7 Years Waiting For You

Disclaimer: I am not the great Naoko Takeuchi, I merely admire her work from afar with my little stories. Neither am I any of the talented artists who brought the anime to life.

Summary: The senshi have been fighting together since they discovered their mutual Sailor Senshi abilities when they were only 15 years old. Mamoru has been in college in America since he was 18 and therefore completely missed the whole Sailor Senshi thing. This story begins when they are 22 and 26 respectively and guess who has finally come home to Tokyo.

Rating: Teen

Chapter 7 – Merry-Go-Round

"Let us in!!" demanded Jadeite as he and Rei pounded on the wire gate which was barring their entrance to Minako and Kunzite's elaborate mansion. Rei grasped the wrought iron bars and shook them as hard as she could in desperation but all her efforts were in vain. They had tried calling up for entrance at least ten times each but no one was answering. However, they knew that meant someone had to be home as there was always at least one security guard around to refuse guests when the mansion was vacant.

"They have to be here, I mean, where else would they take him?" asked Jadeite, waiting for Rei to agree with him before he proceeded to break into their friends' home. Rei merely nodded in agreement and soon the Sailor Senshi Mars stood by his side. "Now I'm ready to climb that tree," she said as she pointed to a tall tree that was conveniently growing beside the gate. A brief climb later they landed ceremoniously inside the gates.

Jadeite picked up one of the tree branches that had broken off and plummeted, with him on it, to the ground during their climb. He started eagerly towards the mansion with it, prepared to knock out a few windows in order to gain admittance. Luckily Rei was able to grab his hand in time to stop him. "Luna and Artemis have a set of keys," she informed him calmly.

Luna and Artemis lived in a small house that was built off the side of the main mansion. The architect who had designed the 'kitty house' had assumed Minako was just a tad affected when she had requested a separate residence for the cats. But he supposed all celebrities were a bit off their rockers. Still he had been especially stupefied with Minako when she demanded the kitty house be internet ready.

Rei knocked on the cat's door and waited anxiously while contemplating if she could fit through the small cat sized door. Fortunately she did not have time to test her theory as a few seconds later Luna popped her head out of the kitty entrance and glanced at Sailor Mars, a confused look on her face.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"We need your keys to the mansion," requested Rei, contemplating whether she should break out the catnip she kept in her subspace pocket for bribery on days like today.

"Why?" asked Luna, looking suspiciously between Rei and Jadeite. The two couples were known for having disagreements with one another, or more specifically Rei and Jadeite were notorious for playing pranks on Minako and Kunzite.

"Because Kunzite has kidnapped one of Usagi's dates and we think he's keeping him here," Jadeite cut in hastily.

"That's a bit extreme," marvelled Luna, "But it still doesn't explain why you two want in so badly." She didn't quit approve of the shittenou's methods of preserving their princess's innocence for her king, but their protection of Usagi did make her job much easier.

"Rei thinks it's Endymion they've kidnapped," added Jadeite and Luna merely stared wide eyed at the couple.

"In that case I'm coming too," she meowed once her shock wore off. She ran quickly into the house, hastily informing Artemis of the couple's suspicions as she ran outside with keys dangling from her mouth. Artemis had been sleeping comfortably on the silk covered dawn pillow Mina had bought him for his birthday. Or at least the day she assigned to him as his birthday. But now he found himself wide awake rushing after his companion.

"They must be in the basement," Artemis declared to the group which was already rushing towards the basement. They flew down the long flight of shallow stairs as fast as they could, all hoping to be the first to catch a glimpse of the man that could be their king.

Rei pushed Jadeite ruthlessly out of the way in order to be the first to make it down the stairs. Her brutally was rewarded as she was the first to spot the three men in the corner of the basement. To her shock there was no great inquisition or celebration going on down there. The three men were merely sitting in chairs calmly drinking coffee.

"Huh?!" she burst out thinking that this was quite anti-climatic as the three men finally noticed their guests.

"Rei, Jadeite," greeted Kunzite and ushered them over to where they were sitting. When they got closer Rei was displeased to notice that there was a bad gash on Mamoru's head and Kunzite was favouring his right hand which was weakly holding his cup. Rei was disappointed that they had missed out on the action! Now they were just sitting around like the oldest of friends. But she supposed she should just be thankful that no one was killed.

"So you are Endymion," said Rei, smiling warmly at Mamoru despite her disappointment. She also shot a smirk at Jadeite, happy to see that her suspicions had been vindicated.

"That's what they are telling me," answered Mamoru. Appearing in a knight's garb and being honoured by two men bowing had completely shocked Mamoru back into his senses. However the two men had been endeavouring to bewilder him with the story of his past ever since.

"Perhaps we can help add to their explanations," offered Luna, jumping up on Mamoru's shoulder. Mamoru just stared at the talking cat. But it was just another shock in a night of many and he nodded gratefully.

Several hours passed in conversation without the notice of the little group. They were all entranced in once again hearing the story of the Moon Kingdom. It was a story dear to each of their hearts and the new pieces of memories that Mamoru was able to contribute were gems to each of them. Mamoru especially was taken with the story that finally answered the questions that had plagued him for so long. He finally knew who he was, and more important who his dream woman was! The group's mutual fascination had them so deep in conversation that they barely noticed it when one of their own descended upon them unexpectedly.

"What's going on?" demanded Minako, looking first at her husband and then at each of the individuals for an answer as she stalked over to their intimate group.

"Mamoru is Endymion," Kunzite informed his wife matter-of-factly.

"Really?!?" she shrieked, forgetting to be angry that she, the head senshi, had been left out of one of the most important looking meetings of their lives. In her joy she grabbed the man who was still practically a stranger to her and gave him a fierce hug. "This is excellent news!" she shrilled. But suddenly her jubilant celebrations were cut short. "Where is Usagi?" she demanded.

"Well?" insisted Minako in shock. "You are celebrating the fact that her prince is finally showed up. Don't you think she ought to be here?"

"Yes," answered the group sheepishly.

"Well, then where is she?" demanded Minako as her guests realized in shock they had left her behind in the excitement of the day.

Usagi sat down on the bench and looked at her watch. It was almost 11:30 and the fair would be closed in ½ an hour. She looked at her communicator, contemplating using it to call her friends to ask where they were. But she didn't bother. She would just transform into Sailor Moon and run home if they didn't come back for her. Or she could ask Makoto and Kal for a ride home. She had seen them at the fair earlier while she was looking for Mamoru. But she could not bring herself to interrupt the happy couple. Or maybe it was she just didn't want to be around any happy couples. It seemed that's all she saw these days, people who were happy and in love. Love which was evident by clasped hands and a sense that the couple was laughing at secret jokes only they knew. This happiness and beauty was what she fought for in the world. But tonight it all seemed in vain. Love wasn't as strong as she thought it was. Even her legendary romance with Endymion had come to nothing. She was going to toss him aside to give Mamoru a chance, yet he too deserted her.

"Usagi?" said a concerned voice and she looked up to see her friend smiling at her.

"What are you doing here?" Usagi asked in surprise. She hadn't expected to see Ami at the fair at that time of night. Where was Zoisite?

"I wanted to ride on the merry-go-ground," she admitted sheepishly. Usagi gave her an odd look and she felt she needed to defend herself.

"It reminds me of a memory."

"Oh," replied Usagi dully.

"In the Moon Kingdom, Zoisite and I..," she began, finding it hard to put that wonderful memory into words. Ami had few clear memories of her past life and this was one of her most precious.

"Where is Zoisite?" asked Usagi, interrupting Ami. She knew it was very rude of her but she did not think she could bear to hear any romantic stories tonight about honouring past lives.

"I don't know," replied Ami and Usagi was surprised by this. The only time the two seemed to be apart from one another since their engagement was when they were at their academic classes.

"Did you lose him at the fair too?" asked Usagi, suddenly feeling more sympathetic towards her friend.

"No, I came by myself tonight," admitted Ami as she sat down next to Usagi.

"How come?" asked Usagi. The fair wasn't exactly a place to go by oneself.

"Well, like I said, I just wanted to ride the merry-go-round," she repeated, colouring lightly. But this time Usagi did not interrupt her friend's story.

"They remind me of the great stallions of the moon. I rode one of them once, right before Zoisite left for the last time. He was riding out to find Endymion. I think it was when they were preparing to go back to Earth to quell the uprising. We had said our goodbyes and he was starting to ride away. Something inside told me I might never see him again and I ran after her. That's when he pulled me up on his horse and let me ride with him awhile." Ami closed her eyes and relived the memory as if it were yesterday and not thousands of years ago.

"Then why isn't he here with you tonight?" asked Usagi.

"Well, when we were on that horse together I told him not to leave me. But he merely said that it was his duty and I had to understand that. I have to admit I thought he was being awfully cold towards me when he put things in terms of duty. Not that I didn't understand, but I thought maybe our love was stronger than duty. To me it seemed like all the others were putting their love first. I told him that too." Ami stopped talking suddenly.

"What did he say?" asked Usagi, sensing that there had to be more to the memory that Ami cherished so closely.

"He told me that he didn't need to choose love or duty because they were never in conflict. That he first realized he was in love with me while he was millions of miles away riding with the guard. That my memory still haunted him no matter where he went. That my love was what kept him fighting. Of course I still didn't want him to go. But love isn't something you get without a small price. 'Love untested is love unsure'. That's why I came here alone, to remind myself that he's in my heart even when he isn't in my arms."

"What will I do?" asked Usagi turning to look at her friend.

"About what?" asked Ami. She hadn't shared that memory with anyone, not even Zoisite. In fact she had only told Usagi tonight because she felt that it might comfort her in her wait for Endymion. She had looked so sad and lonely on the bench.

"About Endymion," replied Usagi surprising herself. She had been going to ask Ami about Mamoru.

"All you can do is wait," said Ami, her voice neither hopeful nor hopeless.

"But I'm falling for Mamoru in the meantime," Usagi whispered so that Ami could barely hear her.

"Mamoru? The guy we met at the Arcade," asked Ami in surprise. Hadn't he left with Makoto? How had she become so preoccupied with what was going on in her own life to be so misinformed about her friends.

"Yes," affirmed Usagi.

"And you really like him?" asked Ami dumbfoundedly.

"I really do Ami. It's just, I am in love with Endymion. He's always going to be in my heart in that love at a distance way. But I don't think I can wait for him anymore."

"Well, that's true, because the carnival is closing," joked Ami. She may have been with Zoisite for many years but he was her only boyfriend and she felt too inexperienced to give any advice when it came to matters of the heart. It was easier to lapse into humour and let Usagi find her own answers. "Do you need a ride home?" she offered.

"I can drive her," offered a male voice and both girls looked over at Mamoru who was approaching them. Ami smiled at him timidly and headed to her car confident Usagi would make the right decision.

"We have all been looking for you," said Mamoru, smiling at his princess. "But I'm glad I got to you first," he added.

"Are you?" she asked shyly as he sat down beside her. She looked up at him to see his response but was appalled when she saw the bloody gash on his head.

"What did they do?!" she exclaimed, all anger at Mamoru quickly disappearing as she realized what must have happened to Mamoru. She quickly jumped off her stool to try and tend to his wounds but he just grasped her hands in his.

"They kidnapped me. Kunzite and Zoisite," he admitted. There was no sense protecting the guys, besides, they had beaten him up no matter how much he liked them now.

"They what?" Usagi exclaimed and he held unto her hands harder to keep her in place.

"And then they told me how much that guy you told me about meant to you," he continued his eyes gleaming at the fiery light in her eyes.

"They did?!" she howled, "What exactly did they say?"

"That you've been waiting for him. Very patiently but it's hard for you since he's been gone so long. And I'm not to take advantage of that." Mamoru grinned to himself. Indeed Minako had taken him aside when they reached the fair grounds. She had told him that Usagi 'wasn't experienced in those things' and if he was to find her first that he 'wasn't to rush her home to bed no matter how badly he wanted too.' But if he did anyway he was to 'be gentle.'

"So they bet you up and told you how much I still love Endymion," she said slowly.

"Yes," he affirmed.

"Then why are you still here?" she said. Mamoru smiled at the way she did not deny her love for Endymion. He could see that in her eyes she was very torn and he couldn't wait any longer to tell her. He had to take that pain and tormented look away from her for good.

"Because I've missed you Serenity," he whispered into her ear.

"You, how do you know….?" she asked, jumping up off the bench in confusion as her heart desperately tried to get the message through to her brain.

"I'm sorry it took me so long my princess, but I thought you were just a dream. I'm sorry," he said, standing up beside her. He took her into his arms and she felt herself fall into his embrace. It truly felt like home to her and no matter what Ami said, she never wanted to be out of his arms again. Their love had been tested enough for two lifetimes.

Mamoru smiled at the girl in his arms and knew that the dreams would haunt him no more. He had finally found her and a wonderful reality could take over. He smiled as he bent down and claimed the lips of his queen. Usagi pulled away at first, her instinct to run away from romance still strong despite herself.

"It's okay, I think the guys will permit it," he said, reclaiming her lips. This time they did not break apart until the carnival had grown completely dark and her searching friends had gone home. Even then they parted reluctantly.

"I'm grateful to the shittenou for protecting you all these years. But I'm glad I don't have to go through that again," he said, gesturing to his gash before taking Usagi's hand to find a way out of the carnival.

Usagi giggled to herself. "Yes, well, just wait until you meet my father."

The End – Excepting the Epilogue