Title : The Comic Book
Genre : Drama/Angst
Rating : PG-13
Disclaimer : I do not own Sailor Moon but own this story.
Author Note:
I was told that this story was kind of confusing so I'm going to try and add chapters that make it less so†Hope this answers a few things. If it doesn't I give a more detailed explanation in my profile.
Chapter 2:
They stood quietly a foot apart form each other, their voices low and urgent.
"Luna would have been able to tell..." Ami whispered quietly, her eyes lowering to the floor.
"Yeah but she chased her away long ago... I wouldn't even know where to look for her." Mina said sadly and Ami leaned against her kitchen counter.
"I believe her..." Ami suddenly said and Minako blinked staring shocked at her second in command.
"What?" Minako gasped.
"Minako... couldn't you see what I saw? I saw a broken creature that I had not encountered in over five months... Even her apparel was different... her attitude... but Minako her eyes... they were soft and warm, not hard and cold... I think she is our Usagi before this ever happened... We may be getting a second chance..." Ami tried and Minako shook her head walking away from her.
"No! Rei is right... she's gone..." Minako cried and Ami shook her head sadly reaching out to her leader.
"I don't want her to be..." Ami cried and Minako turned to stare at her.
"You think I do?" Minako snapped in anger and Ami tossed her a tolerating look.
"I know Rei does..." Ami shot back and Minako looked down. "Give her a chance... what if we shun her this time and force her away from us... Don't tell me your life has been bliss without her... I'm miserable... I need my Princess, Minako." Ami said firmly and Minako looked away sucking in a deep breath.
"We are too young to have to deal with this." She cried and Ami walked to her.
"Well, we are dealing with it... I don't know about you but I'm not going to follow after Rei..." Ami said walking past her towards the door. "Your either with me or not... I'm not going to lose her again.." Ami said opening the door and staring at Minako. Minako snatched up her rain jacket and umbrella heading towards the door.
"You..." She began but Ami cut her off.
"Don't divide us... Makoto is with me, it's up to you... are you going to follow Rei's path of hatred or try and change the future... Rini is still here... you have to have hope that she will be the old Usagi we know and love." Ami pleaded and Minako stared at her then quietly retreated from the apartment. A deep sigh of sadness escaped Ami as she leaned against the wall, her door drifting close. "Oh God please let it be her..." She cried, a few tears trickling down her soft pale cheeks.
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A gasp escaped Mamoru's lips and he quickly pulled his car to a halt. He had been searching for her for over an hour. Quickly he turned off his car, yanking the keys from the ignition, his lithe form jumping from the car and out into the rain.
"Usagi!" He yelled running towards her. She shakily stood, her frame soaked to the bone as he stood before her. Her teeth chattered, tears slipping from her tender eyes as she stared at him. "I've been looking for you everywhere..." He breathed out sadly pulling her tightly into his embrace. She felt cold and small and he quickly pulled her into his apartment building.
"I have no where else to go... everyone hates me..." She cried sadly as he brought her over to the elevators. "I'm so sorry..." She choked out, a wave of tears rushing from their hold to cascade down her face. He pressed the eighth floor and pulled her to him, his hand caressing her cheek.
"No... I'm sorry..." He whispered softly and she buried her face in his chest. When the floor gave off the homely ding he bent down, cutting out Usagi's legs, her body falling into his arms as he exited the metal contraption. She was shivering in his arms and she began a coughing fit. "I'm so sorry I didn't find you sooner..." He said sadly as he entered into his apartment. He quickly placed her before a fire and went to grab her a few towels and make some hot tea.
She gently peeled her gray sweater from her arms, her teeth chattering as she tried to soak in warmth from the fire. A hand immediately took the wet clothing and then returned placing a soft hand on her back. A shiver ran down her spine as she felt the zipper give way, hands slowly trying to peel the clinging fabric from her freezing skin.
"I have a shirt for you to wear... I hope it's not too big." He mumbled quietly from behind her and she slipped off her shoes. Slowly he pulled her to her feet and escorted her over to the bathroom. He handed her a change of clothes and another fresh towel. His tender touch impacted her on levels she couldn't explain... no one had ever taken care of her. As if she could offer even a little bit of thanks she leaned forward kissing him softly, the kiss dying as a sob escaped her lips. He pulled away painfully and left her to change.
The crackling fire roared before them and she stared at its dying embers. She was so confused... why had this happened? What had her idol done? How could she have ever done anything wrong? She had been so pure and innocent.... She stared down at her socked feet and she felt Mamoru's hands rub up her arms to her neck to massage her shoulders.
"What happened?" He asked quietly from behind her and she let out a soft whimper.
"I escaped from Hell..." She whispered quietly and he moved forward, pulling her into his lap. "But I've just entered a new one... What has happened that I can't remember? What have I done?" She cried sadly greedily grabbing one of his hands and holding onto it tightly. She swiveled in his arms, bringing her knees to her chest as she faced him. Her bright blue eyes stared into his midnight ones searching for answers and hope. He sucked in a deep breath and stared at her. Suddenly he stood, catching her off guard. She watched in silence as he began to pace the room, emotions tearing holes through his body. He ran a hand through his hair and stopped staring out of the window.
"I don't know what to do Usako..." He whispered finally and she looked at him sadly. "Overnight you've changed into the beautiful person I fell in love with... was obsessed with..." He said looking at her sadly, her form so seductively clad in his shirt and a loose pair of boxers. He cursed and looked away. "You had changed.... you became something that even I was afraid of..." He whispered quietly. "Slowly you began to drift away from me... We had fought... I hadn't meant those things... I would have never thought in a million years that it would have ended like it did..." He said staring out into the darkened sky. "You drew away from me... then you drew away from the girls... We never saw you unless we were in a jam... and then after awhile we didn't even see you then..." He whispered and Usagi sat back, a somber look crossing her features of shocked apathy.
"Then you started coming around again but you had changed... You didn't want to be known as Usagi anymore but Max... your appearance altered so greatly... you..." Suddenly his head snapped towards her and he stared in shock. "You cut off your hair to your shoulders and dyed it black..." He said quietly and she followed his gaze to her long blonde locks. Quickly she stood and stared at her hair, she held the long strand in her hands and stared at him.
"How long was I like that?" She asked finally and he walked towards her.
"It started five months ago but you've been completely gone from us for about three months, two weeks... four days..." He breathed out and she tossed her hair behind her... This was her perfect opening, she could easily write off whatever her apparent hero had done. Perhaps she had been sent here to fix her heroine...
"What month is this?" She asked, her heart beating faster as he approached her.
"What do you think?" He asked, standing a few feet away from her, his eyes searching hers so intently that she felt as if she was being questioned for a murder.
"October." She whispered quietly and he turned so abruptly away from her that she gasped. She felt as if his entire presence had vanished from her and she almost launched forward, wishing she could attach herself to him. "What is going on?" She cried out in a painful demand and he turned towards her staring at her. He had no clue whither he was to believe her or not. His heart sadly closed up to her and he took a step back and she looked down, wrapping her arms around herself.
"It's February Usagi..." He whispered and she began to shake. He shook his head at her and she turned away from him... she knew he didn't believe her... what was she going to do? "What are you doing? What kind of plan is turning in that head of yours?" He asked and she closed her eyes miserably. He hated her... Oh God not him too! "Usagi." He said loudly, getting her attention and she spun around to face him.
"I'm going to get my life back! I am Tuskino, Usagi and this is not my life! I'm going to bring things back to the way they were! With your help or not..." She said sadly and walked across the floor to the bedroom. She quickly entered and closed the door locking him out. He stared at the door for a long moment and let out a breath, his fists clenched and he closed his eyes sadly. He hadn't heard her yell at him like that since she was fifteen... God that was his Usako... Her innocence, her love... He ran a hand across his eyes and sucked in a deep breath.
"Usa..." He whispered miserably then stalked to the couch, throwing himself on top of it and collapsing into a fitful sleep.
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With a grunt she struggled pulling her body into the room. She tried to control her voice but she couldn't help the slight squeal of alarm that came from her lips as she tumbled through the window and crashed into the carpeted floor below her. She grunted painfully and crawled across the floor until she pushed herself to her feet. It was pure luck that she had guessed the right window and then luck again that it was unlocked. She let out a deep breath and looked around. The room was light pink and white, picture frames littered across desks and tables. A pair of bunny pj's rested on her made bed and she stared at a small indention in the covers where a small animal could curl up and sleep. Gently she ran her hand across the groove and sighed sadly. Where was Luna when you needed her?
Dark eyes followed her every movement across the room as she slowly touched the precious treasures with extreme care as if she had never seen anything so beautiful. A smile came to her lips as she looked at the happy photos of her and her... friends. She picked one up and sighed sadly running her fingers
over the picture of her and the Sailor Scouts, two cats resting at their feet.
"You were so perfect... what happened? Why?" She whispered sadly to herself and then she looked at the clock and let out a grunt. She needed to get to school... she had to get life back to normal. Quickly she walked towards the closet and opened the doors and stared at all of the clothes hanging in there and those folded on the shelf. Usagi gasped and gently let her fingers touch each of the soft fabrics. Gently she looked through them until she found a gray school uniform. She padded over to her bathroom and quickly shut the door. She needed a shower.
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"Oie... I look like Rei..." She mumbled to herself as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. The gray uniform looked nothing like she thought Juuban would be. Perhaps they changed though. Gently she put her hair up in her two odangos. Somehow she had learned how to do that. She sighed, tugging at her skirt and shirt. "I wish I knew where I was going." She mumbled quietly and then gasped catching something's reflection behind her. She spun around, her body hitting the ground as her arms lunged forward clasping onto the object. She pulled the black fur closer to her and held it lovingly. "Luna! Luna, Luna!" She cried happily into the cat's fur and the cat only looked at her mildly alarmed. "Luna please don't hate me too... I'm so sorry... whatever happened before I was an idiot... please forgive me!" She cried and the cat only mewoed at her. Usagi gulped and looked down at her, gently she released her hold and the cat jumped out of her arms. Usagi felt as if she was going to cry... Luna hated her too? This was going to be so hard... "I need your help..." Usagi mumbled sadly and tried to will her tears away, but they filled her eyes anyway. She looked up sadly when she heard a scratching noise and her eyes widened and she slowly stood. Gently she picked up the backpack Luna was scratching and the black cat led her to the door, looking back up at her to make sure she was following. Usagi gulped and followed her out of the room... she glanced at the clock... she still had half-an hour before school started.
"Sami..." His mother's voice rang from the bottom of the steps and she looked up in hopes of seeing her son.
"Coming mom!" He yelled and then she retreated to the kitchen. Slowly she began to butter some toast when someone whizzed past her.
"Sami... don't do that... you know it.." She began but was cut off when a female appeared before her.
"I'm sorry mom... I'm late... which is no surprise..." Usagi mumbled, pulling her bag tighter on her shoulder. She looked at her mom for a minute then wrapped her arms around the stunned women, holding her tightly. "I love you mom..." She whispered quietly and her mother gasped, looking at her daughter shocked.
"Usagi.." She breathed out and Usagi gently grabbed two pieces of toast. Usagi smiled at her.
"I have to go to school... I have a feeling I haven't been there in a while..." She smiled and her mother nodded putting a hand over her own mouth in shock. "I'll be home tonight mom... I was so wrong... I hope you can forgive me and I can be your baby again..." She said softly and her mother gasped and nodded weakly. Usagi nodded and turned to leave but her mother launched forward wrapping her arms around her only daughter.
"Oh Usagi!" She cried happily and Usagi hugged her tight.
"Mom I'm so sorry..." She whispered into her mother's hair and her mother shook her head gently stroaking her daughters cheek. Usagi laughed softly and choked back a sob, happiness flowing through her.
"You better go... I don't want you to be late." She smiled and Usagi nodded and pecked her mother's cheek. Usagi quickly ran out of the kitchen and Mrs. Tuskino gasped shocked and suddenly she felt something rub against her legs. Luna meowed softly below her and she stared at the cat she had not seen in so long... "Luna... that really is my daughter isn't it?" She asked softly and the cat softly meowed then ran after the young girl.
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"Ok... lost... lost..." Usagi mumbled as she came to an intersection. "Think... think... Where do you go to school Usagi..." She said to herself and Luna sat by her side. Suddenly they heard a loud noise and then smoke filled the air. A very ugly and beat up car pulled up to the curb and a man jumped out.
"Baby!" He cried and Usagi's eyes widened and she felt as if she was going to throw up. He ran towards her and grabbed her hands. "I'm sorry... come on with me... I can make you happy..." He grinned wickedly and Usagi jumped away from him and she gagged.
"You only make me sick!" She screamed and he growled.
"Max... I've been patient..." He said pointing at her.
"My name is Usagi, dipwad... Get it right!" She yelled at him and then without warning she took off running.
"MAX!" He screamed after her and she gasped running as fast as her legs would carry her. Luna raced after her, running ahead to guide her towards her school.
Finally she approached iron gates and she pushed them open racing towards the mansion type school. People gasped seeing her run in and finally a few girls ran up to her.
"Max... where the hell have you been?" A girl with dark raven hair asked, her nose pierced. Usagi swallowed staring at them and suddenly a girl tugged at one of her pigtales.
"Wasn't your hair black?" She asked incredulously and Usagi tugged her hair back.
"Um... My name is Usagi... Max is dead...sorry." Usagi announced, her blue eyes searching fervently for any familiar face. Finally she pushed her way through the girls and ran towards a tall brunet.
"Mako!" She cried and the brunet turned in time to have the blonde trip into her arms. Makoto blinked and looked at the blonde in her arms. Usagi looked up at her helplessly and gulped.
"You look like you've seen a ghost." Makoto mumbled quietly and Usagi tried to stand on her own two feet in front of the girl. "Come on... we're going to be late." Makoto said motioning with her head for her to follow her inside. Usagi taking the invitation laced her arm with Makoto's and clung. She cast a look back at the three startled girls behind her who had apparently been 'Max's Friends.'
People cast Usagi odd glances as she clung to Makoto and they walked through the perfect halls. Makoto gulped and felt nervous. It was hard to act like nothing had ever happened... she truly wanted to but she was so unused to it. Gently her brown eyes fell on the scared girl hanging on her arm and she felt a painful pang in her heart.
"Morning." A voice said to them suddenly and Makoto stopped bringing Usagi to a halt. Makoto
smiled breathing a sigh of relief as she scratched the back of her head nervously.
"Morning Ami..." Makoto sighed and Usagi bent forward. The girls looked at her curiously and did the same so they could hear her.
"I thought we attended Juuban High... isn't this Rei's school?" She asked quietly and Ami nodded, Makoto looking at Ami then back at Usagi.
"We switched during the beginning of the year... more academic experience here." Ami whispered and Usagi nodded. Usagi straightened then leaned down, a desperate look coming to her face.
"How old am I?" She asked and Ami blinked and almost stuttered.
"Um... Seventeen." Ami said softly and Usagi's face went pale. Seventeen...
"Oh God... no wonder I'm so messed up... I skipped two years..." Usagi said to herself and Ami gently took her hand. Usagi blinked and looked up at her.
"We need to go to class..." Ami said softly and Usagi nodded, letting go of Makoto to latch onto Ami. The three girls slowly walked to their class, Usagi clinging to the blue haired prodigy.
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The old woman blinked and stuttered as she saw the blonde enter into her classroom. Ami gave the teacher an apologetic look then led Usagi to her chair. Three girls immediately pushed Ami out of the way and sat next to Usagi. Ami sighed and walked to her own chair across the room.
"Ami! heh.. wait up." Usagi cried out and jumped out of her desk and quickly climbed in a vacant one behind the blue haired girl. "Hate to act childish but... Yeah scared of those people." Usagi mumbled and Ami stared at her then at the steaming three girls who stared back at her with hatred. Ami leveled her gaze and frowned at them. They quickly turned in their seat and the teacher stared at this activity.
"Um... Ma... Usagi?" The teacher asked and Usagi lifted her head.
"Yes?" She squeaked and the teacher looked at her.
"Miss Hannah." Makoto quickly whispered and Usagi gulped.
"Miss Hannah..." She quickly finished and smiled. "We don't have a test today... do we?" She asked trying to act like she would imagine Usagi would. The teacher shook her head and stared at the blonde in disbelief. Suddenly two girls ran inside and the teacher looked towards them.
"Sorry Miss Hannah!" They cried in unison then the girls came to a halt and stared. Rei let out a scream and stared at the blonde sitting next to Ami and Makoto.
"Yep... that's hate." Usagi gulped and Ami turned in her chair to look at Usagi, Makoto looking at her as well.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Rei demanded and the three girls before stood and stared evilly at her. "Back off witches!" Rei bellowed and the three girls hissed. Everyone in the class fell silent and Rei pushed past them towards the blonde.
"Rei!" A voice yelled behind her and the dark haired beauty turned around to see her leader and she blinked. "Um... don't want to get a detention... sit." She laughed, the last word an order and Rei stared at her in shock. Rei looked at the teacher and nodded, gulping slightly as she slipped into a vacant seat, Mina doing the same in front of her.
"Well... this will be a long day." Usagi mumbled and Makoto nodded.
"Oh yeah..." She mumbled and Usagi gave her a heartwarming look and smiled. Makoto looked at her and felt the corners of her mouth turning into a smile. The girls quickly put their focus back on the black board and class began. Suddenly a scream echoed down the halls.
"I take Calculus?" A high-pitched voice screamed and groans were heard from Miss Hannah's classroom.
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"She said there wasn't going to be a test!" Usagi said in a sad whine as she stared at the paper in her hand with seemingly more red marks then problems.
"Well, if this isn't a flashback." A deep voice said behind her and she spun around to stare into deep blue eyes. She stared at her test paper then hid it behind her back.
"She's going to do better... she usually does well, she's just been absent." Ami said softly as she clutched her books to her chest.
"Absent minded..." Usagi murmured and Makoto almost choked on the laughter that was trying to escape.
"Usagi... that's not nice." She scolded then she blinked. "Wait a second..."
"You went to school today?" Mamoru asked quietly gently looking over the uniform that was on her form. A sudden memory of that uniform on the floor†he shook his head and sighed, trying to push it away.
"Yes... It wasn't any fun if that makes you feel better... I've had a horrible day... chased by a greasy slimball... chased by witches! Rei tried to kill me..." Usagi whined and threw her hand up in the air.
"Yoo hoo!" A voice cried down the street and Usagi turned around just in time to see a familiar blonde heading straight for her. She blinked and Minako ran her over, making both blondes fall to the ground at Mamoru's feet.
"Ow!" Usagi cried and Minako looked down at her with a smile.
"You won't believe who I found!" Minako cried and Usagi blinked up at her.
"Yeah um... Minako... your on top of Usagi..." Makoto pointed out, pressing her lips together and
looking around nervously.
"Oopsie..." Minako cried jumping up and everyone looked at her. She was smiling and looked so happy... None of them had looked happy in a long time it seemed. Suddenly she scooped down and lifted a black cat in the air. "Guess who's been following Usagi around all day!" Minako cried. "I catnapped her after school..." Minako said and Usagi gently scrambled to her feet. The cat only looked at them all and mewoed.
"She wasn't following me..." Usagi said and took the cat away from Minako and held it gently. "She was leading me..." She sighed and Ami gently linked her arm with Usagi making Mamoru blink.
"Let's go get some ice cream." She said and Usagi looked at her and smiled weakly. "We can tell Mamoru about our day." Ami offered and Mamoru nodded his head, his curiosity getting the better of him. Ami smiled and gently pulled Usagi towards Motoki's place. Usagi looked at Ami with big eyes and smiled happily.
"I love you Ami." Usagi smiled and Ami grinned and winked at her.
"Yeah yeah... I've heard your lines before." Ami said and Usagi laughed laying her head on Ami's shoulder as they strolled down the street.
"Kinda like the Twilight Zone isn't it?" Minako giggled and Mamoru stared at her then grabbed her arm and yanked her down the street.
"Yeah, we're going to talk about that conversation you and Luna had." He said and Mina winced and followed after him quickly. Makoto grinned and raced after them.
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Motoki placed a cheeseburger and a milkshake in front of Usagi and watched her as she began to nibble at it. He looked around and then pulled a chair up to their booth, Minako, Makoto, Ami, Mamoru
and Usagi already squished into it.
"Ok, let's talk." He said and Ami nodded. Usagi slouched in the corner and quietly ate and watched as she was completely ignored and talked about as if she wasn't there... she didn't mind, I mean she was used to it but she was thankful that none of it was bad.
"I'll go first... I can start it from the beginning of the day." Minako said and gently pet the black cat on her lap. "Usagi broke into her room early this morning and Luna watched as she inspected her room... she pulled her uniform out of the closet and rushed into a shower. Luna waited for her to come back and when she did she heard Usagi say the oddest thing." Minako said not even bothering to cast a look at Usagi. Usagi shrugged and took another bite of her hamburger. "She said she didn't know where she was going." Ami looked at her and sipped at her milkshake.
"What do you mean, she didn't know where she was going?" She asked and Usagi leaned forward.
"As in I didn't know where the school was." She filled in and Minako nodded. Mamoru watched them all and Motoki exchanged an odd look with him.
"Anyway... after that Luna followed her down stairs and Usagi rushed into her mother's arms... they cried for a little while, she apologized then burst out the door. Luna followed after her when Usagi was attacked on the sidewalk by Conrad." Minako said and Usagi almost gagged on her french fry. Makoto gently patted her on the back.
"Honestly Usagi... you have such horrible taste in men." She commented and Mamoru raised an eyebrow.
"Excuse me?" He asked and Makoto blushed.
"Eh.. except for you Mamoru-san." She said and Usagi took a long gulp of her drink, trying to wash down the sudden taste of bile in her throat.
"She called him a dipwad... then ran away." Minako laughed and Motoki looked at Usagi and raised his eyebrows at her. "After that Luna led her to school..."
"That's when she ran into those three girls..." Makoto said picking up from where Minako left off.
"I don't know their names but they are major bad. They approached her as Max and Usagi said that she was Usagi and Max was dead... then she ran right into my arms."
"Tripped." Usagi mumbled as she reached for some salt. Ami smiled and handed it to her then got back into the conversation. Mamoru blinked and looked at Motoki who just shook his head. He opened his mouth but Makoto continued.
"I of course didn't know what to do... I mean last week this was the girl who um..." Makoto
stopped and Usagi nudged her, looking at her.
"What?" She asked and Makoto turned away from her, a saddened expression crossing her face.
"Let's just say you made her a laughing stock." Minako mumbled and Usagi sunk into the corner.
"But... I believe you." Makoto suddenly said turning to her and Usagi looked at her sadly. "I mean... your Usagi... my best friend again and I forgive you for whatever your horrible alter-ego did... I missed you." Makoto said sadly and Usagi threw herself into the tall brunets arms and hid her sobs in Makoto's shirt. Makoto smiled and stroked her hair.
"After that happened I met with them in the hall." Ami said and then she looked at Minako. "Minako and I had a talk the night before... Usagi at the arcade yesterday seemed broken, confused and childish... the Usagi we knew..." Ami said and Mamoru stared at her a little shocked that she would say such a thing in front of Usagi. "I wanted to believe so bad it was her... life was miserable after she left... she was the life in us all." Ami whispered quietly and Usagi snuggled into Makoto's shoulder.
"Ami and I took Usagi to class where she was again attempted to be taken in by those three girls... Ami and I walked away assuming that she would stay with them but she jumped up and practically ran Ami over trying to remain by her side... It was like she was scared of those girls."
"I've been around witches... they aren't any fun... evil little sprites." Usagi mumbled as she moved to finish her milkshake.
"That's when Rei and Minako burst in..." Ami said and Minako blushed.
"We were late and we were rushing... I was running after her when suddenly she came to a stop and I ran into her and she screamed." Usagi shivered and sunk lower into the seat and hoped she could hide behind Makoto.
"She began to yell at Usagi, asking her what she was doing in school and then the teacher and Minako made her sit down... we went through class but we would have never thought that Rei would have attacked her after school." Ami mumbled.
"Attacked?" Mamoru said shocked and Usagi pulled her jacket down her arms more, trying to hide the bruises.
"She grabbed her and practically threw her into a tree." Makoto said gruffly and Mamoru's eyes flashed.
"She kept screaming at her saying she wasn't Usagi and she was a disgrace... she let Luna down, her mother.. um.. Queen mother... us, Mamoru... her family... She told her to go far far away... and never come back." Ami said and Mamoru looked at the counter and shook his head.
"What did she do?" Motoki asked and Mamoru looked at his best friend.
"She's right there Motoki... we've been talking about her like she wasn't even here..." He snapped and Usagi gulped and smiled fakely.
"Oh it's not like I'm not used to being ignored..." She said and he looked at her.
"We never ignored you." He said and she looked down at the tabletop.
"She just stared at her and apologized..." Minako said softly as she stirred her drink. "Rei was so shocked she stormed away... We all just stood and stared at her. She sunk to the ground but she never cried..." Minako whispered and looked up at Mamoru and Ami. "She never cried..."
"Tears don't help anything... they just show your fear." Usagi whispered from the corner as she remembered so many hits from crying... He would pin her against the wall like Rei had done then he would hit her and hit her until she stopped crying... Gently she reached to touch her cheek and let out a shattering breath. "You get hurt for tears..." She whispered sadly and Makoto looked at her and then grabbed her hand.
"Usagi did Conrad ever hit you when you cried?" She asked and Usagi blinked at her. "I always thought that after that fight that you and Mamoru had that you had felt so vulnerable that you ran into anyone's arms... He was the only one who took you and you were fine but then you started to drift away... I always suspected that he was hurting you... You started wearing make up and long sleeved shirts..." Makoto's voice began to crack. "I always thought but you started hating us and yelling at us always... Oh Usagi... we're so sorry we didn't come to your rescue and show you that you were loved..." Makoto cried and Usagi's mouth hung open in shock. Minako and Ami began to cry too and reached out for her. Usagi quickly grabbed at them and reveled in their hugs and tears.
"I'm so sorry..." Usagi cried and the girls all shook their head and cried their apologies. Motoki smiled at them and wiped a tear off of his cheek.
"Man Usagi I really missed you..." He smiled and Usagi laughed softly clutching onto her friends.
"I need you all so bad..." She cried and Makoto hugged her so hard that she felt she was going to pop.
"We'll never ever leave you again!" Makoto cried and Usagi smiled cuddling to them. Mamoru slowly stood and pulled on his jacket. He said goodbye to Motoki, and looked at the girls. He sighed and walked away leaving them to their hugs.
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Mamoru ran his hand through his hair and let out a breath. He didn't know what to think... let alone how it seemed. Guilt ran through his blood and he groaned inwardly. He had become so attached to her... so... He meant it when he told her she was his obsession... she was all he could think about... after that night... Oh God that night... He groaned at the memories as they flooded his brain... the happiness... the pleasure. She was so young but she knew more then him it seemed and he knew from that moment on that no matter what they would always be together... then four months later she was torn away from him over that stupid fight! He growled and suddenly he heard someone calling his name. He immediately turned thinking it was his precious Usagi and he saw nothing. Suddenly his eyes drifted down to a young girl running towards him. His eyes widened and he bent down and the ten year old ran into his arms.
"Mamo-chan!" She cried hugging onto him tightly. He held her.
"Oh Rini... I'm so glad to see you." He whispered into her hair and she hugged onto him. He felt tears rush to his eyes... she didn't deserve any of the treatment she had received from Usagi... or Max whoever she was so long ago... God she would probably be emotionally damaged for the rest of her life... He clutched her to him till she complained that she couldn't breath.
"Usagi came home this morning... Mom ran around cleaning the house, excited that she was coming home... She isn't going to come is she? She was lying again... Usagi really is gone!" Rini cried and Mamoru shook his head and stroked her head.
"No Rini... She isn't... she will be home tonight and she's going to apologize to you and take you in her arms and take care of you like she's always wanted to... Oh Rini she really does love you... so much more then probably even me..." He said and she buried her head in his jacket.
"I want her to love me... why did she hate me Mamo-chan? She's my mother! How could she hate me!" She cried sadly and Mamoru closed his eyes sadly. "What did I do wrong?" She asked in a shattered whisper and Mamoru's heart ached.
"Rini... she could never hate you... You never did anything wrong.. she was just so confused and people were feeding horrible lies into her head, she was ill... she's getting better now.. Please give Usagi a chance... Please." He whispered and Rini nodded her head sadly.
"I want my Usagi back." She cried and Mamoru nodded.
"God so do I." He whispered and kissed her head softly.
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"Mom!" Usagi called opening the door as she walked inside. She smiled watching her mother quickly approach her. The beautiful women flung her arms around her daughter and Usagi smiled hugging her tightly. "Sorry I didn't get home earlier..." She said and her mom shook her head.
"You look beautiful." She smiled and Usagi felt her blonde locks and smiled, a picture of her with black hair popping into her head and she rolled her eyes at the thought.
"Hi Bunny." A male voice said and Usagi's face lit up. She let go of her mother and threw herself into the older man's arms. Her father smiled sadly and looked at his wife who happily sighed and Usagi held onto him.
"Oh Daddy... Please forgive me and take me back... I was so so so stupid!" She cried and he smiled and stroked her hair.
"I'm so glad your home..." He smiled and pulled her back to look at her. Usagi smiled and then someone tugged on her shirt and she stared at her teenage brother.
"You promise." He said staring at her with eyes that could very easily be filled with hatred. She held out her hand to him and put on her most serious face.
"I promise." She said shaking his hand and Sami's voice broke and he smiled sadly at her, tears coming to his eyes as the same thing happened to her. She pulled him into her arms and hugged him wildly. "Sami I missed you so much!" They laughed.
"I don't like it..." Rini whispered quietly from the top of the steps. Luna looked at her patiently. "She can't be Usagi..." She whispered and Luna gently pawed her skirt. Rini looked at her and cradled the cat's head. "Luna... Usagi never appreciated her family this much... now she is acting like they are so precious and as if she has never had one... something's fishy... I wish Elios was here... he always knows what's going on." She mumbled and Luna gently laid her head on the small girls lap. She hadn't talked to a human in over four months... She forgot how to do it. Minako had only gained her information through a middle man... Artemis. He spoke cat. Luna sighed and Rini stared down at the blonde as she looked around. "She's looking for me..." Rini whispered, her breath catching. "My mom will know I'm right here.... right here... Luna if she sees me I'll know it's her..." Rini whispered and she closed her eyes tightly wishing. Luna turned to look at the blonde as she smiled at her parents. Then she turned her head, staring right to where Rini was sitting. Rini opened her eyes and gasped staring into deep blue pools.
"I'm sorry..." Usagi mouthed gently and Rini quickly turned away, pulling herself into a ball against a wall. Luna quickly went to her side to look at her. Rini began to breath hard.
"Should I forgive her?" Rini asked and Luna gently tilted her head to the side admiring the small scared child. "Luna tell me... tell me..." Rini begged and she closed her red eyes tightly.
"Hey!" A voice said loudly and Rini jumped, her frightened eyes staring into soft blue ones. "What are you doing?" Usagi asked with a smile as she bent down to her level. "Luna..." Usagi smiled and gently ran her fingers along the beautiful feline's fur. "Boy I hope she took better care of you then I did..." Usagi sighed and Luna gently and cautiously climbed into Usagi's lap. "And I hope you took special care of her Luna... Care I should have given her..." Usagi whispered softly as she stroked the cat's cheeks. Luna purred and Usagi slowly lifted her eyes to look to Rini's. Rini was still just staring at her.
"Dinner!" Their mom called happily and Usagi looked down to the living room where her happy family was. She smiled content and looked back at her daughter.
"I was lost." She whispered quietly and Rini gulped.
"Did you like it?" She asked and Usagi quickly shook her head.
"No.. none of it." She said and Rini slowly began to uncurl herself from her rigid position.
"Will you ever go back to it? Will you get lost again?" She asked, fear in her voice and Usagi gently put Luna on the ground and she leaned forward, putting her hands softly on Rini's cheeks.
"Small Lady... I was so wrong... I will never ever leave you again... Never." She whispered and Rini looked at her and stared into her eyes. Suddenly she lounged forward and clung to Usagi. Usagi laughed and hugged the ten year old to her.
"If you think your going to get your room back... your wrong." Rini suddenly whispered and Usagi laughed and then pulled the pink haired child away from her.
"Yeah... we'll see about that!" Usagi said and tried to tickle Rini but she crawled away from her grasp.
"MOM!" Rini cried laughingly as she raced down the steps.
"Come here you little rat!" Usagi called after Chibi-Usa and their mother smiled, happy to hear a familiar sound once again.
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"I love the rain!" Chibi-Usa announced loudly as she splashed in another puddle. Usagi followed after her slowly, secure in rain clothes.
"And I hate the thunder... Let's go pipsqueak.. I want food." Usagi said poking her little 'sister' in the ribs making the young girl squeal.
"You always want food... you're such a pig." Chibi-Usa grinned and Usagi gasped, dropping her umbrella and she scooped the child up in her arms holding her upside down in front of a puddle.
"What did you call me!?" Usagi laughed and Chibi-Usa giggled uncontrollably. "You're one big oinker yourself there!" Usagi laughed and Chibi-Usa cried out when she saw a familiar pair of shoes walking towards them.
"Mamo-chan! Help me!" She cried out and Usagi almost dropped her. Quickly she grabbed Chibi-Usa and put her on the ground. Chibi-Usa looked at her worried, her heart having skipped a beat when she felt Usagi almost drop her.
"Butterfingers..." Usagi whispered quietly as she picked up her umbrella and took Chibi-Usa's hand.
"What are you doing out here Chibi-Usa? It's pouring." Mamoru said staring at the small girl under his umbrella who was dressed in bunny rain gear, Usagi in identical to her, yet not as kiddie.
"Usagi promised to take me for Ice Cream!" Chibi-Usa announced proudly and Mamoru looked at Usagi then back at Chibi-Usa. Chibi-Usa caught his look and gently pulled her hand out of Usagi's.
"Ami and Makoto are already there..." Mamoru said and that was enough push for her. She smiled up at Usagi then at Mamoru and skipped ahead of them towards the Game Center.
"Chibi-Usa!" Usagi called and the young girl only looked back and smiled. Usagi frowned and then looked back at Mamoru. She suddenly felt absolute terror pass through her... he didn't look happy with her. She looked down at the ground. The silence that came after that seemed to last forever...
"I love you Usako." He said softly and he took a step forward, only a foot away from her. Gently she lifted her eyes to look up into his. "But I know we can't pick up where we left off..." He said sadly, his heart breaking... They had come so very far.. God how he ached for her.
"I need you." Usagi suddenly said and he raised his eyes to look into hers. He let his umbrella fall to the side and he leaned forward, gently cupping her cheek as his lips fell upon hers kissing her lovingly. She held her umbrella over them and wrapped her free arm around his neck. Reluctantly he pulled away and he could hear her breathing upon his face. A tremor went down his spine and he almost pulled her into his arms and would have never let her go...
"Let's start over..." He whispered and she looked at him sadly.
"Let's start in the middle..." She said and he couldn't help but smile... she was so smart now... his little bunny, he wrapped his arms around her small frame and smiled down at her.
"And the middle would be?" He teased gently nibbling at her bottom lip. She smiled and leaned her head against his.
"Right here." She whispered and he kissed her softly once more. "I love you..." She whispered softly and Mamoru picked her up, swinging her into his arms and she erupted into giggles. He grinned at her and she hugged onto him tightly.
"Would the lady like some ice cream?" He grinned at her and she thought about it for a moment then smiled.
"Indeed." She grinned and he smiled at her carrying her off in the direction of Motoki's arcade.
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Laughter was heard as the two entered into the shop. Mamoru smiled and set her down on the ground. She grinned and pulled off her hat, shaking off the wetness from her hair and people turned to look at her.
"Over here!" Makoto called waving a hand and everyone in their turned startled eyes on the brunet that actually invited Usagi over there.
"Chibi-Usa?" Mamoru asked and a little pink head appeared near the counter. Ice cream was all over her face as a huge banana split sat in front of her.
"Rini!" Usagi squealed walking towards her. "You are going to spoil your dinner and Mom will freak...ew.. you got it all over you." Usagi said looking at her and Rini stuck her tongue out at her. "Sticky buns." Usagi smirked and rolled her eyes walking towards a table where the rest of the girls sat.
"Hey!" Rini called and grabbed her ice cream. Mamoru quickly grabbed it from her and followed her towards their table. Rini squeezed her way in between Usagi and her chair and sat down.
"Rat." Usagi hissed.
"Too fat... too slow." Rini smirked and looked up at Usagi with a smile and Usagi rolled her eyes and sat next to her.
"Hey you got ice cream dripping down your chin." Usagi smiled and Rini blinked and quickly wiped it. Ami smiled at Usagi and Usagi sighed and let out a deep breath.
"How are you?" Makoto asked and Usagi giggled.
"Everyone is staring at me." Usagi mumbled.
"For good reason." A new voice hissed and Minako groaned. They didn't need another fight. "This is what... day three?"
"Hi Rei." Usagi smiled looking at her and Mamoru sighed and walked towards Motoki to order some coffee.
"You aren't my friend so don't pretend you are." Rei hissed and the other girls sighed silently.
"Rei..." Rini scolded and Rei sighed and looked at Rini.
"Rini... she isn't the real Usagi... the real Usagi is dead..." Rei began and Usagi slapped her hand on the table.
"Enough!" She cried and everyone turned to stare at her. "Look Pyro, jump off your high horse and get back into the real world! I said I was sorry... don't go filling my sister's head with nonsense!! You know what... you suck at being a scout!" Usagi yelled and Rei gasped and stared at her.
"Me? You don't even know what one is you abandoner!" Rei screamed.
"Please! I don't have time to fight with you. You're so stubborn you couldn't see the truth if it was standing right in front of you!" Usagi cried and everyone gasped and stared at Rei. Rei let out a scream and jumped across the table. Usagi cried out and ducked, the raven-haired beauty slamming into the ground. "Rei!" The blonde cried as she rushed to the girl's side. Rei gasped and broke away from her.
"Rei are you ok?" Makoto asked quickly and Rei stared at her then at Usagi.
"What do you care? You all abandoned me! Don't you remember who this girl is? She hurt us!! Yet you side with her only after a day! You leave me! I was always there! I thought you were my friends!" Rei screamed and the girls all stared at her shocked.
"Rei... it isn't even like that." Ami said sadly and Rei shook her head.
"It is like that!" Rei screamed and she got to her feet. "I know my Usagi and I won't be fooled by her.... she deserves to die just like Max did." She rushed towards the doors and Mamoru quickly grabbed her.
"Rei don't be like this." He mumbled and Rei looked at him sadly.
"I would have never left you." She cried and pushed out of his arms and into the rain. Mamoru stood their stunned and Usagi ran a hand down her face and let out a deep breath.
"What do we do now?" Makoto asked and Usagi slumped into her chair and let her head fall on the table.
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Usagi gently crawled under the pink sheets of her bed. She sighed and ran her hand across the pillow. She had her own bed. Gently she laid her head down on the feather filled pillow and sighed, her eyes glancing around her very own room.
A black streak crossed the room and she sat up. She sat up and gasped, looking around the room.
"Luna?" She asked into the air and suddenly she caught the glint of yellow eyes. They vanished and she looked around panicked when suddenly they appeared at the bottom of her bed and stared at her. "You scared me" She whispered and gently laid back down. Luna slowly walked towards her.
"Who are you?" A voice asked and Usagi's eyes widened and she sat up to stare at the cat before her. "You can tell me.... who are you?" The voice said gently and Usagi's mouth dropped slightly.
"Wow." She whispered and Luna sighed sadly and looked away.
"You aren't Serenity." She mumbled and Usagi shook her head sadly. Suddenly she reached out
and grabbed the black feline.
"You can't tell anyone! Please!" She cried desperately and Luna looked at her alarmed, her hind feet flaring. Usagi scooped her into her arms and held her. Luna looked up at her and she wanted to cry... when was her Princess going to return?
"I won't" she whispered and Usagi relaxed and Luna crawled slowly out of her arms.
"Do you know what is going on?" She asked and Luna let out a breath.
"Bits and pieces... I just know you are definitely not Max." She grumbled and Usagi nodded vigorously.
"Who was that? Did Usagi really become that?" She cried and Luna sighed with a shake of her head.
"That was not the Princess... Serenity has been gone for some time now" She whispered and Usagi looked at her confused.
"I know†I'm not who I look like I am.... this is a comic book character... I'm not real." She whispered and Luna looked at her alarmed.
"You are real... Usagi is very real... I just don't know who you are or what realm you are from" She mumbled and Luna glanced at her. "What boggles me is how much you know about the girl you become." She mumbled and Usagi looked sternly at her.
"I'm not the first to do this?" She asked and Luna sat silently before her and Usagi crawled towards her. "Max... she was like me." Usagi mumbled and Luna looked down. "What is going on?" She asked exasperated and Luna shook her head.
"I don't really know... I just know girls keep jumping into my Princess's life and I can't find her" She said sadly and Usagi sat sadly on her bed, information washing over her.
"Maybe she is me." She mumbled and then Usagi gasped. "Oh my God!" She cried and Luna looked up alarmed.
"What? What is wrong with being you?" Luna asked and Usagi began to cry. Luna padded up to her and nudged her, getting the entire story out of her. Luna looked at her with eyes filled with horror.
She shook her head and cleared her throat.
"Usagi is very strong.... she had grown up so much... she will save your life." Luna mumbled and Usagi gasped looking at her.
"Do you think that is what she is supposed to do?" She asked and Luna looked around.
"You are smarter then Max." She mumbled and Usagi sniffed. "You are younger... you don't act 17." She mumbled and Usagi shook her head.
"Fifteen." She whispered and Luna groaned.
"We have to make people believe you are really Usagi... we can't throw them into a panic thinking the Princess is missing." Luna mumbled and Usagi gently pulled her into her arms.
"This is a dream come true for me... I've been saved." She whispered and Luna looked at her sadly.
"I'm glad but we need to save our Princess." She whispered and Usagi nodded. "Will you help me find her?" She asked and Usagi nodded again. She didn't belong in this world...she belonged in her own. She watched as Luna nestled into a ball at the end of the bed. She sighed sadly. She didn't want to leave her life.