The Ultimate Decision

by Hoshiko Usagi

Part 7 in the senshi-trooper saga. The Sailorsenshi's year at Hogwarts is over, but as Harry and his friends stay with them over the summer, so some issues raised in Hogwarts remain with the Senshi.

3. Why the senshi tend to avoid fights amon...

Ch. 3

Well I don't show off, don't criticise.

I'm just living by my own feeling.

And I won't give in, won't compromise

I just only have a steadfast heart of gold.

-Sonic Adventure, Sonic's theme

The days passed with no change in the household. Usagi was still intent on being a witch, and only a witch. The rest of the household was dead set against her abandoning her duty as a Senshi. Usagi began to help Hermione with her homework, theorising that she'd need to keep up for when she went back to Hogwarts the next year.

Hermione had to admit that Usagi was indeed very gifted at magic. She had resigned to letting Usagi help her several days ago, and it turned out to be for the better. Usagi now helped her with her Potions work.

"Now, see, here's the trick," Usagi said, bent over One Thousand Herbs and Fungi and Hermione's homework. "The beetle's shells must be crushed all the way into a fine powder," she said. "If the powder's too coarse, the potion will likely explode." She leaned over the book and nodded.

"You can tell if it's fine enough be holding it up and keeping your fingers tightly together. If the shells sift through anyway, you've gotten it right."

Hermione's eyes brightened and she began scribbling away like mad on her parchment.

"Of course," she whispered excitedly in Japanese. "That's what I was missing! The potion I had here would've made Neville's potion look perfect! I don't know what I'd have done if you weren't around, Usagi."

Usagi shrugged and smiled. "You'd have managed, Herm. You always did."

"I don't see how, now that I've got you around," Hermione giggled. "If the other Senshi do let you come back, you just may make Head Girl."

Usagi flushed. "I'm not that good."

"No, you are!" Harry chipped in, looking up from his charms work. "It's just like Quidditch. You have a natural talent for it."

"I wish you wouldn't encourage her," Ami said, walking by. She leaned over the back of the couch, next to Usagi.

"Usagi-chan, we're all going for some ice cream. You want some?"

Usagi shook her head. "No, Hermione and I have got to go over the care of Magical Creatures homework. Maybe next time," Usagi turned back to the parchment. Ami frowned. This was getting worse. Usagi was passing up sweets in order to study her magic now. Something drastic had to be done.

"Mamoru-san's meeting us there," she said hopefully. It was true enough: Mamoru was meeting them there, but only to discuss what was to be done about the Dark Kingdom. Usagi, this time, did pay a bit more attention.

"Mamo-chan?" She asked hesitantly. She turned to Hermione. "We can go over the Care of Magical Creatures work after I get back, right?"

Hermione smiled. "Of course, Usagi. Go see Mamoru."

Usagi smiled and jumped up. "Okay, Ami-chan. Let's go."

"You sure this'll work?" Avery asked uncertainly. "I mean, it didn't work so very well with Miaka."

"It did," Rubbeus said. "Only Rajura and Bertie went and ruined it by turning traitor. You can be sure I won't make the same mistake with Usagi." He said. "We've had several years dealing with her. We know what she expects from us…and we know her weaknesses."

"Like anything edible," Avery sniggered. Rubbeus smirked and nodded.

"Exactly. Of course," he went on slyly. "If I wanted to lure you to our side, all I'd have to do is hold a picture of Leonardo DiCaprio in front of you and reel you in…"

Avery grinned and playfully hit him.

"You know I care about you more than I care about some silly human actor."

Rubbeus grinned as well and kissed her passionately. "That's what I like to hear."

Usagi sat at the table, wolfing down her fourth helping of orange sherbet ice cream. Rei glanced at her uneasily and turned back to the rest of the group, intending to focus on Senshi business.

"Okay. So we know that the Dark Kingdom isn't as prepared for our magic as they are for our powers. How do we use this?"

Makoto smiled hopefully. "Perform an 'Engorgio' charm on one of us and squash them flat?"

Everyone looked at her dumbly.

"No more chocolate ice cream for Ma-ko," Shin said, pulling the dish away from her. She grabbed his hand with an iron grip.

"Move that dish one more inch and lose the ability to securely hold your trident."

Shin, understandably, let go of the dish. Minako smiled a bit.

"Mako-chan may have a point, not in the specifics but the idea. We have access to a wide variety of spells, you know. We can most definitely out-do them in that department."

"Of course," Chibiusa muttered. "None of us were so good at magic as Usagi-chan…" she said, glancing at Usagi. Usagi looked up suddenly, now aware of everyone staring at her.

"Nani? Nani, nani?" she asked. Seiji smiled ruefully.

"Your magic, Usagi. You could easily be a witch for us and be a senshi, we need good spells to deal with the Dark Kingdom."

Usagi flushed. "You still want me to be a Senshi," she said. "How many times do I have to tell you that I'm not going to be a Senshi? I'll be more than happy to help as a witch" she stressed, punctuating each remark with random jabs of her spoon.

"But never again will I complete a phrase that ends with the words 'Make Up!'" she said, defiantly eating another mouthful of ice cream.

Usagi sat alone in her room. Mamoru had abandoned her in favour of discussing more Dark Kingdom strategies with the others downstairs. No matter, she thought to herself. I can get along fine without them. She began to go over her Charms book, trying to focus but her mind wandering nevertheless…

Sailormoon came down to the Great Hall. The ceiling showed the sky outside to be foreboding. She sighed; she was due for Care of Magical Creatures class this morning. It wouldn't do to be taking care of a soggy unicorn. She sat down at the Gryffindor table, noticing Ron glancing up at the ceiling in something akin to anxiousness.

"That doesn't look good," he said, worry seeping into his voice. Hermione smiled a bit.

"So it rains on us. Worse things have happened, haven't they?" she asked. Ron made a face.

"I'd almost prefer being snatched out of my body to the smell of wet horse."

"It isn't a horse, it's a unicorn," Hermione pointed out. "For all you know, it may smell lovely."

"It could be worse," Harry said, eating his eggs. "You could be belching slugs again."

Sailormoon's eyes widened. "Belching slugs?"

"It's a long story," Ron said, stuffing bacon into his mouth. "It involves the car that lives in the Forbidden Forest."

"Wait-Car…that lives…"

Hermione tapped her on the arm. "It's no use thinking about it too hard, it won't do you any good and you may hurt yourself."

"You seem pretty coordinated during the dry season," a haughty female voice came from behind her. "But can you handle yourself in the rain?" Sailormars smirked. "Let's hope it doesn't thunderstorm."

Sailormoon didn't bother to turn around as she gave her reply. "Funny, Rei. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were Malfoy with a couple of..."

Professor McGonagall had been discussing Charms theories with Professor Flitwick when she saw the first handfuls of food sail across the Great Hall. In a few moments, an all-out food fight had broken out across the hall, the situation not being helped much by the magically refilling plates. She gasped as she got a handful of scrambled eggs thrown in her face.

Professor Dumbledore took his plate under the table and proceeded to finish his meal there. Professor Snape was sitting, frozen with fury as handful after handful of bright red jelly splattered onto his black robes. Argus Filch was, as could be imagined, dancing in his fury. Professor McGonagall stood to command them to stop, but the students were riled up now and she only presented herself as a new target.

She sat back down and peered through the airborne food to see if she could find the cause. Her first clue came from the shouting in Japanese over at the Gryffindor table. While everyone else was laughing and throwing the food, Sailormoon and Sailormars were trying their best to kill each other, literally, going at it hammer and tongs. She looked over to Snape, who had noticed it too.

"The Fire Senshi.." He muttered. "If she gets the bright idea to use her powers, we're all in trouble." The two of them watched as the other Senshi slipped over to their table and tried to hold the two battling Senshi back, the situation not helped by the slippery state of everyone's clothes. Finally the plates stopped refilling-Someone had gotten to the House Elves and told them of the situation. Once the food was gone, most of the students immediately calmed down and sat, grinning ear to ear. Professor McGonagall dared to stand up again. Even Mars and Moon stopped fighting to listen to her.

"Those responsible for this food fight," she said, her eyes narrowed. "Have an hour to come to me and confess. After that I will use my own means to find out, and I do not think any of you will like that." With that, she walked out past the stunned students. Mars and Moon looked at each other simultaneously and gulped.

She looked down at her book and was surprised to see many wet little circles on the pages. She'd been crying. She'd gotten in very deep trouble for the food fight but...it was all part of being at Hogwarts, and she missed it there so much. Usagi sighed, closing her book.

"How on earth am I going to convince these guys that my life is my life?"

"You won't," a familiar male voice said behind her. She gasped and turned, seeing Rubbeus there. She instinctively reached for her wand and Rubbeus backed up a step or two.

"Calm down, Usagi-sama," He said. "I'm not here to attack you. As a matter of fact, I'm here to help."

Usagi's eyes narrowed. "That I can believe, but help whom? Certainly not me."

"And why not?" Rubbeus shrugged. "You did save my life, did you not, when you could have left me for dead? We've known each other a long time. For once trust me."

Usagi snorted. "You've made that a little difficult. So please excuse me if I seem suspicious."

Rubbeus shrugged and sat on her bed. "It's understandable. But you'll see that I am here to help you get back to Hogwarts."

"You're what?"

Rubbeus couldn't help grinning. Usagi was now keenly interested. "Here to help you get back to Hogwarts. Quite aside from the fact that it'll be easier on me if there's no Sailormoon around, I do think that the other Senshi are being selfish by forcing you to stay. It's not fair of them to dictate your life."

Usagi relaxed a bit. "Y-you understand? Where I'm coming from, I mean?"

Rubbeus nodded solemnly. "Of course. I mean, I know how I'd feel if the other Shogun were doing that to me."

Usagi nodded and smiled a bit. "So...you really do want to help me?"

Rubbeus nodded. "I will...but this is where the trust factor comes in."

Usagi frowned and Rubbeus went on. "As long as you stay here, they won't let you go to Hogwarts come September. But, if you were to come with-"

"Iie!" Usagi said. "I can't! I'd end up part of the Dark Kingdom or something!!"

"I'm not saying that you wouldn't see the very heart of the Dark Kingdom," he said. "But as you're no longer to be Sailormoon, I don't see what relevance that has."

Usagi started. He was right. She sighed. "I'm not sure about this..."

"Look," Rubbeus said, standing and smiling. "If you want to go to Hogwarts in September, take your trunk full of all your Hogwarts stuff and bring it out to Tokyo Tower. Whenever you decide. We'll be waiting with a full buffet," he said, winking. Usagi giggled a bit and smiled.

"I just may do that."

A pounding on the stairs alerted them that someone was running up them. Rubbeus grinned and, winking again, disappeared. A few moments later, the Sailorsenshi burst into the room to see Usagi sitting on her bed, bent over the Charms book. She looked up in surprise.

"What's this?" she asked innocently. Ami frowned.

"I was checking over my readings and saw that there was a strong presence of the Dark Kingdom situated in your room but..." she consulted her readings again. "Now it's gone."

Usagi smiled. "Ami-chan, I think you need to readjust your readouts. As you can see, I'm here alone."

"Yeah, now," Rei muttered. Usagi bristled.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Are you really such an idiot??" She yelled at Usagi suddenly. "One of the Dark Kingdom agents could have been here with you in this room and you'd have never known it!!"

"Do you think I'm that incompetent?" Usagi shouted back. "I KNOW when there's a Dark Kingdom agent nearby, same as any other of you. That's one piece of Sailormoon I CAN'T get rid of!" She slammed her book closed and tossed it into her trunk.

"See, this is what I mean. You all think that I'm the loveable but hopeless Sailormoon. At Hogwarts, they KNOW I'm good at it. Which is why I'm returning there and there's nothing at all any of you can do about it."

He sighed and shook his head. Perhaps leaving them for so very long hadn't been the best idea. True, they'd all made progress but now... It seemed he'd have to return after all.

Anubis frowned. where to put the CD Player? He grinned and sat it across from the bed, where Usagi was likely to recline while studying her magic. He looked up as Katzie finished painting the Gryffindor seal on the headboard.

"All the comforts of home...and then some," she said with a smirk. Anubis frowned.

"You really shouldn't be working so hard."

"Daijoubu, Anu-chan," she said with a smile. "Sayotasho is asleep right now, and I just fed him. I can spare a few moments to help."

Avery poked her head in and smiled. "This is coming along nicely, guys. She'll really think we're going to help her at this rate."

"Well, that's what we need, isn't it?" Anubis said, placing the little stuffed rabbits around the room. Upon reflection, he materialised a jar of potpourri and set it on the dresser. "We need her to trust us, and that means that effort has to go into creating this room for her."

Avery nodded enthusiastically. "I'll go get some posters-"

"No Leo!" Katzie said and Avery pouted.

Things had gone from bad to horrid in the course of a few days and it was making it difficult for Ron to think up new disasters to befall him so he could do his divination homework.

The Senshi were constantly arguing with Usagi now. Usagi had slowly begun to pack everything witch related in her room and Ron had an idea that she meant to run away to Diagon alley if only she could get a spare moment.

The Senshi had taken to having very loud practises every day in front of the house around the time that Usagi would be studying, whereas Usagi had taken to using her magic for everything from cooking to passing the salt.

"This whole thing's a mess," Hermione said at length. "We need to get them to compromise."

"The problem is," Harry said. "That each party thinks they're right. The further problem is that they are, both of them. Usagi has a destiny to meet but at the same time she should be allowed to shape it herself. I'm not sure there is a compromise."

"We'll have to find one," Ron said. "And quickly, before they tear the entire house apart."

Chibiusa sighed dejectedly. A light squeeze on her waist brought her out of her own thoughts and back to reality, where she was currently perched on Gohan's lap.

"What's wrong?" He asked softly. Chibiusa sighed again.

"Nothing more than usual...Go-chan, I'm worried about Usagi. I've never seen her this determined. She may just up and leave soon."

"She wouldn't do that," Gohan said reassuringly. "Not with Makoto-sama's cooking."

Chibiusa frowned. "I'm serious, and I think she is too. I've never seen her this determined."

"It's that bad?" Gohan frowned as well. "Has anyone tried just talking to her?"

"We have but they always turn into shouting matches. I think..." Chibiusa's lip trembled. "I think this may break up the Sailor Senshi for good."

Gohan hugged her to him. "I doubt it. There's not much that can break you guys up, if anything. I'm not saying this'll blow over, but I know you guys will work through it."

Chibiusa was about to respond when an outbreak of shrill voices in the next room alerted them that there was fighting going on...again. And from the sounds of it, it was Rei and Usagi.

The two of them halted their conversation and listened to the argument, which was in fact carrying throughout the house.

"You said to me once that we have the power to shape our own destiny! What, am I being stripped of it now?" Usagi demanded with a quaver in her voice that hinted at tears.

"Do you think your mother sent you into the future so that you could play Quidditch?"

"My mother sent me into the future so I could do as I pleased!"

"You're being stupid, Usagi! Think about it! If you're gone, how will we win over youma? How will we save the universe?"

"I think the universe has enough superheroes in it that it can spare one." They could tell Usagi was definitely crying now. Rei exploded.

"Bad decisions like this are the reason why I never wanted you to be leader!"

The entire house went still, and Chibiusa and Gohan's gasp of horror went up collectively with everyone else's in the house. They heard a sound, and knew that someone had been forcibly slapped.

"That's the way you feel about me?" Usagi's voice was quieter now, but still loud enough for most of the house to hear. They could hear Rei struggling to apologise but Usagi cut her off.

"No, you were right the first time. Rei. I never should have been leader. Luna made a mistake. Well, allow me to remedy that mistake."

She burst out of the room and ran upstairs, with Rei close behind her. Even though both were running, it wasn't hard to see the red hand print on the side of Rei's face. Gohan and Chibiusa looked at each other, then ran up the stairs after them to Usagi's room, where she had torn down everything-her posters, her Hogwarts drawings, anything wizard related and stuffed them all into the trunk. She tied the trunk to her broom and cast a levitation spell on it. She turned to the assembled group-the entire household-in her doorway. Her blue eyes were fierce and angry.

"Sayonara, minna. I can only hope that you chose a more competent leader."

She burst out past the stunned assemblage and, mounting her broom, flew off. Everyone looked at Rei, who flushed hotly and pushed out past everyone as well. She ran into her room and slammed the door shut. Everyone could hear her crying behind it. The remaining Senshi and Troopers looked at each other. What now?

A/N: Okay, I suppose if you're to understand this fully then I've got to post my earlier fics. I don't think it's helpful to be thrust into the middle of something. I'm not going to explain who's about to enter the picture again (Ami-chan, I told you, right?) but before he does, I'll post the other fics first so you can guess. And yes, Ami-chan, I'll finish the fic with Miranda. Or, rather, re-do it, as the file's been corrupted beyond repair...my favourite fic, too. ::sniffle sniff::

~*Hoshiko Usagi*~