Chapter Two: Missing you.
The pair made their way to Crown, after taking their seats Usagi asked Rei about something that had been bothering her.
"Rei-chan, have you heard from Ami-chan?"
"No, why?"
"I haven't heard from her...or seen her."
"Hey guys!" Minako said, sitting with them.
"Minako-chan, where'd you come from?" Usagi asked.
"Never mind that! Remember that idol contest I won? The producer said if I didn't start soon, he'd take the second place winner instead! So as of today, I am officially an idol!"
"Minako-chan, that's great that you're following your dream," Usagi said to encourage her friend.
"But, I can't be a Sailor Senshi anymore," Minako said quietly.
"What do you mean?" Rei asked, in surprising control of her temper.
"My transformation pen, it vanished.."
"You lost it? Baka!" Rei scolded.
"No..it disintegrated in my hands."
"How?" Usagi asked, surprised.
"I don't know.. Oh no! I'm late! Goodbye, everyone. My new life starts today! Thanks for being such great friends!" She stood up suddenly, blowing them a kiss and running out the door before she could cry.
"Everyone is following their dreams," Usagi said.
"All but you. Usagi, what is it you want?" Rei asked.
"I don't know anymore."
"Don't worry, I"m sure you'll find it." Rei encouraged.
"Right."
Over the next few months, everything changed. Mamoru was still in the hospital, and there was no sign of Ami anywhere. Minako's first single was out, and Usagi listened to it often, completely forgetting about Three Lights. She could feel the warmth of her friend, she knew Minako was singing for her. Rei managed to get the part of a mysterious priestess in a movie, and overnight became a star. But, Usagi was still just Usagi. Juuban High was restored, and she sat in the same seat as always, with a sketch of her and Mamoru on the desk. Sometimes she stared at the door, wishing one of her friends would walk in. Minako..Rei.. maybe even Ami, who she still hadn't heard from. Minako and Rei sent her letters whenever they had the chance. Usagi would always reply saying she was having fun learning to cook from Makoto or how much of a perfectionist Michiru was when it came to violin. Despite these distractions, Usagi was lonely. She longed for the days when they all hung out at Rei's shrine and studied. Or ate cookies and read manga, like Usagi almost always did. She almost began to miss fighting against evil with everyone.. at least they were always together. But deep down, she knew she couldn't possibly be so selfish. For months Usagi was diligent in visiting Mamoru every day, but it gradually became less and less. He was making no improvement. In her heart, she knew he would never wake up from his coma. Usagi thought back to the conversation she had with Rei at crown all those months ago.
-Flashback-
"I'm sure you'll find it."
-End Flashback-
My own dream, Usagi wondered, I don't have one. Mamoru won't wake up, so Chibi-usa cannot exist. The only thing I want, is someone at my side. Someone who can make me laugh again. Mako-chan and Michiru-chan try, but..Michiru is busy guarding the solar system with Saturn, Uranus and Pluto. Mako.. she's president of the cooking club now. Last week they placed first in a competition against other schools in Japan. Everyone...their dreams are coming true...Except for-
Smack
Usagi bumped into a guy much taller than her. He was warm and gentle, like him. She looked up and stared. Midnight blue eyes shone at her, slithering black hair framed his face.
"Sei-" she started.
"Watch where you're going, you klutz!" The guy said, sulking off. It wasn't him. How could it be? The him she was referring to was light years away. Living his own life, defending his princess. Usagi had given up on seeing him again. Usagi didn't star gaze anymore, she didn't have any wishes or dreams. Only disappointment. Her star seed lost it's brilliance.
On Kinmoku:
Princess Kakyuu sighed. A star was fading, losing it's luster. Star Fighter, since returning, hadn't been enthusiastic at all. She helped rebuild, which made her happy to see her home looking glorious once again but... it was short lived. No one could keep her in a good mood for long.
"You miss her, the one with the bright star seed." Kakyuu said gently.
"I'm sorry...I felt so alive when I was with her, and now everything feels dark and dreary. Like a dull dream I can't wake from." Star Fighter said.
"While in her room, hidden in that incense burner, I learned much about her. She is brilliant, like warm sunlight. But, Star Fighter, your paths don't cross. You're needed here, she's needed there. Please let go of your feelings for her," Kakyuu said as she left. "Somethings are better forgotten."
"Odango, I won't forget you, ever." Star Fighter said to herself.
On Earth:
Usagi sat in her room, petting Luna.
"Hey Luna, if Mamoru stays in this condition, how will Crystal Tokyo form?"
"I don't know, that's a question only Setsuna can answer." Luna said.
Usagi didn't know she had fallen asleep until she woke up. She had had a strange dream. In it, she saw Setsuna-Sailor Pluto.
"Usagi, your future has always been set in stone for you. But in this instant, you are free to map your own destiny." Pluto told her.
"What about Crystal Tokyo? Mamoru? Chibi-usa? If I change things, they won't happen!"
"Neo-Queen Serenity is you in your next life, in your next life you will marry Endymion, have Chibi-usa and rule Crystal Tokyo. The threat to this world is gone, you are no longer a senshi. Do what you will with this life."
Usagi woke up. What a strange dream, she thought. Looking out her window, she saw a lone shooting star.
"Seiya... I'm all alone now. I wish you were here."
Soon, Usagi was fast asleep.
On Kinmoku:
Star Fighter cried herself to sleep. It had been five months since she left her Odango, and her heart on Earth. Yet, her heart stung like it was yesterday. That night, she dreamed.
"I am Helios,"
"What are you? Where are you from?" Star Fighter asked.
"I...am the guardian of dreams on Earth," Helios explained.
"On...Earth?" Fighter stammered.
"Please, protect the dreams of a heartbroken maiden, our princess. Her senshi are losing their powers. She already lost hers. If an evil being happens to still be lurking, she cannot protect herself. Do not let the one with bright dreams, the dreams that give us all hope, be alone."
Helios vanished.
When Star Fighter awoke, she knew her new mission.
"I'm coming, Odango."
On Earth:
It was Saturday. Usagi went to the carnival she and Seiya once saw. Instead of going on rides and amusing herself she sat on a bench. She looked at the whole area, and played that day with Seiya in her head. He was so close to her, and yet she let him slip through her fingers, without her saying how she felt.
-Flashback-
"Am I not good enough?"
She felt his heart break.
"Am I not good enough?"
She couldn't find words. How could she? He took them away. Later, she wished she could have said "Arrigatou, Seiya." or "Don't ever leave my side!" but she said nothing. Seiya made those days without Mamoru almost bearable. Here she was though, without either. Seiya, she thought, you were always good enough. And now, I'm alone. Usagi was so wrapped up in thought she didn't see the monster sneaking up on her until it was too late. It grabbed her by the neck, choking mercilessly.
"I want energy! Your strong power!"
This is it, she thought. This is the end.