~Fading Future~

By: Sailor Midnight Moonlight

Hey everyone! This is my first fanfic, I hope you enjoy. This is chapter 1 of what I feel will be a longer story :)

Chapter 1

"How am I so late!" Usagi yelled, frantically dashing around her room.

It was always the same, no matter how many alarms she set, no matter how much she prepared beforehand, she was never on time. Opening her closet, she searched for any acceptable outfit, quickly settling on a pair of pants and a shirt. Good enough, she thought, reaching for her phone.

"Sorry! I'm running late... I missed my alarm :( :( :( Be there in 10 minutes!" She texted her friends, hopping on one leg struggling to get into her pants.

Pulling her shirt over her head Usagi sprinted out of her room and down the stairs towards the kitchen. Opening the fridge, she searched for the bento boxes she and her Mom prepared.

If there was one thing Usagi was known for it wasn't her baking skills. Years of failed attempts scared off almost all of her friends who were unfortunate enough to eat anything she made from ever trying another again. She was still shocked that the girls asked her to bring the desserts. But she had stayed up all night with her Mom making them. And while they were nowhere near as good as anything Makoto could make, she was proud of them.

"Ahh!" Usagi reached to the back of the top shelf, pulling out the stack of delicately wrapped boxes. Grabbing her tote bag she gently packed each one trying not to shake them.

"Usagi! How is it you are never on time?" Luna asked from her perch on the table. "Everyone will be waiting for us."

"I know, I know..."

Dashing over to the door she shoved her feet into her shoes. Standing, she turned to check her appearance quickly in the gold-framed mirror, hoping she didn't look like a complete disaster. Her hair was up in her favorite style; two buns perched atop her head, two flowing pigtails falling down her back. Having the same hairstyle almost all of her life, it had taken no time to manage it.

She smiled to herself pleased at this one success in a morning filled with minor disasters.

Quietly the compliments in her head were joined by a voice softly calling out to her, "Yo, Odanogo atama!" Her smile faded.

No, not again. She couldn't deal with this now.

"Usagi, we don't have time for you to stare at yourself. Let's go."

"Sorry, got lost in my thoughts for a second" Usagi shook her head, pushing the voice back down as she always did.

Opening the door, Usagi and Luna ran out into the warm spring day. The scent of sakura flowers nearly in full bloom on the trees around her house floated on the breeze. A soft chorus of bikes chimed around her, as though the entire city was on their way to the parks for hanami. Carefully tucking the bag under her arm, Usagi and Luna ran to the park, praying Rei would spare her the worst of her temper.

/

Looking down at her phone Rei sighed, "Usagi is going to be late... again." Not one of the girls looked surprised. "One of these days I'm going to learn my lesson and tell her to come an hour early. Then maybe she'll be on time with the rest of us."

Minako smiled, "Rei, don't scold her too badly when she gets here. It's too nice of a day for you two to fight."

Glancing down at the soft pink picnic blanket, Rei shook her head. Irritation swelling through her. She knew Minako was right, but that didn't do much to get rid of the headache building in her temple. It wasn't a big deal but it had been a month since they had all been able to get together. And she had spent weeks coordinating this with the girls. With everyone out of high school and off doing their own things, they hadn't been able to meet up as often as they used to, and she wanted a day to relax with her friends.

She grabbed her water and took a drink, "I'll do my best Minako but no promises," she laughed.

"It's not like Usagi has ever been on time. How about we try some of the food I brought while we wait." Makoto reached over to a stack of bento boxes behind her, passing them out to the others. "I tried a few new recipes. Hope they turned out well."

"They look great!" Ami took one and opened it.

Looking around at her friends Rei felt her headache begin to subside. "Here, hand me one too."

Makoto passed her a light green box. Popping open the lid she selected a perfectly shaped onigiri and bit into the soft riceball. "This is delicious! What flavor is this?"

"Curry!"

"I don't know how you do it. Everything you make is better than the last," said Minako, finishing her first one in less than three bites, already eyeing up her second.

"Why did you bring so many boxes?" Ami asked, pointing at the remaining stack beside her friend. "Isn't Usagi bringing the desserts?"

"I thought it might be good to have some backup, just in case," Makoto laughed. "Usagi always tries her best but eating her baking is like walking through a minefield."

A chorus of laughter erupted from the group.

"You're not wrong," Rei leaned back on her hands, finally relaxing.

The four friends soon drifted off into their own conversations, eager to catch up with one another. Not long after a familiar voice called out.

"Guys! Sorry, I'm soooooo late," Usagi reached the group panting. "I swear I set my alarm but I must have slept through it or turned it off and gone back to sleep."

"Don't worry about it Usagi," Minako smiled as Usagi sat down next to her. Lightly placing the bag filled with the desserts on the ground, Usagi pounced on Minako, trapping her friend in a tight hug.

"It's been so long since I've seen you!" Usagi said not wanting to let go. "How are things at the TV station?"

"Great!" Minako struggled to get the word out. The last of her air squeezed from her lungs. "Exciting as ever. With the way things are going, I might be able to co-host one of our variety programs in a few months. But you never know so I'm trying to not get my hopes up too much."

"Minako that is wonderful!" Usagi released her friend and glanced around the circle. Her heart felt lighter than it had in weeks. "It's so hard that we don't get to hang out every day. I've really missed you guys."

"It has been a while. But you know, soon enough, we'll be spending all of our time together again," Makoto finished her onigiri. "Who knows how long we have till Crystal Tokyo arrives. Then we'll be back to being sailor guardians full time and you'll be ruling as Neo Queen Serenity. It's nice we get to take some time for ourselves now. "

"Yeah..." Usagi laughed uneasily. "It's good we can take a break for a bit. But I still miss everyone."

"Speaking of our future Queen, how are things with our future King? I haven't seen Mamoru in ages" Rei said.

"You know, busy off in America still finishing his residency. He seems to be doing great though," Usagi fiddled with the picnic blanket, her chest tightening.

She wasn't lying, he was always excited to tell her about a new procedure he observed, or the different attendings he worked with whenever they talked. By all accounts, he was having the time of his life. Still, whenever she talked about him her throat always felt uncomfortably tight, becoming dry as a desert.

"He'll actually be home tomorrow for a break."

"You must be so excited to see him." Minako managed through mouth fulls, devouring another onigiri.

Usagi stared up at the flowers swaying in the trees above. "Yeah, can't wait."

"It'll be fascinating to hear about everything he's learned," Ami looked up from her book. "It's such an amazing opportunity to work under such brilliant doctors."

Usagi smiled and nodded. "Here everyone," she said hurriedly, not wanting to talk about Mamo-chan any longer. "I made these desserts with my Mom last night. Go ahead and try them."

Taking one of the bentos out of the bag, she passed it to Makoto who unwrapped it smiling gingerly. Slowly picking up the least suspicious looking piece of cake she bit off the corner. Usagi fixed her gaze on her friend as the moment of truth approached, praying it had turned out alright. Makoto's eyes widened, staring at the chocolate cake in surprise, and to Usagi's delight, she took another bite.

"Usagi, this tastes great!"

"Really!?"

Everyone looked at Makoto in disbelief, still unsure if they were about to walk into a trap.

"Yeah! It's delicious!" Makoto took another larger bite.

Usagi beamed and passed the remaining boxes to the other girls, keeping the last one for herself. Opening her own, she picked up a sugar cookie and started to take a bite, when a gust of wind rustled through the park, shaking some of the delicate pink petals free from the branches above. In an unspoken agreement, everyone in the park stopped what they were doing and stared up, mesmerized by the petals as they slowly drifted to the earth. In awe at the serene beauty of spring in Tokyo.

In the quiet, the soft static of a nearby radio faded out as a new song started to play. The familiar chorus of trumpets filling the silence. Usagi's breath caught in her throat. Apparently, she wasn't the only one in the group to notice.

"Hey, isn't that the Three Lights?" asked Minako, reclining on her hand as she stared up watching the flowers float down. "It's been ages since I've heard their songs on the radio."

"Yeah, it is," Rei reluctantly broke her gaze from the drifting flowers. "It has been a while. I guess since they left a few years ago now they're not on the radio as much as they used to be. How long has it been since they've been gone? Three years right?"

Usagi nodded, not really paying attention. It was hard enough to randomly hear their voice in her head where she could push it away. But here she was trapped, all she could do was wait for the song to be over. The electricity running through her now was the same as the first time she had seen them live in concert. The Three Lights shining brilliantly on stage, desperately calling out for their princess. Each of them so vivid in her mind they could be standing before her now as real as three years ago as if no time had passed. She could see all of them but it was one specifically who called out to her.

"U-SA-GI!" Rei yelled, waving her hand in front of her face, quickly snapping her back to reality.

Usagi glanced around quickly at her friends who were all staring at her. "Sorry, what did you say?" She laughed trying to forget the images.

"What do you think the lights are up to? It's been three years since we've seen them." Rei asked again exasperated.

"I don't know. I'm sure they are rebuilding Kinmoku with Princess Kakyuu," Usagi looked down, her hands fidgeting in her lap. "They promised that they would come back and visit when they could but it's been so long... I wonder if they forgot about us."

"I'm sure they haven't," said Minako with a conviction that startled her as well as everyone else. Her cheeks quickly turned pink as the group collectively stared at her. "I mean, how could they? After everything that we went through together."

Usagi pulled her legs into her chest, crossing her arms over her knees she rested her head and nodded. "I guess. I hoped they would have come back by now. Just to let us know that they were okay. What if something terrible has happened again?"

"I'm sure they are fine Usagi," Rei reached out to the blonde girl, patting her on the head. "I'm sure they'll come back to visit as soon as they can."

"I'm sure you're right Rei" Usagi smiled up at her friend.

What was she doing suddenly worrying about the Starlights now when she should be enjoying time with her friends. They were incredibly strong and capable warriors. Without them, she wouldn't have been able to defeat Galaxia.

"I'm sure they'll come back to visit as soon as they can." The tightness in Usagi's chest slowly released.

The song faded out as the music came to an end, lost in the chatter starting up around them again. The Three Lights' voices lost.

Usagi hummed to herself as she walked home, Luna strolling by her side. Happily swinging the tote filled with empty boxes in rhythm with her steps. The friends had spent the entire day laughing and catching up. It was the most fun she had in weeks. Ever since she graduated high school Usagi was unsure of what she was supposed to do. Without school or an evil force to fight, she felt unsettled as if she didn't fit in anywhere anymore. Yes, one day she would be Neo Queen Serenity, ruler of the world. But who knew when that would be. A ball of lead formed in her stomach at the thought.

Seeing her friends made her feel more grounded in herself again. She knew who she was when she was around them and where she fit. A feeling that was all too rare these days.

Drifting further into her thoughts she didn't notice she stopped humming.

"You're unusually thoughtful. Anything bothering you Usagi?"

"Nothing really." Usagi looked up, taking in the soft pastels painted across the sky, the sun sinking behind the houses. "It was great to see everyone and just hang out for a bit. I miss having them around."

Luna nodded and leaped onto the railing next to Usagi.

Usagi sighed, "Everyone has these amazing things going on in their lives and I... I guess I'm worried there's nothing for me to do now."

"There's no need to worry Usagi. You and Mamoru will get married soon and bring about Crystal Tokyo. Then you'll have Chibi-Usa. Unlike most people, there's not much reason for you to worry. You've seen your future."

As Luna spoke Usagi felt the familiar tightness in her chest.

"Yeah, you're right... Why worry about something I know will happen. Not like anything can change it now."

Luna glanced over at Usagi raising her brows.

"I know things have been hard for you these past few years with Mamoru gone. I'm sure you'll feel better after you see him tomorrow."

Usagi sighed and looked at the moon which was pale as the pastels of the sunset started to give way to evening. Maybe seeing Mamo-chan would quell the anxiety which had grown within her for the past few months. It had too.

The pair made the rest of their way home in silence. The scent of sakura blossoms keeping them company.

/

"Seiya! The Princess is looking for us" Taiki yelled to her sister from the hallway.

Blinking, it took Seiya a few seconds to come back to reality. She had lost herself, as she often did, staring off one of the palace's many balconies. Gazing at the moons reflecting over the ocean. The larger one had reached the top of the night sky while its sister was breaking over the horizon, its reflection on the water making it look whole.

"Coming," she replied, completely breaking from her trance. "Do we need to transform?"

"No, come as you are dressed now" Taiki yelled back.

It wasn't often that the Princess needed them this late. They typically were done with their formal duties before early evening. The past three years had been a whirlwind for all of them, working tirelessly to rebuild their home which had been brutally destroyed in their fight with Galaxia. It had taken almost everything they had, to bring Kinmoku back to the paradise it had been before, but they had managed it somehow.

Grabbing her broach, just in case, she started off towards the throne room. The black chiffon of her pants softly swaying in the wind against her legs. Seiya breezed through the palace corridors. Had she not grown up here it would have been easy to get lost in the winding hallways, but she knew all of the shortcuts. Reaching the throne room she pushed on the door, needing to use almost her full weight to get the stubborn entrance to budge. Taiki and Yaten had beaten her there, already waiting in front of the Princess who stood on the steps leading up to her throne.

Seiya reached her sisters and bowed to her knee before her Princess.

"Please stand Seiya. There's no need for such formalities tonight" Kakyuu said gently motioning to her guardian.

"What can we do for you Princess?" Seiya asked, returning to her feet.

"I've just received word that we will have guests arriving from Eoros tomorrow who will be staying with us through the midsummer festival. I wanted you all to be ready in the morning to help me welcome them to the palace and get them situated for their stay."

Taiki's violet eyes flashed with annoyance, glancing at her sisters, vanishing just as quickly as she looked back to her Princess. "Of course Princess. It will be our honor to welcome such esteemed guests here."

Kakyuu smiled kindly back at Taiki. "There's no need to hide your frustration at the situation Taiki. I can't say I'm pleased about this either. But we will gladly welcome them here for the sake of the continued peaceful relationship between our two planets."

"Why are they coming now, when we could have used their help anytime over the past three years while we were fighting Galaxia or rebuilding everything from scratch. No, now when we've done all of the hard work they decide to come for a social call?" Yaten put her hand on her head and closed her eyes.

Irritation growing inside her as well, Seiya fought to keep silent. There was nothing they could do about the situation now. And taking their frustrations out on their arriving guests would only make their princess' job more difficult. No, better this time to go along with the political charade.

"We will be ready to assist you, Princess, in any way you need," Seiya bowed her head.

"Thank you my Lights, I don't know what I would do without you. Now please go off to get some rest before tomorrow. I'm sure it will be eventful for all of us," Kakyuu dismissed them.

The three sisters bowed and left. Making their way back to their rooms to get ready for the next day.

"Arg," Yaten groaned. "Why are they coming now when everything has finally settled down! I don't need to be dealing with their holier than thou attitudes for the next month."

Seiya and Taiki nodded their heads in agreement.

"Can't say I'm looking forward to it either. Did the Princess say anything before I got there? Any reason for their sudden visit?" Seiya asked.

"She didn't mention anything," said Taiki. "I guess we'll find out tomorrow."

Yaten groaned again as they reached their rooms. "I can't stand them," she repeated one more time for good measure as she opened her door and closed it sharply behind her.

"Looks like tomorrow will be interesting. It's always fun to see Yaten try to play the calm, collected diplomate," Seiya smiled at Taiki.

"Our definition of fun must differ greatly," Taiki replied with a smile. "Night"

"Night" Seiya said, opening the door into her room.

Her eyes taking a second to adjust to the darkness. The moonlight streaming in from the windows illuminating the space. She could hear the curtains swaying in the darkness caught in the ocean breeze, snagging on the stone wall by the entrance to her personal balcony. The aroma of salt and olives floated softly around her room. Walking over to her closet she found her pajamas carefully folded by the palace staff in their normal spot. Unceremoniously she discarded the day's clothes to the floor and slipped the dark silk tank top over her head allowing it to glide down over her curves. The cool fabric settled lightly against her body as a distantly familiar scent found its way into her room. Delicate sakura blossoms mingling with the smells of the ocean. Closing her eyes, Seiya inhaled deeply, attempting to keep the fragrance of the foreign flowers trapped within her as long as possible.

Walking out to her balcony, enjoying the warm night air that brushed lightly against her skin, Seiya looked up again at the moons. No matter how long it had been she couldn't forget the planet where she first discovered that scent. She looked down at the palace grounds below and realized that the night plum trees were coming into bloom. Laughing to herself she turned around and rested her arms against the stone banisters shaking her head slowly at her mistake. There's no way sakura blossoms would be here on Kinmoku, was she so desperate for any sign of her time on Earth that she was so quick to confuse night plum blossoms for sakura.

Leaving the balcony she headed back into her room towards her desk. Mechanically she opened the top drawer. Inside in the back corner was the locked box she had come for. Reaching her hand it rested on the familiar smooth wood. Hesitating a moment she removed the box from its hiding place. Moving almost reverently she sat down on the edge of her bed, her focus completely absorbed on the small box in her hands. Running her fingers over the top she traced the crescent moon carved into the lid. Time stood still. The slow pulse of her heart radiated out to her fingers as they waited frozen above the clasp. She couldn't stall any longer. Seiya opened the lock with a deftness that came from performing this ritual several times before.

"Why am I still doing this to myself," she wondered, removing the lid and exposing its contents only to the night.

Seiya reached in and pulled out a single polaroid which lay face down. Turning it over, her heart clenched in her chest, she looked at the picture of the girl smiling brightly unaware back at her.

"Yo, Odango atama"

/

Cool mists flowed around the Setsuna as she peered out over the timestream. Everything quiet, undisturbed.

Turning to leave, she raised her staff closing the spacetime door behind her. But as the doors shut she could feel it, another one was coming. Bracing herself it rippled around her, the mists billowing in its wake.

Then as quickly as it came it faded. Everything still again. Opening the doors once again she looked out over the timestream that flicked, wavering momentarily before returning to normal.

A seed of worry grew in her chest. That was the second one this week. Something's coming. Steeling herself, she hoped whatever it was they would be ready.

/

Thanks so much for reading the first chapter! I hope everyone is enjoying it. I've really loved writing this story so far. This is going to be a bit of a slow burn but I hope it will be worth it. I would love it if you could leave a review. Reading them really makes my day! Until next week :)