A/N: This is turning out so well, I'm so pleased! Let's see if anyone's going to make a move...
WARNING: I am writing this story for enjoyment and not for profit. I do however own the original characters in this story. Flaming will not be tolerated.
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Title: Not Set In Stone
Chapter Six
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In a darkened room Dradian sat alone in his large throne. The only light source was coming from images before him. He sat with a gloved hand propping his chin up as he stared at one image alone. The light flickered as the scene was played over and over again.
"You are still watching her, My lord?" Nyda appeared by his side, hand to her hip as she leaned on his throne. Her lavender eyes glared at the image.
"The enemy is always so lovely...She has a weakness to her, Nyda. I see it there. There's a break in her concentration."
"Then she is just another pretty face, Lord Dradian. Easily disposed of." She slithered down next to him. "Don't let it confuse you – again."
A growl was released from him and Nyda smirked.
"You will wait a couple of days and then collect energy from the useless humans. Their pain will draw her out. It will draw both of them out."
Dradian grabbed her wrist and shoved her away from the throne. Nyda let out a small grunt of pain, pulling her wrist to herself.
"Yes, My Lord." She bowed slightly and faded away.
He smirked at the images and waved his hand, removing the image of Sailor Moon.
I already know the best way to you, Princess. All I have to do is wait.
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Rei was starting to get massive headaches in record time. Since Terri had kissed her cheek she couldn't seem to stay in the Princess's presence without blushing profusely and then trying to hide it from everyone. That and Mina was constantly getting on her nerves.
"Just tell her, I'm the love goddess." Rei mocked the blonde as she reached for her bedroom door.
Could it really be that simple? Rei shook her raven hair at the thought. Now wasn't the time to worry about her feelings. Though it did seem that Terressia's arrival had distracted her emotions of unrequited love towards her own Princess to nonexistence. No longer did the sight of Darien and Serena in love cause her nausea and hate.
She smiled to herself.
Rei was finally truly happy for her rulers.
"What are you doing, Princess?" Hotaru's young voice hit her ears as she came to the second floor of the mansion. Terri's soft sigh floated to her ears as she looked down the corridor.
"Hotaru, you should just call me 'Terri'." Terri smiled softly up at the girl from the place on the floor where she was lying on her stomach.
Hotaru shook her short dark hair.
"I've been waiting a long time for you, Princess. I'm not about to give you up."
Rei held in a laugh and rolled her eyes. That was a patented Hotaru reply. Infuriatingly mysterious. Terri only giggled.
"Tell me, Hotaru. Do you know who Setsuna is in love with?" Terri had picked up a small metal tool and went back to whatever she was doing to the doors.
The twelve year old smiled and nodded.
"Of course. Setsuna-mama is in love with Minako-mama."
"Absolutely. So I'm chiseling their sign's into each others door."
"That's kind of you, Princess." Hotaru said as she settled beside her.
"I'm just bored, Hotaru." The two fell into laughter at that and Rei went to turn until Hotaru's young voice stopped laughing.
"Will you put your sign on my door, Princess?"
"Of course, Hotaru. And since I love you as well, your sign will go on my door."
Rei stared down the hall at the young girl.
"What about Rei's door?" Her purple eyes were suddenly locked on to Rei's silent figure.
"I-I don't know, Hotaru."
Rei rushed down the stairs at the tone in Terri's voice. It was something she had heard before. There was a hurt inside Terri that she knew only too well.
Around noon the next day, Rei was about to go into the pool room but stopped at the glass doors. Terri was sunning herself out on the stone patio. Her lean body was draped across a lounge chair, a pair of glasses hiding her eyes. Rei knew it was too late to turn away when she saw Terri twitch subtly.
Damn it, she knows I'm here...Why am I being so shy?! I do want to be near her so I should...just go out there...
Truth was, the idea still made her want to run. The amethyst eyed young woman didn't want to be caught in a silly crush. She certainly didn't want to be caught hiding one either.
Just go! You are the Senshi of Mars! Where is your aggressiveness? Where's your confidence?
Rei took a deep breath, opened the door, and padded across the pool room to the open patio door.
Where she finally exhaled.
"I thought that tan was natural?" She said evenly and settled into a chair next to her friend.
"Most of it is." Terri returned with a small grin. The brunette sat up and slipped her glasses onto her head. Rei blushed as she unconsciously eyed her curves.
"It's lovely out today."
"It's quieter since everyone's out." Rei felt her mind turn that over. All of the others were out today. Hotaru was in school as usual. Mina and Setsuna, who were the main pair raising the girl, made sure she kept up as much as possible. Setsuna was off checking the gates as Mina was also attending her college classes. Ami was also in class as was Mako. Michiru was at practice for an upcoming concert and Haruka had gone to meet a racing friend for the day while they were in town. Darien and Serena were simply out trying to be a couple.
It had been nearly three weeks since any of them had been apart for more than a couple of hours. Rei was actually pleased to be rid of them.
"You haven't left this house...ever." Rei heard herself speak, eyes wide with realization. Terri only looked up at her.
"I'm outside right now."
"No, you've never been into town!" Rei started, "That time at the Crown doesn't count! You were only coming to find us." And finished before Terri could deny anything.
Terri's mouth opened and shut before she smiled.
"And?"
"Let me show you some of Tokyo."
Terri looked away towards the city. Rei couldn't help but follow how her silver tinted hair slid across her chest.
"You don't really have a choice. Meet me in the garage in fifteen minutes!" Rei winked at her before transporting herself away back up stairs.
Terri shook her head. How could she say no to Rei? The impossibility of it didn't surprise her as she found herself in her bedroom. It would be a cold day in hell when she denied Rei.
As ordered, Terri stood patiently in the garage of the mansion. Her hair had been delicately curled and twisted into a braid down her back. A thigh length, tightly fitted black short sleeved shirt with a close neck showed her trim figure and her armlet with her black stone was outlined by her white cotton jacket.
"You clean up nicely." Rei said as she came through the garage door. She pulled a set of keys from a black purse slung over her shoulder.
"I could say the same..." Terri grinned and walked towards the black sports car they were taking. Her navy eyes fell over Rei's simple red dress, taking in her long dark hair, slim legs, and low black heels.
"Oh, so clever. Time for you to know the place you're protecting."
Terri grinned at the excited feeling in her stomach as Rei roared the car out of the garage and down the hill towards the city.
As the raven haired woman drove them towards Tokyo, Terri eyed the landscaping. She noticed the age of every rock and tree, the way the grass rolled over the dirt. Her eyes caught every curve in the land around them and could very well guess how they had landed in that exact position. She was impressed with her mother's work.
"So quiet over there." Rei's voice gently called her back and Terri could feel her hand move from the shifter to her own hand.
"Just admiring the way this world is built. It has a solid structure. My mother did an excellent job." She smiled at Rei's surprised eyes.
"You can really do that? I mean, you can create trees? Mountains?"
"You snap your fingers and create fire." Terri replied with a grin. Rei smirked and shrugged her shoulders, pulling them into a parking lot.
"Right."
"All Senshi have a purpose and a reason for being." She smiled and slid out of the car into the sunlight. Rei smiled at her over the top of the car as she slid a pair of sunglasses on.
"You're not so new anymore. Stop being so mysterious – we have Hotaru for that."
Terri giggled and nodded.
Rei leaned with one hand on the tall machine, trying to hold back her laughter. They had been walking around the market area for nearly an hour when the younger Senshi had spotted the sinister stuffed animal machine. Terri had watched in wonder as Rei stuck a coin in and tried desperately to get the crane to latch onto an animal.
Now Terri was licking her top lip in firm concentration.
She looked adorable.
"Terri, no one ever wins at this. You should see Serena, she's like an addict and I swear she's won like...once in a billion years." Rei shook her raven head with a smile as Terri hunched over in an attempt to block out the distractions.
The crane twitched in several directions. Terri paused and moved her head awkwardly. The crane twitched again and then dropped dramatically. Rei shuffled closer to see if it caught anything. She gasped as the crane struck a bear on the head, clutched it, and yanked it free.
Terri held the small Panda in front of her.
"Do you like him?" She asked.
"I-I – it's adorable." Rei stuttered as she took it in her hands. Terri giggled and started to pull her up the street.
"You're not going to give it to Hotaru?" Rei asked curiously. She blushed as Terri swung their joined hands.
"Nope. Hotaru likes things that light up."
Rei grinned as an image of Hotaru's collection popped into her head.
"That she does."
Terri continued to swing their hands and Rei couldn't bring herself to stop her. Even if her face was as red as a tomato right now.
The pair continued to walk around the streets, chatting about different things in between Rei pointing out various buildings and talking about the history. Terri had spotted numerous shops and by two o'clock she had spent the pocket money her brother had given her. Or so Rei was told. Truth be known, the raven haired Senshi really wasn't sure it was Darien's money his sister was spending because Terri said she had more money with her. Most of the trinkets she bought were for friends on her home planet. There were some novelty light chains and a cute light up heart key chain for Hotaru though.
"You've really fallen in love with Hotaru, haven't you?" Rei questioned as they sat down at a bench outside an ice cream shop. Her amethyst eyes glanced over at her friend and she held back a laugh as Terri stared curiously at the three different types of ice cream on her sugar cone.
"Hotaru is easy to love. She's so bright and so deep. I admire her strength and her...eccentricity." Terri replied with a grin at her gentle phrasing. Rei smiled and nodded.
"What did you say this one was? This green one? Should it be green? And what are the dark spots?" She held the cone away and stared at the middle scoop. Rei chuckled and showed Terri her own cone.
"It's chocolate chip in mint. Here, see, I have the same thing."
Terri watched with wide navy eyes as Rei's pink tongue swept delicately over the bottom scoop. She looked away quickly, trying to stop her blush and quell the sudden desire in her stomach.
Tentatively she licked the green scoop. It sat on her tongue barely a second before she smiled in surprised delight.
"Hhmmm, it tastes just like nittles, only nittles is a little stronger."
"Nittles? That's an odd word for 'mint'"
"Mint is an odd word for nittles."
They laughed together at that and fell into a comfortable silence. Rei munched thoughtfully on her cone as the sun washed over them. She had missed this feeling of completeness. Being with someone you cared for and just enjoying a warm and sunny day. She felt a little silly for being so sentimental about it but really she hadn't felt this way for anyone in...a very long time. Her eyes slid down to the bags resting by Terri's legs and a nervous feeling rose up.
"You bought a lot of gifts. Anyone special?"
Terri shrugged. Rei felt her nervousness subside slightly.
"Just friends and my guardian, Taref."
"You don't have someone you love back home?" Rei was amazed, how could Terri not be involved with anyone? Yes, being a ruler is difficult and so is being a Senshi but she and the others had found time.
"I fell in love once." Terri's head fell at this slightly. Her voice quieted and there was some sadness to it.
"Back in the Silver Millennium, I fell in love with a girl slightly older than myself. She died during Beryl's attack. She's a tough act to follow. My only hope to ever see her again was to find her here on Earth." Terri's hands gripped the bench tightly. Rei resisted the urge to touch her but leaned closer, catching her eyes.
"Did you find her?" She asked breathily, her heart was beating so fast. A strong sense of dejavu was overwhelming her.
"Yes, I did. I was so afraid she would be different." Terri said softly as she looked at Rei more evenly, raising her head.
"Is she?"
"No." Terri smiled and Rei had never found her so charming, "She's just the same. She's older, wiser and very much the girl I admired then."
"Terri, I – "
Screams erupted over half way down the street just then and their attention immediately snapped too, all personal conversation lost. Amethyst eyes glared down the pavement as she noticed people suddenly dropping like flies. Her companion had already ripped off her white jacket and grabbed her hand.
"Quick, let's go down this alley."
Rei nodded firmly and started to contact the others with her communicator as they ducked into the nearby alley.
"Guys, meet us down town quickly. Something's sucking energy." After they were sure the other's knew their location Rei pulled out her wand.
"I should have known he'd want energy soon. He probably sent that twit to do it." Teres said as her transformation ended. Mars frowned, hoping the others would arrive quickly.
"Are we waiting?" Mars smirked over to her and Teres only laughed.
"Hell no. Let's move."
Stealthily the pair moved along the buildings. Mars jumped to the other side of the street, landing in the higher limbs of a tree and peered through the leaves. What she saw, she didn't like.
There were now two dozen youma prowling the streets. Out of their sickly black arms sprung chords that were latching onto the civilians. Energy was instantly being sucked out of the person and creeping up into the monster. Rage filled Mars up as a monster attacked a young girl, ignoring her soft cries.
Teres had managed to crawl closer and had stopped behind a small hut. Her eyes glared fiercely at the monsters. She felt she should kick herself later for not expecting an attack like this earlier. Dradian was known for sending out collectors, especially Nyda, for gathering energy. Her eyes flicked upward and sure enough, the lavender haired being was floating nonchalantly in the air.
A wicked smirk twisted her face as energy floated up into her hands.
Teres readied an attack but was distracted as three arrows suddenly shot out of a tree, effectively hitting one of the youma draining a child. She felt a grin spread across her lips and set loose one of her planetary dragons.
The youma had already been alerted to danger and were looking for the enemy. Mars had already jumped out of the tree and was swiftly running towards a lone one. Teres followed quickly behind moving opposite her sly dragon as it moved under the pavement. The monsters yelled in an uproar as the black energy dragon burst out underneath them, catching four in its jaws and turning them to ashes.
With a smirk Terri took the opportunity and started slicing into the beasts with the satisfying sound of Nyda's shrieks raining down from above.
Mars and Teres came back to back as they breathed heavily, having taken down most of them.
"You think that's all my Lord has? Stupid girl." Nyda laughed darkly and clapped her hands.
They didn't bother to count how many more youma had just appeared. They did think they needed help quickly.
Teres's heart clenched as her brain raced to find a way out of this. Thankfully, a second later the area clouded with extremely thick fog. The pair relaxed when Mercury appeared before them and smiled. The blue haired Senshi took their hands and led them easily through her fog.
"Brilliant, Mercury." Mars grinned, clapping the smaller woman's shoulder.
"Yes, I know. Everyone's here except for Saturn. Venus felt it was better for her to remain in school. I have three seconds to lift the Shabon Spray. 1-" Mercury counted steadily until three fell off her lips and the fog immediately dissipated.
Then it was a free for all as the Senshi and Endymion rushed forward from their individual spots and pounced on the demon beings. Those that weren't immediately cut down turned and fled down the rest of the street towards the nearest park.
No one noticed as Nyda smirked and faded from the scene.
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In the darkness Dradian sat alone. A glass of wine swirled leisurely in his hand as he watched the battle before him unfold. A satisfied smile crept up his face.
"Oh Princess, I do adore your antics." He chuckled deeply as the Senshi continued to slaughter his youma.
"My Lord?" Nyda appeared beside him. A large ball of energy was shifting between her hands and she smiled sweetly down to him.
"The energy you requested, Lord Dradian. The youma have done very well." She handed it to him and he smiled in approval. The dark being absorbed it without a second thought.
"You always do well, Nyda. Now, watch the show with me."
Nyda grinned and settled herself neatly on one of the arms of the throne.
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Moon didn't know exactly what was going on but she was suddenly very popular. The youma had ran into the park and waited for the Senshi to catch up. In seconds they were after the leader of the Senshi. Venus, Pluto, Endymion and Neptune had created a circle around her but Moon still found herself whacking the beasts with her staff constantly.
The others were desperately working their way up to her through the hoards of monsters to defend their princess better. Teres had managed to blow up enough of them with her creative powers to reach her brother and was currently helping him to ward off three more.
With a grunt she plunged a dagger into the back of one's neck and placed her palm to the middle of its back. A blast of energy later and it turned to dust and she moved forward to grab the next one by the arm. She stiffened as she felt something at her back but a flash of red told her Mars had jumped it.
Mars landed squarely on its back and sent an arrow through the head without another thought. She raised her bow to strike another but the youma suddenly faded away and reappeared further into the park. The group darted after them but stopped as the youma started to grunt and moan. Their black limbs spread out and each one of them spat fire on to the grounds and trees around them before disappearing altogether.
"Neptune! Mercury! Put it out!" Moon cried frantically and grabbed her boyfriend's hand in fright.
The two water Senshi flung out their best attacks but together they only put out a couple of trees. The fire was strong with magic. Teres frowned grimly, thinking of a solution. Mars hated that her element was being used against her and her eyes landed thoughtfully on Mercury. She grabbed at her teammate and stared into her eyes.
"Mercury, create a Shabon spray big enough to cover over the park and the streets. Neptune, help her to condense the water and create a heavy rain." Mars looked away from Neptune and nodded firmly to Mercury who smiled slightly and closed her eyes in concentration.
The flames had by now covered the park and had surrounded them. If they didn't hurry, it would engulf them. Mercury raised her arms and the fog appeared above them, rolling out over the park. It thickened and Neptune stepped closer as this was her cue to begin adding more moisture.
The other Senshi started to cough as the cloud had managed to stop the smoke from rising, forcing it down to the ground. The air grew heavy and with a near last breath, the group of protectors were doused in a heavy down pour.
When it stopped, the drenched team blearily looked around them at the smoldering park. Neptune and Mercury collapsed into their respective love's arms. Moon swiftly told them to leave for the mansion.
"Now what? Tokyo will notice someone burned down one of their parks." Venus wondered aloud and stared dismally around them. Mars felt her eyes fall on Teres with unease. Teres only smiled, wiping some soot from her face.
"Planet building Senshi at your service." She grinned and bowed lowly. Her brother didn't seem amused.
"Teres, this is a very large area." Endymion eyed the near half an acre of land. Teres smirked.
"I have enough energy. I'll meet your guys back home." Her tone was light but there was a finality to it that forced four of them to leave. Teres grinned at Mars' stubborn look.
"Watching over me?"
"Maybe." The raven haired Senshi sniffed and then stepped aside.
"Then prepare to be awed, my friend."
Mars watched in silence as Teres shook out her arms and allowed energy to pool into both hands. Two balls of the energy floated before her and each one morphed into two separate black dragons. Mars considered their large size as each one dove into the soot covered soil.
Each dragon swam through the soil, churning it and tilling it with efficiency. A few minutes passed and there were no longer any chard limbs or bushes to be seen. Mars grinned as Teres continued to impress her.
Teres called her dragons back to her and with swift cutting motions, the two dragons fell apart into dozens of smaller ones. In groups they ran over the freshly tilled soil and created new grass and grew bushes. Others ran over the barks and limbs of the trees and cleaned the bark and sprouted new buds on the limbs. The rest simply cleared the fountains and benches of any remnants of the fire.
Mars went to stand next to her as the dragons raced back to their creator and absorbed into her body. Teres wobbled slightly and smiled as Mars steadied her.
"Is something missing?" She glanced around, feeling something was off. Mars looked to the ground.
"The pathways were cobbled." She stated. Her eyes widened in amazement as Teres waved her hands intricately and periwinkle energy flowed beneath in tangled weaves. They were pushed upward as new stone was created beneath them.
"Very nice." Mars congratulated her but tenderly caught her crush as Teres's legs gave out.
"You lied." Mars grumbled sternly. Teres blinked up at her tiredly.
"Sorry. I'll be alright by morning."
Mars only sighed and scooped her up into her arms, disappearing from the park.
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"Lord Dradian? Is that what you were looking for?" Nyda asked in bewilderment as she looked from the scene to her master. He chuckled and twirled his wine.
"The distraction, Nyda. It's the break in concentration we need."
"You make it seem so easy, My Lord." Nyda smiled as she flattered him, her lavender eyes watching as he crossed the dark room.
"It was easy, my dear. The Princess has opened herself to us. The crystal will soon be mine." He smiled to himself as he waved a hand. A six foot long dark crystal slab appeared before him, held up by three thick pillars five feet off the ground.
Nyda eyed it suspiciously.
"Rather small, My Lord." Her right hand ran along the dark padding of the slab.
He chuckled and turned to her, taking her chin gently and kissed her lips.
"Jealousy doesn't become you, Nyda."
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A/N: Hmmmmm, methinks the evil guy has something dangerous in the works. But then, they usually do. Review please!
BR