CHAPTER 4

Seiya was walking around the town for almost half an hour now; but surprisingly, no one has yet took notice who he was, thanks to the shades and baseball cap that he had brought along with him before he had left Kinmoku (he has hid his long pony tail inside). After walking around rather aimlessly for several more minutes; he notices a man was walking towards him and suddenly grabbed his shoulder as he tried to walk pass him.

"Seiya-san? Is that you?" said the man.

It didn't take too long for Seiya to recognise who the person was, it was Mamoru Chiba.

"Mamoru-san?" Seiya replied rather surprised by Mamoru's action towards him. Why on earth does he have to meet this person now? Upon thinking about it, Seiya realised that its better HIM than HER. He just would not know what to do if he did meet HER now.

After a brief handshake and some small talk, Mamoru decided that they should go into a small café and have a chat. Seiya was reluctant at first but seeing as Mamoru was insisting on it and said that this was on him, Seiya finally gave up and followed him inside the cafe. Upon reaching their seats, a waitress came and took their respective orders.

"Seiya-san. Thank you again for joining me." Mamoru said as soon as the waitress left them.

Seiya just grunted and smiled; as he was feeling rather hesitant since this is kind of an awkward situation for him. He never really did get to know him since his only conversation with him was on that day; on the roof top. After almost 2 minutes of silence, Seiya decided to break the ice and start a conversation, seeing as Mamoru was acting somewhat unsure of how to start it.

"Mamoru-san? You said you wanted to ask me about something… what is it?"

"Oh? Yeah, right. Well…"

/I guess I should just come out and say it…/

"I am sorry if this sounded weird..."

Seeing as Seiya did not show any signs of lack of interest, Mamoru continued on and said, "Seiya-san, I know that you were the one that stayed by Usagi when I wasn't there for her…I am grateful to you for that. But what I want to ask you… is kind of awkward for me to say…well, did something happen between the two of you…I mean..." Mamoru didn't dare to say the last part as it was too difficult for him.

Seiya was so stunned by Mamoru's question that he just stares; wide eye, at his drink for a few seconds before finally look up and with certainty; decided to answer him.

"No, nothing happened between Oda…Tsukino-san and me." Seiya replied half truthfully.

/Yes…that's right. We didn't have anything together…just friends./

"Oh… I just wanted to know. Warui katta, Seiya-san." was Mamoru's only reply after hearing Seiya's confession. He didn't really believe him but at the same time he also did not want to make an enemy of someone who had helped him greatly by staying at Usagi's side during his absence. He was still feeling indebted towards him for that act alone.

"It's alright…Mamoru-san. I understand." Seiya replied; glad that Mamoru had decided to just take his word for it.

They talked and spent a few more minutes together; just getting to know each other more when Seiya abruptly stood up and with a panic look in his eyes; said, "Ano sa… what time is it now?"

"Eh? Oh, it's 11.39am now. Doshita no? Seiya-san?"

"Shimatta! Taiki's gonna chop me now… Mamoru-san, I have to go. Thanks for the drinks. Sore ja!" exclaimed Seiya anxiously and without waiting for Mamoru's reply; he hurriedly went and left. Unknown by Seiya; some of his fans who was there at the café had saw him running right pass by them.

"Ehhh?? Seiya-sama??"

When Seiya had finally reached the park, Taiki and Yaten was there sitting on the park bench looking absolutely fuming; especially Yaten. When they finally notice him, Yaten was the first to approach him and was looking very angry.

/Yaten's gonna kill me for sure…/ seiya sweat dropped when he notices Yaten.

"Seiya! Do you know how long we'd been sitting here; waiting for you!? Where the heck did you run off too?!"

"Gomen! I didn't realise, I was…"

Yaten was about to say something to Seiya again when Taiki, suddenly interrupt him.

"Seiya! I've called the manager. He said that he wants to meet us at the studio in 1 hour.

And since you were late for almost 2 hours…I guess we have to make haste now." Taiki informed Seiya and was now looking intently at him.

"We didn't exactly bring any cash with us. How do you propose we go there?"

"Well, Seiya…While you were gone, I took the liberty of requesting for a transport to pick us up here. It's already waiting for us at the parking lot. If you're done, we better hurry." replied Taiki as he looks intently at Seiya yet again before he promptly walk away and headed to the mentioned location. Sure enough as Taiki had said, a car or rather a mini van; was already there waiting for them.

It took them almost 40 minutes when they had finally arrived at the studio's lot. Their manager and producer were already waiting for them at lobby; looking very flustered and worried. But as soon as they saw them entered the building, they was so thrilled to see them; that they promptly ushered them down to the meeting room, not listening to their clients' explanations and complains. Yaten was ready to bolts out of there when their manager suddenly stopped in front of the door; opened it and thrust them inside. As soon as they had entered the meeting room, they were surprised to see more people have gathered inside, waiting for them. Clearly, their short absence in the entertainment business was much missed by all; even the other celebrities felt the same and joined the meeting.

"I guess our absence were THAT felt, huh? I guess I'll give it one more go… that is until I grew bored and fed up with it." Yaten said that more to himself than actually asking anyone's opinion.

For almost two days now, all of the staff members have had meetings with the Three Lights; discussing on future events and concerts to celebrate their return. Although their prompt return to the showbiz was not announced, after a couple of days, outside; people were already talking about it. All thanks to Seiya's sudden appearance that day. He was strictly instructed to lay low but there was nothing they can do about the rumours that had been spreading all over Japan. And Seiya was not the type of guy to follow orders anyway.

At Jyuuban High, a couple of days later… (the present)

Usagi and her friends had just finished having their afternoon class that evening, and was about to leave and headed to their favourite cake shop when they heard some girls talking at the hall way. Squeals and screams of excitement was then heard everywhere throughout the school.

"Hey guys! Did you hear about the rumours? You know the one that says; Three Lights have returned and are planning on having their comeback concert here at Jyuuban district?"

When the senshi(s) heard these, they all stopped dead on their tracks.

/What? Three Lights?! No, that can't be possible…if they did return; we should know…/all the four senshis mentally said to themselves.

"Yes, I know! I heard that too! If it's true, that would be so awesome! Ah…I can wait to see and hear their music again." exclaimed one of the girls again.

/They're probably just missing them and hoping too much from…or something…/ they thought yet again and was ready to leave when they heard someone talking again.

"I also heard someone said that they saw Seiya walking around town just the other day!"

/Seiya?!/ hearing that name, Usagi immediately turns and confronted the girl who had said it.

"Seiya? When? Where? Please tell me!" Usagi said rather desperately.

"Ah…I don't exactly know where, but some people say that he was seen somewhere in a café and near the park…" replied the girl quite startled by Usagi's aggressive attitude.

As soon as Usagi heard that information, she instantaneously left her friends and run towards the park; searching for him. Minako, Makoto and Ami was startled by her behaviour that they quickly contacted Rei asking her to meet them that the park.

It didn't take Usagi that long to reached the park as it was not that far from their school and when she finally did reached it though, the place was fairly deserted and no signs of Seiya's star were felt at that place. But somehow, she knows that what the girls had said was true; she just don't know why she can't feel his presence anywhere.

When the inner senshi finally arrived at the park; now together with Rei, they immediately went looking for Usagi and spotted her sitting on the nearest bench looking restless and gloomy. Uncertain to how they should comfort Usagi, they decided to let Usagi be for the time being until they can come up with a solution.

"Usagi-chan… let's go home. They were probably just gossiping. If they are truly here, we would know. Come on, Usagi." Minako said as she approached Usagi. She was feeling ecstatic too when she first heard the rumours. She was looking forward to see again a certain silver-haired bishonen with brilliant green eyes. Ami was also feeling the same as them. He too was wishing that she could meet them again; especially the one named Taiki Kou.

"Come on, Usagi. Let's go to Motoki's and have some shakes." Rei suggested when she saw Usagi's state; knowing that in Usagi's condition now, she would need the shakes more than anything.

Several days later…

As days passed by; Usagi was still acting the way she had been lately, she still tends to spaced out and staring at nothing. She sometimes tends to walk straight onto a wall or a pole every now and then, although someone always reminded her of it; it was of no use.

All of her friends; the inner and outer senshis, was gathering at their usual meeting place; Rei Hino's temple, for a secret meeting at the moment. the ytruly felt at lost on how to handle this matter. They feared for Usagi's and Mamoru's current state of relationship most, not that much had changed though. They both were still seeing each other and still went out on dates and stuff as usual.

"Ne…Rei-chan? Don't you think we need to do something about this now? It's getting too frustrating to watch any more." Minako said suddenly, abruptly getting all the others' attention back.

"I mean, she's bound to break down sooner or later although she acts normally around us…and well, Mamoru's not actually willing to discuss this matter with us. I know it's worrying him too."

The other senshis; after hearing this statement only nods their heads agreeing with Minako but still, didn't utter a word.

"I totally agree with you on that but…what can we do? Bound Usagi down and forced her to spill it? If I know her; and I do know her, she won't say anything." Rei replied but was not looking at any of the senshi. She was too engrossed on reading her sacred fire at the moment, searching for an answer; any answer that can help them.

"Argh…damn it. There's nothing! I just don't get it." Rei said that more to herself than really telling it at the others there.

"Setsuna-san…how's the future? Is it still…you know…?" Ami said not longer after. She didn't like it as much as the other senshis, but she do understand Usagi's dilemma, somewhat.

Setsuna; who was actually Sailor Pluto, a beautiful young woman with tanned skin and one of the 4 Outer senshi, shook her head then and said, "Well, to be honest…there's a slight change but nothing out of the ordinary to be really worried about. I think…and…"

Haruka; who was sitting next to her with Michiru at her other side abruptly stood and said, "What to you mean by slightly change? Tell us…! Whatever it is, I must know!" Seeing her reaction, Michiru immediately grasp Haruka's hand gently and said, "Calm down, Haruka. Let Setsuna finish… Please sit down."

"Yes, Haru-papa. Please, let Setsuna-mama finish." Hotaru urges too.

Although slightly startled by Michiru's hand suddenly on her's and hearing Hotaru's voice, Haruka just nod and went back to sit at her seat. Seeing as Haruka finally calm down, Setsuna looked away for a moment before deciding to continue.

"The future as we know it, is still there…but when I tried to communicate with her majesty; Queen Serenity, Princess Serenity's Mother; recently, I cannot get through her…it's as if she has seal my sight and I can no longer speak or seek her. That happened 3 months ago, and that was the last time I'd spoken to her majesty; she was saying this…" everyone was looking at her with ears all perked up to hear more. They did want to ask her, but as Michiru and Hotaru had said before; let her finish.

Satisfied with their reaction; Setsuna took a breath, look at each of them in turn and continues, "She said that One's destiny and future are not written in stones…and that the future may need to be altered in order for it set forth…none will be the same but alteration in One's destiny are always unpredictable, be it for the better or for the worse. I didn't really understand what she meant by that; at that time. But I went to see the 30th century recently, and what I saw was that…Crystal Tokyo as we know it is still there but without Small Lady or even King Endymion by her side. Her highness, Neo-queen Serenity was alone… unmarried."

"What?! Do you mean to say that, they didn't get married??" exclaimed all of the senshi, didn't quite believing what they are hearing at the moment.

"Yes. That is precisely what I meant." was Setsuna's only reply. She didn't dare to talk anymore than necessary since that may affect the still uncertain future of their princess. As the senshi who controls time and space itself, her powers was still limited and was only allowed to only see just a fraction of their future.

Shocked by Setsuna's statement, the other senshis looked at each other, not sure what to believe anymore. But knowing Pluto, she won't say these things and joked about it. They really need to do something about this. Aren't the sole purpose of their reincarnation on earth is to help rebuild their kingdom and to make sure that Usagi and Mamoru are finally together? But after listening to Pluto, they are uncertain anymore. The future is still there, Crystal Tokyo still exists…Usagi still is to be Neo-Queen Serenity…doesn't that mean that, Usagi's future was in fact not depended on her being together with Mamoru? Are all their sacrifices for them, wasn't worth it at all?

"Maybe we should go meet with Seiya and the others…" Rei suggested suddenly.

TBC