Chapter 1
The lake was calm and all around its shore children played. Laughter echoed through the trees as parents watched contentedly. The sun warmed the earth and life was good. Mamoru smiled and waited for Usagi.
"Ma~~~~mo~~~~ruuuuuu…"
The seductive voice curled about the scene, and as it advanced the day grew silent. Mamoru's smile slowly faded.
"Ma~~~~mo~~~~ruuuuuu…"
A mist rose from the suddenly chill lake and the sunlight dimmed.
"Ma~~~~mo~~~~ruuuuuu…"
A throaty chuckle followed the voice. Mamoru felt gooseflesh on his arms and legs. His throat tightened in fear. He tried to look for Usagi – surely she was near, near enough for him to protect. But he suddenly found himself unable to move.
The mist coiled sinuously among the base of the trees, and a figure approached. A sense of evil proceeded it, washing over his heightened senses, and Mamoru knew he was seeing the next threat to the safety of his world.
A cold hand grabbed his wrist.
"Usagi is mine!"
"NO!!"
Panting and sweating Mamoru sat up in bed, his heart racing. This was the third night in a row he had had the same dream, and each night the figure drew closer. Tonight it had touched him. He shuddered and looked at his wrist. It was damp and the flesh was white in the imprint of a hand.
Whatever it was, it was getting stronger and more real. He had to tell the Sailor Senshi. They must help him protect Usagi.
~~~
Usagi quickly dressed and slipped quietly out of her room. It was early and she didn't want to disturb her family. She had grown up to be graceful and considerate, much to the surprise of many who knew her.
She had been awakened by the ring of her phone, and the chipper voice of Ami telling her that Mamo-chan had called an emergency meeting at Rei's temple. Minako was going to meet her here – Mamochan didn't want her out alone.
Mamoru. Usagi smiled. Just his name made her feel warm and safe.
She quickly scrawled a note to her mother and grabbed a muffin. Picking up her bag she hit the door. Still thinking of her Mamo-chan, still smiling, she took a huge bite of muffin.
"Usagi!" Minako's cheerful voice caught her off guard. "You were in another world. Thinking of Mamoru-san, I bet!"
Usagi blushed and swallowed. "Of course! Jealous?"
"Of course!" Mina laughed. "Seriously, though, I wonder what's going on? Mamoru-san has never called a meeting before. Do you know what's up?"
"Actually I don't. He's been really busy lately, so we've only talked on the phone the last couple of days. He did sound kind of preoccupied last night, though." She frowned as she remembered the brief conversation. He'd asked several times if she was safe, and had asked her to dream good dreams for him. Romantic, yes, but a little out of character for Mamo-chan.
"Well," Mina replied, "we'll know soon enough. We're almost at Rei's."
~~~
Everyone was there when Usagi and Mina walked in. Ami and Makoto sat behind Rei, watching as she consulted her fire oracle. Luna and Artemis sat in the rear of the room, watching Mamoru with concern. He stood leaning against the wall, his arms crossed on his chest and his eyes closed. He opened his eyes and smiled as Usagi approached.
"Usa-ko!"
She went to him, her arms automatically wrapping around him. His arms came up to complete the embrace, and he buried his face in her hair, breathing deeply. Ah, she smelled so good! As always they gave each other renewed energy and peace.
"The spirits are silent. I'm getting weird readings, though." Rei frowned. "I've never seen anything like this!"
"What do you mean, Rei?" Minako leaned forward.
"Well." Rei paused, looking very uncomfortable. "If I had to name it I would say they look dreamy."
"Dreamy?" Ami looked amused. "Uh, that's not very clear. Can you be more specific?"
"Actually, no," Rei said as an embarrassed blush stained her cheeks. "I chose dreamy and that's what I mean!"
"Dreamy readings?" Makoto smiled. "That's awfully poetic, Rei!"
As a warning growl formed in Rei's throat, Artemis and Luna joined them.
"Uh, girls?" Artemis looked determined. "Stop it now, and come away from the fire. Mamoru called the meeting, and he's ready to begin." With a last harrumph from Rei, they followed the white cat.
"Thank you all for coming at such short notice," Mamoru said as they settled in around him. With one arm still around Usagi, he smiled warmly at them. "Thanks for the opening, Rei. Dreams are what I'm here to talk about."
"Mamo-chan? Is this about Elios?" Usagi asked.
"No, this isn't Elios. This is something else." Drawing Usagi closer, he sighed. "I had a dream last night."
Usagi looked up at him. Mamoru was so handsome! His dark hair brushed his forehead and his strong jaw, and h is blue eyes gleamed. His deep voice comforted her, but his tone made her sit a little straighter. Was he in danger? "I'll protect you, Mamo-chan," she thought.
"Actually, I've been dreaming for the past few days, and it's always the same dream. I've done this before; hell, I had the dream about Princess Serenity for years until I met you, and then I had dreams that sent me away from you in a noble attempt to protect you. Dumbest thing I've ever done," he said, smiling into Usagi's blue eyes. Hugging her tighter, he said to the group, "This time I think I want us to all be on the same page. No more secrets."
With that he told them everything.
~~~
The girls looked on in concern as Usagi held him, murmuring nonsense love words and rubbing his back. Minako started to speak, but Rei shook her head. Luna nodded to the door. Quietly they got up and left.
"What is this all about?" Minako asked. "A new enemy?"
"A dream enemy?" Artemis' tail lashed. "It sounds famiar, but I can't place it…let me think." He stalked off towards the bushes, his tail still making dramatic exclamations.
"It worries me to see how disturbed Mamoru is," Ami said. "Usually he's so reserved with us; he doesn't seem quite himself."
"No," Rei agreed. "He's terrified."
"Well, what are we going to do?" asked Makoto. "How can we fight this?"
"We can't," Mamoru said. He and Usagi stood in the temple doorway, her arm protectively around his waist. "Look, I'm sorry – I apologize for all this. I'm usually not so candid with you, but maybe it's time for that to change. Anyway, we've already been through so much together, I figured that I couldn't leave you out of this.
"However," he continued," I also don't feel that this can involve all of us. I think it's for Usagi and I to face alone, without you."
"No way!" Makoto walked to them and stopped, her green eyes flashing as her finger poked at Mamoru's chest. "We've always fought together! Our job is to protect Usagi, just the same as you." Suddenly aware of her finger, and Mamoru's amused eyes, she flushed and dropped her hand. "Excuse me, Mamoru. Someday you'll be king, and we will serve you loyally then, just as we serve with you now. But don't even suggest that you'll face this without us. It's unthinkable!"
Mamoru reached out and chucked her under the chin. "Thank you, Makoto."
"She's right," Minako said as she stood up beside Makoto. "Mamoru, you can't leave us out, and I don't think it's possible, anyway. Besides, I don't see how we can desert our post."
Rei and Ami looked at each other and smiled. Nodding, they joined the group.
"We're in, too."
Usagi smiled at them, her bright eyes awash in gentle tears.
"Thank you, everyone!" She hugged Mamoru's waist and glanced at him happily.
But Mamoru was frowning.
"I don't think this is something we can decide," he said. "How can you come into my dreams?"
The girls looked at each other.
"Into your dreams?"