Disclaimer: I own nothing in this story but the idea and the title.

A/N: Ah, what the hell, THANKS TO EVERYONE! (And thank you to aiisha for giving me the beginning sound effect. I hate when you do that.)

A strange cracking noise rent the air of the apartment. The whole room froze, then rolled questioning eyes at Ami, who straightened her neck and smiled shyly.

"Just a little stiff," she explained apologetically. "You were saying?"

"I was saying," Luna continued, "that perhaps our best chance at learning anything about this black hole is not going to be found in our own books."

"Obviously, this is beyond anything humans have yet to understand," Artemis added. "Except, maybe, Queen Serenity."

"I doubt it," Setsuna said. "Queen Serenity's heart was pure, but her knowledge was somewhat inferior to her spirit. That is not going to help us now."

"So you're saying a pure heart is not important in this case?" Rei shot back.

"A clear understanding would be preferable." She shrugged. "The question is moot, however. She is dead, and we must fend for ourselves."

Mamoru sighed. "As much as I hate to say it, Setsuna is right."

"You're agreeing that a pure heart isn't important?" Usagi asked, her voice somewhat hurt.

"No, just that Queen Serenity can't help us now."

Luna cleared her throat to regain their attention. "I was not referring to the Queen when I said we should look elsewhere."

"What do you mean?" Minako asked. "Do you think we should try to get in touch with the Starlights?"

"Who?" Kunzite murmured.

"They are…no one."

"No one?"

"No, someone closer at hand." Luna looked around at them all grimly. "Ibelieve we should attempt to talk with the Creature."

An instant uproar followed, people shouting over one another in protest. Only Usagi stayed quiet, a little frown on her face.

"Absolutely not!" Haruka yelled. "It eats people! It almost killed Hotaru!"

"It's evil!" Rei added. "Look what It did to Jadeite! To all of us!"

Kunzite shook his head fiercely. "You've gone mad, cat."

"Wait." Setsuna held up a hand. "Usagi, what is it? You're very quiet."

Their princess looked at her in surprise. "I just… maybe Luna's right."

To this, only silence answered. It was Setsuna's incredulous laugh that at last broke it.

"You're not serious."

"Listen." She leaned forward earnestly. "This Creature, whatever It is, escaped from the Abyss. It is afraid of going back to that place, or of being caught. We can help It. We can-"

"Don't!"

Hotaru stood up quickly, eyes wide with horror.

"Please, princess, stay away from that thing!"

"I can't help but think that somehow, It almost seems… sad."

"It is wicked, and terrible! It only wants to destroy! I know It is. I was so close to It last night, I felt Its breath on my neck. It reeks of evil! You musn't try to talk to her!"

"You cannot save everything," Setsuna added. "This thing should be destroyed, kept away from innocent people. It is not looking for redemption, Usagi."

"But-"

"I don't mean to be cruel-"

"Well, you're doing a pretty good job at it," Rei cut in harshly.

Setsuna arched one eyebrow at her. "Fine words from you."

Blue eyes flashing, Jadeite almost snarled at Setuna, "Watch what you say, my lady."

"I don't need your protection," Rei hissed.

Haruka turned, giving Jadeite an even icier glare. "Watch yourself."

"Meaning?" Nephrite demanded angrily.

"Stay out of this," Makoto ordered, grabbing his arm.

Usagi looked around in surprise. "Why are we fighting?" she whispered.

"Meaning that this is not your home, and not your fight. We are tolerating you," Haruka explained.

"This is not your home, Uranus," Zoisite snarled right back. "This was our home to protect long before you came here."

Ami grabbed his shoulder and squeezed, hard. "You're not helping!"

"You expect me to just sit here when-"

"And a fine job you did of protecting it," Michiru told the Shitennou with a cold smile. "Your prince died, your kingdom fell-"

"That's enough!" Mamoru shouted. "We are passed that!"

"It's alright now, Haruka! Michiru!" Minako added desperately. "That's not going to happen again! Right, Kunzite?" She turned pleading blue eyes on his. "Right?"

"We don't know that," argued Michiru. "Those who betray once can always betray again."

"But we can trust them, just like we can trust you," Hotaru said. "You aren't going to betray us again, are you? Mama? Papa?"

Kunzite looked down at her in surprise. "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing," Haruka snapped.

"Why don't you answer me?" Minako demanded of Kunzite.

Jadeite bared his teeth at Haruka in a feral smile. "It sounds like something from over here."

"Venus-"

"Its none of your business!"

"My name is Minako!"

"Don't yell at me for your past, Uranus."

"That was different!" Hotaru muttered fretfully. "They didn't really mean to. Did you?"

Nephrite raised interested eyebrows. "Didn't mean to what?"

"Why are you pressing this issue?" Makoto shouted, rounding on him.

"Hotaru, please," Michiru snapped.

"Oh, now we're yelling at little girls," noted Jadeite.

"Would you shut up?" Rei yelled.

"WHY ARE WE FIGHTING!"

Usagi lunged to her feet, almost knocking the table over. "What is the matter with all of you? We are supposed to be in this together!"

"Usako," Mamoru tried, reaching for her hand.

She pulled away angrily. "Iie! We promised to stand together! Didn't we?"

"Usagi." Minako stood to go to her, but Rei caught her arm with a warning head shake.

"You all promised me! Was that a lie?"

Tears ran down her cheeks, not loud sobs but quiet, pure despair. Usagi put a hand over her mouth and gasped for breath.

"Why won't any of you answer me?"

Setsuna quietly folded her hands in her lap. "I really don't think this is the moment for childish tears."

"Setsuna!" Hotaru whispered, her voice shaking.

"I'm sorry if this isn't as gentle as the princess would like to be handled, but we are in a dire situation. This has to be treated rationally."

"Fine!" Usagi slammed past several pairs of knees, heading for the door. "Fine! If you want to handle this rationally, without any heart, you'll just have to do it without me!"

"Usako!"

Mamoru leapt up to follow, everyone snatching their appendages to safety. He made it to the door before a hand on his arm stopped him.

"Let her go, Mamoru."

"Setsuna!" He tried to shake her off. "What is the matter with you? Why are you acting like this?"

"Because someone has to!" Setsuna flung his arm away. "I don't like hurting Usagi! I do love her! But this thing is terrible, and It is killing people, and It is not going to stop because Usagi is a sweet girl!"

"Mamoru-san."

Hotaru moved up beside Setsuna, and reached out to take one of his hands in both her tiny ones. "Mamoru-san, please believe Setsuna-mama. We all care for the princess, but I just don't know if her heart is going to be enough for this fight, even if it is pure, and sweet…"

Mamoru stared into those entrancing violet eyes for a moment, then let go of the door.

"Maybe we should let her run her anger off. If she doesn't come back in about an hour, I'll go looking for her."