Eternal Hearts (Sequel to Desert Rose)
Laugh and cry, live and die
Life is a dream we are dreaming
Mamoru wakes up in a cold sweat. Ever since he met his
meatball-headed-arcade-angel his dreams have come about more and more
frequently. He didn't understand what some girl had to do with this.
Perhaps it was just a coincidence.
'No!' one side of his brain screamed, 'its not a
coincidence and she's not just some girl! You want her to be your
gir-"
'SHUT UP! One, I'm too old for her. Two , I have MY
Princess!'
‘But, Mamoru, this Princess you speak of only lives in
your dreams. Usagi is real. She is really the one you want.'
‘But I can't just betray my Princess! I love her!'
‘But, does she love you back?'
‘What makes you think that Usako loves me?'
‘Usako?'
‘ . . . '
‘You see, you're more in love with her than you think!
You even have a pet name for her . . . my little bunny . . . stop
denying it and do something about it!'
‘She hates me!'
‘And who is to blame for that?'
Mamoru sighed dejectedly before responding, "Me . . . "
Day by day, I find my way
Look for the soul and the meaning
The Next Morning . . .
After a long night of tossing and turning and of
fighting with himself, Mamoru emerged from his apartment. He began
walking somewhat blindly through the familiar streets of Tokyo.
Between saving Sailor Moon from youmas, these dreams,
and figuring out his feelings for a certain blonde, he was tired . . .
exhausted even. He didn't know how he would get through the day.
He hoped that there would be no more youma attacks today since last
night was the hardest he and the senshi have fought yet . . .
Flashback . . .
Mamoru was reading his physics textbook when he
felt an all-too familiar pain come over his body, ‘Sailor Moon
needs me!'
He quickly produced a rose and transformed into
his alter ego, Tuxedo Mask. After the transformation was
completed, he ran to the balcony and jumped onto a
rooftop, allowing his senses to lead him to Sailor Moon . . .
Once at the battle, Tuxedo Mask hid behind
some trees and watched from the shadows, since as Tuxedo
Mask, he always relied on the element of surprise. He scanned
the area and saw that Mercury was analyzing the youma with her
visor and data computer, while Jupiter and the new member of
the group, Venus, combined attacks against it. Their attacks
didn't seem to be doing anything and the senshi were tiring.
Mars and Moon were no where to be found.
He searched for them, well actually HER, his third crush.
A slight movement out of the corner of his eye caught his
attention. He saw one figure hoovering over another. He
moved a little closer and realized that the figures were none
other than Sailor Mars and Sailor Moon.
"Sailor Moon, you're such a klutz! You knew that you
couldn't handle the youma by yourself! You should've just waited
for us!" lectured Mars in an accusing tone. But, if you listened
carefully, you would've heard the worry she was trying to hide.
Sailor Moon had her head bowed as she listened to
Mars. She looked as if she was paying no heed to Mars' words but
he saw her wince at each accusation Mars spat out. He also didn't
miss the tears that had welled up in her eyes.
‘Can't Mars see that she's on the verge of tears!' Tux
thought as he felt his heart twist from the pain he knew Moon was
feeling. Tux was about to interfere but he heard Moon's soft voice,
"I know. I was wrong to think I could do this. I'm
sorry I'm such a horrible leader and friend. I didn't wait because
there was a couple sitting on the bench. Had I waited, they would've
been harmed. Maybe I should've waited, then you could blame me
for not doing anything to protect innocent bystanders," she spat
before wiping her tears off her face and struggling to get up. She
looked as if she was hurt. She limped into battle as Mars stared
after her with guilt.
Mars was about to join the battle herself, but not
before Tuxedo Mask had a few words with her. He grabbed her
wrist and she gasped in surprise.
"Tu . . . Tuxedo Mask? You scared me," she
whispered.
Tux's eyes narrowed before he spoke in a cold voice,
"That wasn't necessary. She tries her hardest and you pushing her
as much as you do isn't helping her much. She already has a low
self-esteem. You just make it lower. She doesn't ne-"
Mars had enough of his lecture, ‘Who does he think
he is!?? He doesn't know the first thing about me, Usa, or our
relationship! How dare he!!' she fumed.
Mars got out of his hold and glared at him, "How
dare you! You don't know us! You have no right! All you do is
show up for a few minutes, if we're lucky, throw a rose, give a
corny speech, and take one of the rainbow crystals if there is one!
Don't you dare lecture me about how I treat Usa- Sailor Moon!
You're just as much an enemy as the Nega-verse is! I don't know
why Sailor Moon defends you! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a
battle to join," she said as she turned and left him.
Tux was dumbstruck. Here he was trying to tell her
not to be so mean to Sailor Moon, and she had managed to turn it
around and lecture him. How could she think that he was the
enemy, especially after all he's done for the senshi and Sailor Moon.
So, he worked alone and is evasive to their questions.
He, himself didn't have the answers to their questions, since they were
the same ones he asked himself everyday. He was about to turn around
and leave them to fight on their own, but he made one fatal mistake
. . . He turned around and took one last glance at the battle. His
eyes fell upon Sailor Moon and all his anger vanished. She looked
tired, dejected, and she was limping, favoring her right leg. There
was no way he could leave her like that.
He saw a blast emerge from the youma heading straight
for Sailor Moon. She frantically tried to get away, but with her leg
hurt, she couldn't move as fast.
In a flash, Tux ran to her and picked her up. He held
her and jumped stealthily like a cat to a nearby tree.
Then you look at me
And I always see
He kept holding her tightly even after they had landed.
She didn't mind since she held onto him tightly as well. She was
shaking uncontrollably and a few tears escaped her eyes. He wrapped
his cape around her and she lifted her eyes to meet his. Blue met blue
in an intense gaze. Time seemed to stand still for them. Nothing else
seemed to matter.
What I've been searching for
I'm lost as can be
Then you look at me
And I'm not lost anymore
‘Her eyes are so beautiful. I could drown myself in
them forever,' he thought, ‘Her lips look so warm and inviting. If I
move just a bit closer, I could kiss her . . . WAIT! What am I
thinking?!'
"Umm . . . Sailor Moon, you have to finish of the
youma," he said turning away from her and letting his arms drop to
his sides, letting her out of his embrace. Both felt the loss of
warmth as well as something else. But, neither said anything. Sailor
Moon nodded and limped her way back into battle,
"Prepare to be moon-dusted nega-sleeze! Moon
tiara . . . MAGIC!" Sailor Moon threw her tiara at the youma. It hit
the youma in its chest and caused it to cry out in pain before
disintegrating into nothingness.
Sailor Moon turned around and looked for Tuxedo
Mask. He was no where to be found. A single red rose embedded in
the grass was the only indication that he had even been there. Sailor
Moon took the rose and clutched it in her hand, "Run Tuxedo Mask
. . . You can't run forever," she whispered as a lone tear escaped from
her eye. Jupiter came to her and helped her walk away from the
battlefield.
What neither realized was that Tuxedo Mask was still
there, lurking in the shadows. He had heard Sailor Moon's words
and felt each one stab him in the heart. He knew she was right,
more right than she would ever know. He waited until all the
senshi had disappeared into the night before leaving himself.
People run, sun to sun,
Caught in their lives ever flowing
Once begun, life goes till its gone
We have to go where its going
End flashback . . .
‘If only I had gotten there sooner, then maybe SHE
wouldn't have gotten hurt,' he thought as he turned a familiar corner
and hit something . He knew he didn't hit something, rather
someone . . . Usagi. He got up and was about to make one of his
usual comments, but he looked at her and saw her struggling to
get up. He noticed that her right leg was bandaged. His heart
twisted as he watched her. Each of her movements seemed to be
filled with pain and discomfort.
Mamoru couldn't deal with it anymore. For once
he let his heart and instincts guide his actions and ended up doing
something so out of character.
He picked her up and took her to a nearby alley.
A feeling of deja vu washed over both of them. He felt as if he
had done this so many times before. He heard her gasp in
surprise as he gently let her body slide down the wall of the
alley. He still held her close to him. He closed his eyes and
allowed his senses to revel in the feeling of her warm, soft,
sensuous body next to his. He also couldn't get enough of
the smell of her hair and skin. He brought his right hand to
her face and began tracing its contours. He opened his eyes
and looked into hers. Her sapphire blue eyes were wide with
confusion and fear.
He had never done anything like this before. She
was a little shocked and didn't know what to make of Mamoru's
actions. Not that she minded, since she has a crush on him.
Still, she felt uncomfortable with the situation, even though it
somewhat familiar . . .
Flashback . . . Silver Millennium . . .
Princess Serenity was walking slowly back to the
Palace with roses in her basket. She had hurt her ankle the
day before in training (AN: she insisted so her mother agreed)
and she felt horrible since her crush and mortal enemy, Prince
Endymion of earth saw her, ‘He probably thinks the worst of
me now,' she thought dejectedly, ‘I completely embarrassed
myself in front of him and his Generals. He has even more
reason to tease me . . . he probably thin- WAIT! Why do I
care what HE thinks!?!!'
‘Because you love him.'
‘No I don't!'
‘Yes, you do.'
‘No! I can't but . . . but I do, don't I? He's not
just a crush, is he?'
Since she was so deep in thought, she didn't
realize where she was going. She bumped into someone
and fell to the ground. The roses flew up in the air, causing
some loose petals to fall around her and her hair.
Prince Endymion got up and looked at who
he bumped into. It was Serenity and she looked like she was
in a lot of pain and discomfort. His heart felt her pain and
wanted to help her. He picked her up and carried her to the
wall. He let her body slide down as he held her close.
He smiled at her confusion and at the sight
she made with the petals in her hair.
She was about to say something but he
silenced her with his finger. Her eyes widened at the
gesture. He smiled again. His finger began gently
tracing her face and lips while his other hand
contented itself with running itself through her
sun-silky hair, taking out a few petals.
She melted under his touch and didn't
know what his actions meant. He was the first man to
ever touch her like that, he was the first man that she
wanted to touch her. But, she didn't know how he felt
about her. For all she knew, this could be a joke, so she
tried to get out of his hold.
Endymion, on the other hand finally
realized that he loved her and wasn't going to let her go
that easily. She would be his, he would do anything to
make that possible.
Endymion moved closer to her. She
retaliated by trying to push him away with her hands.
With his left hand, he harshly grabbed her right and held
it above her head against the wall. With his right hand,
he harshly grabbed her left hand and held it by her waist
against the wall.
"Serenity . . . " he whispered in her ear.
She felt shivers run up an down her spine from the
closeness of his body and from the feeling of his warm
breath on her body.
"Endy, please," she somehow managed to
whisper, "if this is a joke . . . "
"Endy?"
She looked at him with pleading eyes, hoping
that this wasn't a joke. He looked back at her and with his
midnight blue eyes, he reassured her that it was not a joke.
Time stood still. They stayed glued to each other for
a long moment before Endymion closed the gap and
kissed her tenderly on her lips. She was surprised
at first, but began kissing him back. His kiss was
gentler than his hold on her hands . . . the kiss
deepened . . .
Then you look at me
And I always see
What I have been searching for
End flashback . . .
Usagi tried to get out of Mamoru's hold,
but he stopped her by grabbing her hands harshly and
holding them against the wall. He moved closer to her
and whispered something in her ear,
"Usako . . . "
She shivered in response and looked up at
him, "Mamo-chan, please . . . if this is a joke, please stop
. . . " she whispered.
"Mamo-chan?"
I'm lost as can be
Then you look at me
And I am not lost anymore
He inched closer to her, closing the small gap
between them. He kissed her gently but passionately, then
hungrily, until she kissed back. Mamoru felt a smile tug at
his lips as another feeling of deja vu passed over them.
Suddenly a light began shining from Usagi, and
Mamoru pulled away, ending the kiss. A crescent moon shined
on Usagi's forehead as a transformation began taking place.
First she transformed into Sailor Moon. She
stayed like that until Mamoru transformed into Tuxedo Mask.
She then transformed into Princess Serenity, willing her Prince
to join her.
And he did.
Mamoru watched as he transformed from his alter
ego to a noble prince. Serenity smiled before whispering,
"Endy . . . " and fainting from the overuse of energy.
As she fainted, she transformed back into Usagi,
and Endymion into Mamoru. He caught her in his arms. He
couldn't believe any of this. His Usako was not only Sailor Moon, but
his dream Princess too.
"Prince Endymion," a voice called.
Mamoru looked around the deserted alley for the source,
but found none.
"You can't see me. My daughter has used up too much
of her energy for me to project myself."
Mamoru stared at the locket in Usagi's uniform and
realized that the voice came from the object, "Queen Serenity?"
"Yes. I'm glad you remember."
"I'm remembering bits and pieces."
"You'll remember everything in time. For now, what
you have is enough. Do you still love her?"
"Yes, of course."
"Then tell her. Use your memories wisely. I trust you
will care for her."
"Yes, with my life."
"I know. She's all I had left. She alone carries our
hopes. If anything happens to-"
"Nothing will."
"I have a gift for the both of you. Actually its
Serenity's, or shall I call her Usagi?"
"Whatever you please."
She laughed slightly, "You always make me laugh.
Anyway, touch the locket and all will be revealed. Before you do,
tell her that I love her."
"Of course."
Mamoru touched the locket and a white light emanated
from it. After it died down, it revealed,
"Queen Serenity, is it, is it?"
"Yes, Endymion, it is."
"The Imperium Silver Crystal . . . its beautiful."
"It is, isn't it?"
Mamoru stared at it with awe for a few more moments
before it went back into Usagi's locket. She stirred a little and
Mamoru called to her, "Usako . . . Usako, wake up love."
"You know, you had that pet name for her even then.
Farewell."
Mamoru blushed and Usagi's eyes began to flutter slowly
open.
"Mamo-chan? What happened?"
"You're my princess," he stated simply. She blushed
slightly and began remembering the events that had just transpired.
"My mother? . . . the crystal? . . . "
"Don't worry about it now," he replied before kissing
her again.
And you say you see
When you look at me
The reason you love life so
Though lost I have been
He broke the kiss, "I love you, Usako."
"I love you too, Mamo-chan."
I find love again
And life just keeps on running
And life just keeps on running
"Your mother sends her regards."
Usagi smiled and touched her locket, "Thank you, mother,
for everything. I love you, I miss you," a tear escaped her
eye and Mamoru brushed it away.
You look at me and life comes from you
"No more dwelling on the past. Only the future."
"Only the future."
They kissed, sealing their promise to each other."
From you . . .
*sigh* the end.
