｢Chapter 17｣

"Ouhi" Maker called out as she entered into the room through the door that Fighter had left opened.

"You're back so fast?" Kakkyu asked.

"I - was only waiting outside the room." Maker shuttered." I saw Fighter running out from the room. Is everything okay?" Maker continued asking, definitely curious and worried why Fighter had chose to come out of the room in that way.

"Yah. She should be alright." Kakkyu tried to sound certain, but her eyes betrayed her.

"What happened?" Maker asked.

"We were talking about my plan. She got real worked up. I don't understand why. Yes as a starlight leader, I could understand why is she agitated when I suggest that you all should stay go back on Earth. But . . . " Kakkyu stopped.

"But what?"

"It felt like there was something more to it than the leader instinct in her that caused her to be so agitated." Kakkyu explained what she felt from Fighter. "I don't understand why. I thought she would be embracing the idea somehow but she did not. She told me that she don't know." Kakkyu finished. "Do you know why?" Kakkyu asked hopefully, hoping that Maker would be able to fill in some details that she did not know.

"I - don't really know." Maker lied as she looked down. 'It's not the time to complicate stuff with our relationship. We need things to be simpler now, so that the problems earth is facing right now can be solve as early as possible.' Maker thought sadly inside herself. "So, what are we going to do now, since Fighter had made clear that she don't know." Maker asked slowly and cautiously.

"Hmmm. . ." Kakkyu went into deep thinking before continuing, "We can work on the manpower shift first. You all are going to go to earth for sure, it's only the length of stay is not confirmed."

"Okay."

"Come over. I need a few more suggestions about new yellow guards." Kakkyu called and move over back to her desk where the papers are lying. Maker grabbed her chair and place it on the other side of the desk, and started working out possible candidates for promotion.

'What do I want? Do I want to go to earth? I know I need to visit Earth. I need to meet Odango. I really need to. But why do I feel the need to in the first place? What is going to happen when we leave for Earth? Maker . . .' Fighter laid on the grass of the field. The one where she and Maker like to visit during their nights off.

The sun had began to set, allowing the night sky to take over. Fighter had been lying on her position since her departure from Kakkyu's. Traces of dried tears could be observed on her face. Her heart hurts whenever she remembered what Ouhi had told her. 'I have been hearing all these information from Ouhi and Healer, but not her. How I wished that she's the one who had told me so. Why hadn't she told me about the plan they had when she was here to call me over?' Fighter was confused.

Really confused. She wished that there would be some distractions where she can focus on and forgot about all these heart wenching she was enduring. She could not go to training as she was given the next 2 days off. She was given the order to stay off work out areas. 'What else can I do to get this out of my mind? Or is there anyone who I can talk to? But no, I don't think so. Maker didn't want the relationship to be publicised.'

'Fighter!'

Fighter sat up from her position and saw Healer coming closer. "Why are you here?" Fighter asked curiously as she knew that Healer liked to stay indoor more than staying outdoor. The only time when the three of them will meet up here together was when Maker and Fighter dragged the poor girl outdoor, saying that it was time for her to get some air and stars.

"Maker say that she has something to update on the situation and actions we are going to make. Isn't that why you are here too?" Healer replied as she sat down beside Fighter.

"Not really. I've been here for some hours already. And I didn't really receive any message about it as well." Fighter answered, looking down sadly. 'Is she avoiding me again? Or am I going to be last one to know again."

"Why are you sounding so sad!" Healer exclaimed as she smack Fighter really hard on her shoulder, hoping that Fighter will cheer up a little, and get to their usual system where Fighter will chase her all around for hitting her. Right away she did that, Healer got onto her feet, getting ready to be chase by Fighter.

Knowing the reasons behind Healer's action, Fighter finally smiled for the first time in the two days. "Thanks Healer." Fighter thanked as she motioned Healer to sit back. "You're safe today."

"You're crazy! You are saying thank you to someone who had just smacked you. Then I shall announce that I like this Fighter better. At least I do not need to endure any physical sufferings from you." Healer mocked jokingly as she sat back at her previous position.

Fighter said nothing to Healer's jokingly insult. She knew that that was Healer's way of cheering someone up. She was glad that she was being cheered though it only lasted for a few moments before the heaviness sink back again.

Being able to sense the change of Fighter's emotion, Healer continued, "Fighter do you remember the days when the three of us were on earth?"

"Yeah, why did you asked?" Fighter questioned, not knowing the reason why Healer had mentioned that. 'Of course I remembered them. I'm constantly reminded of the days on earth. . . because of her. . . though it was reduced lately, I still do.'

"Do you still remember the special movie we did with the inners as part of our inter-school competition?" Healer continued asking.

"Yah." Fighter nodded her head as she tried to remember some exact details of the mentioned incident.

"Do you remember what you did to Mars?" Healer finally got to her point.

[Flashback]

The Three Lights were standing up on the higher stage elevations while the inners, together with Hotaru were standing at the lower elevation. When they had finished the scene, Rei came running into the set.

"Director-san, isn't it dirty to be selfishly using the popular Three Lights in this competition? That's so unfair!"

"Who are you?" The director asked.

"I am -" Before Rei could answer, Usagi interrupted her.

"Rei-chan, you go to a different High School." Usagi stated.

"I do not know what are you saying" Rei replied, trying to hide the fact that she's from a different High School.

"You are wearing a different uniform, aren't you?" Makoto added.

"If that's the case, I'll take it off then!" Rei replied.

Seiya was seated on the stairs leading to the higher elevations. She had decided that it was time to make fun of this zealous girl in front of her. "I don't think I will want to watch it (even if you take off your shirt)." That was what Seiya had said to Rei.

"NANI?" Rei was led furious by the statement Seiya had just retorted. She chased Fighter up the stairs, who stood up from her position on the stairs and went hiding behind Taiki.

"Rei-san, please cool down" Taiki advised as Seiya grabbed Taiki's left hand for protection from Rei. "Seiya don't mean anything from that. Seiya was just kidding with you."

"Demo. . . " Rei tried to argue back but was interrupted by Taiki.

"Look! Someone's coming. You would want to maintain your image, don't you. So don't be too angry with Seiya." Taiki explained and successfully divert Rei's attention from Seiya. Rei ran down the stairs towards the sponser of the movie while Taiki stole a glance at Seiya.

Seiya knew that she was about to get a lecture from Taiki about the mean joke that she had made on Rei. So she took the chance and changed a topic. "Look! Yaten is calling for you!" Seiya exclaimed as she pushed Taiki towards Yaten who was standing on the other side of the set.

"Yaten, you called for me?" Taiki asked.

"No." Yaten replied curtly. She was tired from the filming and wanted it to end as soon as they could.

Taiki turned around to look at Seiya.

Seiya knew that she's gonna to be in deep shit. Before Taiki had the chance to lecture Seiya, she blurted out, "You can't be always so serious, Taiki, loosen up a little!" Seiya finished off with a intention to push Taiki head's lightly. But apparently, it ended up to be a hard push.

"Itte!" Taiki cried out.

"Gomen!" Seiya responded sheepishly, sticking out her tongue a little."

[End of Flashback]

Fighter laughed at the memory. "Yes I remember." Fighter replied Healer" 'That was one of the very few times Maker actually loosen up her studious and serious self.' "Why are you mentioning it now anyway?" Fighter asked, seeing no link in the topics they were discussing.

"Even though I may like how you behave now, I still love the old you, the way you act in the past. That is who you are. Not this Fighter who actually let me pass when I pull a joke on her." Healer concluded her point.

Fighter smiled again at the thoughtfulness that Healer displayed. "Thank you Elfin. If that's what you want, I shall do it then." Fighter finished off with a slight strangle at Healer's neck. "This is the get back for just now and the one you did on the rooftop."

"E - h Let go of me!" Healer demanded and Fighter did so. "I shouldn't have said that in the first place. I regret what I have just did!" Healer joked, leading the two of them to start laughing at each other.

Healer glanced at the watch on her arm. "Maker should be here soon. We are missing one person to have our Three Light reunion " Healer stated.

'She's coming soon? Then I should leave now." Fighter thought. "I'll make a move first, enjoy the talk with Maker." Fighter stood up and prepared to leave.

"Where are you going?" Healer asked as she looked up to the standing starlight.

"I don't think she did asked me to be here. It would be better if I leave now." Fighter stated.

Healer frowned. "What are you talking about? Even if she did not ask you too, it's alright that you stay. We haven't been spending time together as starlights." Healer begged. She just want to spend more time with her best friends. Ever since they had split up to be in charge of different aspects, she had not been talking to them as much as they used to be.

"I - "

"Where are you going?" Maker asked. Maker had just arrived at the meeting point only to see Fighter having the intention to leave.

"You have something to tell Healer, didn't you. I think it's best that I leave now." Fighter replied.

"You are suppose to be here too. I can't find you anywhere around. So I told Healer to meet here." Maker explained. 'I knew that you will be here. Maker then sat down on the other side of Healer. "I have something to say. Ouhi asked me to pass down the message since Fighter is having her off days."

"You're having off days? How come I was not informed?" Healer pulled Fighter back to the ground, forcing her to be back on her butt again. "Lucky girl." Healer said to Fighter before turning to Maker. "What message does Ouhi has for us?"

"We are going to Earth tomorrow." Maker stated.

"Really?" Healer responded first." When was this decision made?"

"This morning. Mercury says that Serenity condition is getting worse each day. She needs us for visit." Maker explained

"But I thought Ouhi said that - " Fighter argued after being in silence for a moment.

"She said that decision can wait. It's important that we should get to Earth as early as we could before anything bad happens to Crystal Tokyo." Maker continued explaining, interrupting the concern Fighter was making as she knew what was Fighter's concern. 'I know Ouhi said that you are going to be the one to make the decision. In anyway, we are still going Earth. It's just that the length of stay differs. One is for a few months, the other is for eternity, I supposed. What's your choice Fighter?'

"What decision are you two talking about? I'm lost! Can anyone have the courtesy to guide the lost child over here?" Healer asked comically.

"We are either staying on Earth for a while or for life." Maker stated flatly, knowing that Healer would understand the meaning under it.

'You mean Healer did not know anything about this issue in the first place? I wasn't the last to be informed?' Fighter realised. 'Then, I had wronged her.'

"So Fighter . . . What's your decision?" Healer asked quietly.

"I . . . have not made my decision yet." Fighter replied as she looked away from the two of them. 'My heart had yet to decide the decision. I think both Maker and Odango had shared the same area and priority in my heart.'

"Leader." Healer called out.

"Yes Healer?" Fighter replied, knowing that Healer is in her serious mode. Healer will only call Fighter 'leader' when she's serious about something she was saying.

"No matter what decision you are going to make, I'm going to follow you till the end. Anything for your happiness." Healer assured. 'We have been through thin and thick since we are called in to be guards, then starlights. Leader, you will always be my leader, my best friend.'

"Thank you Healer." Fighter embraced Healer, being deeply touched by Healer's words. Healer was not the kind of people who will voice out their thoughts and support so superficially. Maker just sat on the other side watching them. 'Healer will be there. definitely.'

"Alright! My bed is calling for me." Healer stated. "Let go of me, giant." Healer directed the sentence to Fighter.

Fighter released her embrace, narrowing her eyes at Healer. "Thank You, Elfin." Fighter laughed at the last part she said, before turning sad.

"Great, whatever" Healer responded by rolling her eye balls. Healer then turned over to face Maker and hugged her, missing the change of emotion of Fighter. "I will see you tomorrow."

With that, Healer left the two at where they are.

"Maker , I - " Fighter began and stopped, not sure about what was she wanting to say.

"Yes?" Maker responded.

"I - " Fighter was still stuck with her words. 'Man Fighter! What is so difficult. Wait, have I even confirmed what's my decision yet?'

"You don't have to tell me about your decisions, Fighter. You would only need to tell to Ouhi. I'll see you tomorrow." Maker finished off and left Fighter alone on the field once more.

Fighter looked off the direction Maker had went. 'Why am I feeling so sad? I . . . Fighter. . . What a mess are you in. Maker, I will want to stay with you. . . But would you accept that, after watching me falling into depression when I knew something happened to Odango. Will my heart falter when I see Odango for once more?'

A/N: Okay I loved this chapter the best so far. (: 2-3 references from SeraMyu musicals in this Chapter. The part where Yaten strangled Seiya at the rooftop was from Stars Kaiteiban. The movie scene is from both Eien Densetsu and Eien Densetsu Kaiteiban FFS. I combined the two because i liked some parts from the original and some from the Kaiteiban version. So. yupps (: