Author's Note: Thanks to the reviewers and those who voted. I am hoping to wrap up voting within the next two chapters so I can plan ahead the next chapters. For those of you who voted UxM here is a little teaser for you!!

To Be Needed

by Grace brings Hope

Disclaimer: Anything you recognize does not belong to me.

The Imperfect Reality

I sighed as I sat down on my couch. My head hurt and the sharp pain in my chest would not stop.

Then again, I have had the aching feeling for years so why should it stop now? As time wore on, it dulled but now it was as prominent as ever. It could only mean one thing.

I reach in my coffee table drawer and pull out a photograph. It was a picture of myself, Usagi and Chibi-Usa on the day that Chibi-Usa was supposed to leave. Comparing the smiling man in the picture and the one I see when I look in the mirror, they don't even look the same anymore.

Contrary to how others may perceive my relationship with Rei, everything isn't perfect. Constantly I am finding myself comparing her to Usako. Yes, I still call her Usako. Even though I am the one that broke it off with her, I still love her. The soul bond is proof of that. The aching in my chest has nagged me for the last ten years.

I wonder how Usako's doing. The rise in the pain must mean something is wrong. But how can I go up to her and find out what's wrong when I have barely spoken a word to her in all those years?

Slowly but surely the pain subsided until it was at the usual dull aching. I stood up again and waited to see if it would start again. A sigh of relief escaped my mouth when several minutes passed by and the dull ache remained.

Suddenly, my cell phone rang. "Hello."

"Mamo-chan!! I just wanted to see if you wanted to come with me to the park!! It is a really nice day out and it has been so long since we've been there." Rei's voice was excited and energetic but it could never match the cheerfulness of Usako's voice.

"Sure, Rei. That would be great. Let me just get ready first and I'll pick you up." My voice was controlled, devoid of emotion.

"Naw, I'll just meet you there! It is so pretty outside. I just want to walk."

"Ok, then. I'll meet you there in 20 minutes."

"Great, Mamo-chan!! Love you tons!!" and with that she hung up the phone.

I hung up the phone.

Usako, I miss you.