Disclaimer: All original characters belong to Vela-chan. The rest belong to
Naoko Takeuchi.
A/N from Ryoko: Vela-chan has taken over to type a few chapters since I haven't had either the time or the inspiration to do it.
Fate Isn't Written in Stone
Chapter 7:
Haruka's Acceptance
(Back in the hallway.)
There was a brilliant flash of white light and the senshi appeared in front of the door that they had entered.
There was an uneasy silence as the senshi stood dumbstruck, and then ESM ran to Fighter and hugged her, sobbing.
"Do you understand, now, why Queen Serenity told you a false past?" Quiore asked appearing a few feet away from them.
ESM nodded, and then whispered, "Did Mamoru somehow escape from the ginzushou?"
Quiore nodded. "Yes, somehow. We don't know exactly how. All we know is that he escaped with his evil still bottled up inside him. Though it isn't anymore. . ."
ESM looked at him. "You-you mean. . ."
Again, the white haired man nodded. "He's awake, and stronger than ever."
"If Mamoru and I were never meant for each other. . .What happens to Chibi-Usa?" she asked shakily.
Quiore smiled. "I'll show you," he said and tapped his jewel. They were transported to the tube-filled room and Quiore led the senshi to Chibi-Usa.
"Who are these people?" Venus asked.
"These are the descendents of all of you." He answered.
"WHA?! These are our kids?!"
"To put it simply: yes. Your children, grand-children and so on."
"Holy. . ." Healer began when a girl caught her eye. She was rather short but she looked about 13, with waist length pale, pale blonde hair. "Who is this Quiore?" she asked.
" That's Mia-Tenko."
"Whose daughter is she?"
"Well. . . Do you want to know?"
Healer nodded.
"That's your child."
"I figured as much. She looks a lot like me," she stated calmly. "Who's the mother?"
"Aino Minako."
Both of their eyes widened and their faces turned scarlet.
"And this. . ."he pointed to another girl with short brown hair that came to her shoulders. "Is Kamika. Daughter of. . .-" The senshi leaned forward eagerly-" Taiki Kou and Mizuno Ami!" *eyes widening and blushing* "and last but certainly not least," he concluded, pointing to another tube. "Is Chibi-Usa!"
ESM looked at her daughter. "But Chibi-Usa-chan has pink hair. . .This girl has black hair."
Quiore smiled and laughed. " Did I mention that the Chibi-Usa you know is an illusion of the real Chibi-Usa?"
"You mean the Chibi-Usa I knew wasn't real?"
Quiore shook his head. "Not in body, no. But her personality is the same."
"Well. . . Where does the black hair come from?"
(The Inners, Outers-sans Saturn- and Maker raised and eyebrow)
"From her father of course."
"Who's the father?"
( The above's eyebrows rose higher.)
"Seiya Kou."
ESM's jaw dropped and she glowed as red as Fighter did.
()"Can't say I mind though," Fighter stated.
ESM looked at him, spazzing. "YOU may not mind but I do! Everything I've come to accept isn't true!" she cried, yanking at her odango tails. "My future, my past and my present are entirely different that from what I wanted!" She groaned in exasperation.
Fighter looked dejected and disappointed.
ESM noticed and took a step closer to her. "Fighter. . ."she murmured, putting a hand on her shoulder. Fighter turned away. "I can understand Usagi. . .I don't think I would enjoy the idea of having a child who can be either gender. . ."
"Fighter-" She stepped away from ESM.
"ESM narrowed her eyes at Fighter. Then in one swift movement she took her star broach from her top.
"Hey!" exclaimed Fighter as she instantly turned back to Seiya. "What did-" He never finished his sentence because ESM (practically knocking him over) kissed him. At first, Seiya was too surprised to do anything, but eventually he wrapped his arms around her. As they drew apart they just looked into each others eyes.
"I was following my heart Seiya-kun," ESM whispered. "I never knew when we were fighting Galaxia, but after you left. . ." She pulled his head down to hers in another-shorter- kiss.
Everyone-including Quiore- sighed and went, "Ahhhh."
The two jerked apart ^_^; smiling. "Eh-he-he."
Quiore smiled and looked into the sky. "Oh, it's late. You'd better spend the night with me again if you want to be rested enough to fight Endymion."
"What?" Mercury gasped. "Has. . ?"
Quiore nodded. "The evil that has possessed him for so long has finally taken over him. I felt it happen just before you arrived."
"Why didn't you say anything?" Jupiter asked.
Quiore shrugged. "I thought you knew."
"Is there any chance he can be healed?" Uranus asked (apparently not yet used to knowing Seiya would one day be King of the Earth).
He shook his head. "There is no hope. . ."
ESM looked a little sad too. "But maybe my crystal. . ."
"You're crystal, Princess, will have a hard enough time against Endymions," Quiore informed.
"Mamoru has his own crystal?" Maker asked.
"Yes."
"As powerful as mine?" ESM inquired.
"Yes, perhaps even stronger."
ESM looked worried. "What does he want?"
"You of course."
"Me?! What does he want with me?!"
"He's always wanted to rule the universe. He would have if Seiya hadn't interfered. Seiya made you lose your feelings towards Mamoru-"
"Which made Mamoru's plans for the future get destroyed. . ." ESM finished.
Quiore nodded, then glanced up at the sky/ceiling. "I'll take you back to my quarters. You can have a bit to eat and can spend the night-"
"Food?" ESM gasped, perking up. "You have food? Where'd you get it? I thought you didn't have any food because you didn't have to eat."
Quiore smiled. " I managed to find some things."
"They aren't like 3,000 years old are they?"
"It could only be 1,820 years old since it took me 126 years to grow up to the equivalent of an 18 year old. But no, it's not two millennia old."
"Good," ESM returned. "Lead the way, I'm starving!"
All of the senshi smiled at ESM, their tension of the upcoming battle slightly relieved.
*
Usagi (not ESM) sat at a huge white marble table, imitating Garfield when he's seen lasagna. Seiya sat staring at her, smiling. Usagi was about to grab the last cream puff (she'd eaten 10 others) when Seiya grabbed her hand.
Usagi turned to him, whipped cream all around her mouth. "What Seiya? I'm hungry!"
"Well so am I," he returned, took the cream puff and held it above his head.
"Hey!" Usagi cried, jumping to her feet in unison with Seiya. "Give that back-it's mine!"
"Sorry Odango Atama!" Seiya replied popping the puff into his mouth.
Usagi T_T mumbled, "My cream puff. . ."
Rei slapped Usagi upside the head. "BAKA! You were only supposed to eat one! The others were for us, you pig!" Usagi wasn't paying attention. Rei's slap had pushed her into Seiya, who was smiling down at her.
"What?"
He shook his head. "You're just too cute."
"'Course I am! Pretty Soldier of Love and Justice, Eternal Sailor Moon- That's me!" she leaned up to kiss him but Seiya held her back.
"At least let me clean off your face Odango," he suggested.
"Am I that messy?"
Seiya smiled and pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket, dipped it in his glass of water and gently wiped away the whipped cream.
Rei and Makoto sighed- all heart eyes. "I wish I had a boyfriend like that!" they said together.
Ami, Minako and Michiru said in unison, "I wish my boyfriend was like that!" at the same time Yaten and Taiki said, "I wish I had the courage to do that to my girlfriend!"
"Hey!" Haruka exclaimed, at Michiru's remark, but shut up because everyone stared at her. She coughed and blushed. "Um. Hey look. . .I. . .wanted. . .a cream puff," she stammered, trying to think of something.
Quiore, who sat away from the others, smiled silently. His eyes jerked open and he gasped softly. The senshi turned to him, a bit startled. "What is it?" Setsuna asked.
He stood up. "Something. . . Is in the Passageway. But not near the entrance," the Guardian replied. "I must go." He took one running step and disappeared.
Usagi looked nervous and whispered, "Could it be Mamoru?"
"Don't worry Kitten," Haruka said. "It's probably just Chibi-Usa or someone traveling through time that accidentally got off course."
She nodded. "You're probably right. . ."
"I don't know about you guys, but we're going to bed," Setsuna stated, picking up Hotaru, who had fallen asleep on her lap.
The Inners stood up too. "If Quiore needs us just yell," Rei muttered.
Seiya got up to go with Taiki and Yaten and Michiru, Haruka and Usagi stood up as well. "Seiya-san!" Haruka called.
"What?"
"I just wanted you to know," she began. "That I think that you'll make a good King of the Earth." She smiled-sort of-at Seiya's startled look. Then he grinned and extended his hand.
"Friends?"
Haruka started to stretch out her hand, but hesitated. 'Friends?' she thought. 'With an alien?' She glimpsed Usagi's face- a radiant smile on her lips. 'It would make her sad. . .' She looked at Seiya, he was still smiling. 'I've trusted him so far. . .' Haruka gripped his hand and shook it. "Well the only thing that is constant is change," she said. "I'd best get used to it now." Then she turned and followed Michiru into their bedroom.
*
Seiya pulled on the crimson shirt that matched his pajama pants. Taiki's were yellow while Yaten's were pale blue.
He sat down silently on the end of his bed, thinking deeply.
Yaten glance at him, and looked amused. "Go to her."
Seiya and Taiki both looked at him. "What?!" they gasped in unison.
"You heard me."
"Me?" Taiki squeaked, pointing to himself.
"No, not you baka. Seiya."
"Oh. . ."
"Huh?"
Yaten sighed, sat beside the black haired young man and looked him straight in the eye. "You both love each other right?"
"Yeah. . ." he replied, not sure where this was going but having an unpleasant idea.
"So go to her."
"And do what?"
"It doesn't matter. You guys need to talk anyways so you might as well do it in private. She'd let you stay the night in her room."
"You mean-?"
"NO!" Yaten exclaimed. "Just. . .SLEEP in there."
Seiya blushed and looked at his feet, embarrassed for thinking such a thing. Yaten slapped him on the back. "Go on go on!"
*
"Odango?" Seiya whispered, pulling aside the rather transparent tapestry and stepping inside her room.
"Is that you Seiya?" Usagi's voice- slightly muffled- came from the darkness.
"Yeah, I-"
"Um, can you help me?"
Seiya wouldn't have thought it possible to get tangled in a nightgown the way Usagi had. The left strap was on the other side of her head, while the right strap was on the left side. Her arms were pinned to her sides under the gown. Every time she tried to raise them she choked herself.
He laughed softly. "You do the impossible Odango." Striding up to her, he took a strap in each hand, then gently raised the gown and straightened it out and then let it drop back down.
Usagi turned around. "I thought I'd have to wake someone. Thank you!"
"Don't mention it Usagi-chan."
She blushed, walked away and sat sadly down on her bed. Seiya hesitated, but Usagi put her hand beside her and nodded.
"What's wrong?" he whispered as he sank down beside her.
Usagi (undoing an odango-just picture it, one up, one down) gazed downward. "I don't want to fight again. I thought it was the end with Galaxia. . ." She was quiet for a moment then asked, "Seiya-kun, why did you choose me?" just as Seiya asked , "Why do you like me?" They both laughed.
"Ok, I'll go first," Seiya said. "I chose you because. . .-" He searched for the right words "- Well, as corny as it is, because your star is always shining. You just radiate happiness."
"Still?"
"Yes. And the other is that I think you're the most exciting girl in the universe."
"You mean you don't care that I'm a princess?"
Seiya gave her a puzzled look. "Why should I? I did love you in my past life, yes, but right now is what matters."
She looked as though she were about to cry from happiness and threw herself at him. " I always thought Mamoru only loved me because I'm Serenity. . .I like you. . .because when I'm with you I feel. . .loved. Truly loved and secure. I never felt that way when I was with him. I always felt uneasy and scared. But I pushed the feelings away for the sake of Chibi-Usa. . .Then you came, and changed my perspective. When Mamoru came back I realized I could no longer push away the bad feelings."
Seiya put two fingers beneath her chin and gently raised her face. "I will never leave your side, I swear it Usagi."
More tears of happiness fell from her cerulean eyes. "I know Seiya, I know," she whispered.
(A/N: I messed up on Quiore's age. In chapter 6 his age was said to be 1346. Add a thousand more years and you get two thousand. He's roughly around 2,300 years old. Sorry about that!)
A/N from Ryoko: Vela-chan has taken over to type a few chapters since I haven't had either the time or the inspiration to do it.
Fate Isn't Written in Stone
Chapter 7:
Haruka's Acceptance
(Back in the hallway.)
There was a brilliant flash of white light and the senshi appeared in front of the door that they had entered.
There was an uneasy silence as the senshi stood dumbstruck, and then ESM ran to Fighter and hugged her, sobbing.
"Do you understand, now, why Queen Serenity told you a false past?" Quiore asked appearing a few feet away from them.
ESM nodded, and then whispered, "Did Mamoru somehow escape from the ginzushou?"
Quiore nodded. "Yes, somehow. We don't know exactly how. All we know is that he escaped with his evil still bottled up inside him. Though it isn't anymore. . ."
ESM looked at him. "You-you mean. . ."
Again, the white haired man nodded. "He's awake, and stronger than ever."
"If Mamoru and I were never meant for each other. . .What happens to Chibi-Usa?" she asked shakily.
Quiore smiled. "I'll show you," he said and tapped his jewel. They were transported to the tube-filled room and Quiore led the senshi to Chibi-Usa.
"Who are these people?" Venus asked.
"These are the descendents of all of you." He answered.
"WHA?! These are our kids?!"
"To put it simply: yes. Your children, grand-children and so on."
"Holy. . ." Healer began when a girl caught her eye. She was rather short but she looked about 13, with waist length pale, pale blonde hair. "Who is this Quiore?" she asked.
" That's Mia-Tenko."
"Whose daughter is she?"
"Well. . . Do you want to know?"
Healer nodded.
"That's your child."
"I figured as much. She looks a lot like me," she stated calmly. "Who's the mother?"
"Aino Minako."
Both of their eyes widened and their faces turned scarlet.
"And this. . ."he pointed to another girl with short brown hair that came to her shoulders. "Is Kamika. Daughter of. . .-" The senshi leaned forward eagerly-" Taiki Kou and Mizuno Ami!" *eyes widening and blushing* "and last but certainly not least," he concluded, pointing to another tube. "Is Chibi-Usa!"
ESM looked at her daughter. "But Chibi-Usa-chan has pink hair. . .This girl has black hair."
Quiore smiled and laughed. " Did I mention that the Chibi-Usa you know is an illusion of the real Chibi-Usa?"
"You mean the Chibi-Usa I knew wasn't real?"
Quiore shook his head. "Not in body, no. But her personality is the same."
"Well. . . Where does the black hair come from?"
(The Inners, Outers-sans Saturn- and Maker raised and eyebrow)
"From her father of course."
"Who's the father?"
( The above's eyebrows rose higher.)
"Seiya Kou."
ESM's jaw dropped and she glowed as red as Fighter did.
()"Can't say I mind though," Fighter stated.
ESM looked at him, spazzing. "YOU may not mind but I do! Everything I've come to accept isn't true!" she cried, yanking at her odango tails. "My future, my past and my present are entirely different that from what I wanted!" She groaned in exasperation.
Fighter looked dejected and disappointed.
ESM noticed and took a step closer to her. "Fighter. . ."she murmured, putting a hand on her shoulder. Fighter turned away. "I can understand Usagi. . .I don't think I would enjoy the idea of having a child who can be either gender. . ."
"Fighter-" She stepped away from ESM.
"ESM narrowed her eyes at Fighter. Then in one swift movement she took her star broach from her top.
"Hey!" exclaimed Fighter as she instantly turned back to Seiya. "What did-" He never finished his sentence because ESM (practically knocking him over) kissed him. At first, Seiya was too surprised to do anything, but eventually he wrapped his arms around her. As they drew apart they just looked into each others eyes.
"I was following my heart Seiya-kun," ESM whispered. "I never knew when we were fighting Galaxia, but after you left. . ." She pulled his head down to hers in another-shorter- kiss.
Everyone-including Quiore- sighed and went, "Ahhhh."
The two jerked apart ^_^; smiling. "Eh-he-he."
Quiore smiled and looked into the sky. "Oh, it's late. You'd better spend the night with me again if you want to be rested enough to fight Endymion."
"What?" Mercury gasped. "Has. . ?"
Quiore nodded. "The evil that has possessed him for so long has finally taken over him. I felt it happen just before you arrived."
"Why didn't you say anything?" Jupiter asked.
Quiore shrugged. "I thought you knew."
"Is there any chance he can be healed?" Uranus asked (apparently not yet used to knowing Seiya would one day be King of the Earth).
He shook his head. "There is no hope. . ."
ESM looked a little sad too. "But maybe my crystal. . ."
"You're crystal, Princess, will have a hard enough time against Endymions," Quiore informed.
"Mamoru has his own crystal?" Maker asked.
"Yes."
"As powerful as mine?" ESM inquired.
"Yes, perhaps even stronger."
ESM looked worried. "What does he want?"
"You of course."
"Me?! What does he want with me?!"
"He's always wanted to rule the universe. He would have if Seiya hadn't interfered. Seiya made you lose your feelings towards Mamoru-"
"Which made Mamoru's plans for the future get destroyed. . ." ESM finished.
Quiore nodded, then glanced up at the sky/ceiling. "I'll take you back to my quarters. You can have a bit to eat and can spend the night-"
"Food?" ESM gasped, perking up. "You have food? Where'd you get it? I thought you didn't have any food because you didn't have to eat."
Quiore smiled. " I managed to find some things."
"They aren't like 3,000 years old are they?"
"It could only be 1,820 years old since it took me 126 years to grow up to the equivalent of an 18 year old. But no, it's not two millennia old."
"Good," ESM returned. "Lead the way, I'm starving!"
All of the senshi smiled at ESM, their tension of the upcoming battle slightly relieved.
*
Usagi (not ESM) sat at a huge white marble table, imitating Garfield when he's seen lasagna. Seiya sat staring at her, smiling. Usagi was about to grab the last cream puff (she'd eaten 10 others) when Seiya grabbed her hand.
Usagi turned to him, whipped cream all around her mouth. "What Seiya? I'm hungry!"
"Well so am I," he returned, took the cream puff and held it above his head.
"Hey!" Usagi cried, jumping to her feet in unison with Seiya. "Give that back-it's mine!"
"Sorry Odango Atama!" Seiya replied popping the puff into his mouth.
Usagi T_T mumbled, "My cream puff. . ."
Rei slapped Usagi upside the head. "BAKA! You were only supposed to eat one! The others were for us, you pig!" Usagi wasn't paying attention. Rei's slap had pushed her into Seiya, who was smiling down at her.
"What?"
He shook his head. "You're just too cute."
"'Course I am! Pretty Soldier of Love and Justice, Eternal Sailor Moon- That's me!" she leaned up to kiss him but Seiya held her back.
"At least let me clean off your face Odango," he suggested.
"Am I that messy?"
Seiya smiled and pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket, dipped it in his glass of water and gently wiped away the whipped cream.
Rei and Makoto sighed- all heart eyes. "I wish I had a boyfriend like that!" they said together.
Ami, Minako and Michiru said in unison, "I wish my boyfriend was like that!" at the same time Yaten and Taiki said, "I wish I had the courage to do that to my girlfriend!"
"Hey!" Haruka exclaimed, at Michiru's remark, but shut up because everyone stared at her. She coughed and blushed. "Um. Hey look. . .I. . .wanted. . .a cream puff," she stammered, trying to think of something.
Quiore, who sat away from the others, smiled silently. His eyes jerked open and he gasped softly. The senshi turned to him, a bit startled. "What is it?" Setsuna asked.
He stood up. "Something. . . Is in the Passageway. But not near the entrance," the Guardian replied. "I must go." He took one running step and disappeared.
Usagi looked nervous and whispered, "Could it be Mamoru?"
"Don't worry Kitten," Haruka said. "It's probably just Chibi-Usa or someone traveling through time that accidentally got off course."
She nodded. "You're probably right. . ."
"I don't know about you guys, but we're going to bed," Setsuna stated, picking up Hotaru, who had fallen asleep on her lap.
The Inners stood up too. "If Quiore needs us just yell," Rei muttered.
Seiya got up to go with Taiki and Yaten and Michiru, Haruka and Usagi stood up as well. "Seiya-san!" Haruka called.
"What?"
"I just wanted you to know," she began. "That I think that you'll make a good King of the Earth." She smiled-sort of-at Seiya's startled look. Then he grinned and extended his hand.
"Friends?"
Haruka started to stretch out her hand, but hesitated. 'Friends?' she thought. 'With an alien?' She glimpsed Usagi's face- a radiant smile on her lips. 'It would make her sad. . .' She looked at Seiya, he was still smiling. 'I've trusted him so far. . .' Haruka gripped his hand and shook it. "Well the only thing that is constant is change," she said. "I'd best get used to it now." Then she turned and followed Michiru into their bedroom.
*
Seiya pulled on the crimson shirt that matched his pajama pants. Taiki's were yellow while Yaten's were pale blue.
He sat down silently on the end of his bed, thinking deeply.
Yaten glance at him, and looked amused. "Go to her."
Seiya and Taiki both looked at him. "What?!" they gasped in unison.
"You heard me."
"Me?" Taiki squeaked, pointing to himself.
"No, not you baka. Seiya."
"Oh. . ."
"Huh?"
Yaten sighed, sat beside the black haired young man and looked him straight in the eye. "You both love each other right?"
"Yeah. . ." he replied, not sure where this was going but having an unpleasant idea.
"So go to her."
"And do what?"
"It doesn't matter. You guys need to talk anyways so you might as well do it in private. She'd let you stay the night in her room."
"You mean-?"
"NO!" Yaten exclaimed. "Just. . .SLEEP in there."
Seiya blushed and looked at his feet, embarrassed for thinking such a thing. Yaten slapped him on the back. "Go on go on!"
*
"Odango?" Seiya whispered, pulling aside the rather transparent tapestry and stepping inside her room.
"Is that you Seiya?" Usagi's voice- slightly muffled- came from the darkness.
"Yeah, I-"
"Um, can you help me?"
Seiya wouldn't have thought it possible to get tangled in a nightgown the way Usagi had. The left strap was on the other side of her head, while the right strap was on the left side. Her arms were pinned to her sides under the gown. Every time she tried to raise them she choked herself.
He laughed softly. "You do the impossible Odango." Striding up to her, he took a strap in each hand, then gently raised the gown and straightened it out and then let it drop back down.
Usagi turned around. "I thought I'd have to wake someone. Thank you!"
"Don't mention it Usagi-chan."
She blushed, walked away and sat sadly down on her bed. Seiya hesitated, but Usagi put her hand beside her and nodded.
"What's wrong?" he whispered as he sank down beside her.
Usagi (undoing an odango-just picture it, one up, one down) gazed downward. "I don't want to fight again. I thought it was the end with Galaxia. . ." She was quiet for a moment then asked, "Seiya-kun, why did you choose me?" just as Seiya asked , "Why do you like me?" They both laughed.
"Ok, I'll go first," Seiya said. "I chose you because. . .-" He searched for the right words "- Well, as corny as it is, because your star is always shining. You just radiate happiness."
"Still?"
"Yes. And the other is that I think you're the most exciting girl in the universe."
"You mean you don't care that I'm a princess?"
Seiya gave her a puzzled look. "Why should I? I did love you in my past life, yes, but right now is what matters."
She looked as though she were about to cry from happiness and threw herself at him. " I always thought Mamoru only loved me because I'm Serenity. . .I like you. . .because when I'm with you I feel. . .loved. Truly loved and secure. I never felt that way when I was with him. I always felt uneasy and scared. But I pushed the feelings away for the sake of Chibi-Usa. . .Then you came, and changed my perspective. When Mamoru came back I realized I could no longer push away the bad feelings."
Seiya put two fingers beneath her chin and gently raised her face. "I will never leave your side, I swear it Usagi."
More tears of happiness fell from her cerulean eyes. "I know Seiya, I know," she whispered.
(A/N: I messed up on Quiore's age. In chapter 6 his age was said to be 1346. Add a thousand more years and you get two thousand. He's roughly around 2,300 years old. Sorry about that!)