26: "Guardian Angel"
It scarcely took Sailor Moon fifteen seconds to scale the building; determination and frustration helped give her that extra boost. By then, of course, Tuxedo Kamen was long gone, merely a blip on the horizon, at least three buildings away. Sailor Moon smirked defiantly and crouched down, putting herself in a sprinter's starting position. She had never been on the track team, but years of evading (and sometimes confronting) all sorts of monstrous rabble had formed her into a respectable runner (not to mention all those times she had been late to school—or a Senshi meeting—or coming home after curfew—or meeting Mamoru for a date—or...)
Sailor Moon became a blur, and augmented by her unnatural Senshi abilities, she was able to travel up to two and a half times faster than the average person, equaling if not surpassing the Olympic best. Minako's earlier observation concerning Tuxedo Kamen's similarly impressive speed was not exactly accurate—the man leaped and bounded spryly enough, but despite his respectable head start, he wasn't able to match Sailor Moon. She was also powered by desperation, and the mythical hellish fury provided to her gender, so in a very short time she had closed the gap to the point where she could get a decent look at her mysterious former lover as he sailed before her. She risked calling his name; he didn't look back.
Darn it! Why is he running?! Did something happen? Is he embarrassed? Did he find some other girlfriend?
"You've gotten slower, Tuxedo Kamen!" she taunted. "I'm going to catch you! Look, just stop for a moment! I want to talk!" She came to the first hurdle and leaped over it, a chasm spanning at least three meters—no problem for Sailor Moon. Tuxedo Kamen flailed, however, only barely making the jump ahead of her, rolling to a momentary stop before picking himself up again, giving out a shrill squeal. Sailor Moon grimaced: even at his worst, Tuxedo Kamen never had much difficulty with his acrobatics, and he certainly never squealed.
Well, there was that one time she—ahem—stayed the night, but...
From her new perch, she had a good vantage point of Tuxedo Kamen's activities: just as she thought, he was heading to Maison Apartments, Mamoru's old stomping grounds. Sailor Moon smirked and flew off the building, almost overcoming him. He managed to press on over one more gap—a small one—but had practically slowed to an asthmatic crawl by the time she followed. Not feeling particularly merciful, Sailor Moon catapulted herself onto the roof, just a few spaces away from a very surprised and very exhausted Tuxedo Kamen. He was bent over breathing hard; Sailor Moon grinned with wicked delight as she saw her advantage. She crossed the distance between them with ease and tackled him with all her love and fury.
"AHA! Gotcha! Haven't been working out lately, have you Mam—"
She froze as she got a good look at his face. The trademark mask he always wore was slipping off, clearly a cheap plastic store-bought prop. There was panic flashing in his eyes—eyes that were a completely different color—and his hair, his frizzled brunet hair, was askew. He was much younger than Sailor Moon remembered, more like her age, and his voice (as he shrilly tried calming her down) was just a few octaves higher. There was only one logical conclusion.
"BWAAH! Yayayayayayayayou're not Tuxedo Kamen!"
"Um, no," the young man answered. Sailor Moon responded in the only sensible way she knew how: by grabbing the man's collar, slamming his head against the concrete roof, and screaming at him.
"Then who are you?! Why are you following me around? Why are you putting yourself in danger? Do I know you? Are you some kinda creepy stalker? Where'd you get these clothes? What gave you the idea to go running around like this? What do you know about the real Tuxedo Kamen? Or about me? He's the only one that can throw roses like that; how do you do it?! ANSWER ME, fuzz-head!"
"Yeowch, stop it, Usagi, I can't even see! You're gonna crack my skull open! Would you just give me a chance to—ouch!—respond?"
"You've got just ten seconds, you shameless imposter! Then I'm gonna do a whole lot worse than crack your..."
Then it suddenly hit her. The young man had called her "Usagi".
He knew.
"WAAH! Wawawawawawawawawawhat did you just say?! What did you say?!"
"I just asked you to give me a chance to answer you, sheesh."
"Before that!"
"That you were gonna bust my head open!"
"Before that! What did you call me?!" The poor young man winced, dizzy and disoriented, his vision blurry. Likely he had already gotten a mild concussion.
"I called you 'Usagi'."
"And WHY would you do that?!"
"Because it's your name," he said, finally managing to sit up. He rubbed his head, checking for bruises or blood, wincing as the world swam and swerved around him. "Don't you recognize me?"
"Recognize you? How could I?! I don't even KNOW you!"
"What? Really? Honestly now?"
"Of course not, do I look demented to you?"
There was an awkward pause.
"Don't answer that! Just tell me who you are!"
"You really don't even know who I am," he stated in defeat. Sailor Moon glared at him, despite all the pain and anguish he was going through. The beleaguered young man sighed deeply, reaching into one of his vest pockets, pulling out a small rectangular case. "I wish I didn't have to resort to this, but it looks like it's the only way to jar your memory. Just so you know," he said, opening the case, "you've always been a heart-breaker, Usagi." He put on a pair of large round glasses, and at first, as the two stared at each other, Sailor Moon still didn't get the connection. But then it hit her like the proverbial pallet of bricks.
"WAAAH!"
"Yaah!"
"UMINO GURIO!?"
"That's me, in the flesh," he grumbled. Sailor Moon was stricken; she careened back, perspiring, her heart rate furious, her jaw slack.
"But you're...but you're...you're, uh...um..."
Oh my god, is this really Umino?! Wow, he's...
He's handsome!
"I know," he sighed, "I shouldn't be endangering myself by following you around."
"Well, I was going to say you were, um..."
Sexy?
"Athletic," she forced. Finally, Umino smiled.
"This isn't the first time I've masqueraded as 'Tuxedo Umino', you know. Years of being picked on and bullied make good motivation for change. Besides, in the back of my mind, I was really just doing it for you...and Naru...and everyone else important to me. As much as I hated punishing myself and getting...sweaty...I hated the thought of standing by helpless even more. So I made the change. But I guess I made it too late. By the time I was really ready to do anything, as clumsy or foolish as it might have been, the world didn't need Sailor Moon anymore. I had gotten myself all worked up for nothing. Even Naru...didn't need me anymore." His voice faded, his gaze averted. There was deep tragedy and loss in his countenance that Sailor Moon had unknowingly strengthened, and her heart sank in sympathy.
"Oh, Umino... I know you had your heart in the right place, but...even if it hadn't been too late, it would've been too dangerous. Even the police are having a hard time with all this, and they've been specially trained for it. ...I should know, I'm one of them now."
"I heard. Congratulations on that, by the way. But you're right, I suppose. I acted impulsively, recklessly even. But you more than anyone should know what effects love can have over a person's mind. They throw themselves into the fire so the other person doesn't get burned. Sad, really." She edged closer, cradling his head, healing.
"I am sorry I attacked you like that—it's just that I thought..." She smiled feebly; his smile was much sadder.
"That I was someone else?" A nod. A sigh. "When I saw you on the news—Sailor Moon, I mean, fighting those monsters—I thought my chance had come. Self-preservation and common sense took over for awhile, but...ultimately, I guess even someone who always got high marks in school can do something idiotic."
"I know what you mean," she whispered, thinking of Ami's torrid relationship with Nastya and Minako. "But while we're on that subject, just how did you learn who I was?"
"How else? Naru told me. I'm just hurt you never confided in me like that. I know you and I were never that close, Usagi, but I always thought we were friends."
"I know," she murmured, feeling tears well up, "I'm sorry. I let everyone important in my life in on my secret, but I..."
"No, it's all right," he said resolutely. "Like I said, we weren't that close. And it's not something you can easily tell other people, I bet."
"You have no idea," she whispered, remembering how she felt when she told her family, or how Naru confided in the knowledge (having long since discovered it on her own), or how peculiar she felt when Motoki graciously laughed it off. She then wondered if Ami felt similarly anxious when she announced her sexuality for the first time. "But hey," she said, changing the subject, "speaking of Naru, whatever happened between you two? I ran into her again a few weeks ago, and I noticed an absence of Umino."
"Oh, that?" he said solemnly. "Well...it's just difficult to explain, and a little embarrassing. Naru has a great heart, as you've no doubt noticed, and there's definitely a place in there for me...but I think there was a place in there for other people, too, and I don't just mean you or her mother. I mean other people she may have been in love with."
Like Nephrite, she thought to herself. Or...Makoto.
"Heck," he laughed, "sometimes I wondered if she wasn't actually in love with you, either. But I think we just grew up, grew apart."
"I know that feeling," she murmured. "In fact, the reason why I was chasing you so enthusiastically...um... The person I thought you were..."
"Ah," he smiled, "so that's who Tuxedo Kamen was, eh? Mamoru. It all makes sense."
"I'm guessing Naru didn't tell you that part," she smirked. Umino chuckled.
"I don't even think she knows!" Sailor Moon stood, offering her hand. Umino took it, and the two old friends smiled warmly at each other, despite everything, and because of everything.
"It was good to see you again, though," she whispered, gently touching his face. Umino blushed: that first crush is always the one that hangs on the longest. He vaguely remembered hearing her say something about taking her home, and being the gentlemanly and reliable friend he was, he accepted the invitation.
"But maybe we should get down from here first," he tittered, pointing to the street below. "My, ah, car's back at my apartment."
Umino had discarded his "Tuxedo" costume in favor of a more casual polo shirt and slacks, abandoning his trademark large glasses for a subtler pair—and Usagi, who had reverted back recently, couldn't keep herself from staring. She knew in the back of her mind that Umino was a "nerd" and something of a social outcast, and always entertained an unhealthy obsession with entomology and the mechanical world, but she had to admit: the annoying little toad had transformed into a very dashing prince.
A very...eligible dashing prince...
No! Bad! Stupid libido! Down! Darn it, why can't he leave those silly glasses on? He's WAY too good-looking without them! Jeez! He used to date Naru, for crying out loud! She's my best friend! I'd never do something as low as...as, uh...well, "going after" my best friend's ex! No matter how badly I want to smell his hair or lay my cheek on his chest, or nibble on his ear, or have him touch my hand...mmm, hehe, or see him in a swimsuit, grr, or caress his soft silky—GAAH! Bad libido! Down, girl!
"You ready?" he said, extending his elbow like they were on a date. Usagi blushed.
Think unsexy thoughts, think unsexy thoughts, think unsexy thoughts...
"Sure, thank you," she blurted. He drove; she was silent. He promised never to endanger himself again; she neither condoned nor condemned his actions. He told her to call him whenever she wanted, to stay in touch, be safe. She just nodded. He said that if she or Naru were in any serious danger again, he might not be able to help himself. She glanced over at him, overflowing with love.
"Don't! Just...be safe, please. I couldn't bear it if...anything happened to you."
I DO love him...sort of...I guess. I mean, he's no Mamoru, but...god, those eyes!
"Same to you, Tsukino," he smiled. She sighed with relief, grinning back. When they finally got out, Umino even went so far as to open her door for her. Usagi cracked, no longer able to stem the tide. For all his pains and all the suffering he went through over the years, both for her and Naru and everyone else, she felt he deserved something in return, and gave him a kiss more than fifteen years in waiting. She held herself on his mouth briefly, three heartbeats in gratitude.
"WOW!" he shrieked. "You actually kissed me! That was even better than I could have dreamed! Ah, hah, hah...! I think I'm gonna faint! C-call an ambulance!" He didn't faint, of course, but there were doubtless hearts floating over his head as he stumbled back into his car and drove off. Usagi giggled, thankful of the things that even time itself could never change.
"Same old Umino. He's so cute."
Wow, did I say that out loud? Oh, so what if I did? I'm allowed some small measure of outside interest! Hey, Mamoru better show up soon, or else I'll find some other great guy to throw myself at!
"You hear that?" she said to the wind, stepping indoors.
…...
Saeko Mizuno wasn't at Juban Primary when Makoto returned; she had uncharacteristically clocked out early and deviated from her normal route home. She would be visiting an old friend—several of them—many of whom she had not seen in years. Normally, she would not make such a spontaneous decision, and would likely question this improbable course of action, but something drastic had changed in her life, causing a chain reaction that led to this abnormal behavior, and she needed solace. She needed answers.
Most importantly, she needed to see them again.
It had been so long since she visited the house that Saeko almost missed it. She managed to find the place after dusting off her older memories, and parked next to the curb, bracing herself. Out the door. Walking towards the house. To ring or knock? She decided to ring. Who would answer? Both children had moved out, and though she had approved of the marriage, meeting the husband would be slightly awkward.
Then again, seeing her again after so many years would be just as uncomfortable.
Saeko managed a smile as the door opened, and she felt it grow into a natural warmth as the woman on the other side gasped, whispering her name.
"It's been a very long time. Ah...how are you? What brings you out...?"
"Ikuko," she replied, falling into Mrs. Tsukino's arms. Later she would excuse herself from the premises and go for a drive with her childhood friend.
"I apologize for my theatrics," she said, parting a strand of hair. "It just... Everything seemed to fall in at once. Seeing you in the first time since...what must've been forever..."
"I know, it was a surprise—very unexpected, but very pleasant." That smile again. All Tsukinos had it; Saeko had missed it dearly. "What did you want to talk to me about? And where are we going? My goodness, I must sound like my daughter, peppering you with a hundred questions like that!"
"Your daughter is..." She winced, grasping, ashamed to have forgotten.
"Usagi. Well, Officer Tsukino more like it."
"A police officer, of course. Now I get the joke. And I'm sorry to be so vague about everything. This was all rather...sudden."
"No kidding," Ikuko laughed. Saeko stopped at a light, glanced over at the other woman. Countless years, with her and without, laid between them, both as bond and barrier. They had known no closer friend in their youth; now they would never truly know each other again. They would have to metaphorically start all over again.
"Do you think we could round up Kinsei as well?" Ikuko started at this strange request. Kinsei had been another member of their circle during her youth, and like every other member, had gotten married and raised a child. What made her remarkable was her stark resemblance to Ikuko—so powerful that sometimes even their parents had difficulty telling the difference. While no biological link had ever been proven or disproven, the two considered each other a sister, and had high hopes (which were ultimately fulfilled) that their children would be just as close. Ikuko nodded, bursting with joy at the thought of seeing her "twin". Slowly, though, she realized where Saeko was going with this impulsive behavior, but chose not to comment on it, saving her thoughts for another time.
After picking up Kinsei, Saeko and company made one more stop on their long-overdue reunion. Roughly half the old gang had been found and pulled into this sudden venture; now the remaining two members must be included. All three women got out, the "twins" linking arms as they once did so many years ago. Evening was setting in, and their destination would be closing soon, so they would have to make good use of their time. The flowers were starting to wilt and shrivel, trees were shedding, curling up defensively; the weather was chilling. A marvelous summer would soon be turning into autumn, and with the world dying a little all around them, it only seemed fitting they should be here.
"Hey, there they are," Kinsei said, nudging her doppleganger. "Right where we left em', too."
"That's not funny, Kinsei," Ikuko said, even though she was smiling. Saeko was by far the most somber of the trio: coming here was especially painful for her, even after all this time, even with two of her closest friends with her. Kinsei tried getting her to open up—hadn't it been a long time since they spoke? Shouldn't they be happier? Why not reminisce on the good times? Make this a happy occasion! After all, it's not every day five good friends get together like this!—she tried, bless her, but Saeko had never fully recovered from this blow, rather thrusting herself into her work, as if to dull the pain, as if to make up for the loss. Saving lives every day certainly counted for something, didn't it?
They arrived. Ikuko gently held her quiet friend's hand. "We're here, Saeko." Saeko nodded dimly. Kinsei at least tried to lighten the mood.
"Gee, think we should've brought flowers? Oh well, Risa and Moku will forgive us! I mean, it's not like we were preparing for this! So, you two, how have you been? Not too bored, huh?"
She sat down next to graves marked HINO RISA and KINO MOKUSEI.
"The gang's all here," she said quietly, beckoning for Ikuko and Saeko. The former sat; the latter declined, preferring to stand alone. "Saeko's still shy, I suppose, even after all these years. She's still a doctor, working way too hard to bother hooking up with her old pals..."
"Kinsei!"
"Just kidding!" she grinned feebly. "I was kidding! But seriously, doc, why the long absence?"
She froze. "I...have no excuse." But they understood.
"Oh. Well, why the sudden change of heart?"
A timid smile. "Necessity."
"Got that right," Kinsei winked. "Care to elaborate? Oh, have a seat first. I wish we had brought some sake along. I'm sure Risa and Moku would like a drink, too."
"I only have a single bottle of water I keep in my purse," Ikuko said, producing it. Kinsei smiled and uncapped the bottle, taking the first drink.
"Good enough! To unexpected reunions necessitated by absence!" She passed it to her "twin", who imbibed politely.
"To friends who change superficially, renewing their places in our hearts, yet never truly change from who they are, so we might always keep a bit of them around." Back to Saeko. She dumped the water over the grave of her good friend Mokusei first.
"To Mokusei, who became an angel. And to Risa." The water fell out until the bottle was dry; then, her tears sufficed. She put the empty container to her lips and sucked the few remaining droplets. "Finally, to our daughters. The best in the world. Our only good contribution to this world. The pride of our hearts. Our heroes."
She finally knelt, weeping over Risa's grave. Ikuko and Kinsei were there for her.
Once she calmed down, Saeko explained the truth behind her spontaneity—and it had something to do with the four souls gathered around her, two in body and two in spirit. Specifically, their daughters.
"Our..." Bemused, the lookalikes stared at each other. "You mean Usagi and Minako?"
"I'm certain my daughter is involved, as well as Mokusei's daughter. In fact, Ms. Kino, junior confirmed it when she visited my hospital. She had some rather...disquieting injuries. Very similar to ones I used to see my own daughter nursing. I realize that Ami and I weren't very close during her youth, but...a mother notices these things. She remembers. And it doesn't take much to connect the points."
She took a deep breath and laid it out for them plainly. "My daughter is one of the Sailor Senshi; I saw her transform several weeks ago. Then I discovered Mokusei's daughter was one as well. Finally, I remembered that...well, history repeats itself, and our daughters always found time for each other, the same way we did. They were close—a family of their very own, so to speak. Ikuko, is your daughter...?"
Ikuko gazed at her friend solemnly, and confirmed it.
"And Kinsei?"
"You think you've got problems?" she muttered, taking the water bottle back and stuffing it in her purse. "Try grounding a sixteen year-old girl who's out fighting demons at eleven o'clock on a school night. Nothing but arguments, arguments, arguments."
"Then...Risa?" Saeko looked over at the grave, her heart skipping a beat. Out of all the five women, she and Risa Hikawa were closest, the pain of their separation only matched by the bliss of their union.
"Yes," Ikuko whispered, "Rei is, too."
"I see." Silence. The wind picked up. A bell sounded, indicating the cemetery was closing. They went to help Saeko stand, but she was fine on her own. "Strange how these things work out, isn't it? I mean, if Risa had never broken my heart like that, then Ami and Rei never would've been born. I loved Risa with all of my heart, but I couldn't imagine a world without my daughter. It's so sweet and cruel, you see..."
"Sure, Saeko, we understand." A hug from Kinsei. They held each other as they headed back to the car.
"I can still see it sometimes, if I stop and think about it long enough," she whispered. Not being in any condition to drive, Ikuko kept her friend company in the back, while Kinsei drove home. It was a long, somber, bittersweet drive. "I mean," Saeko resumed, swallowing, her voice distant and hollow, "I mean, was there anything else I could have done? Was there something I was lacking? Did I have to sit there, powerless, watching my one true love waste away...and die...like that? Did I have to be the one to comfort the daughter, break the news to her, tell her...tell Rei...that her mother was dead? Couldn't her husband, ah..."
"Takashi," Kinsei said. Saeko swallowed again.
"Couldn't Takashi...have taken just a little time off...from his work? I, I never really liked him, but that was just me being selfish, immature. He had taken Risa from me—no, Risa wanted to be married. She wanted children. I couldn't give that to her, and marrying Takashi Hino just...made sense. I just envied him, maybe. I never really hated him...until he forced me to be there, all alone, when she died in my arms, when her little girl had no one else to turn to, but a doctor, her mother's childhood friend. By God, Ikuko, Kinsei...was there something else I could have done?"
"Oh, shut up," Kinsei said gently. "Who cares? Would Risa want you spending the rest of your life looking back? Or would your daughter, for that matter? I know you can't forget it, Saeko, but you can learn, and you can do things better now. For starters, have you confronted your daughter about what you know?"
"I..."
She swallowed again. People could say what they wanted about Kinsei Aino, but she had a way of making everything clear.
"No, I haven't."
"Then that's what you should do. Ami's taken Risa's place in your life now. You should give her all of the love you were never able to share with anyone else."
A pause, as she realized what she was saying. Kinsei blushed.
"Ho boy, that sounded a lot better in my head. Look, the point is—"
"No, you're right," she smiled, feeling cleared and relieved. "I'm so sorry for the way I've behaved today. It should have been a wonderful occasion; I should have called you both sooner, and more often..."
"There you go again, pondering over what might have happened." Kinsei winked, turning her head so that Saeko could see that legendary bubbly confidence all Aino women shared. "Besides, who's to say it hasn't been great? You called at the perfect time, dear. Just be sure to make a habit of it, all right?"
"I will," she sighed, paralyzed with happiness. The car stopped at the Aino residence; Kinsei got out.
"Okay, time for this princess to get inside before this car turns into a flying turtle. Wouldn't want to end up like Urashima now. Sis, take care of the good doctor for me, okay? And doc: take a few days off! Talk to your daughter! Make up for lost time! And no more moping about poor Risa, okay? Heck, maybe you could even start dating again! Man or woman, you've got my blessing." She blew a kiss, headed back inside, greeting her husband, telling him about her evening out. Ikuko made a move for the driver's seat, but Saeko beat her to the punch. They smiled to each other as Ikuko took the passenger seat.
"I just needed to get that off my back," she whispered. Ikuko placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Feeling better, I hope?"
Nod. "Than I've ever felt in years.
Author's note
My god, I've been waiting for this chapter for ages, and so have my readers—but for very different reasons, of course! I'm sure to get some flak for those first five pages, but you know what? That just means I'm doing my amateur job well. And yes, if you'll remember, Umino actually has donned his "Tuxedo" persona before (but only once, in the anime, as far as I know). How the writers could have possibly fazed out all the people who were vital to Usagi's livelihood come Sailor Moon S still baffles me (heck, even her own family's screen and page times were reduced). I know they had stiff competition (lesbians, time-travel, Sailor Saturn, Messianic complexes, grails), but really, now. Then again, Mamoru himself disappeared circa Sailor Stars, so I suppose anyone not wearing a sailor uniform was fair game. Still, poor Umino.
As I mentioned before, Ikuko Tsukino and Saeko Mizuno are the official names of the Senshi's mothers; Risa Hino is also Rei's mother's official name (Takashi is her father's). After doing some research, however, I've not been able to discover the names of Minako or Makoto's mothers, so I had to make them up: Kinsei is actually the Japanese word for "Venus", while Mokusei is Japanese for "Jupiter". Quite fitting, I thought, and they actually make good names! However, if anyone can find a credible source for their official names, I'll have them changed.
I just thought it would be a fun twist if the Senshi's mothers had also been close during their youth, and similarly drifted away. Interpret Saeko and Risa's relationship however you will. Also, I did not make up the part about Ikuko and "Kinsei" resembling each other: they were both based on the same person, Naoko Takeuchi's mother (whose name was also Ikuko). They honestly do resemble each other, physically, at least in one continuity or another.
Finally, Urashima is a famous figure in Japanese mythology, similar to Rip Van Winkle, the "man out of time". He travels to an underwater kingdom on the back of a flying turtle, where he lives for four years. but when he returns home, four-hundred years have passed.