~Drops of Starlight~
by Strawberry Moon Rose
Hello, readers! This story has practically written itself and I'm so excited to share it with you. I'm having a blast writing it and hope you enjoy it as well!
New chapters will be posted Mondays.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or any of the characters. They belong to Naoko Takeuchi.
Chapter 1: Back in the Atmosphere
What's this sudden burst of energy? It can't be. Those three have left the planet? Yes, it seems. Left their Princess in the hands of the others. What fools. As I suspected, they have no idea they just provided me with the opening I need, the opening I've been waiting all these years for.
Fighter... Healer... Maker... I hope you enjoy your journey to Earth.
Because I'm coming with. And I'll be waiting for you there.
Waiting for the perfect chance...
The trip from Kinmoku left Sailor Star Fighter buzzing when they landed. After what felt like minutes, but she knew was days, of galactic travel to another star system, they were here.
Earth. More specifically, Tokyo, Japan. The year 2000. And apparently winter because snowflakes danced down around them like confetti. Seiya stumbled back, blinded by the sudden brightness. The crisp city air of this planet almost took her back instantly. It had been seven years since they'd left this very same rooftop. So much had happened, so many years passed. But for a moment, it seemed only seconds ago.
"I'll never get used to that trip," Sailor Star Maker complained. She pinched the crease between her eyebrows as if massaging away a headache.
Sailor Star Healer chattered her teeth animatedly. She hugged her petite frame with her leather gloved arms. "Damn! S-S-Some weather here. Ugh."
Fighter stared at the spot before them, the same spot she had stood that last time they'd seen each other... Doused in the golden hour sunset, the blonde had glowed like an angel. That black cat Yaten had a thing for, draped around her shoulder like a scarf... What was her name again? Oh yeah, Luna.
The icy air rose goosebumps to Fighter's exposed skin. Their sailor guardian outfits were not suitable for this kind of temperatures.
"Let's let our transformations go," Fighter instructed.
"Are we using our previous disguises?" asked Maker.
Healer wrinkled her nose. "Ugh, not this time. You know how much I hated being a boy. It's been so long, I don't think I could get used to it again."
Fighter chuckled. "Well, there really is no need to disguise ourselves as the Three Lights anymore. Actually, it's probably best we take on our true forms. We still might be recognized if we're men."
"Agreed," Maker said.
In unison the three Sailor Starlights were enveloped in a flash of light that disappeared as quickly as it came.
"Ah, much better." Yaten tugged on the fluffy earmuffs and brushed a whisp of silver bangs off her face with her mittens.
"I'm glad I listened to you about dressing warm, Taiki!" Seiya said. "You were right. Even though it was hot as hell in this getup when we left our planet."
"Naturally, Seiya." The tall brunette smiled and flipped her scarf over her shoulder. Somewhere in the distance "Jingle Bells" could be heard playing.
"So now what?" Yaten said impatiently. "We don't exactly belong in high school anymore, so maybe we should get off school property?"
"Good point," Seiya agreed. Three twenty-something women hanging out on the Juban High School roof would definitely seem odd.
The trio headed down the stairs, moving quickly, but silently. It wasn't until they reached the bottom level that they realized the school was nearly deserted and the coast was clear.
It must be a Friday around 4 o'clock, Seiya thought as they slipped past one of the club rooms that echoed voices mentioning the words "manga" and "did you read the latest issue of...?" Seiya smiled inwardly. Crazy after all these years I still remember a detail like that. Bun Head used to get so excited for manga club at the end of each week.
The Starlights made it off school property without any suspicious looks and followed the sidewalks of Tokyo across town. The city was for the most part, as they remembered it. Civilian bundled up and walking fast through traffic lights, sirens blaring in the distance, the occasional honking vehicle.
"Where are you two headed first?" Seiya asked, her hands in her pockets. She could see her breath when she spoke.
"We'll make do, Seiya," Taiki said slowly, knowingly. "See what state our apartment is in above our old studio... Perhaps eat at that favorite diner of mine. Then look for the girls downtown... After all, this impromptu visit wasn't exactly planned out by a travel guide. We couldn't let them know we were coming in advance, so we'll just have to find them the old fashioned way. I'm confident I can get in contact with Ami somehow or another, wherever she is these days."
Seiya stalled. "Oh, okay. Yeah, that sounds good."
There was a couple beats of heavy silence.
"Just go see her, Seiya," Yaten blurted before she could help it. A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her pale lips. "We know that's what you want to do."
Seiya ducked her head, grinning in relief. "Thanks. I'll catch up with you guys in a while."
Twenty minutes later, Seiya stood before the old two-story white home with clay shingles. The white fence obscured her view, but green shrubbery still peeked out, dusted in a fresh layer of snow that resembled powdered sugar.
Just as I remember it, she thought to herself with a nostalgic smile. Seiya half expected the bun-headed girl to appear on the balcony in pajamas and the raspberry-haired toddler in bunny jammies on one hip.
A distant longing echoed in her heart for both of them. And suddenly Seiya wanted nothing more than to see them in person, though she knew Chibi Chibi had returned to wherever she had come from on that long ago day.
This is it, Bun Head. I'm here. How are you? What have you been up to all these years? Did you miss me? Tell me everything. I can't wait!
Seiya pushed open the gate and strode right up to the front door and pressed the doorbell before she changed her mind. She rocked slightly on her heels while she waited for an answer.
I can't believe I'm about to see her again. What do I say? It's probably fine to go in for a hug, right?
"Coming!" an unfamiliar voice echoed. Before Seiya could second guess herself, the door swung open and a woman in her late forties stood before her. Even with her purple hair and tall frame, Seiya recognized the warmth in her confused eyes.
Bun Head's mother.
"Oh. Um, is Bun-. Uh, Usagi home?" Seiya found herself blushing all of a sudden. What am I, still a sixteen year old boy?
Ikuko Tsukino dried her hands on her apron while eyeing Seiya from head to toe. Seiya wondered what she thought of her Kinmokian fashion - dark trousers, red fleece unisex coat, knit cap and gloves. It the closest thing to Earth's fashion she had back home.
"Um, no. She moved out after the wedding last fall. She's still in that apartment of theirs, despite everything. I keep trying to convince her to move back home, but that girl..."
"Oh." Seiya sucked in a quick breath of air. It froze her lungs in an instant. Her heart beat in double time. Wedding?
"Say, you look quite familiar. Forgive me, I'm awful with names anymore."
Seiya hesitated. "Yes, I went to high school with her. I've been overseas for quite some time now.. I haven't been able to be in touch unfortunately. I didn't know she was married, but... I mean, that does make sense. I guess a lot has happened..."
"That's for sure," Ikuko muttered. Her body language shifted, one hand on her hip and her head shook ever so slightly in what came across as disgust.
The Starlight a tiny step back, confused by her reaction. "Well, thank you, Mrs. Tsukino, for your help. Sorry to bother you."
"No problem at all, darling. It's 630B Hoshino Avenue, by the way. By the Crescent movie theater." Her eyes crinkled when she smiled. Seiya had never met Usagi's mother before, but she was exactly as she would have imagined. She had an overall warm presence.
"I appreciate it." Seiya gave a small bow, a gesture that felt natural after all this time. "It was nice to meet you."
"You too - .. Oh, honey, I still didn't catch your name."
"It's Seiya. Seiya Kou."
Ikuko paused and leaned against the doorframe, keeping as much of the December air out as possible. "Oh, that does ring a bell. Hey, wasn't there a boy band Usagi used to listen to all the time... The Three Lights! Yes, I think the lead singer had the same name. Huh, what a coincidence."
Seiya smiled. "What a coincidence indeed."
The apartment complex was a looming steel building with fifteen floors. Smack in the middle of a busy, noisy part of downtown. Not at all where Seiya expected Usagi to be living. Of course she wouldn't still live at that comfy little home I remember. She's what, twenty-three now? Same as me... It's only natural she'd be married too. I mean, we all knew it was inevitable. I shouldn't be surprised. I need to be happy for her.
Seiya pulled her knit hat lower. But how come you didn't invite me to the wedding, Bun Head? I would have been there. On one of the happiest days of your life... I would have wanted to be there for you.
Seiya walked fast through the entrance and headed for the elevator. She decided right then and there to swallow the pain and push it deep down for now. This spontaneous trip was supposed to be fun. Not drenched in old heartache and jealousy. She was over all that. Seiya knew she was caught in a one-sided love. Time turned those flames to embers, but being here again, in this world full of vivid memories was flooding back all her teenage emotions.
This isn't about that, Seiya insisted to herself. I'm your friend, Bun Head. I just want the best for you, always. That will never change.
The elevator music caught her by surprise. She was so lost in thought she didn't hear it at first. The Three Light's lead single, "Search For Your Love" drifted out of the speakers softly. It made her feel warm and nostalgic.
Seiya couldn't help but smile. If that's not a sign, I don't know what is.
Ding! Seiya stepped off at the eight floor and before she knew it, she was standing in front of Usagi's apartment door.
Here goes nothing. The Starlight knocked twice and stuffed her hands in her pockets. Please don't let Mamoru answer. I just want to see her... She held her breath and counted to ten. She could have sworn she heard a baby crying, but maybe it was coming from another unit.
Footsteps thudded, accompanied by a high pitched, "Coming...!"
And just like that, there she was. Golden hair tied into her signature bun head style. Wide ocean-blue eyes lighting up like holiday lights as they fell on Seiya.
"Hey, Bun Head. Did ya miss me?"