Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or the image used. I do own my OC characters in this story.

Chapter Twenty-Two

He wasn't sure why he had not contacted her yet. He had seen her walking about, looking beautiful, more beautiful than he could have ever hoped for. Her soft blue eyes brightening whenever she saw her friends. But when they were not there, he noticed a subtle change in her. It was like a dark cloud would hover over her head and everything in the world all of a sudden, didn't catch her interest. That was not the Usagi he had gotten to know. That was not Sailor Moon or even Princess Serenity. So what had happened?

Mamoru often came down to the Juuban area, he felt this place should have been his home. The crown arcade was where his friend worked. In truth, he had stopped coming here because of her, he couldn't bear to see her everyday, knowing the pain he had caused. So it was startling to know that something or someone else was causing her pain anyway and he couldn't help it, he just had to know.

Her eyes would grow dim, clouded over and it was within those moments that Mamoru knew she was thinking deeply about something. He remembered something similar during the Silver Millennium, when Princess Serenity had contemplated approaching her own mother about their secret relationship. In the end she had decided the time wasn't right and in truth, she had made the right decision. War had loomed over them all and anyway, he knew Queen Serenity was already suspicious.

"You know, she will one day feel someone's eyes on her, imagine how she will look when she see's you?" Mamoru raised an eyebrow at Jun'ichi who himself looked a little glum. They started walking the opposite direction to where Usagi was going, she had gone into the crown arcade.

"Rei is in there" Jun'ichi muttered. Mamoru nodded before really looking at his friend. Jun'ichi was looking towards the ground, deep in thought.

"What is wrong?" Mamoru asked.

"I just feel…so guilty" his words struck Mamoru, striking a cord within his own heart as Jun'ichi continued.

"I knew I caused Mars pain but, in two lifetimes I have hurt her deeply.I am very lucky she is even talking to me" Jun'ichi admitted. Mamoru could only nod. At least Jun'ichi had spoken with Rei, he and Katashi had yet to contact Usagi or Minako. Their words from all those years ago still rang in his ears. Would they truly be able to forgive them for all the hurt caused?

He was so desperate to speak with Usagi. All the time they had wasted on opposite sides. The earth was safe, people were safe. He had accomplished in many ways what he had set out to do, but at great cost.

XXX

Usagi looked at her friends in shock, along with Minako.

"So, for the last few days, you girls have gone against orders to speak with those bastards?" Minako asked in a cold tone. Makoto, Ami and Rei all flinched but held Minako's gaze.

"And you, Rei, the one who swore she would never ever speak to such a low life like Jadeite, you didn't set him alight like you kept saying you would?" Minako asked. Rei looked away from Minako. She knew this would happen and in many ways, she deserved it. Out of all of them, she had been the most adamant that she would never forgive Jadeite, she had expressed her wish to kill him but here she was, in front of her Princess and leader of the Sailor Senshi. She really felt like a scolded puppy and she hated that feeling.

"Time has passed Minako and, my once angry heart has had time to heal a little. I haven't fully forgiven him and he knows that. I just thought after all this time, maybe, just maybe I can allow him to explain himself" Rei admitted. She hadn't forgiven him but, something her Grandfather had said struck her. For all the wrongs she had done in the past and of the ones she will do in the future, did she not expect forgiveness or at least understanding? She was a priestess and she had to think like one. Holding onto hatred would only hinder her growth. She needed to let go of animosity at the very least for her spiritual progress.

But Minako didn't see it that way. No, she saw this as a direct disobedience against her orders. Minako looked at Usagi who only stared at them blankly before getting up.

"I can't tell you not to speak with them, that is you're right. All I ask is that you remember where your loyalties are when the time calls for it. They abandoned you for their Prince, I will expect the same of you three" and with that Usagi walked out of the arcade. Minako agreed and was about to leave when Makoto stopped her.

"We would never choose those men over her, over you. You both must know this. We only agreed to listen to them, nothing more. Maybe you and Usagi should do the same" Minako shrugged Makoto away before her eyes softened on the Senshi of Thunder.

"He made his choice, like the others did. I don't want to see him, and I will be damned if Prince Endymion gets anywhere near our Hime" Minako said before leaving.

The three girls sat back down together, digesting what Minako and their Princess had just said. It was shocking, Ami had not truly expected Minako or even Usagi to react in such a negative way. Yes it was true they weren't forbidden from speaking with the Generals, but it was made clear that they didn't have their support. Would the Outer Senshi feel the same way? Probably. Haruka hated Mamoru with a passion and her hatred extended to the generals. Michiru followed Haruka mainly but she wasn't as intense. Setsuna and Hotaru had made clear their priorities were to their Hime, much like her own should be. If the time came where she had to make a decision, she already knew what it would be. Her past self had made that clear, it is her duty to protect her princess above all else. She took a vow and she would keep it.

But watching her two friends leave like that worried her. She had never really seen Usagi like that. If she were honest with herself, she knew Usagi had changed a great deal when she was brought back to them. She never told them what happened but now she was certain Minako knew which explained Minako's behaviour.

"I would never side with him, they know that" Makoto mumbled more to herself.

"Of course they do. Any vow I make I always keep and no other vow is more important to me than that of my duty, our hime comes first…maybe Minako is right, why are we even giving them a chance to explain themselves? They abandoned us, even blamed us" Rei admitted, rubbing her forehead, damn it she was so confused, but this is what Jadeite had always managed to do, he had always managed to get into her heart and mind and muddle things up, making things certain and uncertain at the same time. He always brought about a conflict against her spirit and his, yet, that was what drew her to him. He brought emotions out of her that she never thought she could have in both lifetimes.

"Kunzite will have a hard time even getting into the same room as Minako let alone speaking with her" Rei added, trying to regain her focus.

"What about Usagi-chan? Did you not see the change in her? Girls, I am really worried" Ami said a little more tearful than expected.

XXX

Setsuna was also worried. As time had gone by, the timeline kept changing and now she wasn't sure what was going to happen. The future of Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion still seemed the strongest one, but there were alternatives coming up and what frightened Setsuna was how solid the images were becoming. There was one in particular that worried her as this man was in all the timelines, always towards the end. He was tall and imposing, his stance always watchful of Serenity. It was his aura above all else that worried Setsuna, she had never sense such darkness. This man was waiting for her and no matter what future she found herself in, he was always there. Why?

Aside from the man, her hime could end up with someone completely opposite to Prince Endymion. All she saw was his white almost silvery tinged hair. Then there was another man who was power hungry, ferocious. He was currently in their timeline along with the silvery haired man. She would need to look for them. Then there was one with her hime all alone. She didn't want her princess to follow that future, Usagi wouldn't want to live all alone like that, even with all her Senshi. So, Setsuna would push forwards with trying to guide the future towards Prince Endymion, but how to do that when her hime was still heartbroken, and much changed?

She never thought she would be plagued by such thoughts. Her original position was to observe and protect the time-stream, ensuring nothing went passed her door. Out of the Outer Senshi, she and Sailor Saturn where meant to be the true last defences of the Moon Kingdom. Sailor Pluto and Saturn were only ever meant to get involved in battles when there was no alternative. Their powers as a last resort signalled their death, if Pluto were to stop time or if Saturn were to swing down her glaive. Now both she and Hotatru were fuly involved with their hime and she has found they were both fiercely protective over her, as well as Uranus and Neptune who she knew both would be.

There was a chance for peace, she just had to find a way. And that was when the idea popped in her mind. Marcasite, guardian to Elysian, maybe he would have some ideas. He was very much like her, a lonely warrior with heavy duties but much of his powers was a mystery. This would be a good opportunity to engage him in conversation. He wasn't banned from the Senshi circle, Usagi never mentioned him and she was certain Helios was more than welcomed amongst the Sailor Warriors. With her mind made up, Setsuna decided that very evening she would venture to the doors of Elysian, she would have to travel from the Space-Time door however and if Marcasite was anything like her, he would attack and ask questions later.

XXX

Haruto found himself in his apartment thinking. He had been deep in thought for the whole day. After leaving his office at university, where he created the university paper 'The Wiseman', his mind started to wonder. He often thought about the world and how it would be better under one ruler-ship. The corruption he saw all over the world sickened him. He was one of those people who if he read a sad story on the internet, suddenly he would be reading a load of them and would then get depressed. Today was one of those days but for some reason, he felt worse. Darker emotions were at play and he just couldn't shake them off.

He then thought about his own career. He wanted to travel and see the world, see the disasters for himself, maybe offer up his help in anyway he could. But he needed to finish his studies. So he went back into his depressing thoughts.

Walking down a deserted pathway, not one car drove passed him and he didn't see anyone. Must be a very sleepy neighborhood he had thought. He looked up towards the skies. It was such a lovely afternoon and here he was thinking stupid things. He needed to do something fun. Taking out his phone, he thought about who he could call, not noticing a dark shadow behind him, watchful, observant. Not knowing he had been chosen, chosen to fufil a purpose. His mind, his thoughts and feelings, everything about him called out to the darkness that sought him out. He was perfect in many ways, ready to be destroyed from the inside out. Yes, he would make a good choice.

He had just received a text from Usagi, saying she would be happy to meet up with him and go for a coffee. Smiling to himself, he had no idea the change that was to happen to him, and where it would lead him eventually.

Usagi started to make her way towards Sweets Café, a place renowned for their cakes and teas. She had always wanted to go there and now seemed liked a really good time. She was still reeling from what her fellow inner Senshi had told her and Minako. She had never felt so cold before and she still didn't recognise the voice that came out of her. All that pent-up anger wasn't doing her any good, but how to release it? They no longer had to defend the world anymore so crime figting was no longer an outlet. So what could she do? As if answering that very question, she saw him.

He stood at the end of the road, dressed in a plain black turtleneck jumper and blue jeans. His hair had grown a little more since she last saw him, and he looked more built up. She froze. For the last few years she wondered how she would deal with him. There were moments when she had hoped she would never see him again. But in truth, her heart had desired to see him again. But why? He had not shown her any love, any care. In fact, he had left her completely heartbroken. She remembered those words he spoke, lethel, swords to the heart piercing her right through. These years had healed her to a degree, but she found no closure.

He started walking towards her, tentative steps. He looked unsure of himself and so he should be. All that pent-up rage was starting to come up again and she had a good mind to tell him off.

A little further away, Minako squared off against Katashi, her eyes pinning him down. He had never seen her look at anyone like that, not even an enemy. Had he hurt her that bad? She was dressed in an orange v-neck shirt and light blue faded jeans. She looked so carefree and happy, beautiful and sunny. Damn it he had really missed her. His memories of their past together during the Silver Millennium had come thick and fast over the last four years and he wondered if she had gotten some of those memories back to. It was those memories that made him realise how much he truly needed her. It was the same for Mamoru, the more time he spent away from Usagi, the more he remembered his time with Princess Serenity. But it was something that Mamoru said that had really got him thinking. Mamoru had told him in private that he wanted to get to know Serenity as Tsukino Usagi, the girl he had started to really like. So Katashi got to thinking, did he get the chance to know Aino Minako? Would she even let him now?

"The world better be ending for you to approach me Katashi-san" Minako stated. Katashi nodded, approaching her, his own eyes still holding a cold gleam in them. Minako felt a shiver run down her spine, she would hold it together, maybe Rei was right, should she let him explain himself?

Usagi had not moved from her spot when Mamoru finally stood face to face with her. She felt like she couldn't move, his eyes, they had changed. Before they had been a calming blue, sometimes alighting when in battles, but now, his eyes, they had changed. There was this intenseness within his eyes, a deep ocean of blue that had no end to it. And when he appraised her, just for a split second, his eyes flashed a soft, warm golden hue before reverting back to blue. Usagi blushed as she took a step back. She had to be strong, she had promised herself that much.

"Hello Usagi" his voice, deep and velvety, so his voice had changed as well. Why did he have to be so attractive now! Was this how Prince Endymion would have looked given more time, and Mamoru was still developing into the man he wanted to be, into the King of the Earth. As for Mamoru, he knew his eyes had flashed gold when he felt a rush of desire well within him. She was so beautiful to him, everything about her just fitted. But her beauty had never been a doubt to him. She had the soul of Princess Serenity within her and he remembered she was also a bit of a spitfire as Usagi was. The concoction created a person that Mamoru himself wanted to get to know again, if she would let him.

"Hello Mamoru-san" Usagi said in a smaller voice than she had wanted.

"I have been wanting to speak with you for a while…I just didn't have the courage to come and speak to you" Mamoru admitted. He knew the best way to Usagi's affections was to be open and honest, but also sensitive to her emotions, something he severely lacked before.

"I never gave you the impression you could approach me, so no need to apologise" Usagi's voice sounded more diplomatic now, the voice she wanted for this moment. Mamoru nodded, hoping against everything that Usagi would be open to speaking with him. Shifting from foot to foot, Usagi sighed before closing her eyes.

"Mamoru-san, what do you want to speak to me about?" she asked, her voice still diplomatic, holding no warmth. Mamoru's own eyes widened as he realised in that moment how much hurt he must have caused her.

It is true that over the years he had thought about their last battle. How he left her and wasn't allowed to see her when she did return. He could only ever get glimpses when he purposefully went out searching for her. Their connection was still there so he was unsure what that actually meant. Did it mean Princess Serenity had not completely given up on him? Did she understand why he did what he did? He wouldn't know until he asked. But standing here with her, right there looking at him with her simply beautiful blue eyes, he felt his chest tighten. They could have been together through it all. That was the one thought that permeated his mind. And she knew that, he was sure of it.

"Everything" was all he could say. Usagi looked a little confused by that but she nodded nonetheless. He pointed towards a quiet little spot, a café of course. She allowed him to lead the way towards where he wanted to speak with her. It was then she pulled out her phone and sent a text to Haruto, cancelling their meet up.

Hi All,

I can't believe how long it has taken me to update this story! I made it a goal to try and do it today and here it is.

Thank you all for not giving up on this story, it still has a way to go and I have introduce the villain who will usher in their future :-)

The road will be bumpy for all of them, Rei will have an interesting scene and there will be conflict along with the villain that is to come, technically there are multiple villains but there is one main villain and yes, she is a Queen (at least I think she is), thus continuing the theme.

Hope you all enjoy this chapter and will try harder to update sooner.