Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ When Destiny Changed ❯ Chapter Ten ( Chapter 10 )

Chapter Ten

(Two months later)

The Senshi were saddened by Mamoru's sudden departure and once again meetings were quiet. No one really knew what to say. Most often they met at the Crown Parlor and chatted about other things. Hotaru was quiet as usual but this time something seems to occupy her mind. Was it that appearance of the strangely dressed fighter months back? But why think of it still?

Since Mamoru's departure, the Senshi had continued with the research but still came up with nothing. With the sudden attack a few months' back things had got busier. They were determined to find out what the dark one and the fighter had meant and why it happened. There had been no attacks since but that didn't mean more wouldn't come. They could feel the thickness in the air of something coming.

"Any word yet?" asked Ami suddenly as Motoki sat down on his break from the arcade. But the answer was the same. A shake of the head as everyone sighed sadly.

"I can't believe he'd be so stupid," muttered Haruka. "It's too dangerous for him to be out of our sight, especially now when evil is back again."

"I know you mean well, Haruka-san," Makoto said, a little peeved, "But remember, he's not a baby. Don't you remember? One of the reasons he left was because of us. Our crowding him."

"I wish I'd seen this coming," Rei spoke softly as she chewed on a thumbnail. Minako looked at her.

"And you can stop blaming yourself for everything. Gees, you'd blame yourself if a hurricane suddenly hit!"

Makoto and Ami gave Minako a hard look who in turn reddened a bit, replying meekly, "Well, she would."

"Do we know the prince is all right? By the sounds of his letter, it did sound dangerous again." Michiru said worriedly.

Setsuna took a calm sip of her green tea before replying, "As far as I can tell, the time line remain as it did after the accident. Mamoru-san is alive."

"Demo, for how long?" Rei asked, more to her self then anyone. No one said anything in return.

"What about the mystery fighter? And this `dark one'? We haven't found anything on them yet."

Again Setsuna replied, "I have found a disruption in the dimensional veins. Something has punctured through and left quite a gap from its entry. I had quite the damage control on that one. Demo it still has me puzzled."

"Wait," Ami suddenly asked, "'Dimensional veins'? You mean like other universes? Other places?"

"Yes. More then our galaxy exists and most often gateways are produced to provide travel. Though those gateways have more or less died off since Queen Selenity's rule, there are still a few remaining between the various veins."

Ami was thoughtful, "What about parallel universes?"

This surprised everyone, including Setsuna who raised an eyebrow, "Nani? How does this question come from this?"

Shaking her head as if trying to remember something, Ami replied, "I don't know, demo it just came to mind. The whole idea that dimensions exist does coexist with parallel dimensions, doesn't it? Well, I suppose it just seemed to question to ask."

"You think this enemy could be from another dimension, even a parallel universe?" Makoto asked in amazement.

"Well, I don't know. It does seem so far fetched. But why even think about parallel universes?" Ami asked this question to herself quietly.

Setsuna was thoughtful before speaking again. "It would explain why I have not come across anything easily. Even Galaxia eventually left a trail."

"I have sensed nothing so dark since that day," Rei said.

"And nothing has entered our system from what our planets feel," Michiru said as Haruka and even Hotaru nodded.

"Demo," Hotaru suddenly spoke in a quiet tone, to everyone's amazement, "I feel something."

"Hotaru-chan?"

"Dark one, here demo there. It seeks her. It brings darkness, pain." She shivered.

Michiru wrapped an arm around her as Haruka spoke gently, "Who, Hotaru?"

"With no name, no face. It seeks her."

The others grew worried. What was this riddle she spoke?

"It takes the very glow from hearts. But now it wants hers."

"Please Hotaru-chan. Make sense." Minako said in desperation.

"Floated in darkness. Now it has a host." Hotaru violently shivered and even tears formed in her eyes. Michiru held her closer.

"It's all right Hotaru. We'll find it."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Pardon moi, monsieur. Comme talle vu?" (AN: Forgive me if my French is spelled wrong. It has been three years!)

He started from his trance, glancing up from resting his head on his hand. An elegant red head, her hair tied up in an intricate pattern, while the rest flowed free have way to her waist, almond shaped green eyes and soft ivory skin, was looking down at him, concern written on her face. She wore a navy blue suit, much like that of a naval officer.

"E-excuse moi?" rather slowly.

She blinked, "Parle vu francais?"

That he could understand. Sheepishly, he shook his head.

Smiling she nodded, "Forgive me," she replied in somewhat broken speech, "My translation is not so good. But I see your French is not much better." She grinned which in turn made him feel even more sheepish.

"May I sit?" she asked. He nodded as he continued to stir his café latte, not really saying anything or motioning to speak. After a moment of silence, she cleared her throat.

"I thought something must be wrong with such a young man as yourself. You have sat here alone for the past hour. My friends and I were chatting when I noticed you. Do not fear they are not near. You do seem un-wanting in company."

He said nothing, but looked to the river not far away from the small outdoor bistro. She sat there, quietly waiting, her hands on her lap and an understanding expression. Finally he sighed shakily.

"That is because I have no need of it." He sipped at his latte. She tilted her head to the side in a thoughtful expression. Leaning in a bit, she whispered.

"Ah, but I think you do."

His head suddenly shot up, looking at her. She had spoken with no trouble, no accent or anything that time. And her voice, it was familiar.

"Unazuki-chan? But… how? You…" (AN: For those not familiar with the Japanese version, this is Motoki's sister, otherwise known in the dubbed version as Elizabeth.)

She chuckled quietly, "I know, I look different. Well, I had been gone from home for almost a year now, I'd have thought you'd have known that."

"Yes, Motoki-chan told me you were attending a school somewhere in Europe. But here… your hair… and that accent. You seem so different."

Again she grinned, "It would seem France has been good to me. My hair has been growing quite rapidly and my French has gotten quite good. As for my looks, well thank you. I thought I recognized you. I thought I'd try to fool you, maybe cheer you." Then her looked turned grave.

"You've kept in contact with Motoki?" she asked. He nodded.

"Every now and then. I don't want to tell him where I am though. I'm afraid the girls might dig the information out of him so I thought I'd save him the trouble." He sipped at his drink again as a waiter came and asked Unazuki what she'd like. She ordered and turned back as he left.

"Mamoru-san… Motoki-chan told me."

He looked her way. How could she know? Hadn't Pluto taken care of that memory, but for Motoki? Unless… she knew too.

"You knew."

"I suspected. Odd things had happened around you guys. That and Motoki-chan had confided in me, with the girls permission. I'm not sure Usagi-chan knew I knew though." She glanced down, trying to find the right words to say.

"Mamoru-san… gomen nasai." She whispered. He continued to stare at the river, saying nothing, his expression unchanged. She looked at him, sadness in her eyes. He finally spoke, whispering.

"Arigato."

"Motoki told me you would be traveling. So I've kept a look out. I must say I was surprised to se you here suddenly. This happens to be my favorite little out of the way place as well. The latte's are quite good, ne?"

"Yes." He sipped again, not looking her way.

Unazuki decided it was time to just ask.

"Why did you leave? The others are so very worried."

Mamoru was quiet. "Did not my letter explain the reason?"

"Yes, from what Motoki-chan said but still, they were confused why you didn't confide these reasons with them before taking such drastic measures."

This caused his face to change, rather angrily. He rose, dropped some coins on the table and headed for the small bridge overlooking the river. Unazuki quickly rose, dropping some money and followed. Catching up with him, she walked along side.

"Gomen, Mamoru. I didn't mean to sound like that."

"Why must I explain my actions or share what hurts with them. Haven't they `helped' enough? I wanted to be alone and I couldn't. I wanted to die and they refused me the choice! Now I wish to leave that place of memories and they question my reasoning. My thoughts are my own and I do not need people hanging over my shoulder asking if I'm all right!"

Unazuki had stopped in surprise. Realizing his harsh voice, Mamoru looked somber, stopping by the bridge rail and overlooking the river, saying nothing. After a few moments, he felt her presence beside him again.

"I'm not here to stop you or make you go back. I'm here as a friend of Usagi's, asking you what she might ask if she was here."

"If she were here, I wouldn't be this way."

"Demo, think of it as though her presence were here. Would she want you to leave this world like this? Would she want you to be alone?"

Mamoru hung his head, replying quietly, "No. She was a friend to everyone. She never wanted to see anyone sad."

Unazuki nodded. "Now, think a bit. Yes I can understand you wish to be alone, demo, think of her friends as well, even if they are her guardians as well. Now I don't ask that you return to them if you feel you cannot now. Demo let them know you are all right. Do that for Usagi-chan."

He said nothing as he stared at the blue water below.

"Otherwise, do it and get it over with. Let those who hurt worrying about you be able to be done with it and move on. Don't prolong the pain." She was quiet for a moment, handing him a small card. "If something changes your mind…" she turned to leave, stopping some feet away and looking towards him even if he did not return the look.

"Usagi-chan isn't gone. She lives in each us who remember her for who she was: kindhearted, loving and friendly. Don't smear that memory." And she was gone.

Mamoru stood there, fiddling with the card yet not reading it even as he looked down at that water again. It seemed almost inviting. And this time no one would stop him. Unazuki had left him with the choice he'd never been able to make on his own.

Life or death?

He recalled in his mind the talks with the girls, seeing Rei breakdown before him, seeing Hotaru's little face that looked so different, so serious like one who should never have seen pain at her age. He remembered Haruka's face as she told him what she thought, anger in her voice.

Then he again looked at the river, the soft sound of water flowing by. It could be so easy.

Mamo-chan.

Hai?

Do you love me?

Hai.

Really?

Hai.

Like how?

Why so suddenly?

Please, like how?

Let's see… it feels wonderful to be with you.

He closed his eyes, clenching them against the tears of that memory. It had been his last thoughts before she was killed. He had worried why she asked those questions. He hadn't even thought what she might be thinking before that accident took her from his life forever. Hadn't she looked troubled? Why hadn't he asked?

`I'm happy that I will be apart of your future.'

`Always and forever.'

His tears peeked out, one falling down his cheek as he thought again.

`I-I'm s-sorry I won't b…be apart of… y-your fffuture…'

`Damn it, Usako! I won't let you die!'

He swiped away at it, swallowing hard. He watched the afternoon sky breeze by.

`Mamo-chan… I'm sorry…'

"I know, Usako," he whispered as he leaned into his folded arms on the rail, "I know."

Several memories floated by, happy ones and troubled one. But that last memory, before she had died, he always avoided it. But now his mind, without choice, went there again.

`Mamoru-san! Protect her.'

`Just some words from some guy.'

Mamoru stood up, his eyes drying and a decision in his mind. The choice was now. Too many questions lay unanswered. And yet was it he who should seek them?

The choice… make it.

As if answering some unseen person, he placed a hand on the rail…

…and walked away.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Gomen for the short chapter. Demo, I wanted to get it out so you guys could read and time is short for me to write. So enjoy what you can. Arigato and Cha!