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The Way We Weren't
Part 15
Author: Usa
Disclaimers in Part 1
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"Usagi, where are you going?"

"For a walk, Mama," Usagi replied, pulling her shoes on. "I won't be gone long."

"Would you like some company?" 

Usagi smiled, giving her mother a hug. "Arigatou, but I'd like to be by myself for a while."

"All right, dear," Ikuko said.

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Usagi was walking past the park when she noticed something, or rather two Senshi, moving through the trees. "Mako-chan, Rei-chan," she whispered. "What are the doing?"

She quickly found a place to hide and transformed. She hadn't become Sailor Moon in years and felt rejuvenated. In a flash, Usagi followed her friends.

Usagi saw that there were on Densetsu. It was an old neighborhood in Azuba. She also spotted Minako, Ami, and Mamoru. She did a double take. Mamoru? What was going on?

Mamoru headed up to one of the bigger houses and knocked on the door. He was let in a few minutes later. Usagi's curiosity had grown. Obviously this was something big, or the Senshi wouldn't be there.

She suddenly felt a presence from within the house. She knew that presence. It was Iku and she was frightened. Usagi screamed and ran to the house.

"Usagi!" Mars exclaimed, catching her friend by the arm. "What are you doing here?"

"Me? I noticed you in the park, running in this direction."

Jupiter nodded. "You shouldn't be here, though. It's not safe. We don't know what's going on in that house."

"What do you mean? I felt Iku in there! Kami, is she hurt?"

The girls glared at Jupiter. "Nani?"

"She's fine, Usagi-chan," Ami replied. "Whoever took her, called Mamoru and said if he wanted her to live, he'd come. We don't know who it is."

"Mari."

"Mari?" Mars asked. "How can you be so sure, Usagi?"

Moon crossed her arms. "Because she hates me and would do anything to hurt me. And from what I know, Mamoru-san broke up with her. She has the motive. She probably followed us to the zoo yesterday."

They jumped at the sound of gunfire. "Shimatta!" Jupiter said. "Lets go!"

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Mamoru entered the house to see a vaguely familiar man standing in front of him, holding Iku. "What's going on here?" he asked.

"I have a friend who'd like to speak with you."

Mari came up behind Uriko. "Ohayo, Mamoru-kun. I trust you know little Ikuko?"

"I can't believe this! You actually kidnapped a little girl to get your revenge?" He asked. 

"I'm so evil, aren't I?" she asked, walking over to the desk. She opened the drawer and pulled out a gun. "I loved you Mamoru! I did! That bitch has turned you against me and you'll both pay!"

Uriko stared at his friend in disbelief. She was really going to do it. "Mari, what's wrong with you?"

"Shut up, Uriko! I know what I'm doing!" She pointed the gun at him and fired.

"Supreme Thunder!" Mari screamed in pain as Jupiter's attack hit her. The gun when sliding across the floor.

Sailor Moon and Mamoru both rushed to Uriko and Iku. The little girl was shaken, but otherwise unharmed. "Usa," Mamoru whispered. "Detransform, she doesn't know who you are."

"Oh, right," Usagi replied, changing. "Iku, its Mama."

"Mama!" she cried. 

Usagi clung tightly to her little girl. "It's all right, baby. Mamoru-san, how's Uriko?"

"He needs to be in a hospital. I'll call the police."

"Uriko-san..." Usagi said. "Arigatou. You saved Iku's life."

"It was... the least I could do. After all, I... I took your daughter. Mari... Mari said she wouldn't hurt anyone and I believed her... Sumimasen, Usagi-san."

Usagi smiled warmly at Uriko. "I forgive you."