Chapter 1

"Mamo-chan has a girlfriend," she murmured, leaning her head back against the uneven cabinets. The tile floor froze into flesh and bone. Beside her, the lonely leftovers she'd tried to eat cooled in the summer air. The trails of sauce still dripped from her chin. A clock struck 1 am somewhere far away.

She must have said it 3 million times since this afternoon. The thought had never left; like the word 'friend' hadn't smacked her so hard it left an imprint. Like being told the cute redhead wrapped around his middle was none of her business.

Thankfully, no one had been home when she slid lifelessly through the door. After everyone had gone to bed, she sleeplessly made her way downstairs to raid the leftovers in peace. The food turned to ash. The lump caught in her throat. All the while, Luna yowled and chided about stupid things that didn't matter. Who could possibly think that a figure was going to win over someone like him? He had schools of girls drooling at the mention of his name and there was sure to be more than one skinny, smart, sophisticated, intelligent, adventurous, capable, strong, beautiful, and ultimately perfect one among the hordes.

And well, he'd found one, hadn't he? The bitter tears spilled over again, mingling with the stains on her cheeks, on her shirt.

Mamoru had a girlfriend.

The tears continued to flow, long after mewing turned to purrs, and the clock in the living room struck 2. Mamo-chan had a girlfriend and it wasn't about Usagi, or destiny, or the future. He'd chosen someone else–some strawberry blond with impish green eyes and porcelain skin dotted with freckles. To keep chasing him meant nothing; obviously he'd turned her down flat more than once.

Now, it would be to take someone else's happiness away. As desperate as she felt, there was no way she could ever hurt anyone like that. And knowing him–knowing how deeply and passionately he did love, how alone he'd been his whole life…how could she take that away? How could she keep fighting for something he had no desire for?

Long white fingers tangled in the black fur beside her. Luna continued to purr, keeping her comments to herself for once. It was a pleasant moment when the pain dulled enough to breathe and the heartbreak eased because at least she still had the girls, still had her guardian. Maybe now that he had someone in his life, he would just fade away finally.

Maybe it would only hurt if she kept thinking of him.

Maybe it hurt more this time because there was no convenient sword to shove through her chest.

"Mamo-chan has a girlfriend."

The clock chimed again, right at the half-hour. The rumbling ball beside her continued like a massage unit and the cold, cold ground froze her legs. What little could be remembered from their past life left her seething in the corner, a fiery brand that had all but forced her stalker behavior even a week ago. How she'd pined for him, knowing somewhere deep down that if he could just remember them, it would all be made right. He would choose her. Of course he would.

She should have taken the hint when he brought Natsumi flowers. She should have understood, hanging in the sidelines in her witch's outfit, that Mamoru had a type–and it wasn't her. She should have seen in the moment Tuxedo Mask's black rose wilted before her eyes, that mind control was only half the problem. She should have let it go when she'd walked in on those two in his apartment.

She'd ruined it for him. A stuttered sob ripped free as she thought about it. He could have really liked Natsumi, they could have really been happy together. Just like that stupid Odango he always took her to be, she'd just barged in and ruined everything for him. She'd done it since they met: a thorn in his side, a ridiculous little girl he just couldn't seem to get rid of, a nuisance.

A vicious tug ripped at her side, sent the thoughts skittering away as tired blue eyes drew to the window. Somewhere, miles away, a brilliant pillar of light burst into the night sky. She fumbled momentarily; the blur of Luna's panicked voice barely registering. The locket slid on cool fingers, unresponsive and bricklike as she struggled to stand.

"Hurry, it's Chibiusa!" Luna yowled, already heading for the door. She followed, listlessly but as fast as possible. The darkened streets slid by as she ran. The cold cement tore at bare feet till she was sure she'd slip on blood. The tears smeared across the sights and sounds till there was nothing but the shining black fur of her mentor like a bolt of destiny calling her to another fight. It seemed even heartbreak couldn't stop the world from ending.

She slowed finally, when the glow surfaced between the trees, and two of the specter sisters came into view. The vibrant green woman had Chibiusa by the throat, the tiny body glowing and sobbing beneath the threat. The glimmering golden sister stood behind, her arms crossed haughtily as she watched on.

"Stop! Put her down," Usagi screamed, thrusting the locket up. Even as the transformation swept across her, that listless feeling dove straight into bone and flesh. The lights painted trees and office buildings, but couldn't break the strange spell that left her mind spinning on repeat. The terrified eyes of her pretend cousin swam within the laughing green depths of Mamoru's mystery girl.

Luna leapt in, teeth and claws shining as she latched on and refused to be budged. There was no time for words, rather Moon flew into action, calling on the scepter to knock the two hags away so the child could run for it. There was a glimmer, as the pink-haired girl fell from the grasp, as Luna went flying overhead to the trees, right before the flare of power shot forward.

The energy went with it, left the heroine crumbling to her knees on cement. The wand took so much out of her under normal conditions, that exhausted and half-crazed, there was no way she'd get another chance to recharge. The blond locks fell around her, accented with horrified laughter.

"Oh…oh, did you see that," one snorted.

"She completely missed! What an idiot," the other replied.

It drew her blushing face upward to see both doubled over in laughter. Even Chibiusa was staring in stupefied horror at her hero. Luna was balking, unable to speak.

"Finish her! At least it wasn't Venus." The second comment lit like a slap to the face. It sent morning blue eyes upward as the Youma materialized overhead. The blue-green figure splayed both arms, murmuring hauntingly as she wavered. The night air began to shift, the wind to lift golden hair from her face. Cold streaks burned across her face; from shame or guilt she'd never know.

This was it, the end of her ridiculous run as a hero. It could have been better, a more fulfilling end if the black moon had simply ripped the offending organ from her chest. Perhaps it was still on the menu.

Her eyes, drugged and heavy, sought the tiny child as if to apologize, but even the horrified cinnamon gaze held nothing but disgust. It was the last image to imprint her brain as the pull finally won.

The Senshi fell, slumped against the sidewalk with golden hair tumbling around her.

.

.

….

Luna stared in shock as the monster slit the night sky with her gaze and sent the young girl crashing into the sidewalk in a heap. Chibiusa screamed from behind her, golden moon glowing to fill the courtyard with heavenly light. There was no time to speculate on the child's heritage, however, as the two bickering figures turned to them with hungry eyes. The feline bunched, felt the hackles of her back rise in warning.

There was no need. Within moments, the four guardians vaporized around them. Each taut figure bristling for a fight. Their auras shimmered in the night air, filled with the promise of vengeance and death should the sisters try anything. Even the trembling child stilled at the sight, her terrified scream dying to a soft whimper.

"Ladies, I suggest you make a hasty exit," Venus noted, her tone a steel blade.

"Try it." The crack of knuckles snapped both back to reality. The thunder Senshi looked ready to kill, Amazonian legs tensing visibly in the low light. A quick cast around the circle showed the guardians lined up for blood, and the Rabbit huddled behind the vicious cat from earlier. Calaveras grimaced, glancing at the smoldering fire Senshi before stepping into the night sky. Petz growled out a hasty curse.

"Take care of them," the lieutenant ordered, following her sister without another word.

The Youma nodded, reaching up to slide a blade free of her forehead. She barely had the chance for more as Mars stepped forward. The heightened air rose in pitch, sent skin and hair rising as spirits from beyond this world rose to her call. The charm flared in her hands, clashed heavily against steel and rang through the warm night.

The exchange was brief, a flash of wicked metal, the cross of white gloves. The monster screeched in pain, evaporating as the others stood down.

"I swear; these guys aren't even trying anymore," Venus muttered, glancing at their silent companion for confirmation. Their genius Senshi was typing, hardly paying attention as the others congregated to Moon's side. Obviously, this particular monster didn't fare well enough in the stats to illicit a response from the warrior of ice.

Even Luna shifted forward, the steady, small footsteps of the child following now that danger was gone. She slid between the crush of bodies to the fallen blond, finding it strange that her charge hadn't moved yet.

"Guys, I think there's something really wrong," the bluenette noted, glancing up from her monitor curiously. Icy blue eyes took in the sight of their unmoving leader, the abysmal staunch of graying skin and limp arms. Even the gold of her hair seemed muted in the half light, though she was sure it must be her imagination. The thunder Senshi knelt and lifted a shoulder, but their princess flopped lifelessly back against the ground, as limp as the golden hair fanning around her.

"She's…I think she's in a coma." It was perhaps a little early for such a diagnosis, though the preliminary readouts seemed less than optimal. Both eyes narrowed thoughtfully, scanning through the stats of their vanquished enemy that had been gathered moments before. It wasn't conclusive.

"Excuse me," Mars muttered, gripping both shoulders to pull her friend upward again. "Oi, Odango," the raven-haired girl called, shaking at the lifeless doll. The movement became more aggressive, sent the hair shimmering in the streetlamps. "Odango," She called again, desperation tapping her voice.

"Jupiter, get her to a bench; Mercury, full scan," their commander barked, reaching down to lift the scared child from the ground. It was a reminder that their mystery guest had also made it to the scene or was perhaps the reason for the attack. The seat was cleared of debris, the limp girl laid as carefully down as possible.

"I don't understand. Didn't Mars finish the monster?" the genius mused, pulling cords from her subspace pocket. The sensors clung to pale skin one by one, even as the chilled girl retraced the steps of the night. They'd arrived, their sovereign a bundle of golden hair and body sprawled across the cement. It didn't make sense considering the usual mode of operation they'd been able to witness up until this point. The enemy had two targets: the energy of the people of Tokyo and Chibi-Usa, who seemed much more than she appeared. Usually at this point, Moon should be fully recovered and on her way home.

The computer burst into action, bringing up the manifold health readings alongside her regular vitals. Beside her, the raven-haired girl knelt, trapping a lifeless hand within her own as if to give comfort. The priestess shifted moments before the beeping could mark the night: something more was wrong here. The cold hand trapped between hers began to glow, the eerie color pulling like a riptide against her spirit.

"Her body temperature is dropping–4 degrees already," the mouse-like voice was tense. Luna leapt upward easily, climbing to Mercury's side to take a peek at the readings. Her fury face drew tight.

It was that stupid boy's fault. Moon may be a klutz and a bit of a crybaby, but she'd never missed her target so completely. If there hadn't been so many distractions in her training, or perhaps the pull of a love interest she never should have been with, this would have been an easy fight by anyone's standards. By all rights, this lay at the doorstep of Chiba Mamoru, who hadn't even bothered to come. Scarlet eyes flared in the night as fur spiked upward.

"I'm going to get help. Mars, keep her warm." The tone crackled in the night before she hurtled toward the ground again. The others gathered closer as warmth began to shift through the night. Raven hair lifted in response as fiery glimmers flickered across Usagi's body.

"She'll never wake," the wind mocked, voice filtering through the trees. Venus slid the girl from her arms, tucking her back toward Mercury as she and Jupiter stepped forward. The guardians tensed immediately, whip and rod flaring in response to danger. The clearing was silent, even to the edge of the sidewalk. A breeze flit by, so subtle in the night. "So foolish, little Senshi."

"What's your problem," the brunette hollered, her fingers crackling with pent energy.

"Sold your leader up the river…" The trees shifted like demons around them, picking up as the air around began to build. "Now, she's ours," it mocked, louder and louder. Jupiter fizzled in the silence, sent ozone flickering around the group. "He is coming."

Chibiusa pulled tight against the water guardian's leg, her gawking, red-rimmed eyes staring at her hero in mortification. Sailor Moon was supposed to be invincible, her papa had told her many times. Maybe, in returning to the past, she'd somehow broken the timeline. How could the greatest warrior have fallen so easily? How could she have known that her night walk could have lead to this?

A tiny hand reached forward to press against pallid, cold flesh, even as goose bumps raised her young skin.

.

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…

So yeah, maybe my baby sis threatened me within an inch of my life to get the next chapter of SoulBound out. Maybe I believe her. Needless to say, it's well under way, and hopefully will get to editing in the next week or so…

Also, this story is dedicated to my wonderful editor, who encouraged me not to give up on it, and also my old roomie, who helped me figure out what the crap was wrong. Thanks to them, this will just be awesome.

Tambien, necesito alguien que puede ayudarme traducir mis historias. Si tienes ganas de ayudar, por favor, enviarme un mensaje. Gracias!

E