Hope

by Usa

This fic was co-written with Emiri. She posted a fic of ours called "Not Alone", which is CHOU angsty! (read it if you haven't ^_-) This fic has to POVs: Chibiusa's and Usagi's. Is Mamoru really cheating on Usagi? If he is, what will happen to Chibiu

2. Everyone Needs Hope

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Hope (cont)
By: Emiri and Usa
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While Chibiusa was shadowing Mamoru...

Usagi's POV

I looked over at my friends.  They all seemed preoccupied with something. 
All attempts to get it out of them have failed.  Just what is going on?  Did
I do something? Sighing, I decide to let it go for now.  Besides...
Mako-chan has made such wonderful brownies! I pick up two brownies and shove
them in mouth. "Mako-chan, these brownies are very good," I said with my
mouth full.

(The Senshi were all exchanging Looks, and wondering when Chibiusa was
getting back.)

"Of course, I'm an excellent cook!" Makoto was trying to hide her anger. (The
nerve of Mamoru to do that to Usagi...if she saw him, she'd relocate his
jaw!)

I can't keep pretending there's nothing wrong, and neither can they! 
Mako-chan looks ready to punch the wall.  Rei-chan's eyes are more firey
than usual, Ami-chan is too silent for my liking and Minako-chan looks...
lost. "Minna...Daijobu?" The brownie had long since been swallowed so I knew
they understood me.  I just wanted to know what had them all distracted.

"Of course!"

"Hai."

"I'm the Senshi of Love and Beauty, why wouldn't I be?"

"Haaai," Makoto said through gritted teeth.

"Mako-chan, there's only one reason why you'd be gritting your teeth like
that!" I paused for a second, waiting for her reply.

"And what's that reason, Usagi-chan?"

"You wanted the last brownie!" I said, handing it to her. I smiled. I knew I
made her happy.

"Oh, arigatou!" Makoto faked a huge smile. "I never really get to enjoy my
own cooking."

Getting up, I suggested we play something.  "Lets play Truth or Dare!"

The Inner Senshi all quickly agreed (hoping that Usagi didn't know anything
was wrong.)

'This should be fun,' I thought to myself.  'I can find out what's going
inside of their heads.' "Who's going first?"

"Well," Minako said, "since you suggested it, why don't you?"

I nodded vigorously.  "Okay, Ami-chan, I pick you! Truth or Dare."

"Umm, alright. Ummm..." Ami's face turned a little red, knowing what this
could lead to. "Dare, I guess..."

I looked at her in shock.  Dare?!? Ami picked dare?  I realized that
whatever was going on, it was big! "Uh...I dare you to pick one of
Rei-chan's Manga and read the entire thing!"

"That shouldn't be a problem." Ami smiled, glad she got off easy. "I get to
pick one of you for something first though, don't I?"

"Hai."

"Okei...Rei-chan. Truth or Dare?"

I leaned over, eagerly awaiting her reply.  Baka, like they would really
question each other on the "big issue" that only I think of as the "big
issue".

"I'll go with Truth!" Rei knew that Ami wouldn't ask anything really
personal, and she thought that she was getting off easy.

"Okei..." Ami thought for a minute.

I watch the communication between the two while Ami thinks of something.  I
can tell that there's a certain question neither is going to bother with. 
But what is that? Ugh, this is annoying!  I might never find out!

"If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it?"

'Oi, what kind of question was that!'

Rei smiled, glad for the opportunity. She then began to sing the entire song
of "If I Had a Million Dolllars" by Barenaked Ladies.

I rolled my eyes. "Rei-chan, did you have to sing that song? If you sing
anything by Barenaked Ladies, you should sing "One Week".

Rei stuck her tongue out at Usagi. "I'll sing that one too, if you want."

"NO  Don't!" I exclaimed.  "There's no need to.  Pick someone else,
Rei-chan."

"Hey, I'm a good singer!" Rei exclaimed.

'Always the showoff...'

"Fine, I dare Minako-chan to sing One Week!"

"You can't do it that way!  You have to say Truth or Dare!"

"Ohhh, fiiiiine. You're so picky!" I stuck my tongue out at her.

Rei began to stick her tongue out in response, but then stopped. ('If Usagi
found out about Mamoru...well, she doesn't need to have me on her back too.' )
"Truth or Dare, Minako-chan?"

I watched as Rei stopped herself from fighting with me. WEIRD. What is going
on?

"I'll go with Dare! And I'll happily sing any song you like!"

I groaned. "No more singing!" 'What is it with these people and singing?
Oi!'

"Hey! I'm a chou good singer!" Minako protested. "I'm going to be an idol
someday, and you'll all buy my CDs!"

"Fiiiine." Rei rolled her eyes at Usagi. "I dare you, Minako-chan, to profess
your undying love to...Mako-chan...'s cooking."

I saw Ami blush at what she thought Rei was going to say and I had to laugh.
Everyone else almost fell over when they thought Rei was going to say
'Mako-chan.' Minako raised her eyebrows, and then began.

"Oh, Mako-chan's cooking, you are most excellent. Every bite of you feels
like a party in my mouth, and everyone is invited! I wish I could eat you
for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, for the rest of my existence on this
planet..."

I keeled over in laughter.  That described Mako-chan's cooking all right,
but it was hilarious!

Minako looked at Rei. "Good enough? Or should I continue?"

"No, that's good enough!" Everyone was dying from their laughing fit.

"Alllrighty then...Usagi-chan, Truth or Dare?"

Here we go! "Truth."

"Okei....Usagi-chan...What would your life be like without Mamoru-san?"
Everyone turned to look at Minako-chan as she said that.

My face fell. What kind of a question was that.  I felt sick to my stomach. 
How could she ask that.  I looked at Minako with tears in my eyes.  "Not
worth living..." I whispered. I suddenly had to get out of there. It was way
too hot in that room with the five of us.  I got up and dashed out the door.

"Usagi-chan!"

I know he wasn't going to leave me any time soon, but it scared me to even
think of it.

"Wait, Usagi-chan! I wasn't being serious!" Everyone got up and ran after
me.

"How could you ask her that, Minako-chan?!" Makoto sounded chou upset.

"Gomen...I was just curious...."

I heard Minako and everyone else calling after me but I just ignored her.  I
ran past Crown's, past the park, past Chibiusa who was staring at some
couple kissing...Wait a minute!  I slowed to a stop. I saw the couple pull
apart.  It was... "Masaka!" I was having trouble breathing.  That must have
been what the girls knew!  Mamo-chan!  My Mamo-chan with someone else.  With
someone who's not me!

Everyone was running, fast on my heels. I heard them all stop suddenly, and
then fall in a big heap. They got up akwardly, and noticed what, or rather
who I was starting at. "Kuso!" Makoto cursed.

I calmed myself down and slowly made my way over to the couple. "Mamo-chan..."

The man looked down at me in confusion.  "Who are you?" he asked.  "I'm not
Mamo-chan.  Gomen, but my name is Sagashi."

I gasped.  The man standing in front of me looked like him, sounded like
him, acted liked him... but it wasn't him?


Chibiusa's POV

I arrived at the scene a few moments later. "No!" Usagi had found
Mamo-chan...what was going to happen? I ran to Usagi's side.


Usagi's POV

"Sagashi?  No, you're Mamo-chan. Chiba Mamoru!  You have to be!  You're my
boyfriend.  You look like him!"

I can't stand this... It was like when the Black Moon came but different. 
He didn't know me at all. It was he was a totally different person!

"I'm sorry, but I don't know what you're talking about.  My name is Sagashi
and this is my fiancee, Sakrua-chan."

"F-fiancee...?" I replied shakily.


Chibiusa's POV

"Usagi-chan?" I tried to lead her away. "I have something to tell you..."


Usagi's POV

I shook my head and willed the tears not to fall.  "Stop!" I yelled at
Chibiusa.  I didn't mean to yell at her, but I was upset, scared, and
confused.  I just wanted to be alone.  So, I ran off again.  "Don't follow
me!" I screamed at my friends.


Chibiusa's POV

It hurt me to see her hurting like this. But, I was still here...so that
meant everything was going to be alright...didn't it? I ran after her, as
did the other Senshi. They were all glaring at Minako-chan as they ran, and
I could feel the tension.

"Usagi-chan! Please, stop!"

"Mama!" I called, hoping that would make her stop. "I'm still here! I still
exist!"


Usagi's POV

I was crying so hard that I could hardly see straight.  Finally I found my
bench... our bench.  I arrived to just as I heard Chibiusa call out, "Mama!"

"Chibiusa..."

"I still exist...that means things will be alright..." I could see that she
was trying not to cry.

That's right!  Things will turn out fine, ne?  After all, Chibiusa is still
here. I gave my future daughter a hug. "Arigatou, Chibiusa," I whisper.

"I...saw Mamoru with that other girl earlier today."

"Nani?"

"I was getting ice cream, and I saw them." 'No sense telling her that I had
wanted to go out with him that day, and that I saw them kissing,' Chibiusa thought. She hoped that Usagi wouldn't sense that she was hiding anything. "I...kinda followed them around afterward...I used the Luna-P to disguise myself."

"But... but they're engaged," I choked out.

"And, he said that his name was Sagashi, and that he was majoring in
botany...and that he and Sakura were engaged for a month..."

"I wonder..." Rei-chan said quietly

I hear Rei talk to herself.  I am so scared.  I know Chibiusa is still here,
but... More tears began to fall down my face.  "My heart aches..."

"Usagi-chan..." Minako sat down on my other side and hugged me. Ami, Rei,
and Makoto also moved closer to help support me. I let my friends comfort
me.  What I really want to do is wake up from this bad dream.

Rei continued her thought. "I wonder if Mamoru-san has become posessed with
a spirit."

I look over at Rei.  "What do you mean?"

"Well, from what Chibiusa-chan has said, it seems like Mamoru-san isn't
really himself, at least not all of the time. We need to talk to this Sakura
girl, and get some honest answers."

"I don't want to talk to her, I want to talk to My Mamo-chan," I say.

"I"ll go talk to her, and I'll get answers," Makoto said.

"Wait," Rei said. "I'll come with you."

Getting up, I look at my friends.  "Arigatou, minna...  I'm going to go
home."

"We'll come with you," said Ami and Minako.

"And I will too!" Chibiusa said.

I put my hand up. "No, please. I want to be by myself for a while."

"Okei. Call us on the communicator if you need us, alright?"

I nod without responding and turned to walk home. "I need to get something
from home, too, so I'll come with you," Chibiusa said.

I didn't answer Chibiusa.  I wasn't in the mood to talk anymore at the
moment.  I just wanted to go home, lay on my bed, and play my locket.

I turned to see Chibiusa catch up to me.  Was it just my imagination or did
she seem a little pale? "It'll be okei," she said. "After all, I'm still
here." I knew she felt a little lightheaded, but wasn't going to tell me, so
I didn't mention it.

I wasn't really convinced by her statement.  I remembered a saying, though,
'Never give up hope because one day you might lose all you have'. But...
with Mamo-chan the way he was, how could we ever have Crystal Tokyo the way
we saw it? I had a sinking feeling that I was going to lose my love and my
daughter all at once. Chibiusa slipped her hand into mine, and I noticed
that it was, indeed, pale. "Don't give up."

After arriving at the house, I took my shoes off and headed upstairs.
Luckily no one was home so I didn't have to worry about questions. I took my
precious star locket out and laid on my bed.  Closing my eyes, I opened
it... and it didn't play! "Mamo-chan..." I cried. No! This is just not fair!
  What did I do to deserve this?  What did Chibiusa do?  She's going to fade
away and it'll probably be my fault!  Kami-sama..."THIS ISN'T FAIR!!!!!!"


Chibiusa's POV

I heard Usagi cry out, and decided to try and cheer her up somehow...I went
to her room, and walked in. "I'm sure Mako-chan and Rei-chan are finding out something important right
now, and they'll find a way to fix this somehow."

Usagi's POV

For the first time since we got home, I noticed just how faded Chibiusa
looked. She was very very light, and looked ready to pass out. "Daijobu?

"I'm fine!" She gave me a huge smile, which I knew was forced. I guess she
was trying to reassure me. I went over to hug her...and my body went right
through...

"Chibiusa!"

"Gomen!"

What was going on? "What was that?  What happened?"

"I don't know...but you can't give up hope. No matter how bad things seem."

"But, Chibiusa, Mamo-chan doesn't know me.  He doesn't know you! He doesn't
even know himself!" I collapsed onto the bed in a fit of tears.


Chibiusa's POV

"Please, Mama...don't stop believing. That's one thing you taught me...you
never give up."

"Never give up..."

"Hai...things will work out."I felt like I was lying, and that I was slipping further away. But I had to give her hope.


Usagi's POV

I sat up and wiped the tears away.  "You're right, sweetheart!  Your papa
would never give up on us!  Lets not give up on him!  We'll save him
together, whatever has happened!" Smiling, I looked at Chibiusa.  Sometimes
being a mother was the greatest feeling in the world. "Let's go now!"

Chibiusa got up and reached for the door handle. She gasped.  "What's the
matter?" I asked her.

"Nothing," she said brightly. But, her hand couldn't grasp the door handle...it was translucent! I walked over to Chibiusa.  "You're... you're fading! But why? I haven't
lost my hope have I?..."Maybe a little, but things will be alright!"

She was beginning to flicker. "No! Please no!" I couldn't even hold onto my
sweet daughter.


Chibiusa's POV

If I faded away to nothing, then I wouldn'tve existed at all...and nobody
would remember me... Usagi's tears started falling again.  "Chibiusa, don't leave me! I need you..."

"Gomen, Mama..." I felt myself fade even more, and could no longer see my
reflection in the mirror by the door...

"NOOOOOO!!!!!!!" she cried in anguish.

"Gomen..."

"CHIBIUSA!"

I could see Usagi from a distance, holding on to nothing. "Don't give up
yet.." I hoped she could hear me.


Usagi's POV

I couldn't believe this.  First My Mamo-chan, now Chibiusa.  I heard her
faintly say, "Don't give up yet." and I don't intend on it. I tore out my
bedroom door and down the stairs.  I pulled my shoes out and ran toward
Hikawa Shrine. They girls were probably there by now. I stopped before I got
there though, when I saw Mamoru... excuse me, 'Sagashi' and Sakura.

I ran up to them and bowed.  "Sagashi-san, gomen nasai for my display
earlier today."

"It's all right."

"Sakura-chan, is that you!"

Sakrua was confused.  "Nani? Do I know you?"

"Hai, we went to school together."

"Uh..."

"Ne, Sagashi-san, could  you give us a few minutes?"

Sagashi nodded and walked away. "Okay, Sakura, who are you and what have you
done to my boyfriend!"

"Umm...nani?"

I was beyond pissed now.  No one takes away my boyfriend and my daughter and
gets away with it!  I grabbed Sakura by the collar of her shirt.  "Look, I
am not in a very good mood this afternoon so you'd better come clean with
me, or else!"

Sakura was beyond shocked and more than a little indignant. "Ummm...why
don't you take your hands off me, and then I'll try to explain."

I did and calmed myself down.  "Well...?"

"First of all, I had no idea that Mamoru had a girlfriend...And, I didn't
mean for this to happen how it did, but I guess it did..."

"So what exactly happened?"

"Well..." Sakura took a deep breath, and swallowed the lump forming in her
throat. "My fiancee, Sagashi-chan, was killed in a car accident almost a
month ago, right after we had gotten engaged."

I gasped.  "Gomen nasai!" I was too shocked.  That must have been the most
horrible feeling in the world.

"And...I guess your Mamoru must've been somewhere nearby at the time...Had
he ever told you about seeing a car accident or something?"

I thought for a moment, trying to remember.  Suddenly it came back to me!  A
month ago, Mamoru had to leave the city for a school function or something. 
He said on the way home, there had been a horrible car accident.  A child
had been playing on the road and a man swerved to miss hitting her.  He then
hit the guard rail and the car flipped over multiple times, killing the man
instantly. "Hai, he told me."

"You'll have to forgive me," Sakura said. "I'm still trying to piece this all together myself...but did your boyfriend have some sort of supernatural power?"

"I... um..." I didn't know what to say to that.  I can't risk giving away his secret identity.  "Sort of... Does that count?"

"Hai...I think so. It'd explain things better."

"Sagashi-chan told me, afterwards, that he had felt something pull him into
that body...I had been at my house, alone and crying after I heard the news
of his death, when your Mamoru came and walked right into the house. At
first, I was going to call the police, but then Sagashi-chan told me what
happened...He's apparently sharing the body with Mamoru-san..."

Tears were in my eyes again.  "I want Mamo-chan back..." I whispered
quietly. "You understand, ne? That is Mamo-chan over there, not Sagashi-san."

"I know...and I'm sorry...It's strange for me too, to kiss another man."
Sakura began to cry. "But I love Sagashi-chan so much, and I already lost
him once...I don't want to lose him again. I feel so... robbed. We were
supposed to get married in July."

"But... if Mamo-chan doesn't come back, then I won't get to marry him. 
Would you want to rob someone else their chance?"

"No." Sakura bowed her head. "I'm so sorry...I know how this must feel for
you...but I don't know how to fix it."

My heart was aching again.  The thought of living without My Mamo-chan
scared me so much.  Minako's question hit me again.  'What would your life
be like without Mamoru-san?'

"I wonder...if I can convince Sagashi-chan to leave Mamoru-san's body...Will
you give us a minute? And, can I have one last kiss?"

I thought about this carefully.  But I realized that I couldn't not let her.
"All right," I said, giving in.

"Arigatou," Sakura said. "You know, I don't even know your name..."

"Tsukino Usagi."

"Arigatou, Usagi-chan," Sakura said, hugging her. "I wish you and Mamoru-san
a happy future."

I hugged her back and gave her a few minutes with Sagashi. I watched as
Sakura walked over to Sagashi, and then I decided that I didn't want to
watch, but I'd still listen.  I didn't want to see her kissing Mamoru even
it he was someone else at the moment.  'I hope he'll be himself again
soon...'

"Sagashi-koi, can you leave that body? We've hurt that girl over there a
great deal...even if we didn't mean to. The body you're in is *her*
koibito's, and it's tearing her apart to see me with him. And, I don't want
anyone else to hurt. So, please...for me...leave." Sakura stretched up and
kissed him. "Aishiteru."

"When will we see each other again?"

"Soon. I'll find my way to you tonight. If you can, come with me back home
after you've left Mamoru's body...and I'll be able to join you then."

"Okay... Aishiteru..."

"Aishiteru, koi. I'll be joining you soon."

I felt a slight wind rushing through my air and turned just as Mamoru fell
to the ground.  "Mamo-chan!" I exclaimed.

"He should be back to his normal self now," Sakura said. "I'm sorry for
causing you pain. Remember to enjoy your life, and never give up on love.
Arigatou, and goodbye."

"Matte!"

"What are you going to do now, Sakura-chan?"

Sakura turned to leave, with Sagashi's spirit floating around her. She
smiled slightly. "I'm going to go home, Usagi. Home to where my koi is."

I nodded, not fully certain what she meant.  When I turned back to Mamoru,
he was coming to. "Mamo-chan?"

"Usako?"

I began crying with tears of joy when I heard my name coming from his lips. 
"Mamo-chan!" I hugged him fiercely.  "Daijobu?"

"Why wouldn't I be? You look...surprised to see me." Mamoru looked around.
"How did I get here? The last thing I remember was seeing Chibiusa near the
arcade this afternoon..."

My smile faded.  Chibiusa..."Kami, it's all my fault!  I didn't have hope! 
Gomen nasai, Mamo-chan, I've killed our daughter!"  I sobbed into his chest.
How could I have been such an idiot! "Gomen," I repeated over and over.

Minako-chan, Mako-chan, Rei-chan, and Ami-chan arrived just in time to hear
my outburst. "Usagi-chan?"

I didn't reply.  How could I even look at them.  I didn't even want to see
the look of scorn they would have on their faces.  I just kept my head
buried in Mamoru's chest.  Oh, what have I done! "Gomen... Mamo-chan...
Chibiusa... Gomen."

"Usako?"

"Usagi-chan?"

"Usagi?"

"Usagi-nee-chan?"

"Usagi-chan?"

"Mama?"

My head snapped up.  Looking at me was a bright eyed, pink haired child. 
"Chibiusa!"

"It takes more than that to get rid of me, you know!"

"You're back!"  She rushed into my arms.  "I'm sorry I had such little hope,
Small Lady."

"It's not your fault, you baka."She smiled up at me, and I knew she wasn't
being mean. "I didn't think I'd exist any more either...but I didn't want to
tell you that, so you wouldn't worry more. But, I told you everything would
work out, even if I didn't wholly believe it...and it did!"

I nodded.  "You were right, Chibiusa. You were right.  Arigatou."

"What are you thanking me for? I didn't do anything."

"I'm thanking you for being you." I smiled at my future daughter, my future
husband, and my friends.  Things work out wonderfully in the end.  All you
need to have is a little hope.


koibito: love