Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or any of its characters.
I'm so sorry it's been so long since I updated a chapter. Alot has been going on especially because of covid. I was actually working from home but it's was kinda hard to do my job and find time to type because like every hour my supervisor was sending emails and it was very frustrating. But a month and a half ago I went back to my job site and had to ask for some vacation time to relax and also to finish this. I hope you are keeping safe by distancing yourself and wearing the appropriate mask. As someone who works in a hospital this virus is not something people should be playing around about and we should all do our part. I want to give my condolences to all those that have lost someone due to covid and hope that anyone that is in the hospital or have loved ones in the hospital that they will have the strength to get through this.
Reviews please!
'': Thoughts (thinking)
"": Talking
Chapter 28
Usagi sat in the passenger seat of Haruka's car as Michiru happily gave up her seat to sit in the back. While she felt bad for Haruka, she was glad she sacrificed her seat for Setsuna and Hotaru so they wouldn't be squished next to Usagi while she was in a mood. Although this is the first time she's ever been in this kind of mood.
Honestly they've never seen Usagi like that. Never seen her face so emotionless, never seen her bright blue eyes so harsh and cold. It was almost as if she was another person. A very frightening person. All they know is they would never try to piss off Usagi.
The car ride to Rei's temple was completely silent except for the roar of the car engine and Usagi felt completely awkward. She was used to Rei's rudeness and insults as it was sadly becoming normal thing in a conversation with her and most times she was able to keep her emotions in check.
However today it was different as Usagi's frustration grew with the way the Inners and the others entered in the battle in such a dangerous way and Rei's insults was chipping away at her wall. Then with Orpheus comments it just knocked everything down and the next she knew she cut the monsters head off. It was an accident and she was so angry and frustrated but at least it gave her the courage to call everyone together.
"I hope this haven't changed our friendship or made you think horribly of me." Usagi stating startling everyone as it was quiet before.
No one was saying anything for a couple of minutes and Usagi was starting to feel dejected until Setsuna spoke up, "Well even though we will forever see you in a different light; our friendship will never change. We'll always love you. Right, guys?" She asked and the other three Outer all spoke up in agreement.
Usagi smiled, "Aww, you guys just saying that, right?" She said as she turned around.
"Of course not, Koneke." Haruka said
"We truly care and love you. No matter how scary you seem." Hotaru smiled as she rubbed Usagi's shoulder. Patting Hotaru's hand, Usagi felt comforted by their words but Hotaru did make her doubt it a little bit.
"So what's going to happen once we get to the Temple?" Michiru asked
Usagi sighed, "I'll give them all a chance to talk and if it seems like none of them will change, then I will make my decision."
Hotaru tilted her head, "What decision?"
"Whether or not the Inners will keep their powers." Setsuna answered for Usagi.
"Honestly you should just take their powers away." Haruka frowned, "You've already talked to three of the Inners and Mamoru so they should've known better and defended you against Rei but no! Once again they stood by while you're getting berated for no reason by Rei. I mean what kind of friends would do that?"
"Not good friends like us." Hotaru grinned pointing at herself.
"You guys are wonderful friends but it's only fair to listen to them before I pass judgement." Usagi said as she scratched the back of her head.
"And that's how I know you'll be a great Queen." Setsuna giggled as she reached around to hug from behind her seat.
"Aww thanks." Usagi smiled but it slowly faded away, "We better be mentally prepare ourselves for a fight."
"You think so?" Michiru wondered, "I feel like they might back down after seeing your scary side."
"They would probably be a little shaken but knowing Rei, she won't back down." Haruka huffed
The Inners, Mamoru, Luna and Artemis were already waiting at the Temple as they had taken a portal created by Luna and Artemis. It was an ability the cats had but didn't seem to mention till after Usagi left. Everyone was sitting in silence as they were all in shock at what they had seen.
After a couple of minutes, Artemis was the first to speak, "How do you suppose Usagi was able to do that?" He wondered, "She didn't even transform and yet she was able to her powers; powers we have never seen before."
No one said anything as no one had an answer for it. Surprisingly not even Rei had a comment about it. The room was once again quiet till someone else spoke up.
"What do you suppose the reason is that Usagi called this meeting?" Luna asked
Ami bit her lip, "I have might have an idea about it." She muttered as she glanced at the Minako and Makoto who both was looking ashamed.
Mamoru sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck, "I have an idea as well."
Rei raised an eyebrow at seeing their faces hoping one of them will explained. As they continued to stay quiet, Rei crossed her arms and said, "Well are you gonna share with the rest of the class?" Before anyone could say anything, Usagi, Tsuki and the Outers came into the room. Everyone's eyes was on them as they sat on the opposite side of the room.
Rei was impatiently tapping her foot waiting for Usagi to begin but all she was doing petting the white Maltese fur. "Oi Usagi, have you forgotten how to start a meeting or has America made you so self-entitled you believe you don't have to start a meeting that you called."
Instead of replying, Usagi just shaked her head and sighed. "While you're wrong about me as always. It should be obvious to the others why this meeting was called."
Makoto, Minako, Ami and Mamoru immediately began to apologize but the moment Usagi raised her hand, silencing them. "Did we not have a conversation about this yesterday? If you honestly wanted to show me how sincere your 'apologizes' were, today would've been a good day to prove yourself. But if anything you showed me I was right about not being able to trust you anymore and how I made the right decision in us separating Mamoru."
Everyone except for the Outers gasped at the news, "Usagi how could you do that?! You and Mamoru need to be together for Crystal Tokyo and Chibiusa!" Luna yelled running in front of Usagi. She probably would have jumped on her lap if Tsuki wasn't there growling lowly at her.
"You moron why the hell would break up with Mamoru?!" Rei jumped to her feet as she yelled at Usagi. "He's been nothing but a sweet, loyal boyfriend to you and this is how you treat him?! You're such a selfish, good for nothing, immature, lazy-"
"Oh just shut the hell up!" Haruka yelled glaring at them
"How dare you speak that way to Usagi!" Hotaru growled
Setsuna narrowed her eyes at the three quiet Inners and Mamoru, "Seriously you still won't defend Usagi?"
"I-I-We-we were just surprised about hearing Mamoru and Usagi separating." Minako stuttered and Makoto nodded.
"Yeah I mean we thought you two loved each other." Ami added.
"I still love Usagi and I don't think I'll ever stop." Mamoru answered making Usagi sigh.
"Usagi explain yourself!" Rei demanded and Luna agreed.
Tsuki moved from Usagi's lap and stood in front of her and changed from a Maltese into a white wolf and growled at the Rei and Luna making them back down while the others gasped at witnessing the dog shape-shift.
Usagi gently petted Tsuki's head making him lay down in front of her and spoke, "I care for Mamoru as well but one year ago I overheard all of you talking behind my back. Of course I've always know about how Rei feels about me because you always said it but imagine my surprise when the rest of you agreed with her and just like in this situation and no one defend me. Not my supposed friends, advisors or former boyfriend." She hissed "At that moment opened my eyes and showed me that at some point in time you all turned your back on me and decided to hide your truth instead of talking me."
"Hide what truth?" Rei, Artemis and Luna said together.
"Hide the fact that you're afraid of the future."
Both Luna and Artemis scoffed, "How ridiculous." Luna said
Rei froze for a moment before resuming her normal stance, "Are you stupid Usagi? Why on earth would we be afraid of the future? Our lives will be amazing, we will control the world, we will be living in luxury, we don't have worry about anything anymore."
Usagi just smiled, "It seems you don't know your team as well as you thought then." Minako, Ami and Makoto looked sheepishly away as Usagi looked them when she said those words.
"What the hell does that mean?" Rei scowled and Usagi merely shrugged, "Are you saying I don't know my own friends?"
The Outers snorted at the irony, "Well at least you wouldn't be the only one."Usagi smiled
Rei narrowed her eyes but Luna spoke, "Usagi you have been gone a year and speak only to the group itself and no individuals except for the Outers, which is something we will later discuss; and even during the few days you have been here you have spoken to no one except for Mamoru probably in a childish manner and have completely ruined the future!"
Usagi clenched her fist but her face remained emotionless, not giving anyone a hint to how she's actually feeling. "Everyone knows that in the future, they will give their life to guard you while you watch over the Earth and together you all will protect the Earth." Luna finishes but unbeknownst to her the face of the Inners falls at her description of the future. Rei tried to look uncaring but Usagi could tell her true feelings.
"Luna look behind you and tell if those are the faces of people ready to give up everything to protect this planet." Usagi directed.
Luna sighed heavily but turned around to appease Usagi however she gasped as she saw Makoto, Ami and Minako who failed at disguising their previously disappointed faces. "Minna how you could you?! You swore to always be by Usagi's side."
Haruka snorted again, "So ironic."
Luna turned back and narrowed her eyes at Haruka, "What's ironic?" She inquired
Haruka rolled her eyes, "I think you know. The same five people that promised to love and protect her turns out to be the same five people that betray her."
"No one betrayed her." Artemis said trying to defuse the situation. "We were just speaking about certain flaws that Usagi has that needs to be fixed and perfect you before you claim your role and title."
The Outers immediately saw red, Tsuki growled lowly and Usagi clenched her fists so tight she almost broke her own fingers. "My flaws may hold me back but they don't define me as a person. It doesn't mean I'll be a failure, all it means is that it's something I need to work on because I'm still growing and learning." Usagi stated "In case you guys haven't realized we're still teenagers and our lives aren't the same as they were during the Silver Millennium. We all were reborn coming from different backgrounds and past situations than before and trying to be the same 'perfect' person as before is stupid. There is no such thing as perfection and it's useless trying to achieve that."
Luna gasped "That's not true-"
"Yes it is!" Usagi argued back, "What is the word perfect mean?"
"To be exact." Mamoru answered
Usagi nodded to acknowledge his answer, "That one of the definitions but another definition is to be completely free from flaw or defects and that's impossible for us. We all have flaws from appearance to our personality. So to be perfect is pointless because we were born imperfect yet as we grow we learn about our flaws and we work on them to build our character. We are still building ourselves since we're still young."
"So what, you're blaming the fact that you're a lazy big baby because you're still a teen?" Rei sneered
The Outer sighed heavily and Usagi just rolled her eyes. "I'm not placing blame on anything. Just explaining that I made mistakes and its okay because I'm still learning how to be better but not trying to achieve perfection. Because honestly we all have flaws that I can speak about to use to show that I'm not only one with the same flaws." Usagi stated looking directly at Minako who immediately turned her head avoiding Usagi's eyes.
Luna scoffed, "So what? Those people aren't destined to rule the whole world, to create a new Golden Age."
Adding more to Luna's words, Rei spoke out, "You are supposed to be Queen." She said spitefully. "And you need to start acting right!"
The room was silent after Rei's outburst but the air was heavy with tension. With Rei's outburst the Outers would've said something but at the moment they were watching Usagi's reaction, who seemed way to calm, and it made them extremely nervous.
Usagi merely glanced to the Inners and Mamoru before moving her eyes to Luna and Artemis. She sighed before saying, "I don't know why I had doubts about this. She was right, I can't lead with people I can't trust or even seem to rely on."
"What are you murmuring about now you big crybaby?" Rei scoffed
"What doubts are you talking about?" Luna wondered
Usagi merely shaked her head and stood up, "Don't worry about it." She smiled and it was the coldest smile she has ever given before, sending chills down everyone's spine. "I believe this meeting is over." She said as she started to walk out with the Outers.
"Wait a minute!" Rei called out, "What the hell was the purpose of this meeting?! Other than to show that you had lost your damn mind!"
Michiru had to hold Haruka back before she could tackle Rei or worse. Usagi, still being calm, tilted her head as she turned back to Rei, "I lost my mind?"
"Yes you break up with the greatest man in the world, ruining the future and destroying Chibiusa's entire existence. You're obviously showing that you are giving up your position as Sailor Moon since you refused to transform and changed your name. You're hiding new powers and apparently keeping secrets from us too. You're proving to us that you should not be Queen of Crystal Tokyo and I believe you should give up being Sailor Moon and your tit-"
"Just wait a minute" Surprisingly this interruption didn't come from the Outers, although they were close to ending Rei's life, but Luna herself. "While Rei had some good points, I believe it would be too rash for Usagi give up her titles. However I do believe that Usagi should step down as Sailor Moon unless Rei was correct and you already gave up being Sailor Moon." She wondered
The Outers shouted out in rage of Luna's and Rei's words and a shouting match began between the six. Once again Usagi glanced to see if the remaining Inners and Mamoru will join and choose a side but they just looked awkward and indecisive. Disappointment filled Usagi.
"Enough!" Usagi said ending the shouting. "There's no reason to continue this, they've made their choice." She said and she left the Temple. The Outer gave one last glare and left the room.
Rei scoffed after they left, "Can you believe her? She left without even explaining why the hell she even called this meeting. Mamoru, maybe it is a good thing that you and Usagi broke up." She smiled
Mamoru frowned as he got up, "We didn't break-up, we're just separated. I gotta go." He said as he practically raced out of the room.
Rei shaked her head, "I swear we were perfectly fine while Usagi was gone. Her coming back has ruined this team."
Ami bowed her head and clenched her fists, honestly she wanted to put Rei in her place with her irrational accusations. However her issue was, would the others have her back? The answer was obvious, after all, they apologized for their actions before but yet afterwards they continued letting Rei berate Usagi.
"I think it's time we go home, it's been an… interesting night" Ami stated. The other Inners agreed, happy to finally end the night.
"Mkay but next we meet, we have to the discuss the future of our team and probably the world with Usagi gone." Rei smirked
Artemis frowned and Luna sighed, "Usagi isn't leaving her position. We just need to have a discussion with her and to help fix and prepare her."
Rei rolled her eyes, "Goodnight." Waving them off.
The three Inners left the Temple with heavy heart and waved good-bye to each other as they went their separate way. However they headed their separate way they all couldn't help but think how much they ruined their relationship with Usagi.
Haruka was squeezed the steering wheel so tight, the others were worried that she might rip the wheel right off the car itself, "I can't believe those stupid idiots; how could they just sit there and let the others insult you like that! And that those idiotic cats, how dare they think they can make you step down as Sailor Moon! If you would've let me take them Usagi, I could've knocked some sense into their moronic brain."
"Even if you were to hit them I doubt they would've learned their lesson." Usagi sighed sadly as she looked out the window from the back seat.
The others noticed the blonde's sad tone, "Usagi?" Hotaru questioned
Usagi was quiet almost making one of the other Outers call her name before she finally spoke, "They seemed and sounded so apologetic." For a second the Outers wondered who Usagi was speaking about before realized who. "They were crying and there was a small part of me that was hoping that maybe we could be getting somewhere and maybe we move on and be close and I could trust them again."
Setsuna sighed heavily, "Usagi they were your best friends, you're not wrong for wanting to seek some form of reconciliation.
Usagi leaned her head against the window, "If they were really my best friends wouldn't they have defended me? Wouldn't they tried to prove to me tonight that they were sincere in their apologies?"
"Oh Usagi" Michiru sighed reaching back to pat her knee.
"It's like I said before, those Inners are really stupid." Haruka seethed, "They don't deserve your friendship and they don't deserve to be called Senshi's."
It was silent but Usagi understood what that meant, "So are we all in an agreement, then?"
AN: I hope you liked this chapter. Please write a Review. Till next time, please stay safe and wear your masks. Ja ne!
P.S RIP to Chadwick Boseman forever our King of Wakanda