Yesterday's Gone
By Aria Chiba
PG-13

This story contains some violent scenes, so pay 
attention to my rating. PG-13.

"Enjoy Today, Yesterday's Gone, Tomorrow May Never Come..."
- Unknown

Oh, and, in case any of you were wondering, I don't own 
Sailor Moon. Our dear Naoko does, bless her heart. What
a wonderful lady.

@---{---{----

Ami jumped, advoiding yet another deathtrap, set by some 
demonic demongoing after her. She turned as she heard a 
baby's scream rippling through the air. A baby had fallen 
into the dark wormhole! "Oh God!" She screamed, and grabbed 
Usagi's hand. Was anyone even left?. "We have to get out 
of here!" Together they ran and out onto the street.

Usagi stopped, panting, her hands on her knees. "I can't 
take this anymore! We can't transform, everyone's dead! I 
feel like giving up Ami."

"No Usagi! Don't give up!" Ami cried, shaking her friend. 
Suddenly, something came over Usagi. Her eyes darkened, 
and her skin began to turn a snow-pale color.

"Too late." Usagi stated, reaching out for Ami's throat. 
Ami screamed, and shook her off. She began to run down the 
street, Usagi slowly gaining on her. She was so tired of 
running, her legs felt leaden, her breath raggad. Her
eyes began to close from exaustion, she could almost feel 
Usagi's breath on her neck. Suddenly, her legs gave way, 
and she collapsed, Usagi poised over her, reaching down for 
her...

"Agh!" Ami screamed, jolting out of bed. She was paralized 
with fear, a cold sweat glistened her body as she fought 
for control over her panting. It got worse every night.

Slowly, she calmed herself down to the point that she 
could draw her knees to her chest. The same horrible theme 
repeated in her dreams every night for weeks. Paralizing 
herself with fear, her friends and family dying, and one
person turning on her at the end. Each night became more 
graphic and came closer and closer to the person actually 
killing her.

Rei had spent countless nights with her, trying to solve the 
mystery of her dreams. All they could come up with was she 
was fearful of being a senshi. But how could they try to 
resolve that. They hadn't even fought in months. Man, on 
nights like this, she could sure relate to what Mamoru went 
through those years before.

She drew herself out of bed and over to the computer. 
Hopefully Ryou would be online, the time would be right 
for him at college. She logged on and happily saw that he 
indeed was on.

"Ami! What are you doing on now, it's gotta be like 3 there!" 
Ryou wrote.

"Hai. I had another dream, worse then the rest. I couldn't 
fall back asleep, so I came on, hoping you would be on." Ami 
wrote, a smile poping on her face at his concern.

"Oh Ami, I wish I could be there for you, I wish I could help 
you! My clarvoyance seems to malfunctioning, I can't even 
forsee what will happen with you. Something is blocking 
it." he wrote.

She sighed, and picked up a picture next to the computer. Ryou 
and Ami smiled back. This had been taken only a month before,
before Ryou had gone off to college, and Ami to her final year
of Medical School. They had just become engaged, both were
19. Gods, how she missed him. But how could he help her all
those miles away?

A message from Ryou popped up. "I'm going to come home this
weekend. Class is canceled tomorrow, and i don't have classes
on Monday. I'll catch a flight early tomorrow morning."

Ami clapped her hands happily. He was coming home! But, it
would be so expensive, she thought sadly. "That would cost
so much... I'm sure I'll be fine." She wrote, knowing that
he would completly ignore the statement.

"I'm coming Ami, and I know you honestly have no complant.
I want you to call someone and stay with them tonight, don't 
go back to sleep alone, my sweet. I'll bring you a gift too."

A Present! How sweet of him! "Oh sweetie. Okay, I'll go over
to Usagi and Mamoru, since they're only down the street. I
love you, Ryou."

"May you have only sweet dreams, my angel" he responded 
before she signed off and turned off the computer. She 
picked up the phone to call Usagi, not wanting to just 
barge in on the couple at a possibly embarrasing moment.

"Moshi moshi..." came a tired Usagi voice.

"Moshi moshi Usgai-chan. It's Ami. Can I come and sleep in 
your guest bedroom tonight?"

Suddenly Usagi was wide awake, and she heard Mamoru's 
concerned voice in the background. "Of course Ami-chan. 
You're welcome anytime. The door will be unlocked, and 
I'll go make some tea."

Ami almost blushed at her kindness. "Oh Usagi-chan, you 
needn't go to so much trouble..."

"Ami no baka. Don't be so silly. I'm thirsty anyways. I'll 
see you in a bit. Ja ne." Usagi replied.

"Ja ne, Usagi, and Arigato." Ami hung up the phone, and
walked over to her dresser. Pulling out her duffel, she
threw in her med school uniform and other accessories and
necesities. Her pajamas were suitble for going over to
the Chiba's, so she just threw on a light jacket, and slipped
on a pair of sandles. Grabbing her duffle and keys, she
locked the door and walked over to the elevator to take her
to the parking lot under the apartment building. 

She hugged herself tightly as the doors came open. The parking
area was well maintained, since her apartments were one
of the best in the Tokyo region, but any underground
parking lot would be enough to creep out anyone at 3 in the
morning, especially after all her dreams.

She quicly took off twoards her litle blue Neon. It was 
parked far down along the right wall. In her mind, she 
thought she could hear footsteps following her, but she told
herself that she was imagining it, she was stressed out,
which did make sence. Finally she reached her car and pulled
out her key to open it. "Made it." She thought, releaved.

She opened the door and started to slide in when she felt
a hand on her wrist and a hand slip over her mouth. She 
screamed as she was wrenched from the car, but her horrified
cries were silenced by the hand. 

The man threw her against the wall and leaned up against her,
both of her hands held captive in one of his. "What's a 
pretty lady like you doing out at this time of night?" 
The alcohol was aparent on his breath, and she almost choked. 
She shut her eyes, frozen. This was worse then her dreams! He 
was going to rape her!

His free hand reached down to her duffel, and opened it up.
He took out her wallet and took out the money. Glancing at
the name, he chuckled. "Well Mizuno Ami, looks like I've hit
jackpot. 340 dollars in here." Tears spilled down her cheeks.
She wasn't forced silent anymore, but she couldn't bring 
herself to do anything, even scream. She was too scared.

He looked her straight in the eyes. The light wasn't too 
good, but she could see that he was a man around 40, 
quite hairy. Several scratches and bruises marred his face,
he obviously didn't have much money. Suddenly, a scream 
found it's way out of her and he slugged her in the 
stomach and took her jaw and squeezed. "Keep quiet, you 
bitch. One more sound out of you, you won't live to speak
another one." 

Her eyes squeezed shut at the pain. Oh Gods, oh Ryou, what 
could she do. She felt the man start to tear at her jacket. 
What would happen to her? He would take her virginity, her 
innocence, which she had saved through pure determination 
to be loved by only one. Her dream would be shattered. 

It has to be another nightmare! She thought to herself
frantically. Please let it be over soon, please let me be
in Ryou safe strong arms. Oh Gods, why must you continue
to torment me?! His hands went up her shirt, struggling
to get it off. She just wanted to wake up. Please, let her
wake up from this horrible dream!

An overwhelming power flew through her, a feeling she 
hadn't felt in years since the fight with Galexia. The 
powers of Mercury called out to her. She concentrated 
on it, and broke free from his grasp on her hands.

He jumped at my sudden burst of power, and hit me 
again, his nails leaving signs on my arms as he lashed 
out at me. I cried out and heaved myself at him. 
We hit the ground wrestling, trying to overcome the 
other. I slammed him into the neighboring car,
dug my thumbs into his eyes and kneed him where 
it counts. He immidiatly curled up in pain, and 
i wrenched myself from him. I grabbed my keys, and
leaped into my waiting car, locking the door and quickly 
backed out. I rushed out of the parking lot, leaving the 
man, my duffle, and my money there. 

Somehow I ended up at Usagi's, how I managed to drive there
I still havn't been able to figure out. I saw Usagi 
standing in the window, waiting for me. I rushed out of the 
car twoards the door. Usagi must have saw the state of my
clothing because when I reached the door, she had the door 
open and a blanket waiting, tears in her eyes. "Oh 
Ami-chan! What happened?! You... you... didn't...?" 

I fell into her arms, the blanket hiding what my assultor 
had done to me. Tears flooded my eyes as I found 
myself comforted by Usagi and Mamoru. Well, Usagi and I 
were comforted, as she was in a state almost as bad as I 
seemed. We sat there, holding each other, crying, and 
crying. My eyes were red a swollen, I could feel the 
bruises on my face and hands throbing, my stomach and 
chest ached at every agonizing breath, and my scratches 
burned something awful. 

After some time, I had calmed down enough that I could hold 
still, and Mamoru started to clean up some of the wounds.
I gasped as I looked down at myself, my shirt was ripped
(fortunatly, nothing too extremly embarrasing with Mamoru
there) and stained red from the blood that my assultor had
drawn. Even though Mamoru tried to be gentle, his touch 
still stung. I had to bite my lip to prevent myself from
crying out.

"Oh Ami, oh Ami." Usagi murmerred, completly terrified for
me. I knew she didn't know what to say, what could someone
say at a moment like this. Gods, I could have been killed!
"I'm... so sorry..." she finally said.

Mamoru cleared his throat. "Nothing looks too bad injuries
wise. I think we should get you to the hospital though..."

"No." Ami stated, shaking her head firmly. "Please," she
continued, her voice cracking, "Please let me take a shower.
Oh gods, I just want to wash him off. Please..."

Usagi nodded firmly, wiping a tear from her eye. "Of course
Ami, here, I'll show you there sweetie." She took my arm
gently, like a mother would, and led me there. I felt so
helpless, so indecent, like trash. I just wanted to get
away and wash away his hands, his rough hands on my body.
I gave a shudder, and Usagi shushed me. I must have been
moaning as well.

She ushered me into the bathroom and handed me bundles
of incredbly soft towels. Then she kissed me on my forehead
turned, and shut the door behind her. I could hear her
and Mamoru talking softly, probally trying to decide what to
do.

I slowly took off my ripped and bloody clothing. I 
tossed it in the garbage, never wanting to see it again. 
As I passed the mirror, I sheld my eyes, not wanting to 
see my scarred and bruised body. I turned on the water 
real hot and got in, hardly noticing the burning heat. 
I grabbed the soap, and began to scrub, only lightening 
up on the scrapes and brusises.

Finally, I stopped my mad scrubbing and wrapped my arms 
around, sinking down to my knees, the water pounding down 
on my back and creating a ring around my crestfallen face. 
No matter how hard I tried, the memory of him remained, 
and I only felt as if his touch was masked, but still 
there.

"Oh Gods, why? Why?" She cried out.

@---{---{----

She was iceskating with a bunch of her friends, laughing
and having fun. Ryou came up behind her and twirled her
around, laughing merrily. Suddenly, she heard a loud
noise, and glanced down, confused. She gasped as she
saw the ice beginning to crack! "IEE! Ryou! Look out!"
She cried out, turning to Ryou, but found him to 
aready have slipped. She glanced around for help, and
saw everyone else slipping twoards the increasingly
huge crack in the ice. "MINNA!" She screamed, bending 
down to grab Ryou's shaking hand. But as she reached,
the crack widened and jutted out twoards him. He 
screamed, reaching for something to hold on to, but her
hand wasn't close enough yet. He slipped down into the 
water. She wipped her head around, and watched in turn,
as each of her friends did the same. "IEE! MINNA!"
She got down on her knees, slipping her hand into the 
crack where Ryou had gone, and found an icy hand grabbing
at her wrist. "NO!" As she sunk into the icy depths, she
heard a little voice whisper, "Mama..."

Suddenly, she found herself still kneeling in the tub.
"Oh gods, it was just a dream... just a dream..."
@---{---{----

Around an hour later, she emerged from the shower, covered
in soft fluffy towels. She found a set of her clothes 
sitting on the toilet. Not really caring how they got here, 
she pulled them on, happy to find they were loose 
fitting. She really wasn't in the mood for anything 
form fitting. A soft knock rang out on the door. 
"Ami-chan?"

"Come in Usagi." Ami croaked out. Words were coming out 
harder, with the newly blossoming bruises on her neck.

Two faces emerged at the door. "May I come in too, Ami?" 
Rei asked.

Ami nodded, sitting down on the toilet seat. She 
stared up sadly at her friends. They squatted next 
to her, placing their hands on her knees. Both of them 
had such looks of kindness on them, she couln't help 
but start to relax, if even only a fraction.

Rei took a deep nervous breath. "Ami-chan. I know 
it may be hard to talk about, but did he... did he..."

"No, I managed to get away before he got down there. 
Oh gods." Usagi buried her head against Ami's knee, 
a little relief flooding over her face.

"Ok, sweetie. Remember, I'm here for you. Now, I know 
you didn't want to go to the hospital before, but, what 
about internal injuries? We want to be careful, we love 
you so much Ami." Rei continued. She had dealt with 
situations like this before, being a priestess, but 
never someone so close to her.

Ami leaned back and closed her eyes, painful deep breaths
washing over her. It would probally be best if she went in.
She should be smart, she was nearly a doctor how it is. She
softly nodded her head. "Thank you." She murmmered.

Together, the two girls helped her up and took her out to 
the living room where Mamoru was waiting. He smiled gently
at her. "I've called an old friend of mine, Dr. Miharu
Saionji. She's going to meet us there. Is that ok Ami?
Ami nodded. She would be a lot more comfortable with a
lady doctor. They then led her out to Mamoru's car. The
night air had enough chill to make her shiver, despite
the warm shirt she was wearing. Rei ran out to her car,
saying that she would meet them there. Usagi helped
Ami into the backseat and they left for the short trip
to the hospital. 

Suddenly, Ami gasped. Would she be back when Ryou arrived?
"Usagi! I have to get in touch with Ryou-chan! He was 
coming back for the weekend tomorrow! Oh Gods, what's he 
going to say?"

Usagi shushed her, trying to stay patient, loving, and 
calm. "We'll give him a call when we get there sweetie,
ok? It's going to be ok."

Ami nodded, and leaned her head back, trying to calm 
down. Ryou would be here soon. He would take care of
her. Oh gods, she wanted him here NOW. Thank the lord
that she had her friends to turn to. She glanced over
to Usagi, who was holding protectivly on to her hand.
She was the best friend in the world. She didn't even
look like she had taken any time to get herself ready.
Her hair was still french braided from that night, 
all staticy and rumpled. And she still wore her 
pajamas, with just a light jacket thrown over it.

Usagi looked up at her and smiled. "We're almost
there Ami-chan. And then, we can call Ryou-chan, and get 
him over here! That'll probally help. I just wish 
I could do more for you."

Ami smiled sadly, and reached over and gave her a
hug. "Arigato Usagi-chan. But you have already done
so much for me, I don't know how I can ever.."

Mamoru shook his head, but didn't turn, trying to
keep his eyes on the road. "Ami-chan, there is no need
to thank us. We love and care for you so much, 
we couldn't even think of doing anything else."

Usagi nodded in agreement, she turned and looked
Ami straight in the eye, her bright blue orbs
shining with emotion. "Ami-cahn, he's so completly
right. I know, if the other girls were still in
town, they would have done the exact same thing.
Which makes me ask, would you like me to call them
up? I know they would want to know, even if they
couldn't come."

Ami bit her lip. She was scared to let other 
people know about what happened. If she would have,
or if she had... oh... bother, it wasn't worth
thinking about. But she knew her friends cared
and wouldn't judge her, so she nodded. "I guess
that would be ok, Usagi-chan. But... don't make
it sound like they need to come or anything..."

"Oh Ami-chan. Don't worry about it. I'll make sure 
they know that. Ok. Hey look, we're there.

Mamoru pulled up to the emergency doors. He turned 
to Usagi. "I'll be in in a bit. Miharu should be 
there waiting for us, but if not, Rei or I will 
be in in a bit. Ok." Usagi nodded, and took off 
her seatbelt. 

"Ready, Ami-chan?" She nodded, unbelted herself, and 
slipped out of the car with Usagi's help. She took a 
deep breath, looking at the doors. She had been here 
many times before, but never as a patient. She lowered 
her head and allowed herself to be led in by Usagi.

@---{---{----

'Oh Ryou... how I need you here now... oh, if you were
only here right now, maybe it would all go away...'

@---{---{----

'Ryou... why aren't you picking up? Where are you right
now? I can't take it any more... all the questions,
the proding... can't they see that I'm hurting? I don't 
want to talk about it! Oh gods, was this what my dreams
were warning me of? Why won't you pick up?'

@---{---{----

'Well, I'm back at the Chiba's... Makoto's coming for
a visit, but the rest can't make it right now... but
why can't we get ahold of you? Can you hear me Ryou?
I'm scared, even worse then I was after the dreams. I
feel so violated, if only you were here. You would make
things so right... Oh Ryou... Ryou...'

"Ami-chan?" Usagi knocked, "Mako-chan is here, do you
want her to come in?"

Ami sighed, rolling over to face Usagi. Nodding blankly,
she slowly drew herself up into a sitting position as
Makoto walked in.

"Hey Ami. You hungry?" Makoto said, in a forced cheery
voice. She came in, her eyes filled with worry and concern,
and widening as she took Ami in. "Oh God Ami..."

Ami shrunk up sadly, completly dejected that she looked so
awful that even Makoto had been shocked. Ami tilted her
head away, putting a hand over her face to block out the
sight, embarrased. "Oh Ami, no..." Makoto stammered.

But Ami just kept her face down, rolling over onto her
side. "Please," she whispered hoarsly, "please leave me be
for awhile. I can't..."

Makoto stiffled a silent sob, mortified with herself for
what she had done to her. She drew up her courage and 
patted her knee. "Sure sweetie. Maybe a little later."
Usagi came in silently and took Makoto away.

Ami closed her eyes painfully. "Just make it go away, please,
just make it all go away..." she whispered to herself
as she drifted off into a troubled sleep."

@---{---{----

"Oh my gosh, she's so beautiful..." Ami murrmered softly,
gently stroking the top her of her newborn's head. The baby
sighed gently, her breathing steadying after just feeding.

"She's such an angel, you were wonderful, my sweet," Ryou
said softly, bringing the two girls into a soft hug. "What
are we going to name her?"

Ami smiled happily. "hmmm... I'm not sure... I can't seem
to think of the name..."

He chuckled, "It'll come to you, don't worry. When do you 
think they're going to get up to 'save' us?"

Ami smiled, but was interrupted by a soft rumble. "What
was that?" she started, putting down her little girl into
the handmade baby cradle Ryou had whipped up.

"I'm not sure, but it seems to be getting louder," Ryou said,
worry sounding in his voice. The noise outside was indeed 
getting louder, up to a roaring noise. He walked over to the 
window, and screamed. "Oh Gods! Ami! Watch out!" He started 
to turn and run twoards her, the windows shaking. Just as 
he almost reached her, the house began to split, and he 
rammed into her. She went flying twoards the doorway as an 
avalanch crashed through the house, covering up Ryou and 
her babe, and sending her and the cabin further flying until 
she crashed into a tree, just off the path of the snow.

"RYOU!!! MY BABY! IEEEEE!!!!!" Ami screamed "Oh gods no! 
Don't take them away!!" The wind and snow whistled past, 
almost creating sounds. In her delusions, she could almost 
make out her name. "Ami... Ami..." 

She clutched her hands to her ears to block the words, but 
found some strange force keeping her hands down. "Leave me 
be!" she cried, glancing up, face to face with her tattered 
attacker. "Somebody!! Anybody!! Save me!" She cried shaking 
her hands free and jumping up, right back into Usagi's 
guest bedroom and in the arms of Ryou.

"AMI! WAKE UP!" he was crying out, shaking her battered and
sobbing body. Usagi, Mamoru, Makoto, and Rei all stood around
the bed, clutching their hands. Ami glanced around in horror,
"Oh Gods no, not another nightmare. Please, no more!" She
cried, trying to escape Ryou's grasp, but he only placed
his arms firmly around her, holding her close. "It's not 
another nightmare Ami. I promise you, it's not. I'm real, we
all are. Look at me Ami! Look in my eyes, and you'll see
that I'm real!" He gently took her face and tilted it so
she was looking into his dark eyes.

His eyes were filled with true love, not of any fake dreamy
substance. They radiated concern and love only to her.
"Oh Ryou... it is you..." she sobbed, throwing her arms around
him.

He closed his eyes and pressed his face into her hair, taking
a deep breath, memorizing her scent in case anything ever 
happened to her again. "Oh Gods Ami, I'm so sorry, I tried
calling, to warn you... but you had already left, and I 
couldn't reach anyone else, I took the first flight here,
if only I could have been sooner, maybe... oh... oh Ami..."

"Ryou, Ashite so much, don't leave me, don't ever leave
me again..." she sighed, tears streaming down her face. She
turned her liquid eyes to face his, and leaned up to kiss
him, gently. He took her face in his hands, and gently
kissed back, comfortingly.

As they broke, she gave a giant sigh of relief. She placed
her fingers on his lips, and he gently kissed them, then
drew her face forwards, so their foreheads were touching.
"Oh babe, Ashite," he whispered as everyone
gathered around them, giving them a giant group hug.
A small whimper whined out from someone around the group.
Ami looked up, confused. "Huh?" She asked.

Ryou chuckled. "My present! Come here girl!" he said
laughingly. Rei ducked down and picked up an absolutly
gorgeous baby cocker spaniel, her fur so black it almost
had a blue sheen to it. Her dark wonderful begging eyes
gazed at Ami, immediatly bonding to her new owner. 

Ami's eyes widened. "She's absolutly beautiful! How old?"
She asked, scratching the puppy under her ear, causing the
puppy to flip over and kick her legs in delight. 

Ryou smiled at Ami, her mind seemingly forgeting her earlier
experience. "She just over 2 months, a friend of mine's 
dog had puppies. Her name is Yukiko." 

Ami gasped, flinging her hands to her mouth. "NO!" She 
cried out. Hands went to her as she brought her knees
to her chest, clutching them and rocking herself. "What's
wrong Ami? What happend?" Ryou cried out. 

Rei shook her head, trying to sort it out. "Yukiko? Is it
the name that bothers you, Ami-chan?"

Ami cried out again, hearing the name of the baby she had
just so vividly lost. She had such a perfect face, smile,
and all gone, in a flash. "No, no, this isn't happening,
stop the dreams, god stop the dreams..." she chocked out
a sob.

Rei nearly pounced on her. "You had a dream about something
named Yukiko? Oh Ami! Maybe this will be the breaking point!
Maybe we can figure out a way to solve your nightmares!"

Suddenly, Ami's eyes fluttered shut.

@---{---{----

Darkness and cold. That's all that surrounded her. There
was no floor, no walls, no ceiling, nothing of substance
what-so-ever. Just darkness and cold.

Nobody was around, nobody cared. She was hardly happy,
not that it mattered, since she was all alone anyways.
She had been living so long without happiness. God
she wished she could wear a smile as did the people did
in her dreams. But not even her dreams were so happy
anymore. She was so lonely, she couldn't even dream
properly anymore. Her life was so unfair. 

She had been locked up in this nothingness for so long, 
she didn't know how much longer she could take it. She
had stopped crying a long time ago. She no longer
needed to, she had gotten used to the pain.

She must not deserve to be happy, or to be loved. It 
simply wasn't meant to be. Someday, she wouldn't be
able to wait any longer for any kind of rescue. Not
that she wanted to wake. Not that she wanted to live.
Why did she continue to hold on? 

She clutched her stomach, knowing to her despair, that
nothing could ever be the same. Even if she ever woke,
she would never be truly alive. Not now that the 
drunk driver had claimed her unborn baby Yukiko's life.

@---{---{----

"Life is neither a good nor an evil;
it is simply the place where good and evil exist."
- Seneca

Don't be evil.

"A baby is God's opinion that life should go on."
- Carl Sandburg

Before you drink, think of the consequences.

"If you were going to die soon and only had one 
phone call you could make, who would you call 
and what would you say?
And why are you waiting?"
- Stephen Levine

Don't wait until it's too late. It will get you 
nowhere.

@---{---{----

Send any comments or flames to AriaChiba@hotmail.com