Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Sailor Stars: Chaos Theory
Act 78: The New Neighbors
By: Sora Kazeno
In a flash of light, Sailor Cosmos, Sailor Venus, and the Sailor Starlights appear at the Hikawa Shrine. As the light fades they look around to see Rei, Makoto, and Ami waiting for them, eager to see them after the long journey.
"Welcome back!" Rei greets as she steps forward, her eyes on Sailor Cosmos after their last conversation. Within seconds she can sense the strong tension among the group.
Makoto smiles at them. "I have some food for you guys inside, I'm sure you're hungry after the long trip!"
Sailor Star Maker looks over at Sailor Star Fighter. Based on their recent fight it was better if they left as soon as possible. "Thank you, but we have a lot do this evening, we're moving soon."
Ami gasps lightly at the response. "…are you sure?" She stammers, not understanding why they would leave so soon after returning. She wanted to hear all about Kinmoku.
Fighter shifts uncomfortably on her feet, torn on what she should do. She wants to speak with Cosmos but she made it clear they didn't have anything to talk about at the moment. "It's probably better we leave…" She gazes at Sailor Cosmos for a moment trying to find any kind of sign the Queen wants her to stay. But Cosmos won't look at her or even acknowledge her presence.
The raven haired Starlight sighs in defeat. If there is anything she learned on Kinmoku, she needs to give Odango space and then they'll be able to talk. Pushing to talk this out will only make everything worse right now. She reverts back to Seiya and turns to leave.
Rei, Makoto, and Ami don't speak as they watch everything play out. It's clear Usagi didn't work things out with Seiya. What happened in the past two weeks?
Healer walks over to Venus and whispers to her, "I'll call you later, but it might be a while. We have to pick up keys from the hotel tonight and check in with the manager about when we move."
Venus nods her head. She feels like she is in the middle. She wants to support Usagi but it's difficult because of her relationship with Yaten who is going to try to help Seiya. "Later." Her voice is soft. She tries to give Healer a bright smile but it falls short.
Healer takes a step back reverting back to Yaten. He doesn't turn to look back as he walks over to Seiya and Taiki. The three of them head to the main staircase to exit the shrine grounds.
None of the girls speak as they watch the boys leave. Once they are out of sight, Makoto tries to redirect their attention. "Why don't we head inside and get some cake?" She hopes mentioning sweets would perk Usagi up. No reaction from the now de-transformed Sailor Cosmos. "Ne, Usagi-chan?"
Usagi doesn't say anything, her eyes still focused on the retreating backs of the Three Lights. A few tears form in her eyes as she watches him leave. But she can't bring herself to say anything. She quickly brushes her fingers across her face to remove any tears before she turns to face her friends.
The girls are seated inside of Rei's room with Luna and Artemis. They sit in silence as Ami, Rei, and Makoto process Usagi's recount of what transpired upon her return to Kinmoku.
Minako is waiting to hear what the other girls think. She is angry at Seiya for what happened and the pain it caused Usagi. But after speaking with Yaten the other night she has a better understanding of who Shiori really is. She will give Usagi the space she needs for now.
Rei breaks the stillness. "I'm so sorry Usagi." Her voice is quiet at first before it changes to frustration. "I can't believe he did that to you. I never thought Seiya-kun would…" She stops. She doesn't need to finish the sentence.
Rei's words break open the floodgate Usagi had kept in check while she told the girls everything. Tears begin to trickle down her cheek. "I… don't know what to do…" Her voice trembles after her last words as she completely breaks down. "It's like I lost everyone at once."
Minako leans over placing a hand on Usagi's shoulder. "You still have us. You'll always have us." She knows Usagi means losing Chibi Usa and Seiya.
"I know we haven't been around as much since graduation from high school Usagi-chan but we all want to help you and want what is best for you." Ami tries to reassure her.
"We'll support you in whatever you decide," Makoto chimes in. She can't picture Usagi not with Seiya or Mamoru.
They sit in silence.
Rei frowns. There is something she has to address with Usagi that can't wait. "Usagi, Mamoru-san was here for answers the day you left. I didn't tell him anything after you left but I don't think he is going to let this go."
Usagi looks up quickly to address the priestess. "You can't tell him about Chibi Usa." Panic hits her as she realizes, "we're supposed to have a training session in two days." She looks down. She knew she would have to face this but kept brushing it to the side because she was on Kinmoku. That safe buffer is gone. "I'll figure something out by then." She abruptly stands up. She can't stay here anymore, she has to do something. "Thanks for the food but I want to go home. I'm pretty tired." She barely gives the girls a chance to say goodbye as she heads to the door.
Luna jumps up and runs after her.
Once she is sure Usagi is far enough away, Minako speaks up, "I'm really worried about her. I've never seen her so angry… the fights she had with Seiya-kun…."
"We should take turns checking on her every day," Ami suggests pulling out a sheet of paper to make a schedule with the others based on their availability. It was at this moment she realized how different their lives have become during the past few months.
Artemis' attention is elsewhere. "She damaged the Palace on Kinmoku when she was angry? How do we know something like that wouldn't happen again if she has more fights with Seiya-kun?"
"That only happened right after her miscarriage. From what the previous Sailor Cosmos told Usagi-chan, her powers are stabilizing since she is no longer pregnant," Minako immediately interrupts not wanting to consider Usagi a threat in anyway.
Ami nods her head. "Pregnancy changes hormones significantly and it can take a little while before hormones stabilize. It can be different for each person." The girls stare at her as if to question her why she knew so much. "I did some research after Usagi-chan's miscarriage so I knew what to expect."
Rei teardrops. Of course Ami would complete research. Is there anything that Ami doesn't look up?
It didn't take long for Luna to catch up to Usagi. Once she did, Usagi picked her up and placed her on her shoulder. She walks down less crowded streets to make it easier for them to speak. She has known this for a while but never wanted to address it out loud. Losing Chibi Usa made Usagi realize she needs to speak with Luna. Her awakening as Sailor Cosmos affected more lives than she originally thought. She stops in her steps to try to look at Luna. "I never thought about how the new timeline would affect Diana." The daughter Luna is supposed to have with Artemis.
"It's okay Usagi-chan," Luna slowly responds. "Artemis and I spoke about this a while ago and if she is meant to be she will find a way to us. Otherwise it was wonderful to meet her and I'm sure she is having an amazing life out there with Chibi Usa-chan."
Usagi tears up at the image in her mind. "I'm sorry Luna."
"There is nothing to apologize for. If you did not become Sailor Cosmos, I would hate to image what would have happened to the Earth. None of us would have a future. It is your power that saved us all."
The blonde whispers, "I could have stayed in the other timeline, I wouldn't have lost Chibi Usa."
"But you weren't happy there Usagi-chan. If you were, you would have stayed there." Luna comments, pausing to add, "You love Seiya-kun so much."
Usagi looks away from the cat. "I'm not happy now either." She pauses to look up at her home. She's not sure how she got here so fast. Her feet were moving on autopilot while she spoke with Luna the entire way back.
She walks down the path to the entranceway trying to putting on a smile for her parents. She needs to be cheerful when she greats them. She is not ready to tell them she broke up with Seiya.
After speaking with her parents for hours, trying to make it sound like the trip was a lot of fun, she retreats to her room. Her eyes are closed while she leans against the door. She had to exclude a lot of things from them; the trip was full of so much heartbreak.
She slowly opens her eyes, her heart rate instantly increasing as she looks around. It's full of Three Lights things her mother had received. She had put some of them away but the majority of them were still out because she wanted to look at them more to decide what she was going to leave out. The sight doesn't anger her; instead it fills her with grief.
She can't keep seeing his face everywhere. She sees it enough with her eyes closed. She walks over to her dresser and takes off the crystal pendant. She doesn't plan on leaving her house for the rest of the night. After placing the necklace down, her fingers immediately go to the picture of them smiling in their school uniforms shortly before graduation. She grabs it and the pink bear pin Seiya won during their first date that she didn't think was a date at the time and quickly stuffs them in the first drawer.
She swallows hard when her fingers brush against a cool metal object. She hasn't heard the melody in a while and it used to mean so much to her. It was a miracle she had it back after her first encounter with Queen Beryl. She opens the lid watching the center piece rotate in circles while it slowly plays a melody that used to comfort her when Mamoru was taken by the Dark Kingdom. For the longest time that was the darkest period in her life. How things have changed.
Reaching back into the drawer she pulled out the picture of her, Mamoru, and Chibi Usa. A few tears fall from eyes onto the picture frame. She clutches the picture to chest. "I'm going to find your starseed." Usagi promises to the image of the little girl. She doesn't deserve to just disappear without a trace. No one does. She'll return to the Galaxy Cauldron tomorrow. It is a much shorter trip from here.
She wipes the tears from her eyes, placing the locket and picture frame into the drawer and gets to work. She starts with the table behind her. It's full of newspapers and magazines. That is easy to pile together and put into her closet. She stares as the newspaper article of them smiling together in Peru when they announced they were dating. She shakes her head refusing to give it another thought; she just starts grabbing everything and placing it in a corner of her closet or in the drawers under her bed. After twenty minutes she's removed everything.
She freezes. She missed one item, the giant poster of the Three Lights hanging above her bed. She always loved that image and the smile Seiya has for the camera in it. She frowns. It is too high up for her to reach and if she tries to yank it down she might rip it. She sighs. It is going to have to remain where it is. The only Three Lights object still in the room.
Staring at the poster she asks while looking at his face, "how am I supposed to move past this? Why her of all people?" Anyone else wouldn't have been so bad she tells herself. Heck one of the crazy fans would have been better.
She looks away and immediately pictures the girl with silver hair in the gardens of the Silver Millennium. No, she shakes her head. She can't let a possible future she had seen rule her decisions. Once was enough. But despite everything she still misses him.
Collapsing on the bed, Usagi looks up at the ceiling. "I can't make my decision on a future with someone that…" Her eyes shut tightly. She can't stop seeing Seiya and Shiori kissing. Her mind won't let her as much as she tries to forget it. Tears fall from her eyelids.
The next morning, the Guardian returns to the Galaxy Cauldron. She is relieved at the shorter journey from Earth versus Kinmoku. She struggled with sleeping last night due to thinking about this place. She still feels exhausted and hopes after she turns home she can take a nap. She pouts her lips, when she was younger she couldn't sleep enough. Her lack of sleep started to become more frequent since the nightmares started after defeating Sailor Galaxia.
She inhales deeply through her mouth focusing her energy. Is Chibi Usa's light here? Sailor Cosmos closes her eyes tightly, trying to find the child's energy. Her lips twitch. She still can't feel it. Her shoulders slump in dismay. Why? Why can't she find her daughter? She doesn't sense her anywhere.
Her anger flares. If she can't feel or find Chibi Usa's starseed, where could she be this entire time? It has been nearly two weeks since she miscarried. She needs to confirm for herself that Neo Queen Serenity told her the truth no matter how much it will hurt. She has to see the starseed for herself, to be close to her once more. She collapses to the ground. She can't get over Chibi Usa existed in this timeline briefly.
She pulls her knees to her chest as she looks around this barren space. What is she going to tell Mamoru tomorrow? He is going to ask her why she attacked Sailor Pluto just like he had confronted her at Rei's shrine before she left. She doesn't want to lie to him but what can she do?
Queen Kakyuu gave her a communicator for Sailor Uranus. She will have to talk to Haruka and Michiru too. They will want answers. Haruka is not going to back down easily. She'll wait until after the training session with Mamoru tomorrow before she considers seeing Haruka and the others. She can't put off these discussions forever.
It is late in the afternoon before the noise next door quiets down. It could only mean one thing.
Michiru turns to Haruka and Setsuna, "We should check on our new neighbors."
Haruka glares at her partner in response, clearly against this idea. The less she sees or talks to them the better.
"They might be able to provide the answers we've been searching for in the past two weeks," Michiru counters studying how the blonde's expression softens slightly.
Setsuna, now recovered, chimes in, "We don't know what happened to cause Sailor Cosmos to attack me. Whatever triggered it, they were present for it. It would be best if the three of us went over there rather than by myself. We need to get used to their presence here."
Haruka grimaces. She doesn't want to see any of them but they probably have answers. She needs those answers. "We can't avoid them forever," she reluctantly agrees.
Within a few minutes they are standing outside the door of the apartment next to theirs. Haruka stares at the door.
Michiru sighs lightly and knocks on the door. She'll have to make the first move.
It doesn't take long before the door opens and they find Yaten peering at them with a raised eyebrow. "What do you want?"
"Just to talk," states Setsuna talking a step forward. She pauses, realizing this is the first time she will see Seiya since Usagi was sent to the other timeline.
Yaten frowns. "You're not going to go away until that happens will you?" The three women in front of him don't answer. He sighs loudly and throws open the door. Once they are inside he closes the door and starts walking back to the living room and calls loudly, "Taiki, Seiya, we have company!"
The apartment has a large couch and smaller one, coffee table and several chairs set up. There are boxes everywhere. There are several hallways that lead from the main living room, one on each side of the room and a third that leads from the middle of the room.
Taiki appears from the hallway to the left and frowns as soon as he witnesses who is in their residence. "Now is probably not the best time," he answers not sure how Seiya will react to seeing them. Seiya has been on edge ever since they returned to Earth.
Haruka keeps her hands in her pockets. "We're not leaving just yet."
"Haruka," Michiru warns her. Coming off confrontational in someone's home is not the best way to obtain information. She turns back to Taiki, the more level headed of the couple. "We need to sort this out. We didn't even know everyone was back until you moved in today."
Yaten rolls his eyes. "I didn't know we were supposed to keep you updated on everything we do."
Haruka glares at the shortest member of the Three Lights. "You're not that important. We just want to know what is going on."
"Why did Usagi-chan leave Kinmoku to come to Earth suddenly?" Setsuna pauses. "Why did she attack me?" She has tried to so many times to find a reason for Sailor Cosmos' actions and each time she fell short.
"Because you pissed her off," Seiya responds as he appears from the hallway down the right, finally making his appearance. He stops at the end of the hallway eying the Three Outer Senshi with his arms crossed across his chest. He is clearly agitated by being in the same room as the Senshi of Time. "You threw her into another timeline suddenly causing so many problems." He stops himself before saying anything else. There are so many other things he would say to this woman but not telling them what happened will anger them, his revenge on her actions.
Haruka is about to retort as she scowls at Seiya and stops. She reads his expression, anger masking a lot of pain. An expression she knows too well, making her question further what transpired.
Setsuna clears her throat, trying a different approach. "It is evident she was rather upset but I still don't know why. She said something changed." She is going to have to try to drag the information out of them. But now with Seiya present she feels the task became more difficult.
"There was a noticeable change." Taiki agrees slowly.
"If Odango didn't tell you there must be reason." Seiya interrupts Taiki before he can say anything else.
Taiki and Yaten look at Seiya for a moment. They are surprised to learn this information was kept a secret from the other senshi.
"Maybe if you didn't interfere with everything she would trust you more and tell you what is going on in her life," Seiya continues lecturing them. He heard too many speeches in the past from them, about what they think was best for Usagi which is not him.
His words rub Haruka the wrong way. "We can't help her if she shuts us out."
Seiya snaps. Usagi is now shutting him out and he takes his anger out the trio before him. The same ones that started this entire mess. "What have you done to help her?"
Haruka advances forward taking offense to Seiya questioning her loyalty to her Queen. "We've protected her for years. Before you even knew she existed and will protect her long after you return home for good."
Seiya's eyes narrow. He is fed up with everyone telling him to return to Kinmoku when his place is here. "I'm not going anywhere." He challenges back.
"So you're staying even though things ended between the two of you?" She is fishing for information, trying to see if anything changed since Sailor Cosmos attacked Sailor Pluto and claimed their relationship ended.
Seiya looks away for a moment knowing he is at fault for their current difficulties. "Our relationship is between us." He tries to keep his voice even.
Haruka smirks a little at his lack of a fiery response. "So it's true." She doesn't have to place nice any more for her Queen.
Taiki steps in as he can start to see Seiya unraveling. "Was there something else you wanted?"
"No. We got some of the answers we were looking for." Haruka responds with a grin. She turns to move to the door. They aren't any closer to figuring out why Usagi attacked Setsuna but at least she has confirmation things ended between Usagi and Seiya.
Michiru looks over at Setsuna for a moment. The emerald haired woman shakes her head in agreement to not push anything further. "I'm sure we will see you around."
Setsuna follows behind Haruka and Michiru, pausing at the doorway of the apartment. She had apologized to Seiya in the other timeline and this is first chance to do the same in this timeline. She turns around to face him. She bows her head slightly, "I don't know what transpired… but I'm sorry for whatever role I played to cause this."
"An apology won't fix what you've done to Odango and the pain you caused her," Seiya retorts with venom in his eyes.
Setsuna frowns a little and leaves without another word. She questions what this pain is that Seiya referenced. She'll have to return to the Time Streams.
Once they are gone, Yaten looks over at his cousins. "That went well."
Taiki shakes his head at Yaten not to push it further. "We should start unpacking." He gestures to Seiya with his head for the silver haired man to leave him alone.
Seiya is still staring at the door with his head leaned against the wall. His thoughts are a million miles away. He hasn't spoken to Usagi since they left the shrine. He is trying to respect her wishes but it is tearing him apart. If they never talk or see each other they'll never work this out. He sighs loudly and turns to go back to him room. He'll try tomorrow. He at least needs to give her his new telephone number and address.
The following morning, Sailor Cosmos stands on grounds of the former Golden Kingdom. She's alone as she waits for King Endymion and Sailor Earth. As soon as she returns to Tokyo she knows the girls are going to be waiting of her. They've been worried about her since she returned from Kinmoku. They know she is struggling and are going to check in on her frequently. It reminds her of when Sailor Tinn Nyanko was after her starseed.
The Guardian looks around for any sign of them. Mamoru had insisted on having the next session shortly after she returned from Kinmoku and scheduled today's session despite it being early for him before his classes.
She is starting to wonder what is taking him so long. Did she have the time wrong? She walks over to the tree King Endymion attempted to restore the last time they were here. She looks at the branches and can see some progress from what she can remember but it seemed like a lifetime ago.
A golden light behind her redirects her attention to the King of Earth. Her anxiety builds since she doesn't know what to tell him. She doesn't want to lie to him but she can't tell him about Chibi Usa.
The sight of her relives the King. He was afraid she might not show up after everything that transpired. "Usako." He greets her warmly.
"You've been working on the tree," Sailor Cosmos blurs out not sure what else to say. She needs to talk about something else, anything else but the little girl she lost.
"I've worked on it a little bit," King Endymion responds. He decides to be direct. "We need to talk about Boston." He refers to Cosmos' appearance and attack on Sailor Pluto. Maybe not saying the words out loud will make it easier for her to talk to him.
She notices Sailor Earth is absent. "Where is… Ayumi-san?" She asks hesitantly. Her heart races as she realizes she is alone. She had hoped Sailor Earth would make it easier to focus on the training session.
"She thought it was better if I came alone to talk to you about everything." He takes a few steps closer to her.
Sailor Cosmos looks away with her eyes on the ground. "I don't want to talk about it."
"We have to," King Endymion pushes back with firmness in his voice. "Why did you attack Sailor Pluto?"
"She changed the timeline," Sailor Cosmos responds still not looking up from the grass near her heels.
"Didn't you change the timeline by becoming Sailor Cosmos?"
The Guardian's head shoots up. "That's different! I had to save everyone." She defends her actions. "…she changed it because she didn't like my choice." Her eyes harden. "Why are you defending her? You even attacked me." Her words hang in the air between. A sentence she thought she would never have to say to him.
"I couldn't let you hurt her," he begins to explain his thought process. "Once you calmed down, I knew you would have regretted it if you seriously harmed her."
"How… is she?" She looks away ashamed.
"She's okay. Ayumi and I treated part of her injury the best we could. Hotaru-chan worked on healing more each day."
Sailor Cosmos nods her head slowly. She was so angry at Sailor Pluto at that moment, she still is. But she is past the point of flat out attacking her.
King Endymion tries again refusing to give up. "Usako, what happened?"
Sailor Cosmos can't look him in the eyes. "I'm sorry Mamo-chan. I don't want to talk about. I can't." Her voice cracks at the end.
King Endymion grasps how serious this event is. "We used to talk about everything…" He tries to break down the wall she has built up.
Her voice quivers as she tries to change the topic of the conversation. "There are a lot of things we used to do." Her statement leaves a long awkward silence between the two of them. "Sorry…" she immediately apologies. "Everything has been so hard lately." She finally admits.
He is unyielding. "We need to discuss this. Help me understand why you would attack Sailor Pluto. It's not like you to attack your teammates out of nowhere unless someone was controlling you."
She swallows. "There's a lot of things I didn't think would happen… but they did." Her voice growing softer by the time she finishes speaking.
"Did he hurt you?"
Sailor Cosmos finally looks up to meet his gaze, clearly surprised by his question. Her demeanor shifts. "What happened is between Seiya and me. I'm not going to discuss it," she snaps at the King.
King Endymion recoils slightly at how quickly her anger flared mentioning Seiya. Her reaction confirms something is clearly wrong between her and the Starlight. They've been talking for a little while now and he is still not any closer to having answers. Will he ever have an answer? He tries a different approach. "Why don't we try meeting again in a few days for a proper training session? Ayumi will be at this one." He adds his sister in quickly. He doesn't want Usako to become frustrated and stop showing up all together.
The Guardian slowly nods her head in agreement. "It's probably better. I can't really focus that well at the moment."
"How about if I email you later today after I speak Ayumi to set a date and a time?" He treads carefully.
"I'm getting a little better at figuring out email," she sheepishly admits. "The computer helps me find the right kanji." She laughs a little out of embarrassment. Her expression softens. "Thank you Mamo-chan for understanding." She hopes this will be the end of it. "I should be heading back; the girls are waiting for me."
"Okay. Take care Usako." He watches her leave in a bright flash of white. She is a shell of who she used to be, a complete change from the version he saw of her right before going to Kinmoku. His fists shake. What happened for her to change so much? What did Seiya do her?
Ami, Makoto, Rei, and Minako are surprised at how quickly Usagi returned from her training session this morning. She had called Minako and then Minako called the others. They met up in front of Crown since it is a central spot before continuing the journey to Usagi's house.
They agree to begin rotating to check on Usagi tomorrow. They used the past few days to give her some space while they organized their schedules. The group pauses in front of the Tsukino home. Hoping the extra time has made things easier for Usagi.
Ikuko greets them at the door. "Is everything alright with Usagi? She hasn't seemed like herself since she got back."
"I'm sure she is still tired after the long journey," Minako quickly responds hoping the explanation will work for now. "We'll talk to her make sure everything is okay." She offers with a bright smile. Knowing full well it sounds a lot easier than it will be.
"Thank you." Ikuko returns to the kitchen to continue cooking a pie for the girls.
Rei exchanges a glance at Minako as they walk over to the stairs wondering how she expects to get Usagi to snap out of it so quickly.
When the girls arrive at Usagi's room, they find her lying on her bed starting up at the ceiling. Her long hair no longer pinned up into small buns on the top of her head.
"Hi Usagi-chan!" Makoto announces cheerfully, with way too much enthusiasm.
Minako frowns when she sees how different her room looks. It was full of Three Lights items right before they went to Kinmoku. Her eyes shift to the dresser. The picture of Usagi and Seiya is absent. The only things related him she can find is the large Three Lights poster on the wall behind her bed.
Rei sits down on a small cushion near the table in front of Usagi's bed. "How are you feeling?"
Usagi slowly sits up to face her friends. It's easier to talk to them because they know everything that happened to her. "Mamo-chan keeps asking why I attacked Sailor Pluto." She closes her eyes tightly. "I don't know what to tell him. I'm worried every time I see him he is going to ask."
"Maybe you should tell him," Rei looks at Usagi trying to find a way to help her.
Usagi shakes her head no. "Why? So he can feel the same pain I do and nothing can be done about it?" She has already caused him too much pain, he doesn't need this too.
"Won't he be upset if finds out what happened in the future and you didn't tell him?" Ami asks. She hates keeping secrets between members of the team when they are all supposed to work together. Usagi attacking Sailor Pluto and part of the team does not understand the reasoning behind it is going to create more of a divide.
"I'm not going to tell him. I'm not going to tell anyone else. The four of you know, Luna, Artemis… and the Three Lights. I don't want Mamo-chan to know. If Haruka-san and the others find out they are going to tell him." Her shoulders slump as this decision weights her down. "Ayumi-san wasn't there today. It was just Mamo-chan because he wanted to talk. He is going to email me soon to figure out the next time we will have a training session with Ayumi-san."
"You sure you're going to be able to open that e-mail?" Rei teases Usagi hoping it will lighten her mood.
Usagi sticks her tongue out at Rei.
Ami, Makoto, and Minako smile at the gesture. Rei's remarks slightly improved Usagi's mood.
A knock disrupts them before they can say anything else. "Usagi, you have a telephone call." Ikuko hands the cordless phone to her daughter with a wink.
The blonde accepts the phone wondering who is calling her when the girls are with her. "Hello?"
"I wanted to let you know we moved yesterday and wanted to give you our new address and telephone number," Seiya tells her quickly. He was afraid she might hang up the second she heard his voice. If things go well, he'll see if she wants to talk more.
Usagi's heart starts racing hearing him. "I…" There is a long pause before she can string together the right words. "Let me get something to write with…" She does need to be able to reach him in case something happens.
Ami is closest to Usagi's desk. She gets up grabbing paper and a purple pen. She passes them to Usagi.
Usagi nods her head as a way to thank Ami.
Rei, Makoto, and Minako watch Usagi trying to understand why she looks so nervous all of the sudden by the phone call.
Usagi sits down at the table next to Minako where there is space. Placing the sheet of paper in front of her she picks up the pen. "Okay." She slowly writes down the new address and apartment number followed by the telephone number.
Minako's eyes widen as soon as she recognizes the number. She turns to Ami, Rei, and Makoto, "we should get going," she whispers to them, trying to get them to the door. Usagi isn't going to talk to Seiya in front of an audience. Not a meaningful conversation.
Usagi gestures for them to stay as they crowd around the door to her bedroom.
Now that he relayed his contact information, he takes a gamble to try to talk to her further. She had told him she didn't want to see him. Talking over the phone was different. "I know you're angry with me. But I still want to see you. Please let me talk to you to work this out." Seiya pleads with her.
Usagi lets out a small sigh of annoyance. "We've already talked about this."
"I know we can fix this. Let me fix this," Seiya repeats his wording a little differently. It's been torture without her.
Usagi decides to send him a message. "You're trying to work things out with the wrong girlfriend. Shouldn't you be talking to Shiori-chan?"
Rei looks over to Minako. Of course she would recognize the information Usagi wrote down, Yaten probably already gave her the new contact information.
Makoto looks at Ami unsure of what to say or do.
Seiya's head jerks back. "My what?" He can't believe what Usagi said to him. How could she think for a moment Shiori was his girlfriend?
"I told you I didn't want to talk to you," Her voice is quieter as she feels some her resolve break. She could hear the hurt in his voice. "Please leave me alone Seiya." Usagi immediately ends the call resting the device near her forehead in her hands. Her eyes are shut tightly struggling to hold back tears.
Minako approaches her first. "Usagi-chan?" She leans over, "that seemed a little harsh… don't you think?"
Rei frowns; she is tired of keeping secrets from the other girls about Usagi's previous premonitions. "Maybe the two of you should talk."
Usagi shakes her head no.
"Usagi…." Rei pauses. She's keeping too many secrets from too many people. "What about that premonition you had last year?"
The phone drops from Usagi's hands as she stares at Rei wide eyed. Her shoulders slump. "So much has changed since then."
"All of your premonitions have come true," Rei reminds her.
Usagi glares at Rei. "That might not always happen," she grumbles. "Besides not all of them have been completely accurate."
"What are you guys talking about?" Makoto asks as she looks between Rei and Usagi. Clearly there is something the two of them have discussed without the girls being present.
Usagi is forced to fill the other girls in on some of the things she has still kept to herself after all this time. "I'm still not sure if it was an actual premonition or if it was a dream. I was asleep when it happened."
"What happened in this dream then?" Minako asks. Given what some of Usagi's recent premonitions have been about it makes her nervous. "It is something we can help with?"
Usagi shakes her head no. She moves herself away from the table to lean against her bed when she reveals this secret. "When we first fought the Black Moon… I think it was before Seiya… died." She pauses. She told him about what she had seen after she brought him back. "It was before I started fighting the Black Moon as Sailor Cosmos…" She tries to order her thoughts.
Ami, Makoto, and Minako look at their Queen intently and anxious for what she is about to reveal.
"I… had this dream I was walking through the gardens at the Silver Millennium and there was this silver haired girl next me. She called me her mother."
The girls don't speak as they wait for Usagi to continue.
"The girl hugged me and then turned to hug the other person that entered the gardens." Usagi's hands clench tightly as she can clearly picture the little girl and the joy that flashed across Seiya's face when the little girl ran for him. "The person she ran for was…" Her voice trails off.
"So you and Seiya-kun work this out?" Minako fills in the rest. She's relieved. She's been worried what could happen to her relationship with Yaten and him being sent back to Kinmoku. She heard the ruling on Kinmoku. The moment they stop protecting Sailor Cosmos, they return to serve the Scarlett Palace.
"It's not like that Minako-chan," Usagi looks down at her hands in her lap. "It's not that simple. So much is different since then. This timeline changed since then… when Sailor Pluto…" She can't finish the sentence or look up at the girls. "I'm not going to base all of my decisions on a future I saw again. I'm going to make the decision I want…" She can't keep up the front anymore. She breaks down crying. "If it wasn't for that other timeline, none of this would have happened and Chibi Usa…" she can't finish the sentence, she's too choked up with tears.
Minako reaches Usagi first and hugs her. Seconds later, Makoto, Ami, and Rei are also hugging Usagi tightly. Minako gives Rei a questioning look asking why something like this was kept a secret from them for so long.
Rei rubs Usagi's arm. The fight she is having with Seiya is tearing Usagi apart. It's clear she is angry at him but more than anything, she is heartbroken. How is Usagi going to move past this?
Minako brushes her long hair reflecting on everything today when the phone rings. She puts down her brush and quickly rushes to the phone to grab it before her parents. "Hello?"
"Hi Minako-chan," the voice on the other side greets her.
It takes the blonde a few seconds to recognize the voice. "Naru-chan!" She's nervous, hoping the red haired girl doesn't ask if anything is wrong with Usagi.
"I'm calling to let you know the bracelet is ready for Usagi-chan! I know she is just going to love it as a birthday gift," Naru grins thinking of the excitement she'll see on Usagi's face when she receives her present.
"Thanks great Naru-chan," Minako tries to match the other girl's excitement. "I'll let Seiya-kun know when I see him in the studio." They talk for a few more minutes until the call ends.
She resumes brushing her hair with a frown. She was thrilled to help pick out a present for Usagi, one that she completely forgot until this phone call. "They'll work this out… I'm sure of it." Her heart feels heavy as she says this. She feels a little guilty. She wants Usagi to be happy but her own happiness is still tied in with Usagi and Seiya being in a relationship. Even if this timeline is different, it still revolves around her Queen.
Ami goes to Usagi's house after class the next day.
"Ami-chan? I didn't know you were visiting today. You just missed Usagi. She left about half an hour ago on an errand." She moves to the side. "Would you like to come in for some tea? It will be a while before Usagi is back."
"Sure…" Ami is surprised by the offer. "Do you know where Usagi-chan went?"
"She went to see some friends she had a small bag with her. Something about a present for one of them," Ikuko explains as she leads Ami to the couch. "I'll make some tea and grab some sweets. I wouldn't keep you too long. I'm sure you're busy studying but I would love to hear about it. We both know Usagi would never be able to handle university." Ikuko teardrops for a moment before she walks into the kitchen.
Ami fidgets with her bag on her lap before she places it on the floor next to the couch. Who is Usagi visiting with a present?
Mamoru proof reads his e-mail three more times. He has looked at it so many times before he was finally ready to send it. Setsuna had written to him about her encounter visiting the new apartment of the Three Lights. He could only image how much their constant presence is bothering Haruka. They didn't learn anything other than there are still problems between Usako and Seiya.
He told her about the attempted training session which turned into him trying to learn from Usako what happened but was also unsuccessful. It's not like her to keep secrets from all of them. Rei won't tell him anything either. He is running out of ideas. He sends the email waiting for a response.
Looking at the calendar on his computer he has an idea. He sends a second email to Usako regarding a training session a few days before her birthday. He knows what is sure to put a smile on her face.
Usagi looks up at the tall apartment building by Tokyo Bay. She has been here so many times before but it's different this time. Seiya lives here now. She should be ecstatic at the possibility of seeing him, heck she would have scheduled this visit around when he was free as well. But that would be if they weren't having problems.
She clutches the small bag tighter in her fingers. She has to give Haruka the communicator she received on Kinmoku. The sooner the better, then she won't have to come back to this building for a while. She hopes the Three Lights are in the studio. She isn't ready to see him in person again until she knows what she is going to do. It's easier to keep her distance for right now.
Taking a deep breath she finally enters the front door and is greeted by the doorman. "Tsukino-san, you haven't been here in a while but I imagine you'll be here all the time now."
Usagi can only smile and nod her head. Is there anyone that didn't read or see that article announcing she's dating Seiya? She walks past him to the elevator. She was dating Seiya. That thought stings. Her eyes shut tightly. Thinking about Seiya and why things are the way they are always turns into her seeing him with Shiori. Will she ever stop seeing that?
The elevator doors open when she reaches the top floor. She walks over to the apartment of the Outer Senshi and pauses, looking to the apartment door further down the hallway. Her feet are on autopilot walking over to the other door. She needs to see it for herself. The nameplate near the apartment number had kanji she recognizes too well, Kou.* She lets out a deep breath and quickly walks back to the other apartment in case their door opened.
She knocks on the door and is quickly greeted by Haruka.
"I was surprised by your call earlier Kitten but I'm glad you wanted to stop by," Haruka greets her. She is going to give Usagi a chance to explain. Or course she'll tell them what happened now that she is visiting them in person Haruka tells herself.
"Hello Usagi," Michiru smiles. "Would you like something to drink? Setsuna-san is out shopping with Hotaru-chan. I'm sure they'll be sad they missed you." When in reality it was planned to not have them present until the duo could assess Usagi's state of mind since their last encounter.
Usagi nods her head a little; thankful it is just the two of them.
Michiru returns to the living room with a tray with several glasses of ice tea. She places one on a coaster in front of each of them and sits next to Haruka on the couch.
Usagi sits in a cozy armchair next to them with her bag resting on her lap. She can feel Haruka and Michiru's eyes on her, watching her closely waiting for her to say something. "I have something for you," Usagi picks up the bag and passes it to Haruka.
Haruka gives Usagi a questioning glance not expecting this. She opens the bag and pulls out the object. It is a small handheld device with a blue heart and red wings to the side. In the center of the heart is the symbol of Uranus in red. She immediately recognizes how similar this looks to a one of the Starlight's Change Stars. "What is this?" She questions.
"It is a communicator. Queen Kakyuu gave Minako-chan and me one as well," Usagi begins to explain.
Haruka stares at the object in her hands. "We already have communicators."
"This one will allow you to contact us if we are on Kinmoku," Usagi rushes with an explanation. "I asked her to make one for you since I know you would be contact with Michiru-san, Setsuna-san, and Hotaru-chan…. if something happened or needed to reach me." She fumbles with her words realizing how this sounds now. Maybe she should have waited a little longer after all.
Haruka is about to say something but Michiru grabs her arm to silence her. "How does it work?" She wants to have Usagi feel comfortable talking to them. She'll ask the questions she needs too after.
"Oh…" Usagi gets up and sits down on the other side of Haruka. She turns on the device and shows Haruka how it works. She quickly pulls up a few screens explaining what some of them do.
Haruka stares at the screen. "I can't read any of it."
Usagi bites her lip. Of course. It's in Kinmokian. "Let me see… there has to be a language setting somewhere." She tapes a few more things on the screen before she finds the right option to switch it to Japanese.
Michiru watches her closely. There is no way Usagi should be able to navigate that so easily in a foreign language.
"You must have had a lot of practice to be able to find everything so easily in another language," Haruka asks her with a raised eyebrow.
"Umm… yeah…" Usagi fumbles with a response.
Usagi's reaction confirms Michiru's suspicion. "When did you learn their language?"
Usagi inhales sharply, not expecting such a direct question. She can't hide it. "A few weeks ago but it was only recently that I realized it." Seeing their facial expressions she continues. "Do you remember when I learned how to speak Lunarian when I touched my bracelet?"
Haruka's posture loosens a little. "So it was like that?" A few weeks ago meant this happened before going to Kinmoku, raising even more questions. What did she touch?
The Queen nods. "Yes, it was rather… unexpected."
Michiru wonders what else Usagi witnessed when she touched whatever object allowed her to learn Kinmokian. Maybe it has to do with whatever problems Usagi is currently facing. She sits in silence waiting for Usagi to continue speaking.
The quietness grows uncomfortable for Usagi. "How is… Setsuna-san?" She asks quietly.
"She is doing better," Haruka responds a littler harsher than she intended. "Mamoru-san and Ayumi-san healed some of her injuries when she was first attacked. Hotaru gradually healed the rest." She waits for Usagi to say something. When she doesn't, she asks the question she has been waiting to ask since Usagi first entered the apartment. "Why did you attack Sailor Pluto?"
Usagi's fingers play with the hem on her skirt. "I was angry over what happened." It's like a repeat of yesterday with Mamoru.
"You had mentioned something had changed in this timeline. Sailor Pluto… she's not sure what changed. What was it?" Michiru tries a gentler approach than her partner.
The blonde shakes her head no. The less she has to discuss it, the better.
Haruka glares at Usagi. She is aware of Usagi's stubborn streak but this is something else. No one is explaining why her teammate was attacked. She is about to confront her Queen when Michiru places her hand lightly on Haruka's arm.
"How can we help you?" The teal haired woman is picking up on the tense body language Usagi still has weeks later. Whatever transpired shook Usagi to her core.
A few tears trickle down Usagi's cheek. Everyone wants to help her in some way but there is nothing they can do. There is nothing anyone can do. If there was a way to save Chibi Usa she would have already done it. "I'm sorry…" She brushes the tears from her eyes quickly. "I can't talk about it."
Haruka tries Michiru's approach. "Kitten, we want to help you."
Usagi abruptly stands up. "No one can help me with this." She bows slightly. "Thank you for the tea but I should be leaving." She immediately heads to the door before they can try to stop her.
Haruka is quick to her feet to intercept Usagi before she can leave the apartment. "We need answers. I'm not going to be left in the dark about this."
Usagi lowers her hand from the door handle to turn back around to face Haruka. Before she fought Galaxia she never would have imagined herself being this direct with Haruka. But after she learned how she tried to keep Seiya from her after he just saved her from Sailor Tinn Nyanko she knew she had to stand up to Haruka or she would keep making decisions for her Haruka thought was best even for her if she didn't agree with them. "I don't owe anyone answers rights now."
Haruka stares at her Queen as if she had been punched in the gut. This is how it is going to be.
Usagi turns back around to open the door, taking a few steps outside into the hallway. Within seconds she hears familiar voices from down the hallway in the direction of the elevator. Her heart races. She is going to have to walk past them to leave the floor.
"You need to get it together for tomorrow when we put the lyrics to the music. Your singing was terrible today in practice and you're supposed be the lead vocalist." Yaten reprimands Seiya for his subpar performance.
"The past few days have been difficult," Seiya immediately snaps back in anger at Yaten.
Seiya and Yaten continue to bicker as they walk back to their apartment. Taiki tries his best to ignore them. While he agrees with Yaten's assessment, he doesn't want to make the situation any worse.
Seiya and Yaten stop talking when they see Usagi in front of the open door of apartment of the Outer Senshi with Haruka and Michiru still standing in the doorway.
Side note for this chapter/story. Yes, I am fully aware that the Three Lights first names are actually Kou and not their last names. Watching the series for the first time in the 90s a lot of people thought Kou was their last name. Since I have made them cousins it would make sense for them to have the same last name. Also if Usagi got married to Seiya her name would technically be Usagi Seiya. I think Usagi Kou sounds better so here we are.
Usagi thinking she could easily avoid Seiya is clearly backfiring!
There are going to be so many fun scenes between the Outer Senshi and the Three Lights living in the same apartment building! No matter how hard they try, they are not going to avoid them forever!
How many of you thought there would be a MamoUsa moment there? That ship has pretty much sailed.
When Usagi is discussing the dream/premonition she had with the girls it is the same scene Sandra (Monimezu) made artwork for in Act 25. Feel free to take a peek at that chapter where the art is posted!
Next chapter continues exactly where this one leaves off and it is Usagi's birthday! Act 79: Prying Eyes to be posted on 12/21. Teaser will be posted next week on 12/14 on my Tumblr (sorakazeno)
Extra special typos….
"We have to," King Endymion pushes back with firmness in his back.
- Wait Mamoru has a back bone?