Author's Note: I want to apologize for taking so long to update this story (and all my others). Now that we've moved into our new place, and have internet hooked up it shouldn't be such an issue. I promise not to abandon any of my stories.

Reader's Note: You may notice a lot of difference between this story and the anime... If you haven't read the manga, or seen the Crystal series, then you might not be aware that the relationship between Usagi and the others was actually very different. Yes, she could be a bit of a crybaby, and was a tad airheaded, but in reality, she quickly grew into her powers. The Doom Tree arc was never part of the Manga, and I thought long and hard about how to add it in while still remaining true to the Manga version. Please tell me what you think.

Updated 1/29/20

Don't Push Me: A New Take On Sailor Moon R
Chapter Thirteen
Trapped

"Just like that?" Kunzite asked, shocked at the revelation he had just received. Kenji had agreed. It almost seemed impossible.

"Yes," Mamoru said, looking emotional. He sat heavily on the comfortable chair next to the couch, visibly shell-shocked.

Kunzite hoped he didn't cry. He wasn't sure how to handle that. He was feeling a bit jealous. To be honest, he wanted nothing more than to marry his Minako and start a large family right away. He knew it wasn't logical, and that they both had some growing up to do before that could happen. That didn't mean he had to like waiting.

The entire apartment seemed full at the moment. Mamoru had called on all of them to hear his news. Not just he Shitennou, but Haruki and Shingo, Motoki and even young Umino, who had apparently learned Usagi was Sailor Moon even sooner than Naru. Everyone was staring in shock.

Jadeite plopped down next to him on Mamoru's couch. It was a bit rough, all of the Shitennou staying there for the night. They had been moving around quite a bit since their return to the land of the living and it would be a few days before they got into their new apartment. He scooted over to give his brother-in-arms more room.

"I can't believe Kenji agreed. When are you going to ask Usagi?" Jadeite asked, visibly excited.

Mamoru shook his head. "I have absolutely no idea how or when, or even where. It has to be special though. I was thinking I might ask Minako for help."

"Bad idea," Kunzite admitted. "She can't keep a secret any more in this life than she could in her last."

"We can help you," Nephrite said. He was sitting in Mamoru's computer chair, spinning slightly from side to side. He was the most romantic of the guys.

Kunzite shrugged. "We can try anyways."

"Don't be like that," Zoicite said, looking annoyed. Haruki nudged him with his shoulder.

Both teens were sitting on the floor, nursing their cups of coffee. Shingo was leaning on the back of the chair where Mamoru was sitting, looking pensive. Kunzite wondered what he was thinking. Even Umino was uncharacteristically silent. He had been invited over since Naru was with the girls, but at the news Mamoru gave the moment he walked through the door, all of them had stopped to think for a long moment.

Mamoru let out a heavy sigh. "I don't want to ask her in a restaurant," he said. "She's so vibrant that I want it to be fun. And somewhat private," he added, blushing. "I don't want the whole world watching."

"So one of those jumbotron things is out," Shingo said, laughing. "I see videos of that all the time on the internet."

"What about a hot air balloon?" Zoicite asked.

"Wouldn't work. Heights aren't her thing," Shingo answered before Mamoru could speak.

"You could hide the ring in a box of candy," Motoki suggested, coming back from the kitchen where he'd been making snacks.

"She would eat it before she knew it was there," Jadeite said, not hiding his smirk at all.

"Take her to the place you met and propose there," Kunzite suggested. It was the only thing he could think of.

Mamoru shook his head. "That would probably be a bad idea. Not only did I insult her, our first Youma battle was there later that night." He sighed. "I thought about Matryoshka dolls, but even that seems silly to me now. What am I going to do?"

"What are Matryoshka dolls?" Jadeite asked, looking confused.

"Russian nesting dolls," Umino answered, and opened his mouth to continue the explanation but was cut off by Zoicite.

"You could wait until the end of a long day and pour her a bath. With bubbles and the smelly stuff girls like. Then propose while she's in the tub."

Mamoru paused for a long minute, smiling. Then he shook his head. "What if I drop the ring into the water, or it goes down the drain. I don't want to take that chance."

Nephrite was pacing back and forth across the room, looking agitated. He hadn't given any hints as to what he was thinking, but suddenly he turned. "I have the perfect idea for you and Usagi," he said at last. "Take her to the ocean, at night, on the next full moon."

Mamoru started nodding almost immediately. Kunzite couldn't help his own nod of approval as he listened to the rest of the plan. It was perfect for Usagi and Mamoru both. And it would be both romantic and fun.

"It's perfect," Mamoru said when Nephrite had finished telling his plan.

Usagi sat on the wall that bordered the Hikawah Jinja, staring up at the stars. The other girls had already fallen asleep. Through their bond, she could tell Mamoru was feeling happy and she thought perhaps nostalgic. Memories of their time together that afternoon ran through her head. They had gotten carried away after Seijoru and Natsume left the arcade. While she was thrilled to have Chibi-Usa in her life, she wasn't ready to be pregnant. They couldn't take chances like that again.

Still, it had been an incredible moment. When they had reached Mamoru's apartment a short time later they had continued their lovemaking for several hours. Usagi had never believed it was possible to be so completely connected with someone, both physically and emotionally. Only a short time ago she had believed Mamoru didn't even want her. She knew the truth now, and it was incredible just how much he loved her and wanted her.

If only they had more time to focus on their relationship. Too many things were beyond their control. There was a new enemy out there, one they didn't fully understand. And the hidden threat of the man in her visions was never completely out of her mind. She wondered when he would appear, and if she had a chance to escape what he had planned for her. Shuddering at the memory of her vision, Usagi turned her mind back to who they were already facing.

Who were these aliens? What might help them gain energy without hurting people? And if she could hear the plea of the tree, why couldn't they? Had they been treated so harshly on other planets that they had lost the ability to feel her love pouring out for them? Usagi could feel the presence of the tree like a tangible thing. It was here, on the earth.

"What are you doing out here alone?"

Usagi started and turned to look at Rei, who was wrapping a red shawl around her shoulders as she approached in slippered feet. Sighing, she scooted to the side to give her friend room on the wall.

"I couldn't sleep and didn't want to keep you girls up," Usagi admitted, wrapping an arm around the miko. In spite of what others might think, Rei was probably her closest friend among the girls. They were polar opposites in so many things, and their arguments were nearly as legendary as the ones she had once had with Mamoru, but in spite of that, Rei was her confidant and sounding board.

"Why couldn't you sleep?" Rei asked. "Are you afraid of the dreams?"

Usagi shook her head. "No. I haven't had another one, thank the kami. But Mamoru is all wired up. He's excited about something and I can't help wondering what it is. And I'm concerned about the aliens. Ail and An. Who are they really? Do you think we can help them?"

Rei shrugged. "I don't know for sure. But I hope so," she added softly. "I want to think there must be a way to heal the tree in our visions. What if it's something so simple they've just overlooked it. Makoto loves plants. They should just ask her what to do." Rei laughed, but Usagi thought it was a good idea.

"Maybe they should. I assume there must have been a sun in their solar system. At least one. Did you know some solar systems have two?"

"Yes," Rei nodded as she spoke. "Binary systems. There is so much out there we don't know or understand. I wish we had all of our memories."

"They sort of come as they're needed, don't they?" Usagi asked. "Mamoru and I both remember much more since the Bond was repaired, but something tells me we've hardly scratched the surface. How much do you remember?"

"Not much. I remember being a Senshi, and your guardian. I remember meeting Jadeite, falling in love with him." She giggled. "I also remember some of the incredibly stupid things Serenity let Endymion talk her into. It's almost as though your personalities are reversed. Serenity was always so serious, prim and proper. Endymion was..."

"Wild," Usagi interrupted. "Absolutely wild."

"Exactly." Rei pointed to the moon. "Whenever he came up to see you I knew to expect the kitchen staff to nearly quit."

"That was only once," Usagi argued, giggling. "And it was funny." She could remember Endymion putting fake rats all over the kitchens during the night.

"He also got you kidnapped," Rei reminded her.

Usagi blushed. The royal couple had sneaked out for a tryst, but before they could get back to the palace on Earth they had been taken by ruffians. "It wasn't like Jadeite wasn't just as bad."

"True."

Usagi covered her mouth as a yawn escaped. "I'm getting tired," she admitted.

"Come inside then. You can sleep in my bed. We can whisper until we fall asleep." The pair stood and made their way into the family quarters, tiptoeing around the futons that had been laid around the massive meeting room. They made it to Rei's futon and lay down, talking in whispers about their past life adventures. The more they talked, the more Usagi remembered.

Her eyes blinked closed and didn't open as she was pulled into a dream.

"Serenity, where are you?" Tsukiyomi called. "Dimande and Saphir are here!"

"Don't shout," a calm voice reproached. "This is the palace and you are a prince. You are expected to act according to your station."

"Yes mother," Tsukiyomi answered, bowing.

Serenity waved from her hiding spot behind the throne, peeping out to see her younger brother, who was leading in her cousins from the dark side of the moon. "It's alright to come out Serenity," the queen said, giving a longsuffering sigh.

"What are you doing back there?" Dimande asked.

"Training," Serenity answered honestly.

"Too many petitioners became distracted when the princess was visible. I want her to learn however, so when she suggested hiding behind the throne I thought we could make the attempt."

"Is it working?" Tsukiyomi asked, a serious note to his voice. He swiped back at his blonde hair, which was growing a bit too long. "Father always said he learned by doing."

"I've learned much," Serenity told him, "though there are many things I still do not understand. Why do we tax the people of Pluto so much less than the people of Mars? What happened to the rest of the survivors of Mau? Where did they go? And what in the name of Selene is the diplomat of Oberon thinking? He cannot think he can demand my hand in marriage for his son, sight unseen. We do not have arranged marriages among the people of the Moon, or among the Senshi." Serenity shook her head in frustration. She wouldn't be ordered into marriage, no matter what.

"Don't take the name of Selene in vain my dear. She may turn her face from you." The chiding from her mother was gentle and spoken quietly so those who were still filing out of the throne room couldn't hear.

"Apologies mother," Serenity curtsied low in shame, then turned to her cousins and brother. "I am grateful you were able to get away," she admitted. "I am in need of an escort."

Dimande raised his brow in question. "And your Senshi cannot escort you?" he asked.

Serenity giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. "It's a dance silly. On Earth." She walked towards Dimande and for the first time could see him clearly.

Usagi gasped and bolted upright on the bed. Bright sunlight filtered through the windows, telling her it was already morning. She was panting heavily, hand over her heart. She had recognized the one who was her cousin. Dimande. How was it possible that someone who was her family would try to hurt her? It had to be some sort of evil that had overwhelmed him, like what had been done to the Shitennou and to Mamoru. It had to be. There was no other explanation.

Time passed in a blur. Several days went by as the group of young heroes trained together, went to school, and ran patrols. Mamoru had switched into the public high school and the Shitennou and Haruki had also begun attending classes there. It was nice to have everyone together. They all ate lunch as a group and much had been accomplished because they had an hour each day for uninterrupted discussion. Usagi wished Shingo was in high school so he could be with them, but he often snuck away and listened in on his communicator.

When they weren't in school they were always busy. Usagi and Mamoru were nearly always with Chibi-Usa, or wrapped up in each other. Ami, Zoicite, and Shingo were all intensely searching for a way to provide natural energy to the tree, while Usagi was becoming adept at blocking attempts at mind control, even in the midst of a battle. Before anyone knew it the sakura blossoms appeared on the trees and they were all given passes to leave school and attend the festivals.

It was sunny and warm when they arrived at one of the major parks of Tokyo. It was filled with sakura trees so that pink blossoms were everywhere, some raining to the ground with each sway of the branches, while others stayed resolutely attached to their stems. Minako laughed as she dragged Usagi by the hand deeper into a grove of trees.

"Don't worry Usagi-chan," she said softly. "The guys will be here soon enough. I just want to see the little koi pond."

"I know," Usagi admitted. "I can feel him getting closer. It's just that I miss him."

Minako rolled her eyes. "You saw him an hour ago."

"Too long." Usagi said blithely, stepping up onto a short stone wall. She stepped carefully, watching where she was going. As graceful as she was growing now, she still had her clumsy moments, and the last thing she wanted was to find herself falling off the wall and ruining her new dress.

Both girl perked up their ears when they heard Ami calling Minako's name. She turned to Usagi quickly. "I'll be right back."

"It's fine," Usagi said with a happy sigh. "It's so beautiful here I could stay forever."

Minako nodded. "Just don't go anywhere."

"I won't," Usagi answered with an un-ladylike snort. "I'll be here when you get back."

Minako nodded and hurried away. Usagi hopped down off the wall and sat carefully on it, first making sure there was nothing that would stain her clothing. Looking up at the blossoms in the trees, she couldn't help but be thankful for the day they'd been given and all the wonderful things she had already seen. There had been so many people all dressed up and there were fortune tellers everywhere. She had wanted to stop, but Rei would have been hurt if she'd gone to someone else. The priestess wouldn't have said a word, but Usagi knew it was true.

She wished Mamoru and the others hadn't had to go to the school for an hour. Some sort of test they were all being given, though no one had really explained it to them. She thought perhaps it was an assessment to see where their strengths and weaknesses were. The high school tended to gear students towards their careers, giving classes that fit certain criteria.

Everything felt crazy. Her mind was whirling with all the changes that had come about in just a few short weeks. She no longer felt helpless or hopeless as a Senshi. She knew Mamoru adored her. She had a Sul-Bond with him. Smiling, she stared up at the blossoms.

She and Mamoru had children in the future. Just seeing Chibi-Usa and the way she interacted with them both gave Usagi hope. Her only concern was that something they did now would change that future. Time travel seemed like a dangerous thing to Usagi. If it wasn't done right, entire nations could disappear from the future. Was that a good thing, or something terrible? She sighed, picking up a sakura blossom that fell onto her skirt and twirled it in her hands.

A twig snapped to her right. Usagi pasted on a smile and looked up, but it wasn't Minako returning. It was Seijoru. He had a suave smile on his face, and was walking toward her with a bouquet of flowers, picked from the flower beds along the path. Usagi leapt to her feet, frowning. It wasn't good for him to catch her alone. There was something wrong with him. The way he looked at her was just wrong.

"I came to see if you had come to your senses," he said, reaching out with his free hand.

Usagi backed away, narrowly avoiding being caught in his grip. "I've told you Seijoru," she said as gently as she could. "I am with someone else. I love him more than my own life and I don't want to leave him."

She watched his smile disappear, a snarl replacing it, making the boy look hideously ugly for a moment. He stepped back and said something she didn't understand. "Reci." It was only one word, but it struck fear into her heart.

Usagi reached automatically for her brooch, which was clasped to the bow at the front of her dress. Before she could do more than open her mouth something struck her, hard from behind. Usagi flew forward, landing on her face in the grass, and turned over as quickly as she could, barely managing to dodge a blow to her head.

Rolling across the ground, Usagi grabbed at her brooch again and whispered, "Moon..." but was cut off as the Cardian that was attacking her grabbed her hand and squeezed, destroying her brooch. The broken and twisted metal cut into her palm, but Usagi didn't have time to cry out in pain before several more heavy blows landed on her, right into the chest. With the wind knocked out of her, Usagi couldn't even think long enough to fight. Another blow came and she knew she was in trouble. Everything was going dark. A final blow made her lapse into unconsciousness.

Seijoru looked at the ground where Usagi had lain only moments before. Now there was hardly anything to show she had ever been there. Maybe the dirt was a bit disturbed. He glared at her final resting place, then turned and walked away. If he couldn't have her, no one could.

Author's Note: ***cough*** Don't hate me for the cliffhanger.