Chapter 14 - Escape

"Konbanwa Haruka-san." Mamoru said and Haruka blanched. "Is Usako here?"

Haruka with her hand in her pocket, pushed her Senshi communicator to let Michiru know what was going on. When the buzz confirmed that Michiru answered, Haruka checked her impulse to punch the man in front of her. They are after all in a public place and she wouldn't dream of getting arrested in a foreign country.

"Why would she be here? She's supposed to be with you Chiba. What did you do?" Haruka asked sarcastically. "If you did something to make her leave, then good. You didn't deserve her anyway."

Mamoru clenched his teeth. Haruka didn't have the right to decide who Serena dated. "You're here, so she has got to be here. You're one of her guardians."

"You're disillusioned Mamoru. I would have gotten orders if she needed protection. If I truly know where she is, I wouldn't be talking to you right now and if I knew what happened, you'd be nursing your black eye."

"Ruka!" Michiru entered the theatre disapprovingly. She had heard the entire conversation and decided to send Serena and the Shittenou back to Serena's apartment whilst she stayed to keep up with the story that she and Haruka were there on a date. She acknowledged Mamoru simple with a nod. "Ruka, we have dinner reservations. Are you willing to spoil our date by arguing with Mamoru-san?"

Mamoru rubbed his temples. Surely the two Outer Senshi were there for Serena, but it seemed as though they weren't. "Michiru-san. Onegai, is Usako with you? Do you know where she is."

Michiru, the great actress that she is, she shook her head sadly. Mamoru who had hoped he would be reunited with his Usako when he found Haruka, hung his head. Returning to the Inner Senshi, he shook his head and collapsed on the chair. This wasn't lost to Michiru. She could see that Mamoru truly loved Serena, but Serena couldn't face him just yet. Not just yet.

Serena and the Shitenou arrived at Serena's condo. Nick and Zack quickly took care of the take out whilst Serena went out to her balcony to be alone. She heard every word of Haruka's conversation with Mamoru and thankfully, he hadn't any idea she was there or where she was. She could remember the days where she and Mamoru would stand in the balcony of his apartment and look at the stars. She wondered what had happened to made him change his mind. They had so many good memories together. They had a love that even the gods envied. They were destined. But that's just it. They were destined. Fate and destiny didn't play a role in her life. If it was fate that she was meant to be with Mamoru, then he wouldn't have blatantly kissed a girl in front of her and not be sorry about it. She thought that he might just be looking for her out of obligation to their past and the future. Her thoughts drifted to Chibi-Usa. Chibi-Usa. The daughter she'll never get to see again because Mamoru was stupid enough to defy fate. Why did it have to happen to her? Why did Queen Serenity choose her? Why did Selene have to punish her like this? Why did they have to take her love away? Unshed tears began to roll down her face, her sadness finally crashing over her like the tsunami. Unable to hold herself up, she slowly slid to the floor and cried.

Mark watched as Serena collapsed and openly sobbed in the balcony. He felt as though he needed to do something and decided to just evenlope her in his arms, but was stopped by Nick. "I doubt she has cried at all since it happened. She needs to let it out, on her own, without the Shittenou and without the Outer Senshi."

Mark hated it. Mark hated that Serena had to suffer through this alone. How many days has she kept her sadness in, putting on a smile when she can feel her heart breaking more and more each day. But that was the kind of person she was. She was unselfish and strong. She was willing to put others before herself. With nothing left to do, she decided to join his friends, his heart breaking as well.

Back in Japan, Koan woke up with a start. Her dream was so real. There she was, the Princess of Crystal Tokyo, crying in front of her. In her dream, she enveloped the small child in her arms, trying to convince the little girl to stop trying, that everything would be okay. But the little girl kept mumbling, "Mom. Dad." The scene changed and the Chibi-Usa disappeared only to be replaced by Rei-chan, alone in the dark, crying out for help to free her. It scene changed again and Chibi-Usa was back in her arms. "Onegai. Help my mom and dad."

Koan didn't know what to make of the dream. What bothered her the most was her friend, Rei. She knew she was given this dream to help and by god, she was going to help. She quickly showered and changed and headed to the temple. She had a feeling that Rei was in trouble and she was going to save her, just like Rei did for her all those years ago.

Koan arrived at the temple. She knew the temple well and found Rei in her room, looking the Ginzouishu. Why would Rei have the Serena's crystal? "Rei-chan?" Koan began and Rei gave her a look of contempt. Koan knew what was going on, Rei had been so involved for her quest to be the best that it completely took her whole being. Koan knew that. She was there before and she knew how Rei had helped her overcome it. "Rei-chan. Onegai. This isn't you. Don't you remember Serena? She was your best friend. Wasn't she the one that helped you find your dad? She was the one that brought us all together." Koan reminded Rei of the past, the good memories. Rei continued to glare at her. "Rei, please remember the good times."

Rei didn't pay any attention to her. Koan had no choice but to grab the crystal and placed it in Rei's hands. Thinking about Chibi-Usa, Koan told Rei, "Remember the good times." A light burst form the Ginzouishu and enveloped the Rei. Koan released Rei's hand and stepped back. When the light finally dissipated, Rei looked around, confused and disoriented. She took a deep breath and remembered the past few days. With guilt crashing on top of her like a ton of bricks, Rei asked the Sacred Fire for forgiveness and the Queen of the Moon appeared to her smiling, full of love and forgiveness.

Koan knew her work was done. She quietly walked out, leaving Rei alone. She was going to come back later in the day to make sure her friend was okay. As she left, she could hear Queen Serenity's voice saying, "Arigato Koan. Arigato.