I don't own Sailor Moon.
Characters: Usagi and Ikuko, the night before Usagi goes to fight Beryl.
"Hey Mom?"
The question was the most Ikuko's usually-bubbly daughter had spoken all day. Not wanting to end this, Ikuko slowed down as she peeled the carrots, looking at her daughter as she performed the same task. "Yes?"
"What would you and dad do if I died... tomorrow?"
Ikuko blinked, shocked by the question. Her daughter had never displayed any suicidal tendencies before, but over the past couple of weeks and months, Usagi had grown quiet and sullen. "Well..." Ikuko tried to explain, though it was suddenly difficult to speak with the blonde. "We would be very sad. We'd miss you and wonder why you died and what drove you to-"
"Mom, no, it's not-"
"Do you need to get some help, sweetie?" Ikuko asked, putting down the peeler and cupping her daughter's cheeks in her hands. "There are some very good doctors now who can help you."
"No! It's not that! I'm not depressed! I mean... if I was in a wreck or... or murdered. What would you and Dad do?"
Ikuko pulled back, eyebrows furrowing. Did her daughter have someone coming after her? Why would someone want to kill her? She was perfectly kind to everyone. Then again, with some of those ridiculous so-called defenses that a girl was leading a boy on so the boy had to kill the girl, it was possible that someone had mistaken Usagi's kindness for flirtation and was taking rejection very poorly. "I..." Ikuko paused, trying to put her thoughts together. "We'd be furious. We would try to find whoever did that to you and make sure you got the justice you deserved. No one hurts my baby girl and gets away with it."
"That's what I was afraid of..."
"What?"
"You are such a fantastic mom. And I want you to be that for Shingo, too. So let it go. Pretend I was never even here."
"Usagi!" Ikuko yelled, slamming her hand down on the counter. "You are frightening me. You tell me what is going on right this instant, young lady!"
"Just... forget it. Forget I said anything. I'm sorry."
Before Ikuko could say anything else, Usagi was out the door.