Hello everyone.
I hope you've all had a great start on the week. Vancouver is shining with golden lights and I couldn't be happier.
A big shoutout to my beta and awesome pen pal DarkenedHrt101. She'd been my voice of reason as I continue writing this fanfic. If you haven't checked out her story "My ex, your crush, our relationship", I strongly urge you to do so. Your hearts will melt for the relationship between Usagi and Mamoru.
Thank you, as always, to every single one of you who spend time and read this little story of mine. It really means a lot:)
A special thank you to all of your fantastic readers who leave me a review. I think I speak for all the fanfic writers out there when I say that receiving a review is like a Christmas present for us; you expect it, and you deserve it:D:D:D:D
SerenitySweety: You don't call that a "constructive" review? What could be more constructive than always being the first one to leave a review when I upload a new chapter? I really appreciate your support love:) Thank you.
DarkenedHrt101: I adore you:) (When she's too shy to shout "I love u") :D:D:D:D
: Let's see if he's getting down to business, shall we?:) Enjoy.
Syulai: Isn't Hiro the greatest? I might just write a story about him and myself one-day :D Interesting take on Mamoru and Hiro's roles. I hadn't realized that. But you know what? Hiro tried to woo Mamoru's girl in "Her Eyes" and now, he might get what he deserves:) (might, I said. Might;)
michiru61600: Well, I'm not sure. I mean, people are not just made of one thing; they are a combination of their emotions, their rationals, their upbringings and so on. And as such, I think memories and dreams also play a part in that whole spectrum. Mamoru and Usagi are not excluded from that; and I would assume that their lost memories, a life they had once lived can definitely play a role in how they feel and "what" they feel in this life. And that, to me, is not a bad thing. I'm not sure if I was able to answer your question? :) Enjoy.
Guest: I know. Mamoru can be a piece of work sometimes, right? But you know what? We still love him, right?:) Enjoy.
Guest: How about a combination of all of those feelings? I know I was torn between so many feelings myself:) Enjoy.
Guest: Well, this chapter might answer your question a little bit. But I promise chapter 11 will be more...shall I say, revealing? :) Enjoy.
ericsookieforever: I'm not sure if you decided to wait until this story ends and then read it, or will you be reading this comment now:) But just know that all your conflicts are legit. I mean, not everything can be perfect all the time. We're only human; Usagi and Mamoru are only human too. And sometimes, we struggle with how we feel deep inside and act irresponsibly. I hope you read this chapter though because it might ease your pain:) Enjoy and let me know your decision:)
Roxypockets1: "Those games" ;) lol. I know, I love the Senshi in this story too. I always felt that the original anime screwed up big time, of how they portrayed their relationship with Usagi. The bond between all of them is strong (in the manga) and I always yearned to see that on the screen. Thank you for your awesome review. Enjoy the new chapter:)
Enjoy everyone.
Golak
It had begun to drizzle in the early afternoon when the students of Jubaan high started their lunch.
Ami loved the rain, for obvious reasons, and she always sat on Makoto's chair whenever the sky turned grey and the clouds poured their hearts out. Today hadn't been any different.
She bit into the fluffy rice ball Makoto had made for all of them as her eyes ventured between Usagi and Minako. The two bantered about the night's plans as soon as they all dragged their desks to where Makoto usually sat; at the far end of the class, near the window.
Usagi had faltered in her comebacks when Makoto had opened the elaborate bento she'd brought from home; her eyes glossed over with adoration and Ami had seen a small line of drool on the side of her mouth.
Minako had been drilling them into going to that nightclub in Roppongi she'd gone to once, "It's so chic and fun and there's a lot of deliciousness there...if you know what I mean," of course they did.
Usagi had already promised Hiro that she'd go to a play with him.
Minako hadn't been happy about that prospect, "Who goes to a play on a Friday night. No, really?"
"Mina-chan, can you let it go? Can't we go to the club tomorrow night?" Usagi grumbled between biting on her rice ball and a piece of spicy salmon.
"No. It has to be tonight. There's this Dj that plays there and he's so dreamy…" Minako raised her eyebrows and her eyes sparkled, "I think he's the love of my life," she said and looked around at all three of them, "what?"
"You said the same thing about that barista the other day. Remember? The one in that Starbucks near the station?" Makoto thrust her napkin to the blonde's face, who only rolled her eyes.
"Well excuse me for having too much love in my heart," Minako said nonchalantly and looked back at Usagi; her eyes sharpened, "Can't you cancel with Hiro-kun? Just tell him that you haven't spent any quality time with your girlfriends since...well, since you guys started going out…" she trailed off and a curious look settled on her features, "you know, I just realized you really haven't spent any quality time with us since you got a boyfriend Usa-chan…" she leaned over to Usagi, snatched away the fried eggroll she'd been holding up to her mouth and stared into her eyes.
"What the hell Mina-chan...that's mine…" Usagi whined and tried to take back her stolen food.
"You don't deserve this," Minako stood up and shoved the eggroll into her mouth, "you don't deserve our friendship," she mumbled in between a mouthful of food, "I never took you for a girl who ditches her friends for a boy...tsk, tsk."
Ami couldn't restrain her laughter. Usagi looked at Minako as if the other girl had punched her in the gut; she looked appalled, horrified...heartbroken.
"That's the meanest thing anyone has ever done to me," Usagi's chin started to shake.
Minako plopped back on her seat and raised one perfectly trimmed eyebrow at her, "Really? This is the meanest thing anyone has ever done to you?"
"Yes…"
"Really?"
"You stole my food…"
"So—"
Ami had been quick in reacting. With a gentle push of Usagi's desk, the blonde's glass tipped over and the sweet cranberry juice she'd been sipping on, spilled all over her skirt.
"Ahhhh," Usagi jumped up.
"I'm so sorry Usa-chan," Ami stood up as well. She continued apologizing, though something in her tone didn't seem sincere to Makoto, whilst Usagi tried to dry the big pinkish stain.
"It's okay Ami-chan...I'll be right back," Usagi smiled at her friend and walked out of the classroom.
"Don't you dare Minako-chan…" Ami hissed, as soon as Usagi disappeared behind the sliding door.
"What?"
"Don't you dare bring up Chiba-san, or Queen Beryl...or—"
"I wasn't going to—"
"...or the prince…" Ami narrowed her eyes when Minako pouted and looked away, "She's already confused as it is. Don't bring up bad memories."
Makoto nodded her head in approval, "She's right, Mina-chan. I mean, we don't even know if she remembers, but…"
"You're right...you're right," Minako rushed through Makoto's sentence, "I don't know what came over me. I'm just...I'm just so worried that she might...you know...fall for him again." Minako sighed and stared at Usagi's empty chair.
"That's out of our hands Mina-chan," Ami whispered and took a quick glance at the door; this was the conversation they never wanted Usagi to hear.
"Do you think…" Makoto leaned closer towards her friends, "Do you think she remembers?"
Minako pursed her lips together and her face wrinkled with worry, "I don't know…" she said; they heard Usagi's loud laughter outside the door and they all straightened in their seats.
"But I know that if she did," Minako whispered, just before Usagi entered the classroom; the rain had gotten quite heavier and Ami could hardly hear Minako's whispers, "she wouldn't act this calm around the bastard," the blonde finished and smiled coyly at Usagi.
"Why the hell do we listen to her again?" Rei yelled over the loud music.
Makoto giggled and yelled back, "Because, deep down we're afraid of her…" the music suddenly stopped and her last few words echoed throughout the club. She looked at Minako's irritated face and bit her bottom lip, "Oops."
The club had been everything Minako described it to be; elegant with a hint of cuteness; and the crowd sure knew how to party. Rei had never seen this many well-dressed people in one setting. Her eyes ventured around modern chandeliers and tasteful wallpapers before settling in the middle of the club, where bodies squirmed and moved with the beat of the music.
"The music is good though," she yelled once more, to no one in particular, and followed her friends to the bar.
"Isn't it fun?" Minako chirped, "Told you it was going to be amazing," she turned to the young bartender, who had walked up to her the moment she leaned her arm against the bar, "so, what do you want?"
"We're not seriously drinking, right?" Makoto asked.
Minako looked at her warily and then asked for three virgin mojitos; she put a sly emphasis on the word "virgin" and winked at the bartender.
"I think he just came in his pants," Rei rolled her eyes and turned towards the crowd once more.
"I have that effect on men. Thank you."
The club suddenly cheered, louder than before, and the rhythm of the music changed.
"So...is that the love of your life?" Makoto pointed at the lanky man who stepped on the stage; he wore black, from head to toe, and his fair hair had been tied into a samurai-style ponytail.
Minako whirled around and jumped up, "Yes…," she swayed her hips with the music, "isn't he an eye candy?"
Makoto and Rei shared a look and giggled.
"Oh, Usagi and Ami-chan are real party poopers," the blonde whined, "I can't believe Usa-chan preferred that stupid play over this."
"She didn't prefer the play; she preferred spending time with her boyfriend…" Rei shook her head, "there's a big difference."
Minako smiled sexily to the poor bartender who brought, not only their drinks, but a small plate of toasted caviar, "on the house," he said to Minako.
"I'm gonna go dance," the blonde said and didn't wait for anyone's reply. Rei watched her move her body side to side and glide her way through the dense throng. She shook her head and smiled; Minako sure knew how to make life happier.
"Hey…" Makoto nudged at her shoulder, "isn't that…" she leaned her arm against the bar and went on her tip-toes, "isn't that Hiro-kun?"
Rei looked at where Makoto had pointed and sure enough, she saw Hiro looking around. He looked down and Rei saw him speaking to someone over the loud music.
"Well, good to know that even Usagi is afraid of Minako," she told Makoto.
Makoto started to wave and call Usagi's name. The music was too loud, and her efforts were in vain. She inhaled and readied herself to yell louder.
"Usa-chan," she screamed at the top of her lungs just as the music dropped. The people around them all turned their eyes on Makoto. One girl standing beside her at the bar pulled herself away and covered her ears.
"Why the fuck does this keep happening tonight?" The brunette widened her eyes at Rei.
Hiro finally spotted them, amongst the many other party-goers who kept staring at Makoto for a while.
"Why is everyone so damn tall?" Usagi hissed as soon as they reached the bar.
"They're not tall. You're too short," Rei mocked and giggled when Usagi stuck her tongue out.
"So, this is your joint?" Hiro laughed when Rei rolled her eyes.
"Minako's, apparently. How was the play?"
Usagi pushed her lips together and looked up at Hiro.
He laughed good-heartedly and draped his arm around his petite girlfriend, "if you ask Usa, it sucked. But honestly, I like the classics."
"Don't listen to him," Usagi said heatedly, "it was a bunch of people saying a bunch of things that even they didn't understand; let alone the audience."
The music picked up volume and the four of them tried to continue the conversation for a bit; a task that proved to be difficult.
"Want a drink?" Hiro spoke near Usagi's ear. She nodded and swayed her hips to the music. He did a once over on her and smiled. The look didn't go unnoticed by Rei and for a moment, her heart went out to him. Ever since the night Usagi spent at the shrine, none of them had spoken about Chiba or the kiss. Rei had been so unsure about Usagi's state of emotion.
She seemed happy with Hiro though and he seemed quite smitten with her. He stood behind her and handed her the pink drink he had ordered for her. The rhythm of the music escalated and they all started to move in their spots.
Rei saw Minako dancing close to the Dj stand. Her blonde hair cast along her back, as she moved her legs and shoulders and raised her arms in excitement every now and then. The Dj seemed to have noticed the young blonde who tried to woo him with her charm; he kept eyeing and smirking at her antics.
"Let's dance," Usagi pulled Hiro's sleeve and waved at Rei and Makoto to join them.
Rei saw the explosion before hearing the deafening sound. Her eyes had been focused on Minako one minute, and the next, she was flat on her back. A blinding pain shot through her leg, and her eyes couldn't see anything but the stylish chandelier swaying dangerously over her head.
"What the fuck…"
"Oh my God…"
"What happened…"
Rei tried to stand up on wobbly legs. Someone grabbed her arm and pulled her violently to the side.
"Look out."
The chandelier broke into a million ugly pieces where she once stood. She couldn't see the youma; the bastard kept blowing up the place and managed to stay hidden.
Rei looked around. She needed to find her friends, and she needed to be quick.
Another explosion, and then, cries, curses and beseeches chorused along with it. Rei ignored the pain that sucked the breath out of her and moved to where she had last seen Usagi.
"Usagi..." she called, her eyes not yet seeing anything through the smoke, "Usagi…"
"Rei-chan…"
Rei had never been an emotional person. But the fear that had gripped her throat the moment she'd noticed that they had been under attack had been brutal. She had vowed, in the course of that few little moments apart from Usagi, that she would do anything, anything, for the tiny blonde if the heavens would keep her safe. And apparently, they had.
"Usagi…" she dropped beside her friend, who was cocooned under Hiro's arm, "Are you guys okay?"
"We are. Are you?" Hiro asked alarmingly, as Usagi leaped at Rei and hugged her friend close.
"Where are Minako and Mako-chan?"
"I don't know. I haven't seen—"
Another loud noise interrupted Rei. The sound was followed by a warrior's cry and it washed away Rei and Usagi's worries.
Sailor Venus and Sailor Jupiter jumped in the middle of the club, where, only a moment ago, it brimmed with squirming bodies and curious hands. Now, the same bodies gave room to the city's most beloved heroines to save the night.
"Jupiter, thunder...power…"
Jupiter had apparently spotted the youma, because her aims had been precise.
"We need to get out of here," Hiro pulled Usagi on her feet, "We need to find a way out…"
Usagi and Rei shared a look. They needed to transform, and they needed to do it fast. Sailor Venus and Sailor Jupiter could only hold down the fort for so long. They needed help.
"I saw an exit sign over there…" Rei said, "Come on…"
They made their way through the commotion. Behind them, they heard Sailor Venus attacking the youma wherever the fuck it stayed hidden.
Hiro had a firm grasp on Usagi's hand and he pulled her under his arm when someone knocked into her.
Rei had no idea what she was doing. She only knew that they needed to ditch Hiro somewhere safe and transform. They were running out of time.
"There…" she yelled and ran ahead towards the small door.
"That's not an exit door...Rei-chan…" Hiro yelled horrified and Usagi's heart broke for him. He seemed so vulnerable, so scared.
"It is...come on…"
Usagi tried to say something. Maybe this situation called for some honesty. Maybe the time had come for her to reveal her identity to her boyfriend; maybe this was the only chance she'd ever get.
But before she could move, before she could even wiggle out of Hiro's arm, something knocked him upside the head.
Usagi stood over him. Her eyes strayed from Hiro's immobile body to Rei's outstretched arm.
"Sorry…" she said, "but this is for his own good…" she opened the door, marked storage, and looked back at Usagi, "we'll come back for him when this shit is over."
"I call upon the power of Mars…"
Sailor Venus jumped away from her comrade's burning attack, "about fucking time…" she yelled at Sailor Mars, who stuck her tongue out at her in return.
"We need to get these people out of here," Sailor Moon said as she landed right beside Sailor Jupiter.
The Senshi leaped, howled and fought aggressively. The damn youma had turned out to be a tiny little fairy; Sailor Moon had actually awed the moment the youma revealed itself. She'd cursed a moment later though, when the same tiny, cute looking youma blasted her with its destructive power.
"Bitch…" Sailor Moon yelled and pushed harder against the wall.
The youma had cornered her behind the Dj stand, after sending all the other Senshi flat on their backs.
Sailor Moon tried to get away, she tried to find an opening, but that fucking youma was just too small and almost invisible to see.
She saw a bright light go over her head and disappear into the wall. Fear gripped Sailor Moon's throat as the wall started to tremble; it was going to come down on her.
She pulled herself away from the wall, and the youma blasted her on the front; pushing her against the wall harder.
From a distance, she heard Sailor Jupiter's screams. Hell. She couldn't even move, she couldn't get to her friends.
The wall started to crumble; she was going to be buried alive.
Sailor Moon, nay, Usagi closed her eyes. If this moment would be the moment she died, she didn't want to be anyone else but Usagi.
Sailor Mars called out her name; she heard an explosion and the sound deafened her. All she could hear was a continuous ringing.
Where the fuck was he?
Something wrapped around her and suddenly, she was cocooned in a familiar embrace. She felt her feet leave the ground, and then, they were flying up.
Sailor Moon didn't let go of her breath, not until her feet touched a surface and she knew, she'd been saved.
"Thanks…" she mumbled and didn't meet his eyes.
"You okay?" Tuxedo Mask asked as he did a once over on her; he tried to hide his grimace when he saw her bleeding shoulder.
"I've been better," Sailor Moon looked around; where the hell was it?
"You're bleeding."
"I need to help my friends."
The two of them spoke at the same time and they finally met each other's eyes.
Fuck. She was not ready for this; every time she saw him, a new image of the past popped into her head.
"Watch out…" Tuxedo Mask hissed before he pulled Sailor Moon against himself and covered them both with his cape. Sailor Moon felt the dark power surrounding them for a moment.
"There. It went there…" Tuxedo Mask told her and they both ran towards the back of the club. Sailor Moon sighed with relief when she saw her Senshi alive, a little bruised, but alive.
It took them a while to spot the fairy fucking youma. It managed to burst evil power at them a few times before Sailor Moon sent it straight to Hell. Those fuckers were getting stronger every day.
Thank God it hadn't been an actual person this time, Sailor Moon thought to herself.
They stood side by side for a long moment.
Sailor Moon could hear the Senshi's voices. Mars kept yelling at civilians to leave the premises, while Sailor Venus tried to downplay her demanding tone.
She threw Tuxedo Mask a side glance, mumbled a thank you and turned on her heels to go to her friends.
A gentle hold on her forearm stopped her in her tracks. Her eyes stared at his gloved hand against her skin.
Why did it feel so warm? And why the hell did she feel like crying again?
"I had a dream last night…" his tone seemed so different from his usual grumpy and entitled voice.
She looked at his face and even though she couldn't see his eyes, she still felt the misery behind them.
"I saw you...Serenity...with another man," he let go of her arm and took a deep inhale.
Sailor Moon's heartbeat escalated. Her breathing started to labor. What the hell was he talking about? Was he being coy? Was he trying to get the upper hand? When really, he...Endymion had been the one who had fucked up.
"And I think...I think it was after we had married in secret," he was looking at her behind the mask and for a moment, Sailor Moon wanted to knock it off of him.
"Are you fucking serious?"
He seemed taken aback, probably because of her unusual use of foul language.
"You are accusing me of betrayal?" Her jaw was going to break if she ground her teeth together any harder, "is this another one of your fucking games?"
Tuxedo Mark wrenched the mask off his face and his eyes, dark and angry, stared right into her, "what games? What are you—"
"I know what you did," she shrieked, uncaring about the footsteps she'd heard behind her, "you used me...you used me and then left me out to dry."
Tuxedo Mask wanted to say something; but before he could even open his mouth, Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus hugged the tiny blonde from behind just as Sailor Jupiter shoved him away.
A moment later, all four of them were gone.
Usagi tossed and turned on the bed. Fuck. When did sleep become this uncomfortable? She pushed down her comforter; she got cold and pulled it over herself again. Damn it. She was heating up. She pushed it to the foot of the bed once again.
Luna snored like a hyena and Usagi, in her irritated state, wanted to throw her pillow at her. How did she manage to sleep soundly?
Tuxedo Mask had seemed so...so...lost? He'd been so out of it that when Jupiter had pushed him, he had fallen right on his ass.
What was he talking about? How dare he accuse her of anything? When he had been the one...fuck. Why couldn't she remember? She knew he'd done something; the pang of heartbreak she felt whenever she thought of him was proof enough. But...what wasn't she remembering? What was that missing part?
A few streets north, Mamoru laid on his couch with a thin blanket and tried to shut off his brain. He'd been avoiding his bed like the plague; he hadn't had a decent sleep on that thing for a while now.
Stop thinking about it and go to sleep airhead. You have a study group in the morning. Go to sleep.
The image of Sailor Moon wouldn't leave him alone. He'd seen so many different sides of Sailor Moon...Usagi. But tonight, the hurt she'd tried to hide behind the boiling anger in her eyes had been his undoing. What the hell was she talking about? What the fuck did he do?
The Sky rumbled and it started raining again.
Usagi laid on her back and stared out her window; she'd never been a fan of a rainy day, not that she'd ever confessed to Ami. She didn't know, however, how the sound of water dropping on the three outside her room always lulled her to sleep.
Mamoru closed his eyes and focused on the sound of the rain; it washed over him like a mothering hand and he fell asleep.
"Don't do this...please…" Endymion pulled Serenity by her forearms, "there's got to be another way…"
She pushed against his chest and shook her head, "this is the only way…," she looked at him and something inside of her broke.
Something inside of him broke, as well.
Usagi opened her eyes and sat up on her bed. She felt like crying.
Mamoru's eyes snapped open and he stretched out his arm and grasped nothing but air; it was just a dream and she wasn't there.
The sky continued mourning for a past that could no longer stay hidden.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon. All rights of this awesome manga/anime belong to its amazing creator, Naoko Takeuchi. I only own the story I tell.
