A Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Fanfic:
"A Promise of Forever"
by: s16thunderjet
Chapter 3:
Through the Eyes of a Child
Part 1
30th Century Crystal Tokyo,
The Great Hall
"Happy Birthday, Neo-Queen Serenity! Happy Birthday, Princess Usagi Serenity!"
The crowd present in the massive ballroom cheered in delight as the celebrants waved happily at them, both mother and daughter smiling graciously at their guests as they entered the room.
Crystal Tokyo was currently celebrating the birth of its beloved Queen and Princess, and all the citizens were invited to share in the jovial festivities.
A multitude of people filled the Great Hall, with hundreds still lined up outside of the Palace, all of them wanting to personally greet the celebrants and offer their wishes.
It was Neo-Queen Serenity's 926th birthday, but the Queen still looked 22 years old, the same age she was when she ascended to the throne of Crystal Tokyo.
Princess Usagi was celebrating her 904th birthday, her now 15 year old body continuing to mature since her return from her Senshi training in the 20th Century.
"Thank you everyone for celebrating this very special day with us. Crystal Tokyo is truly blessed to have all of you as citizens. I am honored to be of service." Neo-Queen Serenity said.
The people were silent as she spoke, some just happy to be in the presence of their Queen, some grateful to be part of such a momentous occasion, still some, moved to tears with their sovereign's kind words.
"Crystal Tokyo wouldn't be here without you, Your Majesty."
"She's right. It's because of you, Your Royal Highness, and your Senshi that we're all living in this paradise."
"You're the real blessing, My Queen... along with your Senshi and the Royal Family."
"Long live the Queen! Long live the Senshi! Long live the Royal Family!"
Neo-Queen Serenity's eyes watered slightly as the crowd cheered, the Ruler of Crystal Tokyo truly moved by her people's words. She smiled in gratitude and called for the celebration to resume.
She then turned as a servant approached, the Queen nodding as a number of people were signaled to come closer. Usagi looked over at the long line of people, not at all surprised.
"You OK, Mama?" Usagi asked, leaning towards her mother as they sat on their respective thrones.
"I'm fine, Usagi... just a little teary-eyed." Serenity answered, smiling sweetly at her daughter.
Usagi nodded in return, although somewhat a little unsure. She bit her lower lip to keep herself from sighing, the young Princess managing to smile back.
She had known her mother for 900 years, and had even met the Queen when she was Sailor Moon. She had seen first hand all of her mother's expressions; the smiles and frowns, laughter and tears, and many more.
That was how Usagi knew that her mother was not really happy.
Sure, the Queen was smiling and celebrating with her people, but beneath that smile was a tired and lonely woman begging for an end to her seemingly immortal existence.
Usagi had first noticed this during the centennial celebration of the Sailor Senshi's triumph over Sailor Galaxia, when the Palace hosted a memorial ball for the battle.
The citizens of Crystal Tokyo were invited for the commemoration, and the Queen sat pretty much where she was sitting now as she welcomed the guests who lined up to speak to her.
That time, the pink haired Princess thought that her mother looked sad even though she was smiling. Being young, she assumed that the Queen was probably just tired, and so, she did not really make a case of it.
Usagi witnessed it again when the city celebrated the 100th year anniversary of its inception. There was also a huge gathering, as there always was when there was a special occasion.
She was running a little late for the party and had taken a short cut when she found her somewhat melancholy mother peeking through the slightly opened curtains of the rear entrance to the Great Hall.
She paused for a moment before she approached, noting her mother's defeated posture. The Queen was hesitating for some reason, and Usagi wanted to find out what that reason was.
The following morning, the young Princess decided to investigate the reason behind the concealed pain in her mother's eyes. She enlisted the help of her best friend, Hotaru, who reluctantly agreed.
Usagi knew that asking her mother outright would not yield any results, and that talking to one of the Senshi would probably get them into trouble, so they carefully avoided the issue in public.
The two began by discreetly asking around for information; first the members of the Palace staff, then the servants and guards, and then all others who have had close relations with the Queen over the years.
Answers were few and far between, the useful ones at least, and while the girl with the purple tinted black hair wanted to stop, one look at her pink haired love's pleading expression changed her mind.
They started looking for clues all over the Palace, from the gardens decorating the surrounding lands, to all the rooms and hallways that made up the interior of the crystalline fortress.
After days of unproductive searching, Usagi boldly suggested that they sneak into the Senshi's rooms and try to find anything that would further their cause.
Hotaru vehemently disagreed of course, citing the different forms of punishment that they could receive, with more than a few of them worse than death, if they were to get caught.
Again, a pair of tearful crimson eyes stared hopefully at her, and again, the dark violet eyed young woman heaved a resigned sigh as she bowed her head in defeat.
Two weeks, four days, seven hours and sixteen minutes of creeping in and out of the other Senshi's rooms later, they finally chanced upon something that they never imagined existed.
Usagi found a yellowed and worn piece of paper tucked into one of Serenity's old diaries, a love letter, presumably a declaration of her father's undying love and devotion to her mother.
Upon opening the said letter, they found that it was indeed a profession of eternal love and fidelity to Serenity, but it was not from the person they thought it had come from.
Instead, they found someone else's name signed at the bottom of the sheet, an unexpected, but very familiar name that brought about gasps of surprise and words of disbelief from the young couple.
What shocked them even more was the small note attached to the back of the letter, one that conveyed Serenity's thoughts and confirmed her reciprocation of the sender's feelings.
Fearing that the discovery of the letter would cause pandemonium among the citizens of Crystal Tokyo, Usagi replaced the controversial letter into the diary and hid it further into her mother's cabinet.
When the gravity of the situation finally sunk in, both Usagi and Hotaru realized and understood the reason behind the Queen's turbulent moods, and agreed never to bring up the topic ever again.
Neither had tried to confront Serenity about the letter either, both girls deciding to spare the tormented Monarch from more anguish on top of the crippling sorrow she was already experiencing.
Try as they might, however, the two girls could not completely rid their minds of what they had learned. They ended up being jumpy and tense around Serenity, something she noticed almost immediately.
Neo-Queen Serenity must have figured out what the two of them had done because it was centuries before Usagi saw her mother's hidden grief again.
"Princess Usagi?"
The quiet voice snapped the pink haired girl out of her musings. She turned to face an old woman looking worriedly at her, and the young Princess had the decency to blush.
"I'm sorry. I was just thinking about something." she apologized, smiling weakly at the old woman.
"Oh, it's not a problem. You seem quite unwell Your Highness. Maybe you're coming down with something?" the old woman suggested.
Usagi hesitated for a moment. In truth, she was actually somewhat fatigued because she was not able to rest the night before. She was also a little sleepy, but both were not caused by any illness at all.
She blushed profusely as the image of a young woman with purple tinted black hair came to mind, the young Princess coughing into her fist in an effort to hide her embarrassment.
"You're cheeks are flushed and you look drained. You might have a slight fever." Serenity noted, motioning for a servant to approach.
"It's OK, Mama. Maybe I just need to rest for a bit." Usagi said, then turned to the people directly in front of her.
"I apologize for this. Please enjoy the rest of the party." she uttered.
"No worries, Your Highness. Please... go and rest." the old woman replied, with a number of people nodding and voicing their assent.
Usagi smiled gratefully at her and the other guests, then stood to leave the ballroom. She waved off the servants who came to assist her as she exited via the rear entrance to the Great Hall.
As soon as she passed the curtains, the same woman with purple tinted black hair who was the cause of her current condition appeared beside her, concern written all over the older girl's face.
"What happened? I saw you leaving and I..."
"I'm fine. If anything, I'm just exhausted." Usagi supplied, causing the other girl to blush.
"You weren't complaining last night." Hotaru shot back as the two of them made their way to Usagi's chambers.
"Yeah and I'm not really complaining right now." Usagi answered with a solemn look on her face.
Hotaru tilted her head slightly to the side, the Senshi of Saturn studying her girlfriend's worried features. She decided not to press the other girl, and waited until they were in the privacy of Usagi's room.
Usagi made a beeline for her bed as soon as she stepped into her room, leaving Hotaru to close the door gently behind them. She followed after her Princess and found the girl sprawled face down on the bed.
An indulgent smile made its way onto Hotaru's face as she stepped closer to the pink haired Princess. She settled herself carefully on the bed, then reached out to gently stroke Usagi's hair.
"C'mon Chibi-chan. Tell me what's wrong." Hotaru whispered, making use of her lover's pet name.
The nickname had its desired effect as Usagi rolled over until her head rested on her love's lap. Waves of pink hair fanned out beneath her and Hotaru thought that she looked more like a goddess than a princess.
"It's Mama." Usagi admitted, sighing softly as she looked up at the loving expression on Hotaru's face.
"What about the Queen?" Hotaru asked calmly, hoping to alleviate the anxiety her Princess was feeling.
"She's hurting, Hotaru-chan." Usagi replied, a single tear falling down her cheek.
"Oh, Usagi-chan, is that all? It's understandable for the Queen to feel sad. Celebrating your birthday without the love of your life would make anyone feel sad." Hotaru uttered, wiping the tear with her thumb.
Usagi's brows creased for a moment, confusion written all over her features. She clasped Hotaru's hand in one of hers, pulling it away from her face.
"That's not what I meant. Although, I suppose it's also one of the reasons. I wish Papa hadn't gone to that stupid conference!" Usagi cried rather intensely, much to Hotaru's surprise.
"It's not really the King's fault, y'know. He only found out about the rescheduling yesterday. Surely he would have found a way out of it if he could." Hotaru explained.
The Senshi of Destruction and Rebirth suddenly found herself nose to nose with an incredulous looking Princess, and Hotaru almost had to pull back in genuine shock.
"Hotaru-chan, if you were to choose between spending an entire weekend in a conference room discussing politics with a bunch of stuffy old men and spending my birthday with me, which would you choose?"
This time, it was Hotaru's turn to look confused. Usagi's question seemed simple enough, and her answer to the question was just as simple. She wondered, though, what Usagi was getting at.
"Of course I'd choose you, Usagi-chan! Nothing can keep me from being with you on your special day!" she answered with conviction.
"My point exactly! Oooh, Papa can be an idiot sometimes!" Usagi huffed indignantly, before lowering herself back onto Hotaru's lap.
"Usagi-chan, you know it's not that simple for the King. He has a lot of responsibilities that make things a lot more complicated." Hotaru replied in defense of the King.
"Don't get too upset about it. I'm pretty sure your father will make it up to your mother, and to you, too." she added, hoping to make the other girl smile.
A small frown appeared on Usagi's lips instead, making Hotaru even more worried than she already was. Something else suddenly occurred to her, an old issue that had been tormenting her love for centuries.
"Usagi-chan... this thing that's bothering you... it's not what I think it is, is it?" Hotaru asked carefully, earning her a resigned sigh from her Princess.
Usagi turned into Hotaru's body, as if hiding from the questioning stare on her lover's face. She was given a few minutes of respite before finding herself being turned to face her girlfriend.
"Chibi-chan?"
"It's been centuries since I last saw Mama smiling from the heart. Surely, even you have noticed the hollow laughter, the blank stares and the vacant smiles..."
"It has to stop, Hotaru-chan." Usagi uttered, eliciting a troubled look from the other girl.
"Usagi-chan, I thought we both decided not to bring this up again..."
"I know that. But Mama deserves to be happy. She's given up a lot already... for me, for all of us... and for the world." Usagi continued, rising from her perch on her love's lap.
"Your mother... Usagi-san knew the consequences of becoming Queen. She knew of the sacrifices and the responsibilities, and she accepted all of them wholeheartedly." Hotaru explained.
"And she's suffered immensely because of them! Don't you want to see her happy? Don't you think she's suffered enough?" Usagi asked, her tone rising ever so slightly.
"Of course I want to see her happy! She deserves to be happy most of all." Hotaru whispered, turning away to hide the tears.
"Then why are you trying to stop me?"
"Because I don't want to lose you!" Hotaru cried, the tears flowing freely as she stared at Usagi with pained eyes.
"Hotaru-chan..."
"I don't care if I'm being selfish. I don't want to live in this world if you're not in it." Hotaru uttered, her hands grasping the other girl's shoulders.
"Oh, love... you won't lose me." Usagi promised, cupping Hotaru's cheek with one hand.
"If you go back in time and you succeed in convincing the both of them... then I would surely lose you forever!"
Usagi reached forward and enveloped her love's trembling form in her arms, the pink haired Princess gently rubbing the weeping girl's back to ease the other girl's agony.
She bit back an anguished sob as she laid a soft kiss on Hotaru's forehead, warm tears cascading down her cheeks. She swallowed past the lump that had formed in her throat as she strengthened her resolve.
"I'm sorry for hurting you, Hotaru-chan. But I have to do this. I can't let my mother suffer anymore." Usagi began, shifting Hotaru so she could look her lover in the eyes.
A distraught whimper escaped from Hotaru's lips, forcing Usagi to take a deep breath to calm her raging nerves. She then gritted her teeth in an effort to keep her resolve from crumbling.
"When Kaorinite took you away from me that fateful afternoon, I really thought that I had lost you. The pain was too much, and I almost gave up on ever seeing you again. But do you know what Usagi told me?"
"What did she say?" Hotaru asked through the tears.
"She told me to believe in us... in our friendship... and in the love that we felt for each other..." Usagi drifted quietly, a grateful smile on her face.
"But we weren't together back then..." Hotaru pulled back slightly to look at the other girl, her brows furrowing in confusion.
"I know. I think Mama knew that we loved each other even before we did. She told me to believe... so I did. Even when the darkness finally took you over... even when you took my heart crystal, I still believed."
"I'm sorry, Usagi-chan. I couldn't control myself back then..." Hotaru apologized, and would have continued had Usagi not interrupted.
"It wasn't your fault. I'm sorry for bringing it up, but I didn't do it to make you feel bad. I told you all of that because I want you to believe, Hotaru-chan..." Usagi paused as she pulled Hotaru even closer.
"I want you to believe in us and in our love. I'll come back to you, Hotaru-chan. I promise." she vowed.
Passionate crimson eyes stared intently into soulful dark violet orbs; one girl pleading for trust and understanding, the other begging for logic and rationality.
After what seemed like an eternity, Hotaru bowed her head slightly in resignation. She fell forwards into her Princess' waiting arms, the Senshi of Saturn trembling almost uncontrollably.
"OK." Hotaru whispered, even though a small part of her was still unsure.
"Thank you." Usagi replied just as softly as she tightened her hold on her love.
The two stayed nestled in the warmth and safety each other's arms for the rest of day, ignoring the sound of rumbling thunder and heavy rainfall that suddenly disturbed the happy celebration.
Both fell asleep moments later, no doubt succumbing to the anxiety that threatened to consume their weary hearts. As if sensing their plight, the rain continued to pour, showering the city with sympathetic tears.
"So, since when have you been in love with Mako-chan?" Rei asked. She'd wanted to ask Minako about it the previous afternoon, but she was rudely interrupted by another youma attack.
"I have a crush on her, but I'm not in love with her. I guess she just reminds me of someone I knew..." Minako admitted, leaning backwards slightly from her seat with her arms supporting her from behind.
The blonde Goddess of Love and Beauty had come to the shrine for the Senshi meeting, but was earlier than the others because Rei had wanted to talk to her.
"How come you haven't said anything?" the Shinto Priestess asked, sweeping the leaves off the grounds.
"What for? It's just a little crush, y'know? And Mako-chan's head over heels in love with Ami-chan." she replied, eyeing the blue sky above them.
"Weren't you the same person who told me, and I quote, 'Your love doesn't have to stay unrequited, Rei-chan.' end quote?" Rei teased, pausing from sweeping as the blonde chuckled.
"Well, it's a lot easier to give advice than to follow your own. Besides, if I were to tell someone that I loved them, it wouldn't be Mako-chan." the blonde stated.
"Oh, really? And just who might this lucky someone be?" Rei asked, genuinely interested.
"Just an old... ah... sempai..." Minako replied, blushing like crazy at her use of Makoto's trademark phrase.
"Sempai my butt..." Rei mocked, waving the broom in the air as if threatening to hit the other girl if she didn not explain.
"Alright. She's not really my sempai. She's more like an Onee-sama of sorts..." Minako uttered, her days as Sailor V coming back to her.
"I take it you met this Onee-sama of yours back when you lived in London." Rei observed as she gazed upon the wistful look on the blonde's face.
"Yep. The two of us, we were like characters from a police mystery novel. I was the young vigilante in a sailor costume who fought against crime, and she was the police woman assigned to capture me because I was always interfering with the law."
A small smile made its way onto Minako's lips as she recalled the seemingly endless number of incidents involving the masked hero Sailor V and the Metropolitan Police Board.
She remembered how the young Superintendent General relentlessly pursued Sailor V, and how she evaded, eluded, and downright baffled the older woman who vowed to catch her no matter what.
Oh, but she did manage to catch me. Minako thought, her smile widening at the memory.
The two had turned London into their own private playground, and somewhere along the way, the chase turned into something else, some form of courtship between the two.
And when the older girl accidentally witnessed Minako transforming into Sailor V, the wall of secrecy between them crumbled and they became close friends and comrades.
Instead of arresting Minako for all her exploits, the young police woman constantly tried to convince the blonde to join the police force, an offer Minako might have accepted had she not been called to Japan.
"So what happened?" Rei asked, bringing the blonde back from her daydream.
"Well, the Dark Kingdom finally happened. Artemis told me that I was needed here, so I came." Minako shrugged, the slightest bit of sadness in her voice.
"Do you... regret your decision?" Rei asked carefully, not wanting to sound like she was questioning the other girl's loyalty.
"I regret... I regret not telling Onee-sama how I truly felt about her. I also regret not telling her I was alive. But leaving London? No, I don't regret that at all. Although, sometimes... I do wonder..."
"About what?" Rei asked, though a part of her already knew what it was.
"What if the Dark Kingdom didn't attack Japan until later? Could the two of us have worked things out? Could we... could Onee-sama and I have..." Minako drifted, a distant look of longing on her face.
"Could the two of you have fallen in love?" Rei finished for her.
Minako just nodded, the Senshi of Love and Beauty smiling ruefully at nothing in particular. A thought crossed Rei's mind, the raven haired priestess tilting her head slightly in contemplation.
"Is that why you keep on insisting that I tell Usagi how I really feel?" Rei asked.
The blonde Senshi shook her head as a lighthearted chuckle escaped her chest. She glanced at the Fire Senshi and was somewhat surprised by the naked pleading in her eyes.
"Anything can happen, Rei-chan. I just don't want you to have any regrets." she answered truthfully, earning her a nod from Rei.
I don't want Usagi-chan to have any regrets either. Minako added silently to herself.
Silence passed between the two of them, both girls cherishing the peaceful moment while it lasted. The enemy had been running them ragged for the past few days, so any form of respite was greatly appreciated.
None of the other Senshi knew when the enemy was going to attack again, and the meeting that day with the Outer Senshi was about the only lead they had.
Speaking of leads...
"Hey, Rei-chan. Have you tried doing a fire reading yet?" Minako asked out of the blue.
The sudden change in topic caught Rei slightly unawares, causing the Senshi of Mars to stiffen visibly in surprise. This did not escape Minako, as she eyed the other girl intently.
Rei held her breath for a moment, the raven haired girl trying to gauge whether or not her friend had seen her reaction. Chancing a glance at Minako, she found that the blonde had indeed noticed it.
She's Sailor V alright. Her senses are sharper than ever.
"I tried reading the fire last night, but I couldn't get anything from it. Although..." Rei drifted, her eyes narrowing at the memory.
"What is it?" Minako asked.
"Well, shortly after my fifth attempt, I sensed something from the fire. I must've have fallen unconscious because the next thing I knew, it was already morning." Rei shrugged.
"You're saying... that you didn't get to see the vision?" Minako asked, her brows creasing slightly in confusion.
"No. I'm not even sure if there actually was a vision. I did have a dream, though." Rei paused, her cheeks sporting a light shade of red.
"Oh? It must've been a pretty interesting dream. Tell me, how was it being with Usagi-chan?" Minako teased, making the other girl blush even more.
"It wasn't like that, you pervert!" Rei cried as her face was reduced to looking like a giant tomato.
"What? I didn't say anything. I only asked how it was to be with Usagi-chan in the dream. You're the one thinking other things." Minako replied playfully, earning her a smack in the arm.
The raven haired priestess blushed profusely in embarrassment. She could not believe that she had let herself get baited like that, and by Minako of all people.
The blonde Senshi of Venus burst out laughing at the expense of the Senshi of Fire who ended up pouting rather uncharacteristically in defeat.
"Ugh. You can stop laughing now, y'know." Rei uttered, rolling her eyes at the still chuckling blonde.
"Sorry about that. Ahh... That was good." Minako said as she wiped the tears that had formed in her eyes.
"Thanks a lot." Rei huffed, swatting Minako's leg lightly with her broom.
"No need for violence. Aww, don't worry Rei-chan. I've had a lot of fantasies about Onee-sama, and maybe a couple about Mako-chan, so I know exactly how you feel." Minako said, commiserating with Rei.
"I guess that's one thing we have in common, huh?" Rei asked.
"Uh hmm... unrequited love and not so platonic fantasies." Minako smirked.
Rei smiled widely at that, nodding her assent as she resumed her chore. The pair stayed quiet for a while after that, the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves the only sounds breaking the silence.
Heavy footfalls soon echoed into their ears as Makoto made her way up the steps of the shrine. The two girls looked at each other and almost broke into laughter.
"Speak of the..." Rei started, with Minako shushing her quiet.
"Hey Mako-chan!" Minako called as soon as the brunette came into view.
"Oh... hey there gorgeous! You're early." Makoto replied, waving a hand in greeting.
Minako blushed slightly at that remark, but had enough control to keep herself composed. Rei waved back at Makoto, smirking at the blonde all the while.
"Since when did she start greeting you like that?" Rei whispered.
"About three months ago. School play, me as the Princess..."
"Oh, yeah. A youma came out of nowhere and attacked you guys backstage..."
"Mako-chan saved my butt... I called her my Knight in Jeans and Sweater... she asked me never to call her that again..."
"And you agreed only if she would call you 'gorgeous?'" Rei asked, incredulous.
"Keep it down will you! She's just a few feet behind you. Anyway, it was either that or 'Crazy Blonde Damsel.'" she replied hastily, before pasting that patented smile on her face.
"Hey there you two. Anyone else here?" Makoto asked as she stood beside Rei.
"Nope. Just me and the blonde ditz over there." Rei replied, flicking her thumb at the aforementioned girl.
"Hey! No need for insults! I got here early, y'know?" Minako cried.
"She takes those things very seriously..." Rei retorted, earning her a glare from Minako and a hearty chuckle from Makoto.
Minako crossed her arms in front of her chest, a playful pout on her lips. She knew that Rei was just trying to get back at her, and she was glad that it lightened Makoto's somewhat gloomy disposition.
The sound of more footsteps turned their attention to the shrine entrance, where Ami and a slightly haggard Usagi were coming up the steps, with Luna and Artemis walking in front of them.
"Here come the cavalry." Minako pointed.
Both girls managed not to react to the small gasp that came out of Makoto's lips. They saw her shoulders tense at the sight of their friends, particularly the blue haired genius coming their way.
Three taller figures appeared behind their friends, and it was the pair's turn to be surprised when they saw the little girl accompanying them. They knew those three were coming, but they had not expected her.
The Shinto Priestess looked over at the Goddess of Love, and the two nodded to each other in understanding. Rei laid the broom against a wooden pillar and sat beside Minako on the porch.
"Things are about to get interesting..." Rei muttered.
"Uh hmm... A LOT more interesting..." Minako nodded.
Mamoru tapped his pencil anxiously on the telephone table for the Nth time that morning. He had a small scowl on his face as he listened to Usagi ramble endlessly on the phone.
The Sailor Senshi had an emergency meeting earlier in the day that had left the blonde frightened, confused, frustrated and devastated all at the same time.
The Prince of the Earth checked the clock hanging on his wall, his brows furrowing slightly. He had a test at 8:00 AM sharp, and it was already 7:30 AM.
"Usako?"
"Hmm?" she asked, pausing from her rant.
"I'm really sorry, but I have to go. I have a test in about half an hour and I still need to prepare." he said, hoping that he wouldn't upset Usagi even more.
"Oh..."
There was a hint of disappointment in her tone, and Mamoru knew that he had just added to the tumultuous feelings the blonde was currently experiencing.
"I'll call you as soon as I get back. I'm really sorry. " he apologized again, glancing at the time.
"No, it's OK. I'm sorry for disturbing you. Good luck on your test Mamo-chan!" Usagi said as cheerfully as possible.
"Wait! Usa... ko..." he trailed off as the busy tone echoed into his ear.
He stared blankly at phone in his hand, his grip tightening in anger at his own stupidity. Nothing was more important than Usagi, but he had evidently forgotten that.
"Dammit!" he slammed the phone so hard that it fell to the ground, then bent over the table as he tried to gather himself.
"Usako... Forgive me..."
Usagi glared ever so slightly at the innocent telephone, the busy tone gnawing at the last bit of her patience. She knew she was being unreasonable, but at that point, she did not really care.
I know he's busy... but I need him right now. She thought, a flurry of tears falling down her cheeks.
"Usagi-chan?" Luna asked as she entered the living room.
"Oh, hey Luna. What's up?" she greeted, wiping hastily at her tear stained cheeks.
"Are you... have you been..."
"What? Oh no! I haven't been crying. Not me." Usagi stammered, not even letting Luna finish her question.
Luna looked on worriedly, wanting but not able to comfort her deeply troubled Princess. She smiled sadly at the blonde, nudging the young girl's ankles gently.
"Thanks Luna." Usagi whimpered, kneeling to pick up her guardian and friend. She then took the cat into her arms and hugged her tightly to her chest.
"I wish I could make things better for you, Usagi-chan." Luna said, awkwardly laying her small paws on Usagi's cheeks.
"You always do." Usagi admitted a little shyly, smiling tenderly at her mentor.
The two stayed quietly in their own little world, cherishing the peaceful moment while it lasted as Usagi made her way up the stairs and into her room.
"Did you need me for something?" she asked, placing Luna gently on the ground as she settled herself atop her bed.
"Yes. Actually, there's going to be another meeting at Hikawa Jinja later tonight and..."
"If they think I'm going to let them accuse Rei-chan again, they've got another thing coming!" Usagi fumed instantly, her gaze so intense that Luna feared her fur would burn.
"It wasn't the Outer Senshi, Usagi-chan. It was actually Rei-chan who called the meeting." Luna explained, rubbing against Usagi's ankle yet again to ease the irate blonde.
"Oh! How is she? Is Rei-chan alright?" Usagi asked, suddenly worried.
"She didn't say much... just that she wanted you to come." Luna answered.
"OK. I just hope mom doesn't check up on me." Usagi uttered as she glanced at the clock.
"I'll cover for you. Mako-chan's going to pick you up at the bus stop." Luna added, smiling slightly to herself at the beginnings of a huge grin on Usagi's face.
"Oh, thank you Luna!" she cried, enveloping her guardian cat in another hug.
"You're welcome. Be careful, OK?" Luna said, smiling proudly to herself at the wide smile on her Princess' lips.
"I will!" Usagi replied, before jumping out of her window and onto the tree beside her room.
Luna hurriedly jumped onto the window sill, watching her blonde charge disappear around the corner. The black cat looked up at the heavens in silent prayer.
Whoever's watching, please protect my girls.
"No! I don't believe you!"
"It's the truth, Usagi-san. I've seen the future..."
"No! It's not! It's a lie! I can't believe you're accusing Rei-chan like this!"
"Usagi-san, please. Setsuna-san is trying to warn you about what she's seen..."
"By accusing my best friend of trying to kill me? How is that helpful? Tell me, Hotaru-chan!"
"Usagi-chan, try to calm down."
"Calm down? I can't calm down Ami-chan! Not after what they'd just said!"
"Usagi-san, you can't fault Setsuna for her visions."
"And you can't fault me for defending my best friend Michiru-san!"
"We're just trying to protect you! How can you be mad at us?"
"Because you're insisting that Rei-chan is the enemy! And she's not the enemy, Haruka-san! She's not!"
"You don't know that!"
"Guys, c'mon. We won't solve anything like this."
"Mako-chan's right. Setsuna-san, we understand that you're just doing your job. But you also have to understand that Rei-chan would never really hurt Usagi-chan."
"Maybe not intentionally... but we can't take that chance. You're the Leader of All the Senshi, Minako-chan. You of all people should know that."
"I know that Haruka-san. But that doesn't give me, or anyone else for that matter, the right to accuse Rei-chan just because someone saw something in a vision, even if it is Setsuna-san who foresaw it."
"We're talking about the Princess' life here! Friend or not, we can't take that risk. If she turns out to be the enemy then we have no other choice!"
"There's always a choice Haruka-san."
"Aren't you listening, Mako-chan? We might not be given one!"
"Then we'll find another way! We can't just turn on each other like this."
"What if there isn't? You're the smart one, Ami-chan. You know that we have to take that into consideration."
"No. We. Don't."
"Usagi-chan?"
"I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!"
"Usagi-chan! Wait!"
"Don't, Minako-chan. She needs time. Luna, please go after her and make sure that she's OK."
"OK. Come on Artemis."
"But Rei-chan..."
"She'll be fine. I'm the enemy, remember? She's safer out there than here with me."
"Rei-chan?"
"Hmmm?" the priestess hummed, turning away from the fire to look at the person that had interrupted her meditation.
Minako's hand gripped the side of the sliding door as she watched the raven haired woman with trepidation. There was no emotion on Rei's features, just a sense of emptiness and vulnerability.
"Yes Minako-chan?" Rei asked, standing from her position in front of the furnace.
"Uhm... I just wanted you to know that Usagi-chan's here already... A-and..."
"Thank you, Minako-chan. I guess this is good-bye." Rei said resignedly, the light in her eyes fading even more.
"Rei-chan, you know you don't have to do this. She trusts you. She believes in you." she pleaded, the Goddess of Love finally stepping over the threshold.
"I know she believes in me Minako-chan. That's why I have to leave." Rei said, her eyes fixed on the blonde as she walked towards the door.
A sense of urgency filled Minako's entire being, and her heart raced with her mind as she forced herself to think of something to change the other girl's decision.
Rei approached slowly and steadily, the girl's shoulders held firm only by sheer stubbornness and force of will. The young woman walked listlessly past Minako as though she were walking towards her death.
Their eyes met for a brief second as they stood almost side by side; Minako challenging Rei to keep on fighting, Rei begging Minako to understand her and just leave her be.
"You can't protect her if you walk away." the blonde began, issuing a challenge to the other girl.
"She won't need protection as long as I stay away." Rei insisted, her eyes fixed on the wall in front of her.
"She needs you."
"No she doesn't. She has you... all of you to protect her."
The Senshi of Venus held back the growl that threatened to erupt from her throat, Rei's words leaving her feeling insulted. She whirled around in disgust, her golden blonde mane swinging wildly behind her.
"We're more than just her bodyguards! We're her friends! And you, you're her best friend!" she cried, tears falling from her eyes as she tried to make the other girl listen.
Silence reigned for a short moment as Rei hesitated. Minako could sense the reluctance in her friend's stance, and the blonde hoped that what she had said was enough.
"No, I'm not. Besides, she has tons of friends. She won't mind losing one." Rei breathed softly, her voice trembling ever so slightly.
"Yes, she will! Do you have any idea just what your leaving would do to her? She'll be devastated!" Minako argued, not anymore caring that the other occupants of the house might hear them.
"She'll forget me after a while. Then Mamoru-san will come back, and they'll get married, and have a child... she'll be happy... for all eternity." she whispered, the agony she was feeling radiating in waves.
It suddenly dawned on Minako just why Rei was so insistent on leaving. A flicker of anger flashed in her eyes, but was quickly replaced by something akin to pity.
I'm sorry for this, Rei-chan. She thought, bracing herself for what she was about to do.
"So that's what this is about." she spat, crossing her arms over her chest. Rei didn't even bother to deny what the blonde was implying.
"You're going to use this as a way out. You're going to run away." she added, hoping that she could get the other girl to open up to her before it was too late.
"I am not running away." Rei shot back in anger, and Minako was actually thankful that the raven haired priestess was still capable of feeling some sort of emotion.
"Then what do you call it? Self-sacrifice? Martyrdom? Because from the way I see it, what you're doing isn't either." she retorted, glaring at the Fire Senshi.
"I don't care what you think. I'm doing this for Usagi's sake." Rei bit back.
"That's bullshit Rei Hino and you know it! You're doing this for yourself, you selfish bit..."
A slap across the face sent Minako's ears ringing for a few moments. It hurt, she had to admit, but she would gladly accept the punishment if it would help her friend.
"Don't you dare finish that sentence." Rei growled, her eyes narrowing at the blonde Senshi.
"Why the hell not? Did it hurt? Well, tough luck sister. I can do and say whatever the hell I want as long as it helps me get it through your thick skull!" she cried.
"Dammit Minako-chan! Why are you doing this? Can't you see that this is the only way?" Rei fired back indignantly, the tears now freely flowing as she fell on her hands and knees.
"I can't... I can't do this anymore. The other day, I broke down because I just couldn't hide it any longer..." she admitted, the pain becoming all too much to bear.
Minako knelt beside the grief-stricken girl, part of her happy that she'd finally gotten through, while another part was equally sad at the agony her friend was experiencing.
She wrapped her arms around the weeping priestess, much like she did the other day when the young woman first opened up to her, and tried her best to comfort her friend.
"Then don't. You said earlier that you were content with just loving her in secret, but it's obvious that you're not. Tell her the truth, Rei-chan. She'll understand." she whispered.
"I can't. It already hurts knowing that she would never love me back. It'll kill me to actually hear her say it." Rei whispered in return, and Minako almost winced at the raw anguish in her voice.
The Senshi of Love was silent, knowing that no words were needed at the moment. She kept her ministrations on her friend until Rei's shivers finally died down.
The two friends parted slightly, Rei managing to sit back on her heels. There was sincere gratitude in those amethyst eyes, and Minako smiled in acknowledgement.
"Leaving her won't lessen the pain. You do know that, right?" she asked, although part of her already knew Rei's answer.
"I know. Being away from her will probably hurt more. But it would keep her safe, at least, according to Setsuna-san's vision. It's the only way, Minako-chan." she pleaded, willing the blonde to accept it.
"She believes in you. That's all that matters. She fought for you tonight, against the Outers no less. Don't you think she at least deserves to know the truth?" Minako reasoned.
The Senshi of Fire pushed herself to her feet, her face devoid of all the emotion she had just exhibited. Minako rose next to her friend, but feared that the other girl had already made up her mind.
"I love her Minako-chan, more than anyone or anything in this world. I would give up everything and anything just to see her smile at me in the same way she smiles at him."
Oh, but she does, Rei-chan. You're just too blind to see it.
There was a faraway look in Rei's eyes, and Minako felt more than saw the longing and emptiness that gripped her friend's soul. She had to cover her mouth with her hand to keep herself from crying out in grief as her mind drifted back to what she felt from Usagi the night Rei was injured by the youma.
It's faint, but I can feel her love for you, Rei-chan. So why can't you? Minako thought, torn between wanting to help her friend and protecting the future of an entire planet.
"I want her safe and happy, Minako-chan. If it means living my life as far away from her as possible, then so be it."
The Senshi of Mars took the lull in their exchange as a sign of surrender and she shook her head slightly, a forlorn smile on her face as she resumed her march of death.
Minako bit her lower lip as the finality in Rei's voice pinned her on the spot. She had one more come back in her, but the Leader of All the Senshi knew that she had no right to say it.
But she said it anyway.
"She loves you."
Those three words held more power than any other as they kept Rei firmly in her place. Part of her wanted to believe Minako, while another part did not even dare hope.
"No. She doesn't."
With those words, Rei walked out of the room and into the hall. At that point, even Minako knew that arguing was pointless. They were going to lose a friend, and there was nothing she or anyone could do about it.
Altered Space,
where time does not rule.
Dark amethyst eyes shone wickedly as images of the Hikawa Jinja floated eerily in the darkness. The figure watched as one Senshi began what was to be the final chapter of her mortal existence.
"Yes... Come to me..." it whispered, a maniacal grin on its shadowy face.
End of Part 1
Author's Notes:
1. About the Senshi's ages in the 30th Century...
For uniformity's sake, I'm going to use a combination of the anime and manga timeline. Bear with me people, because this is going to be a very long explanation. It might get a little tricky so please pay attention.
First up, the airing of the Sailor Moon anime ended sometime February, 1997. Based on this, we can safely assume their ages at the end of the anime:
16 years old - Usagi, Rei, Ami, Minako, Makoto
17 years old - Michiru
18 years old - Haruka (turned 18 on January 27)
19 years old - Mamoru
21 years old - Setsuna (I'm not too sure how old she really is)
13 years old - Hotaru (turned 13 on January 5)
12 years old - Chibiusa
Hotaru 'looks' around the age of 13 when Sailor Moon Sailor Stars ended but she's actually just about 1-2 years old since she was reincarnated in Sailor Moon S. I'm assuming that in Sailor Stars, her body stopped maturing at an accelerated rate at the same age she died in S, which is 12. Based on this, I'm assuming that she will now age normally for the time being.
Chibiusa 'looks' around the age of 12 when she left during Sailor Moon SuperS but she's actually a LOT older. I'll get to that explanation later.
According to the Sailor Moon R manga, Usagi ascended to the throne of Crystal Tokyo and gave birth to Chibiusa at the age of 22. The Sailor Moon R manga also states that although Chibiusa 'looked' about 11 years old, she was actually 900 years old when she first appeared. When she reappeared at the end of the Sailor Moon Sailor Stars manga, Chibiusa 'looked' 14, but was actually 903 years old.
Still with me? Good. Now, using ONLY the information above, I am assuming and concluding the following to be used in the fanfic:
a. Crystal Tokyo was created in its entirety in the year 2002, since Usagi turned 22 that year.
b. All the Senshi and Mamoru stopped maturing at the time Crystal Tokyo was created. They all still age, but their bodies don't. This means Neo - Queen Serenity and the Inner Senshi stopped maturing at age 22, Mamoru at age 25, Haruka and Michiru at age 23, Hotaru at age 18, and Setsuna at age 27; all their current ages in 2002.
c. If Chibiusa was born when Usagi turned 22 (year 2002), and Chibiusa was 903 years old at the end of Sailor Stars, then that means the current year in Crystal Tokyo during Sailor Stars was 2905.
d. Chibiusa seemed to start maturing once she returned to Crystal Tokyo after Sailor Moon R. She 'looked' 11 but was actually 900, then looked '14' when she was 903. It follows that she will now mature continuously until maybe the age of 18 (because Hotaru stopped maturing at that age and I think they make a cute couple) or 22 (same age her mother stopped maturing).
e. The current year in Crystal Tokyo is 2906.
f. Chibiusa will once again be referred to as Usagi in Crystal Tokyo. Her mother, the former Usagi Tsukino, will be referred to as Neo - Queen Serenity or simply Serenity.
g. Lastly, everyone's actual age as of June 30, 2906 (current date in Crystal Tokyo):
926 years old - Neo - Queen Serenity, Rei
925 years old - Ami, Minako, Makoto
927 years old - Michiru, Haruka
929 years old - King Endymion
? years old - Setsuna ('looks' 27, no idea about her real age)
922 years old - Hotaru
904 years old - Usagi
There. That's about it. Anyone who got confused, please tell me. I'll try to explain it more, although that's probably the best explanation I can give you.
2. Chibiusa's actual name and title in the future is Princess Usagi Small Lady Serenity. I dropped the Small Lady because she's not really that small a lady anymore.
3. Hotaru and Chibiusa as a couple...
Personally, I've always thought that an older Chibiusa and an olderHotaru would make a very cute couple. Emphasis on the word older, meaning at least the age of 15 and above. Thinking of them together while they're still kids gives me the creeps, but not as much as the thought of Helios and Chibiusa together.
No offense to Helios/Chibiusa fans, but I don't particularly like the Helios/Chibiusa pairing, especially since I can't see past Helios being a winged unicorn. I know Helios is supposed to be this mythical creature, but no matter how I look at it, I still see him as a horse. So the thought of pairing him up with Chibiusa is like bestiality or something. Say what you want, but that's my opinion.
4. Also, about the Sailor Moon S episode where Usagi consoled a grieving Chibiusa, who had Hotaru taken away right before her very eyes...
I did write that Usagi said something that implied that Chibiusa and Hotaru were actually in love instead of just being best friends. I got that dialogue from the Tagalog (Filipino) translation of Sailor Moon. I can't remember what Usagi actually told Chibiusa in the original Japanese version, and I really don't want to watch my DVDs right now because I'm so tired, so I went with the Tagalog version, since I remember it by heart. That, and the fact that the Tagalog translation is very useful for the Hotaru/Chibiusa pairing.
5. Again, all information related to the Sailor V manga, as well as some of the assumptions surrounding Minako's relationship with the woman who I still refuse to name, are all thanks to a very enthusiastic Sakura-kun, who is an irrepressible Minako and ... fan. I will be altering some parts of the Sailor V manga to give Minako and ... a chance to get together. Please read the 'Author's Notes' section of the chapter two before any of you decide to react to anything Sailor V related.
6. As to how Makoto reminds Minako of ..., well, both Makoto and ... are tall women who have long brown hair (though of different shades), and can be very determined when they want to be. They also have a certain goofiness to them that makes them very lovable and have chivalrous tendencies that make you feel safe when you're with them.
7. The school play that Minako and Rei were talking about was something that I just made up. So don't go telling me that it never happened in the anime or in the manga because it never did. I MADE THAT UP. OK?
8. Gah! I can't remember what the Japanese word for a sliding door is. Or what to call the Japanese version of a sliding door. Anyone who knows please e-mail me. I could use the information. Thanks!
9. Translations:
Sempai - upperclassman, someone of seniority
Onee-sama (-chan, -san) - older sister (varying degreess of respect and affinity)
All comments, suggestions, criticisms and the like, please can click the 'Review' button below.
All Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon characters copyright to Naoko Takeuchi. They are used without permission. Please do not sue me, I don't have money.
©2005 Shirley Joy Gadia, all other characters used in the fanfic and the story itself, all rights reserved.
Thank you!