See You Next Lifetime
Just as a disclaimer I do not own any of the Sailor Moon characters. If I did, Mamo-chan would not have ended up with Usagi ;)
It was a normal day after a not so normal past few months. Tsukino Usagi was at the Crown, thankful for the people sitting around her. It was so hard to think that 72 hours ago none of these people were alive. Killed by Galaxia, Usagi imagined that she would never her friends again in this lifetime. Now they all sat with her, even Setsuna, Haruka, Michiru and Hotaru. They had all wanted to talk about what had happened after they had died, but Usagi found it hard to put into words. How do you explain what had transpired?
Makoto looked up from the menu. "Will Mamoru-sama be here today as well?" she asked Usagi.
Usagi smiled at her friend. "Yes, he had some things to take care of, but he said he would meet us here as soon as he could."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. It was not a secret that they had all been relieved to have Mamoru back. During his absence they had all worried that Usagi was getting too close to Seiya Kou, member of the popular idol group Three Lights. Seiya and the rest of the Lights were hiding a bigger secret – they were also Senshi who traveled to Earth to look for their lost Princess. Seiya and Usagi clearly shared a special connection and even when everyone's identities were known they had still fought to see and understand each other. This did not sit well with the rest of the Senshi, even Yaten and Taiki, Seiya's partners. They felt Seiya's relationship with Usagi took him away from their real mission, finding their Princess. Those close to Usagi were uncertain where her feelings lied, and with her future already being determined with Mamoru, they did not want Seiya interfering.
Now that Galaxia had been defeated, all that was in the past. No one could deny the role The Starlights played in the battle. They were there until the end, protecting Sailor Moon and lending their strength to protect the Earth. The battle could not have been won without them and where there was once apprehension was now trust and friendship. They had left earlier in the day with their Princess, who was returned to them after the final battle.
Mamoru strolled into the Crown and quickly spotted the large group. "Hey, sorry I am late." He said. Usagi quickly stood up so he could sit down next to her. "Usako, can we talk later? I can walk you home." Usagi nodded cheerfully at him.
Then she began, explaining all that happened after the death of the Inner Senshi. Haruka and Michiru winced at the memory of them taking the star seeds of Hotaru and Setsuna, even though it was all a part of the bigger plan. They were shocked when they realized Galaxia had no star seed for them to remove. After Galaxia removed their bracelets, all that was left for the battle was Sailor Moon, and the Starlights. Usagi's voice softened when she explained how Sailor Star Fighter had pressed her on. How Star Maker and Healer had put their trust in her. Star Fighter had almost sacrificed her life for her. She used Fighter's feelings of love to help her face Galaxia, transforming into her true Princess form. Though she may have been the only one facing Galaxia in the end, it was all of their shines that made the final defeat possible.
The Three Lights, Seiya, Taiki and Yaten, had left just yesterday with Princess Kakyuu. Their hope was to rebuild their planet now that Chaos was gone. Usagi didn't want to think about that right now. Thinking of Seiya made her feel sad, even though she was happy to have all her friends and Mamo-Chan back. She was happy that they had their Princess back, and had a chance to go back home, but Usagi couldn't help missing Seiya. Their time together, though short, had made a large impact on her. She hoped Seiya would come back to see her after they had everything settled. There had been many newspaper articles over the last few days about where The Three Lights had gone. They had announced their final concert, but that was where Galaxia drew the final battle line. Most people have no memory of that night so it seemed as if they just disappeared, which is what technically happened. Usagi had spent the last couple of days while everyone was resting gathering articles about The Three Lights, especially Seiya, and placing them in a keepsake box she had hidden.
It got later and the Senshi decided to end their meeting. The Inner Senshi promised to meet tomorrow at Rei's house and Usagi and Mamoru set off towards her house.
"Usako, I have some news," Mamoru began softly. "I spoke with the college in America and they have agreed to let me come next semester. I would leave in a month." He was not sure how she was going to take the news – it was hard on her the first time and then everything happened. He knew that it would not be the best timing, but he knew that going to America was something he had to do. He felt secure in their future and knew that everything in the end would work out.
Tears welled in Usagi's eyes as she took in the news. "I had thought you would stay with me this time, Mamo-chan…"
"I know, Usako. They are offering me a full scholarship not just for my college but also for medical school. It is one of the best schools in the world, and I don't think I could pass this opportunity up. You could come with me if you wanted."
"Mamo-chan, you know I can't leave. I have a duty to be here, not just for Tokyo, but for Rei-chan, Ami-chan, Minako-chan and Mako-chan. I can't leave them and I don't think they would all come."
"Please understand. When I come back, we can have our wedding. This I must do. I need you to accept this."
Usagi thought back on the last few months. She wrote letters and never received a response. She spent Christmas without him, despite his promise of returning. She knew now it was not his fault, but that didn't make it any easier to think about being in that position again. She thought of all the prior times where she sacrificed for the good of the world, her friends, her love. She choked back her tears.
"Why? Why can't someone think of me first?" she said to herself. She then thought of Seiya, who had often thought of her first. How often had he put himself in danger for her? How often was he there to cheer her on? She pushed it down. This was not Seiya, this was Mamo-chan.
"I don't want you to go, Mamo-chan. I know I should see you off with a smile. I should be excited for you and for us, but I can't. I want you to stay with me."
"Usako…" he began, but she cut him off.
"Usako is a name for a child. I have been through too much to be a child. Is that how you see me, Mamo-chan? I am telling you I don't want to wait 8 years. I don't want to leave everyone I love to go to America. I want you to stay here and fulfill our destiny. I want you to stay." Tears fell freely from her eyes.
He took her by the shoulders and turned her to him. "Usagi, I cannot stay. I made a promise to attend. I am lucky they are giving me another chance to go."
"You made a promise to me!" she cried.
"You are not being reasonable." He tried to reason. He had no way of knowing the pain and loneliness she had felt during his absence.
"Mamo-chan, I am not waiting for 8 years. I just can't. You will go, and I accept that, but please understand I can't go through this again." With that she ran into her house, shutting the door. In her room she ran to her bed and sobbed. Luna approached her.
"Usagi, what's wrong?" she asked. She was surprised to see her so sad when she had every reason to be happy. Usagi picked up her phone and dialed a number. Luna could hear a faint voice from the receiver.
"You have reached Seiya, Taiki and Yaten Kou, of the idol group Three Lights. We can't take your call now so please leave a message. If this is for booking, please call out manager at…" Usagi hung up the phone and dialed the number again. Once the message played through again she spoke softly.
"Seiya, I wish you were here. I wish I could see you and talk. I miss you." She put the receiver down. Luna looked sadly at her. Clearly there was something wrong, Usagi was not normally like this.
"Luna, he is leaving." Luna thought she was referring to Seiya.
"Usagi-chan, he has already left. Remember he left yesterday with Taiki and Yaten and Princess Kakyuu…"
"No, Luna, Mamo-chan. He is leaving again. I should have said ok, I should have told him I would wait. Luna, in my heart, I did not want to wait. I am tired of waiting, of always being the one who sacrifices."
"Oh, Usagi, I didn't know. When is he leaving?" She jumped on the bed to sit with her.
"He is leaving in a month. How do I do it, Luna? How do I make the pain stop? I just want to be a normal girl. I want to live my life. Would he still leave if he wasn't so sure that the future is pre-determined?"
"I don't know, Usagi. I wish I had the answers for you. It will work out, and sometimes times are hard." Luna turned on the radio so Usagi's mother wouldn't hear the sobs and come in.
Search for your love…
Usagi stopped crying and looked at Luna. "I miss him, too. Maybe more then I should. Whenever I hear this song, it fills me with hope. Luna, remember that time, after the first major battle, when you granted me the wish to be a normal girl again?"
Luna was not comfortable where this was going. She remembered that time, wiping out everyone's memories so they could lead normal lives. It didn't last too long, as trouble found them quickly after. "You know I can't do that again…"
Usagi sighed. "I know, but to not have to feel this pain would almost be worth it. The future is not depending on this lifetime. Most likely not my next lifetime either. I am going to go for a walk." Luna got up to go with her. "Stay here, Luna, I want to be alone."
Usagi walked downtown in the light rain. She went to a payphone and called Seiya's house again. Listening to his voice was a comfort for her. She didn't notice the cloaked figure that was behind her.
"Tsukino-san?" he said coming up to her, "I know you are in pain right now and I can help. I am a medicine man schooled in ancient magics. I know you want to forget, right?"
She backed away slowly. She should be afraid, but all she felt was numb. "Do I know you? How did you know my name?"
"It's ok, I understand your fear. I feel things, and just know things. I can help you. Take this, it is enough for at least 2 people. Put half in a drink, and when you wake up the next morning, all your painful memories will be gone."
"Will I forget everything? Will I forget my friends?" she asked coming a little bit closer.
"You will only forget what you want to forget. My feelings tell me it is a relationship you are looking to forget. If you take this and before you fall asleep whisper what you want to forget that is what will be gone. It is ancient magic and very powerful. Be careful that you truly want to forget before taking this."
She took the glass blue bottle from him and looked at the strange liquid inside. She looked to the stranger to thank him and stopped dead in her tracks when he took off his hood.
"Sailor Moon, you will forget about being a Sailor Senshi. You will forget about Mamoru Chiba. You will forget about the Sailor Starlights. Tomorrow you will go to Mamoru Chiba's house and give him this potion. Half for you and half for him. As you start to fade you will say these words – We will forget our destiny, you are not Tuxedo Kamen-sama, and I am not Sailor Moon." His eyes stared into her soul as he said this and Usagi nodded.
"I will do as you say."
That is it for part one! Part 2 will be written soon – I hope everyone enjoys this and please review! Reviews make me happy!