Title:  Because of You

Author:  Cheska

E-mail Address:  Minnashime@aol.com

Rating:  PG or PG-13

Chapter:  20

Disclaimer:  *is seen reading a book while holding a stuffed animal in her arms* 

Cheska:  *blinks and looks up*  *sighs as she rubs her temples and then stands up from her sitting position*  I don't own Sailor Moon or Gundam Wing, although I do wish to work for a great company like theirs someday!  ^_^

*starts to go back to reading when she realizes the time and jumps up and races off*

Author's Notes:  *runs puffing into the room, skidding to a stop*

Cheska:  *breathes in and out as she tries to catch a breath* Whoo… almost forgot that I had to write this new and last chapter of Because of You as a side story to fill in little details here and there from that diary/journal Usagi wrote.  *grins but fails when she sees the readers' glare*  Uh… ha ha ha… *gulps*

Well, here you go!  *starts typing away*

~.~.~.~.~

  Darkness and haziness clouded the young teenager's mind; all the blond could see was emptiness.  She felt nothing at all except for clouded confusion…where was she?  How'd she get here, she could hardly remember who she was or where she came from…and from that knowledge she desperately clung to those few precious memories that she had left before she lost them. 

  "Who are you?" a voice suddenly asked out of thin air.

  Whipping her head about, her crystalline blue eyes tried in vain to see who had spoken only to find nothing.

  "I am…"

  "Quickly, child…or else you may soon find yourself lost within this empty hole that we call eternity…" the voice urged her on.

  "Why must I… escape this place when I can hardly remember anything about me…?"

  "Try to remember why you are here in the first place while not forgetting who you are, my dear, if you can't you'll soon know why you must escape.  This place we call eternity is an empty shell…an empty hole where only silence eats away at us.  It has been centuries since I found someone to speak to…centuries…" the voice whispered in a cracked voice.

  "Centuries…of silence?  Who are you and why should you decide to try and help me?"

  "I grow weary, yes, of loneliness…but I wish none of it upon thee… you are but a young child with extraordinary powers and great skills that could help mankind…therefore…I should swallow up my own selfishness to aide thee…I have been here for centuries on end with no food or water yet I still exist…I have no clue who I am or what I look like nor how old I once was or am still…I don't have a body anymore seeing as it has been centuries…I suppose that it died and left me with nothing but my voice…and my soul…I am a spirit, you see…of this realm" the voice told her.

  "A spirit…"

  "So child, try and remember who you are before you turn into what I am and forever be lonely…"

  "Who I am…" she whispered as she closed her eyes and held her hands into a prayer stance as her hair whipped about in the darkness and surrounded her naked body as if clothing her. 

  As her eyes closed, her thoughts whirled about her inside her mind and as she thought deeper within her self, her moon insignia flashed brightly in the darkness and enveloped her in a warm embrace.

  "I remember…"

  "And who are you, my child, so I may remember thee…?"

  "I am…Tsukino Usagi of this time…Princess Serenity of the olden times…and Neo Queen Serenity of the Future…" Usagi told her before the bright radiance of light overtook her body and disappeared from the area that had her trapped only moments ago.

~.~.~.~.~

  Gray haziness clouded Usagi's mind, her whole body was numb and her eyes didn't focus too well.  Where was she?  She remembered who she was now and everything else…except for what had happened in the satellite.  She recalled her heart hurting so much as she talked to her inner self…wishing that none of the war was happening and asking for guidance from her mother…all she received was silence.  So she did what she had to do and used the Silver Crystal, but what happened after that?

  Placing a hand to her heart, unconsciously, Usagi tried to remember but received only emptiness. 

  (I can't…remember…demo…everything is a jumble right now…so hazy…so distant…) Usagi said to herself and raised her head away from the muddy ground she stood in.

  As her head rose from her downcast position to stare straight ahead, she noticed that it was slightly raining with the clouds gray over head with only a small hint of the sun shining through.  Inside herself, she knew that the rain will be over soon.  Licking her slightly dry lips, her senses started to clear away although only a little.  Clenching her fists as she tried to test out her body and found out that she could now move from her standing position but dared not move yet until she was fully capable.  However, as she clenched her fist she noticed that she held something in her hand, moving her head to the side she noticed that held an umbrella…when did she receive the object?  When did she even leave her house…was she at a colony now?  Shaking her head out of confusion, she decided to study her current whereabouts and gazed around some more.  In front of her was a tombstone and she noticed that there was an inscription there; as she stood in her position she knew that she was capable of reading it from where she was.

Here lies Motoki Furuhata a young man with a bright mind and great courage as he risked his life for the good of Earth and the colonies.  A son to his parents, a brother to his sister, a friend to his comrades, and a man in love to his beloved.

  Finishing the last words, something hurt within her heart and she clenched her umbrella tighter as her shoulders sagged as well as her head. 

  (It can't be true…no…Motoki…why?  You were at the war and fighting?  I didn't even get to see you…nor did I see your peaceful face in your coffin…or see it lowered into your graveyard…how long have you been dead?  Did it hurt, Motoki?  Were you sad or alone?  I'm sorry that I couldn't save you at your time or crisis like I have before as Sailor Moon.  You must know now, who I am…right?  That I am the heroine who has saved you so long ago…Oh Motoki…if only…) Usagi thought to herself as her other hand rose up toward her heart as she felt it breaking.

  A small sigh left her lips but it wouldn't be heard as the wind chose to grow strong at that time.  Her blond tresses whipped in back of her, away from her face and her grip on the umbrella slightly relaxed but still held it firmly in hand.  Looking away from the dreary tombstone that only resurfaced old memories, she noticed another life form nearby…it was…someone she knew…a person…a man that meant a lot to her…but why didn't she remember?

  His face appeared sad and lonely, pain and sorrow mixed with pent up emotions of agony.  It was as if he had lost everything in the whole world that meant most to him.

  Another pain stabbed at her heart from what she now saw and something within her told her to go forward and comfort him from his pain…if only for today.

  Struggling within herself, she searched deep within her mind and then it opened up her past memories to her.  She stood there for a long time and everything appeared to have grown hazy around her…she felt herself falling…

  "Mamo…" Usagi whispered as deep feelings of regret and lost swelled inside her from her past recollections as she remembered who he was and what he meant to her.

  As Mamoru turned his head away from the sky to stare at her, astonishment as well as tenderness…so many feelings swirled inside of him.

  She felt hot tears inside her eyes but felt compelled to not wipe it from her eyes but instead to just try and keep inside of her, hoping that he won't see.

  Seeing his ocean blue eyes meet up with hers, she knew that he felt the same as he did, knew that both of them held the same sorrow and pain…knew that they lost someone dear to them.

  "Mamo…"she called out his name again before feeling herself caught up with emotion and ran for his open arms.

  On her way there, she could feel heat radiate from the sky above and felt no raindrops fall from overhead.  Just as she came toward Mamoru and felt herself envelope by his embrace she noticed that she held no umbrella but didn't care as her emotions were lost to her and just gave way to it.  Today would be a day of mourning and she had someone to share it with…if only for today…  From thereon in, she knew that she could release the tears that she had kept at bay and so she cried.  And as she cried, Mamoru's arms held her for support and held her tighter…his way of telling her that it was all right and that he understood…

  "Shh…it's all right now…" Mamoru whispered over and over again.

  Drying her tears, she felt better and much more relieved earlier on.  Pushing back, Usagi gazed up at Mamoru's ocean blue eyes which held tenderness and love as well as care.  He offered a small smile, although, she knew deep down inside that he only put up a façade for her.

  "You don't have to act; I know that you want to mourn as well…"

  "I'll mourn later, Usako…for now…you need me…"

  "No…" Usagi shook her head and he cocked his head to his side, not really understanding.

  "We need each other," Usagi finished and he smiled over at her before wrapping his arms around her.

  "I'm happy that you're alive…"

  (I'm…alive…yes…)Usagi whispered inside her before falling into darkness as her lids grew heavy.

~.~.~.~

  Waking up, she noticed that she was in a warm bed and felt something that radiated warmth next to her.  Suddenly growing aware that she wasn't outside anymore but inside a place, she sat upright and gazed around and felt the tension lessen as she slid back down.  To her side was Luna, her guardian cat, and that she at home…safe and sound…sighing…a small smile appeared on her face before settling back asleep.

  But, although, she was content she noticed that something lay amiss beside this great contentment and what had offered itself to her.  She knew that something else bothered her, but…she couldn't quite remember what it was.

  (What is this?  Why can't I remember everything anymore…I just did when I was at the graveyard…so…ahh…I remember everything again…)Usagi recalled as sadness swept over her.

  "Duo…"

  Flashes of memories danced before her as she saw his Gundam burst into a heating blaze of explosion and recalled his sorrow as she declined his offer.

  "Motoki…"

  Seeing his last smile when she visited the arcade, his laughter as she told him her encounter of a failed test and running away from her mother before she could shout at her, his eyes twinkling with happiness at seeing her content, and his love as she saw him with his girlfriend.  She also recalled all those times when her friends would visit the place and try to flirt with him…they knew now that he had a girlfriend…but they went anyway just for the fun of it. 

  At all these recollections, she smiled but it dimmed when she saw the most recent thing appear before her…the grave…the tombstone…the inscriptions.

  Shutting her eyes, she willed it to go away but couldn't and her shoulders sagged as fresh new tears came pouring out and she hugged her legs as she sobbed; crying for two of her friends that she had lost.

~.~.~.~.~

  "Usagi?" her mother's call stirred her up from her position.  She groggily opened up her eyes and saw Luna's dark eyes peer over at her.

  "Usagi…your mother is calling you," Luna mewed.

  "Hai, I heard her…"Usagi dejectedly nodded as she rose up.

  "I didn't know you were back…" Luna stated as she hopped off the bed.

  "Apparently, okaa-san does," Usagi grinned slightly but it fell away from her face.

  "Motoki…" Usagi whispered out his name, her eyes growing misty.

  "I guess you heard…"

  "Yes, well…not exactly heard…but saw…I appeared over at his graveyard and saw his name written down…" Usagi sighed and went downstairs to see what her mother wanted.

  As she left the last steps of the staircase and turned around the corner toward the kitchen, she saw her whole family there sitting around the kitchen.

  "Usagi!" her okaa-san cried out as she immediately threw her arms around her daughter's shoulders and cried in relief.

  "I heard your voice from upstairs okaa-san…didn't you call me?" Usagi whispered in her ear.

  With her mother's act the rest of the members followed along and hugged her with all their strength as they finally had Usagi back home with them.

  "I didn't know you returned…I just called out your name in front of your door before going downstairs…I never really dared go inside your room in fear that I'll break down and cry all over again…worrying about whether you were alive or not…hurt or just fine…and I see that you're quite all right…Usagi…" Tsukino Ikuko smiled as she released her daughter and stared at her face.

  "I am…I really am…" Usagi grinned and hugged her.

  (They really do care about me…if only…okaa-san…could remember and then…maybe then…we'll be at peace with each other…demo…) Usagi trailed off in her thought as she hugged her adoptive mother tighter, wanting this moment to last.

~.~.~.~.~

  Hours passed as Usagi relayed to her family about her adventure with the exception of mentioning her secret to them about being Sailor Moon and a princess of the past…other than that she revealed to them about meeting up with her birth mother and her childhood friend, Duo.  She cast aside the mention of using the crystal and of Duo being a Gundam Pilot.

  "Duo?  What does he look like?" Tsukino Ikuko wondered, at the mention of his name she frowned in thought…as if she heard that name from somewhere before.

  "Hai, Usagi; that name does sound familiar…" her father nodded in agreement while Shingo cast wary glances at his parents.

  "Well…he's taller than me with long dark brown braided hair and shining indigo blue eyes.

  "Hmmm… that does sound like a good description to me…and familiar too," her father murmured.

  "He…does?" Usagi gulped down a sudden fear rise out from her.

  "Now, now…dear…I'm sure we can discuss this later…Usagi is telling us her tales…" her mother pushed the newly arisen topic aside as Usagi continued on with her tale.

  She told about her adventure of being at the satellite station but instead of revealing that she was that golden maiden who had wings, she just said that she couldn't recall much but she had managed to survive the explosion and found a way home…although most of the trip home is a bit hazy.

  "So…is there more?" Shingo asked.

  "Nope, that's about it…"

  "Quite a story to tell isn't it, princess?" her father smiled proudly at his daughter.

  Usagi grinned and nodded her head with a beam of a smile on her face.

  "And you've met your birth mother…"Ikuko whispered, her voice growing soft.

  "Demo…okaa-san…she can't remember much about me…her memories of me are gone…I doubt she'll ever know who I am to her…" Usagi protested.

  "Hai…but if her memories resurface…I-we don't know what we'll do…" her mother stated and deep down inside, Usagi knew that she wouldn't know what she'd do in that position as well.

  "Okaa-san…otou-san…in my time at the orphanage I've always wondered what it'd be like to rejoin with my mother and over the years…I had times when I wished I had a mother and a father who would care for me and love as well as cherish me…then…I came to you guys and you've given me that love…and I grew to love you as real parents…not foster ones… and when I saw okaa-san…and found out she couldn't remember me anymore… I was sad and wished that'd she'd remember me…so I could feel that love that you feel for me as I feel for you.  So no matter what happens… know that I love you for what you've done for me, because you've treated me as one of your own," Usagi heart fully relayed to them.

  "Oh mesume…" her mother and father whispered and drew her in a hug with Shingo pulled along.

~.~.~.~

  Usagi stepped out of the house with the sun glaring down at her with such warmth as if in greeting to this fine day, for some reason she couldn't help but take a deep breath and a let out a great big smile for all the world to see.  It felt good to be alive.

  Walking off, Usagi took her time and let her eyes gaze at every sight, no matter what happens, she'd remember all of this because the colonies didn't have such life and such clear air to breathe in.  Despite the great technology roaming around there and the realistic view of the sky and the smell of flowers, it was all artificial.  Sure, the flowers planted there were nice and alive as were the trees but there were a lack of them over there; not like here.

  (I almost forgot how wonderful all of this was.)Usagi inwardly sighed as she continued on to her destination.

  After climbing the steps to the shrine, Usagi swept her gaze around the place in search of her friend(s) and finally heard some utters from the building to her right.  With a small smile Usagi crept over there and stood aside from the paper doors, knowing that her shadow would be cast inside if she stood in front of it.  Grinning slyly, Usagi ducked down and pressed her ear to the thin walls.

  "Have you guys heard anything yet?" Minako asked everyone in the room.

  "Well…if it's anything in general…I heard that Unazuki is working at the Crown Arcade still…she took over the business in remembrance of her brother…poor…Motoki…" Makoto whispered.

  "Hai, poor Motoki-kun…" Minako echoed her friend as her voice grew sorrowful.

  "Ano… Mamoru hasn't shown up much these days but when we have he doesn't seem that much sad.  I told him that I felt bad for him since he's lost his best friend in the war…and then mentioned Usagi's…death…but he looked at me as if I was crazy and said…that she wasn't dead…" Makoto stated.

  "Her death must've really affected him… Rei couldn't get a response from the Great Fire…that must mean something…right?" Minako stated.

  "May her soul rest in peace…" Makoto sighed.

  "What do you mean 'may her soul rest in peace'?  I am not dead!" a familiar voice stated as the door opened and a figure walked in the crowded room.

  "Usagi!"

  "Koneko!"

  "Usagi-chan!"

  "Odango Atama!"

  "Odango Atama?!? Rei!!!" Usagi cried out as she plumped down in front of the small serving table and feasted on the rice cakes.

  "Same as always, ne?" grinned Rei and Makoto as everyone watched their princess eat away on the table.

  "Hai…demo…so much has changed…like…Motoki…" Usagi stopped eating and sadness overwhelmed her.

  (And Duo-kun…) Usagi added in her head but dared not speak that word.

  "Hai…" everyone murmured in agreement.

~.~.~.~.~

  Days passed and then school began but everyone appeared more somber over the deaths of those who fought in the war.  However, despite these circumstances everything went on as usual…even though it appeared to be slower than usual. 

  After one autumn school day, Usagi walked off with Naru and Umino towards the Arcade center for an afternoon of fun and food.

  "It's great that you could spend the afternoon with us, Usagi, after all that's happened…" the redhead smiled affectionately.

  "Hai!  High school is quite difficult, ne?  And it isn't everyday that we could be together with all those study sessions that I'm in with the other girls," Usagi agreed.

  "You know, Usagi, you could always have me and Naru help you out in your homework," Umino offered.

  "I know, Umino…demo…you and Naru are a couple now so…I can't possibly disturb you two…" Usagi winked at the blushing couple.

  "Ooh!!  There it is, let's go!" Usagi squealed in delight at the sight of the familiar building and instinctively grabbed a hold of Naru's hand and dragged her along with Umino running from behind.

  "Yum!" commented the blond haired girl as she set down a finished banana split and then stood up from her seat.

  "Where are you going, Usagi-chan?" Naru wondered.

  "Time to use this new stock of energy on some games, of course!  So, if you need me, I'll be over there playing!" Usagi stated as she walked over to the driving game and plopped down on the seat and put in some yen.

  "Usagi…" Naru couldn't help but smile over at her friend and then rise up from her seat but was pulled back down by her boyfriend.

  "Let her be, Naru, despite Usagi's happiness…she's still mourning over the deaths of her friend or friends…" Umino shook his head.

  "How do you know, she could be over them right now..."

  "Don't you see it?  She hurriedly finished up her food, which doesn't seem all that different, but when she ordered it…she avoided looking at the waiter and then while waiting…she may have sounded perky but her eyes didn't stay on ours…her eyes wandered off to the window and gazed outside…now she rushed off to play a game and if you look now, you'll see that her façade appears hard yet distant at the same time…not pure determination…" Umino pointed out these facts.

  "Hai, you're right…" Naru sadly agreed her face had changed to that of sympathy.

  Only a few minutes had passed since Usagi started playing her game over at the Arcade when the bell sounded, signaling that new customers arrived.  She didn't really care since tons of people usually came over here since it was a hotspot in the town for teenagers and kids alike.

  A few minutes more passed by and then a tingling sensation grew up from her spine.  Frowning, her concentration on the screen dwindled and her eyes grew a bit distant as she sensed that someone or maybe more were watching her from behind.  Sighing a bit, she drew her attention from the screen to stare behind her and she was shocked to say the least.

  "You appeared to have lost the game, Usagi-san," Quatre pointed out.

  "You could've won, but your concentration wavered…" Trowa advised.

  "Weak…" Wufei sneered.

  "Hn."

  "What are you guys doing here?" Usagi ignored their comments and rose from her seat.

  "Visiting, what else?  We traced you here and decided to…drop by, although I don't know why…" Wufei grumbled.

  "Ooh!  I could show you all around!" Usagi smiled.

  "It's not needed, Usagi-san…we've been here already and viewed the place before and decided to drop by here when we saw you," Quatre informed her.

  "Someone wants to speak to you," Wufei stated and Hiiro pointed to a corner in the arcade that was hardly used because of the dim lighting where no one really dwells in.

  Usagi's curiosity grew as she nodded and walked off with silent wonderment from her friends who watched her pass them by.

  Slipping in the booth, Usagi realized who it was and a small smile drew up on her face.  The tense feeling she felt moments before melted away with open trust and relaxation filled in.

  "Mesume, I'm glad that we meet up once again." soft, caring tones greeted her.

  Usagi paled slightly and bewilderment filled her face from the first words that left Selene's mouth.

  "How…when…?" Usagi stuttered as confusion raced through her mind.

  "Shhh…it's all right…I remember everything," Selene said as she reached over to Usagi's hand and held it firmly yet lightly.

  "When, though?  Have you always known or what?" Usagi asked.

  "You used the legendary crystal, and I saw you on TV and as I watched you, memories re-opened inside me…" Selene explained.

  "You know about the legendary crystal?" Usagi shook her head in shock.

  "Of course, I am your birth mother in this lifetime with a partial selection of the late Queen Serenity's memories," Selene explained.

  "What of the Queen Serenity that has advised me?"

  "That is my other half, when I-Queen Serenity used the crystal all those years ago I have split myself so that I may watch over you, but it seems that fate has chosen a different path for us…" Selene gave out a wane smile.

  "That she has…"Usagi murmured in agreement.

  "Quatre has been quite generous to me this past time; I have a house over at a newly built colony on the Moon.  If you want, you can come home with me on the Moon where we can catch up…" Selene offered.

  "I'd like to okaa-san…demo…" Usagi trailed off, her eyes becoming sad.

  "I understand, you have a new family now," Selene said.

  "Hai, it's because of that.  I have duties here mostly, as a daughter and a sister; as well as a leader to the scouts and most of my friends are over here…on Earth…" Usagi explained.

  "I completely understand, but I'd still like you to visit me," Selene asked of her.

  "Hai, of course I'll visit!" Usagi cried out and then her eyes glazed over sadly, "what ever happened to otou-san?"

  "He isn't in this lifetime…only you and I…there was no father, you're birth father died centuries ago in a war…"

  "I understand," Usagi raised her downcast face to give her mother a watery smile before she moved out of her seat opposite of her to sit beside Selene and hug her.

  "I'm glad…you understand…and I'm glad…you remember…"

  "I do too…and always know…ashiteru…" Selene whispered.

  "You don't know how long I waited for you to say that…" Usagi whispered and tears fell off…not out of sorrow but out of happiness.

  "It's so weak to see this…" Wufei grunted.

  "*sigh*  Wufei, you could always leave…" Quatre stated.

  "Hn." agreed Hiiro and left while Wufei stayed behind still.

  "I thought you were going to leave," Trowa pressed but Wufei shook his head and mumbled something incoherent.

~.~.~.~

  Hours passed since that meeting and as Usagi shut the door in back of her, she noticed a pink and white bunny with a pink satin collar around its neck perched on top of the bed.

  Usagi gaped at the stuffed animal for a few seconds before she warily approached it and her eyes glowed with happiness as she picked it up and hugged it to her.  Squinting her eyes, old memories opened up as she recalled the first time that Duo gave it to her.

  "Duo…" Usagi croaked out as she sat on the bed and just relived those precious moments.

  As other memories fluttered through her mind, she realized something she has been blind of all this time.

  (All these years…all this time…why have I been so blind?)Usagi shook her head in astonishment.

  Sighing, Usagi noticed that there was a letter nearby the bed and cautiously picked it up and opened it.  There was nothing inside except for a single petal of a red rose and a small piece of paper.

  "Promise…" Usagi read out loud and that was all it said.

  Realization dawned on her as she read that single word and without another thought Usagi gripped the paper and the doll to her as she ran out of the house with a hasty good-bye and rushed out.  Running with all her might, Usagi ran off until she reached the park…deep inside her she knew this is where she must be and from there she saw a tree and under it was the one she was looking for.

  "Mamo-chan…" Usagi whispered out and at her words, the owner of that name turned to smile over at Usagi.

  "Usako…what are you doing here?" Mamoru smiled and Usagi stepped closer to him but didn't reply to his question.

  "A bunny, it looks cute and right for you but where'd you get it?" Mamoru asked.

  "Someone gave it to me, Mamo-chan…" Usagi answered softly as past memories drifted off again.

  "Oh…" Mamoru stepped forward toward her until they were only a foot apart but upon that closeness Usagi took a step back.

  "What's wrong?" Mamoru wondered as confusion filled his mind.

  "A boy gave it to me, Mamo-chan," Usagi answered his question, her eyes falling down on the pink and white bunny.

  "A boy?" Mamoru echoed softly as a gust of wind blew by, ruffling his midnight black hair as well as Usagi's long blond hair.

  "Hai," Usagi whispered.

  "I see…do you love him?" Mamoru whispered in clenched teeth as his gaze fell away from hers.

  "…"

  "Do you love him as much as I love you?" Mamoru continued on.

  "I'm sorry…"

  "What of our destiny and the future, Usako?  We were supposed to be together for all time, and long ago… in the past… Endymion and Serenity were together.  They died for each other…and in this life time, as Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask... they fought together in battles… we were all of those…yet, this happens. I love you, Usako…" Mamoru uttered.

  "And I love you…Mamo-chan…" Usagi whispered with tears cascading down her cheeks.

  "…but you love him, still…don't you?" Mamoru whispered.

  "…"

  "And I know him, don't I?"

  "…hai, you do…"

  "You said you were only friends…and he said it too…but I knew better…" Mamoru stated.

  "I wanted to believe we would only go as far as friendship, Mamo-chan and I knew my duty to you…that we would have this wonderful future together…" Usagi said.

  "I believed that, too…" Mamoru said as he glanced at her before turning around.

  "Pluto always said that the future can always change with the path that we choose and my mother, Selene, told me awhile ago that I control my own life and no one else can…that's what I'm doing Mamo-chan, I'm doing this my own way." Usagi stated.

  "What of our future then?"

  "…I don't know, but this is the present and not the past or the future; just now…"

  "You used to believe in destiny wholeheartedly,"

  "I still do, I believe in fate and destiny still…"

  "So they're telling you to give up a great future of what we could have because a stuffed animal was given to you?" Mamoru whirled around, hate and betrayal apparent in his ocean blue eyes.

  "I was also told that I can do whatever I want if I set my heart on it.  And I was told that if I work hard enough and try hard enough… things that I want to happen may be rewarded to me…Mamo-chan…… that future that we could have may well be my reward…but I don't want it… so here's another one offered to me…a chance to be with someone that I care about…" Usagi defended herself.

  "All this time Usako…have you been whispering your undying love to him?" Mamoru asked in a hushed whisper, his eyes still reflecting off pain.

  "Never…Mamo-chan…I couldn't…I wouldn't…because…I always believed that what I was feeling for him could never outmatch my feelings for you. I believed that those emotions running through me would disappear…because I knew we'd be together…because destiny wanted us to…"

  "But those feelings didn't go away, did they?" Mamoru struggled to keep his voice even as he gazed down upon her and saw that her eyes were willing tears to stop flowing and in her eyes, he knew that his words rang true, "You love him more than me…"

  "Did you tell him you love him recently?"

  "No…" Usagi croaked out, hugging the bunny closer to her.

  "Then how do you know that he loves you back?"

  "He told me…long ago…in the satellite…"

  "And then…?"

  "I didn't respond to him…I couldn't…I wanted to be with you…but…I can't…not anymore…"

  "That's when the explosion happened…and when you used your crystal…that's why…" Mamoru realized and he couldn't stare down at Usagi's face any more.

  "Mamo-chan…"

  "All this time, I've believed we'd be together for always. I love you, Usako…I still do despite this situation, no matter what happens Usako…I'll always be waiting for you…tell me, Usako… do you love him more than me?  You never answered that…" Mamoru whispered out.

  "…hai, I do…" Usagi squeezed her eyes shut, knowing that those words would pain them both…but him most of all.

  "I see…" Mamoru whispered out, his fists clenched and his head downcast.

  "I'm sorry…Mamo…Mamoru…" Usagi pained inside of her, her heart hurting as she said those words.  For such a long time, she always called Mamoru Mamo-chan…and it pained her to call him by another name.

  "…I guess it's the end then…" Mamoru whispered out as he walked away from her.

  Usagi watched his vanishing form as he walked away with his head cast down and then she turned away and ran off as well.  Tears blinded her eyes and her heart hurt so much after what she did, she felt guilty for what she had done but she couldn't stay with him when she loved another. 

  (It hurts so much…so much…demo…I love him…) Usagi cried out in her head and up ahead she saw a walking form in the distance as the form stopped at the bridge.

  "Duo…"  Usagi slowed to a walk, clutching the bunny in her arms and wiping her eyes away but still more tears fell down.

  Hearing his name called out, Duo turned to the speaker and a weak smile appeared on his face.  He hid what he was carrying in back of him as he bowed slightly towards her.

  "Usa…" he grinned.

  Taking a small step forward, Usagi gazed at him with her eyes glistening in happiness and mixed sorrow.

  "You're crying, didn't I always tell you…?" Duo began.

  "I know…but this is just my happy cry…I'm so…happy…" Usagi ran forward and hugged him, burying her face in his chest.

  "What for?"

  "You're alive…alive…all this time…I thought you were dead…"

  "I thought so too…but Lieutenant Noin rescued me before I ran out of oxygen in outer space…the Gundam blew up but I escaped that and drifted around in space for I don't know how long…" Duo explained as he wrapped his arms around her and rubbed her back, trying to bring comfort into her system.

  "You were crying before though…I saw the blood shot eyes; don't think you could hide that…" Duo pointed out as he pushed the blond a little ways from his warmth.

  "I remember when you gave me this bunny…and I knew you gave it to me…I knew you were alive…and then I saw your note…'Promise'…and the red rose petal…"

  "I found out where you lived and sneaked in…left them there and watched from the tree tops…"

  "You were there the whole time?!"

  "Yeah, it was great to see you smile...Usa…bunny…" Duo whispered out the familiar nick names in her ear that made her shiver.

  "Arigatou…" Usagi murmured and then drew out the piece of paper with the flower petal on top; she held it over to him as he gazed with slight curiosity.  Usagi reached over and bid him to open his palm in which he did and from there, she placed the paper with the rose on top on his palm facing up.

  "I'll always remember our promise Duo…but do you also remember that we said we'd always be friends?  And you said that the tree was what held us together…but the tree fell…do you remember?" Usagi asked him.

  "Hai…" Duo's eyes starting to go dark.

  "And you remember our…conversation in the satellite?" Usagi asked, her voice a whisper.

  "Yes…I do…" Duo's tone of voice was a mere whisper.

  "I never did answer your question did I?  If all I could see us as were mere friends…I just turned away from you and when I turned around I saw how sad your eyes were before the hatch closed and you were gone…" Usagi told him.

  "Why are you saying this now?" Duo asked.

  "Because…of our promise…"

  "What of it?"

  "In our pact…it said as long as we were friends…and as long as we were separated we'd find each other again…" Usagi said, her eyes glowing with happiness.

  "I know that…"Duo was still confused but didn't want to press anything else on her, seeing her happy was enough for him to enjoy.

  "Tell me, Duo…do you just still want to be friends after everything?" Usagi softly asked as she stepped toward him.

  "What are you…trying to say…?" Duo appeared shock by her sudden question, his heart pounding.

  "Exactly what I'm trying to say, do you still want to be just friends…I want to know before I answer your question from long ago…" Usagi whispered in his ear.

  "I love you…Usa…I still do…you know that I'm willing to be just a friend…if you still want me to be…but I'll always love you…" Duo uttered; his voice soft and filled with so much emotion.

  "Then I'll answer your question from long ago…" Usagi took a step backward and pressed the bunny close to her as her head went downcast, Duo gazed at her questioningly.

  As Usagi rose up her head so as to meet with his eyes, he knew that it would be a good day today…that all the heartache he felt inside would disappear and mend itself just from the love that radiated from Usagi's eyes.

  "Duo-chan…I don't want to be just friends…I want us to be together because no matter how much I keep telling myself we can't be together…even though I have destiny telling me to be with another…I couldn't help but want to be with you…because I love you…I love you more than I do with Mamo…Mamoru…" Usagi confessed and smiled faintly up at his indigo blue eyes that blazed with so much love and passion.

  "Usa…" Duo swept her up in his arms as Usagi clung onto the stuffed animal in her arms.

  "I guess that means we have to make a new pact now, won't we?" Usagi whispered in his ear as he settled her back down onto the ground.

  "I guess so…" Duo grinned and this time held her in his arms and bent his head for a searing kiss.

  "Promise me that we'll always see each other again no matter what happens in the times to come?" Usagi initiated the question to him after their lips parted from their kiss.

  "No matter what happens, we'll find one another again?" Duo added.

  "Hai…yes," Usagi nodded.

  Duo grinned followed by Usagi's smile of approval.

  "Promise," both said in unison with twinkling eyes of merriment.

  "All that's left is the pinky swear…" Usagi stated.

  "I think we're too old for that…"Duo frowned.

  "You can't be too old for traditions…" Usagi shook her head.

  "I was thinking more of…a sealed deal type of thing…" Duo grinned mischievously.

  "And what did you have in mind?" Usagi teased.

  "Oh…something like…this," Duo said as he captured her lips with his own once more.

The End…

~.~.~.~.~

  There you go, there's that little side story…I was thinking that Duo would meet up with Usagi in her room in that earlier scene where she finds the bunny and he shows up from behind the closet or the bed or something…or the window even…but decided against it…once my fingers met the keyboard on that part… so this is what I ended up with.  So, what do you think?  *twinkling eyes*  *then the twinkling fades as she realizes something*  Oh yeah, sorry for the errors in here, I didn't really proofread it.  *squints eyes in pain and then gets hit with a mallet from behind where a chibi form of Usagi stands* Owies…