The Truths of Love: Chapter ten

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon. Never have, never will, so please don't sue me.

A/N: Hey guys, thank you so much for all your reviews. I appreciate getting them! I'm just going to let you know, this might be the last chapter for awhile. School starts tomorrow, and I have to concentrate on school and studying. Plus I'm getting a job, and I have drama. So, I'll do my best to update as frequently as I can, but I just thought I should let you know not to expect chapters on a regular basis. Thanks again for all of your support, and on with the story!

"Where is she?" Minako burst out as she and the other three girls came skidding into the waiting room of the hospital. "What happened to Usagi?"

Mamoru stood up, surveying the four girls warily.

"Matt broke free from jail," Mamoru said quietly. "He came after Usagi and hit her. She fell off of the couch, and hit her head. I came home in time to stop him... to stop him from raping her again. She... she's in a coma. They put a few stitches in her head, closing off the gash, but with the hit on the head and Matt's unwanted appearance..."

Rei's eyes narrowed.

"He broke out of jail?" She said in disbelief. "Wow, that certainly makes me reconsider my safety. If a criminal can break out..."

Mamoru laughed harshly.

"I know what you mean. We'll deal with it later, though. Right now, we have to take care of Usagi. That is our main goal. One of you is allowed in at a time; I already went in, and she was sleeping. I don't know if she's up, but you're welcome to go in. One at a time, mind you, or the nurses will yell at you."

Rei, Minako, Ami, and Makoto winced at the thought of the nurses angry with them. Quickly it was decided that Rei, Ami, Minako and finally Makoto would be the order in which they went to see Usagi.

Rei stepped slowly into the hospital room. She sat down in a chair Mamoru had obviously used, as it was sitting directly beside the bed Usagi was currently residing.

Rei looked down at the peaceful, sleeping face of Usagi, and shook her head sadly.

'Why,' Rei thought to herself. 'Why would he want to harm this girl? Sure, she can be annoying, and a pest, and stubborn... but that's no reason to harm a person.' Rei gently took one of Usagi's hands in her own.

"Usagi," Rei said softly. "You have to get better and pull through this, you know. If you don't, who am I going to tease and pick on? No one argues like you do." Rei laughed softly at that, knowing just how true it was. "Come on, Usa-chan. You're strong, and no man doing this to you can cause you to lose your strength. Be strong, Usagi-chan. For all of us." Rei's words drifted off, and for a few more minutes, she sat in the chair beside the bed, holding Usagi's hand and stroking it gently with her thumb.

Finally she stood, and leaning over, gave Usagi a quick, friendly kiss on the forehead. Then she left the room.

Ami, Minako and Makoto's visits were much the same, each of them sitting with Usagi and holding her hand, murmuring words into her ear.

After a few hours, Makoto finally came out of the room, sitting down in a chair by the six other people in her group.

Mamoru looked up with a small smile.

"I know she wasn't awake to appreciate it you guys, but what you just did... well, I appreciate it. And I know that were she awake, she would too. You guys can go now. I know that you must have other places to be, and other things to be doing than sitting here in the hospital. Go on now. I'll stay with her."

Ami looked up at Mamoru concerned.

"Are you sure, Mamoru? We'd be happy to stay with you..."

Mamoru shook his head with a small smile.

"No, no. Go on. I'll be fine here."

"Call us if there's any change, or when she wakes up. Alright?" Makoto asked.

"Of course," Mamoru said. "I'll let you know the second anything changes. You guys go off now. Truly, I'll be fine."

With a last worried look, Motoki, Minako, Makoto, Ami and Rei filed out of the hospital, leaving Mamoru alone.

With a sigh, he stood and walked back to Usagi's room, sitting beside her once more and taking her hand in his, rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand.

"Come on, Usako..." Mamoru whispered softly. "You have to pull through this. You have to. I don't even want to think about what will happen if you don't pull through this... Please, Usako, don't leave me alone..."

Leaning over the girl, Mamoru softly pressed his lips to hers, holding them there for a moment, before pulling back and watching her sleep.

After awhile, he became drowsy, and slowly, against his will, found himself falling asleep.

Usagi was dreaming.

She knew she was dreaming, because her family was there. Ikuko, her long dark hair waving behind her, was there, and Kenji, his dark brown hair slicked back. Shingo was there, laughing and running around, his blue eyes sparkling with laughter.

"Come on, Usagi!" Shingo called, running. "Come catch me!"

Laughing happily, Usagi obliged, and started running on her brother's trail. But with each step, she seemed to get further behind.

"Shingo, wait up!" Usagi called breathlessly. "You're going too fast, Shingo! Slow down; let me catch up to you!"

But with each word Usagi spoke, Shingo just seemed to run faster, until he was gone, vanished into the distance in a blur.

Usagi cried out in despair, sinking to her knees.

"No, Shingo! Come back!" She cried, but to no avail. The boy didn't come back.

A hand on her shoulder caused her to look up, into the eyes of her mother.

"Usagi, my dear. Now is not the time for you to catch up with him. You have things to do in the world still. You have people who care about and love you. You have people who need you. Don't give up on them now. Go back to them, Usagi, and soon enough you'll be with us. But for now, you must go on living."

"What about you?!" Usagi cried out. "I loved you! I cared about you, and I needed you! But that didn't stop you from leaving me, did it? It's not fair! I want you to come back..." She dropped down, putting her face in her hands and sobbing.

Ikuko stood behind her daughter, holding her close, murmuring soothing words to her.

"Don't worry, my love. We are always with you, no matter what. Now, wake up, Usagi. Go back to Mamoru and your friends. And remember. We're always in here," Ikuko said, putting one hand over Usagi's heart.

With a smile, Ikuko stepped back beside Kenji, and with a smile and a wave, they both vanished.

Usagi's eyes flew open and she gasped, looking around in a panic.

She was in a room completely painted and decorated in white. The walls were white, as were the sheets on the bed. The chairs were the only things that weren't white, and even they were upholstered in a sort of off white color, obviously the closest thing to white that could be found.

Sitting up, she fought back a wave of nausea, biting her lip to keep from crying out in pain. Her hand went to the back of her head, and gingerly touched the place where the gash in her head was, only to contact heavy strands of thread, holding the gash together.

Sighing, Usagi slumped back onto the bed, bringing the memory of her mother's words back again.

'It's not fair,' she thought, tears springing to her eyes. 'They talk about me having people here who love and need me. But what about me? I needed them, and they left me. It's not fair that they should be able to leave, and I can't.'

Tears ran silently down her cheeks, and she looked to the other side of the room, and right into the concerned eyes of Mamoru.

"Usagi," Mamoru breathed. "You're awake! I'm so relieved..."

Noticing the tears on her face, his relief instantly turned to concern.

"Are you alright, Usagi? Are you in pain?"

Usagi started to shake her head no, but then stopped, and nodded her head.

"It hurts, Mamoru," she whispered softly. "They tell me that I have to stay here and be with you and the girls because you need me. But I needed them, and they left me! It's not fair..." she whispered.

Mamoru blinked, lost at what she was talking about. When he realized she meant her parents, he sighed and pulled her close to him, being careful so as not to bump the I.V that was stuck in her arm.

"Usagi, I'm sorry they are gone. But you're leaving us too wouldn't have done anything for anyone," he said gently, running his hands slowly through her hair. "They were right in telling you to stay here. We need you, Usagi. Makoto, Ami, Rei, Minako, Motoki, they all need you." He paused and turned her to face him. "I need you."

Usagi looked down, tears trailing slowly down her face, and she sniffed once.

"Alright, Mamoru. I won't leave you. Not yet." She sighed and looked up at him, a small smile curving the side of her mouth upward. "Maybe they were right, after all. Without me, you'd be a total wreck, wouldn't you, Mamo-chan?" She teased.

Mamoru laughed.

"You got that right."

Usagi grimaced and gently rubbed her head.

"Mamoru?" She said softly. "Can I ask a favor of you?"

"Anything, Usagi. What can I do for you?"

Usagi grimaced once more and dropped her hands to her side.

"Can you find a doctor and see if you can get me anything for my head? It's absolutely killing me," she said.

Mamoru's face became concerned once more, and he stood quickly.

"Of course, Usagi. I'll get something immediately. You just... stay here and... don't move, right?"

That said, he turned and dashed out the door, leaving Usagi with a faint smirk on her face.

"Of course, Mamo-chan. I'll just stay here."

Closing her eyes, she drifted into a light sleep, waking only when the doctor came to give her a pain killer for her head. Once she'd taken it, she fell asleep once more.

Mamoru smiled softly as he watched Usagi sleeping. She looked so peaceful and content, all the worries and burdens of the past few weeks and months gone for the few hours of rest she could get.

Yawning, Mamoru was about to doze off as well when he remembered the promise he'd mad to Motoki and the girls, to call as soon as Usagi woke up.

Standing up, he went to the door of the room, opening it and looking out into the nearly deserted hallway of the hospital. Only a few doctors and nurses were around at this time of night, checking in on patients to make sure they were alright.

Walking to the closest pay phone, Mamoru pulled out a few coins, sliding them into the phone and then dialing Motoki's number.

"Hello?"

"Motoki? It's Mamoru. I just wanted to let you know that Usagi woke up a little bit ago. She's sleeping now; she took a pain killer for her head and went back to sleep. But she's no longer in any immediate danger from the head wound."

Motoki let out a breath of relief.

"That is very good news," Motoki said. "Look, it's a bit late now. I'm going to bed now, but I'll be over in the morning to visit and talk with her, alright?"

"Sounds good, Motoki. Sorry I called so late. Now I have to call the girls. I promised to let them know the minute anything happened, but I decided I'd let you know first."

Motoki laughed.

"This is why you're my best friend, Mamoru. You always keep me up to date before you fill anyone else in."

Laughing, Mamoru shook his head.

"Goodnight, Motoki."

"Goodnight, Mamoru."

Hanging up the phone, he dug in his pockets for more money, and sighed when he couldn't find any more.

Walking to the front desk, he smiled sheepishly at the woman behind the counter.

"Hello, Madoka," he said.

Madoka looked up in surprise.

"Mamoru, what are you doing here?" She asked. "I thought you had the week off."

"I do," Mamoru responded. "But... my girlfriend caught her head on the end table of my apartment, and put herself into a coma. She's a bit clumsy, but don't tell her I said that." Mamoru winked, causing Madoka to break out in laughter.

"Since when do you have a girlfriend, Mamoru?"

"Um, Wednesday. It all happened suddenly, but we're both happy, and we would be at my place right now if it weren't for her falling. Anyways, the thing is, I promised a bunch of her friends I'd call them when she woke up, and she woke up just a little bit ago. I seem to be low on change, so... is there anyway I can use the phone for a bit? Please?"

He gave her his winning smile, the smile known to cause girls hearts to beat harder in their chest.

Smirking and shaking her head, Madoka finally gave a short laugh.

"Alright, Mamoru. I'm not supposed to let people use the phones, but for you, I'll make an exception. Try and keep it short, though, alright?"

Mamoru grimaced.

"Madoka, I would love to keep it less than five minutes, but knowing the girls as I do, they'll want every bit of detail they can get. I promise I'll keep it as brief as possible. Thank you so much."

He bent down, giving the older woman a light peck on the cheek and turned to use the phone.

Madoka sighed and shook her head.

'That boy is going to cause a lot of hearts to break when it gets out that he has a girlfriend. I wonder who the lucky girl is, to have so captured his heart.'

Mamoru picked up the phone, quickly dialing Rei's number.

"Hino residence, Rei speaking."

"Rei, it's Mamoru," Mamoru said into the phone.

"Mamoru? What is it, what's wrong? Did something happen to Usagi?" Rei asked anxiously.

"Don't worry, Rei. She's fine. I'm just calling to let you know she woke up a while ago. She's asleep now, so if you want to come in the morning, I'm sure she'd love to see you."

Rei let out a breath and nodded.

"I'll be there," she said briskly into the phone. "Thank you for calling. I'll talk to you later."

"Later, Rei."

Hanging up the phone, he looked wryly at Madoka.

"One down, three to go," he said. "And I have a feeling these ones won't be so short."

True to his word, half an hour later, Mamoru finally got off of the phone with Minako. She kept asking him questions; was Usagi alright, did she need anything, what did she want to wear the next day, did she need anything brought to her, what kind of foods should be brought, what magazines hadn't she read, would she read any books, etc. Mamoru answered each question as best as he could, but finally told her that she'd just have to come to the hospital the next day and ask Usagi herself.

Sighing and running a hand through his dark hair, he picked up the phone, dialing Ami's number next.

"Mizuno household, this is Dr. Mizuno speaking."

"Dr. Mizuno? It's Mamoru Chiba. Is Ami there?"

"Oh, hello, Mamoru. Tell me, how's Usagi?"

"Actually, Dr. Mizuno, that's what I'm calling about. She woke up a little bit ago. She's going to be fine."

"Oh what wonderful news," Dr. Mizuno said. "Hang on a moment, let me get Ami."

There was silence for a moment, and then Ami picked up.

"Hello?"

"Ami, its Mamoru. Usagi's fine. She woke up a little bit ago. I've called Rei, Minako and Motoki, and they're all coming to see her tomorrow if you want to."

"Ah. I'll be there as well, then. I suppose you're using the hospital phone, and I also suppose that Minako kept you talking for at least forty five minutes, so I'll let you go," Ami said with a laugh.

Mamoru grinned wryly.

"Yes, I am using the hospital phone, and actually, it was more like half an hour, but you were close."

Ami laughed.

"I'll see you and Usagi tomorrow, Mamoru. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Ami."

Hanging up the phone, Mamoru turned to Madoka with an apologetic smile.

"Just one more call, Madoka. Thank you so much. I'll never forget this."

Madoka laughed and winked at him.

"You owe me one, Mamoru."

"Definitely," Mamoru said with a smile, and picking up the phone, made his last call.

"Hello?"

"Makoto, its Mamoru."

"Mamoru, how is she? What happened? Obviously something happened if you're calling me. Is she alright? What's going on?"

Mamoru smiled slightly.

"Calm down, Makoto. She's fine. I'm calling to let you know that she woke up a while ago. I would have called you sooner, but Minako kept me for awhile."

Makoto groaned slightly.

"Say no more, I completely understand. So what's going on? Are we meeting at the hospital tomorrow?" Makoto asked.

"That's about the way of it," Mamoru replied. "Rei, Ami, Minako and Motoki are going to be here at noon."

"Noon it is. I'll be there, and I'll bring some cookies."

Mamoru laughed.

"I'm sure Usagi will like that. I'll see you tomorrow, then."

"Yep. See ya, Mamoru!"

"Bye Makoto."

Mamoru hung up the phone and sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Alright, I'm done. Thanks a bunch, Madoka."

"Think nothing of it, Mamoru. Say hi to your girlfriend for me, and tell her I hope she gets better soon."

"I'll do that. Thanks again, Madoka."

Mamoru jogged slightly down the hall, skirting trays and nurses making their nightly rounds. When he got to Usagi's room, he looked down at her sleeping face and smiled, placing a soft kiss on her forehead, before sitting down in the plastic chair, closing his eyes, and falling asleep.