Chapter Seven or Episode Seven Part Two

~~Sorry for the long gap. In the previous chapter, Chibi-Usa returned from the future quite a bit older, causing Hotaru's body to change. Chibi-Usa and the children claimed each other were evil. Both sides shared their stories and Hotaru and Chibi-Usa were going to eradicate the children when a dark, cloaked figure appeared.~~

Everyone looked to the sky above the shrine as a dark figure, in a black cloak emerged. The body type seemed to fit that of a man, although no one was certain. Of course everyone was on their guard.

"Ha ha ha," the cloaked figure laughed as he began to clap his hands, "here are my children."

"Show yourself!" Makoto yelled, thrusting her fist in his general direction.

"You may already know me, but I see you for sure know my children and the one who bears the fake mark of the light crescent moon!"

The whole party gave way to look between Usagi, Chibi-Usa, and, Serena. Usagi and Chibi-Usa for obvious reasons, and Serena who was now crying loudly again, bearing the mark.

"Who are you, we asked? Don't make me force it out of you!" Haruka exclaimed, showing no fear towards this new arrival.

"I am just a humble sire looking for my child. Just surrender her to me and no harm will come to anyone."

"Stop being so indirect", Makoto yelled beginning to get furious!

"I mean nothing more than what I say," the cloaked figure landed on the ground then turned to faced Usagi who had recently joined the group. "Now, one of these children," he pointed between Chibi-Usa and Serena, "are not yours, and I would like mine back." The hood of the cloak changed almost hinting a smile.

Serena and Chibi-Usa then began floating in the air just above them and were bound with their arms behind their backs and their legs tied together by what appeared to be black, shadowy thorn vines.

"I guess I can give you the option to pick!" The cloak figured assumed a sitting position with his legs crossed and finger tapping on midair, which seemed to show his patience.

Usagi leapt towards them, "What do you mean pick? I want both of them to stay! I want to care for both of them!" Although her answer was not surprising to her character it surprised everyone else she was with. This was Usagi they were talking about, even people who were surmising to destroy the universe she would care for.

"No Usagi! It's a trap!" Michiru yelled! Although it seemed obvious what the answer was.

"No," the cloaked figure said calmly, either you pick now or I will kill them both. If you pick I will take my child, and, I, personally will leave you alone peacefully."

"Wha…?"..Usagi trailed off. She was already in such a hard position. She knew who her daughter was, but she didn't want some stranger taking the other one away to Kami knows where!

"You heard me, Queen Serenity! Now choose!"

Evil energy shocked both of the girls, leaving them both more life less after the jerk!

Usagi screamed and Rei ran up ready to transform. The other senshi got the hint!

"NO!" Usagi yelled. "We can't fight him or he'll kill them!"

"Bingo. At least she knows what I mean. Now be a good girl and pick. They will both live except I will leave one with you."

Usagi's eyes almost seemed lifeless. Ami walked up to her and whispered in her ear, "Who ever you don't pick we can surely save, you know this Usagi. Stay true to your heart."

The cloaked figure shocked the two girls suspended again. "One more time of them being shocked like that again, and they are dead I assure it."

"Chibi-Usa!" Hotaru yelled, getting ready to maim the figure herself!

"Nuh-uh," he said. "It's her decision only!" He pointed to Usagi again.

Usagi could never pick, but Ami was right, she could get the other back somehow instead of having them both here now. She knew who ever she picked she would regret.

"Chibi-Usa," Usagi stated.

Serena made a small look down towards Usagi. The rest of the children all looked astonish. The senshi knew she had made the right choice no matter how much; she didn't want to make the choice. She couldn't have either of them die.

"What was that, moon princess?" The figure beckoned.

"CHIBI-USA!" Usagi began to weep terribly.

The figure let down Chibi-Usa immediately and began to shroud Serena in a dark mist.

"Good choice." The figure said with a devious voice.

As the senshi looked around they noticed all the children became shrouded in the same mist.

"That wasn't part of the deal!" Makoto again yelled at the figure.

"Oh, I'm sorry; did I mention I don't play fairly?" The figure laughed. The children and he then disappeared into what seemed like thin air.

Hotaru ran to the fallen Chibi-Usa who got up quite easily. Chibi-Usa looked at Usagi. "Thank you Usagi."

Usagi still had no emotion to her face. All she knew was that Chibi-Usa was her daughter. She also knew that those children did not belong to evil. She began sobbing and ran into Rei's room. The other senshi gathered aside from Chibi-Usa and Hotaru who were still holding each other.

"We have to get the children back!" Minako said boldly.

"Yes, but how?" Ami said. "My computer has no leads."

Makoto kneeled and threw her fist into the cement. "This doesn't make any sense and now Usagi is suffering! She didn't deserve this! None of us did! This doesn't make sense!"

"That's no way to act about it, there was no other way. Chibi-Usa had to be spared. What if those children are in fact on that guy's side and this was a façade? A test?"

Makoto didn't want to argue but she never understood Haruka's distance in such situations. Michiru gave Haruka another quick look, she understood where Haruka came from, and she just never reacted so coldly. Ami ran quick to Makoto's side and they both had small tears. Although those children were a mystery, there was some link they didn't understand.

Minako bit her thumb, and looked out towards the distance. She saw Setsuna looking upon the situation blankly. Minako had great intuition but had never known what Setsuna was thinking. She turned the other way. The senshi of time quickly noticed and felt something as if she was hurt but she didn't understand. Rei felt the most empathetic for the situation. She looked at the group of broken down girls, and, then towards her bedroom. Minako who had looked the other way noticed Rei and saw her contemplation. Upon Rei's couple of head turns, Minako nodded letting Rei know she should be the one to check up on Usagi. Rei didn't need the second opinion but definitely wasn't sure herself. Haruka saw Rei rush towards Usagi.

"Should we follow her?" Haruka said to a few of the senshi paying attention and was about to turn around. Michiru grabbed her arm and Minako ran up to her. They both agreed it was better this way and that Usagi wouldn't want to break down in front of this many people in such the situation where the answer of Chibi-Usa seemed obvious. Sure Usagi was a crybaby but when it came to being strong, she needed people around. But she wasn't going to be strong this time. She needed a space where she could feel non-judgmental. The only person who could give her that in such a time would be Rei.

Rei headed to her own room to find Usagi kneeled on the floor with her head on the bed almost feeling lifeless. Usagi knew who to expect and turned around at the right time. She gave Rei a tear filled look of, 'Did I do the right thing?'

"Usako.." Rei accidently let the name slide off of her tongue…"Anyone would have done the same thing in this situation. We can get those children back if they are in danger, but what if they are not? What if that is where they belong?"

Usagi began to sob deeper, "I doubt it Rei! Those children are perfect!"

Rei gave her close friend a small smile, "Then we will help them Usagi. Don't let it get to you. We are on your side for everything."

Usagi looked up at her friend, then jumped up and wrapped her arms around her neck and started bawling her eyes out. Rei held her friend as hard as she could. Everyone else was upset but she knew Usagi would blame herself the harshest for any situation similar. Rei pulled Usagi upright after a few minutes and held her friends shoulders firmly.

"You always do the right thing Usagi. I promise everything will work out." Rei said matter o factly. Rei was really torn on the situation but was very strong and knew when she had to be extra strong for Usagi.

"I love you Rei!" Usagi said hugging her friend again.

"I love you too Usako.." Rei said, using the pet name so easily the second time. Rei kissed her friend on the cheek almost naturally. The words I love you touched Rei very deeply. She almost felt as if the friend meant she was in love, but that was unlikely thinking. 'Why am I thinking like this?' She thought to herself. Usagi pulled back after a few more moments. Her eyes, to Rei, almost felt like she was thinking the same exact thing.

There was one thing that everyone was thinking for sure. What was going to happen next?