One Heart
By: dolce bebe
Disclaimer: I wish the Three Lights belonged to me. Why, oh why?
A/N: For all of you who followed "And There Was One Heart: When There Once Was Two," this is a re-write of the story. Same plot line, same characters, but I changed it around a bit. Reading back on the original story line of the first chapter, I am just ashamed. Although I loved the reviews, thank you so much for supporting my fifteen year old self by the way, all the spelling errors and horrific grammar mistakes made want to barf! ^^' So here is the revised chapter one. Enjoy!
Chapter 1: The Peace Doesn't Last…Chibiusa's Return
Flickering her soft dark locks past her shoulders, the lone figure stood. The muscles on her back were tense and her right hand gripped the coldness of the marble based Time Staff. Her brows were knitted together in concentration and fatigue, her shoulders showing no sign of disturbance however. She tried to remain calm. Or at least, for the time being.
How long she had been at it, she did not know. Anything, perhaps even a glimmer would lighten her hopes. Nothing.
There was nothing. They would not respond. Perhaps they had traveled further, her powers only entailing her to go so far. What if she could not get in contact with them? It would all be her fault. Hers, and no one else's.
She closed her eyes softly and took in another deep breath. She should have informed them sooner. The illusion couldn't have lasted that long, but how was she to know that everything would have changed due to a simple white lie? The Princess was a kind heart, that she knew. Loyal, trusting and perhaps too foolish. She was after all still a girl, and although emotions changed often, it appeared her loyalty was her best asset, and would not falter in any way.
It worried Sailor Pluto to no end. This was not what was to become in the future. Not at all. They had all played rather important roles. Kami, she had even persuaded Chibiusa of swaying the truth as well. No one was supposed to know their future, but the evil had come at an uncertain time that they had to take drastic measures. By consenting to Chibiusa's time travel, she had created a slip of a crack in the time realm, one she had to readjust before it shattered completely.
Pluto cursed under her breath. The glowing sign on her forehead shining brighter in concentration. The Princess would not waver, and coming clean with their dirty, little secret seemed too inappropriate. She needed an answer from them, and if they did, with a little more forceful pushing and some help, everything would fall back into place.
"Why is it that you have called upon me, Keeper of Time?"
Taking a step back in surprise, Pluto gasped, but regained herself into time. She had not expected to be caught off guard, but was still glad that she was answered.
She held her staff in front of her protectively. "I am in need of your assistance," she paused. "Will you help me?"
The white glow of light flashed.
"Perhaps…"
"Well this is the first," Rei commented as she slouched back on her seat, and crossed her arms over her chest. "There is actually someone who is even tardier than Usagi."
Usagi, who had just arrived and had made her way to sit beside the brown haired girl, Makoto, twitched angrily. "What is that supposed to mean?" she cried and slammed her hand on the table a little too forcefully. The salt and pepper shakers wobbled.
Rei sighed and shook her head. "I'm glad that we weren't being attacked. Who knows what could have happened by now? Although," she paused to look at her blonde friend with a smirk, "It wouldn't be the first time we were in danger and you failed to show up on time. You're just lucky I'm such a powerful Senshi, I can handle my own."
Ami gave a nervous chuckle and tried to sway Usagi away, who had almost launched herself across the table. "Rei-chan, please don't provoke her. We were having such a nice time," she said.
Usagi flopped back down on her seat and huffed. "So who is the unlucky person then?" She searched through their seats, finding the other blonde missing. "Where's Minako-chan?"
"How should I know?" Rei replied. "We hardly see much of each other enough as it is."
"Maybe she forgot?" Makoto said. "She just got back after all. You think Artemis is telling her to unpack and get things organized? That would take…" She sighed in defeat, "forever…"
"Ooh!" Usagi chirped. "Do you think she brought us presents?" She laughed, her eyes arching into small hills.
Rei scoffed. "You know you can't take food on the plane, right?"
"I knew that!" Usagi cried, her hair wild.
"Fighting again? I see things haven't changed much since I've been gone, ne?"
"Minako-chan!"
The bubbly blonde giggled and placed a basket full of goodies on the table, much to the delight of Usagi, whose mouth watered instantly.
"I managed to smuggle these on board with me, Usagi-chan. They're the best pastries in London. I hope you like them-"
"Well," Rei interrupted. "It would sure be nice if we could have had the courtesy to try at least one, Usagi." She growled, noticing the basket was now empty and her friend's mouth full and still chewing endlessly.
Everyone chuckled nervously at the two's usual behaviour, and Minako slowly turned to head out the door again.
"Sorry, I just came by to drop it off," she said. "I've really got to be going. I still have so many things to unpack, and school is starting tomorrow! Artemis is going to kill me!" Her face twisted in a nervous wreck. "I'll catch up with you some other time if you don't mind, Rei-chan, and I'll see you guys in class tomorrow, ja!"
She was out the door in seconds, leaving the four senshi staring after her.
"Minako-chan?" Usagi mumbled.
"Something seems off about Minako-chan, don't you think?" Ami suggested and pondered for a moment. "I wonder how things went during her trip?"
"I'm sure everything's fine," Makoto suggested. "She seems happy enough."
"And she didn't forget my treats!" Usagi added and giggled.
Rei lowered her eyebrows. "How selfish," she muttered. "By the way, aren't you supposed to be at the airport with Mamoru-san? I thought his flight was today?"
Usagi lowered her head slowly and nodded in response. "It is…" she managed.
"Usagi-chan," Ami started. "If you don't want him to go, why don't you just tell him, 'No,'?" She looked over to her friend's sullen face and felt herself sighing.
"I-It's not that easy," Usagi said. "He's waited for this for a while now. When Galaxia came, he didn't make it to America, and it's taken him all this time to finally re-submit his forms and enter again. It should be fine though, right? T-There's nothing else we have to worry about, ne, Rei-chan?"
Rei gathered herself, "Not that I've sensed," she said.
"You can do it, Usagi-chan," Makoto encouraged with a smile.
Usagi smiled back. "Thank you, Mako-chan."
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Rei cried. "Go after him! You can't possibly be late for something this important!"
"Hmm, I wonder if Artemis is back at home waiting? Maybe I'll be lucky if he's still at Usagi-chan's house and I can drop off my bags and head to the mall for some new clothes!" Minako mumbled happily to herself as she walked the streets.
She stopped suddenly as a billboard sign caught her eye.
'That must be an old poster,' she thought to herself.
It clearly read, "Three Lights Concert Next Friday," which was of course impossible. They had been gone for almost two years. Perhaps it was the fans who insisted for it not to be taken down. Not that she minded herself.
Minako sighed to herself. It had been way too long, and they still hadn't made any contact. She had asked them to. She rather hoped that after they had settled they would find a way to make to contact them. Maybe Yaten could tell stories of how beautiful his planet had flourished after all this time. It was certainly something else compared to the usual ranting he shared about Earth.
She chuckled to herself and shook her head slowly, grabbing her bags. She had barely taken a step when she felt herself crashing into the hard concrete, her bags flying and her clothes scattered.
Minako rubbed the back of her head. "H-Hey! Why don't you watch where you're going?" she grumbled.
There was a slumped form to her right and she lightly gasped. Children really should watch where they were running off to.
"Hey, kid," she started again. "Aren't you going to say sorry? It's the right thing to do."
A pair of light, lime coloured eyes stared back at her blankly.
Minako frowned, then sighed. "Never mind," she mumbled and turned to go.
"Wait."
She halted and turned her head.
The girl was glaring, fists clenched by her sides. "Chibiusa," she started, causing Minako's eyes to widen in surprise. "You know where she is? Tell me."
The nerve. Honestly, what were parents doing now a days? Not only was the brat extremely rude, but irritating as well. How exactly did she know Chibiusa? Minako knew that with Chibiusa's temper, it was nearly impossible that they were friends. An enemy perhaps?
"H-How do you Chibiusa-chan?" she demanded.
"That," the girl started with another glare, "is none of your business. Tell me what I need to know."
Minako growled, and clenched her right hand bringing it out to warn the child off, but the girl merely stared.
"Fine," she snapped and gave a confident smirk. "Just remember, I warned you." She made to grab something from her pocket and before Minako could blink a tiny, pink ball came hurling its way towards her.
"Ackk!"
'This place…it's familiar. It's as if the years haven't gone by…'
"Usako."
Usagi snapped from her dream and blushed at his words. They were here again. She rather hoped that after all this time, they wouldn't have to come back to this place-That she would only return when he came back through the doors telling her that he had passed his exams. After everything, they would soon build Crystal Tokyo together. Now, it seemed too far away to think of.
"Mamo-chan…"
He gave her a sad smile. "I will call everyday," he said.
Usagi tried not to let a gasp escape her lips, but either it went unnoticed by him, or she had not done so after all. She hadn't even said anything. She wanted to try Ami's methods, but she had barely spoken and it seemed the conversation was already closed. He would leave…
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm being selfish again, aren't I?"
He shook his head. "I will be back before you know it. You have your friends here and your duty. You wont even notice I'm gone."
"T-That's not true, Mamo-chan!" she explained. "What if something happens like the last time? I don't want to lose you again."
Mamoru rested his hands on her shoulders. "It will not happen again," he reassured. "I will return to you, Usako."
"Promise?"
He nodded and gave her a small smile.
"I'll write to you everyday," she whispered. "Just like last time…"
"And I'll respond to each letter."
Usagi smiled and tilted her head up as he gathered her in his arms. It would be a while till she could hold him like this again. She hadn't been listening much to the subjects that he would take when he talked about them, but she knew that it would take a while. A long while.
And so she watched as he walked through the doors to board. He hadn't gotten a window seat at the plane, but she could still feel his aura. The feeling lessened as he flew further and further.
"Mamo-chan…"
How would she manage without him? The first time there had been…At this same airport they had… It was the first time that she had met Seiya, Taiki and Yaten. Or so Seiya said. She had been rather preoccupied with Mamoru's leaving to notice them. It was at this same spot, but this time, there was no bustling crowd of girls. No lights, no cameras or paparazzi, and it was because they weren't there.
At the time, even though she hadn't noticed, Seiya's arrival had lessened her pain. They had been quite a different batch. The prospect of having three idols at their school had caused quite a commotion, and although she hadn't known much about them, Seiya had made his attempt of getting to know her.
Usagi sighed and continued on her way home. Who would she have now that he wasn't here? School was starting, and she couldn't exactly figure out if she was excited or unhappy about the whole thing. The plus side was that she would be able to see Ami, Makoto and Minako everyday in class. The downside was the studying. It was their senior year, and that meant that the exams would be ten times harder.
She hadn't seen much of them since the school year had ended. Minako had left for vacation to visit her family in London, Rei had been too busy at the shrine attending to her grandpa and going on casual dates with Yuichiro, Ami had buried herself in studies in summer courses, and Makoto had taken up chef course and taught at a local bakery on her spare time.
Usagi supposed that it was also because they thought she would be busy with Mamoru to begin with. They had been right though. He studied endlessly, often making calls to America for his re-admittance. She often watched, read a few manga books here and there, munched on some snacks. It was how their day would go by. Although she had been expecting them to go out, she knew that it was important to him. Most of the time she hadn't minded, but the year went by far too quickly.
And now he was gone.
They were falling apart, whether she tried not to think about it or not.
The Outer Senshi hadn't been in contact. They had been in peace for far almost two years. Not that she wanted an evil to rise again, but she missed them. Haruka, as far as she knew had continued her professional race car driving and often sent her tickets to attend, the same with Michiru and her concerts, but with the time Mamoru spent with his studies, the less she wanted to leave him. She wondered how Hotaru faired off, and Setsuna of course, was no where to be found.
"Minna…" she whispered.
"Usagi-chan!"
Usagi blanched. Luna had pounced on her shoulder and gave her an irritated look. "Do you know how long I waited to grab your attention? Are you listening, Usagi-chan?"
She was in front of her house. How could she have not noticed? How long had she been standing there?
"Luna," she whispered a small smile on her lips. "Sorry, I was just thinking…"
"I take it Mamoru-san has left?" Luna asked eyes filled with concern.
Usagi nodded slowly. "Hn."
Luna sighed. "Usagi-chan," she began. "I know you're hurting right now, but I have some news that could really cheer you up! Rei-chan called, and said that they had a surprise for you at the shrine. Well what are you waiting for? Let's go!"
"I'm worried."
Chibiusa rolled her eyes and made herself comfortable on the overly sized pillow her arms resting at the back of her head. "I wouldn't worry so much about it, Miki-chan, she'll find us eventually."
The girl who sat across Chibiusa sighed and stared down at her folded hands by her thighs. Her short two braids barely came to her shoulders as she slouched worriedly. "Demo…"
"Chibiusa-chan, here I hope you enjoy them! Minako-chan and Usagi-chan should be here soon," Rei interrupted and laid down a plate of pork buns on the table as she seated herself.
"Miki-chan, you should try some as well," Ami offered, causing the dark haired girl's face to redden.
She declined politely and looked to the door when Minako entered.
"Minako is here!" she announced and placed her right hand over her breast in acknowledgment. "C-Chibiusa-chan! When did you get here?"
Chibiusa wagged her index finger. "Well, it's not for the reasons you think. You can relax," she said.
"Minako-chan, what happened to you? You're a wreck," Makoto exclaimed at her friend's state.
The blonde was still panting. "Well," she managed, and panted again. "You will not believe what just happened-I was on my way home and this kid I ran into-Acck!"
The door behind her slammed open and knocked her to the floor face first. The Senshi gasped and the child stepped through, and flicked her lime, green hair past her shoulders.
"Heh, stupid blonde," she commented and smirked. "I knew you'd lead me to them."
"Mimi-chan!" the small braided girl exclaimed and made her way past the others. She gave a worried look. "We've been looking for you everywhere, I was so worried."
The child known as Mimi fidgeted in her spot, but frowned only in response.
"Hmphh. Didn't I say to not break the circle. Mimi-chan, baka," Chibiusa muttered.
Mimi crossed her arms over her chest glaring at pink haired odango and made her way over to the seat beside her, flopping down just as Minako regained herself.
Her hair flared wildly around her, eyes on fire. "Y-You! What the hell are you doing here? How did you find me?" she exclaimed. "And what the hell is going on?"
Ami waved her arms in defence, blocking Minako's view of the three girls. Chibiusa still had her eyes closed, Mimi raised an eyebrow and Miki cowered behind her.
"Now, now, Minako-chan," Ami started with a nervous laugh. "These are Chibiusa-chan's friends. They're accompanying her for the time being. This is Mikino-chan and…Mimi-chan, am I correct?" She glanced towards the lime-green, coloured haired girl.
Mimi stared blankly. "Akami to you," she corrected bluntly.
Miki gasped, her hand at covering her mouth. "Mimi-chan, you shouldn't say things like that," she whispered.
The girl merely rolled her eyes in response.
"I don't care who she is! She threw a smoke bomb at me!" Minako cried, fists clenched in front of her threateningly.
Chibiusa found the perfect time to hop off her comfortable position as she regarded Minako with cool eyes. "Minako-chan relax," she soothed. "Mimi-chan's just like that. Don't mind her too much. As for the smoke bomb…" She turned to look at her friend who raised an eyebrow in return. "Heh, really sorry about that."
Minako simply growled and Makoto took the time to seat her down on the floor, crossing her arms across her chest. The girl mimicked her and they glared at one another across the room.
Chibiusa ignored them and continued, turning towards her companion. "Now where was I?" she started. "Right… Didn't I say to not break the circle? Do you know what could have happened? You could have ended up in a completely different time line-or worse, a different dimension. Have you lost your mind?"
Miki agreed and nodded her head slowly. "Mimi-chan, I was so worried."
Rolling her eyes again, Mimi made herself comfortable and grabbed a pork bun, stuffing it in her mouth. "You saying that I can't handle my prayer beads?" she shot back at Chibiusa.
"Don't start with me!" Chibiusa retorted, hands on her hips.
Ami, Rei, Makoto and Minako stared with mouths slightly open, sweat drops at either sides of their heads. Miki only sighed in defeat and tugged nervously at her short braids as the two bickered.
It was the perfect time for Usagi to enter. She sauntered, eye lids half closed and yawned, scratching the back of her head.
"Rei-chan, you called? Luna's been saying that-"
She stopped mid sentence as she caught sight of the pink haired odangos. They stared at one another for a while, the room silent. It had been too long since the last time. Usagi blinked back, feeling the wetness in her eyes start to dry. Chibiusa being here could only mean one thing. Mamoru would come back to her safely. He would not leave her-nothing bad would happen. It put her heart to ease.
"C-Chibiusa-chan…"
Her view was suddenly blocked and instead she was faced with the two children kneeling in front of her. Their eyes staring in adoration.
"Neo Queen Serenity-sama! We did not recognize you, please forgive us!" they cried suddenly.
Usagi blanched and the Inner Senshi stared in disbelief. Chibiusa realizing of the two's or at least one of the two's surprisingly, respectful behaviour appeared behind them. She gathered her right fist and aimed for the back of their heads.
"That hurt!" Mimi growled.
Miki fallen silent beside her and rubbing the back of her head, bottom lip sticking out.
"Stop doing that!" Chibiusa exclaimed. "She's not your Queen yet. Besides, can you honestly see someone like Usagi running Crystal Tokyo? Kami, it'd all be over before it even started!"
Usagi's reply to this was a loud growl as she threw her head back in rage and lunged for the girl. They started their usual routine and pranced around the room, dodging the tables and knocking over the furniture. Of course it all ended with Rei having yelled at them both and placing them in their own separate corners.
Miki's mouth hang open in surprise. "A-Are they always like this?" she asked.
Ami nodded with a nervous smile on her face. "You get used to it."
Mimi scoffed and huffed. "Looked more like a circus show to me," she grumbled.
"Are you sure you two don't mind if we all share a room? We could always force Chibiusa-chan to sleep on the couch while the attic's still getting renovated," Usagi said with a grin as they made their way back to her house.
Mimi laughed, while Miki's cheeks tinted pink. Chibiusa glowered.
"How about you sleep on the couch and we get your room, Usagi-baka," she retorted.
"In your dreams," Usagi said crossing her arms over her chest. "Hey I know," she started, index finger raised. "There's a really good ice cream stand that just opened near by. It's all over the news, really great flavours. I've been dying to go." Her eyes became starry. "What do you say, kids?"
"Ice…" Miki started.
"Cream?…" Mimi finished.
Usagi stared in disbelief. T-There wasn't ice cream in the future? What was the world coming to? "You've never heard of ice cream?" she asked.
They shook their heads slowly, staring at her with wide eyes.
Chibiusa coughed for attention. "Usagi-baka, we have different desserts in the future. Although I have to admit, the first thing you should have done when you became Queen, was to flourish the making of ice cream. Then again we never expect much from you, do we?"
Usagi glared at her future daughter. "Well," she said, "It'll be the first official law when Crystal Tokyo is built. Ice Cream Day…" Her mouth watered. "Think of all the flavours…"
"I've read about this…ice cream," Miki started as she pondered, thinking of which book she had read it from. "Are they not are a creamy substance made mostly with dairy products? Most are blended with fruit flavours for a more pleasant taste, then frozen, ne?"
Mimi raised an eyebrow turning her head away slightly, and Usagi gave a nervous laugh.
"Heh, smart kid," she mumbled. "Yeah, it's something like that. Not really sure how they make it. I mostly focus on the eating." She directed them around the corner. "It should be right over here somewhere. Mako-chan always tells me about it."
Chibiusa suddenly laughed. "Well there's a pretty good reason for that." She signalled over her shoulder at the bustling stand.
The entire side walk was filled with people, the line up seemingly endless. At the very front, the server was a tall, but still young man in his early twenties.
"No wonder Mako-chan's always here. He probably reminds him of one of her senpai's," Chibiusa finished.
Mimi's face twisted and she almost wretched. "He's filthy," she stated eyeing his state of attire and apron. "I cannot believe that people prance around in those outfits." She turned to Usagi. "Are we really going to line up, Usagi-hime?"
Usagi and Chibiusa nodded far too quickly and grabbed the two and headed to the back of the line up. Somehow, the time didn't go as fast as they thought. The line of people didn't dissipate. Usagi felt almost faint. She clutched to Chibiusa to steady herself, while holding her grumbling stomach.
"Ugh, Usagi-baka. Stop that. It's embarrassing."
"Demo…" Usagi groaned, tears in her eyes. "My stomach is growling. I can taste the chocolate already." She stuck out her tongue as she made eye contact with the bucket in the cooler that was labelled, 'Rocky Road' in the very end of the line.
"I'm surprised you can see that far," Chibiusa retorted.
"Ano…" Miki mumbled. "There is something very special about that man."
Mimi blinked, her attention being caught. "I sense it too," she said.
Usagi's eyebrows raised in her forehead and she blinked several times looking from the two girls to the Makoto senpai looking man.
"What do you sense?" Chibiusa asked.
Miki gave a small smile. "It's nothing to be worried about," she started. "His light is very strong. This is why people are drawn here." She looked about to the bustling children and adults. "They do not come for this 'ice cream.' His light is gentle. It's warmth attracts attention."
"You got all that from one glance?" Usagi said flatly. Her eyes pondered, but her brows were still arched, very much clueless.
Miki nodded at her in response.
Usagi beamed. "Wow, you're really smart, aren't you? You know what? You remind me a lot of Ami-chan. She's always saying things like this." She gave a nervous laugh causing Miki's face to redden. "I can never seem to get anything she says, but I know it's something important."
Chibiusa and Mimi felt the sweat drop on the side of their heads start to form at her words.
"Are you sure this is your mother," Mimi muttered under her breath.
Chibiusa sighed in defeat. "I couldn't believe it either."
"What are you two whispering about?" Usagi said with a sharp glare.
"Nothing that you'll understand," Chibiusa replied, then threw her arms up in the air. "Don't you have ice cream at home? I bet we'll be here all day."
When Usagi shook her head, the three had no other choice but to slump in their position as they waited for the crowd to lessen. When their turn finally sufficed Usagi took her time looking for the right flavour.
"Ugh, Usagi-baka," Chibiusa muttered.
The tender gave them a soft smile and motioning over to Usagi he said, "Your friend sure is hungry. Sorry you had to wait so long in line."
"It was really nothing. You're probably very tired aren't you? We waited quite a while back there. I'm sure you've been out here the whole day," Miki chirped.
"I don't mind," he said. "Honestly I didn't expect so much business. We just recently opened, and everyday its been so crowded I can't even catch up."
Chibiusa blinked and took a lick of the pink coloured ice cream ball from her cone. "Well onnisan, I get it now! I think this is the best ice cream I've had my entire life."
The tender gave a whole hearted laugh, a small tinge of pink on his cheeks. "Please don't call me onnisan, I feel like I'm so old compared to you," he started.
"Well aren't you?" Mimi grumbled, which earned her two glares from her companions.
"My name is Yachiko by the way. If you guys are going to be stopping by, might as well know it. Onnisan's too formal don't you think?" he continued.
"This is Akami-chan," Chibiusa said pointing to the lime-green haired girl who stood with her arms crossed, and then to the pigtailed girl to her right, "and this is Mikino-chan. And I'm Usagi, but mostly people call me Chibiusa, because that baka over there," she motioned to Usagi who was busy stuffing her face, "is also Usagi."
Yachiko smiled. "It's nice to meet you all. I'm pretty new to Juban, so it's really great that I'm meeting all these new people. I hope you come by soon. I'll tell you what. If you come by everyday this week I'll give you each a free cone."
Usagi's ears immediately perked up. "Free cones?" she repeated, stars in her eyes.
He gave a nervous laugh, a sweat drop by his head and nodded.
"Chibiusa's right, this is really good," Miki commented.
Yachiko gave a sigh then beamed at her. "That's because the recipes are very special to me," he said.
The four blinked at him.
"When I was a young boy my father always had a dream of opening a business. He loved desserts and was a marvellous chef. However, his restaurants and cafes always went out of business. I guess it was sort of bad luck. When he met my mother he said that he had found the best luck in the world. He said that we inspired him to try his best, and ever since then our business has been successful. I started selling the ice cream because my little sister always said it was her favourite dessert." He trailed off, a distant look in his eyes.
"What happened to her?" Chibiusa interrupted.
Usagi glared. "Chibiusa-chan that's not very nice. And people say I'm the mean one?" She huffed.
"But he referred to her in past tense, Usagi-hime," Miki stated.
Yachiko nodded sadly. "Sadly, my beloved sister Machiko passed away when she was seven. She was terribly ill and although our success was apparent…" he sighed. "I guess behind every success there's a sad story. I sell the ice cream because every time I put a smile on someone's face, I see her. I think it would make her happy. That's why I don't mind staying the long hours."
Usagi and Chibiusa stared, eyes wide with tears.
"What a sad story," Chibiusa cried.
Mimi nodded in agreement.
"Don't be sad," Yachiko explained. "I'm very happy knowing that I'm doing some good around here. I hope the people will accept me."
Chibiusa nodded, a determined look on her face. "I know they will Yachiko-san. You've got such a great warmth around you. I don't think it'll be hard at all."
Yachiko smiled softly.
When the four left, each holding their own cone, Mimi finally spoke, her voice low.
"It's dangerous, you know," she stated, causing all three to look at her. "His light is strong, warm, and powerful."
"You're worrying too much," Chibiusa said with a sigh.
Mimi glared at her. "There's something wrong."
Miki gasped and halted. "Y-You're right," she whispered.
Usagi looked from one girl to the other, her head waving back and forth. "What's going on?" she asked. "What are you two talking about?"
Just then, Yachiko scream was heard across the street and the four gasped in surprise.
"Yachiko-san!"
Usagi held out her arm to the three girls who were about to run towards the scream. "You three stay here. I'll take care of this," she declared and reached for the brooch.
A sweat drop formed beside Chibiusa's head, her eye twitching "Show off," she muttered.
"Moon Eternal, Make Up!"
"Such a bright light," a tall slender figure whispered softly, her light, blue hair whirling in the wind. She held herself high, giggling to herself. "I sure lucked out, and my first try too…oh my," she barely whispered in delight.
Yachiko levitated in the air, the aura around him turning a pale blue. This caused the mysterious woman to growl.
"No, no, no!" she cried. "I was so sure it was him, darn."
She clenched her fists together.
"Stop right there!"
The light haired woman turned her head at the voice. "Who's there?"
"How dare you attack a man who's only goal is to bring happiness to others. I am the Pretty Sailor Soldier of Love and Justice, Sailor Moon!" She twirled her fingers. "In the Name of the Moon, I will punish you!"
The figure blinked. "Sailor Moon, huh?" she sighed heavily. "Never heard of you…"
Sailor Moon's head filled with a few sweat drops and growled. "What do you mean you never heard of me?" she exclaimed.
"Hmm, I don't deal with amateurs. Well, Sailor Moon, allow me to introduce myself. I am the Tenth Daughter of Dark Spirit Shadow, Oparu," the woman announced with a smirk.
"The Dark Spirit Shadow…" Sailor Moon mimicked to herself. "Never heard of you…"
Oparu gasped, her eyebrows knitting together, and her teeth bared. "Well you soon will! Arise, son of Shadow, Kanoko, the Dark Wraith!" She held out her hand to Yachiko who still levitated in the air.
Sailor Moon watched nervously biting her fingernails through her glove as the blue aura around the ice cream tender, turned a heavy black, and engulfed him whole.
"Yachiko-san!"
A figure emerged in place of Yachiko, his face ghastly and pale and utterly transparent. He held his dangerously, over-sized cone scoops, and rubbed them together, eyeing the Senshi.
"Well, I'll leave you two to 'play.' So much work to do, so little time," Oparu giggled. "Ja!" And she vanished in a wave of dark smoke.
"Play, play, play!" the youma cried and charged straight for the odango haired girl.
She screamed and dodged the attack, holding out her sceptre. "Silver Moon…Crystal Power, Kiss!"
The youma took in the attack and waved his arms about, then smirked when the light faded.
Sailor Moon gasped. "No, w-what happened?"
"Play, play, play!"
The youma grasped his scoops and hurled large masses of differently coloured ice cream towards the Senshi. She screamed and was finally engulfed in the coldness.
"I-I can't move!" she muttered, as she watched her attack come closer. "Y-Yachiko-san stop!"
"Sailor Moon!"
"Chibiusa-chan get out of here!" Sailor Moon exclaimed as she tried to hold herself up from being sucked into the cream.
"Y-Youma!" Mimi cried. "Usagi-hime!"
"Miki-chan," Chibiusa reminded as the youma headed towards them.
"Play, play, play!"
Miki grabbed a tiny handle of the blue, heart shaped bell and nodded a the two. "Hikari Bell!"
The wave of light suddenly sprouted forth and surrounded the screaming Dark Wraith.
"Shine!" it screamed and in place stood Yachiko, his aura turning back to the pale, light blue.
The four sighed in relief, the ice cream melting away slowly. Sailor Moon dusted off her skirt. "Will he be okay?" she whispered.
Mimi had attended to the poor man and checked his pulse. "Hn. He'll be fine. Just a little flustered, but nothing to worry about," she said.
"Usagi-chan."
Usagi felt her shoulders jump in surprise as Chibiusa joined her. She had been looking out the window and gazing up at the night sky.
"What're you looking at?" her future daughter asked.
Usagi glanced one more time then looked away. "It's nothing," she said softly and flopped down on the carpet to sit.
"Usagi-chan," Chibiusa started. "Where's Mamo-chan?"
"He's…" Usagi paused, trying to find the right words. "He's away right now. Studying abroad. Isn't that great? He's really going to be something, huh?" she managed with a smile.
"Were you thinking about him just now?"
Usagi blushed a deep pink, but shook her head. "I know he'll be fine. He's strong that one." She giggled.
Chibiusa held her head down. "Usagi-chan, do you believe in destiny?" she barely whispered.
Usagi studied her, a confused look on her face. "Of course I do. Why? And what's with all the questions?"
"Nothing," Chibiusa replied far too quickly. "Destiny doesn't always work out the way you want it to, you know?" When she noticed Usagi staring blankly she sighed and made her way to the bed that she shared with her two friends. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Chibiusa-chan," her mother whispered.
Usagi sighed as the pink haired girl snuggled in the covers. 'Why are you here, Chibiusa-chan?' She knew there was a reason as to why the other two were here as well, and now with the new enemy…
When they had returned, they had explained the incident to Luna, who of course wanted to gather a meeting right away with all of the Senshi. Usagi had felt a spark of joy in her chest. This was the excitement she had been looking for. Though her attack hadn't quite worked the way she wanted it to, they would be together again and figure it out.
She smiled softly and turned to look out the window again. The sky was clear, and the stars shined brightly. The last time they had all fought together…
'Seiya, you were still here then…'
I'm sorry! I tried to make it as episode-able as possible =) The Three Lights will be making an appearance in the next chapter so don't get too bored!
Also a little FYI, this is not a story where Usagi immediately breaks up with Mamoru to be with Seiya, nor does she jump at the chance to be with him in the first few chapters and realizes her undying love. Sorry, I believe in a slow romance. Mamoru is not going to be an asshole in this story either. Although I don't like him very much, the thought of him beating/raping Usagi or turning 'evil' again doesn't seem very realistic and would probably be considered borderline A/U.
Pairings are as follows: Seiya/Usagi, Taiki/Ami, Yaten/Minako, but don't expect a lot of fluff any time soon, like I said it will be a slow story line based episode after episode, please don't get bored. ^^
Also to make things clearly, the Starlights are women when transformed and are men when they are the Three Lights. Just a little heads up for people who follow the manga, this is strictly from the anime!
Some words to consider, as I will be using them from time to time in the story:
Demo - But
Minna - Everyone
Baka - Idiot/Stupid
Youma - Monster
Ano - Translates to "Um.."
Hikari - Light
Hikage - Shadow
Hime - Princess
Oneesan - Sister
Oneesama - More respectable sister
Onnisan - Brother
R&R! =)