A/N: hello min'na. thank you 4 all the reviews! such kind words! Anyways, I hope it wasn't a long wait. I could have updated sooner but a new show in our country is distracting me! Urgh! Why does Hua Zhe Lei have to be soooo cute? WHY?
Kirei*snow*tenshi: hi! Thanks again. I'm very very happy that you're still enjoying this fic. I'm glad to know too that the story is making sense, I was so scared that people might not like the underlying mystery of it! Anyways, I won't say much so you can go to the story now! Hope u like it!
Lady Imp: *blush* Thanks for that nice review. Hope you'll like this chap!
SteelHeartRose: hi! Cool name! Well what can I say? Thanks for the review and I'm happy that you agree with me. I was a bit scared that Minako fans would kill me. Hehe. Anyways, hope you enjoy this next part.
Xylus Star: HI! Nung nag-review ka dati at nabasa ko ung profile mo, naisip ko na nga ba na kababayan kita! Oh I'm sooooo happy to know that! Yes, that was Kakyuu and don't worry about Seiya. I can never do that to him for once I was infatuated with him too. He's really not a bad guy here, he's just in love. ^_^ Anou. . . do you watch meteor garden? Hehe. I'm getting obsessed with Lei! Anyways, thanks a million for that nice review! enjoy this chapter, ok?
moonangel: hi! Thank you for reviewing, that was one of the nicest reviews I've ever got. I promise to try better with my tenses. So thanks again and please don't whack Seiya after reading this chapter, I'll be needing him for the others. ^_^
sweety: don't worry about that, I'll continue this fic for sure! Especially now that I'm getting more people to review it! Though I honestly don't know where to find time to write now for all I think about these days is meteor garden and school again next week. Anyways, thanks a lot for reviewing and saying you *love* it, I am so flattered.
leeta-starr: hi there! thanks for reviewing this fic and my poem too. I have been begging others to for so long that I finally gave up. But you did, I'm sooooo happy! To show my gratitude, this chapter is dedicated to you!!! I hope that you like it!
just a teen: yehey! You reviewed again. *jumping up and down* all I can say is I'll try my best to make it as original as possible and try my best of the best not to disappoint you about the pairings. I hope you'll like it still no matter how it turns out.
sakura: hello there! arigatou 4 reviewing and saying its interesting. *blush* Gosh. I take that as a really nice compliment. Um I already had the whole story mapped out, I'm saying in advance that it wont end soon, but I'll tell you what that the next few chapters will be the start of the *real* romance.
joyce: hi there. wow. You never get tired of reviewing, I'm so happy. Well, arigatou and enjoy this next chap!
Sakura: hello. That's okay, thanks 4 reviewing again. Err, I'm a bit confuse, in this chap another "sakura" reviewed too and I thought it was you. Anyways, thank you very much. I hope this next part doesn't disappoint you.
Here it is, guys! This chapter is dedicated to leeta-star!
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon isn't mine, but if Naoko-sama ever decides to give away her characters, I'd be happy to have Mamo-chan and Haruka!
"It's hard to give your heart completely every time you fall in love because there might come a time when you feel you don't want to hurt the one you love now and yet long to go back to that love you had before."
Chapter 10: As The Past Catches Up With The Present
Usagi felt herself slowly coming back to reality.
When she opened her eyes instead of seeing her ceiling, she saw canopy.
Startled, Usagi realized she wasn't in her bed of pink cotton sheets instead she was snuggled up in white silk sheets.
Where was she? This wasn't her simple and small but quaint room! This room was about twenty times bigger and is nothing less than elegant and glorious!
"Where am I?" she asked sitting up.
"You're in my room," a voice replied.
Usagi looked towards the foot of the bed where a girl was sitting in a chair staring at her.
"Who are you?" she asked. But then again, she looked so familiar. Silvery-blonde hair. . . bright blue eyes. . .
"You don't know me?"
Usagi stared at the glowing crescent moon insignia in her forehead.
"You're that girl I always see in my dreams." Usagi looked around the room. "Does that mean I'm dreaming now?"
"If you think you are, then maybe you are. But dreams can be more than what meets the eyes." She gestured around, "Look around you, don't you remember anything at all?"
Usagi did looked around. "I don't know what you're saying but I do feel that I've been here before."
The girl sighed wearily. "The first time I tried to talk to you, that's what you said too. I don't understand why you can't remember. . ." The slightest frown appeared in the girl's perfect features. "You've met them already but you can't recognize them. . . not, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Venus. . . not even Endymion. . ."
At the mention of the name Endymion, Usagi felt her heart beginning to beat faster and louder.
"Then why don't you help me remember?"
The girl looked back at Usagi, shocked.
"I do want to remember. Tell me about this Mercury. Tell me about Mars, Jupiter and Venus. . . tell me about Endymion," Usagi whispered.
The girl smiled. Usagi knew that smile. It was the smile of a girl in love.
"He was the most beautiful creature who ever walked in that blue planet." The girl closed her eyes, her expression wistful. "The beautiful prince of Earth. . . Endymion. He had the warmest smile. . . his hair blacker than the night sky. . . his eyes the most intense blue shade. . ."
As the girl continued describing this Endymion, Usagi had a sudden image him formed in her mind; a warm feeling started to grow inside her.
The girl opened her eyes and smiled softly. "I can go on and on but we don't have much time, Usagi-chan."
"Why is it that you know my name?"
"Of course I know your name." With a sigh she asked, "Haven't you figured it out yet?"
"Figured out what?"
"Why this room looks so familiar to you? Why the names of my guardians sound so familiar?" She added softly, "Why your heart quickened with the mentioned my love's name."
Usagi stared the blond girl with astonished eyes.
"It is because this is your room too. It is because Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Venus are your guardians too. It is because Endymion is your love too."
Usagi was breathing heavily.
"I am you, Usagi-chan and you are I." The girl stood up. "Me, the maiden of the Silver palace, the princess of the Moon, the heiress to the throne of the kingdom of the Silver Millennium, Serenity."
"I don't believe you," Usagi said after a long while.
"Yes, I can see that in your eyes." The girl took a deep breath, "But I think I know how to convince you."
Usagi didn't say anything.
"Do you know what the ginzuishou is?"
Usagi gasped. She started to nod but stopped herself.
Serenity smiled. "The ginzuishou is our Kingdom's most treasured possession. The ruler of the Silver Alliance has the right over it, and because of our mother's death and being next in line to the throne, we now rightful owner of the crystal."
Usagi could feel her head spinning as Serenity continued. "As Mars have told you, crystals possesses great powers and the ginzuishou possesses the greatest power of all."
A long silence followed after. Finally, Usagi spoke in a choked voice.
"What can it do?"
"Well it can grant any thing that is wished upon it. Gomen ne, Usagi-chan but I don't have any other choice, I have to use the crystal's power to restore your memory."
Usagi didn't protest as Serenity took a deep breath, and then close her eyes.
After a while, she opened her eyes alarmingly.
"What is it?" Usagi asked her.
"I'm trying to will the crystal to appear so. . ."
"So why doesn't it appear?" Usagi finished for Serenity.
"Yes," she whispered. "The only way it would not appear is if someone else has it and that's impossible."
"Well when did you see it last?"
Serenity turned her wide eyes towards Usagi. "After the last battle. . . when I wished for. . ." She buried her head in her hands. "Oh where could it be? I know I have it with me. It was the last thing I saw before I closed my eyes. . . wait, that's not right. . . the last thing I saw was blue eyes. . . blue eyes crying. . ."
Usagi woke up to the sound of the alarm. Quickly, she reached out to stop its ringing.
Sitting up, she caught a glimpse of the poster on her wall.
Her dream came back to her all at once.
Serenity. . . Moon Kingdom. . . Silver Millennium. . . ginzuishou. . . crying blue eyes. . .
Usagi bit her lip as she stared at Seiya's blue eyes, wondering what her dream meant.
"Ohayo, min'na" Usagi greeted as he entered the dining room.
Tsukino Shringo put his paper down and smiled at his daughter. "Ohayo, Usagi-chan."
Usagi gave a small smile before slumping on her chair, looking tired and thoughtful.
"What's wrong with you, odango brains? Why aren't you demolishing your food like a hog?"
"Nothing's wrong, Shinta. I'm not hungry," Usagi replied, not even looking up at her brother.
Tsukino Shringo glanced at his wife. Mika shrugged, she looked back at her daughter.
"Usagi-chan, whatever it is that's bothering you, I know just what to do to cheer you up," Mika said.
"Well now that your mom's mention it, I guess it's time to tell you, Usagi-chan," Mr. Tsukino added.
Usagi finally looked up. She turned inquisitive eyes towards her parents. "Nani yo?"
Tsukino Shringo smiled. "Your fifteenth birthday's coming up, your mom and I decided to give you a birthday party."
"A party?" Usagi echoed.
"Yes, dear," Mika said, nodding. "A real party this time with all of your new friends."
Tsukino Shringo nodded too. He knew what his wife meant. All of Usagi's previous birthdays had been monotonous. The four of them Tsukinos, together with the three Kous, would eat a special dinner made by Mika. Later, the seven of them will watch Usagi open her gifts and finally, Seiya will pull his daughter aside to who-knows-where.
It has always bothered him and his wife that their daughter had no other friends besides her doting Lights. Ever since, Usagi was young, her life was centered around Seiya, Taiki and Yaten. At the age of four, the three had taught Usagi all sorts of ball games, volleyball with Yaten, basketball with Taiki and softball with Seiya. He was almost afraid that his daughter would grow up to be a tomboy.
Usagi didn't turned into a tomboy, instead she grew up to be one of the most beautiful girl in town. With her unusually long and made-up hair and with her big innocent blue eyes, Usagi became the apple of many a boy's eyes. On the contrary, she was also the object of envy of many girls. All envious of Usagi's beauty and of course the devotion Usagi receives from her Three Lights.
But Usagi didn't mind, it doesn't matter that she had no other friends as long as her favorite trio were there. It doesn't matter as long as Yaten was there to fool around with her. It doesn't matter as long as Taiki was there to teach her all the 'important things.' It doesn't matter as long as Seiya was there to shower her with affection.
If his daughter didn't mind, he shouldn't mind either. But he couldn't help wishing for her daughter to find happiness with other friends, girl friends, more exactly.
That is why he was so happy when Usagi introduced her new friend, Mizuno Ami. Tsukino Shringo was very fond of Ami, a pretty girl with intelligent blue eyes and delicate features. Her lady-like manner reminded him so much of his own wife.
A few weeks later, Usagi surprised him when she brought home another new friend. A raven-haired miko with a fiery personality, Hino Rei. She and Usagi gets into lots of fights but it was obvious how much Usagi meant to the miko.
Another few months went by before Usagi introduced Kino Makoto. She was tall and was no pushover. Some may think she is unfeminine but Makoto has many homemaking abilities that Shinta often teases his sister how much Usagi loves Makoto and her cooking.
Finally about two months ago, Usagi met and befriended a lovely girl named Aino Minako. The girl could almost pass up as Usagi's twin. She is a famous model who tries her best to live her life as a normal junior high girl.
So with four new friends occupying some of her time, Usagi would have a breather from the Three Lights. After all she needed some friends she could discuss certain 'girl talks' as the Three Lights work their way to the top of stardom.
"A what?" Usagi asked, bringing Tsukino Shringo out of his musings.
"A party, odango," Shinta said. "If you aren't so anti-social, maybe you'd know what it is."
"Shinta," Tsukino Mika began. "Don't tease your sister. Besides, Usagi-chan isn't antisocial, she just needed to find the right friends and she did," Mika added smiling at Usagi. "Dear, invite all of your friends. We promise you a wonderful party."
For the first time that day, Usagi graced the world with her smile.
"Arigatou, okaasan, otousan!" she cried excitedly.
After that, Usagi happily started eating. Her mind filled with fun thoughts of her upcoming party, Tsukino Shringo thought.
He looked lovingly at his daughter's way. He was very fond of her as much as he was fond of that other blond. It seems like he had waited all his life for the moment to arrive. The moment when he can give Usagi his very special gift.
Up in his room, inside his drawer was a blue velvet box. Inside the box was something he'd wanted to give to Usagi ever since she was born, as she is the rightful owner.
This time, he won't back out, this time around, he would finally give her his gift. He was convinced that is the right time.
Suddenly, the phone started ringing. Usagi jumped out to answer it.
"Seiya?" Shringo heard Usagi answer.
Seiya.
Tsukino Shringo couldn't help remembering what happened a year ago.
A year ago, he was convinced too that the right time to give his gift was on Usagi's fourteenth birthday. But two days before her birthday, he found Seiya watching TV by the living room, waiting for Usagi, so he said. As he was passing by, he stopped as Seiya called to him.
"You know, Tsukino-san, I don't think there's such a thing as a right time. People think it's the right time because they feel like it. For me, the right time is the time you are willing to take a risk. The risk of changing everything."
He said that so nonchalantly, but Mr. Tsukino stiffened. He began to suspect Seiya of mind reading.
Just then Seiya started apologizing, saying he got carried away with the TV show that he started giving his own opinions. Tsukino Shringo nodded and proceeded in walking towards his room.
He realized then that Seiya was right. He realized he couldn't give his gift yet. No, not yet. He wasn't ready to explain the things he himself found inexplicable.
That was why he didn't give Usagi the gift. And now, he was having second thoughts too.
Am I ready to change everything?
No. No, I'm not, he realized.
Tsukino Shringo closed his eyes, thinking of something else to give his daughter.
"This party idea is wonderful, Odango. I'm sure it'll be great."
Usagi turned to her boyfriend and smiled. "I know. I can hardly wait."
The two were walking towards Hikawa Shrine, where Usagi asked to meet all the four girls. They were going to invite the foursome to her upcoming birthday party! Usagi was so excited, she was half-dragging Seiya.
"You think they'll go?" Usagi asked.
"Of course."
Usagi smiled again. The smile froze suddenly as Usagi caught a reflection of herself in a store window.
Serenity's face danced before Usagi's eyes.
I am you, Usagi-chan and you are I.
Usagi shook her head and turned back to Seiya. Behind his large black sunglasses, she knew Seiya's blue eyes were watching her carefully.
"Seiya, what would your wish be if I have a powerful crystal that can grant anything?"
Too late did Usagi realize how stupid her question was.
Slowly, Seiya took his glasses off. There was a guarded look in his eyes.
"Why do you ask?"
Usagi shook her head, telling him with her body language to forget about it.
She was about to start walking again but Seiya's hand on hers stopped her.
He turned her towards him. Watching her eyes carefully, Seiya shook his head.
Usagi was puzzled.
"Even your powerful crystal could not give me what I want, Odango."
Usagi gasped and pulled away from him. She grabbed her head in pain.
A vision came to her, a vision of a guy speaking sadly to her. . . a guy looking down at her with his sky blue eyes. . . sky blue eyes so much like Seiya. . . only his eyes were misty. . . misty with unshed tears. . .
Oh god! Those words! Those same words! I've heard it all before!
Warm arms wrapped themselves around her and pulled her close. Warm lips kissed her temple, trying to ease the pain.
"Don't think so hard about what I said, Odango," Seiya's low voice whispered in her ear. "It's just that I don't believe in such things."
Usagi nodded as she felt the pressure in her head decreasing a bit.
"Gomen na sai," a chorus of voice sang.
Both Seiya and Usagi turned to see a group of three girls standing before them.
Usagi quickly pulled away.
The girls were blushing profusely.
"Anou. . . Seiya-kun, can we have your autograph?" said the girl with red hair.
"Please say yes," the girl with long brown hair pleaded.
The girl with shorter brown hair thrusts her marker and paper at Seiya.
Seiya glanced towards Usagi, the girls following suit, their eyes hopeful.
Usagi smiled and then nodded.
The girls shrieked happily and turned back to Seiya. From then on, they completely ignored her.
Usagi watched as the three girls flocked around her boyfriend. From the corner of her eye, she saw another group of girls coming their way.
She sighed wearily. She was used to these kinds of things. She wasn't even jealous anymore, only-
A flash of dark hair took Usagi out of her musings. She followed the lean built of man as he crossed the street.
For a moment there, Usagi thought it was Mamoru.
Mamoru. She has not seen him since that afternoon in his apartment.
She didn't know why, but she couldn't help thinking about him. She knew that it was wrong but something was switched on inside her since the moment he kissed her. From then on, she couldn't help thinking about him even more than before.
She couldn't deny it. She missed him. Missed his teasing smile. Missed their daily run-ins. She even missed him calling her the name only Seiya was supposed to be allowed.
"Odango," a voice called out.
Her eyes widened as she turned.
It was Seiya. Of course it was Seiya.
Usagi noted that his fan girls were gone. He caught her hand and smiled.
"Let's go," he said.
A soft jingle of bells came as Mamoru entered the shop.
The shop looked even prettier inside than seen from the outside. The gift shop was famous in all of Juuban. Wide varieties of both western and eastern items combined. What's more they make personalized gift stuffs.
"Kon'nichi wa," the man behind the counter greeted Mamoru.
"Kon'nichi wa," Mamoru returned. He purposefully went towards the man.
Mamoru smiled business-like manner. "Watashi wa Chiba Mamoru desu. Hajimemashite."
"Hajimemashite, Chiba-san. Watashi wa Maso Shoji." He gestured around the room. "Do you like anything in particular, Chiba-san?"
"Actually, I've come to ask that you make me a special birthday gift," Mamoru said.
"Oh I see," the man said, nodding. "What exactly is this special gift?"
Mamoru leaned over and whispered conspiratorially to the man.
The man looked back at Mamoru doubtfully. "I don't know, Chiba-san. . . when will you be needing this?"
"After two weeks," Mamoru replied.
The man shook his head, "I'm afraid two weeks won't be enough time, Chiba-san. It will take a lot of work, and of course, it'll cost a lot, if you know what I mean."
Mamoru nodded. "I know exactly what you mean, Maso-san. And I'm ready to pay your price."
Mako Shoji still look doubtful.
"Please, Mako-san, this gift is for a very special friend."
After a while Mako smiled, probably seeing the lovesick expression in Mamoru's eyes.
"All right, Chiba-san, I'll take it."
Mamoru smiled happily.
Mako looked at the calendar on the wall and nodded towards Mamoru, "Come back on the afternoon of the twenty-ninth, I'll have your gift ready then."
Mamoru nodded. He bowed respectfully at the older man, "Arigatou gozaimashita, Mako-san."
At the door, the man called out to Mamoru. "She's one lucky girl, Chiba-san, whoever she is."
Mamoru didn't say anything; he just continued walking out of the shop.
No. I'm the lucky one. At least, I used to be. . .
He had woken up this morning realizing something. He realized that his love's birthday was coming up.
He thought it over hard and long, two long months had passed and gone since he last saw her. That fateful afternoon when she cried in his arms and then went away to go to her Seiya. The afternoon he almost thought of giving up on her for her happiness.
But when he woke up today, he remembered their wonderful past together.
It was ironic that when they were together, he didn't know when her birthday was, but now, they weren't together he knew it with conviction.
He remembered too the gift she was longing for him to buy, but then he remembered her sweet words.
"It doesn't matter, Mamo-chan, I'm always receiving lots of love from you."
Those words made him decide what to give her. Somehow, he'll find a way to give her his special gift. A gift that represents all the love and adoration he felt for her. A gift that symbolizes all the faith he has on their destiny.
Lost in thought, Mamoru rounded the corner.
Now if only I can find a way to see her again-
His thoughts were interrupted as he felt that oh-so-familiar warmth hit him.
All had happened so fast.
One moment, he was holding Usagi's hand. The next moment, she unclasped her hand from his and started walking ahead of him. He thought she might be upset because of the girls, he was about to call out to her when suddenly-wham! Usagi collided into a man rounding the corner.
Their reflexes were good. The man wrapped his arms on Usagi as she wrapped hers around his. Quickly, they recovered their balance. But instead of pulling away, the man pulled Usagi closer. Seiya clenched his fist.
He lunged towards the guy when-
"Mamoru-san," Usagi whispered.
He stopped right then. Everything stopped right then for him.
Yes. The man had the same black hair. The same blue eyes too. But what struck him the most was the man's smile.
It was the same smile, he remembered.
"Don't make her too sad," he had said before putting the frame of a smiling couple facedown.
He hated his happy smile of having her in his arms, then. He hated his happy smile now.
He took a few deep breaths and in the most controlled voice he could manage, he called out. "Odango."
Both heads turned his way. It was hard to read Usagi's expression as she pulled away. But there was no mistaking with Mamoru's.
His eyes mirrored his own. The same pure and undisguised hatred was there. But Seiya gloated to see another emotion in his eyes.
Envy.
He smiled to himself. Yes. She's my Odango now.
He pulled his girlfriend closer to his side and smiled smugly. "Odango is this the guy you've been telling me about?"
Hope flickered in the older guy's eyes.
"Hai," Usagi answered.
Seiya smiled. "I'm Kou Seiya but you probably know that."
"Yes, the famous Kou Seiya. I'm Chiba Mamoru," he returned. "Nice to meet you."
Seiya shrugged. "Of course. Well, Chiba-san, I've always wanted to meet you. For I've always wanted to meet the guy who's always running into my Odango."
That flicker of hope died in record time.
I won, Seiya congratulated himself.
But at his side, Usagi was shaking her head.
"He doesn't run into me, Seiya," she began. "We run into each other. There's a difference."
"Oh?"
"Yes. It's not like it's his fault. It's not, it's not mine, neither. We just run into each other, I guess."
Why is she defending him anyway? Seiya found himself thinking.
"Well, maybe it's our destiny," Mamoru said, smiling smugly at Seiya's way. He smiled warmly at Usagi, "To run into each other, I mean."
"Maybe," Usagi said, looking away.
Seiya couldn't understand why she should blush at that.
That's it, he decided. Time to say goodbye.
"Odango, shouldn't we be get going? All the girls are probably at the shrine now."
Usagi turned to him and nodded. She turned to Mamoru and said, "Well, it's nice bumping into you again, Mamoru-san. It's been a while. . ."
Mamoru smiled. "Yes, it was nice bumping into you too."
Seiya tried hard not to smirk. He took Usagi's hand and they started walking away. After a few steps, Usagi stopped and turned back to Mamoru who had not move an inch.
"Mamoru-san, um. . . my birthday's coming up. . . it's on the. . ."
"Thirtieth of June," Mamoru finished.
"Yes, that's right," Usagi said. "How did you know?"
Mamoru shrugged and smiled secretively. "Well someone must have told me," he finally said.
"Oh?" Usagi shook her head, "Anyway, there'll be a small party at my home, and I'd really like it if you could come."
Seiya dropped Usagi's hand.
What the-
Mamoru smiled happily.
Say no, say no!
"I'd love too," Mamoru said instead.
Usagi's eyes glowed brightly. "Really?"
Mamoru nodded. "There's nothing in the world that could keep me away," he reassured Usagi but he was staring at Seiya.
Seiya took Usagi's hand in his again. He stared straight back at Mamoru.
Well, let's just see about that.
A/N: so how was it, min'na. hate it? love it? pls let me know! I know it's short and kinda uneventful but I needed to insert the last mystery of the story. All the mysteries in our story will be solved at the end, in the mean time, the next few chapters would focus more on the romance and err drama? Hehe. Me? Writing drama? Wonder how it'll turn out!
I don't know when I'll be able to update next, min'na! Gomen na sai! I am so high these days. My bf said I'm driving him insane bcoz if it I wasn't writing about my ran-chan or mamo-chan, I'm talking non-stop about tom welling and now all I think about is vic zhuo!
Anyway as you well all know the next chap would be Usa's bday! Wonder what gifts she'll be getting from her friends? Wonder what Taiki and Yaten will give her this time? What about Seiya, what will be his gift? And of course, what about Mamo-chan? All of these will be answered in the next chapter, A Birthday Wish. I love you all guys! Ja!