A War of the Roses by Aino ForSylvite@aol.com Rated PG Chapter 5 It is a large dark space unfit for life where jealousy and greed dwell. A place of unreasonable reason and cowardly bravery where all that is seen and unseen pleas for it's life, such was the mind of Madam Galixia. She was dressed all in solid gold and appeared as a radiant star, visible in the cold night of her surroundings. She wore a golden headdress, a crown like that of a powerful Queen...which is what she was. She ruled over large bits and pieces of the Universe that she considered well worth her time and energy to watch over. Whatever was not available to her she took by force. She had created three senshi (soldiers) to help her with various tasks. The collecting of star seeds for an example. It wasn't actually a collection per say, more of a search. A search for a perfect star seed. A star seed is the essence of a human being. It is their life. If they have led a good life and been generous and fair than their star seed will shine and sparkle. These good star seeds at first may be confused with a perfect one. If one has led a life of evil, such as a murderer or those in the Nega-verse...their essence, their star seed will be clouded with dark splotches. If a good or a bad star seed was found then it was discarded and the individual from which it was extracted from was left to die, one can not survive for more than an hour with out their star seed. They were sacrifices but none that Galixia cared at all about. What Sailor Galixia was searching for was the perfect star seeds. The star seeds that shined like no others...that were like no others. Her search had now brought her to the planet Earth to find the legendary Sailor Soldiers, the only known descendents of the Silver Millennium. Mamoru waited somewhat impatiently for Usagi to arrive. She had suggested that they spend the entire day together because they wouldn't see each other for a long time. Mamoru, unfortunately had to decline after all he had to work he had said to Usagi, and he needed all the extra cash he could get. The truth of it was he had to make a quick stop at the jewelry store to pick up the ring he had purchased two years ago for her. She had been upset at first but all had been reconciled when he had suggested that Usako come spend the night, he cleared his throat, evening with him, they would have dinner at his apartment. It was indeed a hard thing planning a romantic dinner for two when your date wasn't of drinking age yet but he had thought that a little smidgen of wine couldn't do much harm, after all, when she wanted to be, Usako was very mature. He had gotten all dressed up for this special occasion with a jacket and tie. However for his guy dressing up wasn't an unusual thing. Usagi made her way happily up the stairs of the apartment complex. She was about to have a romantic dinner with the most good looking and sweet guy ever, she lowered her head...who was flying to America tomorrow morning. She sniffled a little, no she decided...no tears tonight, and this was a happy night! Full of happiness, with happy things and happy people being happy! Whatever. She finally reached the plain white door in the middle of the third floor and paused to stare at it for a moment. This had been like her second home for the past year or so, she wondered what Mamoru was going to do with it now that he was leaving, well of course he'd want to keep it until he returned. A thought came to mind...SHE could take care of it for him! Great! Then she wouldn't have to feel so far away from Mamo-chan! She then knocked eagerly on the door. Mamoru blue out the match and tossed it in he sink. He had lit a cinnamon scented candle...never make garlic bread... he would have to keep that in mind. He passed the charred loaf and the fire extinguisher on his way out. He left the room letting the little candle work it's magic. He pulled the fold out screen in front of the little kitchen so it couldn't be seen. He then made his way over to the door and opened it. Usagi ran into him and hugged him warmly. "Mamo-chan!" She giggled sweetly. Mamoru smiled instantly. "Usako hi." He chuckled a little himself while hugging her back. She looked great. "You look great." She was so beautiful tonight. "You are so beautiful tonight." Fearing an outburst he corrected himself..."EVERY night...every day! You look great everyday." Usagi looked confused. "I'm gonna miss you so much Muffin." She sighed staring at him for a moment. He was going to miss her to, more than he could ever say, so instead he invited her into his bedroom, which made her heart pump three times faster then normal. But Mamoru was a gentleman, at least at the moment, he had only invited her into his room to present her with a gift. She stepped in the dark room. It smelled heavenly, then Mamoru flicked the lights on. It was like a garden of roses, there must have been at least twenty dozen roses crammed into his moderately small room. "Mamo-chan." She gasped. Usagi spotted something in the middle of his hardly visible bed. There was a card in a white envelope sitting there with her name scribbled across the clean surface. She smiled the biggest smile she could muster. Suddenly she turned around and threw herself into his arms and planted a warm kiss on her love. He returned it gladly. It lasted for several seconds, then Mamoru broke it off. "Promise me that you will open that card when you feel alone." Mamoru watched her eyes light up. "I have to wait? OOOO but alright Mamo-chan." Usagi snuggled closer to him. Do think that Mamoru hadn't considered the obvious. There they were, alone in his room, they had the whole night to themselves, and after all this was their last night together for a long time. Oh he had considered it, and after considering it for a long while on and off he dismissed it completely. She was only 16 and it wouldn't be fair to her. He held her tight so that he would always remember this night, this blissful moment. Usagi, in all her innocence and youth she couldn't help but let her mind drift just a little, I mean, this was her last night with Mamoru for quite a while, why not? She looked up at Mamoru. His eyes were closed and he was breathing heavily but peacefully. No, Mamoru probably wouldn't even think about, cough, that, until she was at least a couple years older. The thought of this embarrassed Usagi a little and her face flushed, but Mamoru did not notice. He was simply interested in one thing, holding her for as long as he could because he loved her and he had to make that extra clear to her before he left because it was the truth, he was hooked for life. The next morning was a sunny one with scattered clouds and a beautiful blue sky. 6:55 AM and Usagi's alarm clock had just sounded and she had fallen out of bed as usual, no matter how many times he heard that damn thing she would never be used to it. As she lay there on the floor she felt sadness grip her heart. In an hour her beloved Mamo-chan would be gone. She began to cry again as the alarm rang shrilly in the background. Luna bounded into her room. "For heaven's sake turn it off!" Luna screamed. Usagi wiped her face with her blankets and turned her alarm off. She stared at herself in the bathroom mirror she missed him already. She missed the feeling she would get thinking about seeing him later. She missed the happiness that welled up in her chest whenever she talked to him on the phone or saw him driving. How she adored her Mamo-chan, but now he was leaving and she would miss him so much. But she had decided that she would be there to see him off. They had said their good-byes the previous night but she wanted to see him off even though she feared that she might just buy a ticket to America and follow him there if given the chance. She had made a frantic call to Haruka at two o'clock that morning to secure herself a ride to the airport. Haruka had been overly ready to skip classes on a Friday morning to do just about anything. Plus, it was a chance to drive and Haruka dared not turn that down. Usagi turned to Haruka and her eyes narrowed. "NO Haruka that isn't true, it's just you opinion. " "It's true." "And you don't even like Seiya so that?s probably why you are saying this to me." Usagi stated crossing her arms. Haruka switched lanes. She was wearing a blue and white T-shirt with a zig zag pattern down the front and had, absolutely insisted upon warning her passenger, Usagi...against the evils of a certain Kou Seiya. Hey, Haruka was never one to pass up a chance to curse the name of this young man. Usagi, being protective by nature had assumed the position of Seiya's defense lawyer. The trial progressed quickly. "Don't be fooled Odango he is a player from way back and it would do you well to stay away from him." Haruka said smiling. Usagi shook her head. "I disagree, he is good I can tell." She seemed happy with her reply. Haruka shook her head. "You can tell eh? Hmm interesting Odango, that?s not a very convincing reason." "Well why should I have to convince you? Or do you like Seiya?" Usagi asked anxious for some good gossip. Haruka nearly stopped the car. "ODANGO!" ?Well? you don't have a girl...I mean...boy...I mean your not involved with anyone are you Haruka?" Usagi blushed as she said this. But after all the only way to get an answer was to ask a question. Haruka sighed. Every week Usagi would ask her this and every week Haruka would look at her the same way. Over and over she would try to explain it to her. But Usagi never got it. "No Odango, I'm not currently involved with anyone." Usagi was very happy to have been let off of the hook so easily, this must have been the tenth time Usagi had asked Haruka that question. "I am not involved with anyone just like last week and the week before that and just like yesterday too, in fact, nothing has changed Odango." Haruka stated smugly speeding up a little. Usagi felt uneasy for a moment, but it passed like it always did. Then it came back surprisingly. Except now it was stronger and more vengeful, Mamo-chan she sighed. She could feel her stomach turn, after today she wouldn't see him again for many months at a time. She was no longer afraid that he would find someone else. However, she felt herself becoming frightened of something far worse, being forgotten. "Haruka?" "Yes?" She replied. Usagi paused wandering into uncertain territory. "Do you think that Mamo-chan is that type of man who would easily forget?" The car was silent for many moments. Haruka could feel Usagi squirm in her seat, Haruka's answer would make or break her day and she knew that. It is very nerve wracking to hold such a power, Haruka observed. "I don't really know Mamoru-san that well." Stated Haruka as gently as possible. Usagi began to look down at her lap. "That's alright Haruka." She said sullenly. Haruka looked over at her she was practically broken. "Wait, you didn't let me finish." Usagi did not look up, she was, understandably, not in the most hopeful and optimistic of moods. "I don't know Mamoru-san that well, but I can still see his admiration for you." Admiration Haruka come one you can do better than that! Usagi looked down cast again. "Oh come on Odango, help me out here. Mamoru-san is, in my opinion incapable of forgetting anything about you!" Oh yah, she was on a role! She could sense Usagi smiling. "He'll be thinking of you long after you find him back in your arms again. Have a little faith." All of Haruka's slightly questionable feelings towards Mamoru had been completely eradicated when Seiya had walked into the restaurant on that lingering night. "Love doesn?t allow forgetful ness Odango, so don't worry. Absence makes the heart grow fonder." Haruka finished about one breath away from breaking into a song and dance routine. Usagi was visibly feeling better. "So...is that the way you feel about Michiru?" She asked leaning in towards Haruka and blinking her wide eyes in suspense. "Oh brother." It was apparent that she was after something. It had started as thus Yaten had been walking down the road in his usual dark sunglasses, with his long silver hair tucked into his shirt. He had been looking for Seiya, the two of them were supposed to have gone to the grocery store together. They had planned a secret trip because Tekki usually did all the food shopping and, needless to say he was the only one interested in skim milk, Fresca and soy curd. Yaten shivered just thinking about it. Well, twenty minutes had past and Seiya still hadn't shown up. Yaten did not appreciate Seiya was hogging the position of irresponsible brother. According to Yaten that line up went as thus. He was the wise ass, Tekki was the genius and Seiya was the corrupted one. (Well that had yet to be determined.) When Yaten had finally found Seiya, it had been while flying through the air and hitting a rather hard brick wall. Yaten moaned loudly. Seiya had transformed and he was lying limply on top of the barely conscience Yaten. Yaten finally came to his senses and crawled out from under Sailor Star Fighter. Whatever had done this was too strong to handle in teen idol form. "Healer power make up!" Yaten yelled thrusting his arm to one side. And explosion of light flashed as the young man dressed in his school uniform was transformed into a woman warrior, dressed in shiny black leather. "Sailor Star Healer!" She yelled striking a pose. Sailor Star Fighter, formerly Seiya then joined Healer on the sidewalk. The two stared at the park across the street. "What happened?" Healer asked not taking her eyes off of the park. "I was walking past the park and I saw her walking down the lane towards me. I didn't think she was coming after me though." Fighter relayed. Healer glanced at her for a moment. "WHO? Who did you see fighter?" healer demanded. Fighter regained her composure and looked again at the park. "Sailor Lead Crow!" She exclaimed quietly. Healer now stared intently at her fellow Light. She was afraid for someone. "They came quickly, as we feared." Healer whispered. Fighter nodded back. This would complicate their search. "Do you think they've found her?" Healer's voice was deathly serious. Fighter did not take time to think. "No I would expect not, they would not be prowling around for star seeds if that was the case." Fighter answered. Healer's gentle face-hardened in anger at the though of their precious Princess Fireball's pure star seed being used for such a purpose. That was when it began. A flash of crimson jumped into view. Sailor Lead Crow, who although ready for anything, looked surprised. "You?! Where did Kou Seiya go?" She demanded. Apparently this senshi was after Seiya's star seed. Well she wouldn't get it, not on this trip. She seemed to forget about it quickly enough though. In another moment she aimed her bracelets of gold at Sailors Star Fighter and Star Healer. Star Fighter jumped up to avoid the energy and Healer ducked. She released her attack. "Star sensitive inferno!" A blaze of light exploded from Healer and shot towards Lead Crow who promptly halted it with her own power. The two stood there pitting one power against the other. Lead Crow Jumped out of reach and shot a few warning shots near the two Sailors. "Tell might Star Lights...have you found your princess Fireball yet?" She asked. "Star serious laser!" Sailor Star Fighter shot at Lead Crow with her attack. Lead Crow dodged again. "I guess not since you are getting desperate. Well I have no time for these games right now, I've got star seeds to find and not much time to find the kind I'm looking for." Sailor Lead Crow felt a smile of victory creep over her tanned face, although she could not recall actually winning something. She knew that victory of Sailor Galixia and all that served her would be beyond all her hopes. "Star Serious laser!" "Star Sensitive Inferno!" The two attacks just missed their target as she disappeared into a familiar red phone booth and the booth disappeared, only her voice lingered. "Do not worry Star Lights, when I find your princess you'll be the second ones to know." She then chuckled aloud and there was no trace of her. Healer and Fighter looked to each other for some sort of comforting words but one can not think of comforting words for another when one fears that the words will be lies. Usagi ran the entire way up to the terminal with Haruka hot on her trails. Her eyes darted quickly from face to face searching for the familiar pair of mysterious dark blue eyes, the strong chin, the mischievous black hair and the sincerest of smiles that one could hope to find while dashing through an airport terminal. However, Usagi did not have to worry about recognizing him, he was always the same in her eyes. Haruka, although fast was far from eager. It had taken her twenty minutes to find a parking space! And when she finally had it must have been mile and a half away from the airport plus it was eight bucks. Also, the space had come at the expense of an elderly woman driving an '87 Buick with a burnt out break light and small poodle hanging out the window. Haruka was not proud of cutting the old woman off but IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE ONLY SPACE FOR MILES AND MILES! Oh, she walked briskly beside Usagi but there was no playful anticipation in her eyes, just sleepy seeds. When she spotted Mamoru he was absolutely saturated in gold. He was standing in front of a window looking out at the space, there was a plane taxing around and occasionally taking off. The sun poured in through the uncovered windows and Usagi had to shield her eyes as she approached her beloved. Haruka leaned casually against the wall next to a newsstand and contented herself by attempting to scrape the gum of the bottom of her foot. Usagi's playful trot gradually turned into a brisk jog then eventually into a sprint when she heard an announcement over the loud speaker. "Flight 1234, direct flight to Boston, Massachusetts, we are now boarding." Usagi pushed forward determinedly. That flight was Mamoru's flight, that plane was his plane and that really large man she was barreling into was not her young and fit, praiseworthy Mamo-chan! She tried to stop herself but she hit him in the back and he stumbled forward hitting his head on the window. Haruka glanced up at the commotion but only for a moment. Damn gum, damn freakin' gum. Usagi nodded her apologies to the disgruntled giant as he lumbered back to his seat shouting something about the uncoordinated youth this generation was spawning. Usagi took one last uncomfortable look at the man as she walked straight into yet another person. A pair of gentle and at the same time firm hands gripped both of her arms. Luckily, she recognized these hands and she knew that she had finally found her way to Mamoru. "Usako, what happened?" He requested releasing a genuine smile. Usagi swallowed hard. "Oh, nothing, just a slight co-ordination error Mamo-chan, you know me." She swallowed again trying to force up a smile of apology. She was about to continue with her explanation when Mamoru cut in. "No Usako, I meant, what happened? You said you weren't coming today." He reminded warmly grasping her shoulders, after a moment he left his hands drop to his sides. "Oh, well I wasn?t going to come but I thought that...I would because, Minako-chan says that if you look at the ceiling then you won't cry as much." She replied her voice getting quieter and quieter as she continued. Usagi wondered if Mamoru could really not see that she desperately and completely needed a rather large hug from him at this time. No hug came, one of his hands slipped inside his jacket pocket as Usagi began starring viciously at the ceiling. He brought out a compact little box that looked to be the home of something lovely. However, Usagi had yet to see it because she was still greeting the safe ceiling. She did not notice the box until Mamoru brought her right hand up from her side and began playfully clutching her fingers. She then noticed the box as he opened it. Inside she could now see the most glorious of rings. With a youthful twinkle in his eye and a warm smile spread gently across his lips he removed the ring from it's case. Usagi thought she detected his hands trembling a little bit but she then realized her error. This man was scared of nothing. No, they were trembling, boy oh boy the man was sure scared about something or another. She then felt the cool metal coast along her finger finally resting at it's end. She looked at it, then at him there was nothing else in the word to look at but him. "I have always loved you Usako, and I always will. I-I love you." He finished moving closer to her. The kiss came and went too quickly, but it had been the sweetest kiss that the world had to offer. After all, they were in love. ========================================================================== To be continued in next fanfiction everyone. E-mails are always welcome as Seiya continues his battle to understand himself. I hope this leaves a somewhat satisfying taste in your mouth. Ja! Thank you for reading this far everyone.