Stars in a New Sky

Chapter 23: Final Guardian

Makoto Kino watched with satisfaction as the boys stumbled over each other to get away. She despised people who preyed on those weaker than them. Feeling eyes on her, she turned. Wide blue eyes stared up at her in wonder. A strange feeling of familiarity settled over her. It was almost as if they'd met before...

"That was so amazing!" The girl exploded with excitement, breaking her train of thought.

"O-oh? You think so?" She stuttered. Not many people thought her skills were 'so amazing'. The girls at her last school had regarded her with apprehension. She'd made quite a reputation for herself as a violent girl. The exuberance of this perky blonde was unexpected and almost overwhelming.

"Yes! What kind of guys pick on a girl like that?" She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at their retreating figures. Such a stern expression coming from the petite blonde was almost comical.

"Bullies." Makoto replied, matter-of-factly. "Well, I should probably get going." She continued down the sidewalk. 

"So what school do you go to?" The girl asked, falling into step beside her. Her bright smile stirred a faint memory in the back of Makoto's mind. They had met before. She was sure of it. But where?

"I go to the junior high just up the street." She gestured vaguely in that direction.

"Really?! So do I!" The girl clapped her hands with excitement. She cocked her head and stared at Makoto's uniform. "But...why are you wearing that?"

Makoto shrugged. "I think it looks better on me." 

The girl stared down at her own uniform, lips pursed as if she were giving it real thought. Makoto's eyes widened in horror. "Oh! I don't mean that you don't look good in yours. I just prefer this one." Ugh...great going Mako. She mentally chastised herself. Before either girl could speak, the clang of the school bell echoed down the street. Eyes widening in alarm, the two sprinted to the school building. They parted ways with a hasty goodbye as they went to their separate classes. 

***

Mamoru and Takeshi exchanged looks as the bell rang and Masako's desk remained empty. While they didn't expect her to show up after last night, they both had held out hope that Masako managed to wrest control of her body. Mamoru sighed. She too was a victim in all of this. Metalia had to be stopped before it was too late. He had a gnawing feeling that there would be a heavy price to pay at the end of all this. 

His thoughts drifted to Usagi. They had to think of a way to defeat Metalia without sacrificing Usagi. His chest tightened with fear. She'd felt so fragile in his arms last night, like a delicate flower. The memory of her soft lips and warm body pressed against his chest rose to the fore of his thoughts. Unbidden, a grin stretched his lips. Their first kiss was a brief respite from the danger surrounding them. No matter what happened, he would keep that precious memory in his heart forever. 

"Just what did you two get up to last night, Chiba?" Takeshi's sly question yanked him out of his reverie.

Mamoru flushed. "N-nothing. Nothing happened."

Takeshi snorted. "Like hell it didn't. I know that look."

Mamoru cast him a dark glare. It irked him that Takeshi was probably telling the truth. He could remember his past life as Jadeite, while he was left with fragments of Endymion's memories. "We just talked. She was upset after the meeting."

"Sure. 'Talked'. You forget, I remember how it was with you two. It was practically impossible to keep you away from her. You were a big sucker if she cried." Takeshi replied with a wry twist of his lips.