An oppressive silence bore down on Minako. The only noticeable sound was the quiet hum of the elevator as it ascended toward the sixth floor of Nakamura Medical Center. It seemed to move at a snail’s pace. She stifled a frustrated groan.

  Rei stood beside her and avoided her gaze. Instead, she stared straight ahead at the elevator doors. Her expression was unreadable, except for her lips, which were pressed together into a thin line.

  Minako wanted to break the silence, to cut the tension that now existed between them. She just didn’t know how.

  What can I say to my future wife who doesn’t want a relationship?

  Between them, Chibiusa hugged her stuffed Nako-Nako tight to her chest. She shifted from one foot to the other as she struggled to remain still. All the anger she had carried toward Usagi for concealing her identity as Sailor Moon had vanished.

  Rei cleared her throat. The sound was too loud in the cramped elevator.

  “Chibiusa, I need you to make me a promise.”

  Chibiusa looked up at her, eyes wide.

  “What is it, Aunt Rei?”

  Rei grimaced, but only for a moment. The term of familiarity still made her uneasy.

  “I want you to keep what you told us about our future a secret. Don’t tell anybody, not even Usagi.” She locked eyes with Minako. “Mina and I need to resolve this ourselves.”

  Minako nodded her agreement.

  Chibiusa sighed.

  “Okay. I won’t tell.”

  The elevator came to a sudden halt, and the doors opened onto the sixth floor: the Intensive Care Unit. The sterile smell of disinfectant wafted at them. Minako’s stomach turned.

  I hate hospitals .

  Years ago, she had suffered from a terminal illness. She had spent countless hours in and out of hospitals. She had died during a high-risk surgery to save her life. Usagi had revived her with the power of the Silver Crystal.

  Still, the memories remained: the smells and sounds. The icy embrace of death. She shuddered.

  Beside her, Rei hesitated at the threshold. Last year, she had survived an attack from Mio Kuroki, a survivor of the Dark Kingdom. She’d been in the hospital for weeks, vulnerable and broken.

  I guess we both hate hospitals.

  Minako drew in a deep breath and took Chibiusa’s hand.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  “Come on, Usa. Let’s go find Usagi.”

  Together, they stepped off the elevator and into the beating heart of the hospital. The air here was thick with a sharp antiseptic. The soft voices of doctors and nurses echoed down the hall and mixed with the mechanical chorus of medical machinery. Tension filled every corner as patients teetered on the brink of death.

  They hurried down the hallway at a brisk pace. It wasn’t long before they reached the waiting room.

  Minako’s heart sank at the sight of Usagi slumped in her chair. Her head rested on Mamoru’s shoulder; her eyes were closed. She wore a sling around her left arm.

  Mamoru’s work suit still hung, wrinkled and askew, on his frame. He had draped his tie, untied, around his neck. He watched Usagi with moist eyes.

  Naru sat on Usagi’s other side. She looked unharmed and busied herself with one of the hospital’s old magazines.

  Motoki looked the worst for wear as he paced back and forth. With each pass, he glanced at a nearby clock. His hands clenched and unclenched at his sides. Dark circles had settled under his eyes.

  Minako felt Chibiusa’s grip on her hand tighten. Her gaze fixed on Usagi. Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. A whisper escaped her lips.

  “Mama…”

  Minako squeezed her hand and gave her a small smile.

  “Come on. Let’s go check on her.”

  Mamoru spotted them and leaned in to whisper into Usagi’s ear. She stirred, then opened her eyes. When she saw them approach, her eyes shone. Her voice was soft when she spoke.

  “Minako. Rei. You came.”

  Rei snorted, but there was no bite behind her bark.

  “Of course we did. What happened? Where’s Makoto?”

  Usagi squeezed her eyes shut for a moment and shook her head.

  “We were at Crown. A man called Rubeus attacked us. I transformed and tried to fight him off, but… I wasn’t enough. Makoto stepped in and protected me, but she’s hurt. She’s in surgery right now.”

  Chibiusa stood nearby and wrung her hands.

  “Usagi, I…”

  Usagi’s eyes flicked to Chibiusa, and her expression hardened. Her voice turned to ice.

  “Chibiusa.”

  The girl’s eyes widened, but she pressed on.

  “I… I’m glad you…”

  Usagi cut her off. Her eyes narrowed.

  “I don’t want to hear it. I don’t want to hear anything from you.”

  Chibiusa flinched. Her body trembled. All the color drained from her face. The tears trapped in the corners of her eyes broke free. She stormed out of the waiting room, sobbing.

  Minako’s heart ached for her.

  Rei took a step toward Usagi. She spoke through her teeth with forced restraint.

  “The attack on you terrified that little girl. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

  Usagi opened and closed her mouth as she struggled for words. A kaleidoscope of emotions flashed across her face.

  “She’s been so irresponsible with her future knowledge. Did you know she told Ami she’s destined to die soon?”

  Minako felt her eyes widen.

  Ami will die?!

  Usagi stared at Minako and Rei. Her gaze was both challenging and full of judgement.

  “What disaster did she predict for your future? Huh?”

  Rei and Minako glanced at each other. Minako averted her gaze, but Rei stood firm. She raised her finger and pointed it at Usagi.

  “She’s still your daughter, Usagi.”

  Then, without another word, Rei hurried after Chibiusa.

  Minako stared after Rei. Her heart pounded in her chest. Of course, she would defend Chibiusa. A fire of resentment ignited in Rei at each careless parental mistake. Her own relationship with her father was… complicated.

  Ami entered the waiting room a moment later. She looked tired, but in her element. Once she spotted her friends, she hurried to their corner of the room, her lab coat billowing behind her.

  Motoki rushed toward her and wrung his hands.

  “How’s Makoto?”

  Ami placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled.

  “She’s out of surgery. It went well. Now she needs time to heal.”

  She looked at the rest of her waiting friends.

  “There’s nothing more you can do here today. Go home and get some rest. I’ll stay here with Motoki.”

  Minako didn’t want to leave. As she glanced around the room, however, she realized it was time to go. She had a new mission. The enemy had injured Usagi and almost killed Makoto. Ami would die soon. It was time to take action.

  Minako was determined to protect her family.