In the morning Usagi found her thoughts miles away from the turmoil of the night. With sun filtering through the windows, an attempt at breakfast prepared, and Diana chattering excitedly away it was easy to ignore the loneliness, the doubt, and whatever else had kept her up. Usagi had even managed to get her hands on a newspaper.

"Diana," she cut into Diana's latest tangent about a bird she'd seen, "do you think there's a threat here?"

"Hm?"

"Do you think part of the reason Mama sent us is because some new group of monsters or bad guys or whoever is going to threaten Tokyo?" Usagi elaborated, scanning the paper.

"It's possible," Diana acknowledged. "the presence of a challenge has most likely been a factor in your past trips."

Usagi considered the paper: no reports of odd occurrences, not even an odd crime streak. No crime at all. If the aim was to send her back to take someone on, they've missed their mark.

She folded the paper up; enemy or no, it was time to grow up.

The first order of business was to go well and truly grocery shopping, and maybe, if she could, get some more furnishings to make the apartment feel like home. She had four sets of clothes and the ability to clean them, so that could wait. It did not occur to her until she was in the store that she might want to make a budget for herself, so she took only a cursory glance at how much money she had available and gave herself a rough ballpark for her spending - hopefully it would suffice for at least a few days food, and maybe a nice rug. Or a throw pillow.

The streets were both familiar and unfamiliar. She relied heavily on her map of the area. She'd rather be safe than sorry. She was hyper-vigilant, and moved with the lingering fear that she would turn a corner and spot another planetary guardian; she had no idea what she'd do in that situation other than panic. Perhaps, as well, she was vigilant out of hope and a lingering desire for the familiar…

But the store was bustling, and quickly her mind was focused on what meals to prepare and how. She was a damn sight better at cooking that stupid Usagi, but still inexperienced. Nothing compared to Makoto, certainly.

She was lingering around the 'instant' type foods (cheap and easy - a good deal) when it happened.

A woman's shriek of terror sounded outside, and everyone in the store winced. Some turned towards the glass doors in curiosity, but Usagi stepped forward, heart rate speeding up, adrenaline beginning to pump into her veins. Other screams joined the first and soon Usagi had burst into a sprint, shopping basket forgotten on a shelf. She flew out the sliding doors and towards the screams of fear, stopping in her tracks when she caught sight of the disturbance.

Perched on top of a streetlight was something distinctly inhuman. It had two legs, and something akin to a face, but the arms and legs were at odd angles, and there was not a single color on its person that looked like natural skin. Its big eyes held just one solid color, a dark red, a disconcerting grin spread a little two far across its face, and one hand brandished some kind of sparking energy, most likely not of this world.

Usagi wished Diana was here, but cats and groceries don't really mix, so she was on her own. She ducked out of view and retrieved her compact from her jacket pocket,

"Moon crisis, make-up!" she called, summoning her old powers. Sufficiently powered up she dashed back out into the street, intent on the creature threatening people.

"Hey!" she barked.

She was payed no mind over all the commotion.

She whisked her way up onto a nearby awning, drawing almost level with the creature.

"Hey!" she shouted again, gaining the attention of a few passerby below her. She growled under her breath before trying again. "Hey, you big nasty thing!" it turned, head tilted in inquiry. "Yeah, you!" she confirmed, "What do you think you're doing?"

It blinked at her.

"Who are you?" it gurgled incredulously.

Usagi faltered - fifteen years old seemed a little old to be Sailor 'Chibi' Moon. But this had to be done!

"I am Sailor Neo Moon!" she concluded with what she hoped looked like confidence, "And in the name of the moon, past, present, and future, I will punish you!"

"With what?" the creature sneered.

This was a good question, Neo Moon realized: she didn't have any weapons. She gave herself a frantic pat-down, but found nothing.

"Uh-oh," she muttered.

An attack from the monster hit just to one side of her, almost throwing her off the awning, and now Usagi's heart was racing faster than it ever had before. She had to help these people! Though she noticed, to her slight relief, that the monster seemed to have terrible aim. It hadn't managed to hurt anyone. Yet.

"Small Lady!"

"Diana!" Usagi had never been happier to see the cat in her whole life.

"Your tiara! The queen used to use it to destroy low-level threats!"

"Hey! Who're you calling low-level?!" the monster snapped.

Neo Moon removed her headpiece and looked to Diana for help.

"Just say Moon Tiara Action," she explained.

With a nod Neo Moon leapt to her feet, brandishing the strap of gold.

"Moon Tiara Action!" she barked, flinging the tiara at the strange creature. Forming a swift gold blade the tiara sliced straight through the monstrosity, which seemed to melt into goo, pooling at the foot of the streetlight. Even as Usagi reached the puddled to investigate it had almost completely vanished away, but it still managed to gurgle ominously,

"More are coming…"

But in moments it was gone, dissolved into nothing.

Usagi looked around to find the general public staring at her, stunned.

"Uh… bye!" she chirped, tossing out a short wave before leaping away.

Her basket was still sitting on a nearby shelf when she made it back to the grocery store, and a quick pat down confirmed that her wallet had stayed in her pocket even through all the magical shenanigans. Diana was waiting for her when she stepped out of the store with her bags.

"Anything interesting out here?" she asked the cat quietly,

"Two people were kind enough to give me some pets, and five people said I was a pretty kitty."

Usagi smiled, but was soon reminded of her fight.

"So, I guess I was right," she mentioned, "there is a threat."

"It seems so," Diana agreed.

"And I don't have a weapon," Usagi frowned.

"You have your tiara."

"I guess," she allowed. "Ooh, I've gotta check out this store!"

Diana sat outside as Usagi ducked into a store.

When she returned she had purchased a small plush rabbit.

"Isn't it cute?" she beamed at Diana. The cat hopped up onto her shoulder and meowed an agreement. "I think I'll call it… Tsuki."