Chapter 18

Shared Feelings: Usagi and Mamoru in Love Once Again

It was almost 8:30 when Usagi was to her class because she was now running late again. But when she arrived, Umino was just stepping out, until she crashed right into him.

"My goodness, are you alright?" Naru asked, just as Sora rushed to see if Usagi was hurt.

"I think you broke my head," groaned Usagi.

"You're head's fine, Usagi. You should probably try and take it easy a bit more," Sora assured her.

"Wait, are you Sora?" asked Naru.

"Yeah," replied Sora.

"I'm Naru Osaka, and this Umino Gurio. It's nice to meet you," she said.

"So, did they take roll?" Usagi asked.

"No, Miss Haruna's not here today, so the First Period has been turned into a study hall," replied Umino.

"Aw, I wish I'd have known that," admitted Usagi, making Sora chuckle at her.

"Guess that means you'd probably sleep in and probably be having second breakfast, just like Bilbo Baggins in his world, Usagi," he said, which made Usagi giggle in turn.

"Umino, give it back," Naru said.

"Huh, do I have to?" Umino asked hesitantly.

"It's not done, you'll get it when I'm finished, okay?" insisted Naru.

"Whatever you say, but I hope you finish soon," replied Umino, and he returned two strands of string to his friend..

"What is that thing?" Sora and Usagi asked.

"A promise bracelet," answered Naru.

"It's a bracelet for two people who just can't wait to get it on," added Umino.

"To get it on?" Usagi asked herself.

She thought it would be a boxing match, but she brushed it off.

"Sounds painful," she said worriedly.

"Just forget it," Naru and Umino replied.

"Yeah, I don't think that's how it'd work, Usagi," said Sora.

After walking into the classroom, Naru placed two detailed pieces of string on her desk.

"These are what Umino and I were talking about. Everyone's making them now," she said

"Oh, they're really lovely," replied Usagi.

"Yeah, no kidding. But, uh… how do you make a promise bracelet from it?" asked Sora.

"You put your hopes and wishes in the braid and fasten it to your wrist or ankle. It's meant to symbolize friendship or everlasting love," explained Umino.

"It's becoming quite popular all over Japan," added Naru.

"Then I guess, I know the one girl I'd want to make a promise bracelet for," said Sora.

"You're talking about Minako, right?" asked Usagi.

"Yeah," Sora replied with a nod.

Then he and Usagi noticed a lot of other girls making promise bracelets of their own.

"You're not kidding, it looks like everyone's making bracelets of their own and wearing them. I wonder if I could learn to make one too," she said to her friends.

"Different kinds of colors and materials stand for different kinds of wishes. Why don't we go to this new store that just opened up in the Juban District?" suggested Umino, as he pulled out a flyer, and handed it to Usagi and Sora.

"Cool," they said.

"I'm pretty sure they have everything you need to help you make a bracelet. Embroidery floss, leather braces, beads, patterns, special tape, instruction booklets, and they even have classes for those who buy materials there," continued Umino.

"And it's said, that if you braid one of these for the ones you love and give to them, that the two of you will be together forever," added Naru.

"That's why Naru's making me one," the nerd finished with a slight blush.

But when Usagi said she could Mamoru a bracelet for him, she suddenly felt sad as she remembered how he pushed her away and told her that it was over between them, which in turn made Sora worried about her, even as they walked to the Promise Ring store.

"Usagi, Sora," Ami's voice said from behind them, making them turn to face them.

"What's the matter? You look a little sad," added Makoto.

"Did something happen at school today?" Ami asked.

"Oh no, that's not it, I'm fine," replied Usagi.

"You sure don't look your happy self," Makoto said.

"If you have a problem, you know you can always count on us to help you out," added Ami.

"Thanks a lot guys, but it's really nothing you should be worrying about," remarked Usagi.

"Yeah, 'cause we learned about a promise bracelet shop that recently opened up in town from Umino, and we decided to check it out for ourselves. And maybe, make a promise bracelet for the ones we cherish with our hearts," added Sora.

But then suddenly they noticed Mamoru walking by, and called to him. This was enough to make him turn and glance at Usagi, but he turned slowly away from her, even as she tried to come to his side, while Sora stood back, only to see her trip.

"Are you okay, Usagi?" he asked.

Mamoru however, still turned sadly away and was about to walk away when Usagi called to him again.

"Mamo, I've been thinking about us for quite some time now. I don't understand, please tell me. What did I do to cause you to not to like me anymore? If you told me what it was, it would help me get over the feelings I have for you. Please, could you just tell me what it was that I did?" she asked through tears.

"You didn't do anything, Usako. It's my fault," replied Mamoru, and he sadly walked away.

Crushed and heartbroken, Usagi tried to ask him not to leave her behind as everyone watched, but Sora stormed away in the opposite direction, with a mixture of anger and shame in his eyes. But none of them noticed Sephiroth who had seen the whole thing, as he floated up into the sky.

"Your despair makes me more alive, Usagi," he said, and vanished into the darkness.

Meanwhile, in her private chambers, Esmeraude stood with Hyena R. Droid and was now formulating a plan to disempower the future in the past.

"Prince Demande, cleansed the beautiful Crystal Tokyo. The streets were red as millions fell. I shall do my own cleansing of this filthy Tokyo, with a wash of dark power everywhere. Now, our new negative point is right there," she said.

"Perfect," chuckled Hyena, as he looked at the bracelet shop in the projector.

They soon arrived at the shop via the corridor of darkness, and placed the dark henge on the roof.

"Come out, Droid Udering," Esmeraude called to her dark henge.

Instantly, Udering emerged from within it, and stood before her.

"This Tokyo is cramped and stifling. You must grow a dark henge, so that clan has a dark gate to pass through to take it over," Esmeraude said.

"Understood," replied Udering, and vanished into the darkness.

"I know that you miss Demande, Esmeraude, but how about I stay here and assist Udering in this task you've given her. That way I can have the Heartless be ready to strike down Sora, Sailor Moon, and their pathetic friends," suggested Hyena.

"Thank you, Hyena. I want to go back to him as soon as possible, so thank you for understanding my feelings for him," she replied.

"This is that shop where you get the materials for braiding," Makoto said, as she stood on the ground floor with Usagi, Ami, and a now more calm Sora, with Terra and Aqua at their side.

"This place is great for promoting happiness, because they make your wishes come true," added Ami.

"Oh, nice," Usagi said somberly.

"And do you know the best way to make sure these bracelets are working tol make you happy?" asked Makoto.

"What's that, Mako?" wondered Sora.

"From what I understand, the trick is to absolutely believe that they're working, and that in itself will bring you lots of happiness. I'm just repeating what I read somewhere," the taller brunette answered him.

"Also, do you think that becoming a true believer, will give you a special power to trust in your own heart and restore the lost happiness you once felt?" asked Terra.

"Yeah, thanks for cheering me up, you guys," replied Usagi.

"Okay, here are the items you need to make a promise bracelet for mending broken relationships," said Ami handing her a basket of strings.

"Thanks Ami," replied Usagi.

"Oh, and Sora, I'd like you to take these items that will help you create a bracelet for Minako," she said, handing Sora a basket of items.

"Thank you," replied Sora, as he gently took the items Ami gave him.

"The braiding class is right down there," said Makoto.

"Oh, yeah?" Sora and Usagi asked in response.

Everyone nodded and led them to a room across the hall.

"Looks busy," the two friends said, after Makoto opened the door.

"We're going out front to see if there's anything else we need," said Makoto.

"Have fun, you guys," added Ami.

"Okay," replied Usagi.

"Stay vigilant everyone," Sora said to his friends.

Once Ami, Makoto, Terra, and Aqua left, Usagi and Sora looked around. Inside they saw people all practicing their brading of different strings and materials that were before them.

"Someone new is joining us?" asked the shopkeeper.

"You guys," called Naru.

"Are you joining the class too?" asked Umino.

"Yep, you know it, Umino," replied Sora.

Usagi nodded as well.

"Since you're friends, why not sit at their table," said the shopkeeper.

"Okay, sure," replied Sora, and they all sat down.

"I'm glad you guys are here. Usagi looked so down today, I was getting worried," said Naru.

"First, cut the embroidery. You need to measure and cut ten 90 centimeter floss," explained the shopkeeper.

Sora and Usagi did just that, and listened carefully to the instructions that were given to them. Sometimes Usagi would have trouble listening, but Sora was still hard at work, but he too listened carefully to the instructions as he began to work hard, but when the clock suddenly rang, it meant that closing time had begun, but the instructor told her class to read the instruction booklet to help them make the perfect bracelet for the one they cherished. One by one, Sora, Usagi, Naru, Umino, and all the other students of the bracelet making class left the shop. Once they were gone, the shopkeeper soon turned back into Udering, and contacted Esmeraude, once Hyena joined her.

"Now you two, update me on your progress," she said.

Those who wear the bracelets home tonight, will be contaminated," replied Udering.

"And once that happens, their hearts will be so enthralled with darkness, they all turn into Heartless, One. By. One. Thanks to the power of darkness placed inside the materials, which in turn will allow their hearts to become an all consuming darkness, just like Riku's, and the Dark Henge will slowly become stronger," Hyena said with a cruel chuckle.

"Excellent. Good work you two," Esmeraude said with a malevolent giggle.

Back in Usagi's house, Chibiusa and Riku were looking through the door with Luna.

"I wonder if she finished her promise bracelet," the young girl said.

"I don't know, Chibiusa, I think she seems tired and needs a moment to rest," replied Riku.

"Trying something new must have tired her out. Why don't we let her rest for a while?" suggested Luna.

"Yeah, I guess," replied Sora.

But as they left quietly, Usagi started to have the same nightmarish premonitions Mamoru had, as she saw herself with him getting married, until disaster struck.

"Don't marry Mamoru, Usagi Tsukino. Your marriage will bring forth the coming of a dark destiny. A destiny where darkness prevails, and light expires forevermore," Sephiroth's voice said, making Usagi awaken with a start.

"Sephiroth, why do you believe that?" she asked nervously.

She looked into the picture of herself and Mamoru, until the glass suddenly cracked, making her gasp in shock, until Sephiroth appeared behind her, chuckling malevolently.

"SEPHIROTH! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS!?" she shouted furiously.

"So you finally understand why Mamoru has forsaken you," he said calmly, pointing Masamune towards her.

"Yeah. You're trying to make him think that if we're together, we'll both fall into darkness," replied Usagi.

"That's correct. That darkness comes from his fear of losing you. Do you think you can win back his heart?" asked the One-Winged Angel.

"SHUT UP!" cried Usagi.

"Face it! Mamoru turns his back on the present and lives in the past. Because the light of the present is too much!," Sephiroth explained calmly.

"YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT MAMO!" shouted Usagi.

"Don't I now? Because… you don't need him," replied Sephiroth.

Then he vanished into the darkness, leaving a distraught Usagi surrounded by black feathers, but she raced to Mamoru's apartment and knocked on his door, asking him to see her.

"Be quiet. Do you realize what time it is?" Mamoru asked after he answered it.

"I'm sorry, but I need you to listen to me. There's something I have to ask you," replied Usagi.

"I'm not listening, and I'm not answering any questions, now go," Mamoru said firmly.

"Wait Mamo! Did you have a strange dream about us getting married?" Usagi asked quickly.

"How do you know that?" Mamoru asked in shock.

"I wonder why Usagi went to see Mamoru at this time of night," said Luna, who stood outside with Sora, Chibiusa, and Riku.

"She shouldn't see him til she's done with his bracelet," replied Chibiusa.

"That's right. Usagi has to finish it, so that she can give it to Mamoru," added Sora.

"From what you're saying it sounds like we had the same dream," said Mamoru.

"That's just what I thought, but maybe the dream has no meaning than just being a dream," replied Usagi.

"But what if you're wrong? You could die, Usako," protested Mamoru.

"Wait a sec, you broke up with me for what I think is my own good. I'm not believing that dream, and you shouldn't either," Usagi said in realization.

"Well at first I didn't believe it, but then I kept having the same vision every night, which makes me think this isn't any ordinary dream, and that it's purpose is to show us the future," replied Mamoru.

"But even if the dream's true, as long as we're together, I would be okay dying Mamo," explained Usagi.

Mamoru was aghast at what he heard.

'Usako, I think we shouldn't be together at all," he said firmly, and gently pushed her out the door.

"Mamo, don't push me away! No matter what happens, I want to be with you! Even if the world is destroyed, I want to be with you! Even if I die, I want to be with you! Don't you get it!? I want us to be together forever!" cried Usagi as she pounded on the door.

"I know, but we can't," Mamoru said sadly, even as he heard Usagi's pained sobs.

"Usagi's sure taking a long time," Luna said as they waited down stairs at the entrance.

But the minute she came down, and Chibiusa turned to face her, a great surge of darkness suddenly emanated from the bracelet on her hand, making everyone ready themselves for battle, which made Luna, Sora, and Riku worried.

"It won't let go! I can't get it off me!" cried the young girl.

The instant Usagi stepped out, she quickly rushed to Chibiusa's side when Sora called to her. Luckily Luna ripped it off, and cast it aside with her strong teeth.

"Chibiusa, are you all right?" Riku, Sora, and Usagi asked.

"I think so," replied Chibiusa.

"Luna, what just happened here?" Usagi asked the cat.

"Your promise bracelet attacked her," replied Luna.

"But, why would it?" Usagi asked

"I can only assume, Esmeraude is on the move again," added Riku.

"Wait a minute," Usagi said.

"That store," she and Sora said in realization

"What's the matter?" Luna asked worriedly.

"We gotta get to the store. Let's go," replied Sora and Usagi.

As they raced off, everyone soon began to be affected by the bracelets they wore, forcing Ami to contact their friends.

"Everyone, we have a situation," she said.

"What's going on?" asked Rei.

"It involves the new promise bracelet shop that just opened up," replied Makoto.

"We'll head there right now," added Minako.

She then allied to Artemis, and soon everyone rushed to the promise ring store as fast as they could, just as Sora sent up an emergency flare to alert his friends.

"Look everyone!" cried Luna.

"Just as we thought. This place is the source!" replied Usagi.

"All right Usagi. Transform into Sailor Moon, and let's rise to the challenge!" declared Sora.

Usagi nodded and held her brooch above her.

"MOON CRYSTAL POWER! MAKE UP!" she called to the heavens.

Then in a brilliant burst of power, and a flash of light, Usagi had now become Sailor Moon. Quickly she and Sora raced inside to find Udering inside on the roof.

"HEY YOU! STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING!" they called out to the droid.

"Oh yeah, who are you?" demanded Udering.

"People put their wishes into those braids, and were waiting for them to come true. You put dark power in them, so their wishes were denied, and that's not forgivable. I am the Pretty Guardian who fights for love and justice! I am Sailor Moon! And now on behalf of the moon, I'm punishing you!" Sailor Moon said bravely.

"You mouthy little twit, here's what we do to those who get in the way of our plans! I'm gonna ring you!" remarked Udering.

To demonstrate her point, Adhering sent a white ring towards her, which made Sailor Moon jump back.

"Refusing to give up after one try, is my secret to success. I just have to change my path," Udering said.

She then sent two more rings right at Sailor Moon towards her, and even mocked her for having no boyfriend to call her own, enraging her to no end.

"HOW DARE YOU! I may look single, but I do have a boyfriend!" she yelled furiously.

But thanks to Chibiusa and Luna's warnings, Sailor Moon had managed to jump clear again, as Sora charged forward with his keyblade at the ready.

"That was only the warm up, now there's more to come," mocked the droid.

She was about to strike her down, when a rose suddenly stopped her.

"Who's a wiseguy?" demanded Udering.

"Take a wild guess," remarked Riku.

"Promise bracelets are the strand of hope. People put their faith in them, but you with their ugly heart shatter their faith. I, Tuxedo Mask, won't forgive you," said the caped crusader.

"Don't make me laugh, faith is meaningless, so wake up," scoffed the droid.

"And face your doom!" cried Hyena.

Using her power, Udering sent three rings towards Tuxedo Mask, but he deflected them with his cane and sent them into the sky, but they soon surged back towards him, until Sailor Mercury stopped them with her Shine Aqua Illusion attack, making Sailor Moon and Sora relieved.

"I got here just in time," she said.

"All right then, let's take the fight to this droid," replied Sora.

"Just for you, Four Ring Drive. This design got a lot of traction! Pretty soon without it, you're gonna spin out!" cried Udering.

This forced them to run as fast as their legs could carry them, until Sailor Mars arrived and destroyed them with her burning Mandala.

"Sorry I'm late," she said.

"Boy, we're glad to see you," everyone said.

But Udering wasn't done yet, and soon she unleashed five more rings, until Sailors Jupiter and Venus arrived and destroyed them as well.

"Better late than never," they said.

"And now, you've got nothing left," added Sora.

"That may be, but Hyena R. Droid's Heartless Battalion will wipe you all out!" snapped Udering.

"I wouldn't bet on that," remarked Roxas, as he and the other Guardians of Kingdom Hearts arrived.

"You know what to do, Sailor Moon," Sora and Tuxedo Mask said.

"You bet," she replied.

Readying her Princess Rod, Sailor Moon channeled her heart into the one attack that would destroy her foe.

"Moon Princess Halation!" she cried out.

Crying out in fury, Udering soon disintegrated into dust, causing the bracelets on everyone's wrists to be free of the darkness, and even destroyed Esmeraude's dark henge, just as she arrived, with Sephiroth.

"We know that laugh," Artemis said.

"Of course you do," replied Sephiroth with a dark chuckle.

"We figured you guys are pretty cocky, but listen. It'll only be a matter of time before a dark gate opens in Tokyo, and then the Malefic Black Crystal will come gushing in, changing you Silver Crystal into a Malefic Black and destroy the entire world with dark power," added Esmeraude.

"Until then, you'd better be prepared for the apocalypse to come," finished Hyena.

Then the three of them vanished as they laughed darkly.

"Sailor Moon, everyone," Tuxedo Mask said.

"What is it?" she asked.

"As you know we have been entrusted with the mission of protecting our beloved city, and the future city of Crystal Tokyo. No matter what hardships we may encounter, we must endure them, and move forward," explained the caped crusader, earning a hesitant nod from Sora.

"I understand what you're saying," replied Sailor Moon, as she now looked mildly sad.

But Sora looked at Mamoru with a disappointed look in his eyes.

"Okay fine then, we will. Because you cut yourself off from Sailor Moon, didn't you? You had to break up with her. That's what you did! 'Cause that's who you are, Mamoru. You were always this, waiting to say it all this time," Sora said as he felt himself be wracked with anger and sadness.

"Sora please, I understand that you're upset. Even if he still loved her, he can't be what Usagi needs him to be," Interjected Ami.

"Well, exactly. Look at him. Not remotely important! But those two, they could have been so much more! SO MUCH MORE! But this is what she gets, as her reward. AND IT'S NOT FAIR!" howled Sora, dropping down to his hands and knees, which in turn made everyone around him start to worry.

They could see the tears in his eyes now, which made Minako start to tear up as well, as he slowly stood back up and looked away from them.

"I'm sorry," he sighed heavily, only to feel Minako's arms around him.

"Don't be sorry, Sora. We all understand how you feel about them. But you shouldn't get upset about something that they have to deal with," whispered Minako as she hugged him.

"Listen everyone, let's continue to fight together," Tuxedo Mask said, and he soon darted away, as Sailor Moon believed that they could only be together when they could fight the darkness.

But Rei gently placed her hand upon Usagi's shoulder.

"Sailor Moon, you can't just let him walk away. Put on your running shoes and go after him," she assured her friend.

"You can't just give up on Mamoru like that, because that would make Chibiusa sad," piped in Axel.

"Our adventures run on happy faces," Quacked Donald.

"Now wipe those tears, and let Mamoru know that you can forge your own future," agreed Goofy.

"Your bond is something that can't be broken," smiled Mickey.

"I don't know what happened previously, but there is no misunderstanding between you two now," added Ami.

"No matter what happens, no matter how bleak things become, you can still defy false destinies," said Aqua.

"How can you be so certain," Usagi asked, looking confused.

"Because Usagi, you and Mamoru still cherish each other," replied Riku.

"And no matter what happens, we've still got your back, as well as Mamoru's," agreed Kairi.

"Because your happiness is Mamoru's happiness," smiled Namine.

"And although the darkness is powerful, the light of your love will never die," said Ventus.

"Even if Mamoru gets hurt, that won't stop you from protecting him," smirked Terra.

"Giving up something only rookies can do," interjected Roxas.

"That's right, you're connected by a chain of light," agreed Xion.

"So don't throw away your last chance," assured Sora.

"We can see the love shining in your eyes," smiled Minako.

"It's really a no brainer," added Makoto.

"That's right, a certain someone once said that nothing is set in stone," agreed Riku.

"Live the moment. Put away all your worries for the future," said the other blonde.

"Go get'em," cheered Rei.

"You can do this Usagi. Just go for it," piped in Luna.

"I hope your wish comes true," agreed Artemis.

"Good luck, Usagi," said Chibiusa.

"And may your heart be your guiding key," finished Sora.

Encouraged by her friend's words, Usagi soon raced after Mamoru until she saw him standing near the pier, while Sora and Minako walked calmly behind her, but kept a safe distance away from her.

"Mamo!" she called, making Mamoru turn to face him.

Deep down, Usagi knew that whatever was to come would always be bright rather than dark, as she wrapped her arms around him, and Mamoru did the same. Sora watched calmly as they shared a kiss and shed a tear for both of them, but he brushed it away and looked upward towards the moon, knowing that the battle to come would be a long way off.

"Good for them," he said.

"Yeah," agreed Minako.

He slowly looked at Minako.

"Hey, Minako, I just wanted to give you this," Sora said, handing the other blonde the promise bracelet he created.

Minako was surprised.

"I wanted to make you a special bracelet so that you'd always remember me, and I hope your parents will understand if you tell them about who gave it to you. And I know Artemis would understand, about how we feel about each other," continued Sora.

Slowly but carefully, he placed the bracelet around Minako's wrist, and gently tied the knot.

"Thank you, Sora. I'll treasure it always," she said.