Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon, it belongs to Naoko Takeuchi. I fully own my original character Lucy.

Key

"Speaking"

Thoughts/Memories/Premonition/Dream

"Speaking in Another Language"

Thoughts in Another Language

Lunarian

"It is the first responsibility every citizen to question authority."
Benjamin Franklin

"Character is doing what you don't want to do but know you should."
Joyce Meyer

~Chapter 9~
~Blockbuster~

Lucy pressed the down button on the elevator, pointedly ignoring Ryū who stood beside her.

"Lucy-"

She held up a hand as the doors opened with a ping, communicator chirping once more. Stepping inside with Ryū, she pressed the button for the lobby. Her finger ghosted over the time turned, eyes flickered to Ryū, then pressed down. The lid popped open and the little speaker crackled.

"Lucy-chan?" Ami's voice came over. "Thank god! When I couldn't get you, I thought you'd been taken by the enemy!"

"Not quite," Lucy leaned against the wall opposite the wall, eyes on the doors. "I'm with Ryū right now. I collapsed and his parents housed me until I woke up."

Her voice softened. "He's not within hearing range, is he?"

"He's right next to me."

Several sharp intakes of breath came from Ami's end told her the Water Senshi wasn't alone. There were three in all and, if Lucy betted right, Luna was there, shaking her head in shame.

"If Luna hasn't told you already, Ryū is aware of who we are. Has been before even we knew who we were." Lucy explained, leaving the elevator. When they'd crossed the lobby, exiting the condo out onto the near vacant street, she began speaking again. "I'm in upper Azabu-Jūban. I won't be at the Game Center for about a half hour."

"Don't worry," Ryū finally spoke. "There's a bus stop just up here that goes past the Center." At her annoyed glance he held up his hands. "Just helping."

"You've helped enough," she growled.

"Thank you, Kazeno-san." Luna's voice crackled over. "You're help is appreciated, but I can take it from here."

"Ma'am, with all respect," he leaned a little closer so his voice could be heard better, "I'd like to see her arrive safely. I've been keeping out of the fighting, and I'll stay out of it, but I'll at least make sure to help with this kind of thing."

It was near silent, Rei, Makoto, and Ami's inaudible murmurings in the background as Luna thought. Both blond and brunette stood at the street corner, waiting for the bus to come soon. Lucy thought about getting word from her sister as soon as she and Luna ended their talk, needing to know she was safe.

"Very well. You and I are in need of a long talk." Luna replied as the bus rumbled over the hill, pulling to a stop before them. "I'll see you soon, Lucy."

"Be careful, Lu-chan!" Makoto added before the connection cut, getting a momentarily stunned blink at nothing in particular. Then a brief smile with a happy shot through her veins as the doors opened, clambering aboard.

The two sat in the back, and, unlike before, Lucy wasn't as cold.

Her head was bowed, turning the time piece and listening to each of six clicks with a short, melodic chirp, one rock-a-bye baby, before settling on Moonlight Sonata. Lucy gave a slight grin to Ryū.

"I figured Sailor Moon equaled a song about the Moon." She explained though she really didn't need to. She pressed down but there was no return chirp yet. Lucy frowned, pressing again.

"Maybe she was at the Center with the others," he suggested.

"No, Usa wouldn't have let Ami-chan or Luna get a word in edgewise. She'd have been a second away from dialing the police, too." Her fingers twitched, lifting toward the moon clip, but didn't touch it.

"I'm sure she's fine."

Lucy stared at the watch, silent for several moments as the bus came to a jerky stop. Then, slowly, she began to nod. "Yeah."

"Lu?"

Looking up, Lucy gapped a little at Usagi as she stepped onto the bus. She stood, meeting her sister halfway down the aisle, wrapping her arms around the blonde tightly. Her face buried in the collar of her sister's neck, taking a deep breath of her sister's sugary plum scent.

"Where've you been?" Usagi asked after Lucy let go, stepping back a little. The bus pulled away from the curb and both jerked unsteadily, moving back toward Ryū. "You weren't at home and Luna couldn't contact you."

"On the way to Ryū's I passed out," she admitted. "And I woke up maybe fifteen minutes ago."

The blonde's clear eyes moved to Ryū, honest, open and trusting but guarded to one secret.

"It's alright." Lucy said, sitting and patting to the seat next to her. Usagi sat, looking to her sister with little understanding. "He knows."

"He kno- oh." She muttered as realization dawned, then she blinked and seemed to be smacked with further recognition. Ryū rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly shy instead of the quiet bystander. "He knows. Oh, okay." She leaned over Lucy, looking him up and down as if that would tell her all she needed to know. "How much do you know?"

"Everything," he replied quietly. "About the Moon Princess, the Crystal, you being Sailor Moon, and Luna a talking cat." He shrugged lightly. "Everything you know, I know."

"And more." Lucy added, glaring at him when he finished and left out what was of real importance. "He knows who the Princess is, too. And where to find the Legendary Silver Crystal. He remembers our entire past lives." She looked to her sister who's eyes had grown large. "We're heading to the Game Center, if you'd like to come with."

"Will Ryū-kun be explaining further?"

"Yes. I will." He cut in before Lucy could begin, looking between the two. "Or, what I can at least. I cannot tell you everything, because the rest is up to your memories to reveal."

Lucy opened her own mouth, going to say something, but the bus pulled to a stop as Usagi nodded with a soft, "Okay." The blonde looked out the window and stood, grabbing her sister's hand, grinning, "This is our stop."

Lucy nodded, following her sister, glancing back to make sure Ryū followed. He did, holding the brunette's bag. When they stepped off, bus rolling away seconds later, it was another five minute walk before they reached the Game Center. It wasn't closed yet, but you could see within Motoki cleaning up. Rei and Ami stood around the Sailor V console, Makoto sitting and trying her hand at the game while waiting. Luna perched next to them.

The bell chimed above them as they entered, and Motoki waved, though a little confused and clearly tired. "Lucy-chan, Usagi-chan? Weren't you just here?" He seemed even more surprised when Ryū came in behind them. "Kazeno-kun! You should be in bed! You almost got hit by a car!"

"I was only shaken up a little," he placated, smiling humorlessly as he lied. "It was getting dark and these nice ladies wanted to see their friends. I decided to walk them back."

Motoki didn't push the subject, appearing still uneasy, and nodded. "Alright, if you say so."

"Oh, I very much do." He nodded, following the girls into the back with the Sailor V game. "I will speak with you later, Furuhata-kun."

Motoki agreed, turning away to continue cleaning up.

"Lucy-chan, Usagi-chan, you made it." Ami smiled quietly, looking over Ryū in apprehension. "And Kazeno-san did come."

"I wouldn't have let him walk away with everything he knows." Lucy replied, hugging Makoto when the Lighting Senshi stood from the game with open arms. "What happened earlier, with the video stores and such?"

"It was as we thought," Luna mewed. "It was the enemy, and our assumptions about Tuxedo Mask were right as well. It's all been dealt with."

Lucy nodded, placing a crooked finger over her lips, brow furrowed as her eyes looked at everyone inquisitively. "I see. Then we can get straight to what's currently on everyone's mind?"

"Yes," Rei agreed, eyes hard gems as they watched Ryū who didn't so much as shift under her gaze. Makoto, on the other hand, caused him to flinch at her glare, steady look lowering. "Can we get to that?"

"We can." Luna assured with a look to each girl yet to voice her want on the subject of Ryū. "Tell us, Ryū, how you know about the Senshi? About the enemy?" Her tail flicked in calm agitation, vibrant blue eyes narrowed. "Can we even trust you?"

"I've already explained to Lucy my history, but I will tell you again for the sake of understanding." Ryū said, sitting slowly, placing Lucy's bag to the ground. "My parents worked for the Embassy in England, and when I was seven I went with them to a party because my babysitter had fallen ill. Terrorists chose to attack that night, and one was shooting to scare everyone. A stray bullet..." Ryū looked pained. "A stray bullet struck me in the brain and for two years I was in a coma. After I woke, we moved here, and since the coma I've known, though most are fuzzy and vague."

"How can we be sure of this?" Ami asked him, looking at him curiously. "You could be lying."

"I know the name of your princess." Ryū replied, quickly amending his statement. "Or, some of it. Her surname is clear in my mind."

"And that would be…?" Makoto trailed, arms crossed, glare sharp.

"Lunaria."

The group stopped moving, utterly stunned. That name, they all thought at the same time, knowing it was right. Never had they heard it before, but they all knew without a doubt that it belonged to their Princess. No one else could have such a name. No one else ever had that name.

Lucy and Usagi felt the strongest yank with this name, seeking out each other's hands and leaning toward each other for support. Luna saw Lucy's reaction, knowing that Lucy had known the Princess best, and as before believed Ryū. His eyes were pained from what he knew, which is what made Luna trust him when she figured it out.

"Is there," Rei began, breathless, "anything else you can tell us?"

"You're close to finding her." Ryū allowed, looking to the floor. "The Moon Princess and Crystal are close. At least a few days."

"And at most?" Usagi questioned.

"A week." Ryū stood, taking Lucy's bag. He walked to stand in front of her, holding the bag up. "We should all be getting home, it's late. I'll come at lunch tomorrow and tell you more."

Slowly, Lucy took the bag, craning her neck to look him in the eyes. There was pain there, hurt and discomfort, emotions she couldn't fathom. It made her question why the Moon Princess was hiding, why they needed the Legendary Silver Crystal so badly. Lucy wanted to ask what else he knew, what he wasn't saying.

Before she could, he turned away. At the door, he looked back, those emotions gone from his face but clear in his pale gaze. "I will see you tomorrow."

Though they all agreed, Rei agreeing to be listening through communicator, Lucy knew he'd promised her that, not them. It was in his eyes, the way they were trained on her, not them.

Usagi sat at their desk, running a brush through the thick, long locks she had. Her look was quiet, contemplative. Then she set down the brush, stood and walked to the bunk beds, climbing up the ladder to sit on her sister's bed, watching the brunette cry softly into her pillow.

"You have such a little space," the blonde rabbit complained, worried smile in place. "Why not sleep in my bed tonight? Your back must hurt from doing homework up here."

"I can't sleep!" Lucy sniffed, voice muffled by the pillow. "He lied to us! To me!"

"He didn't lie, Lu." Usagi soothed, reaching out to run spindly fingers down her hunched back. "Ryū-san simply didn't tell you. He wasn't sure if we knew ourselves or not."

She sat up, rubbing her eyes and looking at the elder apprehensively. "Who are you and what have you done with Usa? She's never this wise."

Usagi giggled. "When it comes to you, of course I am! Who'd know you better than yourself? Your sister!"

Rubbing her eyes to banish tears, slowly being pulled from her ugly funk, the girl smiled weakly. "Yeah. Just like I know you better than yourself."

Usagi nodded, taking the hand resting limply in Lucy's lap. "Yep. Now, c'mon," her worried smile began to dissipate, vanishing like smoke to reveal a grin, fingers tugging, "let's go sit outside."

The pale gaze held hope, looking like a child who still hoped despite knowing better. "On the roof?"

"Where else would we watch the stars?"

Ryū was sitting at a table in the Order's Milkshop, Kokaku across from him and choosing the next move for his chess pieces (Ryū was teaching him) and was quiet. His eyes were watching the counter, where his friend Hisao Muyō sat, reading the newspaper and smoking a cigarette moodily. Both were feeling moody.

"What the hell did you do that for?" Hisao suddenly asked, snapping the paper back, amethyst eyes hard. "You had to open your fat mouth and jumpstart things early. We had a week to go, then we could do something, but no. You let your impulsiveness get in the way."

Ryū glared at Hisao, fingers curling in. Oh, did he wish he could just-"

A hand touched his shoulder, and he looked over into Kiyoko's eyes. She smiled a little. "Don't rise to the challenge, Ryū. We still have a story to follow, and your lip wasn't busted tomorrow."

He sighed, standing slowly as Kiyoko left before him. Kohaku, who had watched quietly, used to Ryū and Hisao's sometimes explosive arguments, whined as Ryū shrugged on his jacket.

"C'mon, man!" Kohaku grumbled, beginning to put up the chess set. "We haven't finished a game once. How do you two stand this?"

"Because we've been told we did." Hisao huffed, glaring at Ryū one more time before hiding behind his paper again.

Ryū in return scowled at him, muttering a few choice words under his breath and a fist bump with Kohaku, he left. Kohaku carried the box into the back room. Outside he headed the opposite way Kiyoko went, hands in his pockets.

"Ryū!" A voice called from behind, and he turned, brow furrowing and looking around.

A paw swiped at his ankle and he jumped back, looking down at Luna. He rose a brow at her and the leather wristwatch in her mouth. He bent to take it from her, looking over it, hardly surprised when he pressed the time piece and it opened with a radio wave crackle.

"What's this for?" He asked.

Luna gave an unimpressed look. "So you can keep in touch with us, Kazeno-san." She looked him up and down then at the place he'd come from before dismissing it to look at Ryū. "What are your intentions toward us, particularly Lucy?"

Ryū looked around before heading into the nearby alley with Luna at his ankles. He leaned against the wall, ankles across, head lowered to focus on latching the watch on.

"I want to help," he stated, looking to the cat as he moved his wrist to get used to the wright. He'd never worn a watch, always had a pocket watch, and in the beginning was no different. They seemed to get in the way, at least in his opinion. To keep in touch with Lucy he'd wear the watch though.

"Why?" Luna pushed.

He felt uncomfortable, not letting it show. It wasn't the watch, or the talking cat (it wasn't unusual anymore), but the fact he had to think about this. It felt right, to help them, and there was Lucy to consider, who he wanted to protect and love. Nothing else had really motivated him, not even his memories.

Ryū told her as much, and the cat looked surprised for a moment before something he might have thought was understanding passed over her face. She dipped her head in a nod.

"Alright." She mewed. "I will see you tomorrow, Kazeno-san. Be safe."

He promised, relaying the same message to her and they went their separate ways. Ryū felt a little bad, because of how late it would be when Luna did see him.

"Fruit sandwiches today?" Lucy hummed, eyebrow rose and smile quiet. Her eyes were rimmed red, and people had asked why she seemed more soft than usual, but had eventually let go. Naru didn't asked, nor did Kiyoko or Hoshi, but they did make others quiet their murmurs. "They look delicious."

"Thanks!" Makoto grinned back, holding out the bento to Lucy. "Try one. I recommend the strawberry one."

Lucy took a slice, nibbling on the end. Her eyes widened, mouth popping open in awe. "This is fantastic!" She girl breathed, taking a bigger bite. The stomachache she had began to disappear with the heartfelt food. "You have to make more of these, Mako-chan!" Lucy blushed, covering her mouth at the nickname.

"Mako-chan?" Makoto repeated, look thoughtful. She laughed, throwing an arm over Lucy's shoulder to pull her into a side hug as Usagi giggled. "I like it! Can I call you Lulu-chan?"

"Sure!" Lucy hummed in delight, pushing the last bit of the sandwich into her mouth as she glanced at Ami typing away at her computer, glasses perched on her nose.

Usagi and Makoto followed her gaze, the blonde leaned over Ami's shoulder. "Data on Sailor V?"

"Correct," Ami nodded, looking briefly to Usagi out the corner of her eye. "You said you were wondering about her, right? I've been doing a bit of investigation."

Ami turned the computer to the side so the three could read what little information collected, picture to the side. Usagi picked up a kiwi sandwich, taking a small bite.

"The phantom Champion of Justice... Sailor V?" Makoto put the pad of a finger to her lip, gaze serious and thoughtful.

"Everyone," Usagi began, pointing to the golden crescent on Sailor V's forehead that made Lucy feel uneasy. "This crescent mark that V-chan in wearing… Don't you think it may have something to do with this Moon Kingdom that Luna was talking about?"

Lucy began to reply, mouth opening, but Makoto beat her to it. "Does it really bother you that much? Luna said she didn't feel anything from Sailor V."

Ami had her own contemplative look, sorting through her thoughts. "Maybe it's that you feel something from V-chan through your own powers, Usagi-chan."

"You're right." Lucy agreed. "Remember what Luna and I said, Usa? We haven't fully awakened yet."

Makoto hummed. "But, Usagi-chan, you may be awakening little by little."

Ami took off her glasses, pocketing them as she set her laptop to the side, still open. "The healing effect from the Moon Stick Lucy gave you focused a very strong power. And we may all be Senshi, but you, Usagi-chan, are our leader. It is within the realm of possibility you have a certain power we do not posses."

It was clear how uneasy Usagi felt about this, even if Ami and Makoto didn't notice. Lucy saw her unease, and I may have been because she was the bunny's sister or maybe because she was an advisor and meant to notice those things, but she knew how to fix it.

Her hand reached out, setting it on her sister's shoulder, drowning out Makoto and Ami's chatter. "Usa," worried blues looked to her, and Lucy returned the smile not a full twelve hours ago was used on herself, "wanna go see a movie after school today? We can skip a meeting once, I think. Especially if I–"

Right then the Lucy felt her stomach turn and the familiar sickly-sweet tang hit the back of her throat. A few moments later the bushes rustled and in tumbled Umino. His smile was wider than usually, even a little manic. It scared Lucy before he even spoke.

"Hey, everyone! Look at you, in a place like this!" No one could see his eyes, but knew he'd zeroed in on the computer, walking to it. "I was wondering what you were doing here. The Sailor V game?" He bent over, looking at the information.

"Umino…" The girl all tried to get his attention, but he cute them off.

"Sailor V data? You're joking!" He laughed darkly, causing everyone go jump. "Who needs Sailor V these days? Now is when we should be investigating Sailor Moon, eh, Usagi-chan?"

Usagi jumped, yelping in surprise. She grabbed Lucy's hand, squeezing tightly as the brunette let out a heavy gasp. Ami was shaking. Makoto was pressing a hand to her heart.

"I'm going to find her before anyone else!" Union barrelled on as if nothing happened, voice and mannerisms more aggressive than usual which was more startling to them than what he'd said. "I'm going to be the first to meet Sailor Moon in person!"

Union continued to mutter, turning and walking away. Usagi turned to Lucy, eyes wide. "That was scary! I thought he'd found me out!"

"Don't you think Umino is being a little strange?" Ami added, pressing a hand to her burning cheek.

"Y-yes." Lucy nodded, looking down at her communicator when it chirped. She exchanged looks with the others before opening it, lifting it up to talk and hear clearer. "Luna?"

"Actually, no. Luna gave me one of those watches," Ryū's came from the other end. She jerked, looking to her sister with wide eyes. "I can't come today, so I'll talk with you this way."

"Why can't you come?" Ami questioned, brow furrowing.

"My father pulled me out of school. Family problems." He replied, and it was then all the girls, particularly Lucy, noticed how tired he sounded. "But I think it may have to do with who we– you're fighting. I've never seen her so frantic and so exhausted."

"Her?" Makoto rose a brow.

"Are you talking about Kazeno-san?" Lucy asked, fearing for Ayame. She was such a nice woman that it would break her heart if she got hurt. "Is she alright?"

"I'm not sure." Ryū sighed. "But Mom is pretty strong, so I think she'll be fine. She's being nasty, the aggressive type of nasty, and saying things about finding Sailor Moon, which isn't like her. She doesn't care about the media."

"That sounds like the way Umino was acting just a few minutes ago," Luna mewed, launching into the stone wall the girls had been sitting on.

"Luna!" The girls chorused and for a moment, Lucy thought she'd heard Ryū mutter, "Hello, Angles." but it had to have been her imagination.

"Yeah, Umino had a weird look on his face, and he was babbling on and on." Usagi grimaced, sweat-dropping.

"Luna, it's been a while since I've seen you come to school," Makoto picked up the cat, scratching her behind the ear.

She purred. "True. I've been holed up in the underground command center." She looked around, whiskers twitching and looking confused. "Where is Naru-chan? Did she go somewhere?"

"No," Lucy shook her head as Ryū said something to someone on the other end. "Naru-chan didn't come today."

Usagi frowned, looking around, just realizing her friend wasn't here. "I'll go find her."

"I'm sorry. I have to go. Dad needs me." Ryū also said. "My mom–"

"Go take care of her." Lucy cut off. "We've got this covered, but if anything happens or you learn more, contact us."

"Thank you, Aurora." Ryū said, and then the connection cut. She flipped the watch closed, looking to Ami and Makoto, Luna and Usagi no where to be seen.

"Guess they left?" She murmured, grabbing her own bento and bag.

Makoto nodded, look peculiar. She stepped closer, putting a hand on her friend's shoulders. "I know I don't have any right, but if you still…" The usually warm Lightning Senshi hesitated, unsure, "like him, you should give him another chance."

With a small smile, Lucy nodded. "I still do, but he kept things from us. How can I trust someone who might have known who our Princess is but wouldn't tell us, when it could help protect her?"

"We understand how you feel, Lucy-chan." Ami powered down her laptop, placing it in her bag. "He lied to us, as indirectly as it was. But you must understand," she caught the pale eyes of her friend, holding her in place, "are you upset he lied to us, as a whole, or is it that he lied to you, whom he obviously cares for?"

Guilty, Lucy broke her gaze, looking away with wet eyes. "I… I'm not sure, actually." Her hands trembled, stepping away out of Makoto's hold. "Ryū was nice, despite our…" she grimaced, "unorthodox meeting. If I was given the chance to meet him that way again, I would, but I don't know if I'd say yes to that date."

"Think on it, Lulu-chan. He really is sorry, I know that." Makoto patted her friend on the shoulder this time, closing her bento and stretching. "Now, let's go find Usagi-chan."

Lucy nodded, taking a deep breath. "Yeah, let's."

It didn't take them long, really. Usagi and Luna were running to find them, a tape in Luna's mouth. Lucy went to take it so Luna could speak, but dropped it with a wince a moment later, grabbing her hand in pain. The entire tape was coated in dark energy.

Luna's mouth became set in a firm line, nodding to herself. "Just as I thought. But we'll have to check it after school to see if I'm fully correct."

Ami picked up the video, careful to not let it brush Lucy. "What do you mean, Luna?"

"It's what she implied." Lucy replied, shaking out her hand to dispel the dark energy. It was like flicking water off her hands, but without residue. "We are going to check for signs of the enemy, which is almost certainly there with my reaction. Also explains my stomachache."

"Sounds like a plan," Makoto agreed, looking at her communicator. "Almost time for class."

Lucy grimaced. Makoto patted her shoulder, gaze reassuring and serious, open and calm. "Don't worry, Lulu-chan. Come find me if it starts to get bad."

"I will," she promised, following Usagi who appeared troubled. Ami and Makoto went opposite to their respective classes. Luna rubbed against Lucy's ankle in comfort before running off.

After school, Lucy felt fatigued and Makoto left to go get Rei. Usagi, Ami and Lucy went with Luna to the Game Center, Motoki there to greet them. For a moment, the group halted, startled by his appearance.

"Hey, girls!" He greeted, smile bright and friendly as always. "The Game Center is dead these days. No one will come!" He laughed a little, Usagi giving him her complete attention. "I'm sure it's competition from those video rental shops. I don't watch them myself, but people are renting like crazy!"

"Usa, hurry up!" Lucy stressed softly, grabbing her sister's hand and dragging her after them. "This can't wait."

Motoki waved at the two as Lucy dragged Usagi away. She dragged Usagi into the back, hoping from foot to foot. She was jittery, overly so. Something wasn't sitting well with her. It wasn't just the videos either.

"Ami-chan, place the video in the game machine here," Luna instructed, frown in place as she pointed to an opening that looked a lot like a VHS slot.

"Into a game machine?" Ami had never sound so skeptical before.

"It's connected with the command center below!" Luna assured.

Usagi blinked in surprise as Ami pulled out the video tape. "Is that right?"

Luna was unable to reply. Ami had placed the tape in the slot. The machine sparked, lightening arcing from the game and shooting out. The three girls screamed, covering their eyes from the bright flash. Moments later it spit out the video, flying across the floor to land at Lucy's feet.

She jumped back, yelping. Ami picked up the video, staring the game machine in surprise. "The video just came out! It's almost like the game machine rejected it!"

"Just as I suspected!" Luna mewed. "Maybe it is the enemy?"

"It has to be the enemy. The energy is just like theirs." Lucy replied, trying to catch her breath. Usagi had downed out her sister's reply, "But Luna, what I want to know is what's with the V-chan game?!" She pointed to the game, it's screen full of black-and-white static, screeching away, "Didn't that video break the machine?!"

The screen cut to black, powering up brightly with orange and yellow horizontal lines in the background, little Sailor V at the screen in the forefront. "What are you waiting for, Sailor Moon?" Demanded Sailor V, pointing to Usagi. "It's a brainwashing video sent by the enemy, and the town is overrun with them!" She placed her hands on her hips, "and it isn't just brainwashing. The lives of the people are in danger!"

Luna pressed buttons on the game, causing the game machine to slide back, revealing a staircase. Lucy and Ami gapped, then Ami turned to Usagi.

"Usagi-chan, go. I'll go down to the command center."

The two turned away, leaving Lucy in the middle. She looked from Usagi to Ami, torn. Luna didn't expect anything of her, but it was heavily implied she was to follow the Water Senshi and cat below instead of her sister. Her fingers twitched, and she shifted closer to Usagi, about to make her choice.

Then the door bell jingled and Ryū came barreling in, breathing heavily. "I ran the way here," he gasped out, looking at the girls. "Mom attacked me when I said to leave Sailor Moon alone." He pulled a video out of his back pocket, handing it to Ami. "I found this in the VCR, and came over."

She looked at is, watching Lucy pale, moving away from the video. She held it with the other video in their hold. "Thank you, Ryū-san. Would you like to help us?"

"I'm not…" Ryū hesitated, looking to Lucy. "I'll go where Lucy goes."

Lucy jerked, head whipping around to look at Usagi, then Ryū, Ami, Luna and back to Usagi. "Go ahead," Lucy told her, heart twisting in her chest sickly. Her visage gave nothing away. "I'll help Ami-chan."

For a moment, the blonde stalled, staring at Lucy. Since the first time they'd become senshi, they hadn't been separated. Not completely. Not like this. Not while in battle. Then Usagi nodded once, gaze serious and sure.

They shared a silent goodbye and went their separate ways, one running off to fight as the other ran below, Ryū trailing. Just inside, Lucy lost the ability to stay strong, hands shaking and shoulders hunching. Ryū stopping Lucy halfway down the stairs, grabbing her shoulder.

She spun to face him, breathing quickly, eyes wide in terror for her sister. "What?" She slipped into English without thinking, voice brittle.

"Usagi'll be fine," he told her, also switching over. Ryū sounded softer, like cotton, compared to her jagged stone. His eyes, usually gray like a stormy sky, now we're lit up like pearls, both compassion and concern brightening them. His touch soothed her frazzled nerves. "You need to look out for yourself. And tonight, don't take everything at face value. Don't believe everything you hear."

Ryū didn't sound desperate, not like when Lucy rejected him and wanted her to hear him out, but he did sound tired and ready to just give in. To what, she wasn't aware. She wanted to be, despite her rational telling her this wouldn't end well.

"What's going on, Ryū?" She asked him, searching his gaze. "What aren't you telling us?"

He didn't look away, instead he looked so hopeful, so happy. It was somewhat painful to see him like that. "She isn't-"

"Lucy-chan!" Ami called, cutting off Ryū.

"Coming!" Lucy replied, pulling away. He reached for her, hands brushing. A shock jolted through her, stealing Lucy's breath. An image, of long, bun topped silver hair and big silver rimmed crystal blue eyes and snow skin and cherry lips, stole into her mind, earning a gasp. Her name was called, and this time she heard it. She heard who called her. A woman who sounded just like-

"Lucy-chan!" Ami near yelled.

Lucy wrenched back, rushing down the stairs, breath faster than before. She ducked away from him when Ryū called her name, coming to stand next to Ami in her uniform.

Pushing the encounter from her mind at the moment, Lucy frowned. "Is this from the video?" She questioned, watching the screen taken over with static.

"Yes," Ami answered, glasses keeping her from having to cover her eyes too much. Beside her, Lucy blinked a few times quickly, trying to adjust. Her skin prickled with dark energy.

"... Dark Kingdom..."

"'Dark Kingdom'?" Lucy parroted, the name ringing sharply in her ears, escalating that terrified feeling in her room earlier. The terror threatened to consume her, to leave nothing but a weak shell. "That name..."

"What is that?" Ami demanded, looking between the advisors. "They're using people like puppets one after another…" She took a deep breath, looking to Luna when Lucy stared back with similar confusion. "Who are they, Luna? What are they after?"

"Sailor Moon."

Ami turned, looking to Ryū. He appeared exhausted, hands hanging in his pockets. "They're looking for Usagi-chan, and the Dark Kingdom wants…" His pale brow furrowed. "I know the answer, it's right there, but it won't come to me…"

Luna jumped from the console, walking over to the man. Concern was written across her face. "You should sit down, Ryū-kun. You look very tired."

He shook his head. "No, I'm fine."

"Ryū-kun-"

"No!" He cut off the cat. "I'm going to help! As much as I can! Now that you know, I'm going to try. I won't stay on the sidelines if Lucy needs me."

Lucy swallowed, pushing down her unsteady emotions, sharing a glance with Ami who nodded at her. Gently, she patted the Water Senshi's shoulder, moving to scoop up Luna, setting her back on the console. Luna mewed in concern, but Lucy smiled, telling her in a quiet voice, "It's okay. Focus on Usa." She kissed the cat's brow, causing the crescent to glow and the cat to take a shallow breath in shock. "Keep her safe for me."

The brunette faced Ryū, holding out a hand. "Ryū, come with me."

"Lucy, I-"

Her head shook, taking his hand. She squeezed gently. "No. You will listen to me. If you want to help me, you will listen or," Lucy gave him a meaningful look, "you can go home where you should be."

Ryū kept her gaze, near glaring at her, and she smiled right back before he caved, shown by his tense shoulders giving in. "Good. Come with me."

Somewhat unwillingly, Ryū followed. Lucy took him upstairs, right to Motoki.

"Hey, Lucy-chan, Kazeno-san!" He greeted, bright smile wavering at the haggard look of Ryū. He set aside his broom, coming over to set a hand on the blond's shoulder. "You okay, Kazeno-san?"

"No, he could use a shake," Lucy told Motoki. "He hasn't been feeling well today."

"Oh, man," Motoki nodded in sympathy, already moving to gather ingredients. "I can understand that. A few people've come in today like that. I had my own headache this morning."

Lucy laid a gentle, forceful hand on Ryū's shoulder, making him sit. She followed suit, crossing her ankles and tucking them under her seat. "Oh?" She rose a brow, making polite conversation. "Stay up late?"

"Yeah, I was studying, and I stayed up a little later after that because my dad was watching this movie from the nearby rental shop. I stayed to catch a few minutes, but I was really tired." He shrugged, pouring milk, chocolate syrup and chocolate ice cream into a blender. "When I woke up, I thought my head was going to explode."

Lucy nodded, look hinting at concern now. If her hands weren't in her lap away from sight, they would have been shaking. "Could you make me one, too, Motoki-san? I suddenly have a craving."

"Sure!" He agreed, pouring Ryū's shake and topping it with whipped cream and a cherry before handing it to him, passing a straw. He did the same, adding a little extra cream before handing it to Lucy. "How you like it, Lucy-chan."

"Thank you." Lucy hummed, kicking Ryū and sending him a sharp look. He huffed, rubbing his leg as he gave a weak something toward him, "Thanks, Furuhata-san."

"Don't mention it, guys." He grinned, picking up his broom. "It's also on me, 'kay?"

Lucy once again thanked him, voice softening and fading as Ryūtried the shake. Lucy knew it wasn't as good as the Order's Milkshop, but it was comfort.

Lucy was placing her straw in, taking a long drink, when she felt it. Her heart stopped, for just a split moment, before speeding up. And she knew, like every protective sister did, that Usagi was in life threatening danger, a danger that could kill her. Her breathing stuttered in her lungs, and a warm hand covered here cold ones, sending a jolt of heat shooting through her system, from finger tips to head and toes.

She looked at Ryū, face showing how stricken she was. Her eyes were wide, glossy with tears, and her chin trembled. She turned her hand, letting their fingers thread together. He was weary, but looked brighter at her actions, and though his smiles were forceful, he seemed to really try with the one he gave her. His smile was wonderful.

"Aurora," he leaned close, voice and accent soft in its English lilt. "Remember what I said about your sister and her being alright. Focus on yourself."

Slowly, she nodded, and after a few minutes the pain passed, a dull ache left, like the dull ache in your legs after walking all day in a theme park, only without the park. His hand gently squeezed hers, force behind his smile easing ever more. Ryū had this battered, relieved look to him.

"Lucy," he leaned closer, head dipping. She took a sharp breath, heart in her throat, eyes widening as his closed. "I–"

"Lucy-chan!" Ami called, sending Lucy and Ryū apart. Their hands didn't come apart, holding fast despite neither meaning to keep them like that. The Water Senshi, in full regalia, was breathing heavily as she came out of the game room, eyes wide in a different meaning.

"It's Usagi-chan!" Lucy's heart splintered at the proclamation. "They've found her!"

She went into autopilot, wrenching away from Ryū and heading towards Ami. "What's going on? What happened to my sister?"

"Usagi-chan is fine!" Ami replied, grabbing Lucy's hand, pulling her toward the game room. "She found her! They've found the Princess!"

Lucy took a sharp breath, rushing past her friend and down into the command center, taking the offered headset from Luna. Ami came in behind Lucy, Ryū following shortly after. Placing it on, the com-link crackled to life to let her know she was on.

"Usa?" She tried, looking over the screen. Five energy signals, one smaller than the rest, about the size of Luna, so another like the advisor. "Are you there?"

"Lu!" Usagi replied, sounding as relieved as the breath Lucy let out. "Ami-chan said you–"

"What she said doesn't matter." She dismissed. "I'm sorry for not being here. I should have been here, like I said I would be. Are you okay? I felt that you–"

She stopped talking abruptly, taking a shaky breath. "I felt that you were in trouble."

"I'm fine." Usagi assured, worry carrying over. "Nothing I couldn't handle. And we've found the Princess."

"So I've heard," Lucy murmured. "Who is she?"

Usagi spoke, and like that the memory she'd seen when she brushed hands with Ryū snapped into place with the name.

"Sailor V is Princess Serenity."

By the time Usagi, Princess Serenity and the others had arrived, Motoki had closed the shop, thinking the girls had gone home. Everyone had returned to civilian form.

Lucy was there to unlock the door and let them in, careful not to touch the Princess or be closer than appropriate. She may have been close with her in the life before this one, but she hadn't been there at the command center or with them, like she was supposed to be. She hadn't been there for her sister or Princess Serenity, but instead with Ryū who waited in the command center.

"Your Highness," Luna came forward, dipping her head, as they headed that direction, "please accept my apologies for not being there to greet you!"

Her smile was demure, the type you'd expect a princess to have, as she talked. "Luna! What's there to apologize for?" She questioned, cornflower blue eyes glimmering. "You were doing your duties as you should."

"Sailor V… I mean, Princess, we've been searching for you all this time." Ami pointed out, distress clear in her creased brows and clenched hand at her collar bone. "Yet never suspected you were the princess. But you knew about… why haven't you appeared before…?"

"Mercury," Princess Serenity turned to face them all, "shall we start the explanations now?"

The Princess went on to explain her meeting Artemis some time ago, long before the Sailor Senshi had even begun. The two would solve odd cases around Japan in the beginning as Sailor V, and even then it took time as the two began to make an effort to study the enemy until everyone had awakened as a Senshi. As the two gathered data, they found a single, large shadow was behind a strain of cases not a human make, and following that road led them to the Dark Kingdom.

"The one manipulating the Dark Kingdom," the name caused Lucy to hold her breath, recognizing it with a scary familiarity, "is something born of the void, a being a pure malice. It's concentrated evil and resembles nothing living."

"In its lust for power," the Princess went on, "it found the sacred jewel of our Moon Kingdom, the 'Legendary Silver Crystal'. And it's now trying to overtake Earth." She looked away, clearly troubled. "Right now it uses human energy, their life force, as a power source, which is why it targets humanity."

"Have you met it, Your Highness…?" Rei queried, also troubled.

She nodded. "Long, long ago…" Princess Serenity clenched her hands, eyes watering as she looked to to them, pain there. She looked at Lucy, and Lucy looked away in shame. "It was the reason that the Kingdom of the Moon, Silver Millennium, fell and the people never found happiness! It should have been buried forever, but now it's seals must have been broken by someone. For something that evil to be born into this world again…!"

Her steps were sure, and she stopped right in front of them, Artemis just behind her to her left. "You understand, right? We must not allow the past to repeat! This time, we must stop it permanently! We must seal it away forever!"

Lucy looked up from the floor, and met Princess Serenity's eyes.

Those aren't Serenity's eyes.

The thought startled her, but it was true. The eyes she knew were a darker crystal with silver rims. This girl's was paler, near sky or cornflower color. Lucy smiled wanly, and the Princess returned it with the familiarity of a sister. Usagi wore that same smile when she smiled at Lucy or Shingo.

"Your Highness, the Legendary Silver Crystal.…?"

The Princess gave her attention to Ami. "It would be too dangerous to tell you where it is safely stashed away even though there are no signs that the enemy has sensed its location." She reached out to take Lucy's hand, but Lucy shifted, taking Usagi's before the Princess could take hers. Lucy trusted her, but not as much as she should. Lucy didn't remember her like everyone else seemed to. "This is to protect the Legendary Silver Crystal too since the enemy will certainly target us."

The Princess faced everyone, a strike of disappointment in her eyes when they glanced over Lucy. "We're going to fight this everyone!"

Lucy watched her steadfastly before meeting Ryū's eyes, him quiet and to the side the entire time. She looked away just as quickly.

Those aren't Serenity's eyes. She glanced at Usagi and smiled quietly at her sister, threading their fingers and squeezing gently. Usagi has Serenity's eyes.

And the woman who called for Lucy by the name Phoibe sounded like Usagi, too.

Usagi was Princess Serenity. Lucy was protecting the princess all along.

Words w/o : Additional script: 7,502

Here you go, guys! Two posts in one day!