by Sailor Earth
*Author's Notes*
I quoted the entire song, I know! But I just couldn't pick one bit. And besides, this is an emotional chapter, and Everything I Do is an emotional song! Also, it's quite fitting, since the song is originally from the movie, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and this is my own take on the legends of Robin Hood. And PLEASE, when you've read this chapter, review it! I didn't get many reviews last chapter, and it makes me disenclined to write! So really, reviewing is in your best interests if you want me to write more.
*Chapter Thirteen - It Begins*
"Look into my eyes - you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart - search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search no more
Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for
You know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you
Look into my heart - you will find
There's nothin' there to hide
Take me as I am - take my life
I would give it all I would sacrifice
Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for
I can't help it there's nothin' I want more
Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you
There's no love - like your love
And no other - could give more love
There's nowhere - unless you're there
All the time - all the way
Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
I can't help it there's nothin' I want more
I would fight for you - I'd lie for you
Walk the wire for you - Ya I'd die for you
Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you"
Everything I Do (I Do It For You) by Bryan Adams
When I arrived home, feeling very tired, Mamo-chan was still awake, studying a map.
"What are you doing, Mamo-chan?" I asked, sitting down next to him. He looked up. He was wearing reading glasses. He looked cute in a nerdy type of way. I immediately thought of Umino, who looked anything BUT cute in his glasses. This had to be love, to think Mamo-chan looked cute in spectacles.
"Usako, I'm...planning. Planning how to find your father," he said quietly.
"Really?!" I squealed, "You'd do that for me?!"
"Sssh," he whispered, "We need to be quiet, and yes, I would. And not just for you. For your whole Kingdom. You're not the only one who needs King Sol to come back, and rescue you from that bully, Dimando." We sat in silence for while, then Mamo-chan spoke again. "Usako, did you have fun with the others this evening?" I thought about my chat with Ami. I felt a lot happier now, because I could see that love was not an act, something you chose to do, but that love was just something that happened. I didn't need to know how to be in love. I just was.
"Yeah," I said, grinning, "It was great. They're all so lovely."
"I knew you lot would get on," he smiled. I shuffled over so that I was closer to him, and rested my head against his shoulder, yawning sleepily. "Usako..." Mamo-chan started. I opened my eyes.
"Mmm?" I mumbled.
"You look so cute when you do that..."
"Really?"
"Yeah, really...but not as cute as I look in my reading glasses!" he chuckled.
"Hmmph!" Damnit! Why did I have to fall in love with a mind-reader?! I'd better learn not to think things like that when Mr Mind-reader was in the same room!
"Mr Mind-reader, huh? That's quite a catchy nickname, but I prefer Mamo-chan!" he sniggered. Not again! I stuck my tongue out at him, but then we both started laughing. Well, at least we'll always be able to find something to laugh about, I told myself. I curled up against him, yawning again. "You should go to bed. It's late, you've been really busy today, and you'll be busy again tommorrow," Mamo-chan pointed out.
"But climbing the stairs is so much effort!" I groaned, overcome by sleepiness.
I was enjoying a lovely dream about my father coming home, when I was rudely awakened by a knock on the front door, and whispers coming from downstairs. I roused myself from my sleep, and looked around. It was dark, and I was in bed, upstairs, although I'd been so tired, I hadn't even remembered making my way upstairs. I lit a candle, and looked at the clock. 3am. What on earth could be going on at a time like this. I tiptoed downstairs, and in the shadows, I could see Mamo-chan talking quietly with someone, but who? It looked like Mama, but it couldn't possibly be her...could it? I drew closer and realised that it was! I could hardly speak!
"Wh..wha..what are you doing here?" I stuttered.
"Oh, Darling!" she cried, flinging her arms around me. She hugged me for ages, but when she'd finally finished, her smile disappeared, and her expression looked serious. "Sometimes your uncle is not as daft as you think, Serenity. He guessed where you'd gone. He thinks that Tuxedo Kamen has kidnapped you just to spite him. In the morning, he's sending out a search party to scour the land looking for you. And there is a reward of 1000 gold coins for the delivery of Tuxedo Kamen. If you stay here, it will only a matter of time before you are found!" I was shocked. How did he know?!
"What are we going to do?!" I asked, looking helplessly to Mama and Mamo-chan.
"Run away. Go now, before dawn," Mama said.
"But where will we go?"
"To find your father," Mamo-chan told me, "It looks like my plans will have to be implemented much sooner than I had expected, but that can't be helped."
"You're going to find my Sol?!" Mama exclaimed incredulously, "It's impossible! Where would you start looking?! Besides, it would mean certain death! A great King and 1000 of his men were lost to those Shadow Lands when my husband dared go there. How do just 14 of you expect to survive?"
"Your Majesty," Mamo-chan began, "You forget that though our numbers are few, we have immense strength. You witnessed that for yourself at the tournament. Even Usako is discovering hidden powers. And she has the Silver Crystal. I believe it to be more poweful than one might think."
"But how will you get there? The sea is so dangerous," Mama warned. Mamo-chan smiled.
"Ah, my warriors also make good sailors! They got me here from Japan in one piece, did they not?"
"It seems that perhaps you have planned this quest better than I first thought, Mr. Chiba. I doubt I can dissuade you from your journey, so at least let me help you. Serenity, I guess that you will insist on going, too." I nodded. "Then here is the key to the stables, Serenity. Take as many horses as you like. Not only will they speed up your escape, but without any horses, the search party will be delayed. But I tell you this: be gone by dawn. I must get back now, before my absense is noticed." She turned to leave, but Mamo-chan stopped her.
"Your Majesty, thankyou for kindness. I cannot let you return home alone. This forest is very dangerous at night. You were lucky to have found your way here so easily. At least let Nephrite accompany you home."
A few minutes later, everyone was assembled inside our small cottage. Nephrite and Mama were about to leave.
"Take care, Serenity!" she sobbed. And then, looking at Mamo-chan, she added, "Look after my child for me, Tuxedo Kamen. She's all I have left." Mamo-chan smiled reassuringly.
"I'd die for Usako," he told her. I knew he meant it, too. But it worried me a bit. Death hadn't really occured to me as an option before now. Besides, it was all very well him dying for me, but what would I do then? I wouldn't have a clue. I'd die too.