And now...a little bit of an interlude. I'm sorry that this chapter is a little short...but you will see how it will fit into the grand scheme of things with chapter ten, which I am currently revizing right now. Once again I want to thank all my loyal reviewers and the new ones that just joined us. By the way...I'm doing the happy dance over here...over 1200 hits! w00t! Happy Luna!

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Chapter Nine

In the far back corner of the popular Tōkyō restaurant, Juptia no Shizuku, there was a rather loud group of eight young adults conversing and laughing. Nobody paid them much mind since the owner of the establishment was amongst the eight. They were reminiscing about the short time they all went to Jūban High School together. Well, everyone except Rei.

"Remember how you tried to coach Usagi-chan in softball, Seiya?" Makoto asked.

"Oi! How could I forget?" Seiya asked with a sly smile. "I've never met a worse player! Yaten's better than her!"

"I told you at the time that it had been many years since I had played last!" Usagi said, smacking her insulter playfully on the arm.

"Owwwww! Itai, Odango!" Seiya cried, giving Usagi a pouty, puppy dog look.

"Well, you deserve that! Baka Seiya!" Usagi said.

"You should never insult a woman within arms reach of you, Seiya-kun," Makoto said, wagging her finger at him.

"Yeah, baka Seiya. Then you can't get away from her wrath," Yaten said with a smirk. Minako, who was sitting next to him, gave him a sharp, playful tug on his ponytail.

"Ow!" He said out loud. "Gently, Mina-chan, gently," he purred in the blonde's ear. She, in turn, blushed a deep crimson. Usagi looked at her watch.

"Oi! It's getting late! I have to get going. I've got to get up early tomorrow for an exhibition!" She cried, jumping to her feet and gathering her things.

"Do you want a ride home?" Makoto asked.

"Iie, Mako-chan, I'll walk."

"It's dark out there, Usagi-chan. And it's late, like you just said. Are you sure you don't want Mako-chan to drive you home?" Ami asked.

"Daijōbu, minna. I don't live that far,' Usagi said, turning to leave. "Ja ne."

Seiya grabbed her wrist as she turned. She stopped and looked at the man who held her. "Nani, Seiya?"

"I'll walk you home," he said as he was getting up from his seat.

"You don't have to……" Usagi started.

"Iie," he interrupted. "I want to."

"Alright," Usagi said and they both turned to walk out of the restaurant.

"Arigatō, Mako-chan," Seiya said over his shoulder.

"Ja ne!"

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An hour later they stood on the doorstep outside the Tsukino residence saying their goodbyes.

"Where are you three staying?" Usagi asked, not really wanting Seiya to leave.

"Ami-chan and Minako-chan arranged for us to have our old apartment back."

"Ah, sō desu ne."

"Are you going to visit me?" He asked playfully.

"Maaaaaayyyyy-be," she said teasingly.

"Oi, Odango!"

"Nani?" She asked innocently.

"Iie, nevermind," he said sheepishly.

"Well….oyanasuminasai, Seiya."

He grabbed her and pulled her into a hug. "Oyanasuminasai, Odango," he whispered into her citrus scented hair. He pulled away and lightly brushed her lips with his own and turned to leave.

"Ja ne, Odango!" and walked out the gate, leaving a blushing Usagi on the doorstep.

"Ja ne……Seiya," Usagi whispered to the wind and walked into the house.

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I know I know...it's short...and I'm sorry...I promise the next one will be longer...don't hurt me! Look! They kissed...well...kinda...muwahahaha. Oops!

Ja ne!

Luna

oyanasuminasai- Goodnight

sō desu ne- I see