Farewell by Amethyst Serenity
AN: This chapter is on the depressing side because Usagi *finally * leaves Tokyo. ::mutters:: I never thought I'd get that girl to go! I'm going to alternate chapters between Usagi and Mamoru/Senshi until I get bored of kicking him (::sprouts devil horns:: the guy deserves to suffer ). Anyway, thanks to all who read and especially those who review (I want to hug you all, esp. my beta AngelicMoonDJ, Marni, Strawberry Kisses, H4L, Min Hee Ha, Eo, Li-chan, Emerald Princess, Lady Lightning, silvermoon)
Disclaimer: Don't own anything. ::goes off somewhere to sulk about it::
Chapter 4- Escape
Staggering away from the battle, Sailor Moon went to the only place she could think of, the only place left to her. Blind with tears, she reached it before she even knew it. Resting against the door, she panted and clutched her side. Vaguely remembering the need to protect her identity, she powered down into Usagi. She fell to her knees, nearly screaming with pain, as she lost the enhanced stamina and healing abilities of Sailor Moon. Whimpering, she managed to stand and lean against the doorbell. After a moment, the door opened to reveal the smiling face of Naru Osaka. The auburn-haired, petite girl crossed her arms and frowned at Usagi.
"Usagi, what are you doing here? I thought you'd be with your new *friends*."
"Naru… please… help… me… they're… gone… all… gone…"
"Kami, what happened to you? Usagi!" Naru shouted. Usagi collapsed into Naru's arms. Screaming for her mother, Naru caught her and lowered her to the ground. The last thing in Usagi's memory was Naru's worried face filling her vision. When Naru's mother appeared, they carried Usagi to the car and rushed her to the emergency room. Minako missed them by fifteen minutes or so. Mrs. Osaka called Usagi's parents but got no answer at their house or at their jobs. As they waited, Usagi was treated for shock and her broken ribs were bound. When she woke up, a doctor was questioning Naru and her mother about her parents. Struggling to sit up, Usagi gasped as her movement aggravated her pain. The middle-aged doctor firmly pushed her back into the bed and wagged his finger.
"You, young lady, are to stay in bed for now and let your ribs rest. I don't know what happened to you but you were in shock from some kind of trauma. You're a little beaten up with a broken rib or two but we found nothing else wrong with you. Do you know where we can reach your parents?"
"They're… they're dead… I came home… and… and…"
Usagi burst into tears. Mrs. Osaka tenderly put her arm around Usagi while Naru held her hand. The Osakas exchanged worried looks. When Usagi calmed down, she stuck to the truth as much as possible while omitting her identity as Sailor Moon. She claimed that Esmeraude had mistaken her for Sailor Moon and attacked her but the real Sailor Moon had saved her. Usagi nearly broke down when she described her parents' death but Naru gently urged her on. Usagi stated that she had run away during the battle and ended up at Naru's. Used to treating the victims of youma attacks, the doctor shook his head, made soothing noises and called the police. Usagi made similar statements to the police. After overnight observation in the hospital, she was released into the custody of Mrs. Osaka, since she had no family relatives in Japan. Numb with grief, Usagi docilely accompanied Naru and her mother to their home. The police permitted Mrs. Osaka to pick up a few things for Usagi at the cordoned-off Tsukino house, including Uncle Tenchi's phone number. Since the Senshi had sneaked into the house during the night, Luna was not around to witness Mrs. Osaka's visit.
In the Osaka home, they settled Usagi in the living room. When Naru stood up to make some tea, Usagi caught her hand and extracted a promise to say nothing to anyone at school. Uneasy, Naru asked why Usagi didn't want any of her friends to know but Usagi stubbornly remained silent. As they sipped tea, the only sounds in the room came from the television. Tears silently slid down Usagi's cheeks. When Mrs. Osaka arrived home, she immediately called Usagi's uncle, Tenchi Kurawa, in America. Horrified at his sister's death, Mr. Kurawa promised to come to Japan immediately. With her mother's permission, Naru skipped school to take care of Usagi. While Naru cooked food to tempt Usagi's nonexistent appetite, Usagi listlessly watched the television without really seeing anything. After school, Umino visited to check on Naru but he also agreed to keep quiet for Usagi's sake. When Uncle Tenchi arrived, Usagi noisily cried all over him and used his shirt for a tissue. Her uncle hugged her and wept with her.
Younger than Ikuko, Tenchi was short and chubby with a gentle smile and streaks of silver in his black hair. Mr. Kurawa, although sincerely mourning his sister and her husband, efficiently took control of the situation like a benevolent whirlwind. While spending much of his time with a grieving Usagi at the Osaka's, Mr. Kurawa arranged the funeral and settled the family's affairs in short order. As a successful businessman in the States, he was used to dealing with lawyers and bureaucracies. Unsurprisingly, he became Usagi's guardian. Usagi was the sole beneficiary to the Tsukino estate, consisting mostly of the house and money from her father's life insurance policy. Mr. Kurawa kept the police and the press and "friends of the family" away from Usagi. As usual, the police had no leads in the youma attacks and were nowhere near to solving the Tsukino murders. Without any access to Usagi, the press gleefully latched on to the next, newest scandal. Stoically, Mr. Kurawa guarded Usagi's privacy from those who claimed to be her closest friends (even though Usagi didn't speak of them). In particular, he regretfully turned away an intense, young dark-haired man. The anguish and pleading in his sapphire-blue eyes lingered with Mr. Kurawa for some time. Profoundly loyal to Usagi, Naru and Umino concealed Usagi's presence in the Osaka household, even from Usagi's former best friends. To Naru's surprise and admiration, Umino didn't back down when Makoto ominously questioned him.
The funeral was quiet and extremely private. Usagi drifted unseeingly through it all, like a fragile, weeping ghost. Concerned about his traumatized niece, Mr. Kurawa thought a change of scenery, namely moving to America (where his business interests were), was in order. After the funeral, he tentatively broached the subject to Usagi who did not protest. Feeling isolated and abandoned, she wanted to reject everything that had hurt her. Her life as Sailor Moon and the Moon Princess was *over*. Slowly, she stopped crying and started to smile. Her turbulent emotions settled into a detached, icy numbness. In a remarkably short time, Mr. Kurawa pulled Usagi out of school, hired a caretaker for the Tsukino house, arranged a visa for Usagi and warned his housekeeper in New York. While her uncle arranged everything, Usagi hardly ventured out of the Osakas' home and did not contact her friends. The Senshi and Tuxedo Kamen grew increasingly frustrated and discouraged with their inability to find Usagi. Thanks to Ami's careful nursing, Luna recovered and slowly regained the ability to speak
On the day before her departure, Usagi made a special trip to the post office and sent three letters. She packed her things, keeping a few clothes and mementos of her family. While she refused to look at any reminders of Mamoru, Usagi also could not throw them out. Buying a stout, small box, she locked away all her memories of Mamoru and the Senshi. Usagi buried the box in the deepest, darkest corner of her luggage and resolved to never open it. The Osakas begged her to keep in touch, tearfully waving her farewell at the airport. Through it all, Usagi smiled pleasantly but felt distanced from everyone, like an indifferent observer in her own body. With her Uncle Tenchi by her side, Usagi boarded an airplane to a new life in the United States, never looking back.
Good-bye.
AN: This chapter is on the depressing side because Usagi *finally * leaves Tokyo. ::mutters:: I never thought I'd get that girl to go! I'm going to alternate chapters between Usagi and Mamoru/Senshi until I get bored of kicking him (::sprouts devil horns:: the guy deserves to suffer ). Anyway, thanks to all who read and especially those who review (I want to hug you all, esp. my beta AngelicMoonDJ, Marni, Strawberry Kisses, H4L, Min Hee Ha, Eo, Li-chan, Emerald Princess, Lady Lightning, silvermoon)
Disclaimer: Don't own anything. ::goes off somewhere to sulk about it::
Chapter 4- Escape
Staggering away from the battle, Sailor Moon went to the only place she could think of, the only place left to her. Blind with tears, she reached it before she even knew it. Resting against the door, she panted and clutched her side. Vaguely remembering the need to protect her identity, she powered down into Usagi. She fell to her knees, nearly screaming with pain, as she lost the enhanced stamina and healing abilities of Sailor Moon. Whimpering, she managed to stand and lean against the doorbell. After a moment, the door opened to reveal the smiling face of Naru Osaka. The auburn-haired, petite girl crossed her arms and frowned at Usagi.
"Usagi, what are you doing here? I thought you'd be with your new *friends*."
"Naru… please… help… me… they're… gone… all… gone…"
"Kami, what happened to you? Usagi!" Naru shouted. Usagi collapsed into Naru's arms. Screaming for her mother, Naru caught her and lowered her to the ground. The last thing in Usagi's memory was Naru's worried face filling her vision. When Naru's mother appeared, they carried Usagi to the car and rushed her to the emergency room. Minako missed them by fifteen minutes or so. Mrs. Osaka called Usagi's parents but got no answer at their house or at their jobs. As they waited, Usagi was treated for shock and her broken ribs were bound. When she woke up, a doctor was questioning Naru and her mother about her parents. Struggling to sit up, Usagi gasped as her movement aggravated her pain. The middle-aged doctor firmly pushed her back into the bed and wagged his finger.
"You, young lady, are to stay in bed for now and let your ribs rest. I don't know what happened to you but you were in shock from some kind of trauma. You're a little beaten up with a broken rib or two but we found nothing else wrong with you. Do you know where we can reach your parents?"
"They're… they're dead… I came home… and… and…"
Usagi burst into tears. Mrs. Osaka tenderly put her arm around Usagi while Naru held her hand. The Osakas exchanged worried looks. When Usagi calmed down, she stuck to the truth as much as possible while omitting her identity as Sailor Moon. She claimed that Esmeraude had mistaken her for Sailor Moon and attacked her but the real Sailor Moon had saved her. Usagi nearly broke down when she described her parents' death but Naru gently urged her on. Usagi stated that she had run away during the battle and ended up at Naru's. Used to treating the victims of youma attacks, the doctor shook his head, made soothing noises and called the police. Usagi made similar statements to the police. After overnight observation in the hospital, she was released into the custody of Mrs. Osaka, since she had no family relatives in Japan. Numb with grief, Usagi docilely accompanied Naru and her mother to their home. The police permitted Mrs. Osaka to pick up a few things for Usagi at the cordoned-off Tsukino house, including Uncle Tenchi's phone number. Since the Senshi had sneaked into the house during the night, Luna was not around to witness Mrs. Osaka's visit.
In the Osaka home, they settled Usagi in the living room. When Naru stood up to make some tea, Usagi caught her hand and extracted a promise to say nothing to anyone at school. Uneasy, Naru asked why Usagi didn't want any of her friends to know but Usagi stubbornly remained silent. As they sipped tea, the only sounds in the room came from the television. Tears silently slid down Usagi's cheeks. When Mrs. Osaka arrived home, she immediately called Usagi's uncle, Tenchi Kurawa, in America. Horrified at his sister's death, Mr. Kurawa promised to come to Japan immediately. With her mother's permission, Naru skipped school to take care of Usagi. While Naru cooked food to tempt Usagi's nonexistent appetite, Usagi listlessly watched the television without really seeing anything. After school, Umino visited to check on Naru but he also agreed to keep quiet for Usagi's sake. When Uncle Tenchi arrived, Usagi noisily cried all over him and used his shirt for a tissue. Her uncle hugged her and wept with her.
Younger than Ikuko, Tenchi was short and chubby with a gentle smile and streaks of silver in his black hair. Mr. Kurawa, although sincerely mourning his sister and her husband, efficiently took control of the situation like a benevolent whirlwind. While spending much of his time with a grieving Usagi at the Osaka's, Mr. Kurawa arranged the funeral and settled the family's affairs in short order. As a successful businessman in the States, he was used to dealing with lawyers and bureaucracies. Unsurprisingly, he became Usagi's guardian. Usagi was the sole beneficiary to the Tsukino estate, consisting mostly of the house and money from her father's life insurance policy. Mr. Kurawa kept the police and the press and "friends of the family" away from Usagi. As usual, the police had no leads in the youma attacks and were nowhere near to solving the Tsukino murders. Without any access to Usagi, the press gleefully latched on to the next, newest scandal. Stoically, Mr. Kurawa guarded Usagi's privacy from those who claimed to be her closest friends (even though Usagi didn't speak of them). In particular, he regretfully turned away an intense, young dark-haired man. The anguish and pleading in his sapphire-blue eyes lingered with Mr. Kurawa for some time. Profoundly loyal to Usagi, Naru and Umino concealed Usagi's presence in the Osaka household, even from Usagi's former best friends. To Naru's surprise and admiration, Umino didn't back down when Makoto ominously questioned him.
The funeral was quiet and extremely private. Usagi drifted unseeingly through it all, like a fragile, weeping ghost. Concerned about his traumatized niece, Mr. Kurawa thought a change of scenery, namely moving to America (where his business interests were), was in order. After the funeral, he tentatively broached the subject to Usagi who did not protest. Feeling isolated and abandoned, she wanted to reject everything that had hurt her. Her life as Sailor Moon and the Moon Princess was *over*. Slowly, she stopped crying and started to smile. Her turbulent emotions settled into a detached, icy numbness. In a remarkably short time, Mr. Kurawa pulled Usagi out of school, hired a caretaker for the Tsukino house, arranged a visa for Usagi and warned his housekeeper in New York. While her uncle arranged everything, Usagi hardly ventured out of the Osakas' home and did not contact her friends. The Senshi and Tuxedo Kamen grew increasingly frustrated and discouraged with their inability to find Usagi. Thanks to Ami's careful nursing, Luna recovered and slowly regained the ability to speak
On the day before her departure, Usagi made a special trip to the post office and sent three letters. She packed her things, keeping a few clothes and mementos of her family. While she refused to look at any reminders of Mamoru, Usagi also could not throw them out. Buying a stout, small box, she locked away all her memories of Mamoru and the Senshi. Usagi buried the box in the deepest, darkest corner of her luggage and resolved to never open it. The Osakas begged her to keep in touch, tearfully waving her farewell at the airport. Through it all, Usagi smiled pleasantly but felt distanced from everyone, like an indifferent observer in her own body. With her Uncle Tenchi by her side, Usagi boarded an airplane to a new life in the United States, never looking back.
Good-bye.