Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon. It belongs to Naoko Takeuchi and Toei. I make no moneys! *Hiss* (puts on fake cat ears and arches back)
Warnings: A lot of angst (in later chapters), another character death (Later chapter) mild language (still in a later chapter) and sexual themes (guess what? in a later chapter) Why did I put a warning on this chapter? _
Chapter 1: Mamoru's observations
It's only when I hear Usagi shout, that I realize something has gone wrong.
"Sailor Venus!" She screams. I can tell she had difficulty not saying Minako-chan. The monster, Kuroneko-nyan has its tail around Venus's middle, and as it tightens its grip, Minako's eyes slam shut like doors. I flick my wrist and the firm stem of a rose materializes between my fingers. With practiced precision, I let the rose fly from my hand like a dart, severing Kuroneko-nyan's tail. Sailor Mars catches Minako before she hits the ground. Usagi raises the Eternal Tiare and cries out:
"Starlight Honey-Moon Therapy Kiss!"
And Kuroneko-nyan is no more. We all rush to Mars and the unconscious Venus.
"What's wrong with her? Why won't she wake up?" Usagi asks. I don't think she notices it, but she's trembling.
"I don't know Sailor Moon." Mars says, a bit defensively "Tuxedo Mask, You're studying to become a doctor, What do you think is wrong?" She looks to me. I didn't realize just how much she cares about Minako until now, seeing her normally unshakeable facade pinched with worry.
"Let's get her back to my apartment," I look closer, and see bags under her eyes, artfully covered with makeup that was being smeared by the tears she was shedding in her sleep. "She might just be exhausted. Judging by the bags under her eyes, she hasn't gotten a good nights sleep in a while." I say, trying to reassure the senshi. Rei looks at Minako, and something about her gaze seems odd. Suspicious, maybe. Usagi is off in her own world, and I'm hit with a bit of loneliness. I feel like there are some parts of Usagi that I, a mortal man, will never be able to reach. I shake it off though, and we all roof-hop to my apartment. I carry Minako, and notice that she seems lighter than a woman of her strength and size should be. She hasn't been eating much either. I frown to myself, and wonder what's been bothering her. She hasn't been visiting with the others like she used to. My mind jumps to Kunzite, but I dismiss the idea. The senshi don't remember their connections to the shitennou. Or do they?
Once we get to my apartment, we all de-transform, and I lay Minako out on the couch. The senshi all seem tense. Usagi is still off in her own world, Rei keeps looking at Minako like she's trying to figure something out, Ami is looking around anxiously and Makoto looks discomforted odd behavior of the others. I go to the back room for the first aid kit, and my shitennou project from their stones. I guess they sense the agitation in the air.
"My Prince, what's wrong?" Jadeite asks.
"Is there anything we can do to help?"Zoisite inquires.
"We are always ready to give you counsel." Nephrite quietly states.
The cool, collected Kunzite remains silent. I don't want to tell them, but if anyone could understand Venus, it would be Kunzite.
"It's Sailor Venus. While we were fighting a left over monster, she failed to dodge an attack and is now unconscious. It looks like she hasn't been eating or sleeping well."
The ever-silent Kunzite sighs with his eyes, his brothers-at-arms look at him sympathetically and flee to their individual stones.
"I think I know what the problem is, my prince. If you would leave me alone in the room with her..."
"Of course, Kunzite." Though he is my most stalwart protector, even I'm intimidated by Kunzite at times. He knows it too. A rare smirk comes to his face.
"Thank you," He bows, and returns to his stone.
I carry Kunzite's stone into the main room where the girls wait. Makoto pays no attention to Kunzite, but the sight seems to irritate Rei. Usagi's eyes widen, and Ami flinches before she sees the color. I lay Kunzite on the table in front of the couch.
"She'll be all right." I try to sound soothing. "She just needs some rest."
Makoto easily accepts the answer and leaves. Ami leaps at the chance to go and Rei imparts one last glare at Kunzite before she leaves. Usagi looks at me questioningly, I nod and we go to our bedroom together. It occurs to me that Usagi and I have never talked about the shitennou before. Is it possible that Usagi doesn't remember? I let the idea rest because one look at Usagi tells me that now is not the time to talk. There will be time for that later.
Next chapter: Usagi remembers a few things.