Hikaru Can Angst Too. ...No, Really!
The scene that Cassandra-san has been waiting for...
"God, this is wierd."
"Well jeez, Hikaru, if you're going to marry the poor girl, you've got to at least buy her a ring!"
"Okay, fine. So why are you here?"
"To make sure you don't screw up, of course!"
"Then why's Yuki-chan here?"
"'Cause I wanna' help you pick a ring for Taiga-san!"
"And Suta?"
"Yuki-baka made me come."
"...wonderful."
Hikaru heaved a more-than-frustrated sigh and stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jacket, aqua gaze drifting down the street as he looked away from his best friend and the two trainees who seemed intent on poking their noses into his personal business. Around them, life in the capital city of Kinmokusei continued as per normal.
"Come on!"
"Ite!" He winced when Josei grabbed onto his arm and yanked; "that hurt! And where do you think you're taking me?"
A roll of purple eyes and behind them Yuki was giggling. "To a jewelry store, dummy!"
"Why?"
"BECAUSE! Vending machines aren't a good place to buy an engagement ring!"
He snorted and jerked his arm away. "Lemme go... and I know that, Josei!" Normally jovial eyes narrowed and he glared at her semi-seriously. "I mean jeez! I'm not a complete idiot! I can do this on my own!"
Yuki was still giggling, but he wouldn't really tell if she was giggling at him, or just because it was her favorite pastime. Suta wasn't paying attention at all--she was looking bored and staring off at something invisible. Finally, Josei heaves a sigh and waved one hand at him, rolling her eyes.
"Fine, fine. I won't be so pushy."
"Good."
"But I'm not leaving." She insisted, making him groan, and pointed down the road. "So let's go."
"Yare, yare."
Hikaru had learned, over the many many years of knowing Josei, that sometimes it was best to just go along with what she wanted. When she really set her mind to something, it was very hard to convince her otherwise--and she tended to resort to smacking you if you didn't agree right away. She never hit too hard, of course, normally just a sharp slap to the arm...
But Hikaru, along with Akai Akari, had managed to graduate into the uncertain territory that came with being a close friend of hers. And along with that came the fact that she was bound to actually smack him once in a while.
He rubbed at his arm absently, wincing at the memory of the last time she had hit him.
Josei was a strong woman, that was for sure...
"Neeee~ Hikaru-san!"
Yuki's voice made him blink out of his thoughts, and he glanced down at the blonde.
"Aa?"
She was walking with a bounce, as she always did, pigtails swaying behind her, grinning up at him and looking terribly pleased with life in general. "I'm glad you asked Taiga-san to marry you! She's been very very happy ever since then."
A pale flush of red colored his cheeks, but he smiled and ignored it. "Good."
"You're happy too, right?"
"Of course." His reply made Yuki giggle again. "I adore her."
"Wai~!"
He chuckled. "It's good that you're so happy for her, Yuki-chan."
"I'm happy for both of you!"
"Well then, arigatou."
Yuki beamed--and then something down the street caught her attention, and the next thing he knew she was leaning to peer around him and waving one arm enthusiastically; "Kuroi-san! Tsuko-san! Konnichi wa!"
Hikaru blinked, turning to follow her gaze, and watched Kuroi give a cheerful wave in response. Just a half-step behind him, Tsuko was looking the same as always; tolerant, with a side of annoyed. The annoyance, though, seemed to be directed toward three girls, who were lurking on the sidewalk a few feet away, sighing and tittering and generally fawning over Kuroi.
It was amusing, actually, Hikaru found, the kind of attention that Kuroi garnered. The white-haired senshi had always been a flirt, though, so he supposed it was only to be expected. Not that he was serious about it... Kuroi was very firmly set on Tsuko, and that much was obvious to pretty much everyone.
"Wonder what they're doing down here." Josei commented from up ahead.
Hikaru shrugged. "Looks like Tsuko-chan is doing a lot of glaring, ne?"
"Sou ka." A laugh, and she cast an ironic glance toward Hikaru, but didn't say anything more.
It was Josei's personal oppinion that Hikaru was about as dense as humanly possible when it came to attention from any member of the now-opposite sex, aside from Taiga. Certainly he had managed to gather his fair share of female admirers since deciding to stay in his male form--but he didn't seem to notice at all. As amusing as he found Kuroi to be, it was a wonder he didn't see the girls who sighed and fawned and generally drooled over him, and she just had to shake her head.
Hikaru Kou was completely oblivious to any woman other than Taiga, and it was adorable as hell.
Watching him fall for her has certainly been interesting.
The thought had occurred to her on many occasions before, and it always made her want to giggle--as if she were fifteen years old once again. And she knew she wasn't the only one who found the situation to be just that amusing.
But in all honesty, the path Hikaru's life had taken after the first time he--as opposed to she--had bumped into Taiga had completely shocked Josei at first. Somehow, despite Hikaru's tomboyish personality and general lack of interest in men, the thought that she would end up making that kind of a life-altering change had never occurred to her...
...or to Amai, for that matter. It was almost like they didn't know her--him--at all.
That, she figured, had probably been the most disconcerting thing about the entire affair; the fact that she didn't know as much about her best friend as she thought she did. And as used to the "new" Hikaru as she was, it still bothered her at times.
Not that she was going to say anything, given how terribly happy he was--with his life, with himself, with his descisions, and with Taiga.
Josei's eyes flicked toward Hikaru, a smile tugging at her lips, and then she turned back to watch Kuroi and Tsuko start to make their way toward them. Yuki was grinning, and bounced off to meet them halfway. Suta heaved a suffering sigh and leaned against a nearby mailbox, crossing her arms and generally looking nonplussed.
"I thought they had training today." Hikaru was getting bored and that much was obvious. He stifled a yawn and raised his arms, clasping his hands behind his head and leaning back against the wall of the building they were standing next to, closing his eyes as he did.
"Obviously not." Purple eyes rolled as a group of girls passed by, giggling and stealing glances at the aqua-haired Light as they did. "Besides, Taiga-tachi didn't have training, so why would Tsuko-chan and Kuroi-kun?"
"Yare, yare."
Kuroi was chuckling about something when they finally got within hearing range, and it was probably what Yuki was saying; "--so we're all going to look for a ring so that Hikaru-san can give it to Taiga-san! Isn't that great?"
Golen eyes twinkled. "It certainly is, Yuki-chan."
One of Hikaru's eyes cracked open and he eyed the younger Light. "Because apparently I'm incapable of choosing a ring on my own."
A snort from Tsuko, who was looking off down the street.
"You should come too!" Yuki offered excitedly, "'cause we don't get to do much with you two, and if you don't have anything else to do then at least we'd get to hang out with you for a while! Naa! It'll be a group thing! Except that Taiga-san isn't here, you know, but I don't think it'd be right if she was, 'cause then it wouldn't be a surprise at all an--"
"Oi, Yuki." Suta spoke, her voice flat and her eyes pinned dryly on the other girl. "Just shut up already."
"Mouuuu! Suta-saaaaaan!"
"Maa ne, Yuki-chan," Kuroi was still looking amused. He was always amused. "I think Tsuko-chan and I might just take you up on that, ne Tsuko?"
"Oh, whatever..."
"See?"
"Yaaaay~!" The blonde was bouncing excitedly again.
Hikaru couldn't help groaning. "Must we really do this..."
"Yes." Josei nodded firmly. "Yes we must." She gave him a shove, making him half-stumble away from the wall he had been leaning against. "Move, dummy. I don't want to be out here all day."
"You sure about that?" Again, a dry comment from Suta. "I was under the impression you were enjoying this, Josei-san."
"Maa, Suta-chan! Was that a joke?"
"It sounded like it, ne Kuroi-san?"
"Almost, Yuki-chan."
"Stuff it, Kuroi."
"Heh. Akio's getting to you, ne Suta-chan?"
"You too, Hikaru-san!"
Hikaru would have chuckled, had Josei not taken that moment to pinch him. "Itai! Stop that!"
"You deserved it." She waved a hand, gesturing down the road. "Come on, let's go."
"Yeah, yeah." He ran a hand through his bangs, sighing tiredly and garnering another laugh from Kuroi.
Yuki was humming to herself as they started walking again, a tune that they all recognized; Nagareboshi He. She tended to hum or sing it under her breath all the time. After a couple of steps, magenta eyes lit on a store down the road, and she squealed something unintelligable--then before anyone could respond to her exclamation, she grabbed onto Tsuko's arm and began dragging the other girl down the street.
"Na, Tsuko-san! You've gotta' see--"
"Yuki! What are you--"
Suta gave a loud snort, making Josei grin. "Baka."
Hikaru's eyes were focused on the sidewalk under him as they continued onward; Yuki and Tsuko had stopped about a block away, and the blonde was pointing animatedly at something in a store window. After a moment, she latched onto Tsuko once more and the two of them vanished inside.
"Hikaru-san."
"E?" He raised his gaze to meet Kuroi's perpetually-smiling gole eyes. "Aa?"
"Omedetou ne." The younger Starlight grined. "I never got to say that before. Congrats on the engagement and everything."
"Oh... thanks."
A regretful sigh, "I almost wish I'd been there."
"Say what?" He blinked and raised one eyebrow. "Been there for what?"
"Your proposal. I'd've liked to see Taiga-chan's reaction."
He cleared his throat, still looking at Kuroi oddly. "It wasn't all that spectacular... my proposal, I mean."
"Still."
"You're a very strange guy, Kuroi."
"Sou!" He agreed pleasantly, smiling.
Hikaru shook his head. "Very, very strange."
"Look who's talking." Josei put in, glancing toward them both.
Kuroi laughed again. "You're right on that one Josei-san!"
"Oi."
"You are pretty odd yourself, Hikaru-san."
"Jeez..."
He palmed a hand over his eyes, shaking his head, and his steps halted outside the store that Yuki and Tsuko had disappeared into. Shifting his attention, he peered in through the front window, watching the shorter, blonde-haired girl giggle over--of all things--a cowboy hat that she seemed to be considering buying. Tsuko was looking like she was considering smiling at the smaller senshi's antics. Considering.
For a moment, Yuki stood in front of a mirror, spinning and saying something to Tsuko, giggling still. Then, still wearing the white cowboy-style hat, she pondered over a row of various other hats before selecting one and waving it at Tsuko--who, predictably, shook her head, black ponytail waving behind her.
Undeterred, the little Neo-Maker hauled her "friend" over to the mirror and dropped the hat onto her head anyway, making Tsuko heave a sigh. Said hat, which was the same color as her hair, with a wide brim and trimmed with delicate white and pink flowers, did look good on her... but wasn't something that she would ever, ever wear.
"It's a cute hat, you know." Josei laughed, looking in through the window along with Hikaru and Kuroi. Suta stood a few feet away, looking bored and annoyed as per usual.
"Aa," the white-haired Light shook his head. "But she wouldn't wear it."
"Sou da ne. That's what I figured."
Yuki didn't look the least bit put out when Tsuko pulled the hat off and handed it back to her, muttering what was obviously a negative. Instead, she shrugged and returned it to the rack, then went about looking for another one--until Tsuko's turquoise eyes flitted to the door. An almost-relieved look flitted across her face, and she directed Yuki's attention toward them.
Yuki blinked and looked out the window, then waved and hurried to return her cowboy hat to it's proper place before she followed Tsuko out into the street again.
"You're not going to buy it?"
"Not right now." She shook her head at Hikaru's chuckled question, and headed down the road again, aiming for the jewelers at the end of the block. "I'm gonna' come back later and get it."
"Great." More sarcasm from Suta... but it was probably the most she'd said to anyone in one day in a long time.
"Naaaa~ What? I liked that hat!"
"Of course you did."
Yuki fell into a pout--for about ten seconds. And then began grinning and giggling again when they all paused outside of the jewelery store, majenta eyes flashing toward Hikaru. And she wasn't alone; everyone, Suta included, glanced toward him... and he was looking mightily uncomfortable.
The normally displeased, dark-haired Neo-Healer actually smirked. "Problem, Hikaru-san?"
"Uh... iie."
"Hmm."
"Look, Josei..." aqua eyes turned to his best friend in entreaty, "can I please just do this on my own?"
"Nope. Come on." She was shoving him through the door before he could even come up with a decent arguement.
The bell on the entraceway jingled pleasantly as Josei pushed Hikaru into the building, smiling pleasantly herself and ignoring the somewhat stricken look on his face. Yuki followed, a bounce still in her steps, and even Suta was looking as if she were at least semi-glad she was there... probably just because of how miserable Hikaru was at the moment.
Kuroi was chuckling again.
Damnit...
He really had planned to get a ring for Taiga. He really had.
What he hadn't planned was for half the population of the Palace to go with him, and he didn't know if he'd be able to concentrate and actually pick a ring with them all hanging over his shoulder.
Besides which, somehow, the idea of actually giving her a ring was making him nervous...
Why?! We're already engaged! What does a ring matter?
Ah. But if she wore a ring, it would be official, wouldn't it? She would be his... Taiga would actually be his. And happy as that thought made him, he did have a few doubts; not about her, or how much she meant to him, or how much he wanted to be with her, but more about himself.
What...
What if he wasn't good enough? What if he wasn't enough for her? What if he wasn't the kind of husband that she expected, wanted, needed?
What... what if...
The jewelry store was not helping his almost panicked thoughts.
Yuki fluttered around, oohing and ahhing over various rings, necklaces and earings, eyes sparkling. The bunny-shaped backpack that she always wore bounced behind her as she scurried about, pointing out random pieces of jewelry to no one in particular.
Suta stood just a little bit away from the entrance, watching Josei drag Hikaru around and looking almost amused. She leaned against the wall, indigo eyes occasionally flitting away from her elders to one of the many glass showcases, boredom evident in her posture. Whether she found Hikaru's panic funny or not, she just wasn't one for shopping.
Kuroi was peering into a display that contained birthstone rings, looking contemplative, while Tsuko stood next to him, only half paying attention.
"Neeeee~ Josei-san!" Yuki's voice rose above the ticking of the grandfather clock that stood in the corner, and through the relative silence of the store. "What about this one?"
"Which one?" Violet eyes shifted to the blonde, and Josei wandered over to look--
And so, having been in the store for a grand total of about three minutes, Hikaru made a break for it, hurrying away while his friend was preoccupied. Suta's gaze flicked to him as he passed, and her lips quirked, almost turning to a smile, before she pointedly returned her attention to the display beside her.
The aqua-haired Light made a mental note to thank her later and dashed from the building before anyone else could notice he was leaving.
Once outside, he hurried past the windows--and once he was out of sight, he paused momentarily to heave a huge sigh of relief and swipe a hand through his hair once more. This is not a good day for me...
And yet, at the same time it was.
Both hands were hidden in his pockets again, and he headed back up the street in the direction they had come from, blue-green eyes fixed on the ground at his feet and an uncharacteristic frown on his face.
A ring.
He hadn't even realized his own doubts until Josei had dragged him out shopping for one. Now they hovered at the edges of his mind, making him wonder...
Whatever made him think he was good enough for her, anyway? He wasn't. Not even close. Taiga... deserved so much more. So much more. He loved her more than he'd ever loved anyone or anything before, but... but...
Lost in his own thoughts, he wasn't watching where he was going--and subsequently bumped into someone.
"Ah," aquamarine eyes turned upward vaguely, "gomen ne, I wasn't--oh." A slow blink. "Kitto-sama."
The older man gave a smile and shook his head. "I'm afraid I wasn't watching where I was going either, Hikaru-san. I appologize." He paused then, peering at him curiously, and then added; "you look upset about something."
"Nah."
"Really..."
"Just thinking, Kitto-sama." A perfectly normal grin, and he shrugged. "Believe it or not, I do think once in a while."
"Sou da ne." Kitto looked amused. "Where's Josei-san? I thought she was going shopping with you today."
"Aa... she's back at the jewelry shop." Another momentary frown.
"I see. Why is she there?"
Hikaru glanced back over his shoulder. "She wanted me to pick a ring for Taiga-chan."
"Hm?" Blonde eyebrows rose, questioning. "And you don't want to?"
"Iie, Kitto-sama. Of course I do." His attention shifted back to the Knight in front of him, and he made a thinly-veiled attempt to change the subject. "What're you doing down here?"
Kitto actually chuckled at that, but didn't let Hikaru deter him. "Then why aren't you back at the shop, buying a ring right now?"
The aqua-haired Starlight heaved a sigh, eyeing Kitto. "Jeez. Because Josei dragged me down here, and Yuki-chan and Suta-chan insisted on coming along... and then Yuki-chan managed to hook Kuroi and Tsuko-chan, too. It was getting crowded. I figured someone had to leave."
A pause.
"And?" Kitto prompted, making Hikaru roll his eyes.
"And nothing."
"Hikaru-san, you're frowning. You never frown."
Frustrated, Hikaru crossed his arms and almost glared at the older man. But his glare faltered when Kitto gave him a sympathetic smile. It was strange... Hikaru had always found Kitto somewhat attractive, before choosing to be male.
"Gah. I just... I don't know. It's just this whole ring business."
"What about it?"
Kitto Akari had always been like this; so concerned for others... so willing to give advice or help out in any way he could. Hikaru stared at him for a moment, completely forgetting that they were standing in the middle of the sidewalk. Luckily it wasn't a very busy day, or they would have been blocking the flow of shoppers.
"It makes me wonder... if maybe I shouldn't have asked Taiga-chan to marry me at all." He confessed softly after a long hesitation.
Kitto looked genuinely surprised, blinking several times. "Demo... Hikaru-san, you love Taiga-san, do you not?"
"Of course!" His reply was heated, almost angry. "I love her with all my heart! It's not Taiga-chan I'm talking about!"
"Ah..." understanding, and another smile. "You doubt yourself then..."
"Aa..."
"Naze da?"
"I'm not good enough for her."
"Why do you think that?"
"I'm just not. Taiga-chan deserves... more than me."
The blonde-haired Knight shook his head. "Hikaru-san, you love her... and she loves you. She would not have agreed to become your wife if she didn't, ne? Be good to her, continue to love her, continue to be for her what you have been for so long now... and you will be enough."
"Kitto-sama?" He wasn't frowning anymore, but looking a bit confused.
"Taiga-san doesn't need a Knight In Shining Armor, nor does she want one. She wants you, Hikaru-san. It's obvious from the way she looks at you. With the way she loves you, you can never be less than what she needs. You will always be enough for her."
Another long pause, and then Kitto shook his head a bit, a soft, calm smile on his face again and moved to continue on his way.
"Ja matte ne, Hikaru-san."
"Sou... ja."
Aqua eyes followed him for a moment before turning back toward the sidewalk... and a long moment later a smile tipped his lips upward, and he began to chuckle--at Kitto for some unknown reason, at himself for being a complete idiot--and clasped his hands behind his head once more, unable to stop himself from grinning.
"Maa ne..."
Turning around, cheerfulness in his steps again, he headed back toward the jewelry store.
And as we decided we're adding yet another generation of Starlights, here are my two additions to the new team. ^^ Looking forward to yours, Cassandra-san!
SAILOR STAR REAPER
Name: Kaida Kou
Meaning: "Little Dragon Light"
Hair: Emerald green
Eyes: Yellow
Birthday: January 1st
Earthian Sign: Capricorn
Fuku Color: Emerald green
Instrument: Trumpet
Animal: Chamelion
Subject: Physics
Theme Song: Meteor by T.M. Revolution
Food: Carrot and celery sticks
Likes: Animals
Dislikes: Talking
Hobbies: Keeping a rock garden
Senshi Henshin: "Reaper Star Power! Make-Up!"
Senshi Attack: "Star Raging Flames!"
Info: On first glance, Kaida can appear to be very antisocial and negative--in reality, she simply prefers thought to speech. She doesn't speak or add to conversations unless she has something specifically relevant to say, or if someone asks her a direct question that requires an answer in words--though she will respond with a look or a gesture if she has the option. She is definitely a think-before-you-speak type of person.
As far as other people go, Kaida is neutral on pretty much everybody... the exceptions to this are those who are overly genki, who tend to make her roll her eyes and sigh. ^^;; Aside from that, she gets along with everyone and isn't really negative or positive. She's really a very NEUTRAL type of person. She also sports a somewhat dry sense of humor, which relies heavily on subtle sarcasm.
Kaida keeps a chamelion lizard ("Ashii") as a pet, and he is pretty much stuck to her like glue; he curls himself around her neck or across her shoulders and just goes where she goes, almost as if he were a fashion accessory. In her spare time, Kaida keeps and tends to a rock garden in a secluded part of the Palace grounds, where she can be alone with her thoughts.
and
SAILOR STAR DEFENDER
Name: Emiko Kou
Meaning: "Blessed Light"
Hair: White Blonde
Eyes: Brown
Birthday: September 9th
Earthian Sign: Virgo
Fuku Color: Brown
Instrument: Lute
Animal: Desert Fox
Subject: Poetry
Theme Song: Inori ("Prayer") by Sakamoto Maya
Food: Coconut cream pie ^^
Likes: Writing poetry, dancing
Dislikes: Having her photo taken
Hobbies: Collecting/cataloguing dried plants/flowers/leaves/etc.
Senshi Henshin: "Defender Star Power! Make-Up!"
Senshi Attack: "Star Silver Shock!"
Info: Emiko is a very pleasant, nice person--except when it comes to cameras. Her entire life, she's had a terrible fear of them, and she really doesn't know why. Concequently, there are almost no real photos of her in existence, with the exception of the few that have been snapped when she wasn't paying attention.
That aside, she is a calm and happy, though not particularly energertic, except when she is on a dance floor, as dancing is one of her favorite pastimes. Other than dancing, she also enjoys writing/reading poetry (though she's not particularly good at the former, and she's perfectly willing to admit that). Emiko also collects and catalogues flowers, herbs and other plants/etc., drying them and keeping a record of what they are and what they can be used for... it's a hobby that she started when she was young and has never really gotten out of.
Unfortunately, one of the things that Emiko hates--hates--is Kaida's lizard-pet, Ashii. She finds him creepy and terrible, and though she would never do anything to hurt him, she just can't help shuddering whenever she happens to come in contact with him. Kaida is perfectly aware of that fact, however, and generally keeps Ashii away from her.
I'll do longer profiles later. ^^
Have fun adding to the new team, Cassandra-san!
Star Silver Shock!
"God, this is wierd."
"Well jeez, Hikaru, if you're going to marry the poor girl, you've got to at least buy her a ring!"
"Okay, fine. So why are you here?"
"To make sure you don't screw up, of course!"
"Then why's Yuki-chan here?"
"'Cause I wanna' help you pick a ring for Taiga-san!"
"And Suta?"
"Yuki-baka made me come."
"...wonderful."
Hikaru heaved a more-than-frustrated sigh and stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jacket, aqua gaze drifting down the street as he looked away from his best friend and the two trainees who seemed intent on poking their noses into his personal business. Around them, life in the capital city of Kinmokusei continued as per normal.
"Come on!"
"Ite!" He winced when Josei grabbed onto his arm and yanked; "that hurt! And where do you think you're taking me?"
A roll of purple eyes and behind them Yuki was giggling. "To a jewelry store, dummy!"
"Why?"
"BECAUSE! Vending machines aren't a good place to buy an engagement ring!"
He snorted and jerked his arm away. "Lemme go... and I know that, Josei!" Normally jovial eyes narrowed and he glared at her semi-seriously. "I mean jeez! I'm not a complete idiot! I can do this on my own!"
Yuki was still giggling, but he wouldn't really tell if she was giggling at him, or just because it was her favorite pastime. Suta wasn't paying attention at all--she was looking bored and staring off at something invisible. Finally, Josei heaves a sigh and waved one hand at him, rolling her eyes.
"Fine, fine. I won't be so pushy."
"Good."
"But I'm not leaving." She insisted, making him groan, and pointed down the road. "So let's go."
"Yare, yare."
Hikaru had learned, over the many many years of knowing Josei, that sometimes it was best to just go along with what she wanted. When she really set her mind to something, it was very hard to convince her otherwise--and she tended to resort to smacking you if you didn't agree right away. She never hit too hard, of course, normally just a sharp slap to the arm...
But Hikaru, along with Akai Akari, had managed to graduate into the uncertain territory that came with being a close friend of hers. And along with that came the fact that she was bound to actually smack him once in a while.
He rubbed at his arm absently, wincing at the memory of the last time she had hit him.
Josei was a strong woman, that was for sure...
"Neeee~ Hikaru-san!"
Yuki's voice made him blink out of his thoughts, and he glanced down at the blonde.
"Aa?"
She was walking with a bounce, as she always did, pigtails swaying behind her, grinning up at him and looking terribly pleased with life in general. "I'm glad you asked Taiga-san to marry you! She's been very very happy ever since then."
A pale flush of red colored his cheeks, but he smiled and ignored it. "Good."
"You're happy too, right?"
"Of course." His reply made Yuki giggle again. "I adore her."
"Wai~!"
He chuckled. "It's good that you're so happy for her, Yuki-chan."
"I'm happy for both of you!"
"Well then, arigatou."
Yuki beamed--and then something down the street caught her attention, and the next thing he knew she was leaning to peer around him and waving one arm enthusiastically; "Kuroi-san! Tsuko-san! Konnichi wa!"
Hikaru blinked, turning to follow her gaze, and watched Kuroi give a cheerful wave in response. Just a half-step behind him, Tsuko was looking the same as always; tolerant, with a side of annoyed. The annoyance, though, seemed to be directed toward three girls, who were lurking on the sidewalk a few feet away, sighing and tittering and generally fawning over Kuroi.
It was amusing, actually, Hikaru found, the kind of attention that Kuroi garnered. The white-haired senshi had always been a flirt, though, so he supposed it was only to be expected. Not that he was serious about it... Kuroi was very firmly set on Tsuko, and that much was obvious to pretty much everyone.
"Wonder what they're doing down here." Josei commented from up ahead.
Hikaru shrugged. "Looks like Tsuko-chan is doing a lot of glaring, ne?"
"Sou ka." A laugh, and she cast an ironic glance toward Hikaru, but didn't say anything more.
It was Josei's personal oppinion that Hikaru was about as dense as humanly possible when it came to attention from any member of the now-opposite sex, aside from Taiga. Certainly he had managed to gather his fair share of female admirers since deciding to stay in his male form--but he didn't seem to notice at all. As amusing as he found Kuroi to be, it was a wonder he didn't see the girls who sighed and fawned and generally drooled over him, and she just had to shake her head.
Hikaru Kou was completely oblivious to any woman other than Taiga, and it was adorable as hell.
Watching him fall for her has certainly been interesting.
The thought had occurred to her on many occasions before, and it always made her want to giggle--as if she were fifteen years old once again. And she knew she wasn't the only one who found the situation to be just that amusing.
But in all honesty, the path Hikaru's life had taken after the first time he--as opposed to she--had bumped into Taiga had completely shocked Josei at first. Somehow, despite Hikaru's tomboyish personality and general lack of interest in men, the thought that she would end up making that kind of a life-altering change had never occurred to her...
...or to Amai, for that matter. It was almost like they didn't know her--him--at all.
That, she figured, had probably been the most disconcerting thing about the entire affair; the fact that she didn't know as much about her best friend as she thought she did. And as used to the "new" Hikaru as she was, it still bothered her at times.
Not that she was going to say anything, given how terribly happy he was--with his life, with himself, with his descisions, and with Taiga.
Josei's eyes flicked toward Hikaru, a smile tugging at her lips, and then she turned back to watch Kuroi and Tsuko start to make their way toward them. Yuki was grinning, and bounced off to meet them halfway. Suta heaved a suffering sigh and leaned against a nearby mailbox, crossing her arms and generally looking nonplussed.
"I thought they had training today." Hikaru was getting bored and that much was obvious. He stifled a yawn and raised his arms, clasping his hands behind his head and leaning back against the wall of the building they were standing next to, closing his eyes as he did.
"Obviously not." Purple eyes rolled as a group of girls passed by, giggling and stealing glances at the aqua-haired Light as they did. "Besides, Taiga-tachi didn't have training, so why would Tsuko-chan and Kuroi-kun?"
"Yare, yare."
Kuroi was chuckling about something when they finally got within hearing range, and it was probably what Yuki was saying; "--so we're all going to look for a ring so that Hikaru-san can give it to Taiga-san! Isn't that great?"
Golen eyes twinkled. "It certainly is, Yuki-chan."
One of Hikaru's eyes cracked open and he eyed the younger Light. "Because apparently I'm incapable of choosing a ring on my own."
A snort from Tsuko, who was looking off down the street.
"You should come too!" Yuki offered excitedly, "'cause we don't get to do much with you two, and if you don't have anything else to do then at least we'd get to hang out with you for a while! Naa! It'll be a group thing! Except that Taiga-san isn't here, you know, but I don't think it'd be right if she was, 'cause then it wouldn't be a surprise at all an--"
"Oi, Yuki." Suta spoke, her voice flat and her eyes pinned dryly on the other girl. "Just shut up already."
"Mouuuu! Suta-saaaaaan!"
"Maa ne, Yuki-chan," Kuroi was still looking amused. He was always amused. "I think Tsuko-chan and I might just take you up on that, ne Tsuko?"
"Oh, whatever..."
"See?"
"Yaaaay~!" The blonde was bouncing excitedly again.
Hikaru couldn't help groaning. "Must we really do this..."
"Yes." Josei nodded firmly. "Yes we must." She gave him a shove, making him half-stumble away from the wall he had been leaning against. "Move, dummy. I don't want to be out here all day."
"You sure about that?" Again, a dry comment from Suta. "I was under the impression you were enjoying this, Josei-san."
"Maa, Suta-chan! Was that a joke?"
"It sounded like it, ne Kuroi-san?"
"Almost, Yuki-chan."
"Stuff it, Kuroi."
"Heh. Akio's getting to you, ne Suta-chan?"
"You too, Hikaru-san!"
Hikaru would have chuckled, had Josei not taken that moment to pinch him. "Itai! Stop that!"
"You deserved it." She waved a hand, gesturing down the road. "Come on, let's go."
"Yeah, yeah." He ran a hand through his bangs, sighing tiredly and garnering another laugh from Kuroi.
Yuki was humming to herself as they started walking again, a tune that they all recognized; Nagareboshi He. She tended to hum or sing it under her breath all the time. After a couple of steps, magenta eyes lit on a store down the road, and she squealed something unintelligable--then before anyone could respond to her exclamation, she grabbed onto Tsuko's arm and began dragging the other girl down the street.
"Na, Tsuko-san! You've gotta' see--"
"Yuki! What are you--"
Suta gave a loud snort, making Josei grin. "Baka."
Hikaru's eyes were focused on the sidewalk under him as they continued onward; Yuki and Tsuko had stopped about a block away, and the blonde was pointing animatedly at something in a store window. After a moment, she latched onto Tsuko once more and the two of them vanished inside.
"Hikaru-san."
"E?" He raised his gaze to meet Kuroi's perpetually-smiling gole eyes. "Aa?"
"Omedetou ne." The younger Starlight grined. "I never got to say that before. Congrats on the engagement and everything."
"Oh... thanks."
A regretful sigh, "I almost wish I'd been there."
"Say what?" He blinked and raised one eyebrow. "Been there for what?"
"Your proposal. I'd've liked to see Taiga-chan's reaction."
He cleared his throat, still looking at Kuroi oddly. "It wasn't all that spectacular... my proposal, I mean."
"Still."
"You're a very strange guy, Kuroi."
"Sou!" He agreed pleasantly, smiling.
Hikaru shook his head. "Very, very strange."
"Look who's talking." Josei put in, glancing toward them both.
Kuroi laughed again. "You're right on that one Josei-san!"
"Oi."
"You are pretty odd yourself, Hikaru-san."
"Jeez..."
He palmed a hand over his eyes, shaking his head, and his steps halted outside the store that Yuki and Tsuko had disappeared into. Shifting his attention, he peered in through the front window, watching the shorter, blonde-haired girl giggle over--of all things--a cowboy hat that she seemed to be considering buying. Tsuko was looking like she was considering smiling at the smaller senshi's antics. Considering.
For a moment, Yuki stood in front of a mirror, spinning and saying something to Tsuko, giggling still. Then, still wearing the white cowboy-style hat, she pondered over a row of various other hats before selecting one and waving it at Tsuko--who, predictably, shook her head, black ponytail waving behind her.
Undeterred, the little Neo-Maker hauled her "friend" over to the mirror and dropped the hat onto her head anyway, making Tsuko heave a sigh. Said hat, which was the same color as her hair, with a wide brim and trimmed with delicate white and pink flowers, did look good on her... but wasn't something that she would ever, ever wear.
"It's a cute hat, you know." Josei laughed, looking in through the window along with Hikaru and Kuroi. Suta stood a few feet away, looking bored and annoyed as per usual.
"Aa," the white-haired Light shook his head. "But she wouldn't wear it."
"Sou da ne. That's what I figured."
Yuki didn't look the least bit put out when Tsuko pulled the hat off and handed it back to her, muttering what was obviously a negative. Instead, she shrugged and returned it to the rack, then went about looking for another one--until Tsuko's turquoise eyes flitted to the door. An almost-relieved look flitted across her face, and she directed Yuki's attention toward them.
Yuki blinked and looked out the window, then waved and hurried to return her cowboy hat to it's proper place before she followed Tsuko out into the street again.
"You're not going to buy it?"
"Not right now." She shook her head at Hikaru's chuckled question, and headed down the road again, aiming for the jewelers at the end of the block. "I'm gonna' come back later and get it."
"Great." More sarcasm from Suta... but it was probably the most she'd said to anyone in one day in a long time.
"Naaaa~ What? I liked that hat!"
"Of course you did."
Yuki fell into a pout--for about ten seconds. And then began grinning and giggling again when they all paused outside of the jewelery store, majenta eyes flashing toward Hikaru. And she wasn't alone; everyone, Suta included, glanced toward him... and he was looking mightily uncomfortable.
The normally displeased, dark-haired Neo-Healer actually smirked. "Problem, Hikaru-san?"
"Uh... iie."
"Hmm."
"Look, Josei..." aqua eyes turned to his best friend in entreaty, "can I please just do this on my own?"
"Nope. Come on." She was shoving him through the door before he could even come up with a decent arguement.
The bell on the entraceway jingled pleasantly as Josei pushed Hikaru into the building, smiling pleasantly herself and ignoring the somewhat stricken look on his face. Yuki followed, a bounce still in her steps, and even Suta was looking as if she were at least semi-glad she was there... probably just because of how miserable Hikaru was at the moment.
Kuroi was chuckling again.
Damnit...
He really had planned to get a ring for Taiga. He really had.
What he hadn't planned was for half the population of the Palace to go with him, and he didn't know if he'd be able to concentrate and actually pick a ring with them all hanging over his shoulder.
Besides which, somehow, the idea of actually giving her a ring was making him nervous...
Why?! We're already engaged! What does a ring matter?
Ah. But if she wore a ring, it would be official, wouldn't it? She would be his... Taiga would actually be his. And happy as that thought made him, he did have a few doubts; not about her, or how much she meant to him, or how much he wanted to be with her, but more about himself.
What...
What if he wasn't good enough? What if he wasn't enough for her? What if he wasn't the kind of husband that she expected, wanted, needed?
What... what if...
The jewelry store was not helping his almost panicked thoughts.
Yuki fluttered around, oohing and ahhing over various rings, necklaces and earings, eyes sparkling. The bunny-shaped backpack that she always wore bounced behind her as she scurried about, pointing out random pieces of jewelry to no one in particular.
Suta stood just a little bit away from the entrance, watching Josei drag Hikaru around and looking almost amused. She leaned against the wall, indigo eyes occasionally flitting away from her elders to one of the many glass showcases, boredom evident in her posture. Whether she found Hikaru's panic funny or not, she just wasn't one for shopping.
Kuroi was peering into a display that contained birthstone rings, looking contemplative, while Tsuko stood next to him, only half paying attention.
"Neeeee~ Josei-san!" Yuki's voice rose above the ticking of the grandfather clock that stood in the corner, and through the relative silence of the store. "What about this one?"
"Which one?" Violet eyes shifted to the blonde, and Josei wandered over to look--
And so, having been in the store for a grand total of about three minutes, Hikaru made a break for it, hurrying away while his friend was preoccupied. Suta's gaze flicked to him as he passed, and her lips quirked, almost turning to a smile, before she pointedly returned her attention to the display beside her.
The aqua-haired Light made a mental note to thank her later and dashed from the building before anyone else could notice he was leaving.
Once outside, he hurried past the windows--and once he was out of sight, he paused momentarily to heave a huge sigh of relief and swipe a hand through his hair once more. This is not a good day for me...
And yet, at the same time it was.
Both hands were hidden in his pockets again, and he headed back up the street in the direction they had come from, blue-green eyes fixed on the ground at his feet and an uncharacteristic frown on his face.
A ring.
He hadn't even realized his own doubts until Josei had dragged him out shopping for one. Now they hovered at the edges of his mind, making him wonder...
Whatever made him think he was good enough for her, anyway? He wasn't. Not even close. Taiga... deserved so much more. So much more. He loved her more than he'd ever loved anyone or anything before, but... but...
Lost in his own thoughts, he wasn't watching where he was going--and subsequently bumped into someone.
"Ah," aquamarine eyes turned upward vaguely, "gomen ne, I wasn't--oh." A slow blink. "Kitto-sama."
The older man gave a smile and shook his head. "I'm afraid I wasn't watching where I was going either, Hikaru-san. I appologize." He paused then, peering at him curiously, and then added; "you look upset about something."
"Nah."
"Really..."
"Just thinking, Kitto-sama." A perfectly normal grin, and he shrugged. "Believe it or not, I do think once in a while."
"Sou da ne." Kitto looked amused. "Where's Josei-san? I thought she was going shopping with you today."
"Aa... she's back at the jewelry shop." Another momentary frown.
"I see. Why is she there?"
Hikaru glanced back over his shoulder. "She wanted me to pick a ring for Taiga-chan."
"Hm?" Blonde eyebrows rose, questioning. "And you don't want to?"
"Iie, Kitto-sama. Of course I do." His attention shifted back to the Knight in front of him, and he made a thinly-veiled attempt to change the subject. "What're you doing down here?"
Kitto actually chuckled at that, but didn't let Hikaru deter him. "Then why aren't you back at the shop, buying a ring right now?"
The aqua-haired Starlight heaved a sigh, eyeing Kitto. "Jeez. Because Josei dragged me down here, and Yuki-chan and Suta-chan insisted on coming along... and then Yuki-chan managed to hook Kuroi and Tsuko-chan, too. It was getting crowded. I figured someone had to leave."
A pause.
"And?" Kitto prompted, making Hikaru roll his eyes.
"And nothing."
"Hikaru-san, you're frowning. You never frown."
Frustrated, Hikaru crossed his arms and almost glared at the older man. But his glare faltered when Kitto gave him a sympathetic smile. It was strange... Hikaru had always found Kitto somewhat attractive, before choosing to be male.
"Gah. I just... I don't know. It's just this whole ring business."
"What about it?"
Kitto Akari had always been like this; so concerned for others... so willing to give advice or help out in any way he could. Hikaru stared at him for a moment, completely forgetting that they were standing in the middle of the sidewalk. Luckily it wasn't a very busy day, or they would have been blocking the flow of shoppers.
"It makes me wonder... if maybe I shouldn't have asked Taiga-chan to marry me at all." He confessed softly after a long hesitation.
Kitto looked genuinely surprised, blinking several times. "Demo... Hikaru-san, you love Taiga-san, do you not?"
"Of course!" His reply was heated, almost angry. "I love her with all my heart! It's not Taiga-chan I'm talking about!"
"Ah..." understanding, and another smile. "You doubt yourself then..."
"Aa..."
"Naze da?"
"I'm not good enough for her."
"Why do you think that?"
"I'm just not. Taiga-chan deserves... more than me."
The blonde-haired Knight shook his head. "Hikaru-san, you love her... and she loves you. She would not have agreed to become your wife if she didn't, ne? Be good to her, continue to love her, continue to be for her what you have been for so long now... and you will be enough."
"Kitto-sama?" He wasn't frowning anymore, but looking a bit confused.
"Taiga-san doesn't need a Knight In Shining Armor, nor does she want one. She wants you, Hikaru-san. It's obvious from the way she looks at you. With the way she loves you, you can never be less than what she needs. You will always be enough for her."
Another long pause, and then Kitto shook his head a bit, a soft, calm smile on his face again and moved to continue on his way.
"Ja matte ne, Hikaru-san."
"Sou... ja."
Aqua eyes followed him for a moment before turning back toward the sidewalk... and a long moment later a smile tipped his lips upward, and he began to chuckle--at Kitto for some unknown reason, at himself for being a complete idiot--and clasped his hands behind his head once more, unable to stop himself from grinning.
"Maa ne..."
Turning around, cheerfulness in his steps again, he headed back toward the jewelry store.
And as we decided we're adding yet another generation of Starlights, here are my two additions to the new team. ^^ Looking forward to yours, Cassandra-san!
SAILOR STAR REAPER
Name: Kaida Kou
Meaning: "Little Dragon Light"
Hair: Emerald green
Eyes: Yellow
Birthday: January 1st
Earthian Sign: Capricorn
Fuku Color: Emerald green
Instrument: Trumpet
Animal: Chamelion
Subject: Physics
Theme Song: Meteor by T.M. Revolution
Food: Carrot and celery sticks
Likes: Animals
Dislikes: Talking
Hobbies: Keeping a rock garden
Senshi Henshin: "Reaper Star Power! Make-Up!"
Senshi Attack: "Star Raging Flames!"
Info: On first glance, Kaida can appear to be very antisocial and negative--in reality, she simply prefers thought to speech. She doesn't speak or add to conversations unless she has something specifically relevant to say, or if someone asks her a direct question that requires an answer in words--though she will respond with a look or a gesture if she has the option. She is definitely a think-before-you-speak type of person.
As far as other people go, Kaida is neutral on pretty much everybody... the exceptions to this are those who are overly genki, who tend to make her roll her eyes and sigh. ^^;; Aside from that, she gets along with everyone and isn't really negative or positive. She's really a very NEUTRAL type of person. She also sports a somewhat dry sense of humor, which relies heavily on subtle sarcasm.
Kaida keeps a chamelion lizard ("Ashii") as a pet, and he is pretty much stuck to her like glue; he curls himself around her neck or across her shoulders and just goes where she goes, almost as if he were a fashion accessory. In her spare time, Kaida keeps and tends to a rock garden in a secluded part of the Palace grounds, where she can be alone with her thoughts.
and
SAILOR STAR DEFENDER
Name: Emiko Kou
Meaning: "Blessed Light"
Hair: White Blonde
Eyes: Brown
Birthday: September 9th
Earthian Sign: Virgo
Fuku Color: Brown
Instrument: Lute
Animal: Desert Fox
Subject: Poetry
Theme Song: Inori ("Prayer") by Sakamoto Maya
Food: Coconut cream pie ^^
Likes: Writing poetry, dancing
Dislikes: Having her photo taken
Hobbies: Collecting/cataloguing dried plants/flowers/leaves/etc.
Senshi Henshin: "Defender Star Power! Make-Up!"
Senshi Attack: "Star Silver Shock!"
Info: Emiko is a very pleasant, nice person--except when it comes to cameras. Her entire life, she's had a terrible fear of them, and she really doesn't know why. Concequently, there are almost no real photos of her in existence, with the exception of the few that have been snapped when she wasn't paying attention.
That aside, she is a calm and happy, though not particularly energertic, except when she is on a dance floor, as dancing is one of her favorite pastimes. Other than dancing, she also enjoys writing/reading poetry (though she's not particularly good at the former, and she's perfectly willing to admit that). Emiko also collects and catalogues flowers, herbs and other plants/etc., drying them and keeping a record of what they are and what they can be used for... it's a hobby that she started when she was young and has never really gotten out of.
Unfortunately, one of the things that Emiko hates--hates--is Kaida's lizard-pet, Ashii. She finds him creepy and terrible, and though she would never do anything to hurt him, she just can't help shuddering whenever she happens to come in contact with him. Kaida is perfectly aware of that fact, however, and generally keeps Ashii away from her.
I'll do longer profiles later. ^^
Have fun adding to the new team, Cassandra-san!
Star Silver Shock!