Secrets and Lies

by Kaekilia LeoLynn

Yeah, chapter 15 was a shock. I didn't plan to kill Dentyne, but I did, so HA! I'm bored because my cube mate and good friend isn't here for the upcoming month. (if she's reading this: Hi, TinkerBell!) More than likely, I'll just dive further into this... provided people stop calling in! GRRR! I can't wait to get the internet at home.

I should get my roomie to read this. Oh, CyberThreat!

:.: SPLAT:.:

Eww! I hate tomatoes. Oh by the way... there's bad... BAD... language in this one.

Randomness:

Marcus the Carcus

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Chapter 16

Serena ended up being Seiya's legs on the way to his room. The Starlight had expended all of his strength in the rush to the murder sceen and could barely stand on his own. Serena didn't mind helping him. After all the things he's done for her, it was the least she could do. She had to wonder how Dentyne's death would affect Seiya. Sure, he didn't like the Prince, but then why did Seiya sound so hurt when he found out about the murder?

Serena opened the door to Seiya's room and stumbled over to the bed. Both of them fell onto the matress, happy to be at their destination at last. Serena sighed, feeling so comortable on the soft comforter. She heard Seiya shift and was taken aback when he put his arms arround her waist.

"Stay with me?" He asked, sounding almost asleep. In responce, Serena snuggled closer to his body. He was so warm. Serena sighed, content to just lie there. She had never been comfortable enough to do this with Darien. She felt awkward even being arround him when he had his shirt off. Seiya, god, she's seen him almost naked and actually wanted to. She blushed, realizing what she was thinking.

Sex with Seiya? He was a girl for pete's sake. What was she thinking? How could she fall in love with him? It seemed so wrong to love a woman... Then again, Amara and Michelle are a couple and they love eachother very much and it didn't bother Serena to see them together. But neither of them could switch genders. So, maybe loving Seiya wasn't so bad. Serena just hoped that he didn't get menstral cramps. She couldn't help but laugh at that thought.

"What are you thinking?" Seiya mumbled, half asleep.

"Oh nothing." Serena couldn't keep the laughter from her voice. "Just wondering if you've ever had cramps as a man."

Seiya snorted. "No."

"Didn't think so." Serena smiled. "It was a funny thought though."

"Hn." Seiya yawned. "You're strange."

"I know." Serena rolled over to face Seiya. She kissed his cheek before snuggling closer to his warmth. She heard Seiya sigh in content and soon, both fell asleep.

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Several halls away, things weren't as peacefull. In fact, it was pandamonium. The death of Prince Dentyne was the first murder to occur on Kinmoku since the planet was rebuilt. Several Starlights wondered past corridor seven, trying to see some of the goings on. Healer and Hexer kept them at bay, explaining that there was an investigation going on. Lighter and Leader had been led away by Seer. Maker remained in the room with a small team to collect and annalyze evidence. Everyone took note of the strange odor surrounding the hall.

When Kakyoku made an appearence, she ordered all of the Starlights away except those working on the investigation. Only a few off-duty Starlights lingered after that. The Queen slowly entered the room that Dentyne had inhabited. The blood on the floor made her stomach churn and she was thankful that the body had already been removed.

"Any ideas yet, Maker?"

"Nothing yet, mom." Maker answered with a sigh as she stood up. "We think the murderer was a kitchen drudge. The footprints left behind have flour caked onto them. But none of our drudges have this sole pattern, so it could be someone impersonating a drudge." (AN: There's a thought! C.S.I. Kinmoku)

One Starlight suddenly spoke up. "Lady Maker! The other day, an old woman entered the palace as a drudge. We found it odd that she'd be out without carrying any kitchen supplies with her, but we didn't stop her."

"What did she look like?"

"Um..." The Starlight closed her lavendar eyes in concentration. "Unrully grey hair that hid her face. She was short, but taller than Lady Healer. She wore an ugly brown smock and wooden sandals. And I remember she had a bad limp."

"Thank the Gods you have a photographic memory, Drifter." Maker sighed. "Can you repeat that to Healer and have her sketch what you saw?"

"Sure." the Starlight known as Drifter stood up from her task. She left the room in search for Healer.

"Wooden sandals and a limp. That would explain a few things." Maker mumbled, looking arround the room.

"I'm still not sure how you can handle being the the same room that a dead body was in." Kakyoku shook her head, shivering at an unshared thought. Maker hugged her mother.

"You don't think of it that way and you just concentrate on your tasks. But you're right... there is an ominous sensation that something isn't right here." Maker sighed.

"Can you leave long enough to get something to eat?" Kakyoku asked, not wanting to let go of her daughter. Maker gave in.

"I suppose. We're almost done here, anyway. Once we've totally finished, we'll seal the corridor and then I'll come to lunch." Kakyoku kissed Maker's forehead. Maker smiled. "I love you, too, mom."

"Be careful."

"I will. Don't worry." Maker winked and watched as her mother left the room. She sighed, knowing that this murder would affect everyone on the planet in a simmular way. No one was safe until the killer was caught. With that in mind, Maker went back to work.

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Healer groaned as she sat at the table next to Mina. The blonde was instantly in her arms, hugging her tight. The Starlight sighed and dropped out of her transformation before kissing Mina's forehead.

"It's alright. Everything will be okay." Yaten whispered, not caring that the other Earth Soldiers were watching. The Starlight took note of Raye's glare before turning her attention back to Mina.

"Just hold me." Mina wimpered, not wanting to let go. Yaten complied, happily, and rested her head on top of Mina's.

"So, Dentyne was murdered? Who would kill him?" Lita asked, pushing her food arround her plate. "Seiya wouldn't do it, would he?"

"Seiya has more sence than that and she's got an allibi." Ami answered quietly. "She was in the infirmarry at the time of the... incident."

"Any suspects on the case?" Lita asked, giving up on her food and puting the fork aside. Yaten locked eyes with her and the Starlight shook her head once. "Yeah, I figured you couldn't talk about the case."

"Why are you even here?" Raye asked bitterly.

"To annoy the hell out of you and get something to eat." Yaten smirked coyly. If looks could kill, Raye's glare would have incinerated Yaten.

"Fuck you."

"No thanks." Yaten looked away from Raye, a slight smile playing on her lips. Mina sighed and finally let go of her Starlight. She faced Raye.

"You're still mad at me for loving her?"

"Why shouldn't I be?" Raye snapped, crossing her arms.

"Raye, this is rediculous." Yaten snapped back. "I never had feelings for you, so drop it and leave Mina alone!"

"What do you mean you never had feelings for me? Why did you hide in Serena's bathtub with me instead of somewhere else?"

"You think I fell in love with you because we hid in a bathtub together?" Yaten slapped her forehead. "You're such an idiot!"

"Yaten, please don't." Mina whispered, placing a calming hand on her lover's. "Raye, please. Let's put this behind us and get along. I still want to be your friend."

"Forget it!" Raye shouted and stood up from the table. She practically ran from the dining room, almost plowing Kakyoku over in her escape. The Queen watched her go and turned to the group at the table.

"What was that about?" Kakyoku asked as she took her place at the head of the table.

Yaten sighed. "She thinks I'm in love with her because we hid in a bathtub together."

"Oh, really." Kakyoku hid her laughter. "A bathtub?"

"Oh, hush." Yaten stuck her tounge out. Kakyoku returned the jesture, an act that took the Earth Soldiers by suprise.

"You can do that?" Lita asked, a smile on her lips. She could just picture Serena doing that... The Outer Soldiers would get after her for it.

"Yaten is my daughter. I think I can stick my tounge out at her if I want." To prove it, Kakyoku did it again. Yaten returned it with a smile. "Speaking of daughters; Princess Venus, have you made your desicion?"

"Yes, we have." Mina took Yaten's hand in hers and smiled.

"We agree to the rules stated in the treaty." Yaten answered. The Queen's smile broadened.

"Glad to hear it. We'll announce your engagement durring the Independance Festival."

"Engagement?" Ami asked looking from Mina to Yaten and back again. The couple smiled smugly. "You're engaged? How? When?"

"Thirty seconds ago." Yaten answered with a laugh.

"What treaty?" was Lita's reply.

"Princess Serenity and I have decided to start a treaty between our systems. It'll be finalized tomarrow. As part of that treaty, Yaten and Mina have agreed to be the tying bond of our systems. Their marriage will strengthen the treaty." Kakyoku raised a glass of wine to the couple. "Welcome to the Royal Family of Kinmoku, Mina."

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Author's Note: wow! Two chapters in a day? Not bad for having writer's block. Yeah, it was annother short one, but hey, it was good. Now the question remains is... what to write next?

Please review!