Tenshi   von aprileagle
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                          Kapitel 2: Twinkle, Twinkle
                          ---------------------------


So I took what’s mine by eternal right,
Took your soul out into the night.

Chapter 2: Twinkle, Twinkle

“Somehow everything went wrong, Kaki-chan.”
Tahiki sighed and gazed sadly at the old photo he always put on his desktop or
his table or even his bedside table, depending on what their new suite or their
separated hotel rooms offered. This time, it was a small table near the window.
The photography was slightly yellowed, the frame scratched, but still he could
see the young girl clearly smiling up to him through the broken glass. 
“Yaten is still ill, or should I say again?” He stroked carefully over the
glass, over her everlasting smile. “Sejya’s mood is as dark as this stupid
dungeon in your father’s castle, if you do remember.” The real Kakyuu would
have surely remembered and burst out into peals of laughter. Her image only
stared silently back at him. “No matter what I do he’s upset or, as
Michiru-san would say it in her moments of impatience, pissed off. Yaten is
simply unhappy with the entire situation.” Tahiki sat down on his bed with
another sigh and closed his burning eyes for a moment. He hadn’t slept much
the last night when they finally flew from Tokyo to Kyoto. He was the oldest
brother, he was responsible for his sibling. Therefore, he had spent half of the
night taking care of a still coughing Yaten and a cursing Sejya and the other
half he tried to keep them away from killing each other. Verbally. With death
glares. With pillows.
Thankfully, they had been the only passengers on the small Jet. Thankfully,
their crew was used to their escapades. Thankfully, Michiru only rolled her
eyes, pulled her headphones over her ears and watched the movie shown on their 2
hour flight across Japan.
But Tahiki hated to see his brothers fighting. Fighting against each other. When
they should have fought against Sailor Galactica instead. When they should have
united their strength to find their princess instead. When they should have been
happy instead. Happy that they still had each other, that they survived their
flight to earth, that they were able to escape Sailor Galactica’s slaughter.
Upon their parents’ sacrifice.
“I can’t always look after them. Not all the time. Not when I want to find
you.” Tahiki laid back on the too soft mattress and spread his arms on the
warm blanket. “I need time to write new songs that might reach you, Kaki-chan.
I can’t spend all that time baby sitting them as I can’t make them
understand that there are more important things than arguing with each other
like merely three-years olds!”
Tahiki opened his eyes again and studied the white ceiling above. It was just
like any other ceiling in any other hotel he’d been before. He knew it would
be another one he’d stare for hours in too long nights.
“Michiru-san already does so much, I can’t ask her to take even more
responsibility. I can’t ask her to look after Yaten so that he wears his cap
and his gloves whenever he sneaks outside to take one of his stupid long walks.
I can’t ask her to remind Sejya that he should be going NOW to come to his
rehearsal in time. I can’t ask her get me a damn coffee in the middle of the
night without letting the crew or the hotel staff know that I can’t sleep. She
has already enough work with Hotaru-chan as her goddaughter. She has her own
family, I can’t burden her with mine, as well.”
Tahiki rolled his eyes and stared for a long time at Kakyuu’s smiling face. At
twinkling eyes. At an understanding look. Comforting look. Loving look.
“Maybe I should find them a baby sitter.” He laughed. It sounded exhausted,
tired, sad. “But where should I get one?” He shook his head and sighed
again.
“Where do you get a baby sitter for a twenty year and twenty two year old
world famous pop singer?”

dbdbdb

She was pissed off. Nevertheless, she was determined to have a great evening. It
was her first night in Kyoto and she hadn’t intended to sit alone in her hotel
room or to even brood about music pieces she could still rehearse tomorrow.
Tahiki and Sejya wanted to try a new song and they would give her the new music
once they were happy with their arrangement. Right now they did not need her.
Damn Setsuna!
Normally, she had wanted to go out into the cool Kyoto night with her best
friend, but Elza got an unexpected break during her exams and of course flew
over to see her family. Right now the happy couple was probably at a good
restaurant and Hotaru was already driving all the other guests crazy with her
wailing – or she had already captured all the waitresses with her charming
smile. Of course Michiru understood. She would have wanted to have seen her
family, as well, had she been Elza. Unfortunately, she had no lover and no child
and therefore faced an evening in boring loneliness. Tahiki and Sejya would sing
their new song and Yaten would sleep. What was left for her was the TV. Not the
prospect she had ever wished for as a 22 year old woman.
I won’t give in to sorrow!
No, if no one would accompany her she would go out alone and have some fun on
her own. Well, not exactly on her own. Not in a city she didn’t know and
certainly not as the famous Kaioh Michiru. But that was a problem she was about
to solve.
“May I see your ID card?”
Michiru literally grabbed the first member of Hashitzou’s crew who happened to
stand outside the crew’s quarters in the lower part of the hotel. She seemed
to have looked out of the window and turned startledly around. Although she
frowned in surprise, she handled her the plastic card without protest.
Certainly, she was used to such behaviour from Hashitzou who always made sure
that each person running around really belonged to his crew.
“Alright, Tenô-san, let’s get out and have some fun!”
“What?”
“I want to get out of here for a while and you’re the lucky person to escort
me.”
“What?”
The blonde looked like a deer and the headlight and Michiru had to fight her
giggle.
“I can’t possibly go alone. Tahiki-kun would go nuts if I’d do that. So I
have to take someone with me and you’re the lucky dog to come with me.”
“I’m not a dog.” The young woman crossed her arms demonstratively before
her chest and stepped back until she felt the wall in her back as Michiru
stretched her hand and patted her playfully on her unruly mop of hair. The
musician had to step on her toes, because she was almost one head smaller than
the blonde, but she had the element of surprise on her side. The crew member did
not react and for a moment Michiru felt soft strands running through her slender
fingers. They truly felt a lot softer than they looked.
“You do have the fur.” Now she had to giggle as she saw the offended look in
deep green eyes.
“Then watch out. I might bite you.”
“I’d really like to see that.” Michiru’s giggle turned into a bright
laughter as the other woman actually started to growl – or better, her stomach
started to protest, because she had obviously treated it like a mangy dog.
“Grab your jacket and I’ll treat you to dinner. Please.” Michiru bowed her
head slightly and glanced up to the blonde through her eyelashes. It was a look
that always worked when she wanted to have something. And mostly it worked. Even
on Tahiki. Well, when he was tired, exhausted and lost in thought anyway.
I shouldn’t go with her.
Haruka studied the young violinist before her and blushed as her stomach gave
another rumble. She had been so busy with the equipment all day that she totally
forgot to eat. A nice warm dinner sounded tempting. To get out of this hotel, to
get some fresh air and maybe to talk to the person who made her live worthwhile
while playing her instrument. They didn’t have to be out for long, maybe for
an hour or two. No one would notice, not even Hashitzou who would be in bed
soon, especially after such a long, exhausting day.
I shouldn’t get involved.
Haruka sighed and nodded whereas Michiru clapped excitedly in her hands and did
a small jump.
“That’s great.” She rejoiced. “You won’t regret it, Tenô-san.”
Haruka hoped that she was right.

dbdbdb

Kyoto was warmer than Tokyo. The snow had long since disappeared and you could
feel that the air was still cool but already full of an approaching spring.
While snow storms were still raging over Tokyo you could already see crocuses
and other spring flowers carefully breaking through the still barren ground.
Michiru felt the climate change immediately, but still she held on to her cap
and her scarf, because she didn’t want to be recognized. Surely, she loved her
fans, but sometimes she simply wanted to be herself, didn’t want to give any
autographs or explain why she had played this song and not another one during
the last concert.
Sometimes she wanted to be a normal young woman just like the rest of the world.
Or at least as normal as she could be as a Sailor Senshi.
“Kyoto truly is a big city.” Michiru looked around with wide eyes. Although
the old emperor’s city was not as big as Tokyo, it was huge. There were
advertisements flashing from all the skyscrapers around them and half of the
city’s population seemed to be up and about. They were surrounded by thousands
of people, but Michiru enjoyed it. No one reacted strangely or wanted to take a
photograph of her. Here she was an anonymous person in an anonymous crowd.
Thousands of strangers who didn’t know her. Michiru felt great.
“Maybe I should convince my boys to visit the emperor’s palace while we’re
here.” She turned her head and looked up to the illuminated building on the
hill to their right.
Haruka didn’t reply anything. She trotted behind Michiru like a loyal doggy,
indeed, and watched out for any strange behaviour. But no one seemed to connect
the excited tourist in front of her with the world famous Kaioh Michiru, so it
seemed that her only job this evening would really be to escort the musician and
get some hopefully delicious food in exchange. At least she didn’t have to
fight off stupid blokes.
“What do you like to eat, Tenô-san?” After another thirty minutes of
commenting how beautiful this city was and that she wanted to see it during
daylight, Michiru finally remembered the main reason of her leaving the hotel.
Or better, Haruka’s very loudly protesting stomach reminded her of her earlier
promise.
“Whatever you like, Kaioh-san. I’m just not very fond of sashimi.” Haruka
shrugged and zipped her jacket. It truly was a night that promised an early
spring, however, she shivered, a feeling she had got used to during the past
years. She always felt cold when she hadn’t got enough sleep. However, she
didn’t dare to sleep a lot in her room which she shared with three other crew
members for she didn’t want to wake up, horrified and shaken by a horrible
nightmare. A nightmare that simply would not let go. That would never disappear.
That was part of her for the rest of her life. As an eternal punishment…
“Don’t call me Kaioh-san. Otherwise you can hold a poster over my head and
advertise who I am.” Michiru on the other hand opened her robe and took a deep
breath of fresh air. Yes, it was better than always being in the hotel or
Kyoto’s music hall. She felt freer. Happier. Like a bird on the wide ocean.
“Michiru-san isn’t any better, because it’s not such a common name.”
wondered Haruka puzzled. Of course she knew the Japanese tradition and she
didn’t want to be on a first name basis to the young singer. Actually, she
never wanted to call someone by his or her first name ever again, no matter who
it was.
I don’t want to get involved.
“Call me Aiko-san.” Michiru smiled as she saw the blonde’s confused look.
“It’s my mother’s name. I always use it when I walk around incognito.”
The young musician frowned as the taller woman paled, but then put it off as a
trick of the light. “So, no sashimi. Hm…” Michiru walked along the road
and looked into the little restaurants they were passing by. One looked more
invitingly than the other. Her own stomach started to rumble and she knew that
they could continue their tourist tour later. After a delicious meal.
“What about rice balls or sushi?”
“That’s fine with me.”
“Then let’s try it!”
Michiru grabbed the blonde’s hand and pulled her into the next restaurant.
Haruka was too surprised to even react.

dbdbdb

“Search for your love…”

Sejya stood at the stage’s rim, holding the microphone gently in his hands. He
preferred the music hall to be full with dancing fans, all singing along to his
lines. However, I knew that it was necessary to rehearse, even though he hardly
liked that particular song any longer. They had sung it too often. Far too
often. But he knew that they still had to perform it for it was the song which
would hopefully reach their princess. Therefore it had to be perfect. For the
sake of their princess. As for Tahiki’s sake.
Sejya held the micro tighter in his hand. Normally, they used mini micros
attached to their costumes, but somehow they were not working with this music
hall’s equipment. Hashitzou had been distraught and promised them more than
once that they would work until their first concert the coming weekend. The dark
haired singer did not mind. They had started with old micros five years ago when
all they wanted to do was to search for Kakyuu. Never had they expected to get
so popular on this strange planet so far away from their home. Now they had the
most modern equipment, but Sejya secretly loved the old micros you had to hold
in your hands. He thought it made him look sexy.
Sadly, everyone else disagreed. Except maybe his fans.
“Stop.” Tahiki looked up from his guitar with this serious expression that
he always wore when he was working very hard. Sejya groaned silently, but nodded
and started again when his brother told him to repeat the refrain. He knew how
much it meant to Tahiki to find her, therefore he would sing that damn song even
if it was the last thing he would do in his life.
Fuck for your fuck…
Instead he sang the lyrics accordingly to the lines in his head. He always
learned the lyrics by heart while Tahiki or Yaten still had some sheets of
papers to look at if the music was still new. While his brothers were able to
play an instrument, Sejya only sang. He was the lead singer and after having
tried to play the flute in his early childhood, his family silently agreed that
his voice was nicer than all his vain attempts on instruments. At least it did
not scare away their fans.
“Try the refrain again, please.”
At least he said please.
Sejya closed his eyes so that Tahiki would not see him roll them, then he
started again, singing his heart out to an empty audience.
“Maybe a little bit softer? You surely don’t want to scream at the
audience.” Sejya could only hear Tahiki’s voice and he willed himself not to
strangle his dear brother here and now.
Here we go again.

“Search for your love, sora no suishou
Search for your love, nakanaide kure
Search for your love, hontou wa
Dakishimetai”

He really tried to give his best, but he instinctively knew that it was no good.
Not today. Something was bugging Tahiki, probably the looming failure of their
mission. Neither Sejya nor Yaten dared to even think the words, but they both
knew that five years of endless, fruitless searching came dangerously close to a
failure. They didn’t know how long their quest would last, or how long it was
sane to continue it. Probably, they would do it until they were old and had to
be wheeled onto the stage as long as it made their big brother feel any better.
But would it still make sense?
Why hasn’t she answered yet?
Sejya was interrupted again. Patiently, he listened to Tahiki’s suggestions of
improvement, nodded, and started again in a song they all knew by heart. That
their fans knew by heart. Hell, that probably even their critics knew by heart.
Isn’t she able to answer?

“ Kimi wa itsumo kagayaiteta
Egao hitotsu chiisa na hoshi”

Or doesn’t she want to answer? Why?
As always Sejya got no answer, so he concentrated on his lyric, although the
words came automatically out of his mouth. But he didn’t want to mess up. Not
today when Tahiki seemed to be so sad, so near the edge. Therefore, Sejya opened
his eyes – and missed his line. He also forgot the next line and stared
stupidly into the dark audience.
“Touto-chan?” Tahiki looked up from his guitar and frowned as his brother
exploded.
“What do you think you’re doing out of bed? You were still sneezing the last
time I’ve checked! Our concert starts in three days and we can’t afford you
to be ill again!”
Sejya switched off his microphone and pressed his hands against his hips.
Baka!
“Exactly! Only three days. I don’t want to ruin the concert, because I could
not rehearse.” Yaten wrapped the thick jacket tighter around his body as he
stubbornly went behind the stage. One moment later he reappeared and sat
determinedly behind his grand piano. Silently, he opened it and stroked gently
over the black and white keys. He had missed his baby, as much as he had missed
his music.
Now I can finally play again.
“I won’t get ill again.”
“I wouldn’t bet on it.”
Sejya and Yaten stared at each other and Tahiki sighed inwardly.
“Stop it, you two.” He put his guitar carefully away, then he got up and
walked over to Yaten who was wearing warm clothes and his furry boots. The
smallest singer did not seem to be cold and Tahiki had to agree that he needed
to rehearse. They all needed to play their songs before the next concert –
together. “We’ll play some old songs and then try some new ones for an hour
and then you’ll go back into our hotel suite, okay, Yaten?”
“Okay.” Yaten beamed up at him and his hands hovered weightlessly over the
keyboard before they automatically started to play their most popular, even
though not their most favourite song.
“It’s your risk, Tahiki-niisan.”
Sejya took a deep breath, turned around, switched on the micro and started again
to sing, not waiting for Tahiki to get back to his guitar. He was too angry with
his brother to care. Too angry with himself that it was not him who decided over
their fate. Too angry with Yaten that he was able to keep up so easily with his
changing pace.
It’s your risk!
Yes, at it has always been.

“Kimi wa itsumo kagayaiteta
Egao hitotsu chiisa na hoshi
Taisetsu ni shiteta yo (eien no Starlight)
Ano hi boku wa mamorenakute
Kuyashi namida koraeta dake
Itami ga nokoru yo (wasurenai Sweet heart)”

dbdbdb

Haruka could hardly believe her luck. She had expected Kaioh Michiru to drag her
into a sushi restaurant. Oh, she loved most fish, however, what she loved even
more was okonomiyaki. No matter how good an Italian pizza would ever be, it
stood no chance against an okonomiyaki. And the musician happened to have
dragged her into a small but very cosy okonomiyaki restaurant which also sold
sushi.
They sat in a corner next to a window. They could see nocturnal Kyoto from their
small table that was designed for only two people. Michiru sat near the glass,
although she did not look outside to admire the sparkling lights of a city that
probably never slept. Haruka sat opposite to her. Between them sparkled a little
candle and the atmosphere was almost romantic. A stranger who didn’t know them
would have called it a date. Haruka called it a well deserved dinner.
Since the smaller woman had told her that she would invite her for her bold
kidnapping from the hotel and that she should chose whatever she liked, Haruka
had ordered the biggest okonomiyaki they had. It said on the menu that it was
originally for two people, but Haruka had not eaten okonomiyaki for such a long
time and had not had lunch this very day that she ignored the waitresses
astonished look and Michiru’s amused, not very well hidden giggle. The
violinist ordered herself sushi and already ate while Haruka still had to wait
for her meal. The blonde glanced hungrily to the kitchen door which stayed
closed without mercy. 
Strange, can’t remember the last time I’ve felt so hungry.
Haruka knew that she had to eat in order to live. However, she had lost her
appetite last autumn and everything seemed to taste like sandpaper. It got
better during the past weeks in Hashitzou’s crew when there was always someone
around to eat with her. Or better to eat at the same table. To talk about their
work or about his or her family waiting home for them to return from a concert
or an even bigger tour through Japan and the rest of the world. It was different
from the silence that had normally greeted her in her small room. And it was
completely different from a grinning Michiru.
“Do you want some of mine?” offered Michiru and watched amused as Haruka’s
eyes flickered to the still closed door for the umpteenth time.
The restaurant had been a good idea. She doesn’t look so distant any longer.
“No.” Haruka shook her head and decided to stir some sugar into her tea.
“Arigatou.”
“When I was a kid I didn’t understand why people liked cold fish.” Michiru
put a sushi between her chopsticks and looked at it, smiling in old memories
almost forgotten. “I used to put them into the oven or into the microwave
giving our guests a heart attack. My grandmother only laughed and let me have
them the way I liked them.” The young woman shrugged her shoulders. “I still
do it from time to time and then I do something really disgusting,
Tenô-san…”
Haruka could not imagine Kaioh Michiru doing something disgusting. Not when she
played so wonderful music. Not when the blonde had seen so many really
disgusting things herself.
“What, Ka… uh…Aiko-san?” Of course she had to stumble over the secret
name, although Michiru didn’t so much as acknowledge her slip. Nevertheless,
Haruka had to listen to the young woman, because she was strangely curious.
“… then I eat them with ketchup!”
Michiru grinned, not in the least embarrassed about her eating habits. Instead
she had to giggle and the sushi escaped her chopsticks and fell back onto her
plate. She tried to grasp it, but it was no use for she had to laugh even
harder. They escaped her sticks for three times and she even considered taking
them with the tea spoon when suddenly two sticks pierced right through her
struggling shushi, cutting off its way of escape.
“My mother was always proud of her cooking skills and wanted us to eat
properly. I mean, I was three and my father still wanted me to use the spoon so
that I wouldn’t kill myself.” Haruka was surprised about her sudden courage.
About a courage actually remembering something that had happened in her
childhood. In a childhood long gone. To remember it and to actually telling it
to a total stranger.
However, it felt good. It felt great with a smiling Michiru sitting opposite to
her, nodding her head knowingly, probably thinking of her own childhood.
“But my mommy wanted me to finally eat with chopsticks.” Haruka moved her
right hand and the sushi seemed to flow through the air like a small plane,
twice almost crashing into the candle until Michiru got it out of harm’s, or
better Haruka’s way. “That’s what I always did, Ka… uh… Aiko-san.
Every single time my mother made sushi I would pierce it with my sticks and eat
it and would refuse to try otherwise, because it took too long.”
“And what did your mother do, Tenô-san?”
“The same your grandmother did: She didn’t want her child to starve, so she
accepted it until I was able to use it one day.”
“One day?”
“I guess I had been eight by then.”
“Your poor mother.”
“Your poor grandmother.”
They both giggled and Haruka was stunned by how wonderful it felt. Just like a
dream. Or like a life she had never been able to live: To sit with a nice girl
in a restaurant and talk about total nonsense. Funny nonsense. Simply like that.
Without worrying about the future. Without fearing what the next day might
bring. Without thinking the unthinkable.
Although Haruka knew deep down that she would immediately change her life back
if she could change anything that had happened five years ago, over thee months
ago. She would endure it all again if that meant that she could see them, could
see him again.
“I also hated kimonos, Tenô-san. Now I sometimes wear them and it’s great
fun when you have someone who’s able to get you into it. But as a child they
were too tight and too good. I could not run in them and not play my violin.”
Michiru leaned forward as if they were two FBI women on a secret meeting. “So
I hid them in my grandmother’s wardrobe for old clothes, because I knew she
would never look there. Then I would sit in my own room and cry until I was
allowed to wear my light summer dresses instead.”
Yes, Haruka would have done anything to turn back time. However, right now she
enjoyed herself for the first time in months, probably even years. She knew she
would feel guilty during the coming, endless, sleepless night. But right now she
was here with Kaioh Michiru, heard her funny stories and drank the sweetest tea
of her life. 
“You were a really naughty girl, Aiko-san.”
“I never said otherwise.”
“Well, I didn’t even want to wear dresses to begin with, at the least
kimonos.” Haruka had really no idea why she was telling Michiru so much about
her childhood. And why that didn’t hurt as it should have. Maybe because the
young woman was actually listening to her, liking her stories, liking her
laughter, liking her presence.
Maybe because she doesn’t know me.
 Haruka ignored her inner voice for once and let Michiru eat the caught sushi
from her chopsticks before she told her an old story about her silver kimono
which had always made him giggle silently. It made Michiru laugh loudly.
“… and then I had to go to them, all of them, the way I looked…”
Michiru’s deep green eyes were shinning with amusement and Haruka’s pale
face was redden with excitement. They did not interrupt their talk as Haruka’s
okonomiyaki finally arrived. While Haruka dug in Michiru told her another funny
story about her past.
“… you should have seen their faces..”
They spent more than three hours in the cosy restaurant. With two excellent
dinners, two delicious ice cream deserts and six teas. Talking. Laughing.
Gesturing. Remembering. Simply having fun.
Neither of them noticed that they hadn’t talked about the next concert or
work.
As if they were normal people.
As if they were friends.

dbdbdb

“Give me a break.”
Sejya was fed up after they had rehearsed all their songs which took them almost
two hours. Of course Yaten was still sitting behind his grand piano and it
didn’t look as if he would go back to their hotel suite anytime soon. The lead
singer knew the smaller man’s stubbornness, but he had expected his brother to
be stricter and send Yaten back earlier. However, nothing had happened and Sejya
knew that he had to get out of there before he would scream at them or kick
something or even someone.
Why did we have to sing all our stupid songs? It’s not like they are new or
something.
Sejya almost growled in frustration.
If Yaten’s ill again I’ll seriously kill someone.
“I’ll be back in five minutes.”
The young man grabbed his coat and jerked the package of cigarettes out of a
pocket while he jumped off the stage and walked towards the exit in big strides.
He didn’t look back and with a loud bang of the door he was gone.
“I wish he’d stop smoking.” Yaten sighed deeply and suppressed a shudder.
Although he wore his thickest jacket, he felt cold again. His fingers were stiff
and he wondered how long he would still be able to play along to Sejya’s voice
without missing a note. But he knew that he had to rehearse. He had to play his
piano again if he wanted to be a good pianist in three day’s time. If he
wanted to make it up to Tahiki for the last times when he had been too ill to
play and sing for their princess.
I wish he’d stop being so angry.
“I’m still hoping that he sees how senseless and unhealthy it is.”
“Keep hoping.” Yaten shook his head and played some more notes. Surprised he
looked up when some music sheets were put on the piano’s lid. Of course he
knew all their songs by heart, even though he knew where to look if he forgot a
melody. However, those notes were new. Curiously, he looked at Tahiki who had
put down his guitar and now stood at his side. Then he leaned forward and took
the sheets in his slightly trembling hands.
“This…” he read the notes and hummed the melody silently in the opera
hall’s huge emptiness. “This belong to Onee-chan’s new piece of music,
doesn’t it?”
“It’s the piano’s accompanying melody.” Agreed Tahiki, nodding. He sat
down next Yaten on the small stool and pointed right at the beginning.
“Michiru-san’s grandmother received them together to the main violin voice.
Michiru-san wanted to try if our audience likes a classical song like that
without getting you involved in case they’d have disapproved of it.” He
turned the page and his finger traced the notes dancing on the five lines.
“It’s not very easy and we didn’t want you to practice it all in vain.”
“But now they accepted it and you’d like to perform it as a duet.” Yaten
put the sheets back and touched the keys, playing a single note, stopping,
humming the melody and playing some more notes.
“Hai.” Tahiki nodded and rose. “It’s not very easy and you don’t have
to be able to play it before our tour through Japan.”
“Hm…” Yaten had already been consumed by the music. He bit his lower lip
and played some more lines. It sounded insecure and weak, but Tahiki knew that
Yaten would practise very hard and very concentrated and that he would be able
to play it in two months’ time. He would not ask or even push his smallest
brother again. Tahiki knew the way Yaten played his best. He did not work well
under pressure but when was left on his own, trying the melody and the rhythm
again and again until it was good enough. Until he was satisfied. Then, and only
then, he would talk to his brothers again and present them his hard work. And
only then he would dare to play with Michiru, accompany her perfect play which
he thought he would never achieve, even though the young violinist often tried
to convince him otherwise.
“I’ll be right back.” Tahiki touched Yaten’s shoulder, felt that the
smaller man shook slightly. “We’ll rehearse our most important song once
more when I’m back and then you’ll go straight back to your hotel room, take
a hot bath and go to bed, okay?”
“’kay…” Yaten was clearly not listening to him for his eyes were fixed
on the new music and his fingers were caressing the grand piano’s keyboard.
The youngest singer was so involved into the so well known and at the same time
so new melody that he didn’t hear Tahiki leave nor Sejya enter.
“Isn’t this a bit too hard for you?” asked the singer while leaning over
Yaten’s shoulder, glancing at the sheet of music before studying the smaller
man silently. Originally, he’d wanted to ask him how he felt, if he was
feeling dizzy or even sick. However, he couldn’t voice his concern so he said
the next thing that came to his mind. Seeing Yaten stiffen and his expression
darken, and he knew that he had said the wrong thing. Again.
“I have two months to practice. Thanks for your trust.”
“Whatever.” Sejya set a white plastic mug on one of the sheets lying on the
grand piano and turned to look at the empty rows before him. He didn’t feel
like anymore singing. Not even his smoke had lifted his spirits. In fact he
wanted to get out. To explore Kyoto. To do something completely crazy. But he
knew that he wouldn’t go. Not alone. Not when Yaten was still, technically at
least, ill. Because then he had no one to hide behind when they saw a Ferries
Wheel or a small shop selling candy floss. Then he had no one who could be able
to ask for all these nice things for him, without leaving him wide open. 
He should have been in bed long ago.
Sejya looked at Yaten from the corner of his eyes. The youngest singer frowned
and carefully took the mug in his hands. He raised his eyebrows in surprise;
probably he had only discovered that it was indeed hot. The way the younger man
was holding the mug between his palms, Sejya instinctively knew that Yaten was
not thirsty; that he wasn’t even curious to see what his older brother had
bought. No, the pianist wanted to warm his hands, because he was feeling cold.
Sejya didn’t dare to step closer again, but he sensed Yaten’s shiver,
nonetheless.
“Where’s our boss?”
“Tahiki-niichan? He’d said he’d be back in a coupla minutes.” Yaten
brought the mug closer to himself and now Sejya actually saw him trembling.
Tahiki’s completely nuts!
Right now he really wanted to kick his big brother’s arrogant ass. Tahiki
better took care of those who were still with him instead of only thinking of
those who were far away. Out of sight, but not out of mind. Yet still
unreachable.
Yeah, you’re the one to speak...
Sejya sighed deeply before he jumped off the stage again. He’s had enough.
Although he didn’t know what he would do for the rest of the evening, he
precisely knew what he wasn’t going to do.
I won’t let him freeze any longer.
“Tell Tahiki-niisan that I went out. I won’t come back.” Sejya sounded
cool and relaxed, even though he was steaming inside. He knew very well how
unhappy Tahiki would be about him disappearing like that, but he also knew his
older brother too well to be sure that he would not finish the rehearsal. After
all it was no use to practice their songs any longer without their lead singer.
Maybe he’ll come to his senses then and send Yaten to bed.
“Where’re you going, Sej?”
“Not your business.”
No idea…
“May I come with you?”
The soft question startled him and he turned around, the door already half
opened before him. Yaten looked expectantly at him and it hurt him to crash
these hopes.
Maybe when you’re well again.
Sejya shook his head, seeing the disappointment flicker over a pale face before
Yaten stared at the mug in his hands again.
Maybe when Michiru-san and her crazy friends will come with us.
“Nope.” He wanted to say much more to the sad looking young man, still a
small boy in his eyes. So much more. But as always he did not find the correct
words, would probably never find any words at all when faced with one of
Yaten’s crazy requests. 
Or do they only sound that crazy in my ears?
Maybe they’d be normal for anyone else but me…
“Drink your cacao before it gets cold.”
Sejya reached for his cigarettes again as he left the opera hall for the second
time; this time without intending to return again that night. He did not hear
Yaten’s silent hai echoing behind him.

dbdbdb

They could have gone home after their delicious meal. It was near to midnight
and they could have truly said that they had had a long and lovely evening, that
they had enjoyed their dinners and that they had had a wonderful time talking to
each other.
Most of the tourist attractions were closed by now anyway and the last shows in
the cinemas had already started, so it was no use to try and watch a movie at
this late hour. Really, no one would have thought it strange for them to return
to the hotel. Michiru would have been able to tell the Three Lights and
especially Setsuna how great her evening out had been and Haruka could have
tried to get some sleep in her own room.
Yes, they could have easily gone back.
However, none of them really wanted the evening to end, at least not yet. They
both felt still wide awake and too old have anyone of Tahiki’s or
Hashitzou’s unofficial curfews interfere with their further plans, even though
they had no idea of how they looked like nor did they behave very mature. In
fact, they were more giggling than actually talking, behaving extremely
childishly.
Or happily.
“Now that we’ve seen the famous Kyoto Palace in the dark and know that it
won’t open before seven in the morning, what’re we gonna do now?” Michiru
nestled with the small digital camera in her arms before showing it back into
her pocket. Surely, there would be hardly any signs of the old building on her
photos, nevertheless it had been fun to shoot them while pretending to be a
brilliant photographer which of course she was not.
“Dunno. Whatever you like.” 
While Haruka still had refused to come with her in the hotel only hours ago, she
seemed to be more relaxed after having eating a big meal.
How to tame Tenô-san?
Give her a huge okonomiyaki.
Michiru chuckled at that thought and looked curiously around. She didn’t know
this city, however, she knew exactly what she liked.
“That’ll be great.” She grabbed the blonde’s right hand and dragged her
over a crossing. They both were lucky that the lights turned green right at that
moment, thus stopping the traffic around them.
“Karaoke?” frowned Haruka as the young musician finally stopped before a big
building with many glamorously shimmering signs. Of course, she had told the
smaller woman only minutes ago that she would be fine with every activity she
chose, however, there were two things in life she wasn’t able to do, no matter
what, even if her life depended on them. One of them was singing.
“No.” Michiru shook her head, smiling. “But we’ll have to do that one
day with the Three Lights. No one’s better in Karaoke than those boys.” The
young musician pointed at another sign that was right next to the advert for
Karaoke. It read only three single letters and Haruka’s mood brightened
instantly. It was something even she could manage to do, as long as she didn’t
have to hum or even sing along to the melodies.
“DDR?”
“Yup.”
“Great, let’s do it!”
“Yup.”
Ten minutes later found Haruka and Michiru hopping before a big screen. Although
the game was called Dance Dance Revolution by full name, their movements
couldn’t be called dancing. Not at all, for they were not graceful enough,
especially not while they had to laugh and hop back and forth to get their feet
into a bizarre sequence in order to catch the arrows on the screen. Sometimes
they missed an arrow and staggered for a moment to get back into the rhythm. Or
they jumped quickly around on the mat in a vain attempt to catch the missed
arrow. 
The music was fast, the beat clearly recognizable. Haruka didn’t know the
music. Probably it was what was currently played in Japan’s Top Twenty, but
she could have cared less. Most likely she wouldn’t have even been able to
name the most popular pop songs from the country she had spent the last years
in. There had been only one kind of music she had been interested in during that
time…
Their music.
Haruka pushed the unwelcomed thought determinedly aside and concentrated again
on the screen before her, seeing that the young musician was leading.
She’s really good, even though she claims differently.
“Don’t jump into the middle. You have to run from side to side.” Gasped
Michiru and made a little jump that looked like her legs would cross in the air
and form a neat ribbon with a tight knot.
“Uhu.” Haruka only nodded and stepped into the middle nonetheless. Otherwise
she would have lost orientation and possibly stumbled over her own feet and
fallen down. She could remember vaguely having played this game before, but it
was now such a long time ago that she was practically a beginner. However, that
did not darken her mood, not in the slightest. She came here to enjoy herself
and not to win. There had been times when she had wanted to be the best, when
she had wanted to win no matter what. When she had wanted to show them just how
special she was. Until that very day that had taught her that it all didn’t
matter, never would again.
Don’t think about it!
Haruka missed two arrows while Michiru effortlessly managed to hold her own
rhythm. Her face was reddened and her smile was amused. Her jacket and her cap
hung behind her over a backrest. At first, she had been concerned that anyone
would be able to recognize her, although she knew that she would have never been
able to play DDR properly with all her winter’s clothes on. But it was too
dark in the amusement arcade, or at least in their corner with all the computer
and other screen games. In order to watch them properly the light was dimmed and
no one would have spotted her here, lest alone expected her in a place like
this.
Michiru felt fairly safe and was determined to enjoy herself as much as
possible. No one knew what tomorrow held. Or the next week. Or the next month.
Even though she had spent most of the last years on a stage together with the
Three Lights, she still was a Sailor Senshi to the bone. Whenever her Queen
called her she would abandon everything else and fight. They had not defeated
Sailor Galactica yet, not fully, therefore there was always the threat of
another battle, another war, another injury, another dangerous situation..
Don’t think about it it!
Haruka and Michiru shortly exchanged a glance and both missed three arrows. They
both didn’t care, only giggled like school girls.
Please, don’t think about it. At least not for the next hours!
After another thirty seconds the song ended and a red screen indicated them how
badly they had danced, or rather, had stumbled.
“Let’s try it again!” Michiru rummaged in her purse and fished out some
coins she had gotten at the entrance. “I want to get my prize!”
“Your prize?” Haruka eyed the screen in front of her sceptically. She had
thought that the young musician needed the special coins to make the machine
going. “You can win something by hopping around like a maniac?”
“Of course you can.” Michiru’s grin broadened. „I’ll show you.“
“Okay.” Haruka positioned herself in the middle of the mat despite the
younger woman’s protest to use the edges instead. “Then let’s try
again.”
“Some song in particular?”
“Not really, but a clear rhythm helps.”
“How many feet?”
“As many as it takes to win something, anything.”
“Good.”
Michiru made the adjustments and the screen awoke to new life and new arrows.
She already jumped for the first ones as she heard the blonde’s confused voice
beside her.
“And what exactly are we able to win?”
“I haven’t the slightest idea.”
“Perfect.”
They both laughed and quickened their pace after they’d missed a beat.

dbdbdb
	
But in her web she still delights
To weave the mirror’s magic sights

Hopefully, Yaten looked up from his book when he heard the suite’s door open.
But it wasn’t Sejya finally coming home. Instead he heard Setsuna’s by now
well known giggle. It sounded like she had had a great time with her wife and
daughter. Yaten glanced at his watch and slightly shook his head. It was past
eleven. He hoped that little Hotaru was fast asleep in her baby seat and that
her future development wouldn’t take any damage while being dragged around in
restaurants with her crazy parents.
They love her. They won’t hurt her.
And Yaten sensed that Hotaru only felt really happy when both of her parents
were around, no matter where she was. The young singer also knew that Setsuna
and Elza would never hurt the little child. Surely, they had been in a silent,
smoke-free restaurant, playing with little Hotaru until she fell asleep.
Maybe she’ll sleep through this night.
Yaten didn’t really mind to be woken up in the middle of the night. He could
easily return to his sleep again. What troubled him a little bit was the fact
that the little girl wailed to get her parents’ attention quickly. Yaten had
heard too many screams in his life to not feel his heart racing at the unhappy
sound.
Another door was opened and closed and silence returned to the suite. Yaten
sighed quietly and brought his knees to his chest. He already was in bed and had
wrapped himself in his warm blankets, thankful that the maid had washed his
softest pyjamas. 
I wish he’d come back soon.
Although he knew that they would only argue. Probably, Sejya would go into his
own room without wanting to speak to him. What would they speak about, anyway?
Their next concert? Their songs? All this boring stuff that didn’t really
interest him. True, the Three Lights business dominated his days and mostly even
his nights, but it wasn’t his life. It shouldn’t be neither his life nor
theirs. It had been a temporary solution to search for Kakyuu. Temporary. It
turned out to have lasted for over five years already, without any end in
sight.
Of course Yaten wanted to find Kakyuu, the strong and understanding princess he
liked so much, his brother loved so deeply. But Yaten also wanted to have his
life, to have his brothers back. Tahiki only seemed to exist to take care of
their concerts, of the newest song’s arrangement and of the next city they
would play in. Nothing else seemed to be of interest to him anymore. Yaten
couldn’t remember the last time he had seen his oldest brother laugh, really
laugh, happily and carefree. Sejya on the other hand started to keep his
distance from them, especially from Yaten, although he couldn’t think of a
reason why. The youngest singer used to know Sejya very well; what he liked to
eat, what he liked to do in his free time, what he thought when he was staring
unseeingly out of the window. Now Yaten didn’t even have the slightest idea
where the lead singer was right now.
I want my family back!
It was extremely selfish and Yaten knew it. Never would he have dared to voice
these thoughts aloud, for they would have hurt Tahiki endlessly and confirmed
Sejyas suspicion that he only wanted to draw attention.
Still I want them back!
Yaten knew that they wouldn’t return to their home planet as long as they
hadn’t found Kakyuu. They definitely couldn’t go back until they hadn’t
defeated Sailor Galactica. And Yaten wasn’t sure if they really wanted to go
home. If their home still existed. If their parents were still alive…
The young man gulped and fought desperately against the burning sensation in his
tired eyes, blinked away the revealing tears. No, he didn’t want to think
about this possibility. Maybe their home was destroyed, but their parents had to
be alive. They had had the same chance as they did when Sailor Galactica
attacked full force. Surely, they were on a planet far far away, not knowing how
to contact them. Certainly they were searching for them as they were searching
for Kakyuu. One day they would be reunited. However, until that day Yaten needed
his brothers as the only family that was left to him. He needed them to trust
them, to rely on them, to tell them his fears and to face Sailor Galactica
together. But the more time passed the more it seemed to everyone of them fought
on their own, simply not having the time nor the strength to care for the other
one. A fight Yaten would ultimately lose. He had never been a strong fighter and
without his brothers he was certainly lost.
I want my Sej back!
The Sejya who had laughed with him, not over him, who had talked to him and
shared secrets strict and responsible Tahiki wasn’t to know. Who had cared
about him. Who had hugged him occasionally…
Yaten wiped awkwardly some tears away before he pulled the book closer. He put
it on his knees and concentrated again on the poem. There was no use to cry over
spilled milk, as there was no use to be afraid of a future he wouldn’t be able
to change. Not alone.

For often through the silent nights
A funeral with plumes and lights
And music, went to Camelot.


dbdbdb

Sejya heard the muffled laughter as he entered their suite right after the big
clock in the hotel’s entrance hall stroke midnight. He hadn’t really been to
any place in particular, mostly walking around in the dark, looking at Kyoto’s
colourful nightlife without really seeing it. At some point he bought himself a
hamburger from these terrible fast food chains you could now find everywhere in
Japan. It didn’t taste, but he was afraid that someone would recognize him if
he’d sat down in a real restaurant. So he only grabbed the little plastic bag
and ate the warm, meat filled roll while walking again across Kyoto.
When the cold got unbearable, his feet tired and his mind bored, he decided to
go back. It was late enough and hopefully his brothers would already be in bed,
sleeping deep and tight. Sejya wasn’t in the mood for one of Tahiki’s
sermons preaching him not to run off without giving them any notice or at least
a warning. 
It’s not as if I wouldn’t be able to defend myself against crazy fans.
Sejya shrugged off his cloak and let it fall unceremoniously over the living
room’s couch. 
I’m a Sailor Star Senshi, for heaven’s sake!
That was one of the reasons why they didn’t have real bodyguards. Of course
Hashitzou insisted on them and often hired strong built, dangerously looking
guys in black suits, with gelled back hair and watchful eyes always hidden
behind dark sunglasses. However, neither the Three Lights nor Kaioh Michiru
approved. Always, they were able to escape their protection and for Hashitzou it
only seemed pure luck that had prevented worse yet to happen to the popular
musicians, because he didn’t know the truth, didn’t know that they had
Senshi powers and could very well look after themselves. There had been some
crazy fans once and even a rivalling boy group whose members had tried to harm
Michiru, but none of them were ever able to get close to them. In fact, the
singer of the unfriendly boy group almost drowned in one of Sailor Neptune’s
infamous waves and all the other dangerous fans were too mad to be actually
believed when they told the police that their idols were fighters from another
planet.
I’m Fighter.
Only sometimes did they accept Hashitzou’s bodyguards. At least for some days,
just to make him happy and feel like he was doing a great job in protecting
them. However, today hadn’t been one of these rare days. Sejya had wanted to
be alone, to think to himself, even though he doubted he’d ever get an answer
to all the questions spooking around in his mind. Still, it felt better to kick
a rubbish bin when no one saw it.
Sejya sighed deeply and looked around in the dark suite.
As expected he could only see light under one of the doors leading to their
different sleeping rooms. It was the guest room which their suites always had
due to Michiru’s numerous friends, and Sejya could make out Setsuna’s voice
and Elza’s unmistakably high laughter, although they at least tried to be
silent. Surely, they didn’t want to wake their daughter up. Sejya really
didn’t want to hear little Hotaru cry in the middle of the night, especially
not because her crazy mothers celebrated one of Elza’s successfully passed
exams a little bit too loudly.
Thankfully, Sejya noted that Tahiki’s room seemed to be dark. There were two
possibilities: Either the young man was sleeping or he was sitting on his
balcony, staring at the sky, watching the stars like he had done during so many
nights. Like Sejya had done, as well, until he decided that there were more
important things to do than mourning over old memories, old times that would not
return. He was also strictly convinced that looking at the planets so far away
wouldn’t bring their princess back. However, he understood that this gesture
might comfort Tahiki and so he let him be. At least he was not the one who
always caught a cold so easily. He could stand a night in the early spring’s
cold without sneezing the entire next day.
Being cold…
Which reminded Sejya of the reason why he had left their rehearsal without
another word to Tahiki, without a second thought at all.
I really hope he didn’t have a relapse.
Well, there was only one way to find out, wasn’t there? Sejya slipped out of
his boots and didn’t care that they now laid on the soft carpet, right next to
the couch. Silently, he opened the day and tiptoed into the room. It was smaller
than in their last hotel, but this time each of them had their own bathroom
which compensated and made many things easier, especially in the morning and
especially with Setsuna and little Hotaru as their guests.
Yaten-chan?
Sejya didn’t dare to call out for the younger man for he didn’t want to wake
him. However, it wasn’t necessary for him to say the other one’s name; he
found Yaten where he belonged: In his bed. The small singer was fast asleep.
Sejya saw him sprawled on the mattress in the little lamp’s weak light that
stood on a small table right next to the bed. An open book lay on Yaten’s
chest and Sejya supposed that he had fallen asleep while reading his favourite
poems. Writings that the lead singer would never understand. Probably, Tahiki
was right whenever he was angry with him and he really was too stupid to
understand something like that.
Sejya slowly stepped forward and carefully put the book aside. Then he covered
the small form before him with the soft blanket and smoothened the pillow. Yaten
turned on his side and curled up like a small child, as he had always done.
However, he didn’t wake up nor did he look as troubled as he had during the
past days. His face was not so pale any longer and his cheeks where slightly
redden, but not from fever. Maybe he just dreamed about something nice, probably
something from their childhood, when he had smiled as happily as he did right
now.
Yaten-chan…
Sejya sighed softly and leaned over the sleeping figure. Gently, he examined
Yaten’s forehead which fortunately was as warm as his own hand. The fever
seemed to have finally gone. There hadn’t been a relapse. The rehearsal
hadn’t harmed the young pianist as the lead singer had initially feared.
Sleep well, Yaten-chan.
Sejya stroked softly through silver strands. Then he switched off the light and
went back to the common room where he’d watch boring TV for the rest of the
night.
Sleep well, little one.

dbdbdb

“Two hours of hard work for something like that?”
Haruka stared disbelievingly at the object neatly snuggled under her left arm.
Two brown eyes were looking back at her with a doggy expression in them,
literally.
“I think it’s kinda cute.” Michiru drank a gulp from her milk shake and
giggled at the blonde’s indignant face as she held the big, brown plush puppy
into the air.
“If it’s so cute why don’t you carry it then?”
“Because my hands are already full.” Michiru bought herself a milk shake,
and because she felt hungry after having jumped around for hours, a sandwich.
She ate it slowly on purpose, because the young woman looked almost sweet with
her in shame reddened cheeks. Still, she did not drop the cuddly toy, but
carried it bravely through Kyoto’s night. 
“Look.” 
Suddenly, Haruka stopped and looked up to the sky. Right now they were near a
park and there were less streetlights around, so that they could actually see
some stars, at least the brightest right above.
“They look beautiful, don’t they?” Michiru followed the blonde’s look
and squinted slightly. One of the stars was the brightest, the most beautiful,
although she had now idea how it was called. That’s why she asked the taller
woman.
“Do you happen to know which star’s that?”
“It’s Sirius; it’s the dog’s star.”
The dog’s star? Really? That’s cool! Is it able to bark?
Haruka’s hand clenched unconsciously around the soft puppy’s left ear as she
heard the high voice in her mind again; as she had heard it during every long
night since then.
Can it bark? Waou waou!
Again she heard the happy laughter, a noise only she could hear, only she could
remember. She knew that one day it would drive her crazy and she could do
nothing against it.
“That’s the best star for our trophy, isn’t it?” Michiru stepped closer
to her and incidentally, their arms touched. Haruka jerked away, but Michiru
didn’t notice. She was too occupied in looking at the stars, trying to
remember any constellation she had once learned at school. Therefore, she
didn’t see the look of panic crossing the blonde’s suddenly very pale face,
slowly disappearing the longer the taller woman stared at her. She didn’t see
Haruka taking a deep breath and slowly calming down, returning back into the now
and here, forcing her demons back into her mind, so that she didn’t have to
face them until she was alone again.
“I can’t remember the last time I’ve actively looked at the stars.”
Michiru chuckled and sighed in content.
“Yes.” Agreed the blonde and took a big gulp from her suddenly too sweet
milk shake to banish the bitter taste from her suddenly dry mouth.
A fresh wind blew through the streets and the trees nearby rushed. Michiru
shivered a little bit and ate the rest of her sandwich before she pulled the cap
deeper into her face. Slowly, it was getting cold.
“Let’s get going.”
“Yes.”
She didn’t notice Haruka’s short answers. Instead she listened to a
church’s clock strike somewhere in the dark. It indicated that it was now past
three in the morning and so they decided to stroll back to their hotel. Still
they took their time and Haruka relaxed. They were again talking about some
other childhood memories or the game they’ve just played. They hardly knew
each other, yet they felt strangely comfortable with the other one. It had been
a great evening as if they had known each other for years. As if they were real
friends.
Why not?
Why shouldn’t she be my friend?
Michiru took another sweet-cold gulp and nodded determinedly to herself. She
would soon ask the blonde again if they could go out again. Maybe they could go
to the cinema, then. There were many nice movies Michiru never really had the
time to watch – or no one to go with her since the Three Lights weren’t
really interested in Hollywood or other earth films at all. They called them
unreal and boring. The only time when Sejya decided to watch TV was when he was
incredibly bored or pissed off.
Or we could all go and sing Karaoke.
Yes, that would be great fun. Michiru only had to convince Setsuna that the
blonde was a nice person. Nice and trustworthy since Setsuna was always very
sceptical about strangers, and extremely protective whenever it concerned her
best friend.
Does she want to be my friend?
Michiru glanced at Haruka who almost dropped the big puppy, but was quick enough
to save it from a bath in a cold puddle. The blonde hadn’t reacted as crazy as
her fans sometimes did: Not seeing the normal human in her, but only the image
they saw on posters, CD covers and on the stage. However, this young woman had
treated her like any other person, except for sometimes stumbling over her name,
or better, her mother’s name. 
“By the way, what’s your first name?”
The question sounded strange even in Michiru’s eyes. They’d just spent a
great evening out in Kyoto, had had much of fun and had laughed a lot, and yet
she didn’t know the blonde’s first name, knew her surname only from the crew
member’s ID card.
My first name?
Haruka blinked surprised. Only six hours ago she would have refused and not told
the young musician such an intimate fact of her life. She had spent enough time
of her life in Japan to understand the question’s meaning, or at least its
looming indication.
Once again!
Strangely enough, right now she didn’t care. Not at the least. She gulped the
rest of her own milk shake and threw the beaker into the next dustbin.
I’ve never wanted to be close to someone again, not even as a friend.
But right then, right in that moment, it didn’t matter.
“Haruka.”
“Scent of the wind?”
“Well, my mother liked it at that time.” Haruka scratched her head and
shrugged her shoulders. Then she blinked in surprise as Kaioh Michiru slightly
bowed before her.
“Arigatou for that great evening, Haruka-san.” Then she smiled at her again
which broadened into the smile Haruka had seen so often during their contest
against the DDR machine. “You can call me Michiru, if you like.”
“No more Aiko-san?”
“Well… as long as there are no strangers around.”
Somehow it warmed Haruka’s heart that she was no longer considered to be a
stranger by the young musician.
I really shouldn’t do that.
Again she didn’t care as she bowed in return.
“Great to hear that you had a good time, Michiru-san.”
“Did they put something into our milk shakes for all this formality?”
Michiru peered into her own beaker and chuckled. They had strictly stuck to non
alcoholic drinks, however, she still felt slightly tipsy.
They started again to walk, only to notice that they had already reached their
hotel. The entrance hall was sparsely illuminated. There was only one very tired
looking man behind the reception. They both giggled silently and sneaked through
the hall. Haruka escorted Michiru to the elevator where she had to say goodbye.
Her own room was on the ground floor and she knew that she had to be really
silent to not wake the others up. They had to get up early the next morning and
they wouldn’t be very happy to be interrupted in their sweet dreams by her
turning into a night owl.
“We’ll have to do that again, Haruka-san.”
“Hai, Michiru-san.”
They both smiled sheepishly at each other and the young violinist stepped into
the elevator as it arrived with a high noise that sounded very loud in the
nocturnal hotel.
“Arigatou again for the evening.”
“You’re very welcome.”
Michiru wanted to say something more, but the elevator’s door had already
closed before her and she felt it going up with her. Briefly, she wondered why
the name Haruka did ring a small bell in her subconsciousness, because she
didn’t know any other Haruka in her wide circle of friends. But then she
forgot about it as she had to yawn. Suddenly, she realized how tired she really
felt and was thankful that she could sleep a little bit longer tomorrow for
their planned rehearsal would not begin before two in the afternoon due to the
fact that Yaten had to see a doctor in the morning to make sure that he was
really well again and able to join them in their rehearsals and concerts.
Enough time to sleep, take a hot bath and eat a big breakfast.
And maybe to think of how to convince Setsuna in meeting Haruka.

dbdbdb

It was in the middle of the night. No sounds could be heard as a shadow tiptoed
through the suite. Every door was softly opened and closed. In two rooms the
figure stopped for a little moment longer, examining the sleeping forms
silently. 
Only when Tahiki was sure that everyone was back and safe in their beds did he
return to sit on his room’s balcony, looking at the stars and waiting for the
dawn.

dbdbdb




So, that’s been chapter 2. I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you very much for all
your nice reviews and yes, I did have nice vacations laugh.

Sorry that the beginning of my story seems to have confused so many people O_O.
I just didn’t want to give away the entire plot yet, but wanted to give some
hints to make the story more interesting. Maybe it was too confusing for some of
you? I thought it was quite clear. However, it’s always hard to see for me
since I (as the writer) know exactly what will happen and how the end will look
like. But please try again. Maybe it’ll get clearer soon. I hope this chapter
helped to make it clearer. I just wanted to build some suspension drop.

Someone told me that Tahiki, Yaten and Sejya are spelled in another way. I’m
sorry, but I’d like to keep this spelling since I’ve seen it this way in a
fansub. Since Haruka’s name is written completely differently quite often
(Tenô, Tenno, Tenou, Tennou, etc.) I guess it’s the same with the Three
Lights’ names. Please accept them this way, because I’ve always written them
this way and I guess I can’t change now.
The names are in Japanese and therefore it’s probably normal that there are so
many versions around. I’ll stick to the fansub version.

Expect the next chapter next Monday (I’ll try to upload one chapter or at
least 20 pages of a new chapter each Monday ^-^).

April

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