Divinity: The Fates and the Afterlife

Chapter four

A/N: A special thank you for your reviews, private messages, and good vibes. It means a lot, really.

I do not own Sailor Moon, just this plot and some of the characters.

She bit her lips as she stared at her almost finished work. Her deep aquamarine eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she grabbed her long brush and traced a few more strokes over the canvas.

Michiru Kaioh stepped back and tilted her head while giving the canvas another stroke with her brush loaded with deep blue paint against the pastel colors painted n the background. No different than the rest of the girls, she too considered what would be the best for her to pursue as a career and it came with only one option: Fine Arts.

When she was not giving a classical music concert at auditoriums, she was in her study painting for a new art exhibition at many galleries around Tokyo. Very similar to the lifestyle the other girls followed, Michiru focused on her personal life leaving her other half as Senshi in the back of her mind. After Galaxia was defeated, she decided to move in with Haruka and Setsuna, taking Hotaru with them to raise and take care of her. She had a very comfortable life and had made quite a marvelous career but even her had that typical inspiration block of an artist from time to time so when things turned complicated for the bluenette, she would ask Haruka to drive her to a little house in the mountain valley they rented during the summer to clear her mind and find the peace and inspiration necessary to paint and finish her work.

With a long sigh, Michiru stepped back and took a good look at the painting again and stayed silent for a few minutes, while still holding the brush between her fingers, not really minding if it dripped or stained her overalls.

"Well, that's interesting."

Her blue eyes widened and lowered her gaze, her lips curved into a sensual smile; one she only had for her longtime companion "My, I thought you were out, you almost surprised me."

Haruka smiled in response and leaned on the door frame "I will be extra careful next time."

Michiru waved her hand and put the brush on the glass with solvent and turned her face to the painting again, "This is taking forever, I know."

The tall blonde woman walked slowly and stood behind Michiru and stared at the paint in silence for a couple of minutes, "It is very unlikely of you, yes. But this is something different."

Michiru frowned "Different?" she felt her ego as an artist be threatened by the comment Haruka might give her about her work. Michiru could handle any commentary, any criticism from practically anybody; she knew how to deal with bad criticism but what she could never learn to handle was when Haruka had something to say when she had a special opinion about something because it was the one that only mattered, the only one she cared about.

Haruka walked away from Michiru and stepped right in front of the huge painting, bringing a hand to her chin in thought, "Your work is normally about the calm ocean and the stars, it's always so peaceful," the blonde narrowed her eyes and tilted her head to the side, "But this one…it's dark, powerful and almost violent," she turned to look at Michiru over her shoulder "Why?"

Michiru rubbed the back of her neck and sighed, "I don't know—it started the way you were first describing it and it suddenly turned out to be like this, I don't even know when did that happen. It was almost like a necessity."

Haruka arched a brow and wrinkled her nose, just as she always did when she made an extra effort to understand the girl with aquamarine eyes. "A necessity," she said, not sure if it was a question or a comment. Stepping back, she ran her hand through her sandy hair and sighed softly, "Maybe you are feeling too much pressure with this exhibit. The gallery has been very insistent on how much they would like to show your new work as soon as possible," the blonde shrugged her shoulders "You are just feeling the stress of having this one done on time."

Michiru bit her lower lip "Yes, I suppose you are right," she sighed "I suppose I must be letting my feelings take over my mind and this—" she made a pause and pointed at the large canvas with her brush "—This is the result of it."

"My, my, you have softened."

Michiru frowned and turned to look over her shoulder "What is that supposed to mean?"

Haruka smirked "Years ago you would have painted a calm and peaceful ocean and you would have said it was a strong reflection of who you were as soldier but now—you paint a stormy night sky and—"

"It's not a night sky, it's a galaxy." Michiru interrupted with a frown.

Haruka blinked and sighed softly, she chuckled and continued "My apologies, now you paint a galaxy and you say your feelings are troubled." she brushed her lips with her index finger in thought "Troubled or not…" she paused and looked at a very quiet and hesitant painter in front of her "It's majestic."

Michiru smiled and tilted her head to the side, her eyes gleamed with triumph and satisfaction "Then my job is complete."

Haruka widened her eyes "Really?"

Michiru nodded and stretched her arms and put her remaining brush to soak in solvent "I think I deserve a fancy dinner." She turned to look at the blonde over her shoulder "I haven't eaten properly since I got here," she scratched her nose "Two weeks ago."

"I have barely seen you these past two weeks. You have been in here all this time." Haruka came closer to the other girl and wrapped her arms around her, "I've been ignored and abandoned by you and was exchanged for brushes and paint, but it's fine, I wouldn't change it for anything."

Michiru giggled and turned to look at Haruka straight in the eyes "I will compensate you for the time lost I promise, but for now…" she made a pause and blushed when a loud growl echoed from her stomach. Haruka widened her blue eyes and cracked a laugh "Alright alright, I will cook something."

Michiru chuckled and walked away to the bedroom "I will go change my clothes so we can go to the grocery store and buy some things we need to make dinner." As the blue haired woman walked away from the blonde, she heard her mumble the lyrics to a song they both liked to listen when they were on trips, especially on that little cabin. It was no secret to the world know that they had a special relationship, some were still hesitant to actually believe they were a couple but to them, there were never boundaries to share a life together and to show their deep love for one another.

Despite Haruka had more masculine habits like racing or managing her sports cars shop and being one of the best at it or to have a more androgynous look, such as sporting a short hairstyle or to barely wear any makeup compared to the very feminine style of Michiru and her many silk scarves and sun dresses, they shared more than their interest for one another, but a more spiritual one.

A millennial one.

Since Michiru found Haruka and showed her the truth about their lives and the meaning of them having reincarnated into this world and this time specifically they have been connected in body and soul to fulfill their mission as legendary sailor soldiers. They overcame many obstacles and risked their lives to find and protect the reason of why they were there: Their lunar princess.

As Michiru walked into the small room to change her clothes she began to think about their past lives; it was something that always captivated her, how they were able to travel through time and space and find all of the girls she once heard of their existence and who know she called them friends. It was too fascinating to just ignore and leave in the past their many adventures, their confrontations and the many times they went against their mission just to protect them.

The girl sat on the bed and looked down at her hands in silence. Since she made the decision to dedicate her life to the arts she made a promise to herself to portray all her experiences and many adventures into something great and wonderful. She still believed that it was a miracle that they managed to survive their last encounter with Galaxia and be living from the memory of who they once were. Michiru was not the kind of woman who doubted much, she was known to be precise and very much intuitional and she deeply believed in the Princess and the great power she possesses but she couldn't help to feel sometimes that there was more they could have done to save her from a lot of the pain and grief she endured during that period of time.

With a bittersweet feeling, she stood up and went to stand in front of the mirror to give one last look at her attire and walked out the door.

As the wind disheveled her rebellious hair, Michiru looked up into the afternoon sky and sighed deeply, catching Haruka's attention. The blonde turned quickly to look at her and then back at the road "You have been awfully quiet since we left the cabin,"

"I'm okay, just tired and relieved that I finally finished the paintings for the show."

"Hmm…"

"What?" Michiru looked at the blonde, then smiled "What are you going to imply this time?"

Haruka chuckled "Nothing."

Michiru looked away and leaned her head on the leather seat of Haruka's Porsche, "It feels strange not having Hotaru around, I think this is the longest I've been away from her."

Haruka made a soft turn and parked on a small bistro café and turned off the engine of her car. "I think we better eat out, I've been eating whatever I found on the shelves—I could use some real food."

Michiru laughed and nodded, then stepped out of the yellow car and walked inside the small restaurant. Once seated near a window, Haruka spotted a newspaper on the register and asked the young waitress if she could take a quick look at it while they decided to order something to eat.

"Looking for something in particular?" Michiru asked with curiosity; Haruka frowned as she kept reading the news section, then looked at her "All clear."

Michiru smiled when she knew what she meant and reached for her hand at the other end of the table, "Sometimes is hard to believe it, isn't it?" her turquoise eyes locked with one pair of royal blue ones "After all we went through, everyone we met and lost—we are still here, living in peace."

"I can't help it, it got stuck with me." Haruka smiled and shrugged her shoulders "I feel like a hunter, waiting for a new prey to come out."

Michiru smiled again and intertwined her fingers with the blonde's "The only thing you need to hunt is that Gran Prix trophy," with a soft sigh, she leaned back in her seat, her fingers slowly leaving Haruka's, "We tried to find new excuses and many new enemies to keep ourselves active but, life—normal life, caught up with us."

"I think subconsciously we are still trying to find that good excuse." Haruka bit her lower lip and took a sip of her drink. She could not debate Michiru's words because deep inside she knew she was telling the truth. She couldn't deny how happy she felt to be at peace and very much left alone with her decisions and lover; she loved her racing career and to spend time at the shop she opened with another racer comrade but sometimes it wasn't enough. Sometimes, getting her hands dirty with oil or paint from fixing and upgrading cars wasn't enough, sometimes stepping hard on the accelerator while driving didn't help to curb that rush of being prepared to part the ground in two with just the flick of her hand.

Michiru was right. She was still trying to find a good excuse. "It's not that I don't like being at peace." Haruka looked away, "But I will always look for my Princess' well-being." Michiru looked at her and tilted her head "I believe that's an interest we all have," she patted the blonde's hand "I know you didn't mean it that way."

"She suffered too much," Haruka closed her eyes "Sometimes that memory still haunts me…"

"I know, but," Michiru patted her hand again, "She was never alone, even when we were under the influence of Galaxia's power—we never left her alone."

"I am just not talking about what happened eight years ago, but what happened more than a thousand years," Haruka looked Michiru straight in the eyes, "They both have suffered too much. They never hesitate to give their lives for each other." she closed her eyes for a moment, giving Michiru the opportunity to lighten the mood. She knew exactly what Haruka was feeling, she knew it well because she too thought about it and she felt the same way when it came to her. That suffering, struggle and deep love

That suffering, struggle and deep love were the main reason why they opposed to letting Seiya get closer to their beloved Usagi. "I believe the one who has softened is not me after all…"

Haruka smiled and shook her head "I think it's the wedding."

"It has softened us all; it's an event none of us want to miss." Michiru smiled.

The blonde nodded and chuckled, "So you can cry your heart out when you hear them say 'I do'?"

Michiru chuckled "What is wrong with that?" she laughed louder "Besides—the one crying is not going to be me but you." her eyes drifted from Haruka's to the newspaper, where an article caught her attention "Could you pass me the paper?"

Haruka arched a brow "Um, well that was sudden…" she turned and gave the bluenette the paper which she took immediately and read with great interest. The blonde frowned "What is it?"

Michiru kept reading then put the paper on the table, her perfect French manicured nail followed each word slowly, "The treasure hunter strikes again," she read, "Japan's most famous treasure hunter has set a date to return to Tokyo with what she claims to be the discovery if not of the year, the one of the Century."

"Oh?" Haruka listened carefully as she cut her fillet and took a bite "Who's this famous treasure, hunter? I've never heard of her."

Michiru put the paper aside and took a sip of her coffee "A girl who has made a name for herself at a very young age. I heard about it on the news before we came here that she would be leaving to an excursion soon to find a crown."

"All that for a crown?"

Michiru shrugged her shoulders "She's known for finding very rare treasures from all over the planet, this time, I heard she was after some tribe and claimed they had a royal or leader whose crown had the rarest gems in the world."

"You sure keep track of what this girl is doing."

"Are you jealous?"

Haruka cut a piece of her steak, "Me? Oh no—I do not compete with young girls."

Michiru arched her brow "Oh?" she chuckled "No, you do not compete with them but you do charm them with lovely words."

Haruka blushed crimson red, "Where did that come from?"

Michiru giggled "Oh, you know."

Haruka swallowed and took a sip of her water "W-We better finish this so we can go back to the cabin, we can leave first thing in the morning."

Michiru chuckled "Alright, alright." She extended her hand and reached for Haruka's "To me, that wedding and being with you-living like this, is the event of the Century."

Haruka blushed and smiled "Mine too."

After several days investigating, Mikael found his way back to the hidden treasure. With secure steps, he walked on the slippery and very fragile ground with more style than the young treasure hunter did days ago. The view still shocked him and still captured his full attention as he moved his flashlight all around the area to get a clearer look. His eyes widened at the sight of the remains of what appeared to be an entire kingdom they happened to discover by accident "Akira…" he breathed and looked at the other men that just joined them to help and take more pictures and samples of the ruins, "What the—" the man said in surprise, almost breathless.

Akira smiled at the blonde and turned to walk towards the mysterious ruins "This is amazing!" she said happily. Mikael turned to the photographer who already was immersed taking hundreds of shot of the beautiful place surrounded by vegetation and—"Ice?" Mikael frowned once he paid attention to the ground beneath his feet "We are standing on ice—" he widened his eyes "—The river," he trailed off and pointed the frozen ground beneath their feet.

"Are you suggesting this place holds any kind of life?" One of the archeologists asked confused "These ruins have been here probably for centuries!"

Another archeologist began taking his equipment out of his backpack and started analyzing the surroundings, "This place is as ancient as—probably mythology itself." he said surprised. Mikael frowned and turned his head "What do you mean?"

"There are symbolisms all over," The dark haired man said as he adjusted his glasses. Mikael and the others tried to catch up with Akira who was now standing at what appeared to be the main court "This is surreal," she breathed, "This place is huge, how can all this be hidden under such darkness and depths?"

Mikael put a hand on her shoulder "Toshi says it might be here since very ancient times—he compared it with a mythological place."

Akira widened her eyes and gasped in shock "Mythological?"

Mikael nodded and looked around "This places resembles very much to a palace and it appears we are standing right at one of the courts."

"A Palace." Akira looked down at the stone floor and gasped when she saw a symbol on its center "Look!" she said and kneeled next to the engraved symbol. Her dirty hand touched the polished stone and wiped the dirt and debris covering it and turned to one of the archeologists "How old do you think this stone might be?"

The Japanese archeologist known as Toshi, crouched next to her and bit his lip "We are standing on very old grounds; symbols like these are only found in religious parchments and books about semiotics and symbolism and for the looks of it—it seems to be something more significant."

Akira widened her eyes "Such as?"

"This symbol could be a cult or even—royalty." Toshi adjusted his round glasses again as he traced the lines of the engraving "The symbol of a cross inside of a circle is known to be the astronomical symbol of Earth but, we would have to study as much as we can about this place so we can have a sure answer of what all this might mean."

Akira blinked "The symbol of Earth,"

Toshi nodded "In ancient times, according to many mythological books and legends, the planets were identified by different symbols depending on their 'element' in this case, Earth was given the symbol with a cross because it's a self-sustainable planet, it has all the elements so Earth was also considered a royal and divine planet." he took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose "But of course, I am speaking from a mythological point of view."

"Mythological…" Akira breathed "Gods?"

Toshi nodded again "There is a legend that says that the planets were once guarded by chosen gods or goddesses known as 'protectors'."

"Well, that is pure mythology, pure fantasy stories," Mikael said dismissively, "There has never been solid proof of that."

Toshi shrugged his shoulders and stood up "Well no, but then—what kind of a place is this? We are in a place that obviously went through some serious damage and was put here to rest and be preserved." the Japanese man looked around "For I can see, these are just ruins but there must be an explanation of why a place like this exists in such penumbra like this cave covered in luminescence matter."

"There's life in this place," An American archaeologist by the name of Joe said, "Otherwise—how would you explain the plants and water all around?"

Mikael shook his head "The small stream of water comes from the ice surrounding the ruins and it's slowly melting—the melted ice in this place mixed with the solid ground is what gave life to those plants." he turned to Toshi, Joe and the other three people around them, "We need to take as many pictures, samples of everything and go back to study them at the lab." he turned surprised to Akira "This is much more than just a simple tribal crown."

Akira stood up and shook her head still in disbelief and wonder, "I've grown listening to my parent's stories about mythology, Olympus, and its divine protectors but this…" she trailed off and smiled, "To be standing in a place that could confirm all those legends is—beyond amazing."

"Well, believe it." Mikael said while looking around "You didn't get to find the crown you were looking for but you discovered a whole ruined Palace from a civilization it might not even be written in history books."

"I feel an air of melancholy…" Akira said softly as she turned to look around "It feels like we are in a resting place, a grave you might say." she turned to Mikael "After we give the news of this place it won't be much of a peaceful place anymore—people will want to come here and take more samples." she touched the stone walls "And somehow I feel like this place is here with that purpose, to rest…forever…"

"You are about to give this world the best discovery ever. There has been a Kingdom beneath our feet for so long."

"Well despite its tricky way to get here," Toshi said and pointed up "This place is like a cocoon that only guards these ruins but we can make an exit at the opposite side of this place."

"We can create an access from this side," Mikael nodded and grabbed his walkie talkie and pressed a button "We are close to an exit at the south side of the cave—take some ropes and meet us there."

The interference of the device brought Akira back to reality and winked in surprise, "Mikael," she said softly "You know what this all means?"

Mikael looked at her "I know."

"This might be the Kingdom my mother once told me about…" Akira said softly with wonder written all over her face, "If it is—that privacy and independence you want might be over, the media will be all over us."

Mikael smiled and sighed, then put his hands on her shoulders in support "Akira, you just discovered something bigger than a crown—of course, the media will be all over us, but it's worth it, you are giving society a piece of history." he squeezed her cold and moist skin in acknowledgement, "Savor it."

Akira watched her not so secret lover walk away giving orders and suggestions to the other fellows in the cave with them and the people up above and turned to look at the symbol engraved on the stone floors "The symbol of Earth…" she breathed "Could it be?" she widened her eyes and gasped, "And if it is—who buried this place here?"

The sound of keys startled the blonde laying on the couch in the living room reading a magazine, her lips curved into a smile as she heard the door open and close slowly behind the person walking inside the foyer. She heard a soft sigh accompanying the sound of keys placed on a metal plate strategically placed on a small table at the entrance— her idea.

Her eyes kept staring at the many outfits and ads on the pages of her magazine but her attention was more on whom she knew was about to come into the living room "Is it you?" she asked playfully and she turned the glossy page and bent its corner for quick access later on.

"Uh—no, I'm a thief coming to steal something from the guy who lives here."

"What do you want, thief?"

"Nothing—just came to take a look around."

Usagi sat on the couch and turned to the man standing behind her "Hey, you are supposed to say you came to see me!"

Mamoru put his briefcase on the other side of the couch and bent to give a peck on Usagi's lips "I didn't know you were here," he murmured "I thought you were going to be out with the girls tonight." he moved away and began undoing a few buttons of his grey shirt and tucked his sleeves up a quarter, finally losing all formality.

Usagi nodded "I did, we went to have some drinks." she closed the magazine and looked for Mamoru who was nowhere in sight "Are you here or did I just speak to a ghost?"

"You most likely did speak to a ghost."

"I think I'm going crazy." she said with playful sarcasm and put her magazine away, "How was your day?"

Mamoru walked from the kitchen to the living room with a glass of water and sat on the couch next to her, "Long, busy-very busy," he said softly and took a sip "But alright."

Usagi moved closer to him and lowered the volume on the t.v. "You came home pretty late, where were you?"

Mamoru took another sip of his water and put the glass on the coffee table "At the hospital." he said softly and turned to look at her "They wouldn't let me go."

Usagi smiled and ran her hand through his midnight hair "Well, if I had a doctor this cute I wouldn't let him go home either."

Mamoru smiled, he loved when Usagi would comb his hair with her delicate fingers. "Cute?" Usagi giggled, she knew the gesture always lulled him, "What?"

"Nobody ever in my life has said to me I was cute."

"Ugh please, of course they have!" Usagi stopped and moved back, looking at him quizzically, making Mamoru chuckle softly, "What?"

Usagi's eyes narrowed, "You are telling me no one ever has called you cutie pie?"

"Eh—no," Mamoru shook his head "I mean, I wasn't implying that it bothered me or anything," he scratched his nose "When you say cute, I think of a teddy bear or a fluffy bunny—like you, not me."

"Why? Because you were always aware of your dashing looks?"

Mamoru laughed "What? No! that's not what I meant either!"

Usagi narrowed her eyes playfully and poked Mamoru on the stomach "Oh my god, you are such a hypocrite!"

Mamoru widened his eyes "Of course not!" he said between chuckles, "You are imagining things."

"Then what did you mean?"

"Cute was not a word to describe me when I was a kid Usako. Nobody ever called me that or referred to me as a cutie pie or anything—maybe because I never gave them the opportunity." Mamoru pinched Usagi's nose playfully "I was pretty much a loner."

Usagi knew what his term of loner meant and couldn't help to feel bad. Sometimes it was very hard for her to understand how different their lives had been; while she had everything since she was born he, on the other hand, was ripped from everything when he was just a child. Sometimes she forgot about that tragic part of his life because he never acted like he lived through such hard times. The silver blonde girl bit her lower lip and grabbed his hand "I'm so sorry." she said softly.

Mamoru frowned and shook his head, confused "For what?"

"I know I touched a very sensitive nerve."

"Usa, it's okay—I'm not hurt besides, this happened a long time ago."

"But I should know better that you don't like to talk about that part of your life."

Mamoru took a deep breath "Usa, I was a loner because I liked to do my own thing, I hated being pitied but that doesn't mean I didn't have any friends." he looked at her and smiled "But enough about me—how did it go with the girls?"

Usagi's eyes sparkled again and smiled "Really nice, it felt like the old days." she widened her eyes and sat straight, her index finger poking him in the arm "Oh, by the way—don't forget to ask for your vacation leave."

"I won't," he smiled softly.

"See, I don't want to find out that just a few days away from the wedding you come all "Oh, by the way I can't leave because I have to take a zillion exams on a patient," she said, mimicking his warm voice. Mamoru tried to contain his chuckles and arched his brow, "What are you doing?"

"I am being you."

Mamoru burst into laughter, Alright—alright, I will make sure to have my leave covered by someone else."

Usagi smiled and turned to see the briefcase on the couch and frowned with curiosity, "I've never seen that before—it's fancy." she turned to look at him again and tilted her head, "I don't remember you had one for work."

Mamoru looked at it and shook his head, "I don't—but remember I told you I was meeting my parent's friend today to give him some papers."

"Oh right, Ami chan said she was supposed to assist you today and you didn't show up."

"I did show up. That's why I'm home this late," he leaned his head on the back of his couch, "Motoki covered for me and took my cases so he probably called her to assist him today." he looked at her and arched a brow "So, what were you doing before I got here?"

"Uh, nothing, just reading a magazine while I listened to the t.v. in the back—I thought you would be here by now but I got too immerse in the gossip that I didn't realize it was this late," she moved forward and looked for her black stilettos "Actually, I should go home."

Mamoru pulled her back to the couch and into his arms "I just got here! Why are you leaving me so soon?"

Usagi laughed when she felt his fingers tickling her "No!" she began to laugh without control, "Then don't leave!" Mamoru said playfully. Usagi looked at him and poked him in the arm "It's your fault!" she said between laughs "You got home too late!"

"I was working!" Mamoru widened his sapphire eyes, "You can't punish me for that!"

"Well—now it's too late."

Mamoru leaned over her and looked at her with puppy eyes, a gesture he only did when they were alone. Nobody actually knew how mellow and adorable the almighty Chiba Mamoru was when he was alone with Usagi; his always polite and mysterious character melted away once he stepped on that room and found her alone, and Usagi couldn't deny how much she loved it.

She loved everything about the man; his character, how smart he was, his warm voice, his deep blue eyes, his silky black hair. She even loved when sometimes he didn't shave on Sundays and gave her what she called itchy kisses. Usagi was mad about Mamoru and the best thing of all is that he felt the same way for her.

Usagi looked at him and smirked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I'm hungry," he murmured and blew his dark bangs, before laying on her lap, "I haven't eaten anything today—I'm starving."

Usagi widened her eyes in utter shock thinking she could not even go through her morning without munching something at work. Skipping lunch or a meal was an unthinkable task for her. No wonder why he was in such weird, but still adorable mood. "Why would you deprive yourself from such marvel as eating?"

"Because I was busy—I had to catch up with my hours and it was quite hectic today," he mumbled and exhaled softly, his hand loosely caressing her arm "Don't leave just yet—please?"

Usagi smiled and combed his hair back "Alright, alright—but after you eat something, I'll call for a ride."

Mamoru frowned "Like if I am going to let you go by yourself at this hour. I'll take you home."

"Mamo chan..." She said in a warning tone, Mamoru chuckled at her "What?"

Usagi bit her lip "You just got here,"

"So?" he frowned, "I can take you home and come back. It's not a bother, Usako, I would take you to the end of the world if you asked me to—and you know it." Usagi blushed, he knew how to dismantle her with just one look and one sensual smile. "Really?"

Mamoru leaned closer to her and kissed her softly on her lips "Really."

Usagi smiled while caressing his jawline with her fingers in a feathery touch, "So what could we order at this hour?"

Mamoru pursed his lips in thought "There is this little place a few blocks from here, I could order some o-dan-gos," he said playfully, referring to her former hairstyle and nickname. Usagi giggled and smacked his hand playing with her hair "Shut up, you loved that hairstyle."

Mamoru smiled, "I still do—I actually miss it."

Usagi arched a brow "Can't you see I am a grown up lady now? Ladies don't wear pigtails!"

Mamoru huffed with annoyance, "Please, those were not pigtails but a royal hairstyle and—" he frowned at her and tapped her nose with one finger, "What's gotten into you anyways?"

"What do you mean?" she asked, curious. Mamoru's frown deepened, "Because you are a lady you are not allowed to wear your hair with two buns at the top of your head?" he asked with slight wonder, "Since when?"

"Well—I can."

"Then, what is the problem?"

Usagi sighed and rolled her eyes, "My boss and her assistant told me I should look more my age."

Mamoru arched a brow "More your age? How old are you, a hundred years?"

Usagi ruffled his hair playfully, once she understood the pun, "No, but I am 24—in this era."

"So? I am 27, what does that has to do with age?"

"What do you mean what? I need to act my age!" Usagi frowned and slouched on the couch and tousled her choppy bangs to the side, "Also, you don't have long hair like I do, you're a dude—you don't know the struggle that is to deal with so much hair and all its criticism."

"The struggle," he said in a sarcastic tone and rolled his eyes "No, I don't buy it."

"You don't buy what?"

"Well—this silly argument." Mamoru waved his hands dismissively, "It doesn't even make sense Usa, just because you're your age you have to style your hair differently? Does a hairstyle affect your performance as a creative person?"

"No, but—"

"No Usa," Mamoru looked at her while he lay on the couch with his head resting on her lap. He reached for her face and cupped her cheeks with his hands "That has nothing to do with it," he sighed, "We are talking of two women who nag you about almost everything. I have always thought they are jealous of you, that is why she makes those unnecessary comments, especially the assistant—you don't need to be like them. You are perfect just the way you are."

Usagi sighed again and leaned down, her face just inches away from his, "I can't afford to lose my job Mamo chan."

Mamoru frowned and moved from his lying position to seat next to her, "Are you telling me that she warned you about your job just because of your hair?"

Usagi tried to look away, but his eyes were too serious and too concerned to ignore. He had the amazing ability to make her feel like if he looked through her soul, it was impossible to ever keep secrets from him. Being that the main reason why she gave up planning surprise birthday parties for him. She lowered her gaze and exhaled with resignation, "She said it would take some credibility off my work and my image as a professional."

"That woman drives me insane." Mamoru muttered and looked away, his playful tone was no longer stamped in his words. He could not stand to see her feel miserable by those women, he could not stand to see her with a broken spirit. It angered him the power their words could have over her, "It's not the first time that woman tells you something stupid—but this is beyond that," he looked at her and held her hands, "Usa, don't ever take what that woman tells you too seriously. Never, ever. Do you hear me? She has no right to make you feel inferior."

Usagi looked down and took a deep breath "Mamo chan, I can't afford to lose my job."

Mamoru frowned "Usako, there are plenty of other options out there. Places where your talent and abilities can really be appreciated."

Usagi looked up at him "There is a wedding we must pay and well—someday we will want to buy a house and—"

"—And?" Mamoru sighed and shook his head, "Usa—no, no, no, no. The wedding expenses are being taken care of, yes, there are still some details to look after but I am with you on this, and about the house—you don't have to worry about it—we have all the time in the world to look for another one."

Usagi bit her lower lip "I just," she sighed, and felt on the verge of tearing up, "I don't want you to take care of all our expenses, I want to help you, you work until very late and—"

"And?" Mamoru interrupted her, now realizing she was crying, "Usa—please don't cry, I don't like to see you cry."

"I want to help you."

Mamoru felt his heart melting in his chest, after all this time she still had a heart of gold. He couldn't take any longer to see her like that and pulled her closer to him, crashing his lips against hers in a passionate, loving kiss that lasted for a couple of minutes. He moved back and looked into her pale blue eyes, "I wish you could realize how much you have done for me—what you do for me every day."

"Mamo chan," Usagi sniffed and wiped her tears with the back of her hand, Mamoru caressed her lips with his thumbs and smiled, "You have helped me throughout all these years Usako, more than you can ever imagine. What you have done for me, cannot be even compared with anything in this world."

Usagi blushed and caressed his face with the tip of her fingers, a gesture he loved very much and smiled, "I'm the luckiest girl in the world."

"No, Usako. I am the luckiest dude in the world." he smiled and leaned his forehead on hers "Because I found you."

Usagi understood his words and couldn't fight the tears pooling in her eyes again. The bond they had could never be compared or even matched to anything or anyone. They were millenary lovers who were given a second chance to live their romance freely without being chased like criminals or not accepted by their society or rules. They were best friends and they were their own family.

The lunar girl closed her eyes and found her lover's lips and kissed him again only realizing after a few seconds of pure bliss, that she too shared her boyfriend's feelings. She opened her eyes and looked at him with a playful stare "You know what?" she smiled,

"What?" Mamoru asked curious.

"I think I'm hungry too."