If the Future May Fade Ch. 02

. . .

The streets of Juuban are just as I remember: colorful and bustling with people. The Shopping District, oh have I missed thee! My planning has certainly done me well, seeing as I ended up in the spring season just as I wanted. It's always been my favorite season-but that's not why I chose this particular time. Right about now Usagi and Mamo-chan should still be in their bickering phase. Which is the best phase according to Rei.

I'll be able to witness the blossoms of love between the couple of the millennium! At least, that's what I hope to witness. It all depends on if I can still use my powers to finagle my way into the Tsukino home.

As I round the corner to reach the ever so infamous Crown Arcade of my parents' past, I hear the doors fly open to reveal a running blonde in a flurry of pigtails. Her body crashes into mine before I can register that I should move out of the way and both of us crash to the ground with a thump.

"I'm so sorry,!" She croaks. It's then I realize exactly who just ran into me.

I look up to face none other than Tsukino Usagi. "It's not a problem," I rush dirt off my white shorts before pulling myself up from the ground. "See?" Gazing curiously at her red eyes, it's obvious that she has been crying. "Are you alright?"

Usagi gasps and wipes furiously at her eyes. "Oh, this? No, I'm fine. Just-just a jerk." She gives me a half-smile as she stands up and brushes off her own school uniform. "I forgot my briefcase in there. Damn." She mutters the curse under her breath before shrugging it off and straightening her shoulders. "Haruna-sensei will understand."

Her blue eyes once again meet mine. "Again, I'm sorry about this. But I have to go..." She trails off before turning around bursting back into her run. Fast paced and deadly.

I watch her receding figure and arch an eyebrow. What could have made her cry so much? Turning back to the arcade, I take note of the Sailor V advertisement. I suppose Mina isn't here yet. I should have expected that, though. She's the last senshi to arrive to the scene.

But what I see inside the familiar interior of the arcade is what surprises me: Mamo-chan with his arm wrapped around a strange woman with red hair.

It takes all my willpower not to let out a surprised yelp at the sight. After all, at this point Mamoru Chiba is simply a seventeen year old high school student-nowhere near the point of being my father. He has every right to date, except I don't remember this part of the story.

I thought both of them were supposed to be single. Yet the scene in front of me says otherwise.

Deciding not to stand in the doorway and make a fool of myself by gaping at the couple, I make my way to the counter with lowered eyes. The only reason I came here first was to witness one of their infamous fights. And considering the state of Usagi just outside, it wasn't as cute as I've been told. At this point I'm just here for-

"You look like you've seen a ghost," a familiar voice says, breaking me away from my thoughts. Turning my eyes up, I meet the eyes of Motoki and the stress alleviates just a little bit at the sight of someone acting just how they used to.

I bite my lip and furrow my eyebrows together as I try to pull my new persona together. "I-I just met my cousin outside, I haven't seen her in years."

He looks at me with wide eyes and things probably are starting to click. "Your cousin? Perhaps a blonde with blue eyes and a hairstyle similar to yours?" His eyes scale me up and down and I can only offer him a weak nod lest my voice gives away the fact I'm terrified of screwing up my new identity. "You're cousins with Tsukino Usagi?"

"Yep! I'm Tsukino Nyanko! And any friend of Usagi-chan's is a friend of mine!" I stick my hand out and offer what I hope to be a bright smile. "It's nice to meet you!"

"Oh, I'm Furuhata Motoki. It's a pleasure to meet you, Tsukino-san." He moves to shake my hand when a loud laugh interrupts the action. A very familiar laugh, but it's not as comforting as it has been growing up.

I turn to meet eyes with Mamoru and I try not to cringe at the man who i know is supposed to be my future father. "Are you telling me that there are more members of the Tsukino family?" He purses his lips. "I'm hoping not all of you are as big of crybabies as Odango Atama?"

"And who do you think you are?"

"Chiba Mamoru, and don't forget that. Odango does that a lot. Calls me "jerk" instead." Mamoru smirks. "Be sure not to make the same mistake."

"Maybe she calls you that because it's more fitting."

Beside me Motoki scoffs and I smile. Maybe Mamoru being a jerk can turn into a little bit of fun. Maybe a way to let out my frustration. "I'm Tsukino Nyanko-don't you forget that. Because I'm not as nice as my cousin." I turn back to the blonde worker. "Anyways, Usagi-chan left her briefcase here, any idea where it could be?"

He points to the ground just a few feet down the counter. I'm about to grab the bag when Mamoru pipes back up. "You know, you're just as feisty as Odango. It's unbecoming, really." The red head beside him lets out a screechy laugh and I cringe. He really is a jerk.

I look to the red haired monstrosity beside Mamoru and narrow my eyes. "What's your story? Couldn't find someone with a better personality? Are you a masochist or something?"

She gapes her lips and I take it I hit the mark. I turn back to Motoki and offer a sheepish shrug. "Sorry for the bad first impression. I guess I am kind of feisty." Winking at him, I take Usagi's briefcase in my hands before making a quick move to the doors.

"B-bye," he calls weakly.

"See you soon," I call over my shoulder before exiting the building. My hair whips around my legs and I can only hope I looked as fierce as I felt making my exit. Because one thing is for sure-this past isn't the one I've heard stories about all my life. This time Mamoru is quite possibly the enemy and I'm not against the idea of Sailor Moon kicking his ass.

But before I can even begin to picture the possibilities, my thoughts are cut off at the sound of an ear piercing scream and a tug at my chest. My Sailor Crystal is responding to something. And that can only mean one thing:

A youma.

. . .

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