annotate old/stories/revelations.txt @ 4:69f0191c9016 moonlitnights tip

added error.log and access.log
author Robert McIntyre <rlm@mit.edu>
date Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:42:35 -0400
parents fc00894c1d4a
children
rev   line source
rlm@2 1 Hi minna-san! ^-^ Well, we’ve finally finished our newest story. ^^ This
rlm@2 2 takes
rlm@2 3 place a while after ‘Sudden Glimpse’. This deals with who several of the
rlm@2 4 Senshi have fallen in love with. The plot takes a lot of jumps, but it was
rlm@2 5 fun to
rlm@2 6 write and we really hope you enjoy it. ^-^ This was the first story that
rlm@2 7 we’ve
rlm@2 8 written with Gabi (psychokittensenshi), the newest member of the Amazoness
rlm@2 9 Quartet. She’s a great author and she’s a great addition to the Quartet.
rlm@2 10 ^-^
rlm@2 11 Hopefully you’ll all be seeing a lot more stories from the four of us soon.
rlm@2 12 Well, if you have anytime after reading the story, we’d love to hear from
rlm@2 13 you.
rlm@2 14 ^^ You can reach us at: amazonessduo@hotmail.com
rlm@2 15 Actually, we could use your help, too. For a while now we’ve been using
rlm@2 16 lover’s
rlm@2 17 nicknames that both Hotaru & ChibiUsa use for each other like Taru-chan for
rlm@2 18 Hotaru and Odango-chan for ChibiUsa. We really liked Taru-chan, but its been
rlm@2 19 used so much lately by just about everybody besides ChibiUsa in fanfics
rlm@2 20 lately
rlm@2 21 (including by Mamoru in a Hotaru and Mamoru fic-_-). So we’re going to keep
rlm@2 22 using it, but its lost its meaning as a lover’s nickname for ChibiUsa to
rlm@2 23 call her.
rlm@2 24 We need your help to come up with a new lover’s nickname for Hotaru. If you
rlm@2 25 can think of anything, please e-mail us. ^^ Thank you, everyone. ^-^
rlm@2 26
rlm@2 27
rlm@2 28 Revelations
rlm@2 29
rlm@2 30 By The Amazoness Quartet
rlm@2 31
rlm@2 32
rlm@2 33
rlm@2 34
rlm@2 35 Minako, Ami, Usagi, Rei, and Makoto walked along as soon as
rlm@2 36 classes had finished. The four girls talked happily, glad that it was
rlm@2 37 finally
rlm@2 38 the weekend, a chance for them to relax. A crowd of students passed
rlm@2 39 by them, blocking the car that had just pulled up from their view.
rlm@2 40 The door to the car opened and a woman stepped out, scanning the sea
rlm@2 41 of students in an attempt to locate a specific girl. "Minako!" she
rlm@2 42 yelled, finally spotting her. "Minako, over here!"
rlm@2 43 Minako slowed when she heard a voice calling her name. The
rlm@2 44 other four girls stopped as well when they heard. Minako looked
rlm@2 45 around, trying to find the person calling her name. She saw the lady
rlm@2 46 standing by a car, waving her over. Minako froze when she realized
rlm@2 47 the woman was here to pick her up. "I'll see the rest of you later,"
rlm@2 48 she said quickly. "We'll talk this weekend. I've gotta get going."
rlm@2 49 Minako waved and hurried to the car.
rlm@2 50 "Isn't that Natsuna?" Makoto asked.
rlm@2 51 "Yep," Usagi answered. "She's Minako's girlfriend." She giggled
rlm@2 52 as she watched Minako get into the car with the older woman. "Couldn't
rlm@2 53 Minako have started going out with her back when we had Haruna for a
rlm@2 54 teacher? Natsuna is Haruna's little sister, so maybe I could have gotten
rlm@2 55 through her class easier."
rlm@2 56 "I don't think Minako going out with her sister would have made
rlm@2 57 any difference in how hard Haruna was on you," Ami commented.
rlm@2 58 "Probably not," Makoto agreed. "I still can't believe she's going
rlm@2 59 out with a twenty-eight year old woman."
rlm@2 60 "Why, you jealous?" Rei asked teasingly.
rlm@2 61 Makoto laughed. "No. Why would I be? I've got Ami."
rlm@2 62 Ami blushed when Makoto mentioned her.
rlm@2 63 Rei just sighed darkly. "Yeah, that's true."
rlm@2 64 "Rei, are you okay?" Usagi asked her.
rlm@2 65 "I'm fine. I'm tired, though. I should be getting back to the shrine.
rlm@2 66 I'll see you all tomorrow."
rlm@2 67 "Bye, Rei!" Usagi said as Rei began walking home.
rlm@2 68
rlm@2 69 Minako rolled down the window to get some air as the car pulled
rlm@2 70 away.
rlm@2 71 "So how was your day?" Natsuna asked.
rlm@2 72 "Pretty good," Minako answered. "It was long, though."
rlm@2 73 Natsuna laughed. "You would probably think that since its Friday and
rlm@2 74 all. You just couldn't wait to get out of there."
rlm@2 75 Minako smiled at her. "Yeah, pretty much. How was yours?"
rlm@2 76 "Not bad," Natsuna replied. "Nothing as exciting as in the life of
rlm@2 77 Sailor V."
rlm@2 78 "I'm not Sailor V anymore, remember?" Minako corrected her.
rlm@2 79 "I know. But you made a much better Sailor V than Sailor Venus,"
rlm@2 80 Natsuna said. Minako giggled. Natsuna still had Sailor V memorabilia around
rlm@2 81 their shared apartment. It still surprised Minako when she saw them. She'd
rlm@2 82 tried to get Natsuna to take them down, but the older woman wouldn't listen
rlm@2 83 to
rlm@2 84 her.
rlm@2 85 "Do you have any work you had to take home?" Minako asked.
rlm@2 86 "Nope. I left Wakagi to handle the rest of it. I didn't want any
rlm@2 87 distractions once we got home." Natsuna winked seductively at Minako.
rlm@2 88 Minako felt her blood boiling when she felt Natsuna's hand rest on
rlm@2 89 her thigh. She'd never thought that the other woman could do this to her.
rlm@2 90 She'd just thought that the police chief was strange back when she was
rlm@2 91 Sailor
rlm@2 92 V. "How could you have put up with me for so long? Ever since I was
rlm@2 93 thirteen,
rlm@2 94 when I first became Sailor V."
rlm@2 95 "Patience," Natsuna said. "A lot of patience. It was really hard to
rlm@2 96 get you to take me seriously about being in love with you. But in the end,
rlm@2 97 it
rlm@2 98 looks like my patience paid off."
rlm@2 99 "I love you, Natsuna," Minako said happily.
rlm@2 100 "I love you, too." Natsuna leaned in and kissed her.
rlm@2 101
rlm@2 102 Usagi, Ami, and Makoto walked together, talking about the day's
rlm@2 103 events.
rlm@2 104 "Are you and Mamoru going out tonight?" Makoto asked Usagi.
rlm@2 105 "No. He's busy tonight studying with Motoki. What about you two?
rlm@2 106 Are you and Ami-chan going out tonight?" Usagi asked mischievously,
rlm@2 107 knowing how nervous Ami was about the whole thing.
rlm@2 108 Ami blushed a deep crimson and Makoto tried to answer. "Umm...
rlm@2 109 Well, kinda.." Ami only nodded.
rlm@2 110 Usagi laughed. "You guys are so cute together."
rlm@2 111 "Thanks, Usagi-chan," Ami managed.
rlm@2 112 "We should probably get going," Makoto said after checking her
rlm@2 113 watch.
rlm@2 114 "Yeah. We'll talk to you later, Usagi-chan," Ami said.
rlm@2 115 The three girls said their goodbyes before heading off.
rlm@2 116
rlm@2 117 When Rei got back home to the Hikawa Jinga she headed straight back
rlm@2 118 to her room and changed into her Miko robes. She was depressed about things
rlm@2 119 lately. It seemed like everyone had been finding love. Everyone except her.
rlm@2 120 Her
rlm@2 121 love life was in shambles. Yuuchiro had finally left several months ago,
rlm@2 122 tired of
rlm@2 123 waiting for her.
rlm@2 124 Rei sat down in front of the Sacred Flame. She tried to relax before
rlm@2 125 meditating. She wanted to see if she could find out if she'd ever find love.
rlm@2 126 She started to drift off, her mind floating in a sea of images. After what
rlm@2 127 seemed like an eternity, things started to coalesce.
rlm@2 128 But it had to be wrong. She was seeing the Silver Millennium. She
rlm@2 129 wanted to see the future, not the past. Jaedite? Was that it? Could that
rlm@2 130 be why she was seeing the past? No, she knew it wasn't him. There had to be
rlm@2 131 someone else.
rlm@2 132 Then she saw her. She was standing in the shadows on a balcony, the
rlm@2 133 earth hanging in the sky. Suddenly the figure turned around towards Rei. She
rlm@2 134 gasped. It was Princess Serenity. Rei knew she had some unresolved feelings
rlm@2 135 for Usagi, but she knew that anything between them was impossible. Usagi
rlm@2 136 already had the prince she was destined to be with.
rlm@2 137 Memories came flooding back to Rei as the images from the Silver
rlm@2 138 Millennium surrounded her. Serenity's four Inner Senshi had had Endymion's
rlm@2 139 four generals as boyfriends at the time. But Rei and another of the Inner
rlm@2 140 Senshi had longed for Serenity. 'Who was the other one in love with
rlm@2 141 Serenity?' Rei asked herself. Her memories of the Silver Millennium still
rlm@2 142 weren't complete so she had difficulty recalling who it was. 'Minako?
rlm@2 143 That's right. We both fought over Serenity, even though neither of us
rlm@2 144 ever worked up the courage to tell her how we felt. Minako was going
rlm@2 145 through a lot back then. She was torn about how she felt about Serenity
rlm@2 146 and her feelings for Kunzite. And that's exactly why I thought that I
rlm@2 147 should have been with Usagi. Minako told me she loved both of them. I
rlm@2 148 liked Jaedite and all, but it wasn't the same as how I felt for Serenity.
rlm@2 149 Neither of us stood a chance against Endymion, though. He had destiny
rlm@2 150 on his side. At least Minako seems to have gotten over it. She has
rlm@2 151 Natsuna now. I still cling on. I’m friends with Usagi’s daughter, yet I
rlm@2 152 still cling
rlm@2 153 on. I can't find love because I can't bring myself to let go of her.'
rlm@2 154 Suddenly, everything changed. Rei tried to make out where she was
rlm@2 155 as she waited for the images to clarify. After a few moments, she realized
rlm@2 156 that this had to be Crystal Tokyo. She'd only been there once before, when
rlm@2 157 they'd gone to the future to help ChibiUsa save her parents. Rei saw a
rlm@2 158 lavishly decorated bedroom, most likely the Queen's room. She could see
rlm@2 159 Usagi dressed in her royal gown as Neo Queen Serenity. She was laughing
rlm@2 160 happily. Rei sighed. She was so beautiful. Someone else was there with
rlm@2 161 Serenity. The two were talking about something Rei couldn't make out.
rlm@2 162 She tried to tell who the other person was, but the details weren't clear
rlm@2 163 enough yet. The image slowly became clearer and Rei could finally tell
rlm@2 164 that the other person sitting with Serenity was her. 'What's going on?'
rlm@2 165 Rei thought. Serenity leaned towards Rei's future self and the two
rlm@2 166 kissed passionately. Rei couldn't believe what she was seeing. 'But how?'
rlm@2 167 Rei asked, trying desperately to come up with an answer as the images
rlm@2 168 dissolved around her.
rlm@2 169 Rei sat in shock as she came out of her meditative trance. What
rlm@2 170 she'd seen had been her dream come true, but she knew it couldn't happen.
rlm@2 171 Was it just wishful thinking on her part or did she actually end up with
rlm@2 172 Usagi? Rei tried to meditate on an answer, but after what she'd seen, she
rlm@2 173 couldn't calm herself enough to try. She sighed heavily and decided to
rlm@2 174 give up for the time being. She resolved to try again later, hopefully
rlm@2 175 with better results.
rlm@2 176
rlm@2 177 Hotaru was sitting on a decorative stone throne set atop some
rlm@2 178 large steps. ChibiMoon was at the bottom of the steps, unconscious on an
rlm@2 179 altar. Energy snaked out from Hotaru, forming a hand at the end. It
rlm@2 180 headed out towards ChibiMoon and slammed down on her chest. The younger
rlm@2 181 girl let out a scream of pain as she was dragged back to consciousness.
rlm@2 182 "Hotaru-chan... I'm glad to see you..." ChibiMoon managed before
rlm@2 183 passing out again, her Heart Crystal pulled from her body. Hotaru felt
rlm@2 184 a surge of terror run through her as the pink haired girl lay deathly
rlm@2 185 still.
rlm@2 186 ChibiMoon's Heart Crystal flew up to where Hotaru was sitting.
rlm@2 187 After swallowing it, she changed completely into Mistress 9. The
rlm@2 188 Senshi looked on, unable to stop her as Sailormoon talked futilely with
rlm@2 189 Professor Tomoe.
rlm@2 190 'Even when I was Mistress 9, I couldn't stop thinking about
rlm@2 191 ChibiUsa. Whatever part of me was still there was so worried about what
rlm@2 192 had happened to her. Its so life-like. I've had this dream before. And I've
rlm@2 193 talked
rlm@2 194 to ChibiUsa about it a couple times, too. She always tells me that it wasn't
rlm@2 195 my
rlm@2 196 fault, that it wasn't me who did those awful things, like killing Kaolinite
rlm@2 197 and
rlm@2 198 hurting my Odango-chan. It always hurts as it all comes back to me,
rlm@2 199 everything
rlm@2 200 I did as Mistress 9, and I cry. And ChibiUsa holds me, trying to stop the
rlm@2 201 pain I feel. But she's not here tonight. I have to deal with the dream
rlm@2 202 on my own. I know it was just that, a dream, but what happened was real.
rlm@2 203 I lie here for a while, uncertain of what to do. I want to hear her
rlm@2 204 voice. I want tor hear her tell me everything's all right. I want her
rlm@2 205 to hold me. I think about calling her, but she's probably asleep now.
rlm@2 206 She’s spending the night at Momoko’s house. I could call anyway,
rlm@2 207 even if it does wake her up, but I'm uncertain. I feel so nervous and
rlm@2 208 scared,
rlm@2 209 alone in the dark. I don't know what to do. I know I can't get back to
rlm@2 210 sleep. I
rlm@2 211 never can after I have that dream.' Hotaru sat up in bed, hugging her knees
rlm@2 212 to
rlm@2 213 her chest. After a couple minutes, she stood up and headed for the door of
rlm@2 214 her
rlm@2 215 room. 'I want to see her,' she thought.
rlm@2 216
rlm@2 217 Setsuna put down the book she was reading when she heard the
rlm@2 218 front door open. She looked out her window to see Hotaru hurrying off
rlm@2 219 to find ChibiUsa. "I hope she's okay," Setsuna said aloud. 'No
rlm@2 220 one could be happier than I am that Hotaru and ChibiUsa are in love.
rlm@2 221 I raised Hotaru like a daughter with Michiru and Haruka. I feel like
rlm@2 222 Hotaru's my own daughter, and in an odd way, I feel the same way about
rlm@2 223 Small Lady. I got to watch her grow up in the future. She came to the Time
rlm@2 224 Palace so often, even though she wasn't supposed to. She came to
rlm@2 225 me with her problems when she needed help. And I actually helped raise
rlm@2 226 Hotaru. I guess the main difference is that one of them calls me mama
rlm@2 227 and the other doesn't. I'm glad they have each other. They both mean
rlm@2 228 so much to me.'
rlm@2 229 'I do admit that being around Haruka and Michiru and a love
rlm@2 230 stricken Hotaru does get a bit depressing sometimes. Its just hard to
rlm@2 231 see people so in love like that and to not have anyone of my own to
rlm@2 232 love. And everyone I have fallen for winds up destined to be with
rlm@2 233 someone else.' Setsuna sighed. 'First Endymion and then Michiru. I
rlm@2 234 practically grew up with Michiru and Haruka back in the Silver
rlm@2 235 Millenium. Michiru was my best friend since we were young. It took
rlm@2 236 a while for me to realize I loved her. I was so down after Endymion
rlm@2 237 got with Princess Serenity, but she helped me get through it. I
rlm@2 238 felt differently towards her after that. I wanted to tell her, but
rlm@2 239 Haruka was too fast for me. Before I could do anything, she was
rlm@2 240 already with Haruka. Why does destiny always pass me over?' Setsuna
rlm@2 241 picked up her book again and tried to stop thinking about it. 'I
rlm@2 242 shouldn't lose any sleep over it, I guess.' She looked out the
rlm@2 243 window again. 'Wherever you are, be careful, Hotaru.'
rlm@2 244
rlm@2 245 Yaten walked hesitantly out of her room in a shimmering light
rlm@2 246 blue dress. It accentuated her soft curves perfectly, fitting the
rlm@2 247 short girl almost like a second skin. Her hair was up in a high pony
rlm@2 248 tail that trailed down to the small of her back.
rlm@2 249 Taiki looked up from the book she was reading and arched an
rlm@2 250 eyebrow. "That's... interesting," Taiki said, struggling for the right
rlm@2 251 words. She hadn't seen Yaten in a dress since they'd all been back on
rlm@2 252 Kinmoku, before they'd come to earth disguised as the Three Lights.
rlm@2 253 Seiya looked over at Yaten from where she was sitting after
rlm@2 254 she heard Taiki. It had been so quiet for a while that the sudden
rlm@2 255 noise had startled her. She stared in shock for a few seconds at
rlm@2 256 Yaten. "Why are you wearing that?"
rlm@2 257 "I'm going out," Yaten said defensively. They had been
rlm@2 258 dressing up as guys for so long that it seemed odd to be in a dress
rlm@2 259 again. Yaten felt herself relaxing as she got used to it. Kakyuu had
rlm@2 260 asked her to wear a dress a couple of nights ago when they'd decided
rlm@2 261 to go out for the night. It had seemed an odd request at first. Kakyuu
rlm@2 262 had grown up with Yaten as a girl. Kakyuu found it strange to have her
rlm@2 263 Starlights pretending to be men. Yaten felt more comfortable dressing
rlm@2 264 in women's clothes anyway, so they went shopping later that day.
rlm@2 265 Yaten was nervous about what Seiya and Taiki would think, though she
rlm@2 266 kept telling herself it didn't matter. They were like sisters to her,
rlm@2 267 so she still felt anxiety wash over her as they continued to stare at
rlm@2 268 her.
rlm@2 269 "But why are you going out in that?" Seiya asked.
rlm@2 270 "Because she looks pretty in it." The Three Lights all turned
rlm@2 271 as the heard their princess, Kakyuu. She was wearing a low cut black
rlm@2 272 and red dress. Her red hair was done up in elegant braids. She smiled
rlm@2 273 happily as she walked up beside Yaten.
rlm@2 274 "You can't go dressed like that," Seiya said as she turned back
rlm@2 275 towards Yaten.
rlm@2 276 "Why can't I? I am a girl." Yaten could tell Seiya was getting
rlm@2 277 frustrated. She knew that Seiya was in love with Kayuu as well. To
rlm@2 278 some extent all three of them loved her. But in the end, she'd fallen
rlm@2 279 in love with Yaten. Seiya was still a little jealous about that even
rlm@2 280 though she wanted Kakyuu and her surrogate sister to be happy.
rlm@2 281 "It was your idea to masquerade as men in the first place,"
rlm@2 282 Seiya argued.
rlm@2 283 "Well, it was a stupid idea. We've found Kakyuu. There's
rlm@2 284 no reason to keep pretending anymore. And besides, I don't like pretending
rlm@2 285 to be a man," Yaten told Seiya.
rlm@2 286 Kakyuu giggled. "If you two don't mind, Yaten and I have dinner
rlm@2 287 reservations." She waved to Taiki and Seiya as she grabbed Yaten's hand
rlm@2 288 and started walking to the door with her. "We'll see you later!" she said.
rlm@2 289 Seiya sat down as the door closed behind the two. "What do you
rlm@2 290 think, Taiki?"
rlm@2 291 Taiki pulled her book back up in front of her. "Yaten did have
rlm@2 292 a point. There really isn't a reason for us to go around like this anymore.
rlm@2 293 Besides for the fans. They all think the Three Lights are men, so it would
rlm@2 294 be a shock to find out we aren't."
rlm@2 295 Seiya sighed. "You too, Taiki?"
rlm@2 296 Taiki just smiled slightly as she went back to her book.
rlm@2 297
rlm@2 298 *********
rlm@2 299 Momoko sat with her legs crossed, Diana next to her with her head on
rlm@2 300 her
rlm@2 301 lap letting Momoko's hands pass through her cute double odangos and soft
rlm@2 302 hair.
rlm@2 303 She was enjoying the motions and attention. She loved being so close to
rlm@2 304 Momoko, and being able to relax into her . Diana place her hand on Momoko's
rlm@2 305 cheek, grabbing her attention. Momoko smiled and leaned into a kiss. Then
rlm@2 306 she
rlm@2 307 heard a knock at the door and was ripped from the pleasure. She looked up to
rlm@2 308 her mother.
rlm@2 309 "Yes?" she asked nervously.
rlm@2 310 "Honey, ChibiUsa is here to spend the night," she looked to the tiny
rlm@2 311 gray
rlm@2 312 kitten on her daughters lap. "Well Diana sure has been spending quite a lot
rlm@2 313 of
rlm@2 314 time here hasn't she?" The kitten meowed and rubbed up against Momoko's
rlm@2 315 stomach. ChibiUsa appeared at the door and smiled.
rlm@2 316 "Konnichiwa Momo-chan" she walked inside and plopped her baggage on
rlm@2 317 the bed. Momoko's mother walked out and Diana returned to human form, and
rlm@2 318 her place next to Momoko. ChibiUsa smiled.
rlm@2 319 "Well it seems you two have grown closer doesn't it?" she asked.
rlm@2 320 "Makes
rlm@2 321 me wish I'd asked Hotaru to come with me."
rlm@2 322 "Why didn't you ChibiUsa-chan?" Momoko asked. ChibiUsa just smiled
rlm@2 323 and shrugged her shoulders. Just then there was a knock at Momoko's window
rlm@2 324 and Momoko went to answer it quickly.
rlm@2 325 "Hotaru!" Momoko said. The tired raven-haired girl looking at her
rlm@2 326 not
rlm@2 327 answering. She turned to ChibiUsa, still trying to catch her breath.
rlm@2 328 "I need to speak with you, odango," she said desperately.
rlm@2 329 *************
rlm@2 330 Makoto walked a little ways into the kitchen seeing Ami at the table
rlm@2 331 with
rlm@2 332 her books sprawled around her. Makoto walked a little further and pulled Ami
rlm@2 333 into her arms planting a gentle kiss on her mouth. Ami voiced a slight groan
rlm@2 334 of
rlm@2 335 surprise. Makoto just smiled internally, reaching deeper into the kiss. Ami
rlm@2 336 turned and let Makoto grab her into a warm embrace.
rlm@2 337 "I'm so happy to have you with me, Ami-chan," Makoto said kissing
rlm@2 338 Ami
rlm@2 339 again and pulling her into the next room.
rlm@2 340 "But I have to study Mako-chan." Ami began to protest.
rlm@2 341 "This won't take long Ami-chan trust me." Ami was going to protest
rlm@2 342 but
rlm@2 343 felt Makoto's long fingers unbuttoning the white professional shirt she had
rlm@2 344 on.
rlm@2 345 Makoto pulled it away with expert hands and reaching behind to unclasp the
rlm@2 346 bra strap. When she had the offending clothing away from her she knew Ami
rlm@2 347 wouldn't protest any longer. Makoto kissed her again and pulled off her
rlm@2 348 shirt
rlm@2 349 and skirt as well leaving them on the floor next to her. She laid Ami on the
rlm@2 350 couch and placed Ami's hands on her breasts, sighing at the cooling affect
rlm@2 351 they
rlm@2 352 had on her warm skin. Ami smiled and wiggled out of the pants and undies she
rlm@2 353 had left on and felt the warmth of her lover's own naked body pulling her
rlm@2 354 into a
rlm@2 355 sitting up stance. Holding the body as close to her as possible, and feeling
rlm@2 356 her
rlm@2 357 lover's body tense at the anticipation.
rlm@2 358
rlm@2 359 ************
rlm@2 360 "Natsuna..." Minako sighed feeling her lover holding her from behind
rlm@2 361 in
rlm@2 362 the warn bath water. The soapy water seeped into every pore. Natusna smiled
rlm@2 363 and cupped Minako's breasts, her fingers running over the entire delicate
rlm@2 364 surface. She whispered a sweet comment and made Minako relax even more.
rlm@2 365 Minako in turn ran her finger across the inner thighs of her lover,
rlm@2 366 teasing her slightly. Natsuna knew it would come in it's own time. The wait
rlm@2 367 was all the thrill, wondering what new feeling that her lover would drench
rlm@2 368 out
rlm@2 369 of her this time. Minako turned facing Natusna and placing her fingers in
rlm@2 370 between Natsuna's legs.
rlm@2 371 "I love you," Minako said kissing Natsuna deeply pushing her back
rlm@2 372 into
rlm@2 373 the bath until Natusna was totally relaxed against the cold tile behind her.
rlm@2 374 She
rlm@2 375 smiled and knew....this was it. Natusna was all that she wanted.
rlm@2 376
rlm@2 377 **************
rlm@2 378 Rei walked down the street to the apartment Usagi and Mamoru
rlm@2 379 shared knocking on the door. She waited for an answer. When Usagi showed
rlm@2 380 up sooner than she’d expected, felt flustered. She shifted slightly and
rlm@2 381 was for once without a quick sarcastic remark.
rlm@2 382 "Usagi-chan, may I come in?" she asked. Usagi smiled and moved so
rlm@2 383 that Rei could enter.
rlm@2 384 "Rei-chan it's so nice that you could come," Usagi said loudly and then
rlm@2 385 drew closer so that she could speak to Rei privately. "Rei there's something
rlm@2 386 that
rlm@2 387 I have to tell you..." But before Usagi could finish a male presence entered
rlm@2 388 the
rlm@2 389 room.
rlm@2 390 "Rei, so nice to see you again," Mamoru's voice stabbed into
rlm@2 391 Rei's
rlm@2 392 mind. She grew angry and then clamed. She couldn’t show up destiny, Mamoru
rlm@2 393 always got his princess. She could never have Usagi. And with that she left
rlm@2 394 to
rlm@2 395 the door and the cold. Usagi ran after her.
rlm@2 396 "Rei-chan wait! You don't have to leave!" she said trying to
rlm@2 397 stop her
rlm@2 398 friend.
rlm@2 399 "Yes, I do. Usagi-chan, I have to go."
rlm@2 400 "But why? It's just Mamoru and me."
rlm@2 401 "Usagi you dot understand. It's because of Mamoru."
rlm@2 402 "But...why?"
rlm@2 403 "You won't understand. Just forget it."
rlm@2 404 "No. what's wrong, Rei-chan. Why is it Mamoru's fault?" Usagi
rlm@2 405 asked.
rlm@2 406 ‘ ‘Because I love you,’ Rei thought. ‘Because I can't stand him
rlm@2 407 being
rlm@2 408 able to hold you and I can't...' Rei stopped herself and spun on her heel.
rlm@2 409 Getting
rlm@2 410 ready to leave.
rlm@2 411 "Rei-chan, why can't you tell me what's wrong?" Usagi asked
rlm@2 412 worriedly.
rlm@2 413 "Would you come in, Rei?" Mamoru asked, worried as well. "I could
rlm@2 414 make some tea."
rlm@2 415 Rei sighed. This was all so hard for her to deal with. Why had she
rlm@2 416 even come here in the first place? What had she hoped to accomplish? "No.
rlm@2 417 Thank you, anyway. I should go."
rlm@2 418 "Rei, its pretty late. Maybe you should stay," Usagi said. She didn't
rlm@2 419 know what was wrong, but she didn't want Rei to leave now. She wanted to
rlm@2 420 know what was going on.
rlm@2 421
rlm@2 422 ***********
rlm@2 423
rlm@2 424 Makoto rolled over to get a better look at the smaller girl lying next to
rlm@2 425 her. She smiled to herself as she ran her fingers through Ami's short blue
rlm@2 426 hair.
rlm@2 427 She gently kissed the other girls soft lips. She checked to make sure Ami
rlm@2 428 was
rlm@2 429 asleep before quietly getting out of bed. She brought the sheet up higher to
rlm@2 430 cover Ami. The other girl let out a small sound, startling Makoto in the
rlm@2 431 dark
rlm@2 432 room. Ami shifted around a bit before settling down and clutching the sheets
rlm@2 433 closer to her. Makoto relaxed as she watched the other girl doze peacefully.
rlm@2 434 Makoto silently walked out of the room. She padded across the cold
rlm@2 435 floor. One of Ami's books lying open on the counter. She tried to read some
rlm@2 436 of
rlm@2 437 it but she quickly decided to leave that to Ami. She slipped a peace of
rlm@2 438 paper
rlm@2 439 between the pages before closing the book, knowing Ami would probably try to
rlm@2 440 pick up where she left off in it later the next day.
rlm@2 441 She’d once wondered how Ami could have fallen in love with her. She
rlm@2 442 knew the blue haired genius was many times over more intelligent than she
rlm@2 443 was. Makoto had thought she’d want someone who shared her passion for
rlm@2 444 knowledge. She’d brought it up with Ami, but the other girl had quickly
rlm@2 445 dismissed her lover’s worries. It didn’t matter to her. She’d said she
rlm@2 446 couldn’t
rlm@2 447 really explain it. It was one of the few times Makoto had been able to catch
rlm@2 448 Ami without an answer. Finally Ami had said that some things didn’t need an
rlm@2 449 explanation. Love was one of those things. She loved Makoto. She may not be
rlm@2 450 able to explain it, but she knew in her heart that she did. Makoto hadn’t
rlm@2 451 given
rlm@2 452 it a second thought afterwards. The blue haired genius was everything to
rlm@2 453 her.
rlm@2 454 Makoto walked through the dimly lit kitchen, briefly searching around
rlm@2 455 for the light switch. She winced as the light turned on. She blinked several
rlm@2 456 times to get her vision to adjust before walking over to the refrigerator.
rlm@2 457 The
rlm@2 458 brunette shivered from the cold air on her bare skin after opening it. She
rlm@2 459 smiled
rlm@2 460 when she saw one of Ami’s sandwiches wrapped up. ‘That girl needs to let me
rlm@2 461 make her lunch more often,’ she thought to herself.
rlm@2 462 “Mako-chan?” a sleepy voice said from behind her. She turned
rlm@2 463 around to see Ami standing with the sheet wrapped around her delicate frame.
rlm@2 464 “I’m sorry, Ami-chan. Did I wake you?” Makoto asked.
rlm@2 465 “I saw the light turn on out here and I noticed you weren’t in bed,”
rlm@2 466 Ami explained. “What are you doing up?”
rlm@2 467 Makoto smiled warmly and brought Ami into a loving embrace. “I
rlm@2 468 was just thinking.”
rlm@2 469 Ami tilted her head to one side curiously. “What about?” She looked
rlm@2 470 deeply into Makoto’s dark green eyes, quickly losing herself in them, almost
rlm@2 471 as
rlm@2 472 if she were still dreaming.
rlm@2 473 “You,” Makoto said softly. Everything felt right with the world while
rlm@2 474 holding Ami in her arms.
rlm@2 475 Ami giggled. “No, I’m serious.”
rlm@2 476 The taller girl gestured to the apartment. “It used to be so lonely. I’m
rlm@2 477 really glad you’re here.”
rlm@2 478 Ami smiled up at Makoto and put her hand on the brunette’s cheek.
rlm@2 479 “So am I.” She brought her lips up to Makoto’s in a soft kiss. “Come on back
rlm@2 480 to
rlm@2 481 bed, Mako-chan. Its lonely there, too.”
rlm@2 482 Makoto laughed. “Okay, Ami-chan.” She kissed the blue haired girl
rlm@2 483 again. She took Ami’s hand and let the other girl lead her back to their
rlm@2 484 room.
rlm@2 485
rlm@2 486 *******
rlm@2 487
rlm@2 488 “Taru, are you okay?” ChibiUsa asked worriedly. Her reached out
rlm@2 489 through the open window to grab the other girls hand. Hotaru had a haunted
rlm@2 490 look in her eyes. ChibiUsa’s heart ached as she looked into those frightened
rlm@2 491 violet eyes.
rlm@2 492 Hotaru started to relax as she felt ChibiUsa’s warm hand against her
rlm@2 493 own. Seeing the pink haired girl looking back at her soothed Hotaru. She
rlm@2 494 looked down, feeling foolish. Her pale cheeks flushed red. “I just needed to
rlm@2 495 see
rlm@2 496 you,” she said quietly.
rlm@2 497 ChibiUsa lips formed a bright smile. It meant so much to her to hear
rlm@2 498 the other girl came all this way to see her. Her expression became concerned
rlm@2 499 when she realized Hotaru was worried about something. She blinked with
rlm@2 500 realization. “Oh, Taru. It’s okay. I’m here,” the future princess said. She
rlm@2 501 wanted to hold the other girl, to go to her, but she was stopped by the wall
rlm@2 502 between them. She could only reach the other girl through the open window.
rlm@2 503 “Hotaru,” Momoko said besides the dark haired girl, startling her.
rlm@2 504 Hotaru clutched ChibiUsa’s hand tightly after hearing the other girl.
rlm@2 505 She slowly turned around. “Momo-chan, you scared me.”
rlm@2 506 “Sorry about that. I talked to my mom. She said you can spend the
rlm@2 507 night, too. I just told her you can’t be away from ChibiUsa for too long of
rlm@2 508 a
rlm@2 509 time.” Momoko laughed. “Come on in.”.
rlm@2 510
rlm@2 511 A short time later, Momoko lay asleep in Diana’s arms on her bed.
rlm@2 512 ChibiUsa and Hotaru held each other under the blankets on Momoko’s floor.
rlm@2 513 Hotaru stared up at the ceiling, trying not to think. The darkness
rlm@2 514 surrounded
rlm@2 515 them, but that didn’t bother her. Not with ChibiUsa beside her. Hotaru felt
rlm@2 516 ChibiUsa gently stroking her hair. She held the other girl closer, not
rlm@2 517 wanting to
rlm@2 518 be apart again.
rlm@2 519 “Hotaru?” ChibiUsa whispered to her dark haired lover. “Why did you
rlm@2 520 have to come see me so urgently?” She smiled and kissed Hotaru lightly. “I
rlm@2 521 am
rlm@2 522 glad you’re here.”
rlm@2 523 “Thanks. I am too.” Hotaru snuggled closer to the other girl, trying to
rlm@2 524 forget the horrible dream. “I…” She began hesitantly. “I had that dream
rlm@2 525 again.”
rlm@2 526 “Oh, Hotaru, I’m so sorry.” ChibiUsa wished there was some way she
rlm@2 527 could stop Hotaru from having it, but it was a recurring nightmare for her.
rlm@2 528 The
rlm@2 529 dark haired girl was still tormented by visions from her past.
rlm@2 530 Hotaru felt foolish. Running to ChibiUsa because of a dream. ‘But
rlm@2 531 then, isn’t that what being in love with her means? Being able to go to her
rlm@2 532 for
rlm@2 533 comfort? Being able to tell her what frightens me the most? Knowing that no
rlm@2 534 matter how childish it is, or how foolish, I can always go to her?’ “When I
rlm@2 535 woke up, I was afraid, but it got worse when I realized you weren’t there.
rlm@2 536 Everything just started crashing down. I had to see you. I felt that if you
rlm@2 537 were
rlm@2 538 there, it would all seem okay.” Hotaru closed her eyes tightly. The dream
rlm@2 539 was
rlm@2 540 still vivid in her mind. Tears started to well up in Hotaru’s eyes as the
rlm@2 541 dream
rlm@2 542 came back to her.
rlm@2 543 ChibiUsa gently wiped Hotaru’s tears away with her fingertips. “Its
rlm@2 544 not your fault. You can’t blame yourself for any of that. It was Mistress 9,
rlm@2 545 not
rlm@2 546 you.”
rlm@2 547 “But I was there for everything that happened. It was my body,”
rlm@2 548 Hotaru blinked several more tears away.
rlm@2 549 “It may have been, but it still wasn’t you. In the end, you managed to
rlm@2 550 stop her.”
rlm@2 551 Hotaru sniffled and tried to speak, but ChibiUsa silenced her with a
rlm@2 552 soft kiss.
rlm@2 553 “You felt like its your fault because you couldn’t stop her before she
rlm@2 554 caused so much pain. There was nothing you could do. When I woke up after I
rlm@2 555 got my Heart Crystal back, you’d been changed into a baby from using your
rlm@2 556 powers to stop Pharaoh 90. I felt horrible because I couldn’t stop it. I
rlm@2 557 felt that I
rlm@2 558 should have known, that I should have said something when I saw you that
rlm@2 559 last
rlm@2 560 time. It took me a long time, but I realized there are some things we can’t
rlm@2 561 change. No matter how wrong it is, or how it seems we should have.” ChibiUsa
rlm@2 562 held the shuddering dark haired girl tightly against her. Her hand lightly
rlm@2 563 rubbed Hotaru’s back through the cloth of her nightgown. “That’s all in the
rlm@2 564 past now. We have everything to look forward to. You and me. Both of us.
rlm@2 565 Forever.” She felt Hotaru’s warm tears on her shoulder. The other girl’s
rlm@2 566 sobs
rlm@2 567 slowly started to lessen. “Its alright, Taru-chan. I’m here.” She held the
rlm@2 568 dark
rlm@2 569 haired girl protectively, wanting to keep away anymore of those horrible
rlm@2 570 dreams.
rlm@2 571 “I.. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t let it get to me… like this,” Hotaru said
rlm@2 572 between sobs.
rlm@2 573 “Don’t be sorry. I’m really glad you came. I missed you,” ChibiUsa
rlm@2 574 smiled. “And don’t worry about the dreams. That’s all they are. And you can
rlm@2 575 always come find me when you wake up. I’m just sorry I wasn’t there this
rlm@2 576 time.”
rlm@2 577 “Thanks, Odango-chan,” Hotaru said softly.
rlm@2 578 “You mean everything to me, Taru. Don’t let those dreams hurt you.
rlm@2 579 They don’t mean anything as long as we have each other.” ChibiUsa felt like
rlm@2 580 she should say more, but she didn’t have to. Her crimson eyes met with
rlm@2 581 Hotaru’s violet ones. Their lips met in the dark room, conveying more to
rlm@2 582 each
rlm@2 583 other than words could have.
rlm@2 584 “I love you,” Hotaru whispered to the pink haired girl.
rlm@2 585 “I love you, too,” ChibiUsa whispered back. She kissed Hotaru once
rlm@2 586 again before laying her head back on a pillow. “Goodnight, Hotaru.”
rlm@2 587 “I don’t think I’ll go to sleep just yet. Could you stay up for a little bit
rlm@2 588 so we could talk?” Hotaru asked.
rlm@2 589 “Sure,” ChibiUsa agreed. She felt Hotaru’s hand on her own.
rlm@2 590 “Thanks,” Hotaru said gratefully. She knew ChibiUsa would probably
rlm@2 591 fall asleep soon, but she didn’t mind. She felt safe now that she was with
rlm@2 592 the
rlm@2 593 one she loved.
rlm@2 594
rlm@2 595 ******
rlm@2 596
rlm@2 597 Minako awoke with a start at the constant knocking she was hearing
rlm@2 598 in her dreams. At first she'd tried to not listen and stay in the warmth.
rlm@2 599 But the
rlm@2 600 constant rapping in her mind made her jolt awake from the annoyance. She
rlm@2 601 turned all along the bed searching for the source, and found it in Rei. The
rlm@2 602 raven
rlm@2 603 haired beauty was at the window trying desperately to get Minako's
rlm@2 604 attention.
rlm@2 605 She walked all along the edge of the window calling, her voice barely
rlm@2 606 reaching
rlm@2 607 Minako's ears. Minako grabbed the robe beside her and tied a tight knot into
rlm@2 608 the middle. She motioned for her friend to walk to the door and she'd allow
rlm@2 609 her
rlm@2 610 inside.
rlm@2 611 "Mina-chan," Rei rasped and hugged her friend into a tight embrace.
rlm@2 612 "Oh, Mina-chan I'm so tired. I really need someone to talk to please!"
rlm@2 613 "Calm down, Rei-chan," Minako whispered in a soothing voice. "It'll
rlm@2 614 be okay. Tell me what's wrong."
rlm@2 615 Rei let out several gasps of air trying to calm her nerves enough to tell
rlm@2 616 Minako what was wrong but couldn’t. "Mina-chan I'm really scared...I miss
rlm@2 617 you and the others." she began. "I miss us being a team, and I miss spending
rlm@2 618 more time together like we used to. Most of all I miss Usagi. Our princess
rlm@2 619 doesn't need us anymore and I feel useless. She...everyone is in love and
rlm@2 620 I'm set
rlm@2 621 so far away you have forgotten me."
rlm@2 622 "Rei! " Minako whispered in a harsh voice. "I have never
rlm@2 623 forgotten you and neither has our princess. She needs us more then ever, and
rlm@2 624 with ChibiUsa on the way and the new responsibilities coming up the senshi
rlm@2 625 are....”
rlm@2 626 "That's just it. I don't think I can handle seeing Usagi and Mamoru
rlm@2 627 together so happy everyday. I just can't Minako! I love her!" Rei clasped
rlm@2 628 her
rlm@2 629 hands around her mouth and gasped. She wasn't supposed to say that, not to
rlm@2 630 Minako!
rlm@2 631 Minako just smiled. "We all love her."
rlm@2 632 "Not like I do Mina-chan. Not like I do."
rlm@2 633 “ I know,” Minako said simply.
rlm@2 634 Rei stared at Minako for a moment. “What do you mean?”
rlm@2 635 “I know how you feel about her. Who do you think you confided in
rlm@2 636 back in the Silver Millenium?” Minako winked at the raven haired girl.
rlm@2 637 “Besides, its not like its hard to notice.”
rlm@2 638 Rei was shocked. “You know? Is it that obvious?”
rlm@2 639 Minako laughed. “Probably not. I hadn’t really noticed until I started
rlm@2 640 remembering a few things from the past. Everything fell into place after
rlm@2 641 seeing
rlm@2 642 you around her a couple days later.”
rlm@2 643 Rei stared at her feet. She hadn’t planned on anyone finding out how
rlm@2 644 she felt about their princess, but now she knew that Minako had already
rlm@2 645 found
rlm@2 646 out. What did she think of her now?
rlm@2 647 “Its alright, Rei. I’m you’re friend. So are the others. None of us would
rlm@2 648 mind. Mamoru might, though.” Minako smiled, trying to help Rei feel better.
rlm@2 649 “But what would Usagi think?”
rlm@2 650 “I don’t know. You’d have to ask her.” Minako said quietly.
rlm@2 651 She
rlm@2 652 needed to talk to Rei, but at the same time she didn’t want to wake Natsuna
rlm@2 653 by
rlm@2 654 being too loud.
rlm@2 655 “What can I do? She’s already in love with Mamoru. She marries
rlm@2 656 him
rlm@2 657 in the future and has a daughter with him. If I did manage to tell her how I
rlm@2 658 felt
rlm@2 659 and she felt the same, then I could damage so much in the future. ChibiUsa
rlm@2 660 wouldn’t even exist. Who knows what else might happen.” Rei sighed deeply.
rlm@2 661 The whole thing felt so futile. She wanted to tell Usagi, but she couldn’t
rlm@2 662 let
rlm@2 663 herself endanger the future. She was a Sailor Senshi, after all.
rlm@2 664 “I’m sorry, Rei. I want to tell you how this can work out, but
rlm@2 665 I don’t
rlm@2 666 know. I wish I did. I just want everything to work out for you in the end,
rlm@2 667 but I
rlm@2 668 don’t know what to do about it,” Minako said sadly. She wanted to help. She
rlm@2 669 was the Senshi of Love. She felt like she needed to do something to help her
rlm@2 670 friend.
rlm@2 671 “I want to tell her, but I don’t want to hurt her. Its probably better if I
rlm@2 672 don’t say anything,” Rei said sullenly.
rlm@2 673 “Don’t think like that. Think positively. If you’re ever going to have a
rlm@2 674 chance you can’t give up now,” Minako said with a determined gleam in her
rlm@2 675 eyes.
rlm@2 676 “You’re right, I guess. But I still don’t know what I can do.” Rei
rlm@2 677 looked up and smiled at her friend. “Thanks, Minako-chan. I feel a little
rlm@2 678 better
rlm@2 679 now.”
rlm@2 680 “Anytime, Rei-chan.”
rlm@2 681 “I should be going for now.” Rei hugged Minako again and walked out
rlm@2 682 the door. Minako waved to her as the raven haired girl started walking home.
rlm@2 683 Minako waited until Rei was out of sight before slowly closing the
rlm@2 684 door. She felt so helpless. She hated that feeling. She walked through the
rlm@2 685 dark
rlm@2 686 hallway towards the room she shared with Natsuna. She smiled as she walked
rlm@2 687 past Artemis, curled up and asleep on the floor. She’d always gone to him
rlm@2 688 for
rlm@2 689 advice. Now Rei had gone to her, but she was afraid she hadn’t been of much
rlm@2 690 help.
rlm@2 691 Minako paused at the doorway to their room. Rei had seemed so empty
rlm@2 692 lately. She was usually so full of life, but seeing everyone else with their
rlm@2 693 lovers
rlm@2 694 really got to her. Minako missed the old Rei and now there was a chance to
rlm@2 695 fix
rlm@2 696 things for Rei, but what could she do about it?
rlm@2 697 Minako’s head was spinning as she tried to think of what, if anything,
rlm@2 698 she should do. She sighed before walking into the bedroom. She needed sleep.
rlm@2 699 And right now, she really wanted to be with the one she loved. She crawled
rlm@2 700 into
rlm@2 701 bed next to the other woman, her soft, reddish brown hair hanging past her
rlm@2 702 shoulders. She smiled as Natsuna continued sleeping. Minako pulled the
rlm@2 703 blanket up and around her, snuggling close to Natsuna. She slowly started to
rlm@2 704 drift off to sleep.
rlm@2 705
rlm@2 706 * * *
rlm@2 707 THE NEXT DAY
rlm@2 708 Setsuna picked up her small basket, trying to balance the weight of the
rlm@2 709 tremendous amount of groceries and her addition to her chocolate stash.
rlm@2 710 Turning around too fast, three rather large oranges dropped out of her
rlm@2 711 basket.
rlm@2 712 ‘I knew I should have gotten a cart,’ she thought.
rlm@2 713 She bent down and picked up two of the offending oranges, but her
rlm@2 714 little sandaled foot knocked the third off balance, and it began to roll
rlm@2 715 away.
rlm@2 716 “Damn,” she exclaimed under her breath.
rlm@2 717 Walking at a fast pace, she caught up with the rolling orange, only to
rlm@2 718 have it roll underneath a display case for some cereal boxes at the end of
rlm@2 719 an
rlm@2 720 aisle. Setting down her basket very carefully, she got on her knees and
rlm@2 721 looked
rlm@2 722 under the display case.
rlm@2 723 “There you are you little…” She exclaimed, reaching for the orange.
rlm@2 724 “Setsuna?” A hand came to rest on her shoulder, making her leap
rlm@2 725 up…and slam her head on the bottom of the display table. Holding her head
rlm@2 726 and whimpering words of anger and embarrassment, she looked up into the
rlm@2 727 eyes of her offender.
rlm@2 728 The first thing she saw, actually, was the nice shoes on small feet.
rlm@2 729 Eyes travelling up slowly, she took in the tight fitting jeans, stylish and
rlm@2 730 trendy.
rlm@2 731 Her red eyes traveled up the shapely legs to the small, flat stomach, and up
rlm@2 732 to
rlm@2 733 the small breasts. Her eyes came to rest on the dark ponytail, which came
rlm@2 734 to
rlm@2 735 rest just below her right breast. Curiosity and familiarity making her eyes
rlm@2 736 travel still farther, they halted to a stop at the dark blue eyes of her
rlm@2 737 offender.
rlm@2 738 She sank into this deep shade of blue, and began to smile. “Seiya!”
rlm@2 739 Leaping
rlm@2 740 up from her kneeling position and forgetting about her injured head, she
rlm@2 741 threw
rlm@2 742 her long arms around the taller woman’s neck, laughing slightly.
rlm@2 743 Seiya, a little surprised about Setsuna’s attitude, was stunned.
rlm@2 744 Setsuna, showing emotion? A lot had changed since she had left Tokyo. But
rlm@2 745 the dark green hair brushed against her nose, smelling of forest green and
rlm@2 746 something else she couldn’t put her finger on. Closing her beautiful dark
rlm@2 747 blue
rlm@2 748 eyes, she wrapped her arms around the green-haired woman’s waist, leaning
rlm@2 749 her head to rest on Setsuna’s shoulder. “Setsuna…” The word was let out in
rlm@2 750 a
rlm@2 751 whisper, almost too quiet for Seiya to hear herself. Sudden feelings of
rlm@2 752 heat
rlm@2 753 laced with desire invaded her mind, and it was covered in a clear
rlm@2 754 transparent
rlm@2 755 shell. Sudden memories, or maybe visions, she didn’t know, entered her
rlm@2 756 mind…of two women, one with long black hair and one with long dark green
rlm@2 757 hair standing on a balcony in dresses rimmed with gold, kissing and holding
rlm@2 758 each other, trapped in an embrace similar to this one. The heads turned,
rlm@2 759 and a
rlm@2 760 hazy Seiya kissed her green-haired goddess, bending her head down and
rlm@2 761 sweeping her feet off the balcony.
rlm@2 762 Setsuna’s heart pounded in her ears. Why did Seiya say her name like
rlm@2 763 that?! That wasn’t expected. She didn’t think Seiya held affections for
rlm@2 764 anyone
rlm@2 765 but her princess. Why were Seiya’s arms so warm? Linked around her waist
rlm@2 766 and pulling her so close? What was she doing here in a supermarket, anyway?
rlm@2 767 And why was her breath so warm against her cheek like that? Sudden
rlm@2 768 memories of Seiya in Crystal Tokyo, looking as fine as could be in a long
rlm@2 769 flowing gown of blue and yellow stars, calling out to her. It had only been
rlm@2 770 once, the two had embraced and kissed, but she hadn’t seen Seiya after that.
rlm@2 771 She should have thought about it more, should have noticed Seiya more,
rlm@2 772 because then maybe she could figure out her own feelings.
rlm@2 773 Realizing where she was and what she’d felt, and thought, and
rlm@2 774 suddenly embarrassed by it, Seiya pulled away slightly. Setsuna held on for
rlm@2 775 another moment, reveling in the warmth of a body beside her, near her, and
rlm@2 776 with her. But the feeling suddenly cleared from her passion hazy mind, and
rlm@2 777 she registered Seiya holding her waist at arm’s length. Unlinking her arms
rlm@2 778 from around Seiya’s neck, she realized how awful she must look…jumping up
rlm@2 779 like that after slamming her head into a table. Oh, real smooth Setsuna!
rlm@2 780 Her
rlm@2 781 mind shouted at her.
rlm@2 782 Red eyes hardened. Her internal defenses were locked again. No
rlm@2 783 more embarrassment. Not again. In the back of her mind, something ached.
rlm@2 784 It
rlm@2 785 knew, more then Setsuna herself, that such rejection would harm her heart to
rlm@2 786 the core.
rlm@2 787 “I’m so glad to see you, Seiya. What brings you back to Tokyo?” A
rlm@2 788 forced smile crossed her red lips, not reaching her eyes at all. Seiya
rlm@2 789 cursed
rlm@2 790 herself in her mind for being so stupid.
rlm@2 791 “Oh…um…well, I…decided to come back for a visit.” She smiled,
rlm@2 792 forced as well. She didn’t want to reveal her true intentions just yet.
rlm@2 793 She was
rlm@2 794 planning to come to Tokyo, and stay. She didn’t want to watch her princess
rlm@2 795 and sister fall deeply in love. An aching heart would never heal like that.
rlm@2 796 Of
rlm@2 797 course, the plan had backfired when Kakyuu had thought it a great idea to
rlm@2 798 move back to Tokyo. Now her two sisters and her princess were right next
rlm@2 799 door
rlm@2 800 from her. She’d been there visiting the night before when she’d seen Yaten
rlm@2 801 ready for her date with Kakyuu.
rlm@2 802 Setsuna knew something was wrong. Seiya didn’t lie. Not ever.
rlm@2 803 Unless something was seriously wrong. “Oh, that’s nice.” She bent down to
rlm@2 804 pick up her basket. “Do you have a place to stay?”
rlm@2 805 “Oh, yes, I rented a place just a few blocks from here.” Seiya smiled
rlm@2 806 again, trying to lighten the mood. ‘Damnit,’ she thought, ‘what have I
rlm@2 807 done?
rlm@2 808 Setsuna, please, don’t be angry…’
rlm@2 809 “That’s wonderful! You should stop by to have dinner with us
rlm@2 810 sometime. Which I have to go back and make now, so…I’ll see you around…”
rlm@2 811 A horrible moment of emotion made her voice crack, and she turned away
rlm@2 812 quickly, rushing to the check-out stand. She waited a few minutes, and
rlm@2 813 Seiya
rlm@2 814 didn’t come for her. A menacing voice in her mind asked her if that was a
rlm@2 815 good or bad thing. Leaning on the mechanical food belt, she sighed.
rlm@2 816 “Always…” She breathed out. Her red eyes shook suddenly, and she brought
rlm@2 817 her hand up to cover them.
rlm@2 818 Suddenly, two warm arms wrapped around her waist. Startled, she
rlm@2 819 tried to turn around, but the arms held her in place.
rlm@2 820 Seiya leaned in, placing her head once again on Setsuna’s shoulder.
rlm@2 821 Setsuna’s lovely back was against her chest now, full of warmth. A mouth to
rlm@2 822 an ear, she whispered, “Would it…be alright…if I ate dinner with you
rlm@2 823 tonight?”
rlm@2 824 Setsuna breathed in deeply. “I think that could be arranged…”
rlm@2 825 * * *
rlm@2 826 “Come on, Haruka! The water’s so warm!” Michiru splashed about,
rlm@2 827 waving her long arms around in the water. Haruka, standing atop a near-by
rlm@2 828 rock, beamed down at her lover in the quiet stream.
rlm@2 829 “I AM coming in!” Jumping up in the air and tucking her knees
rlm@2 830 under her chest gracefully, she slammed into the water, waves roaring in her
rlm@2 831 ears. She glanced up through the hazy stream water to see little white
rlm@2 832 bubbles
rlm@2 833 surround her and waves roll over her little sea nymph.
rlm@2 834 A couple of seconds passed and Haruka shot out above the water, her
rlm@2 835 head up toward the sun. She struck such a graceful figure that Michiru
rlm@2 836 almost
rlm@2 837 gasped, streaks of crimson lining her cheeks. When Haruka looked at her,
rlm@2 838 she
rlm@2 839 turned away, embarrassed. “That wasn’t the kind of entry I had hoped for.”
rlm@2 840 She stated, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She looked over her shoulder
rlm@2 841 slightly, her hair soaked with the stream water, creating an unearthly look
rlm@2 842 about her. Light green eyes pierced into blue ones, and then turned away,
rlm@2 843 half-
rlm@2 844 teasing, half-serious.
rlm@2 845 “Michiru…” Haruka called, only to see her little sea nymph swim ever
rlm@2 846 faster away from her. “Hey, wait up!” Awkwardly splashing after her, she
rlm@2 847 called again.
rlm@2 848 Michiru turned only slightly, and began to laugh. She saw Haruka
rlm@2 849 struggling to catch up with her, knowing the taller girl was not much of a
rlm@2 850 swimmer. She began to slow down, half wanting her lover to catch up with
rlm@2 851 her. But the laughing was the main reason her shaking limbs could not keep
rlm@2 852 up the fast pace she had used.
rlm@2 853 Breathless, Haruka finally reached her. “You…need to…slow
rlm@2 854 down…girl!” She exclaimed, her small tongue reaching the edge of her mouth
rlm@2 855 in exhaustion.
rlm@2 856 “Hmm, really?” Michiru took this chance and wrapped her elegant
rlm@2 857 arms around her lover’s neck and kissed her slow, hard, and wet. Haruka was
rlm@2 858 tall enough to stand on the bottom of the water, but Michiru was not, and
rlm@2 859 she
rlm@2 860 wrapped her legs around Haruka’s waist. Rubbing her hips slowly up and
rlm@2 861 down over the taller girl’s mid-section, she let a moan escape through the
rlm@2 862 kiss.
rlm@2 863 Pulling away slowly, she smiled seductively. “Is it better slow?”
rlm@2 864 Haruka looked down at her nymph, eyes wide with desire and surprise.
rlm@2 865 Finding her words that had been lost in the back of her throat, she
rlm@2 866 swallowed
rlm@2 867 hard. “It’s always good with you.” She wrapped her arms tightly
rlm@2 868 around Michiru’s waist and leaned in to kiss her again.
rlm@2 869
rlm@2 870 ******
rlm@2 871
rlm@2 872 Seiya looked in the mirror again and pulled her skirt down. She
rlm@2 873 glanced nervously at herself, wondering if she went a little overboard with
rlm@2 874 the
rlm@2 875 make-up.
rlm@2 876 Being a Starlight for so long had her comfortable with being a man.
rlm@2 877 She had always thought she looked better in women’s clothes, but to please
rlm@2 878 the
rlm@2 879 millions of screaming women as fans, she continued to play the part.
rlm@2 880 But now, that was changing. Here she was, putting the finishing touches on
rlm@2 881 herself before she would take Setsuna out to a nice fancy dinner. Yaten had
rlm@2 882 helped her pick out an outfit, but was it really appropriate?
rlm@2 883 Even Seiya had to admit she looked killer in it. Short black skirts look
rlm@2 884 good on almost anyone. The slit up the right side, however, was what would
rlm@2 885 knock ‘em out. Her knee-high leather boots looked perfect with it, and the
rlm@2 886 cream and black top she had on was perfect to complete the outfit. But on
rlm@2 887 the
rlm@2 888 first date? And to a fancy restaurant? Should she be dressed up in one of
rlm@2 889 those
rlm@2 890 dresses that covered more of herself, like Michiru would always wear on big
rlm@2 891 outings?
rlm@2 892 That wasn’t her style.
rlm@2 893 Seiya sighed and looked at the floor. In her minds eye she could see a
rlm@2 894 beautiful Setsuna walk before her in a lovely gown, give her one look, and
rlm@2 895 run
rlm@2 896 back inside her house. Seiya shook her head. Setsuna wasn’t like that.
rlm@2 897 The
rlm@2 898 sophisticated dark-skinned woman she had always known to be calm and
rlm@2 899 collected would never do something like that.
rlm@2 900 Never. That was a funny word. Never. She would have never
rlm@2 901 thought about Setsuna as a potential lover. Never. But that didn’t mean it
rlm@2 902 wouldn’t happen. Not until that day, when she saw Setsuna in the Market,
rlm@2 903 looking comfortable and sweet. And when those long arms had come around
rlm@2 904 her, and she had that forest green hair beneath her nose, her entire thought
rlm@2 905 pattern changed. No longer did she feel like she needed to hide from the
rlm@2 906 love
rlm@2 907 of Yaten and their Princess, not anymore. All she really felt like she
rlm@2 908 needed
rlm@2 909 was to feel Setsuna’s waist beneath her hands, and their lips together, and
rlm@2 910 the
rlm@2 911 moonlight streaming in the window, and…
rlm@2 912 Seiya looked back up at herself.
rlm@2 913 Why not?
rlm@2 914
rlm@2 915 * * *
rlm@2 916
rlm@2 917 Setsuna sighed as she looked in the mirror.
rlm@2 918 “You look beautiful, Setsuna-mama!” Hotaru giggled.
rlm@2 919 “I love the skirt!” ChibiUsa agreed, and turned to Hotaru. “You and I
rlm@2 920 should go out like this sometime.”
rlm@2 921 “You don’t have enough money to take me out!” Hotaru laughed at
rlm@2 922 the expression on her lover’s face. “We will, Odango-chan.”
rlm@2 923 “Come on you two, you’re supposed to be helping me!” Setsuna
rlm@2 924 turned around, exasperated. The entire night the two girls she had always
rlm@2 925 thought of as daughters had been phasing in and out of attention to her.
rlm@2 926 “Are
rlm@2 927 you really sure this is appropriate?”
rlm@2 928 “Oh come on! You look good in it. I know Seiya’ll like it!” ChibiUsa
rlm@2 929 giggled, blushing a little.
rlm@2 930 Setsuna sighed at her reflection. She was wearing a velvet maroon
rlm@2 931 skirt that went to her knees, maroon platform sandals (something Hotaru
rlm@2 932 convinced her into wearing), and a black tanktop with a maroon flowered
rlm@2 933 design. ChibiUsa had done her make-up, with a little help from her mom.
rlm@2 934 That had scared Setsuna at first, knowing that this was Usagi they were
rlm@2 935 talking
rlm@2 936 about, but she was pleased with the results. It seems that after years of
rlm@2 937 practice
rlm@2 938 Usagi had finally got something down to an art.
rlm@2 939 Setsuna turned to the two giggling girls once again, and smiled. They
rlm@2 940 looked plenty confident that she was beautiful. They were happy for her.
rlm@2 941 Maybe they were smarter for being that way.
rlm@2 942 Seiya had always been someone Setsuna had admired, not only for her
rlm@2 943 continuing courage, but for her love for everything around her. The entire
rlm@2 944 ordeal with Usagi had been a hard one for everyone, but Seiya had handled it
rlm@2 945 rather well, accepting what the future would not change. Setsuna herself
rlm@2 946 had to
rlm@2 947 come to terms with what was destined too many times. But when she had seen
rlm@2 948 Seiya, she couldn’t help but be excited, even if they hadn’t been all that
rlm@2 949 close.
rlm@2 950 And when she had heard her name being whispered into the wind like that, the
rlm@2 951 way Haruka whispered Michiru’s name, the way ChibiUsa whispered Hotaru’s
rlm@2 952 name…it made her feel like she was flying. The realization that someone
rlm@2 953 could fall in love with her was almost overwhelming. And now that she was
rlm@2 954 finally involved with someone, she couldn’t help but feel nervous. It was
rlm@2 955 all
rlm@2 956 too much of an emotional rollercoaster, but she couldn’t help being the
rlm@2 957 first in
rlm@2 958 line for the dangerous ride.
rlm@2 959 “Come on, Setsuna, Seiya’ll be here any minute!” She heard Haruka’s
rlm@2 960 call from down the hallway.
rlm@2 961 “I’m almost finished.” Setsuna called back, and reached for the make-
rlm@2 962 up on the table beside her. Picking up the eyeliner, she placed two small
rlm@2 963 wings
rlm@2 964 off the edges of her eyelashes, and stood back. “Perfect.”
rlm@2 965
rlm@2 966 * * *
rlm@2 967
rlm@2 968 Seiya took a deep breath. She slowly raised her hand to the doorbell,
rlm@2 969 and then stopped. She was shaking. How odd. She had never started to
rlm@2 970 shake
rlm@2 971 out of nervousness before, even when she had stage-fright. Maybe that was
rlm@2 972 because she had always had her sisters for support.
rlm@2 973 They couldn’t help her now.
rlm@2 974 Seiya took another deep breath and released it slowly. She pressed the
rlm@2 975 little lit up button, and then dropped her hand to the side and waited.
rlm@2 976 She heard some noise inside, mostly Haruka’s voice yelling. She
rlm@2 977 smiled. Good ol’ Haruka.
rlm@2 978 The doorknob turned, and she felt her heart rise in her chest. The
rlm@2 979 door flung open, and there stood Haruka in the doorway. Her gaze traveled
rlm@2 980 over Seiya, who stood her ground, and then back up to her eyes. With a grin
rlm@2 981 and a nod of approval, she let out the breath she had been holding.
rlm@2 982 “Come mere you!” Haruka reached out and pulled Seiya close. The
rlm@2 983 two women were about the same height, Seiya just a little bit taller now due
rlm@2 984 to
rlm@2 985 her boots. They pulled out of the friendly embrace and smiled at each
rlm@2 986 other.
rlm@2 987 “It’s been too long.”
rlm@2 988 Seiya grinned. “It sure has.”
rlm@2 989 “HAR-UUUKA!” Came a voice from inside, and the two women
rlm@2 990 turned.
rlm@2 991 “You better come in before Michiru has a baby or something.” Haruka
rlm@2 992 laughed, and pulled Seiya inside the house. “Come on, Setsuna’s just
rlm@2 993 finishing
rlm@2 994 up.” Seiya remembered the house from awhile ago, when they were just
rlm@2 995 moving in, and now looked it over with interest. Walking around toward the
rlm@2 996 living room, she saw book-cases full of books. She smiled. Michiru loved
rlm@2 997 the
rlm@2 998 arts, almost as bad as Mizuno Ami.
rlm@2 999 “SEIYA!” Michiru ran towards her friend and jumped into her arms.
rlm@2 1000 Seiya, on the other hand, was almost knocked over, and stumbled slightly
rlm@2 1001 from
rlm@2 1002 the awkwardness of her platform boots.
rlm@2 1003 “Hey…Michiru…” She ground out, trying to get a few breaths in
rlm@2 1004 through the squeezing she was forced into. She glanced at Haruka for help,
rlm@2 1005 but
rlm@2 1006 the blonde woman was just laughing hysterically. “How’s it…going?”
rlm@2 1007 “SEIYA! You’ve been gone for so long!” The aqua head looked up at
rlm@2 1008 her, and the same color eyes stared into hers. “Why didn’t you visit?” The
rlm@2 1009 tone was almost angry.
rlm@2 1010 “I’m sorry…” Seiya’s explanation was halted as she heard footsteps.
rlm@2 1011 Michiru fell out of her arms and walked over to Haruka, and the two women
rlm@2 1012 held hands and smiled like proud parents or friends. Seiya’s heart started
rlm@2 1013 to
rlm@2 1014 pound with anticipation. She held her breath for the second time today and…
rlm@2 1015 “Hey Seiya!” Hotaru walked into the room, and everyone sighed.
rlm@2 1016 Hotaru looked a little angry. “What?”
rlm@2 1017 “Nothing.” Seiya smiled and held her arms open. Hotaru ran into
rlm@2 1018 them and hugged Seiya’s waist.
rlm@2 1019 “You’ve been gone for such a long time!”
rlm@2 1020 “I know, I know.”
rlm@2 1021 “SSSSEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIYYYYYYYAAAAAA!!!!” ChibiUsa’s
rlm@2 1022 squeal rang throughout the room, and Seiya winced. A pink whir of hair
rlm@2 1023 suddenly ran into the room and knocked both Seiya and Hotaru over. “THERE
rlm@2 1024 YOU ARE!” She hugged Seiya fiercely, who was trying desperately to not let
rlm@2 1025 her skirt ride up too high.
rlm@2 1026 “Hey ChibiUsa, how are you?” She smiled once she got up.
rlm@2 1027 “Hey you guys…” A soft voice came from across the room. Seiya
rlm@2 1028 looked up to see Setsuna standing in the room’s entryway. Seiya felt the
rlm@2 1029 heat
rlm@2 1030 rising to her cheeks as she took in Setsuna. The color was perfect on her,
rlm@2 1031 and
rlm@2 1032 long green hair flowed over her shoulders and down to her waist.
rlm@2 1033 Seiya found her voice again, and spoke. “Hi.”
rlm@2 1034 “Hi.” Setsuna smiled, happy with the effect she had on Seiya, but
rlm@2 1035 almost ashamed with the effect Seiya had on her. Those long creamy legs had
rlm@2 1036 her own knees shaking and knocking against each other. “Should we get
rlm@2 1037 going?”
rlm@2 1038 “Sure.” Seiya walked the distance toward Setsuna, jut barely aware of
rlm@2 1039 the other women staring intently at them. They walked out of the door
rlm@2 1040 together, hand in hand.
rlm@2 1041
rlm@2 1042 * * *
rlm@2 1043
rlm@2 1044 Setsuna set down her glass of water, the ice rattling together as her
rlm@2 1045 hand shook. She swallowed hard. She hoped Seiya hadn’t noticed.
rlm@2 1046 How could she not notice every little tiny thing she was doing? Those
rlm@2 1047 dark blue eyes stared at her through half closed lids and never wavered from
rlm@2 1048 her. At least, they hadn’t so far. And she knew, because her own eyes
rlm@2 1049 couldn’t
rlm@2 1050 take themselves of the mighty fine woman before her.
rlm@2 1051 Seiya seemed so together. Like nothing was making her nervous in
rlm@2 1052 the least. Of course, she must have women lining up to just see her. Being
rlm@2 1053 one
rlm@2 1054 of the Lights and all. In fact, now that she thought of it…Seiya probably
rlm@2 1055 dated
rlm@2 1056 all the time. Was that what she was? Just another date? Maybe another one
rlm@2 1057 night stand? Would Seiya forget about her once tonight was done?
rlm@2 1058 Setsuna tried to swallow the rising panic in her throat. Her voice of
rlm@2 1059 reason came through the horrible questions. ‘Just ask her’, it said. ‘Ask
rlm@2 1060 her if
rlm@2 1061 she really wants a real relationship. Ask her what’s going to happen
rlm@2 1062 tomorrow.
rlm@2 1063 What have you got to lose?’
rlm@2 1064 But she knew what she had to lose already.
rlm@2 1065
rlm@2 1066 * * *
rlm@2 1067
rlm@2 1068 Seiya watched Setsuna set down her water glass with grace and
rlm@2 1069 elegance. Funny how wonderful traits like these could come out of a little
rlm@2 1070 motion like that.
rlm@2 1071 Seiya tried not to let her knees rattle together any louder. It was all
rlm@2 1072 she could do to keep them from knocking the table over. Setsuna seemed to
rlm@2 1073 be
rlm@2 1074 just fine. She looked content, just nibbling on the fancy French dinner set
rlm@2 1075 before her. Seiya wasn’t hungry all of a sudden. At least, not for food.
rlm@2 1076 Setsuna suddenly went tense. Seiya felt herself become the same, and
rlm@2 1077 tried to relax. Setsuna’s dark red eyes stared up at her, full of
rlm@2 1078 questions. Seiya
rlm@2 1079 looked at her likewise.
rlm@2 1080 Setsuna cleared her throat. “Um…Seiya…would it be alright if
rlm@2 1081 I…asked you something…”
rlm@2 1082 “Sure.” Seiya replied automatically and with a smile. “Anything
rlm@2 1083 you’d like.”
rlm@2 1084 “Um…do you…date often?” Setsuna’s eyes suddenly went fuzzy, and
rlm@2 1085 Seiya had the impression that she was going to lose that remarkable control.
rlm@2 1086 “No, actually, I don’t. I’ve stayed away from it because you can’t
rlm@2 1087 really meet a lot of people if you’re a superstar.” She smiled weakly.
rlm@2 1088 “That’s
rlm@2 1089 one of the many problems with it.”
rlm@2 1090 “So you…don’t have any other…” Setsuna’s eyes darted down to the
rlm@2 1091 floor.
rlm@2 1092 Seiya was quiet for a long time. When she did speak, the tone was
rlm@2 1093 mixed with emotions neither woman could place. “No, Setsuna. I don’t have
rlm@2 1094 anyone else.” Setsuna looked up at her, all her emotions settling down with
rlm@2 1095 the
rlm@2 1096 reassurance.
rlm@2 1097 “Mademoiselles?” The server stood over them, holding up a big tray.
rlm@2 1098 “Would you two lovebirds like some desert?”
rlm@2 1099
rlm@2 1100 * * *
rlm@2 1101
rlm@2 1102 Usagi walked into the restaurant, holding onto Mamoru’s arm. The
rlm@2 1103 server smiled at them both and led them to a table by the window they had
rlm@2 1104 become accustomed to.
rlm@2 1105 Mamoru pulled out Usagi’s chair, then briskly went to his own. Usagi
rlm@2 1106 sat down, feeling a little bewildered. Why hadn’t he touched her? He
rlm@2 1107 always
rlm@2 1108 did. Every time he would pull out her chair he would brush her long hair
rlm@2 1109 away
rlm@2 1110 from her neck and kiss her on the cheek. Every time. What was so different
rlm@2 1111 about now?
rlm@2 1112 Mamoru didn’t look at her, even as they ordered. After a long silence
rlm@2 1113 among the table, Usagi got restless. “Is there something wrong, Mamo-chan?”
rlm@2 1114 He didn’t respond. “You seem angry. Did I do something to upset you?”
rlm@2 1115 Still
rlm@2 1116 no response. “Did I step on your foot again? I’m sorry I…I know I’m
rlm@2 1117 clumsy,
rlm@2 1118 but I didn’t know it upset you this much…”
rlm@2 1119 “It’s not that, Usako.” Mamoru still didn’t look at her. “Nothing’s
rlm@2 1120 wrong with me.”
rlm@2 1121 “What do you mean?” Usagi became worried.
rlm@2 1122 “I know your secret, Usako. I know why you don’t see me that often
rlm@2 1123 anymore. I know why you find so much time for your friends all the time…for
rlm@2 1124 her.”
rlm@2 1125 Usagi felt anger rise up in her cheeks. “What the hell are you talking
rlm@2 1126 about?”
rlm@2 1127 “You know what I’m talking about.” Two angry black beads that were
rlm@2 1128 his eyes stared into hers. “I know who you’re in love with.”
rlm@2 1129
rlm@2 1130 * * *
rlm@2 1131
rlm@2 1132 “Hey, isn’t that Usagi-san and Mamoru-san?” Seiya pointed to a table
rlm@2 1133 by the window. Setsuna looked over to the couple and smiled.
rlm@2 1134 “It sure is. I didn’t know they were going out tonight. I wouldn’t
rlm@2 1135 have asked Usagi for help if I knew she had to get ready.”
rlm@2 1136 “You asked her for help?”
rlm@2 1137 “Yeah, with my make-up.” Setsuna blushed slightly, the little crimson
rlm@2 1138 streaks clashing with her dark skin. “I’m not exactly a DiVinci with it.
rlm@2 1139 I’m
rlm@2 1140 more like Piccasso.”
rlm@2 1141 Seiya laughed. “Hey, I know how it is. Luckily they make you wear
rlm@2 1142 make-up in music videos and stuff like that, so I wore it the entire time.”
rlm@2 1143 Setsuna’s red eyes grew wide. “Really? That’s actually really cool.”
rlm@2 1144 She paused for a second, as if contemplating what she was going to say next.
rlm@2 1145 “Tell me more about being a music star.”
rlm@2 1146
rlm@2 1147 * * *
rlm@2 1148
rlm@2 1149 “Mamoru…you think I’m in love with…” Usagi’s eyes filled with
rlm@2 1150 tears.
rlm@2 1151 “I don’t think, Usako, I know. You love her, more then you do me,
rlm@2 1152 obviously.” Mamoru rolled his eyes. “Quit with the goodie-two-shoe thing.
rlm@2 1153 I
rlm@2 1154 know you love her.”
rlm@2 1155 “I…I love you, Mamo-chan. I always have. I always will. If you
rlm@2 1156 don’t believe me, look to the future to tell you! We’ll be together, you
rlm@2 1157 and I,
rlm@2 1158 and ChibiUsa will be born. If you don’t believe that, what else can you
rlm@2 1159 believe
rlm@2 1160 in?”
rlm@2 1161 “The past?” Mamoru’s voice almost dripped with sarcasm. “Sure,
rlm@2 1162 like the past is any proof. The past is what it is, the past. No longer
rlm@2 1163 here.
rlm@2 1164 Your precious little world revolves around her, Usagi, and that’s what’s
rlm@2 1165 really
rlm@2 1166 going on. I don’t know how I didn’t notice before. You always running to
rlm@2 1167 her
rlm@2 1168 when you had a problem. I was so blind…”
rlm@2 1169 “You were a selfish asshole, that’s what you were.” Usagi’s voice was
rlm@2 1170 full of something that resembled hatred as the crystal tears streamed down
rlm@2 1171 her
rlm@2 1172 cheeks. “The only problem I ever had in my life was you. You took away
rlm@2 1173 everything I had, you and your promises of love ever-lasting. You pretended
rlm@2 1174 to
rlm@2 1175 trust me. You say I love someone else. Fuck you.” Usagi stood up and
rlm@2 1176 raised
rlm@2 1177 her voice. “Fuck you, Mamoru. You don’t disserve to be in my company.”
rlm@2 1178 And with that, the tiny woman turned on her heel and quickly walked out of
rlm@2 1179 the
rlm@2 1180 restaurant, hearing claps and cheers behind her.
rlm@2 1181
rlm@2 1182 * * *
rlm@2 1183
rlm@2 1184 Setsuna stood up, worried. “She doesn’t have a way home…”
rlm@2 1185 “Come on, we can still catch her.” Seiya threw down a hundred and
rlm@2 1186 grabbed Setsuna’s hand. They ran, somewhat awkwardly, toward the door, and
rlm@2 1187 outside into the cold air of night.
rlm@2 1188 “Oh!” Setsuna exclaimed as the air hit her skin. Seiya pulled her
rlm@2 1189 closer and wrapped her coat halfway around her. Setsuna felt herself blush.
rlm@2 1190 “USAGI!!” Seiya yelled, and Setsuna did the same. Finally they saw
rlm@2 1191 the girl turn around, and ran towards her. “Usagi, what’s wrong? Do you
rlm@2 1192 need
rlm@2 1193 a lift?”
rlm@2 1194 The girl took a few shuddering breaths before finally speaking.
rlm@2 1195 “No…it’s nothing. I…I need to take a walk. But thank you for…asking.” She
rlm@2 1196 spun around and began to run, leaving the two women a little perplexed.
rlm@2 1197 “Seiya…it’s really cold out here…” Setsuna shuddered.
rlm@2 1198 “You’re right.” Seiya finally took her gaze away from the retreating
rlm@2 1199 blonde and back to the woman in her arms. “Come on, let’s go to the car.”
rlm@2 1200
rlm@2 1201 * * *
rlm@2 1202
rlm@2 1203 Setsuna marveled at the rooms in Seiya’s apartment. Little gasps
rlm@2 1204 would escape that long throat and those red lips, leaving Seiya anxious to
rlm@2 1205 touch
rlm@2 1206 them. To feel them beneath her fingertips.
rlm@2 1207 “Oh Seiya, your flat is beautiful!” Setsuna spun halfway around to
rlm@2 1208 look at her. “I love it!”
rlm@2 1209 “Thank you.” Seiya smiled. “How do you like your coffee?”
rlm@2 1210 “Black, one spoon of sugar.”
rlm@2 1211 “Figures…” She muttered under her breath.
rlm@2 1212 “What?”
rlm@2 1213 “Nothing…” Seiya smiled again and began to pour the liquid into two
rlm@2 1214 cups. Once she was done, she picked them both up and went into the living
rlm@2 1215 room.
rlm@2 1216 She almost dropped them.
rlm@2 1217 There was Setsuna, draped across her dark blue leather couch, looking
rlm@2 1218 absolutely delicious. She hadn’t heard Seiya, and moved around a little bit
rlm@2 1219 on
rlm@2 1220 the couch to get comfortable. The maroon skirt inched higher up her thighs,
rlm@2 1221 and Seiya had to force herself to keep standing.
rlm@2 1222 She walked briskly over to the table and set down the drinks. Setsuna
rlm@2 1223 only had a small amount of time to look up before Seiya’s arm came around
rlm@2 1224 her
rlm@2 1225 and their mouths clashed.
rlm@2 1226
rlm@2 1227 * * *
rlm@2 1228
rlm@2 1229 Usagi liked the feeling of the cool air go through her hair. Her white
rlm@2 1230 dress didn’t cover up much. But, somehow, the cold was refreshing tonight.
rlm@2 1231 A
rlm@2 1232 little strange perhaps, yes, but still refreshing.
rlm@2 1233 Usagi knew where she was going. She knew what she had to do.
rlm@2 1234 Maybe that was what she had needed to do all along. Every little fight and
rlm@2 1235 every little emotion she had with him seemed to be swept away so easily now.
rlm@2 1236 She knew what she wanted.
rlm@2 1237 She ran up the cement steps, her little white shoes making small
rlm@2 1238 clicking noises. She heard noise already coming from the structure in front
rlm@2 1239 of
rlm@2 1240 her, and saw a tall figure in the shadow of the bamboo door. She ran
rlm@2 1241 towards
rlm@2 1242 it, stumbling where the stones jutted out from the walkway.
rlm@2 1243 The figure must have heard her, and opened the bamboo door.
rlm@2 1244 “Hello?” She called.
rlm@2 1245 Usagi fell into her arms, crying and sobbing. “REI!”
rlm@2 1246
rlm@2 1247 * * *
rlm@2 1248
rlm@2 1249 Crystal Tokyo
rlm@2 1250 30th century
rlm@2 1251 Tsukino-Hino Usagi walked along the marbled floors of Tokyo’s Crystal
rlm@2 1252 Palace, her heels clicking onto the scratchable material easily. She reached
rlm@2 1253 near
rlm@2 1254 her hand and felt the small promise ring on her wedding finger. The tiny
rlm@2 1255 diamond that had been her gift from Mamoru. She smiled kindly at the
rlm@2 1256 memory, not everything she had remembered from her past lover that was so
rlm@2 1257 terrible. She knew that they had loved each other at the time. It was
rlm@2 1258 something
rlm@2 1259 that their souls needed to play out. Something that had to be finished in
rlm@2 1260 it’s
rlm@2 1261 own course. She heard the playing in Small Lady’s bedroom, and knew that her
rlm@2 1262 father had come to see the small child. She was, however no longer a child.
rlm@2 1263 Small Lady. Ten to this day to be precise, and a growing lovely women at
rlm@2 1264 that.
rlm@2 1265 She had been a child conceived in love and devotion, and a child that would
rlm@2 1266 one day become Queen of the Crystal Tokyo. But, in the end the one that
rlm@2 1267 Usagi
rlm@2 1268 had loved the most had been Rei. No one understood that more then the senshi
rlm@2 1269 of her court, no one more so than her daughter who would one day also fall
rlm@2 1270 in
rlm@2 1271 love with a woman when she went back into the past. Of course, Small Lady
rlm@2 1272 didn’t know that yet. There were some secrets the mother still had to keep
rlm@2 1273 from
rlm@2 1274 her daughter.
rlm@2 1275 Chiba Mamoru had later married, too. He ruled over Elysion as well as
rlm@2 1276 any of the senshi or even Usagi herself. He was still king of the Earth,
rlm@2 1277 just as
rlm@2 1278 Usagi was Queen, and his right to rule over his kingdom of Elysion was only
rlm@2 1279 natural. Usagi never failed to allow his input and decisions to her Queendom
rlm@2 1280 to
rlm@2 1281 not be recognized. She walked in her bedroom and felt the warmth of her
rlm@2 1282 lover
rlm@2 1283 next to her and smiled slyly.
rlm@2 1284 “Usagi-chan?” Rei’s tiny voice mumbled in her awakened sleep.
rlm@2 1285 “Yes?” Usagi asked. She felt Rei’s creamy arms wrap around her
rlm@2 1286 silken clothed breasts, and cooed.
rlm@2 1287 “I love you.”
rlm@2 1288 “I love you, too.”
rlm@2 1289 The End.
rlm@2 1290