Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ A new horizon ❯ Mensch ( Chapter 8 )

After drying her tears, Usagi stood up and slowly made her way home. She knew that her okaasan would be worried about her. Luna had been furious with her and Usagi would likely get an earful.

 

The worst was that her new height and curves would gain attention. Even her mother would see that her moon face was now sharper and had more prominent cheekbones than before. Her blue eyes were now silver and while Usagi didn't know it, they now glowed prettily in the dark.

 

A rustle in the underbrush let her freeze. While her senses would automatically alarm her when a youma comes near her , they never alarmed her of a human or animal with bad intentions.

 

The rustles were getting more and more until one very disgruntled looking Tuxedo Kamen came out. Usagi tried to hold back but after a few moments she started to giggle and to laugh. “Nice that you find my predicaments so funny.

 

After feeling your transformation and worrying myself half to death you laugh at me! What happened Usagi?”, said Tuxedo Kamen, who looked at the now crying princess in confusion and distress.

 

Hiccuping Usagi tried to hold her tears in but once Tuxedo Kamens arms were around her. She broke down. Frowning Mamoru looked down at the sobbing girl in his arms. What could have distressed her so immensely that she couldn't even speak coherently? Had something happened with her friends? Were they hurt? Was Usako hurt?

 

Again he cursed himself for falling asleep and taking so long to come to aid his Sailor Moon. On his way he had cursed himself at least a thousand times but there had been no time for his sleep addled mind to react any faster.

 

And he couldn't have foreseen that they would fight in a forest on the other side of the city. Couldn't they take the park between him and Usakos house? It would have been faster and the alarming distress that wailed now loudly through their bond would have been acknowledged before.

 

“Usako? What happened love? I came as fast as possible but I didn't feel anything through the bond. Just now I can feel your emotions. Id something happen to your friends? Are you hurt? Usako, love, please talk to me!” Nearly panicking with her still unresponsive state and that he had no idea how to calm and help her he sat down on the floor, gathered Usagi in his lap and arms and began to rock with her and croon her soft words of love, understanding and support through whatever she had to go through.

 

Usagi sniffed and looked through her lashes at her soulmate from her place in his lap. Mamoru was normally a man that didn't give anything about Public Displays of Affection but for her he would do anything she knew. While he didn't have any kind of positive relationships in the past, this caring for her showed again that he tried.

 

She was so fortunate to have him as her soulmate, such a caring and wonderful man that would never leave her alone through his choice. Just as her family would never leave her alone when it wasn't because of her orders. Tears gathered again in her eyes and a sob tore out of her throat. Her past was again in the way to the future. As always when she remembered everything that happened to her she had relapses where she confused her old friends with the new ones here.

 

Even now she could say at least thousand differences between her friends and those she made her as well as the differences between her Mamochan and this Mamochan. Oh she knew she wasn't fair, that her old family including all the Outers had experiences that this ones didn't have but her heart and her soul still confused them.

 

In this time Usagi had made Rei her best friend, something she, Yui would have never done. It was not because Rei had always been a bit jealous or even vain. It had more to do that Yui as well as Usagi would go through very dark times and only some of the inner senshi, in fact it had been one, would stand by her no matter what and that was because she knew this pain as well as Usagi.

 

But how could she explain her feelings to the man she loved? Wouldn't he think that she didn't really love him but the idea of her old Mamochan? But that wasn't true!She loved him no matter what! Stiffening again and trying not to let out her confusion and misery she began to comfort Mamoru who was now beside himself in distress.

 

“Mamochan I c-can't explain. Please j-just be there for me Mamochan. Just don't leave me please!” Seeing the desperation in his princess eyes Mamoru sighed and just hold her to him. The bond was already calming and sending love and adoring to him. He relaxed further for whatever had happened to Usagi the overwhelming grief and sadness had ebbed.

 

“ Come on Usako, lets bring you home. I'm sure your parents are worried and beside them for worry if they don't find you in your bed.” At that Usagi began to giggle again. Oh poor Mamochan. Her mother knew that she was away and when the standing of the moon was right than her father and Shingo were also already home.

 

Poor Mamochan, not only a distresses soulmate but an enraged, worried father, an nervous and worrying mother and one hero worshipping brother waited at home for him. Poor Mamochan indeed. Mamoru didn't understand the giggles and amusement through their bond. It was as if Usagi was laughing at him and than again not.

 

Deciding that the nature of his Odango Atama would be forever mysterious for him, he steered her on the pathway that would lead them outside the park. On second thought he decided that a superhero just didn't walk. He jumped, flew and sprinted but never walked. So without another he thought he swept the still giggling Usagi off her feet and proceeded to jump from treetop to treetop and than from house to house.

 

Usagi, shocked that her Mamochan would do something like that, was not amused to find that they were earlier than wanted home. Detransforming into Chiba Mamoru in an nearby alley they both stood now in front of her house door. As predicted the car from her father stood already in the garage.

 

The window of the kitchen and living room was still flooded with light, so Usagi knew that her parents waited for her return. Because she had forgotten her keys and her window was still closed she would have to knock or ring the bell to get in. Not something she wanted to do as she was afraid of what her father would have to say.

 

His reaction were always irrational if it came to her. The early loss of his sister because of her fiancé was the reason. Now she would have to prepare herself for an tirade that would nearly shatter the windows, she was sure.

 

Knocking on the door, no ringing the bell for it could wake Shingo if he was already sleeping, she hugged Mamorus arm for support and courage while hoping that her mother opened the door.

 

Hearing steps coming to the door Usagi linked her arm through Mamorus and tried with one hand to let the marks of her tears to disappear. When the door opened Mamoru and Usagi both held their breath. Deep brown eyes looked at them with confusion and shock.

 

A glint of protectiveness and possessiveness shown in them when they fell on Mamoru. Usagi's father just opened the door so that they could enter and after closing the door followed them into the living room where Ikuko and Shingo already waited.

 

Together Usagi and Mamoru sat themselves on the sofa facing the rest of Usagis family. Worry clouded Ikuko's face and eyes, especially when she saw that Usagi's face was full of tracks from tears and the pain, grief and sadness in her eyes.

 

Shingo was nervous and confused. Instead of finding his okaachan and his Oneechan with one of her favourite goofy movies in front of the television, his mother sat frantic and nervous at the kitchen table with a great cup of green tea in her hand and the news channel of the radio on. When he and his father had arrived she had jumped at the noise and then broke down, telling them everything she knew about Usagi's powers being Sailor Moon and that Luna was that cat from Sailor Moon.

 

Under tears and great wracking sobs she explained that Usagi had been called to a fight and that she was worried what would happen now. Sitting in the living room with barely a scratch on her body was not an outcome any of the Tsukino family had ever envisioned. Nervously about the reaction of her father Usagi began to explain:

 

“ Otousan, may I present you Chiba Mamoru, also known as Tuxedo Kamen and my soulmate. No, before you even start to say something let me explain. Once over a few thousand years ago I already lived once. I was a wonderful princess and lived happily with my parents in a palast. I was betrothed to a wonderful prince, Mamoru here is his reincarnation. I remember everything from that life and love Mamoru and recognize him as my soulmate.”

 

Taking a deep breath she started to explain the other topic that would surely arise when the others came to word so she didn't even let her family the chance to say something.

 

“ That I am Sailor Moon you already know because I am sure that Okaachan told you. Yes I became Sailor Moon nearly two years ago, shortly after my fourteenth birthday. Since then I fought against all those monsters you always see in the news. Only after nearly a whole year Ami and then Rei became my companions. And yes I mean Mizuno Ami and Hino Rei that you admired when they came to meet me here. Rei is Sailor Mar and Ami is Sailor Mercury. Kino Makoto, my newest friend from school, is Sailor Jupiter. I am sorry I couldn't tell you before but Luna, the royal advisor and the one who awakened Sailor Moon in me, wouldn't let you remember it and would have manipulated your memories.”

 

Swallowing Kenji looked at the innocent looking cat sitting at Usagis feet. She was now hissing and spitting at her.

 

“ If Luna is really the cat of Sailor Moon then, as far as I know, she can speak, ne? So why doesn't she explain about you being Sailor Moon and why she is angry that we are now aware of the dangers you face daily?”

 

Luna sniffed once and then looked at Usagi with her nose high in the air.

 

'Usagi had just told her family about her being Sailor Moon that stupid girl. Didn't she realize that her family was now in greater danger than before? Usagi had always been this immature and irresponsible. Maybe Rei was right and the leadership of the senshi should go to the most responsible and serious of the four of them. Rei would really be a wonderful leader.'

 

Nodding inwardly at choosing a new leader and Usagi's degrading, Luna meowed once and turned quickly to the stairs where she would contact Rei to collect her things in the tomorrow so that she could move into the shrine and train Rei as the new leader.

 

Mamoru couldn't close his mouth. Luna, the one he thought to be an beloved friend and advisor to Sailor moon just turned hightailed and disappeared where he thought Usagis rooms were.

 

How could this little flea infested hairball be so unsupportive? Couldn't she see that Usagi needed her friends and family right now? Determined to protect Usagi before her father could start to get angry at her, Mamoru spoke right from the heart to her parents.

 

Unaccostumed as he was he still thought that Usagi would be grateful that he would not abandon her: “Tsukinosan, I know that this revelation must be shocking for you but let me reassure you that she was never critically hurt.

 

I always try to protect her as much as I can but even without my help she always wins and gets herself out of the line of fire. Please hear my sincerity and my plea for your support in this hard time for her. I found her crying after the battle, which I couldn't be present unfortunately, and I don't know why. The only thing I know is that she needs her family now.”

 

With that Mamoru turned to Usagi and took her again in his lap and arms. She was already trembling again and he hoped that whatever had upset her so was now either dead or far far away. Kenji was impressed with this young man.

 

He had already about the Chiba Empire and that Chiba Mamoru was the sole heir of it. He had once made n reportage about the late Chibas where the parents died in a car crash and Mamoru only survived because of an big guardian angel.

 

He should have died as well but came out of the car wreck with only a head injury and memory loss. Even then he had pitied the little, lost and lonely boy who had so much money but no one to call family. Now he saw in front of him an grown man, the lonely boy still in his eyes but comforting a young woman who gave him a feeling of belonging and confidence that he would even go against a parent just to help the young woman.

 

Kenji nodded at Mamoru and decided that anger, fury as well as hurt should be left behind. The only thing that counted was this young woman and her momentary state, nothing else. Everything else could be discussed an other day.

 

“ I do understand Chibasan, you may call me Kenji. Usagi is still my little girl and I may be overprotective of her but I am happy to see that she found an honourable man like you. Usachan, tell me please what happened. I am still your Touchan and while I might be sometimes frightening and overbearing I am still there for you and would do anything for you to make things better. Please tell us all what happened after you left the house?”

 

Sobbing now with relief that her Touchan wasn't furious about Mamochan or Sailor Moon, Usagi began to tell an edited version about the things that happened earlier. She left her transformation, the new senshis and the gifts out. In fact she only told them about the short fight and how the other senshi abandoned her.

 

That tomorrow, Saturday after school, Rei would take over the leadership. Now furious about Usagi's supposed friends Kenji and Mamoru were both seething. They had thought that the other senshi would be more true to their friends because of the daily struggles and mortal danger for them.

 

Oh, both of the men could understand why they wanted a new leader. Usagi was sometimes a real ditz. But after everything she went through and that she had now a new confidence, why did they choose Rei as a new leader now? Why after all the time?

 

“ I believe they have finally enough from being a friend to such a ditz as me. They always are friendly in school but as senshi, where their life is in my hand, they do not trust me anymore. I can understand that, really. But they never had that trust to start with and don't even trust each other.

 

In fact, the decision to make Rei leader is just an attempt to make an more normal life. That with someone like Rei the fighting will soon be over and they can finally get back to being normal schoolgirls. They don't realize that they never will be just normal. They will always have that power to transform and be an senshi, even if they don't want that.”

 

Kenji frowned at that. It was like Usagi was already coming to the conclusion that she would never have an normal life anymore. That was nothing that he would wish for his daughter. A life that was always in mortal danger, nights with fights and the fear she wouldn't come home and any relationship, be it her family or an romantic one, would strain under this great responsibility of his daughter.

 

But his daughter seemed resigned with her fate as lifelong fighter. Suddenly the things she said came through his anger and shock. His daughter was Sailor Moon since she was fourteen! Nearly two years! The other senshi came just in th September last year. And the friends of his daughter were already tired of this life after a couple of months!?

 

His ire was again raised. A short glance at his wife showed that Ikuko came to the same result earlier than he. Their daughter had been already an young mature responsible woman. The newest change in Usagi's personality were only the changes in her 'official' life. Their daughter had matured under their noses with the burdens of Sailor Moon and only now did they see what for a wonderful woman she had become.

 

“ Usagi I do understand that these monsters are already far too long her and wrecking havoc. But I am sure that soon you will beat them and after that you can finally live your life to the fullest. There will be then a time of peace and fun for you.

 

I am sorry that you thought you couldn't come with your problems to us and that you were alone all this time. No mater what you think Usachan, your family will always stand by you. It doesn't matter what you are going through you are still our little girl and we will always love and support you.”

 

Kenji felt that there was more that Usagi didn't tell and asked himself when it had begun that Usagi didn't trusted them with information anymore. He still remembered the times when she had babbled about kingdoms , noble woman and men, lord and ladies, other treaties with the planets in and out of their solar system.

 

Naturally they had chastised her for telling such fairy tales and lies when she didn't stop at eight years old. Now, looking back on everything and remembering just who Usagi was now, he acknowledged that it could have been memories of her past life and that then it must have hurt Usagi to be told off and accused of lying.

 

Maybe then they had laid the stone of mistrust and hurt in Usagi. Did she still resent them for this? He hoped not but her silence showed otherwise. Another point for the family discussion they would have on Sunday.

 

There were already too many and now you could add Sailor Moon and Shingo's school problems he had just be informed about today. Usagi was worn out. After gifting her family, her outburst, the discussion with her blood family and the terrible realisation that the senshi would kick her out to find the elusive peace, she could barely sit in Mamochans lap and follow the conversation.

 

In fact she was slowly nodding off with Mamochans slowly caress on her back and his soft breath on her cheek. For it was a normal sleeping arrangement especially when it was a late night meeting when some monster was attacking Tokyo again.

 

Shingo looked as well as he would fall asleep any moment. After looking her over and finding no injury he had stayed quiet and just listened. Her mother had also stayed quiet and listening and let Kenji lead the conversation like any good housewife would. Usagi was sure that as soon as the children and Mamoru were away she would tell Kenji exactly what she thought.

 

Through their bond Usagi could feel that Mamoru was weary as well and already thought about work and university tomorrow. She nearly smiled as he went through another thematic that one of his courses would be about. Stifling a yawn, Usagi decided that sleep would be the best for all of them now and that this discussion would be continued an other time, preferable after the meeting tomorrow with the girls.

 

Then she would not have to protect the girls from her father, Tuxedo Kamen or Chiba Mamoru as she was sure that all three personalities would have something to say to them. Usagi had already felt the anger from her love and her father as well as from her mother and brother. One gift she wished she could just block.

 

Her empathy.

 

That she could feel the emotions of others did was why she could sympathize with them. One gift she could have done well without.

 

“ I am sure that we all are knackered. I for one could to do with the five hours sleep before I have to get up again to go to school and I think Shingo should have been in bed long before. Okaachan, Otousan, I know that you don't know Mamochan very well but please allow him to sleep here tonight. It's really a bit wide for you to go home tonight.

 

Please stay Mamochan.”

 

Again surprised at the mature behaviour of her daughter Ikuko gave Kenji a sign that he should allow her that tonight. While Kenji was not thrilled to have this young man stay here tonight, and as far as he understood from Ikuko even in the bed of his daughter, he also saw that a night with this young honourable man was not something he should be worried about when she had to go daily out and face these monsters.

 

Ikuko nodded once at her daughter who squealed and began to drag Chibasan upstairs while young man was blushing and thanking them for taking him in for tonight. Her daughter needed this young man tonight by her side thought Ikuko. I

 

Ikuko was not naive but she thought that her daughter was mature and also cautious enough not to do something inappropriate in her room just a few doors away from her parents. And she could show Kenji exactly what her daughter would not do while they were here.

 

Oh yes she loved their sound proved rooms.

 

Usagi halted in mid step on the stairs. Turned around once and nodded once again at her mother with a big smile on her face.

 

Confused Ikuko nodded back, wondering what yet again had happened with Usagi. Usagi instead just smiled and love d that her parents were finally accepting that their daughter was grown up.

 

Blushing at the things she had just heard and seen and that she never wanted to know Usagi strode again forward to her rooms, Mamochan at her hand.

 

Oh yes telepathy could sometimes be a bother.