Act II

The Little Rabbit

After an emotional reunion with all the girls and a private talk with Sets-chan, I just managed to slip back into the hospital bed where I had been laying in a coma for so long just before the sun rose above the eastern horizon. Poor Mizuno-san, Ami's mama I scared her I think when she came into my room to check on me only to see me gazing out over the city. "You are awake," she said as I turned to her with a smile. "Hai, ohayo sensei {used in this case because Ami's mom is a doctor a professional of her field not a teacher} ," I said causing her to smile. "Onegai, call me Michiko, or if that makes you uncomfortable, Mizuno-sensei will do," she said. "Arigato Mizuno-sensei," I replied as she asked me what I remembered, if I knew what my name was. Here I paused for a moment remembering what Setsuna and I had discussed. "My name….my name is Tsukino Usagi," and here I raised a hand to my forehead and made a moaning sound in the back of my throat. "Sorry, I…I don't really remember anything else it….it's like everything is just jumbled together," I said and Mizuno-sensei said that that was more than enough.

Having the guardian of time as one of your friends does have its advantages. Setsuna easily got all the paperwork filed to adopt me as her own and made my remaining time in the hospital short, only lasting two weeks. Ami-chan had made sure to come by with all of the girls and boys as well, so that we could "meet each other" and I couldn't help but giggle at our performances that day; I think we could all very seriously consider a career in acting each of us playing our parts perfectly. Setsuna had bought a home for the two of us it was a modest house that had two floors and three bedrooms, when I asked Sets-chan why it was so large, she said that it was so that the girls could come over to visit if they wished; and would be a perfect place to hold meetings seeing the size of our group as a whole now; and I chuckled realizing she was right. With her and me plus Ami, Rei, Mako-chan, Minako-chan, Luna, Artemis, the Shitennou and Mamo-chan that was thirteen people. Not even the shrine had that kind of room unless you remained outside in the courtyard.

"How are Naru-chan and Umino-kun doing," I asked Setsuna. "Ami-chan says they are doing well; they are still together and Ami, and Makoto talk with them every once and awhile but…." here Setsuna trailed off. "I miss them, but this is most likely for the best; I feel uneasy Sets-chan, as if something is going to happen; I will get to know them, but…." and here I trailed off. "I understand, myself, Haruka and Michiru have felt this uneasiness as well, and I think Rei-chan suspects something because of her miko training; and before you ask Ami, Minako and Makoto feel something as well just not as strongly, they are hoping it is nothing. "What about Mamo-chan and the Shitennou," I asked. "Mamoru says he has felt uneasy of late as well the last time we spoke, his guards are the same." "Then we should be ready," I said resting a hand on my chest smiling warmly when I felt the Illusion Silver Crystal pulse as if saying everything would be ok; and I prayed that it truly would.

"Nothing will ever be the same will it Sets-chan," I asked her. "Iie. No matter if you call it fate, destiny or simple chance a lot of things were fulfilled when you banished Beryl and Metalia with the light of the Illusion Silver Crystal. We are no longer bound by the fates given to us by our lives during the Silver Millennium.," Sets-chan surprised me in a way by not only answering me but being so honest with her words. "Then why," I asked and here she softly smiled. "The answer to that is simple Usagi-chan, all you need do is look into a mirror;" Setsuna said as I softly smiled as well thinking to myself, "so I am the reason we are all together now, ne Sets-chan," as I walked up to my room leaving Sets-chan alone downstairs aware that she was keeping an eye on me as I did so; it would be strange having someone looking out for me in the way Sets-chan was now but I think I could grow used to no longer living by myself as I had in what truly was another life.

~ Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon ~

High above the city of Tokyo cloaked by camouflage technology a large black crystalline ship hovered silently, a single figure looking out of the see through panels. He was a tall slim figure dressed in a red suit with matching slacks and a black vest, and black dress shoes. He had spiky red hair that looked like a flame set upon his head, and deep blood red eyes, though the most prominent feature to be found upon this man was the black upside down crescent moon upon his forehead. "Hard to believe that this backwater city is the magnificent jewel known as Crystal Tokyo, ne Crimson Rubeus" a soft but malicious feminine voice said as a young woman appeared in the room at the young man's side.

She was beautiful with long flowing violet hair styled with two cat like cones that rested on either side of her head, and matching eyes. Her skin like porcelain, her lips red, she was wearing a royal purple dress with a black choker around her neck a single black round onyx stone in its center, black heals with crossed straps adorned her feet her toe and finger nails painted black as well, she to had the same upside down black crescent moon upon her forehead. "Indeed Cooan; strange that the rabbit would flee here of all places; I wonder why," Rubeus replied never his eyes turning towards the youngest of the four sisters. "It truly does not matter. I have already developed a plan to find her; we will be back home before the sun rises on a new day." "So confident Cooan, very well go have fun my dear," Rubeus said and with a bow Cooan was gone in swirl of dark shadow like energy.

"And so it begins," Crimson Rubeus thought to himself once again turning his gaze to the city bellow. "Soon we shall have the little white rabbit within our grasp, and the kingdom of the white moon shall fall completely; Earth shall know that that cursed crystal is not alone in being so powerful, " Rubeus softly whispered to the empty room as his dark malicious laughter filled the crystalline chamber as the ghostly figure of a cloaked man holding what looked like a crystal ball that set upon a small ornate golden disk watched on silently, blood red eyes shining with a deep hatred from beneath the shroud that hid his face before fading to nothing, leaving nothing but darkness beneath the drawn hood once again.

~ Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon ~

I had left the house telling Sets-chan that I needed some fresh air, so I was going to go to the park; Setsuna told me that she understood, and asked that I be safe, a fact that made me smile. All of the girls truly cared for me, but at least I knew Sets-chan trusted me enough that she wasn't going to have me shadowed, or shadow me herself. As I rounded a corner in the park I smiled when I saw a familiar figure setting on one of the park benches reading a book. With a mischievous smile I tip toed up behind him, taking Mamo-chan by surprise when I kissed him softly on the cheek. "What are you reading," I asked as he glanced over at me, not able to keep from chuckling at my antics as he took off his reading glasses. "Something for one of my classes," he said standing and surprising me when he drew me into his arms and I sighed relaxing into his familiar warmth. "Usa," he said looking down at me the look in his eyes causing my cheeks to turn a healthy shade of pink.

"Mamo-chan," I replied as he leaned down and I leaned up our lips meeting in a gentle kiss that was held until a bright light filled the sky and I heard a shrill cry. "Ah," Mamoru said falling backwards as he was hit on the head, as my arms were filled with someone with a mass of pink hair held in a very familiar style and I looked down my eyes locking with ruby red orbs that glistened with unshed tears. "You're warm like mama," the little girl said with a soft smile snuggling into my arms and I felt my heart melt as I gently wrapped my arms around her; not truly understanding the need to protect that had overcome me in that single moment. "Usako are you ok," Mamoru asked standing up and rubbing the top of his head as I nodded causing the little girl to gasp, as she looked back up at me with those large ruby red eyes.

"Are you ok little one," I asked the girl, "where did you come from," I said glancing up at the sky. "How old are you," Mamoru asked. "I'm ok….um, I'm eight," she said avoiding my question about were she had come from but smiling proudly as she held up eight fingers causing me to chuckle and even Mamoru was smiling, just barely keeping himself from laughing at how cute this small child truly was. "Onegai, what is your name," the little girl asked me causing me to blink. "Oh….um I'm Usagi, Tsukino Usagi," I said to her as her mouth formed a perfect O. "My name is Usagi too," she said excitedly causing me to chuckle as I lowered her to the ground as she looked up at Mamoru her cheeks turning as pink as her hair as she turned back to me and gently grabbed the bottom of my skirt in her hand and looked up at me.

"Onegai, Usagi. The Illusion Silver Crystal, please give it to me," she asked and I could feel my jaw drop in shock as I shared a look with Mamoru. "How, how did you know that," I asked as she stared down at her feet. "I….I can't say. Luna-P….smokescreen," she said backing away from me as a round orb like toy that looked remarkably like Luna's face when she was in her feline form appeared as a think pink smoke filled the air around myself and Mamoru causing us to cough though we managed to find each other, once the smoke had cleared the mysterious little girl with my name and her even stranger toy were both gone. "I'm going to call Setsuna and then go speak with Rei-chan at the temple, I feel we will need both of their insights on this one," I said already getting my phone out of my pocket. "I'll call Hirose he can get in contact with Shirai, Akai and Hanako faster than I would be able to," Mamoru said bringing out his cell phone as well. "Be careful," Mamo-chan told me as he headed towards my home to pick up Setsuna while I took off towards the Hikawa Shrine not realizing that Rei and Hanako had been having a very strange day themselves but for a very different reason….

~ Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon ~

I could tell Rei truly did not trust the new student at the academy named Kurozuki Cooan who had in Rei's opinion far to easily joined the Supernatural Club far to easily. She had tried to turn people against our relationship by saying very mean and hurtful things, but Rei said she had never been more proud of me than when I had but Kurozuki-san in her place without even once raising my voice or lowering myself to her level and using insults. Kotono-san the leader of the Supernatural Club at TA could hardly believe that Kurozuki-san could have truly said such things; and asked that Kurozuki's placement in the club be suspended until a full investigation could be made. So I had thought it strange that Rei had invited Kurozuki-san to the shrine. "Why did you do it Rei-chan," I decided to ask her as we walked hand and hand towards the shrine. "Hana-chan {Rei's pet name for Hanako} , I did it because I could sense nothing from her, I am hoping that by having her at the shrine and near the sacred fire I will be able to read something about her," she said making me blush at the use of a nickname only she could truly get away with.

Though before I could make a response I spotted a very familiar blond just about to make her way up the steps of the shrine. "Usagi," I said questioningly but still loud enough that she turned and smiled at us. "Oh there you are Rei-chan, Hanako-chan," Usagi added. "Rei-chan, something happened today in the park when I went out to get some fresh air, I forgot that you had to go to the academy today to sign up for clubs," Usagi said her cheeks turning a healthy shade of pink while Rei simply smiled taking her friends hands into her own. "Tell me what happened Usagi-chan," she said as all three of us made our way up the steps to the shrine, and so began Usagi's tail of a young girl who shared her name who had bright bubblegum pink hair and soft ruby red eyes and her knowledge of the Illusion Silver Crystal; which made Rei quickly agree that a fire reading on the child was the best thing that could be done right now, thoughts of the mysterious Kurozuki-san driven out of both of our minds.

~ Returns ~

"I'm sorry Usagi-chan, I see nothing," Rei-chan said opening her eyes and turning away from the sacred fire. "It is like this little girl you spoke of does not even exist," she added with a sigh as Hanako-chan placed a hand on her shoulder in a sign of silent support. "Didn't you once tell me the Sacred Flame finds the evil intent within someone; perhaps this little girl even with the knowledge she holds truly means no harm. I mean I talked with Sets-chan on the phone before I talked with you, she confided in me that nothing was off with the time stream." "That makes since," Rei-chan said as Hanako helped her to her feet, Rei frowning as her focus went towards the door. "Korozuki-san is here," she said a frown on her face and Hanako quickly began explaining what had happened at the academy while I listened on in shock that someone could even do such a thing as try to turn people against Rei and Hanako's relationship just because they were both girls.

As we were all moving outside I heard I little girl scream and sharing a look with Rei-chan I pulled out my new broach from as she grabbed her broach and Hanako closed her eyes and focused her energy as a soft golden light enveloped her. "Moon Crystal Power," "Mars Star Power," "Make-Up," the two of us yelled as one. We came outside to see a young woman with violet hair, styled with two cat like buns on either side of her head standing over a familiar, to me, little girl with pink hair who was laying on the ground unconscious. "Stop right there," myself and Rei yelled out as one as Hanako who was now Jadeite pulled her blade from her scabbard. "Who are you," the young woman asked turning towards us her violet eyes narrowing when she noticed how we were dressed. "Guardian of love and justice, I am the sailor senshi in a sailor fuku! Sailor Moon," "Guardian of fire and passion, I am the sailor senshi in a sailor fuku! Sailor Mars," "Commander of the Far East, Shitennou to my master Endymion! I am Jadeite," we said.

"So you exist here as well, interesting. I am Cooan, youngest of the four sisters, child of the Black Moon family. Foolish children of the white moon, I will not stop let you stop me from taking this rabbit," she said pointing towards the young child with her black polished nails that looked in a way like claws. "We can not let you harm that child; that is our duty as sailor senshi," Rei said. "Fool, Dark…." "Burning…." Rei countered knowing an attack was coming. "Fire," "Mandala," the two yelled out as one the dark black flame met with the brilliant red and Cooan's eyes widened while Rei only smiled when her flames overpowered Cooan's reducing them to nothing and then enveloping Cooan who cried out in pain as she fell to her knees. "Now princess," Jadeite said causing Cooan to look at me with wide eyes. "You…." she whispered as I called on the Cutie Moon Rod. "Moon Princess Halation," I said as the power of the attack reduced Cooan to dust.

"Thank goodness, your ok," Mamo-chan said leaping from a nearby tree clearly out of breath. "Mars protected her master, the two didn't even need my aid," Jadeite said proudly sheeting her blade and taking Rei's hand in her own causing poor Rei-chan to turn as red as her fuku. "I'm glad," Mamo-chan said moving over to the little girl and kneeling beside her as I told Mamo-chan about what had happened. "It sounds as if this new enemy is targeting her; so it is best she stay with one of us," Mamo-chan said taking the little girl in his arms, but I grew concerned when the two first came in contact because Mamo-chan grew very pale as if seeing something no one else could. "Mamo-chan," I asked him as he stood no longer pale, though there was a set determination in his eyes. "I'm okay Usa, promise," he said as Rei added. "It will be wisest is she stays with you Usagi-chan, you and Setsuna will have room enough for her, and from there at least Setsuna will be able to keep a closer eye on this child," which I silently agreed with.

"It is a good plan, here," Mamoru said and I held out my arms smiling softly when the small pink haired child bundled herself into my warm with a soft sigh, "mama," leaving her lips causing my heart to melt once again, as that same fierce need to protect her overcame me again. "Hanako, could I speak with you for a moment," Mamo-chan said letting his transformation fade. "Of course Mamoru-sama," she replied doing the same. "Hm, I wonder what that is about," Rei said coming to my side letting her own henshin fade as I did the same. "I don't know, but Mamo-chan looked very pale when he picked up….Usagi; hm that could get confusing quickly," I said with a giggle. "Perhaps we could call her Chibiusa if for nothing else than sanities sake," Rei said giggling as well. "Only if she likes it," I said indicating the sleeping child in my arms with a nod of my head.

"Of course," Rei replied as Mamo-chan and Hanako-chan came back over towards us. "I need to head home Usa, take care of her, and yourself ok," he said causing a shiver to run down my spine at how distant he seemed to me, though he stood right before me. "Hai," I softly said as Rei's eyes narrowed and she glanced at Hanako who wouldn't meet her eyes. "Ja-ne," Mamo-chan said walking away as Hanako went quickly over to Rei and took her hands in her own. "Leave it be Rei, onegai," she asked and Rei after looking at Hanako for a moment nodded and relaxed causing me to smile, she was going to confront Mamo-chan for my sake; it truly make me feel warm inside at how much all of the girls truly cared for me, that they would do things like this.

"Would you call Setsuna for me Rei-chan, let her know what happened and that I won't be coming back home alone," I asked. "Of course; Hanako," she said in a questioning manor. "I'll start calling the others," she said pulling out her own cell phone as Rei did the same and knowing that everyone would be aware of what had happened today by the time I got back home I walked carefully away making sure not to move in a way that would awaken the sleeping child in my arms. I would protect her, I knew that; and the other girls would do the same just as Rei-chan had just proven. We had a new enemy, that somehow seemed far more dangerous than Beryl and her Dark Kingdom; an enemy willing to harm an innocent little child, who seemed to know things she should not about me, but still a child all the same. A new battle had begun.

Note 2

And so ends the second act of this story. I have officially introduced not only the new enemy (The Black Moon) into the story but Chibiusa as well. I think I am going to surprise a lot of people with Chibiusa's personality in this story, but in a good way I hope. So much has happened already and so much more must take place. I am excited to see your thoughts on this and everything I do in the future when it comes to the updates I make.

The R arc is easily one of my favorites, so I am excited about readapting it to fit into the world I created while giving a more manga like feeling all around, with just a dash of live action drama (even if they never went past the first arc) to give it just the right amount of zing. So with that said I think I shall wrap this up, or it very well start resembling this chapter in length.

So until next Act,

I humbly remain a . . . .

KuRSeofTime