Usagi woke early the next morning. Luna had been out the night before, and hadn't come back until late because of her meeting with Artemis. When she got back, Luna had talked to Kazuma, and learned of the day's events. She'd offered to take Usagi to their base, secreted in a small game shop nearby, but had been turned down. Usagi knew none of this, but she could feel the distinct sadness that had overcome the house. She sighed, getting up and going about her morning routine, then sat on her bed and texted Hana.
"Let's try and go shopping today. I want to get out of the house and do something," she said. She would tell her friend later about what had happened the day before. "Maybe we can get some cake."
'Sure! I'll meet you at the station okay?' Hana answered.
Kazuma was in deep conversation with Karin downstairs. though from the outside someone wouldn't know it as they stared at each other... well... glared at each other really. Despite the glare they were loosely holding each other's hand.
'I'm telling you it's not time yet!'
'And I'm telling you if you don't MAKE it time soon then it will be too late!'
'It's not my call!'
'But you won't even talk to her! Tell her I need her to start moving!'
'She won't move because an Earth Prince wants her to!'
'This Earth Prince is trying to keep the Moon Princess alive! Why are you being stubborn?! I told you what happened and you're still fighting me on this!'
'You're over reacting because that Moon Princess happens to be your girlfriend!'
And so the argument continued
Usagi walked downstairs and saw the two, and she bit her lip. They looked like they were fighting, but she wasn't sure how.
"Um.. Kazuma," she said, and he looked up at her. She was holding her purse and her phone was in her hand. Luna had looped herself about her shoulders as she'd walked down the stairs. "I'm going to meet Hana at the train station to go shopping. I kinda wanna just hang out with her for a little while instead of being cooped up in the house. I figured I should let you know before I left." She held her phone out to him. "I promise I'm telling the truth."
Kazuma released his sister's hand after giving a quick 'We're finishing this later.' "I don't need to check," he told her, moving around the couch. "I'll walk you to the station if that's okay though," he told her, giving her a smile. As long as she was with someone else that was okay. It would give enough time for others to come as well.
Usagi nodded, taking Kazuma's hand.
"It's perfectly fine," she said cheerfully. She knew that it was for her own protection, and she didn't really mind. She knew that she was in danger. But she also enjoyed the time spent with Kazuma. Frowning as a random thought struck her, she looked up at him. "At the sleepover, Hana said something about you and Karin being twins. Is that true? You never told me she was your twin, only that she was your sister," she said. She was only curious, unaware that she might be saying something that might be upsetting.
Hesitation would make her suspicious- but thankfully a faint look of irritation crossed his face when he came to that conclusion. He was after all- irritated with Karin at the moment. "Yeah... she is, and right now I feel I should add unfortunately," he muttered as they headed out the front gate. "Sorry... we're having a disagreement right now," he told her. "Can we change the subject?"
Usagi nodded.
"Yeah. I was just curious," she said with a smile. "I was thinking that she looked a tad too much like you to be just your sister. Anyways. I want to get you something while I'm out today." She grinned happily as she looked up at him. "What would you like?"
He smiled and with a soft chuckle, leaned down, kissing her temple. "Anything that you get me will be fine," he told her.
Usagi pouted playfully, then smiled.
"Well that just means that what I get you will be a surprise!" she said happily. Seeing Hana, Usagi let go of his hand, stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek, then turned and ran the rest of the way to the station. Luna ran beside her, having jumped off her shoulders. "Hana!" Usagi sheered happily, nearly knocking the girl to the ground as she collided against her with a hug. "I'm so happy to see you!" Her silver eyes sparkled as she let go of Hana, and she turned, waving goodbye to Kazuma before looking around. There was a shopping area nearby, so they didn't have to get on the train. "Let's go," she said cheerfully.
That was... enthusiastic... even for her. Hana followed after her, giving Kazuma a slight wave before doing so. After they'd been shopping about fifteen minutes she asked, "Is everything okay? You seem a little... off today... did something happen?"
Usagi sighed, then nodded. Looking at what she was doing, concentrating on trying to find something special for Kazuma, she related to Hana what had happened the day before.
"It scared me... And I think that because those girls are fighting against themselves, as well as us, the pendant and the barriers are confused and just don't work when they're around... It makes my head hurt when they are nearby... Like something is burrowing into my mind to leave those terrible images of the people dying..." she finished softly. Looking up, she saw an antique shop across the street. "Let's go in there," she said, taking Hana's hand and dragging her across the street.
'I have to be extra vigilant!' Hana thought. "You see images when they're around right? Well that means you'll know first when they're close. Tell me right away okay?" she insisted, following her friend to the store.
"I will, I promise," Usagi said with a smile. She turned and gave Hana a hug. "Thank you." Looking around the antique store, she found what she was going to give Kazuma. It was a golden star shaped locket, and when she opened it, it played a beautiful song. Her eyes teared up as she listened to it, the music striking a cord in her heart, making her sad. Looking up, she brushed the tears away. "This is what I'm going to get for Kazuma," she said with a sad smile. In her mind, she knew that the Dark Senshi wanted her dead. And after the close call the day before, she knew that they would get that wish at some point. So she would do as much as she could for everyone, be as cheerful as possible, and maybe they would be less sad when she was gone.
Hana seemed more and more worried for her friend, but she knew asking would be pointless. Usagi wouldn't 'burden' anyone with her worries. She smiled. "It's a pretty song. I'm sure that Kazuma will love it."
Usagi grinned.
"I'm sure he will," she said cheerfully. She went up to the curator of the place and bought the locket. When he asked if she would like a bag, she shook her head, tucking it carefully into her purse. "Thank you sir!" she said happily, and then walked with Hana out of the store. Once they were a little farther down, Usagi faltered, her hand going to her head. "Hana..." she said softly, her eyes full of pain and fear as she looked at her friend.
Hana sent a quick text to Kazuma 'HELP!' and then grabbed Usagi's hand. "We're going to try and get away. Maybe they don't know where you are yet," she told her and started to run.
Kazuma shook his head, trying to clear it of the images that flashed before his eyes. "W-what the-" That had happened before too...
His phone rang and he looked read the message, and then started to run. So then he was seeing these... when Usagi was in trouble? That would be helpful.
As they ran Hana sent out a message to their friends, requesting help. Since Usagi had started touching their auras, they'd started to be able to feel with them as well.
Usagi ran alongside Hana, but the aura got stronger, her head ached worse and worse, until she couldn't move anymore. The images clouded her vision, and there were tears shimmering on her cheeks.
"I can't run anymore," she whimpered, bending over and putting her hands to her head. "They're too close..." Her trembling hand went to her broach. Maybe if she transformed, that would help a little bit. "Moon Cosmic Power, Make Up!" she whispered, and in an instant, she was Sailor Moon. It didn't help at all. If anything, it made it worse. She gasped, going to her knees, her hands on either side of her head as she tried to shut the pain and the images out. Her broach had lost some of its shine, the Silver Crystal clouded over by a black mist as it nestled inside her broach. "Oh..." she whimpered. "All those people... All those people...!"
Hana transformed as well. "Jupiter Power Make Up!" she shouted, and then looked around, standing guard over Sailor Moon.
Kazuma staggered, the images were getting worse for him. "Usagi.." He shook his head and forced himself to continue- relying on his sensing ability to maneuver more than his sight.
Sailor Moon choked back a sob, her entire body trembling as she tried to shut out the images. Her head throbbed, and tears of pain streaked down her cheeks. At that moment, Dark Mars stepped out of the shadows. She chuckled.
"So what Venus said was true. Our presence really does cause you pain. What would happen if I..." She trailed off and kicked Jupiter's legs out from under her, then instantly was at Sailor Moon's side. "If I touched you?" She rested a hand on Sailor Moon's shoulder, which ripped a scream of agony from her throat. The Silver Crystal darkened now, the true indicator that Chaos was there and causing her pain. The images were a scene now, and Sailor Moon could only watch as they all died. Sobs issued from her, and she could only shake her head, her hands over her ears as if to block out the screams of pain from the phantom people that she was seeing. "Stop killing them, please!" she sobbed.
Jupiter kicked at Dark Mars. "Get away from her!" she snapped, "Jupiter Thunder!" she cried, aiming for Dark Mars.
He was close, so Kazuma transformed. He still couldn't see- and the images he did see were making it hard to focus on sensing. He stopped. Like this he'd just get in the way... so what could he do? He tried to think.. they'd started recently for him, right before the last attack. So what had changed? She'd had them before then. That's why he gave- That was it! The charm! It must have connected them. 'Well convenient as it is to know when she's in trouble- it's getting in my way now.' He found the link of power he'd given to the charm and severed it. The images vanished instantly and he hurried on again.
Dark Mars growled in anger and shot a fire arrow at Jupiter, who narrowly dodged. She fired off another, and Jupiter rolled forward then rushed her. When she was only a few feet away she summoned her lightning, sending them both flying back from the aftershock. She'd taken damage but at least she'd managed to finally hit Dark Mars.
Dark Mars staggered back to her feet, cursing. She, with shaking hands, raised her arms, drawing another arrow- however an arrow shot down between her arms.
Glaring she found the source. Archer was there, staring down a drawn arrow at her.
With another curse Dark Mars retreated.
Jupiter sighed, allowing herself to slump to the ground when she did.
Archer jumped down, going to Usagi first. "Were you hurt?" he asked, resting a hand on her shoulder.
Finally able to see again, Usagi looked around. Somehow, her transformation had faltered and fell. Seeing Jupiter on the ground, she scrambled to her side, ignoring Archer's question.
"Hana!" she gasped. Giving her friend a hug, she shoved her own agony away. She didn't care about it anymore. The dark aura was gone, and she would deal with the headache later. "I'm so sorry... I'm absolutely useless..." Looking around at Archer, she reached up and scrubbed away the tears that were still falling from her silver eyes. "All I do is get everyone hurt..." She choked back a sob. "I want to help...! I don't want to hurt anyone..." Looking down, she clenched her hands in her lap, gripping the cloth of her skirt as she did so. Her purse had spilled onto the sidewalk, the locket that she'd bought for Kazuma lying beside it. "I just want to make everyone happy..." she whispered softly.
Kazuma sighed and went over to Hana as well, beginning to heal her wounds up. She seemed more worn then injured.
Hana shook her head. "You've been protecting us for so long Usagi. It's our turn for now. Everything will work itself out in the end. You'll see," she promised quietly with a smile.
Usagi sighed, then nodded after a few seconds.
"Yeah," she agreed quietly. Standing, she went over to her purse and put everything back inside, deciding to give Kazuma his gift later. Now wasn't the proper time. Looking around, she realized that Luna was missing. "Um. Where's Luna?" she asked. "I haven't seen her since.. Since just after the fight started."
Luna was on the moon, talking with Queen Clarity, Usagi's birth mother.
"My Lady, Chaos has done something to Serenity's Silver Crystal. She transformed today, and the Crystal was clouded over," Luna said from Clarity's shoulders. Clarity frowned, worry etched across her beautiful features.
"Perhaps..." she whispered, then walked through the halls of the Millennium Palace towards the Prayer Room. Luna was able to follow her in because she was draped across Clarity's shoulders. Normally, she wouldn't have been able to go in, because she wasn't royalty. Kneeling in front of the Prayer Crystal, Clarity closed her eyes, her hands clasped together as she prayed. A sparkling light rose from the tip of the Crystal, and went to Earth. It centered on Usagi's broach, cleansing the Silver Crystal permanently. Chaos wouldn't be able to use that avenue to try to destroy Usagi anymore. "Luna, that will help until something else even more drastic happens. But the Silver Crystal will never be corrupted again after this moment. I cannot promise that Chaos won't try something else, but for now, Chaos has been stopped. My darling Serenity will be able to do what she needs to get done, and she will be able to function." Luna nodded and leaped off of Clarity's shoulders, bowing when she hit the ground.
"Thank you Queen Clarity," she said, purring. "I will go back to Serenity now and do all that I am able to help keep her safe too." Clarity nodded, bending to lift Luna up and kiss her head before letting her go. Luna leaped away, closing her eyes and transporting back to Usagi's room in Kazuma's house. She was still purring as she curled up on Usagi's bed. "Usagi-chan, I hope that that has helped..." she thought sleepily. The transport had taken a lot out of her, and she was worn out.
The sparkling light hadn't been visible to Usagi and the others, but Usagi suddenly felt a great weight lifted from her shoulders, and the headache was gone in an instant. Frowning in confusion, she shook her head, but went over to Kazuma, taking his hand.
"Thank you for going shopping with me Hana," she said with a smile. "I think Kazuma wants to take me home now though."
"I'm going to need to take Hana home first," he told her, helping Hana to her feet. "She's mostly worn out- and I can't heal that," he told her with a slight smile.
Hana blushed. "Sorry..." she murmured.
Kazuma chuckled. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure Usagi would rather spend a bit more time with you anyway- since it was cut short today. Can you walk on your own?"
Hana nodded. "Yes... you really don't have to walk me back..."
Kazuma sighed and gave her a noogie, causing her to squeak. "I'm walking you home."
"I'm fine with that." Usagi paused, thinking. "Actually, I think I can help a little with that too." She walked over and took both of Hana's hands into her own. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and let some of her energy flow into Hana. After a few seconds, Usagi opened her eyes and smiled at her friend. "There! Now you can recover faster." She grinned and let go of only one of Hana's hands, taking Kazuma's hand in her other hand. "Now, let's get you home," she giggled.
They dropped Hana off then headed back to Kazuma's together, hand in hand. Kazuma seemed a pit preoccupied. If this kept up... he was going to lose her. His brows knit together in frustration and as a deep feeling of fear coursed through him, his grip on her hand tightened without even realizing it. He couldn't lose her. It would break him; he knew it.
Usagi looked up at him, worried. Stopping walking, she made him stop too. Reaching into her purse, she pulled out the locket, holding it up to him with both hands.
"I saw it in the antique store, and I knew that I had to get it for you. There's just something about it..." she said with a soft smile. Clicking it open, she let the song play for a few moments before closing it and putting it in his hands. "The song is somewhat sad, but I think it means something. At least to me it does," she added. She looked up at him, anxiously wondering what he thought of her gift.
He couldn't explain it- it had seemed sad to him too, and tears filled his eyes. He leaned down and kissed her, holding the locket tight in one hand, the other had her about the waist and pulled her against him. He loved her so much. "I'm never going to let you go," he whispered. "I don't care what it costs, I will protect you," he told her softly, his hand moving from her waist to caress her cheek.
Usagi's eyes had filled with tears as they'd kissed, and she clung to Kazuma, unwilling to even entertain the thought of letting go of him.
"Don't leave me..." she whispered desperately, all of her terror and pain all coming crashing down on her in that one instant. Her entire body trembled as she tried to fight the tears, the sobs that wanted to escape. She hid her face against his chest, her body pressed against his as her small frame shook.
"I won't," he told her kissing the top of her head and hugging her. He heard someone cat calling them and looked up slightly without raising his head from hers. There were two guys watching them, smirking. Kazuma's eyes narrowed in a dark glare. They paled and decided it was time to move along.
Usagi had heard the cat calling and was blushing. The moment was dashed, and she kind of let go of Kazuma, looking down at the ground. Her heart was pounding, and her thoughts racing. She'd been about to kiss him again, wanting nothing more than to feel his lips against hers.
"Um.. We should probably head home..." she whispered, starting to walk in that direction. They weren't too far away, but she wanted to be out of the streets, just in case. Once they were home, and she had gone up to her room, she looked up at Kazuma, who had followed her upstairs. She still held his hand, and hadn't let go yet. "Kazuma..." she said softly. Resting her forehead on his chest, she took a deep breath. "Stay with me a little longer? Please?" she asked quietly. Her cheeks were on fire, and she knew that she was blushing intensely. But she really did want him to stay with her. She was still feeling some of the terror that had crashed down on her earlier. Raising a hand, she gripped his shirt gently. "I just don't want to be alone..."
Kazuma had pocketed the locket when she turned to him and he hugged her. Upon hearing her request he smiled slightly, then reaching out he cupped her chin with his hand, raising her head. "Of course," he whispered before kissing her.
Usagi kissed him back, standing on her tiptoes and her arms going around his neck. After the kiss ended, she pulled back a little, her body still mostly against his, her arms still around his neck. Her eyes were half-closed, and she had a happy, almost sensual, smile on her lips.
"I love you Kazuma," she whispered. She'd left her hair down that day, and it flowed behind her.
Kazuma smiled, playing with the down hair and kissed her again. "I love you too," he told her. After he'd kissed her yet again he released her, taking her hand and leading her into her bedroom. He sat on her bed and gently tugged her down into his lap, just holding her, playing with her hair almost absently.
Usagi leaned against him, happy that he hadn't left her alone. She was unable to think of what she would have done if he'd had something to do. Shivering slightly, she clung to him, not wanting to be let go. Worn out from the day, she slowly fell asleep, her head resting in the crook of Kazuma's neck. As she slept, her grip on him grew tighter, as if she was afraid to lose him.
Kazuma shifted so that he could comfortably lay out on the bed with her. He fell asleep, still holding her in his arms.
Karin had intended to talk to Kazuma when he got back, and so, feeling his aura up in Usagi's room, went up there, knocked quietly on the door, then opened it. Seeing the couple asleep on the bed, she smiled, but closed the door and went to her room.
