Wavering Destiny

Chapter 8: The Boutique

Wow, eight chapters already! I'm actually pretty proud of my motivation. Actually I haven't had a lot of free time. I've just been working on this every chance I get (I've been writing some of it at school...lol). I had the most fun writing this chapter ;D

_________________________________

Rain fell in sprinkles from the foggy morning sky. Yaten traced the droplets on the hallway window before turning away. At the palace entrance, the others were already waiting, ready to head into town.

"It's not going to storm is it?" Usagi was saying.

"No, it's just light rain. It's supposed to let up soon," Taiki informed her.

"Good! Oh, I hate storms!" Usagi shuddered. They had been given traditional loungewear by the palace, but Usagi had stuck to her own, knowing they'd be picking out something special today.

"It's only rain," Seiya said beside her. "We can handle it."

Makoto chuckled. "I don't think you understand, Seiya. She's terrified of thunder."

"Well, we won't have anything to worry about, it'll be clear soon," Ami assured them, repeating Taiki's words.

Yaten silently joined the group. If the Princess hadn't asked her to do this, Yaten might have found an excuse not to come. Now, avoiding Minako all day was going to be its own challenge.

Rei, standing next to Minako, sensed her grow tense. Now that she thought about it, Minako had been quiet all morning. What exactly happened between the two of them in the music room yesterday?

"Okay everybody, let's go!" Seiya said, taking charge, cracking open an umbrella. Everyone stepped outside into the chilly mist.

Seiya held the umbrella out over Usagi's head before the rain could hit her.

Behind them, Taiki and Ami walked together, followed by Minako and Rei. Yaten shared one with Makoto. Their feet sloshed over the damp cobblestone path as they approached the front gate. The morning air was crisp and smelled sweetly of fresh rain. The tinkling sound of the falling drops against the roof of the umbrellas was refreshing. Seiya nodded to one of the guards and they stepped outside of the palace grounds.

"Where will we be going first?" Ami asked Taiki. She tucked a blue strand of hair behind her ear.

"There's this nice boutique not too far from here," Taiki answered. "I figured you girls may like some clothes for your stay."

Yaten walked in silence. Makoto tried to be polite and made small talk, but Yaten could tell she sensed her mood and gave up.

Yaten watched the red bow bobbing in front of her. Her words from yesterday kept replaying through the rain. Whatever answer Minako was waiting for, it was only going to complicate things. Getting involved with people always does.

The walk into the town was a short one. Tankei was a small town by Earth's standards, a stark contrast to Tokyo. Most of the businesses were family owned, passed down from generation to generation. Everyone had a community attitude, and it was all-in-all a peaceful place to live, tucked up on the coast.

Taiki and Ami led everyone down the sidewalk and past various shops. The weather kept most people inside.

"I don't know if I'm okay with you guys paying for everything," Usagi told Seiya when they approached the boutique.

"Don't worry about it."

They stopped outside a sleek boutique, its tall glass windows showing off chic mannequins.