Sorry that this chapter didn?t come out right away, but I?ve been having lots of homework and unfortunately this is going to last for about two more weeks, so unless I?m lucky I won?t be sending anything until they are over. For those of you who are wondering about my other story "A real princess", don?t worry I haven?t forgotten about it, but besides what I?ve already told you I have some problems in here, I know what is going to happen next, but I can?t find a way to put it into words. If you wanna give me a hand I?ll gratefully accept your ideas. Well, enough with apologies... This chapter is not one of my best, but it?s necessary for the story?s development, I hope you enjoy it. E-mail: dasha@mpsnet.com.mx Rating: PG By: Dafne None of the characters used in this story belong to me, they belong to Naoko Takeuchi and lots of other companies. Please don?t sue me!!! Rose?s tears Chapter 3 I was surrounded by a dense and cold darkness. I could no longer feel my body, but I was still aware of my warm blood flowing out of me. I had lost track of time but I figured out it had been just a couple of minutes when I heard someone?s footsteps. The stranger was approaching me, and when he came next to me he froze. It didn?t take me long to realize that, whoever the intruder was, he was utterly shocked to find me lying on the floor bleeding uncontrollably. He ran out of my room and started yelling desperately at the top of *her* lungs. I could recognize that voice anywhere... it was Chibi ? Usa. Soon after I heard several people dashing towards my room. Their ragged voices were full of worry. When they arrived, all the consciousness I had retained slipped out of my mind and, although I tried, I couldn?t make out their words... "Usagi, dear, what happened to you?" cried Mrs. Tsukino, tears already flowing down her face. "Please, darling, wake up!" she said while hugging her frail daughter. "I?ll go and call an ambulance" stated Mr. Tsukino as he turned around and walked out of the room. Apparently he was the only one that had remained calm, but nobody knew about the conflict within his soul. Ikuko and Chibi ? Usa were kneeling by Usagi?s side sobbing mournfully while Shingo was standing at the door watching the sentimental scene. He couldn?t move, since he caught sight of his sister he just paralyzed. With the scarlet blood contrasting her ivory skin she looked just like a corpse. He would never admit it, but he loved her with all his heart and he just couldn?t stand to see her in such conditions. About fifteen minutes later an ambulance parked in front of the Tsukino?s. Out of the van came two strong men carrying a hospital trolley. Kenji was already waiting for them, so they quickly climbed up the stairs and went into the girl?s room. They lifted Usagi and placed her on the bed. 5 minutes later they had already carried her out of the house and into the back of the van. As soon as her mother settled herself on a chair beside her daughter, they were on their way to Juuban?s General Hospital. Three hours earlier at the Hikawa Shrine... You see, I?ve always had the gift to read someone else?s mind, but since my grandfather insisted I had to develop it even more I?ve practiced everyday and now I know how to interfere with anyone?s thoughts. However, there are some people who have learned how to shut up their minds so no one can enter (including me). I was quite surprised when 2 weeks ago Usagi told me she wanted to learn how to read somebody else?s mind as well as how to lock up her own. At first I thought she was just kidding, but when I saw the determined look on her eyes I knew she wasn?t. I found out she was a very fast learner, therefore she mastered both aspects in just 3 days. I was shocked, she accomplished in a matter of days what I had in 16 years! Since that day, the girls and I have noticed a great change on her, she?s not the Usagi we used to know anymore. I?m not complaining about her attitude, actually she has become more mature and responsible. She doesn?t arrive late at school, she does her homework everyday, her grades have improved a lot, she is no longer a crybaby, and she has even learned how to eat like a civilized person. >From the outside she seems to be the same cheerful and loving girl, but if you take a more careful look at her you would realize she has lost that particular sparkle in her eyes, the one thing that could brighten anybody?s day just by staring at it. She told us about her break ? up with Mamoru and I have no doubt that that is the cause of her strange behavior, but as days go by she gets worse, and now I?m seriously worried. I?m sitting in front of the sacred fire trying to concentrate, I?ve been trying to enter Usagi?s mind to see if there?s anything I can do to help her, but she has always locked it up. I remain this way for a few more minutes until I feel her defense weaken. Seconds later her mind is entirely opened for my assault. I start to scan through her thoughts and the only thing I?m able to see is sorrow, nothing else. I now understand she has lost the will to live, but I won?t let her die, I?ll get her back no matter what. Yeah I know, we?re always fighting, but that?s just a facade, she?s my very best friend, and she knows it, you just can?t imagine how much I love her, she?s like a sister to me and I don?t want to live in a world without her. *No Usagi, you?re not going to leave us alone!, you?re not going to give up just like that, you?ll overcome this situation and continue with your life, do you understand me?!*, I yell at her mentally. Suddenly, as an answer to my call, I sense that the grief within her starts to get stronger to such an extent that it actually reaches my body. Immediately, I stop examining her emotions. I don?t dare to enter her head again so I just keep imagining the worst. About an hour later I hear the phone ringing. I walk over to it and pick up the receiver. Not being able to contain my dreadful concerns I stammer "He... hello?" From the other side I hear an all too familiar voice... "Rei? Is that you?"... Chibi ? Usa?s. "Yes, Chibi ? Usa. What?s the matter?" I ask. "Well... it?s hard to explain...". I notice she is uncertain to tell me, but I?m not about to give up easily so I insist. "What is it Chibi ? Usa? Is something wrong?" "Actually SOMEONE is VERY wrong..." she answers. I can feel my blood freezing, I begin to tremble uncontrollably, and a few moments later I realize I?m paralyzed, I cannot move a muscle. I hold my breath and since I can?t say anything I let her continue, "...U ? Usagi is.... is in the hospital". I knew it, I knew something was utterly wrong with Usagi. I quickly ask Chibi ? Usa about Usagi?s condition, but since she doesn?t know exactly what happened to her, I decide to find out for myself. I gather up the information I need and head to Juuban?s General Hospital at once. 20 minutes later.... When I arrive to the hospital?s lobby I bump into Makoto, Ami, and Minako. By their appearance I can tell they?re as worried as I am. We ask the receptionist for Tsukino Usagi?s room, but since we are only 16 years old she doesn?t want to give us any information. Makoto and Minako are yelling like mad, they look as if they?re going to kill the poor woman. Meanwhile Ami and I try to convince the rest of the nurses to see if they allow us the entrance. Fortunately I spot Mr. and Mrs. Tsukino as they come out from the cafeteria, both of them holding a mug of steaming coffee between their hands. Mr. Tsukino talks to the woman who finally agrees to let us in. We head towards the elevator. When we?re all in Mr. Tsukino pushes the button that leads to the 3rd floor. As soon as the metallic doors open we start walking through the aisle. We reach room number 306 and when we?re about to enter a masculine voice stops us. "Wait" he looks at his blotting pad and then asks "Are you Tsukino Usagi?s relatives?" Mr. and Mrs. Tsukino quickly nod their heads. The girls and I look at each other and without saying a word we silently agree to our unspoken question, we give the doctor an affirmative gesture. He seems to understand our desperation so he only smiles at us and says: "In that case, please follow me". We do as he requests. He walks down the aisle and when he reaches the end of it he turns to the right. Two nurses are at a reception desk, however they don?t pay attention to us because they?re attending a young woman. In front of them there?s a small waiting room confined by 3 bare white walls. In the middle there?s a black leather sofa for 4 people and, resting on the other two walls, 2 more that stand only for 2. At the center of the 3 pieces of furniture there?s a mahogany table with a glass on top of it for protection. As a final touch there are several plants placed on both corners of the room that give the latter a more cheerful and comfortable look. With a movement of his hand the doctor indicates us to sit down. The girls and I choose the largest couch while Mr. and Mrs. Tsukino decide to take the one to our left. As soon as we?re all settled the doctor clears his throat and coughs a couple of times before he begins his speech. "When you brought your daughter two hours ago" he says addressing to Kenji and Ikuko "I thought there was nothing important to worry about, that you had come here in vain because all I could see were some insignificant bleeding wounds on both of her hands." He stops in order to look at the Tsukino?s reaction. It?s obvious they are getting pretty worried, but they?re also determined to find out the truth no matter how difficult it may be. The doctor sighs and continues more carefully and softly. "But when we tried to stop the bleeding we just couldn?t. We?ve tried all the possible methods to heal the bruises, but everything is futile, nothing can cease the bloodshed and for that matter your daughter needs a blood transfusion immediately, if not she?s going to bleed to death." At the doctor?s last words my eyes open wide. I can?t believe what he?s saying. I turn to look at the others and realize they?re probably thinking the same thing. Mrs. Tsukino is crying uncontrollably and Mr. Tsukino is trying to comfort her unsuccessfully. Makoto, Minako, and Ami are just staring at the doctor to see if he?s actually telling the truth. Their mouths are hanging open and their eyes are almost out of its sockets. The only thing that can be heard throughout the room is Mrs. Tsukino?s weeping, other than that everything is silent making the atmosphere tense. When the doctor considers we?ve finally come out of our first shock, once again he surprises us with an unexpected question, sending all of us to the verge of tears. "Mrs. Tsukino, has your daughter ever suffered hemophilia?" AUTHOR?S NOTES: Well, how did I do? Send me any comments (or ideas), I definitely LOVE e ? mail!!!! See you in two weeks. Besos y abrazos para todos!!!!