Chapter 20

At 5:00 the following evening, Seiya is standing on the same pier he stood on just a week before, with Mamoru. He stood at this spot a week ago when he realized what he had done. The harm he had done, hurt he caused, the trust he destroyed due to his own selfishness, and blindness. Tonight he will apologize accept his punishment, and prepare for a new life, without his powers and position.

He is standing at the pier as he watches a large group of people materialize in front of him. It's not long until Haruka, Michiru, Setsuna, Rei, Jadeite, Minako, Kunzite, Makoto, Nephrite, Zoisite, and Ami have formed a semi circle in front of him. In the center stand Mamoru, and Usagi. Mamoru had his arm on Usagi's shoulders. He notices only the males did not look angry, and ready to do harm to him. He deserves it. As far as all of the senshi are concerned he harmed their princess. If he were one of them, he would be angry too.

He instantly drops to his knees, and bows his head.

"Words cannot even to express how sorry I am for my actions." Seiya says contrite.

"What actions do you speak of Fighter?" Seiya hears Haruka ask.

"Thru misguided feelings, and beliefs. My own selfishness, and blindness, I attempted to push my affections on Usagi, your princess. I interrupted dates between Usagi, and your prince Mamoru, in hopes to keep them apart. I forced my way in, and invited myself to activities, and study sessions, in an attempt to force myself into the position of boyfriend, partner, and companion to Usagi, and force all of you to accept me as such. I implied that Usagi was cheating on Mamoru to her parents, in attempt to force them to accept me in her life. I have been disrespectful, rude, pushy, and untrustworthy through my actions. Included with this I have violated the laws of the galaxy by coming to this planet without permission from the monarch of this planet, nor did I ever request permission from said monarch. I have also violated the laws of stalking on this planet." Seiya responds.

"And what, Fighter, lead you to commit these crimes, and perform such actions?" Seiya heard Michiru asks.

"Love. Misguided, misunderstood love. Misunderstanding of the bond connecting a Senshi to a monarch. Misunderstanding of the love of Senshi to a monarch. I considered an emotionally charged situation, that lasted months, as a sign of a kind of love that does not exist. During that time I did not recognize Usagi as a monarch, thus causing the love and bond that existed, I viewed differently. Even once I knew she was a monarch I still misinterpreted that love and bond. I continued to do so two years later. I failed to recognize that love and bond as the same I feel for my own princess.

"I only wanted to see that I loved her, and she loved me. I convinced myself that she and I belonged together. I allowed myself to become obsessed with this. I used this obsession to blind me to what was being shown to me, what was being said to me. This has lead me to hurt someone I care dearly for. I have lead myself to destroy a friendship that means a lot to me. Along with this, I have risked peace between my planet, and yours. My selfishness, blindness, and obsession with someone that is not, and will never be mine, has caused irreparable damage. Words cannot express how sorry I am for my actions."

"How do we know that this is not just some ploy to continue in the line you have been walking?" Seiya hears Mamoru ask.

"I am here to accept the punishment you, and Princess Kakyu have decided on. I am here prepared to be exiled, and begin the life you both choose for me." Seiya responds, keeping his head down.

"Seiya, I have heard all you have to say to all of us, but what do you have to say to me, directly, for what you have done to me." Usagi asks in a tone Seiya has never heard before.

"Odan…Usagi, I am so very sorry for forcing my affections on you, and making you uncomfortable. I am so very sorry for forcing my way into your time with Mamoru as I know that time can be limited and precious. I am so very sorry for forcing my way into the time you spend with your friends when I may not have been wanted there. I am so very sorry for attempting to make your parents believe you were cheating on Mamoru. I am sorry for attempting to force my way into your volunteer job. I am so very sorry for following you, and spying on you. I am so very sorry for all of the negative things I said to you about Mamoru. I am so very sorry for not listening to you, and not hearing what you were saying. I am so very sorry for all of the hurt, and anguish I have caused you. I am so very sorry for stalking you. I am so very sorry for all of it." Seiya says, still keeping his head down.

"I forgive you Seiya. You were my friend when I needed one. You were there to protect me when I needed it, but that was the past, this is now. I do forgive you, but I cannot, at this time say that we are friends as I do not trust you. Your actions destroyed that trust, and my faith in you. Maybe in the future we can rebuild a friendship, but it will never be the same." Usagi responds. Seiya can hear the tears in her voice, and it kills him to know it is his own fault.

"I understand, and accept that."

"Good. As I said the last time we spoke, that I think it is time for you to go home, to your planet. You have made amends, but time is needed to heal the wounds caused. You being here, on this planet, may only cause more harm then good."

"I understand, and I am ready to accept my punishment."

"Sailor Star Fighter, I retract my punishment. You have seen the error of your ways, and have apologized, as per our agreement on if the punishment would be carried out. You are NOT banned from the planet, but moving forward, you are REQUIRED to have strict, explicit permission from myself to return here, and until I deem otherwise, the time spent here is limited to two weeks time. Now you may return home. Princess Kakyu has been made aware of all of this, but she has punishment of her own to met out." Mamoru states firmly.

"I understand, and thank you." Seiya responds, and slowly starts to stand.

He looks over the group one last time, nodding to Mamoru, and staring at Usagi for only a moment before turning, transforming, and flying home.

In the quiet of space he hears "Goodbye Seiya."