A/N: 2024.11.12

Ladies and gentlemen and dreamers! I'm finally back with part 2 of the "Sailor Moon: Nova" trilogy. Been working on this for a long time. This and my FFVII/FFVIII story, "Promise of Fate", will be updated, hopefully regularly. These stories are near and dear to my heart as their ideas I've played with ever since I was a kid. I've had a ton of fun with these and I hope you all like them too.

Now, then! Get ready! Here we go!

Chapter 1: Looming Dread

A year had passed since the battle with Sailor Galaxia had ended and the Sailor Stars had left the Earth. Things had been calm for the Guardians, allowing the original five to focus on school. Junior year in high school was in full swing for the Guardians. While school had become their primary concern and life had settled into some sort of normalcy, individually, they each wondered how long that would last. Nevertheless, they were determined to enjoy the peace as best they could, for as long as they could.

One afternoon, Ami and Mako were staying after school, taking part in a study group with two other students, Toshiaki Nakajima and Shiro Kita. Toshiaki, whom everyone called "Toshi", had academic skills equal to or with a one-point difference from Ami. Shiro was known as the resident martial artist with a near-undefeated record, even scoring one win over Mako. Though she did get her win back later.

After their study session had gone on for a while, Shiro checked the clock. He sighed, "After 5. We gotta get goin', Toshi."

"Already?" Toshi looked at the clock. "Wow. Time flew."

"Well, we were having fun." Shiro began to pack his bag.

"The shelter, right?" Mako asked.

"Yeah."

"It's…" Ami cleared her throat and fought her blush. "It's really nice that you guys help out down there."

Toshi smiled. "Well! The owners' have always been good to us. We just help when we can."

"That's really admirable."

Toshi held his smile. "So. Study group next week?"

"If not sooner," Mako shrugged.

"Sounds like a plan."

"Let's plan for it, then," Ami said. "We can talk about it tomorrow after class."

"Awesome," Shiro smiled. He and Toshi put their backpacks over their shoulders. "Well! See you tomorrow."

"Bye," Ami waved.

"Later," Mako saluted.

"Evening," Toshi nodded.

After watching them leave, Ami and Mako looked at each other. "Wow, they're cute!" Ami and Mako said, simultaneously. They gasped then giggled.

A little later, at Fruits Parlor Crown, the girls, Luna, and Artemis met up, at Luna's behest. Soon after they arrived, Mamoru joined them, sitting next to Usagi as everyone greeted him.

"Alright, Luna," Mako said, "we're all here. What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Luna exhaled. "That's what worries us."

"How so?" Ami asked.

"With everything that's happened the past couple of years," Artemis began, "Luna and I have been trying to keep an eye out for any signs of trouble. Like… early warning signs of anything bad coming."

"And?"

"Nothing's come up."

Minako folded her arms. "So… why's that bad?"

"We're starting to believe something else may be coming," Luna answered. "Something… we don't know about, can't be warned about, and, as such, can't prepare for."

"Are you sure that's a real cause for concern?" Mamoru asked.

"Well… no, not really." Luna sighed. "Maybe we're overreacting."

"We have been worried we're looking too hard for any signs," Artemis admitted.

"Do you have any reason for this line of thinking?" Ami asked. "Like, any real cause to look for signs?"

"Not really. But Hotaru's age change was one reason we began to worry. She's back to early teens already. Still… nothing bad has seemed to have come from that."

The girls all remembered that news from Setsuna. Over the past few months, Hotaru had grown to the age she was when they first met her, even a little older. While they were used to Hotaru's age changing in her Sailor Saturn form, it was now a permanent change. Despite all initial worry, Hotaru didn't seem to show any kind of concerning signs. No foreboding warnings of the future and Hotaru was still her sweet, cheerful self.

"But we called all of you to tell you," Luna continued, "don't get too relaxed. I know you're in the middle of high school and have plenty on your minds but… things could change at any time."

"Don't worry, Luna," Usagi spoke up, after some notable silence. "We'll keep an eye out and we'll be ready. Trust us."

Everyone slowly turned to Usagi.

"Usako?" Mamoru asked.

"You…" Rei started, "feeling okay?"

Usagi smiled. "Yeah. I just… I get what Luna means."

Luna blinked. "You're usually the first one to say the silence is a good thing. You're usually the only one who says it!"

Usagi held her smile, "Yeah, but you deal with me enough."

Luna stared at her, concern beginning to takeover. "Usagi, is everything okay?"

"Yep!"

"You sure?" Rei asked.

"Positive," Usagi answered. "Guess… just this quiet worries me, too. As usual, though, just when I stop worrying… another reason to worry pops up."

Rei looked down and, sadly, admitted, "True."

Minako studied Rei for a moment, noticing something in her voice.

"We're not saying to be paranoid," Artemis soothed. "Just saying… don't assume we're done. Understand?"

"Have we ever?" Mako asked.

"True. But… just still be watchful. Okay?"

"Got it," the girls said in unison.

"Glad that's settled," Minako grinned. "Because I have something way more important to talk about!"

"I somehow doubt that," Artemis groaned.

"Shush!" Minako turned to Ami and Mako, "I passed the study hall after school."

Mako and Ami froze.

"Toshi and Shiro, huh?"

"Oh, yeah!" Usagi perked up. "I did see you guys walk off with them. A couple of times, now that I think about it."

Ami blushed and began to shrink down in her seat.

Mako's face began to heat up. "What?! We were just studying!"

"Surrrrre!" Usagi and Minako giggled.

"We were!"

"Minako doesn't recognize studying without all of you forcing her," Artemis teased.

"I said 'ssh'!" Minako ordered.

"Soooooo!" Usagi grinned, resting her chin on her hands as she stared at Mako and Ami.

"What?" Mako asked. "They're nice guys!"

"They must be," Rei noted. "You've had about eight study groups with them."

"I mean…" Ami fidgeted in her seat, "Toshi's… really smart."

"And Shiro's pretty dedicated," Mako replied. "It's impressive."

Minako thought for a moment. "Wait. I just realized something. Mako."

"Yeah?"

"Doesn't Shiro… remind you of anyone?"

"Remind me of…" Mako paused. "Uhhhh… nope. No one comes to mind."

At that, everyone else stopped and stared at Mako.

Mako took note of their stares. "What?"

"Okay, now, I hear it!" Ami admitted. "How'd we miss it?"

"Miss what?"

"Mako, you're telling us…" Minako began.

"Out of all the guys ever…!" Rei added.

"Every guy you've ever met!" Usagi continued.

"Including our enemies," Luna reminded.

"Some monsters," Artemis recalled.

"Every now and again, a random guy on the street," Mamoru said.

"Shiro, in no way, shape, or form…" Ami adjoined.

"Doesn't remind you of your old senpai?!" Usagi, Rei, Minako, and Ami asked, simultaneously.

Mako looked up at the ceiling and pressed her finger to her chin. "Huh. Nope. He doesn't. Not at all."

Usagi's mouth fell open. "Oh, my God, you really like him!"

Mako blushed.

Minako giggled a bit, "Everyone getting a boyfriend."

"They're not our boyfriends, Minako," Ami countered.

"Whatever you have to tell yourselves."

Rei looked off to the side. 'Not everyone.'

Haruka watched Michiru with Hotaru as they both played piano. Setsuna walked up behind Haruka, noticing her gaze.

"What's wrong?" Setsuna asked.

Haruka shook her head, "Nothing really. Just watching her."

"For any particular reason?"

Haruka paused. "I don't know yet."

Setsuna observed Michiru and Hotaru again, "I mean… she's well-adjusted so far. Don't you think?"

"Yeah. But how long will that last?"

"Give her a chance, Haruka. How things are now… this isn't what any of us expected."

"I know," Haruka replied, "but… she doesn't…"

"Seem as strong or ominous?" Setsuna asked.

"Exactly."

"That's a good thing, though, isn't it? Just let her be. After all… is it really anything to be concerned about?"

Haruka looked at Setsuna. "You tell me." She walked off, heading for the garage.

Setsuna froze for a moment then looked at Michiru and Hotaru. They looked at Setsuna, and Setsuna smiled, which Michiru and Hotaru returned.

Setsuna did have some concerns. But none of those concerns involved Hotaru. For some reason, Setsuna felt there were greater, more menacing matters to be concerned with than Hotaru's Sailor Saturn powers. Setsuna feared something far worse and infinitely more dangerous was coming.

That following afternoon, Rei was just getting home from school when she saw Minako sitting on the Shrine steps. "Hey, Mina!" Rei greeted.

Minako smiled and waved, "Hey!"

"What are you doing here?"

"Came to see you."

"How come?"

Minako's smile shifted to a more sympathetic one. "I noticed your mood last night. I know something's wrong."

Rei froze for a moment. "R…Really? You… you noticed?"

"Hey," Minako said, "I'm the second-in-command of the Sailor Guardians. I have to keep an eye out."

Rei giggled a bit.

"But, seriously, besides all that, I gotta look after my friends. Tell me what's up."

Rei fell silent then sat down next to Minako. "It's Yuichiro."

Minako's heart sank immediately. It didn't matter what Rei was about to say, it was going to be good. "What happened?"

"He… moved. To Sapporo."

Minako's eyes slowly widened. "What? When?"

"Three months ago."

Minako struggled to find the right words. "Three…" She shook her head, "But… how long is he gonna be gone?"

"For good."

Minako gasped. "Wha…? Why didn't you tell us?"

Rei shrugged. "Denial, I guess."

They sat in silence for a few moments. Neither knew what to say.

Minako exhaled. "I'm so sorry, Rei."

"Thanks," Rei whispered.

Minako rubbed her eyes and let out another sigh. "I'm not even gonna ask if you're okay."

"Mm," Rei replied.

"Did you tell anyone else yet?"

"Nope."

Minako nodded. "Wanna go shopping?"

"Not really," Rei answered.

"Wanna go walk around the shops, pretending we're gonna buy something when we both know we're not, and talk about anything but this?"

"Minako…" Rei looked at her, "you're a really great friend."

Minako smiled. "I try."

Hours later, after spending the entire afternoon in town, Rei and Minako walked back to the Shrine. Before they parted, Minako grabbed Rei and pulled her into a hug.

"You're gonna be fine," Minako reassured.

Rei smiled and rested her head on Minako's shoulder. "Thanks."

"Anytime."

A little later that evening, Usagi stood outside, leaning against the yard wall outside of her house. After standing for a few minutes, Usagi heard footsteps and looked to see Setsuna approach.

Usagi smiled, "Hi, Setsuna."

"Hi, Usagi," Setsuna walked up to her. "Good to see you."

"You, too."

"I have to admit I was surprised you called."

"Yeah. I just…" Usagi sighed. "I wanted to ask you something."

"Of course," Setsuna replied. "How can I help?"

Usagi motioned for Setsuna to lean against the wall, as well. Setsuna obliged.

"I…" Usagi stopped.

Setsuna leaned her head to the side, "Usagi?"

"I just… I know you probably can't tell me but… the future."

Setsuna sighed in regret. "Usagi…"

"I know!" Usagi replied, immediately, knowing that was something Setsuna couldn't tell her anyway. "But… something feels…" she exhaled. "I… feel like something's about to change."

Setsuna studied Usagi and could tell something was really bothering her. Soon, Setsuna exhaled as she couldn't fight it either. "I know how you feel."

Usagi turned toward Setsuna, "You do?"

"Yes. I've… felt something, too. I honestly don't know if the future has changed, Usagi. But… I feel like it has… or will. One big reason I can't tell you… is because I honestly don't know."

"Yeah, I figured."

Usagi looked up at the sky. One more reason Usagi called Setsuna was she found herself unable to sleep in the last few nights. Setsuna stared at the sky, as well, searching for answers that wouldn't come so easily.

Luna and Artemis arrived a few moments later. When they landed on the yard wall, they were stunned to find Usagi standing outside in a contemplative stance, let alone Setsuna being with her.

"Huh?!" Artemis asked. "What's wrong with this scene?"

"Usagi?" Luna asked. "Setsuna? What's going on?"

"Couldn't sleep," Usagi answered. "And I wanted to talk to Setsuna. I… I've been… feeling worried."

"She's not the only one," Setsuna admitted.

Luna jumped to the ground and stepped closer to Usagi, "I'm starting to worry about you."

Usagi exhaled. "I know. I just… Luna, I feel… something's coming."

"That's usually Rei's job to sense that kind of stuff," Artemis noted.

"I know."

Artemis looked at Setsuna, "Have you been feeling that way, too?"

"Yes," Setsuna confirmed. "I just… don't know why."

Luna looked at Usagi again, "Usagi… I didn't… tell you we had to stay vigilant to make you afraid to sleep."

"But that's just it," Usagi countered. "You didn't. I'd been feeling like this before you said that. What's even weirder is… I… don't feel afraid. I mean… not about that. I am afraid, though. But that's 'cause I'm afraid of how not afraid I am. Am I making any sense?"

Luna stopped. "Oh, my God, you are!"

"It's only natural that one day you'd begin to overcome your fears, Usagi," Setsuna reassured. "You'll still have them to some degree. But I've seen how you've grown. You're so much stronger than you give yourself credit for."

Luna smiled. "She's absolutely right, Usagi. Something may be on the way but we're strong. We can face it. We can beat it."

"You have all of us with you, Usagi," Artemis added. "No matter what's coming, you won't be alone."

"Yeah." Usagi considered that and slowly began to smile. "Yeah!" She pushed herself off the wall and hopped in front of them, "You guys are right! We can handle it! We've done it before! We can do it again! Because we're tough!"

While Setsuna smiled, Luna jerked, "Uhh… yeah! Exactly right!"

"Thanks, Luna!" Usagi looked at Setsuna, "And, sorry for dragging you out here, Setsuna."

"You didn't," Setsuna assured. "Anytime you need me, Usagi. Just say the word."

"Back at ya!" Usagi held her smile, "Luna, Artemis, Setsuna, thank you! Sorry for my mood lately. I promise to be back to my usual self in no time!"

"It's nothing you need to apologize for," Luna confirmed. "You have every right to be worried about things, just like we all do."

That night, just after eleven, Rei lay, wide awake, in bed, a feeling of guilt coming over her. She missed Yuichiro. But nowhere near as much as she thought she would. Or as much as she thought she should.

There was someone she was missing far more.

She reached under her pillow, removing a letter from it. She read the return address, gazing at Victor's name.

She took the letter out of the envelope and began reading it again. She'd read it three times already, practically memorizing it, but, with Yuichiro's departure, the letter's arrival felt like perfect timing. After she finished reading, she placed the letter on her chest and stared at the ceiling. "Victor." She looked out of her window, staring at the moon. "Has it… really been three years? So much has happened since then. I… wanna see you again. Please… please come back. I miss you."

Usagi was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. She turned her head a bit to gaze at the moon. She couldn't help that her mind was still going. She slowly got up, moving Luna a bit. But Luna didn't wake up; she just changed positions, still asleep. Usagi walked into the bathroom, turned the light on, leaned over the sink, and stared at herself in the mirror.

As she stared at her reflection, Usagi whispered, "Something's coming. Something big." She took a breath. "I need to be ready. I will be ready."

Tokyo International Air Cargo Terminal.

At 2:05 AM, the cargo plane touched down on the landing strip. Within minutes, the crew got to work unloading the plane's various cargo.

Kayla peaked around the corner of one of the crates, as did her cat, Cairo, who was riding on her shoulder. Kayla, a young woman with dark skin and her hair styled in a short, curly afro, was wearing blue jeans, a black shirt, a black leather jacket, a bandanna across her forehead, and wore a dark blue backpack. Cario was a jet-black colored, Bombay cat, with a pair of white spirals tattooed on his upper right shoulders. Once Kayla and Cairo saw no one was looking their way, they ran for the nearest building away from the airport, hiding behind every possible cover they could. Soon, they made it to the street, far enough away from the airport to relax.

"We did it, Cairo," Kayla smiled a bit.

Cairo purred.

Kayla looked toward the direction of Tokyo, able to see the city lights in the distance. "Easy part's done. Now, comes the hard part." She looked at Cairo, "You still with me?"

Cairo meowed.

"You're the best, partner. We'll find a place to rest for a couple of days then… it's back to grind. Sound good?"

Cairo meowed again.

Kayla looked back toward Tokyo. "Let's go."