AN: Yay for relatively quick updates! I'll try and get the next chapter up quicker, though. It depends entirely on how quickly I manage to update my other Sailor Moon story, A Life Once Forgotten (which- bit of shameless self promotion here- you guys should totally read), as I alternate.
Anyways, many, many thanks to my reviewers: slightlyxjaded, usagi-chibiusa, and maryyorke. Please please please review! Reviews mean everything to me, I love hearing from my readers. I also really appreciate constructive criticism, so don't feel you have to say you love it if there's something you don't like. It helps me make the story better!
Now, on to chapter 3!
Usagi stared in shock at the girl who had just fallen from the sky. Who was she? Where had she come from? Was she related to the enemy?
"I said, who are you?" the girl asked impatiently.
"I could ask you the same thing," Usagi said gently. She wasn't sure who this girl was, but she didn't seem like the enemy. "My name is Usagi. Usagi Tsukino. What's your name?"
"I'm Usagi, too," she said.
"Well, how about we call you Chibiusa, to avoid confusion? Would that be okay?" Something about the little girl made Usagi want to protect her; it awakened some instinct deep inside of her that she didn't even realize she had.
"Okay," the girl said a little shyly. "I like Chibiusa." After a second, her eyes widened. "Wait… did you say you're Usagi Tsukino?"
"Yes… why?"
The child, Chibiusa, flung herself at Usagi, and started to cry. "You have to help me! You're the only one who can help me!"
"Okay, okay, calm down," Usagi said, gently prying Chibiusa's arms from around her waist. "I can help you, but you need to tell me what the problem is. And why am I the only person who can help you?"
"Puu said that I had to find Sailor Moon, and that Usagi Tsukino would know how to do that, she said that you would be able to help me," the girl sniffed. "My mama's been hurt, and I have to save her! I need the Silver Crystal, if I don't get it, then I won't be able to save my mama, and I won't be able to go back home!"
The Silver Crystal? Sailor Moon? How did she know about these things? Who was this girl?
"I don't think I understand," Usagi said. "Who's Puu? What happened to your mama? Where is she now?"
"Puu's my best friend," Chibiusa said. "My mama was hurt protecting everyone. There was an attack on the Crystal Palace, and my mama was hurt, and only the Silver Crystal can save her."
"The Crystal Palace? Where is that?"
"Crystal Tokyo, of course," Chibiusa said. "The 30th century, where I'm from. The Crystal Palace is my home."
"The 30th century?" Usagi said, shocked. Chibiusa nodded, sniffing and wiping her nose on her sleeve.
"Okay…" Usagi let out a breath. Clearly, this was not just some easily fixed problem. She had a child from the 30th century who had nowhere to go, and needed the help of Sailor Moon and the Silver Crystal.
"So… will you help me?"
"Of course I'll help you," Usagi said. "Come on, I need to talk to my friends about something, and you can come with me. We'll meet at the local arcade and you can get a milkshake, okay?"
"Okay," she said, brightening up a little. She grabbed Usagi's hand as she got to her feet, and the two of them set off towards the Crown Arcade.
"The 30th century?" Luna said. "She said that she was from the 30th century? This is quite complicated indeed…"
Usagi had called an emergency Senshi meeting, and they were all gathered at the base underneath the Crown Arcade. Chibiusa was upstairs, milkshake in hand, and Motoki had promised he'd look after her.
"I just don't know what to do," Usagi said. "We have to help her, but how? I'm not about to hand over the Silver Crystal, and she made it sound like the only way her mother could be saved is with the help of the Silver Crystal."
"How do we know she's not the enemy?" Rei said. Everyone turned to look at her, and she shrugged. "Hey, I'm just saying! It seems a little weird that right after this new enemy appears, a mysterious girl we know nothing about shows up, needing the Silver Crystal. It seems a little fishy."
"She's six, Rei," Usagi said. "A very confused and lost six year old. Somehow, she doesn't strike me as enemy material."
Rei put her hands up. "I just thought it was something worth considering."
"No… I think Usagi's right," Luna said. "Usagi, remember yesterday when I told you I'd discovered information on the enemy? I was looking into the name 'Black Moon Clan', as it sounded vaguely familiar. The Black Moon Clan members are magic-wielders from a planet called Nemesis, originating in the 30th century."
Everyone gaped at Luna. "So, the attack that Chibiusa described… do you think it was the Black Moon Clan?" Makoto asked.
"Yes, I do," Luna said. "And it also may mean they're after her."
"We'll protect her," Usagi said fiercely.
"I know," Luna said. "But… be careful. There's still so much we don't know about the Black Moon Clan, or the two mysterious Senshi—if they are indeed Senshi—who showed up. Artemis and I will see what we can find, but you girls be careful out there."
The five Senshi nodded their heads. Although they never talked about it, their deaths had greatly affected them. All of them. It wasn't just the Senshi, Luna and Artemis had been affected, too. Despite the fact that Queen Beryl was dead, and the Dark Kingdom long gone, she was still a presence in their minds as their deaths at her hands hung over their heads.
After the meeting was over, Usagi and the other girls went upstairs to check on Chibiusa. She was sitting at the counter, an empty milkshake glass beside her, as she drew on a piece of paper with some crayons.
"I managed to rummage up some art supplies to keep her occupied," Motoki said. Looking over at Chibiusa, he quieted his voice. "Who is she?"
"She's…" Usagi trailed off, looking at the other Senshi nervously, but they looked just as panicked. What cover story could they come up with for Chibiusa?
"She's the daughter of a family friend," Usagi said after a moment. That didn't seem like enough, so she added, "Her parents were in an accident, so… she's been through a lot." That at least was close to the truth. From what Chibiusa had said, her parents were in trouble—or at least her mother was. And despite the bravado she showed, Usagi could tell that she had been through a lot, and it was wearing on her.
Motoki nodded solemnly. "Well, she seems to be in good hands."
'Thank you," Usagi said with a small smile. A customer showed up, and Motoki excused himself to go help.
Suddenly, a thought occurred to her. Where was Chibiusa going to stay? She couldn't exactly tell her parents that Chibiusa was the daughter of a family friend who needed a place to stay; they'd know she wasn't. She needed to think of some explanation.
"Is something wrong?" Rei asked.
"Where is Chibiusa going to stay?" she said. "I can't tell my parents what I told Motoki… I'd like to keep her nearby, but I don't know how to convince my parents."
"Hmm… that is a dilemma," Makoto said with a frown.
"Rei, is there any way she could stay with you?" Usagi asked. "Just for a little while, until I figure out some way to convince my parents? The shrine is one of the safest places she could be."
"I…" Rei trailed off. "I don't know…"
"I can look after her," a voice said from behind.
Usagi froze. She'd recognize that voice anywhere. Slowly, she turned around, forcing a polite smile onto her face. "Mamoru-san. That's very generous of you to offer."
"It's no problem," he said. "I'm more than happy to help out."
Chibiusa had abandoned her drawing, and had drifted over to listen to the conversation. "Who's this?"
"This is… my friend," Usagi said. "Would you be okay staying with him for a couple days?"
"Why can't I stay with you?" she asked.
"You can," Usagi said. "Soon. I just need to check with my parents first. They can't know about where you're from… they wouldn't handle it very well, knowing you're from the 30th century. So I need to find an alternate explanation, okay? And then you can come stay with me."
"Okay," she said. She looked warily at Mamoru, but then stuck out her hand. "I'm Usagi. Chibiusa."
Mamoru smiled, and bent down to grab her hand. "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Chibiusa. My name is Mamoru."
"I have to go now," Usagi said. "But I'll see you again soon, okay?"
"Okay," Chibiusa said, and nodded.
Before she could second-guess herself, Usagi leaned down, brushed aside Chibiusa's bangs and gave her a kiss on the forehead. It was odd, really… she wasn't normally like this. But there was something about Chibiusa that stirred up very protective, almost maternal, feelings inside Usagi.
Usagi walked back to her house slowly, trying to process all that had happened. In the space of 24 hours, a new enemy had appeared, two mysterious and hostile new Senshi showed up, Mamoru had broken up with her, and now she'd ended up caring for a child from the 30th century.
How had her life gotten upended so quickly? It was like the ground had been ripped out from beneath her feet, and suddenly she didn't know how to stand without falling. The things in her life that she thought were constants—her and Mamoru's relationship, knowing she was one of five powerful Senshi—were suddenly being challenged.
Shaking her head, she let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She had to be strong. Mature. There was a new enemy to fight, and she had to keep Chibiusa safe. She wasn't the same girl she had been a year ago, when she first discovered her identity as Sailor Moon. Not even close. She was stronger than that now, and she would hold herself together.
Usagi was so lost in her thoughts, that she almost didn't notice the youma until it was too late. It was giant and snake-like, and it was nearly upon her. She quickly darted to the side, but it was faster, and it sunk its teeth into her side.
Gritting her teeth against the pain, she elbowed it in the eye, hard, hoping it would give her a chance to break away and transform. It was successful, as the youma released its teeth from her side as it howled in pain.
She ran off behind a tree, clutching her wounded side, as she pulled out her communicator.
"Guys, there's a youma downtown," she said. "Only a few blocks from the arcade."
"We'll be there in a minute," Ami promised. "Can you hold it off until we get there?"
"Yeah," Usagi said, wincing. She pulled her hand away from her side, and it came back sticky and bright with her blood. The youma had gotten her pretty deep.
But there was no time to think about that now. The youma would attack again any minute, and she had to be prepared.
"Moon Prism Power!" she called out her transformation phrase, and felt the power wash over her. The pain in her side diminished to a dull throb, and she ran out, ready to tackle the youma. She wouldn't be able to dust it now, it was still too strong. But she should be able to do some damage with her tiara anyways.
"Moon Tiara Action!" she sent the tiara flying, and it wrapped itself around the youma's body. The youma made a hissing noise, but easily shrugged the tiara off.
Sailor Moon swore. That hadn't done nearly as much damage as she'd hoped. She was just about to try her scepter, when a ball of light slammed into it.
Looking around, she found the two other Senshi standing there.
"Go now," the teal-haired one said. "We can handle it from here."
"No," she said. She wasn't leaving. This was her city, her fight, and if they wanted her to leave, they had better give her some answers.
"No?" the teal-haired Senshi said again, cocking an eyebrow. "Do you have any idea what you're getting yourself into?"
"I know enough," she said. "I know that I've fought off countless youma before. I know that I defeated Queen Beryl and the Dark Kingdom. I know that this is a youma belonging to the Black Moon Clan, a group of magic users from the 30th century.
"I know that I have defended this city for the past year, and I know that through it all, I have never seen a glimpse of either of you, nor have I heard of two additional Senshi, if that is indeed what you are. So if you want me to leave, you better tell me who the hell you are, and give me a damn good reason why I should abandon this fight."
The two Senshi looked at each other, as Sailor Moon breathed heavily, the words having come out in a rush. She hadn't intended to go off like that, but her frustration at the trials of the past day had made her angry and confused, and she wasn't about to let two strangers push her around.
Before anyone had a chance to respond, the youma lashed out with its tail, nearly knocking the blonde Senshi off her feet. She snarled, and attacked.
"World Shaking!"
Sailor Moon watched as a ball of light came from the Senshi's hands, and hit the youma. She had to admit, much as she didn't like these two newcomers, they were quite powerful. But she was, too, and she wouldn't let them keep her out of this.
"Moon Scepter Elimination!" she called out, and this finally did the trick, as the youma crumbled to dust. She looked at the other Senshi, daring them to reprimand her again for going against their orders to leave.
"I'm Sailor Uranus," the blonde Senshi said after a moment. She jerked her head towards her companion. "This is Sailor Neptune."
"So… you are Sailor Senshi, then?" Sailor Moon asked.
The teal-haired Senshi, Sailor Neptune, nodded. "Yes. We are Sailor Senshi, like you are, Sailor Moon."
"Why haven't I heard of you?" she said. "Why are you so determined to keep me from fighting? If you're Sailor Senshi, shouldn't you be fighting by our side?"
Sailor Uranus shook her head. "This fight doesn't concern you."
"Like hell," Sailor Moon spat out. "This is my city, and I'm sworn to protect it. I'd say it concerns me."
"You don't know what you're dealing with," Neptune said. "Uranus and I have been training for this for many years, we have dedicated our lives to this fight. We have made many sacrifices, and we are uniquely equipped to fight this battle."
"And I'm not?" Sailor Moon said. "What, do you think I defeated Queen Beryl and the Dark Kingdom by sitting around and twiddling my thumbs all day long? You have no idea the sacrifices I've made, or how hard I'm trained, so don't you dare lecture me about that."
Uranus shook her head in frustration. "You just don't get it. If you keep interfering, you'll only get people hurt. Leave the fighting to people who know what they're doing."
"Look around you!" she shouted, spreading her arms wide. "People are already hurt. Almost every single day, a youma attacks, and people get hurt. That is what I'm fighting to prevent, and there's no way you're going to convince me to stay away when innocent lives are on the line."
The two new Senshi were silent. Sailor Moon turned to leave, but she stopped, and turned around.
"If you're so powerful, if you think you're so much better than me," she started to say, "Then tell me this: where were you last year, when the Dark Kingdom nearly succeeded in taking over the Earth? Where were you when I sacrificed everything to defeat Queen Beryl and prevent her takeover of Earth? If I don't know what I'm doing, why is that I am the one who prevented the apocalypse, while you two were nowhere to be found?"
Sailor Neptune and Uranus looked at each other, but didn't say anything.
"Yeah," Sailor Moon said, her anger gone, leaving her exhausted. "That's kind of what I thought."
"Sailor Moon!" Venus ran towards them, the other Senshi close behind. "Sorry it took us so long, there was another youma attack on the way here." Pausing, she looked around. "Uh… where's the youma? And what are they doing here?"
"The youma's gone," she said, her voice tense. "I dusted it. And now I'm going home."
"But…" Mercury tried to say, glancing at her wounded side.
"I'll take care of my injury," she said. "I'll be fine."
With one last look at Neptune and Uranus, she shook her head, and walked off.
A short time later, after having de-transformed, Usagi arrived at her house. She climbed the steps two at a time, eager to be in the safety and comforts of her home. Now that she was back in civilian form, her wounded side was much more painful.
Sighing, she quickly snuck upstairs to take care of it before anyone noticed. She barricaded herself in the bathroom, and peeled off her bloodied shirt. It was doubtful she'd be able to get the blood out, but she had to try. She was out of excuses for why her school clothes kept on ending up bloodied and torn, and she was worried her mother might get suspicious.
Usagi reached into the medicine cabinet, and pulled out the bandages. Wincing, she wished she had let Ami tend to her wound after all. She knew basic first aid care, of course, all the Senshi had learned it. But Ami was better than anyone at dressing wounds.
She tossed her shirt into the sink, rinsing the blood out as best she could. There was still a noticeable stain; she'd have to bleach it. She tossed it into the laundry basket, so she wouldn't forget, and went to her room to grab a clean shirt.
After she was dressed, she sunk onto her bed, and grabbed one of her favorite comic books. She tried to focus, but her mind was racing a million miles per minute. So, the newcomers were indeed Sailor Senshi. But why were they so determined to keep her from fighting? Was it really just because they thought they were superior? Or was there something else going on?
Usagi rubbed her eyes. None of it made any sense. And the Black Moon Clan… what did they want? Were they after Chibiusa, like Luna suspected? So far, aside from random youma attacks and a vaguely threatening message from one of their henchmen, they hadn't done much. Certainly not enough to indicate what it was they wanted. She was still mulling over all these new developments, when her door opened.
"Usagi," Ikuko said, her voice tight and strained. She was holding up Usagi's bloodied shirt. "Would you care to explain what this is, and why it's in the laundry basket?
AN: Ooops, another cliffie… I don't usually end all my chapters with cliffhangers, I swear! It's just… kinda happened. Anyways, please leave a review with any thoughts/comments about the story. :) Reviews make the world go 'round!
