Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Sailor Stars: Chaos Theory

Act 82: Tanabata

By: Sora Kazeno

Taiki and Seiya are surprised to see Yaten in an emerald green yukata to partake in tonight's festival.

Yaten sighs, "It's what you do when you're seeing someone. Do all the stuff you don't want to but do it to make her happy, even going to some festival." He grumbles trying to fix the purple obi. When Mina start to have this power of him?

The tallest of member of the Three Lights inspects the obi. "You have it twisted on the side. That is why it isn't flat."

Yaten yanks at the obi to untie it and then retie it correctly. "This too much to go through. Why is this traditional dress on this planet?"

"Would you prefer Qipao or Tang style clothing?" Taiki muses referencing the formal attire for Starlights on Kinmoku.

Yaten shakes his head at Taiki, preferring not to answer.

"What is the festival about?" Seiya asks, wondering if the others would be there including Usagi.

Yaten smirks. "It's a star festival. Something about two people only able to meet on this day once a year for some reason. I don't remember the entire story. But it's basically an excuse to play games, eat food, and see fireworks." After finally fixing the obi he heads to the door. "You know the other girls are going to be there too." With a quick glance at the clock he fumes. "Mina will kill me if I'm late." He rushes out of the apartment.

Queen Kakyuu sits back in her chair staring at Yuta. "Are you sure?" She hates that it has come to this.

Yuta slowly nods her head. "Yes, it will happen with certainty. I don't know what will happen to Sailor Cosmos specially but that event will spark the next Sailor War."

This was worse than the previous premonition by the Oracle. "How do we stop Sailor Cosmos from starting it?" She wants to avoid this at all costs.

Yuta shakes her head. "We can't. Stopping it would mean her certain death."

Queen Kakyuu recoils at this information. "There is nothing we can do…" She closes her eyes, feeling helpless. But this is the only way if Sailor Cosmos will live.

"We can prepare for a war like none we have ever seen," Yuta frowns. "How it begins, when or where is unknown."

"I'm glad we have two Starlight teams in training. Their training will be sped up so they can be full-fledged Starlights before the end of this year. I will start recalling the other teams." She pauses as her voice chokes on this statement. "Searching for Akio will have to wait." Her mind tells her she needs to move on since he has not been found after all this time but her heart will not allow it. Chibi Usa's starseed appearing at the Galaxy Cauldron had given her some hope but nothing has changed. There are no need leads.

Yuta nods her head. "I'm sorry there is nothing that can be done to prevent it."

"Knowing what is to come can be used to our advantage, giving us time to prepare. I'll reach out to the Starlights on Earth that a new Sailor War is approaching and to be on guard. I can't tell Seiya about what we will believe will happen to Sailor Cosmos." She pauses, questioning why it is so important for him to be besides Sailor Cosmos before this war begins. "I'm afraid of what he would do knowing she is in danger." She closes her eyes tightly. "But she must endure this if we are to have a more peaceful future."

"Sometimes it is better to not know any of the future…" Yuta's face is grim. "But if we stop Sailor Cosmos from doing what is necessary, I do not want to imagine the darkness that would consume the galaxy."

Queen Kakyuu keeps her tears at bay. Sailor Cosmos is not only an ally but a dear friend. "I just hope we are doing the right thing by not interfering."

"Everything we have done is to protect Tankei. This is not an exception," Yuta reassures her.

The girls each wearing yukata that mirror the colors of her their sailor fuku, exit Asakusa Station and walk among the crowd to the festival grounds near Sanso-ji. The closer they are to the closed streets, the thicker the crowd.

Minako is anxiously looking around for Yaten. When she last spoke to him it sounded like he didn't want to come and was trying to find a way out of it. Her eyes catch some light reflected off something Usagi is wearing on her wrist when she moves her hair to the side.

"Oh…." Minako says loudly pointing at Usagi's wrist. "It's just like the festival for lovers that see each other all the time, huh?"

Ami, Rei, Makoto, and Usagi teardrop at Minako's bizarre comment.

"Minako-chan, this festival is about Orihime-sama and Hikoboshi-sama who only able see each other once a year," Ami corrects her not understanding what Minako is trying to hint at.

Minako laughs it off. "I just mixed things up a little bit."

Rei looks at the bracelet Minako pointed at on Usagi's wrist. "The bracelet is really pretty. I've never seen it before."

Usagi didn't realize it was so easy to see. She thought her sleeve hid it better. "It's a birthday present." She answers quietly. She didn't have enough time to call Seiya before the girls came over. Maybe it was a good thing she didn't know what to say.

Makoto notices the crescent moon and star charm. "So everything is okay between you in Seiya-kun?" Makoto asks, surprised she didn't hear they patched things up sooner. She and the girls last heard she was angry at Seiya for telling Mamoru about Chibi Usa.

"I… haven't talked to him in a few days. Since he told Mamo-chan about Chibi Usa," Usagi responds glumly. Maybe wearing the bracelet wasn't the best idea tonight. She really thought she could have hid the bracelet from them. Now that they've seen it she doesn't dare take if off. She'd be devastated if she lost it.

Minako isn't going to let this go so easily. The fact that Usagi is wearing the bracelet she got from him means something. "How could Seiya-kun gotten out of that when you yelled Chibi Usa-chan's name before leaving?"

Usagi turns to Minako in surprise. She hadn't told anyone all of what happened. Seiya must have told Yaten and Taiki what happened. "I… I don't know." She pauses, "but there is still what happened on Kinmoku."

"Usagi, you were mad when Seiya-kun didn't believe you. Do you believe what Seiya-kun told you about Kinmoku?"

Usagi stops walking, her eyes are wide. She did believe in Seiya, didn't she?

When Usagi doesn't speak, Rei continues, "The question you need to figure out is why you can't believe Seiya-kun regarding that other Starlight?" She didn't want to say Shiori's name out loud.

Usagi's shoulders slump. "It's just… the image of the two of them together… I…" Her voice trails off.

Rei frowns. She had thought Usagi worked through more of this but she keeps holding onto that one moment. Usagi is still hurting from their last conversation they had a few days ago. As more time passed and she thought it over, she couldn't picture Seiya being that kind of person. Not after how she witnessed them together on the tour.

Minako is no longer paying to attend to Rei's and Usagi's conversation. She can see some girls in the distance surrounding someone. They are being loud and squealing. She stands on her tiptoes trying to get a better look. She sees long white hair pulled back and an emerald yukata. She grins, really liking how the color emerald green looks on him. "I'll be back in a minute; I think Yaten needs some help over there." Minako excuses herself heading over to the crowd.

It takes her almost five minutes to reach him, the closer she comes the more she can hear the girls talking about getting a picture with him, his autograph, or spending some time alone together. The last line irritates Minako. She pushes forward latching onto Yaten's arm. "I've been waiting for you."

One of the girls is about to yell at Minako for interrupting but then realizes who she is and takes a step back.

Minako tries to hide the wide smirk to see how quickly the girl backed off of Yaten. She pulls him lightly by the arm to direct him away from the girls. "Wait until you see the games they have here!" She says the first thing she can think of leading him away.

"What took you so long?" He asks in a hushed tone. "They wouldn't leave me alone."

"You should have gotten here sooner when there were fewer people here," Minako scolds him lightly. He doesn't have to know they just arrived fifteen minutes ago at most. She giggles. "Even Usagi-chan was here on time."

Yaten tries not to roll his eyes. "You didn't have to deal with fan girls." He mutters.

Minako nods at his response. Her eyes shift to Usagi and she can see how Usagi is watching them intently, she almost seems anxious.

Usagi watches Minako and Yaten approach. Her eyes look around their vicinity for any other members of the Three Lights. She's disappointed when she sees it is just Yaten. Her heart skips a beat when she realizes she had hoped Seiya was with him. She wants to see him. Rei's words still fresh in her mind. Why is she still struggling so hard to move past this? What is she missing? She tries to hide her disappointment by looking down at her hands.

Minako witnesses this shift in Usagi. She whispers to Yaten before they reach the group, "you need to talk to Usagi-chan."

"What? Why me?" A baffled Yaten asks his girlfriend.

Minako turns her heard to shoot him a look to convey they had already spoken about this many times in the past.

Yaten sighs. Mina is not going to let this go.

Minako lets go of his arm and heads for her friends. "Let's go look at some shopping stalls!" She grabs Makoto and Ami in each arm and while shooting a look at Rei to join them.

Rei hesitates for a moment until she sees the gleam in Minako's eye indicating she is up to something.

Usagi doesn't realize the other girls are gone until it is just her and Yaten. It makes her feel uneasy.

"You know you should really talk to Seiya," Yaten starts not really sure what to say. Minako wants him to talk to Usagi but he never really intended to follow up. "He is more annoying than usual because he's miserable." He shrugs his shoulders with his hands up. "Talk to him or something."

Usagi blinks a few times. She was not expecting Yaten out of all people to advocate her talking to Seiya.

Yaten continues, "Mina has been bugging me to talk to you about this." He lowers his voice. "That girl drives me crazy at times." He pauses. "You know… he asks about you all the time when he sees Mina at the studio. I've never seen him this bad before." He continues to ramble not sure what else to say. What he should be saying to her.

Usagi's fingers tighten around the small purse she is holding in her hands. "I wish it was that simple."

"So why isn't it?" Yaten shakes his head in frustration. "You don't know Shiori-chan like the rest of us."

Usagi's head snaps up.

"She's the type of person that stops at nothing to get what she wants. It's great for completing missions which is why she is an excellent senshi and leader. But not always for everything else, you know what I mean? Sometimes… she goes too far."

She feels like she is stuck. Her heart wants one thing but her mind won't let her forget what she witnessed. Usagi can only stare at Yaten, waiting for him to continue.

So he does, "Mina told me what you saw and Seiya told me what happened. That sounds like something Shiori-chan would do. Just like when on a mission, she will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Maybe one day she'll learn that isn't always possible."

Usagi is silent while listening to Yaten.

"The bottom line is do you trust Seiya? Does that really sound like something he would do after everything that happened?" Yaten asks, not sure where all of this is coming from. He's been listening to Mina too much. He also wants them to patch things up so he can stay on Earth with his girlfriend.

Usagi is stunned by Yaten's words. She tries to respond but her voice is choked up. Why does it take hearing this from Yaten seem to help her organize the thoughts she has struggled with so much in the past few weeks?

Yaten grins a little when he sees two people approaching out of the corner of his eye. "I'm surprised both of you showed up." He addresses his two cousins. He pulls a Mina. "There was something I wanted to ask you about regarding a lyric I thought of on the way here Taiki."

He pulls Taiki to the side for a moment.

"Lyrics now, Yaten? I thought we were taking the night off," Taiki looks at him confused.

Yaten blinks. Taiki is book smart but clueless at picking up hints with social interactions. "Just come on. That was an excuse to give them a chance to talk."

"Oh…" Taiki responds slowly, making a mental note for the future. He is not used to seeing this side of Yaten. He would have expected this from the girls but not from him. Minako is really starting to change him.

It doesn't take Yaten long to spot the other girls.

"Taiki-kun?" Rei greets him in surprise.

"Good evening," addresses everyone. "I needed a break and thought this would be the perfect time to learn more about the festivities in Tokyo."

Minako looks around confused. "Where is Usagi-chan? Didn't she come back with you?"

"She's talking with Seiya," Yaten gestures with his head in the direction they came from.

Usagi fidgets with her purse even more. She wanted him here tonight but now that he is standing before her, she doesn't know what to say to him. She can feel her cheeks flush a little just being in his presence.

"How have you been Odango?" Seiya asks her quietly. He's not sure what kind of response he will receive.

"I've… been okay," Usagi responds. Not completely the truth. There is a lot more she wants to say as she looks up at him.

"I've been really worried about you." A person behind Seiya bumps into him causing him to take a few steps forward, placing little distance between them.

"…things have been difficult…" she finally starts to string words together.

"I wish there was a way I could help you but I seem to be making everything more difficult for you or causing you more pain," he looks away ashamed.

"I'm sorry," Usagi blurts out.

Seiya turns his full attention back to Usagi.

"I should have realized I wouldn't be able to keep it a secret from Mamo-chan forever. It's my fault that I never told you I didn't want him to find out." Although Seiya had something similar to her earlier in the week, she wasn't ready to hear it then. She needed time to process her feelings. "In a way, I kept that a secret from you too."

Seiya is surprised to hear her apology when he has been the one to cause most of the problems between them lately. "I've miss you so much." His voice is filled with emotion as he speaks those five words. The sound of the crowd around him seems to disappear as all he can focus on is this moment with Odango.

"I've missed you too…" Usagi has a small smile on her face. She's not ready for this conversation just yet. There is one thing she needs to do first. "Can we just enjoy the festival tonight and talk about… us, tomorrow?"

Seiya tries to hide the frown. Why doesn't she want to talk about this tonight? Why is she delaying it another day? "Sure," he finds himself reluctantly saying. "The only problem is I'm going to be in the studio for most of the day recording and I'll be done later in the day." He pauses. Maybe this is perfect. He is recording the new song he wrote about everything that happened recently. He wants her to hear it, for him to be able to sing it to her. "Why don't you come by the studio? I've love for you to hear the new song. It's the one I started on the plane." He smiles a little, "I promised you you'd be one of the first people to hear it when it's ready."

"Oh, you finished it that quickly?" Usagi is surprised by how fast he made his solo song.

"I've had some time to work on it…" he explains without directly saying why he's had so much free time.

Usagi nods her head slowly. There is something she needs to tell him. This can't wait. She told them they would talk about them tomorrow, but for now she wanted to let him know how she is feeling. She reaches over to grab his hands and take them into hers.

The action causes Seiya to let out a small gasp to feel her hands in his once again.

She smiles up at him. "Seiya… I don't want things to be over between us. We have a lot to talk about and it's going to take some time. Tonight, I just want to be able to enjoy the festival with everyone. I hope you understand."

Seiya gives her hands a light squeeze. He nods his head slightly as a large smile gradually spreads across his lips. Her actions release so much tension he had within for the past few weeks. "As long as I'm with you and can see your smiling face, it's all I need right now." He means it. He knows things are not going to go back immediately to how they were but it's a start. One he is truly grateful for.

Usagi's cheeks redden. He is such a flirt! "You really don't stop do you?"

He leans in by her ear to whisper, "You inspire me…"

Usagi wants to respond but blushes even more. Once he is standing directly in front of her again she asks, "What time tomorrow?"

"I should be close to wrapping things up around six," Seiya comments. He imagines he won't have to do too many takes of the song. The most time consuming part will be making the music and lyrics fit perfectly, adjusting any lyrics last minute, speed or tone he sings. "I'll have a pass ready for you at the studio gate."

Usagi grins. "It's perfect. I have a few things I need to do earlier in the day but that should give me more than enough time." There is a pause as Usagi lets go of Seiya's hands.

"Well if you wanted to enjoy the festival with the others, we should probably join them… unless you wanted me all to yourself," Seiya winks at her Usagi. He could almost count the seconds it will take for her to react to his words.

"Seiya!"

He laughs with a small twinkle in his eyes. He missed this so much.

"Go on ahead. I'll be there in a few minutes, there is something I need to take care of," Usagi waves him on. After receiving a skeptical look from Seiya she adds, "I'll be along in a few minutes."

Seiya hesitates a moment longer before he starts to walk off in the direction of the others leaving him alone with his thoughts. It's one of the few times he's really happy he listened to Yaten. He turns back to look for Usagi for a moment but she disappeared into the crowd.

He is a little disappointed she didn't want to talk more tonight about everything but they are defiantly moving in a better direction. She still wants to be with him and work things out. He smiles thinking of the lyrics. Maybe it is better Odango hears the song he wrote before they talk everything over. He can't wait to sing it to her tomorrow.

Usagi finds a secluded area and pulls out the communicator she received from Queen Kakyuu. She should have done this weeks ago or even when she was on Kinmoku. But she was too hurt at the time and not ready to face this. Her anger would have created more problems. She had already damaged the palace once.

She punches in the code for Queen Kakyuu on the device. It takes a few minutes before she sees Queen Kakyuu's projection.

"Usagi-san?" Queen Kakyuu greets her in surprise. Her face becomes serious. "Is everything okay?"

Usagi nods, "it will be." She needs to keep this brief. After all they can talk more in person. "I would like to visit Kinmoku tomorrow."

It takes a moment for Queen Kakyuu to react to the request. "Of course. You are welcome here at anytime." Usagi's sudden visit has her worried despite Usagi's earlier claim everything is alright.

Usagi continues, "There is something I need to take care of and I'd rather explain it in person to you." She pauses. "I'll be there midmorning."

"I look forward to your visit," she tries her best to smile as the transmission ends.

Usagi looks at the communicator realizing there is no backing out now. She shakes her head. It took talking to Yaten to make her understand what she needed to do in order to move forward and work on putting some of the events from Kinmoku behind her. She's not going to let anyone ruin her relationship with Seiya anymore.

Seiya eventually finds the others.

Minako frowns when she sees him return alone. What is it going take for him and Usagi to work things out? "Where is Usagi-chan?"

"She had to take care of something but she will be joining us soon," Seiya keeps his answer brief.

Minako pouts. "Dang. I was hoping she would have talked to you a bit more." She is frustrated to see both of them apart.

Seiya smiles, "everything is fine. We're going to talk tomorrow."

"When? You're in the studio most of the day." Taiki asks not sure when Seiya would find time to pull it off.

Minako looks at Seiya baffled. "New song? What is it about?"

Seiya grins, "Top secret."

They continue to wait for Usagi and after ten minutes she still hasn't jointed them.

Yaten turns to Seiya, "are you sure you didn't scare her off?"

Seiya glares at Yaten in response.

"You'd think she would have run over here by now since this is where all of the food is," Rei comments looking for Usagi.

Makoto teardops, "yeah." She turns to Ami, "I'm glad you could make it tonight too. You can't study all the time."

"Staying ahead of lessons is important in case something comes up. Then I never really need to cram the night before for any exam. It gives me more free time but I haven't had any success with our communicators."

"What is wrong is with the communicators you've made? They've worked anytime we've needed to use them," Taiki questions not sure what Ami means.

"The range isn't far enough. We… were all worried when Usagi-chan returned from Kinmoku suddenly and returned shortly after. We didn't know what was going on and we didn't have a way to check on her," Ami explains.

Taiki shakes his head. "Earth doesn't have the same technology as Kinmoku and unless your technology improves it will be possible."

Ami has a gleam in her eye; she is always up for a challenge. "Nothing is impossible. It's something Usagi-chan has taught all of us. I have more ideas I am going to try and if they don't work I'll figure something else out." She is determined not to give up.

Usagi finally arrives with a grin. "Sorry it took me so long; everyone was a lot further away than I thought."

"You mean you got lost," Rei shakes her head in amazement on Usagi's ability to get lost anywhere.

"You make it sound like all I do is get lost Rei-chan!" Usagi grumbles with her hands across her chest in annoyance at the priestess.

Rei raises an eyebrow at Usagi, "Chicago."

Usagi laughs nervously throwing a hand behind her head. "Yeah, well that could happen to anyone." She waves her hand at Rei to dismiss her claim. The light hits the gems on her bracelet causing it to sparkle.

The light catches Seiya's eyes. He exchanges a quick look with Usagi as if ask if she is wearing the bracelet. He couldn't believe he didn't notice it when he was holding her hands earlier.

Usagi blushes a little and looks away. "We should get something to eat!"

Usagi quickly makes her way to a vendor to buy takoyaki and yakisoba. Everyone slowly follows behind the blonde who orders several of each and somehow manages to eat it all.

Seiya is having flashbacks from the day he spent with Usagi at the zoo and amusement park. The "it's not a date" when they were in high school all those years ago.

After everyone eats, they move onto the festival games.

Usagi holds the poi in her hand as she watches the goldfish, determined to win Kingyo sukui one year. Every time the paper breaks and she never catches a fish.

"Usagi you never win," Rei shakes her head knowing she is going to hear Usagi whine again about this game.

"How do you play?" Taiki asks looking the small plastic pool and the goldfish.

"You use the poi to catch a goldfish but the paper on the poi is very thin and will break easily once it's wet. You usually only have one chance. Sometimes two if you are lucky before it breaks," Ami explains how the game works. "It requires a lot of hand and eye coordination."

"It can't be that hard," Seiya states as he watches the fish.

Usagi looks up at him from the pond, "I'll like to see you give it a try!" She baits him knowing he can't turn down a challenge.

"Sure," Seiya grins. He receives a poi from the vender and both of them are now leaning over the pool.

Usagi suddenly drops her hand into the water but used too much force and splashes water all over part of her yukata and Seiya who was leaning over next to her. Usagi teardrops.

Seiya raises an eyebrow at her. "Somehow I don't think this is part of the game."

Usagi laughs nervously. "Well… you have to be fast to try to catch a fish."

Seiya watches the fish for a moment longer and strikes. He catches it but the poi immediately breaks since it was wet from when Usagi splashed him moments ago. "It isn't that hard, I just need to not be attacked with water first," he turns to her with a grin.

He didn't care that part of the navy blue yukata was soaked. He was spending time with his Odango. This is the longest they've been together in a while. He is looking forward to more days like this in the future.

Rei stands at another stall holding a bow and arrow. It only takes her one shot to land the bulls-eye. She wins a medium size crane plushie in red. After she collects her prize she looks around for the other girls. She pauses when she sees so many other couples nearby. When will she have her chance?

She frowns. Grandpa's tactics are getting to her after all.

Makoto watches the others as they enjoy themselves. She may be here but her mind is elsewhere. She is thinking of something Shinozaki told her the other day about being able to pursue dreams. He made it sound so simple but he doesn't know about the other part of her life. He will probably never know. She looks over at Seiya and Usagi and then to Minako with Yaten. They're lucky their partner understands everything about them and can fight with them on the battlefield. Makoto's eyes widen and her cheeks flush a little. Why is she thinking like this? Shinozaki is her best friend. She frowns a little, her best friend since her childhood she still can't tell everything to.

Ami and Taiki compete in a knowledge test. Their scores are tied. They need to answer the last question correctly to win.

"Which constellation is the star Vega a part of?" The man asks looking between Taiki and Ami as they write down their final answer.

Taiki flips over his paper to reveal his answer as Aquila.

"I'm sorry but that is not correct," the man responses. He turns to Ami. "Your answer Miss?"

Ami flips over her sheet to reveal Lyra. "Orihime-sama is represented by the star Vega and Hikoboshi-sama is Altair which is a part of Aquila." She explains to Taiki. "This is the first time you're at the festival so you might not be as familiar with the story."

"I prefer to focus on scientific facts," Taiki states as he stands up, discouraged he missed what he believes should be a simple question related to stars.

"Science can explain a lot of things but some things it cannot as I'm sure you are aware," Ami challenges him back.

The man interrupts for a moment to hand Ami a small purple star plushie as her prize. After she has it, he quickly retreats after seeing the way the two of them are looking at each other.

"There are many things in this world science cannot explain," her fingers move to her blue crystal pendant on purpose.

Taiki suppresses a smile. He gave up years ago trying to figure out the science between transforming into a Starlight and being able to take on a male or female form. "Science can explain… most things." He corrects himself. "Perhaps there are some things that will always be a mystery."

Minako looks at the water gun and the target she has to hit. No one else wants to play with her so she keeps bugging Yaten until he finally gives in.

"What do I have to do?" He is not familiar with all of these festival games.

"Line up the water to hit the target and when it fills up so far with water you win," Minako explains with enthusiasm.

The bell chimes and they both try to fill up the target with water as fast as they can. Minako doesn't have her gun lined up with the target correctly for the first few seconds and that miscalculation made it easy for Yaten to beat her.

He turns to look at his girlfriend, "you really need to work on your aim."

Minako grins. She turns the gun pointing it at Yaten firing water in his face.

He jumps up from the little stool, "Hey!" His green eyes display his annoyance over Minako's actions.

"It looks like my aim is perfectly fine," Minako snaps at him in an icy tone.

Yaten takes a step back when he hears her tone. He gulps.

Usagi finishes writing out her wish. She wishes she could see Chibi Usa one more time. She closes her eyes for a moment before she folds the paper and attaches the paper to the bamboo as part of the ritual for Tanabata. She has often had good luck in the past when she made a wish here and hopes her good fortune with wishes come true.

"What did you wish for?" Rei asks Usagi quietly.

"I can't tell you otherwise it won't come true," Usagi responds sadly missing its usual twinkle.

"Then once it comes true, let me know," Rei smiles at Usagi.

Usagi nods her head slowly and with a small smile. She looks around and realizes she is the last one of the group to finish writing her wish and placing it on the bamboo tree. "Where did everyone go?"

"They went ahead to Ueno Park for the fireworks," Rei explains as she walks next to Usagi. "Everything going okay?"

Usagi nods her head. "As best as they can be…" She looks upward to see a star or two in the night sky.

The girls quickly find a spot to sit down. The Three Lights were detained by some fans once they were recognized as the pop idol group. There are as polite as they could be and were finally able to escape when they told fans they didn't want to miss the fireworks.

Yaten whines as he sits down next to Minako. "They are always so noisy."

"I don't mind when fans talk to me," Minako responds with a small frown. Its rare fans want to talk to her and the hand full of times she was recognized without Yaten made her so excited.

"Give it some time…" Yaten grumbles longing for the days they weren't as popular. But the plan back then was to keep promoting their music to find Princess Kakyuu. "Besides, female fans are a lot different than male fans."

Minako pauses to think back to the girls in Peru that tried to kiss all three members of the group.

Yaten turns to face her. "You used to be like that too."

Minako laughs. "Well it worked!"

He shakes his head. "Not really. When you stopped chasing us like other fans it was easier to be around you."

The smile quickly leaves Minako's face and turns into a glare, "Easier to be around?"

"You were your normal self," Yaten explains. He leans closer to her, "That's the version of you I like the best." It's a struggle for Yaten to discuss his feelings let alone in a public place.

Minako grins and wraps her arms tightly around him.

Yaten makes choking sounds as Minako hugs him too tightly.

Seiya takes the opportunity to sit down next to Usagi. "I was surprised to see you wearing the bracelet."

Usagi pulls back her yukata to look at the bracelet. "It's really pretty and… given what the festival is about… it only seemed right."

"Taiki told me about the festival on the way over," Seiya thinks about the legend. "I wish we could have come here last year too… but we were too busy defending Tokyo." He pauses for a moment. "You know I never really had a chance to celebrate your birthday with you. Last year… or this year…"

"We can figure something out later…" Usagi responds softly. "Thank you again for the bracelet… I love it."

"I'm glad," Seiya smiles, "it reminded me of you."

There is a lull in the conversation neither of them quite knowing what to say to each other.

Usagi breaks the silence first. "It was fun to spend time with you like this… I know we have a lot to talk about…" her voice lowers as she looks down at the grass. "It won't be easy… but I think… we can move past this. It's just…" the thought of Chibi Usa prevents Usagi from continuing as she tries to not cry.

Seiya places his left hand on Usagi's right hand, giving it a little squeeze. "I know. We can discuss it tomorrow. Tonight is supposed to be fun with friends."

Usagi eagerly nods her head. "Yeah…" She smiles at Seiya.

The fireworks start in the sky. The two look up enjoying the dazzling colors with their friends.

Taiki watches the fireworks with everyone but his thoughts are elsewhere. It reminds him of Kinmoku. Enjoying a festival with other senshi on one of the few evenings they were able to relax. But the senshi he is around tonight are different. Somewhere along the way they've all become friends rather than just comrades. He is trying to understand what is happening. Maybe this is the feeling Queen Kakyuu was trying to describe.

He dismisses it. He refuses to become so attached like Seiya and Yaten. His cousins will be devastated when they have to return home. Surely that will happen one day. That has always been his thought process each time they've been on Earth. But he has been here more than Kinmoku in the past few years.

He will be fine when they return. He looks at the group he is surrounded by for this festival. His eyes linger on one person in particular without him realizing it before he looks back up at the fireworks. No distractions he tells himself. He's not like Seiya and Yaten. He has nothing or no one to hold him back here.

Sailor Cosmos pauses at the Silver Millennium the next morning. She didn't want anyone to realize how much power she was exerting and draw attention herself. No one would question her going to the Silver Millennium. Leaving from here to Kinmoku is easier since no one knows she is going.

The eight pointed star on her forehead flashes as large feathered wings appear on her back. This time she will not be stopping on Pluto on her way to and from Kinmoku. She had already told the Moon Senshi they might come across her energy signature more frequently. If they knew she was going to Kinmoku and why, many of them would try to talk her out it. But with how she feels in this moment, no one could convince not to go.

Closing her eyes she mentally prepares for the task at hand. The star on her forehead grows brighter as do her rings and in an instant she leaves the Silver Millennium, soaring through the Milky Way.

As she travels to the crimson planet, she observes how much easier this solo journey is on her body. Somehow she feels lighter, like a weight was lifted off of her. She knows she'll feel even better once this is resolved. She's hasn't completely thought it out and what she will say. But her main focus is addressing this otherwise she will never be able to move forward with Seiya.

In an hour she arrives at Kinmoku. She slowed her pace significantly to conserve some of her energy for the trip back home. She lands in the garden of the Scarlet Palace, similar to the location where she departed the last time. She takes a deep breath as the sweet flowers of Kinmoku fill her senses.

She is surprised Queen Kakyuu is there to greet her personally. How long was she waiting? Worry covers her face when she sees Sailor Cosmos. She had feared the worst. "It is great to see you." She looks around for any of the others. "I wasn't sure if you were coming with anyone else or by yourself."

"I traveled by myself," Sailor Cosmos assures her.

Queen Kakyuu was afraid of this. Last time she had spoken with the Three Lights things weren't any better between Seiya and Usagi. "You mentioned you wanted to discuss something in person?"

Sailor Cosmos nods. "I do have some things I would like to talk to you about but there is one other person that I need to speak with first." She gathers her thoughts knowing she is ready for this.

Queen Kakyuu's body stiffens a little immediately picking up the real reason of Cosmos' visit. She tries to hide her concern. "Are you sure?"

Sailor Cosmos doesn't hesitate. "Yes. I've avoided this long enough. I was too angry to address this when I was here a few weeks ago. I can't keep avoiding it."

The Queen is nervous at her request as she thinks of what she was told about Sailor Cosmos confronting Sailor Pluto. However, the white haired senshi seems eerily calm. "She is training with Sailor Star Striker and the senshi in training." She pauses. Whatever Sailor Cosmos needs to say to her is important since she traveled all this way, "I imagine they are probably ready for a break."

The two Queens walk silently to the training grounds.

Sailor Cosmos' confidence wavers as she moves closer. She is starting to second guess her plan. But she has already come this far. She needs to be able to move past what she seen. This is the only way.

Sailor Star Runner sees Queen Kakyuu and Sailor Cosmos approaching first. "Is that… the Queen with Sailor Cosmos?"

Her words distract the two senshi closest to her, Sailor Star Seeker and Sailor Star Dreamer. Their attention is focused on Cosmos and not on the training field where it needs to be. They don't see the attack heading right for them.

"Watch what you're doing!" Sailor Star Striker shouts a warning but she is too late. She has no way to stop her attack.

The energy attack is block by white barrier made of light.

The other senshi turn to look at the person that used that barrier. Finally aware of Sailor Cosmos presence, the training session comes to an immediate halt as all eyes are on the Guardian.

Sailor Star Destroyer takes a deep breath. Her instincts tell her it is not a coincidence Sailor Cosmos suddenly appeared at this training session.

"I'm sorry… I didn't mean to distract you," Sailor Cosmos speaks softly. "I didn't want to see you hurt because I caused you to lose focus."

Sailor Star Striker speaks first. "You came back for more training?" She grins. "I knew it. Once you start training here it's just not the same as training anywhere else. Thought I'm not sure how successful we would be given how much your powers have grown."

Sailor Cosmos politely turns down the offer. "It will have to be another time. I'm here for a brief visit only."

"Oh? What brings you here?" Sailor Star Striker asks.

Sailor Cosmos turns her attention to the lavender haired Starlight. "I'm here to speak with Sailor Star Destroyer."

Tanabata looks like such a fun festival and it is on my wish list for a future trip to Japan, however summer in Tokyo is extremely hot and humid. Worse than the summers by me and it gets really humid here. O_O.

Usagi and Seiya are on the verge of getting back together! Finally, right? But she's gone to Kinmoku to talk to everyone's other favorite Starlight. It's about time they talked too.

Usagi and Seiya will finally talk things out in the next act and it is only fitting for it to be released on Valentine's Day, 2/14! Act 83: Never Let Me Go

Impressive typos:

She and the girls last year she was angry at Seiya for telling Mamoru about Chibi Usa.