I.

Study

Mamoru watched Usagi approaching him. As usual, she was wearing her brilliant smile. The smile that seems to go on forever; never disappearing. He felt his heart beat faster and faster, synchronized with every step she took. How he loved her. It pained him to know that this would be another good-bye. He couldn't stand it! He could never leave her even if it was only for a year or two. Why does there have to be something to get in their way of happiness?

"Mamo-chan!" she greeted him cheerfully. He wished he could share her child-like enthusiasm. He wished he could have the same courage she always had. He wished he has the same innocence. He wished he could bring the same brilliance and happiness that she brings whenever she walks in a room.

"Usako," he mumbled sadly. The pain was just excruciating to bear. Why does good-bye have to be so hard with her?

Her smile faded away from her face. Of course she would have sensed his sadness. She was not good at academics but that does not mean she couldn't sense what others feel. "What's wrong, Mamo-chan?"

Mamoru couldn't look at her. He didn't want to see the concern pouring out of her eyes. "Usako," he whispered the name gently again. "I still have to go to America to continue my research at the University."

She was silent for a while but he knew he had hurt her once more. He swore to himself that he wouldn't hurt her. But he was hurting her again. It felt like he was being burnt alive. When she didn't say anything, he looked at her. She was staring at the ground, clearly fighting back the tears.

"I'm sorry, Usako," he whispered, wishing with all of his might that these words could change everything.

She shook her head, her long blond hair shaking along. "No, it's your dream, Mamo-chan. I'd rather you fulfill it. I don't want to think you'll spend your whole life wondering what if you took this opportunity when you could grab it now. It's your dream and realizing your dream is important."

Of course she would say that. Even though she was hurting, she'd rather sacrifice her happiness for the people she loves. She doesn't care about her own happiness. Mamoru wished Usagi wouldn't do something like that. He wished she would tell him not to leave her again.

"I promise I'll call you everyday no matter how busy I am," he said wrapping his arms around the girl who has such an incredible hold on him.

"Just don't abandon your studies, do you understand? I'll be mad at you if you start getting grades like mine," she said, her voice muffled as she buried her face deep in my chest.

He couldn't help but smiling. "That wouldn't be too bad, would it? At least I get to be in your shoes for once." He buried his head in her sweet hair, memorizing the scent, knowing it will be a long time before he get to smell her hair. He felt her warm tears in his chest, soaking his shirt. He cupped his fingers under her chin and made her look up. He kissed her eyes, tasting the salty tears. He then kissed both her cheeks before finally resting his lips against hers. He refused to acknowledge the possibility that this possibly is the last time he'll get to hold her like this. The last time he went away, he never came back. As he kissed her soft lips, he thought of how his disappearance must have hurt her. Without even doing anything, he had kept on inflicting pain to this beautiful, sensitive, courageous young girl. He tried to tell her how much he loves her through his kiss. He didn't want her to doubt his love.

He had to break away from her, though it killed him to do so. "I will always love you, Usako, never ever forget that."

"Are you all right, Usagi?" Rei asked. Usagi wasn't being herself this afternoon. She was always the first one to say something incredibly stupid or funny that would force everyone to laugh. Instead, she was unbearably silent.

Usagi blinked and looked around as if she didn't know how she got here. Then she looked at everyone. They were all wearing the same concern in their eyes. "No, not really," she replied looking down again.

"Is it Mamoru?" Makoto asked knowing that Usagi was usually this way when she was having trouble with her boyfriend.

"He's leaving again," she answered, her voice thickening. "He still has to go to America to research or whatever it is he was supposed to be doing there before Chaos took his Star Seed."

The others exchanged looks of uncertainty. They all thought Mamoru would stay with Usagi now everything was at peace. It was unfair that the world was happy but the person that gave everyone happiness was the only one suffering. They didn't like seeing her this way.

Minako sighed. "Why didn't you say anything? I'm sure you want him to stay with you here, right?"

Ami gave her a hard look. "Mina, you know Usagi would have wanted Mamoru to fulfill his dreams even if it means she'll be unhappy. Do you remember when she told you you should go for that final auditions? She wants the same with Mamoru."

Usagi showed them a smile, assuring them that she was all right. "Forget it, I'm sure Mamoru would be fine in America. I want him to have a good future. Besides, he said he will call me all the time and I'm not going to be lonely so don't worry about me anymore, all right?"

Rei gave her a look of disbelief but she didn't say anything. It was obvious Usagi didn't want them to worry about her but she must know they would no matter what she do or say. But if she wanted to talk about anything, she knows her friends will always be there for her.

"Oh, you are all here," a voice said from behind their table. They all looked at the direction at the same time. "I didn't know you all like to be at this spot," Haruka said, smiling all at them. In her arms was the beautiful Michiru.

"Hi Haruka, Michiru!" Usagi greeted cheerfully. "What's up guys?"

Michiru looked intently at Usagi. When Usagi blushed a bit, Michiru looked away. "It's a bit weird not fighting any longer, isn't it?" she said as she settled down beside Minako. Haruka remained standing though.

"Actually, I think I like it," Ami said. "I'll finally have a chance to study. I'm not really behind my school work but there are a lot of things I want to research about."

Makoto looked at Ami, shaking her head. "I can't believe you're still saying that. Don't you think now that we're free, you should have a little bit more fun? I mean, this peace might not be long before it's taken away from us again."

Haruka gave her a sharp stare. "Don't say that. I don't want to think about facing enemies again."

"Hey, what happened to Hotaru and Setsuna?" Minako asked, looking around as if they would appear there too. "Setsuna didn't return back to being a guardian of the Time Gates, did she?"

"Setsuna decided to guard the times again while Hotaru wanted to live in the future where she could always spend time with Chibiusa," Michiru replied, sipping on the coffee that she ordered.

"I guess that's good. I mean, the future queen wouldn't have sent Chibiusa here if there were friends for Chibiusa there, right?" Rei said thoughtfully. "If Hotaru would be there with her, that would actually be a good thing. They could be friends."

"But it's not only Hotaru that asked to go," Michiru continued.

"What do you mean?" Rei asked, confused.

"Do you all remember the Amazon Quartets?" Haruka asked. "They asked to come with Hotaru."

Minako, Makoto, Ami, and Rei all gasped. Haruka smiled at their expressions. Michiru even laughed, her gentle laughter was carried throughout the table.

"Why did you let them go with Hotaru? What if they wreck havoc there?" Rei asked in shock.

Michiru shook her head. "The Amazon Quartets helped us when we were facing Nehelenia. When they came to us before Hotaru stepped through the Gates of Time, they requested to come to the future. They said they wanted to change their ways and the future seem to hold a fresh start for them."

"I have a feeling that they might be the future Sailor Soldiers in the future," Haruka continued thoughtfully.

Rei laughed without humor. "The Amazon Quartets as Sailor Soldiers? I don't think so."

"Rei, don't you think we should give them a chance? I mean, don't we believe that everyone should have second chances?" Ami pointed out.

"Yeah, but they were villains who wanted to kill us, remember?"

"What do you think, Usagi?" Makoto asked.

Usagi looked around, confused. "Huh?"

Rei rolled her eyes. "Were you even listening, Usagi?"

"I'm sorry. I don't feel that well. Can I go home?" she asked, still looking confused. Everyone looked at each other concerned.

"Sure, Usagi," Ami said. "If you don't feel well, I think you should go home. Feel well all right?"

"Yeah, thanks. I'll see you guys later," she said as she stood up and walked away. Once she was gone, everyone looked at each other once again with the same concerned expression in their faces.

"Do you guys think we should follow her?" Minako asked the others, staring after Usagi.

"No, I think we should leave her alone. If she needs company, she'll stay with us," Rei said shaking her head.

"It's Mamoru, isn't it?" Michiru observed.

"How did you know?" Makoto asked, surprised.

"She just have that... look whenever she's sad about the Prince," Haruka answered while Michiru nodded in agreement.

"Poor Usagi. Their time together has not been that long and now she has to say good-bye again," Ami said, feeling Usagi's pain too.