A/N: As always, I thank everyone who has read, reviewed or favorited! It means the world to me, and I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to read my work. Half of this chapter had originally been slated for the previous chapter, but it would have just dragged on. I figured it would make for a better flow to split them up. I had planned on releasing this within a week of chapter two, but writing Mamo-chan's POV gave me a lot of trouble. In any case, I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: Sailor Moon is property of Naoko Takeuchi and Toei Animation.

VXIXV

'Mamo-chan, help me!'

The thought was jarring, urgent and almost painful to Mamoru. His brain felt like it was on fire, stopping him dead in his tracks. The rain continued to pour and he had a small sleeping child cradled in his arms. Despite the rain, she was snoring softy, clearing quite comfortable in his arms. Panic ensued in Mamoru, knowing that Usagi was in trouble while he had to protect Chibi-Usa. He had always known when Usagi was in trouble; it was hard wired into his brain from his first moment as Tuxedo Kamen. Even prior to knowing the true identity of Sailor Moon (though he had long speculated), his intuition had had always been quite poignant when it came to the one he loved. Gently he prodded the sleeping child.

Chibi-Usa stirred, opening one of her big red eyes and smiled. "Yes, Mamo-chan?"

Though every fiber in his body was urging him to run at top speed back towards Juban Municipal Park, he maintained his demeanor. "Chibi-Usa, you know the rest of the way back to my place, right?" He didn't want to alarm her, knowing that it would increase the likelihood of the girl releasing her energy.

The mob of pastel pink hair bobbed in the affirmative. "Of course I do," she boasted proudly, as if he had been testing her.

"Listen, I need you to be a good girl and head straight to my apartment. Don't stop for anyone and lock the door behind you," Mamoru urged. His voice was still calm, but he held Chibi-Usa's gaze firmly in his own, instilling her that she had to listen. He crouched down to the ground, released her, and stood back up, transfixed on the back.

"Oh I get it," Chibi-Usa said, somewhat annoyed. "That Baka-Usagi is in trouble and you want me to stay safe. She's so immature." Mamoru decided not to make an issue of her rudeness, his mind to preoccupied with the growing sense of urgency in the pit of his stomach. "I'll be alright; I have Luna-P with me. I promise, I'll go straight to your home," the pink-haired girl smiled and dashed off in the correct direction, no different than any other child. Mamoru watched as she ran out of sight, and when he felt assured that she was a safe distance away, he ran back towards the park.

His mind was racing and for what must have been the thousandth time, Mamoru felt the dreadful wave of guilt wash over him. He did love Usagi, truly. He would have gladly given his life for her safety, and had countless times in the past. It pained him to stay away from her, and every time she uttered his name, or any of his alias's, Mamoru felt his chest tighten and fist clench. In fact, it was harder to stay away from her than it was to just simply be near her. But he couldn't, for her own protection. 4

The dreams began abruptly, and escalated in intensity. Every night, when he would close his eyes, his mind's eye would create the ideal scene of their future wedding. Usagi was dressed head to toe in white, with small white flowers interwoven in her long golden hair. Mamoru himself wore a luxe lavender tuxedo and he would gaze lovingly at the young woman who was to become his wife. His heart swelled with love and pride as he admired the girlish blush that flushed across Usagi's cheeks. But in a single instant, his vision changed, and his bride was swallowed by the ground, and when he looked upon her, she was no longer just Usagi, she was Princess Serenity, wounded and dying. Around her the world crumbled away, leaving Mamoru alone to watch in horror. "Chiba Mamoru, you must not marry Tsukino Usagi. When the two of you are married, the world will be destroyed, and Serenity will die!" a formidable voice boomed. Frantically, Mamoru looked around for the source, but found nothing.

"That's a lie," Mamoru cried, more to convince himself than anyone else. He turned around, searching for Usagi, but to no avail. She was gone and he was left alone. Always, it had been at this point when he would wake up drenched in a cold sweat, heart pounding and head throbbing.

At first, he had convinced himself that it was just a strange one-off nightmare, but when he next ran into Usagi, his vision suddenly changed, the bubbly, happy-go-lucky girl falling into and endless darkness. The pit of his stomach dropped in realization at what he had to do and say to ensure her safety. Pulling teeth from an angry shark would have been easier than lying to her, but if that is what it took to guarantee Usagi's safety and well-being, he didn't care. He knew she would cry, plead, and barter with him, but deep in his mind, Mamoru knew that this was the only way. He loved her more than anything and anyone. The world could end and so long as they were together, he would not have cared. But the prophetic dreams of her death, that was enough to turn his blood to ice.

More than anything, he wished he could tell her why. However, Mamoru was vividly aware that if Usagi knew the truth, she would have happily sacrificed herself so she could be with him. She was so irrationally emotional, and exhibited selflessness that he could marvel at. But no, she was reckless when it came to him, and Mamoru knew it. For now, until the culprit behind these visions could be caught, he had to push Usagi away.

The innate intuition that came with being Tuxedo Kamen was becoming increasingly frantic, and urging his subconscious to run faster. His legs promptly obeyed and he leapt into a full-on sprint, with a small voice in the back of his brain telling him he was running out of time. Mamoru didn't know where this knowledge originated or how it worked, but ever since his initial and unintentional awakening as his alter ego, he was aware at all times, day or night, when Sailor Moon was in trouble. His premonitions were always correct, and regardless of how innocent any given situation appeared. He cursed himself for leaving Usagi alone; his mind was reeling with visions of various scenarios that resulted in Usagi getting herself in trouble. She was one of the bravest people he knew, but that bravery often got herself in hot water.

A growing feeling of dread continued to manifest in his stomach, as he dashed into the night. 'Hold on, Usako,' he thought desperately.

/

Demando smirked viciously at his prize, who was still transfixed on his third eye. Dark energy flowed from him into her, overwhelming her petite frame and eventually resulted in her collapse. His mind, currently linked with Usagi's, overhead her plea for help, 'Mamo-chan, help me!' He glared down at her, struggling to contain the growing urge to strike her. The White Prince hated Endymion with every fiber of his being, and had every intention of killing the King's past self. Endymion, like Serenity, was much younger and unexperienced, their relationship had not yet solidified into the couple that reigned over Crystal Tokyo. Demando had every intention of severing the red string of fate that tied those two together. She was his, and his alone.

In the same manner he could influence and control the minds of others, Demando could also see their prior experiences, thoughts and motivations. Once he brought her back to Nemesis, he eagerly anticipated his opportunity to unravel the complexities of Serenity's past self. A wicked grin spread across his visage.

Sailor Moon, now completely subdued and under his influence, fell into his arms, her long cascading hair pooling up in her chest. He examined her closer, taking note of the similarities between this girl and the Queen. They shared the same milky complexion, wide blue eyes, and golden hair kept in the same, albeit unusual, hairstyle. Her physique had not quite filled out, giving her an air of innocence that the Queen lacked, making Sailor Moon all the more delectable. In many ways she was a shadow of the woman she would become, but Demando knew that he could mold her into whatever he wanted. And the cherry on top was that not only would be obtain the queen he so desired, but he also finally had the Ginzuishou in his grasp. The Ginzuishou and the Jakokusuishou combined would give whomever wielded them the ultimate power over the universe.

Demando reached his hand out to caress her alabaster skin. How he had longed to touch the queen, feel her beneath his grasp. In that moment she became more than just a hologram of a beautiful woman that was completely out of his reach. Her skin was like the finest silk beneath his fingers, smooth and unblemished. A small laugh escaped him as he cupped her chin and leaned down to kiss her soft pink lips, claiming what was rightfully his. To the White Prince, this was his biggest triumph, more so than the fall of Crystal Palace. The Queen that had eluded him for so long and haunted him every night with her belligerence and refusal was now helpless in his hands.

Completely absorbed in himself and in the sleeping girl, Demando was caught completely off guard as he felt a sharp pain slice across his cheek. A small trickle of red fell down his cheek, which he wiped away with the back of his pale hand. He pulled away from Sailor Moon and turned his attention to the intruder.

"How dare you force yourself on a woman against her will. You underhanded devil!" Tuxedo Kamen shouted. If looks could kill, Demando knew that he would have been lying nine feet in the ground, but luck was on his side.

"Don't be so arrogant, Endymion," Demando replied callously. "And as you can see, Serenity is quite relaxed here with me," he pointed to Sailor Moon who was still unconscious in his arms.

Mamoru was seething at the sight of another man with his hands on Usagi. He knew Usagi well enough to know that she would never allow another man touch her, much less a member of the Black Moon. "What did you do to her?" he growled angrily.

Demando replied nonchalantly, "You really surprise me, Endymion. One minuet you push her away, calling the heir to the White Moon and bearer of the Ginzuishou a weak woman, and now you come back to say she's yours." He tightened his grip on Usagi. Now that his concentration was broken, he knew it was only a matter of time until the effects of his Evil Eye would wear off and she would regain consciousness. He would just have to deal with Endymion directly.

"How do you know that?" Mamoru's eyes widened. He withdrew his cane from beneath his cloak, his best weapon and chance at getting Usagi back. He should never have left her alone! She was alone and in the hands of the enemy because of him. And now, it was his duty to get her out of the situation he had put her in.

"You two really should keep your lover's quarrels to someplace a little more private. You never know who could be watching," Demando teased. "I know you are fickle Endymion, but should she really have to suffer your inability to make a decision?" He reached out and curled a piece of Usagi's hair between his fingers, fully intending to provoke his nemesis.

"Get your hands off her!" Tuxedo Kamen roared, and launched himself at Demando, who easily avoided the attack by reappearing in midair, out of reach.

Snidely, Demando brought Usagi's sleeping face to his and gently stroked her cheek hungrily. "What is it you Earthlings say, finders' keepers. You really should have kept a better eye on your princess," he taunted.

Now furious, Mamoru flung his cane point blank at Demando. Instinctively Demando braced himself with his arms, forgetting momentarily about the sleeping woman be held. In that moment of broken concentration, he dropped her body, which plummeted to the ground where Mamoru reached his arms out to catch her.

The impact shook Usagi so much that she broke out of her trance. Her blue eyes fluttered open and focused on the man holding her, "Mamo-chan!" She leaped forward and wrapped her arms tightly around him, squeezing him as tight as she could. A wave of relief fell upon Mamoru as he held her tightly, with no intentions of letting go. Usagi's face was nuzzled in the crook of his neck and he could feel the fresh wetness of tears that were streaming down her face. Mamoru soothed her gently as best he could, temporarily forgetting the enemy that loomed only feet above them.

Enraged, Demando began charging a large burst of energy, powered by the Jakokusuishou earrings that dangled from his ears, at the couple. The power that flowed through him was only amplified by his burning rage. He would not lose the prize. Endymion had made a fool out of him for the last time! He watched the pair embracing below him, taunting him as Sailor Moon clung so desperately to the Earth Prince. No, she should be clinging to him. She was his prize and he would not be made a fool of again by that damned man! Once again, Demando opened his third eye, recreating the thick vapors that would render the pair unable to move. The attack, almost fully charged was pointed directly at Endymion.

Mamoru held Usagi tightly, taking in the sweet scent of her golden locks as they embraced. He was pulled back into reality when his breathing became labored as the air became noxious and he could feel his power beginning to leave his body. Frantically, he looked up and saw the incoming blast. Mentally, he continued to castigate himself. 'This is all your fault. You put her in danger.' He gripped Usagi with all his might, his subconscious reluctant to let her go, but his rational brain told him that she was in the direct line of fire. His mind made up, Mamoru's vision became almost like slow motion as he mustered his last bit of will and power, and pushed Usagi away, as she could only cry out in horror.

"MAMO-CHAN!" Usagi screamed at the top of her lungs.

He flung her to the side, away from the blast of energy. She landed face down in a pile of mud, and although dirty, she was completely unharmed. Mamoru had taken the full force of the attack, heaving him back several feet. He laid motionless on the ground. Usagi's head was pounding as she struggled to get to her feet and run to Mamoru's side. The thick, unbreathable air had returned and she quickly felt her strength being sapped from her body. Her vision grew blurry as a result of the uncontrollable tears that streaked her face. "No, why did you do that?! Mamo-chan you dummy," she said between sobs. Adrenaline coursed through her, as she fought with every ounce of strength and will power to run to his side. Once again, however, the uncomfortable sensation of her limbs becoming as heavy as lead overcame as she was once again unable to move.

"That's what you get for interfering in business that was not yours," Demando said coolly. The White Prince smiled and turned his attention back to Usagi who was once again immobilized. His third eye, this time amplified from Jakokusuishou, was fixed on her again. Pleased with his handiwork he materialized at Usagi's side, pulling her unwilling frame to him.

Covered heat to toe in mud, Usagi willed herself to fight him. Her only wish was to return to Mamoru's side, but she was defenseless as Demando once again cupped her face in his hand, and forced her eyes to meet his. 'No, don't look into his eyes,' she thought vehemently.

Demando grinned, the connection with her mind reestablished. He heard her thoughts and reacted accordingly. Tightening his hold, he compelled her to maintain eye contact with him. "You can't fight me, little princess," he chided. With that, Demando bombarded her with an onslaught of negative energy. Already weakened with his mind connected to her own, his will overcame hers and she once again drifted into a deep sleep in his arms.

/

A bright blinding light seared his vision and Mamoru reached out with the palm of his hand to block the rays. His head was throbbing and his body ached from top to bottom. He groaned and began to sit up. A soft sound came over him and a pair of hands held him firmly in place. "No, Mamoru-san. You mustn't move yet. Your wounds haven't fully healed yet," said a voice he recognized instantly.

"Ami…where…what happened?" Mamoru said groggily. His eyes had fully opened and he immediately recognized the simple furniture and wall hangings of his own apartment. A moment later jerked suddenly and exclaimed, "wait…Where's Usako? She's safe isn't she?" As his vision continued to clear, he saw that all four Guardians were in his home circled around him, in addition to Chibi-Usa, Luna and Artemis. The girls wore an expression of gloom and worry. Makoto and Rei also emanated an aura of anger, specifically aimed at him.

Mamoru lowered his gaze out of respect and apologetic sorrow. All four girls were Usagi's most trusted confidants and they had watched him push her away, and no doubt break down time and again. No doubt they would all be furious with him, and understandably so. The thought had occurred to him to tell at least Minako, the leader of the Sailors, why he was so adamant about distancing himself from Usagi, but he knew that word would just get back to her, and would ultimately put her back in harm's way. Ami, Rei, Makoto and Minako were in many ways, closer to Usagi than he was, and he would have to atone to them as well, and the four of them would be far harsher to please than Usagi.

His chest ached, thinking back to Usagi. Where was she? What happened? Obviously one of the others had found him and brought him back to the apartment. Chibi-Usa must have contacted them, he assumed. There was no other explanation. He looked at Ami, knowing that should be the most understanding and forgiving. "Usagi was attacked by the Black Moon. I think she was taken by them. I tried to stop him, but I was injured an- "

Rei interrupted. "Him? We fought a woman. Who attacked Usagi?!"

Rei was just as fiercely protective of Usagi as Mamoru himself was. He was more ashamed to face the priestess than any of the other four.

"It was someone else. A man with white hair and a purple cloak. He…" Mamoru trailed off. When he saw them in the park, Usagi was unconscious in his arms and had no clue what transpired between them. "He had Usagi and I managed to get her away from him. He never said his name. The next bit is a bit fuzzy," he strained his memory and thought back to what happened. Slowly it all began to resurface. The thick air, the energy blast…and everything went black. "Usagi and I were about to escape when he attacked us and I don't remember the rest," he finished.

Ami nodded, taking his meaning and began to fill in the blanks. "Chibi-Usa contacted us shortly after we split up. She said Usagi was in trouble and you went after her. That was when I picked up a strong negative energy reading on my computer and we followed it. The reading suddenly vanished and I picked up a very strange temporal signature, but that also disappeared. I managed to pinpoint the location of the first reading and that's where we found you."

"You looked like hell. Someone must have really roughed you up," Makoto said blandly. It was quite clear from her tone that she had not forgiven Mamoru for breaking up with Usagi. As frightening as she as feminine, Mamoru was, in his own way, slightly weary of landing on Makoto's bad side. However, it was becoming clearer that he already was.

"Where's Usagi? If you found me, then you must have seen Usagi! She was right next to me," Mamoru said, imploring Ami. The blue-haired girl shook her head in response.

"We were hoping you knew. I can't find her anywhere. The Ginzuishou isn't registering on my computer, and we can't reach her via communicator. You were the last one to see her," Ami said.

"No one knows where Usagi is!" Rei exploded.

"What do you mean no one knows? Someone has to, her parents, Luna, someone!" Mamoru replied desperately.

He surveyed all four girls and the two feline guardians. None of them would meet his eyes. Mamoru knew that they all must have harbored resentment towards him. After all, he was her protector and he had let them down. Now, Usagi was in a place that only Kami knew at the hands of an enemy that they knew even less about. The pit of his stomach dropped, blood became ice and panic flooded him. Over and over he cursed himself. 'Usagi is missing and it's all your fault,' his psyche repeated over and over again. Slowly his composer was beginning to crack as he began to shake. Why hadn't he just simply told her the truth? Why did those foreboding dreams manifest the second a new enemy appeared? Had he just told Usagi the truth, would she have accepted it and not run off in a frenzy? His mind repeated scenario after scenario and they all ended on the same note; everything was his fault.

VXIXV

End Chapter 3

The next chapter will be longer to make up for this one. Again, I hope you enjoyed and the next chapter will be coming out as soon as I can write it.