Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or any of its characters.

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Venus and Healer

Yaten stiffened. Last he remembered, he was watching the news and was feeling really tired. Must've fallen asleep, he thought drowsily. He sniffed, what's that smell? … Cinnamon? I don't remember having any cinnamon… and why can't I feel my arm? Something moved against him. He twitched. Wait a second… It all rushed back to him in a painful headache. This can't be happening, he groaned inwardly.

Reluctantly, he slowly opened his eyes – and was not pleased by what he saw. There she was, lying comfortably in his arms, and it appeared as if he were actually holding her. I wouldn't, he inhaled sharply, scowling. Would I?

As if sensing his stunned gaze, Minako opened her eyes to return it.

"Yaten?" she asked softly.

"What?" he answered in a tense voice.

"Thanks for letting me stay with you."

"You're very… persuasive," he said dryly, recalling her shrill sobs with a shudder.

She smiled at him with a look he couldn't interpret. He stared at her eyes, sparkling up at him, two blue oceans; deeper than he thought was possible. He knew then that those eyes would be etched into his memory, and he would never be able to forget them if he tried.

Yaten was used to girls gazing at him in adoration, idolization, and admiration, and he never really thought much of it, but no one ever looked at him the way Minako had just then, and it made him feel strangely uneasy – but in a good way. Then slowly, as if of their own accord, and against the stubborn resistance of his brain, his lips curved into a genuine smile.

I think, he gulped to himself, I'm going soft. And then slowly, but intently, he leaned in.

BEEP BEEEEP BEEEP. It was Minako's communicator. She grudgingly dragged herself out of bed, and out of Yaten's arms to take the call, hoping that it wasn't scout business, not now. Not when she thought Yaten was… was he actually going to kiss me?

She turned her communicator on and saw Sailor Moon's worried face on the screen. Oh no, she thought anxiously, here we go again.

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RIIIIINGG RIIIIINNNGGG. This time it was Yaten's phone. He groaned and picked up.

"What?" he asked lazily.

"Yaten" It was Fighter's voice.

"Seiya?" replied Yaten, cautiously aware of Minako's presence across the room.

"Is Taiki back yet?"

"No"

"So you're alone?"

"No," he sighed.

"What do you mean no? Then who's with you?"

"Minako Aino, you dolt. You made sure of that," Yaten barked, annoyed.

Fighter burst out laughing.

"She's still there? I thought you would have sent her packing a long time ago."

"That's not as easy to do as it sounds." He sighed. "Besides, we fell asleep."

"You slept with her?!" Fighter asked incredulously.

"It's not as dirty as you make it sound," Yaten defended himself in indignant exasperation. "So what's the emergency?"

"How'd you know there's an emergency?"

"Seiya, you idiot, I know the difference between your man voice and your woman voice. Why else would you be calling me while you're in that form?" he snapped.

There was a pause.

"Why so cranky Yaten?" Fighter snickered, "Isn't Minako-chan great company?"

"Just. Tell. Me." he seethed through gritted teeth.

"Right," agreed Fighter seriously. "The princess is found, but we need to save her. I will call Taiki. Meet us at the park. Bring Minako with you."

"Pri… princess? Found? In danger?" He was stunned, but another thing was bothering him. "… and what does Aino have to do with any of this?"

"Just do it. And hurry." Fighter hung up.

Yaten turned to see Minako walking towards him, with a puzzled look on her face.

"That was Usagi. She told me to go to the park." she hesitated slightly, "… and to bring you with me."

He gawked at her.

"… Seiya told me the same thing."

"W-why do you think…?"

Yaten shook his head.

"I don't know. But I think they were serious."

"It'll be dangerous, maybe I should go alone," she said nervously.

"Don't be stupid," he snapped. "If it's dangerous, I should go alone."

"But Mamoru's life is in danger, it's our business. We can't risk any other lives."

"The Princess' life is in danger, it's my business, and I'll risk what I wish."

"Princess? You mean… Usagi?" Does he know? She thought in surprise.

"What are you talking about? That clumsy girl isn't a princess," he scoffed. "Princess Kakyuu. I need to save her, and we're wasting time. Stay here, I have to go."

"I'm going too," she said firmly.

"You can't. You told me yourself that you're a poor, delicate girl, who needs me to protect her, and that's what I'm trying to do. So just do as I say," he demanded, in a dangerously calm voice.

She gazed at him. His expression was resolute, his posture stiff, his hands balled into fists, and his emerald eyes were gleaming. He's trying to protect me, she marveled silently.

"Yaten," she whispered.

"WHAT?"

"I lied."

He stared at her, uncomprehending. Then she grinned.

"Venus star power! Make up!"

Yaten couldn't believe it. Right there, before his very eyes, the irritating, loud, annoying, Minako Aino transformed into Sailor Venus, the Soldier of love and beauty. He wondered dimly how he'd missed it before. Her eyes were always the same. They were blue as the sky, twinkling with love, and beautiful as ever. And now they were looking at him. Smugly.

"Don't give me that superior look, Venus, I have secrets too," he smirked - once he got over the fact that his whiny Minako was in fact a Sailor Senshi.

She looked at him, a single eyebrow raised.

"Well I hardly think your little secret could be as cool--"

"--Healer star power! Make up!"

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omg lol, this has nothing to do with the story, but i just want to say, i'm DONE exams! yippeee! i love the world :)

thanks for reviews.