~Wavering Destiny~
by Strawberry Moon Rose

Things are starting to happen! Thank you everyone for taking the time to read this fanfiction, it really means a lot to me.

Enjoy! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or any of the characters. They belong to Naoko Takeuchi.

Chapter 3: The Watercolor Sunrise

Clink! The glass slipped between Fighter's fingers. It shattered on the table, hundreds of shiny shards in a snowflake pattern. Orange juice seeped into the thick table cloth.

"S-Seiya!" Healer's eyes widened in astonishment.

Fighter stared blankly ahead, as if the words stunned her when they'd left Maker's lips. No. I heard wrong. My mind's playing tricks on me.

"You're...joking," Fighter said quickly, finding her voice. She said it as more of a statement than a question.

Maker frowned. "I am very much serious. She and the others are outside the gate. I just heard it from the Princess herself."

Fighter felt as if the room was spinning. A ringing buzzed in her ears. Everything looked as if it was splashed with bleach, stealing the color from the room. Was she going to be sick? This couldn't be happening. Sailor Moon couldn't be on her planet. Impossible.

"Fighter, come on!" Healer urged her.

Fighter let the reality of Maker's words sink in. Sailor Moon is here. At the palace. On Kinmoku... Bun Head is here!

"Yes!" Fighter jumped up from her seat faster than anyone thought was possible.

The Sailor Starlights made their way out into the hallway that led to the main entrance. Fighter felt uneasy. This can't be happening. Just as I promised myself to forget about her... Why is she here? Did something happen? What am I going to say to her?

The excitement got the best of her and she hurried ahead to lead Maker and Healer down the hall. Ultimately, she was the leader. She needed to act like it. With every step, Fighter become more anxious. Bun Head, I...

They reached the entrance doors of the palace to find them held open by two workers. Fighter gave them a nod of acknowledgement and continued outside at a brisk pace, Maker and Healer following at her heels. The sweet scent of freshly cut grass floated through the air. The sun had just peeked over the horizon, illuminating the dark sky with its radiant rays. The sunrise was watercolors of blue and purple. It was a beautiful morning in more ways than one.

The Starlights had just stepped outside the palace when Fighter spotted the Princess. She was wearing her usual gown and had her back turned to the three guardians as they approached her. Her red hair fluttered over her back in the slight morning breeze.

"Princess?" Fighter started.

Kakyuu turned around gracefully. With a smile she said, "We have some visitors. Follow me." She held her gaze to Fighter, giving her a meaningful look. But Fighter couldn't read her expression and dismissed it.

Kakyuu led them down the stone stairs and towards the gate. As they got closer, Fighter could see five silhouettes standing in the distance. The rising sun behind them made the figures difficult to make out. Thump. Thump. Her heart was racing. Could it really be...?

"We are so happy you came so far to visit us," Kakyuu greeted them. "I'm sure the journey has been a long one."

"We're glad we made it," answered a familiar, high-pitched voice.

The voice rang through Fighter's ears faster than a gunshot. With each step, the silhouettes became clearer. Standing before them were five pretty guardians. In the middle stood the familiar girl with golden hair tied in space buns.

Fighter breathed. Bun Head... She's actually here... She wanted to pinch herself to be sure she wasn't dreaming.

Sailor Moon peered over Kakyuu. "Starlights!" she cried in excitement. When her eyes fell on Fighter, her face lit up like a child's on Christmas morning.

Fighter's knees suddenly felt weak. It had been a year since she'd last saw her. With her white angel wings sprouting out of her back, and the pink, gold, red, and navy of her eternal uniform, she was just as she remembered.

Sailor Moon's blue eyes were large and round, glittering and wide in excitement. Her tiny lips were shaped into a cute grin. Curled, golden bangs fell just below her eyebrows, moving slightly in the breeze on each side of the yellow crescent moon marked on her forehead.

"What brings you here?" Maker asked, all business.

"We wanted to see you," Sailor Moon answered, eyes not leaving Fighter. Her smile was as lovely as ever.

The months Seiya had spent imagining traveling to Earth, yet she never considered the idea that the guardians would show up on their home. The idea seemed out of reach.

"We were worried something had happened to you," Mercury added. "We had no way to contact each other."

"We appreciate your concern," replied Maker to the blue-haired girl. "As you can see, we are doing just fine."

"I'm so glad," Mercury told her.

Venus caught Healer's attention and gave her an excited wave. The shortest Starlight blinked at her, unsure how to respond. Finally, she offered a small smile that made the blonde beam.

"We should welcome you to the palace," Kakyuu said. "Please, come in. We can talk inside where it is more comfortable." Kakyuu turned and motioned for everyone to follow her. Healer and Maker trailed immediately, pulling their eyes off of the guardians. Fighter waited as Sailor Moon approached her. Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter lingered back.

Fighter's mouth felt incredibly dry. "Welcome to Kinmoku, Bun Head," Fighter managed with a smile. If it had only been a day since they had left, she would have scooped her up and spun her around. But months of pain from a one-sided love had taken a toll on her confidence. She wasn't sure where she stood anymore.

"Fighter..." whispered Sailor Moon. She let her eyes fall on the Starlight before her. Her glossy black hair was tied back in the same signature low ponytail, reflecting blue as the rising sunlight hit it at the right angle. Her short, choppy bangs fell above her beautiful, navy eyes. Her leather Starlight uniform showed off her figure, leaving little to the imagination. Although she looked nearly the same, something was different. She couldn't sense the confident attitude surrounding her like she had a year ago. In fact, to Sailor Moon, she almost looked like she was holding back tears.

"I missed you," Fighter said quietly.

"Me too."

Fighter couldn't take it any longer. She stepped forward and pulled Sailor Moon into a tight hug. The golden-blonde didn't hesitate. Sailor Moon pressed her body against hers just as tightly. Their shadows became one.

To Fighter, it felt like home. The moments she'd spent with this girl on Earth suddenly came back from the dead. She was warm and smelled just as she remembered: of vanilla and strawberries. Fighter ran her gloved fingers through her hair. The feeling was sweet and dangerous simultaneously. She knew it would only hurt her later on, but Fighter didn't stop herself.

Sailor Moon didn't know how long they had been embracing, but she felt it was probably time to pull back. But Fighter wasn't loosening her grip. Sailor Moon smiled and closed her eyes again. She wouldn't admit to herself how amazing it felt in her embrace. Being close to her stirred an emotion she couldn't quite place. It was something she hadn't felt in a long time.

"Any day now!" Mars snickered. She and Venus were suppressing their laughter.

Fighter opened her eyes and saw the two of them cracking up. She pulled away from Sailor Moon, embarrassed. "Um, sorry," she said quickly. Her cheeks flushed a light pink as she scratched the back of her head. She had been so caught up she had forgotten the others were standing there.

Sailor Moon giggled and stood back awkwardly. "It's okay..."

"Um, we should...probably follow the others," Fighter said. She quickly turned around so they wouldn't see her flustered face.

Sailor Moon smiled sheepishly and followed her. Venus gave Jupiter a look that said 'Did you see that?' Mars elbowed Venus and led the rest of the guardians behind Sailor Moon, lingering far enough back to give the two of them some privacy.

Sailor Moon said, "I'm glad you three are okay. There was no way to know for sure."

Fighter smiled down at her. "I'm glad you're okay. And I'm happy you came. Really."

"Why didn't you guys visit us? It's been so long! You said you'd come to see us!"

"It hasn't been that long," Fighter lied, staring straight ahead.

"I think it has been."

Fighter couldn't help but feel happy with her reply. "Did you come just 'cause you wanted to see me?" she joked.

"What? As if! We're here make sure you guys were okay."

"Is that it?" Fighter tried to hide her disappointment.

"Well, no, but..."

Fighter grinned. "So you did come just to see me."

Sailor Moon looked away from her dancing blue eyes. "What makes you happy, you go ahead and believe it then!"

Fighter smiled. For a second, she was starting to feel like herself again. Don't get used to it! A voice in the back of her head commanded. She still has her boyfriend and she's not going to be here forever.

"So, how long are you guys planning on staying here?" Fighter asked casually as they walked.

Sailor Moon scratched her head. "Well, to tell you the truth, we're not sure!" She laughed. "I figured you'd let us stay for a couple days or so?"

Fighter didn't reply. This is bad. This is really bad. The moment I swear that I'll forget her, she shows up. Is the Universe playing some sort of cruel joke on me? I don't know what to do now. If I get close to her again, I'll be devastated when she leaves. I can't handle that once more. But I don't know if I can help myself, it's different when she's actually here. So close that I can touch her... If only she felt the same way... Why can't she see me the way she sees him?

"Something wrong?"

"Eh?" Fighter shook her head. She hadn't realized they had reached the palace already. "No, it's nothing." She and Sailor Moon stepped into the entry room. Venus and the others were behind them.

"Fighter?" Kakyuu called.

"Yes, Princess?"

"It is safe for you three to undo your transformations if you wish," she told the Starlights.

Fighter nodded. It was more natural for them to be themselves when they weren't on Sailor Guardian duties.

Sailor Moon nodded to her squad. Everyone detransformed.

"You are more than welcome to stay here in the palace while you visit, " Kakyuu said to Usagi.

"Thank you very much. We really appreciate it," she answered.

"I would love to stay around, but I'm afraid I must be going now," said Kakyuu with apologetic smile. "I must work on the preparations for the upcoming party. Fighter? Healer? Maker?"

"Yes, Princess?" they answered together.

"You may have today off from duties to visit with the guardians. Also, could you please show them to the guest quarters? I'm sure they are very exhausted. Feel free to show them around the town if they wish as well."

"Of course," Yaten said with a bow. She watched Kakyuu exit the room before turning to the girls. "Come on, the guest rooms are just down that hall. You can rest there if you're tired." She motioned in the direction.

Minako caught Yaten's green-eyed gaze and winked. "I wouldn't mind staying with one of you guys!" she blurted.

Rei felt a sweatdrop on the back of her head. You're kidding me! She's still into Yaten, even now?

"Um, as tempting as that sounds..." Yaten looked uncomfortable. She brought her eyes to Taiki, silently pleading for help.

"Come on," Taiki said quickly, "let's go." She took the blonde's hand and started to lead her away.

"H-hey! You do know I was kidding, right? It was a joke!" Minako objected through giggles.

"I'm going with them," Rei rolled her violet eyes.

"This place is beautiful." Ami's voice echoed as she followed.

"No kidding!" Makoto agreed.

One by one, they filed out of the room and it was suddenly quiet. Usagi turned to Seiya, spinning on her heels. "Well, I guess it's just you and me now!"

Seiya smiled. She liked the sound of that.

Usagi let her eyes take in Seiya for the first time as a girl, no, a woman, not in her guardian form. She was very handsome wearing a simple, dark blue v-neck shirt and tight jeans. She reminds me of Haruka, Usagi thought with a small smile. She's beautiful.

"What?" Seiya asked, feeling self-conscious.

"'What' what?"

"You were staring at me."

Usagi turned her head. "N-no I wasn't!"

"You were too."

"Was not!"

"Were too. Why?" She furrowed her brows and looked down to be sure she hadn't spilled anything on her shirt. "Oh. You're used to seeing Seiya as a man, aren't you?"

"I guess..." Usagi admitted. "You look good both ways, though."

"Should I take that as a compliment?"

"I mean, it wasn't an insult."

"Well then, thanks, Bun Head. You look pretty good yourself." And it was true. Usagi looked more mature than the last time Seiya had seen her.

"But if it's okay with you, I'd like to stay a woman. That's who I am, after all." Although maybe if I really was a man, I'd have a chance with you...

Usagi bounced on her heels. "Come on! We better catch up with the others."

"Alright, alright. Let's go, Bun Head." I can't believe she's actually here, standing right next to me. Even if she's leaving in a few days, it's more than enough.

"Wow, your palace sure is something!" Usagi gaped, her high-pitched voice echoing off the high ceiling and looming walls. "Amazing! You guys are so lucky to live in a place like this!"

Seiya beamed. "We're lucky the palace wasn't too destroyed from the war. We've worked hard to restore our planet."

"Well, you should be proud!"

Seiya suddenly had an idea. "Hey, let me show you something really awesome, 'kay?"

"Really? What is it?"

Seiya winked. "It's a secret." She grabbed Usagi's hand and tried to ignore the electrical spark it sent though her body. Secretly, she hoped Usagi felt it too.