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No One's Fault

Part 3

By Usa and Emiri

Disclaimer in Part 1

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The weather was just like her mood. The rain was pouring and pouring. She couldn't see where she was going. She was lost in a world of despair. Usagi was so consumed in her grief that she didn't notice a person standing in front of the grocery store, bags in hand. The grocerys and Usagi went flying to the ground.

"Watch where you're going, punk!"

Usagi was too upset to hear what the brunette, who happened to be Makoto, said. She slowly looked up at who she had crashed into.

"Usagi-chan? What are you doing out here?" Makoto helped her up.

Usagi immediately wrapped her arms around her friend. She found herself crying uncontrollably and couldn't stop. "Mako-chan... he's gone..." she said between sobs.

"Nani? Whos' gone?" Makoto hugged her. "Did something happen with Mamoru- san?"

"Iie..."

"Did Shingo run away?"

"Iie... he's fine. But he's... he's dead." Usagi had no idea she was making no sense.

"He who, Usaigi-chan?"

Shakily, Usagi pulled away from Makoto and looked up at her. "Papa..."

"What happened?"

"I...I don't want to talk about it right now," Usagi gasped out. "I just want to stay at your place."

"Well, I won't mind if you do...what will your okaa say, though? Is she alright?" Makoto was just beginning to digest what Usagi had told her

Usagi shook her head. "Iie... nevermind, I should stop crying and help her. She's so upset and I don't even want to know what Shingo's thinking of." Usagi gave Makoto another hug. "See you at the Senshi meeting tomorrow."

"Do you want me to come back with you, Usagi-chan?"

"I'm sure you have more important things to do, ne? Besides, I'm the only one in the group who has to 'get over' stuff quickly."

"Nani, what do you mean, Usagi-chan?"

Usagi shook her head. "Don't worry about it. I'll see you tomorrow! Oyasumi, Mako-chan!" She turned towards home.

"Ne, are you sure you don't want me to help you? I can sleep on your couch if you like."

"I'll be fine. Okaa and Shingo need me to be strong." Usagi was desparately trying to hold in her tears. She had to stop crying!

"Iie, you can't be strong for everyone all the time."

"But... but I have to be..."

Makoto hugged her again. "But you can't be."

"Mako-chan... does it get easier?"

"It still hurts. Each and every day. But you learn to live with it after awhile."

Usagi shivered in the cold air. "Will you come with me?"

"Hai." Makoto nodded, picking up her groceries. "I'll stay for as long as you need me."

"Arigatou..."

"Do you need anything, Usagi-chan?"

Makoto asked once she had gotten everyone settled.

Usagi quietly shook her head and laid down, pulling the covers around her. In her arms, she clung tightly to a stuffed bunny Kenji had given her a few years ago. "Oyasumi..." she whispered.

"Oyasumi, Usagi-chan. I"ll be downstairs if you need me."

"Iie!" Usagi cried, sitting up. "Onegai, don't leave me alone!"

"You want me to sleep in here?"

"Un..."

"It's alright, I don't mind."

Usagi smiled at her friend and laid back down. "Arigatou, Mako-chan."

"Douitashimashite."