When The Moonlight Meets The Starlight
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"Home at last", Seiya sighed, throwing himself into sofa. In fact that wasn't his home. That planet named Earth was only a station involved by coincidence into his life. He had to stay here for a while to complete his task – to find his dear Princess.
"Yes, pretty busy day", Yaten said, pouring tea into the cup. - "Would you like some tea, guys?"
"Yeah, of course", they answered in unison, "We deserve it, don't we?"
After tea Seiya went to his room. He took a guitar and began to strum. His mind turned once again to the events of that day... namely the girl.
He and his friends were in the airport, coming back home after recording session in the studio. They managed to force their way through the crowd of shrieking, squealing fan-girls. And then he saw her. She walked by the side of handsome, tall man, clinging onto his arm. Just the short, blonde girl with two funny odangos on her head and long pigtails swinging on her back, with big blue eyes (focused on her boyfriend), wearing high school uniform. Nothing special in particular. But...
But there was something about her... something that made him do the thing that any girl has never been able make him do before. He stopped and looked back at her. Then she turned her head and their gazes met. A lightning struck down upon his being.
"Who are you?", he sent an uspoken question with that gaze.
"And you?" the answer could be seen in her sapphire eyes.
Then she disappeared.
Seiya put the guitar aside and fell to thinking with his chin resting on his palm. What was with that girl? The first thing you could see was that she didn't jump to the ceiling while meeting that famous Seiya Kou, the leader of Three Lights. She just looked at him... with that honest, sincere look... as he was totally anonymous person, unknown to her, but very attractive anyway. She didn't seem to recognize him at all. He had to admit that his ego was badly damaged. He laughed at himself, but he couldn't help it.
But... there was something more. More important, more significant. Fighter inside him could sense that... the brightest, most powerful shine he has ever seen, hidden under the mask of her simple, average appearance. That was the glow of the Princess... or maybe even Queen.
Who was she?
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"From that point there is no admittance!" - Usagi heard boiysh, low voice screaming at her. The young man wearing orange suit came in sight, sittting up on the park bench. Usagi sweat dropped and started to excuse herself, mad at herself for being caught red-handed.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it, I wanted to see Alice from close-up, I..."
"You... are the one from...", he interjected, his eyes glittered and widened with surprise.
She stopped whining and glanced at him. "He looks kind of familiar...", she thought to herself. "Yes, I remember. No one could forget such a handsome guy, ha ha. I wondered many times, who he was and would I meet him again. He's pretty good-looking with those dark blue eyes and raven hair tied in a long ponytail. He reminds me of Mamo-chan. But not let him be so self-confident..."
"Well... did I meet you somewhere?", she asked, trying her best to look like having no idea of knowing him.
His jaw dropped and he pointed at himself. "Don't you recognize me?"
"Of course I do, baka. I've seen you in the airport that day Mamo-chan went to USA. You thought that I will be frenzy from happiness while seeing you again? What an arrogance! Don't think I'm that easy!", she thought.
"No." Usagi shook her head, gazing at him innocently.
He looked put out a bit and sighed. "Well, I guess I'm not as popular as I thought."
"What did he mean?" she wondered. "Popular? Was I supposed to know him? Is he famous? Maybe he's an actor, like Alice-sama?" She glanced at his lowered head. "I began to like him, but I'll never show it to him. Actor or not, he's such a peacock!"
"I got it! It's a new way of approaching girls, right!" she exclaimed and proudly presented her engagement ring. "Ha ha, I have a boyfriend who promised his future with me!"
He sweat dropped even more. "What's on? Why does she boast of her ring to someone who she doesn't know at all?"
"Do you see that ring?" if she could she would present it to everyone to remove her own uncertainty. "He promised me! He promised he'll be back and we'll be happy together forever. No matter he left me behind... No matter he didn't discuss his decision with me... No matter he chose on studying abroad instead of being with me... No matter I'll see him next time in a year..."
"Funny girl." Seiya got up and passed by her, going on his way.
"What? You're rude!" she reprimanded. "From that point there's no admittance except on business!"
He waved his slack hand.
"I'm here on business! See you, Odango!"
"How easy-going he is!" she growled, shaking her clenched fist at his back. "No one can call me Odango except Mamo-chan!"
"But Mamo-chan is no longer here."
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"What do you think of Sailor Starlights, Luna?", Usagi asked her cat, settled comfortably on her shoulder. They were walking down the street slowly, sunk in their conversation.
"Well..." Luna began to answer, but suddenly was interrupted.
BANG!
They bumped into someone, who came out from behind the corner, and they fell down with a shriek.
"Are you alright?", the stranger asked with care.
"I'm okay", Usagi answered with a light smile, rising her gaze to the one standing upright in front of her. She was overflowed by sweet fragrance of olive tree.
"It's you again, Odango", the man murmured with astonishment. He was wearing red outfit that time, but she recognized him at once.
"Oh my, it's him again!", she thought to herself. "That scent of his is awesome! Anyway he's so conceited that it's hard to believe."
She took a deep breath.
"Don't say that after bumping into me!" - she exclaimed, getting up and beating the dust off her skirt.
"I can't believe it's her again. I couldn't stop thinking of her... and here she is. So lovely and sweet with her honest annoyance. She expresses her feelings so openly." - he thought to himself. - "It seems she really doesn't know who I am. It's interesting somewhat. Maybe she's such a crammer she has no time to listen to the pop-music and she didn't hear about Three Lights yet."
"It's not safe to walk without looking" he smirked and took his dark shades on.
"It was you who rushed out!" she screamed, pointing at him angrily.
"You're strange", he scratched his head. "Ordinary girls are happy when they bump into me."
"Why?" - she laughed.
"Because I'm so cool", he answered, brushing his hair. "Man, what I'm saying? Why do I have to say such stupid things to that one girl I wanted to draw near to?"
She snorted hearing his words. "How can someone be so incredibly arrogant? Pretty handsome, true, but is the appearance so much important? I wonder what is he hiding behind that sunglasses. Who he truly is in his heart? What his hopes and dreams are? Is he really so futile?"
"What are you doing there?" Seiya heard Yaten's voice. "It's time to go!"
"Well" he thought, glancing at her. "Maybe I should take it easy. I'm not allowed to get involved with Earth people anyway."
"Bye, Odango", he stroked her hair. It was so silky that it made him shiver slightly. He caught a scent of roses from her.
"You don't know how lucky you were" he added and walked away.
"You are just a bit good-looking", she growled at his back.
"No, he does look pretty good", Luna disagreed with her eyes changing into two beating hearts.
"Yes, he is. Handsome face and beautiful scent. That's all pluses. Hmph, he is no comparison to my Mamoru at all!" Usagi extolled her absent boyfriend.
But for some reason she couldn't stop watching Seiya's pace.
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The Three Lights' car labeled on the sides with their trademark, golden shooting star, stopped in front of the high school they were transferred into. Fangirls were coming from all directions, swarming around, making their usual noise, the mix of howling, squeaking and crying. Seiya got out of the car, rolled his eyes and followed Taiki and Yaten. They were stopped by some girls who stepped in their way, presenting fanclub cards. Yaten and Taiki thanked them kindly for joining the fanclub. Seiya looked around.
There she was, staring somewhere aside. His Odango.
He put his sunglasses off. "No way, it's her again! What an incredible coincidence! It even seems it's not coincidence, but something more. It seems it's... destiny?"
"Hey! Odango-Atama! You go to this school too?"
Her gaze snapped to him.
"You're one from the Three Lights!", she gave the shout of the highest shock. Her friends gathered around her, staring at her questioningly.
"Impossible!", she thought."I've never realized before who he was! I wondered if he was famous. Baka Usagi! Why did the fate bring the king of pop stars into your life? It seems wherever you go, you always meet him. It's like... destiny?"
"You wanna be classmates, don't you?" he teased.
"You must be joking! Why should I?", she glared at him while he was walking away. "Don't mind him, Usagi. That macho doesn't deserve your interest at all. What a pity that such a nice-looking guy appeared himself to be so vain and arrogant."
"Apparently she didn't realize before who I am." Seiya thought, making for school entrance. "It's obvious she detests me for some reason and she doesn't care about such a things like being the pal of the popular idol. Anyway I want to know that mysterious girl better. I have to know all her secrets. Maybe I'll manage to discover the source of her immaculate shine."
Finally the class began. The teacher introduced Seiya, Taiki and Yaten to their classmates.
"No, no, no", Usagi pleaded in her mind, "How this could be? It makes my life much more twisted than it was expected to be!"
Seiya gasped with amazement, when he caught the sight of two familiar golden odangos straight in front of him. The girl which he called Odango was gazing at him with bored look in her eyes. Then he winked at her. She looked aside with a grimace of despise.
"Maybe I ruined the chance to be her friend. But I still have the chance to become her enemy." - he thought to himself, taking a seat behind her.
"I'll take this one", he said, placing himself on the chair, "Take it easy, Odango."
"My name is Tsukino Usagi", she hissed.
"Tsukino Usagi. Moon Rabbit. Well, I like it."
"Why did I speak to that something? I introduced myself as if I wanted to get closer to him. It was wrong. By the way, what is his name? Ah, Seiya Kou, right. Star Field Light. I really like it anyway."
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Usagi and her friends were watching Seiya, Yaten and Taiki's practice for the musical. "What am I doing here?" she wondered. "This is wonderful, to see them singing, dancing and acting like that, they are really good, especially Seiya. He's almost perfect. But I feel kind of... uneasy. I wonder what does he think. What if he assumes that I'm after him?
By the way, there is very unfriendly atmosphere around. The director, Akane, is so harsh to Seiya. He's making his best, but she doesn't seem to be satisfied at all. I can't stand such an unkind people. Nah, why am I worrying about him? He's so talented he can manage to do everything he is told. He is much better than Taiki and Yaten. And, thinking of that, I still don't know why I am here."
At last Three Lights were allowed to have a short break. Yaten and Taiki were having a drink, while Seiya struggled not to burst out with anger.
"She just hates me!", he struck his fist against the wall. "Geez, why is Odango here? I don't want her to see me like that – being reprimanded again and again. The director didn't say anything positive of me. I begin to feel like I am attempting the impossible."
Usagi stepped towards him. She wanted to say something to comfort him. "Ne, Seiya...", she started.
He mumbled something to himself, not listening to her, holding back his rage. Usagi blocked her mouth up with her palm. "What am I going to say? That he's very good? That I admire his skills? That I wish I could dance and sing as he can? That he smells really good – I like that captivating mix of olive tree and his sweat? That he looks pretty well in this short shirt and leggings? Nah."
Seiya narrowed his eyes. "I am pitiful. Odango can see now I am not as great as I tried to show myself. There are still people who consider me being weak and not talented enough to work in show-business, damn it!"
Usagi's heart filled with compassion. She averted her eyes off him. "It hurts to see him being humiliated like that. I have to find an excuse to leave."
"I am hungry", she wailed, "I have to go somewhere to eat."
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Seiya went out of church after his confrontation with sister Angela (alias director Akane) and saw Usagi waiting for him at the end of an alley.
"So Odango came here and watched me. Why did she? Why didn't she go home? And now... why is she waiting for me?"
"How strong he is", Usagi thought to herself, "He just told Akane that he hates her heartily. However he doesn't seem to break off his practice for the musical. I haven't met someone that strong before, except for Haruka. I admire him a bit. Just a bit!"
"There's something that's hard for me to understand", Usagi admitted while walking by Seiya's side.
"What?"
"After such trouble and being told what she wanted, who would want to practise?" "What am I doing here? Walking with him. H-i-m. I can't understand myself. I thought he was the last person I wanted to talk with. But I couldn't help myself being worried about him. What's wrong with me?"
"If I give up at this point, I wouldlose" - Seiya answered. "It's such a mystery. I wanted to draw her near and it didn't worked. And when I was busy with my own affairs, she followed me on her free will. Huh, we're going along well. I like it."
Usagi glanced at him with astonishment.
"Are you a masochist?", she inquired suspiciously.
"You don't want to know, Odango", he giggled lightly.
"What do you mean?", she wondered, "I want to know. I want to know what makes you so strong. Even tough I am too lazy and ditzy to become a star like you, I want to be like you."
Seiya whispered something to himself, gazing at the sky.
"Did you say something?", Usagi stopped. He didn't answer as if he missed her last words, lost in his own thoughts. At last he cast a long glance at her. "I can realize now what kind of girl she is - outgoing and sociable. Not ordinary for sure. I have never met someone so innocent and trusting before. But there is something else behind her... Not only her attractive personality, but strange, uncommon power sleeping inside her. I can barely sense it at the moment, but it exists for sure. If it wasn't too improbable I would suppose that she belongs to Sailor Moon's Senshi team. I like that mysterious girl. I want to draw near to her."
"Tell me, Odango... Do you have a boyfriend?", he asked.
Usagi's heart started beat fast. "What's on all of a sudden? Why does he ask? It's none of his business! Well, I have to answer anyway. Which answer is good enough? Strange, but I don't want to tell the truth."
"Yes, I do... Overseas...", she answered at last. "Overseas. It sounds really funny. What's a use of your boyfriend being overseas? I promised to wait patiently until he comes back, but I can't help feeling so lonely and stranded."
"Then I have a chance", Seiya stated softly and walked away, leaving her completely astounded.
"Eeee?", she uttered. "What did he say? That he has a chance? No way! Not him! Never! I have to go home and f-o-r-g-e-t about him right now! Throw him out of my life!"
"What a puzzling man he is...!", she whispered to herself, blushing a little.
Then she followed him.
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Usagi was rushing to the concert hall, but unfortunately the joint concert of Three Lights and Michiru Kaiou was already over when she arrived .
"You're late. Everybody was worried", she heard familiar voice from behind her.
"Haruka-san! It is over, isn't it?", Usagi gripped the balustrade, her eyes watered and she started to sob, "No! No! No!"
"Hey, come on... I'm going to Michiru's dressing room, wanna go with me?", Haruka blocked up Usagi's grumbling quickly.
"Yes!", Usagi sniffed and hooked onto Haruka's arm.
They reached the door and knocked on.
"Michiru, I'm coming in", Haruka pushed the door. They saw Michiru standing in front of the mirror with her hands getting her hair up and presenting her neck to Seiya, who was standing near behind her.
"Michiru-san!", Usagi exclaimed cheerfully and glanced into the room, "Oh, Seiya?"
"Odango!", he looked at them with surprise.
"What is he doing here?", Usagi wondered, " This gonna be dangerous, I can sense Haruka is getting furious. Did he try to seduce Michiru? Or maybe she tried to seduce him? No matter what, my heart feels... shocked. It hurts. I don't want to see him chasing after another girl, especially as beautiful, elegant and stylish as Michiru. I don't compare to her. But... why did I think Seiya could be after me?"
"Well, well. You're with a good-looking guy!" Seiya cast a long glance at Haruka.
"Don't be rude!", Usagi yelled at him, "Haruka-san is..."
"...my important partner", Michiru interjected and smirked at Seiya.
"What a mess." Seiya thought to himself. "I lost the chance to know better that mysterious woman with that strong brightness of a star, I offended her boyfriend and I made Odango think I'm just ordinary lady-killer. Great, Seiya."
"Huh, you're bad-natured, Michiru", he smirked back at her and put out his hand, "I'm Seiya Kou. Nice to meet you."
"Tenou Haruka". She squeezed his hand. What a squeeze it was.
"Tough. Really tough." Seiya thought to himself. "I can sense the same brightness as Michiru's. By the way, why did Odango come here with him? Maybe he's after her? They seem to be in really good terms."
"Have a nice evening, Michiru!", Seiya waved his hand and winked to her, taking a leave, "Bye, Odango.", he added, "See you later!"
He walked down the hall, remembering Haruka's grasp. "No doubt, there is the aura of true Star Seeds around them two. Do they belong to Sailor Moon's crew?"
"Seiya! You were really rude!", he heard a voice from behind him. Usagi was chasing him along the hall. "You bastard, you made me feel furiously jealous! I'm gonna kill you!"
"Oh, you're finished talking with that good-looking guy?" he grinned. "So you're not avoiding me, Odango, even though you could see me after your friend. You're really mysterious. Maybe you really don't have no interest with me at all. Maybe it was only in my imagination. Maybe you're so fallen for your boyfriend that the other men are nothing for you. I must admit I envy him. Everybody wants to be loved like that."
"Haruka-san is a woman!", she screamed.
"Can't be. Him? Woman? Nah. Too strong."
"You're trying to make an excuse!" - he replied.
"Does he think there is something between Haruka and me?", Usagi wondered, "There's no clue to consider us to be a couple. But don't let him think he is the only one handsome man around the world since he thinks Haruka is a man!"
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"He's late!", Usagi pouted, glaring around.
She was sitting on the park bench, waiting for Seiya. Yes, unbelievable – she was waiting for h-i-m. He asked her to spend with him his day off, and she agreed. Now he was late – and she had been waiting patiently! Maybe 'patiently' is not an appropriate word – she was annoyed and furious – but she had been waiting anyway.
"Usagi, go home", a tiny voice inside her head was the last sparkle of her reason, "Go home and never let him approach you again. You've already let him get too close. Don't pretend to yourself that you don't know he asked you for a date!"
Usagi shook her head, trying to push those unwelcome thoughts away.
"Hello", she heard familiar voice.
"Haruka-san!"
"What are you doing here?"
Michiru giggled lightly.
"Haruka, don't you know only couples and pigeons come to the park on a holiday?"
"Couples! Did she say 'couples'? Please, don't do this to me. We are not a couple, are we?", Usagi looked down at her ring, feeling extremely guilty. "Usagi, take it easy. Just take it easy! Seiya is a friend, right? A friend. You are close friends, nothing more. You like to spend your time with him, but it doesn't make you a couple. If it did, you and Minako would be a couple also, right? And Rei, and Luna. Motoki. Just take it easy."
"Are you on a date?", Haruka inquired.
"Yes, you are.", Michiru presumed.
"Well", Usagi smiled with embarrassment and blushed, "Seiya asked me to go somewhere today..."
"Seiya?", Haruka frowned, "Did he ask you for a date?"
"I don't want to hear that "D" word anymore!", Usagi cried to herself.
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Usagi and Seiya were riding Ferris wheel. The scenery was impressive. They could see all the city lit by the setting sun. But Seiya wasn't looking at it. He didn't take his eyes off Usagi.
"Alone at last", he thought to himself, "Yet she looks a bit confused. I'm sure she feels guilty, being on a date with another man while her boyfriend is away. I can't get it – why did she come? Maybe that boyfriend is just a mere fable?"
"Why is he staring at me like that?", Usagi glanced at him, "I feel a bit nervous."
"Isn't it a problem if someone takes a picture of us? Like 'A new girlfriend appears', ha ha", she rose her finger, sneering.
"That's fine. I don't mind", he answered softly, seriously.
She sweat dropped, gulping with bewilderment. "What does he mean? I can't see his eyes because of those damn sunglasses! Is he joking? Or not...? I begin to feel hot!"
Her cheeks grew slightly red.
"Oh, you indiscriminately choose girls, don't you?", she repeated Haruka's words, trying to avoid danger.
"Who does?", Seiya was dumbfounded. "You're wrong, Odango. The only one I've chosen is you. I want to know why are you shining so brightly. Even more brightly than my Princess. And besides... I began to like you very much. You're so open, outgoing, honest person... and despite of that there are such a depths of mystery within you that I feel like I've only brushed the surface."
"I do mind, okay?", Usagi pouted.
"Your boyfriend went overseas, right?"
"Right", she saddened, "I write to him every day, but I haven't got a reply from him yet. I know he's very busy with experiments or whatever at the university." "Two months have passed already and he didn't write. I just can't stand that silence."
"He sounds like a heartless guy. Is he deceiving you?", Seiya asked softly, watching her reaction.
"No, I don't think so. Mamo-chan is always thinking about me".
She became gloomy. "IS HE?", she asked herself, "Is he really...?"
"Gomen", Seiya whispered. "Odango, I don't want you to suffer, but it seems he really forgot about you. You want to avoid reality, but it won't work for too long. The longer you avoid, the more bitter realizing truth is."
"Cheer up, I'll take you someplace nice, okay?", Seiya winked, rising his finger, "It's a secret."
That secret was a disco. Usagi was amazed, staring at the dancing crowd, listening to the loud, thumping music, watching lights changing their colors quickly.
"Odango, come on!", Seiya called her after exchanging a few words with a guard.
"Yes", she followed him into the room.
Seiya closed the door carefully and turned to her.
She jumped back. "Not good! Just two of us here... alone... Why did he bring me here?"
"Well, why did she redden so furiously?", he asked himself, "She looks really nervous. Anyway I would like something cold to drink."
He reached for the phone on the wall behind her. She uttered a tiny squeal and crouched down. Then she looked up and saw the phone.
"You want something to drink, don't you?", Seiya asked with astonishment, looking down at her.
"Uh, easy, easy", Usagi sighed with relief, "Well, he only reached for the phone..."
Seiya knelt down before her, smiling wickedly."I didn't know she is so shy! She's red all over now and her hands are shaking. Really cute!"
"Why are you so nervous? Is it your first time?", he whispered to Usagi.
Her heartbeat stopped. She sweat dropped. Her face grew bloody red. "Oh-my-God-oh-my-God-oh-my-God" she repeated along with her hammering heartbeat. "First time? First time? What does he mean!"
"I'm sure she suspects me to think of something dirty. Why doesn't she resist? Why doesn't she call me hentai and kick my ass? Until she does I want to continue that game." Seiya moved nearer.
"Don't worry, I'll lead. I'm sure you'll enjoy it", he went on with a mischievous grin.
Usagi's jaw dropped. "Remember Mamoru, Mamoru, Mamoru..." She just stared at Seiya's face without blinking, watching him slowly getting closer... and closer... "God, who is Mamoru? I can't remember! I just feel like being carried away by the unknown river. Although I don't know where it drives me, I enjoy every moment of that journey. I just want to look into those blue eyes. Blue as the depths of the river washing me away and away from my usual self... Someone help me before I'm completely drowned!"
Seiya was so near he could feel Usagi's hot gasps on his cheeks. And then he realized that it wasn't a game at all. His heart was pounding loudly, his hands were trembling and wet from nervousness, his voice caught in his throat, his eyes slipping down to her invitingly parted lips.
He brushed them with one single fleeting kiss.
They both shivered from pleasure. Seiya clenched his fists and struggled not to continue. He was aware that he just kissed another man's fiancee. "Baka! What have you done! How could you lose your self-control so far!"
Usagi was sitting still with her eyes half-shut, gulping loudly. Her head was spinning, her lips throbbing. She refused thinking of anything, just breathing in that marvelous scent of olive tree.
"Odango, I'm so sorry", Seiya muttered, lowering his gaze. "I hope you'll not hate me for what I've done. I just couldn't stop myself." Suddenly he felt tears building in his eyes. He held them back and grabbed her small, lithe palm. "Please forgive me. Let's go dancing."
Usagi got up and followed Seiya to the dance floor."I'll be cursed forever. I think I'm falling in love with him. And, thinking of that... Who was Mamoru?"
"Odango, I realized I've fallen in love with you. You'll never know how deeply you've touched my soul. What a pain to know that you'll never be mine..."
To Be Continued
