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The Set Up

chapter 9

- If you want more love, why don't you say so? -

Rei is mad at me. Rei is mad at me. Rei is mad at me.

The thought of just that had been running through Usagi's head all day. She thought about apologizing to the raven haired senshi of fire but realized she couldn't. Telling Rei it was a mistake of her to say she didn't love Mamoru like a lover would be lying to herself. And lying to herself would eventually mean lying to Rei and the other senshi. Rei wouldn't just hate her for being honest, would she?

'God, why do I suck so much at being honest.' She shook her head. She'd always been terrible at this, people always misunderstood her intentions and motives. Not like there was anything to not understand from her confession. She sincerely didn't want to be with Mamoru like that anymore. Was that really so bad? Sure she was risking Chibi-Usa never being born but that would just be a sacrifice she had to make. They could solve that later. Maybe Mamoru could marry someone else and get a child with that person. Usagi would happily give up her throne and responisbility for that.

Mamoru would make a great king and a wonderful father, he had proven that a lot of times. A sigh escaped Usagi's lips as she put her hands in her hair out of frustration, trying her best not to cry on the middle of the street. She couldn't break Mamoru's heart, she couldn't risk Chibi-Usa's life and she certainly couldn't stand the thought of the other senshi hating her over it.

She had sacrificed so much already. She could continue the facade, it that was what it took to keep her friends happy. No, if that's what it took to keep Rei Hino happy. That goddamn raven haired beauty who just didn't know when to shut up and listen to someone. Usagi had been so close to admitting her feelings to Rei. If only she hadn't stormed off angry. If only, if only...

But it did happen like that. Nothing she could do to change that. Maybe she could ask Setsuna to sent her back into time. 'Yeah right,' Usagi smiled bitterly. 'And kiss Rei on the mouth right away.' She would hate Usagi even more than she already did.

Finally tears managed to escape her eyes and slowly rolled down her cheek while she sobbed in silence. Things shouldn't be this hard. After all the good she had done in the past four years was this how the gods had to repay her? By making her miserable? Everything had been fine back then, the idea of a destined lover and unconditional love had been a lot of fun but now she had gotten over her fairytale dream. She was old enough now to know that her feelings for Mamoru weren't a lover's feelings but a friend's.

but who could she tell or talk to? Luna was too busy with the mission and setting up Crystal Tokyo, Rei was obviously out of the picture. Maybe Naru, but telling Naru would mean admitting she was Sailor Moon and she couldn't do that either. The outer senshi wouldn't understand either. Especially not Setsuna, that woman was practically Chibi-Usa's best friend. Makoto and Minako had changed too. They used to be so easy with guys and love. Now that Crystal Tokyo was getting closer they'd gotten more serious.

And not to forget those secret meetings they've been having without her the past few months. Usagi had no idea why they hadn't invited her. She was the leader after all. Not like she could care less that this point. They could have their stupid meetings without her, she never wanted to be part of it anyway. Ever since the beginning she wanted to be normal. Normal. Normal. Normal.

If she had been normal would she have ever met Rei?

Would she ever be normal when she was madly in love with another female?

It hadn't been until now that Usagi realized it hadn't gotten dark outside. There was practically no one on the streets anymore and it made her feel a little self aware. You never knew what kind of people were haunting the streets at night. She quickly dried her tears. She had no idea she'd been out so long and to be quite honest, she had no idea where the hell she was either.

She scanned the area in the hope to find someone who looked atleast a little trustworthy. The only person she saw was a silver haired woman across the street who was dressed rather tacky. She was wearing a black mini skirt with something on top that was suppossed to be top or a shirt or something. It looked more like a bra to Usagi. It was strange to see how people would just show off their body like that. Maybe that right was a hooker.

A blush appeared on Usagi's pale face. What kind of neighbourhood had she landed in now? She had to get out of here! But just when she was about to turn around and run towards the opposite direction of the hooker she stopped. Slowly, realizing she'd seen that girl before, she turned around again. The silver haired woman was almost out of sight now but there was no mistake.

Nanase Aikawa!

''It kind of looks like a chicken butt,'' Minako said, eyeing Ami carefully. Although the blonde was trying her best to keep her amusement hidden she was desperately failing. ''But it's cute.''

Ami's blush grew deeper. ''I'll never show my face in public again. Not until it grows back.''

''I'm so sorry!'' Makoto bowed her head again, not daring to look at Ami. Not out of guilt but in fear she would burst out into laughter. Minako had been right, it looked like a chicken butt. Just a few moments ago Ami had started to complain about her hair being too long and Makoto offered to cut it. She had done Haruka's hair before as well and that had always gone well.

But when Haruka suddenly stormed out of the room without saying anything Makoto had lost concentration and accidentally cut off a big part of Ami's blue hair. Now it looked like, well... there was no other way to explain it. A chicken's butt.

''But,'' Minako tried to change the subject, hoping it would make Ami feel more at ease. That poor girl wasn't used to this kind of attention. ''I wonder what that was all about. With Haruka I mean, I thought she was with Michiru doing naughty stuff.''

''They're not always having sex.'' Makoto said, putting down the scissor. ''Maybe they got into a fight.''

''I'm willing to bet my life on it that they're fighting about Hitomi.'' The blue haired genius suddenly said. She slowly put a hand through her hair, moving it down to where Makoto had cut it and sighed in defeat.

''About Hitomi? What about her? You think Haruka wants to do her?'' Minako was curious now.

Makoto smacked the blonde across the back of her head. ''No one wants to do anyone. It's you who keeps bringing it up,'' She turned to Ami now. ''But I'm curious as well. Why do you think it has anything to do with Hitomi?''

''Both of you had countless of crushes and a few boyfriends already. And you,'' She pointed at Minako. ''You're the goddess of love but you didn't notice anything?''

Minako blushed. ''Shut your chicken butt. Just tell us what you know.''

Ami decided to ignore that comment about her hair and shook her head. She was actually enjoying the moment, this was the first time she ever discovered something like that. Usually it were Makoto or Minako who figured out these love-stuff things. ''Haruka isn't the problem. I think it's Michiru since she's Hitomi's friend. My thoughts are that Hitomi and Michiru have had some kind of history and Haruka just found out. And to be quite frank, there's been sexual tension between those two ever since Hitomi joined the club.''

''Seriously?'' Minako raised an eyebrow as if to say Ami was delirious and needed some serious help right away. ''Michiru isn't the type to cheat on Haruka.''

''No one said anything about anyone cheating on anyone,'' The brunette said and placed a hand on Ami's shoulder. ''I thought I was just imagining things but you could be on to something. But it's none of our concern anyway. Haruka and Michiru are two mature people who can deal with their own problems. Rei and Usagi on the other hand are like two little kids who need some guidance. Let's just not stick our noses in this one.''

''Can't Hitomi work a little faster?'' Minako complained. ''After Mamoru is out of the picture we can sent that beauty queen back where she came from.''

''I thought you liked Hitomi.''

Minako nodded. ''I did. But if she tries anything funny to break Haruka and Michiru up I'm seriously coming after her.''

Ami and Makoto chuckled. ''Cute,'' the brunette commented. ''Very cute.'' But she had to admit Hitomi had a point there. Even if Hitomi was making sure Rei and Usagi got together but was breaking up Haruka and Michiru at the same time things had to be done. It wasn't worth breaking up a happy couple.

Hitomi already felt she was being followed but decided to just walk on in fear of getting into trouble. This wasn't the savest part of Tokyo but it was a quicker route to get to Mamoru's apartment.

''Nanase! Nanase!'' She could hear someone call from behind her. Much to Hitomi's surprise it was a rather familiar voice that was calling out to some girl 'Nanase'. It hadn't yet hit her the girl behind her was refering to her little stunt earlier.

The silver haired girl was about to jump when suddenly someone took hold of her arm. ''Aaah! Take my money!'' She yelped and held her hands in front of her face with her eyes closed.

''Uhm,'' A voice came. ''I don't want your money. Sorry if I scared you but I was just, eh...'' She paused for a moment as if waiting for Hitomi to open her eyes. ''It's me. We met earlier in a restaurant. I was there with my boyfriend. I don't know if you...''

''Oh shit,'' Hitomi muttered if she opened her eyes. She wished she'd kept them closed. It was her! The girl Michiru and her friends were trying to set up with another girl. Mamoru's girlfriend.

''You remember me?'' Usagi seemed somewhat happy.

''I, eh... you must mistake me for someone else. My name isn't Nanase. My name is, eh... Kasumi. Yes. Kasumi Takeshi.'' Hitomi quickly came up with the lie that didn't sound the slightest bit convincing.

''Don't worry I'm not some crazy fan. But what are you doing here in those clothes? Are you trying to get away from the press or something? Good undercover by the way. I almost thought you were a street hoook...eh, I mean. Well, your hair gave you away.''

''Ah yes,'' Hitomi put a hand through her hair nervously. Wait, what was wrong with her clothes? She felt comfortable in them and it helped a lot getting closer to Mamoru. It would've taken her twice as much time if she'd been dressed as that Ami Mizuno girl was all the time. ''Usagi, right?''

''Yes!'' The blonde girl seemed to be rather happy knowing that a celebrity remembered her name. ''Are you alright? You look like you're in shock.''

''I'm just going to see my boyfriend. He lives around here but I can't have the press know about him. It'll be bad for my carreer.'' She hoped Usagi would get the hint and would just leave her alone now.

''That's sad. You can't even be with the one you love in public?'' Much to Hitomi's surprise Usagi seemed really sad for her. It was hard to believe that Mamoru would actually cheat on someone that sensitive.

''How about you, Usagi? You got someone you love?'' Maybe this little con could still work if she played her cards right.

''Yes. No, I don't know. Lately I've been a little down.'' Usagi took a deep breath and looked down at the ground as if being too ashamed to face 'Nanase'. ''Listen, I know you're not the real Nanase Aikawa. I read the newspapers and I also know why you were in that restaurant.''

Hitomi went wide eyed. How was that possible? She'd been perfect, there had been nothing that could've betrayed her. Even if this girl had read the newspapers she couldn't know about her intentions with Mamoru.

''It's ok.'' Usagi whispered. ''I'm not mad. How could I?''

''W-what do you mean?'' That's not what the silver haired girl wanted to ask. She wanted to know what had given her away or who had betrayed her.

''The senshi are behind this aren't they? Those secret meetings, I got a little suspicious but now it all makes sense.'' Hitomi wanted to interrupt the younger girl. Why was she reffering to Michiru and the others as 'senshi'? Come to think of it, Minako had something like that too. Maybe they'd named their little friendly club 'the senshi's' or something.

''Tell them I don't want to play this game. Just tell me what they want.'' Usagi's voice sounded tired all of a sudden.

''It's about this girl, Rei...'' Hitomi started with a lump in her throat.

To Be continued...

So many people asked for an update so with a lot of effort I pulled this out of my sleeve. It's not my best chapter and I'm not actually proud of it but I think the next chapter will be the last one. Anyway, let me know what you think about it so far. Your reviews is what keep me updating!

thanks for sticking to this story so faithfully even though the updates are really, really slow!