Disclaimer: I own nothing! I own nothing! (Sing along!)
"Well," Uranus muttered. "That went well."
Usagi stood rooted, thinking quickly. Then she spun, and leapt into the arms of a very surprised Tuxedo Mask. He had no time to speak before she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. She needed him to know just how much she loved him. Then she let him go, and slid back to the ground.
"Usako?" he gasped, stooping to catch the top hat that had tumbled off.
"Aishiteru, Mamo-chan," she whispered. "I have always, and will always, love you. No matter what."
"Usako?" His tone quickly rose to alarmed. "What are you—?"
She turned and ran after Inanna.
"Usako!"
"Princess, no!"
"Usagi!"
She did not stop, darting around the nearest corner. Two more corners and several alleys later, not only had she lost her friends, but she had lost herself.
"Mother!" she whispered. "Please! Give me whatever guidance you can, one last time! Help me!"
There was no voice, so shattering knowledge of what to do. Only a dim glowing in her heart, the warmth of a mother's embrace, gave her any sign she had been heard. A single beam of moonlight lit the corner two blocks down.
"Arigato, Mama!"
Usagi grabbed the sign post, swinging down the street and never breaking her stride. The moonbeam danced in front of her, leading her deeper and deeper into the city, past shops and houses she had never seen, past streets whose name she did not know. Still she followed with a single minded faith.
Please, she begged inside her mind. Just let me reach her before they find me. If Mamo-chan looks at me, tries to talk me out of it, I don't think I can do this!
Still watching the silver light leading her, she crashed into a soft, yielding body.
"Ah! Gomen!" she wailed.
A gasp made her look up. Inanna stared, wide eyed and afraid, ready to flee again. Usagi moved fast, grasping the Star's wrist in both of her hands.
"Wait! Inanna!"
She hesitated, lips trembling. "I won't go back! I won't go back!"
"But what if I…" Her courage almost failed her, and Usagi had to pause for a moment. She tried again in a stronger voice.
"I'll go with you."
"WHAT?" Inanna stepped back, but could not pull her hand away. "You don't know what you're saying!"
"I do," Usagi promised. "I know you're afraid, not to face the Abyss, but to face your children. You're afraid they will not forgive you, aren't you? That they will not love you anymore."
Inanna bowed her head.
"I told you before, I love this world. I love it as much as you love your children." Usagi smiled. "It's my job to protect this place, just like a mother would. So I will make you a promise. I will go with you into the Abyss, and I will hold your hand through everything that happens, and I will forgive you everything you ever did, or will ever do, and I will always love you."
"That is a heavy promise, little princess." Inanna looked hard into her eyes. "Are you so very brave?"
"Iie." Usagi laughed. "I am not very brave, or wise. Not like my mother was. But I always keep my promises. So wherever you go, if you are afraid to go alone, I will go with you."
They stood for a long moment, just staring at one another, so alike, and so very different. Inanna's hand shook, so Usagi pulled her closer until she could wrap her arms all the way around her body. She felt the other sigh and relax into her embrace.
"Will you really?" Inanna whispered. "Will you truly stay with me until the end?"
"I promise."
There were tears, both crying, both afraid. Then both stepped back, holding each other's hands, and smiled.
"Alright," Inanna said. "If you will come with me, I… I will go back into the Abyss."
Again, Usagi threw her arms around Inanna, this time in one of her famous impulsive squeezes that almost forced the breath from the Star. Then she laughed weakly, and kissed Usagi's cheek.
"If we're going to throw ourselves into hell," Inanna mused, "now is as good as ever. Shall we go?"
"Hai!"
They kept their grips on each other's hands as they started forward.
"Ano, do you know where we are?" Usagi asked. "Because I don't."
"Not exactly," Inanna said. "But I can hear the Abyss. I could find it anywhere."
The rest of the trek was made in silence. There was nothing more to be said. The decision had been made, and both knew there could be no turning back.
True to her word, Inanna found the forsaken alley where the Abyss growled and hissed in its unending hunger. They hovered for a moment at the edge of darkness.
"Perhaps you had better become… what do you call it?"
"Sailor Moon." Usagi nodded. "Hai. A good idea."
The broach felt strangely cold under her trembling fingers. She moved her lips silently, tasting the words once more before saying them. She feared she would never say them again.
"M—"
She choked, and had to try again.
"Moon," she gasped, unable to control her shaking, "Eternal," her voice cracked just a bit, "Make-Up!"
The silver light made Inanna wince and step back. It almost blinded Usagi, more brilliant than ever. She felt ribbons of light embrace her, as tightly and warmly as Mrs. Tsukino soothing her fears away. A gentle kiss of power, like Queen Serenity kissing her only child goodbye, and a golden crescent moon seared itself onto her forehead. She felt someone close her fingers around the scepter, the final gift of power from her mother.
Then the light faded, and she felt strangely alone.
"Serenity?" Inanna said. "Sailor Moon? Are you alright?"
"I just feel like…" She shook her head. "It's nothing."
"No. Go on."
"I feel like, somehow, I just lost my mother all over again."
Inanna took her hand again, the one not holding the scepter. "I understand."
"I know you do."
They smiled at each other, trying to pretend there were no tears sneaking down their cheeks, and no fears in their hearts.
"Are you ready?" she asked.
"No," Inanna said, and they both laughed.
"Here we go."
They clung tightly together, and stepped forward.
"USAKO!"
Don't turn around! she ordered herself. Keep going!
"Usagi, stop!"
Hotaru's voice almost made her falter.
Oh, Chibiusa, forgive your mama.
"IIE!"
Sailor Moon stepped into the Abyss.