*Disclaimer: One of my new year's resolutions
is to obtain ownership of Bishoujo Senshi
Sailor Moon. But until then, these disclaimers
will have to remain.

Medical Miracle
Chapter 19: A Promise Made
By: The Rose Society
Rating: PG-13
Email: EtrlSlrMn@aol.com
http://www.wishing-blue.net/kii/  *NEW*


	Laying upon her bed, Usagi
watched as the rain gently fell from the
roof, the wet drops merrily tapping out
a melody on the ground below. She watched
as the leaves of the tree nearest to her
window danced in the rain, much as she
would have done only a year ago. She loved
all sorts of weather, but rain held a
special place in her heart. There was
something comforting about the water falling
from the sky, like the tears of angels.
A symbol of purity, rain came from the
heavens to wash away the grime and dirt of
Earth. Rain was a way for things to be
reborn, to leave the old shell and emerge
transformed, beautified.

	Sighing, Usagi turned her head
away from the window. Soon, she would be
entering her own rebirth. She would soon
leave her mortal shell and journey beyond,
to rejoin her parents. There was a measure
of relief in this knowledge. As the disease
progressed, the unflappable strength of her
youth seemed to flee her body, frightened by
the foreign entity growing within her. She
began to lose weight, her famous appetite of
her teenage years forgotten. She was more
subdued than normal, surpassing even the
quiet nature that had come after the death
of her parents.

	At first, her friends had tried to
keep her in good spirits. They teased her
about her appetite, exclaiming in disbelief
when she said that she was no longer hungry.
But beneath their smiles, Usagi could see the
hidden worry in their eyes. As her health
slowly failed, those nearest to her began to
grow more solemn, more frightened.

	Every day, Ami, Setsuna and Hotaru
poured over the latest cancer research
papers, hoping beyond hope to find something,
anything, that might help Usagi fight her
progressing disease. Setsuna had talked to
her colleagues and found that her drug company
that she worked for had created a new drug
that might be able to help fight cancer. But
it was untested and only in its experimental
stage.

	A week ago, Setsuna had entered her
room, trying to keep as silent as possible,
in case Usagi was asleep. Finding the blonde
wide awake, Setsuna had set herself in the
bedside chair, her eyes unusually serious.
"Usagi-chan," she had said, "I've asked around
and we have approval for a drug trial. I was
able to get you into the program. You'll be one
of the first ones to try the new drug and it
just might help you defeat your cancer."

	It had been one of her bad days.
Blinking her blue eyes, Usagi fought against
the pain that pulsed in her head. She had
replied, "I always wanted to be a pioneer." A
dry cough had followed. Alarmed, Setsuna had
immediately grabbed Usagi's cup of water and
helped the weakened blonde to take a drink.
With a sigh, Usagi had settled back upon her
pillow. "If this will help you, of course I'll
participate, Setsuna. After all, the only thing
I can help you with now is being a guinea pig."
At her friends' stricken looks, contrition had
struck. "Don't worry, Setsuna-tachi. I'll
continue to fight. It hasn't beaten me yet!"

	But despite the fact that she now had
an experimental drug running through her veins
via daily injections, Usagi did not feel as
hopeful as she tried to appear for her friends.
She had been battling brain cancer for the
longest time now. Dr. Hongo had tried everything
and anything, looking for a way to help her
patient and friend. But it had been to no avail.
Every piece of literature said that this type of
cancer was inoperable, incurable, and
ultimately, deadly. Most drug companies didn't
even conduct drug research for this type of
cancer, since it was deemed a hopeless
pursuit.

	How much longer could she hold on?
Her friends and family could sense the sand
slipping from the hour glass faster and faster.
Shingo came to her room everyday after classes,
as soon as he got home. He would share stories
about certain professors and their quirks,
often bringing a smile to his sister's face.
Then, he would help his sister out into the
kitchen, where anyone who was at the Tsukino
home would all share in a dinner. By now, most
of her friends had practically moved in with
Usagi. Shinozaki had taken over running of the
store, so that Makoto was free to spend her
time at Usagi's. Minako, Michiru and Haruka
were on vacation, so they were free as well,
stuck to Usagi as if they were bodyguards. Ami
and Hotaru would come as soon as they finished
their rounds and spend their nights in the
Tsukino home. Setsuna would join the group as
soon as her shift ended, often picking up Rei
from the temple. They were all trying to spend
as much time as possible with their friend,
knowing that the end loomed large over their
heads.

	A hand suddenly placed itself over her
own. Turning, Usagi saw the owner of the hand
and smiled. Returning her smile, Mamoru sat
down next to her, not saying a word.

	A day after her return, Usagi awoke to
find Mamoru in the kitchen, drinking a cup of
coffee with Haruka and Makoto. Startled, she
asked, "Why are you still here, Mamoru?"

	Standing up, Makoto started to pour
another cup of coffee while Mamoru went to
give Usagi a quick kiss on the head. "What a
way to greet your boyfriend in the morning,
Usako."

	Blushing to the roots of her hair,
Usagi was silent until her face could cool.
Laughing at her expression, he motioned for
her to sit down at the breakfast table. This
whole relationship thing was new to the both of
them and Usagi was very unaccustomed to showing
affection in front of her friends. Haruka and
Makoto joined in the laugher at Usagi's
discomfort before both left the couple alone,
sensing their need to sort some things out.

	'Hey, what the heck just happened
there?' Self-Control was a bit put out,
considering the wacky author had just did
something very out of character to Mamoru.

	'Calm down, old chum,' replied the
Voice. 'Mamoru is just showing his lady-love
some affection. Is that illegal or something?'
It returned to watch the unfolding scene.

	'In fact, it is.' Taking out a thick
manual, Self-Control quoted, 'Chapter 8,
Section 3, Paragraph 15: Public displays of
affection are expressly forbidden for Chiba
Mamoru. The consequences of such an action
would bring untold embarrassment and would open
the host to so much possible pain that such an
action is NOT to occur.' Closing the thick
manual, Self-Control smirked, assured of its
victory. There was no answer. 'Hey, did you
hear me?' Still no answer. Irritated at being
ignored, Self-Control heaved the manual with
both hands and brought it crashing upon the
Voice's head.

	'HEY!!!! That HURT!'

	'No kidding, idiot,' replied
Self-Control. 'It was meant to.'

	'What did you do that for?' The Voice
rubbed the immense bump on its head, grimacing.

	'To get your attention. You just did
something that is expressly forbidden. What do
you have to say for yourself?' Self-Control put
its hands upon its hips, demanding an answer.

	Before the Voice could reply, however,
a horde of personality aspects poured into the
arena. Logic, the usual speaker for the group,
turned to hand Self-Control a piece of paper.
'Huh?' The note read: Attention all
personalities. The Manual on Chiba Mamoru has
now been revised, due to new developments.
Please study the new manual and make note of
all changes.

	Self-Control turned to the group,
confused. 'Why wasn't I made aware of this?'

	Logic coughed, balancing its small
glasses. 'You and the Voice have not been
attending the scheduled meetings, as you
should have. This was created in the meeting
following the kiss.' Several sighs came from
the more hormonal section of the personality
aspects. Undeterred, Logic continued, 'Since
the time of the host's love is limited, it
has been decreed that the Voice be allowed
to make as many decisions as possible-' A
whoop came from the Voice. Glaring at the
interruption, Logic continued, 'in regards
to Tsukino Usagi. Self-Control is to remain
in control of other aspects. Veto power
remains with the group, as always. The Voice,
however, is NOT to go overboard and is asked
to at least confer with Self-Control before
decisions are made.'

	Love stepped in, for the first time
in their existences. All made way for the
newcomer. 'Time is precious for these two.
Let the host savor each moment without silly
limitations based on fear of embarrassment
or pain. She won't hurt him in any way.' It
looked at the scene and smiled. Gently, Love
pulled Depression, Fear, Loneliness and all
the other dark emotions into its embrace.
'Rest, for you shall not be needed for awhile
yet.' Slowly, all of the personality aspects
faded away until only an elated Voice and a
disgruntled Self-Control remained.

	'I HAVE DA POWER!!!' The Voice cackled
evilly as its rubbed its hands together. It
looked madly at the scene while Self-Control
shook its head. Out of the darkness, a metal
probe with a label that bore markings that
looked like the words 'VETO' streaked out and
gave a healthy jolt to the Voice.

	'Remember, contain yourself,' came a
disembodied voice.

	Seeing stars, the Voice merely laid
there as Self-Control shook its head once more.
'We're doomed,' was its last thought.

	"Why are you still here, Mamo-chan,"
asked Usagi, once she was sure that her
friends weren't spying on them.

	Mamoru looked at his love, amusement
in his eyes. "Are you embarrassed to be seen
with me, Usako?"

	Appalled, Usagi turned around quickly
from her place by the kitchen door. "Of
course not, Mamo-chan!" She sat in a chair
next to Mamoru and took a sip from her coffee.
"It's just that, well, I'm surprised that
you're still here and not at the hospital.
And that kiss back there...it was sort of
weird for me." She waved her hands when
Mamoru's face began to fall. "Don't get me
wrong, I'm not embarrassed of our
relationships. It's just that I'm unused to
showing such public displays."

	Sighing, Mamoru gently pried Usagi's
fingers from her coffee cup. Holding her
hands lightly, he gave each hand a kiss
before he placed their still joined hands
back on the table. Rubbing his thumbs against
her fingers, he sought to find the exact
words to describe the change. "You see, Usako,
this is my first relationship. It's your
first real relationship in a long time. I've
wasted too many years with you. I want to
make up for lost time." He squeezed her hands
gently. "I love you, Usa, with such a wealth
of emotion that it frightens me. Everything
in me screams to take it slowly. But, we
can't." He placed her right hand against his
cheek, covering it with his left hand. "For
once in my life, I want to fall into love,
fall so far that I'll never find my way back
out. I want to forget my fears, forget my
past, forget everything else exists except
for you. I want to live in a world where
there is nothing but you."

	Trembling, Usagi felt hot tears make
their way down her cheeks. Pulling her to
him, Mamoru cradled Usagi's form, resting his
chin upon her soft hair. "No more hospital,
no more Dr. Hongo, no more anything, except
for you. If you don't get better, if you
d..." his voice choked but he rambled on,
"die, there will always be time for me to
pursue those things afterwards. If you get
better, I can be a doctor with you by my side.
But the future is uncertain. I can't open a
door and learn what the future holds. So, I
won't take any chances. I'm going to hold onto
what matters most to me. And that's you, Usa."

	Lifting her hand without looking,
Usagi placed her fingers on Mamoru's lips,
silencing him. "I love you, Mamo-chan. I know
that your mind is made up about this and I
can't change it. I can tell that from the
stubborn line of your chin." He smiled,
unseen. "Do what you think is best, Mamo-chan.
But, promise me one thing."

	"Anything, aisuru."

	She closed her eyes, listening to
Mamoru's heartbeat, letting the strong sound
chase away her fears. "No matter what happens
to me, you'll follow your dreams and become
the best doctor that Japan has ever seen."

	Closing his own eyes against his
tears, Mamoru nodded. "I promise, Usako." With
that, the pair sat in the quiet of the kitchen,
just holding onto each other, holding onto the
moment.

	Ever since, Mamoru had not left the
Tsukino house. He had asked Motoki to bring his
clothes from his apartment, as well as a few
other items. Shingo let him stay in the house,
accepting this new man in his sister's life. He
was happy for his older sister. Not since the
accident had he seen Usagi so happy, so lively.
All of her friends approved, although some took
a little longer than the others. Mamoru cringed
at the memory of Haruka pulling him aside, and
with a grip of iron upon his shoulder, warned
him that if he broke Usagi's heart, the racer
would personally do horrible things to him that
Mamoru didn't think humanly possible, and make
sure that no one found his body. Usagi felt his
shudder at the memory and tugged at his hand.
With a smile of reassurance, Mamoru dismissed
the issue.

	"I want to do something today, Mamo-chan,"
Usagi said, startling the man. The day had just
dawned, so to speak, since it was raining. Usagi
had been unwell for awhile now, lacking the
energy to do anything besides stay in bed. Her
normal rosy cheeks were paler, drained of color.

	"Are you sure, Usako? You haven't been
feeling well, and it's raining out--"

	Shaking her head, Usagi frowned. "There
is a feeling I have. I don't want to stay inside
today. I want to go outside. Onegai?"

	Looking at her pleading expression,
Mamoru finally relented. "Alright, Usako. Where
do you want to go?"

	Chewing her lip, Usagi looked out the
window once more. "Let's have a picnic."

	"A PICNIC?" Both Usagi and Mamoru turned
to the door in surprise. A sleepy looking Rei
stared at Usagi in disbelief. "Odango, are you
insane? It's raining today! How in the world
can you go on a picnic?"

	Yawning, Haruka looked inside, her short
blonde hair sticking up in gravity-defying
positions. "Picnic? Huh? What's going on?"

	"Usagi here just said that she wants to
go on a picnic." Rei crossed her flannel clad
arms.

	"I just wanted to go outside today,
minna," Usagi said with a sigh. She looked at
the rain falling merrily outside. She seemed so
forlorn, the gray weather outside making her
seem almost transparent, outer-worldly.

	Feeling her heart squeeze painfully,
Haruka straightened. "Don't worry, neko-chan.
If you want to go on a picnic today, you'll go
on that picnic." Tugging on Rei's arm, she
called over her shoulder, "Don't worry about a
thing, neko! We'll plan all the details." The
door closed with a slam.

	Outside, Rei pulled away, irritated.
"Are you as insane as Odango, Haruka-san?" Her
voice was rising with her outrage.

	Shooting a look at the priestess,
Haruka motioned for Rei to follow her into the
kitchen. The other girls and Shingo, just
waking up more or less, greeted them.

	"Usagi wants to go on a picnic, minna,"
started Haruka. All head jerked up, confused.

	"How in the world are we going to go on
a picnic during a rainy day?" Minako tossed a
generous amount of creamer into her coffee,
stirring absentmindedly.

	"I don't know," replied Haruka, looking
out the window. "But you didn't see her, sitting
there on her bed. She looks like she's already
leaving us. We're her friends, her family. How
can we deny her request?"

	All were quiet as they considered
Haruka's words. "Well," said Ami softly. "Maybe
there is a way." She looked up. "Haruka, Michiru,
Mina-P, do you think you could make some calls?
Can you see if one of your contacts could get
Tokyo Tower reserved for just us tonight? It
should stop raining by then."

	Setsuna raised an eyebrow. "You want to
have a picnic at night?" She pondered for a
moment before she brightened. "What a wonderful
idea, Ami! We can have a picnic with a view of
Tokyo at night, as well as the stars. It will
be beautiful."

	Grinning, Makoto stood up. "Well, sounds
great to me. What are we sitting here for? We
have a ton of things to do! Rei, Hotaru, do you
think you guys can help me go to the store? I'll
need a few new supplies and then I can whip up
the best picnic we've ever had." Smiling, the
ten headed their separate ways, some to work, to
school, to the store, or to the phone.

	At seven that night, the group set out.
Haruka, Michiru, Ami and Rei in Haruka's car,
Mamoru, Usagi, Shingo, Chibi-Usa, who had begged
to go along, despite having school the next day,
and Setsuna in Mamoru's car, and Minako, Hotaru,
Makoto and four huge picnic baskets in Minako's
rental car. The group drove to Tokyo Tower, which,
thanks to a few favors to Minako and Haruka, was
completely empty. They rose the elevator up to
the observatory level and set out their feast.
Amongst the lights of the city and the flickers
of starlight and moonlight, the group dined and
chatted, laughing with joy.

	After the meal had ended, Usagi
suggested that they all stargaze before heading
back. With Chibi-Usa, asleep against her side,
Usagi stretched out on the floor onto of an old
blanket, leaning against Mamoru. Her friends
were all around her, their eyes turned to the
beautiful night sky, some lost in conversation,
others in peaceful contemplation.

	"This was a wonderful idea, Usagi-chan,"
said Rei, her voice echoing slightly in the
empty metal room.

	After smiling in acknowledgement, Usagi
turned her attention back on the clear night sky.
Thankfully, the clouds had cleared out and the
rain had stopped, leaving nothing in the way of
the millions of tiny pinpricks of light. Mamoru,
his chest to Usagi's back and his long legs
stretched out next to hers, hugged his blonde
love. "Are you enjoying yourself," he asked
quietly.

	She snuggled closer in his embrace and
smiled. "Immensely, Mamo-chan. What more could
I ask for? My brother, my friends, and my
beloved are all here, with me, enjoying one of
the most beautiful sights in the world."

	Usagi turned back to look at Mamoru
and squeezed his hand. She looked at the warm
weight next to her. "Poor Chibi-Usa." Usagi
could clearly see the tearstains on the girl's
cheeks. "I wish you didn't have to suffer any
more, sweetie. I wish that more than anything."
She hugged the tiny girl's form and the girl
smiled in her sleep. "I wish I could be there
for you, Chibi-Usa. I would have loved to have
been able to help take care of you. But I know
that Ami-tachi will do a fine job caring for
you. I'm glad that Setsuna has decided to adopt
you. She'll make an excellent mother." She
looked towards the friend she spoke of, and then
looked at her other friends, her family,
actually. They had seen her through everything.
School, the pain of losing her parents, the
difficulties of making a life for herself and
her brother, and her cancer. They were closer
than most families.

	Moonlight shone into the observatory
room, bathing all occupants in its ethereal
light. Silver masked Usagi's blonde hair and
her delicate features, making her seem as she
did before the cancer ravaged her body. She was
a beautiful sprite. Mamoru's breath caught.
Placing a kiss on her cheek, Mamoru held the
hand that was unencumbered by Chibi-Usa, not
wanting to let go. He listened to Usagi's
soft breathing, felt her warmth against his
chest, the softness of her skin where their
hands met. He reveled in every single
sensation as he stared out into the night
sky.

	Suddenly, a streak of light arched in
the night sky. With a gasp, Minako whispered,
"It's a shooting star! Make a wish, minna."

	Everyone closed their eyes, silently
wishing. Her heart full of happiness, Usagi
closed her eyes and wished for nothing. She
already had everything.

	When he opened his eyes, Mamoru
whispered in Usagi's ear, "What did you wish
for?" There was no answer. "Usako?" He shook
her gently, thinking her asleep. His efforts
caused Usagi's hand to slip from his own,
lifeless.

Translations:

	aisuru- beloved
	minna- everybody
	name-tachi- basically means everyone

Author Notes:

	Break was wonderful! Really refreshed
my mind. Hope you enjoy this latest piece!
Until the next chapter...

~The moonlight carries the message of love.~
~Tsuki no hikari wa ai no message.~