Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Celestial Moon ❯ Chapter Twelve: An Interlude; Forgiveness Begins ( Chapter 12 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Celestial Moon
by: BWANDER

Chapter Twelve: An Interlude; Forgiveness Begins

Usagi awoke and looked to see Endymion in her bed, and in her arms. A smile
crossed her face when she thought about the previous night. Her prince was
truly hers again, and she wouldn't give him up ever again.

She slowly untangled herself, careful not to wake her prince, and walked
to the window. She peered out of it and greeted the day. Of course her good
mood was quickly dashed as she thought about what was about to happen. It
was this day that she and the other senshi would assault the fortress of
Beryl. Today was the day that would bring about the end of the war. After
today the world would either remain safe or fall to a mad woman and fallen
goddess.

Usagi sighed and turned to get dressed, only to walk into Endymion. "Good
morning my Usako," he greeted with a smile.

Usagi took one look at his face and smiled in spite of herself. "As much as
I wish it were true, there is nothing good about this day. Anytime blood
must be spilt it is a bad day," she replied, tearing her eyes away from his.

Endymion wrapped her up in a hug and kissed the top of her head. "Perhaps,
but it is a necessary evil if the world is to remain safe. No matter what
may come, always know I am with you in heart and soul. Aishiteru Serenity,"
he said.

Tears brimmed in her eyes. Here she had just gotten him back, and now she
faced the possibility of losing him again. She quickly dashed the thought
from her mind. She would make sure that she did not lose Endymion nor any of
the senshi today. She turned and looked at him again. "I love you too my
prince," she said.

The two stood together for a few more minutes, basking in the new day's
light. Then the quickly dressed and walked out of the bedroom. Usagi's
apartment was empty. It seemed that the senshi had stayed the night at
Makoto's. Usagi shrugged and went to start breakfast. A knock on the door
interrupted her before she could get anything out.

She quickly crossed to the door and opened it, revealing Minako standing at
the door, with her ear pressed against it. Upon discovering her, Minako
quickly laughed and blushed. "I was umm..." she started.

"You were what Minako? Were you trying to listen to see if Endymion and I
were preoccupied?" Usagi asked, watching the slightly taller blonde grow
even more red in the face.

"Ummm, I was sent to, ummm, see if you wanted breakfast," Minako said, a
little color leaving her face. "Yeah, that's it. Mako-chan wanted me to
ask if you wanted breakfast with us."

"Sure. Tell Mako-chan I will be over in a few minutes," Usagi said, a grin
appearing on her face. "And I will expect you to tell the other senshi and
me what you were doing listening at my door."

Usagi quickly shut the door before Minako could say anything. As soon as
she was sure Minako had gone back next door she burst into a fit of laugh-
ter. Endymion came out of the bathroom and looked strangely at her. "Now
what has you in stitches?" he asked.

"You'll find out soon enough. Hurry and get ready, we're going to Makoto's
for breakfast," Usagi said. "It's probably better anyway. She cooks better
than I do."

Five minutes later the two were knocking at Makoto's door. Minako answered
the door, but rather than invite them in she stepped out and closed the
door. "Umm, do I really have to tell everyone what I was doing?" she asked
as the red returned to her face.

Usagi looked at her and smiled. "Of course not. You can just tell me,
Endymion, Haruka, and Makoto," Usagi said.

Minako nearly face faulted at the list of people she had to tell. "I might
as well say it in front of everyone. The ones you've picked out are the
ones I didn't want to hear. I love Haruka and Makoto as sisters, but they
are the worst about things like this. Haruka will tease me whenever she
can, and Mako will just tell everyone. Can't I just tell you two and maybe
someone like Setsuna or Ami?" she begged.

"Iie. You either tell everyone or the four of us I named," Usagi replied.

"What are you two talking about? What was Minako doing?" Endymion asked.

"Have some patience Endy, you will hear in good time," Usagi chided. "So
what is your decision Minako?"

"How about I pay for you two to go and spend a day in a spa," Minako
pleaded. "Think about it; those wonderful mud baths, and a full body
massage; everything brought to you. You'd be treated as royalty again,
even if it's only for a day."

"Very well," Usagi said, Minako's face breaking into a large smile. "You
can tell everyone over breakfast." Minako's face fell into a horrified
expression immediately.

"But...but...but," Minako sputtered.

"I gave you a chance to take an easier way out, but you didn't take it.
Now you can tell everyone what you were doing outside my door," Usagi
said before walking into the apartment.

Minako sighed before entering the apartment herself, leaving a completely
bewildered Endymion out in the hall. After a moment he shrugged and
followed the two senshi. Immediately the smell of eggs, sausage, and
pancakes filled his nose. His stomach gave a cry of hunger as everyone
turned towards him. He gave the crowd a sheepish grin and a slight
chuckle as he tried to make himself as small as possible.

Makoto smiled and brought several plates full of food over to the table.
"I know at least one person will enjoy my cooking this morning."

A round of chuckles came from the group as everyone began to sit down.
Luna walked into the room and looked at Usagi, tears brimming in her
eyes. Usagi met the advisor's gaze with one of peace and forgiveness.

"Luna, please come and join us," she said.

Luna nodded and walked over to the table. "Your highness, I know it
will take time, but once again I feel I must apologize to you for my
actions over the past few weeks," she said.

"Luna, I can easily forgive your actions and words toward me, but it
is your actions and words against the generals and Endymion I cannot
so easily forgive," Usagi replied. "You were against them in the past
and now, a millennium later, I find you repeating the same phrases as
you did then. You are right that it will take time. However, you if
you are truly as sorry as you are portraying, then you may begin to
seek forgiveness through Endymion."

Everyone at the table looked towards the trio, waiting to see how
everything would turn out. Luna looked towards the prince. A light
blush stained the cheeks of both Luna and Endymion. "Your majesty,"
Luna began, "I...I...I..."

"It's alright Luna. You owe me nothing. I was taken by the Dark
Kingdom, and your worries and fears were justified. I cannot say I
would not have acted the same as you in a similar situation," Endy-
mion interrupted. "Now, enough of this conversation. Let's enjoy
this food Jupiter has been so kind as to cook for us."

"Please, call me Makoto, Your Highness. I'm not much for being
called by my planetary name unless I'm in uniform," Makoto countered.

Everyone quickly tucked into the food. Around halfway through the
meal Usagi let a mischievous grin appear. "So, Minako, now is as
good a time as any to tell us exactly why you were listening so in-
tently at my door this morning," she said.

Minako froze in horror, nearly choking on food. She slowly swallowed
her food, trying to stall for time. She set down her fork and let
out another sigh. "Fine, I was trying to eavesdrop on you. I was
hoping to catch a sound or two that I could gossip about later," she
confessed.

Haruka immediately let out a laugh. "So, you like to hear dirty
sounds. I'll have to have you over some time then," she said.

Michiru turned towards Minako. "Don't pay her any mind. Any time
we have guests over she doesn't get to have any fun," she said,
relieving Minako and chiding Haruka at the same time. "Besides,
if she tries to give you any sass just call her pout-face."

Haruka's eyes widened in horror. "I do not pout!" she said too
quickly.

Minako grinned at the new information. "Thank you Michiru. You
just made my day," she beamed.

Usagi cleared her throat, calling the attention of everyone back to
her. "Now that we have that out of the way, I have one thing I wish
to ask of you. Please do not give Minako too hard of a time. I knew
why Minako was outside my door. Well, at least her more devious rea-
son why. I hope you learned your lesson well Minako. Also you are
not to use Haruka's pet name from Michiru unless she is specifically
referring to your information. That is only fair, I think."

They enjoyed the rest of the meal in the comfort of each others com-
pany. When it was over a mood of melancholy overtook the group.
Luna was the first to break the silence. "I do not know what will
await you, but I know what will wait for you here. Both Artemis and
I will be waiting, and praying for your safe return. Most of you
I have watched as you've grown into adults. Though we are not true
relatives in blood, we are relatives in our hearts. You are each
a child of mine; whether it be from this life or your life previous.
I am proud of each and every one of you. Not only have you found
a way to balance your personal and professional lives, but you have
also found a way to incorporate your senshi beings as well. Now,
go and put an end to the threat of the Dark Kingdom to our world,
for this planet is truly our world now."

Usagi walked up to Luna and looked into her eyes. "Now I see why,"
she simply said.

"You see what now, Princess?" Luna asked.

"Why Mother kept you around," Usagi answered. "You really know
how to inspire others. Now, I'm going to do something and you may
not like it. However, I'm doing this so I, and everyone else, will
know that you are safe and cannot be used against us. I'm sending
both you and Artemis to Silver Millennium."

Before anyone could protest Usagi had the crystal out and it began
to pulse with silver light. A globe of light covered Luna and took
off. Several senshi spun and looked at Usagi. "How could you do
that?" Rei demanded.

"Did you not listen?" Usagi replied. "I wanted them to be safe. I
do not want the Dark Kingdom to find them here and use them against
us, not when we are about to perform a full assault against them."

"Now, senshi it is time," she continued. "Minna, henshin yo!"

She pulled out her brooch and held it up. The senshi followed suit,
knowing it was their duty to protect Usagi. However, several of them
planned to have a talk with Usagi when the battle was over.

Each called out her own phrase, washing themselves in the magical
energy of their ancient planets. Using the power of their transfor-
mation they teleported, their destination: the North Pole.