Roommates

Haruka and Michuru were leading a very quiet Usagi around campus with worried expressions on their faces. Haruka was so angry that she wanted to go back and beat that man to a pulp for making her kitten upset. Granted, Usagi hadn't been very polite to him, but why did she have to be? He had taunted her and she responded back to him like she should have done.

Usagi thought the campus was huge and was relieved to know that she would have plenty of running room. Her hair was done in a simple braid that showed off her facial features and blue eyes. Her navy, blue halter top, along with a pair of cut off jean shorts, hugged every curve of her body, receiving a lot of glances. The glares from her friends made them not get to close and talk to her. 'Do I really want to do this? I don't want a room mate let alone four of them. What if they don't like me, or want to be friends, or ask to many questions? I miss my family so much in America, and I want to go and see them again.'

The dormitory building was huge as it reached over ten stories high and stretched to about half a football field. As they walked up to the dorm room that she would be staying in, Usagi heard voices behind the door and paled to the point of almost passing out. Her hand to her mouth, she nearly ran over Haruka and Michuru as she dashed out of the building. Artemis and the two outer senshi were hot on her heels trying to catch her. After ten minutes, they lost sight of her and cursed.

"Damn! What the hell happened?"

"The inner senshi were in that room," Artemis calmly stated.

"What the hell happened to her Artemis and don't tell me nothing!" Haruka demanded.

"I can't tell you. I've been sworn not to by Usagi herself."

Usagi finally stopped after running for a long time and wiped away the tears that had streamed down her face like a flood. "Damn it! I can't believe I'm breaking down like a baby. They're just the inner senshi and there's no way they could recognize me. I know not to use the Luna pen, because Ami's computer would pick it up a long with Luna. I also need to do something about Artemis. If they see him, they'll recognize him immediately." Sitting down on a nearby bench, she watched the clouds in the sky change their shapes, and a calm came over her. "I'm not a coward any longer and I need to face this problem full in the face. If they recognize me, then I'll move in with the Outer Senshi. But, if they don't, I'm not going to tell them and remain as distant as possible. I don't act like a ditz or an irresponisble teenager any longer."

Usagi walked back towards the dormitories and found Haruka, Michuru and Artemis waiting patiently for her to return. They jumped up when they saw her and asked if she was alright. Smiling, she hugged her friends. "I'm fine. Old memories came over me and I had a weak moment. I don't have to many of those anymore and hopefully that's one of the last. Artemis, can I ask a favor?"

"What is that?"

"I need to change the color of your fur for awhile."

"Why?"

"It's either that, or you're going to have to stay with the outer senshi. The inner senshi don't know I'm back or what I look like now and you would give it away if I left you the way you are."

"Fine, but don't cover up my cresent moon or I won't be able to talk to you."

"Ok. Haruka, Michuru? As much as I want you to come with me, your presence would raise to many questions with the inner senshi and I don't feel like answering them right now. Can I catch you for lunch tomorrow or something?"

"Sure. If you need anything, let us know." The two women waived good-bye to their friend and left Usagi to find some dye and do a total make over of Artemis.

When she was done, he looked like a gold cat, blending his color in with his cresent moon, making it impossible to really tell who he was and what his role with her was. "Perfect!"

"Easy for you to say, Usagi! You didn't have to change your hair color." Artemis was very upset about looking like a warning sign, but if it kept Usagi happy then he would gladly do it again. "Are you ready? You could stay with the outer senshi?"

"No. I would run into them anyway and this way if they don't recognize me, it will be easier to know what they're doing."

"You know, this may not work anyway. If Luna gets near me, she'll recognize the scent."

"Maybe, she won't. She hasn't seen you in over three years, so it may take her a couple of weeks to jog her memory like the rest of the senshi. They'll think they remember us from somewhere, but won't be able to put their fingers on it. I think my mother is having a play in all of this as well. She's been sending me a dream of some people that I still can't quiet figure out yet."

"Really? Why didn't you tell me?"

Usagi shrugged. "I didn't think it was important enough. Look, if it's important I'll tell you, but right now, there are still pieces of the puzzle that haven't been filled yet. And don't talk in front of them. If you feel Luna getting close to you, stick your tail up at her and walk away. This will make her angry and ignore you completely."

"Sounds like you have this planned out Usagi. All right, we'll try this your way and hopefully everything will work out. Do you have a plan B routed out?"

"No, but I'll think of something when the time comes." Usagi stood up and walked up to the dorm room, bags in hand, and knocked on the door. All conversation ceased in the room as she heard a bolt unlock from the other side and the door open to reveal Makoto looking out at her.

"Can I help you?"

'So she doesn't recognize myself yet?' Usagi thought bitterly. 'Some protectors!' "My name is Serena Jones, your new roommate."

"Oh, hi! Come on in. We've been expecting you and Ami's been really excited about meeting someone smarter than her." Serena bit back a retort and followed the woman into the dorm. The place was huge and had a kitchen, two bathrooms, and five bedrooms.

'This will be perfect. Artemis can stay in my room the whole time and not be seen by the other senshi or Luna. If Luna goes snooping then I'll ring her neck or have Pluto put a temporary block on her memories.' "Thank you. If you don't mind, I would like to get some rest. I've had a long week and I'm really tired."

"Sure. Do you need any help with your things?"

"No. What you see in my hands is all I have and I am more than capable of lifting it." Usagi said nothing else and walked into her room, nodding at the other women in the room.

"Not very sociable, is she?" Minako stated.

"We don't know her well enough to judge," Ami said from her books. "Look what happened with Usagi. If she wants to, she'll open up to us in time."

Rei felt something familiar about Serena Jones, but let it go as a hallucination. She had been hoping to see the moon princess for so long, that she was ready to believe that anyone that walked by, would be her. This girl had blond hair, but she was too well muscled, toned and graceful, that made Rei confirm that she was wrong about her.

"I'm going for a walk you guys. My head is hurting and I need time to think straight."

"Rei?"

"What? Don't follow me either. I'm not going to kill myself anymore, so quit treating me like a criminal!"

The three women blanched and let her leave. Usagi had heard what the priestess said and had to admit, she was more than a little concerned why Rei would want to comit suicide. Maybe she could find the answers she wanted before they found out who she was.

Gohan kept giving his father weary looks on the way to their dormitory, thinking that something was wrong with him. His father was moody, aggressive and particular about certain issues. Another thing was this girl Usagi that he had just met. Any mention of her by anyone but his father, brought him to attention and not the way they wanted either.

Kakarot was walking with a thoughtful expression the entire way, thinking of the young woman. 'What happened to make her so isolated and bitter? Would she change if she gave me a chance to show her that I'm not like anyone she's ever met? She's beautiful. Her hair is golden, long, and her eyes looked capable of holding any emotion in them.' Kakarot was beginning to feel that one of sadness should not be in her eyes, but one of laughter and happiness. One that gives joy into the world without even trying.

When they walked into the apartment, Kakarot was still in his daze causing all conversation to stop and to look at him directly. "What's the matter with him?" Vegeta asked. The tall saiya-jin wasn't acting normal and Vegeta felt edgy and very hostile all of a sudden.

"Nothing's wrong with me!" snapped Kakarot. "Why is everyone looking at me? Since when do I have to explain what the hell I'm doing? If any of you can make me, then you can ask the questions!" Kakarot went to his room and slammed the door, falling asleep in his cool sheets.

Vegeta turned to look at Gohan, the man trembling in fear slightly. "You better tell me about the way your father's been acting today."

"I can't explain it! We ran into the blond we saw yesterday and he acted weird. He started teasing her and she got angry and blew up at him, causing him to retort back. Then he apologized and I told him not to worry about her, there's no way she would be interested in dating him and that he would be wasting his time trying. He snarled and gave me the hardest look I've ever seen directed at me by my own blood."

The next thing anyone could here for several hours was Vegeta cursing in a language they didn't know. "Gohan, do you happen to know when you're father lost his tail growing up the first time."

"No."

"I do," Piccolo said walking up. "Kami permanetly removed it when Goku was about thriteen. He did it because he knew about the change Goku would go through when the full moon was out, and for another reason, that I can't quite figure out. Something about chemical changes after a certain age."

"So he never went through the change because he didn't have his tail with him. This is bad! Very, very bad!"

"Vegeta?" Goten asked. "What's wrong with dad?"

"Nothing; yet. He's mostly going through mood swings that will gradually get worse as each week passes by. I give him another month before his Saiya-jin instinct completely takes over."

"Why do I get a feeling that can be very bad?" Gohan was ready to go and cut his father's tail off when he had his arm grabbed by Vegeta.

"Not a good idea boy. You don't have to say what I know you're thinking. If you go in there and try to cut his tail off, he'll more than likely kill you before you even got a snip in. Yes, this can be dangerous, but if you do exactly what I tell you, then everyone should come out of this alive and in tact. Kakarot is suppose to act like this, but it's going to be hard considering he's never been through it before. Sit down boys, I think it's time I give you a lesson in Saiya-jin anatomy and culture."

"Ah... Dad! We know about the birds and the bees already."

"Shut up Trunks and do as I say now! You talk back to me again and you won't have to worry about Kakarot trying to tear your limbs out when you tick him off." Pale and trembling Gohan, Trunks and Goten sat down to listen to what Vegeta had to say. "Where the Saiya-jins came from originaly no one knows, but I do know that they are unique as far as breeding and fighting is concerned. Because, there were very, very few females on the planet of Vegeta-sai, Saiya-jins had to find a way to breed or attract what they did have of the female race. Female Saiya-jins, when they start getting close to finding a mate, they're scent changes dramatically, getting stronger for about two months before they change back to normal. They only do this once a year. Some females can be semi-aggressive, while others become completely submissive and let the males do all the fighting for her. If an unmated, male-saiya-jin happens to come across a female in this condition, he loses control of his reasoning and goes out of his way to try and mate. Most of the time, a huge battle wages for the female and the strongest one wins. The funny thing about this is, males can't fight the change in a female Saiya-jin and this is why if their fathers didn't want them to mate, they would have them confined until after the cycle was through."

"What does this have to do with Kakarot, dad? He's not a female." Trunks was not getting this history lesson very well and Vegeta rolled his eyes.

"Listen and you'll find out! Males don't act the same way when they get the urge that they want a mate, but they also go through other changes that are different than females. Kakarot is starting to go through his first change and it's going to be a roller coaster ride considering he's as strong as I am. There were a lot of Male Saiya-jins on the planet and most of their life they spent it fighting something or someone. After about the age of twenty-four or five, they become irritable around their companions, but smooth and silky around females. It doesn't much matter if the female is from another race and some times it didn't have to be a female. It's basically who ever the Saiya-jin was interested in. Another thing, unlike females, the scent of a male Saiya-jin changing does not attract a mate, but makes who ever is near him, want to fight or run away. This is where the hunt comes in. Anyone that wouldn't put up a decent fight for the Saiya-jin would end up getting hurt or ignored. Saiya-jins love a challenge and the more a female fights to get away from him, the more determined he is to catch them. After so long, instinct takes over completely and he'll move in for the strike and claim his mate. This cycle runs about every three to four months."

"You said there were other changes as well. What are they?" Gohan asked.

"That's simple. When he has a mate and she's going through the same thing, a fierce possessiveness over comes him and the need to keep his mate protected is vital. If she's pregnant, you might as well say he stays in a mood of savagery against others and guards her until after she has the baby."

"What do you call these changes?"

"Well, for a female it's going into heat. For a male, it's called rut."

"How long will dad be like that when he hits the peak of it?"

"About three weeks."

"He could destroy the whole planet by then."

"Or have found a mate. You say he's been acting strange around the blond girl right. For what ever reason, she's caught his interest and the more she fights or tries to snub him, the more aggressive he's going to get. Trust me, Kakarot will be very convincing when she finally gets caught."

"Are you ok?" Piccolo asked him.

"No. I want to fight Kakarot like there was nothing better to do. It's instinctive and hard to control. But, I've been trained to deal with it and know what to expect. You three," he said pointing at the three demi-saiyans, "have no idea what you're about to go through and this is why I told you to do exactly as I say until he's over this. If you don't I'll knock you out until you do."

Kakarot came back out of his room, smiling instead of scowling. He wore blue swimming trunks with orange running down the sides. He had no shirt on and everyone was looking at him wide eyed. "Dad?" Goten and Gohan asked. "Where are you going?"

"When I was walking around campus, I saw a swimming pool and decided I want to cool off. It's hot out there and I want to have some fun."

Gohan went near Vegeta and whispered something in his ear. "Won't we be affected by him as well."

"No. You're family and that makes the rules not apply." Looking at Kakarot, Vegeta narrowed his eyes, "Trunks and I are not going to the pool Kakarot. I want to work out so I'll see you later."

"Dad, we don't want to go swimming either. There's a lot of things to do here in Japan and we only have a week before classes start."

"Fine," snapped Kakarot. Gohan and Goten flinched at the hurt anger in his reply. "I'll go on my own then.".

"This is going to be a pain in the ass. Wait a minute, won't all the women attack him at the pool."

"Idiot!" scoffed Vegeta. "If you had been listening to a word I said, he won't be interested in any woman that throws themselves at him. He'll turn his back on them and only go after the one that keeps her distance from him.

Vegeta left the dorm room, while the three demi-saiyans got ready to go to the mall for some clothes. "Hold it!" Piccolo yelled at them. "Aren't you forgetting something?"

Gohan looked beside Piccolo and smiled. "Right. I guess there is no one else here to take them and Pan can do with some new clothes and books." Trunks and Gohan put Pan and Bra on their backs for a piggy back ride.

Vegeta was deep in thought about the current situation at the college and was trying to find a way out of the problem without killing Kakarot or cutting his tail off. 'Maybe he'll find a mate before he goes beserk. I would hate to take what Saiya-jins value more than anything.' He saw a woman sitting under a tree, oblivious to the world and everything around her. Normally he could have cared less, but the guilt and unhappiness he felt around her was enough to grab his attention and make him walk over to her. His heart jolted when he saw the tears that slowly trickled down her cheeks. She was beautiful. Slowly getting down on one knee, Vegeta brushed the tears from one side of her face, making her scream in terror as he jolted her from what ever she was thinking about.

"You scared me! What are you doing sneaking up on people like that and why did you wipe my face?"

Vegeta stood back up and leaned against the tree that the priestess had been on before. "I didn't sneak up on you. You weren't paying attention and I thought you might want to talk."

Rei couldn't believe this guy. "Why would you want to do that? You don't know me and have no reason to help."

"I know what it's like to feel alone and not have anyone to talk to."

"I don't have a problem."

"The least you can do is say hello and tell me your name. Do they not teach you to do that here in Japan?"

"You're not from Japan?" Rei asked.

"No. I'm from America." This was a story they had come up with.

"Rei. Welcome to Japan and I'll see you later."

"Vegeta."

"What?"

"Vegeta is my name." He walked so close to her, that she could smell a slight scent of musk on him and found her body trembling with him looking into her eyes so intensly. With delibearte slowness, he leaned in to her ear, "Why do you tremble and why do you cry?" Not waiting for an answer, he walked away leaving Rei to stand in complete shock and confusion.

'What just happened here? Did he make a pass at me, or was he simply being nice?' Rei went back to the dorm room to find that the new girl had gone out for a swim at the campus pool. "Did she say anything else?"

"No. She's very quiet and has stayed in her room since she got here," Makoto said. "Maybe she's shy?"

"Are you feeling ok, Rei?" Ami asked.

"I'm fine. Let's go to the mall tomorrow ok? We can ask Luna if she wants to come with us."

Minako frowned. "If you can get her to leave my house, you'll be doing a miracle. Mother said she would take care of her, but I think Luna's giving up on life and any hope of ever being happy again."

Kakarot was fuming. What was everyone's problem lately? Anytime he wanted to do something, the others would question or look at him as if he was stupid. 'I'm not stupid!' When he arrived at the pool, there were a few people swimming already and he sighed as he noticed that he was receiving a lot of attention. Most of them were drewls and pure lust, but one in particular glanced at him, and then went back to sun bathing in her chair. "So she's here too. Looks like I'll be seeing her a lot since we seem to run into each other every day, sometimes twice."

Usagi was enjoying the sun hitting her body, making her a little darker than she already was when she heard a few comments directed at a guy that had walked in. When she saw who it was, butterflies entered her stomach and her heart went to her throat. The comments from this morning still rang through her mind and she wondered if people did see her as cold hearted and unfeeling. 'No! I'm not like that. Artemis said I wasn't and the outer senshi say I'm a good and kind person. No one else matters.' She closed her eyes to relax her mind, but a shadow fell over her and she reopened them to look into the dark, ebony eyes of Kakarot.

"I wanted to apologize for my behavior this morning. You might have been hurt, or there might have been a reason for you to not like men and I was teasing you."

"It wasn't your fault. I shouldn't have been reading." Usagi stood and walked towards the pool without another word to him and dived into the cold water.

Kakarot frowned at her easy dismissal of him, but was happy to know she didn't come back with another smart remark. With two quick steps he was in the water under Usagi and thinking of a plan to get her to smile a little. He knew this would probably make her madder and possibly hate him even, but he didn't care.

Usagi was floating on her back when an arm came to circle around her waist and pull her under the water. With an angry sputter and the intent to kill, she looked over the water to find the culprit that had dunked her, but she didn't see anyone. Then a tug on her ankle brought her under again, and this time she did get a glimpse of the person dunking her. She came up and grabbed the hair that had been under the water and yanked him up.

"Owww!" Kakarot yelled. "Why are you pulling my hair? I didn't hurt you."

"I don't like being dunked by people I don't know!" Usagi screamed back at him.

"How can you get to know people if you're always yelling or running away from them?" His voice was hypnotic and Usagi was finding herself pulled towards Kakarot and then she realized what she was about to do with a complete stranger and pulled away from him.

"I've got to go. See you later."

An arm circled her waist and pulled her exposed back against his rock hard chest. "There you go again! Do you really have to go, or is that another excuse to run again? How long have you been running?"

Her shoulders slumped in agony. 'You have no idea.' "That is not your concern. I don't know you, don't want to know you and would appreciate it kindly if you would quit stalking and harrasing me." He wasn't really doing either one, but she knew it would strike a sensitive cord in him and he did let her go with a scowl.

"I don't stalk or harrass people." Kakarot wanted to swim away, but he found himself pushing her back against the pool wall. "What kind of man do you think I am? You know nothing about me, so quit labeling me before you do."

"Can't you get it through that head of yours? I don't want to know you or anyone else! Now leave me alone."

"Why? What have you got to loose from letting anyone get close to you?" He was close. She was about to let the damn break.

"What dignity and pride I have left." Usagi pulled out of the water and left Kakarot in the water. Her hair was down, and it flowed to the ground behind her as she walked.

'She's beautiful, but I doubt she knows that. How lonely a life it must be to not want any friends." A glint of determination burned deep in his eyes and if Usagi had seen them, she would have forgotten pride and dignity. Usagi would start running to take cover. "I will have her," he growled. 'If she thinks I'm giving up on her, then she doesn't know a Saiya-jin.' With one kick, he dove into the water and enjoyed the peacefulness that came with being under the water.

When he jumped out of the water, he twirled into the air with several summer saults to land on his feet like a cat. He noticed some of the women coming towards him and he quickly grabbed his towel and left. He wasn't interested in a bunch of loose girls that weren't choosy about who they picked. The water dripped down the lines of his chest, defining his muscles further. The wind blew his hair to the side, drying it and he felt relaxed. It had been a whole week without Chi-chi's nagging. The only thing he truly missed was her cooked meals, but that was a sacrifice he could handle. He decided it was high time for him to quit procrastinating and learn how. Picking up a cook book and some groceries on the way to the dorm, he looked through it learning the terms and how to make some meals.

Whisteling a tune he didn't realy know the name to, walking with a spring in his step he made it back home and put some pants on and began to cook. Vegeta had returned home by then and came into the kitchen.

"I swear Kakarot. You're acting like a love struck teenager. I bet you've never felt love before."

"I haven't. My marriage with Chi-chi was arranged and I thought it was another meal. And, I never said I was in love. I've seen a girl, but things between her and myself are tense and not going the way I want them to at the moment. She's pretty, but has an attitude that needs working on and she snubs everyone off of her but two other women and a cat that I've seen around her. I have to admit, she has to be really strong to run into me and get back up, pull my hair and yank me back up over the water."

Vegeta knew it was petty, but he couldn't help himself, "Sounds like my type of woman. If you're not in love with her, then I'm going to check her out." Faster than he thought the taller Saiya-jin was capable of, Kakarot had Vegeta on top of the kitchen table with a hand around his throat and a knife held against it. Blood red-rage was in his eyes, and there was no hint of sanity or control. Vegeta suddenly wished that he hand't made the Saiya-jin angry. He knew he was going through a change and his taunting had made the situation worse.

With a growl and a snarl of pure fury, he brought his head so close to Vegeta's face that he swore he could see the tips of his canine teeth as he growled. "Vegeta... so help me Kami, if you so much as breathe in her direction I'll wrip your throat out and leave it in a trail behind me so that eveyone that walks by will know not to interfere with what is my claim to make. I saw her first and she's mine!" Vegeta laid perfectly still, letting Kakarot calm before he dared to move the knife from his throat.

"I'm joking Kakarot. I don't want a relationship. Bulma was enough and you know that."

Kakarot relaxed, realizing what he was doing. He jumped back in horror; "Kami! What the hell did I just do?"

"Sit down Kakarot. You need to know a few things before you do anything else. As for me, I don't need to tease you again; at least not about a stupid onna."

Two hours passed and Vegeta explained a lot of things that had been going on with Kakarot the past week and he asked a lot of questions. Kakarot felt better when they were through, but a bit afraid that he was going to end up killing someone he cared about. "Thank you Vegeta. I'm sorry about earlier. I don't even know why I cared. I'm acting like she's mine and I know she's not. Her scent is so strong and compelling, that I'm drawn to her like a bee is to honey."

"What?" Vegeta exclaimed. 'If Kakarot was right, then the woman was going in heat, but how would her scent change so much to drive him this crazy. It was as if Usagi was part Saiya-jin or something.' To make things worse, Kakarot was going through his first change and Vegeta shuddered in fear for the first time in his life. If they weren't careful, innocent people were going to get hurt; they needed to keep a constant watch over Kakarot at this point.

Usagi walked into her dorm room to notice that no food was cooking yet and decided to get dinner under way. The girls were in the living room watching tv and never heard her come in, making her relax and hum to her self. On the way back, she had put her hair in a long braid and let it dry that way, so that when she let it out, it would curl naturally on its own. Putting on an apron, Usagi pulled out some meat and began to merrinate it and beat it until she had it good and soft, with lots of seasoning to tenderize and give flavor to it. While the meat was cooking in the oven, she grabbed some noodles to prepare pasta and homemade speghetti sauce to go on top of it. Humming she threw herself into cooking the way Linda had taught her and allowed herself to forget about her problems.

Artemis had figured out quickly that Luna was not in the dorm room with the girls and came out to watch her cook. He had to admit he was starving for her cooking because she had improved drastically over the last three years. Setting the table for five people she started preparing the salad and knew it was only a matter of time before the others smelled the food coming from the kitchen. The fumes were making Usagi hungry and she had to admit she forgot to eat that day due to all the turmoil.

Makoto, Minako, Rei and Ami were watching a TV show when they decided they were hungry and had to decide what they wanted. "Speaking of food, do you guys smell something coming from the kitchen?" Ami asked.

They all nodded and walked in, to see that their new roommate had put Makoto's cooking to shame easily as steaks, noodles, salad and cookies sat on the table ready to eat. She was nearly finished with cleaning up the mess she had made and glanced up at them, but didn't smile. "Food's ready if you guys are hungry."

"Thank you. I'm always the one to feed the group here and I appreciate the break."

"I was hungry so I decided that I might as well feed everyone while I'm at it. I'll buy more suitable food tomorrow so that I won't be eating all of yours."

"More suitable?" they asked.

"Well, to tell you the truth, a lot of the food in here is junk and bad for your health. You can't stay in shape with all those chips, dip, sodas and other things that I don't have to mention clogging up your system. I've already eaten, so I'm going to go to my room and study for awhile."

All the girls couldn't believe Serena. She had snubbed them and had walked away as if saying she was better than all of them combined. But, when they took one bite of her cooked meal, they had to admit, it was hard to beat. "Maybe she'll loosen up when she gets to know us better."

"I doubt it," Rei commented. "I keep sensing vibes of hostility against us."

"Why?"

"I don't know, but something about us has made her angry and I doubt it's our hair styles, clothes, or cooking abilities."

"We've never met her before! How can she be angry with us? The only one we've ever made angry and upset with us is Usagi and no one's seen her for three years."

"We've seen her before, but where I can't remember at the moment." They all saw the golden cat looking at them with his intense gaze, as if he understood the entire conversation.

"What a strange color," Minako said.

Artemis looked over every one of the girls and fell on Rei. Out of all of them, she was the most sorry about what had happened to Usagi. Not saying that none of the girls weren't sorry either, it's just that they were willing to get over it, but Rei wasn't. Unable to be angry with the priestess, he jumped in her lap and began to purr softly.

She was startled and felt some of the pain leave her body. It still hurt, but somehow the presence of this cat eased the ache. "I want Usagi back." Rei left the table in tears, making the girls depressed again and watching her retreat to her room.

"She's never going to get over this is she?" Minako asked.

"No and I can't blame her. This was our fault and if something bad did happen to her, we're the ones to blame for it."

"We better keep a closer eye on her girls. I think she's close to attempting suicide again." Artemis hissed and walked into the room where Usagi had gone.

She looked at him and saw the worry in his eyes. "What's the matter Artemis?"

"Usagi, I know how you feel about the inner senshi, but the one I think you don't have to worry about hating you is Mars. She left the table a second ago not touching any of her food and the girls said something about her being close to commiting suicide again. She's been quiet since we got here and I have to admit, she doesn't get eagerly involved with activities like them either. I've watched her while she's been her today and the pain in her is incredible. When I sat in her lap, you can feel it enter you in waves and it's a lot to carry."

"What does that have to do with her not hating me?"

"She said that she wanted you back."

Usagi never felt so confused about anything before. She wanted to believe Artemis, but all the things the women had said to her made her not want to give in so easily. But, what if he was right? What if Mars truly was sorry about what happened and was about to kill herself over it? 'I can't live with myself if I let her do that.' "I'll keep that in mind Artemis, but I can't simply reveal myself yet."

"You don't have to with all of them. I'm sure if you told her, she would keep the secret from the other women until you told her other wise. I'm not making you do this, but I did think you should know about her."

"Thank you Artemis. I won't let it go to waste. I may be angry with the girls, but even now I can't hate them. I just don't want to hurt anymore." Tears came down her face and Artemis licked them away gently and lay by her head, hoping that things will work out soon between Usagi and the senshi. After she had fallen asleep, Artemis ran into the Senshi of Fire's room, to see that her body racked in silent sobs under a pillow.

Jumping up on the bed, Artemis walked over to her and gently started to rub her neck in a purr. Startled, Rei looked to see that Serena's cat was trying to comfort her as if he could sense her pain. With a cry of anguish and guilt she pulled the cat close to her and fell asleep with him in her arms. Artemis didn't leave her side all night, but rememebered not to say a word to her.