Chapter: 10
After what had happened in the ball room the night before, the palace was on lockdown. Nobody got in and, after Endymion had been escorted back to Earth under heavy guard, nobody got out. The Queen and the Princess were secure in a safe room by the Royal Guard so there was no getting to them. Any assassin would've cut his losses and fled when he had the chance.
But Kiba was not one to just run off with his tail between his legs, no no, he had a score to settle with Vasileios. It had been all too easy to corner one of the unsuspecting servants, dispose of him and take his clothes - nobody would miss him anyhow. Now all he needed to do was find a way to get close to Vasileios again or perhaps his pretty little fianc .
"Is it true that barbarian is still in the palace?"
"M'fraid so, Tela heard the guards talking about it when she went to check to give the men food in the barracks."
"Selene...how can they expect us to do our jobs when that madman is running loose?"
...but these simpletons were starting to annoy him and made any plotting on his part null and void. How was he supposed to concentrate when all they did as dither like old house wives?! It was maddening how one could put up with this drabble all day. He'd probably ended his life long ago if he had been slated as one of these fools. But his master had given him a great gift and with it he was here to cut all ties.
'I could just kill them all right now, suck the air out of this very room - soundless, quick and clean. Nobody would be the wiser.'
But he needed patience; his old friend would come to him soon enough. And if things went well, he'd finally be able to pay the blond back for leaving him to die all those years ago.
'Soon Vasileios...soon.'
"I'm sorry, but we cannot allow you access to Lady Venus."
Rei was becoming very, VERY angry. "Can't access Venus?" she told the guard. She grabbed the man's armor, her hands beginning to melt the armor. "I AM one of the Sailor Senshi! You will allow me access to my leader!" demanded Mars with a scowl.
For once, Jadeite was glad he wasn't on the receiving end of his fiance's ire. The poor guard fumbled with the key to the room for a minute before he was able to open the door, the senshi if Mars blowing past like a tempest. He smirked and followed in after her, finding each of the Sailor Senshi inside already in their sailor fukus. Jadeite then noticed where they were - this was the palace infirmary, and it was here that his brothers were holed up still unconscious. According to Rei, the princesses had flocked to his brothers and had refused to leave their sides since they had been thrown aside by Kiba.
Zoisite was the least wounded of the three but still looked awful, his needs being seen to the Mercurian Senshi who hovered nearby, casting looks between him and her little computer. Nephrite was the worst out of the others, his shredded uniform cast off revealing his bandaged body, thick white wrappings covering most of his torso and arms; Jupiter remained by his side like his guardian angel, gloved hands clasping his. And Kunzite... He was still in his uniform but at first glance, he didn't even appear to be breathing. Venus was sat by his side, fists clenched tightly in her lap looking a mixture of fear and anger - anger towards the one who had caused this kind of pain to her lover and her senshi sisters and their lovers; and fear that Kunzite might never wake up...
Jadeite's resolve to defeat Kiba deepened upon seeing the state of his brothers. This was his fight, not theirs. Now he had to make it right.
Sailor Mars took in the sad looking room. The men each of the women cared for were all knocked out saved for Zoisite, who looked like he was in some in and out delirium. And this was making her angry, seeing each of her sisters so upset and... afraid?
No, they couldn't be afraid. Not to get up and fight. No, perhaps their fear was related to the man each of them adored. Mars knew they wouldn't be afraid of fighting off this new enemy, no if anything Jupiter and Venus would be almost suicidal when facing the man that attempted to kill their loves. It was no secret that Venus had been secretly seeing Kunzite, and many of the senshi kept a careful eye on her in case she ever grew round with child from her "nightly visits" to the leader of the Shittenou. And Jupiter always seemed to be sweet on Nephrite, who in return was always kind and charming to her. Lastly Mercury... Just like Zoisite, the two became fast friends with their uncanny interest in science, technology, and knowledge. Yeah, Mercury would be able to spot the weakness of Kiba in no time if she fought a battle (more like observed the battle) for at least five minutes. Perhaps her data and readings would give them a quick upper hand to finish this man off.
Mars crossed her arms as each of her sisters kept their eyes on her. "Who's ready to go kick some Kiba butt?"
"You know where he is?" Asked Mercury adjusting her visor.
Mars nodded her head, "He is still in the palace. We have reason to believe he may be hiding out in the north wing of the palace."
"Really now?" questioned Jupiter standing and punching her fist into her hand.
"We need to make a plan before going in for the attack," spoke Venus with narrowed eyes, "We can't afford to be sloppy."
Mars turned to her fianc , her arms crossed, "Do you have any ideas?"
Jadeite cupped his chin in thought. Kiba had shown he was unpredictable last night, but that didn't mean he couldn't be countered. If he were simply hiding somewhere, the best thing would be to get the Guard to close a tight net around the area, preventing escape - then he and the Senshi would go in and deal with him. But Kiba was posing as one of the servants, trying very hard to blend in...and if they went with the original plan, the man might bolt and they'd have to start all over.
No...he had a better idea. If Kiba wanted to play servant, then the blond had a few ideas of how to rout him out without causing a panic. "Kiba is hiding in the servant's quarters," he informed the rest of the Senshi, their stances going rigid. "I don't know if he's killed anyone yet...it's better to assume he has at this point, otherwise he wouldn't be trying to blend in. If we try and find him the old fashioned way, he'll make a run for it - and he'll take hostages. We need to play this smart. I have one idea that might work but I need you to trust me on this."
"Let's hear it," spoke Venus standing up and walking towards the last standing Shittenou. She took her position as leader of the Senshi and waited expectantly, crossing her arms and waiting to hear the plan. Her mind was already preparing how to use each of her warriors to the fullest in pulling the weasel out of hiding and hopefully soon six feet under.
"Ok, when Kiba and I were back in the orphanage," he paused when he saw their shocked looks, "don't ask, not important not right now. He and I would get into all sorts of trouble with the nannies there, and we usually ended up running until they caught us - well, he did anyway." He grinned a bit, "If we put the pressure on with something unexpected - say, a surprise inspection of the servant quarters, then we may just trigger that "fight or flight" instinct of his."
Sailor Jupiter looked to her leader, "It's worth a shot."
"Wouldn't he be more likely to come out if it was just one Senshi rather than all of us?" Asked Mercury, "you know, the concept for picking off the warriors when they seperate from the team?"
"And give him a false idea that he will disable the palace defense?" added Mars.
Venus turned to Jadeite, "What do you think?"
Jadeite nodded. "Good idea; if we all went in, he'd know something was up. Alright, so which of you is more familiar with the palace layouts?" Venus stepped forward. "Alright, you'll conduct the inspection while Jupiter and Mars wait nearby, if he bolts." Both the Fire Senshi and Thunder Senshi nodded their assent. Jadeite turned to the remaining girl, "Mercury, you and I will hang back and see how things pan out. Use your computer to keep an eye on Kiba's power levels - when they start spiking, we'll send in the cavalry." They all nodded. Jadeite looked at each of them sternly, "Look, I know you're angry. But don't let your feelings get the best of you - Kiba will try and use that to get your guard down. I'm not belittling you, just reminding you. The man's merciless and mad, and will do anything necessary to make sure he gets out of this. We either stop him here on the Moon or I follow him back down to Earth and finish this myself. Agreed?"
All the women nodded their heads. Venus spoke for the team. "Agreed."
She was the first to leave the room and started to make her way down. Jupiter and Mars lingered behind about a minute before following. As Rei followed the other Senshi, she turned a gaze back to Jadeite. When Mercury was turned down to her computer, she have him a smirk and stuck out her tongue at the Shittenou.
Jadeite raised an eyebrow at her questioningly but just shrugged it off as she disappeared around the corner. He had to trust in her and her sisters to do this right, even though he'd much rather have his brothers to do this instead. He had no doubt the Senshi were capable warriors, perhaps even a match for the Shitennou on their best days - but that didn't quell his worries any.
The only thing thing he could do now was the one thing he hated more than anything - waiting.
"Everyone line up!" Shouted the Senshi of Venus as she barged into the servants quarters common area. The men and women alike were surprised at such an order as they left their rooms to peer out and see what was happening. The blonde woman began stalking the room to and fro shouting in her commanding voice. "Everyone out of their rooms! Line up! This is an inspection!" She proclaimed loudly as more and more servants and maids quickly followed her orders.
"Everyone out of their rooms! Line up! This is an inspection!"
The loud proclamation nearly sent Kiba to the floor, balanced as he was on his bunk - well, not really his but not anyone else's. What the hell were the Senshi doing here? Had they finally sniffed him out? 'NO!' He roared in his mind. 'This is all WRONG! It has to be Vasileios! Not these celestial witches!' But he needed to play the part, lest the annoying blonde took notice of his behavior. The last thing he needed was to have her or any of her groupies coming after him - the Shitennou were one thing but these harlots were another matter.
He walked out as calmly but as urgently as possible, falling in line where the others were, standing at attention. Sure enough there she was in full Senshi regalia glaring down each of them with gloved arms clasped behind her back, pacing up and down. Kiba could just feel the aura of this woman pouring out of her like a ruptured damn, her emotions laid bare for all those to see who could pick up such things - he was one of them. And she was pissed. 'It'd be so easy to take her - no, no no, that would ruin everything. Have to wait, be patient, wait for Vasileios to get here. Then we can have some fun.'
"I expect each of you to remain in line. If you get out, I will deal with you MYSELF. I will be searching the rooms, pulling you one by one aside to ask questions in regards to a death that recently took place in this wing." Sailor Venus watched everyone's reactions to her words. Her eyes carefully scanned each person. The left side of the line was where she would start noticing some suspicious behavior. "SILENCE!" she boldly commanded. The room hushed immediately from all the murmurs. Venus pointed to the left side of the line. "You..."
Kiba's eyes followed her gaze to the man on the far end who flinched when she pointed at him.
"M-me, my lady?"
Her eyes narrowed, "Follow me." She turned on her heel to a narrow hallway and slapped the man, " You dare QUESTION me?"
"F-forgive me milady," the man stammered, cowed into submission by the irate princess of Venus. "T-things have been tense around here lately, what with the intruder in the palace. Is it really true he's here? Still?"
Venus glared at the man. She could sense he was not the one. "Yes. Show me your room so I can inspect it."
The man trembled and bowed low before quickly showing the Senshi his personal room. In the back of her mind, she kept her guard up thinking the man they were searching for might come to take her out while she was distracted.
From nearby, Jadeite sighed. They wouldn't get anywhere at this rate. And the man that Venus hauled out was already a stuttering mess. Feeling the need to step in, he approached the two, "Venus, that's enough. It's not him anyway." He turned his attention to the frightened servant and smiled calmly, "You're ok, things are a little...tense right now. Lady Venus will apologize after this is through," he ignored the blonde's shocked expression before changing his tone, schooling his face into steel. "I need you to tell me if there has been anything strange that has happened in the last 17 hours."
Slightly relaxed, the man tried to speak again, wary of the wrath of the blonde princess nearby lest he say something stupid again. "Nothing much, milord. Tela and Graven came back late last night but apart from that, there was nothing strange."
"And why is it that those two coming back late isn't a big deal," Jadeite asked, his curiosity piqued. Of course it was all a facade, but he needed the man to be relaxed around him. Interrogation 101.
The servant smiled sheepishly, a hint of red in his cheeks, "W-well, don't let them know I told you, but they've been seeing each other for months now and occasionally skip curfew to...spend time together."
Behind him, he could practically imagine the grin on Venus' face now - the Love Goddess couldn't resist prying into other people's love lives but it'd have to wait. 'I can count them out then.' "Anything else?"
The man grew tight-lipped for a minute before he leaned in, "Well...there is one thing but I didn't give it much thought, until Lady Venus showed up. And well...Yarl didn't come back last night."
That set off alarm bells in the Shitennou's head. "Do you know what happened to him," he asked sternly, already fearing the worst.
"T-they couldn't...find him milord. We were short-staffed so the Chief Maid sent someone else, and when the lockdown hit he got pulled in with us. He's...different, milord. The others keep their distance but there's something not right about him."
'He never could fit in well with others,' Jadeite mused. "Alright, thank you - but for right now, I need you to go somewhere else. Things are about to get really messy."
The man didn't need to be told twice and scurried off, racing down the halls past Mercury.
Jadeite turned back to an upset Venus, "I know you're chomping at the bit here, but try not to pulverize your princess' servants. Kiba is definitely inside. Look for anyone with black hair and red eyes, that's our man."
Venus glared at Jadeite. "That information would have helped from the get go." She gave a sigh and nodded her head, "I can't help but think about Kunzite...how this man so easily took out my love..." Her eyes became sad and her shoulders slumped. "I..I might just kill Kib Kiba if I see him..."
Jadeite nodded. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you won't have to," he assured her. "If anyone will kill him, it'll be me." And with that, he strode past her, knowing she was right behind him. He took a deep breath and prepared himself. Even if Kiba escaped, at least he'd be off the Moon - then Jadeite could get the army together to hunt the man down. Pushing the door open again, he found the servants all lined up still at attention, looking fearful. The only who didn't was at the far end and clearly didn't look anything like a prim and obedient palace hand." 'Gotcha.'
"It's all right," he spoke loudly so that everyone could hear him. "This was just a simple inspection, apologies for the stress. You may return to what you were doing." At that, all of them relaxed even the stranger...but Jadeite planned for this. "Tell me, do you all know who I am?"
"Lord Jadeite," they all answered. All except one-
"Lord Jadeite, Shitennou of the far eastern lands," the stranger answered further.
Jadeite turned to him and smirked, "And why would a lowly servant know my full title," he asked slowly, watching as the black-haired servant started shifting uneasily. "Hello old friend, I'm here to repay that visit you made at my party last night."
"Curse you Vasileios!" A whirlwind erupted around Kiba's body, just as one very irate but determined Senshi if Venus launched a beam of light at him. The other servants screamed and fled down the halls.
Sailor Mars and Jupiter immediately jumped into action. They swiftly bypassed the servants who were trying their best to escape in one piece. The two warriors immediately prepared their attack in their hands, fire burning in one and lightning crackling in the other. They saw Venus preparing another attack, her eyes dripping tears from anger and sadness. Synchronized, Mars and Jupiter released their attacks trying to buy time for Mercury, who stood in the background quickly typing in her computer.
Kiba kept up his wind shield, buying time while the Senshi tried to get at him with their attacks. CURSE THEM! He hadn't anticipated Jadeite would bring them - this was supposed to be their tie breaker, not a witch hunt! He didn't come here to fight the damned Sailor Senshi! 'Damn them to Hell! No choice.' He forced out his hands and sent a wall of air towards the five individuals in front of him, th attack forcing them to scatter or take cover. Beds, shelves and the like were thrown everywhere, razor sharp splinters sent hurling through the air. Vasileios tackled his pretty little Senshi from behind, shielding her with his body as the splinters rained down on them."'Your compassion will be your undoing old friend," he sneered then bid a hasty retreat out of the room, heading down the corridors towards the gardens.
"FOOL," a voice thundered in his head, making him halt as he slid around another corner."'I grant you power and this is the extent of your resolve?!"
"Master, the Senshi are out in force - and if things stand it won't be long before I'm cornered!"
"Insolent child. I warned you of the perils journeying to the Moon would bring but you clearly did not heed my warnings. Were it not for the part you have yet to play I would easily leave you to your doom. Escape the Moon any way you know how - I will ensure that the Senshi are stalled. But do not think I will not punish you for your incompetence when you return."
Kiba gulped. His master was a generous but merciless being and one he knew well not to cross. He had miscalculated by trying to face his old friend on the Moon - the Shitennou had been dealt with, but now he had the Senshi hounding his trail and that by all accounts was even worse. But nothing mattered - nothing except his bout with Vasileios. "Yes Master."
When the storm started, everyone took cover behind whatever they could find. Jupiter and Venus ducked behind the door, using it as a shield against the hurled wooden spears, but Mars remained standing, taking aim with her Flame Sniper attack. Jadeite cursed. "Rei get down!" He barreled into her from behind, knocking them both to the floor just as the shelves in the room crumbled, shrapnels of wood going into his back. The blond cried out in pain but didn't dare move from his spot, holding the Senshi close to protect her. Soon the storm began to die down.
Jadeite rose to his feet, reaching behind to dislodge a rather nasty looking piece of wood lodged into his back - he'd be feeling it later, but right now he was running on pure adrenaline. "He's getting away!" Ignoring the calls of the Senshi, he rushed after the fleeing wind user, putting every ounce of his strength into speed. He had to catch the madman before he did something drastic, like take a hostage.
When she finally was able to stand, she saw the damage and the aftermath. Her eyes first saw Venus, lying in a pile of broken and severed furniture, her arm twisted in an awkward position definitely broken. The skin on the front side of her body was shredded as if going through a cheese grater. Her once bright amber and pearl-like senshi fuku was now dipped and recolored in her own blood. And not far from her rested Jupiter, whose body was crumpled against a wall, her body curled up for her face and vital organs to be protected. She lay slack, her arms and legs in shreds also. Blood began to pool out of her deep wounds.
She heard a sound from behind her as Mercury stumbled in the room, a huge gash along her forehead and bruises along her legs and arms. Perhaps she had been fortunate to have dodged the needle-like wind, but the various items thrusted by the wind were what made her black and blue. "W-where's Jadeite?"
"He went after after Kiba," the Mercurian winced, the makings of a concussion coming on. "I don't know where they are now."
Mars looked lost for a moment before she suddenly remembered something one chance to find where her fianc had gone. How she'd been able to track him all those weeks ago when he'd ran from her She only hoped she had enough power left to do so.
Jadeite raced through the halls, tracking Kiba's aura all the way to the gardens. Everyone within a 300 meter spread was cleared out by the guards, but now Jadeite was left alone to face the insane wind user. 'Somehow...it had to be this way. Me settling my demons.' As he came ever closer to his inevitable confrontation, flashes of his past with the once angry but not at all unkind boy raced through his mind. Kiba had been angry at the world when he'd met him, but the two had bonded over their experiences and became close friends. 'All the more reason I wanted to bury the fact he ever existed,' Jadeite thought painfully, sliding around another corner. A light at the end of the corridor and the presence of one frantic wind user signified his time had come. 'I'm through running from this - one way or another, it ends here.'
The palace gardens were often used by the Royal Family as a place of peace, of tranquility. Princess Serenity could be found here gazing up at the Earth that hung in the sky, but that very same princess was still locked up tight with her mother. There was no peace to be found here now... Jadeite burst into the clearing, fists clenched as he shouted, "KIBA!"
The raven-haired man stopped by the fountain int eh middle of the gardens, turning toward him slowly with a wide grin on his face. "Ah, Vasileios! Welcome! You look like hell all things considered - wonder why that is?"
"I don't give a damn about your issue with me, but you crossed the line when you tried to kill them," Jadeite growled.
"Oh? And what will you do now? Kill me? Finish what you tried to do so many years ago?"
Jadeite paled slightly. "That's not what happened. I...I lost control. I didn't want to hurt you-"
"Don't lie to me Vasileios," Kiba screamed, anger showing on his face as the wind picked up around him. "You left me to die in that fire but I came out of it - I lived thanks to my master! It was by her grace that I am here now, so we can settle things! Of course I am more than happy if you'd like to set first to this place - so peaceful, quiet; it's irritating. Set it ablaze like you did before and we can finally settle just what's stronger: fire or wind?"
There! Sailor Mars ran as quickly as he two feet could take her. She used her telepathic senses to reach out and find Kiba and Jadeite... no, Vasileios. His real name was Vasileios she reminded herself as she saw the gardens coming into her view. She could feel both of the men's energy... and something else. There was someone else! She prepared the fire in her hands, ready to strike when the enemy came into view...
He stared the red-eyed man down, calling fire to his hands. The flames in his hands crackled and hissed as tendrils of wind licked them but didn't go out. "I didn't want things to come to this, Kiba," Jadeite said mournfully. "If I knew you were alive-"
"If, if, if," Kiba mocked with a laugh. "If you had, then what? You would've recruited me? Taken me into your happy little Shitennou brotherhood? No, no Vasileios, I'm afraid I don't dwell on what ifs. I deal with the now and right now, you're about to die."
A loud roar behind him frightened Jadeite enough that he was knocked off his feet. Looking up, his eyes went wide in horror - a creature with skin as blackest night glared down at him, more like a living shadow than anything with beady red eyes and a gaping maw. It was terrifying, he was paralyzed with fear. The shadow roared, but it was drowned out by another voice.
"Mars Flame Sniper!" An arrow of blazing fire pierced the beast's head, eliciting a shrill cry as it vanished into nothingness.
Jadeite looked over and spotted his fiance, torn and bloody but no less beautiful holding her flaming bow. 'Gods I love her,' he thought to himself briefly before turning to Kiba.
"YOU HAVE INTERFERED FOR THE LAST TIME, WITCH!" Kiba Screamed, summoning a wave of wind so powerful that it almost blew Jadeite and Mars off their feet. "DIE!"
Time slowed as Kiba released the wave, sending it straight at Mars, who fell to one knee her strength gone from that last attack. There was no hesitation nor doubt in the blond's mind when he stepped in the way of the attack, taking it full force. His vision went white and his body went numb, losing control of his body as he fell to the ground in a bloody heap.
Rei's eyes widened in horror as she saw clothing and skin ripped away from the man who loved her. She fell over, as his body plumetted into hers. She opened her eyes as she laid on the ground to see blood dripping from his mouth. Her breath was hitched in her throat. "Jadeite..." she whispered to him as his eyes remained closed. She adjusted her arms and hands to touch his face, "V-Vasileios?"
She felt tears fall down her face when he did not respond to her voice or touches.
She heard the mocking and jeering from the wind-manipulator.
Her blood began to boil. She honed in focusing, reaching out, and searching. Like a long broken connection, something snapped together, and her mind began reading his thoughts, his sick twisted and demented thoughts.
She carefully adjusted her body, and slid out from under Jadeite. With care, she gently rested him back on the ground. Her eyes still releasing tears as her left hand grasped onto a pile of rocks and dirt. She caught her footing as she briefly stumbled, raising her head and staring into Kiba's eyes, her amethyst orbs piercing with fire... she read his thoughts clearly, and she smirked as she began verbalizing them aloud.
"So Kiba... how does it feel? To see the 'Witch' is not yet dead? Hmmm?" she taunted walking towards the man with blood-red eyes. "How you cannot believe that I am up and walking...why I am not yet dead... how I am speaking your thoughts?"
"S-stay away from me," he cried, hurling a wave of air at her.
A curtain of flames protected her as she closed in, her lips curled into a wicked smirk as she snatched and grabbed the man's hair with her right, bloodied white glove. She brought his face up to hers, her smile widening, "That's right Kiba, I'm not dead... yet." Her hand began to burn the dirt and the rocks setting it on fire as if it had just been poured into the mantle of the earth.
She felt the wind pick back up as the man tried to flee from her, cursing and yelling for release, but her ever-strong grip remained tightly entwined in his hair. "Say hello to your master for me in hell," she teased as her remaining hand kindled hot, searing magma, as if she pulled it deep from within the earth.
She ignored the screams Kiba made as the magma burned a hole straight through his chest.
She pulled out that same, magma covered hand and lightly slapped Kiba's face, charing parts of his face off, as if trying to wake up his stone cold shock. Her red lips curled into a smirk, "No one touches my Vasileios." She felt his body give out and his eyes roll to the back of his head. All wind ceased and her telepathy could not pick up a single thought in the dead man's mind. She continued to hold on to him as her hands caught his clothing on fire. Only when he was fully engulfed in flames, did she finally release the corpse.
She turned around, her feet taking slow steps until she began to stumble and fall before the body of her fianc .