For the One I Love
Chapter Three
"A Desperate Move"
"I don't like him!" Chibi-Usa crossed her arms stubbornly. Her chin was high in the air and her eyes were closed tightly in refusal. The two Outer Senshi had taken the small princess back to their place.
"Neither do I." Haruka grumbled out the side of her mouth. "Ow!" Michiru, who was sitting next to her, elbowed her in the side.
"Knock it off, you'll encourage her." She whispered through her teeth.
"She doesn't need to encourage me; my mind is set." Michiru sighed in frustration.
"Listen Chibi-Usa, don't go on what Haruka says." Michiru tried to reason with the young girl. "You can't judge someone without even meeting them."
"Oh c'mon Michiru. You knew nothing about those three when you refused to let them near Usagi."
"Because, it is our duty to protect her from outsiders we know nothing about, and now we know plenty. They are our allies as Senshi." Seeing no way around Haruka's stubbornness, she decided to focus on Chibi-Usa instead. "Look, don't go doing or saying anything rash. You know nothing about them and they don't need to know anything about you. Especially not who you are or where you're really from. Don't even reveal that you are a Senshi to them. It's better they don't know."
"Heh!" Haruka made a loud noise. "Why, because it might break that punk's heart to know Usagi has a daughter with Mamoru?"
"No, because enough people know about Earth's future!" She snapped back. "Please, Chibi-Usa?"
Chibi-Usa closed her eyes, grunting loudly. Michiru prayed this meant 'fine'.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
Usagi laid in her room with the lights completely off, soft music playing dimly in the background from her stereo. She rolled over on her bed, facing the moonlight now beginning to creep in through her window. Everything that had just happened hours before, kept replaying in her mind. How could she ever face him again, knowing what she did now? How could she have gone so long without seeing it? Now that she looked back on it, there were so many signs. But to be so blinded, and then to find out in such a way…Usagi touched the tips of her fingers against her lips and her heart accelerated. She could feel her face begin to redden and an overwhelming emotion in the pit of her stomach began to consume her.
"Mmm-" Usagi groaned for what seemed like the thousandth time as she turned again, this time placing her pillow over her head. Nothing she tried work, when she closed her eyes all she could see was the expression on Seiya's face before he took off. Usagi had continued to sit there a while after, dazed and feeling broken, before picking herself up and walking home. She felt as if she had just lost something special, and it hurt. A lot. Another battle raged on in her as well, should she tell Mamoru?
"No." She finally decided muffled beneath the pillow. She needed to figure some things out on her own first, before involving Mamoru, like this sinking sensation, and where their friendship stood from here on out. Once more, Seiya's face filled her thoughts.
"Can't?" Seiya asked her. "Why can't you? Or do you mean you don't?" She stared at him, not knowing how to reply. "I know you love Mamoru-san, but that doesn't mean you don't love me too. Usagi-" Seiya knelt down in front of her, and took her hand. "Tell me you don't love me."
"I can't love you." She said softly. "Seiya, I just can't. I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry too…" And he ran off…
Tears drifted down her cheeks as she began to fall into an unsteady sleep.
Some time had passed before Usagi was jolted awake. The lights had been flipped on as her covers were abruptly yanked away from her. Through squinted eyes, she could make out that her friends Rei, Ami, Minako, and Makoto had just entered her room.
"What are you guys doing here?" Usagi asked sleepily. Forcing her exhausted body to move, she lifted herself a little.
Rei pushed the off button on her stereo. "We wanted to see if you were okay." The raven-haired woman said without truly thinking. The others gave her a stern look of caution.
"Huh, why wouldn't I be okay?" Usagi asked slightly puzzled.
"Oh, uh…" Rei blushed after realizing she wasn't supposed to know. "Um, just because, well, because, you didn't come to study today!" She managed to come up with a quick excuse.
"Oh." Usagi stated. The truth was, she really had been on her way to study. She had gotten side tracked, watching the cherry blossoms flutter down onto the floor. She watched a few flutter and dance around her, before casually landing by her feet and deciding to go. As she began to walk away, she heard someone carefully call out her name from behind her.
"Usagi…" Turning her head, she broke into an excited run to greet an old friend.
"Seiya-kun!" She hugged him excitedly. "I'm so happy to see you! What are you doing here?" She looked up into his eyes, which somehow seemed different than usual. They were soft and subtle, and his usual grimace was subdued. "Is everything okay? Is Kakyuu- there's no trouble is there?" Seiya shook his head. "Then, what is it?" She asked concernedly. Seiya stared at her for a moment. Gently, he took her hand slowly in his and gazed lovingly into her eyes. Usagi blushed only slightly; Seiya had always done such things just to tease her.
"Dumpling, can we talk?" Was what he had said to her.
"Usagi-chan?" She snapped out of her memory at the sound of Ami's voice.
"Oh, uh yeah. Sorry about not coming, I got a little...sidetracked. Then I started to not feel well." She was good at faking that smile of hers, but they already knew perfectly well what had sidetracked her so much, and left it at that.
"Well, we're actually here to get you." Makoto smiled. "We have a little surprise for you. Do you feel well enough to come?"
"Actually, Haruka and Michiru have a surprise. We're just here to come get you." Minako said.
"A surprise?" She questioned them.
"Yeah! So, get your butt out of bed and let's go!" Without waiting for her to respond, Minako and Rei grabbed either of her arms and pulled her from the bed.
Around half an hour later, the five girls came to a stop outside the Game Center Crown arcade. Usagi looked from one girl to the other in confusion.
"You're going to surprise me with some games?" She asked.
"Hardly, it's upstairs inside the Fruits Parlor you idiot!" Rei grabbed her shoulder in order to maneuver her forward up the stairs and through the doors inside. As they passed a few empty tables, Usagi saw a large group of familiar people sitting in the back. Michiru and Hotaru waved them over, accompanied by Haruka, Setsuna, and even Mamoru.
"Everyone!" Usagi smiled. "What are you guys doing here?"
"Just a little welcome back party, Usa-ko." Mamoru smiled. He stepped away from the table and kissed her gently on the cheek.
"Welcome back?" Her eyes panned around and then back to the table. For a split second she expected to see the Starlights, but knew better. Instead, she saw a miniature version of herself poke out from beside Hotaru. "Ch-Chibi-Usa?!" The child clamored out of her seat, and they exchanged a giant hug. "What are you doing here?" They moved some extra chairs over to the table and everyone settled in.
"Well, Mama says I'm doing well in my studies and allowed me to come back for a bit!"
"That's really good, Chibi-Usa-chan." Replied Ami.
"Yeah, especially since we know you can't inherit brains from your mother." Minako smirked.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Usagi growled at her. Everyone else burst out laughing. The rest of the night was going by wonderfully. Usagi had made a complete turnaround in her attitude. Although they knew this was only a temporary solution, they were happy that their friend seemed to genuinely be having fun. They decided to all order some drinks while Chibi-Usa and Hotaru went downstairs to play a few rounds of games. After running out of coins, the two girls came back up to beg for some more.
"Oh, alright." Usagi flipped open her coin purse. She had grabbed some extra since she originally had no idea where they were going. "I have to get change first, you're not getting all of it."
"Stingy." Chibi-Usa mumbled. Usagi playfully stuck out her tongue at her before leaving the table. Walking towards the counter, she heard some familiar voices arguing ahead.
"Well, why not?" A male voice kept questioning.
"Just piss off." A second male voice said warningly.
"I just want to know more of what happened!"
"I told you already! I don't have to tell you every damn thing that went on!" The second voice shot back.
"Look!" This time it was a completely new voice. "He doesn't want to tell you, so just back off, would you? And where the heck are our drinks?"
"I'll go see!" The owner of the second voice slammed his hands on the table and started to walk to the counter where Usagi was, not paying attention to his surroundings in his state of agitation. Usagi, who had just received her change, turned to leave. As she did, she slammed into the guy behind her, sending them crashing to the floor and spilling the change everywhere. The racket had caused both their parties to come wondering over, but not before they both had a chance to face each other.
"Seiya."
"Usagi"
They sat glued to the floor, staring at each other blankly before Usagi started to feel uneasy again and rose to her feet.
"I should go." Her feet barely made it any further before she felt a strong grip take a hold of her hand. She froze, a warm sensation spreading up her forearm.
"Please, Dumpling." Seiya pleaded. She couldn't resist. His voice was pulling her in. She turned around, still hand in hand with him and looked him in his eyes. "I want to apologize for how I behaved, I was out of line."
"Thank you, Seiya." She said
"However, I will never apologize to you for what I said." The little weight that began to fall away from Seiya's apology immediately returned. "I love you, and I always will."
"Seiya please, not right now, Mamoru and everyone are here and-"
"Is that the only thing holding you back, your friends?" He asked.
"Of course not!" She didn't like this; the fighting, the awkwardness. Their friendship which meant so much to her, felt like it was breaking apart before her eyes.
"Then why can't you just answer me? Forget this "destiny" of yours and tell me how you feel now."
"I-"
"What's going on here?" An angry female voice sounded off from behind, startling them both. It was Haruka. Her and the others had made their way over. On Seiya's side, Taiki and Yaten were also staring at the pair. Usagi hastily broke hands with Seiya as she finally realized what they were all staring at. She couldn't look Mamoru in the eyes.
"We were just talking," Seiya replied, his eyes pointed and cold as he spoke to Haruka. "after we bumped into each other."
"Just talking?" She questioned, coldness taking over her eyes as well. "Really?"
"Haruka." Michiru stepped up beside her, looping her right arm around Haruka's left. "No need to be on edge, we're all friends now aren't we?"
"Friends, sure…" She said still keeping a close watch on Seiya, like a bloodhound waiting for movement.
"Isn't it getting late?" Setsuna offered from the side. "I believe it's nearly past Hotaru's bedtime… probably Small Lady's as well?"
"Yes." Usagi turned around. "I think it's time to go home. Haruka, would you grab the things from the table for me?" Haruka momentarily hesitated, then nodded.
Without another glance his way, Usagi passed Seiya and headed straight for the door. Michiru and Setsuna followed her. Mamoru nodded to Seiya out of politeness as he passed, Seiya, did not return it. Minako, Makoto, Ami, and Rei said nothing to Seiya, but exchanged goodbyes with Yaten and Taiki, and apologized for any rudeness. Hotaru tried hastily to pick up the change without being left behind. Taiki and Yaten helped her, trying to avoid the silent Seiya as long as possible. Chibi-Usa however, had no problem approaching him.
"Seiya Kou?" He looked down to see a small pink-haired child saying his name. Strangely, she reminded him of Usagi in a way.
"Who are you?" He asked.
"I'm Usagi's cousin from out of town, I came here to visit. I want you to meet me here tomorrow at noon, and I suggest you do it."
"Huh?" Who was this little girl to talk like that? "And why is that?"
"I've heard a lot about you, and I want to show you something. Besides, this was my welcome back party and you ruined it, so I think you owe me one." Chibi-Usa grabbed Hotaru by the arm, who was thanking Taiki and Yaten, and left joining the others outside the doors.
Seiya just stared after her in disbelief. "What a… brat!?"
Usagi went straight to her room and shut the door without saying a word of goodbye to anyone. The next day, she did not come out for breakfast.
"She was in her room alone in the dark before she went to the arcade as well." Luna yawned through a stretch. "Did something else happen? She did seem more upset when she got back."
"Haruka got into it with that Kou Seiya. Oh, which reminds me, I got to go." Luna looked at her puzzled.
"Meeting friends?" Luna asked.
"I wouldn't put it like that. Talk to you later!" She left, leaving the cat confused.
Chibi-Usa grabbed an old bike that Usagi's mom and dad had bought her a few birthdays ago against Usagi's protests. Even with taking the bike, she knew she would run slightly late. Upon arriving, she quickly chained it outside and walked up to the parlor. She wasn't sure if he would actually show or not, but she didn't have to wonder long. Sitting at one of the front tables was Seiya. Closing her eyes, Chibi-Usa took a deep steadying breath. "Sorry Michiru." She said before walking forward. Despite the warnings she had received, she felt there was no other way. She just hoped she was convincing enough, or this could be a possible disaster.
"Well squirt, what is it?" Seiya asked in a bored voice as Chibi-Usa sat down opposite him.
"Listen." Her voice was more commanding than she intended it to be. "You have no business with Usagi, and should go home to your own planet."
"What business is it of you- what?" He stopped for a moment to fully take in what the little girl had said. "What did, how did you-" He looked at her with an odd sort of expression. "Who are you again?"
"I'm not just Usagi's cousin. I'm a Senshi too." Seiya was caught off guard by this. He only looked more perplexed.
"You? A runt kid?" He asked.
She frowned vigorously. "I'm not that small!"
"Okay." He said. "Senshi, cousin, whatever, it's still not really your business is it?"
"It is actually!" She huffed. "Look, Usagi's future is set. There's no other guy for her besides Mamo-chan, it's their destiny!"
"More with this destiny thing? Look, just because they were reborn together doesn't mean-"
"It's not just their past! It's their future too!"
"Tch, and what do you know of their future? How do you know she isn't just staying with her boyfriend because she feels obligated too due to the memories of her past life?"
"That's a horrible thing to say!" The girl actually stood up at the accusation. Furious, her hands curled into fists against the surface of the table. "Mamo-chan and Usagi love each other very much! I know how much they love each other! I've seen it! I'm the one from the future, not you!"
"The future?" Seiya crinkled his forehead.
"Yes." She defended herself. "Don't look at me like that! Time travel is as real as being able to cross foreign galaxies to come to Earth! Ask Pluto!"
"Okay," Seiya said shrugging. "So, in this future you're from then, Usagi is-"
"Married to Mamo-chan." For a moment he was silent, and then he finally spoke.
"Doesn't matter."
"What?" This was not what Chibi-Usa had expected.
"The future can change. Just because Usagi is with Mamoru now and in the future, doesn't mean she can't change her mind and change things."
"You don't get it! You can't change this future!"
"I don't believe that."
"But-"
"If that were true, why do they try so hard to protect this Earth, at this point in time? From enemies trying to take over and alter the future of your world?"
"Look!" Chibi-Usa, who was quickly losing patience with this man, pulled her time key out and slapped it onto the table. "See that? That's what enables me to travel through time at will. I know what I'm talking about! So please, just accept it. This is about Mamoru and Usagi's destiny, and you're hurting her! Even if you somehow could change the future, she wouldn't want you to!"
"That key, really allows you to travel anywhere in time and space?"
"Yes." She answered, relieved that he was finally starting to believe her.
"How does it work?" He asked.
"You just ask for guidance from the Time Guardian and concentrate on a place to go. I mean, you can't go anywhere you want, it's not that simple. It would…Stop! What are you doing?" Complete terror took a hold of her as Seiya reached out for the key.
Caught, Seiya quickly snatched it before flinging himself from the table and bursting through the front entrance. "No! STOP!" Chibi-Usa ran; panicking, after him. "Seiya! Seiya!" Over and over she called for him to stop, trying as hard as possible to catch up. She had forgotten the bike in a state of panic and was now running after him as fast as she could. Knowing how much trouble she would be in, yet also knowing she could not stop him alone, she had no choice but to call the Sailor Senshi. "Everyone!" Her voice was dry and cracked as she screamed into the communicator.
"Chibi-Usa? What's wrong?" Ami answered back.
"Are you okay?" Makoto asked.
"Chibi-Usa?" "Chibi-Usa?" Usagi and Mamoru both called out her name at the same time.
"I'm sorry! I've made a huge mistake!" She pre-apologized. "I met with Seiya and told him almost everything about me! I just wanted him to leave Usagi alone, and now, that idiot took my time key and knows how to use it!"
"CHIBI-USA!" "Chibi-Usa!"
"SMALL LADY?!"
Michiru and Setsuna scolded her through the device, as well as Usagi.
"I know, I'm sorry! Please, I think he's planning to time jump for whatever reason, I don't know! I can't stop him alone."
"Alright. We'll pin point your location and meet up with you. I'll contact the other Starlights as well." Setsuna's voice faded from the communicator.
Chibi-Usa continued to run, her tiny legs working twice as hard to keep up with Seiya's longer strides. "Seiya!" She called once more. He looked back at her and sped up, taking a back alley to the right. She followed. That's all she could do for now. The alley led out into a deserted area. The shops that had once been open for business read, "Closed", with construction notices in the windows informing people when a new shopping center would be open. Seiya stopped in the middle of the street, panting.
"What are you doing?" He turned to look at the child who managed to follow him all this way. She was panting even harder than he was.
"I-" He started.
"Give the key back, Seiya!" Yaten, Taiki and Setsuna were running up to them. "By the sounds of it, that's not some toy!" It was Taiki calling out to him.
"Give it back kid!" Haruka yelled as she joined them. Michiru was right at her side.
"Seiya, why on Earth do you want Chibi-Usa's time key?" Makoto had arrived, along with Rei, Ami, and Minako.
"To go back." He said. "Back to the past."
"What?" Everyone looked at each uncertain. "The past?"
"Seiya don't!" Setsuna cried out. "I know what you're thinking of doing! Don't! It's dangerous! There could be major consequences!"
"What are you talking about Setsuna?" Haruka pressed her friend.
Seiya didn't care what the consequences would be, all he cared about was being with her. He thrust the key towards the sky, knowing exactly what to do. "Guardian of Time!" A pink light started to surround his body and gradually lift him into the air.
"Seiya!" A mixture of voices cried out his name, and now Usagi's could be heard among them. Seiya looked over to see her standing next to Mamoru, like always. "What are you doing?" She pleaded.
"I'm going to prove it to you Dumping! I'm going to prove to you that our destiny is in our own hands. I'm going to go back in time, to see exactly how you'd feel if you met me sooner!" He called out to her.
"WHAT?!"
"NO!"
There was an outcry of various voices, shouting out both angrily and fearfully.
"Seiya please!" Usagi cried. "Don't do this!" Was it too much to ask, to have both Seiya and Mamoru by her side? Why couldn't things just go back to the way they were? "Seiya… come back! Please!" She begged. Mamoru grabbed her hand in support, and Seiya winced. There was no going back…
Seiya turned his back to Usagi and looked up to the heavens, pulling all his energy, all his heart, all his thoughts, into one single goal and shouted it to the world above. "TAKE ME TO A PLACE IN TIME WHERE TSUKINO USAGI AND CHIBA MAMORU AREN'T TOGETHER!" His wish rang throughout the sky as the pink light completely engulfed his body. The Senshi screamed and yelled, sprinting towards him. As he rose higher, Seiya looked once more at Usagi, becoming smaller and smaller on the ground below. Her hair whipped around in the wind as she looked up at him with tear struck eyes.
"SEIYA!" She cried hoarsely into the wind, but it was too late. He was gone.
Author's Note:
Three things to note going forward with this story: Please Read: Just so everyone is aware, I started writing my fan-fiction long before Viz Media ever got the licensing to re-release Sailor Moon. All the episodes used when Seiya is back in time in this story use the ADV Film's subtitled version. Another note, while my story mainly sticks with the anime only, I will bring in elements from the manga's story line later. This is due in partial because of how vastly different the Stars anime was from the Manga in terms of major plot points. For example, the whole plot surrounding the Galaxy Cauldron and Chibi Chibi being Cosmos, Sailor Moon's ultimate form and not just Sailor Galaxia's star seed, was left out. This will be important information for me to include later in the story, but pretty much you just need to imagine this information was included in the anime, as I will still be following the anime's ending (not the manga's). Thirdly, I am very aware of the fact that Seiya is actually a woman, however, again I am mainly following the anime. In the manga, Seiya is always a woman and just disguises herself in men's clothing when on Earth, much like how Haruka likes to dress. However, in the anime Seiya IS a male in human form, a male body disguise, and he transforms into his/her true form of Star Fighter. They are the same soul, but in a sense two different entities. This is simply how I want to do it, I have no issues with non heterosexual relationships at all, so please don't just assume that based on a fun piece of fictional writing. Thanks and enjoy!