Farewell by Amethyst Serenity

AN: Special thanks to AngelicMoonDJ (beta!) and Ichigo (for countless late night convos!)! Thanks to all who read and review, including VO1 (::gasps and falls over in ecstatic shock:: ), Marni, Arabella Skydancer, the Sidhe Princess of Death, I_am_the_Walrus-chan, frosty, Jamiegirl, ScorpioNightShadow, Saturnpyroprincess, Min Hee Ha, Mina-chan, Brightstar, Deny, TKDgrl, Emerald Princess, VegaKatt, Crim Lady, Hatami, Tsukikage, Fate's Child, lilmakochan, sexykitten, Allure and Nadine! Yes, I KNOW this chapter is short and that is why there are two chapters posted today. I love all reviews and e-mail! Gimme! Gimme! ^_~

Disclaimer: Who do you think owns Sailor Moon?

Chapter 11- Longing

His first thought was of her gilded ivory perfection. The midnight-velvet sky, full of stars, seemed to embrace her, radiating light solely to frame her beauty. Facing away from him, she stood beside a marble gazebo and an outdoor pool with a trembling reflection of the moon. Pearls glimmered in her long silver-blonde hair and on her ivory-white ball gown. Golden earrings caught the light and dangled from her ears. Around her neck, she wore a golden locket, his gift to her. She opened the locket to hear its song, *their* song. Every graceful motion proclaimed her royalty. Princess Serenity, his one and only love, stared up at the moon, her home in the sky. She was sweet, innocent, gentle, brave, and loving… everything he ever wanted wrapped in one beautiful, silver-bright package. He wanted nothing more than to spend eternity holding her and looking up at the sky together. Before he reached her, she turned to him. Her eyes were sad and empty. His heart clenched. Princess Serenity showed her hands to him. Two pieces of red silken string were tangled in her delicate, porcelain fingers.

"Our string of destiny has been cut, beloved. *You* cut it."

"No… please… don't leave me… Serenity… Usako…"

Princess Serenity's silver-blonde locks darkened into Usagi's honey-gold hair. Her ball gown flowed into a simple white floral summer dress. Usagi stared at him accusingly. Tears filled her luminous jewel-blue eyes and spilled down her cheeks. Her adorable bottom lip quivered with emotion. Her hands clutched their locket against her breast. The locket finished playing their song and closed.

"You betrayed me and broke my heart. You never said you loved me. *Did* you love me?"

"I… I…"

With a sob, she sharply turned her back to him. The locket dissolved into gold dust that streamed through her fingers and disappeared. He stretched out his hand to touch her but couldn't reach her. His legs wouldn't move. Usagi glided farther and farther away from him, retreating into the gazebo. Another shadowy, faceless man waited there with outstretched arms. Panicked beyond belief, he spoke the words he never dared to say, not even in his dreams.

1 "I * love* you, Usako!" Mamoru screamed. In the gazebo, Usagi slowly danced with the man. Her arms looped around his neck as he clasped her tightly. She lifted her head from the faceless man's chest and sorrowfully shook her head at him. A mournful whisper danced back on a night breeze and caressed his cheek.

"It's too late. I have another prince now. Good bye, Mamoru," whispered Usagi. Her last three words sounded like a death knell, growing louder and harsher with each echo. He fell to his knees, clutching his head. Drenched in clammy sweat, Mamoru woke up. His heart pounded madly. Kami, he had another nightmare. Those damned things were worse than a plague. He shivered, remembering Usako in the arms of another man. One of his worst fears. Even when they were together, part of him had always been afraid of losing her. Usagi was too good for him, so sunny, warm and loving. His years at the orphanage made him painfully aware of how unlovable he was… but she made him feel loved and loving. She gave him everything, joy, laughter, light, beauty and love… and he gave her nothing but pain.

If not for their past on the moon, Usagi would have left him long before he broke up with her. And now… now there was nothing to hold her back from happiness. Kami, he did everything wrong after the nightmares started. He deserved to be abandoned but if he actually saw her with another, he would lose what was left of his mind. Mamoru's biggest regret was never actually telling her how much he loved her. Oh, he showed her what he really felt but he never had the courage to say the words, even though Usagi patiently waited for them. Irrationally, he had felt that the words, once spoken, would change everything and somehow make her leave him, like all the others in his past. Of course, she was already gone now, thanks to his amazingly stupid actions. Mamoru swore to find her and tell her everything in his heart even if she was with someone else. He must tell her he loved her. If nothing else, he owed her honesty.

Usako, I found you once. I'll find you again, someday. Wait for me, beloved.