Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ The Shepherd ❯ Chapter 2

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The Shepherd.

A Digimon-Sailormoon "what-if" crossover-fiction.

DISCLAIMER:

The The Digimon, the Digidestined, The Sailorsenshi and
their families (except for Kelly, Selena, Agamemnon, and Penelope ) are not
my property! They never were, and never will be.

The Digimon, the Digidestined, and their families are the property of
their creator, Miyoshi Houso, Toei Animation (in Japan), and Haim Saban
(in the USA).

The Sailorsenshi, their friends, and families are the Property of their
creator, Naoko Takeuchi, Kadansha Publishing and Toei Animation (in Japan),
and DiC (in USA) and CWI (in Canada).

NOTES:

Here are the "givens" in the actual Anime. In "Digimon",
Izumi Koushirou ("Izzy" in the English dubbing) is orphaned and adopted.
And in "Sailormoon", the parents of Mizuno Ami ("Amy" in the dubbing)
are divorced, and Ami lives with her mother.

I don't know if "Ayumi" is the actual name of Ami's mother
in Sailormoon or not, or if she's even named, but that's the name I've seen
in a previous fan-fic. So, that's her name, here !

shepherdshepherdshepherdshepherdshepherdshepherdshepherdshepherd

AMI'S P.O.V.

I run as fast as I can! I know the others must think me bakayaou , but I don't
care! All I care about is the fact my Daddy's here! The previous week has been a
nightmare, and if it hadn't been for Usagi-chan being near me I may have
attempted Seppuku!

Nobody knows how hard it is, living without a family's love
that you once had- except Mako-chan. This sounds mean and
heartless, I realise, but, this past week, I actually envied her. At least, she
knew her parents loved her before they died.. she's said so. After Usagi-chan's
accident, when our covers were revealed, my mother treated my like a leper! No.
No. She would have tried to care for the leper.

But, now, Dad's here to take me away from this horror.. to take me back home!
I wrap my arms and legs around him so tightly the Senshi would need the
Jaws-of-Life to pry me from my Dad! I'm crying so DAMNED hard I'm sure the whole
of Juuban can hear me. I cry so much I start to hyperventilate.

And I remember.. seven days ago, exactly..

I find myself racing through the streets of Tokyo's Juuban District as Usagi is
being sped to the hospital.

'Here we thought our fighting was over, at least for the forseeable future,' my
mind races, 'and, out of nowhere, a Daimon attacks us! Why did it attack us ?
Where did it come from ? Why did it even have to appear ? WHY ?'

I look down from the rooftops that the other Senshi and I are painfully jumping
to keep up with the ambulance. "Why did you have to fight it off yourself,
Usagi?" Even as I ask that. I know the answer:

Because we were hurting. Because we were in danger.

I wince and gasp as we sight the hospital. Landing on the hard ground is painful
as hell. But we're used to it. Each of us has been through hell. And, we'll
gladly make that trip again. As long as Usagi's alright.

As Rei and Makoto help land Minako on the ground safely, I rush in to hear the
doctors discuss Usagi's condition. What I hear pales me.

"The patient has a massive concussion and severe trauma. Anyone know how to get
in touch with her family?"

"I do." I hear my mother speaking. "I recognize the child. She is a friend of Ami's. Her
name is Tsukino Usagi. I will notify her family."

Usagi is recognized? How can that be? The power of Ginzuishou should be
protectively disguising Usagi! Unless...

"There is massive bloodloss, Dr. Mizuno!" I hear the paramedics say. "We already
had to administer two liters of plasma."

Two liters of plasma? Even with the head wounds, Usagi should not be bleeding
like this! We Senshi dressed her wounds as best we could, and the Emergancy Team
got to us very fast! There must be something else!

The next three hours are are the purest form of Hell I thought could ever be
distilled! Every moment I glance at the clock in the waiting room, I can only
imagine Usagi, dying and alone. Death, I know, strangely, is something she could
handle. But not the loneliness. I remember, somehow, actually feeling her
anguished crying in the Arctic all those years ago. Loneliness is Tsukino
Usagi's greatest enemy! As it is, I know, mine.

After a little while, my Mother, Doctor Mizuno Ayumi , came out to report on
Usagi's condition. "How is.. Tsukino Usagi-chan?" Mars asks, catching herself
before she can say "Sailormoon". The recovery is so fast I am hopeful no one
else picked it up.

"Tsukino-chan is well." I hear my mother say this in a measured voice that
starts to worry me. "She is sleeping." I can sense that she is lying. As my
mother lays Usagi's chart on the desk at the Nurse' Station and turns to leave,
I pick it up and read it. I turn deathly white. At this time, my mother turns to
see me.

I lay down the chart, and there's a slight tremor in my hands. I find my voice
has gotten weak and shaky. I know I'm going to cry.

"Usagi's bleeding internally. Her stomache has ruptured near the intestines.
She's got a punctured lung. And she has hemorrhaged in her brain. She's in
Intensive Care. They've ordered a morphine drip for her."

"Morphine?" Minako asked. "Why are they giving her a narcotic?"

"To ease her pain." Tears are flooding my eyes when I speak again. "Plus- they
don't think she'll live.. long enough.. to become addicted!" At this point, I
can only do one thing. I break down.

"Usagi .. !"

"No wonder Sailormoon is revealed as Usagi!" Rei snapped out. "And little more
that we are still in battle-mode. Ginzuishou cannot heal when Sailormoon is
influenced by drugs!" With that, Rei-chan is off and running to our Princess.

And I let out a small laugh and smile for the poor attendents looking after Usagi.

As I laid Usagi's chart back on the Nurse' Desk, I .. sensed .. a pair of eyes
looking at me. Judging me. I turned around slowly, fearing what, or who, I would
find over my shoulder. Then I saw her- Dr. Mizuno Ayumi. It was my own mother,
with a look in her eyes of a mixed fear and hatred. And, I suddenly felt very
small and helpless.

"You read the chart very well, Sailormercury! I can see it in your face."

"Hai." I say weakly. I am sure my Mother recognized me, although she says
"Sailormercury" so formally she could be talking to a complete stranger! My
mother is not the only one who can "read the eyes", as she says. And, somehow,
her eyes recogized me!

"We have much to speak of, Sailormercury!" Mother's formality and crispness
suddenly scare me! It is as if I am speaking to a complete stranger! And, part
of me wonders:

Am I?

After excusing myself from the Waiting Room, I follow my mother to her office.
After she makes sure I have shut the door, she turns to me- then turns on me.

"Tell me, Sailormercury? How long have you been wearing the disguise of my
daughter?"

With one sentence, barely audible, my mother has managed to kick the last
supports of my life out from under me! Divorcing my father was bad enough!
Getting rid of my brother and my sister was worse, but, now, it sounds as if she
will leave me with no family at all! Still, I remain calm. I must answer this
woman, if for no other reason than to proove myself to myself!

"I was born.. Ami Katherine Graham.. Mizuno Ayumi-san." I respond in a
monotonous, emotionless voice, although I am wanting to cry. However, as I use
my full birth-name part of me wants to shout it in defiance and victory! "I
learned that I was Sailorsenshi Princess Ami of Mercury five years ago, a sworn
protector of her most-royal Highness, Princess Serenity of the Moon..
Usagi Tsuki-no!"

"Princess? Of the Moon? Rabbit-on-the-Moon? They are but childhood tales I no
longer believe in! If you are of that world.. then, you cannot be mine!"
My mom defends her unbelief rather well, having been confronted with the
possibility that the impossible is possible. DAMN! She is so closed-minded!

"Well?" I straightened up tall to answer my accuser. "The impossible is
possible! Indeed, it is probable! I am proof!" I can defend myself well,
too. "You have a daughter who is lucky enough to be chosen Princess of Mercury,
lucky to have a friend in Usagi Tsukino-san! A daughter who is
lucky to have sisters to take the place of the brother and sister who were torn
from her!"

I suddenly realize that I should have not spoke that last line, although it is
true. My mother looks at me with pure-hatred.

"How DARE you speak so to me?" My mother growled at me. "I do not want to hear
of those Gaijin again!"

"So! At least, you acknowledge their existance! Tell me, Dr. Mizuno! If they
were such a blemish to you, why did you not leave them with my father?
Certainly, their red hair stood out and marked them even as babies!" I give this
woman in front of me no quarter! For, she deserves none!

"At least," I speak trying to hold back tears, "my brother and sister have aunts
and uncles here willing to love them when you wouldn't!"

"GET OUT!!" My mother suddenly screams at me! "Get out of my office, Gaijin! And
get out of my HOUSE!! I give you three hours to gather your belongings and
leave. Now, GO!!"

I open the door, preparing to leave, but turn back toward my mother. "I trust,
Dr. Mizuno," I speak with ice in my throat, "that the doctors in Japan still
follow the Hippocratic Oath? I.. hope.. that Usagi Tsukino-chan will leave here
well!"

I then walk out of the office, and walk briskly down the halls back to the
waiting room.

I left the hospital without explaining what happened to the other Senshi. I
thought it best for mother's sake.. and for Usagi's!

Mom gave me 3 hours to gether my possessions and leave. I left after two hours!
I gathered every letter and painting my father ever sent me from America, and
every tape-recording he sent me of his radio-shows! Then, I uploaded everything
Ryo and I have written or worked-on together online. Then I delete my existence
from the computer!

I gathered some books, leaving most of the Medical-Texts I have been studying.
They are of another life.. A life.. and a family that are dead.. and I will never turn
back to see them again! Then I picked up the phone to call Ryo Uwada, to see
if he would help me move.

I was interrupted by a knock at the door. I answered the door, to see Ryo
standing there, with Yuuichirou Kumada by his side. "I thought you may need some
help", Ryo said to me. "We will help move you to Hikawa Jinja for a few days."

Even though I've started to cry, I somehow manage a smile. Ryo must have seen
what was coming, and rushed to my aid! He's my "Knight in Shining
Armor"!

Shortly, we were going to the Hikawa Jinga...

That was a week ago! Even after seven days, it still hurts!! I wrap myself
around my Daddy, and try to cry all my hurt away...

I fear the hurt will not leave for a long time.

Usagi's P.O.V.

Of all the times the Senshi have fought, and all the enemies we have faced, this
fight hurts like none other! Your family is not supposed to be your enemy!
I was in the hospital for three days after the battle before I was told of it's
consequences. Although, part of me expected as much. Shingo came to see me
every day- often with Hahai and Chichi, but sometimes by himself ! Many times,
he would come alone so he could safely talk to me. I doubt I stayed alone in the
hospital for more than two hours!

After four days in the hospital, Shingo showed up in my room with a guest:

"Usagi-chan?", Shingo said, "Someone asked me to bring them to see you!" Shingo
then reached in under his coat, gently pulling out a black cat!

"Luna!"

"Konnichi-wa, Usagi-chan!"

For one of the few times in my life, I was speechless. Luna had talked in front
of Shingo?

"It is alright, Usagi-chan!" Luna said, "Your family knows I can speak!"

"Everyone?" I asked.

"Hai."

"Nani? When did this happen?"

"Two days ago, Neesan!", Shingo said, "at the same time when Ami Mizuno-chan
moved in with us.!"

I laid there in bed, trying to.. "process", as Ami-chan would say it.. what
Shingo had just said. Ami-chan was staying with my family.. and my family now
knew Luna could talk. I ask the most-logical question I can think of.

"Shingo? Do you.. know.. who I am?"

"Hai! Your Highness!" Shingo bows respectfully, then rises with a smile
to reassure me. "You are my Nee-san!"

I smile back, grateful for the loving family I have.. then I stare-off into the
unknown. My smile must have vanished, because Luna and Shingo show looks of
concern.

"What is it, Usagi?" Luna asked.

"I have figured out why Ami-chan is staying with us," I speak in a whisper, "and
why Mizuno-sama has been so formal and anxious around me. Mako-chan and Rei must
have threatened her after they heard of what happened to Ami-chan!"

"Iie..", Luna says haltingly. "It was.. Ami.. herself.. who warned her Mother to
take good care of you."

I lay back down, stunned. Ami? Threatening her Mother? "Ami-chan has been hurt..
terribly", is all I can say. I have come to see for a long time that Ami is as
fragile as Mercury is strong! I am just now, however, starting to see where Ami
is most-fragile.

Mizuno-sama is scared around me. That I can tell. If she is so scared around me,
who she had rarely met, then how scared is she around her own daughter ? At
least, I am glad my family has afforded Ami-chan refuge!

After a reassuring hug and smile from my brother, he manages to spirit himself
and Luna away. And, that night, I dream:

In a dream, I am back on the Moon, my first home. I recognize the place where Queen
Serenity- my Okaasan- met me and the Senshi when Kunzite transported us away from
Earth. He had meant to trap us. I remember how awestruck I was by the beauty of
the Earth then. I am still in awe of it.

"It is a beautiful place, my daughter! As I told a friend recently, it's little wonder
you love it so!"

I turn to bow to Queen Serenity's spirit. Although larger than her first projection,
my mother is still very beautiful.

"I do love it so!" Then, the rest of what she said hits me. "'Told a
friend recently'? Who was here, Kaasan? Please, tell me! Onegai?"

"A friend," it was then that Queen Serenity seemed to sadden, "he is Sailor-
mercury's earthly-father. He is a kind man, and gentle, and he loves his
children! Usagi, there is coming a day, and it fast approaches, when Sailor-
mercury will need your love and strength more than ever! On that day, you
must love her enough to let her go!"

"'Let.. her go'?" I let Queen Serenity's words sink into my brain.

"She will forever be your friend, and Senshi.. but, you must let her follow another path. For now."

We both stare up at the Earth.

"Will I get to meet Ami-chan's chichiue?"

"Soon."

It was the day after the dream that I was checked-out to come home.
I can only guess the Doctors did not know what to do with me! Ginzuishou had
finally started to heal me. If only it, and I, could heal Ami-chan that surely!
But, that is beyond even my power. At least, Ami-chan now has her chichi to hold
her through the badtimes!

Ami-chan started nursing me back to health as soon as I came home! And,
she started making sure I did my exercises! I am getting better, thanks to
her! My "Akita", Ami-chan has started calling herself!

Arigatou, Ami-chan, for standing by me! Now, I shall stand by you!

shepherdshepherdshepherdshepherdshepherdshepherdshepherdshepherd