~*~*~* Prologue *~*~*~
It had started out like every other fight with the Black Moon Clan. Chibiusa was missing her parents from the future and had run off wailing like the spoilt little child she is. The crescent moon on her forehead glowed brightly lighting up the night sky and of course causing the bad guys to make a nasty appearance. Except this time was different. I happened to arrive on the scene first, completely by chance and without thinking had yanked my broach off of my chest shouting my henshin phrase. Before I could complete my transformation however, a pale skinny hand reached through my protective shield, and latched onto my hand. The body attached to this hand was the most angelic and ethereal I had ever seen, and trust me when I say I've seen just about everything. A tall pale man, with hair like white silk, had skin almost translucent and cold as ice. For the briefest of moments I was amazed at his beauty, of course until a picture of Mamoru flashed in my mind. My half transformation faded back into my normal street clothes, the Ginzuishou securely went back into my broach and the stranger continued to stare at me with his white-blue eyes as if he was trying to hypnotize me.
"So very beautiful," he whispered, barely loud enough for my ears to catch it. I continued to stare at him unable to look away though I tried.
"Who are you?" I questioned, a tear falling from my eye as he continued to hold my gaze, unblinking. Ignoring my question, his other hand reached up to delicately caress my cheek and wipe away the tear I shed. I shivered at the touch, partially out of fear and partially out of pleasure? That can't be right! I had never been caressed so lovingly before and the fact that it was coming from a stranger with an upside-down black crescent moon on his forehead was seriously scaring me. I repeated the question again, trying to sound more demanding but failing miserably and sounding weak. "Who are you?"
Finally breaking the gaze that held me captive, the man slowly glides away thus releasing both his hands from me. Standing regally and once again capturing my gaze, he bows as he says, "I am Prince Demande, of the Black Moon Clan, at your service, Princess Serenity."
I gasp realizing that this man is not only part of the clan trying to kidnap Chibiusa, but also knows of my ultimate form. Which means he knows about the crystal as well. I felt bad for Chibiusa, and although I barely knew anything about the kid, other than her affinity for guns and getting into trouble, I knew that there was some form of an attachment there. Letting anyone, including this so-called prince take her, was a bad idea, a very bad idea. I stepped back from him and tried to silently shout my henshin phrase so that I wouldn't be left vulnerable. However, the crystal would not come out of my broach to signal my transformation. Why was it that I couldn't transform with him standing so close to me?
He held my gaze again, and I felt my head start to get fuzzy and my legs start to go weak. A third eye popped out of the spot where the upside-down moon had been and it stared into my eyes. All of a sudden my body began to react and was filled with the most delicious warmth I had ever felt, almost as though I was being wrapped in tendrils of love. I started to close my eyes and give myself over to the feeling, but a voice inside me told me to fight it. I tried to look away from the eye and the warmth, but it was so overwhelming; soothing and quite calming. Suddenly my forehead started to tingle and then burn as my moon symbol appeared breaking the hypnosis. Gasping, I jumped back as though I had been electrocuted. Thankfully my actions were not a moment too soon as a beautiful red rose came soaring through the air intent on impact with Prince Demande. Before it could meet its mark however, the prince vanished into thin air. "I'll be back for you Serenity, and, mark my words, you will be mine," he whispered threateningly as he disappeared.
"Usako, are you all right? He didn't hurt you did he?" my handsome masked hero asked. Shakily, I nodded, not trusting myself to answer verbally. Not digging any deeper, and with a battle in front of us he commanded me to transform.
After pulling my broach off my chest for the third time, I pondered for a moment about Mamoru's usual behavior towards me as opposed to Demande. As my transformation overtook me, I reminded myself that my Mamo-chan and I shared a past, a destiny and a love that has defied time and death. Smiling at that thought, a renewed hope filled me as I landed with my completed sailor fuku in my traditional pose. Taking in my surroundings, I run to where I see the youma terrorizing people in it's search for Chibiusa. Without launching into my speech, I grab my wand out of my subspace pocket and easily dust it without missing a beat. Putting my wand away, I detransform and turn towards Tuxedo Kamen. "Walk me home?"
"Of course Usako," he responds reaching out to grab my hand. A shiver runs up my spine and I turn to smile at him. Silently we walk to my house, all the while, I ponder Prince Demande's parting words and question to myself whether or not he would hold true on his threat. A sense of foreboding overwhelms me and drops into the pit of my stomach. Mamoru notices my shiver but says nothing. As I reach the door to my house, he leans down and kisses my forehead. He turns to leave and never sees the silent tear trail down my cheek...
I am much happier with this revision and have a renewed sense of accomplishment and really want to finish this story!