By
Moonlight Bunny
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the SM characters. Takeuchi Naoko-sama owns them.
Summary: Usagi and her friends finally graduate and live a normal life, after their last battle against Galaxia. Just as they thought that everything would be ok, something happens which put the whole future in danger. Mamoru goes back to the States to finish his studies, the Three Lights are back and accidents starts to happen, as well as broken hearts.
A/N: Here is the 7th chapter. There's a lot of changes here and more. And here is also where my other story comes in. For you who haven't read, Thoughts of you, I recommend it.
Previously
"You felt something, didn't you?"
"Hai… I don't know if it's an omen. It didn't seem like a negative feeling, but it's not positive either. I don't know, but it's the same like two years ago. It's the same sensation two years ago, when…"
"When they were here last time."
"…at least I'm moving on."
-
"Mamo-chan, please just come back to me soon." Usagi looked at him, tears were now running down her cheek.
Mamoru wiped away her tears,
"I love you."
-
"Then you can all finally meet Alex!"
"Who's Alex?"
-
"Let me guess. A guy you liked, dumped and left you?"
"Something like that…And what are you suppose to be? A knight in shining armour?"
"Don't you want me to be it?" Alex laughed playfully, which brought a smile on Minako's face.
"You do know that you have a beautiful smile?"
"Thank you for trying to make me smile." Minako bowed as she stood up,
"I'm sorry, but I have to go now." She was ready to walk away, when Alex shouted,
"Wait!"
"What?"
"I haven't found out your name yet."
"Oh… it's Minako. Aino Minako."
-
Minako smiled, not noticing that they stood close to each other. They stood there and stared in each other's eyes, when a loud voice brought them back to the real word, but also making them blush.
"Hey, you two lovebirds! Are we going to start or what? You know, we haven't got all day."
-
This was surreal, she thought. And yet there they were, standing a couple of metres away, arguing over what they should eat. Even her friends were hearing and seeing them. Then one word slipped out from her lips,
"Seiya!"
-
"Anyway, what are you doing here?"
"What? Can't some old friends come and visit? And to think that we thought you would miss us."
"Okay, we hope then that you'll stay here for a long time."
A certain awkward feeling rouse up as they stood there. They didn't know what to say. It shouldn't be that hard, but it was. Seiya could feel his heart beat rise as he looked at the young woman before him. Usagi suddenly felt something inside her. It was a warm feeling that was similar to when she was around Mamoru, yet different. What was this feeling inside her?
"Seiya" Usagi thought.
"Odango"
Chapter seven: Thoughts of you
As the group were happily chatting, Usagi and Seiya were the only ones who weren't joining them. They were staring at each for a long time,
"Hello Odango."
"Hello Seiya. Ogenki desu-ka?"
"Genki-desu. Anata wa?"
"Watashi-mo genki-desu."
"Nice to see you."
"You too."
Then a long silence occurred. For a long time they just stood there, staring at each other. The group soon noticed Usagi's and Seiya's quietness. They were just standing there, staring at each other, not saying anything.
Then Minako started to feel something. It felt like electricity just hit her, as it came surging through her whole body fast. She felt warm inside and her heart started to beat so fast that she had to put her hand on her chest, as if she was afraid of that her heart would jump out of her body all of a sudden. Could it be that, as the goddess of love, she felt Usagi's heart beating? She knew that she had a link to her fellow senshis and most of all her princess. Was she really feeling Usagi's feelings or was she just imagining it? As a new one came rushing through her body, making her heart beat fast again; she knew that she really was feeling Usagi's heart. Minako let out a small laugh, then smiled and watched her princess.
Rei was staring at her princess and Seiya. Why were they staring at each other? Most of all, why was SHE staring? Didn't she already have Mamoru? But then again, all that baka could do was make her cry and break her heart over and over again. She knew that Seiya would treat her well, treasure her, and love her over everything. God, he would even die for her, but yet why was it bothering her? Why was she even bothered by them staring at each other? Was it that as a senshi, she needed to protect her from all outsiders? Or was it as a friend, she needed to protect Usagi from getting hurt from anything and everything, especially from men who seemed to have the habit of breaking her?
But come on! This was Seiya. The guy, she trusted of leaving Usagi to his protection whenever she couldn't protect her. The guy who hated to see her cry. The guy who loved her even more than life itself. He was the one who… Then suddenly Rei realized, he was the one Usagi loved, didn't she? The one whom she never chose over Mamoru-san, because… because of Chibi-Usa? Was it because of Chibi-Usa that Usagi stayed true to Mamoru-san? Questions ran through Rei's mind. She has to find out. Maybe tonight she'll ask, Rei thought as she watched Usagi,
"Oh, Usagi-chan. Why didn't you tell me? Why haven't I noticed this before?"
Ami was smiling, but even though she wanted her princess' happiness she couldn't help thinking of what the future might be. The thought was frightening. With Mamoru, their future were already settled for the better, but with Seiya… With Seiya, they didn't know. Was it better to not know the whole future, than to know and have seen of what it'll become? Either which way Usagi chooses, she would still be happy. The only thing she cared for was her happiness and nothing else. But how will the others take this? Would they be happy? She knew that they would do everything for Usagi, but would they accept the change of the future? Would they accept Seiya? Will there still be a Crystal Tokyo if Usagi chooses him? Ami was worried. For once in her life she didn't have the answers to these questions. Now all she could do was pray. Pray that they wouldn't get upset over Usagi's decisions.
Makoto was watching them staring at each other. As she watched, a thought came up to her mind. This was the perfect guy for her princess. Sure, he wasn't a royalty, but hey, what's love got to do with it? She knew Seiya loved Usagi beyond everything. Maybe Usagi did have feelings for him too. She didn't know. Even though Usagi was quite predictable, she was a mystery. You would never know if Usagi's suppressing her feelings. Like come on? Usagi would quickly put up a happy face if something were bothering her. But she knew. She knew through all those veils Usagi was holding. She knew that Usagi, somehow down the road, had fallen in love with Seiya. And Usagi was careful with holding it back, hiding it so no one would see. Usagi wasn't that stupid, she knew all along about Seiya's feelings. Then Makoto suddenly remembered something,
-
/Flashback\
The inners were at the temple, waiting for Usagi to come. Rei was muttering and cursing Usagi, as usual. Minako was reading a manga, while laughing hard as Ami quickly glanced at Minako, shooking her head and turned back to reading. Makoto had brought goodies, especially Usagi's favourites to cheer her up with.
"Poor Usagi-chan. She's not the same since the Starlights left." Makoto thought.
As she was going to say something, a door opened. Usagi went in and smiled faintly to the girls. Rei stood up and was going to yell at Usagi, thought everyone, when she instead said,
"You're late Usagi-chan. Did something happen?"
"Iie. Gomen ne, minna. My teacher wanted to talk to me."
"Nande? What did you talk about?"
"Sensei was wondering why I was down lately."
"So why are you down?"
"Oh, nothing. I'm just stressed out, but it'll go over soon." Usagi answered, pressing a smile.
Rei frowned, but then said,
"Okay. If you need something, anything, just let us know."
Usagi nodded as she sat down and joined the rest of the group.
-
Two hours later-
Minako and Rei were arguing over a magazine. Ami looked at them and sweat dropped. Then she shook head and turned back to her reading. Makoto face faulted and sweat dropped. Things had gone back to where it was, she thought, but then remembered Usagi who had changed a lot. Searching through the room, she couldn't find Usagi.
Makoto frowned and went out to look after her. But it didn't take long before she found Usagi. Usagi was sitting out on the porch, watching the dark sky with its stars. Makoto was going to talk to Usagi, when she noticed something shimmering run down Usagi's cheek. Was Usagi crying? Did Mamoru hurt her? Did anyone hurt her? Being the overprotected friend she was, Makoto neared Usagi to find out.
But then she suddenly stops. Usagi was mumbling something, but she couldn't hear what. Then Usagi looked up to the sky, tears were shining brightly as it ran down her cheeks.
"I never knew, that it could hurt so much."
Makoto was going to say something, but decided not to. She decided to leave Usagi alone and as she turned around, she heard one word that she never thought Usagi would say.
"Seiya."
"What? Why is she saying Seiya's name?" Makoto thought.
"I never got to tell you, that I knew all along."
"Knew? Knew what?" she thought.
"But if I told you, would you stay? Would you have stayed here? Here with me?" Usagi sighed, but then continued talking to herself, not noticing she wasn't alone.
"I knew all along…I knew about your feelings. And it hurt me so much to see you so heart broken, whenever I said his name or whenever you tried to win me, but I played stupid and acted like I never understood you. But I did understand you." Usagi paused and continued,
"You were the one who stood by me, whenever I was down or alone… god, you even volunteered to be my bodyguard. You always made me smile and laugh. I remembered when you said, I'll never forget you. It was like you were trying to tell me to run away with you. Follow you to your world. Forget about my burden. You were stretching your hand out, waiting for me to grab your hand and rescue me from my chains. But I couldn't. How could I? I just couldn't leave my friends and family, or run away from my destiny. Even if I tried to escape it, it would just come back and torment me. The memories of those innocent souls and mostly Chibi-Usa would forever haunt in my mind. And your princess… I can never steal you from her, nor compete with her."
"I wish I had uttered these words to you, but now when I realize that I should have done it long time ago, it's now too late. I hope you're all right and that someday you can be able to love somebody. I'm sorry."
"What? How? When? What words?" Makoto thought.
/End of Flashbacks\-
"Oh my god, she really did love Seiya." Makoto mumbled to herself.
Ami, Rei and Minako heard what Makoto had said and quickly turned their heads to her, then to each other.
"Our… our princess…" Minako started.
"Usa-chan, loves…" Rei continued.
"Seiya-san." Ami ended.
"Hai, she loved him all this time." Makoto nodded as she watched the two of them stare at each other.
"No… no wonder Usagi ever mentioned Mamoru-san a lot…" Rei said, as Ami continued,
"During those years, when…"
"He came back." Minako ended.
The four women sighed, thinking of what was going to happen. Will the outers like this or will they kick them all the way back to Kinmokusei. And what about the future? Will it change? If so, then how big will the damage be? And Chibi-Usa? Will she ever exist? For the first time in their lives, they were afraid. Afraid of what's going to happen. Now all they could do was wait and see. But as for now, they just smiled as they watched Usagi and Seiya together.
Unbeknownst to them; the two other young men, who accompanied Seiya, had overheard their discussion. They were both smiling from that little piece of information they got. But then again, wasn't Usagi in love with Mamoru? Why were her friends saying such things? Maybe there was hope after all, for their friend. Maybe going back wasn't such a bad idea. Who knows, maybe the two of them would find each other. Only time would tell…
But little did they really know what fate had in stored for them all…
Next day
Minako woke up, as usual, in her boyfriend Alex's arms. Alex was still sleeping. Minako looked at him for a couple of seconds and smiled. He looked like an innocent little child, as he lay there beside her, sleeping peacefully. One of the many aspects to why she loved him.
Minako had moved out of her parents' house after she had become an idol. It was time to move on and she had needed her space. Even though her parents' disapproval, they still let her move. They knew that their daughter was stubborn, especially when it came to her dreams and decisions. Minako was on the verge of being a grown woman and knowing that they couldn't keep holding her hand, like they used to, they let go.
As for Minako, moving out was the first step to her fresh start. She wanted to get away from the room where it had reminded her of them. And she did, with the help from Alex. Alex was very important to her. She couldn't love him as she loved Yaten and Alex knew that he could never take that away from her, but they both know that he too held a special place in her heart. Alex was very important to her just like her friends. After all, he helped her get back on track and was even there for her on her deepest, darkest hours.
Minako smiled as she thought of it. Yes, Alex was very dear to her and she loved him. She looked at her sleeping boyfriend and thought,
"What is he dreaming of?"Probably dreaming about her, she thought and grinned. Minako, on the other hand, didn't have a good night sleep. Instead she dreamt about two roads, one was leading to a light and the other one into darkness. Minako shrugged, thinking about the dream. Something in that dream made her uncomfortable. It scared her. What was it about? Is something going to happen? To her? The others? Usagi? All those questions were disturbing her as she walked to the kitchen to make some tea.
Walking through the living room, she sees a couple of pictures. One with her posing, one with all her friends on their graduations, one with only her and Alex, and one with her and her best friends. Picking up the picture with her friends and smiled at it as she remembered the time when the picture was taken.
-
/Flashbacks\
Usagi is in a park, looking up at the sky; she hears her name called and turns around to see the other four Senshi. She runs to them; everybody seems to be in high spirits. They are wearing new school uniforms, as they were going to Juuban High School.
Usagi: I'm happy that I can be with everyone.
Minako was happy to be going to the same school as Usagi, Mako, and Ami. Usagi and Minako were both happy that they will have someone who will get low scores with them. Mako was happy that the tests were over. When Rei comments about that, Ami, Usagi, and Minako point out that Rei's school is an elevator system, so she didn't have to take the entrance tests like the others.
Rei is still going to TA Private Girls' School, so her sailor suit is the same grey one as before.
Mamoru and Chibi-Usa show up, and everyone says Hi; then Chibi-Usa announces that it's time for her to go home to Crystal Tokyo…
/End of Flashbacks\
-
Minako sighed and put down the picture.
"We all looked happy at that picture. Usagi and Mamoru-san were happy. The girls were happy, I was happy. Now everything's different. Mamoru-san's cheating on Usagi, Usagi's more distant and sadder than ever. The outers are still the same, but we don't have any connections with them and we have boyfriends." Minako said to herself.
"Now the Starlights have come back and Yaten… I'm afraid. I don't want to go back to how things were. But…Meeting Yaten-kun last night woke up unwanted feelings. The same feelings that I felt the last time he was here. Oh kami-sama! Am I still in love with him?"
"It can't be!"
"It can't be what?" said a voice behind Minako, as she felt two strong arms around her waist.
Minako turned around, meeting her boyfriend's gaze. She looks at him and into his blue eyes. She smiles and stands on her tiptoes, giving him a kiss. She ends their kiss and says,
"Good morning to you too. And to answer your question, I was thinking about Usagi-chan."
"Usagi-chan? Oh, you mean the other blonde that I almost took for my beautiful girlfriend?" Alex said and smirked.
Minako blushed,
"Always that smooth talker, ne?"
"You have to admit that you chose me, because you like being flattered?"
Minako raised an eyebrow,
"What makes you think that now, sweetie?"
"Well, it worked first time I met you and it still works now." Alex teased as Minako stuck her tongue out and then laughed,
"Okay, but anyway I was thinking of Usagi-chan."
"She don't seem so happy like you told me. She looked sadder, depressed if I have to say so."
Minako nods,
"Her boyfriend went back to the States."
"Oh…"
"But that's not all. She doesn't know that he's cheating on her."
"What? A beautiful woman like her? He must be pretty stupid if he does such a thing or he just doesn't know how to treasure someone beautiful. But how did you know?"
Minako sighs and tells him the story,
"Well you see…"
-
/Flashbacks\
After the three went, Rei and Minako looked at each other before they nodded their heads and continued to walk to Mamoru's apartment.
Standing in front of his door, Rei slowly opened the door and walked in. Minako followed in quietly after Rei. Inside they could hear murmurs and laughter turn into groans. Rei and Minako went to where they were hearing noices. The noices led them to Mamoru's bedroom. Minako and Rei opened the door quietly and peeked in.
Gasping, they saw Mamoru in bed with another woman. Rei quickly closed the door. Shocked over what they saw, they turned into anger. Minako was now cracking her knuckles, while Rei was tightening her fists. They pushed the door open, startling both Mamoru and the woman. Realizing that they were caught, Mamoru stuttered out,
"R-Rei-chan? Minako-chan?"
"That's Hino for you!" Rei said, walking to Mamoru.
"And Aino!" Minako followed.
"Hey! Who do you think you are? Storming in here?" the woman said angrily.
"Who do we think we are? Who do you think you are? Stealing someone else's fiancée!" Minako growled to the woman.
----
"How dare you? You… you cheating bastard!"
Mamoru looked at Rei, who by now had tears in her eyes.
"Rei, I…"
"Usa-chan never deserved this. I honestly thought that you would treat her well. But I guess I was wrong."
"I can explain…"
"There's nothing to explain here. We've seen it all and this whore is a walking evidence!" Minako interrupted Mamoru, still pinning the woman to the wall.
Rei went to Minako and looked at the woman with spite in her eyes. The woman looked at the two young women, fear was starting to show in her green eyes. Observing her, Rei noticed that she had met her before and let out a gasp of shock.
----
"So Ayame, did you two have fun?"
"Ayame? You've met her before, didn't you Rei-chan?" Minako said.
Rei paused for a bit before nodding and answering Minako.
"Yes Mina-chan. I've met her before. Mamoru introduced her to me. She's his teacher or at least, that's what he said."
----
"Yes… yes, it's true."
"You son of a bitch. You've done this for a long time now, haven't you? And we always told Usagi to stay with you, that it was important for everyone even though we knew that your relationship were already falling apart." Minako nearly screamed.
She felt sad for her friend, who was completely clueless. How will they tell her? What would happen to the future? Most importantly, what would happen to Usagi when she finds out? Minako didn't know what to do. She looked from the woman to Mamoru. It was hard for her to understand, if there ever was an explanation to it all.
She wanted to cry, cause she could feel inside that the love link between her friend and him was slowly fading away. The powerful link that had always shined was starting to tear apart. And it was sad to know that love was once again taken away from two lovers. It was sad… she could feel her heart cry, but put it aside, when she looked at the man in front of her. Now wasn't the time. The pain was soon replaced by anger. And that anger was directed towards him and the blonde woman, but mostly to him.
----
"Go back to the states and bring that whore with you. There, you two can fuck in peace or what ever. I don't care, but remember this!" Rei started
"Don't you come near Usagi-chan…" Minako continued.
"Ever again. If you do, then we promise you that we will hunt you down like the cheating scum you are…"
"And we will rip you apart, limb from limb…"
"Starting with that manhood of yours that we will shove down your throat. Are we understood?" Rei ended as they both turned around and walked out of Mamoru's apartment, leaving a shocked Mamoru and a frightened Ayame.
/End of Flashbacks\-
"…and that's the whole story." Minako ended.
Alex sat quietly on his chair and thought. He then looks up to Minako and frowns.
"Are you going to tell your friend?"
Minako sighed as she turns and walks back to where the pictures were standing,
"That's the problem. As much as we all love her, we just don't know how to break it to her. Rei think that we should've told her, while Ami and I wanted to wait for the right opportunity to do it. Makoto wants to tell her too, but it's more like she wants to break Mamoru instead. I just don't know… I feel like a bad leader, and mostly a bad friend. I really don't know how to handle this."
"I see… but you should've told her! I agree with you all about the decisions you made, but wouldn't it break her heart if she finds out that everyone knew about it before she even had the chance to know about it first?"
"I know… I know, but it will kill her and besides we already made up our mind. If Usagi-chan's going to find out the truth, then it should be from her boyfriend and not from us. He's the one who owes her the truth."
Alex nods understandingly,
"Do you think Usagi-san has feelings for one of those men?"
"Who?" Minako asked.
"Three Lights. What's his name now, Seiya-san, right?"
"What makes you think that?"
"Well, by the look on her face, you may say that she's in love. You must have felt something? After all you're the goddess of love."
"Yeah, I felt it." Minako nodded, remembering yesterday's event.
-
/Flashbacks\
Minako started to feel something. It just came running through her whole body fast. She felt warm inside of her, and her heart started to beat fast. A new one came rushing through her body, making her heart beat faster again; she knew that she really was feeling Usagi's heart beat. Minako smiled and watched her princess.
----
"Oh my god, she really did love Seiya." Makoto mumbled to herself.
Ami, Rei and Minako heard what Makoto had said and quickly turned their heads to her, then to each other.
"Our… our princess…" Minako started.
"Usa-chan, loves…" Rei continued.
"Seiya-san." Ami ended.
"Hai, she loved him all this time." Makoto nodded as she watched the two of them stare at each other.
/End of Flashbacks\
-
"Maybe he'll be the one for her, don't you think?"
"Yeah, maybe." Minako answered dully.
Silence came, but soon a loud growl was heard. Alex looks at Minako who was blushing different shades of red. He pulls Minako to him and holds her tight, not wanting to let go. They kiss for a long time, before Minako's stomach interrupts their romantic moment once again.
"Hungry babe?"
"Yeah, blueberry pancakes?"
"Sure, why not?"
"Shouldn't you be afraid of that I might food poison you?"
"Why? It's not everyday a beautiful, wonderful and sexy girlfriend makes you food." Alex grinned.
"There goes that tongue of yours again." Minako laughed as she walked into the kitchen to make some breakfast.
-----
At Ami's place
"Taiki's back!" Ami smiled as she thought of it.
"No! I shouldn't be thinking about him, when I have a boyfriend. A wonderful, sweet boyfriend, but… but Taiki."
"Oh, stop it Ami no baka! You shouldn't be thinking like this." Ami said loud.
She then sighs and thinks. Why did he have to come back? Why did she still have those feelings? Weren't she happy with Ryo? Ami shrugs and jumps back into bed. Turning to her nightstand, she pulls out a drawer. Inside lays pictures of her, the girls and the Three Lights. She picks up the pictures and looks through them. Smiling she takes out a couple of pictures with her and Taiki. She looks at it for a couple of seconds before remembering the occasion.
"Even though he seemed so cold, he always was the nicest person."
-
/Flashbacks\It was the date for Misa's surgery. There was a knock on the door and it was Ami that came in saying, "Hello" to Misa. Ami saw that Misa loved the Starlights as Misa was watching them on TV.
Ami was at the cafe with Usagi, Mako, Minako, and Rei telling her about Misa's illness, saying that no doctors in Japan could cure her. So a doctor from America would be coming to Japan to perform surgery on her. Misa was a patient at the hospital where Ami's mother works. Ami also said that Misa is a bit scared to have surgery. Ami doesn't even know what she could get Misa as a get-well gift. Usagi knew that Misa was a fan of the Starlights, so she had an idea.
Meanwhile, back at school, the Starlights were surrounded by hundreds of girls that wanted an autograph or wanted to kiss them but they Starlights just wanted some time alone for a while, so they managed to dodge the crowd and head for their lockers.
Taiki was upset about who the female fans saying that they were only interested in their looks, and love to shout at their concerts and only listen to half their music. So Taiki walks down a hall and up a set of stairs. Seiya and Yaten follow. Usagi appears at the top of the stairs and wanted to ask Taiki a favour for Ami. Taiki listened, since he and Ami are the best students in the class. Taiki was with Ami and Usagi in the hospital over to Misa's room. Ami and Taiki wanted to surprise her as they asked Misa to close her eyes for just a second and Taiki enters then Misa was allowed to have her eyes open again.
Taiki: Hello, Misa! Thank you for always watching us!
Misa: Thank you... for coming to see me...
Misa: I shook hands with Taiki!
Ami: Good for you, Misa! It was Usagi who invited him here!
Usagi: Well, actually, I was trying to get a set of three, but the other two got away... Since this is such a great opportunity, would you give Misa an autograph?
Taiki: Actually, I don't feel comfortable about that...
Usagi: Or should I take a picture of the two of you?
Taiki: Miss Tsukino, would you stop that, please?
Usagi: Let's see... That's it! Would you like to sing a song for her, Taiki?
Taiki: Please stop it! Sorry, but I came here as Kou Taiki, an individual. I would like to excuse myself.
Misa: I'm happy already, just to see Taiki.
Ami: Oh, I have an idea! This is a great chance to show your drawing to Taiki, Misa.
Misa: N... No!
Usagi: Oh? What? What kind of drawing?
Ami: To be honest, she hasn't shown it to me at all!
Misa: No, not yet! I'm not finished yet!
Taiki: Then, will you show me after you've recovered from your operation? I have to confess that I am a bit fussy about drawings, okay?
Misa agrees she would show the picture to Taiki later on.
/End of Flashbacks\-
"I can't fall in love again…"
"I can't go through this again…"
-
/Flashbacks\
A blue haired girl was sitting alone in her room, in the dark. Only the light from the moon was allowed to enter.
She was looking outside her window, looking at the stars. Her once beautiful face was tear stricken. She had black circles under her eyes as if she hadn't been sleeping for days. It seems like she just recently cried because her eyes were red and puffy.
The girl was lost in her thoughts and it seemed like they were disturbing her as she started to shake. She covered her mouth, but a cry escaped.
"I miss you…" she whispered in a raspy voice.
She then looked up and you could now see that fresh tears were streaming down her face once again. Hurt and pain were reflected on it as she tried desperately to wipe them away and stop herself from crying. But knowing that she couldn't, she instead buried her head on her lap and cried.
It had been like this almost every day. As much as she treasured books, she didn't know if she could even look at it. It reminded her too much about him. Just like her, books were his passion in life. She remembered one time when they were searching for the same book in the school library and ended up arguing over who was first and not. She looked once again out into the sky and a single whisper escaped her lips. One single name,
"…Taiki…"
/End of Flashbacks\
-
"I won't let myself fall again for you. I'm sorry…" Ami said out loud and put away the photo of him.
She went to her nightstand and was going to pull out a necklace, when she laid her eyes on a silver frame. Picking it up slowly she closed her eyes for a brief moment, holding it close to her heart. One single tear escaped from her eye as she brought the frame close to her face and kissed it. Putting it back on her nightstand, she then takes out a necklace that was given to her by her boyfriend, Ryo, on their one-month anniversary.
"What will happen to Ryo? I can't do this to him. I love him as much as Taiki, but…"She then went to a mirror and put on the golden necklace and tried to smile.
"I have a boyfriend now and he makes me happy, so I have to forget him." Ami sighed, as she looked back at the picture frame where it had a picture of her and Ryo.
The couple on the picture looked happy as they stood in an amusement park. Ami was smiling, while Ryo was grinning as he had his arms wrapped around her waist and his chin on top of her head.
-----
At Usagi's place
Usagi woke up as usual to her alarm clock's ringing. She went to the bathroom, taking a long bath. While bathing she thought of yesterday's event. Three Lights have come back! Seiya's back, but why is she sad? Yesterday she and Seiya hardly spoke to each other.
-
/Flashback\As the group were happily chatting, Usagi and Seiya were the only ones who weren't joining them. They were staring at each for a long time, and then Seiya started to talk.
"Hello Odango."
"Hello Seiya. How are you?"
"I'm fine and you?""I'm fine here too."
"Nice to see you."
"You too."
Then a long silence occurred. For a long time they just stood there, staring at each other. Memories of the old times came flooding up their minds. The group soon noticed Usagi's and Seiya's quietness. They were just standing there, staring at each other, not saying anything.
The Usagi smiled,
"I hope you'll enjoy your stay here."
"Thanks."
Silence"Well, anyway I have to go back to my table."
"Yeah, I better go back to my ordering."
"So…" Usagi said.
"So…" Seiya repeated.
Silence"We should eat lunch together someday." Usagi suggested.
"Yeah, that would be great." Seiya nodded and smiled.
Silence"Anyway, I have to go now. Bye." Usagi finally said.
"Bye."
Usagi walked away from the group, leaving Taiki and Yaten stunned wondering what the hell just happened?
/End of Flashbacks\
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"Maybe I should call Seiya and ask what he's doing today? That's a great idea. Then maybe we could sit somewhere and talk. It's been so long since I've talked to him." Usagi said to herself as she gets out of the tub.
"… Too long… I have to ask him about it. If he meant everything that was in it…"
Walking back to her room, she picked up the phone and dialled.
-----
At the phone
"Moshi, moshi?" a deep voice answered, which she recognised.
"H-hello? Is this Seiya?"
"Odango?"
"Hai! How are you?"
"Just fine. So… I didn't know you were up this early?" Seiya said, shocked over that Usagi had called in the morning. Not that it was a bad thing, but the old image of her that he remembered was that she always slept late. And she wasn't the one to call early in the morning and to him, out of all people.
"Heh… well, I kind of grew up from that habit.
Erm… I was wondering if you had plans today?" Usagi laughed softly on the phone.
"Odango, are you asking me for a date? Ne, odango atama. So you finally fell for my charms."
"N-no… that's not it! I just wanted to meet you and do something fun like in the old days."
"Erm… I don't know. I have to check my agenda and…"
"If you can't today, then it's ok. I understand if you're busy. Maybe we can meet up some other time, besides I have to go to work and finish the preparations."
"Wait a minute, I can…"
"No, that's ok. You shouldn't cancel your important meetings just because I wanted to meet you. I'm really sorry for disturbing you. Ja ne, Seiya!"
"Odango, chotto…!" but before Seiya could finish his sentence, Usagi had already hung up.
-----
Usagi had hung up the phone so quickly before Seiya could respond.
As she threw herself back on her bed, she couldn't help but sigh. Maybe she was wrong in calling him at first place. Maybe it was wrong at all to even think of him. But Seiya was important to her. He's after all her best friend, but was he more than just her friend? Why didn't her heart stop beating fast, when she thought of him? Where came all these feelings?
Usagi quickly stood up and went over to her drawer. She opened the top and started to dig among the clothes. It was here somewhere. She knew it was here. It had to be here, she thought as she dug frantically. A smile formed on her face as she found what she was looking for. She held it up triumphantly and twirled around before clutching it close to her chest.
It was a letter. Not any letter, but the letter. The letter he had left for her, or as she thought. But she could've been wrong. Maybe he had just thrown it away, never having any intention of giving it to her. But it had somehow come to her and it was now hers.
Usagi could still remember that day, in details. How could she not? The letter was everything she hated, but also loved. It was the object that kept her wanting to forget and at the same time remember.
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/Flashbacks\
The wind suddenly blew hard and right as she was going to head home she suddenly tripped. Usagi sighed, knwing that if she was going to prepare for her duties, then the first she had to do was overcome her clumsiness.
The wind blew once more and Usagi covered her eyes just so she wouldn't get anything in her eyes. When something caught her attention.
"Are…? What's this?"
There on the ground in front of her feet laid an envelope. But there wasn't any address written on it.
Usagi opened the envelope carefully. Taking a peek inside, she suddenly gets a strange feeling, yet so familiar. The letter wasn't perfumed or anything, but she recognized this scent. For some reason it was as if it was meant to be found by her. She didn't know why, but she just knew. This was a feeling she hadn't felt for so long. Usagi started to read,
All the living things living in this universe have the brilliance of a
star hidden inside their bodies... One of them, in one person...
I met somebody with that brilliance shining with exceptional strength,
on this planet I've flowed to.
Odango... Being allowed to call you that may be like someone other than
me , but that kind of thing doesn't matter. I just call you that because
I want to. First, are there any boys besides me... Odango.
"No… This can't be! It can't be…" she whispered and continued reading.
Inviting you on dates, volunteering as your bodyguard, meeting with you
for a crash course in softball... Taiki was shocked, and said I care too
much... I'm the type who acts immediately on my feelings, so I didn't
think too deeply about it, but maybe Taiki's right... And I'm falling in love.
Ever since we first met at the airport,
I've surely had you on my mind. But is it that as a soldier I was
charmed by the power you emit? Or is it that, carrying the heart of a
boy, I was charmed by you...
All I can say is this. I love the light you're carrying! Got it?
You're an extremely lucky, happy person to be cared for so much by
this Seiya-sama.
Hey Odango, did you do your homework? There's nothing you can do about
forgetting your eraser. You say you want to see a recording?
Nope, no way, nobody's allowed in except those involved. ...Oh, all right.
But it's because you're special.
Say, Odango. I think there is surely a battle more painful than those up
to now waiting for us. But at all times, I will be by your side,
and I will help to protect you...
"Seiya…" she whispered, feeling a tear roll down.
"… I am so sorry for causing you so much pain…"
"… I'm sorry for never returning your feelings…" she thought.
/End of Flashbacks\
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Three Lights' apartment
Seiya had tried to say something, but didn't get the chance cause Usagi had hung up. What was she so nervous about on the phone? She had changed alright. Yesterday she was quiet and today she was nervous and kept apologizing and even hung up, before he could answer. He was only kidding about being busy. Of course he wanted to see her. That was the main reason to why he came back.
Seiya sighed out of frustration. This was getting more difficult than ever. How will he ever win her heart if she kept doing what she was doing? And what was going on with Yaten and Taiki? They had been acting very strange since they got home from dinner last night. Who were those men sitting with Usagi and the others?
Seiya gave out another sigh and looked at the clock. It was 9 in the morning. He wanted to go to Usagi's house, but was afraid of that her family might see this as impolite with visiting on the morning and on a Sunday. He hesitated for a bit, but then grabbed his jacket and went out. He was going to meet Usagi.
----
At Usagi's place
Usagi had run up and down in the house, holding paintings. Her agent had called earlier and whined about the gallery. He had kept whining for what seemed to Usagi as a never-ending whine. Usagi had now understood what her friends meant about her whining and thanked the gods that they still kept together. Mr Mitsuko had exploded on the phone that the gallery was a total mess and that she had to get there right away. He was very demanding, but that was what made him one of the best. And she admired him for that, cause if it wasn't for him then she wouldn't be as famous as she was now and she had him to thank for. He was also kind, that's if you don't get on his bad side.
"Dad, Shingo, mom? Anyone? Can you help me with some paintings? I have to take these to the art gallery!" Usagi yelled to her family, who were downstairs.
Kenji and Shingo walked up to Usagi's room. Inside were a lot of paintings that she had been painting for over the weeks. Shingo whistled as he said,
"Wow, those weren't a few paintings."
"Yeah, yeah. Could you please help me put these into my car. I have to stop by my studio also to pick up some more paintings that I've done."
"Sure princess. Your mom can't help, because she's out shopping with Ami-san's mom. These are beautiful paintings, honey. You've been working a lot lately, haven't you?" Kenji said.
"Hai, the event will come soon, so I had to finish them." Usagi nodded, picking up a picture of her standing in a garden with flowers.
"Okay, but don't stress yourself out. I don't want to see my baby girl in a hospital, surrounded by male doctors, otherwise they will have to meet both me and uncle shotgun."
Usagi sweat dropped by hearing her father's words. Her dad could be sweet and caring, but at the same time scaring. In all her years, her dad had always chased boys away. He didn't care as long as they kept their distance. If any girl would come up and say that they're daddies were too overprotecting, then Usagi would laugh at them cause no one had an overprotecting dad as hers. And everyone knew about it. But she loved her father and was very thankful for his overprotection, cause at least no one would dare try to use her.
"This is a beautiful painting, but what is it?" Shingo said, looking at a picture with a woman holding a golden ball as her eyes was covered with a long silver veil. A wind was swirling around the woman, who seemed to be like tiny people, and she stood under the moonlight.
"Shingo, don't you know who the woman is representing?"
"Uh… no!"
Usagi sweat dropped,
"Well, the woman is destiny. The wind represents all those people who have their futures decided by her and the golden orb is the future she's holding."
"Wow, must be tough to have their futures already decided. I know I wouldn't want that."
"You have no idea, bro." Usagi thought.
"How sad. Anyway if you want sweetie, Shingo and I can follow you to your gallery and help you."
"Thanks dad, but I think I can manage." Usagi smiled at her father.
"Are you sure?"
"Hai, I just needed help with loading and…"
"Odango! Sorry for visiting you so early, but…" Seiya called, making the whole family turn at his direction.
Usagi stared at him with wide eyes, but then smiled. She wasn't expecting him to come, not after what she just did over the phone. But she dismissed it and thought of something else. Maybe it was a good thing that he'd come cause now she could ask him later afterwards about something important. Usagi was going to say something, when a voice belonging to her father boomed. She turned wide-eyed to her dad, before turning back her gaze to Seiya. No, poor Seiya. If she doesn't do anything fast, then Seiya might not ever visit her again or worse, even be near her.
"Usagi! Who the hell is he?"
"A… um… daddy, this is Seiya. He's a…" Usagi started to say something, but was too nervous and worried, until Seiya answered calmly,
"I'm her special friend."
"Special friend? Special as in boyfriend? Usagi, explain! Now! I never raised you up just so you can run after boys." Kenji hollered, starting to get red from anger. If looks could kill, both her and Seiya would be dead by now.
"Dad, he's just a friend. A friend!" Usagi tried to explain.
"Boyfriend, huh? Ne, Usagi-baka… So you've decided to dump Mamoru-san for a rockstar?" Shingo sneered as he put his hands behind his head.
"Shingo, you're not helping!"
"Tsukino-san, I'm Seiya Kou. It's nice to finally meet you. Odan… I mean, Usagi have told me alot about her family, but I never got to meet you all until now." Seiya laughed and shook Usagi's dad's hand.
Usagi stood there amazed by how well Seiya handled the situation. She was shocked over this, because usually the guys would've run for their lives the moment they see her dad's threathning looks or hear his yells.
"Aaa… so you're Usagi's friend. How close are you two?"
"Well, we're best friends, but we're more than friends."
"More? What do you mean with more?"
"I mean, she's very important to me. More important than just a friend."
"I see. Well, at least you seem to be more of a candidate as my daughter's future husband, than this other man. What's his name now? Mormoru? Mamora?"
"Dad! His name is Mamoru!" Usagi exclaimed, starting to get angry over what she just heard.
"That's right! Mamoru-san! Never liked the guy. He's too stiff, even though he's a very intelligent man."
"You mean, boring?" Shingo put in.
"Yes, that's the word I was looking for!" Kenji said out loud and laughed for a bit.
"Dad! Shingo! Don't say such things about Mamo-chan! Anyway, why are you here?" Usagi turned her attention towards Seiya after scolding both her dad and her brother.
"Is that how you greet friends nowadays? I came because I was worried. You call me and ask me questions and then you hang up on me before I can answer."
"Yep, typical Usagi."
"Be quiet, Shingo!"
"But if you don't mind, I would like to help you. I have so much to tell you." Seiya smiled as he took the paintings, Usagi was carrying.
Usagi stood there and blushed as she saw Seiya put her paintings carefully into her car. Shingo just shook his head and shoved Usagi to the side, saying that if she kept blushing then she might turn into a tomato. Kenji watched the teenagers and smiled as if knowing something.
-
Unbeknownst to anyone a shadowy figure swept through the trees. It had been standing there for a while as it watched them carefully, especially the blonde girl. Soon an evil formed on its face, while thinking of something evilly.
"Soon, little princess. Soon I'll get my revenge. Everything you have and everyone you love will be mine, and you will have none."
A/N:
7th chapter everyone! Sorry for not updating fast enough, but it's been so stressing these past couple of weeks. I'm just finished with all my exams and concerts. yay! Now I can relax. Well, not really cause I have my job, but I don't have to pick up any more schoolbooks until august again.
Also right now, I'm working with a new story. And for those who love the shittenou/senshi pairing, here is a preview for the story with my favourite couples, Rei/Jadeite!
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Memories of the Casablanca Lily
A girl was sitting out on the porch, staring at the sky. Her long raven hair cascaded in the wind as a cool breeze swept in the hot summer night. She was lost in her thoughts. Thoughts of yesterday's event.
"Who was that man? What big role did he play in the past?"
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A young man was walking down the street. Never caring for where he went, he also was in deep thoughts.
"Mars…"
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Hope you'll like it! Anyway, new chapters of Then there were you will come soon. So just you all wait in your chairs patiently. hihi
Ja!
/Moonlight Bunny