SerenityxEndymion: I had to smile at your review, cause it took me years in all honesty to find my own writing style and to write as I do now. That and the courage to start posting. Glad your in anticipation cause I do anticipate all of the fans reviews to. I'm actually writing out the Rei part now, it should be interesting. You'll find out soon enough.
Rjzero00: I don't know if he's dense in that area but panic can induce idiotic moves at times. and that's what he's doing, panicking. This isn't something that happened in the middle of battle where he could blame it on a visible enemy this is happening for a whole other reason. For him that's more terrifying. And yes your right and this coming up with give you the answers you seek…at least some of them. I must admit I actually had to go back into their history to find the examples cause its always been there but there was a catalyst in it. that does get explained a tinge in here.
Princesakarlita411: oh they definitely did but you'll see how things go soon enough.
LoveInTheBattleField: thanks.
CassieRaven: thanks and glad its looking that way.
Serenity24Luna: yuuuppppp 😊
phillynz: she is, its taken a while and there's still some damage control to do but she is.
Joanne Frances Tiano Cajilig: very, very true. And that will be the question at the end of the day. And yeah its hard to stick through being called names even if its being dubbed as 'you must develop a thicker skin' cause after a while that's not the case. And I've never heard that before…I like it. fitting.
kera69love: that's honestly not the only way he's getting it, he got it when Motoki had his conversation with him it was just convenient timing that she came in right afterwards to essentially show him how LITTLE time he has left to fix it. that and she had it coming. As for Rei you'll see a bit of that coming up and the rest following, as I'm currently writing out their confrontation.
NikkiBC: believe me I totally understand. Its amazing what we can fit into our schedules. And I made sure to NOT do the anime thing. I remembered that to and you can rest assured that will not be it. and your right and that will be touched upon in the chapters coming up. I just hope how I did it works with the characters. You'll have to wait and see. 😉
Guest (1): not really, it's the crystal not recognizing her as a 'host' of sorts since her own 'magic' is having the disappearing issues. Hope that wasn't much of a spoiler.
OnePersonManyFandoms: its like you read my mind and you'll see why.
No extra's: truly yes, she's panicking but really for the wrong reasons along with the right ones. I do believe he would, with or without it I in this or not I believe he would and I was seriously debating on it, ending the friendship but there's a lot of history there and in the end well hopefully how that transpires will work out for everyone.
Ladybug: yeah a lot of people do. lol trust me these issues will be continuing going forward. I cannot however state anything further.
Jaguarsolaris: yeah that was sort of last minute put in there but the more I thought on it the more it came out. and your definitely right on the others.
OrientalDanceGirl: yeah she does have a bit of that going on but its also to do with the girls which most have accepted their part in coddling her and letting her think that what she does and how she acts as acceptable. I can tell you some of that will be expressed in here.
Guest (2): I think people didn't come close to feeling bad for her rather they felt elated that she was going see through. Lol and yes for now that's why she's panicking but there are deeper issues that they will be going into, I just have to get to those parts. Lol and no its not wrong, a LOT of people feel that way. Sometimes so did I…in the series in fanfic when she's a brat, frequently. Lol that will be discussed but not with Usagi and you'll see what I mean later on. and yes he'll be making an appearance soon to. 😉
Aiyoku: thanks and yup he's done now, he's got enough of everyone's boot in his rectum to act. Lol
karseneau1: thanks.
InuKaglover4ev22: she kinda does…yeah, but yeah still the same she needs to see that actions do have consequences. For Chibi usa it was going to, for Mamoru he got it when Motoki spoke to him but it just happened that he ran into CHibi Usa right afterwards. And I'm working on their talk right now.
SerenityDeath: thanks and yup and now its going to be impacting a lot of people just in different ways.
Guest (3): right now that's where her mind is at but trust me its not staying there. Not completely. And I want to tell you no but that might be a spoiler… 😉 and that may come to pass, I've begun to develop the brothers character a bit more. And as for the blame department yes she has taken some of the blame to, self admittance is the first step after all to owning issues and taking control of them. she will be stronger though.
Selenity Hime 13: yup, yup, yup and we'll see how that goes. Happy belated Birthday! 😊
23 reviews sweet! Glad your all liking this, there will definitely be some issues being gone through here, but I don't want to spoil it so please read and review!
Breaking point ch.15
Rei POV
I had just been sweeping up the temple area from the scattered leaves lying about when a very panicking appearing Mamoru came up the steps, racing them two to three at a time with a sick looking Chibi Usa in his arms. Clutching at him like her life depended on it. Before I could even say 'take her to Ami' for a doctor I saw the real problem he was having, and it wasn't something a regular doctor could fix.
Chibi Usa was having some staying in this world problems. I could clearly see her figure having some see through issues that needed to be addressed. "Inside hurry!" I told him, not wanting grandpa or anyone else to see this. This I couldn't explain away. I stepped inside and ushered him past me before I shut the double screen doors behind us for privacy. This needed to be kept under wraps.
He went inside and after I showed him to my room for safety for her, he deposited her on my bed as she moaned a little bit with fear and panic. I pushed him just a bit from her to avoid her hearing us fully. She needed to be calm so we could get information out of her but first I needed to know what was going on. "What the hell happened?" I whisper screamed at him. "I was talking with Motoki in the park nearby." He started, his appearance was hurried and a bit ragged looking, like he ran all the way here.
"That's when she came out of the brush, saying she agreed with Motoki and then she started to fade away. It's been in and out ever since." He rushed out. I looked back at her helpless form and tried to think of different ways to help anchor her to this world. "Help her!" even though he didn't say it and was essentially demanding me to do this I could hear it in his voice. He was begging for help.
I rushed over to her worried twitching form, trying to adopt some of Ami's own training into my own so I could try to help her. Deciding that this needed more than just me I sent Ami a quick message via communicator 'HELP 911 at the temple!' hopefully she received it. I didn't know if she had her communicator within visibility wherever she was at. Cram school wasn't big on letting you use your devices.
"Call Luna to, I need to know how to fix this. Can you use your temple voodoo to help?! And maybe there's some ancient Lunarian technic to help." Mamoru was grasping at straws with that one. I highly doubted Luna could do something. She was limited in her abilities as a cat. She was informative yes but this…? I didn't think so, plus voodoo?! Seriously? "Really? You think the stuff I use here is voodoo?" I felt offended on that one.
"I don't know! All I do know is that she's fading in and out and I can't just conjure a rose to make it go away." He was panicking and yes, I get it, he was in protective papa bear mode and unable to do anything about it till someone came up with an idea that could use his help. I let the comment slid as I went back to her knowing he was just scared and panicked. Seeing Chibi Usa's form I knew why.
"Chibi Usa what happened to do this to you?" she looked frightened. "Did you run into someone? Come into contact with anything? Eat or drink anything?" I tried. She seemed to be slipping into a struggling sleep. Her energy I could sense was beginning to fade out. This had me worried. She was clearly beyond scared by what was happening here, her body was shaking with her fear, yet no power bursts were coming out.
That made this me more fearful as whenever she did get scared like this before there was usually a burst of power from her that was uncontrolled. Right now…there was nothing. I used my miko senses to detect any negative energy that could be harming her. That could be responsible for this matter. Something that could prevent her powers from being utilized even in her fearful state which is usually when they burst out the most.
Yet I felt nothing. I chanted till I felt sweat forming on my brow and focused till I was met with a brick wall…and felt nothing. There wasn't an ounce of foreign negative energy within her form, only what we all naturally have as human. I couldn't find anything within her that could explain why she was fading out. Which also ruled out a new enemy that she could have run into. Which was both a good and bad thing. There were no traces to be sensed but I still preferred to have Ami take a look at her to be certain on a molecular level.
I could only sense on one level and that one was empty. I wish I could do more for her. I caressed her little cherub cheek as she whimpered and cried. Chibi Usa was a scared kid after all and she deserved to have the best care she could get. I couldn't help but remember my own memories of watching my mother suffer in her final days came to mind. I refused to let that happen to this poor now defenseless child.
Not that they had the same illness, far from it, but I could at least make sure that Chibi Usa received the best care by our resident doctor who could do more than what I could physically at the moment. My charms and prayers were limited and while I could do a lot with them this was a tad beyond me. I stood up and turned to Mamoru and noticed that the glow that surrounded the pink haired child, the glow that usually erupted in her powers was dimming to.
It was something I barely noticed beforehand but saw now and worried even more for her. Her own powers were being dimmed out by the magic that I could sense was becoming nonexistent within her. This was very troublesome. I walked to few steps back to Mamoru, "There's no negative energy signatures coming from her that I can sense." I told him. He narrowed his eyes at me.
"What? I don't understand. How is that possible?" He remarked and asked, "She's fading and from what I'm sensing it isn't due to any enemy she ran into or something she came into contact with." This I could see had him worried, "Then my first thoughts were right. This is really because Usagi and I are on a break right now and whatever she saw…" he asked, his voice breaking. Trying to hold himself together I could see. It actually hurt my heart a bit to see him suffering as he was.
Though because we all cared for Chibi Usa and she was suffering or due to other reasons I wasn't willing to dive into right now, I wasn't sure about. What I was sure on is that we needed to fix this and I needed help. "I'm not sure, I wouldn't jump to conclusions but…if she was serious about this it's a very real possibility. By putting the two of you on a hold Usagi could have in fact jeopardize Chibi Usa's existence." I told him as he turned around and seemingly paced about like a nervous wreck.
"I didn't think – didn't mean for things to get like this and now she's suffering because of me!" he put his hand through one of the paper walls. I cocked a brow at that as he pulled his hand back through. He didn't look any less frustrated as I just looked at the fist sized hole. "Didn't have to put a hole through my wall but whatever." I muttered then refocused, our biggest problems went beyond a stupid hole in the wall.
I pinched the bridge of my nose momentarily, "What specifically happened?" he looked at me like I was asking dumb questions, "Listen if we're going to get to the root of this then we need specifics." I told him. He seemed to try and calm down as he said, "I was talking with Motoki - " he began as I interjected, "About what? What could Chibi Usa have overheard." I asked, as he did mention that Chibi Usa seemed to have overheard the conversation just before the possible FUBAR situation happened.
"He was telling me I needed to make things work with Usagi. That if I didn't, I might lose her to another even." I couldn't help but scoff loudly at that, as if loosing Usagi would be possible to happen. I was there when she went all crazy idiotic when he broke things off with her when the dark moon was here using their droids to attack us. That went by fine and Chibi Usa was okay. So, what made this different? What made this so special?
I did my best to reassure him of those odds actually happening, "Please she couldn't score another guy if the light bulb in her head flicked on for more than a few minutes at a time, long enough to put down her manga and do something productive. You don't have anything to worry about on that front." I had meant it in a placating way and normally he'd roll his eyes and ignore me but this time he was fired up and aimed his proverbial fireball at me.
Crap. "She's a LOT smarter than you give her credit for and I'd appreciate it if you weren't so damned hard on her all the time. She could get any guy she wanted to, yet she picked me. If anything, I'M the lucky bastard who got her and I'm the dumbest man alive right now for the fuck ups AND in there is the FUCKING proof!" he near exploded on me. Any louder and I wouldn't worry about Chibi Usa over hearing but grandpa to.
I guided him away from his future child as she opened her eyes to see us both as his outburst gained her attention. "First off, keep your voice down! And be mindful of your language." I scolded, "This is a sacred temple." It was bad enough Usagi got away with calling me a bitch in here but anything more was too much for the temple. I respected its positive chi and it needed positive reinforcement not such foulness.
He nodded at that realizing it was holy grounds he was on here. It was the closest I realized I was going to get of an apology, so I let it go. I'd send out a prayer later on. "Secondly, since when do you care that I make a dumb joke regarding that blonde girlfriend of yours?" I nearly snapped at him this time. He looked to me, "Cause its shit like that that's lead Usagi to where we are now with her." Great now he feels this way to.
Why is everyone suddenly starting to bow down to that girl tantrum? Or am I really not seeing something here that everyone else is? It can't be a coincidence. I'm beginning to think Usagi wasn't going through some tantrum after all cause this bit with Chibi Usa was getting serious. I was tempted to tell her about the incident to get her to get back with Mamoru and fix it herself, but something deep down told me that wouldn't work. That it wasn't hers to fix but mostly Mamoru's to fix.
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes and instead pinched the bridge of my nose again as he kept talking, "Minako and the others have spoken in length and in depth to her yet we haven't and you want to know why? Cause were too damned stubborn, and we need our asses kicked by her verbally. At this point I would give anything to get that talk just so I could hear her voice directed at me and without any interruptions." I disagreed with the first part of that, but we had bigger fish to fry here than a simple conversation.
"We'll agree to disagree on that. Right now…" that's when I received a confirmation from Ami, the text read 'what's wrong?! Is it a new enemy?!' so I responded back, 'So far no new enemy but possible FUBAR, temple now!' I noticed a hesitance in her timed response before she agreed to come over, but I had a feeling she wouldn't be alone. She usually didn't hesitate regarding coming over on a 911 text. Enemy or not 911 means emergency. There shouldn't be a hesitation at all in this.
"She'll be here ASAP." I told him as he seemed to feel a little bit better but not by a lot. I couldn't blame him though; his future daughter was disappearing right in front of our eyes and I couldn't do anything on my own to keep her tethered to this world. It's not like there was a prayer for keeping people tethered to this world. Not without some serious energy to back it up especially if the person was a living breathing person and not merely a cosmically charged entity still in this world.
Memories of wishing I had been strong enough as a child to help my mother came to mind, but this was not only totally different but a child to. One that wasn't even born yet in this timeline. I looked over at Mamoru and his pacing and wondered if there was more truth to what he was saying than either of us realized. I hadn't wanted to think on it moments before but if Usagi putting the brakes on their relationship did this then it only confirmed more so that she was not only serious but her actions were effecting everyone here.
There was a voice deep inside of me, sounding suspiciously like myself yet not, that told me that I needed to understand Usagi's side in this and not over-look the matter. That I was missing and not seeing key information. Not connecting the right dots. Yet I couldn't get rid of the anger this was causing me. all that went through my head was that her actions in this were selfishly putting her future child at risk of not being born.
I looked over and I could clearly see how worried Mamoru was over this. She was putting other people through emotional hell. I never would have thought her capable of this before. I thought over what Mamoru said about why she was doing this to begin with and how it was partially all our faults in it. That voice in my head telling me to accept that as truth and NOT blame Usagi for it. There was nothing in me that disagreed with it.
That alone made me madder. I didn't want to blame Usagi and I was. Or at least part of me was and I didn't want to accept it. The truth of so much was looking right at me, but I deflected it instead. Much like I did with many issues these days. "So selfish." I muttered as I got a response back in from Luna as I messaged her at the same time as Ami, stating she was on her way now. I could only imagine how scared the feline was to. Chibi Usa was the next royal heiress to the throne of the moon.
She wouldn't want that family tree to end. Granted Lunarian's had a hell of a long lifespan it didn't meant that they wouldn't ever die. They could be reborn, but one couldn't be the last Queen. Queen Serenity was the last for the moon during that era, BUT she sent us all to the future world to be reborn and have the chances of bringing her kingdom to power and glory once more. So, there would still be a chance for the silver crystal to prosper and bring peace to the world. Without an heir or heiress this couldn't happen.
The world, the universe depended on needing a Lunarian to keep the balance between good and evil. Chibi Usa was that heiress. Her life was necessary and Usagi's little petty self was causing the possible destruction of it. Cause regardless of what Mamoru said or not, who else would want a lazy, cry baby brat for a girlfriend to have kids with? Somehow, he fell for her fine but what were the odds of that happening twice?
There was no sense in it. It's also what makes this worse. If Usagi's actions were truly causing this, then the moon line would end with her. It's what made Luna worry so much. So, when I asked her where Usagi was there was no response. She didn't know. "So irresponsible." I muttered next as Mamoru came up to me, "Anything?" he asked, his frustration and worried mind must not have heard me.
Probably for the best since he for once seemed to be standing in her corner. All that time of dishing out the jabs and small-time insults and would have thought by now it would have sunken in that she needed to be better and improve. This just showed me how little that had actually worked and now Mamoru was going backwards by getting all twisted around…for her. My own anger was beginning to get to me as I worked on the healing spirits to see if there was anything I could do for the innocent child on the bed.
"Nothing yet. I'll let you know once I feel anything else. Ami and the others should be getting here fairly soon though." I heard a small sigh of relief, but it didn't quell the pain he must be feeling right now. So selfish. "And Rei…" I looked at Mamoru as I bent over to sit on the bed by his future daughter's side. "Usagi's not selfish or immature. As someone who's supposed to be her friend you should know that." His words were angered and cool. I tried not to bow my head down under his intense gaze.
There was a time I would have done just about anything to get him to look at me as he did her, and now to have those angry eyes on me because of my words about her felt like an ice cold brick had hit me. "We weren't always friends." I muttered as he narrowed his eyes at me, "Just because you liked her vibrant over the top loud nature in your life didn't mean we all did." I turned back to his future daughter as she looked to me.
Fear ebbing in her eyes. "Sure, we became friends after a while, but it took time. Usagi is a hurricane of everything. Hurricanes aren't something we naturally embrace." I expressed to him as I wished to kami – sama himself to hurry it up for Ami and the others to get here. I felt like I was under the microscope here. So, I changed topics to get out from under his scrutiny, "What did Chibi Usa specifically say when she came to you?"
He looked stunned for a moment as he switched gears, "She said something about agreeing with Motoki then…" it was as if a light bulb clicked in place as he pulled out his phone as if to look for something then said, "Something about another guy I couldn't make it out, she was huffing out of breath and panicking like crazy." He explained. I wondered what he was looking for on his phone, "And the answer is in your cell?" I asked.
"No but I was trying to see if there were any clues in my texts to Usagi." He clicked his phone off from the screen. He was so frazzled he didn't know what to do and I definitely understood, even if my understanding was from a different perspective. "We will do what we can to keep her here Mamoru but as much as I hate to say it considering but Usagi should be begging to get back into our good graces in my opinion - " but he cut me off.
"Don't Rei!" I stopped short, "Just don't. I'm the one who messed up. She tried to tell me for months that things were going downhill and I'M the one who messed up. If anything, it IS me that needs to beg to get back to her…NOT the other way around." If I didn't know any better, I'd actually say that he was speaking to me as the perfect mix of himself and his prince self. It was strange as I nodded my head. Obediently to and I NEVER nodded my head like that. Other than to your princess and prince…A voice inside of me stated.
The voice from before was clearer now in my head. Beforehand it seemed more like whispers of the night in my head trying to tell me things. Who are you? I asked it, plus it'd be nice to know why it sounded like me, I didn't want to think that it could be myself. I had been thinking that perhaps it was part of my subconscious saying things with my voice because it was in my head but perhaps that wasn't the case.
You need to ask who I am…? The voice sounded almost like it was scoffing, like I had yet to learn something myself. You have a lot to learn yet still…your stubborn nature will not last forever though…the voice said as I forced my focus from it to Chibi Usa. She needed my attention right now and even though I questioned the origin of the voice I knew deep down what it was or rather who it was.
Minako POV
I met up with Ami and Makoto on the temple steps as we rushed upwards two at a time to see what the 911 was. Ami called me and Makoto in as she didn't know how Rei would respond to her after the last time they talked. This time things seemed different, so she wanted us there for back up support. So, when we came up the steps and saw a worried and disheveled Mamoru pacing about, we knew something was terribly wrong.
"What happened?" if something happened to Usagi and she was here cause her parents couldn't see her as she was… "It's Chibi Usa." Mamoru responded slightly broken as he led us all inside right into Rei's room we came in and saw Chibi Usa's form as it was wavering in and out. It was mostly in, but I could definitely at points see through her. I had never personally seen this myself, but I knew EXACTLY what this was.
Rei looked like she had an idea and even Ami and Makoto I think already knew, Ami was just performing the scan to confirm what we did know. She rushed over and pulled out her Mercury computer as I saw Chibi Usa's face look hopeful yet doubtful at Ami's readings. Something told me deep down she knew what the reason why was. There were traces of guilt in her face that I was sure hadn't been spotted by either Rei or Mamoru yet. Rei was trying to figure out a solution and Mamoru was too frazzled to see it. I was neither.
This wasn't something we could permanently fix. This was a Mamoru needs to talk to Usagi and get the situation right fix. Even though there were other areas of my head that were coming up with magical ways to help the pink haired child, it was only the leader in me that knew that she was the future child of my beloved princess and friend. They still both loved her a great deal and wanted her to be safe.
It was just hard to do that when the child acted and behaved like an immature, class act brat and only seemingly around Usagi. I'd love to get the opportunity to talk some sense into her, but I doubt that would be happening with this new commotion going on. "Analysis done…though I didn't really need to do it. It was just more of a 'confirmation scan' than anything else." Ami said to Rei.
The miko looked over at Ami a little stunned but accepted her newly discovered back bone Ami had recently developed. "What is it?" Rei near demanded. Ami calmly told her what we all knew it was, "She's fading out of this reality. Her existence has become 'conditional'." Now Rei gave her a double take. "Conditional?" Ami took the opportunity to give her a more detailed version of it to make Rei feel as she usually made Usagi feel…small.
I could see it in Ami before she even said it and couldn't help the tiniest of smirks in response, "Allow me to put it more at your sped…it would seem that Chibi Usa is in fact fading out." Rei glared at her for her words, but Ami went on without missing a beat. "Mind you it's not severe just yet as you can see, she's only fading out a little bit at a time." She looked down at Chibi Usa's form as she clung to the blanket like a lifeline and looked for Mamoru, I could tell to gain comfort from.
I looked over at his form and while I could tell he wanted to be there for her, he knew right now that he was in no real shape to comfort her. His body was here but his mind was elsewhere. I had a feeling it was on Usagi which I was glad it was there, but it better be there for the right reasons and not the others. I tried to sense it, but he was so wrapped up in conflicting emotions it was hard to get a reading on him.
My powers could only do so much. I couldn't blame him though. Did he deserve it, to see his future daughter fading out…yes…did Chibi Usa deserve it…absolutely…would this put the boot in his ass that he needed to make his active move and do what he needed to do FOR THE RIGHT REASON…only he knew that, but I had a feeling he already got the boot he needed. I could sense it in his body language.
He seemed different than before. Not just worried but like something beyond this had happened and he was going through a mind-field in his head on what to do. I wanted to question him on it but that would have to wait. This was necessary to deal with. "She's not dying per say but according to the Mercury computer, her existence is becoming questionable. It can get progressively worse if not fixed." Her words were cutting, clinical and yet gave that tiny glimmer of hope…though even the hope was…conditional.
I smiled at her as she gave a small smile back to me as Rei grunted. That was when Luna who must have slipped in after us because we definitely didn't see her coming in with us or behind us, brushed past the three of us towards the pink haired child. Artemis would have said something since he was following behind. However, Luna's voice broke the thick tension that had built itself in the room, "We need to get Usagi over here. See what we can do. She's the key to this I know it."
While she wasn't wrong this was exactly part of the problem. They only wanted to talk to Usagi when it effected the pink haired child. And that's what I was calling her. I don't even think I could dignify her by calling her or referring to her as Usagi's baby girl, because she certainly didn't act like it. I couldn't help but look at her with minor resentment as I pursed my lips and looked at Makoto who shared the same contempt look with me.
It was then that Rei added in, "Maybe there's something she can do with the crystal to help her out." I watched Luna nod her head as she nudged the child's face with hers, trying to give her comfort while she had the small fading out moments. There were only a few ways to give this a temporary fix. The permanent one would be all on Mamoru and to see if he could actually win Usagi back.
She would only go back if it was for the right reasons though. She wouldn't fall for any bull and that was a good thing. She deserved to be fought for. However, I wasn't going to be just giving those solutions away. I felt even my own inner goddess and senshi want to put a clamp down on the information I had to offer. Usagi wouldn't be the end of the moon line that much I knew deep in my heart and my gut so the inner parts of me knew that this wasn't an emergency issue…not technically anyways.
Besides as I watched the fear pass through the curled-up child it was hard to not feel a tiny bit of satisfaction from it. For all the times that she emotionally or mentally hurt Usagi she definitely had this coming. I couldn't have given her a better scare or a better reason to feel guilty or regretful of her actions. Turns out karma was listening to Usagi after all and gave the future child a hell of a scare. I didn't share this though.
More important things to share. "Minako your talking with her right maybe you can get her to come here." Rei's words upset me. She didn't even want to contact her or try. She was leaving it to me. Instead of talking to her leader, her princess, her friend she was going to me. I shot her a small glare that she instantly saw and backed off from. It wasn't to noticeable to the lot in the room, but it was notable to both Makoto and even Artemis.
"I could…" I stated, my tone becoming detached and uncaring. Makoto stood firm herself as Ami slowly made her way back towards myself and away from a potentially volatile Rei. I sensed both the miko, Luna and even Mamoru looking at me. Though he didn't say anything the expression on his face spoke volumes of his feelings. The normally reserved man was now stuck in a limbo of regret and potential hopelessness that he needed to feel for a while. He needed to feel it and fight through it just as Usagi had before.
"Why do I sense a 'but' here?" because you do. I mentally told her. "Cause simple extrapolation, whenever Chibi Usa has a problem your all there for her. Snap her little fingers and you're there." I even snapped my fingers for indication to in a sassy but clipped way that said 'this isn't the end of this tirade'. "There's no hesitation. Not even a little." I looked at them all as Mamoru looked directly at me.
The expression that was of him facing facts and reality. Good. "In fact, you wouldn't even be trying to talk to Usagi if it weren't for this issue." Luna and Mamoru at least put their heads down in slight shame for their actions since they knew it to be true. Rei looked away. Either due to her not wanting to admit to it or her own disgust in herself knowing this was true. I wasn't sure which one.
"Yet when Usagi has issues that she tries to come to you for, any of you…you dismiss her and, in some cases, you even blame her for them. Like when she told us that Mamoru kissed another girl - " he went to go say something but I beat him to the punch and corrected myself on it stating, "Sorry was kissed by another girl and you all told her it meant nothing and to let it go basically." Like seriously how was that even something friends did?
Rei stammered out, "Regardless of the other petty issues she needs to grow up on this matter." And I thought Usagi was stubborn…Rei can certainly give Usagi a run for her money. "Chibi Usa is just a child. Why should she have to suffer cause Usagi and Mamoru had a tiff?" I narrowed my eyes at her as she glared me down. Trying to win that match and I was ensuring her failure in it.
I asked her, "You really want to pull at that thread?" have some commonsense Rei. See the faults in this. "I'm not pulling, I'm yanking." She snapped at me. Oh, she was going there, okay, the senshi of fire is about to get burned. A bit of comedic irony. "And by the way, that whole thing between them was a misunderstanding. Luna said so herself." To that I could tell Luna was showing signs of misgivings about her words, regret even.
I noticed her own verbal response didn't hold its usual strength it used to. "The future of the royal line is as stake here Minako, this is no time for nonsense. However, we do need to address that there are issues that need to be fixed between Usagi and Mamoru if this is to be fixed for good." Though I could also see now that she couldn't even meet Artemis's eyes. They had definitely had some words recently and they had taken the cat down a notch…or a few by the looks of it.
Usually she was a fireball and now she was acting like she was second guessing herself a fact that made Rei look down at her in question before looking back to Ami and the pink haired child on the bed. Ami who I could tell was just near Chibi Usa in doctor mode in her needed to examine the child once more. I couldn't really blame her though. It was the only reason why I hadn't left yet myself.
If I was to truly give up on this situation I would have left or never have come here. Yet I did. I wanted to get to the bottom of this, but things needed to happen first and not by us. So, feeling both annoyed and yet happy that I was the leader of the senshi once Usagi took the throne that is, I told them in my best leadership voice the truth. "That may be true Luna…however…" I steeled myself, "She's our friend. She's risked her life for ALL of us several times over, who's died for us…" even Rei look back to me on that knowing it was the truth.
"Who's found out recently that she's the queen of the world in the future. That's not easy to swallow." I stated, "She found out she has a kid who's comes back from that future to train and has to keep all of what she does every day with us from her parents and other friends. We all have various responsibilities in life, we do…some more than others, but it doesn't give any of us the right to push aside a friend and only call upon her when it fits our needs." For the first time I saw Luna seemingly acknowledge her faults in this.
It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes. Artemis even seemed to relax a bit on my shoulder. "Chibi Usa is having these issues, not just because of what's going on between her and Mamoru…" I looked to him making sure he knew he wasn't the sole reason behind it all but a hefty portion of it. "But because we weren't there for her as a friend. She barely came to me afterwards." This sparked even Mamoru's eyes. He knew that we were close, Rei did dub us the 'double mint twins' for a reason.
"I had to push because I could feel her reluctance. I could feel her anger, her doubt, I could feel so much. It called to me as a friend to help out. She herself didn't call out to me because she wasn't sure I would be there for her, I felt her soul calling. This…" I pointed to the pink haired child on the bed, "Is partially all of us for NOT listening." I could tell I put some serious thoughts in Rei and Luna's head along with Mamoru who was still struggling with his own inner demons on things. It was clear as day on his face.
"Maybe you should think about that before you ask her for a favor…again." I snapped at the end with just the right amount of angered venom to make them feel hollow. Just like Usagi once felt before she regained a bit of who she used to be. I walked out and heard Makoto walk out behind me. Ami, I knew would feel the clinical need to stay behind long enough to see if she could do something for the child. While I wasn't a fan of it, I knew it was in her nature and accepted the fact that she would try to help but that was it.
Usagi POV
I had just gotten back home from the library when I got a text from Naru. Come out with Umino and me for a movie…I smiled…where do we meet up? Before she could answer though a knock came at the door. I looked through the peep hole and found the neighbors I had run into earlier. I smiled as I opened the door for them. I saw a younger looking version of Jeremy right behind him who gave me an awkward smile. "Usagi good to see you. This is the brother I was telling you about." The brother came up.
He looked so much like his older brother it was ridiculous. Had I NOT been utterly in love with Mamoru, I would have actually blushed with merely thinking how cute he was. As it stood however, he seemed like he just wanted to try to make his older brother happy so I smiled, "Yeah actually, if it's okay I can see if he can join me with a few friends. They just invited me out. We can make a group activity of it." group activities usually helped one to ease into social settings. He seemed pleased with it as Jeremy said, "Great."
I texted back to Naru…mind if I bring a new friend along? He's new to the area. It took a second for her to text back, but she responded with…of course! Can't wait to meet the new guy…I ignored the wink emoji she sent with it as I told them, "She said it's all good in fact…" I looked down at my phone and saw the directions and time of the movie of where to meet up, "I was going to head out in just five." Jeremy and his wife nodded happy that they were getting some time in while his brother was going to be with trusted neighbors.
"And just to be safe, Mother would kill me if I didn't at least tell you, she has the names and numbers of my friends and my number so it's there if you need it. Just give her a ring." They thanked me as they walked away. "So yeah that was…yeah…" he scratched the back of his head as he stood awkwardly at the door. I smiled, "Its fine, what is your name I didn't catch it?" I asked as I put on my three-inch heeled boots from by the door. "Oh, it's Tyler." I grabbed my purse and pulled the keys out to lock up my home.
"Well you ready to go see a movie? And I can assure you it won't be a chick flick. There aren't any playing at the theater were going to." He laughed, "Thanks again for this. I was honestly worried it might feel too much like my brother was pushing this when I'm sure you have a life of your own." His nervousness made me giggle in a 'no worries' manner. It seemed to help lighten the mood.
"Don't worry about it, like I said your welcome to come along. In fact, it'll give you a chance to see some of the night life once we get out. The city lights can be so beautiful it's almost like another world." I exclaimed as we walked side by side. The theater we were going to was a bit long for a walk so we hitched a ride onto a nearby bus and rode along. Tyler and I ended up talking a bit, getting to know each other.
He seemed like a really nice, down to earth guy. I could tell he was someone who had plans for the future he just needed to get some college classes down and try to find a job. "I could ask a friend of mine at the local arcade if their hiring. They do part time workers there since most of them are in college to." He smiled, "That'd be great. I don't want to live at my brothers forever over here so earning enough to pay for part of the college and a way to save up on the side so I can get a place of my own when I'm done would be great."
We chatted some more as he asked me, "What about you what do you want to do? Or go to college for?" he didn't know it, but it was a loaded question. I kept my smile on and answered, "I was thinking to become a schoolteacher, or perhaps even a journalist. I'm still a bit undecided." I admitted. Though in truth I just couldn't tell him the full truth, that my future was to be Queen of this world someday in the future.
It was a hard pill to swallow sometimes but it was the truth. Pluto showed us that much and we saw that much. I sometimes wonder how it looked now. Have they finished rebuilding? Did they destroy the dark kingdom that had been erected when we were down there? Yet those questions couldn't be answered without asking the right people and more than likely getting no's from them based on 'you already know too much'.
All the same though, I couldn't tell him the truth. I mean how would that even sound? Hey I found out that I'm to be Queen of here in the future and it's known as Crystal Tokyo so I can't plan for anything else OTHER than that cause even my overly obsessive of the throne cat wants me to prepare to be a Queen by being the model princess now. Yeah, I can only imagine how well that would go over.
Not to mention he would think I was bat crap crazy and I'd have to tell him 'just joking' and laugh it off. "School teacher sounds nice. For young kids or middle school or high school?" he asked. His genuine interest did make me feel nice that he seemed to actually be interested in what I wanted to do. Not what the future 'said' it held for me to do. It was feeling nice to be acknowledged as someone who was capable of something else other than being a senshi or a princess and future Queen.
Granted Minako, Ami and Makoto had come around not everyone had. I smiled, "Probably younger kids. I'd say around ages 5-10 that way their minds are a little bit easier to mold into good kids. They don't give you as much lip as the older ones do and best of all, it's more of an excuse to have a class pet in the room." I laughed as he chuckled to. "That is true. It is kinds ridiculous how bratty the slightly older ones can be." He stated.
If only he knew that even the 5-10-year old's could be just as bratty, given the chance. "Yup, its why you gotta whip it out of them at an early age. Make them see who's in charge and WHO to respect." If only the girls and Mamoru before all of this had let me do just that with Chibi Usa, she might have acted better and differently. "Completely agree. You have a good grasp on why you want to be a schoolteacher." The compliment paired with his genuine smile made me blush involuntarily at the action.
I couldn't help it and damn it if I didn't feel both joyous and guilty at the same time. I told myself I had no reason to feel guilty. Yet it still lingered. It was just a small simple compliment…I reprimanded myself. "What about you? What are you going to college for?" I asked in the hopes that it would get the subject changed and quell the blush in my face, "Well it's no schoolteacher, but it's getting into the liberal arts. I feel that Tokyo is up and coming with it so it's why I came here to begin with."
I flashed to what the future King said about Crystal Tokyo, the center hub of business and the arts…I couldn't help but look at him and wonder if I would actually see him in the future as a successful business arts type of guy. "That sounds great." I had to change this around, everything in this conversation was reminding me in some way of the future. "I actually do sorta know an artist near here. Her name is Yummeno, Yumemi." Once I said her name his eyes widened, like something clicked in his head.
"Wow, I knew you reminded me of someone. The painting she did of the star-crossed lovers." Oh yeah…right. I smiled, "Yeah a friend of mine, at the time…" I might as well face it even though Mamoru and I DIDN'T get along very well during that time we were still friends in a sense, "And I posed for her painting. It looked very pretty with the color strokes she used for it." I said as he smiled.
"That painting is one of my favorite ones." I couldn't stop the blush from hitting my cheeks again as he smiled in his sweet yet simple compliment. "I could never figure out what colors she made you look so ethereal in it but now I know." Now my cheeks were red with the blush, "That was just her talent as an artist." I stammered as we got close to the stop. I was trying to keep my cool here, I wasn't used to being flirted with in such a sweet and casual manner.
Mamoru rarely did so and when he did do it was usually after a fight. Like if he didn't say something, he wouldn't get the chance to again or something. I had to ask myself when was the last time Mamoru said something nice to me like that? Or did he feel like he didn't have to anymore? Or that he couldn't with prying eyes? Too many questions to ask and he wasn't even here for me to ask.
As guilty as part of me felt for being out with another guy it wasn't like it was a date or anything and so I forced the feelings down and instead texted mother that I was out with Naru, Umino and the neighbors younger brother to show him around a little bit. She responded in kind saying, 'don't be out to late'. I smiled in response back saying, 'no problem'. I knew mother was more lenient with my being out, but father was still strict on it.
So at least this way she could tell him who I was out with and he wouldn't worry so much. "I don't think so, at least not just the artist." He commented, pulling me from my thoughts, "Sorry I don't mean to be forward, it's just that one of my favorite paintings and to meet the girl that posed as the one in the painting is kind of surreal. It's like your real and there was no embellishment to make you extra. You're genuine." Damn how am I blushing so damned much and I'm just hanging out with him?!
What bothered me about this though is that he wasn't even trying to be over the top flirting, he was just stunned and telling me about the painting and – "Your fine, and don't be sorry. I was glad to pose for her. She's really sweet and passionate about her work. Maybe if she's not too busy I could introduce the two of you." I offered, trying to redirect the conversation and HOPE that the blush would fade away.
I shouldn't be blushing to begin with, but I had a feeling I knew why. Yeah there was a slight attraction to him, he was definitely cute, sweet and charming even, but…my heart no matter what belonged to Mamoru. No, the reason why was because I wanted to feel this and hear this from Mamoru himself. I wanted him to make that effort and this guy wasn't even trying to. He was just being himself and it was sweet and endearing.
You couldn't help but feel comfortable and be yourself around him. "Yeah that'd be cool. I mean seriously it would be. When she did the self-portrait, it was eye opening in a positive way. It showed that she was willing to step out of the shadows and be herself. Something we could all use a little bit of." He stated, "I couldn't agree more." I smiled as we reached our stop. As we got off slowly but steadily, we hit the sidewalk and looked around.
"Naru and Umino should be here within a little bit. In the meantime, we can check out some of the shops and then she'll text me when their here." I suggested so that he could get a little bit of culture while we waited since we arrived a little early. Go figure the one time I arrive early to something and NO ONE'S here to see it. That's when I realized I needed to stop thinking that way and just enjoy myself.
Not just with my friends but now with my new friend. He smiled and gestured to the door to a shop to go in and peruse about. I nodded as we both went in. Yes, this is what I needed. To let go and just be myself, much like she had. Much like Minako, Ami, Makoto, Artemis, Naru and Umino were encouraging me to do. Tyler and I just enjoyed looking around and browsed as we poked fun at a few things and just commented and talked. It was a freedom I hadn't allowed myself for a while and I missed it. I also just missed someone else to.
