Chapter 3

At the Crowns: Up close and Personal

By windnsky priestess

MINAKO AINO

The nerve of that guy!

I'm so embarrassed an hour earlier that I lay sulkily at the end of the table as far as Yaten as I possibly can and ended up in front of him. Still I retained my remaining shred of dignity and have managed to PRETEND that I was not serious a while ago and was perfectly managing a fake phony smile as I sulkily gulped on my mocha frappe. Thanks to an experience as a child star, I have managed my embarrassment well. I took sideway glances at him while pretending to be interested with my tower of pancake.

I'm sooo embarrassed. My smile almost cracked and it was one of the moments in one's youth that you literally want a crack in the earth to swallow you. Yes. Really.

I managed to curl my lips in a smile as we were discussing silly stuffs over the table. He was right in front of me and he was still cuddling my weirdo feline friend, Artemis.

(Flashback)

with Minako teetering and Yaten kneeling at his foot.

" Yaten..need not be so valiant!"

" Oh Chikko! I've been missing you! You never drop by anymore!" Yaten said sweetly to Artemis. He almost looked feminine and child-like. Everybody sweat-dropped.

"Chikko!" All of us exclaimed.

(End of flashback)

Why can't he just be lovey dovey with me, huh? Anyway. I AM Sailor V. I was a celebrity back then. The whole entertainment industry loved me! Gee even Tsukino was my fan. And here I am drooling with this latest boy band member. Arggghhhhh.

Sometimes, I wake up in the morning after a long dream of my old self. I missed the feeling of being doted upon by adoring fans…rooms of fanmail and crates of lovely long-stemmed roses from secret admirers left and right. The fancy clothes. Heck. Sometimes…the Sailor Soldier thingie of my life is hindrance to a celebrity's career. Now I am now my anonymosity is alienating my very existence. Life. You want what you don't have.

I slumped at my side of the table and drunk my mocha frappe sulkily. I somehow managed to steal some sideway glances at him and confirmed my earlier theory that he is really handsome and not a troll without make-up. He seemed so effeminate. His hands are perhaps more delicate than mine.

He's so gorgeous. His platinum blonde hair was framing his face in layers and was so becoming. Hate him.

Usagi and Seiya arrived at the crowns. Gosh. Seiya does look like Mamoru. Only more fun and more spicy. Hunky too. I smell the familiar scent of Love.

Is this really Love I'm sensing? My radar had never been known to fail being that my Ruling planet is Venus. Usagi droned on the story about how she has gotten in to trouble because she was caught with earplugs on her ears and dozing on top of it. Seiya was also caught in the teacher's wrath. Then Mako-chan and Rei-chan discussed about the upcoming field trip in the newest theme park.

"Bye guys. It has been fun." Rei bowed.

"Yes. We should do it again sometimes." Taiki replied. Yaten was not being friendly yet managed a bow.

"Bye Minako." Yaten said all of a sudden as he turned away. He knew my name!

As we walked our separate ways, Artemis walked beside me.

"Are you alright Mina?"

"stop pestering me. It's not a good time, CHIKKO."

" I'm just worried about you. You're nuts." Artemis joked.

"It's Yaten, isn't it?" he added with the knowing look. Hate it when he does that.

"He's a jerk and a snob." I said flatly.

"he's actually very sweet and nice once you get on his good side, really. He's not very showy with his affections. He tends to channel it in animals. He's so nice he keeps on giving me vittles and catnip. And just an observation but I've noticed that you were the only girl he had ever acknowledged."

" Come on Artemis. He hates me. Hates every girl who likes him. He hates fans. I don't understand him." I said as I opened my apartment door.

We entered my apartment. I opened the refrigerator and got frozen lasagna. Well that's dinner. I sighed.

As I opened to see what's up in THE INSIDER, The three Lights was focused on the screen with a big close-up for yaten at the very instant I opened the TV.

Arggggghhhh!

TAIKI KOU

I'm bored. I have finished answering all my assignment in the school benches and have nothing to do. As I walked on my way towards the school library, a very pretty red-head sauntered towards me. She flicked her hair sensually and left me breathless. I stopped dead at my tracks. My jaw involuntarily slackened.

" Hi Taiki. Loved your new song." She smiled.

I could feel my ears turning read. I clutched on my journal tightly. She was so beautiful. Is this Sayuko Shinoda everyone's raving about at the men's locker room? The beautiful and the wealthy heartthrob?

"I want to invite you and your brothers to an all night rave party at my place…would you come?" she said this as she brushed her fingertips at my chest.

"…sure…I'll tell them." I said almost searching for words. She's that beautiful. I almost smelled her expensive perfume-she was THAT close.

"Well bye then." She smiled and turned towards another jock.

Contrary to what my brothers keep on nagging on me…I'm not the UPTIGHT one. I'm merely responsible and I just have greater motivation to learn about this planet so that we could fit in more easily. I then saw Ms. Mizuno on the far edge of the garden reading a book and eating sandwiches.

" Hi Ms. Mizuno." I said as I approached her.

"Hi. Seen you talking with Ms. Shinoda." She said avoiding my gaze.

"Oh. Yes….we were just talking about her party." I said as I began to sit near her.

"Do you mind?" I said asking permission to sit beside her.

" Oh sure." She edged away from me. I was a bit saddened by this gesture. She seemed colder somehow.

" So what are you reading?" I asked. She must be tired of answering my lame questions.

Oh. This is merely for entertainment. I am currently reading Odyssey.

"That's interesting. Mythology, right?" I said.

"Yes."

Silence.

"Are you interested with botany?" I asked out of the blue.

"Oh sure. I read about Medicinal plants. There is a lot of plants that have amazing healing properties. They say that they are now finding ways to eliminate HIV." She said suddenly perky.

" So..what do YOU read?" she asked.

"Ummm…" Life in Kinmoku. Architecture of the Golden Era of Shunjiang Dynasty of Kinmoku…healing property of meteorites.

" Usually I am taking an interest in Earth's literature as of now."

She looked at me questioningly.

"I mean WORLD literature!" I said correcting myself lest I gave myself away that I am an alien from another side of the galaxy.

" really." She said suspicious.

Good thing the bell rang. Phew. I never knew that a beautiful face could accompany a great mind. Double trouble.

MINAKO AINO (again)

Minako singing in her karaoke.

"Sailor V…Sailor V….the mighty and the beautiful Sailor V!Arggghhh! that's it!" I threw my microphone on my sofa and started dialing a number that I have not dialed in such a long time but have kept very close to memory. I've been resisting the urge to call him.

" hello. Mr. Fujimori…"

"Oh! Let me guess…Mina!" he said excitedly. I could imagine his eyes crinkling.

"You know my voice?" I said surprised and flattered that he still remembered me what more my voice.

"who could forget about you? A stellar actress such as yourself. I was actually thinking about you a lot these days. The difficult thing is that you have managed to conceal yourself and your new identity as a normal high school kid. How are you?" he said in his fatherly voice.

"well…I'm getting a bit tired of the obscurity." I said twirling my fingers at the phone line.

I sure missed the spotlight. The hordes of adorers and fans, mountains of fan mail, the signing, the invites…the VIP treatment.

"Anyway. Why did you retire anyway?" he said.

" well I had my reasons, sir Fuji." I chuckled.

"Must be a boy, huh."

" Yes and No." I replied in a sing-song voice. Actually because of Alan my ex-boyfriend from the volleyball team which I left because I have to protect our princess. You wouldn't understand.

" You see Mina-chan…I'm thinking of casting you in this movie called Winter Wonderland. Very beautiful script. Well written and is sure to be a big hit. You fill in the blanks. I really hope that you would try out for it."

" Yes. I accept."

I was amazed when I visited the studio. Everyone greeted me as if I am still a common household name. I tried out for the part and I got it. I was so surprised myself. I thought that I have lost touch with my artistic side.

Mr. Fujimori brought me to the most expensive salon and fit stylist and I had a makeover. They styled my hair and created a waterfall of ringlets and waves over my head. Now it looked like a flowing waterfall. I also had my make-up done at it was fabulous. The sleek violet haltertop dress was flattering to my figure coupled with chunky heel with purple lace straps. I also had my nails buffed and painted with French tips.

I decided to have a mini-party for my acting debut. I only invited my closest friends. All the sailor scouts, actually. I have decided not to invite the Three Lights. I'm so not over with my humiliation just yet.

The doorbell rang. It was all my closest friends Makoto, Usagi, Rei and Ami. They brought me some cake and a very expensive looking bunch of spring flowers. I was elated.

"You look fabulous!" Makoto blurted out.

"Oh what have you done with your nails!" Rei swooned as she stared intently at my hundred-dollar manicure.

Usagi gave me a giant bear hug.

"Congratulations Minako-chan." Ami smiled.

"I smell something different Ami-chan." I winked. She blushed madly.

"You're practically radiant." I smell LOVE.

We started singing the Karaoke.

Usagi was so happy munching away with the food. Then the Outers rang.

I was so delighted that they have managed the time to come. Haruka looked her usual dashing self in her silk blouse and coat. Michiru looked lovely as usual in her cream cashmere dress. Setsuna was extra-vogue today in hr fuchsia baby-doll dress and Hotaru looked extra-cute in her frilly purple dress with pink laces and ribbons in her hair.

They all gave me a big warm hug. I almost smelled Haruka's sexy perfume. Contrary to what people think, Ruka smells like a woman. She doesn't sport homme perfume.

"Wow." Harka eyed me from head to foot as if she was seeing me for the first time. It was flattering, really. It reminded me of the times she made me feel like melting butter when we first met at Crowns and we had an F1 racing contest.

"Very Laconic today Love?" Michiru asked her partner as she possessively draped her arms.

" You know that I try to lessen my adjectives for others, Love."

" You really look charming Minako." She winked at me as they made their way among the Inners and joined on the Karaoke fest.

I am so happy.

Author's note:

I hope that you like what I'm coming up so far. Your reviews have encouraged me to continue with this. I'm having difficulty with Taiki and Ami love angle. I have lots in store for Yaten and Mina adorers. Am trying to make a nice story lest the summer comes to its end. Do try to look up my other stories as well. I am really an Usagi-Seiya fan. Love the guy! I am so happy with your responses so far. Reviews if you have the time, onegai.

-windnsky priestess