Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Tenchi Muyo Fan Fiction ❯ Sometimes Salvation ❯ We Meet Again ( Chapter 4 )

Author's Notes: This story is turning out longer than I expected and sadly with me preparing to graduate and transfer to Chicago State University, I am bogged down with reports, presentations, and other papers that are due -.-:: So I am asking that you please be patient with me if it takes me a while to get chapters out.

A special thank you to everyone who took the time to review my fic (series) some people think it is a waist of minuets, but those few minuets taken to write a review actually do matter to the author.

Tiny summary: FINALLY some senshi/general romance. I um made a few changes here though. Minako is with Jedite and Kunzite is with Rosette. Plus we find out what became of poor Rei (tee hee)

Disclaimer: C'mon, you've read enough fics to know don't own nothing..

Chapter 5: We meet again

Juuban Park, Tokyo

Makoto sat by herself looking up at the late afternoon sky. Ever since Usagi left them and went to America, things have been very quiet. Granted there are a few Youma attacks, but strangely when she, Ami or Minako would go to fight, Three mysterious young men would also show up to help them defeat the youma, or recent case youma's She sighed softly remembering yesterday's battle when a strong hand gently gripped her shoulder.

"Still out here thinking?" the man asked.

Makoto smiled up at the man. "I'm still trying to get used to all of these sudden changes and you know it is kind of hard," she said gazing into his emerald eyes for a moment.

"You're still wondering about Usagi, ne?" he asked sitting down next to Makoto.

"Am I that obvious Nephrite?"

Nephrite laughed softly wrapping an arm around Makoto's shoulder and stroking the back of her neck with his thumb. Makoto rested her head on Nephrite's shoulder and sighed letting her mind wander back to when they met.

<flashback>

It didn't take long for them to make their presence known to the sailor senshi. Two day after the girls discovered Usagi's departure, two rather large youma appeared in Juuban park terrorizing a helpless couple.

Without hesitation, Minako, Makoto, and Ami called their Henshin phrase and transformed into the sailor senshi. Sad to say, the battle was not going in their favor as the three senshis were thoroughly being whipped.

"ETHERAL CRYSTAL BLAST!" one voice shouted. Before the girls has a chance to look around for the source, a bright green beam whizzed past the princess of Jupiter and cut through the first youma. Too stunned to move, Jupiter failed to notice the second youma about to tackle her from behind until it was almost too late.

"Jupiter, Look Out!" Mercury cried out fearing she was too late.

The huge hulking beast leapt in the air about to tackle the senshi of thunder, but a mysterious man leapt out and scooped her up saving her from being crushed to death.

Grateful for the rescue, Makoto, Sailor Jupiter hugged the man holding on to her. "T-thank you."

"No thanks necessary," he said setting her on her feet. The two turned around to see Mercury and another man destroy the other youma while Venus clung to a man with short blonde hair as if her life depended on it.

"I don't get it, the Dark Kingdom was destroyed a little over two years ago, but we are still being plagued by these damned youmas," Ami snapped as she typed rapidly on her mini computer.

"They're a residual effect from all the times youma have attacked in this area. It's like a portal opened into the demon world in this spot." The man with long blonde hair spoke. "The problem will easily be solved if you have one of the senshi with a connection to the spirit world seal it," he finished.

"Excuse me, but who in the hell are you?" Makoto asked looking at the three men who seemed vaguely familiar to her.

The man with brown hair took Makoto's hand and kissed it gallantly causing her to blush. "I am Nephrite Stanton."

"Nephrite!" Makoto reeled pulling her hand back from his grasp. "I thought you were dead!" she gasped.

Ami and Minako also gasped when they looked upon the two blonde men. "Zoicite, Jedite!" they gasped. "Where's Kunzite and why are you here?" Ami asked.

"Long story short, Rosette told us you'd be needing the help after she took Usagi away and left us here. And Kunzite…"

"Is right here," a handsome man with long silver hair and the most tranquil silver eyes appeared in the above tree. He looked towards Minako hiding his hurt when she saw the way she watched Jedite. "You'll be able to close the gateway as soon as Usagi returns," he said as he turned to leave them standing there.

Barely comprehending what he said before he left, the others detransformed. Instantly Makoto and Nephrite connected with each other and decided to go someplace for lunch to get reacquainted. Stunned by the turn of events Minako smiled at Jedite and asked him out on a date. Accepting the invitation, the couple also left the park leaving Ami alone with Zoicite.

>end flashback<

"How about we go for a boat ride?" Nephrite suggested to Makoto hoping to take her mind off Usagi. Makoto smiled gently at him and nodded rising from the park bench. Nephrite wrapped an arm around her waist and proceeded to head towards the pond in the center of the park.

As they walked, a vaguely familiar sight caught her eye. "Either I am seeing things or that is Usagi," she said softly stepping away from Nephrite.

"That's impossible. Didn't Ami-chan say Usagi wouldn't be back till mid June?" Nephrite questioned.

"Hai, but that girl there looks just like Usagi!" Makoto declared pointing to the young blonde sitting on the park bench.

"You know, you're right," Nephrite said taking a better look at the girl on the bench. "Tuskino Usagi?" he called out to the girl. To their surprise, the young blonde raised her head and looked around for the voice addressing her.

Makoto beamed catching sight of the familiar blue eyes and ran over to where she was sitting. "It is you Usagi-chan!" she cried out happily taking Usagi into a tight hug. "Oh Kami we missed you!" she cried as tears of joy ran down her cheeks.

Usagi blinked surprised returning Makoto's hug somewhat happy to see her friend. "It is good to see you again Kino-san," she replied formally shocking the Makoto.

"Usagi-chan, what's wrong? Why are you being so formal all of a sudden aren't we friends??" Makoto asked a little hurt at the formality.

"I am fine, Makoto-san, as for friends, that is yet to be determined," Usagi replied coolly turning on her heel and heading out of the park.

"She looked like Usagi, sounded like Usagi, but that was not our Usagi," Makoto sighed leaning against Nephrite for comfort.

<>><<>><<>

Pleased with how she handled that, Usagi headed down the street on her way back to her home. 'I really do want to make up with you guys, but you have to earn my trust," Usagi thought to herself as she walked down the busy sidewalk.

So wrapped up in her thoughts she failed to notice a raven hair girl heading towards her and collided with her. "Sumimasen!" the girl with raven hair gasped softly pulling herself to her feet.

"It's quite all…" Usagi began just when her eyes feel on the girl. A pang of familiarity fell upon her when her eyes fell on the girl. She couldn't see her face because her hair fell like a silky midnight curtain over her eyes. "Hino Rei," she almost hissed.

"Usagi-chan!" the girl gasped looking up at the blonde. "Kami I missed you!" she cried softly launching herself at the young blonde.

"I really find that hard to believe," Usagi replied acrimoniously then stepped aside to continue on her way home.

"Onegai believe me Usagi," Rei began in a pleading tone. "If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have seduced Chiba onnore," she cried.

"Sou ka (Really, is that so?)," Usagi replied mockingly. "He cheated on you with one of your so called friends?" she asked coldly.

Really hurt by her tone, Rei broke down in tears in front of the blonde. "I wish that was all he had done to me, but he wouldn't dare be that merciful to me," she sobbed.

For a moment, Usagi almost felt sorry for the fire miko…almost. "Frankly Rei, I don't care," she snapped and continued on her way.

"Usagi…ONEAGI!!!" she cried to the retreating blonde. "…he beats me," she sobbed softly no caring that no one heard her.

<>><<>><<>

Crown Arcade and café

Makoto, Nephrite, Ami and Zoicite all sat in their usual booth in the corner contemplating what Makoto just told them. "And you say she acted coldly to you?"

"I wouldn't say she acted cold Ami-chan. I would say more mature after all, we did not exactly make her feel wanted that one day."

"Yeah and Rei didn't help matter any by flaunting the fact that she was screwing Mamoru behind her back," Makoto sighed.

Zoicite looked at Ami and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "I'm sure she has reasons for telling you that she would be back later than she said."

Ami nodded her head leaning closer to Zoicite. The four sat in silence for a moment only looking up when they heard the door chime ring. Makoto scowled seeing Rei walk to the counter and sit down. "What is she doing here?" she hissed.

"I don't know about you, but I suddenly feel the need for some fresh air," Ami sighed as she watched Motoki serve Rei a strawberry shake. The other three at the table rose to leave when they heard the door chime again and gasped to see Usagi walk in. They all gasped to see her hair was no longer in it's usual odangos and pig tails, but rather hung in rippling pale golden waives that barely brushed the back of her caves. She was dressed in a pair of denim capris, a white tank cropped tank top and a rose pink hoody. To the others, Usagi didn't seem to pay attention to who was there, she was just stopping in for a chocolate shake.

"Usagi-Chan!" Motoki beamed recognizing her almost immediately. "How's America been treating you?" he asked as he quickly walked around the corner and gave her a tight hug.

Usagi smiled and returned his huge whole-heartily. "It's great," she smiled. "I'll be returning to Chicago at the end of July though to finish high school."

Startled from her thoughts, Rei looked up from the strawberry shake she was nursing and at the blonde talking to Motoki listening to their conversation hoping any information she relayed to Mamoru would cause him to back off of her or release her from the hell he has her in.

"Aww, I was hoping you'd be returning…I miss my favorite customer," he smiled.

Usagi casually traced her finger around the counter top in random patterns smiling. "Well I don't know yet, but I may stay in America for a while after high school…maybe even apply for citizenship there."

Shocked, Motoki looked at Usagi as if she had grown a third eye causing the blonde to laugh. "Gotcha!" she giggled at the shocked expression on his face. "As much as I love Chicago and living in my cousin's mansion, Nene-chan, Helios-kun, D-chan and I will be returning to Tokyo permanently next June after graduation."

"Hmm sounds like you made lots of friends back in Chicago," Motoki smiled leaning against the counter. "Speaking of friends, are you going to forgive your friends here? They really miss you ya know." Usagi sighed and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. A silvery glimmer around her neck caught his attention, "Hn, what's that Usagi-chan?" he asked referring to the silver necklace.

"I will, forgive them, well Makoto, Ami and Minako anyway. Rei is a different story." Usagi traced her fingers along the necklace and smiled softly. "as for the necklace, it was a gift from my D-chan," she sighed.

"New Boyfriend?" Motoki asked and Usagi nodded. "So…you're over Mamoru?" he asked remembering the scene that unfolded a few months back.

"Way over him," she beamed happily.

As the two talked, Motoki fixed up Usagi's favorite treat, a triple thick chocolate shake, catching up with how she was as well as filling her in on what she missed during her last three months in America. During the exchange, while no one was paying attention, Rei crept out of the arcade and made her way to Mamoru's apartment.

><<>><<>><<>

Mamoru Chiba's Apartment:

Being exceptionally bright, Mamoru finished up his degree at Harvard university sooner than he had expected. He of course returned to Tokyo to figure out a plan to win back his Usako as well as punish Rei. For him, the punishment part came a little too easy and sadly he rather enjoyed it. "Hmm, Where is Rei today" he wondered to himself as she read a book. As if on cue, he heard someone knocking at his door. "Speak of the devil," he murmured setting his book down. Just as he opened the door, Rei stepped in and kicked off her shoes.

"I have information for you Mamoru-san…" she began but was interrupted when Mamoru snapped at her.

"What did you just call me?" Mamoru snapped softly.

Rei cringed at the tone of his voice and bowed humbly. "Gomen ne, Mamoru-sama." Ever since he returned to Japan, Chiba Mamoru made it is mission in life to make sure Rei's life became a living hell for what she has cost him. He even took it upon himself to "give" Rei what she wanted. Rei bit the inside of her lip fighting back against the tears that threatened to fall and remained where she stood.

Mamoru sat back down on the couch picking up his book. "Well what is it?" he asked sounding a little impatient.

"Usagi is back in Tokyo to visit with her family for the summer, but she is leaving at the end of July," Rei began. "But it won't be that easy for you to win her back."

"Don't be a baka, Of course I'll get My Usako back. She loves me and we are destined to be together after all," he replied arrogantly.

Rei couldn't help but laugh at Mamoru's arrogance. "Kami Mamo-chan, you are such a baka," she replied knowing she would regret it soon. "From what I was at the Arcade when she was talking to Motoki-san. She told him about her new friends and especially her new boyfriend whom she is deeply in love with. Face it Mamoru, you've…"

"Shut up!" Mamoru snapped rising to his feet and viciously slapping Rei across the cheek. "Usagi Tuskino will be mine is that understood?"

"You are a true baka," Rei muttered under her breath as she walked back to the door to leave but was stopped by a hand viciously grabbing a fistful of her hair and yanking her back. "Itai!" she cried out as she was violently shoved into the wall.

"What did you say just now?" Mamoru growled softly glaring murderously into Rei's Violet eyes. "Remember Rei-chan, you brought all of this on yourself by being selfish."

Rei winced as she locked her eyes on his angry deep blue eyes afraid of what was coming next. Ever since his return to Japan, He had made Rei's life a living hell. "As much as I want to teach you a lesson, I have to try and catch Usako before she arcade," he said letting Rei go and left the apartment after slipping on his shoes.

When the door closed, Rei slid to the floor and hugged her knees to her chest crying softly.

<>><<>><<>

Crown Arcade:

During her conversation with Motoki, Makoto-tachi crept closer to listen in on their conversation. It was as if Usagi was a warm flame and the others were moths eager for her light and warmth. Usagi just happened to look up and gasped seeing Makoto and Ami with their boyfriends standing practically behind her and gasped startled. "Konnichiwa minna," she said waiving to them causing the young blond man behind the counter to laugh.

"Looks like they got the drop on you, ne Usagi-chan?" Motoki laughed.

Usagi was about to respond when another young blonde spotted her. "USAGI-CHAN!!! I MISSED YOU!!" she squealed happily charging to the young blonde and hugging her as if there were no tomorrow.

"Iya Minako-chan, I missed you too, but…. I Can't Breathe!!" Usagi gasped out trying to free herself from the love goddess grip.

"Mina-chan, I believe that Usagi-san is turning blue," Jedite mentioned calmly trying to pry his overly eager girlfriend off of Usagi.

"Gomen ne," Minako blushed letting Usagi go before giving her one more hug. "Um Usagi-chan…I know we probably don't deserve it, but can you forgive us….Onegai?" she asked giving Usagi the puppy eyes look.

Usagi first looked at Minako who eagerly greeted her, Makoto whom she ran into earlier that day, and Ami who has yet to say a word but rather giving her a pleading look. She took a deep breath then sighed softly. "Zettai Omoidatta…I remember everything that happened that day," she began calmly. "How you wouldn't give me a chance to explain and quickly jumped on Rei's side. But…I can see that you are sincere so…I guess I will forgive you, but it will be a long time before I forget about what happened," she finished and that was more than enough for the three girls as they moved in for a group hug.

"What about Mamoru and Rei?" Ami asked causing the small smile to disappear completely from Usagi's face.

"I'll forgive them, but forever in my eyes they are my enemy," Usagi replied coldly. She was about to open her mouth to continue when her celluar phone rang. She reached into her pocket retrieving a little metallic pink Nokia and answered the call. "Moshi, Moshi?…what…What?…That's Great Nene-chan, Congratulations!…Hai…We'll celebrate when I return, ne?…okay, Ja."

Makoto looked at Usagi strangely, "What was that about?"

Usagi beamed brightly at the three senshi and their boyfriends, "Oh nothing," she smiled.

><<>><<>><

On a different part of the Juban district:

"So you really are going through with it, Setsuna?" Micheru asked glancing at the practically glowing woman.

"Well…yes, I am," Setsuna replied before taking a sip of her tea.

Haruka raised an eyebrow and looked at Setsuna then little Hotaru then back at Setsuna. "Why, or rather what in the hell brought on this decision. I don't mean to complain at all though."

Setsuna smiled softly, "Well after a strange encounter in the time stream, it was brought to my attention that some things just aren't meant to be and no one's future is written in stone," the time senshi began. "Plus someone made it painfully clear that everyone, including us are entitled to write our own futures, Crystal Tokyo or no."

"So basically you're saying we're no longer bound to the future that was pre-written for us?" Micheru asked and Setsuna nodded pulling her soon to be stepdaughter in her lap. "But there is one thing that bugs me…why are you marrying Tomoe?"

Setsuna looked down at the little girl sitting on her lap and smiles softly seeing that she has fallen asleep. "To give Hotaru a normal life with her father and so I can watch over her," She finished.

"I'm glad to see you are taking my words to heed Kyuushiki," Rosette spoke up from behind the senshi of time. "I was wondering if I was going to have to get the guardian after you."

Haruka rolled her eyes at Rosette while Micheru smiled kindly at her. "What in the hell are you doing here?" Haruka almost snapped.

"Geesh, I take it no one really likes me around here except for Usagi-oneechan," she sighed to herself.

"That's not true Rosette," Micheru smiled gently.

"Speak for yourself Michi-chan," Haruka grumbled crossing her arms over her chest. "Well something big must be going down if You are awake."

"Quite the contrary Haruka-kun, We all are here and awake…well except for Sailor Moonshadow."

Haruka nearly choked on her coffee at the mention of her name. "SHE'S ALIVE?!" she all but yelled.

Rosette sat down at the table with the four outer senshi and crossed her legs. "Oh she is very much alive, but sadly Unaware of who she really is. She has her powers but does not attribute then to who she was or rather is."

"Where is she?" Micheru asked.

"Who is she in this time?" Haruka demanded

"Why hasn't she awakened completely?" Setsuna asked.

Rosette laughed softly pulling an envelope out of her purse. "Sailor Moonstone is living it up in Manhattan, New York. Her civilian name is Yukimi Ishiro."

<>><<>><<>

Later that night:

Just as Usagi finished getting ready for bed, she sensed a strange evil power in the park. "I'll be back Luna," she said as a determined scowl crossed her face.

"Is there trouble somewhere?" the black cat asked.

Usagi nodded and grabbed her now silver broach and leapt out of the window running toward Juban Park as fast as she could.. Her scowl deepened upon arrival to the park when she saw the three remaining inner senshi plus the three generals all trying their hardest to defeat a group of youmas that had appeared. "They can't last much longer," Usagi murmured to herself Bravely, she stepped out of the shadows where she was watching. Not saying a word but still catching their attention, she held up the silver broach and called her new henshin phrase:

"ETHEREAL CRYSTAL MOON MAKE UP!"

In a short but dazzling display transformation Usagi transformed into Crystal Moon, her fuku drastically different than her ethereal one. The bodysuit was a shimmering white while the collar and skirt were a shimmering deep midnight blue with silver trim. The sashes on the silver back bow of her skirt reached down to her knees while a silver broach sat on the now silver front bow. On her feet were a pair of midnight blue low heeled ankle boots. Crystal Moon held in her right hand a katana that appeared to be made of crystal with a midnight blue handle and silver hilt. "I am the protector of love, I am Crystal Moon!" she declared

"Oh another pretty girl for me to devour," one of the youma hissed tauntingly.

"Let's Play with her first," another said and the others backing off the other senshi and ganging up on Crystal Moon.

Skipping the long-winded speech, Crystal Moon closed her eyes and concentrated on her power causing both the silver imperium crystal and the crystal blade began to glow and pulsate in unison. With the grace of princess serenity Crystal moon leapt down and sliced the youmas tuning them to dust the instant the blade touched them. With the same grace she used to destroy the youmas, sheathed the katana in a midnight blue scabbard then turned to face the others not speaking a word.

The other six stood by dumbfounded at the scene before them. There was a palpable silence between them that was only stopped when she heard the sound of a sarcastic clap. "Looks like the crybaby finally grew a spine," the voice behind her gently chided.

Crystal moon detransformed but continued to hold the katana in her hand. She smirked coldly causing the others to flinch and back away from her. "I already told you that there is no way I will ever speak to you Hino," Usagi spoke calmly.

"Usako," another voice spoke up.

"The same goes for you Chiba." Usagi replied not turning to face to pair behind her.

"What about our destiny…What about Crystal Tokyo?" Mamoru asked.

Usagi scowled at the mention of Crystal Tokyo and in one smooth motion drew her katana from the scabbard and slicing upward sending an energy wave powerful enough to stun at them. "Understand this Chiba, we have no destiny together. You destroyed that months ago," she spoke coolly.

"Usagi chan, you don't mean that," Rei spoke stepping closer to the blonde. "You're just joking, ne?" she asked.

Usagi sliced the air again sending another wave at the Miko sending her back a few steps. "I am not joking. As far as I see it, you are ALL free to do as you wish with your lives. You are no longer bound to protect me as the princess of the moon."

"Are you serious?" Makoto asked now back in her civilian clothing along with the others.

Usagi glanced at the tall brunette over her shoulder and gave her a wan smile. "I had dreams which I later discovered were visions about what would happen if I allowed Crystal Tokyo to rise. Deep in my heart I truly care about you guys to have you resent me then die. I want you to be happy." She slid the katana back in the scabbard and loosened her grip a little willing it to disappear. "When I came to my decision, I had another vision that made me happy. The crystal Curse had been lifted…we're free." Minako stepped closer to Usagi and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. She opened her mouth to tell Usagi that she wouldn't mind serving her as her guardian. "You all have your own dreams that you wish to fulfill," she spoke not giving Minako a chance to speak.

"What about us Usako?" Mamoru asked stepping closer to the blonde.

Usagi cast a freezing glare at him, "There is no us," she coldly replied and walked off heading home leaving behind a stunned senshi, their boyfriends and her ex best friend and boyfriend.