Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Sailor Stars: Chaos Theory
Act 62: Forbidden Past
By: Sora Kazeno
Sailor Cosmos' eyes narrow not giving him a chance to finish whatever explanation he had. "Is this what you meant when you said you did some stupid things?" Her voice rises. She feels betrayed. All this talk of not keeping secrets from each other and he did this? "Really stupid things that would have led to you being banished from Kinmoku and lose your ability to be a senshi?"
Before Seiya could respond to Sailor Cosmos' outburst, there is a loud knock at the door.
"We need to get going, come on!" Yaten yells at Seiya from the other side of the door.
They have the worst possible timing. "Just a minute!" Seiya shouts at them. He looks at Sailor Cosmos for a moment. She won't even look at him. "Perfect." He mutters under his breath.
Yaten bangs on the door again leaving Seiya no choice but to address his cousin. He opens the door scowling at Yaten.
"What is your problem, you're the one that is running late," Yaten snaps back at the Three Lights member in the red suit. He pushes past Seiya trying to understand what is causing the big hold up. He pauses when he sees Sailor Cosmos in the room and she is glaring at Seiya.
Taiki was able to see some of what was happening from the doorway. He clears his throat. "We'll wait in the lobby and expect to see you in a few minutes." He looks over at Yaten who is not budging. "Come on Yaten."
"Why is your Change Star on the floor?" Yaten suddenly asks. Something weird took place. His eyes widen when he sees the glowing ring on Sailor Cosmos's finger. The same one Karin had warned them about. "That ring…it's the only that lets you learn things..." Yaten starts.
After hearing this exchange, Taiki can no longer wait outside. He enters the room and looks directly at Sailor Cosmos. "What did you see?" He tries to keep his voice even but he is worried of what confidential information about the Scarlett Palace could have been learned by Usagi.
Sailor Cosmos realizes she won't be able to speak with Seiya further about this matter with Yaten and Taiki now present. "Enough," she snaps at them. "Apparently Seiya has been keeping secrets from all of us." Without another word, Sailor Cosmos vanishes in a bright flash of light, leaving the members of the Three Lights behind. Seiya never stood a chance to stop her, nor did he try. He is too stunned by what happened and Cosmos' anger.
Yaten turns to Seiya. "What secrets?"
Seiya realizes he is going to have to say something and be as a vague as possible. He sighs. "She found out about the time I got kinda of drunk."
Taiki narrows his eyes knowing something is amiss. "You never talk about that night. What really happened?"
"I mean we all drank a bit, you just seemed to have too much," Yaten is staring at Seiya. "What did you do?"
Seiya shakes his head. Its better they don't know exactly what happened. It would change a lot of things. "I'm not going to get into it right now. It's rather personal." He walks back toward the dresser to collect his Change Star from the floor. He needs to refocus the topic, quickly. "Don't we have a press conference, is that why you were coming to get me?"
It is Taiki's turn to sigh. He is not going to learning any new from Seiya at this time. For whatever reason, Seiya won't discuss that night no matter what. "Yes." He looks over to Yaten, and he shrugs at Taiki. "I'm sure they will have plenty questions for you about Usagi-chan after the picture of the two of you in the newspaper and announcing she is your girlfriend."
Seiya puts his hand up to his face. Now is the worst time to be asked those questions. He can't help but sigh again. "This is going to be a really long day and I really need to talk to her."
"We have events lined up all day. Do you even know where she went?" Yaten asks.
Sailor Cosmos went to the first place she could think of that wasn't Japan. The place she knows she can be alone. She walks down the path in the empty gardens of the Silver Millennium. She pauses near the large water fountain to glare at the ring on her pinky finger. Why did she see that? What else would she have seen if she hadn't dropped the Change Star from her hands severing the link? It was for the better probably, she didn't need to see more. She had seen more than enough. She never expected that from Seiya.
More importantly, why didn't Seiya ever tell her about him and Shiori? He brushed it off the last time they were on Kinmoku saying it was discussed a long time ago and he didn't return Shiori's feelings. Well it sure didn't look like it! He looked like he was returning those feelings quite well, going as far as taking her clothes off. You don't just do that without a reason.
Why did he lie about it? Her fingers clench tightly around her staff. What she can tell this was a past encounter, when she was still with Mamoru. She shakes her head. She was open about her relationship with Mamoru with him. He even knew about Chibi Usa. Fighter met Sailor Chibi Moon briefly. He knew just about everything, or everything he wanted to know.
What will this mean for their relationship going forward? They can't go to Kinmoku, can they? She is not going to be able to look at Shiori the same ever again. The question keeps nagging at her. Why did Seiya keep this a secret from her?
She was so angry when she first seen the images of Seiya and Shiori together. She's not sure all of what happened or what was said after, she was too angry at the moment. She just remembers yelling at Seiya and leaving. Why doesn't she remember? Did she black out from anger?
Sitting down on a bench nearby, Sailor Cosmos closes her eyes. Her mind is now replaying some of the other things Seiya had experienced in his life. He has been bottling up a lot, the destruction of Kinmoku and fleeing to find Princess Kakyuu. Fighter and the other Starlights felt a lot of guilt leaving everyone behind. No wonder Healer was in such a hurry to return home as soon as Princess Kakyuu was found. She knew it was hard for them, but she completely underestimated the agony they experienced.
She places her head in her hands. "Things were never supposed to be this hard." Her shoulders shake and she cries. Expressing the built up anger after what she had seen when she touched the Change Star and everything that has happened to her in the past two months. She had told herself all she had to do was come back to this timeline and she could happy with Seiya. Things with him were so less complicated. They were supposed to be. She never imagined the emotional exhaustion everything would take on her.
Minako and Rei look at Seiya dumbfound in the hotel lobby for a few moments. He was glad he ran into them and the car to take them to the television studio was running late. Minako has a television appearance and Rei was waiting for Usagi.
"What do you mean she left?" Minako tries to keep her voice down.
"Where did she go?" Rei demands. "What did you say to her?"
Seiya shakes his head. "I don't know where she went. She had a nightmare this morning and was gone by the time I woke up. She came back as Cosmos and her ring activated; the one that learns an objects history."
Rei's tone softened as worry set in. The ability they were told could be dangerous. "What did she see? What was she holding?"
"My Change Star that I use to become Fighter," Seiya explains, the weight of the object in his pocket seems heavier than normal. After seeing the look of confusion from the two girls, he elaborates. "I almost left the room without it and she picked it up to hand it to me." He looks at Rei. "I'm really worried about her."
Minako turns to Rei. "I can't miss the television appearance. Can you look for Usagi-chan?" She can only image what Usagi might have seen based on some of the things Yaten had told her about Kinmoku.
"Sure… I have a few ideas," Rei nods her head. "I can't risk calling you on the communicator though once I find her. If you're doing an interview and it starts going off…"
"Thank you Rei-chan," Minako nods, understanding it could be a while before they hear anything.
"It would help if I knew what she saw Seiya-kun," Rei looks over at Seiya to try to understand what causes Usagi to flee. "It might help me find her or at least narrow it down."
"I would rather not talk about it. It was… some moments of my life I'm not proud of," Seiya looks away, regret clearly written on his face.
Rei presses her lips together. "We all have things in our past like that," she tries to comfort him.
Yaten walks over to the trio. "The car is here. We have to be going."
Seiya is trying to think of a reason to stay but Taiki and Yaten would drag him there kicking and screaming if they needed to.
"I'll find her," Rei tells Seiya.
He wants to say more but all he can manage is, "thank you."
Ami is surprised to read the e-mail asking to meet at the Silver Millennium and a few hours before the first class even though it will be rather early. She looks at the wording Mamoru used several times. They have a lot to talk about and catch up on. It involves senshi matters but no one is in danger. He finally has some answers about his past.
Does Usagi know what happened? Ami looks at the e-mail again. She probably does. But three hours before class? Just what did he learn, did something major change? His e-mail leaves her with so many questions she will ask when she sees him in a few days.
Did he and Usagi get back together? She quickly searches information on the Three Lights for any new headlines. She nearly drops her tea mug. She looks at the picture on the computer. "Usagi-chan…."
Haruka is looking at the same picture as Ami but on a different computer over Setsuna's shoulder. There is a short article to accompany the picture. Her eyes narrow as she glares at the headline. "Seiya's Girlfriend…" she retorts reading it. It is a picture of Usagi and Seiya sitting on a park bench together, with his arm around her shoulders, both of them smiling happily. The mystery of whom the girl was that was seen kissing Seiya a few times was finally solved.
Michiru stands on the other side of Setsuna, also peering at the article. "Hmmm. Them going public only makes this more challenging." She turns to Haruka.
Setsuna nods her head, agreeing with Michiru. "This is the first time Usagi-chan's name is listed."
Michiru frowns at the implications. "Now that their relationship is public, you can't come between them as easily Haruka." She turns to face her partner that is still mean mugging the computer screen. "You might have to let this go."
Haruka scoffs at picture. "I know." Her response is short, in a tone that is frightening, and laced with rage. "The publicity for us or them…. It would hurt our Queen." Haruka knows she has her own image to maintain and this new headline is testing her limit. She takes her frustration out on Setsuna, "couldn't you have changed something when the timeline went back to this? Anything?"
She doesn't dare look up from the computer to the blonde towering behind her as she remarks. "A few things did change. It seems since Usagi-chan returned from the other timeline… that event only made them closer." She gestures to image on the computer screen.
Haruka's eyes narrow into slits thinking of her conversation the last time she spoke with Usagi in Boston about visiting Seiya late at night. "How close?"
Michiru lightly places her hand on Haruka's shoulder.
Haruka turns to look at the aqua haired woman next to her.
Michiru gives Haruka a look to not press the matter.
Haruka's mouth twitches. She realizes it is probably better if no one confirms what she is suspecting. If they were to confirm it she would transform and go to Peru herself and punch him in the face for defiling their Queen. She'd wait until he was alone, he won't be surrounded by the press all day.
When Sailor Cosmos feels like she can't cry any more, she slowly stands up and walks inside the palace. Fatigue is starting to set in from the events since she woke up this morning. Everything has taken an emotional and physical toll on her. She goes to her old room she used when she lived in the palace. She collapses onto her bed. Her transformation becomes undone and she reverts to Usagi in her pajamas. Her mind is blank allowing her to drift off to sleep.
A few hours later, Sailor Mars finds her. Relief washes over the Senshi of Fire. She was running out of places to check. She is surprised to find Usagi rather than Sailor Cosmos. She doesn't want to disturb Usagi after all of the nightmares she had when she is sleeping soundly.
Usagi begins to mumble something in her sleep in a language Sailor Mars doesn't recognize. She assumes its Lunarian. She looks at Usagi closer and realizes the mark of Cosmos is glowing dimly on her forehead. Usagi is starting to roll around more her sleep.
Sailor Mars immediately starts shaking Usagi awake, worried that it is the start of another nightmare.
The movement stirs Usagi. She is startled when she wakes up, finding herself at the Silver Millennium. The eight pointed star flickers and disappears. Usagi blinks her eyes a few times looking around the room as Sailor Mars comes into focus. "Rei-chan…"
Sailor Mars looks relieved. "Everyone was worried about you when you suddenly left," she sits down on the bed next to Usagi. She is quiet for a moment but she can't hold back this question anymore. "What happened that made you leave Usagi?"
Usagi's eyes are on downcast, a sign she doesn't want to talk about it.
Sailor Mars stares at Usagi. It was like the same look Usagi had right before she told Rei she hadn't heard from Mamoru ever since he left to go to America. "You have to talk to Seiya-kun, he's worried about you."
Usagi turns to face Sailor Mars. "He has a funny way of showing it!" She shouts in anger.
Sailor Mars stands up, shocked by Usagi's reaction to hearing Seiya's name. This was serious. Whatever happened what was not a normal fight. "Usagi…" she whispers.
Usagi looks up at Sailor Mars and sees the look of concern on her face. Meekly she gets up and apologizes. "I'm sorry Rei-chan. I'm… just angry there are things he didn't tell me after all this time."
Sailor Mars nods her head, trying to help her best friend. "I'm sure there are things you haven't told him yet too."
Usagi shakes her head side to side. "Nothing this serious." She whispers softly. "He knows everything."
"Everything…." Sailor Mars repeats slowly.
Usagi nods her head. "I never hid a past relationship from him."
Sailor Mars' eyes widen. Something seems off about this whole situation. "Talk to him Usagi and work it out. Whatever happened, it was in the past, right? It might not be as bad as you think."
Usagi is quiet, contemplating Sailor Mars' words. She is about to open her mouth to respond but her stomach answers for her requesting food. Usagi teardrops.
"This will be easier once you've had some food," Sailor Mars suggests.
Usagi nods her head in agreement.
Mamoru stares at the circular Golden Crystal in his hands. He still can't believe he has it. The crystal in his hands was never found in the other timeline according to Sailor Pluto because he never met Ayumi. The only Golden Crystal was the mirrored one that existed in Elysion.
He sighs, he finally has the ability to protect Usako… and she's not even his to protect anymore.
A knock on the door disrupts him from continuing this thought process. He opens the door to find Ayumi standing there with a look of frustration.
She enters the room and sits down on a nearby chair. "I figure we'll take a break today. I'm not sure how much I will be able to help you without knowing how to the use the crystal myself." Her annoyance is evident in her tone. "I was never a Crowned Princess. I was never meant to be able to use the crystal."
"So… there is no one alive that knows how to use the crystal," Mamoru confirms his suspicions. This just made everything a lot more complicated. "We might as well get lunch and try to figure out what is next."
Ayumi nods her head. They quickly leave the room and head down the hallway, passing by the lounge on their way off the floor.
"I can't believe they went public!" Mai exclaims looking up from her computer screen.
Nami shakes her head. "It's not that surprising Mai-chan, people were kind of figuring out he has a girlfriend."
Mai shoots her a look. "We didn't figure it out when we met her."
Nami teardrops. "Well… yeah…" She sheepishly admits.
Ayumi walks over to the girls trying to figure why they were so loud. "What are you talking about? Who went public?"
"Seiya-san and Usagi-chan," Mai responds pointing to her laptop screen. "Look, here's an article about it and even lists Usagi-chan's full name." Mai leads back in her chair contemplating. "I wonder what happened."
Mamoru grimaces. He knows what changed; it was their time together after Usagi returned from the alternate timeline. He turns to Ayumi, "I forgot something in my room. I'll be back in a minute." Without waiting for a response he turns around. He just needed a few minutes. He couldn't listen to another second of this.
Nami caught the look on Mamoru's face before he left. She turns to Ayumi, "is he okay?"
Ayumi shakes her head, looking at the two Three Lights fangirls. "Did you forget that he used to be with Usagi-chan?" She lowers her voice. "Mamoru's not over her. Please don't bring her or the Three Lights up when he is around. It's really hard for him."
"Well… you did ask us what was going on…" Mai points out. She pulled her long hair out of her ponytail.
Nami eyes Ayumi suspiciously. "You seem really close; you didn't even use a suffix for his name."
"Oh…" Ayumi responds, she had never told them about her and Mamoru being siblings.
Mai leans over in her chair. "So you two are…"
Ayumi shakes her head side to side. "It's not like that!" she responds swiftly. "It turns out we are … distant family members." It was easier this way then trying to say they are brother and sister. Her two classmates stare at her. Thinking quickly she adds, "After hearing the story of what happened to his family, I remember my parents telling me something like that happened to a relative. I reached out to some family members and it turns out we're related." She hopes that's enough.
Mai blinks her eyes a few times. "Really?"
"That's great!" Nami exclaims.
Mamoru returns moments later with his book bag. He had to come back with something.
Mai turns to him, "why didn't you tell us you and Ayumi-chan are long lost family members?"
Mamoru looks at Ayumi for a moment before hesitantly responding. "Yeah. We only recently figured it out." He keeps his answer vague until he can determine what Ayumi told the two girls.
Nami smiles. "It is great that you have family here. I was wondering why you two were hanging out so much. You must have a lot of catch up on." Her smile waivers when she realizes, "I can't believe the summer semester is about to start! I still have so much left of this dissertation and I'm not ready to teach yet!" She pouts.
Usagi leans back in her chair, absent mindedly drinking her pop. She is really quiet and tries to process everything.
Rei looks at her worried. She has never seen Usagi this quiet after having a fight with a significant other. By now she would have told Rei everything that happened if it had been with Mamoru. Something is different about this. "You haven't talked a lot since we came back and I can tell you're really upset. Do you want to talk about it?" The version of Usagi in front of her is not normal.
"I don't know where to start…." Usagi plays with some of the ice in her drink. "I'm confused by some of the things that I saw." She inhales sharply. "And I'm still really angry."
Rei recoils slightly in her chair. "You know Seiya-kun is the only one that can answer your questions. You need to talk to him."
"I know…" Usagi's voice is sad. "I need to talk to him but I have a feeling I'm not going to like the answers." Her hands grip her drink tightly as she closes her eyes. She can't get the image of Seiya and Shiori together out of her mind. "We have a lot of talk about." She opens her eyes and looks at Rei; they are still filled with hurt.
Rei is speechless; she is not used to see this side of Usagi. She's been angry and in pain ever since she returned from the other timeline.
Several hours later, Ayumi went back to campus and Mamoru had a different appointment he needed to keep. He sits down in a booth at the back of a local coffee shop across from an emerald haired woman. "I'm sorry, I'm few minutes late. I didn't want to tell Ayumi we were meeting and she finally just left to return to campus."
Setsuna smiles at him. "It's fine." She looks at her teacup. "It's is probably better, she would have so many questions and I know you want to talk about something else." When Mamoru doesn't respond she continues, "I'm sure you've also been busy lately with learning how to use the crystal." One of the main reasons he wanted to meet.
"I'm still trying to figure out what other abilities I have. One of them surfaced so far," Mamoru explains. He pauses as a waitress comes by. He orders coffee and once she leaves he continues. "Ayumi has helped me learn some of the basics of healing."
"That is wonderful," Setsuna responds, genuinely happy. "I was not aware you possess that ability." There is a long pause between them. "How are you otherwise?"
Mamoru's mood is somber. Setsuna didn't waste any time bringing up the other topic. "It's been really hard," he admits. "The article today didn't help."
Setsuna stiffens. She did not plan on mentioning it. "You saw it?"
"Some of my classmates are huge fans of the Three Lights and went to the concert with Usako and Rei-chan when they were in Boston."
Setsuna nods her head. She sips her tea, choosing her next words carefully. "Haruka-kun was rather angry as well."
Mamoru leans back in the booth as the waitress returns with his black coffee. "Something about seeing that article… makes it seem more… permanent."
"I agree. Seeing it in writing… was a shock." She taps her teacup before she continues, "I just hope Usagi-chan is ready for the media attention when she returns, she's not used it… as Usagi-chan."
Mamoru nods his head. Both sit in silence for a few minutes. There is a question that has been plaguing Mamoru's mind for the past few days and the only person that can answer it is sitting across from him. After the other timeline, he has to know if anything changed. "I've been wondering… could Crystal Tokyo still exist if Usako didn't… choose him?" He still hates to say his name. It's easier this way.
Setsuna shakes her head no. "Crystal Tokyo ceased to be the moment she became Sailor Cosmos. There was no turning back at that point," she explains. "It is why I tried to go back to a time when she was not Cosmos." She pauses. "The Earth will no longer fall into the deep sleep King Endymion discussed with you and the others. That is the event that leads to the creation of Crystal Tokyo. But due to Cosmos' abilities that will never happen now." Her shoulders slump. "And the Small Lady that you knew ceased to exist as well. Small Lady was always… the daughter of Neo-Queen Serenity and Sailor Moon not Neo-Queen Serenity and Sailor Cosmos."
Mamoru stares at her, the wheels turning in his mind, something how Setsuna explained it to him. "As I knew her… does that mean Chibi Usa could still exist?"
Setsuna looks down at her tea. "Yes and no." She doesn't want to meet his eye. "A child could have existed but they would have been different from the Small Lady we met."
Mamoru tries not to slam his hand on the table in frustration. Too many what ifs. But he shouldn't have expected anything else from Sailor Pluto. Mamoru's voice is low. "Usako… already told me about a few premonitions she had. They were of her new future." He pauses. Saying it out loud is more difficult than he anticipated. "It sounds like I'm not a part of it."
Setsuna interrupts him. "We are all a part of that future but our roles might have changed."
Mamoru looks at her straight in the eyes. "So you've seen what my new future will be?"
Setsuna is taken aback by his direct questioning. "Yes…" She looks away; she can't look at him openly.
Mamoru interrupts her response negativity. "It's that bad?"
"No, it's not that…" Setsuna stares intently at her teacup, trying to hide the slight blush in her cheeks. "Somethings are better left as a surprise."
Mamoru looks at her questioningly after her response but he doesn't press the matter. Setsuna will only reveal what she wants about time and the future. Another idea hits him. "Well, maybe it's better if I don't know. If it turns out different, I won't know and couldn't be disappointed." He resumes drinking his coffee. Something about this conversation unnerves him but he can't figure out why.
Setsuna presses her lips together tightly. "Yes," she eventually adds. She reflects on what she has seen, unable to fully express what is on her mind at this time. She knows too many secrets about the possible future of this timeline. But will they change? She is uncertain. "Probably for the best," she smiles warmly.
Seiya is a nervous wreck. He hasn't heard back from Usagi. Minako had her own events and he can't check with her either. He doesn't know if Rei found Usagi. His expression is vacant as he sits in a makeup chair. Taiki and Yaten are next to him.
Taiki waits until the door closes as the artist leaves, trying not to gag on the amount of hair spray used. "You need to focus on the concert tonight. Any personal matters have to wait until after."
Taiki's comment snaps Seiya back to reality. "That's easy for you to say."
Yaten takes a more alternative approach. "What did you say or do to piss her off so much?" When Seiya doesn't answer, Yaten continues to press for more information. "She said you were keeping secrets."
"Nothing that I want to talk about," Seiya retorts back.
"She saw something," Taiki comments thinking back to this morning. "This goes back to the night you were drunk that you never talk about."
Seiya winces. "It's probably better you don't know." His voice lowers.
Taiki turns in the chair to glare at Seiya, accusing him, "you did something reckless, didn't you?" This wouldn't be the first time.
Seiya tries to act indifferently. "It could have been bad. But…" He stops himself from continuing, almost falling for Taiki's trap. "I'm not talking about it."
Yaten sighs getting up from his chair next to Seiya. "It was worth a shot." He heads to the door and stops. "I spoke with Mina before I came in here. She saw Rei-chan and Usagi-chan in the audience."
Seiya stares at him blankly for a seconds before he is on his feet. "Why didn't you say something sooner?"
Yaten shrugs his shoulders and puts his hand up in the air. "I thought you might have known."
Seiya is about to yell at Yaten, but the white haired band member left.
Usagi stares at the stage. She has so many thoughts and emotions storming inside of her, so many questions that need answers. She closes her eyes waiting for Minako to come on stage to begin her performance. She overhears two girls talking loudly behind her.
"Did you see the press conference that aired on television today?"
"Yeah. What was up with Seiya-san? He seemed so distracted."
The girl giggles. "Did you see the way he blushed when the reporter ask about his new girlfriend? She's so lucky! I don't know how she got his attention. He could have any girl he wants but she seems so plain."
Usagi sinks lower into her seat and sighs as she grumbles under her breath, "it's not always so perfect."
Rei turns to Usagi, "We knew they would be busy on the tour…" She reminds the blonde, hoping she wasn't as angry as she was this morning.
Usagi gulps, she didn't realize she spoke loud enough for her friend to overhear. "Yeah." She knows she still needs to talk to Seiya but she's not sure she wants to hear the whole story of him and Shiori given what she witnessed, especially when they are going to see Shiori on Kinmoku. She was planning to go to Kinmoku with them after the tour and she is seriously rethinking this plan.
Seeing Usagi deep in thought, Rei turns to her. "I'm sure things will work out after you talk." She tries to encourage her. Before she can say anything, Minako walks out onto stage to a boisterous round of applause and cheers to begin her performance. There is a standing ovation by the time she finish her duet with Yaten.
"Their performance seemed different this time," comments Rei, noticing how in synch their voices matched.
Usagi watches the duo on stage as they bow. "I can't believe Minako-chan kept it a secret for so long." She pauses. "But I'm glad she is happy. You can really see it in her performance tonight."
Yaten and Minako leave the stage. Several minutes later the Three Lights appear on the stage to cheers from the fans.
Usagi immediately notices Seiya is different; he doesn't seem to have the aura of confidence around him like he usually does before a performance. He's still upset from this morning.
"Serves him right."
Usagi looks to her side where she heard the voice but realizes no one is there.
"He will always be in Endymion's shadow."
Usagi's eyes enlarge when she releases the voice is inside her head and it is Serenity. She feels a chill on her back. When she's had confrontations with Serenity in the past it was always when she was sleeping or trapped by Chaos, not when she was wide awake and in full control of her body. What is going on?
Serenity continues. "You had complained about how Mamo-chan hurt you and Seiya isn't any better."
Usagi inhales deeply, trying to ignore everything Serenity is whispering to her. She clenches her fists tightly. She closes her eyes to concentrate on silencing Serenity. Pearl rings appear on each of her fingers. A few sparks of light are emitted from several of the rings.
The light catches Rei's attention. "Usagi!" She reaches over to cover the rings in an effort to hide some of the light in the darkened venue.
Usagi's stance relaxes and she opens her eyes to see Rei staring at her, her hands on top of Usagi's. Rei slowly removes her hands since the light is no longer present.
"Sorry," Usagi apologies quietly. "Serenity… is not helping the situation."
Rei looks at her with worry. "Serenity?"
Usagi nods her head. "She seems to enjoy that there is … tension between me and Seiya."
"Why are the Three Lights just standing there? Why didn't start yet? Are they looking this way?"
Usagi looks up at the stage after hearing the comments of the girls behind her. Sure enough, all three members are staring at Usagi. Seiya is worried. Yaten and Taiki have a different expression; she had seen that look before when battling beside them against Galaxia. They must have seen the light from her rings.
Usagi meekly gives them a thumbs up sign as a gesture that she is okay at the moment.
Taiki nods his head and goes to get ready. Yaten says something to Taiki and then goes back to setting up. Seiya still hasn't taken his eyes off of Usagi. He needs to make sure he is okay. Usagi can only manage to a half smile.
"Seiya," Taiki redirects him.
Seiya snaps out of the daze to finish setting up.
Within in a few minutes, the Three Lights are ready to begin their performance.
While Seiya is singing, he can't take his eyes off of Usagi. While she listens, something seems different with his singing tonight. Her eyes become unfocused for a moment and when she tries to refocus them all she can see is a dark space with her and Seiya.
Usagi gasps. This is what happened when she watched the concert from the ferris wheel. Somehow Seiya is able to communicate while he is singing, his special ability.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you before. It's not something that I talk about. I've never told anyone what happened because if they knew it could be disastrous," Seiya apologies. "I want to show you what it was like when we went back to Kinmoku after you defeated Galaxia."
The images shift to the Three Starlights and Princess Kakyuu arriving back at a heavily damage Scarlett Palace. Usagi gasps at the sight. It amazes her how fast the palace was restored by the time she visited.
Weeks go by and they are rebuilding the palace one section at a time. Fighter is struggling to adjust to being just Fighter again. Seiya Kou did not exist on Kinmoku. Healer and Maker are also struggling with not being Yaten and Taki but it is a little less challenging for them. After speaking with Princess Kakyuu, they were allowed to keep the forms they used on Earth, since after all it is their original form. The danger had passed for them now that Chaos was defeated and the kingdom looks at them as heroes rather than the cursed children. It gives them a sense of relief. But for Seiya it is short lived.
Being Seiya only made him miss Usagi even more. He wanted more than anything to be left alone but there was a kingdom to rebuild. The work kept him busy during the day and sometimes during the night. Night was the hardest. That was when he thought of her the most, when he was alone with his thoughts. He often found himself looking up at the stars, the two moons that surround this planet, and in the direction of Earth even it was too far away to see any sign of the planet. He meant what he said, he would never forget her. He thought keeping himself busy would make it easier to adjust to being back home. After a few months, the sadness turned to anger.
Shiori, Yuna, and Sakura along with a dozen others are training to be future Starlights. Fighter helps Sasha with some of the training as a way to work out some of her anger she can't expel in healthier ways. As a result, Shiori starts to become closer to Fighter. She wants to see Fighter happy. She tries multiple times to cheer up Fighter and asks about her time on Earth. She explains to Fighter she hasn't been the same since she returned.
Several times Fighter snapped at Destroyer or Shiori when they were untransformed. Shiori begins to dislike Usagi since she caused Seiya/Fighter so much pain. Eventually she gets Seiya to open up a bit by bit as the days progress.
Around the ten month mark, Princess Kakyuu had a celebration for their accomplishments. This was less than a month before they learned of the prophecy that would lead them to returning to Earth. They had a feast, complete with wine and everyone was encouraged to drink some to celebrate. Some of the retired Starlights were also there and the advisors. Everyone seemed to be having a great time accept Seiya.
To Seiya it was just a reminder of how long it had been since they returned from Earth and the last time he seen Usagi. He knew at some point he would have to let this go but it was proving to be extremely difficult for him. Yaten and Taiki just didn't understand. They kept telling him he needs to give up and forget about Usagi. But he can't. He loves her too much. Seiya drank more than he should have, hoping it would numb everything.
As the evening wrapped up, several people were tipsy and were escorted back to their rooms. Shiori quickly offered to help Seiya back to his quarters. She is tired of seeing him so miserable. She addresses Usagi in the same manner as Princess Kakyuu without actually knowing her. "Usagi-san is in the past and you should focus on the present."
"Just let me be," Seiya mumbles as he closes his room door. He puts a hand on the wall next to him to steady himself for a moment.
Shiori is not backing down tonight. Seems the wine gave her some liquid courage of her own. She walks over to Seiya, determine to make him understand. "I could make you forget all about her." She suggests moving closer to Seiya. On impulse she wraps her around him pulling him closer to her until their lips meet. Consequences are the last thing on her mind. She's wanted this for a while.
Seiya is surprised at first by Shiori's actions and a little bit too drunk to really understand what he was doing at the moment. He returns the kiss, wishing the entire time it was actually Usagi.
Shiori takes it as a sign of encouragement, as they kiss several times. She starts to tug at his shirt and manages to take it off.
Seiya does the same to Shiori.
Usagi cringes in her seat. She doesn't need to see this part. It was bad enough the first time.
Suddenly Seiya stops and moves away from her. "We shouldn't be doing this."
Shiori glares at him. She is not about to be rejected again after things went this far. "No one has to know. We haven't done anything wrong."
"It's not right, we're both senshi." Seiya reminds her putting his shirt back on.
Shiori can feel the tears developing in her eyes. She was so focused on Seiya she had forgotten some of the rules they have to abide by on Kinmoku. What their encounter would have led to, they would have lost everything. "Usagi-san is a senshi too." She retorts.
Seiya turns away to not look at her. "Earth is not the same as Kinmoku. We would be banished from the palace if we…" He doesn't even want to finish the sentence. "I've been a senshi my entire life, I can't just give it up." He looks at Shiori, "I know you don't want to stop being a senshi either."
Shiori is angry. She isn't going to pull any of punches. "You don't want to stop being a senshi because you'll never see her again otherwise."
Seiya is silent. "It's not just that. I can't just stop being a senshi as easily as you can apparently."
"But she's not here! I am!" Shiori shouts at Seiya moving back over to him to wrap her arms around him, she holds onto him tightly. She refuses to let him go just like that when she was close to having all of him.
Seiya removes Shiori's arms from around him. "It is not going to happen Shiori-chan." He is firm in his tone. He is still a bit drunk but this whole incident just feels so wrong. "You need to leave."
Shiori is crestfallen by this turn events. How did everything go so wrong so quickly? She doesn't handle the rejection well. "You're making a mistake! You'll never see her again."
"You never know. I'm not going to do anything to jeopardize it." His eyes narrow. "Get out." When Shiori doesn't budge he adds, "the only mistake I made was telling you about what happened."
Shiori is livid. She storms past Seiya, screaming at him, "You'll regret this!" She opens the door out into the hallway and slams it shut.
Seiya's room on Kinmoku fades away as the stage comes back into view. The song is ending. Seiya finished his message to Usagi.
Usagi stares at Seiya wide eyed. She still has so many questions about what was said. What would prevent him from being a senshi?
Seiya's posture on the stage is sluggish for a moment and he shakes his head. His ability to project that much information is taxing on the body. But now that he was able to show Usagi, he knows he can finish the performance. He was easier for him to show her than try to explain it.
A few more songs go by. Usagi is only half paying attention as her mind wonders back to what she had seen of Seiya on Kinmoku. She leans back in her seat trying to enjoy the rest of the show. She'll talk to Seiya after the show. She feels less angry. It's not as bad as she originally thought. Rei was right.
But Serenity refuses to leave Usagi alone tonight. The events of the other timeline only reawakened her anger. "Don't tell me you actually believe that story?"
Usagi closes her eyes, trying to focus on the music and block out the words of Serenity.
"You see how he brazenly flirts with his female fans like he doesn't have a girlfriend."
Usagi grips the armrest tightly as the azure haired fan comes to mind that tried to kiss Seiya. She wants to say something back, but she can't start having a conversation with herself when she is surrounded by so many people.
"He may be better than Mamo-chan in some aspects but he is nothing compared to Endymion. He will never satisfy you like he can. I know you remember those passionate nights and why you were so eager to sneak back to Earth."
Usagi can feel her cheeks reddening as she tries to ignore Serenity but the images that flash across her mind only made things worse.
Serenity grins. "Your lack of response is because you know I'm right."
Usagi doesn't know what to do. She has never had so many issues with the Serenity side of her soul like this in one night. She feels like she is losing control and being unable to calm Serenity.
All of this is overwhelming to Usagi. She asks herself when did Serenity gain so much control? Was it when she refused to work with Usagi to stop Chaos the second time? Serenity nearly cost all of the senshi their starseeds because she would not give up Endymion.
Usagi can't help but shiver when she is reminded of the past warnings of how dangerous it can be to lose control of her powers now that she is Sailor Cosmos. She feels sick to her stomach. Is this the start of it? Is she losing control? Last time she destroyed an asteroid. The concert is filled with thousands of people. This could end badly and she could end up hurting everyone.
Without a word to Rei, she gets up, moving past Rei and beelines for the exit.
Rei turns to see Usagi leaving. She hesitates for a moment and then gets up to follow her.
Seiya sees a distraught Usagi leaving. He doesn't understand why she is leaving suddenly. Was it because of the message he sent her while singing?
What is going on with Usagi's powers? They were fine until she came back from the alternative timeline, what is throwing them out of whack? She needs to get it together. Serenity is still not backing down.
No snippets were used in this chapter.
There is now amazing fanart for this story created by Monimezu! First picture features Shiori and Usagi on Kinmoku and the second one features Sailor Cosmos. Both are posted on my blog under #chaos theory.
More of the back story with Seiya and Shiori was revealed. How does all of this affect being a senshi on Kinmoku? A little bit more to be discussed in the next chapter when Seiya and Usagi finally have a chance to talk face to face. Find out how that goes in Act 63: Kinmokian Law to be posted on January 20th.