Nanami's corner: Ohayo! Remember before I told you I would show up in weird places? Well…TA DA! Here I am! Yes, yes I know "But Nanami, most authors who put themselves in their stories lose perspective of what they were writing about to begin with." Well no worries. You'll only see me a few times and they are only to point the focus on what should be painfully obvious to the characters. On that note, on to the story.

Oh Starry Night

Taiki mentally slapped himself when he saw how crowded the museum was. I should have offered to pick her up. I'll never find her in this mess. He began to search the crowd for any signs of the senshi of Mercury. He soon spotted her sitting on a stone bench to the left of the door. When she turned to look at him, his heart skipped a beat. She is so beautiful. He thought to himself. Ami had chosen a close cut royal blue dress that hugged her petite yet womanly frame. It flowed to just below her knee, and dipped just before her breasts. She wore a black silk choker with a star sapphire in the center, and star sapphires in her ears. Her hair was done in a half ponytail with little sparkly blue clip holding back the few wisps of hair that refused to remain in the pony.

"Ohayo, Taiki-chan."

Taiki had to remind himself to breathe. "Ohayo," he whispered back. "I bought you something. It would look fantastic with that dress."

"Oh, you didn't have to do that, what is it?"

Taiki took out the little box with the corsage and handed it to her.

"Oh, it's beautiful. But don't you want to pin it on me?"

Kami-sama, she wants me to touch her. Stay cool, stay cool, I can handle this. Taking back the corsage, Taiki removed the pin from the back of the corsage and prayed that he would not stab her with it. He pinned it to her dress on the left side and breathed a huge sigh of relief when it was finished.

"Shall we go inside now?" he asked her.

"Yes, I'm dying to see the latest pieces."

As they entered the museum, they didn't notice the open stares of awe as they passed. Many in the crowd whispered to each other that they looked like something out of a fairytale or legend. They strolled though the museum gazing at the latest modern pieces, and a few of the more classic. As they wandered, Ami rested her hand lightly on Taiki's arm and he was in such awe of this fact that he did not notice that she had stopped until he heard her speak.

"This is so beautiful," she whispered. She was gazing at a painting done by someone named Jessica Stewart, an aspiring American Artist. The fact that she was even showcased in this viewing spoke volumes about her talent and looking at the painting both Ami and Taiki could see why she had been given such a prestigious position. The painting was a landscape of a cliff overlooking a city. The city was crystal and even in the painting seemed to vibrate with life. On the cliff you could see the backs of a small group of people. They seemed to be watching the city. As if all they could do was look at the city but not be apart of it. A couple stood in the middle of the group, the woman with wings and the man in light armor. The rest fanned out on either side of them. As Ami and Taiki drank in this beautiful painting, the wings on the woman in the middle appeared to sway ever so slightly.

"This was always my favorite piece," a voice said from behind them.

"Oh, konnichiwa," Taiki said as he jumped. Behind him stood a shorter woman with bronze skin, black hair with blue/black highlights, and deep brown eyes.

"Hello," she said in English. "I don't speak Japanese very well, but I would guess you both speak English, right?"

"Yes," Ami replied "we both are fluent in English. What did you mean by this is your favorite piece, I thought this was a first showing?"

"It's my favorite piece, because it is mine. I'm Jessica, nice to meet you both."

"Nice to meet you too, my name is Taiki Kou, and this is Ami Mizuno. This piece is truly amazing, what inspired it?"

"Well, I have visions sometimes, when I see certain things. This particular one I saw on a visit to the coast. I was standing on the cliff in the painting and I saw the city below me melt into this cityscape. I then saw this group here standing before me and the woman in the center spoke to me. She turned to me, and with great sadness in her voice, she said 'We were once a part of this world, but now we can only protect it from what is to come.' I felt such sadness in her and the others. When I wiped my eyes, they were all gone, the cliff, the people, the city. It was as if it never happened."

"That is so beautiful," Ami breathed.

"Come now, I'll show you the rest of my pieces. They're not as fabulous as this one, but I still like them." With that she grabbed both Ami and Taiki by the arm and began dragging them through the museum.

Seiya hid in the bushes less then 20 yards from Mamoru and Usagi. He had been following them since Mamoru had shown up and ruined their "moment". I have yet to see what is so wonderful about this guy. He's barely even touched her since this morning. Seiya had watched the pair as they had gone to the amusement park and ridden rides. He'd tagged along when they went to lunch at Sushi Gaowa. He'd even snuck into the movie theatre to watch if he put the moves on her in there. Now he sat in the bushes outside Happyokai, as they had dinner and wished he could hear the conversation going on inside.

"Usako, I'll be leaving the day after tomorrow, and I wanted to tell you something before I go. You know I love you, more than life itself. But if someone, or something better comes up before I return, I want you to take that opportunity. I don't want to be the reason, you are unhappy."

"Mamo-chan, how could you say such a thing? I've always loved you. I'll always love you." Shit! I've let it slip, he knows I love someone else!

"I know you love me, Usako, as I will always love you. But I also know that sometimes, love changes its form. It never dies, it only fades and changes. I just wanted you to know that if something comes up, I understand." He stopped her when she tried to speak again by placing his hand on hers and looking deep into her blue eyes. "You don't need to say anything, and no you have not shown me any signs of betrayal. I just want you to be free. Now, itadakumasu."

They finished their meal in relative silence and left the restaurant. Mamoru drove Usagi home and walked her to the door.

"Usako, I'll pick you up tomorrow to come help me pack, ok?" he said in a tone that sounded like he was pretending that the previous conversation had not taken place.

"That would be great," she replied in the same tone. He leaned over and kissed her good night. He watched her go inside and watched the windows to see her light come on. Even without seeing it, he knew what was going on in the room. She was sitting at her dresser, brushing out her long locks and getting ready for bed. I don't know why, but I know that is what she needed to hear. I can only hope she will be happy, whether it be here with me or with someone else. With that lonely thought, he climbed into the car and drove home.

Seiya watched the whole exchange and his heart was torn as he watched Mamoru kiss his beloved. She still loves him, I never stood a chance. At least I can still be her friend. Seiya watched the window until it darkened and began the long walk back to his apartment.

Ne, ne what do you think! Please R & R