TITLE: I'LL ALWAYS BE HERE - Part 9 - AUTHOR: FurBall E-MAIL: Fur.Ball@mailcity.com RATED: PG-13 AUTHOR'S NOTES: eeeeeepp!!!! Sorry!!! I'm really sorry!!! I know I promised in the end of chapter 8 that i'll post this one up with it!!! But I couldn't coz it wasn't finished!! Gomen!!! *sigh* Minna please don't be angry!!! I had an error last time, it was supposed to be 'board exams' not 'bord exams', sorry about that!!! This should have been posted last week, but I kept giving a wrong index to ASMR that was why it was posted this late!!! Gomen!!! But I'll make it up to you I promise!!!! I'd also like to thank all those people who emailed me about this story!!! Thank you guys!! *hugs* Really thank you!!!! Okay just as promised here is chapter nine!!! Let's go!! ~.....~ thoughts (*....*) Author's Notes DISCLAIMERS: Sailormoon and the other characters are NOT MINE! SO PLEASE DON'T SUE ME! although the some places, characters and incidences are mine, any similarities with other fanfics are purely coincidental! "I know our love's forever... I know no matter what..." - "No Matter What" by Boyzone- /*****/////*****/////*****/////*****/////*****/////*****/////*****/ "I can't help you find her." Rei stood there dumbfounded. Shaking her head, she said. "No you can't mean that. Not you of all people!" Chibi-Usa sat there stunned at what her father had just said. He can't help them? ~ why? ~ she asked herself looking at her father's back. She saw him stiffen and realized she must have spoken the thought out loud. Tears of disillusionment started to form in her eyes. "Why?! Why can't you help us find her?" Chibi-Usa cried staring at her father's back. "Because... because.. I can't feel her anymore..." He said in a husky voice. "What do you mean you can't feel her anymore?! Of course you can't she's..." Rei was cut off when Mamoru turned with fury. "Don't you understand?! I CAN"T FEEL HER ANYMORE!!!" Mamoru yelled. Rei took a step back then, frightened with his burst of anger. "Damn you, Rei, can't you see?! I can't help you in anyway like before because I can't feel her!!!" "You don't mean..." Rei said trembling at the intensity of his anger. "Yes that's exactly what I mean!!! I can't feel her!!! I can't feel my bond with her anymore. That's why I can't help you find her." He said, as tears of frustration started to form in his eyes. Chibi-Usa bent her head at her father's anguished cry. "But, that doesn't mean you can just stop looking for her!" She said. Mamoru looked at his daughter's bent head. "How can I Chibi-Usa when I don't know if..." he started to say and couldn't go on. Rei looked at him sharply. "If what?" Mamoru hesitated. "If what Mamoru?" "When I don't know if I myself want to look for her." Mamoru whispered. Chibi-Usa stood up and looked at her father, astonishment written all over her features. Rei gripped the back of the couch as she looked at Mamoru. "What on earth do you mean?" Rei whispered. "I can't explain it, Rei. Ever since that day, I can't bring myself to look for her. It was as if nothing special happened between me and Usako. As if...as if I..I...didn't love her at all." He said avoiding their eyes. Chibi-Usa shook her head. "No. You can't mean that!!!" She then ran to her father and gripped his hands. "Chibi-Usa...." Mamoru said, at lost of what to say. "No.. No.. No.. You can't mean that...You just can't mean that!!!" She said shaking her head, then without warning she turned and ran from the apartment, slamming the door behind her. "Chibi-Usa!!!" Rei called. She turned and looked at Mamoru. "I hope you know what you have just done, Mamoru." Rei said quietly and hurriedly left to catch up with Chibi-Usa. Mamoru stayed where he was, tears that he thought he could keep inside fell from his eyes. He knew what he said had hurt his daughter, it was difficult for him to admit it himself. What came out of him a few moments ago frightened even him. He never thought that he would say that, least of all in front of his future daughter. "What have I done?" He whispered, as the tears fell. "Oh Usako. What have I done?" /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ "What is your plan?" The queen asked. "I think its time for us to be on the aggressive side. Let us attack the people when they least expected it." Akira said as he stood before his queen. The queen stroked the back of the big black cat beside her until it purred. "And when will that be?" "During the big festival that is coming up this Saturday." The queen turned toward the source of the voice and smiled. "Ah... That is a great idea." she said as she motioned for the owner of the voice to come forward. The girl did, she stood with her arms crossed and looked at the queen with evil eyes. "Ah...Usagi is it not?" the queen asked. "Yes, the Festival will be a great place to get the more life force for our pets." She said smiling. Akira grinned at her and went to her to kiss her right hand. "The girl after my own heart." Akira said. "Hmmm... flattery will get you everywhere." Usagi remarked. The queen looked at the two and nodded. This was going better than she expected. ~ Soon my dear sister your death will be avenged. And Ironically it would be done by your killer's own hands. ~ She thought smugly. "It looks like all is in readiness then?" She asked. "Yes my queen." Akira answered, straightening beside Usagi. "Then it is time for us to pick our pets is it not?" The queen asked smiling Akira nodded. "Yes. My queen." Usagi said. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ "Chibi-Usa... You going to the festival tomorrow?" Luna asked as she sat on the little girl's lap. She looked at the pinked hairdo child who was gazing out of her window. She was getting worried at the girl's detachment from the other scouts. Especially the widening gap between her and her father. Luna and the others heard what had happened at Mamoru's apartment two days ago. They were all shocked and angry at how Mamoru had acted, especially in front of his daughter. Luna could just not imagine Mamoru not helping them and most of all of his giving up. But he wasn't Luna's problem this time, it was this little girl who had been disillusioned by her own father, that had her worried. "I don't know yet Luna. Rei and the others want me to go with them... but..." Chibi-Usa sighed and hugged the cat to her. Luna purred and rubbed herself against Chibi-Usa in an attempt to comfort her. "I think it would be best if you did. Why not go over the Hikawa Shrine right now and tell them, I'll go with you okay?" Luna said. Chibi-Usa smiled at the cat and nodded. She stood up, got her coat and bounded down the stairs. "Mama Ikuko, I'm going over at Rei's I'm also taking Luna with me!" She called as she passed the kitchen. "Okay Chibi-Usa, come home early okay?" Ikuko Tsukino said as she poked her head through the kitchen doorway. "Yes, I will!!! Come on Luna." Chibi-Usa said as she opened the door, with a wave to Ikuko she left the house. Mrs. Tsukino shook her head and went back to making pancakes. A favorite of Usagi and Chibi-Usa. She had hoped that Usagi could be found by now but it turned out it was like looking for a needle in a hay stack. She had almost given up hope in finding Usagi, but her friends wouldn't let her they said that they will do everything they can in finding her daughter. She didn't understand how they can do so when even the police couldn't find a clue of where she is. But when the girls said they would find her, they would. "Oh God, please where ever my daughter is, please protect her." She whispered to herself. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ Chibi-Usa was skipping along toward the Hikawa Shrine with Luna by her side, when she accidentally bumped into a wall of muscle and landed on her bottom. "Ouch!" She cried as she landed, then a hand appeared before her and she took it and stood up. "Hey sorry about that." She started to apologize, when she happened to look up and saw who she had just bumped into and stopped. "It's okay I get that all the time." Mamoru said smiling tentatively, at the little girl. Chibi-Usa nodded and started to get on her way when Mamoru stopped her with a hand on her arm. "Chibi-Usa about..." Mamoru started to say when Chibi-Usa interrupted. "You don't have to explain, I understand. Just leave me alone." "Chibi-Usa please..." Mamoru tried again, he had to explain to her to make her understand but if she does this he wouldn't have a chance. Chibi-Usa remained silent and looked the other way. "Chibi-Usa, listen to me I know what I said two days ago hurt you. And I'm sorry for that, just don't shut me out. I need to talk to you, to let you understand but if you do this I won't be able to." Mamoru said looking at his daughter's back. "What do you want me to do? Standby and do nothing like what you're doing?" She asked, in a hurt voice. Mamoru winced at that. "No I don't mean that, just listen to me and let me explain." Mamoru pleaded at the little girl. "I told you Mamoru, that you don't have to explain. Just leave me alone, okay?" Chibi-Usa said and started quickly away from him again. "Chibi-Usa! Wait!!" Mamoru called, hurrying after her. "Mamoru!" Mamoru stopped and turned looking down at the forgotten cat. "Don't go after her. You have done enough in hurting that child, I've never seen Chibi-Usa this sad before. Not even the time when she had come here to ask help from us in freeing Neo-Queen Serenity. What you have done really had a big effect on her. I don't want to see her sad, anymore than the girls do. So don't come near her." Luna said gravely, "Oh yes and before I forget. I would suggest that you not to come in contact with any of the girls as of this time. Be forewarned that everyone of them doesn't particularly like to see or hear from you just now. I wouldn't be surprised if Makoto would get violent when she sees you." With that Luna left to catch up with Chibi-Usa. Leaving a silent Mamoru behind. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ "Oh WOW!!! Did you see that?!" Minako cried as she looked up at the night lit sky. The festival was in full swing now. Fireworks lit up the sky, while hundreds of people in their brightly colored outfits walked the crowded streets. Concession stands, game booths of every kind lined the streets. People were enjoying the festivities without a care to the world. "Yeah we did, Minako. Now come on, lets go!!!" Makoto urged her. As they caught up with the others. "So you enjoying yourself, Chibi-Usa?" Rei asked smiling down at the little girl. She and the others were trying to cheer up Chibi-Usa ever since that day they visited Mamoru. Chibi-Usa had withdrawn slowly from them since then, even Luna was saying that she had been having a hard time talking to the little girl. "Yes, Very!!! Thanks so much for bringing me here!" Chibi-Usa said. Smiling up at the priestess. Ami and the others looked at each other and smiled. This was going well, more than they expected. They were heading toward concession stand for a quick snack, just as they rounded a corner Chibi-Usa suddenly clutched Rei's hand. This got the others looking at the little girl in concern. Rei kneeled down beside the little girl. "Chibi-Usa what..." Then gasped as Chibi-Usa started to shimmer then started to fade little by little. "Chibi-Usa!!!" Cried the other girls. "Chibi-Usa what? why?" Rei asked frantically. Ami got down on her knees as well. She quickly got her mini computer out and started to analyze Chibi-Usa. Chibi-Usa said nothing just clutched Rei's hand. Ami looked up and shook her head not believing what the computer told her. "Guys, This is not good. Chibi-Usa's life force is depleting." Ami said. "What?!" Makoto cried. "But that's impossible!!! Nothing has happened for a week now the enemy has not made any moves in depleting any life force!! So why Now?!!" Minako asked. "I don't know either. It doesn't make any sense at all." Ami said worriedly. A second later Chibi-Usa stopped shimmering and then stopped fading all together. She breathed in and out sagging against Rei. "You alright?" Rei asked hugging the little girl. Chibi-Usa nodded. "That lasted longer than before." She whispered hoarsely. Rei started and looked at the girl. "You mean this happened before?" She asked. Chibi-Usa nodded, "Yes, it happened yesterday. Just before I went to you." Chibi-Usa said weakly. Rei sighed and hugged the little girl. "Come on Let's get you something to eat. That should help you a little bit." She said standing up. They had just walked a couple of feet, when screams were heard. They all looked at each other, and hurried of to a secluded spot to transform. "Why does this have to happen of all nights?" Minako complained reaching in her pocket and got out her transformation stick. "Venus Star Power..." "Jupiter Star Power..." "Mercury Star Power..." "Mars Star Power..." "Make-up!!!" All four girls transformed into sailor seishi form ready to fight. Chibi-Usa was about to do the same when she happened to look up and saw something she couldn't believe. There floating in mid air, with a man Chibi-Usa hasn't seen before, was Usagi. "No!!! Usagi-Chan!!! MAMA!!!" She cried, running to the woman. Rei and the others heard her cry out. They all turned and saw Usagi with Akira. "Oh my god!!!" Ami whispered. "Chibi-Usa Come back!!! She's not herself right now!!!! Wait!!!!" Rei shouted running after the little girl. Usagi looked at the scene below her and smiled at the withering bodies of both male and female, as their life force were being taken from them. "hmmm... I don't think this is enough yet." Akira said beside Usagi. "You think so? Well, let us take more shall we?" Usagi replied, as she clasped her hands together and closed her eyes. An onyx started to form in front of her, it hovered then grew in size. A few seconds later it flew away, and stopped at a certain point and started to shimmer then it to started to suck the life force from the people who were beneath it. Usagi opened her eyes once again and smiled at Akira. "Well?" She asked. Akira smiled at her. "Yes, that is good. This was a great plan." he said kissing her. Usagi kissed him in return. "No!! Usagi-Chan!!! MAMA!!!" a voice cried out. Akira and Usagi pulled away from each other and sought out the voice. It was then they both saw a little girl with pink hair running towards them. Following her were women in short skirts running after her. "The sailor scouts?" Akira wondered out loud. He had heard about these women but never had thought of seeing them in this world. "Usagi-Chan!!! What are you doing?" Chibi-Usa cried to her mother, just as the others reached her. Rei gripped the child "Chibi-Usa. Stop she's not your mother!" She said. "What are you saying?! That's Usagi-chan!!! That's mama!!!" Chibi-Usa said struggling against her. "Chibi-Usa listen!!! Listen to me!!!! True that is Usagi there!! but right now, Right now she's the enemy." Rei said holding the girl. "What?" Chibi-Usa whispered, not believing Rei. "Chibi-Usa she's been brainwashed. Please don't make this harder than it already is. I need you to be strong right now okay?" Rei said quietly. "But... But..." Chibi-Usa said. "Chibi-Usa trust me. Be strong." Rei whispered. Heart aching for the little girl Rei held her against her. Chibi-Usa nodded and hugged her in return. "How touching." Akira said sneering at them. They all looked up and regarded him. Rei stood up holding the girl protectively beside her. She was not about to let the Akira near the one precious thing that still held Usagi's spirit within her. "Who are these people?" Usagi asked looking down at them. The girls stiffened at that but said nothing. Akira formed a dark energy ball and threw it towards the girls. They all jumped avoiding the attack easily. "Hmmm... they are quick." Usagi said looking on. "Stop what your doing or you're gonna get hurt. We won't let you drain anymore life force from these people." Rei said menacingly. Holding her ground. "I think not. My pets awaken and deal with these imbeciles." Akira said holding out five onyx then threw them to the ground. They exploded and when the clouds cleared five vicious youmas stood there. The five youmas started forward then attacked. The senshi had their hands full dodging blows and returning attacks as well. Chibi-Usa was pushed aside to avoid injury, having none of it the little girl transformed and helped. "Chibi Moon!!! What are you doing?" Rei shouted dodging the blow aimed at her. "Helping you!! I can't stand by and watch." Chibi Moon said. Proving her point she distracted a youma while Jupiter chanted a spell. "Alright just be careful okay?" Rei relented when she could get a word in edgewise. "Yeah I will." Chibi Moon said. The battle was intense. They returned attack all they could, but it felt like the battle won't end. Jupiter puffed and jumped back bumping into Mars who stood behind her. "Mars I don't think we can hold out anymore." Jupiter gritted out casting a spell at the youma before her who caught it went down, and stood back up again. "We have too or all the people in this side of town will be dead." Mars said breathing deeply. Glancing at the others, she could see that they were all getting tired. Even Chibi Moon who had been a great help, though she can see that the battle is also taking its toll on her. Glancing at Usagi who was just floating there looking down at them, Mars wished that she could do something to let her come to her senses, boy do they need Sailor Moon right now. She heard a yelp, and turned to where the sound came from. "Chibi Moon!!!" She cried running towards the fallen girl. A youma had nailed her dead center, and there was an ugly gash on her torso to prove it. "Chibi Moon you alright?" She asked kneeling beside the girl. Chibi Moon nodded and grimaced at the pain. "Yeah." She gasped out. The other scouts circled them, Mercury tossed a vial Mar's way who caught it. "What's this?" Mars asked looking at the liquid in it. "Pour it on the wound it will help with the pain." Mercury said as she sent a mist of bubbles to hide them for a few moments for her to check on Chibi Moon "This mist won't hold much longer stay still okay I take a quick check." Mercury said as she produced her computer. After checking her vital signs. She nodded and stood up. "It's okay nothing was broken in you. That is a deep cut but its not fatal. That liquid will help it a little." She said as she stood up and prepared herself. "And since when did you come up with this?" Mars asked as she poured the liquid onto Chibi Moon's wound. "Oh I've been working on it." Was all Mercury supplied and started to attack when the mist cleared. Mars shook her head and got into serious business again. She took her place and started to attack the youmas while protecting Chibi Moon. Usagi was observing all of this from above. She felt a tug in herself when the little scout was wounded by an attack she couldn't dodge. She wanted to attack the youma who hurt her. She was both confused and angry with herself of feeling anything at all, she held out a fully charged onyx and directed it to the youmas below. She was furious of feeling anything at all for the scouts below. Angry at them for making her feel that way. Usagi held out a fully charged onyx and willed the energy inside to go to the youmas below. "Tear them apart." She whispered. The youmas were enveloped in a dark cloud and when it cleared. The youmas charged at the girls. Jupiter was thrown back from a blast and stood painfully back up. "Guys!!! This isn't good they look like they're charged up we can't beat them in this condition we need to back out!!!" She shouted, dodging an energy ball. "You can say that again." Venus shouted back, barely dodging a flying blade. They were all scattered around leaving the wounded Chibi Moon out in the open. An energy ball that had gone hay wire was going straight towards her. Mars saw this and shouted a warning. "Chibi Moon!!!! Look out!!!" Chibi Moon turned her head and saw the ball going straight toward her fear rooted her on her spot. The others saw this and shouted. The energy ball struck and exploded. "Chibi Moon!!!!" they screamed. Mars ran towards the spot where Chibi Moon was. "Chibi Moon??!! Damnit Answer me!!! Chibi-Moon!!!" She screamed. "She's alright. I have her!!!!" Mars looked up at the voice not believing it. "Tuxedo Kamen!!!!" To Be Continued...... /*****/////*****/////*****/////*****/////*****/////*****/////*****/////*****/////*****/ Okay!!! that was tough.Whew.... glad to get that one out!!! Oh gosh!!! I racked me brain to think that one through. So As I said before its up to this point I'll know how many more chapters this going to go. Well I'll say that there will be 3 to 4 more chapters to go excluding the epilogue. and we're done. Comments, Suggestions and even... gulp...Flames are welcome!!!!! Ja ne Minna!!! =)