Hi guys! Thanks again for the awesome reviews! I love you people so freaking MUCH! LOL OH and a SPECIAL shout out to "Truedestiny" – you've been there since day one, so thank you my friend (insert cute smiley face) LOL

Anyways, so it's coming to a close, really really soon. But don't worry, I won't stop writing –thanks for the compliments by the way. (blush). I am working on some Samurai Champloo stuff if anyone's into that, check it out. Well here it is, the next chapter.

Chapter Eighteen: The Trouble with Ai

Two weeks passed, and Mamoru did nothing. He hadn't looked at her, not even made eye contact in class. She was reaching her mindless end. She watched him leave again, rushing to his car, smiling and waving Motoki and Reika a warm friendly 'goodbye'. And here she was stalking him in every shadow just to see if he remembered her. She had never been forgotten, never. She wasn't the type to stand by and let a man like that get away with it. She was supposed to be the powerful one, after all, her family was prestigious and wealthy beyond wealth. She wasn't going to watch this anymore. For two weeks she had witnessed first hand, Mamoru's loving kiss on Usagi's lips, the way he held her; the dates he took her on. It was sickening. How dare he pass her up like that.

She wasn't going to let this betrayal fly by. She was going to get even. Mizu had said nothing to her about her plans, instead he made plans to go back home; to America. He had wasted enough of his time and was now ready to be a man, rather then a mindless fiend. But Ai couldn't let her madness slip. She felt betrayed and angry, and wanted revenge. She would pay him back.

"Ai, this is crazy! Why don't you just let it go! He's not interested!" Mizu explained for the fifteenth time. He had it with her and her scheming. He was moving on, bettering himself, and making his life about other people not just for himself. He even made the effort to actually befriend people in his classes, rather then sticking by his sister. Every time he talked to her, she was ranting about something. When was she going to just be a normal person, why did she always have to take everything as a personal attack.

"I can't believe you're asking me that! Wasn't Usagi the one who hurt you so badly! After all the time you spent on her?" Ai blurted back throwing her empty glass into the sink. She didn't care about Usagi or her brother's feelings, but she needed him on her side to feel comfortable and in control. Lately he had been showing independence from her, and his ignorance was ticking away at her.

"Listen, you do whatever the hell you want, but keep me out of it!" And he stormed off into his room, slamming the door shut. He felt her presence intolerable. He did understand how her thinking went, he had thought the same way. But he grew up, learned the values of life, and rejection. Usagi's love couldn't be bought or fooled. It would be meaningless to have her affections, especially because he had acted so much of his love for in the beginning. He wanted her, but it couldn't be helped. She wanted another. And that rejection, made him realize, that he was human. His money worthless.

Ai's eyes were dark and evil, her own brother had betrayed her. And why? Because of that girl. Usagi was the blame for everything that had gone in her life. She had lost Mamoru because of her. Her brother had betrayed her too because of her. All the things she wanted, Usagi took away. Usagi needed to be taken care of. She needed to feel the torture she felt everyday for the past two weeks.

"She will pay." She uttered through grinding teeth.

…

"WHY ARE YOU SUCH A AIRHEAD!" Rei screamed to the top of her lungs as Usagi whined with her tongue sticking out.

"WELL IF YOU JUST WOKE ME UP ON TIME THEN I WOULDN'T BE SO LAAATEE!" Usagi shouted back. It was the fourth time this whole week Usagi was late getting up and going to the temple to have scout meetings. It was useless since the scene was pretty quiet. Without invading evil forces, things were very normal, like their lives used to be, except now they had their memories back.

"I DID WAKE YOU UP, YOU PROMISED TO ME THAT YOU WERE AWAKE!" Rei shouted waving her broom angrily into the air as she leaned into a tempered Usagi. The girls behind them, sitting on the steps sighed. It felt like no time had passed. It was exactly how they left.

"AND YOU BELIEVED ME?" Usagi shouted back. It went straight into a tongue war after that, with Rei sticking out her tongue madly at Usagi as she did the same to Rei. It was a pathetic display, and certainly wasn't very mature of either one of them.

"So what do you think we should do?" Makoto said smiling away as usual. She choose to ignore the tongue fest happening in front of them, since breaking up their fight would do no good anyway.

"Yeah, it's been so long since we all got together and did something fun!" Minako smiled cheerfully. Next to Usagi, she was the happiest person in the group. She wanted to go out to the park, or to a movie, or shopping; anything as long as it was together.

"There's that new amusement park that just opened up." Ami quietly said as she went through a small entertainment magazine. It wasn't like her to have her nose in something like that, since she always carried a math book; and it was enough of a surprise to everyone that even Usagi and Rei couldn't help stare at her.

"Ami is that a magazine?" Usagi asked pointing a curious finger to the magazine. The girls huddled around her to confirm that it was indeed. Ami blushed a little feeling out of character. She giggled, feeling a little embarrassed.

…

Mamoru had been studying. His final exams were coming up, and he needed to crack his books open. It was in some ways bad to have these memories back when he did. Now all he could focus on was Usagi. He dreamt about her when she wasn't around. He thought about her anyway even when she was close. It was like she had consumed his mind. And he loved that feeling. He could understand how Usagi felt in school, those daydreams make it very hard to focus on anything else. A soft smile came on to his face, gosh he missed her so much. But what sort of future could he provide to her, if he didn't study to become a doctor. And Usagi would be very upset if he didn't chase after his dreams.

He pulled out his text book and started to concentrate. There were books and papers all over the place, nicely organized of course; but spread far over the kitchen table. He was finally in the jive of things, when a hard knock came on the door. It was unpleasant and sounded as if whoever it was, was very angry.

He came to the door, opening it cautiously. He wondered could it really be Ai. They hadn't spoken once since the Cruise trip. He hoped that she hadn't come to disturb his perfect mood.

"Ai…" He sighed when her over done face came into focus. She was back to being who she was, a very made up person. She had a striking shade of intense red lipstick on, her cheeks lightly flushed with a dull brown, over top of a thick layer of foundation. And then there was her clothes. Low rising jeans, enough to see her butt crack if she sat down. A low cut T, strings of gemy necklaces, and a fuzzy mini jacket. And knee high ruby red boats. She was very cat walk ready, but she looked rather out of place here.

"Hello Mamoru." She smirked conniving. Somehow Mamoru could feel like she was up to no good.

"What is it-"

"Oh now, you're not going to use that tone with me are you?" She interrupted quickly. Mamoru remained silent, his anger rising as his fists balled.

"I'm here to offer you something." She smirked. Mamoru wondered what that could be.

"I'm a very powerful person Mamoru-darling. I got into Juban University because of that power, and I can do a lot of what I want…" She smirked devilishly. Mamoru cringed catching on to what she was insinuating.

"Do you understand Mamoru sweet-heart. You have a choice, a very easy choice. I can make everything in your life easy." She smirked, adding a little wink with it. Mamoru felt the need to slap her hard across the face. To throw her against the wall and curse her. He had remembered what evil looked like, and she was possibly the biggest of evils. He had to hold his body back, the temptation to take a swing. Ai saw him hesitant, grinning away satisfied. She relished this paralyzing moment. She thought that he was battling himself to think of what choice to make. To be with Usagi, who could offer him nothing but his childish love, to be with Ai and take the world. But that was far from what he was thinking.

"Ai." He spoke. It was a low growl that came out, his body trembling. He never knew anyone to have such nerve. To come to his home and say such things to him, like he could be bought by simple things like wealth. Love was something that reached beyond things like that. She was surprised to hear that tone of voice.

"You listen very carefully now. Just in case you missed it at the ball." He growled again. It was like a storm was brewing in his stomach, a fire that needed to be set on Ai. Yet, he kept himself in check and didn't loose control to violence. Ai's eyes narrowed, she couldn't believe it. She was offering to him the chance of a life time. Any man in his position would be more then happy to except.

"I don't want you. I never have and I never will. You leave me and Usagi alone-"

"HOW DARE-"

"NO, SHUT UP. Just shut up. For once in your life, have a little bit of shame." And he slammed the door shut on her face. She was left speechless and undressed; once again. She trembled with anger, unable to hide her feelings. This was twice now that Mamoru utterly rejected and humiliated her.

"You're going to pay for that. I promise it." She growled lowly unable to move from his front door. Her legs were weak, the sheer humiliation in the words she suffered gluing her to his place.

…

The sun was setting. It was another perfect day. Sure she fought with Rei on a regular basis during the day, and she fell and dropped her ice cream on the ground; and a lot of other annoying things happened; but she had Mamoru to look forward too. He was the single best thing about waking up.

It was quiet, the streets behind her and the park coming up. The horizon was a beautiful golden yellow and light streaks of red and purple touching down on the pond. She sighed, hoping that maybe tomorrow this weekend Mamoru and her could go and watch the sun set. Her thoughts companied her, until the silence had broken. Suddenly a van was following her, rolling along the street, just a few feet behind her. It seemed to have no place to go to, other then follow her. She wondered. She felt herself automatically hurrying into a brisk walk; when she heard footsteps this time. There was men behind her now and judging from the speed of their walk; they were intending on getting closer.

'This isn't good.' She thought and dashed ahead. Her legs hadn't worked this much in a long time, and a silly expression lightened her expression as she continued to run. But as she approached a corner, she thought would safe her, the van shot out from it. It stopped in front of her, as she came to a abrupt hault. Usagi felt the full force of the men grab her from behind, and two more pulling her into the van. She yelped, unable to find her voice. She had been through this once before. And this wasn't anytime to flake out. So Usagi fought. She kicked and screamed, trying to move her body in such an aggravated way, that it made it very difficult for them. But in the end, there was six of them, and one of her.

…

"Are you sure?...Okay…Well thank you." He hung up the phone. This was the fourth time he called Usagi's house, and she still wasn't home. It was her mother who called him first, asking if he was with her. It made him panic and blush madly to wonder why she had called him. But judging by the fear in her voice, she was very scared. It was her motherly instinct telling her that something was not right.

Mamoru felt tight in his chest, for three hours her tried to calm himself down; wondering why he was suffering an anxiety attack now. Maybe it was Ai's unpleasant conversation, or the worry over his school. She could do a lot of damage to him, if she got her way at school. But it was the strangest tug on his heart, it was like that night; in the arcade. But it couldn't be. Usagi was with the scouts.

And time ticked on, and now it was night, and still she wasn't home. Finally he made the decision to go back out into town, and see; maybe he could spot her. He was paying such close attention to the side walks that he almost caused an accident. He even stopped in all the alley ways. But he turned up with nothing. Where was she? The tightness in his chest worsening. Why couldn't he find her.

"Usako." He whispered to himself looking up to the moon, hoping that somehow it would help him.

It was then, he felt the harshest bang on his chest. It was a horrible force ripping him open, calling for him. It was Usagi, she was in danger. He looked from side to side, trying to think of where he should go. When the direction came to him. He ran to his car and took off in an alarming speed, trusting his heart to lead him to her. He prayed as he drove; that she was safe.

'Hang on Usako, hang on.' He thought panicked.

…

The feeling came to them, just seconds after it had hit Mamoru. The feeling that their princess was in trouble. It was like magic, foreign and yet so familiar as their lockets came to be. They could transform. A new danger had arrived. And this time, it had taken Usagi as prisnor.

"Could it be the evil forces?" Makoto said as she dashed forward leading the group to where she thought Usagi might be.

"How could it be, Usagi destroyed her!" Minako said trying to keep up with Makoto's great speed. It had been a long time since that air touched their skin. Those famous short skirts flying in the night, streaking the different colours as they ran.

"Whatever it is, it's got Usagi! We got find her quick." Rei quickly shouted as she shot forward. They all thought they had found peace once again. They had thought that their reunion was un-fated, and yet here they were running to protect Usagi. Were they doomed always.

"I got a lock on her! She's just five blocks away!" Ami shouted finally able to scan in Usagi's location. Without their communicators, it was impossible to keep track of everyone, and without Usagi's crystal on her chest; it was difficult. But one thing Ami had never realized was that Usagi was the crystal, it was always in her heart. Eventually she had realized that, and found her. Yet there was no time for her to congratulate herself, they had to safe Usagi.

…

The smell woke her up. It was a strong smell of garlic and mint. She opened her eyes to find the place rather dark and gloomy. It was an empty factory of some sort. There were big boxes and broken machinery of some sort, but that was all.

"Oh look at here. Our little kittens awake." A strong voice snickered as all seven walked in. They were shirtless and smirking. Usagi tried to move, but found her hands tied up above her. She stood strong and stared back at them, letting them know; she wasn't afraid. But she was, what was happening, who were these men; and why did they pick her. She struggled a little with the ties, hoping that it was somehow be loose. The men laughed at her, each making their own sick comments as they reached her.

"Don't worry now. We got all the time in the world." One of them smiled, cupping her chin in his left hand and looking down at her front top to bottom.

"I can't believe we're getting paid to do this!" A man exclaimed excitedly. He rubbed his hands together, feeling like he had won the lottery with this job.

"Okay men, who wants to go first?" The perverted leader smirked still holding on to Usagi's chin.

"Let go of me!" Usagi shouted moving her head sharply and quickly biting down on the man's finger. He screamed as she bite down harder. He squirmed and moved his finger loose. It wasn't bleeding, but it hurt like hell.

"You bitch!" He shouted slapping her hard against the face. Usagi stood her ground, her strength un-wavering.

"Fine, you wanna play it your way. That's fine." The man smirked, getting rather turned on by her helpless state. Usagi started to get scared as the men cheered him on. He slowly rubbed her face with his hand, making her tremble disgusted.

"STOP IT!" She shouted, moving around as much as she could to make it difficult for him. He held on to her tightly looking down at her big eyes. He was touching her now, her stomach lightly, snickering.

"I'm gonna enjoy this." He moved down kissing her cheek and neck. Usagi moved, kicking him hard on the knee cap. He fell down to his knees screaming out in pain. The gang of men behind him, rushing over to him.

"BITCH!" One of them shouted slapping Usagi a few more times. She was getting tired and her head was a bit fuzzy. Her vision blurred. She struggled to see who was hitting her, and tried to aimlessly kicked. She might have gotten a couple of kicks in, but each time she did, she felt the horrible zing of his slaps.

She thought that was it when he stopped slapping her. She was overwhelmed and bleeding from the lips and nose. Her sight poor. Suddenly she heard the painful crushing of bones against walls, men yelping and fighting. Her head spun with the nose, struggling hard to see what was going on.

"Usagi? Usagi?" The voice called out. She felt her arms fall to her side, and her limp body came into warm arms. She couldn't hold on anymore, and fainted.

"Usagi?" The voice called again, but she could only hear it faintly as her eyes closed.

…

The rain came down hard. It had quickly turned into a stormy night, after such a lovely sunset. The scouts looked around the abandoned area, scanning madly hoping to get a glimpse of Usagi.

"Where is she?" Rei asked trying to fight the rain to see better. It was dark there, with no proper lighting, only the vague dim of the street lights and the moon helped.

"I'm not sure, it seems like she's moving?" Ami typed away on her mini computer, trying her best to get a reading on Usagi's whereabouts. It beeped madly as if she was getting closer, but where was she?

"Mamoru-san?" Minako yelped as Mamoru rushed over to them. He looked around, hoping that Usagi was with them.

"Where is Usagi?" He asked quickly as if he only had minutes to live. He kept looking around, hoping to see her soon.

"We don't know. It seems like she's here somewhere but the reading keeps moving." Rei announced blushing a little. It had been some time since she and he had seen each other. She wondered if he remembered the short time they shared together. But judging from the look on his face, he only thought of Usagi right now.

"I got it! She's over there!" Ami shouted closing her computer and dashing to the area Usagi should be. Mamoru quickly took the lead, his heart beat going back to a normal rhythm. He wondered if Usagi was out of danger, maybe she saved herself. He hoped that she was save and alright. They turned the corner, when they saw him.

Gasps came out of all their mouths as they came to an abrupt stop. Rei looked over to Mamoru, his mouth open slightly in shock.

"Mizu?"

…

Well that was interesting wasn't it? LOL Got another chapter coming up!

On the next chapter: Find out what Mizu's reasons were, and how he knew. And could a love spark between him and another sailor scout? Stay tuned!