~Wavering Destiny~
by Strawberry Moon Rose

Enjoy :)

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

Chapter 39: Through Glass

"Do you think they'll be mad at me?" Usagi asked when they managed to sneak into Seiya's room without being spotted.

"Who?"

"Princess Kakyuu and the others. You know, because we left so rudely during the party and caused you guys so much trouble. And now I'm here again. I can't expect them to welcome me with open arms like last time..."

"The Princess knows you didn't leave willingly. And we haven't forgotten the angel that vanquished Chaos and saved our planet. Without you, none of us would be here. We respect you more than you know, Bun Head."

"If it wasn't for you Starlights, I never would have been able to go on. It was because you were there for me..."

With her hand, Seiya caressed the side of Usagi's cheek, loving the way a simple gesture turned the skin a soft shade of pink.

"Please don't worry. If you explain what's going on, they'll understand. They can't be mad at you of all people." Seiya closed her eyes and leaned forward so their foreheads touched. "I'm here. We'll go to them together."

The heat from their closeness made her worries dissipate like melting snow. "Thank you, Seiya..." Usagi whispered, looking up so four blue eyes met, mere inches apart.

Seiya pulled away, hands falling to her side. They looked at each other for a long minute, no need for words.

"I'll let you take a shower first. I'll go bring you some pajamas from your room. All of your belongings are still in there by the way. I guess nobody knew what to do with you and your friends' clothes from the boutique. I know the maids have been gossiping, but they are clueless to the situation."

"Yeah, I'm sure we made a scene at the end of the party..."

"Who cares. I'm just glad you came back, Bun Head."

"Me too."

Hesitating for a second, as if she didn't want to go, Seiya kissed her on the lips.

Short and sweet, Seiya pulled away, smiling sheepishly. Without another word, she turned around and left.

Usagi's lips curled into a smile, a blissful feeling fluttered inside her. I missed her so much.

Grrrrrumble. The sound of faraway thunder shook her out of her thoughts. Usagi headed into the connecting bathroom.

I'd better shower quickly, before the storm gets any closer.

She undressed, leaving her clothes in a messy pile on the floor. She untied her hair letting her long blonde locks fall around her naked body like a curtain. Sliding the frosted glass door aside, she stepped into the shower.

The white tiles were cool under her bare feet and her breathing echoed in the hollow area. The rain shower head offered a pleasant change of temperature that made her shivers disappear.

She grabbed a shampoo bottle off the shelf and squeezed the clear liquid into her palms.

This is Seiya's shampoo, it smells just like her. Flowery like roses, sweet like pomegranates, and spicy like cinnamon flavored candy - all mixed together. It smells so delicious, it's making me hungry!

No, I can't be thinking about food. First we need to talk with the others. Tell them I'm here, tell them about Chibi-Usa, and see if they can help us at all. I don't even know where to start... Oh, I can't think about this, it's too painful.

"Bun Head?"

Usagi jumped at her voice. "Y-yes?" she managed over the drumming of hot water and foggy steam.

"It's me," Seiya replied. Her voice reverberated off the walls and floor of the bathroom. "I'm setting your clothes out here for when you're done. A couple towels too."

"Oh, okay. Thanks." She went back to rinsing the bubbly shampoo out of her hair. Disappointed the fragrance was gone, she watched the remains swirl like a tornado down the drain between her toes.

Suddenly, she saw a figure approaching the shower through the frosted glass.

"H-hey! Don't come any closer!" Usagi protested, covering herself.

"Relax, Bun Head. I'm just putting the towel right here so you don't have to walk across the bathroom and get the floor wet. I don't want you to slip."

"I'm sure that's what you're doing," Usagi said sarcastically, turning away. From behind the blurry glass, she could still make out Seiya and she was certain Seiya could make out her.

There was no reply and she wondered if she'd left. She squinted against the glass door, unable to tell.

"Seiya? Are you still in here?"

"Yes." Her voice was farther away. She was on the other side of the room, sitting on the ledge of the bathtub.

"I...don't want to leave you," Seiya admitted quietly, as if reading her mind. There was a sensitive edge in her voice. She paused. "Is that...okay? I'll go if it bothers you."

"No, it's okay. I don't mind, I guess..."

"Thank you."

Usagi finished rinsing off and turned the water off. The room went quiet, aside from the grumbling of distant thunder. "Just don't try to steal a peek when I get my towel," she warned.

Seiya chuckled. "I won't."

"Promise to close your eyes?"

"I promise."

Usagi hesitated, not sure if she believed her. Her fingers curled around the cool, slick handle of the shower door, but she couldn't bring herself to slide it open. She never would have walked out in front of Mamoru like that, even if the towel was right outside the door.

"Hey, I've gotta shower next. If you're gonna stand in there all day, I'll have to get in there with you."

Usagi squeezed her eyes shut, face reddening at the mere thought of that. "Yeah, well, maybe some other time," she muttered sarcastically. Her hand immediately flew to her mouth. Oh no - I didn't just say that out loud, did I?

"Oh really? I'll hold you to that, Bun Head," Seiya mused playfully.

I did.

Feeling rejuvenated after her shower and changed into a fresh pair of pajamas, Usagi waited on Seiya's bed while she showered.

She heard the Starlight's voice coming from the bathroom. Usagi smiled, realizing Seiya did sing in the shower.

"The sparkling light falls down to Earth

You catch it in your palms, the colors burst

From this moment on, fate is here in our hands

The power within us I know, together we can"

To her surprise, it wasn't a Three Lights song, or even one of her own, but the song that Yaten and Minako had sung together at the party. Hearing the upbeat melody brought back memories of that dreamy night - Seiya singing on the stage in her beautiful blue dress with her hair up in a high ponytail, meeting her siblings, their dancing lessons, and kissing outside under the firefly lights, slow music, and glittering stars. It had been an unforgettable night - in both good and bad ways.

I just wish we could have watched the fireworks together...

Trying not to let herself get depressed again, Usagi started pacing while she waited. She fiddled with the lacy sleeves of her nightgown as she circled the bedroom, listening to Seiya's smooth voice.

I bet Yaten will be sad and maybe angry I didn't bring Minako with me. I feel bad now for being so selfish. I was only thinking of me when I left from the park. I didn't even go to Princess Kakyuu when I got here. Oh, I hope they all understand.

Five minutes later, Seiya walked out in a pair of pajama shorts and a baggy t-shirt. Her hair was undone, wet strands tumbling around her shoulders in natural curls to the small of her back.

She took Usagi's hand, she held it reassuringly, and said, "Let's do this."

"So there you have it, the whole story." Usagi sat back and exhaled, surprised that it actually was possible to get tired from talking too much.

From start to finish, Kakyuu, Taiki, and Yaten were now fully aware of the entire Chibi-Usa situation, including why they'd left the night of the party and why she'd returned, alone, now. Usagi waited anxiously for their reactions, rolling the hem of her nightie between her fingers, letting the three of them process all the information. They had listened politely and quietly for the most part.

The way Taiki tilted her head to the side and how her violet eyes looked her over made Usagi wonder if she was seeing her in a new light.

"I had no idea you had a daughter," she said slowly, vaguely. "This whole time..."

"Wow..." Yaten's gaze kept going between Seiya and Usagi like a swinging pendulum. It was clear she couldn't believe the news either. Maybe Seiya was imagining it, but was that a look of pity in her green eyes? Maybe some of Minako had rubbed off on her, she looked empathetic.

Usagi shifted on the sofa. Seiya sat beside her, holding her hand. They hadn't let go in the past half hour of explaining.

Everyone was gathered in one of the many private rooms belonging to Princess Kakyuu. It was a small, yet exquisite space, consisting of vintage furniture, tall bookshelves, and burning candles. If it wasn't for the growling storm outside, Usagi would relax in the peaceful atmosphere.

It was the kind of place she'd want to curl up on the couch with a mug of hot chocolate and the latest edition of the Sailor V manga.

"This must be incredibly hard for you, Sailor Moon," Kakyuu murmured into her hand. She sat across from them, seated comfortably between Taiki and Yaten.

"It is," Usagi admitted into her lap. "But I won't give up! I refuse to lose Seiya or Chibi-Usa. They both mean the world to me. I love them..." She gave a longing look to her lover.

Seiya's cheeks tinted pink at her honest confession. She wasn't used to the Princess knowing about their relationship, even though she had caught them kissing under the gazebo during the party. It was even more awkward because everyone in the palace and capitol assumed Seiya was in love with Kakyuu. It was true she loved her Princess, just as Taiki and Yaten did, but she wasn't in love with her. There was only one girl she'd ever experienced that kind of feeling with, and she was sitting right beside her. Having their relationship out in the open felt new and different.

"Very well," Kakyuu said. "But I'm afraid it looks like the answer will not be an easy one, as you know."

Usagi nodded solemnly.

The red-haired princess leaned forward and took Seiya's free hand - the one that wasn't interlaced with Usagi's - and held it softly in her own.

"Fighter... I know how much you care about this girl. I promise to do everything I can in my power to make this situation turn in everyone's favor. I'm here for both of you. I would like you to know that."

"Princess..." Seiya could see her reflection in Kakyuu's orange, made-up eyes. Not too long ago, she'd had a talk with her. Kakyuu had gently convinced her that it'd be best to let go of Usagi. Seiya had agreed, as painful as it had been. Of course, neither one of them had expected Sailor Moon to show up the next day on Kinmoku and flip that decision on its head.

And now, here she was looking at her with such an honest, pure, expression and telling her that she supported their decision. That she supported them as a couple. By the way Kakyuu spoke, her voice light yet firm, Seiya knew she meant every word.

Seiya cleared her throat. "Thank you."

Kakyuu offered a warm smile and pulled back, their hands coming undone. She turned her gaze to Usagi, who met her eyes with a grateful smile.

Taiki leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees and folding her hands under her chin. "If you two are serious about this, do you have any idea how we're going to solve this dilemma? Sitting around here talking won't do us any good. We don't know how much time we have."

Usagi shook her head dully. "No," she admitted in a quivering voice. Everyone could hear the strain when she spoke, and knew she was fighting back tears.

Taiki nodded, not pressing any farther. Her lips pursed together tightly, eyes falling to the floor in thought.

"I don't know what to do, and back home they don't know either. That's why I came here. I don't know, maybe I shouldn't have, but Seiya's here and I just-"

"Why don't we just go to the future?" Yaten interrupted.

"...What?"

"Can't you go to the future again? Just bring this girl back to the present and keep her safe here. Problem solved."

Usagi shook her head. "Even if Chibi-Usa was in the present, she's still affected by our decisions."

"How do you know that?" Yaten questioned.

"She started to disappear one time when Nehelania captured Mamo. The future started to change and she faded like she is now because Mamo and I weren't together. It won't work."

"A time paradox," Taiki stated to herself.

Seiya turned to her. "Who's Nehelania?"

"Oh. Never mind..." Usagi forgot the Starlights knew nothing about the enemies they'd dealt with before Galaxia. It was hard enough trying to explain how she'd known about Chibi-Usa in the first place and she hadn't even dove into many details about the Black Moon.

She wondered if Kinmoku had ever encountered other dark forces before too. Someday, she'd have to sit down and tell the story from the beginning. There was a lot she wanted to tell Seiya about, and there was many things about the Starlight that still remained a mystery to her. She was positive Seiya would love to hear how she'd become a guardian, and Usagi herself was curious how she'd become a Sailor Starlight too.

But for now, those stories would have to wait.

"It sucks you had to know about this Chibi-Usa kid before she happened," Yaten commented, "or else there wouldn't be a problem."

Usagi squeezed Seiya's hand harder. Yaten's words were true, but it hurt to hear them. Still, no matter what, she would never regret meeting Chibi-Usa before she should have.

She'd never realized how much she loved the pink-haired brat until she was on the verge of losing her forever. If she vanished, where would that leave Helios and their future? What would Diana do without her owner? Her friends Momoko and Kyuusuke would miss her too. Or would they have no memory of her at all?

Usagi's heart rate increased at the thought that maybe she would have no memories of Chibi-Usa if she never came to be. No, I don't think it works that way. Anway, if it does, I remember her right now, so she's still a part of the 30th century, right?

"Uh, Bun Head..." Seiya whispered.

"Huh?" Usagi saw her grimacing expression and realized she was gripping onto Seiya's hand so tightly her knuckles were going white. "Oh, sorry." She immediately let go, watching as Seiya flexed her fingers, trying to get the circulation going again.

Kaboom!

"Ah!" Usagi squealed. Her hands flew to her ears.

The clouds churned ominously as the wind lashed out, violently whipping the trees side to side. With a crack, the gray cotton ball clouds burst open, plummeting heavy rain to the ground. Through the windows of the candlelit room, scraggly veins of lightning forked down through the dark sky.

KA-BOW! The thunderclap shook the palace, rattling the glass trinkets on the shelves of the bookcases. Clatter. Clatter.

Usagi swallowed back a whimper and scooted closer to Seiya on the sofa. The Starlight wrapped one arm around her and held her close.

"I think we should finish talking about this tomorrow," Seiya said over the noise. "There's nowhere we can go with this storm anyways."

"I agree," Taiki said, standing up and pressing her rectangular glasses to her nose.

Kakyuu nodded and rose to her feet, her glittering evening gown swooshing around her ankles. She eyed the moon princess wearily, a sorrowful expression.

"Please do not worry yourself too much, Sailor Moon," Kakyuu said softly in her fragile voice. "We'll think of something."

"Thank you, Princess Kakyuu. For everything."

Her pretty eyes turned up to her lead protector. "Fighter, keep her safe."

"Of course," Seiya responded.

Yaten stood up and stretched her arms behind her head. "I think we should go back to Earth."

Grrrumble! The room vibrated and everyone fell quiet. A vivid flash of light cast shadows on Yaten's pretty face, accenting the impatience she was wearing.

The Starlights and Princess hadn't been to Earth since they'd left on the rooftop a year ago. That itself would be nerve-racking. Usagi wasn't sure how the others would react if she brought them back with her. Angry? Disappointed? Relieved? But there was one thing she knew for sure - where ever she'd go, Seiya would come with her. She couldn't bear being parted from her again.

"We shall think about it tomorrow," Kakyuu spoke at last, noting Usagi's unsure expression. "Right now, let's just get a good night's rest, Healer."

"Sounds like a plan to me." Seiya lead Usagi to the door, the rest of them following.

Taiki added, "In the meantime, I'm going to do some deep research. Dig up everything I can about space-time that could possibly help."

"Thank you so much, Taiki," Usagi told her.

Flash - BOOM! Even in the long corridors outside the room, the world was shaking, slamming the door shut behind them. Even Seiya jumped in surprise.

"It sure is storming out there," Taiki commented.

"Yeah, it is," Usagi said meekly, gripping Seiya's arm tighter.

Kakyuu turned to the four of them. "Fighter, Healer, Maker, Sailor Moon... I wish you all a good night."

"Thank you, Princess," Seiya said with a polite nod. Taiki and Yaten did the same. Usagi smiled gratefully, acknowledging Kakyuu's warm hand on her shoulder. With that, the red-haired royalty turned and walked gracefully away.

Taiki looked at the couple for a second, as if she wanted to say something, but couldn't find the words. It was a strange for her, because as a poet, words were her specialty and came easily. But now, standing there before them, she couldn't find her tongue to produce even one. She gave a nod and headed towards the palace library.

"Come on, Bun Head. We can go now."

"Okay, Seiya."

Yaten grumbled something incoherent, spun on her heels, and started off in the direction of her own bedroom.

Usagi bit her lip, watching the shortest Starlight storm off. The flickers of lightning flashing through the windows, and the thunderous quakes trembling the walls told her to stay close to Seiya. The warmth of her skin, the rosy fragrance from freshly shampooed hair, and her low voice telling her everything was going to be okay, all bound her to her spot.

But ignoring her instinct, she eased out of Seiya's comfortable embrace.

"Bun Head? What's wrong?"

Usagi watched as Yaten disappeared. Hesitating for a second, Usagi finally turned back with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry, Seiya, you go on ahead without me. I'll be there in a little bit."

"Are you sure?"

Usagi nodded and looked back at the bedroom where Yaten had entered. Worried, she took a step away and started down the hall. "I think I need to talk to her by myself."