Sailor Star Fighter sighed as she started her rounds around the palace. Her ebony hair was pulled into a long ponytail and it cascaded down her back and swished silently behind her in the night air. Pausing a moment, she stopped and stared at a tapestry on the wall. She always found herself stopping here and standing for at least a few moments.
Her sapphire eyes flickered slowly over the well-known tapestry.
A picture of Princess Serenity defeating Sailor Galaxia was on the tapestry. Behind Princess Serenity was a small picture of Sailor Star Fighter, Sailor Star Healer, and their other companion, Sailor Star Maker.
Sailor Star Fighter reached up and gently touched the tapestry where Princess Serenity was.
"Odango . . ." She whispered. "How are you?" Sailor Star Fighter usually made it a habit of talking to the tapestry, something she figured was a little weird, but it at least kept her sane. "I miss your shine, Odango." She whispered, tears forming in her eyes.
Sailor Star Fighter sighed and kept walking down the hallway, her black hair swishing silently behind her.
'How are you, Odango?' Fighter wondered to herself. 'Are you happy? Are you with your . . .boyfriend?' Fighter tried to fight back the tears that started to come to her eyes. 'He's so lucky, you have such a sweet shine . . .' She sighed and leaned up against the wall and slowly slid down and sat on the cold floor. She sat, her head resting on her knees for a moment as she tried to recover herself. She was not acting like the strong warrior that she should have been.
'And to think, you've been reduced to this.' She sighed and shook her head. She summoned up some energy and de-transformed herself to her male form, the one she felt more comfortable in anyway.
"Fighter!" Hearing a voice, he looked up and saw Sailor Star Healer standing in front of him.
"Being a man again, Seiya?" She asked, as she flipped her ponytail back over her shoulder.
"I like this form, for your information." Seiya slowly stood up.
"Well, fine, stay like that for all I care." Sailor Star Healer grinned. "Anyway, I have some fun duties for you."
"Oh boy." Seiya rolled his eyes.
"I traded you the rounds duty and you get to visit the sick people!" She laughed.
"Again?" Seiya started to grow angry. "You did this the other week without asking me!"
"Well, I thought it might get your mind off of things. Anyway," She leaned on her hip, "*I* don't want to get sick."
Seiya rolled his eyes. "Whatever." He shrugged. "Which room am I supposed to visit?"
"The one across from the Throne Room." Sailor Star Healer hid the smirk that started to go across her face. "Princess Kakyuu wants you to talk with her a while."
"Fine," Seiya started to walk off.
Sailor Star Healer watched Seiya walk off a moment, before turning around to finish the rounds. 'If only you knew, Seiya.' She thought to herself. 'If only you knew.' She smiled.
Seiya walked down the hallways slowly, he hated visiting the sick people. They were usually people from town and he always had to tell him about when he beat Sailor Galaxia with Princess Serenity. Everyone in the entire planet had heard the story and wanted to hear it firsthand from someone who was there. Seiya sighed and knocked on the door three times. Hearing no answer, he walked into the room and walked over to the bed, sitting on a chair that was next to the bed.
"Oi, you're entertainment has arrived." He sat down slowly in the chair and then turned on the bedside light. He shielded his eyes a moment as they adjusted to the brighter light and then he looked at the sleeping form on the bed.
"Odango?" Seiya's hand flew to his mouth, staring at the sleeping figure on the bed. 'It can't be,' His mind screamed. 'It must be a horrible trick . . .a horrible trick.'
Usagi stirred on the bed, her blue eyes slowly fluttering open and looking at the person next to her.
Seiya felt tears enter his eyes as he quickly pinched himself to see if he was dreaming.
"Hello?" Usagi asked quietly, sitting up in the bed and looking at Seiya a moment in surprise.
"Odango?" Seiya turned towards her, tears in the corners of his eyes.
Usagi stopped a moment, and she felt as if her heart had stopped. "S . . .Seiya?" She asked in amazement. After a moment of staring at each other, Usagi threw her arms around him in a tight hug.
Seiya was astonished, and felt as if he couldn't move for a few moments.
"Seiya, is it really you?" Usagi leaned back and looked him in the face and smiled broadly. "It really is you!" She smiled. "I missed you!"
"I missed you, too." Seiya finally found his voice.
"You did?" Usagi smiled.
"Of course I did, Odango," Seiya's voice broke and he blushed. "Demo . . .what are you doing here?" He was still surprised.
"Oh," Usagi blushed. "Just a vacation." She lied, she didn't want Seiya to know the real reason she was there was because she was in jeopardy.
"Just a vacation, huh?" Seiya grinned. "You missed me too much, ne?" He grinned.
Usagi felt her face flush. "That's not it!" She grabbed a pillow and smacked him playfully. "For your information, Mamo-chan and I are doing just fine, I didn't come because I wanted to see you!" She laughed.
Seiya smiled, but inside he felt his heart break. "I'm glad everything with you and Mamoru is working out . . ." He sighed and tried not to let Usagi see that his eyes were in pain.
"How long has it been?" Usagi asked, her eyes looking over the familiar features of her friend.
"One year, six month, three days . . .four hours . . .twenty three minutes." Seiya slowly rattled off.
Usagi looked at him in shock a moment, and then laughed. "I take it nothing else interesting has been happening around here?"
Seiya looked at her and grinned, noticing her features glowing in the soft lamplight of the room. "Yeah, it's pretty boring around here," He looked into her eyes.
"Seiya," Usagi smiled. "Can I get something to eat?" Her stomach growled and Seiya laughed.
"Sure, I can go and get you something if you wish." He stood up.
"Can I come too?" Usagi asked, her blue eyes filled with fear.
Seiya raised an eyebrow and Usagi looked at the ground. "I just don't want to be alone." She whispered.
"Sure you don't, Odango!" Seiya grinned and helped her stand up. "Kinmoku's kitchens are sure to satisfy even your eating habits!" He threaded his arm through hers to help her walk, noticing she was a little weak, and he thought it was from the journey.
"Oi," Usagi smiled. "I don't eat THAT much."
"You only eat like a horse," Seiya grinned and opened the door.
"I do not!" Usagi laughed. 'I'm laughing.' Usagi thought to herself. 'When was the last time I felt I could truly be myself?' Usagi relaxed and let her weight fall against Seiya more.
"Are you feeling okay, Odango?" Seiya asked.
Usagi didn't respond, her mind being elsewhere.
"Odango?" Seiya stopped walking and looked at her.
Usagi looked at Seiya and smiled, her eyes focusing on him. "Gomen, I didn't hear that, my mind was elsewhere." She smiled.
Seiya nodded. "I just asked if you were okay." Seiya's face was a little worried.
"Oh, I'm okay . . .now that I'm with you." Usagi smiled.
Seiya's face started to blush and he started to walk again. 'What did she mean by that?' Seiya's mind raced.
"What sort of foods do you eat here?" Usagi asked.
"Well, they don't make hamburgers," Seiya smiled. "Earth seems to be the only place I can gets them." He shook his head.
Usagi smiled. "That's because you always make your own food the best." Usagi winked.
Seiya and Usagi got to another set of large heavy-looking double doors.
"Here is the kitchen, where Kinmokians get their best cuisine." Seiya announced.
"I'm excited already." Usagi giggled.
Seiya pushed open the door to reveal a large dining room. A servant was sitting near the door and she quickly stood up and walked over to the two and bowed deeply.
"What can we get you this fine evening?" She asked.
"Odango here is hungry." Seiya looked at Usagi. "It would be nice if they could make her a traditional dinner in the kitchen." Seiya smiled.
"Oh, it will be no problem." She servant bowed again and then hesitated. "Forgive my assumption, but are you Princess Serenity?" She asked, eyes full of wonder.
Usagi nodded. "I am Princess Serenity, pleased to meet you." She bowed.
The servant bowed even deeper. "The pleasure is solely mine, for meeting the woman who saved our galaxies from destruction. I am in your debt."
Seiya rolled his eyes. 'The palace servants always act weird,' he thought. "Okay, Usagi and I are going to go and sit down." He brought Usagi to a table and pulled out the chair for her.
Usagi sat down in it and Seiya pushed it in, and Usagi blushed as Seiya went to the other side of the table and sat down.
"Mamoru never did that for me, I thought they only did it in movies." She blushed.
Seiya looked up at her and smiled. "Well, I thought you deserve to be treated like a lady for once." He took a sip of his glass of water.
Usagi nodded, and for a moment, they sat in silence. Seiya's mind was racing with thoughts and questions, things he was dying to ask Usagi.
Seiya opened his mouth and no words came out for a moment. "Odango . . ." Seiya started.
"Hai?" Usagi smiled and looked up at him, her blue eyes shimmering.
Seiya hesitated again, and took another sip of his water. "How is Earth doing?" He scowled as he realized he had chickened out of the question.
"Earth?" She asked, amused. "Earth is doing fine, everything is peaceful, and all I have to worry about is school." She made a face and then smiled. "It was weird to go back to school without worrying about battles." She shrugged. "But I guess you get used to it."
Seiya nodded and the servant came over and brought them a small appetizer. They both started to eat and Usagi grinned as she ate the first bite.
"This really is good!" She exclaimed, and quickly ate the rest.
"Well, they wouldn't want to feed Princess Serenity a peanut-butter sandwich." Seiya grinned and took another bite. Usagi started to drink her water and then swallowed with a funny look on her face.
"This water tastes weird."
"It's from a spring nearby. We have different minerals here, so I guess the water will taste weird." Seiya took a sip of his water and remembered how weird Earth water tasted the first time.
The servant came by and quickly cleared Seiya and Usagi's plates and then left again.
"How has the rebuilding gone?" Usagi asked as she wiped her mouth with her napkin.
"It went a lot faster then planned, I guess our magic was stronger with us." Seiya looked into his water glass a moment. "It was sort of lonely, not being around all of the Senshi from Earth." He admitted.
Usagi nodded. "We're all so loud and obnoxious, especially me and Minako-chan."
There was silence again for a moment and the servant came back with the main course and the two sat in silence, enjoying each other's company.
"How was school going, I mean your grades and everything?" Seiya asked as he poked his food.
"Hard," Usagi squinted her eyes. "It seems like even though I have no more Senshi business, I still can't get around to concentrating hard enough to study."
"I know what you mean." Seiya nodded. "It was hard for me to concentrate on anything here."
"Seiya-kun?" Usagi asked.
Seiya looked up. "Hai?"
Usagi's face turned bright red. "Why aren't you in your Senshi form?"
Seiya looked at her and laughed.
Usagi's blush turned deeper. "What? It's a logical question," She looked away.
Seiya looked up at her and smiled. "Odango, you're priceless."
Usagi scowled. "I just thought you took your male form to find Kakyuu."
"That is true." Seiya nodded, taking a bite.
"But then don't you have a female form like I do?" She asked.
Seiya shook his head. "I only have a Senshi form, and when I'm like this, I feel more comfortable." He shrugged. "It's hard to explain, and I don't know why I'm the only one who likes to be a guy all the time, but I just feel more . . .relaxed like this. So I'm in this form whenever I'm not on duty."
Usagi nodded. "I understand." She lifted the fork to her mouth and then dropped it suddenly, wincing in pain.
"Odango?" Seiya grew alarmed.
Usagi said nothing for a moment, and she started to shiver.
"Odango?" Seiya's eyes grew wide.
Usagi looked up at him and tried to smile. "I'm fine." She winced again.
"Usagi, you aren't fine!" He quickly got out of his chair and went over and knelt next to her. "Where does it hurt?" He asked her.
"All . . . over." She looked a little dizzy and she started to fall, and Seiya caught her in his arms.
The servant quickly rushed over. "Is she okay?"
Seiya stood up, holding her. "Just come with me to open the doors, I need to get her into bed."
The servant nodded and opened up the doors for Seiya as he brought Usagi back into the hallway and then opened the doors to the bedroom that Usagi had been in, and then the servant stood near the door, obviously worried.
Seiya set Usagi on the bed and then maneuvered the blankets and got her so she was underneath them. Seiya turned to the servant.
"Not a word of this to ANYONE, is that clear?" Seiya's face was stern.
"I promise I won't tell a soul, if that is what you desire."
"No one must know that Princess Serenity is ill, you got that?" Seiya scowled.
The servant bowed. "I understand."
"Now bring me a blanket." Seiya touched Usagi's skin and felt it to be like ice.
"Hai," The servant left and then quickly returned with a heavy down comforter.
"Now, I'll summon you if I need you." Seiya nodded and then the servant left.
Seiya sat down next to the bed and spread the blanket up over her.
"Odango . . ." Seiya touched her face gently. "I missed you so much," He whispered. "I am empty without your shine in my life." He smiled faintly. "I love you so much, I hope you know that." He was quiet a moment, and Usagi opened her eyes slowly.
"Are you okay, Usagi?" Seiya asked.
"I'm . . .so cold." She shivered.
"Well, I have you covered with four blankets." Seiya was worried.
"So cold," Usagi said again, shaking she was shivering so much.
Seiya shook his head. "I hope you won't mind, this is the only other thing I can think of." He took off his shoes and walked over to the other side of the bed and crawled under the covers with her.
Usagi rolled over and looked at him with a worried look on her face.
"I'm not going to do anything, Odango, just help you warm up." He put his arms around her, and Usagi quickly cuddled up next to him.
"You are warm," She sighed and laid her head onto his chest.
Seiya started to rub her back in order to warm it with his hands and Usagi reached around and hugged him to stay closer to him.
Usagi closed her eyes slowly and soon was fast asleep in Seiya's arm, growing warmer.
Seiya sighed in relief as he heard her breath even out and her body start to relax.
'I was afraid I might lose her.' He blew his bangs out of his face and held her a little tighter. After a moment of lying there with her, he felt his eyelids start to grow a little heavy. 'Maybe I'll just rest for a moment, and then leave,' Seiya yawned and closed his eyes, and promptly fell asleep.
~~~~~~~~~~
Sailor Star Healer was walking down through the palace. "I wonder what Seiya did.' She smiled to herself. 'Probably fainted from fright.' She laughed out loud.
"I'll go and visit them." She said out loud to herself. "But before I go," She de-transformed into her male form. "Just so Usagi is more comfortable." Yaten grinned and started down the hallway towards Usagi's room.
Yaten looked at his watch and shook his head seeing that it was past midnight. "It is pretty late, but they're probably up talking or something." Yaten nodded. "Old friends stay up forever talking." Yaten walked to the door and then knocked a few times. He heard no answer, and so he went inside and was startled at the sight. His emerald eyes grew large with surprise as he look on the bed and saw Seiya's shoes on the floor, and more importantly, Seiya in the bed with Usagi, slumbering peacefully.
Usagi was facing the door and Seiya had his arm flung around her in a hug, and he was facing her back.
Yaten's face grew red as he realized that they must now be more then 'old friends'.
Yaten quickly walked back outside and shut the door, standing against the closed door with his hand against his mouth.
'I didn't think Seiya would be THAT successful with Usagi. She is injured . . .maybe he took advantage of her?' Yaten shook his head. "No, not even arrogant Seiya would do that.' Yaten shook his head and then with a decided nod, took off down the hallway in a run.
Once he got to his room, he quickly opened his door and went inside, and slid down onto the floor, his hand still covering his mouth.
'I still can't believe it . . .' Yaten shook his head. 'I'll have to talk to them in the morning . . .or talk to SOME one.' Yaten got up and quickly got ready for sleep.
***
[Author's Note: Everyone reviewed my story and they were all excited about the trick that Healer was going to play . . .and I had actually written this before I posted, so I felt all bad that Healer didn't really pull that much of a trick, I'm sorry if I disappointed you! But I guess Seiya and Usagi got him back, ne? *winks*
I'm sorry I haven't been updating much, but it hurts my wrist to type…I think I might have carpal tunnel syndrome or something. . And working on two stories at once probably isn't very good for my hand, ne? *laughs* But . . .one of the reasons I couldn't write was that someone left me a review in which they voiced their honest opinion about one of my stories, and it really got me down even though the person didn't mean it to. *sighs* It's been hard rebounding from that review, but I'll try! I just feel like all of my ideas are repetitions. . Gomen minna-san! *hugs everyone* I'll try to get chapters out as soon as I can, okay? Please review and tell me what you like/or didn't like about this. Arigato]