*************
The Way We Weren't 
Part 14
Author: Usa
Disclaimers in Part 1
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Usagi sat quietly on her bed. The doctor at the hospital said her head injury wasn't anything to worry about, no concussion. He gave her pain medication and sent her on her way.

Usagi only wished he could have taken the pain from her heart as well. All she could think about was her little girl. Who took her and why?

"Iku, stay safe! Mama loves you!"

***********

Mari was grinning when she arrived at Uriko's house. She glanced around the living room, trying to find Iku. "Where is she?"

"Upstairs sleeping."

"Why?"

"What do you mean, 'why'? She's a little girl and she's exhausted. Mari, you know I would do anything for you but I'm not going to force a little girl to sleep on the cold concrete floor in the basement."

Mari rolled her eyes. "You've always been soft. It's time to really live your life! Bring her down here."

"Mari--"

She pulled out a gun. "Did you not hear me, Uriko?"

"What the hell is wrong with you?" he asked. "I grabbed the kid because you wanted to cause her mother emotional pain, I understand that. What else are you trying to accomplish?"

Mari shrugged. "If Mamoru-kun doesn't want to be with me, he's not going to be with anyone. You see Ikuko is the bait to get him to come over. NOW GET HER!"

"Hai, Mari." Uriko sighed and went upstairs. He idly wondered when his best friend had gotten so violent.

************

Mamoru arrived home just as his phone was ringing. He ran inside and answered it, "Moshi moshi!"

"Chiba Mamoru?"

"This is."

"I took her."

"Who are you?"

"I took her daughter. If you want to save her life, you'll come here."

Mamoru's heart thumped in his chest. The only person he knew personally with a daughter was Usagi. "Where?"

"24 Densetsu Drive in an hour, and come alone!"

************

"Minako!" Mamoru called, rushing over to the blonde. "Where's Usagi?"

"At home considering what happened at the zoo," Minako replied, crossing her arms. 

"Is she all right?"

She glared at him. "Since when do you care?"

"Minako."

"Gomen, Mamoru-san. I know you still care for Usagi. It's just been a really long day. Usagi was attacked at the zoo and Iku was taken. She's really upset."

Mamoru nodded. "I figured as much. I got a phone call from someone claiming to have her. Whoever it was said I had to go alone to get her."

"Kami-sama!"

"I was thinking about having the Senshi for back up. I know it's been a while since you've all transformed..."

"It hasn't," Minako said. "We train regularly. Where did the person tell you to go?"

*************

"Rei, we have to go!"

"What is it, Mako-chan?" Rei asked.

"Iku's been kidnapped and Mamoru just received a call from someone telling him where she is," Makoto explained. "He wants us there as quiet backup."

Rei nodded. "That sounds like a good idea. Where are we headed?"

"We'll pick up Ami-chan, then meet Minako-chan at 24 Densetsu Drive."

"Lets transform, we'll get there faster." At Makoto's nod, Rei called on her planet. "Mars Crystal Power... Make Up!"

"Jupiter Crystal Power... Make Up!"