Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon.
Chapter 1: Promises
The sun shone brightly in the beautiful clear blue sky. Gentle breezes of the wind kept the air from becoming unbearably hot. It was a picture perfect Sunday afternoon and many have taken advantage of the wonderful weather by spending quality time in the park whether with friends, family or lover. Among the crowd was an odango-haired girl who happily held the hand of her black haired boyfriend.
"You know what today is perfect for," Usagi asked brightly with a large smile directed at her prince.
"What," Mamoru asked with a grin, clearly amused by the excitement in his girlfriend's eyes.
"Ice cream," she immediately replied with such a matter-of-fact tone that Mamoru could not help but chuckle at his princess.
"But we just finished lunch and if I recall correctly, you had a big slice of chocolate cream pie for desert," Mamoru said with a teasing smile.
His eyes instantly softened when he saw his Usako scrunched up her nose with a small pout he had always found cute and endearing. When she released his hand to cross her arms against her chest, Mamoru couldn't help but feel a small tinge of lost.
"That was over half an hour ago. Besides, I shared that slice of pie with you Mamo-chan."
Deciding not to mention he had only taken a small bite of said pie, Mamoru surprised his girlfriend by engulfing her in a gentle embrace from behind.
"You're right Usako. So why don't, we go get ourselves some ice-cream. I believe we past a vendor not too long ago."
The sound of his voice so close to her ear combined with his arms around her waist caused Usagi's face to light up with a pink blush. Not trusting her voice, she meekly nodded her head in agreement. At her silent approval, Mamoru released his hold on her waist and retook the hand he had been holding moments ago. Giving Usagi a boyish grin that brought butterflies to her stomach, Mamoru pulled his love-dazed girlfriend towards the direction he remembered having seen an ice-cream vendor.
Moments later, they sat side by side on a bench, an ice-cream cone in each of their hands. As she ate her strawberry cone, Usagi couldn't help but wonder about Mamoru's strange behavior. Her mind kept playing back the event of this morning when her boyfriend came to pick her up for their lunch date.
0000
"How do I look Luna? Do you think it's too childish? Oh maybe I should have gone with the light blue sundress instead."
"*Sigh* For the last time, you look fine Usagi-chan," Luna replied as she watched her charge fuss over her appearance in front of the mirror, "I'm sure Mamoru-san will tell you the same thing when you see him later."
"Thanks Luna. It's just been so long since we've gone on an actual date. Even though Mamo-chan decided not to go to America for school after the whole ordeal with Galaxia and Chaos, he's been busy dealing with explaining his absence and getting enrolled into a university here," Usagi said, a hint of sadness in her voice.
"That can't be helped. After all, he did just suddenly disappeared, but at least the plane that Galaxia attacked reappeared with all the passengers safe and sound. It's a good thing they classified it as the plane having technical glitches that caused an emergency landing. That's one less thing Mamoru-san had to explain to the universities."
"Yeah..."
"Is something else bothering you Usagi-chan?"
"..."
When Luna saw Usagi's reluctance to answer, she jumped from her position on the bed onto the table drawer her charge was currently staring at.
"You promised not to keep your worries to yourself anymore. Please tell me what's wrong Usagi-chan." Luna pleaded as she softly placed a paw on her charge's hand.
"It's just...I know I'm the reason Mamo-chan gave up his chance to study in America. I'm sure the girls told him how I broke down on the rooftop in front of Seiya that day. If only I was stronger, then Mamo-chan wouldn't have to give up his dream of studying to be a doctor in America," Usagi replied, tears threatening to fall.
"You can't blame yourself Usagi-chan," Luna comforted, a soft smile on her face at the reminder of her princess's tendency to put others before herself, "Mamoru-san made the choice himself. You may be one of the reason he stayed, but it was a decision he willingly made on his own."
"But-," Usagi begin in protest.
"No buts," Luna said sternly before continuing in a gentler tone, "Besides, we all know Mamoru's true dream is to always stay by your side to keep you safe and happy. He love you Usagi-chan and it would pain him if he found out you're sad because he wanted to stay by your side."
"Thanks Luna," Usagi said gratefully as she pulled the cat into a hug with both arms, "You always know what to say."
"Perhaps you should listen to what I say more," Luna replied jokingly, "I have yet to see you follow my other advises about waking up earlier on school days so that you don't have to rush to school in panic almost every morning."
Before Usagi could retort that she have been improving with her tardy record, they heard the doorbell ring. Curious as to who it could be this early in the morning, Usagi looked out the window and was surprised to see Mamoru pacing nervously in front of their porch.
"Mamo-chan's here," Usagi exclaimed excitedly as she took a quick check of her appearance once more before dashing out the room, completely missing Luna's question of why Mamoru was over an hour early.
As she made her way down the stairs, Usagi heard her mother cheerfully welcoming her boyfriend while her father gave a much less enthusiastic greeting. Not wanting her father to start interrogating Mamoru as per usual routine, she quickened her pace. Turning the corner to the front door, her smile widened as soon as she laid eyes on her prince. Immediately forgetting about the presence of her parents, Usagi charged past the two unsuspecting pair with an excited exclamation of "Mamo-chan!"
"I'm happy to see you too Usako," Mamoru said with a slight chuckle.
And to Usagi's surprise, instead of taking a small step back like he usually would, Mamoru returned her hug with equal, if not greater, vigor. Like every other time she was in her prince's embrace, Usagi felt warm and protected, but this time, she felt another emotion in her prince, unease. While his hold around her waist was gentle and loving, she could also feel he held her more tightly than usual. It almost felt like a cross between how Tuxedo-Kamen would hold Sailor Moon in battle and how Mamoru would hold Usagi in his rare moments of public affection. Raising her head to meet Mamoru's eyes, Usagi saw a flicker of relief in his eyes that quickly vanished as if he was afraid she would notice. But before she could ask him about it, they heard her father let out a loud cough behind them, reminding them of their presence. Usagi felt her face heat up in embarrassment as she turned to face her parents. While her mother had a kind, knowing smile, the expression on her father's face was anything but amused. She swore she could almost see the steam coming out of her father's head.
"Well now, I do believe you two should be on your way," Ikuko announced before her husband could put in a word, "Didn't you mention having already made reservations Mamoru-san?"
"A-ah, yes. We need to go or we'll miss our reservation time," Mamoru lied nervously, inwardly thanking Usagi's mother for giving him a way out.
Turning to face the man currently glaring at him, Mamoru made a quick bow as he said, "It was good seeing you again sir."
Then after giving Usagi's mother a grateful smile, Mamoru quickly took hold of Usagi's hand and turned to leave as if a horde of youma were after them.
0000
At the memory, Usagi could not hold back her giggles as she recalled how she had to hold her boyfriend back to remind him she had yet to put on her shoes.
"What's so funny," Mamoru asked as he wiped his hands on a napkin, having just finished his cone.
"Oh just recalling what happened this morning. I would've thought you be used to papa by now Mamo-chan."
"Easy for you to say. You're not the one he wants to murder with his bare hands," Mamoru replied, shivering at the memories of all the unspoken threats Usagi's father had made over the years with his death-glares alone.
"I'm sure papa likes you. He just doesn't want to admit it. After all, he doesn't try to keep me from going on dates with you anymore," Usagi said with a smile.
Mamoru gave a small nod of agreement. He was fully aware of how much more accepting Usagi's father have become of their relationship. While Kenji still gave him pointed glares every time they meet, it has become more of a warning as to not hurt his daughter compared to the "why won't you stay away from my daughter" death-glares.
'But I still think it's a far stretch to say Tsukino-san likes me,' Mamoru mused to himself with silent chuckle.
"Um Mamo-chan."
The sound of Usagi's voice calling his name pulled him out of his thoughts. Turning to face her, he felt a sudden wave of unease when he saw his princess's nervous and worried gaze.
"What is it Usako," Mamoru asked, wondering what brought on her sudden change of mood.
"Well uh I just wanted to ask if there was something bothering you this morning," Usagi replied timidly, unable to forget the peculiar look in her prince's eyes that morning.
Although he had his own suspicion on what brought on this question, Mamoru purposely tried to avoid answering by relying, "Why do you ask Usako?"
He didn't want to worry Usagi, but more than that, he didn't want to bring back the awful memories of that day when Usagi had almost gotten killed by his own hands under Beryl's command.
'There's no way I can tell Usako I had a dream where I killed her and watched the life fade from her eyes.'
An image of himself holding the dying Sailor Moon in his arms flashed through his mind. He could feel the bile raise in the back of his throat as he desperately tried to push the image out of his head. Unconsciously, Mamoru tightened his grip on Usagi's hand, needing her presence and warmth to remind him it had only been a nightmare.
Usagi remained silent as she watched Mamoru sit rigidly still beside her. She made no complaint even when his grip on her hand started to become painful. All she could focus on was the enormous sense of pain and guilt emitting from her prince. At that moment, it wasn't as important to find out what was tormenting Mamoru's mind as it was for her to take away his pain. Gently placing her other hand on Mamoru's cheek, Usagi made it so that his eyes stared right into her own. The mixture of self-loathing, fear and sadness she saw in his eyes stabbed at her heart.
"It's okay Mamo-chan. I'm right here," she whispered soothingly, "Whatever it is, I won't let you go through it alone."
"U-Usako."
Pulling her into his arms, Mamoru could no longer hold back the tears. All the fear and guilt he had been trying to lock away burst at that instant. He didn't care that people passing by were giving them strange looks. Didn't care he was showing weakness or that he might be being silly for letting one nightmare shake him up so badly. All he cared about at that moment was the warmth of his princess's embrace and her sweet voice whispering words of comfort and reassurance into his ear.
Silence filled the room, as the two sat beside each other on the couch in Mamoru's apartment. After Mamoru's sudden display of emotion in the park, Usagi had insisted they talk things out in a less public location. It was only after much pleading on Usagi's part did Mamoru finally give in and explained the cause of his distress.
"Was this the first time you had this sort of nightmare," Usagi asked, breaking the silence.
"Yes and no," Mamoru answered honestly, not wanting to lie to his love, "Every now and then I would have dreams about the time I was under Beryl's control, but this was the first time the dream changed from a bad memory to an actual nightmare."
"But that's all it is Mamo-chan, a nightmare."
"You don't understand Usako. I never just dream. Ever since the accident where I lost my memories, my dreams always had meanings. For years, since that car crash, I had only dreamt of a princess telling me to help her find the Ginzuishou so that I can recover my lost memories. And it did, the princess turned out to be you and finding the Ginzuishou brought us back together as well as brought back our memories of the Silver Millennium. After that, I didn't have anymore dreams except of bit and pieces of memories of different times. Then of course came that nightmare sent by my future self...My point is my dreams always have meanings behind them and I'm afraid—-"
"You're afraid this nightmare is telling you you'll hurt me," Usagi finished calmly, understanding in her eyes.
"Yes," Mamoru admitted softly as if ashamed of his own fears, "I'm afraid Usako. Every time we faced an evil, crazy monster bent on taking over or destroying the world, I'm always powerless to help when it counts."
"That's not—-"
"It is true," Mamoru declared before Usagi could voice her protest, "Beryl, the Black Moon, Pharaoh 90, Nehelenia, Galaxia...I'm never strong enough. I couldn't even stay alive and I let you suffer alone. It would be better if you haven't fallen in love with such a useless man."
"YOU'RE WRONG MAMO-CHAN," Usagi exclaimed, shocking Mamoru out of his self-loathing rant with her sudden outburst.
Finally getting Mamoru to look her in the eyes again, Usagi gently held his hand in both her own before continuing in a softer voice, "You're wrong Mamo-chan. All that worry about being powerless to help me, you couldn't be more wrong. Yes, it's true that I was sad and lonely when I found out Galaxia had taken your star seed and if I was being truthful, I had started feeling lonely the moment I saw you off at the airport."
"Usako."
"But you can't blame yourself for my suffering. I may have been feeling lonely, but it was my wish to see you again that kept me going. Even when I found out you d-died, I kept on fighting because I believed I would be able to see you again. You're not powerless to help me Mamo-chan because you ARE my strength.
Taking his hand, Usagi placed it against her chest.
"Do you feel that Mamo-chan," Usagi asked with a soft smile, "My heart is beating, it's beating for you. So please don't say things like I shouldn't love you. Please."
Her voice broke at the last word as tears began to slide down her cheeks. Usagi tried to put on a brave face, but the truth was, she was also afraid, afraid that Mamoru would try to push her away like that time when a nightmare convinced him to break up with her.
"Please don't leave me alone."
All doubts became insignificant at the sound of his princess's broken plea. Wrapping his arms around Usagi's shaking form, Mamoru placed his forehead against her's and stared into her tearful blue orbs.
"I'm sorry for upsetting you Usako. But you should know I could never leave you. I promised you, remember?"
"Then promise me again Mamo-chan," Usagi pleaded like a small, scared child as her hands gripped Mamoru's shirt tightly, "Promise you will never leave me and you will never try to keep things from me again. Please Mamo-chan."
"I promise Usako. I will never leave you and I will never keep secrets from you."
Mamoru watched with relief when he saw Usagi give him a small smile at his words. As he slowly leaned his face towards his princess, Usagi instinctively closed her eyes and mirrored his movement. As the two shared a gentle kiss, both vowed to themselves that they would always be together.
Elsewhere atop the Starlight tower, a single man stood staring upon the sparkling lights of night time Tokyo through the thick glass window. He paid no mind to the unconscious mass of people lying on the ground behind him nor did he paid any heed when four man phased into the room.
"My prince the arrangements are completed," the man with long silver hair announced.
"Where is she now," the man addressed as prince asked, never once taking his sight away from the lights down below.
"She is being escorted home as we speak sire," the man with a pony-tail replied.
"I see," the prince answered with envy and displeasure evident in his tone.
"We have also located the Sailor Senshis of this time," the man with wavy long brown hair informed.
"I can sense their powers are much greater here compared to the senshis we've known in our time. Not only that, but it would seem the Outer senshis have been awakened in this time," the man with short blond hair added.
"It doesn't matter," the prince replied non-nonchalantly, "We will continue as planned. Kunzite, Zoisite, Nephrite, Jadeite!"
"Yes Endymion-sama," the four man answered simultaneously.
"I will be going forward with my part. Make sure you four will not fail on your assignments," Endymion declared, turning to face his four general for the first time since their entrance.
"Rest assured my lord, we will not fail you again," the four declared fiercely.
At their prince's nod of acknowledgment, the four generals vanished, off to make good of their promise.
Alone once more, Endymion gazed around the Starlight tower as if searching for something. When his eyes landed on the elevator, the coldness clouding his eyes vanished as the memory of his time in a similar elevator with Usagi filled him. Taking out the star locket, Endymion listened to it play that soft endearing melody.
"Serenity."
Then as suddenly as the coldness had vanished, a red glow began to taint his ocean blue eyes and he closed the locket shut, abruptly stopping the music.
"We will be together again soon my love."
Turning his gaze once more upon the city below, a crazed grin appeared on his face as he held the locket against his chest.
"And once I have you beside me again Serenity, I shall create a new world that can never tear us apart and destroy the one that has caused you so much pain. They will never hurt us again Serenity. I will make sure of it."