Thank you so much for EVERYONE who reviewed. Happy Thanksgiving to my American readers. Don't go too crazy on that turkey now.
A little Japanese vocab: ojisan- uncle; ojiisan- grandfather.
Well without further babbling; on with the story!
Disclaimers: Like I said before, if I owned Sailor Moon would I really be wasting my time writing fan fiction?
Hope you like it!
PKPKPKPK
Chapter 9
Leather. It was all leather. Dark brown, body hugging leather. Usagi blinked down at herself; this was not the fuku that she was expecting. She was wearing a dark brown, leather, sleeveless cat suit. It was slit at the bottom on both legs, to her calves, to make room for her forest green, high heeled, leather boots. Forest green leather ties held the fuku together. They crisscrossed from the top of the calves, up her sides, to under her arms. The suit left hardly anything for the imagination; it hugged her snuggly emphasizing every dip and curve. Her hair was up in a high ponytail and to finish off the look she had a thick gold bracelet, on her right upper arm with the symbol of earth on it. It was then it dawned on her what everyone was staring at. She looked back up at them wrapping her arms around herself doing the best to hide.
"Would you all stop staring like that!" she exclaimed in embarrassment.
Endymion took that moment to realize that he was not the only one staring at her, and a lot of male eyes were watching Usagi hungrily.
"Everyone but Jeremiah and my guard out!" There were mumbles of protest until he struck them with the deadliest glare Usagi had ever seen on his face. Within seconds it was only he, Jeremiah-ojisan and the guards. Usagi let her arms fall to her sides, though she still felt slightly uncomfortable.
Zoicite cleared his throat, "Uh Usagi, how do you feel."
"You mean other than like a stripper?" Usagi asked. The six men laughed breaking the tension that had been building.
"It's not funny! I am of the opinion that the gods were perverts. I mean was she given to the King as a warrior or as a concubine?"
"Well it was said that she and the King were lovers," Jeremiah teased.
"Great so now all I have to worry about is him somehow being awakened, when I became Sailor Earth, and coming to find me." She paused, thinking about what she had just said. Her eyes widened, "You don't think that's possible do you?" she asked Jeremiah.
"Don't worry Usagi, no dead king is going to be coming after you," Endymion assured her. He tried to sound nonchalant but a sharp edge slipped its way into his voice. Kunzite glanced over at him sharply while Jeremiah smirked at him, figures they would be the ones to pick it up; he could never hide anything much from them.
"Usagi I want to test some of your powers," Zoicite said, breaking Endymion's thoughts. "Do you know what they are yet?"
"I think so. Let's see." Usagi raked her brain for an attack. They came to her instantly. She couldn't use the Earthquake one, she mused; she didn't want to leave a crack in the floor. Finally she picked one. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to still her nerves. She opened her eyes and took another breath before she was finally ready.
"Okay, here goes. Whirling Tornado!" She pushed her hands out in front of her and wind began to pick up in the room. A tornado formed in front of her, flashing with lightning and rumbling like thunder itself. It moved at top speed toward the wall in front of her. There was a loud rumbling and the room shook slightly as the tornado hit the wall. When it finally dissipated the wall was left without a scratch as Zoicite had reassured before.
"Whoa! Did you see the way the energy level spiked in that room? That was as strong as Jupiter's Supreme Thunder!" Zoicite exclaimed.
"I have a sneaky suspicion that that was one of her weakest attacks," Jadeite commented.
"It is. There's one with water and then that one," Usagi replied.
"Usagi why don't you show us the strongest one you have?" Zoicite said, as he was typing away at the computer in front of him. Usagi smiled; he and Ami were so alike.
"Sure." Usagi closed her eyes and concentrated on the attack she was about to perform. There was a nagging feeling at the back of her mind that she wasn't supposed to be using it, but she ignored it and began to call out the words.
"Solar…" her hands were pressed together as if she were praying; fingers pointed away from her. Her hands began to tingle, quickly followed by a burning sensation. She opened her eyes and watched as her hands began glowing an orange-yellow colour. Jeremiah's eyes widened when his senses started giving off warning signs.
"Usagi no!" but it was too late.
"…Wave!" as she said the last word, she separated her hands, keeping them connected at the wrists. A scorching wave of orange-yellow energy came from her hands and rushed at a breathtaking speed toward the wall. There was a slight explosion when it hit the wall, leaving behind a small fire before it was finally absorbed into the wall.
Zoicite bolted from his chair and hurried into the room with her; quickly followed by the others.
"Kamisama! It left a burn mark on the wall!" Zoicite exclaimed.
"Oops, sorry Zoi. Really it's not that big; you can barely see it," Usagi apologized as she winced holding her hands carefully to her chest. Jeremiah came over to check her hands
"No, no. Don't you get it? The walls are supposed to absorb energy as soon as it is hit. That attack had so much energy the wall couldn't absorb it fast enough so some of the fire caught," Zoicite explained excitedly.
At the blank looks from the other he sighed exasperatedly.
"What he's trying to say is; that attack is as strong if not stronger than any attack Sailor Moon can throw, except the Silver Crystal of course," Jeremiah filled in.
There was a chorus of 'ohs' and Zoicite rolled his eyes.
"Why do I even bother?" he muttered.
"In any case, I don't think I'm supposed to use that attack too much," Usagi shrugged.
"What do you mean?" Endymion asked for the first time noticing that Jeremiah was tending to her hands.
Usagi showed him the slight burns that had left her hand red and blistered.
Endymion followed as Jeremiah led her out of the observation room and to a chair. He stepped back and allowed Endymion to heal her burns.
"You are never to use that attack again, understand?" Jeremiah scolded sternly.
"Yes otousan," she teased.
Jeremiah gave her his 'I'm not joking Usagi' look as she de-transformed and Endymion followed suit.
"Zoicite forget about the stupid burn mark! I swear you and Ami should do more than the occasional kiss if you're going to be getting off over a burn on the wall!" Jadeite exclaimed
Usagi and Mamoru looked up as his guards came out from the observational room. Zoicite was glaring venomously at Jadeite while Nephrite and Kunzite were trying not to laugh. They all de-transformed as they walked out the room.
"Please Jed. You're acting as if Rei lets you do anything, when everyone in this room knows if you so much as mention it, you'll be hospitalized for a week," Usagi said, coming to Zach's rescue. At that point Kevin and Nathan did burst out into laughter joined by Mamoru. Zach flashed Usagi a grateful look while Jed turned red and glared at her. Jeremiah chuckled and shook his head at their antics.
"Now that that's settled; how do you feel amare?" he asked, still chuckling.
"I feel all right, just… I don't know. My body feels like it's buzzing."
Zach came up to her with his minicomputer to do a scan.
"It's just that your body is still trying to download all the energy it was just fed Usa. In a couple of days you should be fine. If not let me know and I'll do another scan okay?"
"Yes doctor," Usagi teased, causing Zach to tweak her nose.
"It's getting late. I better get you home Usagi," Mamoru said as he helped her up.
They began to move toward the door when Usagi stopped suddenly.
"Usagi? What's wrong?"
"Mamoru, I…"
Mamoru stepped closer to her, "What is it?"
"I need to tell my parents."
"Usagi, you know how dangerous-" Nathan started.
Jeremiah raised his hand cutting him off. "Let's hear her out first. Go ahead amare."
"I know… I just can't do it again. When I was Sailor Moon I drifted so far away from my family, especially my okaasan and we only just started to build back our relationship. I promise not to say anything about you all or about me once being Sailor Moon, but please let me tell them about Sailor Earth." She was talking to them all, but her eyes were on Mamoru, begging… pleading with him to say yes. How could he say no to those eyes? If she had asked him for the world with those eyes he would have told her yes.
"All right, you can tell them."
A bright smile broke out on her face, one that he had not seen in months.
"Arigatou Mamoru-kun."
"I will go with you if you think that will help," Jeremiah offered.
Mamoru shook his head, "I will take care of it." Understanding passed between the two men.
"As you wish."
PKPKPK
"Mama, I'm home," Usagi called out as she and Mamoru entered her house.
"You're cutting it close young lady; dinner is ready," Ikuko said as she came out of the kitchen.
"Oh, hello Mamoru. It's been a while since you've been here. How is Jeremiah-san?"
"Good evening Ikuko-san, my godfather is doing well," Mamoru greeted, as he resisted rolling his eyes. He had noticed how she became louder when saying his godfather's name, and he didn't miss the glare that Kenji, who was sitting in the living room, sent her way.
"Mama can I talk to you and papa in the living room please, Shingo can come too. I have something I have to tell you," Usagi cut in before her mother could ask anymore about Mamoru's godfather.
At Usagi's tone Ikuko sobered.
"Is something wrong honey?"
"It depends on how you look at it."
"Oh dear. Shingo get into the living room right now, your sister has something to tell us!"
"Do I have to," Shingo whined from his room.
"You get down here right now!"
"Okay, okay. I'm coming!"
As Shingo trudged down the stairs, the others made their way into the living room. Kenji had long since turned off the TV at Usagi's request to speak to them. Ikuko sat next to him on the couch, soon followed by Shingo. While Mamoru sat in the chair near where Usagi stood, holding her hand for support.
"I don't think there's an easy way to say this, so I'll just say it," Usagi started.
"You're not pregnant are you? Mamoru did you get my little girl pregnant!" Kenji exclaimed, shooting up from the couch.
"Eww! Papa of course not! I told you already Mamoru has a girlfriend."
"That never stopped anyone before," he stated, even as Ikuko pulled him back onto the couch.
"Papa! Mamoru and I are just friends. And I'm not pregnant!"
"Don't mind your father Usagi, tell us what you wanted to say," Ikuko said, glaring at her husband.
"Today I was asked to become a Sailor Senshi."
Her family stared at her in disbelief, then burst into hysterical laughter.
"Usagi that was a good one; for a moment there I thought you were serious!" her mother said in between laughter.
"Yeah Usagi, like the Senshi would want you to join them!" Shingo exclaimed.
"Usagi honestly, couldn't you have done this after the news? I may be missing something important," Kenji reprimanded, turning back on the TV.
"I'm not joking!"
"Sure Usagi," Shingo got up to head back upstairs.
"Well I'd better get dinner on the table," Ikuko announced between chuckles.
Usagi anger grew and the room began to buzz with energy. Mamoru stood up quickly.
"Calm down Usagi." He reached out to touch her arm only to get a slight shock by what seemed to be electricity coming off her body.
Usagi's family stopped whatever they were doing and turned to look at her, when they noticed the change in the room and Usagi.
"I'm not joking and I can prove it," Usagi stated, before closing her eyes and letting her transformation take over her.
There in the middle of the Tsukino living room stood Sailor Earth in all her leather bound glory.
Ikuko immediately dropped back down into the couch; Shingo tripped over his legs and ended up on the floor, while Kenji turned back off the TV robotically.
Sailor Earth smirked at her family's reaction.
"Usagi?" Shingo asked dumbfounded.
"I told you I wasn't joking."
"But who are you supposed to be? Don't all the planets already have a Senshi?"
"Not all the planets, at least not until now. I am Sailor Earth."
"No, no! Absolutely not!" Kenji exclaimed, rising from his seat. "I will not allow you to be Sailor Earth, especially if you're wearing… that!" Her father was red faced now.
"Who designed that thing anyway? I'll strangle them for thinking they could put that on my daughter!"
"You'd have to take it up with the gods papa," Usagi answered, trying to keep the laughter out of her voice.
"Don't think I won't!" Mamoru felt a grin spread across his face. He was sure that given the chance Kenji would confront the gods about Usagi's fuku and not care who he was speaking to.
"Clothing aside Usagi, do you know how dangerous this is? Who would ask you to risk your life with those youma freaks?" her mother asked.
"It doesn't really matter mama-"
"I did, Ikuko-san."
Usagi looked up at Mamoru in surprise. What was he doing? Why was he letting them know his identity?
"Mamoru-san? What do you mean?" Ikuko asked.
Mamoru transformed in front of the Tsukino family; shocking them more than if Sailor Moon herself had walked through their door.
"You're that Endymion guy! That used to be Tuxedo Kamen!" Shingo said excitedly as he jumped up from the floor, circling Endymion.
"Can I have your autograph?"
"Shingo not now," his mother reprimanded.
"Aww man!" he whined.
"Mamoru or Endymion, or whoever you are-"
"Mamoru is fine."
"Fine, Mamoru. How could you ask Usagi to risk her life like this? Aren't you her friend? Don't you know she could get hurt?" Kenji asked incredulously. He wanted to beat some sense into the superhero.
"He had no choice papa. They need me. The battles are getting harder and they need as much help as they can get."
"Why you? There are so many other people out there," her mother said almost pleadingly.
"Not everyone has the ability to handle the power of Sailor Earth. Usagi is unique as you know."
"Is her power dangerous?"
"Mama-"
"I'm asking Mamoru a question, Usagi. Is her power dangerous?"
"Only to someone who can't control it."
"And you knew that Usagi could?"
Mamoru sighed, "No but she had a better chance than most."
"But you risked her life anyway!" Kenji exclaimed.
"Mama, Papa, I didn't come to ask your permission. I don't mean to be rude or anything, I just thought I should let you know. What's done is done. I'm already Sailor Earth and that can't be changed."
"No matter who you are Usagi, you are still my daughter and I will not allow you to go out there and get yourself killed!" Ikuko cried, standing to her feet.
"It's too late for that! I've died already!" Usagi shouted back, covering her mouth after she realized what she'd said.
"What?"
Usagi closed her eyes, maybe she shouldn't have told her parents about Sailor Earth.
"Last week Mamoru and I were in the park and a youma attacked. Mamoru was fighting by himself and not doing so well and I got in the way. The youma threw me into a tree, and I hit the back of my head. It cracked my skull, and I died."
"I don't believe you! If you died how could you be here?" her mother asked.
"Somehow Mamoru was able to heal me and bring me back, no one knows how he did it or if he'll ever be able to do it again."
Her mother turned to the silent Endymion, "Is this true?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Endymion nodded once avoiding eye contact with her; he still felt guilty for not being able to keep Usagi safe.
Tears sprung to Ikuko's eyes.
"You see mama being Sailor Earth or not, there's still a possibility I or any of us could get attacked by a youma. At least now I can protect myself and fight back. Not only for me but also for all those people who can't fight for themselves. I am sorry if you don't approve, but this is who I am now and I'm going to do this with or without your blessing."
Endymion smiled secretly, 'Spoken like a true Senshi,' he thought.
Ikuko stepped closer to her daughter, tears streaking down her face. She touched Usagi's cheek gently, before pulling her into a tight hug.
"I'm not comfortable with letting you go out there, but you have a point. You're right; at least now you can protect yourself. I'm proud of you Usagi, I really am. Arigatou for letting us know." She pulled away from her daughter and kissed her on the cheek before taking Endymion's hand in hers, "Arigatou for taking care of my Usagi, Mamoru. Arigatou for bringing her back to us."
"I'd do anything to keep her from harm Ikuko-san," he assured her.
"I know." She wiped her tears and took a deep breath, "Dinner must be cold by now. I'll go heat it up. You'll be staying for dinner won't you Mamoru? I won't take no for an answer."
"In that case I guess I am," Mamoru smiled as he and Usagi de-transformed.
Ikuko left the living room and Usagi turned to her father seeing that he still stood there staring at her.
"Papa?"
He folded his arms across his chest, "I'm still not happy about the fuku."
Usagi laughed as she threw herself at her father and hugged him tightly.
"Don't you go dying again either, or you're grounded young lady," he said good-naturedly as he hugged his daughter tightly to him. He looked at Mamoru over her head, "You take care of my little girl you understand?"
"I will."
Kenji walked out of the room shaking his head and mumbling about his daughter and her friend being superheroes.
Usagi turned to Shingo after her father left.
"Now Shingo, you have to keep all this secret."
"Well duh! I'm not stupid you know. Unlike you who went and got into a Senshi fight and got yourself killed!"
"Hey! You better be nice to me or I won't get you any Senshi autographs!"
Shingo stuck his tongue out at her, "Just don't go klutz out and get killed again."
"Why Shingo I didn't know you cared," Usagi teased.
To her shock Shingo face turned serious and he began to kick at the floor.
"Well you're my sister, and I don't like the idea of anything happening to you. Even if you are a ditz; the house just wouldn't be the same if you weren't here."
Usagi ruffled his hair affectionately, "Hey, I'm not going anywhere in a hurry."
Shingo smiled before turning his attention to Mamoru.
"So… can I have your autograph?" he asked excitedly as he whipped out an autograph book and pen from nowhere.
Mamoru chuckled and signed it much to the younger boy's delight.
Shingo snatched the book back and stared at it in awe, "Wow! Wait 'til I tell my friends!"
"Shingo!" Usagi exclaimed as her brother dashed up the stairs.
"I'm not going to tell them how I got it! Geez!" His bedroom door slamming followed his reply.
Usagi and Mamoru laughed at his reaction.
"Usagi, Mamoru, can you please set the table for me?"
"Coming mama."
PKPKPK
Rei sighed as she slowly came out of her meditative state and blinked at the fire in front of her. She felt no calmer coming out than she did going in; her body was still sore from training and her mind was restless.
She sighed again tiredly.
"You're going to put out the fire if you keep sighing like that."
Startled she spun around to find Jed standing by the door of the room.
"Jed, what are you doing here? How did you get in here without anyone seeing you?"
"I'm not a super hero for nothing you know," He said cockily as he moved toward her. He sat down next to her and stared at the fire in front of them.
"What were you looking for?" he asked without looking at her.
"Anything I could get on the enemy. But I'm blocked out. Their defenses are stronger than anything I've ever encountered."
"Yes it's the same with Nate. The stars won't tell him anything either."
"I'm scared Jed. This enemy is stronger and smarter than any we've ever encountered. By now the past enemy would have given something away; who their leader is, what they want. These guys are nothing like that. If we knew at least what they were after we'd know how to organize ourselves."
Jed put his arm around her shoulder and drew her to his side.
"They'll slip up eventually Rei-chan. They always do. You can't tire yourself out like this all the time."
"Serenity is depending on me to find out what they're planning. I can't keep tell her I see nothing," Rei said in frustration.
"You need to take a break. She can't expect you to have all the answers; you're only one person."
"You don't understand…"
"What can she do? It's not like you're in the Silver Millennium anymore; she can't kick you off the planet for telling her to easy up on you guys. It isn't her planet," he said matter-of-factly.
Rei couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up at the look on his face. She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed as she nuzzled her nose in his neck sending shivers down his spine.
"You were always so rebellious. That's why I liked you," she whispered tiredly.
He lifted her head from his shoulder and stood before turning to help her up and quickly scooping her up in his arm.
Rei gasped, "Jed what are you doing?"
"You need some rest," he answered as he carried her to her bedroom.
"Jed! You shouldn't be in here!" she exclaimed as he laid her on the bed.
"If my ojiisan comes in here and sees you, he'll feed you to the fire and send me to some remote temple in the mountains!" she continued trying to keep as little noise as possible.
"You don't have to worry about him. I check on him before I came looking for you. He's sleeping right now," he explained as he tried to keep her from sitting up.
"What did you do?"
"Nothing I swear. But I did see a bottle of sake next to his chair."
"Ojiisan!" Rei growled, "I thought I hid that well enough." She paused in her grumbling when she noticed him climbing into bed with her.
"What are you doing?"
Jed grinned knowing what she was thinking.
"Don't worry princess I won't try anything. You'll be under the sheets I'll be above. No hanky panky."
If he didn't know better he would have sworn she looked disappointed.
So he added, "Unless you want me to."
Rei glared at him and turned red, causing Jed to laugh. She grumbled as she got under the sheets then allowed him to take her into his arms. He tucked her head against his chest and kissed her raven hair.
"Rest Rei, I'll be here when you wake up."
PKPKPK
Usagi and Mamoru walked in silence to his car.
"I think they're going to be all right," Usagi said quietly when they reached the car.
"Yeah, it seems so," Mamoru agreed as he turned to her, resting his back against the car.
"Thanks for letting me tell them Mamoru."
"I understand you're need to tell them Usagi, I mean at least I have Jeremiah."
"At least if anything happened to me they wouldn't be left not knowing where I was or what happened."
"Nothing is going to happen to you Usagi. Not while I'm there."
"Aren't you supposed to be Sailor Moon's protector?" Usagi teased.
"You're still my responsibility."
"Hey! I'm not some kid you know."
Mamoru smiled, brushing a few strands of hair from her face.
"You better get inside; you have school tomorrow," he said softly.
Usagi stuck her tongue out at him playfully, and Mamoru grabbed it between his fingers. It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her he could find a better use for her tongue, but he bit the remark back knowing that the idea didn't come from him, but the voice that had been curiously quiet for a week, until that very moment.
He let go of her tongue and playfully shoved her toward the house.
"Get inside brat," he joked, trying to cover his discomfort.
"Who are you calling a brat, baka?"
Mamoru laughed, "Goodnight, Usa-chan."
"Goodnight Mamo-baka."
Mamoru grabbed for her but she was already halfway to the door.
"I'll get you tomorrow!" he called after her.
"Sure you will!"
Usagi watched as Mamoru got into his car and backed out of the driveway. She was sure she saw a change in his expression when she stuck her tongue out at him. It was an expression she saw only in the dreams she had of them together. She shook her head; she was imagining things. Like she told her father, Mamoru only thought of her as a friend.
PKPKPK
Mamoru walked wearily into his apartment. He still couldn't believe what he had almost said to Usagi.
'It's not as if you didn't want to kiss her.'
'Of course I didn't want to kiss her. She's not mine to kiss. And anyway, you heard what she said; we're just friends.' It was weird how the voice had become so normal to him now.
'Why do you keep denying yourself what I know you want?' the voice said, irritated.
'Don't you mean what you want? Who the hell are you anyway? Why are you in my head and what do you want with Usagi?'
'I want the same thing you want. As for who I am, all will be revealed in time.'
The phone rang before Mamoru could reply.
"Moshi, moshi."
"Hello Mamoru-koi."
"Sere, hi."
"I tried to call you earlier but no one was home and you're cell was off."
"I know, gomen. I went to check on Usagi today and her mother invited me to stay for dinner. She has a no cell phone policy at the dinner table."
"Usagi. Oh, uh… is she doing okay?" she said hesitantly.
"Serenity, we talked about this."
"What? I didn't say anything."
"You didn't have to. I heard it in your voice. Usagi and I are friends; we're going to be around each other. I'm not going to stop being with her because you're uncomfortable with it. My friendship with her has nothing to do with our relationship." By now Mamoru was squeezing his nose bridge in slight frustration.
"I know. I just need some time to get used to it. Let's talk about something else."
Their conversation was interrupted suddenly by excessive beeping on both ends. They both answered their communicators.
"Youma, the usual place. And boy is he ugly!"
"We're on our way Venus."
"See you on the battlefield," Serenity said before she hung up the phone.
Mamoru stood up and transformed, "Here we go," he muttered to himself before exiting his apartment through his balcony door.
PKPKPK
Sailor Earth, Endymion and Nephrite stood a little away from the battlefield. They had all just arrived to the scene of the battle.
Endymion turned to Sailor Earth, "Are you ready for this?"
"As I'll ever be," she nodded.
"Let's do this then," Nephrite said excited to get into the battle and see what Sailor Earth could do.
They stepped in just as the youma went flying at Sailor Mars.
"Whirling Tornado!" the huge lightning filled tornado, tossed the youma back about ten feet. Everyone stopped and turned to stare at Sailor Earth who was glaring down the youma.
"Who are you!" the youma asked. He looked like a giant toad, complete with warts and slime oozing from his skin.
"It shouldn't matter to you, cause in a few minutes you'll be dead anyway. But in case your master is watching; I'm Sailor Earth. Too long has this planet stayed silent; now she's fighting back, with one of her own."
"You're not going to be so bold when I'm done with you girlie. Acid Slime!"
Slime came flying out of the youma's mouth at her; she flipped out of the way. Where she had been standing, there was only charred grass.
Fire and lighting came flying at the youma suddenly; he was able to dodge the first one but the lightning hit him hard. Scorching his left side. Earth smiled appreciatively at Jadeite and Nephrite.
Seeing nothing but red the youma rushed in blindly heading straight for Sailor Moon, who was the closest to him for a better vantage point for her to use her wand. They had all formed a double circle around the toad youma. Knowing that Sailor Moon would not be able to move in time and that Endymion wouldn't be able to get to her. Sailor Earth, who was closer, tackled her to the ground the both of them rolling out of the way.
"Get off of me!" Sailor Moon, shrieked embarrassed that Earth had to save her.
"Move quicker next time, princess," Sailor Earth spat, as she got up and moved back over to where the others were fighting to subdue the youma.
Sailor Moon moved to stand only to have a sharp pain flash through her leg.
"My ankle!" she exclaimed, though no one heard her: all too busy with the youma.
"Hey toad!"
The youma stopped, glaring at Sailor Earth.
"This is really getting boring and I have school tomorrow so let's end this!" Sailor Earth placed one hand on top the other, her palms facing the ground.
"Earth Quake!" she pushed her hands down.
For a second nothing happened and the youma laughed, "Am I supposed to be scared?"
Earth just smirked, as the ground began to rumble. A crack started at her feet heading quickly toward the youma that began to back up in fear. Beams of light came shooting up from the crack as it traveled along the ground. The crack widened as it drew closer to the youma. Soon the ground opened up beneath him, the beams of pure white light slicing through his body until he exploded into tiny particles of dust.
"Who's laughing now?" Earth said triumphantly as the ground closed up, seeming as though it had never split to begin with.
The other Senshi just stared at her in awe. They had never seen anyone but Sailor Moon dust a youma.
Mars stepped closer to her, "Usagi?"
Sailor Earth smiled and nodded.
"Wow! Why can't we have fuku like yours?" Venus asked, a little jealous.
Everyone laughed at Venus' comment.
"Where is Sailor Moon?" Luna asked as she and Artemis came from the bushes.
Everyone turned to see an angry Sailor Moon a little ways off sitting awkwardly on the floor. They moved over to her.
"Sailor Moon what's wrong?"
"I sprained my ankle!"
"How?" Mars asked.
"She pushed me!" she shrieked, pointing at Earth.
"Oh come on! If I didn't push you out of the way, you'd have more than a sprained ankle to worry about."
"I could have handled it on my own." Sailor Moon grumbled as Saturn healed her ankle. She stood to her feet, testing her weight on her ankle before she turned her attention fully on Sailor Earth.
"I didn't ask for your help," she said simply.
Sailor Earth watched her incredulously. "Fine then, next time I'll just let the youma kill you," she shrugged.
"Oh and so you know; you're not Sailor Moon anymore. Killing the youma is my responsibility," Sailor Moon informed her.
"Well excuse me for making you feel useless," Earth said bitingly.
"That's enough, both of you!" An angry Endymion stepped between them. The other Senshi and guards were just watching the two go at it in amazement.
"Sailor Moon, instead of being upset you should be thankful to Earth for helping you out. And Sailor Earth, you may not be her Senshi, but she is still royalty and deserves your respect," Endymion continued.
Usagi glared at the both of them, before a slow smile formed on her face.
"Forgive me princess Serenity," she started sweetly, "forgive me for spraining you're already healed ankle, while saving you're life. It will never happen again, I promise you. Now if you'll all excuse me, I have to be getting home before my parents get too worried." With that said she turned on her heels and left, de-transforming as she walked away.
Endymion slapped his forehead in frustration; he should have known this would happen. He heard the voice in his head chuckle.
'Did you really think they would get along?'
'Shut up!' Endymion shot back.
Sailor Moon turned angrily to Endymion.
"How could you do this?"
"Do what?"
"You made her Sailor Earth without consulting me first!"
"She is my Senshi. It is my decision to make not yours."
"You know how dangerous her powers are Endymion. So many people have died trying to harness her powers."
"Usagi seems to be doing just fine."
"You know those powers are unpredictable, and in return she will be as well. She proved that tonight with her attitude!"
"Well that's her excuse, what's yours?" Endymion shot back. He hated having his authority questioned. Sailor Earth was his Senshi and his responsibility. He had weighed all the pros and cons of the situation before he had asked Usagi to become Earth. Serenity was making it sound as if he were incompetent.
Serenity took a deep breath realizing she had crossed the line. She watched as he de-transformed, she and the others following suit.
"Endymion," she began softly, but stopped when he held up his hand.
"This is still my planet and Sailor Earth is my responsibility. Let me worry about any repercussions." He turned from her and walked off, closely followed by his guards who flashed worried and apologetic glances to their Senshi.
After they left Serenity sighed and wearily shook her head.
"He's so stubborn."
The Senshi and cats turned their attention to her.
"I agree with Endymion. I don't see Koneko being a threat," Haruka spoke up, the others nodded their agreement.
"Don't you get it? She may not be able to control it. She harnesses in her body the powers of the earth itself. Mother Nature herself can be unpredictable. She can be your friend one minute and your enemy the next. Sailor Earth will be no different."
"Are you sure?" Rei asked.
Serenity nodded, "No one has ever been able to control those powers."
"What can we do? Endymion is right; she is his Senshi," Ami informed.
Serenity scowled at her slightly, "I know that. The most we can do is to watch her closely. If we see a change or if she seems to be becoming a threat, we'll figure out what to do from there."
PKPKPKPK
Well there you have it; chapter nine is finished. Please review and tell me what you think.
Until next time, ja ne!