: : singing : : I finally got rid of writer's block! I finally got rid of writer's block! *ahem* : : stops singing : : aren't you guys glad??!! hehehehehe…… anyways, because of the baka writer's block I couldn't post it up soon, let alone type it. Thanks for being patient with me people and thank you soooooooooo much for reviewing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I totally appreciate it!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't own any of them. You guys should know that. Ok, enough chit chatting and on with the story!!!!!!!!
Chapter 4:
Usagi's eyelids slowly fluttered open and she heard familiar voices speaking at once but she could care less. Right now, she had a killer headache. A groan escaped her lips and someone supported her back and helped her up in a sitting position. She shook her head hoping to make the pain in her head go away and let her vision clear. She rolled her eyes after everything quieted down. *Well, at least it isn't blurry anymore. But I sure wish that the headache would go away.*
"Usagi, daijoubu ka?" she heard someone ask. She looked around and noticed everyone crowded around her in worry, well, with the exception of Tasuki, who was standing but she could tell that he was worried also, even though he didn't like to show it.
"Hai." she nodded to Rei, who was the one that asked her. She then rubbed the back of her head. "Demo, my head really hurts…….Where am I anyways?"
"At Rei-chan's house." Ami answered.
"What hap--" Just when she asked that, she closed her eyes as scenes flashed through her head about the last battle with Chaos and all that happened. Her eyes got watery and you could tell even though they were closed.
"Bunny are ya o--" Ranma started to ask but then stopped.
"Mamo-chan……… Chibiusa-chan………." Usagi choked out as she pulled her knees up against her breasts and buried her head in her arms that were resting on her kneecaps.
Everyone looked at her with sadness but was silent. Then Tamahome spoke first. "Usagi---" but was cut off.
"Minna-chan…onegai……I just want to be alone right now……onegai….." she said, not once lifting her head. They all looked at one another, their faces showing concern for their friend but then nodded and walked out the door. Tamahome took one last glance at her before following the others out. Usagi continued to weep and mourn for about Mamoru's and Chibiusa's death but soon stopped after about twenty minutes and got up, walking towards the window. She looked out at the moon and thought about her home on the moon, her mother, her betrothed and her future daughter. "I need to get some air….." she said to herself and was about to go but halted. "I'd better tell the others before they get worried."
Meanwhile, outside of the room, the whole gang were talking to one another, explanations said back and forth.
"So lemme get this straight." Hotaru said. "You guys are here to help us fight?"
Everyone rolled their eyes and Rei smacked her on the back of the head. "Itai! Why'd you do that for Rei?!" she demanded.
"Weren't you listening at all baka?" Hotaru shook her head. Everyone groaned. "They said they came here to ask for our help, or rather odango atama's help, not here to help us, baka."
"Oh……." Hotaru nodded in understanding.
"Jeez, I guess that's what happen when you hang around Minako-chan, ne? She rubs off on you." Hotaru said smiling. The senshis stayed quiet when she said that. She just realized what she had said and lowered her head, ashamed that she brought Minako's name up. Ranma, Miaka, and the Suzaku seishis were confused but didn't say a word. Until later that is.
"So will you help us?" Miaka asked.
"We'd be glad to do so…..demo….."
"But what?" Hotohori asked.
"What if there is another evil that comes around here? Who's going to stick around and who's going to go?…….Hmm……….One thing's for sure, Usagi's gonna go…… She won't not help you guys. She'd never do that……. Guess that means I'll go." Makoto voiced her thoughts.
"Well, if Bunny goes, so do I." Ranma stated.
"Then I'm gonna go too. Considering it's odango, I'll have to go." she said playfully, chuckling and the senshis followed her suit. "………You said that time passes differently between these two dimensions, ne?" Rei asked Miaka and she nodded. "See, so I'm gonna go."
"Where's Grandpa Hino and Chad anyways?" Makoto asked.
"They're already asleep."
"Well, I wanna go too!" Hotaru exclaimed.
"Fine. Then it's settled, ne? It's Usagi, Mako, Ranma, Rei, and Hotaru." Everyone nodded.
The door of the room slid open and everyone turned their heads and looked at the figure standing there with puffy red eyes.
"Minna-chan. I'm gonna go and take a walk outside." she said and walked towards the door.
"Demo--" the senshis protested but Tamahome interrupted them. "I'll go with you." he said and she nodded. Miaka smiled at Tamahome. They both broke up earlier and she's glad that he already found someone she likes. Of course, she was the same. She just hoped everything turned out alright. The two walked out and closed the door shut.
"Arigato for accompanying me Tamahome-kun. It really means a lot to me…" she said as they walked side by side down the streets, under the moonlight.
"No problem……… Did you really love him a lot?…..I mean…he is a bit older than you…."
"Hai, I do love him….to me, age doesn't matter if you love someone……… I know he loved me as much as I loved him no matter how ditzy or immature I was. I knew that he was annoyed sometimes at me but it's natural. And he still loved me too…… I do too…." Tamahome felt as if his hope had been taken away from him but mentally smacked himself. *Now's not the time to think about that baka!!!*
"Just remember this Usagi…… I'll always be here for you anytime you need someone to comfort you or even someone to talk to, ok?……"
"Arigato…" she smiled at him and gave him a hug, he returning it. Warmth filled the two as they absently close their eyes and she rested her head against his chest, his head above hers. They didn't know how long they stayed like that nor did they really care at that moment. All they could think about was that they felt so right in each other's arms. He took in her beautiful scent of cherry blossoms and cherished it with all his heart, while she had troubled thoughts in her mind after a while. *Why do I feel so different when I'm with Tamahome compared to everyone else? I can't be already falling for him, ne?…… Iie, how can you be thinking about these things?! The one I love is Mamo-chan and I always will……… Mamo-chan………. Demo……Mamo-chan and Chibiusa-chan aren't ever coming back anymore……. Just like Mina-chan…..I miss you guys so much……… I wish you all were here with me……….* Her salty tears soaked his shirt as she softly wept and he hugged her even more, his hand rubbing her back, trying to comfort her.
"Shh…… It's ok, Usagi…Cry all you want and let it all out tonight….." he whispered to her and he felt her nod in response. He closed his eyes and prayed that she wouldn't be depressed like this anymore. Just the sight of her pained him dearly and he'd do anything to make her happy… Even if it meant that he wouldn't ever be able to be with her……… He lifted up his head and stared at the full moon. Hmm……. Interesting………the moon is silver tonight….. So bright it seems to outshine the sun somehow and so beautiful too………of course……it could never compare to Usagi. He silently chuckled at that and changed his gaze back to her again when he no longer heard her sniffles. "Usagi-chan……" he paused and waited for an answer but no came. He looked at her closely and could see her eyes closed. "Fast asleep already………" sighs. "You've had a long day……." he chuckled, shaking his head and picked her up, bride style. He then raised an eyebrow down at her sleeping figure. *You eat so much yet you are as light as a feather……..Amazing……* He chuckled at that too. He observed her beautiful, serene face as some strands of her bangs slightly covered her closed eyes, her soft pink lips, he could tell, a smile was tugging at her lips as she snuggled closer to him in his arms. He felt her relax and he smiled, glad that she was alright now. *She looks peaceful right now…..so different from before………. I hope she won't go back to being so emotionally hurt anymore…… I'll make sure you don't………* "C'mon…..Let's go back to the others…." he smiled at her as a soft 'Mmm….' could be heard, as if she was agreeing with him. He held her more tighter and walked back to the shrine as the wind was ruffling their hairs and their clothes were blowing in the air…
The blonde rolled back and forth, her face scrunched up filled with anguish and that pleading look. Her eyes shot wide open as she bolted up in a sitting position. Her hand unconsciously lifted up to her face and she suddenly realized that she had been crying in her sleep when she felt wet tears that trickled from her orbs. Her eyes lowered to the blanket when she remembered her dream about the fight Chaos had with her Mamo-chan and Chibiusa-chan. She shut her eyes trying to get that pleading and frightened look on their faces that she could clearly picture in her mind but it was no use. She wanted to cry and mourn some more but looking around at the inner senshis in the room with her, she didn't want to wake them up. The outers had left to go home so she didn't to worry about them worrying about her. She wiped the tears away that threatened to blur her vision, she quietly got up and walked out of the room, making sure that she didn't step on any of her friends who slept on the floor like her. She walked to the bathroom and closed the door intending to close it all the way but a little it didn't leaving a little space open. She didn't notice as she turned on the lights, looking straight at the mirror with her hands rested on the sink. Her eyes were red and puffy, even worse than the way she looked earlier when she was crying. Dark half-curving circles formed under her eyes telling her that she hadn't had enough sleep since this was probably the fifth or sixth time she woke up tonight. *It's barely 2:07 a.m. right now.* she noted when she looked at the clock in the cabinet above the sink.
She stared at her form again in the mirror. Her hair was a mess and it seemed like as if she had aged more than ten years in that one night. Her face was a pale white and even though she didn't look it, she knew she was a bit skinnier since she refused to eat anything since yesterday afternoon during lunch at school. She didn't care though. Her beloved and her future daughter……she'd never be able to see them again and she missed them soooooooo much…. Missed her Mamo-chan holding her in his armsa nd saying that he loved her and all those arguments her and Chibiusa-chan used to have. She laughed bitterly when those memories resurfaced yet again, her tears falling freely but she could care less. Fate was cruel to her, taking both her future husband and daughter away from her all at once. She hated it all. She hated the fact that she was a princess, that she had become Sailor Moon, the champion of love and justice, that everyone would wish they were her. If they want it so much, why couldn't they be it?! Why did she have to be the one that all the pressure was endured on her?! Why did she have to be the one where the weight of the world rested on her shoulders?!……She hated having to fight all the time but she couldn't let her friends fight while she backed down knowing that they could get hurt, let alone die. She never wanted to be the queen of Crystal Tokyo, nor did she asked to be a warrior in the first place. Fate and Destiny. She hated those words so much. She wish for once she could make her own choice, not others making it for. If she didn't have to fight, then maybe her friends wouldn't either and Mamo-chan and Chibiusa-chan didn't have to have their lives ended this way…….Now, she finally got her wish but she didn't want it anymore. She didn't want to be queen and now with Mamo-chan dead, she probably didn't have to be. Kami-sama how she hated herself. She wanted to end her life right there and then but she couldn't let her new friends go back knowing that they needed her help. She wouldn't just the other senshis deal with it 'cause that would be cruel and selfish but at that exact moment, suicide seemed like the best thing. She then thought……. After she completed her mission to keep Hotohori's country and his people safe, that was the time when her life would end…… Everyone would be happy too…… She wouldn't have to be an embarrassment to her parents, since she was the daughter they've always wanted, [or so she thought.] her friends wouldn't always have to deal with her anymore either and always save her ass in battles because she was too weak. Hai……that day would be the day when everyone was truly happy………
The door creaked open, snapping her back to reality and she turned on the cold water faucet. Throwing the water on her face, she hoped that who ever it was wouldn't know that she had been crying so she hid the sadness with a normal look any person would have when they were in a fair mood. She turned to see Chichiri standing there, a fake smile spread across her face. "Oi, Chichiri-kun."
"Konnichiwa Usagi-san. I thought I heard something here, no da."
"Just Usagi or Usagi-chan is fine, Chichiri-kun."
He nodded. "………Usagi?"
"Hmm?…" she looked questionably at him.
"…….You don't have to put that fake smile on your face…It doesn't fit a kind hearted person like you because you look better with a real smile…." he said. He suddenly blushed when he realized what he had said but you couldn't tell under his mask.
She flushed also and then nodded. "………Then you don't have to put that mask that covers your face……" He looked up surprised that she knew but then nodded and took off his mask. She let out a gasp when she saw his face. Not only because a scar had adorned across his left eye but also the fact that he was so handsome, like Tamahome. His mesmerizing and beautiful eyes…. Both of them had attracted her to them but hse didn't want to. She only loved Mamoru and that's it……. Matte…. Why did she lcall Mamo-chan, Mamoru?……. She did love him, ne?……… Now she wasn't so sure anymore…… For some reason, she felt confused around him too. She didn't know what she was feeling. Her heart just kept beating faster and faster by the second and she could feel her cheeks burning too. Why did she suddenly feel like this? She didn't know and didn't have the answers either. She suddenly looked up from her shoes when she felt his hand on her shoulder.
He smiled. "You're the first person that ever realized that I had a mask on without me saying it to anyone……" She blushed and he smiled even more. She looks so kawaii like that, he thought but then shook his head, trying to get rid of the thought. He only loved Kouran and he vowed that he wouldn't love again…. But even though he hadn't shown it, why did he feel different around her? Why would he be confused and lost almost every time when she was around? Correction…… Why was he _always_ confused and lost every time she was around him? It just didn't make sense. She blinked when he heard her voice but didn't hear what she said. "Gomen ne……I was so caught up in my thoughts, I didn't hear what you said."
She smiled. "I asked why do you have a scar across your face."
He was startled by her question but then knew that this would come up sooner or later. He stayed quiet for awhile.
"You don't have to say it if you don't want to. I can understand that people have things that they don't want to talk about. After all, I am the same too like everyone else." She cocked her head to the side, a smile etched on her face.
He shook his head. He was even more confused when he felt that he could tell her anything when he barely knew her. But he knew one thing for sure. Usagi sure is something…. Someone special that is. "Let's go outside and I'll tell you about it."
"You know you don't have to, ne?"
He nodded. "But I want to……." She blushed, all thoughts about earlier forgotten, as she followed him outside.
The two sat on the steps of the shrine, as the street light across from them lights the place up a little, not making it as hard to see in the dark. He looked at the street in front of him and began his story. "………I had a fiancé that I loved very much. Her name was Kouran and we were to be married soon but then one day, I saw that my best friend, Hikou, kissing her. I was crushed but I didn't say anything. I was couldn't take it anymore the next day when Kouran broke the engagement with me, yet at the same time I was heart broken……." he stopped when he felt her hand on his shoulder reassuring him that she was there and he nodded in understanding even though no words were spoken between the two. They didn't need to say anything because he knew what she meant. "….I was blinded by my anger and I challenged Hikou to a fight. We were on a cliff when a flood came at that time and the ground gave away beneath Hikou and he began falling. I tried to save him and grabbed his wrist but a jagged rock came and scared my face. I lost my grip on Hikou and he fell into the river, drowning. The flood then swept out my whole village and everyone died except me……." he looked at the ground with sadness as he thought of everyone that died.
"Gomen nasai……" She hugged him, knowing that right now, he needed support and comfort. He was her friend and she cared about him. He was startled by her reaction but then hugged her back.
"Don't be……….I just hope that you can be happy again…………Arigato."
They pulled apart and she looked at her confused. "Nande?"
"Because you were willing to listen to me…" she smiled and he returned. "It's funny, no da. We are so alike yet so different in many ways."
"Hai……I guess you're right…………you know…… Mamoru was supposed to come back and we'd get married but now that's impossible………" she shook her head. She shouldn't talk about that now. He needed the comfort right now and she didn't want him to be the one comforting her since he had emotional guilt and pain right now. She didn't want to put him through that. She sighed then smiled turning to him. "I'll be here you know. Whether you need someone to talk to or just to hang out and stuff."
"Arigato……. I'll be there for you too……." Both were suddenly interrupted when they heard a noise to Usagi's right and the two instantly turned their heads to that direction. Silence fell between the two and they could hear footsteps as well as the sound of leaves crushing under that of a footstep and they stood up, prepared for the worst. The duo heard voices and they quietly walked over to the side of the building, taking a peek and listening to what the people were saying.
"Shh! Not so loud, baka!" a soft, familiar shout was heard. Usagi squinted her eyes in the darkness trying to see who it was. They both saw six figures but couldn't tell if they were male or female. Usgai's eyes bulged when she recognized that they were Brad, Jeff, Tony, Mike, Mark, and Eddie; the jocks from school the other day. One of them, she wasn't sure who, held something up but then she found out it was a lighter since the small flame lighted up. She saw that it was Eddie and he had lighted up a two foot stick he was holding. The other five lighting theirs up using Eddie's lighter, an evil smile on their faces.
"This'll make that brat pay for messin' with us. It's that bi***'s fault we got busted in the first place so she'll pay for it." Tony growled.
"Ya sure she's even here tonight?" Jeff asked.
"Of course, ya jackass! Now let's start." Brad ordered and the other five nodded. They drew their hands back and prepared to throw the lighted sticks but a shout stopped them. They all had eleven burning sticks, each had two except for Eddie who only had one since he was the one holding the lighter.
"Iie!!!!!!!!!!!" Usagi shouted and ran out to them, stopping five feet in front of them, Chichiri following.
"So the bi*** is here." Mark glared at her, as did the others. "Watch this." they threw the sticks through the two windows before she or Chichiri had time to stop them. Usagi and Chichiri watched in horror and turned around to run back in the house but a familiar laugh make them stop in their tracks. They all turned towards the windows and on the long windowsills stood Tasuki, Tamahome, Nuriko, Ranma, and Hotohori with the burning sticks in their hands. They each held tow except for Ranma who held three.
"What the--?!!!" Mike shouted as they six stood there shocked that those five can balance so easily on a thin piece of wood.
"Hmph! Is dat da best ya punks can do?!" Tasuki snorted, a smirk across his face.
"Minna-chan!!!!" Usagi shouted happily, glad that they saved the temple just in time.
"We thought we heard voices out here and we, of course, were right." Nurkio said with a grin.
"Yosh!!!" Everyone turned their faces behind Usagi and Chichiri and there stood the inner senshis, Miaka, and the two remaining seishis standing there. "I finally get to fight again!!!!" Makoto exclaimed as she cracked her knuckles a smirk on her face. "I've been dying to fight again and now's my chance!!….Hahaha!! Stand back boys and watch da masta!!!" The jocks each took out their sharp daggers and charged at Makoto. The five guys on the window leaned back against the wall and watched with interest.
"You'll regret it for interfering!!!!!" the jocks shouted as they thrust their weapons at Mako but she dodged them with ease.
"Is that the best you can do?" she taunted. " 'Cause if it is, then you've guys got no chance…." She did a one-eighty round house kick, knocking their daggers out of their hands ad they stumbled back.
They glared at her, who she stood there arms crossed, smirking in triumph at them. "We didn't want to use this but you gave us no choice." Brad sneered. They took out their 37 magnum and everyone gasped, except for the seishis who had no clue what it was. Just that they knew it wasn't good. They aimed it at Makoto and at everyone else, daring them to move. The seishis jumped in the air avoiding the bullet fired at them just as the trigger was pulled. They each landed a kick at the jocks before they could trigger another shot and they fell over unconscious.
"They shouldn't tov messed wid fire 'coz that's my specialty." Tasuki remarked. They others were glad that everyone was ok and they called the cops. The mafias were arrested and put to jail. Everyone said goodnights and went to sleep, but Tamahome looked suspiciously at Chichiri, which didn't' go unnoticed by him, before the two followed the rest back into the temple.
The next day during lunch, the gang had agreed that they'd leave and would meet each other at 5:20 p.m., just ten minutes before the library closed on that Friday afternoon. Usagi, Ranma, Rei, Hotaru, and Makoto all packed their stuff and got ready to go after explaining to their parents that they were going to stay at a friend's house all weekend and maybe a day or two more. Rei's grandpa agreed, but Usagi's parents didn't. Usagi tried to reason with them but they refused until Ranma finally said what he wanted to say after trying how many times but was interrupted each time. He told Usagi's parents that he would go too and they trusted him since he was, well……unlike Usagi. Ranma said that he'd make sure that both he, himself and Usagi would attend school on Monday. Satisfied with his firm declaration, they agreed to what Usagi asked for.
Ranma and Usagi walked to the library side by side, their backpacks slung over one of their shoulders. They entered the library and when no one was looking they quickly slipped up the stairs towards the room that says 'Closed Document Reference Room. Employees only.' .
Inside…… The door turned open and all heads turned to it, especially a raven haired miko who was tapping her foot impatiently for the last few minutes, a angered yet frowning look on her face. In stepped the cousins and the door shut quietly behind them but it wasn't all quiet for long…
"Odango! What took you so long?!" she shouted, her hands on her hips, her face demanding an answer.
"Chill out Rei. And quiet. We're not supposed to be in here ya know, and with that tone of voice, we'll be caught in no time." Ranma stated, defending his cousin. "It took us awhile trying to convince Uncle Kenji and Aunt Ikuko."
"Hai, demo--!!" she started to speak but stopped short when she was cut off.
"Besides, we're here now aren't we?" he said again.
Rei frowned and stayed quiet. That's when Usagi noticed the other two people in the room. "Oi! Who are you guys?"
"Usagi-chan. These are my baka onii-chan, Keisuke, and his best friend, Tetsuya." replied Miaka.
"Konnichiwa! Watashi wa Usagi Tsukino!" Usagi exclaimed with a big smile on her face. Everyone, besides the two newcomers, looked at her and smiled. *I'm so glad you're happy Usagi.* they thought.
"Konnichiwa." they said with a curt nod.
"Ok, now that everyone is here, let's go back to Konan." Hotohori announced.
"Are you guys coming too?….You guys know about everything huh?" Ranma asked Keisuke and Tetsuya.
"Hai we do. We'd wanna go but can't so we're staying here." Tetsuya said.
"Let's git goin' a'ready!" Tasuki yelled. Miaka nodded and pulled the Sho Jen Ten Chi Shoand turned flipped open the book.
"Waita minute. You guys mean that the other dimension is in the book?…… Then that means that ll of you are--." Ranma stopped short when he was cut off by Hotohori.
"Iie. Miaka-chan, Keisuke-san, and Tetsuya-san are like you guys. We, us seishis, are the ones are characters of a……book………" he said as everyone became silent. After a few moments Usagi shook her head and smiled.
"Does it matter? I mean, you guys are out here and alive right now, ne? I say that you guys are all as real to me as anyone would be." she said smiling. The seishis looked at her, surprised at what she had just said but ended up smiling.
"Hai! Usagi-hime is right!" Hotaru said.
"Hota-chan. I told you not ot call me that." she said playfully with a frown.
"Gomen ne Usagi-chan."
"That's better."
"What Usagi-chan is right. You guys are as real to me as anyone." stated Makoto.
"Arigato minna." the seishis said.
"Oi! For once odango here said something right. I guess the world is coming to an end, ne minna-chan?" Rei said with a chuckle.
"That's not funny, pyro!" Usagi pouted and everyone else laughed. They were about to start their tongue war when Makoto stopped them.
"Alright, alright. We should get going." and everyone nodded, quieting down. They all, besides the two guys, huddled close together with Miaka in the middle. They all joined hands and nodded to the miko, indicating that they were ready. She nodded in response and flipped the page. Everyone in the circle was engulfed in the red light and disappeared in to the book. The light died down and the book dropped to the floor. The two remaining waked over and picked up the book.
"Good luck minna…. I have a strange feeling tha you guys will need it……" Keisuke said as they both sat down and began reading the ancient magical book.
I think that's a good place to stop, ne minna-chan? The adventure is about to begin so I hope you guys will continue reading!!!!!!!! I also hope you guys like this chapter and please review too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's all so ja ne!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chapter 4:
Usagi's eyelids slowly fluttered open and she heard familiar voices speaking at once but she could care less. Right now, she had a killer headache. A groan escaped her lips and someone supported her back and helped her up in a sitting position. She shook her head hoping to make the pain in her head go away and let her vision clear. She rolled her eyes after everything quieted down. *Well, at least it isn't blurry anymore. But I sure wish that the headache would go away.*
"Usagi, daijoubu ka?" she heard someone ask. She looked around and noticed everyone crowded around her in worry, well, with the exception of Tasuki, who was standing but she could tell that he was worried also, even though he didn't like to show it.
"Hai." she nodded to Rei, who was the one that asked her. She then rubbed the back of her head. "Demo, my head really hurts…….Where am I anyways?"
"At Rei-chan's house." Ami answered.
"What hap--" Just when she asked that, she closed her eyes as scenes flashed through her head about the last battle with Chaos and all that happened. Her eyes got watery and you could tell even though they were closed.
"Bunny are ya o--" Ranma started to ask but then stopped.
"Mamo-chan……… Chibiusa-chan………." Usagi choked out as she pulled her knees up against her breasts and buried her head in her arms that were resting on her kneecaps.
Everyone looked at her with sadness but was silent. Then Tamahome spoke first. "Usagi---" but was cut off.
"Minna-chan…onegai……I just want to be alone right now……onegai….." she said, not once lifting her head. They all looked at one another, their faces showing concern for their friend but then nodded and walked out the door. Tamahome took one last glance at her before following the others out. Usagi continued to weep and mourn for about Mamoru's and Chibiusa's death but soon stopped after about twenty minutes and got up, walking towards the window. She looked out at the moon and thought about her home on the moon, her mother, her betrothed and her future daughter. "I need to get some air….." she said to herself and was about to go but halted. "I'd better tell the others before they get worried."
Meanwhile, outside of the room, the whole gang were talking to one another, explanations said back and forth.
"So lemme get this straight." Hotaru said. "You guys are here to help us fight?"
Everyone rolled their eyes and Rei smacked her on the back of the head. "Itai! Why'd you do that for Rei?!" she demanded.
"Weren't you listening at all baka?" Hotaru shook her head. Everyone groaned. "They said they came here to ask for our help, or rather odango atama's help, not here to help us, baka."
"Oh……." Hotaru nodded in understanding.
"Jeez, I guess that's what happen when you hang around Minako-chan, ne? She rubs off on you." Hotaru said smiling. The senshis stayed quiet when she said that. She just realized what she had said and lowered her head, ashamed that she brought Minako's name up. Ranma, Miaka, and the Suzaku seishis were confused but didn't say a word. Until later that is.
"So will you help us?" Miaka asked.
"We'd be glad to do so…..demo….."
"But what?" Hotohori asked.
"What if there is another evil that comes around here? Who's going to stick around and who's going to go?…….Hmm……….One thing's for sure, Usagi's gonna go…… She won't not help you guys. She'd never do that……. Guess that means I'll go." Makoto voiced her thoughts.
"Well, if Bunny goes, so do I." Ranma stated.
"Then I'm gonna go too. Considering it's odango, I'll have to go." she said playfully, chuckling and the senshis followed her suit. "………You said that time passes differently between these two dimensions, ne?" Rei asked Miaka and she nodded. "See, so I'm gonna go."
"Where's Grandpa Hino and Chad anyways?" Makoto asked.
"They're already asleep."
"Well, I wanna go too!" Hotaru exclaimed.
"Fine. Then it's settled, ne? It's Usagi, Mako, Ranma, Rei, and Hotaru." Everyone nodded.
The door of the room slid open and everyone turned their heads and looked at the figure standing there with puffy red eyes.
"Minna-chan. I'm gonna go and take a walk outside." she said and walked towards the door.
"Demo--" the senshis protested but Tamahome interrupted them. "I'll go with you." he said and she nodded. Miaka smiled at Tamahome. They both broke up earlier and she's glad that he already found someone she likes. Of course, she was the same. She just hoped everything turned out alright. The two walked out and closed the door shut.
"Arigato for accompanying me Tamahome-kun. It really means a lot to me…" she said as they walked side by side down the streets, under the moonlight.
"No problem……… Did you really love him a lot?…..I mean…he is a bit older than you…."
"Hai, I do love him….to me, age doesn't matter if you love someone……… I know he loved me as much as I loved him no matter how ditzy or immature I was. I knew that he was annoyed sometimes at me but it's natural. And he still loved me too…… I do too…." Tamahome felt as if his hope had been taken away from him but mentally smacked himself. *Now's not the time to think about that baka!!!*
"Just remember this Usagi…… I'll always be here for you anytime you need someone to comfort you or even someone to talk to, ok?……"
"Arigato…" she smiled at him and gave him a hug, he returning it. Warmth filled the two as they absently close their eyes and she rested her head against his chest, his head above hers. They didn't know how long they stayed like that nor did they really care at that moment. All they could think about was that they felt so right in each other's arms. He took in her beautiful scent of cherry blossoms and cherished it with all his heart, while she had troubled thoughts in her mind after a while. *Why do I feel so different when I'm with Tamahome compared to everyone else? I can't be already falling for him, ne?…… Iie, how can you be thinking about these things?! The one I love is Mamo-chan and I always will……… Mamo-chan………. Demo……Mamo-chan and Chibiusa-chan aren't ever coming back anymore……. Just like Mina-chan…..I miss you guys so much……… I wish you all were here with me……….* Her salty tears soaked his shirt as she softly wept and he hugged her even more, his hand rubbing her back, trying to comfort her.
"Shh…… It's ok, Usagi…Cry all you want and let it all out tonight….." he whispered to her and he felt her nod in response. He closed his eyes and prayed that she wouldn't be depressed like this anymore. Just the sight of her pained him dearly and he'd do anything to make her happy… Even if it meant that he wouldn't ever be able to be with her……… He lifted up his head and stared at the full moon. Hmm……. Interesting………the moon is silver tonight….. So bright it seems to outshine the sun somehow and so beautiful too………of course……it could never compare to Usagi. He silently chuckled at that and changed his gaze back to her again when he no longer heard her sniffles. "Usagi-chan……" he paused and waited for an answer but no came. He looked at her closely and could see her eyes closed. "Fast asleep already………" sighs. "You've had a long day……." he chuckled, shaking his head and picked her up, bride style. He then raised an eyebrow down at her sleeping figure. *You eat so much yet you are as light as a feather……..Amazing……* He chuckled at that too. He observed her beautiful, serene face as some strands of her bangs slightly covered her closed eyes, her soft pink lips, he could tell, a smile was tugging at her lips as she snuggled closer to him in his arms. He felt her relax and he smiled, glad that she was alright now. *She looks peaceful right now…..so different from before………. I hope she won't go back to being so emotionally hurt anymore…… I'll make sure you don't………* "C'mon…..Let's go back to the others…." he smiled at her as a soft 'Mmm….' could be heard, as if she was agreeing with him. He held her more tighter and walked back to the shrine as the wind was ruffling their hairs and their clothes were blowing in the air…
The blonde rolled back and forth, her face scrunched up filled with anguish and that pleading look. Her eyes shot wide open as she bolted up in a sitting position. Her hand unconsciously lifted up to her face and she suddenly realized that she had been crying in her sleep when she felt wet tears that trickled from her orbs. Her eyes lowered to the blanket when she remembered her dream about the fight Chaos had with her Mamo-chan and Chibiusa-chan. She shut her eyes trying to get that pleading and frightened look on their faces that she could clearly picture in her mind but it was no use. She wanted to cry and mourn some more but looking around at the inner senshis in the room with her, she didn't want to wake them up. The outers had left to go home so she didn't to worry about them worrying about her. She wiped the tears away that threatened to blur her vision, she quietly got up and walked out of the room, making sure that she didn't step on any of her friends who slept on the floor like her. She walked to the bathroom and closed the door intending to close it all the way but a little it didn't leaving a little space open. She didn't notice as she turned on the lights, looking straight at the mirror with her hands rested on the sink. Her eyes were red and puffy, even worse than the way she looked earlier when she was crying. Dark half-curving circles formed under her eyes telling her that she hadn't had enough sleep since this was probably the fifth or sixth time she woke up tonight. *It's barely 2:07 a.m. right now.* she noted when she looked at the clock in the cabinet above the sink.
She stared at her form again in the mirror. Her hair was a mess and it seemed like as if she had aged more than ten years in that one night. Her face was a pale white and even though she didn't look it, she knew she was a bit skinnier since she refused to eat anything since yesterday afternoon during lunch at school. She didn't care though. Her beloved and her future daughter……she'd never be able to see them again and she missed them soooooooo much…. Missed her Mamo-chan holding her in his armsa nd saying that he loved her and all those arguments her and Chibiusa-chan used to have. She laughed bitterly when those memories resurfaced yet again, her tears falling freely but she could care less. Fate was cruel to her, taking both her future husband and daughter away from her all at once. She hated it all. She hated the fact that she was a princess, that she had become Sailor Moon, the champion of love and justice, that everyone would wish they were her. If they want it so much, why couldn't they be it?! Why did she have to be the one that all the pressure was endured on her?! Why did she have to be the one where the weight of the world rested on her shoulders?!……She hated having to fight all the time but she couldn't let her friends fight while she backed down knowing that they could get hurt, let alone die. She never wanted to be the queen of Crystal Tokyo, nor did she asked to be a warrior in the first place. Fate and Destiny. She hated those words so much. She wish for once she could make her own choice, not others making it for. If she didn't have to fight, then maybe her friends wouldn't either and Mamo-chan and Chibiusa-chan didn't have to have their lives ended this way…….Now, she finally got her wish but she didn't want it anymore. She didn't want to be queen and now with Mamo-chan dead, she probably didn't have to be. Kami-sama how she hated herself. She wanted to end her life right there and then but she couldn't let her new friends go back knowing that they needed her help. She wouldn't just the other senshis deal with it 'cause that would be cruel and selfish but at that exact moment, suicide seemed like the best thing. She then thought……. After she completed her mission to keep Hotohori's country and his people safe, that was the time when her life would end…… Everyone would be happy too…… She wouldn't have to be an embarrassment to her parents, since she was the daughter they've always wanted, [or so she thought.] her friends wouldn't always have to deal with her anymore either and always save her ass in battles because she was too weak. Hai……that day would be the day when everyone was truly happy………
The door creaked open, snapping her back to reality and she turned on the cold water faucet. Throwing the water on her face, she hoped that who ever it was wouldn't know that she had been crying so she hid the sadness with a normal look any person would have when they were in a fair mood. She turned to see Chichiri standing there, a fake smile spread across her face. "Oi, Chichiri-kun."
"Konnichiwa Usagi-san. I thought I heard something here, no da."
"Just Usagi or Usagi-chan is fine, Chichiri-kun."
He nodded. "………Usagi?"
"Hmm?…" she looked questionably at him.
"…….You don't have to put that fake smile on your face…It doesn't fit a kind hearted person like you because you look better with a real smile…." he said. He suddenly blushed when he realized what he had said but you couldn't tell under his mask.
She flushed also and then nodded. "………Then you don't have to put that mask that covers your face……" He looked up surprised that she knew but then nodded and took off his mask. She let out a gasp when she saw his face. Not only because a scar had adorned across his left eye but also the fact that he was so handsome, like Tamahome. His mesmerizing and beautiful eyes…. Both of them had attracted her to them but hse didn't want to. She only loved Mamoru and that's it……. Matte…. Why did she lcall Mamo-chan, Mamoru?……. She did love him, ne?……… Now she wasn't so sure anymore…… For some reason, she felt confused around him too. She didn't know what she was feeling. Her heart just kept beating faster and faster by the second and she could feel her cheeks burning too. Why did she suddenly feel like this? She didn't know and didn't have the answers either. She suddenly looked up from her shoes when she felt his hand on her shoulder.
He smiled. "You're the first person that ever realized that I had a mask on without me saying it to anyone……" She blushed and he smiled even more. She looks so kawaii like that, he thought but then shook his head, trying to get rid of the thought. He only loved Kouran and he vowed that he wouldn't love again…. But even though he hadn't shown it, why did he feel different around her? Why would he be confused and lost almost every time when she was around? Correction…… Why was he _always_ confused and lost every time she was around him? It just didn't make sense. She blinked when he heard her voice but didn't hear what she said. "Gomen ne……I was so caught up in my thoughts, I didn't hear what you said."
She smiled. "I asked why do you have a scar across your face."
He was startled by her question but then knew that this would come up sooner or later. He stayed quiet for awhile.
"You don't have to say it if you don't want to. I can understand that people have things that they don't want to talk about. After all, I am the same too like everyone else." She cocked her head to the side, a smile etched on her face.
He shook his head. He was even more confused when he felt that he could tell her anything when he barely knew her. But he knew one thing for sure. Usagi sure is something…. Someone special that is. "Let's go outside and I'll tell you about it."
"You know you don't have to, ne?"
He nodded. "But I want to……." She blushed, all thoughts about earlier forgotten, as she followed him outside.
The two sat on the steps of the shrine, as the street light across from them lights the place up a little, not making it as hard to see in the dark. He looked at the street in front of him and began his story. "………I had a fiancé that I loved very much. Her name was Kouran and we were to be married soon but then one day, I saw that my best friend, Hikou, kissing her. I was crushed but I didn't say anything. I was couldn't take it anymore the next day when Kouran broke the engagement with me, yet at the same time I was heart broken……." he stopped when he felt her hand on his shoulder reassuring him that she was there and he nodded in understanding even though no words were spoken between the two. They didn't need to say anything because he knew what she meant. "….I was blinded by my anger and I challenged Hikou to a fight. We were on a cliff when a flood came at that time and the ground gave away beneath Hikou and he began falling. I tried to save him and grabbed his wrist but a jagged rock came and scared my face. I lost my grip on Hikou and he fell into the river, drowning. The flood then swept out my whole village and everyone died except me……." he looked at the ground with sadness as he thought of everyone that died.
"Gomen nasai……" She hugged him, knowing that right now, he needed support and comfort. He was her friend and she cared about him. He was startled by her reaction but then hugged her back.
"Don't be……….I just hope that you can be happy again…………Arigato."
They pulled apart and she looked at her confused. "Nande?"
"Because you were willing to listen to me…" she smiled and he returned. "It's funny, no da. We are so alike yet so different in many ways."
"Hai……I guess you're right…………you know…… Mamoru was supposed to come back and we'd get married but now that's impossible………" she shook her head. She shouldn't talk about that now. He needed the comfort right now and she didn't want him to be the one comforting her since he had emotional guilt and pain right now. She didn't want to put him through that. She sighed then smiled turning to him. "I'll be here you know. Whether you need someone to talk to or just to hang out and stuff."
"Arigato……. I'll be there for you too……." Both were suddenly interrupted when they heard a noise to Usagi's right and the two instantly turned their heads to that direction. Silence fell between the two and they could hear footsteps as well as the sound of leaves crushing under that of a footstep and they stood up, prepared for the worst. The duo heard voices and they quietly walked over to the side of the building, taking a peek and listening to what the people were saying.
"Shh! Not so loud, baka!" a soft, familiar shout was heard. Usagi squinted her eyes in the darkness trying to see who it was. They both saw six figures but couldn't tell if they were male or female. Usgai's eyes bulged when she recognized that they were Brad, Jeff, Tony, Mike, Mark, and Eddie; the jocks from school the other day. One of them, she wasn't sure who, held something up but then she found out it was a lighter since the small flame lighted up. She saw that it was Eddie and he had lighted up a two foot stick he was holding. The other five lighting theirs up using Eddie's lighter, an evil smile on their faces.
"This'll make that brat pay for messin' with us. It's that bi***'s fault we got busted in the first place so she'll pay for it." Tony growled.
"Ya sure she's even here tonight?" Jeff asked.
"Of course, ya jackass! Now let's start." Brad ordered and the other five nodded. They drew their hands back and prepared to throw the lighted sticks but a shout stopped them. They all had eleven burning sticks, each had two except for Eddie who only had one since he was the one holding the lighter.
"Iie!!!!!!!!!!!" Usagi shouted and ran out to them, stopping five feet in front of them, Chichiri following.
"So the bi*** is here." Mark glared at her, as did the others. "Watch this." they threw the sticks through the two windows before she or Chichiri had time to stop them. Usagi and Chichiri watched in horror and turned around to run back in the house but a familiar laugh make them stop in their tracks. They all turned towards the windows and on the long windowsills stood Tasuki, Tamahome, Nuriko, Ranma, and Hotohori with the burning sticks in their hands. They each held tow except for Ranma who held three.
"What the--?!!!" Mike shouted as they six stood there shocked that those five can balance so easily on a thin piece of wood.
"Hmph! Is dat da best ya punks can do?!" Tasuki snorted, a smirk across his face.
"Minna-chan!!!!" Usagi shouted happily, glad that they saved the temple just in time.
"We thought we heard voices out here and we, of course, were right." Nurkio said with a grin.
"Yosh!!!" Everyone turned their faces behind Usagi and Chichiri and there stood the inner senshis, Miaka, and the two remaining seishis standing there. "I finally get to fight again!!!!" Makoto exclaimed as she cracked her knuckles a smirk on her face. "I've been dying to fight again and now's my chance!!….Hahaha!! Stand back boys and watch da masta!!!" The jocks each took out their sharp daggers and charged at Makoto. The five guys on the window leaned back against the wall and watched with interest.
"You'll regret it for interfering!!!!!" the jocks shouted as they thrust their weapons at Mako but she dodged them with ease.
"Is that the best you can do?" she taunted. " 'Cause if it is, then you've guys got no chance…." She did a one-eighty round house kick, knocking their daggers out of their hands ad they stumbled back.
They glared at her, who she stood there arms crossed, smirking in triumph at them. "We didn't want to use this but you gave us no choice." Brad sneered. They took out their 37 magnum and everyone gasped, except for the seishis who had no clue what it was. Just that they knew it wasn't good. They aimed it at Makoto and at everyone else, daring them to move. The seishis jumped in the air avoiding the bullet fired at them just as the trigger was pulled. They each landed a kick at the jocks before they could trigger another shot and they fell over unconscious.
"They shouldn't tov messed wid fire 'coz that's my specialty." Tasuki remarked. They others were glad that everyone was ok and they called the cops. The mafias were arrested and put to jail. Everyone said goodnights and went to sleep, but Tamahome looked suspiciously at Chichiri, which didn't' go unnoticed by him, before the two followed the rest back into the temple.
The next day during lunch, the gang had agreed that they'd leave and would meet each other at 5:20 p.m., just ten minutes before the library closed on that Friday afternoon. Usagi, Ranma, Rei, Hotaru, and Makoto all packed their stuff and got ready to go after explaining to their parents that they were going to stay at a friend's house all weekend and maybe a day or two more. Rei's grandpa agreed, but Usagi's parents didn't. Usagi tried to reason with them but they refused until Ranma finally said what he wanted to say after trying how many times but was interrupted each time. He told Usagi's parents that he would go too and they trusted him since he was, well……unlike Usagi. Ranma said that he'd make sure that both he, himself and Usagi would attend school on Monday. Satisfied with his firm declaration, they agreed to what Usagi asked for.
Ranma and Usagi walked to the library side by side, their backpacks slung over one of their shoulders. They entered the library and when no one was looking they quickly slipped up the stairs towards the room that says 'Closed Document Reference Room. Employees only.' .
Inside…… The door turned open and all heads turned to it, especially a raven haired miko who was tapping her foot impatiently for the last few minutes, a angered yet frowning look on her face. In stepped the cousins and the door shut quietly behind them but it wasn't all quiet for long…
"Odango! What took you so long?!" she shouted, her hands on her hips, her face demanding an answer.
"Chill out Rei. And quiet. We're not supposed to be in here ya know, and with that tone of voice, we'll be caught in no time." Ranma stated, defending his cousin. "It took us awhile trying to convince Uncle Kenji and Aunt Ikuko."
"Hai, demo--!!" she started to speak but stopped short when she was cut off.
"Besides, we're here now aren't we?" he said again.
Rei frowned and stayed quiet. That's when Usagi noticed the other two people in the room. "Oi! Who are you guys?"
"Usagi-chan. These are my baka onii-chan, Keisuke, and his best friend, Tetsuya." replied Miaka.
"Konnichiwa! Watashi wa Usagi Tsukino!" Usagi exclaimed with a big smile on her face. Everyone, besides the two newcomers, looked at her and smiled. *I'm so glad you're happy Usagi.* they thought.
"Konnichiwa." they said with a curt nod.
"Ok, now that everyone is here, let's go back to Konan." Hotohori announced.
"Are you guys coming too?….You guys know about everything huh?" Ranma asked Keisuke and Tetsuya.
"Hai we do. We'd wanna go but can't so we're staying here." Tetsuya said.
"Let's git goin' a'ready!" Tasuki yelled. Miaka nodded and pulled the Sho Jen Ten Chi Shoand turned flipped open the book.
"Waita minute. You guys mean that the other dimension is in the book?…… Then that means that ll of you are--." Ranma stopped short when he was cut off by Hotohori.
"Iie. Miaka-chan, Keisuke-san, and Tetsuya-san are like you guys. We, us seishis, are the ones are characters of a……book………" he said as everyone became silent. After a few moments Usagi shook her head and smiled.
"Does it matter? I mean, you guys are out here and alive right now, ne? I say that you guys are all as real to me as anyone would be." she said smiling. The seishis looked at her, surprised at what she had just said but ended up smiling.
"Hai! Usagi-hime is right!" Hotaru said.
"Hota-chan. I told you not ot call me that." she said playfully with a frown.
"Gomen ne Usagi-chan."
"That's better."
"What Usagi-chan is right. You guys are as real to me as anyone." stated Makoto.
"Arigato minna." the seishis said.
"Oi! For once odango here said something right. I guess the world is coming to an end, ne minna-chan?" Rei said with a chuckle.
"That's not funny, pyro!" Usagi pouted and everyone else laughed. They were about to start their tongue war when Makoto stopped them.
"Alright, alright. We should get going." and everyone nodded, quieting down. They all, besides the two guys, huddled close together with Miaka in the middle. They all joined hands and nodded to the miko, indicating that they were ready. She nodded in response and flipped the page. Everyone in the circle was engulfed in the red light and disappeared in to the book. The light died down and the book dropped to the floor. The two remaining waked over and picked up the book.
"Good luck minna…. I have a strange feeling tha you guys will need it……" Keisuke said as they both sat down and began reading the ancient magical book.
I think that's a good place to stop, ne minna-chan? The adventure is about to begin so I hope you guys will continue reading!!!!!!!! I also hope you guys like this chapter and please review too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's all so ja ne!!!!!!!!!!!!!!