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Part 5
Disclaimers and such in part 1
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Usagi hung her head low, looking ashamed. She wouldn't blame any of them if they didn't speak to her again. Silent tears fell down her cheeks, and looking up, she saw her friends were crying as well.

"Usagi-chan..." Nobody really knew what to say.

"I knew it," she whispered, shaking her head.

"Gomen we didn't get there any sooner."

She didn't reply, only repeated, "I knew it," over and over again.

"Usagi-chan? What are you talking about, 'I knew it'?" Makoto asked.

Usagi hated herself. She felt so lost and confused. Kujira hadn't succeeded in torturing her physically, but emotionally he had killed her soul.

"I knew it ... that I wouldn't be the wonderful Princess you all wanted me to be. And what kind of Queen will I be..."

"You know it's not your fault that it happened, right? You had absolutely no control over what happened to you," Rei explained.

"You'll do just fine as Queen," Minako said, "besides, you don't have to worry about that yet. Just take life one day at a time."

"We'll always be here for you, Usagi-chan," Ami told her.

"Minna..." Usagi held her arms out for hugs. They were right, she had to take things one day at a time. 'I'll get through this.' "Arigatou!"

Everyone ran over to hug her, they were all still crying. Before they rushed her she said, "Carefully!"

"Hai, we don't want to hurt you." Everyone hugged her gently.

"Arigatou," she said again. "I'm so lucky to have such wonderful friends."

A few moments later, there was a knock at the door, and there stood Mamoru and the pizza. "It's on me this time," he said.

"Mamo-chan..."

"Hai, Usako?"

Usagi got up and hugged him, "Gomen ne, Mamo-chan, gomen ne!"

"Lets leave these two alone," Makoto said.

"Hai..." Everyone discreetly slipped out, taking most of the pizza with them.

"Usako, it's all right. I know that is must be hard for you to even look at me, never mind anything else."

"It's not right for me to feel that way, though. The whole time on Oceanus' ship I wanted to see you, wanted to hold you and the minute I could, I ran away."

"After what you went through...I wouldn't expect any different. I'm just glad that nothing more happened..."

"Un..."

Usagi looked longingly into his eyes. Smiling, she raised herself onto her tiptoes and kissed him on the lips.

Mamoru kissed her back, hoping that she wasn't just doing this for his sake. He gently traced her bruised cheek, realizing what would have happened if they hadn't got there when they did to save her.

When they finally pulled apart, Usagi smiled at him again. "Aishiteru, my Prince."

Mamoru smiled back at her, glad to see that she was truly feeling somewhat better. He knew that it would take time for her to recover, but he'd try his best to be there and to protect her. "Aishiteru, my Princess."


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Well, there it is. We hope you enjoyed it. Remember, if you'd like more work by us, please read and review all our ficcies!

Hope
Not Alone
It's *That* Time of the Month or The Ikka no Kyande Tempt Fate

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Emiri and Usa