Chapter 19

Over the next month Rei had been working harder and harder on not only getting back to herself, but being a better version of herself. She'd really come a long way. She felt calmer, and more settled than she ever had. She was also happier than she could ever remember being. Her grades were back where they should be, she friendships with the girls and sisters was stronger than it had ever been as well. Sure she and Usagi still teased each other, and bickered some, but it really was all in fun now. Nothing serious about it.

What she was proudest of though was her progress as a senshi. She was able to pull her Fire Soul, and Burning Mandala to her without hesitation or much thought. She has started working on her Fire Soul Bird, but that one wasn't quite working yet. She knew she'd get there though. She had faith, and confidence in herself, as did everyone else.

Jadeite had been amazing as well. His love and support of her had been unfailing from the word go. If she felt like she was slipping backwards, he's right there to pull her back forward. He was kind, and compassionate with her, and never pushed anything. Sure he was a flirt, and a bit of a perv at times, but nothing too serious, and only with her. She always found herself giggling when he turned away a girl who tried to flirt with him. Two tried to give him their number, he handed it right to Rei, and said "maybe a new friend for you" which always earned her glares. She found this especially funny.

Tonight they were preparing for a double date with Usagi, and Mamoru. This would be a first for them as they has never gone on a double date. The dates they had gone on has only been the two of them. Jadeite was, at the moment out with Mamoru for something. Usagi was at home, getting ready, and Rei was at the Shrine doing the same thing, when Rei's communicator when off. It's was Usagi.

"I'm sorry Rei, but our date might be rescheduled. Ami just called me. There is an attack about a mile from the Shrine. Luna is on her way with your pen. Can you go please? Ami has the youma surrounded with her fog, but I need someone with her until we can get there." Usagi said hurriedly.

"I'm on my way." Rei responded

"Good. Luna should be there any second. We'll get there as quickly as we can." Usagi informed Rei than disconnected.

No sooner did the communicator go quiet that Luna jumped through Rei's bedroom window, and dropped Rei's henshi pen. Rei grabbed it, and headed out her window. As soon as she hit the trees, she transformed and ran toward where Usagi said Ami was. It didn't take her long to find the location, or Ami.

Rei scaled the tree Ami was in quickly, and moved to cover Ami. Rei looked around, and could barely see the youma through the fog.

"I laid it thick so it would become disoriented, and confused until the girls got here. I tried to freeze it, but the body temperature is so high, it melted my ice on contact." Ami explained.

"Maybe we can fight fire with fire." Rei suggested.

"I thought about that. The problem is this one is a human possessed by a youma. Fire may harm the human." Ami responded.

"Oh. That's not good."

"Yeah. Michiru should be here soon. I'm hoping her water will help."

It wasn't long before Haruka arrived, and began fighting. Rei kept looking around though because something just didn't feel right. Like they were missing something. Finally she asked Ami to try something.

"Ami, I know you're looking for a weakness on this one right now, but do you think you could run an expanded scan please?" Rei asked.

"What's wrong?" Ami questioned.

"I'm not sure, but something just doesn't feel right. Like we're missing something." Rei responded.

"Ok. Give me just one…..wait….there's two enemies out here. But where is the second one?"

Rei barely heard Ami as she received a premonition that worried her, badly. Before she could say anything more to Ami, Rei took off across the trees, following a sense she hadn't felt in she didn't know how long. She slowed as she felt a large amount of negative energy very close by. She looked to the ground, and saw something that made her heart stop.

There was a retched looking youma holding Usagi from behind. It was covered in some kind of weird, green scaled skin. It had one hand around Usagi's waist, and one covering her mouth. It was dragging Usagi away from the battle.

"You'll be coming with me Sailor Moon. We've been trying to capture you for months. Now we have you, and your little friends don't even know it." The youma crowed.

Rei glanced back at the battle to see Haruka, and Mamoru engaging the other youma. She didn't know where Makoto, Jadeite, or Minako were, but that didn't matter. Usagi was in danger.

Rei took a deep breath, and called the only attack she could use that might not hurt Usagi. She worried it wouldn't work because she hadn't tried it, and it was the strongest, most difficult she had. She yelled mentally, demanding her attack. The feel of the flaming arrow in her hand, elated her for only a second. She drew the burning bow back, aimed, and fired. She was shocked to see the arrow went right thru the shoulder of the youma that hadn't been blocked by Usagi.

The youma screamed, and instantly let Usagi go to grab at it's shoulder.

"MOON NOW!" Rei yelled out.

Rei barely saw Usagi move before the youma was dusted. Rei jumped from her perch in the tree, and landed hard on the ground. Not even registering the impact, she ran straight to Usage. She inspected her for any damage, but saw none.

"Sailor Moon, are you ok?" Rei panted.

"Yes. I'm ok. Thank you Mars. How did you know?" Usagi asked, sounding shaky.

"Later. You need to heal the other youma. It's human." Rei explained, and pointed in the direction of the other youma.

Usagi only nodded, and ran to the battle. Rei was right behind her. When they reached the battle, they found that Mamoru and Haruka had weakened it enough that Usagi was able to heal the human before Usagi sagged into Mamoru's arms. Clearly exhausted from the energy use. Haruka walked up to Rei, and stared at her for a second.

"Why aren't you with Ami?" Haruka asked with a slight edge to her voice.

"I'm sorry. I was with Ami, but I felt like something wasn't right so I asked Ami to run a scan of the area. Right after I asked her to do that I got a premonition that Usa was in trouble. I took off in the direction I felt Usa would be. When I got there a second youma had her, and was dragging her away. I stopped it, and Usa dusted it. This battle was just a distraction to get to her. I didn't mean to leave Ami alone, but I knew Usa was in trouble." Rei explained.

She wasn't offended by Haruka's question. She understood completely that she had a job, a responsibility, and she had abandoned it.

"The youma was dragging her away?" Haruka questioned.

"Yes. It said that they have been trying to get to Sailor Moon for awhile now, and they were finally able to do it. I think this battle was a distraction so they could." Rei stated.

"Damn it." Haruka growled.

"Thank you Rei. Thank you for protecting Usako. We could have lost her if you hadn't been here." Mamoru said, holding Usagi.

"Thank you Rei. You did amazing tonight." Usagi said smiling.

"It's my job. No need to thank me. I'm just glad I was able to hit the youma so it released you." Rei admitted.

"How did you hit it without getting Usagi too?" Haruka asked.

"She used her Flame Sniper." Usagi answered proudly.

"Good job Rei." Haruka said.

"Thanks. Um. Mamoru, where is Jad?" Rei asked.

"He's with Ami. Apparently he saw you run off in the trees, and decided to stay with her to protect her, just in case." Mamoru answered.

"Oh good. I hated leaving her alone, but I had to." Rei said feeling guilty.

"I was fine Rei. Don't worry. I have my attacks if I need them." Ami said as she and Jadeite approached them.

"You ok Fire Bird?" Jadeite asked as he walked over to her, and put an arm around her shoulders.

"Yeah. I'm good." Rei answered as she put her head against his chest.

"Good." He responded.

"So I'm thinking our double date might be canceled." Usagi said pouting.

"We could go back to my apartment, order in, and hang out. Maybe watch movies or something." Mamoru suggested.

"I like that idea. I don't have the energy to get dressed up now." Usagi said sounding a little tired.

"Works for me." Jadeite agreed.

"Same here. Rei replied. "But…ummm….I need to go home, and um, finished getting dressed first."

"What do you mean?" Usagi asked.

"Well….um….I left without a shirt." Rei admitted with a blush.

"Oh really?" Jadeite commented.

Rei elbowed him in the side and snorted "Don't be a perv."

"Umph. Sorry." Jadeite replied, but didn't look sorry.

"On that note I think I'll head home. Good job tonight Rei." Haruka said as she walked away.

"Thanks Haruka." Rei called after her.

"I've got studying to do so I'm going too. Have fun you four." Ami said as she left.

"Jad, can I, um…borrow your shirt please?" Rei asked sheepishly.

"Sure. I have a t-shirt on underneath." Jadeite answered as he pulled his long sleeve henley over his head.

"Thanks." Rei responded as she took it.

She disappeared into the trees for a minute to drop her transformation, Usagi not far behind her. Transforming during training when the whole group was doing the same thing didn't feel as intimate as it did right then. She had found herself uncomfortable dropping transformation in front of Mamoru. She didn't question why, she did what she felt best. When she and Usagi returned to the boys, Rei went to hand over her henshi pen.

"Keep it." Usagi said, waving her off.

"What?" Rei gasped.

"Keep it. Next time, Luna might not be around to get it to you. I don't want to take the chance that you'll get to a battle before I do, and not be able to do anything." Usagi said plainly.

"I….Thank you Usa." Rei said smiling gently.

Usagi just smiled at her. The four of them left shortly after. Rei headed home to change with Jadeite, while Mamoru, and Usagi headed to Mamoru's apartment. It didn't take long for Rei to change. She opted to throw on a pair of comfortable yoga pants, a tank top, and a hoodie. Since they were staying in she didn't feel the need to get dressed up.

By the time they arrived at Mamoru's, Rei could smell pizza, and french fries. She heard Usagi talking about how hungry she was, and that she was so glad food had arrived. Rei giggled as she took her shoes off, and entered the living room. Mamoru indicated pizza, fries, plates were in the kitchen. Jadeite, and Rei quickly filled plates, then sat around the coffee table facing Mamoru and Usagi.

"You were amazing tonight Rei." Usagi said between bites of food.

"Thanks, but I was only doing my job." Rei stated.

"You haven't even practiced your sniper, and you did it when you needed to. That was fantastic. None of us have done that." Usagi replied.

"You were in trouble. I did what I had to do to protect you." Rei said with a shrug.

"Stop playing it off Rei. If you hadn't had that premonition Usako would have been gone before we even knew what happened." Mamoru stated.

Rei just shrugged. Jadeite kissed her temple.

"Take the compliment babe." Jadeite whispered in her ear.

"Thanks you two." Rei said quietly.

"Thank you." Mamoru said gruffly.

"Usa, have you done any more drawings lately?" Rei asked to change the subject.

"Oh yes. Hang on." Usagi answered excitedly as she jumped up and ran down the hall.

Mamoru shook his head, and chuckled. Rei giggled along with him. Usagi always got excited about her artwork. Usagi came running back into the room holding a sketchbook. She skidded to a stop, dropped to her spot by the table, and handed Rei her sketchbook.

Rei looked at the drawing Usagi had turned to. It was anime characters for her, Usagi, Minako, Makoto, and Ami goofing off. It wasn't finished, but Rei loved it. She couldn't wait to see the finished product with the detail, and color.

"Usa, this is fantastic! I love it. Can I make a copy of it when it's finished please?" Rei exclaimed.

"I'm actually making one for each of you." Usagi said with a blush.

"You are?" Rei asked.

"Yup." Usagi responded with a smile.

"Thank you Usa. I need to get more frames."

"Do what Mamo and Mina did."

"What did they do?"

"Mamo got a photo album for his, and Mina got a scrapbook."

"That's actually a good idea."

"What got you into drawing anime Usagi?" Jadeite asked.

"I'm in the manga club at high school. I'm really love it. I'm just no good with making the stories." Usagi answered.

"Have you thought about doing this in the future?" Jadeite questioned.

"I have, but it's really hard to get into for a career. Especially if you don't have stories to go with it." Usagi responded.

"I guess I can see that."

"I suggested she look into using art to teach." Mamoru said.

"That could work out really well for you Usa. You've helped teach me when I was having trouble with school." Rei said.

"Maybe. I think YOU should think about fashion. You are the best at putting outfits together for all of us. You know what will look good together, and what colors work best for us." Usagi suggested.

"Maybe. I know I want to get a business degree in college so I can run the shrine. Although, if Jadeite decides on business, I can consider other options. Design interests me, but I'm not sure if I want to design clothes or be a stylist." Rei responded.

Usagi, Mamoru, Rei, and Jadeite spent the rest of their evening talking instead of watching movies. It was nice to just sit around with people she cared about, and connect. The evening also reminded her how much she cared about Mamoru. While the girls were her sisters, Mamoru had become like a brother to her. Knowing this, she knew she needed to talk to him, just the two of them. Usagi was in the bathroom, and Jadeite was in the kitchen, cleaning up from dinner when Rei looked to Mamoru.

"Um. Mamoru, can I talk to you please?" Rei asked.

"Sure. Here or is this a one on one type conversation?" Mamoru responded.

"Kind of a one on one." Rei answered.

"Lets go out onto the balcony." Mamoru suggested.

Rei just nodded, and followed him onto the balcony. She walked over to the railing, put her forearms on it, and looked out across the city. Mamoru settled beside her.

"I….I want to say I'm sorry. I said and did so many things that were wrong and hurtful. I know it was mostly to Usa, but I have no doubt it hurt you too. I'm really sorry Mamoru." Rei said quietly.

"Rei, I get it. I really do. Yes I was angry with you, but like Usako, I knew something was really wrong." Mamoru stated.

"Yeah there was, but it was no excuse for how awful I was to her, or to you. I shouldn't have taken it out on any of you. I should have spoken up, and asked for help." Rei admitted.

"Probably, but I get it too."

"What do you mean?"

"You remember how I was to Usako for the first few months after we met?"

"Yes. How could anyone forget that? You two drove us nuts with your constant bickering. Even though we all knew there was no real hatred there. I can't tell you how many times we considered locking the two of you in a room together until you both figured it out too." Rei said with a giggle.

"Yeah." Mamoru snorted.

"It worked out in the end though."

"That it did. Do you know why I behaved the way I did with her?"

"No."

"I was angry. Angry at the world, at people, at life. You know about my life as a child. Well anger was what came from it. Usako, she made the perfect target. Her cheerfulness, and carefree personality set me on edge in some ways. It angered me that any one could be that cheerful, and carefree when the world was such a dark, ugly, and lonely place. I took my anger out on her, even as I was drawn to her, and falling in love with her. Those feelings only made me angrier. So that helped me understand why you were doing what you were doing. I didn't like it, but I understood it."

"I hate myself for what I did to her. She didn't deserve it. Usa is….well you know."

"There are no words."

"Right. She deserves only the best in life. The fact that she can face down what we have, been thru what she has, and still wake up with a smile on her face and a bounce in her step speaks volumes of her as a person. In some ways it makes me feel like less because she can do that, and I can't."

"We all view the world differently, and our experiences color who we are."

"True. You know, when I was suspended, and lost the girls. I didn't feel like I had just lost my sisters."

"What do you mean?"

"I felt like I lost my brother too. The girls are my sisters in every way, but blood. You…you've become like a brother to me, and I lost that along with them."

"I see all of you girls as sisters to me, so I know how you feel."

"You do?"

"Yeah I do. How can I not with all we've been thru together? You all know me better than anyone else in the world, and we've all shared so much. You girls are my family, as much as I am yours."

"Thanks Mamoru."

"That was what made it hard for me to lie about not trusting you, to not keep in contact with you, and let you be alone. I know how that loneliness feels. I struggled with not calling you as much as Usako did. I had to fight with myself quite a few times not to go check on you."

"You did?"

"Oh yeah. Why do you think I was ok with bringing Jadeite back earlier than we planned? I knew you needed him. You needed your soulmate to heal, just as I did. After you left the day you asked for him, Usako had this whole speech planned to convince me to agree. She got less than a sentence out before I stopped her, and told her I was absolutely on board with bringing him back. I had already planned to discuss it with her before you even asked. You looked so sad, and alone that day. Even surrounded by all of us. I knew that he would take that away from you. I knew I couldn't leave you like that any more."

"Thank you Mamoru."

"That's what family is for. We support each other, are there for each other, and sometimes, when it's needed, we dish out some tough love."

"Yeah. That's true. I think that tough love from my family really saved me, even if I didn't deserve the love."

"You deserve it Rei. We all do. Just do me a favor please."

"What's that?"

"If you feel yourself reverting back, or struggling again, talk to us. Don't take it out on anyone. Well expect maybe Jad, a little, but he deserves to have his butt burnt a bit sometimes. We're here for you Rei. All of us. Always. Got it?"

"I got it Mamoru. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now we better get in there before Usako and Jad think something is going on." Mamoru chuckled as he went to open the balcony door.

"Yeah." Rei giggled as she stepped back inside.

She looked to Usagi to see her friend smiling at her.

"You two good?" Usagi asked.

"Yeah. I think we are." Rei answered.

"We are." Mamoru agreed.

The four of them spent several more hours talking, and laughing. Somehow Rei had forgotten about Mamoru's quiet sarcasm, and dark humor. She forgot that it matched her own in a lot of ways too. She couldn't remember the last time she had laughed so long or as hard. Despite the battle, and what almost happened to Usagi, the night turned out to be one of the best for Rei. It finally ended when Usagi's curfew got close, and she was nodding off. They agreed to do another night again soon then she and Jadeite went home.