** Hello everyone! :) I want to thank all of you who have read my story and found pleasure in doing so. Your reviews have been wonderful to say the least and I appreciate each and every one! I want to apologize for the delay in this next chapter, I have caught up in so many other things lately that I didn't have the time. Hopefully I have not lost all my readers in my being pokey! :) Thank you all once again!! - VelvetStar
Chapter VII
"Shattered Memories"
The steady sound of gentle raindrops…
An intoxicating aroma of fresh roses…
Crying…
Pain…
Rei rapidly blinked her eyes trying to accustom herself to her surrounding. She squinted and peered around the large bedchamber that she happened to be standing in. The room was unrecognizable yet it held a small sense of familiarity that Rei just could not deny.
Red roses graced every inch of the bedroom, from the windowsill near the far wall to the small loveseat that stood just next to where Rei stood. The smell from the beautiful, rich flowers lingered within the air stirring up memories of old. Why did this single flower present such a sense of peace and distinction when it came to the past?
Rei's deep violet eyes flared brightly as they came to rest on the rather large bed that extended from the right wall. There lay the crumbled form of a young woman, her long blonde hair cascading down her shoulders and onto the bed itself. She wore an exquisite dress made of sheer silk, yet its beauty was hidden as it was rumpled beneath her body. The crying came from her. Her tears marked the pain that enveloped the room.
Rei slightly cocked her head. She gazed at the long sun kissed hair to the slender form of the woman's body. The mere sound within the woman's sobbing seemed familiar. Rei's eyes widened in surprise as her mind put two and two together. This was the same woman from the last vision she had, had. The only difference now was that instead of being filled with joy, the young woman appeared to be grieving.
A sudden knock on the bedroom door interrupted Rei's thoughts and she quickly backed up to the wall that stood behind her. Even though she knew that she could not be seen within her visions she still acted upon her instincts regardless.
"Usagi?" A quiet and gentle voice beckoned from the door. There was a brief pause before the handle was turned and the door was slowly pushed open. "Usagi…" The pain within the voice echoed with its words as the person saw the state in which the young woman was in. After another moment another young woman with soft blue eyes gingerly entered the room.
Rei looked upon the woman who had just entered marveling at her short blue hair that shimmered within the soft light of the bedroom. Her eyes held such power and knowledge that one might think of the young woman as cold if it were not for the compassion that underlined them.
The woman atop the bed gently eased herself up coming to sit on the edge of the large bed. The soft pink comforter spread out atop it ruffling as she settled. Even from where Rei stood she could still make out the red puffiness around her vivid blue eyes.
Usagi quickly rubbed her eyes desperately trying to cover up whatever pain she was expressing. Yet she knew it would be no good. Ami had always known how to read her, even now when they saw so little of each other. She grimaced as she tried to imagine how terrible she must look, definitely not fit for a queen.
"Usagi there is no need to hide what you are feeling. What you go through we too experience. That is what makes us so strong, our friendship, our bond." Ami spoke slowly choosing her words carefully. Although she knew her dear friend well the recent times had put a damper on everyone and their usual spirits.
Usagi attempted a smile yet as her lips moved tears began to surface once more. She raised her shaky hands and gracefully tucked her long golden locks behind her ears. Once more Usagi wiped her eyes before casting her gaze downward to the floor. Her shoulders slumped as though she was giving in to defeat.
"Its of no use anymore Ami, we both know this." Usagi's voice trembled as she finally spoke. The heartache that she felt dripped heavily upon each word. "The world is changing and there is nothing I can do to stop it."
"Change has always been apart of our existence Usagi. Some things are meant to happen and some things aren't." Ami replied, the knowledge within her tone sent chills down Usagi's spine. "There are some things that you can not stop."
Usagi lifted her head and gazed steadily into her friend's blue eyes. She absently bit her upper lip contemplating the thoughts that shifted through her head. Perhaps Ami was right, she thought. Perhaps certain changes were necessary to the ways the world would be shaped in the future, yet why did it feel so incredibly painful…and lonely?
"He isn't himself anymore Ami. I can feel it always." Usagi's eyes darkened in recent memories. "From the way he looks at me, to his mere presence…something is wrong…something has changed." Usagi grimaced as she once more said the word changed, it was beginning to become a thing that Usagi dreaded with her life.
Even Ami seemed to grow upset at the statement just spoken. She let out a long laborious sigh as her own mind raced with thoughts of recent events. "I know." She finally admitted, giving in to the dread that had succumbed Usagi nearly a month ago. "There has been a difference in him for quite some time now, and I must admit that it worries me slightly."
Ami paused her eyes darting about the bedchamber. "Yet still the roses come, ever continuing to grace your presence…" Confusion mixed with relief could be heard within Ami's observation. She once more came to rest her eyes upon Usagi, and brought herself over to her side.
Usagi watched as Ami slowly lowered herself down to her knees before her. She watched as her friend bowed slightly in acknowledgment to her royal position. "Ami please don't, I am still the same girl you met that one day back in middle school…no different." Usagi still was not used to being the head of the royal court that ruled over the newly created Crystal Tokyo, she still looked at herself as the same old odango.
"You will get over the newness of everything…it just takes time. Perhaps that is what 'he' is doing as well. There is always a period of adjustment." Ami rose once more and made her way back to the door. "Will you be alright Usagi?" She asked before leaving.
"Somehow…" Usagi replied, the hope within her answer caused Ami's heart to pause slightly as she was racked with the Queen's pain once more. "Thank you Ami…"
Ami slightly bowed once more before exiting the room. Usagi watched as her old friend closed the door before rising from the bed herself. Her long golden hair flowed down the length of her back and just barely touched the floor with its length. The sheer dress that covered her body danced about her heels as it unfolded from its crumpled position.
Rei continued to watch as the young woman glided over to the window at the far back wall. She took notice at how graceful and lovely she appeared. Yet behind that grace and posture Rei could sense a frightened young girl lost in a world that was new and unfamiliar.
The young woman rested a hand upon the glass of the window she came to stand before. Her fingers almost gripped the glass as the rain continued to pour down upon it from the outside. Rei frowned as she recalled everything she had just witnessed and heard. None of it made any sense save for the fact that both woman were strangely familiar even despite her earlier visions. They both held a sense of power…
Rei gasped as a revelation suddenly hit her. She watched as the young woman began to cry once more her tears falling silently to the floor below. It was strange, Rei thought, but it seemed as though the world itself was weeping with her.
Rei slowly moved from her hidden spot up against the wall and quietly walked over to where the young woman still stood crying. She looked at the hand that still gripped the window and marveled at the ring that graced its wedding finger. It was so exquisite and beautiful, yet simple. The small heart at its center shined brightly and Rei wondered if the giver of the ring was the bringer of the pain that seemed to eat away at the young woman who wore it.
"Mamo-chan…" Rei heard the young woman whisper as she slowly withdrew her slender hand and went to lay upon the bed once more. Rei glanced over her shoulder continuing to watch the young woman. Her heart went out to this person even though she did not truly know her at this point in time.
Rei absently raised her own hand to the window and turned to peer outside. Her eyes widened in shock as she beheld what lay out beyond the building she was in. She stumbled backwards slightly as though recoiling in fear.
"This can not be…" Rei spoke aloud for the first time within the vision. Her violet eyes flared brightly as her heart began to race uncontrollably. Her breathing became difficult and she gasped for air. It felt as though a tremendous weight had been placed upon her chest and it burned uncontrollably.
Rei struggled to remain calm, she begged her body to relax and told herself over and over that everything she now saw was just a vision…nothing more.
"Nothing more…nothing more…" Rei spoke aloud to herself as she forced her eyes to close tightly.
"Rei! Wake up Rei…open your eyes!" A voice called out. Rei recognized its warm sound and urged herself to respond. With a start her eyes snapped open and her body flew up. She looked around startled at the fact that she was no longer standing, but sitting. Her violet eyes came to rest upon a familiar face.
"Trystan?" Rei absently asked, her mind still racing. She was sitting before a fire that eagerly raged before her. The night sky sparkled brightly with the light of the stars and the moon glowed ever warmly. She was outside…somewhere with Trystan. Rei blinked a couple times trying to come back to reality and remember what was real. She recalled the Delyerain and the sentinels that had come and attacked. The blood…and the terror of realizing that the enemy was upon her and there was nothing she could do.
Nothing she could do…Rei blinked as a single tear rolled down her face in memory. She had been caught off guard, she could remember that yet nothing more. Her gaze focused once more on Trystan and found that he was watching her with a very worried expression upon his face.
Rei tried to move her body to stand yet screamed as a sharp pain erupted within her chest. Upon instinct she grasped her body where it hurt and shut her eyes. Her breathing became difficult once more and dizziness over took her head.
"You were dreaming…but you are back now." Rei heard Trystan say, although his choice of words particularly 'dreaming' seemed forced. She reopened her eyes and looked down to where her body ached. A dull throbbing had overtaken the once sharp and sudden pain. As she gingerly peered down a shirt that was very much not her own she grimaced as she saw a bloodied bandage wrapped tightly about her chest.
Rei's voice trembled slightly as she still tried to remember what had happened after she had been caught off guard. Yet no matter how hard she tried the memory still eluded her. Her mind still vividly recalled the young blonde woman and bedchamber of roses…
"What has happened to me?" Rei finally asked, her voice sketchy and frightened. She looked up to Trystan and found him still staring at her worried as ever. A frown was permanently etched upon his face as his eyes clouded over in sympathy…and much relief.
Things had been so close to going so terribly wrong…
** Coming Soon: Chapter VIII **
Chapter VII
"Shattered Memories"
The steady sound of gentle raindrops…
An intoxicating aroma of fresh roses…
Crying…
Pain…
Rei rapidly blinked her eyes trying to accustom herself to her surrounding. She squinted and peered around the large bedchamber that she happened to be standing in. The room was unrecognizable yet it held a small sense of familiarity that Rei just could not deny.
Red roses graced every inch of the bedroom, from the windowsill near the far wall to the small loveseat that stood just next to where Rei stood. The smell from the beautiful, rich flowers lingered within the air stirring up memories of old. Why did this single flower present such a sense of peace and distinction when it came to the past?
Rei's deep violet eyes flared brightly as they came to rest on the rather large bed that extended from the right wall. There lay the crumbled form of a young woman, her long blonde hair cascading down her shoulders and onto the bed itself. She wore an exquisite dress made of sheer silk, yet its beauty was hidden as it was rumpled beneath her body. The crying came from her. Her tears marked the pain that enveloped the room.
Rei slightly cocked her head. She gazed at the long sun kissed hair to the slender form of the woman's body. The mere sound within the woman's sobbing seemed familiar. Rei's eyes widened in surprise as her mind put two and two together. This was the same woman from the last vision she had, had. The only difference now was that instead of being filled with joy, the young woman appeared to be grieving.
A sudden knock on the bedroom door interrupted Rei's thoughts and she quickly backed up to the wall that stood behind her. Even though she knew that she could not be seen within her visions she still acted upon her instincts regardless.
"Usagi?" A quiet and gentle voice beckoned from the door. There was a brief pause before the handle was turned and the door was slowly pushed open. "Usagi…" The pain within the voice echoed with its words as the person saw the state in which the young woman was in. After another moment another young woman with soft blue eyes gingerly entered the room.
Rei looked upon the woman who had just entered marveling at her short blue hair that shimmered within the soft light of the bedroom. Her eyes held such power and knowledge that one might think of the young woman as cold if it were not for the compassion that underlined them.
The woman atop the bed gently eased herself up coming to sit on the edge of the large bed. The soft pink comforter spread out atop it ruffling as she settled. Even from where Rei stood she could still make out the red puffiness around her vivid blue eyes.
Usagi quickly rubbed her eyes desperately trying to cover up whatever pain she was expressing. Yet she knew it would be no good. Ami had always known how to read her, even now when they saw so little of each other. She grimaced as she tried to imagine how terrible she must look, definitely not fit for a queen.
"Usagi there is no need to hide what you are feeling. What you go through we too experience. That is what makes us so strong, our friendship, our bond." Ami spoke slowly choosing her words carefully. Although she knew her dear friend well the recent times had put a damper on everyone and their usual spirits.
Usagi attempted a smile yet as her lips moved tears began to surface once more. She raised her shaky hands and gracefully tucked her long golden locks behind her ears. Once more Usagi wiped her eyes before casting her gaze downward to the floor. Her shoulders slumped as though she was giving in to defeat.
"Its of no use anymore Ami, we both know this." Usagi's voice trembled as she finally spoke. The heartache that she felt dripped heavily upon each word. "The world is changing and there is nothing I can do to stop it."
"Change has always been apart of our existence Usagi. Some things are meant to happen and some things aren't." Ami replied, the knowledge within her tone sent chills down Usagi's spine. "There are some things that you can not stop."
Usagi lifted her head and gazed steadily into her friend's blue eyes. She absently bit her upper lip contemplating the thoughts that shifted through her head. Perhaps Ami was right, she thought. Perhaps certain changes were necessary to the ways the world would be shaped in the future, yet why did it feel so incredibly painful…and lonely?
"He isn't himself anymore Ami. I can feel it always." Usagi's eyes darkened in recent memories. "From the way he looks at me, to his mere presence…something is wrong…something has changed." Usagi grimaced as she once more said the word changed, it was beginning to become a thing that Usagi dreaded with her life.
Even Ami seemed to grow upset at the statement just spoken. She let out a long laborious sigh as her own mind raced with thoughts of recent events. "I know." She finally admitted, giving in to the dread that had succumbed Usagi nearly a month ago. "There has been a difference in him for quite some time now, and I must admit that it worries me slightly."
Ami paused her eyes darting about the bedchamber. "Yet still the roses come, ever continuing to grace your presence…" Confusion mixed with relief could be heard within Ami's observation. She once more came to rest her eyes upon Usagi, and brought herself over to her side.
Usagi watched as Ami slowly lowered herself down to her knees before her. She watched as her friend bowed slightly in acknowledgment to her royal position. "Ami please don't, I am still the same girl you met that one day back in middle school…no different." Usagi still was not used to being the head of the royal court that ruled over the newly created Crystal Tokyo, she still looked at herself as the same old odango.
"You will get over the newness of everything…it just takes time. Perhaps that is what 'he' is doing as well. There is always a period of adjustment." Ami rose once more and made her way back to the door. "Will you be alright Usagi?" She asked before leaving.
"Somehow…" Usagi replied, the hope within her answer caused Ami's heart to pause slightly as she was racked with the Queen's pain once more. "Thank you Ami…"
Ami slightly bowed once more before exiting the room. Usagi watched as her old friend closed the door before rising from the bed herself. Her long golden hair flowed down the length of her back and just barely touched the floor with its length. The sheer dress that covered her body danced about her heels as it unfolded from its crumpled position.
Rei continued to watch as the young woman glided over to the window at the far back wall. She took notice at how graceful and lovely she appeared. Yet behind that grace and posture Rei could sense a frightened young girl lost in a world that was new and unfamiliar.
The young woman rested a hand upon the glass of the window she came to stand before. Her fingers almost gripped the glass as the rain continued to pour down upon it from the outside. Rei frowned as she recalled everything she had just witnessed and heard. None of it made any sense save for the fact that both woman were strangely familiar even despite her earlier visions. They both held a sense of power…
Rei gasped as a revelation suddenly hit her. She watched as the young woman began to cry once more her tears falling silently to the floor below. It was strange, Rei thought, but it seemed as though the world itself was weeping with her.
Rei slowly moved from her hidden spot up against the wall and quietly walked over to where the young woman still stood crying. She looked at the hand that still gripped the window and marveled at the ring that graced its wedding finger. It was so exquisite and beautiful, yet simple. The small heart at its center shined brightly and Rei wondered if the giver of the ring was the bringer of the pain that seemed to eat away at the young woman who wore it.
"Mamo-chan…" Rei heard the young woman whisper as she slowly withdrew her slender hand and went to lay upon the bed once more. Rei glanced over her shoulder continuing to watch the young woman. Her heart went out to this person even though she did not truly know her at this point in time.
Rei absently raised her own hand to the window and turned to peer outside. Her eyes widened in shock as she beheld what lay out beyond the building she was in. She stumbled backwards slightly as though recoiling in fear.
"This can not be…" Rei spoke aloud for the first time within the vision. Her violet eyes flared brightly as her heart began to race uncontrollably. Her breathing became difficult and she gasped for air. It felt as though a tremendous weight had been placed upon her chest and it burned uncontrollably.
Rei struggled to remain calm, she begged her body to relax and told herself over and over that everything she now saw was just a vision…nothing more.
"Nothing more…nothing more…" Rei spoke aloud to herself as she forced her eyes to close tightly.
"Rei! Wake up Rei…open your eyes!" A voice called out. Rei recognized its warm sound and urged herself to respond. With a start her eyes snapped open and her body flew up. She looked around startled at the fact that she was no longer standing, but sitting. Her violet eyes came to rest upon a familiar face.
"Trystan?" Rei absently asked, her mind still racing. She was sitting before a fire that eagerly raged before her. The night sky sparkled brightly with the light of the stars and the moon glowed ever warmly. She was outside…somewhere with Trystan. Rei blinked a couple times trying to come back to reality and remember what was real. She recalled the Delyerain and the sentinels that had come and attacked. The blood…and the terror of realizing that the enemy was upon her and there was nothing she could do.
Nothing she could do…Rei blinked as a single tear rolled down her face in memory. She had been caught off guard, she could remember that yet nothing more. Her gaze focused once more on Trystan and found that he was watching her with a very worried expression upon his face.
Rei tried to move her body to stand yet screamed as a sharp pain erupted within her chest. Upon instinct she grasped her body where it hurt and shut her eyes. Her breathing became difficult once more and dizziness over took her head.
"You were dreaming…but you are back now." Rei heard Trystan say, although his choice of words particularly 'dreaming' seemed forced. She reopened her eyes and looked down to where her body ached. A dull throbbing had overtaken the once sharp and sudden pain. As she gingerly peered down a shirt that was very much not her own she grimaced as she saw a bloodied bandage wrapped tightly about her chest.
Rei's voice trembled slightly as she still tried to remember what had happened after she had been caught off guard. Yet no matter how hard she tried the memory still eluded her. Her mind still vividly recalled the young blonde woman and bedchamber of roses…
"What has happened to me?" Rei finally asked, her voice sketchy and frightened. She looked up to Trystan and found him still staring at her worried as ever. A frown was permanently etched upon his face as his eyes clouded over in sympathy…and much relief.
Things had been so close to going so terribly wrong…
** Coming Soon: Chapter VIII **