Divinity: Fates and the Afterlife
Chapter Seventeen
A/N Thank you, Guest, SerenityMorrison, and kera69love for your reviews. I wish I could have uploaded this earlier but the site has been crashing on me all day. Well, I hope you like this one and again, have a lovely weekend.
The sound of laughter echoed softly, it was the sound of soft giggles coming from a young maiden. A young woman with long raven hair and porcelain skin. She looked like an ethereal creature running through a large, almost infinite field of wild flowers; her delicate fingers brushed the delicate leaves and petals flowing with the soft wind, as she looked up at the clear blue sky with her beautiful prismatic golden-green eyes. Her rosy cheeks flushed by the warmth of the sun and her long silky hair danced in swirls as the wind played with it, matching the hypnotic dance of her flowy silk blue gown. It was a beautiful picture, to see her there, enjoying the marvels of nature. She turned and brought a hand to her face to protect her eyes from the sun but soon, that sunny day slowly turned dark and big, thick gray clouds covered the sun from view darkening that once lovely prairie.
Confused and scared, the maiden turned and closed her eyes with deception when she felt the once playful wind turned aggressive and violent towards her, like if it no longer welcomed her presence. Her indigo dress was no longer following her movements but it was desperately clinging to her skin making it impossible for her to move. Her sparkling, enigmatic eyes and sweet smile vanished and was replaced by concern and fright as tears rolled down her chubby cheeks, trying to accept the facts that her fate had changed and now she had to fight with all her strength against the demon standing in front of her.
She shook her head, still crying with a heavy heart "Why?!" she looked at the man in front of her and fell to the ground on her knees. "Why…?" she asked again with rage and pain in her eyes. The maiden was no more, her long gown soon morphed into an armored Senshi uniform as she kept looking into the man's eyes. She raised her hand up to the heavens and asked for the blessings of her lineage and took hold of the sword appearing before her and channeled her energy that engulfed it in intense golden and raging flames. "Quare sic fecerit?"
"…Cho…"
"…Cho…"
…Why?..."
The echo reached into the deepest part of Athamas' mind and opened his eyes. A loud, heavy growl resonated in the vast, lonely room where he was hidden, alone; his body felt weak, despite all the energy he has been taking lately, it wasn't enough. He still needed more, he wanted more and time was wasting by every minute he was not earning a victory, the freedom to choose and hunt whoever he chose was invigorating to him, being feared was the best satisfaction to all that he suffered and had to deal with in the past. This was his dream, to become somebody invincible and he was on his way to achieving it but lately, strange visions of a young woman have been showing up, possessing his thoughts, like a vivid experience; he could almost reach and touch the woman's beautiful face as he looked into her ever changing hazel colored eyes and her pouty lips that were always swollen because of her constant sobbing. She appeared to be suffering for him but he could not understand why. He didn't have any recollections of ever seeing her in the past, the beauty in her warm voice was something he would never forget.
Sometimes Athamas felt like if his spirit escaped his body and saw the events from other time and other people's lives, losing all control over his own desires and body and this soldier maiden had been occupying his thoughts for a long time now. Who was the girl? Athamas could not recognize anything that he was constantly witnessing like a film, over and over again the same vision was clear in his mind.
"Cur clamas?" (Why are you crying?) a deep cold male voice asked the warrior maiden still holding her sword with her right hand. Between sobs and tears, she looked at the attacker in front of her and shook her head but did not say anything to the man challenging her with his own weapon, imitating the stance of a predator ready to attack. Like her, he still had an enigmatic beauty that made it impossible to ignore and admire. Much taller than her and with a very toned body underneath his dark armor and long dark cape, he also had pitch black hair that gracefully reached his shoulders with thick playful pieces of hair covering one eye and alabaster skin; like hers, his eyes changed from pale yellow to deep amber as he looked down at her with slight disdain. His cold stare despite being charged with anger and contempt was as beautiful as the maiden's "Ita ut e vitae meae," (Get out of my way)" his voice was intense and intimidating despite its elegant tone.
The Senshi shook her head while still showing the pain of having to fight him in her eyes. The Polemarchos narrowed his amber eyes and looked at the people standing behind her creating a barrier to keep the raging and the burning flames she soon summoned to protect everyone from their inevitable encounter. He smirked and arched a brow, "Hac via elegisti igitur haec duo extranei facti rationes divinas. Quibus fides tua erunt suis ignominiam tuam: et in verbis meis adtende-parantur simplicitate, stupidis et infirma."
(This is the path you have chosen then, this is what we have become—two strangers on divine grounds. Those beliefs of yours will be your own disgrace, mark my words—you are being naïve, stupid and weak.)
"Et quoniam mens tua perdidit!," (You have lost your mind!) the Senshi exclaimed with frustration, unlike the Polemarchos before her, her armored uniform was navy blue with golden trimming and her armored boots reached up to her mid thighs. Her face was smudged with charcoal and blood, probably her own, showing the distress of the moment, "Quid mihi et tibi est?" (What have you become?) she narrowed her eyes and pointed her sword at him with less hesitation than before. In response, the Polemarchos gave her a twisted, creepy smirk "Tua pessimum somnum exterreri solebat." (Your worst nightmare.) he shook his head with deception, "Quid vis ut neges naturae nostrae? Cur venis ad Romanos inclinasset? —Ut misereatur," (Why do you keep denying our nature? Why have you taken their side?)
"Non partis, cupio discedere pacatum ab ultionem recipiam," (I am not taking sides, I want to leave a peaceful life away from revenge,) she no longer cared for the tears that kept rolling down her cheeks and shook her head "Cho…" she muttered "Pugnare nolo te … Quare sic fecerit?" (I do not want to fight you... Why are you doing this?)
His amber eyes narrowed,"Et pessimus pars mi sed quod te amo, quod te non stare, infirmam, quod res data legitime meum est. Quod si non est mihi: quod autem aliquis tenens gladio, non tibi." (The worst part my dear is that I love you but I cannot stand that you, a weakling, has been given something that it is rightfully mine. It should have been me, the one holding that sword, not you.) he felt his blood boiling with rage in his veins as he looked into her warm, prismatic eyes "Non poterit stare sed respiciens ad vos habens tantum iter viam quæ ventura sunt ponatur perfecta, quod non per exiguam esse," (I cannot stand looking at you and the only way to having things happen the way they are supposed to be, is by vanishing you from existence.)
Outside of the barrier a woman fell to her knees crying desperately for the situation unfolding right before her eyes, her husband had left her side to stand in and give his strength to the gods to contain the power inside, an obvious power that if released would be catastrophic for the divine realm. "No!" she screamed with desperation, her voice strained with anguish as she looked at the Polemarchos, her son, raise his black onyx sword above his head, condemning the young Senshi, her daughter, to die by his hand. In a quick glide, the loud clashing sound of metal against metal surprised everyone at the scene, it was the first time a Senshi fought against a Polemarchos. The Warrior in black summoned for the first stance of his power, enough to lift a strong stream of air around them, like a tornado devouring them into its dense pit. They continued to fight, their swords meeting one swing and clash after another, battling for different causes. They were too strong and too fast for the ones outside of the storm to see but they knew that only one of them could come alive from it. "Sensi ea breviter currit per venas ejus ardenti omnis lux lucis navitas ... una cellula eam illi semper erunt mihi!" (I felt it briefly running through my veins, it's burning energy lighting every single cell in me...it was meant to be mine!)
The Senshi moved quickly but he was much more experienced and vicious when fighting, surpassing her already sharp skills and hit her on her side, stumbling her to the ground. The Polemarchos swung his blade but the Senshi was fast enough to avoid getting killed in the process—he was not backing down for her. She tried to stand up but the energy around them was too thick to allow her to think with clarity, at this moment she was at his mercy and for what she looked in his amber colored eyes, there was none of it left."Suis conati sunt facere tibi nisi telum contra me vides, Gaia, non posse aequare tibi et mihi artes et potentiae."
(They tried to make you their weapon against me but you see, Gaia, not even you can match my skills and power.)
The Senshi looked up, trying to summon for her power again to regain the strength on her bleeding arm. She summoned for another stage of her power but the man was already standing in front of her with his sharp blade cutting the pulsing skin of her neck. The Polemarchos's lips curved when he felt another blade strategically positioned on his neck as well, the coldness of Ares' blade was pressed against his skin much more aggressively, imitating the dark warrior's approach on the Senshi.
"I will not let you lay a finger on her!" The God of War growled with anger and defiance. The eyes of the Polemarchos narrowed and darkened, showing the anger and hatred against the one who was now between him and the Senshi, "Vector Olympi pondere, sane servus, venerunt ad te." (Olympus' servant—of course, you had to come.)
Ares narrowed his eyes and pressed his blade on his throat, cutting his flesh with no remorse "Tu animam tuam, et per veneni veneficii es in omnibus viis tuis. Tu morbum, hoc non terminus, nunc." (You have poisoned your soul and you are poisoning everything in your way. You are a disease, this will end, now.)
A loud, heavy chuckle escaped from the warrior in black armor and turned to look at Chronos using the power of the Garnet Orb to freeze him in his own energy storm. His eyes widened when he noticed he was standing next to the Senshi, "No…" he growled and extended his hand, blasting a wave of heavy energy towards the Lord of Time and then turned and responded to Ares' threat and attack, blocking the deadly blade with several quick swings and clashes; both with hatred, both deceived and hungry to win the battle.
A loud thundering caught the warrior's attention as he jumped away from Ares' attack and saw the King of Gods with a lighting blade in his hand, pointing at him "You, demonic creature, will not see the light of day again!" to the armored warrior his words were like leaves floating in the wind, pointless and stupid. He smirked defiantly at the gods and spit at their feet, showing his disgust for their existence. "Ego autem, Titan, alioquin interficiemus te, et omnium. Voces percipe mente meas." (I am a Titan, I will kill you all. Mark my words.) He summoned his own power, a strong energy that came with force from beneath his feet; the ground began shaking with tremendous force transforming their surroundings into pitch darkness.
Chronos put his hands over the Senshi's shoulders and whispered something in her ear. The dark man saw the sudden change in her expression; her eyes suddenly stopped showing compassion and fright. With regained strength she raised her hand and summoned for the power of their dynasty in a sudden flash of light her sleek sword began to gleam with a golden light before her and like its rightful owner, she curled her fingers around the hilt and stood up, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, ready to follow its divine command. Her eyes slowly changed from hazel to pure gold and just like the man in front of her, there was no longer a trace of mercy in them.
"Crystalli aurei you- invoco beato igne. Helios, Titaniaque astra sol in auribus meis orationis - ut det mihi fortitudinem, et imperium, et tenebrae obsigno malitiae ego, Gaia, Terra invocabo divina virtute et potentia sua quatuor cardinales ad aggrediendum et sol - sum præcipe filiis et concatenata in aeternum uri malum in carcerem ut tua insania altum tuum in solitudine." She narrowed her eyes as she felt the fire starting to ignite around her, feeding from the darkness coming from the Polemarchos and without looking back at the older woman pleading to stop the fight, she jumped like a vicious beast against its prey and raised the blade above her head, and crashed her weapon against the dark warrior's, then landed behind him and pierced her weapon through his armor, close to his ribs, "Tantum modo tangebat signum solis solvatur."
(The seal can only be broken by one touched by the Sun.)
His amber colored eyes widened and tried to fight back the burning flames with his own energy and turned to Chronos, Poseidon, Apollo, Zeus and Ares calling for Hades' power to create the void that would become his new resting place. "Et non moriemini!" (I will not die!) he blasted his energy again, breaking the barrier created by the high gods and turned to the Senshi, who remained still and strong despite the cuts and bruises caused by him and his dense, malicious energy that only intensified the flames coming from her, devouring them slowly. The Senshi summoned for another stage of her power, intensifying the flames coming from the blade, her hands began to tremble, her heart began to break; she knew the truth behind his words, she did not injure him enough to kill him and she could not release the full potential of the Crystal in her care; he was too strong for her but all she could do now was to resist and wait for everything to be over.
The dark Polemarchos channeled his power onto his weapon and clashed angrily against the golden blade, they were both using their energy, one feeding the other and vice versa. He was going to win—he knew it, but the pleasure of seeing her slowly fade away before him was too delicious for him to ignore, little did he know that Hades was already there swinging his scythe and creating a void to take him with him down to the underworld and then it hit him, the Senshi was not trying to kill him but to lock him away, that, she could do. Everything was condemned to be destroyed and the God of the Underworld would be using the power of his weapon despite its consequences, the padlock to his freedom were those heavy, condemning words coming from a sweet little, and heartbroken maiden that once looked at him with loving eyes and admiration. "Stop doing harm, in darkness, you shall never rise." She took her blade away and made a cut on her hand and suddenly everything turned black.
"Alios duos annos et tempora currerent; eandem esse memoriae," (Time could pass for another two thousand years and still; our memories would be the same,) the Andromedian muttered as he slowly walked down the dark halls of his hideout, "Et odium pro dilectione mea es tu tamen tam vivus sicut et ego hodie; sed nunquam cedere in memoriam et blandimenti meus dulcis ... soror."
(My love and hate for you are still as vivid as that day but I will never yield to your memory and enchantment... my little sweet sister.)
Athamas widened his eyes and looked down at his hands, confused. The thirst for revenge was still latent in his heart, hungry to see him victorious in the end was still the same and forever would be his motivation for conquest but he could not understand why he felt like his thoughts and memories were splitting into two; he was having memories that didn't recognize as his own, seen people he's never met, spoken words he did not even understand. There was an echo, a dark matter living in his brain like a ghost, pining for its sins and engulfed in a wave of madness.
"Who are you? And who are those you have chosen to follow your path?" Athamas rested his head on his hand and closed his eyes, still trying to recover from his latent vision, "Who are you? He frowned, "...Gaia"
O—o—o—o—O
"I understand the seriousness of the case, the pain you have been experienced is not something to take so lightly." Mamoru looked at the couple sitting in front of his desk and closed the file with the Furukawa case "I took the liberty to consult with my colleague about this matter; you probably have seen him before. Dr. Furuhata—he is the Specialist that would take your case from here,"
"How bad is it Dr. Chiba?" the woman asked with a trembling voice showing her evident worry in her wise, tired eyes "We have done every test available and we can't take it anymore, we need an answer."
Mamoru took a second to find a better way to break the news to the older couple, "Furukawa-san, the pain you have been feeling in your lower abdomen area is not due to an infection or a deficiency with your gallbladder like you were informed in the past by other physicians."
"Then, what is it?" the older man was finally able to speak, Mamoru looked at him and crossed his fingers together on his desk, a sign he did every time he had to give these types of diagnostics, "It's colon cancer."
The woman gasped while the man's reaction was to stay silent for a minute. Mamoru hated giving these type of news, he felt like the bearer of bad luck or the worst person in the world to be able to tell something like that and have to stay at bay with the situation. "How bad is it?" the man asked, ignoring his wife's sobbing. Mamoru opened the file on his desk and turned to his computer to show the result from the scans they took as a sample and the other analysis they made to give an accurate result. He slowly pointed with his pen the dark spots showed on the screen "Cancer cells can disperse very quickly, in this case, they are gathered in one place."
"What does that mean?"
"Means we can try to remove most of it with surgery." Motoki joined the conversation and stood next to Mamoru while looking at the screen "We would be removing a tract of the intestine, and connect it back again then follow up with chemotherapy."
"Who would be doing the surgery?"
"Both—I would be performing the surgery and Dr. Chiba would be there to advise and supervise with the medication and following treatments," Motoki said in a serious tone. Ami, who joined minutes after stood in a corner next to both of them and could not deny her admiration every time she saw them in their role as serious doctors. Mamoru was easy to picture since he always had the mysterious and serious vibe going on but Motoki, who always was joking around, that was something that still found it difficult to believe.
Ami listened in silence to everything that was being said when suddenly, she saw a phone screen blink, she imagined was Mamoru's due to his uncommon reaction to the unfamiliar name on the caller id, the bluenette tried to ignore the distraction, but then a soft buzz caught the young doctor's attention again, quickly moving his hand to cover the screen and cancelling the entrance call with one swift of his finger. 'Chieko' Ami repeated in her mind as much as she tried to dismiss her curiosity over the name and came to the conclusion that it was, maybe, a colleague, a patient or a friend she did not know of.
After what it seemed an hour of consultation, the couple left with an accurate diagnosis. The air still felt heavy from the news and the reactions from the husband and his worried wife. "This is never easy." Motoki broke the silence while taking the case with him to do a follow up "I will go and schedule the surgery then,"
Mamoru nodded while looking through his agenda, "I have to assist one this Thursday but we can do it either that same day or Friday, very early in the morning." a very curious Ami spotted the same name that appeared on that call written on the agenda 'Chieko', 8:30 pm. Dinner.' "Chieko..." she thought and bit her lower lip, thinking why was she feeling so bothered by the woman she obviously never heard of. Much to her surprise, his cell buzzed again, and it was the same caller. This time, Mamoru answered immediately, "Hey, could you give me a second, please?" he turned to Motoki and sighed tiredly, "What do you think?"
Motoki looked through his own agenda and nodded, "Friday it is then, the faster, the better…"
Mamoru grabbed his pen and began writing the patient's name and turned to Motoki "I will let them know so they can schedule the operating room." Motoki nodded "Perfect." he pointed the phone and widened his eyes "Is it…" he trailed off when noticed Ami was still standing there and cleared his throat, "Let me know how that turns out." Mamoru nodded and turned to Ami, "I will see if you can enter the operating room to assist us. Since you have been involved with the case since day one, I think it would be a good opportunity for you to put your skills to the test."
Ami widened her blue eyes and blinked, surprised at the offer "T-Thank you." Mamoru smiled at her and pointed at his phone "I'm sorry Ami-chan, I have to take this call."
"Oh, okay… yeah… I…" she blinked a little surprised by his sudden serious behavior and turned on her heel "I'll go."
"Could you close the door on your way out, please?"
"S-Sure," Ami answered softly and walked towards the door but could not ignore the sudden change in his voice from formal to one more intimate. "Sorry for making you wait—I had a patient," he made a pause, indicating the other person on the line was speaking, Mamoru smiled and turned to grab a piece of paper "Perfect, I can't deny how good you are with all this, I will see you soon." His last words caught Ami's attention and made too much noise in her head, as she closed the door she could not help but wonder the identity of that Chieko person and why, of all people had to be Mamoru the one answering her call and be somewhat excited to see her. It bothered her because while it was not the same reaction he had whenever Usagi called, she could tell he was excited. She didn't want to imagine the wrong thing, she couldn't. So for the moment, she decided to put it behind her and move along with her day.
At the other side of the door, Mamoru smiled once again and hung up. He made a few annotations in his agenda and stood up to go to his next consultation when a sudden pulsation in his chest made him stop in his tracks. He put his right hand close to his heart and frowned, "Again?" he muttered and closed his eyes, trying to suppress the pain while wishing it didn't come along with another strange vision or event. It was starting to wear him down, not knowing what was happening and why he was constantly pulled to react to something he couldn't understand so he did the next best thing he could do under uncertain situations, he was going to ignore it, at least for the rest of the day.
Like an answered prayer, his phone buzzed again, interrupting his internal battle. He reached for it and smiled softly "Hey,"
"You busy?" Usagi's powdery voice sounded at the other end, Mamoru chuckled and shook his head as if she could look at him which, would not be the better choice at the moment since he was still struggling to ignore the pain in his chest. "No,"
"Patient?"
"Not at the moment—on my way to meet one, though." he rubbed his chest and grunted softly, "Everything okay?"
"Yeah…" he heard her say in a slightly discouraged tone. "You sure?" Mamoru asked while waiting for the pain to go away. "Yes, why?"
Mamoru took a deep breath and began typing something related to the previous consultation on his laptop, "You don't normally call me at this hour unless it's something urgent or very important. Not that I don't like it, on the contrary."
At the other side of town and hidden inside the restroom, Usagi looked down at her shoes while she tried to formulate the best answer to give her boyfriend. With a soft smile, she wanted to convince him that she was alright, but she also was having a rough day and she missed him, "I just missed your voice, that's all."
Mamoru exhaled, still feeling the discomfort in his chest. It burned, it hurt, every heartbeat felt like a heavy pound. He was no longer sure if it was because of whatever was happening to him or because he was concerned about Usagi "She's giving you a hard time, isn't she?"
"She is just, you know… being her."
"You know you can leave, right Usako?" Mamoru stopped typing and arched his brow, "Usa?"
Usagi turned and leaned forward, her head almost touching the mirror in front of her. She shook her head and smiled "I can't Mamo-chan, you know that."
Mamoru frowned and leaned his head back on his chair, this was becoming a recurring topic of discussion between them and not always things ended well. To Mamoru, the problem was simple to solve: resign, look for a better job, and succeed. To Usagi it was something more complex: Hang on, deal with it and wait for an opportunity. Sometimes the practicality in Mamoru was too much for Usagi's more elaborate feelings and that often made them crash into a duel of opinions. Mamoru understood, Usagi wanted to make things on her own, she wanted to create her own success without anyone's help and he was okay with it, he was the one that encouraged that attitude in the first place but he disliked how she allowed them to use her the way her boss and assistant did. He rubbed the bridge of his nose with a little frustration because he wanted to help her but he knew the outcome of his intent, "Usako… I…" a knock on the door interrupted his conversation and turned on his chair to see Motoki at the door, standing next to a member of the medical board he had been working on closely for the past 6 months and widened his eyes "Dear… I have to call you back,"
Usagi smiled at the other end at the sound of the loving nickname, but also there was a joy she could not describe every time she knew her future husband was needed. She knew how much he worked and sacrificed to get where he is now. It took him a little longer due to their constant battles but in the end, he made it true and she was proud of him. "Go get 'em. I will see you later today, she widened her eyes before hanging her phone "No! Wait!"
"Yes?"
Usagi smiled, "Do you think you could pick me up at work this afternoon? I need to tell you something."
"Everything okay?"
"Yeah..." she returned to her discouraged tone. At the other end, Mamoru pressed his lips together, already feeling there was something else but the short window to dig into the matter urged him to end the call, "Sure, of course." he answered politely. Usagi's giggles sounded at the other end "You are not alone, isn't it?"
"No,"
Usagi chuckled "Okay, I'll let you do your thing."
"I appreciate it."
"I love you, my handsome man."
Mamoru cleared his throat, trying to dissimulate his blush, "I most certainly appreciate your comment, likewise." Motoki stepped in and frowned "Hey, you okay?" Mamoru put his phone into his pocket and turned to his friend with a puzzled look "Yeah, I just…" he shrugged his shoulders "Muscle pain."
At the other end of the line, Usagi pressed the end button on her phone and smiled softly, she had the boost she needed for the day, even when things were about to get a little complicated.
Earlier that day
Usagi walked out of the elevator when she noticed her phone was ringing inside her purse. After a few seconds of rummaging through all of the things she carried inside, found it and answered with a smile "Well, this is a lovely surprise..."
"Hey Usagi, my dear soul sister," Minako greeted and looked up at the building where she knew her friend worked, "You busy?"
Usagi gave the girl at the front desk her member card so she could write down the time she went to have lunch, "Not really, I am about to get something to eat because I had to stay on my usual lunch break and finish some changes I was asked for the issue of this month. What's up? You've been a stranger lately."
Minako smiled when she saw her friend walk out of the building "I know, but I must say, that navy blue vintage skirt looks great on you," Usagi widened her eyes and looked down, "Wait, how do you...?" she turned to look outside and saw her friend waving her hand at her from the sidewalk. Both blondes hung up and went to greet each other in person with a hug, "What are you doing here!?" Usagi said cheerful, "This is a cool surprise!"
Minako giggled, "I know, right? We should do this more often." she pushed her pink mirror shades back and took a good look at her friend "I love your outfit, it's so chic," she smiled "I was in the neighborhood doing some errands for my boss, he is trying to score an interview and well, I had to talk to this executive. The last thing I knew, it was on the same block as your building and wondered if you were free to get some lunch. Lucky for me, here you are."
Usagi chuckled, "I am free like a bird... for the next hour..."
"Good," Minako smiled, soon her once bubbly personality turned hesitant "Shall we? I recently found this cool new place and I heard it's very good."
Usagi noticed this change in her demeanor but decided to stay silent until they finally entered the deli café to have something quick to eat. Usagi studied her friend's behavior as they walked inside the place and how she chose the farthest table, close to a window. The waitress followed them to their table and gave them the large menus and asked for their beverages, once left alone, Usagi looked around and looked at the many vintage details on the walls, the wooden tables, and pastel colored chairs, "You were right, it is a lovely place."
Minako smiled "Yes, it is." Usagi sighed softly and folded her pale blue napkin over her lap "Minako... is something bothering you? Minako blinked surprised at her friend, "What do you mean?"
"You have been acting strange lately, I've been worried since the last time we spoke over the phone... you were distant and well, so unlike you," Usagi frowned "Is it something that has to do with your job? A friend? Is the whole wedding thing bothering you?"
"Of course not!" Minako shook her head, "Absolutely not, everything's ready for the wedding. I just picked my dress, it's lovely by the way..." Usagi frowned, she sensed there was something else and looked down at her menu, trying to ignore the awkward turn their lunch was taking.
"But there is something..." Minako continued "...And it has come to the point where I need your help. I need to tell you the truth."
Usagi looked up and tilted her head, "The truth? Minako, you are scaring me..."
Minako pursed her lips and sighed, totally understanding how Rei felt when she tried to talk to her and wished the poor waitress wasn't there stealing their precious time. The lingering feeling of guilt for keeping something so important from her, was overbearing; she turned and smiled at the girl, "Can you give us a minute? We haven't decided yet."
The young waitress looked at both women surprised and nodded, turning on her heel, leaving them alone. The blonde turned to look at Usagi and cleared her throat, "I know I have not been myself lately, I understand what you say and it is not because of the wedding. I really wished it was, I really wish it was because of something else and I really wished I was not the person to bring you the news but, after all this time, I am still your guardian and you are still my Princess and I must look after you."
Usagi frowned and extended her hand to touch Minako's "Minako-chan, why are you talking like this?"
Minako sighed softly and closed her eyes until gathering enough courage to look at her friend in the eye she continued, "There have been happening strange things lately. It all started with a vision Rei-chan had almost a month ago. Since then... many things have happened and even Haruka-san and Michiru-san have been attacked."
Before Usagi could say anything, Minako continued "At first I tried to ignore it, then, it was difficult to do so. The next thing I knew, Rei was involved, Michiru-san, Haruka-san, Setsuna-san, and Hotaru-chan all found out about it on their own. Yesterday we sat and talked about it and tried to tie all the loose ends. We called Ami-chan and Mako-chan because they didn't know yet and we all came to the same conclusion..."
Usagi was expressionless, her eyes didn't show any kind of emotion. There was no anger, no pain, not even a sign of tears. Nothing and it was worrying Minako. She took a deep breath and tilted her head low, "We all feel guilty, we wanted to take charge of this matter so you wouldn't be in the middle of all this, so you wouldn't be in any danger... and with the wedding coming so close... we—" she trailed off and was surprised to see Usagi, sitting on the chair next to her. Her hands on top of hers, their warmth making her friend feel more at peace and sure that she was not mat at her. That she did not hate her for telling her all of this.
"I know," she said loud enough for only Minako to hear. "This is a bad timing," Usagi continued, "And I do feel overwhelmed but I know there is something strange going on I just do not know to what extent."
Minako widened her eyes "Wait, how?"
"The night of the blackout." Usagi looked at Minako and took a deep breath before exhaling slowly, "I felt a strange energy surrounding me, it felt dreadful, it was cold... the light that crossed the sky was not one from a comet or a satellite. It was something else. I know it was something else,"
"The blackout. Yes," Minako nodded "Has Mamoru said something by any chance? Has he—?"
Usagi shook her head "No." she leaned back in the chair, "But I know he knows something. He has been acting strange too. He is distracted, and silent." she sighed "Last night he confessed it to me without having to tell me a single word. He's worried, but being the man he is, he is just trying his best to make me look the other way so I don't worry. The thing is, I do get worried Minako, I know he is trying to protect me, and I know you too but not telling me makes me feel that you don't trust me. You seem to forget that I am a Senshi too. With Mamo-chan I can try to make an effort to understand his reasons, he's my boyfriend, he wants to protect me, I get it—but with you, I am an equal."
"Usa..."
"Thank you for taking the time and telling me this," Usagi gave her blonde friend a faint smile, "But why do I have the feeling that there is more to this?" Without having to say much, the truth was out and Minako could not keep it a secret anymore. Minako nodded and looked at the waitress who had gone for the second time to take their order "Are you guys ready? Can I take your order?"
Usagi smiled and shook her head "Just a cup of green tea." Minako turned to the waitress with an apologetic smile but she had to admit, her appetite was gone too, "Me too."
The young waitress tried to contain her annoyance, wondering why it took so much time for them to decide on a cup of tea. Cursing under breath as she walked away from the table, a gesture both blondes noticed and decided to ignore—until the time to pay came up. Minako extended her hands over the table and nodded, "The vision Rei had was about a girl, at first we didn't understand, we thought it was about a missing girl but then, the girl herself appeared."
"And who is she?" Usagi looked at Minako taking a sip of her tea and grimaced, "She is from the past," Minako said simply "I cannot say much, not here, it is a delicate matter and we must address it in a private place. All I can say is that it is very important that you bring Mamoru with you."
Usagi frowned "Mamo-chan? Is it...? Is she...?"
Minako held her friend's hand, "Please, bring him with you to meet us at Haruka's house. I know he has loads of work at the hospital but it is very important for him to be there, we had no time to talk to him in private. This is the only opportunity before something else happens, another blackout, another attack..."
"Of course, of course... I will talk to him."
"I was not supposed to say this much, please be careful Usa-chan, I promise I will explain tonight—Everything."
Usagi held her friend's hand "I promise. Thank you Minako-chan." she looked down, her eyes finally showing a sign of something. A sad smile crossed her goddess like features and bit her lip "It was nice while it lasted..." her voice showed a heavy sentiment of melancholy, mixed with resignation, something Minako could not ignore. "Usagi,"
"I'm okay..." Usagi chuckled, disguising her true feelings, "I mean... it was meant to happen—something... I just..." she trailed off "I just..." She couldn't hold it any longer and covered her face with her hands, Minako leaned closer and wrapped her arms around her friend, "Usagi..." she whispered and closed her eyes. Feeling her pain, feeling guilty once again. Just like a thousand years ago.
Usagi looked her reflection in the mirror and fixed her makeup before going out of the restroom; she took out her nude lipstick and started to paint her lips when a strange echo caught her off guard.
"It's mine."
The blonde stopped and turned her head to the side, then looked around and frowned with surprise "Hello?" she swore she heard somebody whispering to her ear, the voice was very clear and the mere thought of being alone sent chills down her spine. Once coming to the conclusion that she was not insane, she bent down to see if there was anybody in the room with her unaware that she was being observed. "What in the world are you doing?" a voice stopped her mission to find the reason behind her strange position and behavior. Usagi widened her eyes and looked up, surprised to see Mika standing at the door, "Mika…"
Mika gave the blonde a strange look and crossed her arms "Ok, I am going to ask you again because I just.." she wheezed, "What the hell are you doing?"
"I…" the blonde stood again, and puffed her skirt, "I thought there was someone inside—I thought I heard..." she trailed off and shrugged her shoulders with a sigh, "Never mind—are you okay? You look upset."
"Nah, just... annoyed." Mika took out her little makeup bag out of her purse, "Maya is asking for you but I told her you were in the copy room." Usagi frowned "But, I barely ever go to the copy room."
"Yeah well, she doesn't know that." Mika smiled and grabbed her powder compact from her purse and shrugged a shoulder, "Besides, it's not like she will go and look for you there, that's what Yuki is for and she won't do it either, so..." Usagi smiled, she felt relieved to have a friend like her in this place. It's not that the job was awful; the office building was great, modern, chic and well known. She loved doing what she did and she was good at it, but there were people like her boss or Yuki who sometimes didn't appreciate her effort. But again, she always had in mind that this environment was competitive and demanding, it was all part of the charm of working in a place like this. "You know them too well."
Mika peered at the blonde from the mirror in front of her and smiled while re-applying some peachy gloss on her lips, "It wasn't like this all the time you know? I learned to grow a thick, protective skin." she closed the cap of her gloss and turned "Maia has always been this way, maybe not as high maintenance as she is today but Yuki…" she grimaced "Well, that girl no longer has her feet on the ground."
"How did you learn to do that?" Usagi sighed and leaned her back on the wall while crossing her arms. "I just didn't give a damn anymore." Mika shrugged her shoulders and went back to look at her cosmetic bag, this time, grabbing her mascara to give another dramatic coat to her already dark lashes, "One thing is to be cool, elite, popular and another very different is to pretend to be that. I see both situations happen in front of me, but I don't care anymore."
"You two were close friends, weren't you?" Usagi narrowed her crystal blue eyes, "Because you don't just talk about someone with such melancholy unless you have been related to her somehow."
Mika sighed and stopped brushing the mascara on one eye "I was already working here when she joined the team. I taught her everything she needed to know to survive this place and established a good relationship. We became close friends—just like I did with you but soon enough, she changed."
"What made her change?"
"Maya did." Mika raised her brows, like showing surprise to her words and turned the water on to wash her hands "Yuki became obsessed with her, her lifestyle, her connections, everything, and when Maya's luck gave that unexpected turn from where she never returned Yuki got sucked into it. Maya soon took notice of her and promoted her as her assistant/art manager and well… the rest is history—you came along, blah, blah, blah,"
"And in that meantime, she…" Usagi waved her hand, "dismissed you,"
"Yes." Mika closed the faucet and took a paper towel, "That was the moment I realized that the girl I once knew was lost, it didn't bother me that she "took" and claimed my own achievements as hers. I was hurt because I trusted her, we were friends. The betrayal… that is what hurts you; the rest…" she waved her hand and threw the paper into the trash can "The rest can be fixed very easily."
"I'm sorry,"
Mika shrugged her shoulders "I eventually got over it. Honestly, I don't take too personal what those two say to me and you should do the same."
"I know, but… I just love my job so much…"
"I love my job too but sometimes you just have to give them what they want and everything will work out fine." Mika walked towards Usagi and patted her shoulder, "Honey, you cannot change the world and do your own thing, unless you own it—metaphorically speaking." Usagi widened her eyes with surprise. 'own the world, change the world.' that is something she constantly heard while actually 'saving the world.' Every enemy was after the same ideal, get power and control. A part of her wondered if they were entirely wrong in their beliefs, not the death and decay but their strong will to follow their wishes to make something true out of an ideal. Was that something she needed to do in order to do what she thought it was right or better for that matter? Thinking about what Minako said earlier that day, it was like all was connected and strangely, it made sense.
She thought about her friends as she walked out of the restroom with Mika. Her friends were another example, they did things to make the world a better place in their own way. But they all had obstacles, whether were jerks, uncomfortable situations or stress they all dealt with it and carried on. Then, she thought about Minako who despite the current crashing against her many times she still continued to follow her dreams by going to auditions and keep pressuring the t.v. station to grant her some time on air. The more time she spent with Mika, the more she reminded her of Minako, her longtime best friend.
O—o—o—o—O
Ami looked at the clock in the nurses station and tapped her pen several times against the flat surface of her binder. She was anxiously waiting for the time for her to leave the hospital so she can meet the girls and continue with their conversation. After that night, things has gained a new perspective for the bluenette. It was a calling, coming through her, suddenly, being just plain Ami was not enough for her. Not anymore.
While she waited silently she wondered if Minako had the chance to speak to Usagi and if Usagi already spoke or mention something to Mamoru. She wondered if he knew something or if he found something on his own, before all of them or even something they still have not. Then her thoughts went straight to the girl, Megumi. If they met, were they taking the advantage of the situation and actually win the battle before it even started?
"Mizuno-san." A familiar voice caught up with her thoughts; Ami turned to find a smiling Mamoru checking some papers at the station and apparently, he had been calling her several times "You sure were away with your thoughts, something troubling your mind?" Ami smiled and shook her head "No, I am just a little tired—I couldn't sleep well last night."
"Ah, I see." Mamoru looked down and wrote something on one of the papers in the binders. "Any plans for today, Mamoru-san?" The honorific made Mamoru chuckle and raised his brow "Mamoru-san? Where did the reliance go?" He peered at her and frowned slightly, "Are you okay?"
"Yes," Ami smiled and shrugged her shoulders "I just thought you preferred to be called in a more formal manner since we are working together and you want to keep it professional and—"
"Is that guy, isn't he?" Mamoru's frown deepened and crossed his arms, as he leaned on the station. Both were alone at the moment which made her behavior even more strange "Did something happen with him? I haven't seen him around..." Ami sighed and blew her bangs softly, "He—" she huffed, "He thinks there is something between us or that I have a crush on you or something—he finds it hard to believe that we are close friends. He didn't even let me clarify that you are engaged to my best friend." Mamoru widened his eyes and turned to keep reading the paper on his hand "Ah... damn, I'm sorry Ami,"
"Yeah, well..." Ami sighed and shrugged her shoulders, "It's your fault anyways..."
"My fault?" he turned, shocked. "Why, yes." Ami pointed at him "You and Motoki told me to date the guy and when I finally made a move, this happens,"
"Yes, Ami, we did but we also told you to clear things out with the guy and not play mystery," Mamoru sighed softly and closed the binder, "I told you it would complicate things."
"It doesn't matter," Ami gave her friend a sad smile "If he does not trust me, there is nothing much I can do."
Mamoru left the binder aside "That is true." He pinched her cheek softly, "Good you have that in mind, also in our defense, you being friends with us is very obvious—he's just jealous." he checked his card to finally end his shift, startling Ami "You leaving? What time is it?" she turned, her eyes widened and looked at the clock on the wall again "You are leaving a little early today..."
"Not really—I got here a few hours early."
"Any plans for tonight?" Ami dared to ask again, wondering if he already knew something about Megumi and the apparent enemy or, if he was meeting this Chieko person in secret. His face looked calm and didn't show any signs of concern, maybe he didn't, she thought to herself. "No, not really." Mamoru smiled at Ami as they both walked towards the elevator, he pushed the button and waited for the doors to open, in the distance both heard Motoki asking desperately for his friend, Mamoru turned and frowned "Motoki?"
The blonde caught up with his friend and Ami, "Mamoru... it's Furikawa-san." Mamoru's eyes widened. The serious tone in Motoki's voice let him know things were not alright, "Who is there with him right now?"
"His wife." Motoki said and followed Mamoru towards the patient's room with Ami walking behind in silence. Mamoru found the old man with a severe shock from the pain and it was losing consciousness. "He's having a tachycardia." he took his stethoscope and moved to the side of the bed with the monitor and turned to his wife "How long has he been acting like this?"
"He suddenly started to have convulsions but he said he was in too much pain."
"You did not report this symptoms to any of the nurses? Why nobody called me?!" he asked to one of the nurses with a frustrated tone "We were just informed of his critical situation Dr. Chiba," Mamoru frowned and turned to Ami who was preparing a shot to tranquilize him, "I am giving the patient 5 ml of Fentanyl—" he nodded and turned to the nurse standing next to him "Get me his medication history. It's urgent." The nurse fled the room, letting Motoki join his friend, "He's been having severe pain for over an hour now,"
"Yes, but nobody informed me. I was here this morning, what happened?!" he grabbed the patient's file from the nurse who just walked in and started studying his status "Everything has been given as prescribed, unless..." He turned and put his hand on the man's shoulder as in trying to listen to his heartbeat with the stethoscope again. In a fraction of a second he sensed the problem and turned to the man's wife, "Furikawa-san, according to the previous consultation, you said he was not allergic to any medication." he took the stethoscope off his ears and gave it to the nurse next to him.
"Not that I was aware of... he does not say much. He said he wasn't...I-Is he going to be alright?!" The poor woman asked, mortified for her husband. "He's been administered a medication that has a component that is giving him an allergic reaction, causing the pain and convulsions." he turned to Ami as a sign to allow her take his blood pressure again. "Is he allergic to peniciline?" Motoki asked, the woman shook her head and burrowed her face in her hands "I don't know anymore... I just want to know that he is going to be alright."
Mamoru looked at the monitor, his hand rested again on his chest "This is a serious matter, what else haven't you told us, Furikawa-san?" he muttered to himself as in hoping for an answer from the man himself. His warm hand collected all the information he needed from the man, things that wasn't mentioned before, like a film playing in front of his eyes, he could see in his mind where the problem was and what he needed to do to prevent from going worse. This is when he was thankful for his given and very secret power as he slowly shared his healing energy to tranquilize the man, "He's stabilizing but needs to go straight to surgery, we cannot wait until tomorrow." Ami turned to Mamoru and nodded, "I will go notify that we need an operating table with urgency."
Mamoru nodded, his eyes fixed on the woman "I gave him a strong tranquilizer, it should keep him pain free for a couple of hours and it will counteract the reaction to the precious medication. As soon as his heart rate and pressure stabilize, he needs to go into surgery."
"Is he going to be alright Dr. Chiba?" she turned to Motoki "Dr. Furuhata?"
"The situation complicated because of this reaction, what he has, Furikawa-san, is serious. There are many things we weren't informed by your husband and now it's causing repercussions." Motoki said in a serious tone. "Once he stabilizes we are in the clear to operate him." Mamoru made a few annotations on the patient's chart, "The reaction caused his arteries to close making it difficult for his heart to pump the blood appropriately. What this medication will do, besides of counteracting the effects of the reaction is that it is going to minimize the pain close to none, regulate his pressure and tranquilize him. That will help his heart to pump correctly. If one of us had come here a minute later, the situation would have gone from bad, to worse, with fatal results."
The poor woman's tears stirred Mamoru's heart, he understood perfectly well the feeling of being powerless before a critical situation, while the one he cared and loved was risking her life. He remembered the many times he cursed himself under his breath for not being able to do more, despite his position. It was always like he was limited to do something—restrained. Pieces of his life were still missing, many questions unanswered, but still, with all those disabilities he gave everything he had. "I will do everything in my power, to keep your husband safe." His warm hand rested on the woman's shoulder, giving her a sense of tranquility, "I will give everything that I have to save his life. Just, please—be strong, because this is a tough battle but he is in good hands. Dr. Furuhata is a great doctor, also is Dr. Mizuno."
The woman sniffed her tears, and looked at the young doctor with hopeful eyes, she nodded and followed one of the nurses to the cafeteria "Please make sure she eats something." Mamoru whispered to the nurse. The young girl nodded as she closed the door. He turned to Motoki, then Ami "I need to make a call, I will be right back." As soon as he walked out of the room, Mamoru took out his phone from his slacks' pocket and dialed Usagi's number while is deep blue eyes kept staring at the clock on the wall, waiting for her to answer "Hi Mamo-chan... I am almost done here,"
"Usa..." His usual warm voice was shadowed by the seriousness of the situation. At the other end, Usagi froze and widened her eyes with mortification "Mamo-chan... are you okay?"
"I won't be able to make it Buns, I'm sorry..."
"What's wrong?" Usagi frowned, Yuki and Mika immediately took notice of the sudden change in her voice. She heard Mamoru sigh at the other end and waited a minute before answering "Things got complicated with a patient at the hospital, I was already leaving when I was alerted to the situation. I need to stay and assist one emergency surgery."
Usagi pouted her lips, her heart sunk in her chest. She knew how much affected Mamoru when a patient was in a critical condition. She has been there with him in his brightest moments, but also on his worst and darkest moments when he lost patients due to terminal diseases; she has been there and witnessed how much he loves his job, and how important it is for him. "Is he going to be okay?" she asked, her voice slightly breaking.
"We believe so if we act now. I am so sorry Usako..."
"No, no—it's okay... I will see you at home, alright? Please let me know what happens."
"I will...thank you for being so understanding—I love you Buns,"
Usagi blushed softly and nodded at the other end of the line, her lips curved into a smile as well "I love you." and hung up. She looked up at both women staring back at her, Mika with a more mortified expression, "Everything okay?"
Usagi smiled and nodded "Yeah, um..." she put her phone down, "My boyfriend was supposed to pick me up but something came up at his job and he won't be able to make it."
"Aw... too bad." Yuki said with slight sarcasm, "You know what happens when men start to say that 'something came up' at work..." Mika frowned and turned to look at her "Really?"
Usagi blinked, quite confused "What?" Yuki chuckled and pointed her pencil at her, "Please, don't tell me you don't know." Usagi shook her head, "I really don't." Yuki sighed and leaned back on her chair "You are so, so innocent."
"Yuki, don't." Mika pleaded and rubbed the bridge of her nose, already knowing this was not going to end well. Yuki frowned at Mika, ignoring her warning then turned to Usagi, "Men are natural cheaters dear. It's what they do—it's is in their genes... they're meant to cheat."
"Yes, you are the one to say..." Mika muttered. Yuki snarled at her co-worker and turned again to face Usagi who was still trying to understand Yuki's point. "But..." she shook her head "Not all men do that."
"Of course they do." Yuki stood up and walked towards Usagi's desk, she leaned forward with her predator eyes looked straight into her clear blue ones, "Don't tell me you blindly trust this boyfriend of yours?" she looked down at the phone on the desk, the screen was still lit, showing the picture she had of them set as a wallpaper and picked Usagi's phone to look at the picture closely "With a man like this... dear heavens,"
"What?" Usagi frowned, slightly annoyed by her choice of words. Yuki mentally savoured Mamoru's handsome face and then looked at the sweet innocent looking Usagi, "Don't tell me this is your boyfriend and that he does not cheat!" Yuki said, still stunned "No man with these looks can be so faithful to just one woman—a man like this knows exactly what he has and what he can get from it."
"Mamo-chan would never do something like that." Usagi's tone changed from her usual sweetness to a more defiant one, giving Mika the cue to intercept for her friend, "Leave her alone, Yuki."
"How did you even manage to—" Yuki trailed off, while still looking at the picture "Oh my god..." she chuckled "What did you do to score someone like him!?"
Usagi's frown deepened, "What didI do? Are you implying that I am not allowed to have a boyfriend? What do you even mean by saying like him?" Yuki looked at the blonde and shook her head, realizing what she has done, "Oh, no, no—don't get me wrong..."
"Are you saying that he is too good for me? You don't even know me! Why should you even speak for him?"
"I am just saying... men, are not that loyal."
"Just because you do not have a loyal man by your side, does not mean all of them are dirtbags—stick to your own experience and leave the rest of humanity be—for once." Mika interrupted Yuki making her turn with a defying stare "Yes, you should know."
Mika narrowed her eyes and shook her head. "I am just telling you, you never know and you can never tell..." Yuki pulled herself away from Usagi's desk and walked towards the door, "I am just saying that you need to be more alert and a little less innocent honey, before he leaves you jilted," and with that, she left the room. Mika sighed and turned to a stone serious Usagi, still staring at the empty doorway "Usagi..." she tried to pull her from her already troubled thoughts, but there was no response from the silver blonde, the damage was done—it was too late. The girl stood up and walked towards her co-worker's desk and looked down at her, "Do not listen to her, she has nothing but poisonous comments to say."
Usagi finally turned to see Mika and frowned "I am sick of this..."
"What?"
The blonde shook her head and stood up, "Always telling me what I can and cannot have, what I do and do not deserve; what I can do and cannot do!" her trembling hands began to gather her things and threw her phone and other belongings inside her purse and close it angrily and looked at Mika with red, teary eyes. One could tell she was angry, frustrated and most of all, hurt. Usagi's words held more meaning than just plain anger, it was more than a simple reaction from a comment, from a person like Yuki. It was, indeed, Yuki's personality what made her snap out of her usual chirpy and bubbly mood because she has heard it before, a long, long, time ago. It was as if her life with Mamoru was doomed to be rejected by everyone at any time and it infuriated her because deep down, she wished she could be like him and just ignore any negative comments coming his way. "I will see you tomorrow." she ignored Mika's concerned face and walked out the door and towards the elevator without realizing Yuki was waiting for it as well.
"Tsukino-san, the designs for the campaign... I need them on my desk in an hour. Maya is leaving early today and she wants to take a good look at them before approving your work." The stylish woman noticed Usagi was carrying her purse and frowned, "Wait, where are you going? You need to inform me with previous time before leaving early!"
Usagi did not even take the time to look at her and walked inside the elevator without saying a word to her "Tsukino-san!" Yuki exclaimed, "Did you even hear what I just said?!"
Usagi put her hand on the elevator door to stop it from closing in an abrupt manner and gave the woman a dead glare "I sure damn heard you but you know what? Your desk is just three feet away from mine and the designs are already printed and stacked inside the binder for the presentation. I am sure you can easily go there, grab it and take it yourself to Maya so you can keep looking good yourself without giving any fair credit to anyone for our work and to answer your second question, I am leaving for the day. There. You have been informed."
The comment itself surprised Yuki since it was something she would never expect from Usagi who was always calm and kind to others. She was aware of how she treated others, but she always saw Usagi as a pushover, one who would always give a good face no matter how horrible she would be towards her, this was unusual from her. Little did she know what was going through the blonde's mind.
"Okay. Buh-bye." Usagi gave the woman a sarcastic chuckle and moved her hand away so the elevator doors could close in a single, sharp movement.
Once Usagi exited the elevator and freed herself from the torture of being around Yuki and Maya, she did not feel like going home. She did not feel like doing anything and then, she remembered. She looked down at her watch and went straight to grab a cab, she did not even feel in the mood to walk to take the subway or the trolley; she needed to get away fast.
As she entered the cab and gave the address she knew by heart, Usagi could not help to feel anxious and somehow hopeless. While looking at the lights from the streets, the cars, the buildings and people walking she wondered just how much she would have to sacrifice this time to keep this planet safe if the warning Minako mentioned was serious, just how serious it was and how this battle would start? Her anger began to resurface and started to question herself how much did she have to wait to live her happily, ever after? Why at this time? Why her? Why them? Why now?
She was angry and was not sure to whom or to what. The enemy? —Perhaps, but these are the kind of things she signed on the moment she decided to become a Senshi. She did not want to be a Princess in distress anymore, without anyone making decisions for her, she decided that the moment she wanted to be with Endymion, as Serenity.
The cab finally stopped right in front of her destination and the driver turned to look at a very distressed and nervous young woman "Lady? We're here." Usagi turned slowly to the driver and swallowed, her throat felt dry and could not even mumble an answer for the man. She looked down at her purse and handed him the money for the ride and stepped out of the car. In silence, she heard the cab drive away and stayed outside the drive way for a minute, thinking of what she would find inside.
A girl looked out the window and widened her eyes "It's her." she said softly, catching the attention of the rest waiting inside the living room. Haruka went quickly to open the door and waited for the blonde to walk those ten steps she needed to take, to get inside. She felt she was walking in a timeless hallway, hesitant and she had to admit it, very afraid.
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I do not own Sailor Moon, just this plot and some of the characters.