Author's Note: If this story seems a little familiar, that's because it is. When Raven'd Fleet/ Supersticiousmonkey89 lost interest in her story "Exoneration", I emailed her and asked if I might take it up and try to finish it. She graciously gave me both her permission and rights over the story.

Penance

by faelyn leaf

1/14

Chapter One

Hino Rei stood at the entrance of her family's shrine, broom in hand. She wouldn't admit it under penalty of death, especially to her grandpa, but there was something cathartic, almost Zen about the way the broom easily swept away the mess of leaves and dirt on the steps. It was a familiar, comforting sound from childhood, and if Rei closed her eyes tightly enough, she could almost picture her mother doing the same chore. Not that she allowed herself to let her imagination run that wild.

For a moment the shrine maiden allowed herself to relax and indulged in the soothing, rhythmic sounds of the broom being dragged across stone. If there was one thing Rei needed right now, it was inner peace.

What she and the others had decided upon was betrayal. It was treason against the Moon and its princess. Rei was not one to mince words, she readily accepted the use and consequences of the terms, but it still hurt. After all, hadn't she been the one who came up with the plan?

At least, at least Usagi would be safe. That was all that mattered right? Hadn't they sworn to protect her no matter what? Wasn't that their mission?

Funny how the thoughts didn't ease the nauseous feeling in the pit of her stomach or ease the harshness of what was going to come.

But then again, did they really deserve respite?

Their only consolation lay in the hope that maybe, one day, when everything was over, their caring friend could come back. Hopefully then their princess would be safe. The Dark Kingdom would be defeated, they would get Mamoru back, and Usagi would be free and happy.

It was ironic. How long had the senshi searched for the reincarnated Moon Princess? It had felt like an eternity. Months of battles and frantic searches for ninzuishou,fights with Tuxedo Kamen, and Zoicite's taunts. All of that, and the princess had been at their side from the very beginning. It explained so much, and Rei felt like a fool for not seeing it earlier.

Tsukino Usagi. The ditsy blonde with the contagious smile and vibrant blue eyes. The soldier named Sailor Moon who fought for love and justice in the name of the Moon. The loving princess who had lost her life during a massive war that wiped out their former civilisation. Rei had failed her once before, and it cost them everything. This time, the senshi would not fail in their duty.

And now that Rei and the others had learnt of the danger her friend was in, of the threat to her that carrying the ginzuishou posed, she refused to let the Dark Kingdom take her away ever again.

Rei clutched the broom tightly, and her eyes swept out against the Tokyo landscape. The beautiful image brought her none of the peace it once did. Somehow, she doubted it would for a great while.

With a deep sigh she turned away. The steps were clear for now, and she could hear the others still arguing in the temple. Usagi would be there soon, and they needed to present a united front. Rei smiled mirthlessly. Hadn't she wanted to be leader before? Well, here was her chance.

"But without the princess how can Beryl be defeated?" Rei heard Luna argue as she entered the meeting room.

"We'll find a way," Makoto said. "Usagi shouldn't have to be anywhere near the Dark Kindgom. We're her senshi. We keep evil away from her, not let it stalk her when she walks home from school!"

"I think, "Ami said quietly, "that each of us agrees that we would do anything for Usagi. If that means betraying her and sending her away, then so be it. I can't stand by and watch her get hurt again."

"I can't believe that you of all are even entertaining this, Ami!" Luna sounded horrified.

Rei ignored her. "That's three of us, what about you, Minako?"

"I still don't like it," the blonde said. "Usagi's more than our princess, she's our friend. How are we supposed to turn her away? We're supposed to be as close as peas in a barrel!"

"And what of Artemis? Why isn't he here?" Luna demanded.

Minako shrugged. "I don't know. He said something about trying to isolate the something and get a fix on the whatever portal the enemy's been using to send their youma to Earth. I think he just wanted a nap, though. Lazy cat."

"Minako," Rei said, "you have to make a choice. We need you with us if this is going to work. Her arm's already in a sling, and did you see those bruises? What will happen next? What if next time we're too slow? The damn crystal is ayouma magnet. They aren't going to stop coming after her!"

"You really think this is the best way?"

"Do you want to see her become youma chow? And without Tuxedo Kamen running after her..."

Minako looked at her fellow senshi in the eye before nodding her ascent. "Okay. I don't like it, but okay."

"This is wrong!" Luna howled in outrage. "Queen Serenity never would have allowed –"

Rei squeezed her eyes shut, but it was Ami who spoke. "The Queen is dead, Luna," she said sadly. "And sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind. This could save Usagi's life. She won't leave any other way, you know that. She would want to stay with us, protect us."

"And we're the ones who're supposed to protect her," Makoto finished.

Luna looked at them contemptuously. "Your minds are made up, I see," she said icily. "Very well, there is no point wasting my breath trying to dissuade you. I will say again, however, that you're making a very grave mistake."

"It's better than waiting for her to get attacked again," Makoto countered.

"Do you really think so?"

No one answered.

Ami broke the tension by checking her watch. "Usagi's late,"she murmured, and the other senshi gave the barest ghost of a smile.

xXx

Tsukino Usagi was having a bad day.

It didn't start bad. No failed tests or detentions, and the injuries from her last youma fight were healing. Her arm was still itching like crazy, but the bright, cheery pink sling it was in made her smile, especially the bunnies Naru had drawn on it in black felt pen. The bruises on her face and chest and were even fading away.

To celebrate the return of some normalcy, Usagi had decided on a milkshake after school, but when she got to the arcade, her good mood evaporated. She immediately noticed Motoki's worried looks at the empty stool Mamoru usually sat in, and her cheer turned to guilt. All this time and she hadn't even thought about Motoki's feelings!

Usagi had been more worried about herself, her new role as princess, and getting Mamoru back, than about how his disappearance would effect anyone else. She couldn't imagine not seeing her best friends for over a month, or not knowing where they were. She'd be worried sick! Mamoru had been with the Dark Kingdom for so long, and Motoki didn't even have the sparse contact with him that she did. Usagi bit her lip, she couldn't imagine how Motoki must be feeling. At once, Usagi empathised with him, she desperately missed the baka, too, and she wasn't his best friend.

Even if he did keep trying to kill her or steal her crystal when they met. Usagi smiled to her herself. It made her sad to know he wasn't on her side anymore, but in a way, it was almost comforting to know that some things about him were the same. Even if it was only how obnoxious and jerk-y he could be.

"Hey, Usa-chan!" Motoki called out with a friendly wave when he finally saw her. "One chocolate milkshake coming up, just give me a minute to finish these orders, okay? Oh, and would you mind waiting for a while so we can talk after it dies down in here?"

It would probably make her late for the senshi meeting at Rei's, but it sounded important. "Okay!" She tried to make herself sound chipper. She chose a booth at the back, and nursed on her milkshake distractedly when Motoki brought it to her.

She wasn't stupid, she could feel that Motoki would want to ask her about Mamoru, but what could she say? She thought it over as the afternoon rush died down. Nothing she could possibly tell him wouldn't be a lie, and Motoki deserved more than that. Usagi watched the customers slowly leave, her mind still blank when Motoki made his way over to her table.

"Hey, Usagi. How's your arm?"

She smiled at him. "The doctor says it's almost all healed up!"

"That's good. So it's not broken, then?" Usagi shook her head emphatically no. "That's really good. Um, Usa, you seem to run into Mamoru all the time, right?"

She took a gigantic gulp of milkshake and nodded.

"Have you seen him around lately? It's important."

How could she tell Motoki that she had seen Mamoru only few weeks ago at the lake? No, that would only bring up memories of demons and her family almost dying, and she'd end up blurting out the truth to Motoki. Luna's reaction would be the least of her troubles if that happened.

She stabbed at her milkshake with the straw. But Mamoru had saved her at the lake. She decidedly ignored that he was the one who released the demon and put them all in danger in the first place. Did that mean that some part of him way, deep down still loved her, still remembered their love for each other?

"No," she said as firmly as she could, when she remembered Motoki's question.

Luckily Motoki didn't notice how bad she was at lying. "Oh well, thanks anyway, Usagi."

He sounded defeated, and when he went to turn away, Usagi grabbed his hand with her right hand and led him down to sit at the booth with her.

"Why?" she asked, trying to sound nonchalant. Usagi couldn't meet his eyes, and looked away when she asked, "Is something wrong with him?"

"I haven't seen him in awhile, that's all."

Usagi stared at him, and he squirmed. "Well, there's more. He'll kill me when he finds I told you this, but..." Motoki shrugged helplessly. "I've known Mamoru since high school, Usagi, and I'd like to think I know him pretty well, even the parts he won't talk about. He never says anything, but I know he goes through rough patches sometimes." Motoki smiled humourlessly to himself. "Won't go out, or call me, or answer the phone when I call."

"He does?" Usagi looked at him wide eyed. How'd she not known that?

"Yeah, he cuts himself completely off from everyone. It's just that he's never missed class before, and it's never lasted this long. I thought he was doing better lately, but I guess not."

"You're really worried about him aren't you?"

Motoki looked embarrassed, but nodded his head anyway. "Yeah."

Usagi sat in thoughtful silence for a moment, and Motoki seemed content to let her mull out her thoughts. "I think," Usagi said, toying with a stray piece of her hair, "I think that Mamoru's just a really private person. And if he's going through something, and he's feeling depressed, he probably wants to deal with it himself. You should give him some time." She swallowed thickly. "He'll come back when he's ready. He has to."

Motoki looked at her in astonishment. "When'd you get to be so grown up, Usagi? You're right. I even bothered Reika all the way in Africa, and she said the same thing. It's just sometimes I think if it weren't for Reika and me, he'd disappear from the face of the Earth."

And no one would notice, Usagi mentally finished for him. She needed her friends and family, they were her strength and courage, but she'd always known Mamoru was a loner. "Well now he has me too."

"Oh yeah?" Motoki was smiling, really smiling, and it made Usagi feel happy, too. "I think he'd like that."

Usagi impulsively jumped out of her seat and threw her arms around Motoki. "I'm sure he'll be fine!" she said, hugging him tightly.

Motoki patted her on the head between her buns, and awkwardly untangled himself from her. "You're probably right, Usa-chan." He grinned weakly at her, then frowned and dragged his fingers through his hair. "Uh, Usagi?"

"Yes?"

"Um, you know that I'm waiting for Reika, right? That we haven't broken up, right?"

"Right." Usagi cocked her head to the side, and blinked in innocent confusion. "Why?"

Motoki looked immensely relieved, and Usagi couldn't figure out why. He patted her head again. "Oh, no reason," he said.

"Okay, Motoki," Usagi said as she gathered her school bag, "I was was supposed to meet the girls, and I think..." She glanced at that clock above the counter, and her eyes bugged. "I'm so late! Got to go, Motoki, see you later!" Rei was going to kill her!

xXx

"Hey guys!" shouted a bubbly and cheerful, if slightly out of breath, voice. "Sorry I'm late, but I stopped off at the arcade, and Motoki wanted to talk to me about something!"

Usagi had arrived. Each of the senshi avoided their princess's china blue eyes and steadied herself. Rei gave a small nod, and Makoto softly pounded her fist against the door frame she was leaning on. Ami watched the two helplessly, and Minako fiddled with her hair.

They were really going to do it.

Usagi sensed the tension in the room. "What's going on?"

Rei squeezed her eyes shut, and gathered her strength. When she opened them, she looked at Usagi. While the other girl looked mostly like she always did, all long blonde hair, coltish limbs, and childish eyes, there were some differences. Deep purple bruises marred the usually porcelain white of Usagi's cheeks, and her left arm lay in a sling. For some reason, the tiny scribbles of bunnies and smiles on the gaudy pink material of the sling stuck out the most.

Rei felt her fury grow, and directed it. "You're late again, Tsukino-san."

"Rei-chan?" Usagi frowned. Rei always got angry when she was late, but it was never this bad! And why wasn't Luna scolding her yet? Something felt very, very wrong. Usagi suddenly felt frightened.

"She's right, Tsukino-san. You've over an hour late," Ami said stoically.

"Ami-chan? Why are you calling me Tsukino-san?" Usagi blinked, obviously confused. She turned her head to Rei. "Rei-chan?" Usagi whispered, "What's wrong Rei-chan? Why are you all acting so strange?"

"Tsukino-san," Ami finally said. It wasn't fair to make Rei do it all, it had been their collective choice to do this, after all. They had to make the princess leave them. She needed to go for the jugular. "Tuskino-san, we've decided you are no longer worthy of the title as leader."

The words hurt far more than they should have, and Ami pushed away the stabbing pain in her soul. They wouldn't fail their princess. Not again.

"What do you mean?" the Usagi whispered. Then she laughed suddenly. "Oh, I get it, it's a joke!"

Ami stared, how could she be laughing? Didn't she understand? Didn't she see she needed to go? To stay away and safe?

"This isn't a laughing matter, and it isn't a joke Tsukino-san!" shouted Makoto. "You're no longer capable of holding your place as leader and we're asking you to hand over your broach—"

Usagi stopped laughing, and tears welled in her eyes. "What? But why? I don't, I don't understand!"

"You wouldn't," Minako said, but didn't look into Usagi's eyes. "Just leave the broach and crystal, Tsukino-san. Isn't this what you wanted, a normal life?"

"But," Usagi stammered, "but..."

"We're handing you back your old life," Ami said. "You should take it."

"I wanted it back, but not like this..."

"Why won't you listen?" Rei shouted, her patience for the charade worn out. "We don't want you here! All we've ever needed is the ginzuishou. You're useless Tsukino-san! You're weak, and you're always getting hurt. You've become a burden to us. We've tried to be nice, but you just don't get it, do you? Just leave! Go and stay gone!"

Ami shut her eyes as she watched her best friend throw her transformation broach, and the Crescent Wand down to the ground. The normally cheerful, animated girl then turned from the room and fled, fat tears rolling down her cheeks.

"I hope you're satisfied with yourselves," Luna said before following after Usagi.

"Well," muttered Makoto, a hollow smile on her face. She stared down at the small, glittering objects laid at her feet. "That went better than expected."

"Speak for yourself," Rei snapped.

Ami gave her friend a slight grimace and small nod before leaving the room to catch Luna. What was done was done, and Ami could only hope that Usagi would one day forgive them.

"Luna?" she called out.

The cat turned around and glanced suspiciously at her. "Yes?"

Ami fidgeted with the sleeve of her uniform top. "Take care of Usagi. You're the only one who can now."

Luna nodded coldly, and turned around to catch up to her mistress.

xXx

Usagi ran down the shrine steps, as fast as her legs could carry her. How could they? How could they betray her like this? She flew past a happy couple, and ignored their exclamations and surprised starts. Tears fell from her eyes and her vision was blured. Wasn't she their princess? Weren't they supposed to always protect her? Even if ... even if they didn't like Tsukino Usagi, why didn't they like the princess?

They hadn't protected her and weren't going to any more. Where were her friends, the ones who she laughed with and fought with? Where were the people she'd come to love and cherish? Was something wrong with them? Had the Dark Kingdom brainwashed them, like they had Mamoru? No, they hadn't seemed evil, just different.

Isn't this what you wanted, a normal life? Minako's haunting words came back, and Usagi cried another wave of tears. She'd trusted them! Trusted them with her hopes and dreams, and now they threw them back and laughed?

Isn't this what you wanted…? She had thought it had been. But what use was normalcy when her friends fought without her? When she couldn't help?

You're useless Tsukino-san… Usagi pushed open the door to her house and ran in. Her mother stood near the doorway, ready to scold for for something – probably for running in the house – but the look disappeared as Usagi ran into the woman's arms.

"Mama... Oh Mama…" she sobbed, letting her tears soak into her mother's apron. Her mother didn't ask any questions, just rubbed Usagi's back soothingly and ran her fingers through her daughter's hair. "Everything's gone so wrong, Mama..."

Luna watched the small scene taking place in the Tsukino living room, and felt her heat break for her charge. Everything had gone wrong, Usagi wasn't wrong in that. That the senshi had violated their sacred trust was no small matter. And where had Artemis gone?

The little cat walked into the kitchen, intent on having some water to clear her throat. She glanced upwards towards the counter and a small, innocuous letter laying on it stopped her short. A letter with the famour Mugen Academy seal on it.

So, the girls had done it. They really were going to send Usagi away.

All in the name of love, Luna only hoped it was enough.