Wavering Destiny

Chapter 14: Trapped

"What do you mean 'rehearse'?" Minako asked, trailing behind the Starlights that morning after breakfast.

"For the party," Taiki explained over her shoulder. "We are going to perform a few songs."

"Perform? You mean...as the Three Lights?"

"Who else?" said Seiya.

"That's amazing! I love your music," Minako gushed. Her eyes turned to stars as she imagined Yaten stepping onto a stage, wrapping her fingers around a sleek microphone. The three of them in a pitch-perfect harmony. She had forgotten how weird it felt to like someone who could step onto a stage and command a room.

"Are you guys, like, famous here too?" Minako asked.

The Starlights exchanged glances before Seiya chuckled. "Not exactly. Our music's more of a personal hobby here, so it'll be a surprise for everybody. We have our duties here to protect the Princess, so we can't be idols again like we were on your planet."

"Oh, I see."

Taiki smiled at Yaten out of the corner of her amethyst eyes. "Unless you count Yaten's little fanclub as fans..."

Yaten brought her hand to her forehead. "Ugh, don't remind me," she grumbled.

"Fanclub? What do you mean?" Minako hurriedly caught up to them and walked shoulder to shoulder with Yaten.

Seiya laughed. "Yaten, tell her about them."

"It's nothing, just this group of girls that don't leave me alone at things like this. They're super annoying."

"Not just girls." Taiki tipped her head. "Yaten's certainly popular with both sides..."

"Whatever..." Yaten was as tired of their teasing as she was of being swarmed with admirers at events. Being the Princess's guardians made them recognizable, almost famous. It had always been that way, ever since they became sailor guardians a few years ago.

"Maybe if you weren't so hot, they'd leave you alone," Minako teased.

Yaten turned her head away, color creeping in.

"Let's go already," Yaten said, changing the subject. "We've got a lot of work to do and shouldn't be wasting time like this."

Taiki nodded in agreement. "Rehearsal might take a few hours. You and your friends can do as you wish until then," she told Minako.

"No problem! I totally understand. Is there anything we can do to help? I don't want us to feel like a bother..."

Taiki brought her hand to her chin. "I'm sure they could use help down in the ballroom."

Seiya shook her head. "I already promised Odango that we'd help set up down there this afternoon."

"They're setting the lights up out back by the gazebo. Hmm, maybe they could even use Makoto's help in the kitchen..." Taiki trailed off.

"Just don't mess anything up," Yaten told her. She closed her eye in a subtle wink.

Minako's insides fluttered. "Okay." She spun on her heels. "Have fun at rehearsal!"

"We will," Yaten said after her.

Minako found everyone gathered in Usagi's room.

"So, what do you say?" Minako asked .

"I'll take outside," Makoto said, thinking back to the beautiful garden.

"I can help," Rei agreed.

Ami nodded. "I didn't get to see the garden before, and I think it would be neat."