Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or her characters, and have no right to it except as a long time fan.
Title: A Destiny Realized
Usagi x Mamoru
Rated: T
Romance/Angst
Summary: How would Usagi's life play out if she never became Sailor Moon? Would she ever learn who she really was? Would she still be able to fulfill her destiny?
Usagi Tsukino woke up late one day for school, dressed quickly, and rushed out of her house to try and make it before the last bell so she could avoid detention. She came across a black cat in distress and stopped to help her. Because of that event she was discovered to be a Sailor Senshi, one of a group of chosen females destined for great things, but what if that event never happened?
In another time in another place Usagi Tsukino woke up on time and was able to get dressed and leave in a timely manner. Her walk to school was quiet and uninterrupted, and she was able to make it to school before the first bell even rang.
The school day was the same as any other. Usagi spent time with her friends Naru, Kuri, And Yumiko, discovered she had failed a test, and got away from campus without being given detention.
The group of girls went to Naru's family jewelry store since they were having a sale and looked around in awe at all the beautiful jewelry and the people that had flocked to the store. Usagi was more than a little disappointed that she didn't have any money to buy even one of the drastically lower priced pieces of jewelry, and decided to leave instead of torturing herself further.
Usagi knew she needed to get home anyway, and hoped she wouldn't have to present her failed test to her mother. Maybe she wouldn't even know they had gotten the tests back. All she had to do was keep her mouth shut.
She walked out of the store and looked back inside before pulling out her disaster test.
Why do I always do so bad on tests?! What is it about me? Am I not studying hard enough? She thought with heavy sigh before she grew frustrated and balled up the test and tossed it over her shoulder in a fit of anger.
"Hey!" She heard an indignant masculine voice behind her. "That hurt Odango Atama." She heard him add and she spun around to see a young guy reading her test paper.
"Hey!" She cried in dismay and embarrassment at a stranger seeing her failed test.
"Tsk tsk. You definitely need to study more Odango." He said in amusement.
"It's none of your business!" She snapped back as she snatched her paper back from him and stalked off. She paused and looked back at the guy only to see him staring at her. She quickly turned back forward and continued on her way trying not to think about how cute he was.
oOoOoOo
Usagi and Mamoru ran into each other again the next day at the local cafe arcade and immediately started launching insults in between learning each other's name. Their meetings continued in that fashion, gradually easing from insults to teasing over the weeks before it all tapered off and they settled into a firm true friendship.
The two friends studied together and got to know each other, learning more and more about each other as the weeks passed. They hung out with each other spending time with each other's friends, going to movies and out to eat, and getting along great.
It wasn't surprising when they began to view each other as best friends. They had found that they could talk to each other about anything. Mamoru had even told Usagi about the reoccurring dream he had been having for years about a princess. He explained that while he couldn't see her face he could see that she wore a white dress and had extremely long hair. He described how she begged him to find her silver crystal and find her.
What he didn't tell her was that he had begun wearing a tuxedo and mask as a disguise while he went out and searched the city for the silver crystal; even going so far as to break into jewelry stores and check out their crystals.
Meanwhile four young women, with the help of two special cats, became sailor senshi and came together to fight the strange creatures, the youma, that were attacking the city they lived in.
Usagi and Mamoru had heard of the women who became known as the Sailor Senshi. They had even wondered if the popular Sailor V was one of them, but there was no way to confirm it so they let the subject drop. The senshi weren't apart of their lives so it didn't really matter.
Although unknown to Usagi Mamoru had stopped wearing his disguise when more and more senshi started appearing. He also cut back on breaking into jewelry stores, and became more careful with his search as he didn't want to draw their attention.
oOoOoOo
Usagi smiled as she sat on the roof of her school during the lunch hour reading her most recent letter from Mamoru. Her best friend had gone away to attend a university in the United States a few years ago and she couldn't deny missing him.
He had talked to her about it when he was first considering going since he believed the school he wanted to attend had the best medical program for his needs. He had wanted to make sure she would be fine with him leaving, and she had realized two things with that conversation.
First was that Mamoru really cared about her to even consider not going if she said she wasn't fine with it, and the second was the revelation that her feelings for him went beyond that of a friend.
It was surprising to her at first, but with some thought she realized that her feelings had been there and growing stronger for some time. She had just somehow convinced herself that being his friend was enough, and since he never got a girlfriend she thought that was fine.
Still, despite her feelings she had given him her blessing. She didn't want to hold him back from what he had worked so hard to achieve, and only asked that he keep in touch so it didn't feel like her best friend was in another country.
He had promised her he would, and so far he had done just that. He sent letters, the occasional postcard, and called her. She loved to hear his voice. They talked about anything and everything. From their friends, to how they were doing in school, to the increasing activity of the strange creatures that attacked Tokyo, and therefore the increased activity of the Sailor Senshi.
Usagi frowned as she thought about those four heroine's. According to the news they were fighting hard, saving people and beating the strange creatures, but despite their efforts the attacks seemed to be getting more numerous instead of decreasing. More people were getting hurt and filling the city's hospitals, and that unfortunately didn't even count the people who didn't survive.
I don't get it. Why don't they stop these creatures from the source? She wondered with a sigh as she hated to see what was happening in the city.
If nothing else that was one reason she was glad Mamoru had left to study abroad. These creatures seem to only be attacking in Tokyo, so he was more likely to be safe and in no danger.
Living here is kind of starting to feel like being in a Godzilla movie. She thought in slight amusement, which didn't last long as she remembered how many people died in those movies.
Usagi shook her head slightly and turned her thoughts back to Mamoru's letter. He had replied to her mention that she was close to graduating high school. He said that he was proud of her and asked what she planned to do once she graduated.
She honestly didn't know. Everyone expected her to just continue her education and go to a university, so she guessed that's what she would do. Although she wasn't looking forward to it.
Maybe I can go to the same school as my friends. She considered, though she didn't think that was likely since she hadn't applied anywhere yet. At least Mamoru didn't just assume and asked what I was going to do. I miss him. She thought with a sigh before she heard the door to the roof slam open.
She looked up and saw her friend Melvin panting and looking around before he spotted her.
"Usagi! They want you in the main office! It's about your parents!" He called as he ran to her.
Usagi frowned with worry before she stood and ran toward him, Mamoru's letter clutched in her hand, and together they raced down to the schools main office.
Usagi sat in a waiting room at the hospital with her school bag in her lap. She'd been there only a couple of minutes after being escorted from school by two police officers. She'd only been told her parents had been in some sort of accident. At present she had no idea what had happened to them or if they were even okay.
At least I know Shingo will be here soon. She thought softly since the two police offers told her they would be bringing her little brother there.
"Usagi!" She heard nearly a half an hour later, and her head snapped up to see her little brother rushing toward her.
"Shingo!" She said as she got to her feet.
"What's going on?" He asked breathlessly.
"I don't know. They only told me that mom and dad were in an accident." Usagi said with a frown.
Just then a doctor came into the room and after ascertaining that they were the Tsukino children they were solemnly told that the accident had killed their father, and that they had just come from the surgery room to try and save their mother but they were unable to.
Usagi and Shingo stood wide eyed and speechless. Their parents were gone. They had both gone to school with parents and a happy family, and now just a few hours later they were orphans.
"Would you like to see them?" The doctor asked quietly.
Shingo blanched at the thought, but Usagi nodded. She wanted to see them to make sure it was actually them. She needed to see them for this to be real or she might think they weren't really gone.
She left her school bag with her brother in the waiting room and followed the doctor into an elevator where they rode down to a floor a number of flights from where they had just been. They walked down a hall and she was led to a room where her parents lay covered up to their necks in a sheet.
Usagi hesitantly stepped closer before she took a deep breath moved forward with more confidence then she felt and stood between the two tables. Their faces looked fine, if a little bruised, but they were pale and obviously gone.
"What kind of accident were they in?" She asked the doctor softly as she gazed at their faces. Was it a car accident? She wondered sadly.
"Unfortunately they were caught in an attack by a creature." The doctor answered and she grimaced as she closed her eyes.
She had just been thinking earlier at school that she was glad Mamoru was away at school, safe from these kinds of attacks, because of her fear he would be caught up in them and injured or worse. And now here was not one but both of her parents killed in one of those incidents.
Now she and Shingo were alone, and she knew as the oldest she would have to be the strong one. And it had to start right now. He was counting on her to have the answers and make everything right. She couldn't bring their parents back, but she could step up and take charge in their stead.
And that was exactly what she was going to try and do.
Late that evening Usagi sat in her parents room on their bed as she looked at papers she had found after searching their closet. She had gotten uncomfortable questions about what to do with her parent's bodies, where they should go, and how the expenses were going to be paid.
She'd had no idea what to tell them and had practically begged for them to give her time to search through her parents things to find any important papers they had that would shed some light on their wishes.
Now here she was looking at a set of papers that she thought would help with that. Their father had apparently provided college funds for both her and Shingo, so she decided then to use hers for all the funeral expenses and put any left over into her brother's fund.
They'd obviously been started years ago but they weren't enough for either of them to get all the way through their schooling. She knew that for a fact since she was going to be graduating soon, and had been learning about all the steps and procedures to go through. Still, she knew she had time to add to Shingo's fund, especially if she found a good job.
That thought aside she found the strength she had been desperately holding on to all day beginning to crumble as her grief rose to the surface. She needed to be strong for her brother, but she wasn't sure what to do. Looking through her parents things was overwhelming and a steady reminder that they were gone and not ever coming back.
I need help. I need someone to talk to; someone who will understand and know what to do. She thought desperately as tears silently began to trail from her eyes. Mamoru. The name came to her softly and she looked around wildly for the phone before she remembered it was downstairs and hurried out of the room.
oOoOoOo
In a small apartment in the early morning a young man slept the night hours away first in dreams of his best friend Usagi and then in the very familiar dream of a princess.
Dreams of his best friend were not rare but not as frequent as he would like considering his feelings. They had been friends for years, best friends for nearly all of it, but much to his chagrin he hadn't realized the depth of his feelings until he was by himself in another country and settled into his apartment.
He'd come to the country early to learn his way around the campus and make sure the apartment he picked was the way it looked when he picked it online. He hadn't wanted to deal with living in a dorm where he would have to deal with a roommate and possibly noisy neighbors. He had wanted the freedom and quiet to study when he wanted, and not have complaints when his friends back home called.
Once he was settled in his apartment it hadn't felt much different from his apartment back home except it's size, but then the quiet settled in and the view outside the window let him know that his best friend would not be showing up suddenly to distract him from his studies and make sure he ate.
It was then as he began to realize all the things he wouldn't be able to do with her anymore that he realized that he wanted her as more than a friend. So he made sure to send her letters, postcards, and call her to keep in touch as much as he could just as he promised her and to keep himself in the forefront of her mind.
Still, he missed her, and in an effort to distract himself when missing her became too much he went out to try and look for the silver crystal his dream princess was asking him to find. He had decided to continue his search while in America since it was very possible it could be in the country, maybe even the city he was now living in.
Suddenly the sound of the phone ringing blared through the quiet apartment and the sleeping young man shifted as he heard the sound. It came again and he groaned unhappily.
Who could that be? He thought as he squinted at his bedside clock and saw it was after five in the morning.
The phone rang again he remembered that only a hand full of people had his number, and if the phone was ringing at this time then it was likely someone back home.
And probably an emergency. He thought as he began to hurry out of bed and to the phone.
"Hello?" He answered mid-ring, his voice husky from sleep.
"Mamoru." He heard a quiet teary voice say.
"Usagi?!" Mamoru said in alarm as he heard the tone of her voice. "What's wrong?"
"They're gone. They're gone, and I don't know what to do." She said and he could hear her breath hitching as she cried.
"What do you mean? Who's gone?" He asked in confusion.
"My parents." She answered so softly he almost didn't hear her. "They were killed today in one of those creature attacks." She explained before he heard her break down crying.
Mamoru gasped in shock. He hadn't known what to expect, but this definitely hadn't been it. His best friend, the girl he was sure he loved, had just lost her parents. He could relate but he thought she had it worse at this point. She had had years with her parents, and she had a sibling to think about as well.
His mind raced as he listened to Usagi cry. She called him because she needed help; she needed him. She had said it clearly. She didn't know what to do, and he understood better then she probably realized.
She was now an orphan, she and her little brother were, and they were both still in school. It was definitely understandable that she didn't know what to do, and her grief wasn't helping at all.
He took a deep breath. He had been intending to go back home for her graduation, which was only a few weeks away, but with this news he was definitely going to go back as soon as possible. She was going to need help making arrangements and dealing with the fall out, and of course he was going to attend the funeral.
"Usagi. Usagi?" He said trying to gain her attention. "Listen to me! Are you listening?"
"Yes." He heard her say sadly.
"I'm coming back." Mamoru told her. "I'm going to make some arrangements here with my professors and then I'll try and be on the first flight back okay. I'm going to help you through this just hang in there for me okay?"
"Okay." She said as she sniffled.
"Keep an eye out for me okay?" He said.
"I will. Just hurry. Please." She said.
"I will. I'll be there as soon as I can." He assured her.
Mamoru arrived back in Tokyo two days later and took the first taxi he could find and began to head to Usagi's house.
After he'd explained the situation to his professors and got permission to be away for a while he'd packed a duffle bag with some clothes and the essential things he'd need to fly. He knew he wouldn't need much since he still had his apartment in the city with the majority of his clothes there.
When he arrived outside her house he paid the taxi driver, grabbed his bag, and got out of the car. He looked up at the house and saw there were only a few lights on, but it was enough to let him know she was home. He walked up to the front door and silently rang the doorbell. A few long moments later the door opened to reveal a somber faced Usagi.
"Mamoru!" She said in surprise before she practically leapt into his arms.
"It's good to see you." He said quietly as he wrapped his arms around her and held her to him.
He felt her arms tighten around him, her body began to shake, and knew she was crying. He silently and gently began to guide her back inside the house and closed the door. They moved into the living room and he dropped his bag on the floor before he picked her up and sat her on his lap as he sat on the couch.
He stroked her back gently and held her to him as she readjusted her hold on him and cried quietly. He whispered comforting words and told her how she would get through it, she was strong, and that while it would always hurt it would get easier over time. He told her to try to think of the happier times and even amusing times to help her get through the worst of her sadness.
Once Usagi had calmed down and her tears stopped Mamoru suggested that they get some rest and deal with everything in the morning. Usagi went up to her bedroom and changed into her pajama's before grabbing extra pillows and blankets from a hall closet and returning to the living room.
Mamoru had taken the time to change into something comfortable to sleep in while Usagi was upstairs, and helped her move the coffee table when he saw what her plan was. They silently spread out the blankets and added the pillows before turning off the lights and getting under the covers.
They would obviously camp out together since Usagi clearly didn't want to be alone. They snuggled together, something they had never done before, but enjoyed it as they fell asleep on the floor in the middle of the living room.
The morning started late for Mamoru as he was suffering from jet lag, and he didn't wake up until late in the afternoon. He woke slowly and found himself alone instead of wrapped around Usagi as he had noticed he was the various times he surfaced from his deep sleep during the night.
He sat up sleepily and ran his fingers through his hair to make sure it wasn't too wild when he faced Usagi.
Want to look somewhat presentable while I'm awake at least. He thought, and just in time as Usagi walked in and looked toward him.
"Oh! Good morning! Uh I mean good afternoon." She said a little flustered as she moved around the couch and joined him on the floor.
Mamoru smiled as he wondered if she had been checking on him and was surprised to find him awake this time.
"Good afternoon. I'm sorry I slept so late." He said quietly, seeing she was still in her pajamas.
"That's okay." Usagi said with a shrug. "I'm sure you had a long flight, and who knows how much time you spent prepping to come here. I'm just thankful that you're here." She finished softly.
"I wouldn't be anywhere else right now." He said sincerely.
Usagi just smiled then showed him to the kitchen where she had some breakfast left warming for him.
After Mamoru ate and Usagi had a snack they headed up to her parents' bedroom so she could show him what she had found. On their way they ran into her little brother and he and Shingo were introduced before they continued on their way.
As they entered the room Usagi quietly explained that after she had called him and calmed down she had continued to search her parent's room for more important papers and found their will. Her parents had wished to be buried side by side in the same cemetery as her father's parents.
They searched for a few hours but didn't find anything else pertaining to the immediate needs of laying her parents to rest, so taking what they had Mamoru helped Usagi call around and make arrangements for the funeral. It was long and arduous but by the end of the day nearly all of the details were taken care of and the funeral set for a few days from now.
All that was left was making the memorial programs and informing family and friends of when the even was taking place.
It was a few short days after they made arrangements that the funeral for Mr. and Mrs. Tsukino took place. It was a cold cloudy day that looked on the verge of producing rain, but it didn't stop the somber proceedings of the early day.
The ceremony was sad yet moving as people spoke about the elder Tsukino's and related memories of the couple. Usagi stood strong and brave as she battled back her grief in order to speak about her parents, and Mamoru couldn't have been more proud of her strength.
He was also as supportive as he could be, staying by her side through nearly all of the ceremony and only separating when she went up to speak. He rode with her and her brother to the cemetery and held her hand tightly as her parents were laid to rest. He stayed with her as people gradually began to trickle away, and all the way through the covering of her parents, and returned home with her and her brother.
Usagi got her brother situated comfortably in his room before she returned to where he sat in the living room, and completely broke down as she fell into his arms. She'd shed tears all day but now she was really letting go, and he did the only thing he could do which was hold her and give her silent comfort. He knew first hand that words meant nothing at a time like this.
As Mamoru gazed down at his grieving best friend he found himself wanting to tell her his feelings for her, but he controlled himself since he knew now was not the time. He didn't want to put pressure on her while she was grieving, so he decided he would continue to wait until another opportunity came and simply made sure she knew how much he cared for her.
He also decided that he would stay in the country until after her graduation since it was only a few weeks away. Luckily he was able to continue his schooling with his professors online. It would be hard but he was willing to put in the extra work to make up the practical side when he return to the States because Usagi was worth it.
From that somber day time passed toward Usagi's graduation and no opportunity came where he could safely tell her of his feelings. She was still grieving and on top of that he didn't want to distract her from the school projects she had to finish up to make sure she graduated.
When her graduation did come around he was sitting in the audience right next to her brother there to support and celebrate her achievement. He had thought since there would be a celebration he would be able to reveal his feelings then, but while there was celebration there was more grief since her parents weren't there to see and take part in the day.
Seeing no opportunity Mamoru decided to wait for another time, a time when her grief had faded, and hopefully only happiness would come with the revelation.
oOoOoOo
When Mamoru finished his schooling nearly a year later he had the idea to travel the world and study under different doctors to get practical medical experience before he officially became a doctor. On top of that he thought it would be a great opportunity to continue searching for the silver crystal.
However, the one thing that made him hesitate was the opinion of his best friend and the girl he loved. He wanted very much to be with her even though he still hadn't confessed his feelings to her, but he was still getting those dreams from the princess and he couldn't live his life the way he wanted to without doing something about it.
And doing something about it meant finding that silver crystal.
So he visited her, flying back to Japan, and discussed what he wanted to do with her. He was worried that she would forget about him while he was away, or worse move on with some guy, but she assured him that she would not forget him. She would be fine and wanted him to continue doing what he had to do to attain his dream. She just wanted him to continue to keep in contact with her as he had been.
With her approval and encouragement he went and did just that. He traveled to different countries studying under different doctors, sometimes with a translator on site to help him and sometimes getting by without. In either case he learned fully and he learned well.
Aside from that he continued to search jewelry stores, antique stores, and museums for the silver crystal but had no luck no matter where he searched. In addition to his learning and searching he began to take self-defense lessons, learning various forms of martial arts, boxing, street fighting, and more.
He also made sure to work out so he was in the best physical shape possible. He felt strongly that he needed to be prepared for defense at the least, and serious physical action at the most even though he didn't know why.
At present he was currently in Egypt. He had traveled there with a doctor from Scotland to work in a hospital in Cairo. While there he made sure to visit the Egyptian Museum even though he doubted there was a crystal of any kind there. He wanted to see all the relics of the pharaohs, and all the people that had lived during that time long ago.
Mamoru strolled along gazing at the various statues and figurines of pharaohs and their Queens. He looked at rows of elaborately carved stone caskets and burial objects. He eventually came across an object with the images of a pharaoh and a god depicted on the side.
As he gazed at the god he felt the overwhelming urge to touch the image, but he resisted since he knew very well he couldn't touch anything in the museum. He didn't understand where the urge was coming from but he had learned to trust his instincts. This urge was no different than the one telling him he needed to learn self-defense.
As he continued to explore the museum every time he came across the image of the god the urge would surge up. That let him know that it didn't matter which image he touched. He needed to touch the image of the god, so he needed to go somewhere where he could.
Thankfully after he left the museum he had the chance to go on a tour to the Karnak Temple Complex. He didn't hesitate to go since he hoped there would be an image of the god he could touch.
It was very hot walking around the complex, but the scenery was very interesting and attention grabbing. He couldn't help marveling and wondering how the ancient Egyptians did it with the tools they had available at the time.
Those thoughts were soon wiped away as he spotted what he had been hoping to see. Right there carved in the wall a few feet away from him was the god he had been searching for; the one that gave him such a strong urge; Amun-Ra.
He looked around and saw that everyone else was scattered around looking at other carvings and statues, so he walked up to the wall and looked up at the image as he reached out with a hand. He could only reach the foot of the carved image of the god, but it was enough.
His fingers lightly touched the foot, and his world exploded in a swirl of blinding gold and white light.
Mamoru blinked as the light cleared and looked around only to suck in a sharp breath in surprise at the sight before him. The scenery was divided in half. One side was desert terrain with the pyramids in the background, and the other side showed a large white and gold palace surrounded by lush manicured lawns and gardens.
He heard a throat clear behind him and he spun around, back to the desert terrain, only to blink in surprise at who stood before him. The figure before him looked identical to the carved image he had touched before he was overwhelmed by the light. Only he was as real as he was and in color.
The god was brown skinned and was barefoot. He wore a white and gold wrap around his waist and decorative blue and gold bands around his upper arms, wrists, and ankles. On his head he wore a red and gold headdress like a crown. Overall he looked very royal despite the brevity of his clothes.
"Amun-Ra." Mamoru tried the name out, having only read it and heard others say the name, and watched the male nod regally.
"Endymion." The god replied.
"Who?!" Mamoru said in confusion.
"That was your name. You have yet to remember, which is why I have brought you here." Amun-Ra stated. "You were Prince Endymion of the Golden Kingdom, heir to the throne of the Earth. There is where you were born and raised, and would have reigned had you lived long enough." He added as he gestured toward the large palace.
Mamoru looked back to the palace and realized that the place did seem familiar to him. He felt like he had seen it before. He looked up to the sky and saw the light blue half with a white crescent clearly visible. The Moon, and for some reason it made him think of the princess.
"How do you know this?" He asked as he looked back to the male.
"I am a god. Part of my duties was to oversee the pharaoh's, the kings, of my land and aid them. Although there are no more pharaohs living in the land that does not change my duty. Especially considering if circumstances were different the pharaohs would have answered to you when you took the throne." Amun-Ra explained, and Mamoru nodded.
"As such I have contacted you so that I may aid you in remembering who you are." He continued, and Mamoru's eyes widened. "We are here, able to meet, in part because you house a power similar to my own that is the color of the sun."
"House? You mean inside me? Right now?" Mamoru asked in surprise.
"Yes." Amun-Ra confirmed. "I shall awaken it now, and you will know all you need to know."
Mamoru watched the god lift his hand and a tall staff like scepter appeared which he grasped firmly. It began to glow a bright gold and he watched wearily as the tip of the scepter was pointed at him before touching his chest just over his heart.
There was a bright flash that disappeared just as quickly as it appeared before he felt a shell of warmth surround his entire body. He looked at the god as his scepter disappeared before his eyes shifted downward to see himself surrounded in a golden glow. Within moments he began to feel a warmth in his chest.
It was small and pulsing like a heartbeat, and with each pulse it seemed to grow bigger. The warmth eventually spread through his entire body and he closed his eyes at the feeling. It was surprisingly comfortable where he thought he was going to soon feel overheated. On top of that he felt relaxed and reassured.
Before he could open his eyes he began to feel lightheaded, and then his mind began to flood with new information. Names, faces, places, knowledge, thoughts, and feelings. It would be overwhelming and scary if he wasn't feeling relaxed and reassured.
Seconds, minutes, or maybe hours passed before his eyes snapped open. The normally blue orbs were covered in a rich golden glow as he looked at the god in front of him. He understood, he remembered, he knew.
He was Prince Endymion; born and raised on the earth destined to rule after his father. He had unexpectedly met the Moon Princess and eventually fell in love with her over the course of their secret relationship and had died on the moon protecting her. She was the woman he had been dreaming of for years.
She is Serenity. He remembered, and he now knew exactly where she was as well. She's been right in front of me all along. My best friend, the woman I love. Usagi.
"I remember." Mamoru said gratefully as he silently pulled the golden power of his golden crystal back inside him. "I am Endymion, and my princess, my Serenity, has been with me all these years and I didn't even know it." He said as he shook his head slightly in amazement.
"Excellent." Amun-Ra said quietly in satisfaction. "Now you are ready to continue on your path in life. I am pleased to know that you apparently will not be alone on your journey."
"Thank you." Mamoru said with a smile. "Thank you so much for your help."
"You are welcome Prince Endymion." Amun-Ra said with a slight nod. "Now go forth and live. Be at peace and be happy." He added before he raised his hand and waved it toward Mamoru.
White and gold light surrounded and blinded the newly revealed prince forcing him to close his eyes. When he opened them he found himself back in the desert, in the Karnak Temple Complex, standing in front of the wall touching the carving of Amun-Ra.
Mamoru blinked and looked around calmly before shifting his eyes back to the carving of the god. He knew what he had seen and experienced was real and not a hallucination. The knowledge and information that had entered his mind was still very much there. He was Prince Endymion of the Earth, and his golden crystal was radiating a gentle subtle warmth in his chest as a constant reminder that it was there and no longer dormant.
"Thank you." He said softly as he stepped back from the wall and bowed to the carving.
He straightened and nodded slightly before he walked off to explore the rest of the temple before the tour ended. After that he was determined to get back home as soon as he possibly could.
His princess was waiting for him; even if she didn't know she was.
oOoOoOo
Usagi's parents had thankfully paid off the house so the Tsukino siblings were able to continue living there, and since Usagi was just old enough she was able to gain custody of Shingo and take care of him. This meant not much changed in their lives aside from their parent's absence and the lack of good home cooked meals.
After high school Usagi didn't bother going to college or university, deciding it wasn't for her, and she needed to work anyway to provide for Shingo. So she had found herself a job, which only worked out for a couple of months, and then she found another one that had thankfully paid more and suited her.
Now nearly two years after their parents passed things were stable. Usagi was still at the same job, and she had surprised herself by learning how to cook so they weren't existing on takeout food.
Beyond learning that skill she had changed a bit. She was ever cautious about the attacks that were still happening, and insisted that her brother always let her know where he was going to be when he wasn't at school. Since they couldn't afford a car, and she couldn't drive anyway, she either walked or took the bus to work, and was ever watchful of anything that might indicate an attack.
Since her parents had passed she had managed to avoid and get away from three of those creature attacks. She was just thankful she had managed to get away from the scenes without a scratch on her, but she couldn't help being concerned that the attacks were still happening after all these years.
Usagi walked through the front door of her house with a sigh in the early evening. There were no lights on so she turned some on as she headed for the kitchen to see if her brother had been home yet.
She released a breath she didn't know she was holding when she found a note saying he was staying at a friend's house. Thankfully he had left the address and phone number to his friend's house.
She went up to her room and put the note on her nightstand and began to put her things away so she could relax. As she did that she looked to a picture of Mamoru standing in front of a pyramid in the bright sun. It had come in the mail over a week ago, and she had been beyond delighted since he didn't usually send pictures of himself.
Her feelings for Mamoru hadn't changed as time passed; they had in fact grown. He still kept in regular contact with her. Sending her letters, calling frequently, and making sure she had his contact info. He also started sending post cards and gifts from the places he visited or lived around the world.
Usagi always liked getting those gifts since they were almost like souvenirs of the places he had been; especially since he always included a detailed letter that made her feel like she was there with him.
The doorbell rang suddenly, interrupting her thoughts, and she left her room and made her way down the stairs. She unlocked the door and pulled it open as she peeked out to see who it was.
"Mamoru!" She said in wide eyed surprise.
oOoOoOo
"Hi Usagi." Mamoru said with a smile.
Usagi pulled the door open wider as she stepped out the house, and immediately hugged him similar to how she greeted him when her parents had died, only this time it was much happier. And who could blame her. It had been a year since they had last seen each other.
"Come in." She said as she pulled back and led him inside before she closed and locked the door. She walked him to the living room where they sat together on the couch.
"What are you doing here? Not that I'm not happy to see you." She said and he chuckled quietly.
"I decided it was time to come home." Mamoru said, and he watched her eyes widen.
"Really?!" Usagi said as her eyes lit up. "But what about getting your medical experience?" She asked in concern.
"I can continue getting experience at a hospital here in the city, and the experience I have should make getting a position in one of the hospitals easier." He replied.
"Well, if you're sure." She said hesitantly as she looked at him.
"I'm sure." He said reassuringly, and she nodded. "So, are you alone here? Is Shingo here?" He asked as he looked around, as if he might spot the boy.
"He's at a friend's house tonight, so it's just me." Usagi said, and he nodded before he sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"I came back because there're some things I want to tell you." Mamoru said, and she nodded. "I know how to find the princess in my dreams." He revealed and watched her eyes widen. "But before I do that I want to tell you how I feel." He said and watched her blinked at him.
"I love you Usagi. I have for years." He said firmly and confidently and listened to her gasped. "I first realized it when I first went away to school and realized you wouldn't be bursting through my apartment door to distract me. I thought about telling you when I came back to help you with your parents funeral, but I decided it wasn't the right time."
Usagi stared wide eyed at her best friend. She was surprised, shocked! All this time she thought her feelings were one sided and that he only saw her as a good friend. Now, now he was telling her that he loved her; had loved her for years.
This is too good to be true! And what about the princess he's looking for? Surely she must mean something to him if she's sending him dreams. She considered. Is that why he's telling me he loves me now? In case he doesn't get the chance once he finds the princess or doesn't feel this way anymore? She thought as she bit her lip and looked at him hesitantly.
"Will you be mine Usagi?" Mamoru asked seriously. And he really did mean it. There was no need to clarify in his mind. She would be his. Period. And everything would be right in his world as soon as she remembered who she was.
"Of course I will silly." Usagi answered softly, not even bothering to ask what exactly she would be to him. She knew it didn't matter since she was likely to get her heart broke when he found his dream princess. "I've loved you for years."
Mamoru grinned happily before he gently grasped her face between his hands and brought his lips to hers. As he deepened the kiss he drew on the power of his golden crystal, and slowly let it flow from him and into her and awaken the silver crystal he knew was inside her.
Usagi hummed in pleasure as she placed her arms around Mamoru. Her first kiss was turning out very well, and even though it was her first kiss it felt familiar. She couldn't explain that but it didn't matter in that moment. What mattered was that she was kissing the man she loved, and that she was going to enjoy it until he went off to find his princess.
As the thought finished passing through her mind she realized she was feeling a comfortable warmth moving through her body. It was a nice sensation but then she began to feel a different sensation begin to spread through her body. It felt comforting, joyous, and so very right.
Unaware to her she began to glow a soft white that slowly brightened the longer their kiss continued joining the bright golden glow that was surrounding Mamoru.
Suddenly she gasped as imagines began fill her mind. The flood was soon followed by facts and emotions, and soon she was so distracted by the swirl that she was unable to continue the kiss she was enjoying.
Mamoru opened his eyes as he pulled back only a few inches and watched his girl. He ignored the glowing lights surrounding them and watched the emotions cross her face as he idly wondered if he had looked the same when he remembered his past.
Long moments passed and suddenly a gold crescent moon faded into existence in the center of her forehead. The glow surrounding them gradually died down until it faded away entirely and Usagi slowly opened her eyes. She blinked slowly as she looked into his eyes before she smiled softly.
"Endymion." She said softly, and he smiled.
"Serenity." Mamoru said quietly. "I finally found you. You were right in front of me all along."
"You found me right when you were supposed to. We are finally together, and that is all that matters." She said reassuringly.
"Yes. That is all that matters." He repeated before brought his lips back to hers in a kiss to let her know just how much he had missed her.
Four young women and two felines sat in a fairly large room inside the shrine home of one of the women. They had been using the room for years to meet, study, and hang out, and saw no reason to stop even though they were all finished with high school.
At present they were having a serious meeting since the four women were actually the Sailor Scouts, and the two cats were their advisors.
They group had been having these meetings and fighting the enemy for years, and had yet to actually complete their main duty. To find the Moon Princess they were duty bound to guard and protect. And it was this subject they were meeting about.
"Maybe it's time we start searching outside the city." A woman with her brown hair pulled up into a high ponytail suggested.
"I don't think that's going to help." A woman with long golden blond hair said.
"I agree. Besides, all of our enemy's activity is center in the city, so it would stand to reason that if they're congregating here then their search has lead them here." A woman with short blue hair stated reasonably.
"I would certainly hate for us to leave the city in our search only for the enemy to find her as soon as we did." The black cat said with a weary sigh.
"Well..." A woman with long black hair began but paused as a sensation swept through her. She looked around and realized she wasn't the only one to feel it. Everyone in the room looked confused, surprised, and shocked.
The sensation was an intense feeling of what one would think pure light felt like along with trust, joy, and comfort.
Almost at the same time the minicomputer on the table in front of the woman with short blue hair began to beep insistently. She picked it up and read the readings before she began to type with a frown.
"There's a massive surge of power generating in the city." She said as her eyes scanned the screen. "It's coming from a residential area; only a few miles from here." She added in shocked surprise.
"It's her." The white cat said as he stood at attention. "This sensation is familiar. It's the silver crystal. This has to be the Moon Princess. She has awakened." He said wide eyed.
"Then let's go find her before the enemy does." The woman with long golden blond hair said. "If we felt that sensation, that power, then they might have as well." She added.
"Can you track down the exact location?" The black haired woman said as she looked toward the blue haired woman.
"Yes. Let's go!" She said immediately as she stood up with her computer in hand.
Everyone in the room followed suit and they quickly began to head for the door.
oOoOoOo
In a large dark throne room loyal subjects stood around the edges talking quietly among themselves as they waited for their Queen's generals to arrive.
At the end of the spacious room across from the elaborate double doors sat a throne, and on that throne sat the dark Queen herself silent and watchful as she gazed into her dark crystal ball.
Within moments the elaborate doors opened and in walked four young men in uniform. They stopped in the middle of the room and bowed at the waist and waited for their Queen to address them.
"Shittenou. Rise!" She commanded, and watched as they all stood straight. "What is the status on the search for the silver crystal?"
The man with the long white hair opened his mouth to speak, but paused as a sensation seemed to sweep through the room touching everyone present. The sensation could only be described as light and joyous.
The Queen's eyes widened as she felt the sensation and instantly understood what it meant. It was the power of the silver crystal, which meant the Moon Princess had been awakened and now had the crystal.
"Queen Beryl?" The white haired man questioned, hoping for an explanation.
"Change of plans. The Moon Princess has been awakened. Your new mission is to find her, and bring her to me." She commanded.
