AN: Don't hate me once when you read the first line... couldn't help but keep it a secret for now. SOON I PROMISE! it'll all be revealed very soon. OK GUYS! Thanks for the reviews! I'll do my best to keep it interesting for you :) Enjoy!
"Yes," Luna's eyes never left the girl, absorbing every detail of her appearance, "she looks just like them."
Miya looked up smiling at the cat. She had always liked it when people said she was like her parents.
Letting Luna understand the situation for a while, Pluto spoke up, "You'll believe us now won't you Luna?"
"It will be easier for me now, yes." And for the first time since entering the apartment, she smiled.
And so, Pluto started telling Luna what had triggered the events in Crystal Tokyo and how the battle had started there. Miya stepped in little later to fill in what had happened when Pluto left to guard the Time Gates – how some had died and what had happened to the ones that were still alive when she left. She concluded with their plans to change the past in order to change the future. By the end of it, Luna was crying quietly in her spot while Pluto was staring absently at the rising sun as she listened. Miya continued to speak with an expressionless face, occasionally twitching and digging her nails into her palms in her fists that were resting by her side.
"That's impossible…" Luna sobbed as Miya finished. She looked at Pluto now, who continued to out the window, "the future you showed us before was a happy one Setsuna. We've been working so hard for it!" She almost screeched at her as the tears continued to flow freely down her face.
"I know." Setsuna spoke quietly at the window, "But that future had already changed the moment the Starlights arrived." She finally peeled her gaze from the window to Miya, "Miya-chan is proof of that. The Small Lady that all of you had met was the only child in the palace and she had no friends except Diana and the Sol Senshi. But now, after all that has happened, the Small Lady in the future now was born years later than she should have and Miya-chan has become her first friend. Those are the small changes." Setsuna turned to look at Luna with eyes reflecting the tears she held back, "we have told you everything Luna. Will you help us to persuade Usagi-san to follow her heart?"
Luna hesitated to ask what had been on her mind ever since they were explaining, "But won't Chibi-Usa…" she had to stop. She couldn't bear the grief-stricken look that appeared on Miya's face when she gripped the Luna Ball tightly that was floating in front of her. Tears were released from Setsuna's eyes as she also heard the name. They were all silent... Luna had gotten the answer to her question and fresh tears streamed down her face once again. They were all silent for a long time, lamenting at the lost of their pink-haired friend.
Attempting to change the topic, Luna asked what had been bothering her for the whole time, "Why didn't you just tell everyone the truth? It would be a lot simpler."
Setsuna sighed deeply, "I made the mistake of showing them the future once before and Usagi-san followed that path blindly, without considering her true feelings." She turned away once again, "If I tell her who to love again, Usagi-san will feel obligated to be with Seiya to save everyone, even though she loves him." She turned to see Luna and Miya's faces screwed in an attempt to comprehend her words, "If she reaches a decision by herself, her heart will not be confused and she will know without a doubt that Seiya is who she loves most. When her heart is no longer troubled, the Silver Crystal will shine the brightest. That is why we can't tell her the truth… we can only help her understand her feelings and hope she reaches the right decision. Will you help us Luna?"
Luna finally answered with her last sniffle. "I will help you." And the other two nodded.
"I have to go now." Miya finally said. She transformed back into Naomi and fastened the disguised Luna Ball on her ear. And with that, she left the apartment to head to school.
Naomi did not hurry to class. Instead, she walked slowly as she stared at the sky thinking about all that she has told Luna. It had brought back the painful memories that she had so desperately tried to suppress. But she was grateful that Luna was willing to help. She had never been particularly close with either of the guardian cats, but was still comforted in knowing that Luna was willing to help… it was a very small comfort though.
Naomi had known that Luna had noticed her hiding in the tree a long time ago and was skeptical about her knowing the truth when Pluto suggested it. It was a logical decision that Luna should be told, but it was also a risky one since Luna had always been faithful in directing Usagi towards her duties as a senshi and as a queen. Pluto had rationally concluded that Luna was in the best position to help Usagi especially if knew the truth and the best way to convince her is Miya's true form. And their plan had obviously worked.
Naomi had strolled into class 10 minutes late but only stared blankly at the teacher as he told her to stand outside as well as detention after class. She left the room without saying a single word; her stoic face didn't even twitch when she was being yelled at. Everyone was baffled at her reaction… or more precisely, her lack of reaction. The teacher cleared his throat and continued his lecture.
Standing out in the hallway with the same blank expression, she stared out the window at the clear blue sky. It was a beautiful day out but she hadn't noticed. She was too lost in her thoughts. Ever since she had met everyone again, her well-guarded heart had started to waiver slightly to reveal her child-innocent heart. She started to feel like she was living again, enjoying the company of the ones she loved so much and just being a normal girl. But since the meeting with Luna, she had to face truth… face the most devastating truth that she hated to admit ever since she started this mission that she never wanted – she was going to condemn one of best friends, Chibi-Usa. And the thought of it sliced through the heart that had just started to live again. She was crying silently behind her emotionless face.
"SMALL LADY!" A 4-year old Miya had poked the giggling pink-haired baby in the cheek. She pointed to herself and yelled, "MI-YA" unsuccessful at teaching the baby at speaking. Everyone in the room laughed.
"Miyaaaaa" begged a 2-year old Chibi-Usa was running after Miya in a field. "Teach me! Teach me!" The 6-year old Miya was running away with a crown of flowers she had just made. She stopped suddenly, turned around and plopped it on the other girl's head. "Just get your Luna Ball to make you one!" she stuck out her tongue and ran away again.
"Small Lady! We'll have another friend soon!" A 9-year old Miya said to the 5-year old Chibi-Usa. "When is he coming?" spoke Chibi-Usa as she started poking a woman's pregnant belly. A man and the pregnant woman chuckled, "Gin will be here in 4 more months" said the man as he placed his hand over his wife's belly. "GIN!" the two girls threw their hands in the air and shouted. The couple laughed again.
Naomi sighed at the memories. 'Small Lady, Gin, I'm so sorry I couldn't rescue you." She clenched her fists tightly and swung her fist on the wall behind her. She had returned to her expressionless face and continued to stare out the window, not even noticing the teacher who had came out to see who had pounded on the wall.
Someone placed a hand on her head, bringing her out of her thoughts. Naomi turned her head and blinked at the owner of the hand.
"I never got to thank you for trying to help me win Odango's heart." It was Seiya. Students were coming out of class for lunch. She was so preoccupied with her thought that she hadn't realized that the morning was over. "Come on, everyone is waiting on the roof." He gave her his charming smile and started to walk away. Naomi could help but smile back and followed him up the stairs. 'At least I can help him.'
At the end of the day, Naomi watched everyone leave as she stayed for detention. Mako had left to go to her culinary class, Taiki and Ami went to the library to study, Yaten walked Mina home and Seiya did the same for Usagi. Naomi was happy that everyone was alive and enjoying their lives. However hard the future was, seeing them happy reminded Naomi what she will save despite all the sacrifices. She sighed and an hour later, she walked out the classroom. She was walking slowly down the street from school when...
"Oi Seito-san!" She didn't respond. Naomi was so lost in her thoughts that she forgot that she was in Seito Naomi's form. And since it wasn't actually her name, she didn't even realize someone was calling her.
"Seito-san wait up!" The person walked up quickly behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder. Startled, she yanked on the hand and swished around ready to punch her supposed attacker. Her fist stopped inches from his face as the person's free hand blocked the attack. It was Seiya again.
Withdrawing her fist immediately, "Sorry! Don't creep up behind me!" Naomi bowed and apologized profusely.
"I called you so many times but you didn't answer." She blushed and he chuckled, "You have good reflexes though."
"Ah... Thank you." She kept on blushing. "So, what are you doing here besides scaring girls?" she said teasingly.
He continued to chuckle as he spoke sarcastically, "As if I could scare you! Besides I'm sure girls would love to be scared by me," Naomi rolled her eyes and he smirked, "I actually came to walk you home."
She raised an eyebrow at him. 'Why is he walking me home?'
He understood her confusion as he started to explain, "You seemed out of it today so I thought you might want to talk about it. Besides you tried to help me with Odango before, so I want to help you now." He blushed a little and looked away.
Naomi was truly touched by his gesture; tears started to form in her eyes. She couldn't say anything to respond so she just smiled and nodded sharply. And so, the two walked down the streets of Tokyo as the orange sun was setting.
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