"Tales of the Stars"

Book 1 : Homecoming

Chapter 12

Staria burst into Tamaki's room after Kyoya had left for the night. She was furious with the blond. Without thinking she pounced on the boy, who had just finished changing into his pajamas. Using her own momentum, she pinned him to the large plush bed. Grabbing the collar of his pajama top she yanked his head off the mattress and leaned down so they were mere inches apart.

"You told him didn't you!? You bastard!" she growled. "You told Kyoya I had a crush on him! He was picking on me all damn night! How could you?!"

Tamaki was wide eyed. He'd never expected to get tackled by a girl in an angry rage and certainly not by Staria. She had herself firmly planted on his stomach so he couldn't sit up properly, but her grip on his collar forced him to keep his head raised at an awkward angle.

"Star, princess, calm down. I didn't tell Kyoya anything. I swear to you. I keep my promises. Would you please let go of my shirt?"

She glared at him a moment, but let him go, pushing him away in the process. He'd never lied to her before so she didn't have a reason to not believe him. She stayed planted on his stomach though. She wanted answers. She crossed her arms over her chest and stared at him.

"Well if you didn't tell him then what the hell was all that?" She was still angry but willing to hear him out.

"What do you mean by 'that'?" Tamaki knew he was playing dangerously but he'd also promised Kyoya he wouldn't tell. You never break a promise to the Ohtori boy unless you have a death wish.

"Don't play coy with me Suoh. You know damn well what."

"It's not becoming of a lady to curse, princess."

"Fine, just tell me already."

"Maybe he's just noticed on his own. I mean you do blush quite often around him." He smiled trying to calm her down. "Our Kyoya always has been one for noticing details. Or it could be pay back for the other night. I hear you crawled onto his lap in those tiny shorts." The last comment got a small blush out of the girl. "Besides was being closer to him so terrible?"

Staria paused before answering. She was embarrassed about her own stupid actions after their study session. She'd done most of it without really thinking about it. Kyoya's actions had caught her off guard but it was true that she had enjoyed being held by him. She'd enjoyed it more than she wanted to admit, and that's what was bothering her. She wasn't supposed to being giving into those feelings.

Tamaki watched as a wave of emotions flowed through Staria's eyes. He was almost prepared for it when she punched her fists into the bed on either side of his head, and collapsed onto his chest crying.

"Star…" He wrapped his arms around her and let her cry, whispering reassuring words to her. As she calmed down some he managed to shift so they were laying on their sides, making it easier to hold her. "You ok?" He finally asked when she stopped shaking.

He felt her shrug a bit, but she wouldn't speak. She did curl into him more, burying her face into his chest. He held her a little tighter, trying to give her what she needed. He was going to have to find a way to get her to confess to his best friend first, so these stupid games could stop. He didn't like seeing her this upset.

"Talk to me Star. What's going through your head?" he coaxed her. She remained quiet for a while, but finally raised her head a bit.

"I was thinking about transferring to another school after this term." she confessed. "But I don't know yet. If I am going to leave though it's better to not get involved. Not in any sort of romantic way."

Tamaki was a bit taken back. She's barely been there as is was and she was already thinking about transferring. Did she hate it that much? He frowned and didn't try to hide it. He was hurt. "Why do you want to transfer?" He finally asked.

"I just don't fit in Tamaki. You and the guys are great, I really enjoy hanging around you all, but that's it. No ones else, aside from the teachers, will talk to me. None of the girls seem to want to even be my friend. The few that have talked to me are just club clients wanting to know what your house is like. I'm still a fish out of water, even if by birthright I should fit in. No one aside from you and the club even knows that though, and frankly I'm fine with that. I don't want to make friends because of a social status. I'd just like to make some friends who have grown up, no offense, in a normal atmosphere like I have. Is that asking too much?"

"Not at all princess." he was still upset, but he let the frown fade away. She was hurting and stressed despite the smiling forefront she displayed to all of them. Who was he to stand in the way of her happiness. "We'll miss you if you do decide to go, but it's not my place to stop you. It's none of our place to tell you how to live." he could understand her not wanting to get hurt again, and not wanting to hurt any one. Though he still felt that dating someone would be good for her. "Will you promise me one thing?" He added.

"It depends. I don't like making promises I can't keep." Staria untangled herself from him and sat up, pulling her knees up to her chin and resting her head on them.

"If by some chance Kyoya likes you, and tells you so, please give him a chance. If you both have mutual feelings it'd be a waste not to act on them. I won't pester you to tell him your feelings any more." He watched her reaction, thoughts swimming behind her stormy eyes. He took the fact that she was actually thinking about it as a good sign.

"Alright…." She finally agreed. "But only if he's the one to confess. Other wise I'm sorry Tamaki, my heart is staying sealed away for a while."

"That's a shame but I won't argue with you over it any more." He propped his head up with one arm. "You know you have a surprising amount of strength packed into that little frame of yours." he smiled.

"Never underestimate an enraged female. We'll surprise you every time." She smiled back.

The next few days went by with no real commotion, and Friday afternoon found the Host Club back in the third music room. Everyone was huddled around Kyoya's computer when Staria made her way in.

"What's going on?" She asked joining them.

"There are super heroes in the city!" Honey exclaimed.

"More Sailor V sightings?" Staria asked filling the space Mori had made for her behind one of Kyoya's shoulders.

"Not quite." Kyoya pulled up the newest article for her. "It seems another 'sailor suited' defender of justice has appeared. There was an attack of some sort at a small jewelry store last night. The witnesses are little foggy on details but they call the new heroin Sailor Moon, and a masked tuxedo clad man was also spotted. I guess a lucky journalist happened to be passing by at the right time and got a couple of quick photos."

They all looked at the girl with long pig tails, in her boots and mini skirt. The shot was from behind, so you couldn't see her face, but she was looking up at some one. The second shot was a little clearer, despite being taken at night and shadows still distorting the figure's masked face. The man in the tuxedo was perched in a high window looking down at the girl. A top hat adorned his head helping to hide what the mask didn't, and a long cape flowed behind him in frozen motion from a breeze. Staria leaned over Kyoya's shoulder a bit to get a better look.

"Can, you zoom in at all?' she asked.

"A little, but it's not a very good image to begin with." Kyoya did as requested though.

The twins exchanged a look.

"Could it?" Kaoru asked Hikaru.

"Gotta be." Hikaru confirmed.

"Gotta be what?" Tamaki asked.

"That's mom's work." they said as one.

"Interesting…" Kyoya mused.

"What does it mean?" Honey asked. "Do you know who he is? Or did he just happen to buy one of your mom's pieces?"

"No" Hikaru paused, "That piece was a gift."

"So unless he gave it away…" Kaoru continued.

"It can only be one person." the twins finished together and both turned to look at Staria.

"What?" She was puzzled.

"It's gotta be Mamoru." They finally answered and everyone in the room stared at them.

"So you're saying that Staria's big brother is a caped fighter of justice?" Tamaki didn't believe them. He'd meet Mamoru the other day and he seemed perfectly normal. Mundane almost.

"Mom did say that no one wore a tuxedo as well as him." Kaoru offered.

"Though it's a weird choice for a costume." Hikaru commented.

"Yeah, I agree on that one…" Staria added her two cents. Part of her mind wouldn't let her fully accept what the boys were offering though. "I can ask him, but even if it is I don't know if he'd tell me. In the comics they just don't do that. The whole if you know you'll be in danger thing. With great power come great responsibility. That whole jazz."

The twins shared a glance and shook their heads at her before they deadpanned, "Nerd."

"And?" She stared right back, not caring if she was a nerd or not. They just shrugged and wondered away getting bored.

"Would he have any reason to want to stop crime outside of the law?" Mori asked.

"I don't know. He told me he's been having reoccurring dreams for a long time and that recently they've been more frequent. But they don't seem like they'd be connected to this situation." Staria sighed, "I'll ask him about it, but would you tell anyone if you were doing it?"

"Not likely." Kyoya answered.

Saturday night came quickly, and Staria found herself waiting in the wings of the school's main salon. The boys were busy making sure everything was in order. Kaoru had offered to do her make up for her, and seeing that she wasn't use to wearing any she'd let him. He'd done a good job, it was very subtle. Just a bit of eyeliner with a touch of mascara, an some pale pink lip gloss. She had to keep reminding herself not to rub at her eyes though. When she pulled herself away from the mirror she noticed Kyoya speaking to their caterer. He was a tad bit taller than Kyoya and had short wavy blond hair, almost curly but not quite. Something about him was familiar, but she couldn't quite place it. It was bothering her though, so she ventured closer.

"Are you sure you don't want some of our staff to stay and serve for you Mr. Ohtori?"

"No the open buffet style is what Tamaki wanted. This is fine." Kyoya answered promptly. "Our guests will be here soon so It'd be best that your staff is cleared until the gathering is over."

"As you wish."

"Thank you Jade."

The blond man made eye contact with Staria as he left. His hard blue eyes sent a chill through her and a connection was made. She knew why the face was familiar. He'd been in several of her dreams. He was one of the prince's guards. The name Jadeite came to the front of her mind. Almost as soon as she thought it, the man turned around to glance at her again, before he exited the room.

Had he heard her thoughts? It was too creepy and she frantically looked around the room trying to spot where Tamaki had vanished to. She needed to tell someone, and other than Mamoru, he was the only one who knew about her weird dreams.

"What's wrong?" She hadn't even heard Kyoya come up next to her. She stared at him wide eyed for a second.

"Um.. where's Tamaki?" She managed to get out.

"He's making sure the entrance is ready for the girls. What's bothering you?" He asked again.

"That guy you were talking to, the caterer or whatever. I have a bad feeling about him. He's creepy…"

Kyoya smiled, "You're being silly. Jade is a professional, true his business is new, but they do top notch work. Don't worry, nothing bad will happen tonight. You can't see them but I have security everywhere. There is nothing to fret over."

He paused and took a good looked at her, for the first time since they'd all arrived. "And might I add you look very beautiful tonight." That got a smile and a faint blush out of her.

"Thank you….Kaoru added some finishing touches."

"Might I suggest one last addition?" He watched her puzzled look for a moment.

"Like what?"

"You just seem to be missing one piece." He pulled a small box out of his pocket and opened it to reveal the gold and green star earrings from the fashion show.

Staria looked at the jewelry and back at Kyoya.

"Well? Didn't you want a green pair as well? I can always put them up for auction for our guests if you don't want them." He started to close the box, teasing her a bit. Staria grabbed his hands, before he put the box back away.

"I like them, Kyoya. I like them a lot." She looked up at him with a smile. "I just wasn't expecting a gift. Thank you." Her worries slipped to the back of her mind as she marveled at the earrings. They were a perfect match for her gown and her favorite color. He really was a stickler for details, but she was somewhat in awe that this time it was for her.

"Are you going to put them on, or just stare at them all night Princess?" Kyoya picked a bit more by using Tamaki's favorite pet name.

"Wear them naturally." She moved her hair out of the way and put the long dangles on. "Do they look ok?"

"Just the right touch." He reached out and ran one of the delicate metal accessories through his fingers, letting his finger tips trail along Staria's cheek. "Tamaki's down stairs if you still want to talk to him. There's a little time left before the guests arrive. I'd go now or you'll have to wait until after everything's finished."

She was more interested in his eyes at that moment, but he was right. Once the festivities started it would be impossible to talk to the host king.

Staria found Tamaki fixing a few last flower arrangements along the stairs. He smiled warmly when he saw her coming and met her half way, holding a hand out to her.

"Princess you look lovely. Where did you find the earrings?" He kissed the back of her hand when she took his.

"Kyoya gave them to me." She almost didn't care that she blushed. "But that's besides the point." She stopped him before he could interrupt. "I need to talk to you. Can we go sit?"

"Of coarse." He escorted her over to a plush couch. "What's up?"

"I have a bad feeling. The caterer, he's been in my dreams. I swear he's one of the prince's royal guards, but the look I saw in his eyes was not a friendly one."

"Are you sure it was him? I mean you've only been able to place Mamoru so far right?"

"Yes, I'm sure. It was him. I got chills when our eyes met Tamaki." She rubbed her arms unconsciously just thinking about it.

"Alright, but if he had been a royal guard then why would you be getting bad feelings. Wouldn't he be a good guy?"

"That's what I don't get. Why would I get such a bad feeling from someone who was supposed to be protecting us?"

Tamaki frowned, "Well if it's bothering you that much I'll make sure Kyoya has one of his men keep a close eye on him. Don't you worry, tonight is about fun. I only want to see a smile on your pretty face." He kissed her forehead in a brotherly way. "Why don't you head back up stairs. I'll join you all shortly."