AN: I do not own Sailor Moon or its characters. I acknowledge Naoko Takeuchi as its creator and its owner.

Thanks goes to SlyLittleLuna1234(AWESOME NAME!), Kuroshiroryuu, crazygurl34, 2010Highlander2014 and Wishfull-star. So as for the reviews, I am glad you are enjoying this! Shoutout to Kuroshiroryuu, LoveInTheBattleField, Cathexis Blade, lychee-ran and Wishfull-star.

Well lychee-ran, you will have to keep reading to find out the answers to your questions. Aren't a wonderful person? *Insert evil cackle*

Now then, let's resume this story, shall we?

The Shadow Of Darkness

Chapter 7

After lunch break, the rest of the day dragged on at a sluggish pace, because I just want the day to end. But finally Kami-sama has mercy on us and the bell dismissing us finally rings, letting me finally get free from the hell-hole publicly called school. Don't get me wrong, I do well enough in school- I just don't see the point in learning things that I already know. My mother would beat me if I did poorly in school, so I obviously got in the habit of doing well to avoid pain, but now I am very far ahead of what we are learning.

As I am getting up to leave though, the girl for lunch approaches me once again calling out, "Tsukino-san, wait up I never introduced myself to you. I am Kino Makoto. I was hoping that you might want to come meet my friends and hangout for a little while after school. We are a rather strange group, but they are all good people. There is an arcade nearby where we usually go, would that interest you at all? I know that you will have a good time!"

Taking in her appearance, I notice just how much of a striking figure she has. Her hair back in a ponytail, her brown hair flowed quite beautifully, providing a nice contrast to her striking green eyes, which seemed to be flashing, as though they were bolts of lightning. A tall girl, people would not help but not her rather generous figure. Shaking my head, trying to bring myself back to reality.

Despite the fact that I really did not want to, I knew that I really had nothing better to do as Artemis had not given me a key to his home, and he told me not to expect him back until after dinner. He had also imparted with money and the advice to treat myself to something. While I had wanted to visit Shingo, he insisted that I stay out of the hospital at least for one day because of all the time I had spent in the hospital since the attack.

Nodding I reply, "That sounds like a really good idea. I am new to the area, so some exposure to the environment would do me some good. Besides, it would be a great chance to meet some new people. Lead on, Kino-san."

"Please just call me Makoto. I would be happy to show you around. Now let's go! So I supposed that we should do the whole thing were we tell each other about ourselves. In the interest of making it less awkward I will start I guess. So I my biggest passion by far is cooking, it is my dream to one day have a restaurant. I am not the active person socially, but sometimes I will talk to people like I did with you. I really am happy I did! The food you make is fantastic- I would be very happy to cook with you sometime; and for me to say that is rare, believe me. Most cooking people do cannot even been considered as mediocre."

Not really having experienced the cooking of many others, I just nod in response. Though to my surprise she catches on to my lack of enthusiasm and asks, "I guess you are not a passionate chef? That is a real shame because you are quite clearly very good at it," she pauses as though realizing something and then asks, "Or it just because you have to cook rather than choosing to do so?" Even as she asks it, I can tell that she can sense my discomfort on the subject.

Hoping to draw the attention from my discomfort I squeak out, "No, I choose to cook! It is just not passion to me! More like a hobby!" Even as I finish speaking I start turning red from embarrassment and start to awkwardly laugh, realizing that I am digging an even deeper hole than I currently find myself in.

Fortunately she just shakes her head fondly, and laughs it off, "Come on Usagi, let's head on over to the arcade."

Despite the fact of having a close call there, and even just the sheer awkwardness I had just found myself in, I too can't help but smile. Even though I had just met this girl, I knew that I could get along well with this girl. She was sharp, but she also seemed to realize when to stop. What is more is that my quirks and awkwardness do not bother her at all, a large change from most other people. In this moment here and now I decide to take a chance with this girl, with this unshakable feeling that this time I will not be hurt.

As we walk in silence, she asks "So how late are you free until? I mean everyone's parent have different things to say about that sort of thing usually….so are you parents the strict kind? I mean-" she abruptly stops noticing how I seized up at the mention of parents. Then a look of comprehension came across her face as she froze in wonderment, mumbling, "No way…you're an orphan as well? That's… I never would have…"

Dread seizes up inside me as I worry about screwing up the oppourtunity that I had been presented with. That is until, it occurred to me, she had said 'You're an orphan as well?'. I turn to her shocked and say, "You mean… you are like me?"

She nods slowly still in disbelief, as though she does not want to believe it. She then slowly says, "My parents died a long time ago. They were killed while on an airplane. The plane was taken down when terrorists tried to commandeer it. I was tossed around at different foster homes until I was finally granted emancipation and permitted to live on my own."

Both she and I know that she is glossing over many details, but I choose to disregard that knowing that I will do the same. But I now realize what I have been given here, a person who might finally be able to truly understand where it is that I am coming from. With that in mind, I in turn confide in her, "My mother was killed in an attack last week…I saw her bleed out after being stabbed. My dad died a long time ago, but the causes were never made clear."

Nodding at me in understanding, "I guess you have something in common with me after all. I am very sorry you had to see your mother die like that, it must have been horrible to witness. But I am glad that you can at least understand where I am coming from. It is certainly more than most other people can say. Now that we understand each other a little better, why don't we do this a little more seriously? I mean let's try our hand at the friendship thing. I am certainly not good at it, but if I spend my time with someone it is only someone who can understand me. Because ignorance is truly bliss, and sadly it is a gift that was not given to you or me. So people like us should stick together. What do you say?"

Feeling rather shy in the face of the strong feelings radiating from Makoto, I nod my assent, wishing to simply keep it at that. Whist I am truly happy with this new development, I can't help but want to move on simply because of my awkwardness when it comes to dealing with my emotions. But I get a feeling of safety with this girl, a understanding that my insecurities are safe with her, that she will have my back.

I can't help but wonder if I will ever have a group of people whom I can trust, who not only accept who I am, but more importantly UNDERSTAND my identity as a person, rather than the false identity which I present to the world. One that is simply so convincing, that I have even hoodwinked myself into losing sight of my identity as an individual. Somehow I get the feeling that I have start the path towards this goal today.

Mercilessly my thoughts crush that hope before it can take route, telling me that more pain is inevitable if I open my heart in the slightest to anyone. But I cannot shake the hope, or just let it go; because regardless of all the pain it has caused me, it is my deepest hope and my sole wish. And I am prepared to accept any cost to achieve it. Hoping that this is the start of finally reaching that dream, I continue with Makoto to the arcade, wondering what type of people will be meeting us there.

As I walked into the room with my supervisor, I wonder what developments have befallen the boy since I last visited him on my own. His sister usually was by his side every second that she possibly could, he was surprised that she was nowhere to found despite the fact that school had concluded a while earlier. For some strange reason, the first time I saw her it was as though her imaged was burned into my brain, as though it would never leave. Since that encounter, I find myself hoping that I will encounter her again in spite of the knowledge that I know nothing about her, and for some reason it was clear that she was making a concerted effort to ignore me as much as was conceivably possible. For some reason in had hurt me, going against years of keeping people a safe distance from people. One action, and as it turned out, the impregnable Fort Mamoru was actually a lot more penetrable than I had thought.

Disturbing me more still, the boy whom was nothing more than a patient whom I had never spoken a word to, I somehow feel as though I share a connection. I have never ever shared sympathy with a stranger and the way I had responded to him when I visited him left me feeling….perturbed for lack of a better way of putting it. But somehow I saw myself in someone else. A moment of vulnerability. Something that I did not handle well. Being alone is my refuge, and my safety. Connections between people do not end well, I see it everywhere I go. I wish nothing to do with it. But a tiny traitorous part of me always asks, 'Are the really as happy as they look? Is it possible to be as happy as they seem to be?'

Tuning back in to what the doctor is saying to me I hear, "- I can't believe it! Somehow this kid's condition has vastly improved. In fact, if these readings are even slightly accurate, I would imagine that the kid could wake up from his coma at any given the correct stimulus! Get on the phone and share the news with his sister."

I feel a profound sense of relief in the understanding that the boy-Deucalion- would be alright. 'Wait a second… where on earth did that name come from? If I recall correctly the patient's name was Tsukino Shingo.' At this point this case has become more than just a slight bother to me. Every turn seems to bring a new change my way, and I had a sneaking suspicion that this was just the beginning. That the floodgates were now opening, and once they had opened there would be absolutely no force that could oppose it.

The doctor the gives me new orders, "Chiba, go contact the girl and give her the news, because I am sure that she would be ecstatic. The loss of her mother must have done a number on her. At least now though I don't have to worry about anything from her realizing that we were lying when I said he was getting better."

Feeling nothing short of total disgust for the man, I walk out to do I was told knowing that it would give me another chance to speak to the girl, and more importantly to recover the honour lost by the doctor lying to her in the first place. That doctor represented precisely what it was that drove me to try to become a doctor- to ensure fewer people end up with doctors like him, lest the same thing happen to them that happened to me.

Flashback

I was in the car with mommy and daddy. We were driving on a vacation the first trip we had done in a long time because my daddy was always away because of work. It was very sad, but mommy tells me that he does it because he loves us, and he does it for us. She says it is just as sad for him, but he does it for us so that she and I may be able to live as good as we possibly can. That makes me proud to say he is my daddy, because he works hard for mommy and I.

Looking at the front of the car I give a big smile while looking at my parents, trying to show them that I love them, just as much as they love me. Then I remember, a truck appearing out of nowhere hitting the car right were mommy sat. I remember flipping over and flying when I past out.

When I had woken up, I couldn't remember anything at all. I'd forgotten everything. I panicked as I realized that I had no idea who I am. The doctors told me that I had lost my memories because I had hit my head. But they said it was just short-term. They told me that my mommy was dead, and my dad was hurt. But they said he should heal. I teared up, but it was not because of their injuries. It was because I had no idea who they were or what had happened. The thought of not knowing my parents was really scary. I tried to ask what had happened to my parents, why we were the way we were; but they just said get rest. I sat there restlessly, hopelessness sinking in my heart as I try to get some sense of direction, some sense of purpose to at least have some identity rather than just emptiness. The doctors had not even given me my name. Was it just I am not worth having one?

Later that night I could not sleep at all, so I wondered out my room, taking the stand that I was connected to with a needle to try and see if I can find anything out. As I step out, I hear the doctor from before talking, straining my ears I try to listen in, "-surprised that boy managed to recover. He should be dead. Anyone else would have been dead. A true miracle. But his mother was dead right away, and to be honest his father will very likely follow. I doubt he will ever regain his memories will ever come back. But at least this way he can start a new life without worrying about the old one. His brain was injured, which is why he will likely stay that way. It is frankly amazing that he will still be able to fully function with no other symptoms than loss of identity"

Now knowing what was wrong with me, I wished, so desperately wished, 'Please fix my brain. Let me remember so I know what is happening, please…PLEASE!' At that moment it time, rather than a thought it became and instinct. In that moment in all suddenly started to come back the trip, the accident and everything. As the memories flooded back in overwhelming tears come to me, breaking through with tsunami-force. 'MOMMY… DADDY! Come back to me please! Don't leave me! We were supposed to finally have some happy time together!'

- Over the following days, I was very distant and withdrawn from everyone and everything else. Just wishing to disappear and join my mother, and shortly father in death. But for some reason one doctor was telling me he would be okay. I desperately held on this slight hope, that somehow he could be right and my daddy at least could rejoin me.

In the hope he would be okay I decided to go visit his room. When I arrive, I grab his hand and wonder why this had to happen. Why it couldn't just be that we would all end up being okay and having a good time away when I hear it. Or lack of it. The heart monitor stopping. I knew to watch out for it. I knew what it meant. My shout of anguish and pain could probably have been heard throughout the entire floor. The doctors rush in, pushing me away, but I don't notice. I just feel pure sorrow and pain. They will not go away. And forever with me shall they stay.

End flashback

In the end, they had found out that my dad's life would have been saveable had they treated him properly. But the doctor who had been working on him had not done his job. And my dad had paid the price for it with his life. To this day, my mother telling me why my dad had to be away still haunts me. It his determination that drove me on.

After that day, I noticed the other people at the hospital and wondered if they would make it. Because they could not save my dad. After I found out the truth about my dad I decided to become a doctor to help other people avoid the same fate my family had. To honour the hard-work my dad put in for me, by extending that same courtesy to other people. His dedication to his family would become mine for all patients at hospitals. But that event had taught me one thing. Never again will I trust. The people I was counting on had failed, but not only that, they lied. This is why I despise people like this doctor-and I will do everything in my power to make sure people like him do not make other families meet the fate of mine. With a course of action set, I decide to call the girl to give her the good news.

I had just stepped in the door with Artemis when the phone rang, hoping desperately, I ran to answer whilst ignoring protests from Artemis. Picking it up, I practically shout in to it, "Hello?"

I hear a deep masculine voice reply, "Hello Tsukino-san, it is doctor Yoshinda's assistant, Chiba Mamoru. I am calling to tell your that the latest test on your brother show that he could wake up at any given time-"

I joyfully cut across him whilst letting out tears of joy, saying, "Really?! I am so happy to hear it! That my brother will be fine! I have been so worried about him! So the doctor was right about him getting better I knew-"

He gently cut across me saying, "He was lying to you before, Tsukino-san. He wanted to make you think it would be alright to "protect" you from the harsh reality of the truth. But your brother has had a massive turn around for some reason. I am truly sorry he is lying to you. A doctor did that to me after I woke up from my coma when I was young. They lied to me about my dying family. I will make sure that the matter is dealt with; because there is no room for people who cannot do their job properly in this field. He will be reprimanded, I swear it. The doctor who did that to me got a light scolding, but kept his job, as though trying to get another chance to do it. This will not end that way it happened for me.

Sympathy drips from my tone as I say, "I am so sorry to hear that Chiba-san! Please, do what you must to make sure that he is not able to keep doing that. I don't want people to have to deal with what you did, it is horrible. But thank you for the great news!"

I hear a deep, soft chuckle as he slowly answers, "Your brother will wake up soon , but if you provide some stimulation he could wake up sooner. Things like talking to him about familiar things and stuff like that. Don't be sorry though it is not your fault. I hope that you and your brother are able to have a happier end than I did. It is obvious how much you care for him; cherish your relationship with him. As I am sure this ordeal has taught you, life can take people away at any given time. So it is best to enjoy every second as though it is the last. You have a chance not all people get- a second chance. I hope you enjoy it. Please take care, Tsukino-san. I am glad I spoke with you. Goodbye."

With that he hungup. My heart is racing. But it is not from the news of my brother alone. Sometimes you share a moment with other people. Where your souls become a part of a larger whole. I connected to Chiba, and I am getting that same treacherous feeling in my gut- only this time I do not fight it.

Then as though struck by lightning, I burst back into action to go to the hospital. Ultimately to bring back Shingo.

AN: Well there you have it folks, a substantially longer chapter than my other ones. I hope you enjoyed it. Please excuse my horrible medical knowledge- A doctor I am not.

Next time, Black and Yellow are back. And I am not taking about bees!