Mama Usagi
A Sailormoon what-if

DISCLAIMER: None of the characters, except Usagi's husband, are mine. Sailormoon
is copyrighted to Naoko Takeuchi, Kadansha Publishing, Toei Amination, Bandai Toys, DiC, Mixxzine,
and probably others I can't remember. But this story is mine.

NOTE: This opens as an altenate ending of Episode #200 of Bishouro Senshi Sailormoon.

Chapter 1: Promises to keep.

She sat there, staring out at the rising sun over Tokyo Bay. It wasn't supposed to end this
way. Their future- her destiny and that of her friends- seemed so clear ! It was assured !
Or was it all a dream ? Had she really fought all that was evil ? Had her friends really
existed ? And what of Mamoru ? What of Chibiusa ? Usagi's tears flowed hot as she thought of her
future-husband and her daughter-to-be, now never to be.
"Usagi ?" She heard her name faintly called over the roaring of the surf and blowing of the
winds. She turned around.
"Shingo ?" Usagi looked to her younger-brother through her tears.
"Usagi," Shingo answered, "let's go home."

"Shingo ?" Usagi asked. "How did you know I was here ?"
"I knew." Shingo hugged his sister to reassure her.
"Th- Then.." Usagi quivered, "it.. it wasn't all.. a dream. I did not all imagine." She held
on to her brother for support as her legs gave way.
"Iie." Shingo sighed and held his elder-sister. "They were all very real. Rei-san.. Ami-san..
Makoto-san.. Minako-san.." Each name resounded in Usagi like a death-knell. "Setsuma-san..
Haruka-san.. Michiru-san.."
"Hotaru-chan.." Usagi picked up the roll, "Mamoru-chan." She started to cry harder.
"Hai." Shingo answered. "They were very much here."
Usagi looked along the road to Juuban. The thought of her dying did not bother her. She had
long come to accept death. But the thought of her friends dying did bother her ! Why had they not
come back with her ? The Ginzuishou had brought them all back before ! Why did it not do so now ?
Surely these deaths were no greater than the deaths caused by the Dark Kingdom's warriors !
Certainly, the fight was no greater than that with the Death Phantom ! Why did the Ginzuishou only
bring her back this time ?
Usagi fell against Shingo's shoulder and cried.
Shingo half-carried Usagi back to the Tsukino house, where Usagi collapsed on the couch without
transforming from Sailormoon. She did, however, transform from her Princess Serenity form. She cried
into the fabric of the couch as Shingo went to gather some blankets to warm his shivering sister.

Soon, Ikuko and Kenji returned home to find Sailormoon curled up in a fetal position on their
couch and crying.
"Shingo ?" Ikuko asked. "Is that really Sailormoon ? And where is Usagi ?"
"Your Mother and I have not been able to find her !" Kenji almost shouted. Calming himself, he
continued. "We have not been able to find her, and we have talked with Oosaka-san. Naru-chan is missing,
also !"
"Papa-san ?" Sailormoon whispered hoarsely through choked-back tears. "Mama-san ? I am here."
Then her tears started flowing again.
"Usagi ?" Ikuko asked. "Is it really you ?"
Usagi quieted to a sob somehow. "Hai. and- more."
Ikuko and Kenji sat down at either side of their daughter.
"I.. am.. Tsukino Usagi." The woman-child slowly began. "I.. am also.. Princess Usagi.. of the
Moon Kingdom.. A thousand years ago. I.. am also.. Bishouro Senshi.. Sailormoon. I was.. reborn..
to this time as your daughter. But, I was told I was destined to be Queen of a reborn Kingdom. My
friends were to rule at my side. But, I have seen that destiny shattered, like so much pretty
glass.. and blown to the winds ! Hitoribocchi !" Usagi curled into a protective ball. "Hitoribochi!"
She whispered.
The next two hours, Usagi emptied her soul to her parents as she retold the story of the Sailor
Senshi. It scared Ikuko and Kenji that their little girl was thrust into so many life-threatening
situations. It saddened Shingo that his sister had been robbed of so much so often. He had even
spoken mean words to her himself. But he was only an eight-year-old kid then ! Usagi had turned
into his best friend since then, and he would never again see her hurt like this !
"I was told", Usagi whispered, "that I was to be queen over a new era of peace, a Crystal
Millenium ! But, more than that, I would raise a family ! Chiba Mamoru-san, my beloved Prince
Endymion, was to be my husband, and Chibiusa was to be.. our.. daughter." Usagi broke into torrents
of tears once wore.
Ikuko trembled slightly at this, as her own tears fell. Ikuko had thought often how her "niece"
and daughter looked and acted so much alike. Now, to find that the granddaughter she had wanted,
the daughter Usagi would have treasured, would never be ! It was almost more than she could even
aknowledge ! Ikuko took the crying Usagi and held onto her for dear life.
"Chibiusa," Usagi whispered. "how I wanted to hold you so much ! I was.. so afraid of losing
you ! A-And now.. n-now.." Usagi clung to her mother as another flood of tears tried to drown her.

That night was hard on Usagi. The thoughts of the Senshi and Momaru- and possibly of Naru-
quickly turned to nightmares of loneliness.

Usagi walks along a street, going to visit the Senshi on a crystal-clear day, when suddenly
thick fog enshrouds the city. Usagi wanders through the fog blindly, as the normal sounds of a
Japanese city slowly dim- to be replaced by the sounds of laughter coming form.. where ? Usagi
recognizes the laghter: Ami, Rei, Makoto, Minako, Hotaru, Haruka, Michiru, Setsuma, Mamoru, and
Chibiusa. Then she hears a softer laugh, almost hidden by the others. The laughter, a bit musical,
is one that Usagi recognizes as soon as she can hear it:
It is Naru.
Usagi continues toward the laughter, but finds the going hard. Then, as the fog dissipates,
Usagi finds herself on a mountain path, where dark stormclouds are seen through the treetops. The
winds along the path grow strong and cold. But even through the howling winds, Usagi can hear the
laughter of her friends, although they seem fainter. The laughter, however, seems to grow stronger
as Usagi nears a rocky cove, a windbreak of sorts. Then, as she enters the cove, the voices fade
away with the winds and distant thunder. Usagi then finds the remains of a fire, now long dead, as,
one by one, the voices fade with the coming storm.
A huge crash of thunder and lightning fills the sky.

"IIEDE !" Usagi screamed as she awoke. "My.." her voice trailed to a whisper, "friends. Don't
leave me.. please ?"
"Are you all right , Usagi?" Shingo asked from the doorway.
"Shingo ?" Usagi quietly asked. "How long have you been here ?"
"I have stationed myself here !" Shingo replied. "With your tears yesterday, nightmares would
soon follow. So, I guard my sister." Shingo hugged his big sister tightly.
It was 2:30 am.

"Usagi-chan ?" Ikuko called to her daughter. "It is time to get up !"
"Arigatou, Mama-san !" Usagi called down. 'Why", she thought, "didn't Luna wake my up ?' Usagi
looked down- and realized Luna had not slept with her that night. "I.. guess.." Usagi cried softly
as she put her school-uniform on, "she did not come back, either."
After getting dressed and eating breakfast, Usagi make it to High School. She got thought her
day, but the day became lonelier and lonelier with each class. She took note of every empty chair
and missing friend: Ooasaka Naru, Umino Gurio, Kino Makoto, Mizuno Ami. The other students were
talking of the missing ones, and this just made Usagi more withdrawn. Those who just knew Tsukino
Usagi thought the girl was just less animated than her usual self. Usagi would shed no tears..
among others. Her tears were private.
After school, Usagi started going home, but she managed to find herself in front of the Hikawa
Shrine. As a chill wind blew up and rain started to fall, Usagi listened. Rei was gone. Her physical
being would never walk these grounds again. Before leaving for home, Usagi rang the prayer-bells
and whispered a prayer for the Senshi, Tuxedo Kamen, Naru, and Umino. Usagi bid a silent goodbye,
and exited into the storm.
That night, Usagi walked that same stormy path she had the night before. Only, now, another
voice was added to the faint laughter: Unimo Gurio.
A tired and lonely Tsukino Usagi awoke to the brightest Saturday morning she had seen. The
bright morning, however, did little to lift her spirits. Usagi started to curl in a fetal position
and softly cry when she heard soft purring through her cries. The purring grew louder. Then a small
nose and set of whiskers softly nudged Usagi.
"Gomen.. Usagi !" Luni softly cried.
"Nani ?" Usagi asked through her tears.
"If I.. had left.. you and the other girls alone.." Luna hung her head, "everyone would be
alive now."
Usagi held Luna close. "It is not your fault, my friend."
Ikuko came to her daughter's room. "Usagi ? Breakfast is ready !" Ikuko then noticed the black
cat.
"Hello, Luna." Ikuko's greeting was cool, and there was an edge to her voice. Luna backed away.
"Where have you been, Luna-san ?!" Ikuko's voice became harder. "Usagi has told us about you,
neko ! We know you can speak. What are you doing here in my daughter's room ?"
"Usagi was about to say something when Luna spoke up. "I.. understand.. how you feel. Tsukino-
sama. Iie. I do not. But you can not wish me more alone than I already am now." Luna then noticed
Shingo just behind the door. "Come in, Shingo-san ! I do not wish to come back here, Ikuko-sama.
I do not- wish- anymore pain- on Usagi. But, I have no place else to go !"
Usagi was petting Luna reassuringly when Ikuko next spoke. The edge in her voice softened.
"Hai. Luna ? You may stay. You are, after all, Usagi's friend. I am grateful she has a..", the
next word caught in Ikuko's throat, "friend like you. Now ! Come to breakfast."
Usagi, Shingo, and Ikuko- and Luna- made it to the Kitchen. Kenji rose to meet his family..
and was as heated in his reception of Luna as Ikuko had been cooled in hers.
"WHAT is SHE doing here ?" Before Luna could apologize again for having caused harm, Usagi
intervened.
"Papa-san ?It is not Luna's doing that has hurt me ! I guess.. it is just fate. Luna is my
friend- and more alone than I. I wish her to stay.. but, whether she stays or goes is up to you." Usagi bowed to her father.
Kenji eyed the Lunar cat suspiciously. "Hai," he finally said, "as long as no harm befalls
Usagi, you can stay." Luna bowed her head in ackowledgement and respect.

As everyone was eating breakfast, Usagi started reading the paper. The mysterious deaths of
a few days before and the large number of those missing were still making news. After reading the
story through, Usagi turned to the Obituary Notices. She tried to hide her tears as she read.
Shingo was the first to notice. "Usagi-chan ?" he said quietly, "the Senshi are gone, but they
will always be with you."
"Hai, Shingo-san," Usagi said, showing respect to her younger brother, through her tears, "I
know."
"Usagi," Kenji said, "you should not be reading this. Death has hurt you too much already !"
"Iie, Papa-san! I must continue! My.. sisters.. were here for me.. as.. I made this journey."
Usagi drew in a breath to calm herself. "I.. must be there.. to see them off on theirs." As Usagi
continued to read, plans were being made.

That night, Usagi again found herself in the alcove, sitting on a rock bench beside the long-
dead fire. Then, faintly over the screaming winds and crashing thunder and her own crying, she
heard the soft voices of Naru and Ami.
"Usagi-chan ?" Ami asked. "We left some things undone, things we cannot watch over now. Will
you see to them ?"
"Hai." Usagi answered low. "I owe you that much. At least."
"Usagi ," Naru said, "do not be sad. You will never be alone."
"I miss you girls so much !" Usagi cried.
"Usagi," Ami looked into Usagi's eyes, "we will never leave you ! Wherever you go, we will be
with you !"
"P.. P.. Promise ?" Usagi whispered.
Naru and Ami rode aeway on the winds, but not before Usagi heard their reply:
"Promise."

Sunday started off on a somber note. Funerals, and their formalities, scared Usagi somehow.
But, what made her more uncomfortable was the thought that, somehow, she was responsible for these
deaths! Nothing anyone could say- not her parents, nor Shingo, nor Luna- could sway Usagi from
feelings of guilt! So, Usagi planned on saying and doing what she had to do privately. Privately,
that is, at every funeral but Naru-chan's. At least, that was her plan.
Naru's funeral was a small affair. For all Oosaka-sama's business dealings, the family was
remarkably private. Usagi was surprised she was the only classmate of Naru-chan's who came to say
"sayonara". Naru's mother had asked Usagi to come, and the Tsukino family appeared with her. Usagi
arose, made it to the gravesite somehow, and said goodbye to her oldest friend. She bid Naru a
peaceful journey, got back to her family.. and promptly collapsed in tears.
"Usagi !" Shingo reacvhed out to help his sister. "You should not have come !"
"Iie.. Shingo.." Usagi sniffed. "I.. will be all right."
"Usagi-chan ?" Oosaka-sama smiled. "Arigatou ! For.. coming.. and.. for being Naru's friend !
She spoke highly of you. Especially", she pull out a letter, "in this ! May I sit down, Usagi-chan?"
"Hai", Usagi replied shakily. Mrs. Oosaka handed Naru's letter to Usagi.
Usagi read Naru's writing:

Mama-san,

I am writing you this letter in the event I should die.
I want you to know how much I love you.
Also, I want you to give my love to Usagi-chan.
We have grown apart over the past two years, she and I. But, she has always
been a sister to me. She is that treasure you always wish to keep safe. Even though I could never
protect her myself, I always prayed for her protection. Even when she was busy protecting me.
Mama-san, Usagi is the Bishouro Senshi Sailormoon. I guess I suspected it that
first time she saved us. Then, as I continued to be saved by Sailormoon, I started noticing other
similarities. I noticed how Sailormoon walked and talked and acted like Usagi. And how Usagi-chan
acted like the Bishouro Senshi.
As Usagi and I grew up, we started to grow apart. I understood. I just wished
her and her team-mates the best of futures, and I hoped I could be a part of it.
But I feel that is not to be.
I do not fear death, although I do not welcome it. It must come, however. So I
accept it.
At least, I can start watching over Usagi as she has watched over me.
Do not be angry with her, Mama-san. I know Usagi will want me back as much as
you want me back. And, it hurts her that, for all she can do, bringing me back is one thing she
cannot do. Sometimes, fate has other plans for us. But, although it is fate, Usagi will still blame
herself. Be near her. Reassure her. For, I may not be the only one Usagi cannot bring back..

I love you,

Naru

Usagi carefully refolded the letter. She gave it to Mrs. Oosaka and hugged her tightly.
"Arigatou, Oosaka-sama!"
"You are always welcome in my house, Usagi-san."

The Tsukino family was starting for home when Usagi saw a figure in the bushes. After Kenji
stopped the car, Usagi, with Luna and Shingo, went out to investigate.
"Konnichi-wa, Usagi-san!" A figure spoke softly from the shadows.
"Konnichi-wa, Nephrite-san!" Usagi bowed. Luna jumped back.
"You.. are.. one of the four Generals!" Shingo said, and stepped protectively close to his big
sister.
"Hai." Nephrite said. "A lifetime ago."
"Be happy, Nephrite," Usagi said, "love Naru."
"Do not worry, Usagi!" Nephrite smiled rogueishly. "We will be here, when you need us!" He then
turned to Shingo. "Watch after.. your sister." Nephrite then disappeared.
As the Tsukino family resumed their homeward trek, Usagi caught a giggle on the wind.
"You will never be alone", Naru whispered.

Mizuno Ami-chan's funeral was later that day. Usagi felt a bit strange intruding (she thought)
on Ami's funeral. Although Ami was a close-friend for four years, Usagi had not met many of Ami's
relatives, and hardly any of Ami's other friends. Not that Ami had that many friends. At least,
not many Ami talked about.
Before the service began, Dr. Mizuno quietly thanked Usagi for coming. She than asked if Usagi
would sing a song. "Konban-wa, Usagi-san." Dr. Mizuno asked, "Will you sing for my daughter.. For
Sailormercury?"
"Hai", Usagi answered, stunned by the wording of Dr. Mizuno's question.
Dr. Mizuno handed Usagi a letter as if in answer to Usagi's silent question. Usagi's read the
letter. The writing was Ami's.

Dear Mama-san,

I am writing this in case I should die.
Mom, I have something I need to tell you.
I am your daughter, and I love you very much, but I am also Bishouro Senshi
Sailormurcury, Princess of Mercury and one of the Sailor Senshi. I know this will seem too fantastic
to believe. If I had not lived it, I would not have believed such a thing was possible!
I have never wanted to lie to you, or hide anything from you, but we were always
afraid our enemies would have harmed you or used you to get to us! And they would have.
I never aspired to be a superheroine, but fate has decreed I be one. So, I have
tried to be an honorable fighter, as I have tried to be an honorable daughter, and would have tried
to be an honorable doctor. You always told me your fate is what you make it. Well, fate has made
me a fighter, but who I fight for makes me a hero! I remember you and dad, and your love for me,
and it helps me to fight. I think also of the other Princesses I fight alongside: Sailorvenus,
Sailormars, and Sailorjupiter. And, I think of our leader, my sovereign, my best friend-
Sailormoon.
You've met her, Mam-san. She is Tsukino Usagi-san.
Usagi-chan is my Princess, and my best-friend, and I have already died for her-
three times. And, I will die for her again if I have to!
And this scares me. After each death, and resurrection, I feel that, one day soon,
I will die protecting Usagi. And Usagi will not be able to bring me back.
Our deaths are inevitable. None of us are meant to live forever. But, Mama-san,
I know Usagi! She cares about us! About me! She would die that final death herself before she would
see me dead, if that were possible. And, I know, she would blame herself if it weren't possible.
So, I ask one last favor of you. If I can't watch over Usagi, would you? Please?

I love you so much.

Ami.

Usagi's blue eyes, now misty with tears, looked into the eyes of Dr. Mizuno. How much like Ami-
chan's they were!
Ami's mother looked back at Usagi with a mixture of love and sadness. "We will talk after the
service, Usagi-chan."
After the eulogies and prayers were said, Usagi stood up to sing. She did not know from where
it came, but Usagi sang a touching song of love, of loss, and of memories.
There was not a dry eye to be seen.
"Sayonara, Ami-chan."
Dr. Mizuno hugged Usagi tightly.

After the funeral, the Tsukino family and Dr. Mizuno walked slowly among the gravestones back
to their cars.
"Gomen." Usagi sighed. "I should not have come."
"Usagi-chan," Dr. Mizuno smiled reassuringly, "you did not kill my daughter. You gave my little
girl to me whole!
"I watched my daughter as she wrote this letter. I heard her crying softly one night, and went
to her room to see what was wrong. I saw the piece of paper, and thought she was writing to her
father. She Had written to him before, and wound up in tears. I always wanted to believe it was
my husband's fault. But, I was wrong to think that. She never got over our divorce. So, I went to
comfort her the best way I knew how.
"It was then that Ami clung to me, as she had when she had nightmares when she was younger.
After she stopped crying, she said that she had something to show me, but that I should read the
letter first. So, I read the letter, then I looked up. It was then that.. my daughter.. transformed
in front of my eyes.
"At first, I wanted to pull away, to run ! I had stopped believing in gods and goddesses and
spirits long ago. And.. part of me denied that Ami-chan.." Dr. Mizuno took a deep breath, "was
even my daughter at that point!"
"And my face.. my eyes.. must have showed it. When I looked back at Ami-chan, her face.. her
eyes.. had a look of shear teror. The same look she had when her father and I." Dr. Mizuno's voice
faltered.
"That look still haunts me! Then, I thought, 'What am I doing ? THIS is MY Ami-chan! I gave
birth to her! I nursed her! I comforted her when she cried!- through the nightmares.. the
divorce.. the loneliness...'
"Ami has always been lonely, do you know that, Usagi-chan? Hai. I see it in your eyes. You know.
Smart girls are easily picked on. I tried to raise my daughter to look beyond that. But, I'd..
forgotten.. how hard that is to accomplish. My Ami-chan was so much like me ! I just pray.. Hai!
Pray.. that, if Ami is able to come back, she goes to a family that will care for her." Dr. Mizuno
seemed to lose herself in her thoughts.
"But then," Dr. Mizuno returned to the present, "my Ami-chan made her first real friend.. you!
And she started healing from her loneliness!" Dr. Mizuno smiled. "I do not know how to thank you,
Tsukino Usagi-san!" Dr. Mizuno Ayumi cried against Usagi's shoulder. Usagi was starting to cry
again, too.
"Anyway," Dr. Mizuno continued, " I reminded myself that, whoever else my Ami was, she was my
daughter. I cradled her in my arms, and I finally saw her smile through her tears. After awhile,
she told me of the Sailor Senshi, although she was still afraid to. But I stayed by her and do so
still. Ami.. Mercury.. will always be with me. I miss her!" Dr. Mizuno Ayumi collapsed.

Usagi and Shingo were able to catch Dr. Mizuno and sit her under a streetlight outside the
cemetery to wake her when Usagi caught sight of a man with long blonde hair under a nearby
streetlight.
Usagi's blood froze.
"Shingo, stay with Mama, Papa, Luna, and Dr. Mizuno."
"Nani ?" Shingo asked, "Usagi, who is it?"
"Usagi," Luna hissed, "I see him, too ! I will go with you !"
"Did.. that.. cat.." Dr. Mizuno stammered, "just.. talk ?"
"Luna! Shingo!" Usagi commanded. "Stay HERE!"
"Who is it, Usagi ?" Ikuko asked.
"One of the Generals", Usagi said as she walked into the gathering twilight.
Luna and Shingo quietly followed Usagi.
"Komban-wa, Usagi-sama!" The figure bowed.
"Komban-wa , Zoisite." Usagi replied.
"Zoisite ?!!!" Luna screeched.
"Luna! I told you to stay back!" Usagi hissed. "That order went to you, too, Shingo!"
"Do not worry, Usagi-sama," Zoisite smiled, "I do not wish to cause grief."
"Then, why are you her, bishounen ?" Usagi asked. "You DID try to kill me and my friends!"
"Hai. A lifetime ago. Gomen nisai." Zoisite bowed. "I am only here now.. to match over you. Take
care, mo-.. Usagi."
Zoisite walked off into the shadows.
Ami's voice seemed todance lightly on the wind. "I will always be around."

Usagi later took two roses to the grave of Uwara Ryu. Usagi figure this was "something undone".
Ryu had been buried that day. In the moonlight Usagi visited him. She laid the roses crosswise on
the grave. "For you, Ryu-kun, and for Ami-chan."
She also left roses at the grave of Umino Gurio. One for him, the other for Naru-chan.

In her dreams, Usagi found herself at the same rocky cove. Waiting for her was a ceremonial
tea service, and a Shinto priestess.
"I miss you Rei-chan!" Usagi sobbed.
"I know, Usagi." Sadness shone through ghostly eyes. "I will always be with you, as will the
others, but this part of the journey is one you must make without us."
"Hai." Usagi said, "but it is lonely."
Rei poured the tea.
Usagi felt a warmth surround her as she held the cup and sipped the tea.
"It is the love and friendship you gave us that returns to you, Usagi." Rei smiled. "We were
all outcasts. Misfits. But you brought us in! You showed us where we fit!
"One day, I am sure, we will be together again! But, for now, let our love guide and protect
you, as you guided and protected us!"
When the last drop of tea was gone, Rei hugged Usagi. "Do not worry.." the Priestess' words
circled on the winds, "we will watch over you."

"I'll be here, too, Usagi,"
Usagi turned to face Minako.
"I miss you." Usagi's voice was weak.
"I will be here, Usagi," Minako faded away, "when you need me."
Usagi started turning to the mountain path.
"Usagi ? Will you look after Artemis ? He needs help!"

The next morning found Usagi up as early as the sun. This surprised Kenji, Ikuko, and Shingo.
Luna almost went into shock!
Breakfast was ready by the time the family got up. And Usagi was reading the morning paper.
Yesterday's experience had taught the family how determined Usagi was to see this through to the
last act. Her promise had grown from obsession to Holy Rite. The Obituary Notices listed Aino
Minako's funeral for that evening. Rei Hino was being prepared for services the next day. There
was even a list of those waiting to be claimed by relatives or friends. Though there were only
physical descriptions, Usagi knew the deceased well enough:
Chiba Mamoru, Kino Makoto, Tomoe Hotaru, Ten'ou Haruka, Kaioh Michiru, and Meiou Setsuma.
There was even a notice about the burial of the Ayakashi Sisters and the continuing disappearance
of the Three Lights.
Usagi started making preparations to claim her friends remains after school.
"No one should leave this road friendless."

Usagi had no problems at school this day. In fact, Usagi's teachers were surprised by her
performance. They all remarked about how attentive she was becoming !
"It is a promise". Usagi would say cryptically, "not to leave things undone." She would then
bow respectfully.

That evening, Usagi bid farewell to Minako.
"Tsukino-san," Mrs. Aino reached out to Usagi. "Minako-chan told us about you!" Minako's parents
smiled through their tears. "She did not speak much, but what she said speaks highly of you ! You
were who our daughter wanted to be." Usagi bowed her head at hearing this.
"Our daughter.." Mr. Aino said, "..always wore a smile- on the outside. But, on the inside,
she always told us, she felt lost. My wife and I always felt that, one day, we would lose her
forever. But, then, she found you ! You gave our daughter back to us! You made her smile on the
inside! Arigatou, Usagi-san!"
Minako's parents bowed to Usagi.

After the service, Usagi headed out into a rainy dusk to the bus stop when she saw a shadowy
figure motion for her.
Usagi was almost getting used to this.
"Komban-wa, Kunzite-san."
"Usagi-sama !" The ghost straightened himself and stood at attention. "You are looking well."
He bowed slightly.
"Why are you here, Kunzite ?" Usagi asked the General.
"Venus and I did know each other for a time, Usagi-san." Kunzite smiled. "We were enemies, true,
but we were also..." Kunzite blushed a bit. "But it is you I watch over now. Take care, mo-..
Usagi." With that, Kunzite vanished into the shadows.

Usagi went to catch a taxi back home when a white cat mewed for her attention.
"Artemis!" Usagi gently bent down. "Where have you been ?"
"Alone." The white cat sighed. "Wandering.. since.."
"Hai." Usagi whispered. "Well, Mina-chan asked me to watch after you.
Artemis gave a start. "Minako.. asked.. you ?"
"Artemin ?" Usagi made a plaxe in her jacket to hide Artemis. "Let's go home."

Usagi and Artemis made it back to Usagi's house half-an-hour later. The rain started falling
harder when Usagi opened the door. "Mama-san? Papa-san? Shingo? Luna? I'm home! And I found a friend!"
Usagi brought Artemis out from her wet jacket, then got herself out of it.
Luna was the first one in the foyer.
Kenji and Ikuko followed, looking on in concern at the white cate.
"Artemis?" Luna asked the shivering white furball. "Is that really you ?"
"H- H- Hai." Artemis coughed.
Shingo went to the kitchen.
"Where have you been?" Luna asked. "Artemis?" Luna softly nuzzled the white cat.
"Lost", Artemis finally answered. "I could find no one." He added glumly, "I.. guess.. I did
not want to. I blame myself for leading Minako to her death. At least, I had to say 'sayonara'
to her."
"And that is where I found you.." Usagi began.
"Hai." Artemis muttered.
"After I spoke with Kunzite." Usagi continued.
"NANI???" Luna and Artemis cried in unison.
Shingo returned with a kitchen towl and a dish of chicken curry. "So, Artemis! It looks as
though you will be staying with us. As will Luna."
Artemis looked at Usagi's family.
"They know I can talk," Luna told Artemis, "they probably guessed you can, too."
"Arigatou." Artemis climbed onto the dry towel as Usagi headed to a warm bath.

The storm continued to grow.




Continued in Chapter 2: "Miles to Go".



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