Wavering Destiny

Chapter 24: Caught Up In You

Usagi wandered the halls of the palace, searching for some way to pass the time.

The party was tomorrow, and the entire mood of the palace had changed. What had been casual and exciting only a few days ago now felt rushed. Workers hurried down the halls with boxes, flowers, and trays of decorations. Others spoke quickly into small devices, giving orders Usagi couldn't understand.

She barely recognized the place.

The palace had always seemed beautiful to her, but with strings of lights hung along the walls and flowers tucked around the windows, it looked even more like a castle from a storybook.

Everyone seemed to have found something to do.

Everyone except Usagi.

The Starlights had been busy all day, and she had barely seen Seiya. When she woke up that morning, Fighter had already gone off to perform duties outside the palace. Since then, Usagi had spent most of the day wandering around, trying to stay out of everyone's way.

Her friends had no problem passing the time. Ami could usually be found in the library, reading as many books as she could. Nobody could get Makoto away from the kitchen, where the chefs seemed more than happy to learn about Earth cooking techniques. Minako was acting like she had Yaten withdrawals, which meant she and Usagi had spent part of the day in their guest rooms talking about everything and nothing.

Usagi hoped she didn't look as desperate as Minako. But she was starting to feel like it.

Somehow, she ended up down by the ocean that afternoon.

The sky was a pretty baby blue, and the salty air stuck to her hair and clothes. Usagi sat near the rocks, breathing in the sweet scent of the rozamoku flowers that grew close to the shore. Watching the waves roll in and out was soothing.

It was hard not to think of Seiya there.

The ocean had become their place somehow. Usagi could still remember the moons shining over the water, the warmth of the tide, the way Seiya had held her from behind as if the rest of the world had fallen away.

She had thought being away from Seiya for a while might make things easier. If anything, it gave her more time to think about her. Every smile, every touch, every teasing look seemed to replay in her mind whether she wanted it to or not.

Brushing the sand off her ruffled skirt, Usagi climbed back up the slope toward the palace. Maybe Seiya would be in the music room by now. She wasn't sure what time the Starlights would be done with their duties, but waiting there sounded better than wandering the palace alone.

She swerved around maids and workers until she finally reached the music room doors. The palace may have been a labyrinth of confusing halls, but she was starting to find her way around.

Usagi knocked and waited.

No answer.

She pressed her ear against the cool door, listening for music or voices, but heard nothing.

With a disappointed sigh, she opened the door and stepped inside.

The room was empty. Soft overhead lights glowed above her, and the ceiling fan spun in slow, boring circles. Usagi hadn't been inside the music room before. She had only caught glimpses of it through the tiny window at the top of the door.

A low navy-colored couch against the wall caught her attention.

Usagi had seen the Three Lights sitting there practicing when she and Minako were spying on them.

She smiled a little and walked over to the couch. Since no one was there yet, she might as well wait.

Usagi sat down on the soft cushions and stretched out, resting her head against her arm. She would only close her eyes for a minute. Just until Seiya came back.