Hey, guys and gals! I know it's been a while since I posted anything new. So, to help me get back in the swing, I signed up for the 2020 Gift Exchanged, hosted by the exceptionally talented Uglygreenjacket! Thanks so much for setting this up, girl! It's been so much fun!
My giftee this year was…wait for it…Kasienda! I asked questions and scoped out your tumblr and talked to other people. I know you like romantic comedies and ridiculous situations and the Dark Kingdom arc. I also know you love reveals so I tried my best to combine all of that into one fic! I really hope you like it!
As always, thanks so much to my gorgeous and amazing bae-ta, Beej88. Seriously, there probably wouldn't even be a fic without this girl. She's been with me every step of the way and helped out way more than you could even imagine. You're awesome, Beej!
I separated this into to chapters because it ended up being much longer than I expected. So here's chapter 1!
oOo
Just Say Bubbles
Written for Kasienda in the UsaMamo Gift Exchange 2020
oOo
Tired blue eyes studied her fellow Senshi around the table and Usagi couldn't help but be frustrated by the conversation. Life had become decidedly more complicated the day that Luna had popped up, just after she'd barely graduated from High school to announce that she was, in fact, the Moon Senshi.
The novelty of being a bonafide superhero, like London's Sailor V, quickly wore off when it mixed in with very real-life living, and she could barely manage to pay her rent, show up on time to her part-time job at Osa-p's, much less spend every spare moment at Senshi meetings discussing the whereabouts of the princess.
With an inward sigh and a barely restrained grimace, she wanted nothing more than to go home and fall into the comfort of her bed, rather than be here, once again, at another Senshi meeting with Rei and Ami, talking about a princess they couldn't find.
Usagi dropped her chin into her right hand, her elbow perched on the low table at Hikawa shrine as her fingers strummed along its curved edge. This seemed to be all that they discussed lately. She knew they needed to find the princess, to protect her to fulfill their duty from their past lives, but, jeez. Between Zoisite's youma's, the quest for the rainbow crystals, and the stack of bills piling up on her tiny, thrift store genkan table, she wished that they could take a break from fighting justice, just once.
Rei sighed loudly, the sound laced with exasperation breaking through her tired haze. "Usagi-chan?"
Usagi's head snapped up, eyes widening guiltily at being caught not paying attention, as she met Ami and Rei's expectant gazes.
Her face heated in embarrassment as she straightened her spine. "Sorry," she muttered, gnawing on her bottom lip. "I'm just kinda tired of talking about the princess, I guess. It's been a super long day." When Rei's eyes narrowed reproachfully, Usagi giggled nervously, deciding to backpedal a little. "I just mean we are fighting everything that comes our way already, and we would have known her, right? Don't you think we'd just know when we see her? She is a princess, after all."
Rei rolled her eyes, scoffing with exasperation. "I doubt she'll actually be dressed as a princess, though, Usagi-chan." Her words were softly chiding, though the corner of her lips quirked up just slightly in amusement. "It's not like she'll be roaming the streets in a pretty red dress with a scepter in her hand."
Usagi bristled, strangely taking offense at the fact that Rei assumed the princess would be wearing red rather than being appropriately contrite for trying to dodge important Senshi conversation for a moment.
With a disbelieving snort and a wave of her hand, Usagi firmly shook her head. "Trust me, that's not what she looks like at all!"
Rei arched an amused eyebrow, straightening as she flipped glossy black hair over her shoulder. "Okay, Usagi-chan," she indulged. "What do you think she looks like?"
Usagi started, clearing her throat, shifting in her seat as she allowed her mind to drift onto an image of what she'd always assumed a princess would look like. "Um, she probably wears a pink silk gown covered in a flowy gauzy material, with that ruching on the chest, you know?"
Once the vision materialized, she smiled, her eyes glossing over into that faraway, daydreaming look that had gotten her into so much trouble in school. "I bet it's laced with real flowers with soft pink petals." Her smile widened dreamily, hands held to her chest as she imagined the girl she was sworn to protect. "Ohh, and flower dotted sleeves that have, like, real actual diamonds threaded in them? And her hair is pulled back into two beautiful braids with flowers in them, too."
Rei laughed, the sound curt and disbelieving. "Are you crazy?" she admonished, half-amused, half-confused as she shook her head. "I'm sure that's not at all what she looks like."
Usagi dropped her hands, seriously invested in this now, as she cast an indignant scowl towards her friend. "Well, what do you think she looks like?"
Rei's lips curved into a soft, knowing smile. "I'm almost certain she'd have long black hair, held back with pins, a long red gown, and perfect posture."
Usagi laughed, eyes twinkling with amusement. "Perfect posture?"
The comment earned a cutting glare from the priestess and Usagi coughed to hide another giggle because even though Rei vehemently denied it, she definitely fantasized about pretty dresses and Princesses too.
Ami chimed in softly, cheeks flushed as she shyly broke through the tension, "Have you had a premonition about this, Rei-chan? Or seen it in the fire, maybe?"
Rei blinked, her shoulders dropping slightly as a small blush tinged her cheeks. "Well, no," she admitted sheepishly. "That's just what I imagine she'd look like."
Usagi couldn't help but giggle, her exhaustion and frustration melting away. "Ha! See!"
She pointed her finger at the fire Senshi, winking slyly. "You don't know either! I'm probably right. Definitely pink gown and flowers."
Rei's face flushed with embarrassment as she promptly rolled her eyes. "That is not what she looks like, Usagi-chan," she scoffed under her breath.
Usagi was invested in this conversation now, feeling playful as she leaned forward with a challenging grin. "I bet it is."
From the corner of her eye, she could see Ami sigh, shaking her head, as Rei stood with an elegant flourish, towering over her.
The Senshi of Fire propped her hand on her hip, tilting her chin up haughtily. "Usagi-chan, if anyone had any clue about what the Princess looks like, it would hardly be you."
Usagi hopped to her feet, invigorated, an idea suddenly popping into her head. "Then how about we find out?"
With a coy smile, she pulled the disguise pen from her pocket and held it out triumphantly.
Rei, who'd uncharacteristically risen to Usagi's bait, immediately sobered, her eyes widening as Ami also stood. "What are you doing with that, Odango Atama?" she scolded with a shake of her head. "Put that away. It's not a toy."
Ami nodded, gaze darting between them worriedly. "I agree, Usagi-chan. You shouldn't play with that."
Usagi frowned, blinking at her friends before looking back at the pen. "I'm not playing with it," she reassured, gripping the pen tighter. "This is a good idea, don't you think? I mean, we don't actually know what the princess looks like, right? So wouldn't it be smart to change me into her so we know who to look for?"
Rei and Ami remained silent for a moment, exchanging looks as they contemplated the idea. The more that Usagi thought about it, the more she decided that she liked this idea. The pen had never failed them before. What was the worst that could happen, anyway? It didn't work? Her smile widened, eyes bright with excitement. It was a good idea. Why hadn't they thought of this before?
"I don't know, Usagi," Rei muttered, shaking her head slowly. "This seems like a bad idea."
Beside her, Ami nodded solemnly. "Rei-chan is right. You shouldn't misuse the pen."
Usagi tilted her head to the side, rolling the pen between her fingers as she chewed on her lower lip. Maybe they were right…
She couldn't help but feel like this was a good idea, though. What could possibly go wrong by using the pen to change into the princess and finally see what she looked like? If it didn't work, no harm done. But if it did… Well, maybe they'd passed her on the street a dozen times and hadn't realized it. Maybe they'd meet her tomorrow and would never have noticed her because they didn't know who they were looking for? They had to see what she looked like; they just had to.
With newfound resolve, channeling the impulsive inner Usagi of her middle school days, she snapped her mouth shut, shot the pen into the air and yelled, "Disguise power! Turn me into the Moon princess!"
A blanket of light wrapped around the room and Usagi heard gasps from the others as her pink shorts and white t-shirt disappeared. As the light faded, she looked down to see herself in a beautiful white flowing gown that cinched beneath her breasts and cascaded down her body to feet. Gold trimmed her chest, poofy sleeves sat on her shoulders, and she twisted around to look at the gossamer bow that tied at her waist and flowed down the length of the dress.
With excitement, she whipped her head back to the girls to see their reactions. They were wide-eyed, a mixture of confusion and astonishment laced in their features. Did it work? Was she disguised into the compelling beauty of the Moon Princess? Would they finally find her?
Then Rei's eyes narrowed, and she rolled them upwards as if praying for patience. "It didn't work, Odango," she chided, crossing her arms across her chest with a smug look. "All it did was change you into a dress."
Usagi looked at the pen, brow furrowed in confusion. "Maybe I should try again?"
Rei shook her head, stepping towards her, arms outstretched as she reached for the pen. "Don't mess with it anymore, Usagi-chan."
Without thinking, Usagi yanked her arm back, pulling it out of Rei's reach and back behind her. The pen slipped, sliding out of her hand with the force of her jerky movement, and smashed against the wall behind her.
Usagi whipped around, stunned, as Rei gasped, and Ami clapped a hand over her open mouth. Dread uncoiled in the pit of her stomach, expression remorseful as Usagi noted that the disguise pen lay broken on the ground in two pieces.
She bit her lower lip regretfully. "Oh, no," she whispered hoarsely.
Her head started to spin as her breathing picked up, and she took a step forward, slowly bending down to pick up the pieces of the pen. Oh, God. She'd broken the disguise pen. She'd broken the disguise pen!
"Usagi-chan," Rei whispered behind her, horrified. "You broke the disguise pen."
Usagi's eyes widened as she rounded on the fire Senshi. "I know!" she yelped hoarsely, fists clenched at her sides, eyes filled with dismay. "What do I do? Luna is going to kill me!"
Rei held her hands up in surrender, grimacing sympathetically as Ami stepped forward, sliding her visor over her eyes.
Usagi stood completely still as the bluenette looked her up and down, pulled out her handheld computer, and began typing. "Hmm, I'm not really sure what's going on. It shows you as disguised but that can't possibly be correct."
"Well, obviously," Rei agreed, her purple eyes fighting the urge to roll into the back of her head. "I think we would know if Usagi-chan was the princess."
Usagi sighed, nervously tugging at her hair. "You don't have to say it like that, Rei-chan," she mumbled, though she flushed with embarrassment. "I could totally be a princess." If royally messing this up qualified, anyway.
Rei opened her mouth to respond and Ami cleared her throat beside them, drawing their attention. "Um, guys?" she blushed sheepishly. "I can't figure out how to change her back."
Rei snapped her mouth shut, her gaze shrewd as she contemplated Usagi. "Change her back from what?" she asked with a raised brow. "She's just wearing a new dress that isn't pink." Usagi rolled her eyes, as Rei's brow furrowed. "Well, that, and the crescent moon shaped tattoo on her forehead."
Usagi gasped, fingers fluttering to her forehead, desperately wishing she had a mirror so she could see.
Ami nodded in agreement as she snapped her visor back. "Right, except did you notice that her brooch is gone?" Rei blinked, cursing under her breath, and Usagi's hand flew from her forehead to the delicately laced front of her dress in dismay. "I think the only way to get it back will be to fix the pen and change her back from… herself?"
Panic began to settle in Usagi's chest as her gaze darted between Rei and Ami with dismay. "Guys," she practically whimpered. "What do we do?"
Rei and Ami exchanged another look before that comforting, soft, signature Ami-like smile curled onto the bluenette's lips. "Don't worry, Usagi-chan," she reassured. "Luna is at headquarters. We'll bring the pen to her. I'm sure we can fix this quickly."
Usagi nodded, slightly mollified, as they wordlessly began to collect their things. She couldn't help the way her heart began to race, her stomach in knots as she carefully deposited the broken pieces of her pen into the sparkly, scuffed pink purse she'd carelessly tossed to the floor when she'd arrived for the meeting earlier.
As they left Hikawa shrine, the billowing silk fabric of the dress swirling around her legs, Usagi couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed that there wasn't a pink flower in sight.
oOo
As the girls headed down the sidewalk towards the Crown Arcade where headquarters was located, Usagi felt the gaze of everyone they passed as they did a double-take, eyeing her up and down. It occurred to her that she probably should have felt some kind of sense of embarrassment. She knew it was strange to see a girl, broad daylight, waltzing down the street in a beautiful gown, but she found that she couldn't quite muster the energy to care.
She only caught glimpses of herself in wavering reflections of windows as they passed them, and being the type to not really be bothered about what people thought about her in the first place, she decided that she was rocking this dress. What did Rei know, anyway? She could totally be a princess.
Beside her, Ami and Rei were talking, their tone quiet, clipped, as they were no doubt discussing her current predicament. Usagi couldn't concentrate on them, though. She'd never been particularly vain, but at that moment, she couldn't keep her eyes off of the intricate gold stitching across her chest. She was surprised that she didn't trip or crash into a pole as she continuously ran her palms over the embroidered, golden thread that twisted, and curved in the most interesting ways.
It was only when she noticed the chattering stopped, along with the girls, that she turned to see that they'd halted a few steps behind her, staring with amusement.
Rei shook her head, unable to suppress a chuckle. "What are you doing, Usagi-chan?"
Ami, pink-cheeked, stifled a giggle behind her hand. Usagi's brows furrowed as she followed her friends' gazes to her chest, where her fingers were currently running over the dress, tracing the gold designs. She blushed, smiling sheepishly, as she dropped her hand and they started laughing.
Usagi grinned, shrugging with a giggle. "You're the ones laughing like children, and I'm the one who needs to grow up all the time?" She rolled her eyes and popped a hand on her hip. "Come on, guys," she playfully exaggerated a whine for dramatic effect. "Jeez."
Rei took a deep breath, wiping a tear from her eye, and took a few steps forward. She stopped for a second to sarcastically mutter out, "oh, yeah. You're definitely a princess," before striding passed her. Usagi's jaw dropped, sputtering indignantly, and before she could come up with a seriously scathing retort that Rei would feel for weeks, Naru rounded the corner.
Usagi's heart lightened, all thoughts of insulting Rei disappearing at the sight of her childhood friend. While she did get to see Naru at work, since discovering that she was Sailor Moon suddenly drowning in all the newfound responsibilities that came with constantly saving a city, outside of Osa-p's, Usagi missed out on a lot with her old friend. They didn't get to hang out nearly as much anymore, and Usagi couldn't help but feel that the distance between them was ruining their friendship. She was relieved to see her outside of the jewelry shop.
Naru smiled when she caught sight of them and made her way in their direction. "Hey, Rei-chan!" she greeted cheerfully with a delicate flick of her wrist. "Hi, Ami-chan. Have you girls seen Usagi-chan? She's late for her shift."
Usagi's eager smile instantly faded, and not just because amidst all the pen drama she'd forgotten that she'd picked up an extra shift, but because Naru's eyes slid right over her. She glanced over at the other's to gauge their reaction. Both Ami and Rei looked as stunned and confused as she felt.
Naru seemed perplexed by their reaction, frowning, until her gaze slid back onto Usagi. "Oh, I'm so sorry!" she apologized, bowing her head. "How rude of me. My name's Osaka Naru. Are you new around here? I haven't seen you before."
Usagi's jaw dropped, blinking in dismay, and she couldn't help but stutter, completely at a loss for words. Why didn't Naru know who she was? She should be gushing over the dress with her, exclaiming with excitement over the random tattoo on her forehead.
Instead, she was staring at her as if she'd never seen her before. This didn't make any sense. "I...uh…I'm…"
Ami quickly stepped forward, drawing the attention onto herself, gracing Naru with one of her reassuring smiles. "This is my cousin. She's in town, visiting for the day. We haven't seen Usagi-chan, but when we do, we'll let her know that she's supposed to be at work."
Naru, seemingly convinced, smiled, nodding at the bluenette. "Thank you, Ami-chan. I love Usagi-chan, but sometimes she can be so spacey about work," she giggled.
Usagi gasped, blue eyes widening, her jaw dropping indignantly as she propped her fists on her hips. "Hey!" she scowled, thoroughly insulted. Old friend, indeed.
Naru's smile faded, her brow furrowing with confusion as she turned back to face Usagi.
Rei moved in quickly, grabbing Usagi's arm to pull her past Naru, and down the street. "Sorry, Naru-chan! We've got to go. Great to see you!"
Usagi winced, Rei's fingers biting into her arm, as she quickly yanked Usagi around the corner, followed closely by a scrambling Ami, who waved goodbye to Naru, calling out her own apology.
She stumbled, her feet tangling in the folds of her dress, when they stopped, out of Naru's line of sight. Usagi's heart began to race, a charged silence blanketing them as they fixed their gazes onto each other.
Rei was the first to speak. "I don't get it. Why didn't she know who you were? The biggest change is just a dress." She motioned up and down with her hand, indicating the gown Usagi was wearing. Once again, Usagi looked over herself, twisting around enough for the dress to flare out just slightly.
Ami hummed, just as bewildered as Rei. "It does seem as if the pen did in fact hide your identity, even though you still look exactly like yourself to us," Ami pondered as she tapped her finger against her lip, deep in thought.
"So," Usagi started slowly, furrowing her brows. She was starting to get a headache over all of this confusion. Nothing was making sense. "No one knows it's me then? Which means the pen must have worked?"
Ami shifted from one foot to the other, brow creasing, the idea that her theory didn't make any sense clearly making her uncomfortable. "Perhaps you were still in the middle of the transformation when the pen broke?"
"Which would explain why you only have the accessories," Rei concluded thoughtfully, her head tilting to the side a fraction.
Usagi sighed in frustration. "But not why Naru-chan wouldn't know me." She looked back down and twisted her waist back and forth, watching the dress move and flare around her ankles. "Plus, I smashed the pen afterwards. When Rei-chan went to grab it."
Ami closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. "This is all very confusing. Why can we recognize her, but no one else can?"
Rei sighed, pointing down the street. "The Crown is right around the corner. Let's get inside to your computers, Ami-chan. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on, and how to fix it."
Ami nodded thoughtfully. "And, I'm sure Luna can provide some guidance or an explanation. I feel confident that we can make this right again."
"Yeah," Rei chuckled. "And after this, we keep the pen away from Usagi-chan. Right, Usa?" The fire Senshi grinned, turning to her. But Usagi was no longer paying any attention, and the girls laughed to see her spinning around on the sidewalk, watching the dress flare out completely. "Usagi-chan!" Rei reprimanded in a playful tone. "You're going to make yourself dizzy!"
Usagi stopped, swaying a bit as her mind tried to catch up with her previously spinning body, and she blinked rapidly before settling her gaze on her fellow Senshi. "What?"
Ami and Rei laughed again, unable to hold it in as Ami wrapped an arm around Usagi to steady her. "Come on, Usagi-chan," she giggled, blue hair falling into her eyes as her shoulders shook with amusement. "We're almost there."
oOo
By the time they'd walked the rest of the block to the sliding doors of the Crown, Usagi was bounding ahead, her dress twisting and waving around her ankles.
As they entered the bustling building full of kids playing games and people eating food at the tables and bar, Usagi couldn't help but smile. It didn't matter how old she was, she would always love this place. And not because she had to come here because this was where headquarters was still located.
This was where she'd spent her childhood, before she'd become a superhero, driven by their mission to find the Moon princess; before she was tasked with fighting the stupid Dark Kingdom. This place was her home away from home. She'd hung out here; made friends here; argued with dumb bakas here.
Speaking of bakas, she looked toward the counter and spotted him, holding a book in one hand as he read, a cup of coffee on the counter in front of him. Motoki still worked here part-time while he put himself through University, and her nemesis, Mamoru-baka, would come in often to study and keep him company.
Usagi grinned, turning towards the girls, who'd already started making their way to the machine that covered their secret base. "I'll be there in a minute!" she called, gaining their attention, and both girls turned to her confused. "I'm going to get some fries."
Rei sighed, shook her head with an amused roll of her eyes. "Of course you are. Hurry up. I want to get this over with." And with that, she and Ami disappeared from view.
Usagi headed to the counter, taking the stool next to Mamoru, who promptly ignored her. Motoki was down at the other end of the counter, waiting on another patron. So Usagi sat patiently, strumming her fingernails against the countertop.
Beside her, Mamoru sighed in frustration. "Could you not do that, please?" He flipped a page, keeping his eyes firmly on the book and not on her.
Usagi grinned, internally chuckling because this was going to be fun. "Whatcha reading?" she asked, leaning a bit closer.
His eyes continued to scan the page as he grunted, "I'm studying."
Usagi rolled her eyes. "Shocker," she muttered to herself. But it earned her a huff and an eye roll of his own, which only encouraged her on. "Whacha studying?"
Mamoru closed his eyes for a moment as if reigning in some frustrations and Usagi had to hold back a laugh. "Why does it matter? I'm sure you wouldn't understand it, anyway."
Usagi gasped, her eyes widening at the insult, and she crossed her arms as a small grin curved onto his lips.
While it was true that over the years their relationship had become friendlier than when they were younger, they still had times when they'd purposely get on each other's nerves. She didn't think that would ever go away completely. And really, she didn't want it to. Especially as the hurtful comments had turned into more of a teasing banter. Their relationship when they ran into each other was weird, but it was more fun this way.
"Well," she breathed dramatically as she shook her head, her blonde hair falling over her shoulders, going for prim and regal to match her dress, "that was quite rude!"
He chuckled beside her, and she opened her mouth to send back a totally scathing retort about how she didn't need to know that stuff because she actually had a social life, unlike him, when she was interrupted by Motoki, who'd finally come to take her order.
"Hi, there," he greeted with a sweet smile. "Welcome to the Crown Arcade. What can I get for you?"
Usagi watched with gleeful delight as Mamoru's smile faded, and he whipped his head up to finally look at her. Motoki's formal greeting was not one he would have given regular Usagi. She may still sound like herself, but she didn't look like herself anymore, which was apparent by their run-in with Naru. It was hard for her not to erupt into a fit of laughter when Mamoru's eyes bulged at the thought of having sent insults to someone who was not Usagi.
Her delight turned into confusion, though, when Mamoru's look of horror contorted into shock and...wait, had he stopped breathing? Why was he acting like she'd grown another head? He was supposed to be apologetic and stumbling over his words in embarrassment at having mistaken her for someone else. Instead, he was sitting there, mouth slightly agape, eyes wide, and his book slowly falling out of his hand.
The book, as if in slow motion, fell to the counter with a loud thud, startling him out of his stupor. Finally, he blinked. "I'm...I'm sorry..." he stuttered, his eyes still the size of saucers, and she frowned, tilting her head in confusion. This was not how she'd thought this was going to go. "I didn't...I mean, I just…"
She'd never known Mamoru to be at a loss for words. Even when speaking with other people, he was always charismatic. She'd watched him bump into a lady by accident once, sending her groceries cascading to the ground. He hadn't missed a beat; immediately apologizing, smiling as he'd helped the woman gather her things. While initially the woman had been angry with the ordeal, by the time it was over, she'd left with a smile and a wave in his direction, thanking him for his help. When he was the one who'd bumped into her!
It was unreal. And it wasn't at all the Mamoru who was currently sitting beside her, fumbling over his words, unable to get his act together. In the four years they'd known each other, she'd never seen him like this, and a ball of confusion unfurled in her chest.
Motoki, who'd been silent and watching until now, cleared his throat and leaned in slightly. "Is everything okay here?"
They both jumped in response, and while Usagi turned to finally face the part-timer, she couldn't help but notice that Mamoru had yet to take his eyes off of her.
She smiled at her friend behind the counter. "Everything is fine," she reassured, a teasing note in her voice as she sent a furtive sideways glance at Mamoru. "Just some of your customers being awfully rude to people they don't even know."
Her grin faded when his face paled considerably at her comment. "I'm so sorry," he breathed softly, and Usagi had to strain to actually hear it. Why wasn't he acting like normal, charming Mamoru would act to a stranger? This was so weird. He was being so weird. "I thought you were someone else."
She fought the urge to roll her eyes because she was well aware who that someone else was, and she graced him with a winsome smile instead. "It's okay. I'll forgive you this once."
She winked and his cheeks tinted red with a blush. It took everything in her to hold it together, to keep how incredibly shocked she was at his response to herself.
Instead, she turned back to Motoki, whose confused gaze darted back and forth between them. "I would love a basket of fries if you don't mind." She flashed him a wide smile and watched in amazement as even Motoki blushed slightly before hurrying off to make her food. "And one chocolate shake," she called after him. I mean, after all, who eats fries without a chocolate shake, right?
Usagi felt Mamoru's eyes on her, and she slowly twisted around in her stool to face him. They sat in silence for a moment as she contemplated what her next move would be. She'd initially thought that it would be funny to mess with Mamoru as someone else. Instead, it had turned out to be a very confusing interaction and she wasn't sure how to proceed at this point.
She didn't get the chance to figure it out before he finally spoke again. "I'm Chiba Mamoru," he introduced himself softly, visibly swallowing as if he was very nervous.
Suddenly, she was nervous, too. She hadn't thought this far in advance. She really hadn't expected Mamoru to actually introduce himself. He tended to be prickly and unapproachable when he was studying. And she couldn't very well tell him who she really was. How would she explain that one? So the next logical thing would be to make up a name, right? Simple. Then why was she having such a hard time thinking of a random name that would suit her? Just think of a name; any name.
"I'm a gorgeous princess," she could hear the tremor in her voice as she laughed nervously. "Can't you tell?"
Mamoru only nodded, and whispered, "I can."
Usagi swallowed past the lump in her throat, muttering under her breath, "See, I told her I could be a princess." She felt Mamoru watching her, and she was starting to panic as she quickly tried to think of something to distract him from wanting to know her name.
She was saved, though, because right at that moment, an explosion occurred on the street outside of the building. Zoisite. Without thinking, she jumped up and turned toward the big glass windows to see people screaming, running down the street in the opposite direction of what was clearly an attack.
She inhaled sharply, her pulse quickening when she noted with horror that some of the people were getting sucked into a bubble of darkness, being drawn back down the street to where she knew the Dark King, in all of his flamboyant glory, was waiting for them. There was no time to get the others. She had to do something.
Wordlessly, without a second thought, she ran through the sliding doors. Her breathing was hitched with adrenaline, her dress tangling around her legs as she took off down the road, running as fast as her high heeled shoes would allow her. As she got closer, Zoisite appeared, hovering above her, and she quickly scanned her surroundings, searching for an ally to transform in when she suddenly remembered...she had no brooch.
Her heart stopped as she finally made eye contact with the Dark King, her breath catching in her throat. Well, this wasn't good at all.
Zoisite's grin was cold, slanted evilly as he sneered down at her. "Well, well, well," he drawled with a horrifying glint in his eye. "Look at who we have here! You look an awful lot like a princess, now don't you? Do you have something I've been looking for, princess?"
Usagi took a deep breath, trying her best to think of a plan, when suddenly, someone jumped in front of her, putting himself between her and Zoisite. At first, she thought maybe it was the Senshi come to her rescue, but then her heart stopped, horrified at the sight of a familiar head of black hair. Mamoru.
Her eyes widened in disbelief. "What are you doing here?" she hissed, terror welling up inside of her at the thought of him getting hurt. This was dangerous. He didn't belong here!
He didn't turn around. Instead, he answered her as he continued to stare down the enemy above them. "Trying to give you the chance to run. What are you doing here? Go!"
Usagi snorted. "I'm not going anywhere," she said through gritted teeth. "You should be the one running. This is dangerous!"
He scoffed, glancing at her over his shoulder. There was a fire blazing with determination in his eyes. What was he doing? "I'm not running anywhere," he said with a finality that made her breath catch.
"Mamoru," she pleaded, grasping his arm as she tried to move around him. But he wouldn't let her, pushing her behind him once more. "Please, go! I can-"
"I tire of this back and forth," Zoisite boomed above them. "How about I just take care of both of you?"
He raised his hand, a ball of dark energy forming in his palm, and shot it in their direction. Mamoru tensed beneath her hand, and she couldn't help the screech that erupted from her lips when he spun around, grabbed her around the middle, and shoved them both aside.
They hit the ground with a thud, Mamoru knocking the wind from her as he landed on top of her. He immediately pushed himself up onto his hands, releasing the pressure of his weight from her chest, and looked down at her, panicked eyes scanning her for injuries.
"Are you okay?" he breathed, grasping her hands, helping her into an upright position.
She nodded shakily, blinking dizzily. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just—"
Another blast of dark energy exploded beside them, and Usagi gasped, watching, horrified as a large rock flew in their direction.
For a second, it was like time slowed down. She fixed her gaze on Mamoru, whose eyes were wide, stunned frozen in place as he helplessly watched the rock barrel towards them. She had to save him. She had to protect him. Transformed or not, she was Sailor Moon, dammit, and she refused to let Mamoru Chiba get hurt because of her.
With newfound determination, she took a deep breath, lifted her hands, and shoved them against his chest. Mamoru's eyes filled with horror, inhaling sharply on a scream of protest as he fell backwards and out of the path of the projectile heading their way.
She took a deep breath, hoping the Senshi were close as she was hit from the side. It was like an explosion of white lights behind her eyelids, sharp piercing pain before she crumpled, and everything went black.
oOo
Mamoru was seated in a wooden desk chair beside his bed in his apartment. He raked his fingers through his hair for what felt like the sixth hundredth time as he watched the steady rise and fall of the princess' breathing as she slept; unconscious from the brutal hit on her head during Zoisite's attack. And, it had to be the Princess. It just had to be. He was sure of it. Though most of his dreams were hazy, a silhouette with mournful eyes, the vision of her cleared the instant his gaze fixed onto her.
He was still reeling from the fact that the princess of his dreams, literally, was finally here, in his bed of all places. He couldn't believe that after months of dreaming about her night after night, and searching for her day after day, she'd walked right into the same arcade he frequented; seated herself directly next to him at the counter; actually talked to him.
He exhaled miserably, grimacing as he recalled the interaction. Like an idiot, he'd insinuated that she wasn't smart enough to understand what he was studying. In his defense, he'd thought she was someone else. How could he have been so wrong? She'd sounded exactly like Usagi; talked to him in the exact same manner as she did. It was only logical that he would assume it was her. Which was why he'd never bothered to look up to confirm.
It wasn't until Motoki had greeted her like someone he didn't know as opposed to the way he would have greeted Usagi, who he'd known for years, that Mamoru realized that he was not talking to Odango. But he wasn't at all prepared for who he was going to see when he'd finally bothered to look up from his book.
He was sure that his heart stopped the moment he saw her. The heart-shaped frame of her face, golden silk spun hair, and those eyes. Those achingly familiar eyes that had ripped the air from his lungs. She was here.She was really here. The girl of his dreams, the one that held the answers to everything he'd been searching for.
His mind had gone blank and he'd been a red-faced, stuttering mess. Tripping over his words like a fool. He'd never been like that around anyone, and he'd felt ridiculous as he'd tried to apologize for confusing her with someone else.
Then the attack happened. Before he'd even realized what was happening, she was on her feet, a breathtaking image in white silk as she, for some absurd reason, had run out into the fight like she was on a mission. Like she was going to be the one to stop it. And just like the idiot he was, he'd just sat there, slack-jawed, hesitating in his shock.
That moment of hesitation cost him precious time, and the terror that raged through his veins like ice that was clutching at his heart made him stumble as he'd vaulted to his feet to go after her.
With a groan of disgust, Mamoru swallowed, annoyed by the memory. He hadn't even bothered to take the time to transform into the superhero alter-ego of Tuxedo Mask.
All he could think about when he'd put himself between her and Zoisite was that he
needed to protect her. He couldn't let anything happen to her after searching for her for so long.
He remembered being confused when he'd found her bravely facing down the smirking Dark King as if she'd known who he was. He probably should have stopped to consider that, but his only concern at the time had been to get her as far away from him as possible.
When Zoisite attacked the second time, and the princess had pushed him out of the way, horror and panic had rippled through him as he'd watched her collapse. With a harshly muttered curse, he'd been quick to scoop her into his arms, cradling her against his chest like she weighed nothing. He must have been out of his mind because without a second thought, he ran. His only intention was to get her as far away as possible.
He should have brought her to the hospital, but instead he'd brought her here; to his apartment. Terrified that if he brought her anywhere else she'd disappear. Like she was an illusion that might slip away, and he might lose her forever.
Luckily, he hadn't totally dropped the ball with Zoisite. He'd caught a glimpse of the Senshi as he'd fled, ducking around a corner into an alleyway. As soon as Zoisite was distracted by the Senshi, he'd transformed into Tuxedo Mask, gracefully bounding away. He'd known the Senshi would take care of the Dark King, even as he noticed that the familiar tug that always guided him straight to Sailor Moon was curiously absent.
He'd glanced down at the Princess' unconscious figure in his arms, her face alarmingly pale, and wondered if maybe it was because he'd finally found her; the princess of his dreams.
As soon as he was away from the battle raging behind them, he'd slowed to a stop, kneeling down, carefully draping her limp form across his lap.
He was sure that he'd been thorough. His fingers fluttered across her face and neck as he'd carefully checked over her injuries. There was a nasty bruise that was already forming on the otherwise smooth, porcelain-white skin of her arm, and he prodded a knot that had formed on the side of her head where she'd been hit, just missing her temple. He felt for her pulse, going through the basic mechanical motions of checking a patient for head trauma. Her pulse was steady, her breathing even, but the fact that she wasn't waking up was alarming.
The guilt that immediately coursed through him as he lightly ran his gloved fingers over her bare, bruising arm was overwhelming. She was the pleading Princess of his dreams. He was the one that was supposed to protect her; not the other way around.
Tucking her against him once again, he'd stood, vaulting into the air and across building rooftops, his movements practiced as he landed on the balcony of his apartment. He wouldn't know the full extent of her injuries until she woke up, and ever so gently, he'd laid her in his bed.
He'd been diligent in watching over her; monitoring her, remaining by her side, occasionally icing the knot on her head to reduce the swelling. He was afraid that if she didn't wake soon, he'd have no choice but to take her to the hospital.
Sighing, he pinched the bridge of his nose, eyes clenched shut as he tried to wade through his emotions. Where had she come from? Why was she in the arcade of all places? Was it possible that she'd been looking for him? Or was it just by chance that she'd managed to stumble in and take the seat right next to him at the counter? Did the other Senshi know she was here? Should he tell them?
Raking a hand over his face and through his hair, he sat back with a deep sigh of frustration. He had so many questions he needed answers to. But right now his biggest concern was to make sure that she was okay.
After another moment of silence, he heard a rustling sound and his eyes snapped up to see her moving beneath the blanket. She was waking up. A mixture of anxiety and eager anticipation coursed through his veins, and, suddenly, he found himself feeling extremely nervous. This was what he'd literally been dreaming about for months.
Squaring his shoulders, he eagerly moved to sit on the side of the bed. The mattress dipped as he leaned forward, grabbing the ice pack from the bedside table to press it lightly against her head. He was fascinated by her delicate features as her lashes fluttered, nose crumpling adorably as she winced at the cold, trying to turn her head away.
First and foremost, he was relieved, his fingers trembling as he took a deep breath, and gentled his movements. "It's okay," he cooed softly. "You're safe."
She moaned, her breathing hitched as big blue eyes blinked, squinting at first before they widened, and she carefully scanned her surroundings. Her movements were slow, pained, when her gaze finally landed on him. He couldn't hide the catch in his breath when their eyes finally locked.
She looked startled, afraid, and she winced as she shuffled backward until she was flush against his headboard. "Who are you?" she whispered. "What's going on?"
Mamoru frowned, and he stood slowly to avoid startling her even more, his hand holding the ice pack falling limply at his side. His heart skipped a beat because he'd introduced himself to her already in the arcade. A lot had happened since then, but the way her gaze darted around the room as she clutched his blanket to her chest sent alarm bells trilling through his head
Keeping his eyes on her face, he slowly leaned over to place the ice pack on his bedside table. "Chiba Mamoru," he introduced again. "You were hit on the head pretty hard. How do you feel?"
Her eyes welled with tears, and she looked frantic, confused as she pressed her palm onto her forehead, covering the strange moon crescent symbol that further cemented his theory that she was his princess. "My head is killing me," she glanced up quickly, flinching at the movement. "Where...where am I?"
His expression softened sympathetically, he imagined it was disconcerting to wake up in a strange place. "You're in my apartment," Mamoru replied, trying for a reassuring smile. "I brought you here after the battle."
She blinked at him, stunned, big blue eyes widening. "Battle?" Her voice was hoarse, her expression infinitely confused. "What battle?"
Mamoru frowned, his heart skipping a beat as he took a tentative step towards her. "You don't remember the youma? Running from the arcade?"
Her lips parted as if she were going to answer, and then she froze, whatever pink flush that had tinged her cheeks completely draining from her face. "No," she rasped. "I don't remember."
Pushing his emotions aside, he leaned forward with purpose, yanked his bedside drawer open, and pulled out a small, compact size flashlight. Her eyes narrowed warily as he slowly lowered himself onto the mattress beside her.
When he lifted his hand, she inhaled sharply, tensing with uncertainty. He slowed his movements, pausing. "It's okay," he reassured. "I just want to check your eyes to make sure everything is okay. May I?"
She hesitated for a second then nodded curtly. He tried to still the way his heart hammered in his chest, utilizing every bit of self-control he possessed to keep his fingers from trembling as he placed them under her chin, gently tilting her face up towards the beam of the flashlight.
He swallowed, trying to focus on her pupils rather than the sheer beauty of the features that had haunted his dreams on a nightly basis. "What do you remember?" he managed, pleased when her pupils constricted normally.
She didn't answer right away, and he released her chin, satisfied with his inspection as he clicked the light shut. She appeared to be okay, but his breath caught in his throat when he took note of the devastated look in her eyes, the way her lower lip trembled as she studied his face.
"I can't remember anything," she whispered hoarsely. "Mamoru-san, who am I?"
It was like she'd dumped a bucket of ice-cold water over his head. The blood drained from his face, tensing, as he scrutinized her expression. "You- you don't know who you are?" She shook her head, eyes glistening with tears, hands knotted and clenched to her chest. "Do you know your name?"
Of course she didn't. She'd just asked him who she was, but he couldn't help but ask anyway. He needed the clarification because if she didn't remember her own name, then the damage from the rock was more serious than he'd initially surmised.
The second slow shake of her head confirmed it, and his heart sank. "No," she choked, wringing her hands in his blanket. "I don't know my name, I can't remember anything."
Mamoru took a dizzying breath, fighting off his disappointment, and the urge to selfishly keep her here anyway, when he met her gaze. It was clear that she was suffering from potential post-traumatic amnesia. Whether it was temporary or permanent, or if there was a significant amount of brain trauma could only be determined by a cat scan and a thorough examination.
Exhaling slowly, careful to keep his expression guarded, he offered her what he hoped was a comforting smile. "I think we need to get you to the hospital," he admitted. "They'll be able to—"
The sob that spilled from her lips, brokenhearted and terrified, elicited something protective inside of him. The only equivalent to the feeling that blossomed in his chest at the sound of her terror was the persistent tug he felt every time Sailor Moon transformed.
She snapped her lips shut, blinking back the tears that still spilled from her eyes as if she were trying to compose herself. "Will I be alone? Do you know me?" she choked. "Because I don't remember anyone. Not a single person that might know who I am and the thought of being in a hospital alone terrifies me."
His breath hitched, throat constricting with emotion because, damn, he was very intimate with what that felt like, and he couldn't let her go alone. He couldn't do it. "I don't know you." Unless you counted the fact that she visited him in his dreams every night. "We'd only just met in the arcade before the attack. I think that you should still…"
It was on the tip of his tongue to insist that she go to the hospital. But then he thought about the rainbow crystals. The purpose that she'd given him to find the silver imperium crystal for as long as he remembered. She held all of the answers he'd spent most of his life searching for. How could he possibly run the risk of losing her? Plus, he was studying medicine at Keio, granted he had a long way to go. But he knew what to look for. He could watch over her. Make sure she was okay until they figured out where she'd come from.
"You're welcome to stay here," he offered instead, his stomach turning nervously. "At least until we figure out who you are."
She lifted trembling fingers to wipe away her tears, her brow creasing in contemplation, "Stay here?" she rasped, her tone rising an octave with suspicion. "But, I...I don't know you."
He smiled reassuringly, trying his best to put her at ease. "Well, technically I don't know you either," he aimed for a lighthearted tone, raising a brow. "You'll just have to trust staying in a stranger's apartment like I trust a stranger to stay in my apartment."
The corner of her lips twitched up ever so slightly, as if she was fighting back the urge to smile, and she tilted her head to the side as she considered his offer. The movement was so familiar, and instantly a vision of a certain annoying, though admittedly adorable, Odango popped into his head.
Mamoru inwardly shook his head, as if to clear it. That was strange, and he forcibly pushed all thoughts of her aside as he focused more intently on the princess.
She finally nodded, the look in her eyes less tentative, the tension absent from her shoulders as they slumped forward with a sigh of relief. "I don't want to be alone in a hospital," she admitted, considering it for a moment longer before a small smile curved onto her lips. "So, if you're sure you're not too afraid of having a stranger invade your space, then you've got yourself a roomie."
He couldn't help the intensity of his relief. "I'm positive," he grinned, carding his fingers through his hair to push back a tendril that had fallen into his eyes. "But I do need something to call you while we're trying to figure out who you are." He couldn't very well call her "princess" the whole time she was here….or could he?
She blinked, the panic rising again in her eyes as he'd stupidly reminded her that she didn't remember her own name. "I don't know," she whispered, slightly frantic. "I don't know what to call myself. I'm drawing a blank on names. What do we call me? Oh, God. What do I look like?"
Her breathing was getting a little labored, clearly losing herself in the throes of a panic attack, and, without thinking, he cradled her face in his hands, forcing her eyes back to his. "Shh. It's okay. Just calm down. Take a deep breath." She did as he suggested, closing her eyes and taking a slow, deep breath. "There you go," he smiled, his hands remaining fixed onto the soft skin of her cheeks. "Don't worry. We'll figure something out."
She took another slow, deep breath. "You're right," she breathed, infinitely more relaxed than she'd been a moment ago. "I need to channel my inner calm; my inner serenity."
The moment she said it, something clicked, and he couldn't help but feel like that felt right. "Serenity," he smiled, and she blinked up at him in confusion. "How about until we figure out your real name, we call you Serenity?"
Just saying it out loud sent tingles rolling down his spine, and he was sure that this was the perfect name for her.
She breathed a sigh of relief, nodding, "Serenity," she said slowly, testing the word out loud. "I like it. Serenity it is."
She giggled softly, and he swore it was the most beautiful sound that he'd ever heard. His heart flipped in his chest and he stamped it back down, forcing his nerves to calm as he looked into her gorgeous blue eyes.
Barely managing to keep his expression impassive, he nodded. "Serenity it is."
oOo
I hope you guys like it, especially Kasienda! Let me know what you think with those beautiful reviews, please!