A/N: I'm back, min'na. As usual, special thanks again to the following:
princess serenity: thank u soooooo much. I do hope u'll continue reading and reviewing.^_^ Okay, I promise that I'll limit using Japanese terms. Oh it's not Mako-chan, she's . . .
nikki kou: hi! Thanks 4 the suggestion, I am envious with all ur reviews and I might consider what you said but not with this fic. Gomen. I do like Seiya, my best friend and I used to fight of who was better he or Mamoru. I admit the Stars would make anyone fall for Seiya and I was no exception, but I don't think he fits the part for this story. Read the title, it sums up everything.
nekokitten: thank u 4 saying that. I admit I had been a little discouraged because I don't have as much reviews as I wanted but I like writing and as long as a few likes this fic, I'll continue. Anyway, hope u enjoy this chapter.
Lady Imp: thanks! here's the next chap. Hope u enjoy and don't forget to review. ^_*
kirei*snow*tenshi: thank you 4 reviewing again. You are so right. She is Peggy Jones aka Lani Linai. As promised, you can ask me anything you want to know about this fic. Tell me too how I can contact you privately because the answer is solely for you!
joyce: hey thanks 4 reviewing again. I'm sorry seiya wasn't in it, but the chapter was intended for the other senshis and if put seiya too I think it'll be toooo long so I edited it. but don't worry, not only will seiya be in this chap but it'll be the first time that we'll be able to peep into his thoughts.^_^
Disclaimer: Jeez. We all know I don't own Sailor Moon. If I did, I'll keep Mamo-chan all to myself!
"True love isn't when the heart beats the strongest and the fastest, it is when it beats no more and the love is still there."
Chapter 8: Picture Perfect
Up ahead was girl with long blond hair. She was standing at the edge of the cliff, her hair blowing in the wind.
She had her back on him, but he can tell that she was crying. Her small frame, bundled up in a flowing white gown was shaking uncontrollably. One of her pigtails came undone.
"Odango."
"I told you not to call me that," she whispered.
She turned to face him; on her forehead was a glowing crescent moon.
"Only Mamo-chan can call me that. . . but he's. . ." she started sobbing as she took a step back.
A rock fell into the endless waters below.
He extended his hand. "Oda-Usagi, please don't take another step. Take my hand, onegai?"
She shook her head.
He took a step closer to her but she took another step back. Another rock fell. . .
Her beautiful blue eyes clouded with tears. "When he left he promised he'll write. . . he never did. . . I was hurt that he wasn't keeping his promise. . . but deep inside me I was afraid. . . because I know he'll never hurt me. . . never. . . not intentionally. . . "
She covered her face with her graceful hands. "You heard it too. . . he's. . . he's. . . dead. . . "
She was silent for a long time. He took two steps forward.
She turned her face up and stared right back at him.
"But he's not gone. . . I know he's not. . . he and I. . . we're soul mates. . . we're two parts of a whole. . . it's our destiny to always find each other again. . . no matter what life time . . . no matter how long it takes. . . "
He felt the tears forming in his eyes too.
"No! Please don't say
that! Don't even think about it!"
"I've been in pain for months since
he left. . . I don't want to wait any longer. . ." She glanced at the endless
pit behind her. "Just one more step and
I'll be free. . . free from all the pain. . . "
She closed her eyes. Her expression so peaceful. . . so serene. . .
He jumped to reach for her but it was too late.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!"
He watched in agony as her body fall unmercifully fast towards the crashing waves.
Suddenly, bright light enveloped her. He closed his eyes, blinded for a second. When he opened them again, his Odango was gone. Instead a small silver crystal floated towards him.
He heard her sweet voice whispering her last wish. . .
"Endymion...
We'll transcend time...
To live again...
Perhaps this time...
We'll find happiness...
Holy Silver Crystal entrusted to me...
Please, search for us together...
Embrace me softly...
Protect us, and next time,
Make us happy."
How greatly heartbroken she sounded, he can tell for he knew the feeling. She lost her love. And with her gone, he did too.
"She was never yours in the first place," a voice seemed to whisper. He recognized it as his own.
And so now with great pain heaving his heart, he grabbed the crystal.
Seiya woke up sweating furiously. It was the third time that week that he had woken up from these strange dreams.
Worry lines creased his forehead.
Odango.
She told him not to call her that again. And that name. . . who was this Mamo-chan she kept calling for anyway?
Odango. . . what's happening? What's happening to us?
Straightening her back, the woman in an artist's smock tucked a strand of her hair back. She inspected her painting. Just like all the others. . . something was missing. . .
Just then, the door to the studio opened.
A girl came in; she threw a small smile towards the woman before she fell gracefully into the chair, tossing an envelope on the table.
"I am so tired," she moaned.
The woman put her paintbrush down and sat beside her daughter.
She reminded her so much of herself when she was young. The same shy girl with long wiry hair and big grandma glasses. . . the same striving artist. . .
"But you had some great photos, right?"
Her daughter's face erupted with excitement. "Oh yes!" She grabbed the envelope she had previously dropped and tears it open. She passed the black and white pictures towards her mother eagerly.
"What do you think, kaasan?" Yuri asked after a minutes of silence.
"Sugoi, Yuri-chan. They're all very beautiful. . ."
Her daughter had captured the beauty of nature perfectly. She especially favored the one that shows a little bird flapping her wings ready to take flight.
At the very end was a picture of a young man facing a girl. The black and white photo emphasized how contrasts the two were. The age gap. . . the dark versus the light colored hair. . . the strong against the fragile built. . . the formal alongside the casual look. . .
The two were so different and thus, complimenting each other well.
Yuri saw how taken her mother was with the picture.
"Such a perfect picture they make, ne, kaasan?"
The woman didn't say anything. She didn't react at all. She just continued staring at the picture that held her enthrall.
It wasn't enough for an artist to draw or paint a lovely picture. More importantly, he needs to capture the emotions enveloping his subjects.
And the silent feeling in the man's eyes as he stared adoringly to the girl's eyes was so very perfect. And the girl's barely hidden longing was heartbreakingly beautiful.
"Yuri-chan, do you know this couple?"
Her daughter shook her head. "Iie, kaasan. I went to the park yesterday to take a few pictures. That was the first time I've seen them." She saw that her mother wasn't listening anyway. "Kaasan?"
"It's them," Yamamoto Yumemi turned to her daughter. "It's them. My perfect image."
Mamoru had never been so nervous in his life. He was meeting his precious Usagi today on a date. His so-called best friend, Furuhata Minoru pointed out that it wasn't exactly a date. Mamoru had asked if she wanted to an art museum with him, and sweet Usagi agreed. Big deal. Kou Seiya, "Usagi-chan's famous boy friend" as Minoru called him, could probably bring her to all the world-renowned museums a few months from now when the Three Lights enter the international scene.
As Mamoru crossed the street, he debated Minoru's loyalty. He was supposed to be his best friend, right? Or had he been conniving with this Seiya now?
Mamoru's brow creased as a new thought entered his mind. What was it that Reika-san and Motoki-san were hinting the other day? Something about Minoru talking about Usagi, not only that, Mamoru even saw Minoru blush.
Some things never change. Like how happy-go-lucky Furuhata Motoki, his best friend back then in his second life was. His son, his new best friend is like that too. But unlike Motoki who only thought of Usagi as a little sister, which was good since Mamoru knew of his beloved little crush; it looks like Minoru has a thing for his Usako.
But Mamoru's growing suspicion was halted as he entered the museum. Happy memories overwhelmed his negative mood.
Even before, he and his love had always appreciated beauty. He remembered the times when he, the prince of the earth had fallen asleep underneath the big sky after staring at it for hours.
It was the same with his love too. His princess had spent hours looking down at earth. She said she loved his planet's crystalline blue waters and lush green grass.
Their second life wasn't any different, either. He remembered one time that-
Mamoru stopped dead in his tracks.
Whatever it was that he remembered evaporated as he now gaze at an oil painting hanging in front of the lobby.
It couldn't be but-
"You said you liked blondes?" a sweet voice filled Mamoru's ears.
Usako.
Mamoru turned around to be greeted by Usagi's radiant smile. She was wearing a casual skirt paired with blouse and matching jacket. He stared at her, wondering if anyone could ever look as beautiful in something so ordinary.
"Kon'nichiwa, Mamoru-san," Usagi greeted.
"Kon'nichiwa."
Usagi smiled shyly under his gaze. "You could have burn a hole into that painting if you had continued on staring." She looked over his shoulder to see what captivated him so.
It was a portrait of a lady. Her eyes smiling warmly behind a pair of big glasses. Specks of freckles faintly spreading over her cheeks. Her long brown hair braided neatly.
"She looks. . . familiar. . ." Usagi said absently.
"I know," Mamoru replied.
If Mamoru wasn't mistaken, he had met this woman before. Judging Usagi's actions, it looks like she've seen the lady in the portrait before too. The question now was where did they meet her?
In the moon? Was she a senshi too?
No. Mamoru should have recognized her at once.
If she wasn't from the moon then she might have been someone he and Usagi met and befriended during their second lives.
But who is she?
Mamoru scanned the lower portion of the portrait, looking for any clue.
There it was! It was dated October 24, 1992. A Self-Portrait by-
"I don't believe it! It really is you!"
Both Mamoru and Usagi turned on their heels.
A girl who looked so much like the one in the portrait stood before them, grinning widely.
"I am Yamamoto Yuri. I see you liked my okaasan portrait?" She beamed, "That was my mother when she was still Yumemo Yumemi."
After introducing themselves, Usagi and Mamoru found themselves following Yamamoto Yuri towards the back of the museum, where the studio of Yuri's mother is.
Yuri rapped at the door softly. "Kaasan, it's me."
"Come in!" a voice answered from inside.
Yuri smiled at Mamoru and Usagi then she pushed opened the door. She ushered her guests inside.
Usagi noticed a woman behind an easel. She watched as Yuri went to her, grinning widely.
"Kaasan, have I got a surprise for you!"
The woman placed her paintbrush down and smiled at her daughter. "Really? What's that?"
Yuri smiled mysteriously and pointed towards where Usagi and Mamoru were standing.
Usagi saw how the woman's eyes grew unusually large. She looked like she was seeing a ghost. Usagi didn't know what to say.
But obviously, Mamoru did. "It's a pleasure to meet a famous artist like you, ma'am. Watashi wa Chiba Mamoru desu." He bowed politely and introduced Usagi. "This is my friend, Tsukino Usagi."
Usagi smiled a little then bowed too.
The artist smiled back uncertainly. She turned towards her daughter. "I thought you said you didn't know them."
"I didn't, kaasan. I saw them by the lobby, rather taken with your portrait and after introducing myself, I told them you would be thrilled to meet them." Yuri stared at her mother, "Aren't you thrilled, kaasan?"
For the first time, the woman gave a genuine smile. She turned back towards Mamoru and Usagi. Her smile grew larger.
"Thank you for coming," she said. She motioned for them to sit down. Then she sat down to the chair facing them, while her daughter placed another chair so that she could sit next to her mom.
Usagi finally found her voice. "Gomen but what's going on?"
"Well, I don't know where to start. I'll just try to tell it as I remember it." Mrs. Yamamoto smiled first before she started her story. "So many years ago, there was an art exhibit for my works too. But unlike today, no one ever recognized me, because my self-portraits never showed my real appearance. I used to draw someone much prettier. . . Anyway, I remembered walking around the museum when I bumped into a man who had been looking intently at one of my paintings."
Mrs. Yamamoto looked Mamoru's way and smiled. "He was the perfect image. He was tall with black hair and the most intense blue eyes. I knew at once that I wanted to draw him so I grabbed his hand and asked him to be my model. He refused but I didn't let go." She looked at Usagi's way this time. "Suddenly, a girl came to us to tease the young man and when I saw her, she was the perfect image too. So I grabbed her hand and asked her too to be my model."
"She was so pretty with long golden hair and bright blue eyes." Mrs. Yamamoto smiled at Usagi and for some reason, Usagi felt herself blushing. "But she didn't want to be my model, either. But I didn't give up. Why should I? They were there, right in front of me, the perfect image every artist wishes to immortalize either by a painting or a sculpture. So I begged and begged them to be my model until finally, reluctantly, they did."
The famous artist laughed a little. "But my problem didn't stop there. At my house, they didn't want to sit next to each other. I pleaded with them, begged them. Finally, the girl resigned and flopped down next to the guy. They looked embarrassed the whole time."
She smiled at the memory. "Later, the girl complimented me with the sketches, I told her that when I draw I think to myself that I'll become happy too, that one day I can meet someone nice too. She was disappointed to hear that I didn't have friends, but I told her it was okay as long as I make others happy, I can be happy. But the young man disagreed with me. I'll never forget what he said, If you can't make yourself happy, how can you make others happy? His sad eyes seemed too say so much that I couldn't blame him for saying that."
"What happened next, Yamamoto-san?" Usagi asked after the artist stopped talking for a long while.
"Well, the girl reprimanded the man and then she showed him a painting. Surprise was written all over his handsome face when he saw that painting. I told them how sad I feel every time I draw that couple. Anyway, we departed soon after. The young girl told me I should try to be myself more. Then I surprised her and the young man after a few days when I have taken down my self-portraits and replaced a realistic one. Then I showed them my completed painting of them and I'm happy to say that they both like it."
Yamamoto Yumemi sighed. "I never saw them again after that day. But in my heart, I knew I'll never ever forget them, all I need to do is look at my new paintings and I'll start to thank them in my mind. They had taught me that sometimes reality could be much better than fantasy. It's true that it is so wonderful to be able to draw something that comes from one's imagination but it's also true that to be able to capture the true beauty of life is so fulfilling."
A dark cloud of emotion passed in the artist's eyes. "One day all of that has changed. I was staring at my painting of them, when right in front of me; the painting vanished in a sudden burst of light. I thought I saw a small silver crystal as I heard the words that I heard. I'll never forget that moment; Take away any trace that we ever existed. Erase all memories that we ever lived, a girl's voice whispered. And then. . . "
"And then what?" Mamoru prompted. He looked like Yumemi's answer would solve all mysteries in his life.
Weird. That's exactly how Usagi felt too.
"And then, I woke up," Yumemi said sadly.
"It was all a dream?" Usagi asked, incredulously.
Yumemi shook her head, "I don't know. I never knew what it was. I tried to find any proof that I drew a painting such as that. I never found any. All the other paintings I did after it were all there, but not what I consider as my masterpiece. I tried hard to think back to that day that when I drew that couple, all I remember was a haze. Every time, I try to think about it, it becomes more distant until I've completely forgotten about it. It was as if it was suddenly erased from my memory, just like the voice said." She smiled reflectively. "That is until yesterday when I saw your photo. It all came flooding back to me as I stared at your picture. After these so many years I've remembered and I'm happy that I did so I had the chance to share my story."
Silence.
In a hushed voice, Usagi spoke up. "Yamamoto-san, I don't understand. But what photo are you talking about?"
Yuri blushed. "It's a photo I've taken. Yours and Mamoru-san's that was taken in the park the day before yesterday."
Usagi turned to Mamoru. "Can we see it?" he asked.
Yuri nodded. She went to a drawer near the windows and pulled out an envelope. She came back and handed Mamoru a picture. Usagi was looking at the photo over Mamoru's shoulder.
Usagi was carefully watching Mamoru's expression but couldn't read it. After a while, he passed the photo over to her.
"I still don't know what it was. If it was indeed a dream. Or maybe it was an illusion. Premonition or lost memory? I don't know. All I know is when I saw that photo that you're holding now, Tsukino-chan, I knew I wanted to draw you."
Usagi looked back at Yamamoto Yumemi, shocked.
"I had asked my daughter if she know you. She said she didn't but I think she knew what I was thinking. I never thought I'd find both of you so soon."
"Yamamoto-san," Mamoru began.
"Please. Please be my model," the artist begged.
Just as she must have begged those two so many years ago.
Usagi glanced at Mamoru. He looked shocked but he didn't seem to be reluctant. Usagi turned back to Yumemi and gave her the only answer she could give right now.
"I'm sorry."
"Do you think I offended, Yamamoto-san, Mamoru-san?"
Mamoru turned to Usagi and tried to smile, he didn't know if he succeeded. "No. You heard her, she assured you that it was okay."
Usagi bit her lip. "But I still feel awful."
Mamoru didn't say anything.
Usagi had refused to model. Without her even explaining, he knew very well why. She was thinking about Seiya.
"Don't worry, Usagi. I'm sure it's nothing."
Just as always, Mamoru couldn't pull his eyes away once it locked with Usagi. She was the most beautiful blue eyes. . . the most expressive. . .
Mamoru hastily looked away, least he might drown in the endless depths of this girl's eyes.
"Well, it's getting late. Do you want some drinks? We can drop by the Crown for a while," he said, still not looking at Usagi's way.
"No, its okay. I have to be going now too."
Mamoru decided to risk it. He looked back at her. "Well. Thank you, Usagi. It didn't turned out as I hoped it would but I still enjoyed today. I hope you enjoyed our date, too."
She is even lovelier when she blushes.
Mamoru realized his mistake. "I mean, not a date date. I know today is not really one, what I meant was-"
"Daijobou, Mamoru-san. It is a date." She blushed again. "A friendly date. . . a date between friends."
"Of course," Mamoru sighed.
Mamoru couldn't look at her what he really wanted. And he wanted much more than friendship.
Suddenly, he was surprised to feel warm lips on his cheek.
"I. . . I just wanted to say thank you, . . . Mamoru-san. . . thank you for always being so nice to me. . . thank you for being a very special friend." Usagi said, softly. Shyly.
Mamoru couldn't speak. He wasn't even sure if he was still breathing, either.
And before he could come up with something. Anything. Usagi was gone. Gone just like a dream.
But the warm tingle in his cheek said so otherwise.
He smiled.
Yes, for now that's enough. But someday, we'll be more than friends. . . Usako.
Yamamoto Yumemi loves to paint. She paints for fun. She paints when she's bored. And most importantly, she paints to get an image off her mind.
She doesn't understand why Usagi refused to be her model. Mamoru had been willing. He didn't say it but she saw it in his eyes.
Why? Why?
Usagi had apologized and reasoned out that a real couple would be better subjects. She explained that she and Mamoru were just friends.
Friends. Friends.
There was more than friendship burning in Mamoru's eyes. She was sure of it. Her daughter was sure of it too.
And Usagi's eyes betrayed her own words. The blush in her cheeks betrayed her too.
Before they left, Yumemi noticed that Mamoru was looking intently at one of her paintings.
His expression was not of surprise this time. It was of recognition.
She went to him, and without looking her way, he spoke up. "It was not a dream," he had said simply.
Yumemi had nodded. "I know that now. Its in your eyes. You recognize this scene, you've seen this painting before."
"Yes," he whispered. "I've seen it many many times before."
Mamoru and Usagi left soon after that. Looking at each other, laughing together. They looked like a couple more than most couples.
Paint. Paint. Paint.
Finally, she was finished. Yumemi looked over at her painting.
It was not like her other paintings. This was a sad scene. A death scene.
A girl in a white gown lies lifeless in the arms of a guy with long dark hair.
A ghost-like figure stood at the side. A young man with dark hair. A sword in his side. He seemed to be watching the girl.
The girl had the most serene expression in her face. Even in death, she was so very beautiful.
The guy holding the girl, on the other hand, was devastated. His face, streaked with tears, was buried in the girl's hair. He had one hand supporting her shoulder. On the other hand was a small silver crystal.
There were four girls. Three were wearing black leather tops and shorts; the other was wearing an exotic dress. They were all dancing merrily.
A girl with black hair stared adoringly to the lady with long red locks.
She smiled softly at her princess.
Tsukino Usagi's sad blue eyes never smiled back.
Seiya's eyes jerked open. He looked around; he was still in the studio.
He turned to see a girl wearing a black headpiece sleeping peacefully in his shoulder. He blinked repeatedly until the headpiece disappeared. Red hair turned golden.
It was his Odango.
Get ahold of yourself, Seiya! You're seeing what was in the past!
Usagi began to stir. She turned her still-sleepy eyes to Seiya then she smiled.
Seiya never noticed.
Don't lose yourself in the past!
Warm hands cupped his face. Seiya found himself staring at a pair of beautiful blue eyes.
He remembered staring at those eyes for the first time. . .
"Don't you remember?"
"Have we met somewhere?"
"You don't know me?"
"No."
"Do you have a boy friend?"
"Yes, in a distant land, across the ocean."
"Then I have a chance too."
"Do you think that one can't be friends with someone who came from very far away?"
"I'm a transfer student who came from far away. I think of myself as your friend."
"Yes. You're right."
"Come with me tomorrow, you have nothing to do right?"
"What are you talking about?! I have to eat breakfast, and watch TV, and read manga, and eat snacks, and play games.. "
"So you're free. Come to Ichinohashi Park at 11:00."
"Is this how you always pick up girls?"
"I'm serious."
"Is this how you seriously try to pick up girls?"
"Listen carefully! I like the glitter that you have. I don't want to lose this game."
"I've never been good at trying hard. I've tried to try hard studying, but I always end up eating and sleeping. . . When I saw the rose, I remembered him. I thought that I can be all right by myself. But I can't. I can't stand it any more. I miss you so much. I want to see you again, Mamo-chan. . ."
Seiya closed his eyes from the memory. He blocked from his mind all of those unwanted memories.
"Seiya? Seiya, what's wrong?"
He opened his eyes and tried to smile reassuringly. "Nothing," he replied, a bit too quickly.
She frowned a little. "No, really. What's wrong? You looked stressed out."
How he hate keeping anything from her. He could never. "It's just that. . . I think I'm starting to remember. . . and I don't want to. . ."
Usagi waited patiently for him to explain. He didn't know what to say next.
How do I explain something I myself can't understand? I wish. . . I wish she could just forget about this. . .
Usagi grabbed her head. "Ouch!"
Seiya pulled her to him. "Odango, daijobou?" he asked worriedly.
Slowly, she nodded. "Daijobou."
She looked at Seiya's concern eyes and smiled. "So? Where were we?"
Seiya stared at her, confused.
"Oh I know! We were talking about that new song you've composed!" She frowned slightly, "No. That's not it. That was before I fell asleep." She looked thoughtful for a moment.
Seiya didn't understand what was happening. But it doesn't really matter. He pulled her closer.
She was his and that was all that mattered right now.
"No, we were talking about how much I love you," he whispered. He leaned down for a kiss, surprising her.
I wish this would never end.
Tsukino "Odango" Usagi smiled into his kiss.
A/N: well that's all folks. Hope u enjoyed it. Now, its ur turn to praise it. .um. .I mean to review.^_^
Oh in Seiya's dream, I took Usagi's last words/wish from the manga. I only took those that I thought would be perfect for the scene. Meanwhile, in Seiya's "vision" the lines are from Stars that I put together to somehow show the development of Usagi and Seiya's relationship. Forgive me if it doesn't make sense.
Jap translations:
Sugoi! - Great! (use for praising/complimenting)
As you might have noticed the senshis are appearing one by one. The next senshi will be appear in the next chap (AH! No more suspense!) anyway I was wondering do you want me to pair her with a certain green-eyed blond or do you like that I partner her with who I was originally planning to pair her up with? Please tell me what you think and please review. ^_^ Anyways, watch out for the next chap, A Lovely Friendship. Love you all. Ja!