Hello Lovelies! I noticed that for some reason the post I made about my job at the examiner blanked out the website name. I guess this site won't let you post other sites in your stories. I still need subscriptions so if you guys could help me out I would greatly appreciate it. The examiner is an online newspaper so nothing will be shipped to you or anything. You will just get an email every time I post a new article. You can find me on their website under the name Allison Austin in the Indianapolis Gardening Scene. If I get more subscriptions I will not only get to keep the job but they will start to pay me. Lame, I know but I gotta start some where! And true, Gardening, a bit boring but it was the only opening they had that I felt I could write about. Don't get wrong, I love to garden, I just don't know how I'm suppose to get anyone interested in reading about gardening. Anyways, please help me out, I would be extremely grateful.

This chapter is a bit short but at least I am posting something! If you guys get through it and really want more than send me a review. If a lot of you want more today then I will post again. Otherwise I will assume you are all busy and satisfied with the post and not worry about it till tomorrow. This isn't blackmail, I swear. I have other stories I am working on right now so I will only worry about this one if you guys say something.

The Truth About Tragedy

Ch. 14

"Grief is the price we pay for love." – Queen Elizabeth II

When she woke, the window had been replaced and Mamoru was gone. The only proof that it hadn't been a dream was his smell on her sheets. She leaned her face into the warm pillow and breathed his scent in deeply. Something, deep down, told her that they would never be apart. That they would always be together no matter what obstacles they were to face. Starting with the one this afternoon when he would try to convince the Senshi that he was on their side. She wasn't really sure where or why she had these feelings but she couldn't shake them even if she wanted to. The screen to her room slammed open to reveal a fiery goddess in her her priestess robes in front of her.

"Usagi! Get your lazy ass out of bed and get dressed. We have to start training soon!"

Well she was at least fiery but not very goddess like this morning. Rei left her to get dressed. What was the point? They were going to train in full Senshi mode. She could go in her pajamas and it wouldn't make a difference! She contemplated the repercussions of going nude and put on a pair of dark jeans and her favorite pink sweater. Pulling Mamoru's coat on top and a pair of pink flats, she joined Rei at the top of the temple steps where they would meet the other girls and head deep into the woods to train. Ami showed a few minutes later and Makoto soon followed carrying a radio and a pack of CDs.

Rei pointed at the radio like it was porno, "What the hell is that for?"

"Ami said we should practice tuning out distractions so I thought a little fight music wouldn't hurt!"

"That's not exactly what I had in mind..." Ami interjected.

But Makoto didn't back down, "Well it'll be fun any ways, Right Usagi?"

They all turned to her, their leader, "Sure, why not!"

The other two let out a sigh while Makoto hissed out a "YES".

Their usual training grounds were a dense spot in the forest behind the temple. Surrounded by thick woods and brush, they would be hard to find by anyone. Normally the sun shone through the leaves and branches casting warm light intermittently across them. Birds could be heard even with all their nose. Even with their deadly attacks stretching across the forest, the birds were never afraid of them. They almost welcomed the four-some as they practiced to protect their world. But today, thick gray clouds hung over the sky like they had for the past week and the forest was quiet and still.

Sailor Moon, Mercury, Mars, and Jupiter sent attacks back and forth towards each other. Mercury and Mars were paired together since their powers contrasted so much. They had learned that pairing Mercury and Jupiter together wasn't always a good idea. Water and electricity together could not only seriously injure the two but everyone near by. Jupiter found it had to control her powers with a lot of water around. One time she short circuited herself and shocked the crap out of all of them. They all had static in their hair for a week. Any time Jupiter landed an attack on Mercury the poor girl would almost pass out. No matter how weak the attack was, the electricity would be doubled on her system.

So that left her with Jupiter as a partner. Jupiter was a good sparing partner but she always held back with her. It wasn't just Jupiter, all of them held back when they sparred with her. It was almost like they didn't realize that see was just as strong as they are. She could sense the difference in her energy from when she attacked a yoma and when she attacked her.

"Supreme Thunder!"

Jupiter barely tosses it at her making it way too easy to dodge. She is suppose to be the leader for heavens sake. Yeah she tends to klutz out in the middle of battles but maybe if her friends trained with her at full force she would get better. Why were they always trying to protect her?

"Oh come on Jupiter, are you even trying?"

"Of course I'm trying!"

"You guys never try with me. You all put on kid gloves when we spare."

The other two girls stopped and looked at her. She knew she had them, they couldn't even deny it. She wanted to train for real or they would always have to save her. And Mamoru would have to save her, putting them all in danger.

"Okay Sailor Moon. Why don't we try something a little new then" Mars challenged as she stepped over to the radio. She turned up the volume to the max. It was playing a pop song that was strangely fitting. Mercury and Jupiter looked like they wanted to protest but after a threatening look from Mars they both vanished into the thick woods.

"Try and dodge our attacks Sailor Moon."

Then she turned and followed the others. The music was the only sound as she waited for whatever was next.

She heard a twig snap behind her but it was too late to dodge the slap on her ass from a green blur. Next, a hard punch in the arm from the red streak. This was harder than she expected. She needed to find a way to concentrate on their energy.

Closing her eyes, she forced herself to block out all the unnecessary sounds and pushed to sense the Senshi. She pushed till her brain started to burn and was about to give up when small lights began to flicker in her mind. At first she thought she had broken something till the lights began to take on colors and move. She could see Mars' red light shifting a few feet to her right. Mercury's blue was slowly circling her, waiting for her turn. Jupiter's green was watching from a tree. But there was one more light. It was a deep orange and it was just sitting still several feet from her like it was watching.

Deciding the on-looker was not a threat, she continued to use her new skill to scan the area around her when she noticed another energy right behind her. It was bright gold and beautiful, taking her by surprise. Whirling around on one heel she launched her other heel as fast as she could towards the intruder only to have it caught before making contact with what would have been his chest. Looking up from the wall of black and white she faced the masked man in front of her and saw the small smirk on his face. He didn't let go of her leg. Instead he pulled up over his head and wrapped and arm around her waist hoisting her up like a ballerina. Then twisting her around she found herself staring up at him caught in his arms. His smile widened at the shocked look on her face. He still held claim to her leg.

"Such a lovely leg. I'd hate to give it up. How about a trade?"

He released it and leaned in for a kiss which she was more than willing to give but the voices across from them stopped her.

"Get away from Sailor Moon!"

Looking over, she saw all three Senshi staring at them. They had some how missed their little romantic moment and were ready to pommel Tuxedo Kamen into tomorrow.

Mars took a step closer, "Put her down now!"

He hesitated but soon set her back on her feet, but she didn't move from him. She stood in front of him blocking their aim.

"Sailor Moon, get away from him!" Jupiter said as she charged her attack.

"No."

Ami, being so sensitive, pleaded with her, "Be careful Sailor Moon, he is the enemy!"

A groan of anger escaped Tuxedo Kamen's throat, "It's alright Sailor Moon. They don't trust me."

"It's not alright! We are all allies! We are about to have the fight of our lives! We all need to work together other wise we will fail!"

"You should listen to your leader."

All eyes turned to the strange voice to see a girl with long blonde hair the same color as Usagi's. She was the same height, the same skin color, if it wasn't for the different hair style and fuku they would have been identical! It freaked her out a little that a stranger could look so much like her.

"And just who the hell are you?" Mars raged at her intrusion.

"She's the Moon Princess, Princess Serenity!"

A white cat emerged from the shadows behind the stranger. He had a small moon on his forehead just like Luna. It couldn't have been a coincidence. Her head got fuzzy, like deja va again accept this time her brain was trying to tell her something. It was like someone was trying to force her mind to open and remember something she had forgotten. Looking at the other Senshi, she could tell they were feeling the same thing. Even Tuxedo Mask seemed to feel the affects of the new comer's words. Her eyes, a bit blurry, tried to focus on the Princess. She could just make out a crescent moon on her forehead. It must be true. She had finally arrived. The Princess they were born to protect and serve. They were now complete and were beginning to fully awaken.

"Sailor Moon is right. This man is not your enemy."

Even if she was their Princess, it didn't change Jupiter's hesitation, "How do you know that?"

The Princess turned and looked at the two of them as if she could see right through them, "I just know."

She didn't give them any more, but she had a feeling that some how she could see what he meant to her. Either way she was thankful that she had at least one Senshi on her side.

"Now, let's head to central. Luna is expecting us."

"You know about central control?" Ami was surprised, their Princess seemed to know so much about them.

"Of course we do. Who do you think has been sending you all that information?"

All eyes focused on the small white cat with the booming voice. The cat had a deep male voice that contrasted so much with Luna's feminine one that she found it startling. It had taken her a while to get use to Luna and now she would have to start all over again with this cat.

"Princess, we can't just waltz into central at this time of day like this. Especially with him here."

She was ready to chastise Mars when the Princess stopped her, "I agree. Sorry Tux boy. I believe you are not the enemy but there are some secrets we are not ready to share with you just yet."

With that the others head off to central leaving the three of them alone in the woods. The Princess slowly approached the two of them.

"Sailor Moon, it is great to finally meet you. Again."

"We have met before?"

"Not in this life time. I can't wait till you regain your memories my...friend."

With that, she was gone and it was just the two of them. There was a sadness in the Princess' eyes, almost like her lack of memories personally saddened her. It made her wonder just what all she had forgotten. She turned her attention to the masked man still behind her.

"Sorry about this, but at least they are starting to trust you."

Light filled the air as she returned to her normal self. He pulled his coat around her tighter and kissed the tip of her nose.

"I'll see you tonight, Usagi."

Then she was completely alone. Would it always be like this? Her defending the man she loved to the people she cared about? How many times would he have to save her for them to see how much he cared? What kind of sacrifice would they have to make to prove their worth? She made it to central without incident as the others gathered around the computer. They were all back in their normal clothes including the Princess, who she couldn't help but stare at.

"Ah there she is!" the Princess said upon noticing her.

"Hello Princess."

"Please, call me Minako. I wouldn't dare have you call me that!"

There was a twinkle in her eye that caused her brain to get fuzzy again. She clutched her head trying to shake the weirdness out of her head.

"Oh, I'm sorry about that. I want you all to regain your memories as soon as possible so I've been trying to give you guys a little push."

Luna and the white cat sat at the computer together typing away.

"That's Artemis by the way. He has been my companion since the beginning. He found me and helped me see who I am. Just like Luna did for you right?"

She shock her head yes. She wanted to be more friendly but the waves of dizziness made it hard for her to concentrate. The computer began to let off loud alarm bells and switched over to a completely different screen.

"The computer is getting a large energy reading from Tokyo Tower. It must be the enemy!" She wasn't use to orders coming from the male voice of Artemis but the others were already out the door when Luna stopped her.

"Usagi, you must protect the Princess but I want you to be careful as well. They are still after you."

She gave Luna a small smile then quickly followed the girls out of central. It was dark out, darker than usual. It was a black out of some kind. The streets were deserted adding to the eeriness of the city. She had never seen the city so dark or so empty. Not a single sound was heard n her way to the tower except her footsteps and heavy breaths in the cold dark night. The other Senshi and the Princess were already on their way to the top when she arrived. She felt uneasy, more than she had for any battle before. Trying to shake her worry she quickly transformed and began her ascend to the top. Tonight would be the end. She would get her revenge for her family and get the enemy off her back once and for all.

Does this count as a cliffhanger?