Hey guys! I'm taking another break from Be Still My Heart (it's almost done, yay!) and I bet you thought I was never going to finish this! Sorry, you're not that lucky! Okays, well the only thing I have to warn you about is the whole funeral thing... I was a bad girl and didn't do my research on Japanese funerals so it's based upon the Western "Style" (and I've never even been to one of those! It's just like the whole college thing in BSMH!) Well happy reading, Be Still My Heart (the second to last part) will most likely be up by next Monday!
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Disclaimer: I hate these things, you all know what I'm going to say, so I'm not even going to bother this time...
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"Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood."
-- Marie Curie
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"Hey Mina-chan, did you really go to Greece?" was the first thing Usagi heard when she woke up with a massive headache. "Un! It was great... Hey, what a minute! How the heck did they know that?" Minako's eyes practically bugged out of her head.
Dead silence.
"Hey do you think that Naoko Takeuchi person is from the Dark Kingdom?" Makoto wondered aloud. Usagi almost groaned. "Well look at the publishing company, Malachite's Manga!" Rei paused, "What kind of name is that?!" This time Usagi did groan, "Malachite is a pink stone also known as Kunzite." she mumbled sleepily.
"Usagi?!"
"Kunzite?"
"What the-?!"
"Well at least he's not attacking!"
"Can't we just leave him alone, and hope he doesn't attack?"
All four were cut off by an overly cheerful voice, "Usagi dear! Thank goodness you're awake, we were all getting so worried about you!" her mother called from the door. The Senshi jumped a mile into the air, "Doijabu okaa-san..." Usagi mumbled rubbing her sore head. The Senshi hovered over her like hawks searching for their prey. "I'll go call you father, he was especially worried. He almost called an ambulance!" Usagi fought the urge to roll her eyes, "Ja okaa-san!" she called as her mother exited the room.
Ami had her computer out a split second after her mother closed the door, "Finally..." she muttered under her breath. "All right, how long have I been out guys?" Usagi inquired as the girls began to hover over Ami's shoulder. "About two days." Makoto answered still starring at Ami's computer screen. "Hey, what does this button do?" Makoto asked reaching over to push it. Ami slapped her hand away, "Don't touch!" Makoto rubbed her sore hand, "Well a simple, 'Please don't touch the button Makoto' would have done the trick!" she mumbled. Everyone sweatdropped.
"So what's wrong with her Ami-chan?" Minako asked changing the subject. Ami snapped her computer shut, "Her energy was just drained, that's all. That was pretty neat what you did that night Usagi-chan!" Ami said enthusiastically. The memories of that night came slamming back into Usagi's head.
The youma.
The Scepter.
The dead police man.
The badge...
Usagi began to cry softly. "Usa! What's wrong?" Rei asked thoroughly worried. Everyone glanced at her briefly before comforting Usagi. "The police officer... *sniff* he's dead... *sniff* It was all my fault!" she sobbed. "No Usa-" "YES IT WAS!" she screamed, "Yes it was..." she whispered. Rei pulled her into a hug, rocking her back and forth, "No one has ever died while I was trying to protect them... no one..." she whispered.
Minako decided to lighten up the mood, "Hey Usagi-chan, you're such a lucky girl! Mamoru-san has been calling non-stop! I swear, he is going to have a killer of a bill after the week is over!" All the other Senshi began to nod, catching on to what Minako was doing. "Yeah, we had to practically beg him not to catch the next plane over!" Makoto said brightly. Usagi glared at her, "You *kept* him from coming?! Kami-sama! I haven't seen him in over a year!" she cried bitterly. Rei smacked Makoto with one of Usagi's pillow. Makoto caught it right before it hit her face, "Rei-chan, you little rat!" Makoto threw the pillow with all of her might...
It hit Ami right in the face.
"MAKO-CHAN!" Ami practically growled; Makoto shrank back in fear. Ami picked up the pillow and prepared to throw it at Makoto, but in the last instant, she changed directions, and hit Minako in the butt. Four pairs of jaws dropped, "Ami-chan?!" the all practically gasped. "What?" she asked innocently. At the moment, an enormous pillow fight erupted, and all of Usagi's fears, anger, and worry was swallowed up whole.
"Usagi!" her mother called through the door, "Phone! It's that Mamoru fellow you're so fond of!" Everyone froze as Usagi instinctively squealed, "Mamo-chan!" She jumped off the floor where Makoto had been pounding the pillow into her face, and ran out the door, narrowly missing the four pillows aimed for her.
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Usagi eagerly picked up the phone, "Mamo-chan?"
There was a deep sigh of relief on the other side of the call, "Usako, daijobu ka?" came a husky voice. "Hai..." she mumbled. "Iie Usako, I can always tell when you're lying to me, please tell me what's bothering you." "Yamete Mamo-chan! Nothing's wrong!" she snapped. "Fine Usako, if you don't want to talk about it, I'll talk to you later." Usagi remained silent. "Sayonara Usako, call me when you're ready." Usagi's eyes began to water as she heard the other line click off. "Matte! MATTE! Mamo-chan! Come back..." she sobbed into the dial tone. The phone clunked to the ground as Usagi began to cry.
"Okay, I don't care what you guys say, I have never seen Usagi-chan this upset over something so little as this!" Makoto whispered as they creeped back into Usagi's room. "Maybe this is hurting her more then she would like to admit." Ami suggested logically. "How so?" Rei asked, totally interested. Ami shook her head, "I don't know..." she mumbled. The three other girls in the room eyes widened as Ami said that. "What?" she asked. Makoto shook her head, "Nevermind... it doesn't matter." Minako said nothing as she sat by the window. "Hey Mina-chan, daijobu?" Rei asked placing a hand on her shoulder. Minako sighed deeply, "You guys just... oh I don't know... when I was Sailor V, I just... I couldn't save this one little girl..." her voice cracked, "She died because she was a fan of mine, she wandered on to a scene of a battle... and I... I just couldn't save her." Minako was still staring out the window. "Oh... Minako... I- we never knew..." Ami began. "So I have this guilt inside of me now, and I just- It just won't go away... so I know what Usa-chan is going through, she's feeling guilty about it, she blaming herself, and she feels like she let everyone down in a way." she finished, pulling her knees up to her chest. Makoto walked over slowly and gave her a hug, "Then we'll just have to go cheer her up, and you too!" she said in a fake cheerful voice. Minako laughed in a strangled way and shook her head, "Sorry guys, she just left about fifteen minutes ago."
"NANI?!"
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The afternoon Saturday sun gave no mercy to Usagi who was wearing pants and a turtle neck to hide her cuts and bruises from the previous battle the night before... but then again, it probably gave no mercy to anyone.
That was until it started pouring freezing cold rain of course.
Now she was drenched completely, her once bouncy (AN: The only way I can describe them! ^.^) Odangos now lay limp against her head, and her wet clothes clung to her. Oh, this is just SO incredibly original! she thought sarcastically (AN: I had Mamoru saying that in Be Still My Heart! ^^;) as she turned upon the graveyard. She mentally smacked herself. She was wearing a PINK turtle neck to a FUNERAL. She sighed, mocking her own stupidity, and continued towards the ceremony.
Okay, so she was just a little late (when was she not?) and the actual ceremony was over... but there were still people there. The people around the coffin gave the sopping wet girl in the pink turtleneck a strange look as she slipped on the wet, lush grass. Usagi felt like crying. I'm such a klutz! No wonder why the police officer died! she laid on her back, about fifteen meters from where the coffin was, unmoving. Just watching the icy raindrops fall onto her face, washing away her tears. Okaa-san is going to kill me! I'm wet, and I'm going to have a wicked grass stain on my shirt and jeans! "Usagi-san?" a voice questioned from above her. The boy above her was dressed in a black tuxedo, holding a black umbrella over the both of them to shield them from the rain. Kyusuke. Usagi knew in a instant that the police officer was his father, she should have known to begin with, it was just her luck. "Usagi? Daijobu? Are you hurt?" Kyusuke asked squatting down. My pride more then my body "Daijobu. I'm not having a great day." she mumbled as he helped her into standing position. "Me either." he said gloomily, indicating the coffin. It was then that Usagi burst into tears, embracing the boy tightly.
"Usag...Usagi... you're getting me all wet!" he cried into her waist. "It's okay, you can cry." she whispered, running a hand through his hair. "You're the one who's crying!" he cried. Usagi pulled away, and picked up the discarded umbrella, and handing it to the boy. "I have something for you..." she took his hand and led him towards one of the many chairs set up for the service, near one of the cherry trees that surrounded the whole graveyard. "Hey... um... that chair's pretty-" he began, "Wet? I'm already drenched so it doesn't really matter to me." she mumbled reaching into her back pocket and taking out a piece of cloth and handing it to him. "What's this?" he raised an eyebrow. "Open it." she urged, holding the umbrella over him. He slowly unfolded the cloth that Usagi had wrapped the badge in, letting the cloth fall to the dank ground silently.
The world stood still for a minute it seemed to Usagi. Nothing moved, nothing spoke. "This is otou-san's badge..." he said softly, "How did you get this?" "Your father told me to give it to you... he loved you very much." she spoke, avoiding answering his question. The boy stared at the badge for a couple of minutes before looking back up at her, fighting back the urge to cry, "I ... I'd really like to think she was there... that she tried to save my father... I was hoping to show him my model I was building... I guess she had somewhere else to be... I know she would never abandon someone... no matter what my mother says." he gripped the badge in his palm. "Who?" Usagi inquired. "Sailor Moon..." his voice trailed off as he noted Usagi's reaction to the name. "Are you a big fan of Sailor Moon?" she asked, wiping away her tears. He nodded with an "Un!" "She was there you know, she's so weak though... she couldn't save your father... she was just too slow." she muttered burying her face in her hands. "Iie... don't say that Usagi-san! She's saved us so many times, she's so strong, and brave, and beautiful!" he paused when Usagi's face lit up with a smile, "I'm sure that my father was just trying to help without realizing what he was getting into." he looked away towards a falling cherry blossom, "It's raining and cold and yet that cherry tree and it's blossoms are still standing, still fighting against the winds. I think the Senshi are like that, I think my father was like that too."
Usagi followed his gaze, "You're right, they are. I think we all are flowers, fragile to the touch yet they smell so sweet on the inside." he shook his head, "No, they're like our souls." Usagi gave him another hug, "You don't know how right you are kiddo." Kyusuke smiled, "You're just like Chibi Usa." he whispered. Usagi just had to hide a smile. Matte! He shouldn't remember her... is she here? A woman across from them began to wave frantically and Kyusuke groaned audibly, "That' my Okaa-san, I'd better go, Ja Usagi-san, thanks for everything!" he called running over to his mother. "Ja ne Kyuskue-san!" she called back.
She watched Kyusuke walked over to his father's resting place under a tall old tree, holding his mother's hand tightly. Usagi wrapped her arms around herself, realizing how cold it had gotten. It was spring, and yet it was unusually cold that day. She held out her hands, palm up, and watched as the droplets of water bounced off her hand Where's the thunder? Where is the lightning? This isn't a natural storm!. Her eyes were vacant, they weren't really staring at anything. It was like she was just looking at words in a book, and not processing them in her mind, not reading them. Maybe her whole perception of the world was wrong. Heroes were everywhere around her, they weren't just the ones that had magical powers and the ones that saved the world. They were the ones that saved the people. That saved us from ourselves.
She stood up slowly, only a few people had left and she intended to be one of them. She slowly walked away, her thoughts now on Chibi Usa. She couldn't be here... could she? That was impossible for Kyusuke to remember her unless she had rehypnotized him! Police cars zipped by, spraying water on the already drenched champion of love and justice, with their sirens blaring. She turned to face a store window and gasped at what she saw. Her eyes were puffy like mushrooms, and one of her Odangos had come partially undone. She laughed at her reflection, what a sight she must make! Her hair had been her pride and joy once, now it was just hair. Just like her, just a klutz. Just a stupid, slow, klutz. "Usagi-chan?" a voice called from across the street. "Hey Naru-chan!" she yelled back seeing Naru's reflection in the store window. "Geeze, you're soaking!" a male voice noted walking over. "Thanks Umino, I'm quite aware of that." she muttered. "Hey, don't get mad at me! I was just stating the obvious!" he cried innocently. "Usagi-chan, you're going to get sick if you stay out here much longer!" Naru warned. "Iie Naru-chan, she can't. It's impossible to get sick from the rain." Umino explained. Naru and Usagi sweatdropped. An army truck (AN: I have no idea what they are in Japan, anyone care to email me with stuff about the Japanese Military? Didn't think so...) flew down the street. "OH! That was so cool! Did you see that! That just made my day!" he cried pointing frantically after it. Usagi sweatdropped, "And I didn't?" Naru asked indignantly. Umino panicked, "No! No dear, it's just you don't see a military truck like that everyday on the streets of Tokyo!" he blubbered, still trying to cover his tracks. Usagi put a hand on her hips, "You're right... we usually don't... any idea why?" Umino nodded eagerly, "I just heard on the radio that it was a youma at- hey! Where'd she go?" Naru shrugged, "You probably said something that upset her... C'mon Okaa-san's going to fry me if we're late!"
?^?^?^?^?^?^?^?^?^?^?
"Heh he he he..." the monster cackled. It was a tombstone with arms and legs. Not to mention a nasty head of no hair, just wrinkled skin. It's red eyes lit up as the people around him were drained of their energy... very slowly... the painful way. Now where are those Sailor Senshi...? it thought as it scanned the area. It smashed it's headstone hands together creating a boom of thunder, surely enough to scare the Moon Princess. "Hold it right there... eh... thing! You're under arrest!" a police officer cried. Tombstonial turned around slowly, her red eyes gleaming, "What can I do for you boys?" she asked the half of the TPD (Tokyo Police Department) that was there, surrounding her? She raised her hands to the sky, and little black ghosts flew from the slots underneath her arms. They flew over to the group of officers directly in front of her, trapping them against the cherry trees, and sending the others scrambling. She grabbed the closest man to her and lifted him up in the air by the neck while screeching, "Now, I will smash your skull!" She raised her headstone hand, preparing to strike.
"Sailor Moon... KICK!"
A blur of feathers and white fuku wizzed past the discarded police officers, and directly into Tombstonial. She and the previously captured police officer rolled onto the damp ground, her ankle ringing from the impact. "Are you all right?" she asked the man, helping him to his feet. "Sailor Moon?" the man whispered in shock. She nodded, "Stay out of the way, tell them all to stay out of the way. Get the others out of here, and don't fire unless I tell you too. Don't shoot at it until I am dead, if the need arises, understood?" The man nodded dumbly, as she turned on her heels (careful not to slip- again) running back over the youma. "Ahhh... you are the one called Sailor Moon!" (AN: hahaha... does anyone get that? Didn't think so... ^^;) Tombstonial tittered as she circled her. Eternal Sailor Moon stood still, hurt from the mocking youma why am I acting like this? she mentally cried. The police officers around her stood still, most of them in shock, not quite knowing what to do. "For love and justice, I am the pretty sailor suited fighter... Sailor Moon! How dare you fight on these grounds, have you no shame? In the name of the moon, I will punish you!" she asked icily. "I am Tombstonial! I've come to do the honor of burying you six feet under!" she lunged at Sailor Moon, who dropped to a knee to avoid the hit. "You have improved." it hissed from the ground. What is that supposed to mean? "Yeah, well I've had enough practice! So why don't you just crawl back into what ever dark dimension you came from and die! We don't want you here!" she yelled sending a flying kick in it's direction, which was easily blocked. "Not without the knowledge of you dead, and the ginzuishou in my hands!" it screamed. Sailor Moon kicked her, sending her flying back, "No one else is going to die, and YOU CAN'T HAVE MY CRYSTAL!" she huffed. The youma slammed it's hands together as hard as she could sending Sailor Moon and the officers within the nearest fifty feet flying.
Usagi felt her body slam against a cherry tree, thousands of the blossoms floated down around her. The police officers were yelling something at her... but she couldn't hear them.. I can't hear! I CAN'T HEAR! she mentally screamed. She had been too close to the youma, the sound must have deafened her! She was knocked onto the ground by the youma, slamming into it full force. I have to get out of here, this is no place to fight! She got up, weakly, and began running screaming something to the effect of, "Catch me if you can!" but not hearing it out of her mouth. She couldn't even hear the youma behind her, she had to glance back to make sure it was following her. It wasn't the only thing. Most of the police officers and guest of the funeral had begun to sneak behind them and hide behind bushes. Usagi flew up in the with her wings, dodging the cherry blossom trees as she flew over them and into the empty green field behind them. She landed and turned in time to see the youma fly over her. Usagi had to duck to narrowly miss her. It's impossible to fight her without my hearing!
She took out her scepter, noticing it's appearance. The once pink and red scepter was now a dull silver.
Just like the Queens.
"Silver moon eternity blast!" she tried to scream. My voice? I know I can't hear but... I know when I'm talking! What is going on?! she felt like crying. Her wings felt ten times as heavy when they were wet, and nothing on her body seemed to be moving. Help! Mamo-chan! Senshi! Mother... oh Kami! 'Only a fool wouldn't follow his destiny...' the officer's voice rang in her head. This... this isn't my destiny! I have to follow mine! Help! Mamo-chan! Somebody! Please! The youma swooped down, smacking Sailor Moon repeatedly with it's headstones until her stomach, legs, and arms were bleeding, and she fell to the ground. The youma had knocked her sceptor away from her. Still, she could move. The youma sat on her, crushing her ribs and airways from her chest, and gripping her shoulders. The once green grass had turned into mud, and they were slowly sinking into it. Tombstonial grinned wickedly, touching her brooch. There was a flash of light, and suddenly, Usagi's senses came pounding back into her. Her movement, speed, and hearing had improved... it had basically reversed what the youma had done to her. Tombstonial realized that she couldn't touch the brooch, it was too powerful on Sailor Moon. She was still trapped underneath Tombstonial, so she had the benefit.
Without any hesitation, the youma ripped her brooch off, tossing it to the ground to avoid the burn of it's touch. Sailor Moon slowly turned back into Usagi, and there were several gasps heard as the surrounding people discovered her identity. "You lose little princess. Time for you to take a long nap!" she pushed Sailor Moon as hard as she could into the dirt, and Usagi heard a crack, knowing without any medical knowledge that two of her ribs were broken.
It hurt.
It hurt so bad.
Usagi bit her lip to keep from crying. She would not cry. She began to slowly sink into the mud, not moving. Maybe this was her destiny. The future was always changing.
"Pink Sugar Heart Ache!" a little voice cried from above Usagi and Tombstonial. It hurt Usagi to have Chibi Usa, her daughter- her only daughter, see her at defeat. "No! Go Chibi Moon!" she yelled weakly when the youma had looked up to see who had caused it. Usagi was still too weak to struggle to get out of the mud, and it rose to her nose, until she was fully underground. I can't breathe! MAMO-CHAN!! HELP ME!!
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"NO!" Chibi Usa screamed throwing herself onto the youma's back, pounding as hard as she could. "Get off you little worm!" it screamed as it threw her to the ground with a *thud*.
"Hey pick on someone your own size!" a voice yelled from above.
"Venus love and beauty... SHOCK!" the youma was thrown back, and it skidded along the damp grass. "Chibi Moon, are you all right?" Mars questioned running over to the little girl. Chibi Usa pushed past her and the others to where Usagi was buried alive, and she began to frantically dig, staining her gloves with mud.
"All together Senshi, give it everything you got, aim towards the gem on the neck!" Mercury shouted through the rain.
"Mercury Crystal Power!"
"Mars Crystal Power!"
"Jupiter Crystal Power!"
"Venus Crystal Power!"
"Sailor Planet ATTACK!"
"Your Princess is dead, I can die with that knowledge!" the youma shrieked before it was blown into dust by the Senshi's powerful attack.
"Great job.... guys... what is Chibi Usa doing?" Jupiter began.
"What is she doing here is more like it." Mercury corrected.
"Oh Kami-sama!" Mars screamed seeing the Odango Chibi Usa's hands had managed to dig up. She was down on her knees next to her, digging frantically while screaming, "Usagi! SAILOR MOON!" The others rushed to help, and when the had finally gotten her out of the dirt, her face of blue. Mercury immediately began CPR, getting her breath back to normal. She pulled out her computer as Venus' eyes widened, "She's not transformed, why hasn't she transformed... where's the crystal? Mars! Jupiter! No... wait Chibi Moon go find her brooch!" Venus barked and the little girl scrambled to go find it. "Two ribs are broken, she's cut up pretty bad, I think we should bring her to the hospital." Mercury took a step back, and Mars swooped in, gather Usagi to her chest. "Iie! We can't go there, everyone here now probably knows she's Sailor Moon!" she cried. "You would dare to risk her health like that? This is not a game Sailor Mars!" Jupiter yelled. "I know that!" she screamed, "I know that!" she whispered more softly. "We'll bring her home then." Venus said firmly. "Venus! That's the first place they'd go to! The press would hound her!" Jupiter argued. "Ami knows how to help her ribs and wrap them! She could stop by her place to pick up the supplies!" Venus fought back. "The press is going to have a field day! Look, they're already here!" Jupiter waved her hands in the directions of the newly arrived news trucks and vans. "We'll get them to think that she's not home! She wouldn't want to wake up anywhere else!" Venus shouted. "Quiet down you two, you're fighting like children!" Mercury snapped, "We'll go with Venus' plan, and I'll go get whatever I need while you guys explain what happened to the Tsukinos, got it? We'll get a plan from there!" They all nodded, "Chibi Moon, did you find it?" asked Venus urgently when she saw the police and news cameras running towards them. Chibi Usa nodded and held it up, "Go ahead guys, I'll catch up!" she shouted. "BE CAREFUL!" all four shouted before teleporting with Usagi to her room.
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"Panaphobia is the fear of everything. Homophobia is the fear of ..." The professor continued to drone on, much to Mamoru Chiba's distress.
I can't hear! I CAN'T HEAR! a voice screamed in his head, he clutched his head, trying to duck from the class. "Mr. Chiba, are you all right?" the professor questioned his prize student, who was making a mad dash (and stumbling) through the other students.
Help! Mamo-chan! Senshi! Mother... oh Kami! he dropped to his knees in pain, still gripping his head.
Mamo-chan! Somebody, help me! Please!
I can't breathe! MAMO-CHAN!! HELP ME!! he clutched his chest, falling against a wall, nearly tumbling down the many layers of seats at one of the many Harvard Medical School classrooms. "Mr. Chiba?" the professor rushed towards him. "It's his appendix!" one student shouted. "He has stomach cramps!" another one shouted. "I knew he shouldn't have eaten so much chocolate!" a male voice called jumping down the steps towards where the Professor and Mamoru were. "Mr. Grey, you're his dorm mate, bring him to the infirmary!" he barked as Jack Grey nodded, throwing Mamoru over his shoulder. A couple of girls sighed at the sight of Mamoru passing by. Damn, even when he's unconscious! He always gets the girls, and he always turns them down! Jack thought greenly.
MAMO-CHAN!! HELP ME!! "Usako..." he mumbled. "Usako..." he continued to mumble her name until they got to the infirmary, where Jack grabbed the nearest magazine and began reading as Mamoru was taken into a room to be "treated."
^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!
Mamoru groaned, placing a hand to his head. He opened his eyes, panicking because of not knowing where he was. The infirmary? How did I get here? He could recognize the stench of the building anywhere, having worked here on weekends. It always smelled stale and like sharp metal to him. He did like it. "How long have I been asleep?" he wondered aloud. "About seven hours. You know for someone they couldn't find anything wrong with, you sure slept like you were drugged or something!" Jack mumbled throwing the magazine aside. Mamoru looked up to see his room mate sitting in the corner of the room in a dull hospital chair. "Were you here the whole time?" Mamoru questioned, sitting up. "More or less, I had to protect you from the nurses you know, they're in love with you." Jack rolled his eyes and Mamoru joined him, "Really Jack, I didn't know you cared." Jack walked over to the side of his bed and took his hand in a mock- caring way, "I love you man, I'll always care for you! Even if the stars and the moon stop shinning and the earth stops twirling... I will always love yooooouuuuu!" "Jack!" Mamoru coughed. There were four nurses standing at the door, watching him. "What are you looking at? Can't you see we're trying to have a private discussion here? I just read in that Teen People magazine over there that the key to relationships is to have intimate discussions! Is that all right with you?" Jack said in a sassy gay voice (AN: No one take offense to that, I'm sorry but that was the only way I could word it and you would understand.) Two of the nurses slowly backed away, one handed Jack a newspaper, the other a blushing, beet red, Mamoru a glass of water. Then they too slowly began to back away into the hall. Jack pinched one of their butts, "You have some fine booty girl! Get along now!" the girl ran out of the room as fast as she could.
"Uh... thanks?" Mamoru (who was still bright red) offered. "Anytime man, anytime." Jack mumbled unfolding the newspaper. Mamoru took a sip of the water, knowing it was going to taste stale and awful. "NO WAY!" Jack cried excitedly, "They found out Sailor Moon's identity! I thought they were just a myth!" Mamoru sprayed the water from his mouth, and then began to choke on the rest of it. Jack began to pat his back until the hacking stopped. The newspaper had fallen onto Mamoru's bed and he snatched it up, staring at the picture. There it was front page, above the fold.
"THE MASKED MAIDEN UNMASKED"
That was the headline. Below it was a picture of the Scouts crouching around something... brown... and pink? Jack tried to snatch the paper back, but Mamoru pulled it away and slapped his hand. "Mine!" he said simply. He stared at the picture again, wishing he had his glasses with him. Jack reached over and handed his glasses to him, "How did you-" he began. "Your talking out loud retard! Your glasses were with you in class so I pocketed them for you." But Mamoru wasn't listening, he was too busy reading the article. A police officer died? They thought it was her fault? No wonder why she was acting like that on the phone! I shouldn't have been so hard. "Dude, I thought Sailor Moon was supposed to be pretty, she looks pretty bad in that picture!" Jack exclaimed. Mamoru whacked him on the head, "She's much prettier in person!" Jack rubbed his head, "And how would you know that?" Mamoru ignored him, "Where is she in the picture?" "She's in the arms of the one in red-" "Sailor Mars" "- behind the one in yellow" It's orange! "Sailor Venus" Oh Kami... that ... that was his Usako? His angel? He burst out into tears right then and there.
I can't breathe! MAMO-CHAN!! HELP ME!! her voice echoed in his mind as he took off his glasses and covered his face with his hands. Jack stared at him, "You okay man?" Woah, I don't think anyone's ever seen him cry! "Read me the article..." Mamoru whispered in a muffled voice from behind his hands. Jack cleared his throat and began to read:
"Tokyo, Japan"
"Great way to start that off, it just builds the suspense!" Jack muttered. "Keep reading!" Mamoru snapped.
"At the funeral of Tokyo Police officer there was anything but a peaceful resting place in the cemetery. There were unusually cold rains and temperatures for Japanese spring, flooding roads and highways. The Police officer was put to rest after a confrontation
with what the Japanese call a... ooma?" Jack stopped at the uncommon word. "Youma." Mamoru corrected with his hands still covering his face. "Whatever, it's still ooma to me."
"Last Wednesday when the police officer and his partner were caught up in a fight with the Sailor Senshi and a ooma. One was fatally wounded, and the other died after be stabbed by multiple wounds caused by the ooma. The family had started to question if the Sailor Senshi had actually been there or not, but sources confirm that they were on the battle scene, yet were unable to save the officer. The funeral was uneventful until another
ooma appeared and began to drain energy from the funeral guests. Sailor Moon arrived the scene just in time to save one officer from being strangled to death by the ooma which called itself "Tombstonial" which described it perfectly said one of the guests. "She [Sailor Moon] said to stay out of the way, and to get the victims out the way. She warned not to fire unless she died... I don't think anyone wanted to go against her wishes." says Officer Berkley, the man she saved from being strangled to death." Mamoru groaned as Jack continued, "The ooma and her proceeded to engage in battle until the ooma slammed it's hands (which were made from headstones) together forming some sort of sonic wave, throwing her back a dozen feet and into a tree. "She began to panic as if something was wrong, we were all screaming for her to move but she didn't, and the ooma slammed her down onto the ground. We were all getting worried." Berkley explained to the news reporters gathered outside the cemetery."
I can't hear! I CAN'T HEAR! he understood what she was talking about now...
"Blah, blah, blah, Oh! Here's the good part! She flew up into the air, leading the ooma to the back lot of the cemetery, trying to keep it away from the bodies put to rest there. "When she got there, she was frozen. It was like she couldn't move! The ooma just keep hammering her, and we couldn't go out and help... that hurt to see our heroine being bashed around like that." another onlooker said before adding, "It tried to touch some... brooch I guess... on her chest and there was this blinding flash of light, I mean it was pure light... almost soothing in a way. Then she started moving again, but I guess it was too late, and the ooma buried her alive!" Jack looked up to see his friend's reaction. Mamoru was gripping the white pristine sheets tightly, just staring at nothing in particular.
Jack continued, "According to multiple accounts, a "Pink haired Sailor Soldier" appeared from no where, managing to distract the ooma and jumping on his back." Mamoru would have laughed in any other situation, but not this one Chibi Usa? Jack went on, "Then the four other Senshi arrived on the scene two minutes too late. They managed to defeat the ooma by combining their powers in a "beautiful display of lights" while the smaller pink Senshi (or soldier in Japanese) began to try to dig up Sailor Moon. The Senshi managed to lift her out, and Sailor Mercury appeared to administer CPR, bringing air back into her airways. They disappeared with another light display, leaving only the pink one to search for something that was lost. For a profile on Usagi Tsukino, otherwise known as Sailor Moon, go to A2." Jack finished and turned to the next page. "You're right, she is very pretty." he commented when he saw her senior picture from the current year. Mamoru nodded, still processing the information. "Geeze, they have everything in here about her! Grades... ouch... junior high looked a little rough... she's up to a "B+" average now though... hmmm... she hates-"
"Carrots." Mamoru said dully.
Then came the explosion.
"How DARE they publish all this information about her! They had no right to even put her picture in the paper...who gave them... Umino... when I get my hands on him I will WRING HIS NECK!" he screamed. Jack raised an eyebrow, "You're sure protective of her." Mamoru swung his legs over the side of the bed, "I'm leaving for Japan now, I'll call you when I get there." he said pulling his IV out, and standing up. He walked towards the door, "Uh Mamoru?" Mamoru turned sharply, "Yes?" "Your pants." Jack indicated. "What about them?" Mamoru questioned. Jack sighed, "You're not wearing any." he said handing Mamoru his jeans. Mamoru took them, "Right. I knew that." "Sure you did, man, sure you did." he laughed. Mamoru pulled his shirt on and exited out the door. Jack ran after him and handed him his glasses, "Bring me back... like chopsticks or something..." Mamoru nodded, "Sure, thanks for everything." Jack nodded, "Go get her, make sure she's okay." Mamoru nodded back and began to push the door open the whirled around. Jack sighed, "Your secret's safe with me, now GO!" he kick Mamoru out of the door.
Mamoru waited in line at the airport impatiently, Move it people, come one... we're not old grampas here... nevermind... he mentally sighed realizing the man holding up the line was in fact a grandpa with all twelve of his grandchildren with him. The only topic in the whole airport was "Sailor Moon this..." and "I met her once..." and "She saved the world..." and "Poor girl... I hope she's okay" Mamoru tried to ignore them, but he could help but worry himself.
"Hello Sir, how can I help you?" the lady at the counter asked a bit too cheerfully. "I'd like to book the soonest passage to Tokyo, Japan." he answered. "Do you have your passport?" she questioned. Mamoru handed it to her. He was using his only flight credits on this. But it was worth it, she was worth it. Even if he was still a little freaked out about going on airplanes after the whole Galaxia episode. He shuddered, that was the worst time in his life. "Are you going to try to catch a glimpse of Sailor Moon too?" asked a young man behind him. Mamoru stiffened, "No, I'm going to see my fiancee." he snapped rather harshly. "Here's your ticket and passport sir your flight is in ten minutes at gate A34, have a great flight!" Mamoru snatched them out of her hands and began to run towards the gate with his only carry-on bag, containing mostly school work and a jacket.
He was going home to see her.
Finally.
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Gosh, this is 15 pages long! Eeeps! And it's 2:18 AM in the morning! I think I might have rushed the ending just a little bit, but the next one is going to be really good and sad. I hope this isn't going to be as long as BSMH, but with me, you never know! *^.^*
luvs and hugs
Chibi Acky ^.^
*(*)(*)*()*()*()*()
http://fly.to/hosm
http://anime.at/senshivenus
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Disclaimer: I hate these things, you all know what I'm going to say, so I'm not even going to bother this time...
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"Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood."
-- Marie Curie
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"Hey Mina-chan, did you really go to Greece?" was the first thing Usagi heard when she woke up with a massive headache. "Un! It was great... Hey, what a minute! How the heck did they know that?" Minako's eyes practically bugged out of her head.
Dead silence.
"Hey do you think that Naoko Takeuchi person is from the Dark Kingdom?" Makoto wondered aloud. Usagi almost groaned. "Well look at the publishing company, Malachite's Manga!" Rei paused, "What kind of name is that?!" This time Usagi did groan, "Malachite is a pink stone also known as Kunzite." she mumbled sleepily.
"Usagi?!"
"Kunzite?"
"What the-?!"
"Well at least he's not attacking!"
"Can't we just leave him alone, and hope he doesn't attack?"
All four were cut off by an overly cheerful voice, "Usagi dear! Thank goodness you're awake, we were all getting so worried about you!" her mother called from the door. The Senshi jumped a mile into the air, "Doijabu okaa-san..." Usagi mumbled rubbing her sore head. The Senshi hovered over her like hawks searching for their prey. "I'll go call you father, he was especially worried. He almost called an ambulance!" Usagi fought the urge to roll her eyes, "Ja okaa-san!" she called as her mother exited the room.
Ami had her computer out a split second after her mother closed the door, "Finally..." she muttered under her breath. "All right, how long have I been out guys?" Usagi inquired as the girls began to hover over Ami's shoulder. "About two days." Makoto answered still starring at Ami's computer screen. "Hey, what does this button do?" Makoto asked reaching over to push it. Ami slapped her hand away, "Don't touch!" Makoto rubbed her sore hand, "Well a simple, 'Please don't touch the button Makoto' would have done the trick!" she mumbled. Everyone sweatdropped.
"So what's wrong with her Ami-chan?" Minako asked changing the subject. Ami snapped her computer shut, "Her energy was just drained, that's all. That was pretty neat what you did that night Usagi-chan!" Ami said enthusiastically. The memories of that night came slamming back into Usagi's head.
The youma.
The Scepter.
The dead police man.
The badge...
Usagi began to cry softly. "Usa! What's wrong?" Rei asked thoroughly worried. Everyone glanced at her briefly before comforting Usagi. "The police officer... *sniff* he's dead... *sniff* It was all my fault!" she sobbed. "No Usa-" "YES IT WAS!" she screamed, "Yes it was..." she whispered. Rei pulled her into a hug, rocking her back and forth, "No one has ever died while I was trying to protect them... no one..." she whispered.
Minako decided to lighten up the mood, "Hey Usagi-chan, you're such a lucky girl! Mamoru-san has been calling non-stop! I swear, he is going to have a killer of a bill after the week is over!" All the other Senshi began to nod, catching on to what Minako was doing. "Yeah, we had to practically beg him not to catch the next plane over!" Makoto said brightly. Usagi glared at her, "You *kept* him from coming?! Kami-sama! I haven't seen him in over a year!" she cried bitterly. Rei smacked Makoto with one of Usagi's pillow. Makoto caught it right before it hit her face, "Rei-chan, you little rat!" Makoto threw the pillow with all of her might...
It hit Ami right in the face.
"MAKO-CHAN!" Ami practically growled; Makoto shrank back in fear. Ami picked up the pillow and prepared to throw it at Makoto, but in the last instant, she changed directions, and hit Minako in the butt. Four pairs of jaws dropped, "Ami-chan?!" the all practically gasped. "What?" she asked innocently. At the moment, an enormous pillow fight erupted, and all of Usagi's fears, anger, and worry was swallowed up whole.
"Usagi!" her mother called through the door, "Phone! It's that Mamoru fellow you're so fond of!" Everyone froze as Usagi instinctively squealed, "Mamo-chan!" She jumped off the floor where Makoto had been pounding the pillow into her face, and ran out the door, narrowly missing the four pillows aimed for her.
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Usagi eagerly picked up the phone, "Mamo-chan?"
There was a deep sigh of relief on the other side of the call, "Usako, daijobu ka?" came a husky voice. "Hai..." she mumbled. "Iie Usako, I can always tell when you're lying to me, please tell me what's bothering you." "Yamete Mamo-chan! Nothing's wrong!" she snapped. "Fine Usako, if you don't want to talk about it, I'll talk to you later." Usagi remained silent. "Sayonara Usako, call me when you're ready." Usagi's eyes began to water as she heard the other line click off. "Matte! MATTE! Mamo-chan! Come back..." she sobbed into the dial tone. The phone clunked to the ground as Usagi began to cry.
"Okay, I don't care what you guys say, I have never seen Usagi-chan this upset over something so little as this!" Makoto whispered as they creeped back into Usagi's room. "Maybe this is hurting her more then she would like to admit." Ami suggested logically. "How so?" Rei asked, totally interested. Ami shook her head, "I don't know..." she mumbled. The three other girls in the room eyes widened as Ami said that. "What?" she asked. Makoto shook her head, "Nevermind... it doesn't matter." Minako said nothing as she sat by the window. "Hey Mina-chan, daijobu?" Rei asked placing a hand on her shoulder. Minako sighed deeply, "You guys just... oh I don't know... when I was Sailor V, I just... I couldn't save this one little girl..." her voice cracked, "She died because she was a fan of mine, she wandered on to a scene of a battle... and I... I just couldn't save her." Minako was still staring out the window. "Oh... Minako... I- we never knew..." Ami began. "So I have this guilt inside of me now, and I just- It just won't go away... so I know what Usa-chan is going through, she's feeling guilty about it, she blaming herself, and she feels like she let everyone down in a way." she finished, pulling her knees up to her chest. Makoto walked over slowly and gave her a hug, "Then we'll just have to go cheer her up, and you too!" she said in a fake cheerful voice. Minako laughed in a strangled way and shook her head, "Sorry guys, she just left about fifteen minutes ago."
"NANI?!"
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The afternoon Saturday sun gave no mercy to Usagi who was wearing pants and a turtle neck to hide her cuts and bruises from the previous battle the night before... but then again, it probably gave no mercy to anyone.
That was until it started pouring freezing cold rain of course.
Now she was drenched completely, her once bouncy (AN: The only way I can describe them! ^.^) Odangos now lay limp against her head, and her wet clothes clung to her. Oh, this is just SO incredibly original! she thought sarcastically (AN: I had Mamoru saying that in Be Still My Heart! ^^;) as she turned upon the graveyard. She mentally smacked herself. She was wearing a PINK turtle neck to a FUNERAL. She sighed, mocking her own stupidity, and continued towards the ceremony.
Okay, so she was just a little late (when was she not?) and the actual ceremony was over... but there were still people there. The people around the coffin gave the sopping wet girl in the pink turtleneck a strange look as she slipped on the wet, lush grass. Usagi felt like crying. I'm such a klutz! No wonder why the police officer died! she laid on her back, about fifteen meters from where the coffin was, unmoving. Just watching the icy raindrops fall onto her face, washing away her tears. Okaa-san is going to kill me! I'm wet, and I'm going to have a wicked grass stain on my shirt and jeans! "Usagi-san?" a voice questioned from above her. The boy above her was dressed in a black tuxedo, holding a black umbrella over the both of them to shield them from the rain. Kyusuke. Usagi knew in a instant that the police officer was his father, she should have known to begin with, it was just her luck. "Usagi? Daijobu? Are you hurt?" Kyusuke asked squatting down. My pride more then my body "Daijobu. I'm not having a great day." she mumbled as he helped her into standing position. "Me either." he said gloomily, indicating the coffin. It was then that Usagi burst into tears, embracing the boy tightly.
"Usag...Usagi... you're getting me all wet!" he cried into her waist. "It's okay, you can cry." she whispered, running a hand through his hair. "You're the one who's crying!" he cried. Usagi pulled away, and picked up the discarded umbrella, and handing it to the boy. "I have something for you..." she took his hand and led him towards one of the many chairs set up for the service, near one of the cherry trees that surrounded the whole graveyard. "Hey... um... that chair's pretty-" he began, "Wet? I'm already drenched so it doesn't really matter to me." she mumbled reaching into her back pocket and taking out a piece of cloth and handing it to him. "What's this?" he raised an eyebrow. "Open it." she urged, holding the umbrella over him. He slowly unfolded the cloth that Usagi had wrapped the badge in, letting the cloth fall to the dank ground silently.
The world stood still for a minute it seemed to Usagi. Nothing moved, nothing spoke. "This is otou-san's badge..." he said softly, "How did you get this?" "Your father told me to give it to you... he loved you very much." she spoke, avoiding answering his question. The boy stared at the badge for a couple of minutes before looking back up at her, fighting back the urge to cry, "I ... I'd really like to think she was there... that she tried to save my father... I was hoping to show him my model I was building... I guess she had somewhere else to be... I know she would never abandon someone... no matter what my mother says." he gripped the badge in his palm. "Who?" Usagi inquired. "Sailor Moon..." his voice trailed off as he noted Usagi's reaction to the name. "Are you a big fan of Sailor Moon?" she asked, wiping away her tears. He nodded with an "Un!" "She was there you know, she's so weak though... she couldn't save your father... she was just too slow." she muttered burying her face in her hands. "Iie... don't say that Usagi-san! She's saved us so many times, she's so strong, and brave, and beautiful!" he paused when Usagi's face lit up with a smile, "I'm sure that my father was just trying to help without realizing what he was getting into." he looked away towards a falling cherry blossom, "It's raining and cold and yet that cherry tree and it's blossoms are still standing, still fighting against the winds. I think the Senshi are like that, I think my father was like that too."
Usagi followed his gaze, "You're right, they are. I think we all are flowers, fragile to the touch yet they smell so sweet on the inside." he shook his head, "No, they're like our souls." Usagi gave him another hug, "You don't know how right you are kiddo." Kyusuke smiled, "You're just like Chibi Usa." he whispered. Usagi just had to hide a smile. Matte! He shouldn't remember her... is she here? A woman across from them began to wave frantically and Kyusuke groaned audibly, "That' my Okaa-san, I'd better go, Ja Usagi-san, thanks for everything!" he called running over to his mother. "Ja ne Kyuskue-san!" she called back.
She watched Kyusuke walked over to his father's resting place under a tall old tree, holding his mother's hand tightly. Usagi wrapped her arms around herself, realizing how cold it had gotten. It was spring, and yet it was unusually cold that day. She held out her hands, palm up, and watched as the droplets of water bounced off her hand Where's the thunder? Where is the lightning? This isn't a natural storm!. Her eyes were vacant, they weren't really staring at anything. It was like she was just looking at words in a book, and not processing them in her mind, not reading them. Maybe her whole perception of the world was wrong. Heroes were everywhere around her, they weren't just the ones that had magical powers and the ones that saved the world. They were the ones that saved the people. That saved us from ourselves.
She stood up slowly, only a few people had left and she intended to be one of them. She slowly walked away, her thoughts now on Chibi Usa. She couldn't be here... could she? That was impossible for Kyusuke to remember her unless she had rehypnotized him! Police cars zipped by, spraying water on the already drenched champion of love and justice, with their sirens blaring. She turned to face a store window and gasped at what she saw. Her eyes were puffy like mushrooms, and one of her Odangos had come partially undone. She laughed at her reflection, what a sight she must make! Her hair had been her pride and joy once, now it was just hair. Just like her, just a klutz. Just a stupid, slow, klutz. "Usagi-chan?" a voice called from across the street. "Hey Naru-chan!" she yelled back seeing Naru's reflection in the store window. "Geeze, you're soaking!" a male voice noted walking over. "Thanks Umino, I'm quite aware of that." she muttered. "Hey, don't get mad at me! I was just stating the obvious!" he cried innocently. "Usagi-chan, you're going to get sick if you stay out here much longer!" Naru warned. "Iie Naru-chan, she can't. It's impossible to get sick from the rain." Umino explained. Naru and Usagi sweatdropped. An army truck (AN: I have no idea what they are in Japan, anyone care to email me with stuff about the Japanese Military? Didn't think so...) flew down the street. "OH! That was so cool! Did you see that! That just made my day!" he cried pointing frantically after it. Usagi sweatdropped, "And I didn't?" Naru asked indignantly. Umino panicked, "No! No dear, it's just you don't see a military truck like that everyday on the streets of Tokyo!" he blubbered, still trying to cover his tracks. Usagi put a hand on her hips, "You're right... we usually don't... any idea why?" Umino nodded eagerly, "I just heard on the radio that it was a youma at- hey! Where'd she go?" Naru shrugged, "You probably said something that upset her... C'mon Okaa-san's going to fry me if we're late!"
?^?^?^?^?^?^?^?^?^?^?
"Heh he he he..." the monster cackled. It was a tombstone with arms and legs. Not to mention a nasty head of no hair, just wrinkled skin. It's red eyes lit up as the people around him were drained of their energy... very slowly... the painful way. Now where are those Sailor Senshi...? it thought as it scanned the area. It smashed it's headstone hands together creating a boom of thunder, surely enough to scare the Moon Princess. "Hold it right there... eh... thing! You're under arrest!" a police officer cried. Tombstonial turned around slowly, her red eyes gleaming, "What can I do for you boys?" she asked the half of the TPD (Tokyo Police Department) that was there, surrounding her? She raised her hands to the sky, and little black ghosts flew from the slots underneath her arms. They flew over to the group of officers directly in front of her, trapping them against the cherry trees, and sending the others scrambling. She grabbed the closest man to her and lifted him up in the air by the neck while screeching, "Now, I will smash your skull!" She raised her headstone hand, preparing to strike.
"Sailor Moon... KICK!"
A blur of feathers and white fuku wizzed past the discarded police officers, and directly into Tombstonial. She and the previously captured police officer rolled onto the damp ground, her ankle ringing from the impact. "Are you all right?" she asked the man, helping him to his feet. "Sailor Moon?" the man whispered in shock. She nodded, "Stay out of the way, tell them all to stay out of the way. Get the others out of here, and don't fire unless I tell you too. Don't shoot at it until I am dead, if the need arises, understood?" The man nodded dumbly, as she turned on her heels (careful not to slip- again) running back over the youma. "Ahhh... you are the one called Sailor Moon!" (AN: hahaha... does anyone get that? Didn't think so... ^^;) Tombstonial tittered as she circled her. Eternal Sailor Moon stood still, hurt from the mocking youma why am I acting like this? she mentally cried. The police officers around her stood still, most of them in shock, not quite knowing what to do. "For love and justice, I am the pretty sailor suited fighter... Sailor Moon! How dare you fight on these grounds, have you no shame? In the name of the moon, I will punish you!" she asked icily. "I am Tombstonial! I've come to do the honor of burying you six feet under!" she lunged at Sailor Moon, who dropped to a knee to avoid the hit. "You have improved." it hissed from the ground. What is that supposed to mean? "Yeah, well I've had enough practice! So why don't you just crawl back into what ever dark dimension you came from and die! We don't want you here!" she yelled sending a flying kick in it's direction, which was easily blocked. "Not without the knowledge of you dead, and the ginzuishou in my hands!" it screamed. Sailor Moon kicked her, sending her flying back, "No one else is going to die, and YOU CAN'T HAVE MY CRYSTAL!" she huffed. The youma slammed it's hands together as hard as she could sending Sailor Moon and the officers within the nearest fifty feet flying.
Usagi felt her body slam against a cherry tree, thousands of the blossoms floated down around her. The police officers were yelling something at her... but she couldn't hear them.. I can't hear! I CAN'T HEAR! she mentally screamed. She had been too close to the youma, the sound must have deafened her! She was knocked onto the ground by the youma, slamming into it full force. I have to get out of here, this is no place to fight! She got up, weakly, and began running screaming something to the effect of, "Catch me if you can!" but not hearing it out of her mouth. She couldn't even hear the youma behind her, she had to glance back to make sure it was following her. It wasn't the only thing. Most of the police officers and guest of the funeral had begun to sneak behind them and hide behind bushes. Usagi flew up in the with her wings, dodging the cherry blossom trees as she flew over them and into the empty green field behind them. She landed and turned in time to see the youma fly over her. Usagi had to duck to narrowly miss her. It's impossible to fight her without my hearing!
She took out her scepter, noticing it's appearance. The once pink and red scepter was now a dull silver.
Just like the Queens.
"Silver moon eternity blast!" she tried to scream. My voice? I know I can't hear but... I know when I'm talking! What is going on?! she felt like crying. Her wings felt ten times as heavy when they were wet, and nothing on her body seemed to be moving. Help! Mamo-chan! Senshi! Mother... oh Kami! 'Only a fool wouldn't follow his destiny...' the officer's voice rang in her head. This... this isn't my destiny! I have to follow mine! Help! Mamo-chan! Somebody! Please! The youma swooped down, smacking Sailor Moon repeatedly with it's headstones until her stomach, legs, and arms were bleeding, and she fell to the ground. The youma had knocked her sceptor away from her. Still, she could move. The youma sat on her, crushing her ribs and airways from her chest, and gripping her shoulders. The once green grass had turned into mud, and they were slowly sinking into it. Tombstonial grinned wickedly, touching her brooch. There was a flash of light, and suddenly, Usagi's senses came pounding back into her. Her movement, speed, and hearing had improved... it had basically reversed what the youma had done to her. Tombstonial realized that she couldn't touch the brooch, it was too powerful on Sailor Moon. She was still trapped underneath Tombstonial, so she had the benefit.
Without any hesitation, the youma ripped her brooch off, tossing it to the ground to avoid the burn of it's touch. Sailor Moon slowly turned back into Usagi, and there were several gasps heard as the surrounding people discovered her identity. "You lose little princess. Time for you to take a long nap!" she pushed Sailor Moon as hard as she could into the dirt, and Usagi heard a crack, knowing without any medical knowledge that two of her ribs were broken.
It hurt.
It hurt so bad.
Usagi bit her lip to keep from crying. She would not cry. She began to slowly sink into the mud, not moving. Maybe this was her destiny. The future was always changing.
"Pink Sugar Heart Ache!" a little voice cried from above Usagi and Tombstonial. It hurt Usagi to have Chibi Usa, her daughter- her only daughter, see her at defeat. "No! Go Chibi Moon!" she yelled weakly when the youma had looked up to see who had caused it. Usagi was still too weak to struggle to get out of the mud, and it rose to her nose, until she was fully underground. I can't breathe! MAMO-CHAN!! HELP ME!!
^()^()^()^()^()^()^()^()
"NO!" Chibi Usa screamed throwing herself onto the youma's back, pounding as hard as she could. "Get off you little worm!" it screamed as it threw her to the ground with a *thud*.
"Hey pick on someone your own size!" a voice yelled from above.
"Venus love and beauty... SHOCK!" the youma was thrown back, and it skidded along the damp grass. "Chibi Moon, are you all right?" Mars questioned running over to the little girl. Chibi Usa pushed past her and the others to where Usagi was buried alive, and she began to frantically dig, staining her gloves with mud.
"All together Senshi, give it everything you got, aim towards the gem on the neck!" Mercury shouted through the rain.
"Mercury Crystal Power!"
"Mars Crystal Power!"
"Jupiter Crystal Power!"
"Venus Crystal Power!"
"Sailor Planet ATTACK!"
"Your Princess is dead, I can die with that knowledge!" the youma shrieked before it was blown into dust by the Senshi's powerful attack.
"Great job.... guys... what is Chibi Usa doing?" Jupiter began.
"What is she doing here is more like it." Mercury corrected.
"Oh Kami-sama!" Mars screamed seeing the Odango Chibi Usa's hands had managed to dig up. She was down on her knees next to her, digging frantically while screaming, "Usagi! SAILOR MOON!" The others rushed to help, and when the had finally gotten her out of the dirt, her face of blue. Mercury immediately began CPR, getting her breath back to normal. She pulled out her computer as Venus' eyes widened, "She's not transformed, why hasn't she transformed... where's the crystal? Mars! Jupiter! No... wait Chibi Moon go find her brooch!" Venus barked and the little girl scrambled to go find it. "Two ribs are broken, she's cut up pretty bad, I think we should bring her to the hospital." Mercury took a step back, and Mars swooped in, gather Usagi to her chest. "Iie! We can't go there, everyone here now probably knows she's Sailor Moon!" she cried. "You would dare to risk her health like that? This is not a game Sailor Mars!" Jupiter yelled. "I know that!" she screamed, "I know that!" she whispered more softly. "We'll bring her home then." Venus said firmly. "Venus! That's the first place they'd go to! The press would hound her!" Jupiter argued. "Ami knows how to help her ribs and wrap them! She could stop by her place to pick up the supplies!" Venus fought back. "The press is going to have a field day! Look, they're already here!" Jupiter waved her hands in the directions of the newly arrived news trucks and vans. "We'll get them to think that she's not home! She wouldn't want to wake up anywhere else!" Venus shouted. "Quiet down you two, you're fighting like children!" Mercury snapped, "We'll go with Venus' plan, and I'll go get whatever I need while you guys explain what happened to the Tsukinos, got it? We'll get a plan from there!" They all nodded, "Chibi Moon, did you find it?" asked Venus urgently when she saw the police and news cameras running towards them. Chibi Usa nodded and held it up, "Go ahead guys, I'll catch up!" she shouted. "BE CAREFUL!" all four shouted before teleporting with Usagi to her room.
()()()())))()()()())))()()()()
"Panaphobia is the fear of everything. Homophobia is the fear of ..." The professor continued to drone on, much to Mamoru Chiba's distress.
I can't hear! I CAN'T HEAR! a voice screamed in his head, he clutched his head, trying to duck from the class. "Mr. Chiba, are you all right?" the professor questioned his prize student, who was making a mad dash (and stumbling) through the other students.
Help! Mamo-chan! Senshi! Mother... oh Kami! he dropped to his knees in pain, still gripping his head.
Mamo-chan! Somebody, help me! Please!
I can't breathe! MAMO-CHAN!! HELP ME!! he clutched his chest, falling against a wall, nearly tumbling down the many layers of seats at one of the many Harvard Medical School classrooms. "Mr. Chiba?" the professor rushed towards him. "It's his appendix!" one student shouted. "He has stomach cramps!" another one shouted. "I knew he shouldn't have eaten so much chocolate!" a male voice called jumping down the steps towards where the Professor and Mamoru were. "Mr. Grey, you're his dorm mate, bring him to the infirmary!" he barked as Jack Grey nodded, throwing Mamoru over his shoulder. A couple of girls sighed at the sight of Mamoru passing by. Damn, even when he's unconscious! He always gets the girls, and he always turns them down! Jack thought greenly.
MAMO-CHAN!! HELP ME!! "Usako..." he mumbled. "Usako..." he continued to mumble her name until they got to the infirmary, where Jack grabbed the nearest magazine and began reading as Mamoru was taken into a room to be "treated."
^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!
Mamoru groaned, placing a hand to his head. He opened his eyes, panicking because of not knowing where he was. The infirmary? How did I get here? He could recognize the stench of the building anywhere, having worked here on weekends. It always smelled stale and like sharp metal to him. He did like it. "How long have I been asleep?" he wondered aloud. "About seven hours. You know for someone they couldn't find anything wrong with, you sure slept like you were drugged or something!" Jack mumbled throwing the magazine aside. Mamoru looked up to see his room mate sitting in the corner of the room in a dull hospital chair. "Were you here the whole time?" Mamoru questioned, sitting up. "More or less, I had to protect you from the nurses you know, they're in love with you." Jack rolled his eyes and Mamoru joined him, "Really Jack, I didn't know you cared." Jack walked over to the side of his bed and took his hand in a mock- caring way, "I love you man, I'll always care for you! Even if the stars and the moon stop shinning and the earth stops twirling... I will always love yooooouuuuu!" "Jack!" Mamoru coughed. There were four nurses standing at the door, watching him. "What are you looking at? Can't you see we're trying to have a private discussion here? I just read in that Teen People magazine over there that the key to relationships is to have intimate discussions! Is that all right with you?" Jack said in a sassy gay voice (AN: No one take offense to that, I'm sorry but that was the only way I could word it and you would understand.) Two of the nurses slowly backed away, one handed Jack a newspaper, the other a blushing, beet red, Mamoru a glass of water. Then they too slowly began to back away into the hall. Jack pinched one of their butts, "You have some fine booty girl! Get along now!" the girl ran out of the room as fast as she could.
"Uh... thanks?" Mamoru (who was still bright red) offered. "Anytime man, anytime." Jack mumbled unfolding the newspaper. Mamoru took a sip of the water, knowing it was going to taste stale and awful. "NO WAY!" Jack cried excitedly, "They found out Sailor Moon's identity! I thought they were just a myth!" Mamoru sprayed the water from his mouth, and then began to choke on the rest of it. Jack began to pat his back until the hacking stopped. The newspaper had fallen onto Mamoru's bed and he snatched it up, staring at the picture. There it was front page, above the fold.
"THE MASKED MAIDEN UNMASKED"
That was the headline. Below it was a picture of the Scouts crouching around something... brown... and pink? Jack tried to snatch the paper back, but Mamoru pulled it away and slapped his hand. "Mine!" he said simply. He stared at the picture again, wishing he had his glasses with him. Jack reached over and handed his glasses to him, "How did you-" he began. "Your talking out loud retard! Your glasses were with you in class so I pocketed them for you." But Mamoru wasn't listening, he was too busy reading the article. A police officer died? They thought it was her fault? No wonder why she was acting like that on the phone! I shouldn't have been so hard. "Dude, I thought Sailor Moon was supposed to be pretty, she looks pretty bad in that picture!" Jack exclaimed. Mamoru whacked him on the head, "She's much prettier in person!" Jack rubbed his head, "And how would you know that?" Mamoru ignored him, "Where is she in the picture?" "She's in the arms of the one in red-" "Sailor Mars" "- behind the one in yellow" It's orange! "Sailor Venus" Oh Kami... that ... that was his Usako? His angel? He burst out into tears right then and there.
I can't breathe! MAMO-CHAN!! HELP ME!! her voice echoed in his mind as he took off his glasses and covered his face with his hands. Jack stared at him, "You okay man?" Woah, I don't think anyone's ever seen him cry! "Read me the article..." Mamoru whispered in a muffled voice from behind his hands. Jack cleared his throat and began to read:
"Tokyo, Japan"
"Great way to start that off, it just builds the suspense!" Jack muttered. "Keep reading!" Mamoru snapped.
"At the funeral of Tokyo Police officer there was anything but a peaceful resting place in the cemetery. There were unusually cold rains and temperatures for Japanese spring, flooding roads and highways. The Police officer was put to rest after a confrontation
with what the Japanese call a... ooma?" Jack stopped at the uncommon word. "Youma." Mamoru corrected with his hands still covering his face. "Whatever, it's still ooma to me."
"Last Wednesday when the police officer and his partner were caught up in a fight with the Sailor Senshi and a ooma. One was fatally wounded, and the other died after be stabbed by multiple wounds caused by the ooma. The family had started to question if the Sailor Senshi had actually been there or not, but sources confirm that they were on the battle scene, yet were unable to save the officer. The funeral was uneventful until another
ooma appeared and began to drain energy from the funeral guests. Sailor Moon arrived the scene just in time to save one officer from being strangled to death by the ooma which called itself "Tombstonial" which described it perfectly said one of the guests. "She [Sailor Moon] said to stay out of the way, and to get the victims out the way. She warned not to fire unless she died... I don't think anyone wanted to go against her wishes." says Officer Berkley, the man she saved from being strangled to death." Mamoru groaned as Jack continued, "The ooma and her proceeded to engage in battle until the ooma slammed it's hands (which were made from headstones) together forming some sort of sonic wave, throwing her back a dozen feet and into a tree. "She began to panic as if something was wrong, we were all screaming for her to move but she didn't, and the ooma slammed her down onto the ground. We were all getting worried." Berkley explained to the news reporters gathered outside the cemetery."
I can't hear! I CAN'T HEAR! he understood what she was talking about now...
"Blah, blah, blah, Oh! Here's the good part! She flew up into the air, leading the ooma to the back lot of the cemetery, trying to keep it away from the bodies put to rest there. "When she got there, she was frozen. It was like she couldn't move! The ooma just keep hammering her, and we couldn't go out and help... that hurt to see our heroine being bashed around like that." another onlooker said before adding, "It tried to touch some... brooch I guess... on her chest and there was this blinding flash of light, I mean it was pure light... almost soothing in a way. Then she started moving again, but I guess it was too late, and the ooma buried her alive!" Jack looked up to see his friend's reaction. Mamoru was gripping the white pristine sheets tightly, just staring at nothing in particular.
Jack continued, "According to multiple accounts, a "Pink haired Sailor Soldier" appeared from no where, managing to distract the ooma and jumping on his back." Mamoru would have laughed in any other situation, but not this one Chibi Usa? Jack went on, "Then the four other Senshi arrived on the scene two minutes too late. They managed to defeat the ooma by combining their powers in a "beautiful display of lights" while the smaller pink Senshi (or soldier in Japanese) began to try to dig up Sailor Moon. The Senshi managed to lift her out, and Sailor Mercury appeared to administer CPR, bringing air back into her airways. They disappeared with another light display, leaving only the pink one to search for something that was lost. For a profile on Usagi Tsukino, otherwise known as Sailor Moon, go to A2." Jack finished and turned to the next page. "You're right, she is very pretty." he commented when he saw her senior picture from the current year. Mamoru nodded, still processing the information. "Geeze, they have everything in here about her! Grades... ouch... junior high looked a little rough... she's up to a "B+" average now though... hmmm... she hates-"
"Carrots." Mamoru said dully.
Then came the explosion.
"How DARE they publish all this information about her! They had no right to even put her picture in the paper...who gave them... Umino... when I get my hands on him I will WRING HIS NECK!" he screamed. Jack raised an eyebrow, "You're sure protective of her." Mamoru swung his legs over the side of the bed, "I'm leaving for Japan now, I'll call you when I get there." he said pulling his IV out, and standing up. He walked towards the door, "Uh Mamoru?" Mamoru turned sharply, "Yes?" "Your pants." Jack indicated. "What about them?" Mamoru questioned. Jack sighed, "You're not wearing any." he said handing Mamoru his jeans. Mamoru took them, "Right. I knew that." "Sure you did, man, sure you did." he laughed. Mamoru pulled his shirt on and exited out the door. Jack ran after him and handed him his glasses, "Bring me back... like chopsticks or something..." Mamoru nodded, "Sure, thanks for everything." Jack nodded, "Go get her, make sure she's okay." Mamoru nodded back and began to push the door open the whirled around. Jack sighed, "Your secret's safe with me, now GO!" he kick Mamoru out of the door.
Mamoru waited in line at the airport impatiently, Move it people, come one... we're not old grampas here... nevermind... he mentally sighed realizing the man holding up the line was in fact a grandpa with all twelve of his grandchildren with him. The only topic in the whole airport was "Sailor Moon this..." and "I met her once..." and "She saved the world..." and "Poor girl... I hope she's okay" Mamoru tried to ignore them, but he could help but worry himself.
"Hello Sir, how can I help you?" the lady at the counter asked a bit too cheerfully. "I'd like to book the soonest passage to Tokyo, Japan." he answered. "Do you have your passport?" she questioned. Mamoru handed it to her. He was using his only flight credits on this. But it was worth it, she was worth it. Even if he was still a little freaked out about going on airplanes after the whole Galaxia episode. He shuddered, that was the worst time in his life. "Are you going to try to catch a glimpse of Sailor Moon too?" asked a young man behind him. Mamoru stiffened, "No, I'm going to see my fiancee." he snapped rather harshly. "Here's your ticket and passport sir your flight is in ten minutes at gate A34, have a great flight!" Mamoru snatched them out of her hands and began to run towards the gate with his only carry-on bag, containing mostly school work and a jacket.
He was going home to see her.
Finally.
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Gosh, this is 15 pages long! Eeeps! And it's 2:18 AM in the morning! I think I might have rushed the ending just a little bit, but the next one is going to be really good and sad. I hope this isn't going to be as long as BSMH, but with me, you never know! *^.^*
luvs and hugs
Chibi Acky ^.^
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