4: "Foreshadowing"

"You're always saving me, aren't you?"

Naru and Usagi smiled at each other as they walked back to their respective houses. It was very dark outside by that point, no place for a respectable young woman to be strolling about by herself. Naru hadn't been careless— she took the same well-traveled, well-lit path she always did— she just hadn't anticipated a thief in the midst, or that this thief had been watching her for several days, and was aware of just how much money she had. Usagi was only too glad to help her, and not just because they were old friends and it was her duty, but because it was sort of a tradition between them.

"I guess so. So how have you been, Naru?"

"Oh, not too bad. I've been losing a little business thanks to this economy, but there's still a demand. And how about you? Last I heard, you went into the police academy! Ha!— I could just imagine that!"

"What's that supposed to mean?" she grumbled.

"It's just that…you never struck me as the law enforcement type. I mean, I guess that deep down, you've got a strong sense of duty, and you've always been passionate about upholding justice and ensuring safety for everyone…but it just didn't click." Usagi frowned and crossed her arms indignantly.

"I'll have you know I aced that test!"

"I kind of figured," Naru smiled. She giggled and added, "Otherwise, you wouldn't have been able to arrest that thief! But somehow I doubt even that would stop you."

"Hey, I'd never turn into a vigilante!"

"But you'd find a way. You'd defend me because you'd know it was the right thing to do. You've been doing that for me ever since the day we first met." Usagi scoffed.

"Talk about nostalgia. I'm surprised you still remember that."

Naru closed her eyes, smiling warmly. "How could I forget? It's how we became friends. You know, I'm glad we can keep that tradition alive, even today, even though it's been years since I've seen you. Did you ever marry that guy?— umm, Mamoru, was it?"

"No, that didn't go very far. Unfortunately." She smiled sadly and elbowed her oldest friend. "And what about you? Anything from Umino, or have your interests changed?"

"Actually, I'm an old maid just like you."

"Hey, I'm not old! I'm in my late twenties now, same as you!"

"But from the way you act, I'd say you're still a teenager."

"That's right!" she bellowed proudly. "Act young, look young, be young! That's my motto!"

"It's certainly been your way of life for as long as I can remember." They both laughed. Being able to weather this playful bantering was a sign that Usagi had indeed matured— but only just.

"So why no husband and family?" Naru shrugged.

"It just never happened. I went to college, inherited the family business, made something of myself… I've dated now and then, but it never progressed."

"And Umino?"

"Became a professor at Azabu Institute of Technology."

"No way! The same school that Mamoru and Motoki went to?"

"Yup, the same one. We talk a lot and see each other now and then, but I think we've both moved on. You know, since we're on the subject of romances, I think I should let you in on a closely-guarded secret I've been keeping all these years. You know, as a thank-you present, or a reunion gift." Usagi blushed.

"Oh, Naru, you don't have to…"

"No, I think you'll be very interested to hear this one. Umino wasn't the only contender for my heart back when we were in middle school. I had also fallen in love with Makoto Kino."

Well, Naru was right: Usagi was very interested to hear about this. After she picked her jaw up from the floor, shrieked out her disbelief, and begged her friend to elaborate, Naru told her the whole story. Truthfully, she and Makoto had known each other back when the brunette was still enrolled in her old school— the one she had been expelled from, reportedly for fighting. And wouldn't you know it, but Makoto had saved Naru from danger as well. Despite their social, economic, and physical differences, the two became fast friends, and trusted each other to the point of intimacy (Naru slept over at Makoto's house sometimes— but nothing more). They had drifted away when Makoto was expelled, but found each other again, and maintained a rather secretive fellowship that even Usagi had been largely unaware of (oh, sure, Naru occasionally followed the five of them around, and interacted with the likes of Minako or Ami on numerous occasions, but she was never suspected of being close to any of them).

"Oh," Usagi sighed. "So when you say you had fallen in love with Mako, you didn't mean…like…a romantic sort of love."

"You of all people should know better that to file and label something as intangible as love," Naru answered maturely. "But call it what you will. She and Nephrite were my first true loves. Say, how are her children? It's been awhile since we've spoken."

Usagi was metaphorically pinned to the spot, her heart wrenched. She had enjoyed her time with Naru so much that she had nearly forgotten how long it had been since they actually spoke— and they had been good friends. Even among the Senshi, Usagi would always list Naru as her closest friend, someone whom (with the possible exceptions of her family and Rei) she could confide anything to. Hearing about her admiration towards Makoto was one thing, but comprehending the thought of a bond like that severed with the same ease as Usagi's own… It crushed her, absolutely crushed her. Naru had let go of the people she had fallen in love with, the people she had given her heart to, and for what? She and Makoto had a special bond that Usagi couldn't even comprehend, yet it had been ages since they spoke. Why? What kept people so far apart from each other when they grew up?

"They're fine," she covered, smiling flaccidly. "Naoko's getting big, and Shinozaki's started talking. Um, you can't understand what he's saying most of the time… Say, maybe you could come with me the next time I watch over them."

"You watch over them?" Usagi nodded.

"Whenever I'm not busy, and Mako needs a sitter. You know her: either she's romancing or she's working." Naru sighed and clucked her tongue.

"I'd love to, but the shop's in flux right now. I'm working six days a week, sometimes all seven, and most days are ten-hour shifts."

"That sounds familiar," she grimaced.

"And the days I do get off are spent catching up on housework."

"Preaching to the choir." Naru suddenly laughed.

"Seriously? I'd pay good money to watch you vacuum and scrub the floors!"

"Hey, I can be industrious when I need to!"

She winked. "That's true. You did pass your high school entrance exams. Even Miss Sakurada thought you had cheated. They were this close to making you do it again."

"And thank goodness they didn't," Usagi groaned. "I'd never studied that hard before in my entire life! But as you said, I passed it, and I passed my police exams as well. Usagi Tsukino can do anything she wants, if she really wants to."

"I know," Naru smiled. She stopped and told Usagi that they had reached her apartment. It wasn't so far from Usagi's that she'd need any special transportation to cross the distance, so they proposed that they visit each other more often, make calls, send texts, anything to keep the bond strong. Usagi promised to give all of Naru's love to Makoto when she saw her again, and left her with a very long-overdue hug.

…

About a week and a half later, Usagi was hovering in line at her bank, idly listening to some music as she waited for her turn. Over the years, she and her friends had shared more than just adventures and perils with one another: they immersed each other in their musical tastes, creating a blend that Makoto described as "not unlike an oden pot". Most of the songs were from pop stars, many of whom were long forgotten and obsolete now, or imports from British rock stars that Minako brought with her from her youth spent in England. Usagi had taken a liking to the Rolling Stones and The Who, but now she was cycling through the works of John Lee Hooker, an artist she had discovered all on her own.

She paused her device and took the buds out of her ears as she greeted her teller. Another week, another deposit for her, quick and easy, just the way she liked it. After taking a few pieces of complimentary candy and mints, she headed outside again, pausing to check the newspapers scattered in a nearby customer waiting room. As she flipped through the pages, she noticed someone shoving his way to the front counter, and to her alarm, pulled a gun out and demanded the bank's money.

"No silent alarms, no heroes, no moving unless I tell you— got that?" The teller tried to stay calm, but there was panic and fear in her voice. She emptied her register and had everyone else do the same. The man then gestured for her to open the vault. All this time, everyone else was crouching on the floor, hands on their heads— Usagi included— mortified and stricken. Usagi couldn't believe that she would be so conveniently placed for a second crime, but this one was far more serious than the last, with human lives on the line. Rushing in blindly to save the day would get people killed, and revealing herself as a police officer might startle the robber into desperation. She decided to wait until he was finished, and give chase later.

Once he cleaned out the tellers, the robber started focusing on the customers, taking everything of value they had. Usagi squirmed nervously as he came close to her. It had been a very long time since she was given reason to fear anything, and the sensation felt new and terrifying. It wasn't her money she was concerned with so much as her identity: she kept her badge with her wallet, and one look at it would spell immense trouble. Eventually, it came time for her to deliver, and she threw him her purse obediently. It only took a second for the criminal to train his gun on her.

"Imagine my luck. Did someone call you? Are you working undercover or something?"

"No, sir, I just came here to deposit my check. I won't chase you or arrest you or anything, sir, I promise! I just work at a desk— "

Oh, listen to you! You sound so pathetic! Stand up to this creep and fight!

But I can't. I have to protect these people.

If you don't fight, he'll kill you!

But if I do fight, he'll kill everyone.

"Psh, nothing but a lowly wage monkey! But you're a cop all the same! You're coming with me, missy! I think I just found the perfect hostage!" Usagi crouched petrified, the lamb awaiting the slaughter, yelling out only once as he grabbed her by her long yellow tails. The man held her close, training his gun on her face, edging away from the bank, away from the customers and employees, back outside.

At least everyone else is safe, Usagi sighed to herself. I wasn't able to do much, but at least I got him away from the others. In the end, that's my duty, isn't it? But is this how I'm going to die? After everything else I've been through?

Existentialism didn't factor long into Usagi's thoughts. The man seized up suddenly, gagging and groaning painfully. He let go of Usagi and the gun, clutching his head, his eyes squeezed so tight that it looked like his pupils would crush. Acting quickly, Usagi kicked the gun away from him, forced his wrists together by the straps of her purse, and called for backup. As she waited for a squad car, the man's thrashing and raving only got worse. He became uncontrollable, forcing her to knock him to the ground, where she held him with all her might.

"Help me!" he roared, a fear greater than anything she had known flaming livid in his eyes. "God help me! HELP ME!"

"I don't know what's wrong!" she screamed. This was a job for Ami, not for her. "The police are on the way! They'll take you to a hospital! Just hang on!"

Classic Usagi, worried about a cold-blooded criminal. But she couldn't help it; even he didn't deserve this unseen agony. Eventually she was surrounded by squad cars and escorted back to headquarters, where Hari was awaiting her report. Once Usagi was cleared and her statement made, the chief glanced over it, then at her officer, impressed and nonplussed.

"Is it a habit of yours to do this on your day off, Tsukino? Don't answer that. I am bewildered by what I see before me. The results of your exam and your police training suggest that you're not much use outside of a desk job, and yet you've apprehended two perps without a single loss of life or property. Impressive, but disquieting. Perhaps maybe I've put you in the wrong department."

"I was just lucky," she answered. "Did they ever find out what was wrong with that man?" Hari shrugged and sat down, skimming over the medical reports she got.

"Nothing definite, but ten to one he OD'd right before the heist. They've ruled out physical ailments, since he doesn't have a history. We'll get him pumped and processed."

"Is he at the hospital? I have a friend— "

"He's in containment here. Forensics is looking into it. You've done enough, officer. Starting tomorrow, that pittance of a pension we gave you is going to increase, and you'll be getting a promotion and a beat. How does that sound to you?"

"Um…great!" Usagi was speechless; she never expected such a stroke of good fortune could befall her. "It's wonderful, ma'am. I'll be sure to make you proud."

"Right. Enjoy your day, Officer Tsukino." She stood and saluted, and signed out of headquarters once again. There was still a gnawing feeling in her heart, but for the moment, Usagi was blissfully lost in her own accomplishments, and how quickly life was going to change for her. Maybe now, once she got on the streets and started hunting down the criminal elements (instead of merely cataloging and classifying them), she'd be able to make a difference and satisfy a lust that had been burning for years.

Preparation for her new station in life was considerable. First, she contacted all her friends and family; second, she took great care to brush up on her law enforcement rules and regulations; third, she got some light aerobics and weightlifting done; fourth, she implored Ami for her advice regarding the deranged robber she had arrested; fifth, she immersed herself in news reports. Usagi was going all-out; she hadn't been this passionate since her Senshi days. It certainly felt like she was getting back into the game, even though she'd be doing it with a badge, not a scepter or talisman.

Watching television, even the news, should have been relaxing for her, but the broadcast was interrupted by a breaking live report focused on Shibuya's police headquarters. Usagi bolted upright and turned up the volume, shivers coursing over her skin. A humanoid monstrosity had emerged from the depths of police HQ, and was terrorizing the entire building. Two officers were already down with critical injuries, and five more had been badly wounded. Headquarters was nearly destroyed, and the creature seemed unstoppable. Usagi felt her heart seize as the monster revealed itself on camera: although hideously deformed and grotesque, it resembled the robber she had stopped earlier.

But there was something else it resembled: one of the enemies they had fought against as Senshi.

Usagi jumped to her feet as old habits were dusted off and reared about. She instantly went for the brooch that doubled as a transformation device, and had nearly uttered the incantation to become Sailor Moon, when she realized she was grasping at her own shirt. She had stored the brooch in her closet! Chastising herself, she sprinted over to the paper door, but before she could unhinge it, she noticed her badge hanging in its usual spot, along with her police-issued sidearm. Being confined to a desk, Usagi had never used it outside of training, but she knew how to operate one.

This is a job for the police, her rational side said.

No! This calls for Sailor Moon!

IF you can still transform. Face it, woman: you've outgrown that childish fancy along with the rest of the world. Your body and your mind have changed too much; you've pushed her too far back to recall her again. There IS no more Sailor Moon. There is only Officer Usagi Tsukino of the Shibuya Police Department. It's time you behaved like it.

But what if the police are powerless? I don't know what that thing is, but I do know one thing: the world needs Sailor Moon!

No it doesn't. Think! Be realistic! You're an officer of the law, not some spazzy teenage magical princess!

She took a deep breath and decided to compromise. "I'll bring both." She opened the door, dug out the cupboard, pulled out the small box, cracked open the lid, drew a deep breath…

Strapped her sidearm to her waist, nabbed her badge…

Usagi was out the door and hailing a taxi in moments.

Reports were indicating that the creature had a mouth shaped like the opening of a manhole, with several rows of rotating teeth in its mouth. Long, hideous scythe-like appendages had sprouted from its shoulders, and it even grew a second mouth where its stomach had been. Its skin was thick and leathery, its hair like needles, its fingers and toes fused together into ugly talons. Civilians were given a mandatory curfew and escorted back to their homes as the beast broke free from Shibuya Police HQ to the main city. Nobody had been killed yet, but there was plenty of damage done, and police were "doing everything they could" to stop it. Hari wanted to confine it to a small block, and had great strings of barbed wire thrown around, along with barricades of cars and armed officers. Usagi and her taxi didn't get very far, as they were stopped by an officer sent over from a neighboring city.

"Ma'am, that's far enough. You'll have to go back to your home. We're under strict orders not to allow any civilians through."

"Relax, I'm Shibuya PD." She flashed her badge, but the officer didn't move.

"We have it under control, officer. I'm sorry, but you'll just be in the way."

"In the way?" The very gall! Didn't this man know who he was talking to? She was Sailor Moon! The police would get in her way! She was ready to give him a piece of her mind, when her voice was drowned out by an approaching chopper. A heavy aerial assault rained down on the beast, still not enough to kill it, but surely enough to slow it down. Usagi could just make out Hari and a few familiar faces as they drew the beast into an open area, firing mercilessly. It tried to escape by jumping onto a building and climbing away, but a sharpshooter from below hit it in the arm, and a second launched a smoke bomb right into its face. The beast retched and clawed, loosening its grip, plummeting back to the surface, where it was met with round after round of gunfire. Usagi bore witness as the beast was stilled at last, and with nothing left for her to accomplish here, she took the officer's advice and headed back home, her heart very heavy.

Obviously she was glad that the beast had been killed, and all the more so to learn that no fatalities had occurred, and the two officers in critical would make it. Wounds would heal, damages would be repaired, reports would be made, and attempts to explain the event from a scientific perspective would follow suit. Usagi could only imagine the kind of spin that Hari would put on it— or Rei's superiors, for that matter! The most important thing to consider, though, was that this abomination had not been stopped by Sailor Moon, or through any unnatural means, but by the grit, resources, and determination of the police. Tonight's event helped solidify the theory that the world no longer needed Sailor Moon, even if it appeared so on the surface. Humanity could take care of its own problems now. All would be right with the world.

But as Usagi clutched her old brooch tightly, she knew in her heart that this would not be the case. That man had been possessed, or transformed, or else he had been the agent of something capable of doing such a horrible deed. Either way, Usagi knew that this would not be the last she heard of this— and she knew that it all had something to do with the strange earthquake. Perhaps humanity could overcome its next hardship on its own, and perhaps all it needed was for her to step in with a badge and a gun. Japan— no, the Earth could potentially overcome this latest crisis without its long-forgotten guardians.

But somehow, Usagi doubted it.