Passés et Passages Chapter 4: Bonus Chapter: 'Behind the Scenes', a sailor moon fanfic

A/N: Welcome to this special 'bonus chapter'.

In it you will find my attempt to explain certain aspects of the characters in my story, along with some early draft stuff I cut out but loved too much to just throw away.

Hope you enjoy!

What's it all about?

It has come to my attention that some readers might've been a little lost with certain aspects of my story. As such I've decided to attempt to answer some of their questions in this 'bonus chapter'. That being said, some of your questions might be answered upon a second read through of the complete story. I originally intended the story to be a single chapter so it's possible that releasing it across three weeks made the storytelling unclear. But if that isn't the case, then I apologize for confusing you and hope the following explanation will clarify some things.

Whilst others are entitled to their own interpretation, it is my opinion that the story is predominantly about growing up, change and how that can make people dwell on their pasts. Hence the original title of this story, Passes et Passages, translating to 'Past and Passages'.

Throughout the story characters encounter various stimuli that trigger old memories, and by extension affect how they feel in the present. The smell of the curry reminds Usagi of Chibi-Usa. The heat of the curry and smell of the fish makes Kenji remember fishing. The chilly wind makes Rei think back to the skiing episode from Season 1, where she first went to Yuichiro's mountain home. Most of all, photos are triggering people's memories and are something of a recurring element in the story. In fact, at one point I was seriously considering calling this story 'Pictures and Passages'.

That's the 'Passes' part of the story. As for the 'Passages' part, well that applies to the six POV characters in different ways.

For the younger characters (Rei, Mamoru and most of all Usagi) that mainly involves them stepping into (or at least deeper into) adult life.

Rei has a casual and non-exclusive relationship with Yuichiro. However, she's upset at the idea of him possibly hooking up with other people at the mountains. By the story's end she doesn't want to just be casual and non-exclusive with him. This is represented by her helping to carry the suitcases and suggesting they return to the mountains together. She got to that point thanks to her conversations with Mamoru, Unazuki, her Grandfather and (most of all) Usagi. She deduced her friend had just taken a major step in her relationship and it seemed to have made her happier. That gave Rei the resolve to similarly get more serious with Yuichiro.

Meanwhile, Mamoru has been offered another chance to study overseas, he doesn't want to be without Usagi nor hurt her by leaving. The additional changes in his life (like graduating) have made him think about (and thereby miss) Chibi-Usa. In particular, he's upset that he won't see her for a century, uncertain he can wait that long. In a sense Mamoru is torn between wanting things to stay the same (by remaining in Tokyo) and wanting to grow up sooner. Not just because a part of him would like to further his studies abroad, but because the sooner the future gets here the sooner he can see his daughter again. Ultimately, he comes to realize that if he already waited all his life (and several millennia) for Usagi then he can wait a century to be reunited with their daughter. Equally, he can bear to be apart from Usagi whilst studying overseas. On top of that Usagi conveys that she'll be okay with him leaving too. That happens in the car when she turns up the volume and Mamoru feels a strength in his arms. The idea is that, early in Chapter 2, Mamoru compares finding Usagi to regaining his arm, i.e. she fills the void left by his parents' deaths. Chibi-Usa had a similar impact on him and therefore her departure was like losing his arm. He is metaphorically 'incomplete'. The strength he feels in his arms at the end represents how he's realized he has got the strength to wait for Usagi and their daughter.

For Usagi, her primary issues are that she misses Chibi-Usa and she's upset because their relationship won't be the same when they eventually reunite. But those feelings have only been brought out because of the other changes occurring in her life. Mamoru's chance to go overseas again is one factor, especially given what happened in Sailor Stars. But the other, perhaps more significant, one is that she'll be moving out and going to college soon. Like Mamoru, Usagi is conflicted about the changes in her life. She wants to go to college. But she hasn't started packing anything yet. She wears the ring Mamoru gave her before he went to America. But she can't stand listening to the Three Lights' song, which is obviously associated with the time period where Mamoru was gone and the difficulties she had back then. She doesn't want to be reminded of Chibi-Usa. And yet, she went into the one other room with pictures of her and she desperately wants to talk to Hotaru about her.

So to varying degrees Usagi and Mamoru are both avoiding reminders about the changes in their lives. The key difference between her and Mamoru is that he wants the future to happen faster so he can see Chibi-Usa again. Usagi however, leans more towards wanting things to stay the same or go back to how they used to be.* After all, when Mamoru sees Chibi-Usa again they'll go back to being father and daughter. But when Usagi gives birth to Chibi-Usa their relationship will not be that of two sisters, but rather of mother and daughter. This is why Mamoru is able to look at the picture of the three of them in the park but Usagi can't bring herself to do it until he confronts her about it.

It is only after chapter 2 that Usagi finds the resolve to confront her issues. She cranks up the volume on the Three Lights song. She takes Chibi-Usa's picture out of the drawer and she starts to pack her suitcase.

However, for the older characters (Luna, Kenji and most of all Ikuko) the issues of change and growing up apply somewhat differently. It is not that they are growing up. Primarily it's that they are navigating the fact that Usagi has grown up and will leave them soon.

In Luna's case, she doesn't know how to feel upon realizing Usagi had been responsible the whole time. Luna's preconceptions about her charge are also represented by her scolding Usagi about possibly losing the ring. In Luna's last scene Usagi surprises her by deducing that she and Artemis are together (a change in Luna's own life). She again raises the topic of the ring but Usagi's expression conveys to that she will not be losing the ring…because she'll be wearing it all the time now. I.e. she's grown up. Luna deep down knew that, and Usagi knew that she knew. That is why Usagi looks at her with a little pity in her eyes. She understands that Luna's comment about the ring was her trying to feel more in control, trying to be the voice of mature advice to Usagi, even though her charge no longer needed it.

For Kenji, he's nostalgic for the lake because it reminds him of being younger and going there with his father, but his own kids are uninterested in going there with him. He is struggling with the fact that Usagi has grown up and will be leaving home soon, his hang up about the picture was a way for him to try and feel in control, almost like he was trying to 'preserve' her in polaroid. The story ends with the implication that he and Mamoru will go to the lake together. In a sense Kenji gets what he wanted but with his future son-in-law not his children, and this will be a chance for them to bond, which is also what Mamoru hoped they'd do to.

Finally there is Ikuko who, in my view at least, is kind of the heart of the story. Even more so than Kenji, she's struggling with the fact that Usagi is now a young woman. Ikuko's character revolves around being a mother and housewife, but now her eldest child will be leaving home and clearly doesn't need her as much, if at all. Usagi can motivate herself to study, she can clean her own clothes, she doesn't need any help to wrap a present, and she's cooking and playing hostess for a whole party. The fact that Ikuko deduces that her daughter has had sex is just the biggest example of how Usagi is no longer the little girl who needed her help at the bottom of the stairs. That's why the story ends with Ikuko confronting Usagi when the latter is standing at the top of the stairs.

At the same time, both mother and daughter are coping with the changes in their lives via avoidance. Usagi is avoiding talking to Mamoru. Ikuko is avoiding talking to Kenji. And both women can't bear to look at photos of their respective daughters in the park. That's why Ikuko didn't want to do the laundry, because those photos would've been directly behind her, so she'd have been in a similar situation to Usagi when she was wrapping the present in the TV room. That's why I had both of them feel a tingle on the backs of their necks, because they could both 'sense' the photos behind them.

By the conclusion of the story Ikuko has grown to accept her daughter is an adult now. Hence she referred to her as a 'lady' in the last scene whereas she was annoyed at Kenji's use of the term in Chapter 1. She knows it's for the best, she knows there are happy days ahead but a part of her still feels sad that things will also never be the way they used to be; which is similar to how Usagi felt about seeing Chibi-Usa in the future. Except, whilst Usagi is facing impending motherhood Ikuko is facing her role as a mother becoming less relevant.

There is lots more I could dive into about the story but, unless anyone wants me to shoot them a PM, I think that covers the really important stuff.

*I tried to convey this through their dialogue at the tail end of Chapter 2. Usagi and Mamoru are looking up at the sky at night and referencing the fact that they were reincarnated, the idea being that they are looking to where the Moon would be and remembering the Silver Millennium. Usagi says, "Because we were…" whilst Mamoru says, "Because we are…" My intent was that they were talking about destiny. Usagi is saying they were destined to be together, so she is emphasising the past and present. Mamoru is saying they are destined to be together, thereby referencing the future.

P.S. I probably should've explained this a bit better in the story proper, but I want to quickly address the issue with Usagi wearing the ring.

Essentially the ring comes with baggage because it is associated with Mamoru's absence in Sailor Stars and the emotional turmoil she experienced back then. Obviously, with Mamoru being offered another chance to study abroad the ring's symbolism of that time would be accentuated. However, it also symbolizes the future of her relationship with Mamoru. Usagi wants that, but she's also scared about growing up and her life changing. So all that is making her feel really conflicted about wearing the ring. But in doing so she is facing down her fears on some level. In a sense its this thing that power intimidates her but also empowers her.

A/N: Phew! Now, with all that said, I hope you can go back and enjoy the story proper. For all its faults and struggles to get it done I'm very proud of it. Truth be told, I've never worked harder on any story than this one.

Obviously that included revising various sections, sometimes in very significant ways.

Since I loved those original scenes so much I didn't want to just throw them out completely. As such I have compiled my favourites below.

Due to the unfinished/early draft nature of the scenes I admit I didn't bother tightening them up or proofreading them too thoroughly. The point after all is to show you some of the rough stuff I had in mind.

Feel free to critique them unto themselves and comment on whether you think they'd have worked better in the actual story.

Luna's burden

Upstairs, Usagi Tsukino looked at herself over 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 buns, which she had decorated with some small and tasteful red beads.

She smiled and winked at her reflection.

"Alright" She giggled.

From behind her came a sighing sound.

Adjusting the mirror slightly revealed a black cat with what looked like a crescent moon bald spot on its forehead perched on her bed.

"Usagi that's the sixth outfit you've tried on." It said. Its voice was unusually stuffy.

Usagi put her hands on either side of her chin and adopted look of mock resignation.

"Luna, it takes work to look this beautiful."

Luna shook her head. The movement seemed 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 crybaby Usagi you met all that time ago. I am now…" Abruptly spun around, her hands on her hips and head raised proudly to the ceiling. "…A college student!...Or I will be once I pack my things and move onto campus."

At this Luna's eyes drifted to a week-long neglected suitcase and the haphazard pile of clothes in it. She sighed again. Then her eyes narrowed as she turned back to Usagi. "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.

Upon regaining her balance and composure, she rounded on her charge. "Usagi! 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 Luna's "Luna!...Is this about you not coming tonight?" Luna closed her eyes, gritted her teeth and prayed 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 groaned and it was only partially due to her flu.

"And besides, Minako told me Artemis is sick too. So it's obviously 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 respons-."

"Hold on a sec Luna". A beeping noise was coming from a device in Usagi's purse.

It was one of the Sailor Senshi's communication devices, designed to give them long-range face-to-face communication 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. Luna prayed that whatever the threat was the new upgrades would allow Usagi to see what she was walking into.

Usagi and Luna's faces took on looks of concern as Usagi flipped open the device. After a second it displayed the face of a young woman about Usagi's age with long dark hair. "Rei?" Usagi asked cautiously.

"Usagi, there is a major problem"

Luna leaned closer. Usagi's eyes narrowed in anticipation.

"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!"

"I know! She only mastered braking the other week." The voice came from another face that had pushed it's way into the screen from behind (a clearly annoyed) Rei. The girl it belonged to looked larger than the other ones and wore a ponytail with a green band and rose earrings.

"Makoto that's not fair!" Another voice yelled. A girl 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 at this Minako abruptly exited the screen. Amidst the honking car horns that followed Usagi spotted a smaller more anxious girl at the back of the car with blue hair and a palm computer gripped in her hands. "Okay take the second left after these lights." She squeaked.

As more car horns sounded off Rei re-centered 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 fro the back of the car. "Call Mamoru and tell him hell have to start setting up on his own."

"Er…right" All of a sudden Usagi thought she knew how Luna might've felt during their early years together. "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. She wasn't sure if cats could get stress headaches. Nevertheless Luna was giving it a good try.

"Well…Guess I can try on a few more outfits after all!"

Usagi's dilemma

Half an hour later she'd ditched the red dress and pendant. Instead she sported a simple strapless pink dress, 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…nostalgic.

At this thought she turned away from the mirror, her eyes instead falling upon a chest of drawers.

There was a picture frame on top of it with a cartoonish bunny face decorating the top left hand corner. Not that anyone would know that to look at it right now. The frame had been face down for the past two weeks. Usagi raised her hand towards it then changed her mind. She began to move away but then turned back and opened the drawer containing her jewelry. She fished out a silver ring affixed with a glistening pink heart.

The vision of a crowded airport gateway flashed in her mind.

Her heart fluttered. Then it ached horribly.

She hesitated for several moments before making her mind up.

She slipped the ring on.

She put the frame away in the drawer.

Usagi leaves Luna

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, low volume music filling the bedroom. "There, that should help you relax!" Usagi sounded annoying chipper.

She bid Luna goodbye in the same cheery tone "The others should be here soon Luna so I'll see ya later!"

Usagi was three steps down before Luna weakly called out to her. "Usagi wait a minute." She came back up the stairs to find Luna had 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…"

"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.

"And 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)

Usagi's eyes widened slightly. "Whoops," she shrugged apologetically before quickly glancing at a clock on her night stand and speaking rather rapidly "I better get going don't wait up for me Luna if the party goes too late I'm going to stay at Rei's place."

Usagi headed down the stairs leaving Luna behind to managed a weak little 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.

Huh. She thought. That actually did cheer me up.

Usagi in the TV room Version 1

Usagi walked through the dining room into the TV room and kneelt down at the table.

Her eye carefully avoided the framed photos mounted on the surrounding walls.

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.

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 eye. She moved so her back was totally facing the wall with that photo and her front was now facing the TV.

Getting her mind back on her task, she considered that wrapping presents 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 wrap the perfect present. And yet every Christmas and birthday party the gang had marveled at Minako's elegant yet swift wrapping skills. Usagi figured it only made sense, given her preferences for bows and ribbons.

She let out a small laugh. This spot was no good either. 'Stupid Usagi', as her little brother often called her. The photo she was avoiding was mounted on the wall parallel to the TV. The shiny black surface of the TV was reflecting the photo. 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 muted it so as to not disturb her father's reading.

Usagi couldn't honestly say if she had 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. When she was really young and he'd come back from work she'd practically demand all his attention. He hadn't seemed to have minded, even though she knew sometimes he must have. But father's can sometimes be a bit too indulgent of their little girls. She'd seen that first hand of course with Mamoru and…

Stop! She yelled in her head. It's just because you are wrapping Mamoru's present and thinking about Papa. Your mind made the connection. So think of something else.

Usagi's mind drifted to some of her favorite topics. Napping. Video Games. Food. Now we're talking. She thought. Pork buns. Rice Balls. And of course, all the delectable available at Crown Fruit Parlor. Sometimes she thought she'd happily live off of candies and deserts instead of anything else. Chocolate. Ice cream. Cake. Cotton cand-

Why had she come into this room to wrap the present anyway? Her mother was keeping the cologne on the dining table and dinner wasn't going to be ready for her and Papa any time soon. So why had she chosen to come in here. Stupid Usagi. She thought.

You come into the room with the most photos. You already put away the one in your room and then you do this. Why? Why would you do that?

Then a little voice in her head answered. For the same reason you wore a pink dress. You don't really 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 'crybaby' Usagi. But she was at least better about it these days.

And she'd been gone for years now. Well over two years in fact. So why had she been thinking about her so much recently?

That same little voice answered her again. Her thoughts drifted back upstairs.

Usagi stood up and turned to the wall behind her.

And there she was. Not in the flesh, merely the photo. But still…she was there.

She was alone in the picture and dressed in a kimono for some festival at her school.

There had been moments when she'd wanted to kill her. But other moments when she was sweet, when she'd looked up to Usagi. Beneath all their bickering that love had always been there.

Sometimes Usagi wondered if there was anyone she might have been closer to. Then she realized that it was just a different kind of closeness. It was complicated because they'd typically behaved like sisters. But they weren't, and the true nature of their relationship had only bubbled up to the surface from time to time. But it had always been there, somewhere in between the bickering and the sweetness.

In a strange way Usagi felt it had been most present when she'd befriended Hotaru Tomoe three years ago. Hotaru had 'left' though, at least for a while, so they went back to being sisters. She left for good not too long after that, ironically shortly after Hotaru miraculously returned. She was living happily with her father, Professor Tomoe, now and seemed to be doing well.

On several occasions she'd visit the gang in the company of Haruka Tenou and Michiru Kaio. Typically these occasions were for birthdays or other such celebrations. Of course those three weren't around Usagi's age so she and the girls didn't see them regularly. 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 three of them were Senshi just as Usagi, Rei and the others were. Their experiences together had forged them as friends in spite of any past tensions between them. That was why they all strived 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 and brought Hotaru along with them. It had been a fun night, 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.

Twice she'd left her lonely vigil to help the Senshi avert disaster. That was the trouble. 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 close to Hotaru, Michiru and Haruka and 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's heart sank slightly.

Setsuna and Hotaru had loved her too. The other girls had liked her and even spent time with her. But Hotaru and Setsuna had been her best friends. They were perhaps the only people who could understand how Usagi felt. Unfortunately she hadn't had much time to talk to Setsuna about her before she had returned to her vigil. However, Usagi and Hotaru had discussed her a few times over the years. Surely she'd be at the party tonight. Usagi didn't want to upset the poor girl but she knew she needed to let this out. She needed to talk to someone about her.

Of course there was someone else she could talk to about her. But it just hadn't been a good time the past few weeks, and certainly not tonight. Today was a special day for him and she wasn't about to put a downer on it. Hotaru would do. They'd talk and then hopefully Usagi could stop dwelling on…

Usagi became lost in the photo. She looked so happy. They all did.

Together.

She didn't really understand how her magic had worked.

The photos and keepsakes remained, but it was like her parents and Shingo didn't see them. Just everyone who had been 'in' on the secret. In any case her family had no memory of her. They'd had some lingering memories for a little while after she'd left. But they soon faded. That had been a rough time for her, a time of major change in her life, not unlike n-…

There was that little voice again.

She stroked the photo with her left hand.

She wasn't really gone. She knew that. And she would still love her. That wouldn't change. But it wasn't going to be how it was. She wasn't going to be how she was.

Maybe that was for the best. How it should be.

In a sense she was being selfish. Because she knew for her it was probably going to be better than it had been.

And she knew they would still share wonderful times together, definitely some of the best.

Even the here and now had so much joy.

So she looked forward to the future.

But that didn't mean in this moment she couldn't grieve for the past.

She put the photo back. She wiped away her tears. It was time to carry on.

Usagi in the TV room Version 2

Usagi walked through the dining room into the TV room and kneelt down at the table.

Her eye carefully avoided the framed photos mounted on the surrounding walls.

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.

Stop! She yelled in her head. It's just because you are wrapping Mamoru's present and thinking about Papa. Your mind made the connection. So think of something else.

Usagi's mind drifted to some of her favorite topics. Napping. Video Games. Food. Now we're talking. She thought. Pork buns. Rice Balls. And of course all the delicacies available at Crown Fruit Parlor. Sometimes she thought she'd happily live off of candies and deserts instead of anything else. Chocolate. Ice cream. Cake. Cotton cand-

You come into the room with the most photos. You already put away the one in your room and then you do this. Why? Why would you do that?

Then a little voice in her head answered. For the same reason you wore a pink dress. You don't really want to forget.

She didn't cry.

And she'd been gone for years now. Well over two years in fact. So why had she been thinking about her so much recently?

That same little voice answered her again. Her thoughts drifted back upstairs.

Usagi stood up and turned to the wall behind her.

And there she was. Not in the flesh, merely the photo. But still…she was there.

She was alone in the picture and dressed in a kimono for some festival at her school.

There had been moments when she'd wanted to kill her. But other moments when she was sweet, when she'd looked up to Usagi. Beneath all their bickering that love had always been there.

"I miss her."

"It's only natural. Today would have been her birthday."

Setsuna.

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's heart sank slightly.

Usagi became lost in the photo. She looked so happy. They all did.

Together.

She didn't really understand how her magic had worked.

There was that little voice again.

It was soon silenced though by a chiming noise.

Heading out the Door

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. This wasn't exactly a great evening for her so far.

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. Where's Yuichiro Rei?"

"He couldn't make it. Grandpa insisted they needed some 'out of town training'. That translates to my Grandpa staying Yuichiro's vacation place in the mountains…during another one of those princess pageant competitions."

"Oh Grandpa" Usagi muttered, "When will they be back?"

"Sometime tomorrow morning"

Realizing who they were Ikuko left the hallway to greet them. Upon laying eyes on them she summoned a warm smile. It was harder than she thought looking at them all together like that.

The girls were sporting party dresses in their typical favorite colors.

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. She and Kenji had ferried them around plenty of times. But thinking about it, she realized that it had actually quite awhile since she'd laid eyes on all of them together prepared for an evening out. She remembered now whenever that had happened in the past year or two they'd probably not met up here. She'd seen them all individually or as a group in that time of course. But they'd been in their uniforms or casual clothes.

She remembered the countless times they'd gathered at her home to study for the high school entrance exams and all the snacks she prepared for them and the chatter she'd 'accidentally' overheard. Half of it seemed like nonsense to her. Day Mons? Dust Busters? She presumed it had been some kind of new fad or else some secret code they girls had invented so 'concerned' adults like herself couldn't spy on them.

The other half she'd understood just fine as it had been the stuff school girls typically discuss. Stuff she herself remembered talking about at their age in spite of Middle School having been a very long time ago for her. For them it had only been three years, but it didn't seem that way to Ikuko looking at them right now.

She slightly opened her mouth to talk. She was going to tell Usagi not to forget Mamoru's present, but then she spotted it in her hand. It was very well wrapped she observed. She switched gears.

"Don't you girls look lovely."

"Thank you Mrs. Tsukino" The four of them said 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. For some reason something inside Ikuko felt a sudden flash of triumph over this. Then a much larger part of her felt guilty and childish about that.

Kenji had joined her in the hallway. "Well good evening ladies."

That same part of Ikuko that had felt triumph was annoyed at the comment. It wasn't anything like jealousy of course. The thought of Kenji looking at any of Usagi's friends like that was ridiculous. No, there was something else inside of her that at that moment felt slightly unfriendly towards her beloved husband.

"Usagi you have the cologne don't you?"

"Yup right here." Usagi tucked it package into her purse and zipped it up. "Hold up, I'm going to the bathroom before we head off."

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 skin," 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 gaze. "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 whilst Rei was trying her best not to wince and Ami and Makoto looked simply mortified. For their part Ikuko was stiff as a board but keeping a straight face whilst Kenji had allowed his glasses to slip down his nose, his mouth 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 the 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). Finally Usagi spoke up.

"It's alright Papa, Minako drove everyone here she can get us to Mamoru's"

"Mamoru's?" Minako quietly mouthed before Rei nudged her. Ikuko saw Kenji's eye twitch at this.

"You're…sure Usagi?"

Usagi nodded with a smile. "Ami has the directions and everything. We'll be fine. I have complete faith in Minako." Minako's eyes seemed to glitter at this. Rei's meanwhile rolled. "It will be a really smooth ride there and back, I promise."

"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 before 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 just don't like the idea of poor Yuichiro freezing outside so I can have a hot bath."

It might've been her imagination, but Ikuko could've sworn that for an instant Rei's eyes had flared with anger. Imagination or not, a split second later Rei seemed perfectly calm, although she had an uppity expression.

"Or maybe you are just impatient. Not to mention you take like three hours to wash and dry, especially with all that hair," she said somewhat pompously.

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 were soon sticking their tongues out at each other.

Usually this exacerbated Ikuko but today she felt oddly heartened by it. That was until the pair stopped their tongue-wagging almost immediately. Instead they broke out laughing and embraced each other affectionately.

The laughter was infectious and Ikuko laughed along with everyone else. In moments like this she liked to think 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. "Let's get moving."

"Hold on," Kenji said. He left the hallway, leaving Usagi with 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. Simultaneously their expressions changed to embarrassment when Kenji returned with his camera.

"Papa" Usagi moaned. "You do this every time I get dressed up for a night out!"

"Your Papa's a photographer at heart Usagi. Let an old man have his fun," His looked to the others. "You don't mind do you ladies?"

"No Mr. Tsukino!" The girls replied in unison again before gathering closer, Usagi at the center. Kenji had snapped off a few photos before Usagi's eyes wandered from the camera to the clock behind him.

"Ah, alright that's enough, now we really need to get moving. Bye Mama. Bye Papa. Look after Luna."

The five of them headed out the door, Usagi being the last, closing it 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 and his expression completely neutral.

And yet she knew, in this moment, he felt the same as she did.

The click, soft as it had been, had still hurt their hearts.

Meet Mamoru

Mamoru Chiba pulled on the black shirt and wrapped the red tie around his turned up collar. Walking over to the mirror by his bed he began buttoning up. He left his top button undone and began working on his tie. He was slightly distracted by the reflection of his apartment.

He had a pretty decent apartment. Aside from the entry hall and bathroom it was essentially one room divided into a kitchen and sitting area. For the most part the latter contained a table, a sofa, a chair, a few shelves, a TV and a bed that stood beneath a large window.

What was distracting him was where all his stuff was placed at the moment. Since he had eight guests coming he'd spent a couple of hours moving things around to make more space. He moved himself and the mirror to the left. Now only his bed and shelving unit next to it were reflected. They were the only bits of furniture he'd left alone so they didn't throw him off.

Returning to his tie he pondered how silly it was for such a thing to get to him. But he'd lived in this apartment and had it arranged that way for a long time. He had many happy memories here, and for Mamoru memories were no small matter. He'd lost count of the number of times the gang had hung out here for meetings, study sessions or just to enjoy his air conditioning. As crowded as those times were he'd never needed to rearrange his place. The cats didn't take up much space so at most there had usually just been six of them.

Seven.

Mamoru's hands paused mid-knot. His eye fell on the reflection of his top shelf.

Maybe he should've thrown the party somewhere else. He recalled how he and Usagi had discussed throwing the party at a restaurant or somewhere fancier. However, it had been Mamoru who'd preferred a smaller gathering at his home.

Technically this was a second celebration. Mamoru wanted to share his success with Usagi and the other Senshi. He figured that if Christmas and birthdays warranted such gatherings then this surely did too.

In spite of how he felt he still expected it would be fun. Certainly more so than his first celebration the prior week. Motoki and his other friends from the university had mingled at the mansion home of Mamoru's English friend Edwards. Unfortunately Usagi had been unwell that day and unable to attend. She had however made the effort to be at the ceremony earlier that day.

Mamoru remembered scanning the audience for her before Motoki pointed her out to him. She had been sitting with Motoki's little sister Unazuki and gave him wave once she saw he'd spotted her. Mamoru had discreetly waved back then equally discreetly shifted his eyes to Unazuki. Mamoru recalled how he'd been happy she'd been there for Motoki given how his fiancée Reika had been stuck on the other side of the world. However, he also recalled how in that moment he'd felt a passing sense of resentment.

It had been totally irrational of course. But he couldn't deny that right then he had really wished someone else had been sitting next to Usagi instead of Unazuki. He'd never envisioned her attending that ceremony. But when it had been happening he realized how badly he'd wanted her there.

Maybe he should have invited Usagi's parents instead. But he knew it just wouldn't have felt right. He wanted to make an effort with the Tsukinos, but the truth was they weren't close enough for that.

Graduating college was something to be shared with family.

Usagi was his family.

She was one of the two people Mamoru could say that of, and the only one available for the ceremony.

He respected and cared for the other Senshi. He'd probably give his life if it meant protecting them. But they weren't family, nor were the Tsukinos.

Not yet anyway, he thought. He and Usagi had no immediate plans for their relationship. They were content to let things be for now. For all he knew he could join the Tsukino family next year or in a century.

He considered how absolutely literal that idea was in his life then chuckled slightly. As his laugh died down his face formed into a frown.

A century.

It really might be that long before he'd see her again.

He let the gravity of that sink in.

Then he closed his eyes and let out a controlled breath. Opening his eyes again he calmly discarded the tie onto his bed. He glanced at the top shelf again, this time the real things not their reflections.

Of the two pictures his focus was drawn to the one of her in the kimono. That had been a fun day, although the school had been puzzled by his attendance. As far as they'd known he wasn't her family. Had they asked him directly he might've told them the truth. He'd done that before as a way of deflating the bizarreness of his situation.

At the same time though saying it out loud had given him a sense of pride. He'd grown up without a family but he'd suddenly found himself with a new one. It was almost like he'd been waiting his whole life for them.

But…a century. Could he really wait that long?

That was when heard a click from the door. A few seconds later Usagi and her friends piled in.

"I know we're a little late" Usagi began. "But you should just be grateful we're here in one piece." She crossed the floor stood on her toes to give him a quick peck on the cheek. "Minako's driving was so bad I was praying for a rose to appear," she whispered.

It was a testament to how experienced Mamoru was with the gang that he kept a straight face. It became easier when he got a better look at Usagi.

"You look beautiful Usa-ko," He said quietly.

"Thank you Mamo-chan" She smiled at him and then inclined her head towards the bed. "Were you getting dressed?"

Mamoru turned and saw the tie there. "No" He replied. "I thought this would be fine"

Usagi eyed him up. "I agree" This time she'd spoken quietly.

She reached into her purse and pulled out a gift-wrapped item. "You didn-" he began.

"Of course I did. I would've given it to you the day of the ceremony but I wanted to wait 'til I felt better"

Mamoru unwrapped the gift and chuckled at the contents. "'Prince' cologne?"

"I know! But I didn't just get it for you because of the name. It was highly recommended to me and besides, I think it'd suit you" Mamoru removed the bottle from the box and motioned to spray it. "Oh, hold on" Usagi had grasped the hand holding the bottle. "The people at the store said it's best applied to the skin. Here."

She undid his second button and Mamoru sprayed the cologne. He spotted a wry look come across Rei from the other side of the apartment.

Two years ago the situation might've made Mamoru embarrassed. Now though he didn't even flinch. It wasn't that they were in the presence of their closest friends or even his own home. He and Usagi had been through so much that he just didn't care as much about any social taboos. He hadn't since he kissed her in the airport the day he'd left for America.

"Mamoru do you need us to move anything?" Ami inquired nonchalantly. Usagi gently moved back to the others to help them unpack.

"No that's alright, I did it all earlier."

Makoto looked apologetic. "Oh Mamoru I could've helped you with that"

"You've done more than enough. Everyone is looking forward to your cooking," Mamoru's eyes did a quick scan of the apartment. "Where's Artemis Minako?"

"He's got the flu,"

"Oh no, him too?"

Minako nodded then shrugged her shoulders. "Only me and Usagi could own the only talking cats in the world who can catch the flu from humans."

"It makes sense when you think about it." Rei chimed in. "I mean why talking be the only thing they'd have in common with human.

Minako put her hands on her hips and huffed. "Well, Artemis can certainly be a hypocrite like a human. I remember how he lectured me about going to bed early the night before my driving test. But earlier this week he didn't get home until after three in the morning."

Rei's back was turned to Mamoru. All the same he was sure she'd just rolled her eyes. "Mina, you had an important test. It's hardly the same if Artemis wanted to stay up that late."

"Yeah but he'd been up fighting other cats, or a dog a dog or something. The next morning I saw his fur was all messy."

"I suppose being a white kitty he would stand out at night." Makoto offered.

"Anyway, Mamoru where can we put our coats and bags?"

"You can just throw them on the bed Minako"

"Oh you should get something to cover the bed first Mamoru"

Rei shook her head in mild disbelief. "Ami that's a little neurotic don't you think?"

As Rei and Ami began their 'discussion', Usagi went over to the closet and brought a large blanket over to the bed. She unfolded it and laid it over the bed.

"Mamo-chan!" She looked and sounded very annoyed. He looked at her puzzled as to what he'd done. "It's such a beautiful night for your party but you've got the blinds closed."

A moment passed before he realized she'd been joking.

"Sorry Usa-ko, it just slipped my mind."

Usagi pulled the blinds up revealing the glistening cityscape of Tokyo and a full moon hanging in the sky.

As she turned from the window, Mamoru saw her pause for a moment by his shelf. He didn't have a good angle on her face. However, he thought he caught a look of determination. Before he could think to question this she'd crossed the room again and joined Makoto in the blue-tiled kitchen, helping her to prepare the food.

"So, when is Ho…When are the others supposed to arrive?" Usagi had asked the question with her back turned to Mamoru.

"In about an hour " He replied. He considered subtly probing a little to see what was going on. However, Makoto spoke up first.

"A part from our gang who else have you invited Mamoru? Motoki obviously, I presume"

Of course Mako would bring up Motoki. "Mostly just other people from college, although Motoki is bringing Unazuki along with Reika"

"Ah that's nice. It'll be good to see them all again, it's been so long" Makoto nonchalantly Makoto turned back to the kitchen area and began addressing Usagi. "Now Usagi you remember what I said right? Makoto's tone was borderline threatening. Usagi raised her hands in deference and spoke in a nervous tone.

"Of course sensei. I shall follow your lead to the letter"

Seeing this Mamoru decided to leave Usagi well enough alone.

For now anyway.

Mimosas!

A/N: This segment comes from a much earlier draft of Rei's scene from chapter 2.

I copied this segment in order to then rework it into the story proper, deleting the earlier draft of chapter 2 it came from.

It was only afterwards that I decided to do this 'deleted scenes' compilation chapter. In fact it was this scene specifically that prompted me to do it!

As such I'm afraid I'm dropping you in the middle of a chapter that no longer exists. Hopefully you can all still enjoy a bit of the banter I worked in anyway.

"Not that tonight will be boring for us. Even though you don't have any music." For all her elegance, Michiru enjoyed an occasional bit of teasing.

"Oh right," Minako pretended to smack his own head then went to put on some music.

To Rei's pleasure it was Michael Jackson. "Now it's a party!"

"Well, almost." Haruka produced a bottle of champagne.

"Hey, hey now." Ami looked concerned. "Most of us are under age here."

Haruka smirked and gave a tiny laugh. "Relax it's a gift for Mamoru. He should have a glass to toast his graduation."

Mamoru took the bottle from Haruka's outstretched hand. "Thank you for the gift, but I wouldn't feel right being the only one."

Michiru raised her hand and smiled. "I'll have a glass as well." Mamoru looked around at Rei and the others. Usagi hooked her arm around his.

"Mamo-chan, it's okay. It's your special night. The rest of us will just have our drinks. Right guys?" Now Usagi looked around at the others and was greeted with nods.

"Well, maybe just one glass, with orange juice too."

"Mamoru, I never expected you to love mimosas," teased Michiru. "I've never tried one. I think I'll join you. I usually to dislike the taste of champagne on it's own."

Mamoru looked at her quizzically. "You do?"

Michiru nodded at him, "I was only going to take a sip to toast you. Maybe I'll actually finish the whole thing before tonight's over"

A concerned look crossed Ami's face. "Michiru, what do you mean 'usually', aren't you and Haruka still nine-…" Ami trailed off. Makoto, Minako and Rei had fixed her with exacerbated looks whilst Haruka and Michiru were lightly laughing. Ami shrank back. "Oh, alright…" she muttered quietly.

Usagi and Makoto began to get the glasses out. "What does everyone want?" asked Usagi.

"One 'non-alcoholic' mimosa for me" joked Minako, generating a round of chuckles.

"Orange juice for me too please Mako-chan. I think I read somewhere orange juice is traditionally what you drink if you can't have alcohol."

Rei put a hand on Ami's shoulder and shook her head. "Only you would decide upon your drink because of a book. In any case you've convinced me, give me one too Usagi."

"Well, Ami is usually right so if she says it's tradition…" Makoto poured an orange juice for herself.

Usagi looked over at Haruka. "Aren't you going to have any champagne Haruka?"

Haruka shrugged apologetically. Somehow she still managed to make it look elegant. "I'd love to join you two but I'm driving us home tonight. Just OJ for me please."

As Makoto began to pass around glasses Michiru leaned towards her, raised her hand in front of her mouth and pretended to whisper. "Haruka also snores when she's had a few drinks."

Haruka smirked again and shook her head. "Don't listen to her."

Everyone giggled as Michiru continued. "She sounds like her race car." The giggling became a round of laughter. Like earlier, Rei detected Usagi's laughter was off. Only this time she thought there really was something subtly fake about it.

Finally, Makoto and Usagi respectively handed Michiru and Mamoru their mimosas. Mamoru preferred not to drink so everyone had regular glasses.

Upon receiving her glass Michiru raised it up. "And I thought Edwards' get-togethers were classy," she joked.

Usagi raised her glass too, the light glinting off the red cranberry juice within. Everyone sans Mamoru raised their glasses in turn. "To Mamo-chan."

"TO MAMO-CHAN!" They all cheered leaving Mamoru blushing slightly. They clinked their glasses and drank.

Michiru winced. "Oh well," she put her glass down on the kitchen counter, "It seems mimosas aren't for me."

Haruka adopted an exaggeratedly smug look. "This orange juice though is quite delicious."

"Mmm, it really is," added Minako. Rei and Ami nodded in agreement. "Where did you buy it from Makoto?"

Ami answered for her "Makoto actually made it herself."

Makoto blushed. "Ami helped. She spent a lot of time helping me figure out the best way to grow the oranges."

Had Rei blinked she might've missed the knowing looks and small smiles that passed between Haruka and Michiru. She took another sip of her drink. "I'll have to have another glass later Makoto"

"Oh, sorry that was all we had. I'll make more another time though."

"Well, then we'll just have to savor these all night. Just like Michiru's mimosa" Driving might not have been her forte, but Rei had to admit Minako was on form tonight.

When Kenji met Ikuko

"AGHHH!" yelled Kenji.

Distantly he heard rapid footsteps slap the floor behind him.

"What's the matter?!" exclaimed Ikuko.

Kenji tried his best to talk through gritted teeth and the blood pumping in his ears "I-It's…" his eyes closed in anguish and he hunched over slightly.

"Oh Kenji…" began Ikuko "I just can't…" her heard her let out a loud breath "I just can't believe you." Kenji opened his eyes just enough to look at her face "I told you to leave that until tomorrow!" she scolded.

Kenji looked away from his wife's miffed expression and examined his bright red thumb. He could practically see his throbbing where the hammer had hit it. Regaining some of his composure he attempted to reply. "I thought it was best to do it this weekend as I'm going to be so busy during the week."

Although he was still looking at his thumb he could tell Ikuko had folded her arms and adopted an unconvinced look. "And what would've been so bad about waiting until next weekend?"

"You know how I don't like to leave loose photos lying around the house for that long. What if it gets lost or mixed up with my things for work?"

Kenji risked a glance at his wife and sure enough was hit with that glare that made him feel like a naughty little boy.

"Kenji," Ikuko took a few threatening steps forward "for goodness sake, your being-" she halted. Her body seemed to stiffen for a moment, then her eyes shifted. Her facial expression softened from frustration into mere exacerbation. She moved forward again and took Kenji's injured hand in her own, manoeuvring herself to his side and keeping her eyes on his thumb. "Come on," she sighed "let's deal with this."

She ushered him away from the wall, past the washing machine, into the hallway and finally into the kitchen. Once there she turned on the tap and left Kenji to run his thumb under the cold water whilst she fetched some cream for the swelling.

Were his thumb still not throbbing Kenji might've been more curious about his wife's sudden attitude adjustment. However, at this moment he was just grateful to be spared an earful from her.

After she'd applied the cream he sat back down in his favourite chair at the dining table. As the pain had subsided he leant over the table and pulled his newspaper over to him. He tried starting the same story two or three times before giving up. He'd been distracted by something else on the table the newspaper had practically obscured from his view. Putting the paper down he picked up object and examined it.

"They came out pretty nice, if I do say so myself."

"You already 'said so yourself' when you brought them home dear."

Ikuko's reply had been robotic but Kenji felt a flush of embarrassment all the same.

"Er…Well, they'll look even nicer once they're on the wall." He silently cursed himself. He remembered Ikuko's expression when he'd brought home the frames. He was sure she wasn't concerned about the one meant for his work but the other one he got for the wall by the stairs had made her eyes flare. Maybe he should've consulted her before getting it, after all she was usually in charge of the household decorations.

But he'd thought it'd be a nice surprise for her, and for Usagi and Shingo. That was why he'd spent half the night awake. He was just so excited to surprise them. It was also why practically at the crack of dawn he'd set about developing the photo and rushing out to a store to pick up the frames.

It hadn't quite worked out the way he'd imagined. Shingo had been on his way out the house when he'd showed him. At first he'd seemed weirded out before he shrugged Kenji off and left. As for Ikuko, after her eyes had settled she had barely spoken to him all day, apart from warning him off from hanging the frame today.

But Kenji couldn't help himself. He wanted to see Usagi's face when she spotted the picture. He ran through the scenario in his head. His daughter would come home and en route to her room inevitably walk through the laundry area towards the stairs. And on the wall just before the stairs and her face would light up when she saw a new addition to their collection.

In his mind's eye he ran saw some of the other images on the wall.

Usagi celebrating her high school graduation. His mental gaze drifted to the left where he saw Usagi's first day of middle-school. Further down the wall he was greeted with all of them at the park together. How old would Usagi have been then? He couldn't remember. Before he could move yet further down the wall he was snapped back to reality by a loud bleeping.

He turned his attention towards the kitchen where Ikuko was making up two plates of food. His mouth watered slightly as she brought them over and sat down herself. He put the paper and photo to one side and tucked in.

"Mmm," he said before swallowing "If I didn't know any better I'd have thought this was fresh, not last night's left-overs."

"Thank you dear." Ikuko hadn't replied unkindly, but there had still been a slight robotic quality to her voice. Kenji considered asking her about it but decided to let it go, for now anyway.

He decided to change the subject. "Did Shingo say when he'd be back?" Ikuko shook her head as she chewed. "I think he's been spending too much time with those friends of his."

"Absolutely," there was a little more life behind his wife's voice now.

Encouraged Kenji continued. "Pretty soon he'll be heading for high school. The boy should start knuckling down."

"That's exactly my concern."

"His friends aren't bad kids, but I doubt they hit the books together when they aren't playing video games or-"

"Or soccer," Ikuko cut in.

Kenji nodded. "It's not like it was with Usagi's friends," Kenji barely registered Ikuko's eyes dart briefly to another spot on the table "They all seemed pretty serious about studying, especially that Ami girl. It was when she wasn't with them we had to worry. Thank goodness those days are over." He chuckled slightly. His laughter soon died down as he saw Ikuko wasn't joining in, instead simply focused upon her food. A moment later she casually got up and took her half finished plate back over to the kitchen.

Kenji began to raise an eyebrow when Ikuko spoke up without looking at him. "Are you going to go and pick Usagi up from Rei's shrine?"

"Er, no. Rei said Usagi would make her own way home once she woke up."

"She's still asleep?"

"She was almost an hour ago when I called. I expect she'll come home after she's eaten and washed up. That's what she normally does right?"

"She doesn't like washing there," the robotic quality was back in Ikuko's voice.

Kenji decided to give up and continued to his food. After a few more mouthfuls his mouth began to tingle slightly so he distracted himself by returning to his paper. Several paragraphs into the story his mouth was starting to burn so he somewhat hastily gulped down some water. Relief flooded his throat and brought out the aftertaste of the meal and he briefly closed his eyes.

The lake glistened gold as the afternoon sunlight danced across it, making his youthful eyes squint. He sweated slightly in the hot sun and his nostrils flared with the smell of fresh fish. Nevertheless, he let out a contented breathe and relaxed his grip on his rod a little. A small tingle ran down the base of his neck prompting him to turn away from the lake and look upwards. He saw nothing except for the natural beauty of the cliffs and the rising steam of the hot springs he knew to be there. However, he soon caught sight of a figure standing near the cliff's edge. It seemed to be a girl wrapped in a towel, the steam of the hot springs gently billowing behind her. Despite the steam and surrounding scenery, she was hard to miss…

When Kenji opened his eyes again his gaze gravitated towards the kitchen and Ikuko's bushy blueish hair.

A small, but warm, smile crossed his lips. It lasted but a moment before being replaced by a frown. She'd turned her back to him.

His mind got whirring again and he remembered how his wife's eyes had darted during their meal. His own eyes found the same spot on the table. Setting his glass down, he reached over to pick up the frame.

The five of them really did look quite lovely in the genkan, Usagi most of all.

But of course he'd say that. After all, she was his li-

His eye had roamed lower down on the photo, stopping his thoughts dead.

Although she was very far away his youthful eyes brought the girl into greater focus. He could see she was another teenager, maybe a year or two younger than him. And unless he was mistaken she had been staring at him. And still was.

He'd spotted the cologne peeking out of Usagi's bag. His frown deepened.

The lake burned orange as the sun set. It was a beautiful sight but his attention was focussed upon the girl. She was fully dressed, albeit in some traditional robes like he was. Despite this, and to his own surprise, he found himself more drawn to her than when he'd first seen her. Over the week they'd spent many hours talking about anything and everything. She was observing the sunset but then turned his way. She looked at him in a way no one had ever looked at him before…

Kenji zeroed in on Usagi's face. His memories might've been playing tricks on him, conflating things in his mind and then projecting them outwards onto the photo. Regardless of what the picture had captured, Kenji was sure he saw something familiar behind Usagi's eyes.

He mentally braced himself and decided to let his eyes roam lower again. This time though his thoughts stopped cold before he even got to the cologne.

The lake shone with silver moonlight. The night air was cool on his skin and yet he was sweating. He wasn't used to wearing glasses yet anyway, but he was practically willing them to not slip any further down his face. Mercifully she didn't touch his sweaty palms as she took the band. He could barely see it in the darkness and intellectually he knew it was just the angle at which she was holding it. Nevertheless, in his heart the reason it had begun to glitter was because she'd actually slipped it on. She locked eyes with him, fixing him with a similar yet different look to years before. He knew he'd never forget it as long as he lived…

It was a special occasion. It'd gone with her dress. And in any case she hadn't worn it in a long time. For the moment, this was enough to silence the little voice at the back of Kenji's head as he stared at Usagi's left hand.

He put the picture face down and decided it was best not to think of the lake any more.

Mamoru driving Usagi home

The babbling of the radio surrounded Mamoru as he accelerated, enjoying the gentle thrum through the steering wheel.

He wasn't going particularly fast, certainly well within the speed limit. Haruka might enjoy that sort of thing but he just wasn't as 'free-spirited' as her. He was more the protective type, and that went doubly so with Usagi in the passenger seat.

He glanced over to her once they stopped at another red light. She was just staring out the window, as she had been the entire drive over. She hadn't said much either, although they'd been perfectly talkative back at his apartment. Given his angle he didn't have the best view of her, but he suspected that he'd find her face frustratingly unreadable even if he did.

He briefly examined his own features in the mirrors and had to admit the same could be said for him too.

Ridiculous as it might've been, it was like the real world and his problems hadn't existed so long as they remained in his apartment. But once they'd left they'd crept back leaving him unsure how to feel. He knew he felt something; he just couldn't unpack it all. It was like a collision between elation, relief, fear, concern, uncertainty and a dozen other things. And faced with this mess he'd opted for neutrality whilst he sorted through it. But at this moment he couldn't sort through it, it just kept swirling around his head whispering this or that.

Every so often his thoughts had became distant as he gave himself over to just driving, but of course that didn't help whenever they stopped.

Did Usagi feel the same way?

A part of him hoped not, and a more selfish part of him hoped she did.

Usagi's Homecoming

The soft click of the front door echoed through the house.

Kenji looked up from his paper. Ikuko to imperceptibly stiffened.

Usagi walked through the hallway and paused just outside the kitchen.

"Well, hello sleepyhead," chirped Kenji.

A faintly puzzled look came over Usagi before she replied "Hi."

A similar look flashed across Ikuko. "How was it last night?" Casually she looked away from Usagi.

"Great."

"Did Mamoru enjoy himself?" inquired Kenji.

"Oh yeah," Usagi replied warmly.

Ikuko blinked for a moment before heading over to the sink.

"How're Rei's grandfather and that student of his?"

Usagi began to lift her arms and shoulders, as though she were starting to shrug. However, she lifted her arms above her head. "They're…fine," she yawned out.

Ikuko scrubbed the plates a little harder.

"What's that?" Usagi's left hand pointed towards on the table Kenji was sitting at.

"Oh…nothing," Kenji replied robotically, his gaze shifting away from the table and back to Usagi.

"Kay…" There was a distracted quality to Usagi's voice as she retracted her hand. Ever so slightly Ikuko's head tilted towards her daughter. "…Um, is there anything leftover from last night?" Usagi asked nonchalantly.

Ikuko nodded.

"You can have mine if you'd like?" Kenji inclined his head towards his half-eaten plate of food.

"No thanks Papa, I was just thinking about what to eat later. Smells delicious though."

"You might as well eat now, it'd save me washing two sets of clothes later."

Usagi shook her head.

"Don't worry, I'll handle my own clothes."

Kenji slowly but deliberately looked back at his paper. Ikuko blinked a few more times.

"Well, if you're sure," she slowly replied. She casually turned to face Usagi, "Your brother is out so the bathroom is free if you need it."

"That's okay Mama," Usagi brushed away a stray strand of hair from her eyes with her left hand, an almost imperceptible look crossing her face as she did so. "I've already showered."

Usagi began to slowly move up the hall towards the laundry room. She let out a tiny breath of laughter as she did so.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing, I just had a funny thought. For a moment I wondered if you'd been in those rooms all night."

Confusion came over Ikuko and Kenji.

"It's because, when I came down yesterday, you were reading the paper on the table and Mama was working in the kitchen." She smiled and shook her head a little. "Just me being silly again. Anyway, I'm going to go and change."

Her smile remained as she continued towards the laundry room and soon disappeared up the stairs.

In the dining room Kenji frowned before folding up his paper and tossing it atop the frame.

In the kitchen Ikuko was blank faced as she continued scrubbing the sink's contents.

Then her nose began to twitch.

A/N: Thank you for reading my story.

As I bow out I'd just like to share something a bit personal.

I've only ever sporadically written fanfiction and this story, although not the first I've posted, was the first one I ever began writing for Sailor Moon.

Rediscovering the show helped alleviate a lot of the grim realities of 2020 that I, and everyone else, had to endure.

But writing this story (despite how frustrating it was at times) has particularly helped me cope during a really terrible period for my life.

In gratitude I made sure to FINISH this story and share it out there.

Hopefully I'll write more, but if not, then I hope at least you all enjoyed reading it and will drop me some feedback.