Alone
Usagi scribbled frantically, her tongue held between her teeth in concentration as she tried hard not to draw the little bunnies on the side of her paper. She really didn't need to fail this test, not after the last. But she'd been so busy there was hardly any time for studying, youma and puzzling new senshi, she didn't have time to be normal. Just a lonely destiny of duty...
The loud ringing of the dismissing bells ripped her from her thoughts and the paper found itself in the clutches of Mrs. Haruna before she could even blink. Usagi sighed pitifully and grabbed her things for a long walk home. Naru and Umino were far to busy to hang out any more, not that it would matter.
"Usagi, please stay behind," called the red headed teacher suddenly before the blond could even venture from the room, "we need to talk."
"Yes?" inquired the blue eyed girl her hands clutching her books tightly. She wondered what the woman wanted, they hadn't really talked for quite a while, but then again they hadn't had a reason. Not since her brother Shingo's untimely death.
"I'd like to congratulate you for whatever it is your doing, your grades are rapidly improving, you've seemingly learned the importance of promptness, and your classroom behavior is better. However, I have also noticed your cuts, where did you get them? You know you could tell me if there was a problem at home or something, there are things I can do-"
Her words were quickly cut off as Usagi realized where the conversation was leading.
"My mother doesn't abuse me! I just tripped, you know how clumsy I can be, they're not that bad anyways..."
Ms. Haruna didn't appear to be terribly impressed, and looked even more skeptical, but she still allowed Usagi to leave the room, watching her rush home as she did every day. The memory of the smiling, bubbly blond just that, a memory. And even with the improvements she never believed would have happened, that she normally would have loved... the teacher wished now, more than ever that the sweet and caring girl she once knew still came late to class and fell asleep while she taught.
At the moment, it didn't seem very likely.
Rei Hino sat before the great fire as had now become a regular habit, thoughts churning through her mind from the image that haunted her sleep and wake. A dark abyss, and the woman in the middle, torn and bloody. Who was that girl? Why was she crying and so alone?
Her hands curled into fist as the broken look flashed before her eyes once more. She concentrated all the harder, hoping the great fire might explain why she felt the need to protect her.Why she felt as though she were missing something terribly important. Something she was suppose to do...
Five warriors fighting against a dark queen. Red hair spilling into blue, the frozen burn of ice. Of a princess, crumpled to the ground in tears as her friends laid silent in death. And a bright purple light surrounded them all, swallowing the world with it's gruesome power.
And then it was gone.
She shut her eyes tightly, trying to understand the images and why it all felt so familiar. Could it have been a past life? And if it were, why was it haunting her present? Or was it a vision of the future? Was that her fate?
The great fire flared with life, and Rei was once more struck by it's power and greatness. Sitting unflinchingly as it leaped out of the fireplace and licked her face, never touching or burning her. But the heat was terrible and fierce before it died away, returning to its rest in peaceful contempt. Leaving a pondering priestess amongst its ashes.
Usagi smiled down at her sleeping cat, knowing well how tired the aging feline was. Having to look after a teenage super hero did that to one, she supposed.
"O Luna," she whispered as she began to softly pet her guardian's soft ebony fur, "I'm sorry my dear Luna... If only things could be different. I wish... I wish you didn't have to worry. But I don't... I don't think I could handle it if something ever happened to them, or even to you! Oh Luna... I'm so sorry..."
Sighing, Usagi leaned back against the headboard of the bed, wondering what she would do now. After a few moments of indecision, she decided to go for a stroll through the park, perhaps the fresh air would clear her thoughts of the mysterious green eyed blond that seemed to dominate her mind these days. It was odd to say the least, that she could feel such emotions after being numb for so long. She figured it couldn't be to terrible to feel again, especially with the butterflies that spluttered through her stomach when she thought of him.
But she didn't need to think of him! She had an enemy, and two new Senshi she needed to think about! She needed to understand what those crystals were and why the creature was taking them, and why the other Senshi were obviously after them... Releasing a frustrated noise, Usagi walked out of the house and down the gray cracking sidewalk. Things were getting complicated again. Why, though? Why did all these monsters decide they wanted to take over the world?
She pulled out a small picture from her pocket and looked down at the smiling people, each of the faces so familiar and happy. Their joy as clear as the grin on her own face. But that had been what seemed forever ago. Those people no longer knew her. Why, they recognized her as much as a stranger, as much as the media understood Sailor Moon.
Shaking her head, she moved towards a bench, deciding to sit down, only to noticed it had already been taken by a pair of lovers, holding each other tight while kissing with heavy passion. Their hands interwoven in each others hair, their clothes ruffled slightly under the other's ministrations. Heavy panting belaying their pleasure in the same manner that Mamoru used to evict in her ...
She turned away, verging on sickness.
She prepared to rush away from the scene only a few feet before her, already pumping her feet atop the ground, when she found herself pressed against a large, warm chest...
Blushing, she looked up to find teal wide eyes staring back down in surprise, aqua hair flowing in waves around a porcelain face; like the sea.
Stepping back she murmured her apology, frowning mentally at how many times she was doing that, however a hand on her shoulder brought her attention back to the kind face. She stared for a moment, wondering at the familiarity of it, when the woman spoke, it sounded like a rumbling ocean during a great storm, a feminine voice of thunder demanding respect with a deep gracefulness.
"It's quite alright. Would you like to walk with me? I'm a bit new to this part of town," she smiled as she spoke, shinning with sincerity. Usagi accepted readily, hoping to turn her mind away from the thoughts plaguing her conscious.
With agreement, they both toured the city, visiting the malls and laughing at the strange women clustered around fountains. She showed her the casino and blushed when she pointed out the strip clubs, but the other woman chuckled and they moved along. Ice cream, pop corn, and a lot of bags later they stopped to rest at a small café where they each order some tea and chatted quietly.
"You know," said the teal haired woman, "I have spent the entire day with you and still don't know your name." The woman smiled and looked at Usagi, teal eyes moistened with emotions.
"How rude of me," smiled Usagi as she looked at the woman, the first real smile she had worn in quite a while. "My name is Tsukino Usagi."
"It's nice to meet you, Usagi-chan, My name is Kaioh Michiru-"
"The famous violinist?" asked Usagi in awe, her mind a whirl with the information gifted to her. The woman just chuckled softly at her, bright eyes shinning merrily.
"So you've heard of me?"
"My friend loves your music! Ami-chan would-" her words cut off as she realized what she said was incorrect. Ami wasn't her friend anymore, sure she was hers, but that was only one way. At the moment, Ami didn't even recognize her.
The silence was thick as her eyes glanced downward at her full cup, eyes filled with sadness. Now why did she have to go and say that?
"Your heart aches so much," whispered the woman before her as shimmering blue eyes glimmering with unshed tears met sad teal ones in a flood of emotions.
"Forgive me," she whispered as she stood to leave, a small ghostly smile upon her lips, "I should return home."
Michiru nodded her head and watched the blond leave, a heavy heart left in her wake. She shook her head and paid the bill and tip before noticing something in the seat. A small picture lying on the seat where the girl had left. Michiru picked it up silently.
As she looked at it, she felt tears mist at her eyes.
A small group of people stood in the picture, five girls to be precise with smiles on their bright faces.
The picture was almost unidentifiable with all the creases and tear stains, but Michiru could still make out the joy written so prominently across each girl's face. Usagi's in particular held the most. Shinning with enough love to light up the galaxy. Michiru wondered quietly what had happened to make such a girl become so sad.
Turning the picture over, she found a note to the girl with four signature's on the bottom.
Usagi-chan,
With all our love, we give you our blessings. Be safe and happy!
Love,
Makoto, Minako, Ami, Rei
Shaking her head, she headed home, she'd return the picture when she saw the girl. However, from the beeping of her watch, she figured it'd be best to get to the business at hand. She had a mission and she wasn't one for letting her emotions get in the way. But still, the smiling girl on the photo seemed her mind tauntingly despite her best intentions.
