Hi everyone! I hope you are all ready for things to pick up again :) I'm really enjoying writing this part of the story so I hope you all like it too. I did add some music recommendations to this chapter; I'm not sure this will happen every chapter but we'll see. (I'm almost more nervous to share the music I listen to with everyone then this story for some reason lol)
Music - Lucifer's Waltz - Secession Studios (This matches with Seiya's second section. On a quick aside, this isn't really a Waltz! The time signature is 4/4 and not 3/4 but nothing to be done about that… Yes my musical nerdiness is showing here but it bothered me lol)
Stray Italian Greyhound - Vienna Teng : This was one of the songs that started this story and isn't so much reflective of this chapter but the story as a whole up to this point.
/
Another drop of sweat hit her eye; she flinched. Seiya grabbed the bottom of her shirt and dried her face. While she'd managed to get a few extra hours of sleep last night, the nightmares were ill content to leave her in peace for long, destroying the momentary sanctuary she'd found in Usagi's room.
Releasing the thin cotton shirt, she stared at her hand. The phantom sensation of Usagi's delicate fingers wrapped around her own, the light pulse of her warmth against her skin, still lingering. It nearly killed her to pull away from her this morning. Their hands so perfectly intertwined, Usagi sleeping peacefully no longer haunted by the terrors that plagued her earlier.
But she couldn't stay; fear stalked her every thought. She'd dragged herself down to the training fields again, determined to chase away the demons once more. To prove herself wrong.
Climbing the last step back to the Starlight's wing, her legs shaking in protest with the effort, Seiya paused at Usagi's door. She raked her hand through her hair, still damp from her workout. One of many questions she'd wanted to ask her last night circled in her head as she raised her hand, hovering inches from the thick wood. A salt-laden breeze drifted through the hallway, and a slight chill rolled over her as she stood frozen in place.
It's easy, she thought, staring at the door as though she could see through it. You've asked her out before. You can do it again.
But before she could bring her hand down, the door flung open. Usagi, eyes still half-closed in sleep, stumbled into her, sending them both careening towards the floor. Seiya's legs were too wobbly to steady them. Bracing herself, her back slammed against the hard stone, Usagi landed on top of her with a thud. A guttural hiss escaped her lips as the air was pushed from her on both sides.
Groaning, she sucked what little air she could into her muscles, spasming from the unexpected impact, trying to relax them. Seiya slowly opened her eyes, her vision clearing. Usagi's blue crystalline eyes, slightly dazed, stared back at her. For the second time this morning, though for an entirely unrelated reason, she found it hard to breathe. Their bodies pressed against one another; Usagi's hair brushed against her arm, sending prickles of electricity flying within her. Neither moved.
"While I could get used to you falling for me Odango, next time I wouldn't mind if you could pick a softer spot," she managed to get out; Usagi's weight still squeezing her lungs.
Usagi's face burned bright red as she shot up, scurrying off her. The sky blue sundress she wore swayed around her as she hurried to her feet, the color highlighting the flush in her cheeks.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Haven't you heard of knocking?" She snapped.
"I was going to, but you apparently couldn't wait those few seconds to see me," Seiya groaned as she struggled to her feet. The few muscles that weren't sore before now joined the chorus from earlier, everything stiff and aching.
"I'm not one of your fangirls following you around. Feels more like you're the stalker here. Always showing up at my door unannounced."
Seiya winced a bit as she put pressure on her left foot, slightly twisted from the fall. Usagi's aloof demeanor instantly fell away.
"Are you okay?" She scanned Seiya over, her eyes narrowing slightly with concern, clearly not pleased with the state of disarray she was in. "You don't look…" she searched for the right word, her voice hanging in the air as she studied Seiya.
"Don't worry about me, must have twisted my ankle a bit, it'll be fine in a minute. I'm just a bit tired from the early training session this morning."
Usagi nodded half-heartedly, raising an eyebrow, unconvinced.
"Actually, there was something I wanted to ask you last night, but I forgot." A complete lie. She didn't forget. Her courage failed her. And, while there were a million things she wanted to ask her she'd thought it best to start with an easy one. "I'm not sure if anyone's told you, but there's a ball to welcome the Elorians in two days and I was hoping you would go with me… As my date."
A deafening silence hung between them. Usagi glanced down and started to fiddle with her hands, her nails clicking against one another.
"I… um… Aren't I supposed to be keeping a low profile here, with the Elorians and everything," She stammered, her shoulders slumping. "I don't think that would work if I went with you. I'm sure everyone will notice who you are with. And besides, I'm a terrible dancer and I have nothing to wear…. And I… I'm not sure if I'll… I need to... " —
"Don't worry. It's a masquerade ball, so it'll be hard to tell who anyone is. And no one pays too much attention to us when Kakyuu's there. Everyone's always looking for a way to spend time with her.
"As for the dress, leave that to me. I'm sure I can have our seamstresses make something beautiful for you. Now for your dancing." She stepped closer, resisting every instinct to reach out and clasp Usagi's hand in hers again — to feel her delicate skin against her own. The intoxicating scent of lilacs drifted around her as Usagi shifted, "Maybe you've never had the right partner."
Usagi still didn't respond, the red of her cheeks growing brighter, the quiet slowly driving Seiya to madness.
Finally, Usagi looked up. A bolt of apprehension shot through Seiya. Usagi's eyes overflowed with pity and remorse for her — a look she'd seen before. During their final concert as the Three Lights, when Seiya told her she'd whisk her away afterward and kissed Usagi lightly on the cheek. Knowing that this was the end of the relationship she'd hoped for, that Usagi's heart wouldn't belong to her.
"Seiya, I'm...I need to…I have to..."
Her heart raced. It was happening again.
"Come on Odango, I would hate for you to be stuck by yourself in your room all night when everyone else was having fun. My company can't be that terrible," she laughed, attempting to smooth over the scars from Usagi's past rejections.
"I'll think about it." Her arms crossed protectively around her, as though they could keep in whatever it was she was struggling to say. And whatever it was, Seiya wasn't sure she was ready to hear it.
Something had changed. They hadn't been apart for more than four hours, and yet, this was not the same woman who'd welcomed her embrace last night. Usagi's emotions guarded, her heart barricaded somewhere Seiya couldn't reach.
Had she done something to make her upset? She thought she'd made her feelings clear on Earth, but they'd only just met again after so long. Just because she had spent the last three years dreaming of their reunion that didn't mean Usagi would feel the same way. And then there was Mamoru. The thought of him, and that ring, did nothing to calm her nerves.
She reached out, putting her hand lightly on Usagi's arm. Grateful she didn't pull away, Seiya searched for the cerulean eyes that skirted her own. "Odango, is everything okay? Are you alright?"
Usagi finally relented, letting her eyes settle in Seiya's gaze. Pleading with her, trying to tell her something she couldn't yet say. But Seiya couldn't tell what she needed.
Thoughts swirled around her head as the door to the side of them slammed open. Yaten dragged herself out of her pitch-black room, all of the curtains still drawn. Her eyes shot open as they fell upon them, instantly snapping her out of her waking sleep. Her mouth set in a firm scowl. Seiya couldn't help but imagine what her reaction would have been had she discovered them just a few minutes earlier, still on the floor.
"Yaten!" Usagi's normal cheer immediately returned to her voice as she bounded away from Seiya.
"Yaten, can you show me the way to the kitchen for breakfast? I'm starving," Usagi grabbed her arm, tugging her towards the stairs.
"Can't Seiya drop you off there? We have rounds right after this." Yaten flailed, struggling to resist Usagi's pull.
"No, I've been taking up too much of her time since I got here and we haven't had a chance to catch up yet. Please?" The slight hint of desperation in her voice not lost on Seiya — the dull daggers from her nightmare finding her and pressed against her chest.
"Fine, fine. I'll take you down just try not to talk too much. I still haven't had my coffee yet."
Usagi nodded, following after the silver-haired Guardian.
Seiya's heart sank. What happened? She had been so sure this morning that some part of Usagi held feelings for her but now… now Usagi seemed determined to run away again.
/
"Why did she have to be there?" Usagi muttered under her breath as they headed towards the kitchen. The aroma of freshly baked bread and rosemary growing ever stronger as they traversed the winding palace halls.
Just as she'd accepted her fate, that she couldn't continue to avoid her preordained future, Seiya had to appear before her — gleaming in the morning sun, her muscles glistening from her workout, her heart-stopping smile trapping Usagi in its wake — Adonis made flesh. She'd barely been able to tear her eyes away from Seiya, struggling to quell the fire that had ignited in her as their bodies collided.
How could Seiya not understand what she did to her; not that she thought Seiya was entirely unaware, which only infuriated her more. As though Seiya'd sensed her plans, literally throwing herself in her way. Usagi glanced up at the sky, hoping the fates enjoyed toying with her, delighting in her unending turmoil; a puppet for their personal enjoyment. Why couldn't luck be on her side for once?
She'd already spent the entire morning bargaining with herself, desperate to find her way out of the decision she'd made to no avail. The path forward was clear. Had Yaten not shown up, Usagi wasn't sure she would have been able to resist Seiya's pull again.
True to her promise of silence, Yaten said nothing as they walked through the palace. The hallways burst with staff as they finished preparing for the Elorian entourage that was arriving today. A few still paused briefly to nod their heads in respect to Yaten before scurrying off. From what Taiki told her yesterday, the talks with Prince Korin had been proceeding well and Kakyuu thought they might have a new treaty signed by the ball.
Leading her into a courtyard that Taiki had skipped on her tour, Yaten stopped; a breathtaking fountain emerged from the ground in front of her. Flowers she couldn't name carved into the white marble base, petals swirling in and out of one another. Hovering atop the shallow water six palm-sized flames encircled the pool flickering in the breeze. In the center, elevated up top a pedestal knelt the statue of a young girl; her head raised, arms extended towards the sky with her hands cupped overhead, water trickling down from her palms into the pool below. Floating above her outstretched hands a golden starseed glistened. Its iridescent shimmer radiated down, creating ribbons of gold that tumbled into the clear water below.
"Yaten, I thought we were going to get breakfast, not that this isn't beautiful but," — Her stomach finished the sentence for her, growling loudly enough Usagi would have sworn it echoed off the walls.
"We'll get there but I wanted to show this to you first. Every city on Kinmoku has one of these," Yaten's voice almost reverent as she looked down into the water.
"Who's it for?" Usagi asked, walking closer.
"This is the memorial for those we lost to Galaxia's attack," Yaten said, pointing to the bottom of the pool.
Usagi looked down, names carved under the flowing water; etched into the stone. No space left uncovered.
"Each one is someone we... I, failed to protect. I wasn't here the day Galaxia first came. I was off on a mission." She nearly spat the word. "And by mission, I was off visiting my best friend.
"I'd convinced Kakyuu that we needed to start patrolling further from the palace to let the people know we weren't just here to protect her, but them as well. But, I really just wanted a break. I went to stay with my friend, away from my duties as a Guardian, to have a normal life for a few days.
"But then Galaxia came. Our cities crumbled, the seas burned, almost nothing was spared. I had to leave her, to come back to the palace and protect Kakyuu. My friend told me she'd be fine, that we would see each other when I'd won the battle. And then I left, leaving her alone, unprotected.
"But by the time I got back to the palace, Princess Kakyuu had already fled to Earth. We'd lost. I was too late.
"Everything was gone; our Princess, our home, our world. Everything destroyed. We failed in our one task as Guardians, the one reason we exist."
Yaten's words spilled from her mouth faster, each one carrying the weight of her guilt within it, "Before we left for Earth I went back to my friend's village to make sure she was alright, that she was safe but Saori," Yaten nearly choked on the name, her eyes darkening. "Saori died in one of Galaxia's attacks. She was helping evacuate some of the villagers to a safer location when her starseed was taken. And since Galaxia only collected other Guardian's starseeds Saori's was crushed. No one can survive without one."
Her emerald eyes glazed over, no longer seeing the world surrounding them. A look Usagi knew well. One she'd seen on each of her Guardians' faces whenever their conversations turned to their past battles. Unable to fully detach themselves from their memories.
Usagi wanted to wrap the slender woman, to find some way to let her know that she understood the pain she was feeling, the loss she'd also experienced over and over, but couldn't bring herself to break the dark spell Yaten was weaving. Transporting them both back to the days when Galaxia threatened everything they loved.
Usagi's vision fading out, collapsing around her as the other Sailor Moon in her mind grew ever closer to her again. Threatening to pull her back in. Taking a deep breath she fought to ground herself back into the present. The world opened up again before her. Yaten stood unmoving, also lost to the demons of her own memories.
"Usagi," her name caught her off guard. "What are you doing here?"
"What do you mean? I wanted to come and visit you guys. Like I said, it's been ages since we've seen each other..." Yaten's piercing green eyes stared straight through her. The simple lie she'd fallen back on ever since she'd arrived crumbled under her scrutiny.
"If you came here just to visit you would have brought the others but here you are, alone. Don't play games with me Usagi, I don't have time for them. Why are you here?"
Her lips wouldn't move. All of the things she wanted to say, to scream to anyone who would listen trapped again in her throat; a part of her still unwilling to let them out.
"I'm… I just needed to take a break. To get away for a bit. Everyone has something they're doing, something they are working towards; Ami's in medical school, Rei's completing her training to take over her grandfather's shrine, Makoto and her bakery, and Minako still building her career as a performer. Everyone has something and I… I was by myself waiting for the future to start to happen. I needed to leave and clear my head for a while." While not a lie, the full truth still left unsaid.
Yaten nodded, apparently satisfied with her answer. Looking back at the floating star seed she sighed.
"I can't lose so many people I care about again, people who depend on us to protect them. When you're around Seiya forgets her mission. She can't be fully dedicated to those we serve.
"I am glad to see you. Don't get me wrong, we've all missed you guys since we came back, but you have to know what you're doing to her. Seiya's more sensitive than she likes to let on. If you're both determined that you should stay I need to know if you're serious this time?" Yaten's eyes found hers once more. Usagi wanted nothing more to run and hide from them but her feet were tethered to the ground.
"What do you mean? She and I are friends," Usagi laughed nervously.
Yaten rolled her eyes, "We both know that she doesn't care about you like that. I already told you Usagi, I don't have time for games or semantics so I'll just ask you straight out. Are you and Mamoru still together or not?"
Her heart skipped a beat at Yatan's question, her stomach twisting. The word slipped out of her mouth, barely audible over the falling water. "Yes."
Yaten nodded, not needing to hear anymore. No explanation could change what she'd just said.
Striding away from the fountain to leave, Yaten placed her hand on Usagi's bare shoulder; her delicate fingers cold against her skin. "I won't sit by and watch Seiya be torn apart again in this one-sided relationship. She doesn't deserve to be dragged along as your second choice again. She deserves the truth from you."
The words cut her to her core. Yaten was wrong, Seiya had never been her second choice. But if she still wasn't willing to give up on the future of Crystal Tokyo, on Chibi-Usa, what did she think she and Seiya could have together? What choice had she ever truly had?
"Honestly, it would be better if you went back and let us handle our problems by ourselves," Yaten sighed, looking up at the sky. "You're not doing anyone any favors by being here right now."
With that, she walked away leaving Usagi alone in the shadow of the fountain.
/
"What changed?" The question wouldn't leave her alone as Seiya wandered aimlessly through the palace halls.
After her shower, she'd gone down to the kitchen to find Usagi, but neither she nor Yaten were there. Open rooms, winding corridors, quiet gardens all blurred together as she passed, searching for her friend, unaware of the others that bustled around her.
Her legs protested with every step, her eyelids drooping. Maybe Yaten was right; maybe she was pushing herself too hard. But as the thought of rest tried to seduce her, the image of Galaxia, sword aimed at Usagi's chest, consumed her vision.
"No," she whispered to herself. "I have to keep going." Until she was sure she would be ready this time.
A thunderous crash rang out through the halls, snapping Seiya from her trance. She dragged her screaming legs forward and darted towards the noise.
Reaching the main ballroom she instantly relaxed, slumping against the wall. One of the beams being hosted up for the upcoming ball must have slipped from its restraints and fallen. A crowd of decorators already clustered around the arrant pillar, trying to figure out how to best lift it again.
Laughing to herself, she turned to go. I just need to know what happened. What made her change so quickly?
She didn't want to push Usagi, she'd only been here a few days, and she'd made it very clear she didn't want to talk about why she'd left. But what happened this morning just didn't sit well with her.
What if she's leaving? A voice cut through her head. What if she was trying to tell you goodbye and you were too stubborn to listen?
She couldn't be leaving, Usagi just got here. Interrupting her thoughts, someone from the crowded room called out to her.
"Seiya!"
Searching for the owner, a burst of irritation flared in her as her gaze landed on the violet-eyed Elorian Prince, who was already heading in her direction. Cursing herself for stopping, she forced a smile back at him.
The rhythmic din of music filled the room as the orchestra started their practice. The first notes of a waltz floated through the air as he reached her.
"Seiya, I am glad to see that you are back from your mission. I hope you were successful in dealing with the Phantoms that have been giving you all so much trouble." Prince Korin's tone grated on her ears.
She nodded curtly, unwilling to continue this conversation any longer than necessary. But he carried on oblivious to her disdain.
"I had hoped, now that you are back, you might be able to join me for a stroll through the palace gardens one of these nights. I know you have your duties but I can always talk to Kakyuu to see if you can't have one evening off. One's own company can be so dreadfully dull."
"Unfortunately I can't. With the attacks moving closer to the palace I'm needed to lead the watch every night. You'll have to find someone else who can amuse you."
"That is a dreadful shame. I was so looking forward to it."
"If you'll excuse me." — Seiya turned to leave. She didn't have time to entertain him; she had to find Usagi, to prove to herself she was still here.
"Well, if you do not have time for a walk." He extended his hand out to her, half bowing. His dark ring flashed as an errant beam of light stuck it; the stone consumed the light instead of reflecting it back out into the world. "Would I at least be able to steal you away for one dance instead?"
A wave of revulsion pushed through her. Nothing in the world could be a greater waste of her time than spending another minute with him. But just as she was about to fabricate another lie, an idea stirred in her mind, though it was a long shot.
They needed more information about the Elorians, they'd made no progress deciphering Yaten's vision, and Prince Korin might just be arrogant enough to let something slip if she indulged him. With the way, he was so oblivious to her distaste for his presents he didn't seem like the sharpest tool in the shed. She'd been able to charm useful information from women more than once. It shouldn't be that much harder to do with a man — though, compared to all of the women she'd lured intelligence out of she found nothing about him the least bit attractive.
She pushed down the panic from earlier, adrenaline still pumping through her veins, clinging to the thought that Usagi wouldn't leave. She could spare a few insufferable minutes to see what she could find out from the Prince.
Can't focus on my mission with Usagi here, ha! She mentally huffed at Yaten.
Placing her hand in his, fighting back a shudder, she forced a smile. "I would be delighted."
The piano and strings were already playing in a steady, driving beat as they made their way to the newly prepared dance floor. The song building as the prelude concluded and the waltz began in earnest.
"Splendid," he said. Quickly pulling her towards him, their body's colliding roughly together, as he started to dance; the pungent scent of licorice and cloves assaulting her nose as she pushed away, giving herself some space from him. His movements were graceful and fluid as they dipped in time with the music.
"So how are things on Eoros? I haven't been there since I was a child," Seiya asked, her hand cold where his onyx ring brushed against her skin. A chill crept up her arm; the blood in her veins froze as it coursed through her.
"Oh, things are as they always are." He shrugged, his black hair swaying in front of his eyes as they spun. "Nothing much happens at home. Things do seem so much more exciting here. Your defeat of Galaxia and now Phantoms are threatening your people again. Never a quiet moment it seems."
"You almost sound pleased about our current situation."
"Oh no, don't misunderstand me. I do hope you find whatever's responsible soon. It would be a shame to see your planet fall into ruin again so quickly."
A throbbing pang quickly asserted itself in her temple as they danced. Unbidden, memories erratically flashed before her eyes. Ripped from the darkest chasms in her mind. She inhaled, thrusting them back down. Unsure as to why they were appearing now.
"I'm sure we will," Seiya said, turning as the tempo increased, the tension building between the instruments, each section competing for dominance over the melody. "I have been wondering, why did you and your sister decide to come and visit now? Things have been safe here for years but we heard almost nothing from your planet. I'm sure Princess Kakyuu had reached out to you before."
"The situation at home was tense for a while after Galaxia's defeat. Let's just say that there were a lot of changes that needed to happen and now that everything is prepared we couldn't think of a better time to come and visit. All of the stars finally seemed to align." His smile made her stomach twist.
The room swirled around them, colors blurring together. The pull of the musicians' bows across their instruments grated against the pounding in her head. Drums joining the urgent beat, propelling them forward. His grip squished her fingers together.
"Speaking of you sister, Princess Miyo, I haven't seen her much around the palace. Is she enjoying her stay?"
"Oh, my sister is notoriously shy. Don't worry about her. She has her Guardians to keep her company."
"I had noticed that. I hear she's never without them. Why is that?"
The piano and drums released them from their pounding rhythm, the music slowing as the strings cried out a single note in the air.
"Yes, well I'm sure you understand just how protective of their princess Guardians can be. They don't like to leave her side even for a moment to ensure her safety." His violet eyes locked onto hers, bearing down on her, "Especially, after what happened here with Princess Kakyuu and Galaxia. No reason to leave anything to chance."
A burst of anger flooded her. How dare he bring up their failings so casually; his words picking away at the old scab she feared would never fully heal.
The splitting ache in her head tore at her. Her mind twisting — memories flashing — as though someone was rummaging within her mind. Single-mindedly focused on capturing an unnamed prize. The image of Sailor Moon kneeling in that cave, clutching Suki to her chest, burst to the front of her thoughts.
Her feet stumbled, pushing her closer to Korin for support. But, the Prince didn't seem to notice her sudden clumsiness, as her legs rebelled, no longer subject to her commands. A twisted smile blazing across his face they danced through the hall. Everything quiet except for the orchestra. Everyone seemingly abandoned the two of them, alone in the hall.
"My you are inquisitive. But now I have a question for you. A few days ago myself and my sister were awakened early in the morning hours by a sudden burst of power. But when I asked Princess Kakyuu about it she didn't seem to know what it was. What are your thoughts?" His voice dripped with sinister amusement.
"I'm not sure, I didn't notice anything." Alarms rang out in her head. She'd made a mistake thinking she could use him. She'd walked straight into his trap, a naive lamb ready for the slaughter.
"Oh, you shouldn't tell lies," he chuckled. His onyx ring once cold, now painfully electric against her skin. Her aching muscles spasming under its pulse. "I saw you that morning through my window. You ran out towards the palace gates like you were chasing a ghost and then returned not half an hour later looking like a light had gone out inside you. Could you have been expecting to find someone? A long-lost friend from another world perhaps?"
He was talking like he knew Usagi was here. That it wasn't any longer a question, but a fact she couldn't deny. How would he even know who she was?
The music swirled around them, violins driving the orchestra forward to the crescendo of the piece. The two of them no longer moving but her head spun all the same. They stood still in the middle of the floor. Eyes locked on one another. His face caught the light, a maniacal force emanated from him, seeming to glow from within.
"I often go on early morning runs. I'm sure that's what you saw." Her voice breathless as she struggled to keep herself upright.
"I'm sure you were." A pernicious smile spread across his face.
Her stomach turned. The pounding in her head was excruciating. The image of her and Usagi staring up at the twin moons from last night wrenched to the forefront of her mind.
A sudden jolt of anger flashed across his violet eyes, his hands tightening around hers — crushing her fingers in his grasp. His already low voice dropped to a mocking whisper, "Ahh, I didn't realize that we shared a fondness for moon gazing. But those Moon Princesses, they can be so fickle, so difficult to ensnare."
He knew Usagi, knew she was here. And somehow she had been the one to hand him that information, putting her in danger, again.
A strange heat pulsed through her veins, threatening to overtake her. The unknown force slowly wrestled control of her body away from her — she was losing.
"You're not looking well. Maybe I should take you to find a doctor?" His eyes brimming with an emotion she couldn't place as he looked down at her. Triumph? Victory?
"Who are you?" She managed to force out.
"You'll find out soon enough. And here, I didn't believe them when they told me she would choose you, causing all of this trouble for the rest of us. You shouldn't go chasing after things that don't belong to you." He laughed to himself, before looking back down at her with obvious disdain.
She tried to push him away as he leaned in closer, her arms refusing to move, limp in his grasp. Her instincts screamed at her; to transform, to run, to fight. But her body couldn't respond. The power held her absolutely; the world slowly fell away from her grasp.
"I don't think you're going to go anywhere now. Don't worry, I'll make sure you're well taken care of. Besides, there's someone who has been dying to meet you. Though, I'm not sure I'm ready to give you over to them yet. You cannot go unpunished for thinking you can take something that is mine."
His face dipped forward not an inch away from hers as her legs gave out. Her weight now fully supported by the arm he'd slipped around her waist. His lips brushed her ear. His hot breath kissed her skin as he spoke. Her whole body stiffening at his whispered words. She had to get away to warn the others — to warn Usagi.
Mustering the last of her mental strength she managed one last half-hearted shove, barely managing to wrinkle his shirt as the world fell away. Her vision consumed by an inky black. A lone violin cried forth in a soft sorrowful note which hovered in her ears as she slipped from consciousness.
/
Rei checked her watch again. He should be here any minute.
Walking over to a small patch of shade to the side of the road she waited. An unease brewing within her that she hadn't been able to settle since they'd all met the other night. She still couldn't understand why Haruka had been so upset — no livid — with Mamoru's presence. Why shouldn't he have been there? He was Usagi's boyfriend and future husband. How could this not involve him — especially now?
It had taken longer than she'd expected for the realization to dawn on the others as to what was happening. Maybe she was the only one who noticed the stolen glances Usagi would sneak of Seiya when she thought no one was around. The look Rei'd seen in her eyes that night on the roof of the school. She'd always suspected there was something more there but she'd never pressed her about it. And Usagi never brought it up.
But the moment Haruka told them where she was, Rei knew. There was no question in her mind as to why Usagi would be on Kinmoku. There was only one person who could draw her away from Mamoru, from them.
Usagi, what's going on with you? Why didn't you tell me anything?
Her friend's silence still stung. Did she not trust her? She'd clearly mentioned something to Haruka, which hurt all the more.
The smooth rumble of an engine filled the air as Mamoru's car pulled up, sending the shrine's resident crows spilling into the air, their cries nearly drowning out the motor. Running over she opened the door and got in; the black leather, which had been bathing in the heat of the sun, burned her exposed skin. She reached up and pointed the air vents directly at her, a vain attempt to combat the scalding seat.
"Any news?" Mamoru asked as she shut the door.
The car leapt forward as he shifted into drive.
"No, I haven't heard anything yet. Neither have the others." Rei checked her phone knowing full well there wouldn't be any new messages.
After Haruka and Michiru left and Rei'd explained her understanding of the situation to the others, they'd decided the best course of action was to go and talk to Usagi. But to do that they would need the outer scouts — and she could only guess how well Haruka reacted when Setsuna and Hotaru told her the plan. Rei knew having Mamoru come would set her off again but she'd at least expected one of them to call. But there'd been nothing. Not a word from any of the outer scouts in two days.
An awkward silence engulfed the car. She glanced over at Mamoru. His eyes fixed on the road ahead, both hands gripping the wheel. She could feel the car accelerating again as they hit an open stretch of highway; the towering buildings of downtown Tokyo merged together as they passed. She reached over and grabbed the side handle, her stomach dropping at the sudden burst of speed.
"I'm sure she's alright," Rei blurted out, no longer able to stand the quiet, her nerves on edge as they rounded a tight turn, not slowing. "I'm sure everything's going to be fine."
Mamoru nodded again, silent.
Rei mentally kicked herself for saying something so untrue. How could any of this turn out well? If Usagi and Mamoru weren't together, if things didn't play out exactly as they'd seen, there was no guarantee that the Crystal Millenium would come to be.
The age of peace they had been promised. A time when they all could finally stop fighting. When she could stop staring into the flames every night, silently watching, always waiting for the next vision to come. For a new enemy to find them. Never knowing if they would be able to survive the next attack, there had already been so many times they hadn't.
The memory of her friends' deaths —her own death — sent a chill throughout her body as that cold darkness threatened to consume her again; to pull her back into the void of endless nothing. The pain that ripped through her as she faded away after Galaxia speared her starseed from her, erasing her from existence. The sulfuric stench of her hair and fuku burning as she summoned her flames to kill the demons that protected Queen Beryl — perishing along with them in her own attack. They had never really made it out unscathed.
Each time they'd managed to return and take up their mantles as Guardians once again. But the memories never faded, the nightmares that plagued her never letting her forget. All of the times she'd wake up drenched in sweat, adrenaline coursing through her veins, sure that another force had come to destroy them. So she'd go and peer into the flames, chasing away her fears. To look into the future and see Crystal Tokyo still standing there, a promise that they would one day save everyone. That in the end, their sacrifice would have been worth it.
The uniform grey of the city soon gave way to the coastline. The sea to one side and ever-larger trees to the other. Both of them resigned to sit in silence the rest of the way.
Pulling up to the house her heart sank. Every light was off, not a single window opened. She could have told Mamoru now that their trip was in vain. And by the look on his face, his eyebrows creasing together as he also scanned the house for any signs of life, he knew it too. Not willing to admit defeat yet, they parked the car and made their way to the front door.
They both stood there as she rang the doorbell. The chimes were the first real noise she'd heard since they'd stopped talking. No one came.
Mamoru brought his hand down against the white door, pounding loudly enough for the echoes inside to reach their ears. Her heart sank as reality set in. Haruka and the others weren't going to agree to their plans. But instead of telling them why, or working as a team, they'd just decided to leave.
"Hey, can you try something for me?" Mamoru asked.
"Sure, what do you need?"
"Call one of their cell phones," he said, his eyes not leaving the door.
"Sure, but they haven't picked up any other time. I don't think they will now." She dug quickly through her bag, her fingers finally bushing against the glass of the phone screen after hitting almost every other object in her purse.
Pulling out the phone she dialed Haruka, knowing that she wouldn't pick up. Bur Mamoru didn't seem interested in the call, instead, he walked up to the door and pressed his ear to it. Not that he needed to, the soft ring coming from inside the house chimed loud enough for both of them to hear.
Raising his fist again, this time the door shaking under the resounding force. "Haruka, we know you are in there. You can't keep avoiding me. We have to get Usako. You cannot just abandon your duty to protect this world and our future! We have to protect my family!"
No one came.
He shoved his hand into his back pocket, pulling out a black leather wallet. Flicking it open a small polaroid fell to the ground as he retrieved a black cloth case. The click of metal against metal emerged from the small pouch as he fiddled with it.
Rei crouched down and grabbed the faced-down picture by its edges, careful to not scratch the glossy front against the gravel below, and flipped it over.
Two beaming ruby eyes, surrounded by pink flowing hair, smiled back at her. Chibi-Usa tucked protectively between Mamoru and Usagi who also beamed at the camera. Would they still be able to smile like that when this was over?
Mamoru stopped fiddling with the small metal tools in his hand and reached for the picture.
"Sorry." Rei handed him the photo. Though, she wasn't sure what she was apologizing for.
He stared at the image. The air around them now heavy with a sudden weight. "You know, I grew up without my parents right, well ever since I was six at least." His words quiet, his eyes not leaving the picture.
Rei nodded. She'd known his parents died when he was younger but it wasn't something they'd ever talked about.
"I don't remember it well. I know it was my birthday and I asked them to take me for a drive somewhere… then, I saw my mom looking back at me, telling me I was going to be okay as she died. I could barely hear her over the horn of the truck that hit us. But other than that it's all a blur. Which is probably for the best.
"I never knew what it was like to have a family till I met Usako. The moment I knew who she was — Princess Serenity — that Usako and I were destined to be together, I finally understood what it was like to belong with someone. That, as long as I had her by my side, I would never be alone again.
"And then when we found out that Chibi-Usa was our daughter, I… I can't even describe how I felt. Like a part of me that I lost in that car crash was finally whole again. I can't lose her, Rei. I see her in my dreams. Ever since the other night at the shrine. She cries out for my help and I can't do anything." He said, though, she didn't know who he meant.
Rei rose and rested her hand against his arm lightly. She could feel the tension in his body through his shirt. "I'm sure she'll come back and that this all is a misunderstanding between the two of you." Saying this not just for him but for herself as well. "I mean, was there anything that happened between you guys before she left? Anything you can think of?"
He shrugged her hand off at the question and returned his attention to the small picks in his hand. Crouching down he took one and shoved it into the keyhole. Taking another with groves of varying sizes cut into it he inserted it above the first pick and started to fiddle with the lock.
"Hey, what are you doing? We can't break into their house!"
"You heard her phone ring as well. Someone has to be in there. I can't sit by and wait any longer. We have to go get Usagi," he hissed. His teeth clenched in concentration as he reached for another pick.
"And what are you going to do when we get there?" Rei asked quietly, unsure if he heard her. Haruka's biting question from the other night still ringing in her head, "I will not be responsible for forcing her into a future she doesn't choose for herself. Or is that what you are saying we should do?"
What were they going to do if they got there?
She'd thought about that question over and over and still couldn't come up with an answer. She could never make Usagi do something she didn't want to, but at what cost. Would their world even survive without Neo Queen Serenity's power and the birth of the second Silver Millenium? Or would they be trapped fighting endless wars; always waiting for the next enemy, the next battle? How long could they survive like that?
All she knew was that she needed to talk with Usagi, to understand what was going on. She needed to see her friend.
A light click burst through the air. Mamoru stood and dusted off his trousers. Opening the door he gestured to Rei, "After you."
Rei walked forward, stopping in the middle of the doorframe. Not wanting to go any further. "Haruka? Michiru?" she called out.
No one answered.
"Are you going to go in?" Mamoru asked.
Taking another cautious step forward she entered the house. Mamoru followed, walking right past her, down the hallway.
"Haruka! We have to talk, you can't just avoid us," he yelled. "Can you call her phone again?" He asked, opening the door to Michiru's practice room.
"Ahh, sure." She fumbled with the phone which was still in her hands. Uneasy in the spacious house.
The sound of the cell rang out again and Mamoru jogged towards the chime. This time Rei followed after him. By the time she'd reached him, he'd already swung the parlor doors open with a crash.
A glass half full of whiskey and red wine sat on the side table, their contents unfinished; nothing about the room — physically — was out of the ordinary. But it wasn't its appearance that stopped Rei in her tracks but the lingering energy bouncing around the room. Where the four of them had been was no longer a question in her mind.
Mamoru unaware of her discovery as he walked about the room, picking up what must be Haruka's cell phone from the table studying the messages still on the screen.
"She must have just left her phone here trying to get away from you guys. We should go check the garage to see if her car is still here." He stalked off out of the room.
"The car will still be there," she said. Her voice was as empty as she felt.
He stopped, turning back to her.
"They aren't here anymore. They've left."
"What do you mean they left?" He asked. She could see him cycling through the possibilities. His eyes widened. She knew he understood.
"They've left. They must have gone to Kinmoku themselves." There's no way we can get there now, she added to herself. Not wanting to upset him any more than he already was.
Mamoru slowly walked back into the room and slumped down into the forest green sofa. His head in his hands. He sighed and flung a fist back into the cushion at his side, crumpling under the force.
The atmosphere changed as she stood there, unable to move. A cold chill crept up her spine as her mind processed their situation.
"How could they just leave us here? Don't they know what they are risking?"
"Maybe they just want to check on her." Mamoru glared at her, his eyes cold. The lie sounded hollow even to her ears.
"How could they do this to me, to her?"
A deadly quiet stretched out around them. Both trapped with their thoughts.
"Hey, you never answered my question from before," she remembered, breaking the silence. "What were you planning on doing if you saw Usagi, if she didn't want to come back?" Her body tensed as he locked eyes with her. His blue eyes now the color of a raging squall.
"She's my family Rei. I'm not going to lose it again. I can't. I won't"
Grabbing the white cloth hair tie Rei pulled her hair back and sat down in front of the flames, as she always did. Though, with the future gone she wasn't sure what she was looking for anymore. But habit won out as the ritual overcame her and she started her chant. Clasping her hands together, she steepled her pointer fingers, welcoming in the heat of the flames. The chill from her trip to Haruka's house still clung to her body. The shadow she'd seen in Mamoru's eyes cast a shroud over her mind again as she closed her eyes.
Inhaling, the burning oak wood filling her lungs, she breathed out the memory, stilling her thoughts, her pulse slowed with her breath. Reaching out with her mind she searched for Crystal Tokyo; for anything that could help her understand what to do next.
Nothing.
The pulse of the silver crystal remained but other than that there was only darkness. Just as she was about to let the vision drop a small voice called out to her.
"Rei!" the tiny voice of a young child yelled out through the darkness.
She focused, probing the nothingness for the voice's owner, the sound so faint it was barely discernible.
"Rei! Help me Rei!" The voice called again. Recognition struck her. Her heart raced.
"Chibi-Usa! Chibi-Usa where are you?" She reached out with her sense and couldn't find her. Slowly she appeared, simmering in front of Rei, Chibi-Usa flickering in and out of existence. Stretched out on the ground, the same child she'd last seen all those years ago, her tiny body so small, so helpless. She couldn't feel any power coming from her crystal, though another enigmatic aura surrounded her trembling friend.
She ran to pick her up but her arms passed straight through her.
"Rei, please, you have to help me. It's all vanishing. Everyone is disappearing. Rei, you have to help me. You have to protect your future. Please, I don't want to go." Tears swelled in her red eyes, sliding down her cheeks.
"It hurts Rie," she cried. Her voice shook as her body wavered in and out of existence.
She couldn't take it anymore, her heartbreaking at the sight of her friend so powerless before her. And she was utterly unable to help, to take away her pain. "I will try," she reassured her, fighting back tears of her own.
A bolt of lightning shot through her and she was back in her body. The fire still raging before her. Usually, when she returned from her meditations she'd almost drifted back into herself, slowly waking up her senses, not shoved back in like this. Had she fallen asleep? Was Chibi-Usa trying to reach her or was her mind playing tricks on her?
Mamoru's words from earlier returned, "I see her in my dreams. Ever since the other night at the shrine. She cries out for my help and I can't do anything." Was this what he meant?
She reached over for her phone. It only rang once before her friend picked up.
"Minako, can you come over? I need to talk to someone. Something's happened."
/
I feel bad leaving some things on a bit of a cliffhanger but it has to happen sometimes :) This chapter was actually twice the length when I wrote it so, for my personal sanity, I decided to split it into two parts. I know everyone says they like longer chapters but that seemed like a bit too much; this is still the longest chapter I've posted and the next one is slightly longer. I also will never say "the next one will be shorter" ever again since it's always a lie! (I have a problem apparently).
One question, the rating on this is currently Teen and in the next portion of the story, there may be times when it could slip into Mature material... if there's a large contingent of people who wouldn't like that I will find a way to either skip it or put it into a short separately. Just wanted to know if there were strong opinions.
I'm most likely not going to post the next part for three weeks instead of two. Sorry! I'm working on the next chapter, which is looking like it's going to be as long as the full Chapter 9 originally was, and I just need to give myself a bit more time to get ahead with planning/writing.
The next three sections are very interconnected from a plot perspective so I want to have them all completed and reviewed at the same time to make sure they all work well together (there will be no plot holes here!). I'll post the date I'm going to update on my "author" page so you can check if you are curious.
As always I'd love to hear what you think of this chapter! Reviews are the bobbles by which I am led to keep me writing lol. I really do love them and they make my day.
Anyway, I hope you are all having a great weekend! See you in 2-3 weeks :)