Authors Note: This is the first fanfic I've written in a VERY long time. I used to go as Kumi-braids. Anyhow, I hope you all enjoy. Have fun. I know this chapter is short, but longer ones will be coming up.

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailormoon. Yay.

Chapter 1

Usagi's hand covered her eyes. She stood hunched over her bureau, tears soaking her hands and her body shuddering with each gasp for breath. She bit her lip, removing her hand and looking into the mirror. Her eyes were red, bags hanging under them. The sapphire eyes looking into her own seemed to quiver, her lower lip trembling. Her hair was a mess of tangles and knots. It was the third time that day. Possibly the hundredth time that week.

She stepped back, stumbling onto her bed. The ceiling stared at her, empty. She rolled over onto her side. Mamoru. His eyes, his face. They were there, but he was not. The picture was a month old, at Usagi's highschool graduation. She reached out to touch it, but when her fingertips hit the glass she found herself gasping and quickly bringing it back to her pillow. Glass. Fragile. Only to be broken in the end.

Someone knocked at her door. Timidly. Nervous. She didn't want to open it, only wanted for them to go away. Didn't they understand? She didn't want them. She wanted to be alone. No, not alone. She wanted … Mamoru. Only him, nobody else.

"Usa-chan?"

Her mother. She bit her lip, turning away to face her wall. She didn't want anybody to see her, not now. Maybe never.

"Usa-chan … Seiya-san is here to see you."

Seiya.

Seiya …

"Usagi, please come out," her mothers muffled voice came again. "Seiya wants to see you. He's worried about you."

Usagi didn't want to speak. Said nothing. She heard voices outside the door … muffled, words jumbled. They didn't make sense.

"Usagi, I'll come back later, okay?" her mother said again. "Seiya says … says he'll stay around for a bit. He wants to see you."

Usagi rolled onto her back as the footsteps faded away. Seiya. How could he know? She wondered how she could even think about that. She pushed herself up, the air around her warm and heavy. Her head was blurred, her whole body weak. How long had it been since she last ate? She didn't know. All she had done was sleep and cry. All the other times she had been so upset, she had done nothing but eat. Now she didn't even want to think about leaving her room.

She kneeled there for a long while, not thinking about anything in particular. Everything was empty around her. Seiya's face. It kept on appearing in her mind. He had come to see her. Minako had once teased her that Seiya had a crush on her when he was on earth. She hadn't believed it, hadn't cared, because she had Mamoru.

She needed to go see him, thank him. Some how, she thought, she felt older, wiser. She had a duty for Mamoru, she needed to speak for him. Even though they had never been married, she felt as if she was his wife, going to thank his mourners for their care.

She slid off the bed, walking slowly towards the door. She could hear voices downstairs. It wasn't just Seiya. It was …

Somebody appeared at the foot of the stairs. It was Rei, dressed in dark colors, her eyes also red and narrowed. She had forgotten. Her friends had cared for Mamoru too. He had been their protector, one of their leaders. They trusted and loved him. Rei suddenly let out a sob and ran up to her friend, embracing her. Usagi couldn't cry anymore, but her body still shook with dry tears.

At long last, Rei let go of her, taking her hand and leading her down the stairs. They went to the sitting room, where a large group had gathered.

"Everyone …" she whispered, looking around.

Minako, Makoto and Ami sat on one couch, the other occupied by Haruka, Michiru, and Setsuna. Hotaru sat at their feet, her head rested against Setsuna's leg. Sorrow filled their eyes, and suddenly, she realized, she wasn't alone.