A/N: This story is intended to be set approximately two years after the ending of Sailor Moon Season 5/Sailor Stars.
Whilst you don't need to watch these, if you want some further context for the important bits of the story I suggest you watch the following episodes from the original Japanese version of the show.
Season 1/Classic: 01, 29-30, 34-35, 38, 40, 44-46
Season 2/R: 61, 66, R Movie (Promise of the Rose), 82-83
Season 3/S: 108, 116,
Season 4/SuperS: 129, 133, 158
Season 5/Sailor Stars: 167-168, 173, 194-195, 197
I am aware there are certain details from the anime canon of Sailor Moon (e.g. characters' ages), real life Japanese cultural norms and real life stuff in general that I am not observing in this story. I admit I futzed these in order to facilitate some elements of my story.
In my defence I was more than halfway through this story when I learned of some of these details and observing them would've radically altered what I had done and, more importantly, what I wanted to tell. Additionally, the Sailor Moon anime was no stranger to playing fast and loose with both the passage of time and details of real life.
By all means, please inform me of what details I got wrong along with general critique of my work. Hopefully I can bear these in mind for any future stories I undertake.
Finally, the layout of the locations for this story is kind of important. Hopefully I've done a good enough job for you to follow along. But in case you get lost shoot me a PM and I'll provide some helpful layouts for you, although the info can be found online easily enough.
Hope you enjoy the story, and please let me know what you think!
P.S. A big thank you to keahcreations for use of her awesome fan art for the header image!
Ikuko Tsukino stood alone in her kitchen, gripped with uncertainty. She felt frustrated, somewhat powerless even.
Should she make a start on the vacuuming, the polishing or the ironing?
It was already late afternoon and somehow the day had gotten away from her. She ran a hand through her bushy blue hair. Of course she knew the smartest thing to do would be the laundry. It'd piled up due to her neglecting it recently so she really should tackle it sooner rather than later.
She took a step towards the kitchen threshold before turning to the fridge instead.
Tomorrow, she decided, counted as 'soon'.
She began pottering around the kitchen, preparing to cook an early evening fish curry. As she worked she noticed her husband enter the adjacent dining room to her left. He paused at the dining table and picked up a small glass bottle from atop it. He examined it for a moment before removing the metal lid and tapping the trigger.
Ikuko's nose suddenly twitched. "Kenji!" she snapped, "That's not for you. And I just cleaned that jumper of yours!"
A week ago, she reassured herself, still counted as 'just'.
Her husband was clearly taken aback. She wasn't surprised. It was unusual for her to lose her temper with him. However, recently she'd grown more and more tetchy about the housework, especially when it came to their clothes.
He raised his hands in surrender, "Sorry dear." Kenji put the bottle back on the table and sat down with his paper. A few minutes later, after Ikuko's temper had subsided, Kenji found the courage to speak up. "Where's Shingo gone again?"
"He's out with his friends."
"Oh…Where've they gone?"
"He didn't say."
"The park I expect. He's gotten into soccer recently hasn't he?"
Ikuko internally groaned. If Kenji were right then it'd mean even more time in the laundry area for her.
Maybe she should have a talk with Shingo. Their son was fourteen and had been spending far less of his weekends at home recently. Ikuko knew that was perfectly natural, briefly recalling her own teenage experiences with Kenji. She didn't mind him seeing his friends, but it really would be best for him to spend next weekend at home concentrating on his studies. It wouldn't be too long before he would have high school entrance exams and she knew his friends weren't the studious types. He wasn't a particularly bad student, but she still winced at the academic struggles her other child had faced at his age.
Ikuko sighed.
At least Usagi's friends had taken their studies more seriously (especially that Mizuno girl) and managed to help pull her grades up. Privately Ikuko thought it was a miracle that her daughter would be attending college soon. She remembered one occasion about four years earlier when she brought back an English test with a measly 30% score. To her credit Usagi had come a long way since then. Her studies had improved and Ikuko no longer needed to put her foot down to ensure she got to work.
Well…Not as often anyway.
But she didn't demand her daughter enjoy her schoolwork, merely put effort into actually doing it. Nowadays Ikuko felt far more relived about her college prospects. For a while there'd been nightmares about what would happen to Usagi's studies if she weren't there to check up on her. But now those nightmares had subsided. Now Ikuko could relax in these last few weeks before Usagi mov-…
Over at the dining table Kenji Tsukino was lost in his newspaper, utterly exhausted from the long week of editing the magazine he worked for.
He loved his work, particularly the photography side of it, but he'd been feeling burnt out recently. He needed a small break, maybe just a weekend out of the city, away from the hustle and bustle. He briefly considered a trip to the lakeside hot springs. However, he changed his mind after recalling the somewhat disastrous trip of four years ago.
Still, the idea of a lake sounded nice. Kenji remembered how he used to go fishing at the lake every summer with his father. They were some of his fondest childhood memories and he'd maintained a love for the hobby over the years.
Unfortunately, none of his friends cared for it. Nor did his family for that matter, although he'd persuaded Shingo to join him a few times. But the boy had begun to grow out of it and now only, reluctantly, came along for Kenji's birthdays; provided he could even get time off work.
He could go alone of course, the idea just didn't appeal to him. It seemed he'd have to be satisfied with daydreaming about the tranquillity of the lake.
Peering over his paper he vaguely registered he wasn't the only one daydreaming. His wife was staring blankly at the kitchen tiles, a distant, somewhat lost look on her face.
Usagi Tsukino examined herself in the full-length mirror. She was wearing a light red party dress and a silver pendant and chain.
Her blonde hair was tied up into its signature spherical buns. She'd decorated these with some small and tasteful beads the same shade as the dress.
She smiled and winked at her reflection.
"Alright!" she giggled.
A sigh sounded off behind her.
Usagi adjusted the mirror to get a better view of her bed. Perched atop it was a black cat with a crescent moon bald spot on its forehead.
"Usagi that's the sixth outfit you've tried on," it said in an unusually stuffy voice.
Usagi put her hands on either side of her chin and adopted look of mock resignation.
"Luna, it takes work to look this beautiful."
The cat shook its head, the movement seeming to drain her.
"If you try on any more outfits you are going to be late for Mamoru's party," she chastised.
"I have plenty of time. The party doesn't start until…" Her eyes bulged as she glanced at her watch "Two hours from now! Er…maybe this outfit will do after all."
As Usagi began packing items into her purse, Luna tilted her head in confusion. "Two hours? I thought you told the others to pick you up soon?"
"I did, but I want to help Mamoru set everything up."
Now Luna's eyes bulged. "Usagi that's…so responsible of you!"
"Well Luna I'm not the same middle-school kid you met all those years ago. I am now…" Usagi abruptly spun around, her hands on her hips, her head raised proudly towards the ceiling. "…A college student!"
"But you haven't even started packing…" Luna muttered weakly.
She sighed before her eyes began to narrow. She turned back to Usagi, suspicion etched on her feline features. "Wait a minute, if you are going to help Mamoru set up his party why are all the girls coming here to pick you up now? Only Minako can drive and you could get there on your own anyway."
Usagi locked eyes with Luna and fixed her with a serious look of determination. "Because Luna…Many hands make light work."
At this Luna fell off the bed.
"Usagi!" she began after clambering back onto the bed, "You can't trick your friends into helping you like that!"
"It is not a trick Luna." Usagi clenched her fist and once again stared at the ceiling with the same look of determination. "As leader of the Sailor Senshi it is my duty to delegate important jobs to those under my command so that we can maintain world peace!"
"Usagi setting up a party isn't maintaining world peace!"
"Yes it is Luna! In the future Mamo-chan and me will rule the world as King and Queen. I'm sure we will do it much better if we have fond youthful memories of tonight's party!"
"Usagi that's completely ridiculous and you know it!"
Usagi raised her voice to match her furry friend's, "Luna!...Is this about you not coming tonight?"
Luna closed her eyes and gritted her teeth, clearly praying for strength.
"Its not my fault you caught my flu from the other week. The more tired you are the more likely you are to get sick. And you were out prowling every night earlier this week."
Luna let out a groan that no flu alone could've caused.
"And besides, Minako told me Artemis is sick too. So it's obviously just something going arou-"
"This has nothing to do with that Usagi and everything to do with you being irresponsible!" Luna's voice was nasally, but still impressively scolding. "Not only are you going to college soon but you are the leader of the Sailor Senshi and the future Queen of the Earth. That future could begin in five years or five days. You need to be a much more matu-."
"Hold on a sec Luna," Usagi nonchalantly held up a finger to quiet the cat.
A beeping noise was emanating from her purse, more specifically the electronic device Usagi produced from it.
It was a communicator, designed to give the Sailor Senshi long-range video contact with one another. The latest versions of these devices had larger screens allowing the viewer to survey more of the surroundings on the other end. A message from the device almost certainly meant trouble as Luna and her fellow talking cat Artemis had designed them chiefly for emergencies.
Usagi and Luna's faces took on looks of concern as the answer function was activated. After a second the display revealed the face of a young woman about Usagi's age with long dark hair.
"Rei?" the blonde teen asked cautiously.
"Usagi, there is a major problem..."
Luna leaned closer.
Usagi's tensed.
"It's Minako...She's…Been driving in the wrong direction!"
Usagi gasped!
Luna fell off the bed again.
"I give up with all of them," she muttered.
"Oh no Rei! That's terrible!"
"She only mastered braking the other week and now this!" The new voice came from another face that had pushed its way into the screen from behind (a clearly annoyed) Rei. The girl it belonged to was noticeably larger than Rei, sporting rose earrings and a ponytail tied with a green band.
"Makoto that's not fair!" another voice yelled. A young woman with long blonde hair and a red bow suddenly appeared from the side of the screen. "I've been playing racing games at the Crown Arcade for years. It's just my instinct to go fast. And on those games you only follow one ro-!"
"The road! Please, just keep your eyes on the road!" This final voice came from off-screen but hearing it Minako abruptly exited the display. Car horns blared and the visuals swayed and swerved. Amidst the confusion Usagi spotted a smaller and more anxious young woman at the back of the car. She had short blue hair and a palm computer gripped in her bone white hands. "Take the second left after these lights," she squeaked.
As more car horns sounded off Rei re-centred the screen on herself. "Ami has taken charge of directions but at best we are going to be a little late…" Another round of car horns blasted off followed by Minako using some very un-ladylike language. "…If we survive at all I mean!" yelled Rei.
"Usagi" It was Makoto who once again pushed her way onto the screen from the back of the car. "Call Mamoru and tell him he'll have to start setting up on his own."
"Er…right. Just…um…be careful guys."
"Roger that," said Rei in an exacerbated tone. "See you soon...hopefully..."
The communicator shut off leaving a deafening silence behind.
Putting the communicator down Usagi caught sight of Luna.
Despite her black fur, somehow the colour had drained from her face.
"Well…Guess I can try on a few more outfits after all!"
Half-an-hour later Usagi had ditched the red dress and pendant. Instead she sported a simple strapless pink number, although she'd kept the red beads. She'd worn them the first time she'd danced with Mamoru and lately she'd been feeling rather nost-
Her thoughts stopped dead. She'd caught sight of large rectangular-like object near her closet.
The bravado she'd possessed earlier with Luna began to slowly deflate.
Usagi turned away from mirror, instead finding herself directly facing the chest of drawers.
Atop it lay a distinctly different object. It was much smaller, only about a quarter of an inch thick and coloured light pink. It too would've had a rectangular-like shape to it, were it not for the bottom left hand corner. Where there might've been two straight edges instead there were three oddly connected round white shapes. It was as though the edges deviated into an oval on its side. Except there were two smaller oval-like shapes jutting out of the side of the larger oval so it didn't even connect in a neatly round line.
Usagi walked over to the chest of drawers and tentatively extended her left hand towards the object.
She hesitated.
She began to withdraw her hand but then brought it lower and opened the top drawer.
The contents made her eyes sparkle. She hesitated again. However, a moment later she delicately fished out a silver ring affixed with a glistening pink heart.
A crowded airport gateway flashed in her mind.
Her heart fluttered. Then it ached horribly.
She hesitated once more before clenching her left hand.
Slipping the ring on she felt some of her bravado return.
Nevertheless, she shut frame away in the drawer.
Lying forlorn on Usagi's bed, Luna looked like she needed a long vacation.
Opening her eyes slightly Luna saw Usagi turn the radio on, a mellow tune filling the bedroom. "There, that should help you relax!" Usagi sounded annoyingly chipper, even more than usual.
"Be careful with that. You'll lose it if you leave it lying around."
In spite of her blurry vision Luna still saw Usagi's left hand twitch.
"Why would I leave it lying around if I'm wea-"
"I meant when you get back. And besides, knowing you it'll get lost before you even leave."
Luna felt a pang of guilt.
"So long as I keep it on…" Usagi's voice grew quiet towards the last word, making Luna feel guiltier about scolding her, "…It'll be fine Luna." Somehow the return of her charge's extra cheery tone made her feel worse.
It remained as the blonde bun-head began to leave, "The others should be here soon Luna so I'll see ya later!"
Usagi was three steps out the door when Luna weakly called out to her. "Usagi wait a minute." As she returned to the room Luna raised her head and had a pensive look on her face. "In the car Makoto said…They knew you wanted them to help you and Mamoru set up the party."
"Yup," nodded Usagi.
"But earlier you said…"
Usagi waved her hand at the cat. "Oh Luna, do you really think I'd trick my best friends like that? I asked if they'd help two days ago."
A look of desperation came across Luna.
"Th-Then why did you say all that stuff earlier?"
"Weeeeeeell…I was just teasing you honestly."
Luna's head slumped back down and the room briefly spun in front of her.
Amidst the haze Luna just barely registered Usagi continue as the song over the radio changed.
"Plus I thought it might cheer you up when you found out."
Dimly Luna picked up some of the lyrics from the song.
'You were always shining
Your smile like a miniature star
I've always cherished it (eternal starlight)'
As her own eyes began to droop Luna thought she saw Usagi's slightly widen.
"Whoops," Usagi shrugged and began to speak rather rapidly as she headed out the door "I better get going don't wait up for me Luna 'cos the party's gonna run pretty late see ya later byyyyyyyyyye!"
When she was finally gone Luna to let out another deep groan before closing her eyes.
After a little while, when her mind was more collected, she reflected on what had happened.
Usagi really had been responsible after all.
She wasn't quite sure how to feel about that.
From the kitchen she caught the sound of footsteps and creaking stairs. Reflexively she braced herself, slightly tightening her grip on the blue plates.
She heard a distant cry that soon grew louder. In an instant she was rushing out the kitchen.
The small room was almost directly opposite the kitchen, separated only by the hallway. Ikuko barely noticed the washing machine and laundry baskets to her left as she flew into the room. Similarly, she only vaguely registered the faces furnishing the wall to her right. Instead her attention was drawn to the farthest left hand corner of the room where the staircase was located. Specifically, she was focused upon the floor before the very first step.
That was where the little girl was sitting.
She was bawling her eyes out as she peered up at Ikuko, the tears staining her frilly pink dress.
Ikuko hurriedly kneelt down and scooped the girl up in her arms.
"Are you alright?" her voice was laced with fear.
"I-I-I f-f-fell down the s-s-stairs!" The girl was gulping between her words, but Ikuko was thankful she could talk at all.
"Were you high up when you fell?"
The little girl caught more of her breath and sniffed a few times. "Y-yeah-h." Ikuko's chest tightened. "It-it-it was the third step!"
The tightness lessened despite the little girl renewing her wailing. She put the girl down and checked her over. She might have a bruised behind for a little while but otherwise she'd be fine.
Ikuko sighed in relief then put on a warm smile. "There, there, it'll be all right. I'm here," gently she wiped away the girl's tears. Slowly the girl's wailing subsided into mere sniffles. She stared up at Ikuko with big blue distraught eyes. "You know, if you keep crying you won't be able to have any of the ice cream in the kitchen?"
The girl's sniffles subsided further before eventually halting. "I-is there really ice cream?"
Ikuko gave a little nod.
The girl's face lit up, her delighted smile broken up by the gaps in her teeth.
Ikuko picked the girl up again and began carrying her over to the kitchen. The girl hugged her, slightly obscuring Ikuko's vision with her blonde hair.
"Mama! Where have you moved the cologne I got Mamoru?"
Ikuko gave a little jerk and almost dropped the blue plate she was holding. Securing her grip, she looked to the right of the counter she was working on. There she saw Usagi standing in the hallway just outside the kitchen.
"It's over there on the dining table Usagi," she pointed left, towards Kenji's general direction. "You don't need eyes to find that stuff. Your father gave it a spray and I can still smell it all the way over here."
"But Mama you are always saying you've got a great sense for aromas. That's why you are such a good cook."
"It's just very strong is all. Lovely, but-"
"But it'd suit Mamo-chan don't you think Mama," whispered Usagi.
Ikuko and Kenji had met Usagi's boyfriend, Mamoru Chiba, a few times before. Unlike Kenji, Ikuko had taken a shining to him. In her view, few women wouldn't have.
Despite Kenji's reservations, there was an understanding between the four of them. Kenji and Ikuko certainly didn't think ill of Mamoru. And he undoubtedly made Usagi happy, although he was still a few years older than her.
It was because of her familiarity with Mamoru that Ikuko didn't immediately realize Usagi wasn't actually asking her a question. She didn't even wait for a response, instead throwing her mother a wink and strolling on towards the dining room.
Annoyance flared within Ikuko, a scolding remark primed on the tip of her tongue. She opened her mouth but stopped herself before the first syllable. Usagi hadn't really done anything wrong, at least nothing that warranted Ikuko reprimanding her.
She suppressed her annoyance and adopted a calm inquisitive tone, "I'm cooking a little early. Will you be joining us?"
"No thanks," Usagi called back "The others will be here soon and we're going to make food once we get there."
Ikuko pushed her annoyance down again.
She returned her focus to the kitchen counter. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Usagi find the cologne on the opposite end of the table from Kenji. She heard a ruffling noise and moved her head towards the dining room. Kenji had lowered his paper, his attention instead on their daughter.
"Usagi you look…" he started to frown. However, he managed to pull off a small smile instead "…Very nice."
"Thank you Papa," chirped Usagi.
He wasn't wrong. Usagi hadn't worn the dress that often to Ikuko's recollection. It was pretty new and reminded her of something she'd worn in her own youth. She continued her work in the kitchen, only dimly following the conversation.
"That ring?" Kenji sounded somewhat concerned "When did you buy that?"
"Oh, this old thing? It was a present from Mamoru a couple of years ago."
"Now I remember. You haven't worn it much since then."
" I…um, only wear it for special occasions. Plus, it goes with my dress."
"Ah, I see." There was a slight hint of relief in Kenji's tone. "Well…I was only asking because this cologne is pretty expensive stuff." Ikuko registered Kenji nodding towards the cologne.
"I know, I saved up for a real long time to get it for Mamo-ch-…Mamoru." Usagi blushed.
Ikuko saw a look briefly flash across Kenji's face. Usagi didn't catch it, but Ikuko thought it had been disapproval.
"Let me help you wrap that." Ikuko found herself questioning her presumption.
Kenji began to get up but Usagi had already stridden halfway out of the room with the cologne. "Don't worry Papa, I can do it. You just enjoy your paper."
Kenji sat back down, the earlier look having returned to his face. This time Ikuko got a better view of it.
She'd been foolish, thinking she was the only one. But of course she wasn't. She'd been distracting herself so much that her husband had slipped her mind these last few weeks.
She suddenly felt a lot less lonely.
Nevertheless, she stayed silent and lingered in the kitchen.
Usagi's kept her gaze downcast as she entered the TV room.
Kneeling down at the table she began to wrap Mamoru's present. She was a terrible wrapper, or at least she had been. Now she was, in her humble opinion, at least okay at it.
But what wasn't okay was where she'd chosen to kneel.
Try as she might she kept seeing a hint of pink out of the corner of her right eye. She moved so the wall to her right was now behind her and she was facing towards the TV.
Getting her mind back on task, she considered that wrapping was one of the many skills she'd improved via osmosis. Most people familiar with her friends might've presumed it was Makoto or Ami who could prepare the perfect present. And yet at every birthday party the gang had marvelled at Minako's elegantly presented gifts. It made sense given her friend's love of bows and ribbons.
Usagi let out a small laugh. This spot was no good either. "Stupid Usagi", she whispered, quoting her younger brother. The shiny black surface of the TV was reflecting the wall behind her. It was blurry of course but it was still distracting. She solved the problem easily by simply turning the TV on.
Before getting back to work she hit the mute button to avoid disturbing her father. Usagi couldn't honestly say she'd always appreciated how hard her father worked. But over the past few years between her Senshi duties and 'academic hardships' she'd certainly grown an all-new appreciation for him. He deserved whatever relaxation time she could offer him. She remembered how, as a child, she'd been something of a Daddy's girl. Back then whenever she was really young and he'd come back from work she'd practically demand all his attention. She knew now there must've been times he would've preferred to rest, but he had indulged her all the same. Sometimes, she reflected, fathers could be that way with their daughters. She'd seen that first hand of course with Mam-
'Stop!' The word seemed to echo within her head. 'It's just because you are wrapping his present and thinking about Papa. Your mind made the connection. So think of something else.'
Usagi's mind drifted to some of her favourite topics. Napping. Video Games. Food.
'Now we're talking.'
She envisioned all the delectable desserts she'd eaten at the Fruit Parlor Crown. Sometimes she thought she'd happily live off of candies and deserts instead of anything else. Chocolate. Ice cream. Cake. Cotton cand-
Of course there was more to life than desserts.
Vaguely, she picked up new sounds from the kitchen.
She also loved pork buns!
The sounds grew slightly louder.
And rice balls!
Her nose twitched slightly as an aroma began to gently waft into the room.
And sushi!
Involuntarily she caught a whiff of the aroma.
And cur-
Her hands gripped the edges of the table.
Why did she have to stay downstairs to wrap the present anyway? There was nothing wrong with her room, or even the upstairs hallway for that matter. Why had she chosen to do it downstairs, and in this room of all places?
"Stupid Usagi," she whispered again.
'You knew what Mama was making for dinner. Then you also come into this room of all places, even after what happened upstairs.
Stupid, stupid, stupid Usagi!
Why would you do that?'
At the back of her head a familiar little voice whispered an answer.
'Because you don't want to forget...'
She didn't cry.
Maybe a few years ago she would have. She was still prone to tears for one occasion or another. At this point she didn't mind a part of her always being the 'cry-baby' Usagi. But she was at least better about it these days.
And, really, it would've been ridiculous to cry about this now. After all, she'd been gone for well over two years. So why had she been thinking about her so much recently?
That same annoying little voice answered her again.
She avoided looking at her left hand, but couldn't help her thoughts briefly drift back upstairs.
Then they drifted behind her.
She stood up. Her body jerked slightly, as though she was about to turn around, but then centred itself. She was totally still.
It was silly. She knew exactly what she'd see if she turned around.
How could she ever forget? Her father hadn't been the biggest fan of putting it in this room with the others.
The back of her neck tingled.
A vision of lush green trees and a clear blue sky danced in her mind. Distantly she heard the laughter of children.
She wasn't there.
Not in the flesh anyway, merely a photo.
She wanted to look.
She needed to see her.
But she couldn't move.
Her shapely pink dress suddenly felt like a corset, almost as though she couldn't…breathe…?
It was as if she'd been sinking and suddenly found a life preserver.
Hotaru Tomoe.
The young girl had endured a sad and difficult life. For most of it she'd had serious health problems, including sporadic breathing issues. Thankfully she was much better now and lived happily with her father.
On several occasions she'd visited the gang in the company of Haruka Tenou and Michiru Kaio. Typically these occasions were for birthdays or other such celebrations. Given how Usagi, Rei and the others weren't the same age as those three it sometimes felt like they were in different orbits. Hotaru had her own school friends and Haruka and Michiru always seemed to be on the move or mingling in higher-class circles.
Nevertheless, the eight of them had been through the toughest of times together as Sailor Senshi. Regardless of any past tensions they shared unbreakable bonds and so strove to stay in touch and celebrate together whenever they could.
Usagi's mind drifted back to one such occasion last October. Business at Rei's family shrine had been down. Out of desperation she'd organized a kind of Halloween inspired festival at the shrine. Unfortunately the only entertainers she could afford weren't available on Halloween itself forcing her to throw the celebration two days earlier. She invited everyone along and even the typically stoic and elegant Haruka and Michiru had dressed for the occasion, bringing Hotaru along for the festivities. It had been fun, until Usagi had overheard Haruka and Michiru talking alone together. On that night she had pushed aside what she'd heard and enjoyed herself. But now it came flooding back.
"I miss her."
"It's only natural. Today would have been her birthday."
Setsuna Meiou.
Twice she'd left her lonely vigil to help the Senshi avert disaster. That was the trouble. It seemed like she was only allowed to be with them when there was some major crisis brewing. After they dealt with the last one two years ago she hadn't stuck around for too long before going home. She'd been particularly close to Hotaru, Michiru and Haruka. Sometimes Usagi wondered if secretly Haruka wanted another crisis to arise so they could see their friend again.
Usagi missed her too, though they hadn't spent much time together. Whenever she had seen Setsuna it had either been business or she'd come to see…
Usagi felt a slight sinking sensation.
In different ways, Hotaru and Setsuna had been especially fond of her. They were perhaps the only people who had any idea how Usagi felt. Unfortunately she hadn't had much time to talk to Setsuna before she'd left for good. But Usagi and Hotaru had chatted plenty of times, and she'd be attending the party tonight.
She didn't want to look.
She couldn't bear to see her.
But maybe, just maybe, she could talk about her.
To Hotaru. And only to Hotaru.
Her parents and Shingo couldn't even remember her. It was like they couldn't even notice the pictures or keepsakes. That wasn't true for Luna, Rei or the others though; they'd known and cared for her too. But it just wasn't the same.
Usagi ached at the thought of her. Talking about her would be worse. It'd make her somehow more 'real'.
So if she was going to do it, she would do it with someone who could somehow understand, not merely console, her.
'Don't talk to Hotaru.'
The nasty little voice was back.
'Talk to hi-'
"No!" The whisper had been laced with uncharacteristic venom.
Hotaru would do.
For several seconds her last thought resounded in her mind, as though she'd uttered it in an echo chamber. And for those several seconds her mind was blissfully serene.
Then the little voice spoke up again.
Mercifully it was soon silenced by a chiming noise.
Ikuko was almost ready to dish up the food when she heard the bell ring. It was followed by a click as the door was opened.
"USA-" Ikuko stopped herself.
Typically she'd need to yell at Usagi at least two or three times before she'd get up and answer the door. It was such a habit that she'd almost overlooked the fact that Usagi had already opened the door without her asking.
Her eyes narrowed. So far the evening wasn't going so well.
She heard a gaggle of voices from the hallway.
"Is that a new dress Usagi?"
"Yeah. Before I caught the flu I was going to wear it to the after party at Edwards' home. Hey Rei, where's Yuichiro?"
"He couldn't make it. Grandpa insisted they needed some 'out of town training'. That translates to them staying at Yuichiro's vacation place. And wouldn't you know it, there 'just happens' to be another one of those princess pageants in those mountains."
"Oh Grandpa," Usagi muttered. "So when're they back?"
"Sometime around tomorrow afternoon."
Realizing who they were Ikuko put the food away and exited the kitchen. Proceeding down the hall she mentally braced herself but was still unprepared when she finally laid eyes upon all of them together. Nevertheless, she dug deep and managed to summon up a warm smile.
The girls were sporting party dresses in their typical favourite colours: Ami in blue, Rei in red, Makoto in green and Minako in orange.
This wasn't the first time Ikuko had seen them all dressed up of course. There'd been plenty of times when she had seen the girls pick up Usagi or, along with Kenji, helped ferry them around.
But thinking about it now, she realized that it'd been quite awhile since she'd seen them set for an evening out together like this. Over the past year or so Ikuko had only ever seen them in their uniforms or casual clothes.
She recalled the countless times they'd gathered at her home to study for the high school entrance exams. All the snacks she'd prepared for them. All the chatter she'd 'accidentally' overheard.
She hadn't understood half of what they'd talked about. 'Day Mons'? 'Dust Busters'? At the time she'd presumed it all to be a new fad or else some secret code the girls had invented so 'concerned' adults like her couldn't spy on them.
The other half she'd understood just fine. It had been the things schoolgirls typically discussed, the kind of things she remembered talking about at their age. Of course it wasn't all the same. Ikuko hadn't been in middle school for around twenty-five years, whereas Usagi and her friends had only graduated three years ago. However, it seemed a lot longer to Ikuko as she looked upon the girls now.
She opened her mouth, intending to remind Usagi to take Mamoru's present with her. However, she spotted the, very well wrapped, gift in Usagi's hand. She suppressed a pang of annoyance before switching gears. In the most natural voice she could muster, Ikuko addressed the group of youngsters standing in her genkan.
"Oh, don't you girls look just lovely."
"Thank you Mrs Tsukino!" Usagi's friends replied in unison. They bowed slightly towards her and Ikuko took the opportunity to steal a glance at their shoes. All the girls had some manner of high heels on, except for Usagi who had opted for flats.
A part of Ikuko felt a sudden flash of triumph. Then a much larger part of her felt guilty and childish.
It was then that Kenji joined them in the hallway. "Well, good evening ladies."
The formerly triumphant part of Ikuko felt another pang of annoyance, albeit this time directed towards her husband. "Usagi, you have the cologne don't you?"
"Yup right here." Usagi tucked the package into her purse and zipped it up. "Hold up, I'm going to the bathroom before we head out."
She took off her flats and headed for the bathroom, leaving her parents with her best friends.
"We did an article on that stuff for the magazine. New fangled formula that apparently works best applied to the chest," said Kenji.
"Oh, I seem to remember something about that," piped up Makoto.
Ami looked quizzically at her. "Why were you reading the men's section of Mr. Tsukino's magazine?"
Makoto blushed. "It wasn't from that…"
Rei fixed her with a searching look. "Well…where then?"
"Um, I'll tell you all in the car." Makoto blushed harder.
"Wait a minute, I remember this now too," exclaimed Minako. "It was in an idol gossip story wasn't it?" Somehow Makoto blushed yet harder. Minako however had far less tact. "There was a story about an actress who was having an affair behind her husband's back. Her lover used that cologne and even though she always washed before going home the cologne was so strong that she still smelled faintly of it. Because of that her husband eventually figured out the truth and they broke up!"
Minako looked triumphant over her deduction. Meanwhile, Rei was trying her best not to wince whilst Ami and Makoto looked simply mortified.
For her part, Ikuko was stiff as a board but kept a straight face. Meanwhile Kenji's glasses had slipped down his nose and his jaw was slightly agape.
Mercifully Usagi exited the bathroom at that moment. "Alright guys, let's go!"
Kenji shook his head slightly and began to regain his composure, Ikuko soon following.
"Ju-just a minute. Did you all come together? I could give you a lift if you'd like."
Ikuko had no idea why, but for some reason Minako stared at her feet whilst the other girls shot her looks that varied from concerned (Usagi), challenging (Makoto), terrified (Ami) and barely controlled rage (Rei).
Eventually Usagi spoke up. "It's alright Papa, Minako drove everyone here. She can get us to Mamoru's place."
"Mamoru's?" Minako quietly mouthed, earning a not-so-subtle nudge from Rei's elbow. Ikuko noted Kenji's eye twitch at this.
"You're…sure Usagi?"
Usagi nodded with a smile. "We'll be fine. Ami has the directions and everything. And I have complete faith in Minako." Minako's eyes seemed to glitter at this. Rei's meanwhile rolled upwards. "I'm sure it will be a really smooth ride there and back."
"Well, alright then. Do you know what time you will be back?"
"It depends upon how long the party is Papa, and we are going to help Mamoru clean up a little afterwards too."
Upon hearing this Ikuko felt twin pangs of pride and sadness.
"It will be close to midnight for sure, but don't worry I'll be quiet when I come home."
"Usagi why don't you just stay at my place tonight. It's easier to get to from Mamoru's and no one's there so we won't be disturbing anyone."
"Really Rei? That'd make things so much easier."
"No problem. Hikawa Shrine is at your disposal. Even though you insult our traditional baths."
Usagi turned her face up and huffed. "Maybe I don't like the idea of poor Yuichiro freezing outside just so I can have a hot bath."
It might've been her imagination, but Ikuko could've sworn Rei's eyes had momentarily flared with anger. Imagination or not, a split second later Rei seemed perfectly calm, although she had a somewhat pompous air about her.
"Or maybe you're just impatient. Not to mention, you take like three hours to wash and dry. Especially with all that hair."
Usagi glared at Rei.
Rei glared right back.
Ikuko had seen this a thousand times before. Those two loved one another like sisters, but they bickered like children. Sure enough, they stuck their tongues out at each other and were practically butting heads.
Usually this exacerbated Ikuko but today she felt oddly heartened by it. That was until the pair almost immediately ceased their tongue wagging and began to laugh, embracing each other affectionately.
The laughter proved infectious to the other three girls and soon Kenji, followed by Ikuko, joined in too. It was in moments like this that Ikuko believed she might've been a halfway decent actress.
When the laughter subsided Usagi eyed the clock at the far end of the hall and turned to her friends. "Alright, we should get moving."
"Hold on," Kenji said. He left the hallway, leaving Usagi with a puzzled look. Curiously, there was a slightly confused quality to Rei as well, despite the other girls being nonplussed. Ikuko barely noticed though as she was as puzzled by her husband's exit as her daughter.
Their mutual puzzlement simultaneously changed to mutual embarrassment when Kenji returned with his camera.
"Papa," Usagi moaned. "You do this every time I get dressed up for a night out!"
"I'm a photographer at heart Usagi. Let an old man have his fun," he looked to the others, "You don't mind do you ladies?"
"No Mr. Tsukino!" the girls chorused.
They gathered closer together, Usagi standing in the centre. After Kenji had snapped a three shots Ikuko noted Usagi's gaze wander from the camera to the clock behind her father.
"Ah, alright that's enough, now we really need to get moving. Bye Mama. Bye Papa. Look after Luna!"
Usagi waited for the other girls to depart before exiting her self, shutting the door behind her.
There was a soft click as it locked in place, leaving Kenji and Ikuko alone in the hallway.
Out of the corner of her eye Ikuko caught sight of her husband. He was staring at the door, his camera still clasped in his hands, his expression apparently indifferent.
It was only by the way he grasped the camera a little too tightly that she realized they were thinking the same thing.
The click, soft as it'd been, had still hurt their hearts.