Episode 3: Is Something The Matter?
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After a week, Usagi and Rei would work on the car after getting off of work at the Shrine and at the Shop. On that Friday day though, Usagi allowed the other Usagi to come over and help since Kenji and Ikuko wouldn't come home until extremely late at night.
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On the said evening:
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Rei was getting ready to leave the Shrine, the other Usagi ready to see her off, smiling, but with sad eyes.
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(Rei) Oh, that's right! Hey, did you want to come with me?
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(Usagi?) What do you mean?
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(Rei) Well, Usagi's parents are gonna be gone pretty much all evening, so we'll have the place to ourselves, meaning that you'll be able to come to the house since they won't be there. So, do you wanna come?
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The other Usagi said yes with joy in her voice and ran off to change into some clothes that she and Usagi had went out and bought the day after she was released from the hospital.
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She chose a pair of navy-blue jeans and a black jacket over a pain white shirt. Rei looked at her.
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(Rei) Hey, you know we might get dirty right? We're going to work on the car.
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(Usagi?) I know, that's why I'm wearing the jacket, to protect the shirt!
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(Rei) Okay... (But there's no point of the jacket if it's not even zipped up.)
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The two then got picked up by Usagi, then the two drove the 15 minutes to the Tsukino house, where there was an open garage and inside three girls and Mamoru, looking at the Nissan confused, until the light from Usagi's 86 shined them and then they started waving happily at the car.
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(Usagi?) Everyone else it here too!? Wait, even Mamoru?
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(Usagi) Sure are! We thought that we should get everyone together since no one will be here for a few hours!
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It seemed that only Rei heard the slight tone of distaste in the other Usagi's voice.
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The three parked in the driveway and got out to greet everyone.
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After saying hi to everyone, Usagi went up and kissed Mamoru on the cheek, affectionately.
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But, once again, Rei could hear the other Usagi utter the word "Disgusting" under her breath.
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(Usagi) So, I'm guessing you guys tried to start taking out the engine, but have no idea how?
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(Mamoru) Pretty much. They were able to take out the seats though.
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(Usagi) Thats good enough for me! Now, I'm gonna need Makoto and Mamo for something.
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(Mamoru) What's that?
(Makoto) What's that?
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(Usagi) I need your guys' help to pull out the engine with me and Rei.
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(Mamoru) Um...? Are you sure we can pull it out ourselves? A car engine is pretty heavy, even with all four of us trying to pick it up.
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(Makoto) I mean... We won't know until we try right?
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Usagi got the long and thick wooden beam from the other side of the garage and tied a long chain around the engine and the wooden beam.
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After a few failed attempts, the four were able to successfully able to get the engine out of the engine bay, and onto the floor, lightly placing it on the floor as to nit damage the engine or crack the pavement.
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The girls were congratulating the four for picking up the heavy engine from out of the car, even teasing them for being ~soooo strong~.
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Rei was still keeping an eye on the other Usagi though, and she was just uncomfortable, but she carefully held back her emotions and focused on the girls and their teasing.
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(Rei) (Can't you all see her? Is it just me? Is there something wrong with me?)
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While everyone was distracted, nobody saw the other Usagi, as she just sat there, silent, watching everyone else without doing or saying anything.
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After all was said and done, everyone just sat around and talked while Usagi tinkered with other parts of the car, talking as she removed things like, the light fixtures, the steering wheel, the dashboard... After an hour, she just went and talked with the girls.
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The other Usagi would talk as well, but she kept her eyes on Usagi almost the entire time she was there, her mouth would move, but her eyes were locked on Usagi. But still, it seemed like Rei was the only perceptive one.
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After a few hours of just talking, Usagi dropped them off at their homes in groups. She first took Ami, Minako and Makoto home. Then she came back for the other Usagi and Rei and took them back to the Shrine.
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After getting out and thanking her for inviting them, Usagi drove off and went home.
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Usagi went home, ready to have a little alone time with Mamoru, but dropping the thought of any intimacy knowing that he would rather she not smell like an old car.
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When she got home, Mamoru was still in the garage just looking at the car and its dissected parts placed neatly on the floor in groups.
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When she parked the car in the driveway, she went up to Mamoru.
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(Usagi) Would you like to come inside? Or do you want me to take you home as well?
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(Mamoru) Hmm... I think I can stay for just a little longer. Why not, right?
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The two went inside and waited in her room as she washed up.
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He waited in her room and looked around. It hadn't changed very much. It was still very pastel, and it made Mamoru chuckle a little.
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(Mamoru) (Funny. At a glance, she's a sweet and innocent girl who can do no wrong. When in reality, she has no problems breaking almost every law of the road. She may look like she's afraid of driving, but when she's behind the wheel, she has no problem flying by cops at 80 miles an hour/128 kilometers per hour.)
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His thought of the many crimes he has witnessed her do on the road was stopped when she entered the room in her normal PJ's. Only now, their pink color had a few small black dots on them, probably from late night mechanical work.
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He was about to tell her something, but remembered something that was bothering him.
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(Mamoru) Hey, I was- Wait, I forgot to ask you something Usako.
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(Usagi) Yeah, what's up?
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Earlier, and a few other times, have you seen how the other Usagi acts around me?
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(Usagi) Not really. Why? Is she flirting with you!?
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(Mamoru) Well no, quite the opposite lately. It feels like she has a grudge towards me. She said something under her breath when we kissed, and she was giving me a glare while she was. -
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(Usagi) While she was what? I can't believe this! We treat her so kindly, and this is the thanks we get!?
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(Mamoru) Well, the thing was, she was doing all of this, but she was also just staring at you.
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(Usagi) Huh? Staring? What do you mean, like she was just giving me a look all night that I didn't notice? C'mon Mamo!
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(Mamoru) No... she was staring at you with this blank expression. I don't really understand it though. She was looking at you with a blank stare, but was still thinking of something... But what I've been saying is that she comes from another reality that she hasn't even explained to us yet, and frankly, I think it would help us better understand her as a person.
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(Usagi) You know, now that you mention it... She really never did tell us anything about her world other than that her Sailor Guardians gave their lives to send her here. That and the fact that she came from another reality are all we know about her other than everything you all know about me.
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(Mamoru) And how are you holding up? I can't imagine having an identical version of yourself suddenly popping into your live hasn't been the most normal thing.
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(Usagi) Well, it's not so bad. When you look at it, it's like I have an identical twin sister. If we just keep it at that, there's nothing strange about any of this.
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(Mamoru) What do you mean "Keep it at that" and "nothing strange about this"? There is nothing we can do to say that this isn't normal. We can't ignore that something supernatural is happening.
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(Usagi) I know, but we've had almost TWO entire years where nothing weird, strange or supernatural has happened. And I want to keep things as close to normal no matter what.
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(Mamoru) ... ... ... I understand. This is going to have to be the new norm for now anyway.
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Mamoru left and the night ended.
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The next day, Usagi was parking her car in the front of the of the shop when she suddenly got a crappy feeling. Then she looked outside of her window to see the reason why.
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A few spots over, Haruka's white Toyota 2000 GT sat, warning Usagi about the impatient and angry woman inside.
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She walked in the door when she heard Haruka from the shop.
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(Haruka) ABOUT TIME YOU SHOWED UP! GET OVER HERE!
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(Usagi) *Sigh* (Crap... Here we go I guess.) Coming!
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Usagi walked into the shop to see Haruka under a small Toyota Corolla, probably for an oil change or something.
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(Usagi) Morning Haruka.
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(Haruka) Where is she?
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(Usagi) Where's who?
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(Haruka) The guy with a million yen- The girl, YOU SAID, looked exactly like you and transformed into Sailor Moon. Or did you forget waking me up a week ago at 1 in the fucking morning a week ago?
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(Usagi) She's at work right now. At the Shrine with Rei.
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(Haruka) Oh? You don't have her with you? I thought I told you over the phone last week that I wanted evidence of what you were saying just to make sure you weren't just trying to get out of work.
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(Usagi) Then go there yourself and take a good look. I don't mind running the shop alone.
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Haruka got out from under the car and walked up to Usagi, getting real close.
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(Haruka) Usagi. Are really telling me that if I were to drive over there, that there would be another you there, not expecting me? Come on now, I've seen the way you drive, if I were to pull out and go the speed limit, you could easily find another way to get there faster, breaking most traffic rules along the way.
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(Usagi) Haruka, how about this. We'll meet at the Shrine after work. If another Usagi doesn't come out of the Shrine, then I'll quit right then and there.
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(Haruka) Okay. Just know that I'm only pissed right now because we've had peace for a good amount of time, and joking about something this serious could prompt another enemy to appear, breaking our streak of peace. And, it was all I could think about for the rest of my time over in France. Michiru's concerts helped put me at ease, but she pried me about what was wrong and now she's worried like me.
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(Usagi) I know, but you know I wouldn't just make something like this up out of the blue and tell everyone.
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(Haruka) Yeah, you wouldn't be smart enough to be elaborate enough to create such an alarming story on the fly.
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The day was pretty uneventful, a few customers here and there. At the end of the day, at 6:00 P.M., Usagi and Haruka walked outside and locked the building.
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(Usagi) So, wanna head straight there?
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(Haruka) No, I gotta pick up Michiru because she and Hotaru are curious to see two of you.
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(Usagi) Alright, I'll call Rei and let her know.
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As the two drove to Michiru and Haruka's apartment, Usagi was on the phone with Rei.
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(Usagi) Yeah, and that's about the jist of it. You mind getting her on the phone so I can let her know too?
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(Rei) Yeah, give me a second.
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On the other end, Usagi could hear Rei call out to the other Usagi and a pair of footsteps came to the phone.
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(Usagi?) Hello?
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(Usagi) Hey, it's me Usagi.
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(Usagi?) Oh, hey Usagi! You sound upset, is everything alright?
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(Usagi) Well, Haruka, Michiru and Hotaru want to come over and say hello. I kinda told Haruka about you when you first collapsed in the shop before I took you to the hospital.
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(Usagi?) Oh! Okay! I'll get dressed!
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Rei came back to the phone.
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(Usagi) Huh. I thought she would be a little more nervous about seeing more people she used to know.
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(Rei) Me too, but she seems totally fine. Well, see you in a bit Usagi.
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(Usagi) Yeah, thanks Rei.
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(Rei) It's no problem.
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After getting to their apartment, the two exchanged pleasantries with Usagi, but Michiru got in Usagi's car when they started for the Shrine.
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The drive there was silent. Other than a few exchanges, the drive was silent in the 86 while Haruka and Hotaru seemed to be singing out loud in the 2000 GT.
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When the four arrived, the other Usagi was running down the stairs with Rei behind her, warning her to slow down.
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At the base of the Shrine, Haruka, Michiru and Hotaru all had surprised looks when seeing the two identical Usagi's laugh at their shocked faces together, their higher pitched voices syncing up with each other.
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Haruka composed herself faster than the other two, but she wasn't convinced.
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(Haruka) Okay, you got me with the appearance. But you said that she could transform into Sailor Moon. Could she do it?
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Usagi looked at the other Usagi nervously, but was relieved when the other Usagi reassured her with a slight nod.
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At the same time, both girls transformed.
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(Usagi) MOON ETERNAL, MAKE UP!
(Usagi?) MOON ETERNAL, MAKE UP!
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Bright lights enveloped both of them. Then each one appeared in matching Sailor Moon uniforms, only the other Usagi's was still repairing a few slices in the fabric and a small part where something burned the fabric, the parts being outlined by small white lights.
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(Usagi?) YES! I can still do it...
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The other Usagi had used all her strength to power up and as she passed out, she returned to her normal form, Usagi catching her before she fell to the ground.
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(Haruka) Hmm. I believe you now.
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(Michiru) That was like music to my ears, hearing their voices syncing up like that.
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(Haruka) Are you sure, I thought my ear drums were gonna break.
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(Hotaru) Still, just seeing something like that... I wonder what she'll do now.
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(Usagi) Well, that's for her to decide when the time comes.
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In the end, the three went home and Usagi promised to buy food the next time she came over to fix the car as a thanks.
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Usagi carried the other Usagi as they brought her back to the Shrine, making sure she was alright.
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They figured out that it was probably the fact that her uniform was still healing, that she might be still healing from her own injuries that she might not be aware of. So they put her in her bed and Usagi went home.
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But during their transformation, Rei swore that she heard something odd again. It was as the light enveloped the two Usagi's that she heard the other Usagi angrily muttering something under her breath when she thought no one could hear her.
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What Rei believes she heard during the transformation
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(Usagi?) Worthless bastards, still treating me like a joke.
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Afterwards though, the girl was just as bubbly as she was before, smiling, talking nice and even laughing with Haruka, Michiru and Hotaru.
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For the first time, Rei decided NOT to tell anyone.
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She hated the feeling of not telling the others, but she had no proof. She could only tell them what she saw or heard, so for all they knew, she was completely delusional!
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So, she kept the information to herself, keeping it until she had proof that there was something wrong with her.
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It was later on when she was preparing to go to sleep when she heard a spine-chilling shriek from Usagi(?)'s room.
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Thinking it might be a burglar or a sexual offender, Rei runs as fast as she can to the room, throwing open the door to see the other Usagi, sitting up, holding her legs to her chest, tears flowing down her face as she physically shook where she sat.
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When Rei entered the room, the other Usagi just looked at her with Moonlit blue eyes that were bloodshot and full of fear.
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Not seeing Rei's face, the other Usagi, thinking she was still in the nightmare, backed herself into the corner of her bed, crying and pleading for Rei to get away from her and that she was sorry for leaving.
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Rei flicked on the lights, revealing her slightly worried face in the light.
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Rei went over and brushed her hand over the poor girls head.
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(Rei) It's okay Usagi, it's me. You're in another world and save.
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Rei told her more comforting words, getting her to calm down as she continued to cry quietly, slowly regaining her composure.
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It took awhile before Rei calmed her down. After calming the girl to where she wasn't crying anymore, Rei told her that they would discuss it in the morning.
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The rest of the night went quietly, but Rei had trouble sleeping, worried about what horrific nightmares this Usagi was having. Would it be like when she had premonitions from back when the girls fought as Sailor Guardians?
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In the morning, the two woke up, got ready and began to work, cleaning the Shrine until it was spotless, when they didn't have an entire crowd coming to get some kind of charm, whether it be... luck, love, good health, good fortune, just something to make them feel better about something in their lives. Although Rei wholeheartedly believed that she was handing out blessings to people, some took the blessings as nothing more than a religious stunt for money, making small comments when they thought that they were out of earshot. Rei wanted to kick the crap out of these people but knew better than to punch a person at the shrine while she was working.\
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After most people left in the afternoon, the two took a break to relax after giving out hundreds of handmade blessings.
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(Rei) So... We gonna talk about last night?
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(Usagi?) Hm? OH! I am so sorry about that! I didn't think that-!
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(Rei) Usagi. It's totally fine. I just wanted to know what happened. Did you have a nightmare? A night terror?
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Usagi(?) seemed to take a moment to think about it for a second, thinking if she was comfortable confiding within Rei, but nodded to herself after remembering that it had been Rei who gave her a place to stay, a job and even comforted her in her despair.
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(Usagi?) Well, I had a nightmare. All of you from my world were on the ground, surrounded by enemies, you were all on the ground using your arms to crawl to me. Your legs were completely destroyed, bones coming out of the skin, bleeding, going in all the wrong directions. But what scared me the most was your pleading faces. All of your eyes were torn out, but you were still crying in pain, pleading with me not to leave. You each grabbed onto my legs, begging me to stay and fight with you. I was so scared that it seems that them moment I began to scream, I woke up. And when I saw you, I thought it was still you from the nightmare.
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(Rei) (What the fuck..?) Jeez... Are you okay? Do you feel that guilty even though they were the ones that sent you away?
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(Usagi?) Absolutely. I should've been there, dying right alongside them. But no. They sent me away as a way to keep me alive. But I should still be there, rallying the people. But I think it was when...
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She just trailed off, looking at Rei with a sad, but scared eyes.
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(Rei) What is it? You said that you were probably here because...?
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(Usagi?) I didn't say this then, but you were hit in the back of the head right before everyone finished chanting the ability to teleport someone. You fell right in front of me, your eyes frozen open, blood pouring from your mouth.
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(Rei) You... saw me die in your reality? I... I don't even know how to respond... I'm so sorry you had to experience that.
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Later, Rei was over at Usagi's, fixing the car again. But her mind was still on the things that the other Usagi told her. No wonder something seemed off about her! She was somehow not completely broken after everything she experienced. But there was something that she just couldn't figure out. If she had experienced so much trauma, wouldn't there be a possibility to have psychotic tendancies? Or worse?
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She was snapped out of the thought when Usagi called her after she wouldn't respond to her after a while.
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(Usagi) So, how are things with the other Usagi at the Shrine Rei, you seemed like you were deep in thought since I picked you up.
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(Rei)...
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(Usagi) Uh, Rei? You there?
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(Rei)...
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(Usagi) Um... Earth to Rei?
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(Rei)...
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(Usagi) Okaaaay, you asked for it. REI!
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Rei hopped a little where she sat. Then she looked at Usagi.
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(Rei) Jeez! What is it?
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(Usagi) Well I called you like four times, so I had to get you back down to earth somehow, didn't I?
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(Rei) So... what were you saying?
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(Usagi) I was saying, how are things at the Shrine with the other Usagi? But I get the feeling that something happened over there.
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(Rei) How'd you guess that?
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(Usagi) Well... Whenever something's on your mind, you're not really responsive. You're just in your own world, thinking. You've done this as long as I've known you, so... what happened?
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Usagi was putting the car back together, with a few parts being exchanged for newer ones. As she put the car back together, Rei told her about everything the other Usagi told her about.
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But after finishing, Rei expected Usagi to be a little worried, even freaked out. But she only seemed a little shocked. Usagi was one to get freaked out just hearing stuff like this, so Rei was a little confused that she was shocked and not panicking
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(Usagi) Wow... I would say that's pretty graphic, if I hadn't had the same nightmare myself. But in my nightmare, they weren't saying those things. They were pleading with me, but they were asking, "Why did you leave us?" "What did we do to deserve this?" "How could you abandon us so easily?".
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(Rei) So, you're saying that she changed it so that it seemed less awful than it was!?
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(Usagi) That's not all. Their eyes and legs were destroyed, but the enemies she was talking about? They were worse than we could ever imagine... They molded themselves into our families, friends, EVERYONE we know. And they were creeping closer, but I wasn't about to run away since the girls were holding my legs for dear life. If I tried to move, they would plead and cry louder.
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(Rei) Oh my gods...
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(Usagi) I'll go talk to her. She shouldn't have to put herself through that when she has you to help her.
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The two continued to work on the car in silence, finishing the engine, getting to the interior.
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(Usagi) We'll have to send the car to a shop to get the interior changed. It won't be so different and it shouldn't take too long.
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(Rei) Ok... You want me to help cover the costs? Because I'm pretty sure that's a little expensive.
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(Usagi) Sure, we'll split it half and go from there. I'll call the person I know.
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Usagi picked up her cell and dialed a number, the dial rang and a person spoke on the other line.
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(Usagi) Hey Naru, it's me, Usagi!
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The two talked for a brief time and Usagi ended the call happily.
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(Usagi) Well, Naru gave us a pretty good deal to restore the upholstery in the car.
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(Rei) So when you say Naru, do you mean Naru from High School? She works on car like you too?
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(Usagi) No, silly! I work on the mechanical bits of the car, Naru specializes in customization. She does the external and internal details of a car, like paint and interior. That's why it's so comfy in the 86.
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(Rei) You seem pretty happy after what we just discussed.
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(Usagi) Well... Until I go talk to her, I would rather not think about that nightmare.
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(Rei) Okay then... So does the car start up.
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(Usagi) Yeah!
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Usagi was excited about something. It wasn't about the car starting up, but something she was hiding from Rei.
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(Rei) Usagi, is there something I should know about?
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(Usagi) No... Wanna take it for a spin? I'll drive.
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(Rei) Fine. I guess I'll have to find out what you did after we leave.
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The two got in the car and Usagi started the engine and put in first, slowly driving out of the dark neighborhood.
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She was driving under 40 KPH in the neighborhood, where she would usually be doing 112 until they got to the house.
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(Rei) Why are we going so slow? I thought you were gonna drive fast?
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(Usagi) Not this late at night, we gotta get out of the neighborhood first.
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After what seemed like forever, Usagi pulled onto an empty main road and SLAMMED on the gas, smiling ear to ear while a high pitched whistle was coming from the engine, rising and falling in pitch with the RPMs.
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(Rei) HEY! Slow down- Wait do you hear that? Is that whistling normal?
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(Usagi) Sure it is! (She's gonna kill me when I tell her that I put a turbo in the engine when she wasn't here. BUT IT WAS WORTH IT!)
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The car raced through the streets, Usagi driving it with a precision that Rei wondered where it was when Usagi was in school.
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The tires skidded as Usagi would drift around turns, almost sending Rei flying into her hadn't she been wearing a seatbelt.
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(Rei) USAGII! Slow Down, you're gonna get us both killed!
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(Usagi) Didn't you want me to go fast?
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(Rei) This car was sitting for TEN YEARS, the tires are probably about to pop from the way you drive!
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(Usagi) Switched them out.
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(Rei) What?
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With her suspiciously quick response, Rei narrowed her eyes at Usagi, even as she was feeling the gravity around her.
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(Rei) What did you do when I wasn't at your house?
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(Usagi) Um... nothing?
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(Rei) Out with it already!
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(Usagi) Okay, I might've replaced the suspension, changed the brakes, changed the driveline, replaced the lights, fixed the electronics, and installed a turbo on your engine.
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Not hearing the last part, Rei asked her to repeat it.
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(Usagi) Okay, I might've put something called a turbo in your engine, that's why you hear the whistling.
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(Rei) And what's a turbo for?
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(Usagi) It's for increased airflow.
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(Rei) and why would I need that?
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(Usagi) Better performance...
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(Rei) Why would I need better performance? I just need this car for daily use. I'm just gonna- Usagi. You weren't trying to make this car a race car like yours were you?
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(Usagi) A little.
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(Rei) *Sigh* Look, I appreciate what you're doing by fixing the car, but you gotta remember, I'm not a crazy street racer like you. So please, try to restrain yourself from trying to make this car faster than what it should be.
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(Usagi) Fine...
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(Rei) Now go crazy.
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(Usagi) Wait. What do you mean by that?
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(Rei) Look, ever since we brought the car here, I can see you daydreaming about going absolutely nuts in this car. So, I will repeat myself ONE MORE TIME, before I change my mind, GO CRAZY.
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(Usagi) You better hold onto something. It's gonna get a little... scary.
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Rei could see fireworks going off in Usagi's eyes as she shifted the car into fourth and sent the car flying onto the highway, which was not empty.
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As Usagi raced passed other cars, wildly swerving through traffic on the road.
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(Rei) How the hell are we still alive?
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(Usagi) Well, I just practiced in the 86. After a while, I just started jumping from lane to lane, then I was drifting, after that well, I went faster and faster until, well, this.
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(Rei) Did you ever, I dunno, get caught, get arrested? I mean, no offense, but the way you drive, everything you do is illegal.
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(Usagi) None taken, but the fact that it's illegal... For some reason it gives me a feeling of freedom. I just- Oh?
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(Rei) What? What is it?
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(Usagi) Looks like we're not the only ones tryin to have some fun on the road. Look behind us.
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At first, Rei couldn't see anything through through the traffic behind them. But then, there was a black 1992 Nissan GTR Skyline R32, flashing it's lights as it tailed the 280z through the traffic.
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(Rei) I don't get it. What do they want?
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(Usagi) Well, to put it simply, they want to race for the next mile or so. But, I'm gonna slow down and decline. This car may have parts meant to go fast, but I don't want to push it, don't wanna risk the engine or any of the newer parts more than I already have.
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Usagi slowed down, shifting down to fourth and matching the GTR driver.
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The other driver rolled next to the 280z matching it's speed, but revving the engine, letting the two women hear the GTR's engine and large single turbo.
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The driver rolled down their window, asking Usagi a question that Rei couldn't hear.
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(Usagi) No thanks! And you got the wrong car!
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The driver of the GTR seemed annoyed, then sped off ahead of the two, swerving through traffic, getting dangerously close to the other cars.
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Usagi rolled up the window and went into the far right lane to get on the off ramp.
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(Rei) What did the guy ask you?
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(Usagi) Kinda beats me. He wanted to race, saying that the car matched the model of something called the "Devil Z".
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(Rei) Huh, weird. Do you know what he was talking about?
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(Usagi) No idea. It's kinda like the time someone wanted to race on the Mountain Roads up in the Gunma Prefecture.
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(Rei) Weird, did you go?
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(Usagi) Hell No! I'm a little crazy, but on those mountain roads? No way, I'm not trying to go out like that.
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(Rei) Wow, that might surprise me more than when you graduated with scores as high as ours!
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(Usagi) Whatever. *Yawn*
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(Usagi) Lets start heading back. It's getting late and my parents are gonna start giving me crap about "The dangers of being out too late.".
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(Rei) Yeah, and the other Usagi is probably doing her best waiting up for me.
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(Usagi) Speaking of her... Thanks again Rei.
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(Rei) What do you mean?
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(Usagi) Well, thanks to you, she has a place to stay, a job to get her some money, and someone she can trust and talk to whenever she needs someone.
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(Rei) Oh come on! You saw everyone else! Only you, Ami and Haruka had valid reasons for her not to stay with you guys. And I saw Minako, Makoto and Mamoru. They were uncomfortable with her staying with them without even saying it!
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(Rei) I just... saw that, I had an extra room, so why not?
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(Usagi) But still. That was something you did on your own. You didn't hesitate to extend your hand out to her. So I wanted to say, thank you Rei, for being there for the other me.
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The two pulled off of the highway. Then, they went to the house, where Usagi quietly cursed to herself. Her parents were home, waiting for her to go inside. The dim light coming from the kitchen said as much.
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Usagi turned the car off and the two pushed it backwards into the garage, closing it quietly after. Then, the two were starting to push the 86 out of the front of the house when and third set of hands touched the car.
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The two jumped and when they looked, saw the other Usagi.
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(Rei) Usagi(?)?
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Usagi was pissed! What was this girl doing here, KNOWING what could happen if Usagi's parents saw the two of them at the same time.
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(Usagi) Usagi! What the hell are you doing here!?
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She looked at them, tilting her head and giving them a confused look.
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(Usagi?) Well, after Rei didn't come back to the Shrine at the usual time, so I came here after all the lights seemed to be off before waiting on the side of the house. When you guys got here, I thought it was Usagi's parents, but realized it was you guys when you started pushing the white car out of the neighborhood. So after I realized that it was you two, I came to help.
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(Usagi) You know what, who cares. Get in the back seat and lay down, we can't risk anything.
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The other Usagi got in the back of the 86, wondering why her other self was so angry at her.
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But just as the other Usagi laid down, the front door of the house opened and Kenji Tsukino walked out, squinting his eyes as they conformed to the dark street.
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(Kenji) Usagi? Usagi what the HELL!? It's almost midnight! Where the hell have you been!?
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(Rei) Shit! Usagi!
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(Usagi) Dad, I'll explain everything when I get back, I have to take Rei home first.
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Before her dad could respond, Usagi got into the 86 and closed the door, Rei doing the same.
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Not caring for the quiet exit anymore, Usagi turned the car on and drove out of the neighborhood and got Rei back to the Shrine in record time, aggressively drifting at intersections and going over double the speed limit.
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After a minute of silence, Rei thought she should say something.
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(Rei) Usagi I-
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Usagi cut her off, talking with a flat, angered tone.
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(Usagi) Rei. If you're about to apologize, don't. This isn't your fault. I kept you way longer than usual and that's my fault. Even though we were just testing the car out, I should've paid more ateention to how long we were gone though.
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(Usagi) Now YOU. Usagi, do you understand how close Dad was to seeing us together tonight!? If I hadn't told you to get into the car, he would've seen both of us. And if he had, I would've probably had to convince him that there was just one of me and he was seeing things. Now listen VERY closely. NEVER, and I fuckin mean, never, go to that house again. The fact that you went there without telling us was almost catastrophic enough, but nearly getting caught? That was way too close.
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(Rei) Usagi. Stop it, I think she understands.
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(Usagi) I'm sorry Rei, but I just can't let this go and pretend that nothing would've happened. I had too many close calls as Sailor Moon as it is. I don't want to make any more close calls.
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When the three got to the Shrine, Rei and Usagi said goodbye to each other, but the Usagi's were silent to each other, Usagi facing forward, ready to gun it home as fast as she could, the other Usagi, to embarrassed to lift her head and look at Usagi.
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When the other Usagi closed the door, as soon as it shut, Usagi was already pulling away, already in second gear.
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On the way up to the Shrine, Rei and the other Usagi were also silent, until they got to the Shrine itself.
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(Rei) Hey, Usagi? Can we talk?
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Usagi tried her best to smile, but the most she could manage was a trembling soft smile with drooped eyebrows, trying to keep herself from crying. She answered with a weak "Yes?"
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(Rei) I'm sorry about Usagi. Ever since we stopped being Sailor Guardians and living normal lives, Usagi has been dead set on keeping anything and everything supernatural away from her family. She never even told them that she was Sailor Moon. Not that any of us gave our identities away.
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(Usagi?) You... never told your families.
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(Rei) No. We thought that, if something were to ever happen to us, they were better off not knowing that we were the Sailor Guardians.
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(Usagi?) So thats why she was so angry?
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(Rei) Well... Not only that, but you knew that even going over there is a big risk, but not telling us, that was probably what made her the most frustrated.
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(Usagi?) I see. I should go apologize to her.
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(Rei) Noooo, no no no no. That a bad idea, just let her get over it. It happens pretty fast and who knows, she might just try to apologize to you.
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(Rei) Let's go to bed. It's getting really late.
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(Usagi?) Sure!
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(Rei) One more thing before you go.
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(Usagi?) Yeah?
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(Rei) How long were you there for?
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(Usagi?) A little while.
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(Rei) Like... what, a few minutes? A few hours?
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(Usagi?) Maybe an hour?
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(Rei) Jeez... WE need to get you a cell phone, pronto.
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As Rei went into her room to change, she couldn't stop thinking.
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(Rei) (First the nightmares, now this? What the hell is going on with this girl?)
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As she began to take her clothes off, there was a creaking in the doorway behind her. It was mostly closed except for an inch.
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(Rei) That's odd... (Wasn't that closed a second ago?)
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She went to slide the door closed, ignoring the peering blue eye that was looking in.
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(Rei) (WHAT THE FUCK!?)
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Rei kept her eyes on the door for the rest of the time she was getting ready for bed.
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When she shut off the lights, she quietly went to the door and listened.
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There was a high pitched voice on the other side, breathing quietly, but heavily as she stood in front of the door.
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Rei was walking quietly to her bed, before stomping to the door to confront whoever was there.
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As she opened her door, she looked down the hallway to see a pair of long, golden strands quickly going around the corner.
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She quietly back into her room, a little nervous.
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(Rei) (Was that Usagi!? What the hell is she doing now!?)
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Her thought process was broken when there was another pair of light footsteps near her door, again there was a high pitched voice, breathing heavily but quietly at her door, whispering something.
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Rei put her ear to the door, wondering what she was whispering to the door about.
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When she put her ear to the door, she heard what seemed to be the middle of her monologue, her voice seemingly excited.
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(Usagi?) -and when you defended me tonight? I'll never forget it Rei. Just like I'll never forget the moment I fell for you the moment you spoke up in the hospital. I'll never leave your side, ever. I'd do anything for you... I'd even kill the other me and take that bitches place if you asked me to. Just say the word and she'll have a little "accident" I guess.
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She laughed quietly to herself.
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(Usagi?) I'd even kill the others. I don't want anyone else to take you away from me, ever again. Not Mamoru, not the shapeshifters, ONLY ME. Even if it means killing everyone we know in order to be alone, I'd do it... Just. For. You.
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After a few seconds, it seemed like she was finished. She walked away quietly, her footsteps barely making a sound on the old and noisy wooden floors.
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Rei realized that she was still at the door and quickly went to lie down, wishing she hadn't been so curious.
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After she laid down, her heart dropped as the door opened very quietly, a feeling of crazed eyes on her made her heart start pounding against her chest. The only way to describe the feeling? Terror. If she were to open her eyes or even give off the fact that she was wide awake, would the other Usagi silence her, or worse, to keep her from telling anyone her little secret.
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She heard the same footsteps, only now, they were getting extremely close to her.
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She heard the same heavy breathing, coming from the same high-pitched voice, only now, she could feel the cold breath on her face as the other Usagi watched her "sleep".
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Rei couldn't tell how long she stayed there, but it felt like an eternity before she quietly got up and headed for the door, saying "Oh Rei, you always looked so cute when you sleep." before closing the door and going back to her own room.
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The feeling of dread persisted until the next morning where she tried to pass it off as a weird nightmare. But, just in case, she didn't tell the other Usagi.
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But the feelings came right back when she was focused on something and she felt a quick tap on her shoulder and she jumped as she looked behind her to see the other Usagi, looking slightly concerned.
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(Usagi?) Hey Rei. Is something the matter? You look like you saw a ghost for a second.
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(Rei) No, I'm fine, just a little out of it I guess.
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End of Episode 3: Is Something The Matter?
Hey everyone, as you've noticed, I've done much longer episodes that have a little less of a horror element per episode/chapter than usual. That's because I'm trying to make a longer story with better background and slower pacing to have a better overall story.
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Thanks for continuing to read my stories and I'll see you all in the next episode.
