LETTING GO
Ikuko finally succumbed to Usagi's constant
pleas to see more than one friend at a time, and
declared her well enough to have multiple
friends over by Saturday when Usagi's
temperature had come down to 101°.
Rei reluctantly called Mamoru to let him know
that Ikuko would allow visitors now.
When Setsuna and Mamoru showed up at the door
Saturday with fresh flowers around three in the
afternoon, Rei alternated between her desire to
watch Mamoru like a hawk and the urge to stay
away from him. But Usagi took the decision away
from her and reminded her she had duties at the
shrine that needed her attention before New
Years.
Rei held Usagi tight and kissed her deep blue
sapphire eyes tenderly, and stated she would be
back later.
Usagi hugged her back.
"I love that you want to protect me from
Mamoru, but its not really necessary. My plan
has to work Rei, for all of our sakes. I need
them to feel comfortable, ne? I'll call you
when they've gone."
Usagi's nose was still miserably stuffy, and
it was hard to breath, but she managed a small
kiss on Rei's cheek.
Rei was asked by Ikuko to answer the door
because she had 'chicken hands'. Rei opened the
door and greeted their guests politely.
"Usagi expects you, and requests that you come
right up."
Rei went into the kitchen where Ikuko prepared
her chicken for marinade.
"Ikuko-Mama, I need to go the jinja for
awhile. Usagi has reminded me that I need to
make Omamori for the New Year's festival. Is
there anything you want me to pick up on the way
back?"
Ikuko smiled at her 'other daughter'.
"Yes, we are out of Kenji's coffee and I could
use some fresh greens and vegetables from your
garden, if you don't mind. Dinner is at six,
sweetheart."
Ikuko washed her hands, put plastic wrap over
her chicken marinade dish, and found a place in
the fridge for it. Ikuko handed Rei some money
and told her to keep the change for the shrine.
Rei kissed Ikuko's cheek and thanked her 'mom'
with a smile. The Tsukino's home was easily all
the senshi's second home because of Ikuko.
Ikuko swatted Rei's backside, "Scoot, I'm
busy!"
Ikuko watched in pride as Rei swept out the
door. She thought about the person the lonely
miko had become over the years. Yuri's daughter
had overcome unbelievable hardships and
shouldered responsibilities no adult would
approach. She had become a statuesque, poised,
and graceful young lady.
Rei was easily one of the most gorgeous girls
she had ever seen in her life... besides Usagi,
of course. She had a quick wit, and a hot
temper... usually over as soon as it began. Rei
was very controlled, mysterious and secretive.
Her features ranged from hard, to emotionless,
which made her seem much older.
She moved with the quiet assurance of a lethal
ninja warrior. Come to think of it, Usagi and
all her closest friends did. Odd. Ikuko most
often felt intimidated by Rei, though. That is
until recently.
Tenderness and care had softened the hard
edges. It seemed Usagi's love had once again
worked its magic, and pierced through the dark
recesses of yet another cold, angry, hurt heart.
Usagi's love resembled a dagger made of light,
Ikuko mused.
Somewhere along the way, Ikuko feared, her
friend's daughter and her own had fallen in
love. They needed one another, and 'wanted' each
other... the same way she needed and wanted
Kenji. Perhaps they had always been in love but
hid from it.
Ikuko only knew that Rei had begun to look and
behave more like an 18 year old, and Usagi had
grown up a lot to become a beautiful, immensely
talented young woman. She was more responsible,
yet still carefree. Usagi still had a penchant
for guitars and manga.
Throughout the ups and downs of her
relationship with Mamoru, Usagi had more often
then not wet her pillow over him. Now there
seemed to be a real peace and joy in both of the
girls. Ikuko was not going to take that from
them, she decided. Perhaps it was mere
curiosity, and it would just play itself out.
* * *
Upstairs, yet another drama took place.
Setsuna sat next to Usagi on the bed and hugged
the girl gingerly because she looked so pale and
fragile. How she loved her princess!
Mamoru, however, sat uncomfortably on Usagi's
computer chair. His eyes shifted between his
hands on his lap, and the tidied clutter...
obviously the result of a fastidious Rei. Usagi
coughed into a tissue Setsuna held for her. The
maternal scene made him fidget. His ears still
seemed to burn with Rei's accusations.
Setsuna expressed how sorry she was that her
princess was so ill, she would have come sooner,
but it had only recently come to her attention.
Usagi assured her that it was all right... her
Mom wouldn't have let her in, anyway. She
coughed again.
"Princess, does this meeting have anything to
do with my daughter, Celeste? Are you still
angry at me for how I treated her?"
Usagi recovered her breath and cleared some
phlegm away before she spoke with a husky voice.
"This has everything to do with your daughter
Celeste. I don't quite understand why you made
the attempt on her life after the transfer of
Gaea's Earth powers. I am angry with you. I am
glad Aradia and Hotaru intervened, and you
failed in your attempt to kill her. Frankly, I
don't think you could have ever forgiven
yourself, had you succeeded. I think we've all
suffered enough in the name of destiny, don't
you, Setsuna-sama?
Celeste was not a 'mistake', nobody is. What
she tried to do was noble. You need to forgive
her. Everything will work out in accordance with
the original parameters set by Gaea's destiny
oath. I assume of course, that to protect Gaea's
will is your agenda. I assure you it will
happen... just differently. Please trust me,
Setsuna." Usagi pecked her on the cheek and
smiled at her.
Setsuna flushed at what Usagi implied, but
responded calmly.
"I will try, my princess." Setsuna gently
brushed Usagi's bangs from her eyes.
Usagi coughed again, harder, and Setsuna wiped
away the tears that had squeezed from her eyes.
Then she handed her a tissue for her nose.
Usagi took a drink of water to wet her throat.
"Sorry. I'm ok, now," Usagi resumed, "I asked
you both here primarily because I require a
favor of you." She cleared her throat again and
took another drink.
"Mamoru, I started to get sick after Celeste
transferred her powers to you. I never connected
my slight ague and weakness to you, and I never
considered my condition to be serious. I just
figured we were both stressed out, and I would
feel better when things ironed themselves out.
But then you started to... really hurt me.
I'm sorry if I offended you when I requested
that we not see each other for a while."
Usagi paused, not knowing quite how to
continue.
"I went to the jinja to help Rei, and she
noticed I had some unusual bruises on my neck.
She urged me to see her doctor, and that's where
you come in, Setsuna-sama.
When Dr. Wakai looked at me, she insisted my
that boyfriend get some professional help...
which means you. Or, she said, my boyfriend can
expect to be... and I quote, 'prosecuted to the
fullest extent of the law' end quote."
Usagi could plainly see Mamoru's anger and
embarrassment as his face contorted.
She addressed him gently.
"I want only to help you because I love you,
Mamo-chan. I have chosen Setsuna to take your
case for a reason. I'm not exactly thrilled with
the idea that the future King of Crystal Tokyo
needs... therapy. I certainly don't want it to
become public knowledge.
Mamo, I also feel that it would be best if you
acknowledged the fact that our soul-mate bond
has been severed. I ask you to release us from
our marriage engagement, until a way can be
found to restore our soul bond."
Usagi waited for an eruption. It never came.
Setsuna's normally dusky, olive skinned, face
turned sheet white. She looked as though she had
seen her whole life flash before her eyes in
that moment before death.
Mamoru stared at the multitude of cards taped
to the wall in stony silence.
That went well. Usagi sighed and broke the
silence. She spoke again softly.
"You know, sometimes seemingly really awful
things have to happen in order for a greater
purpose to be realized. This may well be one of
those times. Can't we be a little flexible and
believe that a greater good is worth the
compromise?"
Usagi felt overwhelmed by a sudden wave of
fatigue. As it washed over her she felt
defeated... as though she hadn't gotten
anywhere. She shook with coughs again, and she
felt her temperature begin to rise. This had
taken way more out of her than she had
anticipated. Her head was stuffy and throbbed
mercilessly. She laid it back onto the pillows,
closed her eyes, and fought unsuccessfully with
her coughs.
Mamoru rose from his perch on the edge of the
computer chair, and cleared the hoarseness from
his throat.
"I think I need to go... refresh your glass of
water, Usagi. I'll be back later."
"Thank you Mamo-chan, I need to speak with
Setsuna privately, anyway. Don't be long,
though." Usagi smiled wanly at him.
Setsuna caressed Usagi's pale, thin, cheek,
then felt her hot forehead. She and Celeste had
taken care of the small princess many times
during the Silver Millennium when she was ill,
but this was different. She is so sick, Setsuna
thought. This isn't good for her...
"I can see how hard this has been on you,
Usagi. Perhaps we should wait until you are
really better, and can think straighter."
Usagi eyes remained closed as she responded
civilly.
"Setsuna-sama, I am perfectly lucid right now,
and I've waited long enough for this day. I
believe at this juncture in time, it is my
choice alone to serve destiny in the manner I
feel is most appropriate. Not yours.
I have decided I will rebuild the Silver
Millennium, and take my Mother's place... alone.
I will fulfill Gaea's oath, and rule the Moon
Kingdom in concert with King Endymion's Earth
Kingdom. We will be united as one, politically,
and defensively. We will help one another
economically. I shall serve whatever greater
purpose there is in store for us, as long as
that purpose is made in love for mankind.
As for today, I believe with all my heart that
any decisions made in love for others will serve
a greater good, and the sacrifices will be
worthwhile."
Setsuna waited patiently, she knew there was
more to be said.
Usagi coughed phlegm into a tissue, and
cleared her throat to rid it of its hoarseness.
"I know it must seem as though I have made
some irrational decisions, but my mind has not
been idle while I've had to lay here!
I think you already know Mamoru is now your
soul mate, courtesy of your daughter, but what
she did was done in love and, it's all right,
Setsuna-sama. Who knows, she may have even
inadvertently made everything better... fate
perhaps, and certainly water under the bridge.
I'm a firm believer in love, though, and think
it should be given a chance... even if it seems
to take a rather unconventional path." Usagi
opened her eyes and smiled affectionately at her
old Silver Millennium 'nanny'.
Setsuna slowly smiled back, not convinced by
either Usagi's logic, or her convictions.
Usagi noticed, and rolled her eyes.
"Every self-sacrifice I've ever made for the
sake of loving others... has been worth it. You
aren't really living, until you've found a
purpose worth dying for. My purpose is to bring
hope and love to where there is none, and I will
gladly die for the sake of my purpose." Usagi
coughed deeply behind a tissue.
Setsuna was concerned for her princess and
rubbed her chest gently before she spoke softly.
"Sweetie, what is it you want to tell me? Is
it that you feel the need to sacrifice yourself
again to save someone? I think you need more
rest, and less sacrifice at this point! You
haven't even spoken to Mamoru yet."
Usagi snorted.
"That's because he wanted to run away!
My point is this, Setsuna-sama... I want you
to forgive yourself for what you have deemed as
past mistakes, face your demons, and please let
me share your burdens.
Mamoru and I will never be as we were before,
and it is not fair to either one of us to force
ourselves into an incompatible relationship for
millennia. When he realizes his soul-bond to
you, I don't want to be... in the way."
Usagi's eyes watered, and her jaw trembled,
but she met Setsuna's eyes.
"If Mamoru releases me from our engagement,
I want you to love him for me, and help him
through his problems. I want him to be your
purpose for living. My greatest wish is for
the both of you to find love and happiness."
Usagi leaned towards Setsuna, kissed her
cheek, and whispered, "Sets-chan, let me end
your burden of loneliness, please accept the
sacrifice I made in love for you both. Please
respect my decision to resurrect the Silver
Millennium as a viable option for Gaea's
destiny oath.
If it helps you, I will personally take blame
for any current disturbances in the timeline
created by my decisions. This situation may, or
may not, be permanent. If it isn't, you will
always be blessed by your offspring, Sets-chan."
Setsuna's eyes brimmed over with tears of
untold pain her Princess had understood. Usagi
hadn't called her by that name since she was a
small princess in the Moon Kingdom.
She squeezed her princess' hand, and dimpled.
"All right, Usagi, you win... for now. I
understand, and I thank you for your love to me.
I love you too, My Queen. I will seriously
consider your proposal."
Usagi's eyes gleamed in response.
"There is something else I require of you...
share implies a two-way interaction. I have kept
no secrets from you. You know my agenda and my
motives. I've bared my soul to you. I expect no
less from you. I want you to come to me with
everything, even if it causes me pain. Confide
in me, council me... trust in me. I don't like
to make decisions in ignorance, I would much
rather make informed ones."
Setsuna sat still, and quietly studied Usagi
for a few moments before she reluctantly
answered her.
"Hai Your Majesty, I will." She leaned close
and kissed Usagi's cheek caringly, "My little
princess has truly grown up."
Usagi implored her, "Don't tell anybody,
Sets-chan!"
Setsuna laughed at her.
Mamoru made his appearance once again. He had
heard the laughter, and figured it was safe to
come in. He had reached his own conclusions, and
walked with purpose over to Usagi and knelt on
one knee by her bedside, opposite from Setsuna.
He took a long delicate hand in each of his big
paws, laid his head upon Usagi's chest, and gave
a shuddered sigh.
Usagi's tears began to slowly trickle down her
cheeks.
Setsuna felt their need for privacy, and
started to excuse herself.
Mamoru's eyes glistened as he raised his dark
head to face her, and captured one of her hands
in his own.
"Stay, Setsuna, this ends now. You need to
know the truth about me, for Usako's sake."
Mamoru sniffed and turned to his lover.
"Usako, I am so sorry I hurt you. I hate
myself for my inability to control myself. You
are right, Usagi, I do need help. I need to find
out who I am... who I've become... so I can help
and not hurt.
I did feel our soul bond break, and went a
little crazy, but it's not an excuse. I don't
deserve your forgiveness, but I can't go on
without it, I can't go on with this guilt.
Please forgive me, Usako. I accept and thank you
for your gracious offer." Mamoru looked with
sincerity into his beloved's wan face.
Usagi's fingers trembled as she ruffled the
dark hair she adored so much and answered him
consolingly.
"Yes, of course I'll forgive you, my love. All
I have ever wanted for you is your happiness,
even if it means without me, darling. I will
always love you, soul mate or not. We've gone
through way too much together to just throw it
all away.
Forever is a long time to live without a soul
bond to help us, though. The fates created soul
mates because we live such a long time, and that
is why I asked you to release us, Mamo-chan.
You know, I could really use a big brother and
a handsome knight in shining armor." Usagi
smiled gently at him as she swept Mamoru's tears
lovingly from his cheeks.
Mamoru choked out his reply in a hoarse
whisper, "I... I release you, my love." He
slowly, tentatively, pulled his ring from his
lover's delicate left ring finger, which he
kissed.
He brought his chin up so that he could gaze
into Usagi's sapphire blue eyes.
"I promise I'll be the best big brother you've
ever seen, and will fight like a maniac by your
side." Mamoru affirmed.
He leaned forward to kiss her lips, and she
met him halfway. They kissed as deeply as they
could with Usagi's stuffy nose.
Then he announced with a ring of finality,
"My love for you will never stop, Usako. You're
not exactly someone a person can ever really get
over! You will always be my Usako, if that's all
right with you. I wish you every happiness, and
I promise I will make every effort to see that
you stay that way."
He grinned rakishly, and bowed deeply...
"Your merest wish is my command, Queen Usako!"
Usagi giggled.
"I love being your 'Usako', and I thank you,
Mamoru. 'Queen Usako'... I like it! It has a
certain pizazz, ne?"
Usagi turned to face Setsuna.
"Setsuna-sama, I need to speak to Mamoru now
privately, and then I would like to discuss our
current enemy with you both. Some green tea
would be delightful, ne?" Usagi winked at
Setsuna.
Setsuna's lips quirked into smile, she bowed,
and went downstairs to chat with Ikuko.
Mamoru perched on the bed next to Usagi and
regarded her quietly for a moment before he
addressed her.
"You want to talk to me about Rei-san, don't
you? She is your soul mate, isn't she?" He
asked.
Usagi nodded in affirmation.
"Hai, Mamoru. I am her female soul mate, just
as Jadeite was her male soul mate. When Gaea's
spirit within you was altered, our bond was
broken, and my soul actively sought hers.
We have a choice, Mamo-chan.
According to my Mother, we can get married,
use the ginsuishou to build Crystal Tokyo and
live for millennia without a soul mate bond to
serve destiny. Or, we can serve destiny and
re-create the Silver Millennium.
The kinsuishou can more than likely be used to
rebuild the Earth Kingdom. The ginsuishou can
rebuild the Moon Kingdom, and restore the other
planets to their original splendor. We can live
for millennia with our soul mates.
Do you wish to serve destiny bound together by
duty, or with independence and love? I'll let
you choose."
Mamoru couldn't meet Usagi's intense blue
sapphire eyes.
Usagi touched his chin and forced him to look
at her.
"Let me help you. Think about what has
happened already between us without our soul
bond in place. Ask yourself who it is your soul
seeks for completion. Who do you want to share
your bed with for the next millennia?"
Mamoru blushed hard.
"I am in love with Setsuna, Usagi. I am
sorry... I hope you can forgive me. I choose
love over duty."
Usagi dimpled.
"I'm glad, for that is what I choose also. I
am in love with Rei, and want to share my life
with her in the form of a blood bond oath. May
we have your permission to do so?"
Mamoru's eyes glinted with cognizance, in his
heart, he knew the two women had waited for his
permission.
He answered with the conviction of love for
her in his voice.
"Hai, my love. I don't ever want you to be
alone. Even if we were to marry, my duties as
King would most likely keep us apart for lengthy
intervals.
I would prefer that you did have a permanent
consort to watch over you, even as you sleep. I
can't think of a better protector than Rei. I
will never stand in the way of your relationship
with Rei, or keep you from her bed... because I
love you, and I know you need each other."
Usagi was touched by his selflessness. Her
eyes were moist as she responded, "Oh, Mamo...
thank you! I already know Chibi-Usa is
Setsuna's, and its all right with me... I still
consider her my daughter."
Mamoru felt his face flush. Somehow, in a
remote part of his heart, when he first had
looked upon 'Chibi Usa' he knew she wasn't
Usagi's.
Usagi laid her head on Mamoru's hard, muscled
chest, and he could feel her fevered hotness. He
held and rocked her gently to himself.
Usagi murmured into his shirt, "Mamo, do you
suggest we marry and create Crystal Tokyo, but
keep our soul mates as our bed partners? Isn't
that sort of, um... weird? Can we live that
way?" She asked, perplexed.
Mamoru laughed heartily.
"Why not? Can you think of any royal couple
who isn't strange in some way? We'll have all
the senshi around with their soul mates, and
tons of children underfoot. So our castle will
be a huge happy family!"
Usagi sighed her relief. She hadn't even
considered this as an option! She spoke with
ardor, "What would I ever do without you, Mamo?
I love you!
If we should decide to marry, I want to wait
until we have both graduated before Crystal
Tokyo of the new Silver Millennium is created.
If you decide to marry Setsuna once and for
all, you have my blessing... because I love both
of you. However, Mamo, if you do marry her, and
our bond is restored, I don't want you to
abandon her. She has suffered enough."
Mamoru squeezed her.
"I think I prefer to leave my options open for
a time, but you can go ahead with your bond to
Rei... it won't change anything between you and
I." He raised his chin from off the top of her
head, "Are we finished with our privacy,
darling?"
"Mmmm hmmm." She replied and nodded against
him, "you can call Setsuna, your beloved, back
in."
Setsuna came back into the room with tea for
everyone. She smiled at their closeness.
"What happened? You look happy!"
"We are," Usagi responded, "but we will talk
about it when I feel better. Right now I need to
talk to you about Valka's information to me."
She drank some tea and settled comfortably
against her pillows, her friends crowded close
on either side of her.
Usagi began.
"Valka mentioned to me that his people search
for the key to the gates through which will come
the one who will control the Earth with a power
that transcends dimensions. I have pondered his
statement night and day, and have come to some
conclusions.
I think Celeste might have originally the one
they sought. I believe I heard her say to you,
Setsuna, that she thought she was the 'Gate
Keeper', and perhaps she was right. One of two.
She, however, held Gaea's powers as first born
to King Endymion, and the key to control the
Earth's power... the kinsuishou, as well. She
could control time, space, and the Earth with
power.
There can only be one Gate Keeper, ne,
Setsuna? Well, don't worry... my Mother's
beloved is completely defenseless, now, and for
all she knows, abandoned by you." Usagi's voice
was bitter and quiet. "Hopefully you won't feel
compelled to kill Mamoru, our future King,
Setsuna." Usagi wondered if the soul bond would
be enough.
Setsuna's eyes flashed momentarily.
"Mamoru, she felt you deserved to be that
candidate more than she, moreover, she probably
still has no taste for rule. She gave you her
power and her identity. You said 'she must
live', Mamoru, and I agree on more levels
than one.
Here things get interesting.
Technically the ginsuishou is the most
powerful crystal, and was created to control the
magical powers of all the planets sans Earth, by
me. The central focal point of magic resides on
the Moon, hence the 'Moon Kingdom'.
The Earth's power is now controlled by you,
Mamoru, through the kinsuishou. Celeste is a
goddess and possesses more intrinsic power than
you, Mamo-chan.
I believe Toro's realm may be able to be
controlled by this 'All Powerful One' and the
kinsuishou. Toro's lackey, Dagon, and his ilk,
have come in this time frame, because specific
events they have waited for, have finally come
together.
Possibly an alignment of the planets, or their
dimension with ours, in conjunction with
Celeste's transferal of her incredible powers to
a weaker, more controllable, vessel... and they
have also come coincidentally before my rise to
power and the rebirth of the Silver Millennium.
We have two factions involved here, as well.
Aradia and her allies who desire peace from what
I can tell, and Dagon and his followers who seem
to seek... something else. Dagon is no lover of
humanity.
I have seen Valka's power. He can create
illusions so real with his magic, he can make
you believe anything. Imagine the power to
create something akin to the Elysian Fields or
the chains of Tartarus.
What if they could seize control of the 'All
powerful one', and with the power of illusion,
convince him to use his power on Earth and in
other dimensions as well... in accordance to
their will. Humanity's very existence could be
threatened, as well as the future Silver
Millennium.
My mother said Queen Serenity was invoked by
Gaea to create the Silver Millennium so there
can be a peaceful union of magic and mundane. I
believe I exist to carry on that plan. The new
Silver Millennium could be dissolved easily by
my destruction, or become vulnerable by your
demise, Mamoru.
It could be, we can thwart Toro's whole
objective by the return of Celeste's powers of
Pluto through an incantation. This is both
nebulous and problematic. Rei might be able
to do the honors through the powers of Hecate
she possesses. She has the potential to be a
powerful Arch Mage in her own right, but it
might take awhile for her to learn how.
Mamoru, this would mean you would no longer
have Celeste's power to time travel and could
not be used to control other worlds or
dimensions. Then, too, maybe they don't need
time travel to accomplish their deeds.
I would give anything to find out what the
original intent of those scrolls are. Setsuna,
I would be grateful if you could find Celeste,
Aradia, and that fellow she was seen with that
Mako talked about... "
"Mikel." Mamoru supplied quietly.
Usagi nodded, "Yes, Mikel, and resolve your
differences. I want you to go on a mission
together for me. Think of it as redemption,
Setsuna-sama...
I want you to locate, and bring to me, the
Scrolls of Toro. Aradia should be able to
interpret them. It could be the scrolls have
been misinterpreted, and a negotiation could be
hammered out to avoid a 'holy war'... or, they
could be the ramblings of a mad man."
Mamoru spoke up then, "I would like to go,
too, Princess."
Usagi closed her eyes tiredly, "Mamo-chan,
that would be like tying a steak around your
neck and letting you go play with a pack of
hungry wolves. The answer is... no, because I
love you.
I really must rest now, ok? So, why don't you
two go get some supper together somewhere and
discuss... terms of therapy!"
Setsuna and Mamoru blushed, stood and bowed to
their future queen to take their leave.
Mamoru bent and kissed Usagi and whispered to
her, "You are so noble. If Rei agrees to restore
to us our soul bond, I won't stand in the way of
your bond to her, my love. Get well soon." He
smiled charmingly and winked.
She watched him slip her ring into his pocket,
take Setsuna's hand, and leave her room.
* * *
Usagi rolled over onto her knotted sore
stomach and coughed painfully into her pillow.
With all her resolve spent to keep her emotions
in check, she let her tears flow.
Mamoru and Setsuna bid Mrs. Tsukino and Rei
goodbye, who were in the kitchen busily cooking.
Ikuko was determined to make a cook out of Rei,
'for her own good'.
Rei gave Ikuko puppy dog eyes, and Ikuko
laughed.
"I know you hate this, and you want to go to
her! Go ahead, you bum, shoo!"
Rei ran. She had known the moment Usagi had
been released from the matrimonial bond. It was
as though the last barrier between their souls
had dropped. And right now, she could feel Usagi
as she fell apart. It had taken all her strength
and courage to break up with Mamoru. She
couldn't be brave anymore.
Usagi rolled onto her back and reached for Rei
as she closed the room door and swooped into the
outstretched arms. Usagi knew she would come.
They held each other and cried for a while.
Usagi shook terribly.
"Oh, Rei, what have I done? I'm scared I've
done the wrong thing!"
Rei suddenly felt fearful.
"Do you have some regrets? You're not sure you
want to go through with... us? Do you want me to
leave and give you some space?" Rei's heart was
breaking.
Usagi froze. She felt Rei's pain pierce
through her own heart. She gasped, and clutched
her chest.
"Ohh... Rei, that hurts! I didn't mean to
cause you pain! I want you with all my heart.
Please don't leave me, I need you more than ever
right now."
Usagi still trembled uncontrollably as Rei
held and rocked her. She cried and coughed while
she hiccupped over her words...
"It's over. It's really over, after all these
years. There's no more soul bond to him... and
it hurts so much... I hurt! And I'm so...
afraid." Usagi sobbed.
Rei wished she were better at this sort of
thing...
"I know it hurts, Angel, and I am here for
you. I will take care of you, and I promise
everything will be all right. I love you."
Rei soothed, while she tried desperately to
calm the feverish girl down. Usagi was too sick
to be upset like this and felt very hot to Rei.
Usagi blinked at Rei desperately, then
clambered quickly to her feet. She clamped her
hand over her mouth, and ran for the bathroom.
Rei rushed after her and kicked the bathroom
door shut on the way in.
Usagi's whole body trembled as she sat quickly
and lost all her fluids at once. Rei felt
completely helpless, as her friend was sick on
herself and the floor.
Rei caught Usagi as she fainted.
Rei peeled Usagi's wet nightgown off, gently
put her into the bathtub, and turned the water
on to warm it. She sighed while she flushed the
toilet then turned her attention to floor. Rei
cleaned everything up, then shucked her own
clothes.
After she washed, rinsed, and hung all
the clothes, Rei climbed into the tub and used
the detachable showerhead to wash herself up.
Then she used it to wet Usagi's hair and thin
body.
Tears pricked her eyes.
"Please get well, Usa, you are wasting away...
and I need you." She pled the now semi conscious
girl.
Usagi moaned and shivered.
"Ooh, that's cold!!"
"No, it isn't, your temperature has spiked up
again. I don't want anyone else coming over to
upset you. Period. You were recovering so well.
Hopefully this is just a temporary setback." Rei
replied gruffly.
Rei rinsed the soap and shampoo off her friend
and turned the water off. Rei dried herself off
and found what looked to be Shingo's housecoat
behind the door on a hook and put it on. She
dried Usagi's hair and body and finished with
her senshi powers.
Usagi shivered hard, and Rei wrapped her
friend in a large thick towel. Rei carried her
half-conscious back to the room. Kami, she was
light.
Ikuko met them outside the room and stared in
amusement at Rei's 'Looney Tunes' housecoat.
"What happened? Is she all right?"
Rei laid Usagi down on her bed, and addressed
her worried mother.
"She's had a little accident. She'll probably
be fine after she eats a bite and rests. I may
not have cleaned the bathroom to your
satisfaction, though, you might want to do a
better job while I help her dress."
Ikuko squeezed Rei's arm. The girl was clearly
shaken.
"These things happen, it's all right, Rei.
She's probably swallowed too much phlegm. We'll
need to get some nourishment into her soon,
since she's fainting.
While Kenji and I have lived in fear of
stomach viruses, doctors have only assured us
over the years, that Usagi is not diabetic. She
does, however, have an abnormally high
metabolism.
I am supposed to make sure she gets a balanced
diet with a lot of the right kinds of food...
one that has plenty of proteins and vitamins.
Ikuko frowned, "I think that's their lame, very
pat way to say they are stumped... at any rate,
Kenji and I refused to let them use our daughter
as a lab rat!"
Ikuko left to take care of what turned out to
be the hallway and laundry in the bathroom. Then
went downstairs to find something nourishing
that Usagi could keep down.
Rei occupied herself in the meantime with the
difficult task of helping a very languid
companion dress. Mission accomplished, Rei
soothed, "Hang in there, Baby, food is on its
way."
Usagi replied weakly, "I'm trying to, Rei,
I... I need energy." She laid her head wearily
upon Rei's breast, and listened to Rei's steady
heartbeat. Her fingers curled around Rei's robe
lapel and she closed her eyes. Usagi could feel
Rei's warm energy surge into her body.
Rei gave Usagi her own energy until her color
improved.
"Thank you." Usagi whispered, "I'm sorry I'm
so much trouble." Her eyes watered, "I'm sorry I
threw up on you, and scared you."
Usagi's chin was tilted up, then she felt
warm, soft, familiar lips kiss the wetness from
her cheeks. She began to relax when she felt
Rei's comfort surround her.
Rei whispered back.
"Shhhh... hush, it's all right, there's no
harm done. Besides, turn-about is fair play,
ne?" Rei reminded her princess.
Then she mused, "If an abnormal 'metabolism'
is the worst thing that can happen to us, I
think we're pretty fortunate. If the doctors
ever saw your sigil, they'd have a field day on
you, my little lab rat!" She chuckled, then
leaned in to kiss Usagi's hot forehead to make
her point.
She spoke again softly, "I want you to know,
Usa, you aren't any trouble at all... I wouldn't
be here if I didn't want to take care of you,
precious."
Rei squeezed her friend, "I think your
weaknesses are part of your charm, and they keep
you humble."
Rei smiled affectionately, "Otherwise, you'd
be insufferable, my sweet!"
Usagi smiled back shyly.
Ikuko announced herself as she pushed the door
open with her foot, because her hands were full.
Usagi's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree and
gushed, "Oh glorious food! Come to me succulent
feast!" Her faced soured a little when she
espied her medicine on the tray, as well.
Ikuko's face soured when she espied the lack
of Mamoru's engagement ring on her daughter's
left ring finger. So.
When she had an opportunity to be alone with
Usagi, Ikuko pried her daughter about it. Ikuko
was given the 'Dr. Wakai' version of the
deterioration of the relationship.
Ikuko couldn't help but feel a small twinge of
disappointment when she discovered Usagi was not
pregnant. She determined in her heart that it
would be best if Kenji not know about Mamoru's
behavior towards his daughter. She also decided
that the girls should be the ones to share the
true nature of their relationship with whomever
they wanted to.
Why the two girls had bonded, though, was now
clearly understandable.
Back to Of Demons and Love Index - Back to Sailor Moon Shoujo-Ai Fanfiction