Soul Mates
by lady

CHAPTER FIVE
Uncharted Territory: Old Memories

 

Seven months have passed since that fateful day in April when Justin had laid the plan that would take them one step closer to their destinies. It seemed in no time at all Galen and Ashe were off to Japan leaving the rest of them behind to tie up loose ends before moving on to a whole new life in the east.

The next two weeks passed by in a whirl of activity with Justin and Nathan busy delegating at work and Zachary packing up and closing his mansion in Victoria. Kenjo was just biding his time, waiting for the rest of them since he had cut off all connections when he’d left his job and was free to go whenever he wanted. And then there was Usagi. She had the hardest job of all to finish. She had to say goodbye to the only family she’d known for the past four years.

Looking back on those moments a few days later, she remembered a lot of tears had been shed. Michelle had hugged her as if she would never let go while Professor Stanton looked on, a look of great sadness on his face. But Kyle had been the hardest one to appease. She’d had to reassure him over and over again that she was going to be okay. That her new friends would take care of her.

In the end there was nothing they could really say to make her stay. She had made up her mind to go back and there was no stopping her from leaving. So they’d told her she would always have a place in their family. Always have a home to go to when she needed it. Here, in Canada.

And now, as Usagi sat by the window, she thought about all the things that had occurred since she'd met Galen and Ashe in April. She had learned a lot about her new friends in the past few months while they lived together and trained together. She knew that Justin was a workaholic and could rarely be found idly resting in place. Galen was just as diligent when he was doing something important but enjoyed listening to music in his spare time.

Both Kenjo and Zachary were the silent type but for different reasons. Kenjo was quiet because he liked to observe people and he could do that better if he remained in the background without rousing anyone’s attention. Zachary, on the other hand, was naturally quiet and preferred listening to other people’s conversation than participating in one.

In contrast to the two of them was Ashe. He was outgoing, talkative and possessed a great sense of humor. He also had a curious personality and wanted to know everything that was going on around him. Nathan could almost be called domesticated compared to him since he was most often found in the kitchen. He was the official chef of the whole group since nobody else could cook well and prepared each meal by experimenting with new recipes. Outside the kitchen, he was always charming and elegant. The perfect gentleman.

Usagi knew they all felt very protective towards her and did everything to make her feel comfortable in their midst. But during their practices, she couldn’t help but feel isolated. When she watched them train together, she envied them their closeness, their almost intuitive ability to anticipate the other’s movements. The feelings they shared when reminiscing about the past was lost to her since she didn’t have the memories they all possessed. She felt like a stranger looking in through the window, there and yet not there. Because she didn’t share the bond that knit them all so closely together.

"Hey, Usagi, why so glum?" Kenjo asked, sitting next to her.

"I was just thinking about the trip we’re about to make. About facing our destinies."

"I see. It must not be easy, going home after so long."

"No, it won’t be. But that’s not what I’m worried about." Taking a deep breath, she looked out the window again. "You and the rest are all ready to take the next step towards your destinies. Your past is very clear and the future is all you’re concerned about. But the same couldn’t be said for me."

"I remember very little about the Moon Kingdom. Becoming Sailor Moon and the Moon Princess was thrust upon me. The feelings I have for the Senshi and, especially, Mamoru were just suddenly there, inside me. I don’t remember falling in love with him, and sometimes I question myself whether I really love him and he really loves me, or are we just doing everything for destinies sake?"

"Would you like to remember everything, Usagi?" Justin asked softly from the doorway.

Usagi stared up at him, a faint hope shining in her eyes. "Are--are you saying--there is a way?"

"There might be if everyone helps."

"What do you want us to do?" Nathan and Zachary had just walked in the front door.

"Why don’t we all sit down and I’ll tell you what I’m thinking?" Justin said, taking the seat closest to him. The rest of them followed suit.

When everyone was settled, he began talking. "I think Usagi’s case could be compared to traumatic amnesia. That occurs when something happens, something bad that causes a person to want to forget it. In response, the brain blocks access to those memories."

"In Usagi’s case that would be the final battle. There were a lot of things happening during that time and most of them were centered on her. Her upcoming wedding, coming of age, and all the new responsibilities that came with it. To have that all wiped out and to have to watch your friends and loved ones die at the same time was too much for her to take. So, to help her as well as all of us cope, Queen Serenity decided to erase our memories."

Looking around the group, he continued, "The only difference between us and Usagi as well as the other Senshi is the way those memories were introduced back. To us the process was gradual. We started at the beginning and worked our way to the final battle. Our brains had time to absorb and incorporate our past memories with our present ones. There was no conflict."

"In contrast, Usagi and the rest didn’t have that luxury. They were faced with an enemy and had to accept the responsibility of saving the world from the invading forces. There was no introduction to their powers. Just a simple ‘here you go, raise it and shout whatever’ and they’re suddenly changed into the Senshi, defenders from all evil. But, somewhere deep inside, their minds knew that something horrible had happened and it put up a barrier to keep those memories at bay so that the pain it would cause could be prevented."

"Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that we have to get rid of the barrier that blocks Usagi’s memories."

"How do you propose we do that," Kenjo asked, eager to get on with the process.

"Well, usually people with amnesia are shown objects or places which they are familiar with and have a connection with the missing memories."

Nathan was a little skeptical. "But that’s impossible. The Moon Kingdom is gone and, even if it weren’t, we have no way of getting there. We certainly don’t have any souvenirs from that time. All we have left of the Silver Millennium is...," he paused suddenly.

"Our own memories," Zachary finished.

"Exactly," Justin agreed, satisfied.

Kenjo looked at the rest of them thoughtfully. "So you’re proposing that we share our memories with Usagi and, in effect, it might trigger her own? Are you sure there will be no side effects? She won’t get more confused with all the new facts she will be receiving?"

"There are no guarantees but I’m pretty sure it’s okay," Justin replied. "To be on the safe side, just channel the memories which she is liable to remember. Events, which involved her as well as you." Turning to Usagi, he asked, "Are you alright with this, Usagi?"

Usagi had sat silently by while they discussed the pros and cons of what they’re about to do, hope slowly building inside her. By the time Justin had turned to her, she was more than ready to agree to anything that they proposed. She nodded her head.

"Very well," Kenjo said. "If everyone’s ready, why don’t we give it a try?"

He sat beside Justin on the sofa facing Usagi’s chair while Nathan and Zachary took a chair on each side. They all closed their eyes and evened their breathing, concentrating all their energies into sending Usagi their thoughts. Each one had a different memory, a different moment to share.

Nathan thought back to the first time he’d been invited to Makoto’s quarters. They’d only known each other a week but he’d been really looking forward to going there and being alone with her, even though it was only to share secret recipes. A half an hour after they arrived, the front door opened and a very tearful looking princess walked in and headed straight into Makoto’s open arms. She was so distraught she didn’t even notice his presence at first but gradually realized she wasn’t alone with her friend. After she became aware of him, however, she’d wanted to leave right away but they’d talked her into staying and telling them what was wrong. He quickly found out why she’d been reluctant to explain her distress in front of him. It was because it involved his friend and liege, Endymion.

Justin was remembering a very different Usagi, a much more playful and mischievous one. He could still hear Rei’s outraged screams that day before a penitent looking Usagi had approached him in the courtyard and asked for his help. It seemed she had accidentally bumped into her friend’s dollhouse collection and ruined parts of the frame. She asked if he could please repair the damage since he was so good with his hands.

Back then, he’d been much more unsure of himself when it came to women, so even though he’d found Rei attractive, he didn’t have the nerve to approach her about it. But he couldn’t refuse the princess when she’d looked at him so earnestly. He’d gathered his courage and went to offer his assistance. It turned out to be the start of a beautiful relationship. Of course he’d found out later that Usagi had crossed her fingers when she came to ask for his help. And the partial destruction of the dollhouse was no accident after all.

The memory that came to Kenjo’s mind was of the constant bickering he’d had with Minako. They’d both been leaders of their respective groups and were very protective of their charges. Because of the tension between Usagi and Mamoru, she had almost always ended up in tears and he with a foul temper and badly hurt feelings. Kenjo sided with his liege and blamed the princess for his troubles while Minako took Usagi’s side and said Mamoru was in the wrong. Hence the constant heated exchanges, which most often occurred in Usagi’s hearing.

One day, the princess finally got fed up and told them to quit using her relationship with Mamoru as an excuse to quarrel since they obviously admired each other. He was taken aback when he realized the truth in her statement. He was attracted to Minako but had kept telling himself that she was his opponent, that to be friends with her was to betray his liege. When Usagi removed the obstacle by detaching their relationship from his and Minako’s, he’d had no choice but to admit to himself that he liked her. So their relationship got off on a rocky start but gradually strengthened and bloomed. All because of one little princess.

The Usagi that dominated Zachary’s thoughts was quiet and melancholy. She had always sought Ami’s company whenever she wanted some peace and quiet and, since he was most often with Ami, Usagi also spent time with him. They had always comforted her without asking any questions and she seemed content with their silent support. When they were alone, they’d worried about her and discussed what options they could undertake to help her. More often than not these discussions came to nothing and they’d just continued to let her know they were there when she needed them. It almost made them feel like parents taking care of a troubled child. It helped them to grow closer a whole lot more.

Usagi’s mind was being bombarded with a million thoughts-- Nathan’s, Justin’s, Kenjo’s, and Zachary’s. Then suddenly, without any sign of it’s going, the barrier broke and a flood of memories poured into her head. Images of when she was a child playing in the palace courtyard filled her mind. Snatches of her first meeting with the Senshi as a young girl, the adventures they got into while they were growing, and the bond they forged as time passed run through her thoughts. Her first glance at Mamoru and his Royal Guard were mixed with earlier memories of other firsts--her first crush, first dance and first kiss. And Galen. Only Galen. Always Galen. Protecting her... holding her...loving her...

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Zachary broke contact with Usagi and came out a little disoriented. He looked around to see that the others had done the same and were in similar states. Kenjo was the first to get up to see if Usagi was okay.

"How’s she doing?" Nathan enquired.

"I don’t know." Turning to Justin, he said, "Can you come have a look? She seems to be in a trance."

Justin moved closer and studied her for a moment. "I guess this trance-like state is the mind’s way of coping with all the new information it’s processing. It won’t last long, I think."

"Whatever the case, I’d better put her to bed where she’ll be more comfortable," Nathan volunteered. He gently picked her up and carried her up the stairs to her room on the second floor.

The rest of them headed for the kitchen to prepare some lunch and were about to eat when Nathan came back a half an hour later. They all looked at him enquiringly.

"She’s sleeping peacefully now. It looks like she might stay that way the rest of the afternoon," he answered taking the empty seat across from Kenjo.

"Do you think it worked?" Zachary spoke up for the first time after it was over.

"I hope so," Kenjo replied. "I think she needs those memories before she can be ready to go home again." He cast a worried look at his three friends and watched concern color their faces.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Usagi woke up feeling refreshed to see the last rays of the setting sun through the window. She looked at the clock beside her bed. Six o’clock. No wonder she felt so good. She’d been sleeping for hours.

And then she remembered what they’d done this morning. The contact, the shared moments and all the memories which were presently intact in her mind. She looked towards the door as it opened to reveal Zachary. He smiled with relief when he saw her awake.

"So you’re back to the world of the living, are you? How are you feeling?"

He was shocked when she jumped out of bed and hugged him enthusiastically. "It’s so good to see you again, Zach!"

"You just saw me this morning, Usagi," he said, holding her close.

"But that was different," she insisted. "This morning you were just an acquaintance of a few months. Now you’re a dear old friend because I remember you from before. It makes all the difference."

"I understand," he answered gently. And he did.

"Come on," she invited, breaking the embrace and dragging him by the hand. "I can’t wait to see the others." She pulled him out of her room, down the stairs and into the living room where they found the other three guys playing a friendly game of poker. She run from one to the other giving hugs and kisses and generally disrupting the game.

"I can’t believe how different you look to me, now that I know you a whole lot better," she finally said, sitting down and looking at the four men in front of her.

"So it worked," Justin observed. "You remember everything?"

"Everything from the time I was four to this moment."

"What about the knowledge you were supposed to acquire on your eighteenth birthday?" Zachary asked softly. "Do you know that as well?"

Usagi closed her eyes and searched her thoughts for the information she needed----and found it. A sense of excitement filled her and showed through her eyes when she opened them again. "My birthright," she whispered. "I finally have it. Thank you, Mother."

Then, "Wait here! I’ll be right back!" she instructed before rushing from the room. The four men shared a puzzled glance but waited for her return patiently. She was back in a couple of minutes holding her transformation locket.

Suddenly serious and all business, she returned to her seat and stared at the locket in her hand. "I would like to try out my newfound knowledge, and I want all of you to share it with me," she said earnestly. "Please say you’ll stay."

Nathan smiled gently and assured her that they would remain. "You didn’t even have to ask, Usagi. We’re always with you every step of the way."

"Thank you." Blinking back the sudden wetness in her eyes, she stood up and took a deep breath. Holding the locket in her cupped hands, she said softly, "I accept these powers as a part of the birthright that has been handed down to me from my mother and her mother before her."

"Let the legacy...begin."

She closed her eyes and concentrated on harnessing the power of the crystal. On its own, the locket suddenly rose to about four inches above her hands and emitted a glow so bright, that the men had to shield their eyes. When the light finally dimmed and they could see again, the locket was no longer there. In its place was a gold pendant suspended from a long, gold chain and shaped like a miniature crescent moon. Clasped tightly in the center was the Imperium silver crystal, still glowing slightly from within.

Usagi reached out to take the chain and placed it around her neck. She watched as the pendant settled on her chest before using her right hand to tightly grasp it. Looking up slightly, she raised her voice and mouthed the words, "Millennium Moon...Make up!"

The glow from the crystal intensified once more, bathing Usagi in its brightness and lifting her a few inches off the ground. A beam more intense than the surrounding light appeared at her feet and proceeded to envelop her in blinding swirls going upwards. When it reached the top of her head, it split in two and formed a halo on her hair before becoming dimmer then disappearing altogether.

As Usagi descended, the crown of Princess Serenity was visible in place of the halo and the swirls of light became a long, white cape wrapped around her body. When her feet finally touched the ground, it fell open to reveal a brand new outfit in silver and white. The dress had a silvery, tiered-draped neckline with both ends gathered on her shoulders by sliver clasps that also held her cape in place. The bodice was white and fitted up to her waist before flaring into a half-full skirt with the hem slanted from thigh-high on the left down to almost her knees on the right. A long sash in silver was wrapped around her waist and tied on her left side with the ends trailing close to the top of her boots. Silver also edged her cape and skirt hem as well as the long, white boots encasing her feet with little crescent moons on the pointed tops. Butterfly sleeves in silvery white and glittering, short, white gloves completed her ensemble.

The pendant was still around her neck but the chain holding it had shortened and it now rested between her collarbones. It lay there looking innocent, unconcerned about the immense power it had just demonstrated and the havoc it wreaked on the four men watching. Awe was still written all over their faces as they dropped to the floor on bended knee and bowed their heads before her.

That’s how Usagi found them when she finally opened her eyes. She looked down curiously at the changes that had occurred on her appearance then returned her gaze to her four friends.

"Hey guys, please get up. You’re making me feel self-conscious. It’s just me--Usagi--your old pal, remember?" she said jokingly, trying to lighten the atmosphere in the room.

"I don’t think there’s anything ‘just’ about you right now, Usagi," Nathan answered, getting up on his feet. "You’re not even just the Moon Princess but something more."

"He’s right," Kenjo agreed. "You look like Sailor Moon and the Moon Princess put together with a little something added."

"I guess that something added is the new power we’ve just witnessed," Zachary put in.

"What is it, anyway?" Justin, ever curious, wanted to know.

Seeing the mirrored question in the other’s faces, Usagi heaved a deep sigh and prepared herself for a long explanation. "Why don’t we all sit down again and I’ll try to explain."

They all took their respective seats and she was about to join them but the cape she was wearing got in the way. She thought about changing back to her normal clothes but didn’t know how. She knew the words she needed to become Millennium Sailor Moon but had no clue as to how to change back. As she thought about it, she transferred her weight from one foot to the other and saw the edge of her cape flap with the movement. Was it possible?

Justin watched as Usagi contemplated the movement of her cape before directing an enquiring glance towards Nathan. His friend shrugged his shoulders in puzzlement and continued to wait for something to happen. Being more impatient than his comrade, he turned back to Usagi and was about to quiz her when she finally decided to act.

She grasped the edge of her cape and threw it over her head in a wrap-around motion so that it covered her from head to toe for a split second. As the cape fell back to its original position, it disappeared little by little behind Usagi’s back. The parts of her body it slowly uncovered were already attired in her normal clothes and, by the time the cape was completely gone, she was just plain Usagi once again.

"It worked!" she exclaimed excitedly.

"You mean you weren’t sure it was going to?" Nathan asked.

"Well, not really," she confessed. "I saw Galen and Ashe do that trick when I first met them but I wasn’t sure if it was going to work the same way for me."

"That’s all your tricks for the day, I hope," Zachary ventured. "I don’t think I can take any more surprises."

Finally taking the seat behind her, Usagi looked a little confused. "Why are you all so shocked about the transformation, anyway? You go through the same thing when you change to your alter egos, don’t you?"

"Well, closing your eyes and changing in a split second is very different from the light show you just performed," Kenjo explained.

"But surely, you must have seen the Senshi change sometime."

Justin shook his head. "Think again, Usagi," he countered. "There was never any need for the Senshi to appear in battle. We lived in peaceful times back then so we never saw them in uniform."

"I see. But I remember Mamo-chan seeing..." She suddenly stopped in mid-sentence. She told herself to stop thinking back when old memories started crowding her mind. There was time enough for that when they reached Japan.

Conscious of the sudden silence in the room, Zachary was quick to fill it with an unanswered question. "Hey, Usagi. You still haven’t told us about the power you displayed earlier."

Throwing him a grateful smile, Usagi replied, "The power you saw earlier came from the Imperium silver crystal."

"I don’t get it," Nathan said. "I thought the power of the crystal was what you used to defeat Queen Beryl. What’s so new about it?"

"I just discovered that the power I used back then was my own and that of the other Senshi. It seems that the crystal could be used to focus your energy and turn it into something else--a form of attack, a healing touch, or a wave of light to blast your enemy away."

"But the crystal’s own power was never tapped. That’s the reason I always felt drained after each fight. Especially when I didn’t have a tool to channel my energy on and used the crystal directly. It’s only now that I’ve received my mother’s knowledge that I’ve learned how to utilize the crystal’s immense powers. My energy will no longer be spent when I fight and my attacks will be many times more powerful."

Creasing his brow in concentration, Zachary ventured another question. "Why then did Queen Serenity have to die when she saved us, if the crystal didn’t drain her energy?"

"That was an extraordinary case, Zach. The crystal’s powers are not limitless and it wasn’t enough to transport everyone in the Moon Kingdom to a new time to be reborn. My mother knew she had to combine her own energy with the crystal’s to generate enough power to perform that deed. She willingly sacrificed her own life to give all of us another chance. She was a very special lady, my mother."

"Yes, she was," Nathan agreed. "And she would have been proud of you today, Usagi." The other three nodded their approval as Usagi blushed. It was so nice to know her friends were all proud of her, she thought. And that they were behind her whatever may happen. If only her old friends could feel the same way as they did, then maybe destiny still had a chance. And it isn’t too late to go home, after all.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

It was a colder day, a week later, when Usagi picked up the mail and found a letter from Galen. She quickly opened it and, after scanning the contents, excitedly called the others to come to the living room.

Nathan came quickly since he was just in the next room while the rest of them were upstairs.

"What is it, Usagi?" he enquired. "Did something happen?"

"Nope. I just got a letter from Galen and there’s something in it that I think you’d all like to know."

The other two guys came trudging down the stairs with Justin following at a slower pace. He looked like he just got out of bed.

"What’s so important that you had to wake me up, Zach?"

Zachary rolled his eyes heavenward. "In the first place, it’s almost lunch time so you ought to be up and about. Secondly, I think Usagi has something to say to us."

Justin turned to Usagi with raised eyebrows.

She quickly stifled her laughter and raised the letter for everyone to see. "Galen has some good news for us. It seems our plan worked better than we thought. Haruka is now working in their company and Mamoru is helping them set up their computer network."

"Ashe is in seventh heaven since meeting Michiru again," she continued. "And Galen thinks working hours should be extended to last the whole day."

"Great!" Justin exclaimed, completely awake now. "Any word about the others?"

"It doesn’t say much more in the letter," she replied. "Galen just wants Nathan to know that they’ve set up interviews for the restaurant’s chefs."

"That’s right. I did ask them to advertise for the position."

"It seems to have garnered a lot of attention, especially from women. He says more than half the applicants are ladies and some even sent their photos with their applications."

"Huh?!!" he exclaimed, puzzled.

Kenjo, who was reading the letter over Usagi’s shoulder, was the one who explained. "It was all Ashe’s idea. He had this brilliant notion that if everyone knew you were one of the ten most eligible bachelors in North America, it would help get a lot more attention. So he quoted People’s magazine when he wrote the advertisement."

"I guess he was proven right!" Justin laughed. "How do you like being a ladies’ man sight unseen, Nathan?"

"We could ask you the same question, Justin," Kenjo cut in. "They quoted People’s magazine on your ad too."

"What?!! Let me see that!" Justin made a grab for the letter, which Kenjo took from Usagi. A smaller piece of paper fell from the envelope and she bent down to pick it up.

"Hey Nathan," she started, walking over to him. "Here’s a list of the applicants waiting for an interview with you." She handed him the note and waited for his reaction.

He was puzzled by the sudden seriousness in Usagi’s demeanor when she gave him the paper. What could the list contain that would wipe the smile off her face. He was almost afraid to find out. Unfolding the paper slowly, he scanned the writing for clues. There was only one name on the list. It was Makoto’s.

Everyone in the room stopped when they heard Nathan suck in his breath.

"What’s wrong?" Zachary asked, concern lining his brow. Nathan looked up with shining eyes.

"Nothing’s wrong," he reassured them. "How can anything be wrong when Makoto’s waiting for me in Japan."

"Are you sure?" Zachary asked.

"Yes." It was Usagi who answered. "She’s one of the people waiting to be interviewed."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Justin demanded. "I’ve done everything I needed to do in the office. I’m ready to leave anytime. What about you, Nathan? Zach?"

"My place is all closed up so I could leave anytime as well," Zachary volunteered. "Nate?"

"I only have one more phone call to make then I’m all ready."

"Yes! Schedule a flight for tomorrow night, Usagi," Justin ordered. "Barring any problems, we’ll be in Japan before the week is out."

"But they aren’t expecting us ‘til next week!"

"I’ll give Galen a call and tell him were coming sooner than expected," Kenjo told her as everyone else rushed to go pack their remaining belongings. She smiled her thanks and left to do the same.

Kenjo watched her go up the stairs before heading for the phone on the side table. He dialed Galen’s apartment and got an answer right away.

"Moshi, moshi?"

"I see you’re practicing your Japanese these days."

"Kenjo, is that you?" Galen asked, surprised.

"It’s me. Am I disturbing you?" He could hear the sheets rustling as Galen sat up in bed.

"Not really. I’m just having an early night since I attended a few too many karate classes earlier," he explained. "Anyway, what’s up?"

"There’s been a change in plans. We’re going to be arriving earlier than expected."

"When?"

"We’ll be leaving tomorrow night so we’ll be there the day after tomorrow in your time."

Galen gave a burst of laughter. "I take it, you received our letter today. I knew it would speed up your coming."

"Then my call wasn’t so unexpected after all."

"No, it isn’t. I wish I could tell you how it feels being with them again. Somehow it feels like coming home."

Kenjo closed his eyes and tried to imagine the feeling. "Have you seen anyone else besides Haruka and Michiru?" Have you seen Miko?, he added in his mind.

"I’m sorry, Kenjo. I haven’t seen Minako yet," Galen replied, answering his friend’s silent question. "But we had a surprise visit from Makoto. She came with Mamoru the first time we met him."

"How is she?" "Beautiful as ever and still cooking up a storm. Nathan’s a lucky guy."

"Yes, he is," Kenjo agreed. "We’re all lucky when it comes to our ladies."

"Thank God. Anyway, I’ll see all of you at the airport day after tomorrow. I’ll see if I can bring Haruka with me."

"You do that. See ya." Kenjo put down the receiver and sat back on his chair. He stared at the fireplace and reminisced about happier times on the Moon Kingdom when he was together with Miko. He could still remember her special smile and the way she looked at him when they were alone. He sighed. Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough for him.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

When the time to leave for the airport finally arrived, everyone had fitted all their baggage in two cars and were eager to be off. They drove the distance in record time and were soon boarding the plane destined for Tokyo. Everyone sat restlessly on their seats, impatiently waiting for the long flight to be over. As soon as Japan came into view, they all looked out the window and watched intently as their destination came closer. When the plane finally landed and they entered the airport’s main building, Usagi suddenly stopped. The four men following closely behind would have collided with her if not for their quick reflexes.

"What is it, Usagi," Nathan asked.

"Look," she said, pointing towards the back of the crowd waiting for arrivals. Galen and Ashe could be seen standing side by side with Haruka a little distance away.

"There they are," Justin exclaimed. "Let’s go meet them."

"Wait! Can’t you see there’s something wrong with this picture?" she asked, looking at them as if they were dense. "Galen and Haruka are standing there like perfect strangers."

"So?" Kenjo enquired.

"So I’m going to do something about it," she answered determinedly. "That relationship needs a good, solid push. Watch me."

She removed her black, leather coat and handed it to Kenjo. Then she pulled her fitted skirt up a couple of inches higher and swung her hips slightly as she headed for Galen. She looked towards Haruka as she came closer and looked for signs of recognition although she was pretty sure there would be none. She had changed her hairstyle completely from the usual buns to a long plait that she’d hung over her shoulder. Dark sunglasses kept her eyes hidden and her way of dressing was totally different from the style she wore five years ago. When she was confident of her anonymity, she concentrated all her efforts on acting out the part she set out to portray.

The friends she left behind exchanged bewildered glances before hurrying to catch up with her. They were all watching when she took off at a run and threw herself in Galen’s arms. When she suddenly kissed him, they all stopped in their tracks, eyes growing wider and mouths gaping. Huh?!!

Unaware of the things happening around her, Usagi tightened her hold on Galen and felt his surprise, as she pulled closer in his embrace. She totally forgot she was playing a role as she deepened the kiss and remembered the first time he’d held her, back in the Moon Kingdom a long, long time ago.

"Oh Galen," she thought deep in her mind where all the memories of their shared moments were stored. "I missed you so much."

 

to be continued...