closed | this isn't the ideal, we're miles from home.

[zorro]

His daughter had returned to her proper place in the future, history had been put back on its proper course, and for the short span of ten minutes, all was right with the world. And then it lurched, violently to one side and then the other, sending Mamoru toppling forward through a bright red door. He felt like hew as lost in the depths of the time gate all over again, but in the place of temporal storms, there was an abundance of sunshine, the chattering of seagulls, and salt on the air from the waves crashing against the side of the ship.

Mamoru Chiba was no stranger to finding himself inexplicably somewhere he didn't intend to be, but this was a new one, a situation he wasn't quite sure what to make of just yet. Especially while there was a considerable lack of enemies poised to strike or danger looming on the edge of his senses.

There was nothing. Just this ship. This cruise ship to nowhere. Just—

"Usako?"

He ran — as fast as his feet would carry him, leaping over tables and lounge chairs, muttering quick apologies to those he breezed past with the skill and precision of someone who was used to dodging monsters, not people. Mamoru ran until he found her, bursting through the double doors leading from the outside to the air conditioned hallways within.

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[zorro]

Mamoru has a hand placed against the nearest wall before he registers what he's doing. Sometimes he's lost on how to use his abilities, others it comes to him without much thought towards it at all — as natural as breathing. He closes his eyes, concentrating, reaching out with his senses, probing every corner of the ship.

His eyes snap open. "They're not here. It's just us. There's plenty of other people on this ship, but no one we'd know."

[odangos]

She didn't think were, not really. Usagi would have felt it somehow if they were, she's sure of it. While she knows it might be safer for them it's still disappointing. It doesn't feel anymore right to be separated from than it does with Mamoru.

"I hope they're okay."

That they aren't stuck somewhere else, somewhere worse.

[zorro]

As head of her guard, Minako would be worried once she noticed their disappearance. It wasn't that Mamoru was incapable of protecting Usagi so much as the senshi had been tasked with guarding her when they were allowed to be reborn on Earth. That was their purpose in life, and having spent seventeen years of his life as one half of a whole, he understood how empty it made you feel to be without that purpose.

"They're fine, Usako." Don't ask him how he knows, he just does. "Stop worrying." He smooths a hand across her hair in the valley between her odangos, kissing her forehead. "We're okay, and so are they."

[odangos]

A small, sad smile tugs at her lips at his reassurance. "I know you're probably right." But she still wishes she could be certain they were okay. There doesn't seem to be any sort of enemy here -- so maybe Mamoru is right. Maybe they're safe back home.

She hopes so.

"It's strange though -- if an enemy didn't bring us here then what did?"

[zorro]

"I'm always right." Well, not always. Don't argue with that, Usagi. This is a rare display of confidence in his psychic abilities. If his older, future self could reach through time with them, it wasn't too farfetched to say that his certainty regarding the senshi's safety was accurate.

"I don't know, and that's what bothers me. For once, whatever brought us here doesn't seem to be interested in who we are. We're just one of many."

[odangos]

"No, you aren't always right," She corrects him with a small, teasing smile. A hint that she has taken his words to heart. He wouldn't tell her her friends were safe if he didn't truly believe that was the case. He's not the type to give her false hope.

"So it has nothing to do with who we are." It feels hard to believe, everything considered. When they've been taken before it's always been because of who they were, or who they would become. Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen. Serenity and Endymion. The future king and queen.

[zorro]

Yes, there were times when his intuition was wrong, his guesses completely unfounded, but he honestly didn't feel like this was one of those times. After all, he's now seen what his future self is capable of doing with these abilities that he barely understands, and if not for his basic understanding of temporal physics (he really likes physics, okay), he would've been bold enough to ask for a little assistance with them. But, seeing as the king was him, he knew that even if he had asked, it was unlikely he'd receive an answer.

(Later, he'll likely be a bit miffed that the king allowed him to believe his power was borrowed from the strength of the Silver Crystal, when his power wasn't taken from that at all. There's a crystal of his own hidden deep with in him, much like Usagi's Silver Crystal. He just doesn't know it yet. That seal hasn't been broken.)

"Nothing at all."

Which, aside from the kidnapping, is actually pretty refreshing.

[odangos]

"That's kind of nice."

Sure, they were still kidnapped and all but at least it seems they were chosen at random. For once it isn't some conspiracy to get the crystal or kill her or brainwash him. It's just random.

Maybe it means at least while she's here she doesn't have to worry about being Sailor Moon for once. That weight and responsibility. The things that are always pulling at her.

Selfishly, she's almost glad for the break. Even though things had seemed peaceful once Chibi-Usa went back to the future she knew it wouldn't last. It never did. There will always be new enemies to defeat.

[zorro]

"Kind of a first," he jokes, daring to poke fun at a constant fact of their lives. It isn't easy, being both feared and respected and something to be taken down, all at the same time.

Mamoru shares in that selfishness. It seems like it's been nonstop since the moment Luna gave Usagi the means to become Sailor Moon. It's been one thing after another, barely leaving them with any time to catch a break. The circumstances may not be ideal, but the calm is certainly welcome.

[odangos]

"It is." Her smile tugs into something a little brighter, more genuine. "It's almost like a vacation." They are stuck on a cruise ship, together, after all. If there's no way to get home and no immediate danger to worry about why shouldn't they enjoy themselves as much as they can?

There's an almost mischievous look in her eyes as she continues. "At least this way I won't have to tell my parents I'm just staying at Makoto's."

Maybe she should ask if he would want to share the same cabin but she can't imagine doing anything else.

[zorro]

It's this admission of a lie that has Luna propping herself up with two paws on Usagi's leg, peering hard up at the teenagers conversing around her like she's not even there. "This is not a vacation." She pushes against Usagi's leg in attempt to shake the blonde. "You two need to be looking for a way home, a way to get all of these people on."

They're barely reunited for five minutes and Luna's already turning this into a mission.

[odangos]

Man, Luna, way to be a buzzkill. She pouts a little at her guardians words -- she knows she's probably right but couldn't she of let her have the idea of normalcy for more than five minutes?

"Do we have to right away? Mamo-chan said he didn't feel any enemies -- no one seems like they're in danger."

[zorro]

Luna sighs, knowing that there's no talking Usagi out of enjoying the perks of this rather unusual kidnapping until she's given good reason to.

"Yet," Mamoru reminds her. "Our lives aren't known for staying quiet. You shouldn't let your guard down."

[odangos]

"I know."

And she does. She's learned it the hard way, peace doesn't last. There will always be another enemy, something else they have to defeat. And while their mission to keep everything is the most important thing to her she can't help but wish sometimes that they didn't have to.

[zorro]

He frowns at her, because the reality of their situation — of their lives — isn't pretty. Sure, there are some who would say they're lucky for having everything mapped out for them, for knowing that yes, they will have a daughter and have something of a bright future that revolves around ruling Crystal Tokyo, but he doesn't feel like they're lucky. He's certain Usagi agrees with him. It isn't lucky at all to know that what you planned on doing with your life may not happen and will likely be rendered pointless, because of a destiny that's already set in stone.

Being King (and Queen) isn't as glamorous as movies make it out to be.

Mamoru tugs on her arm to pull her back to him, enveloping her in his embrace. Luna follows suit, winding herself between Usagi's feet and legs.

"We'll figure this out."

[odangos]

She clings to him tightly. She's not sure what she would do if there weren't here. For as much as he tells her that she's strong and brave she knows any strength she has comes from him and everyone else she loves. She'd never be able to make it on her own. It's a burden to know someday the whole world will be her responsibility, it's too much to bare, but the one comfort is that he'll be there by her side during all of it.

"We will."