Site: www.geocities.com/ainoshrine
E-dress: silent_rain@chickmail.com

Achievement of the day: hey! I actually edited this (well, the beginning)...I wish I didn't, coz the now it's so cheesy...his heart soar...where did I come up with that one? Man...

Note of the day: Yes yes! I named the villain Nautica because I was staring at the clothing brand...lol. Besides, it's nauty (naughty)...Nautica? Get it? I know, I'm incredibly pathetic. ^-^

Other note of the day: okay, so a friend of mine *kindly* told me that the starlights are girls, not guys, female, not male. I knew that. I did. No sarcasm there. I just thought I say that. But they are still staying as boys...just because I like 'em that way. And this is my fic, and if this was my world, I would be the richest person alive living in a mansion with anime merchandise and other goodies. But it's not, so I thought I'd start with my fictions. ^_^

Seiya's eyes flickered in the darkness, like two elusive crystals, lost and wanting a place in the universe. Nonetheless, the translucent blue holes were kindled as they settled upon a figure on the bed. Her long hair, golden and cascading around her; her lips, faintly crimson and full; her eyes, closed, but once open hold windows to the purest soul of the universe. She declined to open them though, as only silver tears would fall from them.

Numb fingers running through his messy dark hair, Seiya sighed. Just watching her was enough to make his stomach churn, his mind quiver, his heart soar. However, her usual radiant face was so pale and inert it frightened Seiya.

"Mamo-chan..." Usagi groaned in pain, her eyes stiffly shut.

Seiya winced at the word. Why was Mamoru always causing Odango sorrow? Why did he leave her, never return her calls and letters? Why did he die? Why wasn't he here to comfort Odango? Seiya wondered silently, he just wanted her to be happy, he just want her smiling everyday, he just wanted her to know that she's loved...

"Don't...don't leave..." Usagi cried in her nightmare.

Trembling, Seiya whispered, "I'm sorry Odango..." he clasped her hand in his, "I'm so sorry," a pause, "Usagi."

======

Arresting green eyed gazed fixated at the grayish sky. Scrutinizing the golden lining at its horizon, it shone brilliantly, yet so faraway, wanting to breakout its piercing rays and flash its stunning beauty, but slowly merged with the dull light. The air was damp as Yaten swept it, trying to grasp on to the thick atmosphere, tiny molecules prickled against tender skin, then each escaped it.

Yaten slumped against the edge of his balcony. Hands supporting his chin as silver strands fell past pacified eyes.

"And there are times in your life when everything seemed so evasive..." lyric filled melody echoed from the stereo.

Evasive. That was the word to describe his life. Wandering, lost, searching he had done his whole life. That is, until a sapphire eyed angel had shed her enlivened spirit, her captivating smile, her soul full of dreams and all things he had never knew...to him. Yaten was grateful for her, to have met her. But was there more? What? The feeling of his stinging soul every time he was near her? The constant yearning for her when the world was opposing him? The warmness of her touch, the silky swept from her hair, the pair of blue eyes that always tried to understand. Did he...was he...?

Drumming knocks interjected Yaten's deep thoughts, flashing open the door, Yaten faced Rei, who looked like she had just ran a 2 mile sprint. Cheeks red, eyes blaring with exhaust but filled with exhilaration.

"Rei-san, are you okay?" Yaten questioned.

"Hai." Rei nodded as she smiled, "Yaten-kun, it's Minako-chan." her purple eyes shone with radiance. "She woke up."

Kou Yaten had despised running his whole 17 years of life. But now the muggy air felt like brisk wind giving him a push while dashing. Determination and overjoy pasted on his face as he soared through the hospital, to room 102.

Light conversations trailed as he opened the door. Surrounding Minako was Ami, Taiki, Makoto, Hotaru, and Setsuna.

"Yaten's here!" a high pitched voice rang behind him, Rei had silently gestured for the others to retreat.

Taiki nodded, "hey Yaten, see ya Yaten."

A pair of huge blue eyes peered behind him, Minako, Yaten's heart skipped a beat.

"Bye hun, I'll talk to you later." Mako-chan gave Minako a hug then waved farewell at Yaten as she left.

"Bye...guys..." Minako waved numbly as the others left, but her eyes never shifted from Yaten.

"Ya...ten...kun?" she asked softly, incredulity filled in her voice.

Yaten walked toward her, swallowing a slump in his throat then started in a teasing voice, "gee thanks, I left for what? 2 years? And you forgot me already?"

Minako laughed lightly as Yaten pulled a chair to sit by her. Minako squinted her eyes, cocking her head slightly as she studied Yaten, "I did miss you." she smiled widely, a smile that seem to have lit her whole face.

Yaten shook his head, trying to hide a satisfied grin and dissipate the warmness that rose from his heart to his skull, "ano, you never change do you?" he chuckled slightly.

"No..." Minako seem sadden all of a sudden, "I've changed, everything have changed."

Mystified, Yaten inquire on, "what do you mean?"

"Yaten-kun, ever since you guys left, peace settled over on earth, well, until now. But before now, I was actually...a normal teenager, going to school...doing sports...taking exams...haven't been fighting, haven't been training. And when the new enemy came...it was such a hit, I lost control and now look what happened..." Minako hung her head down as hurt and pain burned on the edge of her throat.

"Minako-chan, it's not your fault...it's life...you can't control it." Yaten murmured.

"Hai, I know." a sigh, "but I just thought...I just wished so badly for the peace to stay you know? I had wished it so badly that I actually believe it and when I believe it we got defeated and..." her hand grasped on to the blanket. "And Mamoru..." she looked up at the ceiling, trying to keep her tears in.

Yaten remained silent as Minako continued.

"We were suppose to protect him! The sailor soldiers...how could we have let the king die?" her voice was hoarse and mad, "we are such failures."

Yaten grimaced at her words, "Minako, listen to me." he stared sternly at a pair of dishearten blue eyes, "you Sailor Senshi are not failures." he articulated, "you are the people that taught us all about hope, and dreams, and love and never ever giving up."

Minako blinked as she hugged herself, "hopes, dreams and love..." she smiled weakly, "they only exist in fairy tales..."

"Minako..." Yaten whispered, slightly shocked at her words.

"It's true Yaten, I've known it all my life, but this time..." she whispered, "this time it hit too hard...too quick...and Mamoru...he's gone...I can't believe..." Minako shivered, burying her head in her blonde hair.

"Minako..." Yaten gathered her in his arms, stroking her blonde hair, "don't cry, I'm sure everything will turn out okay..."

Minako buried herself in Yaten's chest, feeling warmth as he cradled her wet face. Why did Mamoru die? Why did we fail? The questions pounded in her head.

"Everything is going to be alright..." Yaten's gentle voice appeased Minako as she shut her eyes...

Yaten looked down at the fragile figure in his arms. He knows exact how she feels...the feeling of despair, the feeling of defeat, the feeling when princess was killed by Galaxia... Yaten closed his eyes at this. He recalled that day, he remembered he wanted to die, they failed to protect her...their princess...

The sailor soldiers lost their king...

This will take a while for them to heal, if they ever do. Even Minako was breaking down and giving up hope. He detested to see what the others would be like...especially Usagi, she must be heartbroken.

Briefly, Yaten thought what he would be like if Minako had gotten killed. The thought made him gripped tightly on to the girl. Making sure she wouldn't slip away...

=========

Ami strolled outward away from the hospital, silently admiring the plants surrounding the building. They had done a nice job with their planet, it was beautiful. A blue rose had caught her attention as she bent down to touch its petals. Some things are simple and lovely no matter where they are placed.

"Mizuno-san." a soft voice called behind Ami as she whirled around.

"Taiki-san." she blinked, a little surprised. "Hi."

Taiki was enthralled at the image in front of him. Ami's blue hair and eyes blended in the bundle of blue roses perfectly, like faint blue heaven... For a second, Taiki wished he could capture this moment on paper. But then he snapped out of it.

"Uh, hi."

A tiny smiled curved upon Ami's lips, "your planet, it's beautiful." she asserted sincerely.

"We modeled it after Earth." Taiki mumbled. "Well...we tried."

"Aye...I see..." Ami looked down for a second. Letting the rose slip away from her hand.

"What's wrong?" Taiki noticed the erupt change in her voice.

Ami looked up in the sky for a second, "I just...I wonder what Nautica did to earth by now."

"Oh, I'm sorry..." Taiki said, reflecting on his own experiences.

Ami frowned slightly, "this all happened too quick, too sudden."

"Hai, life can be unpredictable like that."

"I keep thinking what I could have done..." Ami clutched her fist, "there must of have been something...something I could have done, to have prevented this..." each word came out coated with remorse.

Taiki cut her off with a whisper soft as steel. "There's no point in looking back Mizuno- san."

"Hmm?" Ami looked at Taiki, startled by his words.

Taiki suddenly felt feeble against pure blue eyes. Choosing to look at the sky instead, he begin, "when we first lost our planet, Yaten, Seiya and I nearly lost all hope. We felt guilty for leaving it and all of us contemplated on what we could have done instead of escaping." pain settled in his luminous violet eyes. "Yaten wanted to die, and I suppose if it weren't for the fact that princess was still out there somewhere...we would have given up." he paused as he clutched his fist tightly, "but that would have been the wrong thing to do. Giving up, that would mean our planet suffered for nothing and we...what matters now is now. What matters is to hold your head up high and think everything will be okay." Taiki turned to look at Ami, who held a rather astonished expression. "You sailor senshi taught us that." he smiled lightly.

And Ami smiled back.

======

It could have been a day, or even two, but Seiya didn't care.

"Seiya-kun." Mako-chan's soft voice caused him to rip his gaze away from Usagi. "Here, I brought you some food." she set a tray on the table beside him.

"Arigatou..." he whispered, barely recognizing his own hoarse voice.

Makoto frowned at the ghastly sight in front her. Not wanting to believe the face that was chalky white, the eyes that lost their blue shine, and hair frizzed in the sunlight belonged to Seiya Kou's. "You shouldn't torture yourself like this." Makoto murmured.

Seiya inhaled sharply, "I shouldn't have told her...if I hadn't then she wouldn't..."

"She would have found out sooner or later." Makoto stated.

Silence.

"Seiya-kun?"

"Hai?"

"Do you really love her?"

Long silence.

Then a voice barely audible, "Ye...yes..."

========

"I've linked many senshi from other galaxies. They are all very startled but we are all lost on what we can do. Perhaps we need to find the gold crystal and the bronze crystal. Keep the silver crystal in a safe place okay?" Kakyuu asked.

The senshi nodded.

"How's Usagi?" Kakyuu turned to Seiya but Makoto answered.

"She's fine, she's not hurt physically..."

"Minako?"

Rei nodded, "yep, Minako's doing great, she wants to get out of the hospital though."

"That's fine, she can come out anytime. Is...Haruka still?" Kakyuu questioned.

A nod came from Setsuna, "Mmm-hmm."

Kakyuu bit her lip. "Tell you what, right now, all of you rest, I will meet with the other leaders and we'll come up with something."

The silence around the table made Kakyuu realize just how broken the earth senshi were.

"Meeting's adjourned." she said depressingly.

========

'What am I going to do? What am I going to do? What am I going to do? Why did Mamo-chan leave me?? Why why why???' Usagi asked herself again and again, tears became streams as they were absorbed in to the pillow.

The door knob twisted, a tall figure stepped out from the door.

"Usagi! You're awake!" Seiya's voice was rough but his face was smiling.

Usagi didn't move.

"Usagi...are you okay?" Seiya came closer to her, to a tear-strained blonde.

"I'm...I'm sorry..."

A long while silence, then Usagi murmured, "take me to Mamo-chan."

========

"I'm so glad to be out of that hospital! Hospitals are dreadful everywhere." Minako squealed as she plopped onto her bed, sending a certain cat into midair.

"Minako-chan, calm down, you are still not that well you know. Remember what the doctor said, they only let you out coz of the princess' request. You are still fragile. " Makoto voiced, concerned.

"Fragile?" Minako laughed, "no way, I'm perfectly fine."

"Just don't do anything too rough."

"Yeah...yeah, but wow! This is such a big, huge, pretty room! Those lights really did a heck of a job with their...country...erm...planet.

"Yeah they did." Makoto expressed nonchalantly.

"Why so down Mako-chan?" Minako inhaled the sweet scent of the aroma-filled room.

Makoto gave Minako a strange look, "Minako-chan, I don't understand you." the tall girl walked toward the blonde, "our planet probably have gotten destroyed! Mamoru, the king is dead! Haruka-san is not waking up. Usagi-chan is in a deep state of depression that's going to last who knows how long. Our whole universe is in danger from this this...Nautica person! And you are asking me what's wrong???" her voice rising dangerously with each word.

Minako stared at the ceiling as Mako's angry words lingered in the room.

"Gomen." Makoto apologized, hoping she didn't scare the girl.

"So what can we do about it?" Minako said, almost sarcastic, "I'm not going to mourn anymore, Mamoru is dead, so face it. The universe is once again in danger, so I'll face that too and probably end up dying over it. I don't want to be in a pitiful state while I'm alive."

Makoto's emerald eyes expanded at those words. "Minako..." she whispered.

"Aye, I don't know, I'm just confused that all..."

Makoto stared at the girl, a little worried to say the least.

"Oh! I know!' Minako popped up, "let's visit Usagi-chan!"

"Usagi? That might not..."

"Come on!!!"

Makoto felt her wrist being dragged by hurricane force. Fragile my butt, Makoto thought. I'm going to be the fragile one after this.

=========

The way to Mamoru's tomb was silent until Seiya spoke up.

"We put him in a special grave...so he wouldn't disintegrate." Seiya explained, "perhaps you guys would like to bury him on earth instead. Since he's earth's prince and all."

'Earth...' The words made hurt once more crawl from Usagi's spine. 'Earth...what happened to earth right now? Did Nautica destroy it? I'm such a failure...I escaped earth and didn't protect the people and...' Usagi's thoughts was interrupted by Seiya's startled yell.

"What the...!" he dashed toward the 'greenhouse' looking building as Usagi followed. There was a strong purple energy shooting from it.

"SAILOR SATURN!!!" Usagi cried. Saturn was by the dead Mamoru, her Saturn sign glowing and energy particles were seen flowing. "Hotaru! What are you doing???" Usagi cried.

Saturn's face turned deathly pale as she collapsed. Usagi cradle the girl in her lap.

"SEIYA-KUN! Get a doctor!" she ordered as Seiya nodded. "Hotaru?" Usagi whispered softly.

"Usagi..." tears formed in the purpled eyes girl. "I'm sorry, I tried to...to...heal... Mamoru...but I..." Clear delicate beadlike tears streamed down Hotaru's cheeks, "but I can't...I can't save him..."

"Hotaru..." Usagi's blue eyes also were filled with tears, "Hotaru it's okay, it's okay, don't ever do that...don't ever risk your self like this you understand?" she cried.

"But Mamoru..."

Usagi pivoted her head slowly and faced with the colorless Mamoru, her lover, her king, her knight in a shining armor, her tuxedo mask, her Mamo-chan...

Usagi laid Hotaru gingerly on the soft carpet material as she stared at Mamoru.

"Mamo-chan..." she mumbled, "Mamo-chan..." her hand entwined with his frozen fingers. She kissed each lovingly then cradled it against her face. "I love you..." tears ran down from her eyes as she sobbed and sobbed beside her love.

"USAGI...chan..." Minako and Makoto stood by the doorway, paralyzed by the scene in front of them. Usagi closed the lid as Mamoru disappeared.

More footsteps were heard as Usagi resumed holding on to Hotaru's fragile body. "Thank you Hotaru, for trying." Usagi whispered, "For trying." she repeated. "I'll remember that."

"Usagi-chan?" Rei's voice was heard.

"Doctor's here." Seiya yelled as he gently torn Hotaru's body away from Usagi to the Doctor.

"Usagi-chan, are you okay?" Setsuna asked softly.

Usagi kept her eyes closed as a faint but defiant words came out, "we have to get earth back."

======

Hotaru was healing, Haruka was healing. Everyone was stable. But Rei was worried.

Usagi had been unbelievably quiet for the past few days.

"I wonder what this is about..." Makoto murmured as they head toward the meeting room.

Usagi had called all the senshi together to talk.

"Can't be good." Rei said, "Usagi...I'm worried."

Ami nodded, "yeah, I hope she's okay..."

"I haven't seen her so quiet in years." Makoto commented.

Rei nodded, "not like her at all, Mamoru was a big part of her." she sighed, "Poor girl"

Silence fell over the three till Rei peeped up again, "ne, where's Minako-chan?"

Makoto shrugged, "I don't know..." she trailed off, "I'm a little worried about her too. In fact, I think she lost it."

"What do you mean?" Ami questioned.

"Well, the other day she was telling me how she didn't care and how she's mourned enough and all."

"Hmmm, I think she'll be fine, Minako's always fine..." Rei trailed off, "she pulls through everything and anything and come out of it stronger and sillier than before." a ironic smile was displayed on Rei's face.

The three entered the meeting room facing two grim looking outer senshi, distraught starlights and Kakyuu. And then there was Usagi, whose expression displayed no hint of solemnness, wrathfulness, nor depression, it was simply blank, aloof, and distant.

She looked up at the three senshi with dull blue eyes. "Where's Minako?" her usual innocent sweet tone now sounded hollow and lifeless.

"Uh...we don't know." Makoto conveyed as she took a seat by Michiru.

Usagi closed her eyes just as the door was swung open and Minako entered the room. She was in a spring yellow dress with tropical flowers decorating her hair, Artemis in one arm, a tulip in another, a wide smile on her face. She was...happy looking.

"Ohayo Minna-san!" her voice was clear and cheerful.

Setsuna nearly fell off her chair by the sudden unexpected voice.

"Sorry we are late." Artemis mumbled sheepishly as Minako placed herself next to Yaten, who gave her a concerned look.

"Oh yeah, sorry." Minako added, "I'm not that late am I? I was just checking out the greenhouse, it's very cool." she smiled at the starlights in appreciation.

"Don't do it again." Said Usagi, there was something in her voice that threw Minako off.

The hint of anger in her voice maybe.

Minako frowned at the sight of the table, there sits...

Grim, Sullen, Solemn, depressed, Somber, Gloomy, Bleak, Glum, Lifeless, none expressioned. "So, what are we doing here?" Minako asked.

Everyone turned to Usagi.

"I want to go back to Earth as soon as possible." she avowed.

A little bit of silence then Setsuna murmured, "I'm not sure if that's such a great idea..."

Usagi looked up, eyes blazing, "why not? I can't leave my own planet, I have to go back and kill that Nautica and restore everything..."

"Usagi..." Seiya put his hand on her shoulder, "there's nothing you can do right now and you know it. We need to know more about the enemy before we..."

"What do you know?" Usagi pulled away from Seiya like an injured animal as she screamed. "You are not the reason why your planet is probably destroyed now! You're not the failure! You are not the one who's Mamo-chan's dead! You are not the one..." Usagi broke down.

"Usagi..." Rei gathered her in her arms, "I'm going to get her to her room."

Rei and Usagi left.

Seiya stared at his own hands, his veins were suddenly giving him a headache.

Kakyuu laid her hand on his shoulder, "give her time." she said.

"Give her time." She voiced again, this time to all the senshi.

Time...Setsuna sighed, time was too precious. Each second ticking away could mean Nautica getting a crystal and one second closer to the destruction of the universe.

=========

"Rei, I'm okay now...please leave..." Usagi laid on her bed, hugging her pillow.

"Usagi-chan." Rei pushed the bangs away from her eyes, "please, don't be like this, I promise you that everything will be okay...You have to have strength Usagi, and when you do, we'll get through this together."

A whimper was heard, "I...I tried...but Rei...Mamoru..."

"Oh I'm so sorry Usagi." Rei gathered the frail girl in her arm as Usagi sobbed.

========

"Mama..."

A little hand extended toward her.

"Mama..."

A pair of red eyes in sorrow.

"Mama!!!"

The little girl reached forward, trying to grasp to life, she fell...and fell...and fell...

"MAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!"

========

"AHH!!!! CHIBI-USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Usagi woke with a scream, cold sweat glistened on her forehead. "Chibi-usa...chibi-usa" she whispered. Shaking her head wildly she yelled again, "CHIBI-USA!!!"

The lock of the door was riddled, a thud was heard, Seiya hurtled into Usagi's room in his Pjs. "Usagi?!" He yelled in concern.

"Chibi-usa...gone..." Usagi's blue eyes were wide and in shock, she felt as if she was in the deep ocean, weighed down and drowning.

"Usagi..." Seiya panted in worry, he cradled her between her arms. "Usagi what is it?"

Usagi shook her head crazily, "Chibi-usa." tears trickled down like they would never-end.

"Chibi-usa?" Seiya whispered, 'who's chibi...?' Seiya shook the thought out of his head, "Usagi, it's okay, it's a nightmare, it's not real."

"No it is real! It's real!" Usagi looked at Seiya urgently, "she's gone..."

Seiya stared back in shock, as if her words meant something to him. But he seem to understand, there was a pulse in his heart that understood it all.

"I'm so sorry." Seiya conveyed sincerely.

Usagi squinted her eyes, as if staring at Seiya for the first time. She saw sorrow, love and understanding in those pure blue eyes. "Seiya..." his name quivered under her lips.

Seiya stared at Usagi also, into her eyes, into her heart, he felt his hands grabbing her toward him, inch by inch till her heart pounded against his own. Till he could feel her pain within himself. Till his breaths were merging was hers. Till his lips...were so close to hers..

Seiya leaned forward.

---CLIFFHANGER---

Yep yup! What happens next? That's for me to know and you to find out! How cliche...