Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ When Destiny Changed ❯ Chapter Nine ( Chapter 9 )

Woo hoo! People really reviewed this time. Kay a few things to straighten out. Hey Miko, I never said Usagi was alive. ^^ Sorry but that's all that can be said. Remember this story will take a lot on your mind and you have to pay attention to every detail. Do not be thrown off by what my friend Alan likes to call, `a bunny trail'. There are a few. So Mamoru said Usako, that will have later meaning. Or it could be that he just thought of her when he saw this girl. Sigh Anyway, this chapter will kinda point out where I'm getting at… I hope. So, remember (*Reia mutters, not so quietly* Miko), I never said she was alive ^~. Enjoy. Cha!

SFS

PS: I'm not sure whether I'll be doing the first person thing too much. My sis has been getting confused by it, even when I point out who it is. Anyone else feel this way, let me know. Arigato.

Chapter Nine

He was standing in darkness and it was cold. He'd never seen this place, yet he knew it was not a good feeling that crawled over him. It felt like someone walking over his grave.

Then a low chuckle sounded from somewhere around him. He spun about, looking and seeing nothing. This place, what was it?

`They say we dream of things to come or things that have passed. Sometimes the dreams are livid and sometimes just a figment of our imagination: dreams of distant wishes or woeful sorrows. Do you believe this to be true?'

Mamoru spun again this time he saw the dim shadowed outline of another not far away. They were tall and outlined by a slight light. He could make out no other features other then that his voice sounded male. The voice chuckled.

`You have questions in your mind and that is what caught my attention. You know what I seek or so your memories betray of you. I know the doubts you have in your mind. I come here to make them flare.' His chuckle became a dark laughter.

His shadowed hand flickered to the side and a soft glowing light appeared beside him. Mamoru inhaled sharply as there floated his light of love. Her head was hung low, her eyes vacant.

"Usako," he tried to choke, but his voice was weak. Her head looked up slowly, her eyes unchanging, stains of past tears on her face. There was no recognition in her eyes. The shadow chuckled again.

`This angel doesn't know you. You think you know her? She is only a shadow of what is passed.' His sharp word was followed by a streak of light shooting at the girl, piercing her to come out from in front. Her face twisted in agony and she crumbled into nothingness. Mamoru cried out, his eyes welling up again.

"Usako! No, not again!"

`You seem to think this is she? You are a blind man. She never was yours.' For some reason, memories of the time of Galaxia's attack floated to his mind. The shadow gestured again and a small shimmering silver light floated in between them, grazing a few ray towards the shadow, his face barely outlined but still indistinguishable.

The glow flickered as if barely holding on. It seemed to wish to approach Mamoru but something held it back. The shadow chuckled, `Look closely, Prince. Do you recognize it?'

Mamoru's heart fluttered at this light. It's glow, so warm and familiar, yet weak… and fading.

"No," he whispered, his throat soar, "No… no, I won't believe it!"

`Ahh, but it is true the angel is gone, is it not? You lost her, this is true. The angel flies no more.'

Mamoru clenched his eyes shut, his fists tight. He looked at this glow once again. It flickered and then vanished. He reached out, touching nothing. It was gone.

`Dies of a tragic circumstance. I revel in misfortune and I laugh at your suffering. You know not how you truly lost her.' His laugh went wild with wickedness, his hand rose into the air in a triumphant clench, the glow near his grasp, fluttering as if to cry out in pain.

`I own the angel now! Her spirit is forever mine! I took what you will never have!' his laughter rang around Mamoru who fell to his knees, covering his ears, tears rushing down his face.

"No. NOOO!!!!"

`She dead' something whispered within, `She's dead and nothing you do will ever bring her back. Her very spirit floats before you. She's never coming back!'

He crumpled to the ground.

~~~

Never coming back…

Never…

Mamoru rose in a start, cold sweat dripping down his face and chest, his breathing rapid. He clenched the sheets before him, his eyes wide and his hair wild. The dream, it had been so real. But it was just a dream… wasn't it?

He leaned forward, trying to calm his frazzled nerves, his breath steadying. Dream or not, he felt the impact of it still as he shook with inner sobs. He showed no tears anymore… if he could help it.

Glancing to the window he saw that the moon was beginning to set as sunlight peeked from the distant horizon, soft shades of pink touching the sky. It was just over two weeks ago that they had seen the manor; the effects of what happened still lingered. Perhaps that is what caused the dream.

Was it? The doubt crept over him like a soft breeze. Are you so sure?

"It… can't mean… anything significant," he mumbled. He didn't feel he could sleep anymore so he threw back the covers, reaching for the pajama top he'd through off sometime in the night. Quietly, he left his room, heading for the kitchen, seeing the sleeping form of Ami on the couch, books sitting here and there. Obviously she had tried to study to keep awake. The lamp beside her was still on.

This brought a soft grin to Mamoru as he opened the fridge, taking out a pitcher of orange juice. He glanced at the clock, seeing it was almost 7 am as he poured himself a glass. He'd let her sleep a while longer before waking her. She deserved it.

Over the past while, they had gathered together to discuss possible explanations for the manor and its secret lab. Between Ami and Setsuna, it was hard for either of them to tell whether it was a good purpose or not. There was no evidence left either then a few lab reports on nothing unordinary. Mamoru had said nothing to the others and assumed Ami, Haruka and Setsuna had spoke of it to the others when he was not present, for they did on occasion glance his way, there eyes saddened.

He finished his glass, setting it done. Whatever the case may be, he knew Usagi was gone. Dream or not, he felt in his heart that she was missing. The thoughts, feeling of yesterday, nothing… they had to be just that… nothing.

But then why did his heart tug if only slightly. With an angry shake he walked out of the kitchen, going into the bathroom, turning on the shower and stood before the mirror as it warmed. He leaned against the cool porcelain sink, his head lowered in thought. Glancing up he noticed the mirror had begun to fog up with steam.

A flash of light, a sad face and soft words were suddenly there.

Mamo-chan…

He blinked, the air knocked from him. But there was nothing there. Then again, it was like someone stood behind him. Her face was so sad, her hands clasped before her. He could hear a soft weeping.

Mamo-chan…

He blinked again, spinning around. Nothing. Facing the mirror once more, he was sure he heard someone cry out. Furiously he wiped away the steam from the mirror but saw nothing.

This is maddening, he thought, running a shaking hand through his hair. Turning from the mirror, he undressed and entered the shower, the hot water stinging his cold skin before becoming a welcome warmth. He sighed, leaning to one side as he ran his hands through his tangle of wet hair. He tried to put aside the strange dream as well as what had just transpired, going over in his mind what would be done for the day.

He didn't really know how long he stood there, leaning against the shower wall, his mind going sleepy. There was a warm touch going over his shoulder and down his chest, like a hand rubbing from behind. Then it felt like someone stood behind him, embracing him soothingly and rubbing their hands over his back and chest. He sighed contentedly, not really awake at this point.

A teasing breeze caressed his ear, tiny kisses dotting his neck and shoulder. He smiled, his eyes closed and just drank in the feeling. Without thinking he turned to the source, his arms going about the source. There was a twinkle of laughter, her hair accenting her tiny frame.

He ran his hand along her jaw line as she trailed kisses on his chest, wrapping her arms about him. He encompassed her, holding her close, a kiss to her wet silk hair. She felt so right in his arms, fit in all the right places. She was meant for his arms only. He looked down into her cornflower blue eyes.

`Mamo-chan…'

He was suddenly shocked into reality, the sleepy feeling running away like water down the drain. In that quick moment, she vanished but not without a look of sadness in her eyes. He paled, his lips trembling, his hands shaking where once he had held her. His legs could no longer support him. Struggling, he grabbed a towel, stumbling from the bathroom to fall into his bed. Before he hit, he was already weeping once again, sobs racking his body.

"Why? Why am I tortured? Have you not finished with me yet?!" He shouted into the air to no one. Had not fate been cruel enough as to take her from him, only to torture him with memories of her. So vivid, so real, he could still smell the sweet scent of her hair near his face. He turned restlessly on the bed, tears drying on his face. Was he finally losing it? Was all that had happened with the others been for naught? Was it just that he would go mad no matter what they did?

No. He wouldn't. Yes, he lost what mattered to him most… his family, his love, and his very best friend. But Haruka was right. They needed him, even if it made no sense to him anymore. But this place… He rose, dressing slowly, standing before his window, watching the sun rise higher in the early morning as threw on a light button shirt.

"This place…" he muttered sadly.

She'd been watching from the door for sometime as he stood at the window. She had heard the sudden sound of a door being thrown open and stumbling coming out soon after. Having felt disoriented from her current frame of mind and trying to remember where she was, it had taken about ten minutes to realize something was wrong.

She had approached the partly closed door and heard the sobs within. It struck her hard anytime she heard it. It was one thing to hear a man cry but even more when you knew why. After a moment or two, the sobs had stopped and soon she had heard him moving about, dressing and then silence. It had been after a minute or two of silence that she felt brave enough to gently move the door open a little.

So she had been watching him since then, saying nothing. His face was hard to read but Ami felt she knew he was coming to some sort of decision. She leaned against the doorframe, watching that serious young man that she had come to be good friends with. They had shared the same dream of becoming doctors. He had been so full of energy then, studying with such fervor.

That had increased once he had even more reason to become something strong. Usagi would be at his side and he had the family he always dreamed of. Sure Ami studied with that same will power but she knew how important family was. Her own family was her reason for going on, being strong for both her mother and far off father. She knew to lose them would be more devastating to her then anything. For Mamoru, it seemed even worse.

She sighed gently, looking down. This caused Mamoru to turn.

"Ami-chan. Gomen nasai, did I wake you?"

"It's okay. I needed to get up anyway. I have some studying to do at the library and then meet the others at Crown Parlor."

He grinned a little, "Getting ready for your second last year of school, ne? Seems vacation ends too soon." He was quiet again.

"Yeah," Ami answered, "I suppose. I need the best marks I can get if I wish to enter medical school. I have my future… to think about." She said the last part quietly, seeing how his face had twitched ever so slightly at the word "future".

"Do you plan to return to KO?"

He hadn't really thought about it but after his recent thoughts, he knew the answer to that. He said nothing.

"Mamoru-san, are you okay? Should I wait till Minako-chan comes?"

He shook his head; "It's not necessary. I can't make you take anymore time out of your schedule then you already have. Besides, I have some things I want to do. I might just have Minako not come this time. I know," he nodded at her coming protest, "Haruka would not hear of it. I promise I'll be good today," he half heartily laughed.

"If it makes you feel better, take the bottles away or whatever," he made an off hand gesture, staring out the window again.

Ami wanted so much to help him, seeing the pain cross his handsome features like the rising sunlight. "Mamoru-san… I… Is there something you wish to speak about? Is it about that visit to the Kitaro Manor?"

He flinched again. She didn't know how close she was at guessing the reason for his behavior of before. He almost felt he could tell her what he'd seen, about the dream. She had been after all the first senshi that Usagi had befriended. They'd been together as a team the longest. Maybe…

"Ami-chan… I…" he couldn't, his mind just shut down at that point, doubts welling up. What would she think? Would she believe he'd finally lost it? Tell the others perhaps? He didn't want to feel anymore a prisoner then he already did. His lips tightened and he looked away.

Ami sighed sadly. She felt he was about to tell her something important but it seemed something kept him from it again. Did he share his thoughts with anyone anymore? Maybe Motoki would know something. She'd have to go talk with him. He was, after all, Mamoru best friend for the longest time.

"I'd like some time alone," he said suddenly, "If that's all right."

Ami nodded, stepping away, then turning back, "Minako-chan will be here at ten or eleven. Will you be all right?"

"Hai, I'll be fine." He glanced up, his eyes seemed so haunted and a strange look came over him, one Ami hadn't seen before but it worried her none the less, "Arigato Ami-chan. For everything."

With some worry in her mind, she nodded and left, gathering her books from the living room, grabbing her jacket and paused. She silently step near the bedroom door again, staying out of sight. She could hear soft words muttered.

"This place… too many memories. Too many… Usako…" her name was spoken silently, the sound of sadness deep in his voice. With morning in her heart, Ami quietly went to the apartment door, leaving without a sound.

Mamoru stayed in his room for a while longer before going into his living room, sitting down on the couch and grabbing the phone. Dialing a number he waited for a while.

"Hai, Motoki? You sound sleepy. Gomen nasai. Hai, its Mamoru here. I was wondering if you could come over around this morning. Yeah, it is almost 8 already. Nani? Oh Ami-chan left just a little while ago. Hai, I'm fine. Just have a request; can't really talk about it over the phone. 8:30? Okay, see you then. Ja ne!"

Clicking the phone off, he grabbed the phone book, looked through it before finding what he sought, then took up the phone again. After a pause, someone answered.

"Mushi mushi. Chiba Mamoru. What flights do you have leaving this morning?"

~~~

Since his visit to the large manor, he had been restless. His search felt fruitless and he became restless. His landlady noticed this and felt she had to know what bothered him. She was a nice woman but he really didn't want to have to explain his motives for being in town. It would only confuse her or worse, make her think the worst of him. So he tried to avoid her, still thanking her for her concerns and that he was fine.

He tried to stay more and more out of the building when he wasn't working there and spent a little more time at the small coffee shop, talking with Kyla's son more often, asking a few questions. It seemed he had not returned to his previous job and it did not sound like he would hear anything from them. It was like they had vanished.

His mother was saddened by this but kept him pushing for that big dream and made sure his studies were not hampered. On occasion he saw that the young man would sit at a table, surrounded by books, as onlookers would chuckle good humored. He would only grin sheepishly and carry on, crumpling the occasional paper and blush when his mother came to dote on him again.

"Anything new about your old job?" he asked casually one day, adjusting his shades.

"No," Tye sighed, "I guess I must have messed up or something. Things were real strange the last time I returned there."

He perked up a little, "Oh? How so?"

"Well, I remember getting a holiday from the doc for some good work. I can't remember what it was though, isn't that funny? Well, the strangest thing, I don't even remember what I did on vacation. I just know I came back to work, feeling like a zombie, somewhat drained. I remember Seska-san commenting that my vacation must have been more work then work itself for me to appear that tired. Dr. Yahmado even seemed worried but I have a feeling it was about more then my health. He seemed rather surprised when I didn't recognize someone. Even more so for the fact that I apparently had a longer vacation then he had initially given me."

"But that's the strange thing. I don't think I was gone longer then a week. But it seems I was four days late. But it turned out okay, I guess. Just that things seemed so much more tighter from then on; people seemed tense even worried. I don't know, maybe I had a real bad case of the flu and it just made my mind haze. Mom had said I didn't look so good during my time away from work. What do you think?"

He had been silent, his chin in his hands and a serious look in his eyes as if studying the tabletop.

It should not have had that effect. Something tells me there's been more done here then I did.

"You okay?" Tye asked, curious as he started out of his thoughts. Tye chuckled, "You looked kinda spaced out there for a moment. So what do you think?"

"I believe you are probably right. It more then likely was a bad case of the flu. Tell, have you talked with anyone you didn't know about your work?"

"No. I really shouldn't even being mentioning it to you but mom likes you so I know you're trust worthy."

He was quiet. This was a very trusting lad. But the question was, how trusting.

"So, no one has approached you? Maybe during your time off, you met someone…"

Tye was thoughtful, trying hard to think of anything he'd missed. While he looked down in the thought, the other was still staring hard into the boy's face. Without a sound, he removed the glasses and it seemed as if time itself stopped around them, the world becoming shadow. Tye didn't move as he stared into the table.

His hand moved ever so slightly to Tye, gently touching the young man's temple. His eyes closed and he concentrated, pulling images and thoughts from him like cards in a deck. After a moment, he was startled by something and the concentration broke, the world around them appearing normal. Recovering quickly, he placed his shades back on as Tye looked up.

"Nope, sorry. Nothing comes to mind." His brow furrowed a bit, "How come you want to know anyway?"

This question surprised him but he showed no interest but a shrug, "Curiosity. You seemed to really love your job."

Tye sighed, "Yeah. And whoever she was, she was something." He leaned on an arm, looking day dreamy.

His brow furrowed, "Who?"

"Oh. The girl the doc was so interested in. He seemed surprised I didn't know her. I guess she was a guest or something. She didn't say much or anything really. Only seemed so pale and fragile, always staring out a window or sticking close to Dr. Yahmado. I felt sorry for her, though I don't know why. But her eyes, that's what drew you to her, to know what she knew. Her face was breathtaking."

He sighed again and looked in surprise at his companion who was looking down, his jaw in a gritted gesture, his hands in tight fists before him.

"A-are you okay?"

The dark hared man looked up quickly, slowly regaining some composure. He rose, turning to leave.

"Wait," Tye said quickly, "I wonder… what did you say your name was anyway?"

"I didn't." he answered in a husky voice and left, leaving a very confused but curious Tye behind.

~~~

So, he had seen him again. But it had worked, the boy remembered nothing. But something had caught him when he scanned his mind.

A feeling, a familiar thought. He wasn't the only one to have searched this boy. But how would they have known? He had taken the picture from him and left him to awake on his own. But what if… He grew restless as he continued his walk down busy street.

Could it be someone was watching him, seeking the same thing by following his trail? It seems they had been more successful in finding the research facility before he did. But it could not be they who he most hated and feared. They'd have killed the boy.

The whole thing gave him a headache. Feeling tired from his night's search, he decided to head to the park, a place he had become much grateful for. It reminded him so much of her and the love gardens that had been hers.

My love, I swore I'd protect you to the end of days. I failed. But I will find you again.

Finding a shaded bench by a fountain, he sat, hands deep in his pockets and his color turned up. It seemed a problem for him here as anywhere that some females would suddenly go alight at his appearance and even try to kiss him. This had irritated him to no end. He had decided something needed to be done.

His shades never left his face if he could help it, as well he always wore the black leather jacket. But what helped the most were the wristbands. He kept them out of sight and no one saw them from within his sleeves. It would attract too much attention, like his first appearance had. It seemed no one wore cloaks here. The bands flashed briefly in the sunlight as he pulled his sleeve up to glance at one.

These held power, confusing those who saw him, never for them to really think twice who he might be. It at least kept these females from throwing themselves at him. Were they all like that here?

The day was sunny and the park nice and quiet. At least briefly.

There was a sudden female shriek and for a second he felt his disguise had not worked. But this was not a pleasant shriek. On the contrary, it sounded horribly terrified. Leaping from his seat, he charged through the trees behind him towards the sound. Reaching another part of the park, he saw a woman cry out in terror at the scene before her. It caused him alarm but he was silent.

A hovering darkness floated before her, its very presence reeked of darkness and death. It was this that seemed to cause the woman fear, as the area around her darkened.

For him, it caused an inner rage. He knew who this was. His teeth were bared, fury and rage seeping in him he threw aside the glasses. But even in the anger, a fear lay within him as well.

How dare he! He would come here, how could he know? I won't let him!

`Hehe, my dear, why scream? This will be painless… for a moment.' That familiar voice, it's same mocking laughter.

`I only seek what you may hide. I know she is here. Now, come forth!'

The woman's shrieks became ever more terrified as a beam was suddenly shot at her. Her head whipped back, the danger of it snapping obvious as the light pierced her like a blade. She was suddenly mute as it went through her and she floated limp in the air, falling to the ground. A tiny blue glow floated over, fluttering like a candle ready to be blown out.

The darkness cursed. `A waste of energy! You cannot hide!' it seemed to shout to it's surroundings, `I will find you! As for this pathetic one…' Something formed over the woman's fallen body like a dark hand and made to grab the fluttering flame.

He made to run when the hand suddenly stopped and the darkness chuckled.

`I feel someone else is here. Yes, you seek her too. I knew I'd find you as well. It is you who prevented her first taking and it you who set her free once more. For that you can watch as I take yet another!' The hand went forward.

Before he could run out, something shot at the darkness. He stared in surprise. It had been like a thundering light, slapping the hand away. With a slight tremble from his inner rage and fear, he didn't move. What was that power that saved this woman?

The tiny blue glow returned to the woman and someone appeared in the clearing, followed by several others. His eyes widened slightly as they appeared to be female warriors, five of them, all wearing similar fuka's with various colors, one of which held a staff.

The one who had first appeared must have been the one to fire. Her eyes fired up, electricity swelling in her hands.

"JUPITER THUNDER CLAP ZAP!"

The charge only sizzled before vanishing within the floating darkness. There was an irritated sound, the voice so unearthly.

`What is this? You dare defy me with parlor tricks?'

They didn't seem very much in the way of talking, a short hared blond one powering up as she spoke in a husky voice.

"We dare. WORLD SHAKING!"

"MERCURY RHAPSODY!"

"DEAD SCREAM!"

Three powers were thrown hard against the darkness. It only grunted in anger, it's form shrinking into the shape of a tall figure in a cloak. But this figure defied physics of light. No light touched him: it was like he was a shadow himself.

`You annoy me, wretched humans. Nothing can affect me, let alone your so called power. Why do you risk yourself for this female?'

"We stop scum like you," came the angry voice of the brown hared girl, her voice perfectly seething, "We will not be destroyed and we won't let this planet be attacked by half-witted filth like you!"

`You despicable waste of space! I can have whatever I want, no matter the dimension! I could take this planet if that was my true wish and nothing you miscreants could do would stop me! I would take you now if-"

"Like hell you will!" The blonde suddenly reached up and pulled a blade from no where. With a leap she charged him, the sword held high.

"SPACE BLASTER!"

He flashed from view as she landed, spinning to meet him again. His hand came forward and a bolt came at her. Her eyes widened but she was suddenly knocked aside by the aqua hared girl. The bolt slammed into a tree, causing it crash to the ground in a charred heap.

The girls were quite surprised by this but said nothing. He laughed, his hand pointed at them.

`Funny, I knew ones much like you. They fought with the same tenacity you have shown. I wonder…' but then he was not laughing anymore as he spotted something not far behind them.

A raven hared girl stood with a smaller dark hared girl who held a black/gray cat in her arms. They were well hidden it seemed but he spotted them none the less.

Anger seethed, obvious frustration as well. The dark figure was riling in mad anger.

`No! You're all dead! You cannot be here! I killed you to get her! No!' he suddenly shouted to the air.

`You do this, don't you? You send ghosts to fight your battle! You will not show your face, coward? Well then, watch as I kill again!' He looked at them, even if they saw no face, it was evident he was maniacal, his hand towards them as a fiery glow appeared, revealing a dark clothed arm. The girls could only stare.

~~~

A sudden blur of black shot into the air, spinning over the dark figure to land before him. He seemed to have expected this as he suddenly flashed a sword before him, blocking the fierce blow of another come down hard. For a moment or two all the senshi could see was the back of another dark clothed figure in a tight sword lock with their attacker.

This one wore a black hooded cloak and evident leather boots beneath from where they stood. Who was it? Was this who the dark man spoke to?

The lock was broken as both jumped from each other, the hooded one leaping into a near by trees, crouched and holding the sword before him, his eyes glaring in pure fury. His face was covered by black silk from just below his eyes right to his neck and black leather seemed the choice of clothing. His forehead was shadowed yet something twinkled that couldn't quite be seen.

"I see you have form after all, vile creature!" he hissed from his perch, "All the better to plunge you with your rightful death!"

`Ah, I see you haven't changed much,' the darkness chuckled, `Still think you can defeat me, do you? If I remember correctly, you failed miserably the last time.'

He leapt from the tree, their swords meeting with actual sparks as they hit and crossed several times. He swept a sidekick, which nearly took the darkness if he had not leapt, bringing his sword down hard. The hooded figure, who had landed on his back, brought his sword up to block, threw back the dark one and rolling away, flipping into the air and landing in another tree.

The dark one breathed heavily but gave a bitter laugh, `You seem to improve each time.'

"I did well to take her when I did."

`Ha, but you lost her as well just as quickly. You failed even to save your own planet!' this was spat out with such mockery, causing the other to hollow in wrath, lunging forward, his sword flashing.

But the dark one was gone as he approached the ground, flipping at the last minute to stand in a crouch before the girls, breathing hard.

`Perhaps we will meet again, impudent fool. But I expect by then I will find her. I know now you never did!' A triumphant laugh sounded as the area grew light again, returning to it's normal appearance before the attack.

He choked in air, slamming a fist into the ground, actually causing it to shake slightly. Uranus was surprised by this power, as were the others. It was then that he looked up, as if seeing them for the first time. He flipped up into a stand, and took off in a sprint.

"Wait!" Mercury yelled as he vanished into the trees, "Who are you? How do you know that entity?"

He had paused for a moment, still hidden from view. Should he answer? What good would it do them? Or him? His fists tightened. He knew one was running his way and he leapt into a tree in a flip, seeing it to be the blonde again. She was fast it seemed… but he was faster.

He didn't have time for meaningless questions. He'd been found by the darkness and knew he could not stay here much longer. It only lead him to who he sought. And he had the other problem of finding who it was that had tracked the boy.

Taking a one last glance back into the clearing, he left the tree and was suddenly knocked to the ground. He rolled with ease, his sword forward. What stood before him caused him surprise.

The dark hared girl. He could see her violet eyes looking into him, her child's face one that seemed to know similar pain that it should never see. She stood inches from his sword tip, just staring at him. He didn't move, his breathing still trying to steady from his recent battle.

"You're looking for her, aren't you?" her small voice spoke, her face unchanging.

He said nothing, lowering his sword. He heard the snap of a twig and leapt to his feet, glancing at the girl before vanishing from view. He thought he heard someone say, `Hotaru-chan, you shouldn't have disappeared like that. Something might have happened.'

As he grew farther away, his appearance suddenly glowed and out of the trees came the ebony hared man of before, leather jacket and shades, hands in his pockets.

As he continued his walk down the park path, he took notice of some girls walking some distance away, all looking serious. It was of no consequence to him. The girl had caused his mind to wander again, back to his time in the mall.

Could it be that she was the same he saw there? Watching him?

~~~

"Motoki-chan, what are you doing here?" Minako had been surprised to see Motoki answer the door instead of Mamoru. She'd been late in arriving. Instead of 10, she ended up coming at 12:30, having to speak with the girls about an attack that had happened in the park. She then had rushed from Rei's to Mamoru's.

Motoki let her in, closing the door. His features seemed troubled. Minako became worried.

"Nani? Is Mamoru okay? Where is he?"

"He's… fine. He asked me to give this to you, for all of us I suppose. You might want to sit down." He handed her an envelope as she sat down onto a couch, feeling very worried. Gingerly, she opened the letter and read.

"'Minna,

Gomen nasai. I cannot stay here any longer. The memories are too strong and I feel I will never come to terms with my loss. As you will not leave me to my pain and let me go as I wish, I have decided I can no longer stay. Usako's memory is too strong here. I can feel, breath, smell her very presence in this place. I need time… alone.

Motoki will take care of my place. Don't blame him for letting me go. I would have with or without him knowing. This was better, I believe.

It is better this way. I can no longer stay here… not so long as I feel her so strongly there. You would think me mad and I cannot explain my reasoning. I will be traveling. Where, I don't know. I have a trust fund left by my parents and money saved for… it was for something else. I will be all right financially.

Do not look for me. I don't know when or if I will return. Believe me when I say I am no longer a prince and it is no longer your duty to protect what has died. The royalties you knew are no more. Be happy in your `futures' and forget about me.

Gomen nasai.

Mamoru'

By this time, Minako was in tears, choking back sobs. Motoki lay a comforting arm about her shoulders. With trembling fingers, she tapped her watch and Haruka's face appeared. She grew concerned as she saw Minako's face.

"Minako-chan, what is it? What has happened?"

Minako gulped a sob down and spoke softly.

"Mamoru… he's gone."

~~~

crumples to the ground in exhaustion, feeling very ill and tired

Riea: Oh dear. Looks like Faerie won't be able to do a thing for a long time.

Mitts appears: Nani? What's wrong?

Reia: Poor thing. She's been working as night supervisor for the last while and it's after 1 am now so she's really tired. She hasn't been sleeping very well and now she finished a 16-page chapter.

Mitts: Oh my! I do hope her readers will be appreciative. What sacrifice!

Reia: nods sternly Yep! That what you call true devotion. Shhh. Let's let her sleep.

Mitts: Yes, night then. Vanishes

Riea: whispers Okay people. Let's give Faerie a big surprise in the morning and give lots of reviews. She deserves it. She's been so tired and sick and really should have been asleep long ago. Kay? Arigato.

Mitts appears again briefly: And Miko I'm still out for you blood vanishes

Riea: Mitts! Bad girl! Gomen Miko. Just remember what Faerie said. No mention has been made of Usagi being alive ^^. The rest is up to everyone to guess.

And don't get confused people. Let her know if you do. Answers are appreciated for those who can.

Faint murmurs are heard from the sleepy Faerie

Reia: chuckle Kay, now go and review please! ^^ Ja ne!