Disclaimer: No ownership here. Neither on the song "Gone" by N'Sync.

"Where do I begin?"

By Chiisana Anisa

NOTICE: Read my finishing AN, for I have some answers for some of the reviewers. Thanks.

"After the storm, Quietness"

There's a thousand words that I could say

To make you come home

Even though her heart was still breaking after two full hours of crying and random sleeping, Usagi woke due to the sun rays peeking through the holes in the barricades on the windows of the abandoned building. Her head didn't feel any lighter, nor her sore body better, instead all of her cried out in pain when she moved.

Gathering strength she got up, on her shaky legs and walked to the nearest possible exit. The walk to her home never entered her conscience and she found herself at the doors of a house she hasn't been for over a year. Just when she was about to knock the doors swung open, revealing her parents on the other side of the doorstep.

Her mothers eyes sprang wide open in surprise and disbelief and her father stared at her dumbly, before he managed to utter her name. At that sound, completely exhausted and broken Usagi collapsed into her mother's awaiting arms, sobbing quietly. They all embraced, without asking questions or giving answers, for she was finally home.

Broken, sore, maybe alone, unhappy... but home.

lllll

lllll

After few hours of feeling sorry for himself, Mamoru finally stepped out of the room to face the four girls waiting for him. Just as predicted they were all sitting around the small table, kneeling and staring down at some random spot on the table.

He cleared his throat to gain their attention. Instantly they turned and the only one who dared to share a smile was Minako as usual. "Hello Mamoru-san."

Except that this time she used the honorable "san". That wasn't something you would expect from the perky blonde. She got up and bowed slightly.

"I'm very sorry for all that has happened. It's partially my fault because I hid from you that I was in contact with Usagi. Gomene nasai." She bowed again, out of courtesy.

He only nodded to her apology and glanced around. "Well, what is done is done. The main problem is as it would seem, again, to locate Usagi's whereabouts."

Minako spoke once again, with a happier note in her voice than before. "Oh, no need for that. I recall her saying that the first thing she would do is to go to her parents house."

This time smile broke out on his handsome face too, and all the girls nodded the sign they knew that already. Rei was next to speak up. "I suggest we give Usagi a few hours with her parents. They must be out of their minds if she just turned up on them."

"Yes you're probably right, Rei. As much as I want to see Usako again, I won't take her precious time with her parents away."

All the girls understood the double meaning in Mamoru's sentence, because of his childhood. Ami smiled sadly, little sparkle in her eyes, the same he saw in all of the others. They stood up and looked knowingly at each other, finally with ease after all this time.

"Then we wait."

Oh, seems so long ago you walked away

and left me alone

The waiting part seemed to go on forever. As they were at ease, games were played, comics were read, the entire garden was nourished and cleaned, the house too, to some degree. But all of that was still done with some withdrawal in their hearts.

Each one of them expected that Usagi would come any minute now and that minutes turned to long six hours. Finally, Mamoru got up from his kneeling position under the kitchen sink, rubbing his eyebrows to remove the sweat that gathered there.

"Well, I think that's about it for now. I know I should be the first one to stay as long as needed, but unfortunately I also have a life to worry about. My shift starts in an hour an the hospital, so I really must go."

Rei who stood by him all the time, supervising, like she said, smiled understandingly. "I know Mamoru. And really, go. We all know how much you eagerly awaited this opportunity."

Still doubt lingered in his mind. "Are you sure Rei? What if Usagi comes and I'm not here? How will she react? I really don't know if it's..."

Rei's eyebrows knitted close together. "Go."

For Mamoru, something rarely should be told twice to be done. He smiled thankfully at her, and getting up, dusted himself off. With a short nod of his head he departed saying hello to the each girl as he passed them by, soon disappearing from the circle of the Shrine.

Rei sighed and went outside only to find the girls all sitting on the entering steps to the main hall. "Well, I thought you were all still working."

Makoto raised an eyebrow. "What?" Tone of one promising nothing good was detected in her voice.

Minako, more bubbly than usual screeched. "I had enough of running around so now, I quit!!"

And Ami, sitting the furthest from Rei, put the medical magazine down in her lap. "I also wanted to read something very interesting on the field of transplanting, and I must say..."

Rei broke her mid-half. "We really don't want to know. But guys, you could have finished sweeping the steps after all this work today."

This time, all of them gave her a dirty look, each one ready to bring some comeback on the daylight and wash Rei's mind out once and forever, all feeling slightly uneasy after all this waiting. Just as they were all opening their mouths one very familiar and dear voice butted in.

And I remember what you said to me

You were acting so strange

"I can see you really haven't changed at all."

They all froze in their places, heads turning slowly to meet the figure of their leader standing three feet from them. None willed to speak, and silence hugged the entire yard as the wind slowly blew by. Usagi stood there, just like she would usually, for she always came the last. This time however, she was the one standing firmly on the ground, her hair flying on the breezes of the wind, clarity in her eyes.

Ami, who was stone cold till now was the first one to fanatically scream out her name, tears springing to her eyes while she jumped from her position to embrace the petite girl known as the Sailor Moon.

As soon as she reached her friend, Usagi's cold face melted down, she too on the verge of crying. She could hear Ami mumbling to her ear that they didn't know, and how sorry all of them were. They hugged tightly, as tightly as friends ever do. Finally after some time, Ami released Usagi from her hold.

Usagi wiped her tears away to really look at her four girlfriends. Second by second her gaze traveled over their faces, figures, well known postures. She drank it all in, cherished the fact she was given an opportunity to see all of them again. She would never admit it to anyone else, but she had high doubts she would succeed at the end.

No one needed to know about that. After all, she was here and so were they. And they stood before her, awaiting her next words or gathering courage to say something themselves. Usagi did.

"Well, I guess I don't have to tell a really big story of what I was doing and how was I doing, do I?" The joke didn't bring out a laugh she so much needed, but more tears as now all the girls sprang to give her one big friendly hug, almost squeezing her to death. She choked out a few sobs, pleading to collect their thoughts and talk a little. They all moved away and stood in line.

"I can only say, I'm sorry and welcome back, Usagi." Ami blurted out, her first coherent thought after her previous ramblings.

Makoto squirmed, as if she was feeling misplaced just standing there. "I'm also saying I'm very much sorry for all that has happened. And I plead your forgiveness."

Minako opened her mouth to say her apologizes, but Usagi raised her hand. "I think you have nothing to say Mina-chan. Don't worry." Minako smiled tenderly at her, her bright blue eyes looking at Usagi with great warmth.

Usagi's eyes dropped on Rei, who was crying too, but didn't spoke a word at all. They all knew what was the trouble here.

Usagi and Rei bickered too much back in the 'old' days, when in fact they were close as sisters. Both stubborn, with flaring temper and love in their hearts for each other, although neither one would admit it willingly in front of everyone. They knew that Mars was the one who blamed herself the most, but also took on the leaders role when Usagi pulled her stunt a year ago. And they were all aware it would always be so.

Between them existed loyalty, a great deal of honor, respect and the knowledge of each others abilities, but above that all sisterly love and friendship. Maybe it was cracked now as before, needed melding but it was still there. So, Usagi took few steps and was now standing right in front of Rei, looking her deep in the eyes.

"You have to say something Rei." Makoto rushed her. Someone had to, if not they could be standing here for hours. More tears appeared in the eyes of Sailor Mars and she spoke.

And maybe I was too blind to see

That you needed a change

"Yes, I'm really the same as I was when you left. And you can bet with everything you can that if you ever find a way to forgive me, I'll probably go on as it once were. We'll fight... "She stammered, a sob catching in her throat. "... argue, scream at each other, but we both know the truth. Al least that's something I want to believe in. I was wrong. Very much wrong about you. But I'm proud to know you. And even if you never will to speak to me again, I'll still be proud to say I had the privilege of being your friend once. There aren't enough words to say all I want to say, but I can start with I'm sorry." And finishing her short speech, Rei bowed slightly to Usagi.

When she raised her head, her eyes meet a sight she longed to see for so long. Namely, Usagi sticked her tounge out to her, making a grimace. "Now really, Rei I expected from you to yell at me..." Challenging her.

Big, huge, tremendous smile awarded Usagi. Rei's face took a picture of someone planning something completely evil. "Oh well.... You big idiot!! Do you know how much we all missed you and not to mention.."

Her next words were muffled because she found herself wrapped in Usagi's small arms. "I missed you guys too..."

Nothing more was said about apologizing later, no one yelled at anybody more. Instead the next following hours were spent in explaining, talking, joking and sharing laughs, tears even more so. The old mood was back. Be assured, not all was forgiven and forgotten.

But friendships last. They fall apart now and then, they tend to be recklessly abandoned and not well cared of, but they are always there. And a friendship that lasts a thousand years, certainly doesn't get pushed away just like that.

This five girls had a lot ahead of them, they had some time to make up for... But future for once, seemed bright as the future of one or five girls, friends should be.

The End of the Chapter Nine

AN: Now, the next chapter will be the very last. And as it seems I'm about to break the number 100 in reviews so you can imagine how happy I'm right now. Things are coming to an end.

I promise the next chapter is sweet and it ends rather predictable, fluff and all. Come to think about it, the first chapter that will have a lighter tone, comparing to all the rest. I hope you enjoyed this one, and that you don't mind the shortness of it, for the last one will make up for it. I also hope I haven't done any wrong with their reconciliation.

Now, to some more private thoughts and questions. For some reason, my e-mail doesn't work for some time now so although I got beaten on my fingers for responding publicly on reviews, here I am doing it again.

Adorable Angel, sorry to do this, mostly because you don't approve being called out before all readers to see. Not only you, but many others too. As far as your review is concerned my reply is this:

I was younger - I was stupid. I have nothing more to say than I'm really and terribly sorry for lashing out at Lara like that, or at you. My deepest apologizes. This may not be my main argument but although I'm a bit more mature than I was when this story started, I'm still a small child in some views.

I'm very proud of myself and everything that I do. So when I write and someone flames me, or rather reviews so that it looks like a flame to me, I act very manly. My pride is hurt and someone has to be hurt too besides me. And I yell, scream and bite as any dog would when hurt, even unintentionally. I defend myself even if I'm wrong, for I'm very stubborn when it comes to confessing I was wrong. This is a rather rare occasion for me to admit it.

I love this story very much, it's my baby, the first work of fan-fiction written by me. And my child felt attacked so I reacted. Over reacted, more to say. I ask you forgiveness, if possible. If I offended you in any way again, there is really nothing more that I can do.

And big thanks for your time on reviewing.

Ex Driver Liz - Thank you. I found your pen name repeating again and again throughout making of this story and I'm very grateful to have you as a reviewer. I can't even start of how good it feels to have a constant reader. A great and many thanks from the bottom of my heart. Stay tuned for the last chapter, you'll get your answer of what happened to Chibiusa.

All of my reviewers - Although this isn't the last chapter, I feel as if I didn't say thank you enough. So A REALLY BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED.

Who ever hits the number 100 with their review will get as a reward the last chapter on his/hers e-mail as soon as it's finished. (Hoping I'll repair mine to send it.) So when reviewing, and you'll know - leave your address if you're an anonymous reviewer. Thanks.

Great love,

Chiisana Anisa