*-----[ Supernova ]-----*

Chapter VI

……A touch…….

……….No more pain………

……just light………

………………..just her……………….just them……………

A hand softly came up to gently brush the silk of her bare skin. Hardly a touch, making her shiver next to his warmth. She wanted this…….gods how she wanted this…….

That dream was bothering her again. Usagi stopped rummaging through her bag at the instant recollection and ran an exasperated hand over her forehead. She sighed and looked around.

It was too vivid and too real. The scene may have been foggy and incoherent but she knew enough to reminisce what it was. She was with someone and all she could see were his eyes. Beautiful warm blue pools. Since when was the color blue warm ? It didn't matter because his eyes were adoring, holding every emotion that gave her that fire.

What Usagi felt were his lips and the feather-like touches of his hands. Enough to make her drown forever and not want to come up for air. He touched her as if she was his. So precious, so infinitely precious. And his warmth………

Usagi wrapped her arms around herself. She hadn't noticed how lonely she felt until now. And thinking of Mamoru didn't seem like enough anymore. Her destiny and future king were on the other side of the world. For some reason when she tried to place this euphoric dream with her vision of Mamoru………it just didn't……fit. That puzzled her even more. Though Usagi was unwilling to admit, she knew that it was someone completely different.

[ …….ugh……I have GOT to stop thinking…... ] She thought to herself. There was work to be done anyway.

For a while now, Usagi had wanted to redo the room that she called her study. The color was unfitting and the moment she laid eyes on that room, she knew it HAD to be painted over. The color might have even been called horrible. Sure Tsukino Usagi, of all people, was not one with a mind for interior design but even she could see that the color had to go.

The young woman had picked up a can of paint on the way home from running an errand for her mother. It was a lovely blue color that seemed to suit the room just perfectly. Usagi didn't know why, she just liked the blue. She even showed the shopping assistant at the store a picture of her study and he even agreed that the color she had chosen would be suitable.

On this decision of color, she purchased two paint rollers: a long one and short one, complete with a pan. They were assembled there on her table and she began scrounging around for the old newspapers she forgot to throw out last week.

Usagi found them stacked under one of the living room tables. She set those aside next to the paint, then made a quick trip to her room to change.

* * * * *

Living here was like being in a cage and being thirsty to the point of death. The bars were cold, hard and cruel. It was like they mocked Seiya from the inside. And all his hungry eyes could do was linger at the crystal glass of water that was only a few short millimeters away from his straining fingers.

That's how it was, living here. But at the same time, being this close to her was more than he could've imagined.

At night, Seiya lay awake in bed, and besides the complexity of his position in life, he would always try to shut out the nightmares and the sorrows to visualize just her. Usagi was sleeping in the room just a few steps from his own door. Being this close was not enough, he knew he sought more.

Seiya always tried not to look at her with the look of sadness. It just came automatically, even without him noticing it. Didn't she know how much it killed him ? He was hiding behind the mask of the feeling called "happiness". The mask had too many cracks in it and was falling apart.

Standing up, Seiya crossed the room to open the door. He heard Usagi's footsteps down the hall and decided to go see her.

As his hand reached for the doorknob, Seiya stopped in his tracks. An unfamiliar feeling burst forth to surge in his chest. He swallowed, he felt as if he couldn't move. His hand grasped the knob but didn't turn it, he didn't even notice how white his knuckles turned at the extreme pressure he was putting on it.

Seiya felt like his knees were going to collapse. He tried to call out, to scream, to yell. Nothing came out of his mouth as he stumbled forward. The feeling inside his chest, it was like it was going to burst. Burning and writhing in and out of every fiber of his body. It wanted release.

" No……." His voice was but a strained whisper." I won't……..let…….you…….." Seiya unconsciously said to it. He put a trembling hand to his chest with gritted teeth. Something was happening, putting will and strength, Seiya felt the inner battle." Not……now….."

He would protect her. He would never let anything impure touch her--

" Seiya ?"

Seiya heard Usagi's voice call him faintly from outside. He looked up. He heard her call him again. Seiya then blinked once, twice and even three times. Stunned and overly shocked, he stepped back from the door.

It was gone. The feeling…….the surging…….it had vanished.

He wiped the sweat from his brow, breathing deeply in great concern. [ …….what……..?…… ] Finding his strength again, Seiya opened the door. Usagi was coming towards him and she was dressed in some old jean overalls, complete with a faded old halter top. She gave him a smile that forced one out from him.

Usagi approached him, hoping to brighten him up. After all, it would take too long to paint the study all by herself. Once she got closer, Usagi tried to hide the look of worry that crossed her features when she looked at him. He looked paler.

" Uh….Seiya ? Would you mind helping me with something ? It's kinda important and I don't want to screw it up." She said, trying not to sound meek. She smiled when she saw his reaction.

Seiya was happy Usagi came to him to ask a favor. It was too stuffy in that room, it's closure forcing him into his void of troubles. He needed to forgot…..and calm down. What he experienced was nothing…….nothing at all. It was only the third time it happened. It came from being followed by those creatures, a painful process that seized him. Strange enough, it just disappeared the moment Usagi called his name.

She worried enough about him as it was. He didn't want her stressed because of him so Seiya tried to act as normal as possible. Usagi didn't need to worry, he didn't want her to.

Seiya shook his head mentally of those thoughts and concentrated solely on what Usagi wanted. He gave her a broad smile. Just looking at her was enough to put a hole through his darkness.

" Anything Odango."

" Well," Usagi scratched her head." I bought a can of paint and some other paint stuff so I could paint the study. I sort of need some help."

Seiya grinned, running a hand through black locks of hair." Sure thing. Love to help out but," He then looked at what she was wearing. Some old clothes just in case the job got messy." Um, I don't really have any change of clothes."

" Oh, that's okay." Usagi said." It's just my dad's old stuff. I'm sure he wouldn't even miss it." She laughed when she saw his look of disbelief." I'm serious. It's okay."

" Are you sure ? I mean, I don't want to see your dad wielding an ax in my direction some time soon." Seiya snickered. Usagi shook her head.

He followed her to the table where everything was. They fetched it quickly in one trip and began to set up.

Usagi still had no furniture in the study so they didn't have to move anything at all. The job of taping down the newspaper to the floor was an easy enough job with both of them there. Usagi was so glad to have Seiya with her, it just made everything a lot more worthwhile and fun.

" That should do it." Usagi said proudly, looking at the marvelous tape and newspaper job. The room was small enough to cover a good amount of the floor from the wall. She walked over to sit beside the paint can, where Seiya was opening it.

The smell of paint hit both their noses as it was uncovered and with Usagi putting in the stir stick. The thick liquid flowed into the pan while the drips created several paths down the side of the can when it was set down once again.

Usagi grabbed the short paint roller and threw the longer one to Seiya, knowing he was taller than she, he could reach higher than her. It no time, the ugly color was being subdued by the blue of the paint.

Seiya tried his best to chase the nightmares away by himself. It was in the daytime and they were still coming to haunt him. All he wanted to do was stop thinking, he had enough on his chest.

" So, how's college life ?" Seiya asked, reaching high above to cover the top of the wall and trying to put off the thoughts. Usagi bent down to smother her roller in paint again.

She stood up and replied," It's not at all like high school." Then she groaned," Even more stuff to do. You know me, I STILL hate to study."

Seiya chuckled." Ah well, as Ami would say, 'It's for the good of your future'." He said mimicking Ami's voice of authority and wagging a finger in front of her face. A short bit of laughter escaped Usagi's lips at Seiya's imitation of the brain of the Senshi.

" I know that if I fall asleep, I'll get in soooo much trouble. You know those professors ? Their voices are so mono-toned, it's hard not to. Oh yeah, and there's this one professor I have. It's like he has no emotion at all. Not even in his face. It's like learning from a yardstick." Usagi said.

Seiya put down his roller again for some more paint. He paused as he watched Usagi stand on her tiptoes and try to reach as high as she could." You mean you found someone more boring than our old teacher at school ?" He put on an exaggerated surprised look.

" Oh I guess you could say that. It even shocked me."

" I remember the time you ALWAYS used to fall asleep in class. One time I even SWORE that I saw some huge bubble of spit was coming out of your mouth ! It was THIS BIG !" Seiya stopped rolling and motioned with his hands around his mouth.

Usagi looked at him with a scrunched face." Hey ! You shouldn't talk ! Even if you sat behind me, I could still hear your snoring !"

" Me ? Snoring ? I don't think so. You probably heard your own snoring !"

" What ? Oh fine ! I admit that I have fallen asleep a FEW times but how can I hear my own snoring if I'm sleeping ?! Besides, it was probably you !"

Seiya shrugged, a playful gleam in his eyes." I don't know. Being YOU, you'd find SOME way to find out. Heh, and how could you possibly know it was me anyway ? You said yourself that you couldn't hear any snoring while you were sleeping."

Usagi stared at him with wide eyes, trying to comprehend what he was saying. A big question mark appeared over her head that moment." Why you-- ! Do you have to be so confusing ?!" It was rattling that he played with her words and twisted them around.

" I'm not confusing, I'm just telling you the truth." Seiya laughed. He was getting her worked up like before. Although he'd never really considered teasing Usagi as one of his leisure activities, it was always funny. [ …….still got the touch…… ] " Scout's honor." He said, giving her a goofy salute.

" Scout's honor ? Listen Boy-scout," Usagi said with a finger pointed in his direction. She watched him eye her with that annoying cocky look of his. It was then she that wanted to burst into flames. She knew he was laughing at her." There isn't any one of us in that class back then that ISN'T guilty for falling asleep ! You know it and I know it."

" Know what ? That you fell asleep all the time and had this bubble of spit protruding from your mouth ?!"

Usagi threw her hands up in the air in frustration and gave an unladylike growl. Some of the paint from her roller splattered to the floor and onto her overalls. There was no use in trying to get out of Seiya's tangle of teasing. She watched with a sense of irritation at Seiya who turned back to the wall and started paint again, laughing.

The paint from her roller dripped thick down the back of her hand where she was holding the handle. Usagi smirked, this would teach him. In one motion, Usagi skimmed the paint soaked roller with her hand. It dripped with the blue liquid as she slowly and carefully began to creep up to him.

There he was, laughing his heart away and not knowing what she had in mind. Usagi was already congratulating herself for such a scheme as she crossed the room with a devilish grin.

[ Hmmm…….target should be……back ? arm ? hair ?…..no……face ? YES face !…… ]

She stood right behind him quietly as he worked away. Then suddenly," Seiya ?"

Her voice came out of nowhere and it was so close. Seiya jumped and wasn't finished turning around to spot her when, WHACK !

All he heard then was the sound of Usagi's cackling laughter erupting and ringing through his ears. Seiya opened his eyes slowly after getting a face-full of thick blue paint.

The look on Seiya's face was absolutely PRICELESS. It was a mixture of shock and irritation at the same time. Usagi couldn't breathe from the way the print of her hand in blue paint stood almost perfectly and smack-dab in the middle of Seiya's face.

She clutched her sides, feeling as if they were about to split open. Usagi bent over to try to claim mouthfuls of air in between her hysterics." Seiya ! Ha ha ha ha ha ! You…….ha ha ha ha !!!!"

Seiya slowly reached up and wiped some paint off his cheek. The paint was as blue as ever as he stared at it. He continued to look as Usagi who had tears streaming down her face in fits of laughter.

While she was preoccupied, with a mischievous grin of his own, Seiya dipped both his hands in the pan of paint. With that, he walked right up to her.

Usagi looked up to him and her smile faded just a bit. Through the blue paint, she could see he was up to something. Before she knew it, both of Seiya's hands were in her hair and smothering her golden strands with blue paint.

Usagi screamed as she tried getting away. She backed up step by step, trying to hold him off by clutching his wrists." No !" she squealed, giggling." Seiya, stop !"

" It's your turn !" Seiya chortled. He laughed hard at Usagi's flustered state when he stepped back to look at her in mock thoughtfulness." Nah, Odango. I guess blue isn't really your color."

" That's it ! You're getting it now !" Usagi grinned as she picked up her roller.

" Oh no you don't."

" Oh yes I do !" She charged forward at him at an unexpected speed, she got him in the arm. The paint smeared messy and splashed on his white sleeveless shirt.

" You're going to pay for that !" Usagi heard him say and realized he was picking up his roller in defense. The longer one that she gave him. Then she realized that maybe she should've given him the shorter one instead.

Seiya reached it forward and got her square in the back as she was turning around to run in the opposite direction. He ran after her but didn't see the counterattack. It seemed she still had a fistful of paint. Usagi thrust her hands forward and caught him in the chest. The paint was smudged downward towards the rest of his white shirt.

A gleeful light danced through Usagi's eyes at the sight of his blue-blotched shirt. Her eyes widened when the wet paint roller rolled its way over the side of her face and down to taint her overalls.

" Get over here !" Usagi hollered at Seiya before making his getaway." Seiya !"

" Not if you could catch me first Odango !"

" YOU !"

Usagi's arms and top half were coated with paint. She began chasing after him with the paint roller in hand. Unfortunately, she hadn't noticed the large crumple of newspaper that built up in one spot from their slipping and sliding.

She was so close to fingering Seiya's back when both her feet ended up in a weird looking tangle. The crumpled newspaper had woven itself in and out through her ankles and the next thing Usagi knew was her mouth opening wide in a gasp as she flung forward.

A screech of losing her balance elicited itself from her mouth as she grabbed the only thing in front of her to keep from falling.

Seiya heard a loud sound of surprise from behind him and from what he knew the next second, a weight was tossed into his back like a projectile. The newspaper around his feet made it even worse as he stumbled forward a few steps, arms from behind locking a secure grip onto his waist." Aaaahhhhhhggghhh !" He hollered as he and Usagi both toppled off-balance to the floor. They landed with a thud.

Usagi's cheek hit the small of his back, getting her other cheek smothered with blue. She laughed out loud and triumphantly when she knew she got him.

Realizing he might have been cornered, Seiya rolled over and was met with a very blue and mischievous Odango. The paint roller was thrust only a few short inches from his face as Usagi made use of the position and straddled his hips. She leaned in close and grinned.

" Gotcha." Her voice was smug. Usagi's legs squeezed him, trying to make sure he didn't get away.

Seiya looked up at her. Why did she have to choose this position ? It was bad enough when they were close before, an electric current would run through him madly. This didn't make it any better. He felt her shift her hips slightly against his to lean in closer and stare at him in a threatening but playful sort of way.

" No escaping now !" Usagi claimed as she giggled in a singsong voice. The devious grin on Seiya's face grew wider at her statement. He was up to something.

He regarded Usagi with a look of skepticism." Oh yeah ? You sure about that ?"

" Huh ?"

With a move too fast for Usagi to comprehend, Seiya grabbed her wrist with the paint roller and her waist. She let out a shriek of surprise as Seiya's leg helped to put him into the position where he emerged on top. The next thing the blonde knew, she was on the bottom half and against the crumpled blue newspaper on the floor.

The paint roller stayed loose in her hand as Seiya allowed her arms to be free." You cheat !" Usagi said.

" Checkmate." Seiya replied with a smug smile.

Usagi looked at him with a lopsided smirk." Checkmate ? I don't even know how to play chess !"

He shrugged at her comment." Neither do I !"

Seiya stared into her face. She looked so funny with all that blue paint smeared over her skin. But her eyes were shining and he could see their fire. Her smile was radiant as she teased him.

The warmth of his body was seeping through his clothes and Usagi was absorbing every bit of it. The weight of Seiya on top of her felt snug, especially the way he accidentally managed to land between her legs and didn't know it. Usagi's heart started to race and pound inside her chest like a jackhammer. She couldn't help catching the overwhelming wave of feeling that flowed through her with every part of her body that was in contact with his.

Seiya swallowed heavily and felt a hard pounding against his chest. He couldn't tell if it was his heart trying to leap into his throat or hers. He was stunned to find out the whereabouts of his waist when Usagi's legs softly squeezed him again.

His breath was fanning over her lips and the eye contact between them was smoldering. Usagi's lips looked swollen and ached for contact. The exchange of fire through Seiya and her was unexplainable with the welcome press of his firm muscles.

The laughter died down and all that was left was the silence for a moment. Usagi looked deep into his eyes. There it was. That sadness, the very hollow of his grief. A pain shot through her heart, as she saw what he couldn't mask. It was like getting the wind knocked out of her. The realization was overwhelming. It was more than just love, it was a thousand and one surging emotions that kept him caged.

This was the real source of his pain. There were so many things she didn't know and she cursed herself for not knowing.

Usagi slowly tilted her head upwards and just brushed her lips faintly at the tip of his chin. Her nose nuzzled softly upwards and made a fiery trail towards the side of his mouth, wanting to calm the storm of his heartache.

Seiya's muscles tensed and held tight like steel from the moment of her touch. He didn't know what was going on and lost all sight of reality. He stared at her, stuck and almost motionless. It couldn't be real. His eyes frantically wandered over her face. Usagi's eyes were closed, looking dreamy and aching. One part of him wanted so much to believe that he could take this. The other part called him a fool.

Usagi ever so slowly planted a kiss at the corner of his mouth. For awhile she thought she felt his lips tremble at her touch. Seiya trembled inwardly. Then she swept the tip of her tongue lightly at the corner, waiting for him to respond.

He felt it and it was like a jolt that fused fantasy with reality. Seiya's eyes fell shut and closed tightly as the gate of pent-up emotions gave way to a flood. She was about to sweep her mouth shyly at the corner again when Seiya turned his head and fully caught her lips with his.

Seiya claimed her mouth, the kiss intensified quickly. She tasted so sweet as she received his claim. Both their lips fused together in the heat of the moment, growing hard and needful to the rhythm of their heartbeats. He hungered greatly and intensely for this as he shifted his hands to run over her face.

Usagi's hands let go of her surroundings as her fingers buried themselves in Seiya's hair. So needful, they ran down to touch his shoulders and even further to glide down the muscles of his back. His tongue delved into her mouth, desiring more of her sweetness as it danced with hers.

A moan was heard from Usagi's lips as her body reacted to him powerfully and arched upwards. She moaned his name slowly, the syllables ringing in Seiya's ears.

At this Seiya felt her hands move downwards along his back. They moved lower until they captured the hem of his shirt and sneaked under. Usagi shivered with closed eyes, feeling the full warmth of his body without the border of fabric. His muscles rippled at her touch when she moved her hands higher to caress his shoulder blades.

Not wanting it to end, Usagi ventured and pushed higher. She coaxed him willingly through another heartfelt kiss." Seiya…." She moaned against his lips as she abruptly removed the sole covering of his upper half.

Trails of blue paint from Usagi's hands were smeared over Seiya's back, shoulders and chest as the shirt he wore was tossed to the side. He bent downwards again to capture her mouth with her hands leaving a burning sensation on his skin as she held him to her tightly.

* * * * *

Minako casually stepped out of the elevator and started to make her way down the hall. She was heading for Usagi's apartment and wanted to stop by. The very news that Usagi had given her before bothered her too much so she decided to go see her. And about Seiya, Seiya was there. She'd also get a chance to see him as well.

The blonde approached her friend's door and gave a knock. She waited a few seconds and looked around. [ ……I wouldn't mind having a place here. ] Minako thought mindlessly.

She knocked again. Still nothing happened. Usagi was supposed to be home. Wondering, Minako placed her hand on the doorknob and surprisingly it turned all the way. Funny, it was open.

She decided to scold Usagi later for leaving the door open as she pushed it forward and quietly stepped in.

The whole place looked clean except for maybe a few old newspapers on the top of the table and a plastic bag to accompany it.

Usagi couldn't be out. After what she told Minako, she said she'd never want to let Seiya out of her sight and that she felt that she had to protect him.

Minako scanned the front and closed the door behind her.

Suddenly she heard a faint noise and relaxed. Usagi was home. By the look of what was placed on the table, she must have been working. Painting the study ? Minako recalled her friend complaining about it and wished she brought over some old clothes to help out. Seiya was supposedly here, perhaps he was helping her.

Minako's feet padded through the main part of the apartment and reached the hall. She walked down to see the door of the study open just a crack. Usagi wouldn't mind if she let herself in, Minako didn't have to explain.

She was about to push the door open all the way when her eyes widened. Minako had been right about painting and she had been right about Seiya helping Usagi. It was just that both paint rollers were on the floor and one wall was unfinished. Crumpled newspaper littered the area with numerous globs of blue paint everywhere. Seiya and Usagi were both caked in paint and on the floor. He was atop her, shirtless, and was held by Usagi's legs.

Thankfully for Minako, Usagi was fully clothed and just pursing the heat of the moment.

Minako let out an incoherent sound that shot across the room. That sound automatically caused Seiya and Usagi to look up. They both turned red.

" USAGI ! SEIYA-SAN !" Minako finally spit out. She covered her mouth in grave embarrassment. " I am SO sorry ! I didn't know, I'm sorry !"

Seiya immediately detached himself from her." Uh---er….Minako ! Hi !"

Usagi stood up and was turning red by the second. She marched up to her friend." Minako, this is just a figment of your imagination !" To her friend's unsettling, Minako actually started to grin.

" Tsukino Usagi I cannot believe you !" She stared at her friend. Then she turned to look at Seiya who quickly grabbed his shirt. He made his way up to both girls.

Minako let her eyes wander carefully over each and every curve of Seiya's upper half. From his neck to his broad shoulders, downwards to his pectorals and finally approvingly across his defined stomach." But I can see why you couldn't stop yourself ! Seiya you are one HOT buffet !"

Seiya put a hand up to scratch his head nervously." Er…heh, thanks Minako." Then he put it down to see her heavily nudge Usagi. He started to smile." It's so great to see you." He exclaimed as he stepped forward for a hug.

Minako eyed him and stepped away." I don't think so ! You're going to end up smothering my outfit !" she giggled." I could come out looking like Usagi !"

They all laughed, trying to forget the awkward moment of getting caught in the act. Usagi turned to Seiya." Seiya, uh…..maybe you'd better take a shower."

He agreed with a smile and started to turn away.

" Wait !" Usagi called.

" Hmm ?" He received a smile in response and a wild leap into his arms. It shocked Seiya thoroughly when she gave him another kiss." Please make it quick."

Minako stood there speechless for awhile. This was truly a hard turn of events. She watched with Usagi as Seiya made his way to the bathroom. When he was gone and the door closed, Minako jumped Usagi with questions.

" What brought about that ?" she asked anxiously.

Usagi looked at her, not knowing what to say. Her friend led her to the table and both sat down to talk.

Minako then listened attentively as Usagi spoke her tale. She already knew about Seiya's arrival and the surrounding circumstances but didn't know there was more to it. Her friend was obviously in a suffocating dilemma.

Seiya's presence had made it so hard to not keep away from him. Mamoru's second absence left Usagi cold and alone. She wasn't using Seiya as comfort, she was falling in love with him and was discovering the truth in what she felt all those years ago.

Then there were the problems about Crystal Tokyo, her destiny and Chibi-usa. Usagi seemed utterly confused about everything. She felt trapped and cornered and only she was her own key to her freedom. To pick love and a mysterious future over destiny and a laid-out future. She wanted so much to be with Seiya, all the emotions couldn’t stop flowing out of her.

" It's alright." Minako said soothingly as Usagi's head rested against her shoulder. It'd take forever to wash out the paint from her shirt but for a comforting embrace for her friend, she'd do it without asking.

Minako then told her the truth. Seiya had loved her from the very moment he saw her. This pain he was enduring was only apart of what he recently lost. It seemed Usagi and Earth were all he had left. The realization on Usagi was very heavy.

" What should I do ?" Usagi said, on the verge of a sob." Why is destiny doing this to me ?" She looked at her friend with the eyes of a pleading child. It broke Minako's heart.

" Usagi…..there has to be a reason for this. Setsuna claimed that there was a reason for every action and emotion. Every little bit changes the future." She replied." Your heart doesn't lie."

It wasn't long before Seiya came back. He saw Minako and knew abruptly that she knew about why he was here. Still the worry of putting them in danger didn't disappear. A pang of guilt crossed him when he also found out that Minako also knew about Yaten and Taiki.

Minako told him repeatedly to not blame himself even if she was wiping away a tear of her own. It wasn't his fault, she knew it in her heart.

" We have to tell the others immediately." Minako said." We'll organize a meeting this weekend with Rei. Seiya, there's nothing we've haven't done before. We're going to help you." The blonde looked into Seiya's eyes. She continued to see doubt and fear.

Seiya couldn't mask it. It was so ironic how they wanted to help him and yet haven't even experienced the true horror of it all. He had been plagued too many times with vivid nightmares of murder and death. For a long time he had been scared to go to sleep. But he had to have faith. Usagi gave him faith. It was too late to turn back and refuse. He wanted to believe.