Chapter Text
Welcome to my second Sailor Moon fic! This takes place between three and six months after my two-shot Mo Ghile Mear, though that's not necessary to understand this. All you need to know is that this takes place post-series, and that Sailor Moon has since revived and restored the Shitennou as well.
Though I mostly write the characters with the personalities, incarnations, and timeline presented by Sailor Moon Crystal, there are and will be distinct references to both the original 90's DiC dub and the more translation-accurate dub produced by Viz.
Many thanks to LuckyLadybug for both brainstorming and plot help!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Sailor Moon or any of its characters; I'm merely a fan who hasn't had her fill of them. All rights belong to Naoko Takeuchi.
-Chapter 1: An Invitation-
"…Umino."
"Umino?" Rei asked, looking over from where she was sweeping.
"Umino."
Ami looked up from where she was sitting with her laptop, home from university for the weekend. "What about Umino?" she replied.
"He's engaged," Usagi said.
"He's what?!"
"See for yourself!" Usagi held her phone out so that the rest of the Senshi could take a look at the photo she was talking about. "See? Look at his Facebook post!"
"…Oh my gosh…Umino's engaged!" Makoto exclaimed.
"Umino…that's your other friend who was dating Naru, wasn't it?" Jadeite asked. He was helping Rei sweep the walkway, both decked out in their shrine clothes.
"Yeah, they were for awhile," Usagi said. "But they broke up in our senior year."
"They did?" Rei asked. "Why? I understood they were very fond of one another…"
"They were—they still are," Usagi said. "Naru says they still love each other, but they realized they're not in love with each other. Like…Haruka loves us, but she's in love with Michiru. And they love Hotaru different than either each other or us."
"Yeah, I guess when you put it that way, it makes sense…" Makoto said. "Still…engagement?! Who would've guessed?! Does it say to who?"
"It doesn't," Usagi said, staring at her phone again. "I wonder if Naru knows?"
"And not tell us?" Ami asked with a laugh. "But you still keep in contact with Umino, too, don't you?"
"Yeah!" Usagi said. She tilted her head, then frowned. "Why wouldn't he tell us?"
"I'm sure it's nothing, my queen," Jadeite chimed in. He smiled, but a hint of mischief had slipped into his expression. "He is likely so caught up in his lady that he's neglected to give details. Besides, a gentleman doesn't 'kiss and tell'."
"I suppose…" Usagi said, turning the thought around in her mind. "Still…I'm supposed to be the guardian of love and justice! I should know these things!" The Senshi laughed.
"I wouldn't take it too personally, either, Usagi," Ami added with a laugh.
"Usagi!" Minako came running up the pathway to the Hikawa Shrine. "Ami! Mako! Rei!"
"What's up, Mina-chan?" Usagi returned.
"Yeah, what's that in your hand?" Makoto asked.
"Take a look!" Minako held out the envelope: a beautiful, crisp white with silver trimmings, their friend's name and address on it in a familiar hand. From it, she withdrew an equally elegant invitation: "'Ms Aino—you and your significant other are cordially invited to a costume party at the behest of Princess D. Oct 31st, the Diamond Embassy'!"
"Is that…Umino's handwriting?" Usagi said, taking the envelope. Her eyes saddened. Why had Minako gotten an invitation and not she? She knew things had gotten busy between them all, but…then things had calmed down for awhile. She had strived to hang on to her old friendships, especially this time around. Her Senshi were very important to her, and she would die to protect them as they would for her…Endymion and all four of his knights had likewise fallen into a similar pattern, both where he and she and her Senshi were concerned, willingly protecting not only their nearest loves but those of their brothers, as well.
(Usagi giggled, recalling one particular instance a few weeks after the knights' revival: a late-night movie with Rei-chan and subsequent run-in with Nephrite and Kunzite had resulted in both of them escorting the girls home. While the crashing of tins in a nearby alley had turned out to be nothing more than a stray cat, none of them had known that, and the knights had guarded both women as gallantly as they would their own princesses. That had not been the only instance from any of them, but it stood out in Usagi's mind as one of the funniest. The looks on their faces had been priceless.)
…But likewise, she did not want her new friends of these lifetimes to wonder where she had gone. The heart was big enough to hold all the love in the world…and her friends and family of this age were welcome to all of it!
Umino didn't even know Minako, not really…why had he not sent Usagi an invitation?
"It only arrived today."
"What?" Usagi gave her friend an embarrassed grin. "I'm sorry, I guess I was lost in thought…" Minako giggled.
"The invitation," she said, giving her friend a knowing smile. "It only arrived today. That's what's bothering you, right? That I got one and not you. It only arrived today…and if I got one, I'll bet we all did. You haven't been home yet, have you?"
"No…I came straight here from Mamo's…" Usagi said, feeling a little lighter at Minako's train of thought. Rei looked to Jadeite.
"Have we gotten our mail, yet?" she asked.
"I thought Grandpa already did, but perhaps not…." Jadeite said, setting his broom down and leaving to check.
"Even if you don't get one today, I'm sure he didn't forget you,"Ami said reassuringly, returning her gaze to Usagi. "You're a good friend…don't doubt that. You helped make us whole again."
"All of us." Another familiar voice chimed in, and they turned.
"Kunzite!" Minako exclaimed, running to him as he finished coming up the walk. He planted a kiss on her cheek, then looked to Usagi.
"My apologies, my queen, but I could not help overhearing…Ami is quite right; I don't know what thoughts are plaguing you right now, of course, but if you are doubting your abilities as a friend, please don't. You're the heart and soul of the team—even this half." He winked, and she giggled. 'This half', of course, referring to Endymion and his knights, who now joined the Senshi when they were forced to don their hero personas…and defended the city themselves when the Senshi were unavailable.
Usagi smiled. "Thank you. No…it's just about a silly invitation. To a masquerade ball…"
"The one at the Diamond Embassy?" Kunzite asked.
"You know about it?"
"Crystal Tokyo collectively received an invitation," he replied. He studied the envelope Minako handed him. "Ours was a printed address though, not handwritten." Usagi tilted her head, feeling herself lighten a bit.
"Here we are, my love," Jadeite said, returning then with the mail. Rei sifted through it, smiling as she pulled out a crisp white envelope with silver trimmings on it…and a handwritten address, in a familiar hand.
"Ms Hino—you and your significant other are cordially invited to a costume party at the behest of Princess D. Oct 31st, the Diamond Embassy'," she read, smiling. Now Usagi did, too. She likely had one at home, too, then.
"But if this is from Princess D, how does she know who you ladies are and that you have a significant other?" Jadeite asked.
Usagi frowned. "You think…this is a trap?"
"It does look likeUmino's handwriting…" Ami said, looking closely at Rei's invitation. "But…he brings up a good point…"
"And what would Umino's handwriting be doing on an envelope addressed from Princess D?" Makoto said, following his train of thought.
"Crystal Tokyo Inc. does conduct business with them, though," Kunzite said.
"You're saying that perhaps her servants talk as well as us?" Jadeite asked with a smirk.
"You're not my servant," Rei protested.
"Make no mistake, my princess—it is a service I cherish fulfilling," he replied, and Usagi giggled.
"Well…why don't we wait and talk it over with Mamoru and the others," Ami suggested. "Maybe there will be more he knows."
"More than Kunzite does?" Usagi asked. The knights had willingly attached themselves to Crystal Tokyo's name and business in various roles, but Kunzite had remained Mamoru's chief adviser, even in this lifetime. Jadeite had temple duties he'd taken on in addition to the other business, which sometimes varied given Grandpa Hino's health. Nephrite also had a head for business, given that his Masato Sanjouin persona in a previous life had only been what he'd thought was a disguise: it was his true identity, and he had the funds and the house and the car to prove it.
(Usagi had to admit the car was cool. Even cooler than Mamoru's, though she didn't have the heart to tell him that.)
"It's still possible he knows more than I do," Kunzite said. "It's also possible Nephrite or Zoisite have heard something I didn't. I agree with Ami: we'll talk it over with the others, and decide from there."
"Speaking of Nephrite, where is he?" Usagi asked. "I would've thought he'd come, too…" Makoto smiled.
"He's with Naru," she said. "They went to a movie."
"Huh?" Minako tilted her head. "He's…with Naru?"
"I insisted," Makoto shook her head, smiling. "Avoiding the issue isn't going to solve it. Neither he nor I want to take away from the other's happiness. He and I have something between us that can't be broken, but he and Naru have something, too. And she's been a friend, too. How can I take that away from her, especially if she might end up being what he really wants?" She smiled. "He's said I always have his sword, whether it be as a love or a friend. And Naru knows that."
"And…it's not like I haven't dated, either…or kinda been dating…" she continued, and Usagi smiled sadly. To say the Senshi had been broken up when Reika left for Africa would be a lie; they had all but celebrated when she had. Even Ami and Rei and Minako—who had not had crushes on Motoki as Usagi and Makoto had—could see that Reika was not a good fit for him, that he could do better. And then at last, after two years, the selfish woman had called it off, saying that she was seeing someone else.
It had felt different than Usagi expected, even though she was in love with Mamo-chan now. It had felt different than Makoto expected. And in the end, it had not been any ulterior motive that drove her to bring him some homemade curry and freshly baked cookies…but the desire to cheer someone up. Because she knew. She knew what it was like to care so deeply for someone who did not feel the same way, whom had, in many ways, used you.
"Motoki's a great guy," Makoto said. "I can't believe Reika couldn't see what she was giving up. But…he's in the same position as Nephrite and Naru, and it would be wrong of me to hurt him because I had a different love in a previous life. And Nephrite knows that, and he feels the same way I do. We're all taking it slow, considerate. However long it takes…that's however long we need."
Usagi's smile brightened again, even as she worried that someone's heart would get broken. For all four of them to be putting themselves on the line like that…that took incredible strength. Incredible honesty and love and trust…they wanted the others to be happy, even at the cost of their own. Usagi only prayed it would work out for everyone's benefit…that everyone truly would be as happy as she and Mamo-chan.
"I'll call him tonight, and see what he thinks," Makoto promised. "He might know something we don't, too."
The group stayed and chatted awhile longer. Eventually, Kunzite and Minako left, and then Zoisite came to get Ami.
"What if this is a trap, and they've got Umino?" Usagi said, her head suddenly shooting up. Rei took the invitation again.
"I don't sense any evil auras from it…" she said.
"We'll be cautious, my queen," Jadeite said. He smiled. "There may be an entirely rational explanation as well, one we haven't thought of. I'm sure Ami will mention something to Zoisite. Let's see if we all receive invitations, and then talk with the others; we'll make our decision then. If Umino is in danger, will we not want to rescue him? We're stronger now than even we were before." Usagi smiled.
"Okay. And I'll ask Mamo-chan tonight."
The sight of a familiar red car down the end of the pathway caught their eyes…as did the sight of a familiar auburn-haired man exiting said vehicle and walking toward them.
"Nephrite?" Makoto hopped off the stairs and hurried toward him, surprised but not displeased. "I thought you would still be with Naru?"
"I was," he said genially. "The movie was entertaining, and we had fun. I took her home already. However, I know Motoki is studying late tonight. So, my princess, I thought I would take you home, as well." He turned to Usagi. "And Mamoru is with him. Might I also offer you a ride, my queen?"
.:s:S:s:.
"Thanks, Nephrite!" Usagi said cheerfully, closing the car door behind her. He nodded, driving off with Makoto to take her home. Usagi sighed. She had left Mamoru some dinner in his refrigerator; all he would have to do was warm it up. But she couldn't seem to shake the nagging thought about Umino and that strange invitation…
"Oh, Usagi!" Ikuko Tsukino greeted her as she walked in the door. "Some mail came for you while you were at Rei's. Very pretty paper, isn't it?" She held out an envelope…a crisp white envelope with elegant silver trimmings, the addresses written in a familiar hand. Usagi smiled.
"Thanks, Mom." She took the proffered envelope and headed upstairs, shutting the door behind her.
"Ms Tsukino—you and Mr Mamoru Chiba are cordially invited to a costume party at the behest of Princess D. Oct 31st, the Diamond Embassy'," it read. And then, at the bottom, a smaller post-script: "I know it's typically bad form to write on invitations, but it would mean the world to me if you and the girls would come! Please say you will! —Your friend, Umino Gurio".
…But what was Umino doing writing on an invitation from Princess D?
"What is that, Usagi?" Luna asked, noting the frown on her friend's face. "What's wrong?"
.:s:S:s:.
Mamoru had indeed shed some light on the subject, as had—to their surprise—Usagi's father, Kenji Tsukino. The Diamond Kingdom was throwing the gala as the Princess was to make a major announcement! Rumors about what it could be ranged from the possibility of her stepping down (but why a gala?) to a new treaty with Japan (getting warmer) to even an engagement, but no one had even seen a boyfriend. Still others had an even simpler answer: it was on Halloween!
Ultimately, they had all been in agreement. Umino's note at the end of Usagi's invite was unusual, but Rei had not sensed anything untoward, and in the end…what did it matter? If Umino was fine, he had all but pleaded with them to come.
And if he wasn't fine…heroes did not run from danger. Heroes did not abandon their friends. Naru and Motoki had received personalized invitations as well, Naru's with the same entreaty that Usagi's had had.
They would attend, all twelve of them, each Senshi with her knight, and Usagi with her prince.
"So what are we going to go as, then?" Usagi asked, gathered as they were at the Hikawa Shrine. "It said it's a costume party, right?"
"Why, my queen," said Zoisite, a mischievous grin coming over his face, "I think our choices would be quite simple…who better to cosplay as Sailor Moon and her Senshi, and who better to play Tuxedo Mask and his Knights?"
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
The Knights' titles for the Shitennou are the following:
- Jadeite—Knight of Patience & Harmony
- Nephrite—Knight of Wisdom & Comfort
- Zoisite—Knight of Purity & Healing
- Kunzite—Knight of Virtue & Affection
These were not on any wiki I found; I had to find these titles within Sailor Moon Crystal. Their titles also seem to derive from the mystical properties that the gemstones they are named for are believed to have (i.e., kunzite is a stone associated with 'divine love'). I provide this info for any fellow fans who are struggling to come up with solid personalities and backgrounds for these four!
MUSIC:
"Symphony"—Sheppard
"Fading Like a Flower (Sonitus & Daniel P Remix)"—Vegas Crashers