Another week, another chapter. But it's fun!
Thank you for reading, I hope if you're at this point you've enjoyed it so far.
Chapter 3/?
Unveiling
Mamoru wasn't waiting for Usagi to arrive. Not exactly. He just knew she was going to arrive. And he was waiting for that time to come.
Simply put he was not stalking her.
It was the first Monday after the attack and subsequent revelation that Usagi was the Moon Princess, the one in his dreams, and also the mother to Usagi Vol. 2. Thinking of his dreams, he was still having them, and it was unsettling. But they weren't exactly the same.
He could see her now, and she was Usagi, but also not at the same time. There was something almost heaven sent about her. Silver haired, with a crescent moon mark on her forehead. Her eyes, Usagi's eyes, were still filled with tears and told him he was so close. That they still needed the Ginzuishou.
But he knew he had to speak with her, with the Moon Princess, and find out why him? What good was he?
The doors slide open and out of the corner of his eye, Mamoru caught a glimpse of blue and blonde. He turned and smiled, then started. Usagi was standing there, next to the other, smaller, pinker Usagi.
I thought she went with Sailor Moon?
The smaller, pinker Usagi ran forward and jumped on the stool next to him, smiling broadly. "Hi!" she said.
Mamoru blinked, then smiled back at the girl. He had to admit, Usagi was good at keeping people in high spirits. "Hi. You're with Odango, huh? What's your name?"
"I'm Chibi-Usa." She looked much better than she had before. Cheerful, carefree. "Usagi is my cousin."
Usagi came up behind them and side-eye Mamoru. "Mamoru. Today was Chibi-Usa's first day of school. I promised her I'd buy her a milkshake and she could play some games. Chiba Mamoru, Tsukino Chibi-Usa."
"First day of school, huh?" Mamoru said. "That's a big deal." He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. Maybe he was feeling generous, or even that he owed a favor to Usagi for that time he had yelled at her about her shoe hitting him. But he pulled out a 1,000 yen note and handed it to Chibi-Usa. Her eyes lit up and she looked to Usagi, whose eyebrows had disappeared, before yelling a 'Thank you!' And running to the game area.
"That...was...really nice of you, Mamoru," Usagi said, her voice filled with shock. "I mean, I have money, I can pay."
Mamoru put his wallet back and shrugged. "Let her have fun. What is she, Six? Seven? And visiting her cousin, going to school? Is everything okay?" he asked, wondering what the cover story for her was. Obviously the Senshi had placed them together to make it easier to watch them both.
Usagi's smile faded a little, he knew her well enough to know she was coming up with something to say. "Her mom's really sick. It was just easier for my family to take care of her for now. We're sharing a room right now since we're still getting her stuff. I don't mind it too much, but between her and Luna I don't have much bed!"
"Have you thought about making the cat sleep on the floor?"
"You have never had a cat."
Mamoru conceded the point. "Hey, Motoki-kun! Cherry Coke and two chocolate milkshakes for Usagi!"
This time Usagi did a double take. He knew her usual order? The Cherry Coke was immediately set down in front of the seat next to Mamoru and she slid in to it as Motoki went to make her and Chibi-Usa's milkshakes. "I can pay for this, too, ya know."
Mamoru waved her off. "Don't worry about it, Usagi."
"Feel like doing my homework for me?"
"With all the extra assignments you probably get to bring up your grade? No one's that generous."
Usagi pouted, but then noticed that Mamoru was eyeing her, his eyes sparkling and his lips upturned. She hid her own smile, and blush, behind her Coke.
"So," Mamoru began again, "how long is Chibi-Usa going to stay with you?"
"Dunno. Not too long. But I guess It's really bad." She sighed. "Well, hopefully things will work out."
She looked depressed and Mamoru went to change the subject, bring the topic back around to her and Chibi-Usa. He was stopped by a flower cart going thru a window across the street. Chibi-Usa screamed and ran from her game to clutch at Usagi's skirt. Most people in Crown started running out the door and away from...whatever was outside.
But Mamoru, panicking about the two princesses under his protection, grabbed Usagi by the arm. "Come on!" he ordered. They helped Chibi-Usa over the counter and Usagi jumped on her own. He pulled them into the back room where the refrigerators and employee lockers were. No one else was back there, though Motoki or other employees could be there if they hadn't run yet.
"Stay here, hopefully whatever's going on will leave you alone." He pointed to the back door. "When it gets quiet run out that way and go home, okay? Okay?" Usagi nodded furiously. "I'm going to go help get others back here or out of the arcade and then I'll come check if you're still here. I'll get you home myself if I can."
Usagi smiled and hugged him fiercely. For him being brave, and for leaving her to transform and go do her own duty, even if he didn't know that. "Be careful, Mamoru!"
Mamoru hugged her back and then ran off.
Chibi-Usa clutched Luna-P and then she looked, terrified, into Usagi's eyes. "Are you going to fight?"
Usagi nodded. "You know I have to." She sighed when her daughter's eyes filled with tears. "Ah, come on, Chibi-Usa. I must not do too bad if your dad's telling you stories about me! Who is he anyway?"
"Not telling!"
"Mou!" Usagi stamped her foot and grabbed her broach. "I'm gonna drag it out of you someday, you little pink..."
"MOON PRISM POWER MAKE UP!"
OoOoO
Sailor Moon was surprised to find she was second on the scene. Tuxedo Mask had, somehow, beaten her there and was doing his best to keep the youma away from people fleeing the area. The other Senshi were on their way. After only a couple of minutes everyone was out of the area, even Mamoru she noted happily. Hopefully, though, he wasn't finding her gone from the back of the Crown. Trying to explain that would not end well.
She looked and sure enough, saw a youma...but...Sailor Moon cocked her head. There was something off about this youma. She could feel it in her bones that this was stronger than anything she had ever faced. It was normal, adult sized youma, with purple skin and green hair. Hideous, potentially female, and shooting acid from its mouth. But, it had a black, up-side down crescent moon on a gem on its forehead.
And that, for some reason, chilled Sailor Moon more.
She landed beside Tuxedo Mask. "Do you have any idea what that is?" he asked her.
Sailor Moon dodged a spitball of acid and made a face. "A little. Apparently, they're after the girl from the other day, we're calling her Chibi-Usa, by the way. They're from the future, like she is. We don't know much more than that. Oh, and um, even with all of us, we were told we probably can't beat them."
"Someone told you this?"
"Yep."
"And THEY can't help us?"
"...no?"
"CRESENT BEAM!"
The not-quite-youma roared when the attack hit it and spit at where Sailor Venus was standing, but she flipped and landed next to Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask. "That thing is uuuugly," she stated, making a face. Noticing Tuxedo Mask she smiled and winked. "Sailor Venus, Goddess of Love and Beauty."
"Tuxedo Mask, worried about our chances," he said back.
Venus nodded sagely. "I think I might like you, Tuxedo Mask. Whoop, look out!"
The trio jumped away from the creature as it came after them again.
"SUPREME THUNDER!"
"Another new Senshi? Anything else you need to tell me?!" Tuxedo Mask snapped as he pulled Sailor Moon from an acid spill.
"Think we're good!" Mars yelled as she readied her attack.
"FIRE SOUL!"
They volleyed back and forth with the youma, but never causing much damage. It was strong, too strong.
"Black Moon..." Sailor Mercury gasped. "Everyone! It's from the Black Moon! That's why our powers only hurt it." She was pale, but she gathered her courage and cloaked the area in a fog.
"SHABON SPRAY!"
"I think we all figured that out, Sailor Mercury." Jupiter huffed and continued with the onslaught.
Tuxedo Mask quirked and eyebrow. "Black Moon?"
"Okay, so maybe there's more to tell you!" Sailor Moon stopped talking as she spotted her chance.
"MOON TIARA ACTION!"
This did have an effect and managed to create a slice in the monster's stomach but didn't destroy it.
"Are we screwed?" Jupiter asked as she threw more lightning at it.
"Yeah. Yeah, we're screwed," Mars intoned.
Venus sighed. "I'm going to die a virgin."
"VENUS!"
Sailor Moon threw her hands up in the air. "We need a plan, we only have one more trick, and I don't think the Moon Stick will help."
Venus squinted and then seemed to recall something. "Guys, I have this vague memory...or idea. We need to try it. Tuxedo Mask?"
The fog started to clear. Tuxedo Mask had just pulled Mercury, who was furiously trying to find some information about the youma, away from certain doom. She was blushing and thanking him softly.
"Yeah, Venus?"
"Think you can keep this thing occupied for a minute? I'm gonna need all of us on this!"
Tuxedo Mask took to the front, taunting and dodging attacks without another word.
The Senshi huddled around Venus. "I remember this, somehow. We can use our transformation powers to attack the youma! Or whatever it is. I think it's called a planet attack. Come on, all your power on that monster!"
"VENUS POWER!"
She stuck her hands and golden energy built up in her palms. Bright, beautiful, deadly. The others immediately caught on.
"MARS POWER!"
"JUPITER POWER!"
"MERCURY POWER!"
"MOON PRISM POWER!"
They gathered the power and aimed towards their enemy.
"SAILOR PLANET ATTACK!"
The monster was hit head on, and it screamed while shattering into a pile of dust, the gem on its forehead turning to stone.
"Wow." Jupiter blinked and looked at her hands. "That was..."
"That was incredible!" Sailor Moon exclaimed, dancing around. "That was so amazing! To think we could...Geeze, that was a lot of power."
Tuxedo Mask wiped his brow and nodded his agreement. "Good job, Sailor Senshi. I hope we don't have to do that again."
"We're going to have to do that again. This isn't going to get easier," Venus said. "The others told me you were interested in collaboration? You still interested?"
Nodding, Tuxedo Mask noticed people were starting to come out and survey what had happened. "More than ever if these things are from the future. I think an information exchange is needed."
Sailor Moon nodded and gave him a thumbs up, but then she remembered. "Uh, not right now though. I have...to get back to something."
Mars pursed her lips. "Do you know where the Hikawa Jinja is?" Trying not to laugh that he knew exactly who all of them are, except Sailor Moon, he nodded. "Five o' clock tomorrow. We'll meet you. Untransformed." The sound of sirens pierced the sky and she swore. "Let's go, ladies!"
OoOoO
Zoisite, far from the curious eyes of Senshi and humans, watched as the youma, which he had not sent, was decimated after much difficulty. He had been alerted to the scuffle and gone to observe it, expecting to find some dormant plan of Nephrite or Jadeite gone rogue. What he got was much more entertaining and educational. Though it also made him nervous.
There was something quite powerful out there. Something that had not previously been detected or made itself known.
"Zoisite of the Shittenou, I presume?" A female voice inquired from behind.
Startled, Zoisite whipped around and faced a tall woman in green...everything. Hair, eyes, down to her boots. Except for the upside down black crescent moon on her forehead. She was powerful, maybe not as powerful as him, but he didn't want to test that. She was standing, non-threatening, and trying to appear docile, something he doubted she was.
"I am."
"I am Petz of the Black Moon. My master, Rubeus-sama, wishes to speak with Queen Beryl-sama about an alliance against the Sailor Senshi."
Zoisite narrowed his eyes at her. "I'd be a poor fighter if I didn't ask how you know about my queen."
Petz answered with a cat-like smile. "We know much more than that, Zoisite-sama. Why don't you come with me to meet my master? He can answer your questions, and then you can decide what to report to your queen." She held out her hand. "We are not enemies, Zoisite-sama. A world without Senshi is a dream for us, too."
He took her hand.
They blinked into a dark space and Zoisite raised his eyebrows at the other three women, also sporting dark crescents and single-color outfits before noticing the man with flaming red hair.
"I was told that someone is seeking an alliance with the Dark Kingdom?"
The man stepped forward. "I am Rubeus of the Black Moon. I have been given leave to seek an alliance with you and your queen by my ruler, Prince Diamond."
"Then I suggest your prince seek me out."
"Please, Zoisite, we are both generals in an army. That isn't how it works, and you know it." Rubeus smirked. "If am offering far more than you can imagine."
Zoisite crossed his legs and hovered in the air. He held his hand out, in a gesture that clearly said, 'I'm waiting.'
"We are from the 30th century, from a place where the white moon rules, and has for 1,000 years. You, and the entirety of the Dark Kingdom, have been dead for longer."
Choking back his anger, Zoisite could only yell "Lies!"
"TRUTH! Princess Serenity, now Neo-Queen Serenity of Crystal Tokyo, destroyed your 'Great Leader' with the Ginzuishou, and has spent her life in peace. Until just a few days ago." Rubeus waved his hand and brought forth a hologram of the now nearly destroyed city. Buildings around it lay crumbled, a giant black crystal was growing from the ground, and there was a larger structure, a crystal tower of some sort. "We invaded, but we've been stopped by the Sailor Senshi and are unable to take the palace. And the brat, the child of Neo-Queen Serenity, escaped to this era."
Zoisite leaned in, now very interested. "The child?"
Rubeus looked irritated. To be sent on such a simple task and to now do this. "Yes. The daughter of the queen, called Small Lady, or Rabbit. We haven't been able to find her, but she probably came back in time to bring more warriors into the fight. We have two objectives while we are here." He came to Zoisite's level so they were looking eye-to-eye. "We are to get the Rabbit, and if we can, change the future so there is no Crystal Tokyo. And that is where we are offering our friendship to you. If we can join forces and destroy the Sailor Senshi in this time, help you get the Ginzuishou, there is no Neo-Queen Serenity. Or Rabbit."
"Hmm...An interesting proposal." Zoisite was surprised he could contain his glee. A child could be used against people. A hostage. Or if they find the princess, they could destroy her and the Dark Kingdom would reign. "Can you prove to me that you come from the future?"
"I'll bring my proof, and my prince, if we can agree on a meeting."
"I shall speak with my queen immediately."
OoOoO
Usagi let go her transformation when she came to the door. Tomorrow was going to be interesting, that's for sure. She took a deep breath, calmed herself from the battle, and opened the door. "Chibi-Usa! How-AH! Mamoru!"
Mamoru was standing beside Chibi-Usa, who was pouting and averting her eyes. Mamoru, though, was glaring at Usagi as she entered. "Where were you?" He demanded. "I just came down here to get you two and Chibi-Usa was alone!"
"Well...of course she was!" Usagi yelled back, coming up with an excuse quickly. She was used to it lately. "I heard the fighting stop and went to see if we could sneak out before the police showed up and tried to question us! She doesn't need anything like that!"
"O-oh." Mamoru blushed and averted his eyes. "I just..."
"Assumed I would leave my cousin, who is six friggin years old, in the middle of one of those dangerous attacks?! I can't believe you!" She had done that, but Chibi-Usa had been safe. That was why she had left after all. She grabbed Chibi-Usa's hand and stormed out of the shop.
"USAGI!"
Usagi kept marching at a fast pace. "I don't want to talk to you, Mamoru!"
Mamoru was actually struggling to keep up with her. Partly because of the chaos of police, reporters, and supposed witnesses outside, but mostly because of her walk. She was determined. "Usagi, please. I didn't mean anything by it! I wasn't thinking!"
"That, Mamoru, is obvious."
"But, that's...I mean!"
He kept following her, apologizing, even as she kept ignoring him, or grumbling. But, the grumbling became less, and his apologies were becoming more attempts at a start of a conversation. They reached the half-way point home, Ichi no Hashi Park, and Mamoru finally grabbed Usagi's hand and stopped her. He had wanted to talk to her before tomorrow, before the Senshi, but not like this.
"Usagi...come on. You know I think better of you than that."
Usagi pointed her finger in his face. "You all but said - "
Mamoru cut her off. "And I was just worried. People overreact when they're worried. And that still doesn't mean I'm not sorry, because I am. I was worried about you. Forgive me, ohime-sama?" She stiffened a little at that word. "What, don't like to be addressed so formally?"
Chibi-Usa pulled her hand from Usagi's and ran to the swings where she watched what was unfolding, but also made sure she wasn't part of it. She understood that much.
"I...why would you call me that?" Usagi avoided his eyes, blushing, but also suddenly a little jittery.
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Well, It's embarrassing, come on, Mamoru."
Mamoru still had a hold of her hand. "Usagi...you probably were talking to one of the Senshi, weren't you?" Usagi stilled and her eyes went wide. "Yeah. I was there when Chibi-Usa landed on Sailor Moon. I was there when she told us you were the Moon Princess, and tomorrow I'm going to meet the Senshi as myself, and I just had to talk to you before that."
"You're talking about some really weird things, Mamoru." But she was putting it together. There was only one way he would know any of what he was claiming.
Mamoru kept pressing. "Not as weird as you being a princess, Usagi. Sailor Moon said she was taking Chibi-Usa, so when I saw you with her I knew that you knew everything."
"Oh, crap. I know we're...you're Tuxedo Mask, oh my GOD..." She shot a look over at Chibi-Usa who waved and she squeezed her eyes shut. "Calm down, Usagi. Calm down. Just another weird thing happening. Just get through it."
Mamoru glanced at her and noted that she was gripping her head and continued to mutter, "Calm down."
"Um, Usagi?"
"Actually," she looked up at him, almost defeated, "we didn't know until then. We had no idea and...wait. You think Sailor Moon and the Moon Princess are different people?"
"Aren't you?"
Usagi started giggling. She pulled her hand back and covered her mouth. She couldn't help it. She was laughing hysterically. He was Tuxedo Mask...and he didn't realize at all! He didn't notice! "Mamo... Mamoru! I'm Sailor Moon!" She pointed to her broach. "You-you didn't notice? I mean, really? I figured Tuxedo Mask put it together but-"
"Usa! Come on. Don't...You don't have to laugh that hard!" Mamoru pleaded.
Suppressing her last giggle, Usagi grinned at Mamoru. "Okay. We're even. Now know why I had to leave Chibi-Usa in the backroom alone. And now I know why you were there so quickly." She got quiet. "So, is that why you've been nicer to me lately? Cause I'm some princess?"
"Do you really think I've been risking being late to school every morning for two months because you're some princess, Usako?"
Blushing, Usagi looked away and felt her heart thud against her chest. He did. They always ran into each other. Every morning. Even when she would be as late as eight-thirty. He was always there.
"I guess I'm the one being stupid today," Usagi whispered.
"I don't think so. But...my dreams. Why have you been sending me dreams?"
Usagi looked up at him, confused. "Dreams? What dreams?"
"You haven't been sending me the dreams? To find the Ginzuishou?"
Again, Usagi looked blank. "Not that I know of? We should talk about it tomorrow, with everyone."
"That monster today?"
"No." Usagi shook her head. "That's tomorrow." She looked over at Chibi-Usa and sighed. "I don't want to think about it right now."
To Be Continued...
Drop me a line! Or just keep reading, that's nice, too.
-Ginzuishou
