Makoto helped the battered Usagi to the door. They had taken a taxi to Makoto's house, where they left Minako; they had had nearly enough money for cab fare, and Makoto had flirted with the cabbie and told him that Usagi and Minako had been drinking and had been involved in a barroom brawl, and now were basically too loaded to walk. The fool had bought the story, and that got them as far as Jupiter's own house. It took quite a bit more flirting, and the rest of the money that Makoto had in the house, to get to Usagi's home. Finally, they got to the door. It was locked, but Usagi showed where the extra key was hidden, and Makoto eased the door open.
"Mom!" Usagi called out, more weakly than it should have been. Makoto gasped when an answer came from the kitchen, but Usagi said, "Mom, I don't feel all so good, I'm going up to my room. OK?" The mother answered, again staying in the kitchen, and the powerful Sailor Jupiter carried her Princess up to her bedroom. There she helped her undress before taking her to the bathroom, where Usagi bathed with a lot of help from Makoto. Then Makoto carried Usagi back to her room, dressed her in pajamas, and put her to bed.
Then she turned to leave, but Usagi said weakly, "Mako-chan, stay and talk to me."
Makoto turned and looked at her fallen leader. "I'd love to, Usagi, but I have to see Mina-chan. And I don't know what happened to Rei and Ami. Maybe they're hurt, or maybe they're... maybe they're dead. I have to find out."
"Please, Makoto-chan. I'm hurt and I'm scared..."
Makoto thought for a second. "Don't worry. I'll call Mamoru."
"No!" Usagi's voice came as a strangled squeal. "Not now! He'll... he'll laugh at me."
Makoto shook her head. "I thought... I thought he loved you."
Tears were welling up in Usagi's eyes. "He loves Princess Serenity. He even loves Sailor Moon. But he laughs at dumb klutz Usagi. That's all I am, now. I am defeated. I'm through. I don't have the strength to transform, and I don't know if I ever will have it again. And if I can't transform, then I can't be the Moon Princess, and he won't be bound to me any more. It's Princess Serenity he's bound to marry, not dumb loser Usagi. Do you understand? He'll dump me. You wait! That Rei is after him, he'll go with her, she's so pretty..." Her voice trailed off in sobs.
Makoto sat on the edge of the bed and stroked Usagi's hair. "Dear Usagi, you have to trust the man you love more than that. But I have to go. Do you love Minako-chan? And Ami-chan, and... yes, Rei... chan?"
Usagi nodded, and Makoto finished, "Then let me go to them. They may need me. Your mother is here; if something goes wrong, call her. I'll see you tomorrow, dearest Usagi, precious friend." Makoto stood up, then bent down and kissed Usagi on the cheek, as a mother kisses a crying child to sleep. Then she left the room. Perhaps she should have been disgusted at Usagi's childish selfishness; but all her heart was filled with rage and hatred for the red-haired freak that had so broken the heart and spirit of the Sailor Moon they all loved so well.
