Chapter 20: The Awakening B:
Usagi sat down next to Rei at the table. She looked at Haruka, seeing a bandage around her head covering her eyes. Usagi blinked a little in confusion, she wasn't sure what happened since she went into that room to search for Michiru's reflection mirror; or maybe she did because he heard Haruka's voice after the creature attacked and it caused her to have an out-of-body experience. She didn't want to ask, just because Michiru's eyes held the look of guilt and sadness; something Usagi knew all too well. Makoto had shifted her stance so she put more of her weight onto her left side, she looked at the bathroom door with a small sigh.
"He's been in there for a while now." She answered.
"I'll go see what's taking him." Haruka replied, slowly standing up.
"No, I'll . . ." Makoto started.
"He'll freak out if you saw him naked." Rei sighed, her cheeks lighting up red a little, "I've known from experience."
"I think I remember that." Answered Usagi.
"You scolded me because I saw him . . . naked."
"He probably won't freak out because I can't see." Haruka said.
"That's true." Rei sighed, "Even though all of us HATE seeing you like this, Uranus."
"It was my fault that it happened in the first place." She paused, "I was being stupid and rushing into battle without thinking . . . like I normally do."
Michiru looked up at her, helping her to her feet. She didn't say anything since they came out of the bedroom area. She had been feeling guilty for having that argument with Haruka and left to take care of that monster by herself. Haruka felt Michiru's soft hand tucked in hers. Haruka felt Michiru's emotion radiating off her hand.
"Don't blame yourself, Michi." She paused in a whisper, "We'll get out of here."
"Ruka . . ." Answered Michiru.
"This evil dream . . . we'll awaken from it."
Before Michiru could say something in reply to Haruka, the door to the bathroom had opened. Mamoru walked out of it and let the steam come out into the room. His eyes were red and swollen, probably from crying so much. He walked over to the group, seeing Usagi; but he thought she was a ghost. His heart ached terribly, he couldn't get himself to stop feeling this way. The others had looked at him with a small smile.
"Why are you all staring at me?" He asked.
"You're not hallucinating, Mamo-chan." Usagi answered, "I'm back."
"Usa . . ." Mamoru began softly.
"Mamo-chan." She smiled.
"You're really here . . .?"
"I'm alive, Mamo-chan."
"I can't believe that you survived from that attack." He said.
"If it wasn't for Mercury's skill in medicine, Prince Endymion, and other friends . . ." She paused, "I wouldn't be here."
"My past self?" Asked Mamoru.
"Yes. Along with Jadeite, Nephrite, Zoisite, Kunzite, Queen Beryl, Demande, Saphir, and Dr. Tomoe." She answered.
"My father was apart of it?" Questioned Hotaru.
"Yes, he's going to help like the others." She paused, "They are hoping that with help from the other side, it will increase our chance of getting out of here alive and healed from anything that happened here. We would still have our memories from what happened here, but then we can call this place goodbye!"
"That's good." Makoto said.
"That really is good." Setsuna paused, "Even though some of those people were old enemies, they are willing to help us get out of this place."
"Is Demande throwing his pride to the side to help Endymion?" Rei asked with a slight laugh.
"He really is." Usagi smiled.
"Well, at least we have more help." ChibiUsa replied.
"And that we don't have to get help them escape." Paused Haruka, "I swear Fighter came here just to help Usagi out and not the rest of us."
"You two are still not on good terms, are you?" Asked Mamoru.
"Not in the slightest." She answered the question, "But, you said that if we are able to escape everyone will be healed?
"Everyone will be healed from what happened here." Usagi began, "The memories that happened here will still be in our minds though."
"Hey, it's okay with me if we are healed." Minako grinned.
"We still have our promise then." Setsuna said with a small sigh of relief.
"No more going off alone." Ami added, "We can't afford to lose this battle."
"Ami." Usagi smiled.
"Sounds like a good idea, Ami." Makoto said.
"Stay together and get out alive." Rei added.
"We will get out of here." Michiru paused, finally breaking her silence, "We have something stronger than that creature if we stand together."
"Michiru." Haruka sighed.
"Friendship." Michiru began, "Strength, experience, guided by our home planets, the power of our home planets, love, and moonlight."
Everyone gave a small nod with smiles on their faces. Haruka had the brightest smile out of all of them. She gently kissed Michiru's cheek.
"You're right, Michi."
"Thank you, Ruka."