On Her Own
Chapter Nine
Unfriendly Fire

Sunday

Minako saved the day. When she arrived at the Crown she brought with her two changes of clothing. Makoto had to squeeze into the smaller outfit, but Usagi fit into the other almost perfectly. The dress Minako gave Usagi was rather shorter that she was used to, but it flowed prettily and showed her curves well.

After she rushed into the room Minako had pushed the boys out and simply took charge. Usagi was grateful. In her opinion the boys were being a bit too high handed. Then Minako insisted on brushing out their hair, as both of them had twigs and leaves in their styles. She hadn't even noticed and honestly didn't thing Mamoru cared, but she liked looking pretty.

When they finally emerged ten minutes later, she caught the way Mamoru stared. His gaze traveled from her head to her feet, and slowly back up. He swallowed heavily when his eyes met her mostly bare legs and Usagi had to hide a giggle. It made her feel beautiful.

"Wow," he breathed, and Usagi couldn't help grinning at Minako and Makoto.

With Minako there, the talk turned from the Youma attack and their injuries back to more mundane matters. Mostly boys, but that was something they spoke of in whispers as they watched the guys. They all went back out into the dining area of the arcade and sat around two tables, which had been pushed together.

She knew the reprieve was only temporary, and they would have to discuss Senshi matters soon, but Usagi hoped that with a little time all three of the guys would calm themselves. She didn't want them thinking they could order her or Makoto around. After all, they were strong heroes in their own right, and her father had always taught her that women were the equals of men, no matter what society dictated.

Laughter surrounded her as Haruki and Shingo got into a heated debate over the best Sailor V game, Shingo devoutly proclaiming the final one was best while Haruki claimed the third in the series, released just before her disappearance would always be his favorite. Usagi stopped them and explained why the first one was the best that had been created. Minako made a little noise in her throat and Usagi saw that she was blushing slightly. She wondered why, but didn't say anything as Kunzite grabbed the girl's attention, holding her hand and giving her a peck on the cheek.

Looking around at the group, who were busily munching their way through little baskets of food in both Japanese and Western styles, she couldn't help but be thankful to have all of them in her life. She stayed close to Makoto, who was still rather pale, and Mamoru, who seemed unwilling to leave her side.

When the time came to leave, she didn't want to go. Never had she spent so much time in such a happy atmosphere and she was dreading the return of the uncomfortable silence she was sure she would find at home. Worse, she was afraid that the moments she had spent with Mako would end when she went back to the other girls.

Makoto grabbed her in a tight hug before she left. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" she asked, giving Usagi a piercing look. Usagi nodded and hugged her hard for several minutes.

"Nephrite is going to walk me home," she confessed. "I'll tell the other girls what happened."

The house was quiet when they entered. Usagi breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her mother and father, cuddled together, napping on the couch. Obviously things between them had returned to normal. She met Shingo's eyes, and then Haruki's. All three of them nodded before moving to the kitchen together to prepare supper. Haruki was a good cook and the two of them would be his helpers.

They worked quietly, hoping not to wake them. Moving around one another was relatively easy. It actually felt as though they had done the chore together a thousand times. Usagi cut up vegetables while Shingo set the table and prepared drinks and Haruki did the actual cooking.

Within half an hour her mother and father had woken and were sitting at the table as they brought the meal and laid it in front of them.

"I want to thank you kids for giving us time today," Kenji said after thanking the Kami for their food and the three of them for preparing it. "I know it was probably pretty difficult to see us upset."

Usagi nodded. She didn't speak though, preferring to wait and see what else had happened.

"Your father won't be an investigative reporter anymore," Ikuko said, taking over. "His boss offered him one of the editorial positions and he took it."

A huge sigh of relief escaped before Usagi could hold it back. She blushed and peered at her father under her lashes, hoping he wasn't upset that she wanted him to stay at his desk in his safe, comfortable office. He grinned at her.

"So what did you three do today?" he asked.

"Not much," Usagi said, smiling at her parents. "Not much at all."

Shingo snorted. "We had a great argument about what the best Sailor V game was, and Usagi and Makoto are friends again."

"That's wonderful news. How did it happen?"

Usagi frowned, unsure how to explain without telling about the attack, but Haruki saved her. "They ran into each other after a Youma attack. They were both pretty close to it and helped out after," he lied.

"Oh. Usagi, you need to make sure you stay out of danger though," her mother said, in a slightly scolding tone.

She wanted to roll her eyes. "Of course, mom." She sent a silent thank you to Haruki and went back to her meal.

When they were done eating and her parents were washing the dishes, Usagi led the boys upstairs. Haruki would be going to school the next day and his things had arrived while they had been gone. His car was parked in the driveway and there were several boxes and bags on his bed. She and Shingo helped him unpack and then they went out to get his uniform together.

It was still light out, though it seemed like a week had passed since they'd left the house that morning. They made the walk a leisurely one, talking about what it was like to have powers, and focusing on how the other two could help her keep her identity secret.

They made it to the tailor's shop and she decided to get a new skirt as one of hers was frayed. Shingo found a new pair of school shoes. Haruki was fitted and bought three full outfits with several extra shirts and two blazers as well as a school sweater and an outfit for gym class.

When they finally left the sun was setting and the sky was a blaze of colors. It was rather beautiful. She looked up, hoping to be the first to see a star, and nearly tripped over the curb. Haruki caught her, laughing at her clumsiness and making her blush in embarrassment.

They walked slowly through the shopping district until Usagi pointed out the ice-cream parlor where she had eaten with Naru and Umino only a short time before. "Let's have desert," she suggested, hurrying over to the stand in front of the store where a man was busily putting sprinkles onto a cone for a little girl.

They each got a cone and went to sit at one of the tables. Usagi couldn't help looking down the street at the craft store, where her mother had been involved in an attack only a week before.

"You okay?" Haruki asked.

Usagi nodded, pointing out the location to her cousin. "That's where mom was hurt," she explained.

"It's a good thing you and Mamoru were close enough," Shingo said, his voice shaking slightly.

"It is. I don't think I was ever really that scared before. And yet, within a week, it seems like I've been afraid a lot," she added, sighing.

"Mako is okay, and so is mom," Shingo said, putting a hand over hers.

Usagi bit her lip and held back the tears that wanted to escape. It had been a stressful day. The chocolate ice cream helped. It was definitely a comfort food. She plastered on a grin and ate her treat, comfortable and safe with her brother and cousin.

Monday

Usagi slipped out of bed and made her way down the stairs, her heart still pounding and her abdomen aching at the remnants of the dream. So many things had been happening in her life, and it felt as though they were coming too fast for her to handle. She was grateful for new friends, for being able to save Kunzite and Nephrite, and for the repair to her relationship with Makoto, but she felt overwhelmed.

Her mind went back to the dream. It had been intense, full of heartbreak and fear. And she couldn't remember much. Images mostly. Vague, blurry, fleeting. She couldn't hold on to the memories, and that disturbed her. Especially since she had a feeling that there was something extremely important about the dreams. Something that would lead her to the princess.

She went to the stove and put the kettle on the burner, before pulling out a thick mug with Sailor V emblazoned on the front. She added several scoops of the hot chocolate mix and waited for the water to heat, staring contemplatively out into the darkness through the wide window above the kitchen sink.

There was much to think about. When her hot chocolate was prepared she settled into a chair at the table, resting her chin in her hand to ponder everything that had happened. She still had two Dark Generals to save, and she didn't know how she was going to manage it. They would probably be expecting something. And they would probably retaliate much faster than they had when Kunzite defected.

Usagi knew she had to be prepared for anything.

The house came alive with sounds as the sun rose. Her father and mother woke first and while her father showered Ikuko came down to prepare his breakfast. Usagi helped her as she could while making bento boxes for herself, Haruki, and Shingo. When the boys trooped down a little later Haruki made his way blearily to the coffee pot, his eyes barely open, while Shingo moved straight for the boxes of sugary cereal on top of the refrigerator.

Usagi slipped back up the stairs and dressed before gathering her school things. Her mother would be registering Haruki at the high school that morning, and Usagi planned to leave early so she could run a quick patrol. Shingo walked out beside her and they headed towards his school.

"We need a good prank for Haruki," Shingo said, breaking the comfortable silence between them. "Something that will perk up his mood and remind him he still has family," he added.

"I have just the thing," Usagi said, and she related one of the pranks she had recently heard about. They laughed over the idea and started planning as they walked. Smiles and laughter followed them.

Until they heard a roar.

Usagi turned and saw a humanoid Youma with orange skin. It was wearing bright purple spandex leggings and a red top that was far too tight and showed too much breast. It wasn't just a monster, it was a crime against fashion. She urged Shingo to move into the alley with her and told him to hide behind a trash barrel.

Her henshin took her quickly and she immediately sent out a message to the others. "Youma, near the elementary school. Shingo is with me. Hurry!" She closed the communicator and took a last worried glance at her brother before dashing out of the alley and towards danger.

"Hey!" she cried out, seeing that the Youma had two younger students pinned against a brick wall. "Harming students on their way to school is unforgivable. I am the Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, and in the name of the moon, I'll punish you." As far as opening speeches went it wasn't her best, but she had to get its attention away from the kids.

As soon as the Youma moved towards her she ordered the children to run and they moved quickly, both sobbing in fear. "Rugia?" the Youma seemed to ask. Sailor Moon shook her head. Sometimes the monsters seemed incredibly stupid. This one wasn't very bright, and she was grateful. She pulled her tiara off her head and charged it as the creature began running at her.

It was fast. Before she could throw the tiara, the Youma was on top of her. She let out a screech of frustration and kicked at it, but it held her down. Unable to escape she lifted the hand with the tiara and hit it again and again, but the charge hadn't been completed and the tiara was inert. She knew a moment of panic as the creature's hands closed around her throat. She choked and wheezed, her vision going dark.

She couldn't let it win. She had to protect her brother, but no matter how hard she struggled she couldn't break the Youma's hold. She kicked and scratched, but it was no good. She was trapped, and if someone didn't get to her soon, she was afraid she might die. And then her brother would be unprotected.

"Blue Moon Radiance!" a voice screamed, and Sailor Moon turned to see a younger hero in a silvery white uniform with blue trim, blue boots, and a silver sword in his hand. She blinked, noting the dark blonde hair and blue eyes that looked so much like her own.

The Youma above her was blown back and toppled onto it's back. Sailor Moon coughed and rolled to her hands and knees, gasping for breath. She made it to her feet and wordlessly charged her tiara, throwing it like a discus strait for the neck of the creature. As the dust fluttered to the ground she was already making her way toward her brother.

"Come on," she whispered, unable to raise her voice. "We have to go release our henshin."

He followed her into the alley. Instead of staying there to transform she tugged him into another side street and down a second alley before looking in every direction. Then she nodded to him that it was okay and became Usagi again. He stared at her for a moment.

"I don't know how," he said finally.

"Just think of being your normal self again," she whispered, her voice breaking several times.

She flipped open her communicator and pressed the button with the Earth symbol on it. She needed healing before she could go to school. And she needed comforting. Her brother was a superhero. It was scary enough being one herself. Having her little brother forced to fight was unthinkable.

Shingo scrunched his face up in concentration, then shook his head in frustration. "I can't do it," he said.

Usagi wasn't sure what to do. She tugged on one of the streamers of her hair wishing Luna had been with them that morning. The cat had guided Usagi through her first few transformations.

Mamoru appeared at the mouth of the alley, Kunzite and Nephrite on his heels. "Are you alright?"

Usagi nodded but she was more focused on her brother. "The danger is over Shingo," she croaked. "I'm okay. You're safe. Release."

Suddenly his transformation faded, and he stood in front of her in his school uniform. A moment later he had thrown his arms around her.

"I thought you were dead," he whimpered.

"I'm okay," she repeated. "Thank you for saving me."

"I don't even know what I did. I just sort of heard the words as I spoke them, and they seemed right. Does that make any sense?"

Usagi nodded. It made perfect sense to her. She'd been through it herself after all. "It does," she whispered, her voice breaking again.

"What happened?" Mamoru asked, looking slightly panicked. "Why didn't you wait for me this morning?"

"Her throat is hurt," Shingo told him.

Mamoru lifted a hand and touched the bruised area on her neck. Usagi felt a tingling warmth and saw sparkles at the lower edge of her vision. She sighed in relief as the wounds healed.

"Thank you," she said, her brother still tucked under her arm.

"What happened?" Mamoru repeated.

Shingo took up the explanation. "There was a Youma attacking some younger kids from my school and Usagi had to go protect them, but it was really fast and got her and then it was choking her, and I felt all warm and then really hot and then I was Blue Moon Knight and I was holding a sword and shouting and the Youma fell back and Sailor Moon killed it." He finished in a rush, panting slightly.

"Are you both okay?" Mamoru asked, wrapping his arms around them both.

Usagi nodded. "Yeah. Better now." She knew her voice was shaking, however. She was terrified. Not for herself anymore, but for Shingo. Her little brother was one of them, and she didn't know what to do about it.

"We're going to need a meeting as soon as everyone gets out of school," Mamoru said, "but for right now, lets get Shingo to class and then I'll walk you, okay?"

Usagi nodded mutely, unsure what to say. She was afraid if she opened her mouth her panic would drive her to start screaming. This was her baby brother. She couldn't lose him. And he was so young. But she knew, better than anyone, that once you transformed the first time the Negaverse seemed to follow you. He wouldn't be able to go back to the ordinary life he had been living. Which meant he needed to be trained.

She managed to hold herself together until Shingo was safely inside his school. All through the short walk, her brother had kept close, his hand on her arm, or giving her frequent hugs as though he was just as afraid of losing her as she was of him. It occurred to Usagi that he had never seen her in a fight first hand before.

When he was gone, Usagi turned, took in a gulp of air, and broke down crying on the sidewalk. Mamoru wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. The sobs didn't dissipate, however. They seemed to grow worse. Her whole body shook as fear overwhelmed her. She had nearly died, and now her little brother would be forced to fight.

She didn't notice Mamoru had picked her up until he sat down and pulled her into his lap. She sniffled and looked up at him, unsure what to say. They were in the park between her school and her brothers, and Kunzite and Nephrite were nowhere to be seen.

"Are you really alright?" Mamoru asked.

"My b-br-brother…" Usagi managed before the sobbing started again.

Mamoru nodded. "I'm scared for him too," he admitted. "But we will start training him today, and for now he can be a backup. We won't send him into battle until we're absolutely sure he's ready. I promise."

The school day dragged. Usagi had arrived late, but Haruna-sensei had taken one look at her red-rimmed eyes and tear-streaked face and had immediately given her permission to go to the bathroom. Naru had rushed out after her and helped her calm down a bit before she went to class.

She felt completely out of control. There was no way she could protect everyone she loved, and it seemed like there were so many more people to worry about. With Nephrite, Kunzite, and now Shingo, Usagi was feeling the pressure to end the fight with the Negaverse and also to repair her friendship with the Ami and Rei.

At lunch Makoto came over and gave her a hug, pulling Ami along in her wake. She took both girls to the side as Minako was sitting next to Naru and Umino on the grass and explained what had happened. Both girls gasped in horror, expressing the same fears she felt herself. Somehow it helped that they understood. They had both grown close to Shingo in their own ways.

When school was over Mamoru was waiting for her. Kunzite, Nephrite, and Haruki were still in class, but he had left early. Together they walked to Shingo's school.

"I let Haruki know what happened while we were at lunch," he explained, his voice quiet so that no one on the crowded sidewalk could overhear. "He was upset, or course, but he wanted me to remind you that Shingo is very smart, and he can learn from our mistakes as well as our successes. He doesn't have to make the same ones we did."

Usagi nodded, thankful for the encouragement. "That's a good reminder," she said, sighing.

They reached the gate of the school and saw Shingo rushing toward them almost instantly. He seemed in better spirits, but hugged Usagi tightly the moment he reached her. "I saw you crying this morning," he said, his voice trembling. "I'll be okay. I'll listen to everything you say and I promise I won't do anything stupid."

"Pinky swear?" Usagi asked.

Shingo nodded. "Pinky swear." He held out his pinky, curled slightly, and she grabbed it in her own in the time-honored tradition.

"So what do we do now?" Shingo asked.

"We're going to the command center. We need to talk to Luna about this and see what she says. The others should be by shortly."

"What did the girls say?" Mamoru lifted his eyebrows.

"They were worried, of course. He is much younger than we were, but Ami reminded me that he is really smart, and Makoto said she'll work with him on improving his strength. I was thinking since Nephrite and Kunzite both use swords they can teach him that, and you and I can help him access his powers, which seem more like ours than the others," Usagi concluded.

After a long meeting where Luna fretted over her newest charges, and a trip home for supper, Usagi and Shingo left the house just after eating with Haruki in tow. They couldn't leave him behind and let their parents think they were ignoring him, so they dropped him at the arcade to hang out with Motoki while they made their way to the rooftops to meet with Mamoru and the others.

Transformed, the group of warriors looked rather impressive. It was nearing sunset and the lighter colors of the Shitennou's uniforms, and the silvery hue of Blue Moon Knight's reflected the dying sun. They taught Shingo as much as they could about stealth and maintaining his secret, reminding him that failure could lead to friends and family getting caught in the crossfire.

Kunzite and Nephrite worked with Shingo on his sword. Mamoru taught him to dodge with blunted roses, and Usagi spent several long minutes walking him through accessing his powers the way she had with Mamoru when he was struggling.

They henshined and made their way to the park, leaping from rooftop to rooftop. Blue Moon Knight picked up on the running and jumping easily. Once they made it to the park they ran through several drills they had practiced when it was only three of them, changing some of their strategies to include the other two, or working on ways they could help if they weren't directly in the battle.

Blue Moon Knight was as adept at jumping through the trees as Tuxedo Kamen and offered to be lookout until he was fully trained. Sailor Moon couldn't have spoken any faster as she agreed. Kunzite, who was North Knight in his fighting form, and Nephrite who became East Knight, both offered different techniques to battle Youma and they all worked on ideas for what to do in the coming days. They were certain the attacks from the Negaverse would increase and wanted to be prepared.

The three teens walked with Usagi and Shingo to pick Haruki back up. Minako was with him and Motoki and walked with them. Before Usagi could go into the house, Mamoru caught her arm and turned her, pulling her close.

"Usako," he whispered, and lowered his lips to meet hers. The kiss was far more intense and passionate than any they had shared up until that point, and when they parted she was blushing to her roots. Minako was giggling and the other boys all seemed to be blushing as furiously as herself and Mamoru.

Usagi's knees were weak and Mamoru had to catch her twice before she was able to walk on her own. She made it to the door and turned to see a longing look on his face. She gave him a small wave goodbye, and opened the door to hurry inside, quickly followed by Shingo and Haruki.

Tuesday

Shingo and Usagi snuck into the room as quietly as they could, armed with the supplies they had gathered the night before. Their plan was well thought out and completely ready. They worked in absolute silence, the darkness thick with only the dim light of the dawn creeping over the horizon and the light from the door into the hallway, which was slightly open, so they could escape undetected.

For nearly thirty minutes they worked diligently, hoping they wouldn't be caught before their plan was complete. Usagi pressed the tacks into the wall and Shingo came behind her, wrapping the string tightly as he caught it before the tack was tight. Then they crossed to the other side of the room, careful not to touch their prey and wake him too soon.

Usagi turned back to admire their handywork and set up the camera on the dresser to catch the action. They were caught in the hallway by their father, who, instead of looking mad or annoyed, seemed extremely excited to see what would happen. In fact, he wanted to be there when the action went down. He opened Haruki's door and slammed it closed with a loud bang.

Seconds later there were frustrated shouts as Haruki was caught and tangled in the string the two of them had crossed back and forth over the bed. They threw the door open and watched as his frustration gave way to laughter. His eyes twinkled with mirth as he promised he would have his revenge.

Usagi and Shingo laughed, slapping their hands against their legs. She was overwhelmed with her fits of giggles until she had to run to the bathroom to avoid an accident. They both helped clean up the mess and all of them moved downstairs to show the video to her mother, who laughed as well.

Practical jokes were allowed as long as they weren't mean-spirited, and often the evidence was caught on tape in the hopes of teaching future generations of Tsukino's. They told their parents all about the idea and the planning over breakfast. Usagi was, for once, thankful that the dreams tended to wake her long before her alarm every morning. She and Shingo had been prepared before the sun was up.

Mamoru met them at the door with Nephrite, and after several long kisses, explained that Kunzite was walking with Minako.

Usagi nudged Nephrite. "How are things going with Makoto?" she asked.

"I asked her out, and she said yes," he answered, blushing.

"That's wonderful," Usagi said. "Where are you taking her? When are you going?"

Nephrite shrugged. "I think this weekend, and I have no idea where yet. Still new to everything and have to find my bearings."

After they had dropped Shingo at his school, Mamoru pulled Usagi into his arms. "I was wondering if you and I could go on a date this weekend," he said, his voice quiet. "Do you think your parents would mind you being out half and hour past curfew?"

Usagi shook her head. "Not as long as they know where I will be and why," she answered.

"I'll talk to your dad tonight then and see what he thinks."

"I could ask him," Usagi offered, but he just shook his head.

"No. I don't want to spoil the surprise." He kissed her gently when she started to protest, making her giggle. They made their way to her school where the guys met up with Kunzite before heading to the high school. Nephrite seemed disappointed because Makoto wasn't there yet, but Usagi assured him that she would tell her he'd looked for the girl.

Friday

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday passed without a single attack. Usagi's nerves began to fray as she waited for something, anything, to happen. Nephrite had begun training with Makoto and the other girls to even out the teams, and it was going well. Usagi had the ability to send her battle plans to the Mercury computer, so as they added new strategies or worked through problems on the old ones, she informed the others.

She wished they could simply all gather together to train and practice, but Rei said she wasn't ready for that and Usagi decided it was best to accept that in the hopes that they could one day restored their friendship.

Makoto complained, frustrated because Rei didn't want to train with Nephrite, so by the time Friday morning rolled around she and Nephrite joined both training sessions, spending the first half with Rei and Ami and the second with Usagi and the team that had formed around her. It was nice working with her again.

By the time school ended on Friday Usagi was on edge. Something was going to happen, and she thought it was growing closer and closer. She couldn't sit still during classes and Haruna-sensei thought she was sick and wanted to send her home. Instead, Usagi spent an hour talking with Nurse Akemi, happily discussing her life with a pregnant teenager in the house. The nurse had never seemed so happy and Usagi was proud she had come up with the idea to turn to her for help.

When they left the school, it was as a small group. Ami and Makoto stopped to talk to her for several minutes before they hurried to meet up with Rei, who had to get to the Jinja to perform her miko duties. Usagi waved goodbye to Naru and Umino, and she and Minako made their way to the Crown Game Center.

Usagi found herself growing more and more on edge as time passed. By the time Mamoru, Shingo, and Kunzite arrived, she was halfway certain there would be an attack before they could get there. She fretted, biting at her nails, a habit she'd thought long broken. Her triple chocolate shake sat on the counter untouched until she felt Mamoru wrap his arms around her. Then the melted treat disappeared inside a minute as she relaxed into his embrace.

The Moon computer let out a beep twenty minutes after Usagi laid down for the night. Her first thought was 'finally.' She gave a relieved sigh. The waiting had driven her half mad. She made her way across the hall to Shingo's door and he was already hurrying out to meet her, throwing a sweater on over his pajamas.

They hurried out onto Usagi's balcony and leapt down. She signaled to Mamoru as they ran, making their way to the park where they hid in a clump of bushes to transform.

Sailor Moon ordered Blue Moon Knight into the trees where he was to keep watch and only attack if it was a last resort. He nodded and hid in the branches of the trees, following her deeper into the park where she could feel the slimy miasma of evil.

When she arrived she people laying on blankets in the grass, all of them passed out. There had been some sort of outdoor concert. The performers were Youma in disguise. Their instruments had been used to gather the energy of the spectators. She groaned as she realized how many people she would have to heal.

There were seven Youma in all, and they seemed to know she was coming. All of them were searching the area as though waiting. They were still draining the people and Sailor Moon knew she had to stop them even though the others hadn't arrived yet. It was rare, but people had died from the energy drain. She couldn't let that happen.

Tearing her tiara off her forehead, she charged it and sent it out at the Youma while still in the shadow of the trees. The weapon glowed with the magic of the moon, spinning rapidly as it tore through the night and took out the first Youma in the group. She sent her thoughts into it, sending it to the next, but the other Youma were ready for her and dodged in every direction. Calling it back to herself, Sailor Moon placed it on her forehead.

"Twilight Flash!" she screamed and caught another of the Youma before it could hide.

"Meddlesome brat," hissed a voice behind her. She searched the shadows and saw Jadeite step out of a portal that had opened only feet from her. She was forced to throw herself to the ground and roll as he sent out a wave of dark energy at her.

"Tuxedo la Smoking Bomber!" came a cry in the darkness, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

It was short-lived however as Zoicite stepped out from another portal and instantly released several more Youma just as Jadeite released several as he dodged the attack from Tuxedo Kamen.

East Knight moved forward, blades twirling in each hand as he moved toward Jadeite, who met his first attack and held it back with a short sword and dodged away to release another Youma.

"Blue Moon Radiance!" came a cry from the trees and Sailor Moon turned to see Zoicite had been about to grab her from behind. He was on his knees when she turned, one arms still outstretched toward her.

"Twilight Flash!" she screamed, then pulled the Moon Wand from her subspace pocket. "Moon Healing Escalation!" The cry left her lips and the park looked as though it were lit by the noon sun for several long seconds. Both Jadeite and Zoicite disappeared into portals, leaving them to fight over a dozen Youma.

She turned to see her brother jump down from the tree where a Youma was trying to reach him. She had no time to see what was happening and simply lifted the wand again, but before she could take action she was hit from behind and knocked to her hands and knees. As she fell she saw another warrior step out from behind the trees and gasped. It was her cousin, and he was Sun Knight. She knew him instantly.

"Watch Out Moon!" Kamen called, and a moment later he was throwing a storm of roses around him. She knew what was coming and did several backflips, making her way to Blue Moon Knight and pulling him away from the nearest rose. She saw North and East move as well, moving to cover themselves before the vines exploded out of the flowers.

In one motion most of the Youma were caught up, leaving the rest of them to pick of the ones who had escaped Tuxedo Kamen's attack. Meanwhile he began tightening the vines around the Youma drawing them together.

Mars, Mercury, and Jupiter ran into the park and immediately began throwing their own attacks at the Youma. "Burning Mandala!" Mars cried and instead of attacking the ones who were free, her attack hit the group of trapped Youma, letting them escape. Sailor Moon could see the frustration and upset on her face when she realized her mistake.

A Youma was sneaking up behind Mercury and Sailor Moon threw her tiara, taking it out and another that was closing in on Mars. "Watch out!" she cried.

Sailor Jupiter yelled "Supreme Thunder," and spun a kick at the Youma that was too close for her attack while another was knocked away from East Knight, who was swinging both swords at several other Youma.

Sailor Moon felt a piecing pain and looked down. Something had pierced her, from the back to the front, and she felt shock as pain ripped through her body. She screamed in agony and turned to fight the creature but fell to her knees.

"Tuxedo la Smoking Bomber!" came a cry from across the field. She knew the move well and ducked out of the way as the blast hit the Youma over her. A second later she heard a cry of pain from him and turned to see that Mars' Burning Mandala attack had hit him in the back.

She hobbled toward him as fast as she could, fighting the Youma she passed, but there were still so many of them and Zoicite and Jadeite were popping out of their portals releasing more every few minutes. Sailor Moon made it to Tuxedo Kamen, who was on his hands and knees, most of his back and side covered in severe burns.

She looked up at Mars. "Why?" she sobbed.

Mars looked horror struck and shook her head, her mouth open wide.

Sailor Moon lifted her Wand. "Moon Healing Escal-" she was cut off as he suddenly passed out, falling forward and knocking her to the ground. She screamed in agony and felt a rush of blood as the pain speared through her.

"Well, isn't she perfect," a voice said from the darkness. She peered into the shadows and gasped as Zoicite stepped out of a portal behind Mars. "I think she will be a great dark general," he continued.

She still held the Moon Wand and lifted it as she screamed a warning, but the weight of Tuxedo Kamen over her prevented her from stopping Zoicite. The long-haired strawberry blonde grabbed Mars around the waist, stepped back, and disappeared into a portal. There was a brief flash as it closed, and Sailor Moon realized something had happened to Mars' henshin.

"Mars!" the scream hurt her throat as it was drawn from her.

The others all turned to look, but they were still fighting the Youma, and they were hopelessly outmatched. She lifted the Wand again as her vision began to blur. "Moon Healing Escalation," she whispered, sending every bit of the healing into Tuxedo Kamen. Only he could heal her, and together they could take out the Youma.

Her eyes closed and the Wand slipped from her hand.

She awoke to screams of her name of the lips of Tuxedo Kamen and Blue Moon Knight. Kamen had his hands on her waist and she felt the healing pouring into her. Blue Moon held his sword in both hands, hovering over both of them protectively. Only one Youma was near and it was steadfastly avoiding the blade, trying to get around her brother to reach her on the ground.

Power filled her as the healing completed and Tuxedo Kamen poured energy into her. The moon revitalized her as well, and with all of that she screamed her attack. "MOON HEALING ESCALATION!"

The glow lit the park and every one of the Youma disintegrated. Sailor Moon scrambled to her hands and knees, hurrying toward the place where Sailor Mars had been taken. She began searching the grass and wept in anger and fear when her hands met a small cylindrical object. She lifted it up and turned, holding it in the palm of her hand. It was the Mars transformation pen.

"She dropped it," Sailor Moon sobbed. "She dropped it on purpose."

"Mars!" cried Mercury. Sailor Moon lowered her head, rage filling her.

A new warrior moved to her side and helped her up. She raised her head and looked into eyes she knew well. Minako. But she was wearing a fuku with a bright orange skirt. North Knight stayed close to her side.

"Are you okay?" she asked, steadying her as she rose to her feet.

"No. Zoicite took Mars. They're going to try turning her into a dark general."

"That could take days," the new warrior said, frowning. "We have time to come up with a rescue plan before they turn her."

Sailor Moon gave her friend a grim smile. "She can't be turned. I made sure of it."

"What are we going to do?" asked Mercury, sounding panicked.

"We'll get her back!" Sailor Moon declared. She didn't care what arguments they'd had. Rei was her friend whether she wanted to be or not, and Sailor Moon would do everything she could to ensure her safe return.