12. True Friend – Hannah Montana
You're a true friend, you're here till the end.
You pull me aside when something ain't right,
Talk with me now into the night
Til it's alright again.
You're a true friend.
"Moon!" Mars shouted as soon as the youma had been destroyed. "A word please?"
"Mars," Sailor Jupiter moaned. "Not now." Sailor Moon looked dead on her feet as it was, and looked more than a little 'worse for wear'. "Give the kid a break, she's had a tough day."
But Sailor Mars just shooed her away. When her leader was by her side, she glared at the other tree members of their team. "What?" she snapped. "You want a piece too? Get outta here!"
Sailor Moon slumped even further down. She did not want to deal with Sailor Mars' attack right now, but it was better than allowing her to simmer, when she'd explode at the next Senshi meeting.
"You can head home," Sailor Moon heard the Senshi beside her say. She shook herself out of her stupor. "The Odango-head and I won't be long."
After several arguments, Sailors Mercury, Venus and Jupiter left, grumbling until out of sight. Sailor Mars turned to Sailor Moon. "Walk with me?"
Sailor Moon forced her feet to move, following wherever Sailor Mars was headed. A minute later, they were sitting on the edge of the water fountain, near the children's play equipment. Her eyes drooped.
"Listen," Mars began, before Sailor Moon wearily cut her off.
"I know, I know. I was awful tonight. I'm sorry. I couldn't get close enough to aim my tiara, and I got Venus hurt by getting in the way. I know. I'm sorry."
"No," her friend said. "Well, I mean, yes. But what I really wanted to talk to you about was you. Are you okay, Odango-brains? You've seemed so worn out these last two weeks, and it's a bit..." Sailor Moon internally grinned at Mars' predicament. How could she admit she cared for Usagi, when she hid behind her tough exterior?
"It's okay," she said instead, saving her friend from her struggle. "I'm okay. I've just been having a hard week or two, it'll pass." She gave a bold grin, which momentarily blanketed her weariness.
"Are you sure?" Sailor Mars asked sceptically. "Because you don't look so good. Are you eating right? Getting enough sleep? God forbid – are you doing your homework? What is it?"
Sailor Moon shrugged. "I don't know. Just a bad feeling I've been having."
"A bad feeling," Sailor Mars repeated dubiously.
"Yeah. Like something big is about to happen. It's building, I know. But at the same time... How silly!" she gave a fake giggle, before hunching back down.
Sailor Mars narrowed her eyes. She still wanted to have a long talk with her friend, but at the moment, she looked like she could barely stay aware, let alone awake. She put on a small smile and bumped her shoulder into Sailor Moons. "Hey," she said. "Don't think you can get out of this so easily. You're going to tell me all about this bad feeling, okay? Come to the temple tomorrow, and we'll consult the Great Fire." When the blonde opened her mouth, she smoothly cut in, "If you don't get detention, you can even come over an hour earlier. Before the others arrive. How does that sound? Think you can manage no detention for once?"
Sailor Moon snorted. "Not with my luck." She felt a hand on her shoulder, and she leaned into the touch. "Thanks though. For trying to make me feel better. You're a great friend, Raye. A true friend."
Sorry this is two days late, everyone! I promise to catch up to today's quota ;) xo C