Written for Usagi and Mamoru: A Love Like No Other. We always welcome new members so definitely come along to check it out if you're a writer or even if you're just a reader. Link can be found on my bio page.
44. Dirty Nails (500 words)
Sailor Moon rolled to a stop after being thrown to the ground. She lay face down as the noises of battle washed over her. The other Senshi were shouting both at each other and at the youma while trying to find some way to weaken it. Maybe… maybe they'd be able to end it and they wouldn't need her to stand up and finish the job. Maybe she could just stay here, lying on the ground. Sailor Moon clenched her fists around the grass and kept her face pressed to the dirt.
She heard something thud into the ground, only two inches away from her face. Glancing to her right she spotted a perfectly blooming rose where there had previously not been one. "Tuxedo Kamen," Sailor Moon breathed. She lifted her weary head and spotted him in the canopy above her. As she watched he leapt into the air towards Zoicite. "Zoicite," Sailor Moon whispered. The youma was still busy fighting the Senshi. She sucked in a breath as she realised the implications. "He saved me from Zoicite."
As a second battle began above her Sailor Moon slowly raised herself to her feet. She brought the moon wand to her hand and took a couple of steps forward. Sailor Mars was the first to notice her re-entrance. "It's about time you decided to get off your lazy butt and help us," she shouted at her leader.
Sailor Moon ignored her as she raised the wand and called out, "Moon Healing Escalation!" Her hand dropped and the wand disappeared. The youma was vanquished and the innocent people of Tokyo saved once more. She looked upwards to watch the fight occurring in the sky.
Tuxedo Kamen lunged towards Zoicite but was unable to reach him. Zoicite had shimmered to a section of the sky far out of Tuxedo Karmen's reach. "I'll be back for that crystal of your's Tuxedo Kamen," Zoicite yelled out before teleporting away.
This left only the Senshi and Tuxedo Kamen standing in the park. Sailor Moon continued to stare into space with her back towards the masked man as the rest of her Senshi took up defensive positions. Her eyes were dull and appeared lifeless when she turned her head towards him when she heard him speak.
"Do not think that just because I help you it is because I want to. I helped you today but I can just as easily fight you tomorrow Sailor Moon. My only aim is to collect the crystals and I will do all that is necessary to gain them." Tuxedo Kamen turned on his heel causing his crimson-lined cape to fly out behind him. He jumped to a high branch in the closest tree before disappearing in the dark night.
She took a deep breath in an attempt to steady and strengthen her emotions. Sailor Moon lifted a gloved hand to her brooch. As her henshin faded Usagi looked down at her hand. There was dirt under her nails again.