A holiday fic/ epilogue for all of you who have read Better Off Alone, or even if you have not. A peace offering to those who disliked the ending in chapter 14. *spreads hands in front, bearing epilogue* See?
With thoughts not exactly suitable to the end of the day, the day being December the 23, Usagi grumbled and shut down her computer. Many thoughts were running through her head, and very few of them were along the lines of "Best wishes for the holidays". She was tired, stressed, and was starting to absolutely hate the holiday season.
Normally, this blonde haired, blue-eyed woman, called an angel by some, was a cheerful person, always ready with a smile. However, her well of happiness was near dry from all of the complaints she was currently handling daily.
"Why did I choose Marketing for a job? Why didn't I become a hermit or something?" she asked herself, sighing. She loved working with computers, a like that had struck her only after leaving Japan ten years ago, permanently. She loved to fiddle around with them, creating shortcuts, and building new programs just for the fun of it. But as soon as she had chosen it for her career, the shine began to dim. "You'd think, with everything I do for this world, a decent boss would at least be part of the repayment?" she grumbled, pushing away from her desk.
Usagi, along with Michiru, Haruka and Hota-chan, had stayed in the United States, choosing to build their own lives, away from Crystal Tokyo. Endymion had pleaded his eternal love, but Usagi was fond of the quote "Once bitten, twice shy." The dark Earth prince had not seemed to understand, and the two of them had not parted on very good terms.
Nonetheless, her senshi had respected her decision, though they visited whenever their duties permitted them. Usagi had often wondered why Crystal Tokyo was progressing so well without her, knowing that it was not conceit that fueled that question. But one day Sailor Pluto had had enough of her constant questions and had explained it to her, away from the other senshis.
"Usagi-hime, the future you saw no longer exists. It was only a possibility, and it was a danger that the Pluto you met had to take, bringing you to that future. So, the one you are now living is different, and perhaps that is why you are not required to run the world. You have made your preference abundantly clear, repeating often that you are not going to go to Tokyo. I believe that has finally sunk in, but perhaps you were not so against it as you believed, if you are having second thoughts.
"You are not married to Endymion, you have no child called Chibi-Usa, and you have a blank slate to create your own future from. Take the chance, my princess. It does not come often." Pluto had then given her princess a hug, and in her mysterious way, had said that everything would be alright.
"And it is not often that Pluto-san gives us certainties." Usagi rubbed the bridge of her nose gently, trying to massage away the headache that had formed there hours past. She gathered all the work she would need to work on over her two week holiday, and grabbed her coat.
"What's this?" she asked the air, seeing something red in pocket. She pulled it out to see a beautiful red rose, with a small card attached. She read, and a bright smile broke out on her previously pained face.
She held the rose to her nose, sighed again, this time in happiness, at the wonderful scent. The card said only "Happy Holidays, from a loving friend."
As she pulled on her coat, her mind rapidly ran through all the possible people who could have left it for her. She wasn't sure how they had put it in her jacket without her noticing, but she wanted to find out.
Arriving back at the large house she shared with her three friends, Usagi was disappointed to find it empty. "Ah right," she said, dropping her bag off in her room, "they had to return to their posts for a few days."
Such was the only downside to living with the three outer senshis. They often left for days, or weeks at a time to return to their posts in the outer solar system, though they assured Usagi that they did not feel any danger, merely as a precaution.
She put the rose in water, and went to the living room, depressed at being all alone for the holidays. She knew that many of her friends didn't celebrate Christmas, seeing as many of them choose to remain loyal to their gods from the Silver Millennium, most of the American city she lived in did, and she was feeling alone.
She was just thinking about heading to bed, a few hours later, after having eaten some soup that was left in the fridge, when the doorbell rang. Usagi got up, wondering who could possibly be coming to see her. A delivery man stood there, looking hassled. She assumed it was from the holiday rush, so she accepted the parcel he held out for her, signed her name, and wished him a happy holiday.
The package was addressed to her, and when she took off the brown wrapping paper, she saw that it was a Christmas gift, wrapped in festive paper. She shook it gently, her childhood love of presents still strong. When she heard nothing, she forced herself to put it under the tree Hotaru had forced them to buy and decorate, among the other gifts there.
When among the Romans, do as the Romans do.
She woke up the next morning, certain she had had a wonderful dream, yet unable to recall it. Shrugging it off, Usagi got up and dressed, heading downstairs to the kitchen. There was another rose waiting for her, and Usagi was beginning to suspect magic in its placement. She knew for a fact that noone could get into the mansion without her knowing, and she had not felt anyone come even near the house since the delivery man had come.
Sending a silent thank-you to whoever sent it, she put it with the first rose, and set the vase on the table. She prepared a breakfast for herself, and ate it in silence, lost in her thoughts. She was at a loss to what to do with her time. she cleaned up her mess, something new for her, and turned on her computer at home, not quite sure why. After working with computers nearly everyday, she got sick of them sometimes.
She checked her e-mail, happy to see some messages that weren't junk mail. Ami had e-mailed her again, and Usagi was surprised to see that Ami had sent her an invitation to a holiday party in Tokyo.
She was about to decline again, like every other time, but she stopped herself. She had nothing better to do...
'How true. At least I'll be able to see everyone. On the other hand, Endymion will be there.' She stopped, chin in hands, thinking along the same loop, when a voice chimed in her head. "We think you should go, Usa-chan."
"Zoicite!" she cried, happy to hear from her friend. "How are you all doing?" she asked, sending the question back telepathically.
"We're doing just fine, Usa. What about you? Sounds like you've been overworking yourself again." This time it was Jedaeite who replied, and Usagi could pretty much see his grin of welcome.
"Of course not. I just like working, is all. Will you four be there?" she asked, switching back to the topic of the party.
"Yeah, of course. His highness needs his bodyguards, remember?" Nephrite's sarcastic voice chimed in.
Usagi grinned. "How could I?" she exclaimed, her voice coloured with her amusement. "I suppose, if my friends are there, I may as well show up?"
Receiving vehement affirmatives, she smiled, and told the four generals she would be there. Suddenly, she was much more excited about the holiday season.
The holiday party was set for Christmas day, in the evening, and Usagi was startled to be reminded that it was Christmas Eve. She realized she would need to book a flight, and groaned at the thought of the long plane ride ahead. And gifts!
Realizing that a shopping trip was very much in order, Usagi grabbed her purse, called a taxi, and left, telling herself she would pack something later.
"Ami-tachi!" Usagi cried out, seeing her friends grouped together, as she entered the small hall that was decorated quite festively. The four inner senshis waved her over, startled to see her but happy nonetheless. Apparently Zoicite had forgotten to pass on her message.
"Usagi-chan! How are you? It's great to see you again!" Minako asked brightly, hugging her friend tightly. The others crowded around, giving similar wishes to the former Moon Princess.
Usagi smiled and reassured them that she was fine, and that none of them needed to come to the US and protect. She wondered if her friends would ever change. She loved them dearly, but even as they ruled the planet, they also were apart from it. In the distance.
The four earth Generals spotted her, making their way over, leaving behind an Endymion that had been told very firmly to stay where he was. It seemed that even half-way across the world her friends would always know her mind.
Her evening was enjoyable, in the fact that she got to see her friends, but Usagi was used to doing something more productive, and couldn't help but be bored out of her mind. She accepted dances from many men, and she smiled and made small talk, but she could see that she was no longer used to this kind of life. It was as if the age of ball gowns and formal parties was back.
But that was a lifetime ago for Usagi, and she was glad that it was. Well, Puu, looks like you were right. Again.
A hand dropped on her arm, and she was startled to see a very familiar set of dark eyes facing her. Demando was dressed impeccably, but it was nothing like his princely get-up. He smiled, and Usagi controlled herself from the reaction that smile could give anyone. Why did he have been dark? Why was I stuck with Endymion? She wondered idly, smiling slightly.
"May I have this dance?" Demando asked formally, but his dark eyes were glinting with humour. Usagi didn't know why this former Dark Prince would be here, in Crystal Tokyo, but she would enjoy his company.
He offered her a red rose, as perfect as the first two she had received, and she started to wonder. Would he still have his magic? She thought, searching for what Luna had told her long ago about reincarnation. Though, with someone like him, she wouldn't be sure if the normal rules would apply. Dying for love did strange things to a person, sometimes.
A little bit of Usagi/Demando, because there isn't enough of it. n.n
Ha!
That's all you're going to get.
If it doesn't satisfy you, too bad.
Make up your own interpretation of what happens after. Thank-you once again to all the wonderful
reviewers. Hugs to you all!
(and to the reviewer who asked when thanksgiving is, it's the second Monday of
October, at least here in Canada. Not sure
about other places.)