Hi again! For my readers from "Forever", if you do decide to read this one as well, no, I have not dropped off the face of the Earth. Just hanging off the side ^^; Any way, this is a different step for me so I hope it all goes well. It's been bugging since I watched all the Stars series in subtitled. Yeah, I bought them from VKLL, great place to go. So, I hope this all goes well. And I so made up my mind Mamoru and Usagi should be together. Until I happened upon the wonderful Stars series. Oh, I'm so undecided. Well, for you who hope for a certain character to pop up, you'll be in for a surprise. Cha! ^^
SFS
Disclaimer: Don't own SM. The wonderful Naoko does. ^^
Chapter Two
The window blew open suddenly, ceasing all talk in the bedroom. Raven hair flutter about my face like little wisps of branches on a weeping willow. My skin went cold and my eyes narrowed. Standing, I went to the window, thinking I saw a flash, heard a distant rumble. Approaching the window, I saw nothing. Nothing but a clear night and a soft breeze. I sighed.
"Something the matter Rei-chan?" Makoto asked concerned.
"I'm not sure," I whispered as I closed the window a bit, leaving it open a crack. "Must be a storm coming, or so I thought but I don't see anything. Did you feel it?"
Makoto blinked as did Minako, "No, not really. It felt a bit cold for a minute, that's all. Just the wind."
I turned back to the window, whispering, "I hope so."
They started chatting again when Makoto suddenly perked up, "Humph! Sounds like sirens again. Wonder who broke into Osap's this time?"
I felt cold again, very cold. My cup dropped, shattering to the ground. Words, soft words. I heard them.
'I'm…sorry'
"Rei-chan," Minako jumped up, "What? What's wrong?"
"No," I whispered, I could feel hot tears coming to my eyes, "No."
"You're scaring us," Makoto jumped in, "What-"
Before she could finish, the sound of rushing feet tripping and hitting the ground hard could be heard, getting closer to my door. The door slid open with such impact it almost broke. And there stood a very pale and shaking Ami, the look of complete fear and surprise in her eyes. Her words came haggardly, "Rei-chan, Minako-chan, Makoto-chan! Something…I don't know how…It can't be…!" She dropped to the floor on her knees, tears pouring, something I never saw on Ami so fervently.
Minako went to her side as she looked up and I saw in her eyes what I knew in my heart. Warm tears trickled down my face as I gripped Makoto hand hard. "I know, Ami-chan."
Looking at the once again open window, the curtain blowing gently, I swallowed hard.
"It's Usagi."
~~~
I sat, my hands folded over my head. It was all I could do from not tearing my hair out in frustration. Again I rose and went to the emergency room window. Doctors and nurses were rushing about, constant sounds of beeping and voices getting louder in their own frustration. I saw another nurse burst into the room with a machine on wheels. In knew what it was. Years of medical school told you a lot.
Why not sooner?! I thought. They had to have thought of it sooner. Couldn't they see?
I leaned against the window, fists up and tightening against the glass. If I wasn't careful…
"Please, sir," A nurse came from behind, "Would you sit?"
"No," I breathed, "I can't just stand here and do nothing!"
"I understand," she said, "They're doing their best but I don't…"
"Don't say that," I whirled at her. Then relaxed, closing my eyes when I saw her frighten face. "I'm sorry. Just…leave me alone."
Nodding, she left quickly even as I looked into the room again.
"Clear!" Everyone stepped back, a sickening thump sounding. I clenched my fists, my eyes shut tightly, trying to block out those sounds.
"Clear!" Again a thump and still the sound of a flat line. Again, and again, each time, my heart wrenching each time, more tears falling.
Then a worse sound. Nothing at all. The continuing drone of a flat line and then nothing. They stepped away, started to unplug machines, calling it a night. My mouth dropped, no tears, no breath. I couldn't breath. I stepped away from the window, watched as they pulled a blanket over that beautiful face.
I could barely hear the sounds of rushing feet, panting breath of eight girls coming my way. They stopped not far from me.
"M-Mamoru-chan?" Rei's voice shook. I turned and I knew my face must have looked haunted, for she paled and dropped to her knees, "No! Usagi!"
The other girls were in more or less the same shock, not speaking. Hotaru began crying hysterically in Setsuna's arms, her face as well as Haruka and Michiru's filled with horror, a hand to Michiru's face, shaking her head. Makoto and Haruka stepped forward and saw through the window, Haruka's face growing white. She looked at me, "Mamoru-chan…"
I stumbled away, turning, rushing and bumping into things and people, rushing to get away. I couldn't take it, I had to escape this nightmare. That had to be it. Another nightmare. I flew up flights of stairs, willing myself to wake up but nothing happened.
I found myself on the rooftop, on my hands and knees, losing what might be left in my stomach. Trembling, I leaned against a side wall, staring into the sky.
That same sky where only an hour ago, we both looked into it, planning our future. I let the flood of tears come, screamed like I'd never done before.
"NOOOOOOO!!!! USAKO!!!"
Cursing that sky didn't help, there was no one I could get for this, no great enemy, no resurrecting flower, nothing.
There was nothing left…for me.
Struggling to rise, I leaned against that small wall and overlooked below to see a shimmering city. I felt the cold stone in my hand and found no beauty in those lights as I once had, so long ago. Searching for someone. Her.
It would never be that great city. It couldn't be. There would be no kingdom, no love, no peace, no child, and no future.
No Usako.
I lowered my head. I suddenly knew, felt what had to be done. There was nothing. I repeated this even as I began to climb that wall, stand high in the wind, and saw the distant ground below filled with lights.
"I love your shine, Usako," I whispered, "I want to be near it no matter what."
I let myself control my gravity, felt air begin to move fast as I leaned forward. Soon, I would be with that light.
"Venus Love Me Chain!"
Suddenly I was jerked back by glimmering hearts and landed hard on the hospital roof. My head hurt and I was dazed, couldn't focus. I could only make out blurred shapes, heard crying, felt myself held down by strong arms.
"Damn it, Prince!" Haruka's voice choked, "We won't lose you too!"
"We know, Mamoru-chan," Venus was weeping, "We know."
"No," I mumbled incoherently, "No. Let me go." I couldn't focus and just curled up like a child, weeping. "Let me go. Usako." And the world went dark.
~~~
"How…" Ami whispered, "How do we tell her parents?"
I looked up wearily and saw the bereaved parents rushing in with Sammy who were then stopped by a doctor. Mrs. Tsukino pushed past and looked into the Emergency room, gasps and chokes coming all at once, shrieks of weeping coming from her as she clung to her husband, shaking, Sammy just standing there with tears in his eyes. I wanted to go to them, tell them it would be all right. But at the moment, not even I believed that.
Little Hotaru clung to me, sleepy with tears. What could I do? Why couldn't I have seen this, done something. I was the damn Guardian of Time for Pete's sake! I should have seen this! But no, it snuck up on me like a thief in the night.
Thief in the night. That's just what death was, and so was time. No, I wouldn't believe her to be dead. Surely something, anything would suddenly happen and we'd all go home, laughing over worry. But nothing could change what happened.
And now, everyone would look to me for answers, ask why? Couldn't I do something? That would be the hardest thing of all and it choked me. Not even stopping time could make this go away. Nothing would make it easier for me, the others, and especially the prince.
I shook my head, swiping away tears again. Then the thought came to me. I looked once again to the weeping Tsukino's, holding each other tightly. Perhaps not for us, but I could do something for their pain. I had to. Make all that were here tonight forget that there ever was a Tsukino Usagi at this hospital or in their family.
I noticed Ami looking at me and got the feeling she knew my thought. She nodded, trying very hard to give a reassuring smile.
"We should be able to take her from here, to…to bury our princess properly. On the moon would be right. They'd never know. It would be best the staff here didn't either," She swallowed hard, "I-it would lead to t-too many questions."
"Can you do it, Setsuna?" Whispered Hotaru, her eyes red from crying. "Maybe, at least then…they could forget." She looked down with such hopeless defeat, so sad for one her age. This was perhaps also the hardest on her more then myself. Not only did she and I lose a princess,…she lost a best friend.
"Chibiusa-chan," she choked, "s-she would have wanted that. She wouldn't have wanted them to be sad."
"Hotaru-chan," I said softly, understanding. I had lost my new charge as well as my old. All ready I could feel changes in time but it was still in a flux, as if not yet comprehending that she…she was gone.
"Ami-chan, watch Hotaru." I rose, looking toward my duty, "I won't be long."
They saw me coming, knew who I was and knew that I was there for the same purpose. They didn't know it would be over for them very soon.
Chibiusa had had Luna-P to help her. Well, in a way I was Luna-P and would have made it for her…in the future. I smiled sadly to them, lowering my head. I'll always remember that face, one who was confused and yet seemed hopeful, that of Mrs. Tsukino. She seemed prepared though I know she didn't know what was to happen.
Raising a hand, I called for my Garnet staff. It appeared glowing and soon so was I. I remained untransformed, I saw no reason to. I knew their faces were surprised, as were those around them but I continued. Holding the staff high, I looked up.
"Garnet Orb, grant my wish," I whispered, "Let these people and those that knew, forget the one thing they would miss. Ease their pain and let them know, where once was pain will now be hope."
These last words came softly and I felt the warm tear that fell as the glow surround them, expanding outwards and everywhere. Everyone, anyone that ever knew her would forget.
All but chosen. We would never forget. We would be left to morn in peace the loss of our princess.
The staff vanished and I went and sat down, seeing that the room where she lay glow softly so that it would not be disturbed till…
They were confused, didn't recognize us and soon left, wondering why they were even there. Yet the mother, her face seemed at a loss, something missing. That was one thing I could never do. She would not remember her daughter. Only that something was missing in her life forever. I held Hotaru close as they left and gave as strong a face as I could muster. I had to be ready.
Questions would need to be answered.
~~~
Where am I?
You are here.
Who…
You will know. Hehe, soon.
It was so dark my mind felt like cotton, my body stiff. I tried to see where I was but couldn't. I grew suspicious.
Show yourself! Are you a new enemy?
Oh that is harsh. Why, I've come to take you home.
Home? I couldn't believe that. Darkness held no home for me. Liar. What have you done? Why can I not see? Explain yourself.
Tsk, tsk, my you are impatient. Why not see for yourself.
Light grew like a soft spotlight and I saw a hallway, much like one in a hospital. Setsuna, Ami, and Hotaru sat there with Luna and Artemis curled by Hotaru. They looked sad. Makoto walked up shakily holding a cup of coffee, trying to drink. I heard them yet like a distant conversation.
'How is the prince?' Setsuna asked.
'Um, I think Venus and Haruka have him down. If they'd been any later…' she sat down hard, holding her head, dropping her cup, 'I-I understand what he's going through but to…to…'
'It happened before,' Setsuna said calmly, 'Only this time…he has to deal with it and right now he won't be able to think straight. Someone will have to be with him at all times. At least until…until…' she couldn't speak as she rocked a bit, Hotaru's head resting sleepily on her lap.
'Rei-chan,' Ami looked up, 'Where is she?'
'Michiru went with her to the chapel. It's all Rei can do to keep her mind focused.' Makoto tried to clean up the mess on the floor. 'She knew…just before you came. She could feel it. And she blames herself.'
Setsuna nodded, 'As much as I most likely. Only…I had more control.' She burst out again, 'I could have done something. I have the power, don't I? If I'd watched more carefully, seen this coming, if…if…' Ami rushed to her side, hugging her, shushing her softly.
I'd never seen Setsuna like this. She'd always been composed. But what were they talking about. I looked for that voice again.
What is this? Why are my friends crying? What has happened? Is Mamo-chan all right?
Little Princess, you are an inquisitive one.
Answer me!
Look.
I turned and suddenly I was standing in a dim room, a bed with a blanket covering…somebody?
Mamo-chan was there, his back to me. He didn't move. I could see Haruka and Minako standing in the shadow as if watching that nothing would happen.
Mamo-chan! I'm here. It's all right, I'm okay.
He didn't move. I went up to him, moved my hand forward.
I wouldn't do that.
My hand stopped. Why? I tried again but my hand wouldn't move. Frustrated I turned to the others. Haruka-chan. Minako-chan. What happened?
They didn't seem to hear me either. But they did seem to look away as Mamo-chan began to take the blanket back.
Brace yourself.
Me? Me! But…but…
Your…
…dead!
Well, I don't know if I'd put it that way. It's such a harsh term.
I backed away, shaking my head. No, that can't be. I'm here. Mamo-chan, I'm here! Listen! Oh where's Rei when you need her. She'd know, she would hear.
Come princess. It is time.
I shook my head. No, I won't leave.
I felt you might say that.
I pushed myself, made my hand move forward even as everything seemed to disappear. A laughter sounded as I suddenly felt as if I was roughly grabbed and pulled away. Tears in my eyes, I stretched out, my finger tips brushing his face.
Mamo-chan!
~~~
I felt it. I know I did. I turned, searching, almost expecting to hear her laughter.
Mamo-chan.
"Prince?" Haruka's voice came, concerned.
"Didn't you hear it? Feel her? Didn't you? She's here, she had to have been. She's not gone. This has to be another enemy!"
Haruka and Minako looked at each other sadly, moving forward. Haruka carefully laid the blanket back over my love's pale face, shaking her head. They didn't believe me.
"Mamoru, she's gone." Minako said sadly, "Nothing can be done. Perhaps you felt her say good bye. There…there is no enemy this time."
"But…it has to be…" I racked my mind but even it betrayed me. Think sensibly, Mamoru. It was a hit and run. Not some beast or magical being.
"No," I whispered, new tears threatening to fall.
Quietly, they led me from the room, soon joining the others in the hall. They all looked at me. I knew that face, mixed with pity and sadness of it's own. I couldn't face their condolences. Not now. With sudden speed, I ran from them again, leaving that building, that place of death and sadness.
I reached the cool air, felt it pierce my lungs and knew I wasn't alone.
"Setsuna, please, leave me be."
"No prince, I cannot do that. You know why."
"Don't call me that! I never wish to be called that again! I am no prince. I could not even protect her! What kind of Prince allows this to happen?"
She said nothing but I knew she was looking straight at me. I slumped to the ground, pounding the cold stone, feeling my strength go.
"Damn you," I breathed wearily, "To use magic at a time like this." I could feel sleep over come me even as I heard some of the others come.
"Take him home. Make sure he is not alone."
"Will he be all right?" Michiru's voice came.
"Only time will tell."
~~~
I saw them return and knew Mamoru was all right. Michiru had called Motoki, the only other who knew of us and seemed unaffected by Setsuna's wish, and he soon came. Makoto had gone with him, as well as Luna and Artemis. I knew they'd make sure he was all right. In his condition, desperate things might happen.
"Ami-chan," Hotaru looked up at me.
"I know, Hotaru-chan," She knew about death all too well and I knew what was on her mind.
Usagi's body.
I rose with the others and together we went to that room. It felt for a moment that my mind fogged over, that the room shifted and suddenly Usagi body was not there.
I blinked. But felt I understood. I turned to the others and they seemed bewildered too yet they understood and nodded, all but Hotaru who just stared. But I understood and it seemed to be all that mattered.
The moon had reclaimed it's princess.
~~~
Somewhere a star shone brightly, blinking and sometimes moving. Then it flared up suddenly and flew out of sight. Darkness and the continual twinkle of stars. Then…another streaked by, this one glowing a soft red, as if seeking that other star. The Silver Star.
Suddenly like a whistling cannon, it hit air and dissipated, no trace of it seen. The red star appeared, paused and seemed confused. As if feeling something, it suddenly streaked away, a sparkle left in it's trail before it vanished from sight.
I feel you.
~~~
'Your mind is mine. You are mine. I will never release you. You escaped once but I have you now. You will never escape.'
Flurry of pain, laughter rushed past her. She wanted to cry for loss but knew not why. Her mind felt as if it were being cleared of all thought save one. To obey.
'I have wanted you yet I have despised you. When I am through, you will never know, not remember, feel empty and lost. You are mine.'
The dark laughter wouldn't stop. She couldn't feel anything but pain. As if being ravaged but before she could understand what had happened, she forgot just as quickly. She wept, wanted to hold herself close but couldn't even know if she even existed. All she knew was pain and hurt.
Suddenly there was light, flashed before her. She could hear an angry voice protest, felt a gentle touch come and go, heard a soft comforting voice. She didn't understand it. She could not remember anything like it.
You are safe.
No!!
She lost that touch, knew of something happening. A battle? The light flared and gave fight to this angry source. She didn't know what to do. She suddenly felt a freedom. One she never knew. She was free.
She fell, fled that place of unhappiness. She slept as light streamed by her. She could feel nothing around her. Her mind still hurt. She felt chase pursuing and she cried in fear. She knew neither what chased her nor that she would stay. Only fled.
Suddenly, she fell apart, heard a sharp sound and flashes of more light. But she felt nothing…yet. She was conscience, nothing more. She knew not real touch. But when it came, she was terrified.
It a burst of light she suddenly…was.
~~~
Water, cold water, lapping at her feet. What was this sensation? She turned, actually moved, yet very stiffly, and saw…legs. And water, a large expanse of water. These she somehow knew though she'd not known substance before. She sat up, felt, actually felt a cool breeze…and shivered, wrapping her arms about her. She could see wisps of silvery white hair float about her face and saw that it ran to her feet. Like a soft cape, she held it close to her.
Looking up, she saw…sparkles of light. And a beautiful…what was it? It was so large, as if it would come to her or fall in that expanse of water. It did give off a soft light and she felt comforted.
Slowly and with great effort, she rose, feeling very aware of many sensations about her as her skin was exposed. Seeing a cluster of…were they called trees?…she slowly made her way to them, stumbling over bush and feeling small prick of pain over her, wincing at times. Where could she go? She had never felt this before. Not that she could remember.
There was suddenly a clearing and a very large structure. She knew not what it was but merry light shone from within. There must be goodness here. The light drew her closer.
There was a sudden figure before her and she gave a silent cry as she fell back, terrified. Voices could be heard and lights came. One came bobbing her way and she could do nothing but curl up in terror.
"Who's there?" Footsteps came closer and she could only peek around her arms, holding herself close. The bobbing light stopped and a voice whispered, "Oh my."
She could feel a strange sensation of water coming from her eyes and suddenly saw a gentle face just beyond the small light he held, his hair a soft white and his eyes quiet. "Are you…are you all right miss?"
A new feeling came over her, something she didn't understand and her mouth opened slowly, shaking from within.
"H-help m-me."
~~~
R&R please!
