Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or any of the canon characters. Miyako, Cleo, Lia, Harper, and Owen, as well as a few others, are only figments that have escaped from my imagination.
Chapter Five: Confessions
Usagi leapt from roof to roof, reveling in the feeling of being henshined again. The new power coursed through her, filling her with more energy than she'd ever dreamed. Was this what it would have been like, to have achieved the status of Super Sailor Moon, of the old legends? She wasn't sure, but she'd certainly never felt more powerful.
She took the time to examine her new fuku as she ran. After all, an unexpected ribbon or lace could result in major problems.
The gloves hadn't changed, still just past her wrists and fingerless. Her boots still reached up to her knees, but these were pure white, the pink stripe now gone, with tiny blue stars at the now upward points covering her knees. Her skirt was now three-tiered, silver on top, lavender in the middle, and that same bright pink on the bottom layer. The trailing ribbon was gone, replaced by a double ribbon belt, in lavender and pale blue, without trailing ends. The bow on her chest was now silver, too, and her stars, both on her belt and her ribbon were now bright pink. Her sleeves had become pale blue bubble-like sleeves, with pink cuffs, and she could see the sailor collar had turned purple, and it now had two white lines, instead of one. One hand touched the choker around her neck, v-shaped and with another star on its point.
But the biggest change, in her opinion, was the pale blue mask that now framed her eyes. Taking it off, she examined it. The same shape and size as the one she'd worn to the Melanthios' Halloween party, the same as Sailor V's. That was the bit that would take the most getting used to. Still, she'd manage. She replaced the mask and dropped down before one of the local beauty salons. She could sense Sailors Fire and Earth over at a second battle, and she had rushed to the other, knowing the two of them should be able to handle things, for now.
Sailor Air was crouched in the corner, hastily bandaging a wound on her thigh, with Knight Metal standing defensively before her. Sailors Wood and Water were double-teaming the monster, who resembled a make-up compact. Between the gymnastics and ballet moves, they seemed to be keeping the monster fairly occupied.
"There's a second monster over at another beauty salon," explained Knight Metal, unnecessarily, but he didn't know that.
"Liking the new look, Sailor R," cheered Sailor Air, tying off her impromptu bandage.
She nodded. "Actually, it's Serene Star, now. So, shall we take care of this thing?"
Knight Metal nodded, lifting his axe. Sailor Air, limping slightly as she stood, summoned her orb. Together they moved to flank Serene Star. Water and Wood spotted them and drew back, Water unfurling her ribbon whip.
"Frigid Whirlpool!"
"Cloud Cyclone!"
"Leaf Gale!"
"Copper Sentinel Strike!"
"Regal Star Magic!"
Unlike before, the blast of energy didn't come from the Silver Star Bracelet. Instead, it shot straight from her gloved palm. And it, too, felt stronger than before.
The five combined attacks slammed into the monster, and it dissolved. Like all the others they'd faced recently, a gem tumbled down onto the monster's remains, marked by an inverted black crescent moon.
"Oh, poo! That's not fair!"
They turned. The speaker was a young girl who wore what looked like a pale blue bathing suit, with icy white hair pulled back into a braid, a smaller one draped length-wise across her forehead.
"And no sign of the Rabbit, the Flower, or the Hedgehog, either. What a disappointment!"
The newcomer pouted and vanished.
Serene Star cocked her head and felt for the other battle, before nodding to the others. "It's taken care off. Night, everyone."
Knight Metal scooped up Sailor Air and they took off towards her home, trailed by Sailor Wood, who wasn't that far from them. With a grin, Sailor Water took off towards her home as well.
Sighing slightly, Serene Star leapt up and began the trek back to the farmhouse. But, as she flew over the rooftops, she caught sight of two figures, apparently arguing on the rooftops. One was familiar, but the other only slightly so. It took a moment to recognize Sailor Element next to the all black figure of Knight Aethyr. Especially since she hadn't seen the other scout's new henshin, yet.
"I'll see you tomorrow," remarked Aethyr, bowing and disappearing as Serene Star approached.
Sailor Element glared after him, hands and teeth clenched.
"Problems?" The blonde scout inquired.
"He's been keeping his distance since the Snowflake Ball. I thought maybe it was just Kyle and Darien frightening him off. But Lia's been making comments, too, about how the Elemental Warriors aren't supposed to have romantic attachments, and that sort of thing. Which, of course, is making things awkward between Molly and Melvin, too. It's obvious they like each other. It's always been obvious that they like each other.
"But, anyway, since he volunteered to escort me home tonight, I thought I might be able to get some answers out of him. So, I asked. He made some lame excuse about sparing me any gossip, what with him being eighteen and me only fourteen. He won't even spend any time with me, just as a friend." She sighed and looked over at the other scout. "And here I am complaining about this, and your boyfriend's half a world away. And with Valentine's Day right around the corner, too."
"And I can't even send him chocolate, because I don't have an address to send it to. He apologized for that, the last time we talked, and he promised he'd send me some for White Day. But it's not the same thing. I know, I sort-of pushed him to go. He needs the guys back, but still…"
"White Day?"
"Oh, right, not an American custom."
And so, she spent the rest of the trip back to the farmhouse, explaining the Japanese way of celebrating Valentine's and White Day.
"So, could you teach me how to make chocolates?" Miyako asked, as they walked down to the basement.
"I can try, but I've never had much luck making them, before." Usagi shrugged. "I'll give it a go, though. But, I have a question, Miyako. Who's watching the girls?"
Giggles could be heard, coming from the basement. Opening the door, Usagi had to stop and stare.
Phantasm stood in the middle of the room, juggling several small toys with his telekinetic power, occasionally making them do tricks, or jumping through the ring of toys, himself. Rini and Aki were watching, intently, the main source of the giggles. Rosebud had taken over one of the game controllers and was now racing Takara across an icy field on what appeared to be a snowboard.
"Girls, bed time," called Miyako.
The trio groaned, but they had learned not to argue, as they made their way upstairs.
"Usagi, these two are Rosebud and Phantasm, advisors of the Garden of the Elements. Rosebud, Phantasm, this is Usagi Moon, reincarnation of Princess Serenity of the Moon."
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Usagi bobbed a small curtsey.
"And you as well, Princess," agreed Rosebud, lowering her head.
"Though we probably should be going now." Phantasm yawned his way through a bow. "It was fun, but I've never been called upon to babysit, before. A novel experience, I must say."
Miyako laughed and the two wolves vanished in flashes of violet and black light. Meeting Usagi's gaze, she explained the return of her two advisors as they made their way up to tuck the girls in for the night.
"Things have gotten quiet again," mused Miyako, nursing her cup of flavored coffee.
As Valentine's neared, new flavors were once again appearing at Melanthios Books and Café, including chocolate-dipped strawberry, which was Miyako's current choice. So, of course, she had called a meeting there. Well, and the whole staff would be drifting in and out of the meeting.
Andrew was busy behind the counter and Isolde darted from table to table. And Usagi was busy on the other side, ringing up books and miscellaneous items in the bookstore. Rini, Aki, and Takara laughed at another table, playing some sort of game with Owen, though Miyako wasn't exactly sure what it was.
But the rest of them had claimed their back table, Lizzie digging into her food, while on her brief lunch break.
"When things go quiet, it never bodes well," agreed Lia. "They're planning something."
Cleo nodded. "Which is why we've had to focus on training. Miyako's gotten her power upgrade. We have to press to achieve ours."
"Do we even have power upgrades?" Melvin inquired.
Molly nodded, just as confused.
"We do," answered Lia. "I remember that. I don't remember who told me, but I know we do. They were unattainable, as long as the Void was gone, though."
"It was written, but the conditions for reaching an upgrade are vague." Miyako tapped the battered leather book she'd 'retrieved' from the tower. Or rather, Rosebud had delivered back to her. "Needs must, and all that. Though, it does say I had to achieve mine first. Part of that being regaining the Void. Now that I have, it will be easier for the rest of you, but no less straight forward."
"We've been able to take down the monsters, I think Koan called them droids, mostly due to Sailor Element and Serene Star," remarked Lizzie. "But in order to take down Koan and the others, I think we may need more power."
"Just as long as I get my upgrade before Andrew," grumbled Lia.
Lizzie scowled. "Really, just what do you have against my brother, anyway?"
"You know exactly what I've got against him."
"Enough, Lia." Miyako ordered.
Even now, she still hadn't told the others about Rosebud and Phantasm. Andrew deserved to see them again, first, and Usagi had understood. But getting a few minutes with him to enter the Garden was getting ridiculous.
"Well, that's the end of my break," remarked Lizzie, rising with her now empty tray.
Lia stood. "And I have to get going too. Before Mom calls out the police to find me. Again."
The short-haired blonde swept out the door, slinging a book bag over her shoulder. Cleo followed, keeping pace with her oldest friend. The two of them had been working on mending their old friendship, still frayed from returned memories of the Garden.
"Tell you what. You two go enjoy the rest of the afternoon, too." Miyako smiled at her two remaining warriors. "Go have fun."
Molly and Melvin gave hesitant smiles, but she shooed them away.
Sighing, she slumped back in her chair, keeping a careful eye on the trio of time-traveling tots and the youngest of the Shittenou. She almost jumped when Usagi slid into the chair next to her.
"Hey, now I'll tell you what. I'll watch the girls Tuesday, after school. Trista volunteered to come in and watch the café, and Isolde and Lizzie already jumped to help her."
"Since Tuesday's Valentine's," replied Miyako. "So?"
"So, you'll have a chance to corner Andrew. He won't be working, though he doesn't know it yet. You can ambush him and drag him off to the Garden. After all, he can't leave the Garden without you, can he? And Cleo's already said she and Lia can handle patrol for the night, so Lia won't be able to interfere."
"Sneaky, Usagi. Very sneaky."
The blonde shrugged. "Believe it or not, Darien suggested it. He knows Andrew as well as I do, maybe even better."
"My own older brother wants to help me get together with my boyfriend?"
"Hey, it's not as big a deal, back home, the age gap. And he understands the whole soul mates deal, you know. We both do."
"Thank you, Usagi." Miyako grinned. "I'll make it up to you, somehow."
"Don't worry about it."
Andrew stared at the green-haired woman. "What do you mean, you've got it covered? Harper asked me to keep an eye on things."
"Yes, but even you need a day off, every once in a while. Even if it isn't a full day," replied Trista. "Go on. Have some fun."
Before Andrew could say another word, he felt someone grab onto his arm.
"Come on. I've been waiting for ages." Miyako grinned up at him.
"Miyako, we can't…" He trailed off as she lifted her key, pulling them into the Garden.
"There!" She exclaimed, releasing his arm. "Now we can talk. No Lia. No Kyle, no gossipy people who live in Terrarose. Just you and me."
She strode over and leaned against the elm where Tranquility had so often hidden, waiting for Motoki.
Andrew looked around a little nervously. "Miyako!"
"Why have you been avoiding me? And don't give me any of your lame excuses. I want the real reason. Do you not like me, anymore?"
"It's nothing to do with that. You're amazing, Miyako. I mean that."
"Then why? I don't expect us to be going out on dates, but we could at least hang out as friends. Couldn't we?"
"You know was people are going to say."
"So what? You're four years older than me. Come the end of June, it'll only be three."
"I'm eighteen. Around here, that can lead to legal ramifications. Especially if someone decides to push things. We can't risk that."
"Then we're back to sneaking around. We could have come here at any time. You know that. All it would have taken was one word and we could have been here, away from everyone else. I meant it when I said I wanted to get to know you, Andrew. To know you, not Motoki. But you aren't giving me a chance. If it means sneaking off and spending time here, so be it. Just, please, don't make me wait four years to get to know you."
"I don't know how we're going to be able to pull this off."
"If Darien and Usagi can do it, why can't we?" Miyako folded her arms. "And they're handling it long distance, too."
"You're really not going to let this go, are you?"
"Nope."
"Fine. I'm not sure if it's because of what Lia's saying or Kyle, or what, but I've been having really weird dreams that are telling me to keep my distance from all of you. Not just you, but Molly, Melvin, Usagi, everyone. Because, somehow, I'm going to hurt all of you unless I stay away." Andrew confessed. "So I have."
"That sounds more like and enemy ploy than anything else, Toki. When did these dreams start?"
"The night after the girls arrived. Before that, I was mostly trying to avoid Lia, plus getting settled in taking over for Harper kept me pretty busy, too. Hey, you called me Toki."
"Sorry!" Miyako grinned, a little sheepish. "It just slipped out. But, I actually know who can help us out. You know, I've been trying to get you out here for days, and not just to talk about us."
"I don't mind you calling me Toki. Because, part of me will always be Quilla's Toki, just like part of you will always be Toki's Quilla." Andrew gave a smile and bend down to place a kiss on her forehead.
"What was that for?"
"For not giving up on me."
"Never." She grabbed his hand. "Come on!"
Laughing, the two of them ran to the tower. Pushing open the door, she led him up to her sitting room, now kept unlocked.
Rosebud sprawled out on the chaise. A book hovered in front of her, one of a stack Miyako had brought, mostly to help her and Phantasm get used to modern culture. The wolf looked up as the door opened.
"Miyako, we weren't expecting you today," she exclaimed.
The ebon-haired girl grinned. "I brought a surprise."
She stepped aside so that the wolf could see Andrew.
"Well, bless the stars! Motoki! No, wait. It's Andrew now, correct?" Rosebud leapt down and trotted over.
He knelt and scratched behind her ears. "You can still call me Motoki."
"What's all the—Motoki!"
Phantasm barreled through the door. Rosebud barely managed to leap out of the way before the black wolf tackled the young man.
"Phantasm! Am I ever glad to see you!"
Miyako giggled, watching the two wrestle on the floor, before she turned to put on the kettle of water kept by the fireplace.
"I'm glad you're back together, but we do have something serious to discuss." She reminded Andrew.
Reluctantly, the two separated, but Phantasm didn't go far from his master's side.
Settling himself on one of the poufs, Andrew explained the dreams he was having and how they always seemed to end with someone dying or being gravely injured.
"Most peculiar," mused Rosebud. "But Miyako's right. They do sound like an enemy attack."
"But why target me?" Andrew demanded. "Why not anyone else?"
"Perhaps because of your powers? Aethyr does lie close to the realm of dreams, much like the Void," offered the silver wolf.
Phantasm shook his head. "It began after these time travelers appeared, yes? Perhaps the enemy is trying to prevent something that you will do in the future, something that hasn't happened yet."
"And if I'm separated from the others, I can't do what they're trying to prevent."
"Makes sense to me," remarked Miyako. "It's got to be something to do with Knight Aethyr. After all, all of these dreams feature you in your armor, don't they?"
He nodded.
The black wolf shook his head, sadly. "We'll look into it. But, maybe the enemy will reveal himself. Still, it's time for the two of you to head back. Don't want Kaiyah getting suspicious, after all."
"Lia," corrected Miyako and Rosebud.
Phantasm shrugged and trotted off to his bed.
Bidding Rosebud farewell, the two of them descended the tower and moved towards the gate, as the sun was setting. With one hand wrapped tightly in Andrew's, Miyako slid the other into her jacket pocket. Taking a deep breath, she removed what she'd shoved in there, that morning, a small box wrapped in lavender paper, handing it to him.
"Usagi helped me make them. I think they turned out alright, but…" She broke off as he opened the box.
Six chocolate rosebuds, each no bigger than her thumb, lay nestled inside. He lifted one out and bit into it.
"Mmm. Dark chocolate, hazelnut, and almond. You remembered."
A slight blush covered her cheeks. "Of course."
"Miyako, while we're here, and it's still just us…"
She looked up as one large hand cupped the side of her face. Eyes drifted close as their lips met, and she wished the moment would never end.
A flash of light broke their kiss. Looking down, they saw Andrew's transformation watch glowing with black energy.
Andrew reached out and it dropped into his hand. No longer was it black. Now, it was silver, with a black crystal set into the front. Something could be seen inside the crystal, but it was difficult to make out exactly what it was.
He flipped it open and let out a relieved sigh. The two flower petals, one from a gladiolus and the other from a violet rose, were untouched. Even the watch face was unchanged.
"Lia's going to be furious," managed Miyako.
Andrew nodded. "But I'm not telling her how it happened. I value my life too much."
"She won't hear it from me, either," she agreed.
And there's chapter five! Took me longer than I thought, especially since I was originally going to split this into two smaller chapters, but I kind of liked them as one longer one, better.
And look, there's more of Phantasm! And Rosebud too, but I'm finding Phantasm just so much fun to write. No Kayden this time, though. Don't worry. We'll get a lot more of him later. Mostly in the fourth arc of this story, when I get to it. I know, I'm really planning ahead here. Still…
I hope you enjoyed and I'm looking forward to your lovely reviews. Please?