Chapter II - "The Gift"
"You're so mean." Usagi whined, leaning against him as the waves glided over the sand.
Leo cocked his head. "Why do you keep coming here?"
"Because I miss you." Usagi admitted, "We never had a chance to-"
"That's a good thing." Leo sighed, crossing the sand and standing before her., he reached cupping her cheek in his hand. He felt so cold, "Don't you think?"
Tears streamed down Usagi's face. She remembered the first time he'd touched her. He'd touched her cheek, healing her skin and producing more questions for her? But here, in this world, this was the first time he'd ever touched her.
She felt weak, was this a dream? Was any of this real? She began to wonder. If Leo was dead how could he here with her? All it took was for her to drink and she could see him. Now, she could touch him. Usagi glanced up, staring into his eerie eyes. The dark swirls orbiting his aquamarine irises., his long flowing platinum hair and flawless skin. A fallen angel.
What would it be like? She wondered, leaning forward and closing her eyes, her lips parted.
"I never thought you'd miss me so much." A voice called behind her.
Usagi opened her eyes and spun around.
Leo stood on the lines in the sand, wearing a leather jacket that cascaded to his ankles. His unique eyes fixed onto the situation. Platinum hair swaying in the wind like fallen sakura, single pink strand tucked behind his ear. "Let her go," Leo grunted, stepping forward.
The Leo that held Usagi in his arms wore a pinstripe suit. He glared at the casual Leo. "I knew you'd come. I just had to get strong enough."
The casual Leo took a step, "So you should know that you'll be dead if you try anything."
The business Leo's gripped Usagi's arm tightly, instantly, Usagi dropped to the floor. She felt drowsy, her legs, arms and even eyelids were heavy. "How can you kill what's already dead?" It asked, the handsome cloak of Leo evanescing.
"That's easy." Leo groaned, pushing himself deeper into Usagi's consciousness. Leo managed to take a step closer, he reached beneath his jacket, drawing a longsword, a mere foot from Usagi now. Leo raised his sword and sheathed it within his jacket.
Moments later, the doppelganger disappeared. Usagi lay on the sand, cherry blossoms raining onto her face. Dreary eyes. "Leo...you came...,"
Leo downcast his eyes, staring at his princess. The future queen of Crystal Tokyo. He dropped down, scooping her frame into his arms and marching toward the oncoming tidal wave that would swallow this world.
"...you...you finally..you came...," she breathed, tears trailing from her eyes.
With a gasp, Usagi awakened in her soft bed staring into the ruby eyes of Luna. Luna sat on Usagi's chest, staring at the moon princess keenly. "Are you alright?" Luna asked.
Usagi shook her head, feeling a spell of vertigo began to take her. "I don't know Luna." Turning over and burying her face in the pillow. She didn't feel like dealing with this now. Luna, back once again to admonish her and bash her decisions.
What did she know? Luna was only an adviser. She'd never fought a single battle or had to feel the weight for the choices she influenced. She didn't carry the weight of a crown. What use was this crown? She's the princess of a kingdom that didn't exist anymore. Why did everyone always put so much stock in her?
Luna sighed, struggling not to turn away. Usagi was a headache for everyone now. They'd all tried to talk to her, but nothing worked. The regular youma were being combatedby the others. Sailor Moon was MIA and the others had been forced to pick up her slack. Usagi was being a terrible leader right now. Maybe she just didn't have it in her.
Then, the door opened.
Luna stared up at him. "Hello," She nodded awkwardly. It was always strange to see him. The son she'd been forced to abandon to carry out her duties.
Leo stared down at Luna, "Hey."
Usagi whirled around, ready to shout at Shingo for entering her room but her heart stopped at that moment. Time stood still for her.
He was there.
His long platinum hair pulled into a ponytail, the pale-red strand had grown and was tucked behind his ear. He wore the same long leather jacket she'd dreamed of and jeans.
Was this is a dream? Real? Her mind couldn't decide.
"Leo?" She called.
"Hey," He breathed.
Usagi darted out of bed and into him, crushing him in her arms. He was real! He was really there!
Luna turned to Leo, "Have you checked in with Artemis?"
"No," Leo struggled to say, "I don't check in." Leo grunted, gripping Usagi's shoulders and loosening her grasp. "I'm not one of your senshi. The only person I answer to is the queen."
Luna plopped off the bed. "Take care of her." Luna sighed before departing.
Usagi shook her head, watching the stairwell. Luna was gone. "Don't mind her. She's been like that since you—what happened to you?"
"I can't stay." Leo said quickly.
Usagi's heart sank. "Why not?"
"Because," Leo dug in his pocket, "I'm just a messenger," retrieving a gold bracelet. "It's late." His voice dropped to a whisper. "And we've got school tomorrow."
(We?) Usagi's eye's lit up. Staring at the bracelet, seven golden stars dangled from the band. "It's beautiful."
"A gift from Mamo-chan." Leo said, his voice loud enough for Usagi's father to hear. "Put it on before you go to bed."
"Why?"
"Your dad likes Mamo-chan. He worries but he respects him. Your dad doesn't know me. You've got a great dad. But he's worried about you too." Completely ignoring the point of the question.
Usagi downcast her eyes.
"Look," Leo sighed, "I'll see you in school tomorrow. Then, afterward, go out."
"Where?" Usagi asked.
"Minako's-" Leo began when the sound of Usagi's father clearing his throat filled the house.
"Sorry, Tsukino^san. I'm leaving now." Leo bowed, shoving two tickets into Usagi's hand before heading down the stairs.
Usagi couldn't help the life drained of her. She already felt dizzy from the alcohol, but now, she felt hollow. Once again, her light was being drained from her. She slumped back into bed, praying this time there'd be only one man that she'd dream of.
Within the safety of his Escalade, Leo sighed, wondering if he did the right thing. "She has it." Leo announced.
"Good," Mamoru nodded, "Let's hope she wears it."
"Why didn't you give it to her yourself?" Leo asked.
"She's pretty mad at me. Sometimes its not the message, its the messenger."
Leo nodded, starting the car. "Where'd you find a bracelet like that anyway?"
"It was a gift." Mamoru explained.
"From who?" Leo asked.
Mamoru downcast his eyes. "An old friend." He replied, staring into the sky. "It should protect her from whatever is attacking her in her dreams. You saw it didn't you."
"I didn't get a good look at it. Whatever it was, I couldn't feel anything from it. Just emptiness." Leo reported as the car sped down the road
.
"Oh, Mamo-chan?"
"What?"
"You should know not to lie to me." Leo yawned, "Who's Helios?"
"I didn't lie." Mamoru responded. "I said an old friend."
Usagi lay in bed, her eyes locked onto the tickets Leo had given her.
PEACH JOHN PRESENTS
THETHREE LIGHTS
LIVE IN CONCERT
THE TOKYO DOME
