Sailor Moon: Like the River

[Andrea]

Hello people! It's a rewriting of episode 69. Basically,
it's the same lines, and I didn't change the storyline a bit, well,
maybe yes. I did add some more things, character thoughts, and more
feelings. The dream sequence is completely different, and the end,
well, 50-50.

SO okay, I think I don't have anything more to say, other than, I hope
you enjoy this story, 'cause, I'll tell you, my neck is way sore, my
back aches, my eyes are very red from staring at this stupid monitor
all night long, and my fingertips throb. And God, I didn't know a
headache could hurt soo much!

DISCLAIMER: As usual, yadda yadda yadda. Sailor Moon and other
characters are not mine, they belong to Naoko Takeuchi and a whole
bunch of other companies. Though the story IS mine.

---

Like The River
By Andrea



"After many adventures, the handsome prince came to a wild rose
forest. With his shimmering sword, he cut everything that was in his
way. Finally, after reaching the enchanted castle, he found the
beautiful sleeping beauty. Softly, silently, he neared her an-"
"It's so BORING!" cried the little pink head.
"No, it's not boring, I think it's beautiful AND romantic!"
Said Usagi, again reaching for the book. "and he kissed her." she
continued, "Slowly, the princess opened her eyes-"
"I said it was BORING!!!!" Chibi-Usa grabbed the book from
Usagi's hands.
"And I SAID It's NOT BORING!!!!!" Yelled Usagi, quickly, she took
the book out of Chibi-Usa's grasp, "and after saving the beautiful
princess, she, and the prince, lived happily ever after . . ." Usagi
sighed, holding the book to her chest, "now, wasn't that roman-"
Snore.
'How cute. She fell asleep. 'Her gaze wandered down the sleepy
form beside her. "Chibi-Usa?"
"Usa-chan, let her sleep." said Luna from the other side of the
bed. "She's probably having nice dreams about her mom and dad."
"Yeah, I know. I only wish I could help her, that's all. I mean,
she's so small, and scared and alone. . ." Usagi looked melancholically
at the sleeping girl.
"Um hmm, poor girl. She must really miss her family." And with
that, Luna curled into a small ball at the end of the bed to continue
her sleep.
Yawn.
Slowly, Usagi climbed into the bed, gathered Chibi-Usa in her
arms, and joined her.


A sweaty form laid on the bed next to the window that overviewed
the beautiful city of Tokyo. The figure moved from side to side,
murmurs escaping his mouth.
Mamoru laid restless in his bed, again, the wedding nightmare
repeating itself.
"Mamo-chan, finally, finally we're married!" she hugged his arm
happily.
He looked down at his shining wife, and smiled, "Usako, it's
pretty amazing, isn't it?"
"Yes, I can't believe it, yet. . . I love you, Mamo-chan." she
said leaning closer to him.
"And I love you, too, my dear princess." But before their lips
could meet, there was an explosion somewhere and they were torn apart.
"Usako!" He called frantically trying to reach her.
She was drawn away from him, her wedding gown changing into her
princess one. The Moon sign appeared in her forehead, and a small tiara
in her head. The next thing he knew, she was in the top of a crystal
fortress. She cried as she called him with her eyes. There was another
explosion, and the fortress began to shatter, the small crystal pieces
floated about her.
Another explosion, and the fortress shattered completely.
With Usagi in it.
"Chiba Mamoru, you must not approach Tsukino Usagi!" Said an
unearthly voice.
"You again?" Mamoru asked enraged, "Who on earth are you!?!" he
demanded again.
"It will come to pass that the two of you shall wed, but the
world shall be destroyed, and when that happens, the Supreme Princess
Serenity of the Moon will suffer a great calamity!" It said warningly.
"I don't believe you! You're trying to deceive me!"
"Hear me wisely, this you cannot avoid."
"But why? Why are you doing this to me!?!" Mamoru asked
painfully.
"For the sake of the world."
"This can't be!" He wakes up, "I don't believe you." he
whispered brokenly.
"Usako," Mamoru moaned. "I'm so sorry, Usako." He said again,
looking at the moon. But something else caught his attention. He
smiled sadly as his gaze settled on a picture of him and Usagi
together. He reached for it, but in his grasp, the picture glass'
cracked, and the Usagi in the picture fell forward, as if she were dead
. . .


The sun was shining high in the sky. The clouds were so big and
fluffy, they looked like cottons. A very beautiful day indeed.
Mamoru was standing in a bridge, still spooked by the dream.
'Usako, why can't I take you out of my mind!' he thought, looking
down at the water. In the surface of it, appeared the face of Usagi
smiling.
"Mamo-chan?" said a soft voice.
His body froze. What was he to do. Ignore her? Well, he already
did that. Insult her, no, he couldn't do that. Walk away?
"Oh, I'm sorry!" She said covering her mouth with her hand,
"Mamoru-san."
He tensed. That name seemed so cold when it came from her.
He sighed.
"Are you okay?" She said, touching his shoulder. 'I miss you.'
she thought.
Mamoru turned around roughly, anger quickly sweeping up his head.
"I said, leave me alone! Can't you understand? I don't want you, I
don't need you, I don't love you!"
Her eyes welled up with tears. "Fine!" and she ran away.
'I'm so sorry, Usako'. Passers by stared strangely at him.


'Oh, Mamo-chan, why do you have to be like that!' "WHY!!" She
yelled to no one in particular.
Exhausted, she stopped near the lake in the park. It was
beginning to get dark, the cold breeze started flowing, shifting her
curls, and her skirt.
"Did I do something wrong? Don't you love me? Why?"
'Because you're too ugly and clumsy, and stupid, and ungraceful,
because you don't deserve him!-NO! I must not think that! I know
Mamo-chan still loves me!' She thought frantically.
"Great! Now I'm debating with myself!"
Suddenly, a shooting star made its way across the evening sky. 'I
wish to know what I did wrong . . .' she prayed silently, heading home.


Silently, Mamoru entered the arcade, looking around for the
familiar meatballs. He sighed in relief. His body seemed to relax, as
he saw Motoki on one corner of the arcade.
'It must be his break time. 'Mamoru thought as he approached his
friend.
Motoki was busily playing video games. "YES!" He jumped up and
down with enthusiasm. "I knew I could do it! I'm the MAN!"
Mamoru sweat-dropped. Gulping down his urge to chuckle, he placed
a hand on Motoki's shoulder, grinning like the devil himself.
Motoki's face paled, and his body tensed, as he warily turned
around, wide-eyed.
Mamoru couldn't resist it. Laughing heartily, he placed his fists
on his waist, and raising his shoulders up a little, "I'm the MAN!!" he
laughed again.
Motoki had the grace to blush. Hushing Mamoru, he said, "What do
YOU WANT!"
"Well, Mr. I'm the Man, I came to have my coffee as I always do."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Motoki mumbled.
Mamoru's face grew quiet for a moment, "Motoki-kun, I need your
help."
"Well, well, well, look who needs help? But if it isn't
Mamoru-all-mighty!" He laughed sarcastically.
"I'm not- this is serious Motoki-kun. I need to know how can I
make a girl hate me." He said, unable to look at Motoki in the face.
Motoki just stared at Mamoru for a moment, "What? To make a- who?
Did you and Usa-"
"I just need to know!" Mamoru exclaimed, not being able to hear
the mention of her name.
"Hi you guys!" Cheered a girl.
"Oh, hi sis'!" Motoki said, leaning over to kiss her on the
cheek. "Mamoru-san, you do remember my sister, right?"
"Of course, how are you, Unazuki-chan?"
"Working, as you can see, how about you, any girlfriend?" She
said, nudging him with her elbow.


"Chibi-Usa's so sad . . ." Minako said, taking some grass out of
her hair.
"She told you?"
"Mako-chan, there's no need. Haven't you seen her, I mean, what,
she's 5 years old, and you never see her playing with kids her age, and
she never plays with all those toys she has, she always writes down the
day's events . . ."
"Okay, okay, Mina-chan, I get the point!"
"I feel so sorry for the little girl. She must feel so lonely!"
Said Amy sadly, looking at the lake. "I mean look at that family," she
nodded towards a family playing football, "no one of us could ever be
that happy, or fulfilled, there's always something chasing us around."
"Imagine, if we feel this way, how would a five year old feel . .
."
But before someone could break down and cry, Makoto broke the
silence, "So, Chibi-Usa know about this?"
"About what?"
"About everything, Crystal Tokyo, Rubeus, the Dark Moon Family,
among the rest of it?"
"Well . . ." Usagi sighed, looking at the trees above her.
"So, what we do know? Crystal Tokyo's under massive attack by the
Dark Moon Family . . ." Said Rei.
"Artemis! Let ME HAVE IT!!"
"LUNA! You're TOO FAT!!!"
"WHAT!" the black cat shrieked, "NOW YOU'RE REALLY GOING TO HAVE
IT!!"
SLAM!
"MEOW!!!"
"Would you mind! We're trying to think here!"
"Chibi-Usa's mother was captured by the Dark Moon forces." Ami
said matter of factly.
"Well . . ."
"Rubeus and the sisters came here to destroy our planet, and all
you can say is 'well . . .'- ugh! My ice-cream's melting!" Said Makoto
before licking some ice-cream from her fingers.
"I wonder why Mamo-chan is avoiding me . . ." Usagi wondered
sadly. 'He just decided he didn't love me from one day-'
Luna knew exactly where Usagi was heading, so lost no time
cutting in, "Usa-chan, we have no time for that. The world's in great
danger, WE'RE in great danger! It's time for us to start looking for
the enemy's base."
"You're right Luna," agreed Artemis, "we need to collect more
information about the enemy!"
"You guys are too loud." Usagi said looking down at her feet.
"I'm not feeling well."


"Mamoru-san, would you please?" Unazuki eagerly pleaded.
"Umm, okay. Just hold on tight!" He said. Turning on the engine,
they drove down Tokyo's crowded streets.


"Luna, I'm going home." Looking at the street some feet away from
her, she saw the light going red. "Bye!" She waved. Ready to cross the
street, a motorbike stopped beside her.
She gasped as she recognized the motorbike.


Mamoru cautiously made his way to the left track of the street.
The semaphore's light switched red.
He stopped.
Looking around, he saw someone too familiar, beside him.
His heart ached.
Covering his face with a brick wall, he lifted his visor.
He smiled. A smile that did not reach his eyes.


Usagi froze.
The object of her worries, the cause of her distress, of her
loneliness, of her heartache, was there, smiling at her, the cynic.
And with a woman!
"Mamo-chan!" She called. "Who is she? Is she your cousin, a
friend? Right?"
Mamoru looked back at her. Saying coldly, "That's none of your
business."
"What!?"
"Mamoru-san, who's that girl?" Unazuki asked innocently.
Usagi, with her breath in her throat, anticipated his reply.
But it only broke her heart all the more. "Who? She?" Mamoru
pointed at her, "Oh, she's just somebody I know." He said, smiling
back at the girl. "Hold on tight!" They drove away, the sound, a
faraway whisper echoing through her head.
"Mamo-chan . . ." Was the broken whisper of a shattered heart.
Lonely tears trickled down her cheeks, as she kept looking at the
horizon, were the sun meets the earth, just were somebody she used to
know, disappeared.


'I'm so sorry Usako . . .'


It was late, the moon was beginning to raise. The rays of
sunlight barely visible. The day had die.
Usagi knew she was way late, she knew she was going to be
grounded.
She didn't care.
'So I'm just someone he knows . . .' She wondered sadly, as she
stopped at her doorway. Squaring her shoulders, raising her head, and
faking a huge smile, she entered her house.


He haven't set foot in his house for more than twelve hours.
After his encounter with Usagi earlier that day, he'd been a complete
mess. He couldn't concentrate in his work, didn't even heard a word
from his professors in class. And he had a final in two days. He was
going to fail.
He sighed resigned.
He wasn't going to be able to study, not with everything he had
on mind.
He had gone to the docks, after he left Unazuki.

He just came from leaving Unazuki back at her house. Just came
from seeing his dear Usako. Just came from hearing her heart breaking
at his cold remarks.
He remembered her eyes, as they welled up with tears, and
sadness. Because of his fault.
Wandering around the city, he found himself at the docks.
He sighed in irony.
He had to stop in this place. In this place of all. This was
the very same place were he and his Usako used to spend a quiet evening
just by themselves.
All he wanted to do now, was scream unfairness to the world. All
he wanted to do now, was kill the one sending him all those stupid
nightmares.
Yes. That was what he wanted to do the most.
This must be some kind of a sick joke, he had tried to convince
himself countless times.
Countless times.
Life is just unfair.


Usagi was tired. Tired of crying all night. Tired of so much
suffering. Tired of the whole damned world.
Tossing around in her bed, she sighed exasperatedly. She wasn't
going to get any sleep tonight. Placing her knees below her chin, she
began to rock slowly, humming.
The splendorous moon, caught her eye. So big, so shiny, so
majestic, yet, so sad it looked. 'Mamo-chan' she thought.
A soft winter breeze blew, entering her room, she shivered from
the cold. She closed the window.
Her stomach growled.
Sighing, she went downstairs, into the kitchen, to get something
to eat. Maybe even get her mind off the world for a couple of minutes.

Grabbing some pastries, Usagi sat on the cold floor. She began
eating, one after the other. 'I'm just someone he knows . . .' kept
running through her head.
Rummaging for more pastries, a can of soda fell to the floor, it
crashed against the floor. Worriedly, she looked back, and listened
for some noise, scared that she may have waken her parents. After a
couple of seconds, she sighed in relief. The last thing she needed
right now, was some extra attention.

Luna blinked rapidly, as she heard a strange noise coming from
downstairs. 'Thieves?' She thought. She noticed Usagi missing. 'Now,
where has that girl gone?'
She ventured downstairs, looking for the source of the noise,
when she spotted Usagi sitting, stuffing food into her mouth, in front
of the fridge.
"Usa-chan, what do you think you're doing? It's late, and
tomorrow you have school, in case you forgot." Luna said, nearing the
silent girl.
Usagi didn't answer.
"Usagi-chan?"
She ignored Luna. Reaching out for some more pastries, Usagi
looked down at Luna, "Luna, I just want to be alone." A tear formed at
the corner of her eye.
"Usa-chan, is there something wrong?"
"No, I'm fine!"
"Well, if you continue eating like that, you'll get fat."
"I don't care if I get fat. Mamo-chan hates me remember? There's
no necessity of being beautiful now that the only person that I love
hates me."
"Usa-chan, don't say that!"
"He doesn't love me!"

Up stairs, in one of the rooms at the end of the hallway, a
slumbering Chibi-Usa tossed around in her bed. Slowly, her amber eyes
fluttered open, as reality settled in.
Going to Usagi's bedroom, she noticed that it was very late. As
she entered Usagi's room, she saw that it was empty, even Luna wasn't
there. Wandering around the house, she heard some voices downstairs.
She made her way to the kitchen were she saw Luna and Usagi
sitting in front of the fridge.
"Usa-chan, is there something wrong?" Luna was saying.
"No, I'm fine!"
"Well, if you continue eating like that, you'll get fat."
"I don't care if I get fat. Mamo-chan hates me remember? There's
no necessity of being beautiful now that the only person that I love
hates me."
"Usa-chan, don't say that!"
"He doesn't love me don't you understand!?! He has someone else!
Or didn't you see her?" She said as she broke down in a torrent of
tears.
"Usa-chan, don't cry . . ." Said Luna soothingly.
'Mamo-chan has someone else?' Chibi-Usa thought, chewing on one
of her nails. 'I've got to find it out myself!'

Worried about Mamoru having another girlfriend, Chibi-Usa went
running to look for Mamoru.
"Mamo-chan can't have another girl! It can't be true!"
She sprinted running towards Mamoru's apartment building. In one
attempt of crossing the street, she almost got run over by a truck. But
Chibi-Usa ducked away just in time.
She started crying.
In her panic, the moon emblem appeared at her forehead, and huge
amounts of energy surged from it.


"Such a pathetic little place . . ." Said the evil figure.
Watching the city closely, Rubeus looked around with a bored look
in his face as he searched for the Rabbit.
"Rubeus, there's no sign of her." Said Karaberas as she
appeared, a black hole closing behind her.
"Nor from any Sailor Senshi." Petz smiled mysteriously, emerging
from one of the mirrors.
"Well, what are you wait-" But Rubeus was cut short as a blazing
stream of energy, shot from the earth, bathing the beautiful silent
night in its luminescence. "FIND HER!!!!" He roared.
"Yes, master." Karaberas and Petz both bowed respectfully to
their master, as they entered the mirrors, the mission in mind.
"Our master, King Demando, demands to know why are you taking so
much to kill a simple girl?" A phantasmagoric figure appeared in the
center of the room, a mortal weapon of some type, in one hand, and a
crystal sphere in the other.
"Wiseman!" Rubeus acknowledged fearfully, "tonight- tell that
tonight he'll have his prize."
"Are you sure? If you keep failing, he'll kill you himself!" The
Wiseman threatened.
"I will not fail, if I have to, I'll kill her myself!"


Luna felt a ticklish sensation behind her ears, immediately, she
knew what it was.
Apparently, Usagi felt it, too.
Not to waste time, Usagi and Luna went running, in search of the
missing little girl.


"Oh great fire-" Rei turned around brusquely, as a feeling of
desperation dawned on her. "Chibi-Usa!"
Running out the temple, she saw a light column casting the night
in light, disappearing quickly in the distance.
With no hesitation at all, she grabbed her communicator, and
alerted the other senshi.


Back at the Tsukino's residence, a bipping noise could be heard
in one of the rooms, until the bipping ceased, and the house grew
silent again.


In the park, a little girl sobbed helplessly.
With her knees to her chin, Chibi-Usa rocked back and forth in a
marble bench as lonely tears fell down her cheeks.
"Mamo-chan?" She whispered, "is it true? Do you-"
"Oh, but why is that ugly little girl crying?" Said Karaberas
evilly.
"You know, that tonight's the night, don't you?" Asked Petz,
appearing next to Karaberas.
Hopping off the bench, Chibi-Usa began running.
"You may run, but never hide!" Called Petz.
"DIE!" Karaberas yelled, laughing insanely. Stretching her left
arm, she focused all her evil energy, "DIE!" she yelled again, shooting
a black energy ball.
Chibi-Usa ducked away, falling between some bushes.

"DIE!"
Usagi gasped. "Luna!"
Luna nodded, "Transform, I'll go look for Chibi-Usa."


"Chibi-Usa!" Luna shouted.
"You fools!" Yelled Karaberas.
Luna, seeing that Karaberas was about to strike Chibi-Usa with
another of her deathful attacks, jumped and began scratching
Karaberas' face.
Karaberas yelled in pain, "You'll pay for this!" After a few
seconds, she was back to her rigid composure, glaring at Luna and
Chibi-Usa with hateful eyes. "Tonight," she said raising her arms,
"will be the night you'll die." She said in a cold whisper.
"I wont let you!"
"Sailor Moon!" Said the astonished sisters.
"I wont let you harm little kids, because they are the future of
our world!" Sailor Moon pointed an accusing finger at both sisters, "In
the name of the Moon, I will punish you!"
"Your world has no future." Petz laughed softly.
Karaberas smiled.
"We've been waiting for you, Sailor Moon." Petz says, "I have a
surprise just for you . . . Akumude!" She shrieked, "come forth!"

Andrea: Akumude means 'Nightmare Maker'.

The star bathed night began to fill with black clouds, thunder
danced around the clouds, all the ones present, could feel darkness
invade their souls. Somewhere between the clouds, a voice screeched,
"Yume, yume, yume, yume!"
"Akumude!" Called Karaberas looking at Sailor Moon, " . . . kill
them . . . all."
From the black clouds, a non human figure descended, floating
with it's arms spread wide.
Akumude, the Dark Moon Family new droid, spread it's evil energy,
entering into the souls of people, searching for innocence, and dear
emotions.
Akumude's skin was tinted red, with strips of green and black,
long red messy hair. And in it's forehead, a black long, and pointed
horn.
Chibi-Usa stared at Akumude, deeply scared. She saw how Akumude's
black horn began to shine with a black light, saw how Akumude closed
it's eyes in concentration, how the evil sisters smiled in joy, felt
how the evil energy that Akumude emitted from her horn, invaded her
soul. Chibi-Usa felt like fainting.
"Don't look at her horn!" Luna yells.
Chibi-Usa rapidly shakes back to reality.
"Chibi-Usa, go and hide. The other girls will be here very
soon." Said Sailor Moon reassuringly, "now, go!"
"Moon Tiara Magic!" Sailor Moon aimed for the sisters,
Petz saw this, and dodged it easily, but Karaberas was occupied
looking for the Rabbit, she didn't see it coming.
The flying 'Frisbee' made a slight sliver of blood in her cheek.
Karaberas shrieked in surprise, "How dare you!" She said looking
hatefully at Sailor Moon, "I'll kill you!"
"Why the bother, sis, when we have, Akumude!" Petz called, "I
want them dead, if not, I'll have your corpse by the end of the day,
understood?"
"Yume, yume, yume, yume!"
"Say goodbye to your world, Sailor Moon, because you'll die along
with it!" And Karaberas disappeared.
"You heard the old lady." Petz smiled, "savor your last breath,
because the next one will be in hell!" And she also disappeared, the
only thing remaining, was her hysteric laughter.
"Yume, yume, yume, YUME!" Again, the dark waves of negative
energy, were emitted from Akumude's horn.
Sailor Moon felt lazy, as if two tons of bricks were placed on
her shoulders.
She collapsed.
"Sailor Moon, don't fall asleep!"
Sailor Moon tried with all her being to open her eyes, and listen
to what Luna was trying to tell her, "Luna, I feel so tired . . ." And
then, she fell asleep.
"Yume!" Yelled Akumude, approaching Chibi-Usa.
"Mars Fire Ignite!"
Akumude heard the new voice, and dodge quickly away from the
mortal fire, glaring hatefully at the newcomers.
Sailor Mercury rushed quickly to the fallen form of Sailor Moon.
Checking her pulse, she found Sailor Moon stable. She breathed a sigh
of relief.
"Jupiter Thunder Crash!"
Akumude's immune to the senshi's powerful attacks. She prepared
her attack of her own. Again, the black energy begins to fill the souls
of the warriors. Soon enough, they all start to weaken, feeling sleepy
and lazy.
"Don't fall asleep!" Called Chibi-Usa to the senshi.
Rapidly, Sailor Mercury makes a thorough study of the opponent.
"We have to destroy it's horn!" She called to the senshi, "it's
its weak point!"
Slowly, they all stood up.
"Venus Crescent Beam!" Sailor Venus, in a desperate rush to
eliminate the droid, attacked.
Akumude shrieked in pain, as the beam slashed her arm.
Sailor Mars took advantage of the situation. Calling the God of
War, ruler of Mars, Sailor Mars began to chant her mantra. Rei felt how
her spirit began to fill with power.
"Mars Fire Ignite!"
Akumude's horn pulverized, but instead of it turning to ashes, it
turned into a huge black cloud.
Even though Akumude had vanished, Sailor Moon still laid
motionless on the ground, breathing heavily, and sweaty all over. She
laid in a fetal position, with one arm spread wide open and the other
resting over her back limply.
The senshi rushed to their fallen leader, worry all over their
worn out faces.
Sailor Jupiter turned Sailor Moon on her back, making her body
rest over her folded legs. "Sailor Moon! Sailor Moon!" She called
anxiously, trying to wake Sailor Moon, "Sailor Moon, wake up!"
Sailor Mars, out of desperation, called frantically for her to
wake up, she even slapped Sailor Moon a few times on the face.
"Let's put her over there." Sailor Mercury pointed to a bench not
too far from them.
Sailor Jupiter carried Sailor Moon over her shoulder, and placed
her carefully, over the bench.

Sailor Moon was dreaming.
She saw flashes of light through some strange corridor. Rainbow-
like flashes. She felt drawn to the light, as if it were calling her
with their beautiful display of colors, and . . . warmth. Yeah, warmth.
Stepping through the corridor, she saw pictures of her life at
different ages, she recognized one of them, as her first day for
school, she was so happy.
Sailor Moon smiled fondly at the memory.
Another picture of her receiving her first kiss.
She smiled deeper.
A picture of a boy, who had a crush on her, declaring his love
for her.
She blushed.
One in where she found out who she was, the day her destiny was
revealed.
She sighed.
When she found out the true identity of Tuxedo Kamen.
She sighed deeper.
When she found out that she and Mamoru were soulmates.
She cried.
The day everyone she loved died in the battle against Beryl.
She sobbed.
She saw herself crying on a phone booth after Mamoru's horrible
words.
She stiffened.
"Usako . . ." She heard a voice call her.
She recognized who the voice belonged to immediately. 'Mamo-
chan!'


"Mamo-chan . . ." Sailor Moon whispered in her dreams.
"Usagi-chan, can you hear me?" Sailor Venus nudged her gently.
"Mamo-chan . . ." Sailor Moon said again, fainter this time.
Luna stared worriedly, 'He doesn't love me! I don't care if I get
fat! He has someone else! He doesn't love me!' Luna remembered Usagi
crying in the kitchen floor.
She knew exactly what she had to do.
"Whatever happens, don't leave her side!" Luna said to the
warriors as she left.

Luna jumped gracefully from rooftop to rooftop, until she came to
a halt when Mamoru's apartment building came into view.
Jumping onto his balcony railing, she entered his apartment
through the open window, landing on his leaving room couch. She kept
looking for Mamoru, until she came to his bedroom.
"Mamoru-kun!" Luna hissed as she climbed on his bed. "Mamoru-
kun!" She said, this time a little louder, "Mamoru-kun!!"
"What?" Mamoru asked groggily.
"Wake up!"
"Luna? Wha- what do you want?" He asked, as he ran a hand over
his sleepy eyes.
"You have to come with me! Hurry up! There's no time to waste!"
She said jumping onto the window sill.
"For what? What happened?"
"Sailor Moon." She said simply.
"Oh."
"Oh? She's in trouble."
"I . . . can't." He said softly, looking away.
"Why are you so mean to her?"
"I don't love . . . her."
"Umm, hmm, who do you think you're fooling?"
"Look, I just can't, okay."
"What do you mean you can't?! She may die! You hear me?!"
"What!?!"
Luna nodded, "Now, hurry!"

And Mamoru was gone. He knew, by heart, where he had to go.
Mamoru had never ever moved so fast or desperately in his life. He felt
something in the pit of his stomach. As if something was being ripped
from him, little by little. He increased his speed. Something told him
NOT to waste time.
He leaped from rooftop to rooftop, landing gracefully, and again,
leaping to the other rooftop. He made his way to the park.
He came to an abrupt halt when he saw a flourish of skirts of
different colors gathered in a circle around a bench. Tuxedo Mask felt
his blood run cold. He prayed to all the gods above that he hadn't
gotten too late.
In a matter of seconds, Tuxedo Mask was standing behind the
fallen scouts, slightly out of breath, heart stuck in his throat as he
waited for everyone to let him in. He saw as Mars warily looked at him,
and then stood up, allowing him access to the sleeping form of Sailor
Moon lying limply on the marble bench.
Tuxedo Mask was at his knees beside Sailor Moon the moment Mars
stood up. He crossed no eyes with no one. His thoughts focused on the
still, pale face of his beloved Usako. Fear was growing fast inside
him, as he saw the gentle rising and falling of her chest with her
labored breaths, the constant movement of her eyes behind her eyelids,
and the white-knuckled fist that gripped the bottom of her skirt.
Tuxedo Mask took Sailor Moon's trembling hand in his, gently
pressing the back of it to his lips. "Usako..." he whispered.

"Usako..." Usagi knew that voice by heart. She felt the all too
familiar lump in her throat. He hurt you... one voice told her. But
you love him... the other one argued. "Usako..." The voice echoed.
Almost afraid, Usagi turned around. Fear and surprise and
happiness mixed in her eyes, as she came face to face with Mamoru,
"Mam- Mamoru!" Usagi stammered, "what-"

Tuxedo Mask could sense her reaction to his presence, she was
almost afraid of him, that much he could feel, it only made his
insides hurt all the more. You looked for it, remember? I voice told
him sternly.
Tuxedo Mask held her hand more fiercely than before, as if only
holding her hand would bring her back. "Usako..." Tuxedo Mask whispered
brokenly, "I'm sorry..."

"Usako...."
"Mamoru-san?" Usagi whispered warily.
"I'm sorry..." And then Mamoru grabbed her hand.
"Mamo-chan?"

Tuxedo Mask was at a complete loss. What was he going to do
without her? What was going to happen if she didn't wake up? Tuxedo
Mask felt his stomach turn over at the thought of his Usako not waking
up. Tuxedo Mask felt desperate. Afraid. What was he supposed to do?
"Mamo-chan?" The words were so softly spoken that if it hadn't
been because everyone was trying to look for a way of waking Usagi,
they would have missed it.
Tuxedo Mask sprinted to his feet, holding her pale face in his
hands, "Usako!" He called her softly, "Usa..."
"Mamo-chan..." The words were said fainter this time, but were
there nevertheless.
And Tuxedo Mask kissed her. Pouring all his hope and love into
that kiss.
He continued to press his lips against hers, tears were falling
from his eyes, unchecked, hidden by the white domino mask. Until he felt
her. Felt her respond to his kiss. He almost gasped. And parted from
her lips.
He saw her eyes moving frantically behind her eyelids. He heard
all the senshi's gasp as a black fog escaped from Sailor Moon's mouth.
Everyone ran forward as Sailor Moon opened her eyes, somewhat
slowly. "Mamo-chan..." she whispered.
"Usa-", he stopped himself, "Sailor Moon, are you okay?" He asked
her, helping up.
Sailor Moon felt hurt at his tone. He sounded almost.... bored?
She recovered quickly, "I'm fine, really." She looked past Tuxedo
Mask's shoulders, "Hi girls."
"Hi girls? HI GIRLS!!!!" Sailor Mars shrieked in disbelieve, "We
were here worried sick about you, and all you say is HI GIRLS!?!"
"How are you feeling?" Mercury asked, approaching and nudging
aside the burning Sailor Mars.
"I'm okay... really, nothing to worry about." Sailor Moon
answered cheerily, hopping from the bench.
"Yume, yume, yume!!!"
Akumude had transformed again. Her horn was gone, though her red
eyes were blazing with hatred.
"Sailor Moon, now!" Tuxedo Mask urged her.
"I know, I know!" Sailor Moon answered annoyed.
Sailor Moon prepared her attack. Then, after a few moments, all
that was left, was a pile of dust and a black almost grey jewel on the
top.
"We did it!"
"That was a great job!" Said Luna jumping onto Sailor Venus
shoulders.
"Yeah!" Chibi-Usa cheered on as she came out of her hiding place
from behind some bushes.
Sailor Moon followed the retreating Tuxedo Mask. "Tuxedo Mask,
wait!" she called when she couldn't catch up with him.
Tuxedo Mask stopped abruptly, "What do you want, Sailor Moon?" he
asked coldly.
Sailor Moon stopped also. "I-" her voice faltered, a sudden lump
at her throat, why had she come after him anyway? She asked herself.
"I- I just wanted to say thank you, that's all..." She said softly, the
hurt in her voice was clear.
Tuxedo Mask wanted to kick himself so hard for being such a mean
jerk, for being such an asshole, "you're welcome, just have to be
careful the next time." He said, gentler this time.
"Mamoru-san?" Sailor Moon called softly.
Tuxedo Mask winced inwardly at her use of that name. His name on
her lips sounded so cold... "Hmm?"
"Why don't you want to see me anymore?"
"I do want to see you, Sailor Moon."
"Yeah, but not more than the necessary..." She said looking
straight at his eyes, "Why won't you tell me what I did wrong?"
"Sailor Moon, we've spoken this already..." He said, getting
impatient.
"No, we haven't. You didn't say why."
"And I still won't tell you!" He said, annoyed.
"I think I have the right to know." She said, also annoyed.
"Please, let's not play childish games." He said, turning around,
ready to leave.
"Uh huh, so that what I am now, huh? A child."
"I didn't say that."
"No you didn't, but you meant to."
Tuxedo Mask let a shuddering breath escape his lips, "Look,
Sailor Moon, I'm tired, and I really don't want to have this
conversation right now."
Sailor Moon crossed her arms over her chest, "You never want to
talk about this." She accused him.
"What's wrong with you!?!" He asked, his voice louder.
"What wrong with YOU!?!" She shouted back.
And the next thing she knew, she was being crushed against the
hard frame of Tuxedo Mask's body, as he openly savored her lips.
Sailor Moon groaned against his lips, and slipping her arms
around his neck, she kissed him back. The kiss was frantic, as they
released their pent-up passion, pressing their bodies harder against
each other.
She couldn't take enough of him. Her hazy thoughts told her, he's
kissing you! She took his top hat, and threw it someplace behind her
shoulder, and snaked her hands into his silky dark hair, pulling his
lips harder into her hers.
Tuxedo Mask felt a sharp pain at the back of his head. Flashes of
the nightmare playing across his mind, remembering him of promises of
doom. He broke up their kiss abruptly, pulling Sailor Moon at arms
length. He inwardly cursed himself for the sudden look of pain that
traveled across her eyes, though it disappeared in a matter of
milliseconds.
"We can't."
Sailor Moon wanted nothing more than to bash herself for letting
him kiss her. How had she let him kiss her like that, after all he did
and told her? She just showed him how easy she could be, that he only
needed to touch her and she would be putty in his hands. She cursed
herself for several kinds of fool.
Sailor Moon shrugged his hands off her shoulders, "I know, you
kissed me." She accused him.
"And it will never happen again." And then, he was off, his long,
black cape flowing behind him like a shadow as he leaped to one tree
and then up to a rooftop, until you could no longer see him.
Sailor Moon let a shuddering breath escape her lips. She had felt
him. His emotions. Though he tried to keep them at bay, she had felt
all his love for her in that kiss. Felt his desperation, his pain. He
loved her still.
That thought made her incredulously happy. She would keep that
revelation deep in her heart. She wanted to kick herself for ever
doubting his love for her, he has got to have some reason of why he is
doing this, she thought. Though this wasn't the way to solve the
problem, she knew he would come to her when he thought it was save.

That night, for the first time in her life, Usagi walked happily
home after a fight. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt
this happy. She was going to follow Mamoru with this game, she thought.
Until he's ready, she will play the game.
A frown quirked her golden brows, then who the HELL was the girl
with him earlier this afternoon? Usagi was going to find out, even if
it cost her $100, she will find out who was that girl, and what her
relation is with HER Mamo-chan.

The next morning, more specifically, a Saturday morning, Usagi,
God, I swear, was up at nine sharp. She showered, dressed and ate as
quickly as possible, then headed to her destination: Crown Cafe.
She had spent the reminder of last night trying to figure out
where had she seen that girl before. She remembered once, when she went
with Naru, she saw her there working as a waitress. She patted her back
as she congratulated herself for her new discovery.
So now she was willing to become Inspector Gadget if needed, but
she was going to find out the identity of the girl in question. Even if
it killed her.

So Usagi walked down the streets of Juuban with her head high.
Walking hurriedly, she came to a halt in from of the cafe. Okay, she
took a deep breath, now she was here.... WHAT THE HELL WAS SHE SUPPOSED
TO TELL HER!!! Oh hi, ya'know yesterday you were with my ex boyfriend,
and I'm kinda jealous, so would you please be kind to tell me who you
are and what is your relationship with MY Mamo-chan! Yeah right, that
would be GREAT, Usagi thought sarcastically.
But before she knew, Usagi was already inside the cafe, standing
in the middle of the room, like some lost puppy.
She took a sit.
"Hi, my name's Unazuki, would you like something to drink?"
Usagi stared in disbelieve, "You-you-" she cleared her throat,
"Hi, no, look, can I talk to you?"
"Sure!" Unazuki smiled brightly.
"Please, take a sit." Usagi motioned her hand to the sit in front
of her.
"Thanks," Unazuki took a sit, looking at Usagi strangely.
"Umm," Usagi began nervously, what was she supposed to say?!
"Look yesterday you were with my boyfriend and I would like to have an
explanation!" Usagi demanded hurriedly. Okay, okay, she blurted out.
Unazuki blinked, then laughed, "Your boyfriend? I think you're
speaking to the wrong person, miss."
"Usagi, my name's Usagi." Usagi said seriously, "and I'm sure I'm
not wrong. I saw you with Mamoru-san in his motorbike yesterday
afternoon."
"Ah!" Unazuki cheered, "Mamoru-san! He's a great guy. A real
gentleman. You know, yesterday I had a date with my boyfriend, and I
was really late, and I asked Mamoru-san a ride. So he took me home
right in time for my date!"
"You mean, you and him..."
"Me and.... NO! God, no! Mamoru is a great guy, but I love my
boyfriend." Unazuki said, checking her watch, "Look, I have to work, it
was great talking with you, Usagi-san!"
"Yeah, it was great talking to you, too." Usagi answered softly.
Usagi took deep breaths, letting this new information sink in.
GOD! She thought immensely happy, and relieved. She had a boyfriend
who, by the way isn't Mamo-chan!!!
I'll kick him the next time I see him.

So the day was sunny and hot. The breeze was cool and the sky was
blue. Usagi was sure that Mamoru would come to her when he felt he was
ready to tell her whatever it is that is bothering him. Until then, she
would keep quiet, and play along. Because that is what this is, a game.
A simple, painful game.
After all, isn't that what love is? What love means? To be
patient? To wait? Simple enough.
And she was going to wait for Mamoru, for her Mamo-chan, even if
it killed her. She would wait until he was ready to finally be with
her.
Unconsciously, he had showed her how much he still loved her,
through their kiss. And that gave Usagi enough strength to go on. He
had showed her all his passion, and suffering, through that kiss. She
had experienced his pain, and love. She had seen the pain and hurt
that came across his eyes in that moment of vulnerability. Despite all
he said, all he'd done, he was willing to find a way out of this, and
she was going to help him. No matter how, she was going to be there
for and with him.
Because she loved him, the same way he loved her.

The End, or is it really?

[Melville's Best Friend]

That was very cute. ^_^
This was the first anime I ever saw, and although I don't really remember this episode, it was cute nonetheless. Cute, cute, very cute! ^_^
Keep up the good work!


Your friend,
Melville's Best Friend

[Andrea]

awwww... :: ... why, thank you, thank you.. you're cute for saying that...

Andrea