Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or any of its characters.
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Questions Answered
They'd first stopped by a small coffee shop, but eventually decided that a public restaurant was no place to have the conversation they needed to have, so Mamoru took Kakyuu to his apartment.
"Please, sit," Mamoru insisted, indicating the plain white couch.
"Thank you" she smiled gratefully.
Mamoru took a seat across from her, and they sat like that in uncomfortable silence for a while, neither one of them really knowing how to start.
Mamoru coughed.
"… So tell me, what brings you here exactly?" he asked lamely, giving her an apologetic look for the awkwardness of the situation.
"I told you," was her vague reply, seemingly unaware of his discomfort.
"The light of hope," he nodded. "Why are you looking for it?"
"It's the only way," she answered distantly, getting a far away look in her lavender eyes. She looked so sad, and he wanted to help, but he couldn't unless she'd tell him more.
"To?"
"To save the world," she told him bluntly, deciding that being straightforward would be best.
Mamoru's eyes widened, all awkwardness forgotten.
"From what?" he asked, incredulity ringing clear in his voice.
"Chaos" Kakyuu whispered, shuddering at the name.
It's never going to end, is it? He thought bleakly.
"How can I help?" he asked, a look of grim resolution in his face.
"You'd so hastily give your help to a stranger?" she inquired, slightly taken aback.
"I protect my planet, you say it's in danger, I believe you," he shrugged.
"Why?"
"I don't see why you would lie… why? Are you saying I shouldn't trust you?" he asked, carefully examining her regal form for signs of suspicious behavior.
She stared at the man before her. There was something about him. He looked almost tired. As if life had just about worn him out. She studied his sapphire eyes and saw a sadness deep within him that looked as if it had only recently begun to heal. There was another emotion there as well. One that he struggled to hide. But she saw it. And the intensity of it astounded her. It was love. She wondered what he had to have been through to become the man he was now. A man so exhausted by his own life, and yet so ready to put his trust in, and to help a stranger who tells him the world might end.
"You're a good man," she hesitated but pressed on, "only a most remarkable girl could deserve you."
He looked startled at her implications, wondering what exactly it was she meant, but replied evenly.
"Usa-ko's the most amazing person I've ever known. She has a big heart that far surpasses her duty, with big dreams that could never be broken, and a courage that meets every challenge without a second thought. I'm lucky she chose to give her love to me."
She tilted her head.
"You love her," she said tonelessly, a little bit sad that his heart already belonged to someone else.
"We're meant to be," he confirmed.
"Maybe the light of… no, never mind."
"What is it?"
Since the light of hope is so strongly reflected in him, perhaps this girlfriend of his could be it. But then, how could a mere girl be our one chance to defeat Galaxia? Impossible.
"Nothing, just a crazy thought."
"So about this light…"
"Yes?"
"What does it look like?"
"You can't really see it so much as feel it."
He thought it over.
"I think I understand," he nodded.
They sat there silently for a while, lost in their own thoughts, until she gave a sad sigh.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"I miss my home, but I'm alright."
"Where do you come from?"
"I am from Kinmoku, a beautiful planet much like yours, but it was brutally destroyed by Galaxia," she uttered, her gentle voice dripping with great sorrow.
"I'm sorry," he whispered in a tone that went beyond sympathy.
Bizarre, he doesn't just feel sorry for me, it's almost like he knows how it feels, as if he's felt it before. This feeling of helplessness, of losing your world to the darkness. How could he know?
"Thank you, but what's done is done. I must focus on saving the rest of the universe, and only then can I return to rebuild my home."
"I'll do everything in my power to help you," he said determinedly.
"That's noble of you, but what can you really do? Without the light of hope, our efforts would be futile," she gave a sad smile. "Besides, I wouldn't want anything to happen to that pretty face of yours," she laughed in a sad attempt at a joke.
He ignored her last comment.
"Futile? I can't believe that. Are you so ready to give up and let her win after what she's done to you?" he demanded, a hint of anger in his voice.
She looked in his eyes and saw something that startled her again. Was it his determination? Or perhaps his strength? No, I see it now. It's his faith. He believes we can win, even though he knows many have already fallen. I can't decide whether it's admirable, or foolish, she mused, unknowingly echoing Seiya's thoughts concerning Mamoru.
She smiled and shook her head.
"No, I won't give up just yet, I will fight Galaxia to the very end if I have to," she paused. "You know I… I think I like your faith."
He gave her a funny look, unable to recall where he's heard those words before. Then he nodded in approval.
"Glad to hear it. Hopefully it won't go that far." His face darkened. "Who is this Galaxia? How could she have so much power?"
"She was once a good Sailor Soldier, the most powerful in fact. But there was a monster, Chaos. She fought hard and defeated it, sealing it within her own body. But she could not smother it. And then it consumed her. Now she's intent on ruling the galaxy, and will not stop until the star seed of every star and planet is in her grasp."
"Star seed? Those things the renegade Senshi keep trying to take, that turns black if not true, and changes humans into phages. So Galaxia is behind it all," he said in a dazed comprehension, putting the pieces of the puzzle together.
"How could you know all that?" she asked in a stunned voice. She'd thought he was determined, yes. Strong, maybe. But she had no idea he already knew so much about the true evils of this world.
"Maybe I'm not just a handsome face," he quirked a brow.
Well, well, my thoughts exactly. This man was constantly surprising her, and she couldn't help but like him that much more.
"Maybe you could help me after all," she grinned.
He nodded.
"There are soldiers on this earth. Sworn to defend justice and protect the world from evil. They have never backed down, no matter how afraid they were, or how unlikely the chances they'd survive. I know they will fight Galaxia, and they will not lose."
"So much faith in the power of these Senshi?"
"I have faith in their strength In her strength. Her heart. It's her love that's saved the world before, and her love that will do it again."
"Her?"
"Sailor Moon," he smiled.
Suddenly there was a loud explosion. The door was blasted off its hinges, and Galaxia herself stood before them.
"You've evaded me for the last time, Princess Kakyuu."
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ugh this chapter was boring wasn't it? i just can't think of a way to make it interesting. maybe cuz i prefer writing about seiya/usagi or yaten/minako. sorry lol.
for everyone who's still doing exams, or are starting them soon, good luck! don't get too distracted, i know how easy that is ;)
thanks for reviews.