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Chapter 4- Can't Help my Actions
"I couldn't save her." She kept repeating to herself in a comatose state. Her eyes were staring blankly at the pool of blood that was flowing in a stream towards her feet. On impulse she took a step back. She was not worthy to be in her presence in any form. She had failed herself and let the most important person in her life die. The pungent air was burning her insides and deafening screams were all around her; but her mission was to stop the blood from touching her feet.
"Leave her." Her eyes fell upon the bruised body and the black boot still crushing the still arm. "She's not moving," Tears were free falling from her eyelids. If only she could trade places. "Leave her alone!" The tattered Crossroads uniform shirt was stained red like the unravelled bow. This should not have happened.
"Usagi!" Rei felt a pang of air as her eyes shot open. Her breaths came in fast paced shots and her face felt moist- tears and sweat mixed together. As her nerves steadied, she was glad that the nightmare was over but she would not sleep tonight.
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"Business is slow, isn't it Motoki," Usagi sat at the counter while she waited for Naru.
"I know. Is there a new hang out for the kids now? If so, I'm going to be out of a job." Motoki's smile never disappeared; Usagi loved that.
"I'm sure they'll be here. How long can kids stay away from arcades?" Usagi wanted to tell him that she'd always be there for him. Motoki was always the dreamiest and knew exactly how to cheer people up and she was smitten.
"Ever since their arcade got mobile." Motoki put coffee beans in the grinder.
"Mobile arcade?"
"All the schools are getting digital games soon for the student. They'll be educational and fun. They're trying it out on the younger kids now but you'll also get one soon." Motoki winked pouring the powder into the coffee machine.
"Oh. But I'll always come here." Usagi tried to smile her brightest to cheer him up for a change.
"It's a terrific idea though. Students can have fun while they learn. Imagine, you'll learn algebra and you won't even realise it." Motoki handed Usagi a muffin.
"It still won't match up to the Sailor V game. I'll still come." Usagi chomped down her double chocolate muffin.
"That's why you're my favourite customer, Usagi." Motoki patted her head but missed Usagi's blush attack.
"Do you… umm." Usagi tried to find the best possible way to say this. "Do you have a girlfriend, Motoki?"
Motoki almost spilled the coffee he was pouring into a cup but composed himself as he was used to Usagi's innocent questions.
"I did. Her name was Reika but you have probably forgotten that. You even met her and liked her." Motoki's eyes softened. "But when she left for her research, we decided it would be best if we ended things."
Usagi's heart sank. At first she was crushed that his heart did not belong to her but then the pain in his eyes dominated and she wished she could make him happy again.
"Forget that, then." She quickly tried to change the topic. "So what kind of girl do you like?"
"Let's see." He gave a customer coffee and returned to Usagi. "For sure a strong independent girl. Also really caring and loving. I also have a soft spot for food, so if she can cook, it's a bonus." He chuckled.
Usagi mentally crossed her own name off the list. It was okay though because Motoki deserved to find someone exactly like what he liked. "Done, then, I'll help you find that girl!"
Motoki laughed as he wiped the counter. "Better you focus on school!" Both laughed this time as school seemed almost last on Usagi's mind.
"Naru's late?" He asked, composing himself, catching the doors open to a sullen Mamoru. Motoki knew that Usagi would be the last person Mamoru wanted to see and he had to admit that his will power was commendable.
"Yes." Motoki noticed Usagi tense up. It seemed that she had also caught a glimpse of Mamoru carrying a dark cloud over his head. Upon noticing Usagi at the counter, Mamoru proceeded towards the booth. He was glad to see her, as always, but preferred to maintain his distance.
"You're his friend, Motoki. Do you know how I know him?" Usagi hoped some connection with him.
"What do you mean?" Motoki poured the usual black coffee no sugar for Mamoru in a large mug.
"I feel like I know him and Naru said that we used to be together a lot and then suddenly we stopped talking and now I don't remember him at all but it feels like I know him. You must know, right?"
Motoki fidgeted with his hands first, wiping them on his apron, then he rubbed his neck. He knew Mamoru wanted to keep his distance and he didn't want Usagi to know.
"I actually am not really sure what happened." He matched his gaze with Mamoru's inquisitive stare. "You used to be friends." Motoki sighed in relief when Usagi pursed her lips in disappointment but acceptance of his answer.
"What do you think happened?" Usagi glanced towards Mamoru and smiled but as expected, Mamoru didn't return it. "Please Motoki." That was one of Usagi's strengths- the powerful and captivating eyes that would make you turn the world around.
"I, Usagi…" Motoki didn't want to cross his boundaries but also didn't want to disappoint Usagi so he carefully thought. "You two were close for a short time, Usagi. I don't know what exactly happen but it happened after Chibi-Usa came."
"Chibi-Usa?" Usagi was confused how she was important in her story. When Usagi awoke, she was there and when they had been at the arcade, Chibi-Usa had almost flung herself at her but Usagi had felt at peace at their hug.
"It happens, I guess. Both of you were taking care of Chibi-Usa and priorities can sometimes get in the way of a friendship." Motoki had convinced himself that this had been the reason for their breakup since Mamoru had always dodged the question.
"Oh." Usagi seemed lost in thought. "I used to take care of Chibi-Usa." Motoki nodded. Maybe that's why the little girl was thrilled to see her; they were probably friends and shared a bond.
"His coffee is cold now. I'll be back okay." Motoki poured a fresh cup and headed towards the booth were Mamoru looked annoyed at the delay. He showed this by not even looking up at his friend and continued to read his textbook. Sometimes, Mamoru was the most annoying man in the world.
Usagi tried to make sense of everything that she had heard. It seemed as if after Chibi-Usa's arrival, Mamoru's friendship with her suffered. Motoki couldn't be right though because every time she had seen Mamoru, he had seemed mad at her. Usagi wondered whether she had hurt their friendship. Also, the question remained why she and Mamoru were taking care of Chibi-Usa and if they were, then why weren't they doing that right now. The few encounters she'd had with Chibi-Usa, she was with the girls. The unanswered questions were spiralling unendingly around her brain when finally she got up and walked past Motoki with a resolution to talk to Mamoru.
Mamoru seemed unfazed when Usagi took the opposite chair but instead closed his book and met her stance.
"Did you want something?" Mamoru's voice was steel.
Usagi, though, was taken aback by the unnecessary rudeness but ignored it. "Yes, I had a few questions that I wanted answers to." Saying that, she waited for an approval to go on but he didn't offer one. As soon as she opened her mouth to ask, though, Mamoru's phone rang and without a second thought, he picked it up cutting Usagi off.
"What?... Okay… I'll be there."
Usagi noticed urgency in his voice and a storm brewing in his eyes and her heart followed. She suddenly felt anxious and scared.
"Mamoru…" But again, he ignored her and left the booth without paying and marched towards the exit. Usagi let herself follow against her better judgement.
"Where are you going, Mamoru!" The phone call had been short where Rei explained about Chibi-Usa's predicament. If Usagi hadn't called out to him, he wouldn't have realised what was happening around him. Her voice tugged him back.
"What are you doing? Go back to the arcade, Usagi!" He tried to seem his utmost threatening and Usagi was scared.
"Is everything okay, Mamoru?" Her voice was soft.
Mamoru's pocket vibrated continuously and his urgency grew. "Don't follow me!" He ran full sprint.
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Chibi-Usa stood like a wall in front of an unconscious little girl- her friend Momo. She was determined not to let anything happen to her, no matter what happened. The Scouts had come right on time but to a horrible setting. Bodies of children and their teachers littered the backyard of their school while Chibi-Usa was the only one standing, facing the menacing sisters with a hostile gaze.
Sailor Mercury deduced that the digital games had zapped their energies as they were scattered next to the bodies. Chibi-Usa's condition surprised her but this was not the time to dwell on that. Sailor Mars had quickly called Luna, Artemis and Mamoru to help them. She had sensed trouble earlier and had suggested to pick up Chibi-Usa together; fortunately they had.
"This is unforgivable!" Sailor Jupiter's fury was emanating from her body as she gathered her sleeping power.
"Together, then?" Sailor Venus and Sailor Jupiter exchanged glances.
"You're a brat short." Cooan scoffed as they surrounded the scouts.
"We're enough to handle you guys!" Sailor Mars smirked. "Together. Mars Flame Sniper!"
"Jupiter Supreme Thunder!"
"Venus Love Chain!"
"Mercury Shine Aqua Illusion!"
The sisters countered the attack with full force. They were surprised as it seemed the Scouts had increased in power. They took steps back as the scouts inched towards them, increasing their radius around Chibi-Usa. The sisters worried as their attacks shrunk in power while their adversaries' remained constant in strength.
"Rubeus, we need your help!" Petz cried out as she struggled to stand in front of Sailor Jupiter's relentless attack. As if upon request, he appeared hovering above them and the Scouts closed Chibi-Usa and Momo tightly in their circle.
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Usagi found it hard to keep up and only saw his figure at a distance now. All that ran through her mind was why she was trying so hard to follow him when the searing pain in her leg was back. The realisation that she could continue running despite the pain drove her adrenalin higher. Her elementary school was approaching off a distance and she wondered why Mamoru was headed there.
The questions continued when she saw police officials barricade a group of crying and screaming people at a distance. Usagi watched and then imitated Mamoru who crouched low along the hedge of a neighbouring building and past the crowd. He then climbed the fence of the school and Usagi watched him kneel in front of two felines while peering at the backyard from the side of the school wall. Gathering all her courage, she climbed over too but fell over with a thud. The pain in her leg exploded and she would have started crying uncontrollably if Mamoru's voice hadn't reached her.
"What are you doing here?" Mamoru's anger held no bounds right now. What he had seen beyond the wall was heinous.
Usagi tried to catch her breath as if exhaustion had just hit her. "I…" She didn't know why she felt compelled to follow him but she knew that it was not a choice that she could make.
"You have to get out of here, you understand?" Mamoru looked back at the loud explosion.
The explosion seemed surreal to Usagi and now she was scared. "What's happening here, Mamoru?"
"There isn't time-
But Mamoru's words were lost when a powerful energy was released, directly into the sky; its aura shattering his insides. That energy was Chibi-Usa's.
"Mamoru, the scouts are down." Luna had managed to crawl towards them.
Usagi's shock tripled. The talking cat was proof that beyond the wall, forces beyond her knowledge were at play. The shock turned into frustration and then fear; she was crying now.
"Usagi." Mamoru held her face so she would look at him and not at Luna. "Usagi, listen to me. You have to stay here with Luna. Try to run away."
Very quickly, in the place of Mamoru, stood Tuxedo Kamen and he disappeared on the other side of the wall. The blaring energy was no longer piercing the sky now. Usagi tried to control her emotions but the cat kept staring at her.
"We have to get you out of here, Usagi." The cat spoke again.
"How are you talking?" Usagi managed to utter.
"This is not the right time. You're not safe here and I need to get you away from this. Come on, get up." Luna pawed at her hand. The touch made it real and Usagi registered her words. Beyond the wall, it was dangerous and Mamoru had just rushed in there. A deeper fear gripped her soul and suddenly the talking cat or the pain in her leg did not seem to matter. She stood up from the ground and despite Luna's protests; she scrambled besides the white feline peering at the schoolyard. Nothing could have gotten her ready for what she saw were bodies everywhere. Four women stood behind a man with red hair sneering at a costumed Mamoru who stood in front of a sobbing Chibi-Usa. Behind her little trembling body, lay four girls in tattered uniforms.
She gasped out loud. "Oh my god, Chibi-Usa."
"How many times do you think you can save her?" The man with the brown boots and green pants folded his arms over his brown vest.
"As many times as it takes!" Mamoru pulled out a rose from his blazer.
"The sisters will be all it takes to take you out." The man laughed and moved aside.
In a quick move, the woman wearing a purple tutu aimed a violet fire towards Mamoru but he was quick to deflect it with his cane but Mamoru did not see the woman with the yellow and red costume lash a whip and lasso it around Mamoru. He was constrained.
"Oh no!" A fire was brewing inside Usagi and she could feel it overpowering her. "I've got to help them!" Usagi hadn't even taken a step out that the white feline stood in her path.
"You cannot go there. There's nothing you can do for them." It was an order.
"I can't just stand here!" Tears ran down Usagi's cheeks as she watched Mamoru struggle to move while his opponents laughed.
"Do you want to die there?" Luna shrieked. They needed a miracle.
"I have to do something." Usagi closed her hands into tight fists.
"Okay. Let me try something, close your eyes, Usagi." Luna had tried this once after the Metallia battle, which had helped the scouts remember their pasts. She tried once more on Usagi.
Artemis watched Luna use her power from the Moon Kingdom on Usagi. A crescent beam linking Luna and Usagi was formed but there was no difference in Usagi's expression and Luna gave up exhausted.
"It's not working so you have to stay here." Artemis' voice was stern even while Usagi was shaking her head defiantly.
"No. I –
Usagi left her protests when she saw glimmer of hope. Mamoru had freed himself and a solid stem of a rose was planted in the woman's arm. She let go of the whip entirely and Mamoru was completely free.
"Karaberas!" The sisters cried out in unison as they surrounded her.
"You will pay for this!" The woman in the green costume tore the rose away from her arm and threw it on the ground. Stepping roughly on it, she gathered power in her hands then aimed the current at Mamoru, who was ready this time.
Usagi watched the flaming haired man who was inching his way to Chibi-Usa from the side. She prayed Mamoru would notice or Chibi-Usa would run away but Chibi-Usa did not leave the unconscious girl in her arms.
"Chibi-Usa!" Usagi jumped over the cats and ran into the battlefield and the battle halted. All eyes were on her while she maintained her ground protecting Chibi-Usa.
"Get out of the way!" The man bellowed but Usagi shook her head trying not to let fear show. Her eyes sought out Mamoru's for comfort but the cause was a failure. Mamoru focused on the man then the sisters.
"Stay away from her, Rubeus!" Mamoru threatened the man.
"Then who'll save her from us?" The woman in a light blue spandex costume asked in a singsong voice.
Usagi realised that she was an easy target for either group and they did not mind killing her, whereas they seemed to want Chibi-Usa alive. Despite the realizations, there was no way she was moving away from Chibi-Usa.
"You're the same girl from before, aren't you?" The woman with the cat like hair smirked. "I thought we had finished you."
Usagi didn't understand what she was hearing but it did not matter as long as the man did not get to Chibi-Usa.
"This is for you Karaberas!" Petz aimed her energy at Mamoru, hoping for it to get the girl behind him also. It was her strongest attack. Usagi closed her eyes until she heard female screams.
The two felines had attacked the green and ice blond haired women and the screams were theirs as they tried to get the cats off their faces. Usagi watched in worry as the pink tutu-ed woman tried to help. The brave cats would not last long against the women.
"Usagi!" The voice came from behind; Chibi-Usa tried to move her friend. An alert Usagi watched the man with the flaming red hair raise his hands; power solidifying in them. His grin broadened when Usagi's eyes matched his.
"Mamoru!" Usagi closed her eyes as she saw the man release the solid ball of energy towards her at warp speed. She covered her face in the crux of her arm.
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-PSparkles