Crystal Flaws � Part 01 Crystal Tears

Usagi went to her room, changed into jeans, a T-shirt and a hooded rain jacket. Usagi slowly walked along the trails by the castle. With her hair tucked into the jacket, she looked like an average woman taking a walk in the rain. No one stopped or questioned her.

Usagi wandered on deep in thought, [From what Luna said, my mother knew what was really going on when Beryl showed up. I guess she didn’t blame Prince Endymion for Beryl’s attack. If she had, she wouldn’t have saved him and sent him to the future to be with me. When she has contacted me she hasn’t said anything about Prince Endymion’s part in all this, and she hasn’t warned me away from him. I’m glad I know how she felt about all this. If she didn’t hold him responsible for what had happened, then I guess it’s not right for me to do so.]

Usagi continued walking. [Okay,] she thought. “If I have this settled, then how come do I still feel so miserable?] The answer she gave herself stopped her in her tracks. “I’m jealous!” she whispered, “Jealous of the part of Mamoru that Beryl had.” Usagi shook her head and spoke sternly to herself, “How can I possibly begrudge that small part of Mamoru’s life when I have had so much more with him? The best part of Beryl’s life was probably with Mamoru. She worked so hard and paid so much to try to get him back and she failed. Her misfortune was directly my gain.” Now that Usagi admitted her jealous feelings, she felt ashamed of them.

Usagi stopped walking again and looked around. It was then that she realized she didn’t recognize this trail or where she was. [Great,] she thought. [I didn’t pay attention and now I’m lost in my own kingdom!] Usagi also realized that it was getting dark. She had walked much longer than she had intended. Usagi felt for her brooch and realized that in this time of peace she had started to not carry it with her everywhere. It had become more a piece of jewelry to go with her royal gown for formal occasions. “Damn!” Usagi muttered.

She sat on a fallen log and shivered. [Mamo-chan is expecting me for dinner. I’m sure he’ll realize I’m not there and start a search party,] Usagi reassured herself.

The woods were getting darker now and Usagi kept hearing noises. She debated if she should continue walking, or climb a tree or just sit. She was tired, cold, very hungry and getting scared.

The thought occurred to Usagi that if something happened to her, she’d never be able to tell Mamo-chan that she forgave him. She thought about his kindness to her that morning, in spite of how miserable and upset he was too. [Actually,] she realized, [He is upset because he loves me and he feels bad about the pain he is causing me.] Crystal tears slipped through Usagi’s fingers and fell on her lap. [I never even thought about how afraid he must be that I won’t be able to forgive him.] Right there Usagi decided she may not like what happened in the past, but she definitely didn’t want it to ruin all they had in the present. “Mamo-chan has always stood by me, supported and protected me. One thing from the past shouldn’t overshadow everything else he’s done,” she resolutely stated.

Suddenly, Usagi heard a noise in the trees near her. She yelped in surprise as a large dark figure dropped to the ground in front of her. As it came towards her she started to scream as she jumped up to run.

“Usako!” yelled a familiar voice.

Her scream stopped in a gasp. “Mamo-chan?” She whispered.

He caught her as she fell and wrapped his strong arms and cape around her. “Oh, Usako!” he whispered as he held her close to his warmth and kissed her forehead.

Usagi looked up at him and asked, “How…how did you find me?”

Tuxedo Kamen looked into her eyes and said, “Don’t you remember, Silly? I can always find you when you really need me!”

“Oh yeah,” Usagi mumbled, “I guess I did forget.” Snuggling closer in his arms, she sighed. Suddenly, she pulled back from him and looked up again. “Wait! I have to tell you, I forgive you! You didn’t know Beryl would do what she did. I’m not mad anymore.”

A look of relief crossed Tuxedo Kamen’s face. He pulled her close and put his head against hers. “Thank you,” He whispered and she could feel his crystal tears on her cheek as he hugged her.

After a moment Usagi whispered, “I love you.”

Tuxedo Kamen said, “I love you too.” They smiled at each other then kissed with more heartfelt emotion than they had shown to each other in a long time.

Usagi, who stood comfortably wrapped in Tuxedo Kamen’s embrace said, “Mamo-chan?”

“Hmmm?” he answered.

“I’m hungry,” Usagi stated plainly.

Tuxedo Kamen laughed. “Of course you are!” he said with a smile. “Hold on tight and I’ll get us home to dinner.”

As Tuxedo Kamen leapt over the treetops with Usagi safe in his arms, they laughed together. It had been a long time since they had traveled this way and it was exhilarating with the wind and mist in their faces.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Usagi and Tuxedo Kamen arrived at the castle and were met by four very worried women and two anxious cats.

Rei started to scold Usagi, “What were you thinking, walking in the woods and rain so late? Why are you dressed like that? No wonder no one remembered seeing you!” Rei took a breath and was prepared to continue her lecture.

Minako put a hand on Rei’s arm and shook her head. With a smile, Minako quietly said, “Look.”

Rei then saw what Minako was referring to. Mamoru, as Tuxedo Kamen, had his arm around Usagi’s waist. Both of them looked happier than they had looked in days. Obviously they had worked things out between them.

With a sigh, Rei decided to give up on the lecture. “I guess all’s well that ends well,” Rei stated with resignation as she walked away shaking her head.

Luna laughed. “I guess there’s nothing else left to say except goodnight. Let’s go, Artemis.”

“Yes, dear,” Artemis replied with a wink as he turned to follow Luna.

Makoto, Ami and Minako gave Usagi hugs and said they’d see her tomorrow as they also left.

Tuxedo Kamen took Usagi in his arms. “I think they’re leaving us alone!”

“Amazing!” Usagi replied with a smile.

“Wonderful!” Tuxedo Kamen said as he leaned down to kiss her.

“Wait!” Usagi interrupted. “There’s still the matter of dinner and I’m still hungry!”

“Okay, okay,” Tuxedo Kamen sighed, “Let’s go raid the pantry!” Arm in arm they headed down the hall giggling like children. Once again secure in their love made stronger with Crystal Tears.

Epilogue follows...

I\'d like to thank my terrific beta reader, Sophia Prester, for helping with the revision of this book. Her help was very valuable and is much appreciated. ^_^

Thank you for reading my story. If you liked it, or if you have any (kind and gently worded) suggestions/comments about my story, please let me know. You can email me at ndeblock@att.net .

Bye, Luna Hope

Disclaimer>Sailor Moon and all her friends don\'t belong to me. They belong to Naoko Takeuchi. I just borrowed them for a little bit of fun. ^_^