Chapter 3-What If

The sun peeked through the drawn curtains and Mamoru winced. He sat up and rubbed his forehead. Barely got any sleep, Mamoru sighed and got out of bed.

As if things couldn't get any worse between Usagi and him, Mamoru cursed at the turn of the events.

Princess Serenity was all over him last night and she kept one arm securely locked under his. He kept glancing over at Usako, who was sitting way too close to Rei, and all he got was nothing. No jealousy, no love, no nothing. In fact, she made sure not to make any eye contact with him.

He couldn't really blame her after the talk they had last week. When Rei suddenly decided to leave, Usagi showed up at his doorstep bawling her eyes out. Mamoru swallowed his pride and consoled her until she was calm enough to talk.

"Trust me, Mamochan, I still love you. But my heart, it feels like it's split into two. On one hand, I know the future we will have and I do look forward to it. We get to have Chibiusa. On the other hand, I...I think I am falling for Rei." Usagi said between her sobs.

Mamoru stayed silent and stared at his mug. A mug with cartoonish bunny ears and an unergonomic grip. A mug she gave him for his last birthday. It felt like a break up but it wasn't. Can they even do that without blowing up the world?

He nodded and showed his support, as Usagi continued to pour out her guilt and confusion over the situation. If only they didn't lose their memories due to that spell, maybe Usagi would never have fallen for Rei...

Ding dong. The doorbell rang and Mamoru glanced at the clock. It read 8:30 am. Who would be here so early?

From the peep-hole, all he could see were the familiar odangos. Which one was her? Mamoru's heart started to race...

"Hi, Endymion." Princess Serenity beamed and held up a takeout bag. "Got us some breakfast. May I come in?"

Mamoru tried to hide the disappointment and forced a smile onto his face. "Serenity. Come in..." he stepped aside and allowed her to pass. He caught her scent as she walked past. For someone that looked like Usagi, she certainly walked different and smelled different.

"Thank you. I just want to come over and see how you are doing. Last night must be a huge shock." Serenity went into the kitchen and started to take out some plates. She must have caught the surprise expression on Mamoru's face. "Oh, I know everything Usagi knows. So, I know your place like the back of my hands."

Mamoru chewed over the last sentence. She knew everything Usagi knew. He was tempted to ask some questions...questions he would never ask Usagi.

"Let's eat while the food is still hot. We will talk later." Serenity dumped the food onto the plates and carried them out. "It's nice to do things for myself for once, no? Remember back at the palace, no one would ever let me step foot in the kitchen? How silly..."

Mamoru ate his breakfast in silent. She sat across from him, so familiar yet so unfamiliar.

"Are you okay?" She asked as she poured more tea into his cup.

He nodded. "Just trying to wrap my head around this whole situation." He offered a weak smile and then took a big bite of his food. He really didn't know what to say. He certainly hoped they would merge soon and everything would go back to normal. Usagi would be safe again...but Serenity would fade to the background once again.

"I know I am not Usagi and you are not my Endymion. He's inside of you, I know..." Serenity looked down sadly. "Not exactly what I signed up for either..."

"I am sorry." Mamoru looked down, feeling bad all over again. The other side of him only emerged in case of emergency, he couldn't just switch on the spot. "Look, I don't know what the enemy wants, but I am still glad you are here and you can be your own agent again."

Serenity looked up and her eyes were misty. "Well...I was wondering if we could go out on a date. I've always watched you guys from the distant, behind the looking glass. Those dates always looked fun...when I was the moon princess, I never get to experience that...and..." she stopped when Mamoru put his hand on hers. She looked up nervously.

"It will be my honour, my princess. Let's just go out and eat everything and have tons of fun, okay? " Mamoru knew it was the right thing to do. It wouldn't count as cheating, right? If he was dating the "same" person?

Rei stood up and stretched her sore back. An entire night in front of the fire and still nothing...Rei shook her head in frustration. She would have to try again tomorrow. She stifled a yawn and walked towards the bathroom.

She slid open the door and yelped. At the same time, the naked Usagi quickly grabbed the nearby towel and wrapped herself up. Both blushed profusely and looked away.

"Sorry, I didn't know you were still up...and taking a shower..." Rei backed away and then closed the door behind her. She leaned against the wall and sighed.

"Hi, Rei. I am done. It's all yours." Usagi appeared wrapped in a pink towel. She opened her mouth, as if to say something, but then changed her mind. She merely shook her head and hurried back to the guest room.

Rei clenched her fists and groaned. Ami's plan sucked. "We should all stay together until we could figure out what's going on." No thanks to her, Rei's temple was turned into the senshi hotel...again! Rei just couldn't seem to put enough distance between her and Usagi. That one week in the mountain did nothing to cool Rei's head, and now, seeing Usagi everywhere she turned certainly didn't help either.

The hot water hit Rei's skin at a scalding temperature. Rei stood under it until her skin turned boiled. She could barely feel it...What was she going to do now? What would happen if Usagi and Serenity never merge? If they get to lead separate lives?

Rei opened her eyes when that thought hit her like a train...Would Usagi be freed from that fate? The fate of being queen of Crystal Tokyo?

She inhaled sharply and shook her head. For good measures, she started to bang her head against the shower stall, trying to banish that thought.

She chuckled slightly as she looked into the mirror. Her plan was working. Now all she needed to do is to taint Serenity's heart...then she can sit back and watch the world burn.

The witch leaned back in her chair and let out a throaty laugh. They have no idea what's to come...