Deal with the Devil

Rating: M (for later chapters)

Season 1 AU

Pairing - Mamoru/Usagi

Disclaimer: Don't own Sailor Moon.

"..." - talking

Italics - dreaming

'...' - thoughts

Prologue - So It Begins

It had started out like every other Senshi meeting: Rei was berating Usagi for her klutz attacks on the battlefield that almost got her seriously injured if Mamoru hadn't of rushed her out of harm's way as Tuxedo Kamen. Usagi sat on the ground at the jinja with her head lowered, accepting her punishment. It didn't feel right, but after the revelations last week about Rei being the Moon Princess and rightful leader of the Senshi what could she do? She sat there meekly accepting their criticism. The others didn't join in but their silence and refusal to stand up for her spoke volumes as to where they stood. Usagi knew she wasn't worthless like Mars was suggesting. How could she explain that her klutz attacks were beyond her control. She was a pacifist and not a very good fighter. Even though they were receiving their memories of the Silver Millennium, she was not in it. Not as Sailor Moon or anyone else. While the other senshi remembered their training they received a millennia ago, she had nothing... no memories, or recollections.

"Rei," Mamoru interjected, interrupting the flaming senshi of Mars' tirade. "Don't be so hard on her, she's trying. Besides she's still the only one with enough power to finish off the youmas."

Usagi's head perked up at the fact that Mamoru, who had spent the last year or so arguing and fighting with her, defending her. Out of their entire group, she expected him to jump on the bandwagon with Rei. Instead, just like when he was Tuxedo Kamen, he came to her defense. Offering him a weak smile, she looked up to Rei.

"She almost got herself killed Mamoru-san! And she barely used the wand in time to finish off the youma!" shouted Rei. "Furthermore, now that it's been determined that I'm the leader of the senshi and the rightful Moon Princess, I want the Moon Wand back. According to Luna, it rightfully belongs to the princess, which is me!"

Usagi's eyes widened in surprise. She had never considered that the Moon wand was not her rightful possession. She knew that she had formed a bond with it, one that drew on her powers and emotions to help defeat the youma every time. It was what caused her to always be so tired, and restless. Whereas the other Senshi drew their powers from their planets, hers was drawn from her physically, expending massive amounts of energy. She had never divulged this information because she was afraid her fellow scouts would see it as more excuses on her behalf.

The other senshi and Mamoru had similarly shocked expressions. However everyone turned to Luna, since she still seemed to know more about their mission, the Moon Princess and everything involved.

"What Rei said is true. The Moon Wand is one of the many items that belong to the Moon Princess, which as was revealed, is of course Rei," Luna agreed. Turning to Usagi she stated, "I was wrong in my assumption that you were the leader. You need to hand over the wand to Rei."

Shakily, Usagi removed the wand from her subspace pocket and handed it to Rei. Gleaming triumphantly, Rei snatched it from her hand. "Usagi, your incompetence has left me no choice but to put you on probation from the Sailor Senshi, until a time when I feel you are no longer a danger to yourself or those around you," Rei stated with an air of confidence.

Without a tear, and rather somberly, Usagi rose. Looking Rei straight in the face and said, "If that's what you want, so be it." And left the shrine and her former friends behind...