REBIRTH
Chibiusa stepped free of the Time Gate and turned to wave goodbye to Sailor Pluto. The senshi of Time smiled as she disappeared back through the Gate to her eternal post. Chibiusa breathed deeply as she looked down over Crystal Tokyo. The tall buildings glistened in the sunlight, welcoming their princess home. The palace itself rose up above the rest and Chibiusa had to suppress the urge to run straight to it. She was a princess in this time and must act like a lady, like her mother.
"Small Lady!"
Chibiusa looked up and saw her four protectors, the Asteroid senshi, waiting for her. They had once been known as the Amazon Quartet but had been transformed by the power of the Imperial Silver Crystal into Sailor Juno, Sailor Pellas, Sailor Vesta, and Sailor Ceres.
They bowed formally as they approached her, but Chibiusa could see the mischievous twinkle in their eyes. Junjun, Parapara, Vesves, and Cerecere would always be the playful, childish sisters despite their new powers and responsibilities.
"Welcome home, Princess," Sailor Juno said.
Chibiusa smiled. "Thank you, Junjun."
"Your parents are expecting you," Sailor Vesta added.
"I bet they have a big feast prepared, right Vesves?"
Sailor Pellas smiled. "Lots of cookies and treats!"
"They've always been Parapara's favourites," Sailor Ceres said.
"I'm not in a huge rush to get home," Chibiusa said. "I haven't been here in such a long time, how about we walk through the city, Cerecere?"
"The Queen wouldn't like that," Juno warned.
"How would she know?" Vesta argued. "Small Lady has been gone so long, she should see what's changed."
"But we're just senshi-in-training," Pellas said. "The older senshi will be mad at us."
"Especially Sailor Uranus," Juno added.
The Asteroid senshi shuddered as they thought of the harsh punishment Uranus would inflict upon them for disobeying. Sailor Uranus ran the training ground like a drill sergeant, and even Sailor Neptune couldn't control her at times. The playful Asteroid senshi were always feeling the sharp lash of Uranus' tongue.
"But if Princess Usagi ordered us," Ceres said, "we'd have no choice but to listen."
The other three nodded excitedly and turned to Chibiusa with large, pleading eyes. Chibiusa smiled, enjoying the familiarity of their game. It was this type of reasoning that had caused the five of them a lot of trouble, but it never stopped them from doing it again. Chibiusa drew herself up and put on a haughty expression.
"I command you to take me home through the city," Chibiusa said.
The Asteroid senshi cheered and bowed. "As you wish," they said in unison.
With Sailor Vesta in the lead, followed by Juno, Chibiusa, Ceres, and Pellas, they marched down the hill and into the city of Crystal Tokyo.
********
The city welcomed the return of their princess. People on the street bowed as Chibiusa passed with her retinue while others waved from windows and doorways. Chibiusa smiled and waved back, glad to be back in the familiar city of her birth. The Asteroid senshi walked in front and behind her, clearing a path and making sure no one troubled the young princess.
"What's been happening since I left?" Chibiusa asked.
"Trouble with the Black Moon Clan again, Highness," Sailor Ceres said, quietly so no one would overhear.
Chibiusa frowned. "But we stopped them in the past a long time ago! They shouldn't be bothering the future."
"Not Prince Diamond, Highness, but his successor," Ceres replied. "They call her Abyss and many people believe her to be the reincarnation of Sailor Galaxia."
Chibiusa's frown deepened. It appeared that, although she had been redeemed and saved by Eternal Sailor Moon, Sailor Galaxia still had a bad reputation. Chibiusa didn't blame the people for fearing her. After all, she had gone on a rampage, destroying hundreds of worlds and collecting the life-forces of their guardians in the form of Star Seeds. Chibiusa had heard all about it from the other senshi at the palace, although her parents refused to even mention it. Rumor had it that Galaxia went into exile in disgrace.
"What does she want?" Chibiusa asked.
Ceres shrugged. "No one knows. She just attacks the city at random, smashes a few houses, and runs off. She hasn't even tried to test the defenses of the palace."
Chibiusa lapsed into thought while Sailor Vesta lead them deeper into the city. They passed through the commercial area with all the crystalline shops and into a more dismal part of Tokyo. Chibiusa looked around with great apprehension. Her mother had forbade her from ever coming to this part of the city.
The beautiful crystal buildings disappeared and were replaced by the ruins of Old Tokyo. Huddled within the shells of former buildings lived the poor of Crystal Tokyo. Despite the best efforts of the crown, it was impossible to feed and employ every citizen of Tokyo and so a few lived in poverty. Chibiusa picked up the pace, wanting to be free of this area and safe with her parents.
"Can we hurry?" Chibiusa asked.
Juno looked over her shoulder. "I thought you wanted to see the city?"
"I do," Chibiusa replied, "but Mother would be very angry if she knew I was in this part of the city."
Vesta sighed. "We can protect you, Princess."
"Don't worry," Ceres added.
"Everything is under control," Pellas finished.
It was at that moment that the attack came. An explosion directly in front of the small procession tossed them all backwards. Juno and Vesta were on their feet in an instant while Ceres and Pellas guarded Chibiusa.
"Stay here, Highness," Ceres said. "We'll find the attacker."
Before Chibiusa could say a word, all four of her protectors had leapt to the rooftops and disappeared. The princess sighed. Her protectors had always been flighty, which was one of the main reasons Sailor Uranus didn't like them.
Chibiusa leaned against a crumbling brick wall wondering how she would explain this to her mother. Suddenly, she was surrounded by black humanoid creatures. They were devoid of any features except large, white eyes. There were five of them and they quickly began advancing. Chibiusa took a last look along the rooftops for her protectors before fleeing down an alleyway, deeper into the ruins of Old Tokyo.
She knew the way partly because of her time spent in the past, but was blinded by fear and soon became lost. The black shadow people followed and Chibiusa could hear their footsteps close behind her. Without slowing, Chibiusa risked a look behind and ran into someone, knocking them both down.
The person that Chibiusa knocked over sat up and rubbed her head. She was about Chibiusa's age with short, straight blue hair and large brown eyes. She wore tattered clothing and looked angrily at her attacker.
"What gives?" she demanded.
As both girls climbed to their feet, Chibiusa looked around in fright. The blue haired girl looked around as well to see what the other was so afraid of.
"Are you okay?" she asked, her voice more kind than before.
"I'm sorry," Chibiusa stammered, "but they're after me."
"If you need to hide, you bumped into the right person. Follow me!" the girl said, grabbing Chibiusa's wrist.
Wordlessly, the princess followed the blue haired girl into an abandoned building. Outside, the shadow people disappeared, their mission accomplished.
********
The girl lead Chibiusa into the basement of a ruined building and closed the decrepit wooden door closed behind them. In the darkness, she lit a small lamp and placed it next to Chibiusa.
"They won't find us here for a while," she said.
"Thank you," Chibiusa replied.
"Any time," the girl answered. "This is where I grew up. I know these ruins like the back of my hand."
They grew silent, expecting an attack to come any minute. An hour past before Chibiusa dared to speak again.
"What's your name?" Chibiusa asked.
"Kuusou Akumu," the girl replied. She squinted in the dim light. "You look very familiar. Have we met before?"
Chibiusa shook her head. "I'm Tsukino Usagi."
Akumu blinked suddenly and backed away. "Oh no. You're not Tsukino Usagi, the daughter of Queen Serenity, are you? Please tell me you're not the princess!"
"I am," Chibiusa said, rising to her feet. "What's wrong with that?"
Akumu began pacing back and forth. "This is great. I spend my whole life avoiding the senshi and then I bring one of them to my secret hideout."
"Avoiding the senshi?" Chibiusa asked.
"I thought you were running from the senshi," Akumu explained, still pacing. "Most people who run through here are. The senshi are known for their patrols, hauling us away in the middle of the night."
Akumu suddenly turned to face the pink haired girl. "If I let you go now, will you promise not to tell the senshi about me?"
"Why? What did you do?"
Akumu bit her lip. "I'm a thief, a rather good one. The patrols that the senshi conduct sometimes see me stealing, but I always manage to get away. I'm not sure, but I think their leader has a reward out for me."
Chibiusa laughed. "I don't know about a reward, but I promise not to turn you in. You saved my life."
Akumu smiled. "You're not that bad, for a princess."
Chibiusa smiled back. "Thanks, I think. Maybe we should head back to the surface. I'm sure my protectors are looking for me."
Akumu raised an eyebrow questioningly but said nothing. She lead the way out of the ruined building and back to the alley where they had first met. She pointed the way Chibiusa had come.
"We're really close to the walls of the palace. If you keep walking that way, you should reach the eastern gate," Akumu said.
Chibiusa lowered her eyes. "Could you walk with me? In case those monsters show up again."
Akumu thought about it for a minute. "Okay," she agreed, "but the minute I see a patrol, I'm out of there. Got it?"
Chibiusa smiled. "Got it."
********
Sailors Juno, Vesta, Ceres, and Pellas stood in front of Sailor Uranus looking very much ashamed of themselves. Their heads were lowered and they scuffed their boots in the sand of the training arena. They had searched the ruins for Chibiusa for quite some time before returning empty handed to the palace to face Uranus' wrath. The other senshi had immediately gone to the ruins to find the princess after Queen Serenity herself had expressed her displeasure with the Asteroid senshi.
"What on Earth were you thinking?" Uranus asked for the hundredth time. "Why did you leave her?"
"We were attacked," Pellas spoke up. "We tried to find the attacker."
"By leaving the princess undefended in the middle of the ruins?" Uranus yelled. "Didn't you think the attacker would come back after you had left?"
The Asteroid senshi paled. They all liked Chibiusa and treated her like another member of their band. The thought of her dead because of them was unthinkable.
"We're sorry," Ceres apologized.
"I want the four of you to run laps of this track until the princess is found," Uranus ordered. "While you run, think about the way a protector is supposed to behave."
"But it could take hours before they find her," Juno protested.
Uranus didn't answer, but left the arena to join the search. Grumbling, the Asteroid senshi began to run.
"It wasn't this hard work with Nehelenia," Vesta remarked.
"Parapara hates to run," Pellas agreed.
"But it is our fault," Ceres said. "We shouldn't have left her alone."
"We should be the ones to find her," Juno decided.
With a nod, the Asteroid senshi abandoned their laps and leapt over the walls of the training arena to join the search for the missing princess.
********
Chibiusa and Akumu talked as they headed through the jumbled ruins to the eastern gate. Chibiusa spoke of her time in the past, careful not to mention that she herself was a senshi-in-training. Akumu told the princess of her life as a thief, hiding from patrols, stealing food to survive, and never really knowing a true home. Chibiusa frowned at this last comment.
"Where are your parents?" the princess asked.
Akumu shrugged. "Who knows? They might be dead or maybe they left Tokyo and forgot about me. I've been alone for as long as I can remember."
"You don't have any friends?" Chibiusa asked.
"Friends are trouble, Princess," Akumu replied. "If no one knows you, no one can turn you in or stab you in the back."
Chibiusa frowned and they walked in silence for several minutes. Suddenly, Akumu froze.
"What is it?" Chibiusa asked.
"I think you're about to become unlost," Akumu said.
Chibiusa craned her neck over a pile of rubble but didn't see anything. She turned to tell Akumu, but the girl was gone. When Chibiusa turned back, two tall senshi were standing in front of her.
Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune had aged gracefully. They did not appear old at all, despite having been born in the 20th century. The spell the Imperial Crystal had cast over the city a century ago had preserved the youth of all the senshi as well as of their princess enabling them to awaken a hundred years later.
"There you are," Neptune said with a smile.
Chibiusa stepped out into the street and the two senshi bowed respectfully. Sailor Uranus looked very upset and Chibiusa wisely decided not to ask where her four protectors were.
"Come on," Uranus said gruffly, turning on her heel.
Neptune waited as Chibiusa turned for a final look into Old Tokyo before following the elder senshi.
"Did you forget something, Princess?" Neptune asked.
"No," Chibiusa said. "I guess not."
From the shadows of the ruined buildings, a pair of large brown eyes watched the two senshi escort the princess away.
********
Haruka burst into the bedroom of the apartment she shared with Michiru and slammed her fist down on the table so hard that Michiru's glass vase jumped. Michiru calmly caught it and set it down gently as Haruka stormed through their rooms. Like all the senshi, they had been given a set of private rooms in the palace, but unlike the others, they had decided to share a single set instead of having two separate ones.
"I can't believe them!" Haruka fumed. "What was Usagi thinking when she made them senshi?"
Haruka had returned to the training ground, after Chibiusa had been returned safely to her parents, only to find the Asteroid senshi missing. She waited for them patiently until just before sundown when they snuck back into the arena. Haruka had immediately taken them off duty and told them to report bright and early for training, then had reassigned them to patrolling the walls.
"She was thinking of her daughter," Michiru answered. "The inner senshi are always busy with the palace defenses and you and I have our hands full with the city. That only leaves Hotaru to protect Chibiusa and you know how much of a strain it is on her health."
Haruka threw herself into a chair, grumbling under her breath. Michiru turned back to her mirror and continued to brush her long, aquamarine hair. Haruka watched for a moment before standing and putting her arms around Michiru's shoulders. The other girl smiled and put her brush down.
"Serenity made them my responsibility," Haruka said, her voice muffled by Michiru's hair. "That means it was my fault Chibiusa got lost."
"Not true," Michiru answered. "The Amazon Quartet were flighty as minions of Nehelenia as well. Making them senshi would not change their personalities."
Haruka straightened and sighed. "You're right. I just can't make them understand how serious this is."
Michiru turned in her seat to face Haruka. It was evident by the blond girl's stance that she was upset.
"How about we have Hotaru stay with Chibiusa, just in case?" Michiru suggested. "They're inseparable most of the time anyway. At least the princess will be safe if she's attacked."
"I hope her training in the past has paid off," Haruka said. "As I recall, her powers were less than effective."
"All the more reason to put the most powerful senshi with her as a protector," Michiru answered. "If you like, I can shuffle around some of my duties in court to spend time with the princess."
Haruka waved the idea aside. "Don't bother. Hotaru will be fine until I get the Asteroid senshi into shape. Right now I have to deal with the rising crime in the city."
Michiru watched as Haruka left their bedroom for her own private study. Queen Serenity had put Haruka in charge of the city safety as well as the training of new soldiers and senshi. She had given Michiru the task of keeping the city clean and beautiful as well as planing court events. The inner senshi also had their hands full, thanks to the new Queen. While they were all called upon to raise the palace shield, Makoto ran the servants and palace security, Rei dealt with religious matters and settled minor disputes, Minako was in charge of the palace grounds, and Ami kept Chibiusa and Hotaru up to date on their schooling, as well as being the royal family's personal physician.
"Any plans for the thieves in Old Tokyo?" Michiru called.
"I've tried work programs, but no one seems to care," Haruka replied. "I don't know what else to do with these people."
"Ask Mamoru if he has any ideas," Michiru suggested.
Haruka nodded. "I'll see him first thing tomorrow morning, after I tell Hotaru about her new assignment and drill some sense into the Quartet."
********
Chibiusa and Hotaru crept to the eastern gate of the palace grounds. The princess had sat impatiently through her morning classes with Ami and had completed her exercises with Haruka as quickly as possible. Now she carried a small basket on one arm as she and Hotaru snuck out the gate into Old Tokyo.
"Are you sure about this?" Hotaru asked. "You did get attacked here yesterday."
"I know," Chibiusa said. "That's why I have to come back. I need to thank the girl who saved me."
The two girls disappeared into the ruins. Hotaru stayed close to Chibiusa, looking around warily. She remembered her talk with Haruka that morning and kept one hand on her transformation pen as they walked.
"How will you find her?" Hotaru asked.
"I don't know," Chibiusa replied. "I hadn't thought that far."
The two girls rounded a corner and stumbled on three large men. They were dressed in rags and looked the two well dressed girls up and down hungrily. Chibiusa and Hotaru back away, but one of the men moved to intercept them and cut off their escape.
"Brought us treats, did you girls?" one of the men said.
He leaned close and Chibiusa nearly fainted from the smell. Hotaru pressed herself closer to the princess, an angry expression on her face.
"Leave us alone," Hotaru said.
"Come on, girlie," another man said. "Just a peak at the basket."
"Back off!" a new voice called.
The men turned and saw a girl with blue hair and large brown eyes stared angrily at them. They looked from her to their two captives and pushed Chibiusa and Hotaru to the ground before leaving the three girls alone. Akumu helped them to their feet.
"Princess!" Akumu gasped. "What are you doing here?"
"I brought you a thank you present," Chibiusa said, holding out the basket.
Akumu eyed Hotaru warily. Chibiusa was shocked by how similar they looked. It reminded her of another who had looked a lot like Michiru, a long time ago.
"Who's she?" Akumu asked.
"Is this the girl who saved you?" Hotaru said at the same time.
Chibiusa giggled. "Hotaru-chan, mean Akumu. Akumu, this is Hotaru."
"Hi," Hotaru said.
"You're not a senshi, are you?" Akumu asked suspiciously.
"I am," Hotaru replied.
Akumu looked back to Chibiusa. "You promised me, Princess."
She shoved the basket back into Chibiusa's hands and turned to leave. Hotaru blinked in confusion as Chibiusa ran after the blue haired girl.
"Akumu! Wait!" Chibiusa called. "I didn't bring her here to turn you in! I just wanted to thank you!"
Akumu stopped. "You're welcome, Highness," she said without turning. "Now if you're smart, you'll leave this place and never return."
Chibiusa felt tears forming in her eyes. She put the basket down on the ground and turned to rejoin Hotaru. When she was out of sight, Akumu walked back to the basket and picked it up. It was full of bread and cakes with a note tucked inside. Akumu couldn't read very well, but she recognized her own name on the note, so she tucked it into her pocket and bit into a piece of bread. It was the best thing she had ever tasted.
Still holding the basket, she scrambled to the roof of a nearby building and scanned the streets for the princess. Akumu quickly found her with the senshi heading back to the eastern gate. She watched until both girls had snuck back in before returning to her small shack where she ate the rest of her gift in peace.
********
Haruka walked along the walls near the eastern gate, enjoying some time free from the pressures of court. A cool breeze pushed against her and she leaned into the wind, her element. The others were inside the palace, eating the magnificent feast prepared in Princess Usagi's honour but Haruka had felt the need to get away. Michiru had risen to join her but Haruka had motioned for her to remain. Understanding as always, Michiru had returned to her seat, no questions asked.
Haruka leaned against the walls, staring out into Old Tokyo. The problem of the thieves residing in the ruins popped into her mind again. Old Tokyo was a breeding ground for trouble, an element they could not afford with the rapidly increasing problem of Abyss. It the Black Moon Clan got a foothold so close to the palace, the golden era of Queen Serenity would be at an end.
Suddenly, she heard a commotion at the gate itself. Quickly, she descended to ground level where three guards were trying to catch someone. They had cornered her against a half destroyed building, but she had leapt into the air with surprising agility and landed on the other side of them. As Haruka appeared, the fourth guard, who was left to watch the gate, saluted.
"My Lady," he said.
"What's going on?" Haruka demanded, her eyes not leaving the scene.
"One of the thieves from Old Tokyo," the guard replied. "She came up to the gate and demanded to see the princess. We refused, of course, and she tried to get past us."
"Four against one?" Haruka asked, one eyebrow raised.
"Yes, my Lady," the guard answered. "She's a wiry one. We've been trying to arrest her for nearly half an hour."
The trio of guards cried out in alarm as the thief broke free and ran into the ruins. Haruka ran from the gate, glad Serenity hadn't insisted she wear a dress. Although it had been years since her last race, Haruka had kept herself in peak physical condition and easily outdistanced the three guards. Ahead, she could see the short blue hair of her prey. The young girl risked a look back and her brown eyes widened as she saw who pursued her. Quick as a flash, the thief took to the rooftops with Haruka a step behind her.
They ran nearly the entire length of Old Tokyo before Haruka managed to catch up to the girl. Throughout the chase, Haruka had been forced to admire the girl's skill. She negotiated every turn with perfect precision and had nearly lost Haruka several times.
Finally, Haruka was close enough to catch the thief and she dove, catching the girl around the knees. They both fell in a heap and the girl kicked her way free. Haruka rolled with her until the roof disappeared and the thief fell. Reaching out, Haruka grabbed her hand.
Haruka finally got a good look at the girl she had been chasing. Recognition struck her as angry brown eyes stared up.
"You!" Haruka gasped.
"Glad you remember me, my Lady," Akumu said bitterly, "but I would rather die than give you the satisfaction of thinking you caught me."
"Wait!" Haruka cried as Akumu let go of Haruka's hand.
The girl didn't cry out as she fell to the ground far below. Haruka heard the muted thud of Akumu's body striking the ground and leapt after her. She landed gently beside the girl and noticed a piece of paper in Chibiusa's handwriting peaking out of the thief's pocket. Haruka picked it up and read it.
Akumu -
Thank you so much for helping me get away from those monsters. You are a true friend.
- Usagi
The girl moaned as Haruka returned the note to her pocket. With a sigh, she picked up the thief gently and began the long walk back to the palace. It was well past midnight when they returned and the guards scrambled to attention as Haruka passed. She brought Akumu to an empty bedroom, called for a guard to remain outside the door, and returned wearily to her own rooms. Scribbling a quick note to Michiru, she sank her tired body into bed. It had been a long, busy day.
********
Ami pushed up her glasses and tightened her grip on her black medical bag. With a nod, she signaled to the guard to let her in the normally empty bedroom. The guard nodded and opened the door, allowing Ami to step inside. The form on the bed didn't stir as the door closed firmly behind Ami. She took a deep breath and headed to the bedside of her newest patient.
She had fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a doctor and had quickly risen to the position of personal physician to the royal family of Crystal Tokyo. Ami had other patients of course, all members of the nobility, and she had been on her way to see one when Michiru had told her about the girl in the spare bedroom. Ami reached into her pocket and felt the paper of the note that Michiru had given her, a hastily scrawled message saying what had happened to the thief the night before. Ami was upset Haruka hadn't come to her immediately after the accident, but the girl's injuries were not life threatening so Haruka had thought it safe to wait a few hours. Michiru had gone to apologize to Ami's waiting patient and Ami had headed straight for the guarded bedroom.
Ami looked down on the sleeping girl and could have sworn she was looking at Hotaru with blue hair. In slumber, the two could have been twins. Ami placed her bag next to the bed and her patient's eyes opened. Ami saw the hurt, mistrust, and hatred in those brown eyes and realized this girl could never pass for Hotaru.
Ami smiled cheerfully and reached for the blankets that covered the thief to her chin. The girl held tightly with one hand, her eyes locked on Ami's.
"Who are you?" she demanded.
Ami sat on the bed and withdrew her hand. "My name is Dr. Mizuno. I'm here to help you."
The girl's eyes narrowed suspiciously and she tore them away from Ami's face long enough to look around the room. "Where am I?"
"In the Crystal Palace," Ami replied. "You're hurt. Please let me help you."
The girl struggled into a sitting position, her left arm hanging limply at her side. She winced and clutched her ribs with her good arm.
"I'm a fast healer," she said. "Thanks for the night's stay, but I'll be going."
Ami firmly took hold of the girl's good shoulder and pushed her gently back into bed. The girl was too hurt to resist and finally allowed herself to be examined by Ami's skilled hands. A few minutes later, the doctor was done and sat back.
"Nothing broken," Ami said in amazement. "Just some bruised ribs and a dislocated shoulder. I'll bind your arm, but you'll have to lie here for at least a week until your ribs heal."
"I'm fine," the thief insisted, but she sat still as Ami tied her left arm across her chest.
"Now," Ami said as she worked, "what's your name and why were you trying to get into the palace?"
"Kuusou Akumu," the girl said, "and I was trying to return a basket to Princess Usagi."
Ami smiled. "So, you're the won who saved Chibiusa. You could have just made an appointment to return the basket."
"'Chibiusa'?" Akumu repeated.
Ami giggled as she put away her instruments. "It's a pet name for the princess shared among the senshi."
Akumu's eyes hardened at the mention of the senshi. "Am I going to jail?"
Ami snapped her bag closed and turned to the girl. "Of course not, but I know a few people who will want to meet you. Rest here and when you're feeling better, we'll talk again."
Ami rose and knocked on the door so the guard would open it to let her out. She looked back to say a final farewell, but Akumu was already asleep.
********
"You're kidding," Rei said. "The thief Haruka chased down is the same girl who saved Chibiusa?"
The four women commonly referred to as the inner senshi sat together in the central room that joined all their suites. They often met here, sometimes with Usagi, to talk about the comings and goings of the palace.
"Does Chibiusa know?" Makoto asked.
Ami shrugged. "I thought it best for Usagi-chan to meet her before we get Chibiusa excited."
"What's she like?" Minako inquired.
"Very guarded and mistrusting," Ami replied. "I don't think she likes the senshi very much. She reminds me of Haruka back when we first met."
"She can't be that bad," Rei teased.
The women laughed as the door from the throne room opened and Queen Serenity came in. She moved with a gracefulness that had always been lacking in her youth, her head held high and a gentle smile on her lips. The inner senshi all rose and bowed as she came in, but as the door closed, the regal persona dropped and she laughed.
"Quit it," she said. "I hate it when you guys get all formal on me."
The women sat down again and Rei signaled to a servant to bring in some refreshments.
"Anything interesting happen out there?" Makoto asked as she picked up her cup of tea.
Usagi sighed. "The tenth anniversary of Crystal Tokyo is coming up and Mamo-chan thought it would be a good idea for our allies to renew their allegiances. I've heard from ambassadors around the galaxy, each wanting something in their treaty changed."
Minako made a face. "Ugh. Thanks for excusing us before all that happened, Usagi-chan."
Usagi stuck out her tongue at Minako. "If the ambassadors hadn't wanted to keep this personal, you'd all be out there suffering with me!"
"Relax, Usagi-chan," Rei said. "Ami has some interesting news for you."
Usagi looked at Ami as the blue haired doctor told her queen about Kuusou Akumu. Usagi nodded as the story was being told and pursed her lips thoughtfully when Ami had finished.
"I would like to meet this girl," Usagi decided. "Have her presented in court when she's able and then she can join us for lunch. Rei-chan, you and Michiru-san can see about getting her ready for court. We can't have a poor thief in rags appearing in front of those ambassadors."
"I'll check on her again tonight to see how she's doing," Ami said. "With the injuries she had, she shouldn't have been able to move, but she nearly leapt out of bed when I arrived. Something is odd about her."
Usagi nodded in agreement. "We'll keep the guard by her door, just in case. If she rescued Chibiusa, she can't be that bad."
The doors to the throne room opened and Artemis stuck his head into the apartment.
"I hate to disturb you ladies," he said, "but the ambassador from Andromeda is here and is demanding to see you."
Usagi sighed and stood. Fixing her crown, she composed herself once more and walked elegantly to the throne room. At the doorway, she paused and turned to look at the inner senshi over her shoulder. Sticking out her tongue, she shot the face at her friends and entered the throne room, leaving a lot of giggling behind.
********
Akumu woke up the next morning to find herself still in the bedroom in the palace, surprised she had slept yesterday away. The sling that had bound her arm had been changed and a glass of water sat on the table beside her bed. Her arm ached, but her ribs felt much better and she sat up with only minor discomfort. Pushing back the covers and swinging her legs out of bed, she realized her clothes had been removed and she was wearing a simple sleeping gown of white cloth. She stood and went to the window.
Outside she could see the beautiful crystal structures that made up most of Tokyo. She guessed that her room overlooked the principal western gate since she could not make out the ruins. Directly below her were exquisite gardens with a long, wide path leading from the gates to the palace doors themselves, lost from view beneath her. She could see to her right the closed off arena where soldiers and senshi drilled under the supervision of Lady Uranus and to her left she saw a cluster of buildings that seemed deserted, their windows dark.
Leaving the window, Akumu circled the small bedroom. It was well lit and warm, with her small bed against the left wall from where she stood, and the door directly in front of her. To her right was a wooden desk with some paper and pencils on it as well as a tray of food. Her hunger suddenly overwhelming her, Akumu headed for the desk, sat down, and began to devour the contents of the tray. There was hot broth, bread, some strange fruits, and milk to drink. As Akumu ate, the door opened and two women stepped inside.
The taller of the two had shoulder length aquamarine hair and blue eyes. She wore a long, pale aquamarine gown and carried some clothing over her arm. She smiled gently as she came in and laid the clothing on the bed. The other woman had long, black hair and purple eyes and wore the robes of a priestess. Akumu quickly swallowed the food she had been eating and rose to her feet.
"Good morning," the aquamarine haired woman said cheerfully. "My name is Kaiou Michiru and this is Hino Rei."
The priestess nodded, a look of disapproval on her face. Akumu bowed politely.
"Ladies," she said.
"Ami told us you were healed enough to move around, so Queen Serenity made an appointment to meet you," Rei said. "It is our job to make you presentable in court."
Akumu made a face. "Presentable? Forgive me, Lady, but I'm just a thief. Why would the Queen want to meet me?"
"You saved the life of her daughter," Michiru answered.
"I only hid her for a while," Akumu said. "The Princess already thanked me. My kindness almost cost me my life and now it may cost me my freedom."
Michiru laughed. "You're not going to jail, if that's what you think. Saving the Heir to Crystal Tokyo should help the authorities forget your past crimes."
"Unless you've killed someone," Rei added.
Akumu chewed her lip thoughtfully. "I just want to go home. I didn't think helping a girl would change everything I've ever known."
"It is disrespectful to turn down the Queen of Crystal Tokyo," Rei snapped. "You should be honoured that she wants to speak with you."
Akumu bowed her head. "Yes, Lady."
Michiru frowned at Rei. "All you have to do is wear a nice dress, walk up to the throne and curtsey. Then Queen Serenity and King Endymion will end court and take you someplace more private to talk. Don't worry."
Akumu took a deep breath. "Okay."
The gown Michiru had brought was a fine silver colour and it complemented Akumu's blue hair beautifully. It was a little awkward getting the dress around her bound arm, but they managed. It took the two women, however, the rest of the morning and into the afternoon to teach the thief how to walk in a dress and curtsey properly.
"I thought Ami-chan said her ribs were bruised," Michiru remarked as she and Rei left Akumu later that afternoon.
"They are," Rei replied. "Ami-chan thought there was something odd about her. She was walking pretty straight for a person who fell off a roof, and her arm looked sprained, not dislocated."
"I noticed it as well," Michiru mused. "Something is indeed amiss with her. We should be on our guard."
Rei nodded. Both women had remarkable intuition which was rarely wrong, but although neither said it, they had not felt anything negative about Kuusou Akumu.
********
The next morning, Akumu woke up to see Dr. Mizuno sitting next to her. Her instincts taking over, Akumu leapt from her bed away from the doctor and sunk into a defensive crouch. Ami blinked in surprise and Akumu relaxed once she remembered where she was.
"Forgive me, Lady," Akumu murmured.
Ami smiled. "I see your ribs have healed. How's your arm?"
Akumu walked back to the bed and allowed Ami to inspect her bandaged arm. The doctor nodded to herself as she unwound and retied the arm.
"It appears to be fine," she concluded, "but I'd like to keep it wrapped at least for today, just in case."
Akumu shrugged and headed over to the small desk to eat her breakfast. Ami watched for a moment before rising and picking up her bag.
"Someone will come to bring you to court this afternoon," she reminded her young patient. "I'll see you there."
Akumu remained silent as Ami knocked on the door to notify the guard she intended to leave. Akumu watched her until the door closed again. She finished her breakfast and headed to the window, intending to leave the palace before her afternoon appointment. She didn't trust the senshi and believed this to be an elaborate trap to catch her. She wasn't even certain that Queen Serenity existed.
Akumu opened the window and looked out. The training ground was full of soldiers drilling in the early morning light. The thief paused for a moment to watch, laughing softly to herself as she calculated quick escapes for each maneuver they practiced. She was about to step out the window when the door behind her opened.
"Akumu!" a familiar voice exclaimed.
The thief turned and saw Princess Usagi and her senshi-protector Hotaru standing in her room. She bowed to them both and Usagi walked up to her, smiling brightly.
"No one would tell me you were here," Usagi said. "I practically had to torture Hotaru-chan before she told."
Hotaru blushed. "You tricked me, Usagi-chan."
Usagi smiled and winked at Akumu. The princess then noticed the open window. "Were you cold, Akumu-chan?"
"Uh, no," Akumu stammered, "just getting some fresh air."
Usagi's smile brightened. "You're having lunch with us this afternoon. I can't wait! Maybe Mama will let us play in the gardens after. Have you been out of your room yet?"
"I was injured," Akumu said.
Usagi's eyes widened. "Oh no! No wonder no one told me you were here. Are you okay? What happened?"
Akumu couldn't help but smile as the princess fussed over her. She looked back over her shoulder to the still open window and for the first time, doubts filled her mind. Maybe the queen was real and did want to talk to her. Maybe it was time she took responsibility for her crimes. Maybe everything would turn out just fine.
********
Akumu stood nervously outside the two large doors leading into the throne room. She could hear the muted sounds of conversation on the other side and she wondered what they were talking about. She was beginning to reconsider escaping when she heard the conversations die down and another voice speak loudly and clearly.
"Announcing Kuusou Akumu, resident of Crystal Tokyo."
The two large doors open and Akumu saw the throne room for the first time. It was very long with a red carpet running from the door to the far end where the King and Queen sat waiting for her. The courtiers, nobles, and officials all lined the carpet, eager to see the girl who had saved their princess. Taking a deep breath, Akumu started down the aisle, keeping her head high. She walked straight to the throne, not looking at the courtiers or listening to their startled gasps and whispered comments. She reached the dais where the thrones rested and curtseyed deeply.
"Your Majesties," she said without rising.
Queen Serenity motioned for Akumu to stand and the girl did so, her eyes wide with awe at the woman seated before her. Queen Serenity was the stuff of legends, dating to a hundred years ago when she was just a school girl battling evil as Sailor Moon. Years later, she had used her Imperial Silver Crystal to imprison Tokyo in crystal, saving it from complete destruction. A century later, she and her senshi awoke, freed the city from its hibernation and the people had proclaimed her queen.
Akumu risked a look on either side of her and saw the arrangement of the Planetary Ladies, Serenity's most trusted friends and advisors. To the queen's left sat Lady Mercury who smiled gently at Akumu. Next to her was Lady Mars, Lady Venus, and Lady Jupiter. On the queen's right sat King Endymion and next to him sat Princess Usagi, followed by Lady Neptune, Lady Uranus, and Lady Saturn.
"Many thanks, Kuusou Akumu," Serenity said formally. "We are grateful for your help in rescuing Princess Usagi."
Akumu bowed deeply. "It was my honour," she replied.
"Court is over for today," Serenity called. She looked own at Akumu as the ambassadors and courtiers filed out of the hall. "Would you care to have lunch with me and my family?"
"Of course, Majesty!" Akumu smiled.
Serenity smiled back and headed out of the throne room, followed by Endymion. Princess Usagi came after him, but winked at Akumu as she passed. After the Ladies had filed out, Akumu headed down the hall after them.
********
The meal was delicious and Akumu ate as if she had never seen food before. Queen Serenity watched happily from the head of the long table and Endymion leaned over to whisper in her ear.
"Healthy appetite," he said. "Reminds me of someone I knew before, Odango."
Serenity hit him playfully in the arm and smiled. The King and Queen sat at the head of the table, with the Ladies and the Princess sitting in the same order they had in the throne room. A place next to Lady Saturn had been set for Akumu.
At the end of the feast, Serenity stood and walked down to the end of the table where Akumu sat, motioning for Usagi to follow her. When the queen and princess arrived, Akumu slid from her chair and curtseyed again, but Serenity waved the formality aside.
"Where do you live, Akumu?" Serenity asked.
The thief bit her lip and lowered her head in shame. "I live in the ruins of Old Tokyo, Majesty."
Serenity nodded. "Do you like it there?"
"It's all I know, Majesty," Akumu replied. "Until Lady Uranus brought me here, I had never slept in a bed or ate until I was full."
The Ladies gasped in disbelief and Haruka crossed her arms in front of her chest and frowned. She didn't like where this conversation was heading and if she knew Serenity, her big heart was getting the best of her again.
"Would you like to go back to the ruins," Serenity asked, "or stay in the palace?"
Princess Usagi looked up at her mother in shock and Akumu lifted her head, puzzled. "Majesty?"
Serenity straightened and put on her formal look. "Kuusou Akumu, I absolve you from all your past crimes of thievery and I instate you as a lady-in-waiting to Princess Usagi."
The Ladies cheered, except Haruka. Usagi forgot herself and embraced Akumu in a giant hug. The thief smiled and gently untangled the princess from around her neck.
"Thank you, Majesty," she said, "but what does a lady-in-waiting do?"
"It means you get to stay with me and keep me company," Usagi said. "Please accept, Akumu-chan. You and I and Hotaru will have a great time together."
Akumu glanced back to the table where Lady Saturn sat. She knew that Hotaru would be a powerful enemy if she overstepped her boundaries, but the purple haired girl smiled and nodded slightly. Akumu smiled back.
"I would be honoured, Majesty," she said. "I accept."
Usagi embraced her friend again and this time, Hotaru left her seat at the table to join them. Queen Serenity smiled as her daughter lead her newest lady from the dining room, all the while chatting about what they would do together. Endymion came to join her and put her arm around his wife's shoulders.
"It will take a while to prepare her for court," Serenity commented.
Endymion kissed her gently. "You did good, Odango. Usagi doesn't get a chance to meet too many people."
Serenity sighed. "At least she had a normal childhood in the past, even if it was only momentary."
Endymion said nothing but smiled as he remembered fondly when Chibiusa had joined them in the 20th century.
********
The next morning, Akumu awoke to a new life. Queen Serenity had given her rooms that joined onto Princess Usagi's so they could always be close. The apartment consisted of a small hallway that lead into the palace itself, an enormous bedroom with a large and luxurious bed, a side room with a large desk and bookshelves, a washroom, and even a closet full of Princess Usagi's hand-me-downs until a seamstress could take her measurements. The large window in her bedroom looked out onto the eastern gardens and beyond them she could see the ruins of Old Tokyo. She didn't feel any sadness at leaving the dilapidated buildings that had once been the heart of Tokyo, although she was overwhelmed at her sudden rise in status.
The large double doors leading to her bedroom opened as she was climbing out of bed. It was a servant dressed in the standard gray uniform. Akumu greeted her, but she said nothing as she threw back the enormous draperies and let the morning sunlight fill the room. As the servant was leaving, another figure came in. It was Lady Neptune, dressed elegantly in her aquamarine gown.
"Good morning," she said. "I trust you slept well?"
Akumu bowed politely. "Very well, Lady. Thank you."
Michiru smiled. "Good. Before you being your duties to the princess, the queen has asked me to fill you in on court procedure and palace life. You will also begin your classes with Lady Mercury and your training with Lady Uranus. You will train apart from the senshi, however, with the soldiers. I hope you don't mind."
Akumu nodded. "I would rather stay away from the senshi, Lady. No offense."
"I understand," Michiru said. "In time you will get used to having us around. Remember, you've been cleared of past crimes."
Akumu nodded again and fiddled with her sling as Michiru walked over to the massive wardrobe and opened the doors. As Michiru selected a gown, Akumu removed her sling and wiggled the fingers on her left hand.
Michiru laid out a simple white dress that was a far cry from the beautiful silver gown she had worn the night before. It was still far more beautiful than anything Akumu had ever worn before.
"Try this on," Michiru said. "How is your arm?"
"Perfect," Akumu said as she pulled the dress over her head. "A little stiff, but it works again."
Michiru frowned. She would have to remember to mention this to Ami the first chance she got. It should have taken her weeks to recover from her injuries, not three days.
The dress was a little big, but not noticeably and Akumu waited for her next instructions. Michiru clapped her hands and five servants came in with a small table, two chairs, and a tray of food. Akumu eyed the tray hungrily and licked her lips. As the servants left, Michiru motioned for the girl to sit.
"The first lesson will be over breakfast," Michiru said as she sat across from Akumu. "It will be the proper way to eat. Normally, we eat in private but for special court occasions when we entertain visitors, it is important to have proper manners."
Akumu sighed as Michiru talked, trying to pay attention to everything the woman said. It seemed being a lady-in-waiting would not be as much fun or as easy as she had originally anticipated.
********
That afternoon, dressed in shorts and a t-shirt, Akumu joined about thirty young men for their daily exercises. Lady Uranus, dressed in the uniform of a male guard, stood in front of her class. Akumu stood in front, ignoring the snickers from the men around her.
As the exercises wore on, Akumu soon won the respect of every man in the arena. She bested their best at hand-to-hand combat and ran circles around them when they raced. Haruka pushed the girl to her limit, making her do activities she normally reserved for the senshi, but Akumu excelled at them. By the end of the session, she was exhausted but felt great.
"It's no wonder I've having such a hard time with the crime rate," Haruka yelled to the panting soldiers. "One small thief, barely more than a child, has beat you all. You will now be required to do additional training in the evenings until someone is strong enough to defeat this girl."
The soldiers groaned and a few of them shot dirty looks at Akumu. She blushed and lowered her head, muttering curses as Lady Uranus under her breath. Still, it felt terrific to know that she was better than the palace guards, incase her life as a lady-in-waiting turned sour.
As the soldiers filed out of the training arena, Akumu felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Lady Uranus standing behind her, her face expressionless. Akumu bowed, like Michiru had taught her, and the faintest of smiles appeared briefly on Haruka's face.
"Good work," she said.
Akumu blinked in surprise, but Haruka was gone. She smiled to herself. The unbreakable, undefeatable Lady Uranus had congratulated her! Feeling quite proud of herself, she left the arena to shower and change before her next lesson.
********
Akumu sat on her bed, waiting for someone to show up. Lady Neptune had left several books for her to read, but after struggling for an hour on a single page, Akumu had given up in frustration. She heard the door open and she leapt to her feet, eager to do something. As Lady Mercury stepped into view, she curtseyed politely.
"Good evening," Ami said. "How are you feeling?"
"Tired, Lady," Akumu replied honestly. "Lady Uranus had me jumping through hoops this afternoon."
Ami smiled. "I hope she didn't discourage you from exercise."
"Not at all," Akumu said. "She actually congratulated me!"
"I see your arm has healed," Ami said, coming closer. "May I look at it?"
Akumu nodded and Ami examined her, checking her shoulder and ribs. It was as if they had never been injured. Ami pursed her lips in thought.
"It's remarkable," she said finally.
Akumu shrugged. "I've always been a fast healer. It's how I survived in the ruins."
"Tell me, who are your parents?" Ami asked.
"I don't know," Akumu replied, bowing her head. "I've been alone for as long as I can remember."
Ami blinked in surprise. "Even as a baby? No one took care of you?"
Akumu shook her head. "Not that I recall."
"Very strange," Ami murmured. She looked over to the stack of books and smiled. "You like to read?"
Akumu bit her lip. "I don't know how."
"Can you write?" Ami asked.
Akumu shook her head and lowered her head in shame. Ami put her finger under Akumu's chin and raised the girl's head. Akumu saw the warm smile on Lady Mercury's face and suddenly didn't feel quite as embarrassed.
"Well, I was going to teach you a bit of history to bring you up to Usagi and Hotaru's level, but I think we'll save that lesson until you can read the textbook for yourself."
Ami walked into the small study and Akumu followed. Ami sat her down at the desk and put the book in front of her. Together, they worked into the night teaching Akumu to write and read.
********
The next day, after her morning etiquette lesson with Michiru and her afternoon exercises with Haruka, Princess Usagi came into Akumu's room. The thief was puzzling over a book Ami had left when Usagi entered, knocking on the study door. Akumu leapt to her feet and curtseyed when she saw who it was.
"Stop that," Usagi said.
Akumu stood up, confused. "Highness?"
Usagi sighed. "I should have got to you before they did. They're training the fun right out of you."
Usagi walked over to where Akumu stood and looked her in the eye. "When we're not in court, we're friends. I call you Akumu-chan and you can me Usagi-chan. The only time we have to be formal with each other is when we're in the throne room or with my parents, okay?"
Akumu smiled. "Okay, Usagi-chan."
The princess smiled back. "Great. Let's go play. I'm supposed to give you a tour of the palace while Hotaru-chan is in court with my parents, but instead we can go explore the north-east wing."
"What's in the north-east wing?" Akumu asked as she followed Usagi into the hallway.
"Absolutely nothing," the princess replied. "It was partially destroyed when the Dark Moon Clan attacked a few years ago and Mother hasn't had the time to rebuild it yet. We're not supposed to go there since it's out of the Shield, but the quartet and I play there all the time."
"The quartet?" Akumu asked.
Usagi giggled. "I keep forgetting you haven't met everyone yet. Remember when I ran into you I said my protectors were looking for me?"
"Yeah."
"The quartet were my protectors," Usagi explained.
Akumu laughed. "They did a good job."
Usagi smiled. "They mean well, but sometimes get caught up in the moment."
The two girls, still laughing, slipped down a deserted corridor and into the abandoned north-east wing of the palace. The door closed silently behind them, pausing a fraction of an inch away from the frame.
********
Queen Serenity exchanged an exhausted look with her husband as they listened to the squabbling of two ambassadors. They each represented neighbouring planets who where allied with Serenity's kingdom, but both wanted the help of the Crystal Kingdom in their feud before they would renegotiate their alliances. The two planets had been at war for centuries and now they looked to Queen Serenity for reinforcements to help end the war.
"That is enough!" Serenity cried, standing up.
The two ambassadors looked at the angry queen fearfully, but they stopped fighting. Endymion hid his proud smile behind his hand.
"What was the cause of this war?" Serenity asked.
The two men blinked in confusion. The queen gave them several minutes to think about the question.
"As I suspected," she said. "You can't remember how this started. I will not send the good men and women of the Crystal Kingdom to be killed without reason! Your planets will negotiate a peace with each other. Lady Venus and Lady Neptune will meet with the rules of each planet in one week here at the Crystal Palace and you will not be permitted to leave until peace has been reached."
The two ambassadors stared at her in shock for a moment before bowing stiffly and leaving. Still standing, Serenity addressed the rest of her court.
"We will hear no more today," she announced. "Good evening to you all."
The nobility bowed as Queen Serenity, King Endymion, and the Planetary Ladies filed out of the throne room. They headed straight to the dining room where the food was already being laid out for them. As they sat, Queen Serenity noticed her daughter and their newest lady-in-waiting were missing.
"Dear, do you know where Chibiusa is?" Serenity asked.
Endymion shook his head. "I haven't seen her all day."
"She was giving Akumu a tour of the palace while we were in court," Michiru spoke up, "but that was hours ago. I expected her to be done by now."
Serenity nodded. "She knows that we eat at this time. If she wants food, she'll come."
The other members of the nobility agreed, but the queen kept an eye on the clock despite her confident words.
********
"It's time for dinner," Chibiusa said.
The girls were tired and dusty after exploring the multitude of rooms in the abandoned wing. Akumu tried to brush some of the dust off her white dress and realized she should have changed before going exploring with the princess. Chibiusa noticed and smiled.
"Don't worry," she said. "Wash your hands and face, change your dress, and brush your hair. Mother won't notice at all."
Akumu smiled. "I hope you're right, Usagi-chan."
They headed for the corridor that would bring them secretly back into the palace when a huge shadow stepped in front of them, blocking their only path. Chibiusa gasped in surprise as the shadow became clear in the fading light. The creature was at least seven feet tall and very bug-like, with huge pincers on its face and claws instead of hands. It reached out to snap the two girls in half.
"Princess!" Akumu cried, pushing Chibiusa clear.
The claws missed them but managed to tear Akumu's dress as they rolled away. The thief sprang to her feet and picked up a large rock. With all her strength, she threw it at the bug monster but it bounced off its hard shell. Chibiusa stood and drew out her locket.
"Moon Prism Power, Make-Up!" she cried.
Akumu stared in shock and disbelief as her friend transformed into a sailor senshi. She wore a pink uniform with her locket clasped to the front of her bow.
"Get lost," Sailor Moon said. "I'm back in my time and I've been working hard in the past to fight creeps like you! In the name of the Moon, I'll punish you!"
Akumu stood back and watched as Sailor Moon twirled her scepter and faced off against the monster.
"Pink Sugar Heart Attack!" she cried.
Dozens of small hearts pelted the monster. It cried out in pain but kept moving forward. Akumu yelled at Sailor Moon to get out of the way and tossed a few more rocks at the creature. The monster didn't slow and caught Sailor Moon around the waist, lifting her from the ground. Akumu could only watch helplessly as her only friend was thrown across the room like a rag doll. She hit the far wall and lay still, part of the ceiling falling on her. The monster then turned and advanced on Akumu.
********
The nobility finished their meal and still the princess and Akumu had not arrived. Queen Serenity took a deep breath to calm her rising worries and turned to her friends.
"Mako-chan, Minako-chan, will you please go look for Chibiusa?"
The two women nodded and left the dining room. Serenity stared at the empty chair where her daughter normally sat and sighed. Endymion put a comforting hand on his wife's back and the other Ladies exchanged worried looks.
********
Lady Jupiter and Lady Venus began their search with the two girls' rooms. The questioned all the servants they met, but none of them had even seen the girls that day. They quickly searched the hallways, growing more anxious with each passing moment, until they passed the closed corridor that lead to the abandoned north-east wing.
"Look at this," Makoto said, pointing to the door.
It was slightly askew. Minako sighed. "I thought we told her not to go in there."
"She's just like Usagi," Makoto commented as she opened the door. "She never listens to reason."
Suddenly a scream from the other end of the corridor sounded. The two women darted down the hall, transformation pens in hand, expecting the worst.
********
Akumu placed herself directly between Sailor Moon and the monster, armed with more pieces of fallen debris. The princess had woken up but was trapped beneath the piece of fallen ceiling and could not move. The bug-monster advanced, its pincers snapping hungrily.
"Back off!" Akumu snarled, throwing more rocks.
The monster ignored both her and the attacks. As Akumu's anger grew, a white light surrounded her and she began to glow. Her hair lifted from her shoulders and her entire body lifted from the ground until she floated a foot in the air. Sailor Moon stared in disbelief. The monster kept coming and reached out with one claw for the princess.
"No!" Akumu yelled.
"Princess!" Jupiter and Venus gasped from behind the monster.
Before the two older senshi could react, Akumu exploded in white light. Her entire body glowed black and tiny pinpricks of white light, almost like stars, swirled around her. Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus froze in shock and the bug-monster tilted its head in confusion. The blackness faded and in Akumu's place floated a sailor senshi.
The senshi was dressed in a light gray uniform with a pale blue gem in her tiara and a yellow star on her choker. She said nothing, but kept her eyes closed and pointed to the bug-monster. Suddenly the room was filled with hundreds of white ghostly figures, coming out of the walls and the floor. The bug looked around in fright, screaming shrilly and clapping its pincers together as the ghostly forms converged on it. The figures swarmed the monster, and it cried out a final time before disappearing completely. Then, the light was gone and the senshi disappeared along with the ghosts. Akumu fell to the ground.
Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus ran into the room and to Sailor Moon's side. They moved the piece of fallen ceiling off the girl and helped her to her feet. She was uninjured, but look over at Akumu as she changed back into Chibiusa. The trio knelt next to the unconscious girl as she stirred and opened her eyes.
"What happened?" she whispered.
"You saved me," Chibiusa said. "You're a senshi."
Akumu's eyes widened in fright and she struggled to her feet. "No! I can't be! It's impossible!"
Venus smiled. "Welcome to the group."
Akumu shook her head, turned, and ran from the abandoned wing. Chibiusa stood and tried to go after her, but was too weak from the battle and fell midstep. Jupiter caught her and Chibiusa reached out pleadingly to Akumu's retreating back.
"Akumu!" she cried. "Wait!"
The thief didn't stop and Chibiusa collapsed into Jupiter's arms, crying. The senshi rose to her feet, still cradling the sobbing princess, and carried her back to the palace.
********
Queen Serenity sent a search party around the palace grounds to find Akumu after visiting her distraught daughter. Even Sailor Uranus joined the hunt, and Princess Usagi sat in bed with her mother. Hours later, reports came back saying Kuusou Akumu had disappeared without a trace, even from the ruins of Old Tokyo. Endymion had ordered the guards on the eastern walls doubled and sent patrols into Old Tokyo, saying the girl should be taken without injury.
As Serenity comforted her daughter, the Planetary Ladies assembled in the common room. Makoto and Minako had told them about Akumu's surprising transformation and her reaction.
"I'm not surprised," Michiru commented.
"That she's a senshi?" Rei asked. "How could you possibly have known that?"
Michiru shook her head, "No, her reaction. She hates the senshi. She feels we've been hunting her her whole life."
Ami nodded. "Yes, that would explain the negative response. But the question remains how could she be a senshi at all?"
"Yeah," Minako spoke up. "All the planets are present and accounted for."
"Except the Sun," Rei added softly.
The senshi quieted. Time had eased the pain of Deruku Kami's tragic life and death, but the memory remained. None of them could explain why they were constantly being reborn while Kami had simply died.
"She definitely didn't look like Sailor Sun," Minako said.
"And the attack she used was like nothing I had ever seen before," Makoto added.
"I guess it will remain a mystery until we find her," Rei concluded.
"If we find her," Michiru said quietly.