Author's Note: Well, this is the day of the update evidently. Not only was I inspired to write Moonlight, but this one decided it wanted to be updated as well. Now for the sad news. This story is coming to an end. I know you are all sad but Kiss and I have discussed it and we feel it has two maybe three chapters left and then it will be done? I have been asked about a sequel...and as things sit right now, Kiss and I have too much on our respective plates to do it any kind of justice. Maybe later on down the line we will, but not anytime soon. Therefore, here we go down the home stretch...
Disclaimer: Does anyone read these? If anyone with a legal degree and the ability to sue me is reading this – All I own is the plot and I share that with Kiss. Sue us not...we have nothing you would want.
"Miss Tsukino? How nice for you to join us half way through our day. I hope we are not inconviencing you by having something silly as CLASS." Her teacher sniped as she scurried and settled down, "Miss Kou and Miss Hino, I expect more from you than this. Maybe Usagi is wearing off on you!"
"Gomen sensei." The three muttered and then grinned at each other. Minako watched and a sad smile teased her lips. So everyone gets a happy ending today eh? Everyone but her...with a firm shake of her head she lets the anger go. After all, she always loved Usagi and always will. It is a part of who she is. Usagi is part of who she is. She is her family, her love, and her hope. Now, if her damn heart would just stop hurting...
Haruka walked into her apartment to find the message light blinking at her. Puzzled she went and hit the button and the silent room was filled with first her voice then that of another.
'Hello, you have reached Haruka Ten'oh. Try the track if this is an emergency or leave a message I will get back to you as soon as I can. Have a good day.' BEEP!
"Haruka? It's me Michiru. I just wanted to say I am sorry for everything. There are memories I have...of us...of the Silver Millennium you never got back. See, you two were in love even then but it was denied... So be happy Ten'oh. Damn you be happy! And I will be back, once my heart remembers not to hurt everyday. Be well and happy with our Queen."
Haruka sat there on the couch and stared out into the daylight. Her mind was over run with questions. Questions it seemed that were screaming for answers, and with everyone is class there was only one person, or cat as it were that could answer them for her.
With a quiet muttering she was racing out the door and to her car.
Luna was right where she had been left...dozing on the Tsukino's back porch. Well, she had been dozing till a shadow fell over her and caused her to open an eye, "Usagi won't be back for at least another two hours Haruka."
"Good because I came to talk to you. Were we in love in the Silver Millennium?"
Luna's eyes flew open and her mouth dropped, "H-H-How did you EVER find out?"
"Michiru left me a message today saying it was in some of her memories. How could you not tell us Luna? Do you know how much heartache could have been spared?"
"Listen to me Miss Ten'oh. All the heartache was needed to make Usagi the Queen she is to become. I hated listening to her cry over him. And see the longing in both of you. But Pluto and I agreed that things had to take their natural course. Yes you two were lovers back in the Silver Millennium. And yes you were very happy. Does that answer the question?" Luna replied, her cat eye narrowed and sorrowful.
"So you knew all this and never told us because you wanted what was BEST for us? Damn you! How dare you mess with our minds like that!"
Luna jumped onto a higher surface, "Listen to me! I will tell you what I told you back in the Silver Millennium. Your love for her and her love for you is what people spend their lives looking for. It even withstood me putting roadblocks up. IT survived Haruka. Time, space, an overprotective cat, and god knows what else. Celebrate it."
Haruka looked at Luna, "Anything else you have hidden in that wily feline mind of yours?"
"Not that I can think of at the moment. Wait! Usagi's parents are going out to dinner and Shingo is staying at his friend Brian's tonight. Might be a good night for a date. Only cats here to know what time you two get in. I surely owe you a favor for being, how did you put it? Wiley?"
Haruka let a grin spread across her lips and her eyes sparkled, "I am going to take you up on that Luna. Trust me!" With a final pat on the head for Luna Haruka was wandering out of the backyard at a slower pace this time. Her mind whizzing with date plans. She had won the girl, now al she had to do was keep her.
"Okay Usagi, SPILL!! You do not get to be all closed mouthed about this! You have to tell us HOW you knew it was Haruka!" Makoto teased as they left the building for the day. An hour AFTER school ended due to the fact Usagi, Rei and Yaten had detention.
Yaten smiled and reached for Rei's hand, "I can tell you one thing. I never cared about losing less than I did this time."
Minako's eyes widened and then she grinned, "I knew it! I knew you two were falling for each other! I knew it!"
"You could have clued me in earlier than you did though. And could you have been more cryptic about it when you DID clue me in?" muttered Usagi while scanning the cars for Haruka's convertible.
Ami slipped an arm through Usagi and Minako's and pulled them towards the ice cream parlor, everyone else following them, "I say we celebrate with Ice Cream. After all, it is very healthy.... it has dairy in it and some even have fruits and nuts...."
Rei grinned, "I like your reasoning Ami. I think I have heard that many times from Usagi..."
"It works too! And this just proves that it IS a reasonable argument! After all the most brilliant girl I know thought of it as well." Stated Usagi with a firm nod of her head, then she turned and dazzled the clerk with a smile, "I would LOVE a Triple Threat Sundae – Cookie Dough, Mint, and Crème du Leche."
Rei licked her lips, "Sounds good to me! I will take one of those but with – Double Fudge ripple, Cookie dough, and Moosetracks."
Yaten grinned, "Just a double scoop of strawberry for me."
Rei smacked her on the arm, "Are you trying to make me feel guilty for ordering so much? Cause it won't work you know."
Yaten smirked as she paid over Rei's protests, "Nope, trying to weasel some of your Moosetracks though..."
Minako watched, somewhat detached as her friends teased and laughed around her. Then her eyes met Usagi's a smile spread across their lips, "I challenge you!" they said simultaneously. And with that they were off. Blonde hair flying behind them in the breeze. Their laughter floated back to their friends and with a look Rei grabbed Yaten's hand and they too were off. Following them into the arcade. Just like they used to do. Before all this came and nearly tore them in two. Before the world almost ended, the first time anyway. Waving at Motoki with grins on their faces they saw them, milkshakes at the ready, driving at the Formula1 racing terminal.
Rei flashed back to the day she had seen Usagi and Minako racing the first time. Remembering the carefree attitude of those days and seeing it again here...it was like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She looked at Yaten and took a minute to really study her. Why did it seem like she had always been here? Why did it feel like they had always been together?
Ami looked around at her friends and smiled softly. This is what was meant to be. All of them. No offense to Yaten or Haruka, but this is what had started it all. Usagi and her Inner Senshi had this bond. To the Arcade and not video games. This intangible bond that joined them all. No matter what happened they all ended back up together. And now that she thought about it – inevitably they ended up here. Watching Minako and Usagi race each other. Hmmm....
Makoto stole what was left of Usagi's milkshake and winced as sparks flew off of her video car. Her mind went back over all the times she had stood here watching and stealing the last bit of Usagi's milkshake and she grinned. Damn it felt good to be back here...in this moment.
Yaten watched as the pattern fell into place. It was like she had always been here. At Rei's side and it felt right. How had everyone else seen it and it had totally blindsided her? She looked from person to person and realized something she hadn't when she and the other lights were here before. They all had their niche. But it didn't limit them the way one would think. The blossomed and moved and grew, but now – when they could sense the need for it – back into their niche they went. How utterly, bizarrely wonderful!
"Damn!" Usagi cried as her car crashed and burned. A husky laugh came from behind them.
"And that pet is why you will never drive my car. I like it and you in one piece." Haruka said stepping up from behind the group, "Hey, all I need is my old school uniform and we could have a walk down memory lane."
Minako turned and looked at Haruka, her nose wrinkled in distaste, "Hate to break it to you Ruka –love, but NO ONE could make those uniforms look good. Let's leave it in whatever hellish dimension you put it in."
"My closet, WAY in the back." Haruka said with a smirk, "I liked it better than some I have seen."
"True, what we had to wear when we were here...I think ANYTHING would have been an improvement." Yaten added throwing her two cents in.
"Yaten you came AFTER the uniforms from hell. They were scary." Rei said with a faux shudder and a sideways look at Haruka.
"Now that we have my ego down around my ankles, Usagi would you care to leave these ruffians behind and go out for dinner and possibly dancing?" Haruka said with a teasing pout on her lips.
Usagi pretended to think about it for all of a second before hopping up and grinning, "I think I can fit you into my schedule. See you tomorrow everyone!"
Ami got a look of horror on her face, she whirled quickly, "Usagi! Tomorrow is Saturday! Don't forget to turn off your alarm clock. Please!"
Usagi turned and winked, "Actually Ami.... my poor alarm bit the dust the other day and I have yet to buy a new one. So no worries there."
Everyone blew a collective sigh of relief. Yaten just looked confused, and finally Rei and Minako noticed this, "Sometimes, Usagi can forget we don't have class on Saturday and get there all dressed and everything. Then she comes over and wakes us all up to keep her company. Especailly after the emotional roller coaster we have all been on lately it is nice to remind her so we can sleep in. Thank you Ami!" Rei said with a smile at her friend.
Ami grinned and winked at everyone, "Since I live closest to the school I always get Hurricane Usagi first. I want to sleep tomorrow. But for tonight it is off home for me. My mom actually has a night off and we are going to 'bond' over junk food. See you all tomorrow!" and with that Ami blew kisses to everyone and was gone.
Makoto looked at Minako with a grin, "Want to go to a movie and grab a pizza later? I am thinking as the only two single people left, we must uphold the sacred scout clubbing duty."
Minako grinned and nodded firmly, "I agree. Meet you in two hours at your place?"
"Deal!" with that they smiled and hugged Rei and Yaten and left out the door.
Rei turned to Yaten with a smile, "So what shall we do this evening?"
Yaten looked at her confused, "One question for you first. Isn't Ami single? Or am I missing something?"
Rei smiled gently, "She stands about Ruka's height, with mahogany hair and rich purple eyes. Answers to both Taiki and Maker? Ring any bells? She fell in love and never fell out. I was kind of hoping she had come back with you."
Yaten grinned, "That could be arranged you know."
"Allow me to repeat my previous question. So what are we doing tonight?" Rei asked, while inside hoping for a happy ending for her shy quiet friend who deserved to be loved so much.
Yaten grinned, "Well..."
AN: And there it is. Kiss, it is your turn. Hope I gave you enough to work on. Loves everyone and can't wait for Kiss to write the next one!