upon Usagi's face made Rei wonder; even in sleep Usagi appeared saddened. 'She seemed less troubled earlier. Seiya must have done something to hurt her.'
She knelt next to Usagi and gently shook her shoulder. "Usagi-chan, sweetling wake up." She smiled as blue eyes blinked open.
"Rei-chan what are you...?" Her eyes widened and her mouth formed a perfect little oh when she realized what she had done. Rei glanced at her with soft amusement.
"Usagi-chan are you okay?" She watched as emotions danced across her friends features. Guilt and pain and sadness all appeared before being replaced with sorrow.
"No………yes………I don't know." Usagi let out a sigh and slowly stood. "Thank you for caring Rei-chan." She gave her friend a gentle hug and turned wandering away. Rei stood watching; worried thinking about who to call.
Here is an end to Chapter 4. Please R & R and let me know what you think? Please?
