Surrounded

By Seisei

Chapter 2

Authors Note: Alright, it appears as though this story has some potential so I'll keep on writing. Hope you enjoy. Please remember this story is slightly "Alt-Universe" so don't get mad at me if doesn't stay in the exactly like Takeuchi-sensei might have set down before.

Disclaimer: I don't own BSSM. Blah blah blah.

**

"Everyone … thank you for coming."

Everybody nodded, solemn. Grim.

She looked over to Haruka and Michiru. They were holding hands, Michiru's head rested on Haruka's shoulder. For a moment, her heart plummeted when she thought of holding hands with Mamoru. But no, she understood … they needed each other in tragedies … just like she needed Mamoru.

"Haruka-san, Michiru-san," she said, her voice soft. "You … you came back from Paris."

The pair had been performing all over Europe. Paris. Minako had once told her that it was the most romantic city in the world. Once or twice she had thought that one day she and Mamoru would go there. Maybe after their honeymoon.

"We had to, Usagi-san," Michiru replied. "We couldn't leave you alone."

Rei nodded, putting her hand on her friends shoulder. "Don't worry, Usagi-chan, we won't leave you alone."

Usagi sniffed, nodded, rubbed her eyes. "Y … yeah. Thank you, everybody … so much."

Rei let her take her seat next to Makoto, silently poured her a cup of tea. Usagi could feel a lump growing in her throat. She had always said Rei was so mean to her, but secretly had always thought she was the best friend she could have. Even though she always got mad at "baka Usagi-chan", she had never really left her alone. She was always there for her.

"Odango."

Usagi's heart stopped for a moment, her mouth dropping in shock and her eyes widening. She turned roughly in her seat, her breathing rough and unsteady. For a moment she sat there, unseeing. Then, she could see … Seiya stood by her mother, his hands stuffed in his jean pockets. His eyes were sad, the usually smiling lips now forming a little sad line.

Suddenly, she was on her feet. "Seiya-kun."

She stared at him, her eyes troubled, before she quickly bowed. Odango. Her hair was loose and tangled, but the nickname stuck. He remembered, still. After so much time. Seiya looked around at the group warily. His eyes found their way back on her. He looked down at his feet.

"Usagi-chan … can I speak to you … alone?" She glanced at her friends, who didn't move, only stared ahead, or at their cups.

She stood up, and followed him towards the door, and then outside. He sat down on the front step, but Usagi stood, untangled her hair with her fingers. She glanced down at him, but he looked out ahead at the street.

"I'm … so, so sorry for what - "

She interrupted quickly. "How are Yaten-kun and Taiki-kun? And … Kakyuu-hime?"

Seiya looked up at her, openly surprised. He hadn't expected for her to say that. She flushed and turned away.

"They – they're in Tokyo," he replied. "Well, Taiki and Yaten, at least. But they thought you would need some … space. Kakyuu-hime … she sends her deepest sympathies. She understands your position."

Usagi nodded. "Thank you … you don't understand how thankful I am to see you again." She stood silent for a moment, before something else formed in her mind. "How did you know? I mean, about everything?"

He put his elbows on his knees, rested his chin in his hands. "Luna and Rei-chan. They combined their abilities. You are a sister kingdom to us, Usagi. The Moon Kingdom and Kinmoku … we didn't communicate much, but you defeated Galaxia, freed the Star Seeds. We are eternally in your debt."

Usagi shook her head. "Not without you. If you hadn't helped … if the Starlights hadn't been there, I never would have been able to do it. And …" Suddenly her voice cracked, and her hands flew up to cover her face. "nothing … I never could have done anything … without … Mamo-chan …" She let out a sob, and dropped to a crouch, her whole body shaking and shuddering with tears. "I … I can't … do anything without him …"

She took in a deep breath, dropping her hands. A tear streaked face raised to the sky. Usagi sighed again, and wiped her eyes with her hand.

"I'm sorry, Seiya-kun," she said, clearing her throat. "I … I guess I just …"

Seiya shook his head. "Odango, I understand. You don't have to explain."

Just as he said this, a black car had pulled up in front of the house. Seiya stood up.

"It's Yaten and Taiki," he said. "I suppose they've come to see you."

One of the doors opened, and Yaten stepped out, followed by Taiki. Both were dressed in black, sunglasses shading their eyes. They walked slowly, solemnly, towards Usagi, bowing before her.

"Tsukino-san," Yaten said.

Taiki lowered his glasses, piercing eyes boring into Usagi. "We have come, of course, to offer our consolations, but as well … to speak to you of some things that were brought to our attention by Luna. When she contacted us."

Usagi's eyes widened a bit. "What is it?"

Taiki glanced at Yaten, his brows furrowed slightly. "So – she didn't speak to you of it yet?"

Usagi shook her head, slowly. "N – no. Why? What's happened?"

Seiya looked at them, slightly alarmed. "Taiki …"

Taiki ignored him. He stepped forward, still frowning.

"Usagi-san," he said. "You are the princess of the Moon Kingdom, and of course the Moon will retake power in time … where you were destined to rule over Crystal Tokyo. You were to have a heir to the throne, as is expected – Neo Princess Serenity. Small Lady.

"Without Endymion, Crystal Tokyo will cease to exist. Without him, the barrier between Earth and the Moon will be raised again. The Sailor Senshi, and all those with the blood of the other planets, will be exiled. The darkness of Earth – the anger, the jealousy – will be reawoken when the future becomes apparent. You will not be able to live on Earth any longer, and perhaps, not even on the Moon."

Usagi cast her gaze to the ground. She had thought about this – Chibiusa would no longer exist. It had pained her. But she hadn't really thought of it before.

"Usagi-san," Yaten said, his voice shaking a little. "You must be aware of the future! We can't delay any longer!"

Usagi looked up at him, her gaze suddenly icy. "What does it matter to you? It's none of your problem, why can't you just leave us alone!"

Yaten looked stunned, and glanced at Taiki. He shook his head.

"No, Usagi-san, we can't," he said, his voice stern. "Kakyuu-hime has vowed her allegiance to the Moon Kingdom since you defeated Chaos. We are in your debt!"

"Then I release you from it!" she cried. "Don't make me lead a kingdom now."

He shook his head again. "You aren't the Queen yet. You can't stop us from being involved in this. But you are the leader of the Sailor Senshi! It is your duty to help the people who are blood bound to the Moon Kingdom!"

Usagi turned away, putting her hands on her forehead. "I'm sorry, Taiki-kun. I can't … not now."

*

Concluding Notes: OK, so this chapter is considerably longer than the previous. I found this chapter kind of hard to write, but that's ok. Anyhow.