-->PLEASE READ THIS<-- This story is a SERIES. That means there are more chapters that come before this one. You can start with these chapters, but I will promise you will be confused. The series in order goes as follows; Don't Let Me Go: Broken Promises Don't Let Me Go: Insanity Don't Let Me Go: Roses Don't Let Me Go: Apparition Don't Let Me Go: Debauchery Don't Let Me Go: Analogous Don't Let Me Go: Barrage I hope this doesn't make everyone go screaming and not read my fic ::sniff:: I promise the first couple of Main titles are not that long ^^ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Don't Let Me Go: Crystallization Chapter: 1 By: Bethany & Patch Editor: Meara Rated: PG Emails: Bethany212@aol.com and patchkhan1@hotmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "No!" The scream rent the silent air, painful and terror-stricken. Usagi stared at her house, or what was left of it in disbelief. What had been a two-story house was now a shamble, unrecognizable in the rubble of utter destruction. "Oh God, no!" Usagi fell to her knees uttering the hoarse cry. Mamoru knelt next to her, bringing her close to his heart as she began sobbing. "Not this, not ever this," she sobbed, bringing a hand to her face. She thought that there would be no more tears. She thought that she could be strong. That she, Sailor Moon, could take anything after all that she had faced. But not this... not the ruin of her home... of her family. "Usako, I'm so sorry. I don't know what to say, I-" "Don't! Don't say anything, please, just don't say anything," she whispered brokenly. Mamoru's heart went out to her. He didn't know exactly how she was feeling but he had a pretty good idea of the emotions that tore through her. To see your life destroyed, to feel so helpless... it was an all too familiar scenario. He bowed his head, as tears pricked at his eyes. It was like living the nightmare that had plagued his dreams for years all over again. They had thought by coming home, they would be able to live life once more, happy and content. They had thought to, in time, forget horrors of the battle with Chronos... but no, it was not to be. Chronos had dealt the last blow. If he could, Mamoru would have killed the so-called "god of time" all over again. His love did not deserve this. "Usagi-chan!" Mika gasped, her tears forgotten as she recognized the voice. "Lynn!" she ran forward into the rubble heedless of the others following behind her. Lynn was alive! If she was alive, maybe the others too... She rushed through the rubble, falling once or twice until she got into what used to be the living room. She frantically looked around, hoping to see her calico cat. "Lynn?" she yelled. "Mika-chan! Over here!" "The kitchen!" It was Usagi, and she tore ahead. She came to an abrupt stop at the sight that lay before her. Her mother held Shingo against her, as if he were five again, rocking him back and forth slowly. Luna and Artemis sat in front of her as though they were guarding the mother and son. But when they saw Usagi and the other Senshi they immediately relaxed and somewhat, hints of smiles on their faces. Ikuko looked up, only to cry out sharply as she saw her daughter standing in front of her... alive. "Mama! Shingo!" Usagi ran to them and knelt beside them, trying to envelope them both in a hug. "You guys are alive! You're really alive!" she cried joyfully, fresh tears streaming down her cheeks. Her mother was crying just as much as she hugged her daughter tightly, not wanting to let go. "Thank God they're okay," Haruka said quietly, watching the scene. "Hai," Michiru replied, "it would have broken her if she had had to come back to complete desolation. Our Princess can only take so much. She is just like the rest of us after all... a human being." They stopped their conversation when Usagi spoke suddenly. "Mama, where's Papa?" she asked, wiping tears away with the back of her hand. "Is... is he out guarding the house with his shotgun?" she asked in between shaky laughs. "Oh Usagi," Ikuko breathed. She ran a hand through her dirty hair and then turned her head away. "Oh Usagi... he... he didn't make it." "Nani? What... what are you talking about?" Usagi asked sitting back. Her mother was not telling her what she thought. No, it wasn't true, it couldn't be true. Her father wasn't... he wasn't... "He was killed Usagi, by youmas attacked our house... they attacked every house! They left nothing behind, only misery and despair." "No, Mama, that's not right. I'm sure Papa must be around here somewhere. You just haven't found him yet, that's all. You just haven't found him," she said getting up and shaking her head. "He's alive, he has to be! He'll come to us and we'll be a family again..." She quickly turned around, ignoring her mother's cries and tried to go into the living room when Mamoru stopped her, holding her forearms. "Don't go in there Usako,” said Mamoru, grief etched on his face, Your father's there... and he's not alive." "Iie, you're lying Mamo-chan. He's alive, he has to be. He was the strong one, he kept our family alive. How could he not be alive? He has to be... he has to be!" She struggled against his hold but once again Mamoru pulled her to him. He had seen what was left of Kenji... and it was not something he wanted her to see. "Don't Usako," he found himself saying again, "it's better for you to stay here." He felt a tremor go through her and then she became still. "I should have been able to save him," she whispered against his clothes. "It's my fault." , a voice inside her head whispered. It was so familiar, Usagi thought. You must be strong, it said. Her mind strained to remember from where she had heard the voice before. Usagi's eyes suddenly went blank, even though no one noticed. Could it be, she thought. Could it be... her mother? The Queen... "Usagi-chan," Luna began, her head bowed. "We're sorry we let you down. I'm sorry for having you come back to this. We tried our best... but in the end our 'best' wasn't good enough. We were outnumbered and helpless, we should have been able to do better but-" "No Luna." Usagi suddenly turned and knelt to pick up the cat; her guardian and best friend. "It is not your fault," she said quietly, "I am proud of you, Artemis and Lynn. Do not blame yourself for anything." "Princess, if anyone is to blame, then it should be I." Pluto stepped forward, pain written all across her face. "I allowed Chronos to do this. I should have stopped him but I let him cast me under his power. I-" "No." Everyone suddenly stopped at the word. They all looked at Usagi. Rei, who had been silent like most of the others, suddenly inhaled sharply. There was something in her friend's eyes, something she wasn't expecting to see at such a time. It was a new found strength that shone through in those blue eyes. And in that moment, everyone knew... the time had almost come. They listened as Usagi spoke. "Everyone can say how they are to blame for this situation but we will *not* sit here doing so. Each of us has a share of guilt to bear but we can do nothing now. What has been done is done. "We each have a purpose... I have a purpose, all of you have a purpose. I've come to realize that we can't wallow here anymore. We have to move on and I think you all know,” she spoke the words with iron precision, "It is time to look forward." Usagi felt the sting of tears but she continued. "I have a responsibility and it is to protect my loved ones, each of you aiding me in this task." Her eyes passed over each of the Senshi and what she saw in their faces gave her courage and hope. Everything really would be all right. She would make sure of it. "It is time," Usagi said, her stance straight and proud. "It is time for the making of a new beginning." -End Chapter 1. Hi!! DOMO Arigato to all the emails from the past week!! I take it you all liked it ^^ Believe it or not, this story is almost over! ^^; It kinda grew it's own mind and got longer and longer - but the end is in light! ^^ HUGE thanks to Meara - our wonderful editor! And again, to everyone who takes the time to email us! *hugs* <3 Bethany & Patch ^_^ http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/9333