Author's Notes: I want to make sure you remember, in this version, Usagi's hair is cut. If you see any places I've missed, please let me know. I'm sort of juggling four timelines at once. I will say that what happens to Usagi and Mamoru on the beach is relatively similar to what happened in 'What If,' at this point, though over the next few chapters there will begin to be differences. (For more of what Usagi and Mamoru do in their time alone, read Alone Together).
Also, it has come to my attention as I was doing research that I am spelling Zoisite wrong. I've been spelling it with a c for ages, so it will take some time to correct it.
Finally, you're going to notice more differences to what is happening back in Tokyo, as well as getting a glimpse into the lives of the four Dark Generals as they search for Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen.
Timelines Altered
One Month
Alternate Story Line
October 1
Waking Up
***Mamoru's POV***
Mamoru was having the best dream of his life. Though they couldn't seem to be in the same room for more than ten minutes without arguing, Mamoru had long been in love with his blonde haired, Odangoed Goddess. She was HIS. He'd never told her, and he wondered if he ever would, but in his mind, she was his princess, and he would do anything for her.
He sunk further and further into the dream.
He and Usagi were in his bed and she was spread open before him. It was the day he would take her virginity, and she would take his. He'd dreamed of the moment hundreds of times.
Her naked skin was smooth and soft under his palms as he reached for her breasts. She moaned, calling out his name in need and he bent his head to take her nipple into his mouth, sucking hard. He was throbbing against her thigh, and he moved one hand down over her smooth concave belly to reach the little mound covered in tiny, curly blonde hairs.
He spread her open with his fingers, thankful to feel her wet, aroused state. "Are you sure?" He asked. She only moaned and nodded, her eyes still closed. "Usagi, I need the words. Are you sure?"
She opened her gorgeous cerulean eyes and stared at him, biting her little pink lip. After a moment she opened her mouth and whispered, "yes."
It was the only thing he needed. He rolled over on top of her, moving to kiss her as he guided himself to her entrance. "It will only hurt for a second," he whispered, and thrust deep as he captured her mouth. She cried out, but he caught the sound in a deep passionate kiss, thrusting in and out of her again and again.
It wasn't long before both of them were moaning and crying out each other's names. Her tight, wet heat covered him and felt better than he ever could have imagined. Her insides sucked at him, seeming loath to let him pull away even long enough to prepare the next thrust. He moaned again as he tortured her clit with his thumb.
His mouth found its way to her nipple again and as she screamed her little tight channel convulsed around his hard cock, milking him. He released his seed inside her, thankful that they'd had this moment together. He prayed they'd never spend a day apart.
Mamoru moaned and snuggled closer to the warm body under him, sighing in pleasure as his cock continued to throb its last few spurts into the tight little sheath surrounding him. The drugged sleep pulled him back under and he smiled at the blonde hair that brushed his cheek.
***Usagi's POV***
Usagi felt strange. Her head was heavy, but her body felt so good she didn't care. She felt... full, wanted, devoured almost. Her nipples ached as a strange wet pressure pulled at them, and between her legs felt full and achy. Her dreams of Mamoru were pleasant.
She lay on the soft blanket, in a field of beautiful flowers. Birds chirped overhead, and she could hear waves gently lapping the shore. The sun was warm on her face, and she was happy, content to be in Mamoru's arms. She had dreamed of this moment, of how it would be for them. She felt his mouth on her breasts, and she sighed happily, waiting for Mamoru to make her his.
Mamoru wrapped a strand of her long blonde hair around his fingertips as he explored her, and then she felt him pressing into her. Making her his, and him hers. They would be together forever now, two hearts made one. She sighed happily as he moved in and out of her. There was a pressure on her clit, friction that made her body wild. She felt something happening inside her belly and lower, where something filled her completely.
There was a hint of pain, remnants of something sharper that she vaguely remembered, but with each passing moment the pain grew less and the pleasure more until she found her body convulsing in so much pleasure she didn't think she could stand it. When the feelings subsided, she was dragged back into the drug-induced sleep. She was happy with the weight of the body on top of her, the feeling of something filling her, the silky hair that brushed against her neck. She moaned again and then snuggled closer to the body, falling into the coma-like state.
***Jadeite's POV***
So far they had no clues as to the whereabouts of Sailor Moon or Tuxedo Kamen. However, the attacks on Tokyo were about to begin, and Jadeite was unsure what would happen as a result. Perhaps the two of them would return. It was even possible that their supposed disappearance was nothing more than a ruse. He didn't trust that opal faced Youma.
He had other problems to worry about. Mainly, avoiding being put back inside the chamber. That was the last thing he wanted to have happen. He was fighting the darkness, however slow a process it was, but he knew every time he got close, something would give him away. He couldn't forget the horrors that awaited him if he was returned to that strange coffin-like structure. Physical and emotional pain would fill him along with the dark energy.
And if he went in, it would take longer to remember who he was again. He had glimpses now, nearly every night. Dreams of a past where he was good and pure. Where he ought for fellowship and brotherhood, and the protection of the Earth. Dreams where he and the other Dark Generals were once the Shitennou, the Four Kings of Heaven. They had each ruled over a portion of the world, and they each had control of an element. An element that was strengthened by the women they loved.
Sometimes he could remember her face.
With a sigh he went into the sitting chamber he shared with the others. All three were there already, waiting for him. Sometimes he wondered how close they were to breaking free. Each of them had been forced, kicking and screaming, back into that strange chamber to be filled with Dark Energy again. He was afraid to ask them however. If he asked, they might realize he was getting closer to breaking free again.
"Have there been any sightings?" Kunzite asked, folding the map he had been reading. His shoulder length silvery blonde hair was slightly mussed, as though he had run his hand through it in frustration. "I have some ideas on where they might have gone, but right now it's all conjecture."
Jadeite shook his head. "No. I keep wondering if they are truly gone at all."
Zoisite stood up and began to pace, a finger perched between the pages of a book he held with one hand. The other hand played with the end of his long, curly, strawberry blonde hair, which was held back in a ponytail. "Let's look at this logically," he began, his strides eating up the carpet. "This Opal Youma has the ability to travel between timelines. Lets just say that in another timeline Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen were out of the city for a time. That doesn't necessarily mean that they will be in this timeline. And even if they are, he has not said where they went, which leads me to believe he does not know."
Nephrite looked up from his star charts and stared at the others. "I can consult the heavens," he reminded them. "However, I have a feeling that we will not find them in Tokyo. I believe they have in fact left."
"What makes you say that?" Jadeite asked, curious. His fellow warrior was rarely wrong about such things, but Jadeite had never fully understood his connection with the heavens.
"Certain planetary alignments give me the story of a betrayal. One not meant to harm, certainly, but still a betrayal. Also," he began pointing at star charts and explaining his reasoning. Jadeite didn't understand much of what he was saying, until he stopped and looked at him. "I think something is going to give them away." His long chestnut hair swayed as he turned, "one of them, or maybe both, will do something that will lead us to their location."
Jadeite rubbed his hands together, feeling a bit of hope. It was strange that he felt drawn to Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen. He thought perhaps they might be the ones to break the curse over himself and his brothers. But if he failed to capture them, he would be punished. He had to keep his focus and do as he was told. If not, he could be returned to the chamber, killed, or worse, put into the Eternal Sleep.
***Luna's POV***
She did not remember ever having been so angry. She was also afraid, and that didn't help. She'd woken to a letter, tucked under her paws, written hastily by Minako. The words had made her so angry she wanted to howl. She settled for growling low in her throat.
We've taken Usagi and Mamoru to an island with no people and no escape. We're leaving them there for a month. Please plant a false memory for her parents so she doesn't get in trouble and do something about her teacher as well. Maybe she's studying Art at a sleep away cram school. I'm sorry we didn't ask, but we knew you'd tell us no, and we have reasons for doing this. See you when we get back. - Minako and Company
She debated on whether or not she should plant the false memories at all. Part of her wanted the girls to get in trouble for their stunt. But if she wanted the city protected in Sailor Moon's absence she would just have to do it and find Usagi on her own. The problem was, she didn't know if the girls were up to the task. Kami knew she got on Usagi's case, but she was the only one who could easily defeat a Youma.
She pulled her communicator out and pressed the button for Artemis. "You better not have had anything to do with this," she growled.
"Anything to do with what?" he asked sleepily.
"The letter I just got from Minako," Luna answered. "The girls have kidnapped Mamoru and Usagi."
"What!?" The word was screeched through the communicator and echoed off the bedroom walls.
"According to the letter they took them to some deserted island and are planning on keeping them there for a month!" Luna paced back and forth on the bed next to the communicator. "I don't know where it is, or how long the girls are going to be away from the city. They left Tokyo completely unprotected.
"Usagi is not going to be happy." Artemis said, quieter now. "What the hell were they thinking?"
Luna ranted and raged to Artemis for several long minutes before she sighed and went down to implant the false memories. She made sure to have Ikuko call the school and tell them Usagi would be gone, then went back up the stairs to wait for Artemis.
***Mamoru's POV***
Mamoru was in absolute heaven. His cock was wrapped in heat. Tight, wet heat. And he couldn't help but rock in and out of it. Again, and again he rolled into it, burying himself deep. He was on the edge of wakefulness when he was overcome in an incredible orgasm. He snuggled in deeper and fell into a more natural sleep, his breathing evening out.
When he finally opened his eyes, he was met by very dim light, and a sobbing girl under him. He felt himself, buried deep inside her and gasped, even as his cock throbbed. "Wha-?"
Usagi was under him, crying hysterically. Her hair was cut brutally short, to just under her ears. On anyone else the style would have been adorable, but on his Usako, it made her appear to be a shorn sheep.
"What happened? Where..." His eyes were drawn to the tear tracks on her cheeks.
"They did this to us," she hissed. "They drugged us and put us here like this." More sobs shook her body, and his. His mind wasn't fully working, and he was very unsure what was happening, but the sound of Usagi's tears penetrated the fog in his mind like nothing else could.
"Usagi? Why are you crying?" He lifted his head and upper chest, and that's when he realized where his lower half was, and what it was doing. In shock, he gasped, trying to figure out what had happened. Then her words began to penetrate his brain. Very slowly he pulled out of her and tried to roll to the side, but their bodies were trapped together, and she rolled with him.
"Did you say drugged?"
"Yes!" she hissed. "They drugged us and made us... made us..." She collapsed against his chest and continued sobbing. Vague, blurry images of Motoki practically forcing him to drink a chocolate shake filled his mind. He could remember being tied to a chair, and Usagi being afraid.
"Why would they do this to us?" he asked. He wrapped his arms around Usagi, who could barely breathe through her tears. "Are you okay?" He whispered when several long minutes had passed.
She shook her head no and tried to speak. "I'm not... not a... not a virgin anymore," and the sentence ended with a despairing cry that hurt his heart far more than his head.
He gasped and then realized he wasn't either. "You aren't the only one," he whispered, trying to calm her.
"Why did they do this?" She asked, hurt, angry, and feeling betrayed.
"I don't know. I didn't realize they hated our fights that much." He struggled to undo the zipper on the sleeping bag. "Do you hear the ocean?"
She nodded, still silently weeping, thought the sobs had subsided.
"Usagi, I have to get out of this bag. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be sick."
"Me too," she moaned.
He swallowed hard as a wave of vomit tried to climb his throat. She turned carefully, giving him better access to the zipper, and a moment later they were both free.
He didn't even pause to take in his surroundings but leapt for the light of what appeared to be a doorway and out into the vividly bright daylight. He raced away and fell to his knees at the edge of a beach, where he was violently ill. Between his own heaves he could hear Usagi, also retching, barely a foot away from him.
Every time he thought he was done another wave hit him, and if his own illness weren't enough, Usagi's was worse. She was sobbing, which made the heaving worse, and she was shaking so bad she nearly fell into her own mess. After what felt like an eternity the two of the both crawled deeper down into the water to rinse their faces.
When she noticed the blood on her thighs, and the white sticky leavings of his mess, she lost it completely. He made his way closer to her, and simply laid a hand on her shoulder. She turned to him then and buried her head in his chest for a long minute before realizing they were both still naked. She leaped deeper into the water with a squeak, and he did the same, both blushing furiously.
It took more than an hour for her to finally leave the water, and he refused to leave her, though he hadn't looked directly at her since they'd both run onto the beach. He knew she was as naked as he and was trying his best to respect her. It was difficult though, to keep watch over someone when you couldn't look, and he saw much more of Usagi than he'd ever thought to see. Every blessed part of her.
When Usagi had made her way to shore Mamoru stood, praying she wasn't watching, and made his way back to what he now realized was a cave. To one side of the entrance was a small waterfall, which ended in a shallow stone basin. A tiny rivulet of water flowed out of that and towards the sea, large rocks lining its path.
He made his way to the cave, wondering what he would find. In his upset upon waking he'd never so much as looked around him. Now, he moved forward with determined steps. Anger fueled him, and the need to make sure his Odango was taken care of. She wasn't far behind him. He could hear her trudging footsteps in the sand.
Neither had noticed that there were more stones than sand closer to the shelter, and they began to hurt his feet, and he was sure hers as well. Finally, they made it inside and took a careful look around. The only enclosed containers were the water jugs and the cooler. He went for the cooler, hoping to find clothing inside.
Instead he found strawberries, a can of whipped cream, and a bottle of chocolate syrup. There were also some fruits and vegetables. None of which either of them could stomach right now if she felt as bad as he did. He put everything back, growling under his breath.
"So, no clothing then?" Usagi asked, her tone dejected.
"I'm sorry Odan- Usagi." He said, turning to look into her eyes. He was very careful not to glance lower.
She sighed but turned to look at the shelves. There was a tin of saltine crackers and she reached for it, sharing them with Mamoru automatically.
He noticed the blood then. Her feet were bleeding. He caught her up and set her gently on the table before reaching for the tiny first aid kit. He cleaned the cuts on the bottoms of her feet with water and an alcohol wipe, which made her hiss in pain. He worried a band-aide would do her no good, so he used one of the pieces of gauze and wrapped it only twice.
One thing worried him more than her cuts, or the small kit, though. He didn't see her medication anywhere. He searched high and low for it, looking in the cooler and the basket and through the food. He huffed a worried breath.
"Your meds aren't here," he whispered.
"I know," she sighed. "Wait. How did you...?"
"I've seen you take them a couple times, back before the girls were in the picture. I also put two and two together when you didn't gain weight no matter how much you ate. Thyroid, I assume."
Usagi nodded. She stood and looked around, wincing a little as her injured foot rested on the stone floor of the cave. "I can't believe they left us alcohol but not more food, or medication, or..." she stopped talking. "Why... why did they do... that?"
"I'm so sorry Usagi," he said, resting his forehead against hers. "I know this isn't the way you probably pictured your first time happening. Me either," he murmured. She sniffled. He bet she hadn't even realized she was still crying.
"I'm sorry too. I can't believe my friends did this to us."
"It wasn't just your friends," Mamoru murmured. "Do we want to read the letter?" He asked, turning with the white paper and the little plastic toy in his hand. Usagi stared and then snatched the toy before he could blink.
She pressed a button on the thing and the screen lit up with a message. It was Motoki and Minako.
"Hi guys, by now you probably know you are alone in your own paradise." Minako spoke, her voice laughing and light. "We're just about to leave the island, and it really is beautiful here. You can contact us with this, but really, everything you need to know is in the letter. I've included an inventory list and a pencil too so that you can keep track of food. You should have enough for a month, but that's only if Usagi can control herself." A giggle sounded and then the message ended.
Usagi let out the loudest, angriest scream he had ever heard before pressing the button again.
"I don't know what the hell you think you're doing, but you know I have RESPONSIBILITIES. You cannot leave us here like this! You come back and get us right this minute or I swear to Kami-sama I will hunt you down and kill you. Do you understand me Minako? I will take your heads! And I will NEVER FORGIVE YOU for what you did to us!"
She pressed the other button and tossed the thing back onto the table.
"Um, maybe the letter can wait," Mamoru said, his voice shaking. He'd never seen Usagi this way before. The tone of command in her voice, the anger, the threat which he was absolutely certain she meant every word of. He expected tears and pleas, not a declaration of murderous intentions.
She slumped suddenly, then turned and ran back out. He followed in time to see her getting sick again. A sigh escaped him as he noticed his own stomach rumbling again. Maybe it had been too soon to eat the saltines. He covered the tin again and raced out to the beach, falling to his knees next to her.
***Luna's POV***
Usagi's thyroid medication was sitting on her desk. She grabbed it and put it into her subspace pocket. She'd implanted the false memories in the girl's family and urged her mother to call the school to have her work collected, but that was all she was willing to do.
She wanted nothing to do with the girls, and she'd told Artemis as much. He agreed. They had done something so awful, so horrible, that neither of them were sure they could forgive them. But they did have to talk to them, just once, to let them know they were on their own.
She leaped out the window and onto the balcony, then landed lightly in the grass. Artemis was waiting on the low wall between the Tsukino house and the one next to it. She met up with him and he nuzzled her gently, knowing just how upset she was. He was upset too, but Usagi was her girl. She loved her more than she would have believed possible, and the thought of something bad happening to her was enough to make Luna want to scream.
Together they made their way to the shrine.
***Motoki's POV***
All four girls had gone below. He'd given Makoto a few instructions on running the boat, but after she'd gotten the basics she'd lost interest. She seemed sad and out of sorts. All of them did, honestly. He was sad too. They were close to docking at the pier now, so he hollered down for someone to come up and tie the boat off as he pulled up alongside.
They had nothing to unload now except the remains of their own lunch. He checked the time. He would be on time for his shift at the arcade. He had worried about that. Anything could have set them off course, but he'd pushed through.
He really hoped their plan worked this time. He worried that Mamoru wouldn't take the initiative. And though Usagi was very outgoing, with Mamoru she always showed much more shy reticence when it came to her liking him. She could yell at the man, but not kiss him. That made no sense.
The girls climbed up the steps, looking less than happy to have returned. Motoki slid the strange walkie-talkie into his pocket and they all trooped up onto the dock. After they got in the truck there was a long moment of silence, and he wondered what they were thinking about.
***Usagi's POV***
It was late afternoon. The area was beautiful. The beach, the trees, the little waterfall, even the cave. If she'd been a normal girl, or sitting at home watching a video of it all, listening to the birds and bugs and ocean waves she might have been in heaven. But Usagi wasn't just a normal girl, and she wasn't at home relaxing. No, she had responsibilities. She was Sailor Moon, and the city of Tokyo had had her as a protector for the past several months. She was the destroyer of Youma, the protector of the innocent. She, along with Sailors Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus, as well as her masked hero Tuxedo Kamen, had been doing their best to protect the city for months.
But now, she was here, betrayed by her own Senshi. And for what? A few arguments where no one ever really got hurt? Sure, she'd slapped Mamoru and had stomped on his foot, but it had been the first time she'd ever truly lost her temper with him. Before that only the occasional, accidentally thrown shoe, had caused any injuries, and those were superficial at best. Even Mamoru had laughed them off.
Her temper was rising further and further, and she wasn't the only one. Mamoru too was angry, pacing back and forth on the beach, unwilling, it seemed, to even let her out of his sight in his worry that something would happen to her. And he had a point. He had screamed long and loud, venting to her, and let her do the same, when the vomiting had finally ended. Neither of them was fully in control of their emotions, and the angrier they got, the more they fed off each other's anger.
Usagi wanted to rage and scream. She held the communicator in her hands, waiting for a response. She heard Mamoru calling and moved toward him. He held up a pair of toothbrushes and some toothpaste he had apparently found inside. He gave her the pink one and kept the blue for himself. She gave him a weak smile as he added the paste to each brush and standing together they cleaned their mouths out.
Mamoru was still acting a little wary around her, and she could understand why. Not only had they both lost their virginity this morning, but she had probably frightened him with her display of temper. Not to mention the fact that they had no clothing. Once they had both finished they took turns sipping enough from the cup to rinse their mouths out. Mamoru took the brushes and the paste and put them into the cup before moving back inside.
There were little niches on the walls, and small stone ledges. Food had been added to the large one over the table. Other areas held other things, such as the comb next to the toothpaste cup, or the candles and the basket of things they had both agreed to ignore. They did take out two of the pillar candles though, and light them, as the sun was beginning to move downward, and though light came from the door and the small hole in the ceiling, it wasn't enough to see clearly.
As soon as the candles were lit, she and Mamoru folded the futon in half and moved it so that it sat in front of the table, where they sat to read the letter and go over the inventory list. Neither was hungry, so food itself would have to wait for later. Whatever they had been given had left them both with a massive headache, so she had been thankful to find aspirin. They both took two capsules.
Usagi ended up leaning her head on his shoulder so she could read the letter with him. He didn't say anything about it. She found the closeness comforting, even in her highly embarrassing nakedness. Mamoru pulled the sleeping bag over them for modesty though, and in a few minutes they were sitting quietly reading the short missive.
Dear Usagi-chan and Mamoru-san,
We didn't want to resort to these methods, but you have left us with little choice (Mamoru and Usagi both snorted at this).
We have tried to get you both to stop the arguing and realize you have feelings for each other, but after three months we've about lost hope. We are doing this for your own good. You two belong together and if this is the only way to get you both to see that, then it's what we are going to do.
You will be on your own private island for one month to the day (Usagi gasped in anger and fear. The girls couldn't fight without her that long).
In that time, we hope you learn just how much you need each other. And how much you already care about each other. You have everything you need to survive. Makoto made a list of everything we left you for food, and we have added items for safety as well, including a first aid kit (Usagi wondered about stealing the gauze from it to cover themselves but shook her head. It might be needed, and they couldn't waste it).
Oh, and Usagi, sorry about your hair. In my defense it was Rei's idea.
Motoki
P.S. I hope this stay is just enough to get rid of your inhibitions and get you in the sack. Literally. Please use the stuff I gave you in the basket. Also, enjoy the strawberries, whipped cream, and chocolate! There are no distractions for you here, so make use of your time.
Minako
PPS. Usagi, your family will be told you are studying art at a sleepaway cram school. I thought that was a stupid idea, but Minako thinks they'll buy it. I'm sorry we had to cut your hair, but we both know you would have tripped on it, or gotten it caught in a tree or something. Don't be a crybaby. Maybe something good will come out of this.
Rei
PPPS. Hey, I made you some cookies and biscuits. They are in the purple tins and aren't on the inventory list because they are just for whenever. I am really going to miss you. I'm not sure this is the best idea, but I guess if it's meant to be, then we have to. I still think that if its destiny or something it will just happen. I didn't want them to cut your hair.
Makoto
PPPPS. The sickness should be gone within about forty-eight hours, though the worst of it will only take twelve or so. I'm really sorry about your hair. We didn't want to do it, but we worried about lice or sand fleas or other dangers. I'm sure it will grow back quickly. I'm really going to miss you.
Ami
Usagi broke into a storm of weeping and Mamoru pulled her against his chest. When she still didn't calm he picked her up and pulled her right into his lap. She clung to him, holding tight. He could hear her murmuring and leaned closer to find out what she was saying.
"Not my friends. Not my friends. Not anymore. Not my friends." He hugged her tight and held her close, rocking her from side to side, whispering apologies for what had been done to her, to them. They'd been betrayed by people they'd cared about, put their faith in.
There really was no way to forgive them. Was there?
He was especially angered by Rei's note. She hadn't needed to be so deliberately cruel. Usagi was shaking and sobbing in his arms, and he knew that those words would stay with her. When he teased her, which was often, he was never that mean to her. He tended to tease about her grades, but it had driven her to improve them. Or he teased about her hair, but he was pretty sure it was obvious he adored it, especially since he couldn't stop touching it.
He also had teased her about the way she ate and even how much she ate, but that had changed when he realized she had a thyroid problem. He'd even started keeping protein bars in his pockets for her, and had occasionally handed her one if she needed it.
The truth was, he teased her for attention. Not to hurt her. But he had to keep teasing, because if the Negaverse ever discovered his identity and learned he loved her she would be in grave danger. Now, he wasn't sure he could ever put back the false wall that had protected them both for so long.
***Artemis' POV***
It was hard being more than a cat when you were the advisor to a young girl. Often, Minako forgot he wasn't just a cat and he would have to hastily turn or close his eyes to protect her modesty. She could be rough and wild and unstoppable at times. She was perpetually late, almost as bad as Usagi, and she tended to make disasters worse, especially when she tried to play nurse, but all in all his charge had a heart of gold.
Which is why he was so surprised she had become involved in such a scheme. She was the leader of the Inner Senshi, the guardians of the Moon Princess, who he and Minako both knew was Usagi. How she had agreed to this he would never understand. What if the princess died? What if her destiny was destroyed by something that happened on that island.
He watched the girls trudge up the temple steps. By their pace it was obvious they knew what was in store for them. All four hung their heads when they heard Luna weeping. The other cat couldn't even speak. She'd been crying most of the day and was now just a bundle of fur on the floor as he led the others inside.
"Don't any of you speak until I'm finished," Artemis said. His voice was laced with anger and disappointment. "What you have done is a betrayal of the worst sort. It was stupid and dangerous, and mean. Usagi and Mamoru argue. So, what? Nothing they've ever done deserves this. What if one of them gets hurt?" He looked right at Minako when he said that.
"Tell us where they are right now, and we will forgive you," he added, hoping they would see sense. All four girls shook their heads no.
"Then Luna and I are done with you for now. You think you can handle everything without her? Until she's returned, you deal without us as well. I don't care what your reasons were. If they were good enough you would have come to us, which means you already know you're wrong. Luna is inconsolable. Usagi's parents aren't the easiest to memory wipe, and her father constantly fights it." Artemis sighed, looking up at the girls.
"Wait!"
He turned back to look at Minako. Luna, still sobbing next to him, perked her head up.
"We had to," Minako started.
"I don't want to hear it!" Luna screamed. "You shouldn't have done it!"
Artemis watched as she tore out of the temple, running as fast as she could. He wasn't sure what to do. He wanted to chase after her, but he needed to understand why. If Minako was willing to do something so drastic, perhaps he should listen. He looked after Luna for a long moment, wishing she would return, and then focused on his charge.
"You have exactly one minute to make me believe you had a good reason for doing this," he said, keeping his tone hard.
"They're soulmates Artemis. You told me I would be able to see it eventually. But its more. I could see the soul bond. They're like, the strings between two people who are soulmates. I didn't think it would happen yet because it was supposed to grow as my other powers grow, but I can see theirs. It's all silver and gold and its big and strong, but they were wrecking it. Every time he made her cry it was getting weaker. So, I knew I had to fix it." She finished in a rush.
"I saw it in the Great Fire," Rei added a moment later. "If they don't get together they'll die. If they do get together then something good is going to come of it. Something really, really good." She smiled, and Artemis wondered exactly what she'd seen. "The fate of the world rests on this," she added importantly.
Makoto nodded. "He'd die for her, and she for him." Her voice was small, almost inaudible. "I think they were together before. I dream about them sometimes."
Ami cleared her throat. "You know I've seen how compatible they are in the Mercury computer. I kept trying to tell Usagi, but she wouldn't listen to me. And she gets stronger when he is close to her and weaker when he is away from her. I didn't want to do this to them. I really didn't... but then... I realized who he was." Ami sighed and ducked her head.
Rei nodded. "He's Tuxedo Kamen. She's already in love with him in both forms."
Minako frowned and nodded. "He is also Prince Endymion."
Artemis couldn't hold back his gasp of shock. Minako shouldn't have said that. The others would realize who Usagi was. He had just opened his mouth to berate her when Luna stormed back inside.
"Did you say Prince Endymion?" she asked, her tone full of frustration and anger. "Then you really shouldn't have done this! Usagi's heart will be broken. He's meant for the princess!"
"Luna," Rei said, and she knelt in front of her. Artemis watched as she reached for his counterpart and lifted her soothingly into her arms. "Usagi is the princess"
Luna began to weep again.
Minako moved forward and stroked her head. "We had to do this to them. They have to realize they love each other. They have to rely on each other and trust each other."
"But..." Luna shook her head wildly. "What if something happens to them? What if one of them gets hurt?"
"We left a communicator with them Luna. If one of them gets hurt we can Sailor Teleport right to them and help. I promise."
Finally Luna hung her head in acceptance. She cried for a long time and Rei put her down on one of the soft pillows that surrounded their meeting table. Artemis hurried over and lay beside her, licking her cheeks and forehead in comfort. Eventually she fell asleep.
He heard the whispers of the girls and learned the rest of what had been done to Usagi and Mamoru. He was thankful Luna was sleeping and didn't hear a word of it. From what the girls were saying he was rather certain Usagi and Mamoru would be an intimate couple long before they returned.
***Mamoru's POV***
As night fell the air cooled drastically. He felt Usagi shiver for the third time in as many minutes and wrapped his arm around her. Sitting up, it was impossible to be completely covered by the sleeping bag. Finally, he suggested they go to bed early, hoping they would feel better in the morning. It couldn't have been much later than eight-thirty in the evening, but they were both feeling the after effects of the drugs they had been given.
At first they tried sleeping with the bag open and on top of them, but it kept slipping away to one side or the other, and neither could get comfortable. They tried laying on their backs, then on their sides, turned away from one another, and even tried spooning, hoping if they tucked the cover under knees or elbows they could keep it over them. But nothing worked.
The futon had an attached pillow roll, and they tried sticking it underneath, but that didn't work either. Finally, Usagi huffed and said they had no choice. So, they both got up and zipped the bag partway, centering it in the middle of the bed carefully. Mamoru got in first, furthest from the zipper, and lay on his side, facing the opening. Usagi crawled in after him, her back to his chest, and she zipped the bag after before snuggling into him.
He complained because her bottom and feet were cold, but they soon warmed. It was other issues that kept Mamoru awake long after she had begun to lightly snore. The issues revolved around his desire for her, though he would never take advantage of her that way. He was trying to focus on long division in his head when Usagi began rubbing against his erection in her sleep.
Mamoru groaned. "This is going to be a long night," he whispered.
***Beryl's POV***
She watched as a new series of Youma was created. Replicating Youma had been used in the past, but Sailor Moon had figured out how to beat them. However, it was before the time that the other Senshi had arrived on scene, and she was relatively certain those girls knew nothing about them. Creating one replicating Youma took nearly twice the energy as making another, but if one Youma replicated several dozen times, it was worth it. The amount of energy that could be taken in the time Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen were absent from Tokyo might just be enough to wake Metallia.
And if the Dark Generals could capture and turn Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen, then she would be unstoppable. She hadn't even considered the idea before. Her mind had always been made up to destroy them. Now however, she was certain that if she struck the blow to Tokyo and turned the pair she would have her revenge within weeks rather than months or years.
She couldn't stop the laugh that rang out of her. Yes, things were going very well indeed.
