I stood frozen in my spot, still staring at that now empty space where that mysterious lady once was. Her image was burned into my mind. I wasn't able to get rid of it. It was almost as if she was still watching me; still sneering.

I blinked a couple of times, trying to get a hold of myself. I spun around, remembering Usagi. There she was, laying on the ground, blood starting to seep where her head was.

"Oh God no," I murmured, as I rushed beside her side. "Usagi! Usagi! Wake up, c'mon, listen to me!" I slapped her lightly across the face, and pinched her earlobes. "Please, God, please," I muttered quietly. I felt my heart pound into my breast. My pulse started to become faster, and my hands became shaky. "Come back, come back.."

I turned her head over extremely carefully. A feeling of relief swept over me, as I realized the blood came from the bottom of her head. "Only a minor injury," I reassured myself out loud. I grinned. I sighed happily, as I carefully picked her up. My knees buckled under her weight. "100 lbs, I'm sure, Usagi," I muttered, as I pushed myself inside my house.

I lay her on the couch, as I busied myself with the bandages and water. I carefully wrapped her head around with the bandage, and made sure the wound was clean from any dirt. I smiled, as I flicked her blonde bangs away from her eyes. "Too close," I murmured.

Her chest slowly rised and fell to the rhythmic pattern of her breathing. I sat back on a chair, next to the couch, watching her. She was so innocent. She didn't even have the slightest clue what she was getting into when she came to visit this morning. Then again, neither did I. I groaned, remembering that strange battle. That villian had such power over me, I tremured at the thought of her. Get a hold of yourself, I scolded, as I crossed my arms firmly. You're not a girl that can be controlled. Not by Mother, not by that woman, not by anyone.

I nodded firmly, agreeing with my statement. I'm much too strong and confident to be overruled so easily. I sighed, recognizing the fact that yes, indeed, she'll be returning. Maybe with her wolf. Maybe with a stronger kinsman. In any case, she'll be back.

Usagi stirred, as she moaned painfully.

"Hush, hush," I quietly said, as I brushed her bangs away from her eyes. "Quiet, don't speak."

Usagi looked at me with questioning eyes.

Almost as if reading her mind, I responded, "You're alright. You just got a little knock on the head, that's all. Just sleep for now."

Her hand reached mind, as she entwined her fingers with mine. She smiled a very weak smile, then drifted back to sleep. I stared at my hand in her's. Without even realizing it, I smiled.

"Rei," a voice harshly whispered behind me. I twisted around in my chair, curious to see who it was. Ah, it was Mother. "What the hell are you doing?!" Her voice was barely above a murmur, but it was cold, firm, and clear. My shoulders collapsed, as I struck my hand away from Usagi's.

"She got hurt, so I'm caring for her," I answered in a monotonous voice. I stared at her with cold eyes, demanding her to go away.

She crumpled her face up in wrinkles, uttering, "Well get her out of here soon. I don't want people to see some wounded little thing --"

"-- Her name is Usagi," I interrupted sternly.

"Whatever," she cried, as she threw her hands up in the air in exasperation. "Just get her out."

She marched off to her room, and I'm sure she was sitting at her little vanity, checking up on her layers of makeup. I rolled my eyes at the thought.

- - - -

It was nightfall, and Usagi hadn't even moved since that morning. She was resting so peacefully, I couldn't bear to wake her up during the day. I debated with my mother about her staying the day, while she objected at every single word I said. We even had started yelling to each other, but it was in another room, where I hope Usagi didn't wake because of our argument. In the end, Mother wasn't able to do anything about it, because I told her if she wanted Usagi out of the house, she'd have to lift her and carry her home herself. Of course, Mother dreaded the idea of dirtying her hands with a child, so she agreed to let her stay longer, until she woke.

It was late at night, and still she hadn't stirred. I had finished my chores, and finished cooking all day, while she still slept. She seemed so peaceful and innocent in the light of the moon. The stream of light's kisses carressed her face carefully, as they were mending to her wounds. I grinned.. comparing her to a moon? What an odd idea.

I sat on the chair, with my blanket around me. I watched her sleep for a little while longer, her hair glistening in the moonlight. The house was silent, as my mother needed her beauty sleep..

I smiled, as I removed my blanket, and placed it over Usagi. Although I shivered from the harsh cold of the night, without my blanket, the warmth inside my heart was good enough. I didn't know how long I just sat there watching her sleep. But at one point, I joined her in my dreams.