[mirage]
                                                     seen by Ducky



   mirage (mi räzh') n. an optical illusion, caused by the 
   refraction of light, in which a distant object appears  
   nearby 



Minako didn't realize how easy it was to steal a body.

Or how light it was either.

She sighed.  It was all like a damn nightmare.

     How could this be happening?

Usagi, too pale to be dreaming.

     Wasn't it just a couple of days ago that we were planning on 
     going to that huge sale this weekend?  

The rest of them, watching.  Waiting.  

         We'll meet at 8, all right?

She sighed.

They had gone to the hospital and explained the situation to 
Mamoru.  The plan that they had developed.  He had looked away.  
The emotion that had passed through him was unmistakable.  

But then Michiru reached for his hand. Said one word.

  'Believe.'

And he had looked up.  Held her gaze for a long moment.  Then his 
Eyes had flickered to Haruka's, as if in askance.  Then finally, 
he nodded his assent.

Now they were gathered back in Haruka's apartment, the bed that 
Makoto had occupied merely an hour before now barely filled by 
Usagi's still, small form.  

Beside her, lay Michiru.  

Just as still.



                                   [act 05: deliberation // begin]



             (She wanted so much to sleep.)

        (But something screamed at her in the back of her mind.)

          (Warning her that she may never wake up.)

                  (Stay awake, Usagi, just stay awake.)

                             (He sensed it.)

       ('Why are you fighting me?')

            (His voice was soft.  A caress.)

                      (But she heard the irritation.)

    ('What you're doing ... it isn't right.')

                 (It was difficult to even think.)

                    (He tilted his head.  Blinking.)

          ('I don't understand.')
 
      (Breathing took so much of an effort.  She didn't answer.)

  (He paced towards her.  Slowly. She could only watch.)

('You fight for love and justice.  You save them from darkness.')

       (He crouched beside her.  As if oblivious to her struggle.)

              ('You and I ... our mission is the same.')

     (He leaned forward and whispered in her ear.)


                                      ('To take their pain away.')



It hurt to open her eyes.

She found herself alone, in a nothingness that she wasn't sure she 
was falling through or suspended in.  

     is this what the Ideal looks like?

She was faintly reminded of clouds, the softness, the stillness

     no. it's even more beautiful.  like a dream.

And she knew she was there.  

She was in the Ideal.



              |our father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name|

The words echoed inside her head, whispers that barely registered 
in her mind.  Her focus confined to the figure that had joined 
Usagi on the bed.  Had joined Usagi in her mind.  

              |thy kingdom come|

     Michiru ...

     Yes?

     What if something happens?

              |thy will be done|

     Then something happens.

              |on earth as it is in heaven|

     Michiru -

     Don't ask me again, Haruka.  Please.

              |give us this day our daily bread| 

     I can't stand by knowing, wondering if there was something I 
     could have done.  I don't want to add this to my list of 
     regrets.  

     I'm tired of doing things I regret.

              |and forgive us our trespasses|

     I know.

              |as we forgive those who trespass against us|

Their hands had somehow found each other.

As had their eyes.  

     Promise me one thing.

     What?

              |and lead us not into temptation|

     Come back.

     Haruka, I can't - 

     Promise me.

              |but deliver us from evil|


     I promise.



|to be, or not to be|
|that is the question|

    ('Life is so full of pain, Usagi.  You help so many people ... 
       Why can't I do the same?')

|whether 'tis nobler|
|in the mind to suffer|

                              The voice seemed to come from 
                              everywhere.

|the slings and arrows| 
|of outrageous fortune|

           ('It's not the same.  You have no right -')

                     ('And you do?!?')

                              Her whole body shook with the force 
                              of the voice, the words ringing 
                              painfully in her ears.  But Michiru 
                              recognized the other voice instantly.  
                              She knew it by heart.

                                             Usagi.

|or to take arms against|
|a sea of troubles|

        ('You're taking their lives!')

|and by opposing end them|
|to die - to sleep|

                                            She had to get to her.

                  ('I'm making their dreams come true!')

                        ('You're granting them death!')

|no more; and by sleep to say|
|we end the heart-ache|

                                       She had to get to her. Now.

 (He waved a hand and the Ideal shifted.  A window into the world.)

          ('Look around you, Usagi.  Look at your world.')

|and the thousand natural shocks|
|that flesh is heir to|

                          Death, destruction, rage, loneliness ...

  ('Now look at mine.')

      (A flick of his wrist and the Ideal shifted again.)

                               Life, happiness, laughter, hope ...

|'tis a consummation| 
|devoutly to be wished|

       ('Look at what I can give them.  What I can give you.')

                                         ('Now tell me -')

|to be, or not to be|

                           ('Which is more beautiful?')


|that is the question|



                                     [act 05: deliberation // end]





Ducky
August 30, 2003 - August 31, 2003