~Chapter 2~
***********************************
"Minna, let's go to the arcade!" Minako suggested.
Usagi jumped up in excitement. "HAAII!"
"Haven't we done that enough already? I think Usagi-chan could use some serious studying!" Ami said.
"Go figure," Rei muttered. "Usagi, can't you find something more useful to do with your time?"
"Shut up, Rei-chan!" Usagi replied, sticking out her tongue. Rei did the same.
Makoto laughed. "Hai, Usagi-chan. You have way too much time on your hands!"
"But the arcade is fun!" Minako protested. "And I want to see Motoki-san!"
"Remember, being a Senshi is not your whole life. When it comes to school, you stink and need practice, Usagi-chan!" Ami scolded.
Usagi's eyes widened. Then she laughed. "Oh, Ami-chan, you need to lighten up!"
"Gomen.... I've been really shaken up lately..." Ami sighed.
"Nani? Why, Ami-chan?" Rei asked.
"My father hasn't sent me anything for a while now. I was expecting a painting or a drawing at least a week ago and there's been nothing. I've been getting worried." Ami sighed, her eyes dim.
"I'm sure he's fine, Ami-chan," Minako reassured her. "My papa's away a lot on business, too."
"Oh, Ami..." Makoto said comfortingly, trying to help Ami feel better.
Usagi put her arms around Ami. "Cheer up! I'm sure he'll send you something soon!"
Ami smiled a little. "Thanks, minna. I guess I really should relax more."
"Hai," Rei said. "Why don't we go ahead to the arcade. I could use a drink."
"Too much stress makes the body break," Minako quoted. "I think that's a proverb."
"Actually, it goes -" Ami said before being cut off.
"Oh, Ami-chan, quit correcting her!" Makoto said, grinning. "I'm sure you both already have enough to worry about right now."
The girls laughed as they entered the arcade. "Ohayou, Motoki-oniisan!" Usagi exclaimed.
"Motoki! Long time no see!"
"Hai! It's great to see you!" Makoto said, smiling.
"Well, it's been about 22 hours since you were last in here, Minako-chan." Motoki laughed.
"Ohayou, minna!"
"It's good to see you, but-" Ami said, then paused. "Hey, minna! Do you see who I see?"
"It can't be!" Makoto grinned. Everyone noticed three figures approaching them...
"Haruka-san! Michiru-san!" Usagi said.
"Hotaru-chan!" Minako said. "How are you?"
"I'm doing very well, arigatou." Hotaru said, smiling.
"You certainly look like you're doing much better," Ami said.
"It's nice to see minna all together again," Hotaru said in her quiet voice. "I've missed you all."
Usagi's eyes trailed off to the new Sailor V game. In this one she was supposed to fight some sort of bug youma. "Ne, I'm going to play the new Sailor V game," Usagi said, heading over to the console.
"I'm gonna stick to racing!" Minako announced.
"It never fails, does it?" Haruka said with a smile.
"Usagi-chan, wait! Don't you think we should greet them proper-" Makoto said, before giving up.
Minako laughed. "Wanna come race with me, Haruka-san?"
"Sure, why not. Excuse me."
"It's wonderful to see you again, Michiru-san. How have you been doing?" Ami asked.
"Anyone want to order some food and drinks?" Rei asked.
Makoto eyed Rei. "I'm gonna go with Rei-chan, alright, Ami? I'm starving!" Makoto said, before running off after Rei.
Michiru sighed, and turned to Ami. "What's wrong, Michiru-san?" Ami asked when she saw the look on Michiru's face.
"Ohhhh, Haruka likes to chase too many girls," she muttered. "I'll punish her for it later, though." She laughed. "Anyway, how are you?"
"I'm... fine. School's good, swimming's good, everything's fine," Ami said, smiling to cover up her sorrow.
"We'll have to race again one day," Michiru said. "Is everything alright with you?"
"It's just... I'm scared. I've told everyone else about my father not sending me any pictures lately, but... that's only the half of it." Ami said, lowering her voice.
"What's the other half?"
"Michiru-san, lately, I've felt something strange. I told my friends that it's been a week since Father sent me anything... but to tell you the truth, it's been over a month!" Ami said, her face turning from sorrow to fear. "I don't know what to do anymore!"
Michiru hugged Ami. "Is there any way of contacting him? Phone, maybe?"
"No." Ami said bluntly. "The only contact we've ever made is through writing... or painting, in Father's case."
Meanwhile, Usagi sat content playing her video game. She felt the beginnings of a headache coming on but ignored it at first. Finally she thought that perhaps she needed food. And didn't she see Makoto and Rei getting food brought to their table? Usagi got up, but realized she must have gotten up too quickly and felt really dizzy all of the sudden. Her head was pounding unmercifully.
"Ne, Usagi-chan!" Makoto's voice could be heard yelling, when she saw Usagi get up from her game. "Come on over!"
Usagi didn't hear Makoto calling her name. All she heard was some sort of buzzing sound in her ears. Almost like... bugs. *What is wrong with me?*
"Wait here, Rei-chan. I'm not sure but I think Usagi-chan just hesitated at the offer of food. I'm going to go check it out," Makoto said, when she saw Usagi pause after getting up. She walked over to Usagi and put a hand over her shoulder. "Daijobu?"
Usagi jumped. She couldn't think straight. She felt like passing out... and that's what she did.
"Oh, no!" Makoto cried, catching Usagi before she hit the ground. "Hey, a little help, here?"
Haruka and Rei ran over to them in a flash. "Usagi-chan!" Minako was on Haruka's heels.
"What happened, Mako-chan?" Michiru asked, coming over.
Hotaru followed closely behind after getting off her own video game.
"Usagi-chan got up from her video game, then I called to her. When she didn't come, I figured something was wrong. So I came over to check it out - and here we are now."
Hotaru looked around. *What's that odd sound? Where's it coming from?* Her gaze guided her to Usagi. *How odd...*
"Maybe she played too much of the new game," Michiru suggested.
"Michiru, i don't think that's it," Haruka told her.
By this time, Ami had whipped out her pocket computer and was scanning the area with it. Her eyes darkened.
"What is it, Ami-chan?" Rei asked.
"The computer.... it's gone completely crazy! Look!" She showed the computer to Rei. The numbers and symbols were jumping around the screen crazily. "I don't think this is supposed to happen..."
"So then, what's wrong?" Haruka wanted to know.
"Some sort of electromagnetic force," Michiru responded.
Usagi moaned. "Oh..."
Ami nodded. She kept her gaze on the screen. "The symbols are settling, now!"
"Usagi-chan!" Minako hugged her. "Daijobou?"
Opening her eyes, she looked around. "What happened?"
"You fainted, Usagi-chan!" Makoto said, her eyes widening. "Don't you remember?"
Haruka helped her to sit up. "No... My head hurts though."
Hotaru shifted nervously from foot to foot. The strange sound had faded by now, but there were still traces of it in the air. SHe then looked at Usagi. Her eyes were.... odd, as if glazed over ever so slightly.
"Hotaru-chan?" Michiru turned to look at her.
"Ne, lets get Usagi home," Rei suggested.
"Michiru-mama..." Hotaru clung to Michiru. "I'm scared."
"What's the matter, Hotaru-chan?" Minako asked.
"If Haruka doesn't want to do it, I can carry her." Makoto said.
"Michiru-mama, Usagi... her eyes are strange." Hotaru was still scared as ever.
"I can walk," Usagi said, standing up. However, she would have gone back dowm if Haruka and Makoto weren't next to her.
"Whoa!" Makoto said, catching Usagi.
Michiru turned to look at Usagi. There was something there, though barely perceptible. "And before that, there was this strange noise... like insects, almost," Hotaru continued.
"Lets get her to my car," Haruka said.
"I never heard that," Michiru said quietly. "Let's get Usagi home, minna," she said louder.
"Alright," Makoto said, slipping an arm under Usagi's and helping her rise. "Let's get you outta here before something more crazy happens."
Rei eyed her friend closely. Hotaru was right, there was something wrong with Usagi. Something evil. She had a fire reading to do tonight.
***********************************
"Minna, let's go to the arcade!" Minako suggested.
Usagi jumped up in excitement. "HAAII!"
"Haven't we done that enough already? I think Usagi-chan could use some serious studying!" Ami said.
"Go figure," Rei muttered. "Usagi, can't you find something more useful to do with your time?"
"Shut up, Rei-chan!" Usagi replied, sticking out her tongue. Rei did the same.
Makoto laughed. "Hai, Usagi-chan. You have way too much time on your hands!"
"But the arcade is fun!" Minako protested. "And I want to see Motoki-san!"
"Remember, being a Senshi is not your whole life. When it comes to school, you stink and need practice, Usagi-chan!" Ami scolded.
Usagi's eyes widened. Then she laughed. "Oh, Ami-chan, you need to lighten up!"
"Gomen.... I've been really shaken up lately..." Ami sighed.
"Nani? Why, Ami-chan?" Rei asked.
"My father hasn't sent me anything for a while now. I was expecting a painting or a drawing at least a week ago and there's been nothing. I've been getting worried." Ami sighed, her eyes dim.
"I'm sure he's fine, Ami-chan," Minako reassured her. "My papa's away a lot on business, too."
"Oh, Ami..." Makoto said comfortingly, trying to help Ami feel better.
Usagi put her arms around Ami. "Cheer up! I'm sure he'll send you something soon!"
Ami smiled a little. "Thanks, minna. I guess I really should relax more."
"Hai," Rei said. "Why don't we go ahead to the arcade. I could use a drink."
"Too much stress makes the body break," Minako quoted. "I think that's a proverb."
"Actually, it goes -" Ami said before being cut off.
"Oh, Ami-chan, quit correcting her!" Makoto said, grinning. "I'm sure you both already have enough to worry about right now."
The girls laughed as they entered the arcade. "Ohayou, Motoki-oniisan!" Usagi exclaimed.
"Motoki! Long time no see!"
"Hai! It's great to see you!" Makoto said, smiling.
"Well, it's been about 22 hours since you were last in here, Minako-chan." Motoki laughed.
"Ohayou, minna!"
"It's good to see you, but-" Ami said, then paused. "Hey, minna! Do you see who I see?"
"It can't be!" Makoto grinned. Everyone noticed three figures approaching them...
"Haruka-san! Michiru-san!" Usagi said.
"Hotaru-chan!" Minako said. "How are you?"
"I'm doing very well, arigatou." Hotaru said, smiling.
"You certainly look like you're doing much better," Ami said.
"It's nice to see minna all together again," Hotaru said in her quiet voice. "I've missed you all."
Usagi's eyes trailed off to the new Sailor V game. In this one she was supposed to fight some sort of bug youma. "Ne, I'm going to play the new Sailor V game," Usagi said, heading over to the console.
"I'm gonna stick to racing!" Minako announced.
"It never fails, does it?" Haruka said with a smile.
"Usagi-chan, wait! Don't you think we should greet them proper-" Makoto said, before giving up.
Minako laughed. "Wanna come race with me, Haruka-san?"
"Sure, why not. Excuse me."
"It's wonderful to see you again, Michiru-san. How have you been doing?" Ami asked.
"Anyone want to order some food and drinks?" Rei asked.
Makoto eyed Rei. "I'm gonna go with Rei-chan, alright, Ami? I'm starving!" Makoto said, before running off after Rei.
Michiru sighed, and turned to Ami. "What's wrong, Michiru-san?" Ami asked when she saw the look on Michiru's face.
"Ohhhh, Haruka likes to chase too many girls," she muttered. "I'll punish her for it later, though." She laughed. "Anyway, how are you?"
"I'm... fine. School's good, swimming's good, everything's fine," Ami said, smiling to cover up her sorrow.
"We'll have to race again one day," Michiru said. "Is everything alright with you?"
"It's just... I'm scared. I've told everyone else about my father not sending me any pictures lately, but... that's only the half of it." Ami said, lowering her voice.
"What's the other half?"
"Michiru-san, lately, I've felt something strange. I told my friends that it's been a week since Father sent me anything... but to tell you the truth, it's been over a month!" Ami said, her face turning from sorrow to fear. "I don't know what to do anymore!"
Michiru hugged Ami. "Is there any way of contacting him? Phone, maybe?"
"No." Ami said bluntly. "The only contact we've ever made is through writing... or painting, in Father's case."
Meanwhile, Usagi sat content playing her video game. She felt the beginnings of a headache coming on but ignored it at first. Finally she thought that perhaps she needed food. And didn't she see Makoto and Rei getting food brought to their table? Usagi got up, but realized she must have gotten up too quickly and felt really dizzy all of the sudden. Her head was pounding unmercifully.
"Ne, Usagi-chan!" Makoto's voice could be heard yelling, when she saw Usagi get up from her game. "Come on over!"
Usagi didn't hear Makoto calling her name. All she heard was some sort of buzzing sound in her ears. Almost like... bugs. *What is wrong with me?*
"Wait here, Rei-chan. I'm not sure but I think Usagi-chan just hesitated at the offer of food. I'm going to go check it out," Makoto said, when she saw Usagi pause after getting up. She walked over to Usagi and put a hand over her shoulder. "Daijobu?"
Usagi jumped. She couldn't think straight. She felt like passing out... and that's what she did.
"Oh, no!" Makoto cried, catching Usagi before she hit the ground. "Hey, a little help, here?"
Haruka and Rei ran over to them in a flash. "Usagi-chan!" Minako was on Haruka's heels.
"What happened, Mako-chan?" Michiru asked, coming over.
Hotaru followed closely behind after getting off her own video game.
"Usagi-chan got up from her video game, then I called to her. When she didn't come, I figured something was wrong. So I came over to check it out - and here we are now."
Hotaru looked around. *What's that odd sound? Where's it coming from?* Her gaze guided her to Usagi. *How odd...*
"Maybe she played too much of the new game," Michiru suggested.
"Michiru, i don't think that's it," Haruka told her.
By this time, Ami had whipped out her pocket computer and was scanning the area with it. Her eyes darkened.
"What is it, Ami-chan?" Rei asked.
"The computer.... it's gone completely crazy! Look!" She showed the computer to Rei. The numbers and symbols were jumping around the screen crazily. "I don't think this is supposed to happen..."
"So then, what's wrong?" Haruka wanted to know.
"Some sort of electromagnetic force," Michiru responded.
Usagi moaned. "Oh..."
Ami nodded. She kept her gaze on the screen. "The symbols are settling, now!"
"Usagi-chan!" Minako hugged her. "Daijobou?"
Opening her eyes, she looked around. "What happened?"
"You fainted, Usagi-chan!" Makoto said, her eyes widening. "Don't you remember?"
Haruka helped her to sit up. "No... My head hurts though."
Hotaru shifted nervously from foot to foot. The strange sound had faded by now, but there were still traces of it in the air. SHe then looked at Usagi. Her eyes were.... odd, as if glazed over ever so slightly.
"Hotaru-chan?" Michiru turned to look at her.
"Ne, lets get Usagi home," Rei suggested.
"Michiru-mama..." Hotaru clung to Michiru. "I'm scared."
"What's the matter, Hotaru-chan?" Minako asked.
"If Haruka doesn't want to do it, I can carry her." Makoto said.
"Michiru-mama, Usagi... her eyes are strange." Hotaru was still scared as ever.
"I can walk," Usagi said, standing up. However, she would have gone back dowm if Haruka and Makoto weren't next to her.
"Whoa!" Makoto said, catching Usagi.
Michiru turned to look at Usagi. There was something there, though barely perceptible. "And before that, there was this strange noise... like insects, almost," Hotaru continued.
"Lets get her to my car," Haruka said.
"I never heard that," Michiru said quietly. "Let's get Usagi home, minna," she said louder.
"Alright," Makoto said, slipping an arm under Usagi's and helping her rise. "Let's get you outta here before something more crazy happens."
Rei eyed her friend closely. Hotaru was right, there was something wrong with Usagi. Something evil. She had a fire reading to do tonight.