*************

Part 2
Disclaimers and such in part 1
*************


The girls and Mamoru went to Rei's temple, where they found Luna and Artemis catnapping. "Artemis, Luna wake up!" Minako shouted. "Gomen for the rude interruption, but it's chou urgent!"

Luna and Artemis roused and stretched, "Nani? What's the matter?" They noticed Setsuna was with the girls and Usagi wasn't. "Where's Usagi-chan?"

"Usagi-chan is missing..." Makoto replied.

"MISSING?"

Setsuna nodded. "Hai, she contacted Minako-chan a little while ago explaining that someone named Oceanus had her."

"Oceanus?! Kami, no...." Luna was in shock.

"Who is he?" Makoto wanted to know.

"He...was engaged to Princess Serenity, before she met Endymion. He was a man with a severely violent and corrosive nature, but Queen Serenity didn't know when she agreed to let him marry the Princess."

"Then, the Princess met Endymion, and she knew that she had found her true love. The Queen tried to call off the previous engagement for the sake of her daughter...but Oceanus wouldn't give up. He finally disappeared just before the Moon Kingdom was attacked."

Setsuna spoke up. "I remember the Queen telling me a lot of this. Well, I also saw it all, but I remember her telling me that Oceanus' one weakness was for the Princess. He was desperate to have her for his own. He would also do most anything to keep her happy. Maybe...if we can talk to Usagi somehow, we can find a way to trick him."

"Like, maybe if she wins his full trust, and then we attack!" Makoto was ready to spring into action.

"Why don't we call the rest of the Senshi," Mamoru suggested. The girls nodded in agreement.

"And I'm going to see if I can find Usagi-chan psychically," Rei added. "I'll come back out when I've found something."

Setsuna went to call Haruka-tachi while the other girls and Mamoru tried to stay calm.

~~~~~

Usagi stared at the moon through her window. It seemed so desolate. She knew that Oceanus was due to come back any minute now. She didn't want him within three feet of her but there was no chance she'd be lucky enough to leave anytime soon. She jumped when the door opened and the man in question entered.

"And how are you feeling now, my dear?"

"All right, I guess," Usagi replied, walking towards him. She stood far enough away from Oceanus so he couldn't reach out to touch her.

"Are you hungry now? I can have my chefs make you something. You hardly touched your food at supper."

"Not right now, arigatou. Maybe later?" No sooner had the words come out of her mouth did Usagi feel dizzy. It felt as though the whole room was hot. Everything was spinning in and out of focus. Putting a hand to her head, she groaned.

"Daijobou?"

REI: "Usagi-chan?"

Usagi was shaking now. Did she just hear Rei's voice? 'Rei-chan?' she said inside her head.

"Hai! Usagi, where are you? We're so worried about you!"

'The Moon.'

'Nani? Are you all right?'

'I'm not sure how I got here ... some guy pretending he was Mamo-chan sent me here with him. Kami! Is Mamo-chan all right?'

'Hai, he's with minna-tachi. He got hit on the head by someone, but he's fine now.'

'Yokatte... Rei-chan, I'm scared... Oceanus wants me to marry him! If I don't listen he's going to hurt me! Rei-chan, help me!'

'Usagi, you have to pretend that you like him, and earn his trust. I know it's going to be hard for you, but that's the only way we can get you out of there...I think Pluto has a plan.'

'I don't know if I can do that. There's no other way? Couldn't you just all teleport here and then I can teleport back with you?'

'As long as you pretend to like him, he won't hurt you...Do you have your transformation brooch on you?'

'H-hai.'

'Good. Just make sure that you don't lose that. We're going to see if we can manage the Sailor Teleport without you, but we might not end up exactly where you are. It'd be easier if you persuaded him somehow to let us "visit", then we could sneak you away...can you do that?'

'I-I think so ... but I have no choice in the matter, do I? It's the only way...'

'Well, see what you can do, all right? I'm sorry, but I'm losing strength..we'll come as soon as we can..."

'Un... Rei-chan, arigatou... Tell Mamo-chan I love him!'

'All right, I will. You be careful, Usagi-chan! Hang in there, girl!'

'I'll try...'

'We'll come as soon as we can...'

As soon as Rei's "mind meld" was complete, Usagi collapsed to the floor in exhaustion. Oceanus picked her up, and brought her over to the bed. "Daijobou? What happened? It was because you never ate anything, wasn't it!"

Usagi only nodded a reply, not wanting to tell him the real reason. She doubted that would go over well... "A-arigatou, Oceanus-sama."

"Are you sure I can't persuade you to eat anything?"

"I guess something small would be good," Usagi said. Her stomach grumbled, replying in agreement.

"All I really want is for you to be happy, dearest...now, what can I get you?"

"I'll have a steak, baked potato with sour cream, bacon, and cheese, and two pieces of apple pie."

"I'll go get that right away!" Oceanus was amazed that she had that big of an appetite.

Usagi slumped back onto the bed. She hoped the Senshi would get there fast. 'What am I getting myself into?'

~~~~~

The Sailor Senshi waited impatiently for Rei to finish her "conversation" with Usagi. They only hope that it came with results...

"Kuso!" Haruka exclaimed. "I can't just sit around doing nothing!"

Rei came out of her sacred room, looking quite drained. "She's on...the moon."

"Can we teleport there?" Ami asked.

Setsuna nodded. "We should be able to, but without Usagi we won't land exactly where we need to be. Our coordinates will probably be off."

"I guess we're going to have to fight our way in, huh," Mamoru was ready for a good fight.

"Rei-chan, how long until you're ready?" Makoto asked. "I can't wait..."

"I'm all right. We can go now."

"Are you sure?" Hotaru asked quietly. She may be the Senshi of Destruction, but she's still a 12 year old girl.

"I'll be fine...unless you all think we should wait to rescue Usagi-chan!"

Hotaru's eyes widened. "G-gomen..."

"Gomen, Hotaru-chan...but I don't want to leave Usagi-chan with that creepazoid for longer than necessary!"

"Minna! Henshin yo!" Michiru exclaimed.

"Mercury Crystal Power, Make Up!"

"Mars Crystal Power, Make Up!"

"Jupiter Crystal Power, Make Up!"

"Venus Crystal Power, Make Up!"

"Uranus Planet Power, Make Up!"

"Neptune Planet Power, Make Up!"

"Pluto Planet Power, Make Up!"

"Saturn Planet Power, Make up!"

Mamoru transforms into Tuxedo Kamen and nods at the Senshi. "Sailor.... Teleport!"

~~~~~

Oceanus was in his throne room. He had tried his hardest to get through to the moon princess. But, she had refused him and refused him...he yelled for Sakana.

"Yes, Oceanus-sama?" Sakana said, bowing.

"Bring me wine. NOW" Sakana nodded and ran to fetch the wine. "Make it a pitcher, not just a cup!"

"Hai, sire!" he called.

Maybe the wine would calm me down, Oceanus thought to himself. Five minutes later, Sakana returned with the pitcher of wine He couldn't just smack the Moon Princess a few times like he'd wanted to. He had tried his hardest to be patient, and she kept refusing practically everything he offered. He grabbed the wine from Sakana, and took a sip. "HORRIBLE! Don't we have anything better?" He threw the pitcher across the room, hitting Kujira.

"Ow!" Kujira growled.

"I-I'm not certain, your majesty," Sakana stammered.

"I've had enough of this!" Oceanus let out a few choice words, and stood up. He was going to go talk to the Princess right then and there, if not do more.

Kujira rubbed his head where the pitcher hit, wondering what exactly Oceanus had in mind. He looked at Iruka questioningly. "I--don't know...we shouldn't interfere anyway."

Nodding, Kujira left to put ice on his injury. Sakana sat down at the dining table and sighed. He really didn't know what he had gotten himself into.

~~~~~

Oceanus stalked toward Usagi's room, determined to make her love him.

Usagi sat up on the bed when she heard heavy footsteps heading towards her room. She knew who it was. She was about to lock herself in the bathroom when she remembered Rei's words, 'You have to pretend until we get there.'

Oceanus didn't bother to knock, but just tore open the door. "Why aren't you happy here? You know I can give a girl anything and everything she wants and yet you refuse me! You refuse my food, my good company, you refuse to love me...I am king, and don't have to take this!" His face was right in Usagi's at the end of the sentence.

Usagi did the only thing she could think of ... she kissed him.

Oceanus was totally taken aback. "Was...I wrong?"

"Gomen nasai, Oceanus-sama," Usagi whispered.

"What...are you apologizing for?"

Usagi's heart was thundering in her chest. "I-I've been so terrible to you since I arrived. Forgive me?" she asked, caressing his cheek.

Oceanus looked deep into her eyes, and saw...not love, but fear. "Do you love me?" he whispered.

"Yes, I love you with all my heart," she lied. 'Gomen ne, Mamo-chan...'

"Then why am I seeing fear in you eyes instead of love? Don't EVER lie to me!" He slapped her hard across the face.

Usagi cried out in pain and put her hand to her face. It stung badly. "I'm not lying to you!" she pleaded.

"You just lied again! I am KING! I have almighty power to do and have whatever and whomever I bloody please to!" He slapped her again. "Did I not just tell you not to lie to me!?"

Usagi felt blood in her mouth. 'Kami, what can I do... Rei-chan, can you hear me?' She just closed her eyes, tears coursing down her cheeks. This wasn't working out well.

Oceanus grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. "Why do you refuse to love me? Do I have to beat your stubbornness out of you?"

"Please stop!" she cried. "I don't know what you want me to do. I'm sorry I don't love you!" Usagi gasped. She just told him flat out she didn't love him. That was just as bad as lying about it.

"Sorry isn't good enough!" He hit her again, harder, this time sending her flying backwards.

The wind was knocked out of Usagi as her back hit the wall. Stars were dancing in front of her eyes. 'Mamo-chan...'

~~~~~

Iruka stood outside the room, unsure of what to do. If she didn't help, the poor girl could be killed. But, Oceanus' wrath would be upon her if she *did* help...

Kujira tapped Iruka on the shoulder. "What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I'm trying to decide who's life I want to save," she said wryly. "If I don't help, he's going to kill her...but if I *do* help, then he's probably going to kill me."

"Leave them, it's none of our concern what the king does with that girl, Iruka. It's not worth risking your life over."

Iruka remembered what Usagi had said about being taken away from her love and family and friends. "I can't stand it anymore...I'm going to protect her." Iruka ran into the room and shielded Usagi as Oceanus was about to hit her again.

"That's ENOUGH!" she yelled. "Do you want to kill the poor girl?!"

Usagi watched in amazement as Iruka jumped in front of her. What was she doing?

Iruka cringed as Oceanus' fist connected with her jaw. "Can't you see how badly you're hurting her?"

"Iruka-san, stop!" Usagi said.

"I can't let him hurt you anymore..."

"Just ... just let him do what he wants. I don't want you to be hurt or killed because of me. I couldn't live with it." Usagi slowly stood up. She winced as she straightened herself.

"You have such a bright future. And you have a koibito...I can't let you lose each other." Iruka turned back to Oceanus. "Not everyone can have the people they think they love. And, if they can't have them, then it's for a good reason. Things can't be forced to be."

Iruka hit him squarely in the jaw, sending him flying right out the doorway, at Kujira's feet. "Iruka!" Kujira growled. "What the hell are you doing?" He bent down to help Oceanus to his feet. "Daijobu, sire?"

Oceanus stood up and dusted himself off, hitting away Kujira's hand. "I'm fine," he replied angrily. "And yes, what the hell do you think you're doing?"

Iruka spread her arms protectively in front of Usagi. "I"m not going to let you hurt her anymore. She's never going to love you, and you know that. Abusing her isn't going to change her views any, either. You know, once upon a time, I thought I loved you. And now that I see what an ass you can be, I wonder what I ever saw in you!"

Poor Usagi watched the whole exchange. She was way too exhausted to talk or do much of anything, but she couldn't allow Iruka to be hurt. Without the girl knowing, Usagi moved to the side and gave Oceanus a look... Sort of like a dare.

"You loved me?" Oceanus was incredulous. He moved toward Iruka, trying to look gentle. "Why don't we talk about this some more, I had no idea..." He began to escort Iruka out of the room, then shoved her out, and shut the door behind him. "Now, what was that look for, dear?" he sneered.

Usagi called for the Ginzuishou and a few seconds later, stood the Moon Princess. "I am sick and tired of your thoughtlessness, Oceanus! You must realize by now that I do not nor will I ever love you. I am in love with Endymion and we are going to be married and have a wonderful future. I do not want to destroy you, but if I have to, I will."

"Destroy me?" He sneered again. "And just how do you intend on doing that?"

Iruka managed to break back into the room. "Please...can't you heal him instead? I remember Oceanus when he was younger...he was tender and kind and fair...that's the man I fell in love with." Tears were running down her face. "I know that's asking a lot, especially after what he did to you...but can you heal him?"

Usagi smiled. "Of course I can, Iruka-san, but only if he's willing to be healed. It may not work if he is not."

"All right..." Iruka whispered. She nodded tearfully, praying it would work.

Usagi raised the Ginzuishou above her head, and shouted, "Moon Healing Escalation!" She felt the power leaving her body. 'Maybe this wasn't such a good idea'.


Oceanus stood there, letting her waste her power. He felt ... strange ... But, he shook the feeling off. "Are we done yet?"

Usagi stopped, drained completely, and sank to the floor. She looked up at Oceanus expectantly. He walked over to the Princess. "I'm glad to see you back in that form, dear." He yanked her to her feet, grabbed her chin roughly, then captured his mouth with his. He fully enjoyed every second she squirmed. Usagi's eyes widened in fear. She was helpless. All the power she had earlier was gone.

"Now, are we quite done?"

The Princess didn't reply.