AN: Thanks for the reviews! :) This is prob my fav chapter in the story so I hope you'll like it too! If you get confused... think "Inception"
Maker had gone to check on Fighter like she does every morning. And like every morning, Usagi was by Seiya's side. But after a while, when she went to wake Usagi for breakfast, the sleeping blonde did not wake. She had been trying to wake her up for an hour before the senshi came to visit. It was then that Maker told them everything that Usagi had told her about seeing Seiya's dreams/memories and that she was unable to wake her up. Maker was so wrought with guilt that she just buried face in her hands and cried silently, 'I shouldn't have let her do this.'
"This is all your fault." Haruka was whispering in a dangerous tone, "You should never have let her stay by his side. We should never have come here!" Her fists were shaking so violently that she punched the wall to stop it, leaving a huge dent.
"Haruka stop it." Michiru bit her lip; she was not only worried about Usagi but also about Haruka's self-destructive methods. "Ami-chan, do you have any idea what we could do?"
Ami sighed, "I'm not too sure. It may help if we find the source of the problem. And…" she hesitated to consider whether or not her next suggestion would be practical.
"WHAT?" Haruka snapped. But Ami wasn't frightened by Haruka anymore… she knew the sky senshi was just worried. Ami simply sighed before continuing.
"Now that we know they're living in a dream," her eyes glared at Maker, angry that the tall woman didn't tell her this information before, "Well if it is a dream then we have to find the one who protects dreams." Everyone stared at her in confusion. Mina, however blinked twice before she understood and her mouth formed an 'O' shape to which Ami frowned and nodded.
Answering everyone's confusion, Mina spoke, "Helios." Then it finally struck her as to why Ami was frowning. "He can enter people's dreams. He is the guardian of Elysion."
"So that means…" Michiru trailed off as she understood as well. Mina and Ami nodded.
"What? Can't you guys finish your sentences?" Healer was starting to be irritated since she didn't understand what they were talking about.
"Only Endymion can reach him if he's in Elysion." Healer raised an eyebrow at Mina, clearly indicating that she still didn't understand. Mina sighed, "Mamoru-san."
Everyone closed their eyes and shook their head in frustration. The last thing they wanted was for Usagi's betrothed to find out that she decided to leave Earth without telling him. Maker was even more concerned since she knew that Usagi had gone back into Fighter's memories to confess to him.
"Well we're not sure if it will work," Ami tried to relieve some of the tension in the room, "Helios only enter into dreams and it sounds as if they are trapped in memories."
"We don't have any other choice now do we?" Haruka had already turned around to head for the door. "Michiru and I will go back to get him. You two keep an eye on Koneko-chan. We'll be back soon." The two left, with Haruka slamming the door shut on her way out.
Healer eyed them oddly as they left, "It's not like they'll be leaving without one of us." She shrugged and sank into a nearby chair.
"This isn't funny Healer," The usually calm Maker was clearly worried, "Usagi went in there to tell Seiya that she loves him." She had kept this information quiet in front of the two Outer senshi, knowing Haruka's temper. "By the way she described it, it seemed as if Seiya regrets never getting an answer from Usagi and this regret is causing Fighter to lose hope. That's why she is reliving all the painful memories – a world without hope just leaves us with pain and fear. Usagi wanted to save him from it that's why she went back to tell him her answer." Maker bit her lip and stared at the ground.
"You had no right to let her do that." Ami was trembling. It was rare that she was truly angry at someone but now she was angry at Maker for risking Usagi's life and their destiny. "You had no right."
"Ami," it was Mina who reached out and interrupted Ami, "Usagi had fallen in love with Seiya long ago. She hasn't been happy every since he left. You must have noticed." Mina chewed her bottom lip, "I noticed it but never said anything because of our destiny. I let her suffer too Ami, don't take it out on Maker." Both girls were crying quietly… Mina was right; they had known all along but did nothing to help their friend. Instead they pushed her to Mamoru, like they are about to do now.
"What do we do now?" The two girls and two Starlights sighed at their dilemma.
"Odango will you stay by my side forever?" The couple were sitting alone under the shade of a tree in a park overlooking a lake. The lake was shimmering as it reflected the bright light from above. Seiya wrapped his arms Usagi as she leaned on his shoulder.
She snuggled closer to him, "Where else would I be?" She closed her eyes and rested her head on his chest to listen to his heartbeat; she could smell his cologne. The sound of his heart and his scent soothed her as she sighed deeply in satisfaction.
He smiled and rested his chin on her head and inhaled her strawberry and vanilla scent. "That's true."
Weeks went by and the couple were falling more in love with each other as the days passed by. They went on dates at the amusement park, the movies, dances, and just about everything they could think of. They loved nothing more than just to spend each second of it together and each day was filled with laughter… they were finally happy with the one they love.
Dressed in a black shiny tuxedo and she in a long flowy periwinkle strapless gown, they ate dinner by candlelight underneath a starry night.
"Tsukino Usagi," she registered the use of her actual name and looked up at him in surprise, "words can't express how much I love you. I don't know why we were ever apart because without you, my life is dark. You are the light of my world… my light of hope. So…" he took a deep breath, "so would you do me the honor of being my wife?" He opened a small red velvet box to reveal a huge sparkling diamond ring, the silver band twisting with smaller diamonds embedded in it.
Usagi was so touched and she sniffled, "Yes! I love you so much Seiya!" She hugged him tightly as he lifted her head to kiss her.
As the sun was setting, they stood facing each other alone with the white sand beneath their bare feet and the waves rolling in beside them. The sand was so soft and the sun cast warm orange rays that enveloped the two lovers. He was in a white tuxedo and she was in a slim white dress that danced in the ocean breeze. His long black ponytail flowed to the side, meeting her long golden hair that she had left down.
"Tsukino Usagi, no my Odango," he smirked, "Everyday I tell you that I love you, but it will never be enough. I kiss you everyday but I can never kiss you enough. I want to spend the rest of eternity with you in my arms. I promised you before that I will always protect you and I make that promise to you again. I promise that I will protect you with my life and that I will never let you go." He slipped a silver band on to her dainty finger.
"Seiya Kou," she looked up lovingly into his midnight blue eyes, "You have always been here for me, protected me, and loved me. You loved me unconditionally and I love you with all my heart as well. You make me feel alive and you complete my life. I've known for a long time that it is you that I want by my side forever. I promise I will never leave your side." She slipped on a matching silver band on to his finger.
The couple kissed passionately as fireworks went off in the orange sky. With one hand on her neck and the other on her waist, he tilted her head back to deepen the kiss. She wrapped one arm around his waist and placed the other on his chest as he gently nudged her waist forward, bringing them down to the sand. He pressed his body carefully onto her so as not to crush her. Usagi felt his tongue glide across her lips and she parted her lips slightly to allow him entry. Seiya slipped his tongue into her mouth and explored it slowly as he tasted her. She moaned from his sensual touch, arousing him. And under the now dark starry night, they were united together for the first time.
"Oi you! Take us back to Earth." Haruka had returned to the hospital room after an hour or so after realizing that they couldn't leave without the Starlight's guidance. Healer chuckled only to earn a glare from Haruka. "NOW!" She left the room noisily, followed by a nonchalant Healer.
When they had left, "Are they smiling?" Mina had looked up and pointed at their comatose friends. Her eyes widened in excitement.
The corners of Seiya and Usagi's lips had curled up ever so slightly.
"What if…" Mina shivered slightly, not from the cold; it was a warm day on Kinmouku, "what if they don't want to return even if Helios retrieves them?"
Ami cringed slightly from the thought and Maker frowned in confusion, "Usagi said it was bad memories, why would they want to stay there?"
"Because they're finally together in there." Mina stated simply. "They look happy."
"Mina!" Ami couldn't concentrate anymore. The thought of losing a friend was more than she was willing to bear, "Stop it. Just stop." Tears trickled down her porcelain face. Maker immediately wrapped the girl in a warm embrace. She rubbed her hair to calm her down as she sobbed softly into Maker's chest.
Mina turned away, embarrassed by her own words. She walked up beside Usagi and placed a hand gently on her head and whispered into her ears, "I'm so sorry Usagi-chan. I only wish you're happy."
"I feel like I've forgotten something Seiya." Usagi looked up at the clear sunny sky as they walked down by a river. The couple had decided to take a morning stroll in the beautiful weather after breakfast. But after walking a few moments, Usagi had stopped and thought she heard something… something from someone she doesn't remember.
"Something like," he tapped his chin playfully, pretending to be thinking, "how you forgot to tell me you love me this morning?" He smirked at her.
"I told you when we woke up!" She stuck her tongue out at him as he laughed. She crossed her arms and rolled her eyes dramatically, "But I guess I LOVE YOU!" She suddenly jumped on him to give him a kiss. He caught her in his arms. Lifting her up and supporting her petite body, he kissed back.
"Love you too Mrs. Kou." He winked at her and chuckled as she blushed slightly. "Maybe I should call you that instead of Odango. It has been almost a week since we got married and I quite like the sound of it… Mrs. Kou." He smiled mischievously. Recognizing her husband's expression, she blushed furiously and tried to get him to release her but he held on tighter and captured her soft pink lips with his own. He placed her gently on the grass and made passionate love to her… the first of many for the day.
"I love you."
**Please review**