Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon, and I never will unfortunately.

Author's Note: Another new chapter! I'm really loving this story so far! Please leave more reviews though and follows and favorites ;) I'll still be writing cause I'm enjoying the story so much.

This chapter is based on episode 189, The Duty of Friendship: Conflict Between the Sailor Guardians. Of course, now getting into the separation episodes! :'( These are gonna be so sad to get through, but it has to be done unfortunately :/ I don't really have too much to say about the chapter except hopefully you enjoy it!

In the beginning, Usagi tried to keep track how long it had been since the last time she saw Seiya, or had actually talked to him after that night after finding out about each other's identities.

After two weeks, she didn't bother trying anymore. Usagi missed him so much and spent a lot of the time when she was by herself, thinking about if he was wondering about her as much as she was about him. If he felt the way she thought he did, then he probably was, maybe even more so.

She just hated this so much, especially now that yet again Seiya, Yaten, and Taiki hadn't shown up at school. Usagi stayed silent as her friends talked about it. She wasn't paying attention much to what her friends were saying while her mind was on Seiya, thinking about what he was doing. Her thoughts were broken by Minako addressing her.

"What?" Usagi asked, thinking she had missed something, and she most likely did.

Her blonde friend frowned at her. "What's wrong?"

The answer was obvious, but not to her friends. "Nothing…I'm still…in shock right now…" Usagi told them.

"Shocked?"

She nodded, a sad smile on her face. "Yeah…I just thought we knew each other. But there's so much that we don't know about them." Though one secret had been revealed, there was so much more to the Starlights than met the eye, and since she hadn't been in contact with since that night, she hadn't been able to ask Seiya why they were here in the first place. Usagi could have asked when they saw each other afterwards, but she had been in such an emotional place at the time she didn't even think to ask. Even if she did, who knew if Seiya was even willing to tell her anything.

She had thought the right thing to do was to stay away from Seiya and the rest of them, but now…all Usagi wanted to do was to see him, hug him, and just be in his presence.

"Right…" Minako sighed in response to Usagi.

There was silence between the group until Ami spoke up in a quiet voice, "But…we didn't tell them about ourselves either, did we?"

No one said anything to that, because they didn't, but they had a good reason not to, and so did the Starlights. It still felt horrible to know they had kept a big secret like that from people who they had considered friends.

Usagi sighed, looking off into the distance.

When she went to the mall later that day, Usagi had heard about a fortune teller shop that had opened up recently and decided to go in. She didn't know why she decided on getting advice from some stranger who didn't know anything about her or what she was going through, but as she thought about it, there was her answer. She was going to someone else because she knew her friends wouldn't understand. Usagi had no idea what she was going to say to the fortune teller, so she would just say what came to mind when she went into one of the stalls.

Usagi ended up going into the first one she saw. She pushed the curtain away and moved inside, finding a seat in the chair across the table from the fortune teller. She didn't take notice to the similarity between the teller and a dear close friend of hers. Usagi's fingers nervously played with the handkerchief in her hands as she spoke to the fortune teller.

"So…there's this boy I've been thinking a lot about…"

"Huh?!" The teller before her hopped up to her feet, and Usagi blinked up at her in confusion. But she cleared her throat nervously while she sat back down in her chair. "I mean…I sense though you already have a boyfriend."

"Yeah I do…and that's what makes thinking about this other boy so much, so wrong…but I…I just can't help it. There's just something about this other boy that makes me feel safe…protected." Usagi looked down at her hands, squeezing the handkerchief tightly. "I know I shouldn't feel this way especially since I have a boyfriend. I have tried so hard not to think about this boy as more than just a friend…and now I can't even have him as that anymore." She went quiet to gather up her thoughts before she spoke again, which didn't take too long. "We discovered something about each other not to long ago and we haven't seen each other since. After it happened, we saw each other and we talked…and I thought it would be best if we didn't see one another again, but now all I can think about is seeing him, so we can try and work this out. I know his friends don't want me to see him, but I need to. I need to see him before I go crazy and I don't know what I should do." Usagi finally looked up again and stared desperately at the woman in front of her. "Please. I need some guidance. I need to know where to go from here."

The fortune teller had stayed quiet throughout her rant. Usagi didn't know if it was because she didn't know what to tell her, or she didn't time to process what she said.

Finally, she spoke up. "You're better at taking action than you are at thinking, right? So just do the first thing that comes to mind."

"How did you…"

The fortune teller didn't let her finish. "If you want to see him, go see him."

"But…I don't know where to find him…" Usagi said quietly. "He hasn't been at school."

"Find him." Usagi didn't say anything this time, so she went on, "Telling yourself you can't find him without even trying is merely an excuse. You're worried he might reject you, or refuse to talk to you, but if you're afraid and keep running away, you'll end up losing what's really important."

Usagi looked at her in awe. "Wow, you're good. How do you know so much about me?"

"It's easy when you're known someone as long as I've known you at this point." The woman pulled down her mask, revealing Rei, making Usagi gap at her. "Duh."

"Rei? That was you?" the blonde breathed, standing up to her feet, then blushed at what she had revealed. She told one of her friends about what she was starting to feel towards Seiya. She never said she was in love with though, thankfully, but now someone knew she was thinking so deeply about someone other than Mamoru. Usagi was surprised that this was the reaction she got. She had thought of one much worse, but she wasn't going to complain about it.

"All that matters is having the courage to do what needs to be done. You can dwell on what he thinks after you go see him and tell him what's on your mind. The Usagi Tsukino I know would stand tall and face her problems no matter what…" Rei's gaze on hers softened. "Here…"

Usagi looked down as her friend handed her a card. Apparently the Three Lights were going on a radio show later that night. Slowly, Usagi took it and brought it close to her.

"Thank you…" she told Rei softly. She was going to say something else, to reassure her friend that just because she was thinking about Seiya, didn't mean she was going to forget her destiny with Mamoru, but she couldn't get the words out of her mouth, so she just gave Rei a small smile before leaving the booth.

A couple hours later, Usagi found herself at the radio station. Her heart couldn't help the beating that began when she finally saw Seiya. He hadn't noticed her yet, but she wasn't in a good position for him to see her, so she asked someone to switch seats with her. Surprisingly, the girl (there was mostly girls and women here, of course) moved and allowed her to sit in her seat. Usagi had just gotten herself settled in the seat as the radio host started the show.

"Jack's invitation at Night is the show where we read your letters and play requests." The MC announced cheerfully. "Tonight's guests are the members of the idol group called the Three Lights." He smiled as he turned to the group. Thanks to you guys we seem to have a lot more woman in the studio audience. I'm told the number of people buying tickets to attend tonight skyrocketed because of your popularity."

Usagi waited with bated breath for Seiya to notice and it was released as soon as he did. From the look in his eyes, she knew he was surprised to see her and immediately she wished she was over on the other side, so she could hug him.

She managed to give him a small smile, but he didn't return it, however she knew he couldn't, considering Taiki and Yaten were right there. Not that it did any good as immediately, Taiki's eyes went to hers and Usagi flinched at the annoyance in his gaze, but she didn't shrink away from it.

"Now, why don't you pick a post card and song request from our listeners, Seiya?" The MC asked, of course not noticing what was occurring at the moment. Once the moment passed of Seiya not saying anything, the MC frowned and tried again. "Um Seiya?"

It was only once Taiki said his name that he snapped out of his daze. It would have been amusing for Usagi to see, but considering the situation, she kept her composer. "Yes?"

"How about you pick a post card for us now?"

"Sure…" He picked up a card and studied it for a moment before a smile came upon his handsome face and he looked back up into the audience.

Usagi caught his warm gaze and blushed softly as she kept the eye contact going.

"Okay…" Seiya finally said. "Can you please play the song to the Shooting Star. This is from Starlight."

The song began playing and Usagi was swept into the moment, even more so when he began reading the words off the post card, which she knew wasn't there. The words came from him, and him alone.

When the audience let out, Usagi followed behind everyone else, knowing they were going meet up with the Three Lights to get autographs and to meet the group. Despite in her gut knowing this probably wasn't the best idea, Usagi didn't care about it all that much. All she cared about was seeing Seiya again.

Usagi stayed behind everyone else and waited until there was only two more girls left, who were getting autographs from Seiya. Only then, did she make herself known to him.

"Seiya." Usagi said his name softly, catching his attention.

"Odango." Seiya breathed out, a twinkle in his eyes. One she missed greatly.

Usagi didn't hesitate to move over to him, immediately going into his open, outstretched arms. She gripped him tightly as she made sure to try and get as close to him as possible before burying her face into his chest. She breathed in, shutting her eyes closed as the scent of olives overcame her senses. It was a smell she realized she missed until just now.

"I've missed you…" Usagi mumbled into his chest, her grip growing even tighter if that was possible. "So much, Seiya."

"I've missed you too, Odango." Seiya whispered, and Usagi felt him bury his nose into her hair, taking in her scent as well.

Usagi had came in here to talk to him, but being in his arms made her want to stay there and not break the moment. She couldn't do that, because who knew when she would be able to speak to him again after this. So, she begrudgingly pulled back from the hug, but she didn't want to let go of him just yet, so her arms stayed around him as did his around her.

"I came here because I needed to see you again." Usagi finally spoke softly as she looked up into his eyes. "I couldn't keep away anymore, but…I didn't know where to find you. You haven't been at school."

"I know…" Seiya said gravely. "It wasn't by choice. I wanted to see you too, Odango. I know we left on good terms and you aren't angry at me from keeping this a secret from you but…I feel so guilty. Not just because of me being Sailor Star Fighter, but because there's so much you don't know about me. I want to tell you everything. About what we've been through, about why we're here but I just…" he trailed off.

"Can't." She finished for him softly. He nodded, and before she could stop herself, she reached up and placed a hand on his cheek. He immediately leaned in, turning his head slightly to kiss the palm of it. "There's so much I want to tell you too, but I can't either." Usagi wished she could tell him everything too. She wanted him to know the real reason why she couldn't admit she had feelings for him, to him or to herself.

Seiya sighed heavily, leaning his forehead against hers for a moment. He pulled back and looked into her eyes, allowing a slight smile to appear.

"Maybe…one day…hopefully…we will be able to tell each other everything." Seiya told her optimistically.

"Yeah, maybe one day." Usagi echoed in agreement, giving him a smile in return. One could only hope.

"Come on, that's enough Seiya!" The sound of Yaten's voice made them break up and Usagi stepped back, her heart constricting.

"This just doesn't affect you, Seiya." Taiki snapped, stepping in as well. "Stop being so selfish!"

Before he could even say anything, Usagi cut in, not wanting Seiya to get blamed for this. He didn't even know she was going to be here.

"Don't blame him." Usagi pleaded, one of her hands against her chest. "It isn't his fault. I was the one who came here. He didn't even know I was coming!"

"Back off!" Yaten growled, glaring at her harshly.

"This doesn't concern you, so stay out of it!"

Usagi flinched, the words causing her eyes to water. Seiya noticed and returned each one of their glares.

"Hey, don't you speak to her like that, Taiki!" Seiya hissed at the two of them, actually stepping in front of her and putting his arm out as if to protect her.

Taiki looked at him in disbelief, but there was still angry in his eyes. "Why do you keep defending her?!"

There was no time to answer as a loud, terrified scream interrupted.

"Oh no!" Usagi gasped, taking off running towards the direction of it. She didn't bother glancing back to see if they were following her as she knew they weren't.

She transformed and went straight into battle, interrupting Sailor Lead Crow with one of her speeches. Instantly, she sent the phage to attack her, which was the MC from the radio show.

Not too long after, her friends showed up and they managed to defeat the phage together, like always.

Crow growled in annoyance at being defeated, but she still had words for them. "It's because of you that Siren is…" she trailed off as she closed her eyes for a brief moment before they opened again, and they were filled with so much hatred. "I am going to make you pay for what you did to her!" She gritted out, stretching out her whip.

Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus stepped in front of her protectively.

"Sailor Moon, stay out of the way." Venus said.

"We'll take care of this one." Mars added.

Sailor Moon shook her head defiantly. "No! I refuse to back down from a fight!" She stared Sailor Crow down. "We are sworn to protect this planet from our enemies!"

"That's no excuse!"

What happened next seemed to happen in slow motion…

She heard a sound from behind and slowly turned around, only for her to gap in shock at another one of their enemies behind her, handling a weapon which sent a deathly beam of light in her direction.

Sailor Moon's body was frozen in place and before she could even move to avoid being hit, she heard Seiya's voice.

"Odango!"

Then seconds later, Usagi had to watch in horror - after he pushed off to the side – Seiya getting hit by the beam of light, sending him to ground harshly.

"SEIYA!"

Usagi didn't stop herself from running to him and gathering him up in her arms. He was bleeding from his head and he wasn't moving.

"Seiya, wake up! Please!" Usagi wailed, tears gathering up in her eyes and streaming down her face only minutes later.

The enemy retreated after Sailor Star Healer and Sailor Star Maker sent an attack their way.

Usagi continued to try and wake up Seiya until his team mates stopped her. At first, she didn't allow her grip on him loosen, which irritated Healer.

"Keep your hands off him!" Usagi didn't want to let go, knowing if she did she would never find out if he was going to be okay. "I said take your hands off!"

This time, Usagi let her grip loosen but still didn't let go as her friends took the chance to gather around her to make sure she was okay. Physically she was okay…but emotionally, she wasn't. Not at all.

Usagi wiped the tears away from her eyes, not wanting her friends to see them, even though it was too late.

"It's your fault that Seiya got injured like this!" Maker accused, basically scolding her. The emotional toll of that sentence hit hard as Healer took Seiya from her arms and her eyes watered with emotion. "We won't stop you from protecting this planet, but don't drag the three of us into your fight!"

"You're the reason everything's bad that's happened to us, Sailor Moon!" Yaten added in harshly.

Mars was the first to say something, glaring at the two soldiers before her. "What a terrible thing to say!" she exclaimed with a clenched fist as Usagi stared taken aback by that statement, but it also hurt. Was…was that true?

Healer ignored her, looking at Usagi coldly. "Don't come near us ever again."

"Goodbye."

With that, the two left with an unconscious Seiya in tow. Usagi stared at the spot where they once were with blurry eyes.

"Am I really the reasons for all their problems?" She breathed, hurt by the implication they made.

Sleep didn't come easy to Usagi that night, still too worried about how Seiya was doing. She didn't know if he was with Yaten and Taiki or at the hospital being treated for his injuries. She figured it was the latter and there was only one hospital he could be at if he were. She could go and see if he was in fact okay…but that would be ignoring Yaten and Taiki's warnings of staying away from them and Seiya.

In a burst of stubbornness, Usagi got out of bed and got dressed in warm clothes, knowing it was going to be cold outside. She left her house without waking up anyone and headed to the hospital. Before she left though, she grabbed her transforming pen. It was late at night now and visiting hours were over, so it was the only way to get into the hospital.

She transformed herself into a nurse and managed to get in without any trouble. After asking around to make sure he was actually here (he was to her immense relief), Usagi found his room only to find him still fast asleep.

"Seiya…" she whispered, bringing a chair to the side of his hospital bed to sit beside him. His head was bandage from where his head hit the ground, but he looked peaceful.

Usagi reached out her hand only to grasp his hand in hers, tangling her fingers together with his. "Seiya…why did you do that?" she questioned even though she wasn't expecting an answer since he was passed out. "I would have moved out of the way. You didn't have to protect me…" She chuckled to herself. "But that's what you do, isn't it? Protect me…even there's no reason for you to…but I can't take the fact that you got hurt because of me." Her eyes welled up. "You shouldn't be in here. I should be… but I know that would be the last thig you would want to happen to me…but I still wish that's what happened…because then maybe things would different and Yaten and Taiki wouldn't have told me to stay away from you. There's nothing to change that now. I guess it is what it is, but I wish it didn't have to be this way and I know you do too." She went quiet, allowing her thumb to brush against the knuckles of Seiya's hand. "You have to be okay…I don't want to lose you, Seiya. So…please…wake up…just so I know everything will be okay."

Usagi brought his hand up to her cheek and closed her eyes. She felt Seiya's hand twitch in hers, making her eyes open back up.

She watched as Seiya's eyes slowly fluttered open and met her gaze.

"Odango…" His voice was hoarse, but Usagi didn't care. He was okay!

"Seiya, thank god…" Usagi said in relief. She gave him a small smile. "That was a stupid thing to do, you know?"

"I couldn't let you get hurt, Odango. You know that." Seiya told her seriously, but tiredly.

Usagi gave him a soft look. "I know…but still. You scared me…you wouldn't wake up, Seiya. I thought you'd…" she stopped, not wanting to say it out loud.

"But I didn't, I'm still here." Seiya opened his mouth to say something else, but stopped when he noticed what she was wearing. "Why are you wearing that?"

"Hehe." Usagi laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head. "A nurse's outfit, duh. I have…I have this transformation pen that can turn me into anything. This was the only way to get into the hospital. It's late and visiting hours and I'm not supposed to be here…" She bit her bottom lip for a moment. "Yaten and Taiki weren't happy that you got hurt…because of me…they don't want me to see you anymore."

"What?! It wasn't your fault." Seiya sounded applauded. "I wanted to protect you."

"I know you did, Seiya." Usagi squeezed his hand, giving him a small, sad smile. "But they're right…you did get hurt because of me. If I was quicker to move away, then you wouldn't be here right now."

"Usagi." She looked at him startled. He never said her name, so she knew what he was going to say next was going to be serious. "Don't you dare blame yourself for what happened to me. Yaten and Taiki were just angry…they didn't mean that." She said nothing about that because she knew they did, but she let Seiya continue to speak. "I was the one who pushed you out of the way. I didn't want you to get hurt, so I did what I had to do, and I would do it again in a heartbeat."

"But…" Usagi opened her mouth to protest, but he cut her off.

"No. I mean, I would do it again. I don't care what happens to me, as long as your safe. My life doesn't matter."

"Yes it does!" Usagi found herself shouting out the words, glaring now at Seiya, startling him with the intensity behind her words. "It does matter…it matters to me…I don't know what I do without you. Your friendship means the world to me."

"Just friendship?" Seiya asked quietly.

Usagi closed her eyes. "That's all it can be, Seiya. I'm sorry…but it can't be more than that."

"Why not?"

She sighed, opening her eyes to meet his own. "It's…part of the things that I want to tell you, but I can't." She admitted. "I know it's hard to understand…but please…just try and understand that I just can't tell you." Even if she could tell him, it would only hurt him in the end and that was the last thing she wanted.

There was silence for a moment until Seiya spoke up. "Okay." He agreed softly. "It wouldn't be right if I didn't understand, because like we talked about before, there's things that I can't tell you either."

"Thank you." Usagi whispered, squeezing his hand gently. He nodded as he returned the pressure. "I should go…before Yaten and Taiki show up…"

"I don't want us to stay away from each other…"

"I don't either…" Usagi didn't say anything for a moment, but when she did speak up again, her voice was confident. "Then, we won't. Let's make a pact that no one matter what anyone says, we will keep seeing each other. That no one will ruin what we have." Normally, she would be the one to appease the other person and let them tell her what to do, so she wouldn't hurt their feelings. This time though, she didn't want anyone to ruin her friendship with Seiya and if she wanted to see him she would, no matter what.

Seiya nodded immediately in agreement. "Let's do it!"

Usagi beamed back at him. This would work, but deep down, she had a feeling that it wouldn't work out in the end, but for now, she was fine with living in denial at the moment as long as Seiya was by her side and okay.

TBC...

In...

Chapter Nine

Ending the chapter on positive note, even knowing what's going to happen in the next chapter UGH. I can't believe I'm almost in the double digit chapters. I never thought. I don't know if when it's time for the final battle, if I'm going to focus much on it. I'm half and half about it. I'm kind of thinking of doing like an aftermath of the battle instead. Idk, what do you guys think?

Let me know in reviews and tell me what you thought of chapter eight! Until next time then!