thank you so much to everyone who reviewed, commented, liked etc. this fic is a departure and special project for me and I always feel really vulnerable putting it out. It means a lot to hear you are enjoying reading it!

And as always, thanks to the beta extraordinaire, FLoraOne

Chapter 7

I somehow knew it was one of my last battles with Sailor Moon as Moonlight Knight. I couldn't fight the feeling that my existence was perched on the edge of a precipice. Something was coming, I knew it as surely as I knew my days were numbered.

The same power that gave Endymion, and then Chiba Mamoru, the strength to crawl back from the dead, to heal wounds, to complement the Silver Crystal and protect its carrier, the same power that had formed me from the ether - this power was telling me the threat was reaching its peak.

I had all the confidence that Sailor Moon would defeat whatever faced her. The question was, would I even be around to witness it?

Only a few days had passed since the play, and I moved through my days like a zombie.

I had always been a focused student, but lately my thoughts would drift during classes. I'd be in the middle of a lecture, and suddenly find myself daydreaming about the Snow White play, only this time Usagi was the sleeping princess and I'd thrown all thoughts of a 'stage kiss' out the window - and then I realized I hadn't been listening and my notes were utterly useless.

Every time I left my apartment I'd mentally prepare myself to run into Odango Atama and every time I didn't, I felt annoyed and disappointed, and then angry at myself for feeling annoyed and disappointed.

On Saturday I even almost ran into a light post while scanning the crowd in front of the arcade for a (notably absent) familiar blonde hairstyle.

Was she avoiding me? I scoffed at myself for the thought. I didn't mean enough to her to be worth avoiding. She was going through her life like normal and the fact that I hadn't been pulled into her whirlwind lately was simply life being unfair.

Determined to enjoy my Saturday, I wandered into my favorite book store - just to browse. I picked up a coffee table book of lunar astrophotography and lost myself in the photos for a long while. I liked the haunting vibe they gave off. Finally, I reluctantly put the book down, considering coming back to add it to my personal library later.

"What a surprise to see you, Mamoru!"

"Hey there, Natsumi." It was nice to see her out and cheerful, the last time I'd seen her she'd been in a rage of tears.

"Isn't it a wonderful coincidence, running into you here!?" She giggled loudly, jumping up and grabbing my arm.

"Y-yeah," I managed. "Sure is." Other patrons of the shop were looking at us curiously - rather than embarrass Natsumi by yanking my arm back and running, I just grit my teeth and suggested we leave.

In the act of opening the door, I was able to de-latch her arm from me. "So, how have you been?" I said, after a few moments of awkward silence.

"Okay," she answered. "I was disappointed about the play, though."

"Me too!" I said, a little too enthusiastically. Everyone else had seemed fine with how it turned out, it was nice to have validation that losing all that hard work was a hard pill to swallow.

Unfortunately, my response seemed to be an invitation for her to sling her arm through mine again. I'm sure to all the passersby we looked like a couple in love. For some reason that really upset me. What can I say, I'd been cranky lately.

"C'mon now, let go already!" I tried to pull my arm back, but she held my elbow with an indulgent giggle.

"You are so cute when you get mad at me!" she gushed.

"Natsumi!"

My arm was dropped as suddenly as it'd been grabbed, and Natsumi stared in horror at her brother, who had jumped up from his seat to yell accusingly at his sister.

"Oh look, it's Odango Atama," I said, unable to keep the surprise out of my voice. There she was. Out of all the hundreds of thousands of people and places in the city, here in a little Juuban cafe right next to the bookstore I'd been in, sat the elusive Tsukino Usagi - a half eaten crepe in her hands, and a spot of whipped cream on her cheek.

"Are you on a date with Tsukino?!" Natsumi asked her brother, equal parts horrified and offended.

My brain made a sound like a record scratch.

"You told me you were going to the library!" Natsumi shouted.

"Well, you told me you were studying with a friend!" he shot back.

Usagi's wide eyes volleyed between the arguing siblings with a sort of curiosity mixed with shock. She took a tiny bite of her crepe without taking her eyes off them, like a movie theater patron with popcorn.

"Humph! I can't believe it!" Natsumi took off and Seijuro took off after her, falling behind when he knocked over a chair and had to jump a little gate to get out of the restaurant. He stumbled out onto the sidewalk and sent me the most pointed glare as he chased after his sister.

I looked back to Usagi, who was watching him go while she took another bite of her crepe. "It's not just me, right?" she said, mouth full. "They're super weird for a brother and sister, aren't they?"

"Yeah," I said. I wanted to ask her if she had been on a date. If he'd asked her or if she'd asked him or if they were together and who had paid for the crepe and what had he eaten and had he ever come up with a special nickname just for her or did he call her 'Tsukino' like everyone else?

Like she read my mind, Usagi looked at her crepe and said, "It wasn't even a date. He just sat down after I was already eating…"

I was annoyed at the rush of relief I felt for something that shouldn't even matter. I had no claim on her, it didn't matter who she went on dates with, I told myself harshly.

Usagi gestured to Seijuro's vacant seat. "Did, um. Did you wanna join me?"

Of course I did. "Thanks, but I actually think I'll just head ho-"

"Because I have a question!" she blurted. Then blushed. "I was thinking… I'd like your perspective on something. As a guy. Is that okay?"

I hesitantly made my way over and sat down, facing away from the table, out toward the street. As long as she didn't ask me for advice about Seijuro.

As I walked over and settled, she'd finished her crepe in two very impressive bites, swallowing noisily and slurping down a gulp of soda. Was it normal to find that incredibly attractive? I wondered.

"Okay," she said. "So pretend um…. You had this friend…," she paused, seemed to think, then re-think, "and they didn't remem— um, I mean." She took a deep breath, and another long sip of her soda, "No, forget all that." She scrubbed her hands in front of her, shaking her head wildly. "Starting over."

"Uh, okay," I said, acting bored but actually curious what sort of 'guy's perspective' she wanted from me.

"Alright! So, there is this couple, right? From… far away. They are super in love and," she looked down at her napkin, folding and refolding the corner of it, a slight blush on her cheeks. "Just… really in love." She cleared her throat and faced me again, "But like, it wasn't a great situation? Their families didn't like each other and nobody approved of them being together. So, um. Then one of them, he, like, moves to Tokyo? For like college and work and stuff?"

"Okay," I said, slowly. This was sounding both oddly specific and curiously vague. "Is this some drama you watched or something?"

Usagi huffed, "it's a… ," she then mumbled, "what was it Ami said? Oh yeah!... thought exercise!"

"And you thought my thoughts needed a work out, did you?" I crossed my legs and longed for a cup to take a perfectly timed sip out of. But, as I wasn't the one on a ''not-date" at the cafe, none of the cups on the table were mine.

"So, anyway, they lose touch. But the girl ends up coming to Tokyo too. Not cuz a' him, just like. To do her own thing. But she sees him one day and…" Usagi fiddled with her straw, eyes suddenly sad. "She wants to say hi, but it's been a long time," she said. "Well not, I mean, they aren't old or anything… but, also, she's asked around and it turns out he is single. But, he's doing pretty well and has moved on and has a good life and everything."

"Got it."

"So the question is… does she tell him she's in town? Does she let him know they can be together now, without any of that baggage from before, or just let him be?"

Now I really wish I had a mug to sip on while I thought. Instead I let my gaze wander to the street, to the passersby and the evening shadows starting to spill across the sidewalk. "If she doesn't tell him, she makes the decision all by herself. If she tells him she's there, she leaves it up to him." I said.

"Mmm," Usagi made a small, affirmative sound, still stirring her straw in her soda.

"I mean, I can't honestly think of a good reason not to tell him she's there," I said. "Even if he was with someone, he may still want that connection to his hometown. Even if they aren't compatible romantically anymore, they could be friends."

"Could you do that?" Usagi asked, seriously. "Be friends with someone when you were actually in love with them?"

"I… never thought about it," I said.

I'd never been in love - the overwhelming and, frankly, inconvenient feelings I had for Usagi were probably the closest thing to it that I've ever felt. And here I was, being 'friends' with her. And doing wonderfully at it, I thought dryly. I certainly wasn't jealous or obsessive or distracted at all.

I mentally shook myself. "In any case, it's not fair for her not to tell him she's there. Otherwise she's making the decision for him."

"But, then there is a risk he wouldn't want her anymore. Don't you think telling him would be scary?" Usagi interrupted my thoughts. "What would you do?"

"I am not sure," I said. "But," I continued, jutting my chin toward her with a smile. "If you were that girl and you saw someone you loved you'd just," I chuckled a little, under my breath, "I don't know, run up and…" and grab him in the street. The words died in my throat as I remembered her doing just that, not too long ago.

And at the VR Theater, pulling me away from Natsumi, saying 'he's mine!', laying claim to the insufferable upperclassman who made fun of her hair, in a strange competition with the other girl.

And then just… not.

Natsumi chased me. Natsumi enthused about the on-stage kiss that never happened. Natsumi grabbed my arm and asked me on dates and gave me her phone number.

And Usagi ate crepes with Seijuro.

Everything felt so utterly and disastrously… wrong.

Suddenly, my mouth went dry and I was overwhelmed with that strange feeling of nameless loss that my mind refused access to - it was horrifyingly familiar to being seven years old with a blank past, but not exactly the same. Enough to upset me.

Something important was missing, and it hurt.

I abruptly stood up, and turned to leave.

"Mamoru?" Usagi sounded confused, and a little stung.

But it didn't matter. The walls were back up, and I had retreated far behind them. "I just remembered I have somewhere to be," I said, flatly. "Later, Usagi."

I didn't even look back, although my heart was telling me she probably looked beautiful, framed by the setting sun.

One day I passed a little street performance setting up, and was surprised to see it was to be a puppet show of Sailor Moon. It was a bit too early to hang around and watch, but it looked cute.

I hadn't realized the hot girl from the VR theater was a famous superheroine celebrity. I suppose I should've asked for an autograph.

I actually had regretted missing out on Sailor Moon and the Sailor Senshi's "performance" during the play - I was beginning to think that I hadn't seen her at her best when we were trapped in the VR Theater. I should've been more supportive, I thought. She was probably about my age and off fighting monsters. It was really brave of her.

I was glad she was getting recognition.

That evening I was straightening up my nightstand when I found the folded piece of paper Natsumi had given me all that time ago.

I'd never even opened it, let alone used it to call her. The paper unfolded in my hand, and I saw she drew a little heart next to her name. I suddenly felt a wave of sympathy that surprised me. Poor Natsumi. Didn't get a phone call from me. Didn't get to be Snow White. Never got her flowers after all.

I surprised even myself when I picked up my phone and dialed the number.

Natsumi was sick and missing school, according to the terse reply of her brother who hung up angrily immediately after I asked after her.

Just a few short months ago, I would've shrugged and decided I'd tried, and that was enough.

But something had changed in that time, changed me, and found myself wanting company, wanting friendship. I'd started caring about people other than the (very) few friends I had had before being enfolded into the peripheral of Usagi's orbit of cheerful camaraderie.

And, what do you know, it hadn't killed me to be nice sometimes.

It was that mindset that had me purchase roses from a local flower shop and head over to Natsumi's. She hadn't gotten congratulations flowers for the play, but I could give her get-well -soon flowers at least.

Yes, I know. Looking back, a dozen red and white roses was completely over the top for a friendly visit, especially a friendly visit to someone you had no romantic interest in, and who had romantic interest in you. I am often surprised when I look back at how socially clueless I was, and how many times I found myself scrambling for the proper way to relate to other people. How much easier it became once I had Usako by my side, just one of the many ways she's made me a better person. Even when I hadn't remembered our shared past, when I thought my growing feelings for her were unrequited, her influence had me buying flowers for a lonely, sick girl instead of closing off my heart and going on with my day.

Usako has been more than generous in letting me off the hook for making her witness me bring another woman flowers while she'd been hopelessly in love with me and feeling inadequate and rejected. Her friends, less so.

Mako-chan especially gave me (good natured) grief for this, once everything had settled down. Well-versed in the language of flowers, she'd chided me: "Red roses?! How could you? Yellow roses are for friendship! And, honestly, for someone like that girl, I would've just gone with something cheap like chrysanthemums or daisies."

But all I knew was that I liked roses, and figured Natsumi would too. The symbolism (especially regarding Tuxedo Mask and Moonlight Knight, for whom the red and white roses were created solely for Sailor Moon, to protect her and aide her) hadn't occurred to me at all. I could blame this on the absence of Moonlight Knight from my psyche - but sometimes I was just an idiot back then.

So, you may be able to guess who was also hovering outside the Ginga's apartment building when I showed up. "Hey, what's up, Odango Atama?"

"Hi Mamoru!" She smiled and waved. She had ribbons in her hair, I noticed, and it did something fluttery to my chest. "Where are you going?"

When I told her I was going to see Natsumi, she recoiled. "But she's faking!" Usagi insisted, and then pouted. "Why are you even visiting her, anyway?" (I'd come to find out that Usako had already been to their place twice by now and was also worried about Natsumi. But at the time that was, apparently, besides the point.)

"She helped with putting together the Snow White play, so I thought this would be a way to thank her." I felt more cheerful than I'd felt in a while. I'd be making Natsumi happy, I got to see Usagi, the evening was turning out pretty good.

Usagi yelled after me about an evil tree in the Ginga apartment, one that would take my energy, and to stay away.

I couldn't help but chuckle. "An evil tree, huh?" I said over my shoulder with a grin. "Now I've heard everything."

I headed briskly toward the lobby doors and there was a shuffle and running footsteps behind me, and a breathless, "Well, then I'm coming with you!" and just like that, I was joined in the elevator by an odango'ed ball of nervous energy.

She was hopping from foot to foot, making nervous noises, not unlike when she was frightened by the holographic monsters in the VR Theater.

"Odango Atama, it's fine," I said. "I'm sure Natsumi was just messing with you about the evil tree."

She didn't look convinced, and hung back while I rang the bell and greeted Natsumi when she opened the door.

"But why… why would you come all this way to check on me?" Natsumi seemed genuinely perplexed.

"Friends worry when friends get sick," I explained, and I don't think I've ever seen someone look so completely touched and pleased.

Usagi had apparently screwed up her courage enough to bridge the distance between the elevator and door, and reached up to tap me on the shoulder. "We should probably go now…," she said, still looking nervous.

Natsumi smiled, "How nice to see you back so soon!" she said to Usagi, in a sugary sweet voice. "Won't you come in?"

I think Odango Atama would've said no, except for Seijuro appearing behind Natsumi's back, saying the magic words: meat buns and cake.

So that's how I ended up seated next to Usagi, across from the Ginga siblings, making awkward small talk while Usagi inhaled the snacks like she hadn't eaten in a week.

After complimenting their view, I found myself being ushered outside by Seijuro, to the walk-on balcony. This was a really nice place for two kids to have in such an expensive city, I noted as I stepped outside.

The night was cool, and the breeze on the balcony made it all that much colder. "So…," I started, searching my brain for something to say to the stony faced boy next to me. "You like Tokyo so far?"

"Some parts," he said shortly.

Not much of a talker, that one. Not at all like his exuberant, overly affectionate sister. Usagi's voice echoed in my mind: "They're super weird for brother and sister, aren't they?"

When I looked back over at Seijuro, he had a conflicted expression on his face. He glanced toward the glass doors and started to speak, "Listen, you should probably get Usagi ou-"

But he was interrupted by a violent shaking. Earthquake? I thought, as we rushed back inside.

"What's happening?"

Giant green vines slithered sickeningly through a side doorway, tearing through the building walls like they were paper.

Natsumi screamed as the floor crumbled underneath her, a vine throwing her forward. Seijuro and I were also tossed into a vast, black hole of a room, with a giant, terrifying creature squatting in the middle of it.

My mind barely had time to make the connection between what was happening and Odango Atama's insistence about an 'evil tree' - before her screams tore right through me and everything else ceased to matter.

"Help me!" Usagi sounded so panicked, so scared, caught far above us in thick ropes of veins pulling her petite body in all directions, a sickening purple glow surrounding her.

"ODANGO!"

No. Not her. Please, not her.

The tree dropped another creature - some kind of monster like the ones at the daycare, like the ones at the VR theater, like the one at the play. It died unceremoniously, and I felt horror like ice in my veins. If the tree could kill a monster so easily, what would it do to my little Odango Atama?!

It was the last, desperate thought I had before the ground fell out from under me.