Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to any of the characters in this fanfic, nor do I claim them. The idea, however, is mine.
AN - As promised, here's Part 2 of 2 for you all … It's a good thing I did break this chapter up, because this part turned out pretty long, too. BTW, the "mystery man" is revealed! ^_^
Whatever It Takes
Chapter 6: Revelations and Investigations, Part 2
Usagi, Rei, and Makoto slowly turned around, and stood face to face with a boy around their age. He had short, spiky, dark hair and black, piercing eyes. "It's that boy," Usagi thought, staring at him wide-eyed. "The one Setsuna showed me." She stole a glance at Rei and Makoto, noticing that like her, their cheeks were stained from the embarrassment of being caught "spying." Usagi flinched inwardly as the boy narrowed his eyes slightly.
"I asked you what you three are doing," he repeated, his arms resting loosely at his side. "Why are you sneaking around here?" Usagi's gaze fell to his muscular arms, and she unconsciously took a step back away from him. Sailor Pluto had said he was a strong fighter, however it wasn't normal for someone their age to look so developed; so strong. Makoto, taking notice of Usagi's reactions to the stranger, stepped in front of her friend protectively.
"We weren't sneaking around," Makoto began, narrowing her eyes slightly. She had taken notice of his strong physique as well, and was ready to protect Usagi at any given moment, should he suddenly attack them.
"We're just tourists, and we were just doing some sight-seeing," Rei supplied.
"If we're trespassing, we will go," Usagi stated, finding her voice. She bent forward at her waist in his direction, bowing her head slightly. "We don't mean any trouble." A surprised look passed over his face at her actions.
"Alright, then," he stated, surprising the trio. He smiled, glancing over them. "Your shirts are a dead give-away, anyway! It says Capsule Corp right across the front." Usagi and Makoto blushed slightly, and he averted his gaze, coughing to hide his own embarrassment. "I-I mean, you do look like tourists, and Capsule Corp is a big tourist-attraction." He coughed again, and the four teenagers stood around awkwardly.
"I'm Usagi," Usagi stated, breaking the silence that settled amongst them, and extending a hand towards him. Rei shot her a warning look, however she just ignored it. "These are my friends Rei and Makoto. What's your name?"
"My name is Gohan," he replied, shaking her hand, and then shaking hands with the other two as well. "It's nice to meet you all."
"Is that where the tour takes place," Rei asked, pointing in the distance where other tourists were gathered.
"Yes, it is," Gohan replied, looking in the direction she pointed. "I'm headed over towards the main house, and I could walk with you if you'd like."
"You still don't really trust or believe us, do you Gohan," Makoto asked, as they began to walk over there. Gohan gave her a sheepish look, scratching the back of his head.
"It's nothing against you," he replied. "Some things have been going on around here, and we're being cautious of everyone around the complex." His features darkened, and a frown settled on his face. "Someone very close to me is being threatened, and I don't take lightly to people who try to harm the people I care about most."
"He means Hotaru," Usagi reflected silently. Her throat constricted, and she blinked her eyes rapidly willing away the tears that threatened to form. "How could the Outer Senshi do this to her? She has people who care about her very much, here, and they don't care at all who gets hurt."
"Usagi, are you okay," Gohan asked suddenly. She shook her head slightly, glancing towards Gohan and smiling.
"Yes, I'm fine," she replied. "I was just thinking, and I'm sorry to hear about what's happening." He nodded his head and shrugged, and Usagi looked at him sadly. "You have no idea how sorry I am," she thought.
"Gohan," Masumi called out, running towards them. She came to stop near the group, giving Usagi a strange look before turning her attention fully to Gohan. "I'm glad I found you!"
"What's the matter, Masumi," Gohan asked, worry set in his voice. "Did something happen? Do your parents know you're out here?"
"That's not important right now," she said. "I was helping this girl search for someone, but we got separated from each other." She looked towards Usagi, studying her once again. "In fact, she looks strikingly like you, Miss."
"Masumi, you know your parents don't want you wondering around here by yourself," Gohan scolded lightly. "In case something happened."
"But she just suddenly appeared, Gohan, and I had this overwhelming feeling I should help her," Masumi pressed. "Now, I wonder where Chibi-usa went off to?"
"Chibi-usa," the girls thought collectively, turning towards each other.
"Masumi," a cheerful girl's voice rang out. A few seconds later, a mass of pink attached itself around Masumi's waist. "I was trying to help you look for this Gohan that you mentioned, but we got …" Her voice trailed, as she noticed the other figures standing near the dark-haired girl. "…separated."
"Chibi-usa," Usagi exclaimed in a shrill voice. "What are you doing!" Chibi-usa shifted uncomfortably in place, a split-second before she latched herself around Usagi's waist and began to cry.
"I finally found you, Usagi," she wailed - Usagi fashion. "I didn't know where you went off to. I was scared!"
"Chibi-usa," Usagi growled, her face turning red. Whether it was from embarrassment or anger, one could not tell.
"Oh, so you must be who Chibi-usa was searching for," Masumi stated. "You two do resemble each other." As Usagi smiled weakly, Rei crossed her arms, frowning towards Chibi-usa.
"It was very irresponsible of you to run off like that, Chibi-usa," she stated. "Especially since we told you to stay put." As she put emphasis on the last two words, Chibi-usa stuck her tongue out.
"Well, I'm here now, and that's all that matters," she stated haughtily, turning back towards Masumi and smiling. "Thank you for helping me, Masumi."
"You're welcome, Chibi-usa," Masumi replied, returning the smile. Chibi-usa hugged her again, and she laughed. "I feel as if I know you somehow," she continued, glancing towards Usagi once again. "All of you."
"Masumi," Usagi began. "I …"
"Masumi," 18 stated suddenly, cutting Usagi off. "I've been looking all over for you. You had me worried." Her eyes narrowed at Chibi-usa, who was still hugging Masumi, and the pink-haired girl backed away.
"Mother, I was just helping my new friend, Chibi-usa," Masumi stated. "I wasn't in any danger."
"You should have stayed in the house," 18 snapped. Her features softened as Masumi's eyes began to tear. "Masumi, I just don't want anything to happen to you." She put a protective arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "Let's go inside."
"Okay," she replied meekly. She turned towards Chibi-usa, an apologetic look on her face. "I have to go now, but I hope to see you again soon, Chibi-usa."
"Me too, Masumi," Chibi-usa replied, swallowing hard. She watched as her best friend walked away from her, and blinked as her vision blurred.
"Don't take 18's attitude to heart, Chibi-usa," Gohan stated, resting a hand on her shoulder. "She's just very protective over Masumi." He paused, smiling. "And she's like that towards everyone."
Chibi-usa smiled. "Thank you …"
"Gohan," he supplied. "I have to go now, so I hope you all enjoy your tour of the complex. Maybe we'll see each other again." Giving a small wave, he turned on his heel, going in the direction 18 had gone.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"Chibi-usa, what were you thinking, coming here," Usagi demanded, pulling the girl by her arm as she, Rei, and Makoto trailed behind the group they were in. "I thought I asked you to stay behind, with Mamo-chan, Minako, and Ami!"
"I did," Chibi-usa exclaimed, wrenching her arm out of Usagi's grasp. "I stayed with Mamoru, and now I'm here. You never said how long I had to stay there."
"You know what I meant, though," Usagi yelled. The tour guide stopped in mid-sentence, frowning in her direction. She smiled apologetically, flustering as some of the other tourists stared at her.
"As I was saying," the tour guide continued, clearing his throat, "over here, away from the main part of the complex, is where the Briefs live. It's a well-known fact that strange occurrences often take place around and about the home." As if on cue, a huge explosion rocked the ground. The tour guide smiled nervously. "Let's move on, shall we?" As the group of tourists moved on, the four Senshi followed slowly.
"I want you to return to our time, Chibi-usa," Usagi stated. "You really shouldn't be here. The Outers are really serious about their mission."
"I won't go, Usagi, and you can't make me," Chibi-usa yelled. "She was my friend before any of you even got to know her! I should be here for her, when she needs me the most. Isn't that what a good friend is supposed to do?"
"Yes," Usagi trailed. "But Chibi-usa…"
"Usagi, let her stay," Makoto suggested. "If anything, she can be a great help. When we have to confront the Outers again, she can take Hotaru somewhere safe, while we do all the fighting. They won't dare harm Chibi-usa or you. Rei and I are the only ones who have something to worry about."
"Well, okay," Usagi conceded. "But Chibi-usa, I want to ask you something. How did you know to call Hotaru by Masumi, instead of her real name?"
"I got to this world last night, and I saw how she reacted to you calling her Hotaru," Chibi-usa explained. "And so, I know not to call her Hotaru - yet. I just know she'll remember us soon. She has to!"
"You got here last night," Makoto asked. "Where did you sleep?"
"Here," she replied, gesturing with a sweep of her arm. "There were these abandoned houses near the main house, and there was even a small little pond nearby the houses. I even seemed to have made friends with this strange frog … He seemed to understand everything I was telling him! I could show you."
AN - Strange frog, eh? Now, who in the world could *that* be?? ^_~ Oh, and about the houses, that's where the Nameks stayed after they were wished to Earth (during the Freeza Saga) … I'm not sure if they're even still on the complex, but it works!
"We shouldn't be snooping around here," Rei stated. "We were almost caught once already, and we shouldn't push our luck. We should be looking out for Hotaru."
"Show us, Chibi-usa," Usagi exclaimed, without missing a beat. Rei sighed as she noticed the tour group moving on, without even noticing them missing. Throwing her arms up into the air, she and Makoto followed as Chibi-usa led Usagi away. As they walked past a group of trees, the two figures that stood in them went unnoticed.
"Sailor Pluto left it up to us to finish things here," Neptune spoke, turning to her companion.
"And we'll have no problem carrying out our mission," Uranus replied. "The Inners will lead Hotaru right to us."
"What of those other warriors that faced off against us," Neptune asked. "Why did it seem Sailor Pluto … feared this Son Goku?" She leaned forward, placing a hand on Uranus' shoulder. "It worries me a little."
A small, confident smile appeared on the corner of Uranus' mouth as she covered Neptune's hand with her own, giving it a squeeze. "We'll be successful," she stated smugly. Her smile, however, disappeared as the four Senshi disappeared around the corner of the building. "But we should keep close to the Inners. Let's go."
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"Wow, you really have gotten better Vegeta," Goku exclaimed as he and the other Saiya-jin sparred. "I haven't had this much fun in while!"
"This is no game, Kakarot," Vegeta barked. In a burst of ki, he flew towards Goku. Twisting his body around, he kicked out with his leg, catching Goku in his jaw. Goku flew back, and once he regained his footing, he rubbed his chin.
"Take it easy, Vegeta," Goku stated. "I haven't fought in a while." Vegeta smirked, and the two Saiya-jins faced off once again. Both took to the air, and explosions of energy and ki blasts shook the area. A safe distance away, on the ground, the others were together. Those who could follow the pace of the fight watched if they chose, while the others just talked. Masumi was bored out of her mind. She perked up as Gohan turned in her direction and waved, but sighed as he turned to watch the fight once again.
"There's nothing to do," she groaned, resting her head on her arms. She listened as the adults talked about the current situation at hand, and glanced over to the pen, where Goten and Trunks were rolling around. She sighed again. "I don't know why I couldn't just stay with Chibi-usa," she thought inwardly. "Why does she seem so familiar to me?"
"Masumi, you bored," Yamcha asked suddenly. "Why don't you go over and keep an eye on Goten and Trunks?" She looked at him and frowned, angry flashing momentarily in her eyes, however she just smiled, nodding her head. She stood up, heading towards the pen.
"Go and keep an eye on Goten and Trunks," she mumbled, mocking Yamcha's words. "He's cute, but gets on my nerves." Her cheeks flamed at the last thing she said, however her attention was diverted by the rustling of nearby bushes. Curious, she went over to investigate.
"Keep your voice down, or they'll hear you," an uncannily familiar voice stated in a hushed whisper. "Now look what you did! Someone heard us!" A smile reached Masumi's face as she stopped in front of the bushes, kneeling down.
"Chibi-usa," she asked, peering through to see her newly made friend. The pink-haired girl looked up, and smiled.
"Masumi," she exclaimed. The two hugged and fell to the ground, laughing.
"I didn't think I'd see you again today," Masumi said, giggling. "But I'm glad I did."
"Me too," Chibi-usa replied. "We were just passing by here, and saw you. And I know how your mother acted towards us, so I didn't want to come over unexpected."
"We," Masumi asked. "Are Usagi and the other two here?"
"Hey Masumi," Usagi stated cheerfully, poking her head out from behind Chibi-usa. She lost her balance, falling on her face. She sat up on her knees, rubbing the back of her head. "I'm here, too!"
"Usagi," Chibi-usa groaned. "You're so embarrassing!" Masumi giggled again.
"You two really are related," she exclaimed. They all gasped as an explosion rocked the area again, and Usagi stood up in alarm, her hand going instinctively to her broach.
"What was that," she exclaimed.
"Oh, that was only Son Goku and Vegeta," Masumi answered. She pointed to where a crater suddenly appeared in the ground, and two figures floated up. "See?"
"Th… they're flying," Usagi stammered.
"Sure," Masumi replied. "All the warriors can fly, even my mom and dad."
"That's so cool," Chibi-usa exclaimed. Goku looked over in their direction suddenly, and noticing that he was distracted, Vegeta smirked as he began to power up.
"Dad," Gohan exclaimed in alarm. Goku's head snapped back towards Vegeta too late, and the Saiya-jin prince unleashed one of his more powerful attacks. Masumi gasped as the attack enveloped Goku, sending him speeding in their direction. He crashed into the ground, landing near her.
"Son Goku," she exclaimed, kneeling next to him. "Are you okay?" He winced as he sat up, flashing her a thumbs-up sign. Frowning, she stood and turned in Vegeta's direction. A faint, purple aura surrounded her, and the birthright of Saturn glowed on her forehead as she glared up at the arrogant prince. "Why did you do that to Son Goku?" Vegeta floated down to the ground standing opposite of the girl.
"What are you going to do about it," he demanded, crossing his arms. An almost evil smirk crossed his face before he uttered his next word. "Hotaru." At the very mention of that name, and to everyone's surprise, the aura around Masumi intensified, and the ground underneath her began to break up.
"Masumi, stop it," Usagi exclaimed. She tried to get closer to her, however was only pushed back from the force of the energy.
"Masumi," Chibi-usa screamed, sounding near tears. Amazingly, this seemed to break the trance over the girl, and she looked over at her.
"Chibi-usa," she stated, confused. She quickly reached up, covering her forehead. Giving a small cry, she sank down to her knees. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
"Hey, Masumi, it's alright," Goku exclaimed. He reached over, wiping away some of her tears, and she looked at him, surprised. "That's better! You should always smile, Masumi. Why don't you introduce us to your friends?"
"O…okay," she replied. However, before she could say anything more, Chibi-usa ran over to where Vegeta stood, and began hitting him in the chest with her balled fists.
To Be Continued …
I really, really tried to write this part so there wasn't a cliffhanger, but it just didn't work out! Chibi-usa was pretty angry, ne? *sweatdrops, ducking thrown objects* I apologize, but I hope you enjoyed your read! ^_^
As always, please leave a review!