Hello readers! Thank you to those of you who took the time to write me a review. For those of you who didn't, shame! Anyways, here is the next chapter!

Warning: The first paragraph contains some gory imagery that is not recommended for young viewers.

The Truth About Tragedy

Ch. 5

"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love." - Washington Irving

She sat in the back of a windowless, dark van. The axes made small creaking sounds as it swayed down the road. There were two large black bags in front of her the size and shape of a body. She moved to unzip one of the bags to see what was inside, when both bags came to life. The shook and twitched with fevered need, a need to be released from their captivity. Her back was pressed against the back doors of the van. The handles pressed painfully into her back but she didn't dare move. One of the bags continued to shake while the other sat up. A loud sick sound came from it the zipper was slowly ripped open from the inside. Then blood gushed out from the bag. It flooded the van, filling her shoes. The warm thick liquid squished between her toes and she felt sick. The empty bag still stood in a sitting position, nothing but black inside the now open hole. Suddenly, arms shot out of the bag and grabbed her shoulders shaking her.

Her eyes flew open as she let out a scream from their touch and slapped and scratched the hands off her shoulders. She panted as she took in her surroundings. She was back in Mamoru's room alone in his bed. She looked to her left to see a very concerned Mamoru whose hand still hung in the air from where it was slapped off her person. She stared at him, still shaking off the remainder of the dream. She jumped up from the bed and ran to the bathroom and vomited. Shaky hands splashed cold water over her face then held on tight to the sides of the sink as she tried desperately to calm herself. Luna meandered into the bathroom after her ward.

"Uagi-chan", she whispered, "are you alright?"

Usagi sunk to shaky knees so that she was face to face with her feline companion and whispered to her.

"It's nothing Luna, I just keep having these horrible nightmares."

She didn't mention that they felt real; every cut, every drop of blood, every ounce of fear that flooded her heart turning her body cold. And she didn't tell her that she was having a hard time waking from these dreams.

Shingo's laughter could be heard from the bathroom as she gained her senses once again and headed to the sound. Shingo and Mamoru were having a small snow ball fight on the balcony but as soon as she entered the living room, Mamoru's attention turned to her winning him a snow ball in the face. Calling a timeout, they returned to the warm apartment. Usagi grabbed up Shingo and placed his freezing hands on her overheated cheeks, sending a awaking chill down her back. Shingo got a devilish look on his face and moved his hands to the back of her neck causing her to squeal. She slipped away from his hands and fell back on the couch where he proceeded to put hands on exposed warm skin while she screamed at him to get away. She got her hands on his shoulders and spun him around so his hands could no longer touch her. For revenge, she proceeded to tickle him till he was in tears on the floor.

"That'll teach you Shingo! Never mess with the master."

Mamoru stood just inside the door watching them with a pleased smile on his face. She lifted her little brother to his feet and gave him a small pat on his bottom.

"Go get dressed so we can go out in the snow."

He ran back to the bedroom in leaping strides. She laid back on the couch and let out an exhausted sigh as her frown returned to her face. She peeped through her tired eyes to see that Mamoru's smile had faded as well into a frown. He moved closer to her and was about to say something when a knock came at the door. She remained on the couch while he left to see who the intruder was this time. As soon as she heard the voice she knew who it was.

"Hi, I'm sorry but is this the residence of...Che..ba Mamoru?"

"Yes, I'm CHIBA Mamoru."

"Oh, sorry. I'm looking for Usagi and Shingo Tsukino, I'm their Aunt Yukio."

Shingo entered the living room just in time to see Aunt Yukio enter the apartment. His eyes wide as saucers he raced to almost tackle their favorite Aunt. Once she had detached her young Nephew from her, Usagi gave her a tight, short hug and left to pack her's and Shingo's bags. She knew she should feel a bit more secure now that their Aunt and rightful guardian was here to take them. However, she felt apprehensive and she couldn't put her finger on a reason. She glanced at the note that Mamoru wrote their night in the snow. His hand writing was so neat and particular. Folding it up neatly, she placed it in her pocket.

When she returned to the living room, bags in tow, Aunt Yukio was thanking Mamoru profusely for taking care of the two of the.

"Really, it was no trouble. These two practically take care of themselves." He put a hand in Shingo's hair mussing it up in an affectionate manner, "This one in particular. He was very helpful in the kitchen."

Shingo turned to Yukio, "Can Mamoru come with us and stay for dinner?"

Yukio looked up from her tenacious Nephew to Mamoru's face, "It's the least I could do after all that you have done for my family."

"I don't want to be a bother."

"It's not a bother, I'm just going to order pizza!"

Shingo grabbed onto Mamoru's hand like his life depended on it, "Please Mamoru?!"

He looked over at me like he was trying to read my face then sighed in defeat, "Alright."

Shingo hoped into the front seat of Mamoru's car while I slipped into Yukio's. We pulled out of the parking deck with Mamoru's red sports car right behind us. Aunt Yukio lived on the other end of town. Technically, we would be in another school district but this far into the year, no one would say anything. Aunt Yukio had the music blasting and was singing along. Yukio looked expectantly at Usagi to join in. When she didn't, Yukio turned it down.

"Come on Usagi-chan, we always sing together."

"Have you heard anything from the police about releasing mom and dad's bodies. I need to start setting up the funeral."

"Oh no, no no no young lady! You will not be dealing with the funeral. That will be my job. Your job is to get back into your life."

"Yukio, their my parents."

"And she was my sister! You are too young to worry about these things. Don't even argue with me, it's done."

And with that she turned the music back up and continued to sing at the top of her lungs.

Aunt Yukio's house was just as she remembered it. It really fit her personally perfectly. It was a smaller house than her parent's but it was just as warm. An old weathered fence surrounded her decent sized yard. Large trees shaded the house in the summer time but in the winter they stood tall, looming over the yard. Usagi knew that come spring the house would be covered in moon flowers and honey suckles giving the air a sweet smell day and night. The house itself was a pale yellow that had faded over time. Usagi imagined that the house use to be a bright sunny color but now it was a more muted yellow. Yukio pulled into the small car port and the red sports car pulled in behind them. As Usagi and Yukio pulled the bags out of the trunk, Shingo raced to the door. Yukio rushed up behind him to let him in before he burst. Before she could pull the other bags out, Mamoru grabbed them from her and gestured for her to head to the door in front of him.

The inside was just as she remembered too. The vibrant floral couches and bright rugs. Paintings on every wall. The pokey kitchen and the dusty chimney. Mamoru followed her to what would be her room and set down the bags. She watched as he took in her new home. The room was smaller than her old room with a twin bed and a small bay window. But it had the best view as it overlooked the garden in the back yard. A large weeping willow's bare branches swayed just outside. She knew in the summer, she would have one of the best rooms in the house. Crisp white covers graced the bed with two bright pink pillows that Yukio had added the first time she ever spent the night here. The sealing came down at an angle at one end of the room leaving just enough head room to walk and sit at the small desk in the corner. A small, three teared book shelf sat against the wall next to the bay window seat and it was full of books she had brought went she was a child staying here in the summer. It included titles like The Little Mermaid and The Complete Works of the Grim Brothers and other fairy tales that use to keep her company o the warm summer nights she spent here. Mamoru was examining the book collection when he noticed the small array of photos on top of the shelf. There was one of her mother and father dancing in their kitchen, one of Shingo giving the camera a raspberry, one of her with Aunt Yukio and her mother, and one with the girls. He gently fingered each one as he examined them.

"Well Usagi Tsukino, at least you will always be loved."

She cringed at his words. He didn't mean them in a malicious way, but the thought of all the loved ones she still had while he had none made her feel so guilty. She had lost her parents but he had lost his life. Here sadness seemed so insignificant compared to his. He picked up the photo of her, her Aunt, and her mother. She stood between the two while her and Yukio made funny faces. Her mother was mid laugh at their antics. The three of them had been so happy when that picture was taken. And now...

"You look more like your Aunt."

It was such an honest and obvious statement, but she had never considered it before. Aunt Yukio had wavy dark blonde hair that fell just past her shoulders and sparkling green eyes. Her skin was pale and she was a bit short but she was curvy in all the right places. It wasn't just how she looked that they were similar. It was their personalities. They were the same in many ways. They both were infectiously happy and always liked to look at the bright side of life. It wasn't an insult by any means. It was really a compliment, and a really nice one since her Aunt was gorgeous. But right now, more than anything, she wanted to look and be like her mom. As soon as Mamoru sat on what was now her bed, Shingo popped his head into the room.

"Come on Mamoru, you have to check out my room!"

He gave her a sheepish grin and disappeared down the hall.

At dinner, Yukio discussed getting their things, deciding quickly that she would just go and pack it all up for them. Also being so far from school they had to discuss how the two of them would get to and from there.

"I can come pick you two up."

"Oh, Mamoru. You are just a dream come true!" Yukio gushed.

"You don't have to do that Mamoru." Usagi interjected.

"Oh, would you Mamoru? That would be so cool!" Shingo gushed.

Apparently, she was the only one thinking rationally, "Don't you have school too?"

"My classes don't start till 9. I can get you both to school by 8 and have plenty of time. I could bring you home too."

Yukio and Usagi answered at the same time, "Oh would you really?" "No that's not necessary."

Her Aunt leaned into her ear, "Come on Usagi, this one is a keeper!"

She turned bright red and gawked at her Aunt. Making matters worse, Shingo leaned over to Mamoru and whispered, not so softly, "Is being a keeper good? Cause they just called you one."

Mamoru smirked at her crimson face. She had never been so happy to hear the phone ring in her life, snatching up her cell and saving what was left of her dignity.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Usagi, it's Ami."

"Oh hey."

"Makoto, Rei, and I are at the arcade. You want meet us? We haven't seen you in a while."

"Oh...I don''t know Ami. I just got settled in at my Aunt's house..."

"We miss you Usa."

"I miss you guys too."

Suddenly, her phone was ripped out of her hand by her spunky Aunt.
"Hi, who is this and where are you? Oh hey Ames! Sure she would love to go. I'm sending her out the door now. Alright honey, talk to you later." After a failed attempt to retrieve her phone, it was soon graciously handed over to her now that the deed was done.

"Usa, you need to go out and spend time with friends. Everything is fine here. Get back to normal!"

Mamoru stood to leave collecting her as he went.

"I'll take her over there."

Shingo pouted at the loss of his play mate but Yukio grinned like a cat at the two of them as he practically hoisted her out the door.

Arms crossed defiantly the whole trip, she pouted at the lack of respect and control in her life.

"I remember a time not too long ago, when you would have done anything to spend time with your friends."

"Well things change."

He gave her a wicked frown and she folded.

"Look, I just don't feel up for it yet. Not now."

"Usagi, you are never going to feel up for it if you don't try."

Hushed whispers filled the arcade as she entered. She could make out the occasional word here and there. "That's her!", "Did you hear about her parents?", "I can't believe she is outside.", and "I feel so bad for her." hit her ears. Motoki gave her a shocked look that quickly turned to a sad smile as Mamoru put a hand on her upper back and pushed her towards the booth containing her three friends. They all watched her with a strange look as she walked up to the edge of their table.

"Usagi-chan...your hair..."

Her hands flew up to her bun-less head. It felt empty and strange. She had forgotten about her lack of familiarity when Mamoru pushed her out the door. It was to late now and she really didn't have a good excuse. But they didn't push. Instead they made room for her and, to her surprise, Mamoru to sit. His form sat across from her like a guard keeping her in the booth. Every eye in the arcade focused on her while she kept her eyes in her lap.

"So, Usagi-chan, how are things at your Aunt's"

She looked up at Ami and then all the other expectant eyes on her. This didn't use to be so hard. Why was it now? She had faced so many demons throughout the years. Each of them had lost someone dear to them, Ami's father was gone, both Rei and Makoto lost both their parents to death or indifference. What made her so special that she couldn't get back to normal?

"Things are great. She is going to take care of everything, the police, releasing the bodies, the funeral..."

Makoto reached across and grabbed her hand, "You know that we will be there for you?"

She smiled, a genuine smile, "Yes, of course. I know you guys will always be there."

It felt good to smile even if it only lasted a few minutes.

"Yeah, besides, if we weren't there you might embarrass yourself dumpling head!"

Rei was only trying to get her to act normal, get a rise out of her, picking around with her like always. She appreciated it, she really did but all she could do was smile and nod. After all, Rei was right. She probably would embarrass herself. She watched as every face turned into a frown or worry. Before anyone could say anything, a large chocolate milkshake landed in front of her.

"Here Usagi-chan. Your favorite, on the house."

Motoki gave her a friendly pat on the back and scuttled away. She looked at the large, sweet, frothy concoction in front of her. It was her favorite. Then why did it make her sick to her stomach? Feeling guilty, since he did make it for her, she bravely took the straw in her mouth and took a long sip. She managed to get at least half of it down while the girls continued to talk about their weekends. Normally the conversation would be lively and excited but tonight it seemed humbled. Usagi just listened and Mamoru just sat there occasionally glancing at her like he expected her to add in a word or two here and there. The group grew silent once again till a loud meow interrupted. Everyone turned to look at the offending feline who just swished her tail and looked at Usagi. Luna had rushed out of Mamoru's apartment that morning. Usagi suspected it was to research her nightmares.

"Oh, is her Aunt okay with you bringing home Luna? She really misses you and she keeps chasing Phobos and Deimos."

Luna gave Rei a spiteful look but then returned her gaze to Usagi.

"Yeah, I'm sure she won't mind."

Luna leaped onto the table, crossing over to Usagi's lap, sitting in it as if to claim the young girl as her property. It was her way of telling the girls that she would take care of Usagi. The Senshi seemed to relax a little at the site, knowing Usagi was in capable hands. The table had grown quiet once again at the site, so she took it as a good time to leave.

"Well, I should probably go now. I still need to un-pack and help my Aunt with some things."

It was a lie but she just had to get out of there. Between the stares from the other customers in the arcade and her friend's gentle probings, she just couldn't take any more. Carrying Luna, she rose and walked out the door. She didn't even stop when she heard a loud bang that sounded like fist hitting the table or when she heard footsteps behind her or when he called her name. The only thing that stopped her from her retreat was him grabbing her arm in a not so gentle manner.

"Where are you going?"

"I told you I'm going home."

He sounded angry. What did Mamoru have to be angry about? She just wanted to get out of there, to disappear and never return.

"And just how were you going to get there?"

"I'm going to walk. I really need the fresh air okay? Just go back to the arcade, I'm fine."

He let go of her arm and she began to continue her escape.

"You're going to walk? You really are a Dumpling Head aren't you?"

She stopped at his insults. This time they hurt more than ever before. It had been so long since he had insulted her; she had foolishly thought he had quit his relentless teasing and they could actually be friends. He closed the small distance between them and she could feel him close to her back. She didn't dare turn to face him, she didn't want him to see the affect he was having on her. She had never let him see the tears he caused her and she didn't want to now either.

"It is at least a two hour walk from here. It's dark and cold. Do you have a death wish? Or are you just that stupid?"

It was a mixture of stress, sadness, and the lack of sleep made her turn. Her hand flew out and slapped him hard across the face before she thought it through. His shocked face stared at the pavement and she instantly regretted the action. She had never been violent with him. She opened her mouth to give a stream of apologies when his laughter filled the air. He turned to look at her, a perfect hand print appearing in red on his face.

"You call that a slap? Are you stupid and weak?"

A fire rose inside her as her anger boiled over with such intensity she didn't think she could control herself. Her arm rose to slap him again but this time his hand caught hers before it could meet his face again. Warm, angry tears slowly trickled down her face. His face was inches from hers, looking, searching them for something. His free hand brushed tears from her face surprising and confusing her even more.

"There it is Usagi. There is the fire that we all love and miss from you. If you don't mourn, if you continue to bottle everything up Usagi, that fire is going to go out and I'm afraid it will never come back."

She couldn't hold it in any longer. The dam that she had built up came crashing down at such a fast pace that her whole body felt weak. Luna jumped off of her trembling arm as Mamoru released her other one. She felt herself being to fall as tears shook her body and weakened her knees. Two arms wrapped around her waist, holding her tightly in a hug as she sobbed. It was just like before when she first walked into the arcade and found her way to Mamoru. But this time it felt more fulfilling, like a big weight was lifting off her shoulders. Seconds, minutes, hours passed yet he still held her while she released her demons into his now wet shirt. Her tears slowly began to wane and she felt exhausted. Physically and spiritually. She began to slip into sleep. The last thing she remembered where the same two arms lifting her up off the ground and walking in an unknown direction.

Stay tuned!