Usagi's Struggles: Revelations from the Future

by Serena530

Two surprises in one event; one of which forces Usagi's hand, which leads to far reaching changes. Changes no one could have anticipated, and revelations no one could have imagined. Sequel to Usagi's Struggles. Warning: Long chapters inside

2. New Occurrences & a Repaired Friendship

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or her characters, and have no right to it except as a long time fan.

New Occurrences and a Repaired Friendship

The end of the school year passed quietly, and the summer was the same.

Usagi's parents had settled into the knowledge that she and her friends were Sailor Senshi and that she was dating Tuxedo Kamen, but that was probably because there had been no danger and they thought she wouldn't be fighting anymore.

Usagi didn't try to tell them differently, and just hoped the peace would last as long as possible.

Her father had kept his word and no longer tried to interfere in her relationship with Mamoru, but he didn't try to get to know him any better either. This allowed them to spend nearly every day together after school. He had continued to pick her up in the mornings to take her to school, he was able to greet her openly with a kiss and a fresh rose, and pick her up after school unless she said otherwise.

When school let out for the summer, Mamoru decided to continue his schooling and take summer classes, but it still allowed them to spend more time together and grow closer.

Things were improving with Luna. She had thankfully calmed down on the constant talk of trying to improve Usagi's friendship with the girls. She had become more focused on getting to know her better and encouraging her in the things that she did well and the things that gave her enjoyment.

Usagi continued to spend time with the girls, trying to rebuild their friendship and trust. Usagi didn't speak much to Rei as she was still uninterested in being her friend, didn't trust her, and she was still too curious about Mamoru's whereabouts for her liking.

Rei never asked her about Mamoru, but Ami and Makoto had informed her, likely to help earn her trust, that she had asked them, and had been wondering about what he was doing with himself and if he was still upset with her.

Just as they had decided Mamoru stopped hanging out at the arcade, which was a good thing considering Rei's curiosity on his whereabouts and what he was doing. Of the group only Minako and Artemis saw him regularly.

Beyond spending time with her friends Usagi trained. She trained regularly with Mamoru and Minako, and occasionally with her Senshi.

She and Minako had insisted they all continue to train, both by themselves and as a group to keep their skills sharp. It didn't matter if there was no enemy; one could show up at any time. On top of that their first duty was to protect their princess, and they always needed to be prepared to do that.

Usagi had even spoken separately with Ami and Makoto about how they needed to be independent warriors that worked in a team instead of just being followers. They needed to think for themselves and not let themselves be influenced by a strong personality like they had done with Rei.

They needed to work to keep the team together and functioning and not leave all the work to one. It was something Luna should have addressed with them all, but she was too busy going with the flow and believing everything that came out of Rei's mouth, so Usagi was addressing it now so the situation didn't happen again.

As such Usagi still wore her brooch. Not only because it was a beautiful brooch and the last thing her mother, Queen Serenity, gave her, but because it was a constant reminder of why she insisted they train.

She wanted to make sure their skills improved and were kept sharp since there was no telling when another enemy would show up. After all, she wasn't given the brooch for nothing.

Besides spending time with the girls and training Usagi also began to slowly spend time with Naru again, wanting her friend back. It started with a long conversation between the two after school about a week after Queen Metaria had been defeated. From there they began to spend their lunch together and talk on the phone. Then, when they were comfortable with each other again, they began to hangout together during the summer.

Usagi made it clear to Ami and Makoto that she had renewed her friendship with Naru, and that if they wanted to hangout with her at school they would have to accept Naru as her friend. She wasn't going to let anyone come between their friendship again. Not her friends or an enemy.

Now summer had ended and the girls were back in school. Birthdays had passed and they were all fifteen years old. Though Mamoru was still eighteen as his birthday wasn't for another few weeks.

Life was still quiet and peaceful, and they all continued to hope it remained that way.

---

Monday: Day One

Late Night/Early Morning

A large object soared into the Earth's atmosphere and flew with intense speed through the dark night sky over Japan. It reached the city of Tokyo and crashed into the ground at a large empty parking lot at a shopping center sending shockwaves deep through the ground.

Mamoru snapped awake out of a deep sleep with a cry of pain as the sensation spread through his chest, and put his hand to his chest to see if he had been hit and if there was a wound.

In a bedroom in a quiet house a few miles away a young woman woke suddenly with a gasp as she sensed a sharp pain. It was only after moments of blinking in confusion that she realized it wasn't her pain.

Are you okay? Usagi asked her prince through their bond.

I'm fine. He said instantly. I just felt a sharp pain in my chest that woke me out of my sleep.

What was it from? She asked in concern.

I don't know, but I get the sense that it isn't my pain but rather the Earth's pain. Mamoru replied.

Perhaps you should try to check if you can see anything. She suggested.

Mamoru hummed in agreement and climbed out of bed with a groan, and moved over to his balcony. He slid the door open and stepped out into the cool night air and knelt down to place his hands on the concrete.

His hands began to take on a golden glow as he focused his power into the concrete to travel down the earth based material in the building until it reached the ground and moved beneath and into the Earth.

From there he closed his eyes and concentrated on trying to identify the cause of the planet's pain, and instantly began to see images flash rapidly through his mind until he could clearly see a parking lot.

It looked like something had crashed into it, and as that observation registered his view zoomed in to show a large green pulsing living oval shaped object. He watched it rise from where it landed and quickly fly away into the city.

As he released his power he described what he had seen to his patiently waiting princess, and listened to her hum thoughtfully as he opened his eyes and stood up.

You must have a connection to the Earth. Usagi said. You have the power to see through the Earth, but with this new development it seems that it's actually one of the different facets of having a connection with the Earth. All likely connected to your position as the prince of the Earth.

True. He agreed. Seeing through the Earth, and now sensing and feeling the Earth's pain. I just hope it isn't just the pain I'll get.

I imagine there will be more, but the good things might be harder to discern since they probably won't be sharp like the pain is. Usagi said.

Yeah. Mamoru agreed with a sigh. What do you think about what I saw? He asked.

The city is either having a close encounter or it's our next enemy. She replied with a heavy sigh.

It's likely the latter from the looks of it and for me to feel it. He said. We should get an up close look at the site. He added.

Yes. She agreed instantly. I'll contact the girls while I get dressed.

Okay. He replied.

Usagi looked to Luna, who hadn't even stirred in her sleep, and pulled out her pink calculator looking communicator from her subspace pocket. She pressed the button to contact all the Senshi, and got up and headed to her closet as she waited.

"Minako here." The senshi of Venus answered first.

"Is Artemis awake?" Usagi asked as she looked through her clothes for something comfortable to wear.

"Yes." She replied.

"Ami here." The senshi of Mercury answered before Usagi could reply to Minako.

"Ami can you look for any recent strange energy readings in the city?" Usagi asked. "I'll explain once everyone's answered."

"Okay." Ami said, and Usagi and Minako could hear the quiet slight clicking sound of typing.

"Luna! Wake up!" Usagi called as she pulled out a pair of blue jeans and a white turtleneck sweater.

"What's going?" Luna asked in a drowsy tone as she sat up.

"Makoto here." The senshi of Jupiter answered in the next moment.

"I'm waiting for Rei to answer before I explain," Usagi said to Makoto and Luna. "but all of you should get dressed because we're going to be going out after I finish explaining."

They all quietly murmured their understanding before there was the slight sound of rustling as they began to look for something to wear.

A few minutes passed and Usagi sighed heavily in frustration when Rei had yet to answer.

Don't worry about it right now. You can deal with her later. Mamoru said.

Right. She said.

"Okay girls!" Usagi said, grabbing their attention. "Before I contacted you Mamoru was woken up out of his sleep by a sharp pain, and we discovered that he has the ability to at least feel pain that the Earth feels. When he checked to see what the source of the pain was he was able to see that there was a large green living oval shaped thing that landed in a parking lot." She explained.

"How was he able to see that?" Makoto asked.

"He has the ability to see through the Earth." Usagi answered. "I didn't think to tell you guys about it; especially with everything that had been happening when he discovered it. And it wasn't my ability to tell about."

"I've found the location, and people are already gathering around the site." Ami informed them. "I'm getting a strange energy reading, but that's all I can tell. I might be able to tell more if I was there."

"Well, that's why I wanted you all to get dressed. We need to get a look at the site since I believe whatever landed could be our new enemy." Usagi said. "So hurry over there. I don't want us out all night since we all have school in the morning."

There were murmurs of 'right' and 'okay' before Ami gave them the address to the location. Once they each had it down they all said they would see each other there before they ended the connection.

Usagi put her communicator away and finished dressing before she grabbed her coat and keys.

I'm on my way there. Mamoru said.

Then I'll follow our bond to you. She replied, glad that she didn't have to worry about focusing on street names.

"Do you want me to come along?" Luna asked, having listened closely to what she explained.

"No. I'll fill you in when I get back." Usagi said before she stepped toward her door.

She opened the door and left her room then headed downstairs and stepped into her shoes before she quietly left out the front door. As she walked away from her house she pulled out her communicator and pressed the symbol for Mars, and waited as she quickly hid her moonlight hair color since she'd forgot to do it before she left.

Usagi waited, and waited, and waited, but Rei never answered. She frowned and put her communicator away. She was irritated that Rei wasn't answering. She didn't believe for a minute that there was anything wrong that was preventing her from answering, so either she was sleeping deeply or refusing to answer her call.

Neither option was acceptable.

She walked until she got to a section of the neighborhood where she couldn't be seen from windows before she pulled out her brooch and quietly transformed. She began to run, following her internal compass to her soulmate, until she reached the area where he was. She released her transformation and began to walk out in the open, through the parking lot, toward him.

"You're the first to arrive." He said when she reached him, and wrapped his arm around her without looking. She nodded as she relaxed against him.

"That's a big crater." Usagi said.

Mamoru hummed in agreement as they looked down at it from a gap between two people standing in front of them.

Within a few minutes they were joined by Ami.

"Has anything happened?" She asked as she stood at her princess' side.

"No. It was just the crater when we got here, and curious people getting a look." Usagi said.

Ami nodded and pulled out her Mercury minicomputer and started typing into it as she directed it to scan the area.

What do you think that green object was exactly? Do you think it's the enemy's means of travel or the enemy themselves? Usagi wondered.

It could be either of those or both of them. If it was just a means of travel then it might be found later, but if it actually was our new enemy then we'll just have to wait and see. Mamoru said, and she hummed thoughtfully.

It probably isn't their travel vehicle since they could've left that behind. Usagi said after a few moments.

Unless they're smart, and didn't want to leave evidence behind. He replied. The landing was likely something they couldn't help, but taking that object with them was something they could help.

"Hey." Minako said as she stepped up to Mamoru's side, announcing her arrival before Usagi could reply to him.

"Hello." Mamoru said as he glanced to her.

"Hi." Usagi said quietly while Ami took the time to wave before returning her attention to her computer.

"Have you guys seen anything?" Minako asked as she looked at the crater over someone's shoulder.

"No." Mamoru said quietly. "It's just the crater. Ami is seeing if she can find out more."

Minako looked around him to Ami and saw her typing in her computer. She nodded and pulled her coat closer around her as she looked back to the crater, and listened to what the people around them were saying.

They were wondering what happened; what could have caused the crater. Some thought it was aliens while others thought it was a meteor. It sounded like no one had actually seen or heard the impact and they were all just speculating.

Makoto arrived a few minutes later and stood next to Minako as she greeted the group.

"Did I miss anything?" She asked.

"You didn't." Minako answered. "People are just guessing and speculating about what happened, and Ami is trying to see if she can find anything."

"Ah, okay." Makoto said as she nodded, and looked at the crater over the people in front of her since she was taller then them. "So, where's Rei?" She asked as she glanced around their general area to make sure she hadn't missed seeing her.

Minako closed her eyes briefly. She hadn't bothered to ask since she knew by Rei's absence, and the fact that she hadn't answered Usagi's call earlier, that something was wrong.

She knew that Rei should have been there before her since she lived closer. She didn't know why the girl didn't answer but she highly doubted that it was because of anything important, and she was already wondering and dreading what it implied considering her past behavior.

"I assume she's at home." Usagi answered as she frowned. "We all know she didn't answer the call."

"Maybe she's asleep." Makoto suggested.

Usagi made a noncommittal sound. They had all been asleep, and they all managed to answer the call and get there.

She probably went back to sleep. Mamoru said.

Yeah. Usagi agreed.

"Okay." Ami said as she finally looked up from her computer. "The energy reading I got is definitely foreign to the Earth, and I tried to trace the path of the object from the energy it left but the trail faded after only a block." She informed them quietly.

"Also the residue left in the crater is plant based." She added. "I can't tell any more beyond that."

"No that's good. It gives us a start, and at least we have something to go off of now." Usagi said.

The others nodded in agreement before they looked back to the crater and the people around it. Some were still arriving and others were leaving now that they had had their look.

Usagi then turned with Mamoru and began to move away from the group around the crater.

"There's nothing else for us to see." Usagi said as the girls followed them. "We should all head home and get back to our rest. If I have anything else to say I'll call for a meeting."

"In the mean time I want you all to keep an eye out for anything unusual, out of the norm, or just oddly new. Remember how the Negaverse functioned, and see if you find yourselves noticing similarities." She told them, and they all nodded thoughtfully.

"Have a good night ladies." Mamoru said, and they all said goodnight as they began to walk away.

"Minako!" Usagi called. "Wait a minute." She added, and watched as she paused and turned back to the couple. "Can you speak to Rei the first chance you get, and find out why she didn't answer my call? I hate to ask this of you, but you're the only one I trust to get the truth and give me a completely honest answer." She said.

"I'm still highly distrustful of Rei and jaded enough with her to not even be slightly concerned that something could be wrong with her. I don't even believe there's anything wrong with her. I honestly think Rei didn't answer because it was me contacting her." She added.

"It makes me frustrated and angry, and already has me reconsidering my decision to give her another chance to be my senshi. What if there was an actual attack tonight, and she didn't answer?!" She said angrily.

This should be strike one. I strongly advise that there be no strike two. Mamoru said as he held her tighter.

Usagi nodded slightly in agreement. This was too serious. If Rei didn't want to take her position seriously, and act like she was supposed to then she didn't need to be a senshi anymore.

"I'll do it. You can count on me." Minako said as she nodded.

She suppressed her irritation with the situation, and hid the fact that she didn't want to speak to Rei. She had subtly kept her distance from Rei. She spent time with her and the other girls, getting to know them and getting used to fighting with them, but she only did the minimum with the dark haired girl.

She didn't like Rei, and wasn't seeing enough improvement for her liking. She also didn't like that she still had feelings for Mamoru, their princess' prince, boyfriend, and bonded mate. To her it was unacceptable. Point, blank, period!

"Goodnight. I'll talk to you guys when I have the information." Minako said, and they nodded.

"Goodnight." Usagi and Mamoru said together, and the trio split up to head back to their homes, disappearing into the night.

Usagi's POV

Morning

Usagi's alarm went off and she turned it off and groaned as she lay back down. She was still tired from being up during the night; especially since she had spoken to Luna about what they had found at the impact site.

She had even informed her of the fact that Rei had not answered when she tried to contact her again, and that Minako was going to find out why.

Luna had taken it all in, and was actually surprised that Rei had not answered. Usagi hadn't bothered to inform her that the situation between her and Rei hadn't changed, and that things were not back to how they were when they first met.

She thought Luna was trying to live in a fantasy land where all was well with the Senshi, and she hadn't messed up as a guardian and helped cause the disfunction in the team.

Usagi sighed heavily and sat up before she climbed out of bed and stretched. She grabbed her uniform with the long sleeve top and underwear, and headed out of her room to go take a shower. When she came back to her room she was dressed in her uniform with her hair draped around her shoulders.

She grabbed her brooch and placed it in the center of the bow on her uniform then sat at her vanity table and began to brush her silver white hair. She brushed as far as she could reach from the top of her head down before she pulled the rest of the length across her lap and brushed to the ends.

She then parted it down the middle and put her odango's back up so the rest of her hair flowed down her back and beyond in two streams. Once she finished she tapped into the power of her silver crystal and focused on hiding her hair color. Within seconds the silver was replaced with the golden blonde everyone was used to seeing.

Usagi checked her face, made sure her white stud earrings were in place, and then reached up to adjust the locket necklace that Mamoru had given her so it was centered against her skin.

She smiled as she gently stroked the green stemmed red rose on the cover. She had been wearing the locket everyday, never even taking it off, as a symbol of his current and past love for her.

Luna was actually still asleep, so she grabbed her school bag and silently left her room and headed downstairs. She placed her bag on the couch and walked into the kitchen where her parents were.

"Good morning." She greeted them.

"Good morning." Her parents returned.

"How did you sleep?" Her mother asked.

"I slept fine, but I could've slept longer." Usagi said.

"You should probably go to bed early tonight." Her mother said.

"It's most likely only because you're getting up early after a weekend." Her father said, and she nodded as she poured herself a cup of orange juice.

"That's probably true, but I might try to go to bed early tonight anyway." Usagi said with a nod.

She then sat at the table next to her father and began to eat some toast and jam. She managed to finish off three pieces of toast and her cup of orange juice before the doorbell rang.

I'm here. She heard Mamoru say a moment later.

I'll be right there. She said as she popped up out of her seat, grabbed the lunch her mother had placed next to her as she ate, and hurried out of the kitchen. She grabbed her school bag and opened the door as she stepped into her shoes.

"Good morning." Usagi said as his tall form was revealed.

"Good morning." Mamoru replied as he watched her settle into her shoes.

"Goodbye you two." Mrs. Tsukino said as she came toward the door. "Have a good day."

"Bye." Usagi said.

"Goodbye." Mamoru said before they began to walk toward his car, leaving her to close the door.

Mamoru opened the passenger door for Usagi, and she got in and made sure her hair was all in before he closed the door. He joined her on the drivers side moments later, and gave her a rose and a kiss.

"Did you sleep well?" She asked as they put their seatbelts on.

"I did; though I wish it was longer." He answered with a sigh.

"I feel the same way." She replied.

"So, what do you think our possible new enemy is here for?" Mamoru asked as he began to drive.

"Our last enemy was after energy and then the rainbow crystals to gain the power of the silver crystal, so maybe they'll be after the same thing." Usagi said. "They could've heard about the crystal somehow or they could simply be after energy for some reason."

"It could be both reasons or some other reason entirely." He said, and she nodded.

"I guess we'll find out at some point." She said with a sigh as she leaned her head back against the headrest.

"What do you want to do after school?" He asked, deciding to change the subject.

"I don't know but whatever it is I want to spend time with you." Usagi said.

"I have no problem with that at all." Mamoru said with a smile. "We should think about what we want to do while we're apart."

"Okay." She agreed. "I'm sure something will come to us; even if it's just to do our homework and study together."

Mamoru nodded and within minutes he was pulling up to her school behind some cars letting other students out.

"Thanks for the ride. I'll see you when school lets out." She said as she unbuckled her seatbelt.

"I'll be here." He said before he kissed her goodbye. "Have a good day." He added.

"Thanks. You too." She said before she opened the door and got out. She closed the door and waved at him before she began to walk onto the campus.

Usagi made her way to her classroom, and greeted her friends as she put her school and lunch bag on the hook attached to her desk.

A few minutes later their teacher, Ms. H, walked in and began to call them to order when there was an announcement over the intercom calling for an assembly. Everyone in Usagi's year and the year above them were to assemble in the largest courtyard.

Ms. H began to usher them all out of the classroom, through the hallways and stairs, and out the building, and they all began to line up with the other students pouring out of the building.

The principal came out with two people once everyone was in the courtyard, a boy and a girl, and stood on a slight platform in front of the lined up crowd.

"I know the school year has been in session for a few weeks now, however these two siblings just moved into the city." The principle said.

Mamo-chan. She called through their bond to get his attention as the siblings were about to be introduced.

Yes love. He answered in the next moment.

My principal's about to introduce two new students. She said as she watched the pair. It's new and I wanted you to know in case they turn out to have something to do with our enemy.

Alright. I'm listening. He said, knowing that's what she wanted.

"This is Ginga Natsumi." The principle said as he gestured to the girl who had pale skin, red hair that fell just past her shoulders, and brown eyes. "And this is Ginga Seijuro." He added, gesturing to the boy who had an average fair skin tone, short orange hair that reached his neck, purplish blue eyes, and wore an earring in his right ear.

"Please make them feel welcome, and help them catch up on the material they have missed so far." He added.

I hope they have nothing to do with what happened last night, Mamoru said after she finished describing the siblings. because I don't like the thought of you attending school with our new enemy.

I don't either, and I very much hope they're simply new students in the city. She said, then sighed as they began to make their way back to class. I'm sorry for bothering you.

You're not bothering me. You were right to tell me. Plus, I'm not doing anything since I haven't reached my school yet. In fact, I'm still driving. He said.

In that case I'm not going to distract you any longer. I'll see you later. She said, and he laughed.

Okay. Bye. He replied.

Bye. She said before she focused back on what was going on around her as she walked back into her class.

From there the morning went on as usual with lectures and note taking until the lunch hour arrived. The only thing that was different from the norm was the fact that the new girl, Natsumi, was in their class.

Usagi had no interest in her, and neither did Naru, so they grabbed their lunch and left the class. She didn't even look back to see if Makoto and Ami were going to join them. If they were then they would, and if not then she was fine with that.

On their way to the stairs they passed the new boy with barely a glance since neither were interested in him and his flute playing or the flock of girls surrounding him.

They continued through the building and out into one of the smaller courtyards, and settled on a bench as they talked about their weekend and began to eat their lunch.

Naru smiled as she chewed on her food and looked at Usagi, and Ami and Makoto before her eyes returned to Usagi. She couldn't help remembering the conversation she had with her months ago when Usagi first approached her wanting to repair their friendship.

---

As she was grabbing her lunch Naru looked up to see Usagi walking toward her with her own lunch in hand.

"Can we talk?" Usagi asked, and she nodded.

"Sure." Naru said.

Together they left the class and instead of heading outside Usagi guided them up to the roof. They sat in the sun and made themselves as comfortable as they could before they unpacked their lunches.

Usagi sighed and Naru looked to her curiously.

"I don't know if you've noticed the changes in my behavior." She said.

"I have. As well as the rift between you, Mizuno, and Kino." Naru said, and she nodded.

"It's not just them. The rift is also with my other friend Hino Rei." Usagi said. "Over the past few weeks, months really, their behavior toward me has deteriorated. They started to complain about me being lazy, late, eating too much, and my study habits. They criticized those same study habits, my grades, my klutziness, and anything else they could think of it seemed."

"I had grown tired of it but they took it too far one day, and I decided I was done. I wasn't going to continue to be around them and put up with it." She explained. "On top of that Rei became angry and jealous of me because I was friends with a guy she liked, and he didn't return her feelings the way she wanted him to despite the few dates they went on."

"The way they treated me caused me to lose all trust in them. They've since apologized in a way I can accept, a way that showed they knew and understood what they had done wrong, but we're still working to repair our friendship and they're trying to regain my trust." She continued.

"Though things are even worse with Rei at this point. I'm watching her to see if she really wants to continue being my friend or if she's just pretending." She added.

"Dealing with that situation and other things has made me a stronger person now, and I won't let anyone influence me ever again." Usagi informed her. "That's part of what happened between us." She said as she gestured between herself and Naru. "The girls thought you were distracting me when we hung out together."

Naru had listened quietly and intently as she began to understand why her best friend of years had suddenly pulled away from her and started keeping her distance.

She hadn't known those girls, and hadn't even seen this Hino girl, but she hadn't thought they would try to tell Usagi not to be her friend. And how could they say she was a distraction to Usagi?! Her friend had begun to do worse in school after she started hanging out with them!

"I'm sorry for pulling away from you." Usagi said sincerely. "It will never happen again. I hope we can continue to be friends, because I miss you and I've missed our friendship."

"I still want to be friends." Naru said as she nodded. "I've missed you too. Thank you for explaining what happened. It's been difficult trying to understand why you stopped hanging out with me."

"Thank you." Usagi said with a bright smile. "Ah! I made another friend while all this was happening. Her name's Aino Minako. I think you two would get along great. She goes to Shiba Koen Junior High, and she's our age. She's a serious yet cheerful and fun girl."

"I'd like to meet her some time." Naru said.

"You will; especially since I spend more time hanging out with her than I do with Ami and Makoto." She said, and Naru nodded.

"Do you remember that guy I was always arguing with at the arcade?" Usagi asked after she took a few bites of her lunch.

"I remember." Naru said with a nod before she sipped her drink.

"Well, he's my boyfriend now." She said, and Naru blinked.

"Really?!" She said in surprise, and Usagi nodded.

"Yeah. We got close just after the rift between me and the girls started. He noticed that I had been changing for the worse before that, and wanted to know why." She said. "Then I got sick and he visited me every day, risking getting sick himself just to spend time with me."

"We got to know each other well during that time, and everything went quickly from there and we've been together ever since." Usagi explained.

"Wow." Naru said. "I'm happy for you. What's his name? I can't remember."

"Chiba Mamoru." She answered.

---

Naru held in a sigh as she looked to Usagi. She had noticed the change in her best friend after the split with the other girls, and even more so later on when they appeared to be trying to work on their friendship.

Of course she was happy her friend was doing better in school and seemed much happier. Beyond that she was more confident, determined, and had this sophistication about her.

Naru didn't know where it was coming from, but she could tell it was natural and not something she was faking. She was just glad to have her best friend back. She hadn't liked that Usagi had been pulling away from her, though she had noticed that it had been a reluctant pulling, but she had let it happen because her friend had begun to look worried and stressed.

Of course she had also noticed the strange things that were happening around her friend, and to herself for that matter, but she hadn't wanted to question it for fear that it might drive Usagi away completely. Because although she had pulled away their friendship had still been there. Usagi had been there when she really needed her.

And that was what mattered. The best type of friends were the ones that were there when you needed them even if you didn't spend all your time together or see each other everyday.

.:xXx:.

Seijuro held in a sigh as he found himself walking the quiet hallway just before lunch time. He had managed to get out of class a few minutes early to get a breather.

He was a quiet guy and not all that interested in talking to people and getting to know them, but he was curious about the people and the city he and Natsumi found themselves in.

The bell sounded, which was obviously the signal for lunch to start, and students began to walk the halls, taking away the quiet he had sought.

He glanced behind him and looked back forward after he saw he had a trail of girls following him. Why they were following him he didn't know. He hadn't been there long enough to even begin knowing anyone, and he had barely said a word.

Maybe it's just my appearance. He guessed.

He stopped after a few moments and pulled out his flute, and began to play a soothing melody. He hoped it would distracted the females, but he knew it would definitely help keep him calm.

A few minutes passed and Seijuro opened his eyes, which he hadn't even realized he'd closed, as he heard a laugh. He saw a beautiful girl with long golden hair up in a unique style, and was instantly attracted to her. Though beyond being beautiful she had a nice laugh and a nice smile.

He stared at her as she walked by with her friends, not even glancing his way, and found himself wanting to talk to her.

He stopped playing and tried to walk after her, but was stopped as the females that had been following him practically swarmed him and prevented him from going after her as they asked him question after question.

Seijuro decided he would try later, and began to play his flute again, gaining silence as the girls instantly stopped talking to listen.

The rest of the school day passed fine and as he stood outside the main building waiting for Natsumi he spotted the beautiful girl again. The two buns of hair on her head causing her to easily stand out. She was alone this time and he hurried toward her, weaving through students heading for the gate.

Once he reached the gate he realized he had lost her, but as he looked to his right he spotted her. He took a step forward but she got into a car that pulled away a few moments later.

He sighed and turned back to walk back to where he had been, and figured he'd see the beautiful girl again the next day.

.:xXx:.

Minako's POV

Early Afternoon

Minako left school early, pretending to be sick, so she could go to Rei's school and speak to her right away and not have to worry about searching for her. That was the last thing she wanted to do.

She had considered contacting her last night, but she hadn't had the patience and hadn't wanted to deal with her then. Beyond that she had just wanted to fill Artemis in on what they had learned and get back to sleep, so she could get enough rest to go to school that day.

Once she reached T.A. Academy for Girls she stood in a spot across the street that afforded her a view of the school entrance and waited. She watched as the students walked out, a slow trickle turning into a slight mass, her eyes scanning and searching for the one she was there looking for.

When she spotted her she walked toward her, and was happy that she was walking alone. That meant they wouldn't have to make up an excuse to get away from anyone.

"Hi." She said as she reached her.

"Hey." Rei said as she blinked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to talk." Minako answered. "Are you heading home?" She asked, and Rei nodded. "Then I'll walk with you."

"So what did you do last night?" She asked as they walked away from the school and the students milling around.

"I slept." Rei said as she looked at her in confusion, and she nodded slowly.

"You didn't answer Usagi's call." Minako stated.

Rei closed her eyes and grimaced.

"Usagi sent you to speak to me." She said, but continued before Minako could reply. "It was late, and I figured it could wait. I planned to see what she wanted today."

Minako frowned. "That wasn't just a call for you. She contacted all of us at once." She said. "I can't believe you didn't answer because you thought it could wait! That's absolutely outrageous, and I guarantee it set you back severely in whatever progress you made with our princess; if it didn't eliminate it altogether."

"She contact us because Mamoru was awakened by the pain of something crash landing in the city, and when he checked to see what it was he saw some kind of living green oval shaped thing before it flew off into the city." She explained.

"How was he able to feel that, and see it for that matter?" Rei asked as she frowned.

"It's part of his powers. Apparently he can feel what the Earth feels, and see through the planet as well. Like if he focused on us right now he could see us walking." Minako explained, and Rei nodded, impressed by those abilities.

How long has he been able to do that? She wondered, but didn't ask since she didn't want to appear as if she was interested in him.

"Is it a new enemy?" She asked with a sigh.

"We're not sure, but it's very likely that it is. Ami was only able to find out that the object was plant based." Minako explained. "Usagi wants us all to keep a lookout for anything new, unusual, or out of the ordinary. Who knows what this new enemy looks like or how many there are. We need to be cautious, alert, and prepared for anything."

Rei nodded and as they walked she sighed again as she ran the fingers of one hand through her hair. She had messed up, and she knew it. They hadn't used their communicators since the Negaverse was defeated, and she had just reacted automatically to seeing the Moon symbol flashing.

She knew that wasn't right; knew that her automatic reaction to seeing the symbol of her princess shouldn't have been to ignore it and go back to sleep, but she had let her habits from before take over in that moment and hadn't even reconsidered.

Minako's probably right. Whatever progress I made with Usagi has likely disappeared, and if it hasn't yet then when she learns why I didn't answer it will then. Rei thought as she held in another sigh.

"I'm going to go home and do my homework before I get in some training." Minako said, and as they reached the end of a block she turned to Rei with a serious look.

"You are never to ignore a call ever again. It doesn't matter who is contacting you. Last nights call could've been a call for aid in an attack, and you ignored it! That is absolutely unacceptable." She said seriously.

"I suggest you also go home and do some serious thinking, because you need to get it together. I don't know about everyone else, but I'm nowhere near satisfied with the progress you've made in the past months with yourself, in your attitude, and in making things better with our princess." She stated bluntly.

"You had better up your game if you don't want Usagi taking matters into her own hands." Minako added before she turned and began to walk away, and head home just as she said she was.

She needed to report to her princess before she started on her homework.

---

Mamoru reached over and lightly put his hand on Usagi's face and greeted her with a kiss after she joined him in his car, and once she had her seatbelt on he drove off.

"How was your day?" He asked.

"It was fine. The same as usual with the exception of the new students. The girl is actually in my class." Usagi answered, and he made a displeased sound.

"At least you'll be able to keep an eye on her if she isn't just a normal new student." He said, and she nodded.

"True." Usagi agreed. "So I didn't think of anything in particular for us to do, but I've decided to make everyone new communicators." She said to change the subject.

"Why do you want to do that?" Mamoru asked curiously.

"Because I want you to have one, so you can be contacted." She answered. "Yes you can rely on me to get to attack locations if we aren't together, but in the case of relaying important information to you, you need to be able to be reached." She explained.

"That's true." He said with a nod. "Thank you for thinking of me." He added as he glanced her way before returning his eyes to the road.

"You're welcome." She said softly.

"Well since you're going to be busy with that we'll go back to my place, so you won't have to worry about being interrupted." Mamoru said.

"Thanks." Usagi said before she asked about his day.

They spent the time driving through the streets until they reached his apartment building talking about his classes and what homework he had for the day.

When they got to Mamoru's apartment they stepped out of their shoes and made themselves comfortable in the living room. Usagi released the concealment on her hair, allowing the moonlight color to be visible, and Mamoru took out his books and notebooks and spread them on the coffee table.

As Mamoru studied on the couch Usagi sat curled up on the side chair to his left, with her back to the balcony doors, looking at her pink calculator looking communicator.

She had thought it was cute when she first got it and that it looked like it belonged with her school things, but now she thought it was an immature looking toy. She had definitely grown out of it, and thought the girls had as well. They could definitely use new communicators.

And since I want them so my prince can have one they definitely need to look different. I certainly can't see him using a pink calculator looking device. She thought in slight amusement.

So with that in mind she began to try and think of what she wanted the communicators to look like. They needed to be small, so as to be inconspicuous, and easily accessible; not to mention easy to use.

Usagi looked up from the pink communicator in her hands and let her eyes roam around the room, hoping for inspiration. Her eyes landed on books, pictures of them- something that had started to appear after they had defeated Metalia, small pieces of art work, a TV, and a clock.

Her eyes stopped there and traced the round wall time piece. That's it! She thought as she stared at the clock. Our new communicators will be watches. Now I just have to come up with a design.

Once again her eyes began to roam the room. She had found inspiration with the clock, so maybe she would find more. But the longer she looked the less she saw that could inspire her.

She sighed lightly and looked back to the communicator in her hands, but as she did her eyes shifted to look at her brooch. She grasped it and tilted it to better see, and looked it over as she narrowed her eyes, taking in the design of the five point star with the crescent moon at its center.

I can make mine and the girls look like this to symbolize that we're senshi, but Mamoru's will need a different look. She thought as she stared her brooch. For his I'll take inspiration from who he is: Prince of the Earth and Tuxedo Kamen.

Usagi sat up and crossed her legs on the seat cushion and placed the communicator in her lap and closed her eyes. She focused on her silver crystal and felt it pulse warmly inside her. The warm power began to course through her, and she decided to make her own communicator first.

She pictured it in her mind down to the last detail, paying attention to everything from its look, to its function, to its every part before she willed it into existence.

Mamoru looked up from his studying and watched the air in front of his girl begin to glow until a small marble sized ball of white light formed. It stretched and morphed for a full minute before it stopped and the glow faded.

Usagi opened her eyes and saw her creation floating in front of her. She grasped it gently and stretched it between her hands as she looked it over and made sure it was exactly what she wanted.

It was an all white circular wrist watch with thin medium sized bands and silver buckles to secure it to her wrist. It had a thin five point gold star stretched across the gold lined cover with a golden crescent moon inside it, and two small buttons on the side; one in white and one in gold.

She pressed the gold button and the cover opened to reveal six small buttons with planetary symbols in a circle. Green, blue, orange, red, gold, and gray. The green button had a tiny dark green symbol for Jupiter on it, the blue button had a tiny dark blue symbol for Mercury on it, the orange button had a tiny dark orange symbol for Venus on it, the red button had a tiny dark red symbol for Mars on it, and the gold button had a tiny dark blue symbol for Earth on it.

On the inside of the cover was a black screen lined with white that would show the image of the one who contacted her.

She closed the cover and pressed the white button, and the cover opened again this time to reveal a watch face with the current time. Where the screen would be was simply white.

Usagi nodded in satisfaction before she closed it and gently put it in her lap. She smiled over at Mamoru, who was watching her, before she closed her eyes and focused on creating his communicator.

She concentrated on him and who he was, and slowly began to picture what she wanted his communicator to look like. When she was satisfied she willed it into existence just as she had with hers.

Once it was finished she opened her eyes and took hold of it before she examined it thoroughly to make sure it was exactly as she wanted it. She nodded in satisfaction before she placed it in her lap next to hers.

She grabbed her pink communicator and put it back in her subspace pocket to get it out of the way before she closed her eyes yet again, and began to make the communicators for her Senshi.

One by one she designed and created a communicator nearly identical to hers until she had four more new wrist watches resting in her lap; all looking exactly how she wanted them to look.

She then began to focus her power and held her hands over the communicators and concentrated on linking them all to each other so they would actually work to make contact. White light surrounded her hands before it shined down and bathed the watches.

When she finished she released her power then grabbed the watches and went and sat next to Mamoru on the couch.

"Here you go." Usagi said as she handed her prince his new communicator.

"Thank you." Mamoru said as he accepted the watch.

He had watched her from the time she started making the first one and had been fascinated as each one appeared, and now he was excited to see them close up; especially his.

He looked it over and saw that it was an all black circular wrist watch with thin medium sized bands and silver buckles to secure it to his wrist. The cover was black with gold lining with a gold disc at the top with a blue Earth symbol, a circle with a cross on top, inlaid in it, a tiny replica of his white mask beneath the disk just below the center of the watch, and two small buttons on the side; one in black and one in gold.

"It looks great!" He said as he looked to her, seeing that she had fastened hers to her left wrist. "Tell me how it works." He said.

"Okay." Usagi said. "So it's both a communicator, and an actual watch. For you the black button opens the watch, and the gold button opens the communicator." She explained.

Mamoru hummed in understanding and pressed the black button. The cover opened and he saw a watch face. He glanced from the clock on his wall to the watch and saw that it had the right time. Beyond that the back of the cover was just a solid black.

He closed the cover and pressed the gold button and the cover opened to reveal six small buttons with planetary symbols in a circle. Green, blue, orange, red, white, and gray.

The green button had a tiny dark green symbol for Jupiter on it, the blue button had a tiny dark blue symbol for Mercury on it, the orange button had a tiny dark orange symbol for Venus on it, the red button had a tiny dark red symbol for Mars on it, and the white button had a tiny gold crescent moon on it. On the inside of the cover it was all black just like when it showed the watch.

"The buttons are obviously to contact each senshi, as they are clearly marked, and the gray button is a select all so you can contact everyone at once." Usagi explained.

"Ah." He said in understanding since he had wondered what the gray button was.

"You can't really see it, but on the back of the cover there's a screen." She said before she pressed the gold button on hers and opened it so he could see the screen she was talking about.

"It will show the image of the one contacting you. Or if you're doing the contacting then it will show the image of the one you're contacting. Unless you're contacting everyone. Then it won't show anything." She explained, and he nodded.

"Too many faces to show." Mamoru said, and she laughed.

"Yup." She agreed. "And that's it." She said as she closed the cover of her communicator.

He nodded as he closed the cover, and secured his to his left wrist. Since he was right handed it would make using the communicator easier. He then opened it back up and pressed the white button with the crescent moon on it.

Usagi's communicator began to go off and she opened it, and pressed the flashing gold button to answer. Instantly it showed them the other's face on the screen, and they smiled at each other's screen face.

"At least we know it works for sure." She said before she pressed the gold button again, and watched his face disappear.

"Yeah." Mamoru said as they both closed the cover to their communicator. "I'm proud of you for making these, and including me while you were making these devices that will make your Senshi more efficient."

Usagi simply smiled and blushed at his praise.

"Those are the ones for the girls." He said as he looked down to her lap, and picked up the orange one.

"Yes. They're almost exactly like mine except I personalized them for each senshi." She said.

Mamoru nodded as he saw what she meant from the color and the planetary symbol on each of them. He pressed one button and found the watch, and saw that on the inside of the cover where the screen would be was a light orange.

He then closed the cover and pressed the next button, and found the screen and buttons of the communicator, but lining the screen was a dark orange. The only difference he could see was that there was no Venus button since it was her communicator.

He closed the cover and handed it to her, and watched as she put all four away in her subspace pocket.

"What are you going to do now?" He asked, and she sighed.

"I might as well start on my homework and get it out of the way." Usagi said.

Mamoru nodded and went back to his own studying as she went to get her school bag.

An hour had passed by as they quietly worked on their school work when Usagi's old communicator went off. She pulled it out as Mamoru looked on, and saw the Venus symbol flashing.

"Usagi here." She answered.

"Hey. I just wanted to inform you about what I found out from Rei." Minako's voice sounded.

"Oh. What did she have to say?" Usagi asked, and listened to her friend sigh heavily.

"It's unfortunately as simple as she saw that it was you contacting her, and she ignored it, thinking she could wait until today to find out what you wanted since it was late." Minako reported.

"Are you serious?" Usagi asked after long quiet moment, and looked to Mamoru though his eyes were closed. She could sense the anger in him like a living thing.

"Yes." She answered. "She didn't actually say that it was because she saw that it was you contacting her, but there was obviously no other reason for her to have ignored that call." She clarified.

"Thank you for getting that information and letting me know." Usagi said quietly.

"What did she say after she learned what the call was about?" Mamoru asked suddenly since he knew Minako would have told her.

"She only asked if we thought it was a new enemy, and when I confirmed that we thought it was likely even though we aren't sure she went quiet. She sighed and looked thoughtful but that's it." Minako said.

Mamoru huffed angrily and shook his head. He couldn't believe that Rei had ignored the call, and then didn't even have anything to say about it other then that it had been late and she thought she could find out what it was about later. His princess could've been dead later! What the hell had she been thinking?!

"Again thank you." Usagi said with a sigh.

"You're welcome. Minako out." She replied, and Usagi put her communicator away and sat there looking down at her lap in thought.

Rei's behavior in ignoring her call and her excuse for it were unacceptable. Plain and simple. And Usagi believed Minako when she said it was because it had been her contacting Rei, and that was why she had ignored it. She had thought the same thing.

What if it had been an enemy attack? They would have been down one fighter because Rei decided she didn't want to talk to her. Usagi hadn't particularly wanted to talk to Rei either, but it had been a group contact so she had been fine.

Beyond that, what if she herself had been under attack? Rei ignoring her call was horrendously outrageous, treasonous, and just as bad as when she had attacked Tuxedo Kamen before she knew he was Mamoru because she had let her anger and jealousy control her.

Usagi could not have her Senshi not answering her calls regardless of how they felt about her. Their duty to protect her was supposed to be separate from their personal feelings.

Not that she liked to think of her Senshi in terms of duty. She also thought of them as friends. With Ami and Makoto they were doing better, and steadily gaining her trust. Rei on the other hand was not trying to better their friendship as far as she was concerned nor was she trying to gain her trust.

After Metalia was defeated she had made an effort at being friendly when they all hung out after school at the arcade, but her lapses back into speaking condescendingly and acting like she was better than her had caused Usagi to not want to spend time around her.

Those lapses shouldn't be happening. She thought with a frown. They're happening because somewhere in Rei she still believes she's better then me.

Usagi closed her eyes. This was just another reason why she had continued to be distrustful, watchful, and uninterested in being around Rei. It was also why she had thought she would see the truth of Rei's behavior when another enemy came along. Her reactions would be telling, and so far they were.

"What are you going to do about her?" Mamoru asked, having followed her thought process, and agreed with every word.

"I'll confront her about it, and try and see where her mind is." Usagi answered. "This will be her last chance. I still don't trust her, and I don't think I ever will again. If what happened last night turns out to be another enemy, and Rei messes up again then that's it. I'm not going to tell her that though. Not until that day comes." She added.

Mamoru nodded in understanding and approval. There would be no strike two; no second chance.

Usagi took a deep breath. "Since I need to confront Rei, and give the girls their new communicators I'm going to call for a meeting. We can also take the time to discuss our possible new enemy, and what we need to do now." She said.

"I want to have the meeting at the temple since I want Rei to do a fire reading." She added. "Do you want to go since that means being around her?" She asked, and he hummed.

"I don't want to see her or be around her, especially after what we just learned, but I'll go. I'm not going to let you be around your Senshi alone when you don't trust all of them, and I want to be there to see everyone's reactions and to test Rei's reaction to my presence." Mamoru said firmly.

"We already know she's been asking after me, so her reaction will be just one more thing for you to take into consideration when you confront her." He added.

Usagi nodded and pulled out her old communicator again. She pressed the contact all button and waited. When each girl answered, including Rei this time, she informed them that she wanted to meet up at Rei's temple in two hours time. That should be enough time for everyone to rest, eat, and get changed if they wanted to.

Everyone agreed to be there on time, and she ended the communication and put her communicator away.

Two hours later...

Two felines, five girls, and one guy sat in a large room with a large floor table and comfortable cushions. It seemed everyone but Usagi and Mamoru had changed their clothes. Minako, Ami, and Makoto were in casual clothes, and Rei was wearing her priestess robes. All five girls were wearing their concealments to hide their changed looks.

"I called this meeting for three reasons." Usagi stated. "To discuss our possible new enemy, what we should do now that the possibility is here, and to give you something. I'll start with the latter."

She gracefully stood from her seat next to Mamoru at the table, and moved around him to where Minako sat on his other side. She summoned the orange watch she had made and handed it to her.

"Earlier today I made us all new communicators. They double as watches, and now include the ability to contact Mamoru." She explained as she walked around and handed the blue watch to Ami, the red watch to Rei, and the green watch to Makoto as Artemis and Luna looked on curiously.

Usagi returned to her seat and held up her wrist to show her communicator.

"Yours is nearly identical to mine while Mamoru's looks a bit different." She said, and Mamoru held up his wrist to display his. "However, they all work the same."

Minako looked at hers and saw that the thin medium sized bands were a light orange and it had silver buckles to secure it to her wrist. The circular watch was orange with a thin five point gold star stretched across the gold lined cover with the symbol for Venus placed in the center of the star sitting on the curve of a gold crescent moon in a darker shade of orange.

Makoto examined hers and saw that it had light green bands with silver buckles, and the circular watch was green with a thin five point gold star stretched across the gold lined cover with the symbol for Jupiter placed in the center of the star sitting on the curve of a gold crescent moon in a darker shade of green.

Rei saw that hers had light red bands and silver buckles, and the circular watch was red with a thin five point gold star stretched across the gold lined cover with the symbol for Mars, in a darker shade of red, placed in the center of the star sitting on the curve of a gold crescent moon.

Ami noticed that hers had light blue bands and silver buckles, and the circular watch was blue with a thin five point gold star stretched across the gold lined cover with the symbol for Mercury in dark blue placed in the center of the star sitting on the curve of a gold crescent moon. She also noticed it had two buttons on the side.

"As you can see there are two buttons on the side. The light shaded one opens the watch, and the darker shaded one opens the communicator." Usagi informed them, and watched them all press the buttons and look at the watch face and the communicator.

"If you notice the communicator has six buttons. Each one labeled for the one you want to contact. The gray button is to contact everyone at once." She explained.

"Also, on the inside of the cover is a screen that will show the image of the one you are contacting or who is contacting you. It will show nothing in the event that everyone needs to be contacted." She added. "Now, hand over the old ones since you won't need them anymore."

"Wow. This looks great. Thank you." Minako said as she pulled out her old communicator and slid it toward her.

"Yes. These are really good." Ami said as she pushed her old communicator across the table toward her.

Makoto and Rei exclaimed over theirs as they handed over their old communicator and began to put on the new one.

Once the girls had their communicator watch on their wrist they turned their attention to their possible new enemy.

"Has anyone seen or heard anything new about what happened last night?" Usagi asked, and most shook their head.

"I tried to find traces of the foreign energy, but had no luck. It's like it disappeared into the city." Ami said.

"I haven't seen or heard anything about what happened last night, nor have I seen anything out of the ordinary or new today." Minako said.

Usagi looked to Ami and Makoto before she looked to the others.

"We have two new students in our school. Siblings, a brother and sister, that apparently just moved to the city." She informed everyone, and Makoto nodded.

"The sister is in our class." She added. "She's pretty quiet and she gave barely there answers when someone asked her anything about where she was from, but then it was only the first day."

"The brother is in the year above us. He plays the flute, and already has a number of the girls in the school flocking after him." Ami said, and Usagi nodded in agreement.

"It could be nothing; they could actually just be siblings new to the city and school, but I want it to be noted since they happened to appear after what happened last night." She said.

"It's a good thing to note with what happened. You can't take anything for granted or you'll be caught off guard." Artemis told them seriously, and everyone nodded in agreement.

"What we need to do now is continue our training, and in fact do it more often and intensify it." Minako said firmly.

"Yes." Usagi agreed. "We need to be ready. We need to be sure and steady with our individual abilities, and we need to be on point with combining our attacks." She said before she looked to Minako.

"We should have training sessions during the early morning and late night, so we'll be comfortable and used to those conditions." She said.

"Yes." Minako agreed. "We need to get familiar with fighting in the dark and the misty fog of the mornings." She said, and watched her princess nod.

"Can you arrange those sessions?" Usagi asked.

"Yeah. I'll have a schedule in the next day or two." Minako assured her.

"I want you to do a fire reading right now to see if anything will be revealed about what happened last night." Usagi said as she looked to Rei.

Rei nodded and got up and lead the group from the room, and to another large room that housed the great fire. Everyone sat on the floor and settled in behind Rei so as not to distract her and waited for something to happen.

Rei sighed quietly as she sat on her legs in front of the fire. She was nervous. She could admit it to herself though she was doing her best to hide it from the others.

She had not tried to use the great fire in months, not since she tried to discern more information on the fake Sailor Moon, and the fire had nearly gone out and refused to work for her.

The only thing she had done since then was meditate in front of it. Ami and Makoto had thought it was because she was distracted, and she had thought so as well, but in light of everything that had happened and everything she had learned she thought the problem had been her.

The fire was either unhappy with her or no longer approved of her. Neither was a good option, but disapproval could be dangerous. The fire had nearly gone out before, but next time it could flare up out of control and cause so much damage and pain.

It's reasonably possible that that next time could be now. She thought, but even with the thought she didn't warn her companions of the possible outcomes and danger.

Rei closed her eyes and put her hands together in prayer to help better her focus, and concentrated on what she had been told of their possible enemy.

Okay it's a green living oval shaped thing that's plant based, and I need to try and figure out where it is now and what it could possibly be. She thought, then her thoughts almost instantly turned to how that information had been discovered.

Mamoru had felt it land, felt the pain, and had been able to see it. Those were really good abilities. She didn't like that he had felt pain, but she was sure there would be good things he could feel as well.

What would it be like to have those abilities? Does Usagi have access to them through her bond with him? Rei wondered. I wish I had that bond with him. I know I shouldn't think that way, but I can't help it. He's still so very attractive; especially now that I've seen him for the first time in months. She thought as she held in a sigh.

She knew he had been staying away from her. It had become obvious after about a week of not seeing him at the arcade. He had even stayed away when they had team training.

I wish he wouldn't do that. He doesn't need to stay away. I wouldn't approach him, but I do want to see him more. Maybe he'll come to the team training we'll have now that there's a possible new enemy. She considered.

After all, he would need to be able to work with the team, and now that they knew he was Tuxedo Kamen there was no reason for him to work alone and stay distant.

If he doesn't stay distant then we'll have better success against our enemy, and he'll be safer since we'll be able to watch his back. I'll be able to help him and protect him. Rei thought softly.

The others sat silently as they watched the fire and Rei. Ami, Makoto, and Luna wondered if the fire would work since the last time they were there when she tried it hadn't worked. They leaned toward it working since they didn't think she was distracted this time.

The others didn't even give it a thought. They had no reason to believe it wouldn't work since none of them had been told otherwise. Instead of worrying or wondering Mamoru and Usagi talked through their bond about Rei's reaction to seeing him.

Mamoru hadn't looked at her, hadn't even glanced in her direction since their arrival, but Usagi had seen her eyes light up at the sight of him, and throughout the meeting she had continuously glanced at him. It was a sure sign that her feelings for him continued. It didn't look like she was catching herself and looking away or even trying to not look at him.

I was right to stay away, and I intend to continue to do so. Mamoru said. I don't like that she still likes me after months of not seeing me. That time and distance should have allowed her feelings to fade, especially with no one talking about me.

Suddenly the large fire flared up, grabbing their attention. It grew higher and higher then wider out toward them, catching everyone by surprise as they began to scramble to their feet.

Mamoru was quicker then everyone though, and already had his princess in his arms and out the door. He was not going to wait around to see if the fire would calm down or for someone to give an explanation. Her safety was more important to him.

The others were pouring out into the hallway when Makoto, who had Rei with her, looked back into the room.

"The fire's dimmed down." She informed everyone.

The others closest to her looked inside and saw that the fire had indeed dimmed, and now was to the point of nearly going out.

"Why did that happened?" Minako asked as they cautiously went back into the room; Artemis looking on from the safety of her arms.

"It's happened once before that I know of, but it wasn't as bad as this." Ami said.

"Yes." Luna agreed from where she sat in her arms. "It wouldn't work when Rei tried again likely because she was distracted in some way."

Usagi looked up sharply at their words. "When did this happen? Why wasn't I told about it?" She asked seriously.

This was extremely serious! She knew from her memories that Rei as the senshi of Mars was connected to the fire, and the fact that it reacted as it did meant it was rejecting her and refusing to grant her guidance and knowledge.

The fact that it was rejecting her at all put a whole new light on the situation with Rei, and Usagi decided right then that she was going to approach her differently then she had planned when she confronted her.

"It was back when the Negaverse sent out that fake Sailor Moon." Makoto said. "After we first saw her on the news Rei tried a fire reading to see if she could learn more about her, and the fire reacted the same way just not as violently."

"I had forgotten about the incident, but at the time I didn't think it was important to make note of and mention later on." Luna said.

Usagi closed her eyes and just shook her head. She supposed that was where Luna's lack of memories came into play. Had she remembered all her memories of the past she would have known the importance of it.

"Why didn't you two say anything?" She asked as she opened her eyes and looked to Ami and Makoto. "Clearly you didn't even tell Minako when you thought she was the princess."

Left unsaid was the fact that Minako would have relayed that information.

Ami and Makoto looked at each other.

"I didn't think it was important. I just thought Rei was distracted." Makoto said, and Ami nodded since she had thought the same; though now she wondered why it was so important.

Usagi sighed heavily and rubbed the back of her neck. This needed to change. They needed to share information like this with each other, and especially with her since she had all her memories and would know when something was important or not.

And this was very important. If the fire was rejecting Rei that meant she really couldn't be trusted.

She would be keeping her distance from Rei. No more thoughts of repairing friendships. She hadn't been interested in being around her since before her betrayal, and now she was making it a firm split in her mind. She would only have anything to do with Rei as Mars, and if she screwed up again then that would be over as well.

She felt Mamoru place his hands on her shoulders and rub gently as she sensed his understanding and approval. Obviously he had been following her thoughts.

She pushed her decision aside for the moment and focused on the fact that things needed to change. She was going to have to think on it and see how she wanted to address her Senshi before she called another meeting.

"Since there will be no fire reading we have nothing else to discuss." Usagi said as she looked to everyone. "You should all head home or wherever you want to go if you have somewhere else you want to be." She told them before she looked up to Mamoru.

Can you wait for me outside? She asked him.

Okay. He replied as he squeezed her shoulders.

Everyone nodded at her words and began to say their goodbyes and leave the room.

Usagi silently stayed back as she watched Rei look at the remains of the once great fire. She looked toward Mamoru as he waited for the others to leave the room ahead of him.

Can you tell Minako to stay? She asked him, and watched as he put a hand on Minako's shoulder. She looked up to him and he whispered to her, and she looked back to her princess and Usagi gestured for her to come to her.

Minako looked down to Artemis in her arms and back to her questioningly, and Usagi shook her head. Mamoru spoke to her again, and then took Artemis into his arms and left the room.

Minako quietly closed the door and stepped toward her, and Usagi held in a sigh as she looked back to Rei, who had yet to notice them. She was going to confront her alone, but with what happened with the fire Usagi wanted Minako there.

First, as the only senshi she fully trusted, and second, because she was technically second in command of the Senshi- the one who would take the lead should she be unable to for any reason- and she needed to be there to get the information first hand in case she needed to know it to deal with Rei later in another matter.

.:xXx:.

Rei sighed as she looked at the tiny flame that had been the great fire. She didn't know how she was going to explain this to her grandfather. Last time he had come in on her trying to stoke the fire back up, and she had claimed ignorance which he had thankfully accepted and helped her build the fire back up.

Now she didn't know what she was going to do.

"Rei." Usagi called quietly since she didn't seem to realize they were there, and Rei turned around and looked surprised to see her and Minako still there.

Minako stood off to the side with her arms behind her back with a curious look on her face, and Usagi stood poised with her hands clasped in front of her at her hips looking calm.

"You ignored my call last night." Usagi said simply.

Rei grimaced and sighed heavily as she nodded. She had wondered when or if Usagi would say something to her after Minako had left after their talk. Then it occurred to her that Usagi would have said something to her even if Minako hadn't spoken to her.

"Why?" Usagi asked.

"Didn't Minako tell you?" Rei asked, and Usagi stared at her for a long moment.

"It doesn't matter if she told me or not. I'm asking you." She said in a quiet firm tone.

"I was sleepy and just reacted. I wasn't really thinking. I just thought it could wait, and I would find out what you wanted today. Thoughts of it being a serious call didn't enter my mind." Rei explained.

"And that's it?" Usagi asked calmly, and Rei nodded. "That's unacceptable. What if there was an attack? We would have been down a fighter because you 'weren't thinking'."

"When you're called you need to answer. Period. The communicators aren't telephones. Not feeling like answering isn't an option. When your communicator goes off it's because something important is happening or needs to be said. It's always serious. Do you understand?" She said seriously.

"Yes." Rei said as she nodded.

Usagi nodded and looked to the remains of the fire before she looked back to Rei.

"I'm aware that you ignored my call because it was me contacting you." She said seriously. "After all, you've never ignored a call before, and there was no other reason for you to have done so. Especially since I contacted you more than once. You certainly had to have been more awake and able to think the second time."

"I have also not been blind to any of your behavior over the last months, and I'm not satisfied with any of what I've seen and heard." She added. "Our friendship is not getting better, and I'm no longer interested in trying to maintain it."

Rei and Minako blinked in surprise at her words. Rei looked to Minako and saw the surprise on her face. Clearly she hadn't known Usagi was going to say what she had.

Minako held in a gasp. She had not expected Usagi to end her friendship with Rei this afternoon. She definitely hadn't thought this would be the result of Rei not answering her call, but then she hadn't known that Usagi had tried contacting her twice.

"I'm not going to waste my time anymore. I'm done. What little remains of our friendship is over. You will only have to think of me in terms of being your princess and a fellow senshi; nothing more." Usagi said firmly.

"And as your princess and leader I am telling you to get it together. You may not realize it but not answering my call was a betrayal, and did nothing but make sure I continue to distrust you." She explained. "Be better." She added before she turned and began to walk toward the door.

Minako stepped back and opened the door, and waited for Usagi to step through before she followed her and closed the door softly.

They walked in silence as they left the building and moved toward the stairs leading down from the temple grounds where they could see Mamoru standing with Artemis.

"Are you going home?" Mamoru asked Minako when they reached him.

"Yeah." She answered.

"We'll give you a ride." He said.

"Thanks." She said gratefully.

They made their way down the long stairs and walked to his car and got in. After everyone was settled with their seatbelts on Mamoru drove off.

"I can't believe Rei was surprised we were still in the room." Minako commented in surprise, deciding to start there since she wasn't sure exactly where to start with all that had happened.

"I noticed that as well. She didn't realize we were there." Usagi said with a nod as she glanced toward her in the back seat. "I didn't want Ami, Makoto, and Luna to know I was staying since I didn't want to confront Rei in front of them, but she should've been more aware of her surroundings."

"I wonder if the others have that same problem." Artemis said.

"It's something you should take into account when you're training together." Mamoru stated, and Minako and Usagi nodded.

"I'll definitely mention it." Minako said then paused for a moment as she looked to Usagi, Mamoru, and back. "So what was the issue with the fire? You looked particularly distressed to learn that it had happened before."

Artemis sat up and paid close attention since he had wondered as well. He wondered if she had remembered something they didn't.

Usagi sighed.

"The senshi of Mars is connected to fire in a special way. Rei being a priestess isn't what allows her to do fire readings. It's being Sailor Mars that allows it, and the way the fire reacted means that it's rejecting her and refusing to grant her guidance and knowledge." She explained.

"Being distracted had nothing to do with it. The fire sensed something going on inside Rei that she's not showing us, and its rejecting her is a serious indication that I'm right to continue not to trust her." She added seriously.

Minako and Artemis sat in shocked silence. Neither of them remembered such an important and significant piece of information. This was serious. If Rei's own powers were rejecting her then this was no longer just a case of their princess not trusting her. This was the senshi of Mars becoming unreliable.

Minako looked to Usagi. Clearly her princess was giving Rei as the senshi of Mars a chance to pull herself together and prove she could be trusted and relied on, because otherwise she would have taken her power and ability to be Mars as she had done before.

"Are you going to tell the others?" She asked her, and she sighed.

"I need to. Ami and Makoto will need to know not to bring Rei around me, and they need to know the importance of the fire's reaction." Usagi said. "However, I'm not sure I want Luna knowing that piece of information."

"Why not?" Artemis asked.

"Because I'm afraid she'll tell Rei. I don't want Rei knowing in case she tries to alter her behavior just to get that ability to work properly." She said. "Beyond that I've recently been thinking that Luna's trying to live in a fantasy, and not seeing reality as it is. She's trying to think that all is well between me and Ami, Makoto, and Rei. As if we're all back to the way we were when we first met." She explained.

"She was even surprised when I told her about Rei not answering my call last night. If she was seeing reality and being objective she would see that nothing has changed between me and Rei, and that me, Makoto, and Ami are still working on our friendship." She continued.

"I'm not even sure Luna sees that my relationship with her is still on the rocks. I admit that Luna has gotten better. She isn't focused on trying to get me and the others to have a better friendship anymore, likely because she's now of the belief that all is well, and she's getting to know me and encouraging me in the things I like to do." Usagi revealed.

"But like with Rei she'll lapse back into old behavior; the same behavior that helped cause the disfunction in the team." She stated. "She'll try and say I need to study more. I had made a good start in doing better, but I can't let myself fall back into not doing my homework and studying with the new school year."

"What?!" Mamoru said in surprise. "Why would she think you aren't doing well in your studies?" He asked.

"She probably thinks I'm not studying and doing my homework because she isn't seeing me do them everyday, because I usually do my homework and studying at your place or with Naru and Minako." Usagi answered.

Mamoru, Minako, and Artemis all shook their heads at that.

"I told Luna that, but it's like she forgets every time, is purposely ignoring me, or is just not believing me." She continued. "You know, she's even disapproving of me fixing my friendship with Naru. She thinks that if another enemy shows up I'll end up pushing Naru away, which she thinks is the right thing to do."

"I didn't bother to correct her and tell her that she was part of why I had pushed my best friend away. Her constant chatter about Naru getting hurt if I continued to be around her, how bad it would be if she figured out I'm a senshi, and how she was a distraction from my duties." She explained.

Artemis stared at his princess; aghast. He had known she had drifted away from her friend because of her secret life, had even known that the girl had been caught up in a number of attacks- through no fault of Usagi's, but he hadn't known it was because of Luna's constant urging.

"Did Rei, Makoto, and Ami contribute to that as well?" He asked.

"They did once Luna's urging's started to become more constant. Though it was mostly Makoto and Ami since we go to the same school, and they saw me and Naru together in class." She answered, and he sighed.

"Luna should come stay with me and Minako." Artemis suggested. "That way she can spend more time with me, and I can help adjust her thinking. Clearly the talks we had when I first got here weren't enough."

"My parents won't mind." Minako added. "I'll tell them she's there to keep Artemis company for a while."

"By all means, take her. I can use the break from her." Usagi said gratefully.

"How about I tell the girls about you and Rei not being friends anymore, and the significance of the fire? I can do it tomorrow. That way you won't have to deal with it today, and can do whatever you want tomorrow." Minako suggested.

"Yes." Usagi agreed. "Thank you."

"No problem." Minako replied before she lifted her wrist and used her new communicator to contact Ami and Makoto, pressing the green and blue buttons, deciding not to wait.

"Ami here." The secret senshi of Mercury answered.

"Makoto here." The secret senshi of Jupiter answered a moment later.

"Hey I need to meet with you two after school tomorrow. I have something I need to tell you." Minako said firmly.

"Where should we meet?" Ami asked.

"It's just going to be us three?" Makoto asked.

"Yes." Minako answered.

"Well then we can have it at my place after school." Makoto suggested.

"Alright. Then I'll meet you two there. See you tomorrow. Minako out." She said before she ended the connection.

A few minutes later Mamoru pulled up to Minako's house and she and Artemis got out and, after saying their goodbyes, went inside.

Mamoru then drove off and the couple went back to his apartment where Usagi finished her homework, and just relaxed as she alternated between watching TV and watching her boyfriend.

A few hours later Mamoru took Usagi home. They said their goodbyes, and that they would see each other in the morning.

Usagi's POV

After she walked into the house she greeted her parents, and put her school bag in her room before coming back down to the living room. It was almost time for dinner, she could smell it, and she didn't have time to do anything, so she just made herself comfortable and talked to her parents.

"How was your day dear?" Her mother asked.

"It was fine." Usagi answered. "We have new transfer students at school, a brother and sister, and the sister's in my class. After school I went to Mamoru's apartment, and did my homework and hung out with him."

"What about your friends? How are they?" Her father asked curiously.

"They're all fine." She answered. "I plan on calling Naru later. Probably after dinner." She added.

Her mother smiled. She was still happy that her daughter had her childhood friend back.

When dinner was ready Shingo came down and they all ate an enjoyable meal together. Once they finished Usagi went up to her room and changed into her pajamas. She left her concealment on since her brother was home. She usually let it go after she went to bed since he was usually asleep by then, so she decided she would release it then.

She put her brooch in her subspace pocket where she had been keeping it when it wasn't on her school uniform, then went back down stairs and grabbed the phone and settled in the living room with her parents before calling Naru.

"Osaka residence." A mature feminine voice answered.

"Hi Mrs. Osaka. It's Usagi. Can I speak to Naru?" She asked.

"Oh hello Usagi. Wait just a moment." Mrs. Osaka said.

"Hi Usagi." Naru said a few moments later.

"Hi." Usagi said cheerfully.

"How're you doing?" She asked.

"Good. What about you?" Usagi replied.

"I'm good." Naru said. "I just finished my homework since I spent the day helping my mom at the store."

"I did mine earlier when I was with Mamoru." Usagi said as she gently traced the rose on her locket necklace.

"Ah. Were you with him all day?" Her friend asked.

"Pretty much. We only separated briefly when I spoke to Rei." She answered before she paused and sighed. "I decided to end what remained of my friendship with her."

Her parents gasped and she looked up to see them staring at her in surprise.

Unknown location

In a massive dark room the silhouette of a long haired male wearing a blue full bodysuit stood on an extremely thick green raised root. He looked to his left and allowed his eyes to travel along the root and up the massive green trunk of an extremely large tree with a thick canopy of reddish pink leaves.

Suddenly he lifted his hand, holding a number of tarot sized cards spread evenly.

"Pick one." He said as he turned his head away from the tree, and looked forward toward his companion.

A shorter long haired person wearing a pink full bodysuit was sitting on a higher root just as thick as the one the male stood on. They hummed in a feminine tone, signaling that the person was female, and gestured with a finger causing a card to lift from the males hand.

He put the rest of the cards away and began to play a flute. A soothing yet lifting melody floated through the massive room, and the card began to glow and stretch until a figure floated in its place.

"Go get energy." The male commanded the new being, and the female waved her hand and opened a portal like hole.

"Vampir." The figure said in a low feminine voice, and hurried through the portal.

Naru's POV

Naru was slightly surprised and yet not considering what she had learned about the Hino girls behavior toward her friend.

"Why today? Did something happen?" She asked.

"I gave her the rest of the last school year and all summer to be a better friend, but I haven't seen enough improvement. Not to mention she isn't getting over her feelings for Mamoru." Usagi replied.

"You're not surprised?" She asked as she finished changing into her pajamas. She knew that her friend's boyfriend had been staying out of Hino's sight to better the chances of her feelings fading.

"Nope. Ami and Makoto always told me when she asked about him when I wasn't around, and when I was around her we were usually at the arcade and I could see Rei's eyes searching the place as if she was waiting for him to get there." Usagi said, and she made a sympathetic sound as she reached for her brush.

"Well, it's a good thing you made that decision. If things haven't changed by now then they probably never would. Now you won't have to worry about..." Naru trailed off, blinking as she heard a sound outside.

"Naru?" Usagi said questioningly.

"I thought I heard something outside." She said as she walked around her bed toward her window.

"Maybe it was a car." Usagi said. "What did it sound like?"

Before she could answer Naru cried out in surprise as her windows burst open suddenly, and a creature floated just outside her window frame.

She froze and her mind instantly flashed back to the last time she was attacked in her bedroom, which in turn brought Nephrite to mind. Her dear Nephrite.

Her heart clenched painfully at the remembrance, despite the situation she was in. She still missed him even after all the months that had passed. She wished he was there to save her just like he was the last time, and yet she also wished she didn't need to be saved; didn't need to be the damsel in distress.

She didn't want to need him to save her. She just wanted to know that he would be there even if she didn't need him. But she did need him. She did need saving. She didn't know how to deal with this creature, but he wasn't there. He was forever gone.

Naru stepped back, still holding the phone to her ear.

"Stay away from me!" She told the creature.

"What's wrong? Who are you talking to?" She heard Usagi ask.

"I don't know. It's some kind of creature." She answered quickly.

Naru watched as it lifted its right arm and saw that where a hand should be a large closed flower blossom was. The blossom suddenly opened and her heart raced as vines shot out of the middle toward her.

---

"What?" Usagi asked in confusion. "Naru?" She called, but suddenly her friend screamed. She flinched, pulling the phone away at the piercing sound, and sat up straight. "Naru!"

"Vampir." She heard a feminine voice say before the line went dead.

Usagi lifted her wrist as she shot to her feet and opened her communicator, and pressed the gray button to contact everyone. She tossed the phone on the couch and summoned her brooch as she listened to everyone respond quickly. First Mamoru, then Rei, Minako, Ami, and finally Makoto.

"Naru's being attacked by some creature at her house. I just heard it on the phone." She informed them. "I want everyone over there right now!"

Her parents watched and listened; completely startled at what was happening in front of them.

"What's going on?" Her father asked.

Luckily her brother was up in his room already. Still, she ignored him, and hoped the girls hadn't heard him.

"Ami when you get there I want you to stay back and focus on gathering all the information you possibly can until you have everything you can get." She said.

"Right." Ami said. "I'm headed over. Ami out."

"We're on our way." Minako said before she and the others ended the connection.

Usagi closed the cover to her communicator, and turned her attention to her parents.

"Naru's being attacked by something. I'll fill you in when I get back." She told them before she quickly moved toward the front door.

She hurried out, allowing the door to swing closed behind her as she pulled it, and began to run away from her house on bare feet. When she found a secure spot where she wouldn't be seen she lifted her hand and looked at the brooch she clutched before she held it up.

"Moon Crystal Power, Make Up!" She said firmly, and was surrounded in a bright soft pink light.

When it cleared she stood transformed and began to run as fast as she could toward her best friend's home, worry and fear streaking through her like lightning.

Naru's going to be okay. We'll get there, and make sure of it. Her prince consoled her.

Right. She said simply, and hoped they would get there in time. They had no idea what exactly they would find.

I'm here. Her prince informed her a few minutes into her run. Mercury is here and staying back like you wanted. Whatever attacked Naru is still inside, and I'm about to head in.

Okay. Be careful. She said.

I will. He replied before going silent. I'm going in through the open window, which I guess might be Naru's window. He said suddenly.

Sailor Moon felt a wave of gratitude rush through her as she realized he was narrating his movements so she knew what was happening.

It's her bedroom. She's lying across her bed. I don't see anyone else in her room, so I'm going to check her over. She heard him say. She's alive, but unconscious and very weak. He said after a few silent moments.

If I had to guess I'd say her energy has been stolen. It's very reminiscent of the youma we faced early on. And Jupiter just arrived. He added.

I'm glad Naru's alive. Is there any sign of what attacked her? She asked.

No, but her door has been blasted through. Jupiter just went through it to see what she can find. He said.

Okay. I'm just around the corner, so I'll be there soon. She said.

I'm still in Naru's room, so I'll wait for you here. He replied.

Sailor Moon rounded the corner and saw Venus land on a windowsill before she disappeared inside.

That just leaves Mars to arrive. She thought as she glanced up to the open window, and shook her head slightly. I'll go through the front door. She decided.

She was a step away from the front door, her hand just about to reach for the handle when the door was suddenly blown off. She spun away, falling to the ground with her momentum, and heard a pained cry, and recognized Jupiter's voice instantly. She turned around and quickly got to her feet as she got her first look at what they were dealing with.

The creature was tall, barefoot, and female with an hourglass figure, muscled upper arms and thighs, with solid green eyes and pink-lavender tinted skin. She had fangs like one would imagine on a vampire and a square like afro hairstyle.

She wore a green sleeveless bodysuit that looked like it was made of moss and had matching leg warmers, and on her right arm where a hand should be was a large red flower blossom that was closed.

The creature looked at her before it pointed its flower blossom hand at her. It opened instantly and a vine came shooting out toward her and she quickly dodged. It continued after her and she quickly summoned her sword, the Holy Blade, and sliced a chunk of the vine off.

The creature screamed and she backed away and stood near Jupiter as she finally regained her feet.

"Vampir." The creature grumbled, and began to step toward them.

In the next moment the creature was suddenly hit in the back, a fireball slamming into her, catching her off guard.

Sailor Moon and Sailor Jupiter looked up and saw Sailor Mars standing on the roof of Naru's house. Sailor Venus appeared in Naru's front door way and immediately shot a orange-gold beam of light, striking the creature in the back, blasting it forward.

Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Moon parted ways, moving to the sides as the creature flew by between them, and watched as the creature slammed into the building across the street. Sailor Mars jumped down from the roof and joined them as Sailor Venus stepped forward and stood with them.

"Did either of you see Naru's mother?" Sailor Moon quietly asked Venus and Jupiter.

"Yeah." Sailor Jupiter nodded. "I caught a glimpse of her lying on the floor outside the living room before this thing attacked me."

"I checked her. She's alive but unconscious. I believe she's in the same condition as Naru." Sailor Venus added.

Sailor Moon nodded and released a relieved sigh.

I'm on my way to her right now. I'll make sure she's comfortable instead of leaving her on the floor. Her prince told her.

Thank you. She said before she focused completely on the creature.

Sailor Venus raised her hand and attacked with her Crescent Beam once again, and Sailor Jupiter launched her Supreme Thunder attack. The creature managed to dodge both attacks, and sent two vines from its flower hand at Sailor Moon.

Sailor Moon shifted her weight and stepped to the side as she brought her sword down and chopped the ends of the vines off. She then took her tiara off and charged it as she watched the creature.

It didn't appear to have any other abilities besides draining energy, so she thought the fight would end quickly now that their attacks were hitting it.

Sailor Mars launched her Fire Soul attack at the creature while it was distracted and nailed it in its side, and Sailor Jupiter shot her thunder at it again and hit it in its chest. Sailor Venus shot her Crescent Beam at the creature, aiming for its arm, and hit it just below the elbow, taking the forearm with the flower for a hand clean off.

"Vampir!" The creature screamed in pain, and Sailor Moon took that moment to launch her tiara at it. It soared through the air and struck it in its chest.

The creature screamed again and glowed, the scream stopping abruptly before it suddenly began to shrink. It grew smaller and smaller until all that was left was a card that reminded some of them of tarot cards.

Squinting their eyes they could see that the creature's image was on the card before the image disappeared, leaving it blank.

Sailor Moon caught her tiara as it returned to her and put it back on, and stored her sword back in her subspace pocket as she turned around and watched Tuxedo Kamen jump out Naru's open bedroom window.

"It looks like defeating the creature is returning Naru's energy level back to normal." He said as he moved toward them.

Sailor Moon nodded and glanced over as Sailor Mercury landed on the ground and began to walk toward them.

"Did you get all the information you could?" She asked her.

"Yes." Sailor Mercury answered with a sharp nod, and Sailor Moon nodded.

"You should all head home. We'll have a meeting tomorrow at some point after school, probably late afternoon or early evening. I'll let you know." She said.

Everyone nodded and the girls began to separate and head away from the area. Sailor Moon looked around and saw that no one was around or looking out windows, and quickly released her transformation before turning to Tuxedo Kamen, who had stayed with her.

"I want to check on Naru." Usagi said before she used her silver crystal to change into some regular clothes.

Within moments she was dressed casually with her hair up in her normal style with her natural silver white hair color concealed behind the golden blonde her friend was used to.