18

Usagi lay there in shock as Mamoru threw down his sword. She winced as her eyes closed shut. There was no feeling. She was expecting a sharp pain, but got nothing, not even a small feeling of discomfort. It was starting to make her think that she had died.

"You can open your eyes now, just as long as you act like you're in pain," Mamoru said.

Usagi opened her eyes and carefully propped herself up on her elbows and looked down over her belly. There was nothing there. The sword was sticking in the ground next to her.

"I had to look like I was attacking you, Queen Beryl is watching from behind me," he said.

"What?" Usagi asked as she quickly turned to face him.

"Look a little more painful and angry and then I'll answer," he said. Usagi did her best and then asked again. "I'll explain to you later, that is, if you let me meet you at the palace tonight," he said.

Usagi looked up at him for a minute. It was all very confusing, he was now the enemy, but had decided to spare her and then wants to meet her at her place. How was she supposed to react to that? "Okay, I'll meet you out on the porch at seven or eight, when ever you can get there," she said.

Mamoru smiled at her. "Okay, now, I need you to go back for now. After I meet with you, I'll help you out and then we can fight her, and I promise you, every one's alright, so far. Your family is confused and Ami and Makoto are fine to," he said.

Usagi nodded. "Thank you," she said.

"Alright, you need to look in pain now," he said.

"Alright," she answered sounding unsure of herself.

Usagi laid back, but kept her eyes on the sword. Mamoru slipped his glove off and then slit his hand on the blade as he lifted the sword as drew it across the dress so that it would leave a rip and then rested his hand on her belly. "Sorry about the dress, I need this to look convincing. You can leave once I disappear," he said.

"See you tonight," Mamoru said and then got up and left. Usagi stayed there and watched him with confusion.

Mamoru returned to the dark kingdom and bowed down to Queen Beryl. "I think you find the results satisfying my Queen," he said.

Beryl smirked down at him. "Yes, I saw what you did. I hope you know that I am keeping a constant eye on you," she said.

"Your distrust pains me," he said.

"Yes, but last time I trusted you, you betrayed me," she said.

Mamoru looked up and sighed. "Yes my queen, I remember very well," he said in defeat.

Usagi stood out on the porch. There was nothing that she could do until she knew where Mamoru stood. She needed to knew whether he was out to help her or to hurt her. She figured that she could tell what was going on after her meeting.

"Queen?" Minako asked as she walked out and joined her. Usagi turned around and gave her a quick smile before turning back to face the pond out front.

"Hello Mina," Usagi said as she continued to stare.

"You sure that you want to go through with this?" she asked.

Usagi turned and looked at her. "I have to. I have to know what's going on. Besides, as crazy and insane as it sounds, there's this never ending trust that I have for Mamoru. It's something that I can never give up," Usagi said.

"I wish I had something like that," she said.

"Not if it might be the thing to get this kingdom ruined," she said. Usagi then looked down and sighed. "Think this is a mistake?" she asked and then looked to Mina who shrugged.

"I don't think so. I mean, you want to know who your friends and enemies are, especially when you'll start fighting soon," Mina said.

"Hello."

They both quickly turned and saw Mamoru standing on the ledge. "Usako, Mina," he said.

"At least you remembered our names this time," Mina said.

Mamoru climbed down and walked towards the two. "Look, I remember everything, and I'll tell you what happened," he said.

"Okay," Usagi said.

"What happened was, Queen Beryl came to earth. She was looking for you but found that your family and Ami and Mikoto were alone without you. I figured that I should pretend to give in to her. That way, she wouldn't try to brainwash me, and then I could watch over them. I thought that you would want that," he said.

Usagi looked over at Minako. She didn't even know if she could trust herself at making this decision. "Mina?" she asked.

Mina just sighed. This was no place for her to step in. This was Usagi's boyfriend and her kingdom. "I don't know. What do you think? I mean, you've lived with him," Mina said.

Usagi looked Mamoru straight in the eyes. Everything depended on this. If she was right, everything was okay, if she was wrong, everything was destroyed. There was a lot of pressure on her.

"Make up your mind sweet heart!"

Usagi quickly turned as Mamoru stared up in shock.

"Beryl," she softly gasped.

I know it's short, but I promise that the next one will be much longer. Besides, I bet you can guess what the next chapter is going to be.