MoonDragon: Happy Easter everyone! Mine wasn't special at all, but I hope your was! I ate lots of chocolate eggs with cream filling... I might not be able to make it to school tomorrow, ha ha. What's worse is that I have to read a book by Tuesday, take a quiz on it, and then answer some questions about it. Haven't even started, so I'm choosing Call of the Wild, because it looks like a short book. Wish me luck on that. And be sure to review!

Unspoken Memories

Chapter 13

"Something's wrong," Usagi whispered in confusion taking a few steps back, skeptical of what Luna was trying to pull. The teen braced herself by lifting her arms to be ready for a surprise attack. "This really isn't like you, Luna. I've been in here for at least five seconds and you haven't scolded me once! There's no yelling, no scratching, no threatening my life with boring speeches… are you OK?"

"Usagi—" Luna sighed, her left ear twitching from annoyance not able to get in a word before the teen continued in a rant.

"Maybe you're planning to assassinate me while I sleep! Or waiting until your anger is at its peak so you can unleash it all at once!" She gasped bringing her hands up to cover her open mouth. "Did you call Artemis so you can gang up on me? Did you, Luna? Did you call Artemis?! Fess up, feline!" The golden haired teen started pacing her apartment in a jittery speed walk as she thought out all of the possibilities that Luna could dish out.

By now Luna didn't even bother to get in a complete sentence; nothing she said would reach her princess in the state she was in. The cat merely closed her eyes trying to drown out Usagi's useless nonsense. 'It's like she thinks I'm going to create a black hole and throw her in it. Really, if she'd just let me say something…' Her thoughts were interrupted as Usagi plucked her from her position and shook her violently in the air.

"How long before the mutated legion of furry critters come to steal my soul?!" she sobbed, her imagination working overtime and twice as hard. Now, Luna had no idea how she got on the subject of mutated, cuddly ninja animals or how they gained the abilities to reap souls like death gods, and honestly she didn't want to know. Something told her that if she knew how this girl's mind operated it would blow a fuse in her own and she might never recover.

To stop her rampage, the cat racked her claws along Usagi's cheek. This action caused her to release Luna from her grip as she cupped her injured face, tiny, fake tears ready to fall. Landing nimbly on the floor, she grinned. 'My plan to escape succeeded. I'm a master at getting out of life-and-death situations. Someday I really should join the FBI; I'd probably be able to take it over in no time.'

"If you'd stop babbling for even just a few moments, then you'd know why I'm not scolding you!" her voice, holding the authority that Usagi only dreamed about possessing, brought the teen out of her frantic state into a calmer mood ready to listen. "I've known where you've been all along."

"But… I never called you, and you weren't at the battle, so you couldn't have-"

"There's a tracking device in your communicator," Luna explained, seeing the look of registration on her features. The feline let a tiny smirk decorate hers. "Artemis and I both knew that no matter how much you could've changed over the last two years you'd still get in trouble. That will never change, whether you're Serenity or Usagi. So I'm not going to scold you, or threaten your life with an animal army at my control, I'm just telling you to be more careful and don't let it happen again. We were so worried… We just got you back; we can't afford to lose you again."

Usagi smiled gently, plucking Luna yet again and hugging her frame to hers. "Thanks for caring about me, Luna. I didn't mean to make you and Artemis wonder what happened or where I was, so I'm glad you knew all along. I'll be more alert on the field, I promise."

'Geez, this girl can change moods so quickly, its exhausting trying to keep up with her. There's never a dull moment by her side, though, that's for sure.'

Usagi retreated into her room saying she felt grimy because parts of her attire haven't been cleaned in over two days, leaving the feline to herself again. She softly padded over the floor and leaped back onto the couch feeling quite relieved at the site of the teen again. Sure, she knew where she was located, but actually seeing her healthy and energetic, compared to the picture of her injured and wounded, the way she imagined finding her, greatly took the strain off her nerves. Luna stretched out on her back getting comfortable thinking back to their meeting.

'She's so silly. Her imagination is so wild it's hard to believe she's 16.' Her eyes took on a nostalgic gloss realizing something. 'Usagi isn't… exactly the same as Princess Serenity. The princess would never act out of position around others, except for the senshi, Artemis, and I. During those few moments when no one in the court was watching her, it still seemed like she was hesitant to act like her true self.'

With hearing superior to that of a human's she could detect the faint noise of clothes being changed from Usagi's room. She sighed curling up into herself.

'Even though Usagi is a mirror image of Serenity they're still so different. The princess was a refined woman, despite her age, and held the grace of nobility. Usagi is like that, but she's much more comfortable being herself. She's not afraid to act immature and let loose, having fun. They're two sides of the same coin; the same, but different.'

"All right, I'm so ready!" Usagi announced rushing out her bedroom door. Her voice startled Luna as she reentered the living room in a new outfit.

"Ready for what?"

"To go shopping, of course! With everything that's happened I need to go out and have some fun. I'll pick up some paints and paper before I get back, too." Usagi opened a drawer which contained a very slim wallet protecting one of her parent's credit cards. Placing it in her back pocket she headed towards the door.

"What would you need those things for?" Luna inquired jumping onto the floor seeing her out.

"From now on, you and Artemis are in charge of finding out Nokemono's identities, so I'm going to paint a picture of them in their senshi forms. That way you'll have something to look out for; like hair and height." The feline let out a short laugh and Usagi's brow narrowed. "Is that laugh supposed to mean something?"

"I've seen your drawing skills; they're not very good." The teen laughed proudly, straightening her posture and lifting her chin up like a businessman would do in a meeting to look superior with a smile.

"These past two years have done wonders for my art skills! You shall be baffled and amazed with my newfound abilities! And with that, I proudly take my leave into the wondrous world of shopping!" The door fell shut behind her from her departure and Luna let a small smile cross her lips.

'Never a dull moment; just wind her up and watch her go.'

ooOoo

Usagi made her way down the shopping district, both hands currently making use of their gripping actions as they kept the bags from the ground. This was just the thing she needed after the whole youma incident, pink haired child problem, and the Mamoru ordeal and it did wonders taking her mind off of things. It was good to be laid back every now and then. With a bright smile she hummed her way down the sidewalk feeling like she was a 14 year old again.

Many teens were passing her by, but Usagi couldn't recall any of them. She was sure most went to her school, but names and faces escaped her. She hadn't really socialized with anybody once she entered high school. Suddenly she wondered how Naru, her long time old best friend, was doing. Somehow in their last year of middle school they just drifted apart. They never had classes together once they moved on to 9th grade so gradually they lost their friendship. It brought a bit of sadness to her, but didn't let it get her down. Maybe later she could give the girl a call to see how she was fairing.

"What? No way, I can't believe that!" an oh-so-familiar voice broke through the streets. The golden haired teen spotted a tall girl, hair up in a ponytail, with chocolate locks.

Usagi stopped right where she was, and even though someone ran into her from the sudden halt and angrily passed her by mumbling an insult, she could barely register that it happened. The strength in her arms gave way and her bags almost fell before she caught them with her fingertips. In her vision, everything, people and environment alike, went white and all sounds, except for four voices, disappeared into the sky as if they had been sucked into another dimension.

"Yeah, then my grandpa chased the girl down the street with a camera; that sleazy look in his eyes. By the time the woman realized she was being stalked by an old guy she screamed so loud that I was sure the entire city could hear her. Probably 10 minutes after I saw him skipping out of the temple after her, he was brought back by the police. I was so embarrassed, I mean, he's got to learn to show some restraint!" a raven haired beauty ranted, apparently retelling a story that happened earlier the same day. The blond one at her side giggled with a white cat trailing beside her.

"Oh, let him have his fun, Rei. Can't you feel the love in the air? I can probably reach out and grasp it right now! She could've been his soul mate!"

"I'm pretty sure that a 70 year old man and a young lady don't quite mix," the aqua haired teen said, trying to mask the giggled escaping her throat.

"Careful, you might end up with a grandma-in-law soon with the way he goes after them," the brunette joked nudging Rei in the arm with her elbow. The raven haired girl let out a sigh, smiling.

"Yeah, and she's going to be younger than me!" she laughed causing an eruption of giggles from her friends walking along beside her. Usagi watched them and grinned herself, knowing just how goofy the priestess's grandfather was.

Still feeling like 8th grader she was prepared to run up and join them… and then remembered they had no idea who she was. She stood her ground, still oblivious to everything around her. Her heart beat sped up a bit as they got closer. Usagi had the feeling in her nerves that her old friends would do what they did whenever she passed them by after the final battle with the Dark Kingdom. They would pause, turn her way, shake their heads thinking that they couldn't know her, and continue on their way. At least do something to acknowledge that she was alive and showed they still cared. But that didn't happen.

They walled straight pass her; without as much as a single glance.

In that moment, when they crossed paths so that the former senshi were behind her now, her heart beat didn't echo like she figured it would. That familiar tempo in her chest felt numb and heavy. Usagi could literary feel it being pulled down by an invisible thread into her stomach. No, it didn't make a sound; instead it was like it ceased working. Now she couldn't hear anything; not the birds, not the random strangers passing her, not the girls talking about Rei's love-struck grandpa, not her heart… anything.

Before she knew it she was sitting on a bench placed along the streets for those who got tired of walking and needed to rest. The golden haired young woman couldn't even remember moving her feet or how she got there, but there she was sitting, her bags carelessly placed on the ground. One of them had fallen and the contents of a new shirt slipped form the package, and unlike usual if that happened Usagi did nothing to pick them up. Dirt and bacteria seemed so insignificant right now.

Her eyes lost the sparkle which seemed to always be there shinning mischievously and with glee. Now they were hollow as her lids half-eclipsed them so that no light could shine on them. Even though the sun was high and there wasn't a cloud to block its rays, the light didn't reflect in her orbs. They didn't shine with tears… not yet, at least. They actually felt so dry that it wouldn't take her by surprise if they transformed into miniature deserts.

She wasn't prepared for this. No, there was no way she was. In her mind she thought she was, but during the real thing, this wasn't what she imagined. Usagi at least expected a glance or a smile, but they had strolled by as if she weren't even alive. Like she was a ghost that nobody could witness no matter how many times they tried to see her form. Now, to them as they were left with partial amnesia, she was no different than all of those nameless people who they passed as well. She held no special meaning to them in the slightest.

It hurt.

Usagi was sure it hurt a lot more than what she was feeling, but it was so extreme that it left her numb and lifeless. Now her eyes started to water, but she couldn't let them fall, no matter what. She was in public and it would surly alarm others to see a girl crying on a bench by herself. No, she didn't need to grab their attention. If it was anybody's attention she wanted it was the former senshi's.

She was tougher, stronger, than she used to be. Usagi had cried enough for a lifetime in this week alone, so she desperately wished someone out there would grant the girl a miracle to keep her under control. This would not break her. No, she couldn't let it. If this little ordeal did, then she'd be tempted to head back to her apartment and return the roses which she had stolen to them. Usagi had to stay firm and not show any emotion.

She transferred her thoughts to what her past life, Princess Serenity, would've done. She'd be able to hide even the slightest discomfort because that was how she was raised. To behave calmly even if there's a storm brewing inside and your sanity is on the brink of collapsing. Usagi had to act like her; to somehow steal her collect manner and ability to hide inside a shell of false emotions.

Two tears rolled down the curve of her cheek landing in her hands which rested on her lap. 'Who am I trying to kid? Me and her… we're two different people. Our soul might be the same, but we were raised under completely different circumstances. We can both do certain things that the other can't, and being able to hide how you feel is something that she can do. It's something I can't.'

"Usagi?" a voice called out, and it did reach her. Gradually the sounds and noises that others were making around her came back and she was pulled back into reality. Artemis must've sneaked away from Minako when she wasn't looking and came to her. "I've been calling your name for a while… are you OK?" His voice was quiet, barely a whisper, so she had to strain to hear it. Any louder and the people who were walking by might've been able to know he was a talking cat.

"Yeah… I'm fine, I will be… oh, Artemis!" she sobbed not able to hold back the tears anymore. Bottling up her emotions wasn't something the teen was accustomed to, so in a situation where she shouldn't cry, it was hard not to let them fall. It was a miracle she made it this far keeping it together.

The white feline with the golden moon mark placed in the center of his forehead jumped into her lap and placed two paws on her chest for balance to stand up awkwardly. "It'll be all right, Usagi. Just give it some time. I know it's pointless to tell you that you can give them their memories back because I know you won't do it. For now, you've got to do your best and solve this Nokemono thing."

"I know that. It's just… I didn't realize it would be this painful, to actually experience and see with my own eyes how they can pass by me without so much as a look. I'd even except a glare… just something to let me know that I matter and I'm right here…" The tears came down harder. The eyes which were once hollow and dry now glistened with tears to come and had enough moisture to fill an ocean. Artemis licked several tears away and nuzzled her chin comfortingly trying to ease some of her suffering.

Even though she was crying with sincere emotions and from the depths of her lonely heart, no one in the streets stood aside to ask her what was wrong. No, they were all too busy with their own schedules and what they had to accomplish today. They wouldn't stop for her because none of them were friends. None of them contained the friendship that she had with Rei, Minako, Makoto, and Ami. So she was surprised when a different voice she had never heard of called out to her.

"Are you alright?" The voice was soft, gentle, with a hint of feminine quality. When she looked up Usagi expected to see a female, but by looks alone it must've been a boy. He had short, sandy hair with a white, button-up shirt and a red coat lazily draped over his shoulder; his right hand keeping it in place. He brought his pointer finger to her face and cleared away a tear that was rolling down. Then the stranger retracted his hand as if he had gone near fire. Just went in long enough to erase the liquid and spend as little time as possible touching her.

Usagi looked downwards and Artemis mewed, curling up into her lap, playing the kitty disguise. Her eyes were hidden by her golden bangs making it difficult to notice them. She took a deep breath, wiped her face to remove any signs of tears, and looked upwards as a new person.

"Of course! I'm fine, really!" she said with a bright smile throwing in a giggle. "It's just my… allergies, yeah. My eyes just started tearing up and it got so bad that I was crying. Nothing's wrong, seriously!"

No, she couldn't hide emotions as expertly as Serenity could, but she could act a little. Crying for that short amount of time would hold her over until she could get in a secluded place and finish her sobbing. Usagi didn't want to bother anyone with her gloomy story, especially someone kind enough to approach a stranger and inquire them what was wrong.

Despite her act, with mediocre lying skills, this man sat beside her on the bench and studied her. Usagi's smiled widened to show that there really was nothing wrong. Everything was A-OK; at least, she could pretend it was.

"Is that so," he said skeptically. "Well, even if you're fine, you still look rather sad. I was just going to get some ice-cream before heading to my friend's performance in the park. Do you want to tag along; I'll pay."

Usagi blushed thinking this man was trying to pick her up. Of course, he didn't stand a chance because Mamoru was her one and only true love. Nothing in the entire world could ever change that. No matter how handsome this guy's appearance was. But a sweet snack sounded very good at the moment, and it wasn't like this would be a date. Just a guy trying to make a girl feel better. Taking up the offer seemed like a good idea. Besides, who was she to turn down a free treat?

"If that's fine with you," she said and the person next to her smiled. Looking at that smile, Usagi felt kind of odd. No, it wasn't the butterflies in the stomach and hyper feeling. It was awkward, like this smile was forced and didn't want to be there.

"The store is still pretty new, I've wanted to check it out with my friend, but she's been really busy lately." Hearing the words 'girl' and 'friend' she used her womanly intuition and supposed they were dating, or that he liked her. That made her feel less guilty about going with him and it felt less like cheating on Mamoru. He stood up from the bench and started walking expecting Usagi to follow. "Let's go." When she caught up she introduced herself. Artemis tagged along as well.

"My name is Tsukino Usagi, what's yours?"

"Tenoh Haruka."