Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon.
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Motoki and Alan had returned with Nephlite in tow, really half dragged since they couldn't properly explain in time what had happened. Nephlite, who had been sleeping rather soundly, was aggravated to be awoken so soon after falling asleep. But when the had mentioned Mamoru's name he had agreed to be lead out to the stables to see what the problem was.
He was shocked to find Usagi at Mamoru's side and shredding her good handkerchief to shreds as she looked on to the convulsing form on the bed. He hadn't bothered to ask why she was there and had instead gotten down to business. He had quickly checked Mamoru over and turned to Urawa. "Get me my horse! I'll take him into the city and call for a doctor there-we can't have a palace physician looking at him and..." he trailed off and shook his head.
"I'm coming too!" announced Usagi. Nephlite opened his mouth to protest but quietly shut his mouth and nodded.
"Get two horses ready, Urawa-we're leaving now."
Usagi sighed in relief and followed Urawa down the ladder as the men helped dress Mamoru. Usagi watched as Urawa walked over to dun mare and began to place a bridle upon it. "Usagi, do you want me to find you a horse or can you-?"
"I'll find one." she answered and began to walk amongst the stalls. She stopped in front of several horses but always walked on. She finally stopped in front of a white stallion. She reached out and let him butt her hand gently. "Hello, you handsome thing." She reached into her shirt and withdrew her golden star locket after checking to make sure Urawa was busy with Nephlite's mare. She popped open the locket and withdrew a shining silver trinket. She held her hand beneath the stallion's nose. "Hear me, child of the sun god, and allow carriage as I journey."
The stallion backed away and bowed his head. She quickly put the crystal back and slid the locket back in her shirt. She reached in and patted his snout. "Thank you, thank you." she whispered. The horse reached into her grasp and began to nuzzle her hair. Behind her, she heard a gasp.
"You-you..." stammered Urawa. "You got him to..."
"Um, yes, he's a rather lovely horse, eh?" she said nervously.
"He's a stallion...not even a very nice one at that..." he trailed off. "His name's Thrasher for goodness sake!"
"Thrasher?" she snorted. "That's thoughtful."
"Well...there's nothing else to call him." he said defensibly, coloring slightly-she took it to mean he named it.
"It doesn't matter what he's named-" called Nephlite as he helped hoist Mamoru down. "Usagi, get on the horse, we need to ride fast!"
"Yes, sir!" she answered swinging up onto the horse. The men surrounding her blinked.
"Ah...Usagi, do you want a saddle or a bridle or anything?" asked Motoki as Asanuma whistled appreciatively. Nephlite shook his head in faint amusement and swung up onto his mare. He reached down and help tug Mamoru up in front of him.
"C'mon, Usagi, let's hurry!" he shouted and let his horse run. Usagi knotted her fingers in the stallion's mane and murmured to it.
"Let's fly." she whispered. The stallion knickered and shot out of the stable. He galloped up to Nephlite's mare and trotted beside him. "Nephlite? What are we going to tell the gate men?"
"Eh? Oh, the truth-he's ill and needs a doctor." he answered. "Now, hush, there's the gates now." She bit her lip and ducked her head beneath her head shawl.
"ALL HALT!" shouted the guard. "State your name and business outside the palace walls!"
"My name's Masato Sanjouin and this is my niece, Tsukino, and this man here is her fiance, Chiba. He's caught food poisoning and we're going for a doctor in town." answered Nephlite loftily. Usagi stared in shock at him and the lies he had come up with so easily. The stallion caught her unease and began to shuffle about. Usagi looked down at him and patter his neck to calm him.
The guard stared at them a moment and let them pass. As they were going by Usagi was sure she heard the guard sigh and mutter "Young love..." Usagi shook her head in amazement. 'A guard's who's a romantic! Imagine that!'
"Nephlite..."
"Eh?" he replied turning to look at her as they sat on the horses outside the gate.
"So, what happened to the truth back there?" she asked with a snarky smirk. Nephlite gave a grin to match hers.
"Ignorance is bliss and the truth only gets you in trouble sometimes." he answered. "Enough chattering, we need to get Mamoru needs help! We're heading to Makoto's!"
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Makoto grinned and took a deep whiff as she leaned over her stew and grinned. "Mmm, this is a great recipe...I have to remember to thank Haruda-sensei next door for it, the poor old maid..." she murmured. She reached to her side, picked up a jar of spice, and began to sprinkle the spices into the stew. She stilled and listened as she heard knocking at the door. "Now who in the world is here at this time of night...?"
She reached over a grabbed a very solid broomstick-better safe than sorry!-and walked to the door. She opened it a crack and peaked out. "Hello-? Oh! Nephlite!" she gasped relieved and excitedly. "What are you doing-...what's wrong?"
She blinked and tossed open the door. Nephlite and Usagi came, tugging along Mamoru. "My goodness! What happened to him!"
"'Ello, Makoto," grunted Usagi. "Mamo-chan needs help!"
That stopped Makoto. "Mamo-chan?"
Nephlite shook his head. "Never mind, Makoto, where can we put him?"
"Oh! Ah-the spare room down the hall!" she answered and took Usagi's side of the burden weight of Mamoru. "C'mon, let's get him to bed!" They pulled him along and Usagi opened the door. They laid him upon and Makoto rounded on Nephlite. "Now, what's happened to him!"
"Poison of some sort-Makoto do you remember that plant I gave a while ago?"
"The Wilted Lotus?"
"That one!" he agreed, "You said it could be made into a poultice that's an antidote for most poisons-"
"Yes!" she shouted, already racing out of the room to get it with Nephlite on her heels. "Yes, it is!" She hunted along the shelves of her room. "I'm afraid I've only been able to collect one harvest from it but hopefully it will be enough!"
Nephlite nodded. "Right!" he said headed out the door. "I'm going to Ami's mother-she's a good doctor. Hopefully, she'll be able to help!"
Usagi had heard them going on outside the door but didn't let sink in. She busied herself by tucking Mamoru snugly in the bed. She looked on helpless at his contorted face, convulsed in pain.
"Mamo-chan...you have to get better, right? You want to know something...you're my best friend...so you just can't die-cause-cause it would so selfish of you and-and it wouldn't be fair...and I'd cry..." she rambled, soaking a handkerchief in a bowl by the bed that Nephlite had placed before hurry out the door. "Mamo-chan..."
Makoto bustled into the room and hunted about looking for a mortar and pestle. While Usagi sat, dabbing his forehead with the handkerchief, Makoto ground the petals harshly. Usagi blinked and watched as Makoto shook. With stead hands she reached out and grabbed Makoto's hands. "Makoto...will that help Mamo-chan?" Makoto nodded and sniffled. Usagi's face softened and she took the mortar and pestle from her. "I'll do it Makoto, don't worry."
Makoto sat for a minute before pulling herself together and remember the stew she had on the boil. "...when he gets better he'll be hungry, right, Usagi...I'm going to go take care of the stew." She recieved no answer, but then she hadn't expected one. She stood and went to the door.
"Makoto..."
Makoto stopped and stared back. "Yes?"
"The others...they thought he was poisoned by the food...will you put the antidote in your stew for him?" she asked giving her the poultice. Makoto nodded and carried it out. Usagi sat staring at the door, then got up and closed it. She rested against the door for a moment then turned to Mamoru. She stood there a moment before crawling into the bed with him. She dug into her shirt and withdrew her locket. She popped it open with her finger nail and shook it.
Onto the bed fell a shining silver crystal. It was had numerous cuts and was shaped like a tear. "Mamo-chan, this is the Ginzuishou. It's a sacred treasure from my homeland..." she whispered, taking the crystal in her hand. "They say it has magical abilities-it'll grant you a wish!" She reached over and took his hand. "Do you want to know what my wish is, Mamo-chan?" She clasped their hands together.
"I wish we could all live together happily." she whispered. "That's my wish...and if you die, it won't happen."
"Mamo-chan..."
"You mustn't die!"
The silver crystal glowed. Outside the window, the ominous red moon bled silver once more.
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It was well past midnight when Mamoru woke. His head pounded and his body ached. "...never eating food that tastes like that again..." He blinked, wondering where he was. He looked to his side.
Usagi had not moved an inch all night and their hands were still clasped together. "Usa-chan?" he murmured. He blinked, so tired, and rested his forehead against hers. "Good night, Usa-chan." he murmured. For a moment he thought she would wake but she just shifted closer and slept. "Usa-chan."
Hello, everyone! Sorry for the long wait, but I got grounded! Can you believe I failed English?(well, I'm getting an A now, but still!) Major explaining is going to happen next chapter so stay tuned!
searchingformydarien-Ah, I know, I accidently uploaded the same chapter twice. Should be fixed by now. Wah, so close! Try again!
Sapphire Midnight-Review #1: Sorry for the long wait! Well, I hope you're having a nice time at college. Say, how's Untouchable coming?
Review #2: Yup, I'm glad so many caught on to that.
AmberJupiter-Yeah, it was a mistake, hopefully you can see it now.
Friends1004-You're right, there is another in the works! Should I put up a description for you?
the other Samatha-XD OMG, now that's funny. We I read your review I was mortified for a second and then I started laughing. But yeah! I didn't want to tell you whether or not you had it right where everyone can see it-but really I'm surprised more people hadn't caught on.
Becx-Sorry, hun, but yeah, Chapter 20's the epilogue. I have other's to do and a new Sailor Moon story planned.
Laura-You have it right, but I'm being and not saying til later who's who. Thank you for the review!
sexylucifer-yep, poison!
RoseDream-what a cool pen name! Thank you!
MrsSakuraPotter-Yeah, I know what you mean but this is how I right-when I make a story I see it as a picture or an episode so there are breaks-consider them commercial breaks. And the other things are to ME assumed without needing explaining but I forget others can't see inside my head to understand so sorry! I love traditional ships to, we need more of them!
Linda-Thanks!
Starlit Warrior-yeppers, it was poison! Thanks!
SnowAngle101-heh, can't tell you but I will say that in the next chapter, lots of explaining is going to happen!
Megan Consoer-new chapter is now. XD