Chapter 2: Challenging the Order

"Mamo-chan!" Usagi cried happily, running towards him and jumping into his arms.

"Usako!" he cried in surprise as he was suddenly carrying her weight. He set her down softly, "What happened yesterday, Usa? We were supposed to meet up, remember?"

He watched as fear flashed in her eyes, but it was gone before Mamoru had correctly registered it, instead only guilt remained.

She laughed unsteadily "Uh…I forgot, Mamo-chan! Gomen!"

They were supposed to have gone to the park yesterday, since Usagi had felt it had been too long since they had gone to the place they considered their safe haven. Instead, Mamoru had been left waiting around at the park for almost two hours before he had given up and gone home to finish some of his leftover casework. He had missed her the day before, wishing she had shown up. She always unwound him when he was with her- and it felt like ages since the two of them had been alone together- when in truth it had been about a week.

As they walked down her house street arm in arm, he looked down at her, his eyebrows furrowed in worry. He noticed that her eyes were unfocused, gazing off dazedly. It was obvious to him that she had been lying to him when she had said she had forgotten. He had known for a fact that she remembered because the day before she had been gushing about it constantly. He knew she lied to him a lot nowadays. And he couldn't bear it. He couldn't bear not knowing why. But he wasn't the only one she was hurting. He looked down again, her eyes hollowly gazed ahead and he could see the circles under her eyes, the sallow skin around her eyes. She wasn't sleeping either. Then as she shifted unsteadily towards him, he suddenly remembered her weight when she had thrown herself into his arms. She weighed almost half of what she should, of what he remembered her weighing. And he should know, he saved her life from oncoming attacks as a normal routine.

Mamoru's worry for her was overcoming him, but every time he brought it up, she'd run away or change the topic. Like the last time she had "forgotten" their plans, he had confronted her about it. She had literally gotten up and ran away, because she had suddenly remembered she had a project due the next day. It had been a vain attempt to distract him- and it had worked at the time. But now he knew, from the incessant times she broke their plans, to how hollow she seemed that there was something she was hiding, and he wanted to know what it was.

His arm tightened around her reflexively as he thought of what it might be that was taking her away from him. But he pushed it from his mind, knowing if it was something really bad, she would have told him. He kissed her forehead from the side, rubbing her side. He needed to feel her closeness. To remind himself that she was still there with him- even if she wasn't completely mentally.

She smiled happily at his kiss, and kissed him full on the lips as they came to the corner, her eyes crinkling in true happiness, "I love you, Mamo-chan"

"And I love you, Usako," he said without a pause, holding her to him tightly. She laughed giddily and began pulling him down the street, exclaiming about the new sweets shop that had opened downtown. He grinned as he continued on, his worry dissipating, how could there be something wrong if his Usako was this happy? They moved down the street, unaware of the narrowed eyes watching from the above window.

Scott's lip curled in distaste as the girl kissed the man, leaning on her toes so she could reach him. She fluttered happily, pulling the laughing man behind her as they ran down the street. His eyes narrowed as they disappeared from his view, his hand clenching tightly. She was his! Seeing her smile at Mamoru made him realize what he didn't have, and what he could never take by force. She loved Mamoru, truly and freely. But it didn't matter. It wouldn't stop him from having her- especially if Mamoru wasn't there anymore. And he would make sure Mamoru wouldn't be there, and that no one could stop him from having her. He envisioned what he'd do to her the next time he had her pinned beneath him. He'd really make her squeal for going to him. He'd make sure she knew who was in charge, and who would always remain in charge. Then he'd make sure she never even mentioned Mamoru's name in fear of what he would do. He wanted her all to himself.

Hand in hand with Mamoru, Usagi wandered the path. She had remained bright and giddy for the last few hours while they shopped around, but the second she hadn't needed to keep it up, she had dropped the act. So now she was lost in thought as he chattered away about something from work. She had missed him yesterday, or technically, she had been forced to remain home since everyone had been out. Thus, Scott had taken advantage of their "time alone." Mamoru grinned down at her as he continued his story and she nodded at the right intervals, gazing up at him lovingly. Her grip around his hand tightened instinctively as the wind ruffled her hair angrily. She was scared of everything that moved nowadays- of course wind wouldn't be an exception.

She sighed deeply, she could never tell him. She didn't even know how he would take it. She was tainted and he probably wouldn't want her after all that had happened. But she couldn't bear life without him. He was the thing that kept her going. The one thing that was going well for her regardless of how the rest of her life was falling apart.

Thinking of the incessant troubles they had been through together, her mind wandered to the time they had broken up for that short period of time way back when. But since then, their love never wavered. He never again left her side after that. Chibi-Usa remained with them, wanting to experience Tokyo with Usagi and Mamoru, her "step-in" parents, and they loved her like any couple would love their daughter. Which all worked out because they were really her parents anyway. However, once Mamoru found out what she had done- no, what she was doing, he'd be heartbroken. And it'd be completely her fault. She was the one who hadn't done anything about it. The one who let Scott do it all the time. Despite the lives on the line, she should have been able to stop him. She was Sailor Moon, for god's sake! If she couldn't even fight off a mortal man, why would Mamoru want her- and especially not after her body was spoiled by Scott.

And who knew what Scott would do. He'd already marred her body and mind, and she had some idea of what else he was capable of. He had constantly threatened Shingo and Chibi-Usa's lives for her silence, saying if she ever opened her mouth about what was happening, their throats would be cut while they slept. And she didn't doubt he would do it. He had already destroyed so much of her life, she wouldn't give up any more of it. Especially not Chibi-Usa or Shingo. They were the main reason she let him do what he did- because if she didn't…Shingo and Chibi-Usa would be the ones to pay.

Three hours later, the couple meandered their way back to the house, tired from the exciting day they had had. Just being in his presence as they had shopped around had put a smile on her face- till they got back. "I'll see you later, Usako," Mamoru said, kissing her goodbye as he got to the gate. She knew he didn't dare step past it, since her father was probably already inside, watching from the windows to make sure he didn't do anything more than kiss Usagi. Hah. Like he should have any reason to fear Mamoru's intentions when the man who took her whenever he desired lived within the house itself.

"Good night, Mamo-chan," she whispered, brushing his hair from his eyes tenderly, "I love you"

"Love you too," he said, kissing her once more, and let her hand go, "Night"

Usagi turned drearily to the house once again, entering slowly. She wanted to go back out to Mamoru and stay away with him, forever and always. But instead, she called out a greeting to the full house, receiving a few replies. She trudged to her room, passing by Chibi-Usa's, wanting to remind her that Mamoru would pick her up tomorrow when she came to a fearful stop- Scott was in the room! Her heart sped in fear, almost driving her to push open the door and tell Scott to stay the hell away from Chibi-Usa. But she forced herself to stop. Scott had never displayed any interest in Chibi-Usa, and had said he wouldn't harm her- if Usagi didn't do anything to piss him off anyway.

"You spend a lot of time with the two of them, don't you?" she heard him ask Chibi-Usa, using his slick voice

"Yep, lots. Mamo-chan is like my dad," Chibi-Usa said brightly, obviously feeling nothing wrong about the situation

"And they don't seem at odds to you?"

"Not at all. They balance each other out. They're perfect for each other," Chibi-Usa stated simply, no doubt in her voice at all

Usagi pushed open the door, "Chibi-Usa! Mamo-chan wanted me to remind-" and was forced to stop when she faced Scott brushing Chibi-Usa's pink locks carefully.

"Oh, hey there, Usagi," Scott said, turning to face her paled face, "We were just talking about you"

"What did Mamo-chan want you to tell me?" Chibi-Usa shrieked, turning to look at Usagi with an annoyed look on her face, as if she knew Usagi had overheard what Chibi-Usa had said about Usagi and Mamoru. Chibi-Usa never went easy on Usagi when Usagi was around, maybe it was their sort of relationship, but if ever someone insulted Usagi, Chibi-Usa would jump to her defense.

"Um…" Usagi said, gazing fearfully at Scott, whose hands were poised directly by Chibi-Usa's neck, hovering dangerously, "He'll be picking you up tomorrow"

"Right, right," Chibi-Usa said, her eyes brightening as she got up, "I'll go call and say good night to him!" She ran out of the room quickly, almost running Usagi down in her excitement.

"Excitable kid, that one is," Scott said, nodding in the direction of the exit, a smile on his face

"You leave her alone," Usagi hissed, "Don't even touch a hair on her head"

He smirked at her, "I was just wondering what I could scare you into doing if I did harm her"

Her eyes narrowed, "Don't you even dare-"

"I forbid you from seeing him again," he said, cutting off her reply, and drowning her other words with it.

"What?" she asked, not believing her ears

"You are not to see Chiba Mamoru any longer," he repeated simply, as if only stating a fact

Her fists clenched together, automatic bile rising to her throat at the idea. Anger flared through her. He was going to take away the best thing in her life? She couldn't- she wouldn't let him. "NO! I love Mamoru, and I will never give him up, never!"

"You seem to forget the lives on the line," he said coldly, gripping the brush in his hand tightly till they heard the cracking. She deflated, images of Shingo and Chibi-Usa rushing before her eyes.

"That's what I thought," he said, his voice still cold, leaking the control he had over her, "Now, next time he comes, you'll-" Her hand rose on its own accord, and flew to slap him. He went careening backwards from the force, knocking into the dresser behind him.

Her hand clasped her mouth in horror

"Scott, I didn't mean to, really, please-"

He straightened, his eyes smoldering angrily, "We really need to teach you some manners, Bunny"

"It was an accident, I-" she attempted again, blurting out whatever came to her head. Her heart was beating furiously in fear. The last time she had raised a hand against him, he had almost poisoned Shingo's food, and only her begging had caused him to stop.

"Swear you'll never see Mamoru again," he whispered in a deathly low voice. She hesitated, and before she knew it, he was sweeping past her.

"No!" she cried, whirling around to face the exit, "Don't hurt them!"

"We'll just have to find a way to change your mind, that's all," he said, not looking at her, "It'll be a nice exercise for you too." He left the room, and she distantly heard the front door slam shut.

Usagi collapsed on the bed. What had she done? He was enraged, and he'd be back to make her pay- sooner rather than later. She had to get them all out of the way of trouble; he'd be back before they knew it and who knew what he'd do then. Her parents were decidedly safe, she knew, since Scott had no intention of hurting the ones who ensured him the room. But both Shingo and Chibi-Usa were in immediate danger. Chibi-Usa she could easily get out by spending a night with one of the girls, but Shingo would never accompany them since he thought they were all girly-girls and would give him a makeover or something crazy. An idea slowly formed in her mind, and she quickly set out to getting it done.

She approached Shingo, who was holed up in his room playing his video game and exclaimed how the video game was quickly becoming his girlfriend with the amount of time he spent with it. Shingo waved her away, telling her to leave him alone. She frowned, "Shingo, I'm getting worried about you. You spend way too much time on that thing."

He barely glanced up as he continued to play, "I like playing it"

"Hm. Then I wonder what Misa would think," she muttered, knowing she needed to pull out the big guns. "She probably doesn't want a boy who holes himself up in his room all day to play games. She probably likes the type who hangs out with his friends on nights off- a popular kid." He immediately drew away from it, his eyes assessing himself.

"I am popular…" he mumbled, almost to himself

"Really?" she asked innocently, "Doesn't seem like it." He scowled at her.

"Baka Usagi, doesn't know what she's talking about…I think I'll go hang out with Ren-chan," he muttered under his breath sourly, "He'll probably be eager for me to sleep over." She smiled slightly, she wished her life was as effortless as that. To not have to worry about those you loved on a daily basis…

With Shingo out of the house, she got started on getting herself and Chibi-Usa out, something that wouldn't take too much effort tonight, what with Scott not within the vicinity. Otherwise, he would just glare at one of the kids till she gave up her plans of leaving for the night. He didn't like her leaving at night- because then he couldn't have his way with her.

**

Rei sat in front of the fire, her mind difficult to put back into place. Before Usagi had called, she had been meditating. There was something coming, she could feel it with her hands. Darkness was brewing once again in the reaches of the galaxy, but she couldn't see what it was. She hadn't been this unsure about what was happening since the announcement of the Silence. Except this feeling had been going on for longer, bordering two months now.

At random intervals, Rei would experience dreams reminding her of the silence- except they weren't the same. In the silence, everyone had turned to stone and shriveled away. In her recent dreams, all there was was darkness- except for a figure clothed in dark cloth, somehow exuding bright light. However, whenever Rei tried to approach it, the figure would fade away into the darkness, leaving nothing to light the area.

Her mind turned back over to Usagi. Her tone had been shaky as she spoke quickly and quietly, urging Rei to let her and Chibi-Usa sleep over. Sure, Usagi came over every once in a while and they hung out, but for her to instigate a sleepover, it was going overboard. Something had prompted this. But then again, Usagi had been distracted for the past few months. Her mind never seemed on the topic at hand much anymore, not that it had in the past- but she made an effort to appear into what they did, something she hadn't even bothered to try previously. Now that Rei thought about it, Usagi had started wigging out at about the same time that her dreams had started. Was there a connection?

Her hollowed eyes were the absolute biggest change that had come about Usagi in the past few months. Rei had always known Usagi to have the most beautiful, love-filled eyes…but recently, they were so…empty. She tried to hide it however, but how could she? Especially not when she'd gaze off into the distance, seeing something horrible that she refused to share with the other Senshi. It had to do something to do with the dreams- there was no other explanation. Things with Mamoru were going well- Rei had made a point of asking him a few days ago, so Usagi had no other normal reason to be so…empty.

"Great Fire," Rei chanted, raising her hands to the fire imploringly, "Bringer of destruction, bringer of life" it rose, flickering excitedly at her words, "Show me what you see!" She poured her power into the fire, her eyes closed as she stoked the Great Fire with her spirit. Her eyes flew open as the fire flashed dangerously as darkness began seeping in from the outside, surrounding her and the fire, attempting to smother them both. She gasped, trying to keep the fire going as the darkness encircled the area. It floated around her, coating the vicinity with coldness- more than the Great Fire could hold back. But she refused to let it stifle the fire, and her spirit roared in defiance to the darkness.

"Show me!" she commanded, her hair flying behind her as her ponytail snapped loose, "Your servant begs of you!" and her hands rose higher as she pushed her aura forward.

A figure of pure light walked among the darkened streets, hurrying past figures of darkness. It passed the vision of the fire and Usagi's visual flashed past. Usagi's image glanced back, her eyes full of worry. "Show me!" Rei commanded once more and the fire roared angrily and Rei fell forward, almost face front into the fire, and straight into the deep blue pools of sorrow. Cries rose around her, cries of agony as darkness blew out from the fire.

"USAGI!" she cried out, "SHOW ME USAGI!"

And the fire did. It showed her the figure smothered under one of darkness, silent tears coursing down the girl's face as the figure above her turned to face her, an easily read leer on his face. The girl screamed in agony, her cries sounding louder than anything Rei had ever heard, causing Rei's heart to writhe in agony. Rei struggled to hold the fire up, tears streaking down her face as Usagi was ripped of her innocence. The figure turned to look towards where Rei held the fire, looking straight into her eyes. Her breathing increased as she attempted to bring light to the figure's face. Rei gripped her hands tightly, "SHOW ME!" The darkness flickered for an instant, the face flashing before the fire. But the second it saw the abuser's face, it snapped out as if its life had been smothered. But not before she saw the twisted face of pleasure and- and pure evil.

Rei screamed in agony as it became clear to her what she had just seen, her hair flying as the wind rushed around her, whipping around in clear distress around the Shinto Priestess. Usagi- Usagi had been raped by her cousin. Rei's mind refused to work farther than those words, agony rushing through her as she realized she had failed to protect her Princess- and her best friend.

She was sitting blankly in front of it, rocking back and forth when Usagi and Chibi-Usa appeared. She heard her grandfather intercept them, and begin enticing the both of them with tea and biscuits and promises of stories.

She turned to look at Usagi, whose hair was billowing around her crazily. Her hands clasped themselves as she looked out over the city, worry clear in her eyes.

"Usagi," Rei barely whispered, not even facing her anymore, but the girl turned, her eyes immediately scoping out what had been said and where, "Come here"

Usagi entered the meditation room and immediately the embers within the dead fire smoldered heatedly, realizing its focus was close. "Hey, Rei, what's up," Usagi asked as she sat down beside Rei, her eyes furrowing as she took in the dead fire.

"My fire died," Rei whispered

Usagi turned anxiously to Rei, "Is it a new enemy? What's going on?"

"I think I should be asking you that question, Usagi," Rei said, her eyes turning to Usagi, "What's going on?"

Usagi's eyes shifted slightly before they returned to Rei's, "What are you talking about? What could be going on?" The tone of her voice was shaky as she struggled to hold the emotion from her voice. Rei gazed back wearily, her information heavy eyes meeting Usagi's with no hesitation. Usagi must have known she knew- otherwise she wouldn't have been looking like a cat caught in the headlights.

"Why have you been hiding this from us?" Rei said, her knuckles gripping tightly as Usagi shifted in her place, as if getting ready to run.

Usagi laughed uncertainly, "I have no idea what you're talking about, Rei. I'm not hiding anything- you know me, straight-forward, ditzy Usagi," she gave another half-hearted laugh, her eyes darting to the door she had entered from. "I- uh, I forgot to tell Chibi-Usa to take it easy on the sweets before…" She rose and nearly dashed for the door. The door slammed shut on Rei's command, her anger manifesting itself into supernatural prowess.

"Sit down, Usagi," Rei hissed, her eyes flashing and Usagi immediately turned, her eyes wide.

"Rei, I really have to go-"

"Sit. Down." It was the hardest command Rei had ever used on her and Usagi immediately faltered. She slid to the floor by the door, as if hoping it would magically open up and swallow her whole. She was silent, still not meeting Rei's eyes.

"How could you not tell us?" Rei said, trying to reign in her anger- but losing the battle within her.

"What do you know?" Usagi whispered, looking away from Rei, she brought her knees to her chest. She looked weaker than Rei had ever seen her and Rei grit her hands tightly, was this what she had been reduced to?

"He raped you," Rei whispered, her eyes turning back to the dead embers as her body shook in rage

"He did," she whispered shakily, "He does," a dry laugh bubbled to her lips, "Same difference." Usagi didn't look back at Rei, but the strength in her voice was completely gone. Rei could tell she was tired of holding it in, tired of lying to all of them. And Rei was thankful- now if she could use it to save Usagi.

"Why didn't you tell us? Why not Mamoru?"

Usagi remained silent for a little while, staring blankly at the embers, then finally continued, "He threatened Shingo and Chibi-Usa and said he'd kill anyone who found out what was going on" she whispered

"We're the Sailor Senshi, Usa," Rei said softly, "Mortal matters are no problem for us." She wanted nothing more than to curse something out- preferably the monster that had done this to her- but she couldn't. She pushed her anger down, knowing it wouldn't do anything for Usagi at the moment.

"He isn't…normal," she whispered, "I don't think I'd stand a chance against him even if I was transformed"

Rei shivered reflexively. "What is he?"

Usagi shrugged, "I don't know. He acts normal enough, but there's something about him that's more powerful- something that quells the crystal with no problem"

"We're going to call the girls and Mamoru and get them in on this," Rei said as she stood, "Too many things have been going on in secret"

"No!" Usagi cried, scrambling to her feet also, "I am not involving anyone else in this!"

"Usagi!" Rei cried, and Usagi immediately shook at the emotion in the voice, "We're not leaving you alone in this! We are going to protect our Princess, and our best friend from monsters and men alike!"

Usagi shook her head wildly, "Wait a bit! Everyone is still in easy contact with him, and once he hears people know, he'll start taking them out- and the kids will be the first ones to go!"

"Usagi-"

"No," Usagi said simply, "I am not putting their lives at risk- for anything. Not even my own protection. I'll be fine- but they won't be if you try to pull me out." Her voice was stubborn and Rei knew she had no choice but to accept Usagi's decision- nothing changed her mind when she set it on something.

Rei bowed her head, admitting her defeat. Or pretending to. From what she had seen surrounding Scott, he was capable of more than what was visible, and Shingo and Chibi-Usa were too close to the line of fire where they were. What she couldn't get was how Scott had escaped her constant scans of the people around Usagi. If there was something dark about him, her reading of him would have been off the charts- but there was nothing, just the normal mortal vibe. Things were not as they seemed, not at all.

The dominant idea on Rei's mind was- how hadn't she seen it. She was the Fire Senshi! She controlled the Great Fire- yet she hadn't been able to tell that- that bastard had hurt Usagi- was hurting Usagi. What else had she overlooked? Who else was in pain because of her lack of attention to what was occurring? They all depended on the Great Fire to ascertain that things were going fine in the world- how many others had she failed? Her faith in the Great Fire and her own abilities collapsed- she had failed her Princess!

They managed to stay off the topic for the remainder of the night as Chibi-Usa wandered back to them. And no one in their right mind would have thought about even mentioning it around her perked ears. She'd hear as much as she could, and then race right to danger to defend Usagi, effectively putting herself into even more danger than she had been in before. She was too alike Usagi in that way.

Rei lay awake long after snores from the Tsukinos surrounded the room, her mind going over possibilities. She couldn't leave Usagi to go back to that terror. It just wasn't an option. She knew what she had to do then, and hoped it would end simply at that. She rolled over, her mind drifting off as she imagined throttling the man that had hurt Usagi. He'd be scared shitless, she'd make sure of that, and Usagi would never have to worry again about her so-called cousin.


Hey, guys. Hope you liked the chapter. Things start picking up fast now that Rei knows, and look forward to showdowns extraordinaire. Tune in for the next chapter: Complications of Defiance

Once again, credit goes to sensationtransmutations79 for her awesome beta-ing!

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