Hey all. This has been somewhat of a rocky road with ff.net
going on and offline, but we can only hope that things are on
the mend. I hope that everyone is still interested in
reading this story after such a break, but if you are please
keep up with those reviews! In case you're interested, Amio
was inspired by my favourite Fushigi Yuugi character Tasuki,
in both looks and disposition. I'll probably write a story
about him one day. Anyway, back to the story and thanks
again for your reviews!
Virgo15
The Road Less Traveled
Chapter 6
The air hung thick with tension as each side waited for the other to react. Usagi had watched the young woman intently since she rose from her chair. Awkward moments passed with nether side speaking or moving an inch. Just as the trepidation seemed to reach its peak, the young woman began descending the stairs of the dais toward Usagi, and upon reaching her enveloped her in a fierce hug.
" I'd always hoped I'd be able to meet you, the woman who saved all of us. I found it hard to believe that a real person was able to do so much for an entire galaxy."
Usagi didn't know how to react, but instinctively put her arms around the slender woman. She leaned back and looked at Usagi at arm's length, tears glistening in her large brown eyes. " I can't believe that you are actually here, right in front of me."
" Forgive me," She said giving her head a small shake as if to regain her composure, " I have been frightfully rude, even though I was obligated to be. It is my job to screen Kakyuu's prospective visitors. My name is Umi."
Umi bowed gracefully before Usagi and her companions and Usagi returned the bow somewhat more awkwardly, still trying to quell the whirlpool of emotions within her. " I guess you know who I am," Usagi said with a slight laugh, " but these are my friends and travelling companions Luna and Amio."
" A pleasure to meet you both," Umi replied with genuine warmth as she returned to her place on the throne, "any friends of Sailor Moon are friends to Kinnmoku's Royal household."
" Speaking of which," Usagi said, with growing excitement, " how soon will I be able to meet with Princess Kakyuu? I would like to speak with her as soon as possible."
A shadow passed across Umi's face, and she hesitated slightly before replying. " Alas, Princess Kakyuu is not on Kinnmoku, and will not be returning for quite a long time. She is on a diplomatic visitation to several planets in neighbouring solar systems."
The news hit Usagi like a slap in the face. She had not anticipated that Kakyuu would not be on Kinnmoku, and cursed her own stupidity. Unless.
" Umi, did Kakyuu's senshi leave with her?"
" I'm afraid so Usagi. Her majesty's senshi would have been obligated to travel with her on such a long and important journey. In fact the last of her senshi left to join her a few days ago."
" No, " Usagi said, backing away from Umi. Usagi felt a crushing pain in her chest at the news that Kakyuu, and therefore Seiya, were truly gone. Hot tears brimmed in her eyes as feelings of rage and anguish swirled in her head. She couldn't believe that she had failed.
" Usagi," Luna said soothingly, taking a step toward Usagi. " It'll be okay."
"No!" Usagi said sharply, her eyes wide with anger. She held out her arm shakily in order to keep Luna from touching her, " It won't be okay! I came all this way..to see him..and..now...I.."
Usagi's vision went black and she felt her knees give beneath her. " Usagi!" Amio yelled, and rushed forward to catch her just before she hit the floor.
****************
***** " It's time to wake up Usagi"
" Not now mom, just five more minutes."
" Come on Usagi, I won't tell you again. You have to go to school or else I won't let you go to that Starlights concert tonight."
" Starlights...Seiya!"*****
Usagi awoke suddenly, the echo of her yell bouncing off the stone walls of her room. Slowly the realization of what happened came back to her. " Kinnmoku's Palace..Umi.." Usagi said, putting a hand to her forehead. " Seiya." Usagi looked at her clothes and realized that she had de- transformed back into her travelling outfit. Her broach was on a small table next to the large bed that she was lying on. As her memories returned, so did the ache in her heart, making her gasp in pain. She did not know what she would do now. She did not even know where to start.
" Usagi!" Luna's voice made Usagi look up. Seeing that she was awake, Luna rushed to the bed. " Usagi you had me so worried! "
" I'm fine Luna," Usagi smiled giving her friend a hug." I just wanted to keep you on your toes."
" Well never do that again! You scared the shit out of me!
" I promise," Usagi said laughing, " I hope you can tell me where I am."
" You're still in the Palace. After you fainted Amio carried you here. I think that he has taken quite a shine to you. He wouldn't leave until he was sure that you were okay, and even then he has reconciled himself to pacing the hallways outside."
Usagi felt an odd sensation at the news that Amio worried about her so much. Fortunately they were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. " I hope that I'm not interrupting you, " Umi said leaning into the room, " may I come in?"
" Of course, " Usagi said, straightening herself up in the bed, " Luna would you mind excusing us for a moment?"
" No problem." Luna said getting up from the bed. Nodding to Umi, she closed the door softly behind her.
Usagi waited until Umi had seated herself next to the bed before speaking. " I want to apologize for what happened earlier."
Umi raised a hand and shook her head, " No Usagi don't apologize. Don't spend any more time worrying over it. All of us owe you a debt greater than anyone can repay. I am honoured to be able to help you in any way that I can. I know that you have had a long journey, and the news that Kakyuu was gone must have been quite a shock."
" Yes it was, " Usagi replied slowly, " but it wasn't Kakyuu that I really came to see."
" Oh?" Umi said surprised.
" No, I really came to see someone else.I came to see Seiya."
" I see." Umi said thoughtfully rising from her chair. She walked a few paces to the bed and turned to sit at the edge." I had a feeling you did Usagi. Kakyuu told me about you and also Seiya's feelings for you after they returned from Earth. She had to, in order to explain why they were back and also the change in him."
Umi rose from the bed and walked over to the balcony and opened the large doors. A warm breeze laden with the scent of flowers soon flowed throughout the room. " Seiya was never the same once he returned. He was quiet, and spent most of his time alone. I would watch him sit endlessly at night, watching the stars. I know that he was looking for your sun, your planet. He was like this for a long time. He participated in the reconstruction of Kinnmoku and the training of other senshi, but we knew that it was half- hearted. He didn't smile for a long time. I was glad to see him smile again. I wouldn't want him to have a reason not to smile ever again."
Usagi had not moved since Umi began speaking and her words fell on her like stones, each one heavier than the last. She was shocked to hear how deeply Seiya cared for her, and how traumatic their separation had been for him. Somehow she thought that his life would just return to normal once he returned to his planet. She was ashamed at how naive she was still at the depth of his feelings for her. Usagi rose from the bed to stand beside Umi on the balcony. She glanced at the beautiful night sky, and thought about Seiya searching these very heavens for her shine.
" I never wanted to hurt Seiya's feelings, but at the time I thought that I was doing the best thing. I was told that I had a future as the ruler of Earth, a destiny that came complete with a husband and child. I was told that this future could not be changed and it was cruel and selfish of me to think of even trying. I was very young when Seiya and the other Kinnmoku senshi arrived on earth, and I just wanted to make everyone happy. As I grew older I realized that the future was not set in stone, and that I had to power to shape my own destiny." Usagi said, turning to look deep into Umi's deep eyes, willing her to see the depth of her conviction and feelings. " I decided then and there that I would live my life the way I chose, for me and not anyone else. I can tell you Umi, that not a day went by that I didn't think of Seiya, and that I spent many hours searching my sky for his shine. I have come not to hurt Seiya, but to ask him if he will come back into my life. I know that he could turn me away, but I don't care about that. I just want to know, for good or ill, so I can move forward in my life, without any unanswered questions."
Umi was silent for a long while, and Usagi didn't want to disturb her. Her own confused and turbulent feelings were enough at the moment. She hoped that she had convinced the other girl of her sincerity, but she wasn't sure. Umi had every right to mistrust Usagi and her motives, but Usagi hoped that she had alluded any fears that she had come to hurt Seiya once again. But what did it matter anyway? Seiya wasn't here and wouldn't be back for a long time. Usagi did not have the means to wait for him, or perhaps even the ability to return home. Usagi realized despondently that she had bigger problems to face. Usagi was deep into these thoughts as Umi's warm hand slid into hers, breaking her reverie. Turning to face her, Usagi was shocked to see a large smile on her face.
" Well if you came all this way looking for answers, we can't let you go home without any."
" What do you mean?"
" We'll just send you to meet Kakyuu and Seiya at their next destination. We can have you there in about a day's travel." Umi said, as she took both of Usagi's hands in hers " I saw the pain in your face back in the throne room. That kind of emotion is only the result of true feelings. I hope that you find the answers you want Usagi."
Usagi was speechless, she had convinced herself that she had failed but Umi was offering her a second chance. " Thank you Umi, " Usagi said, her voice cracking with happiness, " you have no idea what this means to me."
Umi laughed and gave Usagi a hug. " Come, we have some arrangements to make."
Usagi smiled and began to straighten her clothes, but was interrupted by the sound of raised voices outside her room.
" I don't care if Usagi has a visitor, I'm one of her friends and you'd better let me in that room!"
" That would be Amio checking in on me." Usagi said with a laugh.
There was a muted reply, followed by Amio's bellowing voice. " I don't care if she is with Princess Kakyuu herself! You had better step aside before I kick the shit out of you!"
There was a short scuffle then the door of the room flew open to reveal Amio dragging a palace guard in a headlock into the room. Seeing Usagi awake a wide grin broke out on his face.
" Usagi! You're okay!"
" Yes Amio I'm fine. I'm sure that Umi would appreciate you not manhandling her guards though."
Amio glanced at the struggling guard in his arm and released him. With a venomous look, the guard returned to his post outside the door. " Sorry about that. I was just worried about you." Amio said somewhat sheepishly. " I just can't believe that you are Sailor Moon!"
"That's okay, neither can I sometimes." Usagi said laughing, linking her arm through his. " We'd better get Luna though. This journey isn't over yet."
The Road Less Traveled
Chapter 6
The air hung thick with tension as each side waited for the other to react. Usagi had watched the young woman intently since she rose from her chair. Awkward moments passed with nether side speaking or moving an inch. Just as the trepidation seemed to reach its peak, the young woman began descending the stairs of the dais toward Usagi, and upon reaching her enveloped her in a fierce hug.
" I'd always hoped I'd be able to meet you, the woman who saved all of us. I found it hard to believe that a real person was able to do so much for an entire galaxy."
Usagi didn't know how to react, but instinctively put her arms around the slender woman. She leaned back and looked at Usagi at arm's length, tears glistening in her large brown eyes. " I can't believe that you are actually here, right in front of me."
" Forgive me," She said giving her head a small shake as if to regain her composure, " I have been frightfully rude, even though I was obligated to be. It is my job to screen Kakyuu's prospective visitors. My name is Umi."
Umi bowed gracefully before Usagi and her companions and Usagi returned the bow somewhat more awkwardly, still trying to quell the whirlpool of emotions within her. " I guess you know who I am," Usagi said with a slight laugh, " but these are my friends and travelling companions Luna and Amio."
" A pleasure to meet you both," Umi replied with genuine warmth as she returned to her place on the throne, "any friends of Sailor Moon are friends to Kinnmoku's Royal household."
" Speaking of which," Usagi said, with growing excitement, " how soon will I be able to meet with Princess Kakyuu? I would like to speak with her as soon as possible."
A shadow passed across Umi's face, and she hesitated slightly before replying. " Alas, Princess Kakyuu is not on Kinnmoku, and will not be returning for quite a long time. She is on a diplomatic visitation to several planets in neighbouring solar systems."
The news hit Usagi like a slap in the face. She had not anticipated that Kakyuu would not be on Kinnmoku, and cursed her own stupidity. Unless.
" Umi, did Kakyuu's senshi leave with her?"
" I'm afraid so Usagi. Her majesty's senshi would have been obligated to travel with her on such a long and important journey. In fact the last of her senshi left to join her a few days ago."
" No, " Usagi said, backing away from Umi. Usagi felt a crushing pain in her chest at the news that Kakyuu, and therefore Seiya, were truly gone. Hot tears brimmed in her eyes as feelings of rage and anguish swirled in her head. She couldn't believe that she had failed.
" Usagi," Luna said soothingly, taking a step toward Usagi. " It'll be okay."
"No!" Usagi said sharply, her eyes wide with anger. She held out her arm shakily in order to keep Luna from touching her, " It won't be okay! I came all this way..to see him..and..now...I.."
Usagi's vision went black and she felt her knees give beneath her. " Usagi!" Amio yelled, and rushed forward to catch her just before she hit the floor.
****************
***** " It's time to wake up Usagi"
" Not now mom, just five more minutes."
" Come on Usagi, I won't tell you again. You have to go to school or else I won't let you go to that Starlights concert tonight."
" Starlights...Seiya!"*****
Usagi awoke suddenly, the echo of her yell bouncing off the stone walls of her room. Slowly the realization of what happened came back to her. " Kinnmoku's Palace..Umi.." Usagi said, putting a hand to her forehead. " Seiya." Usagi looked at her clothes and realized that she had de- transformed back into her travelling outfit. Her broach was on a small table next to the large bed that she was lying on. As her memories returned, so did the ache in her heart, making her gasp in pain. She did not know what she would do now. She did not even know where to start.
" Usagi!" Luna's voice made Usagi look up. Seeing that she was awake, Luna rushed to the bed. " Usagi you had me so worried! "
" I'm fine Luna," Usagi smiled giving her friend a hug." I just wanted to keep you on your toes."
" Well never do that again! You scared the shit out of me!
" I promise," Usagi said laughing, " I hope you can tell me where I am."
" You're still in the Palace. After you fainted Amio carried you here. I think that he has taken quite a shine to you. He wouldn't leave until he was sure that you were okay, and even then he has reconciled himself to pacing the hallways outside."
Usagi felt an odd sensation at the news that Amio worried about her so much. Fortunately they were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. " I hope that I'm not interrupting you, " Umi said leaning into the room, " may I come in?"
" Of course, " Usagi said, straightening herself up in the bed, " Luna would you mind excusing us for a moment?"
" No problem." Luna said getting up from the bed. Nodding to Umi, she closed the door softly behind her.
Usagi waited until Umi had seated herself next to the bed before speaking. " I want to apologize for what happened earlier."
Umi raised a hand and shook her head, " No Usagi don't apologize. Don't spend any more time worrying over it. All of us owe you a debt greater than anyone can repay. I am honoured to be able to help you in any way that I can. I know that you have had a long journey, and the news that Kakyuu was gone must have been quite a shock."
" Yes it was, " Usagi replied slowly, " but it wasn't Kakyuu that I really came to see."
" Oh?" Umi said surprised.
" No, I really came to see someone else.I came to see Seiya."
" I see." Umi said thoughtfully rising from her chair. She walked a few paces to the bed and turned to sit at the edge." I had a feeling you did Usagi. Kakyuu told me about you and also Seiya's feelings for you after they returned from Earth. She had to, in order to explain why they were back and also the change in him."
Umi rose from the bed and walked over to the balcony and opened the large doors. A warm breeze laden with the scent of flowers soon flowed throughout the room. " Seiya was never the same once he returned. He was quiet, and spent most of his time alone. I would watch him sit endlessly at night, watching the stars. I know that he was looking for your sun, your planet. He was like this for a long time. He participated in the reconstruction of Kinnmoku and the training of other senshi, but we knew that it was half- hearted. He didn't smile for a long time. I was glad to see him smile again. I wouldn't want him to have a reason not to smile ever again."
Usagi had not moved since Umi began speaking and her words fell on her like stones, each one heavier than the last. She was shocked to hear how deeply Seiya cared for her, and how traumatic their separation had been for him. Somehow she thought that his life would just return to normal once he returned to his planet. She was ashamed at how naive she was still at the depth of his feelings for her. Usagi rose from the bed to stand beside Umi on the balcony. She glanced at the beautiful night sky, and thought about Seiya searching these very heavens for her shine.
" I never wanted to hurt Seiya's feelings, but at the time I thought that I was doing the best thing. I was told that I had a future as the ruler of Earth, a destiny that came complete with a husband and child. I was told that this future could not be changed and it was cruel and selfish of me to think of even trying. I was very young when Seiya and the other Kinnmoku senshi arrived on earth, and I just wanted to make everyone happy. As I grew older I realized that the future was not set in stone, and that I had to power to shape my own destiny." Usagi said, turning to look deep into Umi's deep eyes, willing her to see the depth of her conviction and feelings. " I decided then and there that I would live my life the way I chose, for me and not anyone else. I can tell you Umi, that not a day went by that I didn't think of Seiya, and that I spent many hours searching my sky for his shine. I have come not to hurt Seiya, but to ask him if he will come back into my life. I know that he could turn me away, but I don't care about that. I just want to know, for good or ill, so I can move forward in my life, without any unanswered questions."
Umi was silent for a long while, and Usagi didn't want to disturb her. Her own confused and turbulent feelings were enough at the moment. She hoped that she had convinced the other girl of her sincerity, but she wasn't sure. Umi had every right to mistrust Usagi and her motives, but Usagi hoped that she had alluded any fears that she had come to hurt Seiya once again. But what did it matter anyway? Seiya wasn't here and wouldn't be back for a long time. Usagi did not have the means to wait for him, or perhaps even the ability to return home. Usagi realized despondently that she had bigger problems to face. Usagi was deep into these thoughts as Umi's warm hand slid into hers, breaking her reverie. Turning to face her, Usagi was shocked to see a large smile on her face.
" Well if you came all this way looking for answers, we can't let you go home without any."
" What do you mean?"
" We'll just send you to meet Kakyuu and Seiya at their next destination. We can have you there in about a day's travel." Umi said, as she took both of Usagi's hands in hers " I saw the pain in your face back in the throne room. That kind of emotion is only the result of true feelings. I hope that you find the answers you want Usagi."
Usagi was speechless, she had convinced herself that she had failed but Umi was offering her a second chance. " Thank you Umi, " Usagi said, her voice cracking with happiness, " you have no idea what this means to me."
Umi laughed and gave Usagi a hug. " Come, we have some arrangements to make."
Usagi smiled and began to straighten her clothes, but was interrupted by the sound of raised voices outside her room.
" I don't care if Usagi has a visitor, I'm one of her friends and you'd better let me in that room!"
" That would be Amio checking in on me." Usagi said with a laugh.
There was a muted reply, followed by Amio's bellowing voice. " I don't care if she is with Princess Kakyuu herself! You had better step aside before I kick the shit out of you!"
There was a short scuffle then the door of the room flew open to reveal Amio dragging a palace guard in a headlock into the room. Seeing Usagi awake a wide grin broke out on his face.
" Usagi! You're okay!"
" Yes Amio I'm fine. I'm sure that Umi would appreciate you not manhandling her guards though."
Amio glanced at the struggling guard in his arm and released him. With a venomous look, the guard returned to his post outside the door. " Sorry about that. I was just worried about you." Amio said somewhat sheepishly. " I just can't believe that you are Sailor Moon!"
"That's okay, neither can I sometimes." Usagi said laughing, linking her arm through his. " We'd better get Luna though. This journey isn't over yet."