The Ending Truth

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"The Ending Truth"

We never thought about it. She never let on that she knew nothing of how he was doing… she didn't even appear to be disturbed… and so it was complete shock when the news hit us. We were unprepared. Even she was, but of course she would be… Usagi, my dear friend, I'm *so* sorry…

We were sitting in our normal booth at Crown's, as usual for after school days. Minako, Makoto, Ami, and Usagi sat with me. The others gossiped about things with the Three Lights and of course I over-acted my jealousy of not being at their school too.

Minako whispered to me about Seiya passing notes to Usagi during class. "Minako-chan!" Usagi cried, blushing.

I put on a stern expression, "Usagi-chan, I am _not_ going to allow you to date Seiya-san!" My odango-ed friend turned bright red.

"Rei! How dare you think like that! I'm _not_ Seiya's girlfriend and never will be!"

Makoto added slyly, "The question is, do you want to be?"

"NO!" Usagi wailed. "Ami-chan!" she whined, "Help me out here!"

I shook my head, drawing away from the argument as I spotted Motoki standing outside and looking in our direction. However he didn't seem focused and I noticed his glistening eyes. I felt it then, this strange power of foreboding and sadness… I was scared.

Thankfully no one else noticed him, I don't think he wished to be seen… at least, not at the moment.

"Odango!" Came the familiar voice, snapping my head around to face the three boys walking towards us. Right away Minako got little hearts in her eyes.

"Yaten-kun! Taiki-san! Seiya-san!" she purred. I just rolled my eyes, Minako and her idol chasing…

All of us flushed slightly, however Usagi turned a darker red… considering what we had been talking about. The boys just exchanged glances before motioning us to scoot in to give them some room. Minako ended up by Yaten… of course after moving. With Makoto's help, Ami and Taiki were next to each other. And since Usagi always sat on the end, Seiya was next to her.

It was then that I returned my gaze out the window. I was only half-surprised to see Motoki no longer standing there. "Rei-chan, whatcha staring at?"

"Huh?" I turned my attention back, "Oh, I saw Motoki-san standing out there before but he's gone now."

"Motoki?" Makoto asked, "Y'know, I haven't seen him for a while now…"

A new male voice broke through our thoughts, "Konnichi minna-san." We looked up and saw Motoki standing there. I'm not sure if anyone else noticed but now when he was closer I saw his eyes better. They had unshed tears in them… or possibly leftover tears. My hands shook nervously in my lap, unsure of what was happening.

"Motoki-kun!" Usagi smiled. I noticed the sharp glance Seiya cast Motoki's way, he really did have a `thing' for Usagi… didn't he?

Quickly Makoto stepped in for introductions, Seiya visibly calmed upon hearing of the old friend. Throughout this whole time however, it seemed to me that Motoki was slowly losing strength. He seemed so much older than he had the last time I'd seen him… what had happened?"

"Usa- Usagi…" Motoki started softly, from the serious tone in his voice Usagi calmed and frowned.

"You look tired, here Motoki-kun, sit down…" she ushered Seiya to the other side of her while we all squished together a little more.

Motoki rested shaking hands on the table while taking in deep breaths. None of us dared to breathe and the tension grew in the air. "Motoki-kun…?" I asked in a whisper.

He continued to stare down at his hands as he spoke softly, "I… I have the horrid job- of… of telling you… that…" he gulped and I saw the tears. Usagi was tensing, though I don't think she really realized it. "Usagi…" he said, turning to her then taking her hands before whispering, "Mamoru never got to America…"

Stunned silence followed. I sat there, stiff and forward in my seat. Usagi was breathing heavily but obviously not giving up yet. "You… mean… what?" she breathed. My heart beat so fast I felt like it would fly from my chest.

Motoki clenched his fists and eyes shut before choking out, "Shimata! Usagi, he's _dead_!"

Suddenly I was on my feet, "Kami-sama!!"

Makoto, Ami, and Minako suddenly let out pained cries. And Usagi… she was sitting there… hands shaking, almost so hard they looked as if they were about to fall off. Then she whispered, "No, don't lie… don't lie!" She said it louder the second time. Yaten, Taiki, and Seiya were looking on the whole time- probably confused, but that mattered no longer.

The blond-haired boy stood up then, I'm sure unable to bear the pain any longer. "Usagi… I'm… so, so sorry…" he whispered before running out.

And then it happened. The scream; pure agony, loss, love, anger, confusion… it said it all. All this emitted from one person at our table. Usagi let out a cry, so painful that everyone in the café turned towards our table with sad expressions on their faces. But that did not matter, no. The only one who did was Usagi.

I was at her side in seconds, tears flowing down her cheeks and mine. To this day I'm not sure what I whispered to her but I remember holding her tightly and rocking back and forth trying to calm her. "Usagi… oh Usagi… shh… shh…"

There you had it. This announcement coming now… after all these months… three months, was it? And she never let on… never told us that she hadn't heard from him. And today we find this out… from his best friend. 'Mamoru… how can you leave her?!'

The week following was just pure hell. My soul was half-gone along with some of my weight. My parents were worried as I stayed in my room but Rei had come over and explained. I had listened when she did so…

Motoki had also come over to give the information to my parents to give to me later. I had again listened so I knew what had happened. Halfway through the flight, over the ocean the plane had suddenly disappeared from… from… well, _everything_. It showed up no where, not on radars… satellites… nothing…

So Mamo-chan had never reached American. That is why I never was replied to from letters… but finding out _now_? How could I not know? He was part of my soul! Or… was he? So many questions had arisen since the news of his death… my friends had been over here many times but I have yet to see any of the outers. However I need to talk to Setsuna, she had answers that I needed.

Today was one of those days that I couldn't even get out of bed. Usually I was able to get up at some point, but not that day. I just lay there and stared at the ceiling… could I simply let the silver crystal take my energy and let me die? No longer did I wish to face this world knowing that I'd be forever alone…

"Odango…" the quiet voice, so familiar… that voice belonged to the young man that was so much like Mamo-chan, yet in ways different. I said nothing as I felt Seiya come over to my bed and sit on the edge. His eyes were studying me, I knew. What a site I must have been, thin and pale… hair dirty and messy.

I finally allowed my eyes to look at him and all I saw was worry… caring… and… and… who was I going to kid? There was love there…

"Usagi-chan," he said softly, "you need to eat…"

"I don't want to," my hoarse voice snapped.

He held his ground, "I'm not going to allow you to starve. You're going to eat. You have no choice in this, especially since I'm going to feed you myself!"

That startled me awake. "Huh…?" I asked dazedly. My mother suddenly walked in the room with a tray of steaming tea and soup. She looked at me worriedly and with teary eyes before handing Seiya the tray. Pausing on her way out she turned back to me and said softly,

I didn't say anything. I couldn't promise anything, I just was so lost right then…

The next thing I knew, I was sitting up and faced with a spoonful of soup under my nose. On it's own will my mouth opened and took in the bite. This continued for a while until Seiya paused and wrapped my hands around the tea mug. I almost jerked away from his hold but then realized how weak I'd become. Slowly he helped me drink and eat, the whole time neither of us saying a word.

The food was finished and my head was much clearer… a headache from before was gone. Ikuko-mama walked in and a surprised and relieved look crossed her face. "Arigatou…" she whispered as tears rolled down her face.

Before she walked out with the tray I cried softly, "Mama…" she turned around as my eyes overflowed with tears, "I never meant to frighten you…" she cried softly before setting the tray down and coming to embrace me in a hug.

I started talking then, softly but still I was finally talking to her about what happened. Seiya left sometime during that talk, I'm not sure when though…

They needed some alone time, I decided. I was so relieved that she had finally eaten. After hearing of how she was fairing I couldn't believe it. Sure, I was over here practically everyday- almost always missing some practice. But for Odango, anything… and especially something like this.

I brought the tray downstairs with shaking hands. After setting it down I finally let the tears out, crying softly I stood in the kitchen. I'd never been attuned to crying before but now… for her…

A few days later I received a quick call from Rei, "Seiya-kun, we're all meeting at the shrine tomorrow. You, Taiki, and Yaten are to come… after school. If you have practice, you'll have to cancel. This is extremely important."

I only replied with, "We're there."

The next day I walked with the other two members of my band along with Makoto. Minako and Ami left separately with Usagi, who had finally come to school again. It was an uncomfortable silence and Makoto's solemn face helped nothing.

Taiki was the one who broke through, "What is this all about?"

"Can't you tell us anything?" Yaten inquired next.

"Is anything wrong with Usagi?" I asked, slightly worried.

We stopped asking questions, guessing nothing would be answered until we got to the shrine. We followed quietly after Makoto as she led us up the steps and then into the back of the shrine. A small pond was on one side while peaceful, green gardens filled out most of the rest.

Eight girls and two cats sat within that area. The cats, I realized, belonged to Minako and Usagi. The next two people I noticed I slightly cringed at, Haruka and Michiru… we never did get along well… two new faces were there also. A tall woman with tanned skin and long black-green hair stood next to a young girl with short black hair.

"Sit," was the command coming from the woman's lips, she was obviously the oldest there. I didn't dare disobey so Taiki, Yaten, and I found rocks to sit on. I noticed Usagi sitting next to Rei on the steps… how I wished to comfort her… but I shouldn't.

Ami took over then, "I will do a few introductions… Kou Taiki, Kou Yaten, and Kou Seiya… this is Meiou Setsuna and Tomoe Hotaru. You already know Kaiou Michiru and Ten'ou Haruka, ne?" we nodded in response.

There was a pause then, Haruka and Michiru along with Setsuna did not look pleased. Finally Setsuna began, "I do not approve entirely of the Princess's choice of telling you everything but with what has happened to…" she faltered slightly, "Endymion-sama, I will excuse this."

Haruka muttered, "It shouldn't make a difference… this isn't right…"

I was confused suddenly, " `Princess'?"

Hotaru spoke, her voice full of wisdom yet so childlike… "Serenity-sama."

"Serenity?" Taiki asked.

"You seem to be echoes…" commented a dry voice, new yet very vaguely familiar.

"Who spoke?" Yaten asked.

The voice sighed and I noticed Usagi's small black cat move forward. "Excuse me, I didn't mean to speak but I might as well finish now…"

"That cat can talk?" Yaten asked, jumping up. I too was surprised, though I remained seated.

"Please," the white cat walked forward now, "we did not come to discuss talking cats but of the past, present, and future."

"Don't confuse them," Usagi said softly. My eyes turned to her, she seemed so much older now after all this news… however, I'd been able to get her to eat and take care of herself so she was doing better.

"What is this all about?" I asked softly, without realizing it I was only directing my question at her.

"As Artemis said, past lives… present lives with secret identities… and future royalty…"

Taiki raised his eyebrows, "That is still confusing."

"Hai," Setsuna commented, "it's always confusing to those of us living only in one time period. Accepting their past was hard for everyone here. Only I was not affected. One thousand years ago there was a time of peace for all the planets called the Silver Millennium. The Moon Kingdom was the center of this all and the ruler at the time was Selene… her daughter was to rule after her. Serenity, was her name…"

Slowly the tale unfolded, once the senshi were mentioned I felt Taiki and Yaten stiffen. It was hard… seemingly only Sailor Moon and I wanted to join together… but what was this and the senshi of this… past?

"Selene sent everyone on the moon at that time, dead or alive, to the earth to be reborn in the future. And so we are brought up to today." I stared for a moment as Setsuna's mouth formed a thin line, "I'm sorry princess, I don't want to continue this… it is not right for them to know."

Usagi's voice was the one who replied, it was firm and commanding, something I hadn't heard before, "Setsuna-san… we talked this over and you said okay!"

"They should not know!" Setsuna protested before added in firmly, "Princess, it's for your own good."

Hold it! `PRINCESS'?

Haruka was standing now, facing us with hard eyes yet talking to Usagi, "It's for your own protection. Who knows what they want?"

Usagi came forward now and she looked slightly different suddenly, like she had this regal air about her… "I will continue then."

Yaten's vocal chords worked then, "Hold it now! What is this and the `princess' thing…?"

"Let Serenity-sama speak, she gives too much by revealing identities… you should be quiet," Michiru stated.

It clicked then, "Usagi's that Moon Princess?" Taiki and Yaten echoed my voice.

No one answered, "There is more," Usagi began, "in this life we are different… again… for a few years now I've been with Minako-chan, Ami-chan, Rei-chan, and Makoto-chan… we're… we're…" she looked one last time to Setsuna, who didn't seem to help her, "We are in this life, as in the past and future, the Sailor Senshi."

"NANI?!" I was standing now, dread completely filled my hope and I felt my face drain of color. Taiki and Yaten hardened beside me, I felt them close off… "Let her explain," I whispered, hoping that nothing got out of hand.

Usagi held a hand to her head briefly, "C'mon girls… henshin-yo."

Hesitantly four hands held up short wand-like objects. Ami was the first to start, "Mercury Crystal Power, Make up!"

"Jupiter Crystal Power, Make Up!"

"Mars Crystal Power, Make Up!"

"Venus Crystal Power, Make Up!"

Usagi paused a moment, holding the locket on her bow. Beside her now stood Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Venus. My heart sunk lower, these were those that were considered a possible enemy… I couldn't bare to think that way now. I hadn't been able to before but it'd be impossible now. My thoughts were broken as:

"Moon Eternal, Make Up!" Usagi's voice rang, with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Sailor… Moon…" I whispered, "Odango?"

"Iie…" was whispered beside me. I realized that Taiki and Yaten felt the same. Enemies turning out to be friends… now what would happen?

"I had to let you know…" Usagi's… Sailor Moon's voice said while quivering slightly, "I couldn't let you not know." I felt her gloved hand on my shoulder then and I looked into her eyes, so lost now… "No more secrets, right?" she whispered, slightly smiling.

I bit my lip before making up my mind, "No more."

"Seiya, you'd betray…?" Taiki asked, but in his voice I heard that hint of pain…

"We can't do this, Seiya," Yaten added.

I said nothing. Sailor Moon spoke again, "I'm.. so sorry if something is wrong… I mean… maybe this was a mistake…"

"Too late to take it back," Haruka commented, "Let's finish it. Uranus Planet Power, Make Up!"

"Neptune Planet Power, Make Up!"

"Saturn Planet power, Make Up!"

"Pluto Planet Power, Make Up!"

Another four scouts stood before us. I uttered no sound and also held my face firm, not able to just give in to emotion… I couldn't… for our princess…

"I…" Sailor Moon didn't finish for suddenly her eyes rolled back and she fell forward. I reacted quickly and caught her.

"What the hell is wrong?" Uranus asked in an angry tone. I held Sailor Moon carefully as Mercury brought out her visor and computer.

"Kami-sama…" she murmured while looking from her findings to the girl I held in my arms. I held my breath, wondering what was happening. "Shimata!" that sent us all a little off course, never having heard Ami swear before… "She's been using the silver imperium crystal! Her energy's low!"

Pluto stepped forward, "I was afraid of this, she's using it on purpose."

"To end her life, why?" Taiki demanded, though I found a hint of nervousness in his voice.

"Oh yes, obviously you have not had true love or companionship in your life. Serenity-sama killed herself in the past after Endymion-sama perished, why would she not try to do so now? Usagi-chan has died for us all before… including her prince."

"What? Died?" I was losing it now, confused and scared.

"Long story," was all Jupiter muttered.

Mars added in with worry, "But wouldn't she try to live…? For Chibi-Usa-chan's sake? And what about the world?"

I had no idea what they were talking about, but I continued to listen. It seemed Pluto held most answers, "No… think about it, if Mamoru dies in the past… there's no Endymion in the future. Hence forth, no Small Lady. As for the Earth's people, they'd still need her. As long as she holds the silver crystal she'll wake the Earth… however if she does not fight to live now she won't have a future!"

"Poor dear…" the mocking voice came from behind me and sent chills through my back. I turned with the others to face the intruder.

"Sailor Aluminum Siren…" I spit. What was she doing here?

The light, blue-haired senshi just tossed her hair back, "I'm supposed to introduce myself! How rude!"

Another senshi came out, Lead Crow I think. "Forget that Siren, haven't you noticed how lucky we are?"

"Oh yes," Siren smirked, "all these girls here are in truth the Sailor Senshi! This will make our jobs easy, let's just get their star seeds…"

Crow just gave a full-tooth grin in reply. The senshi around me were ready in battle position around Sailor Moon's body-, which I held. They protected their princess as we did ours…

"Don't try anything, Seiya," Taiki murmured to me.

"I can't promise anything." I got a sharp look from Yaten on that comment.

"Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!"

Siren and Crow easily missed the attack and bounded through the senshi, knocking them back. However they got up quickly again to fight off the enemy. It was beginning to be hard to watch, "No, Seiya… not unless in a deadly position!" Yaten whispered harshly. Well, at least we had an agreement now.

"I'm doing this the quick way," Crow stated irritably while gathering power between her hands. She let it loose, knocking all the senshi away painfully. I myself fell to my knees but continued to hold onto Usagi's form.

"Step away boy," Siren commanded, "we're just interested in her star seed." I didn't move or reply. "He's so impertinent!"

"Forget it Siren, just finish this job!"

I made up my mind then, "Fighter Star Power…"

"No! Seiya!" Taiki shouted.

"Shimata! No, don't betray us!"

I blocked out their voices while finishing, "Make Up!" the eyes of the other senshi were on me, I felt it but no longer cared. 'No more secrets…' flowed through my mind. Those were her words.

"NANI?!" everyone excluding Taiki and Yaten cried.

Siren and Crow had stepped away and were now staring openly. "No way…" Siren whispered before regaining her composure, "So these idols are actually those Starlights?" without reply she launched her attack. I jumped away while holding Sailor Moon to me.

I believe Taiki and Yaten came to the agreement that our masquerade was up for suddenly they shouted, "Maker Star Power, Make Up!"

"Healer Star Power, Make Up!"

Mercury whispered softly, "Taiki-san is actually… Star Maker?"

"Yaten-kun is Star Healer?" Venus murmured.

"Seiya is… Star Fighter…" Mars added softly.

As the senshi began to recover and stand up, Crow and Siren began to back away, "The odds aren't good enough. Let's get out of here, Siren!"

"Uh-huh…" Siren agreed. A phone booth materialized and the two stepped in. Jupiter sent a bolt of lighting at it but the booth was gone in seconds.

Attention was turned then to us, or more directly me as I held Sailor Moon. Uranus strode up and looked about to hit me, "Hand her over." The command was harsh with no room for objection, yet I didn't move. "I said, hand her over! You stay away from her!"

"You're treading dangerous ground," Pluto stated with the same harshness, "we don't fare well with those from other planets."

"And do you believe that humans and senshi from elsewhere cannot have feelings and friendship?" Healer demanded. I agreed with her.

Mars suddenly murmured, "Y'know… we're all from separate planets. Only Mamoru-kun was from here… earth…"

She received some cold glares from the outer senshi, however I saw that they knew she was right. "The point is," Neptune started, "is that our enemies are also senshi. How do we know that you are not enemies? Perhaps you're not with them, but it doesn't mean you are with us."

I knew what they were thinking, "We have felt the same way," Maker stated, "and now it'll be harder to decide. We'll have to think about this."

"And what's there to think about?" Uranus demanded.

In my arms I felt Sailor Moon stir a little. Her eyes blinked as I looked down at her, "Fighter...?" she asked.

I whispered, "Yes… and no… it's Seiya, Odango."

"Seiya…?" she whispered.

"Are you okay?" I helped Sailor Moon steady herself as her friends gathered round.

"Why are you using the silver crystal to drain your energy?"

As her transformation faded, Usagi answered softly, "What have I to live for?"

Rei replied with teary eyes, "That's the stupidest question I've ever heard!" She sniffed, "Usagi-chan… look at all of us. Your friends! What about for everyone else on this planet who want a future? If you go, then no one will live!"

Usagi stood there and looked all of us over, as if considering, "I will defeat Galaxia and her minions… I cannot let her win!"

A sigh of relieve escaped our lips, she would fight and live, we could pray for her safety. Then she turned to me, "We had so many secrets, ne? And probably more to be told… sorry I didn't let you know sooner. It was `for my protection' as they say. But now… can we be friends?" her sad and hopeful eyes locked mine.

Before I got to shake her hand on it Uranus halted us, when did this happen before I wonder…? "No, we don't know about you."

"Haruka-san! It's just Seiya, Taiki-san, and Yaten-kun! C'mon!" Usagi pleaded, "We need all the help we can get and they're friends!"

"No, possibly foe!" was the retort.

"You can't be foe, could you?" Usagi asked worriedly.

"Not now, not anymore," was my reply.

"Seiya, you're forgetting our mission." Maker's voice hit me head on.

"Did you ever think they might help us?" I asked coolly.

"We don't need their help!" Healer protested.

I sighed angrily, "Yes we do! We've been trying for months to find her and still haven't! That should be a good clue that we need help!"

"Who do you mean by `her'?" Mercury questioned.

I replied since the others seemed reluctant to talk with these senshi, "Our princess."

"Seiya," I turned my head towards Maker but wouldn't let Usagi out of my sight, "why are you telling them this?"

"Is it not fair for them to know of our past when we know theirs?"

Silence clouded around all of us, each of us struggling. "Can we not be friends?" came the small voice. Usagi stood now with a pale face as she gripped something in her right hand.

Sailor Pluto's eyes widened as she stepped to Usagi, "Don't use the crystal. You're already weak."

Usagi bowed her head, "Can't we be friends?"

Finally I heard Healer sigh, "We can try."

"Hai…" Maker whispered.

Slowly the inner senshi agreed, the outers replied only that they would only try.

The last thing I saw was Sailor Moon kneeling in front of me with tears rolling down her face, "Don't worry… princess…" I gasped, my weak body growing even weaker… transparent.

Sailor Pluto was beside me and I barely heard her say something. My body suddenly felt so light… I knew what I was now, just a group of lights as I floated away with Setsuna…

Slowly I opened my eyes and was faced with five familiar pairs of eyes, "Hotaru-chan!" Minako cried happily while pulling me into a hug.

"Minna?" I asked, startled to see them.

"Hotaru-chan!" I turned around to find Setsuna, I smiled happily.

"But where are we, Setsuna-mama?" I asked.

Rei helped me stand while replying, "We're really not sure… it's just like a wide field." I looked around, it checked out as Rei said. There were scattered trees and flowers while everything else was green grass.

Another question popped into my mind and I turned to Setsuna with slight horror within me, "Setsuna-mama…?" my voice quivered, "did they really turn against us?"

Setsuna sighed and looked down, "I cannot see… but it is not Uranus or Neptune to betray us. They're loyal to the princess, it must be a trick…"

Makoto looked horrified, probably figuring out what we were talking about, "What do you mean?"

I replied softly, "Michiru-mama and Haruka-papa now wear Galaxia's bracelets… they took our star seeds."

"NANI?!" Ami stared at us with her mouth agape, "It.. it can't be!"

"That's why I believe it must be a trick… I just hope it works," was Setsuna's reply. "Now who's that over there…?"

I looked over to where Setsuna was staring at, my breath caught as I began to run towards the two figures, "Chibi-Usa!"

My pink-haired friend ran forward, "Hotaru!"

"Chibi-Usa?" Rei whispered, "Then…"

"Konnichi wa minna!"

"Mamoru-san!" the girls chorused. I watched on while still hugging Chibi-Usa, it'd been a long time since I'd seen her.

Everyone was talking and finding out about what had happened when a flash of light momentarily blinded us. When we could see again two figures lay on the ground, fingers touching…

"Haruka…?" Michiru murmured as her eyes flickered. Haruka sat up beside her, each helped the other to stand. "Where are we…?"

"Obviously not where I should be… this is not hell."

"Don't you mean we?"

"I told you before, hell does not suit you."

Setsuna stepped forward, "Haruka-san, Michiru-san…"

Both turned to face us, "Setsuna… Hotaru… minna…"