"SAILOR MOON RETIRES"
Mamoru stared at the computer screen, the coffee cup partially raised to his lips frozen midair, as he tried to process what he was seeing. Sailor Moon's smiling face was splashed across the homepage of the Tokyo Daily News below a massive headline announcing her retirement. Overcoming his momentary shock, Mamoru clicked the article, quickly finding a video of the surprise press conference held earlier that day.
There was Sailor Moon, looking impossibly small and overwhelmed as she approached a podium overflowing with microphones. Behind her were her four senshi: Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus. Camera flashes frantically lit her pale face as she began to speak, reading from a slip of lined pink paper clutched tightly in her gloved hands.
"It's with a heavy heart that I've called you here today to announce my retirement, effective immediately." She cleared her throat nervously as the room filled with upset muttering, waiting for the commotion to die down a bit before continuing. "This is not a decision I make lightly. Unfortunately, circumstances have made it impossible for me to continue my duties. I'm leaving Tokyo in the capable hands of Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, Sailor Jupiter, and Sailor Venus. They will continue to protect and serve in my stead. Thank you."
Sailor Moon stepped back from the podium as reporters shouted out questions, looking slightly nauseated as she retreated to the comfort of her fellow senshi. Sailor Jupiter wrapped an arm around the shorter woman's shoulders as Sailor Venus stepped forward, taking Sailor Moon's place at the podium, her normally mischievous face serious and determined.
"Thank you, Sailor Moon," she began, turning to give her leader a reassuring smile. "On behalf of the Sailor Senshi, I would like to begin by acknowledging Sailor Moon's outstanding courage and selfless bravery over the past 4 and a half years. Together, we have fought many battles to keep this world safe. We will truly miss having her by our sides.
"However, we would like to reassure everyone that it will be business as usual for the rest of the Sailor Senshi. We will continue to fight to protect all of you, and I will personally be working with police to find ways to better serve the Tokyo community and all of Japan." Sailor Venus paused, smiling at the reassuringly before continuing.
"I will now take questions."
Immediately barraged by the reporters, she pointed to one at random in the crowd. "Yes, you there in the glasses."
"Will you be finding a replacement for Sailor Moon?"
"No. Our powers are not transferable." She looked around as more questions hurtled her way. "Next," she said, pointing to a woman in a red scarf.
"What if another serious threat appears?"
"It has been well over two years since there has been a serious threat to the planet. We are hopeful that this peace will continue. However, if another threat appears, Sailor Mars, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Jupiter, and I feel confident that we can handle it. Next question."
"Is Sailor Moon retiring due to illness?"
"Sailor Moon is perfectly healthy. Next." She pointed to a reporter in the front row.
"Is Sailor Moon being forced out?"
"Absolutely not," Venus replied indignantly. "We are heartbroken that she's retiring, but we understand and respect her decision. Next question."
"Will Sailor Moon be leaving the area?"
"Sailor Moon has no immediate plans to leave Tokyo. Next."
"Is Sailor Moon's retirement linked to Tuxedo Mask's disappearance?"
"No. Next."
Mamoru didn't bother waiting for the next question before closing the browser. He took a few deep breaths in an attempt to settle his thoughts, but it didn't help much.
Hoping that a run would help him work through the news, he changed into a set of workout clothes and ventured out into the snowy streets of Cambridge. Squinting into the early morning dawn, he began to jog and contemplate the news.
Sailor Moon was retiring, and despite Venus's reassurances at the press conference, he was worried. She had clearly been nervous and upset, and looked unwell, though that could have been from the nerves.
What could have happened? A few possibilities floated across his mind. Was it school? Her family? Was her identity compromised? Was it something else entirely?
He thought back to their last few days together. It had been three months since the last time he had seen Sailor Moon. A few days before that, he had broken the news that he was leaving, possibly forever. She was upset, of course, but seemed strong and determined to continue on with her duties without him—duties that were a far cry from the terrifying battles they faced when they first discovered their superhero personas.
The battle against Queen Metalia and her minions had taken the better part of two years, and had nearly cost them their lives on several occasions. After her defeat, they continued their frustrating search for the elusive Moon Princess and the Silver Crystal, but neither ever surfaced.
In order to feel useful, Mamoru began patrolling the city at night, both on the lookout for crime and for signs of his princess. Though there was never a single hint of the princess, there was plenty of crime to be found, and Sailor Moon soon joined patrols, fighting by his side as they protected their city together. They bonded over their new, shared mission, growing closer than ever before.
Occasionally, one or two of the other senshi would join them on their patrols, but none of them ever truly trusted him, knowing that his true mission was finding their princess and her crystal. They wrote him off, never truly understanding the depth of his devotion to her.
Only Sailor Moon ever risked getting close. . . .
He watched over the years as Sailor Moon matured from an awkward, clumsy girl into a mature, confident woman. A woman so sure of herself, so strong, so awe-inspiring to be near, that he couldn't help but develop feelings for her. They shared a few innocent kisses here and there, but they always stopped themselves before things went too far. He always wound up feeling guilty for betraying his princess and she was reluctant to alienate her senshi, who disapproved of him.
Then one day, after a terrifying encounter with a yakuza boss who nearly managed to blow Tuxedo Mask's head off, something shifted. The near-death experience had truly shaken them, and, in the aftermath, their emotions got the better of them. He wasn't sure who kissed who first, but this time they couldn't—wouldn't—stop. Before they knew it, they were on a rooftop, frantically making love under the open night sky.
They both agreed it had been a stupid mistake . . . but after the next close call, it happened all over again. Soon they were making love after their patrols all over Tokyo—in rooftop gardens, in secluded parks, on top of Tokyo Tower—but she swore him to secrecy, and he complied. They both knew her fellow senshi would do all they could to separate them, and neither of them wanted that to happen.
He suspected Sailor Moon's feelings for him were stronger than she let on, and he would be lying if he said he didn't love her, too, but he was grateful that she never forced him to choose between the crime-fighting partner he adored and the woman who was his earliest memory—the princess who haunted his dreams every night, pleading for his help.
Saying goodbye had not been easy. The night before he left, they raced through the city, leaping from rooftop to rooftop, enjoying the thrill of their power, before making love one last time.
And now, she was retiring.
Mamoru sighed, releasing a plume of fog into the chilly morning air.
He felt like an asshole. He missed her . . . a lot. He wanted to check up on her, make sure she was really OK, but he was halfway around the world attending medical school with no plans of returning to Japan anytime soon—if at all. He had to let it go and trust that the other senshi were watching over her.
What else could he possibly do? He wished he could just pick up the phone and talk to her.
If only he knew who she was . . .
10/30/16
I was originally going to wait until this story was complete before posting it but as it turns out, I need you guys to keep me motivated to write! ^^; I have most of the story all mapped out and am really excited about where it's going. I hope you all enjoy the ride!
As usual, a million thanks to my bae-ta, Antigone2. Thanks for all of the feedback an inspiration!