A Secret No Longer Masked

by Chibi Pluto

Her father left her in the Silver Millennium, her mother sent her to the future. There she had to start a new life and become Sailor Moon. However, she had to keep secrets from her friends, but little did she know secrets were kept from her. *FINISHED*

15. Epilogue

Author Notes:

Story: A Secret No Longer Masked
Rating: PG
Genre: Action, Drama
Comments: Epilogue! Finally done! Please review.

Character Name Translations:

Usagi~ Serena.
Rei~ Raye.
Naru~ Molly.

Japanese Word Translations:

Arigato~ Thank you.
Gomen~ Sorry.
Baka~ Fool, Silly, Dumb, etc.
Kami~ God, High Spirit.
Minna~ Everyone.
Senshi~ Soldier, Scout.
-chan~ friend (used at the ending of someone's name).

-san~ shows respect (used at the end of someone's name)

E-mail me at marcie@stny.rr.com with comments, suggestions, etc.

Disclaimer: Oh, you mean those funny people who created the characters, etc.? Yeah, kind wish I was them, but they get full credit for creating Bishougi Sailor Moon. However, this story is mine. If you would like to BORROW anything e-mail me. Don't take, it's not nice ;)

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She giggled. She giggled like nothing was wrong. Maybe it was because she didn't know; nothing was wrong for her. She didn't know the secrets of her past. I sighed, she would never remember a memory that would be burnt into my mind forever.

***FLASHBACK***

"Usagi-chan!" I rushed to her side. She didn't look well. Her face was pale. She looked like…like she was…dead!

I rapidly felt for her pulse as I looked for any movement. No movement. No pulse.

"Usagi-chan!" I cried out her name. But it didn't work. Was everything we did in vain? Could she really die? After using her powers?

Pain shot through my heart. I forced her to use her powers. It was my fault. All my fault…

"It's all my fault!" I pounded my fist on the ground.

"Usagi-chan! Usagi-chan!" I set down her wrist and put my hands on her shoulders and shook them.

"Usagi-chan," I whispered. My voice felt tight as a clog of emotion formed in my throat. "Usagi-chan, please…live." I felt a stinging sensation in my eyes.

No! I won't cry. She can't be dead! She's Usagi…she can't die!

We have already seen the future, her future! She can't die! It's not possible!

"Usagi-chan!" I let go of her shoulders. "Usagi-chan!" I screamed. I screamed her name over and over again.

Then, I stopped. I felt a tap on my shoulder, but that wasn't it. That's wasn't what made me stop. Something else happened.

She moved.

I saw her hand move.

Just a little bit.

But I know what is happening!

"Usagi-chan," My eyes bore into her closed ones. "You can do it."

They fluttered!

Her eyes…

They're opening!

Blue.

Stunning blue eyes.

Crystal clear.

Alive.

Alive in everyway.

"Usagi-chan!" I hugged her. I hugged her like I would never let her go. "Usagi-chan!" My tears mixed with her shirt as muffled cries escaped my lips. "I thought…"

Her eyes shined with regret. "I-I'm sorry…I don't know w-who you are."

"Usagi-baka…I-I never thought…that…" I looked at her in the eye. "You would ever leave me."

She smiled. Gently. Sweetly. Innocently.

My Usagi.

She has always been innocent.

Her eyes. Her smile. Her personality. Even her power. It had always shown with the purity of her innocence.

She responded, "I'm really sorry, but I don't know who you are."

She began to stand back up but promptly fell back down.

"Usagi-chan!" I went to catch her but someone else did.

I saw strong arms wrap around her. I looked up and saw the face of the one who helped her.

"Mamoru-san!" I looked at him in surprise. I never saw him here earlier.

"Usako," He murmured. "Are you all right? I was so worr-"

She looked at him strangely. "Usako? Who's that? I'm Usagi." She looked around bewildered. "What's going on?" She tried to get out of Mamoru's hold but he held her close.

"Usako…" He whispered, his voice filled with pain. He looked into her eyes. He wanted to be with her so badly. He wanted her to remember him. I knew he did. Instead, all he got was a confused look and the coldness of a stranger.

I watched him continue to hold her, gazing into her eyes. Usagi. I guess, I can't always be there for you- even to stop you from falling. Is that what Mamoru is there for? Is he the one that is always supposed to be there for you? Even if you don't remember?

You are so strong, but still need so much protection. Not necessarily from the evil, but from yourself.

You put yourself at risk so many times. And for what? For me and the other girls? For Mamoru?

Usagi, you don't understand. We don't care about ourselves, we care about you. Every one of us would gladly sacrifice our lives if it meant you staying alive.

But I know you wouldn't be happy.

Not in a world where we are gone, that's how I knew my plan would work. I knew the pain you would feel at the sight of seeing us murdered right before you.

That's how I knew my plan would work.

Usagi, you are too kind. Too giving. Too beautiful.

But not too happy.

You are never too happy. You never seem happy enough. I know, no matter how bright your smile is, you hold terrible secrets. Secrets that most should never experience in a life time. And yet you have so many because you lived more than one life time. Because your mother gave her life to let you live once more, she took away so much of your happiness even though she thought she was helping you.

The sadness lurked in my eyes as I watched Usagi and Mamoru. They stared into each other's eyes. Mamoru knew the truth. He knew that he couldn't tell her, no matter how painful it was. I watched her look into his eyes. She saw something, she saw his longing. But she didn't know for what. She looked at him questioningly.

I felt another tap on my shoulder. Standing up, I turned around.

"Mako-chan, what is it?" My sullen expression must have given it away.

Makoto looked at me and nodded. Then, she hugged me. Her embrace felt warm. She whispered in my ear, "I know, I know how it feels. Just try to let her forget."

I nodded. My face was still wet. Wet from the tears I had shed. Tears that Usagi would never understand.

And I hope she never does. No matter how painful it is, I hope she never knows. Her past, it is too painful to remember.

Please, kami, for once, just let her forget. Let her be happy. Free of cares. She doesn't have to know who I and the others are, just as long as we know she is happy.

Please. Let her be happy.

***END FLASHBACK***

I twirled the straw in my soda. "Usagi-chan," I sighed. She was so close. Just a few stools away in the arcade we had been in thousand times. Yet she didn't know who I was. She didn't remember any of the times we had shared together. We were so far away.

The sadness I had felt so much began to envelop me again. Usagi, why can't we still be friends? Will I really trigger your memories? I sighed again. Damn destiny.

***FLASHBACK***

"Minna, we have something important to discuss," Ami said. She was sad too, but I couldn't listen. Not to the pain in her voice. Not to the importance of what she had to say. I couldn't. It hurt too much.

Instead, I let my gaze trail to a pile of comic books. They were the ones I had bought but never read. Usagi always read my comic books before me. I used to never want her to, but she always found a way to read them before me. Now I only wished I was lucky enough to have her read them before me.

"So, what should we do?" I heard Minako say. "Can we really not be friends with her?"

"We might just have to do that." Makoto said quietly.

"B-But we can't!" I sputtered. How could they even think of not being friends with Usagi? For the past few years the five of us have been inseparable. And and…now they wanted us- me - to stop being friends with the person that means the most in my life?

"What if Usagi-chan needs our help? What if she is sad? What if…" I asked, daring them to answer. "What if she is attacked and we aren't around to protect her?"

The others sat silently and I looked at the window. My eyes were unhappy. But I knew the truth. I knew being friends with her could trigger her memories. I guess, for my wish to be granted, I can't be her friend.

At least not one she knows about.

*** END FLASHBACK***

Standing up, I walked out the door. "This is so irritating," I muttered. I thought I heard a voice calling my name, but I kept walking.

I glared at the window of the arcade. "Something so simple yet I can't even do it."

I started walking. I walked swiftly until I reached the temple. It always made me feel at least a little better to be here.

"Hey!" A worn out voice called.

I froze.

So familiar.

Could it be?

Could it really be?

Taking my steps agonizingly slow, I turned around.

"Usagi-chan," I whispered. How did she know? Why did she follow me?

"Um, hi." She said meekly. "I'm Tsukino Usagi."

"Hi," My calm voice betrayed me.

"Yeah, er..I saw you back at the arcade." She fumbled slightly for her words. "And you looked sad. So..I thought…maybe..you needed someone to talk to."

I stood stunned. She was too kind. She had followed me all the way to the temple just to see if I was okay.

"Us-, I mean, Tsukino-san. Thank you for your kindness, but I'm feeling much better."

She looked at me concerned. "Are you sure?"

I stared at the ground numbly. "No…" I whispered quietly. I looked at her startled; did she just hear me say that? Kami, I hope that didn't ruin anything.

"I'm here," She touched my shoulder. "Don't worry about anything, I'll be here for you."

My eyes began to water. Usagi. Would it really hurt her if I told her just a little? Not even enough to trigger her memories…I hope.

"Let's go inside, it's better than standing out here." She nodded.

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"Um..I guess I should start from the beginning." I glanced out the window. This may be harder than I thought.

"It all started when my best friend was attacked. She was attacked by a hideous monster. My friends and I tried to fight the monster. But we couldn't do it. The monster was too powerful. Then…then, my best friend fought him and killed him. When she fought him, she fought him to save me and our other friends. But, in doing so, she lost all her memories." I looked at her eyes. They were blank without recognition.

"So, my friend lost all her memories," I continued. "But she never wanted to fight in the first place. So now she doesn't remember ever fighting or..me and my friends. But, the question is, should I let her forget about us and her past- no matter how painful it is?"

Usagi looked at me silently before answering. "I think…I think that if I were to lose my memories and forget my friends and past. I would want to remember. So I would want my friends to help me remember them and my past. No matter how painful. A person's own pain means nothing when it comes to remembering true friends." She smiled gently.

Usagi, how did I know you would say that? You are too honest and nice.

"No matter how painful?" I looked at her hopefully.

Another smile lit her face. "No matter how painful."

I hugged her. "Usagi-chan! Arigatou!"

"No problem." She laughed. "I'm just helping out a friend."

I let go of her. My eyes stared into hers.

"A friend? Do you consider me a friend?"

"Why not? I don't believe it's possible to have too many friends."

I smiled. I smiled the first real one that I had smiled since that day. The day my best friend lost her memories.

Now I am determined to make sure she gets her memories back.

And let our friendship begin anew.

_____MAMORU POV______

I grunted. She was becoming friends with her again. She knew she wasn't supposed to but she is still doing it.

"Rei…watch your step." I looked through the window of the room Usagi and Rei were in.

"Don't make her remember."

I wouldn't be able to bare it if she remembered. All the pain, all the pain of her past, present, and future. It would be difficult. More difficult then she would ever let on. But I knew. I knew because I loved her and could sense her emotions. Just like she could sense mine.

But now she can't.

She can't because she doesn't feel for me anymore. No more love. No more Usako and Mamo-chan. Just Usagi and Mamoru two strangers on a street.

Kind of amusing actually. I know everything there is to know about her and she doesn't even know my name.

Actually, it hurts. It hurts a lot. Not being able to hold her in my arms. Not being able to feel the softness of her hair. Not being able to feel the tenderness of her lips against mine. Never again.

Never again would we be one.

Why did she have to lose her memories? Why not just the bad ones? The pleasant ones she could keep. But, no, she is left without a trace of her past, her heritage. While I'm stuck here, watching from a distance. Holding the demon within me that wishes to make her mine once more.

A faint growl escaped my lips as I jumped off the tree branch. She doesn't remember me while I can't forget her.

Irony.

Destiny is pure irony. I kicked a stone as I walked away.

"Usako," The name lingered on my lips. "We will meet again."

"Because," I raised my head to the sky, the moon still distant. "I know you are too strong for this lie."

The wind flowed gently leaving scattered leaves, lost emotions, and the purity of innocence.

_____NARU POV_____

"Usagi-chan? Are you all right?" I asked her. She turned towards me and smiled.

"Yeah, I'm fine." The smile was bright, but not her bright. Not the smile that could light a room. This smile was just an average one. One that I would expect from a normal person.

"Honest! You don't need to look at me that way," She giggled, raising her hands in surrender.

I giggled too but remained skeptical. I knew her better than that. I had talked with the other senshi and they had told me the story. Usagi has no memories of her past. The battle she had fought stole them from her.

All to protect us.

The beings of the planet is who she is enslaved to. Who she will be forever enslaved. Fighting for peace and justice, she is my friend, she is the legendary senshi of the moon, Sailor Moon. I sighed, at least I knew the complete truth now- even if Usagi doesn't.

I wonder how long that she will be without her memories. A week? A year? Longer? I glanced worriedly at my friend. She kept so many secrets from me. She lied to me. Then she went off and almost killed herself. She did everything she could to protect me and everyone else. And it makes all the lies worth it…But her memories. It's not fair to make her go without them. I know she treasured them- even the bad ones. I know she can overcome this, but I will not do anything to trigger them. That wouldn't be fair to her. As the others have decided, I also will not remind her. She will remember when she is ready.

With that thought in mind, I smiled at Usagi and began talking animatedly. Everything would be okay.

It had to be.

_____USAGI POV_____

"It had to be. I'm sorry." A woman with green hair that fell below her waist and ruby eyes looked apologetically at another woman.

"No! No! It could have been different! You know it! You-" A girl of about 16 fell to her knees, her blonde tresses pooling beneath her. "knew.."

"Forgive me…"

"No!" The girl stood up again, her voice sharp. "Not with everything you did to me! I won't ever forgive you!"

"Forgive who? Why? What's going on?" I asked, startled at the scene that was suddenly before me. The last thing I remember was wandering in dense fog before seeing two women in a heated argument.

The girl that stood only ten feet from me drew in a sharp breath while the other woman she was arguing looked at the ground.

"How did she get here? Did you bring her?" The girl asked accusingly. You know something…that girl looks an awful lot like me. She has blue eyes and blonde hair in the same style as me. Odd, I have never seen anyone else but myself with that hair style.

"No. Of course I didn't. It isn't time for her. She must have…" The ruby eyed one trailed, her eyes focusing on me. Her gaze scrutinized me. Why do I feel that I should tremble beneath her gaze? Why am I not trembling? I feel like I know her…

"Must have what? We both know very well that she isn't supposed to be here yet. There was only one way that she could come, but that couldn't have happened. Not yet!" My look-a-like scrutinized me also. "Not yet…" She whispered. "This wasn't supposed to happen so soon. Not yet…" She cast a worried glance at her companion.

The two seemed to exchange a conversation from that one glance. That seemed weird enough but I was so intrigued at the girl that looked like me that I barely noticed. Moving my feet slowly, I silently made my way to her. I just wanted to touch her..Just once…We seemed so similar that it was unreal or perhaps surreal. It was almost like she was part of me.

I reached out, the tips of my fingers barely grazing her skin before she let out a deafening scream and I felt as if lightning struck me.

Images. All these images and feelings spread through me. I watched them, but I couldn't see them. Something was blocking me from seeing and recognizing them. I knew them from somewhere. Somewhere…But where? They seem so familiar…but..something is…blocking me.

Blocked. I feel this heavy shield over my heart as I watched the world fade to black and cold envelop me.

"Usagi! Usagi!" What? Who is calling me? Slowly I open my eyes and see two large, orange eyes peering at me.

With a scream I fell out of bed. "Luna!" I scolded her. She knew better then to stand on top of me. Luna purred while I heard a chuckle. I looked up and saw my mother laughing.

"Mom! Why did you wake me up?"

"It's almost time for school."

"School?" I looked at my clock and yelped. "School!" Shooing my mother out of my room I quickly got ready for school.

Standing in front of my mirror, I looked at myself. I was dressed in my school uniform with my hair up in its usual odangos but something seemed to be missing. I looked at my dresser and saw a golden locket.

"Perfect!" I said with pride as I clipped it onto the front of my blouse. Grinning, I ran out of the house in a race against time to get to school.

_____Author POV_____

Luna silently watched the teenage girl clip on her transformation locket and run out of the room.

::She has lost her memories yet she still feels the need to wear the locket. How ironic. Before she wished that she would never have to put on the locket again yet, now, she wants to wear it:: The purple colored feline thought amusedly before her thoughts darkened.

::I just hope she doesn't have to use it. Be careful Usagi, troubles await you::

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AN:

So what did everyone think? A good epilogue? Please review with your opinion. I can't wait to see everyone's responses^^ Sorry, this took so long to write, but I have been really busy lately. The only reason this is probably finished now is because this is the first day of spring break! *jumps up an down* Hopefully I will get part of the sequel written too. I also have a bunch of other stories that I am in the middle of. I will see what I can do about getting them finished and uploaded.

Thanks for your patience with this story. I will begin working on the sequel soon.

Oh yeah, I wanted to tell you guys something about this story. This story was never meant to be *quite* this long…in fact it was only meant to be a one shot story. So, I would like to thank everyone for reviewing and staying with the story as the plot developed off the top of my head. Lol. I never thought the story would be this long or turn out this way. Arigatou!