Farewell by Amethyst Serenity
AN: Thanks to everyone who read my fic, especially those who reviewed and/or emailed me (Watercolor tears, sweetangelgrl1128, Maddy, Min Hee Ha, Serena, H4L, Strawberry Kisses, Marni, Goddess-of-Cake, Kitty and my beta reader Angelic MoonDJ)! You're all great! Because I'm teary-eyed and gushy (gloating actually) over getting reviews, here's the next chapter!
Disclaimer: Blah, blah… don't own a thing….
Chapter 2- Shock
Clenching her teeth, Sailor Moon managed a stumbling run. The wind was caustic against her wet cheeks. Her right hand was pressed to her side where at least one of her ribs was broken. Her breath escaped her body in shallow, harsh panting. She ached, ached all over, but she refused to give up. Her eyes burned with suppressed tears. Every step aggravated her pain. She would not think of... of… Her friends were waiting. They were everything, all that was left to her. She must get to the arcade. They needed her. She'll deal with everything else later… after. Sailor Moon *must* be strong. Oh Kami, she wished after wouldn't come. No, she wouldn't think of… of… She must concentrate on her friends, *only* her friends. They protected her, gave her strength. She could not fail them… not now, not *ever*. She didn't have anyone else. Tripping on a rock, she yelped and fell to her knees. Her side exploded with agony. A few tears trickled down her face. Biting her lower lip and clutching her right side, Sailor Moon got on her feet. She focused on one step, the next and then another until she was running again in an uneven gait.
Dressed in outfits similar to Sailor Moon's, the Sailor Senshi were fighting in the arcade. Sailor Mars cursed her red heel pumps and dodged a flying chair. Shards from a glass cup sliced her cheek, her left arm and her unbelievably short red skirt. Her lengthy, violet-tinted black hair crackled in the air as she summoned her fire attack. An ice blue, cackling youma made from, of all things, the Sailor V game crossed its arms in Sailor Moon's famous poses. As a sinister parody of the Senshi, it was dressed like Sailor V in a red mask, white sailor fuku, white gloves and short blue skirt. Silver hair spilled to its waist from the big red ribbon tying back its hair (needless to say, Venus was not too happy and skipped the usual intros in favor of Crescent Beaming its face.) The youma spat out streams of deadly coins at the scattered pretty Soldiers and scored a hit on Sailor Venus' bare leg. Venus hit the floor hard, tearing her sailor suit and orange skirt.
Behind the counter, the few remaining customers cowered with Motoki and his sister Unazaki. One customer was on his knees, fervently praying. Cursing with equal ardor, another guy was shaking his camera since it refused to take pictures of the Senshi (and he just bought the darn thing!). On the verge of hysteria, one girl was trying to meld with the wall. She didn't succeed but she did manage to imprint the expresso machine onto her back. Peering over the counter, Motoki winced and saw all the games and most of the furniture in pieces. A few burn and lightning scars decorated the walls. Sailor Mercury's fog spread through the arcade, hiding the Senshi from the youma's attacks. He went to his knees and prayed that nothing else would be broken, especially not the... A loud crash resounded through room as Sailor Jupiter physically tackled the youma onto the last remaining table and through the storefront windows. Motoki groaned and forlornly wondered if he should put the Sailor Senshi as an act of God or a natural disaster on the insurance claims. Jupiter landed on top of the youma outside of the store. Staring at the famous, oddly familiar Senshi, Unazaki nibbled at a fingernail and absentmindedly patted her weeping brother's shoulder.
By the doors, Mercury furiously tapped on her minicomputer. Her chin- length, blue-streaked black hair and dark blue sailor outfit were shrouded in her magic fog. Adjusting the reading on her blue-tinted visor, she yelled instructions at the others. Jupiter swore as she levered herself off the stunned youma. Mars and Venus warily circled the fallen, disoriented monster. Once Sailor Jupiter was up, Venus wrapped her golden, love-me chain around the monster, effectively trapping it. Glancing at each other, Jupiter and Mars unleashed their respective lightning and fire attacks at the youma. Screeching disbelief, it disintegrated into blue and silver dust.
Jupiter disgustedly brushed glass bits out of her curly chestnut ponytail, the pink bow on her chest and her forest-green skirt. With moans of discomfort, Sailor Venus favored her right leg and leaned against a wall. Her knee-length, lemon blonde hair and white uniform were streaked with dirt. Whipping her black hair out of her face, Sailor Mars pressed a hand to her bleeding cheek and angrily demanded the location of their errant leader. Mercury punched a few more keys and tried the communicator again. Gasping for air, Sailor Moon rounded the corner and nearly fell at Jupiter's feet. The Moon Scepter smashed into the ground. Grinning, Jupiter bent down and helped her dusty, disheveled leader stand up. Trying to catch her breath, Sailor Moon could barely stand and leaned against her taller friend for support. With fire blazing in her hard amethyst eyes, Sailor Mars stalked over to scold her. Exhausted, Sailor Moon gazed at her in utter confusion, hardly realizing the youma is gone. The Senshi gathered around them.
"Where were you, Usagi? How could you be so irresponsible? We needed you!" Mars screeched.
"Usagi? What's wrong? Usagi?" Jupiter questioned.
"I… I… my parents… I…" Usagi stuttered. Her jewel-blue eyes were glassy with shock. Mercury pressed a hand to her forehead to check her temperature.
"You should have been here!"
"Don't… don't… not now… I can't handle… please…"
"We could have DIED! Do you understand *that*, dumpling brains?" Mars berated.
"Shut up, Mars! Usagi, what's happened to you?" Venus commanded. Worry creased her face.
"I will NOT shut up! You're always sticking up for her!" Mars stormed, secretly wanting a tongue war and highly oblivious to Sailor Moon's condition.
"Usagi? Are you okay? Did your… personal feelings get in the way of coming here?" Mercury whispered, looking at her leader anxiously. Usagi numbly realized Ami knew what happened with Mamoru.
"I'm sure Usagi has a good reason for being late. Right, Usagi?" Jupiter stated. Dazed, Usagi only registered the anger in Mars' eyes. Her shock distanced her from the concern on her friends' faces. In her mind, no one believed in her, not even gentle Ami who thought her distress over Mamoru had kept her away from her duty. They were right because she *was* useless. She let everyone down, just like… just like... No one needed her. She was alone, completely and utterly alone. Jupiter and Venus exchanged uneasy looks as Mercury tried to draw a fuming Mars away. She had nothing… was nothing. Icy numbness spread throughout her entire being. She was so empty… hollow. Without… *them*, there was no one alive who loved her. The Senshi… Mamoru… Did they ever really care? How could she go on? *Why* should she go on? Was *her love*… was *she* a curse? *They* died… because of *her*. If it wasn't for her… If it wasn't for Sailor Moon… Did Kami hate her that much? Mars jerked her arm away from Mercury and nagged Usagi once again.
"Were you too *out of shape* from eating junk food to join us?"
"I'm sorry, so sorry."
Tears slid silently down Usagi's cheeks. In midst of her usual tirade, Sailor Mars paused when Usagi uncharacteristically remained silent. Finally noticing the hopeless defeat in Usagi's eyes, Mars shivered and realized Usagi has never looked this… *broken* before, not even when Mamoru was brainwashed and evil or when he dumped her. Hope always sparkled in her expressive eyes… until now. Suddenly protective and enraged *for* her friend, Mars wondered if that creep did something else to her. If he made her cry again, she would… she would make him *very* sorry. Lost in her misery, Usagi did not discern her friends' attempts to comfort her. She pushed Jupiter away and stumbled off. Stunned, the pretty Sailor Soldiers stared after her in dismay.
AN: Thanks to everyone who read my fic, especially those who reviewed and/or emailed me (Watercolor tears, sweetangelgrl1128, Maddy, Min Hee Ha, Serena, H4L, Strawberry Kisses, Marni, Goddess-of-Cake, Kitty and my beta reader Angelic MoonDJ)! You're all great! Because I'm teary-eyed and gushy (gloating actually) over getting reviews, here's the next chapter!
Disclaimer: Blah, blah… don't own a thing….
Chapter 2- Shock
Clenching her teeth, Sailor Moon managed a stumbling run. The wind was caustic against her wet cheeks. Her right hand was pressed to her side where at least one of her ribs was broken. Her breath escaped her body in shallow, harsh panting. She ached, ached all over, but she refused to give up. Her eyes burned with suppressed tears. Every step aggravated her pain. She would not think of... of… Her friends were waiting. They were everything, all that was left to her. She must get to the arcade. They needed her. She'll deal with everything else later… after. Sailor Moon *must* be strong. Oh Kami, she wished after wouldn't come. No, she wouldn't think of… of… She must concentrate on her friends, *only* her friends. They protected her, gave her strength. She could not fail them… not now, not *ever*. She didn't have anyone else. Tripping on a rock, she yelped and fell to her knees. Her side exploded with agony. A few tears trickled down her face. Biting her lower lip and clutching her right side, Sailor Moon got on her feet. She focused on one step, the next and then another until she was running again in an uneven gait.
Dressed in outfits similar to Sailor Moon's, the Sailor Senshi were fighting in the arcade. Sailor Mars cursed her red heel pumps and dodged a flying chair. Shards from a glass cup sliced her cheek, her left arm and her unbelievably short red skirt. Her lengthy, violet-tinted black hair crackled in the air as she summoned her fire attack. An ice blue, cackling youma made from, of all things, the Sailor V game crossed its arms in Sailor Moon's famous poses. As a sinister parody of the Senshi, it was dressed like Sailor V in a red mask, white sailor fuku, white gloves and short blue skirt. Silver hair spilled to its waist from the big red ribbon tying back its hair (needless to say, Venus was not too happy and skipped the usual intros in favor of Crescent Beaming its face.) The youma spat out streams of deadly coins at the scattered pretty Soldiers and scored a hit on Sailor Venus' bare leg. Venus hit the floor hard, tearing her sailor suit and orange skirt.
Behind the counter, the few remaining customers cowered with Motoki and his sister Unazaki. One customer was on his knees, fervently praying. Cursing with equal ardor, another guy was shaking his camera since it refused to take pictures of the Senshi (and he just bought the darn thing!). On the verge of hysteria, one girl was trying to meld with the wall. She didn't succeed but she did manage to imprint the expresso machine onto her back. Peering over the counter, Motoki winced and saw all the games and most of the furniture in pieces. A few burn and lightning scars decorated the walls. Sailor Mercury's fog spread through the arcade, hiding the Senshi from the youma's attacks. He went to his knees and prayed that nothing else would be broken, especially not the... A loud crash resounded through room as Sailor Jupiter physically tackled the youma onto the last remaining table and through the storefront windows. Motoki groaned and forlornly wondered if he should put the Sailor Senshi as an act of God or a natural disaster on the insurance claims. Jupiter landed on top of the youma outside of the store. Staring at the famous, oddly familiar Senshi, Unazaki nibbled at a fingernail and absentmindedly patted her weeping brother's shoulder.
By the doors, Mercury furiously tapped on her minicomputer. Her chin- length, blue-streaked black hair and dark blue sailor outfit were shrouded in her magic fog. Adjusting the reading on her blue-tinted visor, she yelled instructions at the others. Jupiter swore as she levered herself off the stunned youma. Mars and Venus warily circled the fallen, disoriented monster. Once Sailor Jupiter was up, Venus wrapped her golden, love-me chain around the monster, effectively trapping it. Glancing at each other, Jupiter and Mars unleashed their respective lightning and fire attacks at the youma. Screeching disbelief, it disintegrated into blue and silver dust.
Jupiter disgustedly brushed glass bits out of her curly chestnut ponytail, the pink bow on her chest and her forest-green skirt. With moans of discomfort, Sailor Venus favored her right leg and leaned against a wall. Her knee-length, lemon blonde hair and white uniform were streaked with dirt. Whipping her black hair out of her face, Sailor Mars pressed a hand to her bleeding cheek and angrily demanded the location of their errant leader. Mercury punched a few more keys and tried the communicator again. Gasping for air, Sailor Moon rounded the corner and nearly fell at Jupiter's feet. The Moon Scepter smashed into the ground. Grinning, Jupiter bent down and helped her dusty, disheveled leader stand up. Trying to catch her breath, Sailor Moon could barely stand and leaned against her taller friend for support. With fire blazing in her hard amethyst eyes, Sailor Mars stalked over to scold her. Exhausted, Sailor Moon gazed at her in utter confusion, hardly realizing the youma is gone. The Senshi gathered around them.
"Where were you, Usagi? How could you be so irresponsible? We needed you!" Mars screeched.
"Usagi? What's wrong? Usagi?" Jupiter questioned.
"I… I… my parents… I…" Usagi stuttered. Her jewel-blue eyes were glassy with shock. Mercury pressed a hand to her forehead to check her temperature.
"You should have been here!"
"Don't… don't… not now… I can't handle… please…"
"We could have DIED! Do you understand *that*, dumpling brains?" Mars berated.
"Shut up, Mars! Usagi, what's happened to you?" Venus commanded. Worry creased her face.
"I will NOT shut up! You're always sticking up for her!" Mars stormed, secretly wanting a tongue war and highly oblivious to Sailor Moon's condition.
"Usagi? Are you okay? Did your… personal feelings get in the way of coming here?" Mercury whispered, looking at her leader anxiously. Usagi numbly realized Ami knew what happened with Mamoru.
"I'm sure Usagi has a good reason for being late. Right, Usagi?" Jupiter stated. Dazed, Usagi only registered the anger in Mars' eyes. Her shock distanced her from the concern on her friends' faces. In her mind, no one believed in her, not even gentle Ami who thought her distress over Mamoru had kept her away from her duty. They were right because she *was* useless. She let everyone down, just like… just like... No one needed her. She was alone, completely and utterly alone. Jupiter and Venus exchanged uneasy looks as Mercury tried to draw a fuming Mars away. She had nothing… was nothing. Icy numbness spread throughout her entire being. She was so empty… hollow. Without… *them*, there was no one alive who loved her. The Senshi… Mamoru… Did they ever really care? How could she go on? *Why* should she go on? Was *her love*… was *she* a curse? *They* died… because of *her*. If it wasn't for her… If it wasn't for Sailor Moon… Did Kami hate her that much? Mars jerked her arm away from Mercury and nagged Usagi once again.
"Were you too *out of shape* from eating junk food to join us?"
"I'm sorry, so sorry."
Tears slid silently down Usagi's cheeks. In midst of her usual tirade, Sailor Mars paused when Usagi uncharacteristically remained silent. Finally noticing the hopeless defeat in Usagi's eyes, Mars shivered and realized Usagi has never looked this… *broken* before, not even when Mamoru was brainwashed and evil or when he dumped her. Hope always sparkled in her expressive eyes… until now. Suddenly protective and enraged *for* her friend, Mars wondered if that creep did something else to her. If he made her cry again, she would… she would make him *very* sorry. Lost in her misery, Usagi did not discern her friends' attempts to comfort her. She pushed Jupiter away and stumbled off. Stunned, the pretty Sailor Soldiers stared after her in dismay.