Well, here is our next chapter, and yes I'm aware its pathetically short. However since I've been working my ass off to do my homework today rather than writing, I should have time in the week to update.

And to the reviewers (thank you both!)

Ismail Saeed- Thanks for the adivice, I thought that chap 2 was goodish and I do agree with you, the pace is starting to drag a little for me, but we'll call it suspense building shall we?

Neonlights- Totally agreed and I found you last review, so thanks for that one too.

Anyway you know the deal, I don't own Sailor Moon, just love er.

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Afternoons were circular now. Ami would leave school with Mako, and together they would make their way to the temple. Rei would already be there, as would Mina. The meeting would begin at 3.30, always on time. There was nothing and no one to hold it up anymore.

Rei would greet them, let them in and lead them to her room. Rei always set out some tea and some cakes, as though it would make the meetings less dismal. It never seemed to work. After the small talk was over and done with (purely there so each girl could distract herself) they moved on their usual topic. Usagi.

Ami often kept quiet, after the first two days she had realised that the conversation would keep following its own trail. She would simply look out and watch the lst leaves, burning red, fall from the trees around the courtyard and listened;

Would they have killed Usagi by now? It didn't seem as though they had.

Then if they hadn't where was she now?

They must have her prisoner.

What for?

Surely Usagi wouldn't give away the identity of the sensei?

No of course she wouldn't, so would they have killed her?

Kill the princess? It didn't seem as though they had…..

And so on, round and round until the approaching night, or homework to be done, a worried family or something else meant the meeting was over. The tea would be cold and the cakes uneaten. It occurred to Ami that the same thing causing all this sadness was the same thing that bound them together and gave them hope; Usagi. The hope that she might be alive, that some sign would come through soon was what made these repetitive afternoons.

Motoki-san would always watch out since he had nothing more to do. Most of the machines were having the new Sailor Moon game put on and were out of service. With most of the machines down, Motoki only had to make the occasional coffee or milkshake.

Normally it would be about 3.30 when he came in. Recently Mamoru had taken to the habit of studying when he came to the arcade. Motoki really couldn't call it studying; Mamoru would have his eyes on the same line for 15 minutes at a time.

Motoki didn't understand what it was. Of course he had tried to ask Mamoru the first day he had come in like this, but Mamoru went into denial, as usual. Motoki knew his friend well enough by now to know that this was a sign that he didn't want interfering. So he made him another coffee, and watched him for a while, trying to guess what he was up to, and why he wouldn't tell him.

Motoki told himself to be fair. Just because Mamoru wasn't always talking it didn't mean he should take it personally. This was the way he was, he told you what he wanted, and what he didn't want you to know you didn't. It had always been like this, but not quite so severe.

Motoki shrugged and wiped his hands on his apron. Mamoru would come round in time, and as usual Motoki knew that he'd be counting on him to be here to listen. As you do when you're best friends.

Kunzite was waiting. It had been too long now; the Queen must be ready to give up. For 4 days he had been taking food into her. The great Sailor Moon, a pathetic human living off human food. Kunzite regarded it each day with disgust. He would bring in the food and it would scarcely land on the floor before she was there, picking it up and placing it in her mouth and closing her eyes as though it was delicious. Pathetic. This was the Princess of the Moon? This was Serenity's daughter, the guardian of the silver crystal? This grovelling child salivating over some worthless mush?

Kunzite was ashamed of himself. He had known this 'warrior' was far from perfect, but it pained him that he had been unable to kill her in battle and instead was left to feed her like one of those 'pets' humans were so fond of.

The princess wasn't even aware of what was happening, Kunzite was sure of that. She must simply think we are keeping her prisoner he thought. She didn't realise that her chamber was being engulfed by dark energy, the very thing she had been fighting against. She didn't even realise it, she was so starved and alone and frightened; so hopeless. Yes Sailor Moon sobbing to herself and muttering under her breath on the floor like a baby.

Surely the Queen must be desperate enough to be trying to turn her; to bring her over to their way of thinking, but even Kunzite knew that this wouldn't happen. That perfect crystal on that childish stick, which fed on love and hope and everything good would protect the girl; she couldn't be changed.

Kunzite only held himself back from all the wonderful tortures he could inflict on the child because of one thing. Sailor Moon would not be changed. She would become dispensable. When people were dispensable, they could be removed, and if Kunzite had his way, he would be the one to do it.

In a dark chamber (which Usagi noticed was weighing more and more heavily on her, making it hard even to take a breath) she stopped in the sobbing which had been her sole past time for the last week. Something was happening. Her eyes slid out of focus as she grasped for the stick, her touchstone, even though she had forgotten the warmth she was sure it had once afforded her. Usagi took the huge effort of drawing in one lat shuddering breath and keeled over. I'm dead, she thought, just like everyone I love, I'll be dead like them soon. Everything was lost, gone, floating away. Everything went dark.

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Reviews again appreciated, and keep an eye out about midweek for the next chapter!