The Truths of Love: Chapter twenty one

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

"Mamoru, are you ready to go yet?" An impatient voice called from the doorway of the apartment. "It's almost nine o'clock. The hospital visiting hours began almost an hour ago, and we aren't there yet!"

Mamoru glanced up, his blue eyes filled with light, a smirk on his face.

"Calm down, Usagi. We'll get there. I'll be ready in five minutes," came the calm reply.

Usagi threw up her hands in frustration and resumed her pacing back and forth across the entryway of the apartment.

Finally, with a chuckle, Mamoru grabbed his jacket and slung it over his shoulder, grabbing his key and walking to Usagi, draping his arm lightly over her shoulder.

"Alright, Usako. Let's go."

"Finally!" Usagi breathed, rolling her eyes in exasperation.

Mamoru cocked an eyebrow, unable to keep a hint of laughter from his eyes.

"And now you know how I… and the girls… feel every time we want to go somewhere, ne, Usagi? 'Just five more minutes, guys.' 'Oh, I'll be out in a second.' 'Give me two more minutes.' Sound familiar?"

Usagi's cheeks flamed with embarrassment and she shrugged off his arm with a muttered excuse, pushing past him and out of the door, her blonde hair flying behind her.

Mamoru chuckled slightly as he followed her out, pulling the door shut and locking it behind him as he followed the blonde down to the parking garage of the apartment, and into his car.

Usagi buckled her seat belt, and looked at him impatiently, as he calmly pulled his seat belt across his lap and buckled it, and stuck the keys into the ignition, turning on the car at, what seemed to Usagi, an excruciatingly slow pace.

"Mamo-chan," she whined, "can't you go any faster?"

Mamoru glanced wryly at her from the corner of his eye, his lip quirked up in a half smile.

"Don't worry, Usagi. We'll get there in plenty of time. We have until six thirty tonight."

Usagi's eyes flew open in horror.

"Six thirty?!" She shrieked. "That's not nearly long enough! What do you think, Mamoru, if I die my hair blue, do you think I'll pass as her sister?"

Mamoru's eyes face turned abruptly pale as he turned to Usagi, his eyes on her beautiful golden hair.

"I… well… um… you…" He scratched the back of his head lightly, trying to come up with the right words, his heart pounding frantically.

Usagi stared at him for a moment, her lips quirking.

"Don't worry, Mamoru. I was only kidding. I like my hair the way it is." She smirked slightly. "But it was worth it to see the look on your face."

Mamoru scowled slightly at Usagi, turning his eyes back to the road.

"Don't scare me like that, Usagi," he moaned. "I had this vision of you walking through the front door, your hair blue…. Not that blue is a bad color," he amended hastily at the slight sulk that crossed her face. "It's a wonderful color on Ami but just…. Not on you. You understand, right?" The tone of his voice pleaded with her to understand.

Usagi smirked, tossing her golden hair behind her shoulders.

"I know. I wouldn't want to have blue hair, anyways. Blondes have way too much fun."

She winked over at him and blew a kiss as the car finally came into view of the hospital. Pulling into the parking lot, Mamoru scoured the place for a parking space, and his eyes lit up as he spotted one. Quickly he pulled into it, and turned off the car.

Barely had he done this than the passenger side of the car flew open and a blonde blur rushed out of the car.

"Usagi!" Mamoru called, shaking his head with a laugh. "Wait for me!"

Usagi's eyes rolled as she skidded to a stop, turning around and tapping her foot impatiently as she waited for Mamoru to turn the car off, get out, and lock the car up. Finally, he reached her side, and she grabbed his hand, practically dragging him towards the entrance of the hospital.

A soft knock on the door opened Ami's eyes.

"Ames, can we come in?" A muffled voice called out.

Ami smiled slightly and nodded yes, but realized that they wouldn't be able to see her, she croaked out a soft yes.

The door opened and Usagi stepped in hesitantly, a bouquet of lilies behind her back as she walked to Ami's bedside, tears brimming in her blue eyes as she looked at the petite girl on the bed.

"Oh, Ami-chan, I'm so sorry!" Usagi burst out, tears seeping down her cheeks to fall to the floor. "I didn't mean for you to get hurt! It was all my fault, and I'm so, so sorry!"

Ami blinked slightly, grimacing as Usagi broke down in front of her. Moving painstakingly slow, she placed her hand on the girl's head.

"Usagi, it's alright," Ami whispered softly. "It wasn't your fault, it was Matt's. I'm going to be alright, Usagi. I just need some rest. Please, be happy." Ami smiled softly at Usagi, leaning back on the bed, her face pale.

Usagi shook her head, tears continuing to flow freely down her face.

"No," she murmured. "It's my fault. Matt was after me, and I spilled the milkshake, and if I wasn't such a klutz, you wouldn't have been shot… I'm so sorry, Ami. Please, please forgive me."

Ami smiled softly and lightly patted Usagi's head.

"You're forgiven. Stand up, now, and don't cry anymore, alright? I'm fine."

Usagi nodded and brushed her hand across her face, wiping away tears and forcing a smile as she brought out the lilies.

"Here. I got these for you. Let me put them in a vase for you, though, so you don't need to worry about it…"

Scuttling across the room, Usagi found a vase beside the bed and filled it with water, putting the flowers in it and arranging them delicately.

"There," she said with satisfaction.

Ami smiled slightly and glanced at the door of the room, where four anxious faces stood watching the events in the room take place. Ami smiled and motioned with her hands.

"You guys can come in," she called softly, a smile on her face.

The door was pushed open, and slowly Mamoru, Minako, Makoto and Rei slipped into the room, forming a semi circle around the bed. There was a moment of silence, and then everybody started talking at once.

"How are you feeling?"

"What do you need?"

"Can I get you anything?"

"What can I do for you?"

"Guys…"

"Are you alright?"

"Should I get a nurse?"

"Are you uncomfortable?"

"Do you want an extra pillow?"

"Should I get you another blanket?"

"Guys!"

At Ami's slightly raised voice, silence once more took over the room, and the four people stood staring at her.

"I'm fine. Really. I don't need anything, and no, I don't need a nurse, an extra pillow, or another blanket. So, just grab some chairs and sit down and visit with me." A grin crossed her face as she looked around at the assembled people. "Wow, it does feel nice to give the orders for once."

The tension in the room broke at her comment, and the five people gathered around Ami's bed burst into laughter as they moved to grab some folding chairs, circling the bed.

"Oh, by the way, Ami, I brought you something," Rei announced as she reached into the bag that was sitting in front of her. "Here ya go. Something to read while you're in here."

Ami blinked as she took the object, which turned out to be a magazine.

"Ooh," she breathed, her eyes widening. "National Geographic! And… it's on Mercury…" Her eyes sparkled with delight as she flipped through the glossy pages. "Oh, Rei, thank you!"

Rei smiled proudly, crossing her arms over her chest, smirking broadly.

"I knew you'd love it."

Minako rolled her eyes and lightly whapped Rei in the back of the head, causing the raven haired girl to wince slightly.

"What did I do?" Rei demanded as she rubbed the back of her head, wincing slightly.

Her only answer was another roll of Minako's eyes, and a scattering of laughter from Ami, Makoto, Mamoru and Usagi.

"Thanks, Rei. I'll read this when you guys are gone. I was wondering, truth be told, what I was going to do without you here tonight," Ami confided.

Minako smirked and pulled out her own package.

"Have no fear; Minako is here to save the day!" Minako proclaimed, setting the package on the bed.

Ami blinked slightly as she took the package, opening it to reveal a small stack of fashion magazines. Ami's eyes opened slightly as she skimmed quickly through the pictures, smiling faintly.

"Um, thanks, Minako," she said quietly. "I'll treasure them."

"Minako, what were you thinking?" Rei hissed slightly. "Ami's not interested in--"

At that moment, Rei's words were cut off as Ami gasped slightly.

"Wow! Look at these! It's just like something an ice princess would wear," Ami stated wistfully.

Minako stuck her tongue out at Rei.

"You were saying?" Minako taunted.

Rei sighed and whapped Minako lightly on the back of the head.

"Do shut up," Rei replied.

Minako smirked as she rubbed the back of her head.

"I win."

The rest of the day passed in a blur as the six people sat in the hospital room, Minako, Rei, Makoto, Usagi and Mamoru joking and playing around while Ami rested quietly in the bed, every so often dozing off. At those times, the five visitors would quietly leave the room, only to have one of the people stick their heads in every half an hour to see if she was awake, or if she needed to have a nurse.

At six that evening, as dinner was delivered to the hospital rooms, Ami grimaced.

"Yuck," she murmured. "Hospital food."

Usagi nodded sympathetically.

"Sorry, Ami. I'd go get you some actual food from the cafeteria downstairs, but I don't think they want you to have it yet."

At that moment, the door to room opened and a nurse wheeling a tray came in.

"Dinner is served, Ms. Mizuno," the nurse announced with a cheerful grin, pulling a tray off the cart and placing it lightly on the bed in front of Ami.

"Tonight's dishes are tomato soup and a little plate of jell-o and a cup of orange juice."

Ami forced a smile and lifted her spoon, grimacing distastefully as she drew the spoon lightly through the soup, forcing a small smile.

"Thank you, Mitsuki," Ami said politely, and the nurse nodded and with another bright smile walked out of the room.

"Eat up, Ami," Mamoru said with a grin, his eyes sparkling. "You need to get your strength back."

Ami rolled her eyes and bringing up her spoon, flung a little bit at Mamoru, hitting him square in the face, causing him to splutter in disbelief. A small giggle escaped her lips as Usagi glared at her.

"Sorry, Mamoru," Ami apologized. "I'll eat the rest now."

Mamoru grumbled good naturedly as the other four girls laughed.

Finally, six thirty rolled around, and Minako, Rei, Makoto, Usagi and Mamoru stood, saying their farewells to Ami.

"We'll be back tomorrow, Ami-chan," Minako said, holding Ami's eyes.

"We promise," Makoto added.

Usagi nodded her head, giving Ami a careful hug before bounding out of the room.

"We'll be here tomorrow, Ami," Mamoru repeated, leaning over and lightly kissing Ami's cheek. "Try and have a good night, alright?"

Ami smiled and nodded.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Usagi cried as she rushed back into the room. "Here." She reached into her pocket and produced a small crystal rabbit, which she put on the mantel piece above Ami's bed.

"Usagi," Ami murmured in awe. "Your…"

Usagi glanced at the ground, nodding slightly.

"My parents gave me this," she whispered softly. "And I'm allowing you to borrow it for the night. It will keep watch over you. It will be your guardian angel for the night."

Usagi smiled brightly and gave Ami one last hug before leaping out of the room once more.

Mamoru and Ami shared a significant look before saying their last farewells, and Mamoru left the room, pulling the door softly closed behind him.

Usagi smiled brightly up at Mamoru, lacing her fingers through his as they walked out of the hospital.

"I'm so glad she's alright, Mamoru… I was so worried about her," Usagi confessed.

Mamoru smiled down at the slight blonde, leaning down to place a soft kiss on the top of her head.

"She's strong, Usako. She could pull through much worse than this, and we both know it."

Usagi nodded thoughtfully as they walked hand in hand to the car.

"Still, though, I feel bad," she murmured softly. "If it weren't for me, Ami wouldn't even be in there right now."

Mamoru's heart tugged with sympathy as he looked down at the love of his life, and he stopped walking, turning her to face him.

"Usako. Stop that. You couldn't have done anything differently. If it hadn't been Ami, it would have been someone else, and that person might not have been as strong as Ami-chan is. Don't blame yourself, Usagi. Matt is very unsound. He'll stop at nothing to get what he wants. That isn't your fault. Ami knows it; I know it, now it's just time for you to accept it as well, and to stop blaming yourself for these things. Alright?"

Usagi hesitated, and then nodded slightly, wrapping her arms tightly around Mamoru, holding herself close to the shelter of his body. Mamoru stood, his arms wrapped around her, holding her for awhile in the parking lot, before pulling away and smiling softly down at her.

"Now, let's go home, alright? I'll cook dinner… what do you say to sushi, hmm?"

Usagi's eyes lit up in anticipation and she nodded.

"Let's go!" she cried as they headed back off to the car.

Unnoticed, in the very corner of the parking lot, a darker shadow watched the two young lovers heading off together.

"Someday, little bunny, I will have you back in my arms. And when that day comes, I will make you pay for all the trouble you have put me through."

Turning around, the shadow disappeared further into the deepening night.

Well, there we go. Chapter 21 is finished, and in record time, if I do say so myself. Not as soon as the first chapters, but still pretty good. I just want to thank all of my reviewers once more; you guys ROCK. It really makes me happy to know that there are people out there that are enjoying reading this as much as I am enjoying writing it. SO, keep those reviews coming, and I'll keep my chapters coming. Much love to you all!