~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 49: Let Her Go
"Could you pass the syrup, Rei?" said Usagi.
The priestess nodded, her mouth full of scrambled eggs, and handed the bottle of maple syrup to her friend.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Everyone was gathered around the rectangular table in the palace's dining room for breakfast. It was noon before everyone had woken up and wandered out with grumbling stomachs, but Chibi-Usa insisted on having pancakes for lunch, so breakfast it was.
Everybody was seated in their usual spots; Kakyuu at the head, surrounded by Taiki, Yaten, and Seiya. Usagi usually sat next to Seiya, but this morning Chibi Chibi was between them, with Chibi-Usa on Usagi's other side. Diana was perched on her owner's shoulder. Next to Chibi-Usa was Hotaru, then Setsuna and Mamoru. Haruka and Michiru were on the opposite end, the furthest away. Across the table were Ami, Makoto, Rei, and finally Minako, who was beside her girlfriend as well.
Usagi drizzled the sweet liquid over her stack of flapjacks, passing it back to Rei when she was finished.
"You sure seem to be in a good mood this morning, Rei," she chirped. Usually by this point Rei would have jabbed at her about how much food she was eating. But all through breakfast she hadn't uttered a single mean comment. In fact, Usagi had even heard her humming to herself, a song called "Flame Sniper".
"Oh yeah? Do you have a problem with that, Usagi?"
"Of course not," she said quickly. "I'm glad. You should act this way more often, Rei. I like it."
Rei lowered her chin. "Ha! Don't count on it. I'm only being nice 'cause you went through so much yesterday, I figured you could use a break."
It was half true. The real reason for Rei's high spirits was because she'd finally confessed to Minako. She was no longer tied down with the burden of carrying those repressed feelings around anymore. Sure it still stung knowing she couldn't have Minako for herself, but she'd be lying if that kiss didn't make her crave more, but nonetheless, she felt free. All she ever wanted was for her best friend to be happy, and she knew Yaten was the only person who could do that for her. Rei had accepted that graciously.
"Well, either way, I'm glad you're in a good mood." Usagi shoveled in a forkful of buttermilk pancakes.
"Good mood," Chibi Chibi echoed. She nibbled tiny bites from the chocolate doughnut in her hand.
"That's right, Chibi Chibi," Usagi said, patting the toddler's strawberry-colored hair.
Chibi Chibi giggled appreciatively, waving her little hands wildly in the air. The doughnut slipped out of her fingers and soared through the air. Over the pitcher of juice and across the plate of toast, to the other side of the table... Splat!
Yaten blinked. Her mouth popped open as the pastry slid down the side of her face. It landed on the table with a plop.
Usagi gasped and Seiya burst out laughing. Taiki slapped her hand over her face, sniggering into her palm. Even Kakyuu bit back a smile. Everyone else was speechless.
"Chibi Chibi!" Chibi Chibi squealed delightfully, giggling and pointing at the silver-haired Starlight across from her.
"Not funny." Yaten reached for a cloth napkin and wiped the chocolate frosting off her cheek. The corner of her lip edged up a bit, and it was apparent even she was fighting a smile.
"Chibi Chibi, that's...not...nice." Usagi tried to scold her, but laughter crept into her voice.
"Nice throw," Chibi-Usa snickered. "She should join the softball team when she's older!"
"Takes after Seiya," Usagi joked.
"Hey! You say that like it's a bad thing, Bun Head!"
Meanwhile, Minako turned to her girlfriend beside her. "Missed a spot," she cooed, motioning to her face.
"I did? Where?" Yaten whipped out a compact mirror from her pocket and examined her face. She fluffed her bangs and trailed her fingertips down her cheek, scanning for any imperfections.
"Only kidding," Minako teased. "You look perfect."
Yaten smiled bashfully before cutting her gaze away. She took a quick sip of juice so she didn't have to reply. She knew she was blushing and hated it.
Taiki set down her silverware and cleared her throat. "So, Seiya, what did you want to talk to us about? You said you had a proposition of some sort...?"
"Er..." Seiya nervously glanced around the table. She hadn't run the idea of moving to Earth by Taiki and Yaten yet, though she was planning to later that day. But she'd rather drop the bomb to them alone than in front of everyone.
"It's not that important, we can talk about it later," Seiya said, avoiding Kakyuu's eyes.
"Anything you have to say, you can say it in front of us," Haruka deadpanned.
Seiya winced. She had a point.
Usagi licked her lips and poked the remains of her pancakes around on her plate. She could sense how uncomfortable Seiya had become, and it was making her nervous too.
"Well..." Seiya stalled. "I was just thinking about the future. You know, what we should do from here on out..."
Taiki nodded, encouragingly.
"Obviously, they can't stay on our planet forever." Seiya motioned to the others, more specifically the outer guardians. "They belong on Earth, and it goes without saying they'll have to return soon."
Yaten raised a brow. "What are you getting at, Seiya?"
"I-I was just thinking, well, that Bun Head doesn't belong here either, you know? She has a duty to protect her own planet. It wouldn't be right for her to stay here."
There was a loaded pause as everyone let the reality sink in.
"So where does that leave us?" Minako murmured. Her eyes flitted to Yaten. The thought of being separated again made her nauseous.
Ami shifted uncomfortably. Taiki folded and unfolded her hands.
"The only thing I can think of..." Seiya held her breath. "...is maybe we should go back to Earth with them."
"You mean permanently," Taiki finished. It wasn't a question.
Seiya held her breath. "Yes."
"Have you lost your mind?" Yaten pushed her chair back and slammed her hands down on the table, rattling the silverware. "How can you say that, Seiya? In front of the Princess?"
Everyone was shocked. Seiya had thought that because of Minako, Yaten would be eager to leave. Seiya opened her mouth, trying to find her voice. "Yaten, just hear me out-"
But Yaten wasn't listening. "Our Princess is our life! Our purpose is to protect her! The only reason we even went to Earth was to find her. We can't just abandon her like that! What's wrong with you?"
Seiya's cheeks burned. "That's not what I meant! I know that as much as you do! But things have changed now. We need to look into other options."
"Other options my ass!" Tears sprang to Yaten's eyes. "I know how much you want to be with Usagi - believe me, I understand that feeling too." Her gaze flicked to Minako for a brief second. "But it's our duty as guardians to protect our Princess. And duty comes before love!"
And with that, it was quiet. The only sound was Yaten's breathing as she'd gotten herself worked up. A palpable tension rippled through the room.
"She's right, you know," Taiki said quietly.
Seiya squeezed her eyes shut, her stomach suddenly feeling upset. What was I thinking? I should have known this would happen. Of course Yaten wouldn't want to leave the Princess. She's the most loyal to her out of any of us - she always has been that way. Maybe this was a bad idea after all...
"Princess," Seiya said to Kakyuu. "Please understand! I didn't mean to disregard you in any way. I was just throwing something out there. Yaten's absolutely right. We would never abandon you! I didn't mean for it to come out like that."
Kakyuu's features softened. She reached over and took Seiya's hand gently.
"Fighter..." she said in a voice like butter. "I understand how you must feel. Do not be upset with yourself for having these conflicted thoughts. I know you love Sailor Moon dearly and I have seen you prove that time and time again. And you do have a valid point, things have changed. We will have to find a way to approach this situation delicately. I had made the decision long ago that I would not hold you three back."
"What do you mean by that, Princess?" Taiki asked.
"Starlights, I wish for you to understand something important. You three are sacred, wandering stars. And that is to whom you belong; the stars. I am indeed your princess, but it is not in my desire to keep you three bound to this planet forever if that's not what you desire."
"But Princess," Yaten cried. "We belong here with you! We were chosen to be your guardians, and that's why we've lived at the palace all these years - to protect you! If we go, that leaves you defenseless!"
"I almost find that insulting, Healer," Kakyuu said, her eyes smiling. "But I am very capable of protecting myself. Need I remind you, I am a sailor guardian too."
"You are?" Usagi blurted. She quickly pinched her lips shut and shrank back in her chair, feeling embarrassed for interrupting them.
Kakyuu nodded. "Yes. I am just like you, Sailor Moon," she said.
Usagi's insides felt shiny and glowing. Just like...me? If anything, Kakyuu seemed more like a princess than she did. To be compared to such elegance was a compliment. But to think that they were both sailor guardians allowed them to connect on the same level. Maybe we have more in common than I thought.
Seiya shook her head. "Even so, that alone isn't enough. The four of us couldn't take on Galaxia before she destroyed our planet. What if something like that were to happen again? You couldn't defeat it yourself, Princess, even with your incredible power."
"Fighter... This planet has seen nothing but peace after the war with Sailor Galaxia. I have no doubts that there are more malevolent forces out there, but for the time being, we are indeed safe." Kakyuu gave Seiya's hand a squeeze. "And who is to say that you three are my only guardians?"
"W-what?" Seiya sputtered. "I don't understand. You mean there's...more?"
"No way..." Yaten felt hot, then cold. "That's not true."
A weird smile swam across Kakyuu's face. Seiya's stomach flip-flopped. She glanced around the table and saw ten sailor guardians and Tuxedo Mask, all with one duty; to safeguard their princess; Sailor Moon. If Usagi had that many guardians to protect her, couldn't Kakyuu? Who was to say the others hadn't been awoken yet? The three Sailor Starlights may only have been the beginning.
"I have always known this time would come, and I am fully prepared for it." Kakyuu raised her head, pausing for a moment. Her tangerine-colored eyes glittered with warmth. "Fighter... Healer... Maker... You three are to leave this planet for Earth."
Seiya's heart was pounding so hard she could feel it in her fingertips. "You want us to go?" she asked, almost hurt.
Kakyuu smiled sadly. "Yes, I do."
"Princess..." Taiki breathed. A lonely feeling swept through her.
Yaten's face scrunched up as tears began to cascade down her cheeks. She took a step away from her chair and knelt before Kakyuu. "Y-you don't have to do this, Princess. You don't have to do this for us."
Kakyuu's heart melted. She leaned over and took Yaten's dainty hand, raising it to her face and kissing it softly.
"But I do, Healer. I could see the misery in all of your eyes this past year. And when Sailor Moon arrived on our planet and I saw how overjoyed my precious Starlights were, I knew it right then what had to be done. I love you all and because of that, I knew I would have to let you go someday. And now that time has come."
"P-princess..." Yaten wept. Teardrops dribbled off her chin and onto Kakyuu's hand. She didn't even care how emotional she was being in front of everyone. The sadness overshadowed all else. Princess Kakyuu was her everything, and although Minako was the one she loved, it was still a huge sacrifice to be made in exchange.
"I love you too, Princess," Yaten whispered to the floor. She took a deep breath, wishing she would never forget the fragrance of sweet osmanthus blossoms that Kakyuu always smelled of. "I wish...I wish it didn't have to be this way."
"The same here," Kakyuu said gently, stroking Yaten's hair. The tresses felt like silk between her fingers.
Seiya watched their exchange, feeling like she'd swallowed a stone. Like Yaten, she didn't want to leave Kakyuu either. She didn't know which was worse; entrusting her princess to the hands of future guardians or leaving her altogether. Over the years they'd come to see their princess more than just as a friend, but like family; as a sister. Saying goodbye would be heartbreaking, but Seiya knew it was what had to be done. Her future with Usagi awaited them. Earth was waiting for her. For all of them.
"I won't ever be able to express how I feel in words," Seiya said finally, her voice choking up. "But thank you, Princess. For everything."
"Fighter..."
"We won't ever forget you," Taiki added. "If you are ever in danger, or need us for anything at all, do not hesitate to call for us. We'll be there. Always."
"Maker..." Now Kakyuu was holding back tears. "Visit often, alright?"
"We promise," Seiya answered, her voice wavering. There was a prickly sensation in the back of her throat and she knew she was about to cry, too.
Usagi noticed how badly Seiya's fingers were shaking so she rested her hand over the Starlight's. Seiya turned and sent her lover a grateful smile and Usagi saw her eyes were moist.
"So this is it," Rei said quietly to herself. "The Starlights are really coming home with us."
"It's strange, isn't it?" Makoto agreed.
"Yippee," Haruka muttered.
Setsuna cleared her throat. She spoke in a voice so quiet, everyone thought they were imagining it at first. "Please forgive me for interrupting, but I feel the need to inform you all of something that may be of use in this situation."
"Oh," Kakyuu said. "Then, please, if you will..."
"Thank you. I am not certain how to go about explaining this, but I shall do my best making it as concise as possible."
Haruka and Michiru exchanged bewildered glances. What was this about?
All eyes on her, Setsuna continued. "I was recalling the time of the Silver Millennium just now. I remembered how I had created a special door in the Moon Kingdom's castle, under Princess Serenity's wishes. This passageway was used between she and Endymion for instantaneous travel between the Moon and the Earth. It was quite useful, if I do say so myself. Granted, I still obtain these powers today. If desired, I could construct a transportation door here at the palace that connects Earth to Kinmoku."
"Really?" Yaten scrambled to her feet, a tiny candle of hope burning inside her. "That's possible?"
Mamoru nodded. "It is. I recall using the passageway many times in my previous life. It would be much faster than teleporting, allowing you to travel quickly between planets for emergencies or even just leisure visits without expending any energy."
Everybody exchanged glances.
"We could see the Princess and our families when we wish, and still live on Earth with everyone else," Taiki said. "It's brilliant."
"Truly the best of both worlds!" Ami beamed.
"You...you would do that for us?" Seiya asked skeptically. This was above and beyond. If Setsuna was serious, then Seiya couldn't help but forgive them for everything. And then some.
Setsuna looked confused. "Of course," she said. "I could have it completed today if you would like."
Seiya was speechless. "Oh, wow! I-I don't know what to say..."
"Huh, maybe a simple 'thank you'?" Haruka said, a splash of sarcasm in her voice.
Seiya exhaled for a moment, swallowing down a retort. She then smiled down the table at the outer guardians.
"Thanks," she said. "This really means a lot to us and the Princess."
Haruka was taken aback. At first she thought the Starlight was mocking her, then she realized Seiya was being serious. The butch crossed her arms and sat back in her chair. "Yeah, well, whatever. You're welcome, I suppose," she muttered under her breath, looking the other direction. Michiru chuckled silently at her lover's flustered reaction.
"Isn't this great, Seiya?" Usagi crowed. "It's like our homes won't be trillions of miles away anymore! We can come back here and go shopping or visit the ocean and pick rozamokus whenever we want!"
Seiya was grinning ear to ear. "It sure is, Bun Head!" She was so happy she wanted to kiss her right there in front of everybody.
"Bun Head!" Chibi Chibi parroted, a giggle leaking out. "Chibi Chibi Bun Head!"
"Got that right, squirt." Seiya scooped her out of her chair and set her in her lap, bouncing the toddler on one knee. She pried the sprinkled doughnut out of Chibi Chibi's fingers when she wasn't looking, not wanting to take any chances. "We're gonna go home soon, are you excited, Chibi Chibi? You, me, Bun Head, and Chibi-Bun Head."
Chibi-Usa rolled her eyes. "I'm telling you for the thousandth time, my name's Usagi!"
They all laughed. Chibi-Usa's annoyed look melted into a grin, too. She was just giving Seiya a hard time. She wouldn't admit it, but she liked having a special nickname from the Starlight like Usagi did. In a way, it was like saying Seiya had accepted her. Now all she had to do was find a way to let Seiya know she was accepted.
"Alright, then I get to give you a nickname too," Chibi-Usa declared.
"Oh, really? Whataya got in mind?"
Chibi-Usa scratched her chin. "Well, um... I was thinking something like... Er... Let's see..."
Seiya patted one of her pink, cone-shaped buns. "You think about it, 'kay? Let me know when you got something interesting." Seiya winked so only she saw.
Chibi-Usa brightened. "Alright! I'll come up with the most ridiculous name ever! Just you wait, Seiya!"
Seiya grinned. "I'm looking forward to it."