MUSIC SELECTIONS
Daughter of the Moon - Adriana Figueroa
Phoenix - Fall Out Boy
Immortals - Fall Out Boy
Centuries - Fall Out Boy
Light 'Em up - Fall Out Boy
Not Gonna Die - Skillet
Falling Inside the Black - Skillet
The Champion - Carrie Underwood
Du Hast - Rammstein
Porcelain - Skott
Where Are You Going - Dave Matthews Band
Fighter - Christina Aguilera
I Am Not Nothing - Beth Crowley

'What If?'
One Month
Alternate Story Line

October 10

***Usagi's POV***

Mamoru laughed as he wiped his face. Their early morning fishing session was not going very well. So far, the one fish they'd managed to pull in had slapped him wetly with it's tail and had somehow escaped the hook and fallen back into the ocean.

Usagi couldn't help but giggle. "I don't think that fish liked being caught."

Mamoru mock growled. "I don't either." He laughed again and put a new clam on the line before swinging it back out into the water.

"I wish we had regular poles with reels and those long rods... and a manual that told all the hidden secrets for catching fish," Usagi said.

"I wish I could snap my fingers and all the fish would just jump into the tin!" Mamoru said, one-upping her.

"I wish I could snap my fingers and prepare a three course meal with a great chocolatey desert!" Usagi said, laughing.

Mamoru grew quieter. "I wish I could snap my fingers and bring you home," he whispered, and kissed her forehead.

"Me too. My parents are going to love you." Usagi grinned.

"Um, even your father? I've heard stories about him."

"Even him," Usagi promised. "He only goes after boys who don't listen. I've sort of... helped those rumors along. Any time a boy gets too pushy I introduce him to my daddy."

"So he's just protecting you, not like, controlling you?"

"He wouldn't do that. He's a bit more of a forward thinker. He doesn't want to be... what's the word he uses? Authoritarian. Says he never wants to be the boss of my mother. He'd rather be her partner. With us kids they've always wanted us to learn something when we messed up. I mean, my mom can get pretty irritable. When I first became Sailor Moon, back when the dreams were bad, and my grades were absolutely awful, she could get really upset. Even locked me out of the house at dinner a couple times. Then I had to eat miso soup after instead of yummier things. But then she sort of started to understand I wasn't failing on purpose."

Usagi giggled. "I have to admit though, I hate homework."

"Well," Mamoru grinned. "I can help you with homework. It can be a sort of pre-date thing we do together maybe."

"You have your own classes mister. And if you're going to be a doctor, you can't fall behind."

"I won't. You know I've met your mother? And I think your father."

"Really?" Usagi was intrigued.

"Your mom dropped her groceries once and I helped her pick them all up. And your dad..." he paused with a small frown. "Do you remember how sometimes I would pick a fight with you when it was dark out and you were about to walk home alone?"

Usagi grinned and nodded. "You didn't fool me, you know." She had known he was making sure she got home safe. If she'd known then he was Tuxedo Kamen and able to defend himself against the Negaverse, she probably would have kissed him the first time he did that.

"Well, your dad was walking the same way once, just as we were leaving the arcade. I'd been seeing him around for a couple weeks, and this day, when I picked a fight... It was the one over whether or not Anime was art by the way, well he sort of gave me a nod of approval."

"I had no idea."

"It was right around the time that Yodu creep was bothering you."

"So my dad was following me... I wonder why."

"Think maybe he knew or was trying to figure out about the Sailor Moon thing?" Mamoru asked, hesitating.

"Anything is possible. Hey! I caught one!" she exclaimed and together she and Mamoru pulled in the string. "This time, when we cook it, one of us stays nearby the whole time," Usagi said.

***Ikuko's POV***

There was a brisk knock at the door at six in the morning. It was rare for anyone to call on them so early. Hoping it was news of Usagi, Ikuko raced to the door and threw it open. Haruki took one look at her and gathered her into a hug. She clung to him, unable to control her sudden burst of weeping.

"What's wrong Auntie Kuko?" Haruki asked in the tone reserved for only family. Shingo and Kenji came running in and Ikuko tried to pull herself together, but the tears simply overwhelmed her.

"Usagi's missing," Shingo said. "At first we all thought she was going to some art school, but then our memories of it sort of slipped away, and now all of us know she never went. Something happened to her."

Ikuko was surprised at her son. She hadn't realized he knew so much. She was thankful he did when he continued a moment later.

"Worse, I'm pretty sure it has something to do with a few of her 'so-called friends.' Naru has been almost as upset as us, but the others haven't bothered to call or show up once."

Haruki nodded, still not understanding everything, obviously, but he helped her back inside the house and together they all went back to the kitchen. When she finally had herself under control a cup of tea sat before her. Shingo was sipping hot chocolate thoughtfully, and Kenji and Haruki were both drinking strong coffee.

"We will find her," Haruki said, sounding determined.

"Yes, we will," said Shingo. Ikuko stared at him. She'd never seen that look on his face before. He looked as though he would tear the world apart for his sister. Suddenly she felt more hope than she had since the two teens had gone missing.

***Usagi's POV***

Usagi desperately wished she could stop running. She had plenty of energy again, that wasn't the problem, and she really didn't want to think about what was. She hurt. Specifically in her breasts. They felt tender and swollen and the fuka rubbing back and forth over them was causing an irritation and pain. And whenever the chillier wind came in from the ocean she wanted to scream at the strange pain it caused deep in the nipples. She wanted to tear her fuka top off and throw it away, run naked. But she couldn't.

She hadn't noticed the pain that morning when she and Mamoru had snuck away for some alone time, and he had definitely not been rough with her. But the colder the air seemed to get, the worse the pain was and it was driving her insane. Mamoru gave her several strange looks but she just shook her head. She wasn't really ready to talk about it.

"Alright, I want you two focusing on joint attacks this morning," Artemis said.

Luna, who seemed thrilled to be teaching, and to have more of her own memories back, urged them to meditate on how an attack should feel and how their bodies should be positioned. "You need to feel the attack in your bones," she said.

The two of them settled on the ground together. "Perhaps we need to think of different attacks for different things. Mine and Rei's combined attack happened because we had a Youma that was particularly tough, but it sort of happened." Usagi said after a moment.

"You seem to do more attacks with the wand than the tiara now," Mamoru said, hand on his chin. He leaned on it, his elbow resting on his knee. "Why is that?"

"Well, it depends on the Youma," Usagi frowned. "If there are multiple Youma I definitely want my tiara. I've learned I can control it almost as much with my mind as my hand. Sort of willing it where I want it to go. With my wand I can heal. We've had a couple of people possessed over time, so I tend to pull it out first, almost as a precaution. Do you remember when Umino and the other boys were possessed?"

Mamoru shuddered. "I do. Seeing you surrounded by that group and unable to do anything but back yourself into a corner frightened me."

"Me too. That's when I decided to start practicing moves. You should have seen my first few attempts at a backflip."

Luna started laughing at that. "She smashed into a wall," the cat said, chortling, "and broke it!"

Mamoru chuckled. "Okay then, so lets focus on two types of attacks. Tiara for multiple enemies, and the wand for possessed people. Do you have any attacks for possessed people?"

"I usually make a wish." Usagi grinned. "They tend to focus on the need of the moment. I wonder what would happen if we combined a sort of wish for healing. Earth and Moon. Sort of a heal-all spell."

"That's a great idea Usagi," Artemis said. "Now, what are your thoughts on how to word it?"

"Moonlit Earth Healing," Mamoru and Usagi chorused.

"That was fast," Luna said with a grin that looked decidedly proud. Usagi smiled back at her.

"Alright, stand up then." Artemis moved them a bit into a more open spot. "Now, picture a horde of people who are under the control of something. Focus on that thought. I want you to move together. Picture every move as you would make it."

Usagi closed her eyes and lifted the moon stick. She lifted it high, but arced it as though to swing it around her head, stoping partway through and dropping it suddenly. She began a second time, but this time she was not alone. Mamoru was behind her and slightly to the right, one hand on the small of her back, the other just under hers on the butt of the moon stick. This time the arc was wider, the downward motion less abrupt. It almost felt like a dance.

They went through the motions a third time, and it began to feel just right. The arc swung from near Mamoru's right shoulder, over and to Usagi's left, her arms extending first, and then his. Her left hand found his, which had changed position so that it rested on her left hip. Their final run through felt perfect.

"Alright, just once, try to release the magic of it. Luna and I will stand behind you so don't let it go too far." Artemis and Luna moved.

They released the magic toward the ocean. Their eyes were open this time, and they watched a silvery light mix with a golden one, forming what looked like waves. The motions felt natural, like they had done them a million times. Usagi felt powerful, open, and strong. She grinned up at Mamoru who was looking at her in awe.

"That felt right, didn't it?" he asked. Usagi nodded, happy at their success.

"Mamoru, how many of your powers have you tapped?" Luna asked as they settled back on the sand.

"I can manipulate plants with ease," Mamoru said. "And the weather seems easy, now that I know I can do it." He paused for a long moment. "I know I can access stone and metal and fire and water, but it's less sure in me."

"Usagi already has a combined attack that involves fire. Ami can use water or ice." Luna frowned.

"What about accessing the metal in the tiara. We've seen Usagi use it to capture certain Youma, and even one of the dark generals once." Artemis paced, thinking out loud.

Usagi shifted uncomfortable as a cooler breeze flowed over them. She tried to sit still and be patient, but it was difficult. She cupped her hands over her breasts, and it seemed to help a bit, so she left them there, pulling her knees up carefully, to add a wind block.

"What about separating the tiara?" Mamoru asked. "Mid flight I mean."

"I've done something like that once," Usagi admitted. "I've never been able to do it again. You were there though. Maybe you helped me somehow."

"Lets try it," Artemis urged.

They spent the next hour working with the tiara, her throwing it in different ways, adding spin, or using a motion that would bring it back to her, while Mamoru focused on splitting it into two identical pieces. He finally managed it, and it worked perfectly, reconnecting just before it reached her hand.

After that they moved back inside and Usagi was grateful.

***Mamoru's POV***

The day had been long. They'd trained, done chores, and cooked together. Of course, they'd also snuck off to enjoy the benefits of their new relationship. He and Usagi were closer than ever, and he was really beginning to like Artemis and Luna. The two cats took their duties seriously, though Luna tended to tease Usagi a bit. Now, after the long day, and with dinner prepared and eaten by all (and actually enjoyed) they sat around the dwelling, discussing ways for them to get home without waiting for Motoki and the others.

"We could try the Sailor Teleport," Usagi suggested.

"You need all of you for that particular task at this point. Over time as your powers grow, it will get easier for you, but right now, it takes too much power." Luna frowned.

"I could teleport too, in my past life. So could my men." Mamoru felt sorrow every time he thought of the Shitennou, who were now the dark generals. He knew they had to find a way to save them.

"I think attempting teleporting is too dangerous still," Artemis sighed, "Otherwise I would already have suggested it."

"How about building a raft?" Usagi suggested, frowning as she did so. "It doesn't seem very safe to me, and we could get lost, but it's an option."

"No Usako, I won't take the chance. Not with you. I can't lose you," He pulled the little blonde into his lap and held her tight, the fear resurfacing for a moment.

"We could try revamping the communicator to send a message to the ones we left in your room!" Artemis said, sounding excited. We could even make it beep.

"Do you think you can manage it with what you have here?" Luna asked.

"I have my took kit, and perhaps Mamoru has something useful in his subspace pocket."

Mamoru began pulling things out. The first aid kit was already with the other one. He had nothing much in there except a pack of gum, a broken pocket knife an old condom, and a broken pocket watch with the sun, moon, and stars. He also pulled out a pack of tissues, which he kept there for Usagi, though she'd had no clue he'd always kept them around for her. His hand lit on something strange and he pulled out an arcade token. That was the extent of his collection.

Artemis added his tool kit and what appeared to be a circuit board to the pile. "I think we have what we need, but it will take me some time," he admitted.

Mamoru couldn't help but laugh. "We aren't exactly going anywhere," he said.

Usagi nodded.

***Naru's POV***

She sat, watching the performers walk onstage, and was suddenly worried. She looked around, wishing Usagi had already returned from Art School. She'd had no idea her best friend was going, and even though they'd grown a bit more distant since Usagi's change, she knew her friend would have told her. She'd gone to the other girls twice already, asking them where the girl really was, but they'd been evasive. It had irritated her to no end.

Umino was beside her, bouncing in his seat a little in excitement. His glasses slipped and he pushed them up his nose, still happy as a clam. His brown hair was a bit messy. She wished though, that he hadn't dragged her out tonight. As much as she loved him, she'd wanted to stay home and wait by the phone.

People began to clap as the performers set up, but then there was a strange hush over the crowd. Naru felt herself growing weak. "OH NO!" She tried to shout the words, but it was too difficult to speak. 'USAGI!' she thought. 'Sailor Moon, help me!'

The world began to fade. That should have been the moment when Sailor Moon burst into the room tiara swirling. She'd always been there before. But not this time. This time her best friend was somewhere else, gone from her. She wondered if this was the time she wouldn't survive.

***Minako's POV***

This is it, Minako thought, as Ami's Mercury computer went haywire. For days they'd been waiting for an attack, knowing something was coming, though not what it could be.

"Henshin and let's go," she said, command in her voice. For a brief second she wished Usagi were there, but she pushed her wishes to the back of her mind. This was not the time to think of should haves.

The signal led to the Hibiya Outdoor Theatre and they quickly made their way into the crowd and toward the stage. There was some sort of apparatus set over the stage, with metal bars crisscrossing the space. Curtains and lights hung from it. The 'performers' stood there, no longer in disguise.

They were identical. All female of course. Male Youma were rare, but they tended to be stronger. The three in front of them were an icy blue color, which was appropriate as they were hurling shards of ice at everyone, and those shards glowed the moment they touched skin, sucking out energy fast.

The sign above the three announced that it had been a Manzai show (AN: A form of stand up with two performers, or more rarely, three). Minako wondered if any of the dark generals were near. The sky was dark, the moon high above, but waning. Clouds occasionally scuttled past it, and Minako shivered as though it were an omen.

The four Senshi spread out, moving in on the stage from different angles. Minako leapt up onto the strange beams to attack from above. None of the three Youma saw her land, and she sighed in relief. Until two particular people caught her eyes. Naru and Umino were in the crowd, close to the front, and neither of them looked responsive. Both had pale skin and sunken eyes and looked like death warmed over. Minako shuddered and sent out a prayer that the Kami would guide their hands and help them in the battle.

"Burning Mandala!" Mars shouted her attack as she closed in on the stage. The three Youma on the stage dodged.

Ami had moved to the side. "Mercury Ice Storm Blast!" she screamed, and then ducked behind a row of people to pull out her computer and scan the Youma. Her attack seemed to have no affect, though it hit one of the Youma. They were made of ice after all.

"Supreme Thunder!" Jupiter shouted. Her attack came down and hit one Youma, but it didn't turn to dust. It simply vanished. Venus watched the energy get sucked back toward the other two.

A second later two more of the ice Youma appeared. "Crap," she muttered. She aimed her chain and whispered the phrase, "Venus Love Me Chain Encircle." It captured the two new Youma. "Hit the other two," she urged.

Jupiter sent another round of lighting, but the Youma were aware of the danger now. Her love me chain went slack as the two Youma ensnared seemed to be pulled back into the others. They appeared again a moment later.

Looking out into the rows of people, Venus realized they were in serious danger. "We have to lead them away!" she screamed, but the Youma heard her and threw more of their strange ice at the people in the stands. One landed dangerously close to Naru, who was on the verge of falling off the bench and on top of it. Umino's arms were the only thing keeping her even remotely upright. Venus gulped and leaped down as a new wave of ice was throw into her hiding place.

A fuel of anger and rage filled her and her arm rose. Words poured out of her mouth, "Venus Meteor Shower!" she screamed and tiny orbs of the brightest yellow light were flung at the Youma on the stage. They dodged, but were unharmed. Again and again she repeated her attack.

Mars joined her screaming "Mars Celestial Fire Surround!"

Jupiter's cry of "Jupiter Thunder Dragon," filled the air. The attacks flew again and again. But with each Youma they knocked down one or two more seemed to appear.

"Only one of them can be destroyed," Mercury called out. "Without destroying her, we can't hope to win. We have to hurry, these people don't have long." She ran toward them, pointing at one of the Youma, though Venus couldn't tell which as there seemed to be more than a dozen on the stage now, and they were clustering together. "Mercury Ice Field!"

The blast of a wall of sheer ice moved toward the Youma, but they all laughed. Venus struck again and again, as did the others. But they were weakening and the Youma were not.

"Mercury!" she heard Jupiter cry out in fear, but couldn't turn to look. If they faltered now, the people in this amphitheater would all die. Including Naru and Umino.

"Venus Love and Beauty Shock! Venus Meteor Shower! Venus Love Me Chain! Crescent Beam! Crescent Beam!" She threw attack after attack, hearing the others as they did the same, but they were getting nowhere.

Suddenly there was a shout from behind them. A male stood there, hand holding a sword outstretched. She heard the call of "Solar Flare!" A burst of light erupted from his sword and he moved it from one end of the stage to the other, taking out every Youma as the line of light moved. With a cry and a puff of dust the true Youma fell and the others disappeared.

She turned, Jupiter, and Mercury were both passed out, and Mars looked like she wasn't far from it. Venus slumped and looked up at the young man.

He approached slowly, his sword away now. He stooped over Mercury and a glow covered her. She sat up a second later. Jupiter was next, and she stared up at the young man, eyes wide.

He turned then and looked at Venus. "Where is Sailor Moon?"

Venus didn't answer. She didn't know him, couldn't tell him where her princess was. She would protect her with her life. Suddenly she was glad that Usagi was on the island.

The man growled. He looked carefully around before taking a step closer. "You tell Usagi if she needs help, her cousin is here." He turned away, a glare on his face. He stopped suddenly and moved towards Naru and Umino.

"Naru!" he shouted. He put a hand on either teen and the glow appeared again. "You'll be okay," he whispered to both of them. I'm sorry I can't heal you all the way. You need Sailor Moon for that." He turned then and glared at Venus. She shuddered.

"Is that really you?" Naru asked, putting her hand on the man's shoulder. Venus saw him nod. "Can you find Usagi?"

The man bent closer and Venus didn't hear his response. He disappeared as quickly as he had come.

"I'm calling emergency services," Umino said, holding Naru close. She was obviously still too weak to do anything but lay in his arms.

Venus gathered the others and they sunk into the shadows. Mercury and Jupiter could barely walk. Mars was hardly better, and Venus herself thought perhaps she could sleep for a year.

***Usagi's POV***

Something was wrong. Something was very, very wrong. Someone was hurt. Someone important. Naru!

"Artemis, I need the communicator!"

"What's wrong Usagi-chan?" Luna asked.

"I think Naru's hurt or in danger."

Artemis pushed the communicator along the ground and she lifted it to her mouth. She was angry and afraid, and probably didn't chose the best words, but she got the message out.

"I don't know what they hell is wrong with you all. You've got us trapped here. You know I have things I have to do. Please come back. I felt something happen to Naru. Answer me! I need to know she's okay. She's my best friend! Please! You need to bring us home. This isn't funny! Please! You can't keep fighting without me. You know I can take out the Youma. Just come get us! Please!"

She kept the communicator with her after that, not letting it out of her sight.