Usagi lay on the floor of their living room, her entire body throbbing from the brutal beating her husband had given her the night before. Faint light spilled across the room through a curtained window, bright enough so that she could see her blood splashed on the tatami mats that made up the floor. After Mamoru had finished he had fallen asleep on top of her, but sometime in the middle of the night he had stumbled off to their bedroom.

She attempted to gather around her what few shreds remained of her clothing, tried to get up so she could check on Chibiusa, who still lay in her bassinet in the corner. Usagi had heard her fuss a few times during the night, but apparently even the baby knew not to waken Mamoru. She continued her attempt at rising, tears trickling from the corners of her eyes and small whimpers emanating from her throat from the pain. Her whole body felt like a bruise, it felt like she'd never be able to get up again. But she knew she had to, had to get up before Mamoru awoke, had to grab Chibiusa and get away, far, far away.

Usagi managed to get up on her hands and knees and started crawling towards her baby. Fighting back tears and wincing the whole way, she was finally able to make it to the bassinet. Chibiusa lay inside, eyes wide open, one tiny fist thrust inside her mouth. Usagi managed a small smile upon seeing that she was alright, although desperately in need of a diaper change and probably starving. But there was no time for that, Chibiusa's needs would have to be taken care of once they had escaped.

Usagi steadied herself on the bassinet and managed to pull herself up. She reached inside a hidden pocket underneath the lining and withdrew a cellphone. Ever since the Mamoru's violent temper had escalated she had taken to hiding her and Chibiusa's important papers, whatever money she'd managed to scrimp together and a cell phone there, just in case of a situation just like this one, though she could never have imagined something as awful as what he had done to her last night. She dialed the number for the Hikawa Shrine and while it rang she pushed the bassinet slowly and quietly towards the front door, glad that she had bought one with wheels, and prayed that Chibiusa would remain silent. She managed to open the door quietly, sneak out, and close it quietly behind her. Walking as quickly as her extensive injuries would allow, she started to flee, not caring what the neighbors would think about what it looked like.

"Hikawa Shrine, Rei speaking."

"Rei." Usagi sobbed.

"Usagi?" Rei asked worriedly. "Is everything okay?"

"It's awful, Rei." Usagi continued down the sidewalk as fast as she could go, looking over her shoulder every few seconds to make sure Mamoru hadn't realized she was missing yet. It still wasn't very bright out, yet, but she never knew what Mamoru would be up to anymore. "I need... I need you to come pick me and Chibiusa up." She gritted her teeth as the pain began to come in fresh waves, not sure how much longer she could keep it up.

"I'm on my way." Rei said.

Usagi sobbed again, this time in relief. She hung up the phone and tucked it in back in the bassinet.

Rei was soon able to find Usagi, not far from her home. She pulled the car over, quickly exiting it and crossing over to where Usagi was still determinedly pushing the bassinet. Her blouse was ripped open and all the buttons were missing, she could see the threads where they used to be. Her skirt was badly ripped and tattered and she wasn't wearing any undergarments. Most of her skin was covered in abrasions and contusions and she had a split lip. Rei was surprised she could walk at all.

"Got to keep walking." Usagi mumbled. "Can't let him get us." She didn't seem to be aware of Rei's presence.

"Usagi!" Rei took her best friend gently by the shoulders and stopped her.

Usagi looked up at her. "You've got to save Chibiusa." Exhausted, she collapsed.