12 | Revelations

Damn that buzzing.

It was the loudest sound in Usagi's bedroom, beyond even her petulant groaning as the sound roused her from her slumber. If only she could figure out what that racket was, or where it came from. Her grogginess, exacerbated by sealed eyelids and a very heavy head, hampered efforts to answer those questions. Barring that, she wanted the buzzing to just end, sooner rather than later.

Fortunately, it was sooner.

"Finally," she muttered.

She had spoken far too soon. The annoying rumbling resumed seconds later, wresting her from the last vestiges of sleep. Pale light filled otherwise inky blackness once she lifted her head and opened her eyes. That's when realization struck her. Her blanket crumpled against the wall in a heap, tossed aside with abandon so she could scramble out of bed. Though, to her chagrin, the buzzing stopped the instant she reached the table and her cell phone.

Bah, I missed it. A frown contorted her face as she lifted the phone from the table and flipped it open. Huh. Why's Naru-chan calling me so early in the morning?

The response arrived sooner than she expected as the phone began to vibrate for a third time that morning. She wasted no time in pushing the call answer button and lifting the phone up to her ear.

"Hello?"

"Usagi-chan!" Compared to the blonde's low and monotonous tone, Naru sounded exceedingly cheerful. "I'm so glad you're finally awake!"

"Barely, Naru-chan. It's six o'clock in the morning, and on a Saturday at that." She yawned immediately after saying that.

"Sorry 'bout that. I knew it was a bit early for you, but I just couldn't wait to tell you the news." She sucked in a deep breath. "I'll finally be able to see you in person again!"

Any remaining lethargy disappeared from Usagi in an instant. "You're coming back home?"

"Yeah! Our flight leaves tomorrow morning at eight. As much as I liked America, I can't wait to get back to Japan. You have no idea how much I've missed you. Talking on the phone just doesn't cut it."

Usagi wished her friend could see the brilliant smile that came to her lips at that moment. "I missed you too, more than you might imagine. We'll have one heck of a welcome back party for you, I guarantee it!"

"That would be amazing. I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"You know me. I wouldn't let you miss it even if you wanted to. Not after a month of you being halfway around the world."

Naru laughed. "I don't doubt that one bit. However, all I really want—well, besides seeing you again—is some decent food. The stuff they serve here sucks."

"I agree. I've had more experience with hospital food than I ever wanted."

The loud gasp on the other end of the line startled Usagi. "Huh? Something happened to you that sent you to the hospital? How? You never told me anything about that?"

"Well…" So melancholic was her sigh. "There was a really bad car accident a few weeks ago."

"My God! Are you alright? Were you hurt any?"

"I'm fine, but only because I wasn't with them at the time. My mom and brother weren't hurt all that much, and they're walking around fine. On the other hand, my dad…"

The sudden silence worried Naru, and a part of her feared the worst. "Usagi-chan? He's o-okay, right? Please tell me he's not, y-you know…"

"Sorry, Naru-chan. I didn't mean to scare you like that." Usagi swallowed hard before continuing in a whisper. "He's still alive, but he was badly hurt and they put him in intensive care. I haven't been able to see him yet, but I've heard he's slowly getting better. In fact, today I'll finally get to see him."

"I'm very happy to hear that." Once again there was silence, this time lasting for a few seconds. "But, why didn't you tell me anything about the accident earlier?"

Usagi knew exactly why she did not tell Naru about the accident or about a whole host of other secrets that she harbored. However, that excuse died the moment her family ended up in the hospital. She knew she had to make some painful revelations to Naru, and soon, but not over the telephone. Unfortunately, normal circumstances dictated that several hours would pass before the two girls could meet in person. In the interim, she hoped to allay both Naru's fears and her own.

"I didn't want you worrying about me when you had enough stuff to go through on your own."

"Come on, Usagi-chan. You know I wouldn't have thought badly of you if you told me. Heck, if anything, I want to be there for you as much as you've been here for me, whether or not I'm in the hospital."

"True, but—"

"But, nothing. I can't have you suffering on your own." Sadness and disappointment tinged Naru's sigh. "I know that's just the way you are, but I'm your friend. Friends help each other when in need."

Usagi heaved her own sigh, one that was far more miserable. "You're right, Naru-chan. I'm sorry for not telling you about that."

"No need to apologize, Usagi-chan. It's not like you did anything bad." She waited for a response, but received only a nearly inaudible grunt. "Anyway, now that I know what you're going through, I'm going to have to get you a nice present to help cheer you up. And, I think I know just what to get you."

"Hmm? What is it?" Usagi was barely more upbeat, but that was enough for Naru.

"Oooh, it's a secret! You know it's no fun if I tell you what it is ahead of time."

Usagi exhaled a small breath, one that gave her just enough time to carefully consider her response. "I'll have something to share with you as well when I see you again."

"I can't wait!" Loud jostling and another person's murmurings interrupted the conversation. "Sorry that we can't talk for longer, but I have to go now. My mom and I are doing some last-minute shopping before we come back home. Can you believe that the next time we talk, we won't need to do it over the phone?"

"That's something I've been wishing for longer than you can imagine."

"Me too. I really wish I could teleport back to you, but instead we have to take a slow plane—again." She giggled. "Anyway, I'll see you soon, Usagi-chan!"

"Bye, Naru-chan."

The phone clattered against the floor almost as soon as Usagi had closed it shut. It was amazing she had gotten even that far. So many conflicting thoughts and emotions swirled through her mind due to that brief conversation, and it almost made her dizzy. On one hand, she felt even worse about her deception than before, and the idea that she lied to her best friend nearly brought her to tears. However, a strange sense of resolve would not allow her to succumb to her misery. It instead drove her to trudge back to her bed, toss the pillow out of the way, and grab the communicator hidden underneath. After hitting a few buttons on the device and waiting for about a minute, she finally reached the person she needed to contact.

"Hello?" that individual muttered, obviously still halfway asleep.

A faint sigh quickly passed through her lips before she gave her reply. "Hi, Kunzite-san. How quickly can you get here?"

—|1|2|—

There were not many differences between San Francisco and the several other cities Naru had visited during her travels with her mother Mayumi. Varied culture only counted for so much when each place still contained drab office buildings, posh hotels, shops, and all the other oh-so similar sundries of urban life. Not that she particularly hated it, living in metropolitan Tokyo, but it wasn't home. As such, Naru was very anxious to leave San Francisco. Nearly dying there, leaving her hospital-bound for weeks, only increased her motivation to return.

Mere hours remained before her departure as she walked with her mother back to their hotel. The doctors deemed fully healed two weeks ago, and only a barely noticeable limp favoring her right leg betrayed any sign of her previous condition. She carried a small bag with her, one that contained the present she had planned to give her best friend upon their reunion.

Physics and logic dictated that such a meeting should happen several hours into the future, after her Japan homecoming. This she knew very well, even despite her irritation that cruel fate had prevented its occurrence by over a month. Still, she would have hated yet another delay. When she felt something abruptly tug at her arm, she feared that destiny was working to ensure her eternal frustration. Such was her surprise when she swiveled on her heels and laid wide eyes on the one individual she had wanted to see again for far too long.

"U-Usagi-chan?"

Usagi nodded and, rather than immediately respond with words, threw her arms around the stunned girl and pulled her into a tight hug. "It's me, Naru-chan."

"I-I don't believe it…" Her arms remained at her sides, frozen much like the rest of her body. "There's no way that it's you. I… I just…"

"But, it is, Naru-chan. You have to believe me."

For several seconds, all Naru did—and could do—was level a blank stare at Usagi. When she finally found the ability to move, she wasted no time in returning the embrace with far more fervor than she received. Her vision blurred as she dampened Usagi's shoulder with her tears, but she didn't care. Not when her best friend was there, in the flesh, right in front of her.

"Usagi-chan! It really is you!" Her muffled voice soon began to crack. "I've missed you so much. It sucks knowing that I couldn't actually see you. Being stuck in that hospital room for so long was the worst thing ever, especially since it meant I couldn't hang out with you."

Usagi began to slowly rub Naru's back as she spoke, doing her best to provide comfort even as her own eyes began to water. "You don't have to worry about that any longer."

Eventually, the two girls slowly and very reluctantly pulled away from one another. It was then that Mayumi realized the curiousness that shrouded the girls' chance meeting. Her gaze, one full of perplexity and suspicion, fell squarely on Usagi.

"But… why are you here, now? I-I mean, how did you actually get here? It takes forever to fly here, but I know Naru just talked with you two hours ago and I swear you were still in Japan at that time."

"I guess I just couldn't wait another day for you two to come back home."

Mayumi found no amusement in the reply. Given Usagi's horribly strained chuckle, she wasn't alone in feeling that way. The blonde shook herself and fell somber, a swift change that startled her friend.

"Actually, I'll answer your questions, but not out here. There're too many people around. You're going back to your hotel, right?"

"Yes, we're going back there, but I don't get why you can't say anything about it now."

Unlike her daughter, who continued to gawk at Usagi, Mayumi's frustration started to get the better of her. She swiftly received a reply to her concern, but neither the response, nor the person who gave it, remotely resembled what she had anticipated.

"Believe me, when you hear what she has to say, then you'll quickly understand her preference for privacy."

What unnerved Mayumi wasn't so much that Usagi hadn't spoken those words than the person who did. The abrupt voice broke Naru's reverie as well. Both swiveled around to see a tall man approach them from behind. Mayumi gently tugged on Naru's arm while taking a step forward, deftly placing herself between the strange individual and her daughter.

"Uh, who are you?"

"Apparently, your transportation for this evening."

Usagi spotted Mayumi's flinch, an action echoed by Naru. "Don't worry, Osaka-san. Kunzite-san isn't going to do anything to hurt you two. Believe me, I wouldn't let him even if he tried." She exhaled a tired sigh before placing her hands on her hips and leveling an impatient stare at the woman. "Anyway, can we go to the hotel now? All this running about for over an hour just to find you two left me somewhat exhausted. Also, I still have so much I desperately want—" her visage softened considerably as she turned to Naru— "no, need to tell you."

The quartet reached the hotel room after a few minutes of walking. Naru sat at the edge of one of the two beds, soon joined by Usagi. Mayumi preferred to stand as she looked at the blonde with nervous anticipation. In fact, both she and her daughter felt the same. Yet it was Kunzite, who lounged in a cushioned office chair near the back of the room, who spoke first.

"I still strongly believe doing all of this, in the manner you chose, is both excessive and wholly unnecessary."

Usagi didn't bother looking over her shoulder at the man, let alone saying anything to him, when she shook her head. She then shifted her attention to Naru. The depth of blatant despair the redhead detected in what should have been a warm gaze frightened her.

"Usagi-chan?"

"I'm sorry, Naru-chan." Her voice was barely louder than a whisper, which only further unnerved the other girl.

"Uh… sorry for what?"

"For not telling you this sooner, when you deserved to know." Usagi closed her eyes, which once again were on the verge of spilling tears, and took a deep breath. "I can't blame you if you decide to hate me."

Naru shook her head and deepened the curious stare she leveled at the blonde. "I don't get it. What did you do that would cause me to hate you?"

Usagi sighed loudly and pushed away from the bed. She appeared to meander about until she stopped directly in front of the room's cabinet-mounted television. A sense of resolve overwhelmed her just in time for her to pull the ever-present brooch from the front of her blouse, lift it high over her head, and say with unusual calmness those crucial magic words. Naru and her mother had to rush to cover their eyes from the blinding light, but when it receded they saw a completely different person standing before them.

"Surprised?" A half-shrug and tepid smile was all Usagi could muster before slumping down to her knees and staring at the carpet.

Stunned silence, though not for long. Mayumi remained frozen in shock, teetering on the verge of fainting. Meanwhile, Naru trudged away from the bed until she stood just in front of the miserable senshi. Part of her wanted to kneel down, to support Usagi as best as she could. However, she did not, and at the moment she really couldn't. Her words soon revealed why.

"I… what? I thought we were friends. Why didn't you tell me something so important like the fact you were Sailor Moon?"

"I couldn't risk it. Not with you."

Her gaze hardened considerably as she stood over the girl with arms akimbo. "Why not? You felt you couldn't trust me? Was that it?"

"No! Of course not!" Usagi's long pigtails flew wildly about as she shook her head and lifted her eyes to meet Naru's impatient stare. "I trust you more than just about anyone else."

"What was it then?"

"I didn't tell anyone else about my secret, not even my own family. The last thing I wanted was for the Dark Kingdom to find out who I was, and then take retribution against me by attacking the people I love. Of course, they found out anyway. That's why my family's in the hospital right now."

The words felt like a blow to the stomach. Any hints of resentment Naru might have felt disappeared the moment she heard them. Her mouth fell open, but no sound came out other than a muted gasp. By all appearances, she hardly realized that she had collapsed to her knees. At least, not until a tender grasp of her shoulder roused her, one that soon became a full-fledged embrace. Only then was the girl shaken enough from her stupor to hear Usagi's gentle whisper.

"That's why I didn't tell you. The people I fight had hurt you twice already. The last thing I wanted was for them to attack you yet again."

Naru tried to swallow a sob but failed miserably, and soon tears began to flow down her cheeks unabated. "I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry about, Naru-chan."

"I do. I mean… I guess I had become jealous, since for a while it seemed we were growing apart." Her soft voice cracked frequently as she spoke at a very deliberate pace. "We rarely spent much time together anymore, and except for recently we didn't talk often either. I figured you were avoiding me or something and I never knew why. Instead you spent all your time with—"

Usagi pulled Naru closer to her even as she interrupted the other girl. "They're senshi as well. That's why I hung out with them so much. Yes, they're also my friends—for the most part—but so are you. You're my best friend, and you always will be." She hung her head and exhaled a dismal sigh. "Though, I haven't really been as good of a friend to you. Friends don't ignore one another, even if by accident."

"I know now that you never meant to do that." Wallowing in her own sorrow did not stop her from lifting her arms and returning the hug. "It's not your fault, and I guess I can't blame you for doing that."

"But, I did ignore you, and I probably would have completely forgotten about you after some time."

"Please don't say that, Usagi-chan. You know you wouldn't have done such a thing."

"The only thing that rescued our friendship was the fact that my relationship with the other girls—the other senshi—worsened to the point that they didn't want me around anymore. That, and the fact Mamoru-san broke up with me—"

The revelation piqued Naru's interest, causing her to flinch. "You never told me about that either. When did that happen?"

"A little over a month ago now." She shook her head before gently resting her chin on her companion's shoulder. "I'm long since over it, and over him. But, at the time it seemed like everyone was abandoning me. You were the only one left who I could call a friend. With how poorly I had treated you I'm fortunate that you didn't do the same thing."

"I never would have left you alone like that regardless. Never. Besides, I couldn't have lived with myself if I'd done that, no matter how jealous I was."

It was an agonizing sight for Mayumi to watch in silence as her daughter and friend released months' worth of pent-up frustration and sadness. Hearing their weeping, she wanted nothing more than to comfort Naru—and Usagi as well. They both deserved as much. After nearly a minute of her own anguish, she could no longer suppress that urge. Thus, it struck her as odd that the two girls found some semblance of composure practically the moment she started walking. Indeed, their frowning and sobbing somehow had morphed into grinning and giggling.

"Um… well, I'm glad I finally got that off my chest," Usagi said as she slowly pulled away from Naru and rose to her feet.

"Me too." She joined her friend in standing, which made it easier for her to point a playful grimace at her. "Though, next time, promise me you won't hesitate to tell me something so important."

"Deal!"

A welcomed joviality arose from their shared melancholy, only for Naru to dampen it with her sudden contemplation. Her previous fake frown turned more genuine.

"Hmm. Now that I know you're Sailor Moon and all, I guess I understand why you didn't want me to go out with Nephrite anymore." She readily ignored Mayumi's curious gaze. "Not that I'm as depressed about that now as I used to be. But, I had gotten so angry at you all those times you were trying to separate us."

Kunzite took the reference to his fellow Shitennou general as his cue to end his passive observation, which he did in by speaking in a slow, meditative drawl.

"I didn't know much about the relationship he had with you until after his untimely demise at Zoisite's hand. Now that I know how good it feels without Metalia's influence, I wish he had the opportunity to be fully healed."

Naru shot at him a look of utter surprise. "You knew Nephrite?"

"We were both Shitennou. If you think about it, it wasn't so long ago that it was my duty to kill Usagi and gather energy in an unfortunate attempt to revive that foul being." He turned toward the nearby window, averting his gaze from both girls. "Although I wasn't the one directly responsible, I did order the attack that almost killed your best friend's family."

Mayumi leveled a far more probing stare at Kunzite than the one she had given her daughter upon her confession. "But, you're no longer like that, right?"

"Of course not. I wouldn't be here right now if that were the case." He lightly rapped his fist against the desk a few times before swiftly pushing himself out of the chair. "Anyway, enough of that. I think it's probably a good idea for us to leave here sooner rather than later. After all, there is another important engagement that we need to attend later today."

Naru's visage changed to one of bewilderment. "So, where are we going?"

"Home, of course," Usagi replied.

Mayumi was even more confused than her daughter. "What? But our flight doesn't leave until tomorrow. Not only that, there's a lot we have to pack before we even think about going anywhere."

"Well, there's not much we can do about the second part, and we can wait for that. However, I don't think you'll need to worry about missing any flights." The blonde grinned, and then winked. "Besides, it's not like we took one to get here."

—|Author's Note|—

Five months. Damn. Not exactly what I expected, and I apologize for that, but real life can't be helped. Anyway, it's a bit of a short chapter this time but it does answer some pretty important questions. I will post the next chapter next week to make up for the long gap. As always, opinions and comments are appreciated.