IMPORTANT NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR (PLEASE READ):

Somebody is heading home... ::wink::wink:: This chapter and the following will overlap in time.

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Crossroads in Life

Written by Princess Kayla

Inspired by Naoko Takeuchi's "Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon"

Chapter Eleven

View from a Rose

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Rei took in a deep breath of fresh air and blew it out slowly. With satisfaction, she said, "I am so thankful for summer warmth."

"It's not summer yet," I pointed out as we walked across campus.

"It might as well be," she stated, "We are already winding down the semester." She was right about that. My senior year was almost over; I would be graduating and then I would be starting my residency at the local hospital in the fall. I was definitely nervous, but felt rather confident in knowing that I had arrived at the decision to go into pediatrics.

"When do you pick up your graduation gown and such?" she questioned me.

I shrugged, "It doesn't really matter. I am not going to go to the ceremony."

Rei stopped in her tracks, "What do you mean? Yes you are! You worked too hard."

"It's not a big deal," I rolled my eyes.

"Yes, it is," she disagreed. When I said nothing else, she sighed. Then, she said with determination, "You will change your mind, I know it."

I chuckled and motioned for her to continue on our way, "Come on, we are going to be late."

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My phone rang loudly from across the room, but I wasn't able to get to it in time. Then it chimed, notifying me of a voicemail. I picked it up to see that Sir had left me a message, so I played it back. He spoke in his deep stoic voice, "Mamoru, I wanted to inform you that I will be arriving on Friday. I wish to meet up with you before the graduation ceremony on Saturday. We will work out the details later. I will see you soon."

As the voicemail ended, I simply stared at my phone. I didn't know how he knew, and I definitely was not prepared for his planning on coming to the ceremony. I hadn't even planned on going.

Suddenly, it clicked. Rei. She had somehow contacted him, knowing that if he came, I would have to attend the ceremony whether I wanted to or not. Aggravated, I called her. When she answered, I said angrily, "Rei, how could you call Sir and invite him to graduation? I told you I didn't want to do this."

I could hear her sigh over the line, "I know, but I really think this is important. Even if you can't see its importance right now, someday you will."

"How did you even know to contact him?" I asked confused.

"Mamoru, you leave your phone alone all the time, so I was incredibly nosy and, yes, wrong in many ways, but right in others," she said weakly, "You know I care about you, so this is me caring."

"I've got to go," I said flatly and hung up the phone. It was harsh, but I was angry. I put the phone on my desk and then sat on the bed. I was frustrated with Rei because she went behind my back, but I couldn't deny her wanting to help me. She really was like an annoying little sister who thought she knew what was best for her big brother. I rested back on my bed and groaned. No matter what, I had to go forward with this now. Sir was coming across the ocean for this one event. That surprised me immensely.

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It was very late when Sir arrived on Friday night, so he decided to go straight to the hotel he booked in order to get some rest. Knowing he was nearby made it hard to sleep. It had been almost four years since I had last seen him, and I had rarely spoken to him all that time. I wondered what it was going to be like to see him.

I suppose I finally drifted off because the next thing I noticed was the sunlight coming through my window. I got up, grabbed my shower caddy and went to the bathroom. After showering, shaving and taming my wild black hair, I returned to my room where I tucked in my dress shirt and adjusted my tie. I slipped on my sports coat, gave myself a final look over and left my room.

Sir and I planned to meet at a restaurant for an early lunch. It was a nice restaurant that I had never eaten at before so I had to make sure that I knew where I was going. After I road a bus downtown, I followed my phone's map to the restaurant's location. When I arrived at the door, I swallowed my nerves; I really didn't understand why I was so apprehensive, but I was nonetheless.

Searching the faces throughout the restaurant, I paused until I saw Sir stand across the room. Quickly, I came to him and bowed my head in greeting. He did so as well and invited me to take a seat. As soon as I pulled myself closer to the table, the waiter came, asked for my drink order and then returned with the water just as swiftly. We each placed our order and once the waiter left, silence fell upon us. I was reminded of the meals we had shared when I was younger.

But, unexpectedly, Sir broke the silence. "Mamoru, I was pleased to receive the invitation to your graduation."

'Pleased.' That was a rare word for him to use. "I'm glad, Sir," I replied, "Thank you for traveling so far for something like this."

"Do not belittle your accomplishments," he said, surprising me. "I have seen your grade reports; you have done very well over your college career."

"Thank you, Sir." Then, I apologized, "Sir, I'm sorry I did not achieve the plans that you had for me." He said nothing and I became uncomfortable, "I know that you wished me to take your place in the business, and I did not fulfill your wishes. After everything that you have done to provide for me, I failed you."

After a couple of moments an odd thing happened. Sir let out a soft laugh. Even though it was quiet, it was a sound that I had never heard before. "Mamoru, you exceeded my expectations of you." Confused, I kept my mouth shut and simply listened to him. "Let me explain something to you, Mamoru. When I was born, my life's path was determined for me. I was to follow my father in the business that his father had set before him as a legacy." He took a drink of his water and smiled lightly, "However, I despised the idea of following their footsteps."

I was taken aback by his honesty. This was the first time he had ever opened up about anything. I stayed silent, wanting him to share as much as possible.

He continued, "I desired a life of travel. I wanted to be a photographer, capturing the world with my camera in hand. However, when my father overwhelmed me with the guilt of separating myself from the legacy I was to inherit, I gave in and put my dreams aside." He suddenly looked tired as he spoke, "I had to strive to focus and learn the business; I struggled quite a bit. Because I dedicated so much time to my work, I sacrificed finding a wife and starting a family, but then..." he smiled, "...then you showed up in my tree."

I looked down as I remembered that moment. If he hadn't taken me in, my life would have turned out very differently. "Thank you, Sir," I said, "For giving me a home and providing so much for me."

"Thank you, Mamoru," he replied, "For doing what I was afraid to do, for saying 'no' to someone else's plan for your life." He let out a sad laugh, "I suppose I have been jealous of you."

I was stunned, "Jealous of me?"

He nodded, "I saw in you a part of me I wished I had never let die. You are a fighter. You fought to run from the ill treatment in the foster system. You fought for freedom." He gave me a weak smile, "You even fought me for your own career goals." I frowned; it was difficult not to feel some sort of shame.

"Mamoru," he started and then pulled something out of his coat pocket. He extended the object to me, and I opened my hand to take it. It was an antique pocket watch. "That watch has been passed down from father to son over five generations. I want you to have it."

My eyes widened, "But, Sir, I can't."

"Think of it as a graduation present," he smiled, "You can pass it down to your son someday."

My heart pounded from all the emotions within me. "Thank you, Sir," I said softly.

"However," he began, "I want you to consider moving back to Japan. It would please me for you to be closer to home." He sighed, "I know you are a man now, and I have let so many opportunities slip away. My father was hardly present in my life, so I had no idea how to be one for you. I knew I should provide for you financially and educationally, but I did nothing more." He bowed his head, "I ask for your forgiveness."

"Sir, there is nothing to forgive," I stumbled over my words, "If I had been left on my own, I imagine that I would be dead by now. You saved me from a life of destruction."

"But I fear that I did not teach you the most valuable of lessons," he stated with sadness in his voice, "I did not teach you what it means to be loved and to love others." He shook his head. "I hope that you learn that from someone else." He leaned in and questioned me, "Have you found love?"

I don't know why, but as soon as he asked the question an image of Usagi entered my mind. I frowned.

"Your hesitation makes me think that you have," he stated, "Now, it would be foolish to let the girl go." My heart ached because if Usagi had been the one, I lost my chance with her long ago. He tilted his head as he looked at me, "Well, promise me that I get to meet her sometime." I simply nodded, knowing it would never happen.

"Here you go," the waiter said as he arrived with our meals. He sat down the dishes and told us to enjoy.

Sir put his napkin in his lap and nodded, "Eat up. We have to get you to graduation."

. . .

"Get closer together," Rei said as she focused the lens on her camera. Dressed in my black cap and gown, I stood next to Sir. "Smile," Rei ordered and snapped the photo. She lowered the camera with a smile, "Wonderful." She approached us and addressed Sir, "I wish you had more time to stay."

"I apologize," he said, "but I have to get back for work on Monday." He noticed Rei's frown and said, "However, if you convince Mamoru to come back to Japan, I would hope that you will come visit."

"I would love to," she grinned and looked at me, "That sounds fun."

I shrugged with a grin and turned to Sir, "Thank you again for everything."

"Of course," he said, "I will call you when I arrive back home." With that, we said our goodbyes. I watched as he walked away, still amazed by the conversation we had at lunch. I pulled out the pocket watch and opened it to see the ticking clock.

"What's that?" Rei asked.

"Sir gave it to me," I answered, "It was a graduation gift."

"Can I see?" As I nodded, she reached out to take the precious gift. When our hands touched that familiar sensation took over.

. . .

Suddenly, I was in an office. It smelt dusty and old. A woman sat behind a desk talking to a man that was staring out the nearby window. It was Sir, a younger version of him. He had the pocket watch out, checking the time.

"I need you to understand that Mamoru is a troubled boy," the woman spoke, her words echoing through the room, "He is a runner. Every home we put him in, he ends up running away or being returned."

"What do you mean by returned?" Sir turned to her.

She frowned, "We have been told that he isn't a good boy."

"Why is that?" He asked.

She flipped through a file on the desk, "I'm not sure exactly, but that's the statements made in his paperwork."

"I don't think some words on a page can define who a child is," Sir rebutted. He closed the pocket watch and walked towards her desk, "I see something in him that is greater than all this."

"What is that?" she questioned.

"He has a spirit of survival. I can see in him what I wish I could have been," he explained, "He is going to make a difference in this world."

She frowned, "This is quite a responsibility, you understand."

He nodded, "I do, but I want to help him fight all of this. He deserves more."

"All of our children do," she stated.

"I believe that," he agreed, "but I believe he found his way to my home for a reason."

She sighed, "Okay, then. If you want to adopt him, we need to finish signing the paperwork."

"Okay," he sat down across from her.

She pushed a document towards him with a pen, "Okay, let me walk you through this."

. . .

My hand clenched around the pocket watch as Rei stumbled back. I had to swallow the nausea that filled my throat. Immediately, Rei went to a nearby bench and took a seat. She put her hand over her head and took a couple of deep breaths. I joined her, waiting for the dizziness to pass.

A sob escaped her lips, "I thought it had stopped." I turned my attention to her only to see that she had started to cry.

"Rei," I took another breath, trying to collect myself. This was the second time I was impacted by her 'ability' and I no longer doubted it. She did have a gift, but I knew that no one else would believe her. I was the only one there for her. I put my hand on her shoulder. "Don't cry."

Her eyes widened, "You saw? You believe me?" I nodded. "You saw the vision? You saw him?"

"Yes. It must have been a memory attached to the watch," I whispered, "The memory of when he adopted me." I thought for a moment and then smiled, "Thank you, Rei."

She stared at me in shock, "Why would you thank me?"

I continued to smile, "It was a good memory. Sir truly wanted me, for more than I thought. He wanted me to have a future. Because of you, I got to see that."

Rei's tears started to fall not out of sadness or fear but out of joy. She was happy that wasn't frightened by her. I didn't run away this time. She leaned into me, "Thank you, Mamoru."

"Don't be afraid of your ability," I said, "Not anymore. I think your mom would want you to embrace it."

She sniffled and gave a weak smile, "Okay. I will try."

"Good," I grinned and stood up, "Let's go get some ice cream or something." She laughed, wiped her tears away and followed me.

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"You look so lovely," Rei complimented Lily on her wedding day. The ceremony went well; I didn't mess up my role as usher. The reception was a bit overwhelming, however. It was interesting watching Lily and Thomas being shuffled throughout a zoo of people. I had no idea how they kept up with all of the names and faces. Finally, Lily and Thomas made their way to us.

"Thank you," Lily squeezed Rei tightly in the hug, "I'm so glad you were able to come." Lily glowed with happiness.

Thomas shook my hand, "Thanks again, Mamoru, for helping out."

"No problem," I smiled, "I am honored you asked me to be a part of all of this."

Thomas motioned to the rest of the crowd, "I know this is crazy, but I really hope you have a good time."

"Of course," I promised, "but you better go join the rest of your party."

He gave a happy sigh and rested a guiding hand on Lily's back, "We have several more people to talk to before we cut the cake."

Lily made a pout face and gave Rei one last hug, "I'm sorry we have to run off. Have fun, okay." Rei nodded and waved as the happy couple hurried back.

Once they were gone, we sat down at a nearby table. Rei exhaled, "I don't think I could ever do this."

I laughed, "I don't know if I could do all of this either."

She smiled as she shook her head, "I think you're wrong. I see love in your future."

"I thought you didn't see the future," I smirked, and she rolled her eyes. "Honestly, I'm not one hundred percent sure what I will do now." After graduation, I had a month in my dorm room before I was required to move out. I had been looking for an apartment off campus for my residency. I hadn't had much luck, but I had everything packed up and ready to go as soon as I figured out my plan.

She must have noticed me thinking about it all because she just smiled, "You've got a couple more weeks." I smiled at her encouragement.

Suddenly, I heard the sound of a phone vibrating. I pointed at Rei's purse, "Is your phone ringing?"

She reached into her purse and answered her phone. "Hello?" she said in English and then with a perplexed expression, she switched to Japanese. She plugged her other ear as she pulled the phone closer to her face, straining to hear. "I'm sorry, I am having trouble hearing you," she said.

I stood up and motioned for her to follow me. She told the caller to hold on and then hurried with me outside. Once we were in a quieter area, she told the caller to go on now. The expression on Rei's face twisted as she listened. Worry took over me.

"I understand," she said unevenly, "I will be there as soon as possible." With that, she hung up the phone.

"What's going on?" I asked with concern.

A minute passed before she told me the sad news, "My great-grandfather has fallen ill. He has asked for me."

"Oh," I said in confusion, "I'm so sorry, Rei."

"Why would he ask for me?" she asked me as if I knew the answer. Another minute passed. "I don't know why but I said that I would come," she told me and then distress covered her face. "I watched my mother die, Mamoru," her voice shook, "I don't want to watch another person die."

I stared at my friend. Yes, my genuine friend. Over the past four years, my life changed. I was different. I understood how foolish I was in the past; how I destroyed so many relationships. I had good friendships, including the greatest in my life - my relationship with Usagi. I had failed her and would live with the regret of that for the rest of my life. At this time, with Rei, I didn't want to make another mistake.

"I will go with you."

Shocked, her eyes shot up at me, "What?"

I took in a deep breath and repeated, "I will go with you."

"But you have to find an apartment," she stated.

I shook my head, "Like you said earlier, I have time."

"But," she started to argue again.

"No more trying to stop me," I said with determination, "I'm coming with you."

Her eyes brimmed with tears, "Thank you."

I nodded and motioned for her to come with me, "Let's say goodbye to Lily and Thomas and go look up some flights. Come on." We hurried back in, our minds set on returning to Japan.

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Please Pardon Grammatical Errors and Review.