💫 Drops of Starlight 💫
By StrawberryMoonRose
🍓🌙 🌹
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Chapter 11: Monsters of the Past, Monsters of the Present
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"Everything okay, Naru?" Usagi gripped the telephone receiver so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
A familiar voice floated through the line, warm and reassuring. "Yes, everything's fine. I was just calling to wish you a Merry Christmas! I couldn't find your name in the phone book, so I called your mom and she gave me your number."
Usagi let out a big breath of air. "Oh, Merry Christmas to you too!" She was sure Naru had been looking under "Tsukino" when it would have been under "Chiba".
"Listen, Usagi. I was just thinking about yesterday. You were acting kind of off, I wanted to be sure you're doing alright."
Usagi pulled at the back of her neck. "Oh! Sorry about that. I don't know what got into me. I didn't mean to be rude."
"That's alright, I forgive you. That's what friends are for! Anyway, I was wondering if you'd like to get together soon? Maybe grab a coffee or something. Do you drink coffee?"
"No, but I'm up for a hot chocolate!"
"That's perfect! There's this great little cafe that has the best scones."
"Did you say scones?"
Naru's laugh was light and airy. "Yep! Say, are you free tomorrow morning? I've got some time off work this week."
"Yes!"
"Sounds great, meet me at nine at The Coffee Goat? It's across the street from my mom's jewelry shop."
"Yes, I'll see you then, Naru!"
"Great! Bye, Usagi."
The conversation ended, leaving Usagi with a sense of anticipation. She returned to the living room, her eyes landing on Seiya, who'd moved to the couch with Chibi-Usa on her lap. Usagi flashed back to the interrupted moment and felt the butterflies return to her stomach.
"It was Naru? Is she okay?"
Usagi nodded, holding her arm against her body awkwardly. "Um, yeah. She invited me to get coffee with her tomorrow morning."
"That's great. Maybe she'll have some insights about Nephrite."
"Yeah..." Usagi settled into the recliner near the couch. "Of course, I'm going to keep my ears open, but part of me just wants to catch up, you know? I feel bad, she was my best friend in eighth grade, and when I became a sailor guardian and began hanging out with the others, I kind of ditched her. I didn't even know she went to a different high school. I just thought we got into different classes."
"It wasn't on purpose, so don't beat yourself up about it."
"I just want to make it up to her. She says she has time off work, but I don't even know where she works or if she went to college or anything!"
"This will be good for you then." Chibi-Usa started fussing in Seiya's arms, turning her head to her chest and pulling on her shirt. "Looks like someone's hungry." Seiya smiled and passed her to Usagi, a natural gesture that spoke of their increasing familiarity.
"If it makes you feel any better, Bun Head, there were a lot of people I grew apart from when I became a Sailor Starlight. Taiki and Yaten too."
"I'm sorry to hear that, Seiya. Will you tell me how you became a sailor guardian?" Usagi asked, relaxed in the lounger. With it being Chibi-Usa's soon-to-be nap time, she would have a good hour or two to spare just holding her.
Seiya's response was thoughtful. "Sure, but maybe another time. Right now, I'd love to hear your story. It's more valuable, considering the current situation."
"I suppose you're right." Usagi stared out the window, watching heavy clumps of snow float from the white sky. "I don't even know where to start."
"Start from the beginning. I want to hear it all."
"You're in for a long story. Are you sure?"
"Yes." Seiya shifted onto her stomach, resting her chin in her palm. She cocked her head and grinned. "Tell me everything."
So she did.
Usagi started with meeting Luna, and how she couldn't stop crying when she fought her first youma. She watched Seiya's expression as she told her how Tuxedo Mask had come to her rescue, but if Seiya felt any jealousy or annoyance, she hid it well.
Usagi unraveled the story of Ami and Rei joining her as sailor guardians, then mentioned every detail she could recall about Nephrite. She explained how he tried a different approach to stealing energy than Jadeite, by targeting individuals one by one. Usagi revealed how Nephrite impersonated Tuxedo Mask, how fraught she was discovering Naru was in love with him, and how Naru tried to help him find the legendary silver crystal - the crystal that currently was tucked away in her brooch.
"He found out my identity, but he never did tell anyone before he died," she explained.
"That makes me nervous that he knows who you are," Seiya said, frowning. "It would be easy to find you if he truly wanted."
Usagi nodded and hugged her daughter closer. She went on to explain that Zoicite and his three minions abducted Naru and held her hostage. Seiya listened intently about how Nephrite rescued her, and when Zoicite's minions came after them, he pushed Naru out of the way and got stuck by their attack.
"When we showed up, it was too late." Usagi's voice choked up a bit. "It was the saddest thing I had ever seen. I remember him stroking her face as he started to disappear, and that was the moment I knew that Naru was right - Nephrite was a good guy. Maybe not up until his final hours, but he was."
She described how Naru carried the torn-up pajama cloth she had used to bandage up his arm around for a long time. Naru was never really the same after the whole incident, but over the next few years, time turned flames to embers and she went out with Umino, and they appeared to be a happy couple.
"Part of me wonders if she ever truly got over Nephrite," Usagi admitted. "She was young, and so in love."
"That's a traumatic thing to happen to a middle schooler," Seiya said quietly.
Usagi looked down and realized Chibi-Usa had fallen asleep. She shifted her daughter into a more comfortable sleeping position.
"So what happened next?" Seiya pressed.
"You really want to hear it all?"
The Starlight nodded, so Usagi continued. She told her about Makoto moving to their school and Sailor V revealing herself as Sailor Venus. Usagi explained their past lives, reincarnation, and defeating Queen Beryl. How they lost their memories, only to be re-awoken.
From Ali and En to the Black Moon, Crystal Tokyo, and five-year-old Chibi-Usa falling out of the sky, she told Seiya everything. To Uranus and Neptune, Hotaru, and the heart crystals and talismans. To the Dead Moon Circus and Queen Nehelania, and how it was Sailor Galaxia who brought Nehelania back from the mirror, solely to awaken Sailor Saturn to steal her starseed.
Seiya listened politely, her almond-shaped blue eyes reacting accordingly as she told her every detail, every battle, every betrayal.
The shock was evident on Seiya's face while Usagi told of meeting her future self, and Usagi knew it all seemed silly now because it was all gone. That version of herself no longer existed. But it didn't bother her talking about it as much as she thought it would.
Seiya cursed when she found out Haruka, Michiru, and Setsuna planned on killing Hotaru in fear she would awaken and end the world.
When Usagi told her about Helios, how Chibi-Usa would spend nights talking to Pegasus, Seiya smiled at the stuffed animal on the living room floor amongst the multitude of toys she'd opened earlier.
"And that's when Sailor Iron Mouse showed up on the movie set and I met you three," Usagi said, feeling a little out of breath. She'd been talking for the past hour and a half and was on her second glass of water. "You know the rest," she added.
"Wow," Seiya said, sitting up. "You've had quite the journey, Bun Head."
"It's a lot to take it, huh?" She giggled. "I warned you, Seiya."
Seiya studied Chibi-Usa, asleep peacefully on Usagi's chest. The infant's side profile showcased her plump baby cheeks and a cascade of unruly pink curls.
"Do you sometimes catch glimpses of her older self when you look at her?" Seiya asked.
"More often than I'd like," Usagi admitted. "But I'm trying to enjoy these days because everyone says how fast they go. But honestly, sometimes I feel like I'm not cut out for this, and I can't wait for her to grow up. I miss that little bratty kid she used to be. That and I just want to sleep through the night, you know? Not have to lug around so much baby gear and panic every time she starts crying in public."
"I understand," Seiya said, pulling on a loose thread of a nearby blanket.
"I'm sorry, I'm probably boring you to tears with my life story."
Seiya gave a quizzical look. "Of course not. Everything about you is interesting, Bun Head. I feel closer to you now more than ever, since you shared your past with me."
Usagi pinkened. She fingered her new charm bracelet on her wrist. "Um, so is there anything you want to do today?" She changed the subject. "I'd hate to just sit around on Christmas Day."
"I don't mind," Seiya said. "But at some point, I do need to go shopping. I could use some more clothes. I'm not sure how long you plan on putting up with me here - and on a side note, please do tell me if I'm overstaying my welcome."
"You're always welcome here, Seiya. I want you to know that."
"Thank you, Bun Head. Given the peculiar situation involving your friend, I don't feel it's right to leave you now."
Usagi lowered her head shyly. "Um, do you want to go shopping this afternoon? Most places are still open on Christmas. Plus there's a mall I love that has the best homemade cookies and holiday lights!"
Seiya chuckled. "Sure. I'm up for anything, as long as I'm with you."
Usagi felt her face warm. She turned her focus away, trying but failing to ignore Seiya's blatant gaze. She could see Seiya smiling out of the corner of her eye, surely enjoying the way a simple comment could make her so flustered.
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"I think...I've got plenty...to wear now, Bun Head," Seiya said, her arms laden with two shoe boxes and an impressive array of four jumbo shopping bags. They had been navigating the bustling maze of a mall in Tokyo's vibrant shopping district for the better part of three hours, stopping only for a well-deserved lunch break. Seiya had wildly underestimated the endurance the endeavor would require.
"Are you sure? I'm more than game for more shopping if you can handle it!" Usagi's enthusiasm for shopping seemed boundless, a fact that both impressed and exhausted Seiya.
Seiya sweatdropped. She collapsed onto a bench outside a cutesy boutique that Usagi had just whirled through like a cyclone. While the objective of the trip was to get clothing for Seiya, she was pretty sure Usagi had amassed an equal amount for herself. The moon princess tried everything on while Seiya carried Chibi-Usa and walked around the store, praying she wouldn't cry. Fortunately, Chibi-Usa had complied, but Seiya had started recognizing the whine in Chibi-Usa's voice that signaled an approaching naptime.
"Trust me, I'm sure," Seiya replied, massaging her shoulder and flicking her sore wrist from carrying around all their bags.
"Let's take a break before we get cookies and head home!" Usagi plugged her nose and reached for the diaper bag. "Oof, somebody's got a stinky diaper. We'll be right back!"
As Usagi dashed off toward the nearest restroom, Seiya settled back on the bench, taking the opportunity to survey the bustling mall. The subdued afternoon light filtered through the expansive skylights, casting a cool glow on the myriad of shoppers. The atmosphere, though brisk, was not overwhelmingly crowded for two o'clock in the afternoon. Seiya's ears perked up as she recognized the familiar strains of one of their chart-topping singles wafting through the mall's sound system. A wistful smile curved her lips for nostalgia's sake.
"If we had only met earlier
All I can use is that excuse
To the distance where the moonlight doesn't reach
Oh, I want to take you away there"
With a contented sigh, Seiya leaned back, her thoughts drifting to the recent days with Usagi, the endearing antics of Chibi-Usa, and the undeniable sense of belonging she found in this world.
As the minutes ticked by, Seiya noticed a twenty-something girl staring in her direction. She instinctively pulled her winter hat down and adjusted her fake glasses. Usagi had insisted she buy them earlier that afternoon, excitedly exclaiming, "You look so cute in glasses!"
The girl looked away and continued on. Seiya exhaled. If we do stay here somewhat permanently, maybe we should reband the Three Lights after all. We've got plenty of money in our bank account for now, but what about the years ahead? I'd like to be able to support her, so she wouldn't need to rely on Mamoru's help anymore.
Glancing over her shoulder, Seiya took in the view from the bench she occupied. The colossal fountain at the center of the mall bubbled peacefully below on the first level. People flowed like a human river, skirting around it, engaged in their bustling activities. Seiya breathed in the aroma of chicken lo mein from the food court.
Her thoughts circled back. What am I even thinking, as if she'd ask me to stay? I shouldn't get ahead of myself. This morning...it was probably all in my head. She wasn't really going to let me kiss her, was she? Because if she was, then that means maybe she does feel the same...
Yaten's right. I am a coward. I don't want to jeopardize what we have now and make everything awkward if she rejects me again. Even though I'm sure she suspects my feelings for her have not changed at all...
Seiya turned back, expecting Usagi to return at any moment. Her resolve hardened. We always said no more secrets. I should just tell her. I mean, what do I have to lose?
Usagi's trademark hairstyle was easy to spot as she strolled back with Chibi-Usa hooked on one hip, diaper bag slung over her shoulder.
Seiya stood and waved, the anticipation building within her.
Usagi's reaction, however, was unexpected. Usagi stopped in her tracks, her complexion rapidly paling. Chibi-Usa suddenly erupted into piercing cries. Usagi's wide eyes locked onto something behind Seiya, her lips parted in a mixture of shock and terror.
"Seiya!" Usagi screamed. "Behind you-!"
Turning, Seiya barely had time to react before a powerful grip clamped around her neck, yanking her into a headlock. Adrenaline surged as Seiya clawed at the arm, gasping for air. Whoever it was, they were strong, stronger than she was . They dragged her back, causing her to lose her footing.
Slam! With a brutal thud, Seiya's back collided with the glass railing behind the bench. Pain zipped through her, and she sucked in a pained gasp of air. She snapped open her eyes to find the face of a monster snarling back at her.
The creature, a macabre hybrid of human and monster, was like a nightmare incarnate. Its eyes blazed with a sickly yellow hue, bloodshot and unnerving. It towered above her at seven feet tall, with a mold-encrusted body. A noxious green gas oozed from its pores, enveloping the air around Seiya in a suffocating haze. She coughed, choking back a gag.
A pair of razor-sharp nails clawed at her, mercilessly tearing through her jacket and t-shirt, drawing blood and a sharp cry from her lips. The creature seized Seiya by the collar, hoisting her off the ground with a grim ease that spoke of its unnatural strength.
Seiya's instincts kicked in, and she fumbled frantically in her coat pocket for her transformation brooch. Her fingers brushed against its familiar surface, but before she could grasp it, she was heaved against the already-strained glass railing. The impact was so severe that the glass splintered into a spider web formation.
"Seiya!" Usagi shrieked.
But it was too late. The railing yielded to the force, and with a heart-stopping shatter, both Seiya and the monstrous entity fell in a tumbling heap to the story below.