If He Really Loved Her, He Could've Let Her Go

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon.

Note: Get ready for the most anticipated chapter yet. This is where the genre 'drama' comes in.

Chapter Ten: Is she really coming back?

The next day at the jinja

"Nani?" Rei, Usagi, and Hotaru exclaimed. "Mine ran off with who?" Chibi-Usa had just told them about Mine's sudden disappearance, the reason for her reappearance at the jinja, and re-disappearance from the previous four days. "It's actually 'whom' ya know," she corrected. "Never mind that, Chibi-Usa!" Rei exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell us earlier?"

"I found out she was with Mamoru yesterday," Chibi-Usa sighed. "Emphasis on earlier!" Usagi stated. "But what about Mako?" Hotaru asked. "She would've asked us to search for Mine since she doesn't know where she is." Rei nodded in agreement. "Mamoru could be anywhere," she muttered. "Maybe he's at his apartment," Usagi suggested. "Mamoru's not that dumb, Usagi," Hotaru laughed.

Soon her laughter stopped abruptly. Then there was silence. "He's not that dumb…right?" Hotaru asked finally. Again there was silence. After a while…

"First one to his apartment does all of the chores for a week," Chibi-Usa said as she ran out the jinja. "I won't lose this time," Usagi stated as she and the others ran in pursuit.

A few minutes later at Mamoru's apartment

Mine walked in the kitchen with a sigh. "Are we gonna do anything today?" she asked Mamoru as she sat down at the table. "There's nothing to do. There hasn't been anything to do all day so far." Mamoru turned his attention from the newspaper he was reading to the girl before him. "You could go to the mall and get some new shirts," he joked. "So you don't like me wearing your shirts even though you said I could?" she asked with a playful smile. "Well…"

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. "I'll get it," Mine volunteered. "You looked so preoccupied before I interrupted your beloved silence." The black haired man chuckled with a shake of the head. Mine opened the door and soon regretted it. "One of you kill me," she muttered. "He is that dumb to bring her here," Hotaru mumbled. "Mine, who's at the door?" Mamoru called from the kitchen. "Just kill me now and call it a day," Mine muttered.

"What are you talking about?" Mamoru asked as he went to the door. "Why did you come here if you're not here to kill me already?" Mine asked with sigh. "Mine, what in the…hell are those four doing here?" Mamoru asked. "If they didn't come here to kill me, your guess is as good as mine," his daughter sighed.

"Stop being dramatic," Chibi-Usa scolded. "Again: What are you four doing here?" Mamoru asked again. "We're taking Mine back," Rei stated. "I'll go back with you if you can kill me first," Mine sighed. Mamoru placed his hand on her head. She didn't say another word.

"She's not going anywhere," he stated calmly. "Since when do you let others make decisions for you?" Chibi-Usa asked the girl. "I don't. He's just repeating my decision," Mine replied as a matter-of-factly. Rei sighed in frustration. She knew the girl wouldn't go home willingly. "You know what? I'm done," she fumed as she went down the hall. Hotaru rolled her eyes.

"But what about Keiko?" Usagi asked. It looked like she hit a sore spot. Mine shot her a cold glare. "She came to me a couple days ago," Chibi-Usa interjected. "She asked me if promises were made to be broken." Mine switched her glare to Chibi-Usa though her stare softened. "She wants you to come back home, Mine. Think about it." Then she went down the hall. "Please come back soon," Usagi sighed as she followed. "Be careful, Mamoru, she can be very fragile sometimes," Hotaru teased as she touched Mine's shoulder with her index finger softly. "Ow!" Mine exclaimed. "Using your friggin senshi abilities."

Hotaru waved and caught up to the group that left her behind.

"Do you think they'll tell Mako you're here?" Mamoru asked. Mine shook her head.

At the Kaino Residence

"I thought you said no one other then Keiko knew about Mine's disappearance," Michiru said sternly. "He may have slipped my mind…" Minako trailed off. Haruka and Michiru were at the Kaino residence originally discussing what they should do about Mine.

Daisuke rolled his eyes at Minako's response. "I slip everyone's mind," he muttered. "Anyway, where do you think Mamoru has taken her?" Haruka asked. "He couldn't have been that stupid and hid her in his apartment," Daisuke joked. "Or he could have been that smart to take her to a place no one would think of looking," Michiru wondered aloud. Then there was silence.

"His ass is mine," Daisuke growled as he ran out the house. "This I gotta see," Haruka smirked. Michiru rolled her eyes and followed her lover. "Mom?" Keiko called as she came down the stairs. "Eavesdropper," Minako quipped, knowing exactly where her daughter got it from. "Do you think Mamoru really took Mine to his apartment?"

Minako knew what her daughter was trying to say. She knew she wanted to go find Mine. "We'll go tomorrow, okay?" Minako could see the disappointment in the girl's eyes. Keiko nodded and went back upstairs.

At Mamoru's apartment

There was another knock on the door. "What if that's Uncle Dai?" Mine asked. "You actually call him that?" Mamoru asked. "What else am I supposed to call him? Daisuke the Spaz?" "I heard that!" Daisuke's voice yelled. "Please don't hurt him," Mine sighed when she saw Mamoru smirk evilly. "I can't guarantee much but I'll try."

Mamoru opened the door and found Daisuke, Haruka, and Michiru. "Give her back and you won't get hurt," Daisuke growled. "Since when do I become a 'her'?" Mine asked as she stood beside Mamoru. "Don't I have a name anymore?" Daisuke rolled his eyes. "Mine, be reasonable and come back," Michiru sighed.

Mine shook her head. "Why are you trying to make this difficult?" Haruka asked. "I'm not trying to. I said that I didn't want to go and that's my final decision."

"Then what about Keiko?" Daisuke asked. "You don't want to hurt her anymore then you already have, do you?"

"Again with the guilt trick. You know what? I'm done." With that, Mine went to the kitchen. "Sounds like Rei," Daisuke quipped. "What does she mean by 'again'?" Michiru asked. "Chibi-Usa, Hotaru, Usagi, and Rei came here earlier," Mamoru replied. "Why didn't they tell us?" Haruka mumbled.

"I told you they wouldn't say anything," Mine called. "What have been doing here anyway?" Haruka asked.

"Nothing special," Mamoru shrugged. "Just catching up on what we both missed out on."

The next day

Keiko timidly knocked on the door of Mamoru's apartment. "Just a minute," called Mamoru's lazy voice. "What if it's Minako or mom?" she heard Mine ask. "Or what if it's Keiko? They're the only ones who haven't come yet besides Ami and Setsuna."

"We'll have to see, won't we?" Mamoru asked as his he turned the knob. (Mine, it's me) Keiko said shyly. Suddenly, there was a sound of Mine coughing and stumbling towards the door. "What's up with you?" Mamoru asked. "N-nothing, it's just that it's my turn to open the door."

"Since we take turns opening the door?"

"Since you opened the door yesterday."

"Are you hiding something from me?"

"Of course not. Now go to your room and not another word."

"Since when are you my mother?"

"Since I told you to go to your room. Now go."

"Hai, mother."

"Don't talk back to me or else I'll ground you."

"You're having fun, aren't you?"

"Yup."

Finally, Mine opened the door. "Sorry about that…" Mine was quickly silence by a kiss. Tears had spilled from the blonde's eyes. She had been keeping them in for the last few days. Mine broke the kiss and wiped the tears away. "Hi, beautiful," she smiled. Hearing that sweet, soft voice she had missed made more tears escape her.

Mine stepped out the apartment and closed the door behind her. "Don't cry, Keiko. I'm right here," she whispered softly as she held the blonde close to her. "I missed you so much," she cried.

Mine kissed her head. "I know. I missed you, too." Keiko stayed in Mine's arms for a few more minutes. She wanted to know how it felt to be in the arms of the one she loved. She wanted to hear her heartbeat again. It was relaxing.

Soon, Mine kissed the tears away and smiled. "C'mon, I'm gonna take you out on a date today. We can go anywhere you want. What do you say?" Keiko smiled back. "I'd love that." Mine's smile grew wider as she went to get her shoes and a shirt she had reluctantly let Mamoru buy for her. She told Mamoru where she was going but not with whom and, finally, she was ready.

"Is Mina here somewhere?" Mine asked as they walked down the hall. Keiko shook her head. "She brought me here but then she left because she knew you were going to take me home." Mine smirked when they entered the elevator.

"I can take you home but I can't guarantee when you'll get there." When the elevator doors closed, Mine quickly pinned Keiko to the wall. She started kissing her neck. "Mine, what are you…" Keiko was silenced by the brunette's lips pressing themselves against hers.

She felt Mine's hands going down to her hips and her lips going back down to her neck. "You're turning into Mako," the blonde moaned. "It was only a matter of time," Mine said.

As the elevator came to a stop, Mine gave Keiko another kiss. "Lust," she smirked. "I couldn't help it." Keiko rolled her eyes and exited the elevator. "So where are we going?" she asked. "We could go to the Crown Arcade. It's not that far from here," Mine suggested. "Or we could to a park near here. It has a garden that's simply beautiful."

"Let's go to the park," Keiko replied. Mine intertwined their fingers and left the building. When they the got near the entrance, Mine whispered, "Close your eyes." Keiko obeyed and let Mine guide her. Soon, they came to a stop. "Open."

Keiko opened her eyes and gasped. There were flowers everywhere. She had never seen so many flowers in one place before. "It's beautiful!" she exclaimed. Mine chuckled at the girl's childish behavior. "It only gets better."

The two followed a trail leading to more of the park. "Sugoi," Keiko would mutter occasionally. At times, she would pull Mine to look at a flower she had never seen before or she didn't remember seeing. Mine would tell her the name of the flower and what it might symbolize.

This repeated for a while until Mine spotted someone selling roses. "I'll be right back," she told the blonde. She nodded and continued to look at the flowers. After a couple of minutes, Mine came back with small bouquet of roses. Keiko noticed when she looked up.

There were five. They were red, white, orange, burgundy, and purple. "Red symbolizes my love for you, white symbolizes your innocence, orange symbolizes our passion, burgundy symbolizes your beauty, and purple symbolizes the protection I will always give you," Mine smiled.

Keiko's jaw dropped. Why would Mine this for her? She was that special to Mine? Did Mine really love her that much? "I…I don't know what to say," she gasped. "Just say you'll except them." Keiko gave Mine a kiss and took the roses. "Thank you."

"Anything for you." Keiko gave Mine another kiss.

Hours later…

"What do you mean your not going home?" Keiko exclaimed. "I can't. Not yet," Mine sighed. "Why not? Everyone's been waiting for you to come back!"

"I know but…"

"But what? You want to go back and just stay with your father?"

"For a little while longer, yes."

"Did it ever a occur to you that he's trying to kill Mako?"

"Of course it did…"

"So you're going to help him kill your mother?"

"Of course not…"

"Then why won't you come home?"

"Stop asking questions when I'm trying to explain," Mine sighed.

"The reason I left was to talk Mamoru out of killing mom. I knew if I talked to him, he'd reconsider. Get it?"

Keiko nodded. "But when will you…"

"I'm going back home tonight but you'll probably be asleep by then. I just want to talk to mom and then I'm staying. Okay?"

Keiko nodded. "But how will I know you're home?"

"You'll hear my heartbeat."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

Mine pressed her lips against Keiko's to confirm the promise. But for some reason, something wasn't right. There was a powerful force nearby but Mine couldn't put her finger on who it was. She looked behind Keiko and found what she was looking for.

Hours later…

Mine walked in the house for the first time in days. It was darker then usual. She silently went to the kitchen and turned on the light. She had to adjust her eyes to the bright light. Soon, she noticed the two people sitting at the table. Makoto and Daisuke.

Makoto's head was laid on the table. Her eyes were closed but Mine could tell she was awake. Daisuke just sat there with his head resting on his hand. Suddenly, Mine became angry.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked. "Hi, Mine, how are you? Well, I'm fine. Thanks for asking," Daisuke quipped. Mine ignored him as she glared at her mother. "Answer me. I had a right to know my father." Makoto didn't show any signs of movement. "I don't make excuses," Makoto muttered.

"You'd better start." A low growl emitted from the woman. "Am I making mommy mad? I'm such a bad girl," Mine joked. "You shouldn't do that," Daisuke yawned. Mine ignored him again. She wanted to hear some kind excuse.

When Makoto didn't answer, Mine became furious. "You bitch, why did you keep something so important from me?" she exclaimed. Makoto's head shot up immediately. "Shouldn't have done that," Daisuke sighed.

Before Mine knew it, she was up against the wall. Her mother's hand was wrapped around her throat. "You know why I never told you?" Makoto asked. Mine looked at her fearlessly. She saw pure rage. "I was too busy being your mother."

Just then Minako and Keiko came down the stairs. "Hey, Mako, is Mine here?" Keiko asked excitedly. When she and Minako walked in the kitchen, they wore different expressions. "Mako, what are you doing?" they shouted. "Let Mine go!" Keiko exclaimed.

She stepped towards the brunette but Daisuke stopped her. He shook his head. "So, Mine, what did you call me? I don't think I heard you clearly."

"What are you, deaf? I called you a bitch."

Keiko covered her mouth with her hand in shock. Makoto tightened her grip. Minako shouted, "Makoto, stop this now!"

"As long as you live under this roof, you will not talk to me like that," Makoto growled. "I haven't lived here in six days," Mine choked out. Again, Makoto tightened her grip. "Stop it, Mako, she can't breathe!" Keiko screamed as tears fell down her cheeks. She noticed how Mine was having trouble staying awake. Makoto ignored the blonde. "Let's get on thing straight. I am your mother," she stated as she tightened her grip. "I can make your life a living Hell. If that means killing you…"

"MAKOTO, STOP THIS RIGHT NOW!" Minako screamed. Makoto didn't even acknowledge her. "If that means killing you, so be it." She kneed her daughter as hard as she could. She released her and left the kitchen. Mine started gasping for air.

Daisuke kneeled beside her and touch her stomach gently so she wouldn't vomit and then touched her throat so she could breathe properly. "Don't be too mad at Mako. She was just worried about you." He paused as he helped her up though that failed.

He picked her up and sat down her on the chair Makoto sat in. "She's been blaming herself for you leaving. She knew she should've told you but couldn't bring herself to."

He could see the tears in the girl's eyes and he knew she was too proud to shed even one. "She didn't know how to tell you. You were so happy before all of this that she didn't want to see all those smiles disappear completely."

He gave her a kiss on the forehead. "You have guts to do what you did, Mine. You should've controlled your anger. I know Makoto has talked you about that. I don't want to see something like this happened again. Got it?"

Mine nodded. "You're a very lucky girl. When Makoto gets mad like that, someone would end up dead. Be glad nothing else happened, k?" Mine nodded. "That's my favorite niece."

Daisuke embraced the girl. He felt tears on his neck. "I'm your only niece," Mine mumbled. "Exactly." Daisuke kissed her forehead again, wiped her tears, and left the kitchen. Minako unconsciously wore an enraged expression and left the kitchen as well.

Keiko was left in shock. She couldn't believe Makoto could do such a thing. "I'm home," Mine quipped as she turned to face her. She watched as the blonde made her way towards her. She felt Keiko's hand caress her cheek. She wanted it to stop. She wanted to slap the blonde's hand away.

But she didn't. Keiko drew her hand away. She saw the uneasiness in the brunette's eyes. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have…" She was cut off by Mine's piercing gaze. She watched as she wiped her tears away. "Don't cry. I deserve what happened to me."

Keiko shook her head. She was about to speak but Mine cut her off. "Don't say otherwise." She took Keiko by the hand and stood. "How about a second date?" she smiled. Keiko could see past the front Mine had set up but accepted anyway.

"I'd love that."

Hours later at the Moon Kingdom

Mine struggled to get to her feet. Her body was tired and it just wanted to shut down but she couldn't that happen. She needed it for just a little longer. Twenty minutes tops.

Her vision wasn't all that good but she noticed all the blood everywhere. She could taste it in her mouth. She knew it was hers. There cuts from head to toe. She felt this sting in her back. She knew why she couldn't see very well anymore. She felt blood flowing freely from her back. The was a huge gash there.

She had already drowned out the sound shouts and ignored the feeling of pain. Fists and legs had come in contact with different body parts. She could have fought back but she knew it wasn't worth it. He wasn't worth it. Especially considering what he did.

"I knew you were planning something!" Endymion shouted. He hit her again in blind rage. "You only wanted to be around that blonde bimbo of yours!" he shouted again as she twisted her arm behind her back. "Why?"

"Because I love Keiko and I missed her," Mine answered weakly. "But you wouldn't know anything about that, would you?" With that, Mine escaped Endymion's grasp the only way she knew how.

Twenty minutes later…

Ami and Setsuna awoke at the sound of knocking. "It's your turn to get the door, love," Ami groaned. "Since when?" Setsuna asked. "Ever since you walked in the house." Setsuna sighed and got out of bed. She put on her bathrobe and answered the door. "Sorry to wake you up so early, Setsuna-san, but this is important."

Setsuna gasped at the sight of Mine. She saw emptiness in her eyes. "Tell Ami that my vision is getting worse, that I have a huge gash in my back, and my arm is broken." Mine dropped to her knees. She had a sad grin. "Guess what, Setsuna-san?" she asked. "Like mother, like daughter."

She finally fell to Setsuna's feet.

I told you that this is where drama sets in. The longest chapter so far. We're almost done here. I feel proud. Tell me what you think. Til next time.

Serenity101