Chapter 2
Minako was the first to speak after Aina had been announced. She scrambled to her feet from the chair she'd been laying over, upside down. Luna was thankful she was wearing pants today. She'd done the same thing many times wearing a skirting and flashing her panties to the world. Or, in Luna's opinion, to her husband. Luna had never been comfortable with the way Minako looked at Artemis since he took the humanoid form most of the time. She'd put her foot down when the Senshi of Venus had attempted to move into the Tsukino home. Luna knew that Minako was the soldier of love, but that didn't give her the right to be a slutty homewrecker. Focusing, Luna allowed herself to hear Minako, "...And whoever this fake princess is, she can't replace Usagi."
It did not matter what Luna would have said, because what Haruka said, well she said it all, "One, she isn't fake. We have seen her power. Two, she is a kinder kitten than the crybaby former princess ever was. And three, you have no room to talk. You've been trying to replace Luna for a year and a half now. I know they call you the Senshi of Love, but I think Senshi of hoes is a better descriptor."
Minako stood there with her mouth agape. Everyone was floored, Haruka was known for her sharp tongue, but wow… Just wow! Luna was scrambling to think of something to say when the melodic voice of Princess Aina's voice stopped her, "Please, Uranus, no Haruka, step down. They do not remember me; their skepticism is understandable. This shift in the hierarchy they've come to know was thrust upon them."
Luna watched as Haruka bowed to Aina and was pleased to hear the reverence in her voice, "Yes my princess, my apologies."
Aina smiled at her and Luna knew that Aina had already won her over in an even deeper way than Usagi once had. Proving herself once more Aina continued, "I look forward to spending time with each of you and to come to know you. I know that I must earn your trust, but I want you to know that you have mine. Now please, see yourself out. The Outer Senshi will be watching the perimeter. I would speak with Serenity alone."
Usagi looked pleadingly at the Inners as they shuffled from the room, one by one. Luna heard Rei mutter that this was not over." It was true, the Inners may retreat, but they would not give way to this change without a fight. She also knew that it wouldn't be long before the prince would be involved. This would affect his future as well. She was thankful that he was buried in spring exams now. Perhaps that would give them time to begin sorting things out before they had to deal with him.
Once the Senshi had all left, Hotaru patrolling the neighborhood, Uranus and Neptune just outside, and Pluto in the Kitchen with Artemis, Luna watched as Aina sat gracefully in one of the arm chairs of the living room. She was there to intervene if necessary. Still, she hoped that Aina could handle the wild emotions of Usagi. Speaking of Usagi, she looked like she was frozen in fear under Aina's gentle gaze. But a hint of disgust was there as well.
It did not seem to faze Aina, who was smoothing the wrinkles in her green dress. She reminded Luna of their old life and that tugged at her heart. Aina finally spoke, "Serenity, yes that is what I will call you. Serenity, you have been lost to the… overly indulgent world of the modern era." The look of confusion on Usagi's face made Aina frown, "To put it more plainly, you've become a spoiled brat in this life to such a degree that I was awoken from an almost eternal slumber to take your place."
That last sentence seemed to rest Usagi from her confounded silence. Luna watched the blood boiling to the surface of her skin as Usagi rose to her feet and place her hands on her hips, "Now you listen to me! I am not a brat! I am the best! I am the moon princess! Beat that bitch!"
Feeling herself inhaling deeply Luna began to reach for Usagi's nearest wrist. However, that was unnecessary. Aina's eyes began glowing and her brooch as well, "YOU will not speak to me that way. You are of this frivolous world. I am not. I am of a world where no one spoke with such venom in polite company. As far as beating your claim as a princess of the Moon is concerned, allow me to inform you of the truth. I am a princess of the Moon and the Earth. Now, SIT DOWN."
This was part of why Luna had been reluctant to have Aina awakened. She proved herself more serious and less afraid of using her power than Serenity, even though they were both infants the last time Luna had seen her. She listened as Aina told Usagi of the sacrifice made and its failure. Usagi sat silently, clearly on the verge of tears. But they were not tears of sympathy. Luna knew Usagi and she knew that those were the tears of a selfish girl who had been outdone and outmatched.
When the conversation was finished, Aina turned to Luna, "My journey has been long. Is there a place I may rest?" Her garnet eyes the only place the weariness shown. Luna called for Artemis and had him take Aina upstairs to the room that had once been ChibiUsa's, oh ChibiUsa…. Luna bit her lip and held back tears.
Usagi jumped up and placed her hands-on Lunas arms, "Don't worry Luna! I know she's scary but we will get rid of her!" She didn't stay to give Luna the opportunity to address her misreading. Usagi grabbed her bag and bolted from the house, no doubt off to meet the Inners or intrude on Mamoru's studying.
…. As predicted…
Usagi rang the bell on Mamoru's door repeatedly, stabbing it with her index finger. She groaned as she waited from Mamoru to open the door. When he finally did she practically knocked him over, pushing past him and stomping inside. Swirling on her heels to face him as he closed the door she was smacked in the face by one of her own ponytails. She whined, "Maybe I should just cut all my hair off now too since it doesn't matter anymore!"
Mamoru just looked at her and sighed, "What is wrong Usako?" His hand automatically raising to the back on his neck and rubbing it.
No warning, no words, and the tears were failing in heavy drops down Usagi's face, "Haruka and the others actually came by the house and Haruka let me fall on my FACE!" She pointed to her nose and rubbed it. This was an easier place to start than being replaced as the moon princess.
Shaking his head, he bent to kiss her nose, "I am sorry Usa, but you look as cute as ever." His smile infuriated her. What a crock!
Putting her hands on her hips for the second or third time today, she couldn't remember, Usagi snapped in response, "Gee, thanks! You know, Seiya would have gone and kicked Haruka's ass if he were still here!"
Well, his smile was officially gone, but Usagi knew she'd put her foot in her mouth. It was one thing to say that stuff to the girls. But she shouldn't have said it to Mamoru. He walked past her with his eyes hiding in his hair and sat down at the table.
Chewing on her bottom lip as she stood there, Usagi thought. How could she get out of this mess with Mamoru? Then she remembered something and strode into the dining area of his small apartment. Usagi opened her bag and pulled out the pictures that she'd had printed from the festival they had went to together for the Lunar New Year. There were pretty plants and colorful lanterns EVERYWHERE. She sat down close to Mamoru and started rifling through them. She and Rei had made faces at each other all night and Ami, who had been named photographer for the event, had caught them all. Usagi giggled and giggled until she found the ones she was looking for. Ami had been goaded into taking pictures of Usagi and Mamoru kissing under a cherry blossom tree. She whispered, "We looked so happy there. You looked so handsome. I'm sorry." Her eyes sparkling orbs of blue as she looked at him. This had to work. If she could turn on the cute factor, he had to cave!
Sure enough, he did just that. He smiled at her, "You looked beautiful as always Usako." He leaned in and brushed his lips against hers, gentle like a soft breeze.
Suddenly, it occurred to Usagi that the lights were much dimmer than usual for the time of day it was. All the curtains were closed and most of the light was coming from the TV in the living room. But Usagi didn't hear any sound. Had Mamoru muted the TV when he answered the door? Something was off here. She shot up and walked toward the living room.
Mamoru seemed to follow, a flurry of protests on his lips. It was too late though. Usagi was staring at the figures on the TV, the very adult figures doing very adult things. Mamoru began apologizing, "I am sorry Usako! I am so sorry!"
His voice died when he saw the look on her face. He was so adorable when he thought of her as the naive girl she was when they met. She placed her hands on his chest and grinned, "Why don't we just admit we both made mistakes and make up?" Her eyes not sparkling with false innocence now, but hunger.
Happily obliging her wish, Mamoru pressed his mouth to hers as the two began undressing one another. Soon, Usagi was laying on the couch with Mamoru kissing all over her skin, making her gasp a little each time. Finally, he placed his head in her lap and began exploring her core. Closing her azure eyes, she let her mind wander. Before long she could feel her body rising in heat and as it gained its release she called out the name of the one she had been fantasizing about the entire time, "HARUKA!"
And just like that, Mamoru's head snapped up and he was on his feet, "Get out! Now! I am going to go take a cold shower! You had better be gone when I come out, USAGI!"
He was gone in a flash and Usagi was scurrying to gather her clothes, mumbling, "But I am Usako."
As she dressed she heard Mamoru from the other room "AND I WANT MY RING LEFT HERE TOO!" Usagi slipped it off and stared at it. Did this mean that Mamoru just broke up with her? How could this happen?