Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon, or any of the canon characters. I do have my own Original Characters which may show up in any of my stories, and they, as well as the story line changes, are mine. I will not receive any compensation for this fanfiction.
Author's Note: My created characters will be showing up, and at some point there probably will be lemons. Mamoru will have some thoughts about getting Usagi pregnant as part of this story, but it is necessary to the plot.
Reader's Note: There is a lot of AU in this story. First the ages will be closer together. Second Mamoru and Usagi begin working together from the very beginning. Third, character relationships wont be exactly what you are expecting.
Update Note: (Updated 2/1/20) I am going through and making changes to character ages for this and other stories. I want my characters to be over the age of consent (US) in all M stories, so that means a lot of editing (Usagi will now be 16, Mamoru 17 because I wanted them closer in age for this story). I have already finished changing the ages in several ongoing stories, but eventually I plan to get through them all. I will also be editing for spelling and grammar and you may end up seeing a few additional scenes as that has been the trend through all of my editing thus far.
Forever Starts Day One
Chapter One
Wishes
Chiba Mamoru rode the elevator down from his top floor apartment, his eyes focused on the pages of the book he held. He was unaware of the gaze of his neighbor, an elderly woman who watched the poor lonely young man every morning and ached for him.
She had tried, when he'd first moved in several months before, to get him to open up to her. He was an orphan, according to the gossip, and had been given access to his inheritance early, and permission to live alone because of his own accomplishments. She knew however, that all those accomplishments meant zero if the boy didn't have someone to share them with.
He was a quiet boy, her next-door neighbor. He never had any visitors, never played loud music, or threw tantrums like the other boys his age. At barely seventeen he should be wild and untamable. He should be surrounded by friends and have a girlfriend. But he didn't.
She let out a small sigh and a prayer that his spirit would be lifted. That some young wild girl would come into his life, shake him up, and heal him. He needed to be roused from this perpetual silence. Respect was all well and good, but he needed a good stirring. Someone who made him lose his temper, and maybe lose himself in passion. Who made him want to fight for himself and for her, who made him desire something more than the emptiness and silence he surrounded himself with.
Not, she thought in frustration, one of those stupid girls who is always trying to get his attention just because of his looks or his money. No, what he needed was someone who would both live and die for him, someone he could lose himself in, and laugh with. Someone who saw him for who he was.
The sound of the ding brought her out of her silent prayer, and she reached out unthinkingly and touched him on the hand, still holding his book. There was a small spark as her skin met his. "I wish you had a reason to smile, young man," she said sadly. Then she moved away, leaving the Chiba boy looking at her, stunned, as the doors closed while he still stood in the elevator.
Tsukino Usagi was running very late. As usual the nightmares had kept her awake. She'd screamed until her mother had flown through her bedroom door, coming to comfort her only daughter. The usual lullaby had rung through the night and eventually the pain, which came with every nightmare, had abated.
Now Tsukino Ikuko was standing over the stove, rolling up two American style pancakes, one of her daughter's favorites. Her lunch bag was packed, and the only thing left was to stand by the door, which she reached moments ahead of time, worrying about Usagi.
Every night the screams woke her, and Ikuko knew that though she comforted her daughter in the best way she could, she wasn't what the child needed. Her heart broke for that. At barely sixteen, the girl was lonely, though she thought no one noticed. She had a best friend, and was kind to every person she met, but Ikuko doubted if anyone really saw her daughter for the incredible, wonderful, kindhearted person she was.
With a sigh, she wished someone would come into her daughter's life who would help her, who would love her dearly, who would hold her when she cried, and who would live and die for her. She needed someone who could bring out the more serious sides of her nature, who could stir her up and teach her it was okay to be angry or sad or afraid. Who could treasure her for the rare jewel she was and would be her everything.
What she wished most of all was that someone out there, someone who truly needed her daughter's light and love and wild exuberance for life, would stand up and notice her.
Usagi ran down the stairs and straight into her mother's arms. She wondered how much longer she could hold her baby girl like this. A spark flew as their hands met. "Usagi," Ikuko smiled, "I wish you had someone to love and protect and cherish you more than his own life."
Usagi stood stunned for a moment. Then she giggled. "But I've got you and daddy," she replied. Ikuko nodded and kissed her cheek.
"Yes, my darling girl, yes you have me and daddy. But I have a feeling somewhere out there is someone who needs you. And who you need just as much." She hugged her tightly one more time and held out the rolled pancakes. "Have your breakfast and try not to fall too many times."
Usagi grinned, grabbed her breakfast and lunch, and tore through the door like a happy little whirlwind. Ikuko shook her head as she stared at the streamers of hair flying from the little buns at either side of her head. The golden waves moved rapidly as the girl ran. Usagi thought she was fooling her. But nothing could pass a mother's eyes. She knew her daughter cried out every night for someone. Someone she didn't even remember. It broke her heart.
Ikuko stood at the still open door and watched her daughter run. The girl was wild and carefree, except after her nightmares, when she became a sobbing wreck huddled in on her own pain. No doctors had been able to diagnose the problem. No physical injuries were apparent, but Ikuko knew something was going on with her daughter. And in her heart she knew the cure was much more.
She closed the door and hollered up the stairs. "Kun! I swear to the kami if you aren't down those stairs in two minutes I'll start giving your breakfasts to Usagi tomorrow morning! Shingo and Usagi are already gone!"
Galloping footsteps were heard coming down the stairs before her oldest appeared. He grabbed his pancakes, and bent to kiss her on the cheek. Ikuko put a hand on his arm. "Can you keep an eye out on Usagi? The nightmare seemed worse last night."
Kun nodded and Ikuko sighed in relief. She handed him the envelope with the tab money for the game center. "Can you also make sure she has a good snack. Dinner will be late tonight." Kun nodded again. She knew he would take care of his little sister. At seventeen he was a very responsible young man, and he loved his sister and brother very much.
Mamoru looked through the book again, wondering if any record of the Maboroshi no Ginzuisho even existed. The Silver Crystal…
He'd only ever heard the words in his dreams. Just the princess' pleas kept him looking for it. Her silver tear rolling down her cheek. At least in that dream she was not screaming in agony. His poor princess who needed him to save her, to find her and make her whole.
He thought about his neighbor's words from that morning. A reason to smile. Honestly, only the princess ever made him smile. He would smile when he finally found her, rescued her from the pain she was forced to endure. It seemed he'd known her forever. Since the death of his parents she had been the only constant in his life.
Growing up in an orphanage had not been pleasant. He had been rejected time and again by possible adoptive parents the moment they learned they would have no access to his money. He had long learned to close his heart, the only way to protect it. But sometimes, like this morning, someone said something that made him wonder if it was the right choice.
He made his way to the Crown Game Center. His only real friend, Motoki, was going to be there waiting for him this morning. His family owned and ran the arcade, and since Motoki had decided to practically adopt Mamoru, he had tried to make an effort to be more open. They attended the same private school, Moto-Azabu, had many of the same classes, and shared the same interests outside of academics.
He closed the book for safety as he crossed a street. In the distance he could see a younger teen racing towards the public high school. It was a girl, with blonde hair that reminded him of dumplings and noodle soup. She was eating as she ran, and had turned her head suddenly to the side, which sent her sprawling on all fours. He grinned as he heard her loud wails. At least he wasn't close enough to have her breaking his ear drums with the sound.
Suddenly her cries ended, and she yelled. He could hear her as clearly as if she was standing next to him. She was looking into the parking lot near her. "HEY! You put her down! Leave her alone! She raced into the parking lot, and without thinking Mamoru followed. Seven younger boys were harassing a little black cat. They had covered her in band aids and were tying her limbs together with string.
"You're those boys that picked on my brother!" the girl shouted. "Get lost!" She tore across the lot and snatched up the poor cat, holding her close and making soothing sounds.
One of the boys, perhaps angry and embarrassed, pushed her hard and she nearly fell. Mamoru felt himself growing angry. He moved forward until he was standing right next to the girl. "You heard her," he said in his most icy tone. "Get lost!" He stood tall and glared at the kids until they dispersed, before he turned to look at the girl and the cat.
"Okay, lets see what we can do to untangle you," the girl was whispering. She looked up and met Mamoru's eyes. "Can you please help me?"
"Yes." He whispered, feeling as though for this girl he would do anything. He pulled out his pocket knife and began cutting the strings, which had been wrapped around each of the cat's legs and around her back, over her tail, and even around her neck. He carefully cut them one by one.
"Shhh, little one," you're okay," the blonde whispered, and gently began removing the band-aids. She grabbed the one on the cat's forehead. "I'm so sorry if this hurts you," she said, and carefully pulled it away.
The cat let out a pitiful moan, but the girl was already moving on to the band-aids on her paws. "Oh, you poor thing. I'm so sorry they were mean to you."
As Mamoru watched the girl cried silent tears, which fell into the fur of the helpless cat. "She's going to be okay," he said. "I've almost got her out of this string."
"Thank you so much for helping me." The girl's voice was quiet.
"Well, you shouldn't have gone after all those boys alone. You could have been hurt. I think you might be the kind of girl who doesn't always think about that when she races in to help though." He gave her a grin and she sniffed.
"They were just boys!" She whined.
Mamoru found himself laughing. "Just boys or not," he frowned suddenly, "you shouldn't be going up against so many at once."
She frowned back. "I can handle it."
He cut the last string just as the girl finished pulling off the final band-aid. The cat leapt out of her arms and to the roof of a nearby car. She stared back at Usagi and Mamoru.
"We won't hurt you," Usagi said suddenly. "I'm really sorry about those mean boys." The cat almost appeared to nod in response. She jumped away into a tree.
Mamoru turned back to the girl. She was looking at him with a small frown. "I'm Tsukino Usagi," she bowed and held out one tiny hand.
"Chiba Mamoru," he replied, and they shook. A spark few. Second time in one morning, he thought.
The tiny blonde peered up at him shyly, her huge blue eyes blinked and then she stared at her feet, a blush on her cheeks. He couldn't help the grin. "No more running into danger, okay?"
Now her cheeks reddened from irritation. "I'll do what I want!" she cried out petulantly.
"Ugh! Girls. You need a keeper!"
"A WHAT!?" She stomped her foot and glared at him.
"A keeper. You know. Someone to tell you when you're about to do something stupid."
"It wasn't stupid!" she was screeching now, and Mamoru felt like his ears should be bleeding.
"YES, IT WAS!" He hollered. "If you can't figure out simple math, maybe you should be in school!"
"OH, God! School! I'm LATE!" And the little blonde took off running as though the hounds of hell were chasing her. Mamoru sniffed, then looked at his watch. Crap! He was late too. He raced to the Crown.
He couldn't help but chuckle as he thought of the girl. She was trouble. That much was certain. For once, he didn't think he'd mind a little trouble in his life.
"TSUKINO USAGI! You're late… again. HALLWAY NOW!"
Face flaming, Usagi tried to explain. "But… Haruna-sensei, I had to help the cat!"
"No excuses!" Flaming hair swaying as she shook her head, the teacher pointed at the door. She wasn't swayed by the girl's tears. She kept her hand extended until Usagi turned around, huffing, and went to the hallway.
"No good deed goes unpunished," she whined. She couldn't make herself regret helping the little feline though. That string had been wrapped around her neck. She could have died! She wasn't going to let anyone make her feel bad for doing what was right. Not Haruna-sensei or Chiba Mamoru. She sniffed. A keeper indeed! She'd wanted to slap that smug look off his face.
Something was familiar about him. She was sure she'd never met him before, but he reminded her of someone. She searched her brain, but instead of answers she was swarmed with reminders of her dream, and her dead prince. Her heart ached, and her belly throbbed at the reminder. Every night now, where once it had been weeks or even months between the dreams. Every night she was forced to watch him die, watch herself take his sword and fall onto it, tearing into her belly where the ache never fully disappeared anymore.
She looked up at a sound and saw Haruna-sensei standing in front of her, one hand outstretched. "Are you alright Usagi?" She asked. "Do you need the nurse?"
Usagi realized she was clutching her stomach and had silent tears falling down her face.
"Iie, Haruna-Sansei," she whispered. "No, I'm fine. It will pass. Always does." Her teacher nodded and nodded for Usagi to reenter the classroom. She swiped at her cheeks and followed.
She tried to pay attention, but the English words were all so confusing, and putting them into sentences made her head hurt. She did the best she could and then went out to the garden for lunch with Naru and Umino.
"Hey Usagi-chan!" Naru hugged her. "Did you hear my mom is having a sale at OSA-P? Half off almost everything! You should come by!" She held one of Usagi's hands tightly. "Please? Please, please, please?"
Usagi laughed. "Sure."
Luna couldn't decide what was more interesting. The fact that she had found a Senshi so fast, or the fact that the boy was linked to her. Whatever the reason, the two of them would be seeing a lot more of each other. She stifled a laugh. There just might be fireworks. She couldn't remember much about their life before. She did remember each of the Senshi had been mated to one of the Shitennou. The Senshi were tasked with protecting the Princess, while the Shitennou were the Prince's protectors. It was good to have found one pair already.
She was concerned about finding all the Senshi and Shittenou, as well as the Prince and Princess. Her frustrating lack of memory was almost painfully debilitating. She couldn't remember the faces of the protectors, let alone the prince and princess. She followed the boy to the Crown Game Center, and watched as he and a boy with light blonde hair ran off towards the private school.
Even though she'd only been awake a few weeks, Luna knew that this was the place to check in with Central. She had been drawn here the moment she'd awoken. There was a secret entrance to a bunker hidden below the Sailor V game. She looked around to make sure no one was looking as she slipped to the game and pressed a combination of buttons. A moment later she found herself in the small computer terminal area of the bunker.
"Central," she called out. "Come in central."
"I hear you Luna," said a computerized voice. "What's the matter?"
"I've found a Senshi and her mate." Luna said, happy with her day's work, even though it had started so awfully. "They both rushed in to save me when some boys were hurting me."
"You were injured?" Even the computerized voice sounded upset and scandalized.
"Nothing serious. Like I said, the two of them saved me."
"And you're sure it was a mated pair?"
"Yes. I'm not Venusian, but even I could see it. Gold and Silver strings between the pair. They apparently don't know each other yet, but the bond is strong. It feels like they're going to be very close."
"Hmm. That's good. Hold on a moment." Luna waited as the voice was silent for several minutes. "Luna?"
"Yes?" She looked up at the monitors, which were now signaling two locations on a map of Tokyo. One was a silver dot, the other gold.
"Activate them and stay close!" There was a pause. "Do you see the black spot?"
Luna looked at the screen again. Near the Azabu Juuban Shopping District was a black spot. She zoomed in using a joy stick, then again and found the name of a store. "OSA-P Jewelry store."
"It will be their first battle." Said the computerized voice.
Luna shivered. "They've had no training!" She complained. She didn't want to activate two children and send them into danger with nothing but a few words.
"LUNA!" A second voice, this one a computerized female, sounded loudly through the hidden base. "I promise, we will get there soon to help them, but if you don't activate them they could die anyway, and many others along with them. They have to fight."
Luna sighed. "Fine, but I'm going with them!"
"Agreed," the male computerized voice said. The line went silent and Luna turned away. How was she going to activate both of them? She thought about the pair and reached into her subspace pocket. Out came a tiny golden brooch with a crescent moon on it, and a small pin, a metal rose, worked in scarlet and green, with a small dewdrop shaped and designed to look like planet earth. The brooch was for Usagi, the pin for Mamoru. It gave her a strange feeling to look at them, as though she had never seen them before, though she must have in her previous life.
"Now," she said to herself as she climbed the steps and walked through the game, "which one do I wake up first?"
Mamoru noticed the little blonde the moment she exited her school. The two were only a block from each other, but she should have been released forty minutes before him. "Oy! Odango Atama!" he shouted. "Hey Usagi!"
She turned to look at him with a scowl on her face. He caught up to her and gave her a sardonic grin.
"Hey Odango."
"What did you call me?" She asked, her voice already raised.
"Odango Atama. Dumplings," he squeezed one of her hair buns. "Noodles," he added, tugging one long ponytail of hair. He saw she was clutching a paper in her hand and snatched it.
"Ouch," he said, looking at the test. "How'd you get 30 percent?" He grinned. "Are you brainless?"
"Humph!" She turned on her heel. "If you must know you... you... baka, I don't test well."
"Don't test well?" He frowned. "What does that even mean?"
"I don't want to talk about it." She sighed.
"Where are you going?" He asked suddenly. For some reason he felt worried about her.
"The arcade. You know the Crown Game Center? My friend works there."
"Oh." When she turned and started walking and he followed her.
"My friend works there too. Motoki. His parents own it."
"Wait, you're friends with Motoki?" She smiled. "Maybe you aren't so bad after all, even if you do tease too much."
Mamoru hid his blush. He didn't know why he was teasing her. He never teased. But she made him feel... safe. Safe to talk and be around. No one but Motoki had ever done that before.
"My brother should be there by now," Usagi added after a minute. She looked at her watch. "Crap, he's going to be worried." She sped up and he moved faster with her.
"Why would he be worried. Did you have detention or something?" He wasn't out of breath. He tended to job several mornings a week. When she increased her pace to a slow job he followed.
"Yeah. I got there late and Haruna-sensei wouldn't believe me about saving the cat. Sometimes I think she doesn't like me very much, but I know she's really just frustrated." She wasn't out of breath either he noticed.
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why does she get frustrated?"
"Because I'm not as good a student as I used to be." She sighed, and picked up the pace. He matched her again.
"Why not?" Mamoru felt it was vital to hear the answer.
"My dreams," she started, her breath hitching into a sob, she stopped and clutched her stomach for a moment. "Ouch!"
"What's wrong? Is it a cramp?"
"No. It will pass." She breathed in through her nose and out her mouth.
He rested a hand on her shoulder, wishing he could make her feel better. "What's wrong then?"
"Every time I have one, the thing I said before, or even think too hard about it, I get a bad pain in my belly. It's just an after effect. Something that happens in the dreams causes it. I know that it isn't real. But it happens every time, and its..." She looked up at him. "You promise you wont say anything?"
"I promise." Mamoru squeezed her shoulder as she stood up tall again.
"They're getting worse. Longer, the pain lasts now, never entirely goes away anymore. Although I feel better right now." She looked a little confused. "Huh." She turned, dropping his hand from her shoulder, and started walking again. He followed her.
A young man with long white-blonde hair and silvery blue eyes was approaching them. Usagi waved. "Hey Kun!"
"Usagi! Are you okay?" He grabbed her and gave her a tight hug. She winced and he released her at once.
She fell back into Mamoru, but instead of moving she tilted her head back onto his shoulder. Her back was leaning against one side of his chest. He looked at her surprised. "It's better," she whispered. She moved, standing upright again, and gasped. Then she reached a hand out and touched Mamoru, this time on his own shoulder. "Better again." She let go. "Now worse."
"What are you talking about Usagi?" Kun's brows were furrowed. "The pain?"
Usagi gave him a startled look. "How did you...?"
"Usagi, I'm not stupid!" Kun looked angry.
"Kunzite don't be mad," she whimpered, and covered her face.
Instinctively Mamoru reached out and rubbed her shoulder. She straightened, seeming stronger. He left his hand where it was.
"Is it really better?" Kunzite asked. Usagi nodded, relief obvious in the lines of her face. "I'm Tsukino Kunzite," the man said, reaching a hand out to shake Mamoru's.
"Chiba Mamoru," he answered. "I just met Usagi today. We sort of saved a cat together."
The three began walking towards the arcade again. "Mom's worried about you," Kunzite said.
"I know." Usagi smiled. "You should have heard her this morning."
"Apparently dinner is going to be late. She wants you to eat a big snack." Kunzite turned to Mamoru. "My sister can eat literally twice what I can, and she still doesn't gain weight," he explained.
Luna watched the boy and girl talking, trying to decide when to make her move. She could tell the girl was in pain. She was probably dealing with her past-life memories. Transforming should help her with that, and from the looks of it, Mamoru was also helping. Another boy showed up, and she could tell instantly that he was another protector. Honestly, with a first battle approaching, the more the merrier.
As the three came abreast of her she cleared her throat. "Hmm, hmm. Excuse me?"
All of them looked around, but only Usagi's eyes focused on her. "Hey Mamoru! It's the cat we saved." She took a step forward. "Hello little cat."
"Hello." Luna watched as their faces blanched, "I wanted to say thank you, and ask you to help me again."
"Is that cat talking?" Usagi hissed to no one in particular. "Crap is this another dream?" As soon as she said the word she doubled over.
"Here Usagi. Take this. Luna threw the brooch and the girl instinctively reached out with one hand and snatched it out of the air. Instantly her face relaxed, and she was able to stand again. "That should help you until your memories are restored. Being around your mate helps too." Luna looked over at Mamoru. "Catch." She tossed the rose pin.
Reaching into her subspace pocket she thought of the new boy, and a pin appeared in her hand. It was round, the earth on the front, with the symbol for north over it in a thin white scrawl. "You," she said, and tossed his pin to him. "This one is yours."
"Um, thank you," said Usagi, as the two males appeared to be speechless. "These are very thoughtful gifts." She smiled.
"They aren't really gifts. They already belong to you. They are transformation aids. You wont always need them, but in the beginning they tend to help." Luna grinned. "Come with me. She faded away and the three of them followed her into an alleyway.
"Boys, you simply put your pins on and then touch them and think of your transformation. Usagi, you can either wear the brooch and touch it, or you can hold it up. You simply say "Moon Prism Power Make Up. You will henshin and immediately I believe you will start to feel better.
Usagi did as she was instructed. Instantly her clothes dissolved and fuchsia ribbons exploded out of the brooch on her chest and covered her in a white fuku with a blue skirt and red bow. Red boots and white gloves appeared, along with red hair pieces in her buns, a choker, and even earrings.
Mamoru placed the rose on his collar. He touched it and his school uniform became a black tuxedo with a cape lined in red felt. He was wearing a white domino mask and a top hat as well. A short cane appeared in one hand, a razor tipped rose in the other.
Kunzite did the same and his attire became a light grey battle uniform, complete with sword. His hair seemed to lengthen even more, and his eyes turned a piercing silver color. He placed his right hand over his heart, fist clenched.
The three finished their transformations and Luna could tell Usagi was already feeling stronger. The girl was grinning now, partly in relief. Until suddenly she gasped. "Naru!" She put a hand over her mouth, then without a word she took of running. The others followed, trying to stop her, or at least catch up with her. Luna sighed and ran after them.
Feeling stronger and healthier than she had in ages, Usagi ran at ten times her normal speed. She reached OSA-P quickly, only to see dozens of milling women around the store, their faces devoid of expression. Naru was behind the counter, her arm held tightly in the grip of a woman who at first appeared to be the girl's mother. But Usagi knew Naru's mother, and this was not her.
"Let Naru go!" She held out one hand and raised it above her head, making a circle with the other and pulling both to one side. "I am the Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, and in the name of the Moon, I'll punish you!" Sailor Moon did not know where the words had come from, but they certainly got the ugly greysih blue monster to let go of Naru.
"Morga!" The monster hissed. "I am Morga, a Youma of the Negaverse. I've never heard of you Sailor Moon. You must not be worth anything."
Doubts flashed through Usagi's mind. "Beauty is not held in stones, but in the smile of a Maiden. Tuxedo Kamen will not forgive you!" Mamoru's voice came from behind and above, and Usagi spared a look to see his arm moving rapidly. A whistling sound startled her and a moment later she was in Tuxedo Kamen's arms being carried to safety. Sailor Moon watched as Kunzite lifted his hands and sent out a blast of pure energy at the Youma.
"Usagi, your tiara," hissed the cat.
Usagi's arm lifted almost without thought and she tore the tiara off and spoke, "Moon Tiara Action," and hurled it at the Youma Tuxedo Kamen and Kunzite were distracting.
"Tuxedo la Smoking Bomber!" came a shout, and the grey smoke added to the tiara as it hit. The thing shrieked and turned to dust before the tiara retuned like a boomerang to Sailor Moon. She reached up and caught it instinctively.
"Well that thing was dusted. Moon Dusted!" added Kunzite with a laugh. "We have to get out of here quick." The mass of milling people were beginning to awaken to their surroundings. The three heroes moved quickly outside, Sailor Moon scooping the cat into her arms. She turned and waved to Naru, who gave her a small smile.
"Lets go to my place," Mamoru said quietly. He leaped up and the other two followed him onto the rooftops. They sped over the city of Tokyo, barely visible, mostly because no one was looking. He led them to a balcony and slid the door open to let them inside.
"I think it's safest here. No family." He murmured it, but Usagi could tell he was trying to hide sadness. Perhaps he thought he wasn't sad anymore, but he really was. She touched her brooch and released her henshin, becoming plain Usagi again. She reached out and touched his shoulder as he had hers earlier.
He and Kunzite also released their henshin and the three humans and one cat sat and talked quietly. It was still daylight, and not time for Kunzite and Usagi to have returned home yet. "So uh, what the hell was that?" Mamoru asked, his tone full of shock. "I mean, I guess it was cool and all, but what was that thing?"
"That was a Youma. A demon created in the Negaverse by the Dark Kingdom. You are the first among many heroes I have to awaken."
"Okay, how many in all?" Kunzite asked.
"I'm not sure. I don't actually remember how many were sent into the future to try again. I'm sorry."
"No, it's okay. Sounds like you really weren't sure it was a good idea to get us fighting."
"At first, but you more than proved yourselves tonight." Luna said with a nod of her head.
"I feel a little weaker now," Usagi admitted. "Not as strong certainly, and the pain is back, though not as bad as it was before."
"Sit with your mate and you'll feel better," Luna told her simply.
"Mate?" Usagi screeched and Mamoru and Kunzite both covered their ears.
"Mamoru," Luna said as if she was stupid, which offended Usagi more than she could express.
Usagi looked at Mamoru and shook her head. "Uh no. You can't just come in here and tell me who I have to be with!"
Mamoru was nodding his head rapidly. "We can't even get along!" He added in desperation.
"Regardless," said Luna, hardly paying attention. "Soon enough you will be Soul-Bonded and married in this life. Usagi will get better, your memories will return, and both of your powers will grow stronger."
"I'm only sixteen!"
Luna smirked. "Many girls marry at sixteen. There are extenuating circumstances," the cat answered, as though Usagi's and Mamoru's arguments meant nothing.
"I won't do it!" Usagi screamed. "I wont!" She had a sneaking suspicion she wouldn't be winning this battle.
Mamoru looked a little hurt, but he couldn't see into her dreams. As soon as she had the thought she doubled over in horrendous pain. Crap, why couldn't she stop thinking about it? Mamoru was picking her up a moment later, depositing her on his lap. He rested a hand on her bare cheek. The pain nearly disappeared.
"I don't see you having much choice Usagi," Luna said.
"I won't force Mamoru into something like that because of a little pain."
Mamoru was looking down at her and suddenly she couldn't remember the rest of her argument. She felt lost in his eyes. That deep blue with silver flecks and black irises. His pupils were widened, and laser focused on her face. He bent forward and without thought she met him halfway. The moment his lips met hers there was a spark and the pain was gone.
Flashes of memory appeared in her mind. Laughing with him in a garden of roses. Running through corridors with several other people. A first kiss on the moon. Their engagement party. Their wedding night and their Soul-Bonding.
Blushing furiously they pulled their lips apart. "Wow," Mamoru breathed against her cheek. "Did you see that?"
Usagi could only nod. There were no words. She had felt very strong, powerful love for him. "You really are Endymion," she said finally.
"And you really are Serenity."
A sob broke out of Usagi. "You... you died for me."
Mamoru nodded. "And you killed yourself. I saw you die the moment I took my last breath. I wont let you do that this time Usagi."
"Wont let me?" Usagi breathed. She was both happy and extremely angry. "Let me?" She repeated.
"No. I won't let you. I said you needed a keeper, and it looks like I was right." He sighed when she tried to struggle out of his arms. He just held tighter and pulled her closer.
"I will kick your ass the moment I get free." She warned. Kunzite growled, but she could tell Mamoru was unfazed.
"You just wait Kunzite. You wait until you see Venus for the first time. You'll have her in your arms in a second."
Luna called them to attention then. "We have plans to make, patrols to schedule, and we have to find the other Senshi and the Silver and Gold Crystals."