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A deep sigh was released from Akari's lips as she stepped foot into the garden that she frequently found herself when she became agitated, which was happening more as the days passed. The young princess relaxed as she felt the familiar, soft dirt rub against her feet. The garden greeted her with the powerful smell of roses. She discovered that she became dizzy if the overwhelming scents too fast, she would become dizzy and trip just like her mother would when the queen was tired. Her fingers gently graced the velvety petals of her favorite flowers and the pain in her chest subsided slowly as she continued to venture deeper into her safe haven.

Her heart stuttered as she heard footsteps behind her and a familiar voice soon followed, "Akari, what are you doing here so late?" Turning around, Akari saw Seito standing close to her with a tired smile caressing his face.

"Seito!" Akari excitedly spoke, surprised to see him in the rose garden after not seeing him for such a long time. Ever since he arrived on Earth, she had not seen him much since his training was very time consuming. "What are you doing here?" She said, proceeding to walk towards him.

"I came to talk to you…"

Akari could see his lips moving as if he were speaking, but she could hear no more for her ears heard nothing but the sound that mirrored a freight train and her chest bloomed with agonizing pain, much more painful than the pinpricks she felt earlier. Akari could do nothing but stop in her tracks and double over. Her hands immediately found themselves clutching the necklace Seito had given her what seemed like forever ago. The breaths she took became labored and her face contorted in such a manner that it looked as though she was silently screaming. Seito's voice sounded far away, although she felt his presence right beside her, reassuring her that she was to be fine. She felt her body effortlessly being lifted off of the ground and the air which blew upon her face felt cool against her warm cheeks.

"What's going on, Seito?" Akari heard the voice of Maia's mother.

We're already at the hospital, the princess wondered. Time collapsed as her eyes closed with the aching in her chest still pounding.

Time passed as she was recuperating in the infirmary, her chest became significantly better and the monstrous train in her ears disappeared. The doctors ran numerous tests on the terrified teenager, and the fact that they still had no idea what was inflicting their princess made her anxiety worse.

"Has this happened before, Akari?" Breaking Akari out of her consuming thoughts.

"No, Seito. I am sure you would be well aware of my condition if this occurred before a week ago. The doctors are doing their best, Seito; I'm sure you're fully aware of this."

"Please don't sass me, Akari. We're all worried about you."

"I am just stating the obvious. But everyone has been giving cautious looks for the past two weeks… You all know what the nightmares that I have been having are all about. You all know that these visions are a part of something. Every time I speak of them, you have this weird expression upon your face and… You all are keeping away secrets. Please, tell me what's going on; I'm not dumb, Seito."

Bump. The pain was back as her anger flared. Bump. Bump. She controlled her facial movements so Seito wouldn't figure out she was hiding her pain and so the doctors wouldn't run anymore tests.

"I'm sorry, Akari… We only want to protect you."

Bump. Bump. Bump.

"So lying to me is the only way doing so?" Her temper was rising and so was the pain in her chest. She wanted him out before having him witness another painful experience.

"No, you just didn't ask they were only dreams. You only spoke of them, never asking why."

Bump.

"So, now it's my fault for you not telling me the truth?" She pointed to the door, "Get out."

"Akari, you're being unreasonable."

"Get. Out," Akari muttered though her teeth, trying to not shed the tears that were prickling her eyes.

Stubbornly he leaned back into his chair and replied with a quick "no".

"Please, Seito. I don't feel well right now."

Bump. Bump.

"Then, I should stay just in case another attack-"

"If you're going to stay, then hold your tongue."

"You're having another attack, aren't you?"

Bump.

"Shut up, Seito. If you speak loud enough the doctors will come rushing in here wanting to run more tests and it wears me out."

"We need to find out what's wrong with you, Akari," Seito replied as he stood up from his chair.

"If you walk out of that door, I swear to Selene, I will never speak to you again."

"Then be prepared for awkward silences during meals, because we need to figure out what is wrong."

Seito quickly opened the door and walked out to find a doctor. Akari leaned back and muttered, complaining how Seito was so overprotective and-

"Akari-sama, I heard word of your chest worsening in pain. How are you feeling, now?" Akari glanced over to the door to see Doctor Hideko who was the main person to run her tests.

"Fine, I'm fine. I would just like to rest," Akari replied stifling a fake yawn which caused more pain to be inflicted in her chest as she expanded her chest cavity.

"Well, I would like to draw some blood so I can send it to Mercury-sama. Would that be okay?"

"Not a problem," Akari replied, extending her right arm.

Bump.

"Actually, I am just going to draw blood from your fingertip," he smiled warmly, gently grabbing hold of her delicate hand. "Palm up, please," Akari did as she was told. She winced and turned her head as a blue thing shaped like a regular pen with a needle at the end pricked her index finger. A quick whoosh sound came from the item as she watched her red, blood rapidly fill the bottle.

"Is that new?"

"It is, actually. Instead of squeezing your finger, this gadget pricks your finger and draws the blood much more efficiently."

"Ah, I see. So, we're all done?"

Her doctor nodded and smiled warmly, standing up. "Thank you, Akari, for being cooperative. I know these tests are a nuisance, but I want you to be well again as much as everyone else. I don't mean to put you in any kind of pain, I want to rid you of the pain in your chest. I'm not here to cause any more pain."

"Thank you, Hideko-san. I appreciate your kindness. I am very glad to have you taking care of me."

With that, the doctor left, leaving Akari to her thoughts. But thinking was not in Akari's body's schedule for sleep captured her but left her restless.

As night presented itself, the hours passed with Akari waking up every hour on the dot while the pain worsened. Sweat soaked every inch of her body as she tossed and turned, trying to get rid of the pain that never ceased. Her neck felt hot like her skin was being burned away by a pole of hot iron, flake by flake. Lifting her hand, her fingers brushed against the necklace that she refused to take off and the metal scolded her fingertips.

"What the hell…" Akari whispered, panicked. Quickly, she grasped the necklace, yanking it from her and effectively throwing it across the room where it lay in a broken heap in the corner. She could see the rubies gleaming, almost taunting her.

She gasped loudly as she clutched her chest as another attack bombarded her body. What is happening to me, she wondered, it's never been this bad. Nobody was in the room to distract her and the pain was becoming worse with every passing second. She thought it weird that not one of her friends was sitting beside her. Usually her mother or father would be beside her, reading their notes and signing important documents, making sure she was sleeping comfortably. Akari lifted the covers off of her, revealing a long comfortable nightgown made of satin that stopped at her ankles. She stood up, wobbling a little after being on bed rest for a few weeks. Her legs felt like gelatin, but her strength progressed as she slowly weaned herself off of the wall. She felt as if she needed to do this. She felt like something was happening and her help was greatly needed. Akari realized she had this overwhelming sensation happen to her before, but she no idea where or when.

"Hello? Hello?! Where is everyone?" Her raspy voice echoed down the empty hall. Not even a maid was walking down with a tray of tea or a load of laundry. It was weird enough with no one by her bedside.

Her back hit the wall as her chest bloomed with more pain. Tears threatened to spill onto her full cheeks and her hands held onto her chest, hoping the pain would cease soon. This was the worst it had been. Where was everyone? Was this just a nightmare?

"This damn dress…" Akari muttered as she tripped for the third time walking down the hall. Grabbing a hold of the bottom half of her nightgown, Akari ripped it away with irritation. Now she could freely walk and search for anyone who could help her. As she caught her breath, the pain decreased and she could breathe more freely.

"Akari? What are you doing outside of your room by yourself?"

"God, Seito! You frightened me!" Akari exclaimed, whipping around to see a breathless Seito.

"I'm sorry! I was coming for you… Akari, why is your dress…?"

"My nerves were irritated from my legs continuing to catch in my nightgown. Where is everybody?"

Before he could answer her, the sound of several footsteps running their way caught their attention. Turning around the couple saw three unknown soldiers rounding the corner.

"Who are-"

"We need to go!"

He roughly grabbed her arm, causing Akari to yelp in pain. Her chest still ached from earlier and steadily worsened as they ran through the doors leading outside. As Seito was dragging her along away from the enemy, she took notice of all of the senshi lined up facing a woman dressed in dark red, tight and much too revealing dress. As Akari pushed her focus in front of her knowing that Seito wanted her far away from the action, she barely noticed a hidden figure in the bushes aiming an arrow at Saturn. Quickly she snatched her hand away from Seito's grasp and sped toward her friend to either block the attack or push her out of the way. This is why she felt like she was needed. This felt like a memory, saving Saturn.

"Akari! No, Akari!" Seito voice travelled as Akari continued to run. She heard his footsteps follow her, but somehow she knew he would never catch her.

Her feet ached from the uncomfortable dryness of the ground that wasn't surfaced with grass. She had only less than thirty seconds to spare and she believed she could make it. Adrenaline pumped through her veins, allowing her legs to carry her faster than she had ever run before. The wind was striking against her face, causing her eyes to tear up. Her face felt burnt, and it didn't help that the night air was chilly. The burning sensation from where the necklace scorched her skin faded as the air soothed it. She pushed herself to run faster as the hidden person pull back the bow even further, about to release their bow into Saturn's heart. Realizing the arrow would strike her either way, she decided to stand in front, in place of her friend. The arrow soared as she finally stood in front and she watched as the weapon of choice speedily approached her heaving chest.

Excited for what's to happen? Review and I just might post the next chapter on Thursday! :)