Flee to Destiny
By: Bethany
Originally released: 3/2002
Revised: 7/2015
Chapter Four - One dance too many
Rei sat down in the chair recently vacated by Mamoru. I stared blankly at the door, a deep feeling of wrong doing in my heart. There was something else, something Mamoru wanted me to remember. But I couldn't grasp it. Feeling horrible, I looked at Rei.
"What was that about?" she asked.
I shrugged, trying to act nonchalantly, and looked at my hands. "Your guess is as good as mine."
"Mamoru-san was here all day, in that chair, watching you," Ami said, also sitting down. "He said he wanted to make sure you were alright..."
Rei smiled wickedly and leaned towards me. "Sounds like someone is in love..." she drawled out, winking at me. "How did you capture Mamoru's heart so quickly? No one else has ever been able to."
"Me?" I asked, blinking. "I didn't do anything but give him old coffee, put sugar in the old coffee and give it back to him, and then faint."
Rei's face dropped as she looked at Ami, who was typing madly on her computer. "Eh.. Ami-chan, are you taking notes?"
The petite Senshi of Ice blushed furiously and shook her head. "No, I'm scanning Usagi to be sure she is alright. Fainting like she did earlier might be more than just exhaustion."
Worriedly I chewed on my bottom lip. Ami worked for a few moments longer and then shut her computer, not looking any better for it. "Everything seems okay now," she said slowly, still looking perplexed.
I stood up in a very unsure fashion, wondering if I would fall flat on my face. Luckily, I didn't. Even though I felt stiff, I didn't have the feeling of tiredness in my bones as I had recently felt. It was as if I were a whole new person. Smiling, I went downstairs to apologize to Motoki and to find Shingo.
The arcade downstairs was packed. Teenagers, adults and children ran everywhere. Some playing games, others eating or just talking. The lights outside made it seem like a whole other world existed inside. A small piece of the hustle and bustle of everyday life was captured inside the large arcade.
It took me a moment to find Motoki, but finally I spotted him towards the Sailor V game.
"Look who's decided to join the world of the living!" Motoki exclaimed as I tapped him on the shoulder. He laughed and turned to fully face me. Minako sat at the Sailor V game, her tongue stuck out the side of her mouth in concentration. "Are you feeling any better now?"
"Un," I answered, unable to stop the smile on my face. "I'm so sorry about everything.." I didn't finish my sentence before Motoki shook both his hands and hushed me.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure to work you extra hard to make up for it," he said, winking. Quickly he bent down to plant a kiss on Minako's cheek. "Be back in a sec."
Minako nodded her head yes, never taking her eyes from the screen. Makoto walked up behind the Senshi of Love as her game ended abruptly. "Damn," Minako mumbled, hitting her fist on the machine. "And I was further than I had ever gotten."
"Don't worry Minako-chan, you can't play that game every day and not win it eventually," Makoto laughed. Minako turned and glared at the tall woman, but Makoto ignored her and looked at me. "Usagi-chan, our cooking class is throwing a masquerade ball tomorrow night to raise funds for the competition we want to go to in the fall. Do you want to go?"
I looked around, almost looking for an excuse lying around. I didn't really want to go. But I felt bad telling her no when she was nice enough to let Shingo and I live with her. My eyes must have expressed my thoughts for me, though. Makoto made a puppy dog face. "Onegai?" she asked sweetly.
I sighed, but then my excuse ran up to me. Shingo held his arms up for me to pick him up. "You are getting a little big for this," I said to him softly, wrapping my arms around him and hugging him. Smiling, he laid his head on my shoulder. "I don't have anyone to watch Shingo."
"I'll watch him!" Minako immediately replied, jumping up from her seat.
"You need to go out. We go every year, so Rei-chan and Ami-chan will help me. You won't be a problem for us, will you Shingo-chan?" Minako asked the child in my arms, who, to my horror, nodded his head no.
"Please Usagi-chan?" Makoto added. There was a conspiracy here, and I knew it. Between looking at the two of them, I almost gave up.
"I don't have anything to wear," I pointed out. There! Come up with a solution now!
"Don't worry!" Minako exclaimed. "We are the same size; you can wear one of my dresses!"
That excuse just went down the drain doing ninety. Seeing my defeat, I nodded my head. Sometimes I hated my inability to just say no. With an inward groan I headed back to the counter to finish up my shift.
Over the rim of the punch glass in my hand, I looked around the room. It was extremely crowded, which made it a little warmer than I would have liked. Downing the remains of the drink, I set the glass next to the others I had drank. Surely I was going to float away if this kept up.
I felt slightly uncomfortable in Minako's dress. Though even I had to admit it was beautiful. The creamy white material hugged my figure down to my waist where it flowed out in delicate waves to my feet. Every time I moved, the dress rustled around me. The top fit snuggly against my stomach and chest that ended in loose straps that fell off my shoulders. My hair was down with only the sides held back with small butter clips Makoto had lent me. The effect was cascades of golden curls that flowed down my back.
Long ago I had discarded the mask I was handed as I came in. Though it added to the mystery of the ball, I had grown tired of the straps against the side of my face. A handful of men had asked me to dance, but I had declined time and time again. No one held any interest for me. No one that was here, anyway.
I didn't feel like dancing, truth be known I didn't even want to be here. Makoto had found me once in a while, asking if I was enjoying myself. Of course I answered yes and smiled. Only I knew how bad I wanted to be home enjoying a good book.
I called home twice already, and the evening was only two hours old. Minako assured me that Shingo was fine, and made sure to ask if I was enjoying myself. Why did everyone have to ask that, anyways? It was as if their mission in life was to see that I had a good time tonight. Perhaps they knew something I didn't. Then again, I've probably been standing here too long thinking about it.
After I decided that I was over thinking everyone's motives, I headed for the refreshment table again. If I was going to float out the door any second now - surely another drink wouldn't hurt a thing. I reached my hand out for my third glass of punch - or was it my fourth? Anyways, I reached for another glass of punch when another hand grabbed it up.
Another hand? I thought. Now that didn't make sense. I only had two hands, and neither of my hands had the glass. I looked again. Nope, I wasn't holding it. So who was? That thought seemed to take a little longer to process than it normally should have. I pondered my lack of coherent thoughts for a moment before remembering my drink.
Accusingly I stared at the interfering hand until suddenly I realized that it was attached to an arm. And upon further inspection, it was also attached to a body! It was obvious I was reaching for that glass, surely someone was not paying attention. I looked up to see a man. He seemed to be ten feet tall from my angle. Looking up at him made the blood rush to my head and the overly warm room suddenly took a turn towards sweltering hot.
"You okay, Usa?" a deep voice asked. It didn't seem to be coming from the person in front of me. But more like all around me. Oh no, I'm going to faint again. I could see it coming a mile away. But I guess the thought must have taken a wrong turn and got lost, because I didn't faint. Though I did stagger forwards.
The hand, arm and body in front of me, that seemed to be the origin of the voice as well, grabbed a hold of me. "Come on Usa, I think you had a little too much to drink." Gently he held me up and wrapped one arm around me to guide me forwards. The floor seemed to grow, rushing up at my face and causing my vision to blur. Then the room seemed to be shrinking. Silently I wished it would make up its mind.
A few moments, staggering and nervous laughs from the ten foot tall man holding me up later - I found myself outside. The night air had a chill to it and immediately I burrowed into the warms fold of the man's jacket. He stood stark still for a long moment. It was like wrapping my arms around a nice big, warm...statue. But don't think that fault discouraged me any. I didn't care if he ever moved, so long as I got rid of the chill bumps on my bare arms and back.
After a couple of minutes, his arms came around me and I leaned my head against his chest. The gentle thump of his heart filled my mind and eased the aching that was beginning there. The world around us could have blown up or burned to the ground, and I would have never known the difference. As long as I was standing where I stood now - everything felt right in the world.
Why did these arms seem so familiar? Why did the way his breath move my bangs seem so right? I could have blocked the rest of my life out if I could stay in the position I found myself in now.
"Usa.." he breathed. Strange how beautiful that name sounded from his lips.
The way his deep voice vibrated through his chest felt so wonderful against my face. I looked up at the man holding me. We seem to fit perfectly together, like our bodies were molded to be able to hold each other. He wore a mask, but even in my slightly drunk state - I knew who it was. Two different men trapped in one body. But there was something else about the way he gazed at me through that domino mask. Something more familiar than Mamoru and Tuxedo Kamen.
Something... that stayed slightly beyond my grasping finger tips.
His intense blue eyes stared into mine and achingly slow his face began to move towards me. In the back of my mind I knew what was about to happen. My heart seemed to speed up, anticipating the feel of his lips on mine. Small jolts of what felt like electricity ran from the tips of my toes to my eager lips. As his lips neared mine, my eyes fluttered close - wanting to saver this moment forever in my mind.
"Set me free..."
It was subtle. So faint that at first I thought it nothing more than a memory. But then the voice rose as it repeated over and over. "Set me free..." the pitiful words echoed in my mind. "..the man we died for...the life we loved..." I tried to block it out, but just as Mamoru's lips were mere centimeters from my own - I pulled back.
A small sound of disappointment left Mamoru's mouth. I wanted to scream at myself for what I had just done. But what... what if there was someone else?
What if I was meant to be with another man that was also reborn, waiting for only me? I couldn't get myself involved with Mamoru now and risk hurting not only him, but another man, in the long run. It wasn't fair to either them, or myself.
"G-Gomen," I squeaked, embarrassed.
Mamoru stepped back from me and ran his long fingers through his hair. "No, I'm sorry," he whispered. "I don't know what came over me."
I chewed on my bottom lip as I watched Mamoru try to collect himself. Was I pushing happiness away with both hands? Or was I being realistic? The answer seemed as close - yet as far away - as the vision of the girl in my dreams. I wanted so badly to enjoy the moment at hand. But too many 'what ifs' clouded my mind to truly put my heart into anything.
I looked inside the glass doors at the people dancing around the room. I want to enjoy myself tonight, I thought. Everyone was right, I needed to try and relax. And pushing the sad voice of the girl as far back into my mind as I could, I grasped Mamoru's hand. "Dance with me," I said quietly, looking dead into his blue eyes.
He seemed startled by my request. A moment ago I could have been kissing him, and then I pulled away. And yet now, I was asking him to dance. I'm not sure what was going through his mind, but I'm almost positive it was bordering on pure confusion. Finally a somewhat boyish grin broke out on his face and he bowed as he had earlier at the arcade. "May I have the honor of this dance, milady?"
I laughed at the picture he made. It seemed to be out of an old movie that I had watched hundreds of times. The moonlight beamed down on us giving the air a romantic quality. And here I stood in front of the most handsome man I had ever laid my eyes on, bowing to ask for a dance. Smiling from ear to ear, I placed my hand in his out stretched one and he lead me inside.
He held me close to his body, delicately but firmly. I felt like a diamond that was to be cherished for him alone as we glided across the floor. We circled the large ball room numerous times as we kept in beat with the music. Dance after dance, song after song. I lost all track of time in his arms. He smiled when his eyes meet mine and whispered, "I've wanted to hold you like this for so long." I felt my heart pound as I pressed myself closer to him.
The crowd thinned out as the evening wore on, but I didn't take much notice. A deep feeling of peace covered me like a blanket. I felt warm and protected in his arms. I closed my eyes and leaned against his strong chest, allowing him to guide me. The music invaded my mind, blocking out every other thought but of him. There was only one word that could describe this - perfect.
Many songs past, though I wasn't keeping count. We moved together for an eternity it seemed. Years seemed to be mere seconds, and I found myself falling. Falling back into time, another time. Another life. I was dancing like this, never feeling time as it moved by. I was in the arms of my prince again, safe and secure in the world in which I would someday rule.
People were conversing around us, but it seemed like part of the music. The magic of the evening was blending together. Words spilled out of my mouth before I knew what I was saying;
"I wish we could stay like this, Endymion... forever..."
"What did you say?" The world around me suddenly came crashing down. I was brought back to reality quickly, blinking back the dream world in my mind. Trying to clear the voices in my mind and focus on Mamoru, I began to feel dizzy.
"Usa," Mamoru said, his voice firmer this time. He placed his hand under my chin and brought my face to look at him. "What did you say?" he repeated.
"I.." What did I say? Whose name was on my lips? The memory, as close as it had been seconds ago - was gone again. Tears of frustration welled up in my eyes as I stared at Mamoru. "I.. I don't know." Part of my mind was nothing but a mist, a dense fog that prevented me from seeing everything as a whole. Small images appeared before me, just to disappear again.
Mamoru dropped his hands from my waist. The lack of strength hit me hard, causing me to step forward to regain my balance. I looked up at him, almost pleading with him to help me, to clear away the spider webs and holes in my memory. His fingers lingered on my cheek for a minute, as warm as if the sun was touching me.
When I meet his blue eyes again they were full of disappointment. Sighing, I stepped back. "I'm sorry Mamoru-san." He seemed to flinch at my words. "I.. I won't let this happen again." Quickly I ran from the room, from the memories - but mostly from the deep sadness that called Mamoru's eyes its home.
Why did I feel so responsible for putting it there?
When finally I was at home again, I fell onto my bed, searching my mind for answers. There was an aching in my heart, a yearning to be in Mamoru's arms again. I wanted to smile at the memory, and cry at the same time. My heart sped up as I remembered his deep blue eyes staring so intently into my own. I felt like I was now missing more than I was before tonight. Instead of memories being gone, my heart and soul seemed to still be with Mamoru. Tears filled my eyes, leaving salty trails of sorrow evident on my face.
In the back of my deep thoughts, I heard someone knocking softly on my door. So lost in my self pity, I ignored it. After a few moments, the door creaked slowly open and Makoto slid through the opening. With great pains, she shut the door as quietly as she had opened it. "Usagi-chan?"
I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and sat up. The dress that I still wore rustled around me when I moved. Instead of answering, I stared out my windows at the full moon that had seen it all tonight. Silent and beautiful in the night sky, it saw and knew all. I wish I did.
Makoto came over and sat next to me, wrapping one arm around my shoulder and sighing deeply. "What's wrong, Usagi-chan? What can I do?"
I leaned into her sisterly embrace and allowed a few more tears to escape my red, swollen eyes. "Mako-chan, do you remember… before?"
The unspoken words were as good as said aloud. Instantly she knew what I meant without asking. The tall Senshi nodded her head, also staring at the moon. "I remember some, but not all. Some faces are still fuzzy, some things nothing but fleeting images. I know that when I was four my mother and father sent me to begin Senshi training. The first born of all the planets were those who would be guardians for the Moon Princess. I can remember my father standing proudly as he handed me my henshin wand. Sometimes the memories of our past life seem like a dream, something I imagined as I slept. And others are so clear that it was like it happened only minutes ago."
I nodded my head, sitting up once more and wiping away my tears with the back of my hand. "I know what you mean. Sometimes I can sit and remember things with such clarity and others are so hazy. I wish I could remember all."
"You will," another voice said. Luna jumped up on the side of the bed and lay down next to us. "I know you want to remember now, but you have to have patience. If you were to remember all at once, there is no telling what kind of psychological damage might accompany it. You had good times on the Moon, but there were just as many bad ones."
That was my heart's fear spoke aloud. I wanted to remember my mother, my past life - but not the heartache that came with that knowledge. With every thing that had happened in the last couple of weeks, it could be my demise to remember everything. Then again, I had my reasons for wanting to know. Especially know more about the man in my dreams. He was so hazy, but I thought I could make out dark hair and blue eyes. Then again I was sure my imagination might be intervening some. Could my life ever play out as perfectly for my Prince from long ago and the man I was longing for now to be one and the same?
Ami and Rei pushed open my bedroom door after a short knock. The priestess looked rather upset about something as she pushed her hair back. "Eh, Mako-chan, I hate to be the bearer of bad news..."
"Demo?" Makoto asked, turning around to face her.
"Minako is trying to cook..." The sentence wasn't finished before Makoto ran out of the room, Rei trailing behind her laughing. I smiled as I watched them go. There was never a dull moment around here, was there?
Luna walked out of the room and I stood to follow when Ami shut the door. Without saying a word, she pulled out her computer. "Usagi-chan, if you don't mind I would like to scan you again. There was something that came up in my earlier scan that I didn't quiet understand. Do you mind?"
I didn't understand exactly what Ami meant, but I nodded my head anyways. The genius senshi began concentrating on her computer and for the longest time didn't say a word or change facial expression. I began to grow worried as the minutes ticked by. But since I didn't want to interrupt whatever it was she was doing, I kept my mouth shut. Finally, what seemed an eternity later, she stopped and shut her computer. Shaking her head, she rubbed her hands over her face.
"What?" I anxiously asked.
Ami shifted her weight from one foot to the next and scratched her head. "I'm not sure, something else is showing up on my screen and I can't figure out what it is." She looked up, and must have seen the worry on my face. All the tension broke from her face and she smiled. "Don't worry, it's nothing bad. Perhaps it's just a flaw in the computer." Almost every ounce of apprehension gone, she opened the door. "Come on, let's go see what Minako is destroying."
Hesitantly I remained behind, wondering what could have Ami so upset. And even more, why she wouldn't tell me. Instead of dwelling on it, however, I changed out of the dress and into some pajamas. From the laughs and groans coming from the kitchen I imagined Minako was causing quite a ruckus that I most definitely didn't want to miss.
That night my deep sleep was ended abruptly. I suddenly had fleeting thoughts about knowing how YooHoo© felt as they were being shaken. Sleep pulled hard to keep me under its wing, but the person trying to wake me seemed to be determined.
"Usagi... c'mon, you got to wake up!" Rei practically screamed.
I rose up, hitting my head on Rei's as I did so. Of course, after I had pushed aside the urge to burrow back into the covers, I realized that it wasn't Rei who had woken me, but Sailor Mars. And it most definitely wasn't day break.
"What's going on?" I asked, rubbing my burning eyes and trying to focus them. Mars looked relived to have finally got my attention.
"There is a youma attack, we got to go," she said urgently. "The outer senshi and Tuxedo Kamen are already there."
Without so much as a glancing thought towards my warm bed again - okay, so deep in my mind I was cursing the enemy - I jumped up. The clock beside my bed flashed ten minutes after one. I hadn't even been asleep long enough to say I was. Oooh, whatever just had to attack in the middle of the night was going to get it good!
"Moon Crystal Power - Make UP!"
When the now familiar lights went down and left me standing in my fuku, Mars headed out the door. With one last yawn, I rushed out the door behind her and into the chilly night.
The city streets were abandoned, save for an occasional car that passed. The moon that had brightly lit up the sky earlier was now covered by clouds that also blocked out the stars. A chill ran up my shine, sending shivers down my arms and legs as we ran through the empty city streets. Mars looked back occasionally, and seeing I was still behind her, she continued on towards the main square.
We turned a corner and I felt a scream rise in my throat. Lying on the ground was Sailor Saturn, Neptune hovering over her. Venus, Jupiter and Mercury looked like they had been slammed into a near by brick building and were trying to stand up. In the center of the street stood a large creature that somewhat resembled the large clock that usually sat in front of the pharmacy. Though now it had arms, legs and a head full of blazing white hair. As we approached, Pluto raised her staff and whispered her attack.
The words no more left her mouth than the youma put its hands on the clock on it's stomach, stopping time. Pluto's attack hovered in mid air before the creature blew at it, causing it to go screaming towards Pluto. Before my horrified eyes, it hit Pluto dead on. She was slammed back into a telephone booth, shattering the glass around her.
"Oh my God," I whispered. "How do we stop something that can stop our attacks before it reaches them?"
Mars bit her lip, studying the youma before us. In the few fights I had oined in, I had never seen her so uncertain of the outcome. And that frightened me to the very bone. Something deep inside me began stirring, calling out to me.
I was their princess, wasn't I? I was whom they were depending on. I had to do something. Determined, I raced towards the youma, Mars screaming behind me to stop.
Something pushed me forwards, adrenaline pumped through my veins as I lunged towards the creature. Just as it had done previously, the hands on it's stomach stopped and I found myself hanging in thin air. Within a mere second, it shoved me back, flying towards a building. I didn't even have time to scream, I just flinched, waiting for the impact.
Still I waited, but the pain never came, just the loud sound of shattering glass as something flew through a window pane. It didn't occur to me for a couple of seconds to open my eyes. For a moment it seemed I was back in Mamoru's arms.
More than likely I had passed out, and hadn't realized it yet. When I had the courage to open my eyes to see what damage was done, I was far from slammed into a nearby building. I was, however, on someone. Once more, I looked up to see my savior - and to my relief, it was Tuxedo Kamen. We had landed inside a building, him taking the blunt of the impact. I found myself safely tucked against his chest. I moved over off his body, the crunching sound of glass under me and leaned over enough to see his face. "Tuxedo Kamen," I whispered. "Are you okay?"
Instead of answering, he tried to sit up. His face contorted in pain and he laid back down. I felt tears welling up in my eyes. Blood dripped from his lip. If he died, to save me, I would never be able to live with myself. One tear slid down my face as I pushed a lock of midnight black hair away from his face. "Mamoru, please be alright. Please!" I begged.
I had never known pain this deep. It ate away at my heart, tearing my insides away. The sight of him gasping for breath made me want to scream. Why had he done that? To save me? I wasn't worth it, I knew I wasn't. More and more tears gathered in my eyes, and I done nothing to stop them from flowing down my face. I reached my hand behind his back to help him sit up and gasped. My hand came in contact with a thick liquid and when I yanked it back, blood dripped off my glove. His blood. Oh dear God, what do I do? I couldn't think straight, I just wanted to go back and change this. Stop him, or myself, whatever it took to not be sitting here now.
Behind me I could hear shouts of attacks, but I couldn't move. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the blood on my hand. "Mamoru!" I cried, clutching my hands to his jacket. "Please be alright... please..."
Mamoru slowly opened his eyes, the pain in his back making him flinch as he moved. His hand came up and touched my cheek, and I tried to smile. He would be alright if he could move. He had to be. This wasn't happening now, not after all that had transpired tonight. It couldn't be. A small smile came to his lips as he brushed away a tear on my face. "You do care..." he whispered and then his head dropped back into the shattered glass.
I couldn't believe my eyes. I felt a scream rise once more to my throat and I let it out. A voice full of terror that seemed to not be my own echoed through out the building. I fell onto his chest. The scream ended, only to be replaced by gasps as I sobbed.
I don't know how much time passed as I laid there on Mamoru's seemingly lifeless body and sobbed. It could have been an eternity, or only ten minutes. There was nothing but the never-ending pain in my heart. I should have kissed him tonight, I wanted to. I could have made him happy in the few hours before this. But I didn't. "You're not dead, Mamoru. You're not," I whispered, over and over in a pitiful cry. "You can't be... you just can't. You aren't dead," I mumbled. "Because.. I-I love you.. and I never got to-"
The sentence never finished. A brilliant light began glowing around us, blinding my swollen eyes. In amazement I sat up, still clutching the lapels of Mamoru's tuxedo. Everywhere I looked it was nothing but light, the only thing I could make out was Mamoru's body beneath me. "What...?!"
The light grew brighter still, forcing me to close my eyes against it's glow. The ground beneath us disappeared and faintly I heard what sounded like a scream of death. But it was far away, a distant echo of pain and agony. Looking around, I felt my grasp on what little fear I felt fade away. Peaceful. It was so peaceful here, so serene. There was no pain, no heartache, nothing but blissfulness.
But the peace frightened me. Was I dead? Was this the moments before my eternal fate would be decided? And why was Mamoru with me? I felt a small twinge of panic rise in my soul. If I were to die, then the other senshi couldn't save Earth. And Shingo... alone, no family to care for him. I was sure the girls would care for him, but to loose his mother, father... and now his sister, too? That would be too much for him.
My frantic thoughts were interrupted by Mamoru stirring beneath me. The pain seemed to be lifted from him and he sat up with little effort. His blue eyes stared around at the never-ending white light and then to me. "Usa?" His voice was that of astonishment, disbelief.
"Where are we?" I asked him, feeling strangely better now that I had someone else sharing my strange experience.
"What do you mean, where are we? Aren't you doing this?"
"Doing what?" I asked in amazement, looking around. All I could see was the white blinding light. But even as I looked at Mamoru in puzzlement, he seemed to be disappearing from my grasp. I reached for him, but my hands went through his transparent form as if he wasn't really there. "Mamoru?" I called frantically. His lips moved, but no sound reached my ears. I was leaving him, though I don't know how I knew this. But I was as sure of it as I was of the moon. "Don't leave me!" I yelled to him, reaching out once more.
His body disappeared, only the haunting image of his blue eyes staying behind. I felt tears well up in my eyes. If I were dead, did that mean he wasn't? Surely there was an explanation for this. If I could just think clearly. But something tugged at my mind, something so unexplainably sweet and alluring. Peace. Serenity. An existence void of feeling. Void of hurt, pain, suffering...
And as the last of Mamoru's blue eyes disappeared, I realized something. Yes, this wonderful place would be that I could stay in forever. No pain or heartache - and yet, there would also be no love. No friendship. Nothingness. And while I may not feel loneliness, it would be lurking under the surface.
No, I couldn't stay here. Not now. Not when the longer I desperately tried to picture Mamoru's face, the clearer it became. I struggled against the invading darkness to reach for Mamoru's out stretched hand. And just as the emptiness surrounded me at last I felt it. Pulling me from the depths of eternity, Mamoru was there.
With the gentleness of his hand touching mine was a crashing pain like none I had ever known. Every hair on my body seemed to ache from my toes to my head. For a fleeting moment I wished to be back in the peaceful darkness, but that thought left when I heard Mamoru's voice in my ear. His breath tickled my ear as he reassured me I was going to be okay, just to hold on a little longer.
It was many minutes before I found the strength to open my eyes. Painfully I blinked them back, only to shut them once more to the invading bright light. Slowly this time, I reopened them and found myself lying on a bed, Mamoru hovering above me.
"Ami! She's awake!" he cried towards the door, and then turned back to me where he grasped my small hand in his two larger ones. "It's okay, Usa. You're going to be okay now."
I looked up into his ocean blue eyes and felt his feeling pouring out of them. As best I could manage, I licked my parched lips and a voice that didn't sound like my own escaped them. "I really have to stop fainting like that..."
As I closed my eyes to fall into an exhausted sleep, I heard Mamoru chuckle lightly. To my surprise, I felt his lips gently touch my forehead. "Don't worry about it Usa. Just always come back to me, ne?"
Perhaps the last sentence was nothing more than my dreams teasing me. After all, God knows I had seen and heard enough weird things in the last couple of days. But with his voice still fresh in my mind, I drifted off to sleep. It wouldn't be until much later did I realize the importance today's events would have on my life.
-End Chapter 4.
I don't own Sailor Moon. If I did I would have surely wrote more manga by now :)
If you haven't watched Sailor Moon Crystal, please go watch, it's awesome! You can watch it on and read all the manga there as well.
Thank you for reading, I hope everyone is enjoying the story. The action will start ramping up soon!
Love,
Beth