Konnichi wa minna, gomen I have been dealing with several personal and professional issues. I cannot promise when updates will occur but will do my best to get them out as soon as I can. I hope you all enjoy Chapter 7.
Tsukia
Chapter 7: Weddings and Pictures
Usagi had the generals spying on Maxfield to try to stop the youma attacks. Today was Usagi's rotation and she was apparently lucky, because she noticed him reading the sign for a wedding dress competition. Usagi put her computer on tracking to track Maxfield's movements, making it easier for her to follow him.
Later that afternoon, Usagi tracked Maxfield to a fabric store full of eager contestants searching for the perfect fabric. Wishing she could be one of those contestants but two reasons why she wasn't: one - she wasn't engaged...yet; two - she had a job to protect them and if she was a contestant she would then have a bias. So, watch she did until she pinpointed his target; It was one of the teachers from school Ms. Akiyama, rumors said that she was engaged and planned to make her own gown.
Acting quickly she harnessed all the power she could to cleanse the store. This would either cleanse the general or he would be forced to leave to save himself.
Mamoru had been going over a check list, he wasn't ready to tell Usagi yet but for grad next year he planned to propose to her and he wanted to have everything ready. As he was about to head to the dress shop to meet Ms Akiyama he saw Usagi outside watching intently. /That's right she was suppose to be following the general. He must be after one of the ladies in the store./ Just then a burst of light erupted and interrupted his thoughts, when it died down Usagi began crumbling to the ground. He heard the general swear as he ran to catch Usagi. /Mamo-chan, did I get him/ Mamoru shook his head. /Did I protect the contestants/ Mamoru nodded as Usagi closed her eyes. His connection with her told him that she was only asleep but realized just the same that Nephlite would be back. "Masaki, need you to meet me at the fabric store on twelfth."
Masaki appeared on the screen, "Will do I was actually doing some shopping anyway and am only about a block away." Mamoru nodded and closed communication. True to his word Mamoru spotted Masaki running up in only about five minutes.
"Nephlite was about to mark his target which from Usagi's readings is Ms Akiyama. She used almost all her power to make him leave. I am taking her to my apartment for now I need you and the generals to keep an eye on Ms. Akiyama."
"Understood, ouji-sama," Masaki said with a low bow of deep respect. Mamoru apologized to Ms Akiyama as he carried Usagi down the street.
ouji - prince
hime - princess
taikou - queen mother/ dowager
hai - yes
Arigatto gozaimasu - thank you (polite/respectful)
Later that evening Usagi was still out cold in his bed not sure how to ask her parents about her staying there he called Selene. After explaining what happened he waited for her response, "I will take care of this, ouji-chan. You take care of hime-chan."
"Hai, taikou. Arigatto gozaimasu." Mamoru said as he hung up the phone and went to check on his Princess. Through the connection Mamoru could feel her energy slowly returning but at the rate it was going would take days. If he summoned the senshi to help Usagi would feel betrayed by him, calling Naru would be putting the groups power level down by one more, that only left one option: two tired royals were better than one that was worried about one that was unconscious. Snuggling next to Usagi he drifted off to sleep feeling her pull gently from his energy supply.
Masaki had messaged the others before leaving to follow Ms Akiyama. After several uneventful hours Motoki showed up to relieve him. A full rotation had been completed with no signs of Nephlite or Mamoru and Usagi. So at lunch time Nathan went to check on the couple while Urawa took Motoki's shift watching Ms. Akiyama. With Naru taking the afternoon shift the generals were free to have a meeting to update everyone on the goings on.
"I just came from checking on ouji and hime both are out cold but alive and well," Nathan reported.
"So far nothing has happened with Akiyama and scans show no dark kingdom activity..." Masaki's report was interrupted by the communicators going off.
"Nephlite is here! I don't know how he got in the door didn't open at all but he is here, I need some back up." Naru's voice said urgently.
The generals nodded. "Let's go," Motoki said as the five generals headed to the door.
"Hurricane Flood!" Announced the arrival of the generals. Sailor Mars glared, "We don't need your help!"
"Well then consider us here under the command of the Princess." Sol responded.
"Don't mind Mars. You help is appreciate any assistance that you are willing to provide," Mercury told the generals as Jupiter came flying back and knocked both of them into a tree, leaving only Pheobe and Mars standing.
"Mars Fireballs Charge!"
"It will take more than that to even hit me, Sailor Weaklings!" Nephlite said sending the fireballs back at Mars.
"Noooo!" Tepeu screamed jumping in front of Mars taking the hit. Mars looked down at the injured general who protected her in shock.
"Why did you do that?"
"Because you don't deserve to be hurt. You may be hot headed and impulsive but that doesn't give you a death sentence. Besides I have a friend that would kill me if I let you get hurt." Tepeu said forcing a smile. Namely Mamoru and himself both would never forgive him if he had let Rei get hurt.
Rei stood up, "Mars Firebird Strike!"
Nephlite was taken by surprise and the attack actually hit, "Moonlight Judgement!" "Terran Strike!" Without looking Nephlite teleported away.
Tsukia turned to the group and frowned as she watched Mercury helping Jupiter up and Adranos helping Tepeu. "This is why I keep telling you senshi to work together as a team. You are stronger as a group then any one by themselves. Pheobe at least calls for help. Mercury and Jupiter do their best but the four of you need to work as a team. Mars, you get mad when the generals show up to help and yet one of them is now injured from protecting you. Think about what I have said, someone will contact you about training later."
/Generals, scan the area and Ms Akiyama for dark kingdom energy. Report back to me./ Terran commanded telepathically. The senshi left to the temple to discuss the battle with Luna and the generals began scanning the area. Tepeu used Adranos to help him cleanse Ms Akiyama as his energy was low from taking the hit for his sister.
It was around seven in the evening when the generals and Naru joined Mamoru and Usagi at Mamoru's apartment. "Well, Luna seems to think that you guys aren't helping and that the senshi shouldn't depend on you. She says that the senshi were unprepared and that is the only reason why we needed your help."
"Then I will talk to her and tell her that I will leave the battles to you four; however if an innocent is in the line of fire We Will interfere."
As Usagi went to the balcony and astral projected Princess Serenity to Luna. Naru looked questioningly at Mamoru, "Usako has issues with how Luna and the others, mainly Mars are treating us. We have done nothing but help and yet they still don't trust us and yet expect us to trust them." Naru nodded however she had yet to come up with a way to get them to trust the generals.
/Luna, it has reached my ears that you wish for my chosen not to assist the senshi. They will leave the battles to your four; however if an innocent is in the line of fire they will interfere./ Luna stood frozen in the alley staring at the apparition of Princess Serenity.
"Serenity-sama, it is not that I don't trust your judgement..."
/Lunara, you know that is exactly it. you have always had trust issues and without someone ground you then you trust no one. I personally chose them and you don't trust them so you don't trust me./ Serenity shook her head. /Pray to Selene that the senshi are strong enough to handle what they couldn't handle 1,000 years ago. Farewell. /with that Usagi withdrew herself. Luna continued to stare where the apparition had been for a while longer.
Usagi turned to return to the apartment, "It is done we shall observe unless an innocent is going to be harmed. Understood?" From the look from Kenji she answered his unasked question, "Yes, that includes the senshi." The group nodded their agreement and headed for home.
The next time the general's detected Nephlite was a week and a half later, Usagi and Naru were going to a photo shoot when it happened. The general's all transformed tracked it to the site of the shoot, Terran froze realizing that this is where Usagi was. /Usako! Be careful there is .../
/Calm down,Mamo-chan. Both Naru and I are fine and she has called the senshi. Stand by./ Usagi sent back as she and Naru darted into a side room and transformed. "I will watch from the rafters. If it gets to much.."
"Relax, if I need help I will call out telepathically."
"Alright."
"Besides the others should be almost here." Pheobe said with a smile and a "V" for victory sign as she headed out the door. Tsukia sighed and headed for the rafters.
They were too late to prevent Nephlite from getting to his target and about half the amateur models had disappeared into his camera. Pheobe watched for Tsukia in the rafters before drawing attention to herself, "Hey, you! How dare you make people disappear? I, Sailor Pheobe will not allow this. Lunar Strike!"
The young photographer passed out and the camera transformed into a youma with a scream. "Hey, Ugly. Mars Fireballs Charge!" "Jupiter Thunder Crash!" "Mercury Bubbles Blast!" The three attacks joined together and the youma growled and dodged the attack.
"Venus Crescent Beam!" Came a new voice. The new attack caused the monster to stumble. Sailor Pheobe took advantage and charged her attack, "Lunar Strike!" The youma crumbled leaving behind the photographers camera that fell into the pool.
Tsukia sighed with relief as she made her way outside. / Youma is dusted. Venus is here./ Tsukia told her group.
/I am just glad that you're alright./ Mamoru replied.
Meanwhile the senshi were approaching the new comer, "I am Sailor Venus, Guardian of Love. In the past I was cousin to the Princess and her decoy. My guardian here is Artemis. My real name is Aino Minako, but just call me, Mina."
"Oh my goddess; It is Sailor V!" Jupiter almost screamed. However the sound of people waking caused a drastic change of plans.
"I advise a meeting this evening at the hikawa shrine at six pm." Every one nodded to Mercury and they dispersed into the crowds.
