"Amy is absent again today I see. Mrs. Mizuno never missed class before and yet she hasn't been here this whole week. Tell me do any of you know if she has fallen ill?" Ms.H announced to the half-awake, half-asleep classroom of students. Usagi absent mindedly clinched her teeth and hands as Makoto sadly answered the nosey teacher.
"I'm sorry Ms.H, but Amy-chan seems to have gotten a cold and maybe be out a little next week to. You must forgive her, sense I'm sure if circumstances were different, she would be here." The teacher smiled knowing it had to be true since her star-student would never skip school on purpose. It just wasn't Amy.
"Of course Makoto-san. Thank you so much and please if you see Amy-san give her my sympathy." Makoto nodded her head and the class resumed to normal. Usagi once again brought back into her own world, not caring about the lessons that were being taught.
--
"Your not going to the arcade today Usagi-chan? That just isn't like you at all!" Naru gasped at her blond friend in surprise. Usagi tiredly nodded her way with her eyes down-cast.
"I really think I have to much going on now Naru-chan. I'm sorry but I'll have to catch up with you later. Tell Motoki hi for me though, Ok? Well I'll catch you later, Ja!" Naru couldn't believe her eyes as she watched her distraught friend walk slowly down the side walk and turn the corner that led to the park. She felt there must have been something she missed.
"Usagi-chan…Are you sick?"
--
Usagi sighed as she walked through the very park her and a certain guy had such an emotional talk just a day ago. She never even thought it would be possible that very man would be in the very spot she left him that night. Usagi stopped right in her tracks as panic arose in her. She didn't know if she should go and sit down beside him or avoid him all together. Before she could make her life-changing decision the said guy lift his head up from his lovely book and caught her gaze. She felt her face flush in embarrassment, but reluctantly walked of to him on the bench. She didn't know why but he seemed to have a pull on her and thought he was probably the only one who could save her from her thoughts. 'One day, I'll thank him for that. One day.'
"Ohayou Mamoru-kun! It's a pleasure seeing you this morning." Usagi put on a lopsided smile, not even noticing the words that flew from her mouth. Mamoru on the other hand did, and couldn't be more confused. He just stared at the cheerful teenager in wonder, thinking really hard on a response.
"Ah Ohayou Odango. You do know it should be Konichiwa though don't you? The morning has already past. It is the afternoon now." Usagi's smile slowly became a scowl as she stood in front of the now grinning man. Maybe she was nervous about seeing him for no reason at all. Maybe it was her imagination and nothing changed. She was still an odango to him and he a baka to her.
"Ahh Mamoru baka, you can't just be nice to me can you? Gah I was so stupid to think maybe you could be a gentleman for once. Honestly!" Mamoru felt his grin leave him once the now fuming girl turned on her heel and stomped away. He didn't know if he should award himself for bringing back his normal relationship with Usagi or kicking himself for angering the woman who was obviously having many burdens. He sighed, contemplating on what action he should do. Grabbing his novel he dusted off his uniform and decided it was best to just head home for an early rest. He had followed the young woman yesterday and even though it was a nice moment between the two, he believed it also awaken some spark of emotion he barely new existed inside him. He wasn't to sure if he should continue to get close to the ditzy blond in fear that the spark would grow within him. She wasn't the only person who had other stuff to do. He also had a very confusing life that he still hasn't successfully cleared up yet. 'I still have that dream about that woman every night. Not to mention I must find out why I am tuxedo mask and why I must find that Silver Crystal in order for my memories to be restored. Usagi will just have to be on hold, for now.'
--
"I have to be the most stupid girl alive to think a baka like him could actually be nice!" Usagi flopped on her bed, burring her face into her pillow. She felt as if she just wanted to scream her head off. Even though it has already been an hour since her encounter with Mamoru, a feeling was still lingering in her that she just couldn't shake off. It drove her mad. She didn't have time for this!
"Usagi grab your wand and lets go. The girls found another Negaverse monster at the Kazi Wakko Gym. They need some assistance so hurry!" Usagi didn't have to be told twice and followed after her feline friend. She didn't notice the fact that she ran out the front door and not the back, leaving a very worried mother in the kitchen.
"Usagi? Is something wrong?"
--
"What happened?" Usagi, no Sailor Moon, looked around the gym frantically for any sign of her fellow scouts. Every equipment seemed to be smashed into dust and the guys around them didn't look too great either. All the men and some women, were piled on the floor in one big heap. What ever monster was there obviously wanted to make quick work since it seemed all he did was taken the people's energy and leave.
"Usagi, there is a basement under here remember. Maybe that is where the girl's called you from." Sailor Moon nodded her head and took off to the basement stairs. Missing one step the clumsy scout fell face first on the cool floor with a loud 'thud'. Wincing, she slowly pulled herself up, examing her surroundings.
"Oh no! Minna!" Sailor Moon could not believe what she saw and wished her eyes were deceiving her. What laid in front of her was her close friends, all drained of energy. She ran over to her fallen scouts with water in her eyes. "Wake up guys! Oh, you just have to get up!" Sailor Moon took Sailor Jupiter in her arms, gently shaking her. Nothing seemed to be getting through. She wouldn't wake up.
"Ha-ha Sailor Moon, do you like my handy-work? It feels like a job well done to me." Sailor Moon felt time stop as she turned around to face her uninvited guest. Fear took hold of her and her breath caught in her throat. The intruder smirked at her reaction.
"Amy…Amy-chan? You did this? That can't be Amy-chan! Tell me it isn't true!" Amy's smirk widened at the pleading woman before her. Her eyes flashing with an emotion Usagi wasn't used to seeing in her once innocent friend's eyes. Was that amusement?
"Sailor Moon if you do not believe my words, I will kindly demonstrate for you here. Put up your wand and we shall battle." Was what she just heard true? Sailor Moon's eyes burned with tears as she backed away. Sailor Mercury moving closer with every step she took. 'Fight? Is she serous? No this can't be true! Amy-chan, I could never hurt Amy-chan! Oh what do I do…'
"Sailor Mercury, that is enough. I think we had made our point." Within seconds a tall man hovered over the two women as his brown eyes burned into Usagi's blue ones. Anger replaced her sadness when finally everything clicked in her mind.
"Nephrite! So your behind all this? What did you do to Amy-chan?!" The man just laughed at her pathetic excuse to gather answers. He quickly looked over to his new partner, who was already standing at his side. His smile deepened when her heard Usagi's protests.
"It is no use Sailor Moon. Your friend now belongs to me and the Negaverse. Do not fret though, you will see her soon." With that him and Amy disappeared before her eyes. Again Usagi felt defeat as she fell to her knees in tears. Her hand fell upon her face and she broke out into silent sobs. Unaware of a tall shadow that was watching her every move.
"I should go help her but…Is it me or does she remind me of another blond I know? How can that be so?" Tuxedo mask looked sadly at the scout in front of him before decided to finally walk away. He was going to go and comfort her, but seeing as Sailor Mars was already starting to twitch he figured the other two would be awake in no time to calm down the sobbing girl. He felt another strong wave of emotion fall over him and instantly envisioned a familiar woman in his mind. He stopped in his steps and backed up against the closest wall to him. He could still hear Sailor Moon's cries in the room next to him and clutched his chest in agony. What was going on?
'I keep seeing Usagi's face in my mind, but hearing Sailor Moon is making my body ache in pain. What is going on with me?'
--
"I'm home." Usagi announced with very little enthusiasm. Just how could she be chipper with everything that was going on? Hearing no reply coming from anyone in the house hold, the teen just drug herself into her room and locked the door behind her. She couldn't stop crying after all that happened. Her best friend was now her enemy and her other best friends were so weak she doubted either of them would be up at all tomorrow. Thank goodness it was going to be a Saturday or there was going to be a lot of disappoint from teachers. 'Why can't I be more powerful and dependable? A second time I let my friends down and Amy-chan.'
"Usagi please calm down. It wasn't your fault. We'll get Amy-chan back, I promise." Luna tried to consult the depressed girl, but felt like she was getting no where fast. Usagi whipped away her tears once more as they were again replaced by new ones. It seems the girl just couldn't stop her crying. Even when she tried.
"Usagi, open up dear. I think we need to talk." As if in lighting speed, Usagi ran to her bedroom mirror in a poor attempt to clear her face of proof of her sorrow. Water kept falling, but was drying up since Usagi's once saddened feelings were replaced with a sense of fear. 'I can't let mom know that something is wrong. It will worry her to no end!'
"I'm coming mom. Just hold on!" Her voice cracked, giving her away. She prayed her mother did not notice.
"Usagi? Dear what's wrong? Please open this door right now!" She heard. Sighing, Usagi walked away from the mirror and slowly opened the door that separated her and her mother. Ikuko looked at her daughter full of concern. Gently running her hand over the puffy circles around her young one's eyes.
"Mom please don't freak Ok? I just been having some problem's recently and don't know how to handle them. I'm sorry." Ikuko took her daughter in a strong embrace, which Usagi was kind of expecting since her mother usually did. She rubbed Usagi's back and made soothing sounds to calm down her down.
"Dear, everyone has problem's sometimes. I don't believe I have ever heard you sound so mature in my life. What ever happened must be very important. Oh, hunny, please tell me what has you so worked up?" Usagi clung to her mother tighter, trying to find the right words to tell her. She couldn't tell her about Amy-chan since she would try to contact her mother. She certainly didn't want that and there was no way she could just come out and tell her the truth, that she was Sailor Moon. No nothing seemed to appealing to say to her worried mother. Maybe there wasn't anything she could say?
"Mom, I'm sorry but its just something I have to work through on my own. You know, teenage stuff? I promise as soon as I'm ready though, I'll tell you." Ikuko didn't seem to pleased with her daughters answer but tried her best to be reasonable. Slowly breaking the contact between them, she laid her palm on Usagi's face, gently rubbing away her remaining tears.
"It is your decision I suppose. Just know Usagi, no one is worth your tears and even though things might seem bad, there's always away out of the dark." Usagi wasn't sure if she completely understood her mother's words, but nodded to her non-the-less. A few minutes past until her mom finally took her leave of Usagi's presence and retired to her bed. Relief fell over the girl, thanking the awkwardness with her mom was finally over.
'No one is worth my tears? Did she think it was a guy trouble? Gah she is so unbelievable!'
--
"Naru-chan, what's with the long face?" Motoki handed the red-head her order of one chocolate milkshake noticing her troubled face. Naru didn't no how to answer him.
"Motoki-kun, tell me, has Usagi been acting weird to you lately or is it just me? Today instead of going to play the new Sailor V game, she decided to take a walk in the park. Usagi would never choose to walk instead of play a video game! It just isn't her…" Motoki leaned against the wall, thinking to himself about their young friend. Although he wasn't sure just how troubled Usagi still was, she did remember her the other day when she came in for her afternoon snack. She wasn't to happy, that was for sure, but walking in the park alone? That was defiantly out of character for their Usagi. The only thing that could be in the park would be….
"Could that be?" Motoki felt his head spinning as only one conclusion popped in his head. Naru heard his words and quickly leaned in to hear.
"Motoki-kun, what is it? What are you talking bout Motoki-kun?" Motoki stared up into Naru's bright green eyes that was shinning with hope. He didn't know if he should tell her what was on his mind or not, but from her pleading glance, he felt forced to.
"The only person I know who walks in the park to read is Mamoru. Do you think Usagi went there to meet him? There relationship has seemed to be getting better since there last encounter. Perhaps they wanted to meet and hang out some more?" Naru sat back down in her chair and thought through the new reason for her friends weird action. She had to admit Mamoru was a very handsome man. A woman would be crazy not to want to spend some time alone with him. Usagi though, was a different story all together. When those two were in a room together alone, all hell would be broken lose. Would Usagi really miss a chance to go to the arcade to see a man she despises? 'But then again, Motoki did say that they seemed to get along now. Maybe it is possible then?' An idea popped into the now cheerful teen as she leaned, once again, onto the counter.
"Motoki-kun, if what your saying is true. I think I have an idea to help both of our friends be happy." Motoki really wished he would have just walked away right then and there, but her mischievous glint in her eyes compelled him to stay and listen. Cursing under his breath he listened to the scheme she concocted up and going against his better judgment agreed with hesitation. Naru just smiled.