Konnichwa! I apologize for the lack of author notes, (which I'm sure only 5% of you read anyway), just learning a little bit about the mechanics of fan . Anyways, first I would like to thank all who have read this story, reviewed, or asked for chapter updates. Special thanks goes to PSVT for such a sweet and thoughtful review. I was thrilled to see you knew exactly what I'm trying to express and portray.
Just for a little backstory: I first watched Sailor Moon like, oh, just eleven years ago. Only having access to the first few seasons, I never watched the last season, Sailor Stars, until a few weeks ago. And fell completely in love. I adore the plot, the characters, everything. It was also not until this season that I saw a spark between Usagi and Haruka. And at the same time fell hard for Seiya. But still appreciated Mamoru for all his quality features. I wanted to explore Haruka and Usagi's connection during this intriguing time. I felt it was very possible and understandable for them to have a few stolen moments;) I am doing the best of my ability to stay true to their characters, so, no Mamoru hating over here. Obviously Haruka and Usagi are both women, so if this offends you, please read no further. I hope to write a believable and emotional story here, one that you can easily imagine taking place during this final season. This work will be a collection of vignettes and will be written true to the anime timeline, except perhaps for Usagi and Haruka's background, which I take from the Manga. I'd love to hear what you think, it really helps me sort through these plot bunnies and write a chapter or two;)
The tea was heated, the cups delicately arranged on their saucers. The textbooks were opened to the correct assigned problems. The guardians were seated patiently; their tails swinging back and forth like a rhythmic pendulum. Even the girls were seated in their correct place, not a second late for their important appointment. No one dared to even think about being tardy to such a crucial meeting. That is, except one reluctant and distant leader.
"Where the HELL is she?" the fire of senshi all but bellowed in the tiny space that was her bedroom. The other three girls winced as the sounds echoed from wall to wall. Almost as a mediator, Makoto pulled a plastic bag from her knapsack. "Um, cookie, Rei?"
Violet eyes all but burned a hole in the cook's face, as her eyebrows danced angrily across her forehead. "No. What I want is a certain blond no-show to appear RIGHT NOW!"
Silence met Rei's demand, except for a cough. Everyone turned in the direction of the sound. Minako grinned. "Can I have a cookie?" Stifling a giggle, Makoto passed the zip lock bag to the blond. "Rei-chan. You know Usagi. She's just late. She'll make it."
"You shouldn't count on it." Luna pounced on the table, just narrowly missing the large teapot, with steam still flowing out of its stout. "Something's wrong."
Releasing her balled fists, Hino Rei inhaled deeply, closed her eyes, and centered herself. She smoothed her ruffled skirt and folded her hands, lightly placing them on her lap. Forcing her face in a relaxed smile, she softly asked, "What do you mean, Luna?"
"Have you guys already forgotten?" Ami looked at her friends in disbelief. "Usagi hasn't spoken to Seiya or the other starlights since...since..you know, the flight."
Heavy silence descended on the group for the first time since they arrived. Rei felt a wave of compassion wash over her and her smile dropped to a painful frown. It was absolutely heartbreaking watching the looks the starlights had given Sailor Moon when they had finally boarded off the plane. Her friend and leader seemed almost desperate to catch their eyes as all the passengers had poured into the airport. And when she had finally exchanged glances with them, all that she was met with was hateful glances. As Rei was accustomed to one too many times to count, she watched Usagi push tears back, swallow and lead them back home. Anyone blind could see the blossoming care and affection the Starlight Singer held for Usagi, but Rei hadn't realized how much of this Usagi returned. But equally as confusing, was Usagi dedication to write Mamoru a letter every single day. There were many of nights, Usagi didn't return Rei's phone calls to well after midnight on account of her finishing yet another letter to him. Shaking her head as if to clear all these thoughts battling in her mind, Rei ignored Ami's comment and concernedly stared at Luna, and once again repeated, "What do you mean, Luna?"
Ami, who looked annoyed at being ignored, opened her mouth, but before a word could come out, Rei interrupted. "Ami, I'm asking Luna what she has seen. After all, we don't live with Usagi."
Luna sat on the table, careful to not knock the teacups that surrounded her. "She's been coming home really late, way after one or two AM. She makes it to school, but she somehow makes it home even before Chibi-Chibi is let out of her daycare. She is usually always in Chibi-Usa's old room and requests privacy. Where she is after dinner and before she finally climbs into bed is beyond me. Wherever she is, she doesn't want me to be a part of it." After knowing Luna for the last three years, it was easy to hear the hurt in her voice. I know how you feel, Rei couldn't help but think. Still, she reached across the table to give Luna a reassuring rub on her back. "Luna, I don't think she wants any of us a part of it."
Ami, who always protected and defended Usagi, except when the accusations were concerned with academic grades, spoke up. "We talked a little bit about it yesterday."
"You did?" Makoto looked shocked. "She hardly said one word to Mina-chan and I at school." Minako took the open opportunity to pick up the teapot and start pouring tea as they finally made some leeway.
"It wasn't long, mind you. Don't feel left out. I noticed her zoning out in class."
"That's nothing new," Minako interrupted, as she poured two teaspoons of sugar in teacup and began to stir. "She always zones out."
Ami nodded in agreement at her statement. "Yes, I know and I agree. But she just looked so...sad. But not just depressed. Her eyes had such a desperate look in them. As if she was hopeless."
"There's no reason for her to feel that way!" Rei snapped, slamming her hand down. The force caused Makoto's tea to slosh on the sides of her cup. "Sorry," Rei murmured handing over a napkin.
"I thought so too," Ami agreed again. "So I asked her why she looked so hopeless. I've seen Usagi be depressed about many things, from her break-up with Mamoru to a failed test, and I've never seen this despair. I noticed how she blatantly refused to look at Seiya's, Yaten's, and Taiki's empty desks."
Minako eyes seemed to tear up on their own accord as Ami described their best friend's sadness. "What did she say?"
Ami sighed. "Not much. She said she's tired of seeing painful reminders of her mistakes. She said she carries too much emotional baggage. She said she misses her freedom."
Everyone's face turned into looks of puzzlement. "Freedom?" asked Luna. "Like freedom of not being a senshi?"
Ami shook her head. "I thought the same thing. I asked her about it, and she denied it saying 'The freedom of not caring.' After that the bell rang for dismissal, and she left so fast, I briefly wondered if I had imagined the whole conversation."
Minako finished drinking her tea and all but dropped the cup on the table. Everyone jumped at the sudden sound of clattering dishes. "I think that maybe sometimes we need to let her fight her own battles. She'll come to us when she's ready."
Makoto blinked at Minako in shock. "Why do sometimes you say the wisest things?"
Rei burst into laughter. It was the first joyful sound they heard all afternoon. "Wise, but true." She turned to the cat guardians, and abruptly changed the subject. "Luna, although concerned that we know the true identities about the Sailor Lights and they know ours, I don't think that puts us in any real danger. Do you or Artemis after any more insights about Sailor Lead Crow?"
As the meeting quickly turned from the focus of Usagi to their actual Senshi concerns, no one noticed Minako dig hurriedly in her bag for a small notebook, flipping frantically until she landed on a certain page, and look up with determined eyes. "Rei-chan, can I borrow your phone?"
Aino Minako let out an exasperated sigh as finally discovered the Shinto Temple's telephone. After dodging Rei's ridiculous grandfather, and checking what seemed like every other room in the temple, she located the device. Strangely enough, it was placed in the entrance hall of the establishment. Turns out Rei's vague finger pointing "that way" was of no use to Minako. Rolling her eyes at the moody priestess, she picked up the phone. It was nice to know these type of inventions still existed. It was your classic telephone, complete with phone cord and receiver. No wireless phones would be found in such a religious atmosphere. As if technology was the work of demonic gods.
Minako brought her notepad to closer inspection as she dialed the Outers' phone number. It was by chance she had even written it down. In fact, she was pretty sure the only reason she did so was because at an event a couple of months ago Michiru had offered free violin lessons. Minako, being the inspiring and ambitious girl that she is, immediately requested her phone number. And Minako, being the whimsical and distracted girl that she is, never call her. But now, as she dialed the number, she hoped that a certain race car driver would be home.
When people called Minako a typical blond, they had many reasons to do so. She constantly heard things that went over her head, she routinely messed up any kind of cliche phrase, and had a hard time paying attention in math class. She was often forgetful, boy crazy, (but sometimes had to remember who was the crush of the day), and thrived on acting out on emotional whims. Each day she thought of a bigger dream, a brighter future, and most importantly, a cuter man to join her for the ride. Responsible and level- headed were the absolute antonyms of Minako and she knew it. But if there was one thing that was Mina's expertise, it would be love. Except for herself, of course. It was hard to describe, but she felt sparks. She saw connections. She heard affection. It was simply indescribable, but for lack of a better word, she would call it a "hunch". A deep pull inside of herself that left her knowing without a doubt. And there were many sparks, connections, and affections between Usagi and Haruka.
Of course, she noticed it when they were all first met. But Usagi had always been with Mamoru and Haruka had always been with Michiru. Although her gut said otherwise, Minako had always written it off as a close friendship or Haruka's protectiveness for their princess. It was no secret that Haruka had a strong sense of duty and would die for that duty. A close friendship was easily overlooked.
It wasn't until a few months ago that her opinion had completely changed. It was a normal Saturday, nothing special or exciting to remember about this date. They were at someone's apartment, this day was such of no consequence Minako couldn't even recall the setting. Someone was making dinner, okay, had to be Makoto, and the whole sailor senshi had simply gotten together to enjoy each other's company without the stress of mortal peril. Even Usagi-chan was acting normal. The only reason she noticed something was off was when Minako ate another cupcake for the third of fourth time. And she was the only one eating them. No one else would have detected this, but Minako was very accustomed to having a "pigging-out" buddy. She zeroed in at Usagi, who stood next to Mamoru, and was talking with Setsuna. She was smiling, hand in hand with Mamoru-san, and laughing. There was nothing to alert her, except that she was the only one eating the cupcakes. And if she knew Usagi, Usagi did not resist cupcakes.
Swallowing the last bite, she crumbled the circular muffin liner and threw it away. She walked back to the living room, dropped herself onto the sofa in a rather unceremonious manner, and placed her chin on her fist, deep in thought. "Usagi-chan, you're upset," she muttered. She didn't even realize she had voiced the thought out loud.
"I know." Minako all but jumped and turned to see she had unknowingly plopped herself right next to Haruka. "She didn't plan on missing Chibi-Usa this much. I never would have guessed."
The solemn girl gave Minako a half-smiling and looked at her in understanding. Like she too knew that Usagi apparently missed Chibi-Usa so much she couldn't eat. Minako just grinned naively at Haruka, acting as if she knew exactly what Haruka was referring to and lied, "Oh yeah. I was surprised too when I found out."
It was in that moment everything had been confirmed. There was a deeper bond than first met Minako's eye. The fact that Haruka had known such an intimate detail on Usagi's emotional state, while she, knew nothing of the sort not only hurt her, but also made her very aware of just how much one could ignored just because you would never consider it an option. The main reason she never considered it, even more so than Usagi's attachment to Mamoru-san, was that Usagi-chan was a girl, and last time she checked, she was not interested in other women. And although a ditz, Minako was now conscious that there was something more to this relationship than just a quick right off of "protective guardian". Haruka apparently offered something that Usagi's four best friends did not.
"Moshi Moshi!" Minako blinked out of her musings as she heard the sweet and angelic voice on the other line.
"Gomen, gomen, uh, Hotaru-chan?" She almost forgot that Haruka lived with, like, three other people. She practically had a family.
"Hai! Whose this?"
"Hey, it's Minako, I was wondering-"
"MINAKO-CHAN!" Minako pulled the receiver away from her ear, wincing as the eager child screamed in her ear. Returning to the phone, she replied, "How're you? How's school?"
"Good! I'm learning fractions."
"Gross, always hated those things." Minako wrinkled her noise up in disgust. "Hey, can I speak to your Haruka-papa?"
"Hai! I think she's taking a nap. Hold on."
"Matte!" Minako was met with no answer. Dammit! She was going to get an earful. Nervously, she curled her finger around the phone cord, hoping again hope Haruka would be in a good mood. She had a feeling this wouldn't end well.
As she waited, she wondered how exactly she would bring up the subject. She didn't want to worry the girl, but at the same time, she knew if Usagi could be reached, it would be through Haruka.
"What do you want?" a voice snapped at her on the other line. Oops. It definitely did sound like Haruka was sleeping. Now, how to proceed?
"Gomen nasai! I didn't mean for Hotaru-chan to wake you up. I know you all have been busy with Michiru's concerts-"
"Is there a point to your call, Mina? Because if there isn't, I'm hanging up."
God, the girl could be lethal. Minako felt her confidence fading. Maybe Haruka wasn't the best to call. "We were just in a senshi meeting-"
"I know," Haruka once again interrupted. "I already spoke to Rei about it. We couldn't make it, things have been intense around here. We'll catch up later."
"Glad to know it," Minako babbled. Maybe teasing would be a good way to introduce the topic. "You sound so enthusiastic to speak to me!"
"Minako, when do you ever know me to be enthusiastic?"
"When you're around Usagi," Minako deadpanned.
Dead silence answered her back. After waiting the five second courtesy for Haruka to respond, she opened her mouth to apologize. Bad idea, Minako! Bad, bad, bad!
But she was cut off before she could say anything.
"What are you talking about?" Haruka's voice was soft and calm. But not in a serene way. In fact, Minako's knees started to shake as she realized what tedious ground she was on.
Forcing the most fake laugh imaginable, she answered, "Oh, well, speaking of Usagi, have you talked to her recently?"
Once again, Minako was met with silence. The lack of responses was killing Minako, not only since they were talking of such a serious subject, but silence was not a thing extroverts liked to be confronted with. In fact, Minako knew she had a bad habit of babbling when there was too much of not talking. Her finger, still wrapped in death grip by the phone cord was now losing circulation. She was just about to call it a day when-
"She hasn't been returning my phone calls." Haruka's voice was again soft, but it lacked the venom from before. It sounded almost vulnerable.
A small gasp was released from Minako in disbelief. "Really?"
"Hai."
Frustrated, she rubbed her eyes in defeat. "I thought for sure she would have called you. Ever since she was attacked, she's been-"
"Nani? Wait. She was attacked? What are you talking about?" Haruka voice rose in volume with each question.
Minako once again felt the size of an ant. "Um, uh, you didn't know?"
"How would I know?" she all but yelled. "You're suppose protect her. I rely on you, her close friends, to inform me."
"Well, I thought she would have told you herself, because you two seem closer than we ever could be!" she heatedly snapped back. And immediately panicked once the words settled in.
"Haruka-san, gomen nasi, I just meant I thought you already knew since she isn't talking to us!" Tears sprang to her eyes for the second time that day. "She's avoiding us, and I thought for sure she was confiding with you!"
"I'm going find her," was Haruka's stern and emotionless reply, and then Minako heard a click, followed by the steady dial tone of the phone hanging up.
Shaking, Minako replaced the phone on the receiver and hoped that Haruka could reach Usagi. And that she wouldn't kill Minako after.