I was more than a little shocked when I heard that Usagi had actually called a meeting. It’s not her style exactly, mind you she has grown in these past few years, but meetings are still usually Luna’s territory. Yet, as I listen to her speak, I can see the queen that my friend will become. She has called us together because of the memories, the dreams. She has decided that it’s time that we faced our collective past, and apparently Luna is capable of restoring it to us. Everyone is here at the temple, even you. Though I don’t really understand your presence. You obviously don’t need the past rehashed, you were there. I suppose you’re here to help the rest of us deal with it. I hazard a glance your way. You look troubled, although I doubt any of the others would notice. I’ve discovered that since the dreams began I can read your moods. I guess it comes from being lovers. At this moment you look as if a youma were going to leap out at you at any moment. Are you that afraid of the truth coming out? You catch me looking and I do my best to hold your gaze. Why won’t you let me in? I remember enough of the past to realize that we were together then, and I want to be together now. You look away as if reading my thoughts. Ami says something to me and I turn away as well. Looks like they are ready to begin. I take a deep breath and close my eyes. All at once I’m consumed by wave after wave of images… *** There’s a flash of light and then, we’re at the gate, arguing. "It’s true that we both have a duty, but why should that keep us from being together? Uranus and Neptune are in love and it has only made them stronger." You fix your crimson gaze upon me, and remark that Uranus and Neptune are not responsible for the gate. So that’s what this is about. The gate, it’s always the gate. I think you’ve spent so much of your life at this damn gate that you’re afraid to live out in the real world. I tell you as much as my eyes lock with yours. I will not back down. I will not let you throw this away so easily. "You don’t understand." You whisper. "You’re right, I don’t understand. I don’t understand how you can deny what we’ve come mean to one another. Obviously we don’t feel the same. I know that I love you, but apparently you don’t share my feelings." I look to you for a denial, a declaration of your feelings, anything. You won’t even look at me. I turn to leave; there’s nothing more to say. You don’t try to stop me. *** Later that day I’m in the training room with Uranus. We’re about an hour into our workout when you walk in. Uranus walks over to greet you but I continue my routine. I’m too angry with you to pretend that everything is normal right now. So I focus all my attention on the punching bag I’m currently pummeling. I get so into it that I don’t even notice when Uranus leaves. I do notice, however, when you turn me around and kiss me. You tell me that you’re sorry, that you were scared. I laugh at that. Who would ever think that Sailor Pluto would ever be afraid of anything? Then you say the most wonderful thing of all; you tell me that you love me as well. I think that my heart is going to burst through my chest it beats so strongly. I’ve never felt so happy before. *** Another flash…I sigh as I close the door to my quarters. You sit in front of my mirror removing the pins from your hair. "We made a bit of a scene tonight. I thought the Earth delegation was going to riot when they saw us dancing." "I don’t see why so they reacted that way, the Earthers always love it when Uranus and Neptune dance." "Yes dear, but unlike Uranus you have certain attributes that make it quite obvious that you are female. Although, I don’t think they would have had that much of a problem with it if you hadn’t insisted on kissing me in the middle of the dance floor afterwards." You point out as you pick up a brush. "So I can’t kiss you in public then?" "I didn’t say that. It’s just that on Earth people aren’t as open minded as those of us who were raised in other parts of the solar system. Their beliefs are simply different and I think that we should recognize that fact, no matter how pigheaded they are." "Do you really care what a bunch of snobbish courtiers think?" I ask removing my shoes. "Not really. We have the Queen’s blessing and hers is the only opinion that makes any difference to me." I smile and walk over to you. Wrapping my arms around your shoulders I lean forward and whisper in your ear, "Only hers?" A sly smile plays on your face as you consider my question. "Well, I could consider another’s point of view with the proper amount of convincing." "Well, then allow me to spend the rest of the evening convincing you." *** Yet another flash…I’m dying. I can feel my very blood pouring into the ground from my wounds. My princess, I’ve failed her. It’s getting harder to breathe. The end is close; I know it. So this is what the gate showed you. No wonder you were worried. For an instant I consider being angry with you for not stopping this. Yet in my heart I know that you couldn’t have changed things. If you had interfered the only difference would have been that your body would be here next to mine. It’s getting harder to keep my eyes open. I struggle to keep them open, but it’s no use, they close without my permission. Through my eyelids I see a flash of light. You’ve come. Your hand caresses my cheek as lightly as a summer breeze. I want to open my eyes, to see your face one last time. I will up the last of the strength that I’m so well known for and force them open. You gasp, I suppose you thought that I was already too far-gone to acknowledge your presence. Your beautiful eyes widen in shock. Ah, so even the Guardian of Time can be surprised. "Jupiter, I’m sorry" you whisper. I don’t know how, but I manage to choke out a ragged "I love you." "I love you too." I want to stay here with you a little longer, but my eyes are so heavy. They close before I can even attempt to fight the black void that is rushing towards me. *** I’m back in the temple. I look around Haruka and Michiru are sitting up as well. The others are still out of it. You’re sitting in the corner watching Hotaru. I know you realize that I’m awake but you won’t look at me. Suddenly, I can’t stand to be here anymore. I can’t be in the same room with you if you won’t even look at me. I have half a mind to walk over there and slap some sense into you, but now’s not the time. I stand up, and start towards the door. Haruka and Michiru try to stop me. They tell me that I should wait for the others to wake up. I don’t listen. The one person I want to talk about my past with won’t even acknowledge my presence, so what’s the point in staying? I step out into the cool night air and sigh. "One day soon you’re going to have to face me Setsuna."
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