~Wavering Destiny~
by Strawberry Moon Rose
If anyone is interested, the music that has inspired me to write this fanfic is the album "Joyride" by Roxette. If you like the 90's songs of Sailor Moon like "My Only Love" from the English dub, or "Ai no Senshi" that's kind of how they sound and I love it. It's very inspiring :)
This chapter was inspired by "Fading Like A Flower" off of that album. It very much explains Seiya's feelings of wanting to be close to Usagi, but not wanting get hurt by doing so.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or any of the characters. They belong to Naoko Takeuchi.
Chapter 4: Acknowledgment
"Seiya, where are we going?" Usagi asked as Seiya led her up one of the palace's winding staircases.
"You'll see."
The two girls advanced through the palace. They passed multiple rooms and workers hurrying on with their jobs. Usagi could hear Rei's voice echoing down the hall. It sounded like she was arguing with Minako about who would share guest rooms.
Usagi's legs were starting to get sore from climbing all of the stairs. "Are we there yet? Cardio's not my thing."
"Yep." They stood before a white door. "This will be where you can stay for the next few days, Bun Head." She pushed the door open and they stepped inside.
"Whoa..!" Usagi cried in amazement. The bedroom's color scheme was soft pastel colors of light pink and white. Minimalist decor with a feminine touch. It was gorgeous.
"Come here." Seiya guided her along through the room to the sliding balcony door. The two stepped out onto the small balcony together.
The sun hung higher in the morning sky and the air was growing warmer. This side of the palace faced west and the stars were still hanging in the dark sky at daybreak. Where the sky met the horizon, waves shifted in the distance. The ocean spread out before them, roaring quietly to itself in the darkness. The ocean breeze carried the salty air to their lips.
"Wow..." Usagi was speechless. She walked over to the edge of the balcony and took in the beauty.
"Isn't it something?" Seiya asked. "This room has the best view of it. And look." She pointed over the edge at the rocks below. The foamy tide sloshed up and over them. Among them grew unique, bright red flowers.
"Are those roses?"
"No. Rozamokus. They are a flower that only grows here on Kinmoku. In land or water. I figured you like them."
"They're beautiful."
Like you, Seiya thought. She watched Usagi take in the sights of her planet in child-like wonder. Seiya stepped close, and their shoulders touched, skin on skin. She was instantly reminded of sitting beside her on a bench after softball practice, admiring the stars. That was before they knew each others identities, and everything got complicated.
"Bun Head, I..." Seiya didn't know what to say. No matter what she did, it wouldn't change anything.
"Thank you, Seiya," Usagi said. Her wide eyes met Seiya's.
"For what?"
"For everything. But this view is spectacular. Thanks for giving me this room to stay in during our visit."
Seiya remained silent. The pain was unbearable. The ocean calmed her. It was a chilly morning, but being next to Usagi warmed her soul. Their touching shoulders still sent her buzzing.
Then Usagi pulled away.
"We should probably go see the others," she said.
Seiya unwillingly followed. "Yeah..."
"Thank you, Yaten, this is perfect," said Rei.
"Yeah, yeah. If you need anything, I'll be downstairs," Yaten replied before walking out of the room. She pulled the door shut behind her.
Rei collapsed onto one of the two queen-sized beds with a sigh. "I'm exhausted!"
"Me too," Minako agreed. "Intergalactic travel between planets really wears you out."
She and Rei were sharing the double-sized guest room. Makoto and Ami where sharing one in the room across from them. "Look, look! You can see the town from here," she peered out of the window.
"Really?" Rei sat up from the bed.
"Yeah! It's a great view."
"Kinmoku seems like an interesting place. I wonder if the others will want to go check it out later," Rei thought aloud.
"Hey, Rei..." There was a sudden change in Minako's tone.
"Yeah?"
"Do you think Seiya still has feelings for Usagi?" she asked as she watched two birds playfully chase each other outside the window. "I don't know about you, but I think it's as obvious now as it was back then."
Rei bit her lip, unsure how to respond. So I wasn't the only one who noticed...
Minako brushed her bangs from her eyes. "Maybe I'm imagining things, but you don't see Usagi act that way towards any of us, do you? All giddy. And I think we both know that any hug longer than five seconds means something more than just friends."
Rei hugged her knees to her chest. "Yeah, but I don't think Usagi thinks about her in that sort of way... After all, she's well aware that Seiya isn't really a man. Not to mention she's crazy for Mamoru. They are destined to end up together. So why complicate things?"
Minako shrugged. "Who says you can't love more than one person at once?"
"I never said you couldn't," Rei countered.
"Well, how come we're on Kinmoku and not Earth?"
Rei raised her eyebrows. "I don't know where you're going with this, Minako. We came here to check if they were okay or not, did you forget?"
"Do you really believe that's the only reason she wanted to come here? If so, can't we leave right now? Since we know that they are fine?" Minako pointed out.
Rei sighed. "I think you're thinking too much about this. Be serious, it'd be stupid to come all this way and then leave right away."
Minako collected her light blonde hair and brought it to one side of her shoulder. "I'm just worried about her, that's all. I think coming here was just an excuse to see Seiya again. I haven't seen her so happy in a long time. I believe that a part of her really loves Seiya."
"Are you saying you think Usagi is gay?"
"No. Well, I don't know..."
Rei narrowed her eyes. "Hey, weren't you just flirting with Yaten a moment ago? Wouldn't that make you-"
Minako laughed a little too loudly. "Ahahaha! What-what are you implying, Rei? No, that's totally different! I just am used to seeing Yaten a man, that's all!"
"But-"
"Oh, Rei, stop it. You're so silly. That situation is completely different!"
Creak!
The door suddenly opened, making Rei and Minako jump in surprise. They looked up to see Seiya and Usagi standing in the doorway.
"Ah! You scared us!" Rei said nervously. They didn't overhear our conversation, did they?
"Ahaha yeah, what are you two doing here? By yourselves? Just the two of you? Alone?" Minako sputtered.
Seiya raised a confused brow. "The Princess has prepared everyone with breakfast downstairs. I'm supposed to let you guys know."
"Ami and Mako are already downstairs with Taiki," Usagi informed them.
"Okay. Thanks," replied Rei. She gave Minako a meaningful look.
Meanwhile, back on Earth...
"Oh! Mamoru! How are you? I haven't seen you around here in a while!" Motoki chirped.
"Hey! How's it been?" Mamoru greeted his old friend. He had just finished his shift at his part-time job and was on his way back to his apartment when he decided to stop in at the CROWN arcade.
"Not too bad, thanks. Oh? Where's Usagi?" Motoki raised his eyebrows, peering around for the short blonde.
"Well, she and her friends..." They teleported off across the galaxy to check up on some old friends on a faraway planet. The mere thought of telling his friend the truth made him chuckle. "They're on a vacation up in...Hokkaido. Visiting some friends," Mamoru answered.
"Oh? You didn't go with?"
Mamoru laughed. "I don't know really know the friends she's visiting very well." It was the truth...
"I see. I wondered why I hadn't seen any of them around here lately." Motoki ran his fingers though his sandy blonde hair. The arcade was slow at this time of the day.
"Yeah, I think it'll be good for her," Mamoru said absentmindedly. He plopped down on a nearby stool.
"Huh? Why is that?"
Mamoru sighed. "Well, she seemed really down. It was like there was nothing I could do to cheer her up. I think a change of scenery is just what she needs."
"Is that so? Did you do anything to make her upset with you?" Motoki questioned. He brought out a broom from behind the counter and began to sweep.
"No, I don't think so. I can't believe it has anything to do with me."
"That's not good," Motoki commented.
Mamoru gave him a look. "It's not like that," he assured him.
"Can you be so sure with girls?" Motoki retrieved a dust pan and began to collect the dirt. "If she's acting distant and not telling you anything, that's never a good sign in a relationship. I think you should just give her some time."
"Time?"
Motoki nodded. "Time to figure out what's best for her."
Mamoru smiled. "What's best for her, huh? Okay, well I guess you're right. But I'm telling you, I have nothing to worry about. In a couple of days, she'll be back here in Tokyo, her usual energetic self real soon."
"If you say so," Motoki replied with a small laugh.
"What's wrong, Michiru?"
Michiru brought her hand to her chin. This is so strange. I'm feeling some sort of mysterious energy. What is happening? She gazed down into her mirror in her lap. She studied it intensely. Suddenly, images replaced her reflection. The mirror displayed pictures like a television channel being switched every couple of seconds. It was Eternal Sailor Moon! She and the others were using the Sailor Teleport. Another glimpse of them in a sophisticated palace flashed before her. Three familiar guardians in black leather uniforms, and a Princess with long, orange hair flowing freely...
They traveled to the Starlights' home planet? This can't be true. Why would they do something like that so suddenly? It looks like they are fine, but...
"Michiru?"
"Oh! I'm sorry. I didn't hear you." Michiru shook her head. She was sitting on the corner of her bed, waist deep in thought.
"Please don't space out like that. It makes me feel alone," Haruka said. She had just gotten out of the shower and her wet hair was tied up in a towel.
Michiru smiled. "Don't worry, it's nothing."
"Are you sure? What did you see in your mirror?"
Michiru hesitated. She didn't want to worry Haruka, but she figured it would be best to be honest with her lover.
"She what? Are you sure?" Haruka asked outraged, when Michiru repeated what she saw.
Michiru nodded, bouncing the aqua curls framing her face.
"This isn't good," Haruka declared, "who knows what sort of trouble that girl could get in? And so far away. I can't believe she didn't tell us first."
"Haruka...she knew that you would just oppose the idea, that is why of course," Michiru pointed out.
"Yes, because it's dangerous. It's our duty to protect her from things like this."
"Really, you're so overprotective of her, it makes me jealous. She's a strong girl. Strong enough to protect herself. The Starlights aren't that unreliable of people. They've proved that already."
"That's not the point," Haruka said. She gave a heavy sigh. "How did we end up with such an unreliable Princess?"
"You know that's just how she is. And from what I've seen, it looks as if they are just visiting. They are safe," Michiru assured her. "It's been a long time since they've seen the Starlights. There's no need to be hasty, Haruka."
Haruka sat down on the bed beside her. "You're right. I'm sorry. But it would have been nice for her to let us know where she was at."
"I agree. But it really doesn't have anything to do with us."
"I suppose. But if anything happens to her..." Haruka shuddered.
"She's fine. I'll keep an eye on her."
Haruka wrapped her arm around Michiru, "I can't help but feel like there's something bigger unfolding right before our eyes..."