Chapter 12-The Future

Three months later...

Thunder clapped loudly in the sky, as the downpour continued over the city of Tokyo. Wind howled and whipped across the land. People scurried around under their umbrellas, heading towards dryer places...

Rei ducked into the cafe and closed her umbrella. Immediately, she spotted Usagi sitting alone at a booth. In front of her, sat a table full of cakes and drinks.

When was the last time they spoke? After the memorial service for Serenity, perhaps. Rei said her quick goodbye and headed for the mountain. She knew she had to get away, until her heart could stop wanting something she couldn't possibly have.

She had expected Mamoru to call, eventually, for a meeting. For the three of them to sit down and figure this out. No matter what, they were bound by destiny, for eternity. Mamoru the king, Usagi the queen, and Rei the soldier.

So she was shocked when it was Usagi that called first.

"Rei, I want to see you and Mamoru tomorrow." One simple request. So, here she was. Standing a few feet from Usagi. She could see Usagi's sunken eyes and dark shadows underneath. Usagi ordered the cake but she wasn't eating anything...Did she do this to Usagi?

"Hey." A hand laid on Rei's shoulder. She turned to see Mamoru.

"Hey." Rei said awkwardly. "Shall we?"

Mamoru nodded and gestured to Rei to go first.

Usagi stirred her hot chocolate and watched the marshmallows swam in circles. They went round and round, unable to stop. Poor things, a force greater than themselves was stirring...

"Usagi." "Usako."

She looked up and smiled. Her two favorite people were here.

"Are you okay?" Mamoru reached for Usagi's hand, but stopped halfway. Rei looked at her with concern as well.

"Mmm." Usagi mumbled. She could feel her heart beating fiercely within. "Are you guys hungry? I couldn't decide what I want, so I just ordered everything."

"Usagi." Rei sighed. "Let's not beat around the bush. We all know why we are here."

Usagi swallowed hard as she felt her eyes tearing up. "Mamo-Chan...Rei...I can't choose between the two of you."

"You didn't have to choose." Rei clenched her fists. "We all know what will happen a 1000 years from now. You are Neo Queen Serenity. You, are King Endymion. What do you think will happen if we break that timeline? Destiny had already chosen."

As always, Rei's words cut through like a knife. This would be her life then? From now on? As dictated by the future?

"No." Usagi muttered.

"Okay, hypothetically, Usako, would you choose me if we are not bound by this timeline?" Mamo-chan's eyes were gentle as always, but it shone with so much sadness. How much had she hurt him?

Yes. It was a resounding yes inside Usagi's mind. She looked up and said nothing, because it was a resounding yes for Rei as well...

"Look. I will always love you." Rei tried to hide her glistening eyes but Usagi knew, she was crying inside. "I accept our fate. Besides, I will always be here for you..." Rei bowed her head in acceptance. "I wish you and Mamoru, a long life of happiness."

"Wait!" Usagi grabbed Rei's hand as she got up to leave. "Just wait!"

Rei was looking toward the door. She didn't turn to look at Usagi. "I can't see you hurt. I can't do this anymore." She pried her hand away and walked toward the exit.

"Rei..." Usagi watched, helplessly and hopelessly. Rei was right, how could they ever resolve this? Entrusted with the responsibility of the universe, they didn't have the luxury of choice...

Centuries later in Crystal Tokyo...

"Usako...have you seen my cuff links?" Mamoru rummaged about in the walking closet.

"Ah, it's here." Usagi handed them over and resumed dressing herself.

Mamoru smoothed over his tuxedo in front of the mirror and found himself staring at Usagi in the reflection. A thousand years and his heart still skipped a beat every time he looked at her. He was truly lucky to have her by his side...

"What are you looking at?" Usagi looked down at her own dress. "Is this too formal?"

"No." Mamoru linked his arms around Usagi's hip. "It's perfect. You are beautiful."

Usagi blushed slightly and chuckled. "I am getting nervous. Are you sure you are okay with this?"

"Absolutely. It is long overdue." Mamoru leaned down and kissed Usagi on the forehead. "You will be fine. I am fine. I am happy for you guys."

Usagi nodded and smiled widely.

Just then, Chibiusa burst through the door and ran straight towards Mamoru. "Come on, Papa, we are late." She tugged at her father's hand and started to drag him toward the door.

"Small Lady, where are your manners?" Usagi pretended to be miffed.

Chibiusa did a half hearted salut to her mother and then start to pace near the doorway. "Come on...come on..."

"Done, princess. Let's go." Mamoru winked at Usagi and then left with Chibiusa.

Usagi walked through the long palace hallway and felt her heart hammering inside. Rei said to just come to the garden. She wondered what was planned.

Now as queen, she hadn't been able to go out like a normal person in centuries. So, naturally, Rei had to move the date to the palace garden. Usagi glanced around, half expecting the other senshi to be closed by and observing...

Usagi paused momentarily near the gate way. She took a deep breath, composed herself and then stepped through...

Rows and rows of flowers adorned the garden entranceway. They bloomed brilliantly under the sun and Usagi breathed in their sweet frangrance.

Rei stood at the end, holding yet another bouquet of flowers. She blushed and smiled when her eyes settled on Usagi.

"This is for you, Usagi." Rei handed it over and then stood awkwardly.

"Thanks. This is beautiful. Mako helped set this up, didn't she?" Usagi looked around and admired the beautifully transformed garden.

"Yup. That last youma destroyed almost everything so Mako and I spent last week fixing this." Rei gestured Usagi toward the gazebo, where a table was set up.

"Rei..." Usagi tugged at her hand. "Is Mina okay with us doing this?"

"She is. She's thrilled, actually. We had our talk and we are all on the same page. How about King? Is he okay with this arrangement?"

"Yes." Usagi smiled and breathed a sigh of relief.

"So..." Rei inched closer and pulled Usagi into her embrace. "There is nothing stopping us now?"

Usagi's face flushed and she looked down bashfully. For the first time in centuries, she felt like a teenager again...excited and flustered. She could see hope in Rei's eyes and her heart fluttered.

"Shall we eat the yummy food Mako had prepared for us?" Rei offered her arm to the queen.

"Definitely." Usagi's stomach growled in agreement.

After a few minutes of eating in silence, Rei made a remark that Chibiusa was growing taller faster than ever before. "We are in uncharted territory now, aren't we?"

Usagi put down her spoon and folded her hands. Indeed, they had caught up with the "future" they were locked into. Now, for the first time in a thousand years, the future would be truly unknown.

"Are you scared?" Rei reached over and held Usagi's hand.

Usagi shook her head. "I can't wait to spend the rest of my days with you and Mamoru. The future is uncertain, but that's a good thing."

"Well, I am still psychic and I can see the future...but not like a thousand years in advance." Rei pretended to sigh.

"What do you see us doing then?"

With a small smile, Rei got up from her chair and came over to Usagi's side. She leaned down and her face was inches away from Usagi's. "I saw us doing this..." With that, Rei leaned in for the kiss she had waited forever.

Usagi returned the kiss eagerly. Her heart bloomed as love filled her entire body...

The End