Mamoru searched for a way out, driving the buses for several hours. It appeared the Negaverse wasn't about to let them go. Sailor Moon was sitting in one of the seats, Jedite's head in her lap. Occasionally he would regain consciousness; sometimes his eyes were a deep hazel and he would smile painfully at the two girls trying to help him. Most of the time they were pure black, a cold hate burning in them.

Sailor Mars came up behind him, staring at the dark shadows. "We're loosing him," she whispered, not wishing to alarm the silver haired senshi. Mamoru admired her ability to stay calm. He knew she had a million questions, fearing the high pitched shrieks from below. She felt strangely saddened by Jedite's suffering, wanting to take his pain away.

He glanced at Sailor Moon from the review mirror, hating the tears on her face. Mamoru didn't want to loose Jedite anymore than the others did, not without figuring out why the teen felt so familiar first. Sailor Moon didn't whimper or whine, but her sorrow was affecting the small group searching for an escape route.

"Can you drive?" Mamoru asked.

Mars tried to see the man behind the mask, but it was impossible. Nodding, she took over, thankful that they didn't require gas to propel the buses. They seemed to be hovering on the dark energy of this world, the ground below covered with demons. "I don't think they're aware we're in these things."

"It's because of the negative energy still wrapped around them. Pray that it holds, or we're going to be fighting our way out."

Sailor Moon barely registered that Mamoru had squeezed in beside her, his gaze falling on Jedite's pale face. "How is he?"

"His eyes are rarely hazel anymore. Tuxedo Mask, is there nothing we can do? He mentioned my father, but we'll never get home in time before..."

Touching her face, he gently lifted her chin and gave her a comforting smile. Mamoru couldn't explain why he always wanted to help this girl, but she reminded him so much of the woman in his dreams, her sad silver eyes pleading for him to set her free. He sighed, brushing away the tears that hadn't dried. "The last thing he needs is for us to give up."

"He keeps saying Rei's name."

"Sailor Mars?" Hearing her name, Jedite opened his eyes, their color flickering back and forth. Growling, he fought the darkness over his mind, his vision clearing enough to recognize Sailor Moon and his prince.

"I can't fight it much longer," Jedite told them, his gaze tired and filled with pain. Every muscles in my body is on fire, Beryl refusing to relent until I'm completely under her control. My memories are fading away; please don't let her take them from me. I'm so afraid..." he whimpered, tears sliding down his cheeks. "I've seen what happens by the possessed soldiers of the Negaverse. They slaughtered thousands, friends and enemies alike."

"We're going to save you, Jedite."

"I've only seen two people, other than your father, with that kind of power Sailor Moon, and neither of them remember how to use it."

"Who? If we have the slightest chance of saving you, then we have to take it!"

"You never did give up," Jedite whispered, feeling his mind slipping again. "The two people that I need are here with me now. Please, you must remember..." Sailor Moon watched the darkness claim him, Jedite's body spasming wildly against the restraints Mars placed on him.

Mamoru pinned Jedite's arms and legs down, gritting at the amount of strength entering the teen's body. What ever the Negaverse was, it gave the people it possessed tremendous advantages. "What power?" Sailor Moon begged, "Jedite! Fight it please!"

"We're loosing him!" Mamoru roared, feeling as if he were in an Evil Dead movie.

"He's right..." Mars spoke up, turning her head to look at them. "The fire foretold all three of you, his fate in the hands of the people he wished to protect the most."

Mamoru knew the power she spoke of, but for years he had been hated for it. Sailor Moon was looking at him with such hope, willing to give him the world if he had the answer. As much as he'd like to remain distant and unattached, Mamoru could never forgive himself if he had the power to prevent this boy's fate. Taking a deep breath, he slapped his hands on Jedite's chest, his eyes capturing Sailor Moon's.

"Close your eyes and concentrate." Sailor Moon did as he asked, waiting for further instructions. "What do you see?"

'See?' she thought. Sailor Moon started to ask, but Mamoru cut her off. "What do you sense? The power you use as Sailor Moon, what can you see?"

He saw the frown on her face. Mamoru was about to give up when she cried out in surprise, her silver eyes flying open. "It's pure silver. What is it?"

"That's the power we need," he explained. "Reach for it, allow it to fill your heart, mind and soul."

Sailor Moon didn't disappoint him, everything around them exploding in a silver light, quickly joined by a golden one. Mars paled, watching red eyes turn towards their bus. "They know we're here," she shouted. Mamoru and Sailor Moon couldn't hear, reaching for the few remaining fragments of Jedite's mind.

Jedite wrapped himself in their warmth and light, feeling the pain and darkness withdraw. As Apollo kept Jedite from slipping away, Sailor Moon reached deeper within herself, somehow finding what she needed. "MOON HEALING ESCALATION!!!"

Combined as one, they felt the demon leave his body, Sailor Moon leaving nothing untouched as she searched for further damage. His muscles and arteries had been burned beyond recognition, trying to force Jedite to weaken and give in; she healed everything. After what seemed like an eternity, they withdrew from Jedite, Sailor Moon collapsing against him.

Mamoru was weak and ashen, having used too much energy too soon. "We've got company!" Mars shouted, swerving away from a wave of dark energy. Mamoru would have to rest later; if he didn't try to find a way out, they were all going to die. Jedite tried to rise, but a firm hand shoved him back against the bus seat.

"But..."

"Now is not the time nor place for heroics. We don't have the strength to save you from another possession."

"If you want to help, steer the bus!" Mars shouted. Giving them no warning, she jumped from the door, frying half the monsters swarming the bus.

"Rei!" Jedite shouted.

"Do as she asks!" Mamoru shouted, following after her. "Stay with Sailor Moon!"

Jedite knew Endymion and Mars couldn't fight them all, grabbing the steering wheel. Mamoru was using his cane like a sword, keeping Sailor Mars safe while she continued to hit them with balls of fire, shielding their front with a wall of fire. "God of death," Jedite prayed, hoping Saturn could hear him, "Show us the way. Our lives depend on it."

He didn't think things could get any worse, but the energy that had been propelling the buses lowered them to the ground. "Damn it!" Jedite watched in horror as demons clawed at the bus, trying to get to the people inside. "Now would be a good time for my sword!"

Sailor Moon groaned, dizzy and disoriented. "What happened..."

"We're about to be slaughtered," Jedite shouted, pulling her away as the glass shattered. In seconds the bus was full, Sailor Moon still too weak.

Sailor Moon began to concentrate, using the last of her strength to call forth a weapon Jedite could use. Turning his head, he gasped, catching Sailor Moon before she hit her head on a nearby seat. In her hands she held a crystal sword, the weapon falling into Jedite's hands as he made her comfortable.

His eyes widened, watching the sword cut through three youmas. Laughing hysterically, he charged, uncaring of the blood that showered the inside of the bus. Jedite couldn't believe it was happening all over again, fighting against hopeless odds. The minutes ticked by, an hour, two; soon they tired, unable to continue.

Jedite sagged to the floor, waiting for death a second time. Suddenly the dark sky parted, a black whirl wind lifting and tossing the youmas away from the bus, Mars and Mamoru. A glaive swung, as if from the heavens and parted a whole, clearing a path for escape. The last thing Jedite could recall were the buses flying through the hole, Saturn lifting Mamoru and Rei before it closed behind them.

Mamoru remained awake for several hours, exhausted, but unable to sleep. He had seen the Death god descend from the sky, taking them home. Apparently they had been missing for two months, but it had seemed like only a few hours in the negaverse dimension. Beside him were his mask, cape and tuxedo. All he had on were a pair of shorts, his chest falling and rising. Could his life get any stranger? He knew the identity of Sailor Mars, only because Jedite had said her name over and over again, but Sailor Moon still remained a mystery to him.

Every time he had her figured out, she would continue to surprise him. If he closed his eyes, he knew that woman would be there, but he was tired of a dream, wanting the real thing. Mamoru needed to choose what he wanted, but it felt like tearing his soul in three different directions. He was no closer to his past than he had been twelve years ago, and it hurt.

The days slowly passed for him, Mamoru having a difficult time. Things appeared normal; school, work, and studying. Even his little feud with Usagi had continued. Why, then, did he feel so empty and utterly alone? Jedite had quit pretending that Usagi was his girl friend, often at the Sendai Hill shrine.

The blond headed teen was helping Rei cope with their recent events, leaving Usagi to often walk home alone. Even Sailor Moon acted strangely alone, trying to shield everyone from further danger. Jedite's close call had affected them all, seeing first hand what the negaverse was capable of.

Everything appeared so normal, that Mamoru wanted to scream, to make everyone see the world around them. Even the missing girls passed off being kidnapped as a dream. What the hell was wrong with everyone?

Several weeks passed by before Mamoru noticed the changes in her, Usagi's silver eyes no longer holding the bright light of a child. She was at the arcade that morning, staring numbly at the screen of a video game. The character had been dead for several minutes, but she didn't seem to notice. Usagi didn't yell at him anymore, nor was she as clumsy. Her expression was more serious, determined almost. She was the only one, other than Rei, Jedite and himself, that didn't seem oblivious to everything.

He notice other things about her, such as the change in her hair. She used to keep it in a long pony tail or braid, but lately she kept it free and flowing around her feet. It was just like... Mamoru blinked, as if a fog had lifted. He didn't realize that he had been staring until he felt a tap on his shoulders, an amused Motoki holding a tray of food in his hands.

"Give it up, Mamoru. Even that kid, Jedite, isn't pestering her any longer."

'If you only knew...' Mamoru wanted to growl. "She's not impossible, Motoki."

"I think she turned fifteen a few days ago. Strange, she normally throws a party here. Usagi doesn't hang out with her friends Naru or Umino any longer and she's always with that black cat."

"What black cat?" Mamoru said, quieting his voice when several people glanced in their direction.

"Usagi found her several months ago in the parking lot. Some kids had put a bandaid on its head, covering up a gold crescent moon. I think Usagi calls her Luna."

Mamoru felt the glass in his hand shatter, unaware of the shards cutting into his palm. "I have to go."

He ran through the city, barely avoiding the cars honking at him. Mamoru had to get away. Everything was swimming around him, a blur. "Mister, are you alright." Strong arms held him up, Mamoru leaning against a tree. He stared into familiar brown eyes, image after image hitting him fast and hard. "Makoto..."

"How..." She didn't have a chance to ask, Mamoru dropping to the ground in convulsions. "Someone call a doctor!"

A few minutes passed, Mamoru slowly able to think clearly. He heard an ambulance in the distance, Makoto telling him to stay calm. Mamoru knew her! Everything was coming back, and then he realized who Usagi was. He started to get up, but Makoto shoved him down, determined to keep him still until the doctor's arrived.

"You called my name," she spoke, trying to keep him alert.

"I tend to do that sometimes," he whispered, not wanting to alarm her. Apparently all the senshi and his personal guards had lost their memories. Did Jedite know? He had known about the silver and golden power.

"Have we met? I feel as if I should know you."

"I'm Mamoru."

Two medics came up, asked him a few questions and decided that he should get some rest and take an easy for a few days. "Thank you," he said.

"Do you need anything?"

"No," Mamoru said, never so certain of anything as he returned to the arcade. She was still sitting in front of the video game, Motoki trying to cheer her up. Usagi refused his offer of free food. Mamoru had a feeling he knew what bothered her, but how did he continue to act as if everything were the same between them?

Motoki blinked in surprise, watching Mamoru grab a plate of chocolate cake and pour several layers of triple fudge on top of it. Dropping several dollars onto the counter, he walked over to Usagi and sat, placing the plate in front of her. He knew her weakness better than anyone, watching her slowly return back to reality.

Startled she looked at the giant plate of desert and then back up at Mamoru. He knew she was confused, both of them almost always fighting. "We haven't fought in so long," he explained, "that I thought you could use a bit of chocolate."

"Most guys encourage girls to avoid sweets," she said, giving him a strained smile.

"We have a ton of hamburger meet calling for their favorite customer," he teased.

He watched the lines of depression quickly fade, the dull of her eyes lighting up with a spark of laughter. This was the girl he had first seen in front of the jewelry store, her biggest worry a failed test grade. "I'll get fat," she giggled, eating a spoon full of the rich ice cream regardless. Her eyes widened, "How..."

"Don't all girls like chocolate?"

"Motoki never gets the combination right." Having missed several meals, she finished her desert in record time, her stomach protesting for more. "Why are you being so nice?"

"I figured you needed someone to talk to, not a pain in the ass." Mamoru started to leave, but Usagi quickly grabbed his arm. "I heard of this really great pizza place in town; an all you can eat restaurant."

At the mention of more food, she was quickly on her feet, surprising Motoki speechless as she followed Mamoru. "Why are you doing this?"

"I know what it's like to be alone."

"I have..."

"Really? Where is Jedite then?"

"He has a lot on his mind."

"Usagi, we haven't exactly seen eye to eye, but I'm willing to start over if you are."

"Don't you have friends to hang out with?"

"Other than Motoki, and he's more of an acquaintance than a friend. No. I've been alone since I was six."

"Why?" she gasped, turning to face him. "No one can survive alone like that!"

"I'll tell my secrets if you reveal yours."

"It isn't that simple."

"Isn't it?"

"On one condition," she giggled. "Buy lunch."

Mamoru smirked, holding open the door as they entered the restaurant. After they were seated, he watched in shock as she ordered four large pizzas, all a different combination of cheese, pepperoni, italian and mushroom.

Mamoru couldn't recall the last time he had enjoyed another's company so much, not since the Silver Alliance and the few brief moments on Olympus. Usagi didn't seem to recall any of it, but Mamoru could afford to be patient. He almost thought it hilarious that the woman of his dreams was also Usagi and Sailor Moon, not having to force himself to choose between the three.

They walked, finding themselves in the park he had left her in. He smiled, wishing he could tell her. Her gaze settled on the pond, watching the small ripples move across the surface. "...so empty."

Mamoru chose to give her time to sort her thoughts, knowing Usagi wasn't yet ready to reveal all her secrets. She was unaware that he was Tuxedo Mask, and perhaps it was better this way. "Did you mean what you said?" Usagi finally asked, not looking up.

"Who else do you have?"

"It's not Jedite's fault..." Usagi looked so lost, that all he wanted to do was wrap her in his arms, to make her feel safe again. She was only fifteen. Mamoru had so many questions, some that only Saturn or herself could answer. "I never thought I'd say this, but I miss the practical jokester. He always seemed to make me laugh."

Mamoru frowned; that wasn't the Jedite he knew. Again he chose to wait patiently, rewarded by her soft voice. "I'm so tired of pretending," she finally said. "I can't do this anymore." Usagi didn't cry, not on the surface. Deep down, he knew she was falling apart, unable to voice her pain.

Not wishing to stand by and watch her falling apart, he gently walked up behind Usagi and held her. Mamoru didn't speak, waiting for her to push him away. Instead, she turned, hiding her face against his black t-shirt. "It makes no sense, but I feel I can tell you anything."

"Usagi, even the deepest secrets need to be shared."

"I can't! If they find out..."

"Talk to me," he encouraged, using his voice as the powerful weapon it was. She instantly responded, her shoulders relaxing. Her fingers remained tightly clenched around his shirt, her long hair brushing against his arms.

"I've seen things in the past six months that would make most of Stephen King's books seem like fairy tells with a happy ending."

"The Negaverse..." She pulled back, staring at him in disbelief.

"They've been trying to take over Earth, but haven't been too successful."

"Why are you doing this alone?" Mamoru asked her. Usagi started to pull out of his arms, but he was stronger. "I already know, Usagi."

"Who are you?" Usagi was visibly shaking, terror in her eyes.

Lowering his lips to her ear, "Close your eyes and feel with your heart."

She gasped, seeing everything so clearly. He had the same eyes, the same voice, the same hair and same build. "Tuxedo Mask?"

"Now that we both know, will you tell me what's wrong? Why are you alone? Where is Luna and Jedite? I know the Negaverse hasn't stopped trying to attack Earth."

"They don't know." Mamoru stared at her in horror, the full impact of what she had been doing, hitting him like a cold bucket of water.

"Usagi, you can't be serious! You've been fighting them alone!"

"I can't see anyone else hurt again! We almost lost him, and it would have been my fault! This is my responsibility, not Jedite's, not a shrine maiden's; I'm the only one that can keep them safe!"

"Who keeps the heroine safe?"

"Who's strong enough? Luna said we fought this enemy in the past. Do you know what she said?" He was all too aware of what happened, but things were different this time. They had stopped most of Beryl's attempt at re-taking Earth. "Nothing survived. She won't tell me what's going on or why. All she cares about is finding some stupid crystal, a princess and her four senshi. We found Sailor Mars, but I can't ask her to involve herself in this war. I'm so confused and all Luna can tell me is that my memories will return in time. Dammit, I don't want them to come back! The nightmares are bad enough!"

"Why is she forcing a child to fight?"

"Who else has the power to do anything?"

"Usagi, we need to believe in the strength and courage of our allies. To continue this battle alone is suicidal. We can't afford to repeat past mistakes." Mamoru stared at the empty lake, resting his chin on the top of her head. "I'll continue your fight. When you're ready, we can do it together."

"The threat..."

"...was and is my concern. I know you don't understand, nor will I force you to. A fifteen year old girl can't be made a warrior over night; that's basically what Luna did, isn't it? In one night, you ceased to be a child."

"There are no children during times of war." Sighing, he picked Usagi up, holding her close as he carried her back to his apartment. On the way, the sky opened up, soaking them both before he managed to start a warm fire. Grabbing a towel, he started to dry her hair, seeing a small smile appear.

She shivered violently, trying to stay warm. He managed to find a t-shirt and shorts, showing her the bathroom. A few minutes later, she returned, Mamoru trying without success not to laugh. The t-shirt easily reached passed her knees, looking more like a nightshirt instead. Usagi was still trembling, her skin a shade of blue. Leading her to his bed, he threw back the covers, waited until she was settled, and tucked her in.

"Thank you," she whispered, curling further into the warm blankets.

His smile was filled with such sadness that she truly believed he understood her pain. "You're not the only one who suffers, Usagi."

"Don't forget, you owe me a story." Mamoru chuckled, uttering a few powerful commands that sent her to sleep. He had several things he needed to do, and worrying about Usagi was not one of them. Ensuring that she wouldn't awaken, he grabbed his jacket and headed for the Sendai Hill shrine. On the way, he spotted a dark headed man, brown hair reaching past his shoulders.

He thought the shadows were playing tricks, the man already gone. 'Nephrite?' Shaking his head, he reached his destination, seeing Jedite sitting at the foot of the stairs. It took him a moment to notice Mamoru, his hazel eyes slowly meeting his gaze. "Did I not order that you protect Serenity?"