I couldn't focus the rest of the day. I was so wrapped up in what Naru-chan was trying to say that I didn't even care when I got a 60 (a personal best!) on my English test. All that studying with Ami must have paid off. But, it didn't mean a thing.
Naru. She's had a rough time of it the past few weeks. She loved him- Nephlyte. She loved him dearly and just when the good in him was about to come out, his own side took him out like week old garbage. I thought her heart was finally healing when she and Umino got closer, but… she was so harsh today! What if they had a fight? Could that be it? Or was it something deeper. And by deeper I mean more… supernatural?
Could Nephlyte be back? Is that it? But I was there! I saw him die. No, that's not it. What if it's merely a quarrel between her and her mom? She was the first youma I battled, if memory serves. Could that happen again? Or what if it's something about Rui? Her tennis playing "sister", that is. She was a youma, too! Man, is it just me, or does EVERYTHING supernatural just flock to her?
On the walk home, I heard nothing but the pounding of my heart with worry and excitement. I got home to an empty house. Mama was probably dropping Shingo off at a friend's house so he wouldn't bother me and Naru. She's been nice ever since Ami started helping me study.
Now, just look at this place! It's a mess! I don't want Naru to think we're pigs. Cleaning. That's the one thing I hate more than studying. Grr. But it must be done!
Bring. Bring.
"Hello? Tsukino residence. This is Usagi." I answered the phone, grateful not to have to clean. At least for a little while.
"Usagi? Good, you're home." It was Rei. She had great timing!
"What shakin' Rei-san?"
"I was consulting the Mystic Flame and I believe a new youma is on its way."
"What else is new? A youma's ALWAYS on its way."
"Well, that's just it. I saw something else." She paused. "Your friend, Osaka-san? Are you with her right now?"
"No, she's coming over later. Why?"
"I saw her. With a silver crystal…"
"You don't think that it's-"
"That's exactly what I think, Usagi. It must be the Phantom Silver Crystal. It's gotta be!" She interrupted. Suddenly she grew quiet again.
"Rei?"
"Hmm? Oh, look, Usagi. Just keep an eye on her. She could be in danger."
"Ok, I will!" Suddenly I heard the doorknob rattle and my breath was caught up in my chest. "Who's there?" I called and set the phone on the table to look around the corner. I could hear Rei's muffled voice calling out me to answer her.
"USAGI?" I breathed a heavy sigh of relief. It was only Mama.
"In the kitchen, Mama." I said. I picked up the phone and returned to my conversation with Rei. "Sorry about that. What were we talking about? Naru…She's been acting weird lately. Something about her life being 'turned upside down'. Could that mean…"
"That could mean anything. Even that she has the crystal. Look, I've got to go, Usagi. Just keep an eye on her for us, 'kay?"
"'Kay. I talk to you later." Click.
"What was that about, Usagi?" Mama set the groceries on the island counter. She began to unpack and motioned for me to do the same.
"Oh, it was just Rei. She thinks something's up with Naru. I can't imagine what." I put the eggs in the refrigerator and moved on to the veggies.
"Now, why would she think that?" She was using that tone of voice she used when she wanted in on the juicy gossip.
"Oh, nothing, really. Naru's just been acting strange since…" I sidestepped Nephlyte. That's thinking on my feet! "Since her cat died."
"She's probably really upset. Have you talked to her about it?"
"Um, she didn't want to talk about it. But there's this other cat at school that she seems to like. Or she did. Today she seemed to hate him."
"She was probably avoiding the pain that came with that last cat she had. Imagine if Luna died. She's irreplaceable, right?" Luna and Nephlyte are TOTALLY NOT on the same level. And Nephlyte was one of the Sheinto of the Dark Kingdom, by definition evil. Luna is my guardian from the moon, by definition good. "Don't be upset, honey. Why don't you clean your room for when Naru-chan gets here?"
"Okay." I said still wondering what I would do if Luna died. Then I remembered that the whole cat thing was a lie and started thinking about how I would try and figure out the truth behind Naru's demeanor.
