Up In Flames by ViperInferno

Part II

Up In Flames
By Viper Inferno
Part II

Minako ran down the streets of the Juuban District, having run far away from the Hikawa Jinja after witnessing Rei’s unusual yet amazing strength. Even though she was more than far enough from the shrine, she continued to run like she was afraid for her life, never slowing down to catch her breath. It wasn’t like she was afraid of having been discovered and subsequently chased down, but rather she was perplexed at what she had seen.
 
She knew something wasn’t right and she had to tell someone, whether it was Ami, Makoto, or Usagi. However, she had no clue where the three girls were going to go after their study group. In addition, she was the last one to leave the shrine after washing up in Rei’s washroom. Whether they were still together at this point or not, they couldn’t have traveled very far. So she so she decided to keep running until she caught up with one of them.
 
But as she ran, something else left her both concerned and quite confused: The rather harsh argument between Rei and Usagi. Although she already knew about how they liked to bicker over the most trivial things, having witnessed it herself in the short time that she’s known them, today was by far the worse she had ever seen. The things Rei said about Usagi weren’t just Rei’s usual insults, they were meant to inflict emotional pain and suffering. It made Minako angry when she heard them. She may not have known the whole history between them, but she knew that something was rather peculiar, and her witnessing Rei’s unusual display of fury-driven strength proved it.
 
After a while of running, Minako turned a corner in the Juuban Shopping District and quickly found a high brunette ponytail held by jade green barrettes. If that wasn’t enough, it was accompanied by a pair of blonde dumpling-shaped buns. Having discovered two of her friends, Minako found her second wind and sprinted toward them.
 
“Mako-chan, Usagi-chan, wait up,” she hollered as she swam through the people, drawing a few odd glances from them.
 
Makoto and Usagi stopped and turned around to find Minako sprinting to them. She stopped before them, hung her head down, and rested her palms on her knees. She was breathing quite heavily from her journey, leaving Makoto and Usagi wondering.
 
“What is it, Minako-chan? And why were you running?” Makoto asked.
 
After catching her breath, Minako looked up at her friends and responded, “It’s Rei-chan.”
 
“What about her?” Usagi immediately asked, still showing concern despite their really bad argument and apparent end to their friendship.
 
“I couldn’t believe it,” Minako replied, still breathing heavily, “She just picked the living room table and threw it against the wall like she was some kind of bodybuilder. I’ve never seen anyone with that kind of strength, not even you, Mako-chan.”
 
“I can’t believe it either,” said Makoto, “We saw Rei-chan this morning before study group, and she wasn’t feeling well at all. Surely someone who is sick couldn’t have displayed any kind of strength.”
 
“But, but...,” Minako started to refute.
 
“Come on, Minako-chan,” Makoto interrupted, “We know Rei-chan. And she doesn’t have the same kind of physical strength that I have. You were probably imagining it, trying to find something to excuse Rei-chan’s actions.”
 
“I’m telling the truth,” Minako pleaded, “I saw it with my own two eyes. You’ve got to believe me.”
 
“Enough, Minako-chan,” Makoto snapped, “Come on, Usagi-chan. You especially don’t need to hear any more nonsense concerning Rei-chan.” And with that last word, Makoto turned her back to Minako and continued down the sidewalk, with Usagi following close behind.
 
“Wait, where are you guys going?” Minako asked.
 
Makoto stopped and looked over her shoulder at Minako. “We’re doing some window shopping,” she replied, “I’m hoping some of these fine displays will cheer Usagi-chan up.” She then turned back around and continued on her way, waving to Minako, “See ‘ya, Minako-chan.”
 
Minako only stood there as Makoto and Usagi disappeared into the crowd, completely flabbergasted. How could her friends not believe her? Sure, she was a bit of an academic underachiever, but she never lied or made up stories.
 
‘Something’s wrong, and Mako-chan’s not seeing it,’ Minako thought to herself, ‘Usagi-chan looked like she believed me. But she’s probably too distraught to do anything about it. Oh, what am I going to do?’
 
 
 
Meanwhile, Makoto and Usagi stopped in front of a window display at the OSA-P jewelry store and gazed at the fine jewelry.
 
“I’m sorry about that, Usagi-chan,” said Makoto, referring to Minako’s story.
 
“It’s okay,” said Usagi, “Maybe she was trying to explain why Rei-chan was so mean.”
 
“Yeah, I hope you’re right,” said Makoto. She then turned to Usagi to see her looking down with a frown on her face. “Come on, Usagi-chan. Don’t worry so much about it,” she suggested, “Minako-chan probably just made it up. I mean, she did leave right after we did.”
 
“No, it’s not that,” said Usagi, shaking her head, “I just never seen Rei-chan so mean before since I first met her. She said the most hateful things to me. I mean, she’s always called me an idiot when we argued and denied us being friends, but this time she really meant it. She made fun of me, she laughed at me, and she even slapped me in the face. Rei-chan really hates me, she said it herself.”
 
Makoto laid her hand on Usagi’s shoulder to comfort her as she was explaining. “I know, Usagi-chan. We all heard it,” she replied, giving Usagi’s shoulder a gentle squeeze, “But she’ll get over it and you two will be friends again in no time. Just let her cool off, okay?”
 
Usagi turned to Makoto, “I hope you’re right, Mako-chan. I really do.”
 
So she and Makoto turned from the OSA-P window display and continued their walk about the Juuban Shopping District. ‘That Minako,’ Makoto thought to herself, ‘I can’t believe she’d make up a story to explain Rei-chan’s actions. I don’t care if she wasn’t feeling well, or whatever story Minako-chan comes up with. Rei-chan’s behavior was inexcusable. But why only now does their arguing turn so bitter? Something just doesn’t add up.’
 
 
A half-hour later...
 
Rei walked down the streets of the Juuban Shopping Center after her experience back at the Hikawa Jinja. She had spent her entire time walking around one of the Juuban District’s many parks, trying to get her mind off of what had happened. It wasn’t so much her argument with Usagi that was on her mind, but rather the strong feeling of hate and dread, and the headaches and amazing strength they bestowed upon her. But while walking in the park, she found herself to be more at ease. The overwhelming feelings of hate and anguish did not return, which gave her a chance to focus on her dream, and the cloaked man, as she left the park and entered the Juuban Shopping Center.
 
But just as the first image of the cloaked man entered her mind, she rounded a corner and collided with another pedestrian, knocking them both to the sidewalk. Rei sat back up and began rubbing her head where she bumped into the other pedestrian, seeing stars as a result of the collision. ‘Damn, the last thing I need is another splitting headache,’ Rei thought to herself.
 
“I’m so sorry,” a girl’s voice immediately said to Rei as she regained her bearings. However, something about that girl’s voice struck her as familiar. And when she finally turned to the girl she had bumped into, she found out why as she immediately recognized the trademark pair of dumpling-shaped buns.
 
“Dammit, Usagi, why don’t you watch where the hell you’re going,” she snapped, “Now I’m going to have another splitting headache, thanks to your clumsiness.”
 
Usagi had also recovered from her collision and quickly noticed Rei just as she had snapped at her. “Oh yeah? You were the one who rounded the corner from out of nowhere with your head in the clouds and ran into me,” Usagi argued.
 
“Don’t talk to me about having my head in the clouds,” Rei snarled, “You’re the one who’s always daydreaming about something that’ll never happen when you walk into people. In fact, you’re such a goddamn klutz that you walk into light posts and even phone booths that even a blind man would miss.”
 
“Don’t call me a klutz when you were the one who ran into me, you pompous bitch,” Usagi yelled back.
 
“So you do have a spine, do you,” Rei patronized, “Well, just so you know, you were the one who pointed out that you were a klutz. So don’t call me pompous.”
 
“Why shouldn’t I?” Usagi snapped, “You’re the one acting all self-righteous and overbearing like you’re some spoiled brat.”
 
“That’s because I’m better than you, and you know it,” Rei responded.
 
‘Damn, not again,' Makoto thought to herself as she held her clinched fist in front of her and gritted her teeth. She had heard enough of Rei’s tirades, and she was certain Usagi was too. In fact, the things that Rei was saying to Usagi were starting to make her very angry. She wanted to step in between then and give Rei the verbal thrashing that she had earlier given to Usagi. But more than that, she wanted to slap that smug look off of Rei’s face.
 
But, Makoto gave in to reason and stepped up next to Usagi, placing her hand on her friend’s shoulder. “Come Usagi-chan. Let’s get out of here,” she said, “You especially don’t need any more of this...”
 
“Back off, Makoto!” Rei harshly snapped, “This is between me and the idiot dumpling head.” She then turned back to Usagi, “Face it, Usagi. I’m smarter than you. I’m more beautiful than you. I have a better-looking body than your flat-chested body. And I’m more responsible and far more mature than your crybaby ass. And I’m even a better girlfriend than you. Just ask Mamoru.”
 
“What?!” Usagi shrieked, her eyes widening to the size of golf balls, “You were the one who stole my Mamoru-san from me.”
 
“Oh get over yourself,” Rei argued, “You didn’t even have any feelings for him until ‘I’ dated him.”
 
“That was before we found out that we were destined for each other,” said Usagi, “And you know it.”
 
“Destined?!” Rei retorted before breaking out into a disparaging laugh, “Oh my God, Usagi. Are you so damn gullible to actually believe in such rubbish? You’re so naïve, it insults me.”
 
“And just what the hell do you mean by that?” Usagi challenged.
 
“Have you already forgotten all the mean and hurtful things that Mamoru used to say about you? God, you’re such an idiot, Usagi,” said Rei, shaking her head in disappointment, “Well, just to refresh your memory, he made fun of your dumpling hair style. He made fun of your less-than-perfect figure. And best of all, he called you a dumb idiot when he saw your red marks. So don’t tell me that you actually ‘like’ someone who does nothing but make fun of you.”
 
Those words hit Usagi hard like a hammer. She felt a burning in her chest at the mere thought of how Mamoru used to bully her. ‘Damn, I ‘d forgotten about all of that,’ she thought to herself, ‘Ever since I discovered that he was Tuxedo Mask, I had forgiven him.’
 
“So now you remember that you two were bitter enemies because of the things he said to you and how childish you acted around him,” Rei continued, “Good, because he and I think alike. We both think you’re nothing but a dumb-ass klutz who eats too much and acts like a baby. He told me himself.”
 
“What?! He still thinks that about me?!” Usagi shrieked.
 
“That’s right. And he’s also tired of having to save your sorry ass in battle because you’re a pathetic excuse for a Sailor Senshi.”
 
The burning in Usagi’s chest got stronger and began to spread. Not only did Rei’s words, and apparently Mamoru’s too, hurt her, but they angered her. So she stomped her for and clinched her fists. “I am not pathetic,” she yelled, “I’m the one with the power to defeat the youma and turn them back into people.”
 
“Yeah, after 'we’ save your ass and weaken the youma,” Rei quipped, “Every time one attacks, you run away, whining and crying. You can’t fight, you’re careless, and you’re always getting yourself and us in a bind. How the hell did a dumb, underachieving, clumsy, and cowardly little crybaby like you get to be a Sailor Senshi in the first place? You’re useless, Usagi, and you disgust me.”
 
The burning sensation had finally spread to Usagi’s throat and face as tears began to well in her eyes.
 
“Oh? Are you going to cry like you always do?” Rei taunted, “Go ahead and cry? I’m starting to enjoy seeing you cry.”
 
“Damn you, bitch,” Usagi barely whimpered.
 
“Is that all you have to say?” Rei taunted, “Do you realize that your role as a Sailor Senshi is nothing but a farce? And do you realize that your feelings for Mamoru are purely once-sided? Face it, Usagi, he hates you even more than ‘I’ do.”
 
Usagi had heard enough. The burning sensation finally overcame her as she broke out into a mild weep.
 
“How can a smart and sophisticated man like Mamoru ever love a cowardly and worthless crybaby like you?” Rei taunted again, “Destiny doesn’t mean shit when you wake up to reality, now does it?”
 
“I hope you feel real good about yourself, you bitch,” Usagi screamed in Rei’s face before she ran away, crying.
 
“Good, run away. I hope you get yourself killed, you pathetic excuse for a Sailor Senshi,” Rei yelled as Usagi ran away.
 
That last exchange pushed Makoto to her boiling point. She trembled quite visibly from the tension and was trying desperately to keep it under control. Throughout the exchange, ever since Rei snapped at her for stepping in to help Usagi, Makoto clenched her fists and squeezed her eyes shut. And hearing Usagi crying did it for her. So he popped her eyes open and stomped toward Rei to defend her friend.
 
“Hino Rei, what the hell has gotten into you?” Makoto yelled, “How could use make Usagi-chan cry like that?”
 
“Make her cry? Come now, Mako-chan. Usagi always cries, and you know it,” Rei responded, tossing her hair with a flick of her wrist, “All I did was tell her the truth. If the truth hurts her that much, so be it.” With that last statement, Rei haughtily turned and walked away.
 
“Hey! I’m not finished with you,” Makoto yelled, stopping Rei before she could take a third step. She then turned to meet the furious Makoto, eye-to-eye. “Who the hell do you think you are, saying things like that about our leader, our Princess?”
 
“Don’t patronize me, Makoto,” Rei responded, “A dumb-ass crybaby like Usagi is unworthy of being a Princess, let alone ‘my’ Princess.”
 
And suddenly, Makoto completely lost control and slapped Rei across her arrogant face. However, Rei quickly recovered and slapped Makoto back even harder, knocking her to the sidewalk with little effort. Makoto caressed her stinging cheek as she starred up at Rei. ‘What the hell was that?’ she thought to herself, surprised more at how hard Rei had slapped her than Rei’s reaction itself. Even Makoto herself couldn’t knock someone her size down so effortlessly. She wanted to fight back, but she thought better of it and stood up, still rubbing her cheek.
 
“Why don’t you just get the hell out of my face,” said Makoto, “If you ever hurt Usagi-chan like that again, I swear to God, you’ll regret it.” And with that last warning, Makoto turned and went to look for Usagi.
 
‘I’ve never seen such strength from Rei-chan before,’ Makoto thought to herself, ‘How the hell did she go from not feeling well this morning to displaying such amazing strength so quickly?’ And then, she thought about Minako’s story from earlier, and her immediate dismissal of it. ‘Dammit, Minako-chan was right. Sure, she’s a bumbling ditz at times, but she’s actually quite reliable. I can’t believe I forgot that. I can’t believe I doubted her.’
 
It didn’t take long before Makoto heard a girl’s sobs. She picked up her pace and followed the sobs though another crowd of pedestrians and to a secluded alleyway. There, she found Usagi, sitting against a wall with her knees curled up and her face buried in her crossed arms.
 
‘Poor Usagi-chan,’ Makoto thought to herself, ‘She must be thinking that she truly lost her friend. But somehow, I think different. And I know Minako-chan does too. Her sudden change in behavior and her amazing strength have to be somehow connected. We’ve got to find out what it is and do something about it.’
 
So Makoto opened her book bag and took her communicator out. But just as she was about to press the button to call her friends, she paused. ‘I can’t use my communicator,’ she thought to herself, ‘Rei-chan might be able to listen in and find out. I’ll have to call them over the phone.’ So she slipped her communicator back into her book bag and reluctantly walked out of the alleyway.
 
‘I’m sorry, Usagi-chan. I’ll be back soon, I promise,’ she thought as she searched for a payphone. But luckily, her search was rather short as she found a phone booth a couple stores down from the alleyway. She quickly ran inside and locked herself in. And then, she took the handset off its cradle.
 
‘Ami-chan should be home by now,’ she thought as she inserted a few coins into the phone and dialed Ami’s number. After a few tones, the phone clicked and Ami’s voice greeted, “Moshi Moshi?”
 
“Ami-chan, it’s Makoto,” Makoto replied.
 
“Oh, hi Mako-chan. How’s Usagi-chan faring?” her gentle voice asked.
 
“Not good at all, I’m afraid. We just had another run-in with Rei-chan, and it got pretty nasty between them,” Makoto replied.
 
“Oh my God, not again,” Ami commented, her disappointment being heard in her voice.
 
“Ami-chan, listen to me. Something about Rei-chan’s not right at all. So I’m holding a meeting at my apartment,” Makoto explained, “Can you be there?”
 
“Of course,” Ami replied, “If there’s anyway we can help Rei-chan and Usagi-chan, I’ll be there.”
 
“Thank you, Ami-chan. We’ll see you there,” said Makoto before she hung up the phone. She then took the handset off its cradle again, dropped in a few more coins, and dialed Minako’s phone number.
 
‘God, I hope Minako-chan isn’t out ogling some hot guy like she usually does,’ she thought to herself as the ring tone sounded.
 
“Moshi Moshi,” Minako’s voice greeted, putting Makoto at ease.
 
“Minako-chan, it’s Makoto. I’m holding a senshi meeting at my apartment. Can you be there?” Makoto said frankly.
 
“I just got home. But yes, I can make it,” Minako replied, “Why? What is it?”
 
“It’s about Rei-chan,” Makoto explained, “We just had another run-in with her, and it was even worse than at her house.”
 
“What? She and Usagi-chan got into another really bad fight?” Minako nearly shrieked over the phone, “Is Usagi-chan okay?”
 
“I’m afraid not,” Makoto replied, “The things she said made me want to kick her arrogant little ass all over Juuban. So you can bet Usagi-chan didn’t take it well at all.”
 
“Oh my God,” Minako gasped over the phone. And then, there was silence between the two for what seemed like hours as thoughts about their fight at the Hikawa Jinja roamed through their minds. Then, Minako spoke up, “Okay, I’ll be there. Should I bring Artemis along?”
 
“No, let him be. This is our problem, not his and Luna’s,” Makoto replied, “Thank you, Minako-chan. I’ll see you there.” She then hung up and left the phone booth. She walked back to the alleyway where Usagi still sat against the wall, crying. Makoto kneeled down next to her and gently laid her hand on Usagi’s shoulder, “Usagi-chan?”
 
At the sound of Makoto’s voice, Usagi lifted her head from her arms and threw them around Makoto. “Rei-chan hates me, Mako-chan,” she wailed, “She really hates me.”
 
Makoto gently wrapped her arms around Usagi and pulled her close as she cried, trying her best to comfort her friend. “I know, Usagi-chan,” she said, stroking the back of Usagi’s head and neck, “But something is wrong with her. I just know it.”
 
Usagi lifted her face from Makoto’s chest, revealing her bloodshot, tear-filled eyes and her runny nose. “What do you mean?” she wondered, still sniffling.
 
“I mean she doesn’t seem like herself,” Makoto explained, “Come on, Usagi-chan. Let’s go to my place. I’m holding a meeting with you, Ami-chan, and Minako-chan. We’re going to find out what the problem is and how to solve it.”
 
Makoto’s determination drew a little smile from Usagi. “Thank you, Mako-chan,” she gasped.
 
“You’re welcome, Usagi-chan,” Makoto replied as she helped Usagi to her feet, “We’re all friends. We’re all here for each other.”
 
And the girls walked out of the alleyway and toward Makoto’s apartment.
 
 
Later, Makoto’s Apartment...
 
A knock sounded at Makoto’s door shortly after she and Usagi had gotten settled after their walk from the Juuban Shopping Center. Ami was already waiting for them when they had arrived. So Makoto knew that Minako was the one knocking at her door since Minako had a longer walk from Shiba Kouen. She rose from her couch and walked over to her front door to answer it. When she opened the door, Minako’s beaming face greeted her, “Hi, Mako-chan.”
 
“Hello, Minako-chan. Come on in. Ami-chan’s already here,” said Makoto as she opened the door to let Minako inside. And with all the 4 girls gathered, they assembled around Makoto’s coffee table. Minako took her place on the chair, while Makoto joined Usagi and Ami on the couch.
 
“Okay, everyone,” Makoto said to start the meeting, “This isn’t a usual senshi meeting for us, and I’m sorry that I called it in such a hurry, and excluded Luna and Artemis. The last thing we’d want is to have them worrying too.”
 
“Don’t worry about it, Mako-chan,” said Ami, “This is a matter that’s purely between us, after all.”
 
“So what happened?” Minako asked, “You didn’t really say much over the phone.”
 
“Well...” Makoto paused as she tried to find a way to start the conversation, especially since she herself still had a hard time believing what all she had witnessed, “It was like I said on the phone. Usagi-chan and I had another really bad encounter with Rei-chan. And it was much worse than what we all witnessed during study group.” Makoto knew it was rather vague, but at least it would start the meeting off.
 
“What has gotten into Rei-chan all of a sudden?” Ami wondered, “I know she and Usagi-chan have their disagreements, but what I heard today sounded more like Rei-chan was serious about everything she said.”
 
“Like she meant to hurt Usagi-chan with her words,” Minako added.
 
“Well, she sure as hell did a good job of that,” said Usagi. The room fell silent as Usagi closed her eyes, thinking back on her last encounter with Rei. Images of her flashed through her mind, from Rei slapping her at study group to Rei making fun of her feelings for Mamoru. As she relived those events in her mind, she let out a discontented sigh.
 
Ami and Makoto both noticed the frown on Usagi’s face. They both placed a hand on Usagi’s shoulders and gave them a gentle and affectionate squeeze. And that action drew a few tears from Usagi’s eyes. “Why, Rei-chan? Why have you become so hateful?” she whimpered to no one in particular.
 
“That’s what we’re here to discuss,” Makoto replied as she caressed Usagi’s shoulder. Then, she turned back to the group, “After Usagi-chan ran away, I stepped in to defend her and scold Rei-chan for being such a bitch and saying such mean and hurtful things. I even slapped her for making Usagi-chan cry like that. But... then she slapped me back so hard that I fell to the sidewalk pretty damn hard.”
 
“She did what?!” Ami and Minako exclaimed.
 
“I’ve been in plenty of fights at my old school, but the strength that Rei-chan displayed when she slapped was unlike anything I ever experienced,” she explained. She then placed her hand on her cheek where Rei had slapped her earlier and began caressing it, “And I can still feel it, too.”
 
“Now do you believe what I saw?” Minako scorned.
 
Makoto only submissively averted her eyes as she replied, “Yes. I’m sorry I doubted you, Minako-chan.”
 
“What did you see, Minako-chan?” Ami asked.
 
“Well, after I washed up, I heard Rei-chan scream. And then I saw her pick up the living room table and throw it against the wall more easily than even Mako-chan would’ve,” she explained, “That’s when I ran away from the shrine and finally caught up with Usagi-chan and Mako-chan.”
 
“First she starts saying really mean things to Usagi, and now she’s suddenly developed amazing strength,” Ami summarized, “Something just isn’t adding up.”
 
“Yeah, she’s definitely not herself. I just know it,” Makoto added, “For her to have suddenly changed like this, something about her is not right at all. Whoever she is, that’s not Rei-chan.”
 
“You mean she’s someone else posing as Rei-chan?” Minako suggested.
 
“No, she knows us too well to be someone else,” said Ami, “It’s more like something is manipulating her.”
 
“That’s it,” Usagi spoke up as an idea came to her, “That explains why she looked and acted like she was sick this morning.”
 
“Oh right, I had forgotten about that,” said Makoto, “But you two didn’t even bicker very much. She just teased you about actually being awake early on a Saturday morning. And that’s pretty usual for you two.”
 
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Usagi reluctantly said, hanging her head down.
 
“So whatever is affecting Rei-chan has to have started then,” said Minako, “The question is: what is affecting her?”
 
“Maybe she’s possessed,” suggested Ami.
 
And silence instantly fell upon the living room with Ami’s rather odd suggestion. Ami was never known to ever be into anything paranormal, often pursuing a more concrete and scientific explanation for things. Finally, Usagi spoke up, “Possessed? What do you mean ‘possessed’? You mean like some evil spirit or something?”
 
“Precisely,” Ami replied.
 
“But that’s only in books and movies,” said Minako, immediately dismissing Ami’s suggestion.
 
“I don’t know, Minako-chan. I’m agreeing with Ami-chan on this,” Makoto rebutted, “We’ve seen the Dark Kingdom possess people and even turn them into youma.”
 
“Are you saying that the Dark Kingdom is at it again, and is making Rei-chan say all those mean things?” Usagi wondered.
 
“I don’t know if it’s the Dark Kingdom or some other evil spirit,” Ami replied, “Either way, possession explains both her sudden change in behavior and her amazing strength.”
 
“God, I wish we had Rei-chan’s spiritual powers right now,” said Usagi as she frowned, “She’d know what it is that’s controlling her and what to do about it... but dammit, she’s the one who’s possessed.”
 
“So what do we do about her?” Minako wondered, “Do we just walk right up to her and make her stop being such a bitch?”
 
“I don’t know,” Ami replied as she averted her eyes.
 
“We could ask her grandfather to perform an exorcism,” Makoto suggested, “After all, he is a Shinto priest.”
 
“If he’ll believe us,” Usagi doubtfully added.
 
“And if he doesn’t try to flirt with us first,” Minako added.
 
“Okay, bad idea,” Makoto surrendered.
 
“Well, Usagi-chan, until we figure out what to do about her, I suggest you stay away from Rei-chan,” Ami recommended, giving Usagi’s shoulder another gentle squeeze, “I know it’s hard for us to see our friend like this, but for now, it’s best to avoid any confrontations.”
 
Usagi only hung her head and frowned at the thought of something making Rei hate her. In a way, it was relieving that none of it seemed to be Rei’s fault. However, it didn’t lessen the emotional blow that Rei had given her. Those words sounded like Rei had meant them, and they made a tear roll down Usagi’s cheek. Makoto took Usagi’s hand into hers while Minako got up from her chair and took Usagi’s other hand, both girls comforting her. “Cheer up, Usagi-chan,” said Makoto, “We’re all here for you and Rei-chan.”
 
“Yeah, we’ll find a way though this, okay?” Minako added. Usagi nodded in reply.
 
Suddenly, their communicators began beeping. Ami quickly grabbed hers, while Makoto and Minako were slow to grab theirs as they still had Usagi’s hands in theirs. Usagi, still distraught over Rei, and with both her hands occupied, didn’t even think about grabbing hers. When they answered their communicators, Luna’s face showed on screen.
 
“Everyone, there’s trouble in Roppongi. A powerful youma is attacking the people there. Please help them,” Luna said.
 
“We’ll be there,” Ami replied before they all shut their communicators off. Usagi, however, let go of her friends’ hands and hung her head in defeat.
 
“Stay away from her, huh?” she commented, “That’s easier said than done.”
 
“Damn, I didn’t think about that,” said Makoto, “We can’t avoid her as Sailor Senshi.”
 
“Then you’ll just have to fight alongside her,” suggested Ami, “Just focus on the fight rather than her, okay? We’ll worry about Rei-chan after the battle.”
 
“That’s so easy for you to say, Ami-chan,” Usagi disputed, “You’re not the one who just had your friend completely disown you. You’re not the one who had all kinds of hateful things said to you... and still have to fight alongside her.” Then, more tears began to well in Usagi’s eyes, “I can’t ignore her, I just can’t.”
 
Ami immediately grabbed Usagi and jerked her into a tight embrace, then began stroking the back of her head. “I understand, Usagi-chan,” she whispered, “But you have to be strong. You’re our Princess. You’re our leader. We look up to you. So for our sake, and for Rei-chan’s sake, you have to be strong. We’ll worry about Rei-chan, okay?”
 
Usagi looked back up at Ami, “I hope you’re right, Ami-chan. I really do.” She then wiggled out of Ami’s arms and rose from the couch. “Okay, everyone, let’s go,” she said. And with Rei still heavy on their minds, the girls bolted out of Makoto’s apartment and dashed toward Roppongi, not forgetting to transform along the way.

end of part II
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Disclaimer: As usual, Sailor Moon and most of the characters ain't mine, but belong to Naoko Takeuchi. And God bless that woman for creating such great entertainment for all of us with a lot of free time on our hands to enjoy. The English dub belongs to DiC Entertainment and Cloverway, and I only thank them for bringing' it to America, nothin' more. But Russell Hino/Hino Kyodai, Tuxedo Inferno, Titanius, and Deanna Kokorono/Kokorono Meijin are MINE (in a growling voice). So, please don't sue me. I'm just a lonely man who ain't got anythang but his pride. Well, y'all enjoy this fanfic and e-mail me.

Have fun Sailor Moon fans,
Viper Inferno (Y2V)

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