Sailor Moon - Rise of the Exalted Knights

by Lisseas

Chapter Twenty - Usagi Confesses; Justice's Discontent

Posted: 07/12/2017

"…the gun, it…it's tied to his hands…"

Usagi stirred reluctantly from a restless night of little sleep, the Black Death's mocking laugh echoing in her mind. The familiar confines of her room greeted her, its pink walls keeping the horrors of the world outside at bay…for now.

Luna's head popped up at the foot of the bed. "Good morning. Feeling any better?"

The question didn't seem to warrant an answer. She sat up slowly, shaking her head instead. A good night's rest at home had seemed like just the thing mere hours ago. I should have known sleep was just wishful thinking at this point.

"Oh, Usagi…"

The cat's follow-up faded into white noise as she tuned out, brushing her dishevelled blonde hair from her face. Normally a comfort, Luna's unrelenting optimism now served as an unpleasant reminder of her guilt. Swinging her legs out from under the sheets took considerably more effort than expected, tired muscles reluctant to respond. Dark, angry bruises marred her porcelain skin, conjuring up more memories of yesterday's battles…but there were others far worse off than her, weren't there?

Usagi stumbled towards the bathroom and into the shower. The water was cold, almost unbearably so, like needles against her skin, but she had to get rid of the caked-on dirt, blood, and grime. Fitting penance, when she thought about it, and she powered through. Finally clean, she dried off, donned a mismatched ensemble of ill-fitting clothes, and made her way downstairs.

"How are you feeling, honey?"

"Mm."

Her parents made several attempts to draw her into conversation, but she found her thoughts were too focused on the previous night's events. Eventually, they just gave up. Somehow, somewhere, her father had found bread though, and with a piece of flame-darkened toast in-hand she slipped out the front door.

"You can't keep blaming yourself," Luna called, following her down the street. "It wasn't-"

"I can, and I do," she snapped back, irritated. "I panicked and rushed in. It was my fault."

"This Black Death tricked you! How were you supposed to know-"

"The old me would have!" There it was. The truth. An admission that felt surprisingly cathartic. "Get it, Luna? I wasn't looking for another way. I accepted the situation as it was. I accepted having to kill those people! It's a failure even if they had been real soldiers." Her voice dropped to a whisper, her thoughts turning to a particular conversation from last night. "Just like Chibiusa said…"

"…and that's when you and Rinjirou showed up in the helicopter."

Mamoru's face remained unreadable, betraying nothing and leaving Usagi feeling even worse. It was as difficult to confess the truth as she'd imagined, maybe even more so, and Luna's uncharacteristic silence wasn't helping. Her long-time friend and adviser looked on, ears flattened against her skull in a clear sign of her mood.

"We panicked," she said quickly, stammering through the words as her fear mounted. "I didn't want to kill anyone, but they were threatening Hotaru and Haruka and I thought…" Her mouth shut tight, the truth of the matter clear to her. "I couldn't let another friend die like Michiru, so we rushed into the courtyard and…well. You know the rest."

"Usagi…" He ran a hand across his mouth, as if wiping away a bad taste. "I know you didn't mean to kill those people. You-"

"But that's just it, Mamo-chan," she whimpered, on the verge of tears. "I did! The Black Death had a gun to Hotaru! We had to get through the soldiers fast to reach her. There was no time for restraint. The fact some of them were innocent captives doesn't change the fact I made a choice to blast our way through."

"But if you had known ahead of time? Would that have changed your approach?"

Her stomach lurched in revulsion. "Of course, it would!"

"Then it does matter." He took her hands in his before she could pull away, squeezing them gently. "I can't believe you could ever knowingly take an innocent life."

"But-"

He cut her off, pressing a finger to her lips. "We're at war, Usako. I fear this isn't the last time Chaos' servants will force us into a choice like this."

"But you're a doctor," she reminded him gently. "Doesn't death conflict with your oath?"

Mamoru's jaw clenched tighter. "I may be a doctor, but I'm also Prince Endymion reborn. I must protect my world against Chaos…and those who serve it." He cupped her cheek gently with one hand. "Of course, I don't want anyone to die, but if they choose to stand against us it…it's unavoidable."

Letting go of her guilt wasn't going to be that easy, and Usagi did find some comfort in his rationale, but those people were still dead. No amount of logic would change that, nor would she want it to.

"And your thoughts, Luna?" she asked hopefully. "You know I've always valued your guidance."

The cat's black fur lacked its usual lustre, covered with dirt and maybe even soot. Her ears perked up a little as she looked up, her expression sombre. "It's not easy to hear, Usagi, even difficult to believe something like this happened at all, but…" A heavy sigh punctuated her pause. "Like Mamoru, I know you could never wilfully take an innocent life. It was a terrible accident, a…a trap by these Hunters to shake your self-confidence, and-"

"Really?"

Usagi's blood ran cold at Chibiusa's familiar, high-pitched voice. The pink-haired teen shouldered her way through the door they hadn't noticed was ajar, a scowl on her face.

"You and Luna too, Mamoru? You can just accept this, no questions asked?"

His brow furrowed. "That's not fair, Chibiusa. Usagi already feels terrible, and-"

"And so she should! The Sailor Senshi are supposed to protect people, not kill them!" Her red eyes narrowed as she thrust an accusatory finger at each of them in turn. "When did you stop caring? A life is a life, and I don't understand why everyone is defending her!"

For her part, Usagi said nothing. There was little point in the face of such anger and disappointment. She just stared intently at her hands clasped tightly in her lap, and tried to weather the storm.

Finally, Chibiusa ran out of steam. "I just…I don't understand how we got to this point. Was I dragged back to Bizarro Tokyo somehow? I mean…you're just not the Sailor Senshi I remember!"

"We are!" the blonde said imploringly, unsure how to reach the girl. "But the world is different now, Chibiusa! We've had to change, adapt to survive…no matter how much we might hate it."

"The Sailor Moon I remember would never compromise her principles to win a fight." Her cold tone underscored just how serious she'd become. There was only disappointment in her voice now, and that hurt even more. "She would have found another way. A better way…but you? You're not her." She backed up to the door and left, disappearing into the corridor beyond.

"Chibiusa!" Mamoru rushed to the door but held off on a full pursuit. He slammed a fist against the doorframe, sighing heavily. "She just doesn't see how much Chaos has changed things for us."

Blinking back fresh tears, Usagi held Luna tight…but there was little comfort to be found in her soft, black fur. "When did we start seeing it, Mamo-chan? When did we accept that as reality? Chibiusa's right, I have changed…and I'm not sure how to come back from it."

"What happened was my fault, Luna," she said firmly, returning to the present. "It was the wake-up call I needed. One I can't afford to ignore. From now on, we have to do everything possible to avoid more deaths on both sides."

"Not to play devil's advocate, but you tried that once before and it almost got several of you killed."

"I know that," Usagi muttered, accepting the point with some annoyance, "But there must be some sort of middle ground. Somewhere in-between that means stopping Chaos without a bloodbath." A sigh of exasperation slipped from her lips as she closed her fingers in a tight, trembling fist. "We can at least give its soldiers another chance to surrender or, better yet, switch sides. I'm sure Rinjirou's Exalted Knights could use more recruits."

"Ah, yes. Rinjirou. Have you considered what you're going to tell him?"

"About last night?" Usagi stopped dead in her tracks. A dozen different answers worked through her mind all at once, not a single one any good.

"I know I sound like Titus," Luna continued, "But given his prior…distrust of the Sailor Senshi, I don't expect he'll be very happy to hear about the shrine. No matter the deceptions involved."

Moving again, Usagi conceded her point with a heavy sigh. "No, I doubt he'll be very forgiving about it either." Attempting to shake off her despondency, she gestured to the growing silhouette of their destination: Juuban High School. "Come on. I need to have some unpleasant conversations with my friends."

Doctor Mizuno's makeshift hospital was perhaps better described now as an 'enclave'. With Chaos' forces in disarray after their first real loss, more people were seizing the opportunity to relocate to safer surroundings.

"Word's getting out about our little safe haven," she murmured, unsure how to feel about it.

"That means Chaos will be coming for us sooner or later," Luna pointed out.

"We have to be ready for it," she agreed, before spotting a familiar pair. "Minako!"

The Sailor Senshi of Love and her tall American boyfriend were cloistered in a doorway ahead. They stood further apart than she was used to, but at least Minako seemed a little more at ease today. It was probably going to take a while, but she really hoped they could get back to the way things were. After all, like I've said before...I do ship Cornako.

Her friend jumped, clearly startled, but her nervousness faded quickly when she made realised who'd called her. "Oh, it's you, Usagi. Good."

She frowned reflexively. "Fury?"

Minako hesitated briefly before nodding. "I know it's stupid. I've known she was alive for months, but…it's different actually seeing her again, you know? Especially wearing that uniform. Brings back memories of…" She trailed off, shuddering slightly. "Well, you know."

"At least she seems reformed?" Usagi suggested, not entirely sure of it herself. "As loopy as ever, of course, but friendly enough?"

"Yeah. So far so good."

Usagi's hopeful smiled faded as the silence stretched into awkwardness, finally clearing her throat. "So, I was hoping I could talk to you for a moment. Both of you. In private?"

"Oh, uh…sure." Minako glanced up at Corey questioningly. "If it's alright with you?"

He inclined his head at the door behind them. "How about here?"

It turned out to be one of the school's smaller offices, not yet converted for use by the doctors and other organisers of the 'hospital'. Corey shut the door behind them and leaned back against it. "So, what's up?"

With a deep breath, and a quick look to Luna for moral support, Usagi told her story again. Hotaru's shooting, their rush into the courtyard, the Black Death's deception; all of it. She was dismayed to find it almost felt trite the second time around, like the horror and disgust she'd felt had worn off.

"It's not about making excuses," she concluded quickly. "In my panic for Hotaru and Haruka, we rushed in, took it all on face value, and…and killed those people."

Minako stared back at her silently, her face even paler than normal. Corey, however, was as stoic as ever but for a hint of disappointment in his emerald eyes.

"Please, believe me," she stammered. "We didn't know they weren't hostile. The armour, the guns, the Black Death's threats, it all just…" A heavy sigh slipped out, somehow igniting the steady pang of guilt anew. "Of course, I feel terrible and I should. I let myself lose sight of…Minako?"

Her friend was now standing. "This is…really difficult to hear." Looking for all the world like she was about to be sick, she nudged Corey aside and opened the door. "I…I have to go."

"Please, don't!" Usagi called, fear at losing a friend now mingling with her residual guilt. "Yes, I know I messed up, but-"

"I just need some air." Minako slipped through the door, but hesitated on the other side. "For love and justice…" With that, she was gone, her long blonde hair trailing after her.

"I…" Artemis seemed similarly affected, apparently unable to make eye contact anymore. "I should check on her." He hurried after his charge without another word, leaving Usagi feeling even guiltier.

After another brief silence, Luna stirred. "I'll go after them. I'm sure they'll understand in time. This is just a lot to process."

Usagi watched as Corey leaned over and closed the door behind her, growing anxious with his utter lack of reaction. "Well?"

He stared back at her evenly. "Well, what?"

"You haven't said a word," she mumbled, almost accusingly.

A hint of irritation crossed his features. "What do you want me to say? Don't do it?" He sighed, with all the world weariness of a much older man. "Too late."

"This isn't what I wanted, what any of us wanted. I know-"

He silenced her with a simple look. "It's done. It happened. Reliving it again and again isn't going to change that." His disappointment was clearer now, even seeping into his voice. "Look, I know you didn't go there intending to kill those people, and Minako does too. She'll come around sooner or later."

That seemed difficult to believe. "But the hostages-"

"Were dead the second he got his hands on them." Again, Corey's words were calm and level. "Look at the facts, Usagi. He played you. He played all of us. The ambush at the mall split the Senshi in half and landed him two hostages in Saturn and Uranus. He knew you'd go after him, and I'll bet he knew Mercury would douse the courtyard too, obscuring your vision as much as it did theirs."

She stared back at him in silence as he spoke, finally beginning to see just how thorough their enemy had been. I didn't even consider the possibility it was all connected…

"He wanted those hostages dead. He knew he could force your hand by threatening Hotaru, and he's not so arrogant as to give you an opening. This whole thing was one big plan to make the Sailor Senshi killers."

"And he succeeded," she muttered darkly, now feeling the same bitter disappointment in herself she felt from him. "I just want…"

"What? Absolution? I'm no priest, Usagi."

"I know that! I just…"

Corey softened again. "You want to stop feeling bad about it."

That's it, she conceded. Why else was she here pressing him? "Yeah."

"Well, I can't help you there either."

"But you're the Guardian Knight of Justice!" she protested.

He leaned back against the wall, snorting in faux amusement as he folded his arms across his chest. "You're asking if what you did was just?"

"Of course not! I just…" She wilted under his stare and single raised eyebrow. "I want to know if…?"

"If it was unjust?" He shrugged almost casually. "I don't know. You didn't take any pleasure in it, so I'm inclined to say no, but…you didn't exactly consider all the options either."

Usagi crossed her own arms in response. "Meaning?"

"You screwed up, Usagi, and you need to own it. Remember it next time. Learn from it." Corey gave a brief sigh and straightened up to his full height. "I'm not one to say I told you so, but this is exactly why I was against you rushing into the Order of Black's base in London. You went in all emotionally charged, and you ended up killing a bunch of people." He studied her almost warily. "Would you feel any better if they were trying to kill you?"

"No…" she said, in a hushed, barely-audible whisper. "No, I wouldn't."

"Well, then. Maybe some good has come from this after all?"

As he reached for the door handle, Usagi blurted out her other reason for speaking to him. "What about Rinjirou?"

"What about him?" he asked, frowning slightly.

Her earlier discussion with Luna echoed in her mind. "He only just agreed to give us another chance to prove we're not…well, not what the Order of Black made us out to be." She practically squirmed in place as she tried to find the right words. "If we tell him what happened…"

Once again, he folded his arms across his broad chest. "And if you don't, and he finds out anyway? What then? How much worse do you think that looks?"

"If he finds out…"

Corey didn't speak for several agonising seconds. "Are you actually asking for my advice? 'Cause it sounds an awful lot like you've already made up your mind."

"No!" she protested, a little weaker than she'd planned. "I'm just thinking of the future, and trying to-"

"Your mother used to have similar 'talks' with Corval," he said, cutting her off abruptly, "But I'm not here to make you feel better about your choices any more than he was for her."

Usagi's mouth snapped shut as she bit back the retort she was surprised to find herself thinking.

"You have my advice," he continued, with a hint of ice. "Let's not keep going around in circles." He opened the door and slipped through, leaving her alone with only her thoughts for company.

She fell back against the wall and sank slowly to the ground. "Right."

"So…"

Far too quickly, she found herself sitting across from her fellow Sailor Senshi. They needed a goal to work towards, something to keep their spirits up, and it fell to her to set it. The only problem was, in light of her own recent failures, she didn't feel particularly qualified to do so.

"We all know what happened last night…at the shrine." The shame and guilt threatened to overtake her again, but a quick, reassuring glance from Mamoru bolstered her strength. "Things haven't been the same for a while now, have they? Not like they used to be."

She saw some scattered nods from her friends, but also some trepidation. At least Minako's looking at me again. Mako too. But Ami and Hotaru are still shaken up…and Corey isn't even here. We're as divided as ever.

"I think I let myself forget a lot of things over the last year or so. Things I used to take very seriously. Things I once held dear. Things I…stood for." It was more difficult to admit than she'd expected, but it had to be said. "Love and justice," she continued, staring directly at Minako. "The innocent."

Her blonde friend's blank expression softened just a little, revealing the faintest hint of a smile, and she saw a similar look on Makoto's face too.

"What happened last night was terrible. It should never have…" Usagi trailed off, catching herself in a pointless loop she'd sworn to avoid. "Well, it did happen, and it was a desperately needed wake-up call. One none of us can afford to forget. Least of all me." She took a deep breath, and confessed. "Those people are dead because of me. I'm responsible."

Ami and Rei stirred quickly, her raven-haired friend standing. "Usagi, that-"

"It was my order to charge them," she said firmly, "And the responsibility for their deaths is mine. I accept that. It hurts, but I need it. I need to own this. Remember it. Learn from it…and I have."

The door clicked shut, and she looked over to see Corey standing just beside it. He offered a brief nod and a faint smile, and that made her feel so much better about things.

"There will be no repeats of last night," she declared. "From now on, we fight non-lethally wherever possible. We give our opponents a chance to surrender and retreat or, better yet, join us." As Haruka stood, she motioned her back down with a single hand. "I know it puts us all at greater risk, but this is who we are. It's what we've always stood for, and we can never let ourselves forget that again."

"Damn straight," Makoto said.

"On that," Minako added, with a sidelong glance her way, "We will always agree."

Bolstered by their responses, Usagi felt a sad but long-overdue smile tugging on her lips. "If this terrible mistake has any silver lining at all, it's that it brought us back to our senses. We can't beat Chaos at its own game. We have to be better. A...a light to burn away...its darkness…or something?"

"Hear, hear!" Artemis called, beaming despite her awkward phrasing. "Well said!"

Amidst the generally-positive murmuring from her friends, Rei's voice broke through. "That's great and all, Usagi, but what do we tell Rinjirou?"

The room went quiet as all eyes turned first to the miko, then her. Usagi's gaze darted unconsciously to Corey, who responded with a simple, measured stare.

"He won't be happy about the shrine," Rei continued glumly, "And we're already on thin ice as it is."

"I…" Everything Usagi had just said ran through her mind again. A light to burn away the darkness. If we enter our alliance with Rinjirou based on a lie, we're no better than Chaos…are we? The more she thought about it, though, the more certain she became. Confessing to him now risks losing him…and his Knights. We're going to need their help if we want to take back Tokyo…so what should I do?

"Usagi?"

Luna's call barely registered at all. It's here, Mother. The moment you warned me about. No matter what I choose, I'm going to hurt somebody…and I'm not sure I'm ready for that. She looked to Corey one more time, searching his features for any kind of hint or tell…but there were none to be found. I either lose an army and risk losing Earth, or risk losing a friend. That little revelation made it a far easier choice than she'd ever have thought. I'm sorry, Corey…but I have to do what's best for the world right now.

She drew in a deep, shuddering breath…and met Rei's expectant stare. "We don't tell him anything." Silence was her only response as her friends digested her words. "Not for the moment, anyway. If it does come up, there were some…deaths. The Black Death and his Hunters got to some civilians before we we couldn't stop them." Her stomach lurched at the lie, especially the fact it was hers in the first place, but what other choice did they have? "Thoughts?"

Rei seemed to consider a moment before nodding, albeit uncomfortably. "It's a half-truth, I guess."

The door opened again as Corey disappeared, closing behind him not with a slam but the softest of clicks. Usagi swallowed back another urge to retch and waited patiently for anyone else to speak out.

Finally, Setsuna stood. "It's distasteful, perhaps. I don't believe anyone thinks otherwise, but…you're right, Usagi. We need Rinjirou and his Exalted Knights, and we can't risk losing their aid."

Usagi saw several conflicting emotions on her friends' faces. Minako glanced at the door after Corey, but quickly turned back to her, looking uncomfortable but focused. Mako was her usual steely self, practically unreadable, but she voiced no concerns. Ami also said nothing, despite looking unhappy, while Setsuna and Haruka were clearly both in agreement. As for Rei…

"I hate this," she muttered, shaking her head, "But you're right. If I know him at all, he won't take the news well…and the fact is he can help us a lot against Chaos."

It was Makoto, surprisingly, who spoke next. "Didn't we just agree we need to be the light to Chaos' darkness?"

Minako nodded, Ami too. "This doesn't feel like a light thing to do."

"Oh, just stop!" Haruka growled, sending a heavy scowl their way. "It's a lie of omission at worst. Much easier to ask for forgiveness later than his blessing now."

Her course set, Usagi sank back into her seat as Mamoru wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Do you think I did the right thing, Mamo-chan?"

"There is no right thing here, Usako, just two equally valid choices…and you made one. That's all any of us can ask."

She sagged a little, and thought once more of the Chamber of Prayer. I'm afraid I know what choice you would have made too, Mother...and it seems, one way or another, I'm following in your footsteps.

Corey wandered through the school's corridors, not really sure where he was going. I knew she had her mind made up, but still…

"Hey, Metalhead. Have you seen Minako?"

He paused at the unwelcome yet familiar voice, and turned to find Sailor Fury waiting. She held up a plate of something that might once have been muffins, smiling in that unsettling, serial killer-ish manner of hers.

"I made her a little peace offering. Figured you of all people might know where she is."

Mamoru says she can trusted, and Minako doesn't really believe she's here to hurt her. He wondered briefly if his girlfriend would really want him to answer, finally deciding there was little the Marauder could do in a room full of Sailor Senshi, even if she were so inclined. "Yeah, she's down the hall in a meeting with the others."

"Oh, good," Fury replied cheerfully. "Well, I don't want to disturb anyone. I'll just wait here for her to finish."

"Sure." Yep. That smile's as off-putting as always. He gestured to the plate of…whatever they were, and cleared his throat. "Doing a little baking, huh?" But where the hell did she find a working oven?!

"Uh-huh!" She thrust the plate forward proudly, nearly sending its contents tumbling to the floor. "My own twist on Sailor Despair's Famous Blueberry Muffins™! Think Minako will like them?"

The dark, crusty domes studded with blackened blueberries looked more like burnt spider heads to Corey, but he wasn't about to say so. "Oh, sure. Who wouldn't?"

Her smile vanished in an instant, replaced with a doubting glare. "I'm on to your game, you know."

"You are?" he countered, tensing as he prepared to summon Justiciar.

"Yes, you sneaky…snake!" She giggled harmoniously and held up the plate. "Of course you can have one, silly!"

Corey sagged slightly, annoyed by his own overreaction. "Oh, no, I couldn't. I, uh…I'm watching my carbs right now, you know?"

Her casual shrug was completely at odds with her menacing black attire. "Suit yourself, but you're really missing out!"

"I'm sure I am," he muttered, backpedalling with no idea what else to say. "See ya round, Fury."

"It's Faye!" she called after him. "Remember? Rhymes with day?"

Corey reached the roof access stairwell and headed up, pushing the door open without thought. The roof had become a refuge of sorts since his arrival at the school, somewhere he could really think. A place free from distractions…only someone else had found it today. Chibiusa stood across the roof, fingers wrapped around the chain-link of the fence as she stared out across Tokyo.

He closed the door quietly and stepped forward. "You're brooding too, huh?"

She whirled about, surprise quickly giving way to an irritated scowl. "I'm not brooding."

Corey allowed himself a brief chuckle. "As a part-time brooder myself, I can assure you that you are, in fact, brooding." When she failed to respond, he dropped the sarcasm. "Usagi told you. About what happened at the shrine."

"Not exactly. I overheard her telling Mamoru."

He raised an eyebrow. "So, you were…?"

"I wasn't spying!" she countered indignantly. "Not really. I was looking for her, and when I opened the door she was…" Her confession trailed off into silence, expelled with a sigh. "Part of me wonders if she was even going to tell me at all."

"Of course she was," Corey said, unable to believe otherwise. "No matter what, Usagi loves you. She couldn't keep something like this from you for long." His mood soured quickly as he remembered his last encounter with her. "Rinjirou on the other hand…"

Her eyes narrowed. "What?"

"Nothing," he added quickly, regretting his slip-up.

It was her turn to call him out now. "You're clearly mad about something."

"I'm not mad," he protested, running a hand down his face before gripping his jaw. "No, I'm just…disappointed."

"Mm." She turned a little and leaned back against the fence. "I get that. I'm not stupid, you know."

Corey joined her. "Never said you were."

"I know Usagi's not suddenly some bloodthirsty nut-job," she continued. "I know nobody's actually happy about killing people. But it's just so jarring to see them accept it, you know? I've based who I am on the Sailor Senshi my parents told me about, the Sailor Senshi I met when I first travelled to the past, and to see those same people as they are now is…" Her head dipped, her chin nearly meeting her chest. "It's hard."

"I don't think this was easy for any of them," he observed, turning to stare out at the city. "It's a bad situation, and it's taking its toll on everyone. They're scared, Chibiusa, more scared than I've ever seen them. I honestly think they'd rather fight the Revenant Knight all over again than this."

"You really think so?"

"I know so," Corey murmured. "Try to keep an open mind. It's not a question of killing. Not anymore. That ship has sailed. People are going to die if the fighting continues."

"Then what's the point?"

He found he was calmer about the whole thing than anticipated. "It's about making sure we do this right. Give the enemy a chance to surrender. Use deadly force only as a last resort. Let them flee in peace if their ranks break down. We need to be just in our dealings with the enemy…even if they're not so inclined, because killing people will only drive others to Chaos' arms." He nudged her gently, managing a faint smile for her benefit. "So, go easy on Usagi and the others, okay? I think they're back on the right track again."

She stared up at him almost warily again, until she softened. "You're starting to sound a lot like my Corey from home. Still no beard, though."

"Ha…" He rubbed a stubbly cheek, reminded that he hadn't shaved in a few days. "Who knows what could happen, eh?"

They lapsed into a comfortable silence, leaning side-by-side against the chain-link fence. The city was oddly calm, even if it was only the calm before the next storm...but they could enjoy the peace for a moment, right?

"I should probably find Usagi and apologise," Chibiusa murmured, straightening up. "I may not like it, but I guess I don't have to. As long as I understand."

"That's very mature of you."

Her eyes flashed with faux rage. "Is that a dig at my age?"

"The thought never even crossed my mind," he assured her, barely able to keep a straight face. "…Small Lady." He reached out and mussed her hair like he might Jess', grinning as she fought her way free.

"You're so lucky you're my friend."

His grin widened. "Oh?"

Chibiusa was now wearing a smile of her own. "Yeah. Otherwise you'd be in real trouble!"

"I'm terrified," he said, deadpan. "Really. I'd be shaking in my boots if I was wearing 'em."

She leaned in abruptly, resting her head against his arm. "I missed you. Don't ever run away again, okay?"

"I'm done running," he assured her, simultaneously addressing every Senshi in his mind. "The Guardian Knight of Justice is back, and this time he's not going anywhere." He leaned back against the fence, pleased with himself, until...

"That was pretty good. You've been practicing your corny speeches, I see."

"Oh, quiet you."

AN: So, I crept in just under my one-month deadline AGAIN! Lots of rewrites to get the feel of this one just the way I wanted, but I think I got there in the end. Yes, it's another dialogue-heavy chapter but I couldn't just move on without everyone addressing the elephant in the room. It wouldn't feel right. Plus, we get some juicy conflict anyway, with some hints at a further straining of Usagi and Corey's friendship. It's fun wondering how things look in this universe's Crystal Tokyo sometimes, given he's already walked on the Senshi once.

Hope you all enjoyed the read, even if it was a little depressing in places. I'm looking forward to your thoughts and feedback as always. I doubt I'll have another chapter up before Christmas, so may I wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays, or whatever your faith or custom enjoys. Possibly even a Happy New Year, depending on how my writing goes. I'll finish this fic eventually, I swear it! Many thanks as always for your continued readership!

Lisseas