A/N: Hi! I am still alive! Sorry for the long period I didn't update, but my life was a little hectic with the new job. I really hope I will be able to update at least once in two weeks. If not I apologize from now.
I hope you will enjoy this new chapter. Don't forget to review :)
Hugs,
PurePassion
Chapter 14 – The calling of the heart
They appeared accompanied by a bright flash in the living room frightening her parents and brother who were watching the television. The now de-transformed Minako was put on the couch.
"What happened?" Ikuko asked afraid of the answer. The girl who she considered her second daughter was lying on the couch unconscious.
"Kunzite…attached her." Sailor Moon responded looking down.
"Attached her?" Kenji asked "How? What did he do to her?"
"Dad…"
"He tried to rape her." Sailor Uranus told the gathering flatly. She couldn't believe what happened…she couldn't believe they were almost too late to save her. The truth to be told they were too late. The one who stopped that bastard was Venus herself. They failed their comrade, their friend…they couldn't protect her. This was exactly what she was the most affraid...to let down one of her friends. Uranus' thoughts were interrupted by the voices that were getting louder and louder in the room. When she looked up to investigate she found that a few people arrived since she last looked. Ms. Mizuno was crounched over Minako trying to figure out what to do to awake her. Grandpa Hino was talking to Kenji...better said planning how to kill Kunzite. The only one she didn't see was Usagi.
"Where is Usagi?" she asked noone in particular.
"She went to get the Aino's. They need to be by their daughter." Setsuna answered "You should detransform. There is no need for the senshi right now."
"You take this too easily. What happens if they decide to attack tonight. We are all gathered in the same place. We couldn't protect everyone."
"There is no need to worry tonight." Usagi said "He wont attack tonight...he was wounded by Minako."
"You must stop appearing that way." Uranus shook her head. "I could have attacked you."
"Maybe it would be a better idea if you took her home." Usagi turned towards Michiru "She needs to calm down and relax."
"Calm down?" Uranus yelled "How the hell do you expect me to calm down after everything that happened tonight?"
"You must understand that we can't do anything. Unfortunately something happened with Minako which I can't explain, but I am sure that Artemis knows something about it..."
"Than we should talk to him." Uranus interrupted her. "Where is he?"
"He is in my room."
"Call him."
"No. This is about ancient Venusian magic. You all have parts of your magic and talent that can't be revealed before anyone...not even before other senshi. I will talk to him and Luna."
"Minako's life is in danger. I don't care about ancient secrets."
"Haruka...she will be fine. I am sure. Lets just go home." Michiru started to pull her lover by her hand "You should come to Makoto."
"Call me if you find out anything." Makoto told her friends and walked out the door."
It was a beautiful day, the sun was high in the sky, there was not one cloud to be seen. It was like the wheater was making fun of them, taunting them. Usagi turned away from the beautiful scenery that was the nature outside and walked towards the other part of the room where her friend was lying in bed still unconcious. It looked like she was sleeping peacefully, nobody understood what was happening to her. The principle from school visited her, doctors came and went. Nobody knew what was happening with her. Nobody but the senshi and those close to them.
"Sweaty, today was the last day of school. We are free for a couple of month. You can't leave that out. We have to go the pool, shopping, we had so many plans for the summer. You know that band we like so much, the Starlights? Guess what? They are going to have a concert here in a couple of month. I know you would go crazy if you didn't go, so please fight it, cure your heart and wake up. Six months is a long time. Please honey."
This was like a ritual for Usagi. She spent every free moment is Minako's room, talking to her, keeping her updated, hopping that one day she will open her eyes. She still couldn't believe what Artemis told her on that hateful night. At first she thought that it was a lie, to punish her, but as time went by...with Minako's state not changing, she wasn't so sure anymore. It was a conversation she relived every single day when she was standing in the room which became Minako's jail.
"So...tell me what is going on." Usagi said as soon as she entered her room.
"That is not so simple." Artemis shook his head "I am afraid what happened tonight will have serious consequences."
"What do you mean?" Usagi walked towards the window preparing herself for what she was going to find out.
"As you know the Venusians' power comes from their feelings, from their heart." Artemis told the audience who only nodded "They can feel the love, friendship, passion or even hatred between other people even when they don't know of the existence of that feeling. You weren't told the whole truth about your power and faith."
"What do you mean the whole truth?" Usagi whirled around "What was hidden from me?"
"A long time ago, an ancestor of Sailor Pluto, who was then the Queen had a vision of the future. It was very unlikely for that to happen due to the fact that they can see the future whenever they want, they are the time keepers."
"She saw nine girls in which the ancient power of every planet will be reunited."
"What do you mean the ancient power? I thought every princess of the same planet had the same powers. I mean I have now the powers my mother used to have."
"Exactly." Luna nodded, but continued to explain when she saw the puzzled face of Usagi "You have the same amount of power as your mother had. Didn't you ask yourself how that is possible if you don't have the crystal yet?"
"No I meant..."
"Usagi listen to Artemis and you will understand everything."
"The ancestor of Sailor Pluto, who had the vision wasn't a senshi. The senshi appeared with the first generation of princesses who were born after her vision. In the vision she saw how these girls have the most powerful and sacred power and save the world one time after another bringing it to the era of peace. You are those girls. We weren't sure on the Moon, but now I know we are not mistaken."
"What do you mean?" Usagi didn't know what to think, say or do anymore "The girls have their exact same powers as on the Moon. If we were the ones from the vision you would have known back than too."
"We don't understand either why, but back on the Moon you didn't have the same power. You were using at best 15 percent of your power, Jupiter is twice as strong than she was back then, the outer senshi even broke your spell, I don't think I have to say anything else."
"What about Rei? She isn't stronger." Usagi argued.
"It is only a question of time. Her powers are related to the fire and psychic. She needs time to be ready to control that kind of power. Right know her body is preparing. And before you ask did you see Ami's attack during the battle. Let me ask you something: when did you see Mercury have such a power in the past?"
"I...she didn't have." Usagi whispered "She had some attacks but never this powerful, she was never able to manipulate her element this way."
"Exactly." Luna nodded "You have to understand that you are more powerful than anyone, noone had this kind of power before you."
"Okay, we are the most powerful, who are meant to save this world. I can deal with that, but I thought you were going to explain what is wrong with Minako? If she would be so strong wouldn't she be awake now?"
"As your power comes from pureness and kindness, Mars's power comes from passion and fire, Mercury's power comes from intelligence and water, her power comes from the heart. It can make her stronger, but it can also destroy her."
"What do you mean destroy her?"
"She got her memories back that is why she was able to defend herself from Kunzite. I would say she unleashed all her power against him. But the one she was attacked by, the one who wanted to rape her was non other than the person she loved. Her heart broke once again."
"Wait!" Usagi took Artemis in her hands "What did you mean once again?"
"On the Moon, in the last battle, she and Kunzite were the last ones standing..."
"And Kunzite killed her."
"No." Artemis shook his head "She killed Kunzite and died afterwards."
"What? She died because she killed Kunzite?"
"Yes. The heart of a Venusian can't stand to hurt the one they love. She only felt hatred from Kunzite, the warrior in her did what she had to do, but in the end...she died too."
"Wait...are you trying to tell me that she is dying now too?" Usagi asked panicked.
"I...don't know for sure. She would be dead by now if that was the case. I think she is fighting it."
"What does that supposed to mean?"
"It means that right now she is lost somewhere in her subconscious, that she found there the peace she needed. She is feeling safe and I think she will remain in this state for a long time."
"You can't be serious..."
"But you were serious...and right." Usagi whispered "For God's sake Minako it's been almost six month. You have to snap out of it." As usual her words were followed by silence and indifference by the other girl. "I swear you are only doing this to pay me back for lying to you." With that said Usagi stormed out of the room and vanished. A few seconds later she appeared on a small island in the middle of nowhere. Luna and Artemis were right...when she started to focus on her power more she realized that she was able to do many things that she never thought she could. At first she was skeptical to try to use her powers untransformed, but soon she found out she didn't need to worry. She was used to teleport or to heal minor wounds without being transformed, but to use her attacks? That was something really new to her and for all of them. It was like a door that was opened with the first training Luna and Artemis held for them without being transformed in to their senshi form. All of their powers came forth and in the first couple of weeks it was difficult to keep them in check. Rei blew up their kitchen because she got upset and set the stow on fire. Makoto somehow managed to get caught in a storm for two weeks. Ami almost drowned one of her classmates when she made fun of her, for her misfortune she was right in the middle of the swimming pool. The only ones who had non of these problems were the outer senshi. They were able to control their power to perfection, no small accidents, no nothing. Even Usagi who was used to her powers had problems, when a guy at her school didn't want to understand that she was not available nor interested in him...he was pushed back against the wall by one of her attacks. It was a miracle she didn't end up killing him. She really freaked out and wanted to stop the whole growing of their power but soon learned that it is much better for them and for the persons living with them to embrace their gift. She only wished Minako would wake up already so she could apologize and have her friend back again. She already recovered Ami's friendship...she still had to laugh when she thought about the reason her friend had to put space between herself and her friends. If she was surprised by the fact that Ami had a relationship with her teacher, her mother became homicidal. Ms Mizuno was worst than Kenji, Mr. Aino, Haruka and grandpa Hino put in one place. Usagi had to teleport Zoisite away to make sure he will still be in life the next day. When she returned to her house Ami was surrounded by her mother and the usual 'let's protect the girls' group. She was kept there for another two hours before Usagi just went to them and told them that she is very sorry but there are more important things that must be discussed. Eventually the topic was the same for the most part of the conversation but she really had to do something to save Ami from that group. They only talked about the news Usagi was told by Luna and Artemis for a couple of minutes. In Usagi's opinion it was more important to talk to each other, and put everything out into the open than to discuss senshi business they will have to talk about the next day too when the outer senshi will be present too. When she felt she was calm enough to return home and face her life and everything that came with it she teleported back home. Nobody could say they had simple or quiet life. There was a battle almost every day, it even happened that there were two or three youma attacks in the same time dividing them. They were sure the enemy was desperate, Queen Beryl lost three of her generals and the fourth was wounded. What they didn't know was that Kunzite was not only wounded but also in his subconscious he started to fight against Beryl's dark power. If they only knew that he was visiting Minako every night, looking at her still form, wondering what the connection between them was or still is, they wouldn't all sleep so relaxed in their room.
Days went by one after another without change: Minako still didn't wake up, the attacks continued and the girls were becoming frighteningly powerful. What they didn't know was that soon everything was going to change for them and big time.
She was standing in the middle of a flower camp, beautiful tulips of all colors surrounding her. Two roads were marking her possible choices. She was standing there as stubborn as the day she arrived, not wanting to take either road.
„You can't stay here for ever you know?" The blonde woman approached her. She was very beautiful, her hair was braided loosely, and she was wearing a blood red dress, her outfit being completed by the golden tiara on her head.
The woman… her mother who wanted to send her back to the people who hurt her the most. She still couldn't believe what happened to her, what her mother told her about the ancient prophecy and how she believes that they are the one it was about. She couldn't believe that even though she told her mother how the girls lied to her, what Kunzite did in that fateful night, she still wanted to send her back.
„Your time is almost up. I already told you, that a Venusian has the opportunity to reflect on things that hurt her and made her heart so full of negative feelings. If you could only forgive them you would…"
„Forgive them? You must kidding me? How can I forgive them? My so called friends lied to me, they kept secrets from me. The love of my life who by the way wanted to kill me once before, wanted to rape me now first and kill me afterwards." Minako yelled tears gathering in her eyes, but she didn't allow them to fall. She wouldn't cry…she wouldn't show any weakness, not anymore.
„I know it's hard, but you are not completely right and you know that." The former Queen of Venus held up her hand to stop her daughter from interrupting her. „In the past you did the same thing if I might say. You lied to Serenity, you pushed her away from you just because you thought you could protect her better that way. Your plan worked so good that in the end you lost your connection, your friendship with her. And Kunzite…he is under evil influence. Now you know the truth you know that Beryl captured them and used the dark magic on them."
„That is not the same thing. I had a duty; I still have the duty to protect the future ruler of the Galaxy. She took that away from me. She took away the reason for which I was born."
„That is bullshit. "the Queen exploded „You were born because your father and myself wanted to have children and were blessed with you."
„Yes, you wanted to have children, but faith only gave you one child, a girl and every princesses destiny is to protect the heir of the Moon throne."
„Exactly. Just as I protected Serenity's mother when she was a young princess, but that didn't mean I wasn't her friend, that I didn't fall in love with her brother and didn't get married and took my rightful place on the throne of Venus."
„Mother…"
„Yes it was hard but I fought to be happy. It was a challenge to maintain peace, be a ruler, a wife and a mother in the same time, but it wasn't impossible. You girls made it impossible when you convinced yourselves that you couldn't do all of that, that you would have to choose."
„We were thought that it was our destiny…"
„How many times did I tell you not to push away Serenity, not to turn your back on love? You only realized I was right in the last couple of months of your life."
„And I couldn't change everything…" Minako whispered with sorrow „I was happy with Kunzite until he was taken from me, but with Serenity I was never able to fix the bond we used to have."
„Maybe I shouldn't tell you this. Maybe it will push you over the edge to your death but maybe this is the thing you need to wake up and face your problems without fear and don't make the same mistakes again."
„What do you mean? Is there something I don't know about?" Minako asked puzzled.
„You remember your last fight?" The Queen only paused until she nodded „Serenity left the castle because she taught that Mercury needed healing and that Saturn was on the other side of the castle. In reality Saturn was only a couple of feet away but because of the weakened bond it felt to Serenity that she was far away. If the bond would have been strong there is a good chance that nothing bad would have happened and you would be still be leaving on the Moon and the other planets."
„That can't be." Minako whispered „We broke down, we lost because we saw Serenity get wounded."
„Exactly. She got wounded because of the lack of the bond as you lost your battle and hope to win because of that."
„Oh my God." Minako fell to her knees and started shaking.
„Kunzite, what are you doing here?" Minako suddenly jumped up and started to search for the source of Usagi's voice "Step away from her."
"Mother. What is going on?"
"It seams you are in connection with reality. Why are you surprised? I told you everything might happen here."
"Great. Now I will be forced to listen how Usagi will fight Kunzite and possibly kill him or heal him. Do you really think this would help me?
"I asked you to move away from her." Usagi said menacingly "I really don't want to hurt you but I will if you try anything to hurt her."
"Why should I believe you?" Kunzite asked reading an attack "We were always enemies. We were always fighting against each other. You…"
"We weren't always enemies." Usagi smiled warmly while she approached the tensed man "A long time ago we were friends. You were one of the few who saw me as a person and not as the princess."
"Princess…you are…"
"I was Princess Serenity of the Moon. Now I have another name and another destiny."
"Why did you tell me all of this?" A confused Kunzite asked "Aren't you afraid I would teleport back to my Lady and tell her everything?"
"If you wanted to tell her our secrets and sell us out you would have told her our identities the moment you found out, but you didn't. That makes me think that we could talk, that you could let me try to explain what was hidden from you a long time ago and then you could choose that path you would like to take."
"Path?"
"To join us or to stay our enemy."
"Why do you think I would even consider your offer?"
"Because you are here, you are alone and you didn't tell Beryl our identities." Usagi responded simply.
"I am listening."
"You already know that we were born on Earth after the fall of the Silver Millenium." Usagi sat down calmly on the bed beside Minako who was hearing everything they were saying. "What you don't remember is that you were one of the Earth Generals who was the protector of Earth and it's heir, Prince Endimion. You weren't only his protector but friends too, brothers just like I wished my relationship with the girls would have been."
"You are telling me I was the protector of Earth, but from what I can remember I always worked for Beryl, I always served my Lady." Kunzite argued.
"You are right in one thing, from what you remember that is true, but that only means that you don't remember everything." Usagi continued on confidently. "As I was saying you were good friends and protector of the Earth Prince, Endimion. We all met when you accompanied him for a visit to the Moon. There you also met my so called dear friends, who in reality were also the Sailor Senshi, the protectors of the Moon heir. At first you didn't like the princesses of the other planets; I mean their character, because you were captured by their beauty as every other man. The feeling was mutual, they didn't like you either, but then at my mothers request the training started and well let's just say that slowly you fell in love with both personalities of the girls. You were the first who figured out that the Princess of Venus is also Sailor Venus, what isn't that hard to figure out really. I always had to laugh that no one figured out the obvious, Princess of Venus …Sailor Venus."
"You mean all of the sailor senshi are princesses?" Kunzite asked shocked "And you really want to make me believe that I fell in love with her?"
"Why is it so hard to believe it?" Usagi raised her eyebrow "You fell in love deeply but she being afraid and stubborn pushed you away every time you wanted to approach her. That situation lasted for more than six years. I have to say that sometimes even I thought that you were going to strangle her because of her attitude, but no. You were patient and understanding. You waited for her and it paid up, because after a long period she just couldn't take it anymore and surrendered to her feelings. That is why you have the necklace."
"The necklace?" Kunzite touched the necklace with his fingertips not taking his eyes off the beauty who was sleeping in the bed. He didn't know why, but deep in his heart he knew the blonde girl was telling him the truth.
"It is an ancient Venusian object and magic in the same time. Minako prepared it right after she said yes to your marriage proposal. I have to admit that only she knows the details but it is something that should stop you from betraying her. Well…I can say it didn't work so well, but I do believe it was because you were changed by Beryl."
"What do you mean changed?"
"Turned evil. You were on her side the night the Moon Kingdom fell." Usagi told the last part of the story with tears in her eyes "You fought with Minako, better said Sailor Venus, who in the end killed you, but because you were her lover and you betrayed her, her heart broke and she died too. She considered she didn't have anything to live for anymore."
"Nobody can die of a broken heart."
"A Venusian can." Usagi looked down to her cousin and touched her face gently. "Their power comes from their heart. They are creatures of the light, can't be turned evil. Non of the senshi can. But it is more serious with her. She receives power from love, friendship, even negative feelings…she can manipulate, but if her heart is filled with hatred…let's just say simply she dies."
"What is going on with her now then?" Kunzite approached the bed "She is clearly alive."
"Yes, she is. The truth is we don't understand either. I think, and it is only a guess that she is caught up somewhere in the middle. She was hurt deeply by the fact that you wanted to rape and kill her, but she also knows that we are alive and waiting for her to wake up."
"So…"
"As I told you it is only a guess I don't know for sure. I only hope she will wake up soon."
"That is a great story, but I don't remember anything you just told me."
"I can prove it."
"How? What kind of evidence you have to support you theory?"
"Your memories."
"How can you have my memories?" Kunzite asked "Do you really want me to believe that?"
"I didn't say I have them. You have all your memories, they are only blocked by Beryl's power. I can help you get them back."
"You want to use the power of the crystal on me?"
"No. Actually I don't need that much power to give you your memories back." The Moon Wand appeared in her hand. "Just trust me. I am not going to hurt you all I want is to help you and my friend."
Kunzite just stood there in silence for a couple of minutes before he nodded. Without another word being exchanged Usagi raised the wand in his direction and bright light engulfed the room. When the light died down Kunzite was on his knees shaking and holding his head.
"Oh my God!" Usagi freaked out "Kunzite, did I harm you? I am so sorry. We unleashed our true power a while ago and have some trouble controlling it. I swear I didn't think this would happen."
"Don't…" Kunzite pushed her away "You didn't hurt me. I was the one who hurt her very deeply. Because of me she is in that coma like state."
"Kunzite…you didn't know. You were controlled by evil." Usagi whispered.
"That should make me feel better? Just look at her. Look what I have done to her."
"I am sure she would understand and forgive you."
"You don't understand…I am not capable of forgiving my self." With that last statement Kunzite just disappeared from the room leaving behind a very confused but frightened girl. Usagi was sure Kunzite was planning to do something awful.
It was quiet, the only sound that could be heard was that of the crying of the Venusian princess who was on her knees on the ground shaking, holding her head.
"My daughter, you don't have much time. You have to decide. The connection, the bond between you and Kunzite was renewed and you know what he plans to do. Make your decision. If you delay it might be too late."
"Thank you, mother. Thank you for everything." The young princess approached her mother and gave her hug. She would have liked to remain that way for a long time, deep down she knew that this was the last time she was going to see her Venusian mother.
"I will miss you too, honey, but I know that a bright and happy future awaits you and that makes me extremely happy." The Queen broke the hug. Minako looked down to her body only to see it disappear.
"What? How?"
"The two roads only appeared symbolically. They were all along in your heart and now that you choose the road you want to follow, your heart is pulling you back to consciousness. I love you my daughter."
Usagi was just telling the persons who already arrived to the scene what happened a few minutes ago with Kunzite, when suddenly Minako's body started to emit a beautiful golden orange light. The light intensified at her chest and when it died down a small orange crystal could be seen floating in the air above her body.
"What is going on?" Uranus climbed in the window after running through the city to get to Usagi's house in time. All the girls were rushing towards Usagi's house after hearing what was happening to Minako.
"We have to save my darling husbands ass that is going on." Usagi and Uranus whirled around only to find Minako sitting on the bed in her new senshi outfit. Her usual outfit disappeared. Now she was wearing a short sleeveless golden dress which had small orange hearts braided on the bottom; her hair was in the same style and same red bow; the outfit being completed by an exact same replica of the necklace Kunzite was wearing and her usual golden sandals.
"Well you always did like the golden color." Jupiter said after she climbed in the window behind Mars.
"Why are you guys using the window?" Usagi asked raising her eyebrow "You could have used the door as always."
"It was faster this way. If we use the door we have to explain first why we are transformed and what we plan to do."
"Yeah. Sorry about that." Usagi laughed "I will talk my folks to stop asking questions before the battles. We will explain everything afterwards."
"Do that. Until than we use the window when we are in senshi time."
"Wait." Minako stood up and walked towards the group "You told your parents?"
"We will talk about this and that we are extremely happy that you are back later. Now if I understood correctly we have to save your future husband."
"Oh, yes. He went to Beryl. He is waiting for her in the throne room. She is too strong for him. We have to get him out of there."
"Idiot. We don't really stand a chance. Rei and I don't have our crystals." Usagi said before transforming into Sailor Moon "We can do only one thing, appear near him, grab him and get out. A battle now with Beryl is not a good idea."
"Okay, than let's go." Uranus said ready for action "We go, grab him and come back."
"Wrong." Usagi shook her head "I go together with Minako. We grab him and come back here."
"You are not going alone." Uranus and Rei shouted in the same time.
"The girls still can't control their power to teleport. That is your weak spot too, Haruka. I can't take every one. It would be too much power wasted. In case we need help I will come after you." Without anyone noticing while speaking Sailor Moon took Minako's hand in hers. After she told the others what she had to say she just disappeared.
"Stubborn crazy woman. I am going to kill her myself when she returns. We could have used that Sailor Teleport, that doesn't require so much power from only one person." Uranus punched the wall.
"Oh believe me she knew that." Luna made her presence known "She simply didn't want you to face Beryl before necessary. If she would have been able to find and talk sense into Kunzite's head alone she would have left Minako here too."
"I can't wait for Mamoru to remember everything." Rei breathed "I am going to personally tell him all the crazy stuff his beloved did while he was studying."
"Don't you dare tell him anything…without the rest of us there. I want to help him tie up our little princess." Michiru laughed
"You guys." Luna shook her head "You know that all the things she did, all the planning and secrets was to prove to you that she is a good fighter who can manage in any situation."
"We know that, Luna." Haruka took the cat in her arms "I know she is a good fighter and an even better friend. I think it took me the most to accept it, but we had an agreement. We fight together. We protect each other equally. She is not keeping her promise. She runs off alone to fight Beryl."
"She didn't run off to fight Beryl. You heard her. They appear, take Kunzite and disappear." Luna retorted.
"What if her plan doesn't work and she is going to get caught up in a fight?" Michiru asked "We are only worried Luna. She was the one who said that going there is a risk because she doesn't have the crystal and without Rei's and Usagi's crystals we would only loose."
"Yes, I know. I am worried too. But think about this way. With the more people there fighting increases the chance that Beryl can attack and wound someone. With only the two of them there the chances are smaller."
"I hope you are right." Rei walked towards the window "But whatever you say I am going to help Haruka tie her up as soon as she gets back."
Sailor Moon and Venus appeared in Beryl's throne room to see Kunzite charge at the Queen with a sword. He was instantly and effortlessly thrown against the wall by her. In her rage she didn't even notice the two senshi approaching the fallen man in the shadows. She threw a massive energy attack towards Kunzite, with seconds before the attack could hit its desired target a wall of pure light surrounded him. That was when Beryl saw the two senshi standing next to the limp body of Kunzite. Before she could do anything they disappeared together with the shield that was protecting them from her. All that could be heard after their escape was the yelling of Beryl.
Just as the left behind team tried to explain to two frantic mothers and two homicidal fathers where exactly their daughters were, the girls accompanied by a man appeared in the middle of their circle.
"Don't you ever do that again." Kenji started to yell.
"What were you thinking? Going off like that…just after you woke up?" Mr. Aino took over.
Everyone was yelling, was saying something, but nothing could be understood. After a few minutes of patience Usagi summoned her wand that started to emit a bright white light. This caught everyone's attention.
"Stop this." She said in low voice. She hated to say the following things but it was necessary. "You cannot stop us. We need to do what is best for others. If you can't or won't understand that than I am sorry, but we will be forced to lock you all out of our lives."
Everyone was stunned speechless, she never spoke this way to her parents…or to anyone else for that matter. Kenji wanted to reply, to shout at her, to ground her, but in the last moment he just shook his head and turned to leave the room. "We are just worried about you all. After all we raised you as our own daughter." He left the room followed by the other adults.
"I am your daughter." Usagi whispered after the door was shut.
"That was a little harsh." Michiru told her.
"Harsh but necessary." Usagi said still not able to tear her eyes away from the door. "Now that we freed all the generals from her control, I am sure Beryl will do something drastic. They need to understand that although we would like to stay alive and have a future here with them we might not be able to accomplish that. The future of this planet comes first."
"We all know that." Minako told her "Maybe you are right to push them away, but you make them suffer. Just think that if something happens to you tonight they will remember the fight you had."
"They will be attacked."
"And we will protect them."
"But what happens if we don't arrive in time?"
"Don't think like that, princess." That was the first time the nine senshi realized that there was a fourth man in the room with them. They totally forgot Kunzite was there. "I know I don't deserve your full trust after everything I did, but together with my men we would be honored to be in charge of the safety of your family."
"First of all don't call me princess, I am Usagi, second I do trust you. I thought that maybe you would like to have a few days of quiet, to have the time to get used to this world, to talk with Minako…"
"No offense, Usagi, but I do believe there is no better way to get used to this world than to be part of the action from the beginning. As for what concerns Lady Venus, I would like your permission to not participate to the missions she participates in."
"What?" the question came not from Usagi but from the other blonde who was staying close to her. "I am suddenly Lady Venus again? So you don't want to be near me? After all we went through to be together?"
"I do not deserve your concern or love, my Lady." Kunzite told her while he held her away with both hands "Not after what I did to you and everyone else."
"You can't decide for me." Minako yelled to the empty space where Kunzite stood a few moments ago. "I won't let you do this to me again." Minako whispered while she got to her knees and her body started to shake.
Usagi approached her and signaled the others to leave and give them some space. At first she was afraid that she will be pushed away, but it wasn't the case. Minako hung to her like she was the only stable object in the whole world. Words weren't changed between the two, Usagi only held her and tried to calm her.
The cupple entered in a hurry the apartment. They never believed that they were going to meet with this person again. After the first couple of years passed and they did not hear anything of her, they were sure that the plan for the Earth to be peaceful was successful. They only started to question it after they heard about the attacks that were taking place in Japan.
Once in the apartment they were greeted by the shadowy figure standing at the window.
"I am sorry to come after such a short notice, but it is important for us to talk."
"Did something happen with my son?" the woman asked concerned.
"No, he is safe. I am here on behalf of the Princess and her court."
"The Princess…" the woman whispered while looking apologetically to the woman who was no longer standing in the shadows. "He met someone…he loves her very much. Your princess should understand and let him be happy."
"You mean Usagi." Setsuna smiled "Don't worry about that…"
"What do you mean by that?" the man spoke for the first time.
"Don't misunderstand me. She is the Princess. They found each other already, even without their memory."
The couple was speechless. They couldn't understand how that was possible, how was it possible that the bond between two persons was that strong. "Maybe we should sit down. Would you like something to drink?" The woman was the first to find her voice.
"Yes, some tea please." Setsuna nodded while she took a seat at the small coffee table.
"If that isn't the reason you came to us, something else must be wrong." The man stated.
"Unfortunately you are right. Everyone is in danger, the battle is going to get more and more difficult. Although everything is going like she planned it when she was awakened, the princess needs help. I do believe it is time to reveal Queen Serenity's last secret."
Silence followed her last sentence, everyone thinking of how they should accomplish this new task.