A War of the Roses Part Three ~NO GOOD CAN COME OF THIS~ Aino Rated PG It was starting to get dark when Seiya finally decided on an outfit. Unfortunately his decision was far from popular. He had chosen a light jacket and a black shirt to go underneath it. His slacks were also black. Seiya looked confidently at himself in the full-length mirror that was leaning against the wall. "Yes, I think this will do nicely." He stated. Yaten scoffed loudly behind him. "You have no fashion sense Seiya! It looks like you?re on your way to a gay convention that is being held in an art museum." Yaten shook his head negatively. "You should wear this." He held up a tighter sky blue shirt with two black stripes at the top of it. "Or this." he then held up an expensive looking gray evening jacket. After a moment of silence between the two Seiya spoke. "That is your jacket Yaten." Seiya reminded dully. Yaten examined it. "So it is, never mind then, you look fine." He said brushing off his jacket and walking past Tekki on his way out. Tekki was leaning arms crossed against the white doorframe. Tekki had a certain air about him this evening. Seiya had noticed it when he had spoken to him about his dinner engagement that night. It had entered the room with him when Tekki had joined Yaten in helping Seiya choose a suitable outfit. Seiya had put up with it for two hours and now it was really getting to him. He turned to Tekki and crossed his arms. "So what is it?" He said sternly demanding a prompt reply. Tekki had never avoided a question. The word 'what' as a question was foreign to him, the wise brother. He spoke, "I know that I don't need to remind you of our mission and what is at stake." Tekki said sternly. Seiya groaned and made a fist. "Tekki." "I know you can stay focused." Tekki frowned. "its just one night...don't treat me as a child." Seiya ordered. "Don't act like one." Tekki said, his tone suddenly changing to sharp and fast. Seiya was caught off guard. He lowered his gaze to the floor and began to exit the room. He stopped in the doorframe and faced Tekki who was no more than a foot away and about three inches taller. "I will never be anything less than what I am, the fighter." Seiya stated with a small warning in his eyes. With that said he walked out of the apartment and into the night. It was raining sheets and sheets of cold wet rain. Mamoru was glad he had brought an umbrella, unfortunately the only one he could find was the pink bunny one Usako had left at his house. He felt a little foolish standing under a dome of pink bunnies and rainbows. Mamoru was wearing a navy blue sweater with white and green stripes horizontally running across his chest. "Usako, can we go inside now?" Mamoru asked wearied yet gently. "Well, I guess so. It's wet and cold and... Seiya can find his own way in!" Serena half whined shivering from cold. Mamoru bent down to her eye level and smiled slightly. "Come on Usako." He led her in by the arm. She unwillingly followed, she was shiftless tonight but she didn't know why. Usagi felt guilty, it was now eight thirty and Michiru and Haruka were getting restless. They had come for dinner, it had been such a long time since they had seen Usagi, Haruka had said, it would have been such a shame to miss a chance to catch up like this. That had been Haruka's line to Michiru when they had received a phone call last night. Michiru saw right through it, "Anything for a cute dumpling head." She scoffed pretending to be hurt. Haruka had, of course, denied the unspoken accusation. "I wonder what could be keeping him?" Usagi smiled nervously, sweetly clinching her teeth. Mamoru cleared his throat annoyed. Haruka and Usagi had already eaten three baskets of rolls and eight complimentary mints. "Don't worry Odango it's not your fault your friend his horribly, unspeakably late." Haruka said slyly. "I'm sure something happened, he wouldn't just be late for no reason, it's not like him." Usagi reassured. "Usako, you've only known him for a week." Mamoru cut in. For this Usagi had no answer. Just then as if planned Seiya walked quickly up to the table. There were no apologies, no explanations he just sat down next to Usagi. "Hello." He said, then without warning he kissed her on the cheek, Usagi jolted a little and Mamoru knocked over his water, but there was only ice in the cup. "Oh...gomen." He stuttered putting the ice back in his glass. It was at this moment that the Haruka recognized Usagi's new friend. "YOU." Haruka glared as Seiya. Seiya looked back at her. There was a long pause as everyone surveyed the situation. "You two know each other?" Michiru asked in wonderment. Usagi looked confused, Mamoru looked annoyed...plain and simple. "It's the reckless driver." Seiya whispered. "I'm going to kick the living shit out of you little man!" Haruka spat. Michiru grabbed her arm and held her down bringing her face quiet close to Haruka's. "Think...then act." Michiru whispered, Haruka started to get up. "THINK!" Michiru said again. Haruka sat back down and Michiru let go of her arm. Seiya, who had remained calm throughout this entire ordeal laughed slightly, he had bigger fish to fry then this guy... for example, he looked over at Mamoru who stared right back at him. Their feelings were mutual...they didn't like each other. Dinner passed slowly and quietly, Haruka and Seiya were silent. Usagi relayed a long story about something or another, there was some light talk between Mamoru and Michiru about the new aquarium and that was the extent of it. "I'm just gonna hit the bathroom, I'll be right back." Usagi smiled scooting out of her chair and making a desperate dash for the ladies room...six cokes'll do that to you. The table was eerily silent, Seiya's eyes narrowed...it was time. "Chiba-san." Seiya stated inquisitively. Mamoru's head turned to face him he had his attention. "Are you up for a little game?" Seiya asked. "Huh?" Mamoru asked perplexed. "What kind of game?" "I believe you people call it...truth or dare." Seiya stated coldly. This was not a very inviting invitation. However, Mamoru felt it beneath him to deny the request of such a boy. "Sure...I'm in." Mamoru nodded smiling slyly, not overly so, as to not give himself away. Michiru turned her head, this had captivated her interest. Seiya didn't need to think of a question, he knew what he was going to ask. "Truth or dare." He began. "Truth." Mamoru replied. "Truth huh...hmm." Silence, "Do you love Usagi?" "Yes, what kind of question is that?" Mamoru shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "A legitimate one." Seiya almost hissed Mamoru glowered at him. "What do you mean by that?" He asked coldly. Seiya frowned back at him. Now Haruka was staring at Mamoru, this was going to be interesting. "I mean...Mamoru-san, that you don't deserve Usagi-chan." The words shot out of his mouth like bullets. Mamoru's answer took Seiya by complete and utter surprise. "Your right, I don't." He scoffed a little. "Is that the best you can do?" "You?re a liar Chiba-san and I hope she breaks your heart!" Seiya raised his voce with each word, his eyes gazed cruelly a Mamoru. "I hate you, and I want you to know that someday soon Usagi will leave you, and when she does, I'll be there to comfort her." "Shut up Seiya!" Mamoru warned. "You are such a loser, Usagi deserves so much better. She deserves me!" Seiya yelled some customers were beginning to watch. "Shut up!" Haruka ordered. "She doesn't love you loser Chiba! You?re bad for her, you don't really care about her. SHE DOESN'T NEED YOU! STAY AWAY FROM HER!" Seiya had lost control. Mamoru stood up and pushed his chair aside. Mamoru's eyes were drilling painful holes into Seiya but that only made Seiya stronger. Mamoru took a small step towards Seiya as if to intimidate him, this was Mamoru?s space and Seiya had more than intruded. Haruka felt emotions rising. She was, by nature a high tempered individual, when someone provoked her, directly or indirectly they were going down, someday somewhere they would pay. Mamoru had been insulted; Mamoru and Usagi were a couple, so through him she was insulted. Haruka, although never ready to admit it, was in her own way ever so slightly in love with Usagi's carefree spirit, which gently, contradicted her own. Therefore, by wronging Usagi Seiya had wronged Haruka for a second time, and now Seiya...would pay a price. "Shut up an sit your ass down Seiya or face the consequence!" Haruka stated boldly, she was ready for pretty much anything. Seiya would not be talked to that way. "Consequence, by that I suppose you mean this pansy?" Seiya chuckled nodding at Mamoru. Now everyone at the table was standing except for Michiru who had her head in her hands. "I can't speak for Chiba-san but I call tell you one thing for damn sure, my fist'll be so far down your throat that you won't be able to squeeze out one more wise ass comment!" Haruka warned, Seiya stared at her and remembered something, someone, Tekki, something he had said...what had he said?...Maintain focus, focus. That was it, focus on Mamoru. Mamoru. "Usagi will love me and Mamoru will die alone, like he grew up, un wanted and un-f*cking loved." Seiya said dangerously. The calmness in his voice, the absolute truth in it made Mamoru's blood run cold. He hated Kou Seiya. He didn't know what he was doing but before he even thought of thinking he brought his right fist back. His lips parted slightly as his eyes widened and he thrust his arm forward with amazing strength. His fist shot through the air, without his consent, and finally after what seemed like a lifetime it met Seiya's lower jaw. The force was so great and so angry that it knocked Seiya down and he landed on the floor with Mamoru towering over him. After Mamoru punched Seiya he was too stunned to think straight. What had he just done, he had lost control that?s what he had done, he had let Seiya get to him and...and no sooner had Seiya got to his feet then he was at it again. He kept swinging at Mamoru, trying to hit him. Unfortunately for Seiya he didn't know Mamoru's history: prince of Earth, Tuxedo Kamen protector and friend of the Sailor Soldiers, and future King of Crystal Tokyo, this was not the man to pick a fight with. Seiya could never quite reach Mamoru, he swung and missed, swung and missed Mamoru was always just a few inches out of his reach. Mamoru was biding his time, waiting, for what he didn't know. Seiya was only able to hit Mamoru's jaw once, this did not satisfy him unfortunately. Seeing a chance to pulverize the pretty boy Haruka leaped over the table and blocked one last shot to Mamoru. She grabbed Seiya's right fist with much difficulty and it reluctantly came to a halt. In response Seiya lifted his left fist and punched Haruka in the cheek, it wasn't a very hard punch but it did the trick. Haruka was stunned but that only succeeded in tightening her grip. Seiya side kicked her...battle mode... Seiya bowed deeply before his Princess. "Star Fighter will you make me a promise? You will won't you?" She asked gently. Fighter nodded, "Of course Princess Fireball...anything you wish." She replied. Princess Fireball beckoned she come closer and Fighter did so. The Princess held her face gently between her thumb, middle and index finger. "You have such a pure heart, never change please." She requested seriously. Fighter was surprised by the nature of the request but as always was ready to submit anything for her Princess. "You must always remain calm and kind heedless of your surroundings, please." She finished. "I promise Princess Fireball." She answered quietly and sincerely. Haruka released her fist. "Princess Fireball." Seiya mumbled, "I will always be calm and kind." Haruka stared at him abashed, she was about to say something when she felt a delicate finger pressed against her lips. Sea green eyes stared pleadingly at her. Haruka calmed down instantaneously and took Michiru's hand in hers. "This is wrong." Seiya told himself silently. "Calm and kind, no matter what my surroundings." Seiya looked around, Haruka and Michiru stood peacefully hand in hand next to the scuffed table. The china and food was on the floor along with three tipped over chair and one middle aged woman who had, apparently been caught in the crossfire. Behind him was Mamoru whose face was scratched and bruised. He realized that he himself was bleeding from the mouth. He wiped what blood he could from the side of his chin. That was when they noticed her. She was standing four feet in front of Seiya and Mamoru with tears welling up in her clear blue eyes. The pink in her cheeks was gone and the smile on her face was replaced by a hateful frown. How long had Usagi been standing there? "Why? How could..." She stopped mid-sentence to walk quickly out of the restaurant frustrated. Mamoru pushed past Seiya to follow her neither said a word. They had lost control of themselves and hurt Usagi that was a far greater punishment than any scratch could instill. ============================================================================ This is a song that heavily reminded me of the struggle between Mamoru and Seiya. It is sung by the group Everclear and is called ''like a California king'. Number 13 on the sound track 'So Much for the Afterglow' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I see you have made yourself a brand new life Such a cool blue star with a bright new shine I see you wear your checkered past Just like a shining suit of gold I know you think you look so special I am told you found yourself a brand new time Watch the world stand still as the years go by I know you think your new and different But it makes no sense to me There is nothing new about you Just another self made man There is nothing new that I can see Enjoy it while you can I know you think you look so special What makes you think you are so special? What makes you think you are unique? I see you smile and I get angry As I watch you go colossal Like a California king I hear you gave the world a band new voice Such a happy melody with a new wave whine Yeah I see you hide behind your own noise I think I've seen enough I will find you in the crowded room I will knock you off your feet I will burn you just like teenage love I will eat you just like meat I will break you into pieces Hold you up for the world to see What makes you think you are better than me? What makes you think you are better? What makes you think you are complete? What makes you think You are the only one Immune to falling down? Why can't you see? I see you fall and I get happy I will watch you burn like fire I will watch you burn Like a California king. I will watch you burn like a California king. The end Ok I really thought that song went well with this story. Sorry if you disagree. Any way, this has to be one of my favorite chapters. I hope you enjoyed it there is more to come soon. As always, e-mail me with you?re comments. Thanks for reading this far. ? ~Aino~