Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.

Chapter 6

"How is the search progressing?" the lord asked surrounded by shadows once again upon his throne.

"Not well my lord," Candice replied, shaking her head, eyes downcast.

"How hard can it be to find a crystal?" the lord's deep voice began to rise in annoyance and impatience.

"We did narrow down our searching range," Candice reminder her lord in a calm voice.

The lord stood and slowly descended the steps to Candice, a slight smile upon his lips that did not reach his dark blue eyes, "Yes, you did manage to do that, but now that I have you searching I expect the search to progress."

"As you wish my lord," Candice inclined her head, closing her eyes briefly.

"Yes, as I wish. Find me the heart crystal of this world, my little tiger," the lord's right hand came up to cup Candice's left check, "And what have I told you about calling me lord?"

"Only in the presence of others, Brant," Candice's hand swiped away a lock of golden blonde hair from Brant's night blue eyes.

o0o0o

Kaeli sighed as she walked through the trees of the forest nearby her family's house. Most of the other sailors didn't want her going out by herself when she announced she was going for a walk after they were done talking. Her brother on the other hand told her to be careful and keep her sense alert. She knew Sage could feel it too, the amounting energy from Verdor. Even before she had discovered who she was Sage could always feel things others could not. It was then that her thoughts were interrupted by a stir in the air. She turned her head to the left to look deeper into the woods, "Yes, how can I help you Candice?"

"I bring a warning," Candice simple stated.

"Why?"

"So that we are even, so when we fight I will not have to hold back. That is of course if you survive who is coming and all those who get to you before I can," Candice smirked, "But I have a feeling the others will not be a problem for you."

As Candice turned too walked away Kaeli quickly called out, "I know what you are after."

"And what is that?" Candice asked without turning around.

"The heart crystal of this world." Candice did turn around when she heard that.

"What do you know about?"

"That you are searching for it among other things, but you are mistaken if you think I will tell you anything else."

"And how do you know about?"

"My people were the ones who first guarded it during the time the Moon Kingdom ruled this solar system."

"But you don't know where it is, just that we are searching for it. So it is far game for who ever can find it first. I'll keep that in mind," with that Candice continued to stride away calling over her shoulder, "You might want to hurry. Your enemy is on their way right now to your house."

Kaeli watched Candice disappear into the woods before dashing back to her house to warn the others. Kaeli transformed herself into Sailor Storm as she came upon the edge of the woods. As she neared her house she felt the presence of their enemy drawing closer. She knew that her brother had felt it too when the others came rushing out the back door to met her all transformed.

"Sage said someone was coming," Sailor Water announced.

"I know I feel it too."

"Too bad they are already here," a menacing laugh seemed to come from all around them as Zephyrus growled his hackles rising.

o0o0o

End Notes: I know it isn't that long but I haven't updated forever and want to get something up, especially since I'm leaving on vacation next week and won't be back until sometime at the beginning of July. Thanks for the review Kizuneit was greatly appreciated.