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"Then we would have to move out of Azubu." Hina said annoyed at the breakfast table. "Let's just remodel the house and put a room over the garage."

Mamoru looked at Usagi and she bit her lip.

"Do you know how many permits we will have to pull to add a structure?" Tomomi argued with his wife.

"We could just get a very large apartment. We could knock down some walls of maybe two or three places… a whole floor." Artemis suggested.

"That's not a house, Artemis! Getting in to an elevator to go home every day. Too much work." Hina told him back.

This was the same argument that the elders had been having ever since they came back from their honeymoon. The carpet upstairs had fully been replaced due to the blood incident but now everyone was on a rampage about the house being too small. Mostly because they wanted Usagi and Mamoru to stay with them.

"Usako and I will just move out. No big deal." Mamoru said just to rile them up.

"NO!" All three parents said at once.

"Mamoru, you will be in medical school and Usagi can't be all alone by herself." Hina cooed.

But Mamoru wanted to move out. His and Usagi's sex life was being stifled under this roof. He wanted her every second he could get with her and there was always someone around bothering them. He had just finished up his last week at his father's company, tying all loose ends and he had to catch up in medical school. Which meant he would be busy so when he had time to bask in Usagi's love he was going to want it then and there.

Also, their sex was intense. The unexplainable bond in which they could transfer feelings had only grown after he made love to her the first time. He swore and still swears that sometimes he can hear her thoughts when she lets him.

They never talk about the bond and Mamoru was trying to push his feelings back toward her like she did to him. He didn't want her to think he was crazy now bringing up telepathy. The craziest thing about it was… it seemed normal. Normal to be so connected to her, to share feelings and maybe each other's thoughts. Just like kissing her the first time seemed like they had done it so many times before… and he could not deny that the first time they had sex it felt like a re-uniting of their bodies. It was not awkward like he assumed it should be. It was sexy as hell and hot. His wife was so hot. A goddess and he practically worshiped her. Not just because she was the most beautiful thing on earth to him but her personality and kindness.

He was an idiot for waiting for so long… his mind went blank again. Missing memories or the feeling of a missing something when he tried to think about him asking her father if he could marry his daughter.

The memory was a happy one, her father saying yes, Usagi crying yes and that was it. But the feelings and emotions associated with the hazy memory was anger, self-loathing, stress and of course love but he felt it was more monumental that what his memory provided. Sure he was worried she would end up with Diamond Black and he was stressed about breaking the engagement to Moto Beth, but there was something else. He knew it. He just didn't know what "it" was.

"I will be just as busy, don't worry." Usagi smiled at Hina.

"Of course you will dear. Of course you will." Hina said slowly but Mamoru could see her mind ticking.

"Ma, I swear if you are thinking about grandkids you need to get over it. Usako and I are waiting. We agreed."

Hina scrunched her face up in anger and left the room. Leaving the room was her MO. Mamoru rolled his eyes.

"I will go calm her down." Tomomi said following her.

"Oto-san." Usagi called her father's name biting her lip once everyone was gone but her and Mamoru.

Artemis looked at his daughter and raised an eyebrow. "Sere, if Hina ever found out she would kill me."

Mamoru watched as Usagi pouted. It worked every time but Mamoru had no clue what she wanted now.

"We would stay here of course but just a place for Mamo chan to study and get away sometimes." Usagi pleaded her case.

"Usako, what are you asking for?" Mamoru said worried that whatever his wife wanted his father in law would think he asked for it.

"Our own apartment." She said quietly. "With a housekeeper, chef, maybe an Alfred?"

Mamoru's eyes went wide in shock and then he said "Alfred?"

Usagi laughed to herself thinking about the Lunarcycle she wanted to make. Yeah she decided on a name. She would need a whole building with a secret elevator and an underground cave of sorts. It had to be super bad ass. She would make a design of her Sailor Suit and put in it a glass case attached to the cave wall. Maybe all the senshi could have apartments in the same building and they could share the Moon Cave… or Senshi Cave… or Lunar Landing. She would have to think of a name but no one else would have Alfred. Just her.

"Earth to Usagi?" Her father said waving a hand in front of her face.

"Only I can have an Alfred." Usagi stated her last thought out loud crossing her arms over her chest.

"Whatever you say dear… I will think about it." Artemis said looking at her. "The apartment that is…But no promises."

She grinned. Mamoru knew she would take that as a yes.

Following Usagi upstairs to their room the moment their door was closed… and locked he pinned her to the bed.

"Our own apartment, Usako?" He purred as he started to snake his hands up her shirt.

"Hai." She breathed. He took her shirt off.

"I think we need to expand out of these four walls." She told him and she started with his pants.

Gods he loved her.

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Usagi was loving her life. It was amazing and calm. So calm. She still trained every morning out of habit even though Mamoru kept her busy enough. She did this alone and felt alone doing it but when she thought about how much happier her friends had become she sucked it up. Her friends and her hung out at the mall, at school, went to the movies, had parties. It had been almost two months since they had defeated Beryl. Everything she ever wanted, she had. And she fought hard for all of it.

The renovation on the house had begun, as Hina had won of course. The guest room and Mamoru's room were being made in to a large room with a bathroom. So for now they were staying in Usagi's old room. Usagi was deep in to her political science classes, debate and a minor in business management. Everything she needed to make a good queen.

It was the first time this week that Mamoru had been home for dinner. He had been with his study group to catch up. Her genius husband was almost there… already at the top of his class even having missed a few months. She beamed with pride for him. She made him lunches and snacks. She covered him with a blanket if he fell asleep at the desk and set his alarm so he could get up on time. Every second they could have together was magical. She understood how busy he was even when worried she wouldn't. When they became King and Queen they would also have to learn how to enjoy their time together.

Everyone was excited to have the whole family at dinner. Mamoru was discussing some of his class work with her father. Usagi was talking to Hina about the meal she cooked the other night… not Japanese. She was still burning Japanese dishes.

Shingo was more animated that he had ever been discussing his possible future of taking over the family business with his father. Usagi felt whole.

And then the noise broke the happy mood.

It was a dream. It had to be a dream. Usagi looked up from her seat at the table and noticed everyone was looking at her. She felt her face turn a deep red which was better than white.

Usagi's heart went a mile a minute. She pretended to reach in to her pocket and grabbed her phone from her subspace.

She looked at it, praying it wasn't what she thought it was.

Her prayers were in vain. It was coordinates from the moon computer below the Crown. Activity had been detected. Yes, she monitored the computer in the Crown making sure that Motoki's program was working. And it was working.

She paled, looking sick and scared. She turned to her father who gazed back at her wide eyed.

"Usako? Are you okay?" Mamoru asked worried, his hand on her shoulder.

But she ignored him. "Oto…?"

Artemis swallowed hard. Usagi was the only one. The only senshi. It seemed they reached this conclusion at the same time.

"We will go together." Artemis said standing up and Usagi followed his movements.

"Excuse us. We will be right back, it's family business between Usagi and I." Artemis explained. Usagi had forgotten to close the link. Her fear was being felt by Mamoru and he grabbed her hand as she tried to leave.

"Usako? What is it?" She cut the link. He flinched and reached for her again. He father was ushering her out of the room.

"Nothing… it's… I have to go." She said quickly. Her father ushered her out the front door and before Mamoru could follow or ask another question Artemis teleported her to the coordinates.

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Usagi held her father's hand as they looked on at the youma from where they stood out of sight on the roof of a two story building. It was nothing she had ever seen before. This youma did not possess human qualities at all. Nothing silly or demented. Not a droid like Diamonds, or cards like the tree. This youma was a beast. A monster of a face, deep red eyes that glowed, sharp teeth, sickly green skin, with lanky limbs. The beast was hunched over on its two legs, it's bones visible under the odd ridged skin. It had long fingers with razor sharp claws. Every bone visible making them look like long knives. This youma was spitting thread from its mouth where Usagi could see sharp pointed teeth as it wrapped up civilians.

"You don't have to do this alone, Serenity." Her father told her once again.

She shook her head. "Yes, I do. They deserve a normal life."

Artemis wanted to argue with her, but she would be queen and she needed to make her own decisions even if they were wrong. She would have to learn.

Usagi called on her henshin, the ribbons encircling her body…but it felt different. When it was over her father stared at her and she looked down. Her uniform had changed. Her twelve deaths giving her a power up. A full white suit with a yellow belt. Her skirt yellow, blue and white. Her bow pink with a new broach, a gold heart with wings. Pink in the center with a crescent moon. The biggest change was the huge white bow on the back with tails that extended to her knees.

The ancient power filled her like never before. She felt strong and alive. It was stupid for her to miss such a power and she did. What she didn't miss was the actual fighting.

"Be careful." Her father told her as she jumped down to the street.

"HEY! UGLY! YOU HAVE RUINED MY VACATION FROM EVIL, IN THE NAME OF THE MOON I WILL PUNISH YOU."

The beast snarled at her, drool dripping from its mouth. It shot out the thread and Sailor Moon moved quickly to not be ensnared. She ran in a circle as the beast was relentless. She didn't know if this was a human transformed of if it was just a beast.

Usagi pulled an energy ball in to her hand and took aim. The beast jumped high, Sailor Moon missing the movement. Sharp talons scratched along her back, scraping her. She screamed in pain as she dropped to the ground and swung her leg out. The beast fell to the ground behind her as Sailor Moon took a breath to assess her assailant. Before it was full on its twisted feet, Sailor moon kicked the beast in to the fountain in the center of the square they were in. It smashed through the statue in the center sending pieces of stone everywhere. She was quick to follow and she jumped the same time as the beast did. Sailor Moon dodged its blow but it was too slow. She nailed it and it fell to the ground. Pulling out her scepter she recited the incantation sending white light toward the monster. It screamed in pain as the goodness in her took over. In a poof it was gone. Sailor Moon breathed deep. Blood rushing down her back and soaking in to her boots. She slowly walked over to where the monster was. Looking down she saw a metal ball and then it melted to nothing, a soft scream left with it.

Usagi sat still as her father wrapped her wounds in the training center. He tested first for anything that could be poisonous. They were more surface wounds than deep cuts and she was thankful but they did bleed a lot. She looked at her phone. Eleven missed called from Mamoru and seven texts.

What was she going to tell him? She bit her lip.

She texted him back.

Don't worry. It was a false alarm. Everything is okay I will be home soon. XO Usa

"Usagi… you are going to need to tell him." Her father said sternly.

"No. How will he become a doctor if this is going on? He needs to study. He doesn't deserve this." She said holding back the tears.

Artemis shook his head. "Why do you always forget how important you are?"

"I am being a good queen. My job is to protect my subjects and my people." She stated.

"Usagi if this is what you want then I will abide by your wishes even if I disagree. But I have a plan." Artemis said.

"The excuses to leave in the future will be because you are a new intern at my business. An intern who has to do odd things all times of the day. Tonight you will blame this on Luna… speaking of which you will need to use the Luna pen to hide those from Mamoru." He said pointing to the wrapped cuts on her back. "You need to be careful though. The Luna pen also uses your energy."

She hugged her father.

"Thank you."

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Mamoru paced their room. He looked at the text Usagi had sent him and he threw it across the room and on to the bed.

She had done this before. He knew it. Leaving at odd times… and he felt like he knew why but he could not remember.

The door opened and Usagi walked in to their room. She was biting her lip and looking at him. Her hair was wind-blown but she looked safe. Perfect.

"Usako." He said going to her. She looked down at the floor. He grabbed her hands.

"Where did you go? You can't just leave like that! Don't you know how worried I have been? How worried we all have been." He went off.

Tears came to her eyes and she could not stop the flood that started. She fell in to his arms and held he held her. When his arms in circled her and they pushed on her wounds she cried harder to mask the pain.

It was over. Her two months of no fighting to the death was over and she sobbed harder.

"Usako? Please, tell me what happened." Mamoru begged her.

But she couldn't get the lie out so she just stayed quiet, her tears doing the talking. He moved her to the bed and she didn't fight him. She snuggled in to him until the tears stopped and she fell asleep.

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She woke up sitting upright, her hands on her mouth stiffing a scream. She dreamed that everyone was being killed, taken over by the beast she fought last night. Her friends, family, people of Tokyo even the worlds bleeding in the streets. She looked at the clock 3:20am. She would have to get up. Her back ached less and she knew that the wounds were healing. She rolled out of the bed, like old times, and found clothes to wear. She needed to train harder if she was going to do this alone.

Going in to the bathroom she took off the bandages. No scars or scrapes. She hid the bloody clothes and wraps in her subspace pocket. After she changed she looked at herself in the mirror.

'You are unstoppable. You cannot be broken.' She said quietly but then her thoughts changed, 'you are a machine… you are not a human being'

She shook her head. Twelve deaths in a row. She had her resolve and she was going to have to call Diamond.

Walking out of the bathroom Mamoru stood before her. His eyes dark with worry and possibly anger.

"Where are you going?" He asked her suspiciously.

"To run like I always do, Mamo chan." She said quietly.

He nodded.

She walked around him to grab her shoes and she looked up at him. Ready to tell the lie.

"It's Luna. She has been missing… and we thought… we thought we found her last night. It was a lie…" She said bowing her head down. The way she phrased it made it seem that Luna's secretive job had gone wrong and the government had contacted her to give them news. Mamoru was smart enough to not ask too many questions.

"Usako… why didn't you tell me?" He asked her coming to look in to her eyes. She shrugged.

"We don't talk about Luna. No one really does and the last time I contacted her…" Usagi thought back to the message she had sent regarding her hidden memories. How she had blocked them so she could never be with the man in front of her.

"Look, she lied to me about something very important. I can't talk about this, please don't make me." She said quickly.

"I need to run. I am stressed out." She said giving him a peck on the cheek.

He grabbed her hand. "I am here for you. Whatever you need." He told her.

She hugged him tight, "I am here for you as well. I would do anything for you." She felt him let out a breath.

She climbed out of the window and took off toward her destination.

She opened the door to the training facility and she could have cried when she walked in.

Diamond was there setting up. He turned and looked at her with a shrug.

"I'm so sorry Princess." Was all he said.

She ran to him giving him a hug.

"This means more to me than you will ever know." She whispered. She felt him nod.

"Shall we your highness." Diamond said pulling out a remote and clicking on the music.

She smirked.

"Let's warm up."

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Mamoru walked across campus toward his organic chemistry class. Usagi had been acting very strange ever since she left with her father a month ago in the middle of dinner. He knew he wasn't home as much as he used to be.

He had to study and the course load was a lot. He was trying to finish his undergrad in three years instead of four. But that did not explain her behavior. She was tired a lot more than she used to be. When he would get home she would be passed out asleep and then she would be climbing through their bedroom window when he was waking up tense. She looked perfect, just like she had been running. For some reason he always had the urge to look her over and make sure there was not any bruises, cuts or broken bones. He always made sure he showered with her and he felt like she knew he was inspecting her for something but she clung to him as ever which usually resulted in both of them being late to breakfast regularly.

He knew she was as in love with him, if not more than the day she tried to confess to him but she or someone had almost cut their link entirely. She had also started an internship with her father's company. Artemis wanted her to gain access to the business since she was the heir and that also had her working at odd times.

She complained that she had the 'bitch job' and was on call all the time.

She would leave dinner occasionally because of issues and she had already done two overnight trips. They were both swamped with obligations and truthfully he just missed his wife. He knew she missed him. She told him so but she never blamed him nor herself. She would just wrap up in to him and they would watch TV, sit and chat, or more… if they had any time together.

"Mamoru san!" He heard a voice yell to him as he entered the medical building. He turned and saw Minako coming to catch up with him.

"Ohayo, Minako." He greeted her. He saw her left hand sparkle and he gave a half smile. She had gotten engaged to Kunzite and they were planning a destination wedding. Kunzite and Mamoru had become very close. Almost, if not closer, than him and Motoki. They were a lot alike and not at the same time but they had a brotherly bond.

"Mamoru san, do you have a moment I need to speak with you?" She said quickly. He nodded and he followed her back outside where she sat down on a stone bench.

"Sorry to bother you so early but… have you noticed Usa acting… different." Minako was playing with her fingers and she seemed nervous.

Had he not just been thinking this very same thing?

He nodded.

"I know she is busier than she used to be but she seemed really stressed out and tense. She had left in the middle of a movie because she said she had something to do for work… it's just I know Usagi so well I feel like…" Minako cut off but Mamoru finished her sentence for her.

"Like she has done this before?"

Minako looked up at him with wide eyes. She nodded.

"Ever since Usagi almost…" Mamoru nodded that he understood so she didn't have to say the words… "I feel like I am missing something. Like I am missing my memories. Something's are just hazy." Minako pulled on her hair in frustration.

What Mamoru didn't understand was that Minako and Usagi had been a team since kids, her memories were more messed up than his were.

"Anyway… I was going to talk to her but I didn't want to think it was just me and the girls… and even the guys…"

Mamoru's brow furrowed. "Everyone feels this way?"

Minako looked ashamed. "Well not everyone has noticed the change in Usagi like I have. Rei, Zoi and Ami think it is just her becoming more mature. Kunzite has not been around enough to know but he senses something is off. Makoto is busy trying to open a bakery and she just thinks it's strange that Usagi doesn't want to come eat a bunch of junk all the time. Jadeite, Neph and I are the ones who share info."

She sighed.

"I think it's her job and maybe the pressure of being the heir to her father's company. I spoke to Artemis, he's like a father to me, and he said it will blow over. That she is trying to prove herself."

"I know. He told me the same thing." Mamoru slouched back on the bench. "Minako, I have to go to class but let me know how the talk goes, K?" He told her.

She nodded.

Usagi was hiding something again.

And this was a strange thought because had Usagi ever hidden anything from him before?

He was unsure.

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Usagi let the glamour drop. She didn't want to see the damage. Opening her eyes she looked in the mirror. The bruises were deep purple and black. They provided a gloomy painting on her whole left side, from ankle to arm. That was not it though. These beasts were vicious. Three scratch marks crossed her stomach. She had a black eye and possibly a concussion. She was lonely. A lone warrior and she was trying hard to keep the sadness at bay. She had no one other than her father and Diamond to give her energy and she didn't want to bother them because they were working. So she healed slowly, painfully, and alone.

She knew why Batman had Alfred… and Robin…. And Cat girl….

She sighed. She didn't know what they wanted. She didn't know who was sending them. Most youma have a maker… someone who strategically places them and occasionally shows up to give information. She felt every battle like she was being watched though. It was eerie…

"Usagi! Someone is here for you." Usagi heard Hina's voice through the door.

"I will be right down." Usagi said hiding the nerves in her voice.

She used the Luna pen to cover her wounds and she dressed herself. She couldn't keep up both glamour's.

She tried to walk normally but she had to go slow down the steps. In the foyer stood a woman with long black hair. She was tall and her skin darker, flawless but Usagi would know those garnet eyes anywhere… and Usagi knew she was in trouble.

"Serenity sama." The woman greeted in a low bow.

Usagi stiffened. "Meioh sama." She said curter than she realized.

"We need to talk… privately." Setsuna got right to the point.

Hina stood to the side probably looking for an introduction but Usagi could tell that the time senshi was pissed.

"Hina. Please meet my um… boss. Meioh Setsuna. Yes, she works for my father. She is the one I have been doing all of the errands for." Usagi made up the lie on the spot.

Hina bowed as did Setsuna who did not seemed phased at all from Usagi's blatant lie.

"It is a pleasure, Chiba san." Setsuna said slowly.

"Hina may we use the study?" Usagi asked.

Hina nodded.

"Thank you." Usagi walked off and Setsuna followed giving Hina a nod.

Closing the study door Usagi felt Setsuna apprising her.

"To what do I owe this visit, Pluto?" Usagi asked looking cold.

"Don't give me that tone, Princess, you know exactly why I am here." Setsuna said calmly and angrily.

Usagi narrowed her eyes.

"What are you doing? Do you have a death wish? Are you looking to get yourself killed along with the rest of the galaxy?" Setsuna was not playing. She was pissed and her sharp tone implied just as much. Shit, the air in the room was stifling.

"They deserve a normal life." Usagi said standing her ground.

"This is their life." Pluto snapped. "Their job is to protect you and the universe. Without you we will all go to chaos. Is that what you want, Serenity?"

"I am doing just fine." Usagi defended.

And then she waved her hand, Usagi's glamour dropping exposing a battered princess.

"FINE! We have no clue who the enemy is. You are just battling without being able to dig deeper. You need to wake up at least one." She admonished. Serenity looked away knowing that she was right.

"I died twelve times for them to be free. Twelve painful, excruciating deaths so the ones I love can live normal lives. How can you come in here asking me to make them fight again? They will hate me when they find out what I have done."

"Serenity, your kindness and your heart being so big has given them back their lives. They want to serve you. You are their sovereign and their friend. It will hurt them more if you don't awaken them. Your prince deserves the truth."

"I will think about it." Usagi said sternly.

"If you keep this up… you will die. I have seen it. Your death will bring about the death of billions." Pluto said sternly. She grabbed Usagi's hand healing her, but only partially. Usagi knew that Setsuna wanted her to feel the pain to prove a point.

"Are we done?" Usagi snapped.

Setsuna nodded and opened the study door. Usagi used the pen for her glamour and exited behind the time senshi.

Usagi followed her to the door and opened it.

Mamoru happened to be standing there coming in from his classes.

Setsuna nodded to him and he eyes her warily giving her a nod back.

"We will meet again, Serenity. Please do not take my words lightly."

"Thank you, Meioh sama." Usagi stated and she meant it. For the power that is.

Usagi nodded and shut the door as she left.

Her eyes met Mamoru's and she could tell her was appraising her.

"Who was that?" He asked.

"Someone that works for my dad. Well, she is kinda my boss. Welcome home, Mamo chan. You didn't have to study?" She said taking his bag from him with a smile.

"No. I think we should do something with our friends. They invited us to come over tonight." Mamoru said kissing her on the forehead.

She beamed. "That sounds perfect!"

He smiled at her and they walked up to their room.

Closing the door his arms were around her in seconds. She tried not to flinch at the contact. Her body beaten badly. He noticed.

"Usako?" He asked she gave a weak smile.

She pulled out a blush. "Time of the month… I don't want to get all riled up to be let down." She pouted.

He frowned and his brow furrowed.

She laughed. "Is the face from disgust, because you are going to be a doctor." She teased. This was a complete and utter lie. She didn't get her period. She would stop ageing at twenty two and then she could get pregnant. Or so she hoped and didn't hope.

"No, it's because I want you and can't keep my hands off you." He said kissing her deeply. She moaned against his lips. She wanted him too but she was feeling dizzy and disoriented. Yes, she defiantly had a concussion. Why couldn't Setsuna fix that!

She swayed a bit on her feet, Mamoru steadying her.

She laughed. "Now your kisses are causing me to want to faint."

He was really looking at her now. Staring at every inch of her. He stood back assessing.

"Mamo chan?" She asked him, hiding the nervousness in her tone.

She knew the glamour of the Luna pen was holding. She could feel it feeling off of her energy.

He sighed. "Let's get ready to go."

She nodded and then her phone rang. Mamoru watched her intently as she picked up the phone.

"Okay, Oto. Yeah. I will do that for you. No big deal." She said with a smile.

She looked at Mamoru and pouted.

"I have to go get something for my dad and then I will meet you at the guys, K?" She smiled.

"I will go with you." He told her.

"Mamoru, that is silly. You have been working so hard. Go have a beer or two and I will be there soon." She smiled at him, pecked him on the cheek and took off town the stairs wanting to cry with every step.

He didn't even have time to make it to the front door before she was gone.

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Sailor Moon was on the ground. It was going to be over for her. She had done well with the first two and then another four emerged. Long talon like fingers wrapped around her neck pulling her up from the ground. Her booted feet swayed under her tired body.

"DEAD SCREAM!"

Sailor Moon dropped to the ground. Her breathing ragged.

"Get up, Moon and finish them quickly." Pluto yelled.

Sailor Moon pulled herself up off the ground, her legs shook under her.

She pulled out her scepter, called on the power and blasted the rest of the youma.

She fell to the ground in pain.

Pluto picked her up and leapt out of prying eyes way.

Placing her gently on the floor of a building roof.

"Let me see, princess." Pluto said gently as she looked over Moon's wounds.

Sailor Moon turned and threw up unceremoniously next to her.

"You are getting stronger, Sailor Moon." Pluto said. "You didn't pass out after healing everyone and blasting the youma."

Sailor moon gave her a wry smile.

"But, that whole thing would have been taken care of a lot faster if you had help." Pluto told her sharing some of her energy with her princess.

Tears formed in her eyes but she nodded in agreement. All she could think about was Mamoru never knowing what happened to her if she had died that way.

It was time to get the help she needed. She just hoped she didn't hate her….

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Minako was listening to Ami drone on about the reappearance of Sailor moon.

"…and everyone keeps wondering where the senshi are. It's all over the news and in the papers. I just don't get it. Why is she fighting alone? In all of the clips I have seen on the news she is doing well… but it seems like she is taking quite a beating." Ami said sipping on her wine.

"Hey, as long as someone is taking out those ugly ass monsters I don't care if she is a lone warrior or not." Jadeite told them as he walked back in to the room sitting down.

Minako frowned. She didn't know why this conversation was making her feel sick to her stomach.

She watched as Mamoru looked at his phone for the umpteenth time. A worried look on his face.

Buzzzz Buzzzzz

Minako's phone was vibrating. It was Usagi.

"Usagi Chan! Where are you?" She answered excitedly. Mamoru's head whipped over at Minako.

"Minako… keep a smile on your face. I need your best acting skills right now, please don't falter." Usagi's voice said weakly over the phone.

"Of course, Usa." She grinned wider… but her heartbeat quickened. Kunzite looked over at her feeling her anxiety between their unexplainable bond.

"Cut your bond with Kunzite. Reach deep down and block it now. Keep the happiness and keep acting, Minako."

How did Usagi know about the bond they had but as Usagi told her how to block the link she somehow did.

"Yeah, Usagi. That sounds great." Minako faked enthusiasm. Kunzite was full on staring at her in bewilderment. She knew he could feel the missing bond between them.

"Pretend you can't hear me and excuse yourself to a room where you have roof access."

Mamoru's eyes bore in to her. Minako was close to breaking a sweat. Was everyone suspicious? Was she not being a good enough actor?

Of course she was? She was Aino Minako.

"Usa? What? You are breaking up. Hold on?" Minako said getting up and leaving the room.

"Can you hear me?" Minako said trying to keep her voice steady. She knew something was wrong.

"How about now?" She asked again.

Minako entered Nephrites room and shut the door locking it.

"Usagi what the hell is going on!" Minako hissed in to the room.

"Go to the roof, please." Usagi begged.

Minako walked toward the window, opening it up to the fire escape.

"Usagi this is nuts! How would you be on the roof?" Minako said a few choice words as she clanked up the metal stairs.

"Usagi?" Minako asked in to the phone but Usagi had hung up.

Pulling herself on to the roof Minako looked around. Her eyes fixating on one lone figure.

Sailor Moon stood in the center of the roof. Her long hair blowing gently in the breeze.

"Sa…sailor Moon?" Minako gasped out.

Minako walked closer, the warrior standing so close.

She was… crying. Sailor Moon was crying. Silent tears cascaded down her face.

"Minako… I am so sorry for this but I can't do it alone anymore… I need your help." Sailor Moons voice sounded broken.

"Umm… I don't understand…. Are you okay? I am looking for my friend." Minako looked around for Usagi

Sailor Moon's gloved hand went to her chest. The henshin fading and in front of her stood a battered Usagi. Bruised and bloody and tears falling from her face. Her neck marred black and fresh blood was still trickling down on to her clothes.

Minako gasped. "Usa… Usagi!"

Usagi fell to the ground in a heap.

Minako screamed and went to her.

"I will go get help." She said quickly but Usagi grabbed her hand.

"You are my help, Minako. I tried so hard to do this alone so everyone could have a normal life but I can't anymore. I can't die and leave everyone alone because of my pride." Usagi said, her voice thick with sadness.

Usagi's forehead glowed and a crescent moon appeared in the center. Usagi met Minako's eyes and the glow grew.

Minako fell back on her behind gasping.

"Serenity… how could you?" Minako said tears coming to her eyes.

"How could you do that! Fight alone. I am your leader… your best friend."

Usagi began to sob.

"I wanted you to live normally. Not fighting every day. Pursue your dreams and be happy with your love. I didn't know that this would happen." Usagi wiped at her tears.

She pulled something from her subspace pocket and handed it to Minako.

It was her transformation pen.

"Please, Venus." Usagi looked her in the eyes.

"It is my duty but it is so much more than that. You are my friend my very best friend. I should have been with you since the beginning." She went to hug Usagi and on contact Usagi screamed out in pain.

"Usa! What are we going to do? Mamoru is down stairs. He can't see you like this." Minako said quickly.

"Lend me some energy please. I have been using the Luna pen to hide my wounds but I can't hold the glamour."

Minako nodded and reached out to her Princess letting her power flow in to Usagi. The gash on her head closed and some of the bruising went away.

"Enough." Usagi told her and she stopped.

Usagi stood her legs still shaky but much, much better. Minako watched her pull out the Luna pen and cover her wounds. She looked fresh.

"You need to eat, Usa and I need to get back downstairs before Kunzite comes after me." Minako told her.

"Thank you." And Usagi ran to the end of the roof, jumping down.

Author's Note:

Sad huh?

I forgot to address that some of you wanted to read about the battle with Beryl but I skipped it for a reason. That reason is that it was pointless to my story. It was alluded to but since I skipped the cannon of Beryl wanting Endymion and turning him dark (Because he didn't know) I didn't want to turn part of the story in to Beryl's obsession. I mean between his fan club, Saori, Beth and now Naru. We have had enough women wanting Mamoru for a lifetime.

Oh, yeah. I also thought I posted this the other night... so sorry! So very very sorry!

ZS