Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Everything You Want -Book One- Everything You Want ❯ Here's to The Night (1996) ( Chapter 8 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: OrchydConstyne 
Anime/Manga: Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama | Type: Songfic | Uploaded On: 09.03.2002 | Updated On: 09.03.2002 | Pages: 4 | Words: 2.1K | Visits: 177 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama | Type: Songfic | Uploaded On: 09.03.2002 | Updated On: 09.03.2002 | Pages: 4 | Words: 2.1K | Visits: 177 | Status: Completed
*So denied
*So I lied
*Are you the now or never kind?
*In a day
*And a day love
*I'm gonna be gone for good again
*Are you willing
*To be had
*Are you cool with just tonight?
*Here's a toast
*To all those who hear me all too well
Usagi sat at the kitchen bar in her home watching Makoto cook, while
Rei and Minako fought over who got to help her. Ami sat next to her
reading a book on the chemistry of foods. The blond girl surveyed the
image in front of her and smiled. Her loves, her friends. Such warmth
filled her. They had seen each other through so much, and now it
seemed it was coming to an end. She knew they would be together in the
future, when they were needed. But right now there was no evil for
them to fight, no enemy, just peace. Chaos was sealed.
Usagi had invited the Outer Senshi and the Starlights to her home the
night before they each went their separate ways. The Starlights were
going home, and the Outers had decided to move to a new city and try
for as normal an existence as possible. Ami was trying to get into a
nice college in Kyoto and, if accepted, would be leaving within a
month or two. Rei was going on a sabbatical with her Grandfather for 6
months and would not be in touch with anyone during that time, and
Minako had her first photo shoot in two weeks in Osaka. That left her
and Makoto holding down the home front.
Even Mamoru was going to America, and this time he planned on making
it. He would be gone for that year and, of course, ChibiUsa had
returned to the future. Usagi sighed. All she had come to count on was
changing, and she didn't know if she could survive it. She just wanted
to lock all her friends up in a box and carry them with her always.
For the last 3 years she had believed that they would forever be
together. For three years they had been so close, 14 people who would
have never come together if it weren't for evil. Thirteen people who
had touched her life in such a deep and meaningful way.
And now they were all leaving her.
"Usagi-chan?" Usagi looked to her side. Ami was watching her
carefully. "Are you alright? You looked miles away."
Usagi smiled at her. "No, Ami-chan, I'm right here, right now."
The four girls looked at Usagi, each with an expression of confusion.
Usagi just laughed and poked Ami in the ribs, causing the girl to jump
and fall from her chair. All of them laughed then and forgot Usagi's
sad expression from 2 minutes ago. Usagi vowed to cherish the next 24
hours she had with all her friends, 24 short hours.
*Here's to the nights we felt alive
*Here's to the tears you knew you'd cry
*Here's to goodbye
*Tomorrow's gonna come too soon
The doorbell rang at seven that night. Usagi had dressed up for the
occasion and checked herself one last time in the mirror. Her hair was
up in its standard double buns and pigtail; she never changed that.
She was wearing a nice light pink sundress that showed her back off
and stopped mid thigh. She felt so free that she had wanted to wear
something playful and fun. She took a deep breath and opened the door
with a big smile.
"Odango!" Haruka laughed. "You look nice." Haruka handed Usagi a
covered dish as Michiru gave her a hug.
"No, Haruka did not make it, Usagi-chan," Michiru said when Usagi
looked between the dish and Haruka. "I did. It's Dim Sum I made. We
just need to steam them when we're ready to eat."
Just as Usagi was about to close the door, Setsuna and Hotaru came up
the walk to the house. "Usagi-san!" Hotaru cried out. "Wait for us!"
More hugs and another dish of food. Usagi decided to just leave the
door open.
In the main room sat the Inner Senshi, hugs went around as the Inners
and Outers chatted with each other. Makoto asked Michiru all about the
Dim-Sum and how to make them, Rei and Haruka discussed current events,
and Setsuna and Hotaru sat on the floor to join in a game of Hanafuda
with Ami and Minako. Usagi just stood in the doorway committing every
face and action to memory. ChibiUsa never mentioned the Outers or the
Starlights in the future, so perhaps she would never see them after
tonight. Usagi bit her bottom lip at that idea. To never see these
people again.
"Odango?" Haruka slid up next to Usagi, concern clouding her green
eyes. "Odango, why do you look so pensive?"
"Haruka-san..." Usagi began, "will I see you or Michiru-san after
tonight? Will we always be in touch?" She looked up to Haruka.
Haruka smiled and poked Usagi in the belly. "Of course. Michiru,
Setsuna, Hotaru and I will always be here for you. We are all
connected, Usagi. We are family, and nothing -- not even time and
distance -- can change that. Perk up and enjoy the time we all have
now. Tomorrow will come, but for now, enjoy tonight." Haruka brushed
her lips against Usagi's cheek and left to join Michiru in the
discussion of Chinese dishes.
Usagi sat contemplating Haruka's words while Hotaru cheered at her
victory over the current game of Hanafuda. She was about to go into
the kitchen to help with dinner when she felt strong arms surround
her. A familiar scent of cool wind, warm earth and salty water
surrounded her.
*Put your name
*On the line
*Along with place and time
*Wanna stay
*Not to go
*I wanna ditch the logical
*Here's a toast
*To all those
*Who hear me all too well
"Mamo-chan."
She leaned into him and closed her eyes. She wished that this house,
so full of love and life now, would not empty in a few hours and that
Mamoru's arms would never let her go. She felt so useless and small
when her friends and lover were gone. She felt like nothing without
them. That was why she was almost defeated by Chaos. All she had lived
for had been taken from her -- and two days later they were all
leaving again.
"Usako." He kissed her cheek, right where Haruka had. "I missed you.
Is everyone here?"
Usagi shook her head. "No, the princess and the Starlights aren't here
yet."
"Moonface, we're here. You shouldn't leave your front door open.
Anyone could walk in!" Seiya joked.
"Dinner everyone!" Makoto called. Laughs and chatter. A full home, a
full heart. But Usagi felt the tug of sadness as she took her seat at
the head of the table with Haruka to her left and Mamoru to her right.
From her position she looked up and down the table at all the happy
faces. They had all earned their rest.
Makoto had outdone herself. The Dim Sum was served out, as were the
sushi and rice. They had shark fin soup, salad, natto -- which Haruka
griped about as those who liked it ate it. They had sake and juices,
water and tea. It was a feast for the victors.
All my time is froze in motion
Can't I stay an hour or two or more
Don't let me let you go
Usagi sat back, barely eating, pushing her food aimlessly around her
plate as she watched her friends. They were laughing, joking, smiling.
Usagi wanted to scream, 'Don't you know what tomorrow is? Don't you
realize this is the last time we will all be together like this?' But
she held her tongue, and all too soon, dinner was over and it was time
for dessert.
The main dishes were cleared, and Usagi watched Makoto and Ami bring
out the sweet desserts. Mini cakes, ice cream truffles and cookies,
everyone chattering and laughing, nibbling at each delicacy and
sipping cool sake.
Usagi didn't want the night to end. She thought frantically for a way
to keep everyone there for a while longer. Long enough to tell them
how she felt; long enough for them to know how much they would be
missed. In the three years that she'd known everyone present, it felt
as if the years prior had been nothing more than a pleasant dream, and
only now had she awakened into life. She was afraid, though, that they
might laugh at her if she tried to put any of those feelings into
words.
Then she remembered something she had seen in an American movie. It
was a way to fill an awkward moment with a few meaningful words. She
had thought that it was a very grown up thing to do, and she had
wanted for some time to have to opportunity to "propose a toast"
herself.
*Here's a toast
*To all those who hear me all too well
*Here's to the nights we felt alive
*Here's to the tears you knew you'd cry
*Here's to goodbye
*Tomorrow's gonna come too soon
"I would like to propose a toast to us all. Here's to the defeat of
Chaos and the chance for peace. Here's to long lives and safe
journeys. Here's to never growing apart. Here's to the good that came
out of the evil. Here's to friendships and loves lasting as long as
time, and here's to being alive!" Usagi lifted her glass and then
drank deeply.
"Here, here!" the group agreed.
Mamoru then stood and said, "I think we should each give a toast, just
something short, something for us all to go away with. Here's to the
future and to Destiny; I thank her for bringing us all together."
Ami stood. "Here's to learning the lessons the last three years have
taught us."
"Here's to distant stars, close dreams and future reunions. May none
of us ever lose the music in our hearts." Seiya raised his glass and
sat back down.
"Here's to success and happiness in love," Minako bubbled.
Yaten sat for a moment and then stood. "Here's to newfound friends and
allies."
Rei stood as Yaten sat. "Here's to the greatest future Queen we could
ever hope for."
"Here's to family and time, for they are always on our side." Setsuna
smiled at Usagi.
Hotaru stood and thought for a moment. "Here's to friends who could
not be here; I hope ChibiUsa is happy in the future."
"Here's to victory and honor." Princess Kakyuu looked around the group
as she returned to her seat.
"Here's to," Taiki began, "cooperation and loyalty."
Makoto stood, looking very uncertain. "Here's to old friends and new,
to sincerity and strength. May we all find what we are looking for in
our lives."
Usagi could no longer hold back her tears. She did not want anyone to
go away, she wanted all these beautiful people to stay just as they
were and where they were. She wanted the impossible.
Michiru raised her glass. "Here's to beauty and justice, may we find
both inside us as well as in our world."
The last one to toast was Haruka. Usagi was looking at her plate as
Haruka stood. Usagi never denied she had had an attraction to the
blonde, or even that they had slept together at one point, but this
would be too much. To have Haruka complete the circle, to finish the
mass goodbyes, it would crush her. Her tears fell. She felt a finger
under her chin, lifting her head up.
"Here's to tomorrow, may we all find strength in our tears." Haruka
wiped at Usagi's cheeks and returned to her seat.
At that moment, looking among all the people she loved, Usagi realized
how selfish her wishes were. She knew she could whisper the word
'Stay' and they all would. But that would be clipping their wings. She
now understood, because of the toasts and the tears she saw in
everyone's eyes, that this was no easier for them. They didn't want to
go -- they just had to, they each had something they wanted to
accomplish.
Yes, tomorrow would come too soon for them all, but it was something
they were all willing to face. And they would face it together. She
smiled and raised her cup again.
"Here's to tomorrow!"
*So I lied
*Are you the now or never kind?
*In a day
*And a day love
*I'm gonna be gone for good again
*Are you willing
*To be had
*Are you cool with just tonight?
*Here's a toast
*To all those who hear me all too well
Usagi sat at the kitchen bar in her home watching Makoto cook, while
Rei and Minako fought over who got to help her. Ami sat next to her
reading a book on the chemistry of foods. The blond girl surveyed the
image in front of her and smiled. Her loves, her friends. Such warmth
filled her. They had seen each other through so much, and now it
seemed it was coming to an end. She knew they would be together in the
future, when they were needed. But right now there was no evil for
them to fight, no enemy, just peace. Chaos was sealed.
Usagi had invited the Outer Senshi and the Starlights to her home the
night before they each went their separate ways. The Starlights were
going home, and the Outers had decided to move to a new city and try
for as normal an existence as possible. Ami was trying to get into a
nice college in Kyoto and, if accepted, would be leaving within a
month or two. Rei was going on a sabbatical with her Grandfather for 6
months and would not be in touch with anyone during that time, and
Minako had her first photo shoot in two weeks in Osaka. That left her
and Makoto holding down the home front.
Even Mamoru was going to America, and this time he planned on making
it. He would be gone for that year and, of course, ChibiUsa had
returned to the future. Usagi sighed. All she had come to count on was
changing, and she didn't know if she could survive it. She just wanted
to lock all her friends up in a box and carry them with her always.
For the last 3 years she had believed that they would forever be
together. For three years they had been so close, 14 people who would
have never come together if it weren't for evil. Thirteen people who
had touched her life in such a deep and meaningful way.
And now they were all leaving her.
"Usagi-chan?" Usagi looked to her side. Ami was watching her
carefully. "Are you alright? You looked miles away."
Usagi smiled at her. "No, Ami-chan, I'm right here, right now."
The four girls looked at Usagi, each with an expression of confusion.
Usagi just laughed and poked Ami in the ribs, causing the girl to jump
and fall from her chair. All of them laughed then and forgot Usagi's
sad expression from 2 minutes ago. Usagi vowed to cherish the next 24
hours she had with all her friends, 24 short hours.
*Here's to the nights we felt alive
*Here's to the tears you knew you'd cry
*Here's to goodbye
*Tomorrow's gonna come too soon
The doorbell rang at seven that night. Usagi had dressed up for the
occasion and checked herself one last time in the mirror. Her hair was
up in its standard double buns and pigtail; she never changed that.
She was wearing a nice light pink sundress that showed her back off
and stopped mid thigh. She felt so free that she had wanted to wear
something playful and fun. She took a deep breath and opened the door
with a big smile.
"Odango!" Haruka laughed. "You look nice." Haruka handed Usagi a
covered dish as Michiru gave her a hug.
"No, Haruka did not make it, Usagi-chan," Michiru said when Usagi
looked between the dish and Haruka. "I did. It's Dim Sum I made. We
just need to steam them when we're ready to eat."
Just as Usagi was about to close the door, Setsuna and Hotaru came up
the walk to the house. "Usagi-san!" Hotaru cried out. "Wait for us!"
More hugs and another dish of food. Usagi decided to just leave the
door open.
In the main room sat the Inner Senshi, hugs went around as the Inners
and Outers chatted with each other. Makoto asked Michiru all about the
Dim-Sum and how to make them, Rei and Haruka discussed current events,
and Setsuna and Hotaru sat on the floor to join in a game of Hanafuda
with Ami and Minako. Usagi just stood in the doorway committing every
face and action to memory. ChibiUsa never mentioned the Outers or the
Starlights in the future, so perhaps she would never see them after
tonight. Usagi bit her bottom lip at that idea. To never see these
people again.
"Odango?" Haruka slid up next to Usagi, concern clouding her green
eyes. "Odango, why do you look so pensive?"
"Haruka-san..." Usagi began, "will I see you or Michiru-san after
tonight? Will we always be in touch?" She looked up to Haruka.
Haruka smiled and poked Usagi in the belly. "Of course. Michiru,
Setsuna, Hotaru and I will always be here for you. We are all
connected, Usagi. We are family, and nothing -- not even time and
distance -- can change that. Perk up and enjoy the time we all have
now. Tomorrow will come, but for now, enjoy tonight." Haruka brushed
her lips against Usagi's cheek and left to join Michiru in the
discussion of Chinese dishes.
Usagi sat contemplating Haruka's words while Hotaru cheered at her
victory over the current game of Hanafuda. She was about to go into
the kitchen to help with dinner when she felt strong arms surround
her. A familiar scent of cool wind, warm earth and salty water
surrounded her.
*Put your name
*On the line
*Along with place and time
*Wanna stay
*Not to go
*I wanna ditch the logical
*Here's a toast
*To all those
*Who hear me all too well
"Mamo-chan."
She leaned into him and closed her eyes. She wished that this house,
so full of love and life now, would not empty in a few hours and that
Mamoru's arms would never let her go. She felt so useless and small
when her friends and lover were gone. She felt like nothing without
them. That was why she was almost defeated by Chaos. All she had lived
for had been taken from her -- and two days later they were all
leaving again.
"Usako." He kissed her cheek, right where Haruka had. "I missed you.
Is everyone here?"
Usagi shook her head. "No, the princess and the Starlights aren't here
yet."
"Moonface, we're here. You shouldn't leave your front door open.
Anyone could walk in!" Seiya joked.
"Dinner everyone!" Makoto called. Laughs and chatter. A full home, a
full heart. But Usagi felt the tug of sadness as she took her seat at
the head of the table with Haruka to her left and Mamoru to her right.
From her position she looked up and down the table at all the happy
faces. They had all earned their rest.
Makoto had outdone herself. The Dim Sum was served out, as were the
sushi and rice. They had shark fin soup, salad, natto -- which Haruka
griped about as those who liked it ate it. They had sake and juices,
water and tea. It was a feast for the victors.
All my time is froze in motion
Can't I stay an hour or two or more
Don't let me let you go
Usagi sat back, barely eating, pushing her food aimlessly around her
plate as she watched her friends. They were laughing, joking, smiling.
Usagi wanted to scream, 'Don't you know what tomorrow is? Don't you
realize this is the last time we will all be together like this?' But
she held her tongue, and all too soon, dinner was over and it was time
for dessert.
The main dishes were cleared, and Usagi watched Makoto and Ami bring
out the sweet desserts. Mini cakes, ice cream truffles and cookies,
everyone chattering and laughing, nibbling at each delicacy and
sipping cool sake.
Usagi didn't want the night to end. She thought frantically for a way
to keep everyone there for a while longer. Long enough to tell them
how she felt; long enough for them to know how much they would be
missed. In the three years that she'd known everyone present, it felt
as if the years prior had been nothing more than a pleasant dream, and
only now had she awakened into life. She was afraid, though, that they
might laugh at her if she tried to put any of those feelings into
words.
Then she remembered something she had seen in an American movie. It
was a way to fill an awkward moment with a few meaningful words. She
had thought that it was a very grown up thing to do, and she had
wanted for some time to have to opportunity to "propose a toast"
herself.
*Here's a toast
*To all those who hear me all too well
*Here's to the nights we felt alive
*Here's to the tears you knew you'd cry
*Here's to goodbye
*Tomorrow's gonna come too soon
"I would like to propose a toast to us all. Here's to the defeat of
Chaos and the chance for peace. Here's to long lives and safe
journeys. Here's to never growing apart. Here's to the good that came
out of the evil. Here's to friendships and loves lasting as long as
time, and here's to being alive!" Usagi lifted her glass and then
drank deeply.
"Here, here!" the group agreed.
Mamoru then stood and said, "I think we should each give a toast, just
something short, something for us all to go away with. Here's to the
future and to Destiny; I thank her for bringing us all together."
Ami stood. "Here's to learning the lessons the last three years have
taught us."
"Here's to distant stars, close dreams and future reunions. May none
of us ever lose the music in our hearts." Seiya raised his glass and
sat back down.
"Here's to success and happiness in love," Minako bubbled.
Yaten sat for a moment and then stood. "Here's to newfound friends and
allies."
Rei stood as Yaten sat. "Here's to the greatest future Queen we could
ever hope for."
"Here's to family and time, for they are always on our side." Setsuna
smiled at Usagi.
Hotaru stood and thought for a moment. "Here's to friends who could
not be here; I hope ChibiUsa is happy in the future."
"Here's to victory and honor." Princess Kakyuu looked around the group
as she returned to her seat.
"Here's to," Taiki began, "cooperation and loyalty."
Makoto stood, looking very uncertain. "Here's to old friends and new,
to sincerity and strength. May we all find what we are looking for in
our lives."
Usagi could no longer hold back her tears. She did not want anyone to
go away, she wanted all these beautiful people to stay just as they
were and where they were. She wanted the impossible.
Michiru raised her glass. "Here's to beauty and justice, may we find
both inside us as well as in our world."
The last one to toast was Haruka. Usagi was looking at her plate as
Haruka stood. Usagi never denied she had had an attraction to the
blonde, or even that they had slept together at one point, but this
would be too much. To have Haruka complete the circle, to finish the
mass goodbyes, it would crush her. Her tears fell. She felt a finger
under her chin, lifting her head up.
"Here's to tomorrow, may we all find strength in our tears." Haruka
wiped at Usagi's cheeks and returned to her seat.
At that moment, looking among all the people she loved, Usagi realized
how selfish her wishes were. She knew she could whisper the word
'Stay' and they all would. But that would be clipping their wings. She
now understood, because of the toasts and the tears she saw in
everyone's eyes, that this was no easier for them. They didn't want to
go -- they just had to, they each had something they wanted to
accomplish.
Yes, tomorrow would come too soon for them all, but it was something
they were all willing to face. And they would face it together. She
smiled and raised her cup again.
"Here's to tomorrow!"