"Mamo-."

She returned his look with a mixture of shock, surprise, and a deep sense of wistfulness. It was her now mature responsibility

that kept her from throwing himself at him.

From his outer appearance he seemed to be at the very beginning of his twenties if he was not slightly younger. Frankly speaking, he was nearly Chibiusas age who stood directly behind him together with Helios and Kousagi. It truly was a more than strange constellation to look at.

Mamoru was again startled. It was Usako, he was sure but she looked so different. Much more mature. She wore a white mermaid shaped dress by having sort of wings attached, a little tiara graced her head and her blonde hair was replaced with silvery shining hair.

At least Usagi's unique hairstyle was still gracing her and framed her beautiful face. Over all, she looked like a proper grown up Queen to him.

It took her a few moments until she was able to collect herself back to be the graceful person as she had become in this life and at this age. Thus, she opened her mouth again and addressed the group by carrying a graceful but friendly tone in her voice.

"Right, this looks as if someone is not really in his appropriate time. Whatever is going on here should be discussed on a rather less public place. Would you mind following me please?"

By saying this she turned around and walked daintly through the corridor. The group followed her silently until they arrived at a huge golden gate, decorated with a red rose and a crescent moon on it.

She hesitated and took a deep breath until she turned her gaze back to the others.

"In here we should have some privacy. Come in".

The more Mamoru discovered of this palace the more he was fascinated. Back in the days of the Silver Millennium he had always been very fond of the beautiful white Moon Palace which was the residence of the royal family. This place here was absolute breath taking! It was huge, kind of transparent, sparkling and the whole atmosphere was comparable to feel a sort of inner peace for him. As if he finally found his home. Yes, it was where he would belong to some day.

This room they just entered looked to be the heart of this place for him. Instantly he felt embraced by soo many wonderful things. Everything was about to scream "Mamoru and Usagi do live here...and they are awesomely happy!".

"Where are we?" He whispered to Kousagi who was standing next to him.

"It's the Queen's and King's private chambers. Sort of a little apartment in this huge palace." She flustered back to him and grinned slightly.

It was rather a very generous living room with a very impressive coffee table which was surrounded by several cozy sofas and chairs. The grown up Usagi pointed at the furniture and advised them to have a seat.

"Okay, so who is able to tell me why Mamoru is here? Obviously he didn't jump by using the time travel key, otherwise he would have passed the gate of space and time?"

"We found him outside of the palace, Mum!" Kousagi answered hesitantly.

'Wait! Did she just say Mum?!'

"Hold on!" Mamoru interposed. "Does this mean WE are married and have children?!"

There was an awkward silence which occurred right after he uttered his assumption.

"Is this not obvious?!" Kousagi was the first who was able to react and the rest of the attendeees seemed to follow her reaction by frowning at Mamoru.

"Kousagi, please. I think Mamoru is in a certain state of confusion. Thus, we should give him some kind of summary in order to help him and us to sort this out quickly." The Queen suggested to the dark pink bun head and turned her attention back to Mamoru. Her face was full of love when she spoke out what was standing in the room like a big fat pink elephant.

"Yes, you are totally right. In this time I am your wife, we have two children and will rule over this kingdom which is called the Neo Silver Millenium."

That indeed was a tough one for Mamoru to take. Not that he was utterly in love with Usagi and clearly wanted to marry her one day as actually promised between them before they both were reborn on this planet. But having his future right in front of his eyes made it frightening real to him and he was really close to freak out.

Somehow, Serenity seemed to feel his mental state was out of control and suggested the three young allies

"Would you mind, giving Mamoru and me some space to speak?" She received nothing but understanding from their children and Helios.

"Mum, don't worry. Take as much time as you need. Meanwhile we will try to find Pluto. She surely can help us with our current issues. Have fun guys! Helios, Chibiusa, let's go...uhh, I almost forgot this." She looked into her mother's eyes and pulled out the golden star locket.

"I thought I should give it back to you. Could be useful." She grinned at the Queen.

Kousagi gave Mamoru a sincere smile and before she left the room she turned around and snapped her fingers. All of a sudden, the white dress he wore was replaced with his casual outfit which contained a lilac pair of chino trousers, a black collar shirt and his beloved jacket. She glanced at him by carrying a happy smirk on her lips.

"I'll make sure that everything works out for you. Please don't worry too much. Byeee!"

By saying this, they left the room and closed the big gate with a loud thud.

Left behind were Mamoru and his future wife who was currently the double of his age.

"This feels weird" he started hesitantly by running his hand trough his hair.

"Please don't misunderstand this, Usagi. Well if it's your name any longer, sorry."

"Please feel free to call me by whatever name you prefer. As I assume that you are coming from the second life we shared" With a critical glance she inspected his green jacket "I think Usagi would be the appropriate name." She was almost grinning about this clearly unusual situation.

"Actually I'd prefer Usako, to be honest."

Her face lightened up by hearing his beloved nickname for her and instantly he managed to see the 14 year old school girl in her who she has fallen for, so many centuries ago.

"So, what is the last thing you experienced before you jumped?" She took in a relaxing position and tiled her head to the side. The star locket was still in her small hand.

"I was in a cave and about to fight Kunzite when he started to talk about a strange thing called "the chaotic world of multiple dimensions."

Future Usako winced twice when she heard the name 'Kunzite' and 'multiple dimensions'. She pursed her lips and finally uttered

"I always wondered where you jumped to when we got separated by Kunzite, and the senshi and I landed on the destroyed Moon Kingdom."

"Oh, there you currently are!" He managed to reply.

She sighed deeply and some tears started to form up in any corner of her eyes.

"Mamoru, since I know from which time you come from, everything makes sense to me now. Please let me explain some things to you."

She said and stood up. While she was walking around in the lovely living room she told him

"There is no need for us to involve Pluto in this since you will probably jump back to the cave within a short time. This is how it is supposed to be in order to follow the timeline properly. I cannot tell you everything now but please have faith in me and you. Everything will turn out to the good, regardless how hopeless it will look to you. Just believe in us."

She came back to her position and looked him deep into his ocean blue eyes.

"However, there is something I can tell you now. After this terminal fight against the Dark Kingdom you will be granted to live a new sort of life but you will not regain all of your memory in the end."

"What? What do you mean?" He was utterly confused now.

"I honestly don't know the exact reason and I have been searching for an answer to this question for centuries."

She smiled but her tears betrayed her intension to stay brave. It caused her too much sadness to keep it for herself any longer.

"I am sorry but I have to share this with you since I will probably never get the opportunity again in my life." She stood up again and turned her gaze to the little star locket.

When the silent music began to play, she started to explain

"This is a so called 'trigger'. It is a treasure from the past I gave you as a gift once. It will help you to gain your memories regardless what -" She was cut off by Mamoru who was able to finish her sentence

"What time, date or situation might come. I will always and forever recall this melody since it touches my heart so deeply."

She nodded but a certain hint of hesitation clouded her face.

"That is correct. Unfortunately it only works when your subconscious mind is all together and only with certain memories related to this trigger...but not with what I call 'Mamories'.

"Mamories"? Mamoru echoed by raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, everything which happened between us after I had to transform into Sailor Moon in the Starlight Tower until I was awoken as the Moon Princess. Also, the time when I healed you with the Holy Silver Crystal until..."

"Are you saying that in the future I will not remember what we are currently talking about?" This was beyond weird and definitely on top of the list of the most confusing stuff he had ever heard in his uncountable lifes.

Her watered eyes gave him the confirmation that this was what she wanted to let him know.

"Please, I just wanted to tell you that I will always and forever treasure our Mamories...for both of us but if I had a last wish I'd say that I want to have you back in one piece, okay?"

She loved him. More than anything else in this whole world and it caused him the deepest pain that she would be alone with those memories. It tortured him to see her suffering so much about this fact, although she tried to give him the feeling that it was alright for her.

"I just wanted to let you know this. Even if I know that you will forget."

His vision suddenly became blurred again and before he was able to answer something to her, the ground under him opened up again and everything in front of him disappeared.

The somber ambience of the cave had him back. Filled up with so many emotions, Mamoru was facing the devilishly grinning Kunzite. He saw Luna and Artemis who obviously had been attacked by the general and gave him a begging glance.

"Ahhh, welcome back Endymion. Queen Beryl will be happy to have you in her team again. This time though, no Sailor brat will be able to heal you again. Believe me!"

Mamoru decided to ignore him and instead he addressed Luna and Artemis.

"Please let Usako know that I am okay!"

When Kunzite attacked him and he felt the tremendous pain of dark energy trying to fill him up, he remembered Usakos words „I just want to have you back in one piece."

He wanted to promise nothing else but this.