Reflect

A truthful reflection ... that rippled with all the darkness that was shed by the light of her beauty.

A loyal subject…that grew in love with what her princess caught so easily.

These are the creatures we have killed… in unison… our hearts as one…

Was this right?

Should we do this?

"Sleepy head, should you not get some sleep too? Shut-eye? You've been trying to nod off too." Usagi's voice carried from the other room. "I'm taking the hot cocoa home, but you should seriously go to bed." I simply smiled. I could feel her relaxation, a fact, no, a feeling that only put me on edge.

"Of course. I'll just have some coffee first." She stuck her tongue out at me before disappearing through the oak door. The bright living room light washed over the shining wood and rippled almost blindingly over the floor. I checked the door's lock and paused, cool metal beneath my fingers. My eyes flickered to the key hole before I reached up and caught the switch without looking, knocking the all-encompassing light from my room.

There were times when I did not wish to see.

"Mamoru?"
I closed my eyes and my head fell into the pillow, fingers cupping my elbows and shoulders tense. It took what felt like weeks to relax.

And never when my mind brought images of her.

Or her.

I hadn't had mirrors in my house, apartment, miniature habitat, for weeks now. I had grown comfortable just running a hand through my hair and running out the door. Amazing, what nightmares we ARE willing to cater to. They always say to fight against your worst fears. They never faced a mirror.

She has. She won.

I no longer know what I'm more scared of.

It wasn't until her eyes met mine and the look I know I've seen in Usagi's, that Usagi's seen in mine, registered that I knew. I knew she was just like me, looking down over that white pearl of a stone balcony, past the ebony sculptures and dark, black hair to that walking flow of pure liquefied daisy when I knew that she was the one, but also the one that got away.

Always, and never, I remembered past all my incarnations, past my tuxedo, my brainwashings, my bombs and my cape, that Uh-Oh moment. The instant my brain, nay, my soul comprehended that I had wings and would soar until I smoldered myself on the sun.

And she had the same eyes, same skittering, spacey, grasping, searching shine that had graced both mine and Usagi's.

I knew they were the same, as she was the same as Usagi, and I watched as she aimed and steeled herself for the kill.

I watched.

I stood by.

I aided.

And Usagi killed the part of herself that let her enjoy all our reckless nights under the stars.

The horror that lived in her that had given her the ability to live, an ability carried on past the giver's death.

Nepherania… Was the shine. Was.

There was nothing to see by, so I tried not to see at all.

I jolted awake, into her arms, rooms spinning.

"Woohoo. Mamoru! So touchy, first thing in the morning. I'm seeing you off, right? The RIGHT way?" I just nodded to her words, remembering what had happened to the plane that she last saw me off unto. I knew she did, too.

I started to wonder if I knew too much.

I glanced to one side as I was almost drug to the entrance gate. Her energy was catchy, and I smiled, but I nervously had to watch the windows anyways.

Her reflection didn't include colors, and her hair blurred together to appear completely unbound, floating behind her in midnight waves.

Just as her truest servant of a reflection might.

"Do you ever wish…"

"Hm?" She twisted and slowed, questioning. "Mamoru?"

"… she was back?" Usagi stared.

"Who?"

"Oh. It's—"

"You mean Rei? She'll be back in two weeks."

"…No, nevermind."

I just turned out the window again, watching.