A/N: I'm back, min'na-san. I know I should apologize for not keeping my promise. Gomen nasai! I'm still in the middle of planning a lot of things. And I shouldn't even be writing anything right now since its my prelims week but I want to post this as soon as I can. Anyways, thank you to all those who reviewed. schoolgirltil2005, wow! you reviewed again, thank you so much. SM Fanatic, thank you! Thank you! Thank you! As I've told you before, don't worry, Ok? To Karla, thanks for reviewing again. I got this chapter out as soon as I can, but I know it was still a while. To abby, thanks for reviewing and saying you like it, I'm sooooo happy!!!
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon is the property of Naoko Takeuchi, Toei Animation, Kodansha, etc. Please don't sue me, you wont get anything!
Chapter 4: Fires of Passion
A raven-haired priestess was kneeling in front of the fire, meditating. After murmuring a few chants, she opened her violet eyes to stare at the answer the sacred fire held.
For the past few weeks, she had been restless. She felt a bit uneasy as if something has to be done and it was her job to make sure it was done right.
It was about two months ago when this weird feeling started. One late night she woke up from a weird dream.
In her dream, she felt herself fading. Suddenly warmth surrounded her. She looked up to see a girl crying. She looked like an angel, a golden aura surrounding her, a crescent moon sign on her forehead and a pair of beautiful white wings emerging from her back.
"Matte! Don't leave me alone," the angel pleaded with her.
"Baka! You have Mamoru," she chastised.
Then she felt herself fading completely.
"Iya!" the girl cried.
She felt herself floating after that. She opened her eyes and watched the scene before her unfold.
The angel yelled at a woman. She tried to go to her but the woman blasted her. Then the woman showed the angel crystals.
She saw the horror in the girl's big blue eyes as she stare at a particular golden crystal.
"Oh no. If that's Mamo-chan's star seed, then Mamo-chan is. . ."
The angel started crying again. Her sobbing became more intense, her breathing shallower. She felt so sorry for her.
Dame. Usagi-chan, please stop crying she thought to herself, feeling a sense of protectiveness for the other girl. It's not over yet, you two are destined to be together, you can still be together. . . Maybe not now, but maybe in the future. . .
She watched her falling into pieces and calling for her Mamo-chan. . . She hate seeing her like this, she has to do something.
You'll find him again, I promise. I'll do anything to help. I'll make sure fate wouldn't interfere with destiny next time. I, Sailor Mars, guardian of war, impose this obligation to myself. . .
At first, she was not bothered by her dream. But she didn't understand what it meant so she kept asking the sacred fire for some answers. It never gave her any.
So a few days back, she had almost been convinced that her dream didn't mean anything at all. Almost. After all she grew up in a Shinto shrine, was raised to be a priestess of the temple. The belief of the supernatural was instilled deep into her.
Dreams are not created by random thoughts, they are either warnings, predictions, memories or confession from the psyche.
So what was her dream trying to tell her?
What was it that finally made her realize how serious this situation is?
It was three days ago when she got her clue. She was outside cleaning while thinking to herself. Suddenly, she was jolted out of her reverie when she heard that word.
. . . help . . .
She turned around to find a young man with his back to her praying by the sacred tree. He was tall, a few inches taller than her, his hair as black as ebony. She vaguely wondered if he was the one who she heard talking. Then with a sudden start, she realized that he wasn't speaking. She must have heard his thoughts in her mind.
At that very moment, Hino Rei felt the strange feeling in her chest coming back. She couldn't pull her eyes off him.
Her dream came back to her in full force.
You'll find him again, I promise. I'll do anything to help. I'll make sure fate wouldn't interfere with destiny next time. I, Sailor Mars, guardian of war, impose this obligation to myself. . .
Rei stared the flames and asked her question.
Am I Sailor Mars? If I am her, then it seems like I made a pledge in my former life. Show me, who am I suppose to help?
Rei watched the flames forming an image of a girl. It reminds her of her dream last night.
She was standing outside a silver palace. Up in the sky was the big sphere of blue and green. It was the earth.
Hearing someone whispering, Rei looked at her right.
Up a few feet away was a girl wearing flowing white gown. Her hair up in an unusual but charming hairstyle. She had blue eyes and in her forehead was a sign of a crescent moon. She was in the arms of a guy in wearing an armor. He was tall with black hair. His profile hinting that he was handsome. When he turned more, Rei got a glimpse of his eyes, it sparkled as blue as sapphire gems. They looked beautiful together. They looked like a fairytale prince and princess.
And as she continued to watch, the two suddenly kissed. They stayed like that for a long time. But after a while, the guy jerked back, his body glowing in a golden light. The girl could only watch as the guy started fading. Soon he faded away completely, a golden crystal remaining in his place.
"Iya!!!!!"
The girl crumpled to the ground, her hands covering her face.
A second later, a silver crystal appeared to enclose the hysterical girl. It glowed for a few times before disappearing.
A girl who looked like the princess appeared. Like the princess, she too was crying. Only, she was more subdued and calm.
Rei hurried to her. "Oi. Why are you crying?"
She didn't even looked at her as she answered. "I don't remember."
Rei raised her eyebrows. "You can't remember? How is that possible?" she persisted.
The girl sniffed. "I don't know. . . It just that there's a deep ache in my chest. It feels like I lost something and I just felt like crying. . . help me. . . " she pleaded softly.
"I will. I'll help you, it's probably my destiny." Rei said watching the image in the flames disappear.
She stood up and went outside the temple.
She noticed a lone figure praying by the sacred tree.
She smiled. I guess my destiny's beginning.
Tasukete kudasai. I don't know why I'm having these dreams.
"What kind of dreams?"
Usagi opened her eyes and stared right back at pair of pretty violet orbs.
She blushed slightly. "Gomen. I didn't know I said that out loud."
The violet-eyed girl shrugged. "No, you didn't." She looked seriously at her, "I read your thoughts."
"Nani?"
Finally, the girl smiled. "Just call me psychic."
Usagi felt the corners of her mouth forming into a smile too.
"So? Aren't you going to tell me what kind of dreams you were thinking about?"
"I wouldn't want to bother you," Usagi started.
"It's no bother at all. Tell me what it is," the raven-haired priestess coaxed.
"Well, um. . . for the past two months or so, I've been having strange dreams. In my dreams, it would almost always start with me being somewhere very dark. I'll start walking, trying to find some light. Soon I'll see a radiant light just ahead of me. I'll run up to it and to find something puzzling."
The girl was listening intently so Usagi found the courage to go on.
"The bright light will fade away as to reveal what it was. Lying in front of me enclosed in a crystal is a girl wearing a white gown. Her hair lay around her like a halo. When I'll try to go closer, I'll see a sigil in the her forehead. A crescent moon. . . "
"A crescent moon? Hmm. . . Interesting," the priestess said, there was a clouded look in her eyes that Usagi couldn't understand. "What did she look like?
"Um. . . silvery-gold blond hair, red lips, long black lashes, porcelain skin. . ."
The priestess smiled, "Meaning she looked like you?"
Usagi stared at her strangely. "No, I wouldn't say so. . ."
She shrugged. "Whatever. Anyway, continue. What happens next?"
"Every time, I'll touched the crystal, the crescent moon in her forehead will start to glow. The crystal, catching its light, will start reflecting the light back and forth. Then I'll close my eyes from the blinding light."
Usagi's brow creased a little. "And then, every time I'll opened my eyes, I see different scenes after scenes of two people. One was the girl sleeping inside the crystal, the other was a guy with black hair and blue eyes. They were always together, dancing, laughing. . . kissing. . . And sometimes they looked somewhat different. . ."
"What do you mean different?"
"The girl and the guy looked like royalty in their clothes that dated at least thousand years ago. But sometimes they would looked what normal citizens would from. . . I don't know. . . say, like twenty years ago?"
Usagi stared at the priestess. She could almost see her brain working overtime with all the bluff she just said.
Just as Usagi thought that the girl would never react. She spoke up, calm and intent.
"You see dreams can be predictions of what is to come. But it can also be memories of what has already happened. In your case, I think its retro-cognition. Your dreams are trying to remind you of your past. . ."
"My past? I don't understand. What made you say that?" Usagi asked.
"A crystal can possess great powers. You don't think you look like that girl, but with your description, I can picture her as you. You said she was enclosed in a crystal meaning the crystal has powers over her, but every time you touched that crystal you see images of the girl and a guy, hinting you're able to use the crystal's power that's why you see her memories. . . your memories."
"Are you saying a memories of a past life?" Usagi asked bewildered.
"Lives to be exact. You talked about two different periods, right?" She smiled again, looking satisfied with her explanation.
This is all so weird.
A month ago she was so sure Ami would laugh at her for believing on such unscientific things. That's why she was so hesitant in telling her about her feeling of them meeting in a past life. But now, to hear it from someone else that it was truly possible was making it seemed too real.
"But I still don't understand. If it was from the past, why make me remember? Shouldn't the past remain as the past?" Usagi asked, still doubtful.
"The fact that you're alive today tells that you haven't fulfilled your destiny yet. Your dreams are reminding you of your destiny and it seems this destiny means being with your soul mate," the girl further explained.
Usagi suddenly felt claustrophobic. "Destiny? Soul mate? I'm sorry but can you explain to me what exactly do you mean by that." Usagi asked quite out of breath.
"Destiny is a plan that has been prefigured for each one of us since the beginning of time. One is resurrected again and again until he completes what has been destined for him. I think you're here to meet your destined partner, the one that has always meant for you. . . that's your soul mate."
Usagi didn't say anything.
"That's stupid," Usagi finally croaked. "People should be free to choose what they want for themselves. They're not supposed to be controlled by some powerful force. People should be with someone because they wanted to be together, and not because it was pre-ordained."
The hurt expression in the priestess beautiful violet eyes confused Usagi more.
"Gomen. Gomen. I have to go," Usagi said backing away.
"Matte yo!"
Usagi didn't wait.
Usagi was listlessly tapping her pencil to her table. She was waiting for Ami who was already twenty minutes late.
But Usagi didn't even notice, she was too busy thinking of what happened three days ago.
The priestess seemed very sincere in helping her out but instead of being grateful, she had hurt her.
I feel so guilty after offending her. She thought. Suddenly I just got so emotional there.
Usagi sighed.
Maybe I should go and apologize to her. . .
Someone sat in front of her.
"Gomen, Usagi-chan. I was late because. . . "
Usagi sighed again. I really should go and apologize to her.
Usagi was finally pulled back from her reverie when she saw a pair of hands in front of her.
"Daijoubo ka, Usagi-chan?"
Usagi blushed. She never realized Ami's arrival.
"Hai," she said sheepishly.
"Okay. Anyway, I'm so sorry to be late," Ami went on.
"That's okay. So how was your day?" Usagi asked.
"It was fine." Ami blushed. "Ano. . . Usagi-chan, do you mind if I cancel our plans for today? I. . . I need to finish a research."
"Iie. That's fine. I'm thinking of going to the Hikawa Shrine anyway-"
"Hikawa Shrine?" Ami asked, looking more attentive.
"Hai. I meet the priestess there-"
"Why don't I go with you?" Ami asked quite suddenly. There was a look of something in her eyes.
"But you said you needed to finish a research?" Usagi said, shocked that Ami would even think about skipping with working on her research.
"Demo-"
"Mizuno-san," a voice interrupted Ami.
Immediately, Ami's face turned crimson.
"Taiki-san."
Usagi turned her head towards Taiki too.
"Oh Usagi, is Mizuno-san persuading you to help out with our research?"
"Research? You're into it too?" Usagi asked, a bit surprised. Then she smiled knowingly to Ami. The blue-haired girl blushed again.
Usagi shook her head. "No. I'm afraid I have to do something else." She smiled charmingly. "What's the research about?"
"It's about the Wataru comet."
"Oh," Usagi said, her smile suddenly fading as if remembering something.
"Anyway, we have to go," Ami said standing up.
Taiki nodded.
"Ja ne, Usagi-chan." Both Taiki and Ami said at the same time.
Ami blushed once more. Taiki smiled, amused.
They're so comfortable with each other and they've only known each other for a month, and now they already think alike.
It must be destiny. Usagi seemed to hear the raven-haired priestess say.
Usagi's brows creased.
I really need to see that girl.
Hino Rei was cleaning outside the temple. She wiped her forehead, straightening her back for a while.
"Need some help?"
Rei turned around and found the pretty blond girl standing a few feet away.
She smiled smugly. "No. That's okay. I can manage."
The girl was shocked. She blushed and bowed her head. "Gomen. I didn't mean to sound it the way that-"
Rei started laughing.
The girl stared at her confused. After a while, she joined in the laughing too.
After the laughter subsided, the two fell silent. It was the blond girl who finally broke it.
"Ano. . . gomen nasai."
Rei shook her head. "Don't be. It was my fault." Rei went closer to her, "I shouldn't have said those things. I understand if you can't believe me. . . um. . . "
"Tsukino Usagi," the girl bowed politely. "Hajimemashita."
"Hajimemashita," Rei returned. "Watashi wa Hino Rei desu."
They smiled at each other, already comfortable with one another.
"Tsukino Usagi. Your name sounds familiar," Rei said as she led Usagi to sit by the temple. Usagi's face flushed red. The two fell silent again. It was Rei who broke it this time.
"So you don't think destiny is stupid anymore?" Rei asked straightforwardly.
Usagi blushed. "Iie. But I still think its unfair."
"Maybe," Rei said. "But don't think destiny controls everything. It doesn't. Only the end of the destination is made, people are the ones to choose what path they want for the journey. That is fate. Our power to determine what we want."
"Gomen. But that doesn't make sense. What's the use of having power to control it now if in the end it would still be what should be?"
"I can't answer that. People are the ones to find out for their selves if it was useless or not." Rei cocked her head to the sides. "I'll give you an example. One can fall in and out of love with anyone and that is fate. Once you do, that will never change, you'll always carry even a small piece of that love in your soul. And then sometimes people also fall in love because of destiny-"
Usagi shook her head. "I don't believe that. I don't think even destiny can control love."
"I didn't say it can control it. It is just a start. Sometimes, people like someone instantly at sight because on a past life, he had that feeling. In their former life, it was fate; but every time you'll be resurrected that feeling will always be there because of an outside force. . . destiny."
Rei watched Usagi's face for any sign of disapproval. There was almost none.
She continued on. "If one can have feelings for another because it's already part of him, how can he not love someone who is the missing part of his soul? How can you not be happy that you'll be able to spend eternity with that special person?"
"You can't fight or change destiny but you can never say if it is unfair or not. Not until it happens to you," Rei finished.
Usagi was still silent. After a while, she said in a soft voice. "Yes, you're right." She looked directly at Rei. "But I think its happening to me."
Rei stared at her blankly. "Nani?"
"Destiny. You know? What you said about my destiny. . . about my soul mate. . . it kinda feels true." Usagi whispered.
"A month ago, I met a girl who I've never seen before. But I knew her name from the start. Before our first meeting, I saw her in my dream too."
"And?" Rei prompted.
"Back then I had concluded it was because we probably met before in a past life. Ami-chan confessed that she felt the same way too. If it really was destiny's hand that made us meet again, then I'm very happy and I don't mind at all. It's just that. . . what if. . . "
"What if you and your boyfriend are not meant to be?" Rei finished.
Usagi nodded.
"But I have a feeling that you've meet him already. Anyway, remember you said that the man in your dream has black hair, ne?" Rei asked.
Usagi nodded again.
"And you said he had blue eyes-"
Usagi's eyes suddenly glowed. "Oh I don't have to worry!" she said childish excitement.
"Nani?"
"Rei-chan, I don't have to worry," Usagi rushed as Rei blushed at the girl's nickname for her.
"Seiya." Usagi said.
Rei stared at her blankly.
"Seiya has black hair and blue eyes!" she exclaimed.
"Odango," Rei started.
Usagi's eyes suddenly widened. Her forehead momentarily lined with creases. "Dame. Only Seiya can call me that." Her eyes suddenly looked far away.
Seiya. Seiya. I've heard that name before. But it was not the one in my dream-
"Mamoru-san?"
Rei's head suddenly jerked. Usagi was looking at a man standing by the sacred tree, praying.
It's him!
Rei looked at Usagi to see her staring absently at the man's back. "Usagi-chan?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you know him?" Rei asked. Usagi nodded.
"Hai."
"Can you introduce me to him?"
Finally, Usagi turned her eyes to Rei.
They were full of curiosity.
Please help me. Please give me the courage to fight this.
Mamoru finished praying and slowly opened his eyes. He felt the presence of someone standing near him and he turned around.
Her cerulean blue eyes never ceases to amaze Mamoru. Every time he sees her, her eyes becomes more brilliant than before.
"Usagi," he greeted.
She immediately smiled. Mamoru's heart came to his throat.
"Kon'wa Mamoru-san," Usagi greeted. She turned to the person next to her.
A girl in a priestess outfit stared back at Mamoru with her curious violet eyes.
"Your most loved one Sailor Moon is here. Please remember."
What was that? Mamoru thought, getting a vision of a girl who looked exactly like the priestess wearing a sailor fuku.
He had another vision.
You'll find him again, I promise. I'll do anything to help. I'll make sure fate wouldn't interfere with destiny next time. I, Sailor Mars, guardian of war, impose this obligation to myself. . .
Mamoru couldn't help staring at the priestess. Mars? Is that you? Are you here to help me?
The raven-haired girl blushed.
"Need some help?" she inquired.
Mamoru grinned. He bowed. "No. Thank you. Watashi wa Chiba Mamoru desu. Hajimemashita."
The priestess smiled too. "Hino Rei desu. Hajimemashita." She gave him a look and asked, "You sure you don't need help with anything. . . ?"
Mamoru smiled again. "Actually, I think I do."
Wow. They sure got acquainted fast.
"So? What kind of help?"
"I want to know what the future holds for me and this girl. . . "
"Sure. I can do a reading for you. You choose, you want fire reading or tarot cards?"
"Whatever will be easier for you."
Mamoru and Rei smiled at each other again. I think they like each other. But they only met today! Usagi reasoned out.
Destiny. Do they like each other because of it?
There was a weird feeling in Usagi's chest. In a way it felt familiar but at the same time it also felt so distant.
"I can do both. I won't mind, unless you don't believe on such things," Rei said.
"Arigatou. That would be great." Mamoru continued, "Actually, I strongly believe in destiny and soul mates. . . "
Usagi's eyes widened.
"I want to know what the future holds because I believe I already found my soul mate," Mamoru explained. He turned to Usagi.
"What about you, Odango Atama? Do you believe in destiny and soul mates?" Mamoru asked Usagi. He was still smiling.
His blue eyes were glowing with happiness. "Don't call me that," Usagi muttered under her breath.
It was so low that Mamoru probably didn't hear. Usagi looked at Rei. Her face was glowing too. Usagi felt the feeling in her chest tighten.
He turned back to Mamoru. "No, I don't," Usagi choked. She turned around and ran away.
"Aish'teru," Seiya whispered.
Usagi didn't answer, she just smiled into Seiya's mouth. She parted her lips and their tongues met deeply.
Seiya moaned then he pulled away.
He brushed the loose tendrils that escaped from Usagi's odangos away from her face. He lowered his head and kissed her neck.
Usagi had her eyes closed all this time. She shifted a little from her lying position.
Seiya shifted too as to not to have his weight on her. He continued whispering on her ear, calling her sweet names.
Usagi suddenly cringed. "Don't call me that," she murmured.
Seiya pulled back and looked down at her. "Why not?"
Usagi blushed. "It's weird. . . I. . . "
Usagi's voice trailed off. Seiya finally sat up then help her up too. "Well? What is it? Don't you want to be my soul mate?" he prompted.
"Of course I do," Usagi said. "It's just that when you say soul mate, you mean destiny. . . "
"Don't you think we're destined to be together?" Seiya asked. There was the pain in his voice.
"No. Actually I think we are. You know those dreams that I've been having lately? The priestess in the Hikawa Shrine told me it's about my destiny, my soul mate. She said the guy in my dreams is my soul mate," Usagi explained. "He's you."
"What makes you think so?" Seiya asked.
"He has black hair and blue eyes," Usagi said simply.
"Anyone could have black hair and blue eyes. Even that guy you said you always bumped into. You said he had black hair and blue eyes," Seiya reasoned out.
Usagi blushed. It was true she always seemed to ran into Mamoru. "I know and that's the problem." Usagi looked at Seiya and touched his cheek, "Seiya, don't get any wrong ideas, but what if we're not soul mates? What would you do?"
"I don't know. What would you do?" he returned.
"I really don't know. Rei-chan said you can't fight destiny." Usagi buried her face in his shirt, "Please tell me. Will you still try to fight for me?"
Seiya wrapped his arms around her. "Of course. I'll never give up on you. Never."
Usagi smiled softly. She returned his feelings. "Arigatou. I'll never give up too," she whispered.
I don't believe in destiny. I can fight it if I want to. Seiya's my soul mate anyway.
Anyone could have black hair and blue eyes. Even that guy you said you always bumped into. You said he had black hair and blue eyes, Seiya's voice echoed within her.
Usagi couldn't help but remember Mamoru. The first time they met. . . his black hair. . . his sapphire eyes. . . the way he smiles at her. . . the way he smiled at Rei. . .
Seiya leaned down to kiss her.
I think I just sealed my fate.
A/N: that's it for chapter 4, min'na. please do leave a review. tell me whatever you think, I'm all ears. its kinda sad that I didn't get as much reviews as I wanted for chap 3, so hope you'll make me feel better with more review for this chap. My birthday's in a few days and I'll think of your reviews as a birthday gift. :)
As always here's the Japanese translations:
Matte! - Wait!
Baka - Stupid
Iya! - No!
Dame - Don't
Oi - use to get someone's attention)
Tasukete kudasai - Please help me
Demo - But
Oh and those who like Usagi and Mamoru, do you think you can read and review my poem, After You Left? It's the first fic that I posted here at ffnet and I have no review at all! It's so frustrating since I love the poem. I think it's good, even if I do say so myself. The poem is in Serena's pov on how she's coping while Darien was away to study at Harvard. It's a poem that talks about her loneliness for his supposedly indifference. I know it's shameless of me to be promoting my own fic, hehe but what can I do? I want feedbacks! Onegai, min'na-san?
Anyways, review this chapter too. :) constructive criticisms are welcome but please no flames. Watch out for chapter 5, The Tie that Binds. You'll love that next one. It'll be my Valentine gift to everyone whose been inspiring me to continue on with this fic. Hopefully, I'll have it out by Cupid's day. If I don't, well don't get so mad at me, ok? That's it. Love you all! Ja!