Usagi-chan..," Mercury, now in her civilian form, caught Usagi's attention. "We should tell everyone, so they can also help us to search for her," she suggested, her tone filled with urgency and concern.
Usagi nodded, overwhelmed by a swirl of emotions that left her momentarily speechless. She watched as Ami swiftly dialed the others, including Mamoru, who always seemed to be just a communicator call away. The weight of the situation pressed down on her, and she struggled to articulate the tumult of feelings raging inside her. First, there was the unsettling urge to distance herself from Mamoru, her heart heavy with the revelation of the Golden Crystal by Helios, and now, the confusing reaction of her future daughter, Chibiusa, left her feeling as if a fortress had been erected around the girl—one that she could not penetrate, no matter how desperately she tried.
"Usagi-chan..," Ami's gentle voice pulled her from the depths of her thoughts. "Everyone is now searching, let's go! It's getting dark outside and it's beginning to pour," she urged, glancing out at the ominous clouds gathering above them.
Both women hurried out of the house, the chill of the rain seeping through their clothes as they searched for Chibiusa everywhere they could think of—the streets, the arcade center, and all the familiar haunts the girl might have wandered to. But when they still hadn't located her, a feeling of dread settled in, and they joined the rest of their friends at the Hikawa Shrine to discuss what they might have missed.
Upon arriving, Usagi's heart ached painfully in her chest as her gaze fell upon Mamoru. He stood there with a black umbrella in hand, his usual outfit making him appear like a beacon of hope amidst the chaos. As he approached her, his face filled with concern, he asked, "Usa…, have you found her?"
"N-no," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper, heavy with the weight of her worry.
"Is that so," he said, his brow furrowing deeper in concern.
"Where could she possibly go to… that kid," Minako chimed in, her voice laced with frustration. As everyone began to recite the various places they had already checked, a realization seemed to dawn upon Mamoru.
"Park," he exclaimed confidently, his voice cutting through the uncertainty like a knife. The others turned to him, their expressions a mix of surprise and skepticism.
"How can you be so sure she's there, Mamoru-san?" Makoto asked, raising an eyebrow at his sudden conviction.
"I just feel it…," he replied, his tone unwavering. The group shared glances, their uncertainty melting into a collective agreement as they decided to search every park in Juban. As the rain began to taper off, everyone rushed out of the Hikawa Shrine, eager to find Chibiusa, but Usagi and Mamoru remained rooted to the spot, a palpable tension lingering in the air between them.
"What's wrong, Usa? You've been acting weird since you arrived. I noticed it; you're very gloomy," Mamoru pressed, concern etched across his handsome features.
"N-no, there's nothing wrong…," she managed to reply, her voice trembling as she whispered his name, "M-Mamoru." The moment she uttered it, a shockwave of emotion rolled through him, an electric connection that spoke louder than words.
"What… what did you say?" Mamoru asked, taking a tentative step towards her, but Usagi instinctively stepped back, her heart racing at the distance it created.
"W-what are you trying to do and to say, Usa?" His voice was a mixture of confusion and desperation, his eyes searching hers for answers.
Usagi, her eyes void of the warmth they usually held, stared directly at Mamoru's face, feeling as if she were about to shatter. "Let's break up," she said, her voice steady yet laced with pain that echoed deep within.
"No! What are you saying? Do you understand what you are trying to do?" Mamoru's voice cracked, caught between disbelief and heartbreak.
The raindrops continued to fall softly around them, seemingly echoing the turmoil of their emotions. Usagi felt her heart constrict painfully at the sight of his expression, the shock written all over his face, and she hated herself for causing him pain. Yet, the words had slipped from her lips, and there was no taking them back. She felt as if she were standing on a precipice, the ground beneath her shaking, and she was terrified of what might happen next.
"Usagi, please…," he pleaded, his eyes pleading with her to reconsider. "You can't just walk away from everything we've built together. We're stronger together, remember?"
But her heart screamed in protest, the barriers she had built around her feelings for him now seemingly insurmountable. "I…I just don't know anymore, Mamoru," she whispered, her voice breaking as tears began to well in her eyes. "Everything feels so complicated… and I don't want to hurt you and the others any further."
Mamoru took another step closer, his hands reaching out as if he could bridge the gap between them with just a touch. "Usagi, we can figure this out together. You don't have to face this alone."
The sincerity in his voice crashed against her defenses, but she remained frozen, caught in a web of confusion and hurt. The rain had stopped, leaving a fragile silence hanging in the air, and all she could hear was the pounding of her own heart, echoing her inner turmoil. Would she take a step back and risk everything they had, or would she stand firm in her decision, even if it meant shattering their dreams? The weight of that choice loomed over her like a storm cloud, threatening to unleash its fury at any moment.
"No, I am firm with my decision, I want us to break up." Usagi defended. Mamoru still in disbelief won't accept her sudden decision. He began to feel another pang of pain in his chest. He knelt holding his chest, feeling helpless at the moment. His own turmoil in his head is frustrating him, and he is also on the verge of giving up, because he feels that he'll only burden Usagi, but this decision coming from the woman he loves is breaking him.
His mind raced, replaying every moment they had shared, every laugh and every tear as if trying to find the key to unlock her heart once more. "But Usagi," he managed to choke out, his voice trembling with the weight of his emotions, "we've been through so much together. How can you just throw it all away?"
She looked at him, her bright blue eyes shimmering with unshed tears, and for a fleeting moment, he saw the girl he had fallen in love with—the one who brought light into his life, who had fought alongside him against darkness. But now, that light seemed dimmed by a shadow of pain that he couldn't comprehend.
"I have to think about the future future of this world" she replied softly, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her. "I can't keep dragging everyone along in this danger anymore. It's hurting me, that I cause you pain.., I cause our future daughter's pain.., and everyone on Earth. I have to put a stop on this new enemy that appears."
Mamoru took a deep breath, trying to steady the storm brewing inside him. He wanted to argue, to convince her that they could find a way to make things right. After all, love was supposed to conquer all obstacles, wasn't it? But deep down, a part of him recognized her struggle, the weight of her words settling into his bones like a leaden coat.
He looked away, trying to gather his thoughts, but the ache in his chest only intensified. The memories of their late-night talks, the warmth of her hand in his, the dreams they had shared—it all felt like a beautiful tapestry unraveling, thread by thread. "What about all those dreams we talked about? The future we envisioned together? What about everyone?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Usagi took a step back, her gaze dropping to the ground. "I thought those dreams could be reality, but deep down, I feel like I am just holding you back, everyone doesn't need to know about us. We can pretend like nothing happened between us, they will react but not to the point that they will enter our privacy. They trust us. I need you to cooperate with me."
His heart sank further as he watched her struggle with her own emotions, the internal battle evident on her face. It was then that he realized, despite the pain it caused him, that this was her moment of clarity, a moment where she had chosen to fight alone.
As silence enveloped them, Mamoru felt the tears welling in his eyes, a mixture of sorrow and acceptance. "If this is what you truly want, then I'll respect your decision," he said, his voice breaking. "But know that I will always care for you, no matter what." Usagi nodded, her tears spilling over as they shared one last, lingering gaze—a bittersweet farewell to the love that had once burned so brightly between them.
As she was about to leave, Mamoru hugged her from behind, an unexpected gesture that shocked Usagi and sent shivers down her spine. "Usa...," he called softly, using the endearment that always made her heart flutter and her cheeks blush with warmth. It pained her deep inside to feel the weight of their impending separation, and as she looked up into his eyes, searching for solace, time seemed to stand still. Suddenly, without hesitation, Mamoru leaned down and kissed her, a kiss that was steeped in love, interwoven with the bittersweet threads of pain and longing that had been building between them for what felt like an eternity.
In that fleeting moment, the world around them faded away; they were no longer bound by the realities of life that pulled them apart. Their lips met with fierce hunger, an unspoken yearning that poured from their souls as if they were trying to convey everything they had ever felt for one another in that single embrace. Tears streamed down their faces, mingling with the sweetness of the kiss, as they savored the taste of each other's lips—salty yet intoxicating, filled with the memories of laughter, joy, and the deep connection they shared.
Mamoru pulled back slightly, just enough to gaze into her eyes, his heart aching with the depth of his emotions. "I love you," he whispered, his voice barely above a breath, but it carried the weight of a thousand promises. Usagi's heart swelled at his words, and she could feel the warmth radiating from him, wrapping around her like a protective cocoon. In that moment, she realized that no matter where life took them, their love would remain a constant, an unbreakable bond that transcended time and space.
The tears continued to flow, but now they were tears of bittersweet joy, as Usagi reached up to cup his face, her fingers tracing the familiar contours of his jaw. "I love you too, Mamoru," she replied, her voice thick with emotion, "and I always will." With that affirmation, they leaned in once more, their lips meeting again, this time with a shared understanding that their love would endure, no matter the distance or the trials that lay ahead. Each kiss became a promise, a testament to their unwavering commitment to one another, as they held tightly to the hope of a future where they could be together again.
Time passed so quickly, "I can't believe this is happening," she whispered, her voice trembling as tears spilled down her cheeks once again, mingling with the warmth of their moment. The weight of their circumstances loomed over them like a storm cloud, threatening to overshadow the beauty of their love. They both knew that the world outside was harsh and unforgiving, full of challenges that would tear them apart.
"Mamoru," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "what if this is goodbye?" Her heart raced at the thought, the pain of separation gnawing at her insides like a hungry beast.
He sighed deeply, resting his forehead against hers. "It won't be. I promise you, we will find a way. Our love is stronger than anything that could come between us." His gaze pierced into hers, filled with unwavering conviction. In those deep, dark eyes, Usagi could see a future woven with hope, despite the chaos that surrounded their lives.
With a shaky breath, she nodded, her resolve strengthening even as uncertainty loomed. Mamoru wiped away her tears with his thumb, his touch sending ripples of warmth through her, grounding her in the moment. "No matter the distance, no matter the obstacles, I will always come back to you," he vowed, his voice steady. Usagi smiled through her tears, the fierce love they shared igniting a flicker of hope in her heart.
They both knew the road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but in that embrace, they found the courage to face whatever lay before them. With one last, lingering kiss, he sealed his promise, a silent oath that would transcend time and space.
As they finally pulled apart, the weight of reality began to settle back in. Usagi took a step back, her heart aching but her spirit soaring with the promise of love that would guide her through the darkness. Mamoru watched her go, a mixture of pride and sorrow washing over him. Mamoru felt a profound emptiness settle in, a sense of finality that both terrified and liberated him. In that moment, he understood that sometimes love meant letting go, and though it shattered his heart, he hoped that one day, they would both find their paths to happiness. He knew that this wasn't the end, but rather a new chapter in their story, one filled with trials that would only serve to strengthen their bond.
"I know you well enough, Usagi. You've become so much stronger, my love.., my Serenity."