The Point Of No Return

You hadn't seen them in years, how many you aren't sure. You kept in touch, of course, but talking by the phone or writing is very little compared to the freedom of speaking face-to-face. You were absolutely sure that you'd never return. But the birth of your Princess's daughter managed to do the impossible. You look up, eyes traveling up the stairs that your feet were reluctant to climb, and you sigh. A smile curves your lips as you bask in the strange familiarity of your surroundings, and your tense muscles finally relax.

It was so different from what you are accustomed to, you thought. The streets of Tokyo were far different from the ones of New York, where you'd been living ever since you had left. For one, they were darker and less crowded, a certain air of tranquility hanging everywhere you looked. There was also less noise, you realize as you notice you could actually hear yourself think. And the scent that the wind carried… it smelled like home. After a few moments you force yourself to move, the sounds of the party that was being hosted being carried to you. Silence takes over as you appear and everyone's eyes are fixed on you. And then Usagi's face breaks into a big grin and she runs to you and her arms are around you as she screams your name.

Laughter resonates across the brightly decorated space as shocked faces morph into joyful ones. You hug the smaller woman back, feeling peace descend on you, as your eyes travel across the other's faces as they approach you. The next ten minutes are filled with hugs, smiles, tears, hello's and I've missed you's and I'm glad you could make it's, and you feel happy like you haven't in years. You're dragged to a chair and sat down, as Makoto bombards you with questions, asking you which what you want to eat, and you manage to somehow answer while listening to Usagi's excited rambling. Mamoru comes out of the house then, to see what all the noise was about, a pink bundle held gently, protectively in his arms.

Your Princess quickly gets up, moving to hold her child as her husband presses a gentle kiss against her lips, and a pang of jealousy runs through you as their happiness is practically palpable (you wish you had something like it), but you push it away as the glowing mother moves towards you. You feel as if liquid warmth courses through you as the blankets move and Chibiusa's eyes lock directly with your own. The tension returns to you as surprisingly alert red eyes peer up at you, a crescent moon suddenly shining in the tiny forehead as a tingle on your own alerts you to the presence of your own mark. Usagi moves even closer, arms extending as she passes you her daughter. You're startled and scared of hurting the baby but all it takes are the blonde's whispered "It's okay. I trust you." for you to take her.

The little girl's weight on your arms brings back memories of Hotaru when she was that small, along with the memories of sparkling blue eyes and a bright smile and the scent of the sea, and your throat tightens. A warm hand touches yours and you realize that everyone is waiting with baited breath for your reaction. You study the baby's face and a fleeting smile passes your lips as you remember her from different times, when she is older and taller and so alike her mother, and a bright light envelops all of you as a tiny hand touches your face. You feel dazed as Usagi reclaims her daughter, barely listening to her voice as she tells you "She's been waiting for you.", your eyes locked on a pink head as it's owner snuggles against her mother's chest.

Everything goes back to normal as a soft snore escapes the child and all your friends seemingly melt at her adorableness. You sit back down and Setsuna comes to sit beside you, hand reaching to softly squeeze your shoulder as she gives you a supporting smile. You don't talk and neither does she, as you both observe the women around all float around Usagi, soft gazes and loving smiles directed at the bundle she holds in her arms.

But then the happy chatter dies out and your breath hitches in your throat and you swear your heart stops beating as the Princess's voice rings out just as your eyes fall on her.

"Michiru!"

A warm smile illuminates the violinist's face as she's partially embraced by Usagi. One of her hands moves to rest on the baby's head as she says a soft greeting, blue eyes scanning her surroundings. Her smile freezes in her face as she stares directly at you, hand falling limply by her side as her eyes widen and cloud over, mouth falling open in shock. You force yourself not to show any emotion as your gaze remains locked with her own. Setsuna's grip tightens and everyone is again staring at you, waiting for a reaction. You squeeze the red eyed woman's thigh and get up on wobbly legs, somehow managing to walk until you stand in front of her, the one person you wanted to see more than anything in the world, and at the same time, wished you'd never have to face again.

Your heart pounds madly as her eyes roam over you, pausing as they take in your slightly longer hair and the different style of clothes you wear (you've taken to wearing form-revealing ones instead of your old baggy, manlier ones). Her lips are still open and she looks… my God, you think, she looks more beautiful than ever. A tear runs down her cheek and reality crashes in on you as her arms wind around you, and she breathes your name. Your arms lace around her on their own accord, it would seem, and you are struck by how familiar it is. Michiru is there. She's warm and she's breathing and she's holding you like you are about to fade away and it feels like time froze over.

You tighten your hold on her as you bury your nose in her hair, like so many times before, softly rocking her as you feel the wetness of her tears in your neck as she shakes. She pulls away slowly, cheeks flushed and glistening, and as you look at her you see nothing but happiness. She is happy to see you. You feel as you tense again, your arms falling back to your sides as your lips curl into a curt smile and you step back. She looks at you in confusion as you say her name in a slightly forceful way, and you can practically feel as everything in you hardens. Satisfaction courses over you as realization dawns on her as her gaze drops to the floor, and she has the grace to look remorseful.

Your friends look at you, bewildered, as you turn your back on her and go back to your seat. Setsuna's soft, preoccupied voice rings in your ears as she leans towards you. "Are you okay?"

You ponder for a few moments, analyzing your feelings, your joy at seeing her being clouded over with the hurt and resentment you've harbored ever since you left, glancing at her as you answer honestly. "I don't know."

The time guardian had become your closest friend. She was the only person who knew why you'd left… at least the only one who was completely sure of it, since you doubt that the other's didn't suspect. Michiru was the reason you'd left. You were in love with her and when you decided to tell her, she'd rejected you, and you, broken hearted, did what you did best. You ran.

Music starts playing, probably a try to lighten the suddenly heavy mood, but you don't actually care. You're feeling confused, extremely so, and half of you is fighting the urge to leave while the other is already thinking up excuses. Hotaru's arrival makes up your mind. A grin makes its way through your face without your acknowledgment as you notice that your little sweetheart is not so little anymore, as you see the woman that she has become. You're back on your feet and you approach her silently, poking her shoulder with one finger gently. She turns around, her violet eyes widen and she squeals before she throws herself at you, crying out your name excitedly.

You laugh and twirl her around for a few moments, before putting her down slowly. Her arm wraps around yours and she pulls you to a chair, talking rapidly, shooting questions about everything and occasionally squealing that she couldn't believe that you were actually there. Leaving this girl who you considered a daughter was possibly the hardest thing you ever did, the one thing that had stayed your feet right before you boarded the plane and nearly had you running back. You'd been about ready to just throw the ticket away but you ended up leaving anyway.

"So, how's life in New York?" Hotaru asks you during a pause in the conversation.

"It's good. Faster. Sometimes more demanding. But overall good." You answer, hand in her hair, slightly tousling it. Settling in a different country had been easier than you thought it would be. Your neighbors were thankfully all pleasant and had had no problem with helping you when needed. You had quickly made a few friends, some of which you'd stopped talking to shortly after you started racing again, since you realized that they were only after your fame. Your career had taken a major impulse when it was known that the amazing Tenoh Haruka had decided to move to the USA. You'd found yourself receiving proposals after proposals, endorsements after endorsements, and you quickly became one of the most wanted, famous people in the world.

"And how's your love life?" she asks in a nonchalant tone, trying to look calm and collected. The blush that rises to her cheeks betrays her though. "Are you seeing anyone?"

You stifle a laugh and try to look stern, turning your body fully to face her as you answer. "I don't see how that is any of your concern, Hotaru." You watch in amusement as her blush deepens and she tries to meld herself with the chair, twitching under your gaze. "Relax, Hime-chan! I'm joking. No, I'm not seeing anyone."

"Really? Last I heard you were dating… that Anna girl." You jump slightly as Setsuna's voice travels from behind you – you'd forgotten how she always seems to just 'pop' out of nowhere when you aren't expecting.

"We broke up." You mumble, not wanting to go into detail.

"Really?" she continues in an incredibly louder voice, turning everyone's attention to the three of you. "So you're single again. How interesting."

A clattering sound keeps you from yelling at her. Michiru's gaze pierces through you as everyone rushes to help Makoto who was balancing some plates and platters, trying to get everything out and failing, some shards lying by her feet by her feet. Instead of avoiding her gaze as you were planning on doing, you look directly to her. You feel as if her blue eyes are burning you and there's something shining in them that you can't decipher. It's dark and its intense and it makes electricity course through you. She looks away first and you slouch back on your seat as she turns away from you. You're breathing faster than before and you feel lost without her gaze. You look down at your hands and close them in a fist. They're shaking. What's wrong with me?

Before you are given the opportunity to dwell too much on your confused feelings, Mamoru comes to you. He stands in front of you and is silent for a few moments. You rise your head until you face him and you are surprised as he stares at you and smiles gently. His hand, strong and firm, comes to rest on your shoulder before pulling you up, seemingly effortlessly, his arms enveloping you in a warm hug. You stiffen, caught off guard, only relaxing when he chuckles slightly. He pulls back, smiles and speaks, voice low and gentle. "Dinner's ready."

You stare at his back as he walks away from you into the house, only noticing now that you were alone outside, not knowing what to make of the 'encounter'. Still, his presence, just like Usagi's, calmed you, and for that, you're thankful. You smile faintly and turn your gaze to the dark and clear expanse of the sky, the moon twinkling high above, and you wonder why it was that you disliked him slightly when you were younger. You sigh and shake your head, hands on your knees giving you impulse to get up as you follow him, wondering what was waiting you inside.

AN

Hey guys!

How are you doing? Sorry it's been a while… been really busy lately. Well, this thing here has been on my mind for a good while now and I've been spending my time writing it when I should be doing other things -.-", but that's a minor detail xD.

This is the first time I try to write in second person so I apologize if it sucks. I was planning on it being a one-shot but it kept growing and growing and now it's over 6ooo words (and there´s still things left to be written) so I decided to break it.

Well, thanks for reading and putting up with my big AN and leave me a review saying what you think of this and if you are interested on what's next – if it doesn't bother you of course xD.

Until next time,

LostWyrda.

Ps: Maybe I'll change the title... not sure.