~Wavering Destiny~
by Strawberry Moon Rose

Bet you thought I gave up on this story, didn't you guys? Nope! I just took a break for a while, to recharge my creative batteries. But I'm back! :D

Enjoy :)

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

Chapter 48: Winds of Change

"Seiya!" Usagi giggled, her words muffled behind the taste of Seiya's lips. "We really...need...to go to bed!"

A smiled tugged at the corner of Seiya's mouth. "I can't help it," she breathed between kisses. "I'm just...so...happy!"

Usagi gently pushed Seiya's body off her and sat up on the couch. They'd been kissing for so long, she'd lost track of time. The sky was the color of blackberries and the stars twinkled like glitter thrown in the air. Morning would rise soon.

"Please, Bun Head, just a little more," Seiya begged, kissing her neck. Her hands pressed against her back, inviting her closer.

A shy smile spread across the blonde's face. She turned her head to the side as Seiya blew ticklish air into her ear.

"You're being so silly, Seiya..." she murmured. "You're acting like this is the last time we'll ever be with each other, when it's the complete opposite."

"Exactly. That's why we should celebrate, don't you think?" Seiya's fingers circled the top button of Usagi's flannel pj's. Her other hand slid up the moon princess's thigh. "Just think about it, Bun Head, there's nothing keeping us apart any longer. Chibi-Bun Head's safe. We're safe. It's finally over, isn't it?"

Usagi nibbled on her bottom lip. "Yes, but... Well, there's a lot we have to think about yet..."

"Like what?"

"Like what're we going to do about Chibi Chibi? Should we keep her here in the present or send her back to the future where she belongs?" Usagi shifted nervously. "She's technically not supposed to be born for a while yet, you know? I mean...I don't know when, obviously, but a couple years from now at least, right? Or something like that... You- you know what I mean!" Usagi ducked her head.

Red appeared on Seiya's cheeks. She coughed and looked away. "Yeah, um, well, I don't mind having her around. I'm more than willing to take care of her if that's what you mean. We did before, didn't we?"

"Yeah. It's just, I've been in this position before, finding out I have a daughter, but you haven't. I wanted to make sure you were okay with it. I mean, it all happened so suddenly..."

"Of course I'm okay with it, why wouldn't I be? Sure I'm still shocked, and a little nervous..." Seiya blew out a breath of air. "Okay, a lot nervous," she admitted. "And the whole idea of being a parent is nerve-racking, but I think we'll do just fine. We make a great team, Bun Head."

"We do."

Seiya caressed the side of Usagi's face. "So you've got nothing to worry about. I'll always be here for you, no matter what. I promise."

"Thank you, Seiya. You're way too good to me..." Usagi rested her head on the Starlight's shoulder. She drank in Seiya's soothing fragrance. They fell into a comfortable silence, and just held each other for a while, waching the start of the sunrise out the bedroom window.

"Where are we going to live from now on, Seiya?" Usagi whispered into her bluish hair. "On Kinmoku? Or Earth...?"

Seiya's stomach squeezed. She paused and cleared her throat. "I'd like to come back to Earth with you," she offered.

Usagi pinched her lips together. "I don't want you to give up your home for me, Seiya," she said, a serious look settling over her features.

"Same goes for you."

Usagi opened her mouth, but clamped it shut. Her posture sagged. What were they supposed to do? Sure she liked Kinmoku, it was a beautiful planet, very similar to Earth, and she wouldn't mind living there forever if she could be with Seiya. But she knew instantly in her heart that she'd miss her family and friends way too much to just leave them behind for good. Naru, Umino, her parents, even her brother, Shingo. Making trips back home all the time to see them would be exhausting, even for her. But sacrifices had to be made when it came to love, and for Seiya, Usagi would do almost anything.

Seiya noticed her expression. "Bun Head, please don't torture yourself. I'm confident in my decision."

"Huh?"

"I'm coming back to Earth with you," she declared. Seiya's eyes glittered as she took her hand. "Let's raise Chibi Chibi and Chibi Bun Head there together, okay?"

The way Seiya said it made her insides tingle. Usagi's heart slipped up to her throat. "Are...are you sure?" she said in a wobbly voice. "That's a big decision..."

"I am."

By the way Seiya spoke, she knew the Starlight was serious. Tears sprang to Usagi's eyes. She cast her gaze downwards. "But... But what about your friends here? And your family?"

"Yaten and Taiki would come with of course."

Usagi shook her head. "That's not what I meant..."

"They are my family, Bun Head. I've always thought of them that way, even though we aren't related. As long as I'm with them, I'll be just fine."

"But...what about your brother and sister? And your mother and father? Won't you miss them?"

"Of course I'll miss Kallen and Misaki... But with duties here at the palace, I've never been able to see them much anyways." She rolled her sleeves up. "And as for my parents, I've been independent for so long, I don't really mind. They're always busy, so they won't care."

"Are you sure about that, Seiya? Living on Earth is different than living here at the palace. It's a lot farther away," Usagi pointed out. "I can't imagine that not bothering them."

"They didn't even bother coming to the party, Bun Head. Trust me, it's not a big deal at all."

Usagi was quiet. She shifted her weight. For just how long had the three Starlights been living here at the palace? How long had they been sailor guardians for? Something told her that Seiya had been training much longer than she had, and Usagi had only been fourteen when she first discovered her powers. Is that why the Starlights were so incredibly devoted to their duties and princess? Because that's what they've always known their whole lives and not much else? Even their own families?

A pang of guilt rang through her stomach. Usagi lowered her eyes to her lap. She hadn't realize how easy her life had been before. Back home, they didn't have regular duties or training. They weren't always in battle uniform and on their toes. In fact, she and her friends mostly hung out like normal teenagers, reading manga, doing homework, and playing video games, only transforming when a bad guy occasionally appeared.

It didn't surprise her all that much, but it was something to think about. Seiya pretty much did what Seiya wanted, regardless. She'd always acted on her own, even back then. Now it made sense why. It also explained Yaten's inability to trust many people and Taiki's standoffish attitude. If sailor duties were all she thought about, she might end up that way too.

"I just..." Usagi closed her eyes. "I don't want to put you through any more pain, Seiya. If you're truly okay with leaving Kinmoku, then I won't argue. But if there's any part of you, no matter how small, that wants to stay here, please don't ignore it. We can figure something else out. You don't have to be the one to give up everything for me."

Seiya hugged Usagi close, wrapping her arms around the smaller girl's petite frame. "What're you talking about, Bun Head? You are my life now. I'd go to the ends of the universe for you."

"Seiya..."

"And need I remind you that I like your planet. It's always felt like a second home to me. But I don't care where we're at, as long as I'm with you. That's all that matters to me."

Usagi's mouth curled in a bashful smile. She kissed Seiya's cheek in response, before snuggling close to her on the couch.

"My thoughts exactly," she murmured.

Seiya tightened her arms around Usagi in a hug and closed her eyes. So this was it. She was confident Yaten and Taiki would agree with the decision too. It was time to move forward and this was how.

Questions swam around in her head like fish. Where would they live? What would Usagi's family think of her? Would people still recognize her from the Three Lights? Should the three of them reprise their roles as idols? Even if they did, there was no way she was using her powers to disguise herself as a man again. It was too uncomfortable. She knew Taiki didn't mind it, but Yaten would never go for it again. It'd been hard enough trying to talk her into it the first time around. They would have to cross dress if they decided to do music professionally again.

But out of the endless questions popping up in her brain, there was one problem that rose above all that Seiya kept coming back to.

Princess Kakyuu.

"I thought I might find you here."

Ami flinched and slammed shut the leather-bound journal in her hands. She snapped her head up, heat burning her cheeks. She felt like she was caught doing something she wasn't supposed to.

Taiki stood before her with two china cups of steaming liquid in her hands and a curious smile playing on her lips. The early morning glow shining in from the window made her chestnut hair glisten. Taiki set the cups down on the mahogany table between them and pulled back a chair. The scraping sound reverberated in the palace's deserted library.

"I thought you would like some tea," Taiki offered.

"Yes, thank you." Ami reached for the cup and took tentative sips. The delicious, leafy aroma wafted around her nose in a moist steam of air. She gazed over the brim at the Starlight, her heart hammering fast.

"Do you always read first thing in the morning?" Taiki raised her cup to her lips. Her amethyst eyes never left Ami.

"Yes, I do. What better way to start the day?"

Chirping of birds sounded through the open window behind them. The sun hadn't risen yet, but by the cloudless indigo sky, it was clear the nasty storm had passed.

"I couldn't fall asleep after everything," Ami admitted. She and Taiki had stuck around the entry room and offered to help clean up a bit, even though the workers insisted they needn't. Ami's back was sore and her body was exhausted, but her brain was wide awake.

"Me neither."

"Mako is in our room and I didn't want to wake her, and I didn't know where else to go, so I came here. I know you said no one else is allowed here except you three... I hope you don't mind..."

"Not at all." Taiki's eyes glided to the journal. "Reading anything interesting?"

Ami blushed. "Yes..."

"May I take a look?"

Ami chewed on her bottom lip. She managed a nod and gently pushed the journal in the Starlight's direction. Her eyes fell to her lap. She realized she was still in her pajamas and suddenly felt a little self-concious.

"Ah," Taiki murmured. "You're reading my poems." She sounded amused, flattered even.

"Yes... I'm sorry I didn't ask permission." Ami tugged on the sleeve of her nightgown. "But I noticed that you added a few since you showed them to me last."

Taiki nodded slowly, leafing through the pages. "That, I have. Experiences inspire poetry and music, you know. Both good and bad, unfortunately."

Ami noticed that most of Taiki's recent poetry was pretty grim. They were all about longing and devastation, and Ami couldn't help but notice by the dates scrawled in the upper corner that they were written around the time she and the others had left Kinmoku. She knew it was conceited, but she wanted to believe the girl Taiki wrote about missing so badly was her.

"Ami," Taiki said gently, resting the journal on the table.

"Yes, Taiki?"

Taiki pursed her lips together. Her expression was impossible to read.

"What is it?" Ami leaned closer.

Taiki studied her tea as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. The birds chirping outside the window suddenly hushed.

"When you all left our planet, we did not know when, if at all, you were returning. Needless to say, it was not easy for any of us. Especially Seiya, but for Yaten and me too."

Ami lowered her eyes. "I understand Setsuna and Mamoru's intentions were good, but I believe there would have been an easier way. It was certainly difficult for a while."

"For Usagi?" Taiki tilted her head to the side. "Or for all of you?"

Ami paused. It felt like there was more behind Taiki's words. "For Usagi especially. She was quite upset," she replied slowly. "Minako didn't take it well, either. Which is to be expected considering her relationship with Yaten..."

"And you? Were you okay with leaving?" Taiki pressed.

They stared at each other for a few long beats. Ami pressed her tongue hard against the roof of her mouth.

"No, of course not," she said finally. "I missed your planet. It's so peaceful here, and the literature is wonderful. Being away was difficult, and I..." Ami tried to take a breath, but her lungs felt cinched tight with a string. Nerves slashed through her chest. "...and I missed you."

Taiki's eyes flicked up to hers. A smile tugged at her mouth. "I missed you too, Ami," she said back.

Ami exhaled, a relieved feeling sweeping through her. Taiki pushed back her chair and slid into the one next to her. When she sat, their knees touched under the table. Butterflies danced in Ami's stomach.

"To be perfectly honest, those poems are about you," Taiki admitted. "I never thought I'd see you again, and I was utterly devastated. Writing is my outlet, and I spent most of my time here in the library when you were gone, praying that we could have more wonderful dances together like we had at the party." She inched closer, her hand crawling towards Ami's. "And when I saw you today, for the first time since then, I realized something important."

Ami's heart quickened. She moved her hand closer to the Starlight's, willing their skin to touch. "And what was that?" she asked nervously.

"I realized that I didn't want to lose you again."

Red traveled from Ami's neck to her cheeks. Her heart felt like it was bound to beat out of her chest.

"That's funny, because I think I felt the same way," she murmured.

Taiki smiled even wider. She touched Ami's hand, resting hers completely over it. Ami was so flustered, she didn't know what to say, so she turned her hand over and gave the Starlight's a gentle squeeze. She meant to give it a little more force, but all her strength had suddenly vanished and her knees felt weak. Taiki's skin was dry, but warm.

"Let's make a toast," Taiki proclaimed, raising her glass.

"Alright." Ami picked up her cup with her free hand, focusing hard so her trembling hand didn't spill the tea over the side. "What shall we toast to?"

"To...us," Taiki declared.

Us. Ami loved the sound of that. And by the look in Taiki's eyes, she knew Taiki did too. Clink.

"To us."

Haruka was awoken by a cool breeze kissing her hair. The world slowly came into view, and for a moment, she'd forgotten where she was.

Blinking off the sleep, she forced herself into an upright position and kicked the hot blankets off her body. The room was bright and she knew it had to be sometime in the late morning.

"Michiru...?" she murmured, turning to find her lover's spot beside her cool and empty. Green eyes flitting up, she spotted Michiru on the other side of the guest room, standing before an open window. The cool ocean breeze tussled her sea-blue hair down her back.

Silently, Haruka padded over to her. The salty air popped on her tongue with each inhale, crisp and delicious. She let the wind flow through her, energizing her mind and body.

"Haruka," Michiru said jovially. She turned in a graceful circle to face the Uranian princess. Her blue eyes were bright.

"What is it?" asked Haruka. She didn't know why Michiru looked so elated, especially after what had happened. Haruka had barely gotten a wink of sleep. She'd kept tossing and turning into the morning, playing everything over and over in her head, trying to decipher how she should feel. Happy because Chibi-Usa was safe? Frustrated because the situation was out of their hands? Relieved because she didn't have to fret over it anymore? Haruka wasn't sure. Her head throbbed and there were dark circles etched under her eyes. Yet here was Michiru, perky and wide awake, not a hair out of place, smiling like she couldn't contain her excitement.

Michiru's eyes fell to the mirror in her hands. The way the sunshine hit the gold rim was blinding, yet beautiful.

"I caught a glimpse of the future," she trilled.

Haruka's heart skipped a beat. "You did?"

Michiru took a step close, her hand lingering on the taller girl's arm. "Yes. Everything's going to be okay," she said, beaming.

"What... What do you mean?"

"The future... It truly is safe. Pluto was right all along. It's different now, with Sailor Moon and Fighter united, but what will become of Crystal Tokyo and our futures will be alright. Isn't that wonderful?"

"Really? Are you sure?"

"Positive."

Haruka ran her hand through her pixie cut, letting air whistle between her teeth.

"I... I don't know how to feel about that," she admitted. "I mean...that girl as our ruler... As our Princess's companion... It just doesn't seem right to me."

"Again with the jealousy..." Michiru fluffed her lover's messy-from-sleep hair. "Don't worry yourself. Believe me, this could have turned out much worse."

"As much as I hate to admit it, you're probably right about that."

"Of course I am." Michiru's features settled into a satisfied expression.

If the future was bright and Chibi-Usa was safe, their interference was no longer needed. Haruka wasn't happy with the way things had turned out by any means, but she was smart enough to know when to give it a rest.

Michiru flipped her flawless hair over her shoulder and sashayed away.

"I'm going out to the ocean for a bit." She tipped her head to the side, knowing she looked best at that angle. "Would you care to join me, Haruka? Perhaps for a swim?" she said in a silky voice.

She knew Michiru was making an attempt to get her mind off of things. Although Haruka couldn't easily accept Setsuna's words when the guardian said the future had corrected itself, she did believe Michiru. And knowing so lifted a heavy weight off her shoulders she hadn't known was there until it was gone.

A soft zephyr eased in from the window, tickling her face and tousling her sandy hair. Haruka closed her eyes, breathing in its salty, relaxing scent.

"Sure," she answered finally, "that sounds nice, Michiru."