A/N: Hello, all! I wanted to give a warning for some language and a sexual situation (very minor, just at the beginning). If things go according to plan (which they sometimes do!), there should only be 5 more chapters left. We'll see! -Ametheyst

Chapter 15: Loyalty

When Seiya woke up the first time, he thought he was in a dream. He opened his sleepy eyes to find the creamy porcelain expanse of a woman's back and long hair that fell around her in tumbles of golden yellow. He blinked before he leaned over her body just to verify that - yes, that was definitely Tsukino Usagi.

Usagi was naked... in his bed.

The events of last night rushed into his brain, and with a growing smile, he thought of the way she writhed beneath him and the soft gasps of pleasure that had spilled from her lips.

Usagi was naked in his bed!

Seiya's hand found her soft shoulder and brushed against it, taking in the softness of her skin. He leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to her back, and to his surprise, she shifted her body backwards and pressed her warm body against him.

"Good morning," he mumbled against her ear. Her reply was incoherent, but he certainly understood her body language. Her round bottom was pressing against him.

They enjoyed each other in the soft light of the morning sun, with slow, sleepy thrusts and drawled groans. When the climax had subsided and a blanket of calmness came over him, he fell asleep again, with the girl of his dreams tucked within his arms.

The second time he woke up, he wondered if it was all just a dream.

He opened his eyes to see an empty space on the bed before him. With furrowed brows, he wondered if he had dreamed it - if he had just experienced the most vivid wet dream of his entire life - but a glance to the floor told him otherwise. The box of condoms they had opened last night now lay on the floor, tipped over with gold foil packets spilling out. Several empty packets, torn quickly with his teeth and tossed to the side, lay nearby. Beyond the open door to his bedroom, he could see a pair of leggings lying forgotten on the hallway floor.

"Odango?" He called out curiously.

That was when he heard it.

Getting out of bed, he slipped his boxers on over his legs and followed the sound of light sobs to the bathroom door.

"Odango?" He called again. He gave a gentle knock, relieved when he heard a strained "Yeah?" from the other side.

"I'm coming in," he said as he opened the door.

Standing there, in front of his mirror, was the girl he loved. Usagi's long, blonde hair hung loose down her back. She had found her bra and panties, and though he tried his best not to look, he couldn't stop himself from noticing the roundness of her breasts beneath the pink fabric and the curves of her hips. With one hand braced against the sink and the other to her mouth, muffling her sobs, she was crying.

She looked devastated.

Fear hit him like a truck. Did he hurt her? Did she regret what they did? Was she crying because of him?

"Are you okay?" He asked gently.

"I don't know, Seiya," she whispered. With a sigh she sat down onto the cool marble floor and sat with her back against the side of the large bathtub. Seiya was quick to sit down beside her and rest a gentle hand on her knee. Instinctively, she leaned into his warm body.

It scared him to voice it out loud, but he managed to ask, "Do you regret it?" His voice was small and he hoped he didn't sound as pathetic as he felt.

"No and yes," she said with a frown. She took a deep breath and began to wipe tears away with the palm of her hand.

"I meant everything I said last night, Seiya. I care about you so much and I had the most amazing night, but I'm just s-so a-ashamed that I did that to Mamo!" The tears began to fall heavier now, and Seiya didn't know which feeling to settle on. It was like a punch to his heart to know that she was so upset.

Shame was something he didn't want her to feel. Certainly not because of him.

"He's so far away," she croaked out.

"Usa…" His hand gave her knee a gentle squeeze. "You didn't do it alone."

"It doesn't matter. You don't have an obligation to him, Seiya. You don't have his heart."

Something about that - that her shame was about betraying Mamoru's trust and not because of what they had done - gave him an inch of relief.

With a gentle look, he moved his hand to take hers. "We all mess up sometimes. It doesn't make you a bad person."

"No, I think it does," she whispered.

"It doesn't." Seiya brought her hand to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss to it. He knew he was going out on a limb here with what he had to say. He closed his eyes and steeled himself before he asked in a careful voice, "What if… What if you're not the only one who feels stuck in the relationship?"

"What?" She asked, pulling her hand away. He could tell from the way that she held her hand to her chest and looked at him with deeply troubled eyes that he had offended her.

"Everything you said last night, Usa. What if that feeling of having to do what's expected of you because of your past life is something Mamoru feels too?"

Her eyebrows rose before she looked away. Through her thick, wet lashes, Seiya could see her shining blue eyes looking down into her lap, deep in thought. He knew that it was a thought that had crossed her mind. She had said it many times, just not so bluntly.

Finally she looked up and gave her head a small shake.

"It doesn't matter, Seiya. It still wouldn't justify what I've done. I betrayed him." She looked down at her left hand and then gave a heavy sigh, as if annoyed that she hadn't worn her heart-shaped ring.

What could he say to that? He wished he could hug her pain away.

"We'll figure this out," he offered.

"It's not for you to figure out, Seiya." She sounded annoyed, though he couldn't tell if she was annoyed with him or with herself. Suddenly she was moving to stand.

"I need to go," she said as she quickly glanced in the mirror and smoothed her bangs.

He knew that her coldness wasn't directed at him. Usagi was a selfless person by nature, and she had just allowed herself to be selfish without fully considering the consequences. Now she was feeling guilty and was shutting down. He frowned, thinking of how certain she had seemed. He knew she was free to make her own decisions, but he kicked himself for not trying harder to dissuade her...

With a twinge of shame in his chest, he realized that his eyes were stinging with tears. He clenched his jaw tightly and tried furiously to blink them back.

"Oh, Seiya," Usagi whispered. Suddenly her small, warm hands were resting on his bare chest.

"I made a choice, Seiya-kun. It wasn't kind but it was my choice. I don't regret what we did," she said, lifting a hand to cup his cheek. "I just regret how I did it."

He nodded and took her hand, then turned his face to press a small kiss to it.

"I know that you have a lot to think about," he began. "I want you to do what's right, but I just- Usagi, please remember that my feelings are in this too."

When Usagi had left - disguised with auburn hair that clashed horribly with her blue eyes - she had asked Seiya for one thing: time to think.

Think about what? He wasn't sure, but he couldn't ignore the sad twist of her face and the conflict in her large eyes. If she needed time, he would have to give it. He didn't say it, but he hoped it would work out in his favor.

It had to.

For the next day, all he could do was try to be patient. Unfortunately, he was anything but. It took everything he had in her to stop himself from calling her.

When he closed his eyes, he could vividly picture the perfect night with the girl he had been pining over for years. He reflected on the softness of her skin, the fullness of her curves, and the sounds that she made during their night together. Desire stirred within him, but it was much more than that. When he thought of the conversation they had afterward, tangled limbs covered in sweat, his heart felt warm. She had opened herself up to him. She had exposed so much.

Best of all, she had admitted something that he had only dreamed of ever hearing her say.

He had made a place for himself in her heart.

But it hurt. The devastation in her eyes and the sadness in her voice made him wonder if he'd made a mistake in encouraging her. Should he have turned her away? Reminded her about the prince she was supposed to marry? But it's not what she wanted, was it? He hated how conflicted and confused she was. She seemed so doubtful of herself. She knew what she wanted but wouldn't let herself have it. As usual, Usagi was content to sacrifice her happiness for the happiness of those around her.

His mind wandered back to her story of their relationship. Something about it made his stomach lurch. Why were her guardians so adamant about creating this perfect kingdom? It seemed overbearing. It seemed wrong.

And why did Mamoru go along with it? Usagi had said it herself - he was waiting for her to turn into Princess Serenity. From what he could understand, Mamoru didn't even like Usagi until he found out that she was the moon princess. Things about her that Seiya loved were things that her fiancé only tolerated. Mamoru was waiting for her to grow up into someone she didn't want to be.

The longer Seiya thought about it, the more upset he became. Suddenly, he was reacting. His body felt almost out of control, like it had so many times when he was an angry kid with too much pent up emotions and nothing to focus it on.

"She's a liability," a voice spoke. The lanky man wore an elegant black outfit with golden snaps, buttons, and fringed lapels. A small, golden pin on his chest in the shape of a flower marked his designation. He was a close advisor to the queen.

"She's argumentative and violent," he continued. "Today she was inches from assaulting the ambassador from Mauru! Had his personal guard not intervened-"

"He made a vile comment about the princess," a voice spat in rebuttal.

"You're a courtier, not a soldier. You broke the guard's nose! Do you have any idea the impact on diplomacy your actions can have?" He stopped, gasping for air before he could rant for too long. Shaking his head with exasperation, he looked back to the queen. "You see, Your Majesty? She can't even handle being a lady-in-waiting, so how can we expect her to be a sailor guardian? Madam, it's a mistake."

Queen Kumiko was a beautiful older woman with a small nose, bright amber eyes, and fine lines drawn onto her otherwise smooth, pale skin. Her long hair, which had been done up in an elaborate braided up-do, was streaked with silver and decorated with golden pins. She sat regally upon a golden chair, dressed in a fine black gown with golden embroidery.

The queen gave her advisor a disapproving look. "Do not insult the girl, Jaren. She is nobility."

"She may be feisty," she continued, a glint of amusement in her eyes, "...but she is strong and very loyal to my daughter. And, lest we not forget, being a guardian is her calling. It has been passed down through her bloodline to her. That is something we cannot take away."

She turned to the young courtier in question. The young noblewoman looked to be about twelve-years-old, with intense, navy blue eyes. Her long, curly black hair was pinned up into a feminine hairstyle and decorated with small orange flowers. Her gown, made of heavy silk and embroidered with floral designs made from golden thread, felt heavy and hot against her skin. Even as a child just approaching her teen years, she held her head high and shoulders back, standing with grace and confidence. She would have looked her status had it not been for the angry pout or the black-and-blue bruise that sat garishly below her left eye - a remnant of her scuffle with the ambassador's personal guard.

"You don't want to be a lady-in-waiting to my daughter, do you, Lady Seiya?" The Queen asked.

The young girl dropped onto one knee and bowed her head respectfully. "No, your majesty. I want to serve my princess, but as a sailor guardian. I know that two of the other courtiers from guardian moons will begin training soon." She gave the Queen a hopeful glance. "I want to join them. I'm ready."

"Please let her, mummy," the princess piped. "I know she'll keep me safe."

The queen eyed her daughter carefully. The young princess's ruby red eyes were kind and knowing. As she looked at Lady Seiya, she seemed so sure of her.

Lady Seiya's eyes glanced at the young princess who she was grateful to call a friend. After her short time as a lady-in-waiting to Princess Kakyuu, they had gotten to know each other well, but she didn't want to brush the princess' hair or help her with her sewing. She wanted to protect her. She wanted to train so that she could step into the role that had been passed down to her by her family. Sure, she knew the custom- a future guardian who has been identified by bloodline or the awakening of powers was required to serve at court before they could begin training. However, she hated it. She was ready to be rid of this heavy dress and the confinement of being a "lady".

"Well, that's settled then," the queen said. She looked to Lady Seiya and gave a regal nod. "You will begin your training with Yaten and Taiki."

"But, Your Majesty-"

"I have spoken, Jaren. This little one deserves a chance," she said. Stepping closer, Queen Kumiko took Lady Seiya's small hands into her own. A feeling came over the young girl just then, starting at her palms and spreading to the rest of her body. The energy was warm and pure, like her mother's hugs, and it pulsed through the monarch's soft hands and into her own body. When she looked down she could see the soft, pink glow of magic. Her body reacted in a way that she'd only felt once before. At once, her forehead began to pulse, and a small golden star appeared. The light from this reflected onto the Queen's pale face.

The Queen looked back over her shoulder and shot a playful smile to her stiff advisor. "You see, Jaren? It's her destiny."

Seiya snorted at the memory. He had been such a hothead when he was younger - arguing, picking fights, and reacting with full force before he took time to think about what he was doing. Being a sailor senshi gave him a place to focus his energy. He felt like he had a real purpose.

But now, his purpose had shifted and he no longer felt grounded. He didn't have a mission to guide him. How could he possibly protect Usagi from her own thoughts? Her own guardians? Slipping out into the night as Sailor Star Fighter helped calm him at times, but it wouldn't help now. All he wanted to do was chew someone out. Scream at them. Let them know how fucked up this all was.

He wanted to make someone just as angry as he was.

He hadn't arranged for Arashi to pick him up that day and he wouldn't dare to have someone else see him in that state anyhow. As he drove himself in a sporty black car that often sat parked in the garage beneath his building, he knew that anyone with half a brain would try to stop him.

This is stupid, he heard Yaten's voice call out in his head. If the silver-haired sailor guardian was sitting in the seat beside him, she'd be scowling. You're making trouble again.

The race track was buzzing when he arrived there. The parking lot was not as full as it would be on a race day, but he could see that there were plenty of cars parked in an area designated for crew. He followed the deafening sounds of loud engines and the vibrations of the cars, soon finding himself surrounded by people. There were barely any spectators in the stands - maybe a few family members or friends of the drivers - but the pits were bustling with drivers, trainers, and crew.

A young woman with a ponytail, a pressed polo shirt, and a black headset quickly approached him.

"Can I help you?" She asked. Beside her, two men were discussing a racer's improved time.

He looked beyond her and spotted a tall, slender racer with sandy blonde hair. They turned, and their icy blue eyes met his dark ones.

"No, I found exactly what I was looking for," he said with a grin.

He turned and walked back to the parking lot, leaving the woman confused.

Just as Seiya expected, a figure emerged from the exit moments after he did. Haruka Tenou's face was pinched into an angry scowl, eyes focused like lasers on the dark-haired singer. She approached Seiya in quick strides, her short blonde hair waving in the wind as she moved.

"What are you doing here, Kou?" She asked venomously.

"I want to talk to you," he said calmly.

"Go home, Kou. Those are the only words I need to say to you."

"I have a few more words than that," Seiya started as the race-car driver turned away. He raised his voice, calling loudly so that he knew the blonde could hear him, "Like, be a better guardian and start treating your princess with some respect!"

The tall blonde froze where she stood. She turned, her eyes narrowed with a threatening glare.

"What the hell did you just say to me?" Haruka growled out. She began to move toward Seiya again with the full force of her anger behind her.

"You heard me. You tell her how to live her life! What to do, who to love... It seems like the senshi in this solar system don't understand that your loyalty should be to your princess and not to your own political agenda."

"My loyalty is to my princess! How dare you?"

"Yeah, some loyalty. You control her. You force her to be in a relationship with a person that she's not even sure about because it's the future you all decided was right. Have you ever once stopped to ask her how she feels about it? Do you even care?"

"She's just a kid! She needs guidance!" Haruka's face was getting red as her voice grew louder.

"She's not a kid, Tenou! She's a fucking adult! And what she needs are senshi who know their place."

"And what about your place, Kou? What are you doing here? You want to talk about loyalty? Where's your princess?" Stepping forward, Haruka gave Seiya's chest a hard shove.

He stumbled back and raised his hands in surrender. He came here to give Haruka a piece of his mind and piss her off, not fight her.

Yaten's voice in his head was as clear as day. Well what the hell did you think was going to happen? That's right-you don't think! You never do!

"I'm not going to hit you back, Tenou," Seiya said, taking another step back. Besides, Haruka's words struck a sore spot in him. He had begged for the chance to protect Princess Kakyuu, yet he was trying to protect someone else. He left his princess so that he could do what? Be a boy? Even though it was Kakyuu-sama's idea, did it matter?

"I can't stand seeing you look so sad," Kakyuu whispered, a gentle hand resting on Seiya's shoulder.

"I'll get over it, Princess."

"No, you won't, and I wouldn't want you to. How does one get over who they are? This isn't the life I want for you, my friend."

"Why not?" Haruka's voice was still taunting him, and he quickly shook off the memory. "You're worried you're going to lose? Fight for her if you want her so bad," She said as she moved forward, pushing Seiya once again.

"I'm not going to fight a girl," he growled out, pushing Haruka's hands away.

"I'm as much of a girl as you are!"

There was a heavy pause between them as Seiya considered Haruka's challenge.

What was so different about them anyway?

Maybe their issue was that they were too much alike.

When Haruka reached forward to shove Seiya again, the dark-haired man went in for a punch. He could feel his fist connect with flesh, but before he could even think about feeling smug, the pair was locked in a tangle. He didn't know who had who, but they both tried their best to get the other down to the ground, occasionally throwing rushed punches whenever they found an opening. Moments later Seiya heard yelling and then felt a new set of hands pulling them apart.

"Stop that! Haruka, stop!" Michiru cried out. With wide blue eyes, she begged, "What is going on out here? What the hell is wrong with you two?!"

Breathing heavily, Haruka slowly wiped blood off her lip with the back of her hand and muttered, "We were just talking."

"Talking?" She asked, exasperated. Haruka put up a hand, signaling that she wasn't ready to talk, and walked away in a hurry.

"Seiya? Wh-what the hell just happened? What are you doing here?"

"Let's go, Michiru!" Haruka called out angrily, not bothering to look at Seiya or her wife.

Michiru looked conflicted. She wanted to follow her partner, but she also wanted to know what was happening.

With his face red and his heart pounding with adrenaline, Seiya simply shook his head. "Do you think that the way you control your princess is okay? Do you think it's right?"

"I... what?"

"Do you think it's right that you all make her carry the weight of making this future Tokyo happen?"

"I-I don't know," Michiru said, astonished.

"It shouldn't be that hard to figure out! No, it's not right! It's so messed up. Why can't you see that? Why can't you guys see how unhappy she is?" Seiya's voice cracked as he spoke, and it took him a moment to realize that he was crying.

Shit!

He wiped the angry tears away and turned on his heel, heading back to his car.

Michiru stood still, tears welling in her own blue eyes.

When Seiya arrived at his apartment, he changed out of his clothes and sat down at the kitchen table. With a sigh he leaned forward onto the table, resting his chin in his hand. He willed his Change Star to appear and took a deep breath. He knew who he wanted to talk to, but he wasn't sure if they wanted to talk to him. It took him a moment to muster the courage, but in his mind he pictured bright green eyes and flowing silver hair.

"You don't have to answer me, but I wanted to tell you that I punched Sailor Uranus today."

It was moments of him drawing imaginary circles onto the wood table before he heard the sound of Yaten's feminine, melodic voice.

"That's the best news I've heard all day," she said. Seiya knew that the woman - probably lounging in her glossy black uniform - was grinning. "I'm willing to listen to some details."

An amused laugh came from Seiya's chest.

"It's a long story," he murmured. He knew that Yaten wouldn't approve. "I just hate how they treat Usagi, so I went to talk to Tenou about it. Things got out of hand."

"Wait, this was over Usagi?" Yaten asked with a loud, exasperated sigh. "Seiya, what are you doing? If you cause too much trouble they won't let you stay."

"Uranus started it. I was just trying to talk, honestly, but she kept putting her hands on me. I thought you didn't want me to stay here?"

"Well, I don't. But if you come home, I want it to be your choice, not because you got kicked out for being stupid."

"I know. You're right."

Yaten sighed again before she spoke. "Don't let your temper get the best of you, okay? Besides, it's up to the odango-atama to take care of that mess with her guardians. It's not your job to fix her problems, Seiya."

"Yaten, they're so selfish-"

"-Nope! I don't want to hear it! Fighter, listen to my words." She spoke slowly and deliberately. It was rather condescending, really. "It's not your job to fix her problems. Either she lets her guardians control her or she reminds them who the boss is. They won't listen to you, but they have to listen to her."

Seiya closed his eyes and pressed his face to the table.

"Why does this have to be so hard?" He mumbled, his mouth muffled by smooth wood.

Yaten's laughter was smooth and warm, like a fresh cup of tea.

"Because you're an idiot and decided to fall in love with the most complicated girl you could find," she answered. "Have you kissed her yet?"

The long sigh that Seiya let go of turned into a loud, frustrated groan.

"Yaten, it's so much more complicated than that. And she kissed me."

"More complicated? Did you two…?" She gasped, "You did, didn't you?!" Suddenly, the silver-haired girl was laughing. "Woah! Oh God, Seiya! What have you gotten yourself into?"

All the man could do was blush and groan miserably in response.

"Oh, you've dug your own grave with this one. Sailor Uranus is going to murder you!"

He closed his eyes and tried to imagine his dear friend's face. He missed her twinkling green eyes so much.

"I don't know what to do, Yaten," he said softly. The woman's laughter slowly stopped, and then she let out a huge sigh.

"About Uranus or Usagi?"

"Usagi."

"Well, my advice would have been not to sleep with the engaged princess..."

"Too late."

"Do her guardians know? Shit, does her fiance know?"

"No, I don't think so. I think you're the only one that knows."

"Holy shit, Seiya. What were you thinking? Is it awkward between you two now?"

"I don't know if that's the right word," he said with a sigh. He knew he shouldn't be sharing, but he needed someone to understand. "It's definitely weird. She feels pretty bad."

"Well... I don't know, Seiya. Maybe you just need to let her figure things out at her own pace."

Seiya was quiet as he considered Yaten's advice. He wished there was more guidance, but he understood. How does one give advice on such a messy situation?

"Thanks for taking my call," Seiya said softly. "I miss you, sister."

"I miss you too, Seiya. Please take care of yourself."

He nodded, though she couldn't see.

After Yaten had swore that she would never tell a single living soul about his situation, he allowed his Change Star to disappear and looked longingly at his phone. He wanted to talk about this with Usagi so badly, but he knew that Yaten was right. With a sigh, he got up and decided to busy himself with his guitar.

He had to stop trying to fix everything. He would have to let Usagi sort out her feelings out on her own. With his guitar now in his hands, his eyes glanced to a thick card on the coffee table - an invitation to Aino Minako's album release party. With a heavy sigh and an experimental strum against the strings of his guitar, he contemplated if he should just skip it. As much as he wanted to give Usagi her space, he didn't know how he would handle actually seeing her.

But, he couldn't skip his obligation... and honestly? He couldn't pass up this chance to see her.

I can let her know I care without getting too involved, but as he thought of her softness of her skin and the way her eyes shimmered in the moonlight, he knew he was just kidding himself.