Here is my latest insanity! I hope you enjoy…
Grave Danger – Three years after Mamoru's death, Usagi is drawn into a deadly game. Who will protect her, her senshi, Haruka and Michiru, who suspect something, or the Three Lights, one of which loves her, and would do anything to have her love?
Disclaimer – For the record, I do not own, nor have I ever owned the rights to this, and that being the case, you must realize, I make no money from it.
Prologue – Odoroki
Magenta eyes lovingly slid over each of her warriors. Has it already been five years? It is time, my feelings are never wrong. I know that the Princess of the Moon needs help …
She smiled at the three warriors standing before her. Kakyuu knew they had missed Earth, and the Senshi they left behind.
Seiya, Taiki, and Yaten all stood in their male forms, waiting for their Princess to speak. Seiya glanced at Taiki, only to see him looking as confused as he himself felt.
"My three guardians, you have served me well. The planet is thriving, and I have been thinking. It is time for you to earn your rewards."
Three confused gasps could be heard throughout the throne room. She inwardly smiled watching as confusion washed over their faces, and as their eyes widened.
"Now before you speak, let me finish all that I have to say." She held up a hand cutting off all of their questions. "As I was saying, you have gone above and beyond the call of duty, and therefore, by royal decree, I am releasing you from your guardian status, and immediately sending you to Earth."
The whole room fell silent, as nobles and servants alike quieted. Everyone in the room had their eyes locked on the Princess.
"I am sending you on a permanent assignment as dignitaries to the planet Earth. You are to remain there, in the role of Ambassadors to Earth." She paused for a moment, to gauge their reactions. Their smiles were all the answer she needed. Kakyuu took a deep breath and continued. "I would like for you to renew your acquaintance with the Moon Princess and her court. If ever you need help, just send a message, and I will send whatever aid you require."
The room thundered with applause after a second of silence. The three men stood in shock unable to think of something to say….
Chapter 1 – Hajime
Usagi stood in the pouring rain, waiting for the bus. Her afternoon classes at the community college had been cancelled for the afternoon. What luck! She sighed, and blew damp bangs out of her eyes. She knew she ought to call Ami or Makoto, or even Rei or Minako, to let someone know what she was up to.
I need to do this by myself this time. She grimaced, knowing how hard approaching Mamoru's grave, by herself, was going to be. I can do this. For the last three years, all of the girls had accompanied her to his grave, on the anniversary of his death.
Ami is on call today, and Rei has a meeting at the temple. Minako has that audition that she can't miss, and Makoto has to work. With that last thought she smiled. Her friends were all doing great in their lives and for today only, she didn't want to disturb them. This is the perfect time to show them how far I have come. I might cry but I won't be inconsolable.
She glanced up to see the bus lumber up in front of her. The doors slid open with a whoosh, and she climbed the steps. Usagi flashed her pass at the driver, and walked to an open seat. She sat, dropping her bag down at her feet. She sighed relieved to finally be out of the rain.
Just my luck, I went off without an umbrella. Rivulets of cold water dripped down her neck, and she absently wiped at them. The bus made the trip across town as she thought back to that day three years before.
She had been studying, until a knock at the door interrupted. Usagi opened the door, surprised to find a couple of police officers standing there.
"Miss, do you know a Chiba Mamoru?" The officer could barely look her in the eye.
A trickle of dread had slid over her neck and the hairs stood on end. "Yes why? He is my fiancé."
He coughed and sputtered a bit and she eyed him strangely. "He is…well that is to say…there has been an accident."
"Is he alright?" She reached out a hand and set it on his sleeve with a pleading curiosity.
"Miss I'm afraid there is no easy way to say this. Your fiancé did not survive the accident." He paused a moment letting the message sink in. "There was too much trauma to his chest and upper body."
In that moment, Usagi's world fell away. She vaguely heard someone screaming, and arguing, but that was hazy at best. The phone ringing, had grabbed her attention, and she had answered it. Thank god Minako had called to see about dinner plans for the whole group. Usagi had barely been able to talk around the tears and pain inside her.
Minako knew in an instant that something was very wrong, and called everyone. They had arrived within a half an hour, to find a sobbing desolate Usagi. The cops had hung around unsure what to do with the inconsolable young lady.
Once her friends arrived, the cops filled them in, and then made a hasty exit. A car had run a red light, slamming into Mamoru's motorcycle, and he had no chance. She didn't find that out until later.
Usagi snapped back to attention, to realize her stop was just ahead. She grabbed her bag again, and pulled out the rose. It had survived fairly well, despite being tucked inside her bag. She hefted the bag over her shoulder, and waited as the bus pulled to a stop.
When the doors whooshed open she moved forward, and descended the stairs. The rain had let off, and now was just a sprinkle. The sun was valiantly trying to peek out from behind the clouds, making everything too bright. Usagi was assaulted by the smell of fresh oily pavement that came after a good rain.
She moved up the sidewalk towards the entrance to the cemetery. I can do this…I can do this. She mentally pushed herself ever forward, towards her goal. As she passed through the gateposts leading in to the cemetery, a small sigh escaped from her.
She knew exactly where his headstone was located, and kept her eyes cast downwards as she made her way forward. Her mind was a jumble of images, and emotions all battling for supremacy. She watched as her feet squished through the muddy grass, and tried to ignore the turmoil.
She was driven forward by the memories of being here the first time. Her vision was filled with the black clothes everyone was wearing and their pale faces. She recalled the multitude of flowers that were set up around his grave and his picture snug in the middle.
When she reached his headstone, a lone tear broke loose and slid down her cheek. She attempted a smile for his benefit.
"Hello Mamo-chan." She wiped away the tear, trying to act happy. "I brought you a little something." She stepped forward and put the red rose into the little vase. "Yes it's your favorite." She let a stray giggle out. "I stole it from your rose garden in the park."
She felt the mounting hysteria and tried to remain calm. "It's been another year, and I am almost ready to graduate from college." A second tear broke free from its prison and hurried down her cheek. "I wish…well you know, that you were here, to…." Several more tears broke free from her eyes and she felt her control slipping.
"To see me graduate, and be here with me." A painful sob broke free and finally she knew she had no more control. The sobs broke from her body, and drove her to her knees with the force. She doubled over and just let the tears flow….
Minako pulled out her cell phone and called the Temple. When Rei finally answered she got straight to the point.
"Have you talked to Usagi today?" When Rei said no, Minako wondered aloud. "Do you think she called Ami or Makoto?" Rei again said no. "You don't think she attempted to go on her…" Rei cut her off with a fierce yes, and hung up. Minako looked up at the sky.
"Yeah, I'm on my way." A small frown marred her features. I completely forgot what today is. I wonder why Usagi tried to go by herself.
Rei called the hospital, and let Ami know to meet them at the cemetery, and then called Makoto at the restaurant, and told her the same thing….
They found her at his grave, down on her knees in the wet grass, crying softly. Rei slipped up behind her, and knelt to put an arm over her shoulders. She decided not to reprimand Usagi, understanding her need to do it on her own. Instead, she just whispered in her ear. "It'll get easier as time moves on."
Cerulean eyes, dimmed with sorrow, turned her way. Rei sucked in a breath at the heartbreak trapped there.
"You really think so? You're not mad Rei-chan?" Usagi watched Rei for a reaction.
"How could I be mad at my Odango-atama?" Rei smiled softly, and stood pulling Usagi up with her. Usagi gave her a small smile and then turned to look at the other three girls.
"Sorry guys, but I had to try this on my own." She shot them a sheepish look, and a small smile. The girls all moved at once, pulling a wet Usagi into a giant group hug.
Makoto smiled, and spoke up. "It's Friday, and everyone is done for the day right?" She threw a questioning glance around the group, and was met by nods all around. "Then how about a slumber party at the Temple?" She glanced at Rei to see a smile.
"I think that is a great idea." Rei glanced at Usagi, before continuing. "How 'bout it, Usagi?" She watched as her friend pondered the thought.
Minako pulled out her phone, and called Haruka.
"I think I'd rather be alone…" Usagi glanced down at the muddy grass on her jeans. "I'm probably not good company today."
Minako whispered into the phone, and waited to see what would happen. Ami watched to see what Makoto and Rei would do.
The smile was wiped off of Makoto's face. "Usagi, are you sure? I was going to cook your favorite food…" She tried for cajoling, because usually food would alter Usagi's decisions.
"Well…okay I guess." Usagi smiled, but it was a small effort, not her usual bright cheery one.
Minako let Haruka know it was go, and flipped her phone closed. "Haruka and Michiru want to come too, along with Setsuna and Hotaru." She smiled. "They're meeting us at the Temple."
"We have not seen them in a while, and it will be nice to get everyone together again." Ami glanced around to see smiles of agreement.
After a favorite meal cooked by Makoto, they were all sitting around in the main room of the Temple. Setsuna had left with Hotaru after dinner. Rei had pulled out Tatami mats for everyone, and they sat in circle just chatting. Rei finally spoke up after a bit of silence.
"I should probably consult the fire." She paused a moment. "Do you realize how long it has been since I have done that?"
"A couple of years?" Ami quipped, knowing exactly the last time she had done that.
"Wasn't it just after the battle with Galaxia?" Michiru smiled, "I seem to remember that everyone was happy about the peaceful break." She sobered as a thought struck. "Do you sense something? "
Rei shook her head in denial. "Nah I just thought it would be interesting."
Haruka interrupted them with a thought. "You know I thought the wind was a bit different earlier, but I just thought I was imagining things." She glanced at Michiru before continuing. "I didn't say anything, well because, I didn't really pay attention to it. We have been unneeded for so long, I think our skills are out of practice." She smiled ruefully, and shot Michiru an apologetic look.
"I felt something late last night, but I too blew it off. It wasn't a bad thing though, kind of comforting really. I think that is why I blew it off." Minako looked sheepishly around, and threw a hand in the air. "I could be mistaken…so no biggie." She chuckled nervously.
Michiru glanced at Haruka with curiosity. "Well…how did the wind feel earlier? You never did say." She eyed the blonde girl expectantly.
"Honestly it felt…hmm…I would have to say, annoying really?" She shrugged nonchalantly, and left it at that.
Everyone laughed except Rei. "Maybe I will consult with the fire? How does tea sound afterward?" Smiles broke out all around and everyone clapped.
Rei stood and left the main room, wandering towards her bedroom. She stripped, and slipped into her miko robes, and wandered into the fire room. She had cleaned the room, and kept the fire going as part of her daily duties around the Temple.
She approached the fire with a sense of regret. It has been a long time my old friend. She smiled, and knelt in the appropriate manner. She studied the flames, and let her mind drift. The familiar warmth seeped into her being, and she felt an awareness that had been missing in her life lately.
Her mind ever so slowly became one with the flames, and she knew the connection was made. A sense of peace washed over her as the bond grew stronger. Vivid images flashed before her eyes that were recent events, and things to come.
It wasn't until everything went black that she became concerned. The darkness was heavy, and cloying almost to the point of being overwhelming. What seemed like hours of waiting in actuality was no more than minutes. An unrecognizable voice finally spoke from the deepest recesses.
"Grave danger and you shall have your part. With out even knowing, you will attempt to stop her heart. You will have no memory and no idea of the great evil task you have accomplished." Rei took in the words in mute horror. She found, she could not break the bind of whatever was still whispering insidious words in her mind.
For just a moment, her eyes flashed with an unholy red light, and then she found herself lying on the carpet, with no memory of the weird part of the fire reading. The sweat beading on her body left a cold chill that she did not understand. She shook her head in confusion, and slowly stood. The temperature in the room seemed cooler than usual. She glanced around the room, and made her way back to her bedroom.
When she reached her room, she took a moment to gather her wits. I just had a normal fire reading so why do I feel so odd? She finally just wrote it off as exhaustion, and changed back into her clothes. By the time she left her room the whole weirdness was forgotten.
Rei wandered into the kitchen, and pulled out her kettle. She filled it with water, and put it on to boil. She pulled out six tea cups and began placing the tea in them. When her hands wandered to the herbal cupboard, her mind shut down. She did not see the mushrooms she plucked from the dark realms. Neither did she see when she poured a decent quantity into a special cup. She suddenly found herself humming, and pouring the water into the seven cups.
She placed the cups on a tray lifted it carefully, and carried it towards the main room. Rei balanced the tray as she walked into the room. Everyone stopped talking, and glanced at her. She walked to the center of the room, and set the tray down.
"I only had six cups, and so I had to find another. It was Grandpa's special Tea Ceremony cup." She glanced around at everyone, her eyes stopping on Usagi. "Usagi-chan, I am trusting, that you will be very careful with it." She smiled softly at the girl, and set the porcelain cup in front of her.
"Oh! Rei-chan it's beautiful. How old is it?" Usagi picked up the delicate tea bowl carefully, and inspected it.
"I am not sure, but my grandpa's grandpa, handed it down to him." She smiled at Usagi and began passing out all of the other six tea bowls.
Haruka watched the proceedings with soft amusement. She is being extra nice to Usagi because of the date. Haruka glanced at Michiru to see the same appreciation on her lover's face.
Haruka's eyes jumped back to Rei. "So how was the fire reading?"
"The usual, just showing me recent events and things soon to come." Rei smiled at Minako. "Congratulations are in order. You did really well today, you should expect a call come Monday."
Minako's eyes jumped to Rei's face. "Are you serious?" Rei just nodded with a small smile. Minako bounced happily, and almost spilled her hot brew.
Everyone laughed at the blonde's excited antics. Minako glanced at Rei. "What else did you see?"
"Oh Ami, expect Sunday to be busy. There is a Lady in the Aoyama Prefecture that is due any day." She winked at the blue haired girl. "You will be the only resident available for delivery." The group clapped as Ami blushed.
Makoto smiled in anticipation. "What about me? Come on spill." She watched Rei with an excited air.
"You know that guy that the boss just hired." Rei smiled at Makoto with a knowing glance. "Yeah the one that looks just like your senpai." She paused dramatically, leaving Makoto on tenterhooks. "He is going to…." Rei almost ruined it by laughing. "Get fired." When Makoto's face fell she let her off the hook. "Just kidding…he is going to ask you out on a date."
Makoto grinned, and pumped her fist in the air in victory. She sighed. "I knew it…I knew it." She glanced around at the whole group. "He is really cute."
Usagi sat sipping her tea, watching everybody, contentedly quiet. She picked up the cup, and swallowed a big gulp, finishing off her tea. She sat the cup out of the way, and let her attention drift back to the proceedings.
Makoto was rambling on about the guy named Shun, and everybody was listening with interest. Haruka and Michiru were exchanging interesting glances back and forth. Ami, Minako, and Rei were the most focused on Makoto.
I wish Mamo-chan was here. Usagi shook her head in denial. No! I can't think like that. I need to move on. She thought it was just exhaustion when she became a little light- headed. She glanced around the room again, and everything seemed the same, until the room began taking on a greenish glow.
Her eyes widened, and the room slowly began to spin, making her feel sick. The speed picked up, and Usagi became dizzier by the second. The temperature in the room dropped as the speed increased. She held up a hand, trying to halt the motion, but found she had no control. She began to shiver helplessly as her eyes lost focus. When the room settled to a stop her eyes refocused to find everyone gone.
Where did they go? Why am I all alone? The door opening across the room caught her attention. She expected one of her friends, and instead, the sight before her eyes terrified her.
"Mamo-chan?" Her voice was thick and slow to her own ears. He smiled, and walked closer. She tracked his movement towards her, and found she could not scuttle away…..
Haruka felt an odd tingle down her spine, and the hair on her neck stood on end. She glanced around at everyone to find Usagi slumped over. Her face was flushed, and sweat dotted her brow.
"Koneko?" She jumped up, and darted to Usagi's side. Usagi lie limp, and unmoving. Haruka laid a hand on her forehead. "She's burning up!"
"Mamo-chan?" The voice from her princess was sluggish, and thick. "I think she is delirious. It is probably due to the rising of her fever." Suddenly Usagi rolled to her side, and puked all over.
"I need a cool wash cloth now!" Haruka barked orders, and Rei and Makoto jumped to help at once. Haruka studied the young girl's eyes, only to find them open and dilated. Usagi lie trembling, staring off at nothing. The look of fear on her face pulled at Haruka's heartstrings. Something is really wrong.
Haruka had a suspicion but for the moment kept it to herself. "I think Koneko has the flu." She glanced at Michiru to find her kneeling close by. They shared a speaking glance, and then both returned their attention to the sick girl.
Rei brought a basin with cool water, and Makoto followed with a hand towel. Minako watched with wide eyes.
Ami pulled her mini-computer from her purse and began to scan Usagi methodically. Her computer finally beeped. "It is the flu at least that is what the computer picked up."
Rei jumped in cutting Ami off. "I have prepared the bed whenever you are ready." She seemed unusually calm and collected. Haruka shot her a look and Rei's eyes faltered. She could not meet Haruka's intense gaze.
Rei threw her hands up, when she felt the Warrior of Uranus studying her. "What? Is? That? Look? For? She sounded defensive and everyone turned towards her. "If it's the flu, why are you wasting time looking at me? Do something…please." Her pleading, worried tone, and the real fear written on her face, assuaged everyone's attention.
Haruka took a deep breath and returned her focus to Usagi. She grabbed the towel and dipped half in the cool water. She wrung it out, and wiped Usagi's forehead. Usagi moved her head, trying to snuggle into the towel.
Michiru glanced at Makoto. "We could use something for cleanup." The Senshi of Jupiter scrambled to find some rags and a bucket. She hurriedly filled it with warm water and soap, before hurrying back to Michiru.
The two girls worked together, cleaning up the mess. Haruka stood up, and hefted the semi-conscience Usagi into her arms. The girl lay limp, loose-limbed like a dead weight. She shifted Usagi around and made her way towards Rei's bed….
Later, once everyone was settled in and sleeping, Haruka and Michiru sat watching over Usagi. Haruka glanced at Michiru to see her patiently waiting as well. Finally she decided it was safe, and leaned towards Michiru. She spoke in a whisper.
"I don't really think that this is a case of the flu." Her green eyes held an angry light, visible even in the darkness.
Michiru nodded her agreement silently. She thought for a moment and then questioned. "What is it?" Her hand reached out and settled over Haruka's and began stroking in a soothing fashion.
"I think someone tried to poison Usagi." Haruka's words were quiet and soft, but Michiru heard the anger vibrating in her lover's voice.
Michiru's eyes widened. "But why?" She glanced at Haruka with confusion.
"That's just it…I don't know why or who, but I do know that Usagi showed all the symptoms. I think someone was unlucky, and didn't use a lethal dose." Her face was stony and she glanced around the room at the four other sleeping girls.
"That's hard to believe. These girls care about Usagi as much as you and I do." Michiru's eyes roamed over the sleeping girls, filled with disbelief.
"I know that's what makes no sense." Haruka sighed and ran a frustrated hand through her hair. "Not one of them really has a reason!" She glanced behind her to check on Usagi. The girl was at last sleeping somewhat normally.
"What happens if they try again?" Michiru pondered her own words.
"That's what worries me, Koishii. I guess we just have to keep a close eye on Usagi."
They both pondered Haruka's words, trying to understand what was happening.
Haruka tugged on Michiru's hand, pulling her close enough so that the teal-haired beauty could rest her head on her shoulder. "Try and get some rest. I'll keep an eye on Koneko." She kissed Michiru on the forehead and watched as aqua eyes drooped sleepily.
"Okay." Michiru let her eyes drift closed….