Chapter Four: The Chase Ends
Usagi grabbed Link's hand as the two entered the 'Lost Woods'. "Where are we going now?" asked Usagi.
Link smiled softly as he spoke. "Navi told me that an Artic wind blows over Zora's Domain."
Usagi frowned in confusion. "Who's Navi, and what is Zora's domain?" she asked.
Link turned towards her in surprise. "I forgot you're not from around here." He paused. "Navi is my fairy. She is like a guardian that can tell me what my enemies' weaknesses are."
Usagi's lips twitched in excitement. "Oh, Link, a fairy, can I see?" she pleaded.
"Navi, come out and meet Usagi." Link instructed.
The little fairy arose from Link's green cap. Usagi gasped as the delicate fairy flew around her. "Nice to meet you, Usagi." Chimed the musical voice of Navi. Navi turned and resettled back on Link's cap.
Link smiled. "To get to Zora's Domain we have to go back through the 'Lost Woods'."
Usagi sighed wistfully as she gazed at her surroundings. "Link, I'm not sure I want to go home anymore. It's so beautiful here."
Link frowned slightly. "Don't you have anyone that would miss you if you stayed?" he asked gently.
Usagi closed her eyes as she remembered Mamoru. Tiny teardrops trickled down
her cheeks. Usagi sniffled and began to cry.
Link stared at the crying girl for a moment. "What's wrong?" he asked.
Usagi looked at Link through puffy eyes. "I'm remembering what one of my so called friends did to me." She whispered brokenly.
Link gently wiped the tears out of Usagi's eyes. Usagi looked up startled at the same time that Link took a step backwards confused. Link glanced at Usagi's face and flushed slightly as her eyes searched his face in confusion. He was overwhelmed by feelings of protectiveness towards the slip of a girl at his side.
**
Sailor Venus and Sailor Jupiter looked around Hyrule field. "Isn't that Rei and Ami heading west?" asked Sailor Venus.
Sailor Jupiter looked at the two figures in the distance. "Yes, that's them and it appears that they have found Luna, but no Usagi." The two sailors began to run towards their friends.
Rei glanced over her shoulder. "I feel like we're being followed." She stated.
Ami turned around and noticed two silhouettes approaching at a fast pace. "I suggest you both transform." Luna encouraged.
"Mercury Star Power Make Up!" Ami yelled as she held up her transformational pen.
"Mars Star Power Make Up!" screamed Rei as she proudly held her mars pen in the air. Waves of blue and red covered the respective sailors.
Sailor Mercury activated her scanner and whirled around to face their hunters. "It's Sailor Venus and Sailor Jupiter." She told her companions. The three decided to wait for their friends to catch up.
**
Usagi smiled as her and Link emerged out of the 'Lost Woods'. Neither she nor Link let go of each other's hands. Usagi glanced at Link through lowered eyelashes. She idly wondered what kind of life she would have if she stayed in Hyrule.
Usagi sighed softly as she got lost in her thoughts. 'Mamo-chan told me that he doesn't love nor care for me any longer. That he doesn't want something that happened a thousand years ago to control his life anymore.' She thought sadly. She glanced at Link again who was talking to Navi. 'Perhaps I should move on. Mamo-chan not only broke my heart but also completely shattered it. Maybe I should stay with Link.' As Usagi was deep in thought she didn't notice Link and herself leave the Kokiro forest.
Usagi stopped walking and studied Link. Link turned around and noticed Usagi staring at him. "Is something wrong?" he asked.
Usagi blushed as she gathered her courage. "Link, do you like me?" she asked. Link nodded as he stared at her in blank confusion. "Do you think we can be more than friends?" she pleaded softly.
"What do you mean?"
For answer Usagi took a calming breath then raised herself up on her tiptoes. She leaned forward and put her arms around the neck of a startled Link. "This is what I mean." She whispered as she closed her eyes and brought her soft lips to his. Link stiffened in shock for a moment before enfolding Usagi into his embrace and returning her sweet kiss.
The four Sailor Senshi and Luna came to a passage lined with scary-looking trees. They walked around a curve in the path and gasped as they saw Usagi in an odd green outfit passionately kissing a boy wearing a similar outfit. "Usagi-chan?" they asked in disbelief.
Usagi slowly broke her kiss with Link and turned her head towards the Senshi. Her eyes widened in shock. "What are you doing here?" she asked.
Link pushed Usagi behind him and drew his sword. "Who are you, and why are you here?" he demanded.
Usagi gently pushed Link to the side. "Link, these are my friends the Sailor Senshi." She paused. "If they're here that means I can go home." She whispered softly with a trace of sadness.
Link hid the sudden pain in his eyes by studying a leaf on the ground. "That's great." He congratulated in a flat tone. 'Why do I feel like a hole just opened inside of me? I really haven't know her that long and yet... yet I don't think I could stand it if she left. She's important to me. I want her by my side always...'
Usagi frowned slightly and lay one of her slim hands on Link's arm. He looked up and Usagi could see the deep pain in his eyes. She smiled gently and began to speak never taking her eyes off his. "I've decided to stay here with you." She said softly. She watched as disbelief and joy battled in Link's eyes.
Luna glared at the two. "Usagi, you've forgotten your responsibilities. You're Sailor Moon and the Sailor Senshi have went through a lot of trouble to get here so they can take us home."
Usagi took a step backwards towards Link. "I'm staying here. The Sailor Senshi can guard Tokyo."
Luna frowned. "Have you forgotten about the Black Moon?" she demanded.
Usagi winced. "I don't care anymore! I'm staying here where I can be a somewhat normal teenager. I never wanted to be Sailor Moon you forced that role onto me." She paused and pulled her brooch from her pocket and threw it at Luna's feet. "I don't want to be Sailor Moon any longer. Go find someone else's life to ruin." She whispered her eyes full of cold anger.
Link stepped in front of Usagi sword drawn. "Usagi, I want you to play Epona's song." He gently instructed. Usagi nodded and brought out the fairy ocarina. She smiled faintly as she began to play the small instrument. Link smiled as he heard Epona's neigh echo throughout Hyrule.
Seconds later the beautiful red horse galloped into view its white mane and tail streaming behind it in the wind. Epona came to a halt in front of Usagi and Link. Link wrapped one arm around Usagi and quickly sheathed his sword. He grabbed Epona's saddle and swung himself onto the horse pulling Usagi across his lap. He righted a startled Usagi in front of him. "Hang on tight." He whispered. Usagi nodded and leaned back against Link. Epona neighed and began to gallop at the shocked Sailor Senshi.
"Fire Soul!" yelled Sailor Mars. A wall of intense fire leapt in front of Epona.
Link frowned and urged Epona to go faster. The horse snorted in fear but obeyed. Epona gathered herself and jumped over the fiery obstacle. Epona neighed in triumph and Usagi threw her communicator behind her into the fire.
Link grinned. "Epona, take us to Zora's domain." Link instructed. Link wrapped his arm around Usagi as Epona galloped towards Zora's Domain.