I am still not happy about not owning Sailor Moon. =(
(Here you are. Sorry I did not post yesterday. I was having a bit of a block. I knew what was going to happen I just could not get it onto paper in a way I liked and I did not want to sacrifice quality on you. I might take 2 days to post at times from now on as the story will be getting more complicated. I know I still have not answered the Chibi-Usa dilemma but I assure you I know exactly what is going on there. ^_^ There will be more questioning of it in this chapter with no real conclusive answers. I do want to thank everyone for their reviews and subscriptions again. I really appreciate you all. It makes me happy that you enjoy my story. Happy reading!)
Sometimes You Just Need to Believe Chapter 14
Monday morning came and with it the usual clustering of friends catching up on their weekends. Of course, there was one rather universal topic this Monday. The Three Lights reunion concert and the 'mystery woman' seemed to be on everyone's lips. It seemed that every girl wanted to know who she was. Oh rumors flew. Some said she was a cousin of the Kou brothers, while others cried, insisting that the girl was actually the girlfriend of one of the idols. The ones who believed that one argued over which one she was attached to.
Ami, Minako, and Makoto arrived to find that rarest of sights. Usagi was early. Moreover, she had arrived before they had!
"Well there's something you don't see every day," Makoto exclaimed as she began to walk towards her unusually timely friend.
Just steps into her attempt to say good morning, Makoto stopped dead in her tracks. Seiya, Taiki, and Yaten had arrived. While this was not in itself unusual, Seiya rushed to Usagi and kissed her on her lips. Usagi wrapped her arms around him and kissed back.
"I guess Rei was right," Minako said shaking her head.
"We'll have to talk to her at lunch." Ami looked at Makoto. "You know we need to stand by her whatever she has done. She is our friend, and so much more."
"I know," Makoto said. "I just hope she is not doing anything to hurt Mamoru-san."
The three friends watched as Seiya and Usagi walked hand-in-hand to class. Whatever she had been thinking or doing in secret, it was obvious that Usagi was not hiding any longer.
Morning class was agonizing, even for Ami. Not that anything was particularly difficult for her. It was just that she found her mind wandering to Usagi. Ami was so distracted she could hardly keep track of the notes she was taking.
Taiki took notice of the senshi. They were all distracted. They had all looked surprised to see Seiya and Usagi's display earlier. 'So she does not even discuss this with her friends. What an odd girl. She could at least play the part of a princess. One is living inside of her after all.'
Yaten was distracted as well. He was not the center of one Aino Minako's attention for once. While he would never admit it, it bothered him greatly. Nothing should distract her so much she didn't notice him.
When the lunch bell rang the girls all began to fall into their routine. Much to their shock Seiya and Usagi bolted out of the room together. Taiki and Yaten exchanged looks with the other senshi and everyone nodded in unison. They all made their way to the rooftop together.
"So I take it she never told you she had any interest in Seiya," Taiki said once everyone had settled.
"No. I mean, we all kind of knew she liked him a little," Minako said. "We just never thought she'd leave Mamoru-san for anyone. They're destined to be together after all."
"It has us all worried," Ami added looking Taiki in the eyes.
"Dammit, Usagi! Why aren't you thinking about anything? What about Chibi-Usa?" Makoto slammed her fist into the ground at her side. Her tone was angry but there were tears welling up in her eyes.
"People don't think at their best when they're in love," Yaten said. "Who's Chibi-Usa?"
"She's the next princess," Ami said softly. Her voice was cracking slightly and tears were now coming to her eyes as well. "She is the daughter of our future Queen Serenity and King Endymion. If those two don't stay together…" Ami allowed her voice to trail off. She could not bear to finish the sentence.
"But time is a fickle thing. If you all still remember meeting her, she still exists somewhere," Taiki said with confidence.
"But how?" Makoto's voice was filled with desperation.
"Sailor Pluto would have sensed a change in your timeline, correct?" Taiki waited for everyone to nod in agreement. "Well then, if she has not seen a change, I do not see the reason for concern. Surely this is something she would bring up to you." Taiki turned his attention towards Ami who finally looked a bit more at ease. "I would like to discuss the alliance if you do not mind. I tried talking to the princess about it but her lack of seriousness on the matter aggravates me I must admit. I hope that I can trust you to keep your head out of the clouds. Won't you join me for a walk after school. We can discuss the matter in the park."
"Of course," Ami said with a nod and a smile.
"And seeing how you're the leader," Yaten said shooting a grin at Minako. "I'm hoping we can have our own discussion as well. I had been planning on talking with the Outer Senshi but someone beat me to that last night." Yaten shot a look over at Taiki. "Of course you're welcome to come too, Makoto." Yaten smiled and winked at Makoto.
"I'm sorry, but I have something to do after school today," Makoto apologized. "Another time. I will tell you both that I think an alliance would be a great idea. Who knows what lies beyond our galaxy? It would be best to have allies."
(Meanwhile across town…)
'No! No this can't be right! I must have done something wrong,' Hotaru thought as she stared into the clouded screen of history in her room. The truth was she knew she had done nothing different. 'Why is Setsuna-mama nodding at what I see and telling me its right? Serenity would never…' Hotaru began to cry, softly at first. When her cries began to overwhelm her, the cloud in her room lifted. Deep down, Hotaru knew she had seen the truth.
"Setsuna-mama, I didn't make any mistakes…Did I?" Hotaru hung her head low as if in defeat.
"No, Hotaru-chan, what you saw was real."
"Then Serenity is escaping, isn't she?"
"Yes."
"Then all was in vain?"
"No. The future remains in tact. My vision between now and Crystal Tokyo is cloudy at best, but we are still on the path."
"So we still have a chance?"
"Yes, but only if Usagi remains strong. Everything rides on her this time. I'm afraid there is nothing any of us can do except prepare."
"We're alone in this again, aren't we?"
"Yes and no. It depends on how fast Rei can learn. I have set it up so that Michiru and Haruka have no choice but to rely on Rei. "
"I bet they love that."
"They seem to have adjusted well enough for now."
"What about Usagi?"
"It is her future that is the most clouded. Taiki knows what we know as does the Princess Kakyuu. I have advised him to contact her, but not to invite her yet. Our best bet for your safety and the safety of this mission is for you to continue to feign ignorance until Rei finds you out. Remember our mission. I will keep prepared to send you to the safety of the Gates of Time should it come to that."
"Let's just hope it doesn't." For a moment Hotaru had looked like the true senshi she was. Now there was the small child with tears in her eyes left in her place. "Setsuna-mama, I'm scared!" She flung herself onto Setsuna's lap and cried out loud.
"I know, Hotaru. I know." Setsuna sat there with Hotaru held fast in one arm as she stroked the girl's hair with her free hand.
(Back at the school)
Seiya and Usagi had managed to find a quiet place to enjoy lunch alone. They were under a shady tree near the athletics complex.
"So what are we having for dinner tonight, Odango?"
"Oh shoot! I forgot to tell my mom! I'll have to run home!"
"Well, you and I could always help her."
"I guess that might work. There are a few things I can cook. They're nothing fancy, but Mako-chan taught me and nobody beats her cooking." Usagi took a bite out of a meat bun. "Seiya-chan, have you ever cooked before?"
"Nope. Not at all, Odango." Seiya flashed Usagi that arrogant smirk before leaning into her and kissing her.
The couple spent lunch sharing bites of food and exchanging kisses.
(After school)
The bell rang and all of the senshi made their way to the school gates. Rei was not there waiting for them. Ami, Makoto, and Minako all exchanged looks. They knew she would most likely be absent from their afternoon haunts for a while so she could continue her lessons with Michiru. Usagi and Seiya were holding hands when they caught up with Yaten and Taiki not far behind them pretending not to notice. All-in-all things were tense between everyone and the new couple that day.
"Usagi-chan," Makoto said tugging on Usagi's arm. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Sure, Mako-chan," Usagui answered readily.
Makoto and Usagi pulled themselves away from the group just enough to whisper in private.
"What are you doing with Seiya, Usagi? Did you and Mamoru-san break up?"
"Oh that. Not exactly. I just…Oh Mako-chan, I don't want to hurt him, but once I was able to think about things I realized something. I love Mamo-chan, I really do. Its just that I don't love him the way he thinks I do. I look up to him and I know he'll always be there for me just like a good brother."
"Well I think you should at least talk to him."
"I know. I need to find a way to let him down easy so he doesn't get hurt."
"I didn't mean it like that. I just…Usagi-chan, what about Chibi-Usa?"
"Mako-chan, would it make you feel better to go and talk to Setsuna-san? If there were a disturbance in the timeline she would have come running a long time ago. I've had this on my mind for a while now, even before Galaxia and Seiya. I just never allowed myself to dwell on it. And do you know that in all this time not once has she come to me to tell me about a disturbance? I promise you that I'll talk to Mamo-chan soon, alright? I have to get home. Seiya and I are helping mom cook dinner."
"Seiya and you?" Makoto's jaw dropped. "The two of you are going to cook?"
"Yep."
"Usagi-chan, has Seiya ever…"
"Nope."
"You have my cell number. Please call me if you need me this time, and not just as your backup for once!"
"And just what do you have planned for today?"
Makoto's cheeks turned a bright red hue. "I'm going to visit Motoki-kun. He's at work but Monday's are slow so he asked if I could come by so he'd have someone to talk to. I told him I'd love to visit."
The girls worked their way back into the group again. "Well, I have to go to Crown. I'll see everyone tomorrow," Makoto said as she waved her goodbyes and walked away.
"Ami, did you want to go on that walk now," Taiki asked giving Ami a serious look.
"Oh, right. Yes, we can go for a walk, Taiki-san," Ami said nervously.
Ami and Taiki headed off in the direction of the park.
"We have to get going too," Usagi said winking at Seiya.
Seiya and Usagi headed off in the direction of the Tsukino home.
Minako and Yaten exchanged confused looks and headed off towards the mall.
(At Crown)
Makoto was nervous about going to see Motoki. She remembered the concert and felt her cheeks flush at the thought of his arms around her. As she walked into the arcade she saw Motoki deeply involved in a conversation with someone. 'That's Mamoru-san!' Makoto did not want to interrupt. It really looked like an important discussion. Makoto slipped towards one of the old haunts, the Sailor V classic. She did not play. She simply waited patiently.
"So you don't know how to break up with the girl. Mamoru, you're going to kill yourself with all this worry." Motoki tapped Mamoru on his shoulder.
Makoto's ears perked up. 'So Mamoru thinks the same way about Usagi-chan.
"Its more than that, Motoki. This girl…Well, I know I mean a lot to her. I still want her in my life. I just don't want her as anything more than a friend."
"So tell her."
"We had kind of planned our future around each other. Its not as simple as dumping a girlfriend. "
"But the longer you wait, the more you'll end up hurting her. If you want her to remain a friend you're going to have to do this soon so she has time to mend. Trust me on this."
"I know. I'll see if I can get together with her tomorrow. I have to go home and try to figure out what I'll say to her. Thanks, Motoki."
Mamoru turned to leave the arcade. His heart sank when he saw Makoto sitting quietly. The look on her face told him she had heard everything.
"Mako-chan, I…" Mamoru could not finish his sentence. He had no excuse to give her. Why should he?
"Its ok, Mamoru-san. I won't tell her. You had better keep your promise to Motoki-kun and tell her tomorrow then," Makoto asked smiling at Mamoru. "I'll even tell her you wanted to see her tomorrow. She knew I was coming here and I can just tell her the truth. We bumped into each other and you want to see her."
"Thanks," Mamoru said with a nervous smile.
(Outside the arcade)
'People can't see me,' Serenity thought. 'That girl knocked me out of her head and I thought I was free. But now people can't see me unless I'm right next to her. Why? Why am I bound to that useless twit? Why do MY senshi hail her as they would me? Here comes Endymion. I can feel him near. I will hold him to me for a while. At least I can take him in with no distractions for a time. I'll need the child again soon. Maybe I can see Endymion in his dreams again. I just need more of her strength. One thing she does not lack in is strength. Maybe that's why MY senshi believe her to be me. Soon all will be set right. I will be free.'
(Next chapter will be dinner at the Tsukino residence...It will be a very light-hearted chapter for the most part. I am looking forward to writing it. It should be a lot of fun. ^_^)