Chapter 8 - Truth

The swoosh of the sliding doors at the Crown usually comforted Usagi. But not today. Even though she knew his stool would be empty, her eyes automatically locked onto it. She could feel her friends close behind her as she crossed the room to sit in Mamoru's spot.

"Usagi-chan! Girls!" Motoki said cheerfully. "It's nice to see you this morning." His smile faltered a bit as he took in Usagi's stiff expression. "Usagi-chan, are you feeling ok?"

"Why do you ask, Motoki-oni-san?" Usagi asked trying her best to keep her tone cheerful.

"Well, for starters, that's Mamoru's stool. Aren't you worried you'll catch something from him like, what did you say the other week? His 'totally lame taste in life'."

Usagi felt herself blush and suddenly wished they had just let their new friendship be known. They never even talked about how or why they kept up the bickering in front of people. For her it was just what they did. It was familiar and fun. And the thought that everyone else knowing what they were becoming might cause it all to stop was terrifying. But right now, she just wished Motoki knew and she could find comfort in his support.

Of course, what he said next had her reeling. "Or maybe you've already caught it?" Usagi felt her jaw drop. Did everyone see it? Her friends weren't shocked by her confession. Would Motoki be?

"Can I talk to you in the back?" she asked, suddenly feeling brave.

"Got something to confess?" he chuckled. But when she just continued to stare at him, without her signature smile, he straightened up and gestured for her to follow him.

Rei watched them go without realizing she was holding her breath. She looked to Minako who gave a little shrug and said, "Shall we take a seat?"

"I think that's a great idea," said Makoto. "Since you seem to know us so well, Minako, I think it's our turn to ask a few questions."

"Of course, ask away," Minako said as she slid into a booth.

Rei took a seat next to Makoto and took in Minako's posture and expression. She certainly looked like an open book. She looked like she desperately wanted them to ask her just the right questions. Maybe she was lonely. Like they'd all been before Usagi crashed into their lives. Rei could now remember the Sailor Venus of the past. Their seemingly fearless leader who was strong, fair, sometimes harsh and always dedicated to their mission. In Rei's past life she idolized Sailor Venus and was extremely single minded. All she cared about was her duty. She didn't prioritize friendship, family, love, or anything she considered to be selfish. There was only her duty. To her planet, to Sailor Venus, and above all else, to Serenity. She remembered Serenity so clearly now that she couldn't fathom how she'd ever forgotten her. Serenity was precious, and defenseless. Too kind for her own good. Too small, too naïve and too weak. Sailor Mars loved the girl in her own way, like they all had. But there was no friendship there, only duty. Usagi both was and wasn't like Serenity. Much like Rei herself both was and wasn't like the Sailor Mars of the past. She much preferred the version of herself she was now. She remembered the end of the Silver Millenium. Protecting Serenity was all she cared about. But not for any reason she was proud of. Not because Serenity was her dear friend who brought her out of her shell, made her feel every emotion from rage to joy, and who she could not and would not imagine life without. The Sailor Mars of the past didn't have that with Serenity, or anyone for that matter. All she had was her duty.

"You said you've been watching us," started Makoto.

"Yes," Minako replied.

"Well…" Makoto seemed to struggle with her words. "Are…are we…in your opinion…"

"Are we like we were back then?" Rei stepped in. Makoto snapped her eyes to Rei's.

"You feel it too?" she asked Rei.

"Yes. I feel similar to my past self, but completely different. And I'm not…not…"

"Exactly pleased with who you were back then?" finished Makoto.

Rei let out a sigh of relief, "Yes."

They both looked across the table to Minako who was looking down with a small sad smile on her face. "No. None of you are exactly like you were back then. Which is to be expected. We were raised so differently in the Silver Millenium. The weight of our worlds was put on our shoulders. We had a serious job to do from the moment our powers showed themselves. We were discouraged from forming attachments to anyone or anything. Except for Serenity." She paused for a moment and looked to where Usagi had last been. "I think we are the same people. We just been given different chances. All of you were loners before you met Usagi. Maybe that was the shadow of our past lives calling to us. But Serenity, she was always self-indulgent. Convincing the cooks to give her extra sweets, skipping her lessons to wander the grounds, sneaking off to Earth because she found it beautiful. But she was consistently told these behaviors were rebellious and that she'd have to give them all up for her people. Usagi was never told that. Usagi was encouraged to love the people around her and to be herself. I think that's partly why she's so much stronger than Serenity ever was. We are all stronger than we were back then. Which is good, because I think we're going to need to be."

"I remember how impressive you were. How you never made any mistakes," Rei said.

"Ha," Minako said softly. "I had a good run, but I made the biggest mistake of anyone. I could have stopped it. But I was perhaps too attached to Serenity. I couldn't bare seeing her in pain. But because I refused to let her feel that pain," Minako met Makoto and then Rei's eyes, "we lost everything."

"Minako," Makoto began. But before she could go on, a huge explosion rocked the street just outside the arcade.

"Ok Usagi-chan, I'm starting to really worry," said Motoki as he shut the break room door. "What is going on?"

Usagi didn't know where to begin. Motoki had always been such a good friend to her, for years now. Add to that the fact that he was also Mamoru's only friend. She wanted to tell him everything. But that wasn't safe. Motoki could get hurt if he knew the whole truth. But what could she tell him that would be close enough?

"Usagi-chan?"

"I'm sorry, Motoki, it's just that I…I…I don't know how to tell you…"

"Does this have something to do with Mamoru?"

Don't cry, don't cry, Usagi commanded herself. "Um…well.."

Motoki sighed and some of the tension seemed to leave his body, making him look sad and defeated. "What has he said to you this time?"

"What? I.."

"No, Usagi-chan. It's time. I can't take it anymore!" Motoki started to pace the room, wringing his hands together muttering, "I told him, if he didn't tell you soon."

"Motoki, what are you talking about it?"

"And YOU!" he suddenly stopped pacing and pointed straight between Usagi's eyes causing her to let out a little yelp. "This game you two play is getting old. Answer me this truthfully. How do you actually feel about Mamoru? For real, none of this nonsense you guys perform daily."

"Motoki, I…"

"Because I know all about him. As if it wasn't obvious from the start."

"Motoki, what is going on."

"He's crazy about you! He ALWAYS has been. Before he met you, he never even glanced up at a girl. And there were plenty throwing themselves across his path. He never interacted with anyone. Do you have any idea how hard I had to work to get him to start talking to me?"

Usagi kept trying to interrupt, but Motoki wasn't even looking at her anymore as he went on. "And when I pointed it out to him? He almost took my head off. And I get it. I do. But recently, I've seen how he looks at you changing. He's finally willing to admit it. But still, you two are fighting like cats and dogs! I told him that I'd step in soon if he kept hurting you. And now here you are to tell me another horrible thing he's done. And don't think that I don't notice you as well. I've known you a long time Usagi, and I'm not blind. Everyone thinks I'm blind! Even my best frie—"

"MOTOKI! I LOVE HIM!"

That shut him up. Motoki's eyebrows went into his hairline. They stayed there as a slow smile spread across his face.

"Good," he said. "Because I'm pretty sure, no I'm positive he loves you too."

"And great," Usagi said sadly. "Another person who knows before he does."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, he TOLD me he loves me. And I didn't say it back!"

"Is that what has you so upset? I promise he'll forgive you. He'd forgive you for anything imaginable."

"It's not that. Not entirely. Motoki…it's…" And then her world went black once more.

Her feet were starting to hurt, and still he wasn't here. It was unlike him. She usually spotted him early in the evening at these balls. She must admit, it was fun to watch his growing agitation as she danced with men who were not him. But she never did that for long, as she was just as drawn to him as he was to her. She would gladly spend an entire evening dancing with just him. But it was very unlikely that would ever be allowed to happen. But not impossible. She'd been contemplating the idea of telling her mother about him. Perhaps not how they met, but about their love. Her lessons had been going very well and her mother was happy with her. And her mother loved her very much. She'd want her to be happy. Of course she would.

She delicately extricated herself from her current dance partner and excused herself from the room. Just as the sounds of the ball began to fade, she spotted Sailor Mars walking toward her.

"Princess, I have a message for you from Sailor Venus." Serenity's heart fell. "The prince cannot make it this evening."

"Oh," Serenity said, feeling small. "Do you know why? Is he well?"

"Princess, I am not certain." Serenity lowered her head and took a step back. Somehow, Sailor Mars always made her feel small. She adored all her senshi, but Mars would not accept love or admiration. She always kept Serenity firmly at arm's length with her cool attitude and blank expressions. She looked up through her eyelashes at the proud senshi, who seemed to be studying her. "But I do think things are becoming more complicated on Earth. I am positive, the prince is safe, his generals are nearly as well trained as your senshi. I imagine, it was difficult for him to slip away tonight."

"But who told Venus? Did Endymion tell her himself, or did Kunzite?"

"What difference would it make?"

"If it was Kunzite, then Endymion might still get here."

"Princess," Sailor Mars said with a sigh. "I do think the two of you are awful influences on each other. I shall never understand this phase you're in."

"It isn't a phase, Mars. I love him."

"Hmm," Sailor Mars replied, skeptically. "Well, back to the ball with you. Your mother will wonder where you've gotten off to."

Serenity danced with three more men before she spotted him. His hair always caught her eye first. It was always messy, no matter how he tried to tame it. In hindsight, she should have controlled herself better. But she hadn't seen him in over a week. She broke away from her current dance partner and quickly walked straight up to her knight in shining armor. He chuckled softy, taking her hand in his and giving it a slow kiss.

"Princess, may I have this dance?" His voice was doing something to her that she was ashamed to even admit to herself. She felt her whole body come alive as he took her in his arms and began their dance.

It was as if the rest of the room didn't exist as she stared into his beautiful eyes. They didn't speak, their eyes saying more than enough for the moment. When the song came to an end he looked over to her left before stepping back, giving her a courteous bow and leaving the dance floor. Serenity knew better than to immediately meet him on the balcony, so she went to find Venus first.

But after searching the ballroom twice, Venus was nowhere to be found. So, she took her chances and went to one of their hiding places.

The night air was crisp, and the Earth hung low in the sky. The view would have normally given her pause, but not with Endymion so close. It seemed every time she looked at him, she found something new to love, and the time she had to do so was never enough.

"Endymion," she said softly before she felt his lips upon hers. What a feeling. She'd give anything to feel this way every day for the rest of her life.

"I'm sorry I'm late," he said.

"This is the second time you've kept me waiting. What's happening?"

"Serenity," he pulled her deeper into the shadows, slightly obscuring the concern etched upon his face. "It's getting worse. The people on Earth…it's as if some malignant force is controlling them. They continue to disobey my father. They become more violent by the day. And now, we're starting to hear that someone is leading them. But…"

"But?" Serenity asked, dreading the answer.

"They say it's Lady Beryl."

"Beryl? But she…you…"

"Yes, the same Beryl who tried very hard to secure an engagement to me."

"And it surprises you that it's her?"

"It doesn't make any sense. I met her on more than one occasion. She was certainly ambitious. But she was kind enough, and she certainly didn't seem powerful. If it is her, it's not her. Something has hold of my people. And I fear we are running out of time to figure it out."

"And they still…?"

"Yes, Serenity. They are still particularly vicious about the Moon. About your mother and how they think she's controlling and subduing all earthlings. There were always some people who believed these crazy theories. But now, it feels like the whole planet."

"We'll figure this out. I'll speak to Sailor Mercury. I know she's already looking into it, but maybe she can dedicate more of her time. If she can't figure out what's going on, it's truly unsolvable."

"Serenity, thank you. I know you care about the Earth as much as I do. But you must be careful. I'm sure many people on the Moon despise earthlings right now. I can't say that I blame them. This will likely get worse before it gets any better."

"But, what are you saying? What does this mean for us?"

"I don't know Serenity. All I can say is that I will do everything I possibly can to save the Earth and the Moon. And I will always protect you. I will always love you."

"But we must be together. I can't keep going so long without seeing you."

"We'll do our best. And when this is over, nothing will keep us apart. I promise you; nothing will be able to keep me from you. Not distance, family, duty, time, not even death."

When he kissed her, it was like fire. Her heart was on fire, and it was painful, but in the best possible way. "I love you, Endymion. I promise you as well. Not distance, family, duty, time, not even death."

They stayed in each other's embrace for a few minutes more. When their eyes met, she knew he had to leave again. She shook her head slightly, not wanting to hear that he didn't know when they'd met again. His answering kiss told her that he understood. And she walked away leaving him on the balcony.

As she approached her room, a horrible feeling washed over her. None of her senshi or the normal palace guards were anywhere in sight. That could only mean one thing.

She slowly pushed open her bedroom doors to reveal her mother waiting for her. Her back was turned, and she was staring out the window, toward the Earth.

"Serenity, come here." Her voice was cold. Serenity tried to keep her heartrate under control as she slowly came to stand before her mother.

The queen didn't look at her as she said, "You will end it and you will end it now."

Serenity froze in place, her heart stopping. But she managed one word.

"No."

"No," the queen's eyes slowly came to rest on her daughter. "No, is not an option." When Serenity didn't react, the queen continued.

"You don't seem to understand your position at all. You've been doing well in your lessons, but perhaps that has all been an act? It has been explained to you how important your role will be once you ascend the throne. How many lives you will be responsible for. There will be no time for love, Serenity. Even under the best circumstances. And you have certainly chosen the worst of circumstances."

"You know nothing about him."

"Serenity, I know everything about him. He is young and full of foolish ideas, much as you yourself are. His parents are good people. They do the best they can with the kingdom they have. But the kingdom they have is full of hate. And what they hate most, Serenity, is you. His people will never accept you. They will commit horrible atrocities if you were with their prince. From what I understand, he is a good man. He does his duty, and he cares for his people. Do you think he will let them destroy the Earth so he can have you? Would you ask him to do that for you?"

Serenity's tears were burning down her face, but she did not move to wipe them away. "Mother, I love him. I love him more than anything."

"More than anything? More than your people and the responsibilities you have. There is no option for you Serenity. Only you will be able to use the ginzuishou after me. Only you will be able to protect our entire solar system, his planet included. You want to run away with this man and destroy both your world and his? You are that selfish? Perhaps you should," Serenity gasped, "as it is clear you are unfit to wield the ginzuishou." Serenity made another strangled sound as it felt like a knife was entering her heart. "You are unfit to rule the Moon Kingdom. You are unfit to be my heir."

"Mars Fire Soul!"

"Venus Crescent Beam!"

"Jupiter Supreme Thunder!"

"Mercury Bubbles Blast!"

They almost had the youma defeated. It was trying to do as much damage to the neighborhood as possible, while screaming for Sailor Moon to show herself. Sailor Venus was glad that Usagi hadn't made an appearance yet. Hopefully they could defeat this youma without her being seen at all. Jupiter delivered a well-timed kick to the monster and Venus saw their chance.

"Now! Everyone together!" The street shook as all their attacks combined to dust the youma for good. But before they could celebrate, they were all thrown back several feet. Kunzite had arrived.

"Usagi! Come on, please wake up!"

She was on the floor again, this time partially in Motoki's lap. She felt bad. Physically and emotionally. The way her mother had looked at her. She thought her mother is this lifetime had been disappointed with all those bad grade. That was nothing compared to this.

"Usagi, are you alright?" Motoki asked. "You just passed out, and then everything went crazy outside."

"Outside? What do you mean?" Usagi asked. But then she heard the girls' attacks. She got to her feet immediately, shocking Motoki. But he regained his senses quickly enough to grab her wrist as she made to bolt from the room.

"Usagi…" he met her frantic gaze steadily. "Is Mamoru ok?"

Usagi felt the air leave her lungs. Everyone thinks I'm blind, he'd said. Does Motoki know who Mamoru is? Does he know who she is? She opened her mouth, but no words would come out. She shook her head slightly and Motoki's gaze hardened.

"Go," he said. And she ran.

It wasn't any easier seeing Kunzite again. Venus had had her memories for such a long time that she thought seeing him wouldn't affect her. She was terribly wrong. Seeing him fighting against her shattered her heart in a way she hadn't believed was possible. She wished so hard that he could be free from the force controlling him once more. He deserved so much better. But he wasn't her priority. He never could be.

"Moon Tiara Magic!"

Sailor Moon's tiara sliced through the air and knocked Kunzite clear off his feet. Venus smiled with pride.

"Looks like you're extremely outnumbered, Kunzite," Venus stated.

"I like my odds," he replied coldly. "Learned how to handle that crystal yet, princess?"

Sailor Moon clenched her fists and started to take a step forward but was brought to a halt by a sharp crack to the pavement and the black as night rose blocking her path. She heard Kunzite's laughter, but she couldn't look away from that rose. Until he spoke.

"Sailor Moon," his voice held none of its usual warmth. It was machine-like and flat. His eyes were full of hatred, his stance menacing. "Hand over the ginzuishou." He reached his hand out to her. "Now."