Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Don't take me home ❯ Chapter 7 ( Chapter 7 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Serenitas 
Anime/Manga: Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 09.15.2002 | Pages: 4 | Words: 4.2K | Visits: 942 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 09.15.2002 | Pages: 4 | Words: 4.2K | Visits: 942 | Status: Completed
Hello again! May I open with a few words of Holy Crap!! I never thought my story would get so many reviews. I appreciate all the support, as I've been having some confidence issues the last few days and have been wondering if my work was good enough at all. Now that I know it is, from the reassurances I have gotten (and are much appreciated), I shall continue on with the story! Standard disclaimers, blah blah blah. SM not mine. Naoko's. And I'd like to write a special thanks to BenRG who sent me a very humorous email with the Star Wars quotes in it, which still has me laughing. Thank you all for your support and please review and let me know if you want more to this story because I have some great ideas in mind!
Minako paced Usagi's room with concern, as she watched Usagi tend to Artemis. Usagi sighed. "I won't lie to you Minako. He's hurt pretty badly. It looks like Rei used him for target practice or something."
Minako shook her head. "I know he can be a bad mouthed jerk when he does speak, and I know he doesn't have an original thought in his kitty head, but for the longest time he was all I had, and he encouraged me, unlike Luna did with you. You have to save him Usagi!" she pleaded.
Usagi nodded. "I'll do what I can, but my healing isn't anywhere near the skill of Hotaru's, and if you want Artemis to live, I suggest you get her up here post haste."
Minako was already halfway out the door, running into Hotaru who was on her way in. "I heard the commotion and told Shingo I needed a break from his games." She explained simply, kneeling by Artemis. Running her hands over his body she sighed. "He'll die if he stays in this form Minako."
Minako's eyes widened. "This form? What do you mean?"
Usagi snapped her fingers. "Of course! Luna and Artemis were shape shifters! They stayed in the shape of cats though so they could travel unnoticed through the palace!"
Hotaru nodded. "Indeed Princess, that is so." She drew in a breath. "If Artemis can make himself human, then I can save his life, and he can transform back into a cat again."
"Do it." Minako said in a hard voice.
Usagi stood back from the bed, closing her eyes briefly. Focusing on the ginzuishou which had begun to glow, she remembered the incantation. "A shifter you are, your true form now revealed, assume it once more, show us what is real." She intoned.
Artemis's body glowed silver with the power of the ginzuishou, as he began to change shape. His shape lengthened and grew, until he appeared as a man on Usagi's bed, and quite an attractive one at that. His eyes were still blue, but he had shoulder length white hair. His crescent moon still shone brightly, responding to Usagi, who's moon was also visible. He was tall, and dressed in a formal white uniform with a splash of red over the heart to signify his rank as advisor. "Wow Artemis." Minako said, impressed. "You're really handsome."
Artemis moaned. "Hurry Hotaru." Usagi urged. "I cannot keep him in this form long, and I would prefer he not remember that he was human, however briefly, because the memories would bring him pain."
Hotaru nodded and closed her eyes, healing the horrid wounds that Rei had gleefully inflicted upon him. The blood vanished as it was re-absorbed in the skin, and the cuts closed. The bruises left his face, and the burn marks vanished, leaving only healthy and pink skin in its place. Hotaru removed her hands and fell to the floor, exhausted. "Hotaru, daijobu?" Usagi asked gently, helping her up.
Hotaru nodded. "Hyaku Princess. He'll be coming out of it soon." Usagi smiled and murmured under her breath. Artemis turned back into a cat, now asleep.
Minako looked at Hotaru and Usagi, grateful. "Arigato." She whispered. "If you don't mind, I'm going to stay with him for awhile longer."
Usagi hugged Minako gently. "I understand Minako. You stay with him. I'm going out for a bit."
Hotaru instantly looked concerned. "Usagi, if what Artemis said was true, and after your confrontation with Rei, I advise against it."
Usagi eyed Hotaru. "I know you are concerned for me Hotaru, but I have a promise to keep, to an old friend."
"Who?" Haruka questioned, hanging in through her window.
"Naru." Usagi replied. "I haven't seen her in so long, and we've been friends since pre-school. I feel she has a right to know that I'm leaving, very soon."
"I'll walk you." Haruka decided. "You will not be alone again."
Usagi sighed, seeing Haruka wouldn't be budged. "Agreed."
Makoto narrowed her eyes at Rei. "You go to far you know."
Rei sneered at her. "What do you mean I go to far? What of it?"
"You didn't have to try to kill Artemis." Makoto pointed out.
"You didn't stop me." She challenged. "You wanted him to pay as much as I did."
Makoto couldn't answer that. She noticed Luna had a look of frustration on her face. "This is irritating." Makoto grumbled. "Luna can't talk and we are the only senshi who haven't been influenced by Usagi and her mind control."
"They say it's loyalty, but we know she hypnotized them or something." Rei agreed. "He was right."
Makoto smiled wryly. "I wasn't around when you fought against him, but I hear he mainly wanted Usagi. He was obsessed with her, and with killing her."
Rei sniffed disdainfully. "It's because Usagi fought alone for so long before Ami or I showed up to save her sorry ass."
"Well she's discovered she's psychic, and she's used mind tricks on the other senshi. Disgusting!" Makoto shook her head. "What is our next move on the board?"
"Usagi is leaving. This is an irreversible fact, and it's happening very soon." Rei began, sighing. "I cannot go up against her without my powers, and the sacred fire and the god Mars will show me nothing. He has promised me power greater than any piddly senshi powers, but I must wait and show my loyalty to him."
"And you are loyal to him without question?" Makoto arched an eyebrow sceptically. "You've never been loyal to anyone without question! Not even Queen Serenity herself!"
"He is my lover." Rei replied. "He was my lover a thousand years ago and he is my lover now. I do love him and I will serve him."
"I will stand by you Rei." Makoto sighed, picking up a dejected Luna. "They will see the error of their ways, and if we have to follow Usagi to the ends of the earth, we will make her pay for what she has done to us."
Usagi smiled at Naru who was waving at her. "Naru!"
Naru ran up to Usagi. "It's been so long!" she exclaimed. "Ever since we went to different high schools, I never see you."
Usagi nodded. "This last year has been eventful, let me tell you."
Naru eyed her seriously. "Please do tell me Usagi."
Usagi looked askance at Naru. "What?"
Naru sighed. "Let's get a drink and talk Usagi, I have something to tell you."
Usagi nodded, following Naru to a nearby lemonade vendor. Walking through the streets of Tokyo, they came to Usagi's former high school, the one she was leaving behind. Sitting under a tree, just like old times, she faced her best friend. "This is so cryptic and mysterious." She commented.
Naru smiled and sipped her lemonade. "I know you'll never tell me, and maybe you are constrained to do that, but I want you to know that Umino and I know. Motoki knows. We've known for years."
"Known what?" Usagi asked, trying not to tremble.
"You are Sailor Moon." Naru said simply. "Aren't you?"
"ME?" Usagi sputtered. "Preposterous! Where would you get such a silly idea?"
Naru place a hand on Usagi's arm. "Please don't lie to me Usagi. I knew ever since Nephrite. Sailor Moon and you were giving identical warnings. Sailor Moon took wounds when she came to save me, that you had the next day. Sailor Moon always knew when I was in trouble, and knew secrets about me only you knew."
Usagi paled. "And you told Umino and Motoki?" she whispered, no longer denying it.
"Motoki told me one day, having noticed the similarities after the incident with Reika. Umino overheard us. The three of us have been very very quiet about it though. Knowing who you were, and that the girls you hang out with are probably the senshi made it easier for me to forgive you for neglecting me, and pulling away from me." Naru explained.
Usagi hugged Naru. "I'm so sorry Naru. I couldn't tell anyone, because it would make them a target and put them in danger."
Naru smiled wryly. "I already am a target Usagi. Those bad guys you fight always come for me first. I don't know why."
Usagi sat back, pensive. "I have to tell you it's a relief having it out in the open with you at last. I've never felt right about hiding such secrets from you. I guess I'll tell you the whole story. There's more to it than you've ever guessed." Naru nodded, encouraging. Usagi opened her mouth. "A thousand years ago…" she began.
Mamoru finished booking his plane ticket, and prepared to call the university to transfer his files to his new school. He couldn't stay away. He was compelled to follow her and to regain her love and her trust. He knew he had hurt her, but he had to try. She was the world to him, but he was a fool and realized it too late. "I loved you when our love was blessed and I love you now there's nothing left but sorrow and a sense of overtime." He murmured. "I've missed you since our life got wrecked and I just don't care what happens next, it looks like freedom but it feels like death, it's something in between I guess." He navigated his way through the streets, noticing two girls sitting outside a high school. 'Strange.' He thought. 'There's no school for another three weeks. Why would anyone be there?' creeping forward, he noticed with surprise that it was Usagi and Naru. He listened as Usagi told Naru everything. He closed his eyes as she described their love… "It was real, it was magic, it was calm, it was savage, it was cool as a breeze, it was warm to the touch, it was never enough, it was always too much, it did all the things love does, that's how I knew it was." Usagi described. Mamoru smiled. Yes, that was their love.
"Was it fear? Was it clear?" Naru asked. Mamoru held his breath to hear her answer.
"It was all that and more." Usagi replied.
Mamoru nodded, listening. Usagi described their past, described their breakup, described her heartache and the tears she cried over him. His heart wrenched. He had never known he had hurt her so badly. Usagi told Naru things she hadn't even told the senshi. Told Naru about him being possessed by the Negaverse, told her what he had done to her while he was possessed. She told Naru about his being killed by Galaxia and her heartache at what she assumed was his callous and cold rejection of her. She told Naru about Rei and finally fell silent, with nothing left to say. Mamoru shut his eyes, mentally kicking himself. 'I'll love you from afar Usagi if I have to.' He thought. 'I can't leave you, but I know you can't stay. I never thought our love could end up this way, but I can't imagine living life without you now. Where you go, I go.' He thought firmly. 'None but she who rules the thunder can tear our love or our hearts asunder.' Giving Usagi privacy, he silently crept away. He had much to do and little time to do it in.
Naru was silent, trying to absorb all Usagi had told her, thrilled at being told the truth at last. "Well I know you have to leave, to start anew. I understand that. I just wish you had've told me. Usagi I want to come with you. Let me be part of your world again." She beseeched. "We've got to try to hold on and never say goodbye." She pleaded. She reached for Usagi as a glow surrounded her.
Usagi looked at her, taken aback. 'That glow…" she thought. 'Only senshi have that glow.' "Naru," she cleared her throat. "what are you feeling? Right now, this minute?"
Naru shook her head. "I can't describe it. There is this light inside me, reaching out to a whitish pink cord, and I think that cord is you."
"You have senshi abilities." Usagi breathed. "You must to be able to see that cord. That is the link I have to all my senshi."
Naru giggled. "I always wanted to be a senshi. I was caught by youmas enough."
Usagi smiled. "You'll never get everything ready in time to leave with me in two weeks Naru," she began. "But you are welcome to join me in the winter semester. You can't cut the first semester of school, but you can arrange to be transferred."
Naru nodded. "Yes, let's do that Usagi. Our friendship is deeper than anything, and I can't bear to lose you again, not when I just got you back."
Usagi stood. "I have much to do yet Naru, but I will stay in contact with you. If you are a senshi, then you'll have to stay connected to me."
Naru walked with Usagi down the sidewalk. "Umino would have a fit." She giggled. "I can patrol Juuban while you are gone."
"Don't put yourself in any unnecessary danger." Usagi cautioned. "And avoid Rei. You are a target to her, and she hates me enough, and wants to hurt me enough that she'll come for you."
"I will be prepared." Naru sighed. "I have to go now. Mum has me working at the store, so my shift starts in twenty minutes. I'll talk to you later!" she waved, running off.
"It was good of you to finally tell her." A quiet voice said behind her.
Usagi turned and saw Ami. "Ami." She nodded, walking off. Ami followed her.
"I can't ask you to forgive what I have said and done, and indeed I won't because that would only cheapen our friendship." She began. "But I want to make a clean start with you. You are not who I thought you were, and indeed I like who you have become much better. I made a mistake and I know that now. Please let me try to regain your trust. Time can't take away what we had."
Usagi eyed Ami, probing her mind. She felt nothing but sincerity in her. "I don't know Ami. You keep up with little comments saying I'll never be a good Queen, never be truly competent at anything, and then you lied to me. YOU of all people lied to me. I thought you incapable of lying truly."
Ami shook her head. "I make no excuses for my behaviour. I cannot justify it. All I can do is apologize for it."
Usagi sighed. "It's a start Ami. We'll start over again and see how we go from here. Let's try it again." She slung an arm over her shoulders. "You'll have to stay here you know."
Ami nodded. "I heard the latter part of your conversation with Naru. If she is a senshi, I can help train her, and then next semester we can both come to you."
Usagi paused outside her house, glancing at Ami. "Yes, that will work. You can start regaining my trust by thwarting Rei's plans."
Ami nodded. "It is done. You are not just my princess, you are my friend, and the bonds of friendship tie me tighter than any royal decree could. I will not let you down Usagi."
"I hope you don't." Usagi replied.
The next two weeks where a whirl of paperwork and packing. Setsuna stopped time and gave Usagi a chance to move her belongings out the house and get them packaged and sent off. Haruka and Michiru had a tentative bid on a house for them to live in. Usagi went to her family for the last time, hugging her mother and father tightly, telling them she loved them and always would. Thanking them for loving her. She hugged Shingo and gave him her precious video games. She told them the truth, about her being Sailor Moon, about all she had done. Her parents nodded, things making sense at last, and held her close, supporting her, giving her unconditional love. Usagi wept bitterly when she erased their memories with the ginzuishou and pretended to have come to the wrong house. She walked away from her home for the last time, praying they would remember the love if nothing else. 'If they can't remember me, please remember the love.' She thought. Ami was under strict orders to keep an eye on them, and protect them if Rei went on a vendetta against them.
She trembled as she entered the airport, clutching her carry on bag tightly, fear trembling through her body. Haruka, Michiru and the others were on another flight and would meet her in the Halifax International Airport. She was doing this by herself. She stood where Mamoru had stood a year ago, waiting to be called for her flight, and heard her name called. She turned to see Mamoru where she had been when she had gone to see him. "Mamoru." She whispered harshly. "What are you doing here?"
Mamoru approached her slowly. "I can't begin to make up for what I've said or done. When I said it would suit me fine if you were out of sight and out of mind, that wasn't me talking, that was my wounded pride. When I said I didn't want your love and you were no one I was thinking of, believe me Usako I lied." He began. "I want to go with you more than anything in this world. I want to come with you and regain your trust, and regain your love. I want to be with you for eternity."
Usagi opened her mouth, but Mamoru held up a hand. "Let me finish. I might transfer to university there. I hear Saint Mary's University is an excellent place with an exchange program that is the best in the Maritime provinces (A.N - It's true, it does! I know this because I spent 4 ½ years of my life in that money-sucking vortex that is called Saint Mary's University! Yes! I went there!) and I may go there for the second semester. I want to go with you now, but I realize that you need space and time to yourself. You need to discover who you are, and you can't do that with me there. I finally clued in to what you were trying to tell me."
"Mamoru," Usagi said harshly, her voice catching in her throat.
"I will come for you eventually Usagi. You belong to me, and I belong to you."
"I am nobody's girl." Usagi said firmly. "I walk this road alone. I call my soul my own."
"I know that Usagi, but time can't take away what we had and do have. We love each other, but foolish pride is getting in the way and blinding us to the truth. If you date others while you are gone, I understand. You need retribution for what I have done to you, and you need to be with other men." Mamoru sighed. "It's killing me to say this, but I know that I must open up my hands and watch you spread your wings and prepare to fly. If you return to me, we truly were meant to be."
Usagi walked over to him and hugged him tightly. "Thank you Mamo- chan." She whispered, her tears soaking his shirt. "Once we were so strong, how do I go on?" she began. "When you told me you loved me did you know it would take me the rest of my life to get over the feeling of knowing our dream didn't turn out right? When you let me believe that you were incomplete without me by your side, how could I know that you would come, that you would run? I thought you were the one."
Mamoru sighed. "I hear your flight being called."
"Why can't I just leave it all behind?" Usagi asked wretchedly. "I felt passion so bright that I was blind, then something made me weak, there is a name for what you've put me through, this isn't love, it's robbery."
Mamoru tilted her chin up and kissed her gently and sweetly, putting all his emotion into that one kiss that he couldn't express with words. "Go Usagi and live. I will come to you. When you have no light to guide you and no one to walk beside you, I will come to you. When the night is dark and stormy, you won't have to reach out for me." He hesitated. "I love you Usako."
Usagi hugged him one last time, against all her better judgement. "I love you Mamoru, but I can't do this again. Goodbye Mamoru." She waved and ran towards the boarding gate.
Mamoru watched her go, wiping a tear from his eye. "She does love me. I will get you back Usagi and repay you all the hurt I caused."
Usagi sat trembling on the plane, having never flown before. She looked around at all the people talking in a different language than her and struggled to understand. As the plane rolled out of the terminal, she saw Mamoru watching and felt her heart wrench. 'No, I cannot cave in. He hurt me, betrayed me and cheated on me. How can I ever trust him again?' Watching the only home she had ever known fade beneath the clouds, she let her tears fall, partial regret and partial fear. Pulling out a pen, she began writing a poem that expressed all she felt inside.
**I can see where this is going
Here we go again.
I am caught in a circle
A hoop that never ends
I've done it all so often
I know the routine well
There are so many times
He has put me through hell
And yet I do still love him
It is a simple fact
He needs me as I need him
It is an unwritten pact
The words we leave unspoken,
Because of simple fears
They are the cause of most of my fears
If only he would stop fighting
And let me in his heart
Maybe then we could try
To make a new start
For I will always love him
And of me he will never be free
He may control his mind
But his heart belongs to me.**
"Is she gone?" his voice asked.
"She is." Rei replied getting out of their bed. Nude she crossed the room. "I can feel her presence fading. She is on the plane as are the others. There is a new energy that I cannot understand though." She told him.
He came over and placed his hands on her waist, begin to arouse her again. "We will worry about that later. Come my dark flame princess back to bed. We will track her to the ends of the earth if need be, but the white moon princess will not live out the year."
"Only if I can kill her myself my love." Rei murmured before he kissed her.
In a sick parody of the sacred act of love, Rei and her lover planned death as Makoto wandered the grounds with Luna, searching for a reason why.
And that is the end of this chapter! No flames please. The poem is "His heart belongs to me" written by me. It's mine! Lyrics from the song: "Closing Time" by Leonard Cohen are used here, along with: "It was" by Chely Wright, "Before you go tomorrow" "When you told me you loved me" by Jessica Simpson and "I will come to you" by Hanson. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Now for the usual questions….continue or not? Should Artemis become and stay human or stay as a cat? Should Luna get her voice back? Should Chibi Usa make a re-appearance? DOES ANYONE WANT ANOTHER CHAPTER?? If so another chapter will be up tomorrow. I hope you are enjoying reading this as much as I am enjoying writing it!
Mata ne!
Minako paced Usagi's room with concern, as she watched Usagi tend to Artemis. Usagi sighed. "I won't lie to you Minako. He's hurt pretty badly. It looks like Rei used him for target practice or something."
Minako shook her head. "I know he can be a bad mouthed jerk when he does speak, and I know he doesn't have an original thought in his kitty head, but for the longest time he was all I had, and he encouraged me, unlike Luna did with you. You have to save him Usagi!" she pleaded.
Usagi nodded. "I'll do what I can, but my healing isn't anywhere near the skill of Hotaru's, and if you want Artemis to live, I suggest you get her up here post haste."
Minako was already halfway out the door, running into Hotaru who was on her way in. "I heard the commotion and told Shingo I needed a break from his games." She explained simply, kneeling by Artemis. Running her hands over his body she sighed. "He'll die if he stays in this form Minako."
Minako's eyes widened. "This form? What do you mean?"
Usagi snapped her fingers. "Of course! Luna and Artemis were shape shifters! They stayed in the shape of cats though so they could travel unnoticed through the palace!"
Hotaru nodded. "Indeed Princess, that is so." She drew in a breath. "If Artemis can make himself human, then I can save his life, and he can transform back into a cat again."
"Do it." Minako said in a hard voice.
Usagi stood back from the bed, closing her eyes briefly. Focusing on the ginzuishou which had begun to glow, she remembered the incantation. "A shifter you are, your true form now revealed, assume it once more, show us what is real." She intoned.
Artemis's body glowed silver with the power of the ginzuishou, as he began to change shape. His shape lengthened and grew, until he appeared as a man on Usagi's bed, and quite an attractive one at that. His eyes were still blue, but he had shoulder length white hair. His crescent moon still shone brightly, responding to Usagi, who's moon was also visible. He was tall, and dressed in a formal white uniform with a splash of red over the heart to signify his rank as advisor. "Wow Artemis." Minako said, impressed. "You're really handsome."
Artemis moaned. "Hurry Hotaru." Usagi urged. "I cannot keep him in this form long, and I would prefer he not remember that he was human, however briefly, because the memories would bring him pain."
Hotaru nodded and closed her eyes, healing the horrid wounds that Rei had gleefully inflicted upon him. The blood vanished as it was re-absorbed in the skin, and the cuts closed. The bruises left his face, and the burn marks vanished, leaving only healthy and pink skin in its place. Hotaru removed her hands and fell to the floor, exhausted. "Hotaru, daijobu?" Usagi asked gently, helping her up.
Hotaru nodded. "Hyaku Princess. He'll be coming out of it soon." Usagi smiled and murmured under her breath. Artemis turned back into a cat, now asleep.
Minako looked at Hotaru and Usagi, grateful. "Arigato." She whispered. "If you don't mind, I'm going to stay with him for awhile longer."
Usagi hugged Minako gently. "I understand Minako. You stay with him. I'm going out for a bit."
Hotaru instantly looked concerned. "Usagi, if what Artemis said was true, and after your confrontation with Rei, I advise against it."
Usagi eyed Hotaru. "I know you are concerned for me Hotaru, but I have a promise to keep, to an old friend."
"Who?" Haruka questioned, hanging in through her window.
"Naru." Usagi replied. "I haven't seen her in so long, and we've been friends since pre-school. I feel she has a right to know that I'm leaving, very soon."
"I'll walk you." Haruka decided. "You will not be alone again."
Usagi sighed, seeing Haruka wouldn't be budged. "Agreed."
Makoto narrowed her eyes at Rei. "You go to far you know."
Rei sneered at her. "What do you mean I go to far? What of it?"
"You didn't have to try to kill Artemis." Makoto pointed out.
"You didn't stop me." She challenged. "You wanted him to pay as much as I did."
Makoto couldn't answer that. She noticed Luna had a look of frustration on her face. "This is irritating." Makoto grumbled. "Luna can't talk and we are the only senshi who haven't been influenced by Usagi and her mind control."
"They say it's loyalty, but we know she hypnotized them or something." Rei agreed. "He was right."
Makoto smiled wryly. "I wasn't around when you fought against him, but I hear he mainly wanted Usagi. He was obsessed with her, and with killing her."
Rei sniffed disdainfully. "It's because Usagi fought alone for so long before Ami or I showed up to save her sorry ass."
"Well she's discovered she's psychic, and she's used mind tricks on the other senshi. Disgusting!" Makoto shook her head. "What is our next move on the board?"
"Usagi is leaving. This is an irreversible fact, and it's happening very soon." Rei began, sighing. "I cannot go up against her without my powers, and the sacred fire and the god Mars will show me nothing. He has promised me power greater than any piddly senshi powers, but I must wait and show my loyalty to him."
"And you are loyal to him without question?" Makoto arched an eyebrow sceptically. "You've never been loyal to anyone without question! Not even Queen Serenity herself!"
"He is my lover." Rei replied. "He was my lover a thousand years ago and he is my lover now. I do love him and I will serve him."
"I will stand by you Rei." Makoto sighed, picking up a dejected Luna. "They will see the error of their ways, and if we have to follow Usagi to the ends of the earth, we will make her pay for what she has done to us."
Usagi smiled at Naru who was waving at her. "Naru!"
Naru ran up to Usagi. "It's been so long!" she exclaimed. "Ever since we went to different high schools, I never see you."
Usagi nodded. "This last year has been eventful, let me tell you."
Naru eyed her seriously. "Please do tell me Usagi."
Usagi looked askance at Naru. "What?"
Naru sighed. "Let's get a drink and talk Usagi, I have something to tell you."
Usagi nodded, following Naru to a nearby lemonade vendor. Walking through the streets of Tokyo, they came to Usagi's former high school, the one she was leaving behind. Sitting under a tree, just like old times, she faced her best friend. "This is so cryptic and mysterious." She commented.
Naru smiled and sipped her lemonade. "I know you'll never tell me, and maybe you are constrained to do that, but I want you to know that Umino and I know. Motoki knows. We've known for years."
"Known what?" Usagi asked, trying not to tremble.
"You are Sailor Moon." Naru said simply. "Aren't you?"
"ME?" Usagi sputtered. "Preposterous! Where would you get such a silly idea?"
Naru place a hand on Usagi's arm. "Please don't lie to me Usagi. I knew ever since Nephrite. Sailor Moon and you were giving identical warnings. Sailor Moon took wounds when she came to save me, that you had the next day. Sailor Moon always knew when I was in trouble, and knew secrets about me only you knew."
Usagi paled. "And you told Umino and Motoki?" she whispered, no longer denying it.
"Motoki told me one day, having noticed the similarities after the incident with Reika. Umino overheard us. The three of us have been very very quiet about it though. Knowing who you were, and that the girls you hang out with are probably the senshi made it easier for me to forgive you for neglecting me, and pulling away from me." Naru explained.
Usagi hugged Naru. "I'm so sorry Naru. I couldn't tell anyone, because it would make them a target and put them in danger."
Naru smiled wryly. "I already am a target Usagi. Those bad guys you fight always come for me first. I don't know why."
Usagi sat back, pensive. "I have to tell you it's a relief having it out in the open with you at last. I've never felt right about hiding such secrets from you. I guess I'll tell you the whole story. There's more to it than you've ever guessed." Naru nodded, encouraging. Usagi opened her mouth. "A thousand years ago…" she began.
Mamoru finished booking his plane ticket, and prepared to call the university to transfer his files to his new school. He couldn't stay away. He was compelled to follow her and to regain her love and her trust. He knew he had hurt her, but he had to try. She was the world to him, but he was a fool and realized it too late. "I loved you when our love was blessed and I love you now there's nothing left but sorrow and a sense of overtime." He murmured. "I've missed you since our life got wrecked and I just don't care what happens next, it looks like freedom but it feels like death, it's something in between I guess." He navigated his way through the streets, noticing two girls sitting outside a high school. 'Strange.' He thought. 'There's no school for another three weeks. Why would anyone be there?' creeping forward, he noticed with surprise that it was Usagi and Naru. He listened as Usagi told Naru everything. He closed his eyes as she described their love… "It was real, it was magic, it was calm, it was savage, it was cool as a breeze, it was warm to the touch, it was never enough, it was always too much, it did all the things love does, that's how I knew it was." Usagi described. Mamoru smiled. Yes, that was their love.
"Was it fear? Was it clear?" Naru asked. Mamoru held his breath to hear her answer.
"It was all that and more." Usagi replied.
Mamoru nodded, listening. Usagi described their past, described their breakup, described her heartache and the tears she cried over him. His heart wrenched. He had never known he had hurt her so badly. Usagi told Naru things she hadn't even told the senshi. Told Naru about him being possessed by the Negaverse, told her what he had done to her while he was possessed. She told Naru about his being killed by Galaxia and her heartache at what she assumed was his callous and cold rejection of her. She told Naru about Rei and finally fell silent, with nothing left to say. Mamoru shut his eyes, mentally kicking himself. 'I'll love you from afar Usagi if I have to.' He thought. 'I can't leave you, but I know you can't stay. I never thought our love could end up this way, but I can't imagine living life without you now. Where you go, I go.' He thought firmly. 'None but she who rules the thunder can tear our love or our hearts asunder.' Giving Usagi privacy, he silently crept away. He had much to do and little time to do it in.
Naru was silent, trying to absorb all Usagi had told her, thrilled at being told the truth at last. "Well I know you have to leave, to start anew. I understand that. I just wish you had've told me. Usagi I want to come with you. Let me be part of your world again." She beseeched. "We've got to try to hold on and never say goodbye." She pleaded. She reached for Usagi as a glow surrounded her.
Usagi looked at her, taken aback. 'That glow…" she thought. 'Only senshi have that glow.' "Naru," she cleared her throat. "what are you feeling? Right now, this minute?"
Naru shook her head. "I can't describe it. There is this light inside me, reaching out to a whitish pink cord, and I think that cord is you."
"You have senshi abilities." Usagi breathed. "You must to be able to see that cord. That is the link I have to all my senshi."
Naru giggled. "I always wanted to be a senshi. I was caught by youmas enough."
Usagi smiled. "You'll never get everything ready in time to leave with me in two weeks Naru," she began. "But you are welcome to join me in the winter semester. You can't cut the first semester of school, but you can arrange to be transferred."
Naru nodded. "Yes, let's do that Usagi. Our friendship is deeper than anything, and I can't bear to lose you again, not when I just got you back."
Usagi stood. "I have much to do yet Naru, but I will stay in contact with you. If you are a senshi, then you'll have to stay connected to me."
Naru walked with Usagi down the sidewalk. "Umino would have a fit." She giggled. "I can patrol Juuban while you are gone."
"Don't put yourself in any unnecessary danger." Usagi cautioned. "And avoid Rei. You are a target to her, and she hates me enough, and wants to hurt me enough that she'll come for you."
"I will be prepared." Naru sighed. "I have to go now. Mum has me working at the store, so my shift starts in twenty minutes. I'll talk to you later!" she waved, running off.
"It was good of you to finally tell her." A quiet voice said behind her.
Usagi turned and saw Ami. "Ami." She nodded, walking off. Ami followed her.
"I can't ask you to forgive what I have said and done, and indeed I won't because that would only cheapen our friendship." She began. "But I want to make a clean start with you. You are not who I thought you were, and indeed I like who you have become much better. I made a mistake and I know that now. Please let me try to regain your trust. Time can't take away what we had."
Usagi eyed Ami, probing her mind. She felt nothing but sincerity in her. "I don't know Ami. You keep up with little comments saying I'll never be a good Queen, never be truly competent at anything, and then you lied to me. YOU of all people lied to me. I thought you incapable of lying truly."
Ami shook her head. "I make no excuses for my behaviour. I cannot justify it. All I can do is apologize for it."
Usagi sighed. "It's a start Ami. We'll start over again and see how we go from here. Let's try it again." She slung an arm over her shoulders. "You'll have to stay here you know."
Ami nodded. "I heard the latter part of your conversation with Naru. If she is a senshi, I can help train her, and then next semester we can both come to you."
Usagi paused outside her house, glancing at Ami. "Yes, that will work. You can start regaining my trust by thwarting Rei's plans."
Ami nodded. "It is done. You are not just my princess, you are my friend, and the bonds of friendship tie me tighter than any royal decree could. I will not let you down Usagi."
"I hope you don't." Usagi replied.
The next two weeks where a whirl of paperwork and packing. Setsuna stopped time and gave Usagi a chance to move her belongings out the house and get them packaged and sent off. Haruka and Michiru had a tentative bid on a house for them to live in. Usagi went to her family for the last time, hugging her mother and father tightly, telling them she loved them and always would. Thanking them for loving her. She hugged Shingo and gave him her precious video games. She told them the truth, about her being Sailor Moon, about all she had done. Her parents nodded, things making sense at last, and held her close, supporting her, giving her unconditional love. Usagi wept bitterly when she erased their memories with the ginzuishou and pretended to have come to the wrong house. She walked away from her home for the last time, praying they would remember the love if nothing else. 'If they can't remember me, please remember the love.' She thought. Ami was under strict orders to keep an eye on them, and protect them if Rei went on a vendetta against them.
She trembled as she entered the airport, clutching her carry on bag tightly, fear trembling through her body. Haruka, Michiru and the others were on another flight and would meet her in the Halifax International Airport. She was doing this by herself. She stood where Mamoru had stood a year ago, waiting to be called for her flight, and heard her name called. She turned to see Mamoru where she had been when she had gone to see him. "Mamoru." She whispered harshly. "What are you doing here?"
Mamoru approached her slowly. "I can't begin to make up for what I've said or done. When I said it would suit me fine if you were out of sight and out of mind, that wasn't me talking, that was my wounded pride. When I said I didn't want your love and you were no one I was thinking of, believe me Usako I lied." He began. "I want to go with you more than anything in this world. I want to come with you and regain your trust, and regain your love. I want to be with you for eternity."
Usagi opened her mouth, but Mamoru held up a hand. "Let me finish. I might transfer to university there. I hear Saint Mary's University is an excellent place with an exchange program that is the best in the Maritime provinces (A.N - It's true, it does! I know this because I spent 4 ½ years of my life in that money-sucking vortex that is called Saint Mary's University! Yes! I went there!) and I may go there for the second semester. I want to go with you now, but I realize that you need space and time to yourself. You need to discover who you are, and you can't do that with me there. I finally clued in to what you were trying to tell me."
"Mamoru," Usagi said harshly, her voice catching in her throat.
"I will come for you eventually Usagi. You belong to me, and I belong to you."
"I am nobody's girl." Usagi said firmly. "I walk this road alone. I call my soul my own."
"I know that Usagi, but time can't take away what we had and do have. We love each other, but foolish pride is getting in the way and blinding us to the truth. If you date others while you are gone, I understand. You need retribution for what I have done to you, and you need to be with other men." Mamoru sighed. "It's killing me to say this, but I know that I must open up my hands and watch you spread your wings and prepare to fly. If you return to me, we truly were meant to be."
Usagi walked over to him and hugged him tightly. "Thank you Mamo- chan." She whispered, her tears soaking his shirt. "Once we were so strong, how do I go on?" she began. "When you told me you loved me did you know it would take me the rest of my life to get over the feeling of knowing our dream didn't turn out right? When you let me believe that you were incomplete without me by your side, how could I know that you would come, that you would run? I thought you were the one."
Mamoru sighed. "I hear your flight being called."
"Why can't I just leave it all behind?" Usagi asked wretchedly. "I felt passion so bright that I was blind, then something made me weak, there is a name for what you've put me through, this isn't love, it's robbery."
Mamoru tilted her chin up and kissed her gently and sweetly, putting all his emotion into that one kiss that he couldn't express with words. "Go Usagi and live. I will come to you. When you have no light to guide you and no one to walk beside you, I will come to you. When the night is dark and stormy, you won't have to reach out for me." He hesitated. "I love you Usako."
Usagi hugged him one last time, against all her better judgement. "I love you Mamoru, but I can't do this again. Goodbye Mamoru." She waved and ran towards the boarding gate.
Mamoru watched her go, wiping a tear from his eye. "She does love me. I will get you back Usagi and repay you all the hurt I caused."
Usagi sat trembling on the plane, having never flown before. She looked around at all the people talking in a different language than her and struggled to understand. As the plane rolled out of the terminal, she saw Mamoru watching and felt her heart wrench. 'No, I cannot cave in. He hurt me, betrayed me and cheated on me. How can I ever trust him again?' Watching the only home she had ever known fade beneath the clouds, she let her tears fall, partial regret and partial fear. Pulling out a pen, she began writing a poem that expressed all she felt inside.
**I can see where this is going
Here we go again.
I am caught in a circle
A hoop that never ends
I've done it all so often
I know the routine well
There are so many times
He has put me through hell
And yet I do still love him
It is a simple fact
He needs me as I need him
It is an unwritten pact
The words we leave unspoken,
Because of simple fears
They are the cause of most of my fears
If only he would stop fighting
And let me in his heart
Maybe then we could try
To make a new start
For I will always love him
And of me he will never be free
He may control his mind
But his heart belongs to me.**
"Is she gone?" his voice asked.
"She is." Rei replied getting out of their bed. Nude she crossed the room. "I can feel her presence fading. She is on the plane as are the others. There is a new energy that I cannot understand though." She told him.
He came over and placed his hands on her waist, begin to arouse her again. "We will worry about that later. Come my dark flame princess back to bed. We will track her to the ends of the earth if need be, but the white moon princess will not live out the year."
"Only if I can kill her myself my love." Rei murmured before he kissed her.
In a sick parody of the sacred act of love, Rei and her lover planned death as Makoto wandered the grounds with Luna, searching for a reason why.
And that is the end of this chapter! No flames please. The poem is "His heart belongs to me" written by me. It's mine! Lyrics from the song: "Closing Time" by Leonard Cohen are used here, along with: "It was" by Chely Wright, "Before you go tomorrow" "When you told me you loved me" by Jessica Simpson and "I will come to you" by Hanson. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Now for the usual questions….continue or not? Should Artemis become and stay human or stay as a cat? Should Luna get her voice back? Should Chibi Usa make a re-appearance? DOES ANYONE WANT ANOTHER CHAPTER?? If so another chapter will be up tomorrow. I hope you are enjoying reading this as much as I am enjoying writing it!
Mata ne!