It occurred to me that I forgot to mention that this fic is based off the manga and not the anime. Meaning that Mamoru gets dreams about the silver crystal and the princess but he isn't obsessed with her or anything. Also, I had hoped for more reviews than this. I have seen other authors hold their updates for randsome to get reviews but I really don't want to do that. I would just like to say that I hope you guys will shoot me some reviews this time. It would just be nice to know you guys are reading if nothing else. Well her is an update for you guys!

WARING! This chapter contains a moment of extreme violence. You have been warned...

The Truth About Tragedy

Ch. 3

"No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear." - C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed

Usagi wasn't sure when she fell asleep or why she woke up at that particular moment. She glanced at the clock on the night stand. It took a few seconds for the digital numbers to focus and she saw that it was 1:34 am. Groaning she gently lowered herself back to the bed and closed her eyes, finding sleep again easily.

She watched in horror as the coroner stood over her parents and pulled back the white sheets on their bodies. He then turned to her mother with a scalpel in his hand, dipping it to her pale, lifeless flesh. She tried to turn away from the sight, but it was like two hands gripped the sides of her head, forcing her to watch as her mother was cut open. As soon as the first slice struck her mother's chest, Usagi felt a sting to hers. Her head now free, she looked down to see what had struck her. Her clothes had disappeared and a long slit had made it's way from her collar bone to her navel. She looked up in confusing to see the coroner looming over her. She was now laying on the table in the place of her mother. She screamed but it was like the coroner didn't see or hear her, he just continued his work. She tried to lift an arm to push him away as he began to place a spreader in her chest. But her arms wouldn't move. Neither would her legs. She was imprisoned in a dead body, only to feel it slowly cranked open. Pain seared into her as her chest was literally ripped open. As the coroner reached in and felt around her organs, she though for sure she would pass out from the pain. But the same force that held her still kept her conscious. She willed herself to wake up, begging for release from this nightmare. She managed to move her tongue into place and bite down hard. She woke with a start and blood pouring out of her mouth. Shingo was still asleep, so she quickly but gently slipped out of the bed and searched for the bathroom.

Unsure of the exact time, she knew that it was early. Earlier than she had ever been up on a Saturday. She peered from the bathroom in the direction of the living room. In the gray, dull light she could just make out the couch. A pillow and sheets lay upon it but it was clear no one was on it anymore. Tip toeing, she made her way into the living room. Looking around for Mamoru, she smelled coffee brewing and saw a light in the kitchen. Her inspection of the kitchen came up empty as it was void of human life. She eyed the coffee. She had never been much for coffee, but it did smell good. Plus, she was tired like she hadn't slept at all. After the dream she just had there was no way she was going back to sleep. After trying few cabinets, she was able to find the mugs and poured herself a sip. It tasted like burnt popcorn. Luckily, Mamoru had cream and she found some sugar. Her cup of coffee was more like cream and sugar with a little bit of coffee, but it was enough caffeine to perk her up. Her eyes landed on the balcony window, through which she found Mamoru's location. He stood, leaning against the railing just looking over the city below. She returned to the kitchen and poured another cup of coffee. Then she grabbed the blanket off the couch, wrapped it around herself, steadied the two cups, and joined him on the balcony.

The sun was barely up. Usagi had caught a glimpse at the clock as she entered the living room to see it was only 5 am. Fluffy clouds hung low in the sky creating a gray blanket that obscured the leftover stars and moon from sight. He turned to her upon her approach, but neither of them said a thing as she handed him the cup of warm liquid fuel and cast her gaze across the skyline. It looked and felt like snow. Normally, that would thrill her to no end. Growing up, snow brought the promise of snow angels and snow ball fights. Playing till the sun slipped below the horizon or till their flesh was numb from cold. Which ever came first. Now it only brought the promise of delaying her return to society for a little longer. The thick blanket set on her shoulders and flowed down over her feet but she still felt cold. Allowing the hot liquid to warm her hands and throat, her mind clouded with the worries of the future and all she would have to face soon. She wondered how long her and Shingo would be allowed to stay with Mamoru. Her Aunt had to be out of town. Aunt Yukio was her mother's younger sister. She was in her early 30s and acted more like a 20-year-old. Usagi loved her Aunt Yukio, she was the "fun Aunt". But the same things she loved about her also worried her. What if she couldn't take care of her and Shingo? What if we were too much for her to handle or her lifestyle didn't allow for it? Aunt Yukio was always traveling, she worked for some company as an art consultant. They paid her to find them expensive pieces of art and buy it for them. This allowed for her Aunt to have a large bank account while still having whatever schedule she wanted. Which meant she went out partying all the time. She should, she was young, single, and beautiful. But where did that leave her and her brother? Surely, Mamoru didn't intend on keeping them for much longer. Would he ship them off to some home somewhere under the supervision of social services?

"Where did you get hot chocolate?"

Mamoru was leaning over examining her cup. He looked up at her with a small, almost unnoticeable smirk.

"It's not hot coco, it's coffee. I just don't have an iron stomach like you do."

"Oh yes you do. Come on, I've seen you eat!"

She smiled but didn't press any further. She knew she had a bad eating habit. He was right. Even though she didn't fight him, he looked upset. The one time she didn't argue with him and he looked disappointed. She actually felt guilty. But as soon as his look of disappointment appeared, it faded into stone as he turned back to the skyline once again. They stood in silence again as the sun gently rose and disappeared in a glow of orange and green behind the snow clouds.

By the time Shingo began to stir in the bedroom, the two of them went separate ways. Mamoru to the kitchen and Usagi to the living room. She flicked on the news and Mamoru began banging around in the kitchen, so she assumed he was making breakfast. They were finishing up the weather report. Snow, and lots of it. Shingo would be pleased. The thought of Shingo playing happily in the snow was shattered as the news turned to the report of the mysterious deaths of a Kenji and Ikuko Tsukino.

"Two bodies were found yesterday morning in a car on a deserted country road. The car was totaled, rolled into a tree. However, the police have yet to find a cause to the car's departure from the road. There are no skid marks that suggest the driver lost control and there is nothing obscuring the road. On top of that, the bodies seemed to receive a lot of strange damage that wasn't from the wreck. The officials are still working on their autopsy reports but what is stranger still is the location of the wreckage. It is a good 30 miles from the Tsukino's home. Police are yet to give a statement to this information but New 12 will be the first to fill you in."

She turned off the TV, unable to hear more. Mysterious circumstances? Hadn't just been an accident? The news just wanted a juicy story so they picked on her parents. Her anger seethed from every pore. She took deep breaths to calm herself. Last thing she needed was to accidentally call on her powers in the middle of Mamoru's living room. At some point she had stood from the couch and released her hold on the blanket. It soon occurred to her that if this was on the news that soon all her classmates would know the truth. At least that was one good thing News 12 did for her. Now she would just have to get through the sympathy and pity that everyone was sure to give her.

"Do you have anything in particular that you guys eat for breakfast?" Mamoru called from the kitchen. "You don't have to worry about us. I usually skip breakfast and Shingo has toast on his way out. I don't want us to be a bother."

His head popped out of the kitchen, "I always have breakfast. It's no trouble, just pick something."

"Pancakes. They're Shingo's favorite."

She turned to face him only to see his face red and his eyes were locked on her. Was he blushing? He quickly averted his eyes from her form and cleared his throat.

"Um, Usagi, I want you to feel comfortable here but maybe you should...cover yourself."

She looked down and realized that at some point the blanket she had wrapped around her had fallen off, leaving her in the oversized t-shirt and nothing else. She wasn't even wearing a bra. Luckily her hair was down from it's usual style still and it draped over her shoulders hiding her freed breast from view. She shuffled out of the room and back to the bedroom, shutting the door behind her. Shingo was groggy, sitting up in the bed. He looked a little confused as he took in his surroundings.

"Hey lazy bones. We are at Mamoru's. You fell asleep in the car, so he put you in here. Did you sleep okay?"

He didn't say a word, he just nodded his head. Shingo was never much for words when he first woke up. She sincerely hoped that was all his silence was. She pointed him in the direction of the bathroom and prayed he wasn't still in shock from yesterday.

After pulling on her jeans and socks from yesterday she wrangled her bra on under the t-shirt and returned to the living room She was greeted by the sound of Shingo's laugh from the kitchen. Peeking her head in, she saw Mamoru flipping pancakes high into the air and, mostly, catching them again in the pan. Shingo watched with rapid fascination and joy. Her fears that he was in shock meted away. A few hours later, Shingo and Mamoru sat on the couch watching cartoons. It amazed her that he would even be interested in the fast paced dribble. Even if he hated it he didn't show it, he just laughed along with Shingo with one arm across the back of the couch like he was sheltering the young boy. A knock at the door shattered the heart warming scene and Mamoru rose and opened the door. Behind it stood three shy looking girls and one cat. Usagi found herself running to the door and flinging herself into their arms. She even picked up a silent Luna and gave her a kiss.

"We brought you some stuff. For you and Shingo. Mamoru called and asked if we would get you a few things since you didn't want to go back to the house."

She turned to the strange man, "You called them? When? How?"

His eyes flicked to her cell phone sitting innocently on the coffee table.

"I hope you don't mind. Last night after you went to bed I pulled up Amy's number and asked her to go for you."

Carrying a large bag, Rei stepped into the apartment, "It was very thoughtful of him, wasn't it Usagi?"

"Yeah...really thoughtful..."

They watched each other with curious eyes, as if meeting for the first time. They were broken from their thoughts by Shingo's joyful cries.

"Oh Makoto-chan! I can't believe you brought this for me! Thank you so much."

Usagi turned to see Makoto unpacking a game system and setting it in front of the TV. Rei handed her bag off to Usagi and made herself comfortable on the couch next to Makoto. Luna loomed over the three girls now on the couch, giving Usagi the impression that they were here for more than just to drop off her things.

Mamoru sensed the sudden need for privacy, "Hey, Shingo, why don't you and I go to the grocery store? I don't have anything here for you or your sister. You can help me pick out what you guys like. Come on, grab your coat."

After five minutes of Shingo wrestling to get ready and get out the door, the girls were alone.

"So, how did you guys get into my house?"

"Your balcony window. You should really lock that you know." Makoto mused.

"I leave it unlocked for Luna's sake. Sorry I forgot you yesterday Luna, it was kind of a mess."

"You are forgiven. How are you Usagi-chan?"

"I'm fine."

They all looked at her but she left it at that. Wanting to change the subject, Rei's eyes swooped across the apartment.

"Who would have thought Mamoru lived in such a swanky place. Or that he would volunteer to take you and Shingo in. Is there something going on between you two that you haven't told us?" Rei suspiciously asked.

All eyes were on her once again, "No. We are the same as we have always been."

"Which is what exactly Usagi?" Ami questioned.

"Oh come on guys, you know that he and I do nothing but fight."

"But you guys always seem to be together. And he always seems to be learning more about you and watching you." Makoto argued.

Rei added, "Yeah if there isn't anything going on then maybe we should be a bit more cautious of him. He could be the enemy trying to get close to Usagi."

For the first time ever, Luna saved her from their accusations, "Ladies, we have more pressing matters. Usagi, I understand if you want to take a break from fighting. I wouldn't want you distracted and getting hurt. The rest of the Senshi and I can figure out a way to deal with the enemy without you."

"No. No I appreciate that Luna. And you guys. I understand you are trying to protect me but I just want everything to get back to normal. Besides, we have to find the silver crystal and the princess before the Negaverse does. What would it say as the leader that I took a break while the enemy got closer to finding them first? We are a team and we will stick together."

Luna gave her an approving nod while the girls gave her reassuring smiles. The Senshi meeting continued as usual after that and soon she was walking them to the door. They tried to get her to go to the arcade with them but she really wanted to be here when Shingo arrived.

With the apartment now empty, Usagi had to find ways to busy herself. First she took a shower. She rung her hair out as much as possible and brushed it all out. She still left it down. She just couldn't bring herself to put it up. After all, it had been her mother who taught her how to do it. She had told her mother what she wanted her hair to look like and without question, she weaved into her now signature style. For some reason, her and her mother agreed that is was her. Like her hair belonged that way and she was meant to wear it that way. Eleven years later she stared at her reflection, feeling more naked than ever with her hair down. She looked at the stranger in the mirror and really wondered who she was. She was Usagi Tsukino, Sailor Moon, defender of love and justice, but who was she really? Did she even know who she was? Luna told them that they are reincarnated soldiers from the Moon Kingdom. Rei was originally from Mars, Makoto from Jupiter, and Ami from Mercury. Did that mean she was from the moon? And did that mean that none of them were who they thought they were? All of this would make more sense if they had their memories, but what if she didn't like what she remembered? She wanted to remember, they all did, but something deep down inside her told her that she didn't want to know. That whatever it was that she couldn't remember was awful.

Not bothering about her hair any longer, she dug into the bag the girls brought her and found a pair of "boyfriend" fit, gray sweats and a tight, long sleeve pink shirt. She made sure to put a bra on underneath this time and headed back out to the living room once again. She picked up her cell and dialed Aunt Yukio. All she got was an answering machine. She had no clue if Yukio had a cell but either way she didn't have the number for it. Then she called the police station, using the number on the card detective Misha gave her to inquire on the release of her parent's bodies. They gave her a vague answer and said they would let her know. It was getting dark and she was still alone. After a fruitless search of the channels, she busied herself setting up the game system, which is where Mamoru and Shingo found her when they returned. They were both juggling multiple bags full of food. Usagi took Shingo's away from him so he could play with his game system and she followed Mamoru into the kitchen.

"It would appear that your brother has inherited your eating habits Dumpling Head."

She looked to Shingo and back to Mamoru with a small smile, which quickly faded when she noticed the frown on Mamoru's face. She wasn't sure what she was doing wrong but from the looks of it, it was really upsetting him. She entered the kitchen fully and helped him put away the groceries. Maybe he was upset about how much of a bother they must be for him.

"You didn't have to go through all this trouble. We could have just eaten whatever you wanted."

His frown only deepened and soon he was shoving her out of the kitchen so he could make dinner.

After still not having much of an appetite and picking at her dinner, she found herself watching Mamoru and Shingo battling against each other on the game system. At first Shingo had the upper hand but once Mamoru got the hang of the game he starting beating the pants off Shingo.

"Hey, aren't you suppose to let me win? I'm just a kid after all!"

He looked over at her, "Can you believe this?"

"Don't look at me, he always beats me no matter how hard I try."

"That's right, Usagi's too much dumplings for brains to beat me!"

Shingo challenged Mamoru to another battle. Usagi caught his reaction and saw yet again another frown. We must really be getting on his nerves.

"Shingo, why don't you give Mamoru a break and go get ready for bed."

To her surprise, he didn't fight her. He rose, kissed her cheek goodnight, and left her stunned on the couch next to a watchful Mamoru. With their parents gone, Shingo had officially declared her in charge. She was now his mother, father, and sister. The thought made her sad, knowing that she had more time with their parents than he ever would. Would he grow up to be normal or would this single event haunt him for the rest of his life, making him closed off to others? A recluse unable to connect with the rest of the world.

"I was his age..."

Mamoru's voice brought her out of her worrisome thoughts. She turned to face him, noticing for the first time how close they were. His eyes were on her, probably for the whole scene, watching her face as the thoughts of Shingo's future flashed across her face. What was he trying to say to her?

"I'm sorry?"

"I was his age when I lost both of my parents. They died in a car crash too."

Something clicked in her head. The lack of photos, no pictures of a young chubby faced Mamoru with a loving mother or father. Or any with anyone else that could be a sibling or family member or loved one. There were no pictures because they didn't exist. He was alone in this world.

"I didn't have any family, at least none that claimed me. I grew up in an orphanage until I was 16 and was finally allowed to leave and live on my own."

Her mind began to snap more of the pieces of the puzzle together. That's why he took us in. He did it for Shingo's sake. He didn't want Shingo to end up in an orphanage like he did. Which at this point, what with their Aunt still M.I.A., would have been a big possibility. She could have gotten herself declared independent, but she wouldn't have been able to save Shingo. He would have had to wait two years till she could adopt him if he didn't get adopted before then. She would have never seen him again. Knowing this, she was so happy and thankful of Mamoru right then. She pulled him into a tight hug. He stiffened at her unexpected affections, almost like the action of hugging was foreign to him, but soon he relaxed and gently returned her hug. As they held each other, she felt the other part of herself feel sad at this revelation. She wasn't sure why, but she was almost disappointed that he did this for only Shingo. It must be a side effect to the stress. But still, a part of her was so grateful for this man right now. She soon realized that she had been holding him for longer than a normal grateful hug. Quickly, she pulled away and mumbled her good nights as she hastened to the bedroom.

Shingo softly snored behind her as she sat on the bed and watched the twinkling world through the bedroom window. Placing her hands on her face, she could feel the warm flesh of her blush on her finger tips as she recalled the moment her and Mamoru shared a few minutes ago. Why did she react this way? Why was it that out of all the men in the world Mamoru was the only one who could drive her crazy one minute then have her blushing like a fool the next. Were they even friends? He brought them into his home, isn't that what a friend would do? Even if it was just for Shingo, he could have claimed him and left her to be alone. But Mamoru would never be that cruel. Sure he picked on her but he was never cruel. 'I guess that made them friends. And friends hug and say nice things to each other. So that's it...that's all it is. Mamoru and I are friends.' Snow began to gently fall, looking like fairies against the dark night back drop. She gently shook Shingo to try to wake him so he could see the snow, but he simply groaned and turned away from her. By the time she laid her head down to sleep, the snow was falling in buckets.

My brother died in a very public way too, so just like Usagi, I got the joy of the news telling everyone what happened. They even showed up at our house to try and get an interview! Guess we should have given them one cause they got most of the stuff wrong...Anyways, look forward to hearing from you guys!