Alone
"So they're after heart crystals? And some of these heart crystals turn into talismans?" asked a black feline, it's golden crescent shinning oddly in the pale moonlight seeping through the open window, and the refreshing breeze ruffling it's silky fur.
"That sounds about right, O and the world will be destroyed if the things aren't found!" said Usagi Tsukino as she pet the white cat in her lap, a brilliant crescent situated on it's majestic brow as well.
All three let out a deep sigh at this turn of events. Hadn't they just finished getting rid of those aliens and there energy sucking tree? Hadn't they saved humanity twice from the clutches of the evil creatures bent on taking over or destroying the planet?
And they'd almost died both times... Or at least, she had the second time, refusing throughly to awaken her fellow Senshi. She felt quite proud to have defeated the creatures on her own, not having to rely on her friends to protect her was kind of nice, but being independent also had its downfalls.
Her friends had no remembrance of her, and she was terribly lonely now a days. Even Naru and Umino had abandoned her, though she'd pushed them away as well, hoping to prevent pain from them by keeping them away.
Even her old love was gone, Having forgotten all they shared with the influence of the crystal. It still hurt to think of all she'd lost in a matter of seconds. But it was better this way, or so she told herself, that her friend's be safe and protected instead of in harms way. She wouldn't loose another, she couldn't...
"Usagi?" came the white cat's deep voice, Usagi looked down into the worried blue orbs and felt a small tear leak from her eye.
Both cats purred sadly at there princess's distress and vowed silently to protect her as well as they could. There princess had been through so much, and now they had even more to fight through. But they could do it, they had to...
"Artemis, Luna... there has to be another way! There just has to be! We've worked so hard to protect the planet, the innocent! What if the talisman's in a child! I can't kill a child just because it'll save the world... I can't let someone die like that..."
Tears burst with renewed sorrow from her eyes, falling down flushed cheeks to land on the small crescent of Artemis's crescent. Oddly, the small moon begun to glow silver, growing with intensity as Usagi released each heart-wrenching sob, completely ignorant to the light filling the room.
However, when she felt a soft hand touch her face to wipe away the tears, she looked up to see the blue eyes of her mother staring back at her. Not Ikuko, but someone different, the ancient queen from the distant past smiling lovingly down at her with those wide eyes.
"My child," whispered the woman, her face sad as she looked down at her dear little baby. "Why do you cry so?"
"Mama," she whispered, the tears still leaking down her face. "Mama I'm not strong enough. I can't do this! Why do people have to be sacrificed! I just can't kill someone for the rest of the world. There has to be another way to defeat the darkness! There has to be..."
Queen serenity smiled down at her child, even as a mere memory she could feel her love for her baby, the child she had born from her womb, who she had raised and given up. The one whom she had sacrificed her life for. O how she loved the little one, and to see her in such pain...
"Mama, there must be something I can do!"
"O little one, you carry so much pain. But where is your court? The warriors trained to protect you."
"I made them forget," she whispered softly, looking down at her feet, "I don't want them to be hurt. I almost lost them against Beryl, I wont let them be hurt again if I can help it! Not again..."
The queen stared for a moment at her little girl, realizing silently how much the playful child had grown. The little mischievous child was now an adult, burdened with the weight of the world and it showed so clearly. Selenity allowed a few tears to drop at the sadness.
"My child, all will be well in the end, fret not over such things. However, I suggest you find a way to ally yourself with the outer Senshi-"
"Who?" asked Usagi, her eyes clearing of tears as she looked curiously at her mother. Her mother looked back just as shocked.
"You do not remember?"
"Remember what?"
"The warriors of the outer rim of the galaxy. The Senshi that protect the world from invaders and other such things."
"The outer rim" she whispered as she stared at her mother with wide eyes, then it dawned on her that she spoke of the strange Senshi that had appeared and were looking for heart crystals. "The mysterious Senshi!"
A smile lit the woman's face at the look of joy that crossed her daughter's face, a look that could melt even the coldest heart...
"Yes, Sailor Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto. The Senshi of the outer rim."
"Three? There were only two though," said Usagi, her brows furrowed in concentration. And wasn't there another planet besides the seven she knew of? A Senshi for every planet, just as there was for those close to the sun. "Mama, but what of the other? Why isn't there eight Senshi, like there are eight planets besides Earth?"
A deep sigh fell from the queen's pale lips and she reluctantly told the child what Sailor Saturn meant. That her coming brought about the apocalypse, for she had the strength to destroy an entire planet. Usagi only stared before tears once more begun to slip.
"My child, it is morning already, and you must return to your plane of existence."
Usagi nodded sadly and watched slowly as her mother faded from sight, leaving behind the empty void she had stood in once before.
Just before awakening, she heard a last whispered farewell floating softly through her like a summer breeze.
"Good luck my child and farewell," and with that the rays of dawn fell through the open window, alighting Usagi with it's beauty.
"Farewell mother,"
Haruka smirked as she watched the blond exist her home and begin walking towards her school, her hair done up in those strange odango-shaped buns. She looked so cute like that, with those pouting pink lips all glossed and sweet. Haruka licked her own as she remembered the distinct taste, cherries and ice cream, he had dreamed of her since, her wide eyes passionately filled with emotions chasing away all other nightmares.
Haruka quickened her stride, easily sneaking up on the young woman without her ever sensing a thing.
The green eyed blonde placed a long pale arm around the younger girl's small shoulder's watching her stiffen at the contact; and grinned madly as blue eyes turned to stare at her in shock, a blush lighting the pretty pale face. Her grin quickly faded though when she noticed a small cut had formed on her cheek, marring the beauty with it's harsh color.
Green eyes narrowed to slits.
"ER, hi-" she cut off as she remembered she didn't know the handsome strangers name. She glared right back at him at that thought, startling a shocked expression from him.
"Hello Odango," Usagi's narrowed eyes turned to slits at the annoying nickname, why did everyone insist on calling her that? Couldn't they come up with something a bit more original?
"My name is Usagi," she huffed, turning away and stalking off, the handsome blond following right along with an arrogant smirk firmly in place.
"Usagi eh?" he asked his green eyes dancing with amusement, "A lovely name for a lovely woman. It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Usagi blushed again and turned her head to hide it from the stranger, however her efforts were in vain for he already caught glimpse of the reddened cheeks and a soft chuckle rumbled from soft luscious lips.
Usagi turned back to find what he was laughing about, and saw him smiling at her, that breath-taking smile that could make any girl loose her wits. She tried to remind herself she had Mamoru, but for some reason, that thought didn't bring the wistful sigh it once did, nor did the churning butterflies dance within her stomach. And yet, somehow she didn't seem to care.
"And who are you my mysterious savior?" she asked, hopeful that he might divulge the secret she so wished to know. The name of the young man who gave her a few moments of peace from the loneliness of her duty, of being a soldier.
"Haruka," replied the green eyed stranger, his smile almost irresistible. And then, he was gone, quick as the wind, here and there without a sound. She smiled softly at his appearance, Haruka... Why did that name sound so familiar? She was certain she remembered it from somewhere... but where?
Smiling softly, she glanced at the place her mysterious friend had once stood. "Haruka," she whispered, her heart felt unnaturally light, and it felt nice. So very nice.
Michiru watched silently as the Odango-Atama walked home, school having finished earlier and hurried to catch up with the young girl, noticing at once the soft smile situated on the girl's peach lips. It was quite nice to bathe in her radiant sight, the soft glow she emitted lighting her dark world. Michiru fought internally if should give back the picture right now, knowing already the dark memories it held so deep.
Glancing at the girl's happy mood, she decided to give it to her later. And hurried to catch up with her, she could give it back some other time, but right now, she liked the sight of the happy teen that looked like the child in the picture. She liked it a lot.
"Hello Usagi," smiled Michiru as she put a delicate hand on the girl's small shoulder, and then looking into the girl's face, she noticed she had collected yet another scar, strangely it looked familiar... But she shook her head at the thought, that was ridiculous, she hadn't seen the girl in a week, what was she thinking. But still...
"Michiru!" smiled the blue eyed girl happily, "how are you?"
Michiru smiled back, it was nice to see the girl so cheerful, she hoped she might stay that way for awhile.
"I'm quite well thank you, however I wanted to invite you to a concert, would you like to come? I have back stage passes if you'd like to invite a friend along.
Usagi beamed at the thought of getting to watch Michiru perform, she remembered never hearing the end of how wonderful her music was from Ami-chan, and now she got to go...
"I'd love to!" clapped Usagi as she embraced the older girl in a hug, her eyes squeezed shut in happiness. She was going to see Michiru perform live!
Shocked at the display of affection, Michiru stiffened at the contact, before slowly wrapping her arms around the girl and returning the hug. She felt as though all pressures of the world lifted from her with that hug, and she smiled warmly down at the girl.
Parting from each other, Usagi waved goodbye, but not before trading numbers so they could call the other. Michiru reminding the younger girl not to hesitate when she called, and Usagi smiling happily back in response. Thus they parted there ways and home they went. The small crumpled picture forgotten in the Aqua haired woman's pocket.
