Disclaimer:I do not own Digimon, Yu Yu Hakusho, Sailor Moon, or Yu-Gi-Oh. I do not own some of the OCs in this series, including borrowed from Belletiger, LazerWulf, Ninetalesuk, and a few others. They were submitted to me.

Hey, all. I hope anyone who celebrates Halloween is safe. Make sure you party safe and stick with your friends. Oh, and as of yesterday, my birthday passed. I'm now 25. You may send me a b-day wish if you wish.

Anyhow, it's about time I submit an addition to the Gaiden series.

This short one-shot will be focused on our favorite Japanese idol, Minako Aino. After years of being everyone's love cupid, the Goddess of Love finally finds the one... who might possibly be her true love.

Granted, this story will somehow be connected with Chapter 3 of The Taiyoukai's Awakening, especially in regard to Minako herself. Well, you be the judge of what happens.

Enjoy.

xxxxx

An Idol in Love, Part I of III

xxxxx

(Set between The Invasion of the Rajita and the Search for the Kuiper Belt Senshi)

Osaka/Osaka Castle Hall/March 11, 2006/10:39 PM

Minako Aino performed her latest singles idol show at the Osaka Castle Hall (otherwise known as Osaka-jo Hall). This arena has hosted many musical performances from famous Western musical artists. Elton John, U2, KISS, Stevie Wonder, the Foo Fighters, Celine Dion, Janet Jackson, Iron Maiden, and the like have all performed at this same arena. Even the famous Japanese acts have performed for their loyal fans at this arena.

The future idol was already on the rise to fame. Minako Aino added her name to the list of musical artists that performed in the Osaka Castle Hall.

As she embraced the cheers and the adoration of her fans, Minako would never forget this night. She practically stole the show over a few other fellow Japanese musical artists, but that was fine. To Minako, it wasn't about competition. It was win over a new following of fans who appreciated the heart and soul she put forth into her hard work.

Tonight, it paid off and she never felt any prouder.

xxxxx

As the event concluded for the evening, Minako was surrounded by a wave of her fans hopping around. Many of them hoped to get an autograph from their favorite J-Pop star.

Minako looked at her crazed fans and had an 'Oh my god' expression written all over her face. She watched as several young teenage girls were holding out several CD albums with the blonde-haired idol's pretty face.

"MINAKO-CHAN!! SQUEE!! YOU'RE THE BEST!!" The crazy fangirls screamed in unison.

Minako sweat-dropped as she backed off. "One at a one! Ok! I promise you guys will get your turn!" She couldn't help but smile and laugh at their antics. But, this was the price she must pay for becoming a successful star.

"Yo, Minako! You're waaaay better than those idols from America!" Another girl cried out.

Minako snickered. "Well, Britney's been on a downslide if you ask me. She's out and I'm in! Now, who gets an autograph first?!"

"I DO!!!"

"OH MY GOD!! YOU'RE A LOVE GODDESS!!" A fanboy jumped out of the crowd. He threw himself onto Minako's feet and bowed before her.

Everyone fangirl growled as they jumped on top of the poor young man.

"Oh, boy... things are about to get messy," Minako chuckled as she backed off.

xxxxx

One hour later.

After she finished her autograph session, Minako grabbed her belongings and headed out of her dressing room. She turned as the exit door was on her left side.

"Oh, god. What a night! You know I think I could get used to this," the blonde-haired girl smiled as she carried along a basket and a suitcase.

Suddenly, the basket lid popped open as Artemis poked his head out.

"Whew! Is it over?"

"Yeah, it's safe to come out, Arty," Minako nodded.

The Mooncat sighed with relief. He shifted his eyes back and forth, checking for any signs of fangirls. "Sheesh, your fans are crazy!"

"That's why they call them over-obsessed fangirls and fanboys, Artemis. I mean, the numbers are only going to continue rising," she said. "My first album has already hit the top 10 last week."

"I'm proud of you, Mina," Artemis said as he hopped up onto her right shoulder. "Your dreams are finally coming true."

"I know and I hope I can continue going down the right path. I'm going to learn from other idol's mistakes during their rise to fame."

"Good. I hope so."

"Excuse me!"

As Minako turned around, she noticed a man walking toward her. As the man came closer, he looked fairly young in his early-twenties. He had hair that was long with bangs hanging down (the sides at least) his face. With complacent eyes, he looked down at Minako as he came closer. He wore a long-sleeved dark blue shirt and dark blue jeans. He also had something that would easily win over a girl like Minako: dashing good looks.

Then, as he came closer, the man tripped over his shoelace and fell down on the ground. He fell facefirst as Minako rushed over toward him.

"Whoa! Hey, are you okay?!" Minako asked as she helped him up.

"Yeah... just tripped..." The young man rubbed his forehead. "Ow! Geez..."

Minako placed her hand across his forehead. "Oh, you've got a bump. Here let me go get first-aid."

"No, I'll be fine..."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'll manage."

Minako nodded as she nonetheless helped the man up. "The least I can do is getting you up. There we go. Easy does it!"

"Thank you," he replied as he leaned back against the nearest wall.

"It was nothing really!" The idol smiled as she looked directly toward him. Her eyes lit up as her cheeks blushed. Whoa... Talk about a hottie! Minako-chan, you just happened to bump into a really cute guy! Is this your lucky night or what, girl?!

"Please, excuse me... Minako Aino."

"Oh, you know me?"

"Well, you are a popular idol singer. Of course, a lot of people would know you. You've been on the face on the latest magazines. That's a silly question to ask, don't you think?"

Minako shrugged. "Just thought I asked. I doubt everyone listens to my albums."

"True, but I think your music is inspiring."

"Really now? Even to a guy like you?"

"Me and my little sister... oh, speaking of which..."

Just then, the young man turned around as he watched a young girl walking out of a corner. Minako turned as she spotted her. The child appeared to be close to Yui's age. Her hair was a brownish red and shoulder-length. She wore a purple t-shirt and a pair of comfortable blue jeans. The most distinctive feature of the girl was her different-colored eyes. The left eye was green and the right one was a light blue color.

"Is this your sister?" Minako inquired as she pointed to the child.

The young man nodded. "Yeah. Her name is Kohana. Oh, by the way... I haven't quite introduced myself. My name is Rio Kuroshishi."

"That's a nice name, Rio. And your sister is so cute!" Minako said as she walked over toward Kohana.

"Eh, I don't really like to be called cute," Kohana scoffed as she slightly frowned. "No offense, but cute is not a good way to describe me."

Minako slightly backed off. "Yikes, she's got quite a mouth there."

"Regardless, I loved your show," Kohana replied as she pulled out a case featuring Minako's first album. "I just bought this last week. Your music really inspires me a lot. I was wondering if you could sign this for me."

Rio spoke up. "She would really appreciate it. I'm surprised she's even a fan of yours. She normally doesn't listen to the type of music you play, but you're an exception."

"A big exception if you ask me, but I like to set myself apart from other idols," Minako replied as she knelt over to take Kohana's CD case. "And this one's to Kohana... Kuroshishi, right?"

"Yep, that's me."

With that, Minako quickly pulled out a marker and signed her name on the album. Then, she planted a kiss on the album and handed it back to Kohana.

"Just a little something for my special fan," she said with a wink.

"Thank you so much," Kohana replied as she bowed thoughtfully.

Rio chuckled. "You made my sister's night, Minako-san."

"You don't happen to need anything signed from yours truly?"

The young man nodded as he put an arm behind Kohana's back. "Thanks, but I'll be fine. I only came here to bring my sister to see you perform and to get an autograph from you. As long as she's happy, I'm content."

"Wow, you're lucky to have such a cool brother like him, Kohana," the blonde idol winked.

Kohana proudly smirked as she held her autographed CD. "Got that right!"

"Well, I appreciate giving you an autograph, but I've got to run. I'm sooooooo dead tired and need to head on back to my hotel."

"You sure you don't need anyone to walk you there? You're going by yourself, right?" Rio asked.

Minako added. "Well just me and my cat, Artemis, here."

Kohana walked over as she reached out to pet the cat. Minako knelt over as she let Kohana put Artemis' head. The cat purred as he felt Kohana's comforting hand touch him.

"He seems to like you, Kohana," Minako smiled as she rubbed Artemis' jaw.

Rio interjected as he cut into their conversation. "Sorry, but you said it's only you and your cat, right?"

"Yeah., that's right."

"It's not safe out there walking by yourself. There might be stalkers out this late at night... or maybe more of your fanatical worshippers trying to get the jump on you before you can reach your hotel room."

Minako raised her left brow and stood up, looking directly at Rio. "We barely even know each other and you're suddenly concerned about me?"

"Well, even if you're a famous idol, there's still a bunch of creeps who might attack you..."

"I'll manage! I know self-defense that'll knock them flat on their ass," Minako shrugged.

Rio sighed as he tried to talk sense into the young woman. "If you don't mind, I insist."

"Thanks, but..."

Kohana nodded her head as she tapped Minako's right arm. "Um, hey, just want to fill in a little more on my brother. When he insists on something, there's no changing his mind. He's really considerate about women."

As she was taken back by what Kohana said, Minako turned as she looked into Rio's eyes. She felt her heart skip a beat as her eyes met his. She looked like she was being placed in a trance-like state, but her mind was in a completely different universe. She pictured herself clinging onto Rio.

Minako blinked as she shook her head. Whoa! What the hell was that?! Did I just picture myself with this extremely cute guy?! No way... I maybe the Goddess of Love, but I'm the one to hand out love advice. I... I never thought I'd see myself getting involved in a relationship! I have a career to think about!

"Minako-san?" Rio blinked as he noticed she was glaring ahead with a blank look. "Hello?"

"Huh? Oh! Sorry!" The young idol apologized as she bowed. "Well, if your sister says I can't talk you out of it... then I suppose."

As a reserved smile crossed his face, Rio nodded. "I don't mean to dissuade you, Minako-san."

"It's not a problem. You know... on second thought, I wouldn't mind the company from my two biggest fans," Minako smiled as she offered them to join her. "I can take you to the lobby of the hotel and we can chat for a bit? That sounds fine to you two?"

The siblings looked at one another. It didn't take them long as they smiled toward each other.

"Sounds like a plan," Kohana said.

Rio replied. "Guess we lucked out when we bumped into you last, Minako-san."

"Not a problem. I'll just say you two won some kind of contest to earn dinner with me or something. Yeah, that'll do!" Minako gave a sheepish grin as she placed Artemis back inside her basket.

The Mooncat sighed inside his basket. Is that the best you could come up with? Guess it works.

"I'll lead the way since I know what hotel I'm staying in!" Minako winked as she opened the backdoor and offered to let them through. "C'mon!"

As Rio and Kohana looked at one another, they shrugged and walked through. Minako closed the door behind them and led the siblings down the path leading to the hotel.

xxxxx

Osaka Emerald Lake Hotel/Lobby Area/11:17 PM

As they arrived at the lobby, Minako took them to the hotel's diner. She offered to buy them all milk shakes, though Kohana preferred hot chocolate. This surprised Minako as she didn't expect the little sister to want a more refined drink than a simple milk shake.

"Your sister really does act mature for her age," Minako commented as she sipped her drink.

Rio chuckled. "You really don't know my sister that well. She's only like this when she's around me and people like you."

Kohana coughed as she set down her cup. "Yeah, well... this isn't about me. This is about Minako-san. You know... I'm getting a really funny feeling we're being watched."

Minako narrowed her eyes as her 'paparazzi' senses tingled. "Yeah... ugh, those vultures." With that, she sucked up some of her milk shake through her straw and pulled it out. She moved around and blew through the straw, spitting out the milk shake contents at a pair of men hiding behind a fern.

The milk shake splattered across the camera men as Minako got out of her seat.

"Ah-ha! I knew something was fishy around here!" The blonde shouted as she snatched the cameras out of the men's hands. "Trying to peep on me, will ya?!"

Kohana laughed as she watched Minako force the paparazzi crew getting down on their knees. "Wow, this is great! No wonder she's my favorite idol! She takes no prisoners!"

Rio was bewildered by how quickly idol spotted the paparazzi crew. "Well, at least we won't be on any entertainment cover anytime soon. She's got a lot of spunk. That's for sure."

As the men ran off with their cameras, Minako came walking back with the film in her hands.

"They won't be taking any pictures from me during my off-hours! I mean... my god! Who the hell do they think I am?!" Minako exclaimed. She sat back down and smiled innocently to the siblings. "Ah, pleasant evening, wasn't it?"

Kohana stifled a laugh. "Oh, you can say that again!" The little tomboy couldn't contain herself.

Rio chuckled as he finished sipping his milkshake. "I'll grant you this, Minako-san. You're the first person to make my sister laugh."

Minako blinked as she overheard this. "Really?"

"Yes, and I'm quite thankful. You see my sister and I have grown up living together. Our parents died when Kohana was barely born."

"I'm so sorry to hear that," Minako gasped.

"Well, we've managed. We were taken in by a few relatives from our mother's side. They've taken care of us. Then, when it came time for me to work, I saved enough money to rent out an apartment for me and my sister to live in."

The blonde-haired idol listened to the young man tell his story. She was always one that would listen to anyone speak. Whether it be her fellow Senshi, friends, or acquaintances, it didn't matter. She enjoyed listening to someone tell their story about their lives. This was her way of getting to know anyone before considering forming a relationship.

"That's very noble of you, Rio. I mean you took it upon yourself to find yourself a place for you and your sister."

"Yeah, and since our parents died, Kohana hasn't once laughed except when she's around me. She grew up without very many friends. That's why she's always with me. Then, one day, she listened to your music and it lifted her spirits."

Minako smiled as she placed her hands on the table. "I'm happy to hear my music has a positive effect on certain people. Kohana dear... you make sure to keep listening to my next albums. Who knows? I might even dedicate a song to you and your brother." With that, she winked toward Rio's sister.

Kohana nodded as she finished her drink. "Thanks. I would really like that."

xxxxx

As Minako reached the door of her hotel room, she turned as Rio and Kohana bid their farewells.

"Thanks for escorting me up. I could have done this all on my own, but oh well. I enjoyed having the company."

Rio replied. "We just want to see our favorite idol get back to her room safely."

Kohana interjected as she walked up to Minako. "So, are you staying here for a full week?"

"Yeah, I've got to do some promotion and perform for another show this coming Friday," the idol promptly stated.

Rio approached Minako. "How about we meet again?"

"Us? Well, that's gonna be tough, especially with paparazzi on my tail," Minako said.

"We'll manage. Besides, you seem to know how to take care of them," the young man chuckled.

"Yeah, well, I have a sixth sense when it comes to that kind of problem. I just know where they'll be hiding. So, are you asking me out on a date, mister?" Minako shot Rio a sly grin.

Rio scratched his head. "Well, if you say so... yeah. I'd really like to get to know you."

Minako gritted her teeth as she gave this some thought. CHA-CHING! Don't screw this up! He's all yours! You've been single for years. Take advantage of this opportunity... and SEIZE IT!

"Minako-san?" Rio tried to garner her attention.

Minako quickly snapped out of her trace-like state and nodded. "You got yourself a date. When do you want to meet?"

"Well, I was... thinking.. tomorrow?"

"I've got an autograph signing tomorrow morning at the local mall. I don't have much to do around lunch. Wanna meet up at the American Village shopping district? I'll be over on at the Triangle Park area at 12:30."

Rio made sure to take note of all this inside his head. "Um, yeah. That sounds great. There are plenty of great places we can go try out and eat."

"It's a date then! I'll you seen. I'll give you my number."

"I'll give you mine."

With that, Kohana looked back and forth as the two young adults wrote down each other's cell phone numbers.

"So, I'm not invited?!" Kohana scoffed.

Rio sighed as he pat his sister's head. "Sorry, but this is a date for two people. I think you'll manage to stay at home while I'm away?"

"Huh? I don't have a problem with her coming along," Minako stopped him. "You want to come with us, Kohana?"

"I won't be a bother?"

"Not at all. I was thinking we could do some sight-seeing and it wouldn't be fun with you. I actually would love some company since I'm away from home and my friends!"

Kohana was relieved to hear this. "I'm glad to hear this. We'll see you tomorrow then."

"I'll call you when we're ready, Minako-san," Rio said. "You get some good sleep."

"You, too. Goodnight, you two."

"Bye!" Kohana called out as she waved to Minako. "Thanks for the autograph!"

As she watched the two siblings walk down the hall, Minako looked at Rio's number written on the sheet of paper. She firmly placed her fingers around it as she turned and smiled with glee.

"Oh, yes! The Goddess of Victory is smiling down upon me!" She declared as she entered her hotel room. "I scored a date with a hot guy!"

Artemis immediately poked his head out of the basket. "How long has it been since your last date?"

Minako fell back on her bed and sighed. "Too long. This guy seems nice and is a good role model for his sister. Those are qualities I like in a man. I just hope our date will go well."

"It will as long as you're willing to commit to it. It'll be interesting to see the Goddess of Love in a relationship."

"I just don't want to end up heartbroken like I did with my last relationship..." She whispered as she curled up on her bed. She grabbed a pillow and held on to it. "I wonder how Katrina and Alan are doing..." With that, she fell asleep.

Artemis curled up beside the girl and slept through the night along with her.

xxxxx

"And this was the beginning of my new relationship with Rio-kun. Our relationship would soon blossom following this night. This is your favorite J-Pop idol sensation, Minako Aino, telling you to stay tuned for the next part in my romantic saga!"

xxxxx

A/N: There you have it. I've decided to break this up into three-parts. If you've already read Chapter 3 of the Taiyoukai Awakening, you'll find out that Minako has a boyfriend and introduces him to her friends. That's Rio. And this three-part mini-arc will show her Rio and Minako's relationship developed.

Another thing, Rio and Kohana are both characters created by Belletiger. Rio appears in chapter 3 Taiyoukai Awakening. Kohana will be introduced in the main story in the third season. Just so you guys know.

Tell me what you think. Writing romance is not my forte, but I'll do my best with this piece.

Send me a review when you're done. Take care and see you on the next update!