MoonDragon: A month since the last update. I only got three reviews for the last chapter, so I thought I'd hold off writing until I got more. Sadly, the most I got was five. That's a disappointment. Then, one week after summer started I've been taking Driver's Ed. It's completely boring. If you don't have a friend in that class then it's torture, but since I've got two it barely passes bearable. June 25th is my final day of it, though, so yay! I already took my driving test for the school and I got 97 percent thank you very much. Can't wait to get on the road! Don't worry, I'll try not to kill people, jail doesn't catch my interest, surprisingly enough.

Be sure to review! I've always wanted 100!!

Unspoken Memories

Chapter 17

The arms that encased her were warm and soothing. She felt herself unconsciously nestling further into the comfort grabbing a fistful of dripping fabric that belonged to her carrier. They were like the arms of her mother, firm but gentle. It was a sensation that she missed since trying to find Sailor Moon and Nokemono. For a moment, she forgot the mission she set out to accomplish. Now, still hazy, a bit tipsy-minded, and soaked to the bone, not quite sure where she was or what was going on, she remembered her parents.

Maybe she was in her mom's arms. Safe and protected. Nothing else gave her such a peaceful feeling like this. There was another thing Chibiusa noticed as well. Breathing steadily through her nose she detected a scent similar to rose petals. It was the comfort of her mother and the fragrance of her father. Those two combined made her think she was back home, with them, being carried to her room because she fell asleep somewhere in the castle studying again. The memory created a familiar sense of longing making the little girl lonely and homesick.

"Mama… Papa…" she mumbled feeling tears well up under her closed lids. She missed them desperately, but the time to go home was far, far off. Suddenly, whoever was holding her seemed to slow down in their pace and responded.

"Hmm? Did you say something?" Hearing the young, feminine voice Chibiusa's eyes fluttered open and found herself gazing upwards at Usagi. The pink haired child felt slightly… disappointed it was her instead of her beloved mother. Still, the fact it was the teen cradling her made her heart quiver ever so lightly, in a pleasant way. It felt as though Usagi cared for her.

"No, nothing," she replied looking downfallen, gaze directed towards the ground. Now wasn't the time to be feeling homesick. There were too many things to do. Those emotions would just get in the way. "What happened?"

"Well… after the youma battle you went unconscious and fell into the water…" Her voice trailed off, and the memories flashed through the child's mind as if in a private slideshow for her viewing only. Debris spewed over the area. Her hands trembled in shock and horror at what she had done. Breaking out into a cold, unpleasant sweat that was uncontrollable…

She killed.

Chibiusa fell silent and didn't utter another sound. Usagi didn't push her to talk about it. Instead she supplied a worried look in her eyes as she ventured forward. Chibiusa had no idea where the destination was, but at the moment it didn't seem important.

Self-loathing welled up within her tiny body. If just killing a youma did this to her, how could she possibly hope to assassinate Nokemono? It was a creature that basically had no mind and was out to kill them no matter the cost. 'Even something like that makes me feel guilty? It's self protection, I shouldn't feel like this. It was to survive.'

Her true goal would be different. Defeating them would be different. Feel different. They probably have people who care about them, who would be distraught if they left this world for whatever lies on the other side. They also had thoughts… they were human. Killing them would no doubt be much, much worse on her mental state than a lowly little demon. It was the same difference as swatting a fly and brutally running over a dog. No doubt from what happened earlier that if she accomplished her mission it would leave her a hallow shell. The feeling would end up killing her too. She didn't think this through carefully enough…

"Chibiusa-chan?" She didn't budge, didn't look up, and didn't make any indication that she heard the teenager at all, but Usagi continued nonetheless. "I'll take you home, so tell me which way I go from here."

Usagi's carry-on mumbled something faintly and retreated further into her embrace.

"What did you say?"

"… I don't have a home… not here…"

ooOoo

The golden haired teen didn't truly understand the child's words but didn't mention anything about how strange it sounded. Maybe it meant she lived outside the city or something. Minako was like that at first since she moved in from England. They stayed at a hotel for a few days until they found somewhere they wanted to live. Chibiusa was probably in a similar situation.

Instead she adjusted her right arm moving the bags' straps hanging on her elbow to make it more comfortable to carry them and the girl at the same time. She had picked them up before setting off out of the park away from the battlefield. Usagi also plucked Chibiusa's drawings from the ground after finding them among the debris and placed them into her things.

"Does that mean you just moved here or something? You must be living somewhere temporarily then," she pushed for an answer.

The bundle in her arms remained quiet. Usagi sighed. 'Patience… patience… Oh, that's never been one of my strong points! Stay strong, Usagi, you can do it!'

"I'm just going to take you to my place then. Kidnap you until you're forced to talk! Hold you hostage and put lost posters up around the city making your parents come to me! You'll die of embarrassment that way! If you don't want that to happen then you better fess up where you live!" Her bright and cheery attitude didn't pull Chibiusa from the withdraw she was entering. In fact, it seemed to push her further away. A sad glint entered her red eyes making Usagi frown. That was the opposite reaction she was searching for.

"…" Chibiusa stayed quiet. That was when the teen wondered whether or not she was having family problems.

"So, my place it is then. I'll make some hot chocolate for us when we get there. I don't know about you, but I'm still shivering from being in that water!" She felt the child nod in her arms and Usagi silently rejoiced from getting a reaction.

'Hmm… I don't have any clothes in her size. The only thing I can do is give her a towel to dry off with. I wonder if Luna can do anything. Maybe she can make her some clothes magically like how she made my Moon Wand and all of those other things- Luna!' Usagi bit her lower lip in worry. If Chibiusa was coming back with her then the feline would need the heads up. She scanned ahead and noticed a bench where she could drop off Chibiusa while she made the call.

"Chibiusa-chan, I'm going to set you down for a second, okay? I need to make a phone call, it won't take long, really," she said unhooking her arms once they arrived at the deserted bench. The girl nodded in understanding and took the bags from Usagi relieving her burden. When the teen started to walk off Chibiusa tilted her head in confusion.

"… Where are you going? You said all you had to do was make a call," she questioned innocently yet quietly as if she hadn't spoken at all. Usagi couldn't suppress a smile hearing her voice. She seemed depressed when she woke up. It was good to know she was beginning to act normally now. Her voice was a little dreary, but it was a start to what it used to sound.

"It's private, I don't need you eavesdropping on me," she countered sticking her tongue out and throwing in a wink. Chibiusa merely rolled her eyes and gave her a look that said 'whatever'. Although, there wasn't much energy in the action as her eyes soon reverted to the ground. She was deep in thought.

Usagi walked a ways off while still keeping Chibiusa in her sight. Then, making sure she was somewhere where she wouldn't gain too much attention, she reached into her still damp pocket and pulled out her silver communicator with the golden heart decorating the top. A few beads of water dripped down its curve and she found herself once again hoping it was waterproof.

Opening the device up she used her finger to wipe most of the excess liquid off as best as she could. Then she selected the left button on the bottom and heard the ringing noise. Moments later the screen lit up and Luna's face appeared.

"Hey, Luna."

"Usagi-chan, how are you? Artemis is over at your apartment with me right now… he told me about what happened with the girls… Are you okay?" Usagi smiled warmly. Even though Luna could be the biggest nag out there she could still be so sweet and worried.

"It's fine now. Thanks… Wait! Artemis is over there? You two are there alone?! You better not be doing anything naughty, I sleep there you know!!" she shouted disbelievingly immensely enjoying the flabbergasted look the feline offered. It was just too amusing to tease the poor cat. It was when she couldn't help but laugh out loud that Luna realized she wasn't serious.

"Oh! Here I am worried and you just being… just being like that!"

"I love you too, Luna." Usagi said dramatically sweet making Luna sigh.

"What are you calling for? Is this youma related?"

"No… sort of… not really. More like the aftermath. Do you remember that pink haired girl I told you about earlier?"

"What?" Luna gave her an odd look. "You've never mentioned anything about someone like that. Are you talking about the people who support the cure for cancer? Really, Usagi-chan, these devices should be used in emergencies."

"Huh? No, wait, what?!" Usagi was floored and confused giving Luna the same look that the cat gave her. One that meant she didn't understand. "What are you talking about?"

"These groups of girls started dyeing their hair pink to support the cure for cancer, and a lot of people have been doing the same thing. They go to fund raisers and all of that kind of stuff. I'm shocked you don't know about it, most of them are teenagers like the ones in your school."

"No way, really?" Usagi asked in disbelief.

"Yes, really. How could you not notice?! No doubt you're sleeping in your classes still. Not paying attention to the things around you as always."

It was true. Usagi paid even less attention at school then she did two years ago. Running around cleaning up Nokemono's messes usually kept her up all night which meant she got her sleep during the day. At school. She didn't really have any friends there anymore since the Dark Kingdom incident so the latest gossip and fads always escaped her. She was now known as the girl with no friends who slept through class like the delinquent they all thought she'd turn out to be.

Usagi chanced a glance over at Chibiusa. More specifically she looked at her pink hair. 'So does that mean she supports the cure, too? Hmm… No, it looks natural. No coloring would be that perfect. Just a coincidence then.'

"Anyways, no that's not what this is about. Why would I call about something like that?! Listen, there's this girl with natural pink hair and I'm bringing her over to my apartment for a bit. I need you to not talk at all and just act like the cute, little kitty you are. Artemis, too. Are you sure I haven't mentioned her at all?!"

"Not a word."

Usagi blinked before coming to a realization. 'Oh, that's right. I didn't tell her about Chibiusa-chan yet, did I?'

"Well then, when she goes home I've got a ton to tell you about her! She's so confusing and mysterious and cute and powerful and kinda creepy but still fun to talk to and-"

"Usagi-chan, you're rambling," Luna said in a bored tone conveying that everything the teenager just said didn't reach her at all. Usagi blushed and giggled.

"Okay then. I'll just tell you more later; I don't want to keep her waiting forever. We're heading on over now, so be ready. When we get there I better not catch you and Artemis doing anything, young lady! Must I remind you that it's my apartment, not yours?!" The golden haired teen wagged her finger at the screen for emphasis.

"Bye!" Luna scoffed ending transmission. Usagi chuckled closing her communicator and placing it back in her pocket. At least now she knew it was waterproof.

"Chibiusa-chan, let's get going!" Usagi said walking back merrily. The child looked up at her still looking disappointed by something, but Usagi couldn't figure out just quite what it was. The teen frowned and started to poke the pink haired girl in the forehead repeatedly and bent down until they were eyelevel. "Hey, if you don't cheer up right now I'm taking back my offer of hot chocolate."

Chibiusa looked up at her and offered a weak smile that was obviously forced. Usagi sighed.

"Faking isn't going to cut it, you know…" She contemplated on what to do to cheer her up. When she was feeling down Rei was always there to argue with her, and surprisingly that made her a bit happier. Makoto would offer to bake something with her amazing kitchen skills. When thinking about how Minako went about getting her mood up she grinned and her eyes twinkled mischievously. "Are you ticklish?"

Chibiusa's eye grew wide as she instinctively backed up as far as the bench allowed her to. 'Perfect!' Usagi thought moving her fingers in the air as intimidation. In a flash they descended upon the small girl going in all of the common places where people were ticklish. Chibiusa was soon transformed into a giggling mess gasping for air weakly trying to fight off the older girl but to no avail.

Usagi was relentless with the assault and soon found out that her tummy was the most sensitive. When her fingers glided over it through the fabric it brought her over the edge with tears of joy stinging at her eyes. The attacker was laughing hard as well. Together they attracted the attention of many people passing by on the streets but everyone kept on walking by. Only after it truly seemed like Chibiusa would suffocate from lack of oxygen did she stop. It took a few moments for them to calm down together.

"So, feeling better?" Usagi asked grinning. Chibiusa nodded with a smile that came from the heart this time. "Great, so let's go!"

She reached down on the bench and clutched the bags with her left hand raising them up. This time they would be easier to carry since she could use her fingers to grip and not have them suspended by her elbow. While carrying Chibiusa it felt as if all of the blood stopped circulating through her arm because of it. When she looked at her arm she could still see some tiny indent indicating where the straps had been hanging from.

Usagi noticed Chibiusa stand up on her own and guessed she would be okay walking the rest of the way there. She had already carried her most of the way, so a tiny walk wouldn't be too much of a strain on her body. She was still just a tad worried that the child would be too weak still since she seemed completely drained after she crashed into the water.

A few steps on their journey to Usagi's apartment she felt something lightly clutch around her right hand. Raising her eyebrows up slightly, she gazed down and saw that Chibiusa had taken a hold of it. Chibiusa didn't meet Usagi's look of surprise because her head was tilted towards the ground again. Examining her, the teen found a spot of blush staining her cheeks and gently smiled a bit. Looking back ahead she gripped the tiny hand back and they walked the rest of the way in silence.

ooOoo

"Here we are. This is my place!" Usagi announced throwing open the door after having injected the key into the lock. Chibiusa waltzed in, hesitantly at first, and gazed around. From the way her mother talked about how Sailor Moon was like she didn't suspect that Usagi would have such a mature décor decorating her living area. In truth, she was expecting something akin to fluffy bunnies and pink walls. Still, the girl supposed this was just an apartment. Living here wouldn't be forever for Usagi.

On the couch she saw Luna and Artemis curled up looking, as suspected, unsuspicious. Carefully minding their own business. Artemis yawned and looked Chibiusa's way and gave a look any other cat would give to a stranger. Then he proceeded to stretch and yawn a bit before closing his eyes like a sleepy feline.

Luna, however, examined her like a studying a very easily messed up chemical equation trying to memorize it just right while still trying to act like a regular, unknowledgeable pet. She was failing. She still looked plenty intelligent. Artemis always was the better actor when it came to coming off as aloof. There was no doubt in Chibiusa's mind that the phone call Usagi made was to the two of them to keep them quiet upon their arrival.

"Well, if it isn't Luna! My normal, untalking cat who isn't suspicious in the slightest," Usagi laughed nervously walking over to the black feline and petting her head gently, if not a bit shakily. Chibiusa smirked watching Usagi try to act like there was nothing unusual about the two.

Luna audibly sighed and her ear flipped down a bit as if disappointed in the teen for her acting. Artemis still played his role of being lazy and pretending not to understand what it was that was said. Usagi gasped spotting the white cat, but it didn't seem she was shocked he was there.

"Luna, I thought I told you that you can't invite your boyfriend over when I'm not here!" Usagi exclaimed scolding the tiny cat. Luna's pink nose flared dangerously as she swept her paw across her master's face. A few seconds later there were three scratch marks there and Usagi whined out holding her newly injured cheek. "Do I have to put you outside?!"

She walked away grumbling about felines and their mood swings directing her path to the bathroom. Soon she emerged with two towels and handed one to the girl while drying herself off with the other. Then she headed to the kitchen and pulled out two coffee mugs.

"I'll get the hot chocolate ready," she said across the apartment raising her voice a bit so Chibiusa could hear. "You can sit down if you want; just make sure to sit on the towel."

The girl took her up on her offer after drying her hair out to the best of her ability. Neatly placing the white towel over the chair close to the couch she seated herself and examined Luna and Artemis. They stared back at her and an uncomfortable atmosphere coated the walls like paint.

'So this is what they looked like, huh?' she wondered to herself. She threw a quick glance at Usagi who moved her towel along her head trying to remove most of the water as the drinks were in the microwave.

'Hmm… Diana isn't born yet, is she? I wonder when they have her. Probably not for awhile. I miss that purple cat. She was a good friend. I wonder if I should've brought her along. She's probably worried about me. I can't even imagine how worried my parents are right now. I left a message, but it's not like I told them what I was doing. It just said I was going on a trip. Well, when I can go home it'll be like no time ever passed. I'll have Plu make sure of that.'

While in thought she was still mildly looking at both felines as they did their best not to stare and contemplate about who she could possibly be.

"Luna and Artemis look exactly the same…" she breathed under her breath not really aware she had said it aloud. The black cat's head shot up in a second before bobbing back down when Chibiusa sighed apparently too lost in thought to realize she muttered aloud.

"It's ready," Usagi announced in a sing-song voice carrying two steaming cups of chocolaty goodness. Chibiusa offered a small smile in exchange for the treat blowing on the brown liquid to cool it down. She took a sip and relished in the flavor and was surprised it was so delicious.

"Wow, this is good!" she exclaimed taking in another mouthful careful not to burn the insides of her mouth. Usagi grinned.

"Thanks, Motoki-oniisan taught me the special trick in making it right. There's an upside to knowing a guy who works in an arcade who making this stuff," she giggled sipping. Usagi didn't blow on it enough though and it burned the tip of her tongue. She winced but seemed to quietly decide to not make a big deal of it. Unlike how she would normally act which included small amounts of complaining.

A shadow overcastted her eyes and Chibiusa wondered what was up.

"Is something wrong?" she inquired. Usagi sighed bringing the cup to her lap.

"I didn't want to say anything since you just woke up and stuff, but, Chibiusa-chan, we need to talk about what happened at the park."